Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 12:39:03 -0700 (PDT) From: AJ Shukla Subject: Josh and Just-21 ****Okie everyone I'm here. Let me start off by saying that this is really bad! I hated this chapter. I eman I like it cause I wrote it and all but I was kind of rushed and all and had to get with current dates. So I kind of jumped to May! Hehe sorry. Anyways. Also sorry about the loooooong delay and how short this is. I was and still am extremely busy. I have to edit a video, create a power point presentation and help organize this major assembly. So I'm really busy But I'll try to get the next chapter out soon. It won't be too long maybe about this length. Okay well that's that. Now onto thank you's.- first off thanks to Elisheva for kind of putting up with my crazy antics. I didn't mean to call you stud. I thought you were someone else. Hehe my bad. Also thanks to Cool Jay! He is now my official Musical advisor. And thanks for the pics. They are awesome. He is also helping me to keep the chapters coming. So you all need tot hank him too. Ugh! Thanks to JT. You're adorable and I hope things work out. And also to Mary Beth. She's chatted with me and in a way helped me think of some things to come in the future. If I forgot anyone I'm soooooo sorry. Remind to thank you next time. Welp on with the story. Josh and Just 21 JC stumbled onto the bus and collapsed on the couch in the lounge. He let out a deep sigh. It had been months since he had spent anytime for himself. *N Sync had launched into a big promotional hype just when the guys came back from their little vacation for Christmas. They had no clue what they were stepping into. He looked toward the wall of the bus where a painting hung. It was his Christmas present from Tyler. In the center of the sketch was a picture of JC and Justin looking into each others eyes while all around the main sketch were different scenes of JC doing things such as singing, dancing, or taking care of Seth. The sketched were so realistic and detailed. JC's eyes trailed over to the painting next to it that was similar. It was Justin's Christmas present from Tyler. It was a similar sketch but had scenes of Justin instead of JC. JC thought back to that Christmas day when Justin and himself had been in each others arms as they looked up at the festive tree. That was the last time he had been totally relaxed with Justin. That was five months ago. For five months they had been on tour and doing constant photo shoots and interviews along with appearances. JC didn't even get to celebrate Justin's birthday with him. Justin had to record lyrics while JC was busy with an interview. The group didn't even get to celebrate Joey's birthday either. Both Justin and Joey had their birthdays in the highest points of the tour. JC let out another sigh, this time of relief. Their tour was all over now. They had just performed their last concert for that tour. He's had no time to be with Justin. Their conversations have been made through each other's voice mail as they barely saw each other. They were lucky to go to sleep together each night. But that's all they did, go to sleep. They were too tired in the day to talk or snuggle let alone any sexual action. "You know Alex I don't know why either. I think that Lance and Marissa should just hook up. It's been five freaking months!" Justin said as he walked into the lounge with Alex following. "I don't know. I think they are but they are just playing the friend thing to cover it. Did you see how jealous Lance got when he saw the way that one crew member was flirting with her!" Alex laughed. Justin nodded before taking a seat next to JC on the couch and snuggling close to JC's body. JC instantly wrapped both arms around Justin and kissed his forehead. "I'm so glad this tour is over. Well sort of. Alex you have to promise me that you'll call and come hang out or something. Bring the rest of the gang too. And drag Britney no matter what she says she feels like." Justin laughed. "Will do." Alex chuckled back. "We are not! We're just friends!" Lance bellowed as walked into the lounge. "Liar! You're nose is halfway down the road!! Oh come on! It's not going to kill you to say that you like her?" Britney asked. AS she followed Lance down the bus with a smile plastered across her face. "Yes it is. If I tell you, I know for a fact that I will drop dead right here because of you're bad ass breathe saying I told you so!" Lance replied. "So you do!! I told you so!!!!" Britney said jumping up and down. Lance began to pretend he was choking and fell onto the couch in Justin and JC's lap. "Shut up before I kick that pasty white ass of yours back to Mississippi." Britney said as she pointed her finger at him. "Oh no! You're acting like my mom! Put the finger away." Lance said cowering away from Britney. "Okay you guys stop joking around! We're supposed to get our stuff and get on a plane in two hours. I'm going home!!" Chris said stuffing items into his backpack. "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, You're not in a hurry because you know that Sarah is coming on the plane with you! For Lance he's not going to see Marissa until tomorrow." Britney laughed. "You guys are taking a later flight?" Justin asked. Alex gave him a nod. "Well we'll meet you guys at the airport then." JC stated. "Yeah we'll come pick you guys up." Justin added. "Okay sounds good." Britney said. "Oh baby! Don't forget to take the sketches Tyler made." Justin said getting up from JC's lap to begin collecting his stuff. JC nodded and lifted himself up. "Hey Justin. I have a question for you. We've been together for about half a year now right?" JC asked as he took his luggage down from the overhead compartment. "Yeah why?" Justin asked. as he stood behind With his carryon over his shoulder. "How about we move in together?" JC asked. "JC we already live together." Justin replied with a laugh. "No I meant just us two getting a house. So we could be together. We can get one here near your mom's house." JC suggested. "I love the idea. We've been living together all our lives and it is going to be hard living together as a couple with my parents in the house." Justin said as he followed his boyfriend off the plane. "Really?" JC asked. "Yeah. You seem surprised." Justin replied. "Well. . . Yeah I am. . . I thought you probably wanted to stay with your mom and all." JC replied. "What are you saying? Are you saying that I'm just some kid?" Justin asked in return. "No I meant that you tend to. . . to. . . to cling on to your parents a lot." JC replied. "No I don't." Justin laughed back. "Justin. Yes you do." JC replied, walking off the plane. "No I don't. I don't cling to my parents. I'm not some big baby." Justin said walking past JC angrily. "What the hell did I do? I was just pointing something out." JC replied with a slight bit of anger. "Oh you did nothing. You're always the innocent one." Justin retorted as he walked out of the gate. JC followed behind at a distance with his arms folded over his chest. He scanned the crowd of people at the gate and found Lynn and Paul. "Just they are that way." JC said with no emotion. "I know that!" Justin snapped back. "Oh there's the happy couple. How are you two?" Lynn asked softly as they walked up to her. "Fine!" Justin snapped. "Fine!" JC said turning away. Lynn and Paul looked at each other before looking back at the couple who weren't speaking to each other. "Hey Lynn! Hey Paul!" Lance said as he came up to the group. "Hi fellows. Where's Chris and Joey. We just need them and we're all ready to head out." Lynn said keeping one eye on Justin and JC. "What's wrong with them?" Joey asked as he came up to the growing group. "They are fighting I guess. I don't know." Lance said rolling his eyes. "They probably are getting on each others nerves cause of the lack of rest they've gotten." Chris shrugged. "Okay we're all here. Uhm I think I'll take Justin, Lance, and Chris in my car and honey you can take JC and Joey." Lynn said as she took Lance and Chris by the arm while Justin huffed along behind. Justin stomped up the stairs as he came into the house. Lance and Chris looked at each other before shrugging. "Do you think they got into a fight?" Chris asked. "I wonder what it was about." Lance said walking into the living room. He saw Laura sleeping on the couch. He walked over and shook her slightly. She woke up and looked around at her surroundings. "You guys are home!" Laura said hugging Lance around the neck. "Yeah we're home. Come on let's get you to bed." Lance said as he gave her a helping hand. The door opened loudly and in stomped JC. He trampled up the stairs and slammed his door as he walked into his room. Laura gave a questioning look to Lance and Chris. "I'll explain it tomorrow after you come home from school." Lance promised as he started to walk her to the stairs. "Good Lord! They almost slammed my door off it's hinges!" Paul said as he opened the door and closed it behind him with Joey following. "Okay well I'm going to go talk to JC. Chris why don't you go talk to Justin." Joey said running up the stairs. Joey walked into JC's room and saw that he was moving around his room quickly. "JC are you okay?" Joey asked from the door. "Sure I'm okay? Why is it a fact that I'm not okay when I'm not around Justin." JC said slamming the door to his closet. "It is now." Joey said walking into the room. He walked up to JC and stopped him in his place. "JC what's wrong? Get it off your chest." Joey said as he started to drag JC to the bed. He pushed JC onto the bed and sat down himself. "It's just Justin. I asked him to move in with me into a new house. And he said yes. I was stoked but I was a little surprised because he always tends to be closer to his parents and more family oriented. He took that offensively as if I was calling him a child or something." JC said as he fell onto his back on the bed. "Why were you surprised?" Joey asked in confusion. "I thought he was going to say no because he wanted to stay with his parents and Laura. I thought he was gonna choose his family over me." JC replied. "JC, don't you understand that you are his family. If you asked the same question last year he would have said no right there and then. You caused him to me more independent and free. It was you who taught him to trust again. He's not afraid of the world like he was last year. And it's all because of you. You should be flattered." Joey said. "Yeah I know. It's just that he's so bullheaded. He's so stubborn. It's frustrating. I don't know. I really don't want to talk to him right now." JC said as he clenched his teeth. Joey nodded before standing. "Well sleep on it and see how you feel in the morning. Goodnight J." Joey said walking out of the room. "Well? What JC say?" Chris asked Joey. "He said that Justin is really stubborn." Joey said in return. "Justin said JC was sooo cocky." Chris said. "I don't know. They still don't want to talk to each other. We'll see Tomorrow. It's almost six in the morning. We should get to bed." Joey said as they started to walk toward the guest bedroom. Justin walked down the stairs in mid afternoon. He walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He held it open as he scanned it for it's content. He pulled out the milk and closed the door. He looked at the front of the door and found a note from his mom. "Dear Justin, Laura will be home at three today. We'll be home maybe four. Tonight Laura has to perform in the school play. See when we get home. Love, Mom." Justin read to himself. He put the note down and pulled a bowl out of the cupboard. As he closed the cupboard, JC walked into the kitchen. Justin and JC made eye contact briefly before passing by each other in silence. JC walked to the fridge and pulled out an apple and went to the sink and started to wash it. Once he finished washing the apple he walked out of the room saying nothing to Justin while Justin ate his cereal pretending to not notice JC in the room. "We'll see in the morning huh? They act as if they don't even know each other. What are we going to do? They need to be together!" Chris said as he saw JC walked by Justin. Joey shrugged and looked to the floor in thought. "Hey I have an idea!" Lance said. "Hello!" Laura said walking though the door. "And you're gonna help!" Lance said pulling Laura toward the den. Chris and Joey followed close behind. "Justin? You okay?" Laura asked as she walked into the kitchen where Justin was sitting on the counter top while reading. "Yeah I'm fine Laura. What's up?" Justin asked. "Well I'm performing in the school play tonight and I was wondering if you were going to come." Laura stated. "You know Laura. I really want to but I don't think I can. I'm not in the mood." Justin said sadly as he looked down at his book. "Justin! You have to be there! You're my brother pleeeeeeease???" Laura begged. Justin looked down at Laura's puppy dog face and let out a scowl. "Fine! Fine! I'll be there." Justin replied. Laura jumped excitedly before darting out of the room. She ran into the living room where JC laid on the couch while flipping through channels. "JC? You okay?" Laura asked. "Yeah Laura. I'm fine. What's up?" JC asked. "Well I'm performing in the school play tonight and I was wondering if you were going to come." Laura stated. "I would love to Laura but I don't know. I'm feeling a little down." JC replied. "JC!! You have to be there! You're like a brother to me! Pleeeeeeeeeeease?" Laura begged. JC looked up at the face and saw her lips pouting. "Okay. Okay. I'll be there." JC replied. Laura jumped excitedly and ran out of the room. "Come on Justin." Lance said as he dragged Justin down the row of seats. He pushed Justin down into a seat and took the seat next to him. "Let's go JC. You're too slow." Chris said, coming down the same row in the opposite direction. He pushed JC into a seat and cause him to bump arms with the person next to him. JC turned to apologize. "I'm sorr. . ." JC started. He stopped when he saw Justin looking back at him. They both stood up and started to walk in opposite directions to the aisles on the side. Lance pulled Justin by the arm and forced him to sit down in his chair. Chris placed his legs up on the chair in front of him to block JC's exit. "You guys are going to sit here and like!" Chris said. "And You are going to act civilized and not fight." Lance added. "Hey everyone." Joey said as he took a seat next to Lance while chewing on something. "What took you so long?" Chris hissed, "I had to pick up some licorice." Joey said holding up his box of licorice. Chris and Lance rolled their eyes while Joey continued to eat. "Oh my! Is that Sarah up there? I should go see her." Chris said standing and moving to a closer row. Lance quickly grabbed Joey's box of licorice and threw it at the back of Chris's head. "Oh my Joey! You seem to have lost your candy. Let's go look for it." Lance said getting up with Joey and scurrying to where Chris sat. Justin and JC sat their alone together. Justin looked to his side and saw more people moving into the row. JC looked to his side and saw people taking seats at the end of the row as well. He let out a sigh and looked toward the black stage. JC placed his arm up on the armrest that was between him and Justin. Justin accidentally placed his arm on top of JC's. They looked at each other briefly. Neither one moving their arms. Justin began to slowly move his off when JC interlocked his fingers with Justin's. Justin stared down at his interlocked hand with JC's. His gaze slowly shifted from the hand to the arm to the shoulder to the neck and finally to JC's face. Their was a small apologetic smile spread across his face. Justin replied with the same apologetic smile. The two stared deeply into each others eyes and smiled. They moved their interlocked hand off the armrest so no one could see it. Their gaze was broken when they heard a loud cough from many rows in front of them. As they looked toward the sound they saw Lance, Chris and Joey, smiling back at them. "So what do you think Just?" JC asked as the two walked into the house hand in hand. Justin thought it over for a second and then looked back at JC. "Sure. Why not? But I want it to be at least two stories, pool, with two trees so we can hang a hammock in the back, and it has to have some wooden floors." Justin said before place a small kiss on JC's lips. "And maybe four bedrooms. One for us and three for the guys if they visit." JC replied. "And a den. We have to have a den. That's a nice quiet place to do work. Especially if you ever want to write music." Justin replied. "Okay and we also need to have a nice back yard deck or so." JC replied. "And the backyard has to be big." Justin replied. "Who's backyard?" Lynn asked as she walked into the house behind them. "Our backyard! JC and I are moving into a house together." Justin replied as he started to walk to the kitchen. "Absolutely not." Lynn replied walking past Justin and making her way to the kitchen. She shuffled around the kitchen before eventually starting to make a hot batch of coffee in the coffee maker. "Why not?" Justin asked as he hopped up on the counter. "You two are too young and too soon in the relationship to get a house together." Lynn replied. "Mom think about it. We've been together for almost six months. We've been best friends for years. So either way we'll share a house." Justin replied. "Justin! No!" Lynn replied. "Mother! You once told me that you were about my age when you first moved in with Dad!" Justin retorted. "He's got you there Honey!" Paul laughed. "You're on his side?" Lynn asked in shock. "To tell you the truth Lynn, Yeah." Paul replied as he stood with Justin. Justin gave his step-dad a smile before looking back at his mother. Lynn looked at Justin then to Paul. She finally rested on JC. She let out a sigh and nodded. "Okay. Fine. But I want both of you to call everyday! I don't care if you're only two blocks away I want to hear from you." Lynn said pointing her finger. Justin leapt off the counter and hugged his mother. He lifted her as he continued to hug her. "Justin! Put me down! Right this instant!" Lynn laughed. "Thanks Lynn." JC said giving her a hearty hug. "Now come on. We're going shopping for a house. I think there's one of those Real Estate thingys up stairs. Let's go!" Justin said grabbing JC's arm. Justin began to drag JC out of the room. "Wait Justin! We have to go pick up Brit and them at the airport in a couple of hours." JC laughed as he followed Justin out. It was only two days later that Justin and JC settled on a house. The house had been in a nice quiet neighborhood where many of the stars in Orlando resided. There was a two car garage attached to the house as well as a long driveway that laid next to the luscious green lawn which held the base of wide spread, low hanging cherry blossom tree. The white house had a dark green trim around it. It didn't look big in the front but it definitely was. Once one enters through the house they are greeted by a hard wood floor. One can see the marble-like stair case in front of them as it leads to the upper level. On the right were two steps that led down to a living room. To the left was the a dining room. Behind the dining room was the large kitchen that had a counter top with stools lining it. When walking through the living room one can see the entrance to the den where a baby grand piano sat in stillness. A sliding door led to the backyard which had a large swimming pool accompanied by a small cement area where basketball hoop stood. Trees lined the perimeter of the yard to cover up the high walls that surrounded the green area. Two tree stood near to the house where a hammock was strung. If one traveled upstairs. They would travel to the left to find a giant master bedroom. Another room as well as a bathroom was on the left. On the right was three more bedrooms and another bathroom. This was the scene that the guys found themselves in. Well sort of. Imagine the same house with boxes piled high and new furniture pressed up against the walls. "Where do you want this?" Chris strained to speak as he carried in a box. "That one goes in the den." Justin said as he moved a box from the living room to the kitchen. "And what about this one?" Lance as he Britney followed him in. "That one goes in our room." JC said pointing upstairs. "Hey everyone! I have in my arms the last box!" Joey announced. Hoots and howls came from through out the house. Joey lost his grip on the box which sent it crashing to the floor. He gave a sheepish smile before picking it up and carrying it into it's designated room. "JC! Where do you want this couch?" Alex asked as he looked at the white leather couch that stood out from the other black leather furniture in the living room. "That one goes in our room upstairs." JC replied with a grin. Alex let out a sigh before signaling for TJ to help. "Thanks Alex. Thanks TJ." JC said as he passed them. Joey fell onto the couch in the living room as he let out a sigh. Lance fell to the floor and instantly cuddled to the new white carpet. Chris fell onto the recliner and pulled Sarah onto his lap. Britney dropped to the floor and used Lance as a pillow. Alex and TJ came down stairs and took a seat on the floor as well with their backs propped up against the couch. JC walked in with Justin and looked at everyone. "Hey you guys. Thanks for your help. We really appreciate it." Justin said as he hugged JC around the waist. "And foods on it's way. I got some Chinese food." JC said walking with Justin to the love seat. "No problem. But I expect to be able to crash here anytime I want to." Lance announced. "Fine with us." Justin replied before kissing JC's chin. Everyone had left and the only ones left were Justin and JC who sat in the middle of their bedroom. The couch sat by the window while there king sized bed was still unassembled. They laid together on their mattress while they stared up at the ceiling. Justin laid cuddled to JC's chest as JC held him tightly. Not a single word was spoken but each knew the amount of love they shared. After a long six months of touring they were finally able to relax in the comfort of their new house. "JC? I want children." Justin announced. "Now?" JC laughed. "Yes now. Now that we have this big house I want children. A whole flock of them. We'll be one big happy family. You me our children and all their crazy uncles." Justin smiled. "You're so silly baby." JC said before kissing Justin on the forehead. Justin smiled back before carefully taking in the sound of silence. "I love you." Justin whispered. "Love you too." JC whispered back. ****Okay so it ended on a happy note. I dunno I felt happy today hehe. Uhm. Comments and questions are always welcomed at wipeout211@yahoo.com. The next chapter might be a little out of nowhere. But I'll start some new plot lines soon, I promise. Other than that. That is it. Thanks a bunch. Mahalo Aloha.