[[ 10,000 Promises ]]

Nick looked at Sharon with what could only be described as disgust.

"Did you fuck him?" Nick demanded to know.

"No!" Sharon screamed, hoping he didn't catch the hesitancy which flickered for a fraction of a second.

"God, how could you think something like that?! I thought you trusted me!"

"I did until you ran out of here after we had a fight and went to stay with one of my group members! Instead of trying to work things out between us you found comfort in someone else's bed, A.J.'s of all people!" Nick screamed. Sharon searched his eyes for any emotions beside hate but found none. Her heart sank but she stood firm.

"YOU ran out of here, not me! And don't you ever, EVER accuse me of sleeping around again, do you hear me? If that's the way you feel about me then maybe we should end this now. I thought we could trust each other..."

"I know baby...you're right. We should be able to trust each other, but how can I do that if you run to another man every time we have a fight?!"

"This is the first and last time I've done it and please don't make me remind you of the things you said that day during the fight. It wasn't even a fight, you practically attacked me! You told me that I was only a guest in YOUR home and that all I ever do is waste your money! Was I supposed to feel wanted after you told me those things? I'm surprised I even came back." Sharon knew she was pushing her luck. She was lucky Nick was even still talking to her, but she figured if she could just turn the tables on him, things would work out her way.

"All right...all right. I was a jerk. I'm in no position at all to yell at you, just please don't ever leave again and I promise I won't either. We can sort things out without acting like babies. I just want to pretend none of this ever happened and go back to the way we were." Nick knew they still had issues to work out, especially about the new tour, but he wanted to put off talking about it for as long as possible.

"We can go back but you have to trust me. There is nothing between A.J. and me, there never will be," Sharon said.

Nick was really softening up at this point. "I know but I just love you so much. It breaks my heart to think of you with anyone but me. Let's just forget everything."

"OK," Sharon said as she got up to kiss him. In his arms at that moment she felt as if nothing could go wrong.

*************2 Months Later

It was April and the Backstreet Boys were beginning to do some serious promotion for their new album coming up in May. Sharon was still in school and living with Nick. Things had settled down after their fight in February, but Sharon kept none of her promises of ceasing to spend Nick's money. He didn't say anything to her about it because he figured he was starting a new tour and releasing a new album soon anyway so more money would be rolling in soon enough. Of course, she continued drinking.

"So Nick, what time is your flight again?" Sharon asked for the 3rd time. Nick was beginning to get fed up with her. She was drunk and he didn't feel like putting up with it.

"It's at 7 but I want us to leave at least by 5:30," he said, not looking up from packing his suitcase.

"5:30 in the morning?!? How the hell am I supposed to wake up then..." she asked more to herself than to Nick. The Backstreet Boys were flying over to New York to do some promotional stuff on MTV and TRL. They were also stopping by Boston to guest appear on a radio station and do a meet and greet type thing. Sharon offered to drive him to the airport while she stayed behind in Tampa for school. She had two more months to go before the year ended. She was still uncertain of what to do when the guys went on their new tour in August.

"Listen, you really don't have to drive me if you don't want to. You're the one who offered, remember?"

"I don't need your nasty attitude today. I said I'd drive you so I will. I want us to have a nice good-bye, is there something wrong with that? You know not every girl would put up with a guy who's constantly going out of town...and leaving to go on tours for months at a time..."

"Wait, what're you saying that you're NOT gonna come on the tour with us? I thought it's what we decided-"

"No it's what YOU decided! You may not know this but regular people actually go to school, real school, not some tutor for three hours a day in a hotel room. Real people go on to college so they can have steady careers...not a 15 minute flash of fame..." Sharon said while sipping more of whatever the hell her drink was. Nick had to hold back his anger.

"So you're not going on tour with us in August, fine. I guess we'll have to make these next few months really special. You know I've been thinking a lot about...stuff. About where our relationship is going."

"Yeah so have I. I'm glad you've brought it up, actually. I was afraid of how I would approach you about it but maybe you have the same idea I have."

"Really?? Well, that's great cuz I was afraid you wouldn't agree. Well, I know it's been a while but do you remember when you slept at A.J.'s house that night a couple months ago and we got into that huge fight and we made up and all?" Sharon nodded.

"Well, I don't know if you remember or not but I said I wanted to marry you. I still mean it, if you'll accept." Sharon didn't know what to say. She had the complete opposite idea that Nick had, he was just too blind to see it.

"Nick...I have to be blunt about this. I was just told last week that University of Tampa is going to give me a full scholarship next year. I was hoping I could um maybe live in a dorm and live a real college life, you know?"

"A...dorm? All year? What about us? What kind of a husband lives away from his wife? Who cares about a college life! You're dating a celebrity, this is the best life is gonna get. What the hell can you do with an English major anyway?"

"What the fuck! I never said I would marry you! I can understanding you're upset about me wanting to move out but there's no need to get personal..."

"Personal? You mean like a minute ago when you told me that my career was a flash in the pan?"

"I did not say 'flash in the pan,' I said..."

"It doesn't matter!"

"You are such an ego maniac, what do you think that anyone who isn't a celebrity is a nobody? Fame is NOT the way I want to live my life. I'm sick of being in a spot light all the time just because I'm Nick Carter's girlfriend. I am so sick of that title! You're famous, not me. I want to move on and do things with my life and just in case you've been living under a rock, the Backstreet Boys are NOT some of highest respected celebrities in the industry."

"That's bullshit, we're the biggest music group in the world right now!"

"With Europeans and Canadians, yeah that's real cool. They're known for having horrible taste in music, what does that tell you?" Sharon said.

"That you're a stupid bitch." Nick said. He regretted saying it as soon as the words left his mouth, but it was too late. Sharon was already throwing a fit.

"Who the fuck do you think you are talking to me like that? Do you think I want to stay with a guy who disrespects me?! I'm moving out as soon as next semester starts and there's nothing you can do about it."

"Come on babe, you know I didn't mean it. Just stay here in our house if you don't want to tour with us. Or better yet, take a year off from school. We could use you on the road as a costume design assistant or something, wouldn't that be something to earn your own pay check?"

"I can't believe how condescending you are toward me, I am not a baby! I will NOT take a year off from school, although your wardrobe can use all the help it can get. I'm sorry but..."

"Will we at least still be together?"

"Nick, it'll be in a few months. Why don't you give me time to think about things, ok? I need to cool off...I need a drink...I need a lot of things. I'll give you a ride to the airport tomorrow. We'll take things from there."

Nick could feel himself choking up. He hated that he was having problems with Sharon, and he hated even more and he said such horrible things to her in moments of anger. He would have to make things up to her, but how? He would be in New York and Boston for the next week at least and for all he knew, Sharon could be completely out of love with him by the time he got back. Nick finished packing while Sharon went downstairs to do some homework. He silently promised himself that he would somehow make Sharon stay.