Part 7: Justice

He wouldn't know what was in store for him. They'd decided that in advance. Nothing was to be out of the ordinary and they were to continue on as they had been for the entire tour. As much as they wanted to go and make him pay, demand some sort of explanation, they knew that he needed a taste of his own medicine. Nick would endure what they'd spent the last x number of months going through. Justice would be served. So they fought. They played jokes on each other. They continued life as everyone knew it. Just now, attacks were forewarned and averted, results only s imulated. Nick had no idea that anything was going on, and that's what they were going for.

"Nick. You've got to help me get Kev."Brian whispered so that no one would hear him. He watched as Nick's eyes sparkled and a slow smile crossed his lips. It was all Brian could do not to smack it from his face. He couldn't believe that they'd missed the cockiness that was prominent in Nick's demeanor. Like he was proud of himself for getting away with so much. Had Brian not been directly involved in Nick's plan, he would have called his best friend genious. It was brilliant, there was no mistaking that. But he was directly involved, and thus he felt Nick should pay.

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. Something big. Will you help me?"Bat eyelashes. Small pout. Nick was hook line and sinker.

"Of course Frick."

Brian patted Nick on the shoulder and stood. "Thanks man. When you have a good idea, let me know and we'll do that. I'm all out."

So Brian walked away and winked at Kev. Oh yeah, this was gonna be good.

Twenty minutes later Kevin approached Nick. "Kaos. Bro, I need your help."

Nick's face turned into that of someone who was concerned. "Kev, what's wrong? What can I do?"

"I know Brian's planning something for me. I sort of... well lets just say I think I crossed the line and I think he's planning something big. Has he said anything to you?"

Nick shook his head. "No."Kevin was amazed at the ease with which Nick lied. It was second nature to him, and he now knew how Nick had gotten away with it for so long. He was fucking good. "But I'll let you know."

Kevin tried not to laugh. "Could you, ummmm help me with something? I need to get AJ before he can get me, so if you could give me a hand..."

"No problem Kev. I'll keep an eye out for Brian and then if I can think of something good for AJ, I'll let you know."

Kevin reached over and hugged Nick tightly. "Thanks bro. You're the best. You know that you're the only one I trust right?"

Nick was beaming and Kevin could see the twinkle in his eye. "You know me Kev, I'm always willing to help you out."

AJ was next to visit Nick and the same thing happened. Nick professed he knew nothing about anything and promised to give him a hand in keeping Kevin at bay and getting the upper edge on Brian and Howie. Last Howie approached him, fearful that AJ was going to do something to him for what he'd done to him the day before.

Nick never knew what was about to happen.

After the concert, Nick was exhausted. He walked into his hotel room wanting nothing more than to just crash. They'd been staying in this hotel for about 4 days and so by this time he didn't need to put on any lights. He knew where everything was and could manouever the room blindfolded. Except for that table he ran into.

"FUCK!"

He was hopping on the foot he didn't bash into the table, stars exploding behind his eyes. Moving to the left, he found the couch, falling over it onto the floor. "What the hell?"By this time Nick had hobbled to the light switch and turned it on, expecting to see people there laughing. He was alone. And everything seemed normal. He shrugged, figuring that he was just a little off from working too hard. He moved to put his wallet on the table blindly, only to have it fall onto the floor. Again he took another sweep of the room, only to find everything as he had left it earlier. He definitely needed sleep.

The next morning Nick woke up, stretching languidly. He checked his clock to find that he'd overslept. He still had time to get down to the meeting in Kevin's room, barely. As he walked into the room he was met with a room full of people watching him, expressions unimpressed. "What?"He asked, sitting down.

"You're late!"Kevin sighed.

"No I'm not. It's 11."

AJ laughed. "Umm sorry bro, it's 11:15."

Nick grabbed Brian's wrist and checked his watch. "Fuck, my clock says 11. Sorry guys."

"Don't let it happen again."

The first thing Nick did when he got back to his room was changed the time on the clock. He hadn't had time to take a shower that morning, so stripping down he went into the bathroom and started the water, stepping under the spray. He had to be in the lobby at 3 to go to a radio station for an interview. Wanting to make up for his lateness that morning, he arrived 5 minutes early.

"Again Nick. What part of 'be on time' is the problem?"Howie barked with frustration.

"Fuck you, I'm 5 minutes early."

"No Nick, you're 10 minutes late. Brian and AJ have already gone ahead to explain why we're going to be late."Kevin pushed him towards the exit, flashing Howie a smile over Nick's shoulder.

"I changed the time. I did.. as soon as I got back to my room."Nick rubbed his eyes. First he was tripping all over himself the night before, and now his clock kept being pushed back. He had no idea what was going on. Maybe he just needed a vacation.

The rest of the day seemed to pass uneventful and they all found themselves getting ready for the show that night. Everyone was putting on their first costume and Nick looked around to see if anyone else was having a problem. "Umm, guys. Is anyone else's too big?"

Kevin turned around to see Nick's costume hanging off of him slightly.

"It's about a size too big!"

"No. Mine's fine."

"Mine too."

"Fits perfect."

"Maybe you've lost weight Nick."

"Since last night?"

There wasn't enough time to discuss it more so it was decided he would go on stage with the slightly larger clothes. When it came time for the next change, Nick slid his arm in the shirt and felt it tight against his skin. "Ummm guys. My clothes are too small."

"Make up your mind Nick. Too big or too small!"Kevin shot, stifling his laughter. It was becoming increasingly harder not to laugh at Nick's frustration and confusion. He had no idea, no idea at all.

The remainder of the show went the same way. Either the clothes were too big or too small on him and Nick had never been so happy for a concert to be over. All he wanted to do was go to the hotel and sleep this day from hell off.

He made it to his room unscathed and got undressed, wanting to take a shower to calm the tension in his body. Midway through he could hear someone banging on the door, getting his attention. Cursing, he shut the water off and grabbed a towel, walking to the door dripping. "What?"he asked, frustrated.

"Are you okay Nicky? You just seemed to have a bad day and I wanted to make sure you were okay.

"Yeah Rok. I was in the middle of a shower."

"I'm sorry. Do you need anything."Brian began to back up slowly, luring Nick into the hall without him knowing it. Once Nick had stepped completely out of his room Brian relaxed. "Can I get you anything?"

Nick sighed and smiled at his best friend. "Yeah Rok. I just need to sleep. Get this day over with."

He didn't hear anyone behind him until it was too late. He heard his door slam shut and laughter erupt. Nick felt his skin cover in goose bumps. Something wasn't right. "FUCK. What's that?"

"I don't know. Probably just shut on it's own. Come to my room and I'll call the desk for you."

Nick nodded, looking at his door. He'd heard laughter coming from there. Something was going on. Shaking his head, he followed Brian to his door, stopping as Brian did. He watched his best friend pause once he'd opened the door and turn around. "What?"

"Well Nick. Did you ever hear the phrase, what goes around comes around?"

"Yeah!"Nick still had no idea what that had to do with him.

"Well, payback's a bitch Nicky."With that, Brian grabbed Nick's towel and slammed his door shut, leaving Nick standing in the hallway stunned and speechless. A loud laughter could be heard throughout the hallway and suddenly it all dawned on Nick.

Everything made sense.

Payback was a bitch.

And he was fucking naked in the hall with nowhere to go.

Shit!

Finis