Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 09:45:47 -0800 (PST)
From: James <midwestjames@yahoo.com>
Subject: 'My New Life #4' (midwestjames) (mm slow rom)

My New Life

 This is the first attempt at a story that has been kicking around in my
head for some time now.  It is to be a story of friendship that develops
between the main character, Marc Newman and the guys of N SYNC.

Legal Disclaimer:

     This story is totally fictional and is not meant to imply anything
about the personalities of Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, J.C. Chasez, Joey
Fatone, or Chris Kirkpatrick of the music group NSYNC.  If you are under
the age of 18, offended by male/male material, or it is illegal to view
such materials in your area, you should be leaving now.  If you are looking
for a story with lots of sex, go away!  This is a story of friendship and
only time will tell which direction it will take.

Like anyone who writes feed back, good or bad is needed.  The good feed
back, strokes our ego.  The bad feed back, strokes the delete key. <grin>
My e-mail: midwestjames@yahoo.com

A special note: With this installment we are catching up with my web page.
Please check it out.  I have also included links to stories I really like.

http://www.geocities.com/midwestjames

Part 6 Last Time

In Orlando, Lynn Harless was at her desk looking oven contracts.  Her
direct line rang.  Glancing at the caller ID she smiled.  "Hi, Justin.
Enjoying your vacation?"

"Hi mom.  Vacation isn't going exactly as planed.  We met someone new, and
we're having a blast hanging with him."

"What's your new friends name, dear?  How'd you all meet?

"His name is Marc Newman, he's a student at the University of Wisconsin.
He ran into the side of our van with his bike."

"Oh my, was he hurt?"

"Yea, he took a bad spill.  But he was lucky, only one bad cut, that needed
stitches."

"Justin, did he know who you guys are?

"At first we weren't sure, but when we brought him home, he invited us to
stay and have a cook out.  While he was getting cleaned up, we kind of got
the idea he was a fan."

"How could you tell?"

"For one thing he owns every CD we ever made.  His CD collection is quite
limited.  And above his stereo, pinned to the wall is a ticket to our next
concert."

"You guys watch yourself, you know how fans can be a problem."

"Well, when we asked Marc if he was a fan of ours?  He said he was a big
fan of N SYNC.  Like he didn't know who we were.  When we pointed out that
we were N SYNC he just looked at us, like we were crazy.  Marc than
said. "No, your not.  You are Joey, Lance, Justin, Chris, and Josh.  My new
friends, who are on vacation this week.  N SYNC won't be around until next
week, when they do a show in Madison.  And I plan to attend that show like
all their other fans."

Laughing, Lynn said.  "He, sounds cool, honey."

"We're going to spend the rest of the week here, with him.  But the reason
I called was Marc is studying music in collage.  And he writes music.
Today he gave Lance a note book with some songs he had written and said if
there were anything in there we liked we could have them."

"Is any of his stuff good?"

"That's just it.  There are six songs and they are all fantastic!  We'd
like to record them all.  But Marc doesn't seem to realize what would
happen if we did his songs. We feel the label will screw him over, if he
doesn't have someone to look after his interests.  We were wondering, if
you would conceder, taking Marc on?"

"Normally I'm not taking on any new clients.  But since you guys are
recommending him I'll see what I can do.  Why don't you give me some
information."

Meanwhile down the hall.  NSYNC's road manager was in his office.  Pete's
private line rang and his ID told him it was Joey calling.  "Oh no, what
trouble are they in now?" said Pete as he picked up the phone.

"Yo, Pete.  How you doing."

"Hi Joe, I'm fine.  I thought you are on vacation, what's up?"

"I called to ask you a big favor.  I've made a real good friend here on
vacation.  He's the coolest.  I want to see if I could bring him on tour
with us this summer?  I'll pay for any additional expenses myself.  He can
stay with us, so there won't be an extra room."

Laughing at the excited Joey.  Pete said.  "Slow down Joe.  I'll need some
information so security can check him out first.  If everything checks out,
I don't see any problem.  How about his name, address, and people to
contact for personal references other than you guys."

Back in Lynn's office she was finishing up with her son.  "I think I've got
enough to get started.  I've got a meeting in five minutes, I'll get on
this right after."

"Thinks mom.  I'll see you in Madison next week.  Bye."

After her meeting Lynn made a call.  "Pete do you have a few minutes, I
need to talk to you?"

"Sure Lynn come on over."

Lynn entered Pete's office and took the chair across from him.  "Well Lynn,
what can I help you with?"

"I got a call this morning from Justin, telling me about this new friend
they've made.  I wondered if you can help me check him out?"

Pete sat back in his chair with a big grin and asked.  "By any chance is
his name Marc Newman?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Well this morning I got calls from Joey, Lance, Chris, and JC.  All of
them wanting to take a Marc Newman, on tour with them."

"They all call you?  Sounds like they were trying to put pressure on you."

"They each called but I don't think any of the others knew about the others
call.  I was kind of waiting for Justin's call but I see he did an end
run."

"He seems to have made a big impression on the boys, are you going to have
him checked out?"

"I already have.  I've talked to the sheriff, his doctor, and his collage
consular.  I even have his transcript."  handing a folder to Lynn.

Lynn read through the folder looking up a little dazed.  "This guy is
incredible."

Yea, I agree.  He is going to make an interesting addition to the tour.
Did you notice that one of his majors was computer sciences?  On a hunch I
did a search on the net to see what I could find.  I found his personal web
page and links to eight other sites he has designed.  Here come around and
take a look at this."

Lynn took a few minutes to check out the site and sat back down.  "I'm
impressed."

"So am I.  I think I will offer him the job of web master on tour.  That
way he won't feel like he's free loading."

"So your going to let him join the tour?"

"From the way the guys talked about him, I want to get to know him too.  He
seems to be someone the guys need in there lives.  And if he can keep the
guys happy and out of trouble it makes my job a lot easier."

Smiling Lynn asked.  "When are you going to let the boys know Marc's
welcome to come along?"

"They each said that they would call on Saturday for the decision.  I just
wonder how long it is going to take, before they discover, they all had the
same idea?"

"Ya, with the five of them on this, I just hope Marc doesn't turn them
down.  It will make this tour hell."

* * *

Marc had just finished his calls setting up the road trip, when his phone
rang.  "Hi, this is Marc, what's up?"

"Is this Marc Newman of Big Bear Lake, Wisconsin?"

"That's me.  What can I do for you?"  "Marc, my name is Lynn Harless.  And
I was referred to you by some of your friends."

* * *

Lance and Chris was setting the table for supper as Josh, Joey and Justin
came in from the lake.  "Hay, how long before we eat, I'm starved."  said
Justin.

"Any time, Marc's had the pot of chili cooking all afternoon.  We can eat
as soon as you guys get cleaned up." said Lance.

Marc walked out of the den as the guys got back from cleaning up.  "It
smells like the chili's ready."

     As everyone took a seat Marc ladled up big bowls of chili for
everyone. And served them to his guests.  For Chris he made a special bowl.
Chris complained earlier that no one ever made chili hot enough for him.
Marc added a few drops of five alarm hot sauce to the bottom of Chris's
bowl.  There wasn't much conversation at the table with everyone scarifying
down their food.

Watching, Chris started to sweat as he ate.  Marc asked. "Chris, how's your
chili?"

Swallowing his last mouth full he said "The chili is great, just the way I
like it."

"Well, I'm ready for more.  Anyone else want seconds?"  said Marc.


Everyone's hand went up but Chris who by now had sweat dripping down his
face.  Marc took each bowl and refilled them.  Including Chris's bowl.
Seeing that Chris had not started eating, Marc went to the refrigerator and
poured a large glass of milk.  Walking up behind Chris, Marc reached around
and put the glass of milk down in front of Chris.  As Marc sat down Chris
grabbed the glass of milk and drank it straight down.

Marc smiled at Chris.  "I hope your chili wasn't too hot for you."

"I've had some hot chili, but this has got to be the hottest I've ever had.
How can you guys eat a second bowl?"

"Oh, only your bowl had the super hot spices in it.  The rest of us had
normal chili.  You should give it a try, you might like it." said Marc with
a grin pointing to the bowl in front of Chris.

Slowly Chris took a taste of the chili and finding it a hundred degrees
cooler than the first bowl he started to eat.

Marc finished his meal in silence thinking about the phone call earlier.

Noticing how quiet Marc had been during supper Lance asked.  "Marc, is
there something wrong?  You're mighty quiet tonight."

"Sorry, I've had something on my mind.  You see, I got a call this
afternoon from Justin's mom.  She was under the impression that I was in
the need for a business manager.  Someone to help look out for my interest,
when dealing with record companies.  I wonder where she could of gotten
that idea?"

All five guys seemed to have found something interesting in their empty
chili bowls.  After a long pause.  Lance looked up and said.  "It was my
idea.  When you gave us your songs without any strings attached.  I felt
you didn't know how it works with us.  Any songs we write and record our
record company takes a big shair of the profits because they feel they own
it.  And if we were to go back and record your songs they would latch on to
them and control them.  But if you went to them as the owner of the songs,
you could negotiate a fair settlement and not get screwed by them, like we
have."

"I know I don't have that much experience in this area.  But I am not
stupid."  "Every piece of music I write, I copy write before any one ever
sees it.  Including my homework.  I'm well aware of copy write laws and how
to protect myself." Marc said seriously.

"We're sorry Marc.  Lynn, is one of the few people we trust in the
business.  We thought we were helping."

After a long pause "Lynn and I had a long talk this afternoon and I agree,
she seems to be someone I could trust.  She's told me about your troubles
in detail, and what steeps she would take, to see that wouldn't happen, to
my work."  "I've agreed to accept her offer.  She faxed me a contract to
look over and I've faxed her back my changes to it.  I'm to meet her in
Madison the day of your concert to sign it."

All the guys were all grinning their approval of my decision.

"Thanks for your concern.  I appreciate it." said Marc smiling.  "Lets get
this cleaned up and get ready to go out."

Marc was the first one ready and waited at the kitchen table for the others
to get dressed.  They all came into the kitchen dressed and ready to go and
all Marc could do is laugh at their outfits.

"What, what's so funny?"  asked Justin.

"Do you guys have anything that doesn't shine?  I will need my shades to
protect my eyes from the glair." Marc said with a chuckle.  "Don't you own
any jeans and a normal shirt?"

"Yea, sure."

"Well change into them, I can't take you out dancing dressed like that.
Remember this is not the big city.  You need to dress down a little if you
don't want to attract to much attention."

Five minutes later they were more presentable.  "Ok, that's much better."
Marc said as he got up and headed for the door.  But he stopped in front of
Joey looking at his head.

"What?" asked Joe.

"We do, need to do something about your hair."  "Here try one of these."
Marc handed Joe a ball cap and a cow boy hat to try.  Joey put on the cow
boy hat with a big grin and said. "Lets go."


Part 7: Clubbing Wisconsin Style

Marc drove the six of them into town.  Spotting Sara's car parked by the
drug store he pulled up behind her and parked.

Sara had been waiting for them to arrive and got out of her car as she saw
Marc parking behind her.  "Hay, Marc.  Glad to see you finally made it."

"We're right on time."

"Yea, but you're never on time, you're always early."

Josh said.  "It was our fault, we had to change clothes at the last
minute."

Sara looked at Marc with a questioning look.

"They were dressed in space suits, out of this world outfits."  Marc
laughed.

"Oh." said Sara.  "I'm glad you found something more appropriate."  smiling
at Joey she added.  "Nice hat."

"Where's the club?"  asked Justin.

"Just around the corner."  said Marc as he pointed behind the guys.
Turning the seven headed to the "club" with Sara and Marc taking up the
rear.

As the group came around the corner the group came up short, as the guys
spotted the club.  Looking at the sign, they turned to Marc with
questioning looks.

"The Elks Club?"  asked Chris.

"Yea, the Elks Club.  And your lucky to know me.  This is a very exclusive
club.  They don't let just anybody in you know."  smirked Marc.  "You said
you wanted to go clubbing didn't you?"

Smiling, Sara took Josh's arm and pulled him forward.  "Come on, lets go
dancing."

"The Elks Club is the social center of Big Bear Lake." Marc. said to
everyone as they went in.  "Tonight is Country/Western night.  The local
dance club sponsors tonight's dance.  There is about two hours of line
dancing then the club will take the floor for about a hour." said Marc.

"Line dance, we can't line dance." wined Chris.

"What do you mean, you do it every time you get on stage.  It's just simple
steeps repeated over and over.  The only difference is you don't use the
upper body as much."  Taking the group over to the side of the dance floor
where he spotted members of the dance club.  "Hi, Billie, Joan."

"Hi, Marc."

"Girls, I have five friends here who want to learn line dancing.  How about
giving them the quick starter course.  They have been known to have some
sense of rhythm."

"Marc, you know we love it when you bring us such nice looking virgins."
said Joan.  Smiled looking at the guys as the blush rose in their face.

"I will grab us a table, then I'll see you on the dance floor."  Marc said
turning to a large table across the room.

"Hay, Marc.  What can I get for you and your friends?"

"Hay, Sue.  How about a pitcher of ice tea and pitcher of lemonade.  With
seven big glasses of ice."

"Nothing from the bar?"

"No, lets stay away from there tonight.  Where here to dance, not to
drink."

"What if your friends try to order?"

"Just tell them you can serve only members
 alcohol.  They should accept that."

"Got yea Marc.  Drinks coming up."

Heading back over to the dance class Marc could see that most everyone has
the basic steps down.  Justin was the only one having trouble, he went to
make a left turn and smacked Chris along the side of the head with his arm.

"Watch it Just, were dancing not boxing." said Chris rubbing his ear.

"JUSTIN!" Marc shouted.  "Show me your thumbs!"

Justin looked at Marc, confused.  Holding up his thumbs.

"Ok, hook them in your pants pockets.  And keep them there, before you hurt
someone."

Justin smiled at Marc as Chris mouthed a think you to him as he rubbed his
ear.

Marc had been on the dance floor about ten minuets when he noticed the guys
joining them on the main dance floor.  In no time, everyone was having a
good time.  Marc headed for the table and a cold drink after more than a
hour of dancing.

Josh and Sara came over to the table holding hands and sat down to cool
off.  Sara excused herself and went to the ladies room.  Marc leaned over
to Josh and said in a low voice.  "You and Sara seem to be hitting it off."

"Yea, she is really nice, I like her a lot."

"Well that's great.  But let me warn you.  Be a gentleman, don't do
anything that will hurt her.  I love my sister and I am very protective.
And I would hate to have to hurt you by ripping off a body part."  Marc
said with a serious face.

Just then Sara returned to the table and noticed Marc's serious expression
and Josh's surprised look.  Knowing Marc as she had, she knew what had just
happened.  "Marc!  What did you say to Josh?"  "No wonder I have a hard
time getting a date, with your scarring them away."

"Sorry, sis.  I just don't want to see you get hurt."  said Marc.  "And
Josh, I apologue for what I said.  I do get carried away at times."

The music had changed from line dancing to two step as the guys came to the
table for cold drinks.

"Where did Marc go?"  asked Lance.

"He went to change." answered Sara.

About ten minutes later Marc returned to the table dressed in a western
shirt, boots, jeans, and cow boy hat.

"Looking good Marc."  said Sara as Marc picked up his glass of lemonade.

"I always do." said Marc with a sly smile.

The music changed again as the dance club members took the floor.  They
formed four groups of four couples and started a simple square dance.

Chris leaned in to Sara and said.  "We used to do that in school.  Is that
all they are going to do?"

"Just watch.  This is just their worm up."  said Sara.  Knowing what was to
come.

They had run threw the dance routines twice when as if by some unseen
single the dancers picked up the speed of the foot work doing eight steps
for every one they did before.  The guys were amazed to see all thirty two
dancers doing very integrate dance steps all in unison.

Lance said "It reminds me of River Dance."

"That's close.  Its called Clogging, a form of Celtic dance.  It was
brought to this country by the Irish who incorporated into American square
dancing.  A lot of the steps are the same and they ware taps on their boots
to bring out the toe and heal work."

After more than twenty minutes of quick stepping dancing most of the
dancers left the dance floor leaving ten dancers who formed a line in
preparation for their hardest routine.  Marc was on one end of the line
with another male dancer at the other.  The eight young ladies fill the
space between them.  The dance had a very fast tempo, and the dancers
preformed flawlessly.  The crowd roared their approval as the group took a
bow.  Then the dancer at the far end of the group stepped out of line and
walked over to Marc and stood in front of him with his arms crossed over
his chest.

"Oh, shit!" said Sara.

"What's going on?" asked Joey.

"That guy is Mel Stevens.  He's challenging Marc to a fight."

"Why does he want to fight Marc?" asked Justin.

"It's not really a fight, he is challenging Marc's status as head dancer.
Mel used to be the best dancer in the group until Marc took his title away
last year.  Now he thinks he can take Marc in a dance off."

Both dancers stood there in the middle of the dance floor staring each
other down as they caught their breath after the routine.  The room fell
quiet at the two dancers took a few steps back than started circling the
floor never loosing eye contact.

Mel made the first move by doing a series of steps which Marc easily
repeated.  This went on back and forth each time the combinations getting
more integrate.  Then their circling reversed and it was Marc who now
challenged.  They spared this way for about twenty minutes.  In the end it
looked like a draw.

Not knowing what was happening Lance asked.  "Who won?"

"It was a draw" said Sara.  "Now it is really going to get interesting."

Both men met in the center of the dance floor stopping about two feet apart
and just glared at each other.  Then Marc brought his heal down and started
to beat out a cadence which Mel picked up on after four beats.  Both of
them preformed the same step sequence than they both did a 360ø turn
stopping facing each other.  They repeated the sequence again this time
reversing the turn.  This was repeated time after time, with the beat
getting faster and faster.  Than Marc did the most unbelievable thing
instead of doing his one turn he did a double turn in the same length of
time Mel did one.  Marc repeated it two more times before Mel caught on to
what was happening. Then they both stopped.  Not breaking eye contact Mel
slowly smiled and bowed his head as a sign of defeat.  Mel offered Marc his
hand and Marc accepted it and pulled him into a hug.  They parted as
friends, smiling.

Marc returned to the table after changing.  "I don't know about anyone else
but I've worked up an appetite.  Lets go get something to eat."

Leaving the Elks Club they headed across the street to the restaurant and
took the big corner table.  Everyone ordered drinks and a piece of pie
except Marc.  "I'll have a big stack of pancakes, hash browns, double order
of bacon, and two large OJ's."

Handing his menu to the waitress.  Marc notice everyone was staring at him.
"What?"

"Are you a little hungry?"  said Joey with a laugh.

"That little bit of dancing took a lot out of me."

Changing the subject Sara asked.  "What have you guys got planed for the
rest of the week?"

Everyone turned toward Marc for him to answer.  "Well, I have arranged a
road trip.  We'll be out for three days.  We need to be on the road by 8
a.m. and will be going to House on the Rock, then head for the Dells.  We
will attend the Indian Ceremonial that night and we have a bunk house cabin
for the night."

"Are we going to any water parks?"  asked Justin eagerly.

"I was just getting to that.  I talked to friend and have arranged for us
to have the whole park to our self's from 8 to 10 a.m.  We have the rest of
the day to site see."

"Do you think it will be safe?"  asked Sara.

"If we split up, in pairs, it should be ok."  said Lance.

Dinner will be in a German restaurant.  It's neat.  Everyone sits at these
big long tables.  The food is great, and the waters and waitress go up on
stage during the meal and perform folk songs and dances.  Then on the last
day we will go to Circus World."

"Is there really a actual working circus?" asked Justin.

"Yes there is Justin and if you behave yourself maybe we can get them to
let you be a clown in the show." chuckled Marc.

"Really!  That would be cool." said the grinning Justin.

After Marc finished his meal they all headed back to the van.  Everybody
climbed into the van except Josh who had walked Sara to her car.

"What are they talking about?"  asked Chris.

"Lance, go ahead and close the door."  said Marc as he started the van.
Pulling up beside Sara's car.  Marc said out his window "Sara, you and Josh
go ahead and talk.  Just drop him by the house on your way home.  Have fun
you two."

"Marc, do you really trust Josh with you sister?"  asked Joey.

"Of course I do.  He understands what would happen if he misbehaved."

"What would happen?" Joey asked.

"Oh, only that I would rip one of his most favorite body parts, off.
That's all."

Everyone just cringed at the thought of poor Josh.  After returning to the
house everybody got ready for bed.

Justin awoke to find Marc not asleep next to him.  Then he herd soft crying
coming from the foot of the bed.  "Marc, what's wrong?" said the concerned
Justin getting out of bed and coming around to Marc.

"Leg cramps!  I should have known this would happen.  Oh, shit!!"  cried
Marc.

"What can I do?"

"Help me into the bathroom.  If I can soak in the whorl pool tub I should
be ok."

Justin helped Marc stand up, and got him into the bathroom.

"Marc sit down while I get the tub filled."

"No, it's better if I stand.  I cramp when I bend my legs."

Justin filled the tub with hot water and turned on the jets.

"Do you need help getting in?"

"Yea, I think so."  said Marc as he removed his t-shirt and shorts.

Justin helped Marc lower himself into the hot swirling water.  Than said.
"I'll give you some privacy."

"No.  Please stay" pleaded Marc.

Justin put down the lid and sat down.  "Does this happen very often?"

"Only when I dance like I did tonight and not properly cooling down."  said
Marc as he started to relax.

"Just, what's it like to be Justin Timberlake of NSYNC?"

"That's a weird question."

"Yea, it is.  I know you guys have been at this for years, I think I want
to know is what is the best part of your job and what is the worst part."

Justin understood what Marc was asking.  "I know the best part is
performing, being up on stage, singing, dancing, and working the audience.
I get this rush when everything fall into place and we do a kick ass
concert."  Justin said with a big grin.  "The fans can be the best and the
worst at the same time."

"How?"

"The fans can make the performance, how they react to a song effects the
performance."

"Or how they react to the singer?"  Marc smiled.

Smiling, "Yea, that too."

"What's the bad side of the fans."

"The fans, the girls can get out of hand.  You don't know how out of hand
they can become.  There's been times we barely escaped with out lives.  I
don't know how many shirts I've had ripped off.  And some time they don't
stop at the shirt."

"Did you get hurt?

"Yea, some nasty scratches."

Marc reached over to turn off the jets and asked.  "Will you hand me a
towel?"

Justin grabbed a towel off the shelf and went to help Marc up out of the
tub. But was waved off. "I'm alright now."

Wrapping the towel around his waist Marc stepped out of the tub.  He
grabbed another towel off the stack and dried himself off.  "What else?"

"The traveling is the pits.  And being away from out families so much,
sucks.  But I think the thing I missed most is not having a normal life.
Not being able to go to a regular high school, not making friends, the ball
games, dances, proms, just being a teenager, that is what I missed the
most."

Marc had put on a clean pare of shorts and was leaning against the door
looking down at Justin as he talked.

"Yea, Justin.  I know what you mean." Marc said softly as a tear rolled
down his cheek.

Justin looked up at Marc with wet eyes and realized he did understand.  Not
being able to remember his teenage years.  Justin got up and pulled Marc
into an embrace.  Both of them realizing how close their lives where.
"Come on lets get back to bed.  We have to be up in a couple hours." said
Marc as he opened the door and pushed Justin out.

Chris, half asleep.  Was walking down the hall to the bathroom when the
door flew open and out walks Justin and Marc.

Spotting Chris.  Marc said. "Hi, Chris.  The bathroom is all yours.  We're
done with it." Marc reached up to Justin's shoulders and starting massaging
them.  Justin, just moaned at Marc's touch as they went back to bed.

Going into the bathroom Chris noticed the wet towels.  Rolling his eyes he
thought "I don't want to know."

Back in the bedroom Marc and Justin were laughing as they got into bed.
"Marc your bad!"

"I know.  <Hee hee> but I can't help it.  There is something about Chris.
He is so gullible at times." calming down Marc said "Good Night Just."

------------------------------------

Well that's part 7.  Coming up next ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!