Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 05:20:13 -0800 (PST) From: JC <a41a14a@yahoo.com> Subject: Jason and JC - 9 "Jason and JC - 9" Hello all. I want to thank all of you who have written to let me know how much you liked the story. I am hard at work on chapter 10 and I hope to have it out soon. If you like the story, please write me and let me know. I enjoy getting your opinions and suggestions as well. Send them to a41a14a@yahoo.com or if you have ICQ send them to #76118280. Well now that I'm done eith my customary yapping, on with the story. ******************************************************************************* The doors to the bus slid closed as JC slowly dragged himself up the steps. He fell as the bus jerked into motion under his feet, nearly tossing him to the floor. He steadied himself before joining his friends in the lounge area of the bus. Joey, Chris, and Lance were watching the TV as Justin listened contentedly to his walkman. His head bobbed back and forth to the music. Justin's goofy guestures caused JC to crack a smile, but the humour soon left him and again he felt empty. He walked throuhg the living area and announced that he was going to lay down and rest for a while as he headed towards the bunks at the back of the bus. "It's like... noon." Chris said, looking down at his watch. "So?" JC responded, almost defensivly. "I'm not feeling very well. I think I just need some more rest." Which was the truth, mostly. He had an aching in his heart, a longing to go back to where Jason was. It was confusing him incredibly, which was in turn, giving him a headache. JC crawled into the lower bunk and pulled the curtain to. Lying in the pitch black dark, he began to go back over the events of yesterday and today. His mind raced back and forth as he tossed all of his thought through his mind. He was so confused. Why was he having such strong feelings for Jason? He's cool and all, but there feels like there is something stronger than friendship there. Even with all of the thoughts that raced through his mind, JC's body slowly slipped into an deep sleep. JC's eyes fluttered open to find himself not on his bunk anymore, but on a bed. He looked around and realized that he was back in his hotel room. A slight bit confused, he tried to sit up in bed. He found himself confined by a pair of warm cozy arms. 'Jason!' JC remembered. Sure enough, Jason had his arms wrapped tight around JC's body, holding him closly, just as JC had remembered. JC closed his eyes again and put his arms on top of Jason's. He just lie there basking in Jason's warmth. He rolled over within Jason's grasp until he was facing Jason on the bed. Jason's eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly, resting peacefully. JC felt like he laid there for hours, just watching Jason sleep. He felt perfect bliss lying on the bed within Jason's warm embrace. He felt a completeness he had never before felt, a total oneness. JC smiled at his own happiness. Jason's eyes fluttered and slowly eased open, finding JC lying before him. But instead of backing away, he just smiled and gazed at JC with his soft brown eyes. JC felt himself move forward toward Jason. He closed his eyes as Jason's lips neared his own. With a sudden motion, the door to the room flung open and Joey, Chris, Lance, and Justin entered, all screaming his name. They grabbed him and tore him from Jason's arms. JC fought and fought to resist there restrains, but all four of them had a hold of him, pulling him farther and farther away from the object of his desire. He cried out as the four of them surrounded him, blocking Jason from his sight. They started calling his name, louder and louder. 'JC, JC, JC, JC, JC...' "JC, JC wake up!" Justin grabbed ahold of JC's shoulder and shook him roughly. JC shot up in bed and nearly bashed his head on the upper bunk, had it not been for Justin stopping his head. He looked around and found himself back inside the tour bus. Justin was kneeling by his side and Lance, Joey, and Chris were not far behind. "JC, are you OK?" Justin asked worriedly. JC reached up and put his hand on his forehead. He was completely covered in a cold sweat. He wiped the water from his brow and took a deep breath before responding. "I... I'll be fine. I just... I just had a bad dream that's all." JC looked at his four friends before him with worried looks on their faces. He remembered the dream in vivid detail. The four surrounding him now, were the four that had torn him from Jason's arms only moment's before. 'It was only a dream.' he told himself. Everyone except Justin returned to the lounge area, once they had made sure JC was alright. After they had left, Justin sat down on the edge of the bunk. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. "I don't know. I can't really remember what was going on." JC lied. "It must have been something terrible, because you started thrashing around in you bunk bawling you eyes out. You kept yelling 'Stop!'. You had us all worried Josh." Justin said, putting his hand down on JC's. "The little bro now watching out for the big brother, I see." JC whimed, forcing a smile. "I'm alright though. I promise." "Alright. We are about fifteen minutes outside of Orlando now. You might want to get up and enjoy what's left of the ride." Justin informed. "I slept the whole way?" JC said in disbelief. "Yep. Long for even you." Justin joked. JC lightly socked him in the arm and pushed him up off of the bunk. JC rose to his feet and together, he and Justin joined the others in the living room. JC couldn't help but think about the dream. He gazed aimlessly out the window as he replayed it over and over again in his head. He had been so happy. And as he began to think back on this morning, he had actually been happy, once he had realized what was going on. He wanted to stay there forever. But in the dream, he was trying to kiss Jason. Did he have feelings for Jason? Romantic feelings? Sexual feelings? "No!" he exclaimed to himself outloud. The four seated in the room with him all turned their attention to him. "No what?" Lance asked. "Nothing, just thinking aloud." JC said, again avoiding voicing his dilema. They all shook their heads and returned to what they were doing. 'I want him so. Why? It doesn't make sense.' he pondered. After recalling the dream again and playing it over in his head one more time, he realized that he did have loving feelings toward Jason. He did and it scared the hell out of him. 'It wasn't right to be having these kind of feelings, was it?' Before he could think anymore, the bus pulled to a stop. JC looked up to the clock on the wall which read 8:17 PM. JC recalled the plans that the group had made before ever setting foot in Atlanta. They were all going to stay the night at Justin's place when they arrived. Sure enough, there sat Lynn, Justin's mother, waiting on them near the bus. The group headed off of the bus with bags in hand and walked up behind Justin to his mother. "Hi, mom." Justin announced as he approached his mother's SUV. "Hi, baby. How have you been?" Lynn asked as she pulled her son into a hug. "Alright. Well, pretty good actually. I'm still in one piece." Justin responded with a grin. "And how are all you boys?" Lynn asked as she looked into the group. 'Pretty good.' was the general concensus, although it came out in different ways. "Come give me a hug." she said, waving them in with her hand guestures. They five of them grasped in a group hug with Lynn, trapping Justin right in the middle. "Hey, let me out!" he yelled playfully. The group backed off and all laughed at Justin. "Alright, let's pile in." Lynn informed, opening the doors of the SUV for the guys to climb into. JC walked up to Lynn and pulled her aside. "Lynn, there's something I've got to do in town. I'll be out to your house in a little while OK?" he informed her. Lynn nodded her head in acknowledgement. JC called for a taxi as Lynn made sure everyone was well situated inside. As Lynn climbed into the driver's seat, she watched JC enter a yellow taxi and speed off toward downtown Orlando. "Where to, buddy?" the cabbie queried. JC wasn't sure he just needed time alone to think. What were these feeling he was having? He wanted to be with Jason incredibly, but why? Was he ... No he couldn't be. 'No Way!' his mind told him. "Hello? Anywhere in particular, or do you want me to just drive around in circles?" the cab driver joked. JC looked up at the cabbie after being snapped back into reality. "Umm. Take me to the closest bar." he responded "Ahh, woman troubles." the driver knowingly responded. JC looked up at him and chuckled half- heartedly. "I guess you could say that." JC answered. He didn't say anything further and prayed that the driver didn't pry. He really didn't feel like trying to talk about it, or making a cover story. He just wanted to be alone. About five minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of a pretty run down place. It wasn't falling down, but it wasn't the classy clubs he was used to. "Will this work?" the driver asked. "Do they serve liqour?" JC responoded. "Last time I checked." "Well then, I guess this will work." JC tossed the guy some money, not even bothering to get change. He walked into the dimly lit bar and took a seat on a stool at the bar. The place was relatively empty, ten or fifteen people. The bartender approached JC, wiping the place in front of him with the wet rag he carried in his hand. "What'll it be?" he asked. "Give me the strongest stuff you got." JC responded. "Uh oh." the bar tender replied as he reached behind the counter, pulling up a bottle. He grabbed a glass and filled it for JC. "I smell woman troubles." 'Damn it!' JC thought to himself. 'Why does it always have to be woman troubles. And why does everyone feel they can talk to you about it?' JC took the full glass off of the bar and downed it in one motion. "Damn, boy! Something must be wrong." the bartender exclaimed. "More." JC instructed pointing to the glass. The bartender gave him a questioning look before pouring another full glass. "Is everything OK?" he asked. "No," JC answered, grabbing the full glass up off of the bar and guzzled down. He could feel it burning on the way down. JC rolled back his eyes and groaned as it went down. Once it hit his stomach, he droppedthe glass back on the bar. "But I really don't feel like talking about it." "You're not going to feel much of anything in about five minutes. You just downed enough to knock out a horse." the bartender warned. "Well, I guess I had better get to a cab then. While I can... can still speak." JC answered, beginning to slur. "Do you sell any of that by the bottle?" "Yeah, but I wouldn't ..." he started. JC tossed a handful of bills onto the counter. "Give me whatever you've got." The bartender reached under the bar and pulled up a bottle, handing it to JC. JC squinted trying to read the label on the bottle. 'Whiskey, that'll work.' JC thanked the man and took a deep breath before rising off of the stool. He could already feel his mind starting to get fuzzy, like the fog rolling in on a dreary autumn night. He quickly made his way out of the bar, bottle in hand and out onto the street. He waved his arms for what seemed like an eternity, before a cab came to a stop at the curb. JC swung the door open and hopped into the cab. He instructed the cabbie to drive around for a couple of hours before heading to Justin's house. He gave him the address, after struggling to remember it. And laid his head back against the head rest before opening the bottle. The ride was all a blur and the next thing JC knew, he was standing outside Justin's house, holding an empty bottle. He just stood there, he couldn't move, he couldn't talk, he couldn't do anything except stand, and he was barely doing that. All of a sudden, his legs became weak, and he was forced to sit down. Sitting there, he was content, he couldn't even remember what had been bothering him so. He couldn't remember much of anything. He just knew he was sitting on the ground, even now, he couldn't remember where he was. 'Why am I sitting on the ground?' he asked himself. "JC!" he heard in the distance. He looked all around and didn't see a soul. "Oh well." he shrugged. "JC, where have you been?" JC opened his eyes and was startled by Lance standing in front of him. "Hmm?" JC responded, futily trying to get his mouth to make words. "Where have you been?" Lance asked as he sat next to JC. "Scoop, my buddy. What are you doing here?" JC asked recognizing him finally. "What do you mean, What am I doing here? JC..." Lance paused a moment noticing the empty bottle still cluched in JC's hand. "JC, your drunk." Lance said in amazement. "Huh?" JC said looking down at the bottle in his hand. "Oh, yeah. I guess I am." he added with a giggle. "You don't get drunk? What happened?" Lance asked worried. "I did tonight." JC announced as he fell flat on his back looking straight up at the starry sky. "Come on, let's get you inside." Lance said, grabbing JC by the arm and pulling him to his feet. He wrapped JC's arm around his neck and forced him to walk toward the house. He pulled JC up the back stairs and into the house. Slowly and quietly, Lance and JC made their way to JC's room. Lance lay JC, who was nearly motionless, on the bed as Justin walked into the room. "Is he OK?" Justin asked as he helped Lance remove JC's shoes. "He'll be alright, he's just a little drunk, that's all." Lance answered. Justin's face was painted with confusion as he looked at JC who was staring at the ceiling. Lance covered him up and shook JC out of his trance. "JC, you get some rest." Lance instructed. JC blinked his eyes and nodded in response. He could here Lance and Justin talking in the background as he gave up the battle he had been fighting against sleep all night. Within seconds, he was out like a light. His sleep was completely devoid of dreams and images. The booze had insured that. He lay motionless and soundless on the bed as he slept through the night. Don't you fight it cause it's only natural. Can't disguise what's in your eyes, they say too much. Don't deny that when we touch it's physical. Let it be you and me. As JC heard these words in his sleep, he popped up in his bed. He looked around and found himself in his room at Justin's house. As he felt the tinge of a headache coming on, he remembered the previous night, or most of it anyway. And as the words began to repeat, he recalled just what it was he was trying to get away from. Jason. He lepted out of bed fully clothed and crossed the hall to Justin's room, where the music was coming from. Inside sat Justin, contentedly listening to his stereo. Justin's back was turned, so he didn't see JC walk into the room. He listened as the chorus repeated itself. Don't you fight it cause it's only natural. Can't disguise what's in your eyes, they say too much. Don't deny that when we touch it's physical. Let it be you and me. Don't Fight it Baby. Finally, the song came to an end. As the next song started, JC hit the previous track button causing the song to stop suddenly and the first track to restart. JC wanted to here the complete song that was attatched to the meaningful chorus. "Hey!" Justin exclaimed as the song restarted. He spun around to see JC standing next to the CD player, listening intently. "JC!" he exclaimed again as he jumped up off of the bed and approached JC. JC put his finger to his lips in a "SHHH!" motion as the words to the song began. Why do you put up a fight with your feelings? Cause we've been friends now for far too long. I know some part of you thinks that I'm schemeing, But there's no way I could do you wrong. I say love, you said it ain't that. Then you turn around and come back I can tell the way that you act That you want this. Don't you fight it cause it's only natural. Can't disguise what's in your eyes, they say too much. Don't deny that when we touch it's physical. Let it be you and me. Don't need to tell me we're risking this friendship. But there's no stopping this vibe we're on And when we play I can feel we're not joking In every stare that we share too long. I say love, you said it ain't that. Then you turn around and come back I can tell the way that you act That you want this. Don't you fight it cause it's only natural. Can't disguise what's in your eyes, they say too much. Don't deny that when we touch it's physical. Let it be you and me. What everybody knows (Don't fight it baby) Just let your feelings show (Don't fight it baby) Dont want to let it go (Don't fight it baby) Look to your heart and you'll know That you want it. Don't you fight it cause it's only natural. Can't disguise what's in your eyes, they say too much. Don't deny that when we touch it's physical. Let it be you and me. Don't you fight it cause it's only natural. Can't disguise what's in your eyes, they say too much. Don't deny that when we touch it's physical. Let it be you and me. Don't Fight it Baby. 'Why am I fighting this?' JC asked himself as the song ended again. 'It's so obvious. I have feelings for Jason. I have to see him again.' A smile actually managed to creep its way onto his face for the first time since they had left Atlanta. "JC?" a voice came from behind him. JC whirled around to find Lance standing close behind him. "You're up!" "Yeah." JC responded, still pondering over the words of the song. 'I have to call Jason.' The thought rang through JC's head clearer than shot on a silent night. "JC, we need to talk." Lance anounced, eyeing JC intently. "Yeah. Sure, Scoop. Just not right now. In a minute." JC replied, moving his way back toward his room. "No, Now." Lance said firmly, moving himself in front of JC, blocking his exit. "Fine." JC gave in, rolling his eyes. Once Lance set his mind on something, there was no stopping him. JC had better just give up now. He followed Lance back into his room and sat down on his bed. "Now," Lance began. "What is with you and Jason?" JC just sat with a blank stare as the words registered in his mind. 'Did he know? Was it that obvious?' "Huh? What do you mean?" he answered, trying to step around Lance's blunt approach. "You have been acting really wierd ever since we left Atlanta. You sleep the entire way, which is not all that abnormal for you, but you wake up screaming and crying your eyes out and won't tell anyone about it. Then you go out and get knock-down drunk. That is most definately not like you." Lance paused letting his words sink in before continuing. JC just continued to look at him blankly. "What did Jason do or say that has you so upset?" Lance finished. 'Whew!' JC thought relieved. He felt a little better as Lance announced his theory. It wasn't entirely off the mark, but it wasn't something Jason had said or done, it was just because he was. JC looked up at Lance with a forced laugh. "Nothing, man. It's not him. I just felt like it. That's all." JC answered, lying through his teeth. "You know I don't believe you." Lance responded with a worried look. "Well you don't have to." JC said standing to his feet. "Now out." JC grinned as he pushed his friend to the door. Against his better judgment, Lance decided to leave JC alone. "And Lance," JC called causing Lance to turn and face him. "I appriciate it, but I'm fine. Trust me." he added with his trademark grin. Lance shook his head as he continued out the door. JC pushed the door shut and jumped onto the bed. He grabbed his wallet and pulled out the folded piece of paper that contained Jason's address and telephone number. JC reached over to bed side phone and picked up the reciever. JC pressed the buttons on the phone and placed the reciever to his ear. 'Please be home. Please be home.' he prayed as the phone continued to ring. 'Please.' "Hello?" ******************************************************************************* Here we go. What will happen next? Only way to know is to come back for the next chapter. Drop me any questions or comments. The email is a41a14a@yahoo.com, reach me on yahoo messenger at the same ID (a41a14a), or ICQ at #76118280. Hope you liked it and another will be out in a few days. Promise. See you all later, JC.