Justin was sitting by the pool in his spacious backyard. There was a glass of champagne in his hand. He took a sip savoring its taste. He felt someone's presence behind him and looked over as they sat down in the lawn chair beside him.

"Taking a break from being gracious host?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I feel like I've been going all week and I just had to get away from everyone for a few moments." Justin paused. "I'm sure you know what I mean."

Nick nodded.

'N SYNC had broken up two years ago and the Backstreet Boys had followed suit about six months later. Most of the members had gone into the music writing or the music management business, although AJ had headed for Hollywood to work the comedy clubs. Nick and Justin had taken a year off and just recently had headed back to the studio to launch their respective solo careers.

Both their albums had been released the same week because they shared the first single: a song co-written, co-produced and co-preformed by them. The albums had been playing tag at the top of the Billboard charts for the three months they'd been out. The music video to the first single had been retired from Total Request Live yesterday where it had spent 65 days in the number one spot— a previously unaccomplished feat.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Nick said. Nick and Justin had flown in from New York earlier this morning. They'd gone to make a guest appearance on TRL for the retirement of their video.

"I don't know what I'm going to do for the two weeks off before we start preparing for our tour."

ROK Records was sponsoring a fall tour of the United State's that Nick and Justin were co-headlining. They'd both signed on with Brian's small record company as soon as they'd decided to pursue solo careers. The then small record company had quickly become one of the largest in Orlando. They were the only two he managed personally now. His staff of twelve took care of the rest of the artists.

"I can't wait to get back on the road," Justin said. He paused for a moment watching Nick nod his agreement. "I guess I should tell you this now Nick. You will be headlining alone in about five months."

Nick looked confused. "Why?"

A huge grin split Justin's face. "I'm going to be a father."

Nick was silent for a moment before he smiled widely. He pulled Justin into a hug.

"Congratulations man."

Lisa came over to the two men. Before she could say anything Nick pulled away from Justin and grabbed her. "Congratulations Lisa. You two will be the best parents ever."

Lisa looked at her husband of three years. "I take it you told him?"

"Yeah," Justin said. "I didn't tell him everything though."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "What else do you have to tell me?"

"Nick," Lisa began, "We would like to name the baby after you. Either Nickolas Scott or Nicola."

Nick sat down hard. "I would be so honored you don’t even understand," he stuttered.

Justin spoke up. "We both agreed that since you were one of the most important people in our lives that we would be honored to have a child named after you."

Nick looked like he was about to cry.

Breaking the silence Lisa asked, "Nick when are you going to find someone to have kids with. If you don't find someone quick I'm going to have to start setting you up with my single girl friends. You are the music worlds most eligible bachelor."

The smile slid off of Nick's face. "I've already found the only girl that I want."

Justin and Lisa looked at each other. "Nick, sweetie?" Lisa asked quietly. "It's been two years. You broke up with her. Don't you think it's time to move on?"

Nick looked at the happy couple beside him. "That doesn't mean that I'm over her or will ever be over her. She wasn't with me anymore. I mean she was, but she wasn't if you know what I mean."

Lisa nodded slightly.

Before the conversation could continue they were interrupted by the sound of spoon hitting glass. Slowly they made their way into the house.

Lance hit the spoon to the glass again.

"Can we please have your attention?" he asked.

The assembled group of about fifty people became quieter.

Howie who was standing next to Lance began to speak. "Lance and I would like to thank you all for coming to our little party."

There was a smattering of clapping.

"We especially need to thank Justin for allowing us to use his house," Lance said.

There was more clapping.

"He just returned this morning from New York where he and Nick celebrated the retirement of their hit music video 'The Time Apart,'" Howie continued. "They accomplished the impossible: 65 days straight at number one. Congratulations guys!"

The applause got loud.

"We would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate the opening of our management company Sweet Delancey Street Management." Lance paused as the crowd clapped loudly. He continued, "I know that three years ago none of you, especially not either of us would have believed that we would be standing on this table together, much less going into business together."

The crowd laughed.

"Anyway, enjoy the party. There's lots of great food and drinks. Brian, watch out, we might try to steal your two star clients."

While laughing Brian moved closer to Nick and Justin who were standing together in a corner of the room.

Nick turned towards Brian, intent on saying hello, but he stopped before the words could leave his mouth.

Kendra walked into the crowded living room. Her arm was through Jeff's. The sun was shining through the large picture window. It played on the surface of the diamond that graced her finger. It shone brightly.

Kendra mentally heard a small gasp and looked up. Nick's eyes met hers. She saw him excusing himself from Justin and Brian's company and coming towards her and Jeff.

"Nick!" Kendra exclaimed. She hoped that the excitement in her voice would offset her distress at telling Nick about her engagement.
Jeff looked up and smiled. "Hey Nick. How's it going?"

"It's going," Nick said as he approached the couple.

"Good, good," Jeff said. "Kendra, sweetie, I'm going to go mingle. I'll find you later. It was great to see you again Nick." Jeff left the two people, an awkward silence surrounding them.

Nick looked down at Kendra's hand. There as a small band of gold lined with diamonds. Kendra followed his gaze. She blushed slightly.

"I guess congratulations are in order?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Kendra said, not looking at Nick.

"How long?" Nick asked.

"He asked about a month ago," Kendra said.

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't know how to Nick. I always thought it would be us." Kendra's eyes met Nick's

"So did I," Nick said.

"Then why isn't it Nick?" Kendra tried to will the tears away from her eyes.

"Because you have Jeff." Nick's voice was pained. "You've always had Jeff."

"But I had you Nick and then you let me go."

Kendra saw a flash of pain cross Nick's face. She'd asked for an explanation for the breakup but he'd refused to give one.

"Can we go somewhere and talk about this?" Nick asked.

Kendra was silent for a moment. "Yeah," she said finally. "Let me just go find Jeff."

Two minutes later she was back. "Okay. Let's go."

The walked out of the party past a radio that was playing quietly. Neither of the them heard the announcement that the radio DJ was saying:

"Warden's at Orlando's maximum security penitentiary announced twenty minutes ago that convicted felons Nick and Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffres have escaped from the prison. Investigators have released no information as to how they escaped. They are considered to be armed and extremely dangerous. Nick, Drew and Justin were convicted of kidnapping Nick Carter and Justin Timberlake…"

Nick and Kendra sat in silence. The both stared at the white chocolate mochas in front of them. Finally Kendra broke the silence.

"Why did you break up with me Nick?"

"Because of Jeff."

"You broke up with me because of Jeff?"

"Yeah," Nick said. "You were spending so much time with him I thought that you wanted to be with him." He paused. "I guess I was right."

"Why didn't you talk to me Nick? I didn't know you were jealous."

"You should have been able to see it Kendra. It was breaking my heart and if you loved me as much as you said you did I thought you should have been able to tell."

Kendra looked at Nick, tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Nick. I knew you didn't like Jeff but I didn't know it was tearing you up that much."

"I guess," Nick said as he sloshed his mocha around the cup. "I guess that I thought maybe you were only with me because you were sorry for me."

"Why would I have felt sorry for you Nick?" Kendra looked confused as she took a drink of her rapidly cooling coffee.

"Because of the whole abduction thing. Because it brought us back together. Because you didn’t want to hurt me anymore so shortly after the whole thing happened." Nick never really talked about the kidnapping.

Kendra got a semi-outraged look on her face. "Maybe it's a good thing you broke up with me if you honestly think that I would stay with you just out of pity."

Kendra was silent waiting for Nick to answer. He didn't.

"The only thing the whole abduction made me realize is how much I loved, no, love you."

Nick was concentrating hard on the table.

"Nick?" Kendra asked, her voice wavering. "Do you still love me?"

"God yes," Nick said looking up suddenly. His voice was filled with emotion. "Kendra, you're the only person I've ever loved. I love you so much that it kills me everyday to know that I fucked up. Because fuck up I did," Nick paused but continued before Kendra could speak. "I think part of me always thought that you'd get tired of Jeff and then I could have you again. I do know you well enough, Kendra, to know that if you didn't love Jeff you wouldn't be with him. You say you love me but you're marrying Jeff. God I want to ask you to give me another chance. I want to ask you to leave Jeff and come back to me so badly."

"Are you asking me?" Kendra asked.

Nick paused. "No. I want to but I can't Ken. You're happy with Jeff and that's all that matters to me."

Nick stood up and walked towards the cash register to pay for the coffees.

Kendra watched Nick's back. "Ask me Nick," she said silently. "I think you'd like the answer."

Kendra gave Nick a hug before she went back into Justin's house. Slowly Nick pulled away.

"Tell Justin I'm sorry. I don't feel like celebrating very much anymore."

Kendra nodded.

"And Kendra, congratulations again." Nick paused. "Jeff is a very lucky man."

Kendra nodded again, not trusting her voice. She watched as Nick walked down the driveway. She watched Nick walk away from her a third time and for a third time she did nothing about it. She wasn't going to let it happen again. She wasn't.

"Nick!" she yelled. She ran down the driveway to meet him. "The question you wouldn't ask?"

Nick nodded.

"The answer is yes Nick."

Nick stood there.

Kendra stood there.

Nick nodded. "I hope you're very happy with Jeff Kendra. You deserve the best. And Jeff is probably the best for you. He won't break your heart like I have."

Nick walked down the driveway and didn't look back.

Kendra stared after him the tears slipping down her face. She didn't feel very much up to the party either. She'd just go inside and find Jeff and tell him she wanted to leave.

She walked inside Justin's house and the first thing she noticed was the silence. Justin's eyes were frightened and when they saw her they opened wide. He motioned with his head for her to run. Or maybe it was his eyes telling her to run. She couldn't tell but she never got the chance to do it because a hand clamped down over her shoulder.

"You're just in time for the party Kendra," Drew said. He shoved her towards Jeff who held out his arms to comfort the sobbing girl. There had been too much emotion in the last few hours.

"Now," Drew said. "We have some scores to settle."

Nick kicked a rock. He watched it bounce down the street. He had done it again. He had let the woman he loved go, again. He was only doing it for her happiness. So why did he feel like he'd broken her heart, again.

Suddenly Nick stopped. What about his happiness? Kendra had told him that she wanted him still. He wanted her so badly he physically hurt. He deserved to be happy. He deserved to get the girl. He loved her more than anyone else possibly could.

Nick turned around. "Kendra was mine to begin with Jeff and she's going to be mine again." He started running back to Justin's house.

Drew waved his gun at the crowd of partygoers. He paid special attention to the former members of 'N SYNC and the Backstreet Boys.

"There was only one thing that we wanted," Drew said. "It was really simple. We wanted to get selected for MTV's World Tour. It would have made our careers. All we needed was for Nick and Justin to disappear for nine days, have them announce the world tour lineup and then we'd miraculously discover them. We'd be heroes.

"But you fucked that all up," Drew continued waving the gun. "All of you. We're supposed to be in jail for 25 to life while you all control the music industry. If I'm going to go to jail then at least I'm going to have a good reason."

Drew pointed his gun at Kendra.

"Drew, stop it," Jeff said as he got up.

"You fucked us already Jeff making her stay on the case. You aren't going to fuck us again."

"I've been fucking with you since day one Drew," Jeff said shaking his head.

Kendra looked confused. Jeff's normally sweet, caring voice had taken on a hard edge.

"The one time that you thought I was fucking with you though, I didn't. I was saving my own fucking ass."

He was so involved in his speech he didn't see the blond head peer into the room and then run out.

"But we got you…" Drew began.

"Don't you ever wonder why Lou never asked me to be in on the scheme?"

"He said you were too goody-goody to do it. You wouldn't go along with it," Drew answered.

"And you believed him?" Jeff shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "My dear brothers. You never were too intelligent."

"What the fuck are you talking about Jeff?"

"You wanted a spot on MTV's World Tour bad enough that you would kidnap for it? That is pathetic Drew. I at least had a reason." Jeff laughed. "Transcon offered me a solo contract worth big bucks. All I had to do was dissolve 98- degrees. It took some money to convince Lou to help me."

"But Lou," Drew began.

"Is escaping as we speak. You gave him the perfect opportunity. Don't you think that there was a reason the guards weren't watching when the laundrey truck pulled up? Only problem was that Lou missed the truck and you didn't."

"But…" Drew trailed off.

"Close your mouth and think of what you're going to say Drew. You look stupid going: but, but, but." Jeff looked around the room.

Kendra had scooted over to where Justin and Lisa were with a look of absolute terror on her face.

"I'm sorry Kendra doll, but I'm afraid we're going to have to be fugitives now."

"Get the fuck away from me Jeff," Kendra said, her voice filled with hate.

"That's not a nice way to talk to your husband to be sweetie."

Kendra tried to get the ring off her finger. It felt like it was burning her. "I wouldn't marry you ever Jeff."

"Well, it appears that you're going to be difficult about it," Jeff said as he moved to pick Kendra up.

Justin moved to defend Kendra as a new voice filled the room.

"Take your fucking hands away from her now."

Jeff looked up to see Nick standing in the doorway.

"Nick!" Kendra shrieked. "Get out of here. They're armed."

Nick looked at Kendra and smiled. He turned a glare towards Jeff. "I said get your fucking hands away from her now."

"Who's going to make me?" Jeff mocked. "You?"

"Them," Nick said throwing a thumb over his shoulder.

Fifteen police officers burst into the living room, guns pointed, bulletproof vests visible.

"Freeze! Drop your weapons and stick your hands in the air!"

Three guns clattered to the ground. Six hands went in the air.

Slowly Jeff stood up putting his hands above his head.

Quickly he was cuffed and led out of the house. As he passed Nick he stopped and said quietly. "Be good to her Nick because I will always be watching."

Nick ran to where Kendra was sitting on the ground. Her hair was a mess. Tears streamed down her face. She as fighting to get the ring off of her finger.

She looked up at Nick and threw her arms around his Nick.

Jeff stopped at the door of the house and looked as his fiancée embraced another man. A single tear ran down his cheek. "I loved you Ken," he said quietly. He was led out of the house.

"You've saved me so many times," Nick said. "It was about time for me to return the favor."
Kendra giggled nervously.

"I love you Nick. I love you so much."

"Please Kendra, say you'll save me again. Please say you'll give me one last chance?"

Kendra's only response was to give Nick a kiss with the proverbial fireworks exploding around them.

"I'll take that as a yes," Nick said when they reluctantly pulled apart.

Kendra pulled Nick's head down so their foreheads and noses were touching. "Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes."
 

There it is... The end of Legends of the Fall. I hope it didn't disappoint anyone. Feel free to email me at sarah_s_19@yahoo.com. Or Sign my Guestbook. I'd love to see what you all think of this part and the whole series.

Thanks for reading!
Sarah

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