Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 09:26:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Red <redfirewitch@yahoo.com>
Subject: Hide In Plain Sight [Part 7: The Secret]

Title: Hide In Plain Sight

Author: Red [redfirewitch@yahoo.com]

Disclaimer: This is just fiction and there isn't an
ounce of truth about the sexuality of the Nsync boys
in here. At least not as far as I know. If you don't
want to read fiction about homosexuality, what are you
doing here?

Shout-outs: Hi Wen, Rick, Dara, Sophie, Casey, Tim,
Baha-Boy!

Stories You HAVE TO read:
'Why' - I love the Justin angsty thoughts!!!

'Tearing Up My Ass' - Read it and tell me it's not
hot! I'll suggest a good doctor.

'Open Arms' - This is the story that got me hooked on
Nick of BSB! Something that I never thought would
happen! lol!

'Porcelain' - Freaky fantastic stuff! It's damn
scary!Plus it has JC/Justin and Nick/Brian!

'No Painless Way' - If you haven't read this, you are
missing out on a lot! Of course the writer seems to
enjoy making her readers go bald! ::ahem::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 7: The Secret

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It was six years ago. After MMC and we all had to
return home. I was kind of a mess at that time. I
guess we all were in some way. But all I wanted to do
was sing and perform and then one day it was all over.
Everyone lost contact and it was like the past few
years had never really happened and it was just a
dream. I was depressed and had to start thinking about
what to do with my life. Mom and Dad wanted me to go
to college and for a while I actually believed that
would make me happy."

Justin nodded as he listened. He had gone through a
similar stage. That first year after MMC had been
tough. All his close friends were no longer with him
and he had to make new ones. Thinking that a normal
life was what he wanted, he had been happy to go back
to school but that didn't last long. Within a month he
itched to get back to show business. Justin knew that
it would have worse for JC because he lived to
perform.

Justin waited for JC to continue.

"I met Liam during that summer. I was checking out
some summer classes and we just started talking. At
first I thought he was just a friendly guy. I didn't
realize he was a fan until he said so later. I was
surprised because he was 19 and two years older than
me and I didn't expect him to watch a show like MMC.
He was just so cute and star-struck that I couldn't
help but like him. At that time, I had no idea that I
might be gay. I don't think I would ever have if Liam
hadn't made a move on me."

"It was a week after out first meeting. I had been
hanging out with Liam, day and night because I didn't
want to go home and have to face with reality. When I
was with Liam, I couldn't see past him. That should
have been my first clue that I was having feelings for
him. One night, Liam suggested we go out and get
drunk. Just the two of us. I didn't realize that it
was actually a date. We had dinner in a fancy
restaurant and then headed out to a club, dancing and
drinking. He blew about a thousand bucks that night
and I didn't even give a single thought as to how he
could afford it. I just didn't think.  I should have
suspected then that Liam wasn't who he seemed to be.
He said he was a college student, no parents or a
family to speak of, working his way through college.
But he never told me what work he did and I didn't
bother to ask. I was only too happy to live in
delusion. We went to his place to hang out later that
night and I think we were a little drunk. Then it
happened. One minute I was laughing hard at something
he said and the next minute he was kissing me. I was
shocked at first but I.......I......it didn't feel bad or
wrong. And that scared me so much that I just started
crying. And that in turn scared Liam. He got this
horrified look on his face that was so funny that I
started laughing. So there I was. Laughing with tears
running down my face while he stared at me, not
knowing what to do."

Justin watched JC's face, seeing a slight smile on his
friend's face and couldn't help but smile. His own
'revelation' had been emotional but he had expressed
it through his black moods and angry verbal swipes. In
retrospect, Justin realized that JC had endured the
brunt of his outbursts.

"Liam began to apologize profusely. He practically
begging for forgiveness and I just continued laughing.
Needless to say, that only confused and worried him
even more. Eventually I managed to calm down and we
started to talk about what had happened. That night
was special. We didn't do anything. We just talked and
Liam told me how he felt about me. I didn't know what
to say but mostly I was thinking about how good it
felt to kiss him. That night was the first night since
in weeks, that I didn't go to bed thinking of the end
of MMC or worrying about what I was going to do in way
of work. That night I was happy because suddenly there
was something new about me. Something to discover and
possibly someone to love."

"The next few days were spent with Liam and within a
week we were lovers. I was so happy. Even as happy as
I would've been performing and singing. That was still
a dream and I always talked to Liam about it. He kept
telling me that one day I'll get what I want. But to
tell the truth, it didn't really matter to me. I was
in love and that was my whole world."

Justin was taken aback to hear that. As long as he had
known JC, music meant everything to him. He didn't
think he would give it up for anything. Obviously
anything didn't include love. JC was nothing if not
romantic. In a way, that was made him so passionate
about music.

Justin realized that JC had become silent.
"Go on. What happened then, Josh?

JC's lips quivered as he tried to speak. Biting his
lips he took a deep breath. For years he had kept it
all inside him and now he was going to let it out. He
just hoped that he wouldn't fall apart after.

"Then everything went to hell and that bastard Phillip
Rondall destroyed our lives."

##
1994.

"Hey you're back! Where's Pirate! Come here boy!" 18
years old JC called out as he stepped out of the
kitchen.

The dog bounded across the room to its master, licking
his face happily.

"Looks like you missed me! I missed you too, mutt!"
the brunet laughed.

"Excuse me! But I missed you too! But do I get a word
of hi or thanks for getting that mutt back from the
vet?" the tall blond who stood by the doorway, huffed
as he stood with a paper bag in his hand and a
haversack on his shoulder.

"Hey, no one calls my mutt, mutt except me! Besides, I
got your favorite cheesecake as way of thanks!" JC
said as he straightened up, grinning at his boyfriend.

"Cake? I cut class, drive downtown to pick up that
furball you call a dog from the vet, almost have
myself a new set scratches to match the ones it gave
me last week and deliver it to you. And all you can
offer is cake?" Liam asked, furrowing his forehead.

"What? He scratched you? That means they didn't pare
down his nails. I told them to cut his nails!" JC
exclaimed.

Liam stared at his boyfriend, annoyed.
"I said he scratched me and you're more concerned
about whether they did what you told them to do or
not?"

JC couldn't hold back his laughter any longer.
"I'm sorry! You should have seen your face. Come here.
I'll make it worth your while."

JC wrapped his arms around Liam and pulled his face
close to meet his blue gaze.

"With more than cake?" Liam asked with a grin.

"Hey, cake can be * very * fun!" JC drawled sexily as
he kissed him soundly on the lips.

The bags fell to the ground in a second as Liam
wrapped his arms around JC to deepen the kiss. As the
kiss became more passionate and hands began to wander,
they were interrupted by a shuffling at their feet.
Liam pulled away long enough to glare at dog that was
scratching at their legs.

"Shove off, mutt!" Liam scolded before reclaiming his
boyfriend's mouth.

There was five more seconds of passion. And then.

"OWW!!! FUCK!" Liam yelled as he began to hop on one
leg.

JC looked at him in surprise.
"What?"

"That mutt bit me!"

JC looked at Pirate who was now shaking his tail and
panting happily. He couldn't help but start laughing.
"That's what you get for calling him a mutt."

"Whose side are you on?" Liam asked, with a pout as he
rubbed his ankle.

"Always the underdog." JC replied with cheesy smile.

"Funny. Haha!" Liam deadpanned.

"So you want cake or not?" JC asked as he moved into
the kitchen.

"What's with you and the sudden domestic streak? So we
have decided on who the 'girl' is in this
relationship?" Liam asked cheekily.

JC rolled his eyes. Then he grinned.
"Actually I thought we decided that last night when
you cried after watching Of Mice and Men."

Liam blushed.
"I wasn't crying."

"Oh please! You messed up my shirt and I had to get
you tissues!"

"Hey! It was sad ok! Lennie and George were so close
to realizing their dreams and then......" Liam stared to
tear up again.

JC smiled as he went to hug Liam.
"Oh baby! What am I going to do with you? You're the
biggest softy I know!"

"Am not!"

"Are to!"

"Am not!"

"Are to!"

"Am not!"

"Are to!"

"Are to!" Liam changed tactic.

"Good you agree!" JC said, catching on to Liam's
trick, and went to take the cake out from the box.

Liam just stuck out his tongue and was about to attack
the cake that JC had set before him when the doorbell
rang. They looked at each other confused. Liam never
had visitors and no one knew that JC and Liam were
together so whoever was at the door couldn't be coming
to see JC. Pirate went bounding off to the door to
'welcome' the visitor.

"It's probably a salesman. You eat. I'll get the door.
Oh. And do you plan on taking off your jacket anytime
soon?" JC asked and stepped out of the kitchen.

Liam waited for JC to return and sat there listening
to Pirate bark voraciously. The dog really got on his
nerves sometimes but it was JC's pet so he put up with
it. Pirate seemed to hold a similar ethos concerning
him. They just tolerated each other because they both
loved the same boy. Liam couldn't help but smile at
that thought.

Just then JC stepped into the kitchen with a strange
look on his face.

"Who was it?" Liam asked.

"It's your uncle. Or so he says. I didn't know you had
an uncle."

Liam frowned in thought for a while, then stood up
suddenly as he realized who it could be.
"Phillip?"

"That's what he said his name was. So he really is
your uncle?" JC asked, wondering why Liam never
mentioned him. As far as he knew, Liam didn't have any
family at all.

"Y-yes. We're not close. Er...so he's here." Liam was
lost in thought for a while until JC had to prompt
him.

"Liam, he's waiting in the den. Are you going to talk
to him?"

Liam looked up startled.
"Yes. Look, JC. Maybe you should go. This is a family
problem and it could get uncomfortable."

JC looked hurt. First Liam didn't bother to tell him
about this uncle and now, he wanted JC to butt out of
his family problem.
"Fine." JC said as he turned away.

Liam realized that JC misunderstood the situation.
"Wait! Baby! You know that's not what I meant. It's
just that......Phillip is rather rude and obnoxious and
he'll say hurtful things about us and I couldn't bear
to hear him insult you. So please? Just for a while.
I'll get rid of him fast. Just bring the mutt for a
walk. Please?"

JC thought about it for while and then smiled.
"If you still continue to call him mutt, I'm not going
to save you the next time he attacks."

Liam smiled and kissed JC once more.
"An hour ok?"

JC just nodded and whistled for Pirate. The dog ran to
him with his leash in his mouth, knowing that the
whistle could only mean one thing. JC opened the back
door and giving Liam a smile, walked out of the house
with Pirate.

As soon as JC was gone, Liam's entire demeanor
changed. A hardness came into his eyes as he took a
deep breath. Turning around, he slowly walked into the
den.

Phillip Randall was one of those guys who you would
rather cross the street to avoid than pass by. He
wasn't huge but he just seemed to emanate cruelty.
Unshaven and always with a manipulative glint in his
beady eyes, he looked dangerous although he was always
careful to dress well. The result was a cross between
criminal and his lawyer and not attractive.

He had his back to Liam, as he was looking at some of
the CDs in Liam's collections.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Phillip! I told you
never to come here!" Liam spat angrily.

"And hello to you too, Liam. So where's your
boyfriend. Pretty fellow. You always did know how to
pick them. So did he buy the uncle story?"

Liam's eyes narrowed at the mention of JC.
"Barely."

"Hmmm, got to polish my acting I guess. So is he a
model or actor?" Phillip asked as he walked around the
room surveying it.

"None of your god damn business!"

"On the contrary, I need to know. Mr. Rodriguez would
want me to know who you're mixing with and talking
about our business with."

"Don't worry about him. Hew doesn't know I'm a
runner." Liam said softly.

"Don't tell me he thinks you're a college student with
a trust fund? And I thought he looked smart. Then
again, you have a talent for deception so I guess he's
not to blame."

"I repeat. What the fuck do you want, Phillip. I don't
have to go through you any longer. Mr. Rodriguez has
asked me to report to him from now on."

"Oh yeah. I heard. Moving ahead of your mentor aren't
you, Liam? Very clever of you. But I won't feel too
smug. After all I've been with Mr. Rodriguez for
years."

"Years of cheating. I know about your side deals. The
only reason I hadn't told on you yet is because of the
little help you gave in the beginning. But if I were
you, I would stop screwing with the side deals,
Phillip. I'm not going to cover for you any longer."

Phillip just grinned as he faced Liam with his hands
behind his back. This was the first time he looked at
Liam face to face.
"Liam my boy. Your kindness knows no bounds. Actually
I'm counting on that for a favor."

"No way in......"

"Ok, maybe favor isn't the right word. More like your
understanding....oh wait. I don't care about that
either." Phillips said as he pulled a gun from behind
him, pointing it directly at Liam.

The blond inhaled sharply.

Philips smiled as he pointed the gun at Liam.
"Ok, this is the story. A deal went bad and I'm
missing a kilo, boy. One of my men stiffed me on the
money so I can't replace the stash before Rodriguez
sees is. Therefore I need to explain why to the boss.
You know he won't be 'happy' with it and I'll be
kissing the bottom of the sea before I can say
fish-bait. Which means I either need to produce the
kilo or I need to produce a body for the blame. Since
the package is no where to be found, I guess I'll just
have to settle for a body. After a intense selection
process, guess what! You've been selected"

Liam's eyes widened in fear.
"You bastard! You're setting me for the fall?"

"Better you than me." Phillip smirked.

**
JC stood in shock outside the den, hidden, as he heard
the conversation. He was still reeling from the fact
that Liam was a drug runner. His Liam! Dear sweet Liam
was selling the shit that killed young people
everyday! He felt anger and disappointment and wanted
to confront his boyfriend. The he heard Phillip's next
few words and froze.

"Since the package is no where to be found, I guess
I'll just have to settle for a body. After a intense
selection process, guess what! You've been selected"

He couldn't believe what was happening. He felt as if
he had walked into a bad movie. But hearing his
boyfriend being threatened made his act without
thinking first.

JC stepped into the den. Phillip's back was to him so
only Liam saw him. Liam's eyes widened in shock. He
knew from JC's expression that he had heard
everything. JC met his eyes briefly before fixing his
gaze on Phillip's back. He moved slowly, hoping to
grab the gun away. However, he made one mistake. He
forgot about Pirate.

Seeing his master move predatorily, Pirate barked
happily from behind him, thinking it was game. Hearing
the sound, Phillip whirled around, revealing the gun
he had in his hand.
"Well well. What have we here?"

"Josh! What are you doing here?! I asked you to
leave!"

"Didn't you think I knew something was wrong, Liam?
God! I never thought it would be this!"

"I'm sorry, Josh. I'm so sorry."

"Why?" JC asked, trying to fight back tears of fear
and disappointment.

"Aww! Don't blame your boyfriend, Joshy boy. He didn't
really have much of choice. It's either sell your body
or sell the drugs. He picked the latter. Although I'm
sure you know that he would have fabulous at the
former." Phillips said with a grin.

Liam felt the tears fall down his face as he saw the
look on JC's face. He had kept the truth hidden from
him all this while and now JC was in danger because of
him. He couldn't let that happen.
"Phillip. This is between us. Let him go."

"NO!" JC yelled. "I'm not leaving you alone with this
bastard!"

"Language, language. It doesn't really matter to me,
Joshy boy. Someone needs to die. Liam is a given but
you.......maybe we can make a deal." Phillips said,
leering at JC.

Liam felt his stomach turn at the look Phillip gave
JC. He would die before he let the creep touch JC.
Liam made to move but Phillip quickly turned so that
the he faced both JC and Liam at the same time.
"No quick moves, Liam. Wouldn't want the gun to go off
suddenly, would we? Now where were we? Ah yes. Joshy
boy. Let's play a game called, make Phillip happy.
Strip."

JC shook his head in disbelief and disgust. Then
Phillip turned to gun and aimed squarely at Liam's
chest.
"NO!" JC yelled.

Phillip just cocked his eyebrows and waited. Knowing
what he had to do, JC brought his hands to buttons of
his shirt with tears falling down his face.

"Oh God! No!" Liam cried, closing his eyes tightly.
"Let him go, Philip! Please!"

"The fun has just begun, my boy. And you get to
watch." Phillps sneered. He looked back at JC's
hesitant moves and scowled. "Faster or I'll blow his
brains out right now!"

Bracing himself against the shame and fear, JC closed
his eyes and stripped until he was only in his boxers.
Phillips stared lustfully, then turned to Liam.
"Very good taste, my boy. Even if he is a bit skinny.
But still a delicious ass."

Liam choked from the sobs wrecking his frame. He knew
what was coming and prayed that he could stop it.

"Get on your knees, Joshy boy." Phillip instructed.

For a moment, JC thought he was going to be physically
sick. He had to force himself not to puke and make
Phillip take his wrath out on Liam. Taking a deep
shuddering breath, the teenager obeyed the order.

"You know what I want. Get to work."

"Josh! Don't! Please!" Liam cried out.

JC turned to look at Liam, his eyes clearly screaming
that he had no choice. Abruptly a blow landed on his
cheeks as Phillip displayed his impatience.
"I said get to work or I'll make it really painful for
your boyfriend!" the bastard yelled.

Hitting JC was this first mistake. Thinking he only
had to be aware of JC and Liam was his other mistake.
Phillip kept his eyes and the gun trained on Liam for
any sudden moves. However, he forgot one more element
that could stop him. And it announced itself with a
bark and a growl. Seeing its master being hit, Pirate
launched itself at Phillip.

Taken by surprise, Phillip yelled as it sank its teeth
into his thighs.
"Fuck!" he shouted as he managed to shake it off.
However, undeterred, Pirate attacked Phillip again.
This time, Phillip aimed at the dog.

A shot rang out. JC shouted, "NO!" as he saw the dog
crumbled to the floor and lay motionlessly. The only
sound it made was a whine before that too died out.
All JC could do was stare at the bundle of fur on the
floor.

Liam saw the look on JC's face turned to glare at
Phillip with burning hatred.
"Bastard!" he cried out. Then he pounced on Phillip.
Taken by surprise, Phillip's grasp on the gun was now
tentative. Liam began to struggle. Another two shots
were fired while they struggled for the gun but JC
couldn't see who was hit. Just then, Liam had managed
to knock the gun out of Phillip's hands. They
continued to wrestle. JC saw the gun land near the
recliner and tried to get up to pick it up. However,
the shock of the events had made his legs weak as he
fell to the floor again.

Just then, he heard the sickening sound of bone
crunching and looked to see that Phillip had landed a
blow to Liam's face. He knew he had to move fast, so
JC crawled near the recliner. His hands wrapped around
the cold metal and once again he felt sick. But he saw
Phillip towering over a felled Liam.
"I'm going to enjoy killing you!" Phillip yelled as he
turned around to look for the gun.

"Not as much as me." JC said softly.

Just before Phillip could fully face him, the teenager
fired. The force sent Phillips stumbling back and
falling to the floor. Blood began to flow out from the
area of his chest where the bullet had hit him
squarely. His eyes slowly closed.

Liam turned to see JC shivering near the recliner.

"Josh?" he called out.

Nothing.

Liam tried to move towards JC. A sharp pain shot
through him causing him to gasp. He moved his hands
under the jacket he was still wearing and touched the
area of his shoulder. When he pulled his hand away he
saw blood. However, another pain was radiating from
the area of his stomach. He didn't want to think about
it yet but felt a weakness evade his entire body.

JC had heard the gasp and looked at Liam. He saw Liam
pull his hand away from his shoulders, smeared with
blood.
"LIAM!" JC yelled as he crawled towards his boyfriend.

Liam groaned as JC pulled him into his arms gently.

"He shot you! Oh my god!"

"Josh, I'm so sorry! I should have told you." Liam
apologized even though it was getting hard just to
breathe.

"Shut up! I need to know if you're hurt badly!" JC
cried out as he tried to pull away the jacket.
However, Liam didn't let him.

"It's just my shoulder. I'll be fine. You have to
leave now." Liam managed to say as firmly as he could
through the pain.

"What? I'm not......"

"My neighbors would have heard the shots and called
the police. If the police find you here, you not going
to be taken in for questioning and I can't let that
happen."

"Are you crazy!? You are bleeding so much! I'm not
leaving you!"

"Listen to me! This is nothing! It's just my shoulder.
It's look worse than it really is! I'll be fine. But
if you get caught up in this, you will never be in
show business again!

"FUCK THAT! I need to know you're ok."

"And I'm telling you I am! Look, I'm even standing! If
this was bad, I wouldn't even be able to move! There's
no point in you getting yourself involved in this
shit!" Liam, argued as he stood shakily.

"Why? I didn't do anything. I'll be fine!" JC replied.
He didn't want to leave his boyfriend despite the
reassurance.

" You will be dragged into a mess with gangs and drugs
involved. They won't let you off even if the police
do. Please, Josh! I know music is your dream and your
life, Joshua. If your name is linked to drugs, you'll
never be able to realize your dreams! And I won't let
you lose that! Now leave! I'll call you as soon as I
can."

"Liam!"

"Please, JC! Do this for me! Please!"

JC finally gave in.
"I hate this!" he cried out as he carefully hugged
Liam.

"I know. I'm sorry, baby. I should have not kept all
this from you. I'll explain everything soon." Liam
said.
Taking comfort from Liam's promise and convinced that
he would really see his boyfriend soon, JC conceded.
He began to pull on his clothes and shuddered when he
remembered why he had taken them off. He saw the dead
body of his dog, Pirate lying on the floor and
couldn't help but cry. He knelt beside Liam again and
hugged his gently once more.
"I don't want to leave you. Please don't make me!" JC
cried.

"You have to. For me," Liam said placing a gentle kiss
on JC's lips and forehead.

Seeing Liam's determination, JC wiped away the tears
and stood up.
"I'll leave for you. But not for long. We are going to
have to talk, Liam but no matter what, I love you."

Liam smiled.
"I love you too. Now get out of here!"

JC looked back once more and then with a worried sigh,
he left through the backdoor of the house. Not knowing
that would be the last time he would see Liam alive.

The moment JC was out of sight, Liam closed his eyes
tight and moaned in pain. Pulling aside his jacket, he
saw the non-fatal gun-shot bullet embedded in his left
shoulder. However, as he brought he looked further
down at his stomach, he saw the wound that was going
to kill him. The wound that JC had not seen.

**
Back in the present.

"He lied to me. Phillip had shot him twice. One hit
his shoulder and the other, the fatal one, hit him in
the stomach. Liam never let me see his back and I
didn't know. I just left him there to die."

Justin moved to hug JC but he stepped away, feeling
that he didn't deserve comfort.

"I just abandoned him without question! I didn't know
he had died until an hour later. I was going crazy
waiting at the hospital where I knew they would bring
him! I was expecting to see him alive. Instead they
wheeled in a dead body saying he was DOA. He died
alone!" JC sobbed, tears falling down his face
continuously.

"Josh, he told you to go! At that time, that was all
you could have done! You didn't know!" Justin cried
out, moving forward once more, wanting to comfort his
friend.

"I should have! I heard two shots and I didn't bother
to check! I just presumed that, that one shot had
missed! Liam died because he was trying to protect me!
And I just..." JC cried out his pain and crumbled to the
floor.

Justin felt tears running down his face as he saw his
friend sobbing his heart out. He couldn't believe the
secret and the pain that JC had carried with him all
these years. He had no idea that happy face he had on
all the time was just a mask. That made Justin feel
like he never knew his friend at all. It was time to
change that.

Justin knelt beside JC and pulled the brunet to him.
JC resisted but Justin didn't let go as he hugged him
tight.
"It's ok, Josh. It's over. You don't have to go
through this alone anymore. I'm here for you. I'll
always be here for you." Justin said as he placed his
cheeks on top of JC's head. He closed his eyes as he
felt JC's hand tighten around him too while he cried
hard.

Tbc...