Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 23:37:19 EST
From: BrwyMilo@aol.com
Subject: "Nick and Justin" part 35 part 1

    Yes, it's late.  I know, I know.  Sorry everyone.  School, work, family,
relationships -- life is hectic!  But here it is.  I hope you enjoy it.  The
next few sections are going to have a lot of action in them, so keep reading.
 :o)  As always, comments, suggestions, criticisms are always welcome.
Please send all mail to Mike at BrwyMilo@aol.com.  The story is not meant to
imply anything about the sexuality or beliefs of anyone involved.  It's
totally fiction dude!  Sorry, one of my friends has been saying that word far
too much and now I can't get it out of my head.  So, enjoy dudes (and the
occasional dudettes).  :o)  The next part will be out in a week or so and
will hopefully be longer.  Thanks for reading!

                    *****

    It was snowing.  Hard.  The kind that sticks to the ground and ices over
before any snow plows can get out to clear the streets.  The traffic was
horrendous, even at seven am, hours before anyone would actually have to be
at work.  Pedestrians walked ever so cautiously crossing the street, afraid
some skidding car would put an end to their existence.  A tall hotel stood
amid all of this.

    "I'm not hungry," Britney said casually as she sat in Kevin's room,
clutching a bottle of water in her hand.

    "Well you have to eat," Kevin replied, more fatherly in his tone than
Britney liked.  "We have a tough day of rehearsal today and you need your
strength."

    "I know how to handle my body very well, thank you," Britney replied.
"I'll grab some fruit or something before we leave.  Don't worry."

    "If I don't, no one else will," Kevin replied, almost sadly as he looked
into his plate.

    "Well if she's not gonna eat," Brian said with a grin as he piled more
food onto his plate.

    "Whoa, don't start getting fat on me," JC said with a laugh.

    "I prefer pleasantly plump, not fat," Brian said with a grin.  "Go on,
punch my stomach."

    Howie rolled his eyes and let out an audible groan.  "OK, enough displays
of masculinity from the gay couple," he said with a laugh.  He blinked at
Brian to let him know he wasn't serious as he began to feed himself.

    "Um, I don't want to bring up anything that may get me into trouble
later," JC began.  "But has anyone seen Justin or Nick?"

    "I'm right here," Nick said as he entered the room, bags under his eyes.

    "You look like shit," Brian said, concern in his voice despite his harsh
words.

    "You and J go at it all night or something," Lance asked with a laugh.

    Nick threw him a harsh look that quickly quieted him.  He sat down on the
floor near Brian, leaning his back roughly against the bed.  He brought his
knees up to his chest and rested one elbow on his right knee.  He tilted his
head downward and lay it on his fist.

    "Nick, how about some-"

    "I'm really not hungry Kevin," Nick replied without letting Kevin finish.
 Kevin held the plate where it was and then slowly lowered it.

    "Does everyone have something against eating today," he asked
half-heartedly.

    "Not everyone," Brian said as he grabbed more.

    "What a wonderful morning," a voice from the hall said.

    "Lord give me strength," Britney said as she fell back on to the floor.

    "It's like a winter wonderland out there.  Everything all white and snowy
and...pretty.  Don't you just love it," Christina said with a wide smile.

    "It's swell," Chris replied weakly.

    "Are you going to eat something," Howie asked hopefully, offering a
plate.  He looked over at Kevin and gave him a wide grin.

    "Sure," Christina replied happily.  She grabbed some eggs and toast
before settling next to Howie.  "And you are quite the snorer I hear," she
said with a laugh.

    "What are you talking about," Howie asked.  "I don't snore."

    "Not according to AJ," she said with a grin.

    "Say that again," Britney said as she sat up.

    "Well, I found him sitting in the hallway last night.  Apparently he
couldn't sleep because of Howie over here."

    "Hey, where is AJ anyway," Howie asked.  "He wasn't in the room when I
woke up this morning."

    "Oh, he's in my room," Christina said nonchalantly.  "He didn't want to
wake up Kevin or anyone to room with them, so I told him he could sleep in my
room.  He's still asleep I think."

    "And what room would that be," Britney asked almost angrily as she stood
up.

    "436," Christina replied.  She didn't watch as Britney left the room.
"These eggs are fantastic."

    Britney walked swiftly into the hallway, taking strides that were much
larger than usual.  She stopped outside Christina's room and breathed
heavily, anger rising from deep within her as she clenched a fist.  She
brought it swiftly to the door and pounded.  After waiting a moment she
pounded again.  "I'll kill him," she fumed quietly to herself.  "If he did
anything with that bitch I swear to god I'll make Lorena Bobbit look like
Mother Theresa.  Open this fucking door," she screamed.

    The door made a low creaking noise as it began to open ever so slowly.
"Spare me the dramatics," Britney announced as she pushed the door open.  She
turned quickly and looked at AJ squarely in the face.  "You better start
explaining now you piece of shit.  What the hell are you doing here?"

    AJ shuddered heavily and sat down on the already ruffled bed.  "Howie
snores really loud, so I was going to go to one of the other guys' rooms, but
then Christina came out and because she was already awake-"

    "You decided to fuck her," Britney yelled.

    "I did not fuck her," AJ screamed back.

    "What, I wouldn't sleep with you, so you went after my clone?"

    "Britney, I never laid a finger on her," AJ tried to explain quickly.  "I
slept on the floor...look."  He pointed to a set of ruffled blankets on the
floor near the bed.  Britney glanced from the bed to the blankets and then to
AJ.

    "I don't even want to think about this right now.  I have more important
things to worry about than where you did or did not sleep last night.
Just...just stay away from me."  With that, Britney stormed out of the room.
AJ remained where he was, sinking down onto the bed.

    "This can't be worth it," he thought sadly.

                    *****

    "Well, this was great you guys, but I have to go get ready now.  See ya
later," Christina said as she bounced out of the room.

    "That girl is far to peppy in the morning," JC said as he watched the
door close.

    "It's the drugs," Howie said with a brief laugh.  Everyone threw a
shocked look at him.  "Oh, sorry.  Latest tabloid rumor.  She's now doing
cocaine or something.  That's why she's like that."

    "Or she just might be blond," Brian laughed.

    "Bleached is more like it," Joey laughed.

    "OK, I think we've bashed her enough," Kevin jumped in.  "I think we
should talk about what happened yesterday."

    Chris and Joey both looked up quickly.  "JC already gave us all the
details.  The flowers, the notes.  I'm not saying I understand everything,
but at least we've got some details."

    "In that case, you know as much as anyone else does," Kevin said.  "I had
a friend of mine looking into things, but I haven't heard from her in a
while.  I really don't know what's going on."

    "So no one's actually seen Robert then," Chris said.

    "Not exactly," Nick said.  "Justin's mom got a call one night that we
think was from Robert.  And the other night at a concert, Justin said he saw
something in the crowd.  But no, no one's actually seen Robert in the flesh
since the accident."

    Chris nodded his head slowly and let out a loud yawn.  "So maybe it's all
a joke.  Or some kind of misunderstanding.  Something."

    "I don't think so," Nick said sadly.  He stooed up slowly and began to
pace around the room.  "Look, J's been through a lot and I don't want him to
have to deal with something like this alone.  Until this thing is settled, we
keep an eye on him.  No one gets near him unless we know who they are.  And
please, can we try not to upset him.  I know it's hard sometimes, but we're
all gonna have to be a little more mature than we have been recently.
Agreed?"

    He looked around slowly and saw several nodding heads.  He steadied his
gaze on Chris and gave him a pleading look.  Chris bit his lip and nodded
slowly.  "Agreed."

    "Good," Nick said with a sigh.  He picked up a plate and put some food on
it.  "I'm gonna see if Justin's hungry.  We'll see you guys in a bit."

    Kevin looked at everyone who remained in the room.  Brian and JC were
cuddled close together, something he hadn't seen from the two of them all
that much recently.  Lance sat alone, Devon already at the venue.  Everyone
else sat alone, more concerned with the food on their plates it seemed.
"We'll get through this," he said lowly.  No one else heard.

                    *****

    The room was empty.  The only light came from a small seam where the two
ends of the curtain were drawn together.    Out of the darkness came a
figure.  He stood in the corner, breathing heavily and staring down at the
now empty bed.  He took a silent step forward, touching the ground lightly in
his barefoot.  Standing directly over the bed, he began to lower himself, so
that he was now kneeling on his knees on the soft mattress.  He leaned
forward, to all fours, and slowly ran his hands over the sheets.  He felt
them between his fingers, rubbed them again his bare flesh.  In another swift
movement, he was lying flat on the bed, tossing the blankets around him
lightly.  He held the sheets up to his face and inhaled deeply.  He let out a
light moan as he exhaled heavily.

    With a sigh he was on his feet.  He looked down at a small pile of
clothes on the floor and picked up a pair of baby blue boxer shorts.  He
rubbed them in his hands, before picking up a black wife beater.  He slipped
the two garments on and walked back over to the bed.  A low laugh could be
heard echoing throughout the room.  "We'll be together very soon."

                    *****

    "You guys should not be this tight," Devon said from the foot of the
stage as he watched the guys run through their program for what seemed like
the hundredth time in the past few weeks.  "You've done this so many times!
What's going on here?"  He watched as Nick and Howie both broke formation
from the careful choreography.  "Get back in place," he hollered.  A quick
glance over at N'Sync showed that Justin wasn't even dancing, he was sitting
on the floor with a towel over his head.  Lance kept throwing glances in his
direction, as he was the closest and apparently the only one aware of what
was going on.  "Just cut the music," he yelled from the front.  The music
died out as the guys slowly began to stop their dancing.  Devon stood where
he was, his hands on his hips and his head down at the floor.  A quick glance
up showed everyone staring at him, even the technical crew.  He looked
around, breathing hard and looking everyone in the face.  "Just take five,"
he said lowly as he ran from the stage towards the dressing room.

    "I'll check on him," Lance said as he began to chase after Devon, leaving
Justin in JC's hands. He walked quickly down the long twisting corridor
towards the dressing rooms.  He heard one door shut, then another.

    "Is anyone there," Lance asked as he looked at both doors that had just
slammed shut.  "Devon?"  He heard a low noise to his right and moved slowly
towards the closed door.  With a tentative hand, he reached for the door knob
and turned it slowly.  He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Devon sitting
on the couch.  "What's wrong honey," Lance asked as he walked over and placed
one arm around his lover.

    Devon looked up for a moment and sighed.  "Lance, what the fuck is going
on around here?  I know I haven't been with you guys for a long time, but I
think I should know, at least on a professional level, when something is
going on that could affect how I do my job."

    Lance sighed and hugged Devon tightly to his body.  "You're right.  I
don't know why we didn't fill you in.  It's just that...we didn't know
everything ourselves until this morning and you were already over here
getting everything ready for the rehearsal."

    Devon nodded and exhaled heavily. "I know.  I just feel kind of out of
the loop sometimes I guess.  I mean, as much as you guys try to make me feel
part of the gang...I'm not.  I'm not at all."

    "Devon, you're talking crazy," Lance said quickly.  "I love you.  You are
a part of us.  OK, so you're not a member of N'Sync or the Backstreet Boys.
In a few years, these bands won't be around anymore.  We're people first,
bands second.  And right now, you are the most important person in my life."

    Devon sat where he was for a moment and nodded.  "I guess I just need to
hear that sometimes."

    "That's my fault.  I don't tell you as much as I should.  But Devon, I
love you more than anything.  Never forget that."

    Devon smiled widely and rubbed his hand against Lance's.  He mouthed the
words "thank you" and let out a brief sigh.  "Now will someone please explain
to me what's going on?"

				   *****

    Justin sat on the floor, breathing hard, a towel wrapped around his
shoulders.  Nick sat, crouched down next to him.  He was rubbing his hand
rhythmically up and down Justin's back.  His other hand lay on Justin's other
shoulder.

    "God, why am I so wiped out," Justin asked as he continued to breath
heavily.

    "Because you got no rest last night," Nick replied.  "I've never seen you
toss and turn so much."

    "I kept having dreams," Justin replied flatly as he continued to stare
straight ahead.

    "What kind of dreams," Nick asked as he sat on the floor fully and pulled
Justin close to him, Justin head on his shoulder.

    "Nothing I really want to discuss," Justin replied as he shut his eyes.
"Bad ones."

    Nick sat speechless for a moment, not knowing how to comfort the young
man that, for the moment, sat safe in his arms.  "We'll get through this
Justin."

    "I just wish this whole thing was over already," Justin replied.  "I'm so
sick of everything.  I want life to go back to the way it was before.  I want
to go back to touring normally, and going out and partying, and spending all
my time with you.  I shouldn't have to worry about some psycho stalking me."

    "No you shouldn't," Nick replied as he held Justin a bit tighter.  "And
this will be taken care of."

    Neither of them noticed as Kevin walked over.  He stood over them,
watching as Nick held Justin, Justin resting against Nick's shoulder.

    "What the hell are you two doing," he asked angrily.  He knelt down in
front of them, trying to cover them from the technical crews and other people
who were mingling around the arena.

    "Kevin, please.  We're really not in the mood for a lecture right now."

    "Nick, you know you can't do things like this in public.  You guys have
dressing rooms.  Use them!"

    "Kevin, I said I'm not in the mood for this right now.  Save the lecture
and go bother someone else."

    Kevin was a bit taken aback by Nick's harsh words.  He sat stunned for a
moment, before a look of anger crept across his face.

    "Look Nikolas, I defended the two of you and have tried to help you since
the very beginning, so you can fucking sit there and listen to what I have to
say."

    "I don't have to do anything," Nick said as he started to move away.
Kevin grabbed his arm quickly as Nick jerked it away.  "Take your fucking
hands off of me," he yelled.

    "Will you just listen to me for one goddamned second.  Think a minute
Nick.  With all this shit about Robert and everything, do you really want
someone leaking that you and Justin are lovers to the press.  I don't think
you do.  And if you keep acting like this that's exactly what's going to
happen."

    "You don't know everything Kevin.  I know you think you do, and I know
you think you're the boss of everyone in creation but so help me god just get
out of my face.  I don't want to deal with this right now."

    "I'm not asking you to deal with anything you stupid brat.  I'm asking
you to keep your affections out of the viewfinder of a few hundred cameras!"

    They continued to yell, neither noticing as Justin got to his feet and
started to silently walk away.  His towel dropped to the floor and made a
slight thudding noise.  Both turned to face him, but he was already walking
away.

    "Justin, wait," Nick said as he reached for his shoulder.  Justin quickly
shrugged it off and continued to walk away.

    "Justin, wait up," Kevin called.

    "I don't want to wait up.  I don't want to hear you two fighting and I
don't want to deal with this right now.  I want to be alone.  I'm going to my
dressing room.  I don't want anyone," he paused and looked over at Nick,
"anyone coming in.  I'll come out when I'm ready to come out and if someone
doesn't like that Kevin, I really don't give a shit anymore.  I have better
things to worry about than this crap."

    The two stood and watched as he walked away from them.  Then they looked
at each other, sighed heavily and walked away.

                    *****

    Justin sat in the dressing room on the long, black leather couch.  He had
his arms resting on his knees, his head dropped to the floor.  He breathed
heavily, wishing he was anywhere but where he was.  An island somewhere
maybe, away from everyone.  Well, not everyone, he thought with a smile.  He
leaned back on the couch and let his mind wander to Nick. He hadn't been fair
to him the past couple of days.  He knew Nick had only been trying to protect
him, but he still wished that everyone didn't treat him as though he were a
child.  He was eighteen, almost nineteen and still everyone around him
considered him to be a baby who couldn't take care of himself.  The more he
thought, the angrier he got.

    A knock on the door woke Justin from his trance.  "Come in," he said
gruffly.

    JC wandered in slowly, not sure if he should enter at all after the cold
reception.  "I just wanted to see if you were ok."

    "Yes JC, I'm ok.  I'm fucking wonderful.  Never been better," Justin spat
out as he sat up.

    JC sighed and took a step back, bringing one hand to his head and running
his fingers through his hair.  "I didn't come here to fight Curly," JC said
as he gazed down at the floor.  "I just wanted to know if you were
alright...you know, show a little concern, be a friend."

    Justin looked over at JC and dropped his head back over the side of the
couch.  "I'm sorry JC," he whispered lowly.  "I didn't mean to snap at you
like that."

    "I know you didn't," JC said as he wandered over.  "And I also know
you're not doing as well as you've been pretending to be.  J, just level with
me here.  We all want to do everything we can to help you.  If it means all
of us sleeping in a room together, we'll do it."

    Justin smiled at his friends effort.  He sat up and put his arms around
JC, pulling him into a tight hug.  "JC, as safe and wonderful as that sounds,
I don't want to have to change how I live because of some psychopath.  I'm
going to live my life exactly as I have been, and if some creep wants to try
something, let him.  I mean...there's one of him and a shit load of us,
right?"

    JC smiled and kissed Justin gently on the forehead.  "There's the brave
little curly I love," JC said with a smile.  "Devon's working with the
Backstreet Boys right now, so you have a little break."

    "Maybe I'll take a nap or something," Justin said as he stretched back on
the couch.

    "You want me to stay with you," JC asked with a smile as he ran one hand
across Justin's forehead.

    "No, I think I just want to be alone for a bit," Justin replied.  "But
thank you."  JC smiled and turned to walk out the door.  "JC..."

    "Yea?"

    Justin cleared his throat and smiled.  "I love you."

    JC smiled widely and let out a short laugh.  "I love you too."  He
slipped quietly out into the hall, closing the door gently behind him.  He
leaned against it for a second, breathing hard.   Then, with a sigh, he began
the long trek back to the stage.

    "Hey JC," Nick said as he began to jog towards the dressing rooms.

    "Nick, why aren't you rehearsing," JC asked, standing in Nick's way.

    "I wanted to go check on Justin," Nick said as he tried to side step past
JC, who again got in his way.

    "But shouldn't you be rehearsing now," JC asked, putting one hand on the
wall.

    "Devon said it was alright," Nick said, frustration evident in his voice.
 "Can you please let me through?"

    "No, I can't," JC said as his eyes drifted down to the floor.

    "What are you talking about," Nick asked as he again tried to get by.

    "Nick he-"

    "JC, just let me by," Nick said, trying to push by him.

    "Nick he doesn't want to see you," JC blurted out as he put both hands on
Nick's chest to stop him.

    "What are you talking about," Nick asked as his eyes looked into JC's.

    "Nick, he's tired.  He just wants to rest.  He said he wants to be alone."

    Nick stopped fighting and let his eyes roam around the corridor.  "Oh,"
he said, trying to hide the sadness in his voice.  "So, I'll just..."

    "Just go back to practice Nick," JC replied sadly.

    Nick nodded slowly and began to walk away.  JC watched him for a moment,
making sure he would actually go back to rehearsal.  "You need the rest
Curly," JC said softly to himself as he waited.  A moment later and he too
began his walk down the hall.

                    *****

    Christina sat in front of her vanity, brushing out her platinum hair
carefully, making sure there were no knots.  She hummed lightly to herself,
keeping her voice warmed up for the concert tonight.  And did she have quite
the performance in mind.  She checked her skin and make-up carefully, making
sure that everything was exactly the way it should be.  When she was done,
she stood up and walked over to her costume rack.  She sifted through it
carefully, taking every effort not to wrinkle or muss any item she might need
later on.  Finally, she found what she was looking for.  She ran her hands
lightly over the small plaid skirt and smiled widely to herself.  "This is
going to be classic!"

    "We need to talk," a voice from behind her said.

    "I really don't have time right now," Christina replied snottily, not
even knowing who was addressing her.  "I'm kind of busy."

    "I said we need to talk."

    Christina huffed loudly and looked up.  "Britney," she exclaimed as she
quickly stuffed the costume behind her.  "If I had known it was you-"

    "Quiet bitch, I'm the one doing the talking," Britney said quickly.

    "I really don't like your tone very much," Christina said as she gave her
a dirty look.

    "Yea and I don't like you.  Now that that's settled-"

    "I really have nothing to say to you," Christina replied.

    "And if I cared, I'd leave," Britney replied angrily as she sat down on
the vanity stool.  "But I don't so you're gonna listen."

    "You have two minutes," Christina said.  She may be willing she match
wits with Britney, but she knew better than to get into an actual physical
fight.

    "I know what you're trying with AJ," she said.

    "And what's that," Christina asked bitterly.

    "You're fucking trying to seduce him," Britney screamed.

    "Oh please, it wouldn't take much," Christina replied.  "God knows you're
not giving him any."

    "What I do in my bed is none of your business."

    "It is when your boyfriends come knocking on my door," Christina laughed.
 "And now if we're done-"

    "We're done when I say so," Britney said through clenched teeth.  "I only
have one more thing to say to you anyway.  You stay away from me and mine.
Cause if you don't, I'll kick your ass back into the bottle you crawled out
of.  Got it?"

    "Beat it Brit...you bother me," Christina said, no longer paying any
attention.

    "Just remember what I said," Britney replied before standing slowly and
slamming the door behind her.

    Christina again took a look through her clothes rack.  "This is gonna be
fun."

                        *****

    The music was now pumping loudly throughout the auditorium.  It mingled
wildly with the screaming fans who were jumping, throwing things, and yelling
at the top of their lungs.

    "When's my set again," Britney asked as she paced a bit backstage.

    "Right after Christina goes," one of the assistant stage managers told
her.  "You are billed above her after all," he added with a smile.

    "Oh yea," Britney replied.  "Gee that has a nice ring to it."

    She walked down the hall a bit and looked into a mirror.  "I'm sick of
this costume," she groaned to herself.  She was wearing a short, plaid
"school-girl" skirt, a tight fitting button down shirt and a vest.  "Next
time, it's black leather," she laughed to herself.

    "Britney can we talk," a voice behind her said.

    She spun around quickly to face AJ, who was also in costume.  Ironically,
it was mostly black leather.  She smiled briefly, but quickly let it fade.

    "After the show.  We can talk after the show," Britney said as she began
to walk back to the wing.

    "But Brit," AJ whined.  "Please...I hate fighting with you."

    "Listen, we both have jobs to do right now, and I'd rather not have to go
out there upset or angry.  So please, let's just talk after the show."  She
watched as AJ lightly nodded his head.  "Good, now I've got to-"

    She stopped where she stood.  "Did I miss my cue," she asked quizzically
as she tried to peer onstage to see where her dancers were.  Again, she heard
the opening chords to "Baby One More Time".  "What the hell is going on out
there!"

    Britney pushed her way past various stage hands and looked out onto the
stage.  When she saw what was happening, her mouth dropped open.

    Christina stood onstage with her dancers.  The music continued, but it
wasn't Britney singing it.  It was Christina.  The crowd was going wild, and
Christina was belting out the song with everything she had.

    "What the fuck," AJ yelled as he rushed to Britney's side.  "Did you know
about this?"

    "No I didn't," Britney replied.  "But bitch is dead."

    Britney stomped away from the wings, removing her costume as she went.
"This means war."

                    *****

        Thirteen tired people came out of the elevator on the fifth floor.
The two females kept as many people between them as they could, a precaution
to prevent world war three from breaking out.

    "So where am I sleeping tonight," AJ asked sadly as he looked at everyone.

    "You could sleep in my room I guess," Kevin said as he threw a cautious
look to Britney.  She made no movement at all, save for her steady walking.

    "I guess that's for the best," AJ replied.  "This way Howie won't keep me
up half the night, and I won't freeze to death from all the icy glares," he
said as he looked over at Britney.

    "Say, where am I sleeping tonight," JC asked with a laugh.

    "You'd better be in my bed mister," Brian replied as put him into a head
lock.

    "Ok, get a room," Chris said as he pushed by them.  "Night everyone."

    "Night," Joey replied.  He glanced over his shoulder and saw Lance and
Devon already making out.  "Um, you guys having fun," he asked with a grin.

    Lance held up one arm and continued his kiss.  After a moment he pulled
away.  "Lots," he said quickly before going back in for another.

    "I need some sleep," Justin said as he began to walk away from the others.

    "Um, do you want me to room with Brian and JC," Nick asked quietly Justin
got to their door.

    "Of course not," Justin said, throwing Nick a surprised look.  "Why would
I want that?"

    "I don't know," Nick said in barely a whisper.

    "Nick, I don't want you anywhere else but right next to me," Justin said.
 "Even when I act like a total asshole or seem a little distant.  I always
want you by me."

    Nick smiled widely and put his hand on Justin's as Justin put the card in
the slot.  The light turned green as Nick gave the knob a twist and opened
the door.

    "Goodnight everyone," Nick said as he and Nick disappeared into the
darkness.

    "Don't turn the light on," Justin said as he felt his way towards the
bed.  "My eyes hurt and I just want to go to sleep."

    "Sure thing," Nick said as he began to remove his clothes.  "I'm pretty
tired too."

    They silently stripped to their boxers and snuggled into the warm bed.
Justin moved up close to Nick and let out a short sigh.

    "I guess the maid didn't come today," Justin said quietly.

    "Hm?"

    "The bed wasn't made," Justin said quietly.

    "I can call the front desk in the morning if you want," Nick offered as
he pulled Justin closer.

    "No, don't get the maid in trouble," Justin replied as his eyes slowly
began to close.  He let out a brief yawn before dozing off.  Another minute,
and Nick was out too.

    There was a slight creaking sound.  It was so low, however, that neither
in the bed made the slightest movement.  Had the lights been on, they would
have seen they weren't alone in the room.

                            *****

    Well, there you have it.  Like the ending?  The action is really going to
heat up, so keep reading.  I'm sorry this one was still a bit shorter, but
they will be getting longer again.  Send all mail to Mike at
BrwyMilo@aol.com.  I love mail.  Talk to everyone soon.  Vote in the awards
if you get a chance.  There are a lot of great authors out there.  Later
everyone!