Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction, which means that it isn't real. I don't know *N Sync or their sexual preferences. If you are underage or homosexual content scares you, don't read this.
Hi, ya'll. Thank you to those who responded to the first chapters of Prisoner of Love. If you read through the first chapter then you've probably read this chapter already, but I've got to post it anyway. If you've alreay read this part though...Chapter 3 is posted on my website now. http://www.angelfire.com/boybands/nsajscgirl I've only written the first four chapters and I haven't gotten the fourth chapter proofed yet, so it may take a little while for me to post it and continue with the story. Thanks goes out to Cele again! plugcheck out her story "Life Of My Own" in the Hosted Stories section of my website, it's incredible!end plug
Email me and let me know what you think! Nsajscgirl@yahoo.com **************** Prisoner of Love Chapter 3
(One month later...)
The courtroom was silent, all eyes trained on the slim figure of James Porter, the prosecuting attorney in the case of Florida vs. Chasez. Porter was surprisingly young and charismatic. `He's got a very dynamic stage personality,' JC thought to himself and felt a ripple of despair run through his body. Porter was dressed in a perfectly pressed suit, pacing tirelessly back and forth in front of the jury. His arms flailed about as he delivered each fact before snatching off his wire-rim glasses and pointing them at jury members. JC noticed with no small amount of bitterness how words seemed flow from the young attorney's lips with little effort. The judge leaned forward in her plush leather chair, her elbows resting on the stand comfortably. Her focus was solely intent on the information Porter was feeding her and the jury. Although the crowd at JC's back was silent, he could feel their presence and their eyes watching him closely, judging him. JC turned his head slightly to watch the faces of his peers, the group judging him, and he felt his heart contract at the expression on their upturned countenances. They watched Porter with rapt attention, their eyes following his every movement, full of curiosity. JC's attention was pulled away from the jury and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from Porter, the man intent on putting him in jail for life.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you've seen all the evidence; evidence which contains facts and testimonials that point a direct finger at the man sitting right there, Mr. Chasez," Porter said as he jabbed a finger at JC. "The night before Meredith Stone's murder, Joshua Scott Chasez went back to his hotel suite, his friends and co-workers in tow. Instead of finding what he was looking for, Mr. Chasez and company discovered something very unexpected. They found Ms. Stone in the embrace of another man. When it became obvious that Ms. Stone and the young man were lovers, Mr. Chasez flew into a rage. Heated words and blows were exchanged. More importantly, threats were exchanged. There were several witnesses to these threats, witnesses that shared their testimony with you. Meredith had threatened JC with her knowledge. She declared that if he ever touched her again, she would go to the press with certain facts she knew about JC and his fellow band mates. We now know exactly what secret Ms. Stone had threatened to reveal...namely the sexuality of one of Mr. Chasez's band mates. The members of *N Sync had decided that keeping Mr. Bass's sexual orientation a secret was a wise choice considering their line of work. Only close members of the groups retinue knew about Mr. Bass." JC clenched his jaw tightly and closed his eyes as Porter spoke freely about Lance. He had broken his promise to Lance. When Lance had first come to him, confused and unsure about the feelings that were consuming him, needing to confess his thoughts to someone, JC had promised his young friend that he would never tell anyone that Lance was gay. Lance eventually came out to the others in the group and all were supportive, but as Porter said, they had all agreed to keep Lance's secret because they were afraid of their fans' reactions. He had failed his friend and he had done so with flying colors. Not only did everyone on the planet now know about Lance, they believed that Lance was the reason JC murdered his ex-girlfriend. JC knew that Lance was sitting behind him, slightly off to the left and he could just imagine the pained statement on his friend's pale face. Even though JC hadn't been the one to tell the jury what Meredith threatened to expose, he still felt entirely responsible. Michael had been the first witness on the stand and the person to tell the courtroom Lance's secret and JC hated their former assistant more and more with every breath he took. JC pulled his thoughts away from Lance and focused once again on Porter as the man continued. "Once Ms. Stone warned him about hurting her person, Mr. Chasez very coldly and very deliberately threatened Ms. Stone's life. I believe his very words were, `I would kill you before I let you do something like that.'"
JC turned stoic blue eyes to face the jury and was not surprised to find that they had all turned their gazes on him, watching him closely. It felt like everyone was watching him. Even now, he could feel the eyes of his best friends boring into the back of his skull. If he thought life as "JC Pop-Star" was unbearable in its scrutiny, life as "JC Pop-Star-turned-Murderer" was twenty times worse. JC still wasn't sure that this was actually happening. He kept telling himself, `It's just a bad nightmare that is going to end the second I wake up.' But that thought turned into a desperate plea with each moment that passed. He was most certainly awake and this was most certainly happening to him. JC shook himself mentally once he heard Porter call his name again and he tuned into what the lawyer was saying.
"Mr. Chasez then followed Meredith into his trailer, where they argued once again. There were signs of a struggle, an overturned lamp, papers scattered over the floor, drawers half opened. In the heat of the argument, a gun was pulled out of one of those open drawers. A gun that was licensed to Mr. Chasez. Mr. Chasez shot Meredith in cold blood, knowing that she held information that he didn't want exposed to the public. Not only did Mr. Chasez kill Meredith Stone, he also killed the unborn child she was carrying in her womb. He claims to have had no prior knowledge of the baby she was carrying in her belly; we all know that may or may not be the truth. It could have provided him with another reason to kill his girlfriend. What `boy-band' member would want an illegitimate child running around? I doubt Mr. Chasez is remorseful about killing the child...after all, he did get rid of the problem Meredith presented," Porter finished snidely, turning disgusted eyes on JC. The jury's expressions mimicked Porter's and they all watched JC closely.
JC clenched his jaw in anger and struggled to keep himself from jumping to his feet and tackling the lawyer. He couldn't stand the fact that he was unable to defend himself. Porter was calling him a baby killer and by all accounts, he was right. All the evidence led a direct path to JC. His lawyers, some of the finest in the country, could do nothing but sit back and twiddle their thumbs because they couldn't refute the facts of the case. JC's heart ached with sadness at the thought that the baby could have been his, a child of his own. Of course, the child could have easily been Michael's.
"The testimony that our witnesses provided tells you what happened next. During the filming of one of the few scenes that Mr. Chasez wasn't needed, a shot rang out. Mr. Isham, the first person in the trailer, told you what he saw: Mr. Chasez, standing above a very dead Meredith Stone, gun in hand. Even his band members agreed with Mr. Isham's testimony. There is no way that you could believe that Mr. Chasez is innocent. He murdered Meredith Stone in cold blood because she was a threat to his career. Look at that man!" Porter demanded harshly, pointing at JC. The jury obliged and JC helplessly returned their stares. The expressions on their collective faces told JC everything that he needed to know...they thought he was a cold-blooded killer. "That man is a murderer," Porter continued. "You can only bring back a verdict of guilty if justice is going to be done today!" Porter paused, the silence weighing heavily on everyone in the courtroom. The lawyer slowly walked back to his desk before speaking softly as he took his seat, "The prosecution rests, your honor."
"Thank you, Mr. Porter," the judge nodded her head at the Porter. "Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard the testimony from both sides and their closing arguments. I urge you to wisely use the time you have tonight and think over everything you have heard," the imposing judge advised, before picking up her gavel and banging it loudly on her desk. "You're dismissed for the day. We will reconvene tomorrow morning at ten o'clock for the final verdict in this case."
JC studiously ignored the people surrounding him and the jury as he stood. Almost immediately, rough hands pulled his arms behind his back and he felt the cold bite of steel handcuffs as they were wrapped around his wrists. JC felt his lawyer's hand on his back. He grimaced bitterly; it was an empty gesture and there was no comfort in the small human touch. It was all incredibly surreal...the whispers of the crowd at his back, being led into a narrow hallway, forceful hands pushing him into his cell. JC's lawyers had asked for a reasonable bail, but the judge had refused, setting the price at a million dollars. He had no doubt that his friends would have posted it, but he had asked them not to. There was no point in it. At least they kept him in his own cell, away from the rough criminals that he had seen at the police department that day...the day that Meredith was murdered.
Several hours later, after JC had counted the number of tiles on the ceiling twelve times, a loud buzz pulled him out of his thoughts...thoughts that revolved around murder and lies. An intimidating police officer walked to the bars and slid the door open.
"You've got visitors." JC stood silently and brushed past the cop. Familiar with the routine, he halted nearby and waited patiently for the officer to turn and lead the way. JC knew whom his visitors were.the guys had made it a point to visit him each day, bringing a spot of brightness in the gray world he lived in now. They still hadn't asked him the one question he knew that each of them wanted the answer to. He could understand, though, if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't really want to know the answer either if there was the slightest bit out doubt. Instead, they had just assumed what the answer to the question was. They refused to believe that he guilty.
The cop, or "Walker" as his nametag read, pushed open the door to the visiting room and folded his arms over his massive chest. "Fifteen minutes," he growled. JC nodded and entered the open room. A bare table surrounded by four metal chairs sat in the middle of the small room. Three of the four chairs were occupied.
"Where's Lance?" JC asked immediately, noticing his best friend's absence right away. No one replied. Justin stared down at the gray table, his fingers tapping out a regular rhythm on the linoleum surface. Joey found the opposite wall fascinating and Chris's eyes bounced all over the room, never stopping or landing on JC. "I said, where's Lance?" JC repeated, his voice turning to steel, his gaze held pointedly on Justin.
"He...um...he didn't want to come today, Josh," Justin said hesitantly. JC's eyes immediately filled with tears. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly before falling into the last chair. He didn't care anymore. He had apparently lost his best friend and nothing really mattered anymore. JC didn't give a flying fuck that he was crying in front of the others. How could Lance believe that he was guilty? Or maybe Lance was angry with him because everyone now knew that Lance was gay? JC had apologized a million times to Lance for that because he felt that it was his fault that information came to light. None of this would have ever happened if he had not trusted Meredith or Michael. It was entirely his fault. "Oh, God, Josh!" Justin exclaimed as he moved to wrap an arm around JC's shaking shoulders. "Please, don't cry! Lance...we'll talk to him, JC. I promise...I'll get him to come and see you, okay? Please, just don't cry," Justin pleaded with JC. He knew without a doubt that JC was innocent. He had never questioned his firm belief. Justin simply knew in his heart that JC couldn't do something like that. Joey and Chris looked on painfully as JC tried to gather his emotions and hold them under control. Joey sniffled and wiped his face roughly with his left hand, trying to hide the few tears that managed to leak out of his eyes.
"Have you talked with your lawyer?" Chris asked, hoping to pull JC's thoughts away from Lance. They had all been pissed when Lance refused to go with them to visit JC. He could tell from the look in Lance's eyes that the younger man was a mass of conflicting thoughts and feelings. JC was his best friend and in Chris's opinion that meant that Lance should have been JC's shoulder to lean on. Instead of supporting JC, Lance had pulled away. Lance had listened to the testimony and had been swayed. Chris was still having a difficult time looking at Lance without anger burning inside of his heart.
JC blinked watery eyes at Chris stupidly. He shook his head negatively once Chris's question registered in his mind. "What lawyers?" JC asked bitterly. "They don't know what to do, they have nothing to go on. They probably think I did it anyway." Joey shook his head furiously. He stood up quickly and started pacing along the wall opposite the door.
"There has to be something! Dammit! How can there not be one shred of evidence that proves you're innocent?!" Joey asked heatedly, fighting against the hopelessness he felt welling up inside of himself. His friends watched him pace with sad eyes. Justin frowned before turning his attention back to JC. He studied his friend closely. There were dark circles underneath JC's crystal blue eyes and perpetual frown lines marred JC's smooth skin. During the month since the murder, JC had lost too much weight. His frame was frail; Justin could see JC's backbone stretching against his orange jail suit. Justin's heart twisted in his chest as he watched JC. He still couldn't believe this was happening to them; it seemed like some horrible nightmare and he knew that it was twenty times worse for JC.
"They've gone over everything with a fine-tooth comb, Joey. There's not a single hole in the prosecution's case. I've tried to think of something...anything. I've replayed that day over and over again in my mind and I...I don't see anything. Hell, if I weren't me, I'd believe I was guilty too!" JC stated his voice emotionless and empty. He turned to face Justin, his eyes earnest and pleading. "I'd...um...I'd ask Lance this, but he's not...not here, so could you please talk to my lawyer tomorrow? He's got some papers and stuff that I want...need you to hold onto, okay?" Justin frowned at the request.
"What kind of papers, Josh?" JC avoided the younger man's gaze as he answered.
"Financial papers...when I'm convicted, I want you to have control of my financial assets." JC paused before allowing a small grin to grace his lips. "Just don't go spending all my money on flashy bling-bling, okay?" he requested with a forced laugh. He stopped laughing the moment he saw Justin's eyes water.
"Not when, JC...if...if you get convicted, okay?" Justin insisted softly. JC almost broke down again at Justin's youthful optimism, but managed to control himself. Slowly he nodded his head in agreement, but in his mind, he was shaking his head furiously, `NO, not if!' Justin smiled once at him before jumping slightly when Walker banged on the door loudly.
"Time's up!" Walker announced as he opened the door widely. Everyone stood and no one could prevent the flow of tears. JC faced Chris first, opening his arms wide. Chris stepped into JC's open arms, crying softly. They hugged tightly, neither one wanting to let go. Chris had been JC's mentor, despite his child-like personality, and JC just wished that he could tell Chris how much he had meant to him.
"I love you, Josh. Don't ever forget that," Chris demanded, pulling out of the hug to face JC. Chris had a bad feeling about the next day and he didn't want anything to go unsaid between himself and the younger man. JC nodded, tears shining brightly in his wide, azure eyes. "We'll see you soon, okay?" JC nodded once more before turning to Justin, who threw himself into the older man. JC could feel Justin's shoulders shaking and he hugged his young friend close to his body. He swallowed roughly before pushing Justin away. `This is too damn hard!' JC thought to himself as he watched Justin intently. Justin wiped at his eyes furiously, fighting an inner battle within his mind; he decided he would be strong for JC and he straightened his shoulders. JC watched Justin pull himself together and he felt his heart swell with pride and awe for the young man in front of him.
"I'll see you tomorrow, okay Josh?" Justin asked, straightening himself. JC nodded and offered Justin a slight smile. "I love you," Justin said softly before moving away to stand next to Chris. JC turned to find Joey standing in the far corner of the room, hands covering his face. Even from across the room, JC could see the sobs wracking Joey's body. He walked to Joey quietly, pausing for a moment before touching Joey's shoulder gently. He was caught by surprise when Joey practically jumped him, throwing his long arms around JC's body. Joey buried his face in the crook of JC's neck and JC could feel the wet warmth of Joey's tears. JC couldn't hold back the sob that wracked through his own body as he squeezed Joey tightly.
"I said, time's up!" Walker called again; this time anger tinged his voice. JC reluctantly pulled away from Joey. He avoided the younger man's gaze, looking at the police officer instead. JC nodded slowly before squeezing Joey's shoulder once more and walking to the door.
"JC!" Joey said, desperation in his normally smooth voice. JC turned to face his friends, looking at each of them before settling his gaze on Joey. "Love you, man," Joey said softly, his warm brown eyes glowing from tears. JC fought not to break down again and smiled once he was sure he could manage the simple gesture. Once he trusted his voice not to crack he nodded and spoke.
"I love you guys too. See y'all tomorrow." With that, he disappeared out of the metal door, which slammed shut behind the policeman.
(The next day...)
The courtroom was completely silent.no one moved, no one whispered as everyone watched the jury file into their small box, filling the seats slowly and JC wanted to scream. His nerves were shot; the slightest sound caused his heart to beat faster. Somehow, he managed to keep his outward appearance calm, but on the inside, his stomach twisted nervously. He watched the jury members' faces, hoping to find some sign of hope. Nearly all of the nondescript faces were kept carefully blank, showing no clue as to what their verdict had been. One young woman however watched him with something akin to sympathy and JC's heart clenched. He didn't know whether or not that was a good sign. Once they were all seated, the judge turned to face the group.
"Have you reached a verdict?" she questioned, her voice heavy and meaningful. One of the jurors stood and nodded.
"Yes, your honor."
"Will the defendant please stand?" JC obliged; his legs felt rubbery and he wasn't sure that he would be able to stand throughout the whole thing. He clasped his hands behind his back, squeezing them tightly. JC heard the juror's next words, but they sounded far away, like they were coming from the end of a tunnel.
"We, the jury, find the defendant, Joshua Scott Chasez, guilty of murder in the first degree." At the word guilty, JC's head dropped and he squeezed his eyes shut tightly. A sob threatened to overcome him, but he worked desperately to crush it. JC breathed deeply once and let it out before raising his eyes to stare at the judge. The next couple of minutes passed by in a blur, JC just heard pieces of what the judge said.
"Punishment...Lifetime sentence in the Florida State Penitentiary...prisoner is to remain in custody..." Once the judge was finished with her spiel, JC's lawyer turned to him, grabbing his arm.
"Appeal...don't worry...I'll get you out."
Words floated through JC's head and he knew that if he didn't get out of there, he'd lose his breakfast. He turned, searching blindly for the nearby policeman. JC had almost forgotten about the crowd behind him until he heard the whispers rising. He desperately wanted to turn around and find his friends, but before he could, cold handcuffs were slapped around his slim wrists once more and he was pushed towards that narrow corridor. They left the commotion of the courtroom behind, only the white walls and harsh lights accompanying them.
There it is, email me and let me know what you think! PLEASE! nsajscgirl@yahoo.com