Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 22:59:24 +0800
From: pseud0nym <pseud0nym@edsamail.com.ph>
Subject: Crossed Paths 9

The Obligatory Stuff...

If you are under 18 or not of legal age in your country, please don't read
on. This is a story concerning gay males having an intimate
relationship. This is intended FOR ADULTS ONLY. If you are not of legal age
but you really, really like this stuff, just don't tell others that you
do. :-)

Everything in this story is purely FICTIONAL. Or in simpler terms, it's not
true!!! Even if this story involved the Backstreet Boys and N SYNC, all
that happens here is fictional... again, it's not true. I don't know
anything about their sexuality, if they're gay (but I do have my
speculations) or not but I wrote this out of freedom of speech and my love
for these guys. I don't own them, okay? Wait, I know them but they don't
know that! AGAIN, it's NOT TRUE!!! But I hope it's true... hehehehe...


A few words from the author....

Hey guys and gals!

Here's a new one from me. Well, I think this has been long due but for
someone circumstances, I failed to finish writing this chapter. That's why
it's in .txt form not in my usual HTML form but I wanna hear from y'all if
you like it in text or HTML form.

I extend my apologies to those who really care about typographical or
grammatical errors found in the chapter. Even if there's Grammar and
Spelling Check of MS Word, I still have my doubts about all of it. Still,
my realization stays... prepositions are words to hate! So hard to use
them.

Chapter 9 is entitled... "And the winner is..." because mainly, almost the
whole plot of the chapter revolved around the times of the Grammy's. I know
it's a month ago, like I wrote, this was long due, so sorry about
that. Grammy's is very important for people of the music biz so I included
it here with a new surprise... don't you love them?

NOTE: This is a BRIAN/JUSTIN story not a JUSTIN/JC one or others having a
'relationship' with BRIAN or JUSTIN but there will be instances. The point
is the story circles on BRIAN/JUSTIN relationship, but there is room for
other pairings.

I suggest these stories 'coz they really made a big impact in my writing:

	Brian and Justin
	The One
	Jamie's Romance
	Nick and Brian
	Model Romance
	Josh and Just
	Nick and the Altos
	Studio in the Country
	Living (found in www.matthewtime.com)
	.... There are more but these are my favorites!

A massive thank you to all those who have send their feedbacks in regards
to this. Whether it was positive or negative, it was appreciated because
I'll know that there are really people reading my stuff. Keep the feedbacks
coming and do give your suggestions for this 'coz my mind is not that
broad, so I wanna hear what you think.

EMAIL ME!!! pseud0nym@edsamail.com.ph

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION RULES!!!

		*	*	*	*	*	*

Last scene in Chapter 8:

"Your what?" Brian questioned Nick. Nick said nothing and just kept staring
into nothing. Brian sat beside Nick and rubbed his shoulder to give him
comfort.

"I'm gay, Bri. I just feel so alone when I see you happy with Justin. It
just makes me lonelier when I hear that 'I'm so happy with him' or 'I'm in
love, I'm the luckiest person alive'. Why can't I get my love?" Nick poured
his heart out. Tears trickled down his cheeks again.

"When it's your time, it will just come and hit you." Brian said. Wait,
Nick said 'why can't I get my love'. Questions rushed inside Brian's
head. Everything that happened for the past 4 months replayed in Brian's
mind patching up all the pieces of the puzzle... Nick is... "Nick! I never
knew. I'm so sorry but I really love Justin with all my heart." Brian said
as he embraced Nick.

"I know that's why I hate your relationship. I could be in that
relationship but no, I have to be miserable and alone seeing the two of you
being lovey-dovey." Nick said.

"I'm still your friend Nick. Let's just place all of these things in the
past and let's move on. If I didn't meet Justin, surely, I'll fall in love
with you." Brian said.

"What?" Nick asked confusedly.

"You're in love with me right?" Brian questioned back.

"No! That would be so disgusting. It's like I'm doing it with my brother
Aaron. Yuck!" Nick said with disgust. "I'm not in love with you... but with
JUSTIN."


		*	*	*	*	*	*


Chapter 9
And the Winner Is...


The name of Justin kept on echoing in Brian's mind. His best friend is in
love with his boyfriend. It was as simple as that but it created a storm in
Brian's mind. Everything was in confusion.

"I thought you hate NSYNC, especially Justin?" Brian asked curiously. It
was evident that Brian was afraid of Nick's revelation. He knew that Nick
was someone to be feared upon. He was gorgeous, fun and young... a definite
threat to his relationship with Justin.

"I don't hate them. Maybe, I dislike them because they are a carbon copy of
us but I don't hate them." Nick said as he walked towards the bedroom
leaving Brian in the bathroom in thoughts. Brian followed him trying to
find the answers that was bothering him. "As for my hostility towards
Justin." Nick said as he slumped down the bed. "I just thought that if you
know that I don't like him, you'll break up with him and..." Nick trailed
off.

"You will take my place as his boyfriend." Brian said with more fire in his
tone. Nick just nodded still looking directly at the ceiling like Brian
wasn't even there. Brian's eyes began to flame with anger. His best friend
was trying to break him and Justin to get Justin for himself.

"Bri, talk to me." Nick shook Brian to get him out of his trance. Brian did
snapped out of his reverie and stared directly to Nick. Nick's eyes looked
blue as usual but something was different. All Brian saw was a person who
wants his boyfriend; it was not his best friend.

"Don't touch me." Brian said coldly. Nick immediately took his hand
back. Fear traced Nick's face because this was just the second time he saw
Brian this way; the first was with Leighanne. Nick knew that Brian hates
him at that moment, but he couldn't change what he was feeling for Justin
and Brian knew it.

"Don't worry Bri. I'm not gonna steal your curly boyfriend." Nick assured
Brian. "You are still my best friend as far as I'm concern and I don't know
how you feel about me at this moment but I have a hunch that you hate
me. You asked me what's the problem and I told you the truth, so don't
blame me with this." Nick said as he stood up and walked towards the door
of the room, away from Brian.

"You know that everything will be different from now on, right?" Brian said
out of nowhere. Nick looked at him and nodded. "All that we have shared
will be buried down because of this. You tried to snake in a relationship I
truly cherish, something that came from my true self. And you call yourself
my best friend?" Brian questioned Nick. Nick didn't answer his question and
just opened the door to get away from his room.

"Take care of Justin and grasp unto him because once you let go of him even
slightly, I'll grab him from you." Nick said as he closed the door of the
door leaving Brian dumbfounded.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


A woman stood up from her chair and walked towards the phone with a grin
pasted in her face. She dialed a familiar number and waited patiently for
the person to answer.

"Hello" The person said.

"It's me. I just had a perfect idea to break up Brian and Justin." She
declared. She slumped down on her bed smiling. She knew that this is the
best solution for her problem.

"What is it?" The person asked excitedly.

"I thought that..." She explained her plan to the person detail by detail.

"You think that will do the trick?" The man asked.

"I think so. Brian is a responsible person." The woman assured the
man. "I'll do it as soon as possible." The woman ended her call and walked
out of her house to make the necessary arrangements for her plan.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


The phone rang incessantly in Justin's abode. He was in the shower when the
phone rang. Someone should have answered the phone but his mother went out
to finish some loose ends for her group and JC was out somewhere. It was
just Justin all alone in the house.

Justin ran to the phone as water dripped off from his naked form. He was
alone in his house, so it was okay for him to streak naked in the
house. Once he reached the phone, he was out of breath. "Hello?" Justin
asked.

"Hi Just. It's Bri!" Brian answered from the other line. Brian sensed the
weird breathing that Justin was having. "What happened?" Brian questioned.

"Oh hi Bri. I ran from the shower 'coz no one's home except me." Justin
said still out of breath. After catching his breath and wiped the excess
water off his body. "Why did you call?" Justin asked while drying his curly
hair.

"Well, just wanna remind my baby that we'll see each other in the
Grammy's." Brian chimed. Justin just smiled with the thought that him and
Brian would be together. Seldom as it was, every time they met was
something special.

"I'm excited about it too!" Justin said. "We're gonna perform also there
and we're up for three Grammy's... three Grammy's!" Justin exclaimed. He
was truly excited with everything that was occurring because it seemed that
everything was just falling along in what he envisioned it to be.

"Yeah, we heard in MTV. Congratulations." Brian said happy for Justin's
success with their sophomore album. Even though it was a group effort, he
knew that his Justin played a big part in this feat. "Just want to see how
you are. Continue with your shower and we'll see each other in the
Grammy's, okay? Love you." Brian chimed.

"Okay. You take care and sleep tight. See you soon. Luv ya!" Justin said as
he placed the handset back. Justin walked back to the bathroom with a grin
pasted on his face. Brian's call registered in his mind and he began
giggling like a teenage girl who just talked to her crush.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


"At last!" AJ shouted as they entered the hotel they were staying in. It
was time for the Grammy's, the time when all of the music stars gather in
one occasion to honor the achievements of some of the artists.

"I'm gonna go to my room. I'm so beat from the plane and I wanna talk to
..." Brian trailed off as a woman smiled at her. "What on earth are you
doing here?" Brian scowled.

"Me? I'm your date for the Grammy's. I'm still your wife, remember?"
Leighanne said trying to flirt with his 'husband'. She walked towards Brian
to give him a hug but Brian stopped him and walked pass her.

"Get your own room." Brian said coldly as he walked to the elevator to his
room. It was like Brian's day became bad; all the happy thoughts that he
was thinking about suddenly disappeared. They were just replaced by
pictures of the night of Stockholm and his conversation with Nick.

Brian walked towards his room and opened it. Brian was surprised when he
noticed that there was light coming from the inside when the door opened
slightly. Brian pushed the door open and a sight of perfect beauty appeared
upon his eyes. Justin smiled at him warmly as he walked to him and gave him
a big wet kiss that immediately made Brian's day.

"What are you doing here?" Brian asked as he closed the door of the room.

"You don't want me here?" Justin pouted. Brian saw the change in Justin's
expression and he immediately gave Justin an embrace. "So you want me
here!" Justin exclaimed as he gave Brian another kiss. "You just lay there
on the bed and I'll take care of everything." Justin said.

Justin broke the embrace and brought Brian's bags by the bed. It was a
simple act from Justin that truly softened Brian's heart and made him fall
in love with Justin all over again. Those were the special things that
Brian remembered about Justin, those simple but sweet and caring acts.

"How was your day sweetie?" Justin asked as he slumped on the bed next to
Brian. Brian just sighed when he remembered that Leighanne will be his date
in the Grammy's.

"Just turned bad when I saw Leighanne downstairs. She is supposedly be my
date for the Grammy's." Brian said sadly while trying to sense the reaction
of Justin.

"It's gonna be okay. I'll be there and we know we are the one together not
you and Leighanne." Justin said with a trace of optimism, but deep inside
Justin, he was feeling so down and insecure.

"You really know how to brighten up my day! You wanna sleep now." Brian
offered with a smile. Justin just nodded and snuggled closer to Brian.

Justin closed his eyes but his mind was still processing his
thoughts... and his insecurities. Justin was praying that Brian won't leave
him for Leighanne. Justin was praying that their love could overcome all of
the obstacles ahead.

Brian on the other hand just stared at his 'sleeping' boyfriend. Brian
stroked Justin's cu... wait, where was Justin's curls? Brian just smiled as
he noticed that Justin removed all of his curls. Something that he has to
ask to Justin next day. Brian was beat from all of the day's excitement, it
was time for his mind and body to rest.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


The phone in Brian's room kept on ringing that woke up Brian. Brian took
the receiver of the phone and answered it groggily.

"This is your wake up call! WAKE UP!!!!" Kevin shouted on the phone.

"Very funny Kevin. Leave me alone will ya. It's..." Brian looked at the
clock on the counter that read, "10 am! Why didn't you wake me earlier?"
Brian said frantically about the time. He knew that they have an interview
around 10:30 and he was panicking.

"Don't panic! And quiet down, you might wake up your boyfriend." Kevin
said. Brian complied when he saw Justin still snuggled by his side. "The
interview is cancelled so don't worry about it. We have another interview
around 1pm." Kevin relayed the new information he got.

"Then, why did you wake me up?" Brian said.

"Just wanna toy with my little cuzzy!" Kevin laughed loud. Brian just
rolled his eyes and Kevin hanged up the phone. Brian returned the handset
on the phone and just looked at the angel sleeping, cuddled so close to
him.

It was Justin, his Justin. No one could destroy their relationship. Not
Leighanne. Not Nick. No one. Brian knew that what they shared was true
love. Their love that could encompass anyone, stronger than anyone. Brian
played with the remains of Justin's hair. It was short, different from the
curls that he was accustomed to. But the softness was still there, and the
owner of the hair is still there sleeping beside him.

"Stop watching me." Justin mumbled softly. Justin lifted his head and
looked at Brian sleepily. Brian just smiled at Justin and cupped Justin's
chin and gave him a good morning kiss. "Now, that's how to wake up." Justin
said.

"Care to explain what happened to your curls?" Brian said as he grabbed
Justin's head and gave him a noogie. Justin struggled from Brian's hold and
laughed it off.

"I got tired of it. Too many people caring for those curls." Justin said as
he tickled Brian by the sides. Brian's hold loosen and Justin got the
advantage. Justin sat on Brian's chest and looked at Brian in a seducing
manner. Brian got lost in Justin's eyes and his lips inched closer to
Justin's wanting lips.

After a few minutes, Justin suddenly broke their lip lock. "I gotta go,
Bri. We got practice for the performance in Grammy's." Justin said as he
put in his shirt and pants. Brian was still stunned in the sudden actions
of Justin. "See you later." Justin said as he gave Brian a kiss on the
forehead.

"This is not the way you leave a man." Brian said as Justin was walking
towards the door. Justin looked at him and laughed his heart out. But,
Justin still walked out to got to his rehearsals.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


"Where's your other half?" AJ asked as Brian walked in Kevin's room.

"Rehearsals." Brian said. Brian looked around the room to where he could
sit down, the only available one was the space beside Nick. Brian frowned a
little bit but still managed to control his feelings and sat beside
Nick. "We ready to go?" Brian asked impatiently.

"In a few minutes. The limo will be here shortly. Is there a problem?"
Kevin asked Brian.

"There is no problem. My soon to be ex-wife is here and I think I have no
best friend." Brian said sarcastically. Brian realized that he shouldn't be
pouring out his inner pains to his band mates and decided that he should
retract everything. "Sorry guys for losing my temper on you. It's just a
shitty week for me." Brian said softly.

"I'm still your best friend Rok. Whatever happens, okay?" Nick said as he
gave him a hug. "I know that what I revealed was something out of nowhere
and if I could just take everything back and not feel what I feel, I would
do it because you're my best friend. We're Frick and Frack remember?" Nick
said as he started to tear up.

"Where was I?" AJ interrupted the moment but Nick and Brian didn't mind it.

"It's really painful. You don't know how painful it is knowing your best
friend did all that shit just to break up a wonderful relationship and
steal Justin from me." Brian said with gritted teeth trying to control his
emotions.

"You're gay?" AJ questioned Nick, which Nick totally ignored.

"And I'm sorry for that. Like I said, you're still my best friend and I'm
not intending to steal your little Justin from you while you're in the
relationship." Nick said with a smile. "But like I said earlier, once you
loose your grasp unto him I'll take care of him." Nick added.

"So you won't do any ploy just to break us up?" Brian asked meekly. Nick
just nodded happily. Brian gave Nick an embrace but deep inside, this was
just something they have to show, not something they have to mean.

"Where was I?" AJ said again.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


It was the day of the Grammy's and everyone in the music business swarmed
the occasion. Different people gathered together and posed for the cameras
that was lighting up the area. The limo of the Backstreet Boys soon
arrived. As soon as they have gotten out of the limo, reporters and
paparazzi swarmed down asking loads of question.

"What do you feel that NSYNC has been given 3 Grammy nods?"

"Is true that Mr. McLean is drug addicted?"

"Who's gonna marry next among the three of you?"

Questions bombarded them everywhere and they really didn't want to answer
any of them. They were there to have a good time and not pressured by the
press who were constantly digging for news. As soon as another limo
arrived, the press was divided for another amazing group just arrived,
NSYNC.

Similar to the BSB, as soon as they have gotten out of the limo, the flash
of the camera blinded them and the questions of the reporters filled the
air.

"Where is Britney, Justin?"

"What happened to your hair?"

"How's Dani, Chris?"

"Is it true that Mr. Fatone impregnated a woman?"

Amidst with all of the chaos, Brian and Justin had a moment to looked at
each others eyes and acknowledged each others presence in the area. It's
like they were having the best conversation of their lives but none was
talking and only their eyes and their smiles expressed what they were
feeling.

The peace was disrupted as a bitchy lady clung on Brian's side and dragged
him to the swarm of cameras for a shot. On the other hand, Justin frowned
seeing the two smiling in front of the cameras like the couple they were. A
happy married couple that he could never be. Justin walked pass the swarm
of reporters and entered the premises.

Justin walked to their dressing room and entered. Once inside, he stared at
himself on the mirror. Justin Timberlake. NSYNC heartthrob who is linked to
his long time friend, Britney Spears. That's all the world knew about him,
just that. They didn't know how he loved cuddling with a Backstreet
Boy. They didn't know where he got the ring he has in his finger. They
didn't know that Justin was gay. They didn't know the real Justin
Timberlake.

"See something you like?" A voice behind him asked. Justin spun around to
meet the source of the voice that interrupted his reverie. When their eyes
locked, Justin became more surprised.

"Nick... what are you doing here?" Justin said nervously as he walked away
from the mirror and slumped unto the couch. Nick just smiled at him and sat
beside him.

"I saw that you were not having your time of your life out there awhile ago
and I came to check on you." Nick uttered still possessing his famous
grin. "I know how you're feeling with this. You're just a year younger than
me anyway." Nick added.

"You don't know how I'm feeling." Justin whispered. A pout was forming on
his mouth remembering Brian and Leighanne together.

"I know that it's difficult to be the youngest in the group and gay. I just
know the feeling." Nick soothed Justin. Justin's ears perked up as the word
gay came out of Nick's mouth. Justin looked at Nick with shock at his
revelation. "Forgot to tell you I'm gay." Nick laughed with the peculiar
look in Justin's face.

"Just never knew that you're... gay." Justin said meekly but still afforded
to flash his smile.

"Never knew you were gay too." Nick mumbled to himself. Justin looked at
him quizzically but he didn't get what Nick really meant. Nick just laughed
it off and Justin followed as well. The door of the dressing room opened
and the other NSYNCers entered the room.

"What are you doing here?" Chris asked with a taint of disgust in his
voice. Chris knew Nick's feelings about them.

"Just visiting and wanna say sorry for all my hostilities." Nick stood up
and walked out towards the door. "By the way, good luck." Nick closed the
door of the dressing room with four faces of awe with what just happened.

"What just happened?" Joey said. All eyes went to Justin who looked
confused as well. Justin just shrugged and stood up.

"C'mon! We have a party to attend to!" Chris said.


		*	*	*	*	*	*


Nick walked towards the seats reserved for the BSB camp. His other four
group members were already seated who looked relief. Probably because they
have escaped the crowds outside. Nick sat down and sighed.

"Where were you?" Brian asked.

"Just checked up the NSYNC camp." As Nick said those words four pairs of
eyes were locked on him. "I apologized with how I acted towards them." Nick
finally said. "By the way Bri, check on Justin later. He looked upset."
Nick said with care on his voice.

"Okay." Brian said lowly. Brian knew why Justin was upset. He saw the frown
that formed in Justin's face when he was dragged away by his 'wife'. There
was no space for Brian's mind to think of Nick's true intentions on why he
went to check on Justin. Brian looked at Leighanne. 'This is my problem'
Brian thought.

"What is it sweetie?" Leighanne chimed.

"Tell me Leighanne. Why are you really here? Management didn't send you
'coz I checked it with them. So tell me." Brian inquired. Leighanne looked
at the fierce eyes of Brian. He wants it, he'll get it.

"You really wanna know. Okay, I went here to tell you personally that I am
pregnant. And it's your baby." Leighanne said. Brian's eyes widened and
remained speechless with the revelation of his wife.

*****************
End of Chapter 9

Chapter 9 y'all! Thank God I got that out of my desk. Well, it was fun
writing it, and that's right Leighanne is pregnant with Brian. Will Brian
leave Justin for Leighanne is his baby? Is it really Brian's baby? Will
know all the answers to these questions next chapter.

Question! Everyone knows that this is a Brian and Justin story, right? If
not, this is a Brian and Justin story. Just wanna ask my readers who they
want to be paired here. As far as I'm concerned it's just Brian and Justin;
Kristin and Kevin; AJ and Joey (still debatable). Anyone else?

The unknown calls are still there buy who are they??? C'mon, you must have
guessed it already. Drop me a line, okay?

Address remains:
pseud0nym@edsamail.com.ph
     |---> this is a zero