Hey guys!  I am back.  The story is changing a little. As you read it you will see what I'm
trying to do.  Please feel free to let me know if you like it, or whatever!  Thanks for reading!!

DISCLAIMER:
This is a piece of fiction.  None of the non celebrity characters are real. I am not implying anything about the sexual orientation of any of the members of NSYNC.  In addition, I am not affiliated with the band or Jive Records.  Of course if I was, I wouldn't be writing any of this.

Also, if you are under 18 and/or not open to Male-Male relationships, please
do not continue.  Thank you

NEVER KNEW A LOVE LIKE THIS BEFORE, Part VIII
By Joseph Wallace

Last episode of Never Knew Love Like This Before....

RRRIINNNNG.   RIIINNnGGG

"Hello."

"Hi.  This is Mr. Cooper from the front desk.  May I speak to Mr. Bass."

"This is he."

"Hi Mr. Bass.  I just wanted to let you know that a Ms. Keri Russell is on her way up."

"What!!?  No.  You have to stop her!"

"I am sorry Mr. Bass.  She is already being escorted to your suite.  She was on your clearance list."

"I am going to have to have Joey change that." Lance thought. "Ok.  Thank you Mr. Cooper."

"Who was that Lance?"  JC inquired

"Guys, Joey is in deep shit."

"Why?  What's up?"  Chris asked.

"Keri is on her way up here!"

"Oh Shit!"  Justin Chris and JC said in unison.

"Who is Keri and why shouldn't she be coming up here." Rob inquired

"She is Joey's ex girlfriend and he just broke up with her today."  Lance sighed.

"OHHH.  This isn't going to be good."  Rob said

While the guys chatted about what to do.  The door bell rang.
 

Now, Chapter 8....

The guys ran around frantically not knowing what to do.  Keri, Joey's ex, was right out side of the door and Joey and I were in the bathroom.

"Josh.  You have to stall her."  Justin whispered anxiously.

"Me?  Why me?!"

"Because she always liked you more then me.  Remember when I put gum in here hair during a tapping of MMC?  Ever since then, she has hated me.  Anyway, you were the one to introduce them."

"Oh don't blame me for this."

"Wait a minute, you guys are talking about Keri Russell?  Keri Russell that plays 'Felicity'?" Rob asked.

"Yeah!"  Chris, Justin, Lance and JC said in unison.

"Oh my goodness!"  Rob squealed as he ran to the door.

Rob swung open the door and there stood a disheveled Keri, accompanied by Dre, one of the bodyguards.

"Hey guys, Ms. Russell is here.  Is it ok?."  Dre asked.

"No problem!"  Lance yelled from across the room.

A very anxious Rob introduced himself and escorted Keri into the suite.
Everyone just stood in silence.  Being that Joey had just broken up with her, it made things a little awkward.

"Would you please come in Keri."  Rob invited

"Thanks." She whispered in here wispy trademark Felicity voice.

Each of the guys said their individual "hellos" and gave here a hug.  Keri took off her coat and plopped down on the sofa.  Her mess of unruly curls fell on her shoulders and she sat looking extremely tired.

"So Keri, What's up?"  JC asked.

She looked at him with a knowing smirk and replied "I am sure you guys know what is going on with Joey and I.  I am just here to get some closure.  Where is he anyway?"

"He is in the bathroom.  Want me to get him for you?"  Rob said mischievously.

"Yeah.  That would be good."  "You are really nice.  Who are you?"  Keri asked

"I am just a friend of the group.  I met these crazy guys at one of those awards show and I just couldn't get rid of them."  Rob said while receiving a relieved look from JC.

"Oh.  Nice."  Keri said.

"Anyway, let me go and get Joey for ya."

Rob walked away trying to hold his laughter in.  He knew this was going to be good.  JC and the guys just stood around looking goofy.  The bathroom was easily accessible through the lounge area and the two bed room.  Rob decided to go into Joey's bed room so that she wouldn't know who was with Joey.

Meanwhile, in the Bathroom

Joey and I kissed deeply as we fondled each other like two high school kids at the local make out spot.

"OHHH Joey.  I want it now."  I moaned into his mouth.

"Me too, but we can't just start doing it right here.  The guys will hear."

"Ok.  Lets just make out a little more."

"You don't have to tell me twice."  Joey said as he nibbled away at my hardening nipples.

"Joey?"  I moaned.  "Yes."  He said while still working his way down towards my belly-button.

"Why didn't you tell me you broke up with your girlfriend?"

Joey suddenly stopped and looked at me with his big brown puppy dog eyes.

"I don't know.  I was just waiting for the right time.  Who told you?"

"Please don't tell JC I told you.  He just told me to prove a point."  I said nervously

"And what point would that be?"

"He wanted to let me know how much you cared about me and how obvious it was that we had feelings for one another."  I said shyly

"I see.  Was there ever a doubt?  Did you question my interest?"  Joey asked calmly.

"No.  I just don't want us to move to quickly because I want us to really get to know each other.
I am happy to be with you."  I said before kissing him softly on his lips.

His shoulders relaxed and he kissed me back.  Right as I could feel his tongue sliding into my mouth there was a knock at the door.

"We are always being interrupted."  He whispered in my ear.  "I know.  I think we should start carrying around 'Do Not Disturb' signs."

"Come in."  Joey and I said simultaneously.

Rob walked in with a goofy grin on his face giving us a weird look.  I knew instantly that he was listening to our conversation.

"You guys are so cute.  I hope you stay together."  Rob cooed

"Rob!!!!  Were you out there listening?"

"I didn't want to interrupt your moment."  he giggled

"What evah.  Anyway, why didn't you knock on the door leading in from the lounge?"

"Well, I didn't want a certain person out there to hear what I had to say."

"Oh.  This sounds like you two want to talk about JC."  "Is he treating you ok, Rob?" Joey asked.

"Joey, I am afraid this isn't about JC.  It is about Keri."

Joey looked stunned when Rob mentioned her name.

"What do you mean?  We broke up.  There is nothing between us.  We are just friends."  Joey said nervously.

"I think you and her need to talk because she is in the lounge."

"What?!!"

Joey and I turned and faced each other with looks of pure astonishment on our face.  Who would have thought that his ex would show up.  I could tell this was going to be interesting.

Rob and I stared at Joey as he begin to pace and mutter to himself in broken Italian.  I was just as surprised as he was and I didn't know what to do.

"Joey, you have to talk to her."  I said.

"I know, but this doesn't change anything between us."

"Don't worry.  Rob and I are going to wait in the room and come out a couple of minutes after you."

I grabbed Joey around the waist and gave him a reassuring kiss.  He looked like a big baby who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar.

"I think I want to tell her about us."

"Are you sure Joey?"

"Yeah.  If she is going to be apart of my life, then I think I owe her the reason why we had to separate."

"Ok."  I said nervously.

Joey exited the bathroom and walked directly into the lounge.  The guys all looked up to see a very nervous Joey standing and waiting.  Keri turned around and saw Joey and a tear fell down her face.

"Hey."  Both Keri and Joey said at the same time.

The tension in the room was thick enough to see.  Almost on cue, Rob and I walked out of the bedroom and into the lounge.  Of course, I was nervous as hell and didn't want to be involved.  Rob was really great in these instances.  He always knew how to break the ice.

"Hey guys what's up?  Look who I dragged out of the bed."  he said while looking at me.
"Why don't we all go to JC's room, order room service and watch you guys on TRL!?"

Everyone chuckled at that comment.

"That sounds like a good idea."  JC agreed.

Joey stood there with a mist over his eyes.  I wanted to go and hug him, but I couldn't.  I wasn't even sure if he had said anything about me yet.

I gave Joey a knowing look and followed the rest of the guys out of the door.

"Phil?"  Joey said.

Damn.  I thought I was going to escape.

"Yeah?"

"I will probably give you a call at JC's in a minute, so don't stray to far."  he said with a smile.

"I won't.  I promise."  I said while giving him a lingering look.

**********Joey's Perspective***********

"Things had happened so fast today.  One minute I am doing a show on MTV, the next minute I am being attacked, then I am in the bathroom breaking up with my longtime girlfriend.  I need a vacation just from today alone."  Joey thought solemnly.

"Can I get you something to drink Keri."  I asked nervously.

"Sure Joey.  That would be nice."

Keri took off her jacket and sat patiently on the sofa.  I was about to explode with anxiety.  I knew that  I took the easy way out by telling her on the phone, but I wanted to start things right with Phil.  Almost getting stabbed the death helps you to answer a lot of questions.

I lingered in the kitchen a little before I went back to the sofa where she was sitting.  I handed her the drink and sat silently while staring at the floor.  We had been dating for a while and although things seemed to be spiraling downward, I still loved her as a friend.

"Joey.  There is so much I want to say but I don't know where to begin."  She spoke softly.

"I know Keri.  First I wanted to apologize for breaking things off on the phone.  I owe you more then that."

"No.  I owe you an explanation as to why I've been so distant.  Us breaking up was going to happen sooner or later and I don't want you to think it was all your fault."  She said guiltily.

"Our schedules have been off.  I travel a lot and you have tons of projects you're working on."

"No."  She interrupted  "There is more.  Joey--I love you, but I realized that we work better as friends.
Don't get me wrong, you were a great lover."  She laughed  "Correction.  You were an awesome lover."  We both laughed and I blushed.  "But, we have been drifting apart because there has been someone else."

"What? I asked somewhat surprised.

"Joey.  Things haven't been right between us for a while.  When we talk it is like two old friends catching up.  Please don't' sit here and act like you haven't noticed."

"Yeah.  I know what you mean.  I just had no idea that you were seeing someone."

"Well, I just started seeing him.  The chemistry and timing was perfect and I think I may love him.  Actually, I'm pretty sure that I love him."

"Who is he."  Joey inquired.

"Scott."

"The guy that plays Noel on your show?"  I laughed.

"What's so funny.  He is a great guy."  Keri said, punching me lightly on the arm.

"I am just kidding Tyson.  Don't hurt me."  I threw my hands up in mock fear.

"Joey.  I don't want you to think that you hurt me.  In fact, I was planning on calling you tomorrow.  You beat me to the punch and I was kind of glad that I didn't have to be the bad guy."

"So where do we go from here?" I asked

"Well, I came here just to let you know that I still love you and I need you in my life.  You have been my best friend for the past couple of years and I want you to be happy with whom ever it may be that is fortunate enough to have you."

"Thank you Keri."

Joey hugged his ex girlfriend tightly.  They both cried lightly.  They had known each other for so long and it was difficult for them to change the structure of their relationship.  When they withdrew they stared deep into each other eyes and felt the love that they had for one another.  Their lips touched and that was the end.

They both sat there in a comfortable silence taking in all that had happened.  Joey told her all about what happened on TRL earlier that day and how a good friend of the group saved him.

"Wow Joey.  I am so happy that your friend Phil was there for you.  You must have been terrified."

"Yeah.  I was happy he was there as well."  Joey said with a glowing look in his eye.

Keri picked up on this and begin to think.

"Was Phil the guy that came out of the room with your friend Rob."

"Yeah."  I smiled

"So, how long have you been together?" Keri said with a smirk.

Joey just sat there with a stunned look on his face with his mouth touching the floor.

"Come on Joey.  I saw the way he was looking at you.  He is the ultimate 'love sick puppy.'"  Keri said as she cracked up because of the look of pure shock on my face.

"How?"  Was the only thing he could get out of his mouth.

"I am a girl and we pick up on everything.  Also, it was kind of weird when he stared at you before leaving.  I could almost feel and see the connection that you to had.  I immediately knew that you were together and belonged together."

I think my face must have been as red as a tomato.  Keri just sat there and chuckled while I smiled with embarrassment.  It felt good to finally get everything out in the open.  I couldn't wait for her and Phil to meet each other.

"I think we should go over to JC's room and see what the guys are doing.  They probably think we killed each other. Do you mind meeting Phil?"

"No.  But you have to let me play a trick on him."

"Ok. But don't traumatize him."

I pulled Keri off of the sofa and we made our way over to JC's.  I couldn't  wait to see the expression on Phil's face when Keri played her little trick on him.

***********Phil's Perspective************

"Guys.  They have been over there for a while.  What do you think is happening?  Shouldn't someone go over there and see if she has killed him."

"Phil.  It is ok. Keri couldn't hurt a fly.  She is just like her character Felicity, but with a freak twist.
Anyway, if she killed Phil, you probably would have sensed it since you to have this erie connection."  Chris said while running around the room making stupid faces.

Just when I thought I was going to wear a hole in the carpet, someone banged on the door really hard.

"Who is it?!"  JC yelled.

"It is me JC, Keri!  Is that fuckin home wrecker in there?"  Keri yelled from outside.

"What?"  I mumbled under my breathe.  "Was she talking about me?"  I thought.

The banging persisted as everyone just sat around and stared at each other.  I would have been lying if I said I wasn't a little on edge.  I guess karma was just kicking me in the behind for being with Joey, knowing he had a girlfriend.

JC slowly walked over to the door and slowly opened it.  Keri immediatly burst in the room with her fist balled up.  She scanned the room and her icy eyes met mine.

She looked wild with anger and I was her target.

"I can't believe that you turned my boyfriend gay!  How could you?"  Keri said while walking quickly towards me.

"I...I didn't know.  I...I am so sorry."  I stuttered putting my hands up in surrender.

"I don't want to hear it.  I just have one thing to say to you!!!"  She yelled.

At this point she was in my face and had me backed up against the wall.  Everyone, including Rob just looked in awe.  Some help the turned out to be.

No one even noticed that Joey had ran in the bathroom to keep himself from bursting into laughter and giving away the prank.

"I just have one thing to say to you and it is...Thank you for making my Joey a happy man.  After all of the wonderful things he has told me about you.  I can't think of a better person to have his heart."

My heart was beating a mile a minute and I just fell against the wall.  Joey burst out of the bathroom and fell on the floor in tears.

"Suckers!!!"  he screamed

Everyone was still soaking it in and Joey and Keri were the only two laughing.

"Wait a minute.  This was a Joke."  I asked with a quivering voice.

"Yeah Phil.  Joey told me all about you and I am glad he has found someone so special.  I could totally tell that you were together.  Anyway, Joey and are always going to be friends."

"Joey?  You were in on this."  I said with a tear running down my cheek.

Joey ran towards me and tried to embrace me but I just pushed him away.

"No!  Don't touch me.  You never wanted me.  You just needed an excuse to break up with her!" I screamed turning to Keri.

"You!  Keri, you are nothing like your character.  How could you be so insensitive."  I said running towards the door.

Rob and the rest of the band was still shocked by the downward spiral off event.  I ran out the door and covered my face with my hands.  I ignored all of their pleas and ran towards the door.  Just as I was about to exit JC's room, I spun around to face the group.

"GOTTCHA!!!!"  I said while laughing my ass off.

The whole room erupted in laughter after they realized what I had done.  I just couldn't let this opportunity pass bye.

"Phil.  I didn't know you had it in ya!"  Chris said jumping on my back.

I was still laughing when I was attacked by the whole group, including Rob.
Keri just sort of laughed with relief.  I guess she was glad that I wasn't serious.

"Now I know why Joey likes you so much.  I am sure you keep him on his toes."  Keri said.

"Well, we are still learning a lot about each other; however, I can definitely keep him guessing."  I said struggling to get the guys from off of me.

"Phil.  I was so upset.  I was going to chase you and tackle to the ground if I had to."  Joey exclaimed.

"Save it for later Tiger.  I think I have had enough tackling."

For the rest of the night, everyone just hung out and gorged themselves on Chinese food.  Joey was leaving tomorrow and I was having a hard time dealing.  I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but I knew I was going to do my best to make it work.

"Phil.  Are you ok."  Joey asked, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead.

"Yeah I'm fine.  I was just thinking about us."

"See anything good."

"Baby, it is all good!"



Ok guys.  That is the end of this chapter.  I have taken my vitamins and I have found some new inspiration, so expect a new and improved chapter by the end of the week!!!!  Remember to email me at pammonds@rocketmail.com