Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 08:23:47 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Higgins Subject: Jamie's Romance: Far Away Greetings everyone, Oh mea culpa! I made a huge mistake at the end of the last chapter and so far nobody has picked up on it. Either that or y'all are so nice and not mentioning it. To set the record straight, I know that Chris' name is KIRKpatrick and not FITZpatrick. Ugh.. what a mistake to make. Please accept my humble apology. Some of you may recognize a style I'm gonna use in the second half of this chapter that I'm 'borrowing' from Matthew Halderman-Time. If you read any of his stories (good reading and well written) you'll recognize the jumping around in the story. I had a request for the song Jamie sang to Rocky before he died. 'No One Is Alone' is from the musical 'Into The Woods' and a wonderful song. I have posted two versions of it and 'Flying Without Wings' (for those of you without access to Westlife) in a Yahoo briefcase: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bangoremail1 The first version of 'No One' is from the musical and the other by Bernadette Peters from a live show. That's the one I used, mostly, in the story. In the future I will post other hard to get songs there. If there are past songs that you'd like to hear but haven't found a copy of let me know and I'll do my best to post them. So, just what happened to Justin because of the gum contest? What is it that Jamie has in that envelope that has him so thoughtful. Batten down the hatches, stormy seas ahead, it seems. And yes the title is symbolic of many things. As usual: This story is purely fiction and is not intended to imply anything about the true sexuality of 'N Sync or anyone associated with their organization. It is meant for those over the age of 18 only and those who wish to read stories with sexual content. ****** Far Away "Life is harder on me, when you are far away. That shoulder that I lean on When I wake up, after a fearful night Is not there anymore. Because you're far away. I can never see you Never touch you Never feel you. Oh far away Why are you so far away? When will be the next time you're here? I love you. Far away When you are far away from me Far away I hope you love me too Far away I can still dream of you Far away I have dreams about you Far away Sometimes my dreams become nightmares Oh, far away" - Original by Daphne: 2000 Justin turned one way then another, looking at himself from as many angles as possible in the mirror. Jamie watched him from the bathroom doorway. They had spent the afternoon trying to get the gum out of his hair with not much luck. "So what do you think?" Justin asked, his forehead creased in worry. Jamie crossed over to him and ran his hand over the short stubble on his head. "I'll miss playing with your curls," he said sadly. Justin put his arms around Jamie's waist and kissed his forehead. "They'll grow back." He turned his head and looked again. "I just can't get over how different I look. I haven't decided if I like it yet." Jamie rubbed his nose through the scruff growing under Justin's chin. "Actually, I think you look kinda hot this way." Justin smirked at him. "But you always think I look hot." "Oh, definitely. But now you look... I don't know..." Jamie shrugged at a loss for words. "Mature? Sexy?" Jamie smiled. "Ya... certainly sexy as hell. I was gonna say sorta like a bad boy." Justin blushed and kissed Jamie. Jamie reached up and ran both hands over Justin's nearly bald head. The gum had proven almost impossible to get out and cutting was the only option. Unfortunately, Justin had just gotten a close cut for the Superbowl so there wasn't much left to cut off. "I'm still gonna get Chris back, though. Yesterday was my birthday and he does this to me!" "You know it was an accident so don't be too mad at him. He didn't do it on purpose and he does feel really bad about it." Justin nodded and held Jamie close. Resting against the counter, he put his face on Jamie's shoulder and inhaled deeply. "I wish I could go to New York with you." In three days Jamie would be going to New York for the week without him and Justin would miss him terribly. "You could but you should stay here and continue working with Wade and the others. Lance and Joey will be leaving for Toronto in a few weeks." "But Lance will be with -you- on Monday." "Yes, but he's coming right back. He won't even be gone a day." Justin nodded sadly. "Maybe I'll come up there for a day or two near the end of the week?" "That would be nice." Jamie smiled and kissed Justin again. "I'll miss my sexy bad boy." ------ Over the next two days they enjoyed the time they had with each other. Justin worked with Wade, Chris, Joey and Lance on ideas for songs and their treatment, all of them doing as much as they could in JC's absence, hoping that he'd return soon. Even Chris had written several songs that he brought to the table for the group to mull over. Jamie did a little studio work and spent the time at home cooking and making Justin happy and comfortable. The stress on Justin was high. He felt like he needed to get as much done as he could. Without JC, he put all the responsibility on himself. That stress, as well as being concerned for his best friend had him slightly on edge. On top of it all, reporters were staking out all their favorite hang outs. They tried going out as a couple and with the others and were bombarded with questions and flashes from paparazzi. There was even a reporter at the grocery store practically camping out in the cereal aisle. Jamie felt badly about having to leave for a week but there was nothing he could do about it. Waffling back and forth, he debated about talking with Justin now or waiting until he came back from his trip. Needing to not hold it in anymore he decided that he'd get it over with the day before he left. "Ok, before the guys crowd in here I wanted to sit and talk with you." Justin nodded and sat next to Jamie on the couch. Placing his legs across Jamie's lap, he got comfortable. "I kinda got the idea something was on your mind." Jamie smiled and opened the envelope. "Now I had legal draw this up but I want your thoughts and ideas as well." Justin's curiosity grew as he sent a questioning glance Jamie's way. "What is it?" Jamie handed the papers to Justin. "It's a prenuptial agreement." Justin looked at Jamie in open mouth shock. "Say again?" "A prenup, Justin. It basically formalizes what we've already been doing. Whatever we brought into the relationship remains ours and that we set aside an equal amount for the household. That's all." "If we're already doing it then why is it necessary." "Because it's the safe thing to do and everyone does it now. I don't want there to ever be a question. It also outlines what happens to stuff we own together if something should happen." The storm clouds gathered on Justin's face. "Are you trying to tell me something?" Jamie looked at Justin in confusion. "No... what do you mean?" "Why do you think this is necessary? I don't want anybody else, ever. Do you feel like we won't be together in the long run?" "The long run, yes, but can you absolutely guarantee that you'll feel the same way 10 years from now or 20?" Justin stood, crossed the room and crossed his arms indignantly. "I can but it seems you can't." Jamie bowed his head. "I can, too, but I'm trying to be realistic and prepared." "Somehow that didn't sound very convincing." Jamie winced at Justin's tone. He was getting angry and it was showing in his voice. "JuJu, please. Don't get angry." "Stop telling me how not to react. If I want to be angry then I will be angry," Justin said defiantly. When Justin used tone and volume that way, it usually warned Jamie to back off and give him space. For some reason, his nervousness about the subject and the stress of the last weeks over Lance and JC blunted his judgment. "Fine! Be angry," Jamie said loudly. "Act like a child if you want. I don't care." Justin blinked at him. "I thought we'd have a nice discussion about this, but I guess I was wrong." Jamie stood and stormed into the kitchen with Justin following. "What's there to discuss? You drew up a prenuptial agreement and just expect me to sign it like that!" Justin snapped his fingers. "Well, you're wrong." "Justin, please. Let's talk calmly about this. It's just to protect both of us." Jamie poured himself a glass of soda trying to calm himself. "Both of us? Don't you mean me?" Justin paused. He'd gotten angry and his pride wouldn't let him back down now. "Or is it to protect yourself?" "What?!" "For all I know my career will be shot when I come out. Maybe you're just thinking that you'd rather not jeopardize that nice little present your Nana gave you." "Justin Timberlake!" Jamie roared. A moment ago he was slightly mad, now he was angry. "How dare you even suggest..." "I thought that was more than a suggestion," Justin said with a glare. "Now you're being hurtful. I don't think that way at all, maybe you don't know me as much as you think you do." "You'd be surprised." Just that moment the front door opened and Joey and Chris walked in towing Lance behind them. "Hey guys!" Joey said happily seeing Justin and Jamie through the arch leading to the kitchen. Chris caught the tension in the house and put a hand on Joey's shoulder. "Oh and tell me then what I'm thinking or how I'm feeling right now!" Jamie spat, his anger boiling inside him. "Please, oh almighty Timberlake. How do I feel?" "DON'T MOCK ME!" Justin screamed in a rage. He grabbed an orange off the counter and threw it against the wall where it splattered against the plaster. "Very mature, Justin." "Fuck you!" Lance paled. "I think we should go," he said softly. Justin ignored the others. "I'm so disappointed in you. I've been there for you and supported you through everything even when you turned down the Backstreet Boys and again when you agreed to fill in with them and this is how you treat me?" "What?!" Chris and Joey yelled. Lance put his head in his hands and slumped down against the wall. Justin turned to the others. "I guess you didn't know about all that did you?" "Justin..." Jamie said with a warning. "What? They're my friends, I can tell them things about my life," he spat at Jamie. "I'm surprised he didn't tell you. He seems to tell everybody everything." Everyone in the room gasped and looked to Jamie. Now he was more than angry, he was livid and his face showed it. "How dare you!!" Jamie's glass joined the orange Justin had thrown. He took a couple of deep breaths as the shock of everything registered with the group. Joey was the brave one and gathered the courage to speak. "Um, guys, I know this is private between the two of you but I think you should break it off and cool down before you say things you'll regret." Chris recovered a little and looked at Jamie sharply. "What's this about playing for the Backstreet Boys?" Lance groaned from behind him. "Not now, Chris," he said quietly. Justin glared at Joey and he backed off. "I think you've said enough," Jamie stormed. "At least I'm done listening to you until you cool off." Jamie went to leave the room and Justin grabbed his arm. "I'm not done." "You're nothing but a spoiled, overgrown child, Justin." Jamie made to pull away but Justin held him tightly. "I -said- I'm not done. I have more to say." "You're finished as far as I'm concerned." Jamie tugged his arm. "You let go of me!" The snarl in Jamie's voice made even Joey take a step back. Justin stood his ground, unwilling to back down at this point. "What? You gonna knee me in the balls or something? You got a lucky shot in with Jeff. I don't think you have it in you. I think you're just scared like with Rocky." The shocked gasps from the others penetrated to Justin and he realized what he said a second too late to stop himself from saying it. His mouth dropped open. Jamie didn't hear or see a thing. Blood red rage clouded his vision and senses. With lightening speed his hand came up and slapped Justin so hard across the cheek that his head snapped in that direction. "GO TO HELL!" Jamie screamed. "Stop it!! Please, don't do this," Lance wailed from the floor. His knees were pulled up to his chest and he was holding on tight. Chris knelt next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Justin let go of Jamie in shock as Lance's cries stilled their arguing. Jamie sobbed a little and ran from the room. "That was low, J," Joey said sadly. Justin stood there holding his cheek, tears starting to fill his eyes. "I... I..." Jamie came back into the room carrying his travel bag and electric guitar case. "Where are you going?" Chris asked with a frown. "New York. It seems I'm not wanted here and I don't know if I want to be here either." Jamie went to grab his keys but was stopped by Joey. "You're in no condition to drive, I'll take you." Lance stood. "No, I will. You shouldn't travel alone." Jamie nodded and went through the kitchen into the garage, ignoring Justin's presence completely. Lance followed a few seconds behind him. Justin's soft voice stopped him in the doorway. "Please take care of him, Scoop." Lance nodded once and left. They stood silently until they heard the garage door close. Justin started crying. "What have I done?" He hugged himself and slumped into a chair. Joey and Chris shared a worried look before going to Justin and trying to comfort him. ------ Lance sat on the plane next to Jamie while they waited to take off. Every so often he'd glance at his friend and sigh. Jamie had shut himself away the minute they left the driveway and wasn't talking. Lance tried to get him to stay in Orlando until he was scheduled to leave, but Jamie wouldn't hear it. "Nice weather we've been having, huh?" Lance commented shyly, trying to get some reaction. Jamie exhaled and looked at him with a sad smile. "Why?" Lance frowned and took one of Jamie's hands in both of his. "Fights happen and you sometimes say stupid things." "Me?" Jamie asked getting a little heated. "Hey, chill out. I meant you as in collectively. It seems you were both a little hot under the collar and said alot of things." Jamie nodded sadly. "One last chance to get off this thing and go home and work this out..." Jamie shook his head. "God, Lance," Jamie said with a sob. "I hit him, how can I face him?" "Tush, his pride's hurt, that's all." "But I -hit- him," Jamie repeated. Lance sighed and put an arm around Jamie's shoulders. "Real good, too." "I guess I did. At first I was gonna punch him but figured I might really hurt him or my hand." "Don't want to mess up his pretty looks now, do we?" Lance smiled trying to lighten the mood. Jamie sighed. "Guess not." "So what was that all about anyway?" "I had legal draw up a prenup." Lance's forehead creased. "That's all? I wouldn't think something like that would be so controversial." "Neither did I. It seems Justin took it as a sign of me being unsure. Like I thought we'd fail." He exhaled heavily. "I guess I can see his point but at the time he just got me mad. You know how he can be." Lance nodded. "Oh ya." "Things just got out of control. You saw most of that or at least the end. Lance, what am I gonna do?" "For now we have some fun in New York the next couple of days. You both let yourselves calm down and think about everything then you both apologize." Jamie sighed. "I suppose you're right." He paused. "What if he doesn't want to apologize?" "Oh, please. We know him too well. Within three days he'll be on the phone to you, if not knocking on your door." Jamie nodded and Lance looked out the window as the plane took off. 'I hope I'm right,' Lance said to himself and crossed his fingers. ------ A figure stood in the terminal window and watched the plane slowly lift into the sky. A single tear slid down his cheek as his hand reached out and touched the glass. "I'm sorry," he whispered. ------ "Are you sure that Dan won't mind me staying over?" "Oh please, Lance. You've slept in his bed before. He's gone until Tuesday." Lance nodded and put his bag on the bed then joined Jamie in the living room. Jamie was checking the answering machine. "Only one message," Jamie said hitting the button. *Beep* "Hi, this is Joey. Um... don't know if Jamie and Lance are coming there or not, but I'd figure I'd try anyway. Just wanted to check and make sure everything's ok. Bye." Jamie looked at Lance with a pained expression. "It -will- be ok. Call Joey back." Jamie dialed the number and Joey answered right away. "Hi, Joe. It's me." "Are you two ok?" "We're fine and at the apartment. We got your message." "Good." "How's Justin?" "I really don't know. It took me and Chris awhile to calm him down and then he took off. Lynn just called to let us know he's over there. I guess he's pretty upset..." A lump formed in Jamie's throat. "I gotta go, Joe." "You take care of yourself." "I will..." Jamie paused. "Joey, tell him..." Jamie choked up at that point and Lance put his arms around him. "I know, Jamie. I'll tell him." ------ Lynn looked at her son disapprovingly at the end of his story. "Why did you react that way? Prenuptial agreements are done all the time." Justin shook his head. "I have no idea. It just got so out of hand and we both got mad and..." Justin trailed off as fresh tears ran down his cheeks. Lynn hugged her son. "It will all work out. Arguments are natural, even the loud nasty ones. You just have to make sure you learn from them and grow stronger together because of it." Justin sniffled and looked at his mother with bleary eyes. "I love him so much, I can't lose him." Lynn smiled at the earnestness in his voice. "You tell him like that and I'm sure everything will be alright." She carefully looked at his face. "Justin, why is your left cheek all red?" Justin put his head down. "Jamie slapped me." Lynn went rigid in shock. "What?!" "No, no... don't get mad at him. I totally deserved it. One of the last things I said to him was so mean and it was meant to hurt him." "What could you possibly say to warrant him hitting you," Lynn said with a slight hint of anger in her voice. "I was holding his arm and he wanted to leave. I said he didn't have the courage to get away from me and was scared... like... like he was with Rocky." Lynn gasped knowing that was one thing to short all of Jamie's circuits. He had come a long way in his recovery but that was a subject that should never be used as a weapon. "Now I never condone hitting for any reason, but that was very cruel, Justin. How could you hurt him like that?" Justin didn't answer but broke down crying in Lynn's arms once again. Lynn rocked him hoping that Jamie was ok. ------ "So what do you want to do tonight?" Lance asked. "I say we call Zack, go out for some pizza then get good and smashed." Lance smiled. "I could go for some of that. Count me in." ------ Joey rubbed Kelly's stomach. "I'm fat," she said with a sigh. "You're not fat, the baby is getting big," Joey said good naturedly. Kelly lay down and groaned. "How much longer?" "Eleven weeks." Kelly watched Joey as he gently massaged the growing mound of her stomach. "So, what will happen now?" "I think they take some time to think and Justin will be up in New York by Thursday." "Care to make a bet on that?" Kelly said with a twinkle in her eye. "You're on!" ------ "Hey, Justin. What can I do for you?" Johnny opened the door further and let Justin into his house. Justin paced for a minute then sat on the couch. "I want some answers, Johnny." "However I can help, just ask." "Tell me about this." Justin passed the envelope that Jamie had left behind to him. ------ Zack sat chewing on his crust as Jamie finished the story. "And you just hit him then left?" Jamie nodded. Lance was busy pouring more beer into their glasses from the pitcher and keeping quiet. "Wow. You guys never fight like that, do you?" "Never have, at least not that intense. We disagree sometimes and have little spats about stupid things but we always make up right away. This time..." Jamie stopped and cleared his throat, not able to complete the thought. ------ Lynn waited for the someone to answer the phone. Justin was hurting and there was only one thing she could think of to do. Finally a voice answered. "Hi, Heather, honey. Can I speak to your mother, please?" "Sure, Auntie Lynn." Lynn waited until someone came back to the phone. "Hi, Karen. I'm doing ok. Karen, I need an honest answer. Where's Joshua? We need him back here. Justin needs him." ------ "So you see, Justin, a prenup is just a legal thing, like a will or something. It's completely normal and it doesn't mean that either of you aren't sure about your relationship." Justin nodded. "I know. I feel so bad, Johnny. We had such a big fight." "Where's Jamie now?" "He went to New York a day early. Can't say I blame him." "Everything will be fine." "It's gonna take the mother of all apologies to make it up to him." "I'm sure you'll find a way." Justin stood suddenly. "Thanks for your help. I'll be staying at my Mom's for the next few days." Johnny nodded and saw Justin out. "Remember," Johnny reminded Justin, "you both love each other very much. That hasn't changed." 'I really hope so,' Justin thought to himself as he drove away. ------ Chris walked through the living room, feeling a little guilty being here when nobody was home. 'This has gone on long enough and I need some answers,' he said to himself. 'Besides, someone has to feed the animal.' Going into the office, he fired up the computer and looked through the desk drawers. "If I were a diary, where would I hide?" he asked aloud. No answer came in the still house. "A better question," he asked the computer screen, "if I were JC where would I hide a diary or journal?" Dirk chittered at Chris from his cage in the corner and Chris tossed him a carrot stick. ------ The cab deposited them on the sidewalk. "Can you guys make it upstairs?" Zack asked from the backseat. "We'll be..." Lance belched loudly interrupting his sentence, "fine." Jamie thought it tremendously funny and sat heavily on the sidewalk laughing. "You sure?" Jamie stood and swayed on his feet for a second. "No prob. Thanks, Zack." "Ok, don't forget lunch on Tuesday." "I won't," Jamie slurred. He put an arm around Lance's shoulder and they staggered on the way up the stairs. Zack watched for a minute in amusement then had the cab drive him home. They made it back into the apartment with alot of giggling and stumbling and sat together on the couch. "I'm gonna feel this in the morning," Lance laughed. "Me, too," Jamie agreed. He sat and thought for a second. "Lance, where do you think Josh is?" Lance squinted his eyes and thought. "I dunno." Jamie looked at Lance intently. "Seems both our relationships are in the toilet, huh?" "Don't say that. You and Justin just had a fight, you'll make up. I know that Josh will come back." Jamie sat blinking at Lance. "Can I kiss you?" Lance looked at him with half closed eyes. "What? What do you mean?" "I want to kiss you." "You mean like we do or like we shouldn't do." Jamie stared at Lance then giggled. "That didn't make any sense. But I still want to kiss you." Jamie leaned toward Lance who sat still. 'I shouldn't do this,' Lance thought to himself. He reached up and put a hand on each of Jamie's cheeks. Jamie moaned. Lance felt his resolve crumbling, the last weeks of loneliness preying on his willpower. 'How easy it would be,' he thought. 'Then all our lives would really be ruined.' Jamie closed his eyes, anticipating the feel of Lance's soft lips on his. He breathed in with surprise at the feeling of Lance's kiss to his forehead. "Whaaa?" Lance caressed Jamie's cheek tenderly. "Although I love you very much and wouldn't mind kissing you, I don't think that it's something we should do. You love Justin and I love Josh, nothing changes that." "But Lance..." "Hush," Lance whispered putting his fingers on Jamie's lips. "You're hurting and missing Justin. All the beer we drank doesn't help. This isn't what you really want and we'd both regret it in the morning." Jamie put his head down and sighed. "You're right of course. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put you in that position." "It's ok. I understand." Fresh tears came out of Jamie then and Lance took him in his arms. "It hurts so much," he sobbed. "I know, sweetie." Lance's tears for his own broken heart joined Jamie's as they hugged. ------ Justin tossed and turned, not being able to fall asleep. The familiar surroundings of the room he grew up in gave little comfort. He turned and looked out the window at the twinkling stars. "Jamie..." he whispered softly as tears once again started falling down his cheeks. ------ "I'm going to bed." "Me, too," Jamie yawned. He sat still for a minute looking out the window from the comfort of Lance's arms. "What?" Lance asked. "I was just wondering how Justin was doing. It -will- be ok, right Lance?" Lance pulled Jamie to his feet and pushed him toward his bedroom. "Yes it will. I know it." ------ The audience screamed. "Welcome back. Everybody say hello to John and the McDLT's." The audience applauded. "Hey John, did you have a good weekend?" "Hey Rosie. A nice quiet one. How about you?" "Me, too. Nothing too traumatic. As you know, quiet at my house is one fight, two temper tantrums and a broken lamp. You get my drift. Any weekend that doesn't have a trip to the emergency room is a quiet one." The audience and John laughed. "We have a big show today for Monday. Lisa Kudrow from Friends is here," she paused while the audience applauded, "the craft lady will be showing us something and I have a mystery guest." The audience applauded again. "You know John, I think I'll have our mystery guest help us with craft time. What do you think?" "I think that's a great idea." "Ok, let's get my first guest out here. Everybody, Lisa Kudrow!" ------ "So you didn't find out anything?" Joey asked Chris as they watched the TV. "Not a thing except that Lance's house is spotless." Joey sighed and Kelly frowned beside him. "Don't do that again, Chris. I know you're both worried, but it doesn't give you the right to snoop." Chris nodded. "I know." "Hey, they're coming back from the commercial. Let's see if they show Jamie." ------ "Now before we have craft time, I see that we have a new face in the band. Shows how observant I am." "Yes, Rosie. We have a friend filling in with us this week," John answered. The camera focused on Jamie and he waved at Rosie. "Hi, Rosie." "Hey, Jamie. I met you a few times and you're a real nice guy." Jamie blushed. "Gee, thanks." Rose addressed the audience. "Jamie is sooo talented. Does anybody know who he usually plays for?" The audience yelled out some names. "I'll give you a small clue." She pushed one of her buttons and the music for 'Bye Bye Bye' screamed through the studio as Rosie danced in her chair. "He's played in NSync's band. What's that like?" "It's alot of work, but the guys are great to work for." "I bet! So, Jamie," Rose continued, "you bring anybody special to the show with you today?" The girls in the audience screamed thinking that maybe NSync would be there. "Only my agent, Rosie, who's also a good friend of mine." ------ Justin watched from the couch as Lynn looked on from the kitchen door. "He looks sad," Justin said simply before turning off the television and running up to his room. Lynn sat on the couch and turned the set back on and finished watching the show. When she checked on Justin later, he was sitting on his bed, writing feverishly in a notebook. ------ "Oh, just your agent, huh? How boring. Are you from New York?" "Originally from Maine and because of the job, I've been living in Orlando. I spent some time in New York last winter." "Hmmm.. care to fill us in on who your roommate is?" "My roommate?" Jamie's smiled was slightly strained. "Ya!" "Oh, ok. I share a house with Justin Timberlake." The girls in the audience started screaming. "So, any plans while you're up here in the big city?" "You asking me out, Rosie?" The audience laughed. "Well you -are- a cutie patootie." "I'm playing for you and doing some studio work while I'm here. That's all." "Super! Maybe we can catch a show or something while you're in town." "That sounds like fun, I'd like that." "Thanks for playing with us this week. It's nice to have you here." "My pleasure." Rosie organized some cards on her desk. "Hey, Jamie, do you know who our mystery guest is?" "I do." "Exciting isn't it?" "Very." "Please welcome our mystery guest. It's somebody you all know and he's Jamie's agent!" The audience applauded and then screamed loudly when Lance came on stage and gave Rosie a kiss. ------ 'Tuesday,' Justin thought. He sat in the studio at the compound half-heartedly pushing levers and turning dials. "Just? What are you doing in here alone?" Wade asked from the doorway. "Feeling sorry for myself." Wade walked over and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Justin. It will all work out." "I don't know, Wade. I left a message on his cell phone and he hasn't answered it yet." "Well, why don't you go home and get some rest. We don't have to work today." "No! I want to," Justin pleaded. "Please?" Wade nodded. "You're the boss. You got anything?" Justin nodded intently. "I have this one song I've been working on." He shoved a bunch of papers at Wade. Wade read them and his eyes widened. "Wow, Just. This is really good." ------ Jamie sat at the bar nursing a beer. It was either sit here or alone at the apartment, staring at the walls. He had lied to Lance on purpose the other day so he wouldn't worry. Dan wasn't due back into town until Friday morning. Jamie relished the time alone, but since Lance left late Monday afternoon, spending another night alone with nothing to do started making him crazy. He knew that he was going into a depression and found he'd left his medicine back in Orlando. He'd only had to take it a few times since the Fall and figured he'd get it when he got back. 'Going back,' Jamie thought. 'Maybe just to pack up my stuff.' He sighed heavily. That morning, he'd tried to call Justin's cell to find it off, so instead left a message at the house phone. As he left the studio that afternoon, reporters had found him. He thought he'd be safe in New York for the short time he was supposed to be here but he was wrong. Many questions were asked as he made his way down the sidewalk. At first he intended to take the subway, but the onslaught from the 'inquiring minds' made him choose to hail a cab. After several 'no comments' and 'that's my personal life' he gratefully closed the car door and was off. A hand on his shoulder caught his attention. He looked up at the stranger. "Hey there. I haven't seen you here before." "I'm just visiting," Jamie replied sullenly. The man smiled. "A guy as good looking as you shouldn't be alone." Jamie's heated gaze made the man take a step back then walk away. "I deserve to be alone," Jamie said to his beer. ------ "So what did you want to show us, Just?" Chris asked. Chris, Joey and Lance joined Justin and Wade in the studio booth. It was early in the morning and Justin looked like he hadn't slept at all. Wade didn't look much better. "We wrote a new song." "Cool. Let's see the words." Joey held out his hand. "I only have this copy. Wade and I have done a basic track for it so I'd rather just sing it for you." Lance nodded. "Great. Go right ahead." Justin went left the booth and went into the studio and put on the headphones. Wade pushed the playback and Justin started singing. "There's a thousand words that I could say To make you come home Seems so long ago you walked away And left me alone And I remember what you said to me You were acting so strange And maybe I was too blind to see That you needed a change" "It's so sad," Joey whispered. Chris nodded. "I'm sure it's right from his heart." Wade nodded and Lance stood tight-lipped as Justin continued. "Was it something I said To make you turn away To make you walk out and leave me cold If I could just find a way To make it so that you were right here Right now I've been sitting here Can't get you off my mind I've tried my best to be a man and be strong I've drove myself insane Wishing I could touch your face But the truth remains you're gone Gone Baby you're gone" Justin looked pale as he continued. His friends looked on with concern. "I don't wanna make excuses baby Won't change the fact that you're gone But if there is something that I could do Won't you please let me know That time is passing so slowly now Guess that's my life without you..." Justin broke down at that point, unable to finish the song. He sobbed into his arm as he slumped onto the side of his chair. tbc... Notes: Far Away: Long ago Daphne sent me the lyrics to this song she wrote. I'm glad to finally use a small portion of them here. Gone: Justin Timberlake/Wade Robson - 2001 There's the latest. Comments and suggestions are always welcome! Jim bangoremail1@yahoo.com AIM: bangoremail