Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 19:51:56 EST
From: Bangoremail@aol.com
Subject: The Dreams That You Dared To Dream - 8

Greetings everyone,

Thanks to everybody that has sent me a mail about the last chapter.  I
appreciate all your comments and nice words.  I modeled the funeral
somewhat on the one for my grandmother.  Someone did sing the Ave Maria and
the organ played Amazing Grace which was my grandmother's favorite hymn, so
it had a direct personal connection with me.

So here we start with the tour.  What was the deal with Justin's on again
off again corn rows, the sightings of him and Britney, Lance's fascination
with pets, will Jamie and Justin's relationship survive past the chaos that
is the tour?  Hopefully these will be answered in the next chapters.

As always if anybody has a suggestion of something they'd like to see or a
plot line feel free to send it to me.


As usual:
This story is purely fiction and is not intended to imply anything about
the true sexuality of  'N Sync or anyone associated with their
organization.  It is meant for those over the age of 18 only and those who
wish to read stories with sexual content.


******


The Dreams That You Dared To Dream - Chapter Eight


Jamie was nervous.  He didn't have any reason to be, he didn't know why, he
just was.  Fidgeting in his seat between Dani and Lynn, he looked over the
audience enjoying Sisqo's performance on stage.  They had flown in that
morning to Biloxi for the opening of the No Strings Attached tour and
pre-show jitters were fairly high with everyone.  Justin had spent the time
between the sound checks and dinner cuddled up to Jamie on a couch in the
'play room' drawing comfort and reassurance.

Lynn patted his hand comfortingly.  "Hey, relax, I know how you're feeling.
It took me a few years to get used to it, especially with the flying
harnesses."

Jamie smiled at her.  "Thanks, Lynn."

He looked over the others sitting with them in the VIP box.  Beside Lynn
sat Diane and Jim Bass with Lance's sister.  Stacey was cheerful, outgoing
and friendly and thought highly of her younger brother.  Lance's parents,
while cordial, were hard to read.  They seemed very reserved, especially
Lance's father.

That afternoon they had all gathered for dinner before the meet and greet.
The meal was a little tense on all sides.  It was the first time that JC
had seen Lance's parents since Lance came out to them.  Jamie was also
introduced as Justin's boyfriend which got a surprised reaction from the
Basses.  Diane shot a concerned look to Lynn who returned it with a smile
and a promise they'd talk about it later.

Justin seemed to enjoy the shock value it had provided.  He reassured Jamie
that he wasn't going to hide from people that should know and especially to
those they knew they could trust.  Jamie took some comfort that Justin
valued their relationship enough to come out a little at a time when he
felt it was appropriate.  He certainly didn't want to push and felt a
little uncomfortable doing so, but Justin seemed to be doing fine all on
his own.

Jamie felt badly for Joey because his family couldn't make the concert.
Joe's dad had the flu, so he and his mother had stayed home in Orlando.
JC's father was on his way back from a business trip, so his parents would
meet up with the tour at the next stop.  His brother Tyler was there to
give the family support.

Jamie turned his attention from the auditorium and caught a small bit of
the conversation between Lynn and Diane who chatted like old friends.
"I've suspected for awhile now, Diane.  A mother just knows even though she
tries to deny it.  Don't tell me you hadn't ever thought about it with
Lance."

"Well, you're right, Lynn.  Once I sat to think about it, it really wasn't
a surprise, I guess.  We were just so shocked."

Lynn nodded.  "We love our sons very much and this doesn't change them."

"How do you figure?"

"This is how the boys are.  Nothing's changed except -our- view of who they
are, they are exactly the same as they were before.  They just shared
something that they've kept inside them, that's all."

Diane nodded deep in thought.  Jim spoke up next to her.  "You know, Lynn,
since you put it that way it eases my mind more than a little," he said
contemplatively.

Lynn smiled at them.  "We should be thankful that they both picked
wonderful people to fall in love with."

"We've always thought very highly of JC and still do.  I couldn't think of
a better match for Lance."  Diane lowered her voice, but Jamie caught it
anyway.  "Are Justin and his boy serious?"

"Oh, Diane, I've never seen two people more in love.  They're so good for
each other."

"But Lynn, he's so young.  Surely Justin should be with someone his own
age."

Lynn laughed out loud.  "Diane, Jamie's a year older than Justin."  Diane's
only response was raised eyebrows.  "He does look young, it's his height
and those freckles.  Jamie is a wonderful boy and complements Justin well."
Diane nodded with a smile.

Jamie smiled to himself at the compliment as he looked over at Tyler
sitting on the other side of Dani.  He had taken the news of JC and Lance
very well.  Not exactly enthusiastic, he wasn't shocked or surprised
either.  He had promised to keep the secret until JC was ready to tell the
rest of their family.  Jamie later found out that Tyler had a couple of
very good friends in school that were openly gay, so couldn't help but be
supportive of his older brother.

Everyone else in the booth was from Jive, the record label.  None of them
really knew who he was, which was fine by him.  The guys called them the
suits, sent to watch over the 'investment' to make sure everything was
going smoothly.

Jamie's nervousness returned.  Inside he was torn.  He was glad the tour
was finally starting, the weeks and months of hard work finally paying off.
But he was sad as well.  The tour marked the end of the life they had grown
so accustomed to in the last month.  They now would see less of each other
as obligations dragged them in opposite directions.

"So remind me what happens after the show," Jamie asked Dani.  He knew the
schedule, he helped build it, but wanted to talk to someone to keep him out
of his thoughts.

Dani smiled and grabbed his hand knowing exactly why he asked.  "Well, a
decoy bus will leave just as the concert gets out so that the fans think
the guys are gone.  We sit tight here for a couple of hours, eat and let
the guys cool down and take showers.  Then we hop on the real bus and head
for Little Rock."

"We check into a hotel there in the early morning and head out for sound
check sometime after lunch," Jamie finished for her.

Dani nodded.  "So you're staying with them until they leave for Nashville?"

"Ya, then I have to head back the New York.  Are you still heading back
tomorrow?"

"After lunch.  This new company needs so much hands-on time.  Chris really
owes me for this one," she laughed.

"How about you, Tyler?"  Jamie tried to include the boy in their
conversation wanting to get to know him a little better.

"My folks and my sister are meeting up with us in Little Rock so I'll be
going home with them on Thursday while you head to Memphis."

"How do you think your family will react when they find out?" Dani asked.

"Well, Heather won't be a problem.  Mom and Dad have always been supportive
about my friends, but I think it might be different when it's someone in
the family."

"What makes you say that?"  Jamie looked at him curiously.

"When my best friend Rick came out to everyone my parents sat me down for a
long talk.  They assumed that I might be too since we were so close.  I
still remember the relief on their faces when I told them I'm not."  He
shrugged.  "I really don't know how they'll react."

"We'll all be there for him when it happens."

Tyler smiled.  "I appreciate the way all you guys are there for each other.
I love my big brother and I'm glad he's happy.  I like Lance alot."

Their attention was drawn away as Sisqo finished his set and revved up the
audience for 'NSync.  With thunderous screams, the intro started and Jamie
tensed as the voice of Pinocchio resounded through the auditorium.  The
guys slowly dropped from the ceiling and the show was on.

After two numbers, Lance introduced God Must Have Spent.  "Hey
Mississippi!" he yelled.  The crowd was still screaming about the new
version of I Want You Back and responded at different times.  "Hey, this is
my home state, do me proud.  I -said- HEY MISSISSIPPI!" he yelled louder.

This time the audience response was deafening.  Jamie winced in his seat.
He looked over to Dani and saw her fingers in her ears.  "You'll learn,"
she laughed at him.  "Just be ready when one of them yells scream."

Lance continued on stage.  "Being a native I -know- that people here in
Mississippi are special and we dedicate this song to y'all."  The crowd
yelled knowing what song was coming up.  "But the guys and I would also
like to dedicate it to someone else as well.  Not too long ago a very good
friend of ours lost his grandmother."  A resounding 'Awww' sounded from the
audience.  "So I'm sure you'll agree to share the dedication for our friend
Jamie and his grandmother.  God must have spent a little more time on all
of you."  Lance looked directly into the box and smiled at Jamie and waved.

The music started to the screams and yells of the audience.  During the
song Justin caught Jamie's eye more than once and smiled to him.  It was a
safe display, most of the audience would assume he was showing the
affection to his mother.  By the end there were tears in Jamie's eyes and
Lynn had an arm around his shoulder.

"God bless you everybody," Justin said as the song ended. "God bless Nana,
too," he added and blew a kiss toward Jamie and Lynn.

The concert continued and Jamie was in awe even though he had seen almost
all of the final rehearsals and the dress.  It was the first time he'd
actually seen them live in a full concert.  They ate up the energy from the
audience and moved smoothly from song to song as the seasoned pros they
were.

He watched Justin like a hawk and pride filled him.  He knew Justin was
talented but that didn't stop him from appreciating his ease with being on
stage, the way he worked the crowd or the wonderful way his voice sounded.
One other small feeling crept up on him which made him blush constantly.
He was getting aroused by the sexual magnetism of Justin's stage presence
which seemed to be directed right at him.

Before he knew it Bye Bye Bye had started.  Dani nudged Jamie and brought
him back mentally to the booth.  Snickering at him she gestured to the
steps down.  They snuck out and headed backstage so they could meet the
guys as they came off stage.  Tyler tagged along with a wondering smile.

"This show was over the top!" Tyler exclaimed as the passed the security
check point.

Dani agreed.  "I could only imagine what it would be like from Chris'
description and that came nowhere close to reality."

They got backstage and headed to the private area just before the song
finished.  They waved to Lonnie and Mike as they entered the 'playroom'
laughing, having been infected by the energy coming from the crowd.

Within a minute the guys burst into the room whooping and hollering, stoked
from their performance.  Chris ran over to Dani, took her hands and started
dancing around with her.  Joey hopped around Tyler making faces at him
before grabbing him and carrying him around piggy-back, chasing Chris and
Dani as they danced.  Lance and JC started wrestling playfully on the floor
for a bottle of water, giggling uncontrollably.

Justin walked over to Jamie his eyes shining brightly.  He grabbed Jamie,
pulled him up against him and twirled them both around.  Jamie laughed and
wrapped his arms around Justin's neck and legs around his waist as they
endlessly circled making them both dizzy.

They stopped twirling and Justin continued to hold Jamie tightly, not
letting him down.  They stared into each other's eyes for a long minute
then pressed their lips firmly together.  They kissed passionately
forgetting everything and everyone around them.

Tyler, still hanging onto Joey, looked away slightly embarrassed.  Joey
smiled at them while Chris and Dani, eternally hyper, continued dancing
around everyone.  JC was sitting on Lance's waist as they glanced at Jamie
and Justin.  Deciding that it was a great idea, Lance grabbed JC's shirt
and pulled him down into their own kiss.

Johnny took one look around when he led Lynn and the Bass family into the
room.  "Oh good Lord!" he said as he raised his hands in exasperation.
"I'm babysitting a playschool."

He and Lynn went over to the cooler and grabbed a drink and calmly waited
while watching everyone with bemused expressions.  Stacey ran to Joey and
Tyler and tried to push them over, getting into the fun.  Jim and Diane
stood in shock looking from Lance and JC to Jamie and Justin then back
again.

"James Lance Bass, I raised you better than that!" Diane finally yelled.
Her words were like a splash of ice cold water on everyone as the room fell
silent.

Justin let Jamie back to the floor but kept holding him as they watched
guardedly while Dani and Chris stood beside them.  Joey, Tyler and Stacey
slumped on a couch trying to not be seen.

Lance and JC hopped to their feet a deep blush spreading across their
faces.  "Mom, Dad, I..."

Diane interrupted him as Lance's father stood next to her with a completely
blank expression.  "This behavior is inexcusable.  Doing something like
that out in the open is just not appropriate."

"This is their private area.  Here they decide what is appropriate.
Besides, don't you remember what it's like to be young and in love?"
Melinda said as she closed the door behind her.  She backed down slightly
at the icy glare sent her way from Diane.

"That's no excuse."

"No, Mother," Lance finally said firmly.  "Mel is right, this room is for
our privacy.  And if I want to kiss my fiance here then I will."

The startled gasps from the Basses let everyone clearly know that this was
unexpected news.  "What do you mean, Lance?" his father asked with a little
heat.

JC spoke up, his protectiveness suddenly in full view as he put his arm
around Lance's shoulder.  "It means that I asked Lance to marry me and he
said yes."

"And just when were you going to tell us?" Diane asked obviously distressed
and angry.

"After the tour was over we are going to have both families come to Orlando
and help us plan," Lance said trying to be conciliatory.  "We were going to
tell you all then.  I do want you to be a part of this, you both are very
important to me."

"When are you planning to have the ceremony?"  Diane relaxed a little, some
of the heat leaving her at Lance's explanation.

"Valentine's Day."  Lance smiled up at JC hugged him and held him close.

"Come here, you two, and give me a hug.  We've got a ride home ahead of
us."

Lance went and hugged his mother while JC shook hands with Jim.  "Baby, you
know we're trying.  We -do- love you very much.  This is just so much to
take in.  Please don't get mad at us."

"Oh, Mom.  I know it's going to take time for you to adjust and I
appreciate that.  I love you too."

They switched and Lance was drawn into his father's arms while Diane hugged
JC.  "Take care of our boy, Joshua."

"I will, Diane, I promise."

"We like you Josh, really we do.  When you tell your parents let them know
they can call me, ok?"

"I'll let them know," JC said in wonder.  Lance's parents were doing their
best, he knew, and they never failed to amaze him.

Stacey came up to them and they hugged her together.  "Well, I guess we
should be going.  Lance, I'll work on Mom and Dad some more."

"I appreciate that, Sis.  They've come a long way, thanks to you."

"Thanks for coming Stacey," JC said into her shoulder.

She pulled away with a smile and went around the room saying goodbye while
Diane and Jim said goodbye to Johnny and Lynn.  "Come on Stacey, we got to
head out of here before the traffic gets completely tangled."

"The decoy bus just left," Melinda advised, "so it should be ok for a
little while yet.  If anyone asks you where the guys are the standard
answer is 'the bus just left.'"

They nodded as they left the room, Lynn volunteered to see them out.

Johnny and Mel looked the group over.  "So why'd the party stop?" Mel asked
with a laugh.  "I wanna have some fun."

That broke the tension left in the room and everyone started talking at
once.  "Hold on..." Johnny cried.

They all laughed.  Joey went up to Johnny and put an arm around his
shoulder.  "You want a little lovin', Johnny baby?"

"You just get off of me," Johnny laughed.  "Ok, you guys all chill here for
awhile.  There's two shower rooms, so get cleaned up and we'll have some
supper here for you in about a half hour or so.  The bus pulls out at
midnight and get some sleep this time."

"I don't have to remind you that you'll need to stay here until the crowd
clears a bit then you can wander around more when the coast is clear.
We'll pull the busses up to the door so when you do go to them nobody will
see you," Mel added.  "The auditorium is off limits because they're tearing
down the stage, but you knew that," she smirked.

"Chris, Joey, why don't you hit the showers first?" Justin suggested.

A knowing smile came over Lance and Jamie's faces at the offer.  Lance
whispered to JC who grinned broadly.  Joey and Chris missed the exchange as
they headed off.  Dani went with Chris 'to help.'

------


Twenty minutes later Jamie and Justin were in the shower room stripping out
of their clothes.  Jamie was completely naked as he watched Justin in just
his spandex workout shorts that he wore under his costumes.

"Do you think they bought the excuse that I needed to change?" Jamie asked.
He appreciated Justin's build as he moved around the shower room.  Jamie
was completely hard and noted that Justin was growing in the shorts.
Justin noticed him watching.

"Not for a minute," Justin smiled as he stuffed the last of his costume in
a marked plastic bag which he quickly placed outside the door then crossed
to Jamie and kissed him.

"I liked my own personal show, thanks," Jamie purred.

Justin smiled and turned on the small radio they had brought in and started
dancing suggestively in front of Jamie.  He swayed his hips and peeled back
the shorts giving Jamie teasing glimpses of the skin underneath.  Jamie
smiled as his breathing grew heavy with desire.  He automatically brought
his hand to his hardon and started stroking.

Justin noticed and turned up the heat.  He licked his lips while tracing
the length of his erection in his shorts with his fingers.  "You want this
don't you?" he asked cupping his crotch.

"Oh, ya," Jamie sighed.  He groaned as Justin pulled the shorts off and
waved his hard dick at him.  "Your dancing onstage turned me on.  You're
very sexy."

"I saw you in the audience watching me," he played along.  "So now here you
are with a naked celebrity in the bathroom."

All the while Justin was drawing closer to Jamie until they were almost
touching.  He leaned forward and brushed their lips together as he replaced
Jamie's hand with his own.  Their tongues met while Justin stroked Jamie
firmly.

Justin groaned into Jamie's mouth as Jamie grasped him and played with the
head.  Jamie broke the kiss and kissed across Justin's cheek to his ear
which he licked and nibbled.  "This is your night, what would you like to
do?"  While he waited for Justin's answer he licked and nibbled along his
broad shoulder.

"Everything," Justin answered.  He was flushed and breathing heavy.

"I'd love to do everything with you, baby, but we don't have time.  But how
about a little celebrity worship?"

Justin looked at him with a confused expression as Jamie smirked at him.
"Sit down."  Justin sat on the carpeted floor.  Spreading his legs out he
leaned back on his hands.  Jamie knelt between his legs and stroked his
thighs feeling the fine hair covering his soft skin.

Justin's face turned to pure ecstasy as Jamie lay between his legs and
started licking up the inside of his thighs to his balls.  He licked all
around the sack, matting the hairs while Justin squirmed.  Jamie took one
then the other in his mouth and gently sucked.

"Oh wow, that feels great," Justin moaned as he lay fully on the floor.

Jamie smiled up at him and licked up his hard shaft.  Justin's breathing
came deeper as Jamie reached the head.  It was fully swollen and leaking
its usual stream of precum.  Jamie wrapped his fingers around the shaft and
started stroking as he took the head in his mouth.

His tongue circled around the ridge as he sucked and stroked Justin, making
him groan loudly.  Jamie could tell from the tremors that he wouldn't last
long so set out to give him as much pleasure as possible.  After a bit
Justin's hips started thrusting upward slightly.  Jamie held his head
steady and let Justin do the work as he kept the suction on his cock.

Moaning constantly, Justin's hands were in his hair as he hovered just on
the verge of orgasm.  Jamie decided to help him along.  He reached up and
took both of Justin's nipples between his thumbs and first fingers and
gently rubbed and twisted them.

Justin stiffened under Jamie.  His hands came down to hold Jamie's head as
he forced himself deep into Jamie's throat.  "Oh God, baby, I'm cumming."
Justin grunted once and started shooting.  Jamie swallowed as best he could
but there was just too much and it ran back down Justin's shaft.

When his spasms finally stopped, Justin let go of Jamie's head and pulled
him up on top of him.  "You are so wonderful," he said in between kisses.

Jamie kissed Justin lovingly then pulled him up.  "Let's take that shower.
You've got me all sweaty too."

They laughed together as they stepped into the hot spray.  After washing
their hair, they took turns lathering each other up.  Justin noticed that
Jamie was still a little excited.  "Seems like it's your turn, sweet pea."

Justin pulled Jamie to him and with a handful of soap started stroking
Jamie.  Jamie leaned heavily against Justin as his hand brought him quickly
near orgasm.  Justin, sensing he was close, brought his other hand to
Jamie's ass.  Using his fingers, he lightly played with Jamie's hole making
him moan in appreciation.

Jamie was trembling against Justin as his orgasm approached.
"I'm... I'm.. gonna...  ah!" Jamie sputtered.  Justin bent and sucked hard
on the side of Jamie's neck making him cry out.  His whole body convulsed
as he came, shooting all over both of them.

Jamie slumped against Justin more as he recovered.  Lifting his head he
kissed Justin tenderly.  They continued to kiss as they lathered up again
and rinsed themselves clean.

"I love you so much," Justin said thickly as he caressed Jamie's cheek with
his fingers.  Tears formed in his eyes as his emotions ran out of control.

"I love you too, JuJu."

Justin wiped his eyes.  "I'm sorry.  I'm kinda emotional right now.  What
with the tour starting and the show and ..." he trailed off.

"...and with us going to be apart more," Jamie finished for him.

Justin nodded.  "I'm gonna miss you so much, sweet pea."  His tears started
again as he held Jamie tightly.

"I'll miss you too, JuJu.  Everything will be ok."  Jamie stroked Justin's
back comforting him.

"I know, I'm just being a big baby."

"No, honey.  You're expressing how you feel and that's never a bad thing."

Justin smiled at Jamie and kissed him again.  "I'm the luckiest guy in the
world."

They dried off, dressed in sweats and t-shirts and joined the others.
Johnny was good to his word and they found pizza and sandwiches on the
table.

"Have a good shower?" Joey asked with a smirk inspecting the hickey on
Jamie's neck.  Jamie slapped his hand away playfully before pinching Joey's
cheek.

"The best one I've had today," Justin answered.

"Ok, TMI," Chris laughed.

They ate, talking about the show and the schedule for the next few days.
Justin sat quietly, sinking into his own thoughts.  Jamie noticed and took
his hand bringing smile to his face.

After they ate, Lynn had to leave to catch her red-eye to Los Angeles.
"I'll see you in Memphis," she said as hugged Justin and Jamie.  After she
hugged everyone else, she was gone with a wave.

The post-show energy was dwindling as they lounged, nobody felt like
wandering around.  At 11:30 Mel came back to let them know that the busses
were ready if they wanted to go get settled.

"Here we go, let the tour officially begin," Chris intoned in mock
reverence.

Jamie had scoped the bus out earlier in the day and was quite impressed.
Whenever they had shown the bus on TV it had looked small and cramped, but
it wasn't.  The lounge area in front was quite large.  The center of the
bus had the bathroom and the bunks, four on one side and two on the same
side as the bathroom and the kitchenette in the back had enough room for 8
to sit and eat.

They got on the bus to hear an excited yipping coming from a pet crate near
the very front.  Chris went to the crate and flipped open the door.
"Busta!"  The little dog bounded out of the crate and into Chris' arms.

"So what are we gonna do about sleeping arrangements?" Tyler asked as they
all settled in a seat.

"There are six bunks, so there's plenty of room," JC offered.  "Why don't
Justin, Jamie, Lance and I take the set of two and the rest of you can be
across the aisle."

"Sounds good.  Tyler, you want top or bottom?" Joey asked.

"Top of course," he replied.

The exchange set the three couples laughing hysterically.  "What?" they
both asked completely unaware of what they had said that was so funny.

"Top or bottom, Joe?" Chris asked.  "I never knew you went that way, let
alone Tyler."

Tyler blushed a deep red before saying goodnight and hopping into a bunk.
Joey's jaw dropped open in shock then he started laughing.  "You guys are
horrible.  Treating us lonely single guys like this."

"Single?  What happened with Kelly?" Lance asked.  JC got up and went to
check on Tyler.

"We decided to just date for now but we haven't broken up.  She was having
some problems with the whole tour thing and me being away."

"Tell her to call me if she wants," Jamie and Dani said at the same time.
They looked at each other and smiled.

JC returned with a grin.  "How is he, Josh?  I hope we didn't hurt his
feelings or anything," Justin asked.

"He's fine, just embarrassed.  Don't be surprised, though, if he goes out
gunning for everyone."

"Bring it on!" Chris laughed.  Everyone started their own little
conversations.

Lance looked at Jamie sitting near him.  Jamie was snuggled up against
Justin and had a tear in his eye.  "Jamie, you ok?"

Jamie nodded.  "Ya, I'm fine.  It's just a little overwhelming.  Remember
back in January when the four of us were having dinner at the apartment in
New York and you got weepy?"  Lance nodded.  "Well, it's some of those
feelings of belonging and having good friends who are so close you can be
yourself and not worry about being judged.  It truly is a family."

Lance smiled at Jamie and squeezed his shoulder.  "Don't get me wrong, but
I love my family to death, but sometimes I think that the family we're born
into can never be as good as the family we make for ourselves."

Jamie smiled at him and snuggled into Justin's shoulder.  Justin turned
from his conversation with Joey to kiss him on the forehead.  "You ok,
sweet pea?"

"Perfect," Jamie said contentedly.

Before they knew it the bus pulled out and they all got ready for bed.
Jamie and Justin stripped to their boxers and got under the covers in the
bunk above JC and Lance.  Jamie snuggled into Justin and found that the
mattress was very soothing, not at all thin and lumpy like he thought it
would be.  The bunk itself was about the size of a super twin so it was
plenty big for the both of them.

"Hey, this is pretty comfortable.  Not bad at all."

Justin agreed.  "That's the only way we could stand being on one of these
for months at a time."

Jamie closed the curtain and Justin turned of the light.  They caressed
each other in the dark, a hand through the hair, a light touch on a cheek,
as they softly kissed each other goodnight.  Getting comfortable they found
that neither could sleep.

"I'm so tired, but I can't sleep," Justin said.

"I heard that, I'm having the same problem," Chris said from across the
aisle.

"Ditto," they heard from Lance below them.

"Jamie, would you sing us a lullaby?" Joey asked in a little kid's voice.

Justin chuckled next to him.  "Go ahead, sweet pea.  I love to hear you
sing."

"How can I refuse someone so cute."

Jamie hopped out of the bunk and got his guitar from the storage bin in
front.  He sat on the edge of Chris and Dani's bunk and started to play
just as the bus hit the highway.


	"Baby mine, don't you cry
	Baby mine, dry your eyes.
	Rest your head close to my heart,
	Never to part, baby of mine."


Jamie heard sighing from the bunks around him.  Continuing the song, he
glanced up to see Justin looking down from their bunk with love in his
eyes.  Jamie sang directly to him.


	"Little one, when you play,
	Pay no heed what they say.
	Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
	Never a tear, baby of mine.

	If they knew all about you,
	They'd end up loving you, too.
	All those same people who scold you,
	What they'd give just for the right to hold you.

	From your hair down to your toes,
	You're not much, goodness knows.
	But you're so precious to me,
	Sweet as can be, baby of mine."


Jamie finished and heard deep breathing all around him.  Justin's eyes were
heavy as he watched Jamie put his guitar in the case and put it in the
empty bunk.  Jamie climbed up and let Justin lay his head on his chest.

"Night, JuJu," he said as he kissed Justin's forehead but he was already
out.  The rhythmic hum of the tires on the highway with Justin's heavy,
even breathing soothed Jamie enough that he, too, soon fell fast asleep.

The bus traveled into night, carrying it's sleeping passengers to another
state, another city, another day.


tbc...


Notes:
Baby Mine (from Dumbo) - Ned Washington & Frank Churchill: 1941
	Bette Midler did a nice version of this for 'Beaches'


There's the latest.  Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Jim
bangoremail@aol.com