=CHAPTER FIVE=

Four months later...

"STACKS ON!!" was the first thing Mike heard as he woke up. Suddenly three heavy bodies pounced on him. He yelped and kicked them away.
"Ohh, you buggers!" His bandmates laughed hysterically.
"Rise and shine, sweetie pie!" Phil said, pulling the hotel room curtains open. Sunlight shone into Mike's eyes. He groaned and turned over.
"Do you guys ever sleep?" he mumbled.
"Come on, bro, wee have a show to do, remember?" Andrew replied. "It wouldn't be polite to keep them waiting, would it?"
"No, I suppose not." Mike rolled out of bed, landing on the floor with a thud. "Ugh." Toby pulled a shirt over his head and checked his hair in the mirror.
"I feel like a friggin' chameleon," he said to himself. Outside, fans were screaming excitedly. He suddenly grinned. "I'm up for a bit of free-balling."
"Toby, no," Mike objected, now on his feet. "We don't know these people."
"All the more reason to shock them. Now who's with me?"
"Count me in!" Andrew peeled his shirt off.
Mike sighed. "Fine."

A few minutes later, their door opened and our completely nude men, except for socks over their private bits, emerged and ran down the hallway, laughing loudly. Staff stopped their work and stared after them. When the men got to the main balcony, they flung open the door and exposed themselves to the masses of fans waiting outside. Screams and laughter erupted from everyone, including the guys.

By the time they got back to their rooms, the laughter still hadn't stopped.
"Thank God we're not in our own country!" Mike said.
"We gave those Jap chickies an eyeful!" Phil added.
"OK, boys, now we've had our fun...I suggest we do this gig," Andrew suggested, getting dressed again.
As they all clothed, Mike looked out the window and listened to the fans shouting and crying for them. He saw how much they loved the band, how much Human Nature had dazzled and influenced them.
"I'm really going to miss all of this," he said softly. Andrew sat beside him and put his socks on his feet.
"Are you sure you want to give it all up?" he asked.
"I'm not giving it up - i'm just giving the music and the touring a rest for a while. As much as I love it, I know i'm not ready for it. I need this."
"We understand," Phil said, patting him on the shoulder. "It's your choice. But this one gig just might whet your appetite again. Performing's very addictive. Watch out." He grinned.

"OK, ladies, put your hands together for HUMAN NATURE!" the MC shouted. The Japanese audience roared as the four men ran onstage and took their seats, waving to the fans.
"Before we begin," Andrew said into his microphone, taking on a serious tone, "we need you all to put your hands together again for the return of a band member who has come back after being in hospital. My brother and best friend, Michael Tierney."
Mike rose and blew a kiss to the crowd as they cheered. He closed his eyes and took it al in, letting the love fill him inside. God, it felt wonderful being there.
He changed his mind. After the show, he'd tell his friends that he wasn't leaving after all. He was only kidding himself with his previous decision - he needed to be there. The stage was his home, the crowd was his family, and he couldn't think of anyone better to share this all with than Toby, Andrew and Phil - his closest friends.
The intro for 'Eternal Flame' rang out of the speakerrs amongst the multitudes. After Phil and Andrew's parts, Mike began to sing, putting his heart and soul into his performance. A strange get comforting warmth flowed throughout his body, and he knew that he was where he belonged.
"Welcome home," he whispered to himself between lyrics as tears of joy brewed in his eyes.

=THE END=

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