(Two weeks later)

"Justin!" Chasity called, as she quickly passed the basketball to him. He effortlessly threw it into the hoop, scoring the winning points for his team.

"Na-na-na-na-na! We won!" Chris boasted in a sing-songy voice as he danced around. Then he excidedly ran over to Chasity, who had been watching with an amused smile, and swung her around in his arms. She laughed delightedly and was next handed to Justin, who, like Chris, also swung her around in his arms. Her cheeks were flushed with happiness and she felt wonderful. She had never felt so carefree before!

"Okay, guys, you can stop bragging now," JC teased with a grin. "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to eat some lunch!"

"I hear ya, dude," Chris agreed as he ran over to the picnic blanket, which was carelessly spead on the ground. Everyone else followed and sat in a circle around the food.

"Mmmm, this is heavenly," Joey moaned as he bit into a piece of fried chicken. Linzi and Chasity had cooked the picnic lunch last night so that it'd be ready in the morning. Then everyone woke up bright and early and went to the park to feed the ducks, play basketball, and just hang out.

"I'm glad you like it. If I had known it would bring you so much joy, I would have fixed it for you a lot sooner," Chasity told Joey, laughing.

"Hey, is this homemade apple pie?" JC suddenly asked as he eyed the delicious looking, golden pie.

"Yeah," Linzi replied. "But you have to finish your lunch before you get dessert."

"Uh! You're no fun," JC pouted.

"You're gonna let her tell you what to do?" Chris asked JC, amazed. "Man, you really must be in love!"

"Yep," JC replied lazily. ".....the things you do for love." There was a moment of silence, then everyone simultaneously started laughing.

"Look! Ducks!" Chris suddenly exclaimed excitedly. "Let's go play with them!" Lance and Joey quickly took off after Chris, who was running wildly towards the duck pond.

"I don't know if I trust them around the pond," JC said, half-teasing, half-serious. "We'd better go supervise them," he added, glancing at Linzi. He grabbed her hands and gently helped her up. They strolled towards the duck pond, hand-in-hand, leaving Chasity and Justin behind.

"Going somewhere with Chris, is like being a full-time baby-sitter," Chasity commented affectionately. "But this time I'm gonna lie back and relax while everyone else runs after after him," she continued as she lied down on the blanket, only inches from where Justin was sitting, and closed her eyes. It was a peaceful day, with the trees gently swaying back and forth and the birds sweetly singing, and Chasity could easily drift of to sleep.

"Well, I hope that Chris doesn't wear himself out before our important meeting tonight," Justin said, worried. "That's all we'd need."

"What's the meeting about?" Chasity asked sleepily, her eyes still closed. Last night the guys had gotten a phone call from their manager, telling them that they had go to some important meeting. No one told her what it was for, though.

"I'm not sure," Justin replied thoughtfully. "Lou didn't tell us. He only said that it was really important that we be there."

"Hmmm....that's strange. What do you think it's about?" Chasity asked as she opened her eyes and looked up at him, squinting because the sun was right over them, hitting her eyes.

"I don't know.......but you look so adorable like that!" Justin replied with a grin as he looked down at her and gently tweaked her nose.

"Hey, you little love birds," Joey called, interrupting their cozy little talk. "We're leaving now."

"Okay," Justin said as he stood up and reached a hand out to Chasity. She placed her hand in his strong grip and he gently pulled her up.

"Thanks," she said, smiling sweetly.

"You're welcome." Justin replied with a charming smile.

"So, What are we going to do about the girls?" Lance asked as they left the meeting. Their manager had just shared some exciting, yet also disappointing news, with them.

"I don't know. I guess we should break the news to them tonight, though. We don't have that much time left." JC replied grimly.

"C'mon, guys. Cheer up! I mean, this is actually really great news," Chris said.

"Yeah," the rest of the guys mumbled half-heartedly. There was a moment of silence before Joey finally spoke up.

"Well, I think we should take Chasity and Linzi somewhere special tonight. We can spring the "good" news on them there and spend the rest of the night....celebrating."

"Hey! That's a great idea!" Lance exclaimed, his eyes suddenly sparkling with mischief. "And I've got the perfect place....."

"Ta-da!" Justin exclaimed as he took her blindfold off. She found herself in a cozy, dimly lit room, not even half full. The atmosphere was romantic with booths squeezed in close together. Chasity detected some faint country music in the background and smiled.

"Let me guess....Lance picked this place," she said with an affectionate smile. "It's very beautiful. You did a great job," she told him sincerely.

"Thanks," he replied, blushing slightly.

"So, what's the big news?" Linzi asked as they all sat down.

"Nope," Joey replied with a smug grin. "We're not gonna tell you until after we've finished eating."

"That's no fair," Chasity pouted, playfully.

"Well, too bad. Now let's hurry up and order so we can eat," JC said sensibly. They ordered and the girls finished eating in record time.

"Okay. Since you girls have been so patient, here's the news," JC said, trying to sound excited. "The President wants us to perform at on of his important gatherings, I can't remember which one, and we'll be leaving in a week to--"

"That's wonderful!" Chasity exclaimed avidly as she hugged Joey, who was sitting beside her.

"Wait. That's not all," JC continued. "It seems that our fans, from all across the world, have missed us since we've been on break. Management has moved our tour up. We'll be leaving for a world tour the day after performing for the President. Our first stop is Europe." There was a shocked silence while both of the girl's faces fell.

"Well....that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you guys," Chasity finally replied, trying to keep her voice steady. Although she hadn't known them for that long, the guys had become a very important part of her life. Especially Justin. He was always right there beside her when she needed him, whether she knew she needed him or not. Their friendship had actually grown stronger since the day they'd kissed, then vowed to be nothing more than friends.

What'd you expect, Chas? she asked herself bitterly. Did you actually believe that you belonged in their life? You knew from the beginning that they'd have to leave sometime.......But it wasn't supposed to hurt so badly, she thought as she blinked back her tears. She couldn't let anyone see her pain.

Lance saw the tears in Chasity's eyes, before she quickly blinked them away, and he felt his heart break. She had become like a little sister to him and he couldn't stand to see her suffering. He could tell that she loved Justin and he wished that she'd hurry up and realize it for herself. Or maybe she did, but wasn't willing to admit it yet. Either way, Justin and Chasity belonged together. Lance wished desperately that he could do something to help.

"I'll be right back," he said suddenly as he rushed off. He had just gotten the most brilliant idea! When he returned to the table, he saw the questioning glances everyone gave him, and he smiled, pleased with himself.

"I just talked to the manager," Lance explained, "and he was telling me how tonight was supposed to be "open mic" night, but there wasn't any fresh new talent out here. I told him about Chasity's beautiful voice and he got all excited and begged me to send her up...So, what do you think?" he asked hopefully, his eyes on Chasity.

"Lance, I don't think that's such a good idea. You guys are the singers, not me." Chasity replied.

"You did karaoke that first night we'd met," Joey reminded her.

"Yeah, but that was different. I don't really feel like singing right now," she said softly. How could they expect her to sing after the terrible news she'd just received?

"Pleeeeeze," Lance begged. "I've got the perfect song for you."

"Hey, this is a country place!" Chasity suddenly remembered. "How am I supposed to sing a country song, when I hardly ever listen to it?"

"I'm positive you know the song. It's really popular," Lance said. Chasity, unable to resist his puppy dog eyes any longer, finally relented.

"I hope you're happy," she grumbled as she made her way towards the stage, where a live band was setting up. I can't believe that he wouldn't even tell me what song I was going to be singing. What if I don't know it?! Chasity worried.

"Ladies and gentlemen......Let's give a big welcome to Miss. Chasity Phillips!" the manager said, enthusiastically. Chasity smiled ruefully as everyone politely applauded. When she heard the beginning notes of the song her eyes widened in astonishment.How appropriate, she thought to herself, a bittersweet smile on her lips. She closed her eyes and let the music engulf her, all the while thinking about Justin. She heard her cue and started singing, right on time.

How do I / Get through the night without you? / If I had to live without you / What kind of life would that be? / Oh, I / I need you in my arms, need you to hold / You're my world, my heart, my soul / If you ever leave / Baby you would take away everything, good in my life

And tell me now / How do I live without you / I want to know / How do I breathe without you / If you ever go / How do I ever, ever survive / How do I, how do I, oh how do I live

Without you / There'd be no sun in my sky / There would be no love in my life / There'd be no world left for me / And I / Baby I don't know what I would do / I'd be lost if I lost you / If you ever leave / Baby you would take away everything / real in my life

And tell me now / How do I live without you? / I want to know / How do I breathe without you? / If you ever go / How do I ever, ever survive / How do I, how do I, oh how do I live

Please tell me baby / How do I go on?

If you ever leave / Baby you would take away everything / I need you with me / Baby don't you know that you're everything / Real in my life?

And tell me now.............

Justin watched Chasity intently while she sang, amazed at the depth of emotions she conveyed into the song. If he didn't know any better, he'd have thought she was singing the song for him. But that was ridiculous.....wasn't it?

When the song ended Chasity hastily wiped away the tears that had trickled down her cheeks and she fled from the stage, oblivious to the thunderous applause that erupted from the room. She had no way of knowing that her performance was so geniune and real that there wasn't a single dry eye in the place. Nor did she realize that she was being followed- by a very concerned Justin. She ran into the ladies room and collapsed onto the the smooth, tiled floor, her muffled sobs barely audible.

"Chas?" Justin called from outside of the door. "Are you okay?" When he didn't get an answer, he entered the room and found Chasity curled up in a corner, crying softly. She looked up at him sadly, her beautiful blue eyes shimmering with tears, and his heart shattered into a million pieces. When he finally reached her, she threw herself into his open arms.

"Chas, honey, what's wrong?" he asked as he gently brushed her hair away from her face.

"I don't want you guys to leave!" she cried out pitifully, against his shoulder. "You guys have become like a family to me and I don't know what I'll do without all of you........Especially you," she added as she lifted her head up and gazed deep into his eyes. "Justin Randall Timberlake.....What am I going to do without you? Who will I cuddle with at night and have long debates with about nothing and everything?...Who will cheer me up when I'm sad? I know that I'll still have Linzi, but it's not the same......I want you," Chasity whispered, tears still falling down her cheeks.

"Oh..baby..." Justin replied softly, as he brushed away her tears. "I don't want to leave you either." He was trying to be strong for Chasity, but he, too, was heartbroken. He had fallen even more in love with her over the past few weeks and couldn't stand the thought of leaving her. Especially now, when she had unconsciously revealed just how deep her feelings for him actually were. He would bet anything that she was falling in love with him. And now he had to leave her!

"It'll be okay, though. I promise," Justin continued. "I'll call you every day and we can write each other back and forth. We'll make it work out," he said, determinedly.

Justin's calm, reasonable words suddenly made Chasity feel self-conscious. "I'm sorry," she said softly, unable to meet his eyes. "I didn't mean to cry like this. I mean, I knew you'd have to leave sometime. I guess I was just caught a little off-guard."

"Hey, don't apologize," Justin said, lifting her head up and making her look into his eyes. "I feel honored that you want me so much," he added, an impish glint in his eyes. Chasity's laughter echoed off the walls as Justin gently helped her up and led her out of the room, his arm slung protectively around her waist.

Tonight, after the incident in the ladies room, Chasity had tried vainly to keep herself distant from Justin. Not in the physical sense, but in the emotional sense. She had revealed too much, and now she'd have to pay for it. She knew now, without a doubt, that she loved Justin. But in less then a week he'd be gone. Erased from her life forever. Sure, he'd said that they'd keep in touch but she doubted that they would. He would be way to busy. And, although he'd once told her that he loved her, she was sure that he didn't anymore.....if he ever even did. Who could possibly love her?