Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 07:44:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: heatwave_be@yahoo.com
Subject: Best In Me - Chapter 2

Having a great hair day, dreaming of Chris and Joey together, and basicly
still thinking about the video for 'It's gonna be me'.  I only saw the last
bit, noticing there was way too much JC, way too little Lance, and that Kim
Smith-chick was back.  But on the other hand, I got to see Chris fall into
Joeys arms (again, I might add.  Didn't they already do something like that
in 'Bye, bye, bye'?  Not that I'm complaining though!  *huge smile*).

Anyway, on with the story, I guess.  That's what some of you have asked me
anyway.  (By the way, I'd really like to hear from you...  Ideas,
suggestions, any feedback,...  Just let me know what you think!)

And again: the disclaimer.  No, I do not know, own, or am in any way
connected with 'N Sync.  I write FICTION, which would imply that I make up
everything along the way.  If you're not supposed to read this, go away.
Or stay, it's not like I'm the one getting in trouble when busted, right?

Okay, on with the show...


Chapter 2: Best in me

Justin stared blankly out of his bedrooms window.  It was a dark, gloomy
day, but Justin didn't really care.  It had rained for three days straight
and unshed tears clouded his vision.

Justin didn't want to admit why he had been on the verge of tears for the
last couple of days, not even to himself.  But deep in his heart, he knew
why he was so upset.  Ever since the incident, now three days ago, he
hadn't heard of Lance.  He had called the house a couple of times, even
stopped by once, but Justin just couldn't get a hold of him at all.

It wasn't like Justin had something to say to Lance, or like he wanted to
hear Lances explanation, he didn't even want to talk to him!  What was
there to say anyway?  Justin didn't even know what the fuck went on that
night, he just wanted to forget all about it...  But Lances silent
treatment hurt him anyway.

Suddenly, his pain altered in unreasonable anger.  Lance had no right to
ignore him, 'cause Justin had done nothing wrong.  If anything, Justin
deserved an apology!

For the next couple of days, Justins anger grew, and Lance, who had gone
back home for a couple of days, tried to forget about Justin.  He couldn't
get him out of his mind, missed him terribly.  He couldn't sleep, barely
ate and basicly looked like shit by the time he met up with the rest of the
guys in New York at the end of their break.

Because of their different flight arrangements, Lance arrived at the hotel
a couple of hours after the others, around midnight.  He quickly dropped
his bags in the middle of his room, and knocked on the door of the
adjoining room, where one of his friends was staying.

The door flung open, and before he could say anything, Joey pulled him into
a big bear hug.  'Damnit Scoop, I missed ya!'  Lance smiled a little and
broke free from the other man.  'Yeah, Joe.  I missed you too.  The others
here?'

Joey gave him a hurt look, but the sparkle in his eyes showed Lance he was
just kidding.  'I ain't good enough for ya?  That hurts...'  Lance rolled
his eyes, and pretended not to notice Joey's concerned look.  'Yeah, I'm
sure it does.  But where are the others?  I just wanna say hello before I
get some sleep.'

Joey sighed deeply.  'Chris and JC are trying to cheer up Justin.
Something's been eating him for the last couple of days...  They're out to
some nightclub.'  Lance shot the other man an inquiry look.  He barely
refrained himself from asking about Justin.  'And why are you not with
them?'  Joey spread his arms in a wide motion, a broad grin on his lips.
'I'm the welcoming-committee...'  Lance arched his eyebrows in a
incredulous gesture and Joey smiled sheepishly.  'And I'm kinda grounded.
I met this girl at a bar yesterday...'

Lance didn't really pay attention to Joey's story, and wondered about
Justin.  Was he alright?  Did it have something to do with...

Lance scolded himself.  That was nothing but a dream.  A very vivid dream,
but still a dream.

When Lance didn't laugh at one of Joey's stupid remarks, the older man
studied Lances face and noticed the dreamy, hazy look in the blond's eyes.
The look of a guy in love.  But before Joey could ask anything, Lance
mumbled a silent goodnight and closed the door in Joey's face.

Joey just stood there dumbfounded and decided to talk to Chris and JC about
this.  About this and about how their evening with Justin went.