Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 01:48:02 -0500
From: Dara Lynn <daralynn_writings@hotmail.com>
Subject: Chosen Road, chapter 9

My dear John, the "A Little Bit of Love" dude, has put me in such a good
mood that I decided to send this out now.  Heck, all you guys keep me happy.
:)
Including those who feedbacked me for/since the last chapter : Sue, Tim,
Red, Elly, Jim, Will, Ray, NCFan, Jrok, Wen, Jordan, Gabrielle, Rick, Aimee,
Neena, Casey and Sylv.  Thank you, guys!
Before you read the chapter, I've got an announcement.  I'm co-mom of a new
eGroup called NsyncSlashAngst!  It's specifically for sharing and reading
Nsync slash fic that's dark and angsty.  Check it out at the group page
(www.egroups.com/group/NsyncSlashAngst) and if you like, join!  Some of my
favorite people and writers have already joined, but more are always
welcome, so don't be shy! :)
When not torturing boyband blonds, I get to play in Casey's universe where
he and I are the guardian angel and demon (respectively) of Nsync.  Read our
adventures at Nifty in the story "Angel"!

Okay, now you can read... :)


DISCLAIMER :  If I owned 'Nsync, Chris would be playing with my dog, Joey
would be filling my pool with Jell-O (ugh), J.C. would probably be spazzing
out and knocking things over, and Lance and Justin...um, let's not go there,
shall we? :)  Chris's monologue from 'The Fisher King' is not mine, or his,
I just borrowed it 'cause I love it.  ( I know it by heart too. :))  This is
not real, but heck, we can believe what we want, right?  That's what the
voices tell me, anyway.  And you can blame them for the 'Monty Python'
reference at the end. :)


~CHOSEN ROAD~
Chapter Nine


"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen."
                               - Hebrews 11:1



     "Check."  Lance grinned as he slid his queen forward.
     The bodyguard growled with frustration, scanning the chessboard.  His
large fingers curled around a black knight.
      "You don't want to do that," his blond charge sang, the strange green
eyes glinting playfully.
     Randy rolled his eyes.  "Well, I'm gonna."  He slapped the knight piece
down onto a different square and took the remaining white rook off the
board.
      "Okay, I warned you."  Lance moved his queen again.  "Checkmate.
Sorry, Randy."
      "Damn, Blondie.  You're good at this."
      Lance picked up one of his bishops and examined it.  "Randy?  I know
Jive and Johnny are just trying to be safe, but this threat isn't about us.
It's not fair that we should have to be stuck in here."
     Randy was surprised by the boy's words.  Lance was mature beyond his
years and didn't often complain.  "Is that what's really bothering you,
kiddo?"
     Lance sighed.  "No.  I'm worried about Nick and the rest of Backstreet,
I guess."
     "And?"
     "And..."  The nineteen-year-old looked pointedly at the bishop piece in
his hand.  "Randy...do you think I'm sick?"
     The boy laughed a little when a large black hand felt his forehead.
"No, not like that.  I mean...'cause I'm gay."
     The bodyguard sighed deeply.  "I think this is why I'm against
organized religions.  You and I both grew up in one that would gladly tell
one of the kindest and most gentle people I've ever met that something's
wrong with him."
     "But the Bible says -"
     "The Bible's a *book*, Blondie.  You listen to your heart.  What does
it tell you?"
     The cherubic face lit up with a smile.  "That love isn't a bad thing,
and that something so universal and magical shouldn't be constricted by a
thing like gender."
     "I couldn't agree more.  And very well-said.  It's times like this I'm
glad I *don't* work for Aerosmith."
     Lance looked at him gratefully.  "Thanks, Randy."
     "Hey, it's true.  And crazy as the idea of you and Joey being together
is, it makes sense too."
     "How so?"
     Randy shrugged.  "You make eachother happy."
     Just then Joey breezed into the family room, nearly knocking over a
crystal vase.  Mike, his bodyguard, followed closely, and steadied the
shaking vase with a look of annoyance.
     "Hey Tornado, you wanna be a little more careful?"
     "Sorry, Mike."  Joey grinned and plopped down onto the couch next to
Lance.  "Hey Poo-Fu!"
     He took Lance's hand, and the blond smiled shyly as their fingers
intertwined.  Mike sat down on the couch opposite them next to his fellow
bodyguard, both of them looking wary.  Joey grinned cheerfully at them, and
rested his other hand on Lance's thigh.
     The younger 'Nsyncer's eyes widened a little, but Joey didn't do
anything more.  Lance cleared his throat.
     "Another game, Randy?"
     The hulking man smiled.  "Nah.  I think you'll be too distracted."
     Lance rested his head on Joey's shoulder and closed his eyes.  "He
wouldn't do anything.  Not with you guys right -"
     He was cut off when Joey's lips suddenly pressed against his smiling
own.  All thoughts of protest were immediately dismissed as Lance accepted
Joey's tongue into his mouth.  The two faces seemed to melt together as Joey
pulled his boyfriend closer.
     Ignoring Randy's smile, Mike groaned.  "Yep.  This job gets more
interesting every day."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Justin fidgeted in his chair, and switched the phone to his other ear.
He tapped his fingers relentlessly against the top of the kitchen table as
he listened to his psychiatrist.
     "So after viewing the footage given to me by the police department, I'm
more sure than before.  Mr. Elwood was certainly delusional.  His
identification with the archetypal Fisher King allowed him to rationalize
his behavior and his claim on you.  I'm guessing that some unknown inner
turmoil or perhaps childhood trauma set him on his quest for fulfillment.
Somehow he became convinced that in you existed everything he needed to be
happy, but his suffering maybe was not enough for him to rationalize taking
and keeping you.  So to avoid guilt, he hid within a Celtic folktale, where
the cries of his conscience couldn't be heard."
     "So as Chris would say, the guy was a lunatic psycho?"
     "Yes, that term would work," Dr. Gorman chuckled.
     Justin nodded, tracing patterns on the table with his fingers.
"So...why did he kill himself?"
     "Do you remember that?"
     Justin was silent for a moment.
     ~"And so," Elwood whispered, "the Grail eludes the wounded king once
again.  And there is no help, no cure...No.  There is one balm.
Only...one."~
     The teenager jumped, as if he'd heard the gunshot again.  "Yes, I
remember.  He...he was suffering pretty badly, wasn't he?"
     Dr. Gorman sounded surprised.  "Um...yes, I suppose so.  Mr. Elwood
must have finally realized that salvation isn't something you find in a
stranger or even a friend.  You find it, at last, in yourself."
     Still shaking from the memory, Justin fought to keep his breathing
steady.  "Thanks, Doc.  I gotta go now, okay?"
    "All right, but call me.  Take care."
    "You too.  Bye."
     Justin dropped the phone onto the table and buried his face in his
hands.  His sobs were almost too soft to be heard, but inside his mind
raged.
     //HOW COULD HE DO THAT TO ME?!  HOW CAN ANYONE DO THAT TO ANYONE?!  IF
HE DID, ANYONE I DON'T KNOW COULD!  SHIT, ANYONE COULD!//
     "Justin?"
     He looked up, startled.  "Oh, hey Lance."
     "You wanna talk?" Lance asked gently as he approached.
     "No, I'm fine," Justin said, hurridly wiping his eyes.
     "I don't think so.  I heard you screaming."
     "I didn't scream."
     "You were screaming *inside*.  When one of you guys is feeling
something strongly, often I can sense it."  Lance paused.  "With you it's
mostly about J.C."
     Justin suddenly looked nervous.  "Um...not...er...it's not
anything...graphic, is it?"
     The bass singer laughed.  "No.  It's usually sweet and flowery and
romantic.  It's cute."
     Paul Harless strolled into the kitchen.  Upon seeing his step-son's
reddened eyes, he went to Justin and placed a hand on his shoulder.  "Are
you okay?"
     Justin stood and allowed himself to be hugged.  "Yeah, Dad.  Just sorta
down."
     "Well, there's a surprise waiting for you in the living room.  I think
it just might cheer you up."  Paul smiled as he went ahead.
     Justin looked over at Lance, who nodded knowingly.  With a deep breath,
the boy entered the living room.  There, standing between Paul and J.C., was
Randall Timberlake.
     He smiled bravely at his son.  "Hi, Justin."
     Justin looked at the three men and began to laugh hysterically.  Paul
and Randall looked concerned, but J.C. simply smiled and reassured Lonnie,
who'd stepped into the room.
     "It's okay, Lonnie.  Side effect of the Prozac, maybe," J.C. said with
a smile.  upon seeing Randall and Paul's questioning looks, he said, "I
think the 'My Three Dads' thing we've got going here is what's so funny."
     Justin, now a bit calmer, nodded.  With an excited smile he ran to hug
his father.  "Hi, Daddy."
     Tears flowed down Randall's face as he tightly held his only child.
"God, it's so good to see you."
     Paul smiled.  "Excuse me, I promised Jon I'd see what he and Chris
built with the Legos."
     "And I gotta go talk to Lonnie," J.C. said, sending a loving look
Justin's way as he went.
     Justin sat down on the couch with his father, who was making an effort
to stop crying.  He took Randall's hand and squeezed it.
     "Daddy, I'm okay.  Getting there, at least."
     "You've always been so strong.  That's never stopped amazing me."
Randall smiled through his tears.  "So...you and J.C., huh?"
     Justin bit his lower lip nervously.  "Are you...okay with it?"
     His father laughed.  "When you used to bring J.C. with you when you
visited me, I'd watch the two of you together.  After awhile, how J.C. feels
became obvious to me.  And a few times I found myself thinking it would be
perfect if you ended up falling in love with someone who's *that* devoted to
you.  That's what I always wanted for you, son - love.  That it's J.C. is a
surprise, but - believe me - it's a pleasant one."
     Justin breathed a sigh of relief.  "Thanks, Daddy."  A puzzled look
crossed his face.  "Did Lisa come with you?"
     "She'll be here in a few days."  Randall grinned widely.  "Actually,
she's got your real surprise with her.  Justin, how would you like to be a
big brother again?"
     Justin's eyes widened.  "Oh my God...you mean..."
     Randall nodded, and laughed as Justin hugged him.  It seemed, to both,
that things were falling back into place.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Lance waved at Mike, who stood in the hallway, as he went into Joey's
room.  The blond plopped down on the bed next to his boyfriend, who dropepd
the phone to kiss him.
     "Hey baby.  How'd ya ditch Randy?  Gave him that
get-the-cat-down-from-the-tree look, huh?"
     Lance smiled innocently before noticing the mess of photographs spread
over Joey's bed.  "What's all this?"
     "Well, you know how Lynn keeps *everything*.  Found a bunch of pictures
from the old days.  Europe, mostly."
     Lance frowned as he looked at them.  "Oh, yes.  And those horrible
swimming pool pictures.  Ugh.  We were so exploited...I don't remember being
comfortable during *any* of those early shoots."
     "Yeah.  But at least C made it interesting by giving the photographer
the death glare whenever he made Justin wear less than the rest of us."
Joey grabbed the phone and put it back to his ear.  "No, Will, I didn't
forget about you."
     Lance smiled.  He liked Joey's old friend, despite the guy's obvious
interest in him.  "How's Will?"
     "Driving me nuts.  No, Will, that's 'I Drive Myself Crazy'.  No, I
don't think you're some sort of teenage girl.  Well, in a way you are, being
so boy-crazy."
     Joey picked up another photo, and his face lit up.  "Ooh, baby.  Lance
shirtless - I'm keeping this one!"
     Lance groaned, but Joey continued talking to Will.  "No, you cannot
have a copy of it.  Because it would be a *little* weird knowing you're
wacking off using a picture of my boyfriend!"
     Lance turned red and pulled a blanket over his head.  Joey smiled and
yanked it off.
     "Nice going, Will, you embarassed him.  Yes, he's blushing.  Yeah, it
*is* cute.  Will, I have to go.  Because I wanna spend some time with Lance.
  Okay, I will.  Bye."
     Joey turned the cell phone off and tossed it unceremoniously onto a
pile of clothes.  He pulled the younger 'Nsyncer close, wrapping his arms
around the slim waist.  Joey gently rubbed his rough cheek against Lance's
smooth one before kissing him.
     "Joe, what did you say okay to?" the blond asked.
     He was answered with a crazy grin.  "Will said, 'Cop a feel for me,
hon.'"
     "Well, are you going to or not?"
     "Poo-Fu, you surprise me."
     "Is that good or bad?"
     "Hmm, let's see."  Joey's hands slipped downward to Lance's butt, and
began to sensually rub the denim-covered cheeks.  "It's very, very good."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     "Hi Justin!  Look what me and Chris made!"
     The curly-haired blond smiled at his little brother.  //God, I'm gonna
have another one!  Or sister.  Wow.//
     "That's great, Jon.  What is it?" Justin asked, eyeing the structure of
Lego blocks on the floor of Chris's room.
     The little boy shrugged.  "Not sure."
     "Hmm...well, guess what?  I was just talking to Lonnie, and he told me
he'll play Super Nintendo with you if you go to the family room."
     Jonathan's eyes lit up.  "All right!  Bye Chris!"
     Once the child was gone, Justin sat on the floor Indian-style opposite
Chris, who looked at him with confusion.
     "*Lonnie*?  He hates video games."
     Justin shrugged.  "He loves *me*.  And I wanted to talk to you...if
that's okay."
     Chris smiled.  "Of course."
     "It's about the Fisher King."  Justin quietly related the story as
Elwood had told it to him.  "Do you know anything about that, from college
maybe?"
     Chris rested his chin in one hand; the other he held behind his back,
clenched into a fist.  "Yeah, I remember that.  The Fisher King, also known
as the Maimed King, is a Celtic father god who symbolizes the masculine
principle when deprived of the feminine.  In some stories, he guards the
Grail, but he can never possess it."
     "How come?"
     "Well, because of his wound or his own hesitation, he can't fulfill his
responsibilities as king - he just fishes.  There's a lot of different
versions of the story...but *my* favorite came from the movie 'The Fisher
King'.  Want me to recite it to you?"
     "Yeah...you memorized it?"
     Chris nodded, closed his eyes and began to recite.
     "'It begins with the king as a boy, having to spend the night alone in
the forest to prove his courage so he can become king.  And while he's
spending the night alone, he's visited by a sacred vision.  Out of the fire
appears the Holy Grail - the symbol of God's divine grace - and a voice said
to the boy, 'You shall be keeper of the Grail, so that it may heal the
hearts of men.'  But the boy was blinded by greater visions of a life filled
with power and glory and beauty.  And in this state of radical amazement, he
felt for a brief moment not like a boy, but invincible.  Like God.  So he
reached in the fire to take the Grail, and the Grail vanished, leaving him
with his hand in the fire to be terribly wounded.
     "'Now as this boy grew older, his wound grew deeper, until one day life
for him lost its reason.  He had no faith in any man, not even himself.  He
couldn't love, or feel loved.  He was sick with experience.  He began to
die.
     "'One day, a fool wandered into the castle and found the king alone.
Now, being a fool, he was simple-minded.  He didn't see a king.  He only saw
a man alone and in pain.  And he asked the king, 'What ails you, friend?'
The king replied, 'I'm thirsty.  I need some water to cool my throat.'  So
the fool took a cup from beside his bed, filled it with water and handed it
to the king.  And as the king began to drink, he realized his wound was
healed.  He looked in his hands and *there* was the Holy Grail - that which
he had sought all his life!
     "'And he turned to the fool and said with amazement, 'How could *you*
find that which my brightest and bravest could not?'  The fool replied, 'I
don't know.  I only knew that you were thirsty.''"
     Chris opened his eyes once he finished, and found Justin looking
thoughtful, a tiny smile beginning to curve his mouth.
     "I like that...especially the happy ending."
     The eldest 'Nsyncer nodded.  "Yeah.  And the moral is cool.  To me, the
story says that often we wait our whole lives for happiness, only to find in
the end that it was right there with us the whole time.  We just needed to
realize it."
     ~"Hi, we didn't get a chance to meet yet.  I'm -"
       "J.C.  Hi, I'm Justin."
       "You can call me Josh."~
     Justin smiled.  "I think I know what you mean, Chris.  Thank you."
     "Hey, I'm just glad my wisdom could be of help."
     A gruff voice came from the doorway.  "Chris, are you annoying my
Little Superstar again?"
     The 'Nsyncers turned and smiled.  Justin ignored Chris's shout of
"Hey!" to greet the bodyguard.
     "Hi, Lonnie!" he said cheerfully.
     Lonnie tried to look stern, though he couldn't hide the obvious
affection on his face.  "Don't you 'Hi, Lonnie!' *me*, kiddo.  You know that
brother of yours is an insatiable ball of energy?  Not only is he impossible
to keep up with, he's way too good at those video games.  It ain't natural.
Then he starts asking me about what bodyguards do, and when I try to explain
he interrupts me with 'Justin says your job is to make sure he doesn't have
any fun.'"
     Chris cracked up.  Justin winced, but the smile didn't leave his face.
     "Hmph.  Anyway, the little runt wants Chris."
     Ducking Lonnie's hand, the eldest member of 'Nsync rose and dashed out.
  "Later, Curly!  Find me if you need me!"
     Lonnie leaned against the wall, his huge frame casting a shadow that
filled the room.  "You all right, Curly?"
     "Uh-huh."  Justin noticed how intently the bodyguard was gazing at him.
  "What?"
     "I just can't believe how much you've grown up in just three years.
You're not the little fourteen-year-old who had to run to keep up with me
anymore."  Lonnie sighed.  "I guess I can see the boy I knew in the young
man before me."
     Justin smiled, and sick with experience as he felt, his blue eyes
glowed with life.  "That's 'cause he's still here."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     "J.C., I don't want you to feel uncomfortable talking to me."
     "I don't, Randy."  The young singer paused.  "Well, maybe a little.
Now that Justin and I are together, things are...different."
     Randall Timberlake smiled reassuringly.  "J.C., I've always liked you.
And I'm happy for you and Justin.  I know it's strange, talking to me for so
long as his best friend and now as his boyfriend.  But the more I think
about it, the more sense it makes.  Uou love him, so much."
     "More than anything and everything, more than life itself."
     "And he loves you.  You know, the worst thing about mine and Lynn's
divorce was that I lost a lot of time with Justin.  I never got to threaten
any of his dates with death if anything happened to him."
     J.C. smiled.  "You wanted to threaten little girls, Randy?"
     "No...and I don't want to threaten you.  You and Justin have something
I don't understand, but I trust it, and I trust *you*.  Just...take care of
my son, okay?"
     J.C. grinned.  "I *always* will.  And there was actually something I
wanted to talk to you about.  Well, I'm kind of an old-fashioned guy, so I
really need to *ask* you something."
     "I think I know what it's going to be, but go ahead.  And 'yes', by the
way."
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     "Well, Lonnie, sometimes you *do* keep me from having fun."
     The huge bodyguard shook his head.  "I also keep you from getting
ripped into tiny little bits.  And you think it's fun for *me*, having to
drag your little white butt through crowds of screeching teenies?  And
*somebody* has to set some rules for ya.  J.C. tries, but all you gotta do
is pout at him and he'd let you jump off the Empire State Building, long as
he could follow you."
     Justin smiled sweetly.  "Yeah, like *you* don't always let me have my
way.  You're just as bad as Josh at that."
     "And *you* are the most spoiled kid I've ever known."
     J.C., as yet unobserved, watched this conversation from the doorway.
It was a familiar scene - Justin doing his best to get a rise out of Lonnie
and Lonnie loving every minute of it.  A stranger would sooner tease a
full-grown lion than the muscular security guard, but Lonnie seemed to like
to being teased by Justin.  Like everyone in the 'Nsync family, he adored
Justin, and was completely devoted to his safety.
     The boy pouted.  "I am *not* spoiled."
     Lonnie laughed heartily.  "Yeah right, Superstar.  You *know* that's a
lie.  I've met your whole family.  And what about J.C.?  You could ask for
the moon and he'd say, 'No problem, be back in five.'"
     J.C. spoke up.  "You say that like it's a bad thing."
     "Oh, hey C!  Just lecturing the runt, since you weren't available,"
Lonnie said with a wide smile.  "No, it ain't bad.  And I guess I don't need
to give you my patented hurt-him-in-any-way-and-I'll-gut-you lecture."
     The singer chuckled.  "No.  I've given it myself.  Hi, angel."
     Justin's eyes glowed.  "Hi, Josh."
     Lonnie waved his hand in front of J.C.'s face, which wore a faraway,
dreamy expression.  "Hey!  Where's Eric?" he asked, referring to J.C.'s
bodyguard.
     "Hmm?  Oh, well, I said I wanted to spend some time with Justin.  So he
rolled his eyes at me and said, 'You're on your own with that one, Spaz.
I'm gonna go patrol the perimeter.'  Which means he's walking around the
house, checking the rosebushes for bugs or guys in ninja suits or whatever."
     'Nsync's group-dad grinned.  "Lonnie, maybe he needs your help."
     "Oh, I doubt it."
     "Then I'm sure you have lots of stuff you need to do."
     "Oh, not really."
     J.C. sighed.  "Lonnie, would you please leave so I can make out with my
boyfriend?"
     Justin giggled at the parental look on Lonnie's face.  But the
bodyguard smiled, ruffled Justin's hair affectionately and left, patting
J.C.'s shoulder as he went.  The older 'Nsyncer dropped down before Justin
and pulled him close.
     The blond rested his head against J.C.'s shoulder, breathing in the
warm, safe scent of his soulmate.  "I missed you."
     J.C. ran a hand lightly up and down Justin's back, soothed by the sound
of his breathing.  "I missed you too, Just.  How do you feel?"
     "When you're with me?  Perfect."  Justin closed his eyes.
     J.C. held his angel, his own piece of heaven, this creature that
somehow, despite all he'd been through, remained beautiful inside and out.
Justin snuggled happily against the other half of his heart, that which he
had waited for his whole life and finally found, in the man who had walked
every step beside him on the road thus far.
     Justin's head lifted, and he moved in to kiss J.C., who moaned softly
as he tasted the sweet pink lips.  The air around them seemed to grow warmer
and -
     A loud pounding was heard against the closed door.  "J.C.!  I know
you're in there!" called a familiar voice from outside.
     J.C. groaned, reluctantly pulling back from Justin.  "Joey, I'm kinda
busy right now."
     "Yeah, well, you can grope Justin later!  Chris called a group meeting
and he wants us all in the family room, now!"
     Justin smiled apologetically, hugged J.C. and pulled him to his feet.
As they headed for the stairs, J.C. stopped his boyfriend and drew him
closer for a quick kiss.  Scarcely a moment after their lips met, a curious
little voice rose up in the not-so-empty hallway.
     "What'cha doin'?"  Jonathan was looking expectantly at his brother and
his brother's best friend.
     The loves slowly moved apart.  "Umm..."
     Jonathan smiled mischievously.  "You guys were *kissing*!"
     As Justin seemed to be frozen with panic, J.C. kneeled down in front of
the child.  Like Justin, Jonathan was very mature for his age, but they
hadn't planned on explaining this to him so soon.  Now, there was no choice.
     "Okay...Jon, you know how when boys and girls are older they sometimes
fell...something special for eachother?  And they start holding hands and
kissing and all that stuff?"
     The little boy's nose wrinkled with distaste.  "Uh-huh.  But you're not
a girl, and Justin's not a girl."
     "That's right.  But some boys, when they get older, don't wanna kiss
girls - they wanna kiss other boys.  It's not bad or wrong, it's just
different.  Like me and Justin."
     "Oh."  Jonathan seemed relieved.  "'Cause you and Justin are gay."
     J.C.'s jaw dropped.  "How..."
     "Mommy told me what it means.  She said that you and Justin are in
love, and that's a good thing.  Mommy said kissing isn't yucky when you're a
grown-up.  And Daddy said I can't tell anyone that you and Justin kiss
eachother or anything, so I won't.  I'm good at keeping secrets.  But I
still think kissing is yucky."
     Before J.C., still stunned, could answer, Lynn's voice floated up from
downstairs.  "Jonathan!"
     "Coming, Mommy!  Bye J.C., bye Justin!"  The boy pushed his glasses up
on his nose and ran off.
     Justin blinked with surprise.  "Wow.  *That* went well.  Thank God for
understanding parents."
     "Amen to that."  J.C. took Justin's hand as they walked.  "By the way,
I just got off the phone with my dad before I came and chased Lonnie away.
He says Mom is *still* crying whenever she thinks about you and me."
     Justin smiled.  "Who would've thought that us getting together would
make so many people so happy?"
     J.C. grinned.  //Well, there was something else I told her that
*really* got the tears flowing.  Even Dad was bawling.  Let's just hope
that, when I think you're ready, you say 'yes', so all that crying will be
from joy.//
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The two couples of 'Nsync entered the family room together, each
hand-in-hand.  As they sat down on different couches Joey, who had ben sent
by Chris to get them, gestured to the eldest singer.
     "I should warn you guys - Chris just had a LOT of sugar, so this
meeting may get a little strange."
     Chris sat up straight in his chair and banged a small plastic hammer
against the coffee table.  "Order!  Order!"
     "Order?  This isn't a court."
     "Yes, it is!  Court is now in session!"
     J.C. pulled Justin onto his lap.  "I thought we were having a meeting."
     "Um...yes.  First order of business - I move that we change the name of
this group to 'Chris and the Singing Poofs'.  All in favor say 'aye', all
opposed say 'nay'."
     "Nay."
     "Nay."
     "Nay."
     "Nay."
     "Dammit."  A crazy glint was in Chris's eyes - definitely the result of
too much sugar...and the pot of coffee he'd just chugged.  "Next - I don't
like being singled out during meetings like this, so during them I'm gonna
have to borrow your boyfriend, Joey."
     "Hey!"  Both Joey and Lance protested as Chris stood and yanked the
blond away from Joey.
     "Hi, Scoop!"
     "Um...hey, Chris."
     "Chris, can I have my boyfriend back now?"
     "Aw!"  The sugar-high singer pouted at Lance.  "But Scoop!  You'd be so
much happier with me!  I always wanted my own albino!  And I'm closer to
your height!"
     "But, Chris, you're straight."
     "Oh, yeah," Chris deadpanned, and dropped the bass singer back on
Joey's lap.  "Next - motion to keep Justin from saying the word 'crunk' on
the next album."
     "Hey!"
     J.C. lovingly touched Justin's short curls.  "My angel can say whatever
he wants."
     Joey laughed.  "That's the point!  He can say or do anything and the
fans think it's great.  They say 'crunk' more than Just does."
     "Yeah!" Chris jumped in.  "What's stoppin' *me* from making up words!?
Next album I'm gonna yell...um...'Treacle!' at the end!"
     "'Treacle' *is* a word, Chris, it's an outdated term for 'molasses'."
     "Motion to shut Poo-Fu up so the rest of us can look smart for a
change."
     "How?" asked Justin.
     "We gag him.  Or Joey can just keep sticking his tongue down Lance's
throat."
     "Aye!  Aye!" Joey yelled.  Lance blushed lightly, and smiled.
     "Next - motion to fire that drill-sergeant Darren before our rehearsal
next week."
     "Aye!" Joey said jokingly.
     "Nay!" protested Justin.
     "*You* don't get a vote, Baby," joked Lance.  "You're the only one he
never yells at."
     Chris laughed gleefully.  "Youngest doesn't get a vote, youngest
doesn't get a vote!" he chanted.
     Justin pouted and snuggled against J.C.  "Josh," he whined, "they're
discriminating against me."
     "Guys, leave my angel alone.  Of course you get a vote, baby."  J.C.
peered at Justin concernedly.  "Sweetie, are you sure you're ready for
rehearsals and everything again?"
     "I wanna keep busy, Josh.  And a friend told me music can be very
healing."  Justin smiled softly.  "Josh, in a lot of ways, I feel better
than I ever have.  With you...I can do anything."
     Meanwhile, Chris was babbling.  "...so I kicked J.C. in the nuts and
Justin cried like Nancy Kerrigan.  That's it, meeting adjourned.  This is
me.  *This* is me on too much caffeine.  Any questions?  Better yet, any
answers?"
     Silence.
     "Good!  And now I'd like to conclude this arrest with a hymn."
     "*What*?!"
     "I mean, let's conclude this meeting with a song."
     J.C. nodded.  "'I Thought She Knew', everybody?"
     After a moment of preparation the quintet launched into the a cappella
song, the first song they had sang together as a group.  As the five voices
blended together in a beautiful, sacred harmony, a now-calmer Chris smiled
with contentment.
     //Five pillars strong again.  And something tells me that our magic, a
kind different from that pink stone on Justin's dresser, has somehow grown
with us.//


~to be continued~
Questions and comments welcome to me, DaraLynn,
at DaraLynn_writings@hotmail.com