Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2001 09:23:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Higgins Subject: Lance's Story: Prologue: Valentine's Day Hey everyone! So here it is. The prologue for the much anticipated and asked for story of Lance and JC. I got many comments while writing Jamie's Romance that their side story was a nice one and everyone wanted to know more of it. There will be several times that the two stories will cross over, so you might be seeing some familiar scenes from a different perspective. This story will completely stand alone and it won't be necessary to read Jamie's Romance to follow anything going on (hopefully). It's not going to be a long detailed account, but rather a glimpse here and there into what made him the Lance that Jamie came to know and to explain (or try to) everything that was hinted at in the other story. The prologue just sets up the story so it's not very long. Confused? Well, don't worry... just read and hopefully enjoy! A big thanks to Casey and Dhiad (Donica) for a bunch of ideas that helped me start this many months ago... thanks you two! 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 or the reality of their lives. It is meant for those over the age of 18 only and those who wish to read stories with sexual content. *********** Lance's Story *********** PROLOGUE: VALENTINE'S DAY "Land your punch, I stand my ground We break for lunch and a second round We set them up, we knock them down Valentine's Day Me and you, you and him Him and her, us and them We keep score, love as war Valentine's Day I lost my teeth, I lost my hair I lost my mind, you don't care Love is war, all is fair On Valentine's Day" - James Taylor It was a hot day in Orlando for February. Temperatures soared and the sun baked everything. James Lance Bass sat at a table near his pool in the shade of an umbrella. He was deep in thought watching two of his best friends floating on a big mattress in the cool water. Justin and Jamie had been together for over a year and they were as much in love now as they were when they first met. It was the day before Valentine's Day and Lance's heart ached at the thought. It had been one year ago that JC had proposed to him. A silent tear ran down his cheek at the memory of the proposal. He had been so happy then, the surprise for Jamie turning into one of the happiest days of his own life. <> Of course he had accepted. JC was the man of his dreams. He was soft-spoken, gentle, good-natured, handsome, considerate, loving... the list went on and on. And he still was all those things, but Lance didn't know if JC loved him anymore and it was breaking his heart. With the exception of the Superbowl appearance, where he kept to himself, no one had seen JC since Christmas which was a painful memory in itself. According to the world they were supposedly recording their new album, but they couldn't do much without JC. Ever since the summer tour something had changed inside JC and whenever Lance thought he had figured it out and fixed it, he'd find that he was wrong. Through the fall, his behavior had become erratic with strange mood changes, he started drinking more and their relationship became strained as they started bickering, something they had never done in all the years they had known each other. It was right after the Billboard Awards that JC started to seriously discuss postponing the wedding. Lance had almost fallen apart. JC gave no reasons and as December wore on Lance spiraled into a deep depression, worrying everyone before Johnny made regular appointments for him with Greg who put him on medication. Through the next few weeks they were strangers in their home. They slept in the same bed but rarely touched. Lance tried to get JC to talk but it only ended in arguments. Finally on Christmas eve JC went home after exchanging gifts with Lance. He left a short note asking him to forgive him and promising to return. He begged Lance to keep the ring and promised he would make everything right. "How did it all go so wrong?" Lance sighed to himself unhappily. With a forced smile, Lance watched the guys cuddle in the center of the pool. Every so often one would playfully splash the other with water. They were always so cute together and being with them made Lance feel better. After Jamie's rape, it took time to get their relationship on solid ground. They had worked hard at it and had grown stronger together because of it. Lance knew their love was strong but that wasn't the only reason they had stayed together. Deep down he knew that they were -meant- for each other, in some greater cosmic way. Lance thought back on the day when they had proposed to each other. They knew each other so well that they laughed, filled with happiness. Both of them had promised their lives to each other that day and Justin had made another more important promise. A promise that was changing all their lives, a promise that showed everyone just how much he loved Jamie. Justin wouldn't hide their marriage like he had to hide their relationship. In addition to being happy for them, Lance was slightly envious. He wasn't proud to feel this way, he considered Jamie and Justin his best friends. But ever since he and Josh had grown apart, their closeness only kept reminding him of what he didn't have. Lance stood and called over to them to get their attention. "Guys, it's getting a little hot for me out here. I'm gonna go in and catch a nap for awhile." "Ok, Lance. You alright?" Jamie asked with concern. "You want to talk about anything?" "No thanks, I'm fine, just a little hot and tired." "What time we heading to Joey's?" Justin asked. "Not for a couple more hours. You guys take care not to burn too badly." "Ok, Momma Bass," they giggled together. Lance gave them a mock disgusted face and laughed himself before heading back into the house, missing the concerned looks that Jamie and Justin shared. As maddening as they could be at times, he really was glad they were staying with him while their house was getting fumigated, it helped his depression. He longed for the cool, quiet solitude of his room. Passing through the door, he stood looking at the bed that he hadn't slept in since Josh had left, he couldn't bring himself to. Looking at the wall he stopped by one picture of him and JC in each other's arms laughing for the camera. With a sob he went over to the couches and lay down on one, toying with the ring on his finger that he would never take off. Tears started flowing down his cheeks. Tears for what was lost and what was to have been his wedding day. Valentine's Day. Staring up at the ceiling he started remembering. tbc... As always comments, suggestion and constructive criticisms are always welcome! Notes: Valentine's Day - James Taylor: 1988 from 'Never Die Young' Jim bangoremail1@yahoo.com AIM: bangoremail http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bangoremail1