Sweet Friendship

[Raevengeance]

PROLOGUE/INTRODUCTION

Rachel Saunders grew up next door to a wonderful family in Orlando, Florida—the Doroughs. She was a few months older than Howie, the youngest child in the Dorough family. Rachel and her family moved into the house next to the Doroughs when she was only 3 years old. From the day that the Saunders family moved in, the two families seemed nearly inseparable. Rachel’s parents and Mr. and Mrs. Dorough began playing cards together on weekends, and that forced a young Rachel and Howie to play together while Pollyanna, Howie’s older sister babysat the two of them during their parents card games. When Rachel’s mother went back to work after the family was settled into their new home, Paula Dorough, Howie’s mom, would watch Rachel during the day. Once Rachel and Howie were in school, they always seemed to be in the same cl[arse] which when they were slightly older, drove them crazy, because they were together almost as much as if they really were brother-sister anyway, but then to have to be together all day at school too, just was too much. By the time that Rachel and Howie were in junior high, Rachel stopped coming over with her parents on card night saying that she didn’t need a babysitter anymore, and she was fine sitting at home by herself. During this time, the Doroughs and Rachel’s parents both would make comments to the others during their card games about how nice it would be in Rachel and Howie would start dating. As plans were being made for the junior high graduation dance, Rachel’s mother made a comment directly to Rachel about how since neither she nor Howie had a date for the dance, it might be nice if they went together, to which Rachel responed, “Yuck. I can’t go to the dance with Howie. It would be like going on a date with my brother.”

“But, Rachel, Howard isn’t your brother.”

“He may not really be my brother, but a lot of the times it feels like he is,” Rachel said, getting upset that her mother was trying to push her to go to the dance with her ‘brother.’

As the two friends who felt like siblings went through high school, they remained friends, but it was never the close friendship that they had shared in elementary school. Howie got more into the drama and music areas, while Rachel was an active participant in cheerleading for all the major sports offered at their high school. Following their high school graduation, the two friends found themselves at a loss, Howie was staying in Orlando and going to the University of Central Florida, while Rachel was following her dream and going away to school at Boston College where she was hoping to somehow be able to run into the guy that she had the biggest crush on, Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block.

As time went on, Howie received his [arse]ociates of Arts degree, and Rachel finally graduated from B.C. with a degree in Secondary Education with a focus on English. Rachel found a job working as a high school English teacher in M[arse]achusetts, which is what she was doing the day she got the call that would change her life forever.

[Raevengeance]

Chapter 1---The Phone Call

Rachel was sitting at the desk she used when she was correcting her student's [arse]ignments or preparing her lesson plans one Monday night in 1997 when her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Rachel...this is Paula Dorough."

"Oh, hi, Mrs. D. How is everyone?"

"We're all doing fine. I'm calling for a very important reason, Rachel. Are you sitting down?"

"Yes, I am. What's wrong?"

"Rachel, sweetheart, this is really difficult. I'm calling about your parents."

"What about mom and dad? I just talked to them last night, and they were looking forward to my visit over my spring break."

"Rachel, you're parents were in a car accident this morning."

"Oh no. Do I need to come down to see them in the hospital?"

"Rachel, sweetie, I hate telling you this over the phone, but..." Paula started.

"What is it, Mrs. Dorough?"

"Rachel, both your mom and your dad were killed in the accident," Mrs. Dorough said as she heard Rachel break down and cry. "Rachel, sweetie, do you want me to send Hoke or John up to Boston so you don't have to come back on your own?"

"No, I'll be alright. Can you have someone pick me up at the airport though?"

"Yes, call me back after you know when your flight will get here. Do you want me to help you with the funeral arrangements?" Paula asked knowing that Rachel's grandparents had all p[arse]ed away over the years she was growing up.

"Would you please, Mrs. Dorough? I don't know what exactly I'm going to need to do."

"Yes, I'll help you. I'm [arse]uming you're going to come down tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah," Rachel answered still in shock over the news she had just received.

"OK, I'll make arrangements with a funeral parlor for a visitation Wednesday night, and the funeral on Thursday. If that's all right with you, that is."

"That's fine. This way I'll have some time to pull myself together a bit before facing everyone. Thank you for calling me, Mrs. D. I'm glad I heard it from you, and not a police officer. I'm going to make my arrangements up here now, and I'll call you back in a little while."

"OK. Remember, Rachel, our thoughts and prayers are with you always, especially right now."

"Thanks. Talk to you in a little bit," Rachel said before hanging up the phone. After allowing herself some time to cry, she phoned the principal of her high school and let him know that she would need a substitute teacher for the remainder of the week at least due to her parents’ deaths. Mr. Simms was very understanding, and since she had lost both her parents, reminded her that she was entitled to 10 days of leave time. "I don't know if I'll need all that time, Mr. Simms, but thank you. I'll call you by Friday to let you know if I'm going to be back next week. I have all my lesson plans for this week at home, because I was doing some work on them. I'll drop them off in the office tomorrow before I go to the airport."

"Alright, Rachel. I hope that you're alright," Mr. Simms said before hanging up the phone.

Next, Rachel phoned the airlines, and made reservations for her flight from Logan Airport in Boston to Orlando International Airport. Making sure to note the flight number (1387) and the approximate arrival time in Orlando (12:15 pm) so that she would be able to give the information to Paula when she called back later that evening. Rachel then went back to her lesson plans, hurriedly scribbling down directions and [arse]ignments for her substitute to follow for the rest of the week as well as the following week, just in case she decided to take advantage of the extra time she was allowed for her parent's death. Finally, she felt ready to talk with Mrs. Dorough again, so she phoned the number she remember from her childhood days growing up with Howie.

"Hello?" she heard a familiar voice answering the phone.

"Hi, is that you, Howie?"

"Yeah, this is Howie. Who is this?"

"It's me, Rachel. Can I talk to your mom, please?"

"Sure, Rachel. I'm sorry about your parents. Here's my mom," Howie said as he handed the phone to his mother who was standing right next to him.

"Rachel...did you make all your arrangements?"

"Yeah, I did. I've got at least the rest of this week off, and maybe next week too, if I feel like I need to have that as well. I got my flight information as well."

"Oh, alright. When are you coming in?"

"I should be there about quarter after twelve tomorrow afternoon. I'm coming in on American Flight 1387 from Logan airport in Boston. I'm not sure what gate its gonna be at though."

"That's alright. I know that we'll find you. Take care, Rachel, and we'll be there for you. If you need to talk to someone, call me. I don't care what time it is, if you need to talk tonight, call."

"Yes, Mrs. D," Rachel said, thankful that the Doroughs were such good friends to her.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 2---DEALING WITH LOSS

Rachel had a fitful sleep that night, thinking about all the things she and her parents had never been able to experience, and the fact that now she was truly alone in the world since both of her parents had been only children as she was, and all of her grandparents had p[arse]ed away while she was in high school. The next morning, Rachel phoned the Doroughs, just to make sure that the remembered to send someone to pick her up at the airport. Even though she hadn’t really stayed in touch with Howie since graduating from high school, she hoped that he would be the one that was there to pick her up, but Rachel didn’t want to seem too pushy and ask to have him do it. She realized he was probably busy with whatever job he had taken following his graduation from college. Mrs. Dorough [arse]ured Rachel that someone would meet her at the airport, and that she had started to make some of the arrangements for the funerals. When Rachel hung up the phone, she finished her packing, and drove herself the distance to Logan airport where she boarded her flight, with some hesitation.

There were no delays in the flight, and when they arrived it was only quarter to twelve, so Rachel scanned the crowd looking for any familiar face, and hoping to see Howie there to greet her. She didn’t see anyone from the Dorough family, so she asked the flight attendent manning the American desk to give a message to anyone who might be looking for her, that she had gone to pick up her luggage, but she would be back shortly, and to have them please wait for her there. As she was walking towards the baggage claim area, she literally ran into John, Howie’s older brother. “John?” she asked when she noticed who it was.

“Rachel?”

“That would be me. You here to pick me up, I guess?”

“Yeah. Mom had to run Howie to a rehearsal he has this afternoon, or she would have been here with me.”

“Oh,” Rachel said, disappointed that Howie wasn’t even going to be at home when she got there. “Well, let’s go and get my luggage, and we can get back to your parent’s place.”

“Alright. Here, let me take your carry-on for ya,” John said as he took the bag from her hand. “I’m really sorry about your folks, Rach. I know it’s gotta be really hard on you, especially since you haven’t seen them since Christmas.”

“Yeah, it really is. And now I don’t have any family of any sort that I know. I’m truly alone in the world right now,” Rachel said before taking a deep breath to get her emotions under control as John leaned in to give her a hug.

“You’ll always have us as your family, Rach. You’re my little sister to, and don’t you forget it.”

“Thanks, J. I appreciate the sentiments, but you know what I meant.”

“OK, which luggage is yours?” he asked when they got to the baggage claim area. Rachel pointed it out, and John grabbed it off of the conveyor belt before leading the way out to his car where he helped Rachel into her seat before putting her luggage into the trunk. They drove most of the way in silence before John asked, “Are you staying with mom and dad, or are you staying at your place?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought, really. I don’t know if I can handle all the memories that are going to hit me at my parents’ house.”

“You’ll do fine, kiddo, but I’ll take ya to my folk’s house. If you decide to go back to your place, you can do that from there,” John said as he pulled into the driveway at his parents’ house. “Now, why didn’t your boyfriend come down here with you?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Rachel answered somewhat hesitantly wondering what he would think about the fact that she was still single.

"Oh, you're still waiting for Howie to ask you out, huh?" John said teasing.

"John...you know Howie is like a brother to me...that's just gross to think of dating my brother," Rachel exclaimed, slapping him softly and shocked that he would say that.

"I know, just trying to get some kind of reaction out of you. You're not crying, you're just sort of like walking through the day like it's a dream or something. I wanted to make sure you could still react to stuff."

"Gee, thanks," Rachel said sarcastically. "So, what play is Howie doin this time?"

"What do you mean, what play is he doing?"

"Well, you said that your mom would have come to pick me up, but she had to take Howie to a rehearsal, I just [arse]umed that he was doing some kind of play," Rachel explained.

"Ohhh...haven't you talked to Howie lately? He's in a new musical group, and they are practicing right now. He's kinda giving up the drama bit to see what can come of the musical career."

"That's cool, and actually, I don't think I've talked to him since our high school graduation. I basically stayed in Beantown during my breaks, other than the holidays, and then we didn't really see each other. Oh god...what am I going to do for the holidays now? I don't have anywhere to go. No one to buy presents for at Christmas. John, I'm all alone, I don't like that feeling," Rachel said as she started crying.

"It's gonna be all right, girlfriend, come on, you know you're just as much a part of this family as me, Polly, Ang, Caro, and Howie. I know that mom and dad would love to have you start coming here to spend the holidays with us. Do you want me to mention it to mom for ya?"

"NO, JOHN! If I'm going to be invited, I want it to be your parents' decision, not a guilt trip that you or I lay on them. I mean it...if I find out that you mentioned it to them, I'll be forced to do bodily harm to ya," Rachel threatened.

"Alright. Why don't you go wash up, and I can run you over to see Howie if you want," John suggested.

"No, that's alright. I think I'm just gonna veg out here, until your mom gets home. Then I have to help her finish making all the funeral arrangements," Rachel said, as tears were about to start falling from her eyes again.

"Cheer up, sweetie. I know how difficult this must be for you, but no matter what, you've got your big brother, J looking out for you. Remember that," John said as he pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks, John," Rachel said as he put her luggage in the guest room while she went into the bathroom to freshen up after her long flight.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 3---RENEWING A FRIENDSHIP

Paula came home shortly after John and Rachel arrived at the Dorough house. "Rachel, it's so good to see you again," Paula said as she pulled Rachel into a tight hug. "I just wish it was under better circumstances," she added as the hug ended.

"I wish so too, Mrs. Dorough," Rachel said, sighing. "How has everyone been?"

"Well, we're all doing pretty well. Caroline is living in North Carolina now, but she seems to be doing alright. And call me Paula...or Mom...you know I hate it when you call me Mrs. Dorough," Paula said still keeping Rachel close to her.

"How about we compromise and I call you Mrs. D? You know I've always addressed adults as Mr. or Mrs. and their last name. It's the way my folks raised me."

"Mrs. D is going to have to do then, but Rachel, you're an adult now too, you don't have to use the formal address to show the respect that your parents were teaching you."

"Well, that's as close as you're going to get, Mrs. D," Rachel said, wanting to ask about her friend, but being somewhat shy about doing it.

"Alright...well, I hope you don't mind, but I think I've got all the arrangements for the funerals made. We can go over them, and if there is anything you want to change, we can do that."

"I'm sure that what you planned will be fine. I just can't believe this happened," Rachel said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Well, unfortunately it did," Paula said once again giving Rachel a hug. "Rachel, sweetie, there is one thing that I didn't plan out. We need to pick clothes for your parents to be buried in. I wanted you to help with that. Let's go and do that now, and then we won't have any more details to think about."

"I don't think I can do it, Mrs. D."

"Rachel, you have to. It's something you're going to have to face, and I think it would be best if you faced it sooner than later. The longer you put it off, the harder it will be for you. I'll be with you every step of the way, but it needs to be done, and you need to help with it," Mrs. Dorough said firmly.

"Alright, alright...but can we wait until later. I need to try to find the inner strength to do it," Rachel said, hoping that maybe if she put it off long enough, she could avoid it all together.

"Well, I think we should do it now, so that John can take the outfits down to the funeral parlor, so they can finish up what they need to do to get everything ready for tomorrow night."

"Fine. Just don't make me do this alone."

"I promise, John and I will be right there with you, honey. Come on," Paula said as John led the way across the yard to the Saunders' family home. Once there, Paula took the spare key from where Rachel's parents had always hidden it. "Alright, let's go," she said after she hugged Rachel to help give her the strength to go back into her parents' home now that they had p[arse]ed away. The three of them picked out the Saunders' favourite outfits, amid a lot of reminiscing by the group. After the outfits were selected, John took the clothes to the funeral parlor while Rachel and his mom continued their trip down memory lane.

As Paula and Rachel locked up the house and walked down towards the Dorough residence around suppertime, Rachel noticed two unfamiliar cars pulled into the driveway. Rachel started to get nervous until she noticed Howie running across the yard towards herself and his mother. "Mom, supper's not ready yet," he yelled as he neared the two people walking from his neighbor's house. "And Rachel wasn't anywhere around to introduce to the guys," he finished as he noticed the stranger walking with his mom.

"Gee, Howard, nice to know you remember me," Rachel said sarcastically, slugging him playfully in the arm as his friends caught up to where he had met the two ladies.

"Howard?? I didn't think that anyone called you Howard," his friend wearing sungl[arse]es joked as he and the other two guys joined the group.

"I've only ever called him that to get him mad at me. Hi, I'm Rachel, since he seems to have forgotten what I looked like," she said as she extended her hand to shake hands with these friends of her friend.

"Hi, I'm Kevin, this is my cousin, Brian, and that one is Alex, although everyone calls him AJ," the tall, green-eyed one said as way of introduction.

"Well, hi Kevin, Brian, and Alex," Rachel said.

"The name is AJ," AJ said defensively, but smiling.

"If I get to know you better, then it will be AJ, until then, it's Alex...or should I say, Alexander?" Rachel asked in her best teacher voice, realizing that Alex was probably just a nickname as well.

"I'm sorry, Howie, but Rachel and I were reminiscing and lost track of time," Paula said in regards to supper not being ready.

"Well, how are we supposed to eat if it isn't ready yet?" Howie whined.

"Ya know, you're starting to sound an awful lot like Nicky, D," Kevin joked.

"I am not," Howie said before he started laughing. "Alright, I am, but we have a lot to do yet tonight, and I need some nourishment."

"Howard Dwaine," his mother started.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry," Howie started, interrupting the scolding he knew was coming from his mother. "Rach, I'm sorry we have to see each other again this way," Howie said, finally touching on the subject that brought Rachel back to O-town.

"Thanks, How. I heard that you agreed to sing during the service. Thank you."

"Yeah, it's nothing. I still think it should be the two of us. We always sounded so great together. Who knows, if you had stuck around, we coulda been the next Sonny and Cher," Howie said, as he started thinking back to the old days.

"No, we never were Sonny and Cher; and the world doesn't need another Donnie and Marie," Rachel answered back.

"Donnie and Marie?? Why not Sonny and Cher?"

"Not Sonny and Cher because they were married doofus; we never had that type of relationship. We were more like Donnie and Marie, siblings trying to out do the other," Rachel said explaining her point as the group made their way into the Dorough house.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 4---GETTING TO KNOW THE BOYS

As they walked in the door, Paula suggested that the group of five stay in the family room, and get to know each other. "So, Rachel, what do ya do? D hasn't told us much about you, until yesterday when he said that he was going to be taking some time off from our group rehearsals because a close friend was coming home for a funeral," Brian finally said trying to break the silence.

"Gee, do you even know what I do, Howie?" Rachel asked before saying, "I'm a high school English teacher in Boston. I really wish I wasn't meeting all of you under these circumstances. I'm sorry. I'm usually much more chatty than this, but losing both of my folks yesterday kinda knocked everything out of me."

"That's alright, Rachel. I know where you're coming from. I lost my dad a few years ago, and it's still tough sometimes."

"Thanks, Kevin, right?" Rachel said.

"Yep, that's me."

"Good, I'm glad I'm keeping your names straight. Now, someone said something about a Nicky, I think it was while we were outside. Who's that? And how do you all know each other? I can tell that the two of you aren't from Florida originally," Rachel said pointing towards Brian and Kevin.

"You haven't told her about the Backstreet Boys, D?" AJ asked somewhat surprised.

"No. We haven't really seen each other since we graduated from high school," Howie answered before explaining, "We are all in a musical group together, Kevin, Brian, AJ, myself, and Nick."

"Cool, what instruments do you guys play?" Rachel asked thinking that they were a group more like the Beatles or Bon Jovi than her New Kids. No one wanted anything to do with a group of guys that sang and danced anymore, and she was still disappointed by that fact.

“Actually, we don’t really play instruments. We could, but we focus on singing and dancing,” Kevin explained.

“Let me get this straight. You sing and dance?” Rachel asked surprised that her friend would be part of something like that.

“Yeah, we do, Rachel. Why do you seem so shocked?” Brian asked.

“So, you’re a lot like the New Kids?” Rachel asked.

“Yeah, we are, I guess.”

“Then, I just have to ask Howie a question. Which one of these guys are you blowin', Howie?” Rachel asked laughing.

“Rachel!!!” Howie yelled shocked that she would ask him such a thing while the rest of the guys sat there with stunned looks on their faces.

“What?? You all just said that you’re the new New Kids so to speak, and Howie always told me that they were all blowin' each other, so I just [arse]umed that you all were doing that too,” Rachel explained, laughing. When the guys continued to sit there stunned by her comment she added, “Come on, lighten up guys. I don’t REALLY think that you are doing that. Just had to get a jab in at my best bud here for all the teasing he did to me about going to school in Boston so that I could maybe run into Jordan or Jonathan Knight.” (Author's Note: I don’t know that Howie would have ever said such a thing about NKOTB, but I included that to add something to the story. I personally have been a huge fan of the New Kids for years and do not believe members of either group to be gay.)

“Well, it wasn’t exactly the nicest thing to say,” Brian said.

“Geez…get used to those kind of comments, hun. It will be said, and in a more serious manner than what I just did if you guys become a huge hit.”

“It still isn’t something we’d expect to hear from one of our friends,” Brian continued protesting.

“FINE. I’M SORRY I SAID IT. GET OVER IT, I SAID I WASN’T SERIOUS!” Rachel yelled before storming out of the house, and to the one place she could always find some solace, an old tree house, that somehow managed to survive the years since she and Howie had built it.

Paula heard Rachel yelling, and went to see what the problem was, noticing Rachel running out the front door and straight towards the tree house built in her family’s backyard. “What happened, guys?”

“Rachel accused us of being gay, and didn’t like being told that I didn’t appreciate it,” Brian said.

“Howard, go calm Rachel down. She’s out in the tree house, and she’s gonna need someone there for her,” Paula instructed. When he left, she looked at his friends and said, “Guys, you have to understand something, sometimes when Rachel is joking around, it doesn’t come off that way. Believe me, she knows that you aren’t gay, she and Howie have been friends since they were three years old; she knows exactly what kind of girl he dates. But over the years, Howie has done plenty of picking on her for her interest in different bands, and I’m sure she was just trying to get him back for all the jabs he’s inflicted on her over the years.”

“That’s still no reason for her to call the rest of us gay,” Brian said continuing to protest what happened.

“Brian, what exactly was said, and in what context?” Paula asked.

“We were telling her about the group, and she looked at Howie and asked which one of us he was blowin',” AJ said when Brian refused to answer Paula’s question.

“Alright, and was she laughing or really straight-faced about it?”

“She was laughing hysterically. And this was all said after she got the comparison between us and the New Kids,” Kevin added.

“That doesn’t matter,” Brian interjected as Paula was about to say something else.

“Brian Thomas Littrell, it does so matter. You don’t know the grief Howie gave her in high school for liking the New Kids, and the fact that he is now in a group so similar to them, definitely gives her a way to get back at him for it.”

“But why include the rest of us, what did we do to her?”

“Brian, it wasn’t about YOU. It was a jab at Howie for the kind of band he is in now. That’s all. Don’t take it so seriously. And, she just lost both of her parents, she needs an outlet for her feelings, and if it happens to be jokes about you all being gay, then that is what it is going to be. I am sure she apologized to all of you, correct?”

“Yeah, she did,” AJ said.

“But she didn’t mean it,” Brian continued to argue.

“Brian Thomas Littrell, Rachel is a very kind, considerate lady. I guarantee you that if she apologized, she meant it. I think she technically still owes Howie an apology for a fight they had in elementary school, because she refused to apologize for something if she didn’t mean it.”

“Mrs. Dorough, I’m sure you see it that way, but the accusation still hurts.”

“Well, learn to live with those accusations, they are going to come all the time after you guys become really popular, because guys are going to be jealous of you, and that is the way they will try to convince the girls they like not to like you,” Paula said before going back into the kitchen.

“Why does everyone say that? People aren’t going to automatically [arse]ume we’re gay because of the kind of music we play,” Brian said shaking his head.

“Rok, I hate to tell you this, but yes, they will. Don’t you remember doing the same thing about New Kids, when a girl you liked was interested in them?” AJ said.

“No, I never said any such thing,” Brian said protesting, but realizing that many of his friends had done just that.

“Kevin, make your cousin realize that it will happen to us, the same way it happened to the New Kids; I’m going to go and help Howie calm Rachel down,” AJ said before following Howie outside.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 5---FRIENDSHIPS REVISITED

Howie walked out the back door, and across the yard to where he and Rachel had built their clubhouse back when they were in the second grade, all the while thinking about the week the two of them spent building it together, with no help from anyone.

~*~*~FLASHBACK~*~*~

“Come on, Howie, let’s not build the clubhouse in the tree. I don’t want to have to climb the tree to get to it,” Rachel said.

“Rachel, it’ll be really cool to have it in the tree. This way we can have some privacy while we’re here, cuz you’re mom and my mom won’t climb up there to get us,” Howie begged.

“Howie…I don’t want to have to climb,” Rachel said getting somewhat embarr[arse]ed. “Howie…I don’t know how to climb trees,” she finally admitted before she ran from the spot they were talking about it.

That afternoon, instead of working on building the clubhouse like he had planned, Howie worked on making something that his best friend would appreciate so that she could join him in the clubhouse that they had wanted to build; he built a ladder so that she wouldn’t have to climb the tree to access the clubhouse. After supper that night, Howie walked over to the Saunders’ house, and when Mrs. Saunders answered the door, he asked if Rachel could come out and look at something for just a minute, even though she wasn’t supposed to be out at that hour. “Please, Mrs. Saunders. I just really need to show her something I’ve been working on all afternoon. We’re just going to be in your backyard. Please,” he begged before Rachel’s mother finally relented and told him to run up to Rachel’s room to get her, but she had to be back in the house in ten minutes. “Thanks, Mrs. Saunders. It’s really something important to me,” he yelled as he ran up the stairs to Rachel’s room and dragged her back down to the backyard. “Here you go, Rachel. Now you don’t need to worry about knowing how to climb trees, and we can still have our clubhouse in the tree,” he had said proudly showing her the ladder he had created.

“Howie…thank you for doing this for me,” Rachel said throwing her arms around his neck.

~*~*~END FLASHBACK~*~*~

“Howie!!” AJ yelled, breaking Howie out of the memories he was having.

“What, J?”

“Where you at? And where is Rach?” I’ve been asking you this for at least five minutes.

“I was just thinking about when we built our tree house up here. And Rachel is up there.”

“Well, why aren’t you up there comforting her? You know you want to be.”

“J, I just can’t do it,” Howie said weakly.

“Why not? Because you love her?” AJ asked quietly.

“What?? Why did you say that?”

“D, man, I don’t know if the others noticed it, but when you told us you weren’t going to make rehearsals the next couple of days because of a friend, I noticed an added sparkle in your eyes. And I could tell by the way you searched the entire house looking for her to introduce us all to her when we got here. You’ve got it bad, bro.”

“I don’t know, AJ. I mean, I guess I’ve felt this way about Rach for a long time, but she always refers to me as her brother; I don’t think she feels the same way about me.”

“Well, she’s here for at least a week, right?”

“Yeah, she is.”

“So make her see it. I know I saw something more than sisterly love in her eyes when you gave her that hug. Maybe she’s just trying to keep from getting hurt, in case you don’t feel the same way,” AJ suggested.

“J, you go ahead and talk to her…I just can’t. The only thing I don’t understand is why her boyfriend isn’t here with her,” Howie said sadly thinking that Rachel had a boyfriend back home in Boston.

Rachel had been watching as Howie approached their tree house, and was waiting for him to come in to talk to her. She hadn’t seen AJ walk up behind Howie, so when the door opened, she yelled, “Get out, Howard Dwaine Dorough. I don’t want to talk to anyone!”

“What if I’m not Howie?” AJ asked coming up behind her.

“I still want you out,” Rachel yelled. “I know you and the rest of your friends don’t like me after the joke I was making with Howie,” she said before she broke down crying.

“It’s alright, Rachel,” AJ said as he pulled her into a hug. “It’s not that the guys don’t like you, Brian is just kinda touchy about that kind of thing, but he likes you,” AJ said as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“You’re just saying that,” Rachel said as she pulled away and looked up at him. When AJ saw the way she was looking at him, he leaned down and captured her lips for a kiss. When she didn’t put up much resistance, he slowly deepened the kiss before pulling away, because he knew how his best friend felt about this wonderful lady, little did he know that Howie was standing in the doorway, shocked at seeing AJ kiss the girl that he loved.

“Rach, J, Mom told me to come and get you for supper,” Howie said before quickly turning and leaving.

“What was that all about?” Rachel asked, wondering about the way Howie had just basically run away from them, as she was climbing down the ladder.

“I don’t know, Rachel,” AJ said, but knowing that Howie had seen the kiss and was hurt by the fact that the girl he wanted to be with was kissing his best friend.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 6---LATE NIGHT CHAT

Mrs. Dorough had prepared Rachel’s favorite meal for dinner that night, since she was the true guest, even thought AJ, Kevin, and Brian were also dinner guests. Rachel was sitting between AJ, who was extremely talkative, and Howie, who was extremely quiet. The other two guests noticed that Howie wasn’t exactly acting like himself, but when Kevin mentioned it, Howie snapped at him an answer that Rachel just caught the last part of, because she was engrossed in a story that AJ was telling her about something that had happened while they were in Europe working on their first album (author’s note: the original Backstreet Boys CD which was never released in America). After supper, Brian and Kevin left, but AJ decided that he would stay and spend some time getting to know his best friend's friend. The three of them went into the Dorough family rec room, and started playing a game of pool, before Rachel got up the courage to ask Howie why he had been so quiet during supper and had then snapped at one of his friends when they asked him about it.

"Howie, would you rather I didn't stay here? I can tell you aren't you're normal self, and well, if it would be easier for you, I can stay at my place," Rachel offered, the thought of staying in her childhood home now that her parents had died, making her feel somewhat ill.

"No, Rachel, you should stay here. I'm sorry, I guess that I'm just not feeling like myself today. I'll call Kevin and talk to him about what happened later, I promise," Howie said.

"Fine, Howie. Just don't spoil your friendship with him over me, please."

"I won't. Now will you break or should I do it?"

"I'm linin' up my shot, chill Dwaine."

"Make the shot, Anna..."Howie started, before Rachel interrupted him to keep him from saying her full middle name of Annabelle. She knew that it was a nice name, and she had been given that name after both of her grandmothers, but she still wasn't very happy with it.

"What's wrong? Can't handle someone saying your middle name?"

"No, I can't. At least not in front of strangers," Rachel said referring to AJ.

"He sure wasn’t much of a stranger to you up in our old tree house," Howie muttered to himself, before excusing himself saying he wasn't feeling well, so he was going to lay down.

"What's up with him?" Rachel asked, having not heard the comment about AJ not being much of a stranger in the tree house.

"Rachel, this is all my fault. I really hurt D bad today when I kissed you while we were in the tree house you two built," AJ tried explaining since he had heard the comment Howie muttered before leaving the room, but not wanting to get into the confession that Howie had made to him, thinking that that topic was one that Howie and Rachel would have to discuss alone.

"How could that kiss hurt Howie?" Rachel said before a look of understanding washed over her face. "I get it, he told you he thought he had feelings stronger than friendship for me, didn't he?"

"Actually, yeah, he did, Rach; and he's scared of those feelings because he doesn't think that you return the feelings."

"Well, at least he's right about that. AJ, he's like a brother to me...I mean, honestly, when we were growing up, we'd take baths together...all right, not like when we were in school or anything, but we did until we were like 5 years old when my folks would come over to play cards with his folks. That way neither one of us would get more play time than the other, we insisted on it. I can't date someone I used to take a bath with," Rachel said before she started crying thinking that her best friend wouldn't ever want to talk to her again, because she didn't feel a romantic love for him.

"Sweetheart, listen to me, alright. I think your feelings are deeper than what you've been willing to admit. I saw it when you hugged him this afternoon," AJ said before adding, "I never should have kissed you. I knew how he felt, and I know how I think you feel about him. I made the mistake, and I'm going up to apologize to him before I ask him to give me a ride home. Wanna come with us? It will give the two of you some time to talk on the way back from my place."

"No, I'm goin to go and get some sleep. It's going to be a very long week for me, and I need my rest. I'll see you again before I leave for Boston, I'm sure," Rachel said before she walked up the stairs and into the guest room that Paula had told her would be her room whenever she needed a place to stay. She walked into her room, shutting the door before she slid to the floor crying, thinking that her friendship with the one person who always understood her, would never be the same, because he was screwing it up deciding NOW that she wasn’t his adopted sister, but girlfriend material. She heard AJ and Howie walk down the stairs, so she went over to the window where she saw the two of them get into Howie’s car and drive off. She sat there waiting for Howie to return home, but fell asleep so she didn’t notice him pull back into the driveway 30 minutes later or hear him knock lightly on the door to her room. She was wrapped up in a dream she hadn’t had since she had moved to Boston after she graduated from high school. This time as she dreamed about her wedding, there was a difference: she recognized her new friend, AJ.

Howie wasn’t sure if he should just walk into Rachel’s room, because from what he and AJ had talked about on the ride over to AJ’s he really needed to talk to Rachel right away about things, but she wasn’t answering the door. He finally decided that they really needed to talk right then, so he turned the door knob, hoping that Rachel hadn’t locked the door when she went in, which she hadn’t, so he walked in and noticed that she wasn’t in the bed, but sitting on the bench in the window. As he walked over to where she was sleeping, he heard her quietly say, “I love you too, Alex,” so he carefully picked her up, and placed her on the bed, without waking her. He then quietly walked out the door, realizing that he was going to need to love Rachel enough to let her go, again, this time giving her the opportunity to love his best friend. Howie realized that it would be difficult for him, to see Rachel with AJ, but if it was what she wanted, he wouldn’t stand in her way no matter how hard it was on him. When he got back to his own room, he phoned AJ to let him know what was going on.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 7---MOVING FORWARD

When Rachel woke up on Wednesday, she found herself laying on the bed, still wearing her clothes from the previous day which she thought was funny, because the last thing she remembered was sitting in the window watching for Howie to come home so she could talk to him about the revelation that he had made to AJ about his feelings for her. She vaguely remembered the dream that she had experienced, but the face of her husband from the dream was only a faded memory. She went into the bathroom and took her shower, then after getting dressed walked downstairs trying to find Howie so that the two of them could talk things over. When she got downstairs, she was greeted warmly by both Paula and Hoke and found out that Howie had been up early that morning and left before Paula could even cook him breakfast. “Oh,” Rachel said disappointed.

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon; Brian, Kevin, AJ, and Nick are all coming over this morning to practice the songs that they are going to sing at the funeral, so he better be here,” Paula said as the doorbell rang. “Rachel, will you be a dear and get that. I’m sure it’s one of the guys.”

“Sure, Mrs. D.” Rachel said as she walked towards the front door. When she got there she was surprised to see a young, blond-haired boy standing there. “Can I help you?” she asked politely not knowing why he was there.

“Who are you?” he asked in return.

“Listen, ya little punk. I don’t need to tell you who I am, until you answer my question,” Rachel shot back as an older woman came up behind him.

“Nickolas, did you introduce yourself?” she asked hearing the comment that the girl standing in the door made.

“No, ma. This is Howie’s house, I should just be let in,” he whined.

“I’m sorry for my son’s manners. I’m Jane Carter, and this is my son Nickolas, he’s supposed to be here to meet with the other guys to go over a couple of songs they are singing at a funeral tomorrow,” she said.

“Oh…Iâ€℠¢m sorry. I guess I thought that the Nick that Paula told me was coming over was older than your son. He looks younger than the freshman students that I teach in Boston,” Rachel said as she invited them into the house. “I’m Rachel, the daughter of the people who’s funeral the guys are singing at.”

Just then, Paula and Hoke came into the family room, where Jane, Nick, and Rachel had made their way to. “Hi, Jane, Nickolas,” Paula said. “Jane, where are Nick’s things? He can take them up to Howard’s room, since he’s staying the night, and don’t worry about coming up here to pick him up tomorrow, Hoke will drive him back to Tampa after the funeral.”

“Thanks, Paula. I appreciate it,” Jane said as she got up, and made Nick go and get his overnight bag from their car. On her way past Rachel, she stopped and hugged her, saying, “I’m sorry about your parents, dear.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Carter,” Rachel answered, wondering where Howie had gone too, especially since his friends had started arriving at the house and his car was still parked in the driveway. "Mrs. D, I'm gonna go and do some thinking. I'll be back in a little while," Rachel said as she headed out to the back yard and towards the tree house. When she realized that Howie hadn't taken the car, she had a gut feeling that he would head straight to their special place.

As Rachel was climbing up the ladder to the tree house, she heard a whiny voice behind her, "where do you think you're going? That's Howie's special spot, and no one is allowed there other than him, especially some girl!"

"Listen, Nickolas," Rachel said using the most stern teacher voice she had in her at the moment, "this tree house is technically in MY yard. I built it with Howie, and if I want to go up there, I will. Do you understand me?"

"Get down," Nick continued yelling as he tried to pull Rachel off the ladder.

The yelling that they were doing was enough to clue Howie into the fact that there was someone outside the tree house, and that his friends were starting to show up to practice for the funeral. He slowly crawled out of the door of the tree house, and said, "Nick, leave her alone, this is OUR special spot. She is the only other person I'd let up here." He just hoped that neither of his friends there or the others that were on their way would see that he had been crying, although, he could use the fact that Rachel's parents had been like a second set of parents to him, and the loss was hitting him hard.

"Nick, can you wait in the house for the others? I really need to talk with Howard, alone for a minute," Rachel said, seeing the tearstains on Howie's cheeks, and hoping that Nick hadn't noticed them.

"Howard??? No one calls him Howard. He's either Howie or D," Nick said trying to climb up the ladder to see what was in this tree house that made it so special to Howie.

Rachel stood her ground on the ladder, blocking Nick's path, as Howie heard another car pull up in the driveway. "Nick, go tell the guys I'll be there in a little bit, ok? I really need to talk to Rachel first though," Howie begged.

"Alright, but if she gets to be in the tree house, I want to see it too," Nick said as he walked towards the Dorough house.

"God, I thought he'd never leave," Rachel and Howie both said at the same time. "Howie, we need to talk, seriously," Rachel said as they sat down on the patio behind the Saunder's house.

"Yeah, I just really needed to think this morning, before I could to talk to you," Howie said softly, wondering what she would think about everything he wanted to say. He knew that AJ had told Rachel about his confession of liking her more than as a friend.

"Howie, look, I know what you told Alex yesterday. I know he wasn't supposed to tell me, but I kinda guessed when he was reluctant to explain why you left in the middle of our pool game yesterday. I'm sorry, but honestly, I don't feel like we were meant to be romantically involved," Rachel said softly, brushing the hair away from Howie's face as she spoke.

"I understand, Rachel. I know you like AJ, I kinda heard ya last night after I got back from dropping him off."

"Heard me?? What are you talking about, Howie?"

"After I came home, I came into your room to talk to you; you were sleeping. Well, you were talking in your sleep and said that you loved AJ."

"What? I don't know what you are talking about, Howie. I barely know AJ, yes, we kissed each other yesterday, but it just happened. I can't love him, I don't know him."

“Well, you said that you loved him, just before I moved you from the window seat to your bed,” Howie said.

“Well, I guess that explains how I got in the bed. Thanks, Dwaine, I woulda been one hella-crabby person today if I had slept in the window seat all night,” Rachel said as she heard a commotion in the Dorough’s backyard.

“No problem, Annabelle,” Howie said, smiling. “Now, let’s go teach Nick for being so nosy,” he said as he pulled Rachel to her feet and walked back towards the tree house. “Nick, get outta there before you don’t make it to your graduation day!” Howie yelled causing Nick to jump down from the ladder leading to the tree house.

“No fair!” Nick pouted. “I wanted to catch the two of you making out.”

“It won’t happen, Blondie. Howie’s my friend, that’s it, nothing more.”

“I don’t believe ya. There’s gotta be a reason you’re allowed up there, and I know it’s cuz of what the two of you do up there.”

“Listen, brat,” Rachel said grabbing Nick by the collar. “I just said that Howie and I are friends. That is all. AJ knows that, ask him. I’m allowed up there because I helped him build it when we were in second grade. You keep whining, and I guarantee ya, you won’t make it through high school.”

“Calm down, Rachel,” Kevin said.

“No, I’m sick of the kid and his attitude already. I’m gonna get out of your way so y’all can practice. Thanks for doing this, guys,” Rachel said as she walked back into the Dorough’s house.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 8

“What happened here?” Kevin asked trying to figure out exactly what was going on.

“What ya mean, Train?” Howie asked, in a daze knowing that the woman he loved didn’t return the feelings.

“I mean, what is happening between you and Rachel. I’ve noticed a lot of tension since we first met her yesterday, and not just because of her wisecracks about the group.”

“There’s nothing goin on, Kevin. We’re just friends who haven’t seen each other in about four years,” Howie claimed.

“Alright, I’ll believe ya,” Kevin said as they all made their way back to the house so they could practice Amazing Grace and the other song that they were singing at the funeral the next day. When they got into the house, Howie looked for Rachel, but couldn’t see her anywhere so he decided to just wait until after they had their quick rehearsal finished.

Rachel made her way downstairs while the guys were practicing, and Rachel was impressed with the way their voices blended together. She just stood in the doorway watching them work, while Paula was standing in the kitchen watching her. “Rachel and Howie need to admit their feelings to each other,” she thought as Hoke and John came up behind her.

“What are you thinking about, Paula?” Hoke asked.

“Just about Howie and Rachel,” she responded before going back to fixing lunch for the boys.

“What about them, mom?” John asked as he grabbed one of the sandwiches that Paula was making before she could slap his hand away.

“Just that it’s a shame neither one of them is willing to be the first one to admit their true feelings to the other one. Renee, David, your dad, and I have always thought they would make a good couple, but neither of them are willing to admit it, or give it a chance.”

“Ma…I think you let them grow up too closely,” John said. “I was joking with Rach about it on the way here from the airport, and she said she always felt he was more like a brother to her, and I think it’s because the two of them were together as much as any brother and sister would be.”

“I know, but when they were that young, we didn’t think about them becoming romantically involved. It wasn’t until they got to junior high and high school and started dating others that the idea came into our heads,” Paula explained to her oldest son.

“I know…just trying to make sure you see where Rach is coming from. But I know that Howie has been falling in love with her since high school. When he came to me for advice, it was always because he wanted to impress her. We just need to make sure that Rachel sees what she’s feeling for Howie is indeed a romantic love, and not just sibling love.”

“When did you get to be so smart, John?” Hoke asked laughing at his oldest son’s insight into his younger son’s feelings.

“The day you brought my little brother home from the hospital. I had to be smart, I was a big brother then,” John replied laughing as Rachel walked into the kitchen to join them.

“Is there anything I can do to help you, Mrs. Dorough?” she asked politely.

“Rachel…what did I say about calling me Mrs. Dorough?” Paula asked.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. D,” Rachel said, “but do you need any help?”

“No, I’ve got it covered. Thank you for the offer though,” Mrs. Dorough answered. “Oh, actually, can you go and let the guys know that lunch is ready. I think it’s about time that they took a break.”

“Sure thing,” Rachel said as she walked back towards where the guys had been practicing. Once there, she overheard them talking, and heard her name mentioned so she stood there listening to the conversation.

“Howie, I’m serious…that kiss was just a one time thing. It felt right at the time. Nothing is going to come of it.”

“AJ, I know you keep saying that, but I’m not lying…she was talking in her sleep last night…and she said that she loved you, AJ, well…someone named Alex anyway.”

“D, come on…I think that I should know what kind of feelings p[arse]ed between the two of us when we kissed…there was no electricity…no nothing when it happened, other than guilt on my part for kissing the girl you had just told me you had feelings for.”

“Quiet, Bone. I don’t want Rachel to hear you talking about that.”

“D, she already figured it out. What difference does it make if she hears us talking about it?”

“I just don’t want her to hear it, alright!” Howie snapped at his best friend in the group.

“Alright…alright,â € AJ said not wanting to cause a fight.

“I wonder where she went when she ran off earlier?” Howie said to no one in particular.

“I went up to my room here, Dwaine,” Rachel answered, deciding to let them know that she was there. “Mrs. D. said that lunch was ready and y’all should take a break too,” she added as she noticed the smile that briefly appeared on Howie’s face when she walked in the room.

“Alright, Anna..” Howie started before Rachel cut him off saying that if he so much as breathed her middle name his band would become a quartet instead of a quintet before she turned and headed back to the kitchen.

“Hey, Rach, wait up,” AJ said as he ran to catch up to her. “Can you and I talk over lunch?”

“Sure…I know that I am capable of talking while I’m eating. I don’t know about you though,” she added. When he gave her a weird look, she explained herself, “You asked if we had the ability to talk over lunch, by using the verb can, AJ. Now, would you like to know if I will talk to you over lunch?”

“Uhh…yeah, would you please talk with me while we’re having lunch?” AJ asked.

“Yes, I will. Now quit looking at me like that…I’m an English teacher…I can’t stand misuse of the English language. I’m sorry, but sometimes the teacher in me just comes out,” Rachel explained.

“That’s alright,” AJ said as he filled his plate and waited for Rachel to finish filling her plate before he led her out to the patio behind the Dorough’s house. Once they were situated at the table outside AJ decided to bring up the topic he wanted to talk about right away. “Rachel…is what Howie has been telling me true? Did you say that you loved me last night?”

“Alex, I really don’t know. Howie told me that I was asleep and that he heard me say that, and I don’t see any reason for him to lie about it, but I can’t really remember the dream I was having at the time,” Rachel answered somewhat truthfully, not wanting him to know that she had been dreaming about her wedding the previous night.

“Well, do you think it might be true?” AJ asked, wondering if he might have a chance with this wonderfully amazing woman that he had just met.

“Alex, you kissed me yesterday, what do you think? I didn’t feel anything in that kiss. It was like when I kiss John or something,” Rachel answered.

“Hmmm…she didn’t say like when she kissed Howie, wonder if there is some sexual electricity running between the two of them that neither is willing to admit to the other,” AJ thought before Brian and Nick joined them at the table.

“Hope the two of ya don’t mind us joining you out here, but it’s really too lovely of a day to eat inside,” Brian said.

“Not a problem. I want to get to know all of you guys better anyway. So tell me about yourselves,” Rachel said wondering where Kevin and Howie were.

Brian started talking about himself, and he filled Rachel in some on what Kevin was like since they were cousins. Then Nick told her a little bit about himself and his family who she would probably be meeting over the weekend since they were having a barbecue for everyone involved in the group, and their families.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 9

Later that afternoon, everyone got ready to go to the visitation for Rachel's parents. Howie drove Rachel, while the other members of the group went in Kevin's car. The night went relatively well with Rachel only breaking down a few times during the evening. Each time she did start crying, Howie was suddenly by her side, offering her a tissue or his shoulder to cry on. After the rosary was said, Howie escorted Rachel to his car for the ride home, but he didn't immediately head that direction. When Rachel noticed this, she looked at him before asking, "Howard, where are we headed? We're going in the opposite direction of your house."

"I just thought that you might enjoy this place a little bit. I promise that we won't stay there long." As he parked the car he said, “Rach, this place is somewhere I come when I need to think or just get away, and the view is just breath-taking. I thought you might like it.” He had realized that now was not the time to tell Rachel how he truly felt, she was vulnerable because of her parents’ deaths and he refused to take advantage of that even though he had originally planned on talking to her about the feelings that he had been hiding since sixth grade.

“Thanks, Howie. I appreciate this. I really needed some time away from your family. They’re great, don’t get me wrong, but they sometimes tend to be a bit ‘smothering’ when someone is in a situation similar to this,” Rachel said as they sat on the hood of Howie’s car. They sat in silence until Rach decided that they probably should get back, since his friends were all staying the night, and were at the house. Once back in the car, Rachel shocked Howie when she leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek before saying, “D, I really appreciate your friendship. It means a lot that you’re there when I need someone.”

“That’s what friends are for, ‘Belle,” Howie said calling her by his nickname for her, but wishing that the two of them would be more than friends someday soon.

“Yeah, I know, but you know as well as I do that we weren’t really all that close since we started junior high. I mean, honestly, we haven’t even talked since I moved to Boston to go to school.”

“I know,” Howie said sadly, thinking of all the times he wanted to call her, and beg her to come back to Orlando and finish school down here so that they could be closer, and he could pursue deepening their relationship past the friendship stage.

“Hey now, no sad faces. I don’t want to end up getting depressed, and I’ve got enough sad stuff going on in my life right now,” Rachel said thinking about the conversation she had had with her principal the previous week about her job being terminated at the end of the school year because of budget cuts.

“What’s wrong, hun? I can tell by the way you said that, that its more than losing your parents in the car accident this week.”

“I’m losing my job, Howie. I’ve worked my butt off for the past two years, and they still won’t renew my contract at the end of this year. Budget cuts are forcing them to reduce the size of just about every department in the school, and I’m one of three English teachers who are being non-renewed,” Rachel said thinking about all the work she had put into her job, and successfully helping the school raise their English scores on different standardized tests given by the state.

“Rach…that†™s too bad. I’m sorry; I know how much teaching meant to you. Any idea what you’re going to do now?”

“Well, originally, I was going to try to get hired here in Orlando, and move back home, but now…I just don’t really know what I’m going to do,” Rachel said as tears started rolling down her face.

“Well, move back down here. You know my folks think of you as their fourth daughter. They’d love to see you living down here. But I suppose that your boyfriend wouldn’t really like that idea, since it would be a pretty big commute from here to there to see each other,” Howie said.

“Howie…I don’t have a boyfriend…I don’t have ANYONE other than your parents who care what happens to me.”

“Rachel, my entire family cares about what happens to you…and I can’t believe that every male in the Boston area is too blind to let you get away from them. You are going to make one man very happy someday, when you agree to be his special lady.”

“Yeah, well apparently I need to find somewhere other than Orlando or Boston to live then, because the male population down here is just as bad. You know darn well that I never had a steady boyfriend while I was in school either.”

“Well, I can see about setting you and AJ up, since I know you were dreaming about him last night.”

“Howie…I can’t believe you told him what you overheard me talking about in my sleep, besides, I don’t know who I was talking about. Maybe it wasn’t your friend Alex.”

“Well, I thought he should know you were interested in him. I know how you are about talking to guys you’re interested in,” Howie said. “I was just trying to let him know that he should do something about it.”

“Howie…stay out of my personal life. How old is AJ anyway?”

“He’s 17.”

“Damn, Howard…do you want me to get arrested or something. Geez…he’s too young for me.”

“Rach, age doesn’t matter. You really seemed to click with him, and I think it would be cute if my two best friends hooked up like that.”

“Howard, age does matter. IF something were to happen between the two of us, I could end up going to jail. I can’t date someone under the age of 18, besides…that would be like dating one of my students…and that is just a gross thought.”

“I’m sorry, Rach. I just wanted to see both of you happy, and I thought it would help if I did that.”

“Apology accepted. Just don’t try it again.”

“Hey, speaking of AJ being one of your students, maybe I can help you get a job…and we’ll be able to see each other more often.”

“How are you going to get me a job?”

“Well, AJ and Nick both are still in school, and well, their current tutor is quitting at the end of this school year. I’m sure that Donna and Johnny would be more than willing to hire you to work as their tutor for next year,” Howie said as he started the car.

“Do you really think they’d hire me to do that?” Rach asked somewhat excitedly.

“Rachel, you’ve always been great at helping people with their schoolwork, I’m sure that they would hire you, especially with my recommendation.”

“Thanks, Howie,” Rachel said as she noticed they were back at his house. “Can you do me a favour,” she asked as they walked up the walkway.

“Sure, want me to hook you and Kev up?” Howie asked, knowing that Rach and Kev hadn’t really clicked when they first met.

“Yeah, right …that’s it. No, actually, don’t say anything about my job situation to your folks, please. I really don’t want them to worry about me.”

“No problem, sweetie,” Howie replied.

“Thanks, Dwaine. And no Annabelle remarks,” Rachel threatened.

“Ohhhh…you†™re no fun, ‘belle,” Howie joked back as they walked into the house.

“Where have the two of you been? We’ve been worried sick,” Howie’s mom said as they joined everyone in the family kitchen.

“I just wanted to talk to Rach somewhere where there wouldn’t be anyone around to interrupt us.”

“You should have told us, Howard…we didn’t know what had happened,” Hoke said, noticing that for the first time since Rachel had gotten to Orlando, she actually looked somewhat relaxed, and realized that it was something that she had needed.

Rachel was the last one to go to bed, having become really interested in watching a home video of the first public performance of the Backstreet Boys. “I’ll go as soon as this video is over. I know my way…and I know where all the light switches are….No, Mamma D, don’t stay up with me….I’ll be just fine,” Rachel said finally convincing everyone that she could handle watching a video in the family living room on her own. Shortly after everyone else had gone up to bed, Rachel got sleepy and turned the VCR and TV off and went up to her own room. She fell asleep quickly, and again, she had the dream of her wedding…only this time, she could see that Alex was the one walking her down the aisle towards the man she was going to marry. Once again, she heard Alex say, “I love you, Rachel,” to which she again replied, “I love you too, Alex.” This time however, she wasn’t disturbed in her sleeping, so she saw herself walking up the aisle on AJ’s arm…towards someone, who from behind, had an uncanny resemblance towards Howie. Just as the groom in the dream was going to turn and face her to take her arm from AJ’s, she was startled awake by someone shaking her shoulders. “Huh? What’s going on?” she asked, still asleep.

“What’s wrong, Rach? We heard you say my name while you were sleeping, and it seemed like you were frightened,” AJ asked concerned about what had made his best friend’s best friend scream his name in her sleep.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, AJ. I was in the middle of a dream…and one of these days I’d like to finish it…and see who the hell it is that I’m marrying,” Rachel said. “Now…I won’t get to see the groom’s face since you insisted on waking me up.”

“I’m sorry, but we were worried about you,” AJ said, causing Rachel to realize that not only was AJ in the room with her, but also Brian, Howie, and Paula Dorough.

“Well, I’m sorry that I woke all of you. Maybe I should just be staying next door,” Rachel said.

“No, Rachel…I wouldn’t feel right with you staying by yourself next door right now,” Paula said. “You need someone around, and I know you well enough to know that you’d isolate yourself from everyone.”

“Thanks for caring, Mrs. D,” Rachel said as Nick came stumbling in, having heard the commotion. “Now, can I get back to sleep, please?” Rachel added noticing that no one was making any effort to leave her room.

“Sure,” everyone said as they walked out of the room, except AJ and Howie.

“Rach…what happens in this dream you keep having?” Howie asked concern registering in his voice.

“Nothing, D. Honestly…it’s just a dream about my wedding day…and today, I saw AJ being the one who gave me away to my future husband. That must have been when you disturbed the dream I was having last night…because I told him that I loved him, after he told me he loved me…just as we were getting ready to start down the aisle.”

“See, Howie…I told you there weren’t any romantic feelings between me and Rach,” AJ said before he turned to Rachel and added, “Sorry I interrupted your dream tonight. I know you would like to see the face of the man you’re marrying.”

“Yeah…I want to…but then again…maybe it’s a good thing that I don’t see it….wouldn’t want to miss my chance at love because I’m looking for my vision so I miss the love that is under my nose.”

“Well, I think you and Howie are doing that anyway, since you’ve been such good friends for your entire life,” AJ said to himself as he walked out the door.

“Rach, anything you need, you’ll let me know, right?” Howie asked.

“Of course, Dwaine. You’re right at the top of my list of people there for me when I need someone.”

“Ok, you know where my room is…if you feel like you need to talk, come wake me up. I don’t mind,” Howie offered, reluctant to leave, but knowing he really should.

“Thanks, again, D. I know where to find you when I need to bend your ear. I promise I’ll do it too…especially since you offered,” Rachel said smiling, and wondering where this twin of Howie’s was that she had caught just a small glimpse of…and when she’d find him.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 10

Following the funeral for Rachel's parents, everyone went back to the Dorough's for a luncheon. While they were talking, Paula phoned Nick's mom, Jane to let her know that Nick would be staying an extra night, and returning with everyone the following day for the barbecue that the Carter family was having.

"No problem, Paula, as long as it's not an inconvenience for you to have Nickolas for an extra night," Jane answered. "Bob could always drive up yet tonight and pick him up," she offered.

"Believe me, Jane. Nick isn't a problem at all. We'll see you tomorrow night," Paula said before hanging up the phone.

The next morning, Rachel was the first one out of bed, so she decided to take the time to call her principal and let him know that she would be taking all the time off that she was permitted due to the untimely p[arse]ing of both of ther parents. "Mr. Simms," Rachel said when she recognized the voice on the other end of the phone, "I decided that I do need all the time available to me to settle things here, so I won't be back until after Spring Break."

"Rachel, I'm glad you phoned. I left a message on your answering machine for you to call me when you got the message. About that time off..." he started.

"What is it, sir?" Rachel asked when he didn't continue his sentence.

"Well, you will get all your leave time paid....but the school board has decided that the budget cuts need to be made immediately. You knew you were going to be losing your position at the end of the year...it just happened sooner than originally planned."

"What?!?!?!?!?" Rachel yelled into the phone, before she remembered that everyone else was asleep, with Kevin sleeping in the next room.

"You've been let go. After your funeral pay, you'll receive the mid-year termination package and be eligible for unemployment compensation," he answered.

"But...how can they let me go in the middle of the term?? I could understand if it was at semester break or something like that...but we're halfway through second semester," Rachel asked.

"Your students were integrated into other English cl[arse]es during the same periods or during periods they previously had as study halls."

"But...what am I supposed to do?" Rachel asked, her voice raising again.

"Well, I'll use you as a sub as often as I can," Mr. Simms offered.

"Thanks...but No thanks, sir. I'll be back to pick up my personal belongings next week. See you then,” Rachel said before slamming the phone down.

“Rachel, what’s wrong?” she heard Howie’s calming voice ask.

“I just lost my job, effective immediately,” she replied, the tears starting to flow freely from her eyes.

“Oh, belle,” Howie said pulling her close and rubbing her back, allowing her to cry on his shoulder.

“Why did you lose your job, Rachel?” Paula asked standing the doorway.

“Budget cuts. They’ve already cut as much as they can from the music and art departments and the extra curricular activities, so now they are cutting the rest of the departments in the school.”

“Oh, sweetheart…I’m so sorry,” Paula said walking over to comfort the girl who was like a daughter to her. “Is there anything we can do for you?”

“Just treat me like you always have,” Rachel answered. “I don’t want any special treatment or favors or anything.”

“No problem, Rachel. Are you going back to Boston?” Paula asked still concerned about her “daughter.”

“Yeah, I have to get my all my stuff, but I’m moving back here to live after I get everything packed up.”

“Well, you know you’ll always have a place to live with us,” Mrs. Dorough said before leaving to start breakfast for everyone.

“So, are you going to be staying here?” Howie asked hopefully.

“No, Dwaine, I’m gonna stay at my place.”

“You’re place?” Howie asked surprised he didn’t know that Rachel had someplace to stay in Orlando. “When did you get a place down here, Belle?”

“On Monday, when my parents were in the accident, D. I’m their sole heir, so their house is now my house,” Rachel explained, trying to stop crying.

“Are you sure you’re going to be able to live with all the memories of them there?” Howie asked knowing precisely just how emotional Rachel could get at times.

“I’m going to have to, aren’t I? I just don’t want to be too far from the only family I have left, and that is yours,” Rachel explained.

“I’m glad you’re gonna stay close, Rach,” Howie said, thinking maybe now was the time to share his feelings for his childhood friend. “Umm…Do you want someone to go with you to Boston to get your stuff? I know I could get out of our rehearsals for a few days to help you out,” Howie offered. “If you want the company that is.”

“No, thanks for the offer though, Howie. I really think I need to do this alone. I do appreciate the thought. Do you think you could help me go through everything at my place? I don’t know that I can handle going through my parents’ stuff alone.”

“Sure, just let me know when you want to do that,” Howie said leading her from the room as Paula called everyone for breakfast.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 11

After everyone got out of bed and ate breakfast, Paula and Hoke started getting ready to head down to Tampa for the barbeque that the Carter family was throwing for the other members of Backstreet Boys. "Alright, you three, let's get going," Paula said, interrupting the game of Nintendo that Nick and Rachel were playing. (Brian and Kevin had left immediately after eating breakfast.)

"But, Mom..." Howie started.

"Howard!" his father said sternly, stopping Howie from saying anything else.

"Well, I'll see you all when you get home," Rachel said, trying to excuse herself from the outting, not really wanting to see Kevin or Brian, both of whom she felt didn't really like her much.

"Rachel, you're going with us," Paula stated matter-of-factly. "You need to get out and enjoy yourself. Make sure you bring your swimsuit, sweetheart, I know that all the guys will do some swimming and so will Nick's younger brother and sisters," she continued.

"Mrs. D, I appreciate your concern, but I really don't feel like being around strangers today," Rachel said, still trying to find a way out of attending, but realizing deep down that she wasn't going to find a way out of going.

"Rachel, seriously, you need to get out of the house," Paula replied. "I know it's going to be difficult, but you really should come with us."

"But, I'm going to feel out of place. I didn't bring my swimming suit with me, because I didn't think I would be swimming at all," Rachel continued to fight going.

"Rachel, you are part of this family...and we're all going. Now go and get your things together," Hoke finally intervened.

"Alright, Mr. Dorough," Rachel relented, knowing that she wasn't going to be able to get out of attending the barbeque.

"How about I drive Rachel down," Howie suggested. "That way if she wants to leave, I can bring her back and you and dad won't have to leave if you're enjoying yourselves," he added, hoping his mother would agree to the idea.

"But, Howie...they're your friends," Rachel protested. "I can't ask you to leave the party."

"Well, then you'll have to accept the fact that you'll be in Tampa until Monday afternoon," Paula said as she finished grabbing some snacks out of the fridge for the drive down.

"Well, I guess I could always drive Howie's car back by myself if I felt too uncomfortable," Rachel muttered to herself more than anyone else.

"Make your decision," Paula stated firmly. "Do you ride down with us or with Howie?"

"Fine, I'll drive down with Howie," Rachel finally agreed after a few minutes of internal debate over the options.

"Good. Howard, don't forget to stop so that Rachel can get a swimming suit," Paula reminded her baby boy. "Come on, Nickolas, we're leaving."

"But I wanted to drive down with Howie too," Nick whined.

"No, you are riding with Hoke and me," Paula stated firmly putting an end to the conversation as Rachel went to pack a bag for the weekend.

Once she finished packing and Howie had loaded his car with their luggage he headed straight for Wal-Mart so that Rachel could get her suit. "Here, this one would look great on you," Howie said holding up a purple bikini for Rachel to see.

"No way, Dwaine. I am NOT buying a bikini. It would look horrible on me," Rachel argued.

"Come on, Bella. You were made to wear a bikini. I can't believe you don't see that. This suit will look awesome on you. Please, try it on at least," Howie urged.

"Howard, No! I'm just going to get this one," Rachel answered holding up a one piece suit in her favourite colour, hunter green.

"Annabelle...come on...live a little bit....Please, just try this one on," Howie continued begging, finally giving her his best puppy dog eyes, that she had never been able to say no to.

"Ohhhhh....alright. It's not fair though....you know I can't ever say no to those big brown eyes of yours," Rachel said, taking the suit from him and going into the dressing rooms, realizing that until she at least tried it on, they wouldn't be leaving the store.

"Belle, come on...I want to see it on you," Howie yelled back to her, when she didn't come out right away. Rach realized that she would be able to get out of there quicker if she just let him see her, so she quickly stepped into the doorway so he could see her. "Woo hoo...you gotta get that suit, Rach. It looks terrific on you."

"Howie, no. I don't feel comfortable in it," Rachel answered as she went back to change into her own clothes.

As Rachel returned the bikini to the rack, Howie made a mental note of the size she had tried on before sending her to the check-out counter saying he had forgotten to pack something, so he was going to quickly go and get it. After Rachel left, Howie grabbed the bikini back off the rack and made his way to the checkout so he could make the purchase for his friend. He just hoped that he would have a chance to change their packages before Rachel decided to go for a swim.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 12 ~ BSB BBQ :-)

When Rachel and Howie arrived, Jane showed Rachel to the room that she would be sharing with Nick's oldest sister, BJ. "I'm sorry that you have to share a room with BJ, but we only have so many extra rooms," she said as Rachel left her bag on the extra bed.

"That's all right, Mrs. Carter. I know that I wasn't originally supposed to even be here. I'm sure that I'll be fine sharing your daughter's room," Rachel said, before Nick and AJ came running into the room.

"Rach, get your swimming suit on...we're all going swimming," AJ said when he caught his breath.

"I think I'll p[arse] this time, guys...I'll be down in a little while though," Rach answered.

"Come on...Howie sent us to get you while he got ready," Nick added, still hoping to catch Howie making out with his long-time friend.

"Nickolas, she said she didn't want to go swimming right now. Now go ahead and get yourselves ready to go swimming yourselves," Jane said, shooing Nick and AJ both out of the room. "When you feel ready, come down and join us. We'll all be out by the pool," Jane added to Rachel after the boys had left.

"Thanks, Mrs. Carter. I really appreciate your kindness," Rachel said.

"Rachel, please, call me Jane. Having you call me Mrs. Carter makes me look around for my mother-in-law," Nick's mom said before leaving the room.

After a few more minutes, Rachel started digging through her bags for the swimming suit that she had purchased before she left Orlando so she could take advantage of the nice Orlando weather so she could start working on her tan, only to find the bikini that Howie had wanted her to buy instead of the one piece that she had purchased for herself. "I'm gonna have to smack Dwaine," she thought to herself as she put the bikini on before going downstairs and out by the pool.

"Hey, Rach, you are looking good," AJ said joking.

"Rachel, where's the t-shirt you always wear over your suits?" Howie asked as he came up to where Rachel and AJ were talking.

"Duh, Howie, it's in Boston...I didn't bring it with me cuz I didn't know I'd be swimming at all....besides, how can I work on my tan if I'm wearing a shirt?" Rachel asked sarcastically.

"Rachel, you really should wear something more than what you've got on," Howie continued.

"Well, HOWARD, I would be wearin the suit that I had bought, but surprisingly, it wasn't in my bag. Any idea where it might be?" she asked wondering what her best friend's reaction would be.

"Uhhhh....uhhhh..." Howie stammered.

"What did you do, D?" AJ asked, enjoying watching his friend at a loss for words.

"Come on, Rach. We'll go get your one piece suit...just promise you won't get rid of that bikini...it looks terrific on you," Howie said, dragging her towards Nick's room where he had thrown his bags when they got there.

"No promises, Dwaine," Rachel said laughing as Howie rummaged through his bags trying to find Rachel's swimming suit.

"Here...and use this t-shirt as your cover-up," he added throwing her one of his t-shirts.

"Howie...I want to work on my tan," Rachel said, throwing the shirt back at him. "It won't work if I'm wearing a shirt," she added as she went back to the room she was supposed to share with BJ to put on the one piece suit she had selected for herself. As she made her way to the swimming pool, Paula called Rachel over to introduce her to Kevin's mother, Anne Richardson, and Brian's parents, Harold and Jackie Littrell. After the introductions were made and some small talk was exchanged, Rachel went to the opposite end of the pool and found a lounge chair to lay in as she worked on her suntan.

"Hey, Rachel," Kevin said, not wanting to disturb the girl who he had met only a few days previously.

"Kevin, you're in my sun," Rachel said, not looking at him.

"Ohhh...I'm sorry," Kevin said as he moved so he wasn't casting a shadow over her. "I just wanted to make sure you knew that I was hear to listen to you if you ever felt the need to talk to someone," he added as he walked away, wondering what he had done to upset her so much.

"Thanks, Kev," Rachel yelled as she rolled over to work on tanning her back. A short while later, she was just starting to drift off to sleep when she heard a huge splash. Seconds later, she felt the result of the water displacement and she quickly looked towards the pool and noticed Howie and Brian snickering. As they noticed her looking at them, they quickly tried to cover up the smirks that adorned their faces. "What's so funny you two?" she asked as she picked up her things like she was going back into the house.

"Brian was just telling me this really funny joke," Howie said trying to cover up the fact that they were the ones who had splashed his childhood friend.

"Well, you'll have to tell it to me later," Rachel responded before she walked into the house and dropped off her now empty Pepsi can and the book she had been reading.

[Raevengeance]

CHAPTER 13 ~ REVENGE: A DISH BEST SERVED WET ~~EVIL SMILE~~

While Rachel was in the kitchen looking towards the pool area plotting her revenge for the soaking that she had received, she heard someone knocking on the front door. Since no one else was in the house, she decided she should go and see what the visitor wanted. "Hello," she said as she opened the door.

"Oh, I'm sorry...I must be at the wrong house," the stranger at the door said. "Can you tell me where the Carter family lives?"

"This is the Carter house. I'm here visiting with friends. The family is all out back," Rachel answered, feeling comfortable enough to invite this stranger into the house. "I take it you don't know the Carters too well, since you weren't sure that this was their house," Rachel said, trying to make polite conversation

"No, actually, I've never met them before. My younger brother knows them and I was invited down for the weekend along with our parents. I just couldn't make it down at the same time as my parents," the stranger explained.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," Rachel said, pausing, hoping that he would introduce himself.

"Sorry, I'm Harold, Harold Littrell," he said.

"Rachel Saunders," Rachel said, shaking his hand.

"It's a pleasure meeting you," Harold said as Rachel led him to the kitchen.

"It was nice meeting you too," Rachel said. "Hey, wanna help me play a joke on your brother?" Rachel asked, ready to pay both Howie and Brian back for getting her wet.

"What are you thinking about doin?" Harold asked, not wanting to see anyone get hurt.

"Well, they just water-bombed me while I was working on my tan, I was just thinking about dunkin them for it," Rachel answered, not adding that she also wanted to embarr[arse] the heck out of them by removing their swimming trunks while she dunked them.

"Alright, I'll dunk Brian, and you can get Howie," Harold agreed.

"Actually, Harold, I just need you to distract them for me. I want to dunk them both myself," Rachel admitted.

"Alright, but are you gonna be able to get both of them? I mean, won't one of them figure it out when the other goes under?"

"Nope, cuz I'm gonna get them both at the same time," Rachel said smiling as they walked outside. Harold went over to the pool where Howie and Brian were fooling around and started talking to them while Rachel went to the opposite side and quietly made her way into the pool. After taking a deep breath, she dove underwater, swimming to where Brian and Howie were talking near the edge in the middle of the pool. Suddenly, while Harold was talking to his younger brother and his brother's friend, the two young men disappeared from his site. As the two backstreet boys came up gasping for air, after having been dunked as they were talking,

"What the...??" Howie exclaimed when he was able to speak again.

"Who did that?" Brian asked as the other three members of the group sat laughing on the opposite side of the pool.

"Hey, Brian," Nick yelled, "pulled up your trunks man, my little sisters are out here."

After hearing Nick's comment, Brian looked down, realizing that his trunks had somehow managed to work their way down to the middle of his thigh while he was being pulled underwater.

"Nick, what in the world did you do that for?" Brian yelled going to retaliate against his best friend.

"I didn't do it," Nick protested, quickly standing up to get away from his older friend.

"Then who?" Brian asked, as Kevin and AJ both stood up for the baby of Backstreet.

"Rachel," Kevin said when he got his laughter under control.

"What? Why would she do that?" Howie asked, joining his friends.

"Because, Howard, you two dorks splashed me," Rachel said, surfacing after swimming a few more laps while the chaos ensued above water.

"I'm gonna pay you back," Brian said, trying to reach Rachel, who just took a quick breath before swimming away from his reach and climbing out of the pool before he could figure out where she went.

"Brian, give it up," Howie said, realizing that if Brian retaliated, the 'war' between his two friends would continue forever. "Rachel always ends up coming out on top when she's involved in a fight of anykind....she doesn't give up."

"But she just pantsed me," Brian whined. "I can't let her get away with that."

"Brian, I think you should give up," Kevin said as he came over to where his cousin was standing in the pool.

"But.."

"Brian, let it go. I think you've actually met your match here."

"But."

"Brian, I'm sorry if I embarr[arse]ed you in the pool," Rachel said coming over to the edge of the pool. "Can we declare a truce?" she added trying to keep from having a major feud begin leaving Howie in the middle of it.

After receiving a soft shove in the back from both AJ and Kevin, Brian agreed, offering to shake Rachel's hand in a show of friendship. "Truce," Brian said as Rachel reached for his hand. Once they began the handshake, Brian spotted the perfect opportunity for one last small piece of revenge as he pulled Rachel back into the pool. "Now we've got a truce," he added, quickly climbing out of the pool.

[Raevengeance]

Note from the author:

This is as far as I got when I first started this story. Hopefully my Howie-muse will return and I can complete this story.

[StargateGirl]

Grr... no more for me to read. :(

silly Howie-muse...

[Raevengeance]

Sorry, Les - and Mr. Howie-Muse has been gone for oohhh about 3 years already

[StargateGirl]

It's k. I just hope it decides to come back because I want to know what happens next.

[Kristen07]

Darn, I hope it comes back :(