Title: Black Eyes, Blue Tears 8/? Author: Stephanie M Summary: AJ discovers the truth behind Lance and JC's intense relationship. Feedback: This is not my normal type of story; I would love to hear what everyone thinks. Disclaimer: This is entirely fiction i.e. not true. I don't know Nsync or the Backstreet Boys. Warnings: JC bashing-sorry if that upsets anyone. Discussion of abuse
Part 8
Nick was busy on the Internet finding as much information on rape and domestic abuse as possible. He wanted to do something to help Lance, he couldn't help but feel he should have known something, seen that Lance was in trouble. He only hoped that AJ would be careful with Lance, he knew the pair had some sort of feelings for each other but didn't think Lance could handle a relationship.
"I can't believe it, a part of me thinks this is some sick nightmare." Brian commented to Nick as he finished pacing around the room.
"What you think or feel doesn't matter. We need to help Lance and AJ. Did you see the way they were looking at each other?" Nick turned to look at Brian.
Looking up at Howie for his opinion Brian said, "Yeah, but Lance could just be latching on to the first person that helped him. AJ's probably only feeling this way because of how protective he's feeling towards Lance."
"AJ has had a crush on Lance for about a year now. But AJ won't push Lance; he knows that would be wrong. They can wait and figure out their relationship after they get rid of JC." Howie said looking up from the book he was reading.
"What you reading?" Brian asked, feeling he was going to go insane waiting for something to happen.
"It's a book I leant from Chris, he bought in this morning after we found out what that shit did to Lance." Howie answered, holding up the book so that they could read the title, The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Wendy Maltz.
"Erm...why did he get a book about recovering from sexual abuse?" Nick asked as he looked up.
"It's for Lance, he figured that it would be a good idea if we all read it." Howie returned to the book, wanting to find out as much as possible to help.
"Anyone know where Kevin is?" Brian asked, not noticing the sudden look of worry on Nick's face.
"He's seeing a friend." Nick said, at the same time praying Kevin wouldn't spend much longer with Justin.
"Maybe one of us should phone AJ?" Brian said, thinking about their earlier press conference.
"I'll phone him later." Howie said smirking at Brian's impatience. ****** "Would it be alright if I talked to you about what Josh did?" Lance asked his voice low.
"Whatever you want, Lance." AJ said quickly not wanting Lance to think he would force Lance into anything.
"I've never really talked about it, ya know?" Lance he settled into AJ's arms and gave a bittersweet smile, "I'd always kind of admired JC; he was the first one who tried to help me. Then after I messed up one of the dance routines; he told everyone to leave and he'd make sure I got it."
Lance took a drink of water and continued, "We practised for about eight hours straight and every time I did something wrong he pinched me, it worked and I got the dance. Everyone sort of decided that whenever I couldn't do a dance or a move, Josh would teach me. He taught me alright-he hit me to make sure I didn't mess up. It was on the fourth lesson that he started getting inventive; punching, scratching or cutting me but he was careful to make sure not to leave marks where someone could see."
"When he got angry he didn't care, he would hit me anywhere. If anyone asked I always told them I fell down the stairs, or banged into something. He normally only hits me like that when he rapes me; he gets off on it. But he's right it's my fault, if I'd been smarter or quicker they wouldn't have given me to him to teach. And if I didn't tease him he wouldn't rape me." Lance stopped when he saw AJ's face, he was angry-that meant he was going to get hit.
"I'm sorry." Lance said obediently unfastening his shirt and turning to face AJ.
AJ made his voice as low and soothing as possible, "Lance, I'll never let anyone hurt you again. I'm not going to hurt you, you can put your shirt back on."
"Sorry." Lance gave an apologetic smile, his eyes cast downward.
"Don't apologise, Lance. It's not your fault what JC did to you, believe me. Can I give you a hug?" AJ replied quickly.
"Y--Yes." Lance couldn't believe AJ actually wanted to touch him and that he was asking his permission.
"I'm not going to hurt you." AJ repeated as he slowly moved to gently hug the younger man.
"That was nice. If I press charges, will you stay with me? I'm not asking you to spend every second of the day with me just while I'm in court." Lance said as they broke apart, a nervous grin on his face.
"I'll always be there if you need me. Would it be okay it I call Howie to tell them you've agreed to press charges?" AJ asked not wanting to do something without Lance's permission.
Lance said softly, "I guess, they won't be mad at me will they?"
"No one is mad at you. Lance, we're all here for you." AJ said as he dialled the phone number.
"Yeah?" Howie asked a little distracted by the book he was reading.
AJ smiled, "It's me, just thought I'd call to check in."
Hoping Lance knew that no one blamed him for what happened Howie said, "How is he?"
"Okay, Lance has agreed to pres charges as long as the records are sealed." AJ said listening as Howie started talking to someone.
"Be careful, tell Lance that I'll help in any way," Nick said having wrestled the phone from Howie.
"Wait a sec, Nicky." AJ said turning to look at Lance he asked, "Would you like to talk to Nick?"
Lance nodded and reached for the phone, his hand trembling slightly. Just what did Nick want? Did he want to tell him that it was his fault, like everyone secretly thought?
"Hi Nick. How are you?" Lance said smiling when Nick laughed.
"I'm okay. Lance, I'm here at any time. If you need anything just call and I'll be there." Nick said honestly, he wanted to help Lance escape his life of pain.
"Thanks, could you do me a favour and tell Justin that it's not his fault." Lance said knowing he had probably upset his friend. A small part of him blamed Justin and the others for not helping him or seeing the signs of abuse but the rest of him just wanted his friends back.
"Sure. Howie wants to speak to you so I'll give him the phone," Nick said regretfully.
"Howie, I'm sorry for getting you guys involved in all this." Lance said sincerely hoping that JC didn't find out Backstreet were helping him.
"You didn't get us involved in this we want to help. Chris said to tell you that he loves you and that he's sorry. He wanted to talk to you earlier but he's talking to Johnny."
"That was nice of him. Sorry to do this but I've got to go, I'll put Alex back on," Lance said as he felt the call of nature.
"D, will we have to come back so Lance can give evidence?" AJ asked worried at the prospect of JC finding Lance.
Howie hated what he had to say to his friend, "I think so but don't worry we can arrange somewhere for you to stay discretely. I'll make some arrangements and call you back."
"What happened at the news conference? I haven't seen it yet." AJ asked wanting to know just what their story was.
Howie grinned, "We told them you had to go to New York and look after a family member who's ill. Kevin said that you and Lance are friends and that Lance was in your room because you stayed up all night playing computer games."
AJ said tiredly, "Just get us a room in a little motel someplace that won't bother us. We'll be ready to go when you call."
"Later Bone." Howie said as he put the phone down.
Howie quickly sent the message 1313148 to Chris. He knew his friend would remember the code they had created for an emergency and what had happened that day definitely classified as an emergency.