CHAP. Five

"Brianna!" I shouted out, "Bri!" I called out again. Johnny was still over by the food court looking for her. It was most likely he was looking for food too. FIGURES! I tried calling her, but her phone went straight to voice mail. Great, I lost my older sister!

I ran by the food court to Johnny,

"I can't find her anywhere!"

He took a sip of his soda that he bought and looked around in the crowd.

"Did you check the bathrooms again?"

"No. But I don't think she's in there."
"Did you check that corner over there?" He said pointing to that area, "I think I just found her."

I turned around, and there she was, holding her phone, looking around for me. lost. There were so many people here, I can see why I couldn't find her, and vice versa.
I popped my hand up and waved it, to see if she noticed me. She didn't, of course and still looked around with blank faced.

"Brianna! Bri! Over here!" I shouted. I felt like a moron.

She turned her head and saw me, then smiled. She waved back, letting her cell phone leave her ear and ran to us, bumping into people that walked close. I welcomed her with open arms. She squeezed me tightly in return.

"Vicky! I missed you so much!" Her hug loosened while her lips kept planting multiple kisses on my cheek. Johnny gave her a hug too, just to be nice.

"So how have things been?" She smiled, trying not to sound likes she's been waiting a long time.

"Hectic!" I said smiling. She returned it.

"Where were you?" I asked,
"Oh, I had to use the restroom. You were taking too long, so I went before I used it on myself."

She pointed her carry-on bag to me, wanting me to carry it. Since I had made her wait, I took it for her. Johnny looked at his watch with widened eyes.

"Umm, sorry to break up your little family reunion but we're late!"

Brianna looked at me confused, "Late for what?" her voice was stern.

"Late for a meeting!"

"Oh, a meeting with Mr. Magic?" Her tone was expecting.

"Yeah, but after, we can do whatever you want, okay!" I pleaded.

She rolled her eyes at me. This was my excuse most of the time she visits.

"Good! I only have a few days to enjoy my vacation. I want to spend it right."

Johnny took her bag from me, and we rushed to the car.

When we got to the Luxor, we didn't have enough time to put her bags in my room, and we were already running forty minutes behind, so she had wait outside the production office in Criss' MindFreak store until it was done. One thing I knew about my sister, she hates to wait for long periods of time for anything, so I hope this wouldn't take long.

As Johnny and I barged in, everybody's eyes were on us. I felt those cold glares go down my spine, along with my chills. I stopped where I was. Johnny, on the other hand, didn't care. He was getting paid whether or not he was there; I only got paid when it suits Criss and Barum. I wasn't a legend. I didn't have tons of fans lining to see me. I was just one of thousands of camera people. Criss could get one in seconds. A better one even.

"It's about time you showed up! Where have you been?" Dave Berum (Criss' manager/ good friend) fussed. All eyes were on me: Toni Lee, Gerard, George, Costa, and J.D. Let's not forget Criss.

"Umm, I….was gone." I hesitated.

Dave crossed his arms, "And why were you gone?"

I hated those questions. I could feel myself getting nervous. I was in the fuckin police's office with him.

"I...had to pick up my sister-"

" Did you forget we had a meeting?" He cut me off, harshly. my eyes shifted to Criss. I secretly mouthed the words, "Help me!" and he quickly got the message.

"Vicky?"

*shift back* "huh?"

"I'm waiting for an answer!"

"Well...I...I...I did, but-"

"It wasn't her fault!" I was cut off by Criss all of a sudden. Dave shifted to him.

"It wasn't?"

"No! She-I told her to go on and pick her sister up, therefore... It's my fault." The sneaky lie became the truth, overcoming Dave,

"Alright, I believe you. You're off the hook. BUT! Don't let it happen again." He finished. I sat down in a corner chair that was available, "And Johnny!" Dave started. Johnny looked up, trying to be innocent, "I'm sure you have a perfectly good reason why you were late. The meeting is over!"

"*Sigh* I was with her!" He pointed back at me, giving me all the blame, when he could have came to the meeting early himself. Instead he worried about me.

Dave gave me a dirty look,

"I see!" He glared at me, "Don't let it happen again Johnny. And you have some mustard on the side of your lip."

I drew in a smirk; he quickly whipped off his mouth. I ran over to Criss, more than happy to see him instead of judging eyes. Everybody was starting to leave. Criss grabbed my shoulders and hugged me,

"Sorry Vicky. I didn't remember you had to be here." He whispered

"No, that's okay. I'm just glad he didn't cuss me out like he did last time I, or in that case, we, came in late."

He ended the hug. "Oh, now that one I remember very well.

FLASHBACK
( 2005

Criss and I were at club Body English…..somewhere in Vegas. I guess we had one drink to many; we were completely out of it. I mean really drunk. By three in the morning we decided to leave. We walked out with our arms around each other's shoulders, singing Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, and some of Criss' olds music. We looked like idiots. People were looking at us funny, but we didn't care one bit. I mean, come on, who cares when they are drunk. Hell we couldn't stand straight, let alone worry about people staring.

"Don't you want my love...OH BABY!" I shouted in song.

"OH BAAEEEAAABAAY!" Criss sang with me.

We walked shoulder to shoulder, wobbling when walking; beers in our hands. We were ridiculous. We held hands, completely ignoring flying cars and running people.

"I'm *hick up* sooooooo glad we gave up *hick up* show business! Weeeee really*hick up* SUCK!" I yelled out laughing to myself. I scarfed down more beer.

"I don't suck. I was a...rock star!" He burped and stumbled over putting the rock star sign to his hands for everyone to see. Since everyone was inside the club, the parking deck was pretty empty. No-one could be impressed.

"Shit." He stopped in his tracks. I tugged on his hand.

"What?"

"I keep forgetting that we didn't drive here." He let out a groan.

"I guess *hick-up* we knew ahead that we were gonna be like this." I laughed a little. He glared at me.

Suddenly, it started to rain. Just our fuckin luck. We couldn't drive, so criss got this brilliant idea that we should run back to the Aladdin. Great, and I had on heels. Not only was he drunk and crazy, but he must not see that drunk plus rain equals disaster.

He was obviously a much faster runner than me. I was tripping all over the place. My shoes were ridiculous. I fell straight to the sidewalk, causing Criss to stop abruptly and roughly. That's what he gets for holding my hand at the time.

It was pouring raining now, and all the people that were out and about, were running back to their hotels and clubbing parties. "Oh MY GOD! Get INSIDE!" Some would yell at each other, trying to get in cars. Nobody even thought to stop and ask us if we need help.

"Come on Vicky! Get up! The Aladdin is right there! Let's go!" He put his hands out for me to grab. I tried to get up, but I slipped back down, bruising myself.

" I can't get up!" I shouted. The rain was coming down harder. We were soaked.

"Why me right now?" I whined toward Dear God. Criss sighed then squatted down in front of me.

"Vicky, come on! I don't think my clothes can get any wetter."

I shook my head thinking it couldn't get any worse than this. Criss stood up and thrusted me upward by the shoulders. He was soooo annoyed.

"Can you cooperate?" He forcefully asked.

The beer in my hand was slipping and the rain was dripping inside.

"On what?"

He turned around and squatted back down. His back bumped my knees.

"Jump on me." He bluntly commanded.

My faced twisted, "Are you serious! Come on, not here. There are people out here-"

"Not like that! Come on, you're not that drunk."

I latched onto his body, glued practically.
"Hold on tight!" He told me. I grasped his neck, and he sprinted off to the hotel, giving me one heck of a piggy back ride.

Since it was late, we didn't expect anybody to be walking around and doing things in the Aladdin, so we barged in dripping wet. Criss let me down and we ran over to the elevators and rode up to the second floor. His room was on this level.

We both unstably walked to his door. His beer was almost empty from the constant shaking and running. Mine was filled with water. What a waste.

We stepped inside; Criss slammed the door behind us. He instantly started shedding clothes. First his shirt, then his necklace with his initials in diamonds.

"Sit down on that couch over there!" He demanded with a point of his finger.

He went into the bathroom, and brought out a towel. He sat in front of me and asked for my foot. I shook my head instantly.

"What do you have? Some kinda foot fetish?" I laughed, slyly.

His eyes rolled, "Shut the hell up and give me your foot." He demanded coldly.

I narrowed my eyes at him with a glare. I flung my foot up, resting it on his knee. My entire ankle was engulfed in blood. I didn't notice until now.

"You were leaking on the floor…and on my pants."

He squeezed the cut, and then wrapped my ankle with the white towel to wipe the blood. I stayed upright, nervous that I had messed his clothes. The awkward silence had me even more uneased.

"You know….Joann won't appreciate me being here." I broke the silence.

Criss didn't look at me. Instead he kept wrapping my foot, staying hesitant about the subject.

"Tyler won't like you here either." He mumbled.

"To hell with Tyler."

He glanced at me with a slight smile,

"Well, fuck Joann." He stated simply, "You know she's been really hostile toward me lately."

"Yeah, I realized."

He shrugged, "That's what happens when you're married to your carrier."

He finished with me; standing. His chest was slightly wet, and his pants were totally soaked. God he was hot! I couldn't stop staring at him.

"What?" He questioned awkwardly.

I shook out of it, "Oh…nothing. You're just all wet."

"Yeah, well, you're one to talk. I didn't realize that you didn't have a bra on until we got in here."

I looked down at my black dress. The sheer-ness at the top revealed my whole breast. How freakin embarrassing!

"Damn it!"

He laughed a little, throwing clothes to my face."Put those on. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold."

I examined what he gave me with disgust.

" A ti-shirt and sweats? Come-on. You don't have anything better. You know, less masculine?"

He came from the bathroom again with another towel. He squatted back down in front of me, whipping away water drippings and blood.

"If you don't like, then sleep wet."

"I have a room, Criss." I smart mouthed.

"If Tyler is there, I'd rather you not go up drunk."

Another pause came along. I then felt cold drips of water run down my bare shoulder.

"Oh no." I groaned

"What?" Criss impatiently asked; patting the floor dry.

"My hair is soaked. Did it curl!" I whined

"Stop complaining! You're hair is fine."

"All men say that."

"Well, all women think we really give a rat's ass."

"Oh, so you're saying I'm like all women!" I accused.

"No! No! I just wanted to make a point."

"Well next time, think a little harder about what you're saying!" I grabbed the towel to my ankle tighter.

"I didn't mean it. You're nothing like other woman." He sweetly mumbled.

I heard him, smiling to myself. He looked up at me doing the same. I stared in his eyes again, he studied mine like nobody has done. Hell, I almost forgot that I had a bleeding ankle, or that I probably looked like crap.

"* Clears throat* Some weather we're having. It doesn't rain often, but when it does, it makes it's point." He stated, nervously.

"Yeah…I haven't seen rain in a while."

He smiled, but then it faded. I came to realize that maybe I was here at the wrong time. I didn't need to be in a married man's space. Let alone one who's having problems.

"….I…I, better go." I began to stand, bracing myself for a flinch of pain, but Criss grabbed my wrist and thrusted me back down to the couch. Before I could realize what had happened, he was strattled over me. I was so confused. My legs were quivering and I didn't know why.

"Don't go. I can't let you, especially after you noticing how damn good you look right now."

I searched his eyes with fear, "Are you insane! I can't stay here!" I tried to shove him away from my body, but it just wasn't working. He took hold of my arms and pinned them to the coach. My freakin butt was hanging off the cushion. He pressed his pants against my parted legs. I could feel the cool, wet fabric against my underwear and all lust was running through my mind.

"Criss...What are you do-"

His tongue interrupted my plea. As soon as I came in contact with his mouth, I knew I couldn't stop. The kiss was long and rough. His hands feverishly traveled up my thigh, while the other pushed me closer against his newly erected hard-on. I grabbed the back of his head, intensifying the kiss. I couldn't help it, and neither could he.

"Here we go again." I whispered between the kiss.

He ripped open the top of my low-cut dress, hungrily kissing down my neck and my chest. Shit! This man was irresistible. I was practically begging for him to take my whole breast in his mouth. However, the begging didn't last long. He did it just as I was thinking of it.

He dragged me down to the floor on his level, bracing me against the couch. Everything intensified down on the cold floor. His lips burned me with wanting more.

*Latch from door moves*

The taste of beer has never been so sweet.

"I know I'm with Joann, but-" He kissed me again, cutting himself off, "Fuck it."

*Door swings open*

"What the hell is this?"

I froze. Criss' mouth was still connected with mine, but the fear of getting caught by someone was definitely realized. Criss shot me a glance, not moving from his spot.

"Shit." He mumbled against my mouth.

"You're right! Big shit!" The voice from the door raged.

Criss slid away from me, mouthing an apology to me. We glanced to the door and realized that Dave Barum had a key card to Criss' suite. He was the one who opened the door.

"What the hell are you two doing down here? I came to look for you, and I found this! You two together…fucking practically!"

I suddenly felt the blood again. We both stood up, fixing ourselves. My whole tit was hanging out. I couldn't help but crack in a laugh by the circumstances. Criss was flashing Dave himself. If Dave hadn't come, things might have gone into sex, again.

"We weren't fucking, Dave." Criss mumbled.

"Might as well have been! Criss, you are married! Vicky is too! I mean-" He stumbled in words, "Guys, we had a meeting today! Did you two forget we had a meeting, five hours ago, Criss!" Dave yelled out. I was surprised to hear him yell. "AND VICKY, the important camera girl, You had to be there as well! This meeting was just as important for you as it was for him! Do you know how much you missed?"

We shook our heads in silents,

"Well! That's just fabulous! We were all worried about you two! We thought something had happened! I came all the way here just to see if you could have dropped by! Criss was nowhere to be found, you were nowhere to be found!"

He cursed and yelled and fussed.

"Shit! This is beyond me!" He yelled more, "To think that you two would be doing something constructive!"

"We're not children. We knew what we were doing." Criss stated, calmly.

"I bet!"

"We did! I mean, how was I supposed to know you would come barging into my personal business!"

"Well, for a man that scheduled this meeting and not show up, I am damn well able to bud! How are we supposed to do this show if you aren't even at the meetings to support it!"

"I needed some time to think, Dave!"

"And you got it! Plenty to think about. What the hell is everyone gonna think! You screwing the camera girl isn't exactly good for your image!"

"Vicky has nothing to do with this, okay!" Criss attacked. I was biting my bottom lip so hard, I even made that bleed with nervous tension.

"Of course she does! You're risking yourself to the mercy of her husband! I saw you fuckin ravage her!"

"All we did was kiss! Okay! That's all that we were fuckin doing!" Criss yelled, "Don't put the blame on my show! My personal life has nothing to do with it! You do that to me and we are no longer on the same page!"

A long silence over-came the room. Dave glared at Criss, and Vice-versa. I have never felt too stiff and uneased, ever. The only thing you could take part was Dave's heavy breathing. He was extremely heated.

"*sigh* Don't let this happen again!" He calmly mumbled; a crack came to his voice.

His face was still raged when he turned around to leave.

"Wait!" I shouted out. Criss' eyes steamed my way with cold.

"What!" He did back, turning around again.

"You won't tell anybody what you saw...will you?"

"I should."

"Don't tell Tyler!" I pleaded. "You can tell whoever you want, but just not him!"

He pondered for a seconded with calm eyes. He bit his bottom lip with a nod to his head.

"I should." He stated ever calmer. My eyes widened, "But I won't. Nobody needs drama from him. This little issue is safe with me."

Relief blew through my head, " Thank God!... I mean thanks!"

He nodded coldly and stormed off. Once that door closed Criss slid down to the floor, saved by dear God. I joined him on the floor. HE rubbed his temples hard, letting out a loud and ruff sigh.

He rested his arms on his propped knees, and then glanced at me with a bite to his lips.

"This never happened." He stated, simply.

"Right." I agreed.)

We haven't brought up that situation until now, and only Dave knew about it. Since then, I've never truly understood Criss, or forgotten the way he looked at me, and how we almost headed back to bed. He swore me to secrecy that day that nothing intimate between us should ever get out. I wonder though, if Criss ever thinks about that day. I guess I'll never know. Besides, I was sworn. How much can the man care if he didn't want it to be known? That was mistake number one. Besides, we didn't mean to kiss. It just happened.

"I'm just glad he didn't ask us where we were!" Criss laughed with a stop to his hug.

"Yeah, he would have really flipped out if he found that out! We must not have been that drunk if we could remember all that!"

He laughed and waved the whole conversation off. Gerald then hit my back as he was coming out.

"Shit! What is up with everybody today!" I fussed out.

"Nice going Vicky, Dave was about to give all the crew members who showed up a raise!"

My mouth stiffened, "Are you serious?"

His serious face instantly shifted to a smile, "Nah Vicky, I was just playing!"

"Shut the hell up! You're not funny, ya know!"

Gerard left with a laugh, and a wink to Criss. I was starting to believe that maybe I was never going to be in on the joke.

"Come on Vicky, let's go!" Criss wrapped his arm around my shoulder, smiling as we walked out. Brianna was standing on the wall of the MindFreak store with her arms crossed.

"Well it's about time ya'll got out!"

"It wasn't even that long!" I laughed.

"Whatever!"

"Well, how are you doing these days Brianna?" Criss greeted.

"I'm doing well! And are you taking care of my sister Mr. Angel?"

We hooked eyes on each other and he winked at me, "I surely am. She's doing excellent as always!"

"Good, she needs to get paid!" They hugged, "So when are you gonna ask my sister on a date?"

"Bri!"

"Well, just asking. There's no harm in that."

I rolled my eyes at her. Criss laughed out loud patting her back with harsh nudges. "It seems we have Miss Brianna back! It's nice to see you again!"

she rolled her eyes at him that time.

"So what are you two ladies gonna do until this afternoon?" He asked walking with us down the hall.

"Oh, I don't know, probably chill out a little"

"Oh no you don't Vicky! After I put my stuff down we're gonna eat breakfast, and at a good restaurant. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning, and I'm freakin hungry!" She blurted loudly, "So you better have enough money!"

Criss laughed again, "Well ladies, I don't want to ruin your morning!"

"But Criss I-"

"Don't worry Vicky; I'm sure you'll have a great time!"

"You little-"

"BYE!" He shouted out all of a sudden. He was soon out of my sight with his body guards to his side. He had my room key too, which I needed back. How was Brianna going to get in my room? I swear, men and the dumb things they do.