Hand Me Down

Author's Note- Here's a learning story for ya; hopefully it will be learning for ya anyway. Could be dramatic…
Lookin' for ideas in all the wrong places…

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

"Justin, would you slow the hell down? You driving like Richard Petty isn't going to get us there in one piece."

"J.C., I'm not driving like Tom Petty. I just want to see the other guys, is that okay?" Justin asked as he shifted gears.

"Not Tom Petty…" J.C. sighed. Justin swung around the corner, leaving J.C. clutching at the door handle. "Is the break really that hard for you?" he asked.

Justin smiled. They were meeting for the first time in a week after their month long break after the tour, and today they were meeting at Joey's apartment to regroup. They hadn't seen each other for the whole week and to Justin it was too long. Teenager's parents can be so boring some times. "I just missed you guys, okay?"

J.C. returned the smile. "Well I missed you too, but I don't really want to die before I get to see the others."

Justin let off the gas. "Well we're here now," he beamed.

J.C. braced himself as Justin swung wildly into Joey's small driveway, narrowly missing Lance's car. "You're damn lucky you didn't hit that thing," J.C. sighed, undoing his seat belt. "Lance would kill you before you got to say hello."

"J.C., calm down," Justin laughed. "You got older, didn't you?"v "Just wiser," J.C. replied as he followed Justin through Joey's front yard. He could hear the others in the backyard, playing basketball. There were periodic cheers and curses that floated through the air, along with the hollow sound of the ball hitting the court.

This only spurred Justin on, and he took off running for the others. J.C. picked up the pace, jogging after Justin while rolling his eyes. He missed the others too, but it just wasn't his nature to show that much compassion for other males. At least not to the point of looking like a little kid.

"Hey, look who's here!" Joey shouted, getting plowed into by Justin. Justin knocked the older, sweaty man to the pavement. "What's up curly?" Joey laughed, pushing Justin off him.

"I missed you guys so much!" came the honest reply. Justin picked himself up off the ground and extended a hand down to Joey. "I'm so glad to be back at this dump you call home."

"Oh thanks," Joey smiled, rolling his eyes. He saw J.C. tagging along behind, wearing a smile just a bit as Justin's.

"Justin, catch!" Chris shouted, chucking the ball at Justin.

Justin flinched as the ball whizzed past, right in front of his face. He turned to Chris with a confuse look. "What the hell was that for?" he asked, placing a hand over his heart.

"What?" Chris asked innocently. "I passed you the ball."

Justin decided to let it slide. "I just got here. Don't kill me yet," he teased, going after the rolling basketball.

Lance raced Justin to the ball, smacking him on the head as he flew by. "Nice to see you too," Lance said sarcastically.

"I was getting to ya," Justin smiled, shaking Lance's hand. "Nice to see ya again."

"It's only been a week," Lance smiled, tossing Justin the ball.

Lance wandered over to J.C. as Justin trotted onto the court, dribbling the ball in his run for Chris. Chris was taking a drink with his back towards Justin. Justin beamed, preparing himself for his surprise attack on the older man. Joey stood watching from the sidelines, debating on whether or not he should yell a warning to Chris.

With a sudden yelp from Chris, he was on the ground with Justin on top of him. Justin was rubbing his fist in Chris's hair, laughing, "Now this is how to say hello!"

Chris winced and scrambled to pull himself out from under the young blonde. "That hurts!" he said, rubbing his head gently.

Justin sat confused on the blacktop. "It never hurt before," he said.

"Yeah, well I hit my head," Chris mumbled, walking to the ball.

"Well that was stupid," Justin teased as he got up. Then he turned to Joey. "You playing or not?"

Joey eagerly trotted onto the court. "I'm playing," he grinned.

Justin stood, watching J.C. and Lance talking to each other in the grass. "Hey!" he yelled.

J.C. and Lance glared at him. "Coming," J.C. sighed, leading Lance onto the court.

The five played for a while, rejoicing at the chance to be with each other again. As much as they were together already, they never got tired of one another. Sure they would fight, but that was expected. They were a group of five guys who were the best of friends, so that was expected sometimes. They never let it really bother them.

Chris stopped quickly to aim for the goal, only to have Justin snatch it from him the third time. "God damnit Justin!"' Chris shouted in frustration. Justin froze, giving Chris a hurt, confused look. "What?"

Chris ran up to Justin and gave him a hard shove. "Will you let me shoot just once?"

Justin stumbled back, catching himself on Lance. "What's your problem?" he asked, standing up again.

Joey touched Chris on the under side of his bicep. "Chris, he was just playing-"

Chris winced and pulled away, rubbing his arm. "You're right," he said, stepping towards Justin. "I'm sorry man. I just got mad."

Justin studied his friend. "It's okay," he replied, but it sounded like more of a question. "Are you okay? Did you hit your arm too?"

Chris looked down. "Yeah, I'm okay," he said, giving a false smile.

"Okay, whatever," Justin sighed, bouncing the ball back to Chris.

Chris passed it on to Joey. "That's okay, I didn't really want to that bad anyway. Sorry."

Justin just rolled his eyes. "Okay…"

J.C. and Lance studied Chris from where they stood on the side of the court. Before long, he was bouncing as usual, with no evidence of his strange outburst. He looked to them and yelled, "Come on guys!"

J.C. and Lance looked at each other and shrugged, then trotted on the court and joined the fight for possession of the ball.

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

The guys collapsed, exhausted from their long game. The grass felt soft against their backs, and they sighed happily as they looked at the clouds. It used to be cool outside but after this game, they were all coated in sweat.

"Good game guys," Joey commented.

"You didn't too bad yourself…for once," Justin smirked, not daring to look at Joey.

"Shut up," Joey shot back.

J.C. sat up. "Well guys, as much as I hate to go, I gotta get back."

"I don't wanna go!" Justin whined.

"You have to," J.C. replied. "Listen to your elders."

"J.C., can't we-"

"Justin, I have to go now," J.C. said apologetically. "I'm sorry. You'll see them tomorrow." He got up and extended his hand down to J.C., waiting for him to rise also.

Justin made a face, not wanting to leave his friends. Joey laughed and spoke up, "Why don't you give J.C. your car and spend the night with Chris."

Chris's jaw dropped as Justin quickly agreed, "Yeah! That's perfect! We can have a sleep over just like the old days!"

"I, uh-" Chris started.

"That sounds like fun," Lance agreed, pressuring Chris into it. "I wish I could do it."

Chris glared at him. "Justin, I can't-"

"Come on Chris, pleeeease!" Justin whined, laying his head on Chris's lap.

"Gross, get off," Chris said, pushing Justin on the grass. "Fine, I'll do it," he said with a frown.

"Thank you Chris," Justin smiled. "I love you man!"

Chris rolled his eyes and J.C. said, "Thanks Chris, I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Chris mumbled. "Ever."

J.C. grabbed the keys from Justin's hands. "See you guys tomorrow!"

"Wreck my car and you're buying me a new one!" Justin yelled after him.

"It's not like I can't afford it," J.C. replied, rolling his eyes.

Justin turned to Chris and smiled. "Thanks man, I'm serious."

Chris shrugged. "No problem."

"Well," Joey said as he got up, "Do you guys want anything to eat before you go?"

"I'm starved," Chris replied, jumping up.

Lance and Justin followed Chris to Joey's back door. "Glad I asked," Joey mumbled with a smile. "Wait up," Joey called, walking after them.

"Hurry up!" Chris smiled. "We're starving here!"

Joey let the three in and followed them to the kitchen. It looked like they had been drawn there by a black hole. "You guys are hungrier than I am," he commented. "That's unusual."

Chris helped himself in Joey's cabinets. "Well I'm sorry if I missed breakfast this morning," he mumbled.

"I didn't," Justin said as he stood next to Chris. "My mom made me a huge breakfast. But I had to help her."

Chris grabbed a jar of peanut butter and sat down by Lance. Joey studied him as Chris got up and retrieved a spoon, then sat down again. "Don't you want to eat anything with that?" Joey asked.

Chris looked up at him. Justin walked in between them with a box of crackers. "No," Chris replied simply.

"You guys are so weird," Joey murmured as he looked for something for Lance and himself.

Lance watched with curiosity as Chris got a huge spoonful of the peanut butter and then passed the jar to Justin. Chris sat back contentedly, slowly licking the peanut butter from the spoon. Justin then proceeded to dunk his crackers in the peanut butter.

Joey turned back to them and his jaw dropped. "You guys are paying me back for that," he groaned. "I am not eating it after you guys slobbered in it."

"Fine Joey, I will buy you a jar of peanut butter. Big baby," Chris snapped.

Joey plopped down in his seat across from Chris and shoved a container of yogurt to Lance. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Nothing, just leave me alone okay?" Chris mumbled, going back to licking the glob of peanut butter in front of him.

"Fine. I ain't your mother. I'm not going to drag it out of you."

Chris looked at Joey quickly then returned his cross-eyed gaze to his spoon.

Lance held his gaze on Joey, asking silently what was wrong with their friend. Joey simply shrugged and began eating his own lunch. Justin decided to brake the silence. "So what are we doing tomorrow?" he asked cheerfully.

"I wanna see that new Grinch movie with Jim Carey," Joey replied. "I'm up for company."

"You? With out a date for the movies?" Lance teased.

"Guys, I think it's time I settle down and try to find the right girl," Joey said, very matter-of-factly.

"Oh." Justin smiled.

"Right," Lance added.

"You be sure and tell us when that happens for ya Joey," Justin said.

Joey glared at him. "I am a grown man Justin. I want to find someone that I can hold a conversation with and never get bored of."

Lance looked to Justin. "I'm impressed," he said.

"Ditto," Justin gasped.

"Good for you Joey," Chris spoke up.

"Well thank you Chris," Joey smiled. "At least someone here believes me."

"Yeah, you know, you don't want to end up like me. A twenty eight year old in a boyband and no wife or kids."

The others stared at him. "Where did that come from?" Justin asked.

"Well, that's what he's saying isn't it?" Chris questioned, sucking the rest of the peanut butter off the spoon.

"No Chris, that's not what I meant-"

"It's okay Joey, I understand," Chris said, rising. "Come on Justin. I'll bring you a new jar of peanut butter tomorrow Joey. Goodbye."

Justin looked at Joey and Lance in confusion but obediently followed Chris to the front door. "Chris, what the-" Joey started, following the two.

"It's okay Joey. Thanks for having us over." With that, he was out the door with Justin in tow.

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

"So what was that about?" Justin asked quietly.

Chris kept his gaze to the road. "Nothing."

Justin rolled his eyes. He had kept quiet long enough. "Whatever."

"It's nothing you need to worry about Justin," Chris replied. "I'm sorry about dragging you out like that, I know how much you missed them."

"It's okay," Justin mumbled. "I just wish I understood."

The two sat in a comfortable silence for a little while. The sun was warming things up rapidly today, and it was already ninety degrees in the car. Chris finally turned on the air. Justin didn't know how the older man put up with the heat so much. He was dying of heat.

"Chris watch out for the-"

Chris swerved and slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding the small dog that had darted out into the street. Glass broke and Justin ducked, afraid they would hit the oncoming car. Chris swerved the car back onto the right side of the road just as the other car whizzed past. They sat in the still car, breathing hard.

"Are we dead?" Justin asked, releasing his knuckle-whitening grip on the car seat.

Chris panted. "Uh, I don't think so. I'm not floating."

Justin licked his lips and closed his mouth, taking a deep breath. He smelled alcohol. "What is that?" he asked, looking around.

"What? Oh shit," Chris mumbled, getting out of the car. A dark blue car honked madly as it swerved to avoid the Nsyncer. Chris flattened his himself against his own car and inched his way back to the back door. He opened it a little and peered in, cursing as he saw all the broken bottles.

"What is all this?" Justin asked, holding up a big piece of glass to read it. "Why is all this vodka in your car?" He looked to Chris expectantly as he threw the glass on the floorboard of the back seat.

Chris slammed the back door and sat in the driver's seat again. "Damn," he whispered to himself as he lay his head on the steering wheel.

"Chris?"

"Justin, shut up!" Chris yelled. "It's nothing okay? I was getting rid of it."

"Why?" Justin prodded softly.

Chris started the car and slowly pulled back out into traffic. "Because I didn't want it anymore," Chris replied.

Justin thought for a minute. "Chris, are you okay? Is this why you are acting funny?"

Chris shot him a look. "What? No, that's not it Justin, that's not what I meant. I wasn't drinking it." He sighed. 'Well, not all of it.'

"Oh," Justin said. He was more confused now than ever. If Chris wasn't the one drinking it, why did he have so much? They had to have been five bottles back there. That stuff wasn't cheap either. And why was it in the back of his car? His head spun.

"Just forget about it, okay?" Chris said. "It doesn't mean anything to you."

"Okay," Justin sighed. His gut was betraying him, punishing him for not digging further into the subject. But Justin would rather feel bad then but his friendship with Chris on the rocks.

Chris sighed, deciding to lighten the subject. "So what have you done since you've been home?"

"Nothing much, just tried to stay low and hang out with mom."

"Yeah, same here," Chris replied softly. He turned on the radio and they sat in silence the rest of the way home. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, it was just that neither one of them could find something to talk about. The radio was actually soothing to just sit and listen to. It reminded them of the old times.

Chris pulled into the driveway. Justin noticed the sudden mood change in his friend as soon as he turned the car off. "Well come on," Chris sighed, all happiness having left his voice.

Justin obeyed wordlessly, following Chris to the front door like a lost puppy. Chris pulled out his keys and unlocked the door, flashing Justin a false smile as he pushed it open. They walked in together and headed for Chris's room, but they didn't get too far before Chris's mother stopped them.

"Chris?"'' a voice called from the couch.

"Yeah?" Chris answered.

"You're home?"

"Uh, yeah, it appears that way," Chris replied, getting a smile from Justin.

"Don't give me those smart ass answers," Beverly replied. Chris ducked his head as she continued, "What the hell did you do with-" she stopped herself when she looked away from the TV and saw Justin. "Company?"

"Hi," Justin smiled, waving his hand. Yeah, he was scared.

"Hi," she replied, turning back to the TV. "You guys can go find something for dinner. The girls are at their grandmother's."

Justin felt Chris head for the kitchen and said, "K," before hurrying after Chris. Chris had begun looking through the refrigerator when Justin caught up. "Is she okay?" he asked, joining in Chris's search.

"She's fine," Chris replied. "Just a little grumpy. What do you want, left over macaroni and cheese or left over spaghetti?"

"Um, I'm not really that hungry," Justin replied. "Joey's got pretty filling peanut butter."

"Yeah," Chris smiled. Then he looked to Justin. "You don't have a change of clothes," he said.

"Oh, yeah…well I can just use something of yours right?"

"Yeah, but are you sure you don't need me to take you home?" Chris asked.

"No, I'm good," Justin smiled, patting Chris on the shoulder. "But thanks for asking."

Chris winced and pulled away. "Well okay," he sighed. "You wanna go watch TV in my room or something? I got a DVD player and some movies."

"That sounds fine," Justin smiled. "I'm rather enjoying all this time off. There's nothing to do but sit and chill."

"Yeah, it's a change," Chris replied with a smile. They headed back the hallway without another interruption from Beverly. Chris's room was just as Justin remembered it. There were a few football posters decorating the walls, along with several pictures of his friends and past girlfriends. There was one picture of the five of them together, taken by Lynn the first day the group had come together.

"God we look like dorks," Justin laughed, studying the old picture.

"Especially you," Chris teased, grabbing the remote before lying down on his stomach on the bed.

"I was the only cool one," Justin replied, sitting on the foot of the bed. Chris rolled his eyes as Justin asked, "So what are we watching first?"

"How about 'Dumb and Dumber'?"

"Are you implying something?" Justin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No," Chris started, looking offended. "Why?"

"Nothing, I just didn't know they wasted a good DVD on that movie," Justin teased.

"Don't diss this movie," Chris said, stretching out his arm to make the remote start the movie. "This is a classic."

"Classic piece of shit," Justin mumbled. He watched Chris strain to raise the remote high enough to activate the machine. The underside of Chris's bicep was bruised a dark blue color in a three inch wide patch. Justin opened his mouth to say something but remembered Chris's earlier response and decided against it. For now he would content himself to just wondering.

Finally the TV screen turned black and the movie went to the opening menu. Chris selected the 'play movie' option and set the control down. Justin sighed and stretched out along side Chris. At least they weren't in dance rehearsal.

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

The sudden turning of the doorknob woke Justin. He didn't find the movie funny at all and had quickly fallen asleep despite Chris's occasional laughter outbursts. In fact, the last thing he remembered was a van disguised as a dog driving through the streets, shaking up the group of dogs inside.

"'Chris, get out here," Beverly snapped.

Justin looked around confused as Chris got up and sulked out in the hall. Justin started to get up also, but Chris shut the door behind him. Justin heard them talking outside the room in the hall. He looked back to the movie. Jim Carey was sitting amongst a group of people and had just held a lighter to his ass, then farted. Justin rolled his eyes in disgust and went to the door. He knew better than to interrupt them, so he simply eavesdropped.

"I know you hid it, damnit! What the hell did you do with it all?"

"I didn't do anything with your booze," Chris replied. "It's your own fault if you can't remember where it is."

Justin heard a bang on the wall as Beverly yelled, "Damnit Chris, then you're going to buy me more!"

Justin wished he could look out in the hall, but he had a pretty good idea Beverly had shoved Chris against the wall. He didn't want to know what else she might be doing to him.

"Okay," came the soft reply. "Let me go."

Chris obviously had gotten his height, or lack of it, from his father. Beverly was a good three inches taller than her son was. Justin also knew that Chris was a firm believer of not hitting women. He would rather get killed than lay a harsh hand on a girl, and everyone knew it.

There was a moment of silence then another softer thump. "Then go," Beverly ordered.

Justin slid back on the bed and glued his eyes to the TV as the door opened again. Chris slunk in, grabbing his keys. "I gotta go to the gas station, you wanna come?" he asked.

"Sure," Justin smiled, getting up. 'Play it cool,' he told himself. He followed Chris out the front door and avoided Beverly's icy stare. As they walked to the car, everything began to make sense. While Justin might not be the psychology major, but he could still read actions and everything Chris had done today were linked to this. His short temper, his low pain tolerance, the bottles in his car…Justin had stumbled into something very serious and wasn't sure he was ready for it.

"You getting in?" Chris asked from the passenger seat.

Justin snapped back to the present and quickly got in the car. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"You okay?" Chris asked as he started the car. He studied Justin, trying to read him.

"I'm fine," Justin replied, looking at his knees.

Chris felt a lump begin to rise in his throat. "You heard didn't you."

"Yeah."

Silence. Then, "You can't tell anyone. I'm fixing everything."

"Chris, you can't fix this," Justin argued. "She needs help, and you know it."

"Justin, we'll be leaving in a few days. I can stop her-"

"And then your sisters will come home to her. Do you really want to leave them with her while you're flying across the country, out of harm's way?"

"No…"

"Then let us help you. It's the only way to get her better."

"No Justin, you can't tell the others. Do you know how humiliating it is to get hit by your mother when you're twenty nine years old?"

"You shouldn't be ashamed, Chris. She's sick."

Chris sniffed and wiped his eyes quickly. It was dark in the car, but Justin could see the glistening tears that were now on Chris's hand. "You still want to spend the night?" he asked with a small smile.

"More than ever," Justin replied. "So we're on a alcohol run?"

"Yeah, you know what happened to her first stash."

"Stash? You were getting rid of it?"

"Yeah, I guess in a way I did. Except now it smells in here," Chris sniffed.

Justin wished he had just gone home. Not because he wanted to abandon Chris, but because he wasn't sure how to handle the situation. Is there an easy way to call on an alcoholic? Should he tell anyone or keep it a secret like Chris wanted? What would even make Beverly want to drink? She had never touched alcohol before, and Chris always bragged to them about it. She had plenty of money, friends and four lovely daughters. Justin didn't understand.

Chris pulled into the gas station. "You stay here," he said. "I don't want to get arrested for distribution or anything." He rubbed his throat and waited for a response.

Justin nodded and sat back in his seat. Cool air hit him as Chris got out of the car. Justin's mind was swimming with uncertainty. Then an idea hit him. Joey. They could seek refuge for the night at Joey's house. He was the only one in that bug house, and even if one of them had to sleep on the couch, Justin was sure Chris would rather do that then go home again.

A smile lit Justin's face as he waited for Chris to return. This was perfect. Joey wouldn't mind the company, especially after Justin told him in private why they were there. And so help him, if Chris tried to argue he would take the keys and drive them there himself.

Chris got back in the car, puling the six pack out of the paper bag. "You want one?" he asked as he opened a can for himself.

"No I don't want one, how can you drink after what happened to your mom? Didn’t she teach you anything? You know, learn from other's misfortune?"

Chris took a long drink. "But that's not going to happen to me. You know how often I drink." He stuck the can in between his legs and started the car.

"We're going to Joey's house," Justin informed him, involuntarily tightening his seat belt.

"What? Why?" Chris questioned, rubbing his throat.

"Because if you want your mom to get better, you can't start by giving her more alcohol," Justin said. "Let's just spend the night at Joey's and figure out what to do in the morning."

Chris thought about it for a minute. "Okay, fine," he sighed, pulling out onto the road. "Thanks for being here for me Justin."

"You're welcome," Justin shrugged. "You're my friend, what else am I going to do?"

"Ignore it," Chris replied flatly.

'Okay, touchy subject,' Justin thought. 'Wonder what happened there.'

The rest of the ride was made in comfortable silence. Joey's outside light was shinning brightly, illuminating the sidewalk. Chris left the beer in the car and quickly finished the on he opened before reaching the front door.

Justin ran the doorbell with a smile. Actually, he pounded on the doorbell. Joey hated it, and that was enough encouragement for Justin.

The door was yanked open, revealing a pissed off Joey. "What the hell do you two want?" he asked through the screen door. "You already ate my peanut butter."

"Damnit, I forgot it!" Chris cursed, turning towards the front yard. "Shit!"

"Hey, I was teasing," Joey smiled. "Get in here. You can owe me."

Justin led Chris in Joey's house and they all three headed for the living room. "So to what do I owe this pleasure?" Joey smiled.

"We need to spend the night," Justin spoke up.

"Okay," Joey replied.

"You're not going to ask why?" Chris asked.

"It's none of my business," Joey replied simply. "Not unless you forged my signature on a ransom note that was handed to a frightened bank clerk who was being held at gun point by one or both of you while she emptied the entire safe into a large brown paper bag and the cops have chased you to my house and are now holding us hostage." He took a breath. "Then it would be my business."

Chris laughed. "You are such a reject," he teased.

"I try," Joey smiled. "You want something to eat?"

Chris yawned. "Not me, thanks," he said as he rubbed his throat. "Me and Justin agreed that your peanut butter is too filling."

"That's because it's not just peanut butter," Joey grinned.

"What is it then?" Justin asked, bracing himself.

"That's a secret," Joey teased. "Now which one of you wants to sleep where?"

"Give him the bed," Chris and Justin said in unison.

"Let me rephrase the question," Joey smiled. "Who wants to sleep in the guest room and who wants to sleep on the couch?" He looked at them. "Or do you want to sleep together?"

"No!" They yelled. "Give Justin the guest room," Chris said first. "I'll take the couch. It's warmer down here anyway."

"Fine," Justin huffed. "Joey, come with me to get a blanket so I don't freeze my ass off."

Joey saw the urgency in Justin's eyes and got up. "Okay," he said. "Chris, you stay. Be a good boy."

Chris grabbed the TV remote and flipped Joey off with the other hand.

Joey followed Justin upstairs and to the spare room. "What's up?" he asked.

"We have a slight problem," Justin replied, opening the door for effect.

"Like what?"

"His mom's become an alcoholic," Justin announced.

"What? You're kidding me," Joey replied, stunned.

"I wouldn't kid about that," Justin said. "That's why we're here. To get away from her. She sent us on an alcohol run."

"Don't you think she'll miss you?" Joey asked. "She'll realize something's wrong when you don't come back with in an hour."

"It doesn't matter. We just have to help her," Justin replied. "Or at least help Chris help her."

"He won't help her?" Joey questioned.

"He wants to, but he's not sure how. Hell, I'm not sure how," Justin sighed.

"So you guys came to me?" Joey smiled. "Like I'm any good with relations?"

"We just needed somewhere to hide out," Justin said. "If you don't want us here we'll leave…"

"No, I'm just kidding you," Joey said, putting a hand on Justin's shoulder. "You guys know you're welcome here anytime."

"Thanks," Justin smiled.

"Now let's get you guys set up and we'll call J.C. and Lance in the morning. They're the brains in the group."

"Are you calling me stupid?" Justin teased as he followed Joey to the linen closet.

"No, just a little stubborn sometimes. And cocky."

"Cocky? Me? I don't think so super-dork."

"You want me to throw your ass down the stairs?" Joey threatened, tossing some blankets to Justin.

Justin caught them and continued, "I'd like to see you try."

They glared at each other for a few seconds before each of them broke out in a huge smile. They started laughing as they came back down the stairs, shooting insults at one another and trying to make the other one fall down the stairs.

"Here you go Lucky," Joey called, tossing a blanket over the back of the couch. He stumbled as Justin plowed into him.

"Is he dead?" Justin asked when they didn't get a response.

Joey looked over the back of the couch and found Chris fast asleep, curled up on the couch. Justin joined his gaze and mocked admiration. "Aww…" he cooed. "Look how cute he is when he's asleep."

"That's about the only time," Joey teased. "As long as he's not moving or speaking."

"Are you sure he's not dead?" Justin asked, reaching over the couch.

Joey grabbed his arm. "Just let him go. You know, let sleeping dogs lie."

Justin laughed. "Yeah."

Joey threw the blanket over the couch, covering most of Chris's still body. "I'm going to bed," he announced, heading for the stairs.

"Already?" Justin asked. "Why?"

"Because I can," Joey smiled. "It's my week off. I'm going to bed early and sleeping all day."

Justin shrugged, following Joey up the stairs. "Sounds good to me."

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

Justin stood over Joey, grinning evilly.

"WAKE UP!"

Joey jumped and his eyes flung open. "What?" he yelled, falling over the side of the bed.

Justin burst into laughter as he went to help Joey up. "I'm sorry man, I just couldn't resist," he laughed.

Joey gripped Justin's hand hard as he hoisted himself up. "YOU…" he started, "Are a loser!"

"Hey, I only learn from the best," Justin smiled.

Joey rolled his eyes. "Where is he?"

"I haven't seen him," Justin replied. "But then again, I haven't been downstairs yet."

"So I was top on your list of priorities?" Joey asked.

"Yup."

"Oh, thanks," Joey said, rolling his eyes. "I'll remember that," he said, starting for the door. Both he and Justin were dressed only in their boxers; Joey in his silk black ones with the big red lips, and Justin in his green plaid pair.

"I'm hungry," Justin whined, following Joey into the hall.

"So go get something," Joey said, checking himself in the mirror before starting downstairs.

"But it's your house, you go make something for me," Justin teased.

"Oh, I see, I make you food after you two show up on my doorstep at eleven thirty," Joey said sarcastically.

Justin shrugged. "Yeah."

"I don't think so afro-boy."

"Well it was worth a shot," Justin smiled as they landed on the main floor.

Joey approached the sofa. "Aw, isn't he cute," he mocked.

Justin stood beside him. "Not really," he said.

"What's wrong with his neck?" Joey asked, stepping closer.

Justin squinted. There was a dark ring going around the base of Chris's neck, near where he was rubbing last night. Justin moved closer, one step ahead of Joey and bent over, examining the mark. Justin's heart skipped a beat when he realized it was a bruise.

"What is it?" Joey asked.

"I think it's a bruise," Justin replied as he stood up and took a step back.

"How'd he get that?" Joey asked.

Justin's mind went back to the previous night when he listened to Chris and Beverly's 'conversation' in the hall. Would she really go so far as to threaten his life? He strongly doubted it; but then again alcohol did terrible things to people's minds. He looked at Joey. There was nothing but concern written in Joey's eyes.

"Come on Justin, what's going on?" Joey asked.

Justin looked to the sleeping Chris then back at Joey. 'You'll be thanking me in the long run Chris,' he thought, taking a deep breath. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen," Justin said, gently pulling Joey.

Joey followed, taking a seat beside Justin at the table. "What's wrong?" he asked again. Joey could tell when something was wrong, and Justin might as well have been advertising it in neon lights.

"You can't tell anyone," Justin started, looking seriously into Joey's eyes. "He didn't want me to tell anyone, but here I am telling you so you better not go telling anyone else."

Joey drew an 'X' over his heart. "Cross my heart and hope to die," he swore, without a smile.

Justin took a deep breath. "You know how I told you his mom had become an alcoholic?" Joey nodded. "Well I think that she also hits him."

"What?" Joey said, stunned. "But he's thirty years old…how do you know?"

"I was there last night," Justin replied. "She talks so ugly to him…it's the alcohol. And I know he's older Joey, but she doesn't know what she's doing. He won't strike a girl…he just stood there and took it. I heard. And you saw how he reacted when we were rough housing yesterday…the whole underside of his arm is black and blue."

"Well he's obviously not hurting that bad," Joey sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I mean, it's not like she can push him out of a window or break a bone like you hear about with the little kids."

"But it still hurts him…"

"I know it does Justin, but what do you want me to do about it right now? He's in the living room, safe, and she's God knows where…" Joey saw the hurt expression on Justin's face. "Look, I'm sorry okay? I just don't have any idea about what to do in a case like this. He's thirty, he can get away from her or send her somewhere or do whatever the hell he wants, he doesn't have to stay there and take it."

"Joey, I realize that but you and I both know Chris doesn't dessert people. No matter what she does to him, he'll stay until he's satisfied that he's fixed it. And I don't think he can do that by himself."

Joey sighed, raking his fingers through his short dark hair. "His mom did that to him?" he asked.

"Well none of us did."

"Let's call J.C.," Joey said.

"But we can't tell him-"

"We don't have to," Joey replied. "J.C.'s smart, he'll figure it out."

Justin looked over Joey's shoulder and saw Chris's feet move, then his severely spiked hair sticking up above the arm of the couch. "Let's make breakfast first," Justin smiled.

Joey looked behind himself just in time to see Chris peek over the arm of the couch. Chris squinted at them, trying to remember where he was. Joey smiled. "Breakfast?"

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

Chris kept his head low. J.C. and Lance were staring at him. They had come over earlier this afternoon to hang out, but somehow they ended up in Joey's living room, expecting one another to talk.

"So…" Joey started, taking a deep breath.

"Well this is the most fun I've ever had at Joey's house," J.C. sighed.

Justin looked at Chris. "Guys, this isn't getting us anywhere so I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. Chris's mom needs our help."

"With what?" Lance asked, looking at Chris.

Chris looked up at the others but kept his chin down. Justin started it, Justin can finish it.

"She's become kind of a…uh…an alcoholic," Justin said, glancing at Chris.

"An alcoholic?" J.C. echoed. "When did this happen?"

Justin looked at Chris and kept silent.

"I don't know, she was like this when I got here," Chris said.

"Are you okay? Is she okay?" Lance asked.

"I'm fine," Chris replied. "I just wish I knew how to help mom. I guess that's why you guys are here."

Justin sighed. He wished Chris would come out with everything, but he knew he couldn't expect Chris to admit to getting hurt by his mother. At least they would still be taking care of the main problem. Hopefully they could kill both birds with their only stone.

"Well sure we'll try to help Chris, we've been best friends for how long?" Lance asked.

Chris offered a small smile but still dared not raise his head.

"I think the first thing we should do is go over and talk to her," J.C. volunteered.

"No!" Chris objected, jerking his head up.

The other's eyes all fell upon his neck. Chris quickly lowered his head again, but it was too late. Lance was sitting next to him and gently raised Chris's chin in curiosity. Once again the dark bruise was revealed, and J.C. and Lance became filled with concern.

"What happened?" J.C. asked softly.

"Nothing," Chris snapped, pulling out of Lance's soft grasp.

"Yeah I can tell," Lance replied sarcastically.

Chris's eyes filled with tears and for the first time Justin doubted his own marvelous plan. Here was Chris, the oldest and most light-hearted member of the group, being forced to tell his secrets to the other members. But then again, they were his friends and they deserved a right to know what was going on.

"It's nothing okay," Chris said. "I did it to myself. It was stupid and I don’t want you to laugh at me so can we please just figure out a way to help mom?"

The others stared at him, seeing right through his lie. But to ease his mind, J.C. said, "Sure Chris. What ever you want."

"Thanks," Chris said, adding a genuine smile.

"But," J.C. continued, "We're still going to have to make her realize that she even needs help. And to do that, we have to talk to her."

Chris shook his head and opened his mouth but J.C. stopped him. "Chris, we've all seen alcoholics before. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

Chris played with the couch cushion before answering, "Okay, fine. But do we all have to go?"

"Well no, I guess not," J.C. replied. "Who did you want to go?"

A slight smile crept over Chris's face as he looked up again. "I pick…you and Justin," he said.

"Oh I see how it is in this house," Joey teased. "Leave me out of everything…"

"They left me out too," Lance spoke up.

"Well Lance, let's us go out and get something to eat," Joey said, getting up.

"Sounds good to me," Lance replied as he followed Joey.

"We'll see you losers later," Joey called over his shoulder.

Justin smiled as Joey and Lance left. He turned to Chris. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Chris replied, looking into Justin's eyes.

"You ready to go?" J.C. asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Chris replied. "Well then, let's get this show on the road," J.C. smiled, standing up.

Chris and Justin got up to follow him, preparing themselves for what events their next stop might unfold.

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

"Chris, please stop moving. You're bothering the hell out of me."

Chris looked guiltily at J.C. and stopped bouncing his leg. "Sorry."

"Nervous?" Justin smiled.

Chris shot him a sarcastic look. "Not at all."

J.C. pulled into Beverly's driveway. "Well, here we are."

Chris sighed, finding himself glued to the seat. "Yup."

J.C. rolled his eyes and opened the door of his car. "Well let's get going. Sooner we start, sooner we can leave."

Justin opened the back door and got out also. "Come on Lucky," he called, patting his leg.

Chris glared at him and slowly opened his door. "Can't I just wait out here?"

Justin grabbed Chris and pulled him out of the car. "You're the one who wanted to help your mom. And I respect you for that. But now is the time to act on your words."

Chris hesitated between looking away and holding his gaze with Justin. 'I can do this,' he told himself. He smiled at Justin and walked with J.C. to the front door. 'Keep your head up,' he recited in his head. 'Look proud.'

J.C. paused before opening the door. "You ready?" he asked.

Justin walked up behind them. Chris smiled at J.C. and took a deep breath. "Yeah," he smiled.

J.C. knocked on the door and took a step back, finding Chris had already shied away a step. 'What was the big deal?' he thought. It was only Beverly. He had never seen her before, but he had talked to her and thought of her as a friendly, level headed woman.

Suddenly the door was yanked open and a bedraggled-looking Beverly stepped out. "What?" she snapped, then once her eyes focused on the three young men who were outside, she lunged for Chris.

Chris yelped as he was dragged through the doorframe into the house. Beverly pinned him against the inside wall, her hands tightly wrapped around her son's throat. "You were suppose to be back last night with my drinks!" she yelled, getting in Chris's face.

J.C. jumped inside the door and grabbed Beverly's shoulders, trying to pry her off Chris. "Bev!" he yelled, nodding for Justin to come help.

"Where the hell did you go?" Beverly yelled, ignoring J.C.

Chris was beginning to turn red and as he clawed at her hands. He looked into her eyes as his own began to spill tears. His throat was killing him from all the abuse it had undergone in the past twelve hours. Beverly's grasp wasn't really that hard, but it was tight enough to send him into panic.

Beverly's hands began to relax as her eyes softened. She allowed J.C. and Justin to drag her backwards, and Chris stumbled forward, coughing and holding a hand to his throat. "Oh my God…" she said softly, bringing her hands up to cover her mouth.

"What the hell are you doing?" J.C. yelled, getting in between her and Chris.

Beverly turned pained, red eyes to J.C. "I don't know…I don't know what came over me-"

Justin went to help Chris as J.C. continued his interrogation. "How long have you been drinking?"

"I don't know," Beverly said softly, trying to see past J.C. to her son. "I can't believe I did that. Chris, are you okay sweety?"

Chris nodded and desperately tried to control his coughing.

"Oh my God…" Beverly mumbled.

"We came to help you," J.C. said. "Chris wanted us to come with him, and it's a good thing he did. You could've killed him!"

"I don't need help," Beverly snapped. "I'm fine."

"My ass!" Justin spoke up. "Beverly, look at yourself! When was the last time you were outside?"

Beverly squinted past them at the sunny day outside. "I don't know."

"Exactly."

"Oh." She looked back at Chris, who was now standing up straight and looking straight at her. Suddenly the pain flooded back to her and her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry guys," she started. "I give up. I do need help." Tears began falling from her reddened eyes. "I hate all the nights where I can't remember what I did, if the kids are taken care of, if the house is clean…I'm so sorry Chris. I dumped all this on you. I’m just thankful that my sister had enough sense to keep the girls from me…otherwise…"

Chris stepped forward and gave her a hug. "I love you," he whispered, then struggled to hold in another coughing fit.

Beverly sobbed against him, holding him close to her. "I don't even know what made me start…I had everything."

"You still do," J.C. said quietly. "We just want to help you get better."

"Thank you," Beverly sniffed, looking at J.C. and Justin briefly before returning her gaze to the top of Chris's head. "I'm glad you guys cared enough to bother."

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

Chris smiled and shut his laptop.

"Was that your mom?" J.C. asked, sitting next to Chris on the bus's couch.

"Yeah, she's doing a lot better," Chris smiled.

"Good," J.C. replied, turning on the TV.

Chris remained silent, then studied J.C. face. "I, uh…thanks."

J.C. turned his azure eyes to Chris. "For what?" he smiled.

"For helping me get her help," Chris said, holding his gaze with J.C.

"Hey, no problem," J.C. smiled. "What are friends for?"

"I think you go way above the 'friends' mark, J.C.," Chris replied with a smile.

J.C. thought for a minute. "I'll remember that when we're old farts sitting in a nursing home awaiting out enemas," J.C. smiled, looking to the TV.

Chris laughed. "You are so gross," he mumbled.

Finish!

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