Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 21:28:32 +0000 From: Kevin K Subject: Encountering Nick - Chapter Nine Obligatory warnings and disclaimers: 1) If reading this is in any way illegal where you are or at your age, or you don't want to read about male/male relationships, go away. You shouldn't be here. 2) I don't know any of the celebrities in this story, and this story in no way is meant to imply anything about their sexualities, personalities, or anything else. This is a work of pure fiction. Questions and commentary can be sent to "kdawg96@hotmail.com". Thanks again to all who have written. I love hearing what it is you have to say. For other great reads, check out theses incredible stories as well: 'Nick and Ashley', 'JC's Hitchhiker' and 'Brian and Tommy'. I recommend you check them out! I hope you all enjoyed the sideline chapter previous to this one. ND, author of the hit story 'Nick and Ashley', agreed to write the sideline chapter for 'Encountering Nick' from a different outlook. He wrote it from the perspective of Brian. ND is an extremely talented and creative writer, and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! Thanks again ND! COMING SOON: A sideline chapter written by writerboy69, author of the hit stories 'JC's Hitchhiker' and 'Brian and Tommy'. http://jcv.5u.com/all/worldofslash/ - Jayson Vascardi's website that features my story and many other slash fiction stories. Go check it out. Also check out Dream Slash, at http://www.geocities.com/dreamslashuk/, who has kindly offered to co-host this story, along with many other favorites. Please send me all comments and suggestions. Let me know what you think. Now lets get back to what you came here for. *** Encountering Nick - Chapter Nine I found myself in awe staring down at a letter made out to Nick by who I believe was TJ. A Trevor Joshua signed the letter, one declaring a secret love to Nick. I never actually knew what the initials TJ really stood for, but I'm guessing this was it. I looked out through the already open door down the halls to see if TJ was still there. He wasn't though. The halls were empty and completely silent. What the hell is going on here? "Hey Geoff, I thought you were heading down to rehearsal?" Nick said from behind me as he walked into the room. "Uhh, yea I am going now." I said as I stuffed the letter into my pocket. I don't know why I did that, but I don't feel like showing this to Nick. At least I don't feel like showing it to Nick right now. We already have enough problems with Jack. So, I think I will try solving this one without pestering Nick. I mean it's not his fault TJ is in love with him. I bet he doesn't even know about it. Or does he? I pushed that thought out of my mind because now I was actually very late for rehearsal. "Bye sweetie!" I said as I rushed out the door, "I'll be back later!" "Alright! I'll be waiting," he shouted to me from the door as I rushed down the hall towards the elevator. When I got to the rehearsal everyone was already there, strangely except for Jack and TJ. Where the hell is TJ? And what about Jack? I wonder if Jack will even show? It is his first rehearsal with the group, but he seemed pretty upset and distressed when I last saw him a couple hours ago. As I finished that thought Jack entered the room. He had obviously spent the past few hours crying, since his face was completely tearstained. He really needs help. Somebody needs to help him. While engulfed in my pity for Jack, Andrew, our choreographer, came up next to me. "Hey Geoff?" "Oh hey Andrew," I said a little startled, "What's up?" "I was going to ask you the same question. Are you doing any better today? I know yesterday was pretty rough for you." Andrew asked, obviously referring to when I ran out of rehearsal after he introduced Jack to us. "Yea it was. I cannot deny that. Though I think things will be fine. Don't worry Andrew, I am not leaving the group." The stressed look on Andrew's face lessened as soon as I assured him I wasn't going anywhere. I think he was afraid that with Jack back that I would quit. But I could never leave Andrew! He's not only been such an amazing choreographer to me, but a good friend as well. He has been so supportive to me since he found out about Nick and I as a couple, and it doesn't bother him the slightest bit that I am gay. The choreographer with Britney always seemed somewhat distant to me, and never really talked to me much except when presenting us with new steps. Andrew was different, but in a good way. "Good to hear Geoff. By any chance do you have any idea where TJ is?" He asked me. "No, I was just wondering that myself." I replied. "Well, he will have a bit of explaining to do when he shows up eventually, but we are not going to wait for him any longer." Andrew said before walking to the front of the room and gathering everyone's attention. "Excuse me everyone, can I have your attention please?" Everyone went silent as we all stood waiting to hear what Andrew had planned for today. "Alright. As you are all aware, due to my delay at the airport yesterday we had to cut rehearsal short." Andrew explained, "I mentioned to you yesterday that I have some new moves I want to show to you, and it will take a bit of time to do. Tomorrow we leave LA for Washington DC, and we perform a concert tomorrow night. We will have a group rehearsal at the stadium sometime tomorrow afternoon, but we have a lot to learn before then. So let's get started!" Over the next few hours Andrew showed us numerous fresh steps, which we all mastered pretty quickly. Every so often I would glance over at Jack to see how he was doing. Although he was mastering the steps like the rest of us, he still seemed pretty miserable. I honestly shouldn't have any compassion for this guy. He has harmed me to such an extent that I should have the scars to prove it. But I can't help it. I do feel sorry for him, as much as I don't want to. Eventually TJ did show up. He walked into the gym looking very scruffy, almost as if he just had sex or something. His hair was a total mess, his shirt was untucked and all of his clothing was creased and crumpled. Where the hell had this guy been the past few hours? Now that TJ finally did arrive Andrew gave us a ten-minute break so the two of them could have a few words. Andrew seemed pretty pissed at TJ for his extreme tardiness, and whatever TJ was saying didn't seem to make it any better. Nevertheless, soon enough TJ rejoined the group and the rehearsal continued. At around 1:00 we broke for lunch. I took out my cell and called the hotel suite, but Nick wasn't there. I figured he went out Brian, or with some of the guys for lunch or something. I called Britney's cell next, but it was off as well. I bet she went shopping. There's no stopping Brit when she's out with her gold card! So I couldn't get a hold of anybody. "I guess I'll be eating lunch alone today," I muttered to myself as I began walking out of the gymnasium. "Not if I have anything to say about that," TJ said as he ran up next to me. I smiled. It was a fake smile though. "Alright TJ, let's go." I don't understand. How can this guy pretend to me be friend and at the same time try and steel Nick away from me? Well, I guess now is a better time than ever to find out. As much as I insist on eating healthy, we really didn't have enough time to go sit down and eat at a real restaurant. So as much as I hated the idea, the two us of just went to a local McDonalds. As I stared down at my Crispy Chicken Sandwich, almost a little scared to eat it, I thought about how I was going to confront TJ. The two of us were barely talking at all, except for occasional and uncomfortable small talk. I couldn't take it anymore! The silence was killing me and I just had to find out why he is doing this. I had to find out why he is trying to steal Nick away from me. I reached into my pocket and placed the letter on the table. I looked at TJ, directly in the eyes, and said, "So, do you care to explain yourself?" His eyes bulged and his face dropped. "No." He whispered to himself. To TJ, he believed all of this couldn't really be happening. "Yes." I said harshly. "That wasn't for you." He was barely able to say, still being in shock. "Yes, I realize that, Trevor Joshua, but I found it." I said, "And I am glad that I did! Now what the fuck are you trying to do here TJ!?" "It's not what you think Geoff." TJ protested. "What?! You're not in love with Nick and you're not trying to steal him away from me?" I said very callously. I would be yelling, but we were in the middle of a public place, and I didn't want to cause a scene. "Then what the hell is going on?" I asked. He didn't answer me. He just looked down at the table and tears began falling from his eyes. I took a few deeps breath to calm myself down. "Listen, TJ, I need to know. Please tell me." I said in my normal tone of voice. He looked up at me and his face was so full of pain. His eyes, all red, were now full of tears. But he still said nothing. "Come on TJ? You have to say something eventually." I said. "I know," he said quietly, "But you wouldn't understand. He didn't, so you wouldn't either." "Who didn't understand?" I asked. "Who do you think Geoff!?" TJ said a little angrily. "Nick!" 'So Nick does know. How long had he known for?' I thought to myself. "It doesn't matter anymore anyways. He loves you now, not me." TJ said looking down at the table again. "You're right, it doesn't matter anymore. And it will never matter. Alright TJ?" I said sternly once again, "It's over." I took the letter and stuffed it back into my pocket. I got up, leaving TJ at the table and walked out of the McDonalds. As I was leaving I could hear him crying behind me. Honestly, way too many people have ended up in tears today. I am surprised I have yet to. I arrived at the gymnasium a couple minutes early. TJ arrived a few minutes after I did. The rehearsal progressed for a couple more hours before we concluded for the day at around 4:00. I was very impatient to leave when it was done and I just wanted get back to Nick. I walked into our suite, but couldn't find him anywhere. Where was Nick? I searched every room, even the bathroom, but he wasn't here. While searching the entire suite I heard the front door open and close. "Nick?" I yelled from inside the bathroom. "Yea, it's me!" "Thank god it's you!" I said coming out to greet him; throwing my arms around him and giving his the most passionate kiss I'd given him since our little fun we had earlier this morning. I slipped my tongue inside his eagerly awaiting mouth, taking pleasure in the savor of his kiss. "I missed you." I said once we broke our kiss. "I missed you too," he said, "And I bought you something!" "You did?" I asked. I didn't even notice the bags he was holding. He must have been out shopping. He took out a small black box out of one of the bags and handed it to me. "Open it now, please." He asked me. "Alight," I said. I opened it and it was a silver chained necklace, with an emblem attached to it. I took a closer look at the emblem and saw the letters 'N' and 'G' engraved in it with a heart around it. "Oh my god Nick, its gorgeous!" I exclaimed as I threw my arms around him once again to kiss him. "Not as gorgeous as you." He said. "Thank you." I said. "And not just for this, but for everything. I know about TJ, and that hey loves you." I said as I took out the letter from my pocket and handed it to Nick, "And I confronted him with this. I didn't want to bother you with it, so I never showed it to you. Please don't be mad." "I'm not." He said looking a little relieved that I wasn't mad at him. I continued, "He told me he already confessed his love to you, and you said you loved me. And that is all that matters to me, because I love you too, and I always will." "I will always love you too, Geoff." Nick said. "I know you will," I said as the two of us engaged in yet another passionate kiss. *** End of Chapter Nine No cliffhanger this time! Enjoy it while it lasts. Please e-mail me with all questions and comments at kdawg96@hotmail.com - and I'm always open to new and fresh ideas. I look forward to hearing from all of you. Check back next week for Chapter Ten!