*** JC sighed and leaned back in the booth, scooting close to Justin to whisper in his ear. “I told you this was a bad idea,” he told Justin. Justin looked over at the end of the booth. For once, he had to agree with JC. What were they thinking? He turned to JC. “I know, I know.” “Pathetic, man.” Justin nodded. “Sad. Very sad.” The plan had been simple enough, Justin thought. Get Lance all dressed up in his best leather and silk, fill him full of alcohol, and maybe he’d get lucky and get laid tonight. But Lance, for all of JC and Justin’s urging, only sat in their booth drinking gasp club soda all night and ignoring all the girls that came over to their booth. Poor Lance was in a dating slump, and it seemed like it wasn’t breaking anytime soon. He’d broken up with Carrah for the last time, he swore. But that was three months ago, and still he moped around. He moved from Nsync member to Nsync member, sleeping in their guest rooms and defying all attempts to cheer him up. This month, it was JC and Justin’s turn. Lance had been with them a week, and even tagged along when the lovers went to Chicago to visit JC’s parents. That’s where they were now, in a club in Chicago, hoping to get some life back into Lance. So far, no luck. Lance just sat there like a leather clad lump on an upholstered log. Justin scooted over to Lance. “Dude, there’s a ton of girls out there.” He lifted Lance’s down bent head and pointed his face in the direction of the dance floor. “See?” Lance jerked away. “Justin, leave off,” he demanded. “No, I won’t.” He pushed Lance until the other man had to either stand up or fall from the booth. “Let’s go dance,” he said, scooting out after him and grabbing his hand. “Justin!” Lance protested. “You really think me dancing with a guy is gonna get me a girl?” Justin’s laugh was loud. “Lance, I guess you’ve never noticed how hit on JC and I get when we dance together. Boy on boy action is like catnip to women.” That got a smile from Lance. “You are twisted, J,” he said, pushing Justin down onto JC’s lap. “I’ll find my own girl, but thanks for the offer.” “Go on then,” JC said, his arms slipping around Justin’s waist. “And don’t come back here alone!” Lance smiled and walked away, taking a few glances behind him at JC and Justin. That was what he wanted, he realized. That kind of closeness, affection, love with another person. He’d thought Carrah might have been the one, but no. He might have thought that, but not her. At least, not enough to not cheat on him. He shook the thought away and worked his way to the bar. “Club soda with lime, please,” he told the bartender. Sipping his drink, he surveyed the club. It was a strange combination of gay and straight, he realized. He figured some of the girls here were straight, for the looks he was getting. And yes, it did help his ego a bit. But did he really want a relationship forged in a bar? Lance shook his head, answering his own question. It was time to go. He turned away from the bar to find JC and Justin and tell them he was going back to the Chasez’s house… splat “Son of a bitch!” “Oh, god, I’m sorry!” Lance sputtered at the girl who was now wearing his club soda. “I didn’t, I mean, I wasn’t looking…” “Yeah, I figured that,” she said, wiping down her small black top. “What was it?” she asked, sniffing her fingers. The girl looked up and blinked. “Water?” Lance blushed. “Club soda,” he admitted. Wow, she has great eyes, Lance thought. The girl smiled. Lance’s heart flipped. “I’m uh, I’m Lance,” he said, holding out his hand. The girl laughed, placing the towel she’d used to wipe down her top on the bar and slipping her hand into Lance’s. “Laura,” she said, squeezing lightly. “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked, noticing her empty glass. “Didn’t you already?’ she joked, pointing to her wet shirt. Lance swallowed, looking down, then quickly averting his eyes. The club soda had pretty much soaked her shirt and yes, nipples, and oh, god, he was going to hell. He took Laura’s elbow and steered her to the bar, noting absently how smooth her skin was. “So, yes. What can I get you?” Lance asked, getting the bartenders attention. “Vodka lemonade,” Laura said. Lance handed Laura her drink. “So, ah, you come here often?” Vodka lemonade spewed everywhere as Laura choked on her drink. She coughed a bit, laughing and choking at the same time. “Oh my, you are out of practice, aren’t you?” she asked. Lance felt his blush deepen even more. “Pretty lame, huh?” Laura tipped her head, considering the man in front of her. Of course, she knew who he was, and how she was able to keep her heart from pounding out of her chest was beyond her, but oh, my he was cute. Cuter than she ever imagined and oh, she needed to say something. “No, not lame at all,” she said. “And no, not often. My friends dragged me here tonight,” she explained, pointing to a group of women staring at them from the other side of the club. She blushed when they all gave her a "thumbs up" sign. “Me, too,” Lance said, indicating JC and Justin dancing on the small floor. A bit of silence. Someone jostled them, and Lance moved a bit closer to Laura. “So, how’s your drink?” Lance asked, looking into those incredible eyes. Laura took a sip and smiled. “Very good, thanks.” She held out her glass. “Want a taste?” Lance grasped the hand holding up the glass, but instead of taking a sip from it, he moved it away and leaned down. His mouth pressed gently against Laura’s. Time stopped as the kiss continued. Mouths opened, tongues touched, sighs were shared as something special, something very special, happened between them. Lance lifted his head, green eyes sparkling. He licked his lips and smiled. “Delicious.”