Chibiyu: Wow, I suddenly know what the real Nick feels like. All of you readers are the best!!!!
Nick:…try living my life…the part you write, not the happy part.
Chibiyu: No thanks.
93 REVEIWS?!?!!?! YOU ALL ARE THE BEST!!!!!!! LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE IT MY FIRST EVER 100 IN THESE LAST 2 CHAPTERS!!! (Includes Epilogue)
Long chapter alert!
Please please please vote for "Breathing Underwater" at h t t p : / / w w w . f a n f I c t I o n . n e t / u / 1 6 2 3 5 0 8 / L o v e d – Invention for Most Likely to be Published!! PM her!!!!
VOTING ENDS MARCH 14TH!!!
I HAVE NEVER, DO NOT AND WILL NEVER OWN JONAS OR THE SONGS!!!!
()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()~~~~~~()JOE'S POV
Someone knocked on the other side and the guard checked through the door hole and let out someone I did not expect to see; Diane. She glared coldly at me and poked me hard in the chest, tears in her eyes.
"You'd better make this right." She turned and walked away without another word and I walked it with a heavy heart and faced Nick.
"Nick…"
"You bastard."
DIANE'S POV
I sat in the waiting room, clutching hot chocolate, hoping the act of holding something would still my shaking, but it did not. I hoped that sitting here quietly would alleviate my fears and stop my tears, but it did not. Only one thing could do all that; Nick's freedom.
-Flashback-
With desperation setting in my heart, I all but ran from the court room, knowing Nick would need a friend right now and I was the only one here. And for that reason, I was cursing the Lucas Brothers. I found a guard and he took me to Nick's room and knocked on the door, saying something to the occupants inside and he let me in and closed the door behind me, instructing me to knock when I wanted out. I thanked him before turning around. Nick sat at a table with his lawyer next to him. Both were looking at me, Mrs. Tannibum rather sternly and Nick with softer than normal eyes. I smiled to him and he stood a forced smile on his face.
"Diane." He greeted softly and I walked over to him and hugged him gently. "I missed you." He whispered and I smiled, squeezing him a bit before releasing.
"I missed you too." I whispered back and he smiled for real this time and Mrs. Tannibum stood and walked out, sensing we wanted to have a private conversation. "Are you ok?" I asked stupidly and Nick looked down, smile fading.
"I don't know." He said, sitting back down and I sat next to him, turning my chair so I could face him. "I'm scared, worried and truthfully, I've never felt more alone." He said to his hands and I was shocked he actually confided in me so easily. "Leon's gone and I was with my family but…when I got arrested and called them…" He trailed off, looking more sad and broken than I've ever seen him. "Joe and Kevin answered…I explained to them what happened and they…they didn't believe me. They accused me of being a murderer…their own brother…why?" Nick looked up at me and I saw his held back tears glisten in his shattered eyes.
I reached forward and put my hand on his cheek and he flinched a bit from the contact and I refrained myself from cursing the dead. I did not answer because I had none but I held Nick's gaze and he held mine and ounce I saw a module of calm return to them I removed my hand and hugged him, telling him it would be ok, everything would turn out fine and he hugged me tighter at those words. I vowed to myself, once I was out of here, I would personally drop in on the Lucas's and kick their butts for abandoning Nick, their brother.
"Are you going to be alright?" I asked, pulling away and he nodded and I smiled but this time, he didn't return it. I looked at my watch and stood. "I have to call Amanda's babysitter. Oh, she turned six last month." I informed him and he smiled. I walked, feeling terrible about leaving him alone again but then I found myself face to face with Joe and anger ignited in my heart.
"You'd better make this right." I hissed before walking away, saying nothing else to him, knowing Nick would set him straight.
-End-
JOE'S POV
I starred into the hate filled eyes of my brother as he glared daggers that pierced straight through my slowly repairing heart. I looked away from his gaze, unable to watch how he was clenching his fist so hard that they were paper white, unable to watch him shake in anger, unable to see the accusation behind his eyes. I felt like a coward, hiding behind a lie that hurt us both and yet I was too ashamed to think of anything to say.
"Nick…" I started, knowing it would just be better to say it out right instead of draw it out.
"Why are here?" He cut me off and I looked up and met his glare but I saw something I didn't before in his eyes; fear. What was he afraid of? Rejection? Me? I took a step closer to him and he narrowed his eyes and took a small step back. I said nothing, knowing he wouldn't listen right now to words. He was too confused, too heart broken, too alone and it was my fault he felt this way. I had to make this right.
I took another step and he hit the wall and glared again, but there was still fear in his hard gaze and I took another step and stopped right in front of him and pulled him into a hug. For a second, nothing happened but then he started pushing me away, fighting against me, but this was one freedom he couldn't yet have.
"Let me go!" He hissed, still trying to escape.
"No." I answered and he struggled harder and I pulled him away from the wall so he wouldn't bang on it and make it so I would have to leave.
"Joe!" He said voice cold but I still didn't budge.
"Nick." I replied. His struggles lessened and I felt him shaking, but this time it was from sorrow instead of anger. He suddenly tensed and before I knew what was happening, he pushed me away roughly and I actually stumbled back a few steps before straightening up to look into his murderous and tear stained face. He had been crying?
"Don't touch me, don't even talk to me. I don't want to see you." He growled quiet composed even though tears still shined in his eyes. "I want nothing to do with you or your family any more!" He sneered and I bit my lip.
"They are your family too Nick." I responded.
Nick snorted. "No, they're not. I don't need another family who doesn't stand by my side and who thinks I am a killer. I don't need you or your family so just go home and leave me be." He hissed out and I sighed, having seen the lie in his eyes and I didn't move.
"I'm not going anywhere Nick. Not until you listen to me." I calmly said and Nick turned red.
"Listen to you?!?" He nearly yelled and I put my hands in the air, in a calm down gesture and his lip raised in a soundless snarl. "I don't need to. I know all I need." He said, quieter but it had more edge to it and I nearly shivered from the frigidness of his voice.
"Do you know Leon is still alive?" I fired back, giving up the reasonable brother act and Nick stiffened, surprise flitting across his eyes. "Did you know he took Frankie and threatened to kill him if we left home to help you? Did you??!?" I asked harshly, my voice escalating into a near yell and I watched Nick shrink against my rage, his eyes going wide in fear as he cowered and I instantly felt guilty. I let my anger at Leon get the best of me and it scared my little brother, who already looked so small and terrified. I took a step to him but Nick flinched and I stopped. "Nick…I…" I started but he cut me off.
"He…he's still…alive? How?" Nick whispered, looking to his feet instead of me. I walked over to me and gently put my hand on his shoulder and his head snapped up and I saw his terror.
"I don't know, but he is." I gently whispered. "If he wasn't, we all would have been right by your side, fighting with you, instead of accusing you on the phone." He nodded but pure terror still raged in a perfect storm behind his eyes and I pulled him into a hug again, only this time he didn't pull away. I every softly rubbed his back in circles and ran my fingers through the back of his curls when I felt him shake violently and finally, I felt his tears on my shirt and his arms snaking around my back. It takes me a minute to realize I am crying as well, but I don't know why. It just killed me to see that much fear in Nick's eyes and I was just so mad at Leon and frustrated that I couldn't do more.
He suddenly pulled back a bit and looked at me curiously. "You're crying." He stated, surprised, forgetting his own sadness for a minute as he worried about me. I looked down and one hand went one my shoulder and his other cupped my chin and lifted my face, like I had some many times before for him. "Joe?" He asked quietly and I smiled at his worried expression.
"I'm fine…I just hate this." I replied and he stepped back and but I could tell he understood.
He shuffled his feet before looking at the door. "I do too."
KEVIN'S POV
It was so agonizing, having to wait without word from my brothers, knowing there had been a reason Leon had wanted Joe to go, but not knowing wait that reason was. I watched mom and dad pace, Frankie shake as he watched TV and suddenly, it all became too much. I had to go to Nick's side and be with him. I was going to die anyway so how could this hurt? I stood just as the phone rang and I answered it quickly, hoping to end the conversation just as fast.
"Kevin, you may leave now." Leon's cold voice whispered before he hung up and I yelled to mom and dad what happened and ran out the door without a second glance, not caring in the slightest that I was running right into one of Leon's traps.
A guard escorted me to the room Nick was in and he told me I couldn't go in because another person was in there. I asked who and he said Joe Lucas and I had to prove to him that Joe was my brother by showing him my driver's license before he let me in. I walked in slowly, expecting arm argument but I saw Joe and Nick sitting down at a table, facing each other and just talking. I looked around and saw Nick's lawyer smile at me before going back to her notes and Nick looked up.
"Hey Kevin." He lightly greeted and Joe smiled at me ad I smiled back, hoping he silently got the message I told him. His grin faded into silent contemplation so I guess he did understand.
"Hey Nick. Listen…" I stared, intending to apologize but he held up a hand.
"Save it." He smiled a bit and pointed to a chair next to Joe. "Sit." I sat and turned the chair to them and Nick looked to Mrs. Tannibum and she stood and left. Joe instantly started talking.
"Ok Nick, Leon told us to come here so I am guessing he has something planned. You have any idea?" He asked quietly and Nick looked thoughtful before his eyes darkened.
"One." But he did not elaborate. "Listen, I think after this whole trail thing is over, we need to come clean about everything. I think its time people knew that I was your long lost brother." Nick stated suddenly and Joe and I exchanged glances of confusion. This may be too soon…was the world ready to know that Nick Grey was Nick Lucas?
I opened my mouth to speak my concern and Nick looked over to me just as Mrs. Tannibum walked back in.
"Nick, I am sorry to interrupt, but its time." She said gently and Nick nodded and stood and I saw a slight trace of fear in his eyes. I stood and Joe did too and we both hugged Nick and wished him luck and told him we were right behind him and he smiled, for real this time and thanked us before nodding to his lawyer and walking out. Good luck little brother.
We walked out and found seats next to Diane, who glared at us at first but Joe whispered something in her ear and she smiled and hugged us both briefly before we stood as everyone entered the court room and the judge called it back to order. I was struck at how small Nick looked, sitting alone in the stand and facing many glares and disgusted looks and three smiles. But he looked confident despite the fact of the hate vibes people sent him because he knew his family was right behind him, no matter what.
"Mrs. Tannibum, you may proceed" The Judge stated and she walked over to Nick, both of their games faces on.
"Thank you Your Honor. Nicholas, you have told us before that Leon has abused you in three ways and that you wanted him gone but you hold to yourself that you would not be able to kill him. Why?"
"Even though he has done all of those things to me, he hasn't changed the fact that I am not that kind of person. I hated him, but I would have never killed him." Nick stated confidently and the jury stirred but he didn't spare them a glance. Mrs. Tannibum smiled and sat down, saying she had nothing more to ask.
Mr. Denton stood and walked over to Nick and eyed him closely and Nick looked right back, seemingly unnerved by the stare.
"I have no questions." He said, turning away, surprising the entire court room.
The Judge spoke up. "Seeing as both lawyers have no questions for the accused, has the jury reached its final decision?"
The whole crowd held their breath and Joe, Diane and I crossed our fingers and caught Nick's eye and we saw the anxiety and fear his eyes held.
"We have Your Honor." One said, standing up. "We find the accused…" She trailed off, looking to everyone and finally catching and holding Nick's gaze and my heart was thundering wildly in terror. "Not Guilty." The whole court room breathed out as one and Nick visibly relaxed and smiled his hand over his heart and the women smiled back at him. "Our reasons are as follows; the finger prints lifted off the knife have been tested for an estimated time and Nicholas had told the truth, saying he has not touched the knife in over six months. We all also agreed that killing is not an easy act and that Nicholas had not been lying when he said he is not the kind of person that would kill. Our final reason is that experts have found that the said 'accusing photograph' of Nicholas entering his house is a fake. For these reasons, Nicholas Grey is found Not Guilty."
I wanted to jump up in joy but I had to wait to do it. The court room emptied and we were escorted to the same room as before and we opened the door and instantly, something charged at us and hugged us tightly. That something was a beaming Nick. We all returned his hug enthusiastically before picking him up on our shoulders and parading out, him laughing the entire way.
Before we were outside, Marie walked over to Nick and handed him a message which he read and promptly crumpled and tossed over his shoulder before we left a steaming Marie to storm off, not questing Nick as too the notes contents.
Outside, we ignored the press and set Nick down and he pointed over to a large group of fans and grabbed us, dragging us over to them and onto the raised steps of a monument. He smiled to us and looked to the screaming fans, putting a finger rover his lips and almost instantly, they quieted and camera's flashed in our direction. Suddenly, I knew it was time, the right time, and Nick knew it too.
"Ladies, here is a free man!" Joe shouted and the fans went crazy and Nick rolled his eyes.
"And we think its time for everyone to know a secret." I started and they all hushed up and looked at me with big eyes. "How many of you know that ten years ago, out little brother was kidnapped and presumed dead?" I asked and surprisingly, over 75% of the hands were raised.
Nick finally spoke to his fans and took over the story. "Well, I'm quite happy to announce that my name isn't Nate Grey, nor is it Nicholas Grey." He paused and looked over to us, smiling. "It's Nick Lucas."
Screams echoed everywhere and many fans dissolved to tears and I walked over to Nick and pulled him into a hug that Joe enthusiastically joined. I couldn't believe this reaction from everyone. I expected shocked silence, not erupting shouts of joy and tears. But I wasn't complaining, in fact I was smiling like a fool, as was Joe and Nick. Leon was forgotten for the moment and I saw the real Nick emerge as he hugged random fans and finally rejoined our side.
"I think the JONAS trio should sing a song for these amazing fans." I suggested and Nick looked at me astounded, his smile fading a bit and coming back as he processed this news and his eyes light up like a small child's on Christmas. He hugged me swiftly and I messed with his hair, earning a glare but it was different from the others I received from him, it was one meant for a brother, not an enemy.
"What song do you want us to sing?" Nick yelled, waving his awesomely loud IPod and at once they all screamed different songs and Nick looked to Joe and I for help and with amusement. "I heard World War Three, what do you guys think?" He asked us and we both nodded and he found the song with gusto and hit it.
We sang for the crowd and they sang along. It was an amazing feeling to sing with our brother and be able to interact with him like our brother, especially when he didn't have to outshine us anymore. But this didn't feel right; it was Nick's time, not ours and I would be sure to give him the spotlight. After the song everyone cheered and I turned to Joe.
"Hey Joe, I think Nick needs to sing a solo, after all, it's his day." I looked to the crowd, avoiding Nick's gaze. "What do you guys think?" I yelled and they responded with a massive wave of sounds and I heard a song being shouted out but I couldn't make it out, but Nick could and he smiled and hit play on his IPod again. Unbeknownst to us, a gun was being trailed on the stage and the shooter was someone who was supposed to be dead.
NICK'S POV
I stood tall, for once truly happy as I overlooked my fans and knowing my brothers were right by my side. I was no longer tethered by Leon; I was free to enjoy my last days because I knew he wouldn't want me free forever. But it didn't matter. I was happy, I had a family, and I had no fear. I started dancing a bit, getting into it and I thought to Diane and Amanda and silently thanked them both for everything because they both helped more than they knew. Diane was like a mother to me when I ha none and Amanda reminded me of who I truly was, a crucial bit of information I've lost over the dark years. This one's to you both.
I want someone to love me
For who I am
I want someone to need me
Is that so bad?
I want to break all the madness
But it's all I have
I want someone to love me
For who I am
Nothing makes sense, nothing makes sense anymore
Nothing is right, nothing is right when your gone.
I'm losing my breath, I'm losing my right to be wrong
I'm frightened to death, I'm frightened that I won't be strong
I want someone to love me
For who I am
I want someone to need me
Is that so bad?
I wanna break all the madness
But it's all I have
I want someone to love me
For who I am
I'm shaking it off, I'm shaking off all of the pain.
Breaking my heart, breaking my heart once again
I want someone to love me
For who I am
I want someone to need me
Is that so bad?
I wanna break all the madness
But it's all I have
I want someone to love me
For who I am
I want someone to love me
For who I am
I want someone to need me
Is that so bad?
I wanna break all the madness
But it's all I have
I want someone to love me
For who I am
Yeah, who I am.
My life story, all in one simple song. But I had someone now. I had Diane, Amanda, Mom, Dad, Frankie, my fans, Joe and Kevin. And they all loved me for who I was.
I looked over to my brothers and they smiled at me and somewhere, a girl screamed, but not out of excitement, but of pure unadulterated terror. A bang ripped through the screams and all fans ran screaming and Kevin fell, his knees crumpling and my heart shattering. No…not yet…please no! But begging would be no help. Joe and I ran over to Kevin, ignoring our own safety and we found he was gone, dead. The bullet went straight through his chest and his last smile was still etched upon his face. Joe let out a wordless howl and grasped Kevin's cooling hand and I barely felt my own tears running from my eyes. Leon…I hate you.
Another bang tore through the sorrow filled cries and Joe jerked and fell back as I watched the bullet pierce through his chest, an inch above his heart. I caught him before he hit the ground and lowered him down, grasping his hand.
Joe smiled to me. "I'll…see you in…heaven little bro…" He whispered before something in his eyes vanished and his heart gave out and mine died all together. No…no no no no no!!!! Do it Leon, end it! I don't want to live alone again…I can't live alone again now that I have experience love. Please…please end it…I…I have no will to live without them…they were what kept me alive throughout the six months; the sneaked looks of caring and worry, the silent conversations, the 'accidental' nudges, it all helped and now…now nothing could ever help…but death itself.
I opened my tear flooded eyes and met the gaze of my brothers killers, he was hidden away, Marie and Horton next to him, his gun trailed on my chest. I remembered in that last second who I was. I was alone, afraid, young and scarred. I was loved, free, fighting and strong. He pulled the trigger. Who I am; dead.
A note fluttered in the wind and words were clearly typed in bold on it as it straightened out enough to be read.
Nicholas, enjoy your last song with your brothers and I hope you said goodbye you your family and Diane. And little Amanda is mine.
Chibiyu: *shouting from shelter* Epilogue is coming soon! And no time whatsoever to proof read so ignore the mistakes I surely have made! Until Stories Last Update!
Please please please vote for "Breathing Underwater" at h t t p : / / w w w . f a n f I c t I o n . n e t / u / 1 6 2 3 5 0 8 / L o v e d – Invention for Most Likely to be Published!! PM her!!!!
VOTING ENDS MARCH 14TH!!!
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