“JC!” Ashley shrieked, jumping from her chair and bounding down the hallway towards him. He smiled and swept her up in his arms, hugging her tightly. “Hi, sugar,” he whispered. “Miss me?” She giggled and nodded. He set her back down and she grabbed his hand, holding on to two of his fingers. “I missed you a lot.” JC smiled and crouched down in front of her, ruffling her hair playfully. “Missed you too, babygirl.” “Did you see Justin yet? I’m sure he wants to see you,” she gushed, grinning happily. JC’s smile faded slightly and he fought to contain the tears that were building up behind his eyes. “No, sweetie, I haven’t seen him. That’s why I came here to see you. I’m hoping maybe you can help me find him.” “Ashley, sweetie, why don’t you tell JC what happened,” Officer Kirkpatrick said from his position in the doorway. “I saw him, JC! He looked so sad when he was looking at your old house…he asked about you.” “He did?” JC said, heart jumping. Ashley nodded. “But he looked confused…he didn’t remember me for a little bit…” “It’s possible that after the traumatic experience he went through that Justin is suffering from a mild case of amnesia,” Kirkpatrick said softly to JC, who nodded. “But he asked about me, sugar?” JC said, looking back to Ashley. She nodded happily, a grin on her face. “You’ll find him, JC. And then everything will be back to the same and you can babysit me again!” “I hope so, sweetheart,” he said quietly, bending down to kiss the top of her head. “Thank you, Mrs. Fitzgibbons.” “Of course, Joshua. You know I’d do anything to help you find Justin. You keep us posted, ok? And thank this little one here,” Mrs. Fitzgibbons smiled. “She’s got a hell of a memory. Even remembered the license plate of the car Justin was driving.” JC’s eyes widened in shock. “S-she got the license plate?” Mrs. Fitzgibbons smiled and nodded, patting JC on the shoulder. “You’re gonna get him back, sweetie. You’ll see.” “I want the address.” “JC, I don’t know if—“ “Please, Kirkpatrick. I’m begging you. Wouldn’t you ask the same thing if you were in my position?” Officer Kirkpatrick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, JC, I would. But that’s not the point here. You can’t just barge into someone’s house and demand that they give Justin back to you.” “I wouldn’t do that,” JC said quietly. “I’m not like that.” “Lance Bass. He owns the house.” “Lance Bass the director?” Kirkpatrick nodded. “Thanks, Chris,” JC said, smiling softly at the officer. “JC, you need to let us know what happens here, ok? I’m going against all the rules by giving you this information. No one else on the force knows about this yet. Be careful.” Chris sighed heavily. JC was already out the door. *** This is it, he thought to himself. I’m gonna see him again…after all this time, I’m gonna see him. He slid out of his car slowly, heart beating a mile a minute as he approached the door and raised his hand to knock. “Coming!” came a voice. A voice he’d know anywhere. A voice he loved more than anything else in the world. The door swung open, and there was no mistake about it. Justin was home.