"Kirkpatrick."

"What would I do without you guys?"

Lisa stood up and placed a hand on Gina’s shoulder. "I could tell you but it wouldn’t be pretty."

"Yeah. You can’t live without us. And since you can’t live without us you have to tell *N SYNC that we have to come with you this summer."

"I like that idea. I second the motion."

Gina laughed. "Well I veto it. You guys are not coming with me and that’s final. Speaking of final all of us have finals to be studying for," she reminded her friends.

"On that sad note I guess I’ll be heading out. I’ll be back down here for lunch. You know where my room is."

After Kristen left Gina and Lisa went back to quizzing each other for their upcoming finals.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

sleepygoof: hey, girl. long time no talk.

senorita78: hey. sorry about that. been busy studying for finals and all.

sleepygoof: sounds like fun

senorita78: loads. how’s life been treating you?

sleepygoof: it’s been good. i’m running around bc i’m about to start a big project that’s going to be exhausting.

senorita78: after my finals i’m going to go home for a few days than go to work.

sleepygoof: how many days until you’re done?

senorita78: three. and then I head to work. I haven’t met the people i’m going to be spending all my time with, just pics, and i’m getting a bad feeling about one of them.

sleepygoof: i’m getting the same thing about the girl i’m going to be working with. the fact that she’s invading our all male territory might have something to do with it. she might throw off our balance.

senorita78: again i’m on the opposite side of that. i’m afraid of stepping on toes and stuff when i arrive to my job. i guess i just have to be careful and try the best i can.

sleepygoof: i hope our intern has the same mentality as you or there will be a problem.

senorita78: remember most interns are really scared when they start their internship. they’re new and are very cautious. remember that when she’s there.

sleepygoof: i’ll try. i usually don’t get a vibe from people before i even see a picture of them but i did with her. i just have a feeling that she’ll throw this whole place out of whack.

senorita78: before you saw a pic? that’s not good. i’ve seen pics of who i’m going to be with and then i got the bad vibe from this one guy. how’s things with your gf?

sleepygoof: well they could be better. she’s very not happy with the amount of time i’m going to be spending with this new girl and is still threatening to break-up with me if she thinks i’m coming on to this girl in any way.

senorita78: sorry to hear that. please don’t take this the wrong way…

sleepygoof: what?

senorita78: maybe she’s not the one for you. it seems like she can’t trust you and your feelings for her. i know you care about her but there’s more to a relationship then liking a person. comfort is a big key in the lay of things. maybe the feelings you are getting of this new girl is that she’ll throw your world out of whack, not the whole group’s

sleepygoof: i know all that relationship crap. me and her? don’t think so. yeah and you and that guy you’re having feelings about will hook up too.

senorita78: ok, so i may be wrong. no one’s perfect. well maybe you…

sleepygoof: i’m glad you finally see it.

senorita78: ego alert. ego alert. =)

sleppygoof: haha very funny. =)

senorita78: i thought so.

sleepygoof: i’d love to talk to you more but I gotta go.

senorita78: all right. i should probably hit the books a little more before i go to bed.

sleepygoof: well, good night. talk to you soon.

senorita78: night night, don’t let the bed bugs bite.

sleepygoof: =) adios senorita

senorita78: ciao

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

JC and Gina shut off their computers and thought about what the other had said about their feelings towards their new co-worker.

"No. Never."

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"I can’t believe it’s time to go already."

Gina sneezed. "I know. I’m going to miss you guys."

"Yeah, yeah. We’ve heard it before." Kristen leaned over to hug her close friend. "Now you’ve got my e-mail and phone number. Use them."

"Eye, eye, captain. Just my luck. I get sick a week before I have to start touring with *N SYNC. I hope this thing goes away, and fast."

Lisa placed her last bag by her side. "Me too. You don’t want to get any of them sick."

"Especially JC. Right?"

"You know it, girl. I’ve got to get going now. My parents are waiting. You know how to contact me."

"Yes, I know. Now give me a hug and get out of here." Gina hugged her roommate and watched her walk down the hall. She turned back into her room when she heard her name called.

"Gina. You’ll put in a good word for me with JC, right?"

Gina laughed. "Sure. I’ll make you sound like just the girl he’s looking for."

Lisa smiled. "I knew I could count on you."

"Get out of here before I get my shotgun."

"Oh, show it to Lance. He collects antique guns."

Gina waved her hand in disgust and went to finish packing. She was almost done when there was a knock on her door.

"Gina?"

Gina stiffened before she turned around. "Hey, Dean."

"You packing up." He gestured to the boxes and bags on the floor.

"Yup. I’m about to bring all this to my car and then I’m history."

"You need help?"

Gina was going to refuse his offer but if he helped her it cut her departure time in more than half.

"Sure. If you don’t mind."

Dean picked up a box. "No problem. Where’s your car?"

Gina picked up two bags from the floor. "It’s out back. Follow me."

Over the next twenty minutes Gina and Dean lugged her belongings to her car. Dean wanted to have a conversation but Gina knew how self-centered his half would be and was too winded to even contemplate talking.

"Well, I think that’s it. Thanks, Dean. Your help was much appreciated."

"Don’t I get a good-bye hug?"

Gina sighed and stepped into his embrace. She felt his hand slip into her back pocket and backed away. He let her go slowly.

"It’s been nice getting to know you, Dean. I’m sure we’ll have a buch of classes together next semester."

"We probably will. I have two classes with Doc. T."

"Me too. And since he’s only teaching two I guess we’ll be seeing each other."

"Do you have to go return your key?"

Gina nodded.

"I’m going that way anyway so I’ll walk with you."

Dean walked with Gina to return her key and to her car.

"I’ll see you next semester, Dean."

"See you, Gina." He brought her face to him and kissed her lightly. "I’ll miss you."

Gina stared wide-eyed at his retreating back. She got into the driver’s seat and felt something poke her in the back. She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and opened it.

I can’t believe it. He’s incorrigable. Gina pulled off campus and got onto the highway towards home.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"What so you mean she’s going to be a few days late?"

"Just what I said. JC. She’s just getting over a bad cold and we told her to take two days and rest. We don’t want you guys to catch whatever she has. Especially not at the beginning of a tour."

"So she’s not coming for a few days?"

"Correct."

JC pulled out his car keys. "So what are you doing with the hotel room she was going to stay in?"

Bobby opened his desk drawer and pulle dout a pen. "Oh, we decided long ago that wasn’t going to happen. She’s going to stay at Justin’s house for the few days before the tour starts."

"Isn’t that house full enough? You’ve got Justin’s whole family and, for now, me."

Bobby signed a few papers on his desk and looked up at the young man. "JC, I don’t understand why you are fighting me on this. You know whatever I say is going to happen happens."

"I’m sorry, Bobby. I’m just getting a weird feeling from this girl and I don’t like it, or her."

"JC, you’ve never met her and from what I’ve heard she’s a really nice person. I thin-"

"Wait a sec. You’ve never met her? How do you know she’s not a mental case?"

"If she is then you’ll have company in the psych ward of this operation. JC, I have a lot of work to do. You have the next two days off until Gina gets here. I am expecting you to be here when she gets here. No excuses. Got that?"

JC was about to complain but one look at Bobby’s expression told him not to. He shook his head and said good bye to Bobby.

"Bye, JC. She’ll be here on Thursday. 10:00. Be here."

JC walked out of the office muttering words he’d like to tell Bobby when he bumped into a blond haired figure. He continued to walk on without acknowledging the person he knocked into.

"Thanks, JC. Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking. Lovely words you’re saying."

JC whipped his body around. "What did you say?" He saw who it was and realized what he had done and his face softened. "I’m sorry. Did I knock into you, Lance?"

"Just a little bit. I think the bruises will be gone by the end of the year."

"I’m sorry about that, man. I was mad and wasn’t watching where I was going."

"I’d hate to be the person you were mad at. Those were some harsh words I heard you saying. Who are you mad at?"

"Bobby I guess."

"You guess?"

"Well, I was talking to him and he said the intern will be a few days late and it just made me mad."

"Why would something having to do with an intern make you mad? Wait. This is the one that will be touring with us on the bus. You’ve always had a problem with her." Lance paused for a moment. "It’s because its a female, isn’t it?"

"Well, Gina being a female isn’t helping with Heidi but it started before then and ever since Bobby told us about her I’ve been getting this strong feeling…"

Lance was thinking of his own fellings he was getting but kept his mouth shut about them. "What kind of feeling?"

JC thought about how to explain it. "Well, it’s like I think she’s going to turn our whole world upside down and throw it out of whack. That’s about the best I can do in trying to explain it."

Lance decided to tell JC about his fellings. "JC, I’ve been getting feelings about her too."

"You have? I need to go see Heidi. Why don’t you walk with me to my car?"

Lance nodded and followed JC through the hallways. "I’ve been getting this feeling like something big’s going to happen too."

"Do you know what?"

"I think I do."

"What do you think is going to happen?"

"I think one of us is going to fall in love with her and vice versa."

JC thought of senorita78’s words a few days earlier and stopped in his tracks, causing Lance to trip into him. No. It cannot and will not happen to me. Plus, I have Heidi so it can’t be me.

"Hey, man, what gives? Give me some warning before you stop like that again."

JC noticed what he had done. "I’m sorry, Lance. Did you say you think one of us will fall in love with this girl?"

Lance nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Do you know who?"

"Nope, but it’s not me."

"Are you certain of that? You could be missing out on your dreamgirl here because you think it’s impossible. So if it’s not you, or me, then who?"

Lance got an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. "And why are you ruled out?"

"Ummm. Let me think about that one, Lansten. I believe the name Heidi does all the explanation for that one."

By this time the guys had reached JC’s truck. They said their good-byes and JC drove off. Lance turned and walked back into the building. Not liking what his head was telling him.

Uh-oh. If I’m correct JC and Heidi are about to hit a bumpy patch that could total their relationship and it has a name. Gina.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"Flight 1030, non-stop service to Orlando now boarding through gate C13. Will families with children and people who need assistance please come for boarding."

"I’m going to miss you, sis."

"Me too." Gina hugged her brother, Anthony.

"Now who am I going to make fun of?"

"You’ll find someone. Maybe some foolish girl may even fall for you this summer."

Anthony playfully pushed his younger sister. "I know you want to become and aunt but all this pushing is to much for me to handle."

"Hey, you know I love kids so new ones around will be fun but I also know it takes time to find the right one. I’m not that bad, am I? I’m nothing compared to mom and dad."

"We will now start boarding passengers from the back of the plane…"

"I guess this is it kiddo and, no, you’re not as bad as mom and dad."

"If you said I was I would have to kill you." She hugged her brother one last time. "I’ll call home as soon as I can, all right?"

Anthony shook his head. "Yup. If no one’s there you know the drill."

"I’ll leave a message on the machine. Bye, Anthony." Gina turned and handed the flight attendant her ticket before walking down the jetway. I have a feeling this is going to be one wild ride.

Gina had no idea how right she was.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"Come on, JC, pick up the phone," Joey pleaded as he tried to reach his friend on his cell phone.

After two more rings JC picked up.

"Hello?"

"JC, where are you, man?"

"I’m about a block away. Why?"

"Let’s see. It might be because you were supposed to be here about ten minutes ago and you’re still not here."

JC shut off his car. "Well, if you wait two minutes I’ll be there."

"JC, Bobby’s mad because he told you to be here at 9:40 and now it’s almost 10:00 and Gina’s on her way."

The door opened and Joey looked up.

"Joey, you there?"

"JC, let me rephrase that. Gina’s here."

"Uh-oh. Bobby is not going to be happy with me."

"What do you mean is? He already is not to fond of you at this moment. Let me go. At least four of us have to make a good impression."

"I’m right outside. Be there in a minute."

"You’d better be." Joey hung up the phone.

"-and this is Joey Fatone."

Joey stood up and shook Gina’s hand. "Nice meeting you, Gina."

"Same here. Aren’t there five of you?"

"Yeah. JC’s on his way in now from the parking lot.

As if on cue the door opened and JC walked in. "Hi, everybody. Sorry I’m late." Before he could say another word Heidi walked into the room behind him

Uh-oh. Heidi’s here. Crossed the minds of the rest of *N SYNC and Bobby’s minds.

JC scanned the room until it came to an unfamiliar face. He walked over and introduced himself. "Hi, I’m JC. Sorry, I’m late."

"And I’m Heidi, JC’s girlfriend."

Six men turned to her. "Heidi!?!"

"Oh, come on. She’s going on tour with you guys. She’s bound to figure it out at sometime. Why not just tell her up front. That way she also knows to keep her claws away from my man."

JC opened his mouth to excuse what Heidi had said but Gina beat him to speaking.

"Excuse me? Did you just say you wanted me to keep my claws away from your man. I didn’t know I was a cat. Well if I’m that kind of animal I can think of one for you but I’m a lady and I don’t say rude and obnoxious things in public."

JC had already heard all he needed to officially have a reason to not like this newcomer. "A lady? I don’t see one of those in here."

"JC!?!"

JC turned to his girlfriend. "Sorry, Heidi. I see one in here."

"And its me. If you’re calling her a lady then you need to get your eyes checked." Gina turned to Bobby. "When am I going to go to where I’m staying? I need to change."

Heidi gave JC a furious look and he knew to get her away from Gina before something serious could happen. JC said good bye to everyone and ushered Heidi out of the office.

Bobby looked at his watch. "I guess you can go now. The guys don’t have to start rehearsals until about one. Jusin can you take her to your house?"

Gina would have turned to Justin if she remembered which one he was. All he remembered was that he was bleached blonde and there was one on her left and one on her right. She faced the one on her right when he began to speak.

"All right. My mom’s got a room all set up for her."

"I’m going to be staying with him?"

"Yup. Since you’re only going to be here for a few days I talked to Lynn, Justin’s mother, and she said it would be all right for you to stay there."

"All right. My stuff’s over there in the corner." She pointed to a few bags laying by a plant.

Justin grabbed the majority of her things and led her to his car. He placed the bags by the trunk and said, "Your chariot awaits."

Gina looked at the ML 320 in front of her and smiled. This is definitely better than the last ‘chariot’ I was in.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"I don’t like her."

JC took hold of Heidi’s hand. "Neither do I. She insulted you and I don’t like when that happens."

Heidi squeezed JC’s hand and smiled at him. "I know you don’t but I could have handled her. You didn’t have to step in there. It made me look weak and that I have to hide behind you."

"I’m sorry, baby, I didn’t mean for it to look like that. I was just so mad at her for saying those things about you. I can’t stand by and hear people say things like that to you."

"I know that, honey, but if I’m there give me a chance to stand up for myself."

"All right but I’m behind you whenever you need me." JC brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

When they got to Heidi’s office she wanted him to stay but he knew he couldn’t.

"Don’t worry, Heidi. She won’t be there. Remember she was going to where she was staying. Now I have to go back to work."

"I know you do but a girl can dream." She kissed him on the cheek. "At least I have some peace knowing she’s in a hotel room somewhere away from you for right now."

JC watched as Heidi walked into her office and sat down at her desk. Yeah good thing you think she’s in a hotel room somewhere. If only you really knew where she was staying.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"Mom, I’m home. And I picked a stray up an the way home."

Gina heard footsteps run towards the front door she and Justin just entered through.

"Justin Randall, what did you bring home?" She stopped yelling at her son when she noticed the young woman standing beside him ladden with bags. "Justin, I thought I brought you up with more manners than to let a woman carry a heavier load than you. Especially when she’s about a foot shorter than you."

Justin held his hands up. "I was willing to but she wanted to do it herself. I know better than to cross a determined woman."

Gina smiled at Justin’s mom. "Don’t worry, Mrs. Timberlake. He’s been a perfect gentleman to me."

"I’m glad he’s showing some of his upbringing. Oh and it’s Harless, but you can call me Lynn."

"Nice to meet you, Lynn. I’m Gina, if you hadn’t guessed by now. I’d shake your hand but mine are kinda full. Will you kindly show me to my room for the next few days?"

"It’s right upstairs. Third one on your left."

Gina nodded her head in thanks and headed up the stairs.

Lynn turned to her son. "Why don’t you go upstairs and make sure she finds the right room. Most people go into the wrong room and start making themselves comfortable in JC’s room."

Justin nodded. "I have a feeling JC really wouldn’t like it if Gina was in his room."

"Why is that?"

"Let’s just say Heidi came with JC this morning and she had a little run in with Gina this morning."

Lynn looked up the stairs. "That sweet girl?"

"Heidi? Sweet?"

"No, I meant Gina. She seems so nice. She seems like a nice catch."

Justin caught his mother’s meaning and groaned. "Don’t even start, mom."

Lynn laughed as her son ran up the stairs to make sure Gina did not go near JC’s room.

"Gina? Where are you?" Justin called out after he didn’t find her in either her room or JC’s.

"I’m in here."

Justin followed her voice into his brother’s room. "Hey, Jon. Find a new playmate?"

Gina looked up at him. "Is he your brother?"

"You mean this little rascall didn’t introduce himself?"

Gina shook her head. "Nope."

"This little runt is my brother, Jon. Jon, this is Gina. She’s going to be staying with us until we go on tour in a couple of days."

Jon smiled. Since he had lost two of his teeth his smile was contageous. "I like her."

Justin reached down and helped Gina up. "Come on I’ll show you to your room then I have to go."

Gina nodded her head. "Thank you for showing me to my room."

Justin stepped aside to let her into her room. "Anytime." He looked at his watch. "Well I’ve got to go back to the daily grind. See you before dinner. My mom’s downstairs if you need any help."

"Bye, Justin. Thanks again for all your help."

"Like I said. Anytime." He turned and started to walk down the hall. This is going to be one interesting tour.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

senorita78: heya there

sleepygoof: hi.

senorita78: what’s wrong?

sleepygoof: well, I met the new girl today.

senorita78: and?

sleepygoof: and she’s worse than I expected.

senorita78: yeah I finally met that guy and he was as much a jerk as I thought. he gave me attitude within the first two minutes of knowing him.

sleepygoof: she beat you on that one. It was about a minute.

senorita78: then he goes and tells me that i’m not as much of a woman as his gf is. wait, he told me i wasn’t a woman. that pissed me off.

sleepygoof: i’m sure it did. he should have met this girl and then he’s be right to say it.

senorita78: she was that bad?

sleepygoof: yup.

senorita78: ohh, i’m sorry about that. maybe these two should hook up or something and be rude and miserable together.

sleepygoof: not a bad idea she deserves someone like her.