Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 18:15:01 EDT
From: BrwyMilo@aol.com
Subject: "Still Breathing" part 2

    Hey everyone.  Here's the second section of the story.  I hope everyone
enjoyed the first one.  It got a pretty good response, so that's cool.  I've
decided to cycle the two stories, this one and "Nick and Justin", hopefully
getting to update each one every 10 days or so.  Well, we'll try at least.

    If you've got any questions, comments, suggestions--whatever--email me at
BrwyMilo@aol.com.  I love to hear what you think, so keep it coming.

    This story is totally fiction and isn't meant to imply anything about the
sexuality of beliefs of anyone involved.

				   *****

    "Mmmm," Justin moaned lightly in his sleep. He inhaled deeply, tossing
his arm carelessly to the side.  A bit of sunlight was coming in through a
seam in the curtains of the hotel room.  Justin pulled a pillow from the bed
and tossed it over his face.

    "Ugh," someone said as Justin felt something fall onto the bed next to
him.

    Justin turned over slightly and noticed someone in bed with him.  He sat
up quickly, trying to remember where he was.  The room did not look familar.
He thought a moment before remembering that he had been hanging out with
Brian the night before.  'I guess I fell asleep here,' he thought to himself.
 He looked down at Brian and grinned.  With a light laugh he began to poke
him gently in the ribs.  "Come on Bri, time to wake up."

    "Come on Nicky, just a couple more minutes," Brian replied sleepily.

    Justin stopped a moment at the mention of Nick's name.  With a shrug he
began to shake him again, a little rougher.

    "Please Nicky," Brian begged.  He reached out his arms and pulled Justin
in close to him.  Justin lay shocked for a moment.  He moved his head
slightly, trying to see Brian's face.  A big smile was painted across it.

    'Him and Nick,' Justin thought to himself.  He felt his heart sink as a
sigh escaped from his lips.  He let his body relax a moment, liking the feel
of Brian's arms around him before shaking his head.

    "Brian, we should get up now," Justin said, loud enough to cause Brian to
stir.  Brian's eyes fluttered open slowly, looking at Justin in the face.

    "Um...oh...," he said nervously.  He noticed where his hands were and
laughed a bit.  "Um, sorry."

    "No, it's ok," Justin replied with a warm smile.  He noticed Brian blush
as he removed his arms.  "But I guess we should get up."

    "Yea," Brian said.  Justin thought he noticed a touch of sadness in his
voice as he said this, but shrugged it off as wishful thinking.  Justin stood
up and looked around the floor.

    "I came in here with a shirt, right," Justin said with a bit of a laugh.

    "I hope so," Brian laughed back.  He tossed him a t-shirt off the floor.
"Just borrow this one for now.  We can find it later."

    "Oh, ok," Justin said with a smile.  He slipped Brian's t-shirt over his
head and body.  It was soft, and smelled kind of like him.

    "And be careful," Brian said with a grin.  "That's my favorite t-shirt."

    "I will," Justin said with a laugh.

    "Um, we usually have breakfast in Kevin's room, so do you wanna go there
with me and we can see what's up with everyone?"

    "Yea, sure," Justin replied with a smile.  "Which one is Kevin's room?"

    "I'll show you," Brian laughed.  He held the door to the hotel room open
for Justin to walk through.  "Kevin's room is like always right next door to
mine.  He's still trying to keep an eye on me I think."  Brian knocked
lightly and was greeted by a chorus of "It's open."  He turned the knob and
walked into the room, seeing AJ, Howard, Kevin, Lance, Joey and Chris were
already in the room.

    "Hey Bri," AJ said.  "Hey N-"  He paused for a minute and looked at
Brian.  "Um, hey Justin.  Brian, where's Nick?"

    Brian's eyes shot open wide for a minute as he thought.  "I have no
idea," he said, a bit surprised.  "He wasn't in our room when I woke up.  I
just assumed he stayed in one of your room's last night after you got back.

    "No, I saw him going into your room," Howie replied, throwing Justin a
strange look, noticing the t-shirt he was wearing.  "Nice shirt Just."

    Justin blushed lightly and ran one hand through his curls.  "Wait a sec,
where's JC?"

    "He's not here either," Lance replied.  He looked at Justin and mouthed
the words, "we need to talk."  Justin nodded and looked over everyone in the
room.

    "Why is everyone looking at me like I have two heads," Justin asked.

    "We're sorry," Kevin replied diplomatically.  "I guess we're just
wondering where Nick ran off too."

    "Well, why don't I go get JC," Justin volunteered.

    "And I should go find Nick," Brian sighed.

    "Brian, why don't you wait here," Kevin said.  "You know Nick.  He'll be
here as soon as his stomach growls."  Brian let out a low sigh and nodded.

    "OK, well I'll be back in a few minutes," Justin said.

    He walked quickly down the hall towards the elevator, pressing the up
arrow.  He hummed lightly to the elevator music before the doors opened on
his floor.  He jogged lightly down the hall, stopping at JC's room and
knocking gently.

    "Hey JC, you up man," Justin asked through the door.  He listened and
heard a bit of stirring on the other side.  "I know you're in there.  Get up
lazy bones."

    Justin heard someone scamper towards the door and stood back a bit.  "JC,
we're having breakfast in Kevin's room," he said as soon as the door opened.

    "OK, um, I'll be down in a minute then," JC replied quickly, trying to
shut the door quickly.

    "Wait a second," Justin said stopping the door from shutting in his face.
 "JC, I need to talk to you.  Kind of...very important."

    "Justin, I really can't right now," JC said quickly, harshly.  "Let go of
the door.

    "What's up with you," Justin asked, a bit hurt.  "I jsut wanted to
talk..."

    "I know, and I'd love to talk to you.  Just not right now," JC replied.

    "Whatever," Justin said sadly, beginning to walk down the hall.

    "Justin, wait," JC called, grabbing Justin's arm lightly.

    "What do you want," Justin asked, a bit coldly.

    "This is why I couldn't talk right now," JC said as he opened the door
slightly.  Justin peered inside and noticed a man sleeping on the bed.  "Is
that Nick," Justin asked quietly.

    "Yea, that's Nick," JC replied.  Justin looked inside and noticed that he
was shirtless, a sheet thrown haphazardly over his waist.

    "Um, wow," was all that Justin could say.  "Well, I guess I'll let you
and Nick...get dressed...and then...um...I'll be down in Kevin's room,"
Justin said quickly.

    "Justin, don't mention this to anyone please, JC asked.  "I dont know how
Nick's gonna be when he wakes up.  And you're right.  We do need to talk
later."

    Justin nodded as he heard the door shut behind him.  "JC and Nick," he
asked himself quietly.  He thought back to Brian and shook his head.  'What
the fuck is going on with the two of them?'  The thought stayed in his head
as he went down in the elevator.

    "Hey, we were gonna send Joey up after you," Chris said from Kevin's
doorway.  He looked at Justin's face and paused for a moment.  "Are you
alright?"

    "Fine," Justin said absently as he walked back into the room.  He didn't
notice Chris' eyes follow him, nor anyone else who stared at him as he sat
down.

    "You want some food Just," Brian asked as he offered a plate of eggs and
toast to Justin.  Justin accepted and placed it in front of him, not really
touching it.

    "Alright, what happened up there," Joey asked, eyeing Justin carefully.

    Justin's head snapped up as he looked at Joey shocked, almost as if he
was surprised to see him.  "What," he asked.

    "What happened?  You went to go get JC and you come back Night of the
Living Dead.  So, what happened?"

    "Nothing happened," Justin lied as he picked at a piece of toast.  "JC
will be right down."

    "Did you see Nick," Brian asked.

    "What," Justin asked, shocked by the sound of Nick's name.

    "Nick," Brian laughed.  "Did you see him at all?"

    "Oh," Justin said slowly.  "Um...no, I didn't."

    Brian shrugged and began to pick some food off of his own plate, throwing
occassional smiles in Justin's direction.

    "Hey guys," Nick said sleepily as he entered Kevin's room.  He looked
over in Brian's direction and frowned.  "What's for breakfast?"

    "We ordered basically everything," Kevin said.  "Just grab a plate."

    "Right," Nick replied, glancing in Justin's direction.  His eyes grew
wider as he saw the shirt Justin was wearing.  He turned his head quickly and
picked up a plate, placing some food on it.

    "Nick, where were you last night," Brian asked as soon as Nick sat
down...on the other side of the room from him and Justin.

    "You care," he asked absently, taking a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

    "Of course I care," Brian said, his mouth dropping open.

    "Could've fooled me," Nick replied quietly.  Chris, Joey and Lance looked
up, glancing back and forth between the two men confused.

    "We can go if you-" Chris began.

    "No, no need for that," Nick said.  "If you care, I stayed in JC's room
last night," Nick said, staring Brian right in the face.  No one noticed as
Justin dropped his head and cursed under his breath.

    "JC's," Brian asked, swallowing hard.

    "Yea, JC's," Nick replied, a bit bitterly as he swallowed some more food.

    "Well, I hope you had fun," Brian said sadly.

    "That's a nice shirt Justin," Nick said, interrupting Brian slightly.
Brian's had snapped up and looked at Nick.

    "Oh," Justin said quickly.  "Um, thanks."

    "Looks just like one I bought for Brian a while ago," Nick said, not even
looking up, but stuffing food down his mouth.

    "What a coincidence," Justin said unconvincingly.

    "Ya don't say," Nick said with a wide smile.  He rolled his eyes and
started eating again.

    "Is there something we should know about," Lance asked, looking back and
forth between Nick, Justin and Brian.  "I mean, we can leave."

    "I said you don't have to leave," Nick replied.

    "No, but I think you guys need to talk some things over," Kevin said.
"So, I think we should all leave you alone for a bit.  I know I'm full."

    "Yea, me too," Joey said longingly as he stared at his plate.

    "Come on, I'll get us all some breakfast downstairs," AJ said.

    Justin watched as everyone left the room.  He stared across at Nick and
saw anger rising in the young mans eyes.  "Nick, before-"

    "What the fuck went on last night," he yelled as soon as the door to the
room was shut.

    "Nick what are you talking about," Brian asked, surprised by Nick's
assault.

    "What am I talking about," Nick yelled.  "How about this?  I come home
from a miserable night and find you in bed with Justin.  So, now I'll repeat
myself.  What the fuck went on last night," he asked, a bit louder this time.

    "Nick, I don't know what you think you saw," Brian began.  "But it sure
as hell isn't what happened."

    "Oh really," Nick asked bitterly.

    "Really," Justin replied slowly, honestly, and staring directly into
Nick's eyes.

    "Really," Nick said, slightly defeated.

    "You really don't trust me, do you Nick," Brian asked, a bit dejected.

    "So you and Nick," Justin said slowly.  Brian looked at him with sad
eyes.  With a sigh, he nodded and looked down.  "Right," Justin replied
slowly.

    "So the two of you," Nick asked, looking at both of them carefully.

    "No, we didn't," Justin replied, never looking up.

    "Shit," Nick whispered under his breath.

    "Now, what about you and JC," Brian asked.

    Nick looked up at Brian with tears in his eyes.  "I thought you...I..."
He began to stutter as more tears came to his eyes.

    "Um, Kevin said I should meet you guys in here," JC said as he strolled
through the door.  He glanced down and saw Nick crying heavily as Brian sat
angrily by.  Justin merely sat on the floor, hugging his knees to his chest.
"Jesus Christ, what the hell is going on here?"  He walked over to Nick and
stooped down, pulling him into a hug.

    "And what's going on there," Brian demanded.

    "God Brian, how can you be such a prick?  You sleep with Justin and then
what, yell at Nick about it?  And Justin.  I expected a little more out of
you."

    "JC, you don't know..."

    "No, I think I do know," JC said angrily.  "Come on Nick, stop crying."

    "JC, stop, please," Nick whimpered.

    "What," JC asked, pulling back a bit.  "I couldn't hear-"

    "Just stop," Nick yelled before jumping up and running into Kevin's
bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

    "What just happened," JC asked, stunned and what had jsut occurred.

    "JC, you really should've been here from the beginning," Justin said in a
sigh.

    "What are you talking about," JC asked.

    "Brian and I did not sleep together," Justin said slowly.  "Until
recently, I didn't know either of them was gay, let alone together."

    "But Nick said-"

    "Nick jumped to conclusions," Brian said spitefully.

    "So, last night..."

    "What exactly did happen last night," Brian asked.

    "Shit," JC muttered.  "Look Brian, Nick was really upset-"

    "Fuck you," Brian yelled, jumping to his feet.  "Christ I knew it."

    "Brian, hold on a minute," Justin said, raising his hand to Brian's arm.

    "Hold on?  How the hell can you tell me to hold on," Brian yelled.  "My
boyfriend...my ex boyfriend just slept with another man!"

    "You don't mean that," JC said sadly.

    "JC, it was over between me and Nick a long time ago.  I don't know what
either one of us were holding on to."

    "So what does this mean," Justin asked quietly.

    "It means that its over between Nick and I," Brian said.  He brushed one
hand through his hair.  "He's my best friend.  I don't know what we were
thinking anyway."

    "This is my fault," Justin whispered as he stood up.

    "Justin, it's no one's fault," JC said quickly.

    "He's right Justin.  You're a great guy.  It's not your fault," Brian
said with a small smile.  "I'm sorry you guys had to get involved."  He
looked a bit spitefully at JC.  "But I think I need to talk to Nick alone
now."

    "I guess I'll talk to you later," Justin said as he headed towards the
door.  Brian grabbed his arm quickly.

    "I'm sorry," he mouthed.

    "It's ok," Justin mouthed back with a smile.

    "I'm sorry Brian," JC said, not quite able to look Brian in the face.

    "JC, I just need to talk to Nick.  I'll talk to you later."  He thus
dismissed JC, shutting the door behind him.  With the two men out of the
room, Brian turned to the locked bathroom door.

    "Nick, please come out," Brian asked slowly.  He heard slight whimpering
on the other side.  He put one hand on the door frame, and rested his head
against it gently.  "Please."

    He heard the whimpering slow down as Nick approached the door.  He could
hear the lock turn as the door was slowly opened.

    "I'm sorry," Nick said slowly, his eyes tear stained and puffy.

    "Nicky, it's ok," Brian said with a sigh as he pulled Nick in close to
his body.  He could feel Nick shaking slightly as he held him.  "But we do
need to talk."

    "About what," Nick asked, sniffling a bit.

    Brian sat down on Kevin's bed and inhaled deeply.  "I just don't think
this is working anymore," he said slowly.  "For either of us."

    "But...it is," Nick said quickly, more tears rushing to his eyes.  "How
can you say that?"

    "Nick, things haven't been right between us for a long time now.  I love
you.  I do!  But more and more, I'm beginning to realize..."  He glanced at
Nick's face and saw it contorted in pain.  "I love you more as a friend than
anything else."  Nick let out a brief cry as he fell further into Brian's
arms.

    "Please don't do this," he whispered.

    "Nicky, please," Brian begged as tears began to fall from his eyes as
well.  "Please.  It's better this way.  I love you.  I do love you.
But...this isn't working."

    Nick cried loudly, tears falling heavy from his eyes as his face
contorted in agony.  He pushed away from Brian and stared at him as the tears
fell heavier.  "Get away from me," he yelled.

    "Nicky, please-"

    "And don't call me Nicky.  My name is not Nicky," he screamed.  "Just
leave me the hell alone."

    "I'm sorry," Brian whispered as he backed towards the door.  "I'm sorry."

    Nick stood there for a moment, watching as Brian closed the door behind
him.  As soon as the door shut, he ran towards it, stopping just inches away
from the hard wood.  He put up one hand and slowly began to back away again.
He soon found himself lying face down on Kevin's bed, crying to no one.

                    *****

    "I wonder what happened," AJ asked quietly.

    "Can you believe Brian," Howie said harshly.  "I mean God, Justin came
down wearing one of his shirts.  Right in front of Nick too."

    "OK, I don't mean to pry," Chris said.  "But I think i know what's going
on, but i just want to make sure I'm right.  So, Brian and Nick are gay and
dating?"

    "You're sharp," Kevin said with a brief smile.  "Um...by the way, you
know not to tell anyone about this, right?"

    "Yea, I think we can handle that," Joey laughed.  "We've been covering
for JC for like a couple fo years now."

    "This is all too much," Lance said suddenly.  "Let's get a quick rundown.
 Brian, Nick, and JC.  Gay."

    "And Justin," AJ said.

    "Justin isn't gay," Chris said quickly.  "He can't be gay."

    "Dude, he like slept with Brian last night," Howie said quickly.

    "Guys, we don't know that.  Just because he was wearing one of Brian's
shirts doesn't mean they slept together," Joey said, quickly jumping to the
defense of his band mate.

    "Oh come on," AJ said.  "They were really getting close yesterday.  I
mean, even I could see it."

    "Still doesn't mean they slept together," Lance replied.

    "Guys, he's right," Kevin said, trying to keep the peace.  "We don't know
what went on and its stupid trying to jump to conclusions."  He glanced down
at his watch and sighed.  "Well, I ahte to be a party pooper, but we need to
get to rehearsal.  Do you guys want to go to a concert tonight," Kevin asked
the three N'Sync members who were present.

    "I'd like to," Lance said.  "Do you think it's a good idea though?"

    "Listen, these guys are going to have to be big boys and sort things out.
 There's no reason why you shouldn't be there."

    "I'm game," Chris said.

    "Yea, count me in too," Joey replied.

    "OK, then it's settled.  There'll be some passes waiting for you in the
lobby this afternoon.  You can watch it from backstage and then we can all
come back to the hotel together."

    "That sounds like a plan," Lance said.  "We're actually heading out
tomorrow," Lance said.

    "Us too actually," Kevin replied.  "Back to Orlando for a short break."

    "Lucky," Lance replied.

    "We have some promotions to do for the new cd," Joey said as he rolled
his eyes.

    "I'm sure it won't be horrible," Kevin laughed.  He glanced over at Howie
and AJ and shrugged.  "Guess we should get Nick and Brian and head over to
the venue."

    "Have a good show," Chris said.

    "We'll see you there," Joey echoed.  He watched as the three men walked
away before turning to Lance.  "Was that a good idea?  Justin, JC, Nick,
Brian...?"

    "I don't know.  I do think I need to have a little chat with Justin
though," Lance said.

                                    *****

    Nick stood in a backstage dressing room, fixing himself for the upcoming
section of the show.  The solo section.  He shuddered at the thought of
having to go out and perform again.

    It had been quite a task getting Nick ready for the concert in the first
place, and Kevin had almost decided to tell management they were going on
without him, but in the end, Nick had said he would go on, not wanting to
disappoint anyone.  Kevin had helped him get ready as Brian and the other
watched.  Each one, no doubt blamed Brian for Nick's state, still beleiving
he had slept with Justin the night before.  They had agreed to meet with the
members of N'Sync the following morning for breakfast to discuss what had
happened, but had also decided they needed to keep their minds on the show
for that night.

    Nick looked at himself in the mirror and sighed.  He was not looking his
best.  He pulled the skin on his face back a bit and sighed, wishing he could
just get some rest.  "After tonight," he said to himself.  He thought over
his solo and laughed a bit at the irony of it.  "I Need You Tonight."
'Fitting,' he thought to himself.

    He stood up straight and glanced back in the mirror.  His black shirt
glimmered slightly under the light, his black pants falling straight over his
legs.  He sighed lightly and smiled despite his pain.  "This should be some
performance."

                    *****

    "Brian, we're gonna have a problem," Kevin said.

    "What's that," Brian asked as he paced back and forth in the corridor.

    "You're gonna have to room with me," Kevin said.  "The hotel didn't have
any extra rooms.  I don't know why you'd need one though..."

    "We're gonna discuss that tomorrow," Brian said quietly.  "Please Kev.  I
can't talk about it right now."

    "Alright," Kevin said with sigh.  "Tomorrow."

    They watched as Howie came offstage after his solo, a bit sweat covered.
"Nick's up," he whispered lightly.

    "I'm ready," Nick said as he brushed past everyone, totally ginoring
their shocked expressions.  Kevin and Brian both eyed each other, but said
nothing.

    Nick walked directly to center stage where a stool was set up for him.
He gave a slight wave to the audience as they screamed at his entrance.  The
opening notes of his song began to play as a sigh escaped his lips.  From out
of the corner of his eye, he could see where the members of N'Sync were
watching the concert.  'I can't believe they're here,' he thought to himself.
 He collected himself just in time for his cue, breathing deep as he began to
sing.

Open up your heart to me
And say what's on your mind, oh yes
I know that we have been through so much pain
But I still need you in my life this time, and

    Nick looked out of the corner of his eyes and settled his gaze on JC.  He
smiled lightly as he remembered the night before.  JC noticed him looking in
his direction and smiled warmly.  Nick quickly turned his gaze back to the
audience, never missing a beat.

I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
I really need you tonight

    Nick turned to face the audience on the other side of the arena, this
time looking directly at where his band mates watched him.  His eyes
immediately locked with Brian.  He had to force himself to stay concentrated
as his voice continued in spite of himself.  'Brian...'

I figured out what to say to you
But sometimes the words they, they come out so wrong, oh yes they do
And I know in time that you will understand
That what we have is so right this time, and

    "Is he looking at you," Chris whispered to JC.  JC merely shrugged and
looked back to where Nick was in fact gazing at him.

    "Maybe he is," JC replied lightly.  He smiled in spite of himself and
widened his eyes, letting Nick know he could see him looking in his direction.

I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right

    Nick threw his body forward as he sang that last line, belting it out
more passionately than he ever had.  He fought back his tears as he went into
the next verse, fighting a loosing battle.

    He looked back on Brian as he sang the next verse.

All those endless times we tried to make it last forever more
And baby I know
I need you
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
I really need you, oh

    Nick fell back on the stool as he clutched his microphone dearly with
both hands.  His eyes were now visibly moist, at least to the people who
stood in the wings.

    "He's in agony out there," AJ whispered.  Brian shut his eyes tight and
breathed heavily.

    'My poor Nicky,' he thought to himself.

I need you tonight - I need you, oh I need you baby
I need you right now - It's gotta be this, it's gotta be this
I know deep within my heart
No, it doesn't matter if it's wrong or it's right
All I know is baby

    Nick paused, the audience waiting for him to finish the song.  He looked
deep into both wings, his eyes settling first on Brian and then JC.  He
breathed hard as he turned his head.  Finally, he faced the audience, and in
a voice that could have melted even the steelest heart, sang the last line.

I really need you tonight

    The audience roared, even as the finishing chords were being played.
Nick stood center stage, utterly exhausted, but feeling a bit better than he
had been.  He bowed at the applause he received and ran off towards the wing.
 He quickly brushed past his bandmates, running straight into the dressing
room he had come out of only moments before.

    "I should go check on him," Brian said instinctively.

    "I don't think he wants to see you right now," AJ mumbled.  Brian shot
him an angry look which only earned a shrug from AJ.  "Well, does he?"

    "No," Brian conceded.  "Call me when I have to get onstage.  I'll be in
the hall."

    "I am not going to get on a tour bus with the two of them like that,"
Howie burst out.

    "If it comes to that," AJ said with a sigh, "they can run behind it."

                                            *****

    That was a great concert guys," Joey said as they walked through the back
entrance of the hotel.

    "It was alright," Brian said absently.

    "Well, I think it was pretty amazing," JC said as he threw a look in
Nick's direction.  Nick smiled lightly and shrugged.

    "Tonight," Nick whispered to Brian as they walked towards the elevator.
"Um...where..."

    "I'm gonna stay in Kevin's room," Brian said quickly.  "It's probably
better-"

    "Right," Nick replied absently, staring down at the floor.

    "I'm gonna get a snack," Brian said quickly, not wanting to be around the
others anymore.  "I won't be too long Kevin."

    "Alright.  I guess I'll just leave the door unlocked," Kevin replied.
"I'm hitting the sack."

    "I wanna get some food too," Justin said to Chris and Joey.  He ran up to
where Brian was and began walking next to him.  "Um, want some company?  I'm
pretty hungry."

    "Oh, sure," Brian said with a smile.  "Always nice to have some company."

    "I think the restaurant in the hotel is still open.  We can try there,"
Justin suggested.

    "Hey, as long as I can grab some food, I don't care where we go," Brian
laughed.

    Nick watched as Brian and Justin walked off.  He began to walk a bit
slower

    "Are you alright," JC asked as he feel in line with Nick.

    "Um, not really," Nick replied bluntly.  He gave JC a weak smile and
shrugged.  "It's alright."

    "No Nick, it's not alright."  He sighed lightly and watched as the others
walked away.  "Do you want to stay in my room tonight?"

    Nick looked at JC unsuredly.  "I don't know..."

    "You don't have to be alone right now," JC said, placing one hand on
Nick's shoulder.

    Nick looked into JC's eyes and breathed hard.  He swallowed and nodded.
"Alright."  He paused and looked down.  "I think I'd like that."

    "Then it's settled," JC said with a big grin.  "And Nick?  No one is
going to hurt you there."

                *****

    Well, I hope you all liked it.  Let me know whatcha think.  You can email
me at BrwyMilo@aol.com.  So, until next time.  Thanks for reading.