Nick stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror of the tour bus. Things were happening fast- really fast. Normally he loved the fast paced go-go that a musician's life gave way to, but lately he was feeling the need to slow things down a little. Spending time with her made him think…she made him yearn for things that he had long ago told himself that he could never have. He was planning on introducing her to the guys tonight; they were his family after all.

Look at you man. I barely recognize you… that's… a good thing. I want everything to go smoothly. I need to impress her. Hell, she doesn't have to know that she's slumming it with me.

His eyes flicked away from his reflection towards the sounds of the guys shuffling around out there.

Do you really think that using your friends as a cover will mask who you are? She's a smart girl. She'll figure you out…eventually.

He furrowed his eyes in objection at his negative thoughts.

I'm different now. I have different priorities…I've been sober, I'm helping Max stay straight, and focusing on the music… what about…

He shook his head.

Stay focused on her and everything will be allri-

"Let's get going ass face," Max shouted at Nick after a one thump knock at the door. Nick shook his head and headed out the door with a smile. If nothing else she would definitely be entertained by these guys. They would be meeting at the local steakhouse. It was to be a casual lunch and he had made it clear that they were to behave.

Lunch…

"So what is it that you do? School?" Maxed asked the casually dressed young lady that sat next to Nick.

"I'm working on my BM in music right now," she smiled up at Nick briefly and then I will be doing Event managing as my specialty."

"Mmm…sounds interesting…and it's good that you're into music too. A lot of people don't get it- how the life can be." Max to a drink of his soda and looked at Nick. They knew that Nick had been kind of secretive lately, but he honestly had no idea that it was a girl. He'd thought that Nick had kind of given up on that whole scene after it fell apart before. Hell, Nick had been partying with girls for the entire tour with no indication that he wanted anything more and now… Max shook his head. As long as Nick was happy…

"Well, yeah," she looked away slightly embarrassed. They had never really discussed that part of her life. They had talked about a lot of stuff, but somehow her school or his career had fallen by the wayside. It just seemed like their time together seemed to fly by and they could barely fit in the stuff that they did talk about. She felt Nick take her hand beneath the table, and squeeze it in reassurance.

"Look, 'Dad', we're having a good time and seeing a lot of each other. I just felt that it was time that she met my worst halves," Nick said to Max and then Jesse and Trent. He brought his eyes back to hers, "You guys are my family and I wanted everyone to meet someone important to me."

The three men looked at the couple and Nick in particularly a bit awestruck. Looking at Nick now he seemed every bit the eldest of the group- in a good way. He had gone through a lot and had thought himself to be broke beyond repair on more than one occasion, yet here he stood grinning like a schoolboy at someone that he had allowed himself to care for in spite of himself.

"Sounds like you guys are getting pretty serious," Trent mused.

Sure does look like it too from the way your eyes light up around each other.

"Yeah, we are." Nick cautiously agreed.

"Well here's to you guys," Jesse held up his glass and everyone toasted the couple.

Later on the bus…

"Nick seems happy," Max sat back sipping on a beer in the tiny kitchen. Trent had stayed outside to make a call.

"He does," Jesse agreed while sipping on one of his own.

"Good for him." Max looked at Jesse. "You and Valerie doing okay?"

Jesse took his time to answer and even then it was a shrug.

What's going on with you man?

"Stop trying to figure me out Max. I'm fine. Everything is all good."

"If you say so…..."

Let it go Max.

"…so you 'had' a thing for Jane?"

Jesse looked at Max sharply. Max held up both hands.

"I was just concerned man. You're with Valerie now so… you're okay with her and DeMartino?"

Jesse grunted and took another drink of his beer… a long drink. Max watched him with more than a little concern. Jesse tended to keep a lot in and his feelings for Jane- well they were obviously still very much a factor, no matter whom he was with.

Well that can't be healthy for him… or Valerie for that matter.

"Jesse-"

"I gotta go," Jesse was abrupt and down the last of the bottle before heading out. He had planned on staying on the bus tonight, but he was in no mood for Max's inquisition. He hadn't really wanted to have another 'talk' with Valerie either.

Shit…guess I'll just hit the local bar until la- Who the heck is Trent talking to?

Jesse rounded the bus to see Trent looking at his phone's screen and speaking in an urgent voice. He turned away figuring that he was having a private conversation with his girl, but the voice on the other end stopped him. It was Jane and she sounded scared.

(on the phone)

"I'm sorry that I called you with this. I just didn't know what to do. Did I completely screw up your day- night,er- tour?"

"Come on Janey, you know that you can come to me about anything and I will try to help. Have you told DeMartino?"

She was silent and Jesse imagined her biting her bottom lip the way that she does when she worrying over something.

"I just don't know how he'll react. We just moved in together and a baby…"

Baby!

Jesse didn't register anything after that.

She's pregnant. That bastard got her pregnant!

Trent turned hearing a noise and saw Jesse leaning against the side of the bus. He could tell from Jesse's expression that he had overheard. Jesse's eyes caught Trent's and he took off. There was no way in freaking heck that he wanted to hear about the happy couple and their little bundle of joy. He simply wanted to forget everything. In fact he had every intention of making damn sure that he did forget- not matter what it took.