Title: Set Adrift - Second Chances Author: Jezebel the Temptress Feedback: eh_oh_po@yahoo.com
Disclaimers: This is fiction. Ben and Sully are figments of my imagination and The Backstreet Boys are strangers to me and not gay. This has not truth to it. This is for adults only, that's over 18 or 21, depending on your country.
Epilogue.
Alex smiled at the annoyance on Kevin's face as he strolled into the studio hand in hand with Sully and twenty minutes late. It was the first day the Backstreet Boys would be back in the studio and Alex believed in starting as you mean to go on. They all wanted a more laid back approach to their fourth studio album both to reflect their ages and their growing lives outside of the band. Recording was to be spread over six weeks with plenty of time for ideas and time off. It was probably the only way that they would get back into the studio at all.
"You're late." Kevin said, pointing out something that Alex thought far too obvious to mention. "Just because we have more studio time it does not mean that we can afford to take it easy. Not if we want to make this a success."
"Chill out Kev." Alex said. "We make a success of everything that we do. We're Backstreet Boys, remember?"
Kevin felt a little of his anger recede as he realised that this was the first time that they had seen anything of the AJ arrogance that had once annoyed him. After Alex had left rehab it was like all of the bravado had gone but so too had any self esteem and confidence that Alex owned. Finally there was a little of the old Alex back and despite being angry at his tardiness Kevin thought maybe he could let it go just this once.
"It's my fault that we're late really." Sully said, a slight colour rising in his cheeks.
Kevin thought that it was better to leave that alone. He thought of Alex as a younger sibling and he didn't want to know about his sex life.
"Well, you're here now. Best to get started."
"Where's Nick?" Alex asked, not sure how they could start when there were only four of their number there.
"He and Ben are getting some breakfast." Brian replied. "It seems that you're not the only ones that left the house in a hurry this morning."
"Eew...TMI." Alex said with a frown. He was happy that Nick was finally happy but the less said about his sex habits the better.
"So, what did you all get up to on break...?" Alex asked, wanting to change the subject and trying to make conversation.
Howie looked as if he was about to respond when Nick came bursting into the room with his usual lack of tact and discretion.
"Turn on the TV..." Nick said to Kevin as he bounded into the room. Kevin paused a moment, wondering when, if ever, he had taken orders from Nick. He was about to lean over and turn the switch on anyway when he realised that Nick had not stopped and had headed for the television set in the corner immediately. A moment later MTV came on playing one of their earlier songs.
"Did you just want to reminisce?" Kevin asked sarcastically, wondering what the big surprise was.
As he said it the image on the television changed and instead it was Nsync on the screen.
"...Boyband creator Lou Pearlman was last night arrested for tax evasion and insurance fraud which is said to date back a number of years. The man who was once described as a close friend to both the Backstreet Boys and Nsync has in recent times found less success than with his earlier acts but continued to seek out new talent however it appears that he was not so good at the business arrangements as he had thought. If found guilty Pearlman could face potential bankcrupcy and the possibility of jail time. It is not yet known to what extent these charges will reach..."
The reporter continued but Alex no longer wanted to pay attention to the story, he was more interested in Sully's reaction. His lover was white and shaking as if he had seen a ghost.
"Sully?" Alex asked softly. "Are you okay?"
"It's over." Sully said emotionally as he fought back the tears. "He can't touch us anymore."
"No one can." Alex said as he took Sully's hand in his own and interlocked their fingers. "No one can."
Lou Pearlman was a shadow that had hung over all of their lives and the lives of those that they cared for but they were out of his reach and for the first time it looked as if he may be out of their lives. The seven men continued to watch the news, each realising that this was an end for them and that maybe it was also the chance for a new beginning.
THE END
Notes: Yes, this really is the end. "Set Adrift" will always be my favourite story because it was one of my first in this genre but I've come to the end of my creativity where Sully is concerned and I have newer characters that are begging to be written. At over 200 pages this is something of an epic and I want to thank those of you that have battled your way through to read to the end. You are the people that make this worthwhile so I hope I did you proud.
Jez - November 2003