Interludes

And here's "Interlude" number five, though, as I've said, these don't take place in order. I've done it!! Two whole "Interludes" where no one falls asleep!! Wooo hooooo! :) The "Interludes" are short stories (thus far all J.C./Justin-ish) that take place between my stories "Any Path" and "No Painless Way". You can find them at the address below, though I think the "Interludes" will mostly stand alone: www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/celebrity/boy-bands/any-path Be warned - "Any Path" is mostly BSB, but I make up for it in "NPW".

DISCLAIMER: Yeah. Sure. I own 'Nsync. I'm auctioning 'em off on eBay riiiiiight now. :) Seriously, this is all fiction (dammit). I don't know the 'Nsync guys, their choreographers, or how J.C. likes his coffee. I'm guessing hot. :)

DEDICATION: This is for Angel1313, for "Devotion", for putting up with me, and for everything else that makes her kewl. :) (Now pay up with chapter 29...pleeeease!!)

~INTERLUDE : INTUITION~ by DaraLynn

"In trust, as in love, there's always the risk."

• 'Kung Fu: The Legend Continues'

Joey fanned himself impatiently, trying to generate even the smallest breeze to cool the air of the hot warehouse. He elbowed Chris, who stood next to him, and pointed across the enormous room.

"What, Joe?"

"They're getting awful friendly. Justin and what's-his-name...ya know, Darren's new assistant."

Chris rolled his eyes. "His name's Zach, Joe. And if we're gonna be stuck with him whenever Darren's sick or whatever, you better remember his name. And what's so weird about Zach and Curly talkin'?"

Joey shrugged. "Nothing. Zach just seems...interested. Could cause problems."

"Interested in Justin? You mean he's-"

"Bleeping very loudly on my gay-dar. Not to mention the fact that he's been staring at Justin's ass all day. I haven't met many straight guys who did that. Some, but not many."

The eldest 'Nsyncer sighed. "Well, as long as he doesn't get grabby, we'll postpone the opening of a fresh can of whup-ass. It's cool long as Zach behaves."

"Cool with us. Maybe not with everyone."

Joey subtly directed his friend's attention to the far left wall, where J.C. stood, watching Justin and Zach with a definite scowl on his face.

"Hmmm, you may have a point. Ya think C is worried, or maybe jealous or something?"

Joey smiled. "It must be some sort of strong emotion. Look at him, he's trying to strangle his water bottle."

Unaware he was being observed, Zach playfully brushed his fingers through Justin's hair, letting his hand linger on the boy's head for a moment. Justin shrugged him off, laughing.

J.C. closed his fist around the water bottle he held, crushing the clear plastic. The light blue eyes narrowed angrily.

"Uh-oh," said Chris. "Not good."

"You wanna get Lance?"

'Nsync's bass singer was on the far right side of the room, talking to their manager Johnny Wright. Lance was, in addition to being the group businessman, the most diplomatic of them, and the best, save Justin, at calming J.C. down.

"Nah, C's just a little jealous. I mean, try a little substitution here. Let's say you are watching your best friend, who you're madly in love with, bonding with a guy who's obviously interested in him. Wouldn't you be a little miffed?"

"Yeah. But Curly's straight," argued Joey. "He and Zach can't be more than buddies."

"Yeah, but we dunno if Zach knows that. Besides, you know how J.C. is.

He's suspicious of anyone who starts getting close to his little angel."

Joey opened his mouth to respond, but shut it as Justin went over to J.C. Joey and Chris casually edged closer to hear what he would say, both relieved as J.C. smiled at the seventeen-year-old.

"Josh, I'm gonna go for a walk with Zach, okay? He wants to talk to me about some new moves."

J.C.'s smile faded. "Why can't he talk to you in here?"

//Where I can keep an eye on him,// J.C.'s mind added.

"I dunno. It's a nice day, though. We'll only be a few minutes, and I promise we won't go far," Justin assured him.

"Um...how 'bout I come with ya?"

Justin frowned guiltily. "Actually, Zach wanted me to ask you to help Lance with that step in 'Tearin' Up My Heart' he kept missing today."

"He's got it now, though."

"Yeah, but I guess Zach wants to make sure." The curly-haired blond looked at his best friend curiously. "What's wrong, Josh? I won't be gone long."

"I just don't see why it's necessary that he be alone with you, that's all."

Justin rolled his eyes. "Josh, I know you're just trying to look out for me and all, but not every gay guy I ever talk to is gonna hit on me. I won't be long, okay?"

J.C. couldn't refuse the sweet little face pleading with him to not argue. He sighed resignedly before nodding.

"Thank you, Josh."

J.C. hugged Justin before letting him leave, quickly kissing the boy's cheek while glaring pointedly at Zach. Once J.C. was alone, two of his fellow 'Nsyncers joined him.

"Don't worry, Josh," said Joey. "Just's a big boy. He can handle himself."

"I know. I just hate trusting him to other people."

Chris put a hand on J.C.'s shoulder. "Me and Joey were about to go get something to drink. Since you've apparently demolished your water, how 'bout you come with us? We'll find you something nice and caffeinated."

Almost ashamed at how empty he felt without Justin, J.C. allowed himself to be led away. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Justin and Zach strolled around the grounds surrounding the isolated warehouse used by 'Nsync for rehearsals, breathing in the cooling air gratefully. Whatever cars they heard passing were far in the distance, and in the lazy summer afternoon the wind whistling through leafy tree branches made a welcome music.

After they had walked for a while, Zach sat down on a bench that rested in the shade of an elm tree. Justin plopped down beside him, and they continued chatting.

"I like your ideas, Z. Did ya run any of 'em by Darren yet?"

"Nah. I wanted your opinion first. A choreographer is only as good as his best dancer, after all," Zach said.

Justin blushed, but smiled at the compliment.

"So...when we get back is J.C. gonna kill me?"

Justin blinked in surprise. "Huh?"

"He was kinda giving me the Evil Eye before. I think he hates me."

The young blond shook his head. "Nah, he's just not used to you yet. And Josh is real protective of me. He takes it too far sometimes, but he means well."

Zach nodded. "You guys are best friends?"

"Yeah. I dunno what I'd do without him." -----------------------------------------------------------------------

"UGH! This coffee is gross!"

J.C. made a face and set the cup down, grimacing.

"Um, C," began Chris, "that's 'cause you didn't put the sugar in."

"Oh. Um...right."

J.C. sheepishly began to stir sugar into his coffee.

Joey snickered. "Wow, a few minutes minus the Baby and already he's cracking. Kinda like Lance when he doesn't have his cell phone."

Chris smiled. "Speaking of which, where is Poo-Fu? Still sucking up to Johnny?"

"He doesn't have to suck up, Chris. He's the well-behaved one, remember?"

"Yeah, well-behaved, suck-up, inbred, whatever."

Just then Lance came out of nowhere. He seemed concerned, and the vivid green eyes were slightly wider-open than usual. His deep voice, however, was calm as always.

"Where's Justin?"

J.C. answered, staring glumly into his coffee. "Went for a walk with Zach. He'll be back soon. 'Cause if not I'm going out and getting him."

"Um...why don't we go get him now?"

Joey gently touched the bass singer's arm. "You seem kinda nervous, Lance. Is something wrong?"

"No! I just, um, think we should get back to work. C'mon, let's go find him."

J.C., needing no further encouragement, followed Lance. Joey and Chris shrugged, and headed after them. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

"So...are you and J.C., like, dating?"

Justin's eyes widened. "No!"

"I'm sorry. It's just..."

"What?"

Zach sighed. "It's just the way you two act, I guess. Ya know, like when you sit on his lap and he plays with your hair, or you two hold hands, and how he calls you 'baby' and 'hon' and stuff like that. I'm sorry I misinterpreted."

"It's okay. I guess Josh and I are weird. We're just real close. We love eachother a lot, and we like to express that physically. But it's not romantic. I'm straight."

"Ah. Sometimes I wish I was."

"Why?"

Zach looked down. "I just broke up with my boyfriend last month. Still upset about it."

Justin patted Zach's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. Had you been together long?"

"Five months. Found out he'd been cheating on me the whole time. I'm better off without him...he was very cold. So it's nice to know that just friends, like you and J.C., have no problem being so affectionate with one another. You're both very lucky, you know. Just too bad you're straight."

Justin looked down sadly. "Yeah."

"Well, are you sure you're straight? 'Cause you don't seem too sure."

"I guess." Justin was puzzled.

Zach smiled. "Well, maybe I could help you find out for certain. For your and J.C.'s sakes."

Zach's hand came to rest gently on Justin's knee, rubbing it through the baggy jeans.

"Does J.C. ever do this?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

An arm curled around Justin's slim waist, and fingers brushed against the part of his T-shirt covering his stomach.

"And I've seen him do this...does it bother you?"

Justin pulled away. "When anyone but J.C. does it, yeah."

Zach's face fell. "I'm sorry. That was out of line."

The older man looked so apologetic that Justin immediately felt guilty.

"It's all right..."

Zach grinned, and his arm slid around Justin again. Before the teenager knew what was happening, he was pulled close to the dark-haired choreographer. Justin frowned as Zach's face moved towards his, and the hand on his hip began to slide lower.

"I didn't mean you could do it again!"

"What's the problem here, Justin? I'm only trying to help."

Justin removed Zach's hands and edged away. "I know, but you're making me uncomfortable."

Zach scowled. "I was just touching you. You can admit that you liked it."

"I didn't like it!"

"You're such a fuckin' tease!" Zach hissed. "You let J.C. play with you like you're a porcelain doll, but I touch you and immediately you're 'uncomfortable'!"

Justin stared at his supposed friend in horror, then stood up to leave.

Zach rose off the bench and spun him around. Justin shoved him off.

"Don't touch me!"

Fingers caught Justin's wrist, gripping it tightly.

"You are NOT leaving until we talk about this. Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you like that. But I'm not gonna let you go crying to J.C. that I'm trying to molest you."

Zach smirked. "Like he's so much better anyway! How many times a day does he try to get into your pants?"

"He doesn't!"

"Well, if he's too chicken..."

With his free hand Zach groped for the zipper on the teenager's jeans. Justin's fist flew into his assailant's face, knocking him onto the grass. Zach sat up and quickly managed to stand. One hand was pressed against his injured jaw, but his eyes glowed with insane rage.

"That was a mistake. We're a good distance away from everyone else, Justin. You think I couldn't, or wouldn't, drag you into those woods and fuck the hell outta you?"

"You think I'd let you?" Justin answered confidently.

Zach laughed mockingly. "Even a stupid, spoiled little pretty boy like yourself can see that I'm stronger than you. You couldn't take me on without J.C. holding your hand!"

"He doesn't have to," a cold voice growled from behind Zach.

The assistant choreographer felt the blood drain from his face. He whirled around and found himself face-to-face with J.C., who, snarling menacingly, threw Zach onto the ground and started pummelling him. Zach screamed for help as the younger man's fists beat him relentlessly.

After a minute, Lance, Joey and Chris were able to pull J.C. back and restrain him.

"C, take it easy. You keep that up and you're gonna kill him," pleaded Chris.

"THAT'S THE IDEA!"

"Think about the press, though!"

"I DON'T FUCKIN' CARE, JOEY!"

Lance leaned in to whisper to J.C. "Josh, Justin's upset. He needs your attention more than this scum does."

As usual, Lance had said the right thing. J.C. stood still, and glared down at Zach.

"You're fired. Get the hell outta here."

"You can't do that. Only Darren can-"

Chris stepped forward, silently praying for the strength not to tear Zach apart with his bare hands.

"You are fired," he said lowly. "Now, unless you'd like to end up in court for sexual harassment or dead, you'd better fuck off before J.C. loses it again. And don't think the rest of us ain't considering murder too."

Zach shakily stood up, breathing painfully. He began to back away from them, but wasn't finished speaking.

"Yeah right. Wouldn't that look good in the newspapers!" He looked at J.C. "Like you'd really throw your career away just 'cause someone else dared to want some from the little brat."

J.C. jerked out of his friends' grasps. They looked worried, but didn't dare hinder their 'group dad' this time. Lance, Joey and Chris watched anxiously as J.C. stared unblinkingly into Zach's eyes. Surprisingly, the singer made no attack, but the restrained fury in his cold, eerily calm voice was terrifying enough.

"You put your hands on my best friend. You touched him when he didn't want to be touched. The only reason you're still in one piece right now is because I don't want to upset Justin any more. For his sake and his alone I'm letting you walk away from here. You have five seconds to leave before I rip your limbs off one by one. Go. NOW."

All the fight was gone from the frightened choreographer. He quickly ran off, limping slightly as he went.

The anger melted away from J.C.'s face as he went to Justin, who stood silently, staring at his sneakers. J.C. lifted the teenager's chin, and the face of a sad angel rose to stare back at him. Tears were swiftly streaming down the boy's cheeks.

J.C. wrapped his arms around Justin, gently cradling the head that fell against his shoulder.

"Are you okay, baby?"

"Uh-huh."

"You sure? Did he hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks to you guys."

Chris spoke for Lance, Joey and himself. "Um, we'll give you guys a few minutes alone. We'll go tell Johnny 'bout Zach being canned."

"Okay, Chris."

"Thank you, guys," Justin murmured.

They smiled at their youngest member before leaving the best friends alone. They sat together on the bench, J.C.'s arm securely around Justin.

"You wanna tell me what happened, sweetie?"

Justin sniffled. "Zach was asking me about you and I. He asked if we were together. When I told him I'm straight, he said I didn't seem sure and that he wanted to help me figure it out. Then he started touching me, and when I told him I didn't like it he got mad. He said I'm a tease 'cause I let you touch me and not him...he said I liked what he was doing but I DIDN'T! I swear I didn't..."

Justin buried his face in J.C.'s shirt and sobbed.

"I know, angel, I know. You're NOT a tease, and you didn't do anything wrong. Ssssh, it's okay now..."

Justin sat up straight, and let J.C.'s hands wipe his wet face. He closed his eyes as J.C.'s lips softly brushed across his forehead.

"Guess I shoulda listened to you before, when you didn't want me to go with Zach."

"I understand why you didn't. I know I'm overprotective sometimes. I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Justin smiled. "I'm glad you guys got here when you did, but why'd you come, anyway?"

"Lance insisted we go find you. He said we needed to get back to work, but I think really his instincts were telling him something was wrong. Mine were too, but I didn't wanna just race out here and spy on you, making you think I don't think you can handle yourself. But when Lance had a bad feeling too...he's got good intuition."

Justin nodded. "Or as he says, he knows everything."

J.C. laughed, and smiled as Justin leaned against him.

"Josh, are you gonna use what happened today as an excuse to not let me go anywhere without you?"

"Will it work?" J.C. asked, a little too enthusiastically.

Justin rolled his eyes. "No. You can't protect me from everything."

J.C. sighed. "I wish I could."

"Part of me kinda does too. But if you fight every battle for me, I'll never know if I could've handled anything by myself. Like before. I'm SO glad you came, but now I wonder if I could've fought Zach off alone."

"I think you could've...it looked like you'd managed to damage his jaw before I got the chance."

Justin smiled. "So maybe now you'll trust me to take care of myself sometimes?"

"Hon, it's not that I consider you helpless," said J.C. "But ever since we met I've taken care of and protected you. I love doing that...I couldn't give it up."

"And I don't want you to - I'd be lost without you always being here for me. I just want you to trust me."

J.C. brushed a few stray blades of grass off his angel's pants, and took Justin's hand in his own.

"Tell ya what, Curly. I'll trust you to function without me whenever I absolutely have to, as much as I possibly can. But I still get to baby you and deal with anyone who dares to hurt my best friend. Okay?"

Justin allowed J.C. to help him up, and they began to head back to the warehouse. Justin groaned.

"Josh, how come I suspect that our little deal won't actually change anything?"

"Because though I do trust you, hon, I love you too much to be happy about having to let you go through anything alone. Because it's one of the blessings of my life that I have you, and I guard my treasures jealously. Because I don't trust the world with you, so I want to be there to watch over you as much as I can."

Justin let his head rest on J.C.'s shoulder as they walked. The older man squeezed him reassuringly as a few tear drops hit the sleeve of his T-shirt.

"I think I can live with that, Josh. I love you too."

~FIN~

Questions and comments welcome to DaraLynn_writings@hotmail.com