Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 01:03:01 EDT
From: Bangoremail@aol.com
Subject: Jamie's Romance - Ch 18

Greetings everyone,

Here's Chapter 18.

Congrats to everyone who won awards.  There are many stories in the
archives worth reading.  Support the authors whenever you can!  : )

Thanks to everyone who's written to tell me they like my story, I
appreciate the mails.

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.


*****

Jamie's Romance - Chapter Eighteen


It was 11:00 when Joey and Chris returned to the suite.  "What a boring
place, no dancing, nothing," Joey complained.

Chris agreed then tapped Joey on the arm to get his attention.  He pointed
over at Jamie and Justin, still on the loveseat, kissing and sharing some
quiet time together.  Even though the room was dark, they could clearly see
the couple with the city lights shining through the windows.

Joey giggled at the sight.  "Aren't they sweet?"

Chris nodded.  "I only wished that they could have tomorrow night too.  I
really feel sorry for them, the next week will be hell."  Joey sighed and
moved over to his and Chris's room.

Justin looked up as he got to the door.  "Hey Joe, Chris."  Jamie smiled
and simply waved.

"Hi you two.  Just, it's past 11, time for bed."

"Ok Joe, we were about to go anyway."  Jamie said as he got up and pulled
Justin up by his hands.  "Goodnight, guys."  Hand in hand they went into
Justin's room and closed the door.

Chris shook his head and pushed Joey into the room they shared.  "Out of my
way, the bed is calling me, buddy."

------

Justin leaned against the door and watched Jamie walk into the room.  "Have
I ever told you how beautiful you are?"

Jamie turned to look at Justin after turning on the radio, a smile
blossoming on his face.  "Why, Mr. Timberlake, flattery will get you
everywhere."

Justin swept Jamie into his arms and held him close.  "God, I love you so
much."  He started kissing Jamie passionately.  Jamie willingly returned
the kiss, their tongues dueling back and forth.

They broke apart smiling at each other.  "We'd better get ready for bed,
Just."

Justin nodded.  "You are right as always," he agreed.  Jamie started
unbuttoning his shirt.  "Wait, let me."

Jamie smirked at Justin as the singer's fingers nimbly undid the buttons
then spread the shirt off of Jamie's shoulders letting it drop to the
floor.

Jamie pulled Justin's T-Shirt out of his jeans and lifted it over his head.

"This is a fun game," Justin giggled has he popped the button of Jamie's
chinos and lowered the zipper.  Jamie shivered at the touch.  Justin looked
up at Jamie who nodded, then lowered Jamie's pants off his hips and down
his legs.  Jamie lifted one foot then the other, balancing himself on
Justin's shoulders, as Justin took his pants completely off.

"I see you're getting better at it, cutie," Jamie smirked at Justin.

"I'm a fast learner."

Jamie unbuttoned Justin's jeans and felt for a zipper.  "Oh, a button fly,
how sexy," he growled.  He seductively popped one button at a time making
Justin's heart race.  He knelt down and slowly lowered the jeans.

Jamie took the time to admire Justin's legs.  The sleek muscles from years
of dancing were covered with a sprinkling of light brown hairs.  Jamie
stayed on his knees after removing the jeans from around Justin's feet
rubbing his hands up and down his legs.  Justin sighed with the touch.

Jamie stood looking Justin deeply in the eyes.  "What have I ever done to
deserve you?" he asked lovingly.

Justin put one hand on the side of Jamie's face, his thumb caressing his
cheek.  "You are you.  I love you and nothing will change that."

Jamie's eyes filled with tears.  "I love you too, Justin.  So much, it
makes me ache."  He leaned in and kissed Justin, a sweet loving kiss.
Suddenly his mind registered the song coming from the radio.  He tensed and
pulled away.  "Hold on a sec," he pleaded then turned to change the
station.

As he reached out he felt Justin's arms slowly and carefully wrap around
his waist.  Justin pulled slightly, his hands flat on Jamie's stomach,
until he was pressed against Justin's chest causing Jamie's finger to slip
of the knob.  Justin started kissing Jamie's shoulder.

Jamie was flooded with conflicting feelings.  He loved what Justin was
doing to him and didn't want him to stop but the song on the radio was
bringing up memories he didn't want to deal with or associate with Justin.
His heart started beating faster and he found it increasingly harder to
control his breathing.

"Justin, please... stop," he gasped.  The panic attack was almost full on
him now, he couldn't stop it.  Justin let go realizing something was very
wrong.

"Jamie, please honey, take deep breaths."  He put one hand on Jamie's
shoulder and rubbed gently.  "It's ok, breathe and relax, baby."

Jamie gave in to the panic and ran to a chair and curled up into a ball on
it, tears streaming down his face.  "Please Justin, change the station," he
choked out between sobs.

Justin was confused by the request but did it without question.  After
finding another station he went and knelt in front of Jamie.  He was still
crying and trembling slightly.  Justin's heart broke at the sight, he hated
to see him this way.

"Jamie, I'm sorry," he said as he placed a hand on Jamie's arm and started
rubbing up and down.

"It's not your fault, Justin.  It wasn't anything you did."

"It was that song wasn't it?" Justin asked making the connection.

Jamie nodded.  "Yes, that was..." he halted gulping.  "That was the
song..."  He continued crying, his head on his knees.  "It was playing
when...  when..."

"Shush baby," Justin quieted him.  "It's ok." Justin leaned in and hugged
Jamie to him.  "He can't hurt you anymore.  I won't let anything happen to
you."

Jamie sighed against Justin's chest.  They stayed there while Jamie
quieted.  Justin listened to the radio when a song came on he recognized
instantly.  He quietly started singing along.

	"I guess you were lost when I met you
	Still there were tears in your eyes
	So out of trust and I knew
	No more than mysteries and lies

	There you were, wild and free
	Reachin' out like you needed me
	A helping hand to make it right
	I am holding you all through the night"

Jamie looked up at Justin, his tears stopping.

	"I'll be the one
	Who will make all your sorrows undone
	I'll be the light
	When you feel like there's nowhere to run

	I'll be the one...
	To hold you and make sure that you'll be alright
	'Cause my fear is gone
	And I want to take you from darkness to light"

 Justin smiled at Jamie letting the song continue without his help.  "I
want to be your `one' to hold you and make you feel right."

"Don't get cheesy on me now, Just," Jamie smiled.  "You are my `one' never
doubt that.  How come nobody every snatched you up before, you're perfect."

"No, not perfect.  But maybe perfect for you.  I know you're perfect for
me."

Jamie grinned.  "Mr. Smooth," he kidded.  Justin gave him his celebrity
grin making Jamie giggle before singing along again with the radio.

	"You need me like I need you
	We can share our dreams comin' true
	I can show you what true love means
	Just take my hand, baby please."

Justin held out his hand and Jamie took it, pressing it against his cheek.
"Can we go to bed now?" he asked softly.

"Of course."  Justin reached over and turned off the radio.  He stood and
lifted Jamie into his arms.

"You're so strong, my white knight."

"If I needed to I would carry you to the ends of the earth."  Justin gently
placed Jamie on the bed and slid in next to him.  He tucked them both in
and kissed Jamie on the forehead.

"Please hold me, Justin."

Justin gladly wrapped Jamie in his arms as Jamie snuggled into Justin's
chest.  "Whenever and as long as you want," he said as he kissed the top of
Jamie's head.

"Justin, I'm sorry."

"For what?  You have nothing to apologize about."

"Yes, I do.  We were having a nice evening and I messed it up."

Justin squeezed Jamie slightly.  "You messed up nothing.  Now let's get
some sleep."

Jamie nodded and quickly drifted into a heavy sleep.  Justin stayed awake
long enough to make sure Jamie was comfortable and sleeping.  `I've got to
talk to Lance and see what I can do special about Valentine's Day,' he
thought before sleep overtook him.

------

The next morning Justin woke to Lance gently shaking his shoulder.  "Time
to get up.  We have an hour before we have to leave, breakfast in 30
minutes and don`t forget to pack," he whispered into Justin's ear.  "I'll
let you wake Jamie."

Justin rubbed his eyes and nodded.  "Thanks, Scoop."

Lance patted Justin's shoulder and left the room, closing the door behind
him.

Justin shifted so he could watch Jamie sleep.  Jamie was on his back with
one arm wrapped around Justin's shoulders.  He took his time admiring his
boyfriend, appreciating the features he now saw in his dreams: the
reddish-blond hair, the gently arched eyebrows that even Lance's couldn't
beat, the light smattering of freckles on his cheeks and nose.

Justin decided to repay the favor Jamie had shown him the other morning and
let his fingertips explore.  He started at Jamie's cheeks before gently
stroking his neck and shoulders.  Lightly tracing his chest he admired
Jamie's physique.  It was compact and slim like a runner, muscled similar
to JC but less built.  Justin let his fingertips play with the small patch
of hair between Jamie's pecs before gliding over to his small nipples
making them hard immediately.

Jamie moaned in his sleep and shifted slightly.  Justin checked to see if
he was waking up, but his breathing was still deep and even.  Justin smiled
to himself as he continued down Jamie's stomach and eventually his upper
thigh.  He rubbed his fingers over Jamie's thighs feeling the silky texture
of the lightly haired skin.  He smirked at the erection forming in Jamie's
briefs that he had caused.  He caressed Jamie's length with his fingertips
in a featherlike touch.  Jamie groaned again and mumbled a little.  Justin
found that he was aroused too as Jamie got harder to his touch.  Jamie's
lips were parted and his breathing was coming quicker.

Justin wanted Jamie to be awake and an active partner so he stopped his
rubbing and put his lips on Jamie's kissing him lovingly.  Not surprisingly
Jamie kissed back as he came fully awake.

"So that's what it feels like," he smirked at Justin.

Justin nodded.  "Feels good, doesn't it?"

"You bet, I was having the most wonderful dream then there you are kissing
me."

Justin giggled as Jamie looked at the clock.  "How much time do we have?"

"Breakfast is in a half hour, we really should hit the showers.  You wanna
go first?"

"Only if you join me, I seem to have a problem here," he kidded as he
pointed to his hard-on then glanced down.  "And you too.  Maybe we can do
something about them?"  Jamie winked at Justin.

Justin didn't say a word but sprang out of bed and grabbed Jamie in his
arms and carried him to the bathroom, smiling all the way.  Once the door
was shut behind them, Justin put Jamie on his feet.  Jamie giggled as he
pulled Justin's briefs down while Justin pulled down his.  Their erections
were trapped between them as they embraced passionately.  Not breaking the
kiss Justin reached over and started the shower waiting until the water was
warm enough before pulling Jamie in with him.

The water poured over them as their tongues dueled back and forth between
them.  Jamie moved from Justin's lips to kiss down his chin to his neck and
shoulders.  He groaned loudly when Jamie licked down the center of his
chest.

"Oh baby, that feels so good," he groaned.  Jamie smiled up at him as he
kissed over to Justin's right nipple and suckled it.  Justin shuddered with
the contact as he cried out.

"Like that, hun?" Jamie giggled before doing the same to the other nipple.

Justin could only moan in response.  "Baby, I can't take much more of
this," he panted.

Jamie winked at Justin and sank to his knees.  Justin cock was fully hard
and throbbing.  Jamie took it in one hand and lightly stroked it.  Justin
moaned again and leaned against the tile.  Extending his tongue, Jamie
lightly licked the tip, tasting Justin's precum.  Continuing to swirl his
tongue around the head he slowly took as much as he could in one stroke.

"Oh, Jamie, that's....  oh man..." Justin panted squeezing his eyes shut
his body shuddering involuntarily as Jamie continued sucking up and down
his shaft.  Before long he felt the familiar pressure building inside.
"Jamie, I'm so close... please baby..." Justin choked out before moaning
loudly again.

Jamie kept up his rhythm.  He moved his hand from Justin's dick and started
stroking his balls.  His other hand reached up and toyed with one of
Justin's nipples.  The sensations were too much for Justin.  The pressure
built and let go.

Jamie sensed the climax coming and was prepared for it.  Justin took a deep
gasping breath and got rigidly still as he came in Jamie's mouth, grunting
with each shot.  Jamie continued sucking until Justin started softening
then he let it go.

Breathing heavily Justin sank to his knees and wrapped his arms around
Jamie.  "I.. I .. um..." he panted.

"Shhh, Justy, I know, I know," Jamie reassured him with a smile and kiss on
the nose.

After a few seconds Justin got his breathing under control and smiled
evilly at Jamie.  "From what I feel on my thigh, you could use a little of
that too."

Jamie smiled.  "That's ok, Justin, you don't have to, I know you've never
done it before."

Justin smirked.  "Well, I have to learn sometime, and I can't think of
anyone I'd rather do it to first."  He backed off and went down on his
hands and knees taking Jamie all the way to the base in one try.

Jamie's hips bucked slightly from the feeling of Justin's mouth and throat
surrounding him.  He moaned as he leaned back as Justin bobbed up and down.

It didn't take Jamie very long to go over the edge and shoot into Justin
with a loud groan.  Justin choked a little at first then swallowed making
Jamie shoot a little more.  When Jamie had softened, Justin stood and
pulled Jamie up with him.  Jamie's eyes were glazed as he leaned limply
against Justin's chest.

"Justin, that was the best ever."  Justin preened with the compliment.  He
grabbed the soap and started lathering them both before the hot water gave
out.

Before long they were out of the shower and drying themselves with towels.
They dressed quickly and used the spare minute to get Justin packed.

They were only 2 minutes late to breakfast.  Jamie caught the smiles of the
others as they sat with their plates.  "Um, anything wrong, guys?" he
asked.

Joey chuckled while Lance and JC just looked at each other with broad
smiles.  Chris looked around before speaking.

"Oh, nothing wrong.  By the way, you guys have fun in the shower?"

"The shower was fine," Justin answered automatically before thinking about
what Chris was saying.

"I guess it was fine," Joey kidded making several grunting noises.

Both Jamie and Justin blushed deep red as they all laughed at their
embarrassment.

Justin recovered first and moved closer to Jamie.  "You're just jealous,
Fatone, because you ain't got nobody to make you feel like that, `cept
maybe your right hand," Justin needled as he leaned in and gave Jamie a
soul wrenching kiss that left them both panting.

Joey sat bug-eyed as the others looked on in fascination.  "I stand
corrected," Joey conceded.

------

The rest of the morning went by slowly for everyone.  They dropped Jamie
off at the studio before going to the interview which turned out to be long
and tedious.  Jamie's time at the studio didn't turn out much better.
After a quick session for Justin's birthday present he started in on the
work they had called him to do.  He did well but there was a lot of stuff
to record and it just took time.

Eventually the morning was over and they all found themselves at a nice
restaurant for a long lunch.  The food orders were placed and they sat back
and relaxed.  Jamie was full of questions about what they were doing this
next week, intrigued by all the behind the scenes things the guys did to
continue promoting their careers.

"It's too bad there are so few national radio shows," Jamie said.  "All
you'd need to do was get on a bunch of those and it would save the
traveling."

They all agreed.  "This part is the most tedious, true, but we need to do
it," Joey said.

"It's not all that bad, some of the jockeys are actually fun sit with, but
there are others that are just so dull," Chris added.

While they were eating dessert Jamie decided to bring out his presents.
"Chris, you bring that box with you?"

"Sure thing," he replied as he tugged the box from his backpack and passed
it to Joey.

Joey took the box and tried to pass it to Jamie.  "No, Joe, it's for you."

"For me?!"

Jamie nodded.  "Happy Birthday, Phat One!"

Joey beamed at Jamie and quickly opened the box.  He took out the demin
jacket with the superman logo with a broad smile.  "Wow, we saw this at the
mall yesterday.  How'd you know I wanted it?"

"Oh, just the fact that you drooled over it for about 15 minutes but didn't
buy it," Jamie laughed at him.

"Thanks, Jamie."  Joey got up and gave Jamie a big hug.  "I like it alot."

Jamie smiled as he pulled a smaller present from his backpack and handed it
to Justin.  "For you sweets.  Happy Birthday to you too."

Justin smiled at Jamie and took the present.  He opened it and an
astonished look came over his face.  "Jamie, this is great, I didn't know
there were pictures of this."

Justin showed the other guys a picture of him singing into a mike while
sitting on a stool next to Jamie.  Jamie was smiling up at him while
playing his guitar.

"Is that from the dance?" Lance asked.

Jamie nodded.  "Ya, Zack's mother is an amateur photographer and thought
this was a nice picture.  I have to agree."

Justin leaned over and kissed Jamie on the cheek.  "You are full of
surprises.  Thanks so much, now I'll have something to look at when I miss
you."

------

A very short time later they were at the airport.  Jamie had called Dan at
lunch and he met them at the terminal.  They were shown into a private
waiting room until their flight was called.  Dan was talking with the guys
and called Justin over speak with him.

Jamie went up over Lance and secretly handed him another present and a
card.  "You know what to do with these, right?"

"Don't you worry, all taken care of.  You have the schedule that has the
hotels and phone numbers, right?"

"Sure do," Jamie patted his pocked.  "I'll have the flowers delivered to
your room."

"Hey you guys, what are you talking about?" Justin interrupted them.

Jamie smiled at him as Lance backed away.  "Just giving him some last
minute instructions on how to deal with you," Jamie kidded.

Justin tickled Jamie before wrapping his arms around his shoulders.  "I'll
miss you a lot you know."

Jamie sighed and nodded.  "Same here.  Three weeks, huh?"

Justin sighed as he pulled Jamie closer.  "I wish you could come to my
party on the 5th."

"Me too, babe."  Jamie thought for a second carefully choosing his words.
"I'm sorry, but I just can't make it down there for the party," Jamie
replied, skirting the truth so he wouldn't be actually lying to Justin.  He
smiled against Justin's chest knowing that it would only be 9 days until he
saw him again.

Justin took Jamie's face between his hands and leaned down to kiss him.
Slowly their mouths opened inviting each other to taste and explore further
as their tongues slowly danced with each other.  They were brought back
into the present by the announcement of their flight.

**Flight 3410 to Cleveland will be boarding all first-class passengers
shortly.  All passengers are advised to gather their belongings and make
their way to the gate.  Thank you.**

Justin pulled from the kiss with a muffled sob.  He noticed Jamie had tears
in his eyes as well.  "I love you, don't forget."

"How could I when I love you just as much."

"I'll be back before you know it."

Jamie nodded unable to speak.  They both had tears in their eyes.

"Hey, we want to say goodbye too," Joey interrupted as he pulled Jamie into
a hug.

Justin found himself being hugged by Dan.  "Take care of yourself, Justin.
I don't want anything happening to my newest little brother."

Justin grinned at Dan, "Same goes to you, thanks for being there Dan."

Dan smiled as he kissed Justin on the forehead.  "Welcome to the family,
Justin."

Justin's tears renewed at the sentiment.  Together they looked on as Jamie
said goodbye to the others.

Jamie's goodbyes were tear-filled as well.  As soon as he said goodbye to
Joey and Chris he was drawn into the combined arms of Lance and JC.

"Remember, Jamie, if you need to talk we're all here for you," Lance said.

"We love you, Jamie.  How could we not, you've made my best friend the
happiest I've ever seen him," JC added.

"Thanks guys, take care of him please?"

Lance and JC nodded and hugged Jamie tighter before releasing him to Justin
once more.

Justin embraced Jamie and kissed him once more before taking both his hands
into his.

**Flight 3410 to Cleveland now boarding all First Class passengers.  All
other passengers please gather your belongings and make your way to the
gate.  Thank you**

"Remember, I am always with you and you're always with me," Justin said as
he picked up his backpack.

Dan came up to Jamie and put his arm around his shoulder as the guys of
*NSync started to leave the room.

Justin ran up quick and gave Jamie one last goodbye kiss.  "I love you."

"Love you back," Jamie replied as Justin ran back to the door.  He turned,
waved and blew a kiss then was gone.

Jamie sagged against Dan, crying quietly.  "I never thought it would hurt
so much," he said softly.

"There, there Sonny, you'll see him in 3 weeks."

Jamie perked up and smiled at Dan with a twinkle in his eye.  "Nope, 9
days.  Come on, we've got some planning to do."  He grabbed Dan's hand and
they left the airport.

------

Justin got in the shower, glad that the day was over and he could now
relax.  He felt so empty the past 3 days but knew that he was strong enough
to wait it out.  He mentally calculated the time left: 15 days.  `Well, 14
if Lance can work everything out,' he said quietly to himself.  He then
vowed that he -would- be in New York for Valentine's Day no matter what.
He would call Johnny himself if he had too.

Justin felt immediately better having made that decision.  He knew the guys
would understand if he bailed on them a day early.  He got out of the
shower and dried off.  The ringing phone brought him out of his thoughts.

"Hello," he answered.

"Happy Birthday, baby."

"Jamie!  I'm so happy you called."  Justin smiled as he looked up at the
framed picture on the bedside table that Jamie had given him.  It helped to
look at his picture while he was talking to him.

"How could I not wish the man I love a happy birthday?"  Justin beamed at
Jamie`s words.  "It's your 19th Birthday, I wish I was there to celebrate
with you."

"No more than me, babe."

"You know I love you, right?"

"I do as long as you know I love you too.  How are you holding up?"

"I'm ok."

"Tell me the truth, Jamie.  To be honest, I`ve never been more miserable.
All I can think of is you."

"Same here.  Dan has been great trying to keep me busy."

Justin chuckled.  "The guys have been doing the same.  It's only 15 more
days."

Jamie tried to keep his tone light.  He so wanted to tell Justin his
surprise.  "Two weeks, huh?"

"Yup," Justin answered sadly.  Jamie bit the inside of his cheek, the
sadness in Justin's voice was killing him.

There was a knock on the door and Joey stuck his head into the room.  "J,
dinner's here."

Justin nodded to him and stuck up a finger indicating he'd be a minute.

"Well, Joey just told me that dinner's ready."

"Doing anything special for your birthday?"

"We're having dinner in Lance and Josh's room, then we're having a private
party."

"That sounds nice."

"I wish you were here."

"I do too, Justy.  Well, you'd better get going before Joey eats
everything.  Give them my love, ok?"

Justin laughed and it made Jamie feel a hundred percent better.  "You bet,
I love you so much."

"Love you too.  Talk to you tomorrow?"

"You bet.  I don't know what time we'll be in the hotel so I'll call you."

"Ok, bye Justin."

"Bye."

Justin hung up the phone, tears in his eyes.  He'd always loved the roving
life: night after night in a different hotel, sleeping on the tour bus.
But now he'd trade it all in for a quiet night in front of a fireplace.

Shaking his head, he got dressed and went down the hall.  He knocked on the
door, opened it and stopped, completely surprised.

"Happy Birthday!" his bandmates yelled as they pulled him into the room.
It was decorated all over with baby blue and white streamers and balloons.
A large cake sat on the dresser and the dinner cart had a huge bouquet of
red roses on it.  A pile of presents were on another dresser.

They each gave him a big hug while he stood speechless.  "Guys, I'm...
Geez, this is great!" he smiled to them.

"Let's eat!" Joey called.  They all grabbed plates and served themselves to
spaghetti and meatballs, Justin's favorite.

When they had all eaten their fill JC jumped up and started lighting the
candles on the cake.  When done he turned the lights off and started
singing Happy Birthday.  The other three joined in as they pulled Justin to
the cake. As they finished Justin stood thinking.

"Thinking of a wish, Curly?" Chris asked.

Justin nodded.  "I can only think of one thing I want right now."  He took
a deep breath and blew out all the candles as the guys cheered him on.

"What was your wish?" Joey asked with a smirk.

"Hey, he can't tell or it won't come true," JC said as he playfully slapped
Joey's arm.

"No, that's ok," Justin sighed.  "I don't believe in that not telling thing
anyway."

"Ok, so what was your wish?" Lance asked.

"I wished that I would see Jamie sooner than 15 days from now."  They all
looked at each other in surprise and smiled knowing that Justin would get
his wish in just 5 days.  Justin didn't notice the exchange.

"Lance, I need a big favor."

"What, Just?"

"I -am- going to be in New York for Valentine's Day and I really need you
to work it out."

Lance smiled.  "Already ahead of you there, Justin.  It will mean a whole
day in the studio the day after, but I've arranged it so we fly into New
York on Sunday night.  I did it for you and Jamie and partly for my own
reasons," he said looking to JC.

JC smiled.  "Have anything to do with a carriage ride through Central
Park?"

Lance nodded.

Justin smiled then looked up sharply.  "Does Jamie know?"

Lance shook his head.  "I haven't said a word in case you wanted to
surprise him.  I have an idea that I`ll talk to you about later, but for
now presents!"

Justin's mood improved immediately as they started throwing presents at
him.  Justin looked around at them.  Lance had given him a new discman
since he'd broken his a few days ago and hadn't had time to replace it.
Joey bought him a whole new collection of bandanas saying that his were
getting a little worn and JC had given him a pair of sunglasses that he'd
been ogling at a mall at home for awhile.  And finally he opened Chris'
gift, a new pair of white sneakers with baby blue stripes.

"These are so cool, where'd you get them?"

"They are a new addition to the Skeeto line.  I named them after you: the
Timbers.  You have the only pair, if you like them we can start putting
them up for sale."

"Oh, Chris, that's so cool, my own sneakers.  Thanks so much."  Justin got
up and hugged each of his friends.  "Thanks all of you, these are great
presents."

"There's one more," Lance said as he passed a small package to Justin then
pointed to the roses.  "You never even asked who the flowers were from,
read the card."

Justin grabbed the card from the bouquet.  It was a regular greeting card
covered with music notes.  He opened it eagerly and read:

	"My dearest Justin,

	My only wish other than to be with you today would be to
	see you happy.  You are my world and I love you more than
	anything. I made this hoping you have a great birthday.
	My present to you isn't fancy but it comes right from my heart."


	With all my love,
	Jamie"

Tears filled Justin's eyes as he read the card then passed it around for
the others to read.

"You have one great boyfriend there, Curly," Chris said, handing the card
back to Justin.

"Open the present," JC urged.

Justin looked at the package in his hands a second before tearing off the
paper.  He threw a puzzled look at Lance showing him the CD in a jewel
case.  The words: `For Justin' plainly written directly on the disc.

"Well, play it," Lance suggested.

Justin slipped the disc into the boom box and hit play.  There was a pause
and they heard a soft intro being played on a guitar.  It sounded like a
lullaby, very peaceful and comforting.  Jamie's voice suddenly filled the
room.

	"So often as I wait for sleep
	I find myself reciting
	The words I've said or should have said
	Like scenes that need rewriting

	The smiles I never answered
	Doors perhaps I should have opened
	Songs forgotten in the morning

	I relive the roles I've played
	The tears I may have squandered
	The many pipers I have paid
	Along the roads I've wandered

	Yet all the time I knew it
	Love was somewhere out there waiting
	Though I may regret a kiss or two

	If I had changed a single day
	What went amiss or went astray
	I may have never found my way to you

	I wouldn't change a thing that happened
	On my way to you"


The song ended as the guitar faded away.  "Justin, I love you with all my
heart." Jamie's voice said as the CD finished playing.

Justin stood in the center of the room sobbing.  His friends and brothers
cried with him.  Lance was the first to move and pull Justin into a hug.

"Hush, Justin, don't be sad.  Everything will be ok."

Justin smiled at Lance through his tears.  "I am sad that I can't be with
him, but I'm crying because I've never been happier in my life."  He
continued crying as the others came up and enveloped him in a group hug.


tbc...


Notes:

The One: Max Martin/Brian Littrell - 1999
	I'm not a big BSB fan but I like this song
	Props to Brian for the thoughtful words

On My Way To You:  Michel LeGrand/Alan and Marilyn Bergman - 1988
	This is a marvelous song on the album 'Till I Loved You'
	recorded by Barbra Streisand.
	Michel LeGrand is best known for his song: Windmills of Your Mind


There's the latest.  Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Jim
bangoremail@aol.com