Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 10:05:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Red <redfirewitch@yahoo.com>
Subject: Hide In Plain Sight: Chapter 20 - Burning Bright (FINAL CHAPTER!)

Title: Hide In Plain Sight 20/20

Author: Red (redfirewitch@yahoo.com)

Note: I started this story on the 1st of July 2000!
And I'm ending it on the 6th of February 2001. That's
about 6 months and 50,000 words! Yikes

Dedication: This last part is for the three who were
with this story from Chapter 1. Jackie, Jayne and Wen.
I still have your first feedbacks to me! Lol! Thank
you for your countless encouragement since.

Thank yous: I have to thank the following incredible
authors; Diana Martin, Dara Lynn, Wen, Joie and Alec
for inspiring me. Alec! Don't forget our deal!

Finally, thank you to all you readers who have
followed the series. I would have given up long ago if
it wasn't for you peeps!

****************************
Chapter 20 - Burning Bright
****************************

Snap!

He had done it. He had managed to get his hand free.
He quickly used his free left hand to grab the jagged
glass piece more firmly and started to cut through the
rope that held his right hand. He didn't even notice
the pain from the cuts on his hand or the blood
staining the ropes and sheets. All he knew was that he
was going to be freed in a few more seconds.

'How long has it been already? How long has it been
already? What was that sound? Was it....faster!
Faster!'

The rope holding his right hand snapped and JC sat up
on the bed and began to work on untying the ropes
holding his feet. He had to hurry. He didn't know how
much longer he had. Phillip could be back anytime.
Even if he could have fought back Phillip on a normal
day, he couldn't now. His body was too weak from
exhaustion and blood loss. It was going to take all
his strength to try and get back to the main road.

The ropes holding his feet were undone and JC kicked
free of them. Gingerly he got off the bed, fighting
off the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm him. He
held on to the wall of the cabin and slowly moved to
the door. The sun was setting slowly and soon it would
be too dark. He needed to move faster. Just then he
heard the sound of the van.

'No!'

**

It looked like a procession with the only difference
being that the cars were speeding down the road.
Justin sat with Elli in the back Detective Pasco's
car. They were the last car behind the patrol cars and
the swat team's vehicle. The detective was in constant
communication with the patrol car which Matt was in.

Matt gave them the precise directions to the cabin.
Justin couldn't help but wonder why Matt was
cooperating all of a sudden. Did it finally dawn on
him that he was going to jail? That this was his only
chance to get a plea bargain? Still Justin didn't
trust Matt.

"What if it's a trick? What if he's bringing us
further away from JC?" Justin asked.

"It's a risk we have to take. But my instincts tell me
that he's telling the truth." Elli said.

"A few more minutes and we'll be there." Pasco said.

Justin closed his eyes tight and prayed.
'God please, let Josh be unharmed. Please! He's
suffered enough already. Please spare him more pain.'

Justin opened his eyes and looked at the passing
trees.
"Hang on, Josh. We're coming."

**

"Honey! I'm home!" Phillip's voice rang though the
cabin.

JC hurriedly pulled his legs over the window. There!
Finally he was out! He stumbled but regained his
balance quickly. It was so hard to breathe. So hard to
move but he had to get away from Phillip.

'Have to warn Justin.'

"How are you...FUCK! WHERE THE HELL..." Phillip's face
appeared in the window. JC saw him and started to run.
He knew he had a head start because Phillip would not
be able to squeeze through that small window the way
he had been able to do so. But was it enough?

"THERE'S NO WHERE FOR YOU TO GO! DON'T MAKE THIS MORE
DIFFICULT FOR YOURSELF!" Phillip's voice echoed
through the forest.

He was running. He felt like he was running but he
didn't seem to be getting very far. Everywhere, there
were trees blocking him, roots tripping him and
slowing him down. He heard the sound of the cabin door
swing open but he didn't turn around to look. He had
to get away!

"CAN'T GET VERY FAR, BOY! THERE'S NO ONE TO RUN TO!"
Phillip's voice was much nearer now.

'Got to run! Got to run! Have to get to Justin and
warn him! Got to....oommph' JC stumbled and fell. His
hands and feet scrambled on the ground trying to gain
purchase.

"Oh you poor thing. Tripped, did ya? Let me kiss it
and make it better."

JC turned around in terror and fell on his back.
Phillip stood there grinning. A gun was in his hand
pointed straight at JC.

"I told you that you were only making things harder
for yourself, pretty boy. But you never listen."
Phillip said, coming closer to JC.

No! No! He had to get away! He had to warn Justin!

"You could have been comfortable back at the cabin but
you had to do it the hard way.'

'Just like Liam. If he had kept his mouth shut, we
wouldn't be here and he would be alive. Not that it's
any skin off my back that he's dead. The bastard was
always trying to replace me. Ha! But in the end, I
replaced him permanently!'

For a moment, his dream flashed in JC's mind. Liam's
dead body and Phillip breaking his neck. Then heading
for Justin.

'God no! Justin!'

JC tried to get up but Phillip placed his foot on JC's
chest and pushed him back down.
"Get on your knees!"

JC just stared at Phillip, not registering the words.
He was functioning on instincts and fear and was
beyond basic comprehension.

"I SAID ON YOUR KNEES!"

Nothing. Phillip pushed JC on his back and straddled
his thighs. JC's eyes were wide with fear. But all he
could do was look on his terror. He couldn't even
move.

Phillip smirked.
"You're really far gone, aren't cha, boy?" he said and
began to remove JC's clothes.

JC focused his eyes on the purple sky over his head.
The sun had almost set and very little light was
available. The birds were noisy as they were settling
in their nests. The crickets were already out. It was
nice except that someone was pushing him into the
ground, tearing at his clothes, scratching him. But he
couldn't stop them. He was just so tired.

Then suddenly, he heard a shout. "Don't move!" The
weight on him immediately lifted and a shot rang out.
It was then followed by two more sharper shots. And
then all was quiet. JC wondered where the birds and
crickets had gone.

The sound of shuffling feet on dried leaves. The sound
of voices. And then someone was beside him, calling
his name.
"Mr. Chasez? Can you hear me? Mr. Chasez? Joshua?"

It wasn't Phillip. It wasn't Matt. It was someone
else. Someone else! He can tell them to warn Justin
for him!

JC sat up with the help from the man beside him. His
eyes were frantic as he grabbed the man's hand.
"Warn Justin! Phillip will come for him! Tell Justin
not to trust Matt!"

The captain of the swat team looked at JC,
sympathetically.
"You're ok now. Phillip is dead. He can't hurt
anyone."

"No! He's not dead! I'm not lying! Please! You've got
to tell Justin!" JC said, with tears in his eyes. "I
wasn't making it up! It is true! I'm not lying!"

"Yes sir, we know." The other members of the unit
gestured at the captain and whispered something to
him. The captain nodded. "Everything is ok, now."

JC shook his head.
"Phillip isn't dead. Phillip is alive. He's alive."

"Yes. He was alive but now he's dead. We had to shoot
him because he was about to shoot us. Phillip is
really dead now."

All JC could do was shake his head.
"No. He's alive. He's going to hurt Justin. I have to
warn Justin."

The captain looked behind him and then turned back to
JC.
"Would you like to tell Justin yourself?" he asked
kindly.

JC took a while to register the words. Tell Justin
himself. Yes. He wanted to tell Justin himself. Even
if Justin didn't believe him, he had to tell him by
himself. But how? He had to get to Justin.

"Josh?"

JC blinked. Was that Justin's voice?

"Josh?" This time the voice was accompanied by a touch
on his shoulder.

JC looked up. And there was Justin.

"Justin?"

"Yeah. It's ok, Josh. You're safe. No one's going to
hurt you anymore."

JC grabbed Justin shoulder and began to shout.
"HE'S ALIVE! PHILLIP'S ALIVE! I'M NOT LYING!"

Justin placed his hands on JC's face and tried to clam
him down.
"I know, Josh! I believe you! You weren't lying! But
now he's really dead!"

JC didn't even seem to hear the words. Tears ran down
his face and his whole body hitched with sobs.
"Please Justin! I'm...hic...I'm not lying! Matt wants
Phillip...hic... to kill me! But...hic... Phillip will
also...hic...also kill him and you! I know he will!"

Justin started to cry too. He pulled JC into a tight
embrace, burying his face in JC's hair and looked
helplessly at Elli who was standing beside him.
"I know you are not lying, baby. I know. But you've
got to believe me! Everything's ok now. Matt's going
to jail. Phillip's dead. No one's going to hurt you or
me or the guys or anyone. We are all safe now."

JC just shook his head and sobbed.

"He's probably in shock from blood loss and
exhaustion. We have to get him some medical
attention." Elli said.

Justin nodded and tried to pull away from JC but he
wouldn't let go.
"Sssh, it's ok." Justin pulled away with more force
and helped JC put his shirt back on. Justin then stood
up along with JC and supported him as Elli and a
couple of policemen led the embracing couple towards
the waiting cars.

Feeling a sticky moisture on his skin, Justin looked
down and saw the bleeding wounds on both of JC's wrist
and hands. His heart ached at the thought of the
desperation that JC must have felt, trying to get
away, trying to get to him. At that moment Justin
looked up, searching for Matt. Matt was standing
between two policemen near the cabin. staring right at
Justin and JC. Even from that distance of a few feet,
Justin could see the cold anger in Matt's eyes. Justin
glared at him with intense hatred for what he had put
JC through. The bastard deserved everything he got.

"He doesn't deserve you, Justin. He's nothing now.
Just look at him! Pathetic!" Matt said.

"Fuck you, bastard! You're going to jail for a long
time!" Justin said.

"I did it all for you, Justin. I'll do anything for
you. And I have to do this too. I'm sorry."

Everything occurred in a flash. One moment, Matt was
standing there in handcuffs. The next moment, he had
pushed one of the cops away and grabbed his gun. Then
he aimed and for the second time that evening, a
series of  gun shots disturbed the peace of the
forests.

Justin found himself on the ground along with JC and
Elli. He lifted his head and saw Matt's unmoving form,
laying at the exact same spot where he had been
standing just a while ago. The gun was still in his
hands. One of the cops, kept his weapon trained on
Matt's body while the other kicked the gun away from
Matt's hand. He then bent down and felt for Matt's
pulse. He shook his head and everyone relaxed.

Justin kept staring. What had happened? Matt had aimed
at him. Matt had wanted to kill him. Then someone had
pushed him to the ground. Justin sat up, wanting to
hold JC in his arms again and comfort him.

"JC?"

"Justin! Are you ok?" JC asked, with desperation.
Justin couldn't help but smile. No matter what
happened, JC always looked out for him. Always loved
him.

"I'm fine. I..." That's when he saw it. The blood. So
much blood all over JC. And a gaping wound in JC's
stomach..

"NO!!! FUCK!!! HELP US! SOMEBODY HELP US!" Justin
yelled. Justin scrambled to JC, kneeling beside him
and put pressure on the wound, looking on in abject
terror.
"God please no!!!"

The medics rushed to JC's side and checked for JC's
pulse.
"We're losing him. Start CPR!

Justin let them take over, barely aware of the
activity. He shook his head and started crying.
"Josh! You can't do this! Please don't die! I love
you!"

Justin rested his forehead against JC's clammy one's
and began to whisper again and again.
"I love you! Please don't leave me!"

The sounds around him were fading but JC heard the
words and wanted desperately to tell Justin the very
same words back. But he couldn't see. The inky
blackness covered his sight as his eyes closed in
drowsiness. Justin's voice was fading away too now. A
part of him fought to stay awake, fearing the
beckoning comfort of unconsciousness, but it was
overwhelmed by his tired mind and body. He fought too
hard for too long. He didn't want to fight any more.

**
The last strains of Amazing Grace had faded minutes
ago but Justin still stood in front of the grave
silently. Dark glasses hid his blue eyes. The funeral
had been a quiet, negligible affair and that had
surprised no one.

Justin just stared at the epitaph under the name and
date. It was a simple and yet impossible directive.

'Rest in Peace'

They still didn't know who Matt had been aiming for,
JC or Justin. Elli said that Matt could have given the
directions without having to follow along but probably
had wanted to come along so that he could kill JC.
However, in the brief moment when Justin had looked
into Matt's eyes, he had seen a glimpse of madness and
not jealousy. Matt had wanted him dead.

How had that obsession grown? How had he not seen the
evil in Matt? Justin still shuddered when he
remembered the words of love they had spoken to each
and the touches they had shared. It made him feel
filthy. Justin tried to forgive Matt. He spoke to his
pastor and his therapist trying to find some way to
forgive Matt. But he knew the reason that he couldn't
was because of JC.

Justin reached up and removed the glasses, looking at
the grave in front of him. His blues eyes spat venom
at the gray slab.
"I hope you burn in hell, you bastard."

With that, Justin left the graveside of Matt Vance and
never looked back again.

**

"...and I told him that I was putting him on a diet. Of
course you know your dad, Josh, he couldn't even get
through the first day. I raided his pants pocket and
found four different candy wrappers! That man! You
would think that after 50 years, he would have learned
to cover his tracks!" Karen Chasez said., smiling and
shaking her head. She stood up and adjusted the
blanket around her son. Then running her hand over his
forehead, she blinked back tears.

"Hi Karen."

Karen turned around to see Justin standing near the
door to the private hospital room.

"Hi sweetie! What are you doing here? I thought I told
you to get some rest!"

"I couldn't sleep." Justin said and came over to the
other side of the bed. He leaned down and kissed JC on
the forehead. "Hi baby."

JC slept on.

"He's so beautiful." Justin murmured.

Karen smiled.
"I think he's already won all the nurses' hearts.
Every hour, at least five of them come in here to
check those charts."

"That's Josh. He can charm anyone. Even in sleep."
Justin said.

Karen smiled. Then it faded.
"Sometimes I wonder if he will ever wake up."

Justin reached across Josh to take Karen's hand.
"He will."

"But they said that the longer he stays in the coma..."

"He will." Justin repeated again. His eyes met Karen's
with determination and strength.

Karen drew strength from him. She smiled and patted
Justin's hand. Wiping away her tears, she looked back
down at JC.
"I'm going home now, sweetie. Heather will be coming
to keep you company. And Justin if you feel tired,
please go home. I don't want you to fall ill!"

"I know. I will go home if I'm tired."

Karen gave him a look that said that she didn't
believe a word of that. She shook her head.
"If you see Heather, tell her that I'll be back at
four."

"Ok. Bye Karen."

"Bye Justin"

Justin watched as Karen kissed her son's forehead and
ran her hand over his hair. Then she sighed and left
the room. Justin closed the door to the private
hospital room and came back to JC's side. He lay down
on the bed beside JC, on his side, resting his head
besides JC's on the pillow. He inhaled the scent of
JC's hair and sighed.

"You've got to wake up, Josh. It's not a matter of
choice. I know you love to sleep, but this is
ridiculous, baby" Justin said with a smile.

JC slept on.

"Do you know that they are constantly sticking you
with needles here? I know that you hate that."

JC slept on.

"Everyone is waiting for you, Josh. Joey, Chris,
Lance, your mom and dad, Heather, Tyler, my family,
the Pack, Johnny, Christina, Britney, Dale, TJ, Nikki.
Especially the fans, Josh. It's crazy out there
because you're in here sleeping. They scream and cry
for you always."

JC slept on.

"I'm waiting for you too, Josh. I know you'll wake up.
You're my phoenix, Josh. You burned but you'll be
reborn. I know you will. I'll wait for you no matter
how long it takes."

Justin leaned forward and kissed JC on the lips.

"I love you."

JC slept on.

**

THE END!!! COLLEEN! STEP AWAY FROM THE KNIVES!!!