Brian's POV

A week later the album was wrapped up and it was time to go to Ohio and get Penny away from Dr. Feel-good. We were both anxious to see the twins and the rest of the family.

Once we were in Ohio, I only had a little over a month before we started a four-month tour overseas. The first part was from rescheduling when Penny was recovering from her ordeal with Merlin, so there was no way to postpone them again. Penny possibly had 4 more months of treatment left. She had to be cleared by her doctors for international travel. It was very likely that we would not see each other for 3 months or possibly the whole time I was gone. I could tell it hurt and upset her, but she tried her best to not show it. I knew she wanted to support me and the band. I was glad she planned to stay in Ohio to help with selling her Mom’s house and all the furniture she couldn't take to her apartment.
I had enlisted Allen and Jay to watch out for her. I also had Bianca, Tess and Chloe set to keep her company and take her to treatments.
“You know Bri, I’m not an invalid.” She said.
“I know you’re not. But I also know you would wear yourself out. I need you to get well and get cleared to come be with me. That’s an order, Princess Penelope.”
“Yes, my King.” Then she bowed. “Whatever is your will.”
“I command you to come and kiss me.”
“Yes Sire!”
We kissed, I was getting so turned on. I wanted her so much, but she had acted really strange lately. She wouldn't take showers together or even let me see her get dressed. It's like she didn't want me to see her naked. I decided it was time to find out for sure and figure out why.
We stopped kissing and leaned our foreheads together.
“Strip for me Princess.” I said softly. I immediately felt her tense up.
“No.”
“You are denying your king?” I said in a bellowing voice. She laughed.
“Please forgive me, your greatness.”
“You are forgiven, but you must obey me. I haven't seen you naked for a month, undress Princess.”
“Are you sure?” She asked timidly.
“I am absolutely positive.” I said. I kissed her gently.
“Yes Sire, as you wish.” She said with just a tinge of sexy tone I had not heard for months.
She lifted her shirt over her head and dropped it seductively to the floor. She had started to gain back some of the weight she lost. She looked at me nervously.
“You are very beautiful Princess. Continue.”
Her jeans were next, she stood before me in a bra and panties. The façade dropped. I held her and said “You are so beautiful and sexy, I want to make love to you” She crushed her lips to mine while I unfastened her bra and slipped it off her shoulders. While she was frantically undoing my pants. I slid her panties down as she pulled my shirt off.
I picked her up and carried her to the bed.
“Do you want me Penz?”
“Oh God yes.” She said breathlessly.
Laying her down carefully, I kissed her as I got on top of her. As I entered her, I looked into those beautiful blue eyes. I remembered the first time we were together and I used the same caution as that night to make sure I didn't hurt her.
She deferred my fears by saying. “I love you Brian, I've missed this so much.”
I sped up my pace as I responded. “I've missed this too, being inside you making love.” Soon I felt her muscles start to clamp down on me. I knew we would both reaching our peak. “I love you Penny!” I said as we both came and I collapsed beside her on the bed. I was out of breath, but she wasn't. She propped her head up looking at me. “You okay Haner?”
“I guess I'm out of practice and I was worried about you!”
“Who's fault is that?” She asked.
“It wasn't anybody's fault. I wanted you so many times, but I wanted to wait until you were ready.”
“I sort of thought I didn't turn you on anymore.” She said.
“Penny, that will never happen. I'm sorry you felt like that, you should have talked to me.”
“I didn't want to pressure you to have sex with me. To be completely honest, I thought that my body was the problem I was too self-conscious.”
“Is that why you haven't wanted to take showers together lately?” I asked.
“Yes, I wanted to gain weight. Now that I have, it helped me have the courage to do this today. Honestly, I was still scared.” She said.
I looked at her. “Penz, we could have done this any time before now and the result would have been the same. You have always been beautiful and sexy to me.”
“I wish I had talked to you.” She said.
“I am not sure why you even thought that.”
“Well…” she said.
“Never mind, I can figure out why. You have got to stop letting Gwyn’s comments get to you. She said something when she stayed with us, didn't she?”
“Yes, when we were at the restaurant before I got sick. I don't think she meant to upset me. She just always says what she's thinking.”
I was pretty sure that she fully meant to upset her, but I didn't want to tell Penny that.
“Just promise me from now on you talk to me, okay?”
“Okay. Why don't you rest up and we can do it again?” She raised an eyebrow with her sexy smile with the devil in her eyes.
We made love again. We were one and I was sure no one could take that away.

In May, Penny said, “Gwyn called me today, she’s coming home in a couple of days. She wanted take us out to dinner to thank us for letting her stay at, our house in California.
I had to hold my groan back. “When does she want to do this?”
“Tuesday.”
“Okay, but remember the guys are coming into town next week to practice, then we leave a week later. We can’t entertain Gwyn every night.”
“Okay? I wasn’t planning on that.” She said.

Penny's POV
When we were getting dressed to go out with Gwyn, I could tell Brian was very tense.
“Brian, do you not like Gwyn?”
I could tell he was thinking through his words very carefully. “No. I just think she upsets you too much.”
“I don’t think she meant to do that either time. She was very understanding when I was sick. She’s bringing a date, so she’s probably not going to say anything upsetting.”
“That’s good.” He seemed to relax.

We arrived at the restaurant before her and were seated at the table. I am pretty sure my jaw dropped when she walked in with no other than Dr. Adam Gabriel. I looked over at Brian, his face was red and I could see his nostrils flaring.
I put my hand on his knee and patted it. Then squeezed it. Hopefully letting him know, “I Love You, be nice!!”
I knew he received my message when he stood up and shook Adam’s hand. “Dr. Gabriel, nice to see you!”
Adam seemed taken back by Brian's cheerful greeting. I couldn't help but smile, but I wanted to laugh.

Brian's POV
I could not believe it, the two people I wanted to see the least were right there and I was forced to have dinner with them. Penny gave me a reassuring pat on the knee and then a squeeze. That meant be nice, so I kicked the nice up a notch.

After shaking Dr. Feel-good’s hand, I gave Gwyn a half second hug and pulled her chair out for her. Then I saw Penny stand up and give Adam a hug, he actually looked at me as he had his arms around her and said “I've missed my favorite patient.”
“I've missed you too Adam! Of course we have talked on the phone several times, so you can't have missed me that much.”
“But it's not the same as seeing your beautiful face.” I cleared my throat after he said that. “You've gained some weight back too; you look better than ever.” He looked at me raising an eyebrow. “Brian must be taking good care of you.”
“He always does.” Penny said. I looked over at Gwyn and she had smirk on her face. Clearly she was enjoying this.
“How long will you be in town, Adam?” I said, hoping he was leaving soon.
“I thought I could stay a few days, check in with Dr. Callahan and maybe examine Penny” I glared at him, he tried to smooth it over. “You know, just make sure she's doing okay and that her progress is on track.”
“That's a great idea, Adam.” Penny said. “Just let me know when.”
“Let's order dinner.” I said. This evening was getting worse by the minute.

After we ordered, I felt it best to change the subject. “So Gwyn, are you working on anything?”
“I am and I was hoping you could help me with it.”
“Me? How?”
“I need to do research on the music business, especially touring.”
“Sure, just ask anything you need to know.” I answered, even though I sensed that her goal was not just information.
“I appreciate your willingness to help, but I need to ask for more. I need to have firsthand experience.”
“What are you asking?”
“I would like to travel with the band on tour.”
“Bri! That would be great! When I get cleared and can meet you, Gwyn and I can hang out together.” I just sat there stammering over my words.
“That would be great, Penny. Of course who knows how long I'll be able to travel with the band and when you'll be able to meet us. I mean you look like you're doing better, but still not back to your old self. Look what happened when I was visiting you, I was afraid you were getting worse.” Gwyn said. You could see that upset Penny, but she pushed on. Adam and I both looked at Gwyn with displeasure.
“Dr. Callahan and Adam are optimistic that I could possibly be able to travel sometime in July.” Penny smiled at Adam, he smiled but it seemed forced.
“Penny, I assure you that you are on the right track to getting better.” Adam glanced at Gwyn when he said that. “But nothing is sure about when you'll be able to travel. July is Dr. Callahan’s opinion, not necessarily mine. It's quite possible it could be as long as November.” You could see the disappointment wash over Penny. I wanted to punch the asshole in the face and strangle Gwyn.
“Let's not discuss Penny's medical condition here and now.” I said, glaring at both of them.
“I do have one thing to say. I'm sorry Penny, I didn't mean to bring the evening down. I also disagree with Gwyn, you look great. Don't give up hope, it will happen sooner or later.” Adam said, redeeming himself a little.

“Well Brian, what do you think about me going on tour with you?” Gwyn had to get the conversation back to herself of course.
“I'll have to check with the guys and our Manager.” I really just wanted to say “Hell No!” But I knew that would just cause Penny to ask questions and the last thing she needs right now is to find out her ‘good friend’ has been hitting on me. It could set her recovery back and would be terrible to tell her right before I left the country.
“Actually, I already talked to Larry and he said it’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you're okay with it.”
I stared blankly at Gwyn for a moment, then looked at Penny. I couldn't say no, it seemed to actually make her look a little happy again. I was trapped.
“Sure Gwyn, that's fine.”

“That is settled.” Adam said. “What is your plan Penny? I mean, until you can meet your husband on tour?”
“I'm sitting right here, you know.” I knew Penny was not going to like that I said that. But the way he asked like I wasn't even there bugged the shit out of me. Before Adam could respond, I was kicked in the ankle.
“I'm sorry?” Adam decided to play it dumb. Then Penny tried to make it better.
“Bri was just making a joke about you calling him my husband.”
“Oh man, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it.” Adam said.
“Anyway, to answer your question.” Penny moved the conversation along. “There really isn't much I can plan. I'm going to stay here and wait for good news.”
“Have you considered that in California, I can have a more active control in your treatment quality and progress?”
I started to speak, Penny squeezed my knee.
“We have talked about that, but as long as I am progressing forward I'd rather stay here with my family.” Penny replied.
“I understand that, but I wish you would reconsider.” Adam said.
“We’ll think about it.” I said, with no intention of doing so. I just wanted him to stop trying to push Penny.

Once dinner was over and we finally said goodbye to both them, I was relieved. On the way home, Penny was clearly upset.
“What's wrong Penz?” I asked.
“I had so much hope that Dr. Callahan was right about me being better in July.” I could tell she was very disappointed.
“You know; Dr. Gabriel may be wrong. He doesn't know everything like he thinks he does and he didn't say there was no chance. Penny, you can't dwell on this.”
“But I’m going to miss your birthday and we won't be together on our fifth anniversary of meeting each other.” She said in an odd tone.
“I've thought about that too. Next year we will and even though we will be apart knowing that you are still alive and love me is the best gift. We will have a sixth anniversary and even more. It's worth it to miss this one knowing that now it won't be our last.” I squeezed her hand. It was hot and sweaty. I looked over at her, she didn't look good.

“Honey are you okay?”
“Please pull the car over.” She said breathing heavily, even in the dark I could see the sweat glistening on her forehead. We were pulling into our driveway.
“We’re home, I'll have you in the house in just a few minutes.” I stopped the car at the gate, she got out and started getting sick next to the car.
I jumped out and ran around to her. She was crying also.
“It will be okay honey; you must have food poisoning. As soon as you feel like you can, let's get you into the house.” She suddenly stood up straight.

“Call Adam!” She exclaimed. I barely caught her as she collapsed.

Notes