Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Author's Note- Snip? What's a snip? Oh well, that's not important…
Whatever it is, it's what little boys are made of :)

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

"Chris, your dog is out there eating shit again."

Chris sighed and looked out the open bus window. "Busta, knock it off!" he yelled. "Get in here!"

Joey rolled his eyes at Chris and went back to checking his email. "You are so gross."

Chris opened the door and let the pug come galloping inside. "Good boy," Chris smiled. "We don't care, do we Busta," Chris asked as he sat on the couch. Busta jumped up beside Chris and crawled into his human's lap.

J.C. watched with disgust from the other side of the couch. "Chris, he was just out there eating his own crap."

Chris smiled as Busta licked Chris's face. "Did you know that a dog's drool actually has healing powers?" Chris asked, finally shoving Busta and his slobbery tongue away from his mouth.

Justin looked like he was going to puke. "You let that dog kiss you after he just- gross!"

"You guys, relax," Chris laughed. "You know I only do it to gross you guys out."

"Well it works," Joey mumbled.

Chris turned his attention back to Joey as Busta jumped to the floor. "So Joey, how's the cooking coming along?"

Joey looked up over his laptop and rolled his eyes. "Go to hell," he teased.

Justin looked hurt. "Am I really that bad?" he asked. "I thought you guys said that ravioli was fine!"

For the past week, Justin had persuaded Joey to let him start cooking. Joey had been trying very hard to teach Justin some good Italian dishes, but Justin's always ended up messed up in some way. Last night, the ravioli looked more like pierogies and tasted strangely like watermelon.

"Hey, I liked your ravioli," Chris replied. "Yeah, so did Busta," J.C. snorted. "I saw you feeding him under the table."

Justin pouted. "Fine. Joey, tonight you're teaching me how to make lasagna."

Joey looked up again, growing more annoyed. "Okay…"

"Thanks buddy," Justin smiled, then became involved in his game with Lance again.

Busta trotted over to Justin and Lance, wagging his tail happily. Chris watched protectively as Busta approached Justin. He stood on Justin's leg and began panting in his face. "Gross!" Justin yelled, pushing Busta away. "You are not licking me, brown noser!"

"Hey," Chris said. "Let him alone! He didn't even do anything!"

Justin rolled his eyes and returned to playing the Play Station game with Lance.

The bus driver stepped on the bus and announced, "Hey, you guys ready? We're taking off in five."

After a grunt from each other the guys, the bus driver smiled and disappeared again.

Chris stared at the back of Justin's head. "Justin…"

Justin paused the game again, causing Lance to groan again. "What?" Justin asked, turning around again.

"I love you man," Chris smiled.

Justin tried to look angry but couldn’t help the smile that crossed his lips. "I love you too," he replied, wrinkling up his nose. He quickly turned back to the game.

Chris looked to J.C., who had been watching the while time. "See? Problem solved."

J.C. rolled his eyes and continued watching Johnny Bravo.

Chris smiled and turned to watch the TV also. Busta was up on his lap instantly, licking his face. "Good boy," Chris laughed, petting Busta and making the dog sit in his lap. "I love you too."

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

Lance leaned towards J.C. "What is this again?" he whispered.

"I think he called it lasagna."

"Okay, thanks." Lance took a cautious bite and smiled. "Good lasagna Justin," he said through a mouthful of food.

Justin beamed. "Thanks," he said. Then he looked to J.C. and Chris expectantly.

Lance elbowed Chris, who quickly pulled his hand up from under the table and wiped it on a napkin. "What? Oh, thanks, I mean you're welcome…uh, tastes good Justin." Chris smiled.

"Yeah, this is really good Justin," J.C. added.

Justin sat back proudly. "Thanks guys."

Chris pushed his plate away. "Well guys, I'm not too hungry tonight, I think I'll get a head start on my game."

"Why do you insist on beating that stupid game every night?" J.C. asked. "Don't you ever get tired of sitting on the floor and playing that Pro-Skater game?"

Chris looked at him blankly. "No."

The others remained silent for a moment, looking at each other.

"Stupid question, I suppose," J.C. muttered, taking another bite of Justin's dripping lasagna.

Chris smiled at them and got up, dropping his plate by the sink on the way to the TV. Busta trotted along at his feet and sat patiently as Chris turned on his Play Station and the TV. Joey watched longingly as Chris grabbed a controller and planted himself on the floor.

Justin noticed the fact that the others were forcing smiles on their faces as they ate. What was wrong with his lasagna? He made it just as Joey had instructed, heck, Joey even stood by while Justin struggled through the recipe. Justin stabbed his plate of noodles and tomato sauce. Everything was there; cheese, cottage cheese, noodles, and tomato sauce. Justin shrugged inwardly and took another bite.

Joey had enough. "Justin, this is really good, it filled me right up. Good job," he said quickly, standing up.

Justin turned his blue eyes to Joey's half-empty plate. He raised an eyebrow. "Full? You lost your appetite too?"

"Yeah, you know, I gotta stop snacking," Joey replied as he placed his plate on top of Chris's.

"How am I suppose to tell what I did wrong if you guys won't eat it?" Justin said.

Lance reached out and patted Justin's hand. "Justin, you are a very good cook."

Chris cracked up, quickly covering his mouth to silence himself.

Justin looked to Chris then back to Lance. "Thanks man," Justin smiled.

Joey plopped down next to Chris and reached for a controller. As he stretched, he pushed the 'Reset' button on the Play Station.

"Damnit Joey, I was on level three already!"

"Well, I'm playing too now, so there," Joey smiled, rubbing Chris's hair and nearly making the shorter man fall over.

Chris looked at Busta, who was lying before him, ears alert. "Joey doesn't play fair, does he?" Chris asked Busta.

The Pug jumped up and licked Chris wildly, smothering the human in dog kisses. Chris laughed and shut his eyes, half-heartedly trying to pull the small dog away. By the time he had Busta under control, Joey had taken his control and had proceeded to play the game.

J.C. and Lance looked at each other, reading each other's eyes. Neither wanted to be there, eating Justin's lasagna, while they could be having fun. Justin sighed and got up. He grabbed their plates and said, "Go on, go play. But I'm cooking again tomorrow night."

"Is that a threat?" Lance teased.

"Could be," Justin replied.

Lance and J.C. got up and headed to where Chris and Joey were very much involved in their game. It had grown dark outside and headlights lighted the highway. Having their stomachs full, the bus became a very soothing ride. Lance grabbed a book and began reading as J.C. pulled out his laptop and plugged the cords into the outlet. Night was his favorite time to write songs because it was the time to relax and his thoughts were able to flow more clearly.

Once Justin had made good on the 'You make the mess, you clean it up' rule, he joined the others in their nightly routines. Before long, J.C., Lance and Justin had gone to bed, leaving Joey and Chris to continue battling it out on the Play Station. As the night wore on, the two laid on the floor, becoming tired. Both had fallen asleep on the last level.

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

Joey woke up with the worst neck cramp he's had in his entire life. "Oh man," he groaned, turning his head so his cheek was flat against the carpet. He opened his eyes and saw Chris still fast asleep with his back towards him. "How can you sleep like this?" Joey asked, not expecting an answer. He looked around the bus and sat up, rolling his head on his shoulders, working out the kinks. "Definitely chiropractor time," he mumbled.

J.C. and Justin sat on the couch, watching Joey with interest. "Have a good night?"

Joey jumped and turned, rolling his eyes when he saw them. "Don't scare me like that," he sighed.

"I was kinda having fun listening to you talk to yourself," J.C. replied.

"Guess that'll teach you to sleep down on the floor with Chris," Justin smiled.

"I wasn't planning on sleeping," Joey said, standing up. He saw the odd looks J.C. and Justin were giving him as they looked from him to Chris. "You guys are perverted," Joey gasped. "I don't swing that way."

Justin burst out in giggles. "I'm not the one that spent the night cuddled up against Scuz."

"I did not 'cuddle'!" Joey argued. "Where's Lance?"

J.C. and Justin watched Joey go on his blind search through the bus. Lance was in the bathroom, attempting to change his hair color. Justin got up and sat on the floor next to Chris. After shooting J.C. a grin, he bent over and blew in Chris's ear, the way he had seen Chris do to Busta.

Chris raised a hand and rubbed his ear as his nose wrinkled. He rolled over and snuggled further into the short carpet. Justin held in his laughter and blew into Chris's other ear.

Chris winced and rubbed his ear. He moaned softly and stretched, finally opening his eyes and blinking up at J.C.

"Don't look at me," J.C. snickered.

Chris gave him a puzzled look then rolled over, staring up into Justin's blue eyes and sparkling smile. He quickly figured out that this teen heartthrob was the one that had woke him up. Chris sprung up, tackling Justin and pushing him to the ground.

Justin yelped and was quickly consumed by laughter as he threw the smaller man off him. "Good morning to you too," he said as J.C. joined them, pulling Chris to his feet by his waist.

Chris grabbed J.C.'s arm as he stumbled forward, swaying slightly. He bent over, swallowing madly and closing his eyes.

"What's wrong?" J.C. asked, standing next to Chris.

Chris swallowed a few more times then straightened up, folding his arms. "Felt like I was going to puke."

"You okay?" Justin asked.

Chris nodded. "Think so."

"Good because you can't get in the bathroom anyway," Justin smiled.

Chris let go of the wall and asked, "Why not?"

"Lance is going for a bright purple this time."

Chris made a face. "Oh my God…" he mumbled. He joined Joey on the couch and attempted to catch up on the cartoon.

J.C. pulled his head out of the refrigerator and asked, "Anyone hungry?"

Justin was beside him instantly as Joey watched intently. "I am," Justin beamed.

"Well then why don't you make us something," J.C. shot back, letting the door on the refrigerator go shut.

Justin's mouth dropped open. "I thought that was an offer!"

Joey laughed as he got up. "Come on Justin, I'll help you. We'll make something better than the restaurants. Chris, what do you want?"

"Nothing," Chris replied.

"Come on, I swear it wont be anything bad," Joey smiled.

"I'm not hungry," Chris said, smiling at whatever cartoon was on.

"Okay fine," Joey shrugged. He pulled Justin to the counter and began gathering various bowls and ingredients for whatever he and Justin would cook up.

Slowly, the bathroom door opened and Lance emerged, a towel covering his head. He glanced at the others nervously before heading for his bunk.

"Come here," J.C. said, halting Lance's retreat. "Let me see your hair."

"It's not done yet," Lance argued.

J.C. advanced towards his friend as the others watched with interest. "Come on, let me see it."

"J.C., I don't really want you to-"

Lance dropped the sentence when J.C. yanked the towel off his head. He blushed a deep red as the others laughed.

"It's purple!" Justin gasped, leaning on Joey for support.

"Not just purple, bruise purple!" J.C. added.

"I like it," Lance lied.

Chris laughed. "Me too, Lance. Very…girlie."

Lance flipped them off and grabbed the towel back from J.C.

J.C. ran in the unguarded bathroom and locked the door behind him. Justin and Joey continued their preparation of breakfast, yelling at each other every once in a while when ingredients got mis-measured. Lance dried his hair, almost trying to rub off the ugly dye.

Chris winced slightly as a spasm of pain sliced through his stomach. His stomach had been hurting ever since he got up that morning. The only reason he could think of was Justin's famous lasagna the night before. He stood up to go help Joey, and was hit with another wave of nausea. Grasping on to the arm of the couch, he waited patiently until is passed. His mouth watered terribly and the bus swirled slightly.

Justin saw Chris out of the corner of his eye and stopped his attack on Joey. "You okay?" he asked, watching Chris slowly straighten up.

Chris turned confused eyes to him and answered, "Yeah. I don't know what hit me."

"You gonna make it?" Joey asked as he poured what looked like pancake batter into a yellow bow.

Chris nodded, trying to ignore the steady pain in his abdomen. Suddenly he heard a familiar wheezing, grumbling sound. "Busta!" he called, searching for the dog. They all recognized the sound as the heaves of a dog about to throw up and scrambled to find the sick Pug.

Busta came running out from underneath Lance's bunk and was immediately scooped up by the purple-haired singer. Lance ran for the nearest trash can and held Busta over it just in time.

Lance wrinkled his nose as Busta deposited the contents of his stomach into the trashcan. He looked to Chris and said, "At least you taught him how to puke in the trash."

Chris smiled as Lance put Busta down. "That's my boy," he said, bending over to take the bag out of the trashcan. A wave of dizziness overwhelmed him and he stumbled, crashing sideways into the wall. Lance was at his side, holding him up as another wave of nausea crept out of his stomach and crawled up his throat. His mouth filled with saliva, announcing the upcoming of digested food.

Chris felt Lance's hand on his back as he threw up in the same trashcan Busta had just used. When he was done, he didn't feel much better, just a little embarrassed.

"Chris, what's wrong?" Lance asked.

"I don't know," Chris replied softly, on the verge of tears. "I can't stand up without getting sick."

"Is it something you ate?" Lance asked.

"Hey," Justin quipped. "Don't diss my cooking."

"I'm being serious," Lance replied, helping Chris straighten.

"I think so," Chris replied, tying the trash bag shut. His stomach still ached, and now he had to brush his teeth. He looked to Busta, who was now lying on his side as he watched the humans. All the energy had drained from his body, and that's all Chris felt like doing at the moment. He threw the bag in a larger trashcan and walked to the couch, stretching himself out along the length of the stuffed leather.

Justin pushed Joey aside as he grabbed a bowl and started mixing. "Should we be worried?" he asked. Justin upheld the typical male macho act as much as he could, but deep down he had a kind heart that cared very much about the people close to him.

"I don't think so," Joey replied. "It was probably something he ate."

"Are you sure?" Justin questioned.

"Justin, I've seen Chris sick before. He won't let anyone worry about him anyway. Just forget about it. He'll be fine."

Justin sighed and glanced at Chris once more before once again devoting his attention entirely to the breakfast he was helping with.

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

"Breakfast!" Justin shouted at the top of his lungs. "Come and get it!"

"Jesus Justin, we're right here," J.C. replied.

Chris opened his eyes and found Busta lying on top of him. He smiled and pet Busta, realizing someone must have put him there. The Pug's short legs couldn't get him very high at all, unless there was food involved. Busta stretched his neck out and licked Chris, giving a short wag of his tail.

Chris laughed softly and wiped his lips with his sleeves. Joey was usually the one that threw Busta on top of him, but most of the time he woke up when the eighteen-pound dog landed on his stomach. Which reminded him, his stomach hurt like…like…like the time Justin found a zit on his forehead and worried about it all day. Yeah, that was bad.

A pillow smacked him in the face. "Are you eating?" Justin asked, looking down at Chris from the other side of the arm of the couch.

"No, just leave me alone," Chris replied, rolling over and catching Busta before he fell.

"Okay, jeeze, I was just asking a question," Justin said, backing off.

"Justin, I think that means that you're cooking sucks," Lance teased.

Justin held up a hand. "Imagine a finger," he snapped.

The others looked at Justin, then began cracking up over the sheer stupidity of the action.

"Are you okay?" Justin asked quietly.

"I'm fine, I'm just tired and I'm not hungry," Chris said. "Sorry I snapped at you."

"Justin, leave him alone," Joey said. "Get over here and taste this food. Make sure it's edible."

Justin sighed and walked to the small table with the others. "It's fine," he said. "Why do you guys blame me for everything when Joey's the one teaching me?"

J.C. turned to Joey as Lance began taking his first cautious bite. "That's right, we should punish you," he teased. "You unleashed this lunatic."

"He was a lunatic before I taught him anything," Joey replied. He took a bite of the candy-infested pancake and chewed carefully, finding a gummy bear. He looked to Lance, and then to Justin who had also tried the pancake. "You know, this is actually good," he smiled.

Lance nodded. "Is that candy corn?"

J.C. looked confused. He took a bite and crunched through the shell of an M&M. "Oh my God, this IS good," he said, astounded.

Justin beamed. "Really? You like it?"

Joey nodded and took another huge bite.

Justin sat and smiled stupidly. "I can't believe it," he said with mock sadness. "I'm finally accepted."

Busta finally caught he smell of food and jumped down, off his warm spot on the couch beside Chris. He trotted over to Joey and stood at his feet, waiting expectantly.

"Why do you always come to me?" Joey asked through a mouthful of pancake.

"Because you feed him," Lance replied, rolling his eyes. He smiled. "You put Snickers in here too?" he asked, looking at Justin.

Joey found a piece of his pancake that didn't have any candy and held it down to Busta.

"You wonder why he's so fat," J.C. said. "Look at him. He's got a freaking' pot belly."

"Yes I do wonder why he's so fat," Joey said. "He didn't eat his dinner last night."

"Well he can stand to miss a meal," J.C. said.

"So can you," Joey smiled. A half-melted gummy bear caught him between the eyes in response.

"Hey!" Justin yelled. "Don't throw my food!"

A melted M&M nailed him on the forehead.

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

"You think he's dead?"

"I don't know."

"He hasn't moved all morning."

"Poke him."

"You poke him."

Chris opened his eyes. Justin and Joey came into focus. "What?" he asked.

"Are you okay? You look a little pale," Joey said.

"I'm fine." Chris replied.

"Are you sure?" Justin asked. "You've been tired a lot lately. So had that runt dog of yours."

"He's not a runt," Chris mumbled as he rolled over.

"Well you wouldn't know, seeing as how you're a runt also."

"Oooh," Joey teased. "That had to hurt."

Chris rolled his eyes. He held up a fist and mocked, "Imagine a finger."

"Okay, it was funny when I heard it," Justin cried, walking away.

"Afro-boy," Chris mumbled.

Joey sat down on the three inches of cushion that Chris's body provided. "Are you feeling okay?" Joey asked. "And don't say fine again, because I'm getting tired of hearing the question asked."

"I'm f- oh yeah," Chris said, stopping himself. "Just tired."

"Well would you get up and eat?" Joey asked. "At least try it so Justin won't feel bad. He wants your approval really bad." Joey laughed. "You know how he looks up to you."

Chris sighed. "Fine. But I'm not hungry."

Joey got up. "I won't tell anyone," he smiled, taking Chris's hand as he rolled over again. Joey pulled Chris to his feet, surprised by how light he had become.

Chris immediately felt the room tilt and his stomach rise. A fierce wave of nausea swept through him, bringing with it a flood in his mouth. Chris swayed and held onto Joey as he pushed down the feeling in his stomach. Why was he so nauseous? Every time he got up he felt like he was going to puke. His stomach hurt constantly, and he wasn't hungry anymore. All he wanted to do was sleep. Slowly he stood up, smiling slightly as his stomach settled once again.

Joey saw Chris's reaction and believed now that he should be worried. Chris had been acting strange for the past couple of days. This was getting ridiculous. Soon they were going to have to perform again. "Chris, you need to see a doctor. I'm serious."

"Thanks mom," Chris said, rolling his eyes as he sat at the table. "I think it's just something from your and Justin's cooking."

"Then how come none of us have it?" Joey countered. He glanced at the others, who were wrestling over the Play Station remote. He then proceeded to heat up the last remaining pancakes. When he turned back to Chris, the older man was sitting with his head down, attempting to go back to sleep. Joey walked over and lightly smacked him on the head. "Wake up."

Chris raised his head carefully and glared at Joey. "You are so annoying," he teased.

"Don’t be Mr. Cranky Pants," Joey replied. "I know where you sleep."

Justin suddenly thundered down the hall towards them. "Where are the double A batteries?" he asked frantically.

"I sold them," Chris smiled.

"Well nice to see you too," Justin said, rolling his eyes. "I'm serious guys, I need them." "For what?" Joey asked.

"There's this hot girl in the car behind us, and I need those super binocular things to see her- better."

Joey and Chris smiled. "Well in that case…" Joey grinned, heading to a drawer on the opposite side of the bus.

Justin followed Joey, leaving Chris alone temporarily. The microwave dinged, announcing that the pancakes were done. The more Chris thought about food, the more he grew hungry. When he couldn't wait any longer, he decided to get up and get them himself.

Slowly, he stood up, grabbing the corner of the table. His stomach threatened to expose itself to the world, but it stayed down. Happily, Chris walked to the microwave and got out his food, then returned to the table and slowly sat down again.

By the time Joey and Justin returned, Chris was done. With sparkling eyes, he smiled at Justin. "That was good," he praised.

Justin's face lit up. "Thanks," he smiled.

"Feel better?" Joey asked.

"A little," Chris replied.

"See?" Joey said. "But I already told the driver that we're going to be needing a few hours in Tulsa so you can get checked out."

Chris groaned.

"You'll thank me later," Joey smiled.

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

"Okay Mr. Kirkpatrick, you can come in now."

Chris sighed and got up carefully. He found that if he took a deep breath before he got up, it helped keep his stomach settled. He looked at Joey. "You wanna come?"

"Me? Why?" Joey asked.

"Well, seeing as how you're my second mother now…"

Joey stuck out his tongue. "Just for that, I am coming with you."

Chris shrugged and led the way to where the doctor was waiting. He motioned for Chris to come inside, and when they were all in he shut the door.

"Hi, I'm doctor Bechtel," he said, extending his hand for Chris.

"And I'm Chris, this is some guy that followed me off the street," he said, motioning to Joey.

Dr. Bechtel looked at Joey. Joey smiled and said, "Name's Bobo."

"Uh…anyway…Chris," the doctor continued, pulling his eyes off Joey. "So uh, what seems to be the problem?"

Chris hopped up on the paper-covered bed. "I don't know, I think its just something I ate. My stomach hurts a lot."

"You never said that," Joey spoke up.

Chris looked at him. "No one asked."

Dr. Bechtel studied the two. "Is this your partner?" he asked Chris.

Chris's jaw dropped. "NO! No, it isn't. I was just kidding, this is my best friend," he said, blushing. "I'm perfectly straight thanks."

The doctor blushed also. "Sorry, I just thought…"

"Don't worry about it," Chris said.

"Okay, um, do you have any other symptoms?"

Chris looked at Joey, knowing Joey wouldn't let him get away with leaving anything out. "I feel like I'm going to puke when I get up and I'm tired a lot."

"He's lost weight," Joey added.

"How do you know?" Chris asked.

"I can tell these things," Joey smiled. "I just wish that dog of yours could lose weight. He looks like he's going to pop."

The doctor made some notes. "You have a dog?" he asked.

"Yeah, a Pug. What's that got to do with anything?"

"Is the dog outside by itself?"

Chris gave Joey a questioning look. "Sometimes, why?"

"Does it eat things found in the yard?" Dr. Bechtel asked, still taking notes.

Joey laughed. "That dog will eat anything. It eats crap."

"Well that's it then," the doctor said, crossing his arms. "Do you let the dog lick you?"

Chris felt like he was at the vet's office. "I don't know, sometimes, but why? What does this have to do with me and my food poisoning?"

"Because it's not food poisoning," Dr. Bechtel replied, giving a grin of triumph. "You, Mr. Kirkpatrick, have worms."

Chris and Joey's mouth dropped open. "What?"

"Tapeworms, most likely from your dog. They feed off your intestines."

"See, I told you not to let Busta lick you like that!" Joey smiled.

"Worms? That's like, really gross," Chris said. "Get them out."

"The quickest method isn't the prettiest, but it's the most effective. I'll have to give you some Anthelmintics to take with you. They destroy the development of the parasites. But right now," he said, getting up, "I'm going to make you sick."

Chris smiled. "That sounds pleasant," he said.

"I'll be right back," the doctor said before he left Chris and Joey alone.

Joey giggled. "Wait till I tell everyone you have worms," he smiled.

"You won't tell anyone," Chris pleaded. "It's not funny. This means I gotta spend money to get Busta de-wormed too."

"You're suppose to do that regularly," Joey said.

"Well, we're kinda busy," Chris argued. "I can't get him checked out as much as I should."

The doctor returned with a small cup of liquid. He smiled at Chris and handed it to him. "You'll want to use the sink for this," he said, moving aside as Chris got to his feet.

"What's that stuff?" Joey asked.

"It's a mixture of iron salts and vermifuges," Dr. Bechtel replied. "It'll make him vomit, and bring any major worms."

"Oh that sounds so gross," Joey said, paling slightly.

"Like I said, it's the fastest way of getting rid of them."

Chris looked into the cup nervously. "I drink this?" he asked.

"Anytime," Dr. Bechtel replied, putting on some latex gloves.

Chris tried to ignore Joey's disgusted look and drank the funny tasting liquid. He looked at the doctor questioning. "How soon does it work?"

"In a minute or two," the doctor replied.

Chris stood in front of the sink and looked in. Maybe inviting Joey to come along wasn't such a good idea after all. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be pretty.

Sure enough, he stomach began to flip. Chris braced himself above the sink and tensed, swallowing the sudden excess of saliva that was flooding his mouth. The doctor moved to stand beside him, waiting.

Chris began to heave, then let his stomach contents empty into the sink. His body trembled as he saw the end of a long, white-ish colored worm wriggling in the sink. The doctor reached over and started pulling on it, trying to get the rest of the worm out.

Joey watched as Chris threw up, then saw the worm dangling from his mouth. The doctor began pulling more and more worm out, and Joey ran for the door.

The thought of a live worm dangling out of his mouth made Chris throw up again. He felt the worm in his throat and on his tongue. Finally the worm was out, and it lay coiled up in the sink. He collapsed on the examining table and nearly fainted as the doctor held up the worm.

"You got yourself a winner there," Dr. Bechtel teased. "This guy is about four feet long."

Chris passed out.

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

"It was how long?" J.C. asked.

"Four feet," Chris replied weakly. He pushed Busta away.

"From Busta?" Lance asked.

"Yeah," Chris replied. "The vet did the same to him."

"Well you two should have compared them," J.C. smiled. "See who could grow the longest worm."

"Guys, please shut up," Joey mumbled. "It was so gross…I…ew," he shuddered.

"It was gross for you?" Chris asked. "You didn't have that little bastard coiled up inside your intestine!"

"Okay, that's enough," Justin said. "You'll ruin everyone's appetite."

"Mine's already ruined," Joey said as they all sat at the small table.

"Well at least try it," Justin said.

"Hey Chris, if that medicine the doctor gave you kills them in your stomach, how do they come out?" J.C. teased.

"Okay, that's too much information," Lance spoke up.

"What's for dinner?" Joey asked as Justin approached with a pot.

Justin smiled evilly. He set the pot on the table. "Spaghetti."

Finish!

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