All Falls Down

Brian stared at his coffee table as he sat on the couch. He had just gotten off the phone with the police department and put in a missing person's report for Regina. In all of his life he never thought that he'd have to do something like that. He thought if anything she would be the one looking for him because some crazy fan finally got past their security and had him locked away somewhere. Not once did he think that he'd be the one looking for her. He wasn't sure if his psyche could handle it though.

He didn't like to admit it to people, but he was the fragile one. He was the one that wore his heart on his sleeve. Underneath his hard exterior he was bruised and battered from the love he shared with Reggie. Their love wasn't easy. It wasn't sickeningly sweet or perfectly effortless. Their love was painful. It, more often than not, left one of them reduced to hollow shell. Their love was catastrophic. This wasn't the first time they fought. They fought all the time. It was just in their nature. He often wondered how the two of them managed to stay together as long as they have without killing one another.

It was like every other day they were fighting about something. It was mainly Regina who instigated the fights. It would be over something completely trivial like leaving the coffee pot on. Then it'd be the start of World War III. He never could understand how she could lose it over something so small. But she had always been a fiesty, but the look in her eyes when she would scream at him wasn't her. It was like she was someone else entirely. Or perhaps that was the real Regina and the person he'd fallen in love with was just a charade.

He tried to make things right though. He had gotten great at being romantic when they were dating since Regina vowed to abstain from sex until they were married. He knew how to make the small everyday things in life count. He showered her in compliments and love, but it wasn't always enough.

Brian's cell phone buzzed on the glass table Matt's name showing on the screen. He sighed as he answered, “Hey.”

“I just got your message. Val is feeding Trent. We're dropping him off at my parent's house then we're heading to your place. We might be a little bit late because we're picking up Jimmy too,” he said.

“Thanks for helping me out. It means a lot to me.”

“No problem. Regina's like a sister to me. An annoying loud mouthed little sister, but a sister,” Matt chuckled trying to entice a bit of laughter from his friend, but failed horribly. He sighed heavily, “It'll be okay Bri. We'll find her.”

“I hope so,” he mumbled before they said their good-byes.

Brian looked at the various pictures of Regina that he had thrown across the table. After waking up alone for the second time he knew he needed to go looking for his wife. She had never gone this long without contacting someone with her whereabouts and the worst kept popping into his head. What if she was hurt? What if she was being held against her will? She often spent late nights watching television shows like Redrum and Snapped. The shows creeped him out and they were now the backdrops to his worst nightmare.

He stared at the photos on the table and picked up a photo of them. It was his favorite picture from their last few days of their honey moon. It's hadn't been a perfect tropical paradise like he had envisioned, but it was okay in the end.

Brian awoke to a loud clap of thunder that he and Reggie had unfortunately grown accustomed to hearing since the first night of their honeymoon. Despite their meticulous planning the small Caribbean island that they were choosing to stay on was hit by a tropical storm. They had spent the past four days in their rented vacation home. For any newlywed couple this would be a joyous moment of half naked bodies lost together in wrinkled sheets, but for them it was just another never-ending fight.

He reached across the bed and felt the cold sheets beside him. He rubbed his eyes and looked around the suite for Regina. Brian entered the living room and from there he saw her sitting at the kitchen island a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels next to her. He entered the kitchen slowly and she sighed heavily as she began to pour another glass.

“What are you doing up?” she slurred as she took a sip of her drink.

“Couldn't sleep,” sighed Brian as he removed the glass from her grasp, “I think you've had enough.”

“Don't...tell me...that I've had enough,” she hiccuped as she tried to grab the glass, “I need that.”

“No, you don't. You can't just fucking drink this shit away babe,” he said as he poured the liquor down the drain.

Regina snarled at him and began pounding on his chest. Brian grabbed her and held onto her tightly as she thrashed around in his arms. He was confused by her actions as of late, but this definitely took the cake. She never drank and if she did was usually just a few sips of beer. Now she was drinking Jack like it was water. He needed to understand what was going on with her. He waited for her to calm down and he gently let her go.

“Reg, what's going on? This isn't like you,” he said as he brushed her frizzy hair from her face as he looked into her eyes.

“I'm so sorry,” she slurred as she placed her hand against his cheek sloppily, “I should have just told you.”

“Told me what?” he spat angrily, “That you didn't want to marry me? That you don't love me? You made that perfectly clear.”

Regina started to answer, but the contents of her stomach rose before her words. Brian moved back as he helplessly watched her vomit on the floor. He sighed as he looked at his helpless wife. He put her in bed knowing that she would soon pass out. He turned to leave when she grabbed his hand gently.

“I love you,” she smiled sleepily, “I've always loved you. I just don't want you realize that you could have done so much better than me.”

“Shh,” he cooed as he sat down on the bed beside her, “I don't think there's anyone out there for me that's better than you. Even if there was I'd only want you.”

“What if -”

“Only you,” he said as he bent down to kiss her forehead, “Now get some sleep.”

Brian smiled to himself as he finally understood some parts of his wife. She was just nervous about their marriage. He himself had been nervous about their nuptials and was unsure up until the very moment he said “I Do”. He looked back down at Regina and tucked her hair away from her face as she finally drifted off to sleep.

Brian rubbed his thumb over the picture committing every feature of Regina to memory. He knew that if they could overcome her uncertainties of their marriage then they could overcome this. He just needed to find her first.

Within minutes Brian's doorbell rang and he assumed that it was one of his numerous volunteers that he had corralled into helping him look for Regina. He stood from the couch and made his way to the door. Upon opening it he wished that he had pretended that he wasn't home. Michelle stood at his door in all her pregnant glory. A bright smile spread across her face as she looked up at him. It had been ages since she'd last seen him and despite how awful that situation was she was happy to see him.

“Hi Brian.”

“Hey,” he said curtly as his eyes narrowed surveying her, “Not to seem rude, but why are you here?”

“I talked to Val this morning,” she said sorrow evident in her eyes, “She told me about Regina. I figured you could use all the help you could get. If you don't mind me helping out.”

A wave of relief washed over Brian. He hadn't prepared himself to talk to Michelle in the few months since the last time he saw her on the last leg of their self-titled tour. Despite the awkwardness he let her inside, “Thanks Chelle. It means a lot.”

She nodded as she made her way inside his home. The last time she had been here was almost a year ago when Val threw a surprise birthday party for Regina. She wasn't initially going to attend, but Val told her how important it was that Reggie have all her girls in attendance. She knew that her twin was right. She and Reggie had been best friends since high school when she started hanging out with the guys. Although she was almost two years older than her she and Regina were virtually inseparable.

She loved having Regina around. The guys would often joke that she was the third twin. They were all so close and she felt the same way until she saw how close Regina and Brian were becoming. For years she tried to pursue something more with Brian, but he didn't feel the same way about her. Then out of nowhere he makes a move for her best friend – her sister.

“It's no problem. You know Reg is just like family to me and Val,” she smiled as she lowered herself on the couch slowly.

Brian reached out a hand to help her, “You sure you want to be doing this? I mean maybe instead of going around town today you could just stay here in case she comes here.”

“I'm sure I can do this Bri. I'll probably just ride along with Matt and Val or Jimmy.”

Brian wanted to protest, but he didn't. He knew it was only going to make his relationship with Michelle that much harder. She was once his friend and confidant, but somewhere along the line all of that changed. She distanced herself from him. He tried numerous times to fix it, but it went no where. Then in one drunken stupor he managed to release all the frustrations he had in his marriage on a one night stand.

That night had been one of the best and worst nights in his life. For just one moment he could forget about his life at home. He could just live his life without fear of being scrutinized, but when it was all said an done. He realized he made a mistake. He hurt Regina whether she knew about it or not. He let his anger at her get the best of him and he did something that he could never take back. He had an affair. He knew that if Regina ever found out their marriage was over so he kept it his little secret.

For the past few months he was sure that Michelle would say something to her. He was on edge when she'd mention her during dinner or just in casual conversation. He feared that she knew and that she was just waiting on the right time to tell him. Perhaps she did know. That would explain her disappearing act. She was gone probably off on some little cash-only retreat while she had her divorce papers drawn up. Yes, that could explain everything. Well, not everything. It didn't explain how she found out.

“What did you say to Regina?” asked Brian certain that Michelle told her about their one night stand.

“Nothing. I – I didn't say anything,” she stammered.

“Bullshit! She left me. Regina wouldn't just leave me over one fight. It doesn't make sense. However, it does make perfect sense though that you told her about what happened in Dallas. She'd leave me over that!”

Michelle tried her best to get up from the couch. Her pregnancy halted her usual snappy retort, but she managed, “I didn't say anything Brian! I wouldn't. Not only would it cost you your marriage, but it would have cost me my friendship with Regina. I know that night wasn't what either of us expected, but I can't deny that we did do something beautiful. I just want you realize it too.”

Brian started to say something, but his door bell rang. He answered his door and slowly everyone he called began to trickle into his home. Mitchell, Rodney, and Wyatt were all there to help and they brought Gavin and Catherine along with them. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but she was their daughter. If he or any of his siblings went missing he knew that they would do everything in their power to find them no matter how much it hurt. His family even came to help him in the search. His father and stepmother were willing to canvas the neighborhood while McKenna would check out the mall and shops the two of them frequented.

Matt and Val were going to check out a few places down in Long Beach. Johnny and Zacky were going to go look for her car while he and Jimmy were going to check all the area hospitals. He made sure everyone had a fairly recent picture of her and soon they were all on their way.

Brian handed Gavin a picture and he shook his head, “I think that Catherine and I should stay behind in case she comes back home.”

“Are you sure? Maybe you two should can cover the second half of the hospitals? It would go a lot faster that way.”

Gavin furrowed his brow, “From what I was told by RJ you're the reason she left in the first place. Son, I'm not trying to say that you don't care for Regina, but I think it's best that we be here if she returns.”

“You're right. Someone should be here. Who better than her Mom and Dad, right? Just call me if she comes back,” he said before rushing out the door.

Brian walked out to his car while Jimmy sat in the driver's seat. Something inside him said that he should have fought harder to stay and wait for her. Granted, he spent the last day at home and she hadn't come home. Maybe it was best that he not be there. If she was still angry with him then maybe it was for the best that he let her cool down for a bit. Until then he just hoped that he made the right decision.