Small Sacrifices Disclaimer: I do not know nor am I affiliated with 'N Sync, WEG, or Jive Records. This is a work of fiction. These events did not happen to the best of my knowledge and therefore actions taken in this story do not reflect the true nature of the characters involved. This story does not imply anything about the sexuality of the person(s) involved. Rating: NC-17 for content including homosexuality themes. Summary: Their love for one another is tested when they make sacrifices in the name of love. Author's Notes: Surprisingly, I don't know how, but people actually read "Golden Phoenix" so I thought I'd give this another shot. Affiliates: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Little_Boy_Blue
Small Sacrifices I
Their love had always been based on that unconditional love they had for one
another. Their love was one of those surreal dreams you hear about all the
time, but never witness much less fortunate to experience. Two best friends
against all odds found love in one another. Love. That love still existed.
Justin refused to let that love die. He lived to know that JC loved him. And
true, Josh loved Justin. And Justin loved Josh. JC had always made sacrifices
for his young lover. And Justin would return that love by making his share of
sacrifices.
It was just recently now that Justin started to feel as if he was making more
sacrifices for the sake of their love. They lived in the limelight. Every move
they made together was constantly being scrutinized, making spending time
together an almost impossible task. JC no longer visited him at the sets of
his movies bearing a carton of his favorite ice cream. It was always Justin
making that midnight flight to catch JC at a small gig and flying across the
continent back to wake up for his morning shoot. There were far too many times
when JC cancelled their plans for an evening out in town at the last minute to
meet with agents, Justin understood. After all, he was there, too, when 'Nsync
arose from mere spectacles to dominate the pop world.
At the pinnacle of Justin's career, the rumors of the two lovers spread like
wild fires, escalating to mass proportions. Justin's career wasn't affected
much, not the way the rumors had had a strain on JC's static career. JC had
explained to Justin that they couldn't spend nearly as much time together
anymore. JC had requested him to stop attending the remaining press conferences
of the year. The rumors would never be extinguished if the media saw him at the
press conferences. And Justin would tell JC that it was okay. He had planned to
go out and play ball anyways despite the below freezing Chicago temperature.
And when JC asked him to sit at another table during an award show late last
year, Justin wanted nothing more than to cower and die. Instead, he put on his
million dollar smile and joined Lance in the table reserved for rumored
boyfriends for a pop star like JC whose fan base was still predominantly teenage
girls could not possibly have a homosexual relationship. When JC forgot his
birthday earlier this year, Justin was devastated, but understood. He had been
working diligently all week long. He didn't mean to forget his birthday. And
JC apologized relentlessly. He even got down on his knees for him. How could
you deny a man on his knees? You couldn't. They made up later in the week
with JC taking Justin to an Orlando Magic basketball game. Courtside seats,
too. JC had done so much for him. So, when he was offered a role in an
upcoming period piece working beside Paul Newman, Justin turned down the offer
without any hesitation. The film could establish him as more than just your
pretty blonde bombshell, offering a more challenging role than his type-cast
role of high school heartthrob falling for the school outcast. But the film
would take him to the countryside of Ireland for at least four months. Four
months he could just sit and gaze at JC all day as he worked on his material.
Now towards the end of the four month period that he could have spent in
Ireland, Justin was bored out of his mind. And sad to say, regret was on his
mind. He silently cursed himself for having such thoughts. JC has always made
sacrifices for him. He, too, could sacrifice for JC. The timing was perfect.
JC, the solo artist, was starting to make noise in the musical world. It was
his time now to soar as a solo artist. Music was his life. There was no
question. Singing was innate for JC as breathing was for an ordinary person.
It was something he knew how to do and something he was good at. It was the
only thing that came natural to him. To stop singing was to stop breathing.
And because this was JC's time, Justin must support him whole- heartedly.
Besides, it was only a movie. Another offer would come, but a love like this
only happened once in a lifetime. This was their once in a lifetime.
The silence echoing in the room gnawed at Justin mercilessly. The clock hanging
over yonder at the back of the room continued to tediously ticked away precious
seconds. Seconds he could not ask for anymore. Once gone, forever gone. On the
eve of their 1st year anniversary, instead of celebrating the coming day, his
boyfriend had literally barricaded himself inside their bedroom. And because he
wished to spend every moment of his waking hours with him, he chose to stay
inside as well. It had been several hours. The sun was glinting across the
length of the dark oak table. It was such a beautiful day, but what was a
beautiful day without spending it with the one you love. He could no longer sit
still. He began nibbling on his fingernails as he tapped repeatedly on the
table, vying for his attention.
"Josh."
"Not now."
"Josh, please."
"What is it?!" JC snapped, exasperatedly.
"Never mind." Justin pouted.
He got up from his seat next to JC and walked away. His head hung low as he
made his way toward the door. Why wasn't he stopping him? Why didn't he care
if he left or not? Tears were brimming in his eyes as his hand wrapped around
the brass doorknob. He turned the knob open ready to leave when he felt a cold
hand enclosed over his, pulling the door shut.
"I'm sorry." JC whispered into his boyfriend's ear. "Please don't leave. You
ought to know by now that everything I do is for us. For you alone."
Justin sighed deeply, wallowing in the faded memories of their once thriving
relationship.
Justin closed his eyes to prevent the tears from escaping. He sighed deeply.
Without turning his head, he twisted out of JC's hold to massage his cold hand
warm. JC had been writing busily all day. The spring breeze caressing the white
curtains left JC's hands cold and dry.
Cold and dry hands he would kiss for always.
(c) 2001 Aphrodite
Small Sacrifices II Leaning against the bathroom door, he watched intensely as his boyfriend prepped himself for tonight's gala. As usual, JC sang loudly as he fixed his hair. That voice. Justin remembered how that voice would sing him to sleep night after night. That heavenly voice was music to his ears. How the musical world would disregard JC's God given talent, Justin would never understand. JC had just finished putting on the tie and was now in the process of spraying himself with mists of cologne. How Justin loved the way JC smelled. He was so tempting to leave his post and kissed JC, savoring the sexy musk he was emitting, but the doorbell suddenly rang. "Justin, baby, can you get that for me?" JC asked. Justin nodded meekly. He slipped out of the bathroom and made his way across the hotel suite to open the door. It was Johnny and from the look on his face and the sound of his voice, he hadn't expected to see Justin opening the door for him. "Justin. I didn't expect to see you here." Johnny said as he invited himself in. "I know since this is only my boyfriend's hotel room." Justin commented. An unnerving silence fell between the two as they stared grimly into each other's eyes before JC entered the picture, breaking the silence. "Hey, Johnny. Have a seat." JC greeted his manager with a ludicrous smile. "Thanks, JC." Johnny said, taking a seat on the small sofa. Justin, not wishing to spend a moment longer with Johnny, walked to the closet to retrieve a suit he had bought earlier today specifically for tonight's event. He strolled past Johnny when Johnny suddenly sprang up, intercepting Justin's path. "I don't think you should come tonight." Johnny said. "And why not?" Justin challenged his former manager's ridiculous request. "JC is my boyfriend. Tonight's his big night. I want to support him. Lance is going. Why aren't you so adamant about him going?" "Because Justin, Lance wasn't the one caught walking out of a hotel holding JC's hands." Johnny explained so casually. "We didn't do anything, Johnny." Justin responded. His voice affected by his emotions. "I don't care." Johnny replied. "You did enough." "But-" "Justin, listen to me. You need to stay away from JC. He's a pop star. And pop stars have young screaming female fans. You of all people should know. He can't have a boyfriend. It will ruin his career." "But JC isn't a pop star. He's a musician." "Until he wins the Grammy and gain respect from the media, he'll be a pop star. Once a boy band member, always a boy band member." Johnny said. Justin sank to his seat, devastating that he couldn't attend the gala. He held onto his gray Prada suit, relishing the scent of the brand new suit. The door creaked open and he carelessly tossed the suit behind the small couch. Wiping his eyes, he got up from the couch to meet JC's embrace with a kiss on his cheek. "Baby, what's wrong?" JC asked, peering through Justin's misty blue eyes. "He's okay." Johnny spoke on Justin's behalf. "We were reminiscing over old times and Justin got a little emotional." "Is that true, baby?" "Yes." Justin nodded. "Silly. There's no need to shed tears over the past." JC laughed a little, getting his jacket on. He walked towards the door with Johnny following close behind when he noticed that Justin hadn't moved an inch. He was standing still in the middle of the hotel room. His hands fidgeting as he stared gloomily down at the floor beneath his feet. "Baby, are you coming? You didn't keep me up all last night whining about not being able to attend the gala and now bailing out on me? I already asked Lance to save you a seat at the table next to mine." Justin opened his mouth to speak, but hesitantly closed his mouth shut when Johnny tossed him a disapproving glare. He remained silent for a brief moment, pondering over his lists of excuses he would often use when he didn't want to go somewhere. "Nah." Avoiding JC's eyes, he continued. "I really wanted to check out that new restaurant we booked downtown. Plus, TNT is having another marathon of 'White Men Can't Jump'." "Okay, then. I'll have Lance check up on you." JC smiled, kissing Justin softly on the lips. "Good night, sweetheart. Don't wait up. If all goes well, I'll probably have a drink or two with potential record dealers." Justin nodded. He watched as JC slowly left his arms to meet up with Johnny. Johnny stepped outside the room, leaving JC trailing behind him. He was trailing behind him. He was stalling a few precious seconds before leaving. Not wanting the moment to end, Justin leapt forward, capturing JC's arms. He spun him around to face him. He leaned forward and kissed JC passionately on JC's lips before releasing him. "Good luck, Josh." Justin said upon release. "Thank you. All I need is you. You are my lucky charm. Good bye, Justin." "Good bye, Josh." Justin said, still clinging onto his boyfriend desperately. "I love you." "I love you, too, Justin." "I really do love you. More than my favorite ice cream and all the cereal combined." "Okay. I'm not going to say anymore." JC smiled at his young boyfriend. "If I tell you I love you, you'll give me that pout of yours and I'll never leave in time to actually perform at the gala. So, I won't. Bye, baby." "Bye..." Justin whispered softly as JC slipped out of his grasp. He watched poignantly as JC's figure dissipated to a mere speck down the hall. With the sound of the elevators closing on him, he stepped back inside and slumped down onto the floor. What was happening to their love? Where was the passion? Did Josh still love him unconditionally? He wept as he crawled to their bedroom. He turned on the television in a futile attempt to get his mind off of Josh. He stopped at TNT. They were indeed playing "White Men Can't Jump". Justin turned off the television and tossed it aside. He buried his face in the pillow and sobbed quietly. The day of their first year anniversary and his boyfriend wasn't here to share in the celebrations. Instead of moping around the hotel, doing nothing productive, Justin walked back into the master suite. His eyes landed on the folded suit on the floor beside the couch. He bent over and picked up the suit. He was going to wear it tonight. He was going to Le Bristo tonight. With or without Josh, he was going to celebrate the happiest day of his young life. He called a cab to take him to the restaurant. He gave the cab driver a generous toll and approached the restaurant. He entered and was overwhelmed by the weight of everyone's eyes on him as he made his way toward a table assigned by the host. The food critic was right about the place. The food was exquisite, yet, everything was bland. And the fact that he was denied alcohol to take his troubles away didn't help him feel any better either. Not quite an hour later, he left the restaurant. Instead of calling for another cab, he opted to stroll along the brilliantly lit downtown streets, lamenting in his current despair. The night of their anniversary and he couldn't spend it with JC. Rather JC wouldn't spend it with him. His legs kept walking, taking him down several blocks when his face lit up. It was a small jewelry shop. Justin entered the shop. He waved his hand, acknowledging the shopkeeper. He browsed through the many cases of jewelry. Each shone so brightly, it was blinding him. The only thought that crossed his mind was that this necklace, this bracelet, this ring would love beautiful on JC. He selected a small gold band and walked up to the counter. "For your special lady?" The accented man spoke. "Yes. It's our anniversary gift." Justin explained. "She's one lucky lady." "Yes." Justin said. "And I am, too." "But you don't look so lucky." The man noticed the single teardrop slipping past his lids. "I don't know if the one I love still loves me." Justin cried. "Shh...What if I tell you that you there's a way you can tell if he loves you?" "And what way might that be?" "In the little things he does for you." "Thanks." Justin thanked the man behind the counter, oblivious to what had just passed between him and the man behind the counter. Justin paid for the ring, leaving without getting his change. He wanted to leave now. It was getting late. And he wanted to get to the hotel to get some rest. Maybe tomorrow, JC would make it up to him and take him to another basketball game. He had to save his energy for that. Still gazing at the ring he had just bought, he failed to notice someone honking at him. He looked up to find a van driving slowly along the street in the wrong direction. "Hey!" The man hollered, again, as he continued to ignore him. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" "What is it?" Justin stopped to ask, after the man repeatedly called out for him. "Where is Parkway Avenue from here?" "Down past the water fountain." Justin answered. "Where, again?" The man asked, getting out of the van to approach Justin. "I'm not from this town. Maybe you can show me?" The man said, pushing a gun into Justin's stomach. Justin's eyes widened with fear as the ring he held tightly slipped out his hand. "Get in the car." Justin shook his head. He wanted to move. He wanted to run, to scream out the top of his lungs. He wanted to do so much, but he remained stagnant as a few more hands grabbed him from behind. The four men shoved him into the van, where he was met with three more men. The ring left behind- a faded memory of their once perfect love. (c) 2001 Aphrodite
Small Sacrifices III ~this chapter contains adapted lyrics from "You Don't Have To Be Alone" written by JC Chasez for the Grinch Soundtrack~ JC sat in the limo. His head hung between his legs as he mulled over his relationship with Justin. He hands reached inside his pants pocket, feeling for the platinum band he had carried with him for nearly a year waiting for the perfect moment to ask Justin to marry him. But when would the moment come? Never. JC sighed deeply. He didn't know when they fell apart. The love that they had was like a work of art. He used to see heaven in Justin's eyes. Now angels were falling from his sky. Since when did he stop loving Justin? Since when did Justin become second to his career, second to his music? JC Chasez always had two passions in life. One was music. The other the curly haired blond boy he had befriended seven years ago. He had always thought Justin would be first in his heart, but now he came to the confounding realization that music had taken precedence in his heart. If the time called for him to leave Justin to pursue his career, JC was mortified he'd leave Justin weeping on the cold tiles of his bathroom floor. He couldn't live without singing for music was his life. Justin was just an added bonus in life. The cherry on top. The limo ride ended abruptly in front of the Chinese Mann theatre. As he stepped into the night behind Johnny, cameras flashed in every direction, blinding him completely to the point that he was unaware of Lance and Joey waving at him on the red carpet. He joined his bandmates in the midst of the media frenzy. They shook hands, but couldn't resist embracing in a group hug. The media went crazy, snapping shots of the three members of the hottest pop ensemble since the Beattles. They flirted briefly with the media, basking in their rekindled glory. Lance was a successful CEO of his management firm. And he was only 21. Joey went on to own one of the busiest night spots in Miami, Fl. And JC was well on his way to be the among the greatest musical artists the world would know. If he so chose to. He had the world in the palm of his hand because when it came down to it, JC had the God-given talent to soar past the stars. After several minutes on the red carpet, the three former members of 'Nsync filed into the packed theatre where they united with yet another one of their bandmates. "JC!" "Chris!" JC stumbled past the tables to hug Chris tightly. "I missed you, buddy." "I missed you, too." Chris said, breaking away from JC. JC's eyes brightened as he saw the pregnant Dani sitting at the table. She held onto the table, positioning herself to get up when JC stopped her. "Don't move an inch. I'll go there." JC said, rushing to Dani to give her a hug. "How far?" "Six months." Dani answered, a smile so wide it stretched from ear to ear. "This is the best 'Nsync reunion ever!" Joey clapped his hands cheerfully. "Too bad Justin couldn't be here with us." Lance added, disappointingly. "Way to be a party pooper, Scoop." Chris joked as he slapped Lance in his behind. The four members of 'Nsync broke in a fit of laughter as they relished their moment together. Justin was all alone, cowered in the filthy corner of the van. He wrapped his arms around his knees, burying his face in his knees. He did not wish for any of these ruthless men to see him weak. As expected, the van stopped abruptly. The door slid open. And the men half dragged him into a dark warehouse. Several guns pointed at him in case he was foolish enough to try to escape. The warehouse closed its doors and darkness consumed the drafty building. The lights suddenly turned on and the leader of the operations approached him. "What do you want?" Justin asked, struggling still in their strong hold. "First off, shut up so I can make a phone call!" The man he would learn as Jake answered back with a slap across his face. Justin began to sob quietly as the grip on his arms tightened. He slumped to the floor between the two men as the others looked on. "What is it boy?!" Jake asked, again. "Didn't you want to know for sure if he still loves you? Well, this is your chance. Now shut up or I'll fuckin' cut off your tongue." Justin's sobs reduced to mere sniffles as Jake made his all important phone call. "We got the boy, boss." Jake informed the caller on the other line. "Good. Now you know what to do next, right, Jake?" "It depends. Will we see the money?" Jake asked. "Of course. Kevin Richardson never swallows his words. You'll see all of the money as promised. I have no desire for the money." "Okay. Then I guess we do know what to do next." Jake laughed and soon their sinister laughter drowned out the sobs from Justin. Noticing the weeping boy still on the floor, Jake tossed his phone aside and approached the boy. He grabbed him by his crown of golden curls. He peered into those misty blues and licked his lips hungrily. He moved his hand to his crotch and groped himself. "You're so damn pretty. I can't wait to get my hands on you." Again, the laughter echoed throughout the warehouse as Justin whimpered. At Jake's cue, the men pulled Justin to his feet. They held onto him tightly as Jake stepped forward. Justin coiled away only to be stopped by Jake's forceful grip around his neck. "What's the number?" Justin shook his head. Tears threatened to fall. What number? "I said what's the number?" Jake asked, again, releasing his grip on Justin. "I don't know what you're talking about." Justin answered, tending his sore neck. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. What's the number to that fuckin' pop star?" Josh. Jake was referring to Josh. What did they want from him? A thousand thoughts flooded his obscure mind as Jake bent his knee and struck him in the groin. A loud scream echoed painfully and Jake grabbed him by the hair. He posed his question one more time. "What's the number to his fuckin' cell?" "I don't know. I don't know. JC's only my best friend." Justin rambled quickly. "Do you take me for a fool, boy?!" Jake shot back. "I know you're his fuckin' whore. Now tell me what's his number?" "No." Justin shook his head, wildly. "I won't." Jake released Justin, letting the soft curls fall unceremoniously onto the dirty matted floor. He raised his hand and soon the other four men joined them. "Boys. Be gentle with our Hollywood Golden boy here and share." Tears slid down his face as the men closed in on him. He was surrounded by all the men as Jake watched from beyond. They were reaching for him. He could hear them arguing as to who would get his dick. As to who would take his left ball. His right ball. As to who would be the first to rape him. Silently he prayed for a miracle. Anything to just stop this from happening to him. As the first hand reached for his shirt, the phone in his jacket rang. (c) 2001 Aphrodite 11/04/02 at 8pm ET on ABC: 20/20 Interview with Barbara Walters 11/05/02: 'Justified' goes on sale
Small Sacrifices IV "Hey, Justin." It was Lance. "JC is right here next to me." Lance said, tossing back JC's phone to its rightful owner. "Hi, Justin." JC said into the phone only to have the phone disconnected. That's odd. JC thought. "What's wrong, JC?" Lance, always so observant, asked. "I don't know. The phone got disconnected." JC explained, running his hand through his dark locks. "Maybe the battery ran out." Joey offered an explanation. "Yeah. Joey's right. I'm sure he'll call right back." Chris added. JC nodded. He got up from their table and made his way back to his table to join Johnny. Upon his arrival, Johnny flashed him a smile. JC sat down for no more than 30 seconds before the phone in his jacket started to ring rigorously. His four friends at the table next to him all smiled back at him as he answered the phone. "Hello." JC greeted. "What is gold and blue?" An unfamiliar voiced answered with a mind-bobbling question. "Pardon me." "Maybe you need a little hint." Jake removed his hand from the mouthpiece and approached the chaotic scene further into the warehouse. "The answer is Hollywood's Golden Boy. Call back if you want to see him alive, again." The phone slipped out of his hand and crashed onto the carpeted floor. JC closed his eyes and clenched his fist. Anger consumed his entire being as he retrieved the phone, again, but it was too late. Jake had ended his phone call, but not before letting JC hear Justin's faint cries in the background. "Please, go away." He heard him begged once. "Please, don't touch me." Another one of his cries. "Keep your hands off me." Yet another. "NO!!!" He heard him scream. "No, please, don't." He heard the ripping of some fabric. And then the phone slipped out of his hand and crashed onto the carpeted floor. JC closed his eyes and clenched his fist. Anger consumed his entire being as he retrieved the phone, again, but it was too late. "Who was that?" Johnny leaned over toward JC, squeezing his arm in a comforting gesture. JC turned to look at his manager. Trying to fight off the trembles, he spoke as calmly as he could. "Nothing. Nothing." He said, taking another sip of fine wine. "Good. Because the evening is about to start." Johnny said, toasting his client. "Thanks." JC mumbled as he sunk into his seat. His eyes transfixed on the sparkling champagne in his glass. So beautiful. So intoxicating. As was Justin. Why couldn't he just forget about him for one night? Why couldn't he just enjoy himself for one night without being haunted by Justin's angelic face? A record executive sat down besides him. He extended his hand in an attempt to introduce himself. JC failed to notice the burly man. His presence remained oblivious to JC until Chris stretched his body from the nearby table to break his reverie. "Oh. Hi. I'm so sorry." JC apologized, taking the older man's hand and shaking it vigorously. "It's okay. Something on your mind, son?" Richard Crawford asked. "No. Nothing. I'm just a little nervous about tonight." JC lied through clenched teeth as he buried his fingernails into the soft cushion of his seat. "Don't be, son. You'll blow them away." Richard Crawford assured. Richard Crawford proceeded to sell himself and his record company to JC, offering him a ludicrous deal that would make him a multi-millionaire by the time he was 30. He explained in details what his company was all about. The musicians. They would foster their artists, help them succeed in every way possible. The company sounded promising and Richard Crawford seemed like a genuine man, but everything from that big mouth of his was nothing more than gibberish. JC nodded occasionally as he sipped his champagne. It was so routine for him to just nod, take a drink, and smile. After Richard Crawford left, others would occupy his vacant seat and offer him some more deals. All to which, JC would nod, take a drink, and smile. The show began and the classy crowd erupted in cheers as they welcomed the President of the American Cancer Association. All except for JC, who was so deep in his thoughts that he failed to hear his own name being announced as one of the many performers that night. "JC, what's wrong?" Johnny leaned over to check on his client. "Um...nothing. I have to go to the restroom." JC said, quickly. "Okay, but you'll be on in half an hour." Johnny reminded him. "I won't be long." JC assured Johnny before darting for the restroom. With the phone clutched in his hand, he ran. He ran until he reached the restroom. He pushed opened the restroom and chased out all the patrons inside. Once cleared of any human existence, JC closed the door. He collapsed onto the couch inside the restroom. He pulled his legs to his knees and rocked his body. In a desperate attempt to get Justin off his mind, he began to whistle a tune in his head- the tune to the song he wrote earlier. But the attempt was futile as the tune in his head reverberated into a melodious mixture of cries and screams- Justin's voices called for him. And the excruciatingly painful beating of his heart as visions of Justin being tortured flooded his mind forced an irrepressible cry of anguish slip past his lips as he ripped the tie from his neck. Settling between his legs, he hung his head low. His head turned momentarily and his eyes rested on his cell phone on the bench. To not call was to save his career. To call was to save Justin. It was as simple as black and white. How JC wished for grey in the canvas picture. Taking a deep breath to compose himself more than anything else he picked up his phone. "Hello, again." Jake greeted JC. "Cut the crap. Why do you have Justin? Let him go." JC said, sternly. "Fuck you! You have no right to talk to me like that. I'm the one in control here. You don't want me to take it out on the boy, do you?" "No." JC swallowed hard as his pride was tainted. "I'm sorry." "Much better. Now, let's cut to the chase. You have exactly twenty-five minutes to get $1,000,000 dollars and bring it to the empty warehouse on Waterloo Lane." The man explained his demand. "Where in the fuckin' world am I going to get $1,000,000 in such short notice?" "I heard there's a charity gala for you fuckin' ungrateful hot shots. Take the money and get to the warehouse in twenty five minutes or else..." "Or else what?" "Let's just say that I have with me seven men who haven't gotten laid in over a week. And the Hollywood Golden boy is just so damn fuckable. Just looking at him makes me want to do things nasty things to him, right, baby?" Jake held the phone to Justin's mouth. "Don't listen to him, Josh! He's just bluffing!" Justin screamed into the phone in a pleading voice. "Don't come here, Josh. Don't steal the money. You have to perform tonight, remember? Don't ruin your career. You have this chance once. Don't do it." "I can't, baby. I can't let them hurt you." JC cried for first time since the longest time he could remember. "I can't." "Josh, please. Don't do it." Justin pleaded once more before Jake yanked the phone from him. "Awww...what a touching moment? I'll make the sacrifice for you. No, I will sacrifice myself. You make me fuckin' sick." Jake scorned. "Again, if you don't show up here at the warehouse in twenty five minutes with $1,000,000, me and my boys will ravish your fuck toy and rip out his insides to hang him from the ceiling with. Got it?! And don't bring anyone with you or your fuck toy will be so fucked up you won't be able to recognize his pretty twisted little body." The conversation abruptly ended after Jake had laid out his demands. JC turned off his phone. He rested his head in his hands. Getting up, he paced back and forth. He hit his headed repeatedly on the wall. Why? Why was this so hard? He had all the information he needed. This psycho wanted $1,000,000. And he wanted JC to meet at an empty warehouse on Waterloo Lane. Why couldn't he just do it? Why was he even hesitating at all? Was his career, his music, his life more valuable to him than Justin's safety? Would he allow Justin to sacrifice himself just so he could sing to breathe? Locked heavily in his thoughts, he failed to notice Johnny entering the restroom. "The first act is on stage now." Johnny informed him. True. JC could hear the roars from the crowd erupted. He could hear the faint music in the background and the powerful voice of the female singer. Still, the fierce pounding of heart drowned all other noises. "I can't perform tonight." JC told his manager, regretfully. "What?!" Johnny was outraged as usual. "Give me one good reason why you'd sacrifice all that you have worked for." "Justin." His lover's sweet name slipped so easily off his tongue. "He's everything to me." "This is insane!" Johnny continued to raise his voice. Didn't he know that he couldn't do anything to change his mind? "So, you're going to throw everything away just like that?" "No. I'm not throwing everything away just like that. I'm doing this for Justin." "Look, JC." Johnny sat down beside his younger client. "I love Justin as much as the next guy, too, but this is your chance. You might not get another chance like this." "Ever since I joined the Mickey Mouse Club, I harbored dreams of becoming a singer. I waited for nine years for this chance. But I've waited all my life for Justin." JC explained to his manager. "JC. Heartthrobs are a dime a dozen. When you become rich and famous, you can have any heartthrob you want. You can go through them like toilet paper." "But there'll only be one Justin Timberlake." "This is insane!" Johnny threw up his hands in defeat. JC smiled weakly, thanking his manager for all the work he had done for him. He got up and headed for the door when Johnny approached him from behind. He turned around and met up with Johnny's fist in his stomach. JC doubled over, landing hard onto the floor. "I will not let you ruin this chance. I worked too hard for this chance. I invested too much in this. You are going to perform tonight." Johnny threatened. "Justin's just going to have to suffer." JC pushed himself off the ground. He pushed against the wall for support. "No." He retaliated. He closed his eyes in anticipation of another fist to his body, but there was none. Lonnie had entered the bathroom and intercepted Johnny's path to his chest. "What's going on here, JC?" Lonnie asked. "Mr. Wright over here thinks that I should sacrifice Justin to the wolves." JC answered. "Is that so?" Lonnie brought his fist up to Johnny's face. "You dare lay a finger on me, I'll fire your ass so fast-" "Ha! Ha!" Lonnie spat on his face. "That was over a year ago. I don't work for you anymore, you conniving son of a bitch-" Lonnie raised his fist, ready to strike Johnny when JC intervened. "Don't hurt him. You'll only get yourself in trouble." JC said. "Give me your gun." "What?" "I know you keep it with you still. Now give me your gun." JC demanded once more. "Why do you need a gun, boy?" Lonnie questioned him. "Is Justin in danger? If my boy is, I think I should come along." "No, Lonnie." JC smiled, patting him on his arm. "You can't come along. What you can do for me though is give me your gun and contain Mr. Wright here in one of those lovely freshly scrubbed stalls." "Will Justin be alright?" Lonnie asked. It was evident that he was still concern over his guard. "Yes." JC tried his best to keep his voice steady. "Will you be alright, buddy?" "So long as Justin is, I'll be fine." JC answered, shaking Lonnie's hand. "Thank you for all that you have done for my angel. Now, it's my turn." (c) 2001 Aphrodite 11/12/02, 11:00pm, MTV, Launch featuring Justin Timberlake
Small Sacrifices V The hallway backstage was so dark. It literally breathed sinister, beckoning JC to move forward. Daring him to take the next step towards a path he couldn't see the light at the end. His hands continued to tremble as he held onto the cold gun walking down the lonely pathway at an excruciatingly slow pace. He could hear the faint memories echoing past the hallway. Not too long ago, they had performed here. Not too long ago, Justin had playfully sprayed him with his water gun. Not too long ago, he had chased Justin down that same lonely path. Not too long ago, he had tackled down his then 16-year-old best friend, and accidentally placed his hands on places where they shouldn't be. Not too long ago, Justin had pushed him away and wept in the dressing room. Not too long ago, JC had begged Justin to tell him why he was crying so much. Not too long ago, Justin had revealed to JC that Lou Pearlman had touched him. The bastard, who had posed as their father figure, had pinned him against the wall and groped him mercilessly as he screamed in pain. Not too long ago, JC had asked Justin why? Why didn't he tell anyone? Why didn't he report Lou? And not too long ago, Justin had explained to him that if he did, "mom would go bolistic and take me away, away from you". He could turn around any time now. He didn't have to go through this. JC kept telling himself. There was still time. The first act had two more songs to perform to. Whether or not he was consciously aware of it or not, his feet led him directly to his dressing room. There was still time. He sighed deeply, stepping inside. A smile graced his face as he read Justin's lovely scrawl on the mirror. "I'm so proud of you. I love you, Josh, always and forever. Peace and hair grease, from you know who." Three scented cards- cards scented with Justin's Abercrombie and Fitch Woods cologne- each with a sloppy drawing of the two love birds, holding hands, kissing, and in bed. JC had to laugh a little at Justin's childish ways of showing him how much he loved him. God. He'd go nuts if he couldn't lick the ice cream off the bridge of Justin's nose. The smile faded from his face as he returned the cards back on the table. He couldn't sacrifice Justin for his career. There would be another opportunity, but Justin would not be given another opportunity if he didn't show up in front of the warehouse on Waterloo Lane $1,000,000. The decision had been made. He exited his own dressing room and took the path further into darkness. He stopped in front of the door. He pressed his ear next to the wooden door. He could hear them talking inside. They were counting the money collected from tonight's gala. Nine hundred thousands and fifty dollars and still counting. There must be at least a million if not more inside that room. Without knocking, JC entered the room, drawing up his gun. "Give me the money?" He demanded of the two frightful women on the floor. "Aren't you JC Chasez?" A woman recognized his famous face from a magazine she had kept in her drawers to remind her of the glory 'Nsync days. "Give me the money?" He repeated. "No!" The other woman spoke, valiantly, grabbing onto the bag of money. "This is for Breast Cancer research and I'm not letting you take the money." "Give me the money, bitch!" JC reached for the woman's hair when suddenly the door swung opened. Just great. It was Lance. He would never be able to get out with the money and get to Waterloo Lane in twenty-five minutes. "What's going on, JC?" Lance questioned his friend, staring intensely into JC's baby blues. "What are you doing here?" JC ignored Lance's onslaught of questions. He simply turned back his attention toward the woman with the bag of money. He grabbed the bag, but the woman continued to be persistent. She clung onto the bag tighter. JC looked into her tear-filled eyes. His heart broke. She must have lost someone she loved to breast cancer. Or perhaps, she, was fighting the disease herself. "Give me the bag. I don't want to hurt you." JC lowered his voice. "I can't. This is much needed money." "Give it to me!" JC yelled. He fired his gun up at the ceiling to threaten the woman. She coiled underneath the table, releasing her grip on the bag. JC quickly grabbed the bag and ran for the door when Lance gallantly blocked his path. "Get out of the way, Lance!" JC raised his gun. "No. I won't let you do whatever you planned to do." Lance was adamant with this. He continued to stand his ground, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "This is wrong." "The fuck with morals. I'm taking this money whether you like it or not. And if you don't step aside, I'll fuckin' blow your brains out, Lance." JC warned. "Do it. JC, kill me." JC glared into Lance's jaded eyes. He loved Lance, but don't ever think he wouldn't kill Lance to save Justin. He would do it. He would. He raised his gun and pointed toward Lance's forehead. He pulled back the trigger, ready to fire, when Joey stepped into the picture. Shit! "NO!!!" He cried out, pushing Lance to the side. The shot barely missed him. Thank goodness. There was no denying his love for Justin, but he couldn't kill his friend. He just couldn't. "You could've gotten yourself killed." JC cried out. "Then so be it. So long as Lance isn't hurt." Joey said, gazing into Lance's jaded eyes. That look. He knew that look so well. That was the same look he wore in his eyes when he looked at Justin. When he looked into Justin's dark blue orbs. And he wanted that look, again. To experience that look of love. To see heaven in the eyes of your lover. "Shit. You two are together." "Yes." Lance answered for the both of them. "We've been together for a two months now." Joey added. "Then, Joey, do you love Lance?" JC posed the question. "Yes." Joey answered, sincerely. "I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I love Lance." "And I love Justin." JC responded. "Let me out of here and I just might return to congratulate you guys on your wedding day." "What's going on, JC?" Joey asked his friend, concern evident on his face. "I can't tell you. Just let me go. Please." JC dropped to his knees, begging for Joey's mercy. "I have to go. I'm running out of time. Justin's running out of time." "Justin." Lance gulped. "Where's Justin?" JC shook his head. He couldn't tell them. If he did, they would only insist on coming with him and he couldn't let that happen. He couldn't let them come with him. Justin would definitely be dead if they came along. "JC! Where's Justin?" Joey was so resolute. He posed the question a second time. "JC!" "Justin's..." JC began to say when at the corner of his eyes, Dani's pregnant figure stepped into view. Without wasting a second longer, JC pushed both Joey and Lance to grab hold of the frightened Dani. "Don't come near me! Or I'll shoot Dani." JC warned. "JC, don't do anything stupid!" Joey said, pushing Lance behind him as they both stepped backward. "I'm sorry, Dani." JC whispered as he pulled her away into the hallway, using her body as a shield against the world around him. "JC, what's going on?" Dani managed to say while holding onto her stomach. "Why are you doing this?" JC refused to hear Dani's pleading voice. He would not allow her to make him weak. He would not allow her to make him change his decisions. Only Justin had that innate power to make a man weak. No one else mattered. Whatever she was saying, JC was oblivious to. However, not all his senses were impaired. He was still able to discriminate Chris' sprinting figure speeding towards him. As Chris approached him, JC placed his hand on the back of Dani's back and gently pushed her into Chris' fury path. Their brief collision was enough to allow JC a successful escape as he leaped out of back door. "Dani, are you okay, hon?" Chris enveloped his arms around his pregnant wife as she wept against his chest. "Bastard." Chris muttered under his breath. Lance and Joey joined the couple in the hallway, each scratching their heads as they try to piece together the insanity of what they called their friend. After much comforting, Dani eventually calmed down and was led back to the theatre by Chris. Chris helped Dani into her seat before returning to his friends backstage. "What the hell happened?" Chris demanded to know. "He was a madman. What's going on?" "Chris, I think Justin's in trouble." Joey relayed what little he knew. "Oh my God." Suddenly, the anger dissipated, only to be replaced with fear. "Who else could make JC this desperate that he must steal from a charity event." Joey said. "He robbed the..." Chris was at a lost for words. "Justin. Poor thing. Why didn't you guys go with him?!" Chris lunged at Joey, pulling his shirt collar. "It's not Joey's fault!" Lance cried out, prying Chris off of Joey. "JC didn't want us to come along. I think we should go back to JC's hotel room and try to figure where's he taking the money to." Chris reluctantly agreed. He ran his hands over his face, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Let's go." He said, leading the pack through the back door. (c) 2001 Aphrodite Justin Timberlake will be on upcoming covers of Rolling Stones and Details and don't forget to buy a copy of 'Justified'.
Small Sacrifices VI There it was. The empty warehouse on Waterloo Lane. There was no mistake. He had been driving in circles around this building for the past ten minutes, contemplating whether or not he should enter it. Once in, there was no turning back. He stared grimly at the run-down warehouse. A few broken windows here and there. A dirty yellow light emitting from the building. He could feel Justin's heart beating within. He could hear his cries. He could sense his presence. He was inside. A single bullet shattered yet another window and JC knew he didn't have much time. JC anxiously got out of his car, almost tripping over himself, as he dashed across the street. He knocked furiously for several seconds before the double metal doors finally swung open. His eyes widened as the first sight that crossed his vision was that of his lover hanging from the ceiling. Justin's beautiful face stained with dried tears. His hair, a disheveled mess. His clothes dirtied. But at least, he was still alive. "Josh! Just leave now!" Justin cried out loud. "Don't come near here. It's a trap." JC, as if he hadn't heard a single word Justin had yelled out, took a step further into the dark warehouse filled with uncertainties. "So, he is your fuck toy after all." Jake emerged from the darkness of the warehouse. "We are the best of friends. And I love my best friend very much. I don't want to see him harm." JC responded. "Then, you wouldn't mind if me and my boys sample your best friend here." Jake smiled devilishly. Jake laughed as he signaled his men to lower Justin to the ground. Once his two feet touched the ground, Justin scrambled toward JC only to be pulled back roughly by Jake. He held the boy, tightly encircling his arms around him. His hand strategically placed on Justin's delicate neck in a threatening manner. "You haven't touched him, have you?" JC demanded to know. He had to know. Not that it mattered. What mattered most was that Justin was still alive. Still, he had to know. "You mean like this?" With his hand still holding onto his neck, Jake let his free hand roamed along Justin's lengthy body to grab him through the thick fabric of his pants. Justin screamed as Jake aggressively groped him. "Tell him. Tell your boyfriend. Did I touch you like this?" Again, Jake applied even greater force on him. "Tell him." "No. No!" Justin yelled out as Jake squeezed him one last time before releasing him. "You have your answer. Your fuck toy is still yours only. Now, give me the money." Jake demanded. "Let Justin go first." JC strengthened his grip on the briefcase. "I will give you the money once you let Justin go." Jake grinned as he tightened his grip on Justin's neck. "Do you think I'm that stupid?! We exchange at the same time. You take one step forward and I'll take a step forward. Once we meet in the middle you get the boy and I get the money." "Fair enough." JC said, taking a step forward. His hand clutched tightly to the briefcase as he was painfully aware that his life as well as Justin's life would only be safe so long as he had the money. The money was the only thing keeping them alive. His eyes focused on the dark orbs that stared right into his baby blues. They each took steps forward until they were mere inches apart. Jake squeezed Justin's arm, signaling JC for the exchange. His hands still holding onto the briefcase for security, JC's eyes met Justin's tearful eyes. One look into those deep pools of blue and JC knew what he had to do next. JC threw the briefcase at Jake as he pulled Justin away. He examined his boyfriend briefly before pushing him behind the security of his back. "You have your money. Let us go." JC said. Jake gave no verbal response. His eyes transfixed on the amount of money inside the briefcase. He pulled out of his cellular phone, making another encouraging phone call to his boss for the night. "We got the money." Jake relayed the information to his boss. "And..." "They're still here." Jake informed the man on the other line that both JC and Justin were still held at the warehouse. As he carried on his discussion with his boss, his men had all gathered around him. They, too, were at awe for they had never seen this much money all at once. JC tautened his grip on Justin's wrist. Seeing that the moment gave way to an opportunity of escape, he began to lead Justin away when a fire was shot. The bullet snuck between the two lovers as they were leaving, barely missing Justin. The men suddenly surrounded them once more as JC shielded Justin away from the men who were aggressively reaching for them to pry them apart from one another. "Who said you could leave?" Jake pointed the gun at JC. "You lied!" JC shouted at Jake. "You have your money and now you won't let us go." "I said $1,000,000. There's only $975,000 here." Jake responded. "I've been doing this for years now. I know when someone is trying to rip me off." "That's shit!" JC challenged. "There's at least a million in that suitcase." Jake laughed with amusement at how persistent JC had been regarding the amount of money. Did he not know that the amount of money did not matter? He controlled the situation. He controlled their destiny. His eyes locked in with JC's gaze as if taunting him to leave with the boy. His hand snuck into the suitcase, retrieving two stacks of hundred dollar bills. He threw the money up in the air and fired two shots, piercing through the bound money. "Not anymore. Like I said, there's only $975,000 here. Take the boy." Jake commanded his troupe. His eyes never left JC's deadening stares amidst the raining green sheets. "No. No." Justin shook his head, burying his head on JC's shoulder, as arms reached to grab him from different directions. "Let go of me!" "Take him." Jake gave the order one last time. His men all converged on the two lovers at once, pulling Justin away. JC held onto Justin's hand, not ever wanting to let go of him. But the force pulling them apart was too great and soon his fingers slipped past Justin's and Justin was pushed back into Jake's arms. Even with Jake's constricting hold on him, Justin struggled against him. Jake backhanded him once before tilting his head backward. He applied a crushing force on his neck as he deposited white powder into Justin's mouth. Justin instinctively closed him mouth shut to prevent swallowing the chemical powder, but his retaliation was heeded when Jake slammed his fist in his abdomen. Justin swallowed all that fell into his mouth. He tried to spit out the chemical, but it was too late. His body was quickly absorbing the chemical. Justin stumbled backward into Jake's arms. He wrapped his arms around the boy, whose droopy eyelids soon fell, casting a world of darkness before him as unconsciousness took precedence over his body. Jake gently picked up the boy and carried his limped body toward JC. He placed Justin's lifeless body at JC's feet. He hovered over the boy and quickly wiped away the tears on his face before stepping aside for JC to grieve over his lover. "Justin." JC collapsed beside him. He took his hand in his and felt the icy cold fingertips. He kissed them softly and rubbed them against the side of his face. "Why? Why?" "Because he's yours." Jake answered, simply. He kneeled down before the two lovers. "He's so beautiful." Jake murmured, feeling Justin's baby soft skin underneath his fingertips. "It's a shame that he had to be sacrificed before we could fuck him." "Stay away from him." JC sent Jake stumbling backward. One of the men stepped into the scene to help Jake to his feet. Another entered seconds later with a goblet in his hand. He approached Jake, handing him the goblet. Jake took the goblet and returned to attend the grieving JC. "You don't have to part." Jake handed JC the goblet. "You can still be with him." JC stared grimly into the milky contents of the goblet. He could hear the chemical breating inside, forcing bubbles to burst open. He scooped up Justin's body in his arms, pulling his body closed to his chest so that their hearts could beat as one. From the faint sound of his heart beating, JC knew that Justin was still alive. The breath on his neck indicated that he was still breathing. JC knew what he had to do next. To save himself and to save Justin. He returned Justin's limped body back to the filthy matted floor of the warehouse. He took the goblet and raised it in the air. Tilting his head, he poured the milky liquid into his mouth, careful not to swallow the poison that would have taken him away from Justin for good. His eyes closed shut and he fell forward, draping his body over Justin's unconscious form. (c) 2001 Aphrodite Justin Timberlake will be on upcoming covers of Rolling Stones and Details and don't forget to buy a copy of 'Justified'.
Small Sacrifices VII Lance, Joey, and Chris arrived at JC's hotel room across town. Suspicions ran high as they realized that the door was unlocked. It was opened ajar at their arrival. JC was quite a vigilant person. He was always cautious about everything, especially with Justin. He would never leave his door unlocked. That was just not characteristic of JC. He would never put himself or Justin in danger by such carelessness. That was just how he worked. They merely tapped on the door and the door flung open, revealing a room in seemingly normal condition. As they entered the room, Lance noticed the peculiarity surrounding them. The door was unlocked. The door was opened ajar. But there was no sign of forced entry. Furthermore, the room was spotless as if no one had ever disturbed it. Something did not add up. He found himself walking briskly into the bedroom while Joey and Chris remained in the living quarter of the hotel suite. Lance slowly turned the knob. He just as slowly pushed the door open. He gasped as his eyes scrutinized the room in disarray within. Paper scattered the floor. Clothes tossed wildly all around. Pieces of furniture were flipped upside down. Someone had been here. He could almost smell the intruders' filthy odor still emitting off the floor. Everything was turned upside down. Everything was out of place. But nothing more than the broken framed picture of JC and Justin in each other's arms and the opened phone book with a page a missing. "Guys, over here!" Lance hollered from inside the bedroom. Joey and Chris, fearful of what they might encounter, still dashed toward the bedroom. Chris stormed past Lance to view the mess as Joey placed his protective arms around his young boyfriend. "What happened here?" Chris asked as if he was blind to the destruction before his eyes. "Someone's been in here." Joey spoke lowly. "You think they abducted Justin?" "No." Lance answered, dislodging himself from Joey's grip. He walked toward the bed and bent over, picking up the broken picture frame. "They were looking for something." Lance began, piecing together the puzzle before him. "They were in this bedroom." "I can see that." Chris said. "They were in this bedroom. They were looking for something when they found the picture. JC always keeps this picture in his drawer wherever he goes. He never takes the picture out for any reason. They were looking for something, but instead they found the picture." "Do you know what happened to Justin, baby?" Joey asked his boyfriend. "They have him." Lance murmured, signaling to the opened phone book on the bed. "They followed him to the restaurant's whose add is missing from the phone book. That's where they abducted him." "Who do you think took Justin?" Chris asked as he sunk onto the bed, exasperated. "Someone big. Someone big enough to buy off one of the most prestigious hotels in the US." Lance murmured, joining Chris on the bed. "Jesus!" Chris sighed deeply. "Well, don't just sit there. Let's go find Justin and when we do, we'll bound to find JC as well." Joey marched in front of them, taking Lance's icy hands in his. "Where are we going to find Justin and JC" Chris asked. "Le Bristro." Lance whispered. His eyes fixated on the tiny piece of paper lying on the floor beside the bed. He got off the bed and crouched down to pick up the piece of paper with Justin's handwriting on it. "Le Bristo, that's where they abducted him." "Where's Le Bristro?" Joey asked. "I don't know and chances are they didn't know either and that's why they tore the page from the phone book." Lance rationalized. "Give me the phone." "Why?" Joey asked, handing his boyfriend the phone off the nightstand. "I'm calling information for the number to Le Bristro". Lance answered Joey before speaking into the phone to retain the much needed information. After retrieving the number, Lance called the restaurant and just as easily obtained the address. Now knowing exactly where Justin might had been taken, the three former 'Nsync members set on a task to find Justin, hoping they were not too late to save JC as well. The people of Le Bristro were kind individuals, all of whom were willing to help after Joey had tipped each employee $20 a piece with any information regarding the actor's appearance at the restaurant. According to the waiter who had been working since seven this evening, Justin had arrived at the restaurant alone. He sat at the table in the far right hand corner away from everyone. Shortly after his arrival, he left and did not call for a cab because the valet attendant remembered seeing Justin leaving the restaurant just as he drove a customer's car to the nearby parking garage. He said that he had seen Justin walking down the street all by himself. "Thanks." Joey tipped the valet attendant an additional $20 before joining Chris and Lance outside the restaurant. "What did he say, Joe?" Chris asked. "He said that he saw Justin leaving the restaurant shortly after eight and he didn't call for a cab." Joey answered, leading both Chris and Lance down the street. By this time, the vast majority of the stores along the downtown street were closed since it was Sunday. The remaining stores still opened were coffee shops or mini-bars. As they came across each opened store along the street, they would enter the store with their inquiries about their friend. Each time, they would receive the news that he was not seen there. And they would continue their search down the street until someone had mentioned that they had seen him walk into the store across the street. Chris, Joey, and Lance all gazed at the petite jewelry shop across the street. Despite it being Sunday night, the lights in the small shop still glowed eerily. They ran across the street and pushed the door open just as the shopkeeper emerged from the back room of the shop. "We're closed now." The man told them. "We're not here to buy anything." Lance explained. "We're here to ask questions." "I have no answers for you." The man replied. "How do you know you don't have any answers for us?" Chris asked, plopping down on the stool at the counter. His eyes focused on the stack of credit card receipts. "What time did you close?" "Just right now." The shop keeper answered. "The sign on the door said six every Sunday. Why the change tonight? Do you normally close at an odd time like 10:25?" Chris bombarded the frightful man. The man fell silent as he scrambled for the door when Joey slammed the door shut. "Look, we just want to know if you've seen Justin Timberlake at your store." Joey asked, anger evident in his voice. "I don't know who Justin Timberlake is." The man mumbled, completely forgetting the magazine in his hands. "I don't believe you." Joey remarked. "You have a magazine with his face on the cover of it." The man quickly dropped the magazine. A written check for five grand slipped out of the magazine and flew to the floor. He fell to the ground to pick up the magazine when Joey kicked the magazine from his hands. Joey, frustrated with this man, started to yell obscenities at the frightful man. He continued for several more minutes until Lance finally stopped him, pulling him aside as Chris tended the man. "Look. We don't want to cause any trouble." Chris reasoned with the shopkeeper. "Our friend is missing and we need to know where he is. Have you seen the boy on the cover of this magazine?" Chris asked, handing the shopkeeper the magazine and his check. Slowly, but surely, the man nodded his head. "Yes." He answered. His eyes were weary. His droopy eyelids weighed heavily over his eyes. He could have slept a lot longer had it not been for the disturbing moans nearby. His eyes shot open and quickly rage filled his eyes. One of the bastards had taken Justin's hand and slipped his hand inside his pants. He was jerking off using Justin's hand, while he remained unconscious. "Let go of him." JC spoke firmly, pulling Justin into his arms. The man smiled and retrieved Justin's hand from inside his pants. Justin's hand was drenched in cum. Disgusting cum. JC wanted nothing more than to tackle this man and rip his balls off of him, but opted to remain silent. Instead, he simply took Justin's hand and wiped him cleaned using his jacket. JC lay Justin's head in his lap while his fingers played with his golden curls. He held onto his boyfriend's hand tightly. So long as they were together, nothing else seemed to matter. Their world was theirs and no one could penetrate it. Suddenly, the phone rang again and Jake, the obvious ring leader, climbed into the front seat to answer the phone call. JC breathed in a sigh of relief as Jake left for the front seat. His eyes followed the passing lamp posts. He had no idea where they were taking them. The road ahead was just as dark if not more than the road behind them. From the unfamiliar settings, JC figured they must be leaving the city by now. Where to? He had no idea. Through the tinted windows, JC could see worn down shops as they drove by. There were shops for everyone's tastes it appeared. Peculiar shops for witch craft, incense and other aromas, puzzles, and many more. He peered past the bulging shoulders in the front seat and could see Jake still on the phone. He had been on the phone for more than 10 minutes. Apparently, who ever was on the other line must be very important. His eyes transfixed on Jake the entire time as he continued to finger Justin's silky curls. A moan escaped past Justin's lips and his attention was diverted from Jake to the boy lying in his lap. JC pulled Justin closer to his body and held him tighter when he felt the pressure of his cell phone against his chest. He still had his cell phone. His eyes wonder about the surrounding, noticing that some of the men had already drifted to sleep. His eyes peered past the tinted windows and mentally noted the many peculiar shops and the railroad crossing signs that never seemed to go away. He pulled Justin closer to his chest as he slipped his hand between his body and Justin's. Using Justin's body as a shield, he reached inside his jacket and turned on his cellular phone when one of the men abruptly hollered at him. "What was that?" The man inquired at the peculiar noise. "Nothing." JC quickly answered. "Yeah. Give the kid a break. It's probably nothing more than them jerking off." Another said. JC's eyes widened with fear. He feared that the man had heard his phone when he pressed the button. After receiving a response from JC, the man returned to his post against the van and rested his head against the side of the van. Eyes still wide opened as were some of his accomplices. They were watching him now, carefully watching him now. He managed a weak smile and returned to Justin. He gazed down at his boyfriend lovingly. There was no way he'd let anything happen to him. He had to find a way to save Justin. He pulled his boyfriend closer to him. Resting Justin's body over his, JC reached for his phone again. He meticulously pressed the numbers to his hotel room simultaneously as he groped Justin. Justin's moans would drown the sound emitting from the phone, which at the same time satisfied all the hungry men in the van. They shook their heads and laughed. Some winked at JC understandingly as he laid Justin back down onto the hard floor of the van. A straining erection bulged inside Justin's pants and all JC could do was adjust his pants as he remained unconscious. The laughter subsided as always and silence took over. "Hey!" JC barked, breaking the deadening silence. "Hey!" "What is it?" One of the men quickly responded to JC with a menacing glare. "What do you want, boy?" "I was wondering..." JC paused, effectively stalling as he was aware the railroad crossing was inevitable. "I was wondering..." JC began, again, as the van drove over the railroad tracks, sending the van into a slight turbulence, "Can we stop by that Ice Coffee shop. I'm getting tired already. You know me. I love to sleep. If I'm asleep, you'll never get what you want from me." The man got up from his seat in the corner and another man joined him as they both hovered over JC. He reached down and grabbed JC by the collar and spat in his face. "Who the hell do you think I am? You're fuckin' slave." The man cursed at him. "I'm sorry." JC quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry. I just wanted to get something. I haven't eaten all day. I'm so sorry. Please don't hurt me." JC pleaded. "Don't hurt him." The other man intervened. "We're not supposed to hurt them, remember." "Watch your mouth, boy." The man threatened, finally releasing JC before his face turned cyanotic. "Watch it."
Small Sacrifices VIII It wasn't very much longer until they had arrived at their destination. JC had timed the trip down to the last second. The doors slid open and some of the men rushed out of the cramped van, leaving behind two of their cohorts, presumably to carry Justin out of the van. JC was dragged out of the van by one of the two men while the other man carried Justin's lifeless form over his shoulders. A gun pressed against his back, JC was led down a paved path through a thicket toward a rusty old two-story building. Just with the warehouse, JC was engulfed by the darkness inside the building. Lights were turned on only after the last man had entered. Off to the back of the building were some cells. It was then that JC had registered that they were in an abandoned police station out in the boondocks. He was led further into the building with the aid of a gun resting on the small of his back. The man who had been carrying Justin over his shoulders walked ahead of the group. He entered one of the opened cells and tossed Justin inside carelessly. JC rushed to the cell when his guard pulled him back. He tightened his grip on JC's arm and led him away toward his cell. JC dropped to his knees immediately and pleaded with his oppressor to please let him stay with his best friend. At last, after several minutes of begging, Justin's cell was opened and JC rushed inside to find Justin lying on the side, still unconscious. He crouched on the matted floor and picked Justin's body from the ground. He lay Justin's head on his lap like the countless times before and kissed his forehead when he noticed the scrape on the back of Justin's right hand. When the man had tossed him inside the cell, Justin had landed on his right side and scraped his hand in the process. Massaging Justin's injured hand, JC peered outside of the cell, taking in the terrifying scene before him. No wonder this place was shut down. It was a torture chamber. Chains hang from the ceiling where prisoners were bound to be tortured. Metal hooks on the wall held the leather whips and hard wooden sticks in place. JC gulped fearfully as the lights in the station dimmed further, holding Justin even in tighter. "They're finally here." Kevin whispered lowly in the dark lit room on the second floor. He spun slowly around to face his cousin who was sitting sluggishly on one of the chairs. It was hard to see Brian in the darkness, but the shadows appeared to accentuate Brian's frail face even more. It pained Kevin to see his cousin in such a state. The hollows in his face made him look famished almost. "What's wrong?" Kevin asked, not about his complications from a recent myocardial infarction, but rather about his current silence. "You don't seem too thrilled about tonight." "Kevin, I don't want to do this." Brian cried out softly in his hands. "I don't either." JC was drifting off to sleep, again, when Justin's body shook violently in his arms. "Josh!" Justin cried out, shaking some more. "Josh!" "I'm here." JC replied, holding Justin closer to his chest. "I'm here for you, babe." "Josh." Justin's voice softened as his eyes slowly opened to look up at his boyfriend's sparkling blue eyes. "You're here. I was afraid you wouldn't come for me." "Of course, I'm here for you." JC smiled weakly as he brushed away Justin's curl that had fallen out of place on his forehead. "And I'm not leaving without you. That's a promise." Justin smiled back, but soon was overwhelmed with tears. He struggled off JC and attempted to crawl his way from JC when JC pulled him back into his arms. He wrapped his arms around the trembling body and rocked the boy gently until he had calmed down. "Baby, what's wrong?" JC asked, concern thick in his voice. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Josh." Justin repeatedly apologized into JC's chest. "What for?" "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be here. You'd be on stage performing. I'm so sorry I ruined your night. I keep holding you back. It's always because of me." "Shh...don't say that." JC whispered lovingly into Justin's ear. "There's no other place I'd rather be than here with you. I love you." "Josh." The pools of deep blues beamed as Justin managed a weak smile for his boyfriend. Still in his boyfriend's arms, Justin rested his head in the crook of JC's neck, breathing heavily against JC's exposed neck. JC closed his eyes, savoring the intimate moment they shared. Justin placed gentle kisses on his neck. His kisses felt like soft rose petals upon his skin. His tears provided a warm tingling sensation. JC wanted nothing more than to lean down and take those luscious lips between his teeth, to kiss, and to hold, to make love to Justin...suddenly the gate slid open. JC quickly abandoned Justin to the ground and jumped up to greet Jake. Jake stomped his way into the tiny cubicle. His eyes wavered from JC to Justin who was struggling to pick himself off the ground. He was still weak from the hypnotics they had forced into him. "Boss wants to me to relay a message to you." Jake said, his hands clasped together in the back. "He wants you to do something for him." Jake continued to pace around the cell until he was hovering directly over Justin. He crouched before the boy, reaching forward to touch his porcelain face. "Need a hand, sweetheart." "Stay away from him!" JC spun around quickly at the sound of Justin's whimpers. "A little possessive over a best friend, aren't we?" Jake mocked JC, withdrawing his hand from Justin's face. Jake smiled widely as he approached the furious JC. He walked around JC. Their eyes fixated on another, each daring the other to make a next move. It was Jake who ultimately controlled the situation. He inched forward and slapped JC across the face to show whose territory they were in. Tempers flared and JC was just seconds away from charging Jake like a mad bull to a conquisedore when Jake's men rushed inside to push JC to the ground. At the sight of JC on the ground, Justin rushed to his boyfriend's side as fast as he could to help JC up. "Who is your boss? Who the hell do you pathetic low lives work for?" JC demanded to know. "You'll know when he wants you to know." Jake responded. He signaled another man inside the cell. The man carried in his arms a hardbound book and a thick fountain pen. Both of which baffled JC and Justin. "The songs you've been working on for your new album. Boss wants you to write them all down for him." "What?" JC shrieked, shaking his head. He turned to Justin who was holding onto the bars for support. JC was hesitant about submitting to their demands and Justin nodded understandingly. Both understood that music was JC's life as well as the fact that so long as JC did not surrender and they did not get what they wanted, their lives would be spared. "I don't think I can." JC told Jake and his crew. Jake laughed out loud and soon the whole cell erupted in laughter. He stopped abruptly and simultaneously his men silenced. The silence was deadening as JC could hear Jake's army boots approaching him. "Perhaps the boy is distracting you." Jake smiled. "Justin." JC turned his attention back to Jake. "No way. He has no affect on me. I've lived with him for the past five years. Sometimes we even fight just like brothers." "Is that so?" Jake challenged JC with nothing more than his narrowed eyes. He clapped his hands together. Before JC could react, Justin was whisked away out of the cell. JC rushed forward, but was impeded by Jake's fist to his stomach. JC doubled over as Jake's men continued to drag Justin towards the wall near the cell. JC slowly recovered, shaking his head as he gathered his strength to hold his body up. Jake tossed the book in his face, almost tipping him over once more. "The songs in the book now!" Jake mandated. Shaking his head valiantly, JC spat in Jake's face. "I wouldn't obey you if you were the fuckin' president of the United States, you son of a bitch." "Really?" Jake taunted, wiping the spit off his face. "I think I can change your mind." Jake glared intensely into JC's crystal blues before swirling his head toward Justin surrounded by his men. "Boys, you remember the gift I promised you. Have fun." JC shook his head. A bewildered look plastered on his face. He had no idea what Jake had in mind until he heard his boyfriend's sharp cry. Justin was on the floor. One of the men had knocked the wind out of him, sending him crashing to the floor. "Josh!" Justin cried out, crawling toward the cell once more. "Justin." JC rushed to the side of the cell. Justin managed to pull himself off the ground, holding onto the bars. He pulled himself to the point where their eyes could meet. JC slid his hands through the bars to touch Justin's face when another one of Jake's men struck Justin in the back of his head. Justin collapsed onto the floor beside the cell. The men quickly surrounded him, pulling him away from the cell by his legs. A burly man picked him up and pushed him into a waiting pair of arms. While held in place, they each took turns tearing off a piece of Justin's clothes until Justin was left clad in only a pair of thin striped blue boxers. Justin crossed his arms over his chest, burying his hands between his legs only to be pried apart so they could gain better access to his body. The sexual assault followed next as they groped him roughly while grabbing onto his ass. The same burly man who had picked him off the ground turned him around and carried him over his shoulders. He carried him toward the cell once more where he placed him against the wall. A swarm of men surrounded him and each grabbing onto his boxers, shredding the thin underwear and tossing the remnants into the cell where JC gathered them in his hands. They tried to pull Justin away from the wall, but Justin held onto the hooks with his bare hands, knowing very well if there was space between him and the men they would only tear him apart. The men allowed the boy to hold onto the hooks. Instead of ripping the boy from the hooks, the men pulled at his legs and lifted his body up slightly. Before Justin realized that his legs were spread wide apart, the first penetration wracked his body. His grips slowly weakened and his arms limped over to the sides. One of the men was still lodged deep inside Justin when the men handcuffed Justin's wrists together and chained him to the ceiling. Once bound, his first assailant withdrew out of him. Blood slowly leaked out of Justin. The thick crimson red graced along Justin's inner thigh only to drip off his toes. JC watched in devastation as the crimson droplets dripped one by one, crashing upon a small pool of blood. "Have I changed your mind?" Jake whispered into JC's ears. "What the fuck are you guys doing to him?!" JC shrieked. JC spun around and immediately charged at Jake. He wanted to kill this man. He wanted to rip his limbs apart. He wanted to pull out his intestines. He wanted him to die not realizing that the person who would suffer Jake's wrath was the defenseless boy bound to the ceiling. "I said we are just friends. We're only friends." JC kept repeating. Another man stepped forward and pushed Justin against the wall. He pulled his legs apart and pushed one leg up so he could have a direct aim at Justin's sore hole. Once he had positioned the boy's body according to his liking, he wasted no time and rammed his hard dick inside Justin. Justin cried out with excruciating pain as the man bit down on his neck. "Please, Josh. Make them stop!" Justin surrendered to the pain tearing his insides. "Josh, please! God! No! Someone please help me!" JC reached his lanky arms for Justin, but the distance between them was too great and all JC could do was to stand in the cell and watch in horror as his boyfriend was being savagely raped by these animals. "Question. Do you always get this emotional over your friends? Or is Justin a rare exception?" The tears flowing from JC's eyes suddenly halted at the sound of the familiar voice. His eyes narrowed in at the scene before him. Justin was now turned around. His fully exposed body was in direct view of JC. Dirty, filthy hands roamed over his precious angel's body. Dirty filthy hands were stroking his precious angel's dick, twisting it until Justin's body reacted to the pain by writhing in the air. Dirty filthy hands were playing with his precious angel's balls, tugging at them violently- squeezing them painfully. His legs spread again for another violation. A large uncut cock, larger than JC had ever seen plunged into Justin, rendering the boy unconscious. His body continued to hang from the ceiling for the others to ravage freely while JC remained lock in the cell just beside him, yet so far away. JC clenched his fists tightly, gripping onto the cold bars. "You know Justin does not have to suffer like this." JC twirled around and came face to face with his one time lover. Their eyes met and the fires that once danced in them while they made love no longer existed. There was no more love between them, only hate. "You're going to sacrifice Justin like that?" Kevin posed the question to his former love. "You bastard!" JC cursed as he heard Justin's body being slammed against the wall in unison with every thrust. "I should have known it was you all along." "I've always admired your stamina. It's what attracted me to you in the first place." Kevin said seductively. "Justin's being pillaged before your eyes yet you still refuse to just give in to our demands." Kevin sighed deeply and continued, "Oh yeah. Justin's only your best friend. He doesn't really mean anything to you." He cocked his head to the right and peered past JC's shoulders to glance over at the savagery before them. The men had since taken Justin down, but from the sound of Justin's faint cries, the nightmare had not yet ended as there were still plenty of more men who still had not tasted Justin's blood. Kevin winced as another one of his men shoved his hard dick inside Justin. He shook his head, returning his attention to JC who continued to sob quietly to himself. "You and I are both men. We can handle the pain. Justin's just boy. He's only 19. How much longer you think he can handle all that pain before his body just gives up? Are you willing to let Justin die such a horrendous death as being ripped open like that because I assure you, with just one sign, these animals will tear Justin in half?" "You make me sick." JC spat. "Justin has nothing to do with whatever happened between us." "You still think this is about you and me?" Kevin retorted. "There was never a you and me!" He roared ferociously. "So long as there was that boy, there was never a you and me. No. This is not about us. This is about survival. Only the fittest lives. We have orchestrated our return to the scene for the past two years. You are not going to steal our spotlight from us this time. You are not going to succeed. You are going to falter. You are going to lose." "So this is what this is all about." "And you're going to help us succeed by giving us your songs." Kevin laid out his demands. "Once I receive all the song lyrics, I will signal to my men to stop. Justin's life rests in your hands. You can be your stubborn self as usual or you can just chuck it and give in to our demands in exchange for Justin. I'll return in an hour for the book. Write fast. I don't know how much longer Justin can endure." "You're heartless." JC told his ex-lover to which Kevin merely laughed as he left the cell. JC clenched his fists. His glaring eyes still fixated on Kevin as he left. When Kevin had finally left, his lids slowly fell over his cobalt eyes. His fists slowly relaxed. His legs slowly dragged himself back further into the cell. His eyes rested upon the bound book on the floor. He bent down and picked it, wiping the dust off the book. He carried the book on the palm of his hands and settled in the farthest corner. He flipped through the blank pages and returned to the first page. As commanded, he began to work on transcribing the soundtrack of his life onto the blank pages of the bound book. Justin's cries continued, distracting JC, further slowing him down. JC would try to weed out Justin's cries, but it was impossible. Sometimes JC wished that Justin would put a sock in it. Just shut up for a second so he could write, but he understood Justin couldn't stop himself from crying out loud. He couldn't help himself from the pain tearing him apart. Alas, after nearly an hour of constant writing, the ink in the pen ran dry. One more line left and the pen had to run out. Instead of surrendering to defeat, JC bit his finger. He watched, already feeling nausea, as the crimson red dripped off his fingertips. He pressed his fingertip onto the paper and finished the very last line to the very last song. Once finished, he slammed the book shut. He slowly got up from his seat, taking the book in his arms. He was going to give the book to Jake, but there was no need. Kevin had already waited for the book. He took the book from JC's possessive hands. Kevin flipped through the pages to make sure that JC had indeed written the lyrics in the book. He did. Kevin signaled to his men to stop their savagery and to bring Justin back into the cell where he could reunite with his boyfriend. The men were reluctant at first, some claiming that they had not gotten the chance to fuck the boy yet even though their dicks appeared to be dipped in crimson paint. The men carried Justin back into the cell. They tossed him into the cell as if he were nothing more to them than a broken toy. Justin remained on the floor, lying on his side. His arms wrapped around his middle as to shield the damage inflicted between his legs. Still the excessive bleeding from his rectum was indicative of the horrendous hour he had just endured.
Small Sacrifices IX
JC cried out in rage at the sight of his beloved boyfriend lying on the filthy ground. The blood that leaked out of him smeared over the floor on which he lay. JC approached Justin slowly, wiping away the tears in his eyes. He crouched down beside Justin, reaching to touch him when the boy cried out loud. Sobs wracked his broken body and JC was forced to return to his corner away from his boyfriend.
He tilted his head, banging it a few times against the bars. He cried out loud once more, letting the last ounce of anger seep through. Tears of sadness now replaced his anguish cries. His eyes were misty over with tears yet he still could see clearly Justin huddled on the floor, crying his eyes out. Justin had since crawled his way from the middle of the cell to the opposite corner. Still in an infantile position, he continued to cry. The pain just would not go away. It would take weeks to heal if they were lucky enough to escape this madness.
The trembling sobs began to subside and Justin began to suck on his thumb. His eyelids closed over his eyes as the final teardrop found its way past his lids. His breathing returned to a normal rhythm indicating that sleep was just seconds away. His eyes fluttered a few more times before his eyes were bound shut.
Never leaving his eyes off of Justin, JC crawled his way toward his boyfriend. Once he reached Justin, he dipped his head down and kissed Justin on the bridge of his nose. He brushed away the lose curl and wiped the tears dry from his face. Carefully, he shifted Justin's body on his, holding him gently closer to his chest. He removed his own jacket and placed the garment over Justin's body. And together, entwined in the arms of one another, JC joined Justin in their dreamland.
JC's peaceful sleep was interrupted by the creaking sounds indicative of the cell gate being opened. Immediately, his eyes flew open and rage coursed throughout his body as his eyes narrowed on the crystal blues eyes staring right back at him. It was Brian Littrell. What the hell was he doing here?
"Hi." Brian murmured, approaching the two lovers.
"Go away!" JC muttered under his breath. "Or I'll rip your dying heart out of your chest."
"I mean no harm." Brian responded, showing JC what he hid behind his back. "I've brought Justin some clothes and some pain killers."
"Oh. I'm sorry then."
"It's okay." Brian said, moving in closer to the lovers until he was directly next to them. "Can I?" Brian asked, his fingers gripping onto JC's jacket.
JC merely nodded.
Brian slowly lifted the jacket off of Justin's sleeping body. Hidden under the garment was the damage Justin had suffered. So much damage. Brian was surprised that Justin was still alive. He would have just given up and die. He apologized to JC once more before leaving the cell to see his cousin.
Upon reaching the second floor, he could no longer contain the tears that were streaming down his frail face. How could someone put another person through this much hell? How savage were those men? How inhumane was his own cousin?
He stumbled into the office room where he found his cousin reading through the bound book in which his ex-lover wrote the songs of his life on. A smile plastered on his face as he pictured JC had written these songs for him and not for that stupid Hollywood golden boy.
"We need to talk." Brian told his cousin.
Kevin reluctantly pried off his eyes from the book to look at Brian square in the eyes.
"Yes. What's on your mind, Brian?"
"Justin." Brian said, almost whispering. "I went to see Justin. He looks terrible. There was so much blood on his body. I never thought I'd say this but just looking him made me want to throw up."
"And…" Kevin said, as if expecting Brian to continue.
"Why? Kevin, why did you do it?"
"Because that was the only way." Kevin sighed deeply. "For me. For you. For us. That was the only way to get what we needed from JC. For that boy, he'd do anything."
"Why couldn't you just threaten JC with Justin's life?"
"Because for someone who had been a victim of rape before, rape is worse than death itself. I want Justin to suffer and I want JC to suffer even more watching him suffer." Kevin explained without even flinching.
"But he could have died!" Brian grabbed his cousin by the collar, forcing him to look him straight in the eyes.
The door squeaked open and Brian was forced to release his cousin back to his seat.
"But he didn't."
After searching for Justin throughout the downtown area, Chris, Lance, and Joey finally agreed to return to JC's apartment. Perhaps, they would find more clues there. Perhaps, they would find JC waiting for them to enlist their help. They were wishful thinking, praying for the latter scenario more than anything.
They arrived to an empty apartment, again. JC was still nowhere to be found. And their search for Justin turned up nothing save for the bits of information they had gathered from the jewelry shopkeeper. All three former bandmaters convened in the bedroom, where they would try to be productive and at least help JC put everything in his life back in order. However, they were all painfully aware that without Justin, JC would rather die. Life without Justin was like life without music and life without music for JC Chasez was the equivalent of death. As they organized his books and hung his clothes in the closet, Lance noticed the blinking red light on the answering machine. Abandoning the task at hand, Lance slowly walked over the clothes piled on the floor to check the messages on the answering machines.
"Good luck, hon, from mom and dad."
It was only JC's mother.
"Break a leg, JC. I knew from the first day I met you, you would be a star."
It was only Peaches from his Mickey Mouse Club years.
"Where the hell are you?"
Johnny's angry words nearly deafened Lance as he covered his ears. Johnny continued his slurs, damning JC if he did not return to the theatre. Lance was about ready to simply turn off the machine when the next message struck him.
"Hey! Hey!"
He heard JC's voice loud and clear on the machine as if he was calling for him.
"What is it?" He heard an unfamiliar voice appeared on the machine. "What do you want, boy?"
"I was wondering…" There was a long drawn out pause. "I was wondering…" He could barely hear JC's voice over the turbulent sounds. Lance listened more carefully. He even rewound the tape so he could hear every bits and pieces of the conversation. Still, JC's voice was drowned out by, by…Lance had to rewound the tape a few more times. The van was driving over the railroad tracks, sending the van into a slight turbulence just as JC was saying, "Can we stop by that Ice Coffee shop. I'm getting tired already. You know me. I love to sleep. If I'm asleep, you'll never get what you want from me."
He rewound the tape for the final time to listen to the message in it's entirety.
"Hey! Hey!"
"What is it? What do you want, boy?"
"I was wondering…"
Long pause.
"I was wondering…"
Turbulence as the van drove over the railroad tracks.
"Can we stop by that Ice Coffee shop. I'm getting tired already. You know me. I love to sleep. If I'm asleep, you'll never get what you want from me."
A smile crept on his face as he finally put the pieces together.
"JC, you're brilliant," Lance smiled.
He turned around and called out for his friend and lover. His voice higher than the usual bass. There was too much excitement in his voice that he could not hide.
"I know where they are." Lance told them. "Wherever they took them, they took them to a place past the railroad tracks preceded by an Ice Coffee shop. Wherever there is an Ice Coffee shop by the railroad tracks, they will be near."
"Lance, you're brilliant." Joey enveloped his boyfriend in his arms, kissing him on the lips, softly.
Lance wiggled out of his boyfriend's embrace and smiled widely.
"No. It was JC. He's the brilliant one. He left a message on the machine for us, pinpointing exactly where they were taking him. And I'm almost certain that Justin is with him, too."
AJ appeared in the doorway, casting a dark shadow in the room. He shifted his body out of the doorway and entered the spacious room, stopping in back of Brian, to playfully ruffle his blonde hair before taking a seat across from Kevin.
"Justin's not dead yet." AJ repeated once again.
"I know." Kevin said. "But we have all the lyrics in this book."
"Ha! Are you that naïve?!" AJ laughed out loud. He snaked out his hand and before Kevin could react, he had already taken the bound book of lyrics in his hands. He flipped through the pages of the book, nodding satisfactorily. "Looking good. But are you really that stupid?"
"Pardon me?"
"The lyrics are nothing."
"What do you mean nothing? Every song is written beautifully." Kevin retorted defensively.
"Looks like someone still has feelings for our favorite pop star." Nick said as he casually entered the room. He was closely followed by Howie who greeted Kevin with a quick hello.
"Look, Kevin." AJ peered into Kevin's dark green eyes. "Of course, JC's work is art. With such masterpieces, do you really think JC hasn't already burned the lyrics through his soul? Chances are he probably commit the lyrics to heart by now."
"Then what do you say we do now?"
AJ smiled devilishly. He got up from his seat and paced about the room until he stood directly behind Kevin. He leaned closer to his bandmate and whispered in his ears the inevitable.
"We kill him."
"What? I can't do that."
"That's the only way, Kevin." Nick responded.
"Howie?"
"Yes." Howie nodded weakly, avoiding eye contact with Kevin completely.
Kevin slumped into his chair. He rested his head in the palms of his hands, rubbing his temple roughly. AJ took the opportunity and set a sheathed sword before Kevin.
"Use this." AJ said, thrusting the sword toward Kevin. "You'll know what do."
Kevin gazed sadly at the sheathed sword. He removed the protective covering and immediately he was blinded by the glint of the sword under the natural moonlight. He sheathed the sword once more and held it close to his heart.
"Be strong. Have no mercy upon him." AJ added. "Just remember that he never loved you the way you loved him."
"I will."
"Good. Now that we have that settled, we-"
"AJ." Nick interrupted his boyfriend. "I think Brian's gone."
"He's what?" AJ shrieked.
"Nick said that he's-"
"I heard what he said, Howie." Annoyance was evident in his voice as he spoke harshly to his bandmate. "When did he leave?"
"Just a few moments ago." Nick answered his boyfriend.
"Bastard."
Author's Notes: Don't forget to watch SNL on NBC on 10/11/03 at 11:30pm
ET/PT. Justin Timberlake will be the host and musical guest on the show.
Seriously, Justin should just fire Ken Sunshine and hire yours truly.
Review This Story || Email Author: Aphrodite