"No, No!" Claudia turned around, brown eyes staring at Kevin intensely. "Kev, you missed your queue."

"What?"

Claudia let out a sigh, trying keep herself calm. "Your queue. When he says thinking there's only so much... You enter in so, remember? You back him up."

Biting his lower lip, raising the page he had in his hands, his eyes found the lyrics and he nodded as he did so. This wasn't the first time she had told him that. "Yeah, hmm... sorry."

She nodded. "You're flat too."

"Flat?"

"In the chorus, you're flat." When she saw his face with anything but recognition for the word, she felt like killing someone. She had repeated the meaning of the word ten times already. "Flat. You're singing a whole note lower than the one you have to. You're flat."

He nodded again. "Sorry."

She turned around, taking a long sip of her water. Three days. Three days they had been going on at it and somehow, it felt like the first all over again. Kevin knew the meaning, she was sure of that. He knew what was expected of him. Somehow, he just didn't want to cooperate. It was like... like he had lost all interest in the music. She shook her head. It wasn't going to do her any good if she thought about that. She just had to take the job at hand and get the best out of it. Like she always did. Like she did eight years ago with a bunch of kids that thought of themselves as great musicians but sang off key.

"Okay," Claudia said, letting out a breath, "from the top."

You see me sitting here
A smile upon my face
The time has come but you know that it's not too late
There's been too many things
Together we have seen
It's not that hard if we start to believe
And we're not gonna take anymore
Can we try to erase all the pain
So please...
Show me a reason, give me a sign
Tell me the way we fall out of line
Is it today or is it tonight we'll find
The answer to our life
This world is not at ease
We seem to hide the truth
Thinking there's only so much we can really do

Claudia smiled slightly, nodding at Kevin's expectant face as he sang the words. The words were right, the note was close, but the passion wasn't there. She remembered seeing the guys performing this song. It came right from the heart. She remembered when they had told her how they had written, how proud they were of it, being one of the two first song the five of them had written together and were in the album. And now... it wasn't there. It hurt her so much, she felt she could cry.

It's up to you and me
To fix our destiny
The jury's here, so let's take the stand
And we're not gonna take anymore (anymore)
Can we try (try) to erase all the pain
So please...
Show me a reason, give me a sign
Tell me the way we fall out of line
Is it today or is it tonight we'll find
The answer to our life

This time, Kevin didn't miss AJ's queue and followed the next two choruses as accorded.

When the song ended, Claudia uncapped her bottled again, finishing it in one sip. She checked her watch. It was close to noon. "Okay guys, that's all for now." They could use the extra minutes. "Kevin, you still are flat on the chorus, try and practice on it. See you tomorrow."

The guys didn't need to be told twice to walk down to their gym bags and pick up their own bottles of water. AJ, his already in hand, looked at the guys. Practice, as usual, hadn't been easy. For the four of them, maybe, but for them as a group, it had sucked. Every time Claudia would call something on Kevin, they all felt it. However, Claudia had done a good job. That, AJ had to give her. In three days, Claudia had been able to teach Kevin the basic, the need to know stuff, and start already on one of the slow songs they had on tour. She had done an incredible job, no one could say otherwise.

"It's late, and I'm hungry, so lets get out of here, will you?"

"Whose turn is it to cook?"

"Howie's."

"Brian's!"

"I cooked yesterday!"

"Asking for take out does not classify as cooking."

Kevin chuckled as the guys fought. At least this was nice. Practicing, getting every single thing every single time wrong was not. He didn't like practice and he was starting to dislike singing. Not that he even knew if he liked it, but he would most certainly learn how to hate it if things continued as bad as they had gone so far.

"I did not! I just..."

"What? Suddenly you know how to make Chinese? Yeah, right."

"Lets play it fair and square," AJ said before either Brian or Nick started getting violent which, for those two, meant chasing each other around the room. "Who says Mickey D's?"

A chorus of "I do!" was heard through the room.

"What about you Kevin?"

Kevin looked at the four of them. Lunch anywhere was fine with him. "Sure, why not."

"Then Mickey D's it is."

*****

Taking another bite of his Quarter Pound, Kevin heard as the guys... argued.

"This is the last time you go for lunch B."

"What did I do wrong this time?"

"Double Quarter Pound Bri. Double. Don't you remember the word?"

"I got you what you wanted J, so shut up."

"No, you got Howie a double and me a Big Mac."

"Hey," Howie interceded, not wanting those two to get on each other, "I don't mind the Big Mac."

"That's not the point." AJ said, eyeing his lunch. "The order was two Doubles, two quarters, one Chicken. There was no Big Mac in the order."

Brian only glared at his friend. "Shut up and eat your hamburger J, will ya?"

Kevin's eyes darted from AJ then to his cousin, finally falling on his own burger. He didn't understand the argument. They each have a sandwich, right? Then why the big deal?

It wasn't long before the guys finished their lunch and each one of them went to their room to shower and change. Kevin, not having finished his burger, walked over to his bedroom on his own, letting the paper in hand on top of the dresser. Sitting on his bed, he turned on the TV and took another bite of his lunch. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the almost forgotten stack of papers, the lyrics printed on them. He hadn't memorized them yet. The one they had practiced today, he barely even knew the chorus by heart, and even then, if he didn't look at the page, there were times he mixed them up.

When someone knocked on the door, Kevin wasn't surprised. "Yeah?"

Nick entered slowly, peaking his head, smiling at the older man. "Hey there." He walked over to the bed, sitting by Kevin's side. "I just thought I'd join you."

Kevin shrugged. "Sure."

They staid quiet for a moment, the only sound in the room being some kind of movie going unattended as they both recall their own thoughts.

To both men's surprise, it was Kevin who broke the silence. "Is it always this hard?"

Nick frowned slightly, turning around to look at his older friend. "What do you mean?"

Kevin stared at his sandwich, taking another bite. He didn't like it that much. "Singing. Is it always so hard?"

Thinking his words carefully, Nick stayed quiet for a minute. He knew where Kevin was coming from. After the morning the five of them had had, no wonder Kevin was bumped by it. "It's not hard," Nick hurried himself to assure his older friend, "it's never been hard for any of us."

"Maybe not for you, but it is for me," Kevin said so lowly, Nick had to repeat the sounds in his mind as to phantom the words.

The blond blinked slowly, biting his lower lip. This was something he had never had to face before. Having his friend devoid of all love for the art.

"I think I'm starting to hate it."

That threw Nick  off. It was one thing to feel depressed because you can't get it right. But it was something entirely different to hate it. Hate music. That was something Nick couldn't even grasp if his life depended on it. Kevin shouldn't either.

"You don't hate singing Kevin," Nick said slowly.

Kevin snorted and that actually reminded Nick of the old Kevin. "No, I don't, but I will soon." Kevin finished his sandwich and threw the wrapping towards the wastebasket, missing for more than just a little.

"Don't say that," Nick would have pleaded with the older man if he had to. He would have done anything within his power to actually get the other man to accept that the only feelings he got while singing was awe and astonishment, like the rest of them did. Not hatred. Never hatred.

"I can't seem to be able to hit a note without Claudia getting on my case. I'm never right."

"It's tough at the beginning. We've all gotten through that Kevin, it will get better soon."

"How soon?" Kevin's eyes had darkened and Nick wanted to sigh. "How soon, coz I don't think I'll be able to stand this for so long?"

Nick nodded at Kevin's statement. "I know. But it will. I promise. We can work on that a little bit harder. You'll get the hang of it. It's not that hard at all Kevin. I promise."

Big emerald eyes lifted, meeting azure confident ones. "You promise?"

Nick would have doubted to make such a promise; not really wanting to ever let the older man down, if it wasn't for the fact that his was heart convinced of that he was preaching. He nodded. "Yeah, I promise."

Kevin nodded as well, believing his friend and some of that pouring confidence rubbing off on him.

"Guys, it's late!" It was, as expected by the time, Howie's voice that interrupted them.

Smiling softly, Nick stood up. "We better get going. Fatima will kill us if we're late."

Following Nick suitably, Kevin picked up his gym bag and walked over to the door. He walked pass it first, Nick on his heels. However, the older man stopped for a second, turning around and locking his eyes with the blue stare.

"Why did you come to see me?"

The question surprised Nick. He thought for a second before answering. "I thought I could talk to you before practice."

Kevin seemed to consider the response and the truth behind it, as he kept the intense emerald eyes locked with Nick's for another moment. Apparently having found what he was looking for, Kevin nodded.

"Kev! Nick! If we're late, I'm telling you on Fatima!"

They stood there, looking at each other another second before Kevin turned around and made his way down the stairs. Nick frowned slightly, then followed.

*****

"Two, three, four. That's it. Try to keep it up. Five, six. Good. Seven, eight, nine... NO!" Fatima shook her head as her voice raised a full note. "No! No!" She closed the small gab between where she was standing and where the small stereo equipment stood. "No," she repeated, the boys standing in their places, all five of them looking at her now that the lyrics of Not for me had stopped. "No, you have to cross, press and move. Move your shoulders. Don't force it, just do it naturally. For God's sake guys, I've seen elephants do it more slender."

Dark green eyes fell down to the ground, his foot doing circles in its position. This was the fourth time she had stopped them in the last ten minutes. There was something wrong. There was always something wrong, and even if she didn't say, he knew it was only him.

"Do you guys remember or do you want me to go through the steps once again?" She had done twice this afternoon even though she had only finished the last paragraph yesterday. They were advancing at a snail's pace. She let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Neither of them said anything. "Good, now dance it like you mean it."

Fatima hit Play and the characteristically sound of the CD looking for the track was heard, seconds later the lyrics engulfing the place.

I was looking for something
On a crime scene where you’re in too deep
I found a note with his number
It’s just another clue (that leads to you)
I got a little suspicious
I got a feeling, that you ain’t true to me
I should have known better
Than to buy your lies (your sweet disguise)
Yeah, you can fool anyone
But I’ve got eyes to see
That you’re not for me, babe

They hadn't even reached the chorus when Kevin messed up two consecutive steps and, if that wasn't enough, Howie seemed to forget he was supposed to know the choreography and tripped.

"No!"

The music stopped and Fatima walked over to Kevin, standing right in front of the older man. "Chest, sides, stretch then move to the side. Get it?"

Kevin nodded and out of the corner of her eye Fatima could see AJ glaring at her. She didn't care what the so-called rebel of the group thought; she was going to handle her studio as she pleased.

"Do you think you can at least reach the chorus?"

She didn't even wait for him to nod to return to her position in front of the five and hit Play again. Kevin could get that. Kevin most certainly could. And if the older man didn't believe that, the she was going to push and push until he was certain of that. They had been going through the steps for three days and still Kevin didn't get them right at the first try. Only two and a half weeks to go and they couldn't get one single god dammed song right.

Kevin focus every single shred of intelligence to get to the end of the song. Three, four, five, he continued counting in his mind, his eyes glued to the floor. Six, seven, slide, open, ten, eleven.

No no, uh uh
'Cause if you think that it’s the way

He breathed slowly as the end of the song approached. He could do it. At least once, he could do it.

That love should be, let me tell you
It's not for me

He did the last slide, then turned and stopped. He let out a long sigh. He had finished it. For the first time in three days, he had done something right.

Fatima smiled at the boy and it surprised Kevin the girl actually knew how to do it. "Good," she said firmly. "Very good. About damn time too. One thing though, next time, try to look ahead and not down. The girls actually wanna see your eyes. And smile if you can."

Kevin only nodded. So, yeah, it wasn't perfect. But it was close. And that was more than enough.

"It was great!"

The five of them turned around even though one of them didn't need to confirm his suspicious, he had already recognized her voice.

"Leigh!"

The girl laughed as her husband engulfed her in a fierce hug. "Leigh, I missed you," he muffled against her hair.

"I missed you too Bri." She let out a soft sigh. Indeed, she had missed him. It hadn't been easy for her to stay on the side while her husband suffered. She would have done anything to leave the studio and go to where he stood, but she couldn't. She was shooting, and though Brian understood, that didn't make the pain of seeing him hurt any less.

It wasn't until they pulled apart that the four of them dared to walk by their side. They had tried, even if it was only for a moment, to give them as much privacy and they could have in a situation like this.

"You weren't supposed to get until later tonight!" Brian stated as he looked into her blue eyes. "I was going to pick you up at the airport."

Leigh giggled and the sound soared Brian's heart. It had been so long since he last heard that sweet sound.

"Well," Leigh started, the smile still plastered in her face, "I got off early and there was a flight available so I though," she shrugged, "why not? I called Ariadne and she told me where you guys where and decided to surprise you."

Brian had to smile at his lovely wife, planting a small kiss on her lips. He had missed her. God, he had missed her so much.

The guys greeted her, but Kevin stood there, just looking at her. Brian realized this. "Kevin, this is Leighanne. She's my wife, remember I told you about her?"

Kevin nodded, something about blond hair and blue eyes in the back of his mind. Brian had probably talked about her, he just didn't remember. "Yeah."

Leigh smiled sweetly at him. Brian had told her and she had cried along with him on the phone. But now, seeing it in front of her, the emptiness in his eyes was an entirely different matter. It was haunting. "Kevin," she said lowly, "it's been so long."

He nodded again. "Hi."

She frowned for a second and then smiled again, this time her eyes darkening slightly. "You look good." She run her hand through his head, the crisps of hair that were starting to grow soft and firm at the same time against her palm. He flinched and backed away just the slightest, but she noticed and she stopped. "You're hair is growing," she stated, "it's so weird seeing you bald."

He ran his fingers through his hair, short spikes against his fingertips. It didn't feel different. It felt... natural. It was the only look he knew. His military-cut, short against his hand was the only way he recognized.

Blinking slowly, Leigh found herself not knowing what to say. She had never felt that with Kevin or any of the guys.

Nick cut the so palpable tension. "You sure surprised us Leigh."

The girl laughed and shrugged. "That's me guys. Always keep them guessing is my motto."

Brian placed his arm around her waist and tightened his hold. He loved her so much.

"Unless you wanna stay here until tomorrow, your turn around and look at me."

All six of them turned around, most of them biting their lips or frowning a little. They had totally forgotten about Fatima. And none is ever to forget about Fatima.

She checked her watch. A quarter passed eight. She let out a long sigh. They guys were supposed to leave in fifteen minutes. Oh hell, she was becoming a softy. Kevin was too tired and too unfocused to be of any good today, she told herself. "Well, if you've all finished, then I think you can leave."

The guys smiled and cheered. She motioned them to cool off with her hands. "If you are all that hi up, then I think you can manage another hour, right?" She didn't need to hear their groans to chuckled. "Then leave my studio already!"

The guys did as told, never asking why they were being left off early. Never ask such a question, they had already learned a couple of years ago. That's the kind of lesson you only need to teach once. They had stayed two extra hours for wondering out loud.

Kevin followed the guys, picking up his gym bag and taking a couple of sips of his bottle of water. If the guys didn't say anything, then he wasn't going to either. He eyed the woman on Brian's arm carefully. He barely remembered her face from the photos Brian had showed him. She was pretty; he had to give that. Kevin shrugged. Brian laughed and leaned against her shoulder. Brian was laughing and it looked like it all this woman's doing. If she could make Brian laugh like that, then Kevin was sure she was all right.

*****

She took off the small pins that kept her hair in place, letting them fall into her small handbag, along with other personal items. She hadn't put on any makeup -- Brian was always telling her how he loved her in her natural beauty.

Walking out of the bathroom, Leigh watched Brian put away his clothes, and she leaned against the threshold of the door. Brian picked up his pants and put them on one chair standing on the side. Dirty clothes, she recognized. The boys were probably doing their own laundry. She couldn't help but smile as he leaned over dressed only in boxers. How had she missed her husband.

When Brian stood up and turned around, he caught her watching. He grinned wistfully. "What are you doing?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Watching you."

Brian walked over to the bed, sitting there, waiting for her.

She joined him, kissing him softly. She had missed his kisses, his hugs and his laugh. When they parted, Brian kissed her neck and she had to chuckle. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he said as he planted another kiss on her lips. He bit his lower lip. "I've missed you."

Blue eyes clouded, looking down at the covers, and her heart went to her husband. She held him close, kissing his hair. "It's okay Brian. He's okay."

He chuckled dryly, and it hurt her. "He's not. He's having problems singing. He doesn't seem to be able to get the right note." He lifted his eyes to her and tears were already welling up, his lip trembling as he told himself not to cry. "He's not alright."

Leigh kissed him softly. She didn't know what to say. She had only talked with him a minute and it didn't take a brain doctor to know he wasn't. The man had barely said five words to her. "He's two rooms from yours Brian, that's gotta be something."

"It is, God it is. I can't thank Him enough for bringing Kevin back, but..." Brian breathed in and his chest seemed not to want the oxygen. "He's not the same. I don't think he'll ever be the same."

Leigh had to nod and hold him close once again. "He won't Brian, I can't lie to you. I can't tell you he'll remember everything you've gone through." She run her fingers through her hair as she heard him cry, the same way she heard him cry that night on the phone. Tonight, however, she had him in her arms. Tonight, she could comfort him like she had wanted to. "But he'll learn. He's the same person inside. He cares for the five of you. I can't believe he doesn't. And even though he doesn't remember you, he'll learn to love you all."

Brian shook his head, his eyes close shut. He had already cried enough, but having her with him, brought it all back. "I know this is selfish. I know I should only worry about him being well. But I want him to know. I want him to know us. To know me." He paused as he breathed in. "I'm his family."

Leigh kissed his hair slowly, her eyes closing. "I know," she murmured against his hair.