One True Bond: Chris's Story

This story is the first in 5 series. I started with Chris cause he is my fav. So, expect more in the future! ENJOY and send feedback at emeraldsilver@hotmail.com

Rating: Cussing, not much. May change, so watch

Disclaimer: Don't own em, Lucky Jive =]

Summary: Justin is awakened by Chris thrashing in bed. After waking him up, he notices something is wrong and tells JC.

EYES OPENED (Part 1)

Justin Timberlake was a very light sleeper. So it was no surprise when he was awakened by his best friend Chris thrashing around in his hotel bed. After about 10 minutes of listening to it, Justin decided to wake Chris up and try to see if anything was wrong. Quietly, he crept out of bed and softly walked over to Chris' bed. He got over to Chris, put his hand out and began feeling around for Chris's shoulder, he hit Busta and then Korea (for which he got nipped for). He fianlly found Chris's shoulder and gently shook him while calling his name.

Chris was having the nightmare again. It was always the same, he was running down a dark hall being chased by something. And it always trapped him in the corner and when it was just about to eat him, he wakes up. But tonight, something was off, he wasn't waking up and the monster was getting ready to eat him!

"I need to wake up, oh God I gotta wake up!" he yelled to the empty room. Suddenly, the monster's cold mouth touched his shoulder. He jumped and pulled back his arm and hit. The monster let out a yelp that sounded remarkably like Justin. Chris sat up and quickly turned on the bedside lamp to find Justin laying on the floor holding his lip. Chris jumped out of bed (upsetting the dogs) and rushed to Justin's side.

"Oh God Dude, I'm sorry, I didn't know that was you. I was having a nightmare and....."

Justin held his hand up for Chris to be quiet and cauiously got to his feet. Looking at Chris warily, he climbed into his bed. "No, I should be sorry cause I woke you. I know better than to wake someone up who is having a nightmare. Just let me go back to sleep and all is forgiven."

Chris smiled sheepishly and then licked his lips. He was very thirsty and wanted some water. He went into the bathroom and got a cup of water.

10 minutes later

"14, 15, 16, 17. CHRIS!!"

Chris stuck his head out the door and looked at Justin with curious brown eyes. "Yes?"

"Dude, you have had 17 cups of water, if you keep that up, you'll wet the bed and I will KNOW it wasn't the dogs."

"Ok, hang on."

Justin listened as Chris filled up the glass three more times and then he crawled into bed. Justin sighed in the darkness and crawled out of bed. He wasn't going to be able to sleep until he talked to JC to see if JC thought something was wrong. Justin may not know much, but he did know that it was not right for someone to drink 20 glasses of water in one sitting.

He quietly stepped out into the living room and crept across to Lance and JC's room. He opened the door and found JC awake, sitting at his desk and writing on his laptop. Unfortuantly, he had his headphones on and didn't hear Justin enter. Justin quietly walked over to JC and touched his back, causing JC to jump about 4 feet in the air and fall on Lance who instantly woke up and fell out of bed, taking JC, blankets and headphones with him. Now Justin had two people looking at him like he was crazy. Taking a deep breath, JC began to calmly yell at Justin.

"Justin what the hell are you doing coming to Lance's and my room at 2:30 in the morning!? I would think you would be sleeping like a good 19 year old!"

Justin looked at JC and decided to let that slide. There was no need for arguements now. "Guys, I think something is wrong with Chris! He...."

"When is something NOT wrong with Chris?" asked Lance sleepily.

Justing groaned and rubbed his eyes. "No, I mean, something REALLY wrong. He just drank 20 glasses of water and that is not normal!"

JC sighed and realized that Justin was right. Chris had been eating and drinking a lot. Just tonight he had seen Chris down almost half a gallon of milk in one sitting and eat a whole loaf of bread. And Chris was not his usual hyper self, he was getting to be more of a sleepyhead.

"Alright Justin, I'll talk to Chris in the morning. Now go back to bed, we have to get up in a couple of hours."

Justin smiled and went back to bed, happy things were going to be settled.



Don't Ask, Don't tell(Part 2)

Summary: JC and Chris have a talk about Chris's recent eating, drinking & sleeping habits. Chris gets upset and tells JC to mind his own business. Then something happens at rehersal that changes everything.

JC awoke with bleary eyes to find Justin sitting on his bed and grinning. He groaned when he remebered he was supposed to talk to Chris. He pushed Justin to the floor and gruffly ordered him to go get Lance and Joey. He then walked into the living room to find Chris sitting on the couch laughing like a loon at Tiny Toons and eating cereal.

Taking a deep breath, JC took a few steps towards Chris and sat down next to him. He watched as Joey, Lance & Justin rentered the room and sat down in various places (Justin at the kitchenette, Lance in the loveseat & Joey at JC's feet). JC took in the sight before him, grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.

"Dude! I was watching that, what's the deal?" Chris looked at JC and shut up; JC only looked that way when something was immensly wrong.

JC took a deep breath and began what was the hardest thing to say. "Chris, I want to talk to you about something that I and the others have noticed about you over the last few months."

Chris grinned weakly "About the fact that I have been flirting with 12 year olds instead of older women?"

"No, I wish it was, but no. Chris we have noticed that you have been eating more, drinking more and sleeping more. Chirs, there is something wrong with you."

Chris stiffened. The guys knew that Chris hated to talk about anything that was wrong with him. He was very sensitive to that, especially to the fact that he was Hypoglycemic. The guys knew better, but they were right, something was wrong. But he would die before he would admit it.

"JC, I don't know what you are talking about. I...I feel fine. You are just being paranoid. I have never felt better and now I am going skating!"

The four men watched as Chris stomped out the door.

JC looked at the three other men. "Well, that went well."

3 Hours later

"Ok guys, 5, 6, 7, 8"

"You might been hurt babe. That ain't no lie. You seen them all come and go. And remember...."

"Cut! CHRIS!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?"

The four men looked at what they saw to be an exhausted Chris. Sweat poured down his face in rivers and he was panting like it was 1000 degrees in the small rehersal studio.

"I'm fine, could we just take a little break?"

The choregrapher threw his hands in the air and sighed. "20 minutes!"

The five men took various positions around the room, but it was Lance that saw Chris make a break for the bathroom. Lance looked at the other four and ran after Chris.

Chris heaved what was left of his lunch in to the small toilet and rubbed his face. He was coming to slowly realize that he was not fine and this was not good. He flushed the toilet and walked out, only to find Lance holding a towel and a cup of water. Chris took both, mumbled thanks and sat down. Lance sat next to him and sipped his cup of water.

"Now, do you want to tell me what is going on, or do I have to drag it out of you?"

Chris sighed. You can't win with Lance, he knows too much and that is annoying at times. "I don't know bro. I feel just horrible. And I can barely get through the day without taking a nap or something. And I.....I....I don't know!" Chris buried his head into his hands and began to cry. Lance put his arm around Chris and gave him a hug.

"Ok Chris, you have done the right thing so far. You confronted the problem and admit you need help. Now the next step is getting it fixed and we will help you get it fixed." Lance took Chris by the arm and guided him out to the others. "Guys, it time for a vet trip."

4 hours later

"Ok, now just hold still Mr. Kirkpatrick, this will only sting for a minute and then....Mr. Chasez! Are you alright, you look a little green."

JC swallowed as he watched the nurse whose nametag said Emily stick a 5 ft needle into Chris's arm and pull out his blood. Oh, God, why oh why did this have to be his fear. Couldn't he be normal and be afraid of water or something?

Nurse Emily looked at JC as he began to get paler and decided to put the poor guy out of his misery. "Mr. Chasez, there are some candy machines down the hall. Why don't you...?

"I'm out!"

"Now, Mr. Kirkpatrick, I'll show you to your room."

2 hours later

The 4 members of Nsync sat in the tiny Doctor's office and sighed. They had been in the hospital for almost 6 hours and still had no idea what was going on with Chris. All they knew is that 2 hours ago, a nurse had shown him to a room,then they had been sent to the waiting room and now here. This was too much. Suddenly the door opened and a pleasant woman in her 30's stepped into the room.

"Hello, I am Dr. Joyce Haply and I am the Doctor that has been working on Mr. Kirkpatrick."

"How is he Doctor Haply? Will he be alright? And why did he have to go to a room?" Jc fired at Dr. Haply.

"Whoa, calm down. Now, I know this is frightening, but I need you all to be calm. Mr. Kirkpatick needs to be hospilized for a few days for observation. We have found that Mr. Kirkpatrick is Hypoglycemic. And in this case, we would just suggest a better diet and send him on his way. But, I have found an abormality in his blood. It seems that Mr. Kirkpatrick has a rare form of Hypoglycemia that is called Border-Line. Which means, at any given time his blood can switch sides and he can become Diabetic. This has happened, Mr. Kirkpartick has become Diabetic."



Strength To Go On (Part 3)

Summary:The guys find out Chris has Diabetes and must break the news to him. Will the group go on, or will this tear them apart?

The room became deathly silent as the Doctor broke the news to the four friends. Lance was the first to speak.

"Will he die?"

Dr. Haply smiled sweetly at the handsome green eyed young man that had asked the question. "Oh no, he won't die. He will just have to inject himself with some insulin everday, check his blood suger regulary and stick to a fairly healthy diet. He will only get sick or die if he does not follow these rules."

The guys all sighed with relief. Chris was gonna be ok!

"Now, if there won't be any questions that I can answer, I will show you where he is and you may visit."

"I have one question that I am probably going to be kicking myself for asking," JC said.

Dr. Haply looked at JC and smiled. "If the question is: Has he been told? I will answer right now, no. Not yet. If you want to tell him, then you may do so. But if you think it will sound better coming from me, we will do it that way."

"We'll tell him," The four guys said in unison. For they knew that their little ball of energy would never believe Dr. Haply, but he would believe them.

Dr. Haply led the down a long hall and into Chris's room where he was dozing. They stared at their buddy who looked so fragile that they wanted to cry.

Chris opened his eyes to find his friends staring at him and smiled weakly "Hey guys, looks like we got our vacation."

"Yeah, well, not really the way we wanted it, ya psycho!" Joey said happily.

"Well, I am glad to see you guys, that means I am going home."

JC cleared his throat and looked at Chris. This was gonna be super hard! "Chris, you have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days and then you can go home."

"Well, why I feel great! Better than I have in months! What's going on?"

JC looked at the other guys for help and found none so he just repeated Dr. Haply's conversation with them to Chris.

Chris stared disbelievingly at JC. "You mean to tell me I have Diabetes? I can't, I mean, this is.....this is impossible! You're pulling my leg! Right?"

"Chris I wish I was pulling your leg, but I'm not bro, you have Diabetes and I wish I could say you didn't but you do. And if you don't believe me, ask Dr. Haply. But why do you think that IV is hooked up to ya? For decoration?"

Chris felt the tears flow into his eyes, he swallowed them back and looked at JC. JC would never lie about this, he was Mr. Serious and that was scary. "No, I believe you. But, I just wish it wasn't so." Chris grew silent and stared out the window.

Joey was the first to break the silence "Chris, do you need anything? Water or something?"

Chris smiled. Oh, they were trying so hard. "Yeah, actully, do you think you guys could get me my address book, my favorite jammies and Busta & Korea?"

Justin laughed softly. "Dude, the address book sure, the jammies fine, the dogs....pushing it!" But as Justin looked at Chris's sad brown eyes, he knew he was lost. "Oh alright, but if those mutts are found in here, it's your head not mine!"

Chirs grinned and laid his head down "I think I'll rest up now."

"Ok, we'll be back in awhile." Lance said and the four exited the room.

Chirs waited unitl they left the room and slowly climbed out of bed. He put his feet on the cold floor and padded across the room, dragging his IV machine with him. He opened the door and was surprised to find Joey standing outside.

Joey grinned, JC had been right. Chris was gonna try and make a break for it. "Well, well. Chris, I do believe that is your bed. So you best get back in it, hmmm?"

"I was looking for the um......"

"That's what I thought, back to bed!"

Grumbling as he went, Chris climbed back into bed. Boy! Those guys knew him too well. He laid down his head for a serious nap.

Chris had just fallen into a deep sleep when it happened again, he was having the nightmare again. He was running down the hall and when he turned to look at the monster he saw that it wasn't a monster, it was the guys! They were chasing him and yelling "YOU brought down NSYNC! YOU failed us." The had him cornered, oh God they were gonna get him! Suddenly he shot awake and began to bawl. OH God his dreams were right, he was gonna bring down NSYNC! He needed to get out while he still had a chance. He was just about to get up when the door opened and JC with Lance walked into the room carrying a small box and his Philly's Bag.

"Ok Chris, we got your Phillys jersey with your flannel pants, your address book, shampoo, gel, comb, cange of clothes and FuManskeeto Stuff with some books." JC set all the things next to his bed and then set the small box on Chris's lap and opened it. 2 sets of black eyes peered back at him and Busta flew out of the box and into his arms. Chris buried his nose in Busta's short fur. Korea, being the jealous girl, climbed into Chris's lap and bit Busta's tail.

"Korea! Bad girl, don't bite your brother he...." Chris quickly went silent when his mother's words came back to haunt him. He laughed softly.

"Well, I need to go find Joey and Justin. Lance, don't go anywhere please!" JC walked out the door shaking his head.

Lance looked over at Chris who was staring off to no where and knew something was wroing. He never looked like that. He knew Chris was scared of something, but didn't know what.

Lance was about to ask when JC walked in holding Joey's ear and and Justin's arm. "Lance let's go, we need to get out. Feel better Chris."

The four guys started to leave the room and then Lance turned and looked at Chris. "Call your mom Chris. I know something is wrong, but you won't tell me so call your mom."

Chris looked at Lance and smiled. GOD! How did he do that, just see inside his soul and know. He pushed Busta to the end of the bed and picked up the phone. Slowly, he dialed the ever familar number.

"1, 2, 3. Mama? It's Chris, I need to talk." And as he finshed his sentence, he began to cry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I don't know guys, he is acting weird." Lance said. The guys had just gotten into their hotel room after an hour. There had been girls swarming the whole place and it had taken them forever to get in. Now the were tired, hugry and worried.

"Oh Lance, you're being paranoid. Nothing is wrong, he is just in shock. I would be too if I just found out I had Diabetes."

"I don't know guys, we just...hold on." Lance answered the shrill ring of his cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Lance?"

"Beverly? What's wrong? Are you alright?"

"Oh yes, I'm fine. I have been trying to reach you all night."

"Yeah, well we just got in, what's going on?"

"Well, as you know I just found out about Chris and once that sank in, he hit me with more news. He wants to quit the group."

"WHAT! Your kidding right?"

"No sweetness, he wants to because he feels that he will hold you all back. You need to talk to him, make him understand."

"Ok, thanks Beverly. Yes I will."

The two said good-bye and Lance turned to the others. "Guys, we have problem. Chris wants to quit the group."

The Next Morning

Chris had just gotten breakfast when the door burst open and four very angry people walked in. Swallowing hard, he picked up the toast and held it out. "Hungry?"

The four immedietly put their anger in check. Chris was sick, scared and confused. They couldn't be too hard on him. It was Lance that broke the long silence.

"Got a call from your mom last night."

Chris swallowed and thought of about 50 different ways he could die right then. "Oh yeah, what did she want?"

"Oh well, she asked how the weather was, if we were all eating, she told me you wanted to quit the group, you know, stuff."

Chris looked down at his food and felt 2 inches tall. "Guys before you freak out...."

"Too late." growled Joey.

"Let me explain. I don't want to hold you guys back. Since I have Diabetes, we all have to watch every little thing we do or I'm gonna get sick and then where will we be? No, it's better I quit now."

Justin softened his hard look and sat next to Chris and hugged him. "Chris didn't you listen to your mom last night? There is an organization that we are all going to go to called "Help You".

Chris looked confusingly at Justin. "Boy I do need to listen to my mom, explain it to me."

JC laughed. "It's a program that has recently been developed and it is for the family or friends of Diabetic people. Since Diabetics KNOW how to take care of themselves and the family doesn't it's a program that will help the family help Diabetics take care of themselves. We are not babysitting you, we just look out for you. We already made the appointment."

Chris felt the tears come to his eyes. "I was so sure you guys would abandon me. And here you are wanting to take care of me. I feel stupid."

The five got into a small group hug. "Oh Chris," said Justin. "We are stronger than that. We are not going to let a little diasese destroy us. We belong together. Forever!"



End Of Night (Final)

Chris sighed as he snuck under the bleachers. It had been 3 months since he found out he had Diabetes and it was getting to be a pain in the ass. The guys helped him and he helped himself, but it was just too much. He missed candy, he missed soda, he missed everything! Now, he held a Snickers bar in his hand. He slowly pulled off the wrapping and inhaled the smell of chocolate, nuts and caramel. Oh this was gonna be good. He was about to take a bite when suddenly a stong hand clamped down on his face and pulled the candy from his hand. Chris quickly got up and faced his attacker, only to find JC.

"Um, hey JC. Now this is not what it looks like. I..."

"Oh, so it does not look like you were going to eat this Snickers bar. Regardless that you know your not supposed to."

"Ok, maybe it is what it looks like."

JC sighed and rubbed his temples. Boy, this was getting out of hand. This was the 5th time he found Chris trying to sneak a candy bar. And he wasn't even going to count the times the others caught him.

"Chris, you know better than this. I am serious, knock it off or I am going to get mad!"

JC stalked off taking the Snickers bar with him. Chris groaned and wanted to cry. The guys did not know how hard it was, he needed sugar, wanted sugar, and by God he was going to have it! Pulling out some more change, he ran to the candy machine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I caught him again. This is getting rediculous. It's like he is out to get sick!" JC said as he flopped down next to the other guys.

"Again! Man, this is getting out of hand. I caught him 3 times yesterday," Justin said as he pulled his curls behind his ears.

Joey reached out, pulling one gently. "I know and I caught him the day before 4 times. The program said we help him help himself. Not be nursemaids!"

The four guys never noticed that Chris was slowly making his way to them, never noticed that he was throwing away a Butterfinger wrapping. They did notice when he collasped on the floor.

4 hours later

"What is taking so long, we brought him in hours ago!" Joey shouted to no one in particular.

"Calm down Joe, they don't know what is going on," JC mumbled into his hands.

The door suddenly opened and the guys were surprised to find Dr. Haply standing before them.

"Dr. Haply, what are you doing here?" asked Lance.

"Well, since I treated Chris when he first took sick, they called me in to take care of him."

"So, what can you tell us?" Justin asked.

Dr. Haply looked at the five young men and sighed. "Nothing good. Chris passed out because his body needed to tell him to shape up."

"What do you mean, we watch him everyday, he isn't eating anything he isn't supposed to," JC said, fighting back the tears.

"Yes, when you are watching him. When you're not, God knows. When he came in, his blood sugar was WAY out of control. He told me he had eaten a Butterfinger earlier. And I am guessing that is the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak."

"What's happening now?"

"Well, at the moment, I have him hooked up to an insulin drip like when he first came to me. I also have him hooked up to a heart moniter because I am also worried about his heart. And I have him on a STRICT hospital menu. I will send him home in a few days."

"Can we see him?" Lance asked fearfully.

"Yes, but only for a bit. Room 403."

The four thanked Dr. Haply and went to the room. They entered to find Chris looking extremely small and frail. The IV dwarfed his arm and the heart moniter was the only sound in the room.

The four memebers of Nsync sat around their friend and prayed. They wanted the old Chris back and maybe because of that, they had been turning a blind eye to the fact that he had been getting a little sick. They tried not to notice. This was a wake up call for all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chris slowly opened his eyes. He felt like he had been hit by a truck and then ran over by a bus. He turned over and found Joey staring at him. "Joe, whats going on?"

"Your in the hospital man. You're sick."

"Why?"

"Eating bad things," Lance said groggily.

Suddenly Chris was flooded with the memory of passing out at the photo shoot, coming to the hospital, talking to Dr. Haply and then nothing.

"I'm sorry guys, I screwed up bad."

"Chris, I just want to know why? You know better," Justin scolded.

"I guess because I wanted to feel normal. You guys don't know what it is like to have things you want to eat taken away. It feels so confining sometimes, I would take little sip or nibble of feeling normal. But I won't anyomore. I promise."

JC got up and pulled a chair next to Chris. "We're sorry too. I guess we wanted the old Chris back and when you did do that stuff, we turned a blind eye. We all need to get better, not just you."

Chris let the tears flow. Oh he was so glad to have friends like these guys. "Don't worry guys, we will get better together!"

END

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