Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 18:51:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Higgins Subject: Lance's Story: You Do Something To Me Hey everyone! Here we are... another chapter. I'm very pleased with the response this story is getting. I know everyone wanted answers to the Lance and JC puzzle from the other story. So this chapter will give you more of it. So what was the deal with Lance and Jordan Knight? It's obvious JC is interested in Lance... will he ever tell him? Will Lance get the guts to tell JC? Will anyone other than Lance get laid? Hee hee... well, I'm sure the others are getting some (maybe except Justin because it was already established that he was a virgin when he met Jamie) but that's not part of this story. Enjoy and please feel free to write and tell me what you like and not like about the story. If you have any thoughts or suggestions feel free to send them my way. I like getting them and they do help me to think and therefore make the story better! 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 *********** You Do Something To Me "You do something to me, Something that simply mystifies me. Tell me, why should it be, You have the power to hypnotize me? Let me live 'neath your spell, Do do that voodoo that you do so well, For you do something to me, That nobody else can do." - Cole Porter: 1929 Lance sat for long periods thinking about how to win JC's heart, if possible. It was a sticky situation, because if he was wrong, he didn't want to lose JC's friendship in the process or cause trouble within the group. Deep down he knew JC felt something, but was it what he thought it was? Finally he decided his first steps. JC and Justin had always had a strange best friend/big little brother vibe that nobody could really describe. They thought nothing of long hugs, putting an arm across the shoulder or cuddling on the bus. Justin's natural affection for all of them seemed to be centered mostly on JC because of their long friendship. He used everyone for a pillow at some time or other, but JC was the 'pillow' of choice. Lance started mimicking Justin's behavior in small ways that he thought weren't too out of character. JC always smiled and never refused him a hug. He even took to putting his arm across Lance's shoulders on occasion without even being asked or prodded to. Several times when Lance was yawning in his seat on the bus, JC would pull him down so he could rest his head in his lap. As the summer tour started Lance was happy but confused. His plan had exceeded beyond expectations except he still didn't know exactly how JC felt about him. JC acted shy and withdrawn whenever he and Lance were alone together, so long heart-felt talks like Lance had with Justin never happened. Of course Lance was too shy, himself, to even think about bringing the subject up. Finally he decided to step up the physical cues: a rub on a shoulder, a hand on the forearm while talking, standing close whenever he could. He hoped that this would provoke JC into saying something. Again JC responded in kind but neither of them even mentioned it in their conversations. Every time he mustered the courage to bring up the subject something would happen. Either the phone would ring or one of the other guys would intrude. Tour wasn't the greatest time for something like this. The summer wore on as they traded looks on the bus, a smile in the dressing room. It was driving Lance nuts. As the summer progressed the group was becoming more and more dissatisfied with Lou Perlman and their agreement with Transcon. Their first album was doing well, not spectacularly, but good enough to make some numbers and the tour was just about sold out. Aside from their salaries, they saw little else except the small monthly royalty checks from the record company. JC and Chris hadn't spoken to Lou since Lance's hospitalization. They blamed his condition directly on Lou's unrelenting schedule and careless approach to their health and needs. When the summer leg started, Lou was never to be found, as if he had abandoned them. He was never in his office when they had the time to call and needed to talk. As the summer wore on, Jordan Knight, their main opening act, had become a good friend to all of them. Although his solo career was just starting, he was full of advice for life on the road and how to deal with management that came from years of experience being a New Kid On The Block. He'd become a voice of reason with their growing dissatisfaction with Lou Perlman and Transcon. One day he had some advice that took Lance completely by surprise. "You know," he said when they were alone in the dressing area, "sometimes making a guy jealous works." Lance looked at him shocked. "Um... I don't know what..." "Please, Lance, I'm not blind." "How'd you know I was..." "Gay?" Jordan finished for him. "Oh Lance, I can spot one anywhere. You really like him don't you?" Lance nodded. "Ya. But make him jealous? Are you sure?" Jordan nodded with a smile. "It worked for our Joe." Lance just looked at him like he was crazy. "Joe had the biggest crush on Donnie's brother, Mark. Mark couldn't have cared less, but the minute Joe started getting close to -my- brother, Mark suddenly became interested." "Did it work?" "Sorta, it didn't last too long. Mark had other goals and they both moved on. They're good friends now." "I'll have to think about that." "You do that, sweet thing." Jordan leaned over and kissed Lance on the lips before walking out of the room. Lance sat there shocked, his fingers touching his mouth. And think he did, but didn't act on it. Jordan became increasingly friendly as the tour wound into August. He was right by Lance's side during meals and at after parties. Lance looked at JC during these times but if it bothered him he didn't show it. 'This just isn't working,' Lance thought to himself. 'Here I am, 20 years old, and I can't even be honest about my feelings.' One night at the hotel, Jordan came on a little too strong. He had invited Lance to his room for dessert 'or something.' Lance went, innocently thinking that Jordan wanted to talk to him about business or the tour. When he got into the room, Jordan pushed him onto the bed and sat on his waist. "Well, Lance, here we are. Just you and me." "Jordan, this isn't funny, let me up." "Aw, come on, sexy, don't you want to play? I know that we've been trying to make Joshy jealous and it's not working. So let's just take another step and really put the heat on." "You're the one that's trying to make him jealous, I never asked you to." "Tsk, tsk, Lance. Arguing about details when there's much more fun things to do." Jordan leaned down to kiss Lance. Somehow Lance thought that he should be flattered, or even turned on, but instead he was repulsed. As their lips touched, he was too shocked to move at first. Jordan's lips possessed his as his mind screamed in protest but his body lay limp under him. When he felt Jordan's tongue sneak out and try to enter his mouth he was released from his paralysis. Lance pushed him to the side he crawled off the bed. He stood breathing heavily over Jordan who was chuckling at him. "I can't believe you'd do that. You know I'm interested in Josh, not you." "Oh, come on, country boy," Jordan scolded him, his Boston accent getting thick. "I know that. I just wanna have some fun while we play the game with your boy, it's not like I want to marry you." He looked Lance up and down. "You -are- very cute, you know." Lance just gawked at Jordan. "I thought you were my friend! Just leave me alone. I don't need or want your help." Lance turned quickly and left the room, closing the door firmly behind him. He heard Jordan's laughter as he walked down the hall, his face red in embarrassment. ------ The next day, Justin pulled him aside during a break in the sound check. "Lance, I'm worried. Something's bothering Josh and he won't talk about it. He actually got mad at me yesterday when I pushed him on it." "I don't know what to tell you, Justin. He hasn't said anything to me either." Justin stood looking down, shuffling his feet. Lance suspected there was something else bothering him. "What else is on your mind?" he asked. "What do you think about Jordan?" "He's alright, I guess," Lance responded guardedly. "He kinda gives me the creeps," Justin blurted out. Lance nodded. "What made you ask me this?" Lance asked eyeing the eighteen year old. "Um... well... I don't know. He's been really helpful about things but there's just something." He shook his head looking away in confusion. He looked Lance again directly in the eye. "I noticed that Jordan spends a lot of time with you and seems pretty friendly." Justin seemed clearly embarrassed but continued. "Are you two... um... you know?" It was Lance's turn to look down. "No, we're not. I don't like him in that way." Justin nodded. "I thought so." "You thought what?" "That you like guys." Lance's head came up quickly. "Hey, Lance it's ok. You'll have no problem with me and I won't tell a soul, promise. It's cool." Lance sighed in relief. "You know that you are one of the only ones who knows." Justin gave Lance one of his biggest smiles and a hug. "Thanks for sorta confiding in me, Scoop. If you ever need to talk I'm here for ya. Your secret is safe with me." Lance nodded relieved. Justin was many things, but he wasn't a blabber-mouth. "There is something you can do for me. If you see Jordan starting to hang around me don't leave me alone with him, I'll do the same for you." "Sure thing, buddy. If he tries anything, I'll kick his ass." They both smiled, their bond as friends just a bit stronger now with Lance's secret shared. Lance turned serious. "He hasn't tried anything with you, has he?" "Oh, no!" Justin replied a little too quickly. "He gives me looks every so often that make me uncomfortable but that's all." Lance sighed with relief. "Good." Putting their arms around each other's shoulders they headed back on stage to continue the practice. It never dawned on Lance to question Justin about his sexuality at the time. He thought about Justin's apparently non-existant love life. He hadn't even dated anyone as far as Lance knew. Lance wondered about it a few days later but had no answers and only suspicions. He figured when Justin was comfortable talking about it, he would. ------ For the rest of that week Lance gave Jordan a wide berth and, gratefully, Jordan didn't push the issue. Lance did catch him winking and pantomiming smooches to him every now and then. He just told himself that he was being teased and nothing more. One night over a week after Jordan's little 'party,' Lance was sitting in his room reading when he heard a knock on his door. "Who is it?" "It's me, Josh. Are you busy?" "Come on in, it's open." JC entered Lance's hotel room and sat cautiously on the bed. "I got those contracts from Wild Orchid's management and you said you'd go over them with me." "Sure, no problem." Lance got up and got some paper so they could both take notes, then sat next to JC on the bed. He had read more than a few books on contract law over the past year and with Johnny's help had become the group expert. It was Lance who first discovered the written inequities in the contract with Transcon. Lance started reading aloud, explaining some of the more obscure parts for JC as they both wrote down their own questions and comments. They continued to go over the clauses and slowly moved closer together. Lance felt JC's breath along his neck. He put down his pen and waited. Tentatively JC reached over and gently touched the skin on the back of Lance's hand. He sat quietly and so did JC, neither moved their hand away. Lance slowly tilted forward until their foreheads almost met. No other sound intruded as they leaned into each other. Lance took the initiative and cupped his free hand against JC's neck. JC's breathing deepened and his hands trembled. He leaned against Lance more as if seeking his warmth and gave him a soft, gentle kiss. Lance breathed deeply and pulled them down on the mattress, forgetting papers and contracts under them. JC's weight on him felt wonderful and comforting. They pressed together and JC sighed into Lance's hair as they hugged. Lance looked at the ceiling. "Do you like me?" "Yes." JC lifted his head and looked Lance in the eye. "Do you like me alot?" Lance seemed frightened of the question or maybe of the answer and looked away. JC paused momentarily as if he was deciding his answer. Lance sensed his discomfort and continued. "I like you a whole lot. I really do," he said against JC's shoulder. He looked JC in the eye again. "And I want you to like me the same way." "I do," JC said quietly. He rolled off of Lance and sat up as if giving the admission surprised him. He looked over at Lance and gave him a small smile. "Ya, I do, and I have for a long time." He leaned down and kissed Lance again, this time with a little more passion. 'Oh my God,' Lance cried inside himself. 'He's kissing me and he likes me and he's kissing me. Lance reveled in the taste and feel of JC's lips on his. This was a kiss of emotion and feeling and he stored away every second of it in his memory. Once again JC pulled away. "Um, well..." he said suddenly self-conscious. Lance thought his shyness was endearing. "Could you finish looking at those contracts sometime for me?" "Sure, Josh." "Well, maybe I should be going now. Um... I'll see you at dinner?" "Yes, I'll be there." JC gave Lance a big smile and a quick kiss on the lips and headed for the door. He paused as he opened it and looked back to smile once again at Lance then left. ------ The next few days flew by for Lance. His heart was bursting and he felt like jumping for joy. After -the- kiss, he couldn't stop thinking about it. He and JC would smile at each other more and always stood close together. They had yet to talk further about that night, but by silent consent didn't and just enjoyed the knowledge that something was happening between them that they both wanted. Not wanting to be pushy or forward Lance patiently waited for JC to make the next move. Time alone while living on a bus was just about impossible. Lance counted the days until their next hotel stop. It was enough, though, for him to know that at least JC felt the same way about him. It was just about when Lance thought that his world was getting to be as perfect as it could be that Jordan intruded on his life again. "Hey there, Lancey. How's things with your boy?" "Just fine, Jordan. Just butt out, I don't need your help." Lance looked around the backstage area for Justin but didn't see him anywhere. "You sure about that, cutie? I don't see you doing the lovey-dovey thing." "It's still too early plus the other guys don't know," Lance said defensively. "Ah, so you two are finally together." He made it more of a comment than a question. Lance cursed himself for falling into the trap. "Jordan, please. Just leave us alone for now, please?" Lance hated begging, but hoped he could appeal to Jordan as a person. "Well, if you need some 'relief' just come and see me. We could have a little party." "No thanks, Jordan. One of your parties was enough." Lance stood, uncertain and worried, as Jordan gave him a smile and a wink and walked off to go find some other diversion. ------ Another week passed and he and JC still shared secret smiles to each other. They started sitting close together for the few seconds they were alone and held each other's hand. But still, although happy, Lance was disturbed by the lack of real communication between them. Whenever Lance tried to bridge the silent gap, he'd close up and get flustered. JC would smile at him and rub his shoulder, but do no more. Finally the last week of the tour came and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After the last show they'd have a four day weekend off followed by a week of rehearsals for the VMA's then almost a month's vacation. They all dreamed of mornings with no wakeup calls and days filled with nothing. Also this last week meant more overnight hotel stays. JC had come to Lance's room before breakfast to see if he was ready and gave him a warm hug. Lance smiled at the thoughtfulness and held him close as they stood in the middle of the room. "Lance," JC began, a little unsure of himself, "I don't know where this will lead, but I just wanted to be sure that we won't let this affect the group at all. And more importantly, I don't want to lose you as a friend. I couldn't bear that." Lance nodded in agreement. "I feel the same way. Let's agree right now that no matter what happens we'll still be friends." JC sighed. "Good, that's been weighing on my mind. I'm glad you agree." "So what are we? Dating, boyfriends..." Lance let the sentence drop off as he felt JC stiffen in his arms. "I don't know, Lance. I'm still trying to make sense of it. I've known I was bisexual since I was a kid. It's so much easier for you being gay." "Easier? How do you figure that?" "Well, for you, guys are it. You don't have these conflicting feelings for girls. Up until now guys were to have some occasional fun with and girls were for relationships." He was clearly confused and trying to work through his feelings so Lance would understand. "You changed all that, Lance. I've never really considered a relationship with a guy before." "And now you're considering having one with me," Lance finished for him finally understanding his turmoil and why he had been slightly distant. JC smiled at him and nodded. "I want more than to just have sex with you Lance. I really do. I've liked you from the first day and now I know you feel the same about me. Can we take this really slow, one step at a time?" "As long as you promise to talk to me, then you can take all the time you need." Lance looked at JC expectantly. JC's answer was a loving kiss that made Lance's heart soar. ------ The last week wore on as Lance and JC became closer. The quiet times together now included quick urgent kisses when they had a rare moment alone. Lance looked forward to the upcoming time off so that he and JC could spend some uninterrupted time together to talk and work things through. He was sitting on his bed reading while waiting for JC to come get him for dinner when there was a knock on his door. "Come on in, it's open," he called. He looked up to see Jordan walking over to the bed a strange expression on his face. "Go away, Jordan," he said tiredly. "Awwww, come on, Lanshey," Jordan slurred his words. "I jusht wanna have a lill funnn." "You're drunk. Go to your room and sleep it off." "Nope," Jordan giggled. "Can I youth your bathroooom, I gotta peeee." Lance waved his hand toward the bathroom clearly irritated. After a minute the toilet flushed and Jordan staggered out. Lance looked up over his book to see him standing there in nothing but his boxers. Lance really looked at him for the first time. He had a good build, similar to Justin but not as defined, a little softer. A patch of hair on his chest led down his stomach into his underwear. "Jordan, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Lance started to get off the bed. Jordan was quicker and pushed him down and sat on him. "You like thish position, huh Southern boy?" Lance started to push him off but Jordan caught his wrists and held him down. "Jordan, please let me up." Jordan shook his head and ground his hips against Lance. "We're gonna have some fuuuun." "Jordan, No! Now get..." The rest of his sentence was cut off by Jordan's lips pressed firmly to his. Lance struggled but Jordan had the leverage. Lance was panicked as he felt Jordan's erection rubbing against him. For the first time he felt afraid of what might happen. Jordan broke the kiss and moved Lance's hands to hold them both in one of his. Breathing deeply and trying not to panic, Lance tried to calm his voice. "Jordan, please stop. You don't want to do this. Please let me go." Jordan smiled at Lance and roughly pulled on the front of his button down shirt. The buttons gave and the shirt parted. "Such sweet skin, cute stuff." Jordan bent down and licked up the center of Lance's chest. "We're gonna have some fun you and me." Jordan once again crushed his lips against Lance's and he moaned as he rocked on top of the blond. Lance struggled helplessly under Jordan's weight. With little or no options, he did the only thing he could think of and bit down hard on Jordan's lip drawing blood. Jordan pulled up and licked his lip with his tongue. "Oh, so you like it rough, Lansh? I think I can manage dat." Jordan pressed their lips together again as one hand snaked down and into Lance's pants. Lance moaned in terror as he felt Jordan stroke his hardening member. Tears flowed from his eyes as he tried to get Jordan off of him. With a sly smile, Jordan moved to Lance's neck and started licking. "HELP!!" Lance yelled as loud as he could. In seconds JC ran through the door. "Oh my God! Jordan? Lance?" He quickly closed the door behind him and locked it. As soon as he did someone else knocked. "Lance? Are you ok?" Justin's voice said through the door. "He's ok, Just. I'm here with him. He had a bad dream." "Ok. I'll be in my room if you need me. Come get me when you guys are ready for dinner." Jordan looked over to JC with a smile. Lance used his distraction to heave him off. Jordan went over and off the bed and crashed to the floor. Jordan stood, still smiling. "Wanna join our party, JC?" "Jordan, you're drunk. What are you talking about?" "He's talking trash, Josh. He was forcing himself on me," Lance sobbed. "Jordan, is that true?" "Aw, Joshy. We were jusht having a lill fun. It was the plan to make you jealoussss." "What!!??" JC looked over to Lance who sat, pale, on the bed. "Tell me that's not true, Lance." Jordan noticed the look on JC's face, one he'd seen before, and sobered quickly. He went into the bathroom and came out pulling on his pants. He'd come between them and placed himself in the path of JC's anger. He knew when he needed to cut and run. "I think I'll be going now." Jordan headed to the door but was halted by JC's hand on his arm. "I don't want to see you anywhere near any of us. If you touch him like this again you won't look so pretty. If it wasn't the last few days of the tour I'd have you thrown off it. You better hope that I forget about this, for the sake of your career." "Big words..." Jordan started somewhat cockily, but he stopped at the expression on JC's face. "Um, ya sure, JC." He left the room quietly. "Is what he said true? Was the plan to make me jealous?" Lance nodded. "It was his idea, but..." JC looked at Lance in anger and disappointment. "How could you," he interrupted him. "I thought we meant something to each other or were beginning to. How could you do that to me? What were you thinking?" "Josh, I wasn't..." JC interrupted again. "That's right you weren't thinking." JC paused and looked out the window. "I'm really upset about this Lance. I'm sorry Jordan got carried away like that, but when you play with fire..." He let his words trail off. Lance sat silently on the bed not knowing what to say to salvage the situation. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong but couldn't seem to express that to JC. "Josh, I'm sorry. I didn't want this to happen." JC nodded curtly. "Apology accepted. I'm really angry with you right now. I think we should just not think about anything but being friends like we promised. I don't think I can go further. I need to think." JC turned and quickly left the room shutting the door firmly behind him. Lance really started crying then. Curling up into a ball, he hugged a pillow to him and didn't move until the next morning. tbc... There's the latest. Comments and suggestions are always welcome! Jim bangoremail1@yahoo.com AIM: bangoremail http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bangoremail1