Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 04:41:27 GMT
From: Jeff Langdon <jeff_langdon@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Truth Behind It All - Part 1

This story involves members of the bands 'N SYNC and 98 Degrees.  I am in no
way implying anything about the sexuality of any of their members.  This is
purely a fictional story.  Enjoy!
Feedback is very much needed and appreciated.  Please send comments to
jeff_langdon@hotmail.com.

	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*


The Truth Behind It All- Part 1

"Why are you doing this to me?" Lance whispered, fighting to hold back the
tears that threatened to fall any second.  "What did I do wrong?"

There was a soft snicker that could be heard.  "Don't kid yourself, Lance.
You know you want this as much as I do."  The voice was void of concern or
regret.  "That's just the way it is.  Do you know how pathetic you look
right now?"  Jeff Timmons put the finishing touches on his hair as he
prepared to head out for yet another day.  Taking another look at his lover,
he walked over to where he was standing.  Wrapping his arms around the
trembling Lance's waist, he whispered, "Shhh...I'm sorry, babe.  I didn't
mean to yell at you.  I'm sorry."

With a sudden surge of strength, Lance broke loose from Jeff's hold and
turned to face him.  "I've had enough of this," the blond singer spoke
defiantly.  "I don't want this anymore."

Jeff was taken by surprise by Lance's newfound will.  This was somewhat of a
new experience for the usually dominant Jeff.  By his surprise was quickly
replaced with a regaining of control.  He pushed the blond singer against
the wall, holding him in place.  "Don't you ever speak to me that way again,
James," he threatened.  "You don't have a say in this matter."  With that he
pushed Lance onto the bed, leaving the blond trembling and sobbing softly.
With a scornful look, Jeff walked out the door, only to almost collide with
his bandmate Drew Lachey.  Without even stopping to acknowledge his
presence, Jeff just continued on his way.  Drew sighed and walked through
the open door, only to find Lance still on the bed in tears.

Without any hesitation, Drew took Lance in his arms and held him tight,
letting the younger boy release his sorrowful tears.  "I'm so sorry,
Lance...I'm so sorry," he whispered as he rubbed Lance's back.

As quickly as his tears began, Lance stopped his sobbing and rubbed the
tears off of his face.  "It's okay, Drew.  It's not your fault."

"And neither is it your fault," Drew continued.  "No matter what Jeff says,
none of this is your fault."

"Thanks, Drew."  Lance hugged Drew once again.  He held him tight for
several seconds before releasing his friend.  "I'm leaving him, Drew.  I
can't stand this any more."

Drew smiled at and nodded in understanding.  "I'll support you no matter
what."  With that, Drew leaned in and kissed Lance on the cheek.

Lance seemed taken aback by Drew's actions.  "Drew, I thought..."

"I understand, Lance.  As much as I love you, I'll never force you to do
something that you don't want to do.  We can't be lovers, but we can still
be friends, right?"

Lance merely nodded in response.

"I'll never let Jeff hurt you again, Lance.  I promise."

"Thanks, Drew.  Thanks for everything."  Lance hugged Drew once more before
standing up from the bed.  "I really should get going now."

"You don't have to go back to them, Lance."

Lance sighed and said nothing.

"Why do you put up with the way they treat you?" Drew continued.  "You
deserve better than that."

Lance gave Drew's question a moment of thought.  "I really should get going.
  But thanks again, Drew."

Drew sighed as his attempt to persuade Lance failed.  "You take care of
yourself, Lance.  Remember that I'm always only a phone call away."

"I'll remember that.  Thanks again."  Lance took one last look at Drew and
left the room, leaving his friend - his only friend - behind.

Drew watched as Lance left the room silently.  He could feel his eyes tear
up as Lance disappeared into the elevator.  He could only imagine what his
friend was going through, and that alone made his heart ache.  "Why are you
doing this to yourself, Lance?" he whispered.  "Can't you see that what a
wonderful person you are?  You don't deserve this..."  Drew sat on the bed
as he was consumed in thought.  His eyes fell on a wallet, Lance's wallet.
He grabbed it and ran out the door, hoping to catch his friend before he
left.

*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

"I'm a fucking grown up, Josh.  I think I can decide for myself," Justin
yelled angrily.

"I don't care if you're 30," JC countered.  "You've proven time and time
again that you just can't act like a responsible adult."

"Oh, and I suppose you're such a saint!" Justin remarked sarcastically.
"Well, I'm still going to that club whether you like it or not.  You're not
my dad."  Justin started down the stairs, only to be pulled back by JC.

"The hell you are going!  You're not going anywhere, Mr. Timberlake."

Meanwhile, Lance pulled up on Justin's driveway.  He sat in his car for a
few minutes, wanting to delay going in to the house as long as he possibly
can.  He didn't want to go in, knowing the people who were inside the house.
  "Why do they hate me so much?" Lance thought to himself.  Chris and Joey
were alright, but they didn't talk to him much unless they absolutely had
to.  But Justin and JC were much worse.  They ridiculed him, scorned him,
and basically treated him like dirt.  Was it because he was gay?  Lance
honestly did not know.  Maybe.  But then again, they treated Lance that way
ever since day one, even before Lance came out to the group.

Lance walked into Justin's house to hear JC and Justin arguing at the top of
the stairs.  The argument was so heated that they were oblivious to Lance's
arrival.  Seeing the quarrel on the verge of intensifying into a fist fight,
Lance made his way up the stairs.

"Just calm down for a bit, guys," Lance said as he tried to alleviate the
tension in the air.

"Just mind your own business," Justin replied harshly.

"Why are you back so early anyways?" JC continued.  "I guess Jeff must've
found someone better to fuck than faggot boy here."

Lance felt a lump in his throat as he heard those words.  Those words kept
repeating themselves in his mind that he didn't even notice Justin and JC
begin pushing and shoving each other.  Finally, Lance shook himself out of
his daze and again tried to stop the argument before it got too out of hand.
  He got in between JC and Justin and tried to separate them.  Only this
time, Justin turned to face Lance.  He grabbed Lance's shirt and pulled him
close.  "Didn't I tell you to mind your own business?" he screamed at Lance.
  With that, he shoved Lance away.  Lance took a step back to keep his
balance from Justin's shoving, only to find his feet missing the step.
Before he could grab on to the railing, Lance found himself crashing down
the stairs.  Even Justin and JC could hear Lance's cry as he tumbled down
the stairs.  As Lance crashed against the wall at the bottom of the stairs,
JC and Justin could only watch in horror.  Lance's body was not moving, void
of any signs of life.  As they walked down the stairs, still reeling in
shock, Drew walked through the open door.  He had come to return Lance's
wallet but was totally unprepared for the sight before him.  He fell to his
knees as he saw Lance lying helplessly on the floor, before looking up at
Justin and JC with fire of rage in his eyes.


...to be continued....

Hope you enjoyed this segment.  Let me know what you think!!

I'd love to hear any comments/ideas/questions.  Please e-mail me at
jeff_langdon@hotmail.com