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Oct. 15th, 2003 10:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amfiguree[Het] [N'sync] [PG-13]
Steal My Heart
(Ten o’ clock on Sunday morning, At Naomi’s house.)
“Mmm...” JC licked his lips and grinned appreciatively at James. “Thanks for breakfast, James. That was absolutely delicious.”
James smiled and said smugly, “If you ask nicely enough, Naomi will cook something for you.”
Naomi smiled, but she had a confused look in her eyes. “Uh... you know I’d cook for you any time you asked Chase.”
JC nodded slowly. “Mmhmm...”
Suddenly a horn sounded at the gate. JC stood up and gave them a low bow, “Sounds like my cue to leave.”
Naomi giggled, “Bye Chase. It was nice to spend time together again.”
JC enveloped her in his arms, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. He breathed deeply for a few seconds before stepping back and saying, “Out of curiosity, Catch, what shampoo do you use?”
Naomi giggled and shrugged, “I don’t really notice. Why?”
JC smiled at her innocence. She was probably the only girl he knew who didn’t know which brand of shampoo she used. “Nah... just curious.”
As JC waved and bounded out of the house, James stared curiously after him. “Well, well, well... what do you know? Looks like our little Chase is finally starting to notice the beauty around him.”
“What was that James?”
“Huh? Oh... nothing,” James gave Naomi a sly smile. “Nothing at all.”
(Meanwhile, In Justin’s car.)
“You couldn’t get a lift from Choc? No... they had to wake JUSTIN up at ten in the morning so he would drive all the way to FETCH you!” Justin grumbled.
JC smiled apologetically, “But Lance said you were ready to fetch me anytime...? I thought-”
“Lance? Ha! The guy can’t even think straight! He’s ranting on and on about Naomi and JC, Naomi and JC, NAOMI AND JC! That’s all he talks about. They’re sleeping on the same bed, oh no!”
JC winced at Justin’s imitation of Lance, “Uh... Justin? I know you’re in a bad mood but... why were you up so late anyway?”
“What? Am I supposed to be a morning person, then? Oh, JC, don’t mind me. I just got back home at two-thirty last night, DEAD DRUNK, and I woke up with a splitting headache and I’m so sorry I didn’t greet you with the brightest of smiles on my face, but I just don’t feel up to it.”
“Uh... I see... sorry I troubled you.”
“Sorry I troubled you... ha! Well, don’t be. You’re in more trouble than I’d care to say,” Justin grimaced when Lance’s angry expression popped into his mind.
Uh... just so I’m prepared... just HOW angry is Lance? On a scale of one to ten, with ten as the angriest...”
“Hmm... let me think, after he cooled down by shredding his bed to bits, throwing his clothes around the room, flinging his stuff onto the floor, I’d say... oh, I don’t know, maybe... ONE HUNDRED!”
JC gulped, and a worried expression came over his face. “Okaaaayyyy... I know you absolutely love scaring me, J. And I have to admit you’re doing really well this time round... but seriously... one hundred?”
Justin shrugged, “Do I LOOK like I’m kidding? Hell, I don’t know. Maybe I got it wrong. But if you haven’t noticed, our usually carefree, sweet-tempered Lance has been shredding, throwing and flinging stuff this whole morning! Do the words ‘dead meat’ mean anything to you, hmm, JC?”
JC flinched at Justin’s pissed expression. “Okay, I’m a goner... I am so totally dead for sure!”
“Hmm... thank you for finally HAMMERING THAT FACT INTO YOUR THICK SKULL!” Justin screeched to a stop at the traffic light and a few faces turned his way. From grumpy expressions, they turned into faces full of delight when they realized it was THE Justin Timberlake at the wheel with JC Chasez in the passenger seat.
JC groaned and began hitting his head against the window. Justin looked at him in alarm. “Hey, hey, hey! Don’t need to get all emotional in the car! Or would you just prefer to die a VERY painful death?”
“Just... let... me... die!” JC howled. “I’m a goner anyway. There is no way Lance is gonna let me get out of this scrape alive. Please Justin, if there’s a shred of sympathy in that rock-hard heart of yours, just let me DIE!”
Justin clucked his tongue, “Unfortunately, JC, as much as I wish I could pity you, I can’t let you kill yourself. For one thing, Naomi would hate me to hell, Lance would scream at me, Alyssa would kill me and I am positively not going to take this crap in your place. So live with it!”
JC moaned in agony but stopped hitting his head against the window. “What does Lance think I did? Does he think I actually sexed up a girl I have always looked after as a sister before I’m even clear about my feelings for her?”
“YES! Bulls-eye, JC!” Justin said sarcastically. “That’s exactly what he thinks. Do you understand why he’s so FREAKING ANGRY, now?”
JC sighed and hung his head. “But I didn’t... we... she... this was all INNOCENT! We’ve always slept together since like, forever and-”
Justin eyed JC with a bored expression. “Okay, that was a slip of the tongue. I MEANT that we’ve always been really close and we’ve slept on the same bed in the same room for AGES! And just because we’re in our mid-twenties now doesn’t mean we’re any less close than we were before! I mean, what the HELL does he want to do to me?”
“Oh... probably something along the lines of ripping your head off or hacking you into about ten thousand pieces.”
JC’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed nervously. He knew how Lance could behave when he was riled up and... if what Justin said was true... JC prayed he would be able to stay in the same room with Lance and come out with his head, body and limbs still intact. It was a long shot, though.
JC took a deep breath, “Look Justin. I’m sorry. I know you’re mad at me because they forced you to get me from Catch’s house but... well, let’s just put it this way. After the quarrel I don’t think I’m going to be able to meet up with Catch or look after her as much as I’d like to. So, do you think you could, you know, take over the big brother role for me? Just, you know, until all this is settled with Lance.”
Justin sighed at the pain in JC’s voice. “JC, you know I’d die for Choc... and I’d do the same for you. But honestly, that wasn’t a smart move to make when you knew Lance was after her. And... although I told you to follow your heart, I didn’t mean-”
“Jesus Justin!” JC yelled. “You don’t think I... she and me... oh my god.”
“Hell no! Choc is way too smart to do anything as intimate as that with someone as dumb as you.” Justin grinned with JC grimaced. “And anyway, stupid as I may seem, I’m not as irrational as Lance. I don’t really think you and her... well, you know.”
JC sighed and wiped the sweat off of his forehead. “I just... you know... Lance is making a big mistake. I mean, Catch and I... we would never... not without... well, at least we’d go on a date before we tried anything!”
Justin gave JC a funny look. “Somehow I think Choc’s not the type. Especially after her encounter with Marcus... she’ll probably wait till she’s married or at least engaged before she allows another guy to touch her that way.”
JC nodded slowly, “I guess.” Then he shook his head, “But this has nothing to do about... that!”
“Hmm... you’re right... somehow the words ‘Naomi’ and ‘sex’ just don’t go together, do they?” Justin giggled when JC gave him a frosty look.
“If you mean that in any way besides a compliment, I’m gonna give you a beating you’ll never forget.”
“Ouch. No matter, Lance will get back at you for me.”
The same worried frown creased JC’s forehead yet again when Lance’s name was mentioned. “Justin... you don’t really think Lance is gonna... well... ask me to stop seeing Catch, do you?”
Justin heard the unmistakable quaver in JC’s voice and he couldn’t help feeling sorry for the guy, but at the same time he knew he had to be honest. “Well... I think... I think that’s exactly what he’s going to do, JC.”
“If... if he really does that, you know I can’t... won’t refuse. I... I’m feeling guilty as it is and... if he plays on my guilt... damn! I just know I’m going to regret every word that is said here today!”
Justin’s heart melted when he saw JC’s torn, heart-broken expression. “Don’t look like that JC. It’s not the end of the world. Maybe you’ll find that being away from Choc isn’t all that bad. It might just help you make up your mind about your feelings too. Besides, don’t you trust me when it comes to Choc?”
“I never trust you... and it’s only worse when I’m trusting you with the most important woman in my life. I swear you’ll rot in hell if any harm comes to you while she’s under your care, Justin. So you better make sure you take good care of her.”
Justin knew this was the worried part of JC talking and he sighed, turning into the street his house was along. “JC, I know this is really a tough time for you but get a grip on yourself. Lance isn’t unreasonable. Just state the facts and he’ll know for sure that there’s nothing to get mad about.”
Justin drove into the driveway of his house and parked the car quickly, licking his lips nervously as JC hopped out. He watched JC trudge into the house and whispered to himself, “I hope.”
JC walked into the house and saw a look on Lynn’s face that told him a lot - that he didn’t want to know. She took a deep breath and patted him on the back with a look that clearly said, ‘Brace yourself. This situation does not look good.’
JC gulped and walked slowly but purposefully towards Lance’s room. Alyssa was standing outside the door, taking deep, calming breaths. One look at her pale face and JC knew that he was going to get it and he was going to get it baaaaaddd.
“Hey,” he whispered, taking her into his arms, partly to calm her and partly to calm himself. He could feel her shaking and he bit his lip. This is definitely not my day.
“Hey,” Alyssa whispered back, finally releasing him. “Um, I think you better get in there,” she pointed at Lance’s door. “I’ve never seen him so, uh, upset.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and JC felt a tingle rush through his body. “Good luck,” she whispered as he took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
JC went into the room and shut the door gently. The room was eerily quiet. “Uh... Lance?”
“JC, I’m not going to play games with you... just tell me, honestly, what the HELL do you want me to do about Naomi?”
JC walked carefully towards the bed. Lance was sitting on the floor, his head clutched in his hands. JC sighed and bit his lip, extending his hand out to Lance, but Lance didn’t take it. “Just tell me what you want me to do about it, JC.”
“I... look Lance, it was totally innocent. You know Catch and you sure as hell know me. We aren’t the type. Look, we’ve been sleeping on the same bed since forever. I’ve watched her grow up, even though half the time it was only through letters. You can’t expect me to just brush her aside and act like we’re just friends. We’re more than that. We have a bond between us. We love each other. And I just pray that nothing takes that away from us.”
Lance looked up at him and JC was shocked by his bloodshot eyes. “And what am I supposed to do?”
JC shook his head, “I don’t think that’s the issue here, Lance.”
“That’s not the issue here?” Lance glared at JC. “Fine. Then tell me, JC, just what exactly is the issue at hand?”
“What you want me to do about it.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Lance. I know I’m going to regret this fifteen minutes down the road. But it’ll be too late then. This is what I want to know - what the HELL do you want me to do about this whole thing?”
“You... you want to know what I want you to do? Oh, that’s easy enough, JC. I just want you to, you know, stay away from her until we’re both clear on what we want!” Lance was breathing heavily as he stood up. “I know it sounds like a lot to ask, and I know it hurts you more than anything in the world... but that’s what I want. If I hear about another situation like this, I swear I will go insane! I mean, for heaven’s sake, I thought I almost had everything sorted out and then this-”
Just came crashing down on you... didn’t it?” JC finished.
“Yeah... yeah, that’s exactly what happened.”
JC was going to explain everything that had happened between Naomi and him, but when he saw Lance’s expression, he couldn’t find the words. He sighed and said something he knew he would regret. “Okay, Lance, you have my word. There will be some distance put between me and Naomi until we have everything sorted out. Deal?”
Lance hesitated a few moments before reaching out to grasp JC’s outstretched hand. “You bet.”
(Fifteen minutes later, In JC’s room.)
“Dammit! Why did I have to say that to him? Now what? Do I really have to go around brushing Catch aside until Lance sorts everything out? Which could probably take FOREVER?” JC flung himself onto his bed and groaned. “JC you freaking idiot!”
Justin knocked on the door and he bounded in when JC groaned in reply. “Well, you escaped alive... how did it go?”
“Bad... very bad.”
“Hmm... you’re alive and kicking... no limbs missing... head’s still intact... what MORE could you ask for?”
“Well, smart-ass, what about this? I want to spend all the time I can with Catch because she’s someone I love hanging out with! Is that too much to ask?”
Justin pretended to consider, “Well, unless you’re in Lance’s shoes, no. Unfortunately, the guy you’re up against happens to be the one and only Lansten Bass... so this request - spending time with Choc and everything... well... it goes under the book titled ‘Lance Bass’ Book of BIG no-nos.’”
JC chuckled without humor. “Figures.”
Justin smiled wanly and placed his hand on JC’s back. The guy looks so... dead. Justin didn’t like seeing JC that way. He looked as though everything good had been taken away from him. “You still have us, JC. You have Alyssa too.”
JC brightened at the thought but then his face fell, “She’s too wrapped up in Lance to notice me.”
“Hmm...” Justin pretended to think aloud. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but unless I’m very much mistaken, that girl has been sending signals screaming EAT ME UP... and they’ve all been directed at you.”
JC grinned, “Yeah, I guess. Maybe I should ask her out one of these days. I won’t be able to ask Catch out, that’s for sure. So maybe... now’s my chance to see if Alyssa does have feelings for me.”
Justin grinned evilly, “Now that’s the spirit!”
JC jumped when his cell phone rang. His spirits dropped when he saw Naomi’s name on the screen. He turned his head away from the phone as it continued to ring. Justin stared at him and saw his problem - talking to Naomi would definitely not be a good idea right then. Justin sighed and picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Justin?” Naomi sounded surprised.
“Yep. What’s up, Choc?”
“Oh... I, uh... where’s Chase?”
“Ahh... well, you see...” Justin tried desperately to stall for time while he cooked up excuses in his mind, each sounding lamer than the first. “Um... he... he’s stuck in the toilet! I mean, uh, his... leg! It’s, uh, caught in the... uh, drain!”
“Okaaaayyyy...” Naomi seriously wondered if Justin had gone crazy. “Chase got his foot stuck in the drain... hmm... somehow you don’t have me convinced. Hand the phone to Chase, Justin, before I go over there and see what’s wrong.”
Justin licked his lips nervously. “I... look, Choc, I’m sorry and I really can’t explain right now, but JC... he’s kinda preoccupied. Um, look, why don’t I get him to call you back later? He, um... well, I gotta go. Bye Choc!”
The phone went dead before Naomi could say another word. She stared curiously at the phone, as though it would give her the answers to all the confusing questions racing through her mind. “Um... bye... Justin.”
Naomi sighed as she put down the phone. She stared out of the window and rested her chin on her hands. “Something’s up and I just wish I knew what.”
“Damn!” Justin paced JC’s room agitatedly. “DAMN! I can’t believe I had to lie to her like that. And I’m just so bad at lying when it comes to Choc. I don’t even know what I’ll do when I have to do that in her face!”
Justin went to JC and shook his shoulders, “Come on JC, you’ve always been the level-headed one. I know you can think of something to get us out of this mess! You absolutely have to!”
“You’re with me till the end no matter what, though. Right, Justin?”
Justin hesitated a second before smiling and slamming his hand into JC’s. “Right on... partner.”
Justin almost collapsed when he heard JC’s next words. “Then you’re gonna have to keep this charade up.”
“I WHAT?!”
“You heard me.” JC said, “I don’t want to risk losing Lance’s friendship over this. And I don’t want to lose Catch either. You have to help me stall for time while Lance makes up his mind. Say I’m busy with the recording, or... or I’m thinking of something to ask Alyssa out. Say anything you want, but please don’t lose her.”
Justin could see the desperation in JC’s eyes. “Relax buddy,” he reassured JC. “There’s no way I’m letting Choc misunderstand this situation. I’ll... I’ll think of something to tell her... but I hope Lance makes that decision quick.”
JC gave Justin a brotherly hug, “Thank you Justin. I know that lying to Catch is not going to be easy. Especially since you’re gonna have to make up stories on the spot. But thinking off the top of your head was never a chore for you.”
“Thank you JC. That was nice. And really sweet. You’re just laying out the conditions so that I don’t freak out when the time comes, right?”
JC smiled demurely at Justin, “In a way.”
“There are some times I wish I never knew you.”
JC shrugged, “In the meantime, J, how do I ask Alyssa out?”
(Meanwhile, In Lance’s room.)
“Lance... don’t you think it’s a little, well, unfair? You’re asking JC to stop meeting one of his closest friends!” Alyssa was massaging Lance’s neck, hoping to get him to change his mind about JC and Naomi.
“Al... for the last time, I didn’t force him to stop meeting her. He agreed to it. There’s a difference!”
“But you asked him to! You know him... he would definitely agree to whatever your conditions. It was a moment of weakness! I mean, he wasn’t thinking clearly and guilt was just eating at him! It’s not fair, Lance! You were playing on his guilt and we both know it!” Alyssa accused and frowned when Lance simply sighed.
“Don’t give me that ‘I-really-want-to-tell-you-to-shut-up-but-I’m-just-too-nice’ thing, Lance! I know you and if you don’t at least respond, I swear I am never going to talk to you again!”
“Look Alyssa, what do you want to hear from me? That I’ve changed my mind and I’m going to let JC and Naomi continue spending their every second with each other and let them act like they’re in love?”
“Well, actually, YES!”
Lance shrugged Alyssa’s hands roughly off his shoulders. “Look, Alyssa. I know that I’m not acting like I should be. And I know that I’m acting really really stupidly and unreasonably, and I’m sorry. But I can’t deal with it.”
“Can’t you even try? I know you like her but making Naomi sacrifice the laughter she’s shared with JC... that’s a high price to pay for love. I swear I have never seen her so happy or full of life as she is when she’s with you guys. But it shows when she’s with JC the most. She’s all smiles and I never see that frown on her face.”
Lance looked at Alyssa. “This is a chance for you to get with JC, you know. I bet that Justin’s hammered that into his head as well. Please, Al. Just trust me. I want JC to spend some time away from Naomi and maybe that will help him figure out what he wants... while I do the same.”
Alyssa threw her hands in the air and sighed, “Men!”
Lance giggled, “Women!”
Alyssa smiled and sat down next to Lance, “Look, I guess I can understand the pressure you’re under right now, what with not knowing whether you’re really in love with Naomi or if it’s just infatuation and all... but this just isn’t fair. To both of them.”
Alyssa cupped her hands on either side of Lance’s face and gently turned his face till his eyes met hers. “Imagine JC telling you to stay away from me because he wasn’t sure if he liked me.”
Lance bit his lip, “You’ve got a point, I have to admit. But I’m sorry. Because right now, I am still too blinded by rage and jealousy to be able to see things clearly. I know what I did, and I know what JC promised me. And for now, that’s all I need.”
“But...” Alyssa bit her lip.
Lance put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I know you’re worried and I know you think this is unfair. But maybe if you looked at it through my point of view, you’d understand better. Sadly, the only person who can see things through my point of view is myself. Just trust me Alyssa, you know that I never lose my temper unless I’m really pissed off. This is serious. I... just let me go crazy for once, okay?”
Alyssa sighed and patted Lance’s head. “Oh well, you know what they say... if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
“Thanks Al,” Lance grinned and wrapped his arms around her neck. It took a moment, but her arms slowly wrapped around his waist as well. “You’re a pal. One day I know I’ll pay you back for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Oh, you’re right about that, Lance,” Alyssa giggled and shook her head, “You owe me big time, buddy.”
“Don’t I know it,” Lance pulled back slightly and both of them giggled. Justin was walking past the room and smiled when he heard their laughter.
“Why does it seem like everyone’s mixed up around here? Naomi and JC... Lance and Alyssa... they’re just so perfect for each other... but why does it seem like I’m the only one who sees that?”
Still muttering, Justin walked slowly down the hall and into the kitchen where he saw his mother preparing dinner.
“Lunch so early?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a huge, sloppy kiss on her cheek.
“Early?” Lynn shook her head. “It’s almost one. If I’m not ready soon, you kids are gonna have to skip your lunch.”
“What? Skip lunch!?” Justin plastered a horrified look on his face. And it didn’t take much of his acting skills. “No way! Uh-uh! I am NOT going to let that happen! That’s like the biggest calamity to ever hit earth, Mom!”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Lynn gave Justin a watery smile. “But if you don’t GET OUT OFF MY WAY, I don’t see how I’m going to finish before then. Because you know what? I’m somehow not in the mood to cook.”
Justin gave his mother a sweet smile. “I’ll help you, Mom. You know I’m a saint when it comes to helping out in the kitchen.”
Lynn crossed her arms over her chest and gave Justin a withering look, “I know no such thing.”
Justin pouted, “Aww... Mom!”
“Oh... all right!” Lynn chuckled. “We’re having Chinese stir-fry. Does that sound good to you?”
“Mmm...” Justin had a look of absolute bliss on his face. He pretended to smell the uncooked vegetables and said, “That’s sounds appetizing, Mom! Let’s get started. Mmm... they’re already smelling like heaven!”
Lynn made a face, “If that smells like heaven, I can’t even begin to imagine how bad it stinks in hell!”
Justin giggled, “Oops. Sorry. Slip of the tongue. It smells heavenly. There... how about that?”
Lynn gave Justin a lopsided grin, “And your father wonders where you got that quirky sense of humor from.”
Justin giggled, bent down and kissed Lynn on the forehead, “I love you, Mom. Now... enough with the soppy stuff and LET’S GET IT ON!”
Lynn smiled as Justin began pulling the pots and pans out of the cupboards. “Justin, honey... are you sure we need-”
“We need everything we can get!” Justin reassured her.
“Just... just make sure my kitchen doesn’t look like a hurricane’s blown through it when you’re...” done, she wanted to say. But when Lynn looked up, she sighed and her sentence trailed off. The cookery was lying in a heap on the floor. The ingredients were being tossed into the air by the ever-impatient Justin, who was looking for vegetables.
“The vegetables are on the table here, Justin,” Lynn informed him. “I don’t understand how my son could be so... MESSY!”
“I second that!” a sweet voice floated through the kitchen. Justin’s head snapped up in surprise and he hit his head on the top of the cupboard he had been looking through. He yelped in pain and shook himself. Lynn turned around and smiled sweetly at the young lady standing at the kitchen doorway. “Hi Aunt Lynn. Hey sweetie.”
“Hello Britney. How are you doing?” Lynn smiled at Justin’s expression.
“Fine, thank you. I’m sorry I dropped by without telling anyone, but I happened to pass by and I thought I’d drop in and see how Justin was doing.”
“That’s all right, Britney. You know you’re always welcome here.”
Lynn waltzed out of the kitchen. “I’m going to the toilet. I’ll be back in about five minutes.”
“Your mom knows we needed some privacy,” Britney giggled naughtily. “I’ve missed you, honey. How was your day?”
Justin smiled and opened his arms. Britney dived into them and sighed at the warmth of his solid body. “Missed you too sweetheart. My day was just... bad. You?”
“Well, I just came back from the tour so I should have at least a few days off before it gets busy again.”
“You’re kidding?”
Britney shook her head, giggling at Justin’s pleased look. “I’m dead serious, Justin sweetheart.”
“Does that mean we actually get to spend some quality time together? As in together together?”
Britney nodded and kissed Justin lightly on the lips. “I’m yours for the taking.” Justin grinned evilly, saying, “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
Britney lifted her hands and rubbed them gently through Justin’s soft curls. “I’ve been dying to do that for ages now.”
Justin closed his eyes and relaxed his head on her shoulder. “Mmhmm.”
Justin placed his hands on the small of her back and rubbed up and down it in fluid motions that made Britney groan. Justin placed his lips lightly on her neck and placed teasing kisses along her jaw line.
Britney swooned and Justin wrapped his arms firmly around her to support her and they stumbled backwards until Britney’s back slammed against the wall. Justin’s lips were covering hers and Britney kissed him back with all the pent up emotions inside of her. She had missed him terribly and being back together with him felt so good.
Justin nibbled playfully on her lips before pulling back slightly and grinning, “You’ve been dying to do that, haven’t you?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t missed me, Justin. I won’t believe you.” Britney teased, her eyes sparkling. Justin nuzzled his face in her hair and she kissed his earlobe gently.
“Oh, I’ve missed you like HELL, sweetie. More than you’ll ever know.”
Justin placed his hands on either side of the wall of Britney’s head. Then he leaned forward slowly and Britney heard him groan deep within his chest when his lips met hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. They pulled apart breathlessly just as Lynn re-entered the kitchen.
Britney smiled brightly at her and quickly wiped the lipstick off of Justin’s face. “Is there anything we can help you with, Aunt Lynn?”
Lynn shook her head and smiled, “You two run along and have fun. I can handle it. Just keep that rascal out of my kitchen.”
“Yes ma’am,” Britney giggled, saluting Lynn.
As they walked out of the kitchen, hand-in-hand, Britney giggled. “What’s so funny, love?” Justin asked.
“I was just thinking of your friend... Naomi.”
Justin recalled the phone call and he blushed. Britney forced him to sit down and sat down on his lap. Her hands reached behind her and massaged his scalp gently. He leaned forward and placed his head on her shoulder. Britney sighed, “If only we could do this more often, I swear I’d die a contented woman.”
Justin smiled, “Don’t say that honey. You know as well as I do that we wouldn’t give up on our careers for the world.”
“For the world, maybe not. But for you... I’m considering.”
Justin giggled at Britney’s tone. Suddenly she sobered up and said, “Justin, you’ve sounded really tired the last few times I called you. Is there something going on that I should know about? Ever since Naomi came along, you’ve never sounded as upbeat as you usually do. And that worries me.”
Britney cupped her hands on either side of Justin’s face when he refused to look at her. Gently, she moved his face till his reluctant eyes met hers. “Tell me,” she ordered in a soft tone. “Everything.”
Justin sighed and pulled Britney closer to him. Sometimes she’s so intuitive I wonder if she has a camera monitoring my every move, Justin smiled at the thought.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Justin, please don’t play mind games with me. I don’t have the time or energy to start playing guessing games with you.”
Justin stroked Britney’s hair and finally gave in. He told her about JC and Naomi’s friendship, about Naomi’s problem with Marcus, about Lance and Alyssa, about JC and Alyssa, about Lance and Naomi... “And I think Lance and Alyssa and JC and Naomi are just made for each other... unfortunately, I seem to be the only one with those sentiments.”
“Nonsense,” Britney told him. “From what you’ve said, I take it that Lance likes Naomi and JC likes Naomi. It seems awkward for poor Alyssa to be stuck in the middle.”
Justin pondered carefully over Britney’s words, “But all the time they’ve spent together... they must do something. It’s a pity Lance won’t tell me. Then at least I’d have a clearer picture of what was going on.”
“Maybe it’s because he doesn’t want you to know exactly what’s going on...” Britney told Justin. “Have you ever considered that?”
Justin nodded, “And I respect that decision. It’s not like I have much of a choice. But now... what am I gonna tell Choc? And...”
Britney cut him off by pressing her lips onto his. When she pulled back, she could tell by the stunned expression on Justin’s face that her kiss had served it’s purpose. “It’s no use worrying. I guess the next few days we’ll have to help JC and Lance instead of spending quality time together huh?”
Justin sighed guiltily, “Guilty as charged.”
Britney planted a kiss on his forehead, “It’s okay. You know I love you and I can feel your love for me radiating out of you. That’s all that matters.”
“Britney, thank you for understanding.” Justin leaned his head against hers and sighed. “Our plans are always messed up because of these guys.”
“And yet you five are like brothers.”
Justin laughed, “I guess it’s true... life is unpredictable.”
Britney smiled, “Everything is unpredictable... especially when I’m with Justin Timberlake.”
“I love you, sugar.”
“I love you too.”
Justin leaned forward and Britney turned to meet his lips. JC entered the room at that exact moment. “Oops!” he said, and turned to leave. “Looks like I came at a bad time. Were you two being naughty? Should I leave?”
“Come here, JC!” Justin said.
JC turned back around, plopped down on a couch and sat cross-legged, staring at them. “So?”
“I just want you to know that Britney and I are giving up all our spare time, which we should be SPENDING TOGETHER, on helping you with Choc!”
“I’m eternally grateful,” JC said, sincerity oozing from his tone.
“Uh-huh.” Britney smiled at him. “You should be.”
JC sighed, “Look, you two, I know how hard it is for you guys to get together. I swear I’m really grateful to you but you know, Justin, that you don’t have to do this. I understand that you need your time together... so if you can’t or don’t want to do it, I understand. Just tell me okay? I’ll arrange something else.”
“Oh, right... like what? You know as well as I do that Chris and Joey can’t be trusted with these kind of jobs and-” Justin couldn’t believe what JC had said. He was hoping against hope that he could spend some real quality time with Britney and having to play ‘middleman’ for JC just didn’t add to the romantic atmosphere.
“I’ll figure something out. I may just tell her the whole truth. It’s not like Catch is a stupid girl, or even an immature person. I’m sure she’ll understand as long as I explain it long enough.” JC shrugged.
“JC... thank you for looking out for Justin and me, but this is the time we should be looking out for you,” Britney smiled when JC raised his eyes to look at her with surprise, relief and hope in his eyes.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“You’ll help me?”
Britney looked ruefully at Justin for a moment for nodding, “Yes. And don’t protest, Justin. This is to help a friend. Just remember that.”
Justin sighed and shrugged, “Hey, you’re the boss. Why should I have any say in this?”
JC stood up and left the room, kissing Britney on the cheek as he passed, “Thank you, Britney. You’ve just saved my ass.”
Britney smiled sweetly at him, “One day you’re gonna have to do the same for me. And I just hope you’ll remember this favor then.”
“Oh, trust me, this is one favor I’ll never forget.” JC chuckled as he left the room.
Britney leaned back against Justin before sighing, “We did the right thing, Justin. Please don’t be miserable.”
“Miserable? Who said anything about miserable? I just had a whole holiday stolen from me from under my nose. I’m not miserable.”
Britney kissed his nose, “Forget it. Why don’t we just-”
Justin closed his eyes and leaned in for another searing kiss, cutting Britney off in mid-sentence. He pulled back and studied her reaction intently. He smiled when he saw her raised eyebrows and smiling lips.
“Why don’t we just shut up and relax?”
Britney circled her arms and pulled him close once more. Their lips met in a sweet kiss and Britney murmured against his lips, “Oh, I’m with you all the way on that one, Justin. I’m with you every step of the way.”
TBC
Steal My Heart
(Ten o’ clock on Sunday morning, At Naomi’s house.)
“Mmm...” JC licked his lips and grinned appreciatively at James. “Thanks for breakfast, James. That was absolutely delicious.”
James smiled and said smugly, “If you ask nicely enough, Naomi will cook something for you.”
Naomi smiled, but she had a confused look in her eyes. “Uh... you know I’d cook for you any time you asked Chase.”
JC nodded slowly. “Mmhmm...”
Suddenly a horn sounded at the gate. JC stood up and gave them a low bow, “Sounds like my cue to leave.”
Naomi giggled, “Bye Chase. It was nice to spend time together again.”
JC enveloped her in his arms, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. He breathed deeply for a few seconds before stepping back and saying, “Out of curiosity, Catch, what shampoo do you use?”
Naomi giggled and shrugged, “I don’t really notice. Why?”
JC smiled at her innocence. She was probably the only girl he knew who didn’t know which brand of shampoo she used. “Nah... just curious.”
As JC waved and bounded out of the house, James stared curiously after him. “Well, well, well... what do you know? Looks like our little Chase is finally starting to notice the beauty around him.”
“What was that James?”
“Huh? Oh... nothing,” James gave Naomi a sly smile. “Nothing at all.”
(Meanwhile, In Justin’s car.)
“You couldn’t get a lift from Choc? No... they had to wake JUSTIN up at ten in the morning so he would drive all the way to FETCH you!” Justin grumbled.
JC smiled apologetically, “But Lance said you were ready to fetch me anytime...? I thought-”
“Lance? Ha! The guy can’t even think straight! He’s ranting on and on about Naomi and JC, Naomi and JC, NAOMI AND JC! That’s all he talks about. They’re sleeping on the same bed, oh no!”
JC winced at Justin’s imitation of Lance, “Uh... Justin? I know you’re in a bad mood but... why were you up so late anyway?”
“What? Am I supposed to be a morning person, then? Oh, JC, don’t mind me. I just got back home at two-thirty last night, DEAD DRUNK, and I woke up with a splitting headache and I’m so sorry I didn’t greet you with the brightest of smiles on my face, but I just don’t feel up to it.”
“Uh... I see... sorry I troubled you.”
“Sorry I troubled you... ha! Well, don’t be. You’re in more trouble than I’d care to say,” Justin grimaced when Lance’s angry expression popped into his mind.
Uh... just so I’m prepared... just HOW angry is Lance? On a scale of one to ten, with ten as the angriest...”
“Hmm... let me think, after he cooled down by shredding his bed to bits, throwing his clothes around the room, flinging his stuff onto the floor, I’d say... oh, I don’t know, maybe... ONE HUNDRED!”
JC gulped, and a worried expression came over his face. “Okaaaayyyy... I know you absolutely love scaring me, J. And I have to admit you’re doing really well this time round... but seriously... one hundred?”
Justin shrugged, “Do I LOOK like I’m kidding? Hell, I don’t know. Maybe I got it wrong. But if you haven’t noticed, our usually carefree, sweet-tempered Lance has been shredding, throwing and flinging stuff this whole morning! Do the words ‘dead meat’ mean anything to you, hmm, JC?”
JC flinched at Justin’s pissed expression. “Okay, I’m a goner... I am so totally dead for sure!”
“Hmm... thank you for finally HAMMERING THAT FACT INTO YOUR THICK SKULL!” Justin screeched to a stop at the traffic light and a few faces turned his way. From grumpy expressions, they turned into faces full of delight when they realized it was THE Justin Timberlake at the wheel with JC Chasez in the passenger seat.
JC groaned and began hitting his head against the window. Justin looked at him in alarm. “Hey, hey, hey! Don’t need to get all emotional in the car! Or would you just prefer to die a VERY painful death?”
“Just... let... me... die!” JC howled. “I’m a goner anyway. There is no way Lance is gonna let me get out of this scrape alive. Please Justin, if there’s a shred of sympathy in that rock-hard heart of yours, just let me DIE!”
Justin clucked his tongue, “Unfortunately, JC, as much as I wish I could pity you, I can’t let you kill yourself. For one thing, Naomi would hate me to hell, Lance would scream at me, Alyssa would kill me and I am positively not going to take this crap in your place. So live with it!”
JC moaned in agony but stopped hitting his head against the window. “What does Lance think I did? Does he think I actually sexed up a girl I have always looked after as a sister before I’m even clear about my feelings for her?”
“YES! Bulls-eye, JC!” Justin said sarcastically. “That’s exactly what he thinks. Do you understand why he’s so FREAKING ANGRY, now?”
JC sighed and hung his head. “But I didn’t... we... she... this was all INNOCENT! We’ve always slept together since like, forever and-”
Justin eyed JC with a bored expression. “Okay, that was a slip of the tongue. I MEANT that we’ve always been really close and we’ve slept on the same bed in the same room for AGES! And just because we’re in our mid-twenties now doesn’t mean we’re any less close than we were before! I mean, what the HELL does he want to do to me?”
“Oh... probably something along the lines of ripping your head off or hacking you into about ten thousand pieces.”
JC’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed nervously. He knew how Lance could behave when he was riled up and... if what Justin said was true... JC prayed he would be able to stay in the same room with Lance and come out with his head, body and limbs still intact. It was a long shot, though.
JC took a deep breath, “Look Justin. I’m sorry. I know you’re mad at me because they forced you to get me from Catch’s house but... well, let’s just put it this way. After the quarrel I don’t think I’m going to be able to meet up with Catch or look after her as much as I’d like to. So, do you think you could, you know, take over the big brother role for me? Just, you know, until all this is settled with Lance.”
Justin sighed at the pain in JC’s voice. “JC, you know I’d die for Choc... and I’d do the same for you. But honestly, that wasn’t a smart move to make when you knew Lance was after her. And... although I told you to follow your heart, I didn’t mean-”
“Jesus Justin!” JC yelled. “You don’t think I... she and me... oh my god.”
“Hell no! Choc is way too smart to do anything as intimate as that with someone as dumb as you.” Justin grinned with JC grimaced. “And anyway, stupid as I may seem, I’m not as irrational as Lance. I don’t really think you and her... well, you know.”
JC sighed and wiped the sweat off of his forehead. “I just... you know... Lance is making a big mistake. I mean, Catch and I... we would never... not without... well, at least we’d go on a date before we tried anything!”
Justin gave JC a funny look. “Somehow I think Choc’s not the type. Especially after her encounter with Marcus... she’ll probably wait till she’s married or at least engaged before she allows another guy to touch her that way.”
JC nodded slowly, “I guess.” Then he shook his head, “But this has nothing to do about... that!”
“Hmm... you’re right... somehow the words ‘Naomi’ and ‘sex’ just don’t go together, do they?” Justin giggled when JC gave him a frosty look.
“If you mean that in any way besides a compliment, I’m gonna give you a beating you’ll never forget.”
“Ouch. No matter, Lance will get back at you for me.”
The same worried frown creased JC’s forehead yet again when Lance’s name was mentioned. “Justin... you don’t really think Lance is gonna... well... ask me to stop seeing Catch, do you?”
Justin heard the unmistakable quaver in JC’s voice and he couldn’t help feeling sorry for the guy, but at the same time he knew he had to be honest. “Well... I think... I think that’s exactly what he’s going to do, JC.”
“If... if he really does that, you know I can’t... won’t refuse. I... I’m feeling guilty as it is and... if he plays on my guilt... damn! I just know I’m going to regret every word that is said here today!”
Justin’s heart melted when he saw JC’s torn, heart-broken expression. “Don’t look like that JC. It’s not the end of the world. Maybe you’ll find that being away from Choc isn’t all that bad. It might just help you make up your mind about your feelings too. Besides, don’t you trust me when it comes to Choc?”
“I never trust you... and it’s only worse when I’m trusting you with the most important woman in my life. I swear you’ll rot in hell if any harm comes to you while she’s under your care, Justin. So you better make sure you take good care of her.”
Justin knew this was the worried part of JC talking and he sighed, turning into the street his house was along. “JC, I know this is really a tough time for you but get a grip on yourself. Lance isn’t unreasonable. Just state the facts and he’ll know for sure that there’s nothing to get mad about.”
Justin drove into the driveway of his house and parked the car quickly, licking his lips nervously as JC hopped out. He watched JC trudge into the house and whispered to himself, “I hope.”
JC walked into the house and saw a look on Lynn’s face that told him a lot - that he didn’t want to know. She took a deep breath and patted him on the back with a look that clearly said, ‘Brace yourself. This situation does not look good.’
JC gulped and walked slowly but purposefully towards Lance’s room. Alyssa was standing outside the door, taking deep, calming breaths. One look at her pale face and JC knew that he was going to get it and he was going to get it baaaaaddd.
“Hey,” he whispered, taking her into his arms, partly to calm her and partly to calm himself. He could feel her shaking and he bit his lip. This is definitely not my day.
“Hey,” Alyssa whispered back, finally releasing him. “Um, I think you better get in there,” she pointed at Lance’s door. “I’ve never seen him so, uh, upset.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and JC felt a tingle rush through his body. “Good luck,” she whispered as he took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
JC went into the room and shut the door gently. The room was eerily quiet. “Uh... Lance?”
“JC, I’m not going to play games with you... just tell me, honestly, what the HELL do you want me to do about Naomi?”
JC walked carefully towards the bed. Lance was sitting on the floor, his head clutched in his hands. JC sighed and bit his lip, extending his hand out to Lance, but Lance didn’t take it. “Just tell me what you want me to do about it, JC.”
“I... look Lance, it was totally innocent. You know Catch and you sure as hell know me. We aren’t the type. Look, we’ve been sleeping on the same bed since forever. I’ve watched her grow up, even though half the time it was only through letters. You can’t expect me to just brush her aside and act like we’re just friends. We’re more than that. We have a bond between us. We love each other. And I just pray that nothing takes that away from us.”
Lance looked up at him and JC was shocked by his bloodshot eyes. “And what am I supposed to do?”
JC shook his head, “I don’t think that’s the issue here, Lance.”
“That’s not the issue here?” Lance glared at JC. “Fine. Then tell me, JC, just what exactly is the issue at hand?”
“What you want me to do about it.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Lance. I know I’m going to regret this fifteen minutes down the road. But it’ll be too late then. This is what I want to know - what the HELL do you want me to do about this whole thing?”
“You... you want to know what I want you to do? Oh, that’s easy enough, JC. I just want you to, you know, stay away from her until we’re both clear on what we want!” Lance was breathing heavily as he stood up. “I know it sounds like a lot to ask, and I know it hurts you more than anything in the world... but that’s what I want. If I hear about another situation like this, I swear I will go insane! I mean, for heaven’s sake, I thought I almost had everything sorted out and then this-”
Just came crashing down on you... didn’t it?” JC finished.
“Yeah... yeah, that’s exactly what happened.”
JC was going to explain everything that had happened between Naomi and him, but when he saw Lance’s expression, he couldn’t find the words. He sighed and said something he knew he would regret. “Okay, Lance, you have my word. There will be some distance put between me and Naomi until we have everything sorted out. Deal?”
Lance hesitated a few moments before reaching out to grasp JC’s outstretched hand. “You bet.”
(Fifteen minutes later, In JC’s room.)
“Dammit! Why did I have to say that to him? Now what? Do I really have to go around brushing Catch aside until Lance sorts everything out? Which could probably take FOREVER?” JC flung himself onto his bed and groaned. “JC you freaking idiot!”
Justin knocked on the door and he bounded in when JC groaned in reply. “Well, you escaped alive... how did it go?”
“Bad... very bad.”
“Hmm... you’re alive and kicking... no limbs missing... head’s still intact... what MORE could you ask for?”
“Well, smart-ass, what about this? I want to spend all the time I can with Catch because she’s someone I love hanging out with! Is that too much to ask?”
Justin pretended to consider, “Well, unless you’re in Lance’s shoes, no. Unfortunately, the guy you’re up against happens to be the one and only Lansten Bass... so this request - spending time with Choc and everything... well... it goes under the book titled ‘Lance Bass’ Book of BIG no-nos.’”
JC chuckled without humor. “Figures.”
Justin smiled wanly and placed his hand on JC’s back. The guy looks so... dead. Justin didn’t like seeing JC that way. He looked as though everything good had been taken away from him. “You still have us, JC. You have Alyssa too.”
JC brightened at the thought but then his face fell, “She’s too wrapped up in Lance to notice me.”
“Hmm...” Justin pretended to think aloud. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but unless I’m very much mistaken, that girl has been sending signals screaming EAT ME UP... and they’ve all been directed at you.”
JC grinned, “Yeah, I guess. Maybe I should ask her out one of these days. I won’t be able to ask Catch out, that’s for sure. So maybe... now’s my chance to see if Alyssa does have feelings for me.”
Justin grinned evilly, “Now that’s the spirit!”
JC jumped when his cell phone rang. His spirits dropped when he saw Naomi’s name on the screen. He turned his head away from the phone as it continued to ring. Justin stared at him and saw his problem - talking to Naomi would definitely not be a good idea right then. Justin sighed and picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Justin?” Naomi sounded surprised.
“Yep. What’s up, Choc?”
“Oh... I, uh... where’s Chase?”
“Ahh... well, you see...” Justin tried desperately to stall for time while he cooked up excuses in his mind, each sounding lamer than the first. “Um... he... he’s stuck in the toilet! I mean, uh, his... leg! It’s, uh, caught in the... uh, drain!”
“Okaaaayyyy...” Naomi seriously wondered if Justin had gone crazy. “Chase got his foot stuck in the drain... hmm... somehow you don’t have me convinced. Hand the phone to Chase, Justin, before I go over there and see what’s wrong.”
Justin licked his lips nervously. “I... look, Choc, I’m sorry and I really can’t explain right now, but JC... he’s kinda preoccupied. Um, look, why don’t I get him to call you back later? He, um... well, I gotta go. Bye Choc!”
The phone went dead before Naomi could say another word. She stared curiously at the phone, as though it would give her the answers to all the confusing questions racing through her mind. “Um... bye... Justin.”
Naomi sighed as she put down the phone. She stared out of the window and rested her chin on her hands. “Something’s up and I just wish I knew what.”
“Damn!” Justin paced JC’s room agitatedly. “DAMN! I can’t believe I had to lie to her like that. And I’m just so bad at lying when it comes to Choc. I don’t even know what I’ll do when I have to do that in her face!”
Justin went to JC and shook his shoulders, “Come on JC, you’ve always been the level-headed one. I know you can think of something to get us out of this mess! You absolutely have to!”
“You’re with me till the end no matter what, though. Right, Justin?”
Justin hesitated a second before smiling and slamming his hand into JC’s. “Right on... partner.”
Justin almost collapsed when he heard JC’s next words. “Then you’re gonna have to keep this charade up.”
“I WHAT?!”
“You heard me.” JC said, “I don’t want to risk losing Lance’s friendship over this. And I don’t want to lose Catch either. You have to help me stall for time while Lance makes up his mind. Say I’m busy with the recording, or... or I’m thinking of something to ask Alyssa out. Say anything you want, but please don’t lose her.”
Justin could see the desperation in JC’s eyes. “Relax buddy,” he reassured JC. “There’s no way I’m letting Choc misunderstand this situation. I’ll... I’ll think of something to tell her... but I hope Lance makes that decision quick.”
JC gave Justin a brotherly hug, “Thank you Justin. I know that lying to Catch is not going to be easy. Especially since you’re gonna have to make up stories on the spot. But thinking off the top of your head was never a chore for you.”
“Thank you JC. That was nice. And really sweet. You’re just laying out the conditions so that I don’t freak out when the time comes, right?”
JC smiled demurely at Justin, “In a way.”
“There are some times I wish I never knew you.”
JC shrugged, “In the meantime, J, how do I ask Alyssa out?”
(Meanwhile, In Lance’s room.)
“Lance... don’t you think it’s a little, well, unfair? You’re asking JC to stop meeting one of his closest friends!” Alyssa was massaging Lance’s neck, hoping to get him to change his mind about JC and Naomi.
“Al... for the last time, I didn’t force him to stop meeting her. He agreed to it. There’s a difference!”
“But you asked him to! You know him... he would definitely agree to whatever your conditions. It was a moment of weakness! I mean, he wasn’t thinking clearly and guilt was just eating at him! It’s not fair, Lance! You were playing on his guilt and we both know it!” Alyssa accused and frowned when Lance simply sighed.
“Don’t give me that ‘I-really-want-to-tell-you-to-shut-up-but-I’m-just-too-nice’ thing, Lance! I know you and if you don’t at least respond, I swear I am never going to talk to you again!”
“Look Alyssa, what do you want to hear from me? That I’ve changed my mind and I’m going to let JC and Naomi continue spending their every second with each other and let them act like they’re in love?”
“Well, actually, YES!”
Lance shrugged Alyssa’s hands roughly off his shoulders. “Look, Alyssa. I know that I’m not acting like I should be. And I know that I’m acting really really stupidly and unreasonably, and I’m sorry. But I can’t deal with it.”
“Can’t you even try? I know you like her but making Naomi sacrifice the laughter she’s shared with JC... that’s a high price to pay for love. I swear I have never seen her so happy or full of life as she is when she’s with you guys. But it shows when she’s with JC the most. She’s all smiles and I never see that frown on her face.”
Lance looked at Alyssa. “This is a chance for you to get with JC, you know. I bet that Justin’s hammered that into his head as well. Please, Al. Just trust me. I want JC to spend some time away from Naomi and maybe that will help him figure out what he wants... while I do the same.”
Alyssa threw her hands in the air and sighed, “Men!”
Lance giggled, “Women!”
Alyssa smiled and sat down next to Lance, “Look, I guess I can understand the pressure you’re under right now, what with not knowing whether you’re really in love with Naomi or if it’s just infatuation and all... but this just isn’t fair. To both of them.”
Alyssa cupped her hands on either side of Lance’s face and gently turned his face till his eyes met hers. “Imagine JC telling you to stay away from me because he wasn’t sure if he liked me.”
Lance bit his lip, “You’ve got a point, I have to admit. But I’m sorry. Because right now, I am still too blinded by rage and jealousy to be able to see things clearly. I know what I did, and I know what JC promised me. And for now, that’s all I need.”
“But...” Alyssa bit her lip.
Lance put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I know you’re worried and I know you think this is unfair. But maybe if you looked at it through my point of view, you’d understand better. Sadly, the only person who can see things through my point of view is myself. Just trust me Alyssa, you know that I never lose my temper unless I’m really pissed off. This is serious. I... just let me go crazy for once, okay?”
Alyssa sighed and patted Lance’s head. “Oh well, you know what they say... if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
“Thanks Al,” Lance grinned and wrapped his arms around her neck. It took a moment, but her arms slowly wrapped around his waist as well. “You’re a pal. One day I know I’ll pay you back for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Oh, you’re right about that, Lance,” Alyssa giggled and shook her head, “You owe me big time, buddy.”
“Don’t I know it,” Lance pulled back slightly and both of them giggled. Justin was walking past the room and smiled when he heard their laughter.
“Why does it seem like everyone’s mixed up around here? Naomi and JC... Lance and Alyssa... they’re just so perfect for each other... but why does it seem like I’m the only one who sees that?”
Still muttering, Justin walked slowly down the hall and into the kitchen where he saw his mother preparing dinner.
“Lunch so early?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a huge, sloppy kiss on her cheek.
“Early?” Lynn shook her head. “It’s almost one. If I’m not ready soon, you kids are gonna have to skip your lunch.”
“What? Skip lunch!?” Justin plastered a horrified look on his face. And it didn’t take much of his acting skills. “No way! Uh-uh! I am NOT going to let that happen! That’s like the biggest calamity to ever hit earth, Mom!”
“I’m sorry, honey,” Lynn gave Justin a watery smile. “But if you don’t GET OUT OFF MY WAY, I don’t see how I’m going to finish before then. Because you know what? I’m somehow not in the mood to cook.”
Justin gave his mother a sweet smile. “I’ll help you, Mom. You know I’m a saint when it comes to helping out in the kitchen.”
Lynn crossed her arms over her chest and gave Justin a withering look, “I know no such thing.”
Justin pouted, “Aww... Mom!”
“Oh... all right!” Lynn chuckled. “We’re having Chinese stir-fry. Does that sound good to you?”
“Mmm...” Justin had a look of absolute bliss on his face. He pretended to smell the uncooked vegetables and said, “That’s sounds appetizing, Mom! Let’s get started. Mmm... they’re already smelling like heaven!”
Lynn made a face, “If that smells like heaven, I can’t even begin to imagine how bad it stinks in hell!”
Justin giggled, “Oops. Sorry. Slip of the tongue. It smells heavenly. There... how about that?”
Lynn gave Justin a lopsided grin, “And your father wonders where you got that quirky sense of humor from.”
Justin giggled, bent down and kissed Lynn on the forehead, “I love you, Mom. Now... enough with the soppy stuff and LET’S GET IT ON!”
Lynn smiled as Justin began pulling the pots and pans out of the cupboards. “Justin, honey... are you sure we need-”
“We need everything we can get!” Justin reassured her.
“Just... just make sure my kitchen doesn’t look like a hurricane’s blown through it when you’re...” done, she wanted to say. But when Lynn looked up, she sighed and her sentence trailed off. The cookery was lying in a heap on the floor. The ingredients were being tossed into the air by the ever-impatient Justin, who was looking for vegetables.
“The vegetables are on the table here, Justin,” Lynn informed him. “I don’t understand how my son could be so... MESSY!”
“I second that!” a sweet voice floated through the kitchen. Justin’s head snapped up in surprise and he hit his head on the top of the cupboard he had been looking through. He yelped in pain and shook himself. Lynn turned around and smiled sweetly at the young lady standing at the kitchen doorway. “Hi Aunt Lynn. Hey sweetie.”
“Hello Britney. How are you doing?” Lynn smiled at Justin’s expression.
“Fine, thank you. I’m sorry I dropped by without telling anyone, but I happened to pass by and I thought I’d drop in and see how Justin was doing.”
“That’s all right, Britney. You know you’re always welcome here.”
Lynn waltzed out of the kitchen. “I’m going to the toilet. I’ll be back in about five minutes.”
“Your mom knows we needed some privacy,” Britney giggled naughtily. “I’ve missed you, honey. How was your day?”
Justin smiled and opened his arms. Britney dived into them and sighed at the warmth of his solid body. “Missed you too sweetheart. My day was just... bad. You?”
“Well, I just came back from the tour so I should have at least a few days off before it gets busy again.”
“You’re kidding?”
Britney shook her head, giggling at Justin’s pleased look. “I’m dead serious, Justin sweetheart.”
“Does that mean we actually get to spend some quality time together? As in together together?”
Britney nodded and kissed Justin lightly on the lips. “I’m yours for the taking.” Justin grinned evilly, saying, “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
Britney lifted her hands and rubbed them gently through Justin’s soft curls. “I’ve been dying to do that for ages now.”
Justin closed his eyes and relaxed his head on her shoulder. “Mmhmm.”
Justin placed his hands on the small of her back and rubbed up and down it in fluid motions that made Britney groan. Justin placed his lips lightly on her neck and placed teasing kisses along her jaw line.
Britney swooned and Justin wrapped his arms firmly around her to support her and they stumbled backwards until Britney’s back slammed against the wall. Justin’s lips were covering hers and Britney kissed him back with all the pent up emotions inside of her. She had missed him terribly and being back together with him felt so good.
Justin nibbled playfully on her lips before pulling back slightly and grinning, “You’ve been dying to do that, haven’t you?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t missed me, Justin. I won’t believe you.” Britney teased, her eyes sparkling. Justin nuzzled his face in her hair and she kissed his earlobe gently.
“Oh, I’ve missed you like HELL, sweetie. More than you’ll ever know.”
Justin placed his hands on either side of the wall of Britney’s head. Then he leaned forward slowly and Britney heard him groan deep within his chest when his lips met hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. They pulled apart breathlessly just as Lynn re-entered the kitchen.
Britney smiled brightly at her and quickly wiped the lipstick off of Justin’s face. “Is there anything we can help you with, Aunt Lynn?”
Lynn shook her head and smiled, “You two run along and have fun. I can handle it. Just keep that rascal out of my kitchen.”
“Yes ma’am,” Britney giggled, saluting Lynn.
As they walked out of the kitchen, hand-in-hand, Britney giggled. “What’s so funny, love?” Justin asked.
“I was just thinking of your friend... Naomi.”
Justin recalled the phone call and he blushed. Britney forced him to sit down and sat down on his lap. Her hands reached behind her and massaged his scalp gently. He leaned forward and placed his head on her shoulder. Britney sighed, “If only we could do this more often, I swear I’d die a contented woman.”
Justin smiled, “Don’t say that honey. You know as well as I do that we wouldn’t give up on our careers for the world.”
“For the world, maybe not. But for you... I’m considering.”
Justin giggled at Britney’s tone. Suddenly she sobered up and said, “Justin, you’ve sounded really tired the last few times I called you. Is there something going on that I should know about? Ever since Naomi came along, you’ve never sounded as upbeat as you usually do. And that worries me.”
Britney cupped her hands on either side of Justin’s face when he refused to look at her. Gently, she moved his face till his reluctant eyes met hers. “Tell me,” she ordered in a soft tone. “Everything.”
Justin sighed and pulled Britney closer to him. Sometimes she’s so intuitive I wonder if she has a camera monitoring my every move, Justin smiled at the thought.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Justin, please don’t play mind games with me. I don’t have the time or energy to start playing guessing games with you.”
Justin stroked Britney’s hair and finally gave in. He told her about JC and Naomi’s friendship, about Naomi’s problem with Marcus, about Lance and Alyssa, about JC and Alyssa, about Lance and Naomi... “And I think Lance and Alyssa and JC and Naomi are just made for each other... unfortunately, I seem to be the only one with those sentiments.”
“Nonsense,” Britney told him. “From what you’ve said, I take it that Lance likes Naomi and JC likes Naomi. It seems awkward for poor Alyssa to be stuck in the middle.”
Justin pondered carefully over Britney’s words, “But all the time they’ve spent together... they must do something. It’s a pity Lance won’t tell me. Then at least I’d have a clearer picture of what was going on.”
“Maybe it’s because he doesn’t want you to know exactly what’s going on...” Britney told Justin. “Have you ever considered that?”
Justin nodded, “And I respect that decision. It’s not like I have much of a choice. But now... what am I gonna tell Choc? And...”
Britney cut him off by pressing her lips onto his. When she pulled back, she could tell by the stunned expression on Justin’s face that her kiss had served it’s purpose. “It’s no use worrying. I guess the next few days we’ll have to help JC and Lance instead of spending quality time together huh?”
Justin sighed guiltily, “Guilty as charged.”
Britney planted a kiss on his forehead, “It’s okay. You know I love you and I can feel your love for me radiating out of you. That’s all that matters.”
“Britney, thank you for understanding.” Justin leaned his head against hers and sighed. “Our plans are always messed up because of these guys.”
“And yet you five are like brothers.”
Justin laughed, “I guess it’s true... life is unpredictable.”
Britney smiled, “Everything is unpredictable... especially when I’m with Justin Timberlake.”
“I love you, sugar.”
“I love you too.”
Justin leaned forward and Britney turned to meet his lips. JC entered the room at that exact moment. “Oops!” he said, and turned to leave. “Looks like I came at a bad time. Were you two being naughty? Should I leave?”
“Come here, JC!” Justin said.
JC turned back around, plopped down on a couch and sat cross-legged, staring at them. “So?”
“I just want you to know that Britney and I are giving up all our spare time, which we should be SPENDING TOGETHER, on helping you with Choc!”
“I’m eternally grateful,” JC said, sincerity oozing from his tone.
“Uh-huh.” Britney smiled at him. “You should be.”
JC sighed, “Look, you two, I know how hard it is for you guys to get together. I swear I’m really grateful to you but you know, Justin, that you don’t have to do this. I understand that you need your time together... so if you can’t or don’t want to do it, I understand. Just tell me okay? I’ll arrange something else.”
“Oh, right... like what? You know as well as I do that Chris and Joey can’t be trusted with these kind of jobs and-” Justin couldn’t believe what JC had said. He was hoping against hope that he could spend some real quality time with Britney and having to play ‘middleman’ for JC just didn’t add to the romantic atmosphere.
“I’ll figure something out. I may just tell her the whole truth. It’s not like Catch is a stupid girl, or even an immature person. I’m sure she’ll understand as long as I explain it long enough.” JC shrugged.
“JC... thank you for looking out for Justin and me, but this is the time we should be looking out for you,” Britney smiled when JC raised his eyes to look at her with surprise, relief and hope in his eyes.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“You’ll help me?”
Britney looked ruefully at Justin for a moment for nodding, “Yes. And don’t protest, Justin. This is to help a friend. Just remember that.”
Justin sighed and shrugged, “Hey, you’re the boss. Why should I have any say in this?”
JC stood up and left the room, kissing Britney on the cheek as he passed, “Thank you, Britney. You’ve just saved my ass.”
Britney smiled sweetly at him, “One day you’re gonna have to do the same for me. And I just hope you’ll remember this favor then.”
“Oh, trust me, this is one favor I’ll never forget.” JC chuckled as he left the room.
Britney leaned back against Justin before sighing, “We did the right thing, Justin. Please don’t be miserable.”
“Miserable? Who said anything about miserable? I just had a whole holiday stolen from me from under my nose. I’m not miserable.”
Britney kissed his nose, “Forget it. Why don’t we just-”
Justin closed his eyes and leaned in for another searing kiss, cutting Britney off in mid-sentence. He pulled back and studied her reaction intently. He smiled when he saw her raised eyebrows and smiling lips.
“Why don’t we just shut up and relax?”
Britney circled her arms and pulled him close once more. Their lips met in a sweet kiss and Britney murmured against his lips, “Oh, I’m with you all the way on that one, Justin. I’m with you every step of the way.”
TBC
