Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:54:45 -0800 (PST) From: HeatherRose Linda Subject: Public Relations-Ch. 1 Disclaimer: The following story is fiction and is not intended to imply anything about the true sexuality of the celebrities mentioned or any personal knowledge about their private lives. I am just a fan with what I hope is a good imagination. November . . . The lights were off, the television was on, but he was not paying any attention to the DVD that was playing. He just kept thinking over and over again how much he had screwed up. Jason was living a dream life, or at least he thought he was. He was on the right job track at the company he always craved, working in public relations; he owned his home, a split level ranch in a nice family oriented neighborhood. The only problem was he was missing the family, the family he could have had if he had not messed up with his estranged wife Sara. Sara and Jason had been high-school sweethearts; they were married between their junior and senior years at college. Sara knew Jason was bi-sexual and was willing to have a somewhat open marriage to keep him happy. She thought she knew that at the end of the day he would still come home to her. That happy thought changed six months before when Jason met Lance. May . . . It was a gorgeous spring day in Boston, not that you could tell from inside Jason's cubicle. He was not at the top quite yet, but he was climbing his way there through hard work and determination. Depending on how the three current accounts the team Jason is on pan out, another promotion would be in sight, one that would bring him into an actual office, with his own secretary. The staff meeting that should have been at three was pushed up to one, to accommodate a new client that would be assigned to Michael, Jason's team leader. The new client was a secret, so of course almost everyone in the office knew that Lance Bass was going to be arriving later that day. No one knew for sure what the firm would be working on for Mr. Bass, but Jason was hoping for an `Nsync reunion, or at least another A Happy Place film. Jason was excited that he might have a part in the new client's action plan. He knew he was already swamped with work from the other accounts, but the chance to meet and work with one of his favorite boybanders from his secret love of `Nsync. "Jason?" Michael had stuck his head into the cubicle. "Come get some coffee with me." Michael had code words. Going for coffee meant that he had something important to discuss, and no matter how thick the walls were in the office, they still had ears. Michael learned early in his career that anything that needed to be kept secret had to be discussed away from the office. I need to see you, meant that a compliment was coming, and let's chat, meant that you were in trouble. "Sure Michael, why didn't you just give me a call, I would have met you at the elevators?" Jason replied as he walked out of the cubicle and the two men headed to the elevator bank. He had been a member of Michael's team for three years and prior to Michael's promotion, they were partners on the same team. Jason knew when it was okay to be more friendly than professional and when it was inappropriate. "I needed the walk." "Oh yeah, cause going ten feet is really going to help you lose those fifteen pounds you gained over the winter." "I told you we are not to discuss my weight issue." Jason started laughing hysterically, "It's not an issue, it's you eating too much junk food. You need to get married already, find a wife like Sara who will make sure you eat right and exercise. She likes me to keep up the six pack." "No flaunting your perfect six foot three, one hundred sixty pound body. We cannot all be Greek gods like you." "Of course you could. If you walked into the gym that you pay two hundred dollars a month for, you might actually do yourself some good. Or you could just join my eighty dollar a month gym and go with me. I'd whip you into shape real quick." The elevator ride was fairly short, and they kept chatting about the benefits of the two different gyms they belonged to. Jason's main argument being that the two personal trainers you receive and the fact that it was open twenty four hours a day did absolutely nothing for you if you do not walk through the doors. They walked around the corner to what appeared to be a dive, but in fact was an amazing diner that most people passed because of its exterior. Jason knew that what Michael was about to tell him was extremely important, because normally important conversations were held in the Starbucks near their office building. The diner for coffee meant that whatever was coming was going to be life changing. "Ok, so I know you are really curious about what I'm about to tell you," Michael started. "I am just going to come out with it. As you are not supposed to know, but already do Lance Bass is our new client. What you do not know is that he will be your first client with your own team." "WHAT??" Jason was overwhelmed. Not only did he get his promotion prior to finishing the other accounts, but the company was about to give him one of their most VIP clients. "I'm confused. What about. . . ?" "Don't worry about anything else other than Mr. Bass. The other accounts will continue to be handled by my team." "But?" "Jason, we know you. We know your work. We know you are the right man for the job. You will have Alyson, Gabe and Brent on your team, and to start you off we are only giving you the one account because it will take up a lot of your time. Sara is still okay with you having to travel, right?" "Yeah travel, no problem. I get Gabe? He's the best in the entire company." "Yes you get Gabe, because you are the best in the company. He'll be your right hand man, but based in the office. Alyson will be traveling with you and Mr. Bass and Brent will still work on my team, but can help you out when and if you need it." "I'm still confused about the promotion, I knew it was coming, but I didn't think it would be for a few more months." "You are ready. Mr. Bass will be the perfect client for you. You two actually have a lot in common." "How long have you known what was going on?" Jason asked. "About a month and a half." "And you never said a word?" "Jay, you know I couldn't. Do you remember when I was away for a week earlier this month?" "Yeah, you went on vacation in Orlando. Oh, but you didn't see Mickey did you? You were meeting with Mr. Bass." "I did get to see Mickey and Minnie too, I took my niece and nephews to Disney, but yes primarily I was there for secret preliminary meetings. It was when Mr. Worthington and I decided you were ready for your own team and that Mr. Bass would be your first assignment. Speaking of which we need to head back for the staff meeting where this will be announced and afterwards I'll show you your new office." The men headed back to the office, and went their separate ways in the hallway. Jason was very curious where his office would be. As far as he was aware there were no empty spaces on his floor. He stepped into his cubicle, grabbed his notebook and favorite pen his wife had given him on their first anniversary, and ran off to the conference room for the meeting. As he was walking up to the meeting room's door, he bumped into Gabe. Jason smiled, and said hello. Gabe replied with a congratulations. "How did you know? And congrats to yourself." Jason was curious, he only just found out himself. "Did you really think that there are secrets around here? I knew yesterday when I saw Sam cleaning up her office. She's moving up to the twenty third floor." "I'm always the last to know, aren't I?" "Hate to break it to you, but yes you are. On the other hand, I cannot wait to work for you. We have an amazing account, it's going to be very exciting." "I'm sure it will be. I know I'm very curious about what is going to be coming our way." The meeting was being called to order so the two rushed in to find their seats and pay close attention to Mr. Worthington, the owner and CEO of Worthington Communications. An hour later Jason was sitting in his new office, with the door closed, on the phone with his wife telling her all about the promotion and the raise he earned. He did not mention who the client was but did tell her that it was someone who he admired and was thrilled to work with. Sara could not have been more proud. This is what her husband had dreamed about since graduating college seven years prior. There was a knock on the door. "Honey, hold on a second, someone's at the door." Jason explained as he moved the receiver from his ear to his shoulder. "Come in," he called out, expecting one of his coworkers. In walked Lance Bass. Jason was shocked, he thought he still had half an hour before he was meeting Mr. Bass.