Disclaimer: The following story is a fictional account about Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. This story is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken for anything resembling the truth. It also contains homosexual acts and should not be viewed if it is unlawful in your circle of life. Please do not remove from this archive without first obtaining permission from the authors. That being said, please enjoy this story for what it is worth. Thank you.

Hi Everyone. Josh and I have been getting a few emails asking us where our stories come from and what inspired us to write them. Time Stood Still was conceived late one night after we had been talking and kicking around story ideas over a few beers. This song came on the radio, Time Stood Still, and I immediately fell in love with the lyrics and the story the song described. At the beginning of each chapter, we included the portion of lyrics that inspired that particular setting in the story. Constructing a story around music lyrics was a daunting task for us both but I think the end result was well worth the aggravation. After all, a song was the sole purpose for Like the Rain and Josh's desire to include it in a story. But that's another story all together. Enjoy this new updated version of Time Stood Still and thanks for all the support we've received over the last three years. Angel.

This story is dedicated to the only person that ever broke my heart. You know who you are and you know the lie you live every day. Fear will and has destroyed everything we were, everything we hoped to be. Forgiveness is an act of love and love dies.

Greg and Justin walked down the beach, each carrying a six-pack. They were headed for a small cluster of boulders that dotted the beach a short distance from the bungalow. As they walked, Justin handed Greg the shirt he had retrieved from his room, "Oh here, I almost forgot."

"Thanks, it's a bit chilly out here." Greg replied as he shrugged the shirt on, buttoning the last two buttons. He noticed it was an expensive shirt and smelled strongly of Justin.

When they reached the boulders, they sat down next to each other, their backs resting against the rocks. Greg reached for a Red Stripe and offered it to Justin.

"Thanks." He said with a smile before gazing out at the ocean. Normally a hyper person, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore soothed him. The night was perfect and the water reflected the stars making their surroundings seem almost surreal.

Opening a beer for himself, Greg asked breaking the silence, "Where did you meet Britney anyway?"

Chuckling, Justin answered, "A long time ago. I've known her since I was twelve or so. We used to perform together."

"Really. You guys performed together at age twelve?" Greg asked.

Glancing at the blonde, Justin realized what he had said. Silently cursing himself, a look of terror crossed his face for a brief moment before disappearing behind a smile. Greg had noticed the look and it made him curious. Both Britney and Justin seemed a bit hesitant of revealing too much to strangers.

Justin took the time to take a gulp of beer before saying, "You know. School plays."

"Oh." Greg nodded but didn't really believe the statement. Something was defiantly weird about the two new friends he had made. He just couldn't put his finger on it but since he was having fun, he let it drop. There was always time for that later.

Justin changed the subject by asking, "What brought you to the islands?"

Greg's eyes grew misty and he hoped the darkness covered the tears as he stated softly, "My family was killed in a car accident last month. I couldn't handle everything so I ran off here."

"I'm so sorry." Justin said quietly, turning slightly so he was facing the blonde. "I didn't know."

Greg wiped his eyes and tried to force a smile, "It's okay. How could you know? I told myself I wasn't going to do this anymore."

Justin put his arm around him and said, "It's okay to cry you know."

Those simple words made reality come crashing down. He collapsed unto Justin's shoulder and let it go. For an endless amount of time they sat in silence as Greg's grief overcame him. As he cried silently, Justin held him, softly cooing reassuring things in his ear. Telling him it was going to be okay. Ever since the accident, Greg felt like he had to be strong. He had made all the arrangements; he had to carry on the family business. In the three weeks following his parent's death, he had locked away the pain. Pushed it away, burying his grief in the arduous plans of the funeral. But in Justin's arms, all of it came breaking through to the surface. For the first time, Greg truly mourned his parents.

Finally, he broke the silence, "You know, I hadn't let myself cry since the night I found out."

"You can't hold it inside forever." Justin said gently. "It's okay to miss them."

"I know but it's been so hard. I fucking miss them. When they died, I inherited everything. Overnight, thousands of peoples lives depend on me." Greg said in a fearful tone, the reality of his position dawning on him. Straightening up, he turned to face Justin and continued, "The board members want me to sign over my controlling interest to them. All my friends want a handout. I didn't know what to do so I said fuck it. I came out here instead of dealing with everything."

"I know it's tough." Justin said compassionately. "I've had to go through the same thing."

"You're parents died?" Greg asked with a look of amazement on his face.

"No." Justin answered quickly. "I've become successful and have some money. I know all about people hanging around claiming to be your friend and expecting you to just give them shit."

"You know." Greg said after finishing his beer. "I'd always known I would get the money and everything. But I didn't think it would happen like this."

Justin did not know what to say. He had never lost his parents. Or at least they hadn't died. His parents divorced and had both remarried two wonderful people. Now it was like he had four parents instead of two. He did not even want to speculate how he would feel if just one of them died suddenly.

"What are you going to do?" He asked, more out of something to change the subject from Greg's loss than a burning desire to know.

"I'm not sure." Greg admitted, grabbing another beer. "The stock has gone down tremendously since their passing. The board is afraid that if I don't turn the company over, the company may fail. That's a lot of jobs on the line."

Justin opened another beer as he shook his head. Here was a man, not much older than twenty-one, and was faced with an impossible decision of losing the family business or costing thousands of people their jobs. His heart cried out for Greg and a single tear fell down his cheek.

"What would your parents want you to do?" He asked.

Greg shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair, "Probably do what's best for the company and its employees. The only problem is, I don't know what's best."

Noticing the far away look in Greg's blue eyes, he wished he knew what to say or do to help him. "What business is your family in?"

"Off shore drilling." Greg said as he turned to look at the man he had confided in so much.

"Don't tell me your last name is Winters?" Justin asked, half-afraid of the answer.

Greg didn't answer but gave him a weak smile.

"Shit. I remember reading about that." Justin stammered. "I had some stock in your company actually."

"Really?" Greg said somewhat shocked. "What are you doing investing in oil?"

"Long story." Justin stated, waving his hand. "It wasn't the best investment I made believe me."

Greg laughed weakly, "Tell me about it. Oil isn't the business I want to be in either. Why don't you sell it?"

Justin blushed as he confessed, "I did, right after the accident. Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." Greg replied offhandedly as he sat back down drawing his knees close to his chest. "You weren't the only one believe me. But I guess I can thank you for this trip and the two houses I now own plus the fleet of cars and the huge bank account, since you had a hand in it."

"Don't mention it. Glad I could help." Justin replied laughing.

Sighing deeply and looking at his watch, Greg said, "Well, now that I ruined your night. I guess it's time for me to go home."

"Do you have to? It's still early." Justin almost pleaded.

"It's almost two. You call this early?" Greg asked laughing.

"For me. If the sun ain't up yet it's early." Justin said mischievously. "Besides, I said I couldn't let you be lonely on your vacation and I meant it. You need a friend that isn't after your money."

"Are you saying we're friends now?" Greg asked pointedly, staring at him.

"Of course. We've exchanged personal stories. We're stuck with each other now." He said with a mock sigh.

"I don't remember any personal stories about you." Greg said, rubbing his cheek absently. "As I recall, I was the one spilling my guts out to you and crying like a baby."

"And that's what friends are for." Came the sardonic reply.

"Okay friend. How old are you?" Greg asked, shifting positions so he was leaning on his elbows with his legs out in front of him.

"Twenty and you?"
"Twenty-one in three days." Greg answered before firing another question. "And since you know my name, what's yours?"

Justin stared at him for a few moments, like he was debating on how to answer the question. Finally he shook his head as he made the decision and stated, "Justin Timberlake."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Mr. Timberlake." Greg stated, his head rolling back so he could stare at the stars.

Flashing a smile, Justin realized he had no idea who he was. Crossing his legs underneath himself, he suddenly felt completely comfortable in the presence of the blonde.

Greg sat up suddenly and asked, "Don't we have more beer to drink?"

"You read my mind." Justin said as he handed the blonde another beer and taking one for himself.

"Okay Justin." Greg said, resting his beer between his legs. "What do you do for a living that allows you the luxury of investing in oil companies at twenty?"

Looking at Greg for a sign that said he was being toyed with, anything to hint that Greg knew the truth. But all he saw in Greg's eyes was a hint of smoldering lust. "I'm in a band. That's how I met Britney really. When I was twelve I auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club and Britney was already a member."

"No shit. You were on the MMC?" Greg said with a hint of amusement. "I used to watch that show all the time when I was a kid. So you and Britney are in a band together?"

"Fuck no." Justin laughed. "We were just on the show together. She was my first kiss you know."

"Oh my god. You kissed her? That's sick." Greg snorted again.

"Yep and I've been gay ever since." Justin stated sarcastically. "We've been best friends since."

"She wasn't kidding when she said she always goes for the gay ones." Greg said with a laugh. "I think she's gorgeous. I love her sense of humor."

"I don't know what I would do without her. She's been such a huge part of my life. She was the first person I came out to." Justin said casually as he reached for another beer.

Greg pulled it out of his hands with a smile and said, "She was pretty annoyed with you when I told her I was gay."

Laughing, Justin explained, "We have this slight competition going on between us."

"Oh really." Greg said, arching his eyebrows.

"It's not like that." Justin said quickly.

"Sure it's not." Greg stated flatly as he tried to stop from smiling. Seeing the normally confident man nervous for the first time was something he enjoyed. Besides, he loved teasing people.

"We just have bets to see who we can get."

"Your digging yourself in pretty good there boy." Greg said with a laugh.

"No, I meant we have bets to see if my gaydar is right." Justin stammered out.

"Don't think for a second that I'm forgetting about this game you two play but when I first walked down the beach, I saw you dancing." Greg changed the subject. "You dance amazingly by the way. Anyway, Britney came over to me."

"So."

"She said you were always right and that your gaydar was never wrong. I want to know when you had the chance to talk to her if I met her before I met you." Greg said, sitting up a bit straighter as he waited for the answer.

"What?" Justin asked, completely confused by Greg's statement.

"When did you tell Britney I was gay?"

"Oh." Justin said blushing as he looked away from the blonde sitting in front of him.

"Come on. When did you tell her?"

"Two days ago." Justin replied, his face turning even redder. "I saw you swimming."
"Swimming huh." Greg said with a grin.

"Yeah. Britney and I were sitting on the beach and I saw you through my binoculars swimming." Justin stated, taking a drink from his beer.

Greg laughed loudly at the man's obvious embarrassment. "Did you like what you saw?"

"Lets just say that Britney begged and begged for me to let her look through the binoculars." Justin stated, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"And I suppose with you being the perfect gentleman, you would not allow her to see me in such a compromising situation." Greg teased.

"Of course. She didn't need to see you all naked and wet." Justin said straight faced in a professional tone like he was discussing the weather with his mother.

"But you needed to see me all naked and wet." Greg said with a smile. "And from seeing me naked you could tell I was gay."

"I hoped. With a body like that I sure fucking hoped you were." Justin admitted truthfully.

Greg started to laugh and the more he laughed the more Justin started to laugh. Every time they looked at each other another laughing fit broke out. They sat in silence; both lost in the ocean and the stars above them. The stars and the moon reflection in the lazy waves gave an impression of twinkling lights across the water. It was a balmy night but not to uncomfortable after the blazing heat of the day.

"It's so beautiful here." Greg murmured softly. "This place makes me forget about all that shit back home. It brings me peace you know."
Justin smiled and shifted in the sand trying to find a more comfortable place to lounge in. Apparently finding one, he shifted his eyes to his new friend lying on his stomach. He smiled when he realized Greg was lost in the moonlight somewhere. For a moment, Justin peered at the angular face and allowed himself to be carried away.

Noticing Justin staring at him, Greg asked making a face at him, "Can I help you?"

"I'm not sure. Do you see anything wrong with me?" Justin asked as he looked over his body searching for any imperfection.

"I didn't want to bring it up but..." Greg replied with a straight face.

Justin looked at him expectantly, "Go on if you must."
"Well. Your left leg is a bit darker than the right one."

Justin hung his mouth open in mock concern, studying his legs closer, "Really?"

"Yeah. It's been weirding me out all night. I think it's kind of freaky if you ask me. Which I believe you did." Greg answered, shuddering dramatically. "And it looks like you have split ends. Your hair is kind of fried from the sun."

Leaning back against the boulder, Justin put his hands behind his head and said in a weird voice, "Just call me Circus Boy."

Greg lay there smiling at him and Justin had to take a deep breath to calm himself down. Just Greg smiling at him was causing butterflies in his stomach. This feeling was foreign to him. Normally he was the one causing butterflies in others. He had met thousands of people if not millions and never had one person affected him so strong and so fast. Looking at him questioningly, Justin demanded in a friendly tone, "Anything else?"

Pretending to study Justin intently, his eyes scanned Justin's entire body. Raising off his stomach, he approached Justin on his knees till their faces were inches apart. Justin could feel Greg's breath on his face. He could smell the faint odor of beer and he inhaled nervously. Greg laughed as he could see Justin struggling to control his nervousness, his eyes wide and expectant. Peering at Justin in great detail, Greg finally said, "Only one more thing."
Justin still had his arms behind his head and at that moment he felt more than a bit vulnerable by the closeness of the blonde. Widening his eyes, he asked quietly, "Yes?"

"You're too fucking cute for your own good." Greg said slowly, his tone sexy and provocative.

"Am I?" Justin asked, arching his eyebrow in amusement.

"Yes you are." Greg said with a grin. "But what makes it worse is the fact that you know you are."

"I've never lacked confidence. I think it has something to do with performing for a living." Justin admitted breathlessly.

"Just fucking kiss him already." A high pitched voice called out of the darkness.

They looked first at each other then over to where the voice had come from. Realizing it was Britney; they turned back towards one another again. Both pairs of eyes filled with longing, unbridled lust barely contained under the surface. Haltingly, Greg leaned into Justin's lips who responded by tilting his head slightly to the right. Softly, tenderly, their lips met, brushing ever so lightly. Their lips barely touching. A feeling of wonder cascaded over Greg. Justin was so confident and almost arrogant that he was surprised at the shyness that was in that first kiss. Their lips separated and they gazed into each other's eyes. Justin's hands slipped around Greg's shoulders, lightly resting on the back of his neck.

Greg leaned his forehead against Justin's and whispered, "What are we doing?"

They were nose to nose. Justin could hear Greg's heartbeat pounding loudly, the blonde was shaking. Justin could not tell if it was from the cold or if it was from the electricity that he too felt in his stomach. Whispering softly, he answered as he rubbed his hands through Greg's hair, "I don't know."

"I'm scared." Greg admitted, looking into Justin's crystal blue eyes.

"I'll never let you fall." Justin whispered with a weak grin.

Greg kissed him again, this time Justin kissed back, hard. As they kissed, their hands began roaming over one another's bodies, caressing flesh, exploring the heat of lust that captured them both. Justin lay back against the boulder and Greg knelt down between his legs. Somehow Justin had his hands underneath Greg's shirt and was massaging his back. Greg was lightly caressing Justin's cheek with one hand while the other touched Justin's chest. To his surprise, Justin allowed Greg to control the kiss, reveling in the loss of control. When Greg forced his tongue inside his mouth, he moaned in the back of his throat, a purring noise that drove Greg crazy causing him to penetrate even deeper into the mouth that threatened to devour him.

Breaking off the kiss, Greg gave him a lopsided grin and stated, "One more thing is wrong about you."

"That is?"
"You kiss way to good." Greg stated in a breathless voice.

"You're not that bad either. You must've had lots of practice." Justin accused devilishly.

"You might be surprised to find out." Greg said mysteriously before turning serious. "I have to tell you something that might shock you."

Justin raised his eyebrows questioningly, "Don't tell me you're married or something?"

"No. It's worse than that." Greg stated seriously as he hung his head low.

"Please don't say you have Aids?" Justin pleaded, his face filled with worry. "I couldn't take another person I know dying."

"No. It's not Aids." Greg said, raising his head trying to stifle a giggle. "I have to pee so bad I'm afraid I might explode."

"You fucking asshole." Justin exclaimed, pushing the kneeling man hard. Greg fell on his back laughing and Justin jumped on top of him, kissing him hard. "I thought it was something serious."

"It's going to be unless you get off my stomach." Greg warned. "I have to go and you jumping on me isn't helping me at all. And unless you're in to something sick like golden showers, I suggest getting off me."

Justin was laughing as he helped his friend to his feet, "Now I have to go too."

Greg stumbled towards the side of the boulder opening his shorts as he walked. Before Justin could find his own spot, Greg sighed loudly. Justin finished first and found himself staring at Greg's back. It felt weird, just looking at Greg caused him to breathe heavy. Even as Greg was taking a piss, Justin thought he looked incredibly sexy. Again he blushed at that thought.

"Do you need any help with that?" Justin asked mischievously.

"No." Greg almost shouted as he turned his head to make sure Justin wasn't standing anywhere near him. "I can't go if people are around."

"That must suck in public restrooms." Justin said with a grin.

"You have no idea. Once when I was ten, all the stalls were full and I pissed myself because I couldn't go to the urinals." Greg blurted out before he could stop himself. "Why did I say that?"

"And you call me a freak." Justin said shaking his head.

"You are." Greg reminded him while buttoning up his shorts. "You have the bad hair not me."

"That's right." Justin said as shook his head. "What do we do now?"

Greg looked at him with a confused look on his face, "What do you mean?"

Justin was standing two paces from Greg, shifting his weight from one leg than the other. Greg had to smile; Justin looked like a child who was asking for something that he knew his parents would not give.

"Us, what do we do now?"

Smiling, Greg closed the distance between them. Reaching out, he caressed Justin's cheek even as Justin leaned into his hand shivering slightly at the touch. Greg asked, "When are you leaving?"

"At the end of the week."

"I'm leaving in two days." Greg informed him sadly.

"That means we have two days." Justin said excitedly. "That gives us lots of time to do stuff."

"Yeah you're right. I haven't left this beach since I've been here." Greg exclaimed.

"I know this island frontward and back. I'll be your personal tour guide." Justin declared.

Glancing at his watch again, Greg sighed. "I've got to get home. It's really late and unlike you. I actually sleep at night."

"So soon." Justin said as he stuck his lips out in a pout. "Watching the sun rise from the beach is breathtaking you know. We could get a blanket, a few more beers and wait for the seagulls to start flying around as the sun reflects off the water. Its amazing Greg. Are you sure you don't want to do that?"
"As tempting as it sounds." Greg replied. "But I'm dead on my feet and it's a long walk back to my bungalow."

Justin's face lit up as he said, "You could stay with me tonight."

"That's tempting." Greg replied. "But you already have enough guests at your place."

Looking towards the partygoers, Justin murmured, "I know but I don't want to sleep with any of those people."

"What?" Greg asked with a smile, not really sure if he heard Justin correctly.

"Nothing." Justin replied innocently. "Can I at least walk you home?"

Shaking his head, Greg explained, "No."

"No?"

"I might ask you to stay with me."

"Would that be so bad?" Justin whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Greg said softly, "I don't think that would be bad at all but..."

Putting his hand over Greg's lips, Justin said with a smile, "You don't have to explain. It makes me like you a bit more knowing you won't jump in the sack for the first guy that comes along."

Greg smiled warmly and gently kissed Justin's lips. Justin grabbed Greg's head and returned the kiss deeply. All shyness was gone; Justin was letting him know it was really all right.

"Goodnight."

"See ya." Justin replied as he watched the blonde man walk away in the moonlight. Sighing loudly, Justin spun around in the sand with a smile on his face. He had two whole days before him. Life was perfect.

As Greg made his way back to his bungalow, his thoughts were a jumbled mess. He did not know how to handle all the emotions raging inside him. A part of him was guilty he had so much fun with Justin while he was supposed to be mourning his parents. Another part of him was reeling in the euphoria he felt and the way Justin made him feel, like everything was going to be okay. He could find himself falling in love with him easily and that scared him. There was no way he would allow himself to be another notch in the belt so to speak. After all Justin was in a band and probably had his pick of anyone he wanted. He guarded his heart to closely and he wasn't about to let a blue eyed boy break it. Even if that boy was gorgeous and sexy as hell. As he entered the bungalow, he stripped off the shirt. Holding it, he remembered it was Justin's. Smiling as he placed it on the back of the chair, he stripped off his shorts and jumped into the shower. After rinsing off the grime and sand, he lay down on his bed and promptly fell asleep.

To Be Continued

Copyright©2002 Glacier Boy/Burning Angel