In order to accommodate all the people who are asking me about when the next chapter comes out, I've created a Yahoo Group (Gods, Yahoo is like the Borg!): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mark_writings

This is the page of the group, If you would like to be notified when a new chapter gets posted please go join my group. {smile} I'll try and make sure there's fun stuff along with this.

Since everyone else is doing it. Here are a few stories I liked and would recommend in no particular order.

Lance in Shining Armor

The Lottery Winner

My Surprise Romance

Maze of Moments

Lance, JC and the Astral Fan

Lance's Search

Jamie's Romance

Josh and Justin

Lance and Michael

Last time:

I was still in Lance's arms as he walked me to the door. "I'm really going to miss you today. I won't be able to see you till after the concert." He began to pout.

"Well then, this kiss I'm gonna give you better be good enough to last till then." I then planted my lips firmly on his. After a few minutes we broke apart panting for air.

"Wow." Panted Lance. "I love you."

I smiled, "You know, I never thought I would say this to someone after the first date, I love you too Lance." And I kissed him again. "See you tonight cutie."

With that I walked out of his casita. Outside waiting for me was Lonnie.

"So Chris tells me you're coming to the concert late tonight."

"Yea, I have to work till 9pm tonight. Lance said that wouldn't be a problem."

"No, it shouldn't be, just let me give you directions on where to park, you'll be able to pick up your tickets and passes when you park. You know where the Bank One Ballpark is, right?"

"Yea, love going to the Diamondbacks games, great ballpark."

"Ok, cool, here's a map to get to the VIP entrance, you're name is already on the list, just tell the guard at the gate that you're on the list and they'll take care of you." He handed me a piece of paper with the map on it.

"Thanks. Oh, sorry if I caused any problems this morning."

"Don't worry about, Justin can be a little hot blooded at times, but the rest of the guys seem to like you and I can see that Lance really cares for you."

I smiled as the valet arrived with my Jeep. After tipping him I thanked Lonnie again and started to head home.

Chapter Four:

I managed to get home around 10am, still had 2 hours before I had to head into work;

the events of the morning still fresh in my mind. I could still smell Lance on my clothes and taste his last kiss on my lips. After walking my dog Kiwi, I turned on my computer and fired up the DSL to do some surfing. I figured if I was dating a member of a boyband now, I should see how the rest of the world looks at them. First I checked out their official website, was interesting, just fluff. Then I pulled up yahoo and did a search on nsync. Damn,so many sites, I checked out a few at random. While I was surfing, the phone rang.

"Hey hun, how was the date?"

"Oh hey Dale! Went pretty good, though this morning got off to a rough start."

"What?? You slept with him?"

"No, I crashed at his place but there was no funny business, jeez, you can be such a perv sometimes!" I said with a chuckle.

"Well what happened?"

I proceeded to spend the next hour telling him about what happened both last night and this morning, stopping several times to answer his questions. By the time we had hung up, it was time for me to shower and head into work.

Work that night was uneventful, traffic was rather routine and I had endured the questioning from my co-workers without having to divulge much of any substance about what I had done the night before. As the night wore on, I kept getting anxious about heading to the concert. After my code-10 runs (if you work in law enforcement you know what I mean). I was able to clock out and fortunately I had the good sense to bring a spare change of clothes. I changed and headed out the Bank One Ballpark. Following the directions Lonnie gave me I found my way to the VIP Parking entrance. The guard looked at me suspiciously, but as soon as he saw my name on the list his face changed.

"Oh, before you head in, I am supposed to give you this." The guard explained as he handed me a large envelope. I took it and pulled into the lot and parked, it was a little before 9:30pm. I opened the envelope and found a pass to wear around my neck and a ticket. There was also a small note from Lance in it too.

I sighed when I read the note. I put the pass on around my neck and grabbed the ticket and walked over to the gate. The usher showed me down to the VIP area at the base of the stage. This thing was enormous and the screams of the fans were deafening. One of the opening acts, Samantha Mumba, was out on the stage finishing her performance singing the song "Gotta Tell You."

After she was done, the lights went down and the screams went up. Emerging from a glass pyramid on a satellite stage amid the field-level seats, the guys opened the show with an aggressive version of their latest single, "Pop." I watched Lance the whole time smiling. He looked so good and I was impressed with the dancing, he seemed flawless. After the song, they were making their way along a ramp towards the main stage and they walked past were I was standing. Justin leading the way, he seemed to scowl when he saw me standing there. Chris, Joey and JC smiled at me, and then Lance was the last to make his way to the main stage. He saw me, smiled and blew a kiss towards the audience, but I could tell he meant it for me.

For much of the evening, the sound mix was heavy on bass and drums, and it was very entertaining, including a cool conveyor-belt routine during "See Right Through You" that ended with the band disappearing in a cloud of smoke. A goofy cowboy video led into a circus-like version of "Space Cowboy" that featured the guys in sequined chaps suspended over the crowd on cables. Throughout the whole show, I noticed two things; Lance was always looking over towards me, which made me feel extremely happy. All these screaming fans, if only they knew what the looks on Lance truly meant. The other thing that I kept noticing was not a happy one, I could tell that Justin was not happy with my being there, I thought to myself, "I don't know what his problem is, but if this keeps on, I'm going to have to confront him on it."

After about an hour and a half, it looked like the show was about to end so I started to make my way backstage. A guard stopped me until I showed him my pass and then he let me though. I walked around for a few minutes before working up the nerve to ask where the guys were going to be. I walked into their dressing room and sat down on one of the couches and listened to them performing their encore through the speaker that was in the room.

Finally they were done, the door opened and Chris and Joey walked in,

"Hey guys! Great show."

"Thanks. You really liked it?" Joey asked.

"Yea, first time I've heard most of your music, really liked it, you guys were really co….."

A slamming door interrupted me, I looked over to see Justin standing there, looking at me, and he was pissed. He just mumbled something and stammered towards the shower rooms.

"What's his problem? Jeez, first he slams me on the floor and knocks me out, then he frowns and scowls at me during the whole concert and now this."

"Just ignore him, I think he's having a hard time dealing with you're being with Scoop." Explained Chris as he sat down besides me.

"This isn't going to cause a problem with you guys, is it?" I had to know, as much as I was falling for Lance, I felt I couldn't make waves for the group, I could see just how close their friendships were. "I mean if you guys start fighting with each other or, even think about breaking up cause of me, just tell me, and I'll leave. As much as I love Lance, I won't come between him and your careers."

Chris pulled me into a hug and I felt Joey sit down on the other side of me. "Mark, we all like you, we can see the happiness in Lance's face when he talks about you. And that’s all he's been doing today. Justin will eventually get his shit together, don't worry about him. The rest of us are happy that you've come into Lance's life. Just be yourself and promise you won't hurt him, that’s all we ask of you."

"Yea, we've gone through worse crap than some hottie dating one of us and we made it through okay." Joey chuckled as he joined in on the hug Chris was giving me.

I just nodded my head, smiled and hugged the guys back. "Thanks, you guys mean a lot to me."

"Uh oh, looks look you've got some competition there Lance!" A voice came from the door. The three of us untangled ourselves to see JC and Lance standing inside the door. JC was sadly failing in his attempt not to laugh and Lance had a great big grin on his face.

In a blur of motion, Lance ran over and piled on top of me, knocking me over onto Chris and just planted me a wild kiss. I moaned in pleasure as I proceeded to try to swallow his tongue that had made its way into my mouth.

"Umm, hello? Do you two horndogs think you can stop long enough for me to climb out from underneath you two?" As Chris tried to squirm out.

Lance climbed off from on top of me as we chuckled.

"You love having hot guys on top of you and you know it!" Lance teased.

"Ewwwwww, now I know what I'll be having nightmares of tonight!" With that Chris managed to flee from underneath us, but not without grabbing a few of the pillows from the couch and throwing them at Lance and I.

"So how'd you like the concert?" Lance wrapped his arms around me and inquired.

"Was very cool, you're music is a lot better than I thought. No offense." I kissed him to let him know I enjoyed it. "I like your music a lot."

"You mean you never heard our music before?" Joey asked from behind Lance.

"Well I've heard some on the radio, but to be honest, I never really paid much attention to it. Guess I fell for all the hype and PR that you're just for the screaming young teenage girls. Shame too, cause you're really good, some of your songs are so romantic." With that I gave Lance a huge hug and proceeded to nibble on his earlobe, cause a low growl to erupt from him.

As I continued to nibble, Lance pulled me up with him off the couch and started to walk us toward the shower rooms. Once I realized where he was taking me, I pulled back.

"What's wrong babe?"

Thinking to myself, 'Ugh, he's flashing me a sad puppy look with those emerald eyes of his, this kills me.'

"I can't go in there."

"Why? Don't you want to be with me?"

"Oh god yes, with all my being. But Justin is in there and I don't want to create a scene."

"What makes you think that?"

"Lance, he hates me. He doesn't want me around, it's so obvious."

"That's not true!"

"Yes it is, he scowled at me everytime he saw me from the stage, he slams the door when he came into the dressing room and saw me sitting there, and I think he enjoyed knocking me out yesterday."

"No! That was an accident, he was just trying to protect me."

"I know, but if that's the case, he'd be like the others, once they knew who I was they wouldn't be treating me as badly as he is to me."

"I'll talk to him."

"Do what you feel you must, I've told this to the others and I want you to know. As much as I love and care for you, I won't let myself come between you and the group. I know how much your career means to you and I could never ask you to chose between me and Nsync. Besides, I know I would lose."

Lance pulled me into a tight hug and whispered into my ear, "I love you and would do anything to keep you."

I pulled my head back and kissed him gently on the tip of his nose. "You're the best! Now, go, shower and talk to your friend. I'll be here waiting for you." I gave him a playful pat on his ass as he walked towards the door to the shower rooms.

I smiled as I watched him leave. He was so beautiful. Once he went in, I turned around to see the other three just looking at me with smiles on their faces.

"What?"

JC walked over to me and hugged me. 'You are too cool. Would you really give up the happiness of being with Lance for us?"

"If I had to, yes. I've seen you guys long enough to know just how close your friendship is. I would feel so guilty if I was the reason that friendship ended."

I wandered over to one of the couches and sat down. "I just hope that Lance can fix things with Justin." I started to sob. "I just found my soulmate and I don't want to lose him, not now."

As I sobbed, I felt some arms wrap around me. "Don't worry, things will work out and you two will be happy with each other for a very long time." Joey consoled. 'You're part of our family now, when you go through good times, we're there for you, and when you go through the bad times, we'll still be there for you."

I looked up and saw JC and Chris nod in agreement as Joey wiped the tears from my cheeks.

Lance sat outside the shower room that Justin had gone into waiting to confront him. He felt angry; angry about how someone he considered such a close friend could hurt him and the one he loved like this. Mark was right, he knew there was some tension between him and Justin, and if it continued it would cause problems within the group. "I've got to fix this." Lance said to himself.

A few minutes later, Justin walked out of the shower to see Lance sitting there waiting for him.

"Hi Poofu."

"Justin, we're still friends, right?

"Yea, why wouldn't we be?"

"Then why are you hurting me like this?"

"Huh?"

"You know how much I care for Mark, why are you treating him like shit? What did he ever do to you?

"Nothing, its not that."

"Then what is it? It is because you know I'm gay now? Do you hate me cause of it?"

"No! I could never hate you! You're like a brother to me."

"Then what J, what is it? I really care for Mark and now I'm going to lose him because of you hating him." Lance kept trying not to cry but it was hard for him.

"What? Lose him? Why?"

"He won't let himself cause problems for our friendship, dammit J, what the hell is going on?" Lance couldn't hold back any longer, he started to cry.

"Lance, man, I am so sorry. Mark didn't do anything, and it has nothing to do with you. It's me; I'm an ass. I just thought I'd lose you."

"Lose me how?

"You've always been there for me, you're like my big brother. Then all of a sudden he's there; he's the center of your life. I guess I was just jealous. Jealous and afraid that I'd lose you, that you'd stop wanting to hang out with me." Justin started sobbing.

"That's never going to happen. As much as Mark means to me, you're friendship with me will never go away. You're always going to be a part of my life. You just have to share me with someone else aside from Chris, JC and Joey. Please J, I don't want to lose him."

"You really do care for him that much?"

"I know you probably can't understand it, but yes, I love him. I feel like he's the one I'm meant to spend the rest of my life with. I can't explain it. I knew it the moment I opened the door and saw him standing there.

Justin could see the love radiating from Lance's eyes as he talked about Mark. All he could do to respond is to gasp out a "wow".

Lance just nodded to the wow. And the two just sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, after about 10 minutes or so, Justin grabbed Lance by the arm and started walking back to the room where the others were waiting.

Things had finally cheered up with Mark and the others. Chris even convinced Mark to play a little PlayStation II with him. He was doing pretty well at whipping Mark's ass when the door from the shower rooms opened and Justin was leading Lance in.

I looked up to see Justin walking towards me dragging Lance behind him. I couldn't figure out what was going to happen, but judging from the confused and worried look on Lance's face, I felt certain it wasn't going to be good.

"Umm, Mark, can we talk?" Justin asked as soon as he reached me.

"Hey, JC, can you and Joey give me a hand on the bus?" Chris asked as he started to head towards the hall door. He looked at me with a look that said he'd be close by if needed.

"Actually, you guys stay here, I want you to hear this too. Justin interjected. He then turned back to me as Lance sat down besides me. "Mark, I'm so sorry. I've been such an ass towards you. I was acting selfishly and I hurt you, hurt Lance and probably pissed off the rest of the guys too. I admit, at first I wasn't too happy that you were here, but I can see know how much you care for Lance and how much he cares for you. I know now you're not here to hurt him or take advantage of him. You never were. I was just being selfish and was thinking about how you being with Lance would affect how he would be with me. Lance said you would leave if I asked you to or if you thought I would stop my friendship with him. I don't want that to happen. Do you think you could forgive me? If not to start new with me, but at least for Lance?

The next few seconds seem to stretch for hours. It was so silent you could almost hear our hearts beating in anticipation to my response.

I looked around the room, stopping to try to read Justin's face and then looked over at Lance, who had a look of hope on his face. "Justin, you treated me like shit, you even slammed me on the floor and knocked me out. Ordinarily I don't think I could ever get over that. But you sounded sincere and I know that Lance really wants us to get along. I love him more than anything and his happiness is the most important thing to me. Lance cares about you for some reason. So there must be something good about you. I owe it to Lance and to the others to see if I can find what that is. I know it will take time, but I hope that we can be friends like the rest of the guys and I are." With that I got up and stood in front of him and hugged him.

Lance jumped up behind me and wrapped his arms around both Justin and I. "Thank you so much." He whispered to both Justin and I.

When we broke out of the hug I could see Chris, JC and Joey standing there, smiling at the three of us. Joey saw that I was looking at him and gave me an approving nod. I looked at Lance. "So now what's the plan?"

Lance brushed up against me and wrapped his arms back around my waist. "Well, we're having dinner here, that way the crowd will die out by the time we leave, then its back to the hotel. You're joining us, right?"

I looked at him and moved in closer to him. "I wouldn't miss spending time with you for all the tea in China." I smirked, "Of course, I don't really like to drink tea." And with a smile I planted my lips against his and my tongue left my mouth to explore his.

Dinner was decent; I enjoyed spending time with the guys more than the food. Even Justin was amiable. Looks like things are really working out between us. Lance kept trying to feed me chips, the few I accepted I would get gagging noises from Chris and Joey. There ended up being more chips thrown at those two than were eaten.

After about an hour and a half of eating and then playing video games, Lonnie came in and let the guys know that the decoy limo had left as had the screaming crowds that were waiting after the show. Their limo would be ready in about 10 more minutes. Lance decided he would go back to the hotel with me in my Jeep.

We made our way back to the VIP parking lot and climbed into my jeep.

"Hey Mark?"

"Yea sexy?"

"There somewhere were we can just be alone for a little bit?"

"Sure, I think I know just the place!"

We drove for a little bit, Lance started to get nervous as he saw the neighborhood we were driving through.

"Uh, Mark…."

"Don’t worry, we're almost there."

Lance seemed to relax as the neighborhood started to leave behind us and we pulled up past a sign that read South Mountain Park. We drove on in and I headed up to the mountain to the top overlook. We parked and just sat there, enjoying the view as we overlooked the city of Phoenix. It was a clear night and the stars were shining bright.

I hopped out of the jeep and walked over to the passenger side. Opening the door, I pulled Lance out. "Come on, let's go for a walk."

He got out and we walked around some of the trails around for a bit.

We stopped on an outcropping of rocks and just stood there overlooking the city. I walked behind Lance and wrapped my arms around him. He felt so good in my arms. I rested my head on his shoulder and felt him sigh as I hugged him tighter. We just stood there, entwined as one in the desert night.

After about 15 minutes or so of just holding each other enjoying the beauty of the city lights and the starry sky. I spoke. "Lance... do you trust me?"

"You know I do...why?"

"Pick up your right foot and kick out to the side."

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

Lance does as I ask... and we see something small and dark go flying.

"What was that?"

As I lean in to kiss Lance's sweet lips, I smile as I murmur. "Scorpion."

Lance practically jumps into my arms. "Scorpion? You're joking right?"

"No babe, no joke. He was on your shoe."

"Okay Mark, we're going back to the jeep...NOW"

We walked back to the Jeep and started to head back to the hotel. Lance had his hand in mine as we drove back to the hotel. On the way there, Lance pulled out his cell phone and dialed it.

"Hey, its me, is everything ready?" He listened for a moment. "Great! Thanks!"

"What was that all about?" I asked

"You'll see." He replied with a smile as he leaned over to kiss me on the cheek.

We pulled into the back of the hotel near the casita that he was sharing with Joey. Lance led me into the casita with a strange smile. As we walked into the shared living room, we could hear noises coming from Joey's bedroom. Who ever he was with, they were obviously having some fun! Lance and I just looked at each other and giggled. We kept giggling as we walked toward the door to Lance's bedroom. He stopped me before I could open the door and pulled me up next to him and kissed me softly on the lips. He takes me by the hands and slowly leads me towards the bedroom. He leaned in to kiss me once more, when we broke apart, he whispered to me. "I want to help you forget about getting hurt in this room…." With that he opened the door and led me in.

Okay, that’s chapter four! Whew, it’s a lot longer than I thought it would be, but it just seemed to flow out of my fingers and on to the keyboard, I couldn't stop! Hope you liked it. Keep up with the emails! Those really help inspire me to write!