Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2001 01:02:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Red <redfirewitch@yahoo.com>
Subject: Chances Are - Chapter 17 (JC/Justin)

Title: Chances Are 17/?

Author: Red (redfirewitch@yahoo.com)

Disclaimer: None of this has happened.

Dedication: To Wen, Joie, Rick, Mary and Jaxx. People
whom I don't get to talk to nearly as much as I want
to.

**

They were at another hotel where the only familiar
thing was the sound of young girls, screaming. The
five of them stepped out of the bus and spent a few
minutes signing autographs. Lance and Joey stood close
to JC in case he freaked out but JC seemed more in
control than before. They then headed into hotel.

Joey, Chris and Justin held back slightly while JC and
Lance walked ahead.

"So what happened? You two seemed pretty quiet the
whole trip after your talk. Did you sort everything
out?" Joey asked.

"Yeah."

"So is he going to get help?" Chris asked.

"Yeah."

"He isn't mad at you anymore?" Joey asked.

"Yeah."

"So you guys fixed everything between you two?" Chris
asked.

"Yeah."

"Good." Joey said.

"Yeah. We fixed everything. We are breaking up."

With that Justin stepped into the waiting elevator
with JC and Lance. Chris and Joey stared at each other
in shock before quickly stepping into the elevator.

"WHAT!? You're breaking up!?" Joey exclaimed.

JC looked up from his conversation with Lance about
the sound check. He glanced at Justin.
"You told them."

Justin shrugged.
"Yeah."

"Told them what? Who's breaking up? What?" Lance
asked, looking confused.

"Justin and..." Chris began to explain.

"Can we talk about this later?" JC interrupted.

The bodyguards tried to look disinterested but it was
kind of difficult when they were all in the small
space of the elevator.

Chris nodded.
"Sorry."

They reached their floor and JC stepped out heading
for the suite allotted to the group. The five of them
entered the shared living room area and threw their
bags down in the corner for the time being.

Joey threw his hands up.
"Ok, what's this about you two breaking up?"

"Justin...JC, you're breaking up? But you just got
together!" Lance said.

"So was it all just a fling or something?" Chris
asked.

"JC thinks we rushed into this. He wants to take
things slow." Justin said.

"And what do you want?" Joey asked.

Justin shrugged.
"What does it matter."

JC frowned.
"Justin, I didn't..."

"No, Josh...JC, it doesn't matter what I want. Because
you don't trust me and that's that. Can't do anything
about it."

"You don't trust Justin?" Chris asked.

"He thinks that I'm pretending to be gay because I'm
pissed of with the Justin/Britney fairy tale. He
thinks I'm going through a gay phase. He thinks that
as soon as I'm sick of being gay, I'll go back to
being straight." Justin said. "Did I miss anything
out, JC?"

JC shook his head and silently left for his room.
Justin watched him leave and then sat down heavily on
the couch.
"I guess not."

"This must be because of the assault." Lance said.

"No. This is because a piece of shit called Julian!"
Justin yelled.

"Julian? What does he have to do with you and JC?"

"He did a number on JC after our fight. The bastard
was pretending to be ok with us and then the first
chance he gets, he messes with JC's head."

"What exactly did Julian tell JC?" Chris asked.

"I don't know but that is what's making JC think that
I'm not serious!"

"You don't have proof that Julian said..."

"You want proof? Get Julian here and I'll get you your
proof. I'll knock loose a few of his teeth first, then
I'll get you your proof!"

"Justin, there's no point in getting angry. It's not
going to help you." Lance said.

Justin seemed to visibly deflate.
"I can't help it, Lance. This isn't fair. I'm in love
with him and he doesn't even think of me enough to
trust me."

"Woah. You're in love with JC? Wow." Joey said in awe.

"Why is that so hard to believe, Joe?" Justin asked,
defensively.

"I...it's just..."

"Just what!? You thought this was about sex? That I
and JC couldn't possibly be serious? What?!"

"Ok, maybe I did. But can you blame me? I mean, you of
all people Justin! You love girls! You lap up the
attention they give you! You were almost as bad as me!
And then suddenly you are into guys?" Joey exclaimed.

"I'm into JC! There is a difference! I'm not lusting
after you guys, am I?"

Chris nodded.
"But that's just it, Justin. Look I don't know for
sure what is going on in JC's mind but I can guess.
You tell him that you love him and that you want be
with him. You sound so sure but this is your first gay
experience. Can you blame him for wondering if you are
really in this for real? If even Joey has doubts, then
why not JC?"

Justin didn't have anything to say to that because
what Chris said made sense.

"The more you try to rush into a relationship with JC,
the more you make it seem like this is a phase. I know
this is unfair to you but getting pissed off and
complaining is only going to damage your case. Show JC
that you know what you want by acting calmly and
thinking stuff through. Give yourself time because if
this really is love, it's not going away any time
soon."

Chris couldn't see Justin's face as it was downcast so
he had no idea what he was thinking.

"When did you get so smart, Chris?" Justin asked,
finally.

Chris grinned.
"I was always smart. I just dimmed after I hooked up
you losers."

Justin looked up with a tired smile. He stood up and
hugged Chris.
"Thanks man. I think I get it."

"For what it's worth, I think you and JC will make it
in the long run, Curly," said Chris.

Justin looked towards the closed door of JC's room.
"Think it's too soon to talk to him?"

"Go ahead."

Justin knocked and waited. He heard the sound of the
bed creaking and shuffling feet. Then the door opened.

"Can we talk?"

JC nodded and moved back, letting Justin in. Justin
closed the door and went over to sit on the bed. JC
stood leaning against the door.

"I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"For blaming you."

JC watched Justin watch him apologetically.

"I know that you have to deal with enough stuff
without me trying to make you feel worse. It's just
that..." Justin stood up and came over to stand in
front of JC. "...I love you so much. I'm in love with
you."

JC blinked once. Twice.
"You love...you're in love with me?"

"I know this too soon to tell you and I know you don't
believe me but I want you to know that I'm willing to
wait for as long as you need me to. We can take things
slow. Anything as long as you still give me a chance
to prove to you that I am serious. And I am serious,
Josh. No matter what you think, I am serious."

"Justin..."

"You don't have to say anything. We can be the way we
used to be. Best friends and just that. I'm going to
keep telling you I'm in love with. For years if that's
how long it will tale till you believe me. I'm going
to show you that I'm not just a confused kid. I don't
have anything to prove to anyone...except you. I'm
going to show you that you can trust me."

"Justin..."

"If you're going to tell me to give up or something,
then don't because I'm not going to listen to you. I'm
not going to stop loving you so don't even try to tell
me that."

JC remained silent.

"Aren't you going to say something?" Justin asked.

"Are you going to let me?" JC asked with a slight
smile playing on his lips.

Justin smiled back and nodded.

JC took a step forward and wrapped his arms around
Justin, pulling him into a hug. Justin returned the
embrace, holding on tightly. He closed his eyes and
let himself absorb JC into him. He felt tears prick
his eyes as he heard and felt JC's whisper against his
ears.

"Thank you, Justin."

**

Part 18 coming right up...