Brian's POV
Penny spent another night in the hospital and was feeling much better when I took her home. They never were able to pinpoint what happened and We could only hope it didn't happen again.

There was now only a week left until I had to leave. The next evening after she was released, we went out to the gazebo to enjoy the beautiful night.

“Remember the time I surprised you right here when you came home?” She smiled.
“How could I ever forget. Penelope naked and waiting for me.”
She stood up and bent down and kissed me. She slipped the spaghetti straps down on her dress and it fell to the ground, she stood before me completely naked.

“You are my beautiful devil woman.” I said as I pulled her closer and started kissing and caressing her breasts. “Oh God” she said, “I love your touch.”
I put my other hand between her legs caressing her. She started to squirm as I delved into her. “I need you Bri.” She bent down and kissed me passionately.
“I need you too.” I said.
She undid my pants and I pulled them off, then she lifted my shirt off. “I want to feel your chest against me, you're arms around me. You are the sexiest man in the world and I am the luckiest woman.”
She straddled me in the chair I was sitting in. Lowering herself as I entered her. She started to move her hips as she crashed her lips against mine. I grabbed her breasts and caressed them pinching and pulling. She started to grind harder and I thrust my hips up to meet her. Then arching her back. She said. “Oh My God! I'm going to…BRI!”
“Do it Baby, cum for me.” I urged her, feeling every sensation as she let herself go. “That's it, you are incredible Penny. I'm…” We both climaxed together.

I held her tight as our breathing returned to normal.
“How am I going to make it through this without you?” She said.
“Focus on getting better and we will never be apart like this again. That's what I am holding onto.”
“I will, I just hate it. At least Gwyn will be there to keep an eye on you for me.” She laughed. I faked a laugh. I had to wonder who was going to keep an eye on Gwyn.

Penny's POV
The next week went way too fast. The band and their families came and while the guys practiced, the rest of us had a good time. Lola and Layla were walking and loved chasing after the bigger kids. We were one big happy family, most were going with the band for at least the first part of the tour and everyone else would be heading back to California. I would be left behind, thank goodness I had my family in Ohio.

The night before they were to leave, everyone went to Columbus and stayed in a hotel so that Brian and I had a night alone together in our home.
Brian was trying so hard to be upbeat and had been trying to come up with special things for us to do that night. It was so sweet, but it was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to go out to eat or anything, I just wanted him not to leave. I knew he had no choice. I agreed to go out to eat, I was getting ready and I realized that this was the last night he was going to be with me and I didn't have to share him with the rest of the world. I slipped on one of his t-shirts, with nothing else. I waited in the bathroom, closing the door. He called out as he entered the bedroom.
“Penz, are you finished getting ready? We're going to be late for our reservations.”
“Almost, I couldn't find the right thing to wear.”
“You'll look beautiful no matter what you wear, hurry up.” He said impatiently.
“Ok, you said no matter what…”
I opened the door and walked out of the bathroom, acting like I was dressed for a night out.
“Okay, let's go.” I said.
“Nice outfit.” He said grinning.
“You said, no matter what I wear.” I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I looked into his beautiful brown eyes and said.
“Tonight you're mine, I'm not sharing you with anyone.” I kissed him and soon we were in bed. We made love for what seemed like hours and then as we were holding each other he had an unusual request.
“Will you put my t-shirt back on and sleep in it?”
“Sure, why?”
“You just look so sexy like that, that's how I want to remember you while I'm gone.”
I got up and put the shirt on and went into the bathroom. I couldn't help but start crying.
It wasn't long before Brian came in.
“I'm sorry Honey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I told myself I wasn't going to do this tonight. I'm sorry.” I said, trying to stop.
He wrapped his arms around me. “This is hard on both of us, it's okay to cry. Just remember that it's only temporary.”
We went back to bed and finally fell asleep, morning came much too soon.

I helped him finish packing in the morning, we were both doing our best to act normal. He was packing his backpack that he takes with him on the plane and I saw him pick up the t-shirt that I had just taken off.
“Bri, that's dirty.” I said.
“it's not dirty, it has your scent on it. It’s a piece of you I'm taking with me.”
I smiled as the tears started streaming down my cheeks.
“You are the most amazing husband ever. I love that you thought of that.”
He wiped the tears from my face and kissed me. We made love, we were so connected not a word was spoken.

Of all the times Brian and I had said goodbye over the years, this was the worst. I was feeling so much better and we had just started to be intimate again.
“I wish more than anything that you could come with me." I looked down trying to hide the tears beginning to form again. He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. “Hopefully, soon you will be able to. You will meet up with us as soon as you can, right?”
“I will be on the first flight I can get.” I said, as a tear escaped and ran down my cheek.
“This sucks and it's going to be hard, but you are going to be free of this and we are going to have the rest of our lives together. Remember, we’re connected. No amount of distance can take that away. I have to leave for the airport now, are you sure you don't want to come see me off?”
“I can't do it; I won't be able to hide how upset I am. I don't really want it plastered all over the Internet. The airport is also a medical risk for me. Jay is going to drive me to the airport tomorrow to pick up your car.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. “I love you Penny, my heart is going to be right here with you.”
“I love you, you have mine.” I said.
I will never forget his face as he got into the car or the sinking feeling I had that something bad was going to happen.

Brian’s POV
As soon as I was settled in my suite, I video called Penny after getting the t-shirt out of my backpack. I pulled down the covers on the bed and spread it out on the pillow on the side she normally would sleep on.
“Miss me yet?” Was her greeting. I could tell she was trying to be upbeat, hoping that I wouldn't notice that she had obviously been crying.
“Of course I do. I have already put you in the bed. See?” I turned my tablet so she could see the shirt there.
“I've already done that too.” She turned the camera showing one of my shirts in the same spot on our bed. “I loved your idea, so I grabbed the one you wore yesterday.”
“We will have to keep exchanging shirts until I get home. I mean you are here.” I wanted to kick myself for saying it like that. She did her best to cover it up and just chuckle. “Penz, I love you.” I hated it, but I had to say goodbye. “I have to get with the guys.”
“I know; I've been there before.” She said looking sad. “I love you Junior, get to work!” I could see the tears starting to well up.
“As long as Penelope promises she will try to sleep; you need your rest to get better so you can be with me.”
“I promise I'll try.” She said goodbye quickly, trying to keep me from seeing her cry.

As the days passed, Gwyn was driving me more and more crazy. She had stopped all the comments about Penny at least. Everywhere I turned, she was there. She insisted on experiencing every aspect of being on tour. When we had time between shows, she still followed me everywhere. Many times I just stayed in my suite and told her I was going to be talking to Penny or working. She tried to work her way into that too.
“I would love to see you create new music.” She said, like a teenager girl trying to flirt the quarterback of the football team.
“Penny is the only person I let be around when I am working on raw material.” I swear Gwyn almost rolled her eyes when I said that. Then she said in an almost sarcastic and jealous tone.
“Hopefully Penny will be able to join us soon. It must be hard for you without yourmuse.”
“It makes the whole tour difficult.” I said looking at her sternly. “You don't want to be stuck in the hotel with me anyway, go out and have fun. I need to go now, Penny's waiting for my call.”
“I wouldn't want to keep you from that.” She said. “Just remember, it's okay for you to have fun. Just because Penny can't be here doesn't mean you have to stay locked up in your room.”
“Later Gwyn” I said, walking away quickly. I wasn't even going to acknowledge her comment.

I hoped every week after her tests, Penny would call and tell me she was on her way. That would not only be great because I miss her, but it would get Gwyn off of me. She was constantly asking how Penny was and if she would be okay to travel soon. She tried to act like that was what she wanted, but I knew it wasn't.

Adam’s POV
Once Penny was out of the hospital, I had to sort through what was happening with Gwyn. So what if she told Penny and Brian that I had feelings for her? It wouldn't be ideal, but I actually haven't acted on those feelings. She could say I did something to Penny when she was unconscious at their house, but she couldn't prove it. Of course, I couldn't prove that I didn't. I could tell Penny and Brian what Gwyn is up to, but I have no proof of that either. I'm afraid of what Gwyn would do if I did. She is clearly determined to have Brian, even if she has to physically hurt Penny to do it. Even if I told them and they believed me, would Gwyn seek revenge? Her revenge would surely be Penny, since Brian and I both love her. I have time, as long as Penny still needs treatment I don't have to do anything. With Gwyn out of the country I knew she couldn't slip Penny anything again.
Meanwhile, Gwyn called multiple times and went over what I was to do when Penny was better. I would have to do numerous illegal and unethical things. Falsifying medical records, actually forging medical test results and keeping two people apart with lies. I knew I was going to have to figure out what do soon, I was very torn by what was right, what damage Gwyn could do and the fact that part of me didn't want to let Penny go.

Notes