Yoongi's POV

As soon as we leave the UN, Namjoon and I take a car on our own with one security. We talk about the next few days, and how we can pull off the drive to see Catherine. We have a late show taping tomorrow night and then a morning show the next day.

The drive is 4 + hours so we're going to have to leave immediately after the morning show. Our security guard says he's happy to drive. I'm relieved since Namjoon doesn't have a license, and I hate driving for long trips. If we get on the road quickly, we should reach there around lunchtime. I'm looking forward to seeing her. But I'm nervous too, since we're basically ambushing her.

With our plan in place, we head to the hotel. Namjoon is going to let Ashley know what we planned. We are on the fence about if we should let her warn Bridget. We don't want to put her friend in the position of hiding something, so we will probably just show up. I'm also a little excited to see Bridget. She's the cutest thing on 2 legs...

2 Days Later

We just left the morning show taping and the members want to go to breakfast. Namjoon tells them that he and I are driving to meet a producer in Boston who wants us to collab with one of his artists. I was literally almost stuttering trying to come up with an excuse, and he pulled that out?! I love this man's big brain!!

We get on the road, and I'm a combination of nerves and excitement. We don't know how she'll react to us. We don't know if she'll even speak to us. My fear is she'll refuse, and it will break my heart. I genuinely love her like a sister.

Namjoon and I discuss everything, and hope she'll come back with us. We want to bring her to our shows in New Jersey, and then bring her with us for as long as she can accompany the group. We have alot of making up to do to this girl. We both feel like our company has done her wrong, and we plan to fix it.

The drive goes by super fast. I was actually shocked when we pulled up to the gates of the place Catherine and Bridget built. Namjoon gets out of the van and approaches the security. He explains we're there to see Bridget. He didn't want to start with Catherine, afraid she'd refuse to let us in.

A few minutes pass and I see her cuteness walking towards the gate. I feel shy watching Bridget strut towards us. This girl has always drawn my attention. Cath used to tease me that we'd be perfect together, but I never admitted wanting to figure out if that is true. She's definitely my physical type though...

When she is in front of us, I let Namjoon do the talking. He explains that we came to speak with Catherine. That we want her to come with us to see our concert, and talk to Hoseok and the other guys. I speak up and say "You come too" and she looks down and blushes... Cute!

She doesn't know what will happen with Catherine, but she brings us inside and seats us in the conference room. She was about to leave but paused, and I see her tears... My heart aches at the sight.

"She's changed alot physically... Please be careful how you react..."

Namjoon tells her we will. And when she leaves to fetch Cath, I ask what she said to make sure I understood.

"She warned us to not react to how Catherine looks. Remember I told you Ashley said she's lost alot of weight? Bridget was just saying we need to be careful."

I nod and prepare myself. I don't know how I'll be able to handle seeing her if she's like Hoseok...

When the door opens and she walks in, I'm stunned. There is no shock quite like this. A once healthy, vibrant, beautiful woman, reduced to a small girl that looks like she's on the brink of death.... I immediately hide my surprise and force a smile towards her. please don't see through me.

Namjoon speaks up immediately. "Hi Catherine."

Catherine's POV

I just got out of a meeting with the teenager from hell, and her parents. She actually had the audacity to ask me to "prove" I know BTS. I think she had some thought that if I could prove it, she'd be able to meet them. I managed to say that my life, my friends, and my acquaintances have nothing to do with her party.

Bridget had been called away to greet a new client and I was left alone with these people. I tried to refocus the daughter numerous times, but she is like a dog with a bone today. Her parents aren't helping at all, and I finally snapped. I ended up raising my voice at her, and ending the meeting. We may have just lost that client...

Sitting with my head in my hands, Bridget comes into my office.

"That bad?"

"That girl is Satan come to torture me."

"I'm sorry that I had to leave."

"It's alright. Who's the new client?"

"Go meet them. They're in the conference room."

She walked out so fast, I couldn't even ask what kind of event it is.

I knock and open the conference room door and freeze on my spot. Why are they here? They look so good, and I'm suddenly ashamed. Yoongi smiles at me, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Namjoon's dimples are on full display, and I can't help but smile back.

Namjoon stands and comes to me taking me into his arms. I feel the tears before they fall, and somehow pull them back.

"You just missed your biggest fan. She and her parents have been torturing me all afternoon. If I'd known you were coming I could have introduced you. Then maybe she'd stop implying I'm a liar."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing. It's not important. I'm just frustrated with her and the dumb party she wants... Sorry..."

"Hey." Yonngi says

"Hi Yoongle. You look good."

He smiles at me, but doesn't say anything. I know I look like shit, so I'm not surprised. He stands and gives me a hug, and I feel the warmth I've missed.

"We wanted to bring you to our concert. Will you come with us?"

"You should have called. I have alot going on right now. I feel bad you wasted a trip..."

I can't meet their eyes. I'm lying through my teeth. Anything happening is being handled by Bridget's Mom and our staff. I've become ineffective, and I know it... Bridget is too busy making sure I'm not about to kill myself that she's not even handing events right now. We've become figureheads... and it's all my fault. My Mom is spinning in her grave at how I'm treating the business she started for us to run together.

"Please. Hoseok really needs to see you."

"Why?"

Yoongi adds "He's broken... He misses you. We all do."

"I sent him a letter. Did he not get it?"

"He did. But he really would want to speak to you. Don't you think a face to face conversation might be a good thing?" Namjoon says.

"He'll be disgusted to see me... Just like you both are but are trying to hide it."

Yoongi almost yelled at me when I finished my sentence. "NO! Don't!! You NOT tell me what I think!"

I was surprised by Yoongi's tone but it's not the first time someone thinks they can shout me into submission. So I turned to him with a burning look and asked him the only thing I want to know.

"Then why the fuck are your here? 8 months and you choose NOW to come and ask me to fix Hoseok? He's got 6 brothers. You guys should be able to take care of him. What am I supposed to do? As you can see, I can barely take care of myself."

Yoongi softens immediately. "We help you."

"How's that going to go Yoongi? Namjoon? You build me up, get me back to fighting weight to leave me to deal with your bullshit saesangs? Being called a whore... A slut... Ugly... I should die... Kill myself... NO thanks!!"

The traitorous tears I don't want, start falling, but I rub them away harshly. I don't even know where the anger is coming from...

"We won't let that happen. I promise. Please."

"You can't promise Namjoon. Your company even made Hoseok a liar 8 months ago, when THEY were the ones who chose the original statement... THEY chose to be dishonest... And me? I'm just the jezebel who lead poor Hobi astray. So don't make promises you can't keep..."

I suck in a breath, but don't feel like it's helping. An elephant has landed on my chest and I can't breathe. I clutch my shirt above my heart and curl forward feeling like I'm dying... black spots dance around the edges of my vision and I try to stand straight. The last thing I see is Yoongi rushing towards me...

Namjoon's POV

I expected the anger, but not the rage I felt. Before she passed out, she asked some valid questions. But I'll figure it out, and keep any promise I make. Yoongi is just sitting and holding her hand. Bridget just left with the Dr, and I'm wondering how we could have let this happen...

When Bridget comes back she tells us that the Dr says if she doesn't start eating regular, healthy meals, she'll probably die. Her body is starting to fail due to the lack of nutrition. It's heartbreaking to see her like this. I feel responsible for not realizing she was going through this, and it hurts.

After an hour Catherine regains her consciousness. I sit next to her on the couch and take her hand. I hope what I'm about to say will convince her I'm sincere, and will help.

"Catherine... I'm so sorry you feel that we didn't care. That you went through everything alone. We were suffering too. I tried to stop our company from that statement, and I'm sorry that I couldn't. Hoseok is destroyed... But it's not just him... We ALL miss you. When you left Korea, we never thought it would happen the way it did. Please come with us. Come and see our show. Come and talk with Hoseok... Please... I promise you that I will protect you better. We all will."

Yoongi adds "I want too. I will tell world to fuck off... They not hurt you more... Come please."

Catherine looks conflicted, but the anger is gone. Tears are slowly falling and I wipe them away whispering that we're sorry.

"Look at me... Hoseok is going to hate himself and blame himself when it's not his fault..."

"Catherine... He is also not well. He collapsed recently because he's not caring for his body. He doesn't care about anything but you."

She cries harder hearing that. I don't know if I'm getting through. Yoongi starts caressing her hair and doing what he always does with her. She calms at his touch, so I move to give him more room.

Bridget says "Catherine... Let's go with them. I already spoke to Mom, and everything here is covered. So let's go and see a concert. It's been too long since we did something fun."

"Look at me B... My hair is horrible, I look awful... I can't see him like this..."

"He won't care. He'll just be happy to have you in front of him. Come on sis... Let's just go!"

After a few minutes Catherine finally agrees and I feel relieved. We head out to Bridget's house so she can pack a bag. I stay in the van with Catherine and watch her looking around like she's afraid.

Cath whispers "This is where I was when someone fired a gun at me..."

"What?! Were you hurt?"

Catherine shakes her head and explains what happened. I knew that she'd received alot of hate online, but I never imagined she was physically attacked. My guilt deepens at the thought she could have been killed. All I can do is just apologize... She nods and tells me it's alright, which it isn't.

Bridget and Yoongi come out of her house with a suitcase. Bridget's Mom comes to the van and opens the door to hug Catherine. I hear her telling her to have fun and leave her worries here. Catherine's tears start again, and I can see the guilt she's carrying for making her friends and family worry.

"Catherine... Listen to me... You are a beautiful woman. Go and have a great time. Get some closure, or grab what makes you happy. Either way, find your smile again. I miss it."

A now weeping Cath just nods her head. I tell Bridget's Mom that we'll make sure the girls are taken care of and have fun.

"You'd better. These 2 are all I have, so you take care of them or I'll burn you to the ground... Understand?"

"Mom!!"

The scary woman starts laughing and throws a wink at me. I finally understand she was kidding, but my heartbeat doesn't slow until we're driving towards Catherine's apartment. Bridget and Catherine are now giggling together at how nervous I got. It's nice to hear.

Catherine's POV

I'm trying to find clothes when nothing fits anymore. I open my suitcase and fill it with mostly sweats and hoodies. Bridget grabs some of my other clothes and tells me to stop taking stuff that makes me look like a boy. She shoos me away and does the task herself.

I go into my bathroom and take my personal items. I realize that I really haven't been taking care of myself when I can't remember the last time I used my face wash and lotion... I look in the mirror for the first time in months and hate that my skin is so dull, and I've let my hair color grow out. I look like a homeless girl... I am unhealthy, and it shows. I can't go...

"Stop it Cath... I can hear your thoughts and see your wheels turning. You are going."

"But B... Look at me! I'm so gross. Hobi, and the rest of them, will be disgusted..."

"Shut up Sis! Yoongi and Namjoon weren't disgusted. They are just surprised. Yoongi told me that when we get there, he'll have a hair stylist fix you up so you feel better... At least that's what I think he said... He's so quiet when he talks..."

I chuckle at that and explain that he is only quiet because he has a crush on her. I watch her face turn a wonderful pink and she scoffs at me. I give in to her excitement and finish packing. At the very least, maybe she'll get her happy ever after. That would be enough for me...

Getting back to the van we head out. We drive for a couple hours and then stop for food. I haven't been eating much, so it's difficult for me. I see both men watching me, but thankfully they don't say anything. I order a sandwich knowing I won't be able to finish even half of it. But I'll bring what I can't eat with me, and eat it in the van.

When we're back on the way, Yoongi asks me if I would want to let one of the stylists color my hair. I nod and say that would be nice. Namjoon smiles and says he can't wait. They want me to feel beautiful that's clear. I express to them that I'm nervous because so much has changed. They both reassure me that they only care that I came. They tell me more about how Hobi has been... I am worried about him, and feel so guilty for never answering any of his messages.

I feel Bridget squeeze my hand and realize I'm crying. I'm so overwhelmed right now. I look at her and she just smiles with her pretty teeth on display.

"It's going to be fine Cath. I'll be with you."

I nod and wipe the tears away. I take deep breaths and look up to find we're in the parking garage of a hotel. Namjoon makes a phone call, and then comes back to get us. He tells us we're going to his room where the stylist will meet us. Yoongi is going to take care of getting us a room.

We get to the floor they stay on and I can tell Namjoon doesn't want us to be seen. We are almost to his room when I hear the angel voice of my Cricket. I put my head down and stay behind Namjoon while he talks to Jimin. I don't know how he convinced him, but Jimin heads in another direction.

After getting inside the room, Namjoon relaxes.

"Sorry. I didn't think you were ready... And he can't keep a secret, so I sent him to make sure our soundcheck tomorrow is set."

I laugh because I know he's right about the secret keeping. A beautiful young woman comes into the room and Namjoon speaks to her. She looks at Bridget and me and smiles. She says something to Joon and he shrugs and laughs. Now I'm self conscious...

"She wants to know what color you want. And if you'd also like a cut. And... She's excited to see you here and wants you to feel pretty. She is Kim Aera."

I smile back at her. Bridget is clapping in tiny because she can't wait to see the result. I laugh at my best friend's silly behavior, and I feel happy for the first time in months. Maybe this trip will be alright after all...

_________________________________________

Thank you to anyone and everyone reading! I love you all for your support!!

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STAY SAFE!!

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WEAR A MASK!!

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