Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 07:07:35 -0600
From: Danni Bailey <dannibailey@hotmail.com>
Subject: Decisions - Chapter 15

Disclaimer: If you are under the age of 18, don't read any further.  If you
are offended by stories containing homosexual themes, this probably isn't
for you either.  I have no personal knowledge of the sexual preferences of
the individuals discussed in this story. It's fiction, pure and simple.


See, I told you I'd post more often....Hope you guys enjoy.


CHAPTER 15

It was nearing 6:00 when you decided to wake Justin.  The two of you had
talked briefly when you had returned to the hotel, but Justin had slept
most of the afternoon.  Tonight's party was and event you could do without,
but Justin was insisting that you go with him.  Although you felt very
comfortable around the guys, the idea of spending an evening with people
you didn't know was not something you were looking forward to, especially
when you and Justin could not be together.  This was a high profile event
and the press would be out in full force.  Although they were not allowed
inside the facility, they would be anxiously waiting for Justin to arrive
with Britney on his arm.  It was all part of the game.  A game you hated,
but knew of its necessity.

You sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Justin's back gently.

"Hey, I hate to do this, but you really need to wake up," you whispered
softly.  "No way am I letting you be late for this meeting with Johnny."

He rolled over rubbing his eyes.  "What time is it?" he asked sleepily.

"A little after 6:00, but I figured if you woke up now you could take your
time and have a little something to eat," you explained.  "And you need to
call Britney.  She wanted to know what time you guys were planning on
leaving."

Justin rolled his eyes.  "We'll leave when Johnny is done chewing my ass.
If he had just given me a chance to explain, we wouldn't be having this
stupid meeting.  All he ever does lately is yell.  I'm sick of it!"

You knew if Justin went into the meeting in the frame of mind he was in
now, all hell would break loose.  "Listen, Johnny has your best interest in
mind.  From what he saw, that was a pretty bold move today."

"He should know me better than that" he argued.  "I had it covered."

"Maybe so, but it was still pretty bold and you should be able to
understand where he's coming from.  There's a lot at stake."

"I'm tired of having my life controlled by other people!" he said loudly.
"I don't need his permission for everything I do!  Just like tonight, I
don't want Britney as my 'date', and I plan on telling him that.  After the
Academy Awards, I'm on my own!"

You had seen this coming.  Justin was becoming more and more uncomfortable
with the rumors of him and women that he had no interest in.  Although
Britney was the most common of the love interests, Justin had also been
romantically linked with Christina, Kerri Russell, Tatiana Ali, and with
the news of his upcoming video with Madonna, rumors had circled about their
relationship as well.

"Justin, you know why those 'dates' are necessary.  It's for your
protection."

"I don't need protection," he yelled. "What the hell is wrong with me going
to all these events alone?  Why do I have to have a girl with me?"

You leaned over and kissed his cheek.  "Because it's what the public wants
Justin."

"Fuck the public, I'm in love with you and I'm tired of pretending I'm
not."

You were getting no where with him and you knew when to call it quits.  He
woke up in a bad mood and it was only getting worse.  The two of you could
discuss this at another time, when he was more willing to listen to reason.

"Ok, if that's how you feel, then you should tell him, but not tonight.
You guys should be celebrating."

"Yeah, you're right.  I'll wait until the timing is better.  If I piss him
off now, it will ruin the night for everyone."

You smiled at him "Hey, your catching on.  Now go hit the shower.  Lord
knows how long it will take you to get dressed."

It was 5 minutes to 8:00 when you knocked on Johnny's door. As he opened
the door it was apparent that his demeanor had not improved over the course
of the afternoon.

"Find a place to sit down.  You two are the last to get here as usual," he
snapped.

Justin looked at his watch making sure Johnny realized the time.

"Don't start with me Justin, I didn't say you were late.  I said you were
the last ones to arrive."

Justin exhaled loudly, but said nothing as you both found a spot to sit.

"I hope you guys are listening, because this is the last time I'm gonna
discuss this."

"Geez, I hope so" Justin said under his breath.

His comment infuriated Johnny.  "Dammit, Justin what the hell has gotten
into you!  If you think I'm gonna put up with this attitude while we're on
tour you have another thing coming."

"My attitude" Justin yelled "We wouldn't even be having this discussion if
you would have taken 5 minutes to listen to me this afternoon!  All you
ever do is yell at us, and if they want to sit here and listen to it they
can, but I'm outta here!"

Justin stood to leave and as he neared the door, Johnny grabbed him by his
arm.  You and Chris immediately jumped to your feet and placed yourselves
between the two of them. Thankfully, you had pushed Justin back far enough
that his swing missed Johnny entirely.  Lance, JC and Joey had quickly
grabbed Johnny and the two were at opposite ends of the room.

You could see the anger in Johnny's eyes.  "I want to talk to Justin!
Alone!"

"No way!" Chris snapped back.  "We're all in this together and we're not
leaving this room until it's worked out.  Johnny, you had your say this
afternoon.  You never even gave us a chance to talk, especially Justin.  He
may be 19, but he is a vital part of this group.  You need to hear him
out."

"Fair enough" Johnny conceded.  "Go ahead Justin, explain to me why you
felt it was necessary to wink at your boyfriend in front of millions of TV
viewers."

"Johnny, I'm not stupid!" he said bitterly. "I talked to Carson ahead of
time and told him what I planned to do.  I said that as I walked up the
aisle I would stop and sing to some of the fans.  Since the camera was
behind me, it would capture the look on their faces.  It would be perfect
for publicity, and with the camera at my back, no one would see my face.
No one ever saw me wink at Gary.  I made sure of that."

Johnny voice had softened now.  "Son, there is more than one camera out
there, and at any time they could have switched views.  I watched the
replay, and you're right.  No one saw you, but you took a huge risk.  Not
just with your career, but with the career of your friends.  Not to mention
the impact on yours and Gary's personal lives."

He paused briefly and watched Justin's reaction.  Justin hung his head as
Johnny's words hit home. Johnny walked slowly towards him.  "Come here,
son."  Justin met him halfway and he buried his head in Johnny chest while
Johnny's large frame held him close.

"You have no idea what you mean to me, Justin" he said softly as he kissed
the top of Justin's head.  "I only wants what's best for you and the other
guys and I'll work with you any way I can.  I know how much Gary means to
you, but you can't go on free-lancing things.  You have to run them by me
first.  Do you understand?"

It was barely audible but you could hear Justin say "Yes, sir."

Johnny spoke to the rest of you with Justin still in his arms.  "I don't
know what has happened over the past few months.  Maybe it was the lawsuit
and all the pressure of the new CD.  Maybe I've pushed you guys harder than
I should have, or maybe you guys have just been real butts lately.  I don't
know what it is, but we need to get back to being the family that we were
before.  And it needs to start tonight.  Right now.  So if any of you have
something to say, get it off your chest now."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.  Then Chris spoke up.

"Johnny, you're right.  I think it is a combination of everything.  We're
all to blame.  I know we have done some things lately that we haven't run
by you and we should have.  That won't happen any more."

"Great" Johnny said enthusiastically.  "I think communication is the key.
You guys tell me what you want and I'll tell you what I expect.  Do we have
a deal?"

Everyone agreed.  Johnny took his hand and raised Justin's head so that
they were looking straight into each other's eyes.  "You with me?" he
asked.  Justin nodded in agreement.  "Good" he said as he tousled Justin's
curls. "Now, let's go to this party and enjoy ourselves.  The Academy
Awards are Sunday and after that it's back to Orlando and back to work.  We
have a tour to get ready for."

As the guys filtered out of the room, Justin stayed back to speak to
Johnny.  "I'm sorry."

"It's behind us Justin" Johnny assured him.  "Let's not discuss it again."

Lance burst back into the room.  "Johnny, since we promised to run things
by you first, what's the rule on the champagne tonight?  And of course, I'm
not asking for myself.  JC wants to know."

Johnny chuckled.  "Of course Lance, I'm sure your not interested at all,
but please let JC know.  It's your night.  Use some common sense and enjoy
yourselves."

He turned and looked at Justin.  "As far as your concerned, it's up to
Mark.  Just do what he tells you, ok?"

"You got it," he said with a smile.  As Justin left the room Johnny flashed
back to the first time he had met the boys.  Young, innocent and no
business savvy whatsoever.  What a difference 4 years had made.

You were nervous as the limo neared the facility for the night's event.
You remembered looking over the guest list and realizing that the
industries biggest and best would be in attendance.  Reaching over, you
squeezed Justin's hand hoping that somehow his touch would settle your
nerves.

"Gary, relax" he said in a comforting tone.  "This is supposed to be fun.
It's nothing more that a bunch of friends getting together."

"Justin, I don't know any of these people" you tired to explain.  "I'm
gonna feel out of place."

Britney had over hear your comments "Gary, we're not gonna let that happen.
You want to be with Justin and I want to spend some time with Joey, so the
four of us can hang out together."  She giggled.  "No one has to know who
we're with.  You don't mind, do you Joey?" she asked.

"Hhhmm, let me think about this."  "I get to spend the evening with the
most beautiful girl in the world and you're asking me if I mind?  I think
I'll be able to get through it, trust me."

Britney leaned over and kissed Joey quickly on the cheek.  "Joey, that was
so sweet, thank you."

Joey just smiled and said nothing.  This was a totally different Joey than
you were used to seeing.  He seemed shy, almost reserved.  Seems there was
a side to him you hadn't seen before and evidently Britney brought it out.

"OK folks, showtime!" Justin said as the limo pulled to a stop.  He leaned
over to you and whispered.  "This will just take a few minutes.  I guess we
need to let the press have some fun."

You nodded.  "Joey and I will meet you inside."

Chris and Danni were the first to exit the limo amid hundreds of flashing
lights.  It had always struck you as odd how the fans loved Danni.  Not
that she didn't deserve it, but she had a rapport with them that was very
unusual for the girlfriend of a celebrity. Perhaps it was because of the
security she had in her relationship with Chris.  She never saw any of them
as a threat, just as fans of her boyfriend and if they wanted pictures or
an autograph from him she was willing to help if she could.  They saw her
as an ally.

Next, you and Joey stepped out and another round of flashes lit the New
York night.  They blinded you, but Joey didn't even seem to notice.
Evidently, as time goes on you become accustomed to such things, but for
tonight you were having a hard time seeing.

Finally, the press had their moment.  Justin stepped out of the limo and
reached back to take Britney's hand.  As she stepped out, she flashed her
flawless smile and gazed lovingly into Justin's eyes.  Instead of hurrying
in to the club, they paused at the entrance waving to their excited fans.
No one would ever guess that it was an act as they looked very much like a
young couple in love.

"Hey Brit, do you want to have some fun with this?"  Justin asked her
quietly.

She bit her lower lip not knowing exactly what his devious plot he had
concocted.  "Sure, what did you have in mind?"

"Just play along, OK?"  He never really gave her time to answer, but pulled
her close to him, brought his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly.  The
crowd went wild and Justin and Britney did their best to refrain from
laughing.

Britney looked at him and giggled.  "They are gonna be so upset when we
break up."

"I know," he said with at grin.  "I sure am gonna miss you sweetie."

They gave the crowd on last wave and headed into the club.

You and Joey had heard the commotion, but Britney and Justin were laughing
so hard that it was difficult to understand exactly what had happened.

"He kissed me."  Britney said with tears rolling down her cheek "and they
thought he meant it."

"Justin kissed you?" you said in a shocked voice.  "Oh, I'm sorry I missed
that."

"Gary, it was priceless." Justin said through his laughter.  "And trust me
you won't miss it.  I can pretty much guarantee we'll see a picture of it
real soon."

Joey wrapped his arm around Britney.  "So, is he a good kisser?" he asked
jokingly.

"Eeewww, you'd need to ask Gary," she said shaking her head.  "It was kinda
like kissing my brother.  I wasn't really paying attention to technique."

Everyone laughed except for Justin who had a pretend look of hurt on his
face.  "Gee thanks, Brit."

"Don't worry about it, J" you said in a low voice.  "I think you got great
technique."  The four of you chuckled one last time and decided it was time
to mingle.

The evening had turned out far better than you could have imagined.  Early
on, Justin, Joey and Britney had stayed close by as they promised, but
after a few hours you felt very comfortable and had no problem mingling on
your own as Justin and the rest of the guys posed for some shots by the
Jive photographers.

It was nearly 4:00 am when the party broke up and the long night of
activity showed in Justin's eyes.  The headache was back and the Motrin
Mark had given him had little effect.

The four of you crawled in the limo and Justin immediately rested his head
on you shoulder.

"I pity the person that wakes me up in the morning," he said in a sleepy
voice.

You ran your fingers across his cheek "No one's gonna wake you up.  You
guys are off until the Academy Awards on Sunday.  You can sleep as late as
you want."

A huge grin covered Justin's face.  "Sounds great!" Then he asked, "You
don't have to get up early for anything do you?"

"Nope, I've done everything I can until I see you guys actually rehearse
the show, so it looks like it's just you and me until Sunday.  Is that Ok
with you?"

His eyes sparkled.  "Yeah, I think I can handle that"

"Well, I'm not sleeping in" Joey exclaimed.  "There's too much to do"

"I agree" Britney added. "Tomorrow is a major shopping day!"  She smiled at
Joey.  "I sure would like to have some company.  Do you have any plans?"

He pulled her closer and she snuggled next to him as he answered her "I do
now."


TBC

Any comments you can contact me at dannibailey@hotmail.com.  I'd love to
hear from you guys.