"Whenever You Call" Chapters 36 - 40

(~) Part 36 (~)

No one really comprehended what Amy had just told them. They literally just remained sitting in their seats, with little or no expression whatsoever. Not one of them could bring themselves to speak. Finally, confusion and disbelief set in after a good two minutes of silence. Amy’s hand was shaking so badly...as was her leg - Lance had to use both of his hands to keep them from banging the bottom side of the table. He decided to break the silence.

“Umm...Guys? You gonna say anything?” He asked timidly.

JC was the first to speak, but all he could sputter out was, “You’re...pr-pr-pr-preg...pr...”

This ridiculous stuttering loosened the group a little - even Amy stifled a little giggle. Finally, she became serious again and started speaking slowly. “Yeah, Guys...I am. I’m pregnant and I’m due in early July. I already went to the doctors...so there’s no question.” She stood up at her seat and flattened her oversized T-shirt against her body - and produced a rather obvious swelling in her abdomen area.

“Oh, my...LORD! AMY! I can’t believe this. Are you...OK with it?” Jen asked.

She let out a huge sigh. “Uh, well...at this point I am. Of course it’s NOT what I want at this time in my life, but this pregnancy is a part of me now...” She started.

“AND mine.” Lance added. “We’ve been talking a LOT about this...and I’ve decided that no matter WHAT, I’m gonna be there to support her. The future of...well, of the group...is very unsure at this point. So, I’m taking this opportunity and running with it. Whatever happens after this baby is born is going to be centered AROUND my son or daughter. I wasn’t happy about it at first, either. In fact, I was scared out of my mind. But now, I’ve realized that it’s here and I’m going through it with the girl I love...so now, I really am excited.” He looked over at her and smiled.

“Oh, WOW! This is so...cool? I think?” Kristin looked questioning.

“Yeah...I guess it is pretty cool...except...” Amy started.

“Uh-oh. What’s wrong? Is the baby OK?”

Amy hung her head, but then picked it up and looked Lance and then Justin square in the eyes. “Even though Lance said he’s gonna support me, I...we...” She sighed heavily. “No one knows for sure who the father really is...”

Now, the general look was one of being horrified.

Chris spoke up. “What?!? Who else could the father be?!?”

Justin raised his hand like he was in grade school. “Me...” He said timidly.

“J?!? How could YOU be the father?” Chris asked.

Justin put his head in his hands. “I woke up next to her one morning. She was wearing my clothes and everything. Neither one of us remembers anything about it, but all I know is that is sure LOOKS like we slept together.”

“And, Lance...you’re OK with that?” Megan questioned.

“Well, no...trust me, this is NOT easy to deal with - I had a HUGE problem with it before. But I DO believe them that it meant nothing and that they don’t even remember it. I can’t leave her over something that she or he can’t even remember. Amy needs someone who’s gonna be there through it all...and Justin has his own life to lead. I chose to love this girl, so this comes with it.” He looked sad, but still managed to produce a satisfied look.

“Wait a second...wait...Justin, when are you talking about? When did you think this happened?” Chris was picking up on something, as was Megan. She looked just as questioning.

Justin looked over at Chris. “The night we went out to that party at Jeremy’s house. Remember that?”

“Yeah...I do remember that. And I can get you off the hook, too...” He gave a mischievous grin.

“What...HOW?” His expression was pleading.

“Well, I can tell you that...I know for sure that you didn’t sleep with Amy...” He started with a satisfied smile.

THAT got everyone’s attention.

Megan continued. “You guys didn’t SLEEP together! In fact...most of your ‘sleeping’ was done completely separate. Justin fell asleep on the couch. Amy, you fell asleep on his shoulder, but then someone spilled a beer all over you - this was around 3:00 in the morning and you had only been out for a little while. I saw someone - who was QUITE drunk, might I add - take of your clothes - it was a female so don’t worry about groping! - and put Justin’s shirt on you ‘cause it was dry. I guess they figured that it wouldn’t matter since you were dancing all night. Then, Justin, you stumbled up and made your way to a bedroom. Amy, you spent the rest of the night on the couch. I know that because I was on the floor next to you. I was woken up when people were being moved to the empty bedrooms early that morning to make room for everyone that had passed out in the middle of the living room. I moved to a bedroom with Chris and some other people...but not before I brought you into the same room as Justin. Chris carried you as a matter of fact, so I know that you were still asleep when we put you down. Believe me...nothing happened between you two. I would put money on that...”

Amy looked at her with a stunned expression. “You...MEGAN!! A-and you didn’t think to TELL me this?!? Do you realize how many problems this has caused?!?”

“I’m sorry, Ames. I was somewhat...uh, out of it. And so was Megan, here, and then we just didn’t even think of it.” Chris tried.

“Aww...oh, geez. Well...whatever, I’m too excited to care!” All the girls ran over to her and hugged her.

Lance practically jumped out of his seat as did Justin. Justin did a little dance. “I’m off the hook...I’m off the hook!! DUDE, Lance! You’re gonna be a father!” He ran over to him and gave him a huge hug.

He produced an enormous smile. “I’m gonna be a father! Aw, Ames, I’m SO happy there’s no confusion anymore!”

Amy looked over at Lance. “They’re ours, Babe!” She went to go hug him and he returned it happily. But then he pulled away and looked at her with a serious expression.

“Wait, Ames. Did you just say, ‘they’...?!?” His eyes bugged out of their sockets.

“Uh, yeah...that was my second surprise. When I went to the doctor’s, he took the ultrasound...and there are two heartbeats goin’ on in here. Twins, Baby - we’re havin’ two...” She looked at him gingerly, waiting for his reaction.

Instead of flipping, like she thought he would, he just started smiling and giggling a little. “Twins...TWO babies. Oh....Geez - that’s NUTS! I...I’m, well, I’m just so thrilled now, Ames. Why not...the more the merrier! But let’s keep it at two for now, though, Kay?!?” He added with a laugh as he hugged her again. A few happy tears had made their way out of his eyes. “I am SO happy. A father twice over...instant family! I love you, Babe...” He gave her a long, sweet kiss that was followed by clapping and cat-calling from the whole group.

“I love you...” She returned. The whole group erupted into cheers, hand-slaps, hugs, and congratulations. They were all so happy for their two friends. Even Joey and JC came over to Lance and shook his hand. No words were spoken, but the simple gesture was enough to make Lance smile. ‘Maybe this WILL work out...’ He thought to himself.

After everything calmed down, the group began clearing the table. Now that THAT was out of the way...the fun part was going to begin. The time to execute ‘Project: Aaron’ was rapidly approaching. The poor slob had no idea what was about to hit him.

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(~) Part 37 (~)

The whole group sat around after dinner, just kind of BS-ing, watching TV, having die-hard battles on the Playstation they brought, and chatting briefly. As part of the plan, Caroline was acting VERY friendly towards Aaron. It took every ounce of her energy to do this...but she just kept reminding herself that she HAD to as part of the plan. She kept stroking his arm and whispering things in his ears. She looked over at Justin and he gave her a wink - the time was here.

All of the guys got up and excused themselves. Aaron, of course, had no idea what was going on, so he just shrugged and enjoyed the feeling of Caroline’s tongue in his ear. The rest of the girls just continued talking to each other about the babies and everything else that had to do with them. After a few minutes, Caroline whispered softly into Aaron’s ear:

“Go into the main bedroom. I’ll be in in a few minutes. I think there’s chair in there...turn off the lights and wait for me...I have a little surprise for you...” She winked at him.

“I can’t wait to see this!” In actuality, the pig-headed thought going through his mind was ‘I’m gettin’ some booty!’ He got up and headed towards the master bedroom.

When he got there, he saw exactly what she had described. He turned off the lights, and had a seat in the chair he had spotted. There was enough light for him to be able to see, so he just looked around until he heard Caroline’s voice.

“Aaron, Hun. Close your eyes...” She stayed out of sight...she had Justin standing right next to her, out of sight as well.

“Uh, OK!” He responded.

“They closed? Are you sure?” She implored.

“Yep...They’re closed!” Instead of Caroline slipping inside, though, Justin went while Caroline continued to instruct Aaron to keep his eyes closed. Once Justin was inside, he shut the door. The blinds were closed so the room was completely dark. He walked up behind Aaron and began massaging his shoulders. Using only his finger tips to be as close to Caroline’s small hands as possible, he continued working his shoulders until Aaron spoke up.

“Oo, Caroline, Baby. That’s lovely...” He scrunched up his shoulders and then released them. Justin started massaging harder and harder until Aaron finally spoke up.

“Whoa, Baby...that’s kinda hard...OW!” Justin began squeezing with every ounce of energy he had. That was the other four guy’s cue. They had been in the room all along, and had crept up to him. Both Lance and JC were on ankle duty and Chris and Joey were on wrist duty. They were poised to wait for the final cue.

“OW!” Brendan tried again. He began to stand up. Justin just pulled something out of his pocket.

He muttered in his most ominous voice, “Move...and I’ll kill you.” He held up a long knife to Aaron’s neck. Well, actually, it was a letter opener shaped like a dagger that was as dull as a piece of cardboard...but Aaron didn’t have to know that. He froze up.

“Wh-what?” He said, scared.

That had been the final cue for the four guys. Lance and JC grabbed Aaron’s ankles and bound them to the chair. Chris slapped a pair of toy hand-cuffs on his one hand at the same time, and Joey grabbed his other hand. They both struggled and finally, they yanked his arms behind him and connected his two wrists together.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?!?” Aaron yelled.

JC had walked over to turn on the lights as Justin put the dagger/opener up to his throat again. “You mess with our girls...you’re messing with us...” He said, pushing the ‘blade’ even closer to Aaron’s neck.

Aaron’s eyes darted back and forth between all five guys. “Wh...what did I do?!?”

“Like you don’t KNOW...” Jen said sarcastically. She and the other four girls had made their way into the large bedroom.

“What?!? I didn’t do any...” He began.

Lance cut him off with a viscous whack on the back of the head. “SHUT-UP, BASTARD!!!” Everyone looked at him, stunned. They’d never seen such...VIOLENCE from him!

“Nice one, Buddy!” Justin stated from behind Aaron as Aaron struggled to find ONE Lance as opposed to the two he was seeing as a result of the blow.

“Thanks!” Was his smiling response.

Justin grinned. “No prob!”

“Anyway, PISS-head...you know EXACTLY what you did to me...and especially my friend Jen here. You deserve to be locked up in prison. BUT, that’s no good...this is a lot more fun!” Caroline walked up to him and slapped him squarely on the jaw.

Jen followed and did the same. “You will NEVER bother me again...” She said with a satisfied grin.

“You can’t stop me...” Aaron began.

Justin saw red right then and there. He ran around him and tackled him backwards in the chair. He had him around the throat and was pounding his head repeatedly on the floor. “No...but I can...!!!” He said with every strike.

Chris tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Justin,” he started calmly. “We’re not trying to KILL him...we’re only trying to scare him. Remember?”

“Oh...oh, yeah, sorry.” He said. He got up, brushed off his pants and violently put Aaron’s chair in an upright position. “I think we should we should let Jen and Caroline have some fun now...” He looked over at them and gave them a smile as he finally caught his breath.

“Wait, can I do THIS first?” Chris asked. He knocked him hard in the groin and Aaron keeled over in writhing pain.

“Yeah...that’s OK with me. Girls?” Justin asked.

“Yeah, go for it. I don’t see any problem with that.” They responded.

“Great!” Chris pushed back Aaron’s body and hit him once again. “Thanks! That felt great...”

Aaron let out a whimper as what felt like a blazing inferno raged in his groin.

“No problem. OK, girls...have some fun!” Justin reached over and pressed the play button his CD player. “Aaron...this may be corny...but it’s a HELL of a lot of fun.”

A song came over the CD player...a BSB song actually, and Jen and Caroline walked up to him and sang it RIGHT to his face. They slapped him often, knocked him up-side his head a few times, kicked him, etc. They basically just used all that pent up anger to beat the day-lights out of him.

Aaron just sat there with a sheepish look on his beaten face. He was starting to look scared - which was exactly what they were going for.

“Doctor, we have a BLEEDER...that’s gonna leave a mark.” Chris said seriously to the laughing group as a few lines of crimson blood were running from Aaron’s nose, lip, and a small gash on his forehead.

“Gettin’ anxious, huh?!? You don’t like it do you?!?” Joey got right up in Aaron’s face. “You don’t like it, DO YOU?!? You mess with my girl...you get burned.” He realized the awkwardness of his statement when Caroline looked over at him, stunned. He tried to redeem himself. “Girl-S...I forgot the ‘S’, sorry.” He timidly hung his head and sulked back to his spot in the ring around Aaron.

Each of the five guys continued to encircle him as they shouted the occasional obscenity, punched him a few more times, and basically just embarrassed the heck out of him - he was completely helpless and the small framed boy was starting to fear for his life. ‘How much longer are they gonna do this to me?’ He thought. His tender, already bruised skin couldn’t take much more. “I wanna leave...please...” He muttered miserably. “I’ll leave them alone...please...” He said with a pleading sound in his voice.

“You’re gonna leave them alone? YOU’RE GONNA LEAVE THEM ALONE?!?” Justin screamed up in his face. “GOOD! You’re damn RIGHT you’re gonna leave them alone!!!” He yelled with every ounce of energy he had.

Aaron couldn’t take it anymore. He burst out into hysterical tears. “I’m sorry...I’m sorry...I’ll never do it again...”

“Aw, look...the Little Baby’s scared! Look, he’s cryin’!! Oo, and look at that - he’s an even bigger PUSSY than I thought! He pissed his pants!!” Everyone looked down to where Justin was pointing - at a HUGE wet spot on his jeans. They all had a good laugh.

“All right, guys. I think we’ve done enough...” Amy managed between giggles. She got his jacket as the others untied him and led him to the front door. They put on his jacket and Justin spoke one more time.

“You go away...You go VERY FAR away. And DON’T even THINK of trying to come back here. Go find a phone...call your mommy...but don’t show your face in the same COUNTY as any one of us again. Got it, PAL?!?” He pinched the back of his neck with his firm grip.

“Got it...got it...” Aaron sputtered. “I’m gone...”

“GOOD!!!” Justin took him, shoved him out the door, and slammed it with a grin. “I think we did a pretty good job...what do ya’ll think?”

They erupted into cheers as Justin walked up to Jen and pulled her into him. He kissed her deeply and lead her to a bedroom. Turning around, he gave the group a wink and Jen couldn’t have looked any more satisfied.

About ten minutes later, the rest of them started gathering their stuff to go to bed. The next task was the ever important one of getting ‘NSync back as one again. BUT, that was tomorrow’s job.

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(~) Part 38 (~)

Caroline sat in her room by herself. Soon after they got rid of Aaron, she had requested to be alone. She needed to think about things...that comment made by Joey had really shaken her.

She paced around her bedroom, hoping that the answer could somehow just magically morph its way into her head. As she made her way up to the window, for the first time in a while, a sense of peace came over her. The window was opened slightly and the cool night air blew gently over her silk pajamas.

Also, the most captivating part was the fact that there was a beautiful view of an opening in the woods that led to a large lake. The full moon shone magically on the surface of the water, creating amazing, starry images on its ever-changing face. For some reason, as soon as she took in this dazzling scene, she felt like everything would come together soon. Little did she know, Joey had been watching her the entire time, from a small crack in the doorway. She was right about everything coming together - it was only a matter of time...a SHORT amount of time.

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Lance finished brushing his teeth and turned off the light in the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom where Amy was sitting up in bed, reading peacefully. He walked over to the side of the bed and sat down next to her.

“Well, Rosebud...I think that went pretty well, doncha think?” He implored.

“Yeah...it did, I guess.” She sighed before continuing - she had to ask him a question that was really bothering her. “So, are you REALLY OK with...yanno, two - or were you just trying to keep me happy...?” Her expression changed to being very unsure.

He laughed a little before answering. “Well...umm, I GUESS I am! I’m sure it’s gonna be a LOT more work for both of us, but...well, I know we can handle it. We’re REALLY in this together now. It’s you and me...these are OUR children - wow, it was difficult saying ‘child’...now it’s ‘childREN’!!! - and no matter what happens now, we’re gonna come out on top. Everything’s gonna work out just perfectly, and that’s a promise.”

Amy beamed. She couldn’t have asked for a more perfect and supporting guy to have by her side. “You’re so right...we’re gonna be JUST fine. We’re gonna be parents...and we’ll have two little Lances or two little Amys running around VERY soon! - or maybe even one of each...wouldn’t THAT be nice?!?”

After a quick nod of his head, he cuddled her up to him and reached over and turned off the lights. He fell asleep shortly after with his hand pressed lightly over the spot where his two children lay.

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Caroline continued to stare out of the window for a good long time, taking the peacefulness in, and feeling the night air clean her soul. She soon felt a chill, though, and was about to turn to get her sweatshirt when she felt a presence behind her.

“Caroline...I...” The voice began.

She knew who it was before he had even spoken. “Joey, we have to talk. I think there’s a few issues we have to discuss.” She remained facing the window.

“Issues...yeah, issues. Do you, maybe, I don’t know...do you wanna take a walk and maybe talk about, yanno...things?”

Caroline finally turned around and looked squarely into his dark brown eyes. “Yeah, that would be nice. Wanna wait outside a minute while I put on some warmer clothes?” She asked with a little smile. “Or do you wanna just stay...its not like it isn’t anything you’ve never seen before.” She giggled.

He blushed a bright crimson red. Girls NEVER made Joseph Anthony Fatone, Jr. blush - but Caroline was so different. She had the ability to spark feelings and sentiments in him that he never thought possible - and he missed these more than anyone could have imagined - AND he planned on using ever method possible to get them (and HER) back.

Caroline bundled herself up in some warm clothes and the two of them made their way outside. They decided on a long walk around the perimeter of the lake to give them ample time to talk.

Jen, who hadn’t been able to sleep, had gotten up at the sound of the door closing. She stood in front of her window and watched the two of them with a growing smile on her face. The two started off their walk quite far apart and they looked like their were almost arguing; but by the end of their walk, there were huge grins on their faces and it would have been difficult to fit more than a toothpick between them.

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(~) Part 39 (~)

The next morning came rather quickly for the group. They all rose at around 9:00 or so. For the most part, all were quite happy - well, except for Kristin and JC, but you wouldn’t have known it by looking at them. Everyone was smiling when they woke, although they knew the hardest part of the trip lay ahead of them. They had made a promise to each other before they retired the night before, that they would not do anything until the issues the band were resolved.

After breakfast, they all took seats around the great room. They strategically seated themselves with Joey and JC on one side and Chris, Lance, and Justin on the other - the girls tried their best to scatter themselves between both groups to eliminate their taking sides. Judging by the day before, it seemed as if they had made progress...but as soon as Amy began speaking, all five of the guys’ guards went right up.

“All right,” she began, “can someone please tell me exactly how this all started?” She scanned the group and realized that they all sat in the most closed position possible - slouched backs, crossed ankles, folded arms, and down turned heads. That did not make her very happy.

“Hello?!? I’m up here, guys. You won’t find me on your hands OR you laps. LOOK at whoever is talking when they speak!! If you don’t cooperate, we’re never gonna get anywhere...” She said with a taint of anger in her voice. “Sit up, uncross your legs, put your hands flat in your laps, and for God’s sake, pick up your heads - you look PATHETIC.”

All five of the guys shot their heads up at her outburst. It sounded like Diane, Phyllis, Lynn, Karen, and Beverly themselves were in the room with their boys. They straightened immediately and looked around gingerly. Amy just laughed a little. “Sorry about that...I just sounded like a drill sergeant! - I HATE inattentiveness. NOW, will someone answer my question?”

JC spoke up quietly. “Well, like we told you in the beginning, it was all pent up anger. It never really ‘started’. It’s just all stupid stuff that’s been pissing us off for the past three years. You can’t spend hours upon hours with the same four other people and not expect gripes to come out. Each one of us had our own complaints...”

Jen spoke this time. “Then why EVER did you choose sides? When you have problems with a bunch of different individuals, choosing sides is the WORST thing you can do!”

“We just kinda went with whoever had the least amount of problems with each other, I guess...” Chris said.

Caroline put in her own two cents. “But then all you probably did was complain about the other side to you OWN side, am I right? I’m sure that you all are guilty of a good deal of talking behind each other’s backs, huh?”

“Well, no, not really, actually!” Lance continued. “We just all kinda forgot about it and went on with things. There was so much happening in the here and now that we - at least I - put this whole mess on the backburner. I didn’t FORGET about it...but I almost never spoke about it.”

Kristin was astounded. “WHAT?!? You mean that none of you ever considered how petty and ridiculous this whole fight was to begin with?”

“...And you never ONCE thought about getting this all resolved and moving on - and most importantly, returning to the incredible success you had before it started? Do you realize how many people MISS you every day?!? You’ve disappointed SO many fans, guys! Doesn’t that MEAN anything to you?!?” Megan added, getting quite agitated.

All five nodded their heads slowly with a dejected ‘yes’.

“So you all admit to wanting to get back to the way things were?” Caroline asked.

Again, the girls were greeted with a slow but deliberate ‘yes’ from each guy.

“All right...I have an idea.” Amy began. “I think each one of you needs a chance to get everything out. Think a little, first of all. Then, Lance, Joey, Justin, JC, and Chris...take as much time as you need to vent EVERYthing that is bothering you. We NEED to get this all out in front of us. You can’t resolve something if you don’t even know what you’re working with. Do all of you agree with me that that’s a good idea?” Amy scanned the group. Five heads were once again nodding in agreement.

“Good. Now start thinking, all five of you.” Jen stated as the five girls got up as to not distract them.

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Ten minutes later, the girls returned to find the guys in the exact same position with the same expression that they had left them with.

“Exciting group...” Caroline mumbled under her breath. “Anyways, who wants to start?” She inquired.

(silence)

“Uh, OK...I’ll pick then. Lance, since you’re the closest to me, you go first...” Jen pointed to him and actually had to slap him up-side his head to get him to speak.

“Geez, GIRL!” He said with a chuckle. “Fine, here goes...” He started off hesitantly, but proceeded to spill everything that was bothering him.

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The girls spent the next four hours listening, refereeing, and occasionally commenting as, one by one, the guys said what was bothering them. The ‘one at a time deal’ didn’t work for long, though, because soon, each guy had a comment for everything the others would say.

At one point, though, after about another hour (it was now around 2:00), Kristin started giggling uncontrollably. Listening to a bunch of guys all over the age 19 arguing over who’s snoring was the most annoying was just too much to handle. Eventually, Amy caught on, then Megan, Caroline, and finally Jen. They were nearly on their backs, they were laughing so hard. The ridiculousness of the ENTIRE afternoon was incredible.

The five guys had been so heated that they didn’t notice the display of hysterics until Megan blew her nose from laughing tears. They just stopped and stared at the laughing females. Suddenly, though, Lance caught onto the giggles. That set off the other four within a matter of minutes.

“Do you realize how STUPID we’re being?!?” Joey managed through his chuckling.

Justin SNORTED he was laughing so hard. “YES! It’s so dumb...” He squealed out.

“I can’t BELIEVE we let this happen to us!” Chris shook his head as a fresh batch of giggles hit him.

Just as suddenly as the laughing started, though, the five guys became serious once again. The girls had to bite their lips to control themselves.

For the first time all afternoon, the two sides stared INTO each other’s eyes, not everywhere BUT. “I...I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry. I can’t believe it took this long for us to realize how ridiculous we were being...” JC’s eyes darted back and forth at Justin, Lance, and Chris, and, occasionally, over to Joey, as well.

“I’m sorry, too...” Justin said.

“And me...” Joey stood up.

“Me too...” Lance and Chris said at the same time. The other four followed Joey’s lead and got to their feet. They all stood facing each other not really knowing what to say.

Finally, after thinking for a moment, Justin put his hand to the middle of their little circle. The guys caught onto his lead and, one by one, slowly put their hands on top of his. When Lance finally put his hand on top, they paused again. Then, after a cue unknown and unseen to the girls, and with a cheer in their voices, they shouted:

“1...2...3...‘NSync!!”

After their hands went up in the air, they erupted into cheers, handshakes, and group hugs galore. It was the most genuinely happy scene the girls had seen in a long time. ‘NSync was finally back...and they were back for good.

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(~) Part 40 (~)

Once the group’s mess was cleared up, they finally made the realization that Caroline was back on Joey’s arm.

“Oooo, what’s this, what’s this?!? I’m liking this arrangement!! Am I missing something here?” Amy asked excitedly after she saw Caroline take a spot nestled in Joey’s arms.

Jen, who had seen them get together from her window the night before, was still surprised to see them hunky-dory so quickly. “I’m so happy for you guys! This is so sweet! And now, we’re almost complete!” She stated. She then realized the awkwardness of her statement as both JC and Kristin hung their head. Both had attempted to speak to each other the night before, but their pride took over. Luckily, no one else understood Jen’s statement. They were too busy fussing over the recovery of the Caroline/Joey saga - all were thrilled to see them together again.

“When did this happen?!?” Kristin asked, forgetting all about Jen’s earlier comment.

“Last night...we had a little talk. I’ve been missing her since, well...for a REALLY long time, and Caroline, well, she didn’t really know what she wanted.” Joey said with a huge grin.

“Well, guys, let’s just say that Joey’s pretty darn convincing...” Caroline winked, remembering the amazing kiss she had shared with him the night before. After basically revealing his entire inner self for her to see, he didn’t know what else to say. Caroline had been at a loss as well, so she just stood there, with her back to him. She could still feel the warmth of his touch as he turned her around and gently kissed her lips. The sensations she had felt were like nothing Aaron could ever give her. That little kiss had turned into a ten minute ordeal as all the old feelings came flooding back into both of them, warming them to the core. Caroline had been convinced from that point on.

“Hello? Earth to Caroline!!” Megan laughed as she waved her hand in front of the awestruck girl. “That must have been some kiss, huh?” Megan’s tone was teasing and she pinched Caroline’s side in an attempt to shake her out of her dreamy daze.

She blushed a deep crimson and shook her head with a slow ‘yes’. Joey decided that it wasn’t enough, though - her just admitting to it...a demonstration was necessary. He picked up her chin and kissed her in the sweetest, most enthusiastic way he knew how. This, of course, was greeted with numerous cheers and whistles. HUGE smiles shown from the faces of the two love-birds once they finally pulled apart long enough to show themselves to the group again.

“Yeah, to say the LEAST! Nice job, FATONE!” Justin kidded as he cuddled up next to his own girlfriend.

They sat around for a few more minutes, just small-talking. Finally, the inactivity was WAY to much for Chris’s short attention span. He started bouncing around in his seat and comically knocking himself on the side of the head. “Must do SOMEthing...” He said, very ‘Rain Man-ish’. Megan caught onto his lead and started holding her head in her hands and rocking back and forth. All that came out of her mouth was a pained moan as the group cracked up over the couple’s interesting way of portraying their boredom.

“Uh, you trying to tell us something, you two?” Caroline asked between giggles.

“YES.” Chris said matter of factly. Finally, his seriousness broke long enough to start laughing. “That I am. You know me...busy, busy, busy!! Come on, let’s go outside or something. We could have lunch outside or whatever - we’ll bundle...that’s a fun word...BUNDLE, BUNDLE, BUNDLE!! It’s late...and I’m HUNGRY!” He suggested.

“Whoa - chill back, Psycho. But, yeah, that WOULD be nice, wouldn’t it? Let me see how cold it is outside.” JC stated. He got up and walked to the front door. After opening it and sticking his head outside, he turned around with a shocked and almost fearful look on his face. “Uh, I don’t think that’s happening any time soon...take a look for yourselves.”

The group got up slowly and looked out the huge picture window in the dining room around the corner. What they saw was both beautiful AND frightening - none had realized it until now...a good nine inches of snow had fallen on the ground and was still continuing to fall for that matter - at a very alarming rate. Lance looked at the group with an amazed look on his face.

“Looks like we’re not going outside. And by the looks of this...we’re not gonna be going home tonight, either. I think we’re havin’ Christmas at a cabin in the woods this year...”

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