Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 17:51:39 GMT
From: J M <catsfan1@hotmail.com>
Subject: Just Beginning - The Finale

Just Beginning (The Finale)
By JM

'When it's over, there's no more choices
When the game ends, the clock stops
When the story ends, the book closes
But the memories are never lost...'
		-- by JM

		-- To all the haters at Nifty: To be quite blunt and quite clear, all of
your hating only keeps me going.  You've made me the 'celebrity' at Nifty.
Thank you.  Without great 'fans' like you, where would I be?  Instead of
taking readers away, you've brought me some good ones.  So as long as you
want to hate me, I'll continue to get a bigger and bigger ego.  Stop
thinking about me and go and get some dick.  Maybe you won't be so tight
then.  Oh yeah, to that one hater that called me out in the beginning of his
story, PMS just isn't your color.  You should have changed your pad before
you started your series because you only made people love me more.  Keep in
mind, I still didn't call you ouy by your name, so remember not to do the
same with me.  So in the words of Lil' Kim, 'Fuck You'. --


*** There's no need for introductions this time.  You've read all of the
changes, people, friends, haters, and everything else in previous
introductions.  This time, I feel there is no need to bore you with it.  All
of the people I have thanked in the past still stand as people that have
done something for me in one way or another and have helped this series.
All I can say now is that I have enjoyed every second I have put forth into
this series.  It's my 'baby' and now it's all grown up.  That makes me
happy.  Hopefully, I've 'raised' it well in your eyes because I have in my
own eyes.  But if you ever feel the loss of not having the series around
anymore... if you ever need to feel what Brian and Justin felt from start to
finish... just go to 'Brian & Justin: Chapter 1' and then you'll know that
it's all 'Just Beginning'.  ***

		She was blonde with blue eyes.  She stared at each aspect while she looked
in her vanity mirror.  Typical?  To be a celebrity, it was a nice bonus to
have on your checklist.  For her, it was just another feature of herself
that did not help her win over the man she craved.  Her nicely shaped body,
crystal-gleaming eyes, and even her charming on-air personality did not help
her.  She calculated that it was possible that he knew her better than the
cameras.  He knew what she really wanted from him and still had not gotten.
Despite her attempts, she knew that he knew his heart couldn't be won that
easily or that vainly.
		'What can I do about this?' she pondered while flipping through a
magazine.  She came upon a picture of her greatest threat.  He was also a
blonde on his good days.  His blue eyes mimicked her own.  She tapped her
well-manicured nails on the table, trying not to become overwhelmingly
jealous of him.  Her tatic did not work.  She grabbed the marker she used
for autographing and within seconds, scribble marks were left on his glossy
picture.  "Stupid ass fucker." her sharp tongue spat out as she briskly
closed the magazine.  She shoved the magazine aside and returned to looking
at herself in the vanity mirror.
		She sighed softly.  The silence of being in her dressing room by herself
was boring.  She prefered a more lively lifestyle, but other powers kept her
locked up so that she could be safe from mobs of her fans.  She cared less
for them and more for her own dillemas.  'What would Linda Tripp do at a
time like this?' she pondered while propping her chin on her hand.  She pet
her blonde hair and eyed herself in the mirror.  The question was an answer
within itself, one that she was not deaf to.
		She reached across the vanity table and grasped her cell phone and her
book of numbers.  'It's time for a little payback.' she grinned.  She
flipped through the book while planning out her onslaught.  She found the
page she searched for, slamming it down to study the numbers.  A tinting
gleam fell over her glossy lips.  Her docile fingers began to dial numbers
into her pink cellular phone.  Her giggling smile was growing as she thought
of the lessons she had learned and the information she was taught.  'There's
no business like show business...' she hummed in her mind as she listened to
the ring of the phone.  Finally the ring ended as a engineer answered.
"Yes... hello, this is..." she stopped herself for a minute.  She needed to
be smart and quick about her approach so that there were no obvious
distinctions.  "Yes, this is actress Leigh Ann Wallace... can you put me on
the phone with the DJ, please?  I have some hot news for him and he might
want the listeners to know." she purred, trying to use as much authority as
was given to her as a celebrity.
		"You don't know how thrilled I am that you're finally back here Meelah!"
Chris chimed as he drove his new black Navigator.  Meelah sat with an
adorable smile holding her lips.  She was as thrilled as Chris to have
finally returned to Orlando, but she had more important thoughts on her
mind; pain's taking thoughts that kept Meelah lost in her own world.  The
thumping bass of 702's 'Gotta Leave' held the cars words as they drove down
the highway.  "Yeah... it is nice to be back here.  But of course, I
couldn't miss Amanda and A.J.'s wedding either." Meelah announced, easing
comfortably into her seat.  Chris nodded, riding easy in his car.  He
quickly signaled to pull into the next lane.  It was March, drawing
ever-so-close to an important date in Chris and Meelah's friends lives.
Chris was glad the event was placed before him, giving him another excuse to
see his girlfriend.  "A.J.'s been running like a jack rabbit everywhere for
this thing.  It's like four days away and he says he still hasn't figured
out all the songs he wants played at the reception and what song he wants
sung during the service." Chris stated, gliding into the next lane without
turmoil.  Meelah turned to him with surprise.  "Are you serious?" Meelah
asked, puzzled.  Chris nodded, trying to keep a strong focus on the road.
He arched his eyebrow.  "A.J.'s always been a last minute man." Chris
shrugged, speeding up some.  Meelah nodded, giving a loose smile.
		The song faded from the powerful sound system.  "Yes yes yes ya'll... that
was none other than 702 with their very hot song 'Gotta Leave'.  I like the
song... have you seen the video?  Those girls are gorgeous!" the DJ
announced in a perky form.  Meelah giggled at his comments, turning her head
to the window.  Chris smiled with a lingering glare of jealousy.  He made a
quick move to turn up the radio to hear more of the DJ.  "At least one of
O-Town's own was smart enough to snatch up one of them.  If you didn't know,
now you know... Chris Kirkpatrick of 'N Sync has been dating Kameelah
Williams from 702 for quite some time now.  Who knows... maybe marriage?
Let's not jinx it, but I hear through a reliable grapevyne that the two aer
very close and that they are rarely apart, even while on tour." the DJ said
coyly.  Meelah's head snapped toward the radio.  She stared at it as if she
was staring the DJ directly in the face.  Chris' own ears perked up when
hearing the DJ announce to Orlando his status with his girlfriend.  "Who the
hell does he think he is?" Chris questioned loudly, speeding up the car's
movements.  Meelah crossed her arms, showing her anger without reservation.
"Where do they get this shit?  Somebody's always talking trash and always
trying to screw things up for the guys and me.  I'm so tired of this shit."
Chris growled while swirving the car back to the previous lane.  Meelah
ignored Chris' daring driving to listen closely to more of the DJ's babble.
		"And it seems that Chris isn't the only one trying to keep his
relationship on the downlow.  It would seem that Justin Timberlake's
longtime relationship is one of a sticky matter.  Now before I've heard that
he and Britney had a little thing going on and they used Joey as a cover up.
  Well with the recent information I've gotten, that's not so true.  It
turns out Britney and Joey are somewhat together, but Justin's actual
'significant other' is of a little more interest." the DJ said, almost as if
he had witnessed the whole account.  He spoke as if the information came
directly from Justin, when he knew the true source of his information.
"What?" Meelah snapped out, uncrossing her arms and sitting up some.  She
distrusted the words of the DJ.  Chris silenced himself so he could hear
every word spat from the DJ's mouth.
		"Now ladies prepare yourself for this one... I don't want to ruin anything
for anyone.  Now I still don't know who Justin is truly seeing, but from a
reliable source I've found out that Mr. Timberlake may have been fibbing
about his responses to the ill-famous question about him and Brian Littrell
of the Backstreet Boys.  It would seem that Brian bought Justin a new puppy
awhile ago and it was a gift, sort of.  Also, it turns out that Brian and
Justin have also been sharing a house together for quite some time now.
Also, while everyone was off touring in Europe, Justin left the tour to come
back here to Orlando because Brian was in the hospital.  I'm sure you've all
heard the story of how Brian had to leave the tour due to illness and then
suddenly Justin was gone because of so-called 'family emergencies'.  Wow,
Justin's what?  He's about nineteen now?  A nineteen year old and
twenty-five... that's quite the age difference.  That's all I have for right
now." the DJ gave all the information he was aware of, whether it was
factual or not.  His information was enough to set most listeners on the
edge.  "Here's a little Britney Spears with her new song 'Kiss', but stay
turned as we try to unravel more of this curious story." the DJ announced.
		Chris foot stayed glued to the pedal as he drove.  Meelah sat wide-eyed.
She was just as dumbfounded as Chris was.  She was also speechless.
"Somebody's going to fucking pay for this." Chris said as he wildly switched
to the far right lane.  Meelah glanced over to him after the shock of the
car jerking.  She feared his expression.  "Chris... Chris, babe, this isn't
our exit." Meelah spoke out, placing her hand on his arm.  Chris shook his
head.  He was beyond furious.  His mind spun with a mixture of anger and
betrayel.  "Right now Meelah, I don't give a fuck if this is our exit.  I've
gotta find the others." Chris said, racing up the ramp.  Meelah retracted
her hand.  She sensed that nothing good was coming of this DJ's
announcement.
		Brian Littrell stood at the bottom of the ivory staircase that led to the
floor that held the bedroom he and his husband shared, his son's bedroom,
his nanny's room, his office, and a guest bedroom.  He looked at his husband
staring into his son's room.  His powdery-blue eyes stared at Justin with
adoration.  He loved the way Justin would take the time to watch their son
sleep.  It was a sign of his youthful innocence.  "Justin... come on babe,
the movie's ready." Brian whispered out, trying to grab Justin's attention.
He hated interrupting Justin's moment, but he knew it was for the best.
		Justin leaned against the wall opposite of Angel's room.  His arms were
folded and he glared into the open door that led to Angel's nursery.  Justin
turned his head and looked down the steps at the awaiting Brian.  He nodded,
sighing softly.  He turned his head back to Angel's room.  "Night Bastian."
he whispered.  Justin leaned off the wall and dropped his arms.  He didn't
bother looking down the hall to see if Lea, their nanny, was sleep.  He
trusted that the day she spent with Angel was trying for her.
		Brian kept his eyes on Justin as he slowly and gracefully came down the
ivory steps.  It was something out of a dream for him.  The perfect house,
the perfect family, the perfect career, and the perfect romance.  It was all
too real for Brian.  For Brian, it was like living in the castle in the sky
that Stevie Wonder sung of.  He was, in a word, 'Overjoyed'.
		His thoughts were temporarly interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing.
He glanced down to his watch.  It read 9:00 PM.  He sighed without content.
"I'll grab it." he said, easing into the kitchen.  He couldn't hear the
words Justin called out to him as the phone got louder.  He snatched up the
cellular phone without a smile.  'I swear this better not be A.J. for the
billionth time tonight.' Brian grumbled, flipping the phone on.  "Hello?"
Brian said, not recognizing the number on the caller I.D.  The sounds of
small laughter filled the phone.  Brian raised his brow.  "Hello?" Brian
asked again with a little more command.  "Hello?  Hello... is Justin there?"
the voice soon asked, losing a spot of laughter in the male's voice.  Brian
leaned against the kitchen counter, disturbed.  "Who is this?" he asked,
trying to question the caller.  "Uhm, this is Kane, the DJ from 93.3, can
you please put Justin Timberlake on the phone?" Kane requested.  A quick
revalation hit Brian.  He had picked up Justin's cellular phone and answered
it.  He glanced over to Justin who had entered the kitchen silently.  "Wait,
wait... is this Brian?  This is Brian, isn't it?" Kane inquired briskly.
Brian rolled his eyes and then slouched.  Justin gave Brian a funny
expression.  He was confused by Brian's jittery actions.  "Who is it?"
Justin asked.  "And Justin is there!" Kane shouted, laughing with his shout.
  Brian listened again to others laughing in the background.  Brian took in
a deep breath and then exhaled it with wrath.  "Brian... Brian.. dude, do
you and Justin have something going on here?  I mean you answered his cell
phone... yeah, because I was calling Justin's cell phone, not yours.  I
wanted to ask Justin about it, but I might as well ask you.  All the
listeners would really like to know." Kane stated, trying to draw out
information from Brian.
		Justin approached Brian with caution.  "Who's on the phone?" Justin asked
again, trying to find out why Brian stayed so silent.  Brian held up his
hand, trying to keep Justin back.  "Who did you get this number?  How?"
Brian asked roughly.  He could hear Kane snickering, ridiculing him.  "Don't
worry about it... a friend of yours gave it to us.  Now, tell us, what's up
with you and Curly?  Did you shag him?" Kane asked, showing his rudeness in
the way he mocked Brian.  Brian slammed his hand against the counter.
Justin could see he was becoming furious.  He gradually backed away.  "Look,
whoever this is, I want to know how you got this number?" Brian hissed.
"Dude, I told you already.  Now how about you answer my question about you
and Justin.  Or you could just put Justin on the phone... yeah, put Justin
on dude.  Come on, please." Kane requested again, pretending to be pleading
with Brian.  He knew he had the control in the situation.
		Brian gave the DJ no more opportunities.  He clicked off Justin's cellular
phone and then jammed the 'off' button.  He dropped the phone onto the
counter, his face ravished with animosity.  He looked up to Justin, peering
at him.  Brian balled his fist.  "Brian, what's wrong?  Who was that?"
Justin asked, attempting to bragain with his husband.  Justin held his own
anxiety while watching Brian.  Brian shook his head, stepping away from the
counter.  "I don't want to talk about it Just.  Leave me alone." Brian
brooded, quickly walking to exit the kitchen.  Justin briskly stepped in
front of Brian, striving to stop him.  "No, tell me what's wrong Brian."
Justin demanded.  He refused to let his husband become arrogant.  "I saiw I
don't fucking want to talk about it Justin.  Damn, can't you just leave it
at that?" Brian shouted at Justin.  Justin flinched when hearing Brian.  He
was scared and beginning to show it.
		Brian stared at the apprehension in Justin's colorful eyes.  Guilt had
struck him.  He watched Justin droop his head and slowly move aside.  Brian
cursed himself for being so cold, so rough with Justin.  "I'm sorry babe.. I
just need a little time to think about what happened." Brian said,
continuing his exit.  He didn't know how to approach Justin for a proper
apology.  He only knew how to leave to think out his own faults and then try
again later with Justin.
		"Oh, I bet you're just so sorry!"  The sounds of shouting and a door being
thrusted open caught much attention at the Zomba Offices in Orlando.  It had
been two days since Brian's conversation with Kane over the airwaves.  Five
young men exited an office, one after the other with expressions of
distaste.  "It was my decision, but you don't have to act like I'm going to
be the end of the Backstreet Boys." Nick Carter grumbled toward Kevin
Richardson as they walked.  Kevin ignored Nick's words, his solid blue eyes
holding conviction.  Nick didn't fear his eyes.  He and Kevin had had their
fair share of fights and Nick was not one to lose an argument so easily.
"Oh come on Nickie, are you blind?  You went and got your own damn
management.  The BSB is supposed to be a unity... a brotherhood." Howie
disagreed from his position.  Nick turned his head to glance over his
shoulder.  He could see Howie advancing.  "My mom thought it'd be a good
idea if she managed my solo career." Nick explained himself again for his
friends.  "You see... 'solo career' doesn't means unity.  It means breakup,
plain and simple." Howie shook his head while speaking.  Nick clinched his
fists shut, angered by Howie's accuracy.
		A.J. and Brian stayed relatively silent in the back of the group.  They
too were angered by Nick's sudden decision, but even more so by other
revalations that came up in their brief meeting.  "I still can't believe
Kevin's acting like such an ass because I didn't make him best man." A.J.
grumbled to Brian while they slowed their walking.  Brian placed his hands
into his pockets, slumping his head.  "That's Kevin for ya.  He lost out to
Justin and.. well he always hates losing." Brian shrugged.  A.J. nodded,
removing his sunglasses to stare down the hall.
		A.J. glanced at Brian.  His thoughts were too much for him to keep to
himself.  "I've been thinking about things Brian... I mean with the whole
drama that's starting to build with you and Justin, with Nick going off to
record a solo album this summer and then him switching management... plus
Howie's been telling me he's going to take some time off for more acting, I
think we're slowly coming to an end." A.J. stated.  Brian quickly lifted his
head.  The words had never been spoken, though Brian was sure that he and
the others had had the thoughts a couple of times.  None had ever spoken it
to another though.  "No, no A.J.  That's not going to happen.  We're all
just having some drama right now." Brian insisted, trying to faze the
doubts.  He wasn't successful.  It was too strong inside of A.J.  "I mean if
we make it through the next two months, I'll be happy.  After that, I'll let
the dice just roll and see if we get a seven or snake eyes." A.J. said
carelessly.  He rolled his sunglasses in his hands, a nervous habit.  Brian
closed his eyes for a second, still attempting to lose the thought of not
having the Backstreet Boys anymore.  "But if we are coming to a close, I
think it's time all of us be real with our fans.  Not like in the past where
we told them part of the truth... but I mean where we actually let people
know what's up in our lives." A.J. added, revealing something important in
his secretive words.  Brian stiffened up some.  He could feel what A.J. was
implying.  He was unsure if the words were directed specifically toward him
or if A.J. spoke of all of his friends, but he knew he was still a part of
the equation.
		"I told you I won't be the fucking end of us!  If anything, it'll be
because of Brian and the shit he and Justin pulled a couple of days ago."
Nick shouted at Howie.  A.J. and Brian briskly looked up the hall to where
their counterparts had come to a halt.  Nick turned his head and caught
Brian and A.J.'s ruthless stares.  He shivered while looking in their hollow
eyes.  Betrayel was the scent of the hall and it was coming from each
Backstreet Boy.  "When you're ready to sign the papers to end the Backstreet
Boys, you let me know Nick.  Otherwise, I'm in this until the end." Brian
hissed at his friend.  He pulled his hands from his pockets and continued to
walk up the hall.  A.J. knew his words were too harsh for Nick.  He held
them as he and Brian passed the other three.  "I'll be damned if all four of
you don't cause us to call it quits before this qeek is over." Kevin
murmured, following Brian and A.J.
		All five men found their way into another office, this time one that held
producers and crewmen from the MTV Studios.  It was for an interview that
the Backstreet Boys were scheduled for unexpectedly.  "You know we should
really consider moving the MTV Studios down here to Orlando... the weather
is too perfect." John Norris commented as he saw the Backstreet Boys enter
the room.  They were all silent and amongst themselves.  John Norris took
mental notes on their actions.  He had interviewed the Backstreet Boys on
many occassions and knew too well of their usual actions.  He could see that
they were not the usual live men he was used to.  John grabbed a chair near
the set up and waited for the Boys to get their microphones on.  He still
studied how all five stayed relatively away from each other and no words
were spoken between them.  It was discouraging for him.  He could sense that
the interview may not be as much fun with the Backstreet Boys.
		All five Backstreet Boys found seats near John without complications.
John Norris stared at each of them, trying to piece together their
expressions.  The differences, the varied looks, and the personality traits
calculated into several different answers, making it impossible for John to
find one solution.  "We're all set John." the producer informed John.  John
broke his stares with the gentlemen and looked down to his clipboard.  His
questions laid before him, he only had to choose which ones he wanted
answers for.
		"Well it's been about two months since MTV's had a chance to sit down and
talk with you guys... about three or so since I've gotten the chance to talk
with you guys.  I know you just got back from a trip to Sweden a couple of
days ago, what was that like?" John started with a question that sat in the
middle of his list.  Kevin looked to the guys, hoping they'd drop their past
animosity to be civil for the interview.  "It was a lot of fun.  We were out
there to do some recording." Kevin decided to answer the question.  Nick
nodded, perssing his back into his chair.  "We were recording for the new
album." Nick added to calrify things.  John jotted down quick notes while
they spoke briefly.  "We were out there for a week with Max Martin and his
crew and we did about six songs, but not all of them are going to be on the
album.  We think about half of those songs will make the final cut." A.J.
explained in more detail.  John nodded, impressed by their sudden openess.
"What are the songs like?  Is it stuff that you could see on the old
Backstreet albums or are they more adult-like, on a higher level?" John
questioned, staying with the hot topic.  Brian glanced up from his stare
with the floor.  "It's a little of both.  I mean I don't think any of these
songs would have been right for the sound we were giving with 'Millennium',
but they're right for the sound we're trying to bring to the audience, you
know, the fans now." Nick responded, very amicable about the new album.
"It's definetly hot stuff.  We've got a song that we think we want to be the
first single, because it just fits what we need to release.  Something
new... but also different." A.J. agreed with Nick's previous statement.
		John reclinded in his chair.  "Of the songs that you've recorded, are they
more like lovey-dovey songs or are they more edgy and hard core?" John
pondered, fully interested in what the Backstreet Boys had to offer.  Nick
released a small laugh, drawing eyes.  "We're not becoming rappers or
anything, but it's really edgy... at least I think.  We don't awnt to be all
bubble gum and powdery, we're not Britney Spears or anything.  We're adult
now." Nick replied.  John raised his brow.  He made another note on his
clipboard.  "In total, we've done about ten songs already, here and there.
Some refer to love, well mostly relationships.  It's a give and take with
this album.  It's about giving love, taking love, wanting love and then
rejecting love.  But then again, we like to have fun and we also want to
clear things up." Howie added to try and recover from Nick's arrogant reply.
  He was not naive to the way the media could twist their words.  He had
been on the receiving end many times because of little mistakes in his
words.  Nick nodded with his quirky smile.  Kevin eyed him with abhorrence.
He was bored with Nick's immaturity.  "We try and answer questions about
love that many artists fail to." Brian added, making his persence known.
		"What are you guys trying to clear up?" John asked with a familiar
curiosity.  He looked at each of them separately to give them a chance to
respond.  A round of stares and small comments began to develop after the
question was proposed.  "We're not a fluff band.  We're not a 'boy band'
because none of us are boys, we're men.  We've got some real direct,
slap-in-the-face songs and we're going to put them out with this album."
Brian stated, hoping to stir the others away from their other comments.
Nick eased his hand back behind his chair, smiling at the camera.  He kept
his own personal remarks to himself for fear of an argument.  "Yes, we have
some really knockout songs." Kevin agreed with his cousin.  He could sense
the direction that Brian desired the others to stay away from.
		"We want to clear up that we're in nobody's shadow and we're nobody's
twin.  The Backstreet Boys are the Backstreet Boys and we don't like being
compared with these other so-called 'boy bands'.  That's not us at all and
we don't like being apart of some other groups attempt to be famous." A.J.
stated, finding his way to the category Brian dreaded.  John smiled toward
A.J.  "You guys have had a lot of groups compared to you.  So are you
sticking with the title 'Standing Alone' to show all the other groups, like
'N Sync and 98° that you're in a group by yourselves?" John inquired to draw
controversy to the interview.  A.J. quickly nodded.  Brian lowered his head
and exhaled softly.  He was disgusted with the others constant need to prove
themselves.  "I mean, we have nothing against them personally, it's just
that we want to show everyone that they can't be us and we're definetely not
trying to be them.  Like now, I can see that people are going to try and
compare us to 'N Sync when we come out again and it's going to be annoying
because our sound is so different from them.  I think we'll prove otherwise
though." A.J. declared with an overbearing tone.  Nick nodded quickly to
show he agreed.  He again stayed away from his own comments on the situation
to avoid glares from Brian.  "A.J.'s got this real hot song that's going to
show all the other wannabe's what we mean." Nick attached to A.J.'s
statement.
		John straightened himself up and glanced down to the clipboard.  His notes
were beginning to run off the page.  "Okay, well we were on the topic of
love for a minute there... so how is that?  You guys are being put out in
the public a lot now with your love lives." John said, indirectly referring
to three of the five members of the Backstreet Boys.  John took a look
around the room as the bright spotlights fell on the Boys.  The heat was on
in more than one sense.  Brian thought of what A.J. had said earlier.  The
possibilities were slim and true.  He could see fire had ignited in A.J.'s
eyes the second they had entered the room and now he could not fade it.
"It's kind of hard to keep a stable love life in the position we are right
now." Nick remarked in his shy-like voice.  "Yeah, that's true.  We try to
go on dates though.  We're at least dating people." Howie agreed animately.
He knew he was only speaking on he and Nick's current situation, but he had
to create an illusion for the camera.  Howie took a quick look around to see
if any of his counterparts would disagree.  He always knew where to look for
a challenge.
		"Well some of us have been able to keep a serious relationship despite our
challenges as of late." A.J. proclaimed with his Cheshire-grin.  John smiled
back at him with the others began to become tense.  "So you and your
longtime girlfriend Amanda Latona are still together?  And it's still
serious?" John therw out questions in his own attempt to break the silence.
The eyes shot to A.J. to see if he would speak on the relationship.  A.J.
turned his head a little to shoot Brian a helpless smile.  Brian stared at
him, unsure on how to reply.  He let a small sigh cross his lips and then he
quickly smiled back at A.J.  A.J. turned his head back to John Norris.
"Yes, me and Amanda are still together and are, at this point, very serious
about each other." A.J. chimed, never letting John Norris' expressions faze
him.  John shot him his usual curious look.  "That serious huh?  Because a
lot of rumors have been going around about some serious relationships for
all of you... so could you clear the air." John requested in a sly way.  All
five men shifted their bodies with the uncomfortable qusetion.  No man was
bravier than the other.  "Well all I know is that I'm out of a serious
relationship and don't have plans for another for quite some time." Nick
announced, finally breaking the silence.  He looked to Howie, knowing he
would be able to agree.  "Never been in one.  I've stuck to dating, pretty
much." Howie inally shrugged out.  He, in turn, looked to A.J.
		A.J. tried to adjust himself in his seat again.  He could feel the
pressure had reached its peak.  His heart was strong, but his stomach was
not.  Bravery was something he had yet to master to its full potential.
"Well I'm in a real serious relationship with my girl.  Uhm, me and my
girlfrined... we're getting, uhm, married soon." A.J. finally said.  He took
a deep breath after speaking, not bothering to look at John Norris'
expression.  John tried to catch himself, the shock causing him to become
numb.  "A.J.?  Marriage?  To Amanda?" John asked with a stutter.  Kevin
found himself laughing a little.  "Yes, we're all very proud of him." Kevin
backed A.J. up, patting A.J.'s shoulder as he did.  Brian nodded.  His pride
in A.J. was beyond measurement.  "Yep, old A.J.'s settling down and we think
he'll make a good husband among other things." Howie added to the support
A.J. desired but did not ask for.  A.J. was able to keep his smile when
receiving the support from the rest of his band mates.
		John sat back further in his chair, still blown away by A.J.'s revelation.
  "Well that must be pretty exciting.  I always pictured Brian being the
first to you know, walk down the aisle." John stated, adjusting to the new
situation.  Brian blushed a little.  He slid his left hand into his pocket,
hiding his wedding ring.  "Brian's already settled down.  He has what he
wants and he's pretty much good to go." A.J. replied to John's remarks.
John focused his eyes on Brian.  Brian nodded, breathing easy in front of
John.  "Settled down?" John wanted more from the phrase.  Brian slumped
back.  "I'm content.  I've already taken the steps that I've wanted and
gotten what I've desired.  I'm just where I want to be... the first of us to
be like that." Brian explained his situation in disguised words.  It made it
simplier for the rest of the group.  John was further impressed by Brian.
"He's braver than the rest of us." Nick teased him to lighten the mood of
the intense interview.  "Yeah, I think I learned from Brian.  He was the
first of us to settle down with a serious thing and stay there." A.J.
concured, still hinting to see if John could catch on.  John was, in Hoku's
words, another dumb blonde.
		A pale expression surrounded John's face.  "Well Brian, many times, even
as of late, you've been matched up with a certain boy band member.  Not to
say any of the rumors are true, but confusion has surrounded the story for
quite some time now.  Is there any truth to it?" John finally asked the
question that reporters had kept hushed for months.  He also knew it was the
deciding question in many MTV viewers' minds.  It was almost as important as
Bill Clinton being questioned by the grand jury.  The slightest wrong move
decided his fate and each of his friends knew it.  "Uhm, everytime I answer
this question it gets blown out of proportion and then people end up
thinking the wrong things.  I end up being the center of attention for
something that's not important." Brian stated with an uneasy voice.  John
sensed it.  He held in a grin as he leaned forward in his chair, giving the
illusion of little interest.  "But still, is it true Brian?  Do you and
Justin have a relationship outside of friendship?" John asked, peering at
Brian.  Nick gripped the edge of his chair, seeing the desperate expression
holding John's face.  Nick could feel John was passionate about the subject.
  Brian kept a stare with him.  If he broke it, he was ruined.  If he spoke,
he was ruined.  No matter what, he was stuck in a position that was not
comfortable for him or his heart.  "I don't like commenting on my personal
life because it's personal, but if I choose to have a relationship with
someone, I think it should be my choice and my relationship.  It shouldn't
be the world's relationship because I'm not dating the world, I'm dating or
in love with that one person." Brian boasted with a strong answer that left
still questions lingering.  It was enough though to let John know his
boundaries.  John leaned back with a petite smile.  "If you must know
though, I'm close to certain people... and Justin is someone I'm very close
to." Brian added, still not revealing his entire life with Justin.  He did
himself, his marriage and his friends justice by finally taking a stand on
what he believed in and what he kept private.
		Justin sat on the deck of his home, his cellular stuck to his ear.  "I
can't believe we've got to do this." Justin said, pursing his lips.  "It'll
probably be a quick interview Justin.  You know we have to stay in touch
with the public." Lance responded from the other end of the phone.  Justin
merely rolled his eyes.  He was still accommodating himself with speaking to
Lance again.  Justin was slowly learning to let all of his grudges go with
people he knew.  He believed it was the only way to better himself and to
make his mind feel better about himself.
		Justin heard a click and then soon music filled the phone.  "All right,
this is the minute you've been waiting for listeners... I've got none other
than Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass from 'N Sync on the phone.  What's up
dudes?" Todzilla, the Atlanta DJ, said will speaking with them on-air.
"Good, pretty good." Lance replied first.  "Yeah, fine.  And you?" Justin
tried to rise to a chipper mood.  Lance could feel Justin's tenseness, but
he was unable to comment on it.  "Things are going rather great here in
Hotlanta.  So tell me guys, have you watched MTV today?" Todzilla
questioned, searching for a beginning builder.  Justin reclined on the deck,
confusion surrounding his thoughts.  "No, we've been busy today with
interviews.  Why, what's happening?" Lance asked, trying to find a quick
reference to prepare himself.  Justin let Lance take control in the
interview as he watched Tyke and BJ frolic in the backyard.
		"Well dudes... actually this more concerns Justin.  They showed a clip of
an interview that the Backstreet Boys did and it was pretty much discussing
their love lives.  The question of Brian dating Justin came up and Brian
sort of... well rather he gave the imperssion that he and Justin were closer
than friends." Todzilla informed them, leaving both Justin and Lance in a
silence.  Todzilla listened through his headphones to see if he could hear
them.  "I was just wondering Justin, since Brian's making it seem apparent,
do you feel any guilt?  I mean I don't want to be in your personal life, but
if that's true, do you feel guilty about lying to your fans for so long?
You've said on many occasions that there was nothing to you and Brian, but
yet lately it seems that there is more than you've said in the past.  Do you
feel bad about lying?" Todzilla spoke out questions that had yet to cross
the fans' minds.  A strong silence again filled the air waves.  Lance tried
to be quick with his thoughts, but it was inevitable.  "Our personal lives
are so hard to have now a days.  This was on MTV today?" Lance asked,
curious as to why he had not received any press phone calls concerning the
matter.  "Yes, Lance it was today.  I know you're trying to stand up for
your friend and all... but honestly, this is something that concerns
Justin." Todzilla replied in a serious voice.  Lance took that as a cue that
he could not argue for his friend.  He was in a bind and he only prayed that
Justin could handle the situation professionally.
		Justin sniffled into the phone.  Tears had left his eyes and they were
slowly falling down his face.  He had fought the question for months, almost
a year.  It was a strong repulsion that he had built for the media delving
into his private life.  He was only nineteen and had made it into the
tabloids more times than Jennifer Lopez.  Justin sniffled again, clearing
his throat.  "I don't think people understand how hard it is for anyone of
us to keep our lives separate from our careers.  A lot of focus gets put on
who he gose out with and who she dates and it's less about what we have to
offer.  There are certain people that I like to hang out with and go places
with and automatically I get connected to them as if we've been dating for
ages and haven't told anyone.  I have never lied to my fans when certain
questions have been asked.  They asked me a specific question and I always
answer with the truth.  Whether I give you the full out history or not, I
give you what's true." Justin managed to pull out while a few moer tears
danced down his cheeks.  He used his hand to begin wiping them away while
awaiting an argument to his speech.  "You'll have to excuse us now... we've
got to go to an interview." Lance spoke up quickly, trying to stop the
interview from going any further.  Justin let Lance regain control again as
he wiped away his tears.  "We should get going." Lance continued to press on
to end the interview.  "Okay, I don't want to hold you guys.  I don't mean
to offend you in any way Justin, I just think that the fans should know
what's really going on." Todzilla offered an apology in his words.  Justin
was deaf to him.  He was suffocating in his own depression.  "Bye." Justin
choked out.  "We'll catch up with you guys later." Lance added, trying to
add a little charm to spark up life for the listeners.
		Justin pressed the 'end' button on his cell phone and let it drop from his
hands and onto the deck.  The sounds of the battery pack splitting from the
main phone was like a rain drop on a piece of glass.  Justin couldn't hear
it over his own sobbing.  He curled up on the deck.  He could feel something
he had dreaded since the beginning of he and Brian's relationship coming on
as strong as the rains in Seattle.  There was no more rest for him, no more
places for him to hide.  His tears were only the beginning of the storm.
		"Ooh!  This is just too cute." Britney Spears cheered as she stared at a
see-through, flower-print garment.  Lynne Spears, Britney's mother, shook
her head with disagreement.  Britney pursed her lips and pulled the outfit
down by its hanger.  "Joey will love it." Britney cooed, placing it with the
other outfits she had chosen.  "Probably because Joey's a man who loves
seeing girls in barely any clothing." Irish Grinstead, member of 702 and
Britney's friend, remarked.  Lynne nodded to show that she agreed with
Irish.  "It's quite revealing Britney." her mother commented while staring
at the price of the outfit.  Britney shrugged without a care.  She browsed
through a few other outfits while Irish shifted through the collection of
Tommy baby-T's that were on a shelf.
		Britney followed a different route through the clothing store, searching
for other clothes to wear.  "Maybe Joey would like to see you in a more
sophisticated outfit.. like a power suit." Lynne suggested, trying to stir
her daughter away from the provocative fashion she was accustom to.  Britney
sighed, grabbing a pair of capri's from its rack.  "Maybe we should ask
Joey?  He's just outside in the limo." Britney grumbled, frustrated with her
mother's disapproval.  Lynne shot Britney a sour look.  "I should be just
thankful that you approve of this boyfriend... of course that took you some
time too." Britney boasted while admiring another halter top.  "I just want
to watch out for my baby.  I don't want you dating just any celebrity
that'll take advantage of you or somebody off the street that just wants you
for your body and your money." Lynne insisted while looking at some of the
clothes her daughter had picked out.  Britney rolled her eyes, avoding an
argument with her mother.
		"Oh trust me Mrs. Spears, Joey's head over heels for your daughter." Irish
interrupted them.  She held up a Tommy jacket to try and get Britney's
approval.  Britney eyed the jacket for a few seconds and then nodded.  "Of
course I still can't figure out how he fell for her in the first place."
Irish teased Britney pulling the jacket down and then heading in the
opposite direction she came in.  Britney giggled and then looked through the
khaki's section.  "You know me Irish.  To the media, I'm always doing
something wrong.  It's like, 'Oh no, I'm in love.  Oops!  I did it again.'"
Britney joked.  Irish nodded, laughing with her.
		Britney began to search through the denim bandanas for one that would
match one of her outfits.  "Excuse me, Miss Spears." a clerk spoke up from
the table that Britney was shifting through.  Britney looked up with
surprise.  She stared at the clerk with confusion circling her brown eyes.
"Uhm, yes?" Britney replied.  The clerk smiled at her when seeing that
Britney was humble with her.  "I don't mean to interrupt your shopping and
all, but there's been a question bugging me.  I wanted to know, uhm, if it
was true what they were saying about your ex-boyfriend and Brian from the
Backstreet Boys?" the clerk questioned Britney with reservation.  Britney
dropped the bandana from her hands and stared at the clerk.  "Excuse me?
What are you talking about?" Britney asked in a hissing voice.  The clerk
backed away from the table a little, showing her fear to Britney.  "I'm
sorry.. I don't mean to offend you, it's just that it's been all on MTV and
some radio stations about how people think that Brian of the Backstreet Boys
and Justin of 'N Sync have a thing going on.  I only wanted to know if you
knew if it was true?" the clerk explained herself, trying to find refuge
from persecution.  Britney only stared at her with wonder.  She was
speechless.  She figured one of her friends would have informed her of
something serious occuring in the media, yet she hadn't talked to anyone
outside of Joey.  She pondered if he knew anything.
		Britney turned to her mother and her single bodyguard.  "Uhm, Q, could you
pay for this on my cerdit card?  I've... I've got to go make a few calls."
Britney requested, gathering herself.  Lynne looked at her with puzzlement.
Britney brushed her hair back and walked from the table.  "Oh, now this is
too perfect Britney.  A little red skirt and you'll be set." Irish chimed as
she held up a red baby-T for Britney.  Britney's thoughts prevented her from
giving Irish any attention.  She continued to walk at a fast pace past
Irish.  Irish stared down the walkway Britney proceeded to move down without
acknowledging her.  "Britney?  Brit?" Irish questioned, lost in the
confusion of what was happening.  She had as much information as Britney
did.
		Lynn Harliss made herself comfortable in the office that she sat in with
her group, Innosense, and Linda, a reporter from Pop Star magazine.  She
stared down at her freshly manicured nails as the girls of Innosense were
given a light interview.  She knew it was only a promotional task for the
girls, being that their debut album had just been released a week prior.
She took no real notes on the answers given since the group was too new for
any strong publicity faults.
		"Well ladies, this is off the record, but I had a question for you
concerning Justin." Linda commented while scribbling down some notes on her
notepad.  She looked up to see any reactions from the girls or Justin's
mother, Lynn.  Veronica sat up erect in her chair when hearing Justin's
name.  Justin was a close family friend and a man she once dated.  She eyed
the reporter with distrust.  Lynn also became interested in the interview
when hearing the utterance of Justin's name.  "When I was coming here
tonight, I heard on the radio and they mentioned something along the lines
that Justin was sharing a house with Brian from the Backstreet Boys and the
two also had a dog together... is this true?  Does it affect you or the way
you respond to things?" Linda asked, holding her pen firm to her notepad.
Nikki stared at Linda with disbelief.  'No fucking way.' Jenny thought, her
mouth slowly falling open.  Mandy unconsciously gasped at Linda.  Veronica
snapped her head in Mandy's direction and then Linda's.  She found herself
staring at Linda with hate when she didn't know the woman.  Lynn glared at
the reporter.  She was dumbfounded by the question.  "No comment." was all
that Lynn could muster.  After years of being able to speak her mind and
never letting anything happen in her life that she did not desire, Lynn
Harliss was speechless and unable to defend her son.
		Another morning had come to visit Orlando.  It was one of controversy from
some ends of the United States, mainly the southern end.  Most places were
still not aware of what was occuring within the media land.  The Littrell
house was very aware of what was happening in their world.  The never-ending
story was slowly find an end to each chapter.  It was another one of
Justin's fears.  He sat in the bed he shared with his husband, alone.  Brian
was with their son, getting him dressed for the day's activities.  Justin
kept himself wrapped up in the covers while flipping through the channels on
the television.  He had caught a glimpse of the MTV interview earlier.  The
one thing, outside of the brief 'interviews' Brian and Justin had with radio
personalities, that broke the silence of 'Brian and Justin'.  They had yet
to admit to marriage or even being a couple, but speculation was all the
media needed to turn the smallest event into the nation's biggest story.
		Justin stopped when he saw Rosie O'Donnell on the television.  He knew he
could find solace in Rosie's constant comic comments.  He increased the
volume to listen to her while relaxing in his bed.  "Well the things that
are in the news today are really unbelieveable.  I'm flipping through the
channels this morning and I stop on MTV.  Don't ask me why I stopped on MTV
because I believe they just play a bunch of trash anyway... but I stopped
there and they're showing this interview with the Backstreet Boys.  Since I
like them, I figured why not watch, right?" Rosie began her comments while
sitting behind her desk.  Justin cringed when hearing her.  He clutched onto
his pillow, fearing what she might say.  "Honestly, I can't believe what
they were doing to the young guy... Brian.  The reporter was up there
grilling Brian all about his love life and who he's with and who he's not
with.  Anyway, at the end of the interview, the stupid reporter guy sits up
there and says something like, 'You heard it here first, Brian of Backstreet
and Justin of 'N Sync have something more than a friendship going on.'  I'm
like, well first of all I'm in shock that the reporter would be that bold to
say something like that because I didn't once hear Brian come right out and
say that, but I was appalled.  MTV would go this low as to grill someone on
who their with when I really don't care.  I don't listen to the Backstreet
Boys, 'N Sync or even Madonna just because they're dating so-and-so." Rosie
declared in a firm voice.  Justin sat up some.  He was becoming curious with
what Rosie might say.
		"It's sick.  I mean I was really sickened.  I called a few people and they
say it's going to be the talk of the town now about how those two are
together.  Excuse me?  Do we want to repeat a Princess Diana incident here.
It's crazy.  People shouldn't force their way into someone's private life,
regardless if it's two guys together.  I don't care if they are in the
biggest bands in the country or if they're just some college kids from
Albany, it's not our place to force answers out of them about something
private.  That is truly sick." Rosie went on, her voice failing while
speaking.  She received a strong applause from the audience.  The camera
began to draw closer to her as a tear escaped her eye.  "I know some of the
little girls who have big crushes on them might be hurt if, you know, Brian
and Justin are a couple, but they should be happy.  Every single time I see
either one of them, I can see they're happy.  If it's with a girl or with a
boy, these two are happy and we should be happy for them.  We shouldn't be
all in their faces trying to make them crack.  It's their lives." Rosie
added, letting another tear fall freely.  The audience cheered her again.
She was making another stand and this time it was going to mean something in
another audience's eyes.  "I just want to say to Brian and Justin... if you
two are happy together, despite what this media circus wants to say about
you, keep being happy.  Don't let them get to you.  If anything, Rosie
O'Donnell supports you greatly.  if you need anything, call me.  May God
bless you two." Rosie closed out her argument with fond words.  Her words
drew up another loud round of ovation from her audience members.
		Justin sniffled while watching her.  He held in the burning tears to
listen to her.  He had never thought to look at the situation the way Rosie
did.  When he saw her tears, he knew she cared.  He also knew she barely
knew him otuside of his few visits to New York, but he could see her
cheeriness each and every time he visited her.  She had a genuine love for
everyone, despite differences.  It was enough for him to know that she
publicly supported him and his husband.  He relaxed himself in the bed
feeling a new spirit about him.  He only knew of the strength he had to
have, the one he desired.  If anything, Justin had to be strong for his son.
		Brian sat in the living room as Lea played with Angel on the floor.  Brian
reclined on the couch while looking at the television screen.  Rosie
O'Donnell face appeared as expected.  Brian had taken the time to sit down
and watch the program after dressing his son.  He made himself comfortable
while waiting for the appropriate time to leave the house with Lea and
Angel.  Brian eyed the screen as Rosie held up the cover to a CD.  He
recognized the CD and automatically deduced who the performing act would be.
		"Here to perform their new single featured on the 'Jack of All Trades'
soundtrack... performing for the first time on this show, please welcome
Innosense!" Rosie announced, drawing up an applause from her crowd.  Brian
watched contently with a small smile.  He was thrilled his friends were
getting such high publicity, helping to further their career and expand
their audience.
		The blue, pink and yellow tinted lights fell over the small stage Rosie
had for her performance acts.  Standing in all black capris, white tank
tops, and blue button down shirts, tied in a knot in the middle with cuffed
sleeves, were five young women.  They all held microphones and stood in a
stance with their hands looking down.  They awaited the accompanying music
from the band to begin their performance and make their music-worthy
appearance on the Rosie O'Donnell show.
		Danay was the first to look up when the music began as the DAT tape
filtered the ad-libs through the speakers.  She smiled toward the audience
with her mysterious lips.  She sensed the others lift their heads as they
began to harmonize the first words of the song before drifting to Danay's
verse.

	[I don't care what you say, say, say, say, say]
	Say (say) no (no)
	Say no more

	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la (so what you wanna do?)

	I've come to tell you what's on my mind
	Baby I have changed
	I don't wanna keep playin' no games
	I keep tellin' you time after time
	That I (I, I)

	I don't care what you say
	I don't care what you do
	Cause I'm never comin' back no more
	(Never comin' back no more)
	I don't care what you mean
	I don't care how you feel
	So say (say) no (no)
	Say no more

		Danay moved to the back of the group and allowed Jenny to move to the
front following the first chorus.  Mandy stayed to the outside of the
group's dancing, casually smiling to the audience.  She glanced over the the
pre-occupied Nikki who stayed strictly to the routine.  Mandy pondered if it
was Kevin that troubled Nikki so greatly or whether it was the fact that
their friends, Justin and Brian, were being subjected to scandal that the
media created.  She tried to hold her midn to her own steps, knowing that
Veronica too did not give much into the performance outside of what was
expected of them.

	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la (so what you wanna do?)

	You didn't care much for what I did
	Treat me like I'm dirt
	Babe, when I was hurt
	I was so lone, talking to myself (come on)
	But now I (I, I)

	I don't care what you say
	I don't care what you do
	Cause I'm never comin' back no more
	(Never comin' back no more)
	I don't care what you mean
	I don't care how you feel
	So say (say) no (no)
	Say no more

		Jenny glanced out with her eyes being filled with happiness.  She was
being loved by the crowd, just as much as the other four girls.  She felt
out of Amanda's shadow during the performance.  She longed to be the one to
have control over her next steps instead of trying to mimck Amanda's and
singing verses of songs that were not meant for her.  She was proud to have
her own verse, meant for her, on the JIVE-written song.  She forgot her
counterparts existed in the performance and took her own steps to make the
performance star-worthy.

	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la

	[I don't care what you say, say, say, say, say]
	[Oh baby, oh baby]
	To say (say) no (no)
	Say no more
	(Say no more)

		Nikki took the high note without trouble.  The other four girls stood
around her as she belted out the high note for the bridge to the song.
Veronica watched her with little envy.  She had to concentrate on being
'perfect' for the cameras.  She had to make herself likeable despite her
feelings toward the media for placing her friends in an uncomfortable
situation.  It only hurt her to watch the press search through Brian and
Justin's lives to bring out a 'good story' for viewers.

	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la oww, la la la la la la
	La la (so what you wanna do?)
	I, I

	I don't care what you say
	I don't care what you do
	Cause I'm never comin' back no more
	(Never comin' back no more)
	I don't care what you mean
	I don't care how you feel
	So say (say) no (no)
	Say no more

	I don't care what you say
	I don't care what you do
	Cause I'm never comin' back no more
	(Never comin' back no more)
	I don't care what you mean
	I don't care how you feel
	So say (say) no (no)
	Say no more

	La la la la la la
	Oww oww

		The song ended promptly and somewhat dramatically for the girls.  They all
smiled for the crowd, waving to several audience members without distress.
They accepted the adoration they received from the crowd despite their own
thoughts.  "Innosense!  You girls are great and so beautiful!" Rosie chimed
when advancing toward them.  All five women looked at Rosie with brilliant
grins.  "Thank you." Nikki spoke up first for the group.  Rosie offered her
hand to all as Nikki spoke.  "Wow, I mean... gosh that was a really good
song.  It's really upbeat and all and you all can really sing.  Sometimes we
have groups, girl groups and guys, that come up here and they really can't
sing.  They can say the words, but it's not real good singing.  You guys,
well you blew me away.  Your voices are wonderful." Rosie stated with her
warm charisma.  Innosense laughed at Rosie's flattery.  "Thank you so much."
Danay replied, losing her laughter.  "We try." Veronica giggled out in her
broad Southern accent.  "We'll be right back with Innosense!" Rosie
announced as the show drew to a commercial break.
		Brian lowered his eyes to look at his watch.  He only had a short period
of time left and he knew it.  "I'm going to go get some bottles for Angel
and his teddy bear." Lea declared while carrying Angel.  Brian quickly
glanced up to her.  He nodded for her, complying with her actions.  She left
the room with Angel while Brian kept his eyes on the television.
		In the corner of Brian's eye he could see a figure advancing to the couch.
  He rotated his head to see Justin, dressed casually, inching near the
couch.  Brian could see a distant expression on Justin's young face.  They
were both tense around each other due to their conflict with different media
events.  Brian made the attempt to ease his husband's mind by patting to the
cushion next to him.  Justin took the sign as one of kindness.  He gradually
sat down next to Brian.  Brian extended his arm and placed it around
Justin's shoulders.  He let Justin cuddle to him as the show returned from
its commercial break.
		Rosie sat her desk with Innosense finding seats near her.  "Well your
debut album is out and doing pretty well on the Billboard charts too.  Did
you expect to be a big act?" Rosie questioned them.  Each girl looked at the
other with timid smirks.  "Nope, not at all." Mandy answered first.  Jenny
nodded to show her concurrence with Mandy.  "It's a nice feeling to have
though, to know you have a good audience." Nikki stated with her trademark
smile.  Rosie watched the girls with fascination.  "We're happy to be doing
what we're doing and hoping we can go far with the album." Danay finalized
the answer to the question with her statement.
		"Now last time you girls were here, there was a different girl with you.
Uhm, she was dating a Backstreet Boy, correct?" Rosie pondered.  The
question brought on an unseen tension between the girls.  Jenny straightened
herself in the chair, not wanting to be the one to answer the question.
Danay slowly glanced over to Nikki.  She was aware that she did not wish for
neither herself or Nikki to answer the question.  "Yeah, her name is
Amanda... Amanda Latona.  Right now she's on a little hiatus from the group
until after May." Veronica spoke up to explain the perplex situation the
group lived in.  Rosie lifted her brow with mass confusion.  "I'm sure
everyone's heard by now, at least if you watch MTV, that she's getting
married to A.J. from the Backstreet Boys.  That's why she's going to be off
from the group for a little time because she's getting married and needs
time off for that." Danay finally responded with an honest reply that left
the crowd in a sudden silence.  Rosie puckered her lips with shock.  Danay
gave her an uneasy glare.  She felt the crowd's eyes baring down on her and
her bandmates.  "Oh, she's getting married huh?  And to a Backstreet Boy?"
Rosie wondered with a child-like curiosity.  Nods soon ensued her question.
Rosie ran her hands over her desk with uncertainity.  "We're very happy for
her... she and A.J. are a very happy couple." Mandy emphasised for the
audience who offered a small applause for the couple.  Rosie gave her a
unique smile while still reflecting on the revelation she had received.
		Rosie leaned over some toward the girls.  "Well it's good that she's happy
and is taking some time off to enjoy the marriage.  Dating a Backstreet Boy
can't be easy with millions of girls screaming for your husband." Rosie
teased with her mock laughter.  The girls followed her in the laughter.
"No, it's not an easy task." Nikki replied from her own personal experience.
  "But then again, there's bonuses too... free tickets." Danay joked while
trying not to reflect on her short-lived relationship with Howie.  Rosie
giggled harder at the mentioning.  "She'll be a Backstreet Girl now... an
official one." Veronica snickered.
		Rosie's mood lightened when speaking with Innosense.  She found herself
enjoying their presence as she rarely did with musical guests outside of her
own personal friends.  "Speaking of the Backstreet Boys and MTV, how are you
guys handling what's been going on with this whole scandal that involves
Justin and that guy from the Backstreet Boys?" Rosie inquired with a sore
tone.  Veronica exhaled softly and let her hands fall to her lap.  She
glanced away from Rosie, desiring to avoid the inquiry.  Nikki licked her
lips with fear rolling off of her tongue.  "Well we'd like to thank you,
Rosie, for saying what you did... cause uhm, it needed to be said.  The
media does get into our, well celebrities' lives, a lot and it's really
unnecessary." Jenny stated with appreciation in her soft voice.  A needed
applause followed Jenny's words, sending praise towards Rosie.  Nikki nodded
in accord with Jenny's declaration.  "It's just that I feel the media is
exploring these two boys' lives just to have something to talk about instead
of concentrating on something more important.  Honestly, it doesn't matter
to me who they are dating and who they are in a relationship with unless
that person is related to me or is a friend of mine.  So it's sad to see
they have to suffer for the world to be entertained." Rosie began her
argument again for the cameras.  She received another applause, this time
from the girls of Innosense.  "It is very sad and we're so hurt by it.
People start to ask us what we know about it and what we have to do with it
and it's like, 'We're not them.  We don't know what's going on in their
heads and their private life isn't ours to speak on.'" Nikki began to speak,
offering her thoughts on the morbid situation.  Rosie nodded, giving Nikki
all of her attention.  "Those are our friends, we don't like seeing them
being analyzed by every step they make." Nikki added.  She tried to pull
herself back into the back of her seat but her feelings drew her upward and
erect.
		"It's nobody's business if Brian and Justin are a couple or if they're
not.  It's no one's business if A.J. and his girlfriend decide to marry or
not.  It's not the press' business to find out who Britney Spears is really
dating or whether or not Christina Aguilera likes someone because it's our
lives, not theirs.  That really hurts to know you can't have a regular life
just because the press needs to know everything you do.  I think Brian and
Justin should be able to continue on as they are, but that's not how it's
going to be.  The media is always going to try and distort what is and what
isn't." Veronica affirmed with disdain floating through her brown eyes.
Rosie could see the scorn eyes glaring at the camera.  She could see the
fire inside of Veronica that also brewed inside of her own heart.
Veronica's words drew up ovation, the loudest one that was announced during
the segment.  Rosie also began to clap, agreeing fully with Veronica's
emotional statement.
		As the applause died down, Rosie turned her head back to the girls of
Innosense.  "Well I want to thank you ladies for coming by here today.  You
are five beautiful, talented and very intelligent young women.  I hope
you'll stop by the show again." Rosie said.  A unision of agreeance followed
her request.  Rosie smiled toward them without hesitation.  "Good.  Please
go pick up their debut album, it's self-titled.  Thanks Innosense for
stopping by." Rosie said as they drifted to another commercial break.
		Brian drew his arm from around Justin when the show gravitated to another
commercial break.  Justin leaned in the opposite dierction and followed
Brian to scoot up on the couch.  "Don't you have a meeting today?" Brian
asked his husband, lowering the volume on the television in the process.
Justin's mind was still stuck in the words his friends and Rosie had
proclaimed.  He wanted to reach out to them and thank them, but he was
unable to.  It disappointed him, but he was sure they could feel his praise
in some form.
		"Just?" Brian tapped Justin's shoulder to try and grasp his attention.
Justin turned to look at him with adoring blue eyes.  An angel in his eyes,
Brian lifted his hand to run over Justin's face.  He ran the smooth hand up
to Justin's head of reddish-brown curls and began to lightly pet them.
"Huh?" Justin replied in a dull voice.  Brian shook his head with a snicker
on his thin lips.  He leaned down and put his head in Justin's lap.  Justin
smiled and began to twirl his fingers through Brian's blonde hair.
		"Are you going to a meeting today?" Brian repeated his question for
Justin.  Justin gave a small yawn and then began to rock his body.
"Unfortunately." Justin sighed.  Brian knew Justin hated being forced to
meetings that revolved around their personal lives.  There was no doubt that
Johnny Wright only sought to discuss the career he had planned for 'N Sync
and how disappointed he was in them.  Brian felt the same pressure when
ending his rpivate relationship with Leigh Ann.  He refused to allow Johnny
to build any rumors concerning the two and what was of their relationship.
Brian felt it was too personal, just as A.J.'s relationship with Amanda was
personal in Germany and Kevin's short-lived romance with Kristin Willitis
was personal, but still public when the Boys toured Europe.  Brian felt,
more or less, the reason for the Backstreet Boys ending their erlationship
with Wright Entertainment Group stemmed from not being able to have a
private life.
		Brian could feel Justin's shadow taking over his light.  His eyes gazed up
to see Justin's lips approaching his.  He shot out a small smile before
letting Justin tenderly kiss him.  He allowed Justin's soft lips to graze
over his.  His tongue naturally moved upward to slither into Justin's mouth.
  Justin massaged his against Brian's tongue, causing the kiss to become
more than a token of marital affection.  Brian could feel Justin's finger
rolling over his cheek.  It was another sign of devotion that only they
shared.  The kiss lingered in pleasure for each of them, something they had
not had the opportunity to experience due to their conflicting schedules and
their fear of being seen by the media.
		"Dada!" Angel's voice caused the kiss to be broken.  Brian's lips parted
from Justin's with a giggle.  Justin smiled and lifted his head, rotating it
to glance at his son in Lea's arms.  Lea blushed, feeling uncomfortable with
interrupting Brian and Justin's kiss.  She shyed away from eye contact and
allowed Angel to reach towards his parents.  "Dada!" Angel repeated his
exclaimation.  Justin allowed Brian to sit up from his laying position.  "We
should get going." Brian said, carefully rubbing Justin's thigh.  Justin's
lips curled into a frown.  He leaned back while Lea entered the room again.
		"I... I didn't mean to interrupt... uh, you two." Lea stuttered out.
Justin winked at her for confidence.  "It's okay... we need to get going
anyway." Brian said, standing up from the couch with disappointment on his
lips.  Lea nodded, keeping Angel in her arms.  Brian glanced back to Justin
who eyed Lea and their son.  "Be strong babe... Johnny can be a pushover
sometimes." Brian offered support to Justin.  Justin returned his attention
to Brian.  He admired Brian's positive nature.  "Okay, I will." Justin
replied.  He gave a small wave to his son as Brian pulled his keys from his
pocket.  He sat back as Angel, Lea, and Brian walked towards the door.  He
tried to keep Brian's words at the front of his mind.  His goal was to
remain strong as Brian had asked him to be.
		Being strong was not as easy as Justin thought it would be.  It was not
easy when someone he thought would support him bailed out on him.  "I just
can't believe this has happened.  It's ridiculous!" Johnny Wright barked
while pacing around his office.  Justin stared down at the floor.  He sat
with his hands cupped and his body slouched.  He suffered the offensive
comments from Johnny while he ranted on his disappointment in Justin and
Brian.  "Of all the things I've taught you, you've sunk to this.  It's
fucking ridiculous!" Johnny yelled, crossing past Justin again.  "Johnny,
you've said that already and really, it's not changing anything." Chris
spoke up, seeking to defend his friend.  He placed a hand on Justin's
shoulder for comfort.  Johnny eyed them.  "And that's what got you right
where you are today.  Just letting guys touch on you.. I should call the
press and tell them you were only seventeen when Brian lured you into bed
and screwed your future." Johnny grumbled, finding a place behind his desk.
Justin's head lifted with a firm look of anger.  He gripped his fists shut,
eyeing him with disgust.  "My husband did not rape me.  He's didn't lure me
into any shit and I'm sick and tired of you having a fucking coronary just
because some people think me and Brian are a couple.  Get over that shit."
Justin finally found his strength when arguing with Johnny.  "Amen." J.C.
agreed, staring at Johnny with spite.
		Johnny pushed some papers in the direction of his clients.  "Look at this
Justin.  All of you, look at it.  Don't tell me it's a small problem...
because it's huge.  I've spent months trying to keep your marriage, your
whole relationship a secret.  Just one day, one night and you go and fuck
things up." Johnny growled while letting the others look at the tabloid
covers talking about the event that only took place a day before.  Chris
therw one of the papers on the desk.  "It's garbage and bullshit.  There's
not one ounce of factual information about Brian and Justin and their
relationship in there." Chris debated, crossing his arms.  Lance flipped
through the tabloid with fascination.  'This could be me.' Lance thought
while reading the comments about Brian and Justin.  The possibility scared
Lance.  He may have had a fond love for all of his friends, but Lance knew
when the day ended, it was about him and him only.  He couldn't stand his
ground for Justin.  He knew if he did, he wouldn't have the support he
needed if he was to come to the alley Brian and Justin were in.  It was not
something he looked forward to, but Lance was a man that considered all
options.  That alley was an option.
		"It's all bullshit." J.C. mumbled, slamming the tabloid onto Johnny's
desk.  Johnny brushed the tabloid aside and sat down in his chair.  He
leaned back in the chair, eyeing the plaques that covered his wall.  He
shook his head.  "It's going to be some serious bullshit if you decide to
fuck around like Brian and Justin have... do you hear me J.C. Chasez?"
Johnny hissed, turning his head to glance at J.C.  J.C. stared back at him.
"Is that a threat Johnny?" J.C. questioned in a low voice.  He desired a
challenge in Johnny.  He longed for one.
		Johnny swirled in his chair and pressed his arms onto his desk.  He
watched Justin.  The pale expression wrapping Justin's face saddened Johnny.
  He could spot a few tears awaiting to escape Justin's tender eyes, but
none were able to break.  He had many times thought of Justin as his son.
It was a natural instinct for him.  He desired to protect Justin, at any
cost.  If it meant the end of Justin's marriage to keep Justin from being
hunted by the media, Johnny would sign the divorce papers himself.  Watching
Justin's expression of loneliness, of nothingness left Johnny beside
himself.  He hated the feeling.  He despised knowing that he was the one
that would have to break Justin's life of happiness.  He only looked to the
future, which meant Justin being free of sufferage.
		Johnny turned his attention back to J.C.  He glared at him.  It wasn't
J.C.'s battle.  Johnny knew that it wasn't J.C.'s battle, but he only knew
that he had fostered inside each of the boys to support each other like
brothers.  "J.C., if... Josh, if you are put in the same situation Justin's
put in.. then I'll have to drop 'N Sync from WEG.  I can't go through this
again." Johnny announced.  He stood from his chair and pushed it aside.
Joey shot him a cold stare.  "You are really fucking bold, did you know
that?" Joey brooded with Johnny.  Johnny ignored him.  He didn't seek
another battle in the war.  He only needed his peace with himself and with
what was right in his mind.
		Justin was pleased to have left the 'meeting' with his fellow band members
and their manager.  He entered his house with a small spirit of faith in his
heart.  He did not trust all of the words that Johnny spoke to them.  He
felt it was more of a one-sided compromise that Johnny wanted them to work
with and not something that would actually benefit Justin or his friends.
Silence was not always golden and Justin, from experience, knew.
		Justin brushed his hand over his shorter reddish-brown hair.  He was
thankful for a haircut, though he was enjoying growing his hair out.  He
dropped his car keys onto the table in the living room and walked around.
The house was relatively silent, causing curisoity to bloom in Justin.
"Brian?" Justin called out as he walked from the living room to the kitchen.
  He received no response while he changed rooms.  He glanced around the
country-decorated kitchen, only seeing signs that proved that Brian was
home.  He contemplated the evidence from the glass of orange juice on the
counter to the fact that both of Brian's cars were parked in the driveway.
"Lea?" Justin began to call for another name while strolling around the
kitchen.  Justin lifted Brian's glass and carried it to the sink.  He poured
the remains of the orange juice into the sink and placed the glass with the
other dirty dishes.  He sighed in the process.  He was confused as to why he
heard no responses.  "Bastian?  Angel?" Justin finally began to call for his
son, turning from the sink to prance to the counter again.
		"They're not here Just." Brian's voice finally entered the kitchen.
Justin jumped at the sound, surprised to finally hear a voice in the house
outside of his own.  Justin turned his crystal-blue eyes to Brian and then
smiled at him.  "Did they go to the park?" Justin asked with a coy voice.
He slowed his thoughts when seeing the expression holding Brian's face
hostage.  Justin peered at Brian.  His experssion of hopelessness crushed
Justin.  "What's wrong?" Justin gradually asked the question Brian had been
awaiting.  Brian folded his arms and leaned on the doorway.  He perssed his
thin, pink lips together.  "The adoption agency called early this morning...
before you were even up." Brian said softly, trying to force a lump from his
throat.  Justin's heart sank when hearing the beginning of Brian's
explaination.  He braced himself on the counter.  Brian cleared his throat.
"Uhm, they weren't happy with, well what's been going on in the media
lately.  They don't want Angel brought into any of it or put in any danger.
So... they said I had to get him to a safe neutral place until a solution
could be brought up... or, if things get worse, they're going... they're
going to..." Brian couldn't say the words.  He scratched the end of his nose
and tried to hold in tears that begged for release.  Justin stared at him
with tears forming in his own eyes.  He shook his head with denial.
"Justin, if things don't get better... they're going to take Angel away from
us." Brian sniffled out.  He closed his eyes and let the few tears fall
slowly down his thin cheeks.
		Justin turned his head from Brian.  He did not wish to watch Brian cry.
He had to build his own strength.  "Why didn't you tell me they called?  Why
didn't you let me say goodbye to my son?" Justin inquired with conviction
running through his voice.  Brian quickly wiped away the tears from his
face.  He leaned off the doorway and walked further into the kitchen.  "I
knew how you'd react if I told you." Brian responded flatly.  Justin slammed
his fist into the counter, causing Brian to jump with shock.  Justin ignored
the pain that began to throb through his fist when he stared at Brian.  "You
don't know shit Brian.  Angel's mine son too and you just sent him off
without even letting me say goodbye." Justin barked at Brian.  Brian eyed
Justin, his mind becoming defensive.  "You wouldn't have been able to make
it through the day had you known that you wouldn't be able to be with
Angel." Brian argued mildly.  Justin shook his head while letting tears of
wrath escape his eyes.  "And how the hell do you expect me to make it
through the day today?  What?  Did you think that maybe telling me after
Angel was gone would make me feel better?  Did you?!" Justin shouted at
Brian.  He gripped onto the counter while trying to control his rage.
		Brian slammed his fists shut.  He had no inclination to get into an
argument with his husband but he could he see it was becoming inevitable.
"Justin, I was looking out for you.  I know how attached you are to our son
and if I had told you, you would have tried to stop me.  Now I don't plan on
losing our son just because you don't agree with my decisions." Brian
remained calm in his speech, though inside of him he had stronger words to
use with Justin.  "I can't believe you'd do that to me.  I'm supposed to be
the one you said you'd love forever and now you're just snatching my son
from me.  What kind of marriage is that?" Justin's words shot to sore
subjects.  Brian's eyes peered at him with despise.  "Angel's our son
Justin, not yours.  What do you want of me?  Do you want a divorce now?
What, is it over just because I wanted to spare you hurt?  If that's what
you think marriage is about, you, then you're mistaken." Brian hissed,
releasing the tension he had with Justin.
		Justin eyed Brian bitterly.  "Bullshit." Justin brooded, turning his eyes
downward.  "That's right, bullshit.  That's all you're talking is bullshit.
I'm not trying to hurt you in any way, but the shit that's going on in our
lives right now could mean someone taking our son away.  And I'll be damned
if I lose him because of some shit the media started or you acting like a
weakling because things aren't going your way.  Life's full of shit Justin,
but you've got to deal with it." Brian barked at Justin without reservation.
  He let his emotions go to silence Justin.
		Justin stayed motionless next to the counter.  He could feel his rage
slowly losing it's force, but he still had animosity toward Brian.  He
sniffled softly and placed his head in his hands.  "Just leave... please
just leave me alone." Justin requested while fighting tears.  Brian stared
at him, longing to comfort Justin.  In the past days, Brian had yet to
comfort Justin about their current predicament.  He felt his hands opening
and beginning to reach to Justin's direction, but he stopped himself.  His
lips wanted to part to speak, but he held them shut.  He only stared at
Justin before turning.  He gathered his thoughts and then ran for the door.
He exited the house and left Justin in silence, again.
		Justin stepped into the guest bathroom with a frown touching his tender
lips.  His thoughts were set on one thing.  The thoughts led his eyes to
turn into a coal hue.  Slowly, things were slipping from his grasp.  What he
wanted in life, love, and happiness were concepts he was beginning to
misinterpret.  He hated it.
		Justin sniffled as he looked around the bathroom.  It didn't seem worth
the beauty it was given.  He shook his head with cascading tears kissing his
cheeks.  "I can't God.. I can't do it anymore." Justin said in a choked-up
voice.  He stumbled to the sink while letting his thoughts shadow his
feelings for Angel and Brian.  He grabbed a hold of the faucet and turned
the right knob, allowing some cold water to run into the ivory white sink.
He lifted his eyes to glance at himself in the mirror.  At one time he
thought he was handsome, worthy of anyone's love.  It was no longer the case
for him.  He couldn't bare the sight of himself, alone.  No one stood behind
him or near him to comfort him and his thoughts of himself.  It was always
the case when Justin needed someone, they seemed to be pushed away by his
own foolishness.
		Justin grabbed the side of the mirror and slid it to the side.  The
opening revealed the medicine cabinet that Brian and Justin had filled with
basic medication for their guests.  Justin eyed the asprin with frowning
eyes.  He reached out and grabbed it from the second shelf.  He closed the
mirror again to stare at himself.  The tears that once flowed were now but
single drops of salty water.  It was now nothing.  He stared down to the
bottle of asprin.  He blinked his eyes several times to rid himself of the
tears.  His mind saw the bottle as a sense of escape.  He sniffled while
contemplating his options.  He stomach turned at the thoughts his mind was
conceiving.
		Justin had heard a song earlier that day that rang through his head.
Aimee Mann's voice and the lyrics breezed through his mind while he stared
at the bottle of asprin.  He knew what he held it for and he knew what he
was going to use it for.  He only wish the lyrics Aimee sung were enough to
stop his battle with life.

	You look like a perfect fit
	For a girl in need of a tourniquet
	But can you save me
	Come on and save me
	If you could save me
	From the ranks of the freaks
	That suspect they could never love anyone

		Justin let another tear roll from his eye.  He had to be strong, or at
least that's what his mind told him.  In truthfullness, Justin was scared.
His fear bubbled from deep inside of his stomach.  He grabbed the top of the
bottle, twisting it slowly like the beat of a drum.  It moved slowly with
hsi shaking fingers.  The sniffles were drownd out by the sounds of the
running water.  Justin didn't care, just as he didn't care for what he was
intending to do.  It was just life and he was playing with it in its
cruelest form.

	Like Peter Pan
	Or Superman
	You will come
	To save me
	Come on and save me
	If you could save me
	From the ranks of the freaks
	That suspect they could never love anyone

	Except the freaks
	That suspect they could never love anyone
	But the freaks
	That suspect they could never love anyone

		Justin watched as his fingers continued to fool with the child-proof top.
His stomach lurched as he did so.  He was guilty of wanting to spare himself
the pain and trauma that was occuring in his life.  He swallowed a lump in
his throat, but it was not receeding.  His fingers popped the top off of the
bottle and like rain, it fell in a graceful fashion to the floor.  The top
was not alone in its magical flight.  Soon the bottle of asprins followed as
Justin's body bent forward.  It was not just a common nervousness that
Justin felt in his body.  His sadness and dark depression sickened his body
and the result was disastorous as Justin vomitted into the sink.  The pills
splashed on the floor like glass onto concrete.  He grasped onto the sides
of the sink for support as his body rejected his overwhelming feeling of
loneliness.  Just as the thunderstorms rumbled over the lands of Savannah,
Justin's body shook with turmoil.
		Justin's hands quickly ran under the still flowing water to wash his face
of his sickness.  He cried softly into the water.  He hated the emotions
running through his blood.  He felt two arms wrap around his waist and
support him as he washed his face.  "It's okay... just let it out..." a soft
country voice whispered into Justin's ears.  Justin sniffled harder and spit
into the sink.  He wanted to rid himself of every thought that had ran
through his mind in the past ten minutes.  It was a painstaking attempt, but
Justin had found a small piece of confidence in his heart.
		Justin lifted his head from the sink and sniffled again, this time it was
softer.  He turned his body to be embraced by Brian.  Justin coughed
roughly, clutching tightly onto Brian.  Brian sighed softly and brushed
Justin's hair back.  "I won't let them take away my son... and I'll never
let them take you away from me." Brian whispered to Justin while cradling
him.  Justin cried inaudibly with his tears sheding like his blood.  Brian
looked down to the pills, which were spread acrossed the tiled floor like
dots on connect the dots.  He didn't have to look to the design of the pills
to know the meaning.  "It's not the way Justin, you know it.  If you killed
yourself... you'd be killing me and Timber too, because we love you more
than anything.  We can't breathe without babe... it wouldn't be fair at
all." Brian said, trying to coax life back into Justin.  He needed Justin to
understand.  Suicide was a serious issue inside of Brian's heart.  One that
he couldn't handle.  To lose someone to that act would be to lose his faith
in life.  Brian did not wish to lose that faith or Justin.
		"Are... are we going to.. to be okay?" Justin asked in a shivering voice.
Brian looked down at Justin, offering him an innocent smile.  He tapped the
end of Justin's nose lightly.  "You tell me Just." Brian said, hoping to
build Justin's faith.  Justin stared up into Brian's solid blue eyes.  He
only saw peace and trust.  He sniffled softer.  "I think we'll make it."
Justin finally responded to his own question.  Brian nodded.  His smile was
brighter because of Justin's words.  He can slowly see the confidence
returning to Justin's face.  He leaned Justin back against the wall and
grabbed his left hand.  "Come on... get yourself together and I'll take you
to see our son." Brian stated, squeezing Justin's hand for assurance.
Justin licked his lips and gave Brian a faint smile.  He trusted his
husband.  His heart told him that all he needed was to be able to look at
his son's face and see that life continues.  Brian released Justin's hand
and helped him stand so they could leave the house to see their child.
		Quiet is the way she enjoyed her evenings.  Britney was fortunate to spend
this evening in the bedroom of her boyfriend's parent's home.  She relaxed
on his bed with her head resting upon a fluffy pillow.  The setting was nice
for her, a few candles burning and the sounds of her own breathing to sooth
her.  There were no outside disturbances from the television, the stereo or
Joey Fatone's family members.  It was tranquil.
		Britney rested on top of the bed's linen with a hand on her stomach and
another hand holding a pamphlet in front of her face.  She let her hair drap
over the pillow and her legs stayed curled close to her.  Her eyes stayed
focus on each line of the pamphlet.  She read each fact of information that
was embodied into the small pamphlet.  She ran her fingers lightly over her
stomach.  'It's your body and they can't tell you what you should and
shouldn't do with it.' Britney said to herself while reading over the
important statements from the pamphlet.  She closed her eyes trying to
picture her life if she chose to fllow what the pamphlet advised.  'Still...
will they support me?  Will he love me if I do this?' Britney began to
consider all of her options while lingering on one page of the pamphlet.
		Britney heard the door begin to jiggle open.  Her eyes lifted briskly to
see who was entering the room.  She became stiff and tense while trying to
peer around the door to identify the person entering the bedroom.  She
spotted Joey's off-red hair and then his cheeky smile as he peeped in the
room.  "I hope you're not dressed." Joey joked with her while parting the
door so that he could slip inside.  Britney sighed and then rolled her eyes.
  She swiftly pulled the pamphlet down and slid it to the side of her.
"Let's not talk about sex." Britney requested obnoxiously, turning her body
some.  Joey raised his brow with confusion.  "Who was talking about sex?  I
just wanted to see my gorgeous girlfriend in the form God created us in."
Joey said, attempting to fix his mistake.  He dropped his backpack next to
his dresser and gathered a few of his clothes.  He glanced over at Britney
who seemed to be in her own world.  "You were reading?" he questioned while
dropping the clothes into the hamper.  Britney nodded with arrogance.
		Joey shrugged at her.  He flopped onto the bed and crawled to get closer
to Britney.  Britney rested her head on the pillow and tried to escape her
previous thoughts by looking in Joey's glassy brown eyes.  She sensed that
he was tired.  She drapped her hand up and then ran it over his silky hair.
"What were you reading?" Joey asked, curiously peering over her to try and
see the pamphlet.  Britney curled her finger in Joey's hair.  "Nothing
important." Britney responded briskly.  Joey reached over Britney for the
pamphlet.  Britney lifted her arm quickly to knock his out of reach.  "I
said it was nothing." Britney hissed.  Joey continued to reach over Britney.
  "If it's nothing, then I can see it." Joey insisted as he snatched up the
pamphlet.  Britney exhaled heavily and pushed Joey back.  She rolled from
her position and stood.
		Joey stared at the cover of the pamphlet with wide eyes.  He began to
crumble the pamphlet in his hand when he stared up to Britney.  "Please tell
me this is for one of girls." Joey hissed out a request.  Britney refused to
turn and look at him.  Joey sat up on the bed with doubt in his eyes.  "Are
you?" Joey asked a question that lingered in his mind when he saw the
pamphlet.  Britney sniffled softly.  She had no tears to shed, but her fear
terrorized her.  "I'm not sure... I'm two weeks late." Britney replied,
revealing her dilemma to her boyfriend.  Joey sat, dumbfounded.  He couldn't
believe that he was in the same position he saw A.J. and Amanda in almost a
year ago.  He scratched his head while thinking of what to do.  "Well this
is definetly not an option." Joey declared, tossing the pamphlet aside.
Britney crinkled her nose.  She wrapped her arms around her body to hug
herself.  "It's my body Joey." Britney argued, spinning around to glare at
her boyfriend.  "And it's my child too." Joey rebuttled.  He was a
headstrong man, Britney knew it, however his point was true to reality.
		Britney shook her head and walked back to the bed.  She found a seat on
the edge of the bed; she was still holding herself.  "I'm not ready for
children, Joey.  I don't think I'll be ready to have children in a year.
This child couldn't have been conceived out of love because it's unexpected.
  If I choose to have an abortion, I have a right to." Britney stated in a
soft voice.  Joey crawled to the edge of the bed and sat near her.  He put
his hand in her lap, offering his shoulder to her.  "No, Britney, that's not
right.  I helped to bring about this child, so you can't just go and kill it
without me agreeing.  It may be your body, but the child is only half
yours." Joey disagreed flatly.  His facts were cold, but they were real.
Britney hated it.
		"I don't even know if I'm pregant." Britney huffed out, leaning her body
on Joey's.  Joey used his other arm to wrap around his girlfriend.  He felt
her need to be held.  He kissed the top of her head as another sign of
affection and then began to pet her hair.  "There's that small chance that
you could be just late with your period." Joey agreed with her.  He was
remaining relatively calm for Britney, though inside of him he was battling
with the aspect of being a father before he desired.  Britney sighed softly.
  "If I'm not, no matter where we are or what we do, I want to be on birth
control and you have to wear a condom... always." Britney demanded in her
gentle tone.  Joey nodded, kissing the top of her head again.  He could not
argue with the statement because it ran with the rules he began to set up
for himself.
		Joey rubbed Britney's leg while holding her.  "You wouldn't have done this
without me, would you?" Joey inquired.  Britney snuggled her smaller frame
to Joey's body.  She could feel his thick beard rub against her head.
"No... I wouldn't have done it without you Joey.  Like you said, it's your
child too." Britney replied.  Joey sighed inside of himself.  It was a
relief that his girlfriend still had faith in their relationship.  He again
kissed the top of her head and held her close to his body.  There was
nothing left to say on the subject, only a waiting period that women and men
despised with a passion.
		The evening had rushed upon Orlando, drawing closer to a more important
day.  Lance Bass was blind to that day as his mind was concentrated on more
pressing matters.  He sat in a lone office near Johnny Wright's at the Zomba
Offices.  His light green eyes stared down at sets of papers that described
'N Sync's claimed duties to their management, their record label and to
their name.  He reviewed each line closely with his own purpose.  His pale
fingers flipped another page of paper while his eyes avoided the section on
how many albums the group was forced to produce for the label.  'It says
nothing about the members... just what has to be done and what we get.'
Lance thought to himself while reviewing what he owed to the company and
their distributors.  It pleased him little, but his sole purpose was to find
a loop hole.  He wanted an easy way out.  He desired something that aided
him in an attempt to break free.  'Nothing.' Lance sighed while sliding
another contract aside.
		Lance wanted to break free from 'N Sync and the past that had followed him
because of the group.  The opportunities he lost out on and the drama that
brought him to his knees.  He saw a better life had he not chosen to be with
the group and allow them to be his first priority and in most cases, his
only priority.
		"Damn... it shouldn't be this hard." Lance grumbled while pushing aisde
the documents concerning his personal earnings.  He threw his head into his
hands, frustrated with the grueling process to avoid being sued for leaving
the group he called family.  "Life's full of challenges, Lance... I thought
you figured that out." a crisp voice spoke out to him.  Lance jumped a
little with the initial shock of hearing another's voice.  His mind began to
calculate the tone and easiness of the voice.  It was one of mystery.  His
head lifted so that his pale green eyes could stare upon the figure that
watched him.  He stared to the doorway of the office and, with a greater
surprise, felt his eyes swell.  Staring into his face did that to Lance.  It
could have been because he felt so close to the man that looked upon him or
it may have been beacuse he was an unexpected arrival.  No matter the
reason, Lance didn't let this reasons prevent his mouth from lowering in
shock.
		"Don't bother to get up, I can see you're once again comitted to your
work." the voice commented as the man entered the office with a smooth
stride.  Even in his business suit, the man still dazzled Lance.  Lance felt
himself choke up, unable to speak to him.  "I remember it was a night like
this and you were just the way you are tonight, the last time we... well
uhm, 'talked'." a comment that struck Lance roughly.  Lance felt his cheeks
redden with blush.  "Bryce." Lance finally let out while staring into the
green eyes that he once held affection for.  Bryce Winters smiled down at
Lance.  "In the flesh." Bryce chimed.  He placed a hand on Lance's shoulder
and tried to shake the shock from him.  Lance nodded his head as if he was
unable to do anything other than that.  Bryce giggled softly and grabbed a
chair from the side.  He drug it up to Lance and then sat in front of me,
holding a smile that Lance relished.
		Bryce glanced over to the desk that the contracts were spread across.  He
shifted through some of them, recognizing a few from his work as 'N Sync's
P.R.  "So what are you doing here so late at night?" Bryce questioned,
looking over the documents.  Lance watched him with precise eyes.  He did
not want to take his eyes off of Bryce's glowing figure.  "I... I could ask
you the same thing." Lance replied while glaring at his former lover.  Bryce
gave him a candid smile while fumbling through the contracts.  He licked his
lips and then glanced up to Lance.  "It looks to me as if you're looking for
something in these contracts... possibly an easy way out of being with the
four guys who love you more than anything." Bryce remarked while placing the
contracts on the desk.  He reclined in his chair and awaited a rebuttle from
Lance.
		Lance twiddled his fingers and stared down to the ground.  "They don't
love me anymore." Lance responded softly, trying to clear his throat in the
process.  Bryce puckered his lips with doubt surrounding them.  He brushed a
hand over his head as a sign of nervousness.  "Justin's mad at me for some
odd reason.  Joey and Chris don't really say much to me outside of what's
going on with 'N Sync and Josh... well Josh doesn't feel anything for me
anymore.  I don't know if it's because of Nick or maybe he's afraid that me
and Nick are too close again.  I just don't know." Lance fussed out his
reasons.  He sulked in his chair with sadness holding him in place.
		Bryce sat back up in his chair with confidence spiraling his eyes.  "They
love you more than anything.  Joey thinks of you as a little brother, just
as he does Justin.  And Justin, he loves talking with you and knowing you'll
always be the one to handle his problems and affairs.  Chris thinks of you
as his backup through anything.  And J.C., well... we all know how J.C.
loves you in his own special way." Bryce contended Lance's words.
		Bryce grabbed Lance's chin and lifted it, trying to stare into Lance's
eyes.  His finger ran over the bristles of dark hair growing from Lance's
chin.  Lance kept his eyes looking down.  He was aware of what Bryce wanted,
but he knew staring into Bryce's eyes would only remind him of the added
pain he caused Bryce.  "You can't hide from life, Lance.  Whatever it may
throw in your path to detour you or even to hurt you, you've got to keep
going.  It's only a test and you fail the test when you give up." Bryce
whispered to Lance, holding his chin loosely.  Lance's eyes slowly began to
lift.  He found Bryce's eyes and the memories didn't surface.  Only the
thoughts of holding Bryce during the night and watching the love in his eyes
returned to Lance.  "I didn't give up on life despite what happened between
me and you.  Now you can't just give up because things aren't perfect and
haven't been for months.  It's a slow process, but you get back what's taken
from you." Bryce reassured Lance.  Lance had faith in Bryce's words because
he knew Bryce was a victim.  It wasn't the easiest thing for Lance to
accept, but he couldn't love Bryce the way he did Nick and J.C.  To see the
trust and genuine life restored to Bryce's eyes gave Lance hope.
		Bryce released Lance's chin and sat back in his chair.  He rolled it
closer to Lance's, hoping to show Lance a friendliness that the two once
lacked.  "As for your question... I'm here, well in town, because they are
thinking about taking Angel away from Brian and Justin." Bryce replied.  He
stared out into the room with a hint of despondency reigning in his voice.
Lance turned his head to give Bryce his full attention.  The revelation
surprised him, but it explained to him Justin's distance from the group
outside of the media's constant study of his love life.  "Why does that
concern you?" Lance wondered with curiosity.  Bryce grazed his fingers over
the metal chair.  "Angel is my God-son." Bryce replied flatly.  Lance perked
up when hearing the added surprise.  He arched his brow, showing Bryce that
he was not informaed.  Bryce chuckled mildly.  "I'm here in defense of Brian
and Justin because I think they're both great fathers.  See I was the one
who helped Brian adopt Angel.  A friend owed me a big favor over at one of
the adoption agencies... so back in mid-September Brian told me how bad he
and Justin wanted to adopt a child.  I got to work on it in early October
and by early December, we had found someone.  My friend pushed the paperwork
along quickly and there you have it.  Angel was born into the Littrell
house." Bryce explained.  Lance was dumbfounded by the background of Angel's
adoption.  Bryce smiled while think of his God-child.  "Brian and Justin
made me the God-father because I helped them to get their son." Bryce added
with his beaming grin.  Lance innocently smiled back at him.  Lance was also
fond of Brian and Justin's son and hated the idea of them losing their son
so soon.  "You're a good man Bryce, a real good man." Lance remarked,
placing his hand casually on top of Bryce's.  Bryce laughed loudly.  "Tell
the men of the world that." Bryce said sarcastically.  Lance shook his head
at Bryce's sour humor, but still released a low laugh.
		"So what have yo been doing since..." Lance was unsure of whether he
should return to the past with his question.  Bryce turned to him.  "Since
Johnny fired me?" Bryce finished the statement for Lance.  Lance nodded with
a small frown.  Bryce smiled loosely.  "Don't worry James, I don't blame you
for me getting fired.  It's just the way the dice rolled." Bryce offered his
reassurance for Lance.  His words brought out a spot of happiness inside of
Lance's black heart.  Bryce sat up more in his chair, letting his body
become erect.  "Well actually since leaving WEG, I've had a lot of job
opportunities  Right now though I'm working publicity for Mandy Moore and
handling a little touring PRing for LFO.  Just the basic celebrity stuff."
Bryce responded cooly.  He brushed some lint from his suit in a fashionable
way.  Lance was impressed by his ex-boyfriend.  Despite their troubled past,
Bryce had landed on his feet.
		Lance relaxed his shoulders to prepare himself for his next question.
"And what about your love life?" Lance's curiosity got the best of him.
Bryce smiled faultlessly.  "I've put it aside for right now.  I'm waiting to
see if things might happen in other areas." Bryce responded, letting his
palm open to clutch Lance's hand.  Lance looked down to their folded hands
with an honest smirk.  "What about you James?  Still chasing Josh?" Bryce
pondered.  He was sore with the subject knowing that Lance denied him love
because of his own lust for J.C.  Lance cleared his throat quietly.  He
shrugged a little.  "I'm not really chasing him anymore.  I've sort of let
Josh make up his own mind on what he wants of us.  Me and Nick, well we're
friends, but still intimate.  However, I can't see anything happening there
outside of what we have now.  It's possible, but he'd have to want it as
much as I do." Lance explained himself.  Bryce continued to hold Lance's
hand with regard.  The softness in Lance's hand added to his former feelings
for him.  "And Matt?" Bryce added his final component to Lance's troubled
love life.  Lance laughed sorely.  The mentioning of the name was humorous
to him.  "Matt who?  I think I only lusted for Matt because I was skeptical
about where me and you were headed with our relationship.  It was more of a
sexual thing.  I don't even talk to him anymore.  He was like a condom, you
wear it tonight and you flush it tomorrow." Lance joked on the perplexed
situation.  Bryce gaped at Lance oddly.  He had once been envious of Matt
Thompson during Lance and his relationship, but the feelings Lance expressed
left Bryce feeling foolish about his erstwhile emotions.
		Bryce glanced down at his watch and saw that the time he wanted was soon
dying.  He looked back up with a meek frown.  "I should be going.  Listen,
I'm going to be in town for just a few days to do some P.R. stuff for Mandy,
plus handle this business with my God-son.  I'm staying at the Hilton if you
want to call me and just talk like we did tonight.  You know the cell
number.  I've got a new house if Tampa, so if you call me, I'll give you the
address." Bryce declared while standing from his chair.  Lance followed him
in his actions, watching Bryce carefully.  He refused to let go of Bryce's
hand as they stood.  "I'll do that Bryce." Lance nodded while speaking
softly.  Bryce gave him another smile that reminisced on what they shared
together.
		Their hands finally parted with the sounds of regret.  "And when and if
you figure out who you do want to be with, you know the number because I've
figured out who I want to be with." Bryce added as he stepped towards the
door.  Lance took his words to heart.  He was being given a second chance,
but he was uncertain about what to do with it.  He watched Bryce as he
pushed the door aside.  Bryce lingered in the doorway, staring at Lance with
his dazzling eyes.  He caught Lance smiling back at him.  He gave Lance a
wave and then disppeared into the halls, leaving Lance with one final
decision to make.
		It only took one ring of the doorbell for J.C. Chasez to start moving
quickly from the kitchen on his condominium to the door.  "Don't worry
Chris, I've got it!" J.C. shouted out to his roommate.  J.C. adjusted his
plain white T-shirt and cargo pants as he glided past a few moving boxes and
the couch.  'I can't believe he's going to be gone in two weeks.' J.C. said
to himself while admiring a few of the boxes.  It was true, Chris
Kirkpatrick would soon be moving to a house of his own, leaving J.C. to have
the apartment to himself.  J.C. did not seek the extra space because he fond
a true companionship in his band mate.  He tapped the edge of one of the
boxes for promise.  He trusted that his friend would find solace in a place
of his own, but he knew the memories Chris would carry would be that of
scandal due to J.C.'s hectic, and at times stressful, love life.
		'I wonder who's at the door?' J.C. questioned when finally reaching the
door.  It was the day that J.C.'s friends awaited, another wedding.  J.C.
let go memories of the last wedding he attended and the problems that arise
afterward.  He hoped for better concerning A.J.'s wedding and what it would
bring to his own life.  J.C. glanced down to his watch while turning the
knob on the door.  He had but only two hours to get dressed for the
mid-afternoon wedding.  He was aware he had to show up early for the service
causing his schedule to be tightened by many minutes.
		J.C. pulled the door open quickly.  The wind gushed over him to reveal
nothing.  No one stood outside of the door.  J.C.'s curious eyes searched
around the hallway of his building.  No one was to be seen.  He furrowed his
brow with the event.  "I've got no time for games or knock-knock games."
J.C. growled out, stepping into the hallway.  Still there was nothing
outside of the echo of his voice.  A roll of his eyse signified J.C.'s added
anger.  He haerd something crinkle as he moved his left foot from its
position.  He diamond-blue eyes glanced down to the floor with concern
hollowing them.  An evelope rested near the foot he had just moved.  'Huh?'
J.C. thought while bending down.  He grasped the envelope and lifted it.  On
the front of the cream-colored envelope read the name 'Joshua Chasez' in a
familiar handwriting.  He could feel a letter encased in the envelope
drawing up more curiosity in his mind.
		"Who is it?" Chris called out as J.C. reentered their condo.  J.C. kept
his focus on the envelope he carried.  "It was... some kids playing jokes."
J.C. replied with the same loud voice.  There were no further comments from
Chris, leaving J.C. to open the envelope.  J.C. shimmied past the packing
boxes to find the couch.  He flopped down onto the plush couch and relaxed
some while admiring the page-long letter.  He did not bother to skim through
it.  He wanted to read every word, letter, noun, vowel and verb encased into
the letter.  He could see that the letter meant something, otherwise the
writer wouldn't have left it for him at such an unexpected time.

	Dear Josh,

		Wow, haven't we been through so much together?  It's kind of hard to find
a place to start with this letter.  I know you, and you'd prefer me tell you
this in person, but if we could all say what we wanted to in person, then
letters would be nonexistant.  Rather poetic?  I learned from you.
		I want to make this letter short because I know if I write too much, it's
going to hurt me a little more than it might you.  Probably because despite
our past, which has been a rather sorted one, I still have so much love for
you.  But as a man, as gentlemen, I've learned that there comes a time when
we all must receed from the war and allow the just to win.  I,
unfortunately, am not the just in this case.  It sucks, but I'm not.  As
much as I want to say you're the one who took my virginity and we spent so
much time together, you owe me your heart, I can't.  If it was that easy,
then I suppose that Brian wouldn't be with Justin right now, correct?
Despite my objections to them in the past, I can't deny Justin what he has.
He's won fair and square and who am I to decide otherwise?  I am but a man
who only wants love, but can't ever get it to go my way.  This time though I
won't cause everyone else heartache for what I want.
		I know it seems like I'm rambling and it's only because there's so much I
wnt to say to you that I haven't in the past.  I have to start by saying I
love you above anything.  The men that I could have had, the men that I
almost wanted were still not enough to compare to what you gave me.  When we
look back at things, we can say that me and you had some great times as a
couple.  Why deny it?  I feel deep inside that you loved me and it's the
best feeling in the world for me.  But even as I love you, I have to do
what's best for you and for me.  So I'm asking you, no, I'm telling you to
go after Nick.  I know it's hard to imagine me saying it, but it's time that
all three of us realize what we really want and to let go of this foolish
pride we've been carrying around.  We've had our fair chances at love and
it's obvious that it didn't work out for us.  You and Nick only had one
breakup versus our many.  It says something to me.  It says that you love
him honestly, with all of your heart.  Don't let him walk out of your life
like you let me because it's not going to do anything for either of you.
		Don't worry about me, I think I've found what I wanted all along.  I just
needed to get out of my system what I felt for you.  So we all win in this
game, I suppose.  Please heed my words Josh.  I love you a lot, as a friend
and trust that you know what you need in life as much as I do.  We can't let
this pettiness ruin both of our chances at trying again.  We both owe each
other that.  Plus we'll always have the times we shared together and a
friendship that I hope will only bring us closer as people.  I'll see you at
the wedding, with Nick.

	With all my love,
	James

		J.C. refolded the letter slowly.  He made sure his fingers were delicate
with the paper that was composed of Lance's heart.  He let a small sigh
break through his thick lips.  J.C. felt choked up by the letter, but he
held his emotions inside to think.  He had always known Lance to be a loving
man and even though they shared their on and off moments in the past months,
J.C. felt the bond was still strong.  He never felt a link in their chain
broken because of their justified love for each other.
		J.C. scratched his incoming beard while sinking into the cushions of the
couch.  Busta, Chris' pug, acme marching up and hoped onto the couch with
J.C.  J.C. smiled down at the dog and pulled him into a small hug.  J.C. was
not being given a choice in loving Lance.  He was aware that it was now
denied to him.  It hurt mildly, but J.C. accepted the cards he was dealt in
life.  He was satisfied knowing that he could leave their broken
relationship with the friend he started it with.  His thoughts now pointed
to whether or not he was ready to take Nick back into his life and into his
sullen heart.
		Meelah stood in front of the mirror that stood in Chris' room.  "Do you
think we should swing by the hotel and ride to the church with Irish, Misha
and Tony?" Chris called out to his girlfriend.  Meelah couldn't hear Chris
over her own thoughts.  She was holding her shirt up in one hand while her
other hand glided lightly over her stomach.  She admired herself with
fear-stricken eyes.  Her smooth skin seemed to develop in another shape in
that area.  She traced her fingers over her navel and then the rest of her
abdomen.  Dread struck her as she did.  She closed her eyes with her
troubled thoughts.  As much as she wanted to hide her trepidation toward her
fate, she felt it drawing nearer and nearer to her reality.
		Meelah caught a glimpse of Chris reentering the room from his bathroom.
She kept her shirt up to stare longer at her belly.  "Did you hear me babe?"
Chris questioned her, striding past the bed to reach her.  Meelah shook her
head, giving him a silent answer.  Chris adjusted his tie and then stared at
Meelah.  He was perplexed by her sudden silence toward him.  It was if, to
him, she wasn't herself.  "Hey... Meelah, what's wrong babe?" Chris asked
briskly out of concern.  He stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders with
care.  Meelah lowered her shirt and closed her eyes again.  She did not wish
to answer her boyfriend.  She searched for another way out, but she had used
up all of her resources.
		Meelah turned so that she and Chris were face-to-face.  She watched the
love grow in his glassy brown eyes.  It was comforting for her, but still,
her own dilemma left her to distrust the comfort.  Their brown eyes locked
into a soundless stare.  Meelah's tender hand grabbed one of Chris' and led
it downward.  His hand brushed up against the fabric of her shirt until it
reached her stomach area.  Meelah pressed his hand lightly against her
stomach, still holding a stare with his eyes.  Chris was subsequently
bewildered by Meelah's conduct.  Meelah offered Chris a whispy frown.  Chris
could see the loss of color in Meelah's cheeks.  He observed the numbness
ringing through Meelah's eyes.  "Chris, I'm pregnant." Meelah finally spoke
to him with a inanimate voice.  Chris' hand slipped a little on Meelah's
stomach when hearing the announcement.  His eyes broadened.  It was an
unbelieveable statement for Chris to hear.  It was not that he could not
accept the truth in the statement, but the unexpected event left Chris
without a word to speak to his girlfriend.
		Meelah sighed again and pulled Chris' hand from her abdomen.  Chris
watched as his hand slowly fell to his side.  He was not satisfied with her
rejection.  He briskly pulled his hand back up and placed it softly on
Meelah's stomach.  Meelah dropped her eyse to look at Chris' hand.  She
observed it slowly rub over all areas of her stomach with a natural care.
She glanced back up with worry.  "How many months are you?" Chris asked with
a small smile.  Meelah felt her heart go numb when seeing Chris did not
renounce her.  "I... I'm only a month." Meelah replied in a stuttering
voice.  Chris nodded while lifting her shirt some.  He began to caress her
smooth skin.  "So we can expect our baby in... hmmmm..." Chris hummed.  He
began to calculate the math in his head.  "The doctor said probably late
October or early Novemeber." Meelah replied softly.  Chris finished his
calculations with a smile.  "Maybe the baby will be born near my birthday."
Chris chimed.  Meelah giggled quietly.  She placed her hand on top of Chris'
with the reassurance she had lost.
		"Does this mean you want to keep the baby?" Meelah asked him a question
that she was unsure of in her own heart.  Chris looked up to her with a
furrowed brow.  He continued to brush his hand over her stomach.  "Of
course, Meelah.  I don't want you to have an abortion... me and you are
capable of raising a child together." Chris responded.  Meelah tried to
build up as much hope as Chris had shown her.  "I'm only twenty-two." Meelah
whispered.  "My mom was only sixteen when she had me." Chris remarked.
		"We don't even live together, are you sure we can handle a child
together?" Meelah worried.  Chris nodded happily.  Chris pulled Meelah's
smaller body close to his.  "I was trying to save this for tonight, but I
guess I might as well say it now." Chris said as his free hand dipped into
his pocket.  He interlocked he and Meelah's hand over her stomach.  Meelah
let the tranquility swallow her as she stood with Chris.  Chris pulled out a
ring from his pocket, a small gold one with princess cut diamonds.  The sun
refracted its brawny light onto the piece of jewelry.  The glimmer flickered
into Meelah's eyes.  She stared downward to catch the beauty of the ring.
Her eyes began to grow larger as Chris' had before.  "Uhm, I don't know how
to say this right because I've never done this.  I'm not as good with words
as someone like J.C. or Brian or Kevin, but Meelah, I love you.  I'm not
asking you this because your pregnant and I feel some obligation to you and
the baby.  I'm doing this because over the time we've been together, I've
never been so happy with someone.  We've been together for a while and hey,
I've never been one to look a gifted horse in the mouth.  So Meelah, babe,
would you do me and our future child the honor of jumping the broomstick
with me?" Chris spat out his words.  He wasn't as poetical as he wanted, but
he felt his words were enough for her to understand.  He held the ring over
her left hand, only waiting a reply to dictate the actions his hand would
take.
		Meelah looked at the ring and then at Chris.  She felt a surreal emotion
touching her heart.  It was guiding her in the direction she needed to go.
Her mind gave her no time to question her options.  Her heart was going to
answer for her, the same answer Meelah felt she would have given Chris back
in December.  "Yes." her lips ushered a whisper to Chris.  Without a further
word, Chris slid the ring onto Meelah's left ring finger.  He didn't wait
for further statements or other reasons for why.  He only wanted to know
that Meelah was going to be his wife.
		"Yes!  She said yes!" Chris shouted out, pulling Meelah into a strong hug.
  Meelah laughed as she hugged onto Chris.  The overwhelming joy inside of
both of them lit the room up with love.  "J.C., she said yes!  She said yes!
  We're gonna get married and she... she's going to have my baby!" Chris
continued to bellow while embracing Meelah.  Meelah placed her arms around
Chris' neck as he lifted her up.  The sounds of laughter echoed from both of
their bodies.
		"She said what?  You're going to do what?" J.C. asked as he and Busta
entered the room.  Chris placed Meelah back down to the ground and turned to
J.C.  J.C. admired the glimmering smile that was painted on Chris' face.
"Me and Meelah are going to get married... and she's going to have my baby."
Chris exclaimed, placing his hand back onto Meelah's stomach.  J.C.'s fell
open with surprise.  He looked from Meelah to Chris and then vice-versa.
They both nodded to assure J.C. that Chris' words were truthful.  Busta ran
up to them barking with his own foolish joy.  "Congratulations!" J.C.
bellowed out, running over to them as Busta had did and pulling both of them
into a joyful hug.
		They all fell into laughter when J.C. initiated the hug.  The laughter
grew louder as the three stumbled onto the bed.  "We need to celebrate!"
J.C. announced as he broke the hug.  Chris wrapped an arm around Meelah and
held her in the bed while J.C. sat up on the bed.  J.C. smiled down at the
couple, envious of their romance.  It was indeed a celebration for them as
J.C. watched Chris mature from the shy man who barely went on dates to the
man who was soon to become a husband and also a father.
		The two hours J.C. was left with soon passed and it only left two hours
until the wedding was to commense.  "Damn, I'm not sure if this is right."
A.J. complained as he fiddled with his bow tie in the mirror of his changing
room.  He played with the ends of it, trying not straighten it without
choking himself.  "Let an expert help you." Justin advised while walking
over to A.J.  A.J. huffed out a sigh and released the tie from his fingers.
"You're just nervous." Justin remarked while fiddling with A.J.'s bow tie.
"Yeah, I think I noticed that an hour ago when my hands wouldn't stop
sweating." A.J. responded sarcastically.  He drug his hands across the side
of his pant legs.  Justin shook his head with his candid smile.  He adjusted
the tightness of the tie and then left it to be.  "There you go." Justin
chimed, looking at the perfected tie.  A.J. turned back to the mirror and
took a stern glance at his attire.  Justin had performed a miracle in A.J.'s
eyes, though he was not a man to admit it.  "That's only because you've done
this before.  It's my first time so I'm not as good." A.J. mocked him.
Justin peered at A.J. and then rolled his eyes.  "That's funny because Brian
said I was damn good our first time!" Justin jested with his frail country
accent.  Justin began to snicker at his own joke while A.J. adjusted his
suit.  "You're such an ass." A.J. commented with a devious grin.  Justin
nodded while laughing, his face flushing into a bright red color.
		"What about my hair?  Does my hair look okay?" A.J. asked Justin while
examining his hair in the mirror.  Justin took a quick glance at the
platinum white hair that A.J. sported.  It was daring, but went with the
white motif Amanda and A.J. incorporated for their wedding.  "It's hot."
Justin assured him, envious of the stylish way A.J. had his hair done.  A.J.
grinned humbly.  He turned to the side and looked at his best man.  To A.J.,
despite the fact that he had known each Backstreet Boy for over five years,
Justin was the closest friend he had.  In any instance he knew he and Justin
could go to each other for advice and for support.  A.J. felt close to Brian
as well, but his connection to Justin was of a greater volume.  "You know if
I like dudes, I think I'd steal you fom Brian just to fuck." A.J. said
bluntly, releasing his Cheshire-grin for Justin.  Justin crossed his arms
with a silly grin.  "Let's see... your dick versus that hung country boy I
have every night... hmmm, there's no competition.  Sorry A.J., Brian's just
got it like that!" Justin insisted to play along with A.J.'s joke.  A.J.
stared Justin up and down and then laughed.  "What's your man got to do with
me?" A.J. teased him longly.  Justin rolled his eyes and looked to the
mirror.  "It's all about the way he says my name." Justin cooed, puckering
his lips toward the mirror as he would for a camera.  A.J. patted him on the
back with his coy gleam.  "Yeah, he wins because I'll be damned if I'm
sceraming your name while we're fucking." A.J. snickered.  Justin fell into
the laughter with him, showing no shame towards he and his husband's sexual
activity.
		There was definite activity around the church as guests found their way
inside and other members of the wedding party danced around the church
trying to accomplish their assigned tasks.  Denise McLean searched around
the entrance of the church for any sign of the other Backstreet Boys.  She
turned her head to the side and caught a glimpse of J.C. passing by her.
"J.C!" she called out to him to cease his movements.  J.C. spun around and
looked at her oddly.  He fished his hands into his pockets and then slouched
some.  "Have you seen Howie or Brian or Kevin?" she asked briskly, stepping
up to him with a rushed expression.  J.C. pondered her qusetions for
seconds.  He cleared his throat softly and glanced into the church.  "I know
that Brian's outside with Angel.  I haven't seen Howie, but I heard that
Kevin's down the hall talking to Nikki." J.C. responded with the information
he had received in his short time at the church.  Denise took in the
information and processed it quickly as she debated on what to do.  "Well I
know Nick's in there with his family and all... so I guess I should round up
the others then." Denise contemplated while speaking.  J.C. looked toward
the inside of the church where the congregation sat.  J.C. searched the
group that sat inside, in the pews.  "You said Kevin's down the hall?"
Denise's voice interrupted J.C.'s view.  He turned again to her with a
less-than-thrilled expression.  He merely nodded for her as a response.
Denise saw no further help in J.C. and quickly rushed off down the hallway
in search of Kevin.
		J.C. slinked into the church where the congregation sat.  He glanced
around with a meaningless smile.  He spotted Amanda's family to one side and
A.J.'s family to the other.  He glanced at the friends he knew inside of the
church and the ones he was fairly knowledgable of.  He gave a quick wave to
Joey who ast talking with Britney and her mother.  He smiled towards Lynn
Harliss who was seated in the middle of the pews with her husband.  He still
had not found what he searched for in the congregation.
		A small tittering laughter drew J.C.'s attention to his left side.  He
glanced over several pews before spotting Nick sitting with his mother, Jane
Carter, his young brother, Aaron Carter, and his young sister, BJ Carter.
He saw no sign of Nick's other siblings, but it was irrelevant to J.C.'s
purpose.  J.C. shimmied past a few more walking-in guests and rounded a pew
that only sat a few people.  He reached his destination with a solemn
expression.  He found a seat on the pew behind the Carters and stayed quiet
to remain unnoticed.
		"Those were some good times." Nick remarked with a humble grin.  "Like the
time Brian came over to the house and we all went swimming." Jane agreed
with a deceitful purpose.  Nick nodded, his smile growing as his mother
spoke.  He reclined back in the pew, resting his arms on the side.  "Isn't
that when Brian slipped in the pool and pulled Nick in with him?" Aaron
asked with an excited tone.  Soon, all four broke into a secret laughter
while reminiscing on the fond memory.
		BJ turned her head to the side to make sure they were not the attention of
the attendants at the wedding.  Her eyes caught a quick glimpse of the area
surrounding them.  She turned back to her family with a petite smile.
'What?' her mind did a re-take of what she saw when glancing around.  She
quickly turned back and eyed the pew behind them.  Her eyes lit up like a
champagne glass in the light of a chandelier when eyeing the person sitting
behind them.  "J.C.!" she cried out, leaping from her seat in the pew.  BJ
reached over the pew to try and hug J.C.  J.C. giggled at her and briskly
stood from his seat.  He reached over the pew and grabbed BJ, pulling her
into a small, but affectionate hug.  BJ snickered while hugging J.C. with a
never-fading grin.  "How have you been BJ?" J.C. asked while breaking from
their embrace.  BJ adjusted a few strands of her blonde hair before
speaking.  "I'm so good now that I get to see yyou.  I miss you being
around." BJ replied.  J.C. nodded toward her.  "Yeah, I miss seeing you
too." J.C. concured.
		J.C. glanced down to the other three Carters who remained silently when
seeing J.C.  "Hey Aaron and Jane." J.C. spoke up to try and coax some
enthusiasm out of them.  Aaron waved to J.C. while Jane remained motionless.
  J.C. glanced over to Nick who gave him a small smile.  "Can we talk?" J.C.
requested softly.  BJ's smile grew when seeing the effort being made by J.C.
  Nick gave him a small nod, stand up from his pew.  Jane looked at him with
disapproval.  She did not feel comfortable with her son communicating with
another man that broke his heart.  She crossed her arms to show her son that
she objected to his choice.  Nick was blind to his mother's relentless
control over his life.  He hesitated when seeing her face.  It commanded him
without forceful words, just discouraging expressions.  "Please Nick... it's
kind of important." J.C. requested again with a plead.  Jane lowered her
eyes at her son.  She knwe how to toy with his emotions.  Nick stood
steadfast.  "Remember you told Brian that you'd go outside and play with
Angel for a little bit." Jane reminded her son to show her force over the
situation.
		BJ watched her mother with disbelief.  She had yet to view her mother's
attempts to force Nick upon Brian, but she could now see it without fault.
Aaron had mentioned the effort to BJ, but she never gave it much thought.
She doubted her brother's words due to the fact that their mother
discouraged Aaron from seeing Mandy Moore.  BJ believed it was an act of
revenge Aaron sought to strike against his mother.  Now BJ could see that he
was being truthful with his words.
		"Nick, go ahead and talk with J.C.  Angel's going to be here for the
wedding, but it sounds like what J.C. has to say won't last forever if you
don't go now." BJ spoke up to her brother, hoping to shatter the mind-lock
Jane had on Nick.  Nick's blue eyes glared at his sister.  He had never
heard her speak up so poetically.  Nick also knew that his sister was very
fond of J.C. and at times, she still thought of J.C. as Nick's boyfriend.
"Uhm, yeah, I think I'll do that." Nick agreed with BJ without looking at
his mother.  He could see the passion in BJ's eyes was enough to convince
him otherwise.  BJ gave him a perky smile.  Nick smiled back and then winked
at his sister.  He slipped past his mother and into the pew that J.C. sat
in.
		"Oh, and Aaron... Mandy called while we were at the hotel.  She said she'd
be here and waiting for you outside if you wanted to sit with her at the
wedding.  Why don't you go outside and see if she's here." BJ added,
rotating to gaze at her younger brother.  Aaron perked up at the mentioning
of Mandy Moore.  "Are you serious?!" Aaron asked briskly, almost in full
doubt of his sister.  BJ nodded happily.  Aaron leaped from his seat with
excitement.  He shifted through the pew and ran toawrds the aisle.  BJ gave
a soft laugh when seeing Aaron run off.
		Jane swiftly grabbed her daughter's arm with anger fueling her expression.
  "I told you not to tell Aaron about that.  He has no time to be fooling
around with that foolish girl.  She's probably just another tramp like that
Britney Spears." Jane hissed at BJ.  BJ's crisp blue eyes trailed down her
arm and then up into her mother's eyes.  She exhibited no fear toward her
mother.  She challenged her with her own expression.  "Mom, get real.  Aaron
and Nick need to find what they want for themselves instead of letting you
pick who they could love.  Nick's well over Brian and Aaron can handle being
with Mandy.  She's actually a really nice girl." BJ argued in an undertone.
Jane arched her brow toward BJ.  "I don't know what you're talking about.
Your brother and Brian will make a perfect couple.  And Aaron will be fine
once I set him up with that girl from PYT." Jane brooded.  BJ peered at
Jane.  "Mom, that's crazy.  When you set me up with Chad, I had the worst
time of my life.  He was boring, not very stylish and dear Lord, he thought
we were going to have sex on the first date." BJ gushed out before yanking
her arm from her mother's grip.  Jane's mouth fell open with unprecedented
shock.  She gripped her hands shut with a furious fire gleaming in her eyes.
  "That bastard.  How dare he think he can sleep with my daughter?" Jane
sneered.  BJ proposed a glimmering look for her mother.  "Mom, I'm not a
virgin." BJ said briefly before leaving the pew.  Jane sat motionless with
skepticism.  She hated baring witness to her children's rebelious nature.
She also despised being proven wrong as she was on several occasions.
		J.C. and Nick made themselves in the pew they sat in at the back of the
church.  They watched as more and more guests flocked into the church.  J.C.
laened in the corner of the pew moving his eyes from Nick to the guests and
vice versa.  "Wedding's tend to be so..." J.C. was looking for the perfect
word to use for the situation.  Nick moved back in his seat, resting his
hands in his lap.  "Boring?  Depressing?" Nick offered answers to J.C.'s
missing word.  J.C. raised his brow with surprise.  "No, romantic.  They
give you a new sense of yourself." J.C. retorted.  Nick rolled his eyes with
a foolish smirk.  He cocked his head to the side.  "If you say so." Nick
exhaled out.  "You don't feel the love in the air?" J.C. questioned Nick,
sliding his own hand into Nick's lap.  Nick naturally latched onto the hand
as he did when they were a couple.  J.C. caught the sign and visualized what
was of their romance.  "There's not really that much love, Josh." Nick
replied with an irritable voice.  J.C. shook his head with suspicion ruling
his face.  "You mean to tell me that weddings don't give you a good
feeling?" J.C. questioned his ex-boyfriend again.  Nick squeezed J.C.'s hand
a little.  It was an honest reflex when Nick began to deal with a sore
subject.  He concentrated his solid blue eyes forward, not allowing J.C. to
hold a stare with him.  "Josh, the last wedding I went to, I got my heart
broke.  So it's bovious I have a little sore spot for weddings.  I mean
Hawaii was a nice place, but seeing Brian and Justin get married wasn't the
happiest moment of my life." Nick finally explained with a low voice.  He
kept his feelings hushed and allowed his voice to follow the same manner.
		J.C. could not backlash on Nick for speaking on the wedding of his
friends.  It was an honest reply, something that J.C. did not conceive of
Nick.  He allowed the distaste toward love inside of Nick to circulate
through the air.  He placed his other hand into his pocket and slouched some
in his seat.  "That's funny because it seems every wedding that I've been
to, I always end up confessing my love for a guy and end up asking him to
marry me because I can't stand going a day without him and it takes serious
events in our relationship for me to finally realize that." J.C. spat out in
a breath, releasing hints that he was unclear about.  Nick nodded with a
natural instinct.  He leaned up some to watch the walking guests.  He had
not given much thought to J.C. speaking on weddings until he caught onto
J.C.'s last few words.  His heart quickly jumped into his throat when he
thought over the words J.C. had spoken to him.
		Nick's head did not have the opportunity to revolve in J.C.'s direction
before he felt a cool object slip over his left ring finger.  As he looked
down, his heart thumped harder against his ribs.  A gold ring had latched
onto his finger with a fond signifigance to Nick.  His blue eyes slowly
lifted with a fear of anticipation slowing them.  He could still feel J.C.'s
soft hand holding his as his eyes finally reached J.C.'s lips.  He watched
the words as they were spoken, everything seemed to move in slow motion for
him.  It was as if time stopped in every direction except the vicinity Nick
and J.C. sat in.  "There is no easier way to say this... Nick, will you
marry me?" J.C.'s lips said while Nick glared at them.  He felt the skip,
then he felt the racing inside of his heart.  It was uncontrollable.  He
lifted his focal point to look into J.C.'s eyes.  His mother often told him
that the eyes would never lie to him.  If he needed a sure answer, one that
would guarantee his heart being spared another period of mourning, he only
had to look to the eyes and find his answer.
		It was there.  The answer Nick searched for was in J.C.'s azure eyes.  "I
know we were apart and that we both said it was pretty much over, but that's
not what we wanted.  I don't want to end what we had.  It was just... well,
it was too perfect.  It was just right.  I loved being with you and everyday
without was another day I regretted not calling you..." J.C. began to
confess his motivations for proposal to Nick.  He had to explain himself and
allow Nick the opportunity to consider J.C.'s reasons for loving him and
wanting to marry him.  Nick's right hand lifted and his right index finger
met with J.C.'s lips.  it stopped his words from being jumbled and rushed
out.  J.C. held his lips firmly together to stare at Nick.  He only awaited
a reply from Nick.
		J.C.'s answer came in a simple form of affection, a kiss from Nick.  The
kiss was answer enough for J.C.  The way Nick's lips glided over his in a
loving fashion helped J.C. to dispose of all of his questions.  Though it
was plain and destroyed J.C.'s chance to explain his heart, he no longer
cared.  Just to know that Nick accepted his proposal and wanted to further
their relationship was enough to captivate J.C.'s heart and return him to
the place that he loved dearly, Nick's heart.  He let his hand hold Nick's
the way they did before they separated, allowing the feelings to return from
the intermission they left them at.  It was J.C.'s way of showing Nick that
their romance never died, only took a rest from the beauty of life.
		Only one song, that both Nick and J.C. had heard earlier that day, could
express the feelings being felt between Nick and J.C.  The song was sung by
a mutual friend of theirs and one that aspired to be Nick's younger
brother's girlfriend.  Mandy Moore sung in lyrics what J.C. and Nick could
not express to each other in words.  It was a song that expressed the depth
of their love and feelings during their breakup.  It was destiny, it was
meant to be, and it was surreal for both of them.  The way they felt while
kissing kept them motivated to know they could move on from what they
suffered to what they now wanted, which was marriage.

	I try but I can't seem to get myself to think of
	Anything but you
	Your breath on my face
	Your warm gentle kiss, I taste
	The truth, I taste the truth

	You're what I came here for
	So I won't ask for more

	I wanna be with you
	If only for a night
	To be the one who's in your arms
	Who holds you tight
	I wanna be with you
	There's nothing more to say
	There's nothing else I want more than
	To feel this way
	I wanna be with you yeah

		BJ watched as Brian bounced Angel up and down on his knee.  Her eyes
admired Angel's suit-like outfit, perfectly powdered white.  She could feel
the love being emitted from Brian's body towards Angel.  She listened to the
harmonizing sounds of laughter between father and son.  She could sense the
care shown in Brian's touch and love expressed in Angel's smile.  She
thought of Brian as an older brother because of his connection to her
family.  She never wished anything evil upon him and she supported Brian's
marriage to Justin though it was a sore part of her brother's life.  She
admired Brian's strength despite what had been occuring in his life.  The
power Brian showed over his heartbreaking situation gave BJ an envious
feeling.  It was also inspiring to her.
		BJ giggled softly while approaching them with soft steps.  She skid to the
step Brian sat on with Angel and found a seat next to them.  Brian's head
turned a little when he saw Nick's younger sister watching them.  "Hey BJ."
Brian chimed while continuing to play with his son.  BJ gave them a small
wave as she paid close attention to Angel's reaction to her.  She could see
Ange's eyes locked on her, but never staring, only glancing.  BJ laughed
daintily.  She brought her knees up to her body and sighed.  "He's a shy
one, Brian." BJ remarked, looking directly at Angel.  Brian gave BJ a glance
and then his son.  "Yeah, Angel's rather quiet around people he doesn't
know." Brian agreed, pulling his son close to him.  He slid Angel further up
his leg so that part of Angel's body rested on his chest and stomach.  He
could feel Angel's tiny hands gripping his shirt for an intstinctive
protection.  Brian smiled down on Angel and permitted him to latch onto his
arm.  BJ cooed at the actions Angel took with his father.  "He's so adorable
though.  He just loves his Dad." BJ awed.  Brian's grin increased with
pride.  He ruffled with Angel's hair and then placed an arm around him for
support.  "Yeah, me and his Daddy love him so much." Brian responded with
his wholesome country accent.
		BJ relaxed some on the concrete steps that led to the church's entrance.
She let a few strands of her blonde hair catch flight in the gusty wind.
The sun reflected over windows of cars, leaving BJ to place a hand over her
eyes for protection.  "Brian, when did you know that you wanted to marry
Justin?" BJ inquireed with an off-topic question.  Brian looked up from
Angel with surprise.  He was not prepared for the question BJ persented.  He
twitched his nose.  "Why?  Are you thinking about gettin' hitched BJ?" Brian
asked in a teasing voice that was slung by his country accent.  BJ briskly
rolled her eyes and blushed.  She knew Brian was full of life and without a
doubt, full of humor.  "Come on now Brian, you know me.  I can't even stay
to a boyfriend for more than two weeks at a time.  What makes you think I'd
be able to keep a husband?" BJ responded with another question.  Brian shot
her an immature smile.  He began to bounce Angel a little on his leg to
entertain him.  "Well if you find someone that you actually like and then
grow to love them, you'll want to marry them.  There might be reasons not to
and then there's other insecurities you have, but if you enjoy being with
that person more than you enjoy being with your friends and sometimes your
family too, then that's the person you need in your life." Brian replied
from pure experience.  BJ listened with an attentive ear.  She licked her
glossy lips and then a grinned formed.  "Is that what drove you to marry
Justin?" BJ wondered.  Brian looked back to her and soon a smile glossed his
pink lips.  He couldn't deny the smile that answered her inquiry.  "Yeah...
it's just something about Justin.  He's got this personality, this spirit
and a heart that I can't resist.  I haven't been able to since that first
day we hung out together.  Even when I'm mad at Justin and just want to tell
him off for the immature things he's done, I still want to be around him.
That's... gosh, I guess that's what you call love." Brian stated with a
humble tone.
		BJ felt butterflies in her own stomach when hearing Brian speak about
Justin.  She sighed again with regret in her own heart.  "That's too
adorable.  I can't see why Nick would be mad about you two because I don't
think anyone would have made you that happy." BJ gushed out.  Brian sucked
in his bottom lip.  "Nick's a great friend, but I don't really see him and
me having anything.  Justin makes me happy and he's a great Daddy too.  I
think Nick can see that now, though he still might be hurt because of it."
Brian agreed with BJ.  He was happy that BJ concured with him without
seeking a reason.  It only made their relationship closer and more kin-like.
		Brian felt Angel hugging onto him in a sleepy fashion.  He could recognize
the sign without looking at his son.  "Brian." a woman's voice froze Brian
as he tried to adjust Angel in his arms.  The sound sent trembles down his
spine.  It was a cold shiver that stiffened Brian's heart and turned his
stomach.  He did not wish to look up and view her, but he was not being
given a chance when BJ tapped him.  Brian knew BJ was signalling for him to
look up, an action Brian disliked.  "BJ, could you take BJ in to Justin?
He's in the room with A.J." Brian requested, still not glancing up.  BJ
offered him an odd expression.  She did not hesistate in holding her arms
out to grab Angel, but she still silently questioned Brian's reasons.  Brian
cautiously passed Angel into BJ's arms.  BJ carefully cradled the sleeping
Angel into her arms.  She stood with Brian's assistance and walked back
toward the church.
		Brian spun around on his heels to stare into the face of Leigh Ann
Wallace.  His bitterness towards her showed in his cold stare and
displeasing experssion.  Leigh Ann felt a rush of sorrow touch her body.
She had not experienced that look from Brian in months and now, the haunting
experssion, had return to give her what she hated most, a feeling of
loneliness.  "I don't know and I don't care why you're here, but I want you
to leave." Brian stated without reservation flowing in his voice.  He was
stern in his words and did not allow Leigh Ann a prospect to give him a
smile.  Leigh Ann's heart dropped without cease.  "Brian... your P.R. called
me and informed me of what you had been told.  Brian, it wasn't me.  I did
not call the radio station that night... I wasn't even here in Orlando.
Brian, I would not do that.  Despite what I felt towards Justin and how much
I love you and want to be with you, I would not jeopardize your marriage nor
your reputation like that." Leigh Ann pleaded with her ex-boyfriend.  She
was aware of what Brian had been told.  She too knew that someone had
falsified information and told the radio station that it was her calling
them.  Leigh Ann hated the fact that she was being framed for something that
could destroy her ex-boyfriend.  Though Leigh Ann rebelled against the
marriage of Brian and Justin, she still knew she could not muster enough
strength to truly end it and expose Brian to the world.
		Brian shook his head toward Leigh Ann.  He had lost all of his hope for
her.  Even the time they shared in Kentucky expressing their feelings and
thoughts did not save their chance for friendship.  Brian's trust in Leigh
Ann had finally faded and the moonlight could not break the shadows that
lingered over their lives.  "No... no Leigh, I won't let you fool me again.
You've truly shown me the light and now I know that you truly are a sick and
twisted woman.  I'm not going to let you screw me over and take my husband
and my son from me.  I'm going to fight this and you this time," Brian
argued, showing no resistance to expressing his feelings and thoughts.
		Leigh Ann felt her body shiver with anguish.  The pale, ghost-like color
filling Brian's eyes helped her to see the seriousness in Brian's words.  He
was not offering her a chance to redeem herself in his eyes.  He would not
listen to her words or trust her evidence.  "Please, Brian." Leigh Ann
pleaded in a trembling voice.  Brian stared her up and down with lowered
eyes.  Leigh Ann watched Brian slide his hands into his pockets and crinkle
his brow.  It was a sign to her, one that she hated to see.  She found it
hard to swallow as Brian pulled back from her.  Her heart throbbed and
pounded against her chest.  She could not control the tears that built in
her pure blue eyes.  She could only watch as Brian walked up the steps and
continued into the church, never looking back at her and never giving her a
chance to redeem what had happened.
		A small applause followed Brian's exit.  Leigh Ann sniffled quietly,
hearing the sounds of the hands clasping together quickly.  She caught a
tear that rolled from her eye and wiped it away.  Her body turned so that
she could look upon the person that mocked her.  Standing in all of her
young glory was Christina Aguilera.  With her dosile blonde hair, stringy
against her shoulders and her powdery blue dress tightly clinging against
her youthful figure, Christina smiled at Leigh Ann.  Leigh Ann shot her a
look of perplexity.  Christina continued to clap for Leigh Ann as she
advanced toward her.  "Congratulationgs Leigh Ann, congratulations.  I think
you actually made me want to cry with that performance." Christina said,
taunting Leigh Ann with pleasure.  Leigh Ann sniffled again and pushed her
soft hair back.  Christina pranced around Leigh Ann with a glowing grin.
"'Oh Brian, please.'  I mean, that was a nice touch.  And tears, oh
girlfriend, you really did well with that." Christina insisted, still
ridiculing Leigh Ann.  Leigh Ann let her head droop some as Christina walked
around her.  She felt shame in letting others watch her beg for
understanding.
		"It's a shame Brian didn't hear you out, he might have find out that you
were telling the truth and that you didn't call that radio station.  Hell,
he might have found out who really did front on him and Justin." Christina
boasted with her charming elegance.  Her words sent more needles to Leigh
Ann's suffering heart.  Leigh Ann's head lifted after contemplating
Christina's words.  She glanced over to Christina who leaned against the
railing leading to the steps.  "You called the radio station, didn't you?
You're the one who started all of this." Leigh Ann did not hold in her
acusations.  Christina batted her eyes and rolled out another smile.  "Moi?
You mean little old me?" Christina gleamed, leaning off of the railing and
strutting up the steps some.  Leigh Ann threw her hands onto her hips with
anger.  "Isn't it a shame Leigh Ann?  You were beat at your own game by
someone you said could never do it.  You said I was too much of a slut to
help you breakup Brian and Justin." Christina giggled, casually walking back
down the steps.
		Christina flicked pieces of her hair back and leaned against the railing
once more.  She puckered her lips and gazed up to the sky.  Another small
snicker crossed her burgundy lips.  "Brian and Justin were just too damn
naive.  They were... hmmm, too easy.  So were you.  You'd think the three of
you could have figured out it was me fucking you over instead of blaming
each other.  It was... well it was perfect." Christina bragged with her
glittery grin.  Leigh Ann stared at her, letting Christina finish the rest
of her boasting.  "You just topped it off by breaking down right here for
Brian.  He made you feel like a tramp, a whore, and a piece of shit.  It was
such a glorious feeling to watch you, the self-proclaimed Queen of all
bitches, get snubbed by the one man you have yet to have.  I was able to
tear Brian and Justin's marriage up, expose them to the world, and still
crush your pride without being caught by anyone." Christina added, crssoing
past Leigh Ann's path.  She allowed Leigh Ann to see her glow, her lively
spirit.  Her happiness grew by the second.
		Leigh Ann curled her upper lip.  She crossed her arms and cleared her
throat.  "Yes, it's a shame Christina." Leigh Ann agreed in a mild tone.
Christina's head snapped back in Leigh Ann's direction when finally hearing
her speak.  She purred toward Leigh Ann and then swiveled her hips.  "It's a
shame that Justin's standing right there." Leigh Ann pointed out.  A strong
smile soon began to form on her lips.
		Christina's eyes lifted with disbelief.  She stared at Leigh Ann with
wonder and then turned her eyes around to another section.  She felt her
heart sink towards the acids of her stomach.  Her mind spun with doubt until
her eyes landed on Justin standing at the top of the ivory church steps.
His arms were crossed and an expression of pure hate covered his face.
Christina's breathing raced as she looked at the man she lusted for.  She
couldn't fight the look on Justin's face, the one that cried out for murder.
  She stumbled a little while staring at him.  "It would seem my husband
owes you an apology Leigh Ann... you're not the one we should blame for
what's been happening." Justin declared, moving his eyes to look upon Leigh
Ann.  Leigh Ann nodded in his direction, feeling close to Justin.  She had,
for once, pulled Justin to her side of an argument, one that she needed his
support in.  It was a relief for her.  "Still you were right Leigh Ann, you
shouldn't fool around with sluts.... they only make your reputation look
bad.  Especially the ones that will be on the front page of the Star
tomorrow for fucking Eminem in her mother's house." Justin added with a
controlling voice.  He held the cards that helped to decide Christina's fate
and her importance in the music world and he was not afraid to throw them
onto the table.
		Christina felt her breath shorten as Justin turned his back to her.
"Justin... please, wait!" Christina shouted out to him while watching him
walk into the church.  He did not turn, he did not respond, and Justin did
not allow Christina Aguilera to plead to him.  He had decided her fate and
it was a grim one.
		When Leigh Ann saw Justin's figure disappear into the church, her smile
turned into a ruthless grin.  She strolled past Christina with a radiant
smirk.  She brushed her fingers over Christina's bleached hair.  She licked
her solid pink lips and sighed pleasently.  "Tssk, tssk, tssk Christina.
You made it just too easy for me." Leigh Ann chimed when walking passed
Christina.  Christina felt tears rushing over her eyelids.  She turned her
head to Leigh Ann before sniffling.  "Did you actually think I'd let you
beat me?  Come on now, I am the Queen Bitch and I can't be de-throned that
easily.  The station informed me that someone called, but used my name.  I
set up this thing with Brian's P.R. so he'd believe it was all true.  I mean
how the hell was I going to win his trust back unless I made him feel like
he did not give me enough trust?" Leigh Ann boasted, staring into
Christina's tear-filled eyes.  Christina's mouth dropped with astonishment.
She found it hard to believe the words she was hearing.  Leigh Ann winked at
her, mocking her in every sense.  "Doesn't it feel good?  All of this time
Christina you've been this toy I've played with.  That's all you were, the
puppet in the game I started.  And you were so faithful too... you helped me
win back Brian." Leigh Ann bragged, letting a giggle follow her words.
		Christina batted her eyes, letting a few tears slip down her cheeks.  She
sniffled softly and let her eyes look down at the ground.  Leigh Ann looked
at her with no pity and no sympathy.  "It was all... well it was all so
fucking perfect, Christina.  Why the hell do you think I'm an actress.  I
deserve a fucking Emmy for pretending to lose Brian and letting you think
you beat me.  In the end though, I got Brian and you, well you lost Justin
and the chance to get some good dick.  Oh well." Leigh Ann laughed,
continuing to mock her.  Leigh Ann rotated her body and headed towards the
steps.
		"Oh and one more thing Christina..." Leigh Ann chimed, glancing over her
shoulder.  Christina lifted her head to look at Leigh Ann, still permitting
tears their reign over her cheeks.  "That dress has slut written all over
it." Leigh Ann smiled.  She continued her walk up the steps with her mocking
cackle.  It left a bittersweet taste in Christina's mouth, bringing out the
words to the song in her head.  The words reflected Christina's position in
the world she desired but could no longer obtain.  She had finally been
defeated by her own pride and she knew that she could now never beat Leigh
Ann at the game Leigh Ann had initiated.  It was helpless, just like
Christina's tears as she walked away from the chuch humming the tune that
told the story of Christina's life.

	Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
	Try to make ends meet
	Try to find some money then you die
	I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
	You know the one that takes you to the places
	Where all the things meet

		Joey hated being dressed in a suit.  He felt uncomfortable when having to
dress formal, taking away from his naturally joyful personality.  Wearing a
suit for the wedding only furthered Joey's dislike for them.  He didn't want
to be forced to wear a tuxedo like Justin, Brian, Chris, Kevin, and Howie,
but he still hated having to wear a suit.
		He tapped heavily on the door that led to the women's dressing area for
the wedding.  He sought to find his girlfriend for an important question,
one that he had yet to ask her.  She didn't sleep as his house the previous
night.  Joey also did not like being far from Britney during the night and
to know she was locked up in a hotel with her mother and other members of
Amanda's wedding party only made him more distant towards the idea.
Granted, Joey was aware it was a time for Britney to reflect and think while
still being around her friends, but the idea still was not a promising one
for him.
		"Who is it?" a reply finally came through the door as a result of Joey's
knocking.  Joey sighed incorrigibly.  He slid a hand over his reddish-black
hair and cleared his throat loudly.  "Hey it's Joey, can I speak to
Britney?" Joey requested in his soft-spoken voice.   He dropped his hands to
his side and awaited a response.  The door creaked open and Danay's head
quickly poked out.  She scanned the area for signs of others.  Joey watched
her with a confused experssion.  He raised his brow as she pulled the door
open a little further.  She proposed a gentle smile to him and he returned
the look.  "Couldn't spend a whole two hours without her, huh?" Danay teased
Joey as he tried to peer past her.  Joey's cheeks began to slowly fill with
blood, revealing an innocent blush.  Danay giggled at his reaction to her
joke.  She glided her tongue over her delicate lips.  "Is she in here?" Joey
asked shortly after.  Danay gave him a nod for a response.  She turned her
head and yelled out, "Britney... your man wants to see you!"  Joey felt
another blush take over his cheeks.  He leaned away from the door as Danay
scooted back.  "Make sure A.J. and the guys don't try to sneak in here."
Danay requested as she moved fully away from the door.  She did not catch
Joey's nod befoer she left.
		Britney tediously strolled to the door, sporting her figure-fitting,
lavender dress.  Her honey blonde hair was pinned up tightly with her bangs
edging to one side.  Britney adjusted one of her spaghetti straps while
walking, never looking too far up to the door to search for Joey.  Around
her neck bounced a thin, silver necklace with a small Superman pendant that
Joey had given her.  She liked the feel of the medallion on her, symbolizing
their love for each other.  She tilted her head some as she adjusted the
position of the dress on her body.  The sheer lavender top over the dark
purple, satin fabric gave the illusion of a summery purple color.  Her eyes
batted as she finally reached the door.  She could see Joey's pale
expression signaling a serious question in his mind.  She carefully grabbed
the door and pulled it closed, stepping outside of the room as she moved.
		Britney let the tennis bracelet around her wrist jiggle as she lowered her
arms to her sides.  She let her lips pout out a quiet expression while
staring at Joey.  Joey lifted his eyes some and stared back at her.  It was
a boring silence for them, but Britney remained as stubborn as Joey about
being the first to utter a word.  Joey cleared his throat again with concern
covering his brown eyes.  "I wanted to know how it went at the doctors?"
Joey finally spoke.  Britney expected the question, though she wanted it to
be at a later time.  She graabbed the medallion between her fingers and
began to move it back and forth on the necklace.  It was an indication of a
troubled mind.  Joey permitted Britney the time she needed to gather her
words.  "It went fine... just fine." Britney replied amicably.  She hid her
musings from Joey.  Joey offered a feeble smile.  He did not want to
pressure Britney, though deep inside, he desired an answer to the question
still not asked.  Britney had no trouble seeing it in Joey's eyes.  He
wanted to know just as she had wanted to know when visiting the doctor.  She
hated to see him wait, but she also detested Joey's stubbornness.
		Britney sighed toward Joey.  She reached out her hand and grabbed Joey's.
He remained stiff, except for the hand Britney grabbed.  He grasped her hand
and held it tightly as she lifted it and pulled it toward her.  Britney
pulled Joey's hand up and placed it on her stomach.  Joey's eyes grew with
anxiety.  Britney lifted a smile from her lips.  She watched as the color
flushed from Joey's face.  It amused her some, though she knew she'd have to
soon speak.  "I'm not pregnant Joey.  It's okay, the doctor said I'm not
having a baby." Britney said in a tender way to ease Joey's stressful
expression.  Soon the color began to fill Joey's cheeks again as he rested
his hand on Britney's stomach.  The words were enough to loosen his tense
body.  A glowing smile promptly held his face.  Joey whispered a small
prayer in his mind after the relief hit him fully.  "But the doctor did said
that I'm pretty much in my primse and that it might be a good time, if I
wanted, to have a child within the next year and a half to two years."
Britney furhtered her explaination.  She was animate about adding the other
words to her previous statement.
		Joey gave her an unsure glance.  He could not see what Britney was trying
to get to with her words.  "But you're not pregnant, right?" Joey needed to
clarify her words.  Britney giggled out a smirk.  She nodded for him.  The
clarification caused Joey to pull Britney towards him for a small embrace.
Britney welcomed the hug, seeking comfort in the arms of her lover.  She did
not have Joey with her earlier when she visited the doctor.  She wanted it
that way.  She had to have her space to find out for herself if she was
carrying a child and if she desired to truly get an abortion if she was
pregnant.
		"But Joey, if we are still together in a year or two, I want to have a
baby... with you.  I don't think that by then I'll want to wait anymore, I
think I'll be ready." Britney spoke up in their hug.  Joey allowed Britney
to pull back some and look into his eyes.  He gave her the look she wanted,
the one she needed.  His soft brown eyes opened up to her with words never
crossed his pouty lips.  "Of course we're going to be together Brit," Joey
assured her, brushing his large hand over her face.  Britney felt a smile
grab her.  She melted in Joey's arms as a lover would to her romantic
counterpart.  "And by then we'll probably be married and ready to have
children... maybe three or four." Joey added without shame in his voice.
His pride and relief helped to encourage him further with her.  Britney
wrinkled her brow and curled her lips.  "Uhm, I'd look like such a goob
after that many kids." Britney snickered out.  Joey laughed with her,
holding her tighter as they stood outside of the dressing room.  All that
was left was a kiss the two were meant to share to seal the promise they
made to each other.
		"Aaww, that is too cute." Nikki's voice pulled Joey and Britney's lips
apart unexpectedly.  Britney licked her lips lightly, trying not to smother
her lipstick.  She looked up to Joey's lips, seeing a slick sheen of their
kiss remaining.  She carefully began to rub it off with her thumb while
catching Kevin and Nikki approaching from the corner of her eye.  She felt a
smile edged out from the corner of her lips as she cleaned Joey's lips.  "Am
I ready for my close up Ms. Demile?" Joey joked with Britney as she pulled
her hand down.  Britney instinctivly slapped Joey's shoulder as a laugh
crossed her lips.  Joey snickered while Britney pulled back from their
embrace.  "Well isn't this a cute picture." Nikki said sarcastically as she
and Kevin came to a halt.  Britney rotated her head so that she could look
upon her friends.  Her glare was memorable in the way she painted a picture
of confusion towards Kevin and Nikki.  Her solid brown eyes glanced over
both of them while her lips stayed silent as the night.  "I could say the
same about you two." Britney finally remarked in her Southern twang.  Kevin
gave Nikki a quick glance and then his eyes returned to Britney.  Nikki
lowered her brow with suspicion.  "Well you could say the same about us as
friends." Kevin spoke up to clarify the looks he spotted on both Britney and
Nikki's faces.
		Britney's face soon lifted with wonder.  Nikki licked out a smirk for
Britney and Joey.  "So you two came to a valid resolution to your problem
then?" Britney questioned with a petite voice.  Kevin and Nikki both replied
with grand nods.  Joey exhaled a false smile, disappointed that Kevin and
Nikki did not further their love for each other.  "For now we think it's
best to figure out what we both want instead of what we want of each other
and what we want for ourselves." Kevin added an explaination.
		Britney leaned on Joey.  She had pride in her friends for taking a mature
road to reconciliation.  "Sounds like a plan to me." Joey finally let out a
small congratulations.  Kevin grabbed Nikki's hand and gleamed at Britney
and Joey.  "We're working on it." Nikki tittered, returning the hold Kevin
had on her hand.  The words were enough to appease Britney and Joey.  They
fond their own joy in knowing that slowly both their relationship and Kevin
and Nikki's was heading in the direction they knew would be best for their
lives.
		Amanda paced around the entrance to the congregational area.  Her mind
spun with words she had yet to say, thoughts she had yet to express, and
emotions she had yet to get in touch with.  It was her twentieth birthday
and also her wedding day.  She felt like a wreck, but that word was too
simple for her mind.  "Balderdash.  That's a good word... balderdash."
Amanda spoke aloud while tightly gripping her bouquet of flowers.  Her
father glanced at her with perplexity.  "Manda, what's wrong?" he questioned
her while watching her pacing to another side of the hall.  Amanda looked up
and eyed Howie as he escorted Danay into the church.  She felt the strain
building on her.  "Dad, there's so much I want to tell Alex.  Some things
that I should have discussed with him before all of this happened." Amanda
huffed out as a bead of sweat broke from her forehead.  Her father looked on
her serenely.  He grabbed her hand and drew her attention away from the
actions taking place in the congregational area.  Her milky blue eyes stared
at him.  "Sweetie, there were so many things I wanted to tell your mother,
explain to her before we got married.  She said that she felt the same way
while waiting to walk down the aisle.  The impotrant thing is that we were
able to express those thoughts to each other throughout the years we've been
married." he said with his calm voice.  The knowledge Amanda's father
bestowed upon her was honest and she could see it in his vivid eyes.  He was
giving her a piece of advice that set her soul at ease.  She felt her body
loosening knowing that she could say things to A.J. that would make their
relationship stronger, but as a married couple.  She looked forward to those
experiences with a faith that she had never been able to experience before.
Now she knew that time was on her side, even though she hated to fall victim
to the cliché.
		Amanda gripped her father's hand with her heartwarming smile.  The sounds
of an organ began to fill the church as Nikki and Britney made their
entrances, being recognized as the maid of honor and the matron of honor.
"They're playing our song Manda." her father spoke softly into her ear.
Amanda nodded with a unique smile.  She loosened her grip on his hand and
let her whole body fall into a state of serenity.  "I'm ready Dad." she
responded to her previous words in a smooth tone.  A smile crossed his lips
before both of their eyes fell to the front of their walkway.  Their moment
had come and they were prepared to meet their destiny side-by-side and with
heads held high.
		An assault of awes hit the church as Amanda was escorted down the aisle by
her father.  The stares of admiration and joy cascaded over the church as
they watched Amanda walk in her satiny white gown up the aisle towards her
groom.  Her nervous feelings of the past had left her and she was now ready
to take each step to meet A.J. at the alter.
		A.J. flickered off a smile when seeing Amanda approach.  He took his eyes
off the standing congregation to admire his wife-to-be.  Her beauty still
had not faded in his eyes and her adoration still blossomed in his heart.
He could hear the organ music dying out as Amanda found a place across from
him.  He ignored the guests as they took their seats again.  His full
attention was devoted to Amanda and his eyes would not stray for any reason.
		"Who gives this young bride away?" the minister questioned with a
glorifying grin.  Amanda turned her eyes to her father, hoping to get a
promising response.  Her father's eyes told the story of losing a childhood
toy while moving to a new city.  Amanda felt the guilt beginning to grow
inside of her stomach, but she did not falter.  "I do." his mouth finally
uttered the two words that signified the beginning of the wedding.  Amanda
could see a signficant smile cross her father's lips.  Even though she was
becoming a McLean, Amanda could feel the Latona still inside of her and her
father's eyes.
		"Dearly beloved, we are gather here today to bare witness to the marriage
of Alexander James McLean and Amanda Marie Latona.  There is always
something perfect about love and romance, whether seen through the eyes of
an adult or that of a child who can sense it from a mother or a father.
Alexander and Amanda have come here today to confess their undying love for
each other and to unify a relationship and a family in God's name." the
minister began his opening words.  He looked upon Amanda and A.J. and then
the crowd.  He could see that the tension in the church had died and
everyone awaited to see the blissful moment when Amanda and A.J. would
become a married couple.
		"Now we will hear a song performed by Amanda's group Innosense.  It was
written by the girls and Brian Littrell in honor of Alexander and Amanda's
love for each other.  The piano will be played by Kevin Richardson and the
guitar by Joshua Chasez." the minister announced as slowly the eyes of the
church dawned on a corner of the church.  Standing proudly were all five
members of Innosense, while J.C. sat on a pedestal and Kevin stayed behind
the ivory piano.  The girls of Innosense all wore lavender and white to
coorodinate with the four members who were apart of the wedding committee
and Jenny, who remained alone from the wedding group.  Veronica's satiny
dress was perfectly coorodinated with Mandy's and Danay's, being that they
were bride's mates.  Their hair was decorated with butterfly ornaments
respectfully while jewelry was limited.  Nikki's shorter dress was altered
from the other girls as she was the matron of honor.  Her hair was tightly
pinned up and her golden-green eyes glittered in the sunlit hotel.  Jenny
wore a dress of white to flow with the light color scheme.  She felt a
little out of place, but she never let the feeling control her every
thought.  It was still a part of her job as a 'replacement' member in the
group.
		Kevin's fingers began to tickle the keys of the piano causing J.C. to lift
his guitar and begin to strum the notes to the song.  They played with
strict concentration and in tune with each other.  They never let a finger
strum the wrong chord to ruin the song at such a pinnacle moment in the
wedding.  Each girl from Innosense adjusted her separate microphone and
looked at the awaiting couple.  hey made sure their microphone stands were
arranged in the right position so that they could feel free while singing.
Nikki's hand glided onto her stand while feeling the burden of bringing
forth a perfect performance.  They first looked to their manager, Lynn
Harliss, to make sure she was with them in spirit as they performed.  Their
eyes then shifted to the wedding couple.  They could see Amanda and A.J.'s
expressions of flattery while awaiting them to begin the song.  It was a
memorable moment in everyone's hearts.

	[Danay]
	Just like a childhood dream
	I pictured me in your arms
	The minute you held my hand
	I felt safe from all harm

	[Mandy]
	Cause you took my breath away
	And I'll never forget that beautiful day

	From the first kiss I knew that it would be
	A life for us in eternity
	I'll never want to let you go
	I'll always want your love
	From the first time you touched my heart
	And the last time we confessed our love
	I knew it'd be true
	That one day I would marry you

	From the very first kiss

	[Nikki]
	It was in your eyes that night
	That we danced under the white stars
	I could read your every thought
	And I knew that this was love

	[Jenny]
	Cause no one has ever made my heart fly
	The way you have each and every night

	From the first kiss I knew that it would be
	A life for us in eternity
	I'll never want to let you go
	I'll always want your love
	From the first time you touched my heart
	And the last time we confessed our love
	I knew it'd be true
	That one day I would marry you

	[Veronica]
	You know I'm never insecure
	Cause I know that it'll always be
	Even though I might seem a little too in love
	It's because you get me that way

	[Nikki & Danay]
	And I'll never forget the day
	When I first heard you say
	That you loved me
	It was in the way you told me

	From the first kiss I knew that it would be
	A life for us in eternity
	I'll never want to let you go
	I'll always want your love
	From the first time you touched my heart
	And the last time we confessed our love
	I knew it'd be true
	That one day I would marry you

	From the first kiss
	From the very first kiss (The very, very)
	From the first kiss (The very first kiss)
	From the very first (The very first)
	From the very first I knew...

		The emotion brought out by the song composed by Innosense and Brian could
be observed from every pillar of the church.  Hands feared clapping because
of the silence following the song and the prudeness of the wedding setting.
It still brought on a teary-eyed feeling to the atmosphere.  Amanda felt her
own eyes welling up with joyful tears, but her pride prevented her from
releasing any of them.  She stayed humble at the altar while A.J. let one
single tear slid down his pale face.  He choked out a smile in attempts not
to let others see his tear.  He resumed his position in facing Amanda while
Kevin returned to his position as a groomsman, J.C. scooted to the front
section of the pews to sit next to Nick and his family, and the girls of
Innosense, minus Jenny, found their positions again as members of Amanda's
wedding party.
		The minister cleared his throat as the others found their spots near the
altar.  He awaited for complete silence before beginning again with the
ceremony.  "Alexander and Amanda have written their own vows to share with
each other.  They will now recite them, uniting their lives together forever
in matrimony." the minsiter began to speak aloud the words that others
desired to hear.  He eased back a little from his position behind the altar
and allowed Amanda and A.J. to take their time in speaking the words they
had written from their hearts.
		A.J. kept his stare with Amanda.  His brown eyes looked into her icy blue
eyes and found the inspiration he searched for.  It was indeed heartwarming
for both of them to feel their love through glances.  A.J. grabbed Amanda's
hands and held them in his own.  She could feel the small portion of sweat
that showed A.J.'s nervousness.  She blushed a little knowing that she and
A.J. shared the same emotion simultaneously.  She allowed herself to relax
and give her fiancé his moment in the broad spotlight.
		"This is the part where I'm supposed to say something beautiful, but I
can't.  Without you Amanda, the Lord knows my heart couldn't beat, my lungs
couldn't breathe, my eyes would be blind, my ears would be deaf and my life
would be but a flash.  This love that you've given me, it's an
understatement.  I always think of it as something that keeps me going, but
it's more.  You're the person that's kept us together, through thick and
thin.  Your love and my love helped give us the one thing that we love the
most, Amaiya.  Despite problems and despite all of my faults, you love me
like I was your child.  To me, there's nothing better.  So baby, I'm asking
for you to help me give back to you a hundred fold what you've given to me
by just being there every day that I wake up.  Amanda Latona, will you take
me, Alexander James McLean, to be your husband, and, forever your heart?"
A.J. spoke in a semi-shaky voice.  His raspy voice was still present, but a
new, less commanding voice, began to take precedent in the way A.J. spoke.
He loosened his small grip on Amanda's fingers after his words had faded.
He spotted the sparkle in Amanda's eyes again.  It pulled his integrity up
and he allowed himself to remain calm.  "I do." crossed Amanda's lips as she
pressed out a genuine smile.  The relief felt by A.J., after Amanda spoke
her two words, showed in the proud expressions of the attending guests.
		Amanda reported her own expression of contentment subsequent to her
response.  She swallowed slowly and let the audience look on them like dolls
in a glass case.  She closed her eyes for a second to gather her thoughts
and her words.  "Alex... sometimes you're stubborn, sometimes you're moody
and sometimes... well sometimes you don't know the right words to say, but
that's what makes me love you even more.  You're stubborness prevented you
from letting go of what we have despite the hard times and brick walls we've
faced together.  You're moodiness has helped you to be there for me when I
least expect you to.  It's enabled you to mature some by looking back at
your faults and helping me with my own.  The words you speak may sometimes
be wrong, but they're right because it makes me think.  It helps me with my
patience with you and with Amaiya.  You've taught me so much that I'm
crazving for another opportunity to learn from you.  It's the way you are
that makes me love you.  The side of you that I see and no one else that
makes me want to spend forever with you.  I ask that you give me a chance to
love you, cherish you, be with you, hold you and learn from you everyday of
my life, Amaiya's life, and your life until death do each of us part.  Will
you take me, Amanda Marie Latona, to be your wife?" Amanda requested with
her deep and affectionate words.  Her words flowed out poetically though
Amanda felt every bone and muscle in her body shiver as she spoke.  Her fear
for the future was lifted, but she still felt confessing her heart in front
of so many loved ones brought tension in itself.  "Of course, I do." A.J.
replied peacefully with his Cheshire-like grin.  His tranquil expression put
Amanda's heart at rest.
		They both turned their eyes back to the minsiter who had slowly slipped
back to his position behind the altar.  He offered a pleasing smile for
them, releasing a response that both Amanda and A.J. looked for.  Their
hands stayed locked while anticipating the minsiter's next words.  "Now we
will have the exchange of the rings and the lighting of the unity candle."
the minsiter announced.  He again permitted A.J. and Amanda to follow the
course of events that was scheduled to happen.  Amanda and A.J. stayed
motionless for a moment, still revering in their vows.
		It was priceless to the eyes of the wedding party as they watched
contently when the couple turned to each other again.  Justin and Nikki
extended from the places they stood and strolled to where A.J. and Amanda
stood.  They stood near them holding out their hands with golden rings
placed in their palms.  A.J. and Amanda both took calculated steps to turn
to their best man and matron of honor.  Amanda grabbed the golden ring from
Nikki's palm with a generous grin.  Nikki returned it as Amanda lifted the
ring.  Amanda carefully carried the ring over to where A.J. was standing.
She awaited A.J. to return to facing her.
		"This is your moment A.J." Justin whispered as A.J. picked the ring from
his palm.  A.J. lifted his eyes as he lifted the ring.  The smirk slipped
over his lips as he stared at Justin.  He admired Justin's equally large
grin.  The young man was wise to an extent, but A.J. knew that Justin was
aware of the feeling because of his own experience of getting married.  A.J.
had bared witness to that apex moment in Justin and Brian's young lives
together and now he was more than thrilled to have both by his side as he
prepared to wed his longtime girlfriend.  He grasped the ring tightly and
slowly rotated to face his fiancée.
		Amanda's body became rigid when seeing A.J. finally facing her again.  She
tried to remain still with her hand out stretched dantily to bring out the
effect desired when A.J. placed the ring on her left ring finger.  A.J.
cautiously slipped the ring over her finger as the members of the
congregation cooed.  A.J. felt a dimpling smile wrinkle his lips when
hearing the congregation awe at him and his bride.  Amanda let a grin glide
over her own lips while admiring the beautifully cut ring that symbolized
A.J.'s bond with her.  The light of a photographer snapping a quick shot of
the moment did not dim Amanda's glittering eyes as they looked upon A.J.
The importance of knowing A.J.'s expression while placing the ring on
Amanda's finger left Amanda to block out outside distractions to focus her
central concentration on A.J.
		As A.J. finished slipping the ring on Amanda's finger and admiring her
beauty, he held out his hand for Amanda to repeat his steps.  Amanda, with
her glorifying patience, took her time to slid the ring she had purchased
for A.J. onto his finger.  She could feel her friends' eyes watching her
every move as one of her tender hands held A.J.'s left hand and the other
gingerly skated the ring onto A.J.'s finger.  A.J. kept his hand carefree
for Amanda so that she could easily slip the ring on without seeing her
nervous feelings.  His edginess was being bottled up without his consent.
He had to keep focus on the wedding and not how all of his friends truly
gave him all the attention they could muster.  It wasn't like being on stage
and performing for his thousands of fans or hearing women scream out his
name.  This time, however, A.J. could only live through silence but still
feel the stares of spectators.
		Amanda finished slithering the golden ring onto A.J.'s finger with a glow
around her lips.  From the corner of her eye she could see Justin
approaching with a long-stemmed match in hand.  Amanda turned her head a
little to get a full glimpse of Justin as he carried the match to A.J.
Amanda was blind to the fact that Nikki followed Justin with another more
important part of the wedding in hand.  A.J. grabbed the match from Justin
with a promising glance.  Justin stepped back behind A.J. and signaled to
Nikki for her to walk closer.  Nikki followed dierctions smoothly with
calculated steps.  Amanda glanced again over her shoulder to see Nikki
holding Amanda and A.J.'s daughter, Amaiya.  Amanda's eyes lit up with her
motherly luminescence.  Nikki freed a hand and grabbed the bouquet from
Amanda's hands.  Amanda quickly let go of the arrangement of flowers to
grasp her young daughter from Nikki's arms.
		The exchange between Amanda and Nikki was brief.  Amanda held Amaiya
tightly.  Her daughter was decorated in a flowery light yellow dress and a
ribbon headband.  She mirrored her mother's looks with a hint of her
father's face in the nose and the lips.  Her eyes were a soft brown and her
hair was a silky black.  Her small fingers latched onto her mother's wedding
gown with uncertainty.  The child was unaware of what was occuring between
her mother and father, but she stayed calm while resting in Amanda's arms.
		Amanda reached out her well manicured right hand to the match-stick A.J.
held.  She placed her fingertips on the end of it so that she could hold it
with A.J.  A.J. glared at Amanda and Amaiya with a constant love and
affection in his glassy eyes.  He gradually returned his focus on the match
and the candle.  He easily lowered the top of the match, while Amanda held
the end, and lit the white candle on a display near the altar.  The candle
flickered into a small yellow flame on the string which lit a glowing circle
near the wax of the ivory white candle.  Amaiya cooed shyly when seeing the
gorgeous flame dancing over the candle.  It lit up in her eyes while her
parents and the congregation observed her response.  It only drew up a few
chuckles from the congregation, but more stares than anything.
		A.J. waved the stick around to blow out the small flame on the match-stick
while Amanda carried Amaiya back from the dazzling candle.  Amanda shifted
her weight some so that Amaiya could rest on her hip while Amanda's hands
supported her upper body.  She watched A.J. mimick their steps so that he
was standing directly next to Amanda and Amaiya.  He reached down and
grabbed Amanda's hand and held it in his own, a small sign of comfort.
		The minister shot out another dismal smile for the audience and for A.J.
and Amanda.  "We stand here as witness in this church to this holy event in
history's time.  It is hard to see a couple stand this strong, through such
bondage, to strive on and declare their love so boldly.  I am thrilled to
see a couple take this step in a world that survives on lust rather than
love.  If there be no objections in this church of God today, then I now
pronounce you husband and wife." the minister made his closing statements
brief for his own sake.  He was deprived of words he sought to say, but he
worked with what he was blessed with.
		The congregation made a quick search for an objection.  They prayed for
silence in the church to allow the ceremony to continue.  No one could think
of a definite reason why the two should not marry.  There had not been a
justification brought up by any one in months.  A.J. and Amanda's
relationship stayed relatively private, preventing others from uttering any
disapproval of a marriage between them.  Not even the birth of Amaiya had
brought up thoughts of betrayel or incentive to shatter the couple's future
together.  With the time taken to think of a erason, the congregation stayed
silent.
		"Uh, Alexander... you may kiss your bride." the minsiter spoke up in a
hushed tone.  A.J. did not have to hear the phrase twice before devoting all
of his attention to Amanda.  A small set of laughter escaped the wedding
party as they saw the cheesecake grin stretching A.J.'s face.  Amanda could
feel Nikki carefully unlatching Amaiya from her.  She did not hesitate in
letting her daughter go free into Nikki's arms because she trusted Nikki
with her child.  Her main concern was finally uniting herself with A.J. in
holy matrimony.
		A howl arose from the crowd when Amanda and A.J. ultimately locked lips to
seal their bond together.  Cheers rang out across the church as they
witnessed the final piece being added to the wedding.  "Ladies and
gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. McLean." the
minister declared loudly so that the congergation could hear him.  The
applause continued as he spoke, both being ignored by the kissing couple.
"Well it's about time!" Kevin announced, stringing out a louder ovation and
spots of giggling.
		A.J. and Amanda broke from their embrace with laughter.  A.J. felt his
cheeks burn a new shade of red as he pulled away from his bride.  He felt
her run a hand over his platinum blonde head while he turned it some to
stare out to the congregation.  They all stood awaiting he and his new bride
to stroll down the aisle once more.  He held Amanda's hand tightly as he
peered through the faces of the crowd.  "Go for it." A.J. heard Justin
encourage him.  A.J. puckered up a smile.  He saw further motivation in his
mother's eyes when her's and his met.  He felt assurance in the way she
looked up on, urging him to make that step down the aisle as a couple.
		"I'm a married man!" A.J. shouted out while grasping his wife's hand.  The
congergation broke out into a shout while Amanda and A.J. stepped forward.
They could feel members of their wedding party congratulating them through
pats on the back, but their mind's focus stayed on the fact that they were
now a married couple.  They took one final step forward toward the aisle
before glancing briefly at each other.  The wild fire that burned in both of
their eyes mimicked that of the one that burned when they first initiated
their relationship.  It called for them to end the ceremony traditionally.
With a flashy smile on both of their lips, Amanda and A.J. stepped off with
their left foot making a made dash down the aisle.
		Rice cascaded across the aisle like snow falling innocently in a light
winter blizzard.  Amanda and A.J. could feel the rice hit them lightly as
they fleed down the walkway.  Nothing could stop them now as they ran.  The
cheers from friends and family did not cause them to wait and pose for
memorable pictures.  They sought to end the wedding on a perfect note, one
of tradition.
		They continued down the aisle with A.J. beginning to take the lead.  The
rice walkwayed to shatter from each end of the church.  A.J.'s grip stayed
tight on Amanda's hand so that he did not lose her in any step he took.  He
worried about where his daughter would be when they arrived to the
reception, but that did not stop him from running.  He continued down the
aisle and out of the church with no reservations.  His mission was to ensure
that he and his new bride made it safely to their limo so they could
evacuate the church and head for the reception hall to continue the
celebration.  He had no trouble in accomplishing his task.  He assisted his
wife into their snow-white limousine with confidence keeping his body
sturdy.  He let his head quickly glance to the small crowd that was slowly
building outside of the church.  Again he looked on family and friends that
shared a sentimental bond with him.  He lifted his arm and allowed a quick
wave to escape his nimble fingers.  It was an honest farewell until he could
see his friends once again at their designated rendezvous.  He could feel
the pant-leg of his trousers being tugged at, signaling something
significant for him.  A bubbly grin smacked his lips and his eyes turned
downward to see the ring Amanda wore glittering in the mid-afternoon light.
He raised his brow with fascination.  "Come on in Alex." Amanda's seductive
voice called him over the sounds of the enchanting populace.  A.J.'s grin
did not form in vain.  He gave the assembly no further recognition and
briskly slid into the limo and shut the door.  The congregation watched as
the limousine drove off slinked away from the side and pulled away with the
newlywed couple inside and a sign tagged to the back that read: 'Just Got
Hitched!'
		"I'm a married man!" A.J. boasted again from the small crowd he stood in
the middle of.  He held up his glass of champagne to strike up an accord of
praise.  The reception had remained lively from its start with the
Backstreet Band and a DJ providing a wide-range of music for dancers to
enjoy and the oddly-chosen caterer kept others satisfied physically with an
assortment of foods and snacks for the guests.  A.J. had not paid attention
to either detail as he glowed with pride knowing he was now a married man.
After months of battles and weeks of uncertainty, he felt somewhat complete.
  It was the feeling he desired in more ways than one, but he did not force
upon himself or others.  He only looked to find it for himself and he didn't
fail in having it at this point in his youthful life.
		"Yes, you have something to truly celebrate." Kevin agreed with his
friend, raising up his own champagne glass with a sullen smirk.  He stayed
relatively happy for his friend while enjoying the open atmosphere of the
reception.  It was definetely an A.J. party.  Nothing short of a nightclub
mixed with a hint of the Russian Tea Room and the classic Roxy nights.  It
favored A.J.'s type of environment, while it still showed the class and
versitility of his wife, Amanda.  With a display of sparkling pink champagne
to one side and a sculpture of a dove in ice, it shared the common ground of
both worlds.  Kevin stayed satiated by seeing the happy expressions on all
of his friends faces.  Standing in the semi-crowd with Howie, Nick, A.J.,
his cousin Harold III, and Aaron Carter, Kevin felt every generation had
found something to make their lives' complacent.  He felt a sense of home in
the group.  There was a renewal of faith in life and in the power of simple
love that kept Kevin from brooding over petty problems he usually kept his
mind occupied with.
		A.J. therw an arm around Nick's broad shoulders and licked his lips.  He
puckered them up and then looked around at his set of friends.  "And to top
things off, my old friend Nickie here will soon be taking the same steps I
did when he marries that good boy, J.C." A.J. added with charm and a rusty
voice.  Nick offered up a smile before taking a small sip from his glass of
water.  He was surprised how quickly he had forgotten about liquor when
being with J.C. again.  To him, it was as if he and J.C. had never parted.
He had found his old self again and he remembered to keep it a strong
influence.  "I still can't believe you're going to get married." Kevin
commented.  His remark drew out a nod from Harold III who was in disbelief
for his own reasons.  Nick arched his left eyebrow and peered at Kevin.  "Is
that a bad thing?" Nick pondered with a tongue that slithered with distaste.
  Kevin lifted his glass a little while feeling the cold stare from Nick.
He cleared his throat softly.  "Nah, it's not bad at all.  J.C.'s a real
good kid... it's just that, you're still a kid." Kevin replied.  He
shrugged.  Nick's response came in a shaking of his head.  He felt A.J.'s
arm unwrap from around his shoulders.
		A.J.'s hand grazed over Nick's blondish-brown hair while Nick sighed.
"Justin was younger than me when he married your cousin.  I'm grown enough
to know that me and Josh can get married when we want and not have to get
permission from any of you guys." Nick shot out a spiteful answer, though,
he knew it was not called for.  Kevin wrinkled his face with an obvious
disappointment.  Between Nick and Kevin, it was typical.  They were bent on
hurting the other's feelings and neither gave in until the words became too
harsh to even utter aloud.  "You're right.  It's your life." Kevin said with
an unexpected growth in his maturity.  He blame his ability to let things go
on Nikki.  She had refused to marry him, but had taught him a lesson that
would not soon be forgotten.  He could see that his kinder temperament made
it simpler for his friends to remain around him as the reception progress on
full blast.
		Justin sat at a table with Chris, Meelah, and Britney with a glittery
grin.  He eyed Brian as he strutted on the dancefloor with their son, Angel.
  He had not lost in his child despite the small attempt by a few workers at
the adoption agency.  Faith had proven that higher powers did not allow the
minute to conquer the just.  This allowed Justin to gaze out onto the
dancefloor and watch his husband casually dance with Angel and from
time-to-time, Justin glanced to a corner of the floor where his close
friends Lance and Bryce shared a few sweet kisses and danced slowly despite
the mid-tempo music being played.  "Aaawww, look at Irish." Britney cooed,
interrupting Justin's focus.  Justin's unmatched blue eyes ran across the
floor to where Irish danced with her date, R&B singer Ray J.  He chuckled to
himself.  Despite Irish's nonchalant flirting with him, Justin always knew
that Irish's heart remained true to her on-again, off-again boyfriend.  His
eyes could catch a quick glimpse of Irish's sister, Misha, and her
soon-to-be-husband dancing within the shadows of the crowd with their son.
It was another pleasing sight for him.  It painted a picture in which
controversy held no meaning when friends, celebrity friends, got together to
celebrate something worth remembering.  He lifted his hands and put them
onto the table and sat up in his seat before taking his eyes off of them.
		Chris stretched from his seat, letting one of his arms drop from it's
stiff position to around his fiancée's shoulder.  Meelah snuggled a little
closer to Chris when feeling his arm around her.  She let her eyes follow a
trail on Chris until her cuddly brown eyes met his.  The amusement in Chris'
eyes caused Meelah to smile.  "Wow, it's amazing how you'll be a husband and
a father soon enough." Britney remarked toward the couple.  Meelah and Chris
both lifted their eyes from each other to glance over to Britney.  Chris
managed a nod.  Meelah's lips parted a smile that she did not try to sheild.
  She let one of her hands rest on her stomach without anymore worry.  "I
never thought it'd happen... but I think Chris will make a great father."
Justin said to encourage Meelah.  Meelah felt Chris' hand flock up to her
stomach again, pressing his hand on top of hers.  She sighed breathlessly
and looked up.  "I think he will too." Meelah agreed, winking toward Justin.
  Chris squeezed Meelah's body to his with a bubbly expression.  "Yeah, I
think he will too." Chris mocked them for humor.  Britney puckered her lips
when hearing Chris' sarcasm.  Meelah only giggled while feeling Chris'
fingers run up and down her arm and his hand massage hers over the area
their child grew in.
		J.C. stood near the main table for the wedding party with Nick.  He held
both of Nick's hands while leaning on the side of the table.  Nick's body
was pressed closely to his as their lips touched each other like children
did their favorite toys.  J.C. brushed his thick lips over Nick's in a
friendly manner to commemorate their own accomplishment.  "Mmmph... is your
mom and dad okay with this?  You know, uh, us getting married?" J.C. asked
when quickly pulling away from their deep lip-lock.  Nick pushed forward and
smashed his lips to J.C.'s.  He hated ended a kiss for any reason.  He
continued to brush his tongue over J.C.'s while kissing, his hands begging
to break from J.C.'s so that he could fondle his lover.  He eased back some,
his tongue craving to taste J.C.'s again.  He contemplated the question with
a mock-serious expression.  J.C. awaited a reply patiently, catching a
portion of his breath.  "You know what?" Nick chimed, glaring at J.C.'s fair
blue eyes.  "What?" J.C. played along with Nick, his lips bringing out a
halfhearted smile.  Nick leaned forward again and gave J.C. a quick peck to
resound their affection.  J.C. licked his lips again as Nick's face
retracted some.  "I don't care because I love you.  They won't stop me this
time from being with the man that makes my body feel this wonderful." Nick
responded softly.  J.C. grinned with relief.  He sensed that Nick had
learned to let go of being a slave to his parents every bid and every wish.
It wasn't rebellious, it was growing up.  "And do I make your heart feel
wonderful?" J.C. questioned obnoxiously.  Nick cautiously bit down on J.C.'s
lower lip.  He sucked on it concisely and then drew back.  "Can you feel it
beating Joshua?  It beats for you." Nick responded in his most poetic tone.
J.C. felt a rush flush over him, one that he seemed to only feel when being
reassured by Nick.  Denial wasn't apart of the equation for J.C.  He was
definitely head over heels.
		"Excuse me, excuse me, can I have everyone's attention?" A.J. requested
while tapping his champagne glass with a sterling silver fork.  The music
quickly jerked off of the speakers and gradually the entire reception area
became quiet.  Nothing was heard except the breathing of the individuals
attending the soirée.  A.J. took a full glimpse of the room to make sure he
was given everyone's full attention.  He felt all the eyes of the room
shining on him, giving him the thoroughness he desired.  "I want to make a
quick toast." A.J. said before holding up his glass of champagne.  His
actions were mimicked by many of the guests.  He cleared his throat roughly
while calculating the words he needed to say.  He looked down to his wife,
her honest smile giving him added strength.  He reached his hand out and she
grasped it as expected.  He took a breath and then turned his attention back
to his family and friends.  "I want to toast to all the great relationships
here tonight.  I can see so much love in this room, so much promise that
lets me know all of my friends will one day, if not now, be as happy as I am
right now.  Whether the relationship is family, friendship, acquaintances,
lovers, or husband or wife... I have faith that the relationships here
tonight will be ones made for the history books.  To have all of you here
with me today and to see so many faces full of happiness, I know that this
day is one that no one can forget easily.  Because I have found the love I
need, with my wife and with my daugher, and because I have seen so much
great love inside of my friends and the people they have chosen to be with,
I have a lot of faith that soon we'll all be to the levels in our lives
where nothing else will make us happier then being with these people.  So I
toast to love, life, and the beauty of relationships." A.J. said in
portions.  He lifted his glass higher when a round of voices called out,
"Cheers!"
		An applause broke out from the back, slowly carrying upward like a tidal
wave until reaching the front of the room.  It was one of appreciation for
A.J.'s strong and brave words.  It was a thought that had not been expressed
fully in the room and the appplause praised him.  A.J. let the ovation ring
through as he leaned down and kissed the top of his daughter's head and then
gave his wife a touching kiss.  His life was complete and he thanked God for
all his blessings.
		Justin Littrell was laying across his bed with his husband Brian lying on
top of him.  His tuxedo jacket was somewhere on the floor, mixed with his
shirt and bowtie.  Some of his clothes, shoes, and socks were fraternizing
with practically all of Brian's clothing.  The night had made its grand
appearance across the city of Orlando.  The reception never lost a minute of
life before ending and Brian and Justin's duty as members of the wedding had
long been through.  They needed their own privacy to be with each other.  It
was the ambience of the wedding that brought out their true romantic
emotions.
		Justin felt comfortable with Brian lying on him, his soft skin rubbing
over Justin's.  Their bodies ground together in a quiet, yet erotic tone.
Justin's legs continued to spread as his husband touched his body in an
excited fashion.  Justin laid only in his wifebeater and his pants with
Brian sporting only his black Calvin Klein briefs.  The sheets of the bed
were scattered in several directions and the pillows laid at different ends
of the bed, showing signs of desire and passionate kissing.  Justin's large
hands grazed over Brian's back and lowered themselves in a slow fashion.
His mouth released soft cries of love as Brian sucked on his neck.  Justin
was aware that he would soon have a bright-red hickey on his neck, but he
showed no fear in it happening.  His son was asleep across the hall, but
their door remained open to listen for him.  He knew what he did not plan to
do with Brian and sexual intercourse came toward the bottom of his list.
His body craved to be touched like that again by Brian, but he had his own
unswallowed fears.
		While Brian's fingers convoluted through Justin's curly, reddish-brown
hair, Justin's sprightly hands slid over Brian's covered ass.  A giggle
escaped Brian's lips, causing his mouth to lift from Justin's neck.
Justin's eyes opened when hearing his husband laugh and his hands gradually
drew back up to Brian's back.  "I'm sorry... it's just that, we both know we
can't have sex right now, but we're trying to so bad." Brian snickered.  His
words tugged a smile from Justin's red lips.  He sighed, but soon, he felt
Brian's warm body pressing harder on his.  "If Lea was here to take care of
Bastian, it'd be different." Justin assured Brian before trailing his tongue
over Brian's defined cheek.  Brian nodded.  His fingers tugged at Justin's
wifebeater.  Justin felt his body slip back into its romantic mode and his
hands gently moved back down to Brian's ass, gropping at the waistband with
hopes of removing it.
		One of Justin's agile hands grabbed the back of Brian's blondish-brown
hair and pulled it in the direction of his own.  Brian's dimples perked up
before he followed Justin's silent request.  He oyed with Justin's earlobe
with a finger while his face moved in the direction of Justin's.  Justin
closed his eyes again and parted his lips for a kiss.  Brian's hand grabbed
Justin's chin and lifted it to control the upcoming event.  Brian opened his
own mouth and extended his smooth tongue while leaning for the kiss.  Soon,
as wanted by both of them, they were engaged in a fiery kiss.  Their bodies
began to grind harder, building up tracks of sweat on portions of their
bodies.  The bed rocked a little as they did so with Justin snatching his
hands from Brian's ass and quickly grabbing the sheets that remained near
his sides.  His fingertips dug into the linen while his lower body thristed
upward.  The thrust caused a strong struggle between Justin and Brian's
covered erections, both crying out for freedom.  Pleasure was an
understatement for the two.  A hummed moan escape both of their lips while
continuing to kiss in a way only accustom to them.
		Justin's foot brushed over Brian's and then began to slide up and down the
back of Brian's left calf.  Brian's feet rested under one of the white
pillows still sitting on the bed.  He breathed heavily through the kiss.
His hands started to pull and tug with more aggression on Justin's white
wifebeater.  Brian felt Justin softly nibble and then suck on his lower lip.
  "Hmmm... yeah, ooh Justin..." Brian groaned through the sucking.  It
aroused him even greater to have Justin suck on his tongue and lips, his
thick penis struggling to break free from his briefs.  He did his best to
ignore the tension being built as he edged forward to continue the kiss.
His tongue brushed over Justin's in several instances, only requesting
permission to take things further with Justin.  He was being granted his
wishes when feeling one of Justin's hands in his briefs.  One of Justin's
fingers was casually toying with Brian's hole, only petting it and prodding
at it to draw out another moan from Brian's gentle lips.
		Another soft cry was heard by ears.  This time, however, the cry did not
come from Justin or Brian's lips.  Justin's ears perked up and his hand
movements ceased.  He listened harder and could hear another cry being
released.  He determined that the crying was coming from Angel's nursery and
from Angel himself.  'Aaww, shit.' Justin grumbled in his mind while his
eyes flashed open.  He sighed in their kiss and his hands instinctively went
between Brian and his body.  Justin began to push Brian up with his brute
strength.  Brian grunted hard when feeling Justin pushing their bodies
apart.  "Mmph... what?  What?" Brian asked briskly and roughly as his body
begged to be with Justin's again.  Justin sucked in his lower lip and
signaled for Brian to listen.
		Brian unlocked his body from Justin's.  He placed hands on either side of
Justin and lifted his upper body.  His ears raised some so he could hear the
sounds of Angel crying.  His eyes closed with great disappointment.  He was
enjoying the satisfaction of making out with Justin after a period of being
apart.  He hated ending something so passionate with Justin, but, Brian
refused to let his son suffer for his own physical pleasure.  He was a
loving father in that respect.
		"I changed him last time." Justin spoke up a key phrase that automatically
made him immune from having to get up from his position on the bed.  Brian
curled his upper lip and briskly rolled off of his husband.  He grumbled
inaudible words while shuffling to get off of the bed.  "Okay, I got him."
Brian's sweet country accent said as his feet met the ground.  Justin
cleared his throat quietly and eased up in the bed.  He sat up so his back
rested against the backboard.  He pushed the sheets back further with his
legs and feet and watched Brian gather himself.  "Please don't let Angel see
you with your dick hard." Justin requested softly while Brian pushed a few
articles of clothing aside.  Brian hesitantly looked downward.  His eyes
caught sight of the sizeable tent in his black briefs.  His face blushed
quickly and he shyed away from the bed.  He nodded for Justin, but he
couldn't offer a verbal agreeance.  His emabrassment was too great.  "You do
this to me." he managed to whisper.  His response caused Justin to snicker
lightly.  "I know I did babe... you did the same to me." Justin teased while
pointing to his own erection through his pants.
		Brian decided to let his body calm down naturally.  Brian quickly brushed
a hand over his head and searched around the room for a bottle.  There was
not one located within reaching distance for him and he despised making
Angel wait in the crib alone.  He scratched his shoulder and then kicked
aside his socks.  "I'll be back in a few babe." Brian finally spoke up,
trotting over clothes to get to the door.  He was in a personal rush for his
son.  Justin nodded casually.  "I love you!" Justin shouted out to him as he
left.  He could hear a quick and similiar response cross his husband's lips
before Brian was out of speaking distance.
		Justin snuggled up to a pillow near his head and waited patinetly.  His
wait continued for minutes, it seemed.  The exhaustion of the day had left
Justin unable to think of anything but his drooping eyelids.  He enjoyed the
day he spent celebrating the wedding of his friends, but he could not fight
the wearriness that the long day had brought on.  His hands ran over the
soft pillow and Justin's head pressed into it.  'Maybe I can just rest my
eyes for a little bit.' Justin thought, trying to configure how much time he
was given before Brian would return with Angel.  His mind did not offer up
much resistance when Justin decided to let his eyes droop shut.  After all,
Justin was young and still needed his proper amount of peaceful sleep.
		Justin groaned and stretched.  He yawned loudly and batted his eyes.
Justin gazed around, his eyes half-shut.  He closed his eyes again and
snuggled into the pillow.  Within seconds, Justin popped up from the bed
again.  "Where am I!?" Justin questioned aloud.  He looked around the room
that he had slept in, not recognizing any of it.  He quickly released the
pillow and stood.  He couldn't remember much of what had happened to him
before.  He heard a door open and he spun around on his heels.  He saw a
male walking out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his Adonis
waist and a towel in hand that he was using to dry his shaggily brown-blonde
hair.  Water dripped from his body like a waterfall, causing Justin to stare
harder at him.  The man massaged the towel through his hair and gazed up at
Justin.  "Whoa, I didn't think you'd be awake," he said, being the first to
speak.  "Uh.. uh.." Justin couldn't find the words to say.  His stutter
amused the man.  The man looked down at himself and then realized Justin's
awkwardness.  "Oh, geez, I'm sorry Justin.  I thought you'd be sleep and I
could grab my clothes." he explained.  Justin blushed and looked down from
him.
		Slowly Justin could make out who he was looking at.  His eyes brightened
up some as slowly mixed memories returned to his mind.  He was staring at
Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys, but Justin's heart told him Brian was
his.  Justin shook off the thought his heart tried to produce.  He
remembered being at Applebee's with Brian and sharing a friendly
conversation.  It was the beginning of the 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys Tour
and Justin and Brian merely took the time to get to know each other again.
Still Justin's heart beat words of other tunes.  It cried out for another
truth, another reality that Justin could see flashes of.
		"Have a seat Justin.  I'm gonna get changed." Brian insisted, grabbing his
clothes from the dresser.  Justin glanced back up to his face with a shaky
expression.  He could see that his facial expressions were beginning to
bring up concern in Brian.  He did not want that, but his heart rattled
against his chest, begging him to face the truth.  "Brian..." Justin called
out as Brian began to walk back to the shower.  Brian turned his head some,
raising his brow.  Brian watched Justin advance from the other side of the
bed with a growing frown.  Brian feared seeing tears escape Justin's soft
blue eyes.  He watched Justin stop in front of him with worry clouding his
eyes.
		Before Brian's mind could contemplate the reasons for Justin's depressing
expressions, he felt something tug on him and then his towel dropped to the
floor.  He felt his body being wrapped in a slow breeze.  Brian looked down
at his semi-wet lower body, his velvety brown pubic hairs surrounding his
limp penis.  Brian looked up and unexpectedly, into Justin's silky-blue
eyes.  He inspected Justin for a second before Justin moved forward and
pulled Brian's body to his.  Brian was unsure of what was happening between
the two, but for some reason, he did not fight it.
		A kiss was initiated by Brian.  He wanted it more than anything to hold
Justin and kiss him.  The lunch at Applebee's, the ride in the limousine,
and bumping into Justin at the airport gave Brian a new craving for the
younger man.  He felt Justin's hand brushing over his cheek with affection.
It was a sign for Brian and he took all the precautions mentally he needed.
		They fell backward onto the bed with Brian's naked body on top of Justin's
clothed body.  There was no hesitation on Brian's part to kiss Justin the
way his eyes commanded him too.  Justin ran his fingers over dripping
Brian's back with a tender touch.  He could feel Brian adjusting their
bodies so that they could be comfortable while kissing.  Justin's mind
shouted with disagreement, but Justin tuned it out.  He didn't want his
conscience to tell him that Brian was but a stranger, an acquaintance that
he barely knew enough about to fondle i\and kiss in his hotel room.  His
heart was right, just as it had always been when it came to Brian.  His
heart did not let him or Brian stop their actions.  Soon enough, Justin felt
his body becoming one with his heart because he knew Brian was just what he
needed in his seventeen year old life.  Even though Brian and Justin were
just getting to know each other again, Justin could feel it was Just
Beginning for Brian and Justin.

				  THE END

Thank You's: First and formost, I want to thank God for giving me the
strentgh and the ability to write for this long.  It's a true blessing and I
thank Him for giving it to me.  I want to thank David for creating Nifty,
giving a lot of us a place to get our feet in the door and to learn the
tricks of the trade.  David is truly a great man because he puts his heart
into updating every day and making sure Nifty is well taken care of while
still being kind and friendly to writers.  He is a man I strive to be like
one day.  I have to thank all of the writers that keep Bifty alive and keep
many Internet people satisfied.  You've been gifted, so don't waste the
talent.  I've seen a lot of poor works, but I've seen greater talent and
those are the authors that stay around for one thing, the beauty of writing.
  Study your craft and do it well!!!

To ALL my readers: Much love!  I could not have been there without ya.  All
the old, new and been-here-since-First-Nite-peeps!  Every e-mail you have
sent me has made my day.  Even the ones that said I gave them all repeats,
you kept me going strong.  I appreciate it.  Since I can't name you all, I
won't name a few.  I just want you to know that you have given me something
to carry through the roughest of times and that is pride.  Thank you so
much.  I don't want to break down and cry while writing this, so just know
you have been one of my inspirations.

To the Awards peeps: I started it, so you have to finish it.  Thanks for the
nominations and the awards.  The writers and readers really made me feel
like somebody every time we've had an awards.  Just because you don't win
won, doesn't mean you don't deserve one!

If you still want to see me on the web, check out my Innosense page:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Floor/5183/

About my haters statement, I know it's harsh but it's only meant for the
people that tried to hate on me and make me downfall.  I'm only stronger and
more confident now thanks to them.  But to all the GREAT fans that e-mail
every story or at least e-mail me and check up on me and stuff, you are
NEVER forgotten!  I cherish each of you for loving me as if you truly knew
me.

I know there aren't end notes, but I just want to say a BIG thanks to 'N
Sync, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Innosense, 702, and their families
for inspiring such great characters.  I know some folks wanted more JC and
Nick in this one or more Kevin or more whoever, but I hope you like what
you've gotten.  I worked my ass off for this one and though I came in one
deadline, I could have turned in worse.  So with all my regards...

Peace & All Smiles,
JM