June 29, 1999

::never again::

******
******
"Guess what? Guess what?"
	The urgent voice of Chris and the obnoxious shaking accompanying the voice quickly woke the youngest member of *NSYNC. Justin groaned and ran a hand through his unruly curly hair. He considered ignoring Chris, but realized it would be futile. So instead, he sat up in bed and glared at his band mate. 
	"What?" he asked groggily in a sleep endowed voice. He glanced at the clock beside his bed next and immediately groaned again. "Chris, it's five o'clock in the morning!"
	Chris grinned foolishly at Justin, white and black dreads sticking out at odd angles. "Rise and shine, honeybunch!"
	"What do you want?" Justin moaned.
	"Guess what?"
	Justin reclined back down and covered his head with a pillow. "Buzz off, Dreds."
	"Okay. I'll ignore the lack of enthusiasm to see me," Chris reasoned. "After all, you haven't had your cereal yet . . ."
	"Shut up!" Justin's voice was muffled.
	"Do you even want to know what I'm so ecstatic about?"
	Justin sighed. "Enlighten me."
	"Well, Johnny just called JC and told him that our interviews for this week are canceled, which means the week off. Justin, come on, show me that smile." He pulled the pillow away. "Can't even smile about a whole week off?"
	Justin bore his teeth in a tired growl.
	"Frightening," was Chris's only comment. "Anyway, Johnny went on to mention a cabin that he has in upstate New York which is not in use this time a year. He offered to let us have it for the week! So that we could just get away from the real world for a while and relax. Isn't that great?"	
	"You mean you can't tell by my enthusiasm? I'm absolutely overjoyed. Can I go back to bed now?"
	"Don't you want to know when we're leaving? We have an eight o'clock flight."
	"So apparently I don't get a choice about going." Justin's tone was irritated.
	"You don't want to go?"
	"Well, sure I do, Chris, but still—"
	"Aw, shut up." Chris laughed. "This is our week of R&R that we've been waiting for! You can sleep on the plane. Start packing."
	Mumbling to himself, Justin gathered all his strength to get out of bed. 
******
******
	The plane wasn't too crowded. That was good considering it lowered the chance of a lot of fans aboard. This relieved all but JC and Justin; JC, who had fallen asleep the moment he sat in his seat wasn't thinking much about it, and Justin, who had been in a daze since the moment he'd woken up earlier, was more content sulking than anything else. The others were oblivious to the early hour and were their usual selves, exciting about having a week away from the media and their hectic life.
	"Oh, man, guys," Joey sighed, shifting in his first class seat beside Lance and Chris to view the aisle. "Take a look at that stewardess, would you?" He stroked his goatee thoughtfully, brown eyes unblinking.
	Justin gazed at him from beside JC's window seat, across the aisle from the other guys. "Is that all you ever think about, Joey? Women? And sex?"
	"He's got a one track mind," Lance affirmed with green eyes smiling. "You bet."
	"Two track actually," Chris corrected with a laugh. "Women and food."
	Joey shrugged. "I know what I want is all." He looked up as the stewardess approached, a petite blonde in a short uniform skirt and close fitting blouse. 
	"Can I get you anything, sir?" she asked politely with a smile. If she had heard their conversation, she acted ignorant to it.
	"Yes, actually." He returned the smile.
	"A life," Justin hissed. The stewardess turned around only to see a curly haired boy deceptively sleeping. An older boy slept next to him, equally harmless. She shrugged and turned her attention back to Joey. "What can I get you?"
	"Can I have some more peanuts?" Joey asked. 
	"Um, sure . . ." she replied. "I'll be right back."
	Joey watched her leave appreciatively before glaring at the sleeping Justin. "You die, curly boy. You always try to be a smartass and ruin the flow of things. It's not funny."
	Justin opened his eyes and laughed. "Aw, Joey, did I interrupt your chance for a date?"
	Joey grabbed a small airplane pillow and chucked it at Justin. It missed and hit JC, who moaned. "J, stop it. . ." he grumbled.
	"Me?" was the incredulous reply.
	The stewardess returned and handed Joey his bag of peanuts. He smiled again and thanked her.
	"Excuse me, miss?" Justin asked. He plastered an endearing, innocent look on his young face. 
	She turned and viewed him with a sense of adoration most women felt in his presence. "Yes, honey?"
	"Can you ask that guy," he pointed at Joey, "to control his compulsive behavior? He woke me up." He pouted. "He's not very nice. Very rude actually."
	"Why certainly," she informed him with a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry he disrupted your flight." She turned on Joey and politely informed him that she was getting numerous complaints and if he didn't quiet down, she would have to report him to the airline management upon landing. Gaining no response but incredulity, she left.
	"Oh my God!" Joey exclaimed. "Justin, you little twerp!"
	"Good one, bro," Chris praised. Justin beamed.
	"Oh . . . that was mean," Lance said through laughing. "Smooth, though, Justin."
	"Yeah, laugh it up, Poofoo," Joey retorted.
	"You can't kill me," Justin stated matter-of-factly. "Because then you would be Sync and you would suck."
	"What's this about Sync?" JC murmured as he straightened in his seat and ran a hand through his brown hair. It didn't little to smooth his tousled waves. "And thank you for waking me up, by the way, Justin. I told you I wanted to sleep on this flight."
	"The pillow that hit you was thrown by Joey!" Justin protested. "Who has threatened to end my life, by the way, JC!"
	"I wasn't talking about the pillow. I was talking about the voice next to me, which is undeniably yours."
	Justin rolled his eyes. "Forgive me for having the gift of speech," he muttered. 
	Joey was struggling to open the bag of peanuts. "Ugh!" he exclaimed. "What is it with these little bags?"
	"Give me that." Chris snatched the bag, opened it, and handed it back.
	"How'd you do that?" Joey was amazed.
	"Comes with age."
	Joey just shrugged and popped a couple peanuts in his mouth. Justin looked at him with a slight grimace. He was hungry, but peanuts were anything but appealing at this time of morning.
	"Don't they have cereal?" he whined.
	"Can you wait—" JC looked at his watch. "—one hour?"
	"A whole hour?"
	"Hey," Joey started. "Does Johnny's cabin have food?"
	"Of course not," Chris replied. "We get to go shopping."
	"You mean there are stores around?" Justin speculated. "I thought we were going to the middle of nowhere!"
	"There's barely anything around according to Johnny," JC replied. "A small town. Barely a town. But that at least means no teenyboppers and paparazzi. Freedom!"
	"Sounds good to me," Lance sighed. 
	Justin laughed and pointed at Chris. "I'm sure we'll be unbothered. I think Dreds might scare the locals away!"
	"Hey!" Chris objected. "Not funny!"
*****
*****
	It was a simple cabin made of wood. The first level consisted of a kitchen, a living room, a small den-like room with a television, another with a washer/dryer, and a big room with a fireplace. Upstairs were three bedrooms.
	"A TV!" Chris exclaimed as soon as he saw. He grasped Justin's forearms and dramatically stared at him. "I doubt we get much TV here… Please tell me that you brought the Nintendo you've been glued to for the past month. Please tell me . . ."
	"Of course." Justin rolled his eyes. "Like you said, I'm glued to it."
	JC glanced over at him when he heard their conversation and rolled his eyes. "I knew you overpacked."
	"It was vital to bring," Justin objected.
	"I agree!" Chris hugged him. "I love you, man."
	"Ew, Chris!" Justin jumped away. 
	"You two are pathetic," JC muttered. He glanced towards the stairs. "Well. There's three bedrooms. Who's with who?"
	"I don't want to be with Chris," Justin stated. "He's scaring me. And Joey threatened to kill me before and maybe he's waiting 'till I sleep." He doubted this but had fun being picky.
	"You can be with me then," JC answered.
	"I get my own room because I'm the oldest," Chris replied.
	"And you smell," Justin retorted. "And you're deaf."
	"Eh? What? Hearing's the first to go, you know! But not strength!" Chris exclaimed as he began to chase Justin, who laughed and ran out the front door.
	"Guys!" JC shouted. He wanted to decide how arrangements would be made. But it was too late. He heard them yelling outside.
	"No food whatsoever." Joey's voice was disappointed as he emerged from the kitchen with Lance beside him, a smirk on his face.
	"Didn't we discuss that before?" JC replied. He gazed out the window. Chris and Justin were on the grass wrestling. He rolled his eyes, although he appreciated seeing them having fun. He looked up at the sky. It looked kind of gray. A different kind of gray.
	"Is it going to snow?" he asked.
	Joey walked over and looked up as well. "Sure looks like it." He grinned. "I love New York weather. I miss snow. Well, not shoveling it and having the car stall… But still…"
	Lance joined them at the window and frowned. "What are Chris and Justin doing?"
	"Acting like idiots," JC replied. He looked at them again just in time to catch Justin shoving a handful of grass into Chris's mouth.  "What did you expect?"
	They turned away from the window. "You guys are rooming together. Is that a problem?"
	"Nope," Lance replied.
	"Uhn-uh," said Joey.
	"Okay, good . . . Let's see . . ." JC looked around.
	Lance laughed. "For God's sake, JC, relax. That's what we're here for, remember?"
	JC gave a wry smile. "Right."
	At that moment, Justin ran into the house, cheeks pink from the cold air outside. He was breathing heavy but had a careless grin on his face. "Chris's crazy!" he yelled, getting behind the group. "All I said is that he should be the one to get the food because he could get a senior citizen discount! I mean, come on!"
	Chris ran in. "All right, that's it, Blondie! Come on, fight like a man!" He put up his fists and bellowed, "Stop hiding behind so-called friends, sissy!"
	"Guys," JC began. "The neighbors are going to complain."
	"Neighbors?" Lance echoed. "We have neighbors?"
	"Yeah, but they're twenty miles away," Joey explained.
	"Hear that?" Chris taunted Justin. "No one can hear you scream!" Justin stuck out his tongue.
	"No. I saw a house through the woods when I just looked out," JC replied. "Chris, leave Justin alone!"
	The two stopped running circles around the other three to catch their breath. 
	"Really?" Joey raised an eyebrow. "I wonder who lives there . . ."
	"Maybe it's a girl, Joey," Lance teased.
	"Why would I care?" Joey was nonchalant.
	"Ha!" Justin retorted. "Joey Fatone not care about a girl next-door? What are you on?" He paused for a moment. "I'm hungry, guys."
	"Me too," Chris replied.	
	"That's because you two ran around," JC answered. 
	"Do I have grass in my teeth?" Chris asked, grinning at them widely to show off his teeth. 
	JC ignored him. "We could go to the store . . ."
	"Take the rental?" The five had rented a car at the airport to get to the cabin. It had all been arranged by Johnny.
	"Guess what, guys?" Joey said. "Johnny also said that he left another car here and we could feel free to use it."
	"Really? What kind?" Justin eyes brightened. He hoped it was a cool car at least that maybe he could drive.
	"A Jaguar."
	"Phat! Can I drive?"
	"I'm kidding, Justin. I have no clue. It's probably a Station Wagon or something." Joey rolled his eyes.
	"Ew. Well, where is it?"
	"There's a garage in the back where the road leads," Lance explained. 
	"We shouldn't have to use his car," JC said slowly. "We have the rental."
	"But it's a Ford," Justin complained. "A ten year old Ford."
	"Oh, don't get me started, Justin . . ." 
	Chris laughed. "Missing the Mercedes, J?"
	"Hmph," was the reply. "Is there a phone?"
	"Want to call mommy dearest?"
	"No! I was just wondering."
	"In the kitchen," Joey answered. Justin made no motion to leave and glared at Chris.
	"Well, let's go to the store guys," Chris said. "I'll drive." 
	"Shotgun!" Justin replied. 
*****
*****
	There was a grocery store about ten minutes away that they found. Basically, there was one main road from which everything branched off. The guys had little trouble getting their bearings. The store was older looking, and Joey expressed joking surprise that the building was still standing. But regardless of the look of the grocery store, inside held a modern look and the food that they needed to get into the house.
	Justin went immediately with JC to the cereal aisle. He searched the rows of unfamiliar cereal for over five minutes searching for one he would like. It was useless. He turned to JC impatiently. The brand names he was accustomed to seemed to be replaced with generic, unknown health food brand names.
	"Uh, no Applejacks? I don't even see Cheerios," he said. "What kind of store is this?"
	"The only one in town?" JC retorted. "Find something you like. Out of all these, at least one must be good, J."
	"You'd be surprised," was the reply. Justin eyes skimmed the titles of healthy whole grain cereal. He sighed. "I'm going to go get oreos. I'll make my own cereal."
	"No, Justin, pick one of these," JC pleaded. "Some of these look like the ones you like." He picked up one box. "I think Joey bought these a couple weeks ago. They were good."
	"None of them are good." Justin shoved a cereal box that said 'Fortified with Fiber' in huge letters on the package.
	"They're good for you," JC replied with a laugh.
	"Don't eat what you cannot recognize," Justin murmured. He looked at JC sincerely. "I wouldn't feel comfortable eating from one of these boxes, JC. You said, never do what you're not comfortable doing."
	"Oh, cut the crap, Justin. You're having fun taking forever to pick one thing, aren't you?"
	Justin sulked and looked again. "Can we get sugar to put in it?"
	JC rolled his eyes. "If it makes you happy."
	"I can't believe they don't have Applejacks," Justin muttered as he grabbed a cereal that at least had different colors. "I guess this will have to do."
	"It won't kill you."
	"We'll see."
*****
*****
	Meanwhile, Joey, Chris, and Lance were getting milk and juice in the refrigerated section.
	"Check the dates," Chris constantly reminded, standing aside as a spectator to watch Joey and Lance get the drinks. "Lance, did you check the date?"
	"Like you're helping," Lance commented as he checked and then reached for another carton of milk. He checked the date and put it into their wagon. He thought for a moment and then grabbed another carton as well.
	Joey gazed at the juices. "Let's be different," he decided. "Fruit punch?"
	"Um, sure," Chris agreed. "But get orange, too, just in case."
	Justin and JC approached. Justin was carrying a bag of sugar and JC had a box of cereal. They put them in the wagon.
	"What do we need the sugar for?" Lance asked.
	"My cereal's too plain," Justin replied with a shrug.
	"Right . . ."
	"Can you believe they didn't have Applejacks?"
	"God forbid!" Joey exclaimed. "I think we should picket and protest." He rolled his eyes. "Don't be a baby."
	"You know him and his cereal," JC replied. "Like you and your beer."
	"You lie," Joey answered.
	"Whatever." Justin dropped the bag of sugar into their shopping cart. 	
	"Great," Chris muttered. "Now we have to deal with a bad mood tomorrow."
	"Hey!" Justin objected.
	"Let's get donuts!" Joey exclaimed. 
*****
*****
	Forty minutes later the five were back at the cabin unpacking all the food they bought. It was getting slightly darker outside as the sun began to set. JC looked out the kitchen window up at the sky thoughtfully.
	"Looks like snow."
	"Still?" Joey asked. "Maybe we'll get a storm. That'll be fun."
	"Not if we're snowed in," objected JC.
	"What's the weather supposed to be like this week?" Lance asked.
	"Go put on the TV, Justin," JC instructed. Justin had been doing little but taste-testing most of what they bought. He had opened the donuts and cookies already. "Find out the weather for me, will you?"
	"Sure!" Justin agreed, happy to not have to unpack the groceries. He left the room.
	"I brought my laptop," Chris suggested. "I could set it up and check weather.com or something."
	"Nah, he'll find out."
	"Gee, wouldn't it suck if we got snowed in?" Joey said softly. "I mean, not that we're planning on doing much that we have to drive to, but the option is there."
	"Yes," Lance agreed. "Definitely."
	"It would be fun," Chris replied.
	JC shrugged. "Find out anything, J?" he called as he continued to unpack the food and put it into the empty cabinets. 
	"No!" Justin called back. "They're just giving weather for Asia!"
	"What? Are you on the right channel?"
	"Yep. The Weather Channel, JC. The one and only."
	"So we do get cable," Chris said.	
	"Find a local channel." JC looked into one of the bags in disgust. "Who bought all the junk food?"
	Chris smiled sheepishly. "Joey helped."
	"Hey!" Joey objected. He took stuff out of another bag. "Do you think this food's going to last us the week?"
	"Yeah, right!" Chris retorted. "Fat chance."
	"Not with the way you two eat," Lance agreed. "We'll be lucky if it lasts us two days."
	"It better last two days," JC muttered. "It's a hassle shopping with all of you."
	"So what are we eating now?" Joey asked. "I'm hungry and I know Justin is too."
	"We'll all hungry," Chris said. He held up a container. "Peanut butter?"
	"Wow, we're really doing the primitive thing, aren't we?" Joey joked. He found bread and looked around. "Is there a toaster? I like it toasted."
	"Over there." JC pointed to the far counter where sure enough was a toaster. Joey grinned and walked over. In one of the cabinets, Lance found plates.
	Justin walked back in. "It's supposed to snow tonight," he said. His brow furrowed as he recalled, "Uh, temperatures will drop below thirty tonight and something from . . . Canada? Yeah, that was it. Canada. It sounded like a lot. They said there was a Winter Weather Watch or Alert or something like that in effect until tomorrow. High winds too. Six to twelve inches in some areas, twelve to eighteen in others. I didn't know what area we were on the map."
	Joey whistled. "Sounds like quite a bit of snow."
	"Sleigh riding!" Justin grinned. "That'll be so cool! I can't even remember the last time I did that!"
	"We don't have a sled, honey," Chris retorted.
	Justin's smile faded. "Oh, well, can't we get one?"
	"If we can open the door after it snowed," Joey said.
	"Is it going to be that bad?" Lance asked. His voice was worried.
	"I don't know." Joey shrugged. "I've seen quite a few weird storms. It could snow ten feet tonight and then melt tomorrow afternoon. Who knows?"
	"But I want to sled," Justin persisted.
	"We can just throw you down a hill and you can try to slide," Chris teased.
	"Help us unpack, guys," JC directed. Chris came over and started, but Justin eyes were focused outside the window. "Hey, Justin. Hello . . ."
	"What?" Justin asked, moving closer to the window.
	"Help us."
	"Hey, there's a little dog in our yard!" Justin exclaimed suddenly. "He's over by the garage."
	Chris walked over, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Oh yeah. He's cute. Wonder where he came from."
	"I'm going to go out and get him," Justin started, exiting the kitchen.
	"What if it has rabies?" JC objected. "Last night on the news—" Justin wasn't there to hear him, but the others looked at him.
	"Justin's got all his shots," Chris assured him. "You paranoid freak."
	"But rabies, Chris? That's different."
	Chris shrugged and JC sighed.
	"Shrug? That's all you can do? That thing might be carrying some deadly disease and Justin's going to go pick it up and all that you can do is shrug?"
	"Paranoid freak," Chris repeated. 
*****
*****
	Justin approached the little dog that was by their garage. It looked like a basset hound with longish brown ears and big brown eyes. It was obviously still a puppy from its small appearance. It's tail began wagging excitedly when it saw Justin.
	"C'mere." Justin crouched down and snapped his fingers. The little puppy pounced over and immediately began licking his fingers. Laughing, Justin started to pet him. The puppy, in love with the attention, rolled over and continued to wag his tail. After a few minutes, Justin picked it up in his arms. It wasn't that heavy and he easily carried it back to the house. He brought it to the kitchen.
	"Aw!" Chris rushed over and stroked its silky ears.
	"You'll scare her," Justin objected looking at Chris. "JC, look!"
	"You shouldn't pick up wild animals, Justin," JC lectured. He was in love with dogs himself, but he looked at the dog slightly skeptically, wondering where she'd come fro.
	"Wild? Does this look wild?" Chris took the dog from Justin and held it up in front of JC, who started to smile.
	"Look at the ears," JC whispered. He reached out to feel them.
	"You shouldn't touch wild animals, Joshua," Justin started in the same tone.
	"Shut up." JC laughed.
	"Can I keep her?" Justin asked, taking the puppy back. "We, I mean."
	"Whose is she?"
	"Mine now. Whoever's she is obviously doesn't want her bad enough to hold onto her, right?" Justin grew excited thinking about it. A pet for the group. 
	"She's got a collar," Chris said. He reached to the neck and the dog licked his hand playfully. "It says . . . Teddy and there's a phone number."
	"No!" Justin howled. He pushed Chris's hand away and pretended to read the tag. "Dumbass! It's her . . . her date of birth!"
	"Since when do birthdays have seven digits with dashes like that?" Chris retorted. He cuffed him in the back of the head. "And don't call me dumbass, dumbass."
	Joey and Lance came over. "Peanut butter a la mode," they announced, pointing to the kitchen table, which held five plates with sandwiches.
	"Good I'm starving," Chris said. 	"Put the dog somewhere." He spoke as Justin sat down with the dog in his lap at the table.
	Justin shifted the dog more comfortably. "No."
	"How can you eat like that? She can't stay with you while you eat," Joey said, looking at the dog with slight disgust as it placed its paws up on the table and tried to lean towards Justin's sandwich. She sniffed at it happily.
	"I want to know whether she likes peanut butter," Justin replied. "Don't dogs like peanut butter?" Justin started ripping off part of his sandwich. "Let's see…"
	"Out of the question." JC took the dog and put it on the floor. "Stay in the kitchen," he told it.
	"Like it'll listen," Lance laughed. 
	"Can we eat inside so the dog can sit with us?" Justin asked glumly. "Or can I at least?" He was surprisingly disappointed about being close to losing something he'd become obsessed with in just five minutes.
	"I think you should call that number," Chris answered.
	"Eat first and then we'll call," Joey said. He'd already started to eat. 
	"Isn't she so cute?" Justin grinned as the dog as it bounded around the kitchen for a moment before laying down.
	"Yeah, adorable," JC muttered. "Like most puppies." He watched Justin get up and realized how hard this would be. "Justin, sit, now for like five minutes and then worry about it."
	"I'm just getting something to drink," Justin replied. He knelt down by the dog.
	"Sure looks like it too," Lance added.
	"I am." Justin got up, picking up the dog with him, and started toward the fridge. He opened it with his free hand, balancing the puppy in the other arm.
	"Soda . . . milk . . . juice . . . What do you guys want?" he asked. "I want soda."
	"We should all have milk," JC said. "That goes bad quicker."
	"But, Dad," Justin whined.
	"I want soda too," Chris said.
	"Me too," Joey agreed.
	"Fine," JC muttered. "I'll have milk at least."
	"I'll have milk too," Lance said.
	"Thank you, Lance," JC praised.
	Balancing both a liter of coke and a carton of milk with the dog in the other arm, Justin made it back to the table. He put both drinks down safely and gave a sigh of relief.
	"Oh, I would have put money on you dropping something," Joey said with admiration.
	"I thought so too," Justin said honestly.
	"Glasses!" Chris said. 
	Justin made a half bow. "Yes, my liege." He started for the cabinets again.
	"I'm making another sandwich," Joey decided, getting up and starting for the toaster. "Let me see the doggy, Justy?" he asked. Justin relented and handed it into the other's arms. Joey made a show of pretending to throw the dog out the window. "And out he goes!" he joked. But instead, he put it on the floor. "You don't have to carry it everywhere."
	"You evil, evil, evil, evil—" Justin began angrily.
	"Evil what?" Joey laughed.
	"Evil sadist idiot!"
	"Excuse me?" Joey crossed his arms irritably.
	"Calm down, Joe," JC soothed. "Justin, stop acting like it’s the end of the world."
	"Look, I just think he shouldn't have done that even as a joke," Justin replied. "He tried to throw the dog out the window!"
	"You're next!" Joey retorted. "Come here!" He teasing grabbed Justin's forearms and then let him easily pull away.
	Justin scooped up the dog. "It's okay, Teddy . . ." he said. "Joey won't hurt you anymore."
	"Anymore?" Joey demanded. "Justin, I didn't hurt a hair on the damned thing's head!"
	"It's its heart I'm worried about, Joe. Go ahead, make your sandwich, you sadist."
	Joey ignored and put bread in the toaster, muttering to himself.
	Justin got four glasses, deliberately leaving one out. He set them on the table and put the dog on the floor before sitting down himself. He caught JC's smirk and narrowed his eyes. "What, JC."
	"You drama queen," JC teased. "That's what."
	"You forgot a glass." Lance pointed out the obvious.
	"I know," Justin replied. "Sadists can fend for themselves."
	"That's enough, Justin," JC said, giving Justin an appeasing look. "Let's get over it."
	"I don't want to get over it," Justin answered.
	"Too easy?" 
	"No. Just because."
	Joey just shook his head as he got himself a glass out of the cabinet. "Justin, I'm sorry my joke wasn't funny to you. Let's not go crazy." He walked over and hit him in the shoulder. "First on the plane and now this. What's your problem?"
	"Plane?" JC was confused. "What happened on the plane?"
	"You were sleeping, deary," Chris answered.
	"What happened while I was sleeping?"
	"Well, Joey, being the player he is," Justin started, "was hitting on the stewardess and making her get things for him, so—"
	"I was not!" Joey objected.
	"Could I have some more peanuts?" Justin mimicked. "Can I buy you a drink? What's your sign?"
	Joey fumed while the others burst out laughing at their youngest member's antics. Justin was obviously trying to rile up Joey, and it was working 
	"And then," Justin continued, "Joey throws a pillow, which hits you, JC, and you of course blame me. Oh, and then Joey threatened to kill me for no particular reason and make the group Sync." Chris cracked up at this. "So I told the stewardess that Joey was bothering me and she told him that she would report him to the airline."
	"You told the stewardess I needed a life," Joey reminded stiffly.	
	"That was the best part!" Lance said. "
	"I cannot tell a lie," Justin replied.
	"Okay, I must have been really out of it to have missed all that," JC muttered.
	"Well, you do take your hobbies so seriously, JC," Chris said. "Meaning sleeping, of course."
	"I just hope we have another stewardess on the flight back," Joey sighed.
	"Yeah, it would be a shame to use your pickup line again on the same victim." Justin matched the sigh. "Although you have done that before too. Remember that time when we were out and—"
	"Shut up, Curly," Joey interrupted. "I don't think I want to hear this story."
	"Shut up, Joey," Justin mimicked with laughter.
	"I'm going to eat half your sandwich if you don't start to," Chris said, reaching forward.
	"Go ahead," Justin allowed.
	"Justin, I thought you were hungry." JC watched Chris take half the sandwich.
	"I am, but I don't feel like peanut butter."
	"Then what do you feel like?"
	"I don't know." Justin shrugged. He poured himself some soda.	
	"You know what I feel like?" Joey started. "Basset hound stew . . . Yum . . . Maybe tonight, guys, okay?"
	"Whatever," Justin murmured. "Not going to get to me."
	Joey put his plate on the table and reached down to pick up the puppy. Its tail wagged as it was lifted into his arms. He pretended to examine it. "Teddy soup." He looked for Justin's reaction and found that he was being ignored. He balanced the puppy. "I think there's enough meat for all of us . . ."
	"Ugh . . ." Justin exclaimed. "I lost my appetite." He pushed his plate away and laid an arm on the table. "Ew . . ."
	"We should probably call the number on the dog's collar," JC said quietly. "If the owner's looking for her outside, it's not right to keep her in here."
	Justin sat up straight. "I'll call!" he offered.
	JC studied him, trying to read his expression. "No, you won't . . ."	
	"I will!"
	"Liar. You will not. You'll call some other number and goof off."
	"Why would I do that?" Justin put on an innocent act. "JC, the owner of this dog is probably worried to death. We should call them right away."
	"Bull, you fake. Joey, you want to call?"
	"No! Not fair," Justin whined, changing his act. "I found her!"
	"But you want to keep her," Joey pointed out.
	"No, I don't. We already have Chris and Busta! Why would we want another dog when we have two?"
	Chris leapt out of his chair and pretended to strangle Justin. He dragged him off the chair and to the ground with a grin, pinning him down. Justin groaned. The floor was hard below him.
	"Senior citizen fight like champion!" Chris exclaimed. He messed up Justin's hair. 
	"Hey!" Justin objected. "Senior citizen take steroids."
	"Scary thought . . ."
	Joey put the puppy down and it walked over to where Chris and Justin were on the floor. It stared at them quizzically.
	"Look, Chris," Justin said. "Even the dog knows you're weird!" He pushed Chris off of him and sat on the floor. He tapped his fingers on the wood floor and the dog walked over. Justin pulled it into his lap and stroked its ears. With his other hand, he began to secretly take off the tag on its collar. He could at least delay the process of losing the dog.
	"We'll call later, I guess," Joey said, taking his plate and sitting down.
	"I wonder if she can play fetch," Chris said.
	"You can teach her," Justin offered. "You're the expert. You learned in about a week."
	"And the hits just keep on coming."
	"I wonder when the snow will start," Lance pondered, gazing out the window. "It looks like pretty soon, huh?"		
	"I'd say," Joey agreed.
	"That's why we should call the number now and get it over with," JC said. "Before the snow starts."
	"I will," Justin agreed. "I'm just going to take her inside. I have to set up the video game thing on the computer anyway. I forgot. I'll call later." 
*****
*****
	Justin finally got the tag off the dog after he'd set up the Nintendo to the television. He held the tag for a moment, trying to decide where to put it. Having it on him would be too obvious. He knew they'd assume he had it. There was a plant on the table. Smiling, Justin stuck the tag in the soil of the plant and pulled the vegetation over it. No one would ever look there. What was vacation for if not fun?
	"Hey." 
	Justin jumped in surprise and looked up at Chris. "What?" he asked irritably. "Give me a heart attack why don't you…"
	Chris sat down next to him. "I came for competition. Your choice of game." He patted the dog on the head. "I wonder if this dog is housetrained." 
	"OK . . ." Justin chose a game. "Prepare to die . . ."
	"Hey, guys, look!" Lance started toward the window. "It's starting to snow."
	Game forgotten, all went to the window to see the thick white flakes starting down. 
	"It's melting though," Justin said, voice disappointed.
	"Just on the path," Joey countered. "It's sticking to the grass."
	Chris started humming the chords to "White Christmas" and the others laughed. "Come on, Justin. I've still gotta kick your butt."
	"We'll see about that," Justin replied as they ran back over to the game. The dog was following his every footstep and he nearly tripped over it. "Watch out, Teddy," he said, picking her up. "Teddy's on my side."
	"You and Teddy put together couldn't beat me," Chris retorted.
	"My money's on Justin," Lance said after he saw the game he'd chosen. Justin definitely played it constantly.
	"Nah," Joey replied. "Chris."
	"Ah . . . a little faith," Chris said with a smile. "Come on, JC."
	"Ten bucks," Lance persisted.
	"Deal," Joey answered.
	"Me, JC," Justin said. "I'm going to win."
	"I'm not betting," JC replied, sitting on the couch next to Joey and Lance.
	"Aw, come on!" Joey said. "It's only ten bucks."
	"And I'll definitely win," Justin promised. "So you have nothing to worry about. Right, Teddy?" Teddy licked his hand, wagging her tail. "See?"
	"Sure . . ." JC laughed.
	"Just play," Chris prodded Justin. 
	"Let the games begin!" Lance said in a newscaster's voice.
*****
*****
	After the game, which Justin had won to Chris's dismay, Joey gave Lance ten dollars and the five just watched television. Chris and Justin still stayed on the floor. Justin used the couch to lean against, situating himself between JC and Joey's legs. Chris just lay down on his back on the floor, closing his eyes. 
	After flipping through many channels with the controller, Lance stopped at one. "Ah . . . MTV. Well, fear not, guys. We can watch ourselves after all." 
	"We're lucky we have cable, actually," Chris said. "Or a TV. I was kind of thinking the worst in terms of entertainment. Well, I suppose I should have realized Johnny would not be disconnected from the world at any location…"
	"So where is this monster of the dog sleeping, anyway?" Joey asked, fondling the ears of the dog, which had started to climb Justin's shoulder and go into Joey's lap.
	"Well, I was thinking… in my room," Justin replied.
	JC coughed. "Excuse me?" he inquired. "Did you forget who you were rooming with?"
	"Please?" Justin implored. "I thought she'd be out of the way there."
	"Who says it's even sleeping here? What happened to calling the owners?"
	"So you don't want it in our room? That's fine… Uh, Chris, can I room with you then?" Justin asked.
	Chris shook his head. "No, we already settled rooms, Justin. Besides, you talk in your sleep and I can't deal with that."
	"You're just mad cause I beat you at Nintendo, aren't you?"
	"You'd never told me you'd been practicing that level!"
	"I hadn't! Get over it."
	"You mean to tell me that move was luck?"
	"Call it what you will, but I still kicked your sorry little—"
	"Justin, subject," JC warned. "Can we decide this?"
	"Can't the dog stay in our room, JC?" Justin implored. "I don't see why not."
	"Justin, we don't know where the dog came from. What if she doesn't have all her shots or something?"
	"She's only a puppy."
	"Only a puppy. Right. So then comes into play the fact that it's not trained to . . . you know . . . go outside!"
	"So what are you planning on doing to her?" Justin challenged.
	"Put her outside," Joey answered.
	"But it's snowing!" Justin objected.
	"I know, J. I'm kidding." Joey ruffled his hair. "Put her in the bathroom or something. Call the owner?"
	"Hey, Justin," Chris said. "You have to promise to clean up anything the thing . . . creates."
	Justin made a face. "Fine."
	"Does the dog eat, by the way?" Lance spoke up.
	"Good question," JC said. 
	"Well, I was going to give her peanut butter in the meantime," Justin began, "but no . . . Of course not."
	"You know what?" JC sighed. "Forget about feeding her and finding a place to keep her. She's not ours. Cute as she may be, she belongs to that person whose phone number is on her collar. I bet they're looking all over, and they're worried because of the snow. You want to call her, Justin, then now is the time to do it."
	"But . . ." Justin gave him a face but JC wouldn't even look at him. "Fine," Justin muttered sulkily. "I have to call my mother first, though. I told her I'd call when we got here."
	JC shrugged. "Go ahead, but we're returning the dog after."
	"I don't know, JC . . . I might have a long conversation and it might be too late to call then . . ."
	"Then I will call and you will go to bed if you're so tired you can't make a phone call," Joey said.
	"No! I'm gonna be the one to call," Justin said stiffly.
	"Do not under any circumstance . . ." JC started, gripping Justin's shoulder, "convince your mom to keep a puppy, Justin, because we are not holding onto this one."
	Justin got up and started for the kitchen. "I don't know . . ." he said blissfully. "Jon and I always wanted a basset hound. Maybe I should call Dad…"
	"Justin!"
	He disappeared into the kitchen and picked up the phone. He dialed his home phone number.
	"Hello?" a small voice said after two rings. "Who 'dis?"
	Justin grinned. He had forgotten that his parents were visiting each other. He had almost wondered if he had dialed his father instead of his mom. Ironic since he'd just mentioned him. But he realized this was the week that they were taking Jon to Disney World, and that his father and step-mom were actually in Orlando as well. Well, two birds with one stone… "Hey, Jon, my man. What's up?"
	Justin's little brother giggled. "Justin!"
	"What are you doing answering the phone?" Justin asked.
	"I can answer the phone, Justin." Jon was defensive.
	"Of course you can, buddy. So, what's going on? How's Disney?"
	"Fun! And we went to a cannibal yesterday!" Jon exclaimed.
	"A cannibal?" Justin frowned. He paused. "Oh, a carnival, Jon?"
	"Yeah! A cannibal! It was fun. I got a goldfish."
	"Did you name it?"
	"No, not yet. I'm thinking of a name . . ."
	"What color is he?"
	"Gold, silly!" Jon replied. "He's a goldfish, Justin!"
	"Of course." Justin smiled. 
	"Someone else wants to talk to you, Justin," Jon said after a moments pause.
	"Okay, I'll talk to you later. I miss you, buddy."
	"I miss you too." There was another pause before his mom's voice, "Justin?"
	"Hi, mom."
	"Hi, sweetie! How are you?"
	"I'm good." Justin could feel himself getting sentimental. It was only recently that his mother had stopped going places with them and it was still a shock to him to make such long distance phone calls. Weird since he'd been on tour all over the world, but his mother was usually there. He sighed, told himself he was eighteen and to grow up. 
	"Good? How's the house there? Johnny made it sound wonderful."
	"It's fun so far." He closed his eyes to the sound of her voice. It sounded so far away. "So, Jon got a fish?"
	"Yeah, a little one. Your father is spoiling him. It's so cute, Justin. You should see it! Jon loves it. I'm so glad your father decided to visit while here. I know it can be awkward, but it's still nice, you know?"
	"Yeah . . ."
	"You okay, honey?"
	"Uh-huh. I'm fine, mom."
	"Okay." She sounded concerned. "Tell me more about this trip. This getaway for you guys. How's New York?"
	"It's great! It's actually snowing right now. I forgot to tell Jon . . ."
	"You can talk to him again after. Is it cold, Justin? I hope you brought warm clothes . . ."
	"Yes, mom." He rolled his eyes.
	"Are you supposed to get a lot of snow?"
	"It sounds like it, I don't know."
	"Well, I don't want you or the boys out on the roads when it gets icy, okay? Are you all driving while you're there? When you're not used to the roads it can get really difficult in bad weather. Remember that."
	"Uh, sure, mom."
	"It can get dangerous. You said Johnny's cabin is nice?"
	"It's really nice. It's pretty big too. We got to go shopping. Just for stuff for the week. Oh, and… The exciting part of my call… Guess what?"
	"What, honey?"
	"I found a puppy. Outside. It's great."
	"What? Where? Are you sure it's healthy?"
	"Yeah. It's a little basset hound, I think, or some kind of mutt, and it's so adorable. It was outside but we have it with us now. Some of the guys think we should do this hunt for the owner, but honestly… She was just wandering around, and... Anyway. You would love her. Her name's Teddy."
	"Who named her?"
	"I don't know," he admitted. "It was on her collar."
	"It sounds like the dog does belong to someone, Justin."
	"Mom," Justin complained. "I don't need to hear it from you. I know, believe me. We'll call and try to find out . . . Sooner or later."
	"Sooner."
	"Maybe. God, you really sound like JC sometimes. Or JC really sounds like you. I think you two should stay away from one another."
	"Justin Randall—"
	"Okay, mom! Sheesh . . ." Justin sighed. "But if we can't find the owner, do you think that there's a possibility that—"
	"No. You guys shouldn't."
	"Mom, do you think if Jon—"
	"Your father just got him a fish, Justin. And he's got a dog already."
	"But what if I told you that Joey threatened to eat the dog, mom? Would that make a difference?"
	She laughed. "Oh, he was kidding."
	"I'm going to think about the dog. It might be nice."
	"Think about the owner too."
	"Yeah, yeah…"
	"Anyway, Justin. So, how are the other guys?"
	"Crazy as usual . . ." Justin started. 
*****
*****
	"We'll never be able to get rid of this dog," Joey sighed. Teddy was now in his lap, sleeping peacefully as puppies do, and he just stared down at it. The puppy was cute. But most puppies were and that really was no excuse. Easy to get attached to, sure, but there was an owner out there. That was what they had to think about.
	"Why do you say that?" Lance asked.
	"Well, Justin will talk to his mom for about three hours. He'll purposefully postpone this calling the owner business. The snow's starting to come down really heavy, and I guarantee there's a few inches out there already. Not to mention, it'll be too late. He's a smart kid. He knows this."
	"I have my cell phone," Chris offered. "We could use that."
	"Yeah, that's a good idea," JC affirmed. 
	"Let me get it," Chris replied. He got up and ran upstairs. Five minutes later, he came back with a small black phone. He sat back down on the floor. "Okay, give me the number."
	Joey looked at the collar, searching for the tag. He turned it a full 360, sliding it around the dog's neck without its noticing. "There's a tag on the collar, Chris?"
	"Yeah," Chris replied. "JC, help him. You're blind, Joey."
	JC lifted up the dog's chin and started examining the collar. "I don't see a tag either . . . I did see one before in the kitchen though."
	"You guys must both be blind . . ." Chris muttered. He got up and searched to no avail. "Okay, so the tag's gone." He paused. "Unless we're all blind, which is doubtful. Great . . ." he said through clenched teeth. He drummed his fingers against his phone. "Great."
	"Maybe it fell off . . ." JC said slowly as he searched the floor with his eyes.
	"Are you stupid?" Joey retorted. At that moment, Justin returned to the room. He paused in the doorway when they all looked up at him quietly.
	"Empty your pockets, boy!" Joey demanded. He said it with an air of dramatic sarcasm, but at the same time he was serious.
	"What?" Justin blinked. He decided that whatever it was, he was in trouble, and tried to change the subject. "Um, my mom says hi, by the way. She said that—"
	"Justin," Joey started. "We just want to know where—"
	"And guess what? Jon got a goldfish!" Justin blurted out. "He was at Disney this week and so he's in Orlando too and it—"
	"Where's the stupid dog's tag?" Joey asked irritably, standing up. He left the puppy on JC's lap. "This really isn't funny, you know? This could be so easy to take care of if you didn't have to act like a kid about it. Where is it?
	"How am I supposed to know?" Justin retorted as he took a step back. He noticed Chris's phone. "You were gonna call, weren't you? You said that I could call!"
	"You were never going to!" Chris replied.
	"Yes, I was! You were going to go behind my back. Admit that you were.  That's not fair!"
	"Neither was your expecting us to keep a puppy, Justin!" Joey replied. "Is it fair to the owner to play these games while they're probably out looking desperately for her?"
	"I knew we weren't going to keep her, Joey. It was sort of obvious!'
	"That's why you took the tag off the dog?"
	"I didn't!"
	"Then where is it?"
	"I don't know! On the dog?" Justin exclaimed. He was trying to think of a way out. Acting innocent wasn't going to work for very long. Not if they asked him straightforward.
	"Justin, look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't do something to the dog's collar," Joey said. His voice was getting irritated.
	Not if they asked him straightforward . . . 
	Justin stared at him. "I didn't do something to the dog's collar…"
	No. Of course not.
	He hadn't touched the collar. Only the tag. Big difference.
	"Fine." Joey shook his head. "But," he pointed at him, "if I find out that you did and you told me otherwise, you'll be sorry."
	"But then you would be Sync and you would suck," Justin replied mechanically. He walked past Joey and took the dog from JC, who grabbed his arm and stared at him a moment, as if trying to see the truth in his eyes. As if he knew the answer. He was about to speak but Justin interrupted.
	"Teddy and I are going to go see the snow," Justin announced, pulling away and not looking in JC's eyes. "Want to come, Chris?"
	"Sure." Chris got up. He put his phone on top of the television and as he passed the other three, whispered, "Search the room."
	When Chris closed the door behind him, Justin was putting the puppy down in the snow. It bounded a few feet away, the snow covering up much of her fur. Snow continued to come down, and Justin grew distracted for a moment as he looked up at it. But then Chris ran forward, tackling him to the ground. 
	"Senior strikes again!" Justin mumbled, face down in the several inches of snow. He tried to sit up. "Let me up, Chris, it's cold." He sat up and stuffed a handful of snow into Chris's mouth. 
	After a moment of theatrical coughing, Chris turned serious. "You weren't lying in there, were you, kid?"
	"Chris . . ." he complained. "What do you think?"
	"I don't know what to think," Chris answered earnestly. "Other than you're lying. But I don't know why. The dog's fun, but come on." 
	"I can't believe you." Justin threw snow at him. "You really think I'd do that . . . And you were going to call behind my back."
	"Justin—"
	"Don't say you weren't! It was your phone!"
	"You can really be a big pain in the ass, you know that? After you dialed, you would have asked us to talk to the person anyway."
	"No, I wouldn't!"
	"Because you wouldn't have dialed, right?"
	"Chris!"
	"Chris," he mimicked. "Hey, wait . . . Look over there."
	"Where?" Justin looked around through the snow.
	Chris took his chin and tilted his head toward the garage. "Look over there. See?"
	"What's that guy doing?" Justin asked. There was some person, male or female unknown, over by their garage snooping around.
	Chris let his hand drop. "I don't know. But I say we sneak up on them . . . Meet a neighbor properly." He took the dog up in his arms and went back to the cabin. Dropping the dog inside and shutting the door again, he rejoined Justin. "Ready?" he whispered. 
	"Yeah." Justin grinned. 
	They started walking together as quietly but swiftly as they could toward the figure, whose back was turned to them. Justin glanced at Chris.
	"Chris, I'm freezing," he whispered, rubbing his hands together. Of course it hadn't occurred to them to bring gloves. He was started to feel the snow soak through his clothes from playing around.
	"Shush," Chris snapped. 
	Justin rolled his eyes and they approached the person. They could tell now it was a woman. She was dressed in jeans, a big coat, and a hat that her brown hair stuck out of in the back. Justin crouched down to pick up a handful of snow. He exchanged a look with Chris, who smiled. They were within ten feet. 
	"Hey!" Chris bellowed loudly. The woman spun around with a gasp only to be hit in the face with a snowball.
	After he'd thrown it, Justin smirked, but realized how unnecessary it had been.
	"Why you little . . ." she snapped, starting toward Justin, who ducked behind Chris.
	"Why are you wandering around our yard?" Chris demanded. He looked at the woman carefully. She was pretty, perhaps in her late twenties, and did not appear happy to see them.
	She brushed snow off herself and crossed her arms. "What are you doing in Johnny's yard?" Her eyes never met Chris's. They were locked on his dredlocks with a look of disdain.
	"Johnny let us borrow the cabin for the week, you trespasser!" Justin returned.
	"I wasn't trespassing, I was taking a walk."
	"On someone else's property?" he persisted. Chris quieted him with a look. "What?" Justin whispered.
	"So what? Are you going to arrest me, kid?" she retorted, dark eyes growing blacker like coal. 
	"Where do you live?" Chris asked gently.
	"Why?" 
	"Look, lady, I'm not a stalker or anything, it's just conversation."
	"How do I know?" she replied. "Look at you. You're not exactly . . . well, I don't even know how to describe you."
	"See, Chris?" Justin whispered. "I told you you'd scare the locals away."
	The woman glared at Justin. Her mind was already made up not to like this brat who had thrown a snowball in her face. Justin made a face, and she turned her attention back to Chris. "If you need to know, Chris, or whatever your name is, I live in that house through the woods."
	"I'm Chris Kirkpatrick and this is my rude snowball chucking friend, Justin Timberlake."
	Justin and the woman exchange a grimace.
	"What's your name?" Chris continued.
	"Mara," she replied crisply. "And it's getting cold. I should go back home."
	"Why don't you come inside?" Chris offered.
	"No!" Justin hissed.
	Chris glared at him and persisted, "We can make a fire or something and you can tell us how you know Johnny. And you can meet the rest of the guys."
	"Oh God, there's more of you?" she groaned. "A week you're here, you said?"	
	"Don't sound so enthusiastic," Justin muttered.	
	"I'll try," she retorted.
	"If that's the best you can do."
	"It is."
	"I'll bet, you—"
	Chris grabbed Justin's arm and he quieted. "Please, come in?" he asked Mara. His eyes implored of her.
	"Well . . . I guess for a minute," she relented. 
	Chris kept Justin's arm as they walked. "Why are you doing this?" Justin whispered sharply. "She's a bitch. All we did was come up on her and she's acting like this? Bullshit."
	"Watch your language, Justin," Chris reproached. "And she's not. I like her."
	"She doesn't like you."	
	"We'll see."
	"I really don't like her."
	"Did I ask you?"
	"No," Justin answered. "Of course not. You never do."
	They reached the door and opened it. The other guys were still sitting inside watching television and were mid-conversation. The dog was nowhere to be seen to Justin's disappointment. He just hoped she wasn't chewing something or going to the bathroom in another room.
	"Hey, guys," Chris said. Justin crossed his arms as Chris took Mara by the arm and led her to sit down on a chair by the couch. He really had a bad feeling about her. The rest of the guys looked up as Chris spoke.
	"Guys, this is Mara. She lives in that house you saw before, JC. Mara, this is JC, Joey, and Lance."
	"Hi," the guys chorused with smiles.
	"Hi," she replied back with a slight smile that to Justin was fake. "Guess I'm your neighbor for the week.
	"How'd you guys meet?" JC asked.
	"I was going for a walk," Mara started, "when these two snuck up on me and that one," she pointed at Justin, "threw snow in my face."
	JC sent him a sharp look.
	"It was the highlight of my day," Justin said with a grin that faded nearly as soon as it shined.
	"I was wondering who was here," she continued. "Johnny rarely ever comes up because he's so busy with work, so I've only met him briefly a couple of times. So nice, though. How do you guys know him?"
	"Ever heard of the music group, *NSYNC?" Joey asked.
	She shrugged. "I don't think so."
	"Not on this isolated dump," Justin muttered. No one heard.
	"Well, anyway," Joey said. "That's us and Johnny's our manager."
	"Oh." She nodded. "That's cool. I knew he was in entertainment."
	They had a slight conversation that continued while Justin was fantasizing about what the girl really was. When she looked at him, there was something about her eyes. Something evil. Maybe there was something about this town… He had his mind imaginatively set that she was a witch who lived alone in that house casting spells on people. After all, it was plausible enough. What else was there to do around here? And the idea was fun. 
	"I think we have hot chocolate, don't we?" JC asked, standing. 
	"Yeah, we do," Lance said.
	"Everybody want some? Snow always makes me feel like hot chocolate." 
	The reply was unanimous. 
	"J, why don't you help me?" JC asked, taking Justin's arm gently. Justin gave in and they left.
	"All right," JC said as soon as they got to the kitchen. "What's with the face? Ever since you came back inside."
	Justin sat down at the table, head in his hands. He could complain to JC. JC would understand. "I just don't like her."	
	"Is that why you threw snow at her?" JC replied. "Why would you do that? And get up; I do actually need your help. Find some mugs."
	Justin groaned and stood back up. He started looking through the cabinets as JC found a kettle to boil water in. "She was in our yard so Chris said that we should sneak up on her. I only was following his lead."
	"Right . . ."
	"Why aren't you making it with milk?" Justin objected when he saw JC putting water into the kettle.
	"Because… Because this is just easier… Okay?"
	"Fine…" Justin replied. "Anyway, she just gives me a bad feeling. You know people that you don't like just by one word? Just looking at them? Well, I don't see how Chris could like her," Justin continued. "She was so mean to us when she met us."
	"Could it be because you had snuck up on her?"
	"I don't know, but she keeps giving me this scary look. I really dislike her."	
	"Justin, please. You just met her."
	"But it's mutual! She's just a bitch and that's all there is to it. I can tell by her eyes. Evil…"
	"Don't say that," JC scolded. "Find any mugs?"
	"Not yet," Justin grumbled. He resumed looking. "Have you seen Teddy?"
	"Nope." JC set the water to boil and started through some other cabinets. "But if that dog is in any of my stuff, it's going out in the snow, bro."
	"I found mugs." Justin was triumphant. JC gave him a smile and helped get out six. They each took three and set them on the table. 
	"You can sit now," JC replied. "I'll find where I put that hot chocolate mix stuff."
	Justin sat down at the table again. "The snow's still coming down."
	"Oh yeah? Is there a lot out there so far?"
	"Yep. Will we get snowed in?" 
	"I don't know," JC replied honestly. "You never know."
	"That'll be so cool," Justin said excitedly.
	"We won't be able to go anywhere though," JC objected.
	"My mom said not to drive in this weather anyway," Justin remembered.
	"That's smart. I don't think we need to anyway. How's your mom doing?"
	"Good," Justin sighed. "Really good."
	"And Jon? You said he was in town with your dad?" JC asked as he got the hot chocolate box out and took out six packages. He studied Justin's grim expression.
	"He's good." Justin brightened slightly. "It was so funny. I said he got a goldfish right? He said they went to a cannibal. He meant carnival. Isn't that funny?"
	"Oh, I love that kid." JC grinned. "He would like it here, don't you think?"
	"Yeah. The snow. I wish he was here. I haven't seen him in forever it feels like. Next time we have a 'break', JC? If we do this again, do you think he could come?"
	"Sure," JC promised.
	Justin smiled. "That would be fun. You know what they need here? A basketball court."
	"You can't play basketball in the snow."
	"True. You can try."
	"Barely!"
	"I could do it."
	"Sure you could, Justin." JC tossed him three packages. They poured the mix into the mugs and waited for the kettle to whistle. JC sat down. "Justin, I want to talk about something, but you've got to be honest with me, okay?"
	"I'm always honest with you, JC."
	"I know." JC smiled then hesitated. "Okay, now tell me what happened to the dog's tag, Justin. So we can just settle this whole thing and not worry about it tonight."
	"Josh!" Justin complained. He laid his head on the table.
	"You're so guilty, it's not even funny," JC replied, tousling the curly head. "Do I have to explain to you what will happen to the dog if we don't get her back to her owner?" Without a pause, he continued. "Obviously, we can't keep the dog, J. You know that. That means we'll probably have to give her to the pound. Do you want to know what happens to unclaimed dogs at the pound?"
	"No," Justin mumbled. "I'll use my imagination."
	"I didn't think so. So we need that number."
	Justin lifted his head. "If you get the number, and I'm not saying I have it because I don't, and you call and you can't get through, or it's not the owner's number, will you still give her to the pound? Because you've done all you can and it's not like it's the dog's fault."
	"I don't know, Justin," JC replied gently. "Let's just hope it's the owner's number."
	"But—" The whistle blew, interrupting his words. JC got up and got the kettle.
	"Get spoons, J," he said softly as he started to pour the hot water into each of the mugs. 
	"Do we have marshmallows?" Justin asked as he got up.
	"I don't think so."
	"Oh." Justin grabbed six spoons from the drawer and dropped one in each mug as JC finished pouring. He stared at his friend. "You'd really have to?" he sighed.
	JC nodded. He saw the expression that followed and punched him lightly in the shoulder. "We'll talk later. Take three mugs. Can you balance it?"
	"Yeah." Justin took two in his left hand and another in his right.
	"Don't drop any," JC warned.
	"Don't you drop any," Justin countered.
	"Oh, and change, too. You look soaked. You should have put on a coat."
	"Yes, Dad." Justin rolled his eyes theatrically.
	"Don't give me that. Just do it." They walked into the other room and JC gave two of his mugs to Joey and Mara.
	Good, Justin thought. Because if I had to give her one, I would've dropped it all  over her.
	"You need to change too," JC pointed out to Chris, whose jeans were obviously wet. Chris acknowledged him and put his drink on the table. Justin put his there too.
	"I'll race you," Justin said as they left the room and started for the stairs.
	"Nah," Chris replied.
	Justin didn't bother to hide his disappointment. "Why?"
	"Because."
	"Because you have to be all mature like for Mara?" Justin retorted.
	"It wouldn't hurt for you to try either," Chris snapped. They reached the top of the stairs and Chris started for his room.
	"Chris," Justin objected. "Don't be a bastard 'cause you like a girl."
	Chris didn't even turn around, but instead walked into his room and shut the door quietly.
	Justin silently fumed before punching the wall and going into his own room that he shared with JC. He slammed the door. He wasn't really mad. Just annoyed. 
	Cursing to himself, he found his suitcase on the floor by the wall. He hadn't touched it since they arrived. He glanced between the two beds. One was by the window, one was by the door. Decisions, decisions. The window was his primary choice but then he wouldn't be able to slip out as easy if he wanted at night, because he'd have to pass JC's bed. But JC slept so soundly it might not even make a difference. Well, he usually slept soundly. 
	He tossed the suitcase on the bed near the window. He could always switch later. He opened it and found jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. Good enough. He changed quickly and tossed his wet clothes on the floor. He looked out the window. It was still snowing. It looked like a blizzard outside.
	His sneakers were soaked too. Please have packed other sneakers . . . Justin prayed silently. He fished through his bag hopefully and found them at the bottom. He pulled out socks.
	Finally he was set and started toward the door. Going back down there with Mara the Witch wasn't very appealing and he wasn't exactly in a hurry.
	He opened the door and something jumped out in front of him, tackling him to the ground, and covered his mouth. He had almost screamed when he noticed that that the thing had white and black dreds.
	"Hey!" Justin protested. "What the . . . Can't breathe . . . CHRIS!"
	Chris let him go.
	Justin sat up, breathing heavy. "God, Chris! I thought I was being kidnapped or something!"
	Chris laughed. "I wanted to say I was sorry."
	"Yeah, well, nice way to do it," Justin muttered. Chris stood and extended his hand to help Justin up. 
	"I shouldn't have given you the cold shoulder," Chris continued. 
	"Forget about it. If you like Mara, you like Mara. Difference of opinion." Justin shrugged. "It's your choice."
	"Nothing will come between us?"
	"Nope, nope, nope." Justin shook his head.
	"Okay." Chris grinned. "Then I'll race you." He began running.
	"Hey!" Justin tried to catch up. They reached the bottom at the same time.
	Chris caught his arm. "Catch your breath."
	"Yessir." Justin saluted. He was breathing heavy, likewise was Chris. He took a deep breath. "Okay."
	"Our hot chocolate's going to be cold," Chris complained.
	Justin shrugged and they walked into the room. He grimaced at the sight of the guys laughing at something that Mara had said. How could they possibly like her? he wondered to himself.  
	Perhaps he was being rash about this really not liking her from first impression…
	"Welcome back," Lance said smiling as Chris and Justin reclaimed their hot chocolate.
	Justin took a sip. Well, it wasn't hot any more, but it was at least warm. He personally didn't think that it was too great, but judging by the empty mugs of the other's, he was the odd one out. He looked at Mara. Immediately he felt the dislike rise in his chest, more childish than anything else at this point. Too bad I didn't poison yours, bitch . . .
	"Why are you looking at me?" Mara snapped.
	"What?" Justin focused. He scowled. "I wasn't. Why would I look at you?" He sat down on the floor. "And hurt my eyes?" he spoke the last words softly.
	"Like I don't need sunglasses to look at your hair?" she retorted dryly under her breath, just so he could hear.
	Just as a comeback was about to come out of his mouth, Chris kicked him in the back as he passed to sit down near him. Mara smiled triumphantly. Justin scowled again. 
	"So where are you guys originally from?" she asked, almost sounding civil.
	"Florida," Joey answered. "But we travel a lot with concerts and stuff. Where are you originally from?"
	"Hell," Justin said in a low voice.
	She turned on him. "What did you say?"
	"Nothing, but—"
	"So where were you from?" Chris interrupted, laughing nervously.
	"Well, I live here most the year. I enjoy the quiet—"
	"Because people don't enjoy me," Justin mimicked to himself.
	"—but I'm originally from Connecticut. That's where my family was."
	"But I killed them," Justin said in a whisper. He felt Chris's eyes on him and inwardly laughed. He wasn't speaking loudly, but he was sure Chris could hear. And perhaps it wasn't fair to Chris to continue with it, but it was fun… 
	"Shut up . . ." Chris whispered in a sing-song voice.
	"Make me . . ." Justin replied in the same tone.
	"What do you do?" Lance asked.	
	"Oh," she said. "I . . ."
	Witch . . . Justin thought. Say witch.
	"I'm a nutritionist," Mara finished with a smile.	
	Nutritionist....  using herbs, therefore using witchcraft, therefore a witch. Justin was satisfied.
	"Do you get a lot of customers up here?" Joey asked, skeptical. "We haven't seen too many people . . ."
	"That's because I've killed them," Justin muttered.
	"There's a lot more in town," Mara said. "They, uh, they're probably—"
	"Dead."
	"—all inside because of the weather. It may look like a very unpopulated town, but everyone's within twenty miles actually."
	"Twenty miles?" Justin echoed.
	"Yes," she snapped. Under her breath again, she added, "Can you count that high?"
	"Don't say a word," Chris warned. Justin sent him an angry look and balled his fists. 
	She sneered. "To answer your question," she turned back to the others, "I actually have a lot of customers. It's a good job."  She paused. "Well, thanks for the hot chocolate, but I really should get going . . ."
	Justin's sigh of relief was evident to everyone in the room. All eyes were on him and he flushed. He felt that feeling he got when he'd just crossed the line.
	"Actually, about you leaving . . ." Chris started, standing up. He kicked Justin on the way to the door. He opened the door, or attempted to. "We're sort of getting snowed in. And it's really dark out."
	Mara stood. "You're kidding," she groaned. She joined him at the door and gazed out. A drift of snow was blocking the door. "Great. I thought I was only in here for like twenty minutes. You mean I have to stay here?"
	Chris moved closer to her. "Afraid so."
	"No . . ." Justin moaned. JC, Joey, and Lance looked at him.
	"What's your problem?" Joey hissed. "Grow up." 
	"Can't we open a window and stuff her out?" Justin whined hopefully. 	
	"I don't appreciate that," Mara said, crossing her arms and gazing at him.
	"Yeah, that wasn't very nice," Lance agreed.
	Oh, they're all against me! Justin thought. She cast a spell.
	"Kill me now . . ." Justin murmured. He glanced at Mara. Her eyes were closed. A chill ran down his spine. She's gonna do it. She's going to kill me . . . he thought fearfully.
	"Do you guys have a back door?" Mara asked with a sigh. "No offense to you all, but I'd really rather be home."
	"I understand," Chris said. "There's one through the kitchen. Here, I'll take you."
	Eyes were back on Justin as the other two left. 
	"What's the matter with you?" Joey demanded. "What's the problem with her? She seems really nice."
	"I don't know. It's just a feeling." Justin shook his head. "Does she have to stay here?"
	"Where the hell else is she supposed to go when there's snow blocking the doors, Justin? You were really rude, you know that?"
	"Joey . . . It's not worth it." JC started. "Give me your mugs if you're done."
	"It wasn't like she didn't say anything to me!" Justin replied angrily. 
	"I didn't hear her say anything," Joey returned. "And if she did, I'm sure she was defending herself. What choice did she have?"
	"She could have picked herself up and walked out the door before she got snowed in, that's what!" Justin answered. "How could you guys possibly like having her around?"
	"Maybe if you were actually civil, you would like her too," Joey said.
	JC got up. "You done, J?" He outstretched his hand. Justin handed him his mug. "But you didn't have any, Justin."
	"It's cold."
	"Okay, fine." JC took it. 
	Justin thought for a moment he was mad. "Well, sorry, JC, but it is . . ."
	JC shook his head. "Yeah, I know. It's okay. I'll be right back . . ." 
	Justin was left alone with Lance and Joey. He sighed after a moment of silence and stared at them. "I'm sorry I was like that to her, Joe, okay? But do you have to look at me like that?"
	Joey cracked a smile. "Just try to be nice, Justin. She's spending the night."
	"What?" Justin turned and sure enough Chris and Mara were coming back. He groaned and just gave up hope. 
	"So where can I sleep?" Mara was asking.
	"Well, there's the couch . . ." Chris pointed to where Joey and Lance were sitting. "Or there's an extra bed in my room."
	"I'll take the couch," she sighed, grimacing. "Are there blankets or anything?"
	"Yeah, of course," Chris said. "Justin, want to go get some?"
	Justin gave him a look that clearly showed he had no desire at all to do so.
	"Good, thank you."
	Justin rolled his eyes and got up. He went upstairs to Chris's room and straight to the extra bed. He was irritated at Chris. The fact that he was so into this woman almost seemed out of spite. The seriousness from his usually playful friend likewise stirred up these feelings within Justin. Did he want to get her blankets? No, he didn't, and what the hell did Chris expect? He wished there was something he could do to the blankets. Practical joking was fun after all. Especially if it meant getting back at Mara for those nasty looks and arrogant attitude. 
	He paused for a moment. It was childish and stupid. He was going to get his ass kicked afterwards as well, most likely. But was the laugh worth it?
	He left and went into his own room and went swiftly to JC's bag. Toothpaste.
	Justin grinned.
	Hm . . . It seemed worth it. 
*****
*****
	It wasn't until after eleven when everybody decided to go to sleep. It was still earlier than they usually went to bed, but there hadn't been much going on besides conversation, and they'd all had a long day. It was still snowing outside and the wind was howling in the shutters ominously. A fire had been started and was still burning in the fireplace, casting a warm glow into the room. 
	Justin changed into sweatpants to sleep when he suddenly remembered Teddy. He groaned. Uh-oh . . .What a bad pet caregiver he was! And damn the guys for not asking about him either… He looked around the stairway landing briefly for a moment.
	He walked back into his room with a sense of doom, and JC looked up from unpacking. "Could you put your wet clothes somewhere else, J?" he asked.
	"Like where?" Justin asked. He was trying to think of the last place he'd seen the puppy. Chris had pushed her inside. At least she was inside . . . Hopefully she was inside…
	"Anywhere but the floor, I guess.."
	Justin acquiesced and picked up the clothes. Just as he went over to the closet, JC interrupted again.
	"Have you seen my toothpaste?"
	Justin paused and faced the closet. He pulled down a hanger. "Um, no," he lied. 
	"Are you sure? I could have sworn I'd packed it . . ."
	Justin hung up his jeans and the shirt. "It's probably right in front of you, JC."
	"Probably," JC agreed. "Oh well. I think I saw some in the bathroom anyway. Did you brush your teeth?"
	"I will, Dad."
	"I was just wondering if there was toothpaste," JC answered, rolling his eyes. 
	Justin just shook his head. "Sure…" A minute later, Justin was hit in the head with a pillow.
	"Hey . . ." He turned around.
	"Wasn't me." JC shrugged innocently. 
	Justin glanced at the doorway in time to see Chris, Joey, and Lance run forward armed with pillows.
	"Get them!" Chris shouted. Lance and Joey ran forward; Joey toward JC, Lance toward Justin.
	Justin picked up the pillow that had hit him in the head and hit Lance full force.
	"You guys are so immature," he accused. But at the same time, he enjoyed pummeling Lance immensely. He glanced over and saw that JC and Joey were working together against Chris.
	"Get Chris," Justin told Lance. Lance grinned and they joined in against Chris.
	"Senior citizen's going down!" Justin exclaimed.
	"No fair!" Chris fought weakly. "Four against one! My beautiful hair! Get Justin! Get Justin!"
	"No, Chris!" Justin exclaimed. "Kill Chris!"
	"Joey, get Justin!" Chris cried. "Remember what he did to you on the plane?"
	Joey growled and turned on Justin. The others quickly followed.
	"No!" Justin howled. "What'd I do to you, Lance? Ow!" He fell onto the floor and curled into a ball. "Agh!" he yelled. Chris dropped the pillow and started tickling him. Justin squirmed and kicked him. 
	"I got you now!" Chris said and kept tickling him. "The ultimate torture…"
	Justin laughed in agony and tried to kick his feet away. He could barely breathe. He couldn't even voice a protest. He kicked as hard as he could away and landed one of his feet on someone hard, because they groaned and let go. He could have sworn it sounded like Joey. Whoever had been holding his hands let go and he pulled away. Chris stopped.	
	Justin lay there panting. "That was so cruel," he complained. "I couldn't breathe."
	"You managed to break one of my ribs, though," Joey said, holding his side.
	"I was dying!" Justin gasped. His lungs hurt. "I'm still dying."
	"You're just so ticklish," Chris replied with a grin, poking him under the ribs. Justin pulled away and kicked him. 
	"Stop . . ." he implored. "Really, I mean it. I'm going to die…"
	"Let's get to bed," JC said. "It's late and all the noise we're making is probably keeping Mara awake."
	"God forbid," Justin muttered. Chris jumped him and started tickling him again. Justin grabbed JC's shirt.
	"Help me!" he begged. 
	"Okay, okay," JC said. "Enough Chris. Go to your own room."
	"I will…" Chris let Justin go and studied him. "I know for some strange reason you dislike her. But you've always been good at making people think you like them, even if you don't. This shouldn't be any different. Do it for me, at the least... You have to be nice to her, Justin."
	"Make me," Justin replied. 
	Chris just rolled his eyes. 
	"We'll see," Justin answered. Then he remembered. "Oh… and has anyone seen Teddy?"
	No one had. 
	"Uh-oh . . ." Justin whispered. "Well, I know she's inside…"
	"Probably sleeping," Lance replied. 
	"We'll look tomorrow," JC said. "And she better not have wrecked anything."
	They all got up and said good night. Justin jumped onto his bed. Then he realized he never brushed his teeth and got out of bed to find his toothbrush. He left for the bathroom. 	
	JC closed his eyes and was almost immediately asleep. He listened to the wind howling and yawned.
	Justin returned a few minutes later. "That girl snores!" he exclaimed, going back over to his bed.
	"Huh?" JC asked, mid-yawn.
	"Mara the Witch! She snores! I could hear her up the stairs."
	"Oh." JC paused and rolled over. "What'd you call her?" 
	Justin jumped onto JC's bed just to be annoying. "Witch."
	JC patted him on the head and simply said, "How nice a nickname…"
	"Yeah, well. That's me. Nice."
	"Go to bed, Justin." 
	The beds weren't far apart. Just a few feet. Justin stood on JC's mattress and took a flying leap from there unto his own. The mattress springs squeaked in objection. JC groaned.
	They were silent for a moment, but then Justin started speaking slowly. He was thinking about the little joke he set for Mara. It was something that a guy would maybe find funny, after being mad at first of course. He was concerned she would not move to the second stage of finding it funny after the first stage of complete horror. That might hinder the guys' reaction. He hoped someone would side with him on not completely trusting this woman
	"JC . . . ?"
	"Yeah?" JC sighed tiredly.
	"Would you be mad if I happened to . . . well, uh . . ." He hesitated and decided to give up. "Never mind . . ."
	"No, wait," JC objected, sitting up. However tired he was, a sense of alertness took over. "You don't say that and then go never mind. You have to tell me now." JC looked at Justin hopefully. Curiosity would kill him.
	"Night, JC."
	"I don't think so. Come on. What'd you do?"
	"I didn't say I did anything."
	"Does it have to do with the dog?"
	"What? No. I don't even know where she is."
	"Exactly."
	"No, nothing to do with her." Justin yawned loudly. "JC, I'm really tired . . ."
	"Justin," JC reproved.
	"Nope. Sorry. Good night."
	"What if I said that I wouldn't be mad?"
	Justin considered that, but he shook his head a moment later. "I wouldn't believe you."
	"Did you kill somebody?"
	"No." Justin laughed.
	"Then I won't be mad."
	"Okay." 
	"Are you going to tell me?"
	"Not now. You'll find out."
	JC groaned and sat at the edge of his bed. "I want to know."
	"Go to sleep, JC."
	JC got up and walked over slowly. "Oh, Justin . . ." he taunted.
	"Go away." Justin pulled a pillow over his head. "I shouldn't have said anything."
	"But you did," JC reminded.
	"Come on, JC. You'll find out tomorrow anyway."
	JC sighed. "So you did do something."
	"I didn't say it."
	"Well, now if I need a suspect, I know who to point to," JC replied, poking him in the stomach. "I can blame you immediately."
	"Stop!" Justin hit him with the pillow. "I didn't do anything. I was bringing up a hypothetical question and I changed my mind."
	"Are you lying?"
	"Yep."
	JC tackled him. "Tell me!"
	"No!" Justin resisted. "Get off me!"
	JC pulled off but stood above him. "How can I possibly go to sleep now when I'm wondering about this?"
	"I don't know, just do it? You always sleep through everything, how is this different?"
	JC started back toward his bed. "You are so annoying sometimes, you know that?"
	"Yep."
	"Ugh!" JC groaned. He flopped back down on his bed. 
	"JC?" Justin started after a moment of silence.
	"Yeah?" JC sounded hopeful.
	"Never mind . . ." Justin started laughing. A pillow hit him in the head. 
*****
*****
	Justin slept fairly well that night considering the only thoughts on his mind were of the missing puppy, lost somewhere in the house, and how many ways JC would kill him when he found out what he'd really been talking about. JC would kill him because he'd know how closed he had been to knowing the truth. Then of course Chris would kill him for being so immature to his new crush. 
	Regardless of these pre-sleep thoughts, Justin slept soundly. He woke up to someone shaking him. His heart fluttered in fear briefly.
	He opened his eyes.
	"Chris . . ." he moaned in a tired voice.
	"Hey, honeybunch! Rise and shine!" The man grinned. He was already dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.
	"Go away." Justin rolled over. Obviously the guy did not yet know what he'd done to his prospect girlfriend. Justin fatigue settled over him again like a heavy blanket.
	"Want to go sleigh riding?" Chris asked, sounding like a little kid.
	"No . . ." Justin complained.	
	"Guys, be quiet!" JC whined from the other bed in an exhausted voice.
	"Come on," Chris whispered, taking him under his arms and slowly pulling him out of bed. 
	"Stop!" Justin shouted. He could feel his tiredness slipping away. He did not want to wake up, he wanted to lay in this bed sleeping comfortably forever. "Let go!"
	"Shut up!" JC groaned loudly. 
	Justin hit the floor hard with one more solid pull from Chris. Justin sighed and curled up; he tried to go back to sleep, ignoring his aching back. Chris attempted futilely to lift him up. He got him on his feet at least.
	"Cereal?" Chris prompted. 
	Justin murmured something about how he didn't understand why Chris wanted to go outside so badly, and Chris led him out the door. JC was groaning about obnoxious people disrespecting the morning, and he shut the door behind him. 
	"How can you be so damn perky in the morning?" Justin demanded as they went downstairs.
	"Shh . . . You'll wake up Mara," Chris hissed. "And I don't know!"
	Justin obeyed and shut his mouth. He did not want to wake up that beast yet. That would open a whole other can of worms. They tiptoed quietly to the kitchen, and Justin collapsed at the kitchen table, almost missing the chair as he sat down. His head ached as though his brain was refusing to function just yet.
	Chris placed a bowl and a glass in front of him. Justin yawned.
	"I feel special," he muttered. "What time is it?"
	"Seven o'clock," Chris chirped.
	Justin's mouth dropped open in shock. "For God's sake, Chris! We're on vacation!"
	"Well, don't cry about it. I wanted to have fun before the others woke up. Fresh snow, never been touched. Come on, I'm making you breakfast."
	Justin muttered something about how getting cereal shouldn't be considered 'making breakfast' as Chris placed a cereal box in front of him. Justin looked up at him expectantly. "Well aren't you going to pour it?" Justin asked snottily.
	Chris smacked him in the back of the head but then poured it anyway.
	"Spoon," Justin requested. 
	Chris went to the drawer, retrieved one, and put it in Justin's hand.
	"Sugar," Justin continued. However asleep he still was, he still remembered his additives to this horribly generic and plain cereal.
	Chris got him the sugar and put it in front of him. He crossed his arms.
	"I could get used to this . . ." Justin smiled.
	"Well don't," Chris snapped. "I'm only being nice so that you'll go sledding with me."
	"I would have anyway," Justin replied.
	"Well, you're bastard," Chris shrugged.
	"And you're not being nice. You hit me." Justin rubbed the back of his head. 
	"Want another?" 
	Justin punched him in the stomach lightly. "Make me hot chocolate." 
	"Say please."
	"Peas," Justin replied. "And carrots."
	Chris rolled his eyes. "Good enough." He went over to the kettle. 
	Justin started pouring sugar into the cereal. "Do we even have a sled?"
	"Not exactly." Chris put water on the stove to boil and turned around. Justin was still pouring. Chris walked over and took the box away with a laugh. "Okay, enough."
	Justin gave him a look. "Oh come on, Chris. More is better."
	Chris poured some in his hair. "Good?"
	"Hey!" Justin shook his head. He ran a hand through the curls. 
	Chris just laughed and went to get mugs. 
	"What did you mean not exactly?" Justin persisted.
	"I meant not exactly. We'll have a makeshift sled."
	"Oh."
	"Have you taken a look outside this morning, Curly?" Chris asked as he placed two mugs on the table. "We've got like a foot out there."
	"Is it good snow?"
	"Good snow?"
	"You know, Chris, the kind that's easy to make snowballs from and doesn't just fall apart."
	"I don't know." Chris rolled his eyes.
	"Well, I want to have a snowball fight." Justin grinned. "With the guys.
	"It's amazing, Justin. You're talking civilly and you haven't even had your breakfast." Chris smiled.
	"Sugar will do that to you." Half of every spoonful of cereal Justin took was sugar. Hm . . . he thought. It's not as bad as I thought it would be.
	JC walked in groggily a few minutes later. Chris had finished making the hot chocolate by then. "What the hell were you two doing this morning?" he complained, sitting down at the table. "And what the hell are you eating?" He pulled away Justin's bowl to peer in it. All he could see was a white powder.
	"The cereal you bought," Justin returned. "And I wasn't doing anything. Chris dragged me out of bed."
	"I made you breakfast!" Chris protested. "That totally makes up for it."
	"You made him this?" JC asked with a raised eyebrow, gesturing to the bowl.
	"I only poured from the cereal," Chris replied. "Justin took care of the additives."
	"This whole thing is sugar, Justin, isn't it? How can you eat that?" JC continued authoritatively in his sleepy voice. "Won't that make you crazy?"
	"Aw, go back to bed, JC," Justin answered. 
	"J, you might as well just eat the box of sugar, and not bother putting cereal in it."
	"Okay, if you insist," Justin said readily.
	"Sarcasm, Justin."
	"That would make me sick," Chris said, eyeing Justin's bowl. "Eating that straight."
	"I know," JC agreed.
	"Well, fine, but at least let me eat something, Jace," Justin said irritably. 
	JC got up and poured the cereal in the garbage. He handed the bowl back to Justin. 
	"That was very nice, thank you. Very nice," Justin muttered. 
	"Cereal. No sugar. We can't have you sick here."
	"No, JC. We bought the sugar for a reason." Justin replied. 
	"Justin, you just ate enough sugar in that one spoonful to last a week," JC insisted. "To last all of us a week."
	"What are you on?" Justin retorted. "You sugar hating bastard."
	"Don't talk to me like that, J. Just eat cereal like it comes." JC sat back down and supported his head in his hands. "God, I'm tired. I feel like I never went to bed."
	"I don't like the cereal. Remember?"
	"Then why'd you buy it?"
	"Because you made me! You wanted to get out of that aisle so we compromised."
	Chris cleared his throat. "Children, it's only cereal."
	"Is Chris acting his age?" Justin snapped. His voice held a tone of fake awe
	"Justin, just eat the damn cereal plain. JC, never ever wake up this early again when you don't have to. You're both a pain in the ass under these circumstances."
	"May I put milk in my cereal, Chris?" Justin mocked.
	"Look, you ass, I didn't have a problem with the sugar. JC did. Do whatever you want. But hurry up. I wanna go sledding."
	"Let's go now then. I'll eat later or something." Justin stood and added, "That is, whenever Joshua's not measuring my intake at least."
	"I'll be watching you like a hawk," JC replied sarcastically.
	"Want to come?" Chris asked.
	"How are you guys getting outside?" JC asked. "That's the first thing. The doors are stuck, remember? The wind caused all those drifts."
	"A window!" Justin cried. He was dumping his hot chocolate in the sink. 
	Chris looked at him in disdain. "You've wasted so much food this morning . . ."
	"Only hot chocolate. I wasn't the one to dump out the cereal, remember?"
	"Still . . . Never mind. What window should we go out?"
	"That one!" Justin pointed to the one above the kitchen counter.
	JC cleared his throat. "Sweetie, get out of your pajamas."
	"Oh, yeah . . ." Justin looked down. "My bad. I'll be back." He ran out the door.
	JC exchanged a look with Chris. 
	Chris grinned and tapped his watch. "I betcha he makes record time."
	"So, sledding? Do we actually have a sled?" JC asked as he got up. He took the box of sugar. "We should have never bought this. What were we thinking? Justin and sugar is just wrong." He stuffed it in the cabinet under the sink. 
	"Justin asked me the same question," Chris replied. "About the sled I mean. And no, we don't."
	"So how does this work? Do you physically throw each other down a hill or what?"
	"Well, that always works. And is always fun." He glanced at the window. "Are we really going to go out that window?" he sighed.
	"Hey, you encouraged him, remember. Not me. You're the one that woke him up. For this huge disappointment." 
	"Oh, so I'm the bad guy, JC?" Chris laughed. 
	"Hey, feel like making me some hot chocolate, Chris?" JC asked. "Please?"
	"Ugh . . . Fine." He put the kettle back on the stove. "I feel like a servant!"
	"I should have taken J's before he threw it out."
	"Yeah, well…" Chris shrugged.
	"Did he find that damned dog yet, this morning?"
	"I don't think so."
	"Great, another thing to worry about."
*****
*****
	"It's so cold!" Justin complained fifteen minutes later as he and Chris trudged through the snow around the house. He was wearing jeans, which were now thoroughly soaked, and a sweatshirt over two other shirts. Yet, he was freezing. At least they'd been able to go through the backdoor and not have to use the window. Luckily, the snow had drifted again overnight to make it more accessible. 
	"Yes, Justin. Snow is cold. Good boy." Chris laughed.
	"Shut up . . ." Justin's teeth chattered. "How can you not be cold?"
	"I've got my thermals on." Chris gave a grin.
	Justin made a face. "Don't want to know. Can we get the guys out to have a snowball fight, do you think?" A mischievous grin spread across his lips. "Us five against Mara."
	"You're terrible!" Chris pushed him down in the snow. 
	Justin smirked. "It's just . . ." he sang. "A little crush . . . Not like everything I do—"
	"Shut up!" Chris pushed him again. 
	"Admit it!"
	"I thought I already had!"
	"Scream it to the world!"
	"Justin, you're an idiot."
	"I'm a cold idiot."
	"Well, be a cold, quiet idiot."
	"No can do. And why should I have to be quiet, Chris? There's no one around for me to embarrass you in front of anyway."
	"Because you're annoying me."
	"And there's something wrong with that?"
	"When we have that snowball fight, we're going to be on separate teams and I'm gonna kick your ass," Chris growled playfully. 
	"You can have Mara and Lance," Justin said. "I get JC and Joey."
	"Who says you're a captain, Curly?"
	"I do." Justin lifted his thumb to point to his chest, grinning.
	"No, I say that you and Mara are on the same team so you learn to respect her."
	"No," Justin wailed. "Teams are already picked. Don't you want Mara on your team? And you already said that you wanted to be on a separate team from me."
	"You think you're so smart." Chris started rolling a small ball of snow on the ground. "Help me make the biggest snowman in history, Justin."
	Justin was skeptical. "And exactly how big is the biggest snowman in history, Chris?" 
	"Not as big as ours," was Chris's reply.
	"Uh, right . . ."
	"We can try, can't we?"
	Justin sighed. "I guess." 
	"Come on, Justy . . . Let's make it huge." The ball that he was rolling was now about the size of a basketball.
	Chris smashed the snowball in his face.
	"Ugh!" Justin whined, shaking his head and brushing off his clothes. "Now I'm even more wet, Christopher! And more freezing! It's down my shirt!"
	"God forbid . . ." Chris was cracking up.
	Justin picked up a ball of snow. "Run," he warned. "And I'll give you a head start . . ."
	Chris just rolled his eyes. "Justin, you should just—" The snow hit him square in the face.
	"All right, that's it!" he exclaimed. A fight ensued.
*****
*****
	When Joey woke up, it was to screaming downstairs. A woman's screaming. He jumped out of bed, groaning. What the hell was going on? It took him a moment to realize what bed he was waking up in, and once he remembered where he was, and who the only female around was, he sighed and ran a hand through his messed up hair. He got up and went to Lance's bed. He sighed again and shook his shoulder.
	"Wake up, Lance . . ." he beckoned gruffly.
	"What?" Lance moaned. "I'm up, I'm up. Who's screaming?"
	"I don't know. Sounds like Mara."
	Lance got out of bed. "Why is she screaming?"
	"That I definitely don't know. I never would have thought I'd hear her scream. She's sort of the Ice Princess, if you know what I mean."
	"Definitely," Lance agreed as they started for the door. "I'm all for Justin's hating her actually. She really doesn't seem that nice..."
	"Don't be," Joey replied. "He shouldn't treat a woman that way."
	"Oh, give me a break, Joey Fatone."
	Joey smirked. "It's not worth siding with Justin, you know that."
	"Yeah," Lance considered. "Better to piss him off, but still. Chris seems as though he likes this girl, and she really just doesn't respond to him at all, even politely."
	"Yeah, I agree she's not the nicest person I've met, but she's certainly not the most awful one either. Not like Justin's making her out to be at least."
	"No, but it's funny to see him overreact about her."
	"True," Joey agreed.  
	They walked down the stairs and found a humorous site before them in the room which Mara had slept. She was standing by JC, mumbling and cursing loudly. Her hair was tangled and somehow a blanket seemed to be attached to the knots.
	"Get it out of my hair!" she screamed. 
	"I'm trying . . ." JC was soothing. He looked up. "Good morning, Lance and Joe. You chose a great time to come down…"
	"It is definitely not a good morning!" Mara fumed. "GOD, I'm all sticky!"
	"Hey, Joe," JC started, "see if there's scissors inside, would you?"
	"Sure." Joey left. Gladly.
	Lance gaped at the scene.
	"Scissors?" Mara exclaimed, tone demanding. "What the hell do you need scissors for? You are not cutting my hair!"
	"Fine," JC agreed with a shrug. "Then you can go around with this blanket stuck on your head."
	"Agh!" she shrieked. "Take as little off as you need to. He is going to die. Die. Die. Die."
	"Who?" Lance asked innocently as he sat down in a chair as a spectator.
	"Who do you think?" she demanded. "Your little devil child from hell! What's that damn kid's name?"
	"How do you know that he did this?"
	"Who else would?" she cried. "I doubt this happened by accident! It's him! And he's going to die!"
	Joey came back with scissors and handed them to JC. "Who's going to die?"
	"That brat! Whatever the hell his name is!" she replied. "How many times do I have to say it?"
	"Justin?" Joey provided.
	"Yes! Him." She growled, "Ugh . . . That infantile, sadistic, insolent, arrogant—"
	"Okay, okay," JC interrupted. "That's enough. Now hold still or you'll be bald. Really, I just need to take off like a little, tiny bit; won't even be noticeable. Not a big deal."
	Immediately she fell still and silent. She closed her eyes as JC lifted the scissors. She moaned as if in agony when the scissors snipped. The blanket fell to the ground and she lifted her hand to feel her hair.
	"I knew I shouldn't have stayed with you guys," she continued angrily. "The moment he hit me with snow and that weirdo was staring at me, I knew I shouldn't have gone near them. This is ridiculous! Why did I take him up on his invitation? This is what happens!"
	"It's a harmless prank," JC consoled.
	"A harmless prank?" she echoed. "Harmless? So he's going to get away with this? I should have known. You' probably encourage—"
	"He's not going to get away with it," JC promised. "But I think that you're overreacting just a tad bit. Justin's really quite harmless."
	"Overreacting? You think I'm overreacting? You had to cut my hair!"
	"Barely," Joey spoke. "I can't even tell."
	"I'm all sticky. My hair is a mess. I—"
	"You can shower upstairs," Lance cut in. "I'll take you up. I'm sure there's a shirt or something you can borrow if you'd like."
	"Good idea," JC encouraged.
	"Fine," she agreed rudely. "Then I'm leaving. I don't care if I have to climb out a window. I'm leaving this hole no matter what."
	"The back door is open now," JC added softly. "You can go out there."
	"Good. Then I can leave ASAP," she snapped. "Thank God. Take me upstairs, you." She turned to Lance.
	"Um, my name's Lance," he said.
	"Whatever. Come on, let's go."
	Joey and JC watched her and Lance leave and then exchanged a look. Joey sat down on the couch and JC just stood, holding the blanket. He dropped it on the table and placed the scissors beside.
	"Oh, Justin…" he mumbled.
	"I can't believe this," Joey said. "She's sure something."
	"Now I know where my toothpaste was," JC muttered, shaking his head.
	"Huh?" Joey frowned.
	"Well, yesterday," JC sat down, "I couldn't find my toothpaste and when I asked Justin, he said he didn't know where it was either."
	"So he's a liar too?" Joey returned, growing slightly irritated.  
	"Don't say that," JC snapped. "He is not."
	"Then what would you call it?"
	"Defense?"
	"So you are going to let this whole thing slide, aren't you?" Joey shook his head. "You know what? Let me talk to him. Normally, a prank isn't a big deal. Harmless. Didn't hurt anyone. Fine. But to do it to someone who already didn't think highly of us, who we barely know? I'll let him know just what I think about that."
	"I don't think so," JC objected. 
	"But you're just going to tell him how it's okay, tell him to act sorry and like you were mad at him, and have everyone forget about it. And he really learns so much from that… Let me do it."
	"No, Joey. And I'm not going to say that."
	Joey sighed. "Fine. I'm sorry. Is this pissing me off more than it should?"
	"I don't know. I’m annoyed too. But he's harmless, Joe. I'm sure he didn't mean it to create a big thing."
	"He's not harmless." Joey rolled his eyes with a smirk. "He's far from it. But sorry, I'll refrain from going overboard about it. Just a shock is all."
	"Hey, you just woke up," JC kidded. 
	Joey laughed. "Right." He groaned, stretching his arms out. "And not to mention to that beastly screaming."
	JC cracked up. "It was actually so funny. I was just in the kitchen, and she starts yelling and screaming. I thought she was being murdered or something. And I walked in and she's jumping all around complaining about being sticky and has this blanket hanging off her head. Not what I was expecting."
	"It was a mean joke," Joey said.
	"Yeah," JC admitted. "I guess so. But don't tell me that you weren't expecting something like this. With Chris so into her, and Justin completely against her…"
	Joey shrugged. "I guess," he allowed. "But I can't say I really thought he was going to do something to her. That's slightly immature of him."
	Lance walked back into the room with a sigh of relief. "Sheesh, she's annoying!" he exclaimed. "Thumbs up to Justin."
	"The only reason she's being annoying is because of what Justin did to her," Joey replied. "It's not as though she's intentionally being that way. It's human nature to react irritably. No excuse to applaud Justin."
	"She's not around to hear," JC reminded. "You can tell the truth."
	Joey released a breath of exasperation. "I am! Why do you guys have a problem?"
	"We don't," Lance replied. "It's just . . . I'm not even going to get into it."
	"Did you get her something to wear?" JC changed the subject.
	"Oh, yeah." Lance smiled. "I gave her some stuff of Chris's to wear. I knew he'd enjoy seeing her in his clothes."
	"Probably," JC agreed with a smile.
	"Actually, she asked where Justin's room was. I didn't tell her though," Lance continued. "I didn't know if she meant to reciprocate in any kind of way."
	JC made a face. "Uh-oh. I think we'd better watch our stuff."
	"Speaking of which . . ." Joey started. "Has anyone seen Justin's puppy?"
	There was silence.
	"Good question," JC said. "I was wondering about that earlier this morning. No idea."
	"I just remembered that." Joey sighed.
	"She's probably sleeping somewhere in the house," Lance suggested.	
	"Yeah, but what if she had to go to the bathroom?" Joey retorted.
	"Well, that would obviously suck," JC responded.
	"Well, I'll tell you one thing," Joey persisted. "I for one will not be cleaning up after that dog."
	"He will," JC assured him. "He said he would. But we have to actually find the dog don't we?"
	"We shouldn't have to. It's not our dog."
	"Oh, come on, Joey."
	"Whatever."
	At that moment, Chris and Justin appeared in the kitchen doorway, both looking cold and wet from the outside. Justin was shutting the door behind them, a rush of cold air slipping inside before he could prevent it.
	"We made the biggest snowman ever," Chris exclaimed with a grin.	
	"Want to see?" Justin added.
	"You two are dripping all over the floor," Lance pointed out.
	"Justin, come upstairs with me?" JC said gently. "I think we need to talk about something."
	Justin stared at him suspiciously. "Why?"
	"Because I told you to." 
	"Okay . . ." Justin said slowly. 
	Chris exchanged a look with Lance, questioning him with his eyes. Lance just shrugged. 
	Justin followed JC out of the room and started upstairs behind him. "Why do we need to talk?" he asked again.
	"Because I want to talk to you." They reached their room, and JC gestured him inside. Justin gave him one last look before acquiescingly moving inside and watching JC shut the door behind them. "Sit."
	"I'm all wet," Justin objected.
	"Sit," JC repeated.
	Justin obliged and sat on the edge of his bed. He felt the tension in the air and realized this was not a good conversation. He took off his wet coat and let it slide to the floor. Looking up at JC, who was just standing there cross-armed, he started to speak. "You found out, didn't you . . . I bet you found out. Well, obviously."
	JC picked up the fallen jacket and laid it quietly on the other bed. The criticisms from Joey on how to handle the situation still lingered in his head. He honestly didn't know what to do, or what would happen when Mara was face to face with Justin again. It was irritating him to even have such issues during their vacation and so early in the morning.
	"Justin," he started. "I don't know what to say to you. Was this a joke to you, Justin? Did you find it funny? Did you really think it would go over well? Let me tell you, it wasn't funny to me. Having to cut a girl's hair this early in the morning while hearing her bitch about you?"
	Justin paused. "You had to cut her hair?" 
	JC leaned in close to him. "It's not funny."
	"JC, it's a little bit funny to you , right?"
	JC grabbed his chin. "I hope that's not a smile, because this is anything but funny, Justin. Do you understand me? You stooped so low. Practical joking? How old are you exactly? It botrs me more that it was a complete stranger." He paused and let him go. "Now, I know that she wasn't exactly perfect in her treatment of you, Justin, but if you think about it, you started it. And you encouraged it."
	"I encouraged it?" Justin incredulously echoed. "How can—"
	"Did I ask your opinion?" JC snapped. "No. So I don't want to hear a word out of your mouth yet. It's just… Justin, we've got a really pissed off woman in this house right now, you know? Pretty scary, let me tell you." He took a step back and re-crossed his arms. "And you lied to me, too. You said you never lie to me."
	"I told you last night that I'd done something, JC," Justin objected sorrowfully. "I just didn't tell you what, but you knew something."
	"And my toothpaste?"
	"I'm sorry!" Justin exclaimed. "I don't know what to tell you, JC! I didn't start it either! She was a bitch from the beginning."
	"Don't call her that; at least try to be nice!" JC snapped shortly. "At least try. Chris is going to be so pissed at you."
	"I didn't lie to you, though. You have to admit that much. Say I didn't lie to you."
	"You mislead me." JC softened slightly at Justin's tone.
	"But I told you that something was going on. And if you want to get technical, then you lied to me too. You said that you wouldn't get mad. You said that as long as I didn't kill somebody you wouldn't be mad. And here you are. You find out what it is, and after all that talk, you're actually mad. Over something so trivial."
	"I'm not mad," JC sighed.	
	"Then quit yelling at me!"
	JC gave a small smile.
	"Didn't she deserve it?" Justin asked plaintively. "Admit it. You don't like her, do you? She's just one of those people that irks you. Didn't she deserve it?"
	"No." JC shook his head.
	"Yeah, she did. Deep down inside, you're happy that I did it."
	"No. Never. You hear me? Never."
	"But she did deserve it."
	"I don't want to hear you say that, Justin. At least not while she's around. You're going to apologize."
	"Never! No! She deserved it and I am not going to talk to her about it. I'll just stay low until she leaves. She is leaving, right? I can't talk to her."
	"Why?" JC demanded. "What are you afraid of?"
	"You know how Johnny said there was something spiritual about these woods and this place?"
	"Yeah…" JC replied slowly. "What are you getting at?"
	"She's a witch. She has this weird look behind her eyes, like she can control things or make something happen if she wants. She's the eerie presence that possesses these woods. I don't know! Anything could happen."
	JC started laughing and knocked him across the head gently. "You're living in a fairytale, boy. You've been listening to too many stories. That's not what Johnny meant about it being spiritual here and you know it."
	"She is, JC. Oh my God. It's so obvious. She's a nutritionist, she said. That's a good cover. She could do spells. She uses herbs."
	"Herbs? How do you know?"	
	"I know."
	"What an imagination . . ." JC smirked. "Justin, you are eighteen years old. Don't you think you should give it up?"
	"She lives alone in that house probably with a black cat or a million cats and—"
	"Okay, buddy. That's enough." JC held up a hand. "You're starting to scare me."
	Justin paused. "Fine. I'll just pretend like my feelings about her are wrong then. But I sense it. So, uh, you're not mad at me?"
	JC shrugged. "Not really. You didn't mean it."
	"Yeah, I did."
	JC raised an eyebrow. "You want me to change my mind?"
	"Okay, I didn't mean it," Justin said quickly. "Are the other guys mad at me?" He made a face. "It's funny; they have to think it's funny."
	"Lance thinks she deserved it," JC admitted slowly. "Joey was sort of mad, but I don't think he cares much. Chris is probably being told by Joey and Lance right now."
	"Great. He'll go crazy."
	"He already is crazy."
	"He'll kill me."
	"If he kills you over a girl he met one night before, that's pretty sad," JC replied. "Especially over a girl that really doesn't like him. I mean, he's gonna be mad, that's a given, but it won't last."
	"You'll have to be my bodyguard, okay?"
	"Justin, I'd be more worried about Mara than Chris at this point, alright? She seemed to be ready to hunt you down. She's really not a fan."
	"Will you be my bodyguard?"
	"You're silly."
	Justin smiled. "If you'll be my bodyguard," he sang, "I will be your long lost pal. Du du du du. Du du du du! I could call you Betty—"
"I'm Betty? Betty?"
"And, Betty, when you call me you can call me Al. Du du du—"
	"Well, Al, I suggest you get yourself changed out of those wet clothes and warm up before you get sick. I'm going downstairs to see if I have to calm Chris. Maybe if I get him to show me your snowman he'll relax."
	"I wanted to show you," Justin complained. "We were both going to show you."
	"Oh, give me a break, J. You're not five." He watched his expression and sighed. "You can show me later, okay?"
	"It's not that cool, but it's pretty big. I will talk to you later." 
	JC let out an exasperated sigh and shut the door behind him as he left. He could still hear the shower running and figured that their youngest member was safe for the time being. He tiredly started downstairs in time to hear Chris.
	"He did what?" their eldest member exclaimed, voice rising. 
	JC entered the room and found the three on the couch; Chris appeared horrified while Joey and Lance looked slightly nervous. Chris would focus his anger on the messengers while the culprit was unavailable.
	"So I'm just in time," JC announced, collapsing in a chair. "What's up, Chris? I heard you and J built the biggest snowman ever."
	"Don't change the subject, JC. It's really not funny." 
	"Calm down, Chris. It's not like she's bald or something," JC pacified.
	"Bald? Dear God! You had to cut her hair?"
	JC hesitated. "Well, just a little tiny bit. Shouldn't have even mentioned it, really. The whole thing is kind of just a little prank. Not a big deal, you know?"
	"He's dead! I'm serious. Dead. Killed. Murdered. Slain. Chopped up into little—"
	"Chris, that's enough," Joey objected, grimacing.
	Chris seethed. "So this is okay? It's okay for him to do this to an innocent woman? He can get away with it? You know, I told him that I was interested. I asked him to just be decent. Is that too much to ask?"
	"It really was innocent," Lance objected. "If you think about it, he's done much, much worse to us. You've done much, much worse to him actually."
	"He's getting away with it?" Chris demanded. "Like, no big deal, feel free to harass anyone?"
	"I talked to him," JC assured.
	"You? What'd you say? It's okay?" Chris retorted.
	JC and Joey exchanged a look.
	"No," JC replied. "I said it was wrong." He watched Chris shaking his head. "What do you want me to say? I'm not going to be extremely mad for something that's really not major."
	"Well, I am. I'm going to kill him," Chris was growling.
*****
*****	
	Justin quickly changed into jeans and a blue shirt. He heard the shower still running and figured that it was still Mara. He knew that despite JC's assurance, Chris was going to be pretty peeved for a while and that the smartest thing would be to lay low for a bit. He didn't regret what he'd done. He would admit it was immature, but it was funny, and that was worth it. He wasn't the only one that disliked the woman, and really didn't see what the huge deal was.
	He decided to look for the puppy rather than go downstairs just yet. Having not seen Teddy since the night before, he was starting to get pretty worried . . .
	He looked around his own room for a few minutes first. He doubted that the dog was in there or else he would have noticed before, but he figured it was better to be safe than sorry. 
	Not finding him yet, he moved to Chris's room. He looked under, behind, and around everything to no avail. Lance and Joey's room was next. Surprisingly enough, Joey was in there. He was looking through his bag for something. He glanced up at Justin's entrance.
	"Hey, buddy," he greeted. "What are you up to?" 
	Justin crossed his arms. "Looking for my dog."
	"Your dog?" Joey laughed as he stood. "It's your dog now? Found the collar yet?"
	"No."
	"I’m sure you know where it is."
	"No. Believe it or not, I didn't take it!"
	"Sure." Joey rolled his eyes. "You're going to go to hell if you keep lying so much, you know."
	"Whatever."
	"Want to go back downstairs? Maybe the dog's down there."
	"I wouldn't go downstairs right now if someone paid me," Justin retorted. "Forget that."
	"Chris?"
	"Duh."
	Joey shook his head sadly. "Oh, Justin, Justin . . . You are just on so many people's hit lists today… Tsk, tsk… And you're supposed to be the innocent one?"
	"I suck at life, obviously."
	Joey crossed his arms. "Well, you want some help in finding the dear puppy?"
	Justin smiled. "Sure. That's a good idea. We'll split up. You can look downstairs. I'll look upstairs."
	"Nope. I don't think so." Joey smiled. "You're looking with me."
	"Downstairs?" Justin whined.
	"J, he's not going to be mad forever. And avoiding him isn't the answer. He's your best friend."
	"Is he?"
	"Don't give me that. You know it. And this is nothing to be mad over. God knows the bitch deserved it." As he saw Justin start smiling, he shook his head and sighed in realization. "But just because I said that doesn't mean that what you did was right or that anyone deserves to be pranked, or you can call her—God, what have I done?"
	"You said it yourself, Joe. You know it's true." Justin was grinning. "The bitch deserved it."
	"Get that smile off your face. No, I didn't mean it. I was just . . . ugh, I was reassuring you that Chris would be—" He cut himself off in frustration. "Why even try? Forget it, okay?"
	"You said it!" 
	Joey let out an exasperated breath. "Do you want help or not?"
	"Okay, okay. I'll forget you said it. I was completely wrong. I was a dick to do such a thing to her."
	"Thank you."
	They both stopped speaking as they heard the shower stop. Justin's eyes met Joey's hesitantly. 'Uh-oh,' he mouthed.
	"Oh, give her at least a half hour to change," Joey assured. "That's how long women take. Now is your chance to make amends with Chris before she pollutes his mind. . ."
	"I don't know . . ."
	"Better to have just her against you rather than her and Chris," Joey reminded.
	"Right . . . But even better if I'm not there at all to see either," he considered slowly.
	"We're going." Joey stepped forward and took his arm. He pulled the reluctant younger man out of the room and toward the stairs. "Justin, just walk? I can't just push you down the stairs."
	"I'm sure you would though."
	"Gee, I think I hear the bathroom door opening . . ." he warned. "Should I knock and tell her to hurry up because you're here?" He started for the door teasingly.
	Justin grabbed his arm. "Very funny. I’m not scared of her. I just don't think this is all that big a deal. Let's go."
	Joey smiled in satisfaction as they walked down the stairs. They reached where JC, Lance, and Chris were on the couch watching television and talking. The local news and weather was on, and over the broadcaster's discussion of the storm they could hear an apparently calm conversation amongst the guys.
	"See?" Joey whispered. "He doesn't look mad."
	Justin just rolled his eyes as they approached. The three didn't even notice they were there until they were basically standing in front of them. Joey took the empty chair immediately and sat. Not wanting to be in the spotlight as the only one standing, Justin sat on the floor near Joey.
	Joey nudged him with his foot. "Hey, um, I think Justin had something to say . . ." he started. 
	Justin looked up at the three feeling as if he was in a court of some sort. It was ridiculous, but acquiescingly, he gave a quick wave. "Yeah. Hi!" They stared at him, and his stomach twisted. He sighed. "Sorry, Chris. I didn't mean it."
	"Yes, you did," Chris replied dryly. He wasn't smiling.
	"Well, yeah . . ." Justin admitted. "But that doesn't mean it was right."
	"Damn straight."
	"Will you give me a break, here?"
	"A break? Justin, I—"
	"Chris, come on," Lance interrupted.
	Chris stared at him and Lance quieted. "It's a big deal," he said and then glanced at Justin. 
	"You've known her one night," Justin said softly. "You mean to tell me that that one night was more important than our friendship? That just because I did some harmless thing to her, you're going to hold it against me?"
	"I think that you two should go on Jerry Springer," Joey started. Everyone sent him a look and he shrugged it off.
	"No, Justin," Chris answered.
	"Then why are you acting like you're holding this against me?" Justin returned.
	Chris's answer was delayed. "I just can't believe—"
	"Shh!" Lance suddenly hissed. They all quieted and heard what he heard. Some one was coming down the stairs. Justin suddenly felt the weight of the situation on his shoulders and jumped up. 
	"I'm hiding!" Justin cried quietly in a panic. He glanced around. "Kitchen!" He disappeared.
	"Jus," Joey objected, but Justin was gone.
	Within a few seconds of his departure, Mara appeared in the doorway. Her wet dark hair was down and behind her ears. It was shoulder length and straight; any alterations by JC were unnoticed. She was wearing a pair of baggy sweatpants and a plaid shirt, obviously of Chris's wardrobe. She crossed her arms as she entered the room and glared at them.
	"I'm only in here to get my shoes," she announced in a caustic tone. "Nothing more, so don't talk to me. While I appreciate you guys allowing me to spend the night during the storm, I'd appreciate it even more if I could leave without much more contact with any of you."
	"We wanted to apologize for everything," JC started earnestly. "Justin's a joker and—"
	"I said don't talk to me," she snapped as she took her shoes and socks from beside the couch. She pulled them on awkwardly while standing and sighed.
	"So where is that bast—um, Justin? I wanted to, um, say goodbye to him."
	"Oh, I don't know where he is," JC replied quickly. "Do you guys?"
	"No," they all replied.
	"Are you sure?" She raised an eyebrow. "He has to be around."
	"Well, he went upstairs to change," Lance continued. "He hasn't come down yet."
	"Oh?" she returned. "Well, I looked in all the bedrooms and he wasn't there . . ."
	They all looked at her in surprise at her nerve.
	She shrugged. "Oh, well. I'll see him another time I suppose. I'll be leaving now." She turned.
	Chris jumped up. "Would you like an escort back to your house?" he offered.
	"You?" she laughed. "Please. I can walk myself." 
	She began to head for the kitchen, to the one door she knew was available, when Lance objected,
	"No! Wait, you don't have to go that way. The front door's fine now. The snow drifts let it open."
	She paused and stared at him for a moment. Then she simply changed her direction and headed towards the front door. She walked out the door, slamming it behind her. Chris stared after her for a moment before turning back towards the other three.
	"Didn't she look cute in my clothes?" he sighed.
	"Your clothes . . ." JC echoed. "Think she'll return them?"
	"Of course. Gives me a chance to see her again." He smiled. "It's perfect."
	They all shook their heads. 
	"Well, I'm going to go talk to Justin," Chris started. 
	"I hope to apologize," Joey replied.
	"Me?" Chris asked incredulously.
	"Yes, you."
	"For what?" he demanded.
	"Well," JC started. "This really isn't that big a deal. You're supposed to be his friend."
	"I am!"
	"Then how come you let a one night acquaintance get in the way?" Joey returned. "What he did was funny actually. Toothpaste is an annoyance to wake up too, but not that malicious."
	Chris didn't answer.
	"See?"
	Chris sighed. "Okay, so I was a little unfair. But he wasn't too great with his own actions, you know." He paused. "I'll talk to him."
	Justin was seated under the table in the kitchen when Chris walked in. The older man spotted him and immediately started laughing. "You're safe," he managed. "Come on out, Justin."
	"I didn't know if she'd come this way." Justin crawled out from under the table and stood.
"Justin, if she did, she most definitely would have seen you."
"Oh, well."
	"That wouldn't have been a very good hiding place at all," Chris added. "I could see you from a mile."
	"And with your failing eyesight, that's pretty bad," Justin quipped.
	"Ooh, more senior citizen jokes, Curly?" He paused for a moment. "Let's get serious now, okay?"
	"Serious again?" Justin sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you I'm sorry for this stupid thing?"
	"I wanted to apologize."
	"Did you accept mine?" 
	"Of course," Chris replied. "And I understand what provoked you to do it. And why you're really not sorry about doing it. Well, that you're sorry for doing something but not for doing it to her. Damn, that's confusing. You know what I mean."
	"Yeah," Justin agreed. 
	"And I wanted to apologize for letting her get in the way of our friendship," Chris continued. "I don't know why I got so mad at you. I didn't want you to interfere with Mara and my relationship."
	"Chris, there is no relationship."
	Chris winked. "But there will be."
	"I don't know whether to feel bad or laugh at you," Justin said honestly. "But I don't think that she and you are . . . compatible. In fact, I don't think she'd do well with anyone. That's why she lives in the middle of nowhere by herself."
	"Justin, I don't want to hear it. You don't know if that's true. She may have a family."
	"She may be married, Chris!"
	"You also think she's a witch who casts spells on people, Jus, so what is that supposed to tell me?"
	Justin gaped at him and countered, "What does that tell me about JC's ability to keep something confidential?"
	"Don't be mad at him. He was just trying to make me laugh."
	"You were laughing at what I said, and behind my back?" Justin looked even more hurt. "Thanks a lot, JC!" he yelled into the other room.
	"What?" came a confused yell back.
	Justin rolled his eyes and sighed.
	"That's not what I meant," Chris laughed. "He was just trying to explain your point of view to me."
	Justin nodded. "Yeah, well that's not my whole point of view. I have other theories."
	"I don't really want to know if you don't mind. That theory itself is pretty juvenile."
	"I didn't think so."
	Chris smiled. "Well, it's all over."
	Justin nodded. "Yep . . . But are you still interested in Mara? Because she has a death-wish for me."
	"She'll cool off. Don't worry." He studied his friend's expression. "And I doubt she'll cast a spell on you either."
	"Ha, ha," Justin retorted sorely. 
	"So we're back to normal now?" Chris asked.	
	"Yeah," Justin assured. 
	Chris gave him a quick hug. "Good."
	They walked back into the other room again and sat down, ignoring the expectant glances of their friends.
	"How are we now?" Joey asked.
	"Peachy," Chris replied.
	Joey smiled. "Thank God!"
	JC cleared his throat. "Why'd you say 'thanks a lot' to me, J?"
	Justin glared at him. "You told Chris what I told you!" 
	"What?" JC paused. "Oh, the witch thing?"
	Joey and Lance started chuckling. 
	"They know too?" Justin exclaimed. "God! Thanks a whole lot, JC! Now I know not to talk to you next time. I'll never tell you my stupid ideas again."
	"Aw, come on," JC returned. "It was cute."
	"I'm glad I could brighten all your days," he retorted, fuming.
	"I'm really sorry, Justin," JC apologized. 
	"Yeah, everybody's sorry…"
	"This is really starting off to be quite a break, isn't it?" Lance joked. "Controversy with strangers and fighting with each other in the middle of snow storms in the middle of no where."
	"Shut up, Lance," Justin replied. "JC didn't tell your private conversations to us."
	"It's just us," Lance said. "And we don't really care, so what's the big deal?"	
	"You don't care about me?" Justin replied in a heartbroken tone.
	"You're a real actor," Joey laughed. "Now, let's do what we intended to do down here, Justin. Find that dog of yours."
	"Of mine?" Justin grinned.
	"Ugh… What did I say?" Joey groaned. "No, that's not what I meant."
	"Yes it is. My dog. Sounds so great…"
	"I can't believe you have no clue where the dog is," Lance started. "That's the remarkable thing."
	"It's just been overnight," Justin objected.
	"Oh, just overnight," Joey teased. "Just twelve hours passed but that's alright."
	Justin rolled his eyes. "Joey, we already agreed that I suck at life, what do you expect?"
	"Not much, obviously," Joey laughed.
	Justin backed up and his legs brushed the table. He looked down and noticed something. His stomach churned slightly.
	"Um, guys, wasn't there a plant on this table?" he asked a little shakily.
	"Was there?" JC asked. "I didn't look that carefully."
	"Yeah, I remember," Chris said. "I don't know where it went though. I didn't move it."
	Joey and Lance shrugged.
	All of the four studied Justin's face in concern of his pained look. His quiet consternation was illustrated in his furrowed brow.
	"What's the matter?" Joey asked.
	Justin shook his head. "Um, nothing. Nothing at all. I was just wondering. I thought I remembered a plant."
	"Okay, then. Let's start looking for this damned dog, shall we?"
	"We should all take different areas of the house." JC stood up from the couch.	
	"But how can the whole plant just disappear?" Justin pondered aloud.
	"Why are you so hung up on a plant, Justin?" JC asked with a frown.
	"I'm just asking!" Justin defended. His voice then softened and her wondered again. "How could it disappear?"
	"I don't know . . . Maybe Mara moved it or something."
	"Mara?" Justin paused. "Uh-oh."
	"What's so important about the plant?" JC demanded impatiently.
	"Nothing . . ." Justin sighed, then forced a smile. "Okay, forget it. Let's look for Teddy, shall we?" 
	"That's what I've been saying," Joey groaned. 
	They began to search.
*****
*****
	Twenty minutes later, there was suddenly a breakthrough in the extensive house-wide search for the missing puppy.
	"Found her!" Chris exclaimed triumphantly.
	The others, in various rooms of the cabin, rushed towards the sound of his voice. He was in the room with the television to all their surprise. Chris was kneeling on the ground, gazing under the furniture.
	"She's under the couch," he explained. The other four approached him. Justin crawled up to the couch and looked underneath. He saw a reflection of eyes blinking back at him.
	"To think she was here the entire time," he uttered.
	"Well, get her out," Joey persisted.
	"How'd she get in there?"
	"Should we flip the couch over?" Chris asked. "Justin, help me."
	They stood and pushed the couch onto its side to reveal the puppy. It stood and wagged its tail, panting slightly. They looked at the items around it, obviously gathered from the house to its chosen nesting area.
	"Hey, that's my sock," Lance reached over and grabbed a black sock. "Ew, it's chewed. Thanks, Teddy . . ."
	"My sneaker . . . " Joey growled.
	"My necklace," JC continued, grabbing it and glaring at the dog.
	"My dog." Justin followed the pattern, pulling the puppy into his arms. 
	They all stared at him angrily.
	"Isn't this the perfect example why we shouldn't keep this dog?" Joey replied. "Now if only we had its tag so we could try to give its owners a well needed phone call."
	Justin averted his eyes from Joey's meaningful glare. 
	Chris cleared his throat and turned the couch back over by himself with a moment of exertion. "Well, now that we have this cleared up, who wants to see the biggest snowman in history?"
*****
*****
	The viewing of the snowman turned into an unexpected snowball fight that lasted nearly an hour. Later that night when it was nearing dark, Joey appeared from the kitchen where the rest of the guys who were watching television on the couch. The dog was at their feet. 
	"JC and I are going to make lasagna," he announced. "Well, thaw it out and bake it at least. Sound good?"
	"I don't really feel like lasagna," Justin replied, eyes not drifting from the television where the movie Scream played. Chris and Lance's attention was similarly focused on the screen.
	"Me neither," Chris replied. "Not really."
	"We have pasta," Joey offered. "Want to make that?"
	"I don't know," Justin replied. "With what?"
	"It says it on the box," Joey sighed. "You boil water. Do you know how to do that?"
	"Can you do it?"
	"I could."
	"Please?"
	JC rolled his eyes. "Lance, what about you?"
	"I'll have both," Lance replied monotonously.  
	"Okay . . ." Joey looked at the television for a moment and then returned to the kitchen.
	"This movie sucks," Chris exclaimed suddenly. "It's edited and so many scenes are missing," he complained. "I hate when they ruin movies to put them on television."
	"Like it was that great a movie to begin with," Justin muttered.
	"Yeah," Lance agreed.
	Justin yawned. "Want to play N64?"
	"I never pass up a challenge," Chris replied.
	Justin got up and glanced around the floor. "Chris, did you put the game away?"
	"Nope. It should be around."
	"It's not . . ."
	Chris got up. "It has to be . . ." He looked around the TV. "Maybe not."
	"This sucks!" Justin grumbled.
	"Calm down, we'll find it." He started looking on the other side of the room.
	Justin walked into the kitchen and saw Joey and JC opening a bunch of boxes. He wondered for just a moment if they needed help with dinner, but then selfishly decided to wait until they actually asked for help. He turned back to the issue at hand. "I hate to interrupt the godly chefs and cooking fun, but has anyone seen the N64?" he asked.
	"No," JC answered. "Haven't touched it."
	"Neither have I," Joey added.
	Justin shrugged and walked back out to Chris. "Find it yet?"
	"No," Chris sighed. He sat back down on the couch. "Oh well, it's probably around somewhere."
	"Chris, we had it right here. No one touched it. So where is it?"
	"I don't know."
	"That doesn't help, does it?"
	"It's okay," Chris soothed. "You would've beaten me anyway. Feel better?"
	"No," Justin fussed. "I bet she took that too."
	"Who took it too?" Lance asked.
	"Mara of course," Justin replied.
	Chris glared at him. "Excuse me? I don't think so, Justin. And what else did she take?"
	"The plant," he replied.
	"Not likely. Just because a couple of things are misplaced—"
	"Not misplaced exactly," Lance interrupted. "They're missing from the same room which a stranger slept in the night before."
	"A stranger," Justin reiterated. "We have no idea what kind of person she is."
	"He has a point," Lance agreed."
	Chris groaned. "You're not on his side, too . . ."
	"I think it's a possibility."
	"I think we shouldn't jump to conclusions," Chris retorted. "I mean, maybe your klepto dog took the plant and the Nintendo, Justin."
	"My klepto dog?" Justin smiled.
	Chris groaned. "No, it's not your dog. Ugh, you're such a brat."
	"Yeah, Chris, I really believe the plant and N64 are hidden under another piece of furniture," Lance continued. "That sounds logical."
	"Yeah, well not any less so than Mara stealing them!" Chris's voice rose. Justin's look went between the two's out of place bickering. He couldn't understand Chris's obsession with these mean woman. He felt fairly certain that she may have taken some of their things.
	JC walked back into the room smiling. "Dinner's ready in an hour," he proclaimed proudly.
	"You and Joey cooking…" Justin smirked. "Bet it tastes like—" 
	"Bet it tastes good," Lance interceded. "Good."
	JC sent Justin a look and shrugged. "Why were you guys arguing? I heard you coming in."
	"Oh, it's nothing," Chris assured. "Nothing at all."
	"Really," Lance agreed.
	"I wasn't part of it," Justin added.
******
******
	They watched TV quietly for the next hour until dinner was ready. Joey and JC had impressively taken charge of everything, and the others felt thankful. 
	"Let's eat," JC persisted, gesturing them into the kitchen.
	Justin hung back and caught Lance's arm. He looked into his pale eyes solemnly. "I need a favor . . ." he said softly as Chris and JC left.
	"A favor?" Lance was dubious. He crossed his arms.
	"Yeah, can you meet me tonight?" Justin asked. "Right here after everyone's asleep? Like at one or something?"
	"Justin . . ." Lance started. "What are you up to?"
	"Just promise me you will?" Justin pleaded. "It's nothing bad. I swear."
	"What am I going to have to do?"
	"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I don't have time to tell you the plan right now, but you'll want to be involved. And I just don't want to do it alone."
	Lance sighed. "What is it?"
	"Nothing really important, but I just need to find something out. Please?"
	"I don't know . . . Why can't you tell me what it is you need to do?"
	"Because," Justin replied. "Pretty, pretty please, Lance?" His eyes implored. 
	"Well, okay . . . But if we get in trouble for anything, you're taking the rap."
	"I will," Justin assured him with a smile. He stuck out his hand. "Shake on it."
	Lance rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Satisfied? One o'clock I'll be right here."
	"Shh," Justin hissed. "They'll hear you."
	"Why can't they know? Why are you acting so secretive?"
	"It's just you and me. Just trust me on this, okay?" Justin paused. "Oh, and be dressed to go outside, okay?"
	"What?" Lance gaped at him. "You never said anything about outside . . ."
	"You shook on it already," Justin reminded. 
	Lance groaned as Joey stepped into the room.
	"Come on, guys," Joey said. "Time to eat."
*****
*****
	Justin knew that his watch was going particularly slow just to annoy him. It had to be. A minute was not that long. Becoming exasperated, he decided to get ready anyway. He pulled the covers off of himself slowly, glancing over at JC's bed where the man was breathing steadily in sleep mode.
	They had gone to bed around eleven thirty, which left an unbearable hour and a half until Justin had to meet Lance. Justin spent most of it under the covers lighting up his digital wrist-watch and watching the seconds go by.
	He slid out of bed precariously and cursed the slight squeaking the mattress made. Oh well. Nothing he could do about that. His bare feet reached the floor and he sent another look JC's way. Good so far. JC was a good sleeper.
	He made his way through the dark to his bag and unzipped it. That was slightly louder than he wanted it to be. He rummaged through his stuff for socks and a sweat shirt. He knew his coat was on the chair in the corner. He grabbed a flashlight as well. 
	"Justin, what are you doing?" JC's voice came groggily as the man shifted in bed.
	"I'm looking for my walkman," Justin lied guiltily. "I couldn't sleep."
	"You okay?" JC became concerned. 
	"I'm fine, JC. Go back to bed."
	"You sure, J?"
	"I'm fine. I know it's in here somewhere. Quit worrying." Justin's guilt ran through his veins. He hated lying to JC. JC always did everything he could for him. 
	"Okay . . ." JC relented. "Wake me if you need me."
	"Yup," Justin replied. He pulled on socks and the sweatshirt and felt around for his sneakers. He found them and laced them on. Standing, he found the chair and his jacket. Pulling that one, he followed the wall with his hands and found the door. His hand rested on the knob and slowly turned it. He had long ago mastered ways of sneaking out of rooms. 
	It didn't make a sound as it opened. He slipped out into the hallway and shut it behind him. It was then that he realized he'd been holding his breath. Letting out a slow, deep sigh, he looked around. He heard another door closing quietly and whispered, "Lance?"
	"Yeah," came a hushed reply.
	"Downstairs," Justin said quickly. He walked down the stairs carefully, avoiding creaking the steps, and reached the bottom without a problem. He could hear Lance behind him. When he reached the TV room, he flipped on the light and saw the dog sleeping on the couch. He walked over to pet her gently.
	"Okay," Justin started in a low tone as Lance stood before him in fatigue. "Ready?"
	"Yeah. This better be good. I nearly woke up Joey."
	"Yeah, well I woke up JC," Justin returned.
	"Uh-oh."
	"Uh-oh is right. I hope he fell back asleep. I don't understand it. He can usually sleep through an explosion."
	"Well, if you want secrets, we better do whatever it is you want us to do before somebody comes downstairs, Justin. Let's go. And could you tell me where?"
	"You'll find out," Justin assured. He turned off the light and turned on his flashlight. "Let's go," he whispered.
	"Why am I doing this?" Lance muttered.
	"Because you shook on it," Justin retorted. "Come on."
	They headed out the front door as quietly as possible. It was freezing outside and each gust of wind was like a sharp slap in the face. The snow had frozen, so walking on top of it was easy, aside from the slippery texture. Justin looked around the yard with his flashlight before they started walking. It was eerie to be out so late at night. It seemed deathly quiet.
	"Come on," Justin prompted and began walking towards Mara's house. Lance nearly slipped as he started after him. It appeared to him that they were walking towards the woods.
	"Justin, where are we going?" Lance hissed.
	Justin didn't answer.
	"Justin Timberlake," Lance snapped. He grabbed his arm. "Look, Justin, I'm not exactly comfortable walking towards the woods in the middle of the night in subzero temperatures without knowing where I'm headed!"
	Justin stopped and turned to him. "You have to remember that you're already out here and can't turn back."	
	"Sure, whatever, genius," Lance retorted.
	Justin rolled his eyes. "We're going to her house."
	"Her? Oh God. You mean Mara?" Lance groaned. "Justin, what the hell for?"
	"I—Look, this is going to sound stupid, but I need to see if she took the plant and my N64."
	"Isn't that a little childish?" Lance returned. "And what is it with the plant?"
	Justin stared at him and then the snow. "Okay, you want to know the truth?"
	"I'm waiting," Lance crossed his arms. 
	Justin hesitated. "I don't know . . ."
	"Look, buddy, I'm out here. I can easily go back inside and make a racket to let them know you're up being stupid."
	"Okay, fine. You happy?" Justin scowled. "Promise not to tell? Nothing leaves this . . . Nothing goes inside?"
	Lance sighed. "Sure, sure. Just go ahead. I'm freezing."
	"You have to swear."
	"I swear. Satisfied?"
	"Fine." Justin paused. "Well, obviously you know that the dog's tag is missing?"
	"Duh."
	"Do you want me to tell you or not?" Justin complained. 
	"What are you going to tell me? That you took it? Wow. Like I hadn't guessed."
	"Lance, I know it's late and I sort of forced you out here, but do you really have to be such an asshole to me?"
	"Then stop being such a sanctimonious son of a bitch, Justin," Lance retorted. "You get what you give."
	"Look, I'm tired too! I didn't drag you out here."
	"You basically did, Justin."
	"Can I finish or do you not want to know?" Justin grew upset. 
	"I don't want to know, but go ahead."
	Justin crossed his arms. "Well, I hid it in the plant," he continued sourly. "I know it's stupid, but I didn't want to call just yet, and that seemed the easiest way out. And now that plant is gone and so is the tag. We can't keep the dog and unless I find the phone number, the dog will go to the pound." 
	Lance softened. "We'd keep the dog until we had found a good home for her, Justin."
	"Bull, Lance. You know that we don't have enough time for that."
	"Fine, Justin. I'm just trying to be nice. You know this is your fault, right? I mean, you must have known what the consequences were. You're smart enough."
	"I told you I was being stupid. The dog was fun, and I thought we could wait until we were leaving to give her back. I know I'm stupid; it's not the first time I've been told that."
	"You didn't think it through. You never do, Justin. And now look at us."
	"I didn't invite you out here to yell at me, Lance!" Justin snapped. "I'm going whether or not I have someone with me." He turned off his flashlight and started walking away in the dark.
	Lance paused for a moment, contemplating his next step. He went after Justin grudgingly. 
	"Ugh . . ." he groaned. "I can't let you go alone now that I'm an accomplice. I can't have you getting hurt and it being my fault." 
	Justin was silent and continued walking.	
	"Justin, answer me," Lance insisted. "And for God's sake, turn on the flashlight."
	The light turned on and they continued.
	"So are we actually going to go into her house?" Lance asked. "Or just look in?"
	"What good would looking in a dark house do?"
	"Not much," Lance admitted. "But, look, I know you've seen in movies that people can just go into—"
	"This has nothing to do with the movies, Lance."
	"Well, obviously, Justin, but either way, we can't just break into the woman's house. That's trespassing. A crime. Punishable by law."
	"But I'm a minor, right?"
	"Say goodbye to *NSYNC if you do this."
	"You're kidding." He stopped walking. 
	"Justin . . ."
	"I need to get in there, Lance!" Justin paused. "Wait, I have an idea!" He could see the house in front of them now and brightened. It was a two level cabin style house similar to Johnny's; slightly smaller. 
	"Not another idea . . ."
	"You can knock on the door and draw her to there, and I can sneak in the back somehow. That way—"
	"Justin, it's one o'clock in the morning! Who knocks on the door at one o'clock in the morning? And why?"
	"To let her know that Chris wants his clothes back?"
	"I repeat, who knocks on the door at one o'clock in the morning?"
	"Fine. I'll resort to breaking in."
	"Goodbye *NSYNC," Lance repeated. It was a lie; he in fact had no idea what would happen, but using this as a threat had seemed to get a rise out of Justin.
	"Well, I'm not going to get caught . . ." Justin retorted. They reached the house and he looked around. "I'm going up in that tree . . ." he said. 
	"Justin, no."
	"Here, take the flashlight." Justin ignored him and handed the light over to him. Lance took it reluctantly. "Go take a look in all the windows around the house, okay?" Justin continued.
	Lance sighed and turned and walked away. Justin stared at the tree as he listened to Lance's footsteps crunching the snow. He could see a dim light in the window and knew that's where Mara was. He needed to know whether or not she was sleeping. There was a branch that went out right by the window. 
	He gripped the bark of the tree with his bare hands. It was slightly icy, but not enough to make climbing impossible. He grabbed the nearest branch, which was by his head, and found a notch to put his foot. He started to climb. He made it up a little bit. He'd almost slipped several times, but finally reached the branch. He started to climb out on it, gripping it with his hands carefully. His heart was pounding. 
	He was just going out on it when he heard something cracking. He tried to pull back but it was too late.
*****
*****
	Lance glanced guiltily into the windows he passed them, wondering what exactly it was he should be looking for when he heard a sickening thud. He froze and heard moaning. He immediately ran back to where he'd left Justin.
	Justin was not in the tree. He was on the ground and in a curled up position. He twisted from pain and seemed to be holding an arm against his chest. He whimpered piteously as Lance crouched down beside him. Lance cursed under breath, realizing he should not have followed Justin out here. He should have headed back, and Justin would probably have followed him.
	But it was too late for that.
	"Justin, are you okay?" he asked. Of course he's not okay, you idiot, he said to himself.
	Justin sat up. "Yeah," he managed. He stopped whimpering enough to actually pass for okay. "I'm fine . . ."
	"Fine, my ass. Come on, get up." He took his other arm. "This is stupid. We're going home."
	"But I didn't even—"
	"Shut up." Lance made him stand. He noticed the pained expression on the boy's face and the way he handled his arm. There were tears in his eyes. "What?"
	"My wrist," Justin admitted piteously.
	"That's not the same wrist you broke once before, is it?"
	Sadly, Justin nodded. Lance groaned. 
	"Okay, it's all right," Lance placated. He sighed. "I knew it. I knew this was a bad idea. Why'd I let you convince me to do this? It's one o'clock in the morning . . . I should be in bed. You should be in bed. This is ridiculous. Look what happens . . ."
	"Shut up," Justin said weakly as they walked back to their cabin. "I think it's fine."
	"It's fine?"
	"Yeah it hurts now but I think it's fine. We'll just sneak back in and go to bed…"
	"Sure, Justin…" Lance agreed compulsively.
	Justin was in a trance by the time they reached the door. Pain was shooting up and down his arm and into his wrist. Lance was pulling him into the house and leading him to the couch. He moved the puppy off of the couch, waking her up as she met the floor, and made Justin sit.
	"I'm getting ice for that and then I'm getting JC. He'll know what to do," Lance said.
	"Don't wake him," Justin objected. "I told you it's fine."
	Lance left and Justin could hear him going through the freezer for ice. Several minutes later, he returned with a bag of ice and made Justin hold it against the wrist.
	"I'll be right back," he assured.
	Justin nodded without looking up.
*****
*****
	Lance shook JC's shoulder. The man was sleeping soundly and he hated disturbing him, but it was an emergency. JC's eyes opened and squinted at him tiredly. A moment of silence existed as JC tried to gather his senses.
	"What do you want, Lance?" His voice was groggy. He glanced at the clock and groaned at the time.
	"Justin's hurt," Lance said, slightly hesitant. 
	"What?"
	"I think Justin might have broken his arm or something."
	JC was awake immediately. "Jesus . . . How?" He looked at the empty bed next to him. "Where is he?"
	"Downstairs."
	JC got up, and together they went downstairs. They met Justin where he was sitting on the couch with ice against his arm. JC knelt in front of him.
	"Hey, J. Here, let me see," he instructed, taking the arm gently. "Can you take off your coat?" 
	Justin slid the coat off his good arm quickly and then very slowly pulled it over the hurt one. JC pushed up his sleeve as softly as he could. The wrist was slightly bruised looking, and his skin was pink from the cold. "Can you move your wrist?"
	Justin attempted to and winced immediately. "Yeah, but it hurts," he whispered.
	"Go like this." JC demonstrated his own wrist bending. "Can you do that?"
	"No . . ." Justin answered.
	"Okay . . ." he said slowly. He tried to think about what to do. "Now tell me why you aren't in bed?" JC stared him in the eye. At no answer, he just sighed. "Keep the ice on it. It's one thirty in the morning, guys. Why are you up?" 
	There was no answer.
	"Could you at least tell me how this happened, why your jeans are soaking wet, and why your hands are freezing? I'm assuming you were outside. So elaborate."
	"I fell out of a tree," Justin said in a strained tone. 
	"A tree?" JC echoed.
	Justin nodded. He lifted his good arm's sleeve to wipe at his eyes.	
	"Are you stupid?" He turned on Lance. "Were you there?"
	"It's not his fault," Justin objected softly. "He didn't see me."
	"Still. You were outside with him?" JC asked. Despite only a slight difference in age between the two in front of him, JC suddenly looked at Lance disapprovingly as though he should have taken control and avoided the situation. "Lance, I think the supervision could have—"
	"What?" Lance objected. "I didn't know what he was doing."
	"But you were there?"
	"It's my fault!" Justin interrupted tearfully. "I made Lance come out with me!"
	"Why?" JC's anger was obvious. It was all unavoidable, and anything that was unavoidable was inexcusable.
	"To . . ." Justin stuttered. There was really no use in lying now. It would make it worse because the truth always came out eventually. No one would buy simply climbing trees at night. That was even more ludicrous than the actual reason. "To go to Mara's house . . ."
	"You are stupid!" JC yelled. "What's the matter with you? What is your obsession with her, Justin, and making life so difficult? What were you thinking? You were in bed, and you should have stayed there. And you went with him, Lance?"
	"I didn't know what he was doing," Lance replied. "It was too late before I did."
	"But to go with him in the middle of the night in the first place! Did the thought of stopping him ever occur to you?" JC demanded. "You must have known something was up. Didn't you, Lance?""
	"I made him," Justin persisted.
	"Shut up!" JC snapped. "I'm not talking to you, Justin, am I!" He paused. "There is something wrong with both of you! What compelled you to go to that woman's house at one o'clock in the morning?"
	Between the burning from the ice on his skin and the sharp pain from his wrist and arm and JC patronizing him and yelling, Justin could barely concentrate. "I'm dizzy . . ." he whispered. 
	"Lay down," JC said immediately with a sigh. He stood and helped pull Justin's legs up on the couch and keep his arm supported. "Did he hit his head, Lance?"
	"I don't know," Lance answered honestly. He looked sorry and dejected. "I didn't actually see him fall."
	"No, I didn't," Justin answered. "I don't think."
	"How far did you fall?"
	"I don't know . . . The branch snapped. It was up by her second story sort of. . ." Justin winced and shook his head. "I don't know…"
	"Okay," JC answered. "I think we should go to a doctor."
	"Do you think it's broken?" Lance asked.
	"I think there's a chance," JC admitted. "I have to find out where the nearest doctor is. This ought to be interesting . . . Lance, why don't you go wake Joey and Chris and tell them what's going on. So much for a good night's sleep . . ."
*****
*****
	From calling Information, JC found out that there was a hospital only ten minutes away off of the interstate. Joey, JC, and Justin went while Lance and Chris decided to stay at the cabin. Lance had had enough of JC yelling and blaming everyone, and Chris told them not everyone needed to go. He and Lance would stay behind.
	The hospital wasn't as big and modern looking as the ones they were used to, but it was their only resort. They went to sit in the emergency room. There were a few others in there. JC went to fill out paperwork. Justin had been silent for a long time and just sat beside Joey in a stiff plastic chair as the older man leafed through a Sports Illustrated. His throat felt sore and his wrist was throbbing. He felt more humiliated than anything else.
	"These places always take forever to see you," Joey was explaining. "But if you're lucky, it's worth the wait because of a cute nurse . . ."
	Justin wasn't listening. He was more focused on the throbbing in his arm. And now his head. They kind of throbbed simultaneously. He tried to remember if he maybe had hit his head. Before he knew it, JC was sitting on his other side. He started to feel crowded.
	"Your mother's going to hate us when she finds out about this," JC sighed. "Another broken bone."
	"It's my fault," Justin replied mechanically. His voice was raw.
	"True, but still." JC paused. "Can you please explain to me why you had to go to her house?"
	"I don't feel like it," Justin replied.
	"Oh, give me a break," Joey replied.
	"I'd tell you if I could, but I don't know what to tell you, and I think I'll throw up if I keep talking," Justin nearly shouted. "I don't exactly feel up to par right now, believe it or not. God dammit." He felt JC's hand on his back and relaxed. 
	"It's okay," JC replied. "But I'm guessing that when I woke up and you were going through your bag, it wasn't really because you couldn't sleep, huh?"
	"Not entirely," Justin admitted. "I'm sorry . . ." He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "Let's pretend it's over."
	"Why'd you have to pick one o'clock in the morning?" JC persisted.
	"So you wouldn't be up," Justin allowed slowly.
	"Well, I am now anyway. Thanks a lot."
*****
*****
	"What happened exactly?" was Chris's question to Lance as he made them both coffee in the kitchen. Going back to sleep hadn't seemed to be an option. At least not yet.
	"Okay, I'm not supposed to tell." Lance made quotation marks with his fingers sarcastically. "But apparently, he took the tag off the dog's collar and stuck it in the plant to hide it. When the plant was missing, and then the stupid video games, he freaked and developed a theory that Mara was a klepto. He had to check it out."
	"Wait, this happened at her house?" Chris looked up from filling the coffee filter.
	"Yep."
	"Does she know?" Chris asked.
	"I don't think so. I don't know how she wouldn't wake up though. The whole branch snapped, and he fell from at least ten feet. I was on the other side of the house."
	Chris winced. "Poor kid, that's got to hurt," he said. "I wonder if she did notice. She's really not happy with him to begin with. She could press charges for trespassing and destruction of property."
	"He didn't break the branch on purpose," Lance retorted. "Do you really think Justin wanted to go soaring to the ground like that?"
	"Oh, I know that." Chris rolled his eyes. He sighed. "Now I wish I'd gone with them to the hospital . . ."
	"No, you were right. It would have been too many people, Chris."
	"Yeah, I know."
	"He knows that you're thinking about him anyway," Lance assured. "Jeez . . . I knew I shouldn't have let him go up on that tree . . . I told him no, but it's not like he listens to me. I was just shocked about the whole thing. He told me he needed to do something, but I had no idea. And he never listens to me. He only listens to JC. Or who he chooses to."
	"Yeah," Chris remarked.
	"And I could've stayed with him at the tree, at least," Lance continued. "But no . . ."
	"This is anybody's fault but yours," Chris assured. "I'm sure JC is beating himself up for not waking up to Justin leaving. You know?"
	"Yeah, I guess . . ." Lance conceded. "But still . . ."
	"Look, what happened, happened. We can't do anything about it now except for pray it's not badly broken."
	"Right . . ." Lance nodded.
	"Sheesh, who climbs trees in a foot of snow?" Chris shook his head. "And at one o'clock in the morning at that?" He set the machine and went to get two cups. 
	"Justin," Lance replied. "That's who. And he ever asks you to do a favor, say no."
	"That's a given, Lance. That kid is crazy sometimes. When he gets an idea in his head… Look out." 
	"Yeah, tell me about it," he replied sarcastically. 
*****
*****
	It was an hour later when Justin, Joey, and JC left the hospital. Justin's wrist was fractured, and he had instructions to rest. They'd casted his hand and given him painkillers, but they weren't making much of a difference yet for him. JC sat in the back of the car with Justin and Joey drove. All were anxious to get out of the hospital and back to Johnny's place.
	"I'm not an invalid," Justin complained as JC did his seatbelt for him.
	JC was tired. "Justin, will you just accept the help you get?" he answered irritably, pulling it tighter. "God knows you need it."
	Justin stared at his blue cast sullenly. "Sorry."
	JC sat back and put his own seatbelt on. Joey was already on the road.
	"Ten more minutes," Joey was saying. "Just ten more minutes and I can be back in bed."
	"I think we're all going back to bed," JC sighed. "Maybe not back to for some of us, though . . ." He glared at Justin.
	"Leave me alone," Justin retorted. 
	The rest of the ride was silent.
*****
*****
	Only Lance was up when the three returned. He was sitting in front of the television asleep. The television played some black and white movie, its sound a dull murmur. JC watched him for a moment and then stepped over the dog to turn off the TV.
	Leaving him there, they trudged upstairs.
	"Night, guys," Joey said as they reached the top. "Feel better, kid." He disappeared into his room.	
	JC and Justin walked into theirs. Justin went over and sat on his bed with a blank expression. 
	JC watched him. "Do you want any help, Justin?"
	"Help with what?" Justin looked up.
	"Changing. Anything." JC shrugged.
	"Nope. I'm fine," Justin answered slightly dryly. 
	JC shrugged and grabbed some clothes. He left the room and Justin was alone.
	The pain in his arm was nearly unbearable. He was beginning to wonder whether or not he'd imagined the doctor giving him any painkillers. Justin attempted to pull his shirt over his head, taking a total about ten minutes until JC came back. The man started laughing. 
	"What?" Justin snapped. "My painful situation is funny to you?"
	JC threw some clothes in the corner and walked over. "You need me now, Justin," he chuckled as he helped pull the shirt over his head and then off his bad arm. "You want a sweatshirt or something?"
	"Fine." Justin sulked.
	JC grabbed one and a pair of flannel pants and helped him get the shirt on. He then hesitated.
	"I can get my own pants, thank you very much," Justin muttered. "You can go to bed now."
	JC was doubtful but left him alone. He crawled under his own covers in exhaustion. Justin struggled with his jeans but finally got them off. He pulled on the other pants and was more tired then ever afterwards. He yawned and lay back, glancing at the clock. Four in the morning. His arm was throbbing. His body hated him. The world hated him.
	He tried to relax for about five minutes.
	"JC, I can't sleep," he complained immediately. 
	"Just close your eyes," JC muttered from under a blanket. 
	"They're closed."
	"Now just concentrate on breathing."
	"I don't want to. I have a headache," Justin persisted. "And my arm hurts."
	"Duh. You broke it."
	"But it hurts more than before."
	JC sighed tired. "Come on, Justin . . ."
	"Can I go watch TV?"
	"No, you'll wake up Lance. Just try to sleep."	
	"I won't leave the house," Justin promised.
	"That's not why I said no. I told you. Lance"
	"But Lance was watching TV and won't notice if it's back on," Justin objected.	
	"He's sleeping. Justin, just shut up and go to sleep."
	"But I told you, I can't. It hurts, JC."
	"Well, you did it to yourself, J. It only hurts because you're thinking about it. The doctor gave you something for the pain."
	"Well, it's not working," Justin replied sourly.
	"Want to listen to music? I'll get your walkman," JC offered, sitting up in bed.
	Justin sighed. "Okay. But I'm not sure where it is . . ."
	JC got up rolling his eyes and knelt at Justin's bag. He rummaged through and found it almost immediately. There was a CD in it already.
	"What do you want to listen to?" JC asked. 
	"Whatever's in there," Justin replied.
	JC walked over and handed it to him. "Now leave me alone. Go to sleep."
	"Sorry, JC," Justin replied sheepishly. He put the headphones on awkwardly and crookedly with one hand. "Thank you."
	JC smiled and straightened them over his ears. He stroked Justin's curls for a moment. "You're welcome. Try to get some sleep now." 
	Justin nodded and JC went back to his own bed. He waited with his eyes open for a few minutes for another interruption, but there were none. He fell to sleep shortly after.
*****
*****
	When Lance awoke the next morning, his back was killing him. The television was off although he didn't remember turning it off, and he was on the couch. Apparently, he'd fallen asleep when he and Chris had sat down to watch TV that night while waiting up for the others. Chris had gone upstairs.
	What a night . . . he thought with a sigh as he stood and stretched, nearly tripping over the puppy. 	Well, what had he been expecting when he went out with Justin at one in the morning anyway? He had to learn how to say no.
	He glanced at his watch. Eight o'clock. Not bad. Maybe today wouldn't be so eventful.
	He was about to go into the kitchen, dog trailing happily at his feet, when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He turned back.
	"Well good morning, Mr. Trespasser," he greeted.
	Justin rolled his eyes tiredly as he walked in. "Look, Lance, I'm in a lot of pain right now and can't think of a comeback. I'm sorry about last night, okay? Cut me some slack here."
	Lance laughed. "I'm not mad, okay? It was a bad move on both our parts. It was the branch's fault."
	"Actually, I've been thinking about that too . . ." Justin said. "I think I know whose fault it really was . . ."
	"Uh-oh," Lance sighed, crossing his arms. 
	"Well, it was on her property and I was right where—"
	"No." Lance shook his head. "Mara? Justin, I don't think so."
	"It makes perfect sense!" Justin persisted. "She hates my guts, and I was there to reveal her!"
	"Think what you like, I guess." Lance shrugged. "Just don't mention that to anyone else, okay?"
	"I think that we should go back and prove it," Justin continued. "I didn't sleep very well last night and so I did a lot of thinking, and—"
	"Go back? I forbid you to, Justin. That's just plain stupid. Look what happened last night."
	"Nothing. I proved nada."
	"But you broke your arm!"
	"Fractured wrist."
	Lance stared at him.
	"Okay, okay. I'll be more careful next time," Justin assured. "I know what to expect now."
	"You're crazy." Lance stared at him. "You do realize that no one's going to let you and you're under close supervision now? You'll never get away with it."
	"JC sleeps like a baby. I can get out," Justin retorted. "And besides, who says I'd go during the night?"
	"I don't even want to hear about it. Just don't involve me this time." Lance paused, yearning to change the subject. "Can I sign your cast?"
	Justin smiled. "Yeah. I'll find a marker." He went into the kitchen as Lance collapsed back on the couch. Chris bounded into the room, full of energy.
	"How can you be so . . . alive in the morning?" Lance asked.
	"Well," he answered, "I was really tired last night, so I slept well." Chris shrugged. "Did I hear Justin?"
	"Yep. We're signing his cast."
	Chris grinned. "Coolies!" he exclaimed childishly. He sat down on the other side of the couch. 
	Justin came back with a black marker in hand. He sat between them and handed the marker to Lance, putting his arm in his lap. 
	"Now don't pull it or anything," Justin said hesitantly. "It hurts."
	"I'm not an idiot," Lance muttered. He leaned forward to write.
	"Ow," Justin said.
	"I didn't touch you yet," Lance objected. He rolled his eyes.
	"I'm next, I'm next!" Chris exclaimed. 
	Justin smiled. "Who else would go before you?"
	Chris shrugged. 
	Lance finished in a couple of minutes and put the cap on the marker, handing it to Chris. Justin read it quickly.
	Justin,
	Sorry I wasn't there to catch you :)
	Don't climb trees at 1 am in the snow.
	Hope you feel better! 
	Luv,
	Lansten
	"Hm . . ." Chris began as Justin switched his arm to his lap. He tapped the marker thoughtfully. Then he drew a paw-print on the cast with the signature 'Teddy' written next to it. Justin laughed. 
	Joey walked in as he started writing. "How's everybody feeling?" he asked, sitting on the table in front of the three. "Ooh, I sign next." He smiled. "Does it hurt, Justin?"
	"Nah, it's only broken," Justin replied sarcastically.
	"Well, excuse me." Joey made a face, laughing. "I'll take that as a yes."
	"There," Chris finished, signing his name in a flourish. Justin turned to read it. 
	Baby J,
	Sorry this happened, buddy. 
	Invite me next time though!
	Feel better soon or even I'll be 
	able to beat you at bball!
	I luv you man!
	Chris
	"You're crazy," Justin remarked as he moved to let Joey sign.
	"I know." Chris smiled. He picked up the dog, which had just been chewing on his pants. "I think I'm going to have this sweet doggie wake up JC, what do you think?" He left with the dog in his arms. 
	"Uh-oh," Lance laughed. "Waking up JC, and he's only had a few hours of sleep…"
	"There," Joey said, closing the cap on the marker. Justin read it.
	Just,
	Hope ya feel better soon. 
	You're an idiot, btw.
	J/K. Don't take it personally :)
	Luv always,
	Joey
	"Gee, thanks a lot," Justin remarked, but his was laughing. "Now all I need is JC to sign . . ."
	He paused and listened to the sudden shouting from upstairs. 
	"I think JC was just slobbered," Lance observed.
	"Yep." Joey nodded.
	There were pounding footsteps down the stairs and Chris ran into the room empty handed and breathless.
	"Where's my dog?" Justin demanded.
	JC appeared in the doorway next, looking sleepy and rumpled. He had the dog in his arms and glared at all of them.
	"Thanks a lot, Chris," he muttered.
	"You're quite welcome!" Chris grinned. 
	JC rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, which was sticking straight up in weird angles.
	"Will you sign my cast, Jace?" Justin asked.
	"Sure thing," JC replied, putting the dog on the ground. He sat where Chris had been before and took Justin's arm. "You sleep good last night?"
	"Pretty good," Justin lied, handing him the marker. 
	"Who wants to go out with me today to get dog food?" Joey asked. 
	"Me!" Justin said quickly.
	"This doesn't mean we're keeping the dog," Joey reminded. "We're just keeping her alive."
	"Sure." Justin smiled. "Could we get Tylenol?"
	"I thought the doctors gave you Tylenol," JC objected. "With codeine no less."
	"Yeah, but I'm going to run out of those really soon, the way I'm popping them."
	"Justin…"
	"Well, I need about twenty."
	"Then you'll just be back in the hospital," Lance laughed. 
	"Yeah." Justin made a face and in a derisive voice said, "Then I'll just drink myself into a stupor and then I won't feel anything. How's that sound?"
	"Genius," JC said with similar sarcasm.
	"Is there any booze in this house?" Joey asked, raising an eyebrow.
	"Joey!" JC objected. 
	"I'll be the first to know," Justin replied. They all turned on him. "Kidding . . . ?" he reminded. "Again?"
	"You know what I think would be a good idea? Could we eat breakfast out?" Lance asked.
	"Yeah," Joey agreed. "I'm sick of cereal."
	"You can never be sick of cereal," Justin objected. "Especially after just one day here."
	"I don't know. Cereal without sugar?" 
	"Let's eat out," Justin agreed.
*****
*****
	"Where would you guys like to be seated? Any preferences?" a waitress asked, a brunette in the uniform of black pants and a white shirt. Her short hair was down, tucked behind her ears. Joey smiled. Justin noticed him right away and shook his head. Joey and women…
	They'd gone to the store first for dog food and Tylenol. The food was in the trunk of the car and the Tylenol was in Justin's pocket, minus the two he'd swallowed immediately after they paid for it. Chris watched in amusement as JC and Justin argued about the good that would come of taking them after he'd taken the prescription Tylenol just an hour earlier.
	"They're already in me," Justin persisted. "Whatcha gonna do about it, JC?"
	JC just shook his head. "You're just limiting how much you can take later. And it'll hurt later."
	"It hurts now anyway," Justin replied.
	JC gave up soon into the argument and that was that.
	Next, they'd found a small restaurant at the end of the road that had several cars in the parking lot. They took the cars to be a good sign, and so they decided to eat there. It seemed a quaint, quiet place and not knowing the area, they knew nowhere better to find breakfast.
	"How about a booth," Lance said.
	"Sure," she answered, grabbing five menus. "Right this way." She led them to a u-shaped booth in front of a window with a view out to the snowy woods. She handed out menus as they sat down. Justin and Lance sat on the ends. Chris was next to Justin and Joey was next to Lance. JC sat  in the middle.
	"Um, I hate to say this . . ." the girl said slowly as she put down the last menu. "But you guys look awfully familiar . . . *NSYNC, right?"
	"Yeah," Lance affirmed with a smile. "That's us."
	"You're the first to recognize us," Justin said somewhat shyly. He wanted to mention that he hoped she was the only one to recognize them, but kept it quiet.
	"Well, we don't all live under a rock up here," she laughed. "And you couldn't have seen many people in this town."
	"No," Joey agreed. 
	"The next town's more populated if you want to take a day trip," she started. "I'm guessing you guys are on a vacation of sorts or something? Yeah, well, if you take the interstate for a couple of minutes south, you'll see another town with a population of over ten."
	"Thanks." JC smiled. "That might give us a destination for today."
	"You're welcome," she said sincerely. "I'll go now. I'm just the greeter. Angie, I think, will take your orders . . . But can I ask, what happened to your arm?" She turned to Justin. "You didn't have that last time I saw you on TV."
	"Yeah…" He gave a sheepish smile. "I actually fell out of a tree."
	"How recently?" she asked sympathetically.
	He paused. "Um, last night . . ."
	"Here?" She was incredulous. 
	Chris put an arm around his friend fondly. "He's got a few screws loose . . ." he said as Justin elbowed him.
	She shook her head and left.
	"At least she didn't ask why you were climbing the tree," Lance spoke.
	"I should definitely make up a better story," Justin replied. "Like… I was running from a bear."
	"You'd never outrun a bear," Chris answered. "And they climb trees."
	"Dammit, I do suck at life…" Justin muttered.
*****
*****
	"It should be Justin's job to feed the dog," Joey complained as he poured dog food into a bowl on the floor. They had forgotten to buy a dog bowl, and thus the dog ate from a bowl from Johnny's cupboard.
	Justin watched Joey do his job contently from his seat at the kitchen table. They'd come back to the cabin after breakfast for a while to decide what to do for the day. Whether they would take the girl at the restaurant's advice and check out the next town, or simply stay at the house and relax, was still up in the air.
	"I can't possibly do it, Joey," Justin answered sweetly, picking up the glass of milk in front of him. "I can't lift that bag."
	"If you think having a broken wrist gives you an excuse to be lazy, you've got another thing coming," Joey retorted, pushing the bag to the side of the room. He still couldn't believe they'd bought such a huge bag of food for a dog that they weren't even expecting to have very long. However, he refrained from voicing his opinion on that matter again. "Now where's the damn dog?" He walked over and sat beside Justin at the table.
	"I don't know," Justin replied.
	Joey eyed him. "You can't do that either?"
	"Nope." Justin smiled at him.
	"Nice." 
	"Are you in a bad mood today, Joey?" Justin asked in the same sugary tone as before. 
	Joey grabbed his good wrist and started bending it. "Want another cast, Justin?" His tone was teasing, but at the same time, his grip on Justin's wrist was stronger than a joke.	
	"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow—"
	"What are you doing?" Chris objected from the doorway.
	"Me and Justin are just sharing some quality time," Joey replied, dropping the arm. Justin made a face and shook the wrist. He wanted to rub it, but he couldn't with his cast.
	"I'll bet," Chris remarked. 
	"Joey's in a bad mood," Justin remarked. He took a drink from the glass of milk. "Aren't you, Joey?"
	Joey stood up. "Where's the dog? I poured it food and it won't even come eat."
	"Not it," Justin snapped. "She, you freak of nature."
	"Inside," Chris answered. 
	JC walked in. "Hey, guys. How about we go off the interstate and see what that girl was talking about?"
	Justin made a face. He was tired. He liked sitting. "What if there's nothing there?"
	JC shrugged. "You can stay home. You're supposed to be resting anyway."
	"I'll baby-sit!" Chris offered.
	"I don't need a baby-sitter," Justin said. He gave Chris a look. 
	"Well, I'll be one anyway." Chris shrugged. "We'll have fun, right, Justin? We'll have a party."
	"Um, yeah, sure, okay . . ."
	"I'm going with you, JC," Joey said. "I need to see some population. Even if it is just ten people like she said."
	"OK," JC agreed. "Lance is coming too. Want to get going? I just heard on the television that it's supposed to snow more later this afternoon, so we want to be back before that."
	"Fine," Joey agreed, standing. "Let's go."
	"Have fun," Justin said. "Don't be late. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Buy me something nice. Smile, Joey."
	"You ain't getting squat, squirt," Joey retorted. 
	"Fine. Don't smile. See what I care."
	Joey rolled his eyes. "Get the dog to eat later, okay? You don't want her just wandering the house, or you'll have more to clean than you bargained for."
	"I know," Justin agreed.
	"See you guys later," JC said.
	They left the kitchen and Chris sat down beside Justin. He rested his elbows on the table and watched Justin sip his milk. He eyed his cast, wondering if it hurt, and realized he never discussed with Justin the whole fact that this had happened over something involving Mara. He also realized that it likely wouldn't be wise to bring that up.
	"So what do you want to do?" he asked instead.
	Justin raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously. "Do you really want to know?"
	"Uh-oh . . . What am I getting myself into?" He smiled regardless of his words. 
	Before Justin could answer, JC popped his head back into the kitchen. He had a smirk on his face. "Oh, Justin . . . Lance and Joey wanted me to forbid you guys to leave our property. Can't say it's a bad idea, considering your luck."
	Justin stuck out his tongue. "Whatever!"
	JC paused. "Yeah, it might be a good idea."
	"Uh-huh."
	"Promise me."
	It irritated Justin slightly to know that their joking advice was actually a serious request. Any form of attempted control like that irked him, but he agreed to it regardless. They would be gone; it wouldn't matter if Chris and he decided to do something else. "I promise."
	JC hesitated. "Okay. See you later, guys." He left again.
	Justin returned his attention to Chris. "I want to go back to her house," he whispered after he heard the front door shut.
	Chris was impressed that Justin dared to bring up the subject he himself had hesitated to discuss. Chris nodded slowly at the idea. As much as he wanted to see Mara again and still harbored a slight interest in her, he knew Justin had ulterior motives. "I don't know . . ."
	"Please?" Justin implored. "You know we need to figure out what happened to our stuff. And we can't return this dog to her owners without that tag."
	Justin made good points, but Chris considered the trespassing and criminal aspect as well as the impossibility of it all. Chris decided to go for the most personal technicality. "They just forbid you to."
	"But you're older than all of them and therefore have more authority. Plus you're my best friend," Justin pleaded. "Please, please, please. I'll owe you forever!"
	"My being older has never held any weight before," Chris laughed. "They trust me in situations like this less than they trust you, buddy."
	"Oh, Chris, come on. What are we? Prisoners here? What right do those three have to control us?"
	"It's not control, Justin. It's just really good advice."
	"No, it's not. It's stupid. We should be able to get our stuff back. I went about it the wrong way last night, I admit it. But I'm still determined."
	"You seriously do have a one track mind," Chris replied. 
	Justin held up his cast. "Look, you wrote it right here: Invite me next time. I am. Right now. Come on."
	"My duty as your babysitter denies me the—"
	"Bullshit, Chris. Stop it."
	"Just drink your milk. Help those bones."
	Justin stared at him impatiently.
	"I'm thinking about it!" Chris retorted. "Okay? Drink up."
	Justin brought the glass to his lips while watching Chris the whole time. He finished what was left of the milk and put the glass down. The mystery of the situation made this vacation more exciting to Justin. He felt compelled to do something about it.
	"Decided?" he asked.
	"Yeah," Chris said with a nod.
	Justin frowned. "Yeah as in yeah, you've decided? Or yeah as in yeah, we'll go."
	Chris knew he would regret it later, but dutifully he replied, "Both."
	Justin grinned. "I love you, man!" 
	Chris rolled his eyes. "Don't go overboard, honeybunch. I don't bat for that team."
	Justin was too excited to notice the insult. "I'll owe you forever, Chris."
	"But," Chris said. "There's a few guidelines."
	"Anything," Justin swore.
	"Number one, you follow me. I am the leader. When I say we leave, we leave. If I tell you to do something, you do it."
	Justin sighed and agreed reluctantly. "Okay. Number two?"
	"Number two, you . . . Well, there is no number two. That's it." Chris laughed. "Yeah, just follow me."
	"Okay, sounds good to me. No problemo."	
	Chris shook his head. "Do you want to tell me what we're going there for?" 
	"I told you. We need to get our stuff. And, well, you can get your clothes back and—" 
	The doorbell rang, and Justin broke off mid-sentence. He frowned. "That's probably JC or something. I'll go check."
	Chris nodded and watched Justin jump up and run inside. That boy's gonna trip and crack his head open next.... I just know it . . . he said to himself.
	Justin ran back into the kitchen a few seconds later, mouth hanging open. 
	"What?" Chris asked. 
	"Mara's at the door!" he exclaimed. "I glanced out the window!"
	Chris jumped up and started for the door with a grin. "Serious?"
	Justin grabbed his arm. "I'm going to go around the back and go to her house, okay?" He started to walk away but Chris grabbed his shirt and pulled him back.
	"Okay? I don't think so!" Chris snapped. There was another knock at the door. "Jesus . . ."
	"It'll be the same thing!" Justin objected, trying to pull away. His mind was churning excitedly with the possibilities of adventure. "Except she's definitely not home! It's perfect! You've just got to distract her here. You can have quality time with her. We both win."
	"Justin, I don't know . . . No one's there to watch you . . ."
	"Chris! I don't need a freaking baby-sitter!" Justin hissed. "Now, let me go!"
	Chris let him go. "Fine, go. But if you get hurt again . . ."
	"I know, I know . . . OK? Can I go?"
	"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead." Chris shrugged. He watched Justin walk out the back door and started for the front. This is it, he thought. Justin's going to kill himself and it'll be my fault. I'm supposed to be with him, and I'm letting him go off alone to somewhere that JC forbid him to go. Great. He better not get hurt. I'll kill him. And he's not even wearing a coat . . . JC's gonna kill me . . .
	Chris also realized that his important rule number one, the rule he had Justin swear to, was now null and void. Justin had just stomped all over it and destroyed it.
	He opened the front door and grinned at the woman. "Hey, Mara! What's up? Won't you come in?"
*****
*****
	Justin went straight to her front door, shivering and nearly slipping the entire way. He'd been in such a rush that he'd forgotten to put on a coat. He was absolutely freezing. As his feet went through the snow in some places, his jeans got soaked as well. He'd probably be sick the next day because of all this time out in the snow, but at this point, getting into her house was the most important thing. 
	He tried the doorknob and to his relief it opened. He expected with the small town that most people left their doors unlocked, and he appeared right. He gave a sigh of happiness and rushed inside. He couldn't afford to waste anytime. The lady could be coming back home any second. He just needed the Nintendo and the dog's tag. 
	He took little notice of any details in her home. He could barely believe that he was actually in her house after all this time. He moved swiftly, looking for the plant and game system everywhere. Every table, every corner, every room. Her house wasn't too big, this wouldn't take long at all. He didn't see anything out in the open. 
	He found a closet and opened it. It was a huge walk-in closet with shelves and clothes. Right on the floor was loads of junk and he picked out his Nintendo and the plant immediately. He almost couldn't believe his luck. Excitement surged through his veins. He was right about something for once.	"You bitchy klepto," he muttered as he took them in his good arm. He was about to leave when he heard the front door opening. He cursed and shut the closet door with him in it. He got behind a bunch of clothing and tried to hide, pulling the game and plant closer to him. It rested on his cast uncomfortably but he stayed as still as possible, breathing heavily. He could hear footsteps outside and his pulse raced.
	This is it . . . She's going to find me. She knows I'm here . . . She'll kill me or keep me here and then the other guys will find out what I did and I'll die with them hating me . . . Why'd I want to do this? Why'd Chris have to be so damn lenient?
	He heard the footsteps move up stairs and he heard a door shut. Was it safe? Should he go? He tried to remember where to run to get to the front door and heard a shower start running. He hoped that was a good sign and started for the door. He didn’t think he was too far from the front door.
	Making sure he had a hold on the two items, he pushed open the door and darted out towards the front door. Safe, safe. He got to the door and ran out. 
	His newly discovered luck had pulled through.
*****
*****
	Chris waited on the couch, tapping his foot impatiently and cursing himself and Justin. He'd tried as hard as he could to keep her there, but she was so reluctant to stay. He wondered why he'd ever thought that he'd had a chance with her or even wanted one. She'd been so . . . inconsiderate this time. She'd come to return his clothes and that was it. Any interest he had felt in her had vanished with her most recent display of aloofness and discourtesy.
	Well, at least she'd returned his clothes.
	Thankfully, he didn’t have to worry about Justin for long. The front door flew open and Justin rushed in, holding both his cherished items in his arms. Chris couldn't believe it.
	"Justin Timberlake, get your scrawny ass over here!" Chris demanded immediately.
	Justin shut the door and walked over. He was out of breath and flushed. Putting the stuff on the table, he spoke. "That was so close." His voice was broken and shaking. "I'm never doing that again. Why'd you let me go, Chris? God, that was crazy!"	
	"Here, sit down." Chris softened. "What happened?"
	Justin sat, trying to compose himself. "I found this stuff in her closet. She's definitely a klepto, Chris. She had so much stuff in there, and I bet some of it is other people's too. So I was in this closet, and I heard her. She came home. So I had to stay in the damn closet behind all this crap until she went upstairs. I was so close. She could have opened the door any second. God, am I lucky she went upstairs."
	"Yeah, I'd say you're lucky. God damn. But you got your stuff back. You were right."
	"Yeah." Justin hesitated for a moment, but then reached into the plant and pulled out the tag, hidden under the leaves. "Here's the tag." His voice held a hint of sadness, as he knew the tag meant farewell to their furry friend. "I took that, too, as you probably knew. But, don't . . . Well, you can have it." He handed it to Chris.
	Chris gave it back. "I think you should hold on to it."
	Justin nodded and closed his fist over it. "I'll call later. And I know that sounds familiar, but I will."
	"And I don't think JC or the other guys should know about this . . . You learned your lesson. There's no use in getting them mad."
	"Thanks. I mean it. None of the others would have let me . . . Well, I mean, I would never have gotten my stuff back . . . I know none of you believed me."
	"How's a game of some Nintendo sound?"
	"Good," Justin said, "but I can't." He held up his arm. "I can't use half the controls." 
	"Oh, I'll be easy on you . . ." Chris said. "Or we could just watch a movie. There's a VCR and I noticed Johnny's got a whole bunch of movies in that drawer." He pointed to under the television where there was a cabinet and a drawer.
	"Movie," Justin replied. "It hurts too much to go like this." He put his hand in the position it would have to in order to balance the controller.
	"Okay, no problem." Chris stood. "You can pick out a movie. I'll get drinks and some junk food."
	"Okay," Justin agreed.
	"And calm down!"
	"I am." Justin smiled. "Trying to, at least." He realized his heart was still racing.
	"Relax." Chris left.
	Justin got up and sat in front of the cabinet. He opened it and pulled out a drawer. There sure were a lot of movies. He skimmed over the titles and pulled one out.
*****
*****
	The town that the woman was talking about was more than they had been expecting. Of course, they hadn't been expecting very much in the first place . . . There were a lot of stores lining the streets. They were small specialty shops, and the guys wanted to look in them just for a change of pace.
	"This definitely isn't as bad as I thought it would be," Joey admitted after they parked the car on the side of the street and started walking. There were a lot of people around too. "It felt good to be able to walk around and have things to see."
	"No," Lance agreed, looking around appreciatively. "I didn't think it was going to be more than the last town."
	"Not that I don't love nature," Joey said. "But all of you in that house for all day is just too much sometimes."
	"Yeah," Lance agreed. "No kidding."
	"Wow," JC said. "Look at that . . ."
	Joey and Lance followed his line of sight to a store that sold grand pianos. Joey groaned jokingly. 
	"Uh-oh, Lance," he kidded. "I think I know where we're going first."
	JC looked hurt. "No, that's okay. If you guys aren't interested . . ."
	"I was kidding!" Joey replied. "I'm looking forward to hearing For the Girl Who Eats Everything."
	JC smiled. "Sure thing."
*****
*****
	The movie ended and credits began to roll. Chris glanced over at Justin, who was petting the dog next to him on the couch. He liked this better, he and Justin just relaxing together, not creating elaborate, dangerous plans and breaking bones.
	"Want to play a game?" Chris offered, getting up to eject the video and put it in its box.
	"Sure." Justin's voice held no enthusiasm.
	"What's wrong?" Chris turned. "Didn't like the movie?"
	"Nah, I liked it. I just saw it really recently though."
	"You picked it."
	"I know. I'm just a little tired, that's all." 
	"What, we get you Tylenol PM by mistake or something?" Chris joked. He glanced at his watch. "It's only . . . four-thirty. Come on."
	"Four-thirty. Almost time to sleep."
	"You were up late last night, true," Chris realized. "It's still early though; you don't want to mess with your sleep schedule."
	"Want to take the dog for a walk?"
	"Justin, sorry, but it's, like, twenty degrees outside."
	"Hm . . . Can I use your computer? Can I go online?" 
	"Um, okay." Chris shrugged. "I'll be right back."
	Justin waited patiently for Chris to come back down with the computer. He plugged in the adapter and pressed the power, handing the laptop over to Justin while it was booting up. He found a phone line to plug into the computer.
	"Thank you," Justin said while logging onto AOL. 
	Chris sat down next to him and watched him check his mail. About a hundred messages popped up.
	"When was the last time you checked?" Chris asked incredulously.
	Justin smiled. "You don't want to know."
	"Sheesh, how many people have your address?"
	Justin shrugged.
	"Do you write back to all of them?" Chris asked.
	"Yeah. Most of them."
	Chris just shook his head. "God, that's crazy."
	"I never have a chance to get on. JC told me to just get a new email, but I haven't. I go through it once in a while."
	"Remind me never to email you."
	"You want to see something funny?" Justin offered with a smile.
	"What?" Chris asked reluctantly.
	"You have Instant Messager too, right?" Justin looked over some icons after minimizing AOL. He found it and opened it up. He typed in a new name, Crunk81, and password and logged on.
	"What are you doing?" Chris was skeptical. 
	"Just watch." He went through AOL Instant Messanger under the options to 'find a buddy' and then went to the interest 'Entertainment: Celebrities'. He found a few people who had teenybopper looking names and invited them all into a chat.
*You have entered Chat 15*
Crunk81: hi all
JRTlvr: hi
Syncer14: wassup?	
Joeysbabe: howdy
nsync4eva: hey
Crunk81: i have nsync's sn's
	"Justin!" Chris hit him in the shoulder. "What the hell are you doing?"
	Justin started laughing innocently. "Just watch. Joey and I did this once."
JRTlvr: really? omigod! i have to have them!!
Joeysbabe: yeah right
nsync4eva: who r u?
Syncer14: i have em 2
	"Excuse me?" Justin said aloud. "You do not!"
	"Okay, calm down," Chris laughed. 
	"She doesn't."
	"Right."
JRTlvr: what r they? 
Crunk81: betcha don't have them, syncer
Joeysbabe: this is bull. i hate posers
Joeysbabe has left the room
JRTlvr: what r they? have u talked to them?
Syncer14: o, but i do
Crunk81: yeah i talk to them. they're all cool. especialy justin
	"Excuse me?" Chris replied. "And you spelled especially wrong."
	"So sue me." Justin rolled his eyes. "Isn't it funny that they don't know who they're talking to?"
	"I think it's mean."
	"Well, look at people like Syncer," Justin defended. "They deserve it."
	"These are your fans."
	"I know. It's great," Justin laughed.
	Chris squinted at the screen. "God, I hate internet lingo. It takes me forever to figure out what some of these people are saying…"
nsyncer4eva: so how do u guys have the sn's? cuz they don't exactly give em out
JRTlvr: c'mon! i NEED 2 kno people!!!!!!
Syncer14: i kno cuz i'm them
Crunk81: you r NOT
Syncer14: actually, yah
Crunk81: nope. sorry.
	"Justin, babe, come on . . ." Chris soothed, seeing his friends face. 
	"I hate posers," Justin seethed. 
	"Don't make me take the computer away."
	"Doesn't it bother you at all?"
	"No," Chris said with a smirk.
	"Not even remotely?"
	"I really don't even care," Chris answered.
Syncer14: and y not? don't tell me b/c u r
JRTlvr: am i really chatting w/ nsync???!!!
nsync4eva: this is whacked. decide who wants 2 pretend what days or sumthing. nice try
nsync4eva has left the room
Syncer14: yep. it's me
JRTlvr: omigod!! which one am i talking to?? i luv u btw!!
Syncer14: thanx. this is justin
	"What?" Justin screamed out. "I don't think so, lady!"
	"Justin . . . I think we might have to limit your online time. Do you do this often?"	
	"This has never happened before!" Justin complained. "And, no, I told you, Joey and I just did it once."
	"For someone who never is online…"
	"They can't pretend to be me. I won't have that."
JRTlvr: hi justin! i love u!!
Syncer14: uh, thanx. 
Crunk81: who do you THINK U R??
JRTlvr: it's justin randall timberlake!! can u believe it? and he's talking to me!!!!!!!
Syncer14: yep. that's me. :)
Crunk81: oh yeah?? then tell me what my mother's middle and maiden name r
	"Justin!" Chris hit him in the back of the head. "You said my, you moron!"
	"So?" Justin fumed. "What should I say, Chris? Your?"
Syncer14: how should i know what your mother's middle and maiden name r?
Crunk81: if u were the real justin u'd know who i was
Syncer14: and y's that?
Crunk81: b/c 
Syncer14: b/c ure justin? if u were really justin, i don't think u'd be parading around online claiming to have u and ure bandmates' sn's, loser
Crunk81: o yeah? and how would u know
JRTlvr: so how's life, justin? where are u now? i want to marry u!
Syncer14: oh, i'm a little young to get married yet . . . and we're in florida right now. it's great. we've got some time off
Crunk81: yeah, but were NOT in fla
Syncer14: look, poser, go prey on someone else. u messed w/ the wrong person this time
Crunk81: nsync's not in florida right now
Syncer14: then where r we know-it-all?
	"Justin, just stop," Chris started.
	"Nope," Justin disagreed.
Crunk81: ny
JRTlvr: really? omigod! i live in ny!! what part??
	"I can't believe you!" Chris punched Justin in the arm.
	"Ow!" Justin howled. "My arm, my arm."
	Chris paused. "Oh my God, I'm sorry, kid. I totally forgot about your arm . . ."
	"It's okay . . ." Justin closed his eyes briefly. The pain faded.
	"But don't you dare give away our location," Chris said sternly. "You did enough damage already."
	"I have to defend myself. I don't want people being me online."	
	"Just get off. It's funny to begin with, Justin, true, but she's a poser and she thinks you're a poser too. Get over it."
	"I hate posers," Justin growled.
	"Well, deal. There's a lot."
JRTlvr: puh-leaze tell me what part? i'm begging u!! i live upstate off the interstate. r u near that?
Crunk81: u shouldn't give that information out
Syncer14: we're in florida right now
Crunk81: we're upstate ny
JRTlvr: what part? please!
	Just as the computer sounded for a reply from Syncer, Chris pulled the cell phone connection out and closed the laptop. "I don't think so."
	"Aw, Chris, I wasn't going to give anything away!"
	"The internet is dangerous for people like you, you freak," Chris said, standing up and putting the computer away on the table. "Look at how that little girl was about to give out her home address to someone online because she thought they were a member of *NSYNC and might be nearby? And you were about to do the same thing!"
	"I am a member of *NSYNC," Justin replied. 
	"And the most naïve one at that. Don't give out where we are, Justin! This is vacation, not attract the fans convention."
	"I didn't!"
	"The girl says she lives off the interstate of upstate New York and asks whether you're there. You say, we're upstate. And you'd just keep narrowing it down for her, I bet."
	"Chris…" Justin rolled his eyes. "I'm not an idiot. I don't want fans flocking here either, trust me."
	"Yeah, but it's not funny just—"
	Chris's cell phone rang and he broke off to answer it. "Hello?" There was a pause and then he smiled. "Hey, mom! What's up? Sure he's here. Yeah. Fine. Just a sec." Chris held the phone out to Justin. "It's your mom."
	Justin took the phone. "Hi, mom." Chris sat down next to him. "Really? Aw . . . Are they still in Orlando? Oh, that's too bad…" He looked at Chris. "Jon's fish died," he whispered.	
	Chris opened his mouth. "Oh, poor guy!"
	"Sure, I'll talk to him," Justin replied. "But I have some news for you, mom . . . No, it's not bad. Well, it's not good, but it's . . . Okay, okay. I broke my wrist. Well fractured." He made a face at Chris as he spoke. "Well, yeah, it is bad news more than good news, I guess, mom, huh? Sorry. How? Well, Chris pushed me in front of a car. What? Yes, I'm kidding!"
	Chris hit him.
	"Ow," Justin continued. "When did it happen? Um . . ."
	"One o'clock AM last night!" Chris yelled into the phone. Justin sent him a look.
	"Yeah," Justin said into the phone. He winced. "That was the time. Yeah, AM. I know. Weird time to be breaking bones…. I didn't mean to, mom. I fell out of a tree…. No, just Lance and I were up. The others were . . . sleeping . . . I know it sounds stupid. It was . . . No, it's not their fault….. What was I doing? Um . . ."
	"Trespassing!" Chris yelled.
	Justin sent him a pleading look. "No, mom, Chris is quite the joker. No, JC's not here. He  went out. It's just Chris and me. The others went into town . . . Because I didn't feel like going . . . Of course it hurts, but I'm fine . . . Mom, give me a break. Didn't you call so I could talk to Jon? At least put my father on the phone… Yeah, well . . . ?" There was a pause. "Hi, Jon!"
	"Hey, Jon!" Chris yelled into the phone.
	"I heard your fish died, buddy . . . Yeah, well a day is, like, a really long time in fish life. I think it's equivalent to about twenty human lives. No, I'm serious! …. No, Chris said so and he's out of college! See? …. Well, the fish that I had lived two hours. That's about a year and a half or something. So you're really lucky actually . . ."
*****
*****
	"It's starting to snow . . ." Lance noted as they walked out of an antique store. Only JC was the only one to have bought anything yet. And that was just a tiny model of a grand piano that'd he'd seen. It had an inscription under it and played a song as well. He bought it as a souvenir of their trip. Joey had been going to buy a Superman tie that he'd found until he was convinced not to. Lance just liked looking at everything.
	"Oh, yeah . . ." JC looked up at the white flakes. "Think we should get going? It's a little way to get back and we've been here a while."
	"What time is it?" Joey asked.
	"A quarter after five," JC said. "And I don't want to leave Curly and Crazy alone much longer. The house might not be there when we get back."
*****
*****
	"Okay, this is what we're going to do," Justin started as they walked upstairs. "We're going to pretend like we almost killed each other while they were gone, okay?"
	"What?" Chris frowned. "Come again?"
	"Well, I know JC's got one of those first aid kits or something, so for example, we'll wrap your head in gauze or something."
	"They'll freak out, Justin. Because they'll believe it with our history."
	"I know!" Justin grinned.
	"Why are you such a prankster recently?"
	"Boredom does that to you."
*****
*****
	"Oh my God . . ." JC said slowly as they walked through the door. Lance, Joey, and him all stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the scene.
	Justin and Chris stood in front of them with pathetic looks on their faces. Chris's head was wrapped as if he had a concussion and he was wearing sling. Justin was on crutches and his leg was all wrapped.
	"What happened?" Joey gaped at them.
	"We were gone for just a couple of hours and look . . ." Lance was stunned.
	"There was an accident," Chris said in a weak voice.
	"An accident?" JC was nearly hyperventilating.
	Lance shut the door behind them. "What happened?"
	"Accident," Justin echoed as if traumatized. "Ambulance. Accident."
	"It was horrible . . ." Chris continued.
	Justin put a hand over his face. "Accident, accident." His voice was choked. But a muffled laugh escaped.
	"Wait… He's laughing!" Joey yelled. "You assholes…"
	Justin pulled his hand down and cracked up laughing. "Okay, fine. But we got you! Got you good."
	JC put a hand over his heart. "For God's sake, guys . . ."
	Chris smiled. "That was good. Yeah, we definitely had you."
	"What would provoke you to do such a sick joke?" Lance asked. 
	Justin kept laughing. He lifted one of the crutches to point at them. "Who cares? Got you!"
	Joey grabbed one of the crutches. "Shut up. To think I was worried about you." 
	"Got. You," Justin repeated. He laughed until Joey hit him with the crutch.
	"Watch his arm," Chris warned as he started unwrapping his head. 
	Justin hopped over to the couch, the gauze on his leg making it hard to walk. He started to unravel it. 
	"It was sort of obvious," Joey was saying as he sat down to help Justin get it off. "I mean, what doctor puts the cast over the jeans?"
	"Where'd you get the crutches and sling?" Lance asked.
	"Closet," Chris replied. "Johnny's got some crazy stuff here."
	"That was a bad joke," JC said. "I thought something had really happened."
	"You would," Justin replied.
	"See that?" Joey glared at Justin. "You nearly gave the old man a heart attack." 
	"It was all Justin's idea," Chris replied. "Do you want to know what else Justin did while you were gone?" Chris asked slyly. Justin shot him a look.
	"Uh-oh," Joey said playfully as he pulled off the last of the gauze from Justin's leg. He patted his thigh. "What else?" He rolled up the gauze and placed it on the table before him.
	"Nothing," Justin replied. "We watched a movie." 
	"Hey," Lance noticed. "The plant and Nintendo are back. How'd that happen?"
	"Oh, um . . ." Justin hesitated. He cursed Lance for being observant. And Chris for hinting that something actually had happened, and causing observant Lance to look for something. "They were under a couch."
	"Yeah, right." 
	Justin stared at him hard. "Don't ask."
	"Okay . . ."
	"Oh, yeah," Joey said as if just remembering something. "We saw a McDonald's on the way back and we were sort of hungry, so we wanted to know if that's what you guys would want."
	"No more homemade food?" Justin asked.
	"Not tonight… So, McDonald's?"
	"Yeah, fine," Chris replied.
	"Sure, I guess," Justin affirmed.
	"Okay, I'll go back then," JC offered. "Lance, you want to come too?"
	"Isn't it snowing out?" Chris asked. "Is it smart to be out on those roads?"
	"It's not that bad," JC swore. "Don't worry, Chris. It's not far. That's why we suggested it."	
	"Okay." Chris shrugged, but seemed unconvinced. "Drive carefully."
	"So what do you guys want?" Lance asked. 
	"One of those McFlurry things," Justin said.
	"Food?"
	"Let me think. But make sure you get me a McFlurry. Oreo."
	"It'll melt, Justin," JC objected.
	"I'll go with you then. I'll eat it there."
	"No, you stay home."
	"Just get me a McFlurry, JC! If it melts, we can stick it outside for a few minutes. And I want the oreo one." He paused. "And for food…."
	"Get me one of those things too?" Chris asked. Justin sent him a grin.
	"Okay, okay." JC sighed. "Two McFlurries . . . What do you want to eat?"
	"I want a Big Mac, coke, and fries," Joey said. "Supersized."
	"Pig," Justin muttered.
	"What was that?" Joey turned.
	"I said . . . someone's got quite a healthy appetite today . . ."
	"Whatever." Joey smiled. "You eat more than me on many occasions."
	"I'll get paper and pen," JC said. "I know for a fact I'll never remember any of this."
	"Just like you can't remember our lyrics?" Justin retorted.
	JC's mouth hung open just as Joey put a hand over Justin's mouth. Chris started laughing. "I haven't…" JC objected. "Not in a long time…" He looked insulted.
	"Sometimes when you think of something funny . . ." Joey was saying softly. "You keep it to yourself."
	"I was kidding!" Justin said through the hand over his mouth. Joey lifted his hand off. 
	"I hope you were." JC crossed his arms. 
	"I thought it would get a laugh. Only Chris got it. Thanks, Chris."
	Chris gave thumbs up. "No problem."
	"Now it would have been funny," JC considered, "if you'd used it against . . . say, Joey. Who forgot lyrics a few weeks ago. Then we would have all been laughing."
	"Hey!" Joey looked up.
	"I couldn't have used him because he's sitting right next to me and he would have hurt me," Justin objected. "So I used you."
	"Whatever. I'll get the paper."
	Justin watched him leave. He returned a moment later,  ready to write. "OK," he sat down besides Joey on the couch. "What does everyone want?"
	"I'm sorry, Jace," Justin said. 
	"I knew you were joking," JC said. "It's okay." He looked up. "I'm serious. What do you want to eat?"
	"Big Mac, coke, fries, supersized," Joey repeated. "No cracks, reject." He glared at Justin. "You're not funny. Ever."
	"Okay, that's it." Justin sulked. "I'm never opening my mouth again."
	"There goes your career," Lance said.
	"You know what I mean!"
	"Ooh, you opened your mouth!" Joey said.
	"Shut up, and come on," JC snapped. They all looked at him in surprise. "I want to go out and get this as soon as I can before the roads get too bad," he said more calmly. "So tell me what you want and you can pick on Justin when I'm gone." 
	They gave their orders and Lance and JC left.
*****
*****
 	"Marco!" Chris yelled.
	"Polo!" returned Joey and Justin's voices from some distant place in the house. 
	Blindfolded and standing in the middle of the family room, Chris sighed and started walking slowly towards the voices. He wondered blandly whose idea it was to play Marco Polo in the house and why he was the first one to be it . . .
	"Marco—ow!" Chris walked into a wall. He heard snickering and scowled. 
	"Polo!" replied two voices. Neither was where the laughter had been a second before.
	"Justin, are you cheating?" he complained.
	"No!" came an objection from somewhere else in the house.
	"You're moving around though," Chris replied. "You can only do that in the water. We're not playing that version. Because it's harder finding someone with house obstacles."
	"I know!"
	"You're somewhere else now, Justin! Stay where you are, you little cheater!"
	"I ain't cheating, Chris!"
	"Are you where you were when we first started?"
	"Well, no . . ." Justin admitted. "But neither is Joey!"
	"Yes, I am!" 
	"You're both cheaters!" Chris yelled. "No wonder it's taking forever for me to find you!"
	Justin ran up behind him and jumped on his back. Chris stumbled, but regained balanced. 
	"Justin, I can't see," he said plaintively. "And how'd you get on me, you one armed boy?"
	"Then take off the blindfold silly," Justin laughed. "And I jumped."
	"No duh." Chris rolled his eyes. Justin slid the blindfold off for him. He had one arm around Chris's neck, and the other was held close to his own chest.
	"Let's find Joey . . ." Chris decided. He started walking, taking long, staggering steps.
	"Want me to get down?" Justin asked.
	"If you want to." Chris shrugged. "You are heavy."
	Justin slid off and tied the blindfold, which was a bandana, over his hair. "Operation find Joey."
	"Oh, Joey . . ." Chris called in a high pitched wail.
	"Where, oh where, could he be?" Justin acted perplexed. "I think we've lost him!"
	"Justin, if you were Joey, where would you go?"
	"To the refrigerator!" Justin cried. 
	They went to the kitchen. No one was there. Not even under the tables.
	"Hm . . ." Justin tapped a finger on his chin. "Where could he be? Chris, if you were Joey, where would you be?"
	"Upstairs!"
	They went upstairs.
	"Marco!" Justin called.
	No answer.
	"Joey, you've gotta say Polo!" Justin complained.
	"Polo . . ." came a muttered voice from somewhere upstairs.
	"Bathroom," Chris mouthed. 
	They tiptoed towards the door and Chris placed his hand over the knob and held it.
	"Come out, come out, where ever you are!" he yelled. "Particularly if your name's Joey and you're in the bathroom."
	The knob tried to turn from the other side; Joey's useless effort to come out.
	"Hey!" he shouted, pounding on the door. "That's not funny! Let me out!"
	Chris laughed and sent Justin a grin. "Count of three," he said. "Run."
	Justin nodded, backing towards the stairs.
	"One," Chris said.
	"Let me out!" Joey wailed, banging on the door. It sounded like it was going to break.
	"Two . . ."
	"This is not a joke! I will kill you!!"
	"Three!" 
	Chris released the knob and Joey came out. Justin and Chris scrambled down the stairs with mock screams. 
	Chris and Justin stood in the family room panting.
	"Where is he?" Justin asked. 
	Chris shrugged. "I thought he'd come right after us . . ."
	"Me too."
	Joey ran into the room and starting spraying them with shaving cream. The puppy jumped off the couch and started barking, jumping around their feet. White foam showered the room.
	"Agh!" Chris and Justin yelled. They ran into the kitchen. Justin got to the fridge and opened the door. He grabbed a can of coke and shook it as hard as he could.
	Joey walked in the door and Justin opened the can. It sprayed out forcefully at Joey, soaking him. Justin laughed at him and then gazed down at himself, covered in shaving cream. He frowned. Joey rushed him and grabbed the can, pouring the rest of it over his head. Justin just stared at him as soda dripped down his face. 
	"Guys . . ." Chris said seriously, viewing the two. "I hate to interrupt your little . . . moment . . . but we made a mess and I for one am not looking forward to JC's reaction to it. Or Johnny's if we ruined something. There's no housekeeping here to deal with your crap."
	"Oh, don't be silly," Justin laughed. "A little club soda will take that out."
	"Shout it out!" Joey yelled. 
	"Boys, boys . . ." Chris started. He winced as both Justin and Joey screamed at the top of their lungs. There was subsequently a moment of silence.
	"Hm, shouting it out didn't work." Justin frowned.
	Joey was skeptical. "That should always work . . ."
	"You two are idiots," Chris muttered. "Messy, inconsiderate idiots."
*****
*****
	The roads were getting slippery. JC drove carefully, high beams on, going slowly like everyone else on the road. He couldn't help but notice Lance's stiff posture in the passenger seat.
	"You okay, Lance?" JC asked.
	"Just hoping we get back okay . . ." Lance replied. "I'm thinking eating in might have been a better decision for this night."
	"Don't worry. It's just a little snow." JC stared at the monstrous flakes that hit his windshield like icicles.
	"A little?" Lance was dubious.
	"Just concentrate on getting McDonald's," JC said. "Unless you think we should turn back . . . ?"
	"No, wouldn't want to disappoint Chris and Justin by coming back with no McFlurries, would we?" he spoke sarcastically. But in a way he was right; they'd come this far.
	"Nah. Of course not!" JC laughed. "A half an hour, and we'll be back at the house eating. Calm down, Lance."
	"I'm calm, I'm calm," Lance assured him. "I just don't like driving in bad weather."
	"You're not the one driving!"
	"You know what I mean." Lance rolled his eyes, smiling. "But don't talk to me. Concentrate on the road . . ."
	"Concentrating," JC promised. "We're almost there. See, here's the exit . . ."
*****
*****
	"They should be back by now," Joey complained, watching with little enthusiasm as Chris and Justin played with a hackey and invented new rules as they went along to keep it innovative. He glanced back at the television where some uninteresting TV series was playing.
	"They're probably driving slow because of the weather," came Chris's voice of reason.
	"Yeah," Justin agreed, concentrating on returning the hackey with the pattern they'd created so much that he comprehended little of their conversation. He returned it to Chris and it dropped to the floor, ignored. "Yo, Chris! Hello!"
	Chris turned back to him. "Oh, sorry, Justin."
	"We had it going and you messed it up!"
	"Stop the game for a second," Joey said. "I'm starting to get worried about JC and Lance."
	Justin picked up the hackey and sat on the couch. "Why?"
	"How long does it usually take to get McDonald's, Justin?"
	"I don’t know, I didn't pass it with you guys while I was out. I wasn't out. So I don't know where it is."
	"It's not far."
	"Like Chris said, they'd be driving slow, right?" Justin threw the ball up and caught it repetitively with his one hand.
	"Still, they've been gone a little too long."
	"It probably just seems like it because you're hungry," Chris attempted.
	Justin paused and gripped the ball. "Do you think something's happened?" he asked slowly.
	"Of course not," Joey replied quickly. "I'm just worried that there's a lot of traffic."
	Justin stared at him. "Why would you worry about traffic, Joey?"
	"Because he's hungry," Chris replied.
	"Is it because you're hungry, Joey?" Justin persisted. "Huh, big guy?" He punched Joey lightly in the stomach.
	Joey knocked him across the head. "What am I gonna do with you?" he asked fondly. "OK, I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but I'm worried about accidents and them breaking down. With weather like this… you never know…"
	"Accidents?" Justin echoed. "Breaking down?"
	"See, this is precisely why I was taking a different approach, Justin. But you didn't like my nondescript answer."
	"What if they're hurt or something? Do they have a phone with them?"
	"I don't think so," Chris answered honestly.
	Justin worriedly began to chew on his thumbnail. "Oh no . . ."
	"You see?" Joey sighed. He slid an arm around his young friend's shoulders. "I was just bored and started thinking too hard, Jus. Nothing's happened . . ." 
	There was a moment of silence, and the attention of the three drifted towards the television where a newscaster came on for the on the hour report. 	
	"Hi, this is Linda Bane bringing to you this evening's edition of the eight o'clock news for Channel Four. One of the biggest issues tonight is the weather. With a negative wind-chill factor and heavy winds, we highly recommend that you stay inside. Along with a downpour of sleet and snow, this is making for treacherous driving on the highways and interstates. We have reported several accidents and ask you to please stay off the roads." 
	"Oh no," Justin repeated. 
	"Stop it," Joey demanded. "Nothing's happened."
	"You said you were worried though," Justin objected.
	"I was slightly concerned that they were in traffic because of one of those things," Joey persisted. "JC's a good driver."
	"Yeah, in Florida! Not with snow. He's not used to snow."
	"Will you shut up?" Joey rolled his eyes. "You're overreacting big time, Justin."
	"You started it."
	"And I'm sorry I did."
	"But you said—"
	"Yeah, so what if I said? I'm going to break your other wrist if you keep it going. Go play hackey with Chris. Chris, play with him."
	Justin made a face. "You can't tell me what to do."
	"Please?" Joey asked.
	"Only if you play too."
	"Fine." Joey stood up. "Come on, let's go. They'll be here soon."
*****
*****
	"Well, this sucks." JC was getting angry as his hands gripped the steering wheel. "I can't see a thing."
	Lance was silent. 
	"All this to get freaking McDonald's . . ." JC continued irritably. "McDonald's." He laughed hoarsely. "Whose idea was this anyway?" He paused. "Mine. Oh yeah . . ."
	Suddenly, he pulled over to the side of the road and parked.
	Lance looked up. "Um, what are you doing, JC?"
	"I can't see." JC shrugged. "Hell, I don't even know what road we're on. I don't think that was the right exit."
	"You're not supposed to do that. Other drivers can't see you. Someone could rear-end us, JC."
	"I have no other choice. I don't know where to go. My emergency lights are on, it's the best I can do."
	"We're lost?" 
	JC paused. "Well . . ."
	"Oh my God . . ." Lance panicked. "We're in the middle of no where."
	"I know."
	"So what are we going to do?"
	"Well, for one, I can't drive if I can't see. So I'm going to wait a little while and see if it clears a little bit before we get back on the road."
	"And, um, how come we haven't seen any other cars out on the road?" Lance asked.
	"Maybe because we're the only people stupid enough to be driving in this weather. And for McDonald's . . ." 
	"It's not even going to be open when we get there," Lance sighed.
	JC took a breath. "Yeah, probably. Oh well."
*****
*****
	"I'm hungry," Joey complained, extracting himself from the endless game of hackey. He turned to go back to the couch and the hackey hit him in the head. He stopped and heard Justin's laughter. He ignored him and sat down.
	"You're always hungry, Joey," Chris replied.
	"Well, I'm starving," Justin said. He quit the game and collapsed next to Joey on the couch.
	Chris picked up the hackey and threw it at them. "So am I," he admitted.
	Justin called the puppy over to him and it pounced over from its position on the floor to his feet. He pulled her into his lap. "Should we call the police?"
	"The police?" Joey echoed. He reached over to pet the dog.
	"Well, yeah. To report missing people?" 
	"They've only been gone . . ." Joey glanced at his watch. "Oh, never mind . . ."
	Justin looked up. "How long?" he demanded.
	Joey hesitated.
	"Joey!" Justin whined. "Tell me."
	"Nearly two hours . . ." Joey allowed.
	"Can we please call the police?"
	"They wait until twenty four hours," Chris said.
	"Well, I can't wait twenty four fu—"
	"Hey!" Chris objected, slightly laughing. "We'll have none of that, young man."
	"We need to find them."
	"Why don't you go shower? I mean, you're all sticky," Joey said. He reached over to touch Justin's hair. "Your hair's all disgusting, man."	
	Chris laughed. "I guess toweling off after that little soda fight wasn't the best thing, huh?"
	Justin stuck out his tongue. "You're not so perfect yourself, Joey."
	"I know. I'll shower after you. So hurry up." He pushed Justin up. 
	Justin let the dog on Joey's lap to his disgust and started out of the room. He turned back.
	"Oh yeah," he said.
	"What now?" Joey asked.
	"I can't get my cast wet."
	"I'll do it," Chris said. "Get me a plastic bag and tape."
*****
*****
	Justin walked up the stairs after Chris taped a plastic bag around the cast with tape around the end. It was nearly cutting off his circulation. He could tell he'd need help getting it off. At least it was waterproof.
	He walked into his room and walked past JC's bed sadly. He hoped that when he came out of the shower, the two of them would be home. Then he noticed a letter on his bed. He walked over slowly and picked it up.
	It was a piece of loose leaf with writing on it. The words scared him. He read it in his mind:
	"Justin, I hate trespassers and I hate thieves. Know that I do repay my debts. Watch out."
	Justin stared at it a moment, indecisively. Should he go down and show them? He folded it up and decided not to. Not just yet. Joey didn’t even know where they'd been earlier. He stuck it in the outer part of his bag and ignored it. 
	I don't think so, Mara, he thought. You can't scare me.
*****
*****
	Twenty minutes later Justin went back downstairs in sweatpants and a t-shirt. The first thing he noticed was that JC and Lance weren't back. A wave of disappointment washed over him. Both Joey and Chris seemed slightly melancholy and were just sitting on the couch staring at the news. Justin went straight to Chris.
	"Could you take this damn thing off now?" He pushed his plastic covered cast in Chris's face. "You, like, super-glued it or something."
	"Did it work?" Chris looked up.
	"Well, yeah."
	"Then it served it's purpose." Chris started pulling at the tape.
	"Ow, ow," Justin objected. "That's my skin." 
	Chris pulled off one piece of tape. "I had to put it on your skin," he replied with little sense of apology as he watched Justin's wince. "To make it air-tight."
	"My arm's gonna fall off," Justin sighed. "It can't breathe and there's no circulation. Just great."
	"It is not." Chris grimaced as he tried to pull it off. "Geez, I did do a good job, didn't I?"
	Justin rolled his eyes. "Just get it the hell off, Dreds!"
	Chris stopped. "No."
	Justin glared at him. "What the hell do you mean no?"
	"Don’t feel like it. I don't like the way you're talking to me," Chris said with a hint of a smile. "I'll do it in a few minutes."
	"Oh, give me a break . . . You're kidding, right?" Justin turned to Joey. "Joey, will you get it off?"
	"Find scissors and I will," Joey replied. "And get me something to eat?"
	"Yes, my liege." Justin scowled and walked towards the kitchen. He came back a few minutes later with scissors and a box of cereal.
	"I don't want cereal," Joey objected.
	"Well, tough, huh?" Justin returned. He gave him the scissors. "Don't cut off my arm."
	"Very interesting prospect," Joey considered.
	"Bite me," Justin snapped.
	"Don't tempt him," Chris warned. "When Joey's hungry . . ."
	Justin sent Joey a wary look.
	"Now, I'm going to cut down here first," Joey started. "Where are your fingers just in case?"	
	"Dear God . . ." Justin sighed. "Just cut the tape up here, Joe."
	"Okey dokey." Joey shrugged. "Tell me if I start to cut you."
	"I'll let you know," Justin promised sarcastically.
*****
*****
	Luckily for JC and Lance, a patrolling squad car had pulled over when he'd seen them at the side of the road and was able to direct them to the nearest town. And McDonald's. They found out what exit number they were at, and discovered they really weren't far after all. Their fears began to dissipate.
	Lance was overjoyed as he saw buildings and the big yellow arc. "Alleluia!" he exclaimed.
	JC nodded in agreement. "Yeah. This is the last time we risk our lives for McDonald's."
	"We're nearly the only idiots out on the road." Lance shook his head. 
	"Hey, at least there won't be a long line."
	Lance smiled. "No. Very true."
	They parked and went in. While JC was ordering and paying for their food, Lance was getting directions back to the cabin. There were very few people in the McDonald's besides them.
*****
*****
	"I spy . . ." Justin said. "The color . . . blue." He smiled.
	Joey and Chris started to look around the room. The three of them were sitting on the couch, with the dog on Justin's lap, bored to death. They were all extremely worried about Lance and JC, but refused to talk about it. In the same way, they didn't discuss how hungry they were. Both Joey and Chris had showered and changed like Justin. The news still played on the television.
	"Your cast," Joey said.
	"Nope," Justin replied. 
	"Your eyes," Chris said.
	"No . . ." Justin laughed.
	"The newscaster's shirt?" Joey attempted.
	"Nope."
	"My boxers." Chris winked.
	"Ew, no!" Justin grimaced. "How would I know that?"
	"Oh, come on, baby, don't act dumb."
	"You're a sick man, Chris."
	"I love it when you talk dirty." Chris laughed.
	"Oh my God . . ."
	Chris grinned impishly. 
	"Let's see…" Joey looked around. "Blue, blue, blue . . ."
	The front door opened and the three paused. Justin put the dog on the floor and got up. Maybe the door was opening because of wind, maybe it was Mara again, or maybe…
	When he saw JC and Lance, he bounded toward them.
	"You're back!" he cried, enveloping JC in a hug and nearly knocking the bag out of his hands. He jumped over to Lance and hugged him, too. He grinned at them. "You're back, you're back!"
	"Hey, buddy," JC greeted tiredly. "Let us get in the door."
	Joey and Chris joined them and took the bags from Lance and JC. They all started for the kitchen. Justin was jumping all around them.
	"Who's hungry?" Lance asked.
	"You have no idea," Joey sighed. He patted his stomach. "I thought I'd starve."
	"It's after ten, guys. You left nearly three hours ago," Chris said. 
	"The weather." JC collapsed at the kitchen table. "The visibility is horrible. I couldn't see a thing. We had to pull over and then we got lost. McDonald's is not this important next time . . ."
	"Joey thought you'd gotten in an accident," Justin said.
	JC glared at Joey. "Luckily, no… You pessimist."
	Joey frowned at Justin. "I only said I was worried because the news was saying there were a lot of accidents, Justin."
	"Yeah, well. Same difference."
	"I'm not surprised," Lance said. "We were stupid to go out again. We should have just eaten what we had here."
	"Here . . ." JC pulled two cups that had spoons stuck in them off of a cup holder. "Your stupid McFlurries. Put them in the freezer. I think our heat from the car might have "
	"Thank you, JC," Chris and Justin chorused as they grabbed them. Justin opened the freezer and took Chris's from him to place them both on a shelf.
	"You're welcome." JC rolled his eyes. "Now let's eat. But I think Lance ate most of the fries on the ride here, just to warn you guys."
	"No!" Lance objected. "Only some of my own . . ."
	Everybody started taking their own food and sitting down. Now that everyone was back, and safe, their anxious moods settled and they were able to relax again.
	"So what'd you guys do while we were gone?" JC asked.
	"We . . ." Joey started, ". . . watched a movie, watched the news, played some games and . . ."
	"Why's the floor all sticky?" JC asked as he got up to get a glass. "My feet are actually getting stuck to the ground." He stared at the floor as if it would tell him the answer. "That's so weird."
	No one answered.
	"Justin?" he asked.
	"What?" Justin demanded. "Why are you looking at me?"
	"Because you look guilty."
	"It was all Joey, though."
	"No!" Joey objected. "What I used was not sticky."
	"Yeah, but you grabbed—"
	"Hold up, hold up." JC got a glass and soda from the refrigerator and sat back down. "What?"
	"Joey attacked me and Chris with shaving cream," Justin said.
	"And Justin sprayed soda all over the kitchen," Joey persisted defensively. 
	JC groaned. "I'm too tired to deal with this . . ."
	"They locked me in the bathroom," Joey persisted. He started opening his burger. "It was completely substantiated."
	"Justin . . ."
	"I didn't do that," Justin said. "That was all Chris."
	"Chris . . ." JC sighed.
	Chris pointed to his mouth to indicate he was eating. In other words, he didn't want to discuss it.
	"Just make sure you clean it up," JC replied. He dipped a bunch of fries in ketchup. "I doubt Johnny wants to come back to that the next time he comes here." He sighed. "I am so tired . . ."
	"Me too," Justin said. "I think I took Tylenol PM."
	"I'm exhausted," Lance said. 
	"How's your arm?" JC asked Justin.
	"It's okay." Justin shrugged. "I can't really feel it because Chris cut off the circulation in my arm before."
	"What?"
	Chris rolled his eyes. "He couldn't get his cast wet and was going to shower so I taped plastic over it. No big deal."
	"Yeah," Justin muttered. "It only took an hour to get off."
	"It worked, didn't it?"
	"Only because—"
	"Because? Because I did it right. It works or it doesn't and—"
	"That's not like—"
	"Will you two shut up?" Joey snapped.
	"Thank you," JC said.
	"Yeah, you weren't with these two lunatics alone for three hours. Talk about a headache."
	"Thank you, thank you," Chris replied. "We aim to please."	
	"You aim to kill."
	"That too," Chris laughed.
	"Guys, just eat," Lance said. "So we can sleep."
*****
*****
	All had gone to bed early, exhausted from the stressful day. Justin lay in bed, wide awake, thinking as he listened to the wind howl outside the window next to him. He thought about the pain in his arm, the fate of his dog, what would have happened if Lance and JC hadn't returned, and the note that he'd found in his room. The majority of his concerns were based on the latter. His stomach churned in anxiety.
	The threat. How did she get it in his room? Surely it was put there after she had left. He would have noticed it before; it was too conspicuous. It was right on his bed. He would have noticed . . . Chris wouldn't have let her upstairs. Chris said she was barely inside.
	She had been back in the house. But when? He'd been home all day aside from the morning. The morning . . . No, it had to have happened after that because it mentioned the objects he'd reclaimed. She was able to get in his bedroom. 
	Maybe at any time.
	"JC?" he called. His eyes drifted off of the ceiling and towards his friend's bed where a figure rolled over. He was undoubtedly awake. Justin didn't know if he would answer though. JC was tired.
	He waited a moment for an answer with no avail. The wind howled once again as he toyed with the option of getting out of bed to wake JC. A childish thought danced through his head. But what if she was around, or watching?
	Right now? he thought. That's stupid. Of course she's not.
	But there was always that possibility. It scared him.
	"JC…" he said a little louder, sitting up and drawing his legs closer to a cross-legged position. He hugged a pillow in his lap. He was suddenly glad that Chris had the single room, and not him.
	"I'm sleeping . . ." JC moaned.
	"JC, please . . ." Justin implored. 
	"What?" JC sighed and started to sit up. He was sleeping, but if Justin needed him…
	"I found something today . . ." Justin began softly. 	
	"Uh-huh . . . I'm listening." JC rubbed at his eyes. 
	"And I need to show it to you . . ."
	"This is what's keeping you awake, Justin? A midnight show and tell?" JC's voice was irritated. 
	Justin's arm tightened around the pillow. "This is really important."
	"Really important," JC echoed without conviction as he sat on the edge of his bed. "Alright, so show me." He stared at Justin's figure in the dark.
	Justin didn't move. 
	"Well . . . ?" JC asked, slightly more patient as well as conscious.
	"Could you get it?" Justin asked.
	"What, you broke your legs now, too? Can't get up?" JC stared at Justin's position and sighed as he stood. "Okay . . . Where is it, whatever it is?"
	"Outer part of my bag." Justin pointed. "It's a note."
	JC switched on the light and went to Justin's bag, squinting in the seemingly harsh light. He found a piece of paper in the outer zipper and brought it over to Justin. "Here." 
	Justin shook his head. "Read it."
	JC crawled onto Justin's bed and sat in front of him. He unfolded the paper and read it aloud in a low voice. "Justin, I hate trespassers and I hate thieves. Know that I do repay my debts. Watch out."
	Justin had been staring at the pillow in his arms until JC grew silent. He felt eyes on him and looked up to JC's burning glare. He realized that there was a bit of background to fill JC in on.
	"What the hell is this?" JC demanded.
	Justin shrugged.
	"Where'd you find it?"
	"On my bed this afternoon . . ." Justin mumbled. "When you were gone."
	"Did you tell Joey or Chris?"
	Justin shook his head.
	"And why not?" JC returned. 
	"I was going to ignore it," Justin admitted gently. "But then I started thinking about it and couldn't sleep . . ."
	JC let out a tired breath and reread the letter. "Okay, well, it's definitely for you . . . Who do you think it's from?"
	"Her," Justin whispered. "Who else would it be from, right?"
	"Her . . . Say her name, Justin." JC waited. "Mara," he said it for him. "Now can you explain this to me?" He waved the note in front of the other's face. 
	"What do you mean?" Justin shifted uncomfortably. 
	JC studied him with a knowing smile. "Oh, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Come on . . . Don't lie . . . What else happened?"
	"I'm not lying. I didn't say anything."
	"Exactly." JC paused. "Justin, I really don't care what you did if that's what you're worried about. Just tell me." He waved the note at him. "I mean, is this serious?"
	Justin's gaze wavered and he looked down at his hands. "Well . . . After you guys left this morning and Chris and I were home, I got the idea to go back . . . You know, to her place."
	"Justin . . ." JC groaned. "I don't like the start of this…"
	"Chris didn't want to let me go . . ."
	"Smart man."
	"But then someone knocked at the front door. I went to go get it and looked out the window. I saw it was her and went back to tell Chris. I convinced him to let me go over while he was distracting her so I could get our stuff back. I found our stuff, with a lot of other junk, in her closet and was about to leave when I heard her coming back in and had to hide in the closet. She'd just dropped off Chris's clothes and left. I kept thinking she was going to find me, but then she went upstairs and I got out."
	Justin looked at JC for a reply and could tell that the man was angry. He was shaking his head and had his jaw set. It was the look JC typically got when he couldn't believe someone had done something. Justin began the countdown until the explosion. Justin, I really don't care what you did if that's what you're worried about, Justin thought sarcastically. Sure.
	"Justin, look at this." JC took the other's wrist and held up the cast in front of his face. "Do you see what happens? God . . . You are so lucky, Justin. Do you realize that? What if she had caught you? Do you know what would have happened? You'd be arrested for trespassing and theft. She doesn't like you, she'd have no problem accusing you."
	"But I didn't—"
	"It doesn't matter. That stuff is serious no matter who you are. I don't know whether you'd be processed as a child or an adult, but either way you compromise everything. Everything. All our hard work gone because you had a moment of 'let's get my Nintendo back', Justin. See how stupid it sounds? How stupid you are?"
	"You think I didn't realize that?" Justin's voice shook.
	"You obviously didn't. Unless this stupid stuff, breaking and entering like on TV, is more important to you."
	"JC, I—"
	"No, Justin. I don't get it. This is vacation. Why can't you ever relax on vacation? You could use some common sense sometimes. It doesn't hurt."
	"Don't you see I was right about her?" Justin objected. He could feel himself welling up. It was so late, and he was tired. His wrist ached horribly, but he couldn't take more painkillers; he was worried about things, and now his best friend was getting mad at him. It seemed his whole world was falling apart. "Doesn't that count for anything?" 
	"Where does that put you, Justin? Other than having a broken bone and a woman extremely angry with you. This is trouble."
	"Well, sorry," Justin retorted irritably as he held back tears. "What do you want me to say? Huh? Why do you think I'm telling you, JC?"
	"Because you feel guilty? You couldn't sleep? So you decide to wake me up? Thanks a lot. You're selfish, Justin."
	"I trusted you . . ." Justin took a trembling breath. "I was scared. I still am. You're not going to help me because you're mad, and she's going to do something . . ." His voice broke off.
	"Justin . . ." JC stared at him. "You need to stop with your stupid ideas about her. She's just a normal person, who you just happen to be at odds with. Am I mad? Yes. Just let me think."
	Justin didn't answer. 
	"I think we should wait," JC said. "I mean, although it's obviously from her, she didn't even sign her name. So there's not much we can do. But, don't be scared. You've got four bodyguards and a dog. She probably just left it as a bluff because she's mad."
	Justin nodded and wiped his eyes.
	"I'm sorry . . ." JC put a hand on his shoulder. "It's just that . . . I haven't gotten one full night of sleep on this 'vacation' so far. I know who not to share a room with next time." He smirked to show he was kidding. "All I can say is, just don't go near her house again, alright?" JC patted his cheek.
	Justin nodded again and JC pulled back and stood. "Try to sleep. Is there anything else I should know?"
	Justin hesitated for a moment and said, "I have the dog's tag . . . I'd hidden it in the plant. That's why the plant was so important. But I have it back now. . ."
	JC nodded. "We'll deal with that tomorrow. Here." He found the walkman on the dresser and gave it to Justin. 
	"Thank you," Justin said with a smile. He put the pillow behind him and started to lay down. "And I'm sorry, JC. For everything."
	JC jumped back into his own bed. "You're forgiven. For everything. Now shut up and let me sleep. And don't wake me up in the morning."
	Justin smiled and closed his eyes.
*****
*****
	Joey opened his eyes. There were voices . . . and faces . . . But everything was a blur in his tired state of mind. He was still in bed and was being untimely awakened was all he knew.
	"What?" he demanded tiredly, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. He squinted in the light.
	Chris and Justin stood side by side grinning at him with identical goofy expressions. Both were dressed and wide awake. He had no idea how they survived on such little sleep.
	"Good morning!" Chris greeted cheerfully. 
	"I'm not sure about the good part," he sighed, crossing his arms. "What are you two up to?"
	"Mission Wake JC: Forbidden," Justin said. "Mission Wake Lansten: Impossible. Mission Wake Joe-Joe . . ." He smiled. "In progress."
	"No, no." Joey shook his head. "Mission Wake Joey: Forbidden."
	"In progress."
	"Forbidden."
	"In progress!"
	"Forb—"
	"Fellas, come on . . ." Chris said. He looked at Joey and indicated Justin. "Don't fight him."
	Justin smiled. "Wake up, Joey . . ."
	"I'm up, I'm up." Joey rolled his eyes. "Why is it necessary that I get up?"
	Chris shrugged. "We had nothing better to do. We needed someone new to talk to."
	"Great." Joey glared. He started to get out of bed. "I've got to shower now . . ." He ran a hand through his hair. 
	Chris and Justin exchanged a high five and then saluted each other. 
	Justin nodded proudly. "Mission completed."
	"Good job." Chris grinned.	
	Justin continued, "Mission: Make Breakfast."
	"Mission: Race You Downstairs. No blood, no foul."
	"No wait," Joey objected. "That's just stupid. I can just imagine you two going downstairs and Justin plummeting straight to the bottom to break his other arm."
	Justin grimaced. "Um . . . Thank you, Joey for that pleasant thought . . . But I think it's more likely that Chris will have a heart attack on the way down."
	"What?" Chris demanded. He crossed his arms.
	"Meaning neither will ever happen," Justin explained in exasperation. "I was being sarcastic! Hello?"
	"Whatever. Next age joke you die, Curly."
	"You're as young as yesterday, Chris," Justin said sincerely. Then he ran out the door downstairs laughing. 
	Chris sighed and turned to Joey. "Well, I've got people to kill and breakfast to make," he said. "So I'll see you later."
	"Right . . ." Joey shook his head and headed for the bathroom. 
*****
*****
	"Let's make a big breakfast," Justin suggested as Chris entered the kitchen to join him. He gazed at him from his seat at the table. "You know? Vacations are for that."
	"Sure. But you've got to help," Chris replied.
	"I said we," Justin retorted, getting up.
	"Actually, technically you didn't."
	Justin scowled at him. "Chris."
	"Let's make eggs, bacon… and toast," Chris said. "That'll be good."
	"Do we have all of that?" Justin was skeptical.
	"Why, certainly. We were quite the shoppers, remember? God, I think we have everything in the store."
	Justin shrugged. "I was only in charge of cereal. I don’t know what else we got.""
	"You said the cereal sucked."
	"It did."
	Chris stared. "But you picked it out?"
	"Like I had a variety to choose from?" Justin replied. "It was pathetic."
	Chris shrugged. "Okay, do you know how to cook eggs?"
	Justin nodded enthusiastically. "My mommy taught me."
	Chris grimaced. "Great."	
	Justin's eyes widened and he took a menacing step forward. "You dissing my mom's cooking, Dreds? You want a piece of me?"
	"You know I love Lynn's cooking, Justin." Chris rolled his eyes.
	Justin smiled suavely. "I'll just have to let her know when we get back not to count you for meals anymore if that's how you feel, Chris."
	"Yeah, yeah."
	"And you've seen me make eggs before, dude. Why are you even asking?"
	"Just making sure…" Chris persisted.
	"Well, I can make 'em. Can't everyone?"
	"You'd be surprised. I haven't cooked with you in a while. Now get a frying pan, butter, eggs, milk, a measuring cup, a big bowl, something to mix with, cheese, the bacon, and bread. Oh, and will turn the range on?"
	Justin's mouth hung open. "Say what?"
	"Justin, I thought you knew how to cook."	
	"I do!" Justin exclaimed. He went to the refrigerator. "But what are you going to be doing? That's why I want to know."
	"I'm going to do the cooking." Chris winked. "You're just my little helper."
	"Slave," Justin muttered. He put milk on the table and started to get the rest of the stuff. "You do this and just make me get the stuff, just so you can complain later about me doing nothing. I can see right through you."
	"Do you think there's an apron I could put on?" Chris asked, gazing around. He ignored Justin's comments.
	Justin nearly dropped the eggs. "Don't put on a freaking apron. I'll go back to bed."
	"Hey, this was your idea."
	"Do. Not. Put. On. An. Apron." Justin spoke slowly and clearly. "It'll scar me for life."
	Chris sighed. "Fine, burst my bubble of becoming a cook." He shook his head and pretended to start crying. 
*****
*****
	"Well, I don't smell anything burning . . ." Joey said as he walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later, freshly dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. 	
	Justin and Chris spun around. Both of them had pots on their heads as hats and were grinning. Justin had been putting bread in the toaster while Chris was cooking on the stove.
	"It smells good actually . . ." Joey grinned. "I'm starving." He sat down at the table after grabbing the juice out of the fridge and a glass. "What's with the . . . uh, hats?"
	"It's part of our mission," Chris said, turning back to the frying pan.
	"Yeah," Justin affirmed. "In case of an accident . . ." He paused. "You need one too." He went to the cabinet and pulled out another pot that he then walked over with to place on Joey's head. "Now we're all safe." He gave a breath of relief.
	"An accident?" Joey was dubious. He kept it on nonetheless. "Like what? You drop an egg?"
	Justin shrugged. "Anything could happen. Was Lance up?"
	"In the shower now. And I told JC you were cooking, so he should be down soon."
	Justin nodded. "Okay. Hey, I have a job for you! You can set the table!"
	Joey groaned. "Oh, joy . . ." He got up.
*****
*****
	"Food! Wondrous food!" Joey clapped his hands at his place at the table. As usual, he was starving. He picked up his utensils in his hands and held them up. "Come on, people. Let's get this going. Joey's hungry!"
	Lance was just sitting down as JC walked in. Justin and Chris were still getting stuff ready as he sat. JC yawned as he sat down, running a hand over his bed ruffled hair, attempting to straighten it. 
	"Now everybody's here!" Joey was ecstatic.
	"I heard that you two were cooking," JC started. "I didn't really know whether to believe it or not. . ."
	"We cook!" Justin was defensive.
	JC rolled his eyes. "Justin, the only thing that you've ever made is a mess."
	"You lie. I've made you dinner so many times, JC…"
	"Yeah, yeah…"
	"Well, now I've made toast. Are you happy?"
	"Intensely. And Chris made eggs. I never thought I'd see this day."
	"And bacon." Joey was licking his lips in anticipation.
	"Sounds good to me," Lance said.
	"One question though. What's with the hats?" JC asked.
	"Oh," Chris laughed sheepishly. He glanced at Joey and Justin. "I guess we can lose these now . . ." They took them off and put them away. "Mission completed."
 	Justin looked down empathetically at the dog at his feet that was gazing up imploringly. "Aren't eggs good for dogs?" he asked slyly.
	"Scraps usually go to Joey, don't they?" Chris replied.
	"Hey!" Joey objected. "Not funny."
	"Yet so true . . ."
	"Seriously," Justin continued. "I think it's good for their coat or something."
	"Didn't we just get the thing food yesterday?" Joey asked. "I don't think it's good to introduce him—"
	"Her," Justin corrected.
	"Her . . . Well, I don't think it's good to introduce her to human food. What if she gets sick?"
	Chris had started to carry the food to the table. Justin put a plate of toast on the table and gazed down at the dog. It looked back at him sadly.
	"Did you take that dog out this morning?" JC asked, glancing at the dog as he poured himself juice.
	"Yeah," Justin replied.
	"She's really good. I guess she's housetrained."
	"I think so."
	"Mm, these eggs are good," Joey spoke up.
	Justin sat down just as everyone started helping themselves. The dog was still looking at him with big brown sorrowful eyes. When he got a chance to get eggs, he dropped a huge spoonful on the ground, attempting to make it look as accidental as possible. The serving spoon clattered to the ground and everyone glanced at him. He gave an innocent shrug.
	"Oh, oops," he apologized in a slightly sarcastic tone. "I'll get another spoon."
	"Hey, Justin, do you think that was a little obvious?" Lance asked as Justin pushed his chair back and got up again.
	"Whatever. It worked," Justin replied. He returned to the table and Chris took the spoon.
	"That dog better not get sick…" Lance said, watching the dog with a cautious eye. 
	Justin shrugged. "I doubt it." He watched as Joey began piling everything he could between two pieces of toast. Between the two slices was a precarious inch of eggs. He balanced it and lifted it to his mouth, barely keeping the sandwich together. Justin couldn't resist the temptation to make the situation more interesting.
	"Hey, Joey!" Justin said loudly just as Joey was about to take a bite. Attention divided, Joey looked up and the fillings of the sandwich fell out, splattering back onto his plate.
	"Ugh!" Joey exclaimed. He cursed under his breath as he began reconstructing the sandwich. "One of these days, Justin . . . Just wait.  Just wait, funny man."
	Justin smiled. "Wanna piece of me, Joey?" he asked in a funny voice.
	"Don't tempt me."
	"Come and get me, Joey."
	"You're handicapped. I don't want to hurt you." Joey started to reconstruct his sandwich.
	"You're scared of me."
	"Spare me, Justin."
	"Come on, Joey. You want a fight?" Justin grinned. "Right here, right now. No blood, no—"
	Joey looked up and tossed a piece of bacon at Justin. It fell short onto the table, and Justin gave it to the puppy. He looked back at Joey with a raised eyebrow. "Is that the best you can do?" he taunted. "Come on."
	"You don't want to fight me, Justin."
	"You scared of a one armed guy? Huh?" Justin enjoyed taunting him, and spoke playfully. "Huh?"
	Joey on the other hand preferred eating without the big talk and gave Justin a look. He could deal with a certain amount, but Justin was persistent. "Justin . . ."
	"It's okay. I understand. I'm intimidating."
	"You?" Joey laughed. "I don't think so."
	The rest of the guys were watching in amusement at the exchange between the two.
	"Then come on! What's stopping you?" Justin had a playful smile.
	"I don't want to hurt you, Justin. With your gimp arm."
	"Excuses, excuses. We all know the real reason." Justin shrugged. "Wuss."
	"I'm eating now . . ." Joey replied.
	"Easy way out . . ." Justin poked a fork at his eggs. "It's okay to be a wuss, Joey. You can admit it."
	"Justin. Quit playing around." He shook his head. "At times I could kill you."
	"What's stopping you?" Justin repeated. "The table?"
	"My conscience," Joey retorted. "We'd be Sync, remember?"
	"You wish."
	Joey put his fork down. "Maybe I do. Right now I kind of do."
	"Now you're making him mad," Chris whispered to Justin with a chuckle.
	"It's fun," Justin replied. "Come on, Joey. Let it out. Let it all out. Tell it how it is."
	Joey rolled his eyes. "Let me eat."
	"Fine. Wallow in your fear," Justin said. "Turn to food for comfort. I am invincible!"
	Joey shook his head and took a bite of his sandwich. He chewed and swallowed, and found Justin's eyes still on him. "Will you quit staring at me, asshole? What's the matter with you?" 
	"Joey," JC objected. He laughed at Joey's easy annoyance. 
	"Look at him!" Joey pointed at Justin who was simply smiling. 
	"He's playing," JC insisted. "Justin, eat. Leave Joey alone."
	"Joey's weak," Justin said.
	"I know he is."
	"Hey," Joey spoke up. "Thanks a lot, JC." He searched for a way to change this whole subject and possible divert Justin's attention to other things. "So what are we doing today?" Joey asked, calming himself.
	"Get out of the house," Lance suggested.
	"I say we find a mall," Chris replied.
	"Depends how the roads are," JC replied. "But that sounds good to me."
*****
*****
	"Hey, J, come here for a sec," JC called later as they were leaving the kitchen. He stayed by the table. A thought had crossed his mind, and he realized now was the best time to address the issue. 
	Justin turned and eyed him warily. It was just the two now in the room. "What'd I do?" he asked carefully, rubbing at his cast. He searched his mind for something he'd done that warranted a private conversation.
	"Nothing," JC assured as he walked over to the phone and picked it up the receiver. He extended it to the other. "Don't you think there's a phone call you should make?"
	"No," Justin replied with a shrug. However, he knew exactly what JC was referring to and sighed when he thought of the dog.
	"Well, now I'm telling you there is."
	"JC . . ." Justin implored. "Now?"
	"It's now or never, Justin . . ." JC put the receiver on the hook again and sat back down at the table. He looked at Justin expectantly. 
	"Why now?" Justin questioned, crossing his arms.
	"We all know we can't keep the dog. You wanted to call yourself. That's fine, so do it. But you can't just drag this out… It's not fair to the owners. If you don't want to do it, then any one of the rest of us can do it and get it over with, you know?"
	"No." Justin sulked. "JC, you're mean."
	"Whine all you want, Jus."  JC smirked. "Doesn't change much."
	"Fine," Justin said. "I'll do it. I just need to go get the tag."
	"If you say you can't find it you're in trouble," JC replied as Justin walked out. 
	Justin walked up the stairs slowly. He couldn't imagine giving the dog back. Not now. He once thought that there was a chance that he could keep the dog. After all, everyone kept referring to it as his anyway. Having a dog on the tour bus would be great.
	He walked into his room and went to his bag where he had put the tag. He found it and stared at it momentarily. He couldn't pretend to lose it or else JC would kill him. Plus, that was extremely immature. And he'd already done that. There was nothing he could do . . .
	As he turned to leave, he noticed a white paper on his bed. He froze and clutched the tag in his hand. Walking over, he took a breath and picked it up. Reading it, he felt his heart skip a beat.
	He left the room quickly.
*******
	JC looked up at the sound of his name and saw Justin approaching, looking nervous. JC studied him and noticed he looked a bit distraught. JC frowned and ran a hand over his jaw, over the stubble of a couple days without shaving. "What's wrong now, Justin? Don't tell me you lost—"
	"Look," Justin interjected. He thrust the paper into the other's hand.
	JC took it and studied it. "Now it's a game, I'm watching your every move." He looked up at Justin. "This was where?" he asked.
	"My bed," Justin replied. With a slight waver in his voice he said, "It's just a joke, right, JC?" He wished JC could confirm that.
	"Sit," JC directed. As Justin took a seat, JC tried to think. Was Justin in any real danger? Had this silly chain of events really troubled this woman so much that she wanted some form of retaliation? Or did she just want to mess with the mind of a gullible teenager who had stepped too far? It was hard to tell. 
	"I want to go home . . ." Justin implored. "I'm sick of vacation. Vacation sucks."
	"Shh . . ." JC pacified. "One thing at a time. Do you have the tag? Let's do what we need to do."
	Justin raised his hand and opened it. The tag fell onto the table with a small clatte and he looked at it dejectedly.
	"Go ahead," JC said. "Call."
	"I can't now . . ." Justin objected earnestly. 
	JC studied him. "Justin," he sighed. 
	"Why should I, JC?" Justin persisted. "Let's worry about other things first."
	"I can call if you want."
	"No!"
	"Didn't think so," JC muttered. He picked up the tag and put it in his pocket. "Fine. I'll hold onto this though."
	"Don't call yet," Justin warned.
	"I promise not to," JC swore. "You'll call later."
	"What about me having a guard dog though?"
	"Cute."
	Chris walked into the kitchen and noticed the expressions on his two friends' faces. "Hey, guys . . ." he said, taking a seat. "What's going on?"
	"Justin's been getting threat notes," JC explained. "Not exactly threats per se… But open to interpretation."
	Chris was genuinely surprised. "What kind of threat notes?" 
	"Like this." JC handed him the note.
	Chris's eyebrows raised as he read it. "That's it?"
	"That's it?" Justin's voice was as he demanded. "That's it?"
	"That's the second one," JC said. 
	"Where's the first one?" Chris asked.
	"Upstairs. Justin, you want to run get it?" JC asked.	
	After a pause, Justin shook his head. His room seemed eerie now. It seemed violated. "I'm not going upstairs," he replied. "No way." 
	JC rolled his eyes at him in exasperation. "Don't be ridiculous. I know you're not that much of a baby."
	"But, JC—"
	"Stop bullshitting. Go, Justin."
	Justin sighed and pushed his chair back angrily. He left. 
	"Is this as serious as I think?" JC asked Chris. "Enough to be concerned over?"
	Chris shrugged. "They're from Mara?"
	"There's no name signed, but who else would they be from?"
	Chris smiled. "Joey?"
	"Chris." JC rolled his eyes.
	"I know." Chris nodded. "Seriously then. Where'd he find them?"
	"In our room."	
	"When?"
	"Yesterday when I wasn't home," JC replied. "Apparently. At least for the first one."
	"Why didn't he tell me?" Chris sounded slightly hurt.
	"I think he was planning on ignoring it." JC shrugged. "He woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me. Probably was thinking about it."
	"So how'd she, presuming it is Mara, get the notes into your room?"
	JC sighed. "That's the part that's really bothering me. If she has access to inside our house . . . I mean, there's obviously something wrong here."
	"We better make sure that we lock up everything. I mean, it is possible we've been leaving a door unlocked, I guess."
	"I doubt it." JC was skeptical. "This may be the middle of no where, but it's—"
	"Here." Justin's voice interrupted his words. He threw the note on the table and sat back down.
	"Were there any hostiles hiding upstairs, Justin?" Chris kidded.
	Justin glared at him, blue eyes icy. "Fuck off, Chris."
	"Hey," Chris objected. He made a sad face.
	"Maybe if the note had your name on it, you'd feel the same way, Chris," Justin persisted. 	"I want to help you too, Curly," Chris retorted. 
	Justin was silent for a moment before he asked, "Am I a thief if I'm just taking my stuff back?"
	"Of course not," JC replied. "You didn't do anything wrong."
	"Ah, but you forget trespassing, lying, posing, con artistry—" Chris said.
	"What?" Justin interrupted, holding up his hands in mock surrender. He looked to JC for help. "Not guilty."
	"Where'd you get all those charges?" JC laughed.
	"What about the lying? I'm not a liar!" Justin retorted immediately. "JC!"
	"Our Justin was online telling innocent young girls where we were and fighting with another poser for the identity of Justin Randall," Chris explained. "This one girl started giving out her address."
	"She only said she lived in NY," Justin objected. "You think the worst of people!"
	"You told people where we were?" JC demanded.
	"No. So what am I going to do about the note?" Justin changed the subject. "If—"
	"Don't change the subject," JC retorted. "Hold up for a minute."
	"I plead the fifth."
	"Are we going to have screaming fans at our door?"
	"It was yesterday. They'd be here already." He saw JC's look. "Chris crashed the computer before I could say anything. Geez. I just said we were in NY."
	"Before you could?" JC repeated. "You mean you would've?"
	"No, JC. I'm not dumb. I don't want stupid fans here either. They thought the other person was me anyway. They wouldn't have believed anything I said."
	"That's not an excuse."
	"I didn't give out our address, JC," Justin swore. "Chill! Why would I do that?"
	"Yeah," Chris muttered. "Just like you posted Joey's cell phone number?"
	"That was you?" JC demanded. "Joey was so pissed about that."
	Justin grinned. "His voicemail filled in forty minutes." When he caught JC's expression, he cleared his throat. "But that's ancient history," Justin objected. "Presently, we're concerned about those threat notes that keep appearing?"
	"Fine," JC allowed. "But before we discuss that, is there anything else I should know, Chris?"
	"No," Justin answered, glaring at Chris.
	"Well . . ." Chris teased. 
	"No," Justin insisted. "Right, Chris?" Justin picked up the two notes and waved them in the air. "Isn't this more important? I'm being stalked and you two are discussing things I did when I was, like, twelve?" 
	"Fine," JC laughed. "I get your point. Okay . . . the notes . . . I was first for ignoring them, but since there's two now . . ."
	"I think we should let Lance and Joey in on this," Chris suggested.
	"Probably," JC agreed. "Even if this is a joke and not a big deal, we all should know about it."
	Justin nodded and then yelled, "Lance and Joey!" as loudly as he could, causing JC and Chris to wince. A moment later the two entered, and Justin gestured them over. The two sat down at the table.	
	"We all need to talk," JC began.
	"We were beginning to worry that you were plotting against us," Joey said.
	Justin pushed the notes over to them. "Here," he said.
	Joey laughed after reading them. "You're being stalked?"	
	"It's not exactly funny, Joey," Justin protested sourly.
	"Are these from the eccentric neighbor?" Lance asked as the notes were passed on to him.
	"We think," JC said. "I mean, who else could they be from?"
	"Well, they're not exactly threats," Joey considered.
	"Joey. What more do you need?" Justin asked.
	"Well, it's not like, 'I'm going to kill you' or anything. You can be thankful for that," Joey replied.
	"Believe me, I am," Justin assured, rolling his eyes sarcastically. 
	"I'm trying to get you to feel better."
	"Failing miserably."
	"Be nice."
	"Then stop talking."
	Joey shook his head. "Well, I say we go to the police."
	"Isn't that a little drastic?" JC asked.
	Joey shrugged. "If you think he's in trouble, then no."
	"But won't we have to explain what Justin did as a motive?" 
	"If Mara's going to hurt him, then we don't really have a choice, JC."
	"Do you think he'd be in trouble for it, though?" JC questioned with a frown.
	"If he is, then he deserves it."
	"Justin's listening," Justin reminded dryly. "Don't talk like he's in the other room. I need to have input on this too."
	"Shut up for a minute, motor mouth," Joey said. Justin glared at him sullenly.
	"We could go straight to the source," Lance spoke up.
	"What?" JC asked. "Why?"
	"Well, you said it yourself," he explained, "maybe it's not her. But if it is, we might be able to get some answers."
	"Don't," Justin begged. "I don't like that idea."
	"Why?" Joey teased. "Scared of a chick?"
	"Shut up," Justin returned.
	"I think we should follow up Lance's idea," JC interrupted gently. "I think that might be the best idea. I mean she has seemed civil, you know? Mostly anyway. If she's just joking then we can get it out."
	"Should we do it face to face or over the phone?" Chris asked. 
	"Over the phone," Justin said. "Because I'm not going over there and none of you are leaving me here alone."
	"There's four of us, J. It's not like you'd be alone," JC reminded.
	"We're not splitting up," Justin said stiffly.
	"Sheesh, you'd think five guys could handle a bitch like her," Joey said, shaking his head.
	"Do we have to do it now?" Justin complained. "Can we go out somewhere? I've been inside forever. Let's go to the mall."
	"Think about it more?" JC asked.
	"Yeah," Justin agreed. "I just really need to get out of here too."
	"Mall sounds good to me." Chris grinned. 
	"And while we're on the road, can we go home?" Justin asked hopefully. 
	"Our flight's still not for a couple days," JC said. "Sorry."
	"This vacation sucks," Justin mumbled moodily. "I break my arm and get stalked. Wonderful."
	"Oh, a day in the life of Justin Timberlake…" Chris sighed dramatically.
	"Your own fault," Joey replied with a shrug. "You pissed a lady off and snuck out during the night. What do you expect?"
	"Shut up…"
	"Want a piece of me now, Justin?" Joey grinned.	
	"Yeah, I do." Justin stood. "Come on, Joey. You ready to fight me?" He held up his arms in a boxing position, his cast covered wrist sans a fist like the other.
	"Sit down." Chris pulled at Justin's shirt. "You're such an instigator."
	"Interference," Justin claimed as he was pulled back into his seat.
	"Right." Joey nodded knowingly. "It's okay to be a wuss, Justin."
	"Coming from the number one himself," Justin shot back readily with a smile. Chris still had his hand on Justin's arm, and he didn't bother to get up again.
	Before Joey could reply, JC stood up. "Shut up, both of you. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to the mall."
	"Me too," Lance said. He stood and followed JC out the door. Chris quickly let go of Justin and followed suit.
	Joey looked at Justin.
	Justin looked at Joey.
	"I was just playing," Justin said.
	"Obviously. Me too." Joey shrugged. "JC's got this complex or something."
	Justin made a face.
	"Well, come on," Joey said. "They'll leave us." 
	Justin got up and followed Joey out, warily glancing behind him at the notes on table. He tried to forget them. This was vacation. Nothing could happen on vacation. They wouldn't be here long enough for that.
	"Can the dog come?" he called, running into the other room to join the others.
*****
*****
	The five walked towards the entrance of the mall from the parking lot with hopeful looks on their faces as they stared at the establishment before them. They'd asked the nearest gas station where a mall was and had been pleased to hear within twenty minutes. And it wasn't a disappointment either. The place was two levels and pretty long. Luckily, the weather was clear and the roads were sanded, and so they were pretty satisfied with their decision to be out there.
	"We're going to be recognized," Chris was saying. "I just know it. Does anyone else feel that way?"
	"Shut up," Joey groaned. 
	"I just feel it," Chris persisted.
	"Psychic Chris," Lance remarked. "Scary."
	"Do we have a hat or something for Curly here at least?" Chris persisted. "He's the one that gets us in trouble."
	Justin shot him a look. He was still mad at Chris for mentioning that the dog would eat the interior of the car while they were in the mall, making up the others minds' on Justin's offer to bring the dog. He'd been bitter on the way over, and he wasn't going to drop it now. 
	"Like your dreds are inconspicuous," he retorted. "I'd say you're worse."
	"Guys, we'll be fine," JC soothed. "Just don't make a scene or anything. I doubt there will be many people in the mall anyway."
	"It's an ugly day, JC," Joey said. "Everyone will be at the mall."
	"Yeah, but everyone in this town is like a total of ten people, remember?"
	"You better hope." Joey shrugged. "I don't feel like being recognized either."
	They entered the mall through a department store. It was pretty big and had lots of sections, but they decided to look through the mall instead since none were really interested in clothes shopping anyway. They were more interested in just browsing the place.
	"Look!" Justin shouted as they entered the actual mall. The rest of the guys followed his gaze past bunches of stores and stands. "An arcade!" He was nearly jumping up and down in enthusiasm. "Now there's a way to pass the time."
	Chris grinned. "I agree with you on that, Jus. Let's go."
	"Wait, wait," JC objected before they could run off. "We have to decide if we're splitting up and where we'll meet and stuff. Justin, get over here," he said sharply as he noticed Justin drifting away.
	"Hurry up," Justin whined. He was tugging Chris's arm to go. "Why do you always have to do this…?"
	"So we can get back home together maybe?" 
	"Let's meet for lunch," Joey said.
	"Good!" Justin said. "Come on, Chris!" He started away.
	JC grabbed Justin's arm. "Where?" he asked Joey as he held Justin.
	"Food court," Lance said. "Where ever that is. There's always a food court. There ought to be a directory around."
	"Time," JC persisted. Justin was pulling at him. "Patience is a virtue, Justin . . ." 
	Joey glanced at his watch. "It's eleven thirty now . . . How about . . . a quarter to one?"
	"Sounds good!" Justin grinned. "JC. . . Dude, let go."	
	"I don't want you and Chris to separate," JC warned. "You've done enough this week. We don't need to be looking for either of you."
	"Okey dokey."
	Chris nodded. "Aye, aye."
	"How are you going to play, one armed boy?" Joey asked.
	"I'll manage," Justin assured him. "Can we split up now?"	
	JC let him go. "See you when?"
	"Quarter to one!" Justin and Chris yelled as they darted away. 
*****
*****
	"Hey, look at this," Joey said, pulling Lance over. JC wandered up besides them in the Spencer's store.
	Joey pushed a button on a tiny plastic box. It started to vibrate and a voice inside it started to call for help. 
	"I've seen something like that before," JC laughed as Joey put it down.
	"Hey, I'm going to get Chris and Justin keychains," Lance said. He picked two off a rack. "This is for Chris . . ." He handed it to Joey.
	"You're just jealous that the voices talk to me and not you," Joey read. He smiled. "That's perfect."
	"What about Justin?" JC asked. Lance handed him one. "I smile because I have no idea what I'm doing . . . I like that. Get them both."
	"Get a hackey, too," Joey said, pointing to another shelf. "I think we lost ours yesterday. Maybe the dog took it."
	"Hey, guys, look over there," JC said as he indicated a wall in the back. "Look at all that crap they have with our faces on it."
	Lance groaned. "Great."
	"Well, I haven't seen any teenyboppers yet," Joey replied. "Ooh, lookie . . ." He picked up a bottle. "For Justy . . ." It was a black hair dye bottle disguised as shampoo.
	"Don't you dare," JC warned. "Vacation is for relaxing, not hysterics. And that's what you'll have if you do that."
	"Oh, come on," Joey coaxed. "It washes out in a week . . ."
	"And I don't want to hear him crying for that week about it, okay?" JC retorted. "That would be too mean. You know how he is about his hair."
	"Can't I buy it and save it for April Fools?"
	"Joey, if you want to deal with the results of it, then do whatever you want…"
	Joey put it back reluctantly. "That would've been so funny . . ."
	"No, it wouldn't," JC replied. "Just buy that stuff."
	"You know he would've retaliated with something ten times worse on you, right?" Lance replied as they walked toward the register.
	Joey shrugged. "Might be worth it…"
*****
*****
	"I ran out of quarters." Justin ran up to Chris a while later, completely out of breath. "That change machine ate all my bills."
	"Well, don't whine to me about it," Chris replied in the midst of Mortal Kombat. He didn't even glance at Justin.
	"But I almost beat a game! How much money do you have?" Justin implored. "Chris?"
	"What do I look like? The bank?"
	"Chris! Come on!" Justin persisted.
	"Damn!" Chris slammed his hand down on the machine. He watched his character die. He sighed and turned to Justin. "I lost."
	Justin nodded. "I gathered." 
	Chris leaned against the machine and looked at Justin's arm. "How you managing handicapped?" 
	"Fine." Justin shrugged. "How much money do you have? Can I borrow some change?"
	Chris shook his head. "Let's just go. We've played nearly every game in here ten times and we've been here for about two hours." He paused. "Wait, we better not have been. Shit! What time is it?"
	Justin shrugged. In the same voice Chris had used on him, he replied, "What do I look like? A clock?"
	Chris grabbed his arm. "Dude, seriously. We have to go." As he dragged him out, he stopped by a woman. "Excuse me, what time is?"
	"One o'clock," she answered with a smile.
	"Thanks." When she walked away, Chris groaned. "Shit, Justin. Thanks for looking at the time."
	"Me?"
	"Yeah, how many times did JC tell you a quarter to one?"
	"ME?"
	"Yes, you."
	Justin shook his head. "Well, let's not argue. Let's find them."
	"You got it, buddy . . ." Chris answered as he rushed out of the arcade. Justin followed nearly at his side.
	"Do you know where we're going?" Justin asked. "There's a directory." He pointed. 
	They ran over and their eyes skimmed the map of the mall for the food court. 
	"There!" Chris's finger slammed down on the plastic. "Come on."
*****
*****
	"Where are they?" JC demanded as he, Lance, and Joey stood in the front of the food court somewhat impatiently.
	"I think we should eat at Ruby Tuesday's," Joey suggested, eyeing the restaurant on the right with a hungry eye.
	Lance just stayed quiet, watching JC rant to himself.
	"If he lost Justin I'll kill him . . ." the man persisted in a low tone. "Do you think he lost Justin? I swear that kid will be the end of me. Why should I even bother worrying? This is the last time we—"
	"We should get that appetizer with all different types of food . . . You know, the one that samples everything?" Joey continued. "What do they call that?"
	"—split up," JC said. "I knew this would happen. I just knew it . . . Did they even have a watch? This is just great. Just great . . ."
	"I think they have free refills there too. You know, I'm really thirsty."
	"They knew what time, right? We said a quarter to one? Isn't that what we said?"
	"I think that they're the ones with the dessert menu that—"
	"Hey, guys," Lance interrupted as he noticed Chris and Justin coming towards them. "They're here."
	JC turned as the two came up to them. He crossed his arms angrily and stared. He knew he shouldn't have worried, but he had, and now he wasn't going to just shrug that off. That wasn't fair.
	"I can explain everything," Chris said, slightly out of breath. Justin was staying close behind Chris as a precaution. "You see, we didn't have a watch . . . and we lost track of time . . . and we would have been here sooner, but we didn't know where the food court was and then we couldn't find a directory. Then, uh, this little old lady had a, uh, heart attack in the middle of the mall and we, uh, we were the only ones there . . . so we needed to find the first aid and . . . and . . ."
	JC just glared. 
	"And we're sorry," Justin piped up meekly. 
	"Look, can we discuss this inside Ruby Tuesdays?" Joey asked. "Because I'm really hungry and there might be a wait . . ."
	"I'll go put our name in," Lance said quickly and went ahead of them.
	"You guys are really irresponsible," JC was telling Chris and Justin. "Justin, you're so worried about things; I'd think you at least would want to keep to plans."
	"If I said we got recognized and had to hide, would you believe me?" Chris asked.
	"We're all on edge, you know," JC persisted. "With Justin and all, and not knowing what exactly is going on with that neighbor. When we say a time, we mean it. You should have asked what the time was while you were there."
	"We did," Justin said. "Gee, Chris, we're lucky I ran out of change when I did, huh? We would have been really late."
	"You are really late," JC corrected. "You're forty minutes late."
	Justin hesitated. "Well, really later then."
	"At least we're here now," Chris soothed the frowning man. "We're not lost or dead or anything . . ."
	"I'm tired and I'm grumpy," JC said. "Because of you guys."
	"So where did you shop, JC?" Justin asked. "Is that a bag?"
	"Don't change the subject," JC replied. "Spencer's and the The Wall."
	"Did you buy anything?"
	"Yes. Now stop; you're in trouble. I want to talk to you."
	"What'd you buy? Anything for me, JC? What other stores are there?"
	"Justin Randall Timberlake, shut up!" JC hissed.
	"Ooh, he used your whole name," Chris whispered in a 'you're gonna get it' tone.
	"You, too, Chris," JC snapped. "I'm really mad at you guys. Do you guys enjoy making me worry about you?"
	"No one told you to worry, JC," Justin replied. 
	"Hey!" Lance came back up to them. "There's a table ready for us. So come on."
	JC sighed and they all walked into the restaurant. It wasn't very crowded, but it was busy enough to have an atmosphere with a permanent hum of voices. They were led to a table towards the back. 
	Chris and Lance sat on one side, the rest opposite. Menus were on the table and Joey passed them out. He eyed neighboring tables' food enviously.
	"Gee, I don't know, Chris," Justin said loudly, glancing beside him. "JC seems awfully mad."
	"Yeah," Chris agreed in the same exaggerated tone. "I don't think that he'll ever forgive us."
	"I wonder if you can go to prison for being late," Justin persisted.
	"You two better stop it," JC muttered. "Hey, Joey, give them their keychains."
	"Whoa, you thought of us while you were shopping?" Chris asked with a smile. "Shitty keychains, but at least you thought about us."
	Joey reached into the plastic bag he'd been carrying and had placed on the floor and glanced at the keychains to see which one to give to whom. He tossed one to Justin, who caught it, and then gave the other to Chris. 
	"Hey!" Justin objected as he read his.
	"I like mine." Chris grinned. "Thanks."
	"Thank you for thinking of me," Justin said. "But it's mean. Who picked it out?"
	"Me," Lance said.
	"Lansten!" Justin protested. "How could you? There goes my self esteem."
	"What self esteem?" Joey poked him in the ribs. Justin just laughed and put his keychain on the table.
	"Guys, menus. I see a waitress. Decide what you want," JC said.  "Joey's going to die of hunger."
	"Damn straight," Joey muttered.
	A waitress walked by to take drink orders. Joey ordered an appetizer as well on his turn. The others just ordered drinks. Several minutes after, they ordered food. 
	"Can we see a movie after this?" Justin asked. "I saw a theatre . . . I think we should spend all day out."  
	"Why should we do what you want to do?" Joey retorted. "You held us up for a half hour."
	"Please?" he implored.
	"What's playing?" JC asked.
	Justin shrugged. "Who cares. We could get popcorn, Joey . . ." he coaxed. "Extra large with extra butter and salt."
	"Hm . . ." Joey considered. "Sounds good to me."
	"You're such a little con artist . . ." Chris laughed at Justin. "You have everybody wrapped around your finger."
	"Uh-huh," Justin affirmed giddily.
	"Everybody?" JC repeated. "I don't think so."
	"Yeah," Justin thought slowly. "There's Mara . . ."
	"I really feel like popcorn now . . ." Joey persisted.
	"Let's see a horror movie," Chris said.
	"We don't even know what's playing," Lance objected. 
	"There's always something playing . . ." Justin assured. "What else do we have to do?"
	"The dog's at home alone," JC said. "I don't know how long I trust her."
	"I'm responsible for everything she does," Justin objected. "So it's not your problem."
	"You?" JC laughed. "Okay, if you say so. You're going to have a lot to answer for I think."
	Justin shrugged.
	"I would have put the dog in the bathroom or something," Joey said. "You know, to seclude her to one area so she wouldn't wreck everything."
	"She won't wreck anything," Justin replied. "She's been really good."
	"Oh, so you think . . ."
	"I still want to go to a movie," Justin said. 
	Joey nodded. "Well, I still want popcorn, so we're going."
	"Hey . . ." JC objected. "We have to vote."
	"Do you want to go?" Joey asked.
	JC shrugged. "Whatever."
	"What about you, Lance?" he persisted.	
	"Sure." Lance nodded. "Movie sounds good."
	"Okay, then it's settled, and perfect timing . . ." Joey was smiling. "Here comes our food." He licked his lips.
*****
*****
	It was a while later when the guys finally returned to the house. After the movie, they'd gotten Chinese takeout to bring back for dinner. It was dark when they walked through the door. 
	"Justin, take your dog out right away," JC said. 
	"Where is she?" Justin replied tiredly.
	"Not my problem. We'll be heating up the Chinese."
	Justin rolled his eyes and glanced around for the animal. He went over to the couch and got down on his knees to look underneath it. She wasn't there. Sighing, he got back up and looked around in the other room. 
	"Upstairs," he muttered to himself when he still hadn't found her. He trudged up the stairs and to his room. He glanced on his bed quickly and was happy not to see any notes. That brightened his mood a bit. He looked under the beds to no avail.
	He went back in the hall. The bathroom door and the door to Chris's room was closed, so there was no way the dog could have gotten in there. He walked into Lance and Joey's room and groaned at the scene.
	The dog was on the ground chewing on a sneaker. It looked up and wagged its tail eagerly when it noticed Justin.
	"No . . ." Justin told it irritably, taking the sneaker away. He didn't know whether it was Joey or Lance's and started to worry. It was pretty much completely chewed and slobbered. And it didn't look like a cheap sneaker either. He looked around for the other match and found it beside Joey's bag.
	"Great," Justin murmured. He grabbed both sneakers and brought them into his own room. He threw them underneath his bed. Maybe Joey would forget about that pair of sneakers . . . Fat chance but worth a try.
	He went back and picked up the dog with his good arm. It licked his face and he glared at it. "You picked the wrong pair of sneakers to chew, Teddy," he whispered. "I definitely won't be able to keep you now. You want to go out?" The dog just started to chew on his shirt. Justin sighed and started downstairs. 
	"I found her!" Justin yelled as he started for the front door. As if you care, he thought to himself.
	"Good!" Chris yelled back.
	Justin made a face. "Good," he mimicked. He opened the door and put the dog down. Making sure that the door didn't lock behind him, he shut it and started walking with the dog, who was sniffing the floor. He just hoped that she didn't wander far.
	It was dark out and he couldn't see too far ahead of him. And it was cold. "Come on, Teddy . . ." he coaxed. The dog continued sniffing the ground and walking further away. 
	Justin followed reluctantly. "Come on, girl . . ." he begged. I'm talking to a dog, he reminded himself. Ugh. 
	Something moved up ahead and he froze, heart pounding. His eyes tried to focus the darkness and he had the sudden urge to run back inside and lock the door. But he couldn't leave the dog . . .
	Somewhere close, snow crunched as if someone was walking. Justin's pulse raced and he started worrying. He gazed at the dog and back to the house. He moved quickly and picked up the dog, starting back towards the house as quickly as he could without killing himself on the ice. He could swear he heard the footsteps behind him. 
	He ran into the house and slammed the door behind him. He put the dog on the ground and turned quickly to lock the door. His breathing was heavy and his heart faint. He ran into the kitchen.
	"Someone was out there," he said as he entered. Joey and Lance were sitting at the table. Joey was eating Chinese noodles. They looked up at his voice. JC turned from the microwave to gaze at him.
	"Someone was out where?" Lance asked.
	"Outside!" Justin persisted.
	"Yeah, you," JC pointed out.
	"Someone else!" Justin persisted. He was almost shaking. "I heard them!"
	"Where's the dog?" Joey asked.
	"Inside," Justin answered. "Doesn't anyone care? Someone's out there! On our property."
	"Justin, I think you're taking this stalking thing a step too far," JC said gently. "There's no one out there."
	"I heard them!"
	"I think you're just tired and imagining things."
	Justin shook his head in disbelief. "I'm not. Where's Chris?"
	"He went upstairs for something," Lance said. 
	"You can go get him actually," JC said. "We're gonna eat." 
	"Chris!" Justin yelled. "It's time to—"
	"I said go get him," JC interrupted in exasperation. "He can't hear you."
	"Then he needs a hearing aid, the damn senior citizen." 
	"Justin, just go get him," Joey said with a sigh.
	"I don't want to go upstairs."
	"Don't be a baby."
	"He'll come down," Justin retorted. "Why don't you go?"
	"Because I'm busy."
	"Yeah, stuffing your face," Justin snapped.
	"Justin, go get Chris," JC commanded. 
	"Want me to go?" Lance suggested after Justin set his jaw and didn't move.	
	"No, he can do it. Go ahead, Justin." JC stared.
	Muttering to himself, Justin left. 
	It was dark upstairs. He started up cautiously. "Chris?" he called. There was no answer.
	Sighing, he walked up. There were no lights on anywhere and he could barely see. "Chris," he said. "I don't know where you are up here, but we're eating now and I'm supposed to get you." 
	No reply.
	Justin was starting to get mad. He began to think that Chris wasn't even up here after all. He was talking to himself. He turned to go back downstairs when one of the doors shot open and a shadowy figure jumped toward him. 
	"JC!" Justin shouted immediately. He turned and ran downstairs, his feet pounding on every step. He darted toward the haven of the kitchen. "JC!"
	"What?" JC demanded as Justin grabbed his shirt. "What do you want?" 
	"I . . . I . . ." Justin stuttered, out of breath. "Some . . . somebody . . ."
	Laughter filtered in from the doorway and Chris walked in, grinning widely. He laughed at Justin. "Gotcha!" 
	Justin let go of JC and turned to glare at Chris as he regained his breath. "I. Hate. You," he said vehemently. "Not funny!" 
	"Oh, yeah it was!" Chris was smiling giddily. "I got you good."
	"You're such a freaking asshole, Chris!" Justin shouted. "I hate your guts!"
	"Oh, it was a joke."
	"It wasn't funny!"
	"Yeah, it was."
	"Go to hell!" Justin yelled. "I hate you!"
	"What happened?" Joey asked, confused. Lance had the same look. JC was ignoring them and putting the Chinese out on the table.
	"The bastard pretended he was going to kill me!" Justin replied. "He had all the lights out and jumped me!"
	"And I missed it?" Joey retorted. "Great . . ."
	"You screamed," Chris teased, walking further into the kitchen. He poked Justin in the ribs. "Like a girl."
	Justin kicked him hard in the shin and Chris doubled over in pain. "Ow . . . ow . . . ow . . ." He started hopping on one leg.
	"What's the matter with you?" JC grabbed Justin's good arm and yanked him over to the table. "Now sit."	
	"How is this my fault now?" Justin demanded angrily as he obeyed. "Chris pulls a weird ass joke and I get the attitude?"
	"Just shut up," Joey said.
	"Why?"
	"Because I said so."
	"And I listen to you?" Justin retorted. "Go stuff your face some more, Joey."
	"I'd like to rearrange your face . . ."
	"Ooh, nice comeback. Must've been thinking of that one all day. Finally got a chance to use it, huh?"
	Chris took a seat quietly across from Justin. They glared at each other. 
	JC slammed a bottle of soda on the table. "What's everybody's problem?" he demanded.
	They were silent. 
	"Guys, this is supposed to be a vacation," JC said. "So why are we fighting more than we usually do? You're supposed to be relaxing. I want to be relaxing, but instead I have to be ready to break up a fight and listen to you bitch to each other. Thanks a lot. Some vacation."
	Chris broke the moment's silence with a sigh. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. Justin, I know you're stressed out about this note thing and I shouldn't be joking about it. Everyone's tired and I'm not taking thing's seriously."
	Joey started clapping and in return got daggers of glares. He broke off sheepishly. "Sorry . . ."
	"I'm sorry, too," Justin said softly. "I've been giving everyone a hard time lately."
	"You've got an excuse," Joey said. 
	Justin shrugged. 
	"Oh my God, guys, I think I'm gonna cry . . ." Lance laughed.
	"Yeah, this is pretty corny," Chris said.
	JC smiled. "Yeah," he agreed. "I just wanted you guys to stop fighting and it turned into a self-help seminar or something."
	"Let's eat!" Joey said. "I'm starving!"	
	"Oh, I'm sorry I kicked you, Chris," Justin added. "I didn't mean it."
	"Yeah, well for something you didn't mean, I'm going to have a permanent limp," Chris joked. "It's okay."
	"At least I didn't aim for the knees." Justin shrugged. "Or elsewhere."
	Chris grimaced. "I guess I should thank you then."
	Justin laughed. 
	"So where's the dog?" Chris looked around the kitchen.
	"In the other room," Justin replied. "Which reminds me . . . there's definitely someone outside . . ."
	"Yeah, just how there was someone upstairs?" JC retorted.	
	"There was. But it was Chris."
	"You know what I mean."
	"I heard somebody," Justin persisted. "They're probably looking in the window right now."
	Joey gazed towards the windows. "Gee, Justin . . . Thanks for that reassuring thought . . ." 
	"Now you know how I feel!" Justin replied. "See?"
	"Well, what do you want us to do about it?" JC asked. "Do you want to go outside and check it out?"
	"No!" Justin replied quickly.
	"Then what are we supposed to do?"
	"I don't know . . . You're the ones with the experience."
	"Not with stalking, I'm afraid," Chris replied. 
	"I think that's more Joey's forte," Lance kidded. 
	Joey smiled. "Yeah, right."
	"There's nothing we can do," JC continued. "Calling the police for something you think you might have heard is ridiculous. They've got better things to do."
	"It was probably a deer," Joey said. "There's always deer in the woods."
	"It didn't sound like deer footsteps." Justin was skeptical.
	"And what do deer footsteps sound like exactly, Justin?" Joey challenged.
	"I don't know . . ." Justin admitted. "But I figured that it should sound different from human footsteps."
	"True," Joey allowed. 
	"Yeah, but even if it was human," JC reasoned, "none of us have intentions of going outside and if we call the police, you'll have to explain everything yourself, Justin. Why you think someone's stalking you, why you climbed someone's tree in the middle of the night, why you snuck into their house . . ."
	Justin grimaced. "Oh."
	"There's more going against you then there is against her. It's basically a no-win situation if you think about it."
	"There's no proof that I snuck into her house," Justin started. "Could we leave that out?" He started to hesitate when he noticed JC's expression. "Possibly?"
	"You want to lie?" JC demanded. "To the police?"
	"That's considered lying?"
	"You are so dumb," Joey muttered. 
	Justin glared at him.
	"It's withheld information," Joey explained. "That's worse than lying. And let's discuss this later, please? The food's getting cold again."
	"God forbid," Chris laughed.
*****
*****
	 "So what are we gonna do?" Justin asked later, kicking the new hackey towards the dog, who would pounce after it and bring it back.	
	"Let's watch a movie!" Chris exclaimed from his seat beside JC on the couch. Lance and Joey were playing Nintendo against each other to Justin's dismay and displeasure since he couldn't play. 
	"No, you doofus," Justin replied, bending to take the hackey out of the dog's mouth. "I meant about our neighbor."
	"You still think she's lurking in the woods?" Joey teased.
	Justin threw the hackey at the back of Joey's head and it hit. Joey paused the game to pick it up off the floor.
	"Ew, it's got dog slobber all over it," he complained. "Justin, this is brand new!"
	"It's still new," Justin objected.
	Joey threw it back at him. It rolled off and the dog ran after it.
	"Let's watch a scary movie," Chris suggested. "With stalkers and serial killers . . ." He cast Justin a goofy grin. "Unless it's too scary for Justin . . ."
	"No," Justin said defensively. 
	"I don't know Justin . . . You might have nightmares . . ."
	"Couldn't possibly be scarier than your face, Chris," Justin replied. 
	"Ooh, the hits just keep on coming . . ."
	"Can we discuss her?" Justin pleaded.
	"Say her name, Justin," JC said.
	"No."
	"Why not?"
	"Because it's like a curse," Justin replied.
	"You're being ridiculous."
	"He doesn't want her to hear him," Joey said.
	"Why don't you call the dog's owner now, Just?" JC suggested. "Haven't you been meaning to do that?"
	"Not really, JC . . ." Justin muttered.
	"Well, you can do it now."
	"It's a little late, I think."
	"It's only ten thirty."
	"I think that's too late. They're probably sleeping."
	"If it's so late, maybe you should be sleeping too." It was a warning.
	"JC, come on . . ." Justin pleaded.
	"Want me to call?"
	"You promised. Can't I do it in the morning?"
	"You keep saying you'll do it . . ." JC sighed.
	"And I will. Just not now."
	"Just not ever . . ." 
	"Are you mad at me or something?"
	"No." JC sighed. "I just don't want to get used to having this dog around."
	"I'm going to call tomorrow," he swore. "And if I don't, you can."
	JC nodded. "Deal."
	Just then, the lights flashed out. Everyone fell silent except for Lance.
	"Dammit!" he exclaimed. "And I was winning, too . . ."
	"This is bad . . ." Justin said softly. "Really bad . . ."
	"No, it's not," Chris soothed. "The wind probably just knocked down a wire or something."
	"Maybe Mara did it!" Joey said.
	"Joey, shut up," JC hissed. 	
	"I can't see anything!" Justin complained. 
	"I'm getting up to look for candles or flashlights," JC said. "Bounce, come here and sit down next to Chris."
	"If I can find my way over," Justin muttered. JC touched his arm as he passed to go to the kitchen.
	Justin nearly tripped over Chris's feet and the table when he went for the couch.
	"You could have told me you wanted to sit on my lap," Chris joked. 
	Justin climbed next to him and elbowed him. "Shut up. I can't see."
	"Right . . ."
	"I wonder if the phones work," Lance said.
	"Does anyone have a flashlight?" JC called from the other room. His voice came closer. "I can't see around the kitchen and I'm liable to kill myself."
	"In my bag," Joey said. "Upstairs. Justin, want to go get it?"
	"No!" Justin snapped. "Go up yourself, lazy."
	"Hey," Chris warned. "Calm down."
	"I'm not going upstairs," Justin said.
	"I'm going up," Joey said. "If I don't come back down, send a search party."
	"I'll go with you," Lance offered.
	"Yeah," Joey accepted. "Come on . . ."
	"I don't like blackouts," Justin said.
	"No one does," JC said. "If I could get candles or something . . ."
	"Can we tell ghost stories?" Chris asked. He leaned closer to Justin. "Ooh . . ." 
	"Shut up," Justin retorted.
	A few minutes later, there was a crash down the stairs. "Omigod!" they heard Joey yell.
	"Great," JC muttered. "Guys, you okay?" he called. 
	There was no answer.
	"Omigod, omigod . . ." Justin started saying. "Omigod . . ."
	"Shut up!" Chris said. 
	"Omigod . . ."
	"Stop!"
	"Joey?" JC called. "Lance?"
	There was no answer. 
	Suddenly, hands came from behind the couch and grabbed Justin. He screamed and grabbed Chris. They heard Joey start laughing. 
	"Not funny." Justin got really upset. "Not funny . . ."
	"Where's Lance?" Chris asked.
	"Behind you," came his voice. 
	A flashlight shined in the room, allowing a little light. Joey shined it at Justin and Chris as he came around the couch.
	"You're so funny," he said. 
	"Don't shine that in my face," Chris complained, holding a hand up.
	"I hate you," Justin said.
	"Aw, J . . ." Joey started laughing.	
	"So much you can't even imagine," Justin persisted.
	"Here," JC came up. "Give me the flashlight."
	Joey handed it to him and then sat on the couch next to Justin. "I'm sorry." He put his arm around him.
	"Don't touch me." Justin pulled away.
	Lance and JC left for the kitchen to look for candles. 
	"Come on . . ." Joey persisted. "I didn't mean to scare you."
	"You didn't scare me." 
	"Yeah, I did." Joey put his arm around him again.
	"No, you didn't. You're hurting my arm," Justin complained.
	"No, I'm not."
	"Yeah, you are. Stop," Justin said bitterly. "I hate you."
	"No, you don't. And I did too scare you."
	"No, you didn't. I was just playing along."
	"Right . . ."
	"Hey, guys," Lance's voice came. "We found a bunch of candles, so clear the table."
	"We're going to start a fire," JC said. 
	"So, why'd the lights go out anyway?" Justin asked cautiously. 
	"I told you," Chris said. "A powerline probably went down."
	"Mara," Joey whispered to Justin.
	"Stop it!" Justin hit him. 
	"Joey, that's not funny," JC said. He was over by the fireplace. There was some wood in there and he was stuffing newspapers he'd found in there. He lit a match and dropped it in. 
	"Can we sleep down here?" Justin asked.	
	"And tell ghost stories," Chris insisted. 
	"We can sleep down here . . ." JC allowed.
	"Like a little pow-wow," Joey laughed. He was pushing some stuff off the table as Lance put down several candles. JC came over with the matches. The room was better lit now. 
	"We can roast marshmallows," Chris joked.
	"No, we're not burning Johnny's cabin down," JC said. "No way."
	"I get the couch," Chris said. 
	"I'm going up to change," JC said, laying the matches on the table. "Come on, Justin. You come up too."
	"I'm going also," Chris said. "Should we take a candle?"	
	"Yeah . . ." JC agreed reluctantly. "But be careful."
	The three started up the stairs. "I need to get Joey back," Justin said quietly when they reached upstairs. 
	"No, you don't," JC said. 
	"Yeah, I do," Justin said. 
	"No, you don't."
	"Yes, I do."
	"No."	
	"Yes."
	"Boys, boys," Chris laughed. "Justin," he stage whispered. "We'll discuss it when JC is gone."
	"Chris," JC groaned. "Don't you dare."
	"It's all in fun," Justin assured. "Right, Chris?"
	Chris snickered.
	JC just shook his head. "Let's go." He led Justin into their room; Chris went into his own. 
	"Any ideas to get Joey back?" Justin asked.
	"You know Joey's reaction to practical joking, Justin . . ." JC warned. "I really don't think it's a good idea."
	"I don't know..." Justin considered as he went over to find his bag. JC had set the candle on the table and the room was very dimly lit. 
	"You do know. I'm going to change in the bathroom," JC said. "Change while I'm gone and get any stuff you need, okay? Like your Walkman and a pillow and stuff."
	"Okay."
	"Do you need help? With your arm or anything?"
	"Nope. I'll do it."
	"All right. I'll be right back." JC left. 
	Justin changed fairly quickly, his cast giving him little trouble. He collected his Walkman and CD's, his gameboy, and grabbed his pillow.
*****
*****
	The guys slept in a random array of blankets and comforters. Chris obtained rights to the couch, and the rest of the guys spread themselves out on the floor. After several minutes of tired talking, one by one they fell asleep, unknowingly exhausted from the day. Being on the floor made little difference and they slept soundly until morning. Justin barely thought about Mara before he went to sleep, reminding himself that she was probably harmless, and drifted off without much anxiety towards her. 
	The morning light through the windows woke them. Lance tried to remain asleep with a blanket over his head, but voices made the effort futile. Then Justin sat on him and all hope for more sleep vanished in a flash. 
	"What's on the agenda for today?" Justin asked when Lance finally uncovered his head.
	"You could start by getting off of my chest," Lance muttered in a morning voice, slightly deeper if possible than his normal voice.
	Justin laughed and moved to the floor beside Lance. He picked at the edge of his cast and looked at the others. "Anybody have any ideas?"
	"Do we still have no power?" Chris asked. He reached over to the end table next to this couch and attempted to turn on the light with no effect. "I guess not."
	"Does that mean the food in the fridge is bad?" Joey asked with a frown.
	"We didn't have much left anyway, I don't think," Lance replied.
	"Anyone?" Justin repeated. "What's there to do today?"
	"Relaxing," Chris replied. "That's what we're here for."
	"Why don't we just go for a walk?" JC suggested slowly.
	"A walk?" Chris was incredulous.
	"Uh-oh, JC's getting outdoorsy . . ." Justin teased.
	"I'm serious, guys," JC replied. "I mean, how often do we get to enjoy just the scenery and nature?"
	"If you look out the window on the bus, all the time, actually," Justin replied. 
	"Shut up, bro," Chris laughed. "I think JC's serious."
	"I am," JC persisted. "I think it would be cool just to head out. In the snow. It's gorgeous around here."
	"What if we get lost?" Joey worried. "I mean, are we just gonna head out into the wilderness? Isn't that dangerous for us? I mean, Justin can't remember what direction to walk just coming out of a store at the mall."
	"Hey..." Justin objected.
	"What about animals too?" 
	"There aren't any animals around here, are there?" Justin asked.
	"Probably deer and stuff," Lance said. "Nothing really dangerous." He laughed. "It's not like the jungle."
	"One more thing," Justin continued. "We won't have to be out there in the dark, right? We'll be back way before sunset?"
	"Just for you," JC promised.
	"What if we get lost?" Joey persisted earnestly. 
	"Then we won't be back before sunset," Chris said. He shrugged with a smirk on his face. 
	"Joey has a good point though. Just heading out into the woods? How will we know our way back?" Lance asked.	
	"We'll follow our footprints," Chris said. 
	JC sighed. "Is everyone done freaking out? Are we for it?"
	There was a moment of nodding and yessing.
	"We should bring food," Joey said.
	Justin rolled his eyes. "Joey, you're such a—"
	"Such a what?" Joey gave him an exasperated look. "You're not going to get hungry?"
	Justin's mouth stayed open as he thought. "You're such a . . . nice guy."
	Joey smiled yet rolled his eyes. "Why, thank you."
*****
*****
	"Dress warmly," JC was saying as he and Justin walked into their room later to change. 
	"Well, hm, the snow doesn't give any indication of the kind of weather out there..." Justin replied sarcastically. "Thanks."
	"Oh, hardy, har, har," JC muttered. 
	"Oh, come on, Jace. I'm not stupid. You think I'm going to wear my bathing suit or something?" Justin retorted impishly.
	"I'd hope not." JC shook his head.
	Joey burst into the room. "Have you seen my sneakers?" he asked. "I didn't leave them here did I?"
	"Sneakers?" JC echoed. "No."
	"Justin?" Joey demanded. He noticed a funny look on Justin's face and suddenly became suspicious. 
	Justin looked sheepish. "What would I do with your sneakers?"
	Joey crossed his arms. "I don't know but if you did, it's not funny. Each one of those sneakers cost, like, a hundred dollars."
	"Well . . . you shouldn't have spent that much money on sneakers," Justin replied, sitting down on his bed. "Or brought them on a trip to the woods."
	"Justin, what'd you do?" JC asked.
	"I didn't do anything," Justin answered. He saw both their looks. "I didn't. For God's sake, guys, I swear I didn't do a thing to them. Why would I even go into your room?"
	"I don't know. You seem to get a kick out of making me mad sometimes," Joey replied.
	"Why would I want to get you mad? I didn't do anything to them."
	Joey noticed his wording and continued with his suspicions. Justin appeared too guilty to just end the conversation. "But did you take them?"
	"No . . ." Justin scratched at his cast.
	"Did you hide them?"
	"Uh, no . . ."
	"You're lying, and I can tell," Joey answered. "You won't look me in the eye. Joke's over. Where'd you put them?"
	"Nowhere," Justin retorted.
	"Well, what am I supposed to wear on my feet today?"
	"Socks?"
	"You loser!"
	"Joey, you've got other shoes," JC objected. 
	"I wanted to wear those." Joey sulked. "I at least want to know where they are. They're good shoes. I really don't see the humor in just hiding my sneakers."
	"Why don't you borrow shoes from Chris?" Justin asked. Then he cracked up laughing when he thought about Joey trying to put on a pair of Chris's shoes.
	"Shut up, you." Joey made a face. "Chris's feet were built for a midget."
	"Hey!" came a loud objection from the other room. "I heard that!"
	"Damn walls are paper thin . . ." Joey shook his head. He turned to Justin. "I've got to go change, but I'm searching this room later." He left and immediately Justin turned to JC.
	"You've got to help me," Justin implored. 
	"With?" JC asked, grabbing clothes from his bag. He threw them on his bed. "Something tells me I want nothing to do with this."
	"Look under my bed," Justin replied.
	JC walked over and knelt down, peering under the bed. He came out with the pair of sneakers and hit Justin with them. "What were you thinking?" he demanded, hitting him again. "Joey's gonna kill you, you know."
	"Ow . . . I didn't do it," Justin implored. He pushed the sneakers away. "That hurts."
	"Yeah? Then who did?" JC tossed them on the floor. 
	"The dog."
	"You're kidding . . ." JC groaned. 
	"Would I chew on a sneaker?" Justin rolled his eyes. "I don't think I could do that if I tried. Why would I want to?"
	"Oh, boy. I don't know what to tell you." JC laughed. "You're going to get it, that's all." 
	"Whatever. It's not my fault, so what should I do?"
	"I'd say just leave them downstairs, but then Joey would kill the dog."
	"Should I keep them hidden?"
	"For now."
	"And then?"
	"Then get on his good side for a while. Be nice."
	"How long is a while?"
	"Ugh . . . Just, I don't know! More then a couple minutes at least. I mean, you made your little 'I'm responsible for whatever my dog does' speech. So, be responsible. Figure it out."
	"You're going to help me though, right?" Justin implored. "He's going to be so mad, and what am I supposed to do?"
	"OK. I'll help you. Well, we need to call the dog's owners. When the dog is gone, we can show Joey."
	"But then Joey will kill me."
	"Not if you were on his good side."
	"Good side my ass. It's not going to matter!"
	"Buy him new shoes then," JC suggested.
	"Over my dead body," Justin exclaimed. "Joey can replace his own damn shoes."
	"You love shopping for shoes . . ."	
	"For me, JC."
	"Pretend they're for you."
	"But they're not. I'll keep remembering." Justin sighed. "I should just throw them in Mara's yard and pretend that she did it."
	"Excuse me? You're not allowed within a hundred feet of that women's house." JC shook his head. "Between your arm, the notes, and everything you've caused this 'vacation'..."
	"I could throw them over there."	
	JC glared at him. "Did you not hear a single word I said?"
	"Kidding," Justin replied. "Just kidding."
*****
*****
	"It's too cold to be out here . . ." Chris complained for the umpteenth time as the guys trudged through the white coated woods. Everyone ignored him, just as they had the previous hundred times.
	JC and Joey were in the front while Justin, Lance, and Chris pulled up the rear. Justin was pulling a long stick through the snow as they walked. He didn't think about it initially, but after a while of dragging it he realized it made a pretty good track to follow back later. But even as exciting as dragging a stick was, the walk was becoming slightly monotonous, and Justin searched for a way to make things more interesting.
	He bent down and grabbed a handful of snow in his bare hand. Then he packed it and threw it at the back of Joey's head. It hit its mark and Joey looked up, as if the tree was guilty. He brushed off the back of his head. Justin nearly cracked up laughing.
	"Hey, guys, look. There's a deer," JC said. He stopped walking and pointed.
	"Oh, yeah!" Joey agreed with a grin. "It's like we're at a zoo."
	"Or not..." Justin replied. Lance, Chris, and Justin strained to see where he was pointing. All they saw was white and trees. 
	"Did you see how fast it ran?" JC asked.
	The three gave up.
	"Yeah," Joey replied. "Did you see the tail?"
	Justin threw another snowball and it hit Joey square in the back. Joey spun around, and Justiin dragged the stick innocently, staring at the snow as he walked. 
	"Who did that?" Joey demanded.
	Justin looked up. "Huh?"
	"Did what?" Lance asked.
	Joey shook his head and turned back around. Justin's next throw hit his neck.
	"Okay, that's it . . ." Joey turned slowly, trying to brush the cold snow out of the neck of his jacket. "What's the big idea? Which of you three keeps pounding me with snow?"
	"Not me," Chris replied.
	"Or me," Lance said.
	Joey started for Justin, who stepped back and raised the stick in the air in defense.
	"Hey!" Justin objected. "Just because I'm the last one to say I didn't do it doesn't mean I'm guilty!"
	"In my book it does," Joey replied.
	"Joey," JC started. "It's not necessary to hit him back, is it?"
	"Um, yeah, it is."
	"No, it's not. Come on . . ."
	"Fine." Joey glared at Justin. "One more throw, Curly, and you're going to be able to tell me what snow tastes like. Got it?"
	"Got it," Justin muttered.
	"You know, this is stupid," Chris said. The group stopped and faced each other. "We're walking to . . . no where to be exact. And it's really cold, and I'm tired of hearing Joey and Justin bitching!"
	"You're the one bitching!" Justin retorted. "About how cold it is like every single freaking second."
	"Guys, come on," JC objected.
	"What?" Justin replied incredulously. "It's true. We've done nothing but listen to how cold Chris is. I haven't seen any of these deer you've been pointing out, and frankly I'm really questioning how good a plan this is."
	"What's the big deal?" Joey sighed. "Can we just shut up?"
	"Okay, so a walk through the woods wasn't the best idea for an activity," Lance noted, crossing his arms. "I can kind of agree with that."
	"Maybe if there was something to see," Chris answered. "But there's not. And it's so damn cold."
	"We know it's so damn cold!" Justin shouted. "Will you shut up about it?!"
	"Well, excuse me if I just lost the feeling in my hands and feet!" Chris retorted.
	"I say we tie Justin and Chris to a tree and keep going," Joey replied.
	"I say we hang you from the tree and keep going," Justin snapped back.
	"Justin, that's horrible," JC replied. 
	Joey shook his head. "Don't you just want to smack him?" 
	"Ha, ha, Joey, because that would fix things," Justin replied. 
	"It would make me feel better."
	"You know what? Go fu—"
	"Okay!" Lance interrupted. "So what are we going to do now?"
	JC sat down on a huge rock and Chris leaned against a tree, both looking exasperated. 
	"I should've brought the dog," Justin sighed. He threw the stick away. He didn't care about tracks anymore.
	"Yeah, then we could have lost it," Joey agreed. 
	"You two, shut up," JC snapped. "You're seriously annoying."
	"Ooh, we're seriously annoying?" Justin asked. "You mean I'm not jokingly annoying?" He smirked at him. "Come on, JC."
	JC sprang up with a grin. "Come here," he said with faux threat to his tone.
	Justin ducked behind Joey, who stepped away from him. "Look, I'm not on your side, dumbass, so don't hide behind me." 
	"Justin, sit," JC requested, pointing to the rock he'd been on. "And shut your mouth. Let's all just talk."
	"I didn't say anything," Justin objected. He sat. "You don't have to favor Joey because you feel bad for him, you know."
	"Why would he feel bad for me?" Joey challenged.
	Justin shrugged. "Well, for one, you're fat."
	"What part of 'shut your mouth' don't you understand?" JC demanded.
	"It's all a bit confusing," Justin admitted. "Maybe if you spell it out?" 
	Chris grabbed the scarf Lance had around his neck  and went over to Justin, wrapping it around his head to cover his mouth. "Okay, now we leave him!" he said. "Everybody run!"
	Justin pulled it off and threw it back towards Lance. "Joey run?" he asked. "Ha! That would be the day."
	"How'd you like another broken arm?" Joey threatened, starting for him.
	"Joey, stay," JC replied. "Justin, no more Joey bashing. In fact, do not say a word that incorporates anything connected to Joey."
	"Okay." Justin nodded.
	"Remember what I told you?"
	Justin nodded again.
	"So do you guys want to keep going? Or eat, or what?" Chris asked.
	"I'll bet Joey wants to eat," Justin replied before thinking.
	"Justin, really," JC started with subtle anger in his tone. "Don't do that. Enough is enough." 
	Justin sobered. "OK," he replied sullenly. 
	"How about we eat?" Chris asked. "I'm starved. And freezing, by the way."
	Justin groaned. 
	"I said that just for you," Chris laughed. He slung his arm around Justin's neck and hugged him gently. 
	"Bastard," Justin mumbled.
*****
*****
	After eating all the sandwiches and drinking all the soda they had packed, the guys sat around on rocks just taking in the scenery and crisp air. For the first time during their 'nature walk', they were all at ease and actually relaxed. That was until the weather began to turn.
	"It's starting to snow," Joey noted, looking up at the sky.
	"Uh-oh. It'll cover our tracks," Justin said.
	"Don't be ridiculous," JC returned. "This is nothing." 
	"Okay, we all know whose fault it is if we don't get back."
	"Justin, will you stop it? Of course we're going to get back."
	"I'm not so sure . . ." Chris started. He scrutinized the falling flakes. "Unless we start back now, I think our tracks will be gone."
	"Not good . . ." Lance started. 
	"Oh, this sucks," Justin said. "This royally sucks."
	"Guys, we'll get back . . ." Joey replied. "Don't worry."
	"Thank you, Joe," JC answered with a smile and a sigh. "Someone agrees with me."
	"Maybe in a few days," Joey continued, "but we'll get back."
	JC rolled his eyes. "Gee, Joey, maybe you could be a bit more optimistic?"
	"Hey, let's make a campfire," Chris suggested.
	"Um, yeah, and you've got matches?" Justin replied.
	"Haven't you ever heard of the old-fashioned way?"
	"Oh, do tell." Justin feigned excitement.
	"You rub wood together and hope for the best," Lance spoke up. 
	"Oh." Justin raised his eyebrows. "Sounds great." 
	"No, guys, I've got matches," JC replied, rummaging through his backpack.
	"Oh, JC, I love you. Always prepared," Chris exclaimed as JC tossed him a book of matches. 
	"And why, dare I ask, would you carry those with you?" Justin asked doubtfully.
	JC smiled. "I came prepared. Like Chris said."
	"Yeah, right, Mr. Pyromaniac."
	"Did you happen to bring extra food in there?" Joey was hopeful.
	"Um, no," JC laughed. "Sorry."
	"So do we want to start a fire here or do we want to walk a little more?"
	"Oh, how are we going to get back?" Justin whined. "We'll be lost forever."
	"We just need to know what direction to walk in . . ." JC replied. "We have our old tracks but we really kind of wondered in circles a bit to find this place to eat..."
	"And considering we don't know east from west nor whether we even want to go east or west . . ." Lance continued.
	"We're basically screwed," Chris replied. "We're lost, cold, hungry . . ."
	"Oh, save it for someone who cares," Justin muttered. 
	"What else do you have in there?" Joey pointed to JC's bag.
	JC looked thoughtful. "Uh, flashlight, cell phone—"
	"Cell phone?"
	"Who we gonna call, Joe?"
	"Oh, right . . ."
	"I've got a bunch of stuff. Gum. Tylenol in case Justin complains about his arm—"
	"Hey," Justin objected.
	"You should have brought sedatives," Joey replied. "I'll take a piece of gum."
	JC handed the pack to him. "So what do you guys want to do?" 
	They stared up at the white flakes that were coming down a bit heavier now. 
	"I say we keep walking," Justin answered.
	"Yeah, we should until it's too dark," Chris agreed.
	"Guys, we may be walking in the wrong direction," Lance warned.
	"You can't say we didn't try."
*****
*****
	Before long, walking was no longer an option. With unanimous fatigue, the group settled down to rest. As unappealing as sitting in the snow might appear, they were too exhausted to care.
	"My butt's getting all wet," Chris complained as he sat down on the ground.
	Justin grimaced as a snowflake landed on his nose and melted. "Thanks for sharing."
	"No problem."
	They sat silently for a moment, as if trying to devise a plan for what to do next.
	"I see a light!" Lance exclaimed, jumping up from his seat.
	"Where?" Joey asked.
	"Over there." Lance pointed. 
	All looked to where he indicated, squinting in the darkening night. A faint glimmer of light was visible.
	"Is it good or bad that we see a light?" Justin asked.
	"Good!" JC replied. "Why would it be bad?"
	"Well, they're strangers and they might be. . . I don't know. Odd?"
	"Well," Chris said as he got up, "let's find out what they are, shall we? I say it's definitely worth a try." 
	The group once again began walking. It wasn't long until they reached a log cabin style home with two stories and light from the window. It was a welcomed site, and all of the guys felt an anxious burden be replaced by relief.
	"This looks good," Lance said. "Definitely hopeful."
	"Come on." JC beckoned to them and started for the door.
	Lance knocked, and the five waited patiently. After a moment, an elderly lady answered the door. She was perhaps in her late sixties and had graying hair tied in a bun. She was wearing a dark sweater and jeans and had a casual, friendly aura. A similarly aged man appeared behind her in a plaid shirt and jeans. They looked like the friendliest people the guys could have hoped to find.
	"Why, hello," the man greeted, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Can we help you?"
	"Um, we got lost in the woods . . ." JC started. "And—"
	"Oh you poor dears! Come on in!" the woman exclaimed, moving out of the doorway and gesturing them inside. "You boys must be freezing!" 
	"Thanks," Joey said for all of them as the door was shut behind them. The warm air of the cabin enveloped them. There was a kitchen to the right and a snug family room to the left. A fire place was burning brightly in there. Stairs straight ahead led to the second level.
	"It's really nice of you to let us in," Lance continued.
	"Nonsense!" the woman cried. "It's too cold to be out there tonight. We're happy to take you in. We can show you the way back to wherever you live tomorrow. You boys can sleep in the guest bedroom over there." She pointed into the family room where another door was visible.
	"So where are you boys coming from?" the man asked as the woman took their coats and hung them on hooks in that main hall.
	"Um, do you know Johnny Wright?" Chris asked.
	"Sure!" The man nodded. "Very nice fellow. Rarely up here though."
	"Well, we're friends of his and he's letting us stay in his cabin."
	He nodded. "Then you're just across the woods. It's not too far, but you can't go back tonight. It's snowing pretty heavy out there."
	"My! You're all wet!" The woman looked them over. "I'm sure we have some extra clothes around here for you . . ."
	"Really, that's unnecessary," JC objected. "We don't want to impose."
	"Oh, you're not. You're making us feel special, having more guests tonight."
	"More?" Joey asked.
	"We've got our grand-children upstairs." She smiled. "They'll probably come down when they hear us down here. Tyler's two and Katie's seven." 
	"I'll run upstairs and see what we have that you boys can change into," the man said. "You make yourselves comfortable for now." He went up the stairs.
	"These people are so nice," Justin whispered to JC. JC nodded in agreement.
	"Would you like some hot chocolate?" the woman asked. "Or cookies? Of course you do! I'll bring them out." She walked into the kitchen.
	"Wow, this is great," Joey commented.
	The man returned downstairs with assorted sweatshirts, jeans, and pants. He handed them out. "Some of you can change in the guest room or in the bathroom," he suggested. "Make yourself at home, boys."
	They changed quickly and their wet clothes were taken to dry. Before they could thank the man, the woman returned with a tray of cookies and hot chocolate. It was like a five star resort, and they were unexpected guests. They were in awe.
	"Now sit . . ." she directed. "I'm so glad to have company. It was just fate you dropped by!" She smiled. 
	They sat on the couches in the family room and each got a mug. Then the woman passed around the cookies, which they each readily accepted.
	"These are really good," Justin said between mouthfuls. 
	"Why, thank you," the lady said. "Katie and I baked them earlier today. Help yourself to as many as you want." 
	The man returned and took a seat. "How about introductions?" he began. "So we get to know what to call each other? That might make things a little easier for you guys, I'm sure. I'm Charles and this is my wife Beverly. You can call us just by that."
	"I'm Joey." Joey took the role of introductions. "And this is Justin, JC, Chris, and Lance."
 	"Grandma . . ." a small voice came from the doorway.
	A small girl with long dark hair and oval shaped brown eyes stood in the doorway wearing sweatshirt and jeans. She held the hand of a smaller boy, who had light brown hair, blue eyes, and was sucking his thumb. "Who's here?"
	"Perfect timing, Katie." Beverly smiled. "We were just doing introductions. Why don't you come over and say hello to our guests?" 
	Katie walked in with Tyler grasping her hand. They stared at the five guys somewhat shyly.
	"This is Katie . . ." Beverly started. "And Tyler. Tyler, how old are you?"
	He let go of Katie's hand to hold up two fingers, keeping his other hand in his mouth. They laughed. 
	"You make very good cookies, Katie," Joey complimented.
	Katie smiled. "Thank you . . ." she replied. 
	"I helps!" Tyler took his thumb out of his mouth.
	"Very good," Joey assured with a laugh. 
	"What happened to your arm?" Katie pointed at Justin.
	"I broke it," Justin replied.
	"How?"
	"I fell out of a tree," he said, slightly sheepish. It sounded more and more stupid every time he explained it.
	"I broke my arm once," she said. "I had a purple cast."
	"Cool." Justin smiled. "You want to sign mine?" 
	"Yeah!" she grinned. She went over and took his good hand. "We have markers inside. I'll make it pretty!"
	Justin gazed at her dubiously.
	"Go on, Justin." Joey pushed him up. "Go get pretty."
	Justin sent him a look and the two left the room. 
*****
*****
	When Justin and Katie returned back later, Beverly and Charles were no longer there. The television was on and the guys were sprawled around the room. JC was seated on one side of the couch while Joey was on the other. In between, Tyler sat cross-legged, looking tired, and watching TV like a zombie. Lance and Chris were on the floor. 
	"Hey, J, are you pretty now?" Chris asked as Justin sat down beside him. Katie crawled into his lap and smiled at them. 
	"Yes, he is!" she exclaimed.
	"Yes," Justin replied proudly. He showed his cast which had 'Katie' scrawled with huge colorful flowers around it. 
	"Ooh, very nice job, Katie," Lance noted as he pulled himself over to look.
	"Thank you." She smiled. "It was fun. And Justin told me all about the group."
	"Oh, really?" Joey sounded skeptical. "What'd he tell you, Katie?"
	"Oh, nothing." She replied, leaning back into Justin's chest. He wrapped an arm around her chest. They appeared to be the closest of friends suddenly and Joey grew even more suspicious.  
	"That's right," Justin said. "Nothing. I just told her who was who."
	"Yep," Katie affirmed. "That's all. Tyler, are you falling asleep?" She gazed at her brother, who was now lying on his side, head nearly in JC's lap.
	"I think so, yeah," JC answered for him. 
	"He's such a baby." Katie shook her head. "He falls asleep all the time!"
	"Sounds like someone I know," Justin said.
	"Hey," JC objected. "I hope you don't mean me."
	"Oh, yeah, I heard about that. That was one of the things he said." Katie laughed.
	"Yeah, just who's who, right, Curly?" Lance asked.
	"Right," Justin answered. He smirked. "You know I love you guys."
	"What are we watching?" Katie looked at the TV. "Yucky. News."
	"Yeah, yucky," Justin agreed.
	"All Chris's idea," Joey said.
	"Well, excuse me for wanting to know the weather," Chris replied sarcastically. "Wanting to see if we'd get snowed in."
	"We can watch a movie!" Katie said. She slid around to face Justin. "I have every Disney movie ever made! And I brought them all with me to visit Grandma! Isn't that great? Do you like Disney?"
	"I love Disney," Justin replied earnestly. 
	"Then you can help me pick the movie!" Katie cried happily. She jumped up, extremely excited.
	"Where are they?" Justin asked.
	"In my room," she answered. "Come on!"
	Justin wasn't sure about going upstairs with her, afraid to wake up her grandparents. "Um, why don't you go pick one?" Justin suggested. 
	"Yeah, and why don't you put your brother up to bed, too," JC started.
	"No!" Tyler objected, starting to wake up as he heard his name and the prospect of being put to bed. "Movie! Movie!" 
	"Tyler loves Disney," Katie said. "Tyler, want to help me pick the movie?"
	"OK!" Tyler slid off the couch and followed her out. 
	"Gee . . . a Disney movie . . ." Joey sighed. "Isn't it past their bedtime?"
	"Shove it, Joey," Justin replied. "If Superman had been created by Disney, you would be ecstatic."
	"You're just defending your new best friend. Any day that I would ask you to watch, say, 'The Lion King', I doubt you would readily agree."
	"And why not?" Justin replied. "What if I happen to like 'The Lion King'?"
	"You like baby movies?"
	"It's not a baby movie!" Justin exclaimed. "Chris loves 'The Lion King' and he's ten years older than me!"
	"I don't love it," Chris started. "Just because I wanted to see it in the theatre does not mean I love it."
	"And so what?" Joey continued. "It's Chris. He's the least mature of all of us."
	"Um, I don't think so..." Chris objected. 
	"Just smile and watch the movie, will you guys?" JC asked.
	Joey sighed. "Fine. It just better not be, like, Fantasia." He crossed his arms. 
	Katie came back down with Tyler a few minutes later. "Grandma and Grandpa said we can't stay up much longer, but we could watch a movie," she announced.	
	"What movie did you pick?" Lance asked.
	"'The Lion King'!" Katie exclaimed.
	Joey groaned. JC reached over to hit him. 
	"Yes!" both Justin and Chris exclaimed simultaneously.
*****
*****
	"Boy, wasn't that a great movie . . ." Joey yawned and got up to stretch. He looked around the room. Justin, Chris, and Katie were asleep on the floor. JC and Tyler were asleep on the couch. Lance was just standing there, looking at Joey with an equally bemused expression.
	"What an audience." Lance shook his head. "Pitiful."
	"You wake Tyler and I'll wake Katie," Joey said. "We should probably tell them to go upstairs." Lance nodded.
	Tyler was on JC's lap. Lance moved to take JC's arm, and JC murmured something tiredly. He didn't awake, but merely turned his head when Lance picked Tyler up. Tyler showed no sign of waking up. Katie on the other hand woke up the moment Joey touched her arm.
	"Over?" she asked drowsily. 
	Joey nodded. "Why don't you take your brother upstairs to bed now? It's really late."
	"Okay." She nodded and stood up. Justin turned on his side and groaned. Tyler finally awoke in Lance's arms, and Lance let him down to go with his sister.
	"Night," he said after them. 
	Chris was starting to gain consciousness as well. "Boy, am I tired," he said as he stretched out his arms. "And my back . . . Ugh . . . Floors are not made for old men like me..."
	"We should get settled in the guest room then, before we fall asleep here," Joey said. He gazed at JC and Justin. "Or maybe it's too late . . ."
	"Sleepy . . ." Chris took JC's arm and shook it. "Rise and shine."
	"Ten more minutes," JC pleaded, not opening his eyes. 
	"Come on, Sleepy Two." Joey crouched by Justin. "Get up and sleep inside."
	"JC . . ." Chris pulled his arm harder, nearly pulling him off the couch. "Come on, you ass."
	JC yawned. "Just pull my arm out of its socket why don't you," he said sourly. He rubbed his eyes. "What do you want?"
	"We're going to bed," Chris informed.
	"Wait a minute." JC shook his head. "You woke me up so we could go back to sleep?"
	"Um, basically, yeah," Chris confirmed. "Joey, you got Curly up?"
	"He's not responding," Joey objected.
	Chris went over. "Because you're not doing it right." He smirked. "Justin . . ." He started tickling him. Justin jerked away and groaned.
	"Stop it!" he yelled.	
	"Shut up!" Joey hissed. "You'll wake up the whole house."
	Justin sat up. "Ow . . ." He moved his arm. He looked grumpy and disgruntled about being awoken.
	"Okay, let's move in there." Lance pointed. He walked over and opened the guest bedroom door to reveal a fairly large room with a queen sized bed, a dresser, and a rocking chair. "One bed."
	"They're nice enough to let us stay here," Chris said. "I guess we can't complain if they only have one bed to offer."
	Justin walked straight into the room and collapsed on the bed on his stomach.
	"Um, no, no, no . . ." Joey walked in objecting. "We have to talk about who gets the bed, Justin . . . Justin?"
	"Well, talk quick . . ." Justin rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. He wanted to sleep.
	Chris hummed. "Oh, I just can't wait to be king . . . I'm gonna be a mighty—"
	"Sh . . ." JC complained.
	"It's in my head," Chris objected.
	"Can I get the bed?" Justin pleaded. "Please?"	
	"Somebody can go with him," JC said. "The bed's big enough."
	"Whatever, I don't care," Justin griped. "Just let me sleep."
	"I've got the rocker," Chris said, sitting down and pulling the blanket that was resting over the top of it over himself. He rocked slowly and closed his eyes. "Not sure if this will be comfortable yet..."
	"I'll take the floor," Lance said with a shrug. "Because I don't care. There's extra blankets and pillows anyway."
	"Same," JC said.	
	"OK, then I guess it's you and me, babe," Joey laughed at Justin. Justin made a disgusted face. "Now, get up for a minute. You can't sleep on top of the comforter."
	JC was going through a closet and pulling down blankets and extra pillows. "You sure you'll be comfortable in that chair, Chris?" he asked.
	"Yep. I'll be fine," Chris answered. "I think."
	"Now don't try anything funny with me," Justin warned Joey as he crawled under the covers. "If you so much as touch me . . ." 
	Joey sat there and stared at him. "Justin, just sleep, okay? I'm not going to molest you or something. I want to sleep too."
	Justin nodded. "Fine." He watched JC setting up blankets on the floor, although his eyes didn't really focus on anything in particular. He was in a slight tired daze.
	"Night, guys," Lance said.
	"Night," the rest echoed. Chris flipped off the light switch.
	There was a moment of silence. Only the wind through the shutters made a noise. Then it was abruptly interrupted.
	"Joey!" Justin shrieked.
	"I didn't touch you!" Joey replied.  "Don't kick me!"
	"Yeah, you did! Do you have to take up the entire bed, fatass?" 
	"Just try not to think about me being here then," Joey sighed. 
	"I can't if you keep touching me!" Justin persisted. "Stop, you did it again!"
	"I'm not—"
	"Guys," JC snapped as he stood up, exasperated. He turned on the light and crossed his arms. "In case you forgot, this is not our cabin. This is not a hotel room. There are people upstairs that were nice enough to let us stay here and you're gonna keep them up all night." 
	Joey and Justin were silent. 
	"Justin, do you want to sleep on the floor?" JC persisted.
	"No," Justin replied quietly. "I'd rather you sleep with me though."
	"No, Joey's sleeping with you. We've slept in hotel rooms with much smaller beds with each other and you were fine."
	"But with you..."
	"I'm on the floor. Get over it and let Joey have his side."
	"Whatever..."	
	"Joey? All good?"
	Joey rolled his eyes. "Aye, aye, captain."
	JC flipped off the light. 
	Ten minutes later, Justin asked as politely as he could in a whisper, "Joey, could you possibly spare some of the blankets?"
	There was no answer.
	"Joey?" Justin persisted.
	"Sh . . ." Chris hissed.
	"Dammit, Joey!" Justin blurted out in a low voice. 
	Joey groaned in reply. He didn't want to answer. He hoped ignoring Justin would avoid confrontation, and Justin would sleep.
	"Justin," Lance objected. "What's the deal."
	"I asked nicely," Justin replied. "Joey?"
	"I think he's asleep," Chris noted. "JC's asleep too."
	"Well, I'm freezing." Justin kicked Joey hard. "Wake up."
	Joey pushed Justin away, and he landed on the floor in a heap on top of Lance, who groaned in pain.
	"My arm . . ." Justin moaned. "Oh . . . And that was not my fault . . ."
	"Justin, get off of me," Lance replied, pushing the other. Justin held his casted arm piteously and lay on the floor motionless. "What's your problem?"
	"My problem?" Justin echoed. "Pain. That's my problem."
	"Since JC's asleep, I'll be in charge," Chris said. "Justin, stay on the floor."
	"What?" Justin objected just as a pillow and a blanket hit him, thrown by Joey above. "I don't think so! Now I get a blanket? That's bullshit, Joey."
	"You're already on the floor though," Lance pointed out. "And Joey's sleeping, so . . ."
	"Joey is not sleeping!" Justin exclaimed. "He just—"
	"Good night, Justin," Lance and Chris chorused. 
	"This is so unfair." Justin sat up and then stood. He threw his pillow at Joey in the dim light and got back on the bed. He held it down on Joey's head, suffocating him.
	Joey struggled and grabbed Justin's good arm, twisting it. "Get off of me!" 
	Justin pulled back from his grip. "You awake now, loser?" 
	Lance and Chris tried to ignore the raucous. It was difficult. Lance got up and threw his pillow at them eventually. "Will you guys stop?"
	JC slowly awoke due to the disturbance. He felt aggravated and realized this night might never end. "Guys!" he hissed as he stood and flipped on the light. "Come on, guys. Please? I can just imagine those two upstairs . . . probably thinking what a mistake it was to let us in."
	"Oh, you're exaggerating a little," Chris muttered. "Hopefully they're deaf and can't hear these assholes."
	"Justin, can you just stay on the floor?" Lance asked.
	"What?" Justin exclaimed.
	Chris smirked. "Told you."
	"No, he'll be good," Joey objected. He shifted the blankets over to Justin's side slightly more. "We're fine."
	"We're fine," Justin echoed. 
	"Sleep," JC sighed. "Finally."
	The light turned off.
*****
*****	
	"I had the worst dream ever . . ." Justin said as he and the others rose the next morning. "It was horrible."
	"What was it about?" JC asked.
	"Well," Justin lowered his voice, "we found out that Mara was somehow related to these people and—"
	A sharp knock at the door interrupted his words. "You boys up in there?" came Beverly's voice. "Breakfast is ready."
	"We'll be right there!" Joey called back. "Sheesh," he whispered. "Breakfast? They're treating us like royalty, and we're actually imposing."
	"I wouldn't worry about that dream," Chris pacified Justin. "You're just loony."
	Justin shrugged. "I don't know. It seemed so real . . . And whenever my dreams seem that real..."
	"Let's get going, guys," Lance prompted, starting for the door. The rest followed. The smell of rich maple syrup and hot pancakes filled the air as he opened the door.
	Joey smiled widely. "I'm starving . . . This is heaven." 
	"Come in, come in," Beverly motioned to the kitchen when she saw them. Plates and cups were set on the table and a pitcher of juice sat looking fresh and tempting. "I made enough to feed an army! I hope you're hungry! Charlie is waking Katie and Tyler."
	The guys took seats at the table and started on the food.
	"We can't thank you enough, ma'am," JC was saying. "This is really generous."
	"Yeah, thank you," Justin piped up. The others followed suit.
	"Generous? Nah," the woman objected. "This is my pleasure! I'm glad you found our cabin!"
	Katie and Tyler ran in, Charles behind them. Katie grabbed the empty seat next to Justin and Tyler climbed onto the chair beside her. He stayed on his knees so that he reached the table. 	
	"Katie and Ty were just telling me how much fun they had last night watching the movie with you guys," Charles complimented. "That was very nice of you boys to spend time with them."
	"'The Lion King' is the best movie ever," Justin exclaimed. "Don't you think, Joey?"
	"Oh, yeah," Joey replied, attempting to sound genial. "Got to love that little tiger."
	"Lion," Justin corrected. 
	"Yeah, that's why it's called 'The Lion King'?" JC said.
	"Right, whatever." Joey shook his head and poured himself some juice.
	"Um, we have some good news," Beverly said. "Quite a coincidence actually."
	They guys looked at her expectantly.
	"Well, my daughter's coming to pick up the kids today and you'll never believe where she lives." Beverly smiled. "She's practically your next-door neighbor. Isn't that great?"
	"She offered to give you guys a ride home when she called this morning," Charles explained.
	"It certainly is fate you found our place," Beverly continued.
	"What's your daughter's name?" Lance asked cautiously.
	"Mara," Beverly answered. She watched the looks of recognition. "What? Have you met her?"
	"Yes, in fact." Chris nodded. "Beautiful girl."
	Beverly beamed. 
	Justin was shocked. "Joey, pinch me," he whispered. "I think I'm still dreaming."
	"Shush," Joey hissed. "You're not."
	"Justin, wake up," Justin persisted. "This is only a dream . . . Dream . . ." 
	"Well, eat up," Beverly encouraged. "Mara will be here in about a half hour. Your clothes are dry and hanging in the wash room. That's right down the hall and to the right, okay?" She pointed. "So feel free to change whenever." 
	Trying to ignore the bizarre twist of fate, the guys continued to eat.
*****
*****
	Mara arrived exactly a half an hour later. The five were ready and changed, and none knew what to expect when the woman arrived. Did she know it was them? Did she harbor resentment towards them?
	"Mommy!" Tyler shrieked, first to see the woman come through the door.
	Dressed in jeans and a sweater, Mara smiled and picked up the boy that ran to her, laughing. She seemed a different woman entirely from what the group had previously observed. She seemed like a loving mom and a nice woman, completely unlike the bitter, reserved woman they met.
	Katie ran towards her a second later and hugged her around the waist.
	"Hi, Mom, Dad," Mara greeted Charlie and Beverly, who sat in chairs in the family room. "Thanks again for taking the kids. It was great, and they always love it here." Lance, Joey, and JC were on the couch while Justin and Chris sat on the floor. "It's nice to see you guys again."
	Justin could have sworn that she glared when she greeted them, but he knew better than to hold anything against her. He would ignore it, hold it as a figment of his imagination.
	"Hi, Mara!" Chris greeted, still the hopeful romantic. "It's good to see you again." 
	Mara simply nodded. "Well, I'm sorry this has to be quick, but I've got a customer at two so I really need to get back. Did you guys have fun with Grandma and Grandpa?" she asked her kids.
	Katie nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And these guys were really nice, too!"
	Mara nodded. "I'm sure, sweetie. Now, say good-bye to your grandparents." Mara walked over with them to Beverly and Charlie. She gave them both a kiss after the kids. 
	"Thank you so much," Joey said to Beverly and Charles as the guys got up. "We couldn't have asked for more."
	"Yeah, you really didn't have to let us stay like that," JC agreed.
	"Thank you," Justin said.	
	Chris and Lance nodded.
	"Nonsense." Beverly shook her head. "Where else were you supposed to go? Besides, we thoroughly enjoyed your company."
	"Well, we can't thank you enough," JC persisted.
	"Okay, let's get going," Mara insisted.
	Final good-byes were made, some luggage was grabbed, and they walked out to a blue mini-van. They were all inside and about to drive off when Katie gasped.
	"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Mara asked, turning to where her daughter sat in the passenger seat.
	"I forget Petey!" she replied.
	"Okay, honey. Just go inside quick and get him," Mara said. 
	"Me go too," Tyler insisted. 
	"Okay, honey. Quickly."
	They both left. 
	It was silent in the car for a moment before Justin couldn't withhold his curiosity any longer. "Um, who's Petey?" he asked softly.
	"Her stuffed rabbit," Mara replied. "Now that we're alone, I would like to mention how nice of you it was to impose on my parents like that."
	"Impose?" Justin objected. "Lady, how was what we—" Lance's hand on his arm caused him to stop. He cut himself short immediately and realized it was probably a good idea to hold his tongue. This was the woman who had left those letters on his bed. Even if it had been a harmless lesson in retaliation for his trespassing, it still kept him at bay.
	"We weren't imposing," Joey said dryly. "We were lost and they offered us hospitality."
	She laughed. "We're ten minutes away by car. It's an even shorter trip by foot because it's through the woods. I commend your sense of direction."
	"Look, we've never been here before," Justin replied. "Excuse me if we're not sure of the area."
	"Sure."	
	The doors to the van slid open and the children piled back inside. Katie was clutching a rabbit in her arms and had a smile of relief.
	"You have everything now, honey?" Mara asked.
	"Yes, mommy." Katie nodded.
	"Oh, guess what kids?" Mara said as she pulled out of the driveway. Outside, everything was white and glistening from the newly fallen snow. 
	"What?" Tyler asked. 
	"I found Teddy!" Mara exclaimed.
	"Really?" Katie's voice was excited. "I missed her so much! Where was she?" 
	Tyler grinned from ear to ear. "Yea!"
	"She was lost," Mara replied. She gazed in the rearview mirror at the guys. "I guess I didn't look hard enough when I went out that day in the snow to find him when you were at Grandma's."
	"So she didn't run away?" Katie exclaimed happily. "Thanks, mommy!"
	Justin groaned and buried his face into JC's shoulder. He felt sick. 
	"It's okay," JC soothed. "Don't say a thing."
	"I missed her so much," Katie continued. She sighed happily. "I thought I'd never see her again." 
	Justin felt immensely worse. 
	"You can see her when we get home," Mara replied. "I'm sure she'll be ecstatic to see you too. She said she missed you so much. She hasn't had any fun being lost."
*****
*****
	The guys got back to their cabin about ten minutes later with no further exchange other than the necessary but loathed 'thank you'. They discovered that their power was back when they went inside.
	Justin laid down on the couch. "I feel horrible." 
	Chris sat on the floor. "I hit on a woman with kids," he sighed. "I wonder if she's married . .." 
	"I stole a dog . . ." Justin cried out. "From two little kids! How evil am I?"
	"You did not steal a dog," Joey replied, pushing Justin's feet off the second cushion of the couch so that he could sit down as well. "You didn't know."
	"Yeah," Lance agreed. "I mean, she was wandering around our yard. In reality, you saved the dog's life."
	"So that's why she was on our property that day," Chris noted. "Weird."
	"You know, it means she was inside our place again," JC said. "The dog was in here."	
	Justin shivered, finally sitting up to let Lance and JC sit. The four were nearly squished. "I don't like that. It's eerie having her sneak around . . ."
	"Well, we're almost out of here," Joey replied. 
	"Hey, do you think she got the collar back?" Justin asked.
	"Oh, that's right . . ." JC replied. "You had that, huh?"
	"Yeah. She probably got it. I hope so. As much as I loved Tyler and Katie, I never want to see that family again."
	"Don't say the whole family," Chris objected. "Look at how nice Beverly and Charlie were."
	"They were beyond nice," Lance agreed. 
	"I can't believe I stole their dog," Justin moaned again. "Why didn't I just call?"
	"Because we asked you to, and you had to be difficult," JC replied. "And stop saying stole. You didn't."
	"It's over," Joey said. "Stop thinking about it."
	"I mean, it's all so ironic," Justin continued. "I don't know why I—"
	"Curly, shut up!" 
	"Okay, fine." Justin sighed. "So . . . what are we going to do about the notes?"
	"You know . . ." Chris laughed. "I'd forgotten about that."
	"Forgotten?" Justin was awed. "How could you forget?"
	"I think it was just a harmless joke," Lance replied. "Nothing that we should worry about. Probably out of spite from her because you were in her house."
	"But she was in our house!" Justin exclaimed.
	"Actually, Justin, I wrote the notes," Joey said. "Gotcha."
	Justin turned to him, mouth dropping open. "What?"
	"Just kidding," Joey laughed. "But it was worth it to see the look on your face, pal. Priceless."
	Justin sighed. "I really thought you were serious. Sheesh . . . Don't kid me like that." He paused. "Although if they were from you I'd almost feel better..."
	Joey kept laughing.
	"I think we should forget about the notes, too," JC said. "I mean we're leaving in a couple of days and—"
	"Tomorrow," Lance corrected.
	"What?" JC frowned.
	"We're leaving tomorrow."
	"Really?" Justin was all smiles. "Awesome."
	"Oh, don't act like that," Chris objected. "What are you going to say when Johnny asked how you enjoyed the week at his cabin?"
	"I'm going to tell him it sucked," Justin replied. "And that he should sell this worthless piece of property."
	"Oh, no you're not . . ." JC shook his head. "Over my dead body."
	"Yeah, I don't think he'd be too happy," Joey agreed. "Johnny said he loves this place. Besides, we were all having fun. Just forget about Mara and you have to admit that we did have a good time."
	Justin contemplated the week slowly and sighed, admitting softly, "Yeah . . . It was fun . . ."
	"In the beginning, you were telling me how you'd want to come back," JC reminded.
	"Not anymore, but yeah, it wasn't bad," Justin agreed. "So you just want to forget about the notes?"
	"Yeah." JC nodded. "I mean, once we're home and stuff, what's she going to do? She doesn't have our number or address and it's not too easy to find that out. I really think she was trying to scare you. She probably wanted you to confront her too."
	"Okay," Justin agreed. "Sounds good."
	"This week went so fast . . ." Joey noted.
	"Yeah," Chris sighed. "It really did. Almost back to work."
*****
*****
	Justin watched from across the aisle the flirtatious exchange between Joey and a flight stewardess. A small smirk played on lips.
	The stewardess giggled, brushing a piece of blonde hair behind her ear. She seemd to thoroughly enjoy her conversation with Joey. Finally she stepped away and said, "I'll get that soda for you now . . ."
	As she turned, Justin quickly slid a magazine out from sleeping JC's hands next to him and tossed it over onto Joey's lap. Joey looked up sharply with a frown.
	"Hey," Justin began. "Miss?"
	She turned back. She smiled at him and waited. "Yes?"
	He pointed at Joey and pouted. "That man stole my magazine. I was just reading, and as soon as you walked away he snatched it from me and cursed at me."
	Her mouth dropped and she spun on Joey. She looked at him in a completely different light. "We don't tolerate that on this airline, Joey. Give him it back. Our customers must all respect each other, it's policy."
	Joey was speechless. How could a simple, stupid lie of Justin's that was obviously fake, and if anything petty, really cause her to look at him like that? "What? I—"
	"Don't even try to explain yourself. I know your type." She snatched back the magazine and gave it to Justin, who smiled sweetly. She turned back to Joey. "I can't believe you. I can see right through you." She shook her head and turned to Justin. "Just tell me if he bothers you again, honey, okay?" 	"I will." 	Justin nodded solemnly and watched her walk away. A smile tugged at his lips and he cracked up laughing.
	Lance was laughing from next to Joey. "He always gets you, Joey, doesn't he?"
	"How the hell does a stupid magazine cause that?" Joey was furious. "All I can say is watch your back, Timberlake."
	"It's all in the delivery. Nice job, J," Chris praised from behind Joey. "I loved it." 
	Justin grinned. "See, Joey? Everybody else loved it."
*****
*****
	The flight landed and all the passengers entered the airport lobby and spread in different directions. The guys went to baggage claim and waited for their luggage. After a half hour they collected everything and started to leave. 
	A small piece of paper flew out of Justin's bag and onto the floor as they began to walk away. Noticing, a woman bent and picked it up. 
	"Excuse me!" she started, straightening. "I think you—" She sighed and stopped. The group had already disappeared into the crowd. "Oh well." She opened the paper out of curiosity and read it.
	I never forget my promises.	
	With a shrug, the woman crumpled the note and tossed it into the garbage several feet away. Taking her bag, she walked away, never thinking about it twice.

finis