Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2000 16:18:55 EST
From: Garrett Sparks <xander874@hotmail.com>
Subject: Hold the pickle - Chapter 4

Here we go again.  Please e-mail me with comments - good, bad or ugly.  I
can take it (just don't expect a nice response to a flame).  Of course,
praise is preferred and greatly appreciated.

The usual stuff applies:  no illegal viewing, please.  And as for the people
mentioned in this story, I do not know any of them personally and anything I
say here is totally made-up, as far as I know.  Enjoy!

Chapter 4

	Chris had been on the phone all morning.  By JC's count, he had
called Dani seven times.  Chris knew she would be in her hotel room - she
had some work to take care of before her flight left that evening and she
was going to be in all day.  This knowledge pissed Chris off even more and
by the fifth call, he was practically yelling in her answering machine.
	But, much to JC's relief, Chris hadn't once said anything that
would indicate she was right in her feelings.  It made JC glad that Chris
wasn't giving into her and turning on the guys but he still felt bad that
Chris was caught in the middle of this thing.  He was friends with the guys
and had been for years.  He didn't befriend them because of their sexual
orientation.  But, Dani felt different about their lifestyles and she
couldn't see past that.
	JC thought back to the fun times she had spent with Dani and it
made him sad.  Last year, for Chris' birthday, JC had helped Dani get all
made up to look like a stripper, so she could pop out of a cake at his
party.  They had really bonded over that and now she had thrown it all away
because she didn't like who he slept with.  He frowned when he thought that
Chris' upcoming birthday (and the same night as their tour kick-off) might
be a less than happy occasion.
	Frankly, JC was tired of all the homophobia and if Dani felt that
way, she was entitles to her opinion, but he wasn't going to waste his
breath trying to be her friend.  He knew saying something to her wouldn't
help anyway, but if it did he would do anything to save Chris the pained
expression he carried with him.  Lance sauntered into the room and sat down
on the couch next to JC, taking his hand, "So, has Chris got in touch with
Yoko yet?"
	JC smiled, "She's not trying to destroy the band, Lance."
	"She wants Chris to quit, Josh," Lance replied, "I think that's
pretty telling."
	JC patted Lance's hand, "I'm sure he'll do the right thing".
	Lance got up from the couch, pulling JC with him, "You are so wise,
Mr.  Chasez".
	As he was led to the bedroom, he returned, "I know".
	When they walked in, Lance shut the door and JC stared at the view
around him.  The blinds had been shut and candles had been lit.  Lance
walked in front of JC and began unbuttoning his shirt.  JC asked, "What's
this for?"
	Lance kissed JC's neck and dropped his shirt to the floor, "I
thought you might forget".
	"Isn't it a little early for this?" JC asked as Lance began
unzipping his pants, "And what did I forget?"
	Lance slipped JC's jeans down to his ankles and JC felt a little
relief, as his cock was now fully erect.  Lance cupped JC's ass, "Today, my
dear fellow, marks 2 months".
	JC got it.  They had been together two months.  He had thought
about earlier in the week, but it slipped his mind after last all that had
happened this past week.  He joked, "It's been that long?"
	Lance slapped JC's butt and reached around to the front of his
briefs, "Yes, it has".
	JC pulled Lance into a deep kiss, "Sorry, I forgot.  This Chris
thing is getting to me."
	Lance nodded, "I know.  That's why I did this today.  I want to
clear your mind of bad thoughts," and added as he slipped JC's underwear
down, "and only have good thoughts".
	JC laughed, "I'm having some pretty naughty thoughts right now.  Is
that okay?"
	Lance said nothing, but slipped down to his knees.  JC leaned back,
hitting the wall and nearly knocking off a picture as Lance took his hard
penis in his mouth and began sucking it.  JC closed his eyes and realized
that Lance was right: he was forgetting all that had happened in the past
few hours and relaxed as the intense feelings overcame him.

	"I should be pissed at you," Joey said as he took a seat across
from his brother.
	"And why is that?" Steve Fatone asked as he munched on a slice of
pizza.
	Joey grabbed a piece from the tray, "For telling mom and pop about
me and Drew".
	Steve smiled, "It's true, right?"
	Joey nodded, "But, you didn't know for sure and that's not
something you tell your parents lightly".
	Steve wiped his mouth, "Look, I'm sorry.  But, it was pretty
obvious the way that guy hangs around you with those puppy dog eyes.  It's
kinda like they way JC looks at his man".
	Joey took a bite, "I don't think Drew and I are up to that level
yet." They sat silent for a second before Joey asked, "So, you're okay with
this whole thing?"
	Steve shrugged and rifled through his bag, "It's your life Joe.
I'm not one to interfere.  You just gotta be careful.  You could break a
lot of 12 year old girls hearts if this gets out."
	"Believe me, I know," Joey lamented.
	Steve asked, "Is this guy coming with us on the tour?"
	Joey sat back. "No.  He's got his own band issues to deal with."
	"Like his wife," Steve joked.
	Joey was not amused, "Man, stop that.  I don't need to hear it".
	Steve raised his hands, "Sorry bro.  I didn't know it was such a
touchy subject."
	Joey stated, "Drew and I talked it out.  It's okay, but I still
don't wanna think about it more than I already do".
	"I take it it's a sham thing, then?" Steve queried.
	Again, Joey nodded, "Yep.  For the good of the band, I believe".
	Steve sipped on his drink, "Well, it happens all the time in
famous-people-world.  You know that.  Like I said, the boy adores you.  No
one can come between that."  Steve pulled out a notebook, "Now, can we get
down to business?"

	Drew was sitting on the bed in Joey's room, trying to read.  He
loved books, but rarely got a chance to read any, since he was so busy.
Today, he was starting the latest Stephen King book, which was more of a
non-fiction deal Still, he loved reading King and had read half of his
books.  He hoped to get through all of them one day.
	Of course, it was kinda hard to concentrate.  JC and Lance had been
going at it like rabbits all morning and with Justin out doing promotional
work and Chris having walked out a few earlier, the place was totally
quiet.  Except for the occasional grunts and wall banging from the room
next door.  Drew wondered how Joey slept at night with that.  But, he cut
them some slack, since he knew they had done their fair share of grunting
and wall banging themselves.
	So, when a knock came at the door, he jumped at the chance to
answer it.  He called out to the other guys that he would get it, even
though they probably hadn't even heard it.  The chance to hear another
human voice that wasn't screaming "Oh God! Yes!" would be welcome.
	He opened the door to find Jeff Timmins standing there. "Jeff!"
Drew exclaimed as he let his friend into the hotel suite, "What are you
doing here?"
	Jeff looked around, "Nice place here.  These guys live it up, huh?"
Jeff turned around and smiled at Drew, "I came to check in on you.
Justin's still worried you hate him for what happened."
	"I told you that Nick's the only one to blame, Jeff.  Did you tell
him?"  Drew asked.
	"Yep," Jeff replied, "But, you need to tell him.  And I know you
don't want to, but you can't hide out in New York forever.  You have band
obligations".
	"Like a honeymoon?" Drew spat out.
	Jeff put a hand on his shoulder, "You know I don't care about that.
But, we do have some promotional stuff to do and the 'Drew has the flu'
excuse is getting old".
	Drew understood.  He did have a duty to the band and besides, Joey
was leaving in a couple of days anyway for the tour.  "How's Nick?"
	Jeff hesitated, "Dude, he misses you a lot.  You know he loves you.
He may have some really stupid ways of showing it, but he does.  You're his
blood."
	I'd like to draw his blood, Drew thought to himself. He turned to
Jeff, "Well, we can leave tomorrow morning if you want.  I want to spend
one more night with Joey."
	Jeff sat down on the couch, "Sounds cool to me.  You think the guys
will mind if I crash here?  I didn't get a hotel room."
	Drew pointed to the spare bedroom. The one he was afraid he would
be stuck in when he showed up.  Since JC and Lance shared a room, there was
always the extra.  It wouldn't have been good if it got out they were
staying in a suite with only four bedrooms.  Too many questions, Joey had
explained.  "You can stay in there.  That room's free."
	"Cool," Jeff said as he picked up the remote and switched on the
TV.
	Just then, Lance emerged from the bedroom, clad only in his boxers.
He stopped when he saw Jeff, "Oh. Hi there"
	Jeff glanced Lance over, and responded to the blonde's obvious
embarrassment, "Hi, Lance.  Good to see you."
	Lance quickly walked over to the fridge and pulled out a couple of
drinks, "Josh was thirsty, so I thought we would - uh - take a coffee
break."
	Drew giggled, "You're probably pretty dehydrated from all that
exercise."
	Lance sighed, "Yeah, something like that.  Gotta go.  Good to see
you Jeff.
  You staying in town tonight?"
	Jeff got up, "Yeah.  I was hoping I could stay here."
	"Great.  Sounds good." Lance blurted out.  He smiled, turned around
and rushed into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
	Drew and Jeff sat down.  Drew looked towards the shut door, "Lance
is so funny.  He and Josh sound like rabid chimps in there, but he gets
embarrassed when we see him in his drawers."
	Jeff flipped channels, "Well, he doesn't have anything I haven't
seen before."
	Drew sat back, hating to be reminded of that fact.  Once again, the
old feelings stirred up within him.  He shook it off and turned to Jeff,
"So, why are you really here?  I mean, you could've just called."
	Jeff shut off the tube and sat up, "I was worried about you.  I
know you said everything is okay, but it's not like you to stay away from
the group so long."
	Drew looked away, "I needed to be with Joey."
	Jeff stared at Drew, "I know you care about him, but five days with
only one phone call to me?  When you're away, you check in twice a day at
least."
	Drew got up, "I'm not ready to deal right now".
	Jeff went to his friend, "You have to.  Nick isn't going away."
	Drew felt his blood temperature rising, "I thought he was okay with
the gay thing, you know, but he tries to interfere every chance he gets.
And it's getting old."
	Jeff rubbed Drew's shoulders, "Nick's overprotective.  And if you
don't tell him how you feel,"
	Drew interrupted, "I have!  I tell him ten times a day to drop the
whole thing.  But, he persists," Drew looked over at Jeff, "I hate to say
this, but I'm thinking about leaving the band".

	Leave the band.  What is she thinking?
	Chris had left his hotel and wandered over to Dani's.  He needed to
talk to her and she wasn't answering his calls.  He paced around the lobby,
wondering how to approach it.  He had never really had a serious fight with
Dani before and didn't know how she would react if he showed his anger.  He
thought it best to just remain calm, but if she went on and on about her
prejudices, he didn't know if he could keep his composure.
	He still couldn't get over the fact that she had basically issued
him an ultimatum: her or the band.  And it wasn't NSync that he was worried
about.  He hated the thought of leaving the guys.  They had been his best
friends for the last five years and he couldn't dismiss that.
	Chris climbed into the elevator and rode up to Dani's room,
determined to make her see his point of view.  He knocked on her door. And
stepped out of the way of the keyhole, just in case she looked.  She must
not have, because the door opened almost immediately and Dani stuck her
head out.  She saw Chris and sighed, "Hi".
	Chris barged in her room, nearly knocking her out of the way,
"What, you can't return calls?"
	Dani shut the door.  Chris looked at her and the confusion overcame
him.  She was dressed in a kimono - the one he had bought her when the guys
had gone to Japan awhile ago.  He shook off the feeling and turned away.
	Dani was quiet, "I didn't think I was ready to talk yet. I had some
thinking to do."
	Chris laughed, "Talk?  I believe I'm the one that had to think.
I'm the one who got issues the ultimatum last night".
	Dani stared at him, "I didn't issue"
	But Chris interrupted, "You most certainly did, Dani.  You
basically said it's you or the band.  Well, I don't appreciate threats like
that."
	Dani said nothing.  Chris went to her window, which overlooked
Central Park, "You know, Dani, you've been friends with these guys.  You've
been close even.  I don't see why you all of a sudden have a problem with
it".
	Dani sat on the bed, "I just don't think that it's right."
	Chris spun around, "Do you think that I'm gonna become gay too?"
	"Well, it does seem to be contagious," Dani said in a half-hearted
attempt at humor, but Chris was not amused, so she went on, "I don't think
that.  I just think that it's gross."
	Chris spat out, "Gross?  Please!  Let's put our cards on the table,
okay?  You're worried, because you think that if this were to leak out, the
band would be destroyed and I would be out of a job."
	Dani stood up, "Do you really think I'm that materialistic?"
	Chris replied, "It has to be, because you sure aren't very
religious, so I can't believe your dislike for this is because of your
moral views."  Dani just stood there and Chris went to her, "Look, Dani, I
had some issues with this too when Lance and JC first came out.  And the
whole Joey thing threw me for a loop too.  But, I thought about it and
realized that they were the same guys as before and I didn't like them
because of who they slept with.  They're my best friends and I love them
and I'm not about to give that up.  Not for anyone."
	Dani said coldly, "Then I guess I have your answer."
	Chris backed away from her, "I guess you do".  Chris turned away
and opened the hotel room door, sort of hoping she would stop him.  But,
she said nothing and Chris stepped out in the hall, shutting the door
behind him.  As he pressed the button for the elevator, a tear slipped down
his cheek.

	Joey walked into the hotel suite.  It was dark and he found a note
from Lance: JC and I went out for dinner.  Be back late.
	Joey smiled.  They were such an old married couple.  He knew Justin
was out at some press junket deal until late, but he didn't see Chris
anywhere.  Of course, that made him happy when he heard the noise coming
from his room.  He stepped in to hear the faint sounds of the shower
running and suddenly his thoughts turned dirty as he thought of Drew in
there, soaping himself up.
	Joey quickly stepped out of his clothes, his erection already
straining against his briefs.  As he walked through the steamy bathroom
door, he stepped out of his underwear and stood totally naked in front of
the shower stall.  Through the mist he could make out Drew's smooth, firm
body and he felt himself growing randier by the minute.
	Joey inched forward, taking in the muscular shape of his boyfriend
and soon he couldn't stand it anymore.  With one fail swoop, he opened the
shower door and jumped in.  His hands quickly found their place against the
smooth ass in front of him.
	Unfortunately, as he looked up, he realized that the hair of the
person in the shower was much darker than it should've been.  And when the
form turned around, a big grin on his face, Joey gasped as he realized he
was standing naked in the shower with Jeff Timmins.
	Joey backed up and Jeff laughed, "That's one hell of a way to greet
a guy, Joe.  You this frisky with Drew?"
	Joey stammered out an apology and quickly jumped out of the shower.
As water dripped off his form he ran out into the bedroom, and nearly
knocked over Drew, who was walking in.  Drew smiled, "What's the rush?"
Joey nervously smiled back and tried to speak, but couldn't say a thing.
	Just then, Jeff stepped out of the bathroom, a towel around his
waist.  Drew glanced over and anger overcame him.  But, when he thought
about it, and realized what had probably happened, he burst out laughing.
	Joey grabbed his shorts and slipped them on, "What's so funny?"
	Drew turned to Jeff, "Tell me Jeff, did Joey help you lather up?"
	Jeff smiled, "Oh yeah.  It was great."
	Joey was irate, "You think this is funny?"
	"Oh come on, Joe," Drew said as he continued to giggle, "You walked
in on Jeff, thinking he was me."
	"And grabbed my ass," Jeff threw in.
	Joey said nothing, but stormed out in a huff.  Drew went after him
and followed him into the kitchen, "Joey, come on, it was kinda funny."
	Joey grabbed some soda from the fridge, "It was not funny.  I
nearly screwed Jeff.  I can't believe he saw me with a boner."
	Drew massaged Joey, "Well, now he can be jealous to see what I get
to sleep with every night."
	Joey set down his drink, feeling a little better, "Why is he here?
And why was he using my shower."
	Drew kissed Joey, "The one in the spare bedroom wasn't working, so
I told him to use that one.  And as for why he's here, he's the unofficial
98 Degrees ambassador.  He came to get me to come back."
	Joey pulled Drew close, "You're leaving?"
	Drew nodded, "You guys are headed out Monday anyway and I figure
tomorrow will be real busy since it's your last day here and I'd just be in
the way."
	Joey felt his cock growing hard again, "You can never be in the
way."
	Drew rubbed against Joey, "So, thinking about me in the shower made
you horny?"
	Joey smiled, "Yep. And I was thinking maybe we could replay that
scene with the right people involved".
	Drew pointed towards the bedroom, "Jeff is here."
	"And Jeff can watch TV," Joey said as he led Drew to the bedroom.
Jeff was pulling on a T-shirt.  Joey pointed to the door, "Jeff, you mind
watching the tube for awhile?"
	Jeff needed no more prodding and headed out the door.  As he pulled
it closed, he whispered, "Horny bastards".
	Drew reached down and pulled Joey's shorts off.  Joey helped Drew
out of his clothes and together they headed into the shower.  Hot water
sprayed against Joey's chest as Drew stood behind him, pressing against his
butt.  Joey felt Drew harden and he turned around, rubbing his cock against
his lover's.
	"You gonna get some soap or something?" Drew asked.
	Joey thought about it and replied, "Actually, I'm not really that
dirty.  I just like doing it in the shower."
	Drew smiled and leaned in, kissing Joey hungrily.  He felt Joey's
tongue enter his mouth and a small moan escaped from his throat. Joey
reached down and grabbed Drew's hard penis, stroking it through the warm
liquid.  Drew's own tongue probed Joey's mouth for a minute, before he
backed away and began kissing him on the neck.
	Drew worked down to Joey's nipples, sucking them lightly.  Joey
gasped and began rubbing Drew's cock harder.  Drew bit down on Joey's
chest, causing him to lean back against the side wall.  Drew continued his
descent, until he made it to Joey's cock.  As the water beat against his
face, Drew took Joey's member in his mouth.  Joey placed a hand on Drew's
head and moaned as he came closer to orgasm.
	Soon, it was too much for him and Drew backed off, just as Joey
shot his load, coating Drew's chest.  The water quickly washed it away and
Drew kneaded Joey's cock lightly until he began to lose his erection.
	Drew stood up and Joey kissed him.  Joey smiled, "My turn," and
fell down to his knees.  He ran his tongue up the shaft of Drew's cock.  He
reached the head and took that in his mouth.  Even though he should've been
hot, he could feel the water starting to get cold.  He stood up, "Damn.
Jeff used up the hot water."
	Drew looked at Joey, "That's okay.  I probably need a cold shower."
	Joey turned off the water, "No, I know what you need and I intend
to finish."
	Joey stepped out of the stall and reached for a towel.  He dried
himself off and then dried Drew.  He paid special attention to his cock and
when he was done, he took Drew to the bedroom, where he laid him down on
the bed.  Joey climbed between Drew's legs and continued what he had
started, taking Drew's hard cock into his mouth.
	Drew groaned as Joey sucked his cock and soon he could feel himself
coming.
  He tensed up and warned Joey, who stayed pressed against his crotch.
Drew came, shooting his load into Joey's mouth.  Joey swallowed the spurts
of come as Drew's cock spasmed.  Drew laid there, exhausted and Joey came
up to him kissing him on the lips.  Drew could taste the come on Joey's
lips and even though he thought he would be grossed out, kind of liked it.
	"I've never done that before," Joey commented as he rested his head
on Drew's chest.
	"How was it?" Drew asked.
	Joey breathe heavily, "Not bad.  It's kinda cool to pleasure a guy
like that."
	"It's definitely more intense than stopping right at the climax,"
Drew replied.  He then kissed the top of Joey's head, "Maybe I'll try that
with you next time."
	Joey sat up, "Give me fifteen minutes and we can start next time."
	Drew laughed as there was a knock at the door, "Guys?  Can you come
out here for a second?"
	Jeff sounded concerned, so Drew and Joey slipped on some shorts and
walked out into the living room.  Jeff pointed towards Chris' closed door,
"Chris came in a second ago and he looked really upset.  Maybe you should
go talk to him."
	Joey knew it was probably about Dani and even though he just wanted
to call her a bitch and tell Chris to forget about her, he knew that
wouldn't happen.  Chris loved her and he needed a friend.  Joey went to
Chris' door and knocked.

Sorry to end in the middle of a scene, but I wanted to get this part out
and time was running short.  So, please stay tuned for the next chapter!
And write me!!!!