{"id":222,"date":"2014-12-30T03:11:46","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T03:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=222"},"modified":"2022-01-31T22:13:10","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T04:13:10","slug":"part4","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode2\/part4\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 2: \u00a0Idolize Me<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part 4<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside the audition room, Nick and Diamond sat on uncomfortable metal chairs as they signed a second set of non-disclosure agreements that required them to stay on the MGM Grand\u2019s grounds until filming for the next round of auditions resumed in the morning. Meanwhile, Nick\u2019s watch crunched away quietly as it printed the world\u2019s slowest polaroid. But Nick only smirked, staring at Diamond\u2019s bare legs as she tapped one heel on the floor. Forced to stay the night away from HimTak with Diamond,<\/em> Nick thought to himself. This mission keeps getting better and better.<\/em><\/p>\n

With a loud sputter, the watch finally spit out the minuscule polaroid. Nick frowned as he stared at the tiny photo, wondering if he needed glasses. \u201cI don\u2019t know why Pearl needed to send a photo to the watch if your phone has larger pictures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPearl probably just wants to make sure everything works okay and that you know how to use it. We won\u2019t always be on missions together, unfortunately.\u201d She clicked a couple of buttons on her phone, then held the zoomed-in photo on the screen between them. \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately,<\/em> Nick thought as he looked the picture over. The person didn\u2019t look that familiar, no one special or out of the ordinary, really.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged. \u201cI dunno… doesn\u2019t look familiar to me. But the quality isn\u2018t that great either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but it\u2018s the best we\u2018ve got right now.\u201d Diamond sighed. \u201cAt least until Pearl sends us anything else. Think we should get our room while we wait?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick laced his fingers through hers and pulled her up from the chair. \u201cPearl\u2019s good, but I don\u2019t think she\u2019s ever been in the MGM\u2019s camera system before. That gives us… \u201d He smirked, tapping his stacked non-disclosure agreement and bib against her hip. \u201c…half an hour to turn these in and do something more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diamond giggled in response, but two tell-tale beeps chimed on her phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat gives us one minute to turn these in and do something more fun.\u201d Nick frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like a layout of the MGM Grand, including their employee areas.\u201d She showed Nick the screen as she tabbed across the image, then lowered her voice to a whisper, \u201cAre you going to drag me through them before you tie me to the bed for an interrogation?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling her closer, Nick leaned over her shoulder as he stared at the screen and casually ran his hand down her waist and hip. \u201cYou\u2019re right, we should focus on our work now so we have more time to ourselves later. What else did Pearl send you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA video feed.\u201d Diamond pressed a light kiss to Nick\u2019s neck as the grainy video played. \u201cLook, someone\u2019s going in that second door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMinute\u2019s up. That\u2019s our guy, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at her superior, and when he glanced up, she pointed to what she had seen on the camera feeds. On one screen, the two blond agents of Himitsu Takana made their way into the auditorium. On the other, their man was already at the back of the large audition room beside the sound system again.<\/p>\n

His brown eyes flitted between the two screens, watching the chase play out.<\/p>\n

They were close, but he was moving fast. There was still a chance he could escape the agents. But if they saw him\u2026 if they caught him\u2026<\/p>\n

All Himitsu Takana agents were well-trained in interrogation techniques and, well, everything<\/em>. If they caught him, the two 00s just might be able to get important information out of him.<\/p>\n

He leaned forward anxiously, drumming his fingertips together.<\/p>\n

The two agents scurried across the back of the stage, trying to reach the other side of the room. He glanced at the other screen. Was their man still inside? At first, he could not see the dark, grainy figure and thought, perhaps, that he had already pushed through the door in the far back corner and disappeared. But a follow-up sweep of the monitors revealed a hint of motion in the second to last row of seats. There, caught by the rear camera\u2019s lens, a shadowy figure crouched, out of sight from the two agents.<\/p>\n

Not taking his eyes off the monitor, he hissed to his female companion, \u201cGet him back on the line, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

His pretty partner set to work at once, her long fingernails clicking away on the keyboard. Moments later, their blond prot\u00e9g\u00e9\u2019s face appeared on the computer monitor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour boy\u2019s hiding on the other side of the auditorium,\u201d he informed his agent in a low, deliberate voice. \u201cDon\u2019t attract too much attention to yourself, not with all these people around, but keep an eye on him. Don\u2019t let him out of your sight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on it, boss.\u201d The blond agent nodded, sounding cocky and bored.<\/p>\n

His brown eyes narrowed; he didn\u2019t like the attitude. Maybe he\u2019d been wrong to send his golden boy on this mission. The latter was well-trained, and he was good; there was no doubt about it. But maybe he wasn\u2019t yet in the right emotional state to serve the organization in this way. Maybe the young hotshot thought he was somehow above this, too good for this kind of mission.<\/p>\n

He frowned. If there was one thing he hated, it was people who acted as if they were better than him, especially when it wasn\u2019t true. He knew it wasn\u2019t true. He was every bit as good as them, even if they had never seen it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm, look at this.\u201d His companion\u2019s voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. \u201cSaved by the judges, I guess?\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes returned to the feed from the cameras. Nick had moved to the center of the stage in front of everyone. He had a microphone with him. Apparently, it was time for his \u201caudition.\u201d And there was no getting out of it if he wanted to look legitimate.<\/p>\n

So one agent was temporarily out of commission, but the second had crept off the stage and hid somewhere in the wings, out of sight.<\/p>\n

Watching the cameras closely, he held his breath and waited to see what she would do.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Diamond sprinted behind the curtain, crossing the stage from behind with Nick close on her heels.<\/p>\n

A production assistant forcefully grabbed Nick\u2019s arm and pulled him back. \u201cYou\u2019re late! We\u2019ve been waiting for you! Where\u2019s your bib? What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, I already\u2026 Carter? Nick Carter,\u201d Nick stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext up is\u2026 Carter\u2026Nick Carter,\u201d the production assistant called out as he handed Nick a microphone and pushed him on stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cUhh, I\u2026I can\u2019t right\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick glanced at Diamond, who gestured for him to go on. At least he could distract the judges for her as long as he picked a better song. Looking around as he made his way center stage, he took the mic from the stand in front of him and started to sing, keeping a watchful eye on Diamond. \u201cAnother night in any town, you can hear the thunder of their cry. Ahead of their time, they wonder why…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Turning, he made his way to the right of the stage so he could continue to watch Diamond. \u201cIn the shadows of a golden age, a generation waits for dawn. Brave carry on, bold and the strong,\u201d<\/em> Nick sang, his eyes widening when he noticed the suspect move from his hiding spot and head towards the exit of the auditorium.<\/p>\n

Nick pointed towards the back of the auditorium, trying to get Diamonds attention. When the judges started to turn in their seats, he quickly rushed to their table and hopped on top of it. Having regained their attention, he walked across it, internally sighing with relief. \u201cOnly the young can say, they’re free to fly away. Sharing the same desires, burnin’ like wildfire,\u201d<\/em> Nick sang as he executed a perfect dive roll off the table when he noticed the person lift what looked like a gun with a silencer attached.<\/p>\n

Moving into a squat position, Nick started to crawl back toward the stage. \u201cThey’re seein’ through the promises and all the lies they dare to tell. Is it heaven or hell? They know very well\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A quick glance back confirmed that Diamond safely crept toward their suspect, however, he lifted the gun again, aiming toward the stage. Nick grabbed a startled stagehand, causing her to drop the cardboard cutout in her hands. Dropping down to one knee with her, Nick sang to her: \u201cOnly the young can say, they’re free to fly away. Sharing the same desires, burnin’ like wildfire.\u201d<\/em> He winked at the girl before pulling her into his arms and standing back up. He spun with her so he could scan the entire room. Diamond had managed to catch up with their suspect and hid behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly the young can say, they’re free to fly away. Sharing the same desires, burnin’ like wildfire…\u201d<\/em> Nick led the girl off the stage before heading back towards center stage, while still watching Diamond slinking toward their suspect.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly the young can say\u2026only the young can say\u2026 only the young can say\u2026\u201d<\/em> Nick finished, as he set the mic back on the stand, his arms spread open wide.<\/p>\n

There was dead silence in the auditorium before someone cleared their throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to say, that that has to be one of the worst performances I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d the British judge announced.<\/p>\n

Nick, who was still watching Diamond, mumbled a distracted \u201cthanks\u201d before hurrying off the stage. After ducking behind the curtain, Nick sprinted towards the back of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it right there!\u201d Nick called, pulling his gun out and aiming it at their escaping suspect.<\/p>\n

The suspect froze, then whirled the other direction to see Diamond standing behind him with her gun raised as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey buddy, I said freeze!\u201d Nick repeated.<\/p>\n

He turned back to Nick. \u201cGreat performance. You\u2019re such a Steve Perry wannabe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take that as a compliment. Now, who are you? Who do you work for?\u201d Nick pressed.<\/p>\n

The suspect remained silent, but glanced between them.<\/p>\n

Diamond took a step closer. \u201cLook, you can make this easy, or you can make it hard; it\u2019s up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The guy stared at them for a moment before responding, \u201cI would think it\u2019s quite obvious. I work for FANS. My name is DC.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick glanced at Diamond and then back at DC. \u201cDC, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I said, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up! Tell me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can\u2019t tell you if I\u2019m supposed to shut up, right?\u201d DC smirked.<\/p>\n

Nick exhaled loudly, exasperated by their suspect\u2019s sarcasm.<\/p>\n

Diamond smirked at Nick, then took another step, focusing back on DC. \u201cWhat are you doing here? Why were you trying to kill Nick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, why are we assuming it was just me he was trying to off here?\u201d Nick frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Cause he couldn\u2019t see me, Nick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it really matter? In the end, you\u2019re both gonna get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom who? And why?\u201d Nick inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimple, there\u2019s–\u201d DC\u2019s body jerked and he slumped to the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d Diamond called, hurriedly turning toward the shadows as she stepped backward over DC\u2019s limp body to stand beside Nick.<\/p>\n

In that same moment, a figure emerged from the darkness, their raised gun glinting in the light.<\/p>\n

Nick gasped, unable to form a coherent sentence.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s you!\u201d Diamond cried.<\/p>\n

The figure gave a single nod. \u201cDiamond.\u201d He glanced at Nick with a seething expression. \u201cNick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick swallowed, then finally spoke. Diamond uttered the same name simultaneously: \u201cJustin.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Behind the Episode<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 2: \u00a0Idolize Me Part 4   Outside the audition room, Nick and Diamond sat on uncomfortable metal chairs as they signed a second set of non-disclosure agreements that required them to stay on the MGM Grand\u2019s grounds until filming for the next round of auditions resumed in the morning.\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":124,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"templates\/template-onecolumn.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-222","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5xaHX-3A","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=222"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1143,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/222\/revisions\/1143"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}