He turned around slightly, his eyes landing on Sarah as she sat on the living room area. Kevin sighed once again, going over to the food cart and pushing it to the side. The guys had already left, not barely ten minutes ago after breakfast was done, and he was sure they would come for the cart in just a matter of minutes.

Kevin checked his watch. It was already nine in the morning. The rest of the crew should be arriving any time now, along with Allyson, their Press Liaison, who would more than certain want to speak with him. And how was he supposed to explain the little girl residing in his room at the moment?

Kevin shrugged inwardly as he walked over to Sarah, who was wiping away the wrinkles in her small pink pjs. "Sarah," he called out softly to her.

Sarah turned around, looking at him.

At least things were getting better. She was actually acknowledging him. "Sarah," he repeated, "we're gonna have to do a couple of things after this. I'll explain, don't worry. But I think it's time for you to take a bath." He paused, thinking his words carefully. He had to give her the option to refuse. "Do you want to?"

She seemed to think about it for a second, then nodded.

Kevin grinned from ear to ear with happiness at her nod. "Good, that's good. It's always good to stay clean."

Idiot, his mind seemed to whisper at his babbled words. Idiot.

"Well", he said after a moment, "I'm not really sure about this, so I thought I should ask you. Do you want me to help you?"

Sarah thought about it again, this time taking a little longer, then nodded once again.

The grin on Kevin's lips widened. "Then..." He paused, swallowing the lump that seemed to form in his throat. Now, this was going to be tricky. "Sarah," he started, wanting to explain himself before doing something. "Sarah, I..." He shook his head. "I really don't know how to say this, but I need to help you out of your clothes. I'm sure your mother taught you that no one should ever touch you, no stranger. No one at all. That it was wrong. And I agree with her. But I mean no harm to you. I just want you to take a bath."

Sarah, taking a big chance here, smiled sweetly at him, nodding her small little head as she did so.

"Thanks," Kevin said slowly, cherishing the vote of confidence. "Can I help you?"

She nodded again.

Kevin inhaled slowly, a smile making its way towards his lips. His face looked relaxed and ease as he nod slowly at Sarah. Kevin walked over to her, placing his hand on her shoulders. He lifted her small flannel shirt, picking her up in his arms as he walked over to the bathroom.

Placing her on the floor, Kevin turned around to pick up the shampoo and turn on the tap for the bath. It was only then that Sarah let herself smile softly, her green eyes twinkling. When he turned around, shampoo in hand, her face had settle into her constant serenity.

He let out a long sigh, his chest contracting. He knew in the bottom of his heart and consciousness that he was doing this just because she needed a bath and was too young to do it on her own; but that didn't mean he didn't felt like he was doing something he wasn't supposed to. Like stealing cookies form his mother's jar.

Kevin checked the shampoo and the soap, his hand touching the water slightly as he made sure it was warm enough for her. When the water filled the bath, he closed the tap, his eyes looking at her.

He gave her a wavering smile before placing his hands on her waist. "Lean on me," he said softly. "Lift your legs slowly."

Sarah did as told, placing her small hands on Kevin's forearms as he helped her out of her pajama bottoms. When he saw the small pants hit the floor, Kevin let out a soft sigh. He wasn't going to hurt her, then why did he felt like a bastard anyways?

He picked up the towel in the rack, engulfing her in it before he could see anything else. "Ready for you bath?"

She nodded at him, biting back the small smile.

Lifting her in his arms like she weighted nothing, he placed her ever so slowly and very careful in the bathtub, waiting for her to find her balance before losing his hold on her. He got the towel out, half wet, and let it fall onto the toilet lid.

He smiled sweetly at her. "Close your eyes, alright? I'm gonna shampoo your hair now."

She did as told once again, as he let some shampoo fall onto her head, his fingers going slowly through her hair. He didn't want to hurt her, and he had no way of knowing if he was being too harsh or not. After all, he had never given anyone else a bath.

When he was done with the shampoo, she tilted her head to the back as he rinsed it. It was a little bit trickier when it came down to the soap, because he was worried how he should proceed.

He filled the small sponge with soap, going through her skin slowly, not wanting to irritate it either. He asked her to lift her small legs, so he could wash them as well. He knew he was missing an important part of the bath, but decided against it for now. Maybe when he was a little bit more confident with her, when she was more confident with him too.

When the bath ended, he engulfed her tightly around another thick towel, picking her up in his arms as they made their way towards the bed.

With a small smile, he placed her on top of the bed, damp feet touching the cover and leaving wet prints on it. He dressed her once again, this time not closing his eyes when he helped her put on her small underwear. He was getting better at this, he noted with a small smile.

In no time, sweet little Sarah was dressed for the day and ready for her introduction with everyone else she hadn't met yet; even though Kevin wasn't.

*****

Kevin let out a long sigh. He could say that had gone well.

Allyson hadn't freaked out as much as he would have believed she would. He had been expecting her to lash out on him, to start screaming, probably even scare Sarah of, but she hadn't. She had heard him explain how things had ended up this way, why he had chose the way he had chose, and she had only nodded.

Kevin couldn't have asked more of their Press Liaison.

Mark, however, had been a totally different issue. The man had always been very strict when it came down to the decisions of the group. What was best for the group not necessarily had to be the best for one of them. And he certainly didn't care.

But the guys had stood up to him and told Mark in on uncertain terms to go to hell if he was to say anything -- anything at all -- at Sarah, ever. So, he had backed up just a little bit.

He had also gotten a call from his lawyer. Kevin snorted softly. He knew he should have called Jack as soon as this happened, so he could be waiting for the papers to arrive. And so, when Mr. Smith had send the guardian papers to Jack, the man had been shocked. Kevin could understand it, even relate to it. It had been entirely his fault. And there still were things to consider, to check. Jack had told him only part of it, mostly in a rush because Kevin knew Allyson and Mark would be getting here any minute.

Apparently, as far as Jack had been able to tell him, Lizzie had been very careful regarding the future of her daughter. She had left a trust fund for Sarah for when she turned twenty one, and there was, as well, another account that would be managed by Kevin. Lizzie had always been thorough if anything else.

Letting out a long sigh, Kevin closed his eyes slightly. He took in another deep breath before opening his eyes and pressing his finger knuckles until they popped. It could have been much worse.

"You alright?"

Kevin nodded, lifting his eyes to look at Nick. "Yeah."

"You sure?"

Kevin chuckled. "Yeah, don't worry Nicky."

"It wasn't that bad."

He had to agree with Alex. "I know that."

Brian smiled at his older cousin, squeezing his shoulder. "Everything will work out. Just give them time to get used to Sarah."

There was a loud chuckle and Kevin had to turn to look at AJ. "And Sarah to get used to those two," he said with a big grin.

Kevin had to smile at the comment. "They are not so bad."

"Not, they are not," Howie agreed, "only Mark is."

"Sarah," Nick dared to ask, directly addressing to Sarah, who was watching cartoons as the guys pondered the latest meeting. "Did you like Allyson?"

It took a moment, but Sarah turned her attention for the TV over to the blond, tilting her head to the side.

"I know what you mean," Nick added after a moment. "She's kinda weird sometimes, but she's really great. Once you get to know her."

"She's not weird Nick," Brian said with a chuckle.

"She is."

"No, Nick, she's not," Kevin said as well. "You're only saying this because she used to ground you when you were younger."

Nick pouted. "She did not."

Kevin laughed loudly at this. "Sure she did. I grounded you a couple of times as well, but I think Allyson had even a shorter rope when it came down to you."

The blond glared and the guys chuckled.

Nick was going to retaliate when he realized something. He tilted his head to the side, his blue eyes gazing quizzically at Sarah's hair. "Sarah, is your hair all tangled up?"

That got the attention of the rest of the guys as they all turned around to look a Sarah while the little girl only stared back.

A deep blush made its way to Kevin's cheeks as he ducked his head slightly. "I tried to comb it as well as I could," he said, trying to justify himself, but falling miserably, "but it just kept tangling and tangling. And I didn't have anything hold it together with."

All of them laughed at him as Nick stood up and excused himself for a moment.

"What was that?"

Alex shrugged Howie's question. "Who knows? Maybe Nick finally lost it."

"Yeah, right, like Kevin won't be the first one to lose his sanity."

"Hey! I resent that comment."

"Well cuz, what exactly do you except after spending so much time with us."

Kevin sighed. "Crazy."

Just then, Nick entered the room once again, something in his hand. "Kevin, Kevin, I thought you would have thought of everything by now."

He walked over by Kevin's side, tilted his head, stared down at him rather patronizingly, and shoved something into his chest. "I got this for Angel, but you have it, though. I think you need more than she does."

Kevin looked down at the weird pieces in his hands. It was a hairbrush with long, thick bristles and a purple little scrunchie.

"You probably used a comb. Angel hates combs. This should help you."

Still not convinced, Kevin walked over to the couch and sat by her side. Sarah stood up and placed herself in front of Kevin, her back to him. Kevin took the hairbrush in his hand and started combing her hair slowly, taking one lock of dark hair at a time. Minutes later, her hair was all soft and manageable, and Kevin was able to held it with the scrunchie.

Sarah turned around and smiled at Kevin, whirling her head from one side to the other happily, her hair staying behind.

"See?" Nick said, leaning against the back of the couch, looking at Kevin sideways, "I told you."

"Well, you do have experience with girls' hair."

"Yeah," Alex said from his seat by the table, "his own."

Before Nick could call back an insult, Kevin lifted his hands. "Stop it. Both of you." His eyes staid on Sarah even as he said those words, who was still delighted with her soft hair.

"I don't know you guys, but I'm starving," Howie said, leaning heavily against the back of his seat at the table.

As it seemed to be a unanimous decision, Kevin called room service.

Standing up from his position behind the couch, Nick walked over to the side of the room where Kevin was on the phone. "Have you thought about what Allyson said?"

The question took Kevin by surprise, who turned around, lifting one eyebrow.

"You know what I'm talking about."

Kevin had to sigh. He knew perfectly fine what Nick referred to. "You want a coke?"

Nick paused, nodding after a moment. They both entered the small kitchen area, the bifolded doors closing after them at their own accord. Kevin walked over to the small fridge, getting a bottle of water and a coke for Nick. He sighed once again. "I'm now sure what I'm going to do."

"There's no hurry."

He snorted. "You know perfectly fine there is. Sarah can stay in tonight, but when we leave in the morning, a fan is bound to see her. What are we supposed to say then?" Kevin pinched the bridge of his nose again. "Allyson is right. We gotta figure something out."

They didn't say anything for a moment, each one deep in their own thoughts.

"You can say you adopted her," Nick suggested with a shrug.

"No, I don't want her to have to lie about her mother." He turned around, looking straight into Nick's clear blue eyes. "I wouldn't do that to Lizzie."

"Then?"

Kevin shrugged. "I don't know. But I'll figure something out for tomorrow."

Nick nodded. "You know we're all with you Kev."

The older man smiled slightly. "Thanks." He jerked his head towards the living room. "Lets go."