New Year's Eve 2000

Danielle Miller smoothed out the skirt of her dress as she took one last look in the mirror. Does this look like a good outfit to get engaged in? She thought to herself. Absolutely. Danielle had been dating Joey Fatone of NSync for the last two years and here they were on New Year's Eve. She knew that Joey was up to something. He had been acting funny for the past couple of weeks. She could always tell when he was going to do something big, and deep down her heart told her that tonight was the night he was going to pop the question.

"Dani! We're late – let's go!" she heard Joey call to her from the living room of their suite. "Coming!" she hollered back.

They were off to the MTV New Year's bash. Britney was performing at midnight, and where Britney was, Justin was and where Justin was, well, the rest of the guys didn't want to miss out on the MTV party. So there they all were, in New York, ready to ring in the New Year together. Danielle, hoping there would be a ring on her finger at midnight. Britney had noticed Joey was acting strange also, and suspected the same as Danielle.

Danielle walked out of the bathroom and into the open suite. Joey turned and took one look. A lingering look. He walked over to Danielle and held both her hands. He took a deep breath and kissed them both. Long. Soft. Firm. He closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of her skin. "Joe, they are just hands," she coyly reminded him. He took another deep breath and opened his eyes to look at her as he dropped her hands. "I know," he smiled. "I just wanted to hold onto them for a little longer."

"You've got forever to hold them, now aren't we late?" she asked as she swooped toward the door.

Forever. He thought. That's what he thought one time too. But not tonight. Not anymore. He sighed once more before following her out the door. Knowing that when he returned that night, both their lives would be changed forever.

Nick walked into the MTV party and smiled at first glance. This is going to be awesome. He told himself. AJ close behind him muttered Nick's thoughts.

"This is going to be fucking awesome!" AJ patted Nick on the back as they checked out the ladies surrounding them, and the bar that was set up in the corner. "Hey Nicky," he motioned toward the bar, "let's go get a drink and get this party started."

Nick happily followed AJ. Nick was still about a month away from his 21st birthday, but he wasn't too worried about not getting served. He never had a problem, and New Year's wasn't the time to start worrying about it.

Howie joined them at the bar a few minutes later. "Do you know who is performing tonight?" Nick shook his head. He didn't know, nor did he really care. It's all about the atmosphere. MTV would have a good choice, no doubt about that.

"Wait till you hear who it is," Howie smiled. Both Nick and AJ dropped their expressions and asked very flatly at the same time, "Who?"

Howie started to laugh and replied, "Britney."

"What?" AJ choked. "I thought they picked good bands for the midnight session." Did she record 'Auld Lang Syne' ahead of time to lip synch to it later tonight?" AJ rolled his eyes as Howie grabbed himself a drink and continued to laugh. It was obvious that Howie had already been indulging himself in the beverages.

"Well, so much for rock and roll tonight," Nick hollered into AJ's ear.

"So much for the spotlight tonight," AJ replied. "I think I smell them already."

AJ was referring to NSync. AJ and the rest of the Backstreet Boys knew full well, that they would be there, especially if Britney was. They rode each other's coat tails constantly. There was definitely no love lost between the boys from BSB and the boys from NSync. They had been in fierce competition throughout their careers, and now since the release of BSB's latest album, Black and Blue. They could feel the NSync gloat wherever they went. Black and Blue didn't break any records, and that bugged the shit out them.

Nick looked around the crowd and he reached for another beer. Here it was, New Year's Eve and he needed to find a gal to get some lovin' from at midnight. Newly single, he was ready for some fresh faces and why not start the New Year out right?

Nick stopped short, threw his arms out, put his nose up in the air and began sniffing.

"What's up Nicky?" AJ asked.

"Wait, Bone. I think I smell something," he replied, nose still sniffing cautiously in the air.

AJ looked up and joined in, "I think I smell it too." They both kept their noses in the air and started heading in the same direction, following their "scent". They wormed in and out through the crowd when they came upon their supposed source.

"Yeah, I definitely smell something, Nick stated loudly. Loud enough so that the people right next to him could hear. "It's much stronger right. . .HERE!" Nick hollered and stuck his nose in the face of Justin Timberlake.

"Stronger!" AJ exclaimed, "Oh it's horrible!"

"Just as I suspected!" Nick howled and pointed at Justin, who now had Joey and Danielle behind him. "N-STINK!"

AJ doubled over in laughter as Nick continued to point and wave his other hand in front of his nose with a fowl scowl on his face.

"Real cute, Nick." Justin commented as they walked past Nick and AJ. Nick, who had already downed a few beers in record time, was starting to feel his buzz. He watched them walk past and grabbed onto AJ, when he spotted Danielle.

"Oh my God, Bone, is THAT the same Danielle?" he asked AJ.

AJ squinted and started nodding enthusiastically, "Yep. Yep that's her. Man, she cleans up nice."

Nick playfully punched AJ in the arm and shook his head. "Wow, she looks awesome. I didn't know her and Tubby were still together. I haven't seen her around in awhile."

"I guess Danielle hasn't been touring or been out in the spotlight much lately, cause I heard she's finishing her senior year in college. Didn't want to take the time off school when she was so close to finishing." AJ told Nick.

"How do you know that?" Nick questioned.

"Nicky, my boy, I know everything. Everything, about everyone, all the time." AJ replied pointed to his temple. "You have to be aware of what your enemy is doing at all times, and that means being informed."

"Whatever," Nick rolled his eyes at him and continued drinking his beer. Keeping an eye on Danielle and watched as she slipped her arm around Joey's waist. How Joey could hold onto a woman as beautiful and smart as Danielle, was beyond him. Nick remembered the first time he ever laid eyes on Danielle. It was two years ago at the MTV Video Music Awards. She had been backstage talking with Britney Spears. She had brown hair that fell just past her shoulders, shiny and straight, big blue eyes, fair skin and the glow of an angel. Nick's heart soared the second he saw her, and then his heart dropped when she saw who she was really with. Joey Fatone. From that point on, Nick wrote her off. Not that she would have given him a second glance at the time. Two years ago, Nick was still considered a "baby", at the mere age of 18. A girl like Danielle, would have ever have taken a second glance at a youngster like Nick back then. But now things have changed, Nick was no longer a kid. He was a man. And these days, he made sure that everyone knew that.

"Man, what's she still doing with him?" Nick questioned AJ.

"Who cares?" AJ started, then stopped himself and looked questioningly at Nick, when he saw something in Nick's eye. "Wait a minute, bro, I've seen that look before. Forget about her. She's very taken, and quite literally, sleeping with the enemy."

"What? I'm not thinking anything, just curious is all," Nick replied, shrugging, "I just think she could do better."

"With who? You?" AJ smirked.

"Well, I AM better," Nick smiled. "I'm just saying I wouldn't mind getting a little of that. I mean, LOOK at her." He nodded in her direction to AJ.

"Yeah, she's hot. BUT, Nicky. Bro, she's way off limits. Especially to any of us. She wouldn't give any of us a second look. We hate each other." AJ stated simply. AJ looked into his glass. "Uh oh."

"What's up?" Nick spun around, "what's wrong?"

AJ scrunched up his nose, made a painful expression and replied, "I'm empty. So are you. Let's head to our rightful place. . .BAR PLEASE! Coming through!"

Nick laughed as AJ careened his way through people so he and Nick could make their place at the bar. And there they sat. And sat. And drank.

11:30pm – New Year's Eve

Danielle and Joey sipped champagne and mingled with the crowd throughout the night. They were getting much closer to midnight, and she was wondering what Joey was waiting for. She could tell he was anticipating telling her something, but he kept putting it off.

"Joe?" Danielle nudged Joey.

"Yeah, hon." Joey leaned down so his ear was near her mouth so he could hear her.

"Is something going on with you? It's almost midnight and I get the feeling that you need to tell me something." She prodded. Why not try to get things started for him? He is probably nervous.

"Yeah, actually. . .yeah." Joey replied suddenly looking up to see his surroundings, searching out a spot for them to talk. "Follow me." He took her hand and started leading her through the crowd. They made it outside the main room and into a nearby hallway. There were people everywhere, but at least they could hear each other speak.

Joey turned to face her, and put both of his hands on her shoulders. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before he started talking. Not really sure how he wanted to do this. He had rehearsed it in his mind a hundred times, but now here they were, and he just had no idea how to break this to her.

"OK, Joe, spill," Danielle laughed at his serious face. "What, what is it?"

"Dani," he began. "I don't want you to say a word, I just want you to listen to what I have to say, just hear me out before you say anything."

Danielle nodded. This was it. This was really it. Her stomach had so many butterflies she thought that she was going to fly away from excitement.

"You are graduating in June. And I know, that you have dreams. You have been dreaming of wearing that white dress, and walking down that aisle and I know that deep down, although you tell me it doesn't matter right now to you, I know it really does."

Danielle's eyes started welling up, and a smile spread across her face. She nodded for him to continue.

"This is so hard for me Danielle." Joey stopped, tears filling in his own eyes. "Just remember, that it is because I love you so much that I am doing this."

"Doing what?" she piped in, running her hand across his cheek.

He put his hand up to her lips to stop her from speaking. "Shhh. Remember no talking. Just listen."

"I'm started this New Year with a new slate for both of us. I didn't want to be the one to kiss you at midnight."

Danielle furrowed her brow with confusion. She was totally confused.

"I can't give you what you want Danielle. That's why, this. We. Is over."

Danielle was stunned. What did he just say? She dropped her hands from his. "What did you just say? Over, what do you mean?"

"I mean, that, I need to set you free. You deserve someone who can BE a husband to you. I can't give you that Dani. I can't promise you the companionship or the fidelity that you deserve."

"Fidelity? What are you talking about?"

"I mean, you deserve better. You deserve someone who CAN marry you. I just can't. I just can't be that person." Joey cried. Tears rolling down his face as he watched Danielle's tears roll down her face and the anger start to well in her voice.

"Let me get this straight, Joe! You love me. And because you love me SOOOO fucking much, you are breaking up with me? Breaking up with me so that I can marry someone who won't fucking cheat on me? So, you lay this all on my right now? 15 fucking minutes before midnight, and you tell me that not only do you not want to marry me, but that you don't want to be with me at all, and not only THAT, but that you have been FUCKING cheating on me?!" she yelled. Before burying her face in her hands.

Joey hung his head and simply answered, "yes."

"Bastard." She looked up at him.

He reached out to her, and she stepped back putting one hand up in front of her. "Don't fucking touch me."

"Dani, you have to understand, that those other girls didn't mean anything to me. But you haven't been around, or on the tour. You weren't here. They were. I AM sorry, but I know that you deserve better," he began when she cut him off.

"Oh, I know the story Mr. Conscience, you can spare me the details," she turned away from him and stood there for a moment when he came up behind her and began to put his arms around her to comfort her.

"Dani, I am sorry," he began.

She jumped away from him. "And I told you not to touch me! In fact, don't ever talk to me. I don't even want you to fucking look at me again! Happy New Year Joey."

And she ran off back into the main room. She needed to find Britney. She needed to talk to her best friend. Then she needed to get the hell out of there.

Joey stood there. Helpless. He had done it. He set her free. He knew he did the right thing, but right then. It felt anything but right, it just felt wrong.

"Hmmmmmm. . .trouble on lover's lane, Fatone?"

Joey spun around to see Howie smiling back at him. "Shut up D," Joey looked down at the floor. "This is none of your business."

"From the loos of it, she's nah your business an-more either," Howie slurred, the drinks obviously taking their effect on him.

Joey grabbed Howie by the collar and firmly replied, "Shut the fuck up, man! Stay out of my fucking business!" And he mildly threw Howie back away from him before turning and storming off.

Danielle found Britney, it was minutes before midnight and Britney was set to go on stage. Danielle ran up to her, tears flooding from her eyes.

"Brit!" Danielle cried.

"Honey, what's wrong? Girl, I've got to go onstage in a few minutes, what is happening?" Britney asked.

"It's Joey. He. . .he. . .he just broke up with me!" Danielle cried.

"He. . .WHAT?" Britney's eyes flashed with anger. "I thought he was going to propose?"

"So did I, but he is 'setting me free' because he loves me so much. I am going back to the hotel to get my things out of his room, I just don't want to see him." Danielle told her.

"You can stay in my room," Britney told her. "I'll have Justin take you back to the hotel right now."

"No, no. . .don't ruin your New Year. I will get my own room and call you tomorrow. You and Justin deserve to have a nice New Year. I am gonna catch a cab and go – if I can get through the hoards of people out there in Times Square. I will probably have to walk a few blocks."

"Are you sure you don't want Justin to walk you back?" Britney asked.

"No, really, I will be fine. I just want to get out of here before Joey finds me."

"OK, hon, you take care of yourself, I will talk to you tomorrow." Britney bounced Danielle's hands in hers, then gave her friend a hug. "If you need to talk tonight, you call me."

"I will, thanks Brit," Danielle smiled, wiping a few tears.

"So, guess who almoss jus kicked my ass?" Howie threw both arms over Nick and AJ's shoulders.

"Kicked your ass? What the hell did YOU do?" Nick laughed.

"You are fucking wasted man," AJ looked straight ahead and shook his head.

"No, really! All I did was wih-ness the fight, and he grabbed me and told me to shut the fuh up!"

"Fight? Man, what are you talking about?" Nick asked looking at AJ.

"Fatone. Joooooooooooooooey Fatone. Hase me." Howie replied with a wave of his hand.

"Hates you? Why?" AJ asked.

"Him and his girl," Howie started and took another drink.

Nick's ears perked at the mention of Danielle. "What about her, D?"

"Over. Done. Ka-put!" Howie hollered.

"Awwwww, and you saw the fight?" AJ asked.

Howie nodded, smiling.

"There's your chance, lil bro," AJ yelled at Nick, patting him on the back.

Nick took a drink and shook his head, shrugging AJ off. "Lay off man."

"Hey midnight soon, I need to find a woman!" AJ howled as he started to disappear into the crowd. "Nicky, go find some ass!"

Nick planned on it. He just didn't know where to find her.

Danielle was passing the bar as she started hearing the countdown. She stopped as everyone hollered "Happy New Year!!!" She looked around her and saw everyone kissing and champagne flying through the air. She closed her eyes and turned quickly to leave when she bumped into a couple deeply locked in a kiss – her bump, hard enough to break their kiss.

"What the hell!" the guy turned to see who was interrupting his moment when he looked down at a teary Danielle.

"Sorry," Danielle quipped, as she looked up to see who it was. When her stomach dropped even more when she saw who it was. "Great, that's all I need," she muttered to herself. Here she had gone and bumped into one of the stupid Backstreet Boys.

AJ looked right at her, and laughed, "it's OK, baby. Or should I say, 'cry-baby'?" AJ was ruthless. He'd be polite, but her tears weren't his concern. AJ laughed, as she ran out. He shook his head and went back to kissing his gal pal.

"What do you mean, no rooms are available?" She yelled at the front desk clerk.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but it's New Years, we are booked." The clerk knew that she was with the NSync party, but he still couldn't help her. "I can check the Plaza and see if they have any available rooms."

"Please do." Danielle hopefully said.

She had already gathered her things from Joey's room. She wanted to make sure she was completely gone by the time he got back. She tapped her fingers on the counter in front of her as she listened to the clerk talking with the reservationists at the Plaza.

"A suite? That's all?" The clerk asked then put the receiver of the phone to her shoulder, and looked up to Danielle. "Miss? All the Plaza has is a suite, would that be OK?"

A suite? Danielle rolled her eyes; of course they would only have a suite! At this point, Danielle didn't care how much it cost, she just wanted out of there. "Yes, a suite is fine." She nodded.

The Plaza Hotel – 1:10am – New Year's Day, 2001

Danielle looked around the suite. She had been there a few times before with Joey. A suite was just entirely too big for one person, she told herself. But, I might as well take advantage of this, I'm here aren't I? She decided that what she really wanted to do was go get a drink. After a night like this, a beer would taste really good.

Danielle changed into some more casual clothes and went down to the hotel bar. At least, I don't have to worry about seeing Joey or any of those guys.

Nick and AJ carried a very drunk Howie out of the limo and into the hotel. Howie had passed out on the way from the party, and at this point, waking up was not an option.

"You do realize that I am going to kick his ass in the morning," AJ looked to Nick, who groaned back.

"You do realize that I could have gotten laid tonight," AJ told Nick.

Nick just kept walking, carrying the burden of most of Howie's weight while AJ, rambled on. "AJ, dude, you get laid, like EVERY night," Nick replied. "You DO realize that don't you?"

"Whatever, bro. Let's get sleeping beauty to his room, and then you and I will try and make up for the honeys that we are missing out on right this second," AJ smirked.

They got to the elevator and slumped Howie onto the floor, needing a rest.

"You think he's okay?" Nick asked AJ, tilting his head to the side.

"Yeah, I think he's fine, just needs to sleep it off. If he weren't OK, he'd already been puking by now. That's the body's natural function if you drink too much, you know," AJ reminded him.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Nick replied as the elevator doors opened. They hoisted Howie back up and drug him the rest of the way to his room. AJ dug around in Howie's pockets for his key and upon finding it, opened his hotel door. They carried Howie into the bedroom of his suite and flopped him onto the bed. Nick sat out a glass of water near the nightstand, knowing that Howie would be needing it the second he woke up.

"OK – we have done our brotherly duty. Bar. Now." AJ told Nick firmly. He grabbed Nick's shoulders and spun him around facing the door, and walked Nick out into the hallway, still clasping his shoulders from the back.

"Aight, Bone, I'm going, leggo," he shook AJ off him once they got into the hallway.

Danielle strolled into the hotel bar and found a spot on a stool right in front of the bartender. She was pretty amazed at how desolate the bar was, especially on New Year's.

"What'll it be for you tonight malady?" the bartender asked her placing a napkin in front of her.

"Tall lite please," she replied.

"You got it," he smiled and turned to grab a chilled glass. "You want this on your room tab?"

"Yes, please," she answered as he handed her a slip of paper to verify her room number.

He looked at the room number and proceeded to pour her drink.

"You aren't very busy tonight," Danielle remarked looking around the room.

"Yeah, well the bar is under strict security for our hotel guests, and pretty much everyone is still trying to escape Times Square right now," he laughed as he placed her drink in front of her.

"I could ask you why you are alone tonight on New Year's?" he smirked. "But I am guessing that it's the age old story of the boyfriend passing out before midnight and the girlfriend having to baby-sit him back to hotel?"

"Oh how I wish!" Danielle snorted. "No, I have the age old story of being dumped before midnight!"

"Really?" he was surprised. He shook his head and continued, "If it's any consolation, I think he's a fool." He winked and floated over to the next patron.

"Thanks," Danielle replied under her breath. She picked up her glass and watched the fizzing bubbles float to the top of her beer. She raised her glass a little higher as if to toast and whispered, "Happy New Year," then took a deep drink.

Nick and AJ found themselves a table in a corner. Breathing a sigh of relief that because of their presence at the hotel, security was beefed up to extend to the restaurant and bar. No fans unless they coughed up a ridiculous amount of money to stay there that night.

"What a waste," AJ shook his head.

"What are you talking about?" Nick asked.

"Here we are, New Year's Eve, and it's still just me and you. Alone. No honeys."

Nick laughed, "Is that all you ever think about?"

"Tonight I do," he answered with a serious face.

"You know, they say that who you kiss at midnight is who you will be with for the year," Nick added matter of factly.

AJ laughed and threw his head back. "Well, I don't think that is going to ring true for me. I don't even KNOW who I was kissing at midnight."

"You should have been kissing Amanda," Nick reminded him.

AJ scowled, "Nicky, my boy. My dear Amanda is in the process of teaching me a lesson. Hence the absence of her presence," he added with a sweep of his hand.

"Still bro, you should at least TRY to be a little discreet," he tilted his head and rolled his eyes to AJ.

"Whatever," AJ said. "What about you? Who'd you kiss at midnight?"

Nick was silent for a moment and took a drink of his beer, not acknowledging AJ's question.

"Well?" AJ prodded.

"Well, what?" Nick shot back.

"Do you even know who you kissed at midnight?"

"Doesn't matter," Nick answered looking down at the table shaking his head, trying to drop the subject.

"Yes it does matter, if the New Year's theory you pointed out is to hold some stake."

"Then I guess I'm gonna be alone all year cause I didn't kiss anyone," Nick replied with a hint of sarcasm.

AJ howled. And quieted down when the few heads that were in the bar turned their way.

He leaned in closer to Nick and snickered, "You're kidding right?"

"Unlike you AJ, I don't just kiss random girls," Nick stated.

AJ howled again. "Nicky, you're more like me than you are willing to admit." He then motioned to the waitress with his empty glass and continued his thought out loud. "You know what I think? I think you were holding out for someone in particular."

"Oh really," Nick asked, sarcasm still dripping from his voice. "And who would that be?"

AJ smiled and looked directly at Nick, sitting back in his seat, "Fatone's girl."

"What? You're crazy," Nick shook his head dismissing AJ.

AJ raised his eyebrows, "Am I?"

Nick wished AJ would drop it. He was getting too close to the mark. AJ didn't need to know he tried to find Danielle. She just disappeared. She wasn't even with Britney and he didn't DARE ask her about Danielle. Nick wasn't even sure what he was going to do if he had found her. He didn't think about that. He just wanted to see her. But as far as he knew, Danielle and Joey could have already gotten back together. Howie was pretty drunk; he could have been exaggerating the fight.

Danielle motioned to the bartender for another beer.

"Good thing you're not driving," he laughed.

Danielle laughed back, "Good thing." She was getting drunk. She didn't care. She deserved to get drunk.

"Let me ask you a question," she began. "Why is it that beer at hotel bars are so much more expensive than beer at regular bars? I mean, it's the same beer?" she laughed.

He chuckled and replied, "I guess it depends on the hotel Hon – and seeing what room you are staying in, I would say you can afford these."

Danielle and the bartender were interrupted by the howl of a person laughing in the corner.

"Gosh they are loud – can't security kick them out?" she motioned to the corner.

The bartender peered over into the corner across the bar to see who it was and shook his head, "Nope, can't throw THEM out," with an emphasis on the 'THEM'.

"Why? Who's 'them'?" she asked.

The bartender looked at her again and dropped the subject, "No one."

Nick sat back in his seat looking around the bar. AJ was busy flirting with the waitress. No doubt in his mind that AJ would be inviting her back to his room, especially since her shift was ending soon.

Nick's attention focused across the room to the bartender talking to a lone girl. Even the bartender has a lady tonight, Nick thought. Just then the bartender shifted position and Nick got a clear view of who he was talking to.

No, it couldn't be, he thought. They usually stay at the Seasons. But he took a closer look – there was no mistaking who he saw. Seasons or not, wherever NSync were staying – Danielle was staying at the Plaza.

"Excuse me," Nick interrupted AJ and the waitress.

AJ shot a look at Nick. "What!"

"Not you, Bone, her." Nick pointed at the waitress.

"You empty already?" AJ asked in amazement.

"Nah, man, I need her to do something for me," Nick began.

"Oh no you don't," AJ waved Nick off grabbing the waitress around the waist, "she's with me tonight."

"Bone, would you shut the fuck up for a second and listen to me?" Nick protested.

AJ sat silent and stared at Nick. "OK. What?"

"Look at the end of the bar." Nick smiled.

AJ stretched his neck to see what Nick was talking about, when a smile began to creep across his face.

"Well, what do you know," AJ smirked.

Nick nodded locking eyes with AJ, "Ahhh Haaaa," he replied slowly, he and AJ reading each other's minds.

Nick was not about to lose a chance at a prime opportunity. This would more than makeup for not having anyone to kiss at midnight.

"Hey, what's your name?" Nick asked the waitress.

"Tammy," she smiled.

"Tammy, I would like you to send a bottle of Cristal to that lady at the end of the bar."

"Cristal, huh? Must be rough," she noted glancing at AJ, as she turned to place the order with the bartender.

"Not wasting any time, are you Nicky?" AJ patted him on the back. "You're learning my boy, you're learning."

Yes, Nick was learning. But he wasn't a boy anymore. AJ would see that. Everyone would see that. Danielle was a woman. Much like Leighanne and Kristin were women. Not like the playthings that all the boys have had their share of. Danielle was a woman that could be respected; he knew that much of her. He wanted that kind of respect. Danielle seemed to have it all together. She goes to school; put that priority over gallivanting the country with Joey. Not many girls would do that. No girl Nick ever dated would do that. They would all drop everything at his request.

The bartender placed a champagne glass in front of Danielle with a smile.

"What's this?" Danielle asked with a surprised look.

"Looks like you have made quite an impression on 'THEM'," he smirked at her. He pulled out the bottle of Cristal and began the procedure of popping the cork.

"Cristal?" Danielle's eyes were wide.

"Mmmhmmmm. . ." The bartender replied.

"Geez, who the hell is 'them'?" Danielle asked as the cork made a loud pop.

"I'm 'them'," came a voice from behind her.

Danielle spun around at the sound of someone behind her, and gasped when she saw who it was.

"Surprise!" he exclaimed throwing his hands in the air.

Danielle rolled her eyes, "Oh Lord, I should have known," she began to turn back around.

"Awww, c'mon, don't be like that," he told her as he sat down on the stool next her. He motioned for the bartender to bring another champagne glass and pour one for him.

"What are YOU doing here?" she asked him.

Nick laughed, "I should be asking you the same question. I thought your crew stayed at the Seasons?"

"My crew? Very funny. Not anymore."

"Meaning the whole wad of ya is here?" Nick prodded.

Danielle took a drink of her beer and answered abruptly, "Meaning. . .that I'm not with that 'crew' anymore. I'm solo tonight." She put emphasis on the word 'crew' to mock Nick's name for the NSync clan.

"I don't believe that," he kept on. He knew what happened, but she didn't know he knew. He was going to use this to his advantage. He narrowed his eyes with a questioning look. "C'mon, where's Joey?"

Danielle snorted, "Don't know, and I don't care."

"You're serious aren't you?" Nick asked with surprise.

Danielle looked him straight in the eye, "Dead serious."

Nick was a little taken aback by how she was acting. Howie's story was right on the money. Maybe they really were done for good.

"Danielle, look," he softened. "I'm not the enemy here. It's New Year's and everyone should have something to celebrate, at least share a toast with me."

Danielle looked at Nick who was anticipating her answer, it was she who gave the questioning look now.

"I don't think so, Nick, "she began and he cut her off.

"Not gonna hear it," he picked up her glass and placed it in her hand. "I just bought this really expensive champagne just for you and you are gonna share a toast with me."

Danielle was shocked by his persistence. This wasn't the little kid she was used to encountering. Her look of shock slowly faded and a smile crept on to her face.

"You're used to getting your way aren't you," she teased.

"Only when it involved expensive champagne and beautiful women," he smiled back.

Nice comment to ruin the moment, she thought. "Well, aren't you the playboy," she said putting her glass back down.

"Wait wait wait, let me rephrase that," he said picking her glass back up and placing it in her hand again, "Only when it involves expensive champagne and a beautiful WOMAN named Danielle who looks like she could use a friend." He softened his expression again and smiled sweetly at her.

Either it was the alcohol taking its affect or his smile was infectious because she took the glass from him and smiled back relaxing a bit. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes then opened them again and looked right into Nick's eyes.

"OK, Nick Carter, just what are we toasting to?"

Nick's smile spread bigger as he felt the invisible wall between them starting to crumble.

"We. . .are toasting to the New Year, and to new friendships."

Danielle nodded, "OK, I'll drink to that."

They clinked their glasses and each took a sip of their champagne.

Nick Carter. Drinking with the enemy. Or is he the enemy? Is he still the enemy if I'm not with Joey anymore? But the Backstreet Boys are assholes. Well, they are supposed to be anyway. Maybe this one isn't so bad. Still, wouldn't that piss Joey off if he knew she was sitting there having a New Year toast with Nick Carter. She chuckled silently to herself.

"What are you smiling about?" Nick asked her.

"Just how ironic it is that I am sitting here having a drink with you," she answered.

"Yeah it kind of is, isn't it?" he chuckled. "Wouldn't THIS piss Joey off?"

Danielle laughed out loud, "I was JUST thinking that!"

Danielle proceeded to tell Nick about what had happened with Joey that night. How she expected to be engaged, and how it all came crashing down around her. She was pleasantly surprised at how attentive and caring Nick was being listening to her.

"And so, that is how I ended up here at the Plaza."

"I would say that you have my story beat for having a shitty New Year," Nick replied. "I was all wound up because I didn't have anyone. . ." he stopped himself and looked at Danielle whose eyes were wide with interest.

"Didn't have anyone, what?" she asked him placing her hand on his arm.

"Nothing. . .it's stupid."

"C'mon, I just got done pouring my heart out to you about my horrid night. Whatever it is that you think was shitty can't possibly be worse than what I have told you."

Nick was embarrassed. He didn't want Danielle to think that he couldn't get a girl to kiss him, but he definitely didn't want her to know that he had spent the New Year's kissing period searching for her. He looked at her hand resting gently on his arm. He could feel a warm sensation tingle through his body just at the touch of her fingers. It shot through him like an electric shock. He placed his hand over hers to calm his nerves, trying to gain some control of his feelings.

He closed his eyes and grinned as he felt his cheeks become hot. "It's really embarrassing." He told her.

She tightened her fingers around his forearm and rubbed gently with her thumb. "It's okay, can't be half as embarrassing as what happened to me," she reminded him.

"It's just. . .this stuff doesn't happen to me. I was all bummed out because I didn't have anyone to kiss at midnight. Couldn't find anyone." He looked down at his glass, and then shot back up to meet Danielle's gaze. "Do not laugh," he warned.

"That's it? You're bummed because you didn't have anyone to kiss?" she pulled her hand away from his arm. "I lost the love of my life and you are bitching because you didn't find some random bimbo to kiss? I wouldn't be embarrassed by THAT."

She was a little perturbed at how petty Nick's "shitty" New Year's seemed to be. If that were ALL she had to worry about then she wouldn't be feeling so bad. And, now she definitely was. Feeling bad.

"I. . .I. . .I'm sorry," the surprise and sarcasm filtered through in Nick's reply. "I didn't mean to piss you off. I was just telling you what I thought was bad, didn't compare to your crappy night. But if that's the way you want to be, fine. Be unhappy all by yourself." Nick started getting up out of his seat to walk away, taking his time, and waiting for her to stop him.

"Fine, go away. I never asked you to come over here. Why you did in the first place is beyond me. You hate me, I hate you. That's just the way it is. Thank god I won't have to deal with any of this shit anymore," she snapped at him then got up from her seat and started walking out of the bar.

Nick just stood there. He didn't know what to say or do. If he went after her, she would still be mad. If he stayed there, he would just feel worse. Maybe it was just time to call it a night and be done with this whole weird night. He looked around for AJ and when he couldn't find him he figured that he had already retired to his room, waitress in hand. As he looked around he noticed that he was the only one left in the bar, next to the bartender. Then he looked at his watch – 3:10am. Wow! How could it already be this late? He and Danielle had been talking for nearly two hours. Two hours worth of work, and I blew it.

"Don't let it bother you man," Nick turned his head to see who was talking to him.

"Huh?" Nick looked at the bartender confused.

"The girl. I've seen it a million times. She got dumped tonight. She's really drunk. It was only a matter a time before the natural depressant that's in alcohol kicked in. Don't take it personally. She's hurting, it's only natural for her to lash out like that," the bartender advised.

Nick ran his hand through his hair and nodded. He took a look around and told the bartender, "Thanks man, see you next time." The bartender nodded and Nick left the bar.

What was I thinking? That she was going to take one look at me and fall into my arms? She don't fall for that shit. Plus, the bartender is right. She's hurting right now. Joey broke her heart. Stupid son of a bitch. I would have never broken her heart. But, then she will never look at me like she looked at Joey. She will always look at me and see little Nick. Always look at me and see some sort of enemy. Fuck. What was I thinking? A girl like Danielle could take an interest in me? And what would I do then if she did? Fuck her and leave her? I'm not ready for a relationship right now, and I couldn't hurt her like Joey did.

He wasn't capable of being faithful any more than Joey was. He couldn't blame Joey for that. He did the same thing a hundred times. He could never admit that to her though.

Danielle fought the tears as she drew closer to her door. Stupid Backstreet Boy! Who the hell does he think he is? This isn't about him. It's about me! Me and MY broken heart. That's right. My broken heart. Oh and it is broken.

The pain inside her was building and she barely had her key card swiped when the tears came flooding out of her eyes. She shut her hotel door and let her back slide down the door to the floor. She was crying so uncontrollably that she literally started to choke on her tears. "WHY? WHY?" she yelled into the air. She buried her face in her hands. How could Joey throw everything away? How could he have done this to her? They loved each other. How could he do this?

Nick was walking to his room when he heard the sound of crying as he past one of the suites. He stopped and listened for a moment outside the door. There was only one person that could be at this time of night. She sounded so desperate, so hurt. So alone. He knew that he should turn and keep walking, but his feet weren't moving. His head kept telling him to forget about it, but his heart wouldn't walk away. He stood there one hand on each side of the entryway leaning his head against the door. He closed his eyes and listened to her cry. Without another thought, he slowly knocked on the door.

He heard a slight shuffle near the floor of the door then, a few sniffles. It seemed like an eternity for the door to open. Finally he heard the knob click and the door opened slightly, exposing two teary blue eyes peering at him.

Danielle blinked her eyes to clear the tears so she could get a clear view of who she was looking at. She should be angry to see who it was, but she was just too drained to feel anything but her pain anymore. What on earth could he possibly want now?

She opened the door wider and saw a pair of soft blue eyes looking back at her and his solemn expression. Seeing him made her want to cry all over again for some reason, but she managed to choke out her greeting.

"What are you doing here now?" Danielle choked out.

Nick just stood there. Silent. Took one large step into her room backing her up. She kept looking at him on the verge of tears, waiting for his answer. He kept standing there silent and did the only thing he knew was right. He held out his arms.

She looked at his open arms and instinct took over. She fell right into them. She wrapped her arms around his waist and he around her shoulders, hugging her tightly into him, placing his cheek on the top of her head.

"It's OK. . .just let it all out," he whispered into her hair.

And she did, she stood there clutching onto Nick as if her life depended on it, and she cried.

Chapter 2
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