Chapter 4
**Here With Me**
"How long has Joe been like this?" Chris looked towards JC and Janine with
a grim questioning.
"I don't know. Joey ditched us to follow Lance, I think, last night. I
found him this morning like this. I called you and Justin soon after I found
him." JC explained. He was holding on to Janine who was tearing up at the
sight of her brother all curled up in the middle of the bed with free
flowing anguish.
Chris arrived about an hour ago with Dani and Howie on the quickest flight
that they could get to New York. After settling in, JC and Janine brought
him to Joey's room and what greeted him was the most pathetic sight he ever
saw. It simply broke his heart.
Joey's room was unusually clean except for the bed sheets and the clothes
he wore last night all bundled in one corner. No lights were on and the
curtains prevented any sunlight to enter the dark room. The stereo had on
loop the most depressing songs one could think imagine. Portishhead, Nick
Cave, PJ Harvey, Dido and more. And lying on the king size bed, clutching a
pillow like a life preserver, was Joey in an almost catatonic state, crying
silently in a fetal position.
Forcing himself to get out of the room, he headed towards his room with JC
in tow. Janine stayed to watch over her brother. Both of the eldest Nsyncers
entered and were greeted by the concerned looks of Howie and Dani.
"How is he?" asked Dani who sat beside Chris and snuggled up to give him
comfort. JC and Howie sat opposite them on the sofa, all of them in a somber
mood.
"Well, whatever JC said to me when we arrived here was an understatement.
Joey looks like shit. And I honestly don't get why should Joey be like
this."
"I think I know why", JC grimaced and everyone peaked at this.
"What is it, JC?" asked Howie who got closer as if this was the key to the
mystery.
"I think Joey is in love with Lance and that Lance rejected him last
night." Everyone's eyes had gotten big as saucers at this theory. JC saw
this and continued to proceed with his explanation. "You see, last night
when we first saw Lance he had this dreamy look on his face as if he found a
reason to live. He chased after him and I think this was the result of that
encounter. While I explained to Janine what's was going on from over our
side, Joey kept on saying, "He hates me" over and over like a broken
record." JC exhales a shaky breath.
"I'm scared, guys. I can't believe that this is real", JC said as he broke
down. Howie gathered JC into a comforting hug and then the phone rang.
"Hello", Chris answered and conversed with the hotel's front desk. "Okay,
send the package up. Can you pay the courier for me and just add it to the
bill? Thank you."
Silence prevailed until Chris' package arrived, by then JC had already
calmed down. Sitting back beside Dani, he met expectant faces. He opened up
the contents and his face lit up as if a light bulb suddenly appeared in his
head. Setting down his newly acquired information in front of JC, he said "I
think I have a plan to fix everything and get Lancey-poo back. Guys, you
read that while I make a few phone calls."
With that, the motion of the ball just got pushed.
On a Plane Flying Towards New York...
Justin took the next available flight there was from Seattle to New York
with Christina Aguilera and Ryan Gosling, his old friends from the MMC days.
They've been his constant companions in a road trip that ended yesterday in
Seattle for Christina's charity concert. JC called after the concert for him
to get to New York as fast as he can. Much like Howie and Dani's reaction to
Chris' news, Ryan and Christina voluntarily went with Justin on the plane
for support.
"What's in your mind right now, Curly?", asked Ryan from cross the aisle.
His eyes stared at the young heartthrob with much worry. Justin turned his
gaze from the open plane window towards his old partner-in-crime from years
ago in the Mickey Mouse Club.
"I'm just scared, that's all", Justin shrugged at his old friend with his
straight blond hair and enigmatic eyes. "I mean, I've come to realize how
much of an asshole I've been when Lance was around. Much more when he up and
pulled a Houdini on us. Now after much soul-searching and all with you and
Christina these past 6 weeks have made me realize a lot more than what I
figured I'd learn from the beginning of this. I've just lost one of my best
friends and I was to involved with myself to see it. All because of my
stupid beliefs and stubbornness, I've been too blind to see my friend in
pain. I'm just scared that Lance won't forgive me"
"Curly, I have to admit to you that I agree that you were being an ass to
Lance. To feel regret and remorse is only human. At least you aren't too
stubborn to admit mistakes like other people. Things will turn up fine. Just
don't dwell too much on the negative and go for the positive. You'll see",
Ryan said with much optimism. Justin smiled at this.
Beside him, Christina began to stir to full consciousness. She pulled back
her long platinum blonde hair and wiped the sleep from her eyes. After a
succession of blinking, she turned to her old cast mates. "Is everything
alright?", she asked with a yawn.
"For now at least", Justin replied.
"Guys, loosen up. Lance is back. Things will be okay. When we get to New
York we'll be meeting with the guys and the rest of the New York-based
mouseketeers. You'll be able to see Britney again, Justin." He just rolled
his eyes. "Even if she is the biggest bitch in the planet."
"Oh come on Chrissy, I still don't understand how can you can say things
like that to Britney when she's not here to defend herself?", Ryan asked.
"Simply put, it's because she's my best friend and she does the same thing
to me. It's like a twisted and perverse way of acknowledging our
friendship."
All this friendly banter made Justin feel a little at ease. He knew he
needed this before he had to face Lance, if he was going to face Lance. And
maybe seeing Britney won't be as bad this time around.
In James' Apartment...
He tried to concentrate on the text that he needed to study for his
comprehensive test that he was going to take in a couple days. He wasn't
focused; all because of Joey arriving in his apartment yesterday to rush
back all the memories to his head. Damn him!
He threw his textbook at the wall and slumped to the floor. He stared at
the ceiling, wishing that the high stained portion of the room would swallow
him up. After what seemed like an eternity, he looked towards the hanging
clock near his bedroom door and shot up when he realized what time it was.
He was going to be late for class.
In 15 minutes, he was able to strip, shower, eat a quick pastrami sandwich,
dress up, and brush his teeth. After checking for any flaw with his
"disguise", he left his apartment. On his way out of the building, he waved
at Sheila before sprint to the nearest entrance to subway.
Unaware of anything but his rush to get to school, James didn't notice a
medium built man with a furtive face and a baseball cap following him. The
man continued to follow James until he entered one of the local community
colleges in the city. After seeing that James went to class, the "stalker"
pulls out his cell phone from his pocket and speed-dialed a number.
"Hello, Mr. Kirkpatrick? Delacroix here. Your boy is apparently taking up
some college. Okay, I'll send my boys on it. Don't worry, you'll have more
info than the one I've had sent to you earlier by late this evening. Why
thank you, sir. You business is always welcome in D&M Detective Agency.
Thank you. Goodbye."
He tucked away his phone and waited for another 2 hours before James left
the college for the Speakeasy.
Later that night...
"Listen James, Derrick will be a little late so he called up to see if
anyone can cover for him until he gets here. None of the other performers
are available tonight but since you're here so...." James just rolled his
eyes at the round about way Kelly was asking him to move his ass on stage
and entertain people.
He simply sighed and said, "Okay, but I want a raise for doing this."
Kelly squealed and hugged him tight while James steadied himself from
dropping a tray full of Martini glasses. He smiled weakly then let go and
went back to work to prevent himself from thinking anymore about Joey. He
didn't notice the two familiar faces that just entered the bar as he made
orders of Kamikazes, Strawberry Daiquiris, and Sex Shots.
"So this is where Lance works. JC my man, you weren't kidding when you said
that this place is so fly, and it ain't a club either", said Chris as a
waitress led them to a table in a dark corner.
"If it wasn't for the fact that we're here to show you Lance, Chris, I
would be challenging you another contest of shots and see who can last the
longest." Chris grinned at JC. "But I suppose that it could wait until all
of us are together and see if Scoopy will be the first to pass out." Both of
them wished silently that possibility would happen.
"Yeah", Chris said almost silently.
"Well, Gentlemen", said the waitress that broke their train of thought.
"What will be your poison for the night?", she asked with a southern accent
oozing with desire.
"Apple Jacks (a mix of Apple Juice and Jack Daniels) for me, if you have
them", ordered Chris.
"Sam's Hard Lemonade, please", ordered JC.
"The names Mel, by the way." She flicked her long black hair and winked at
them before flouncing towards the bar. That gave them both an uncomfortable
lump in their pants.
Mel approached James as he finished pouring a dry martini into a glass. She
handed him the order and wrote some numbers on her pad while waiting for the
drinks. James cocked a look at her, she noticed this and blushed. "So, who's
the lucky customer that has the pleasure of getting your undivided attention
for the night?", asked James.
"Those two gentlemen in the corner who seem a little bit too serious but
both of them are so cute. I think both of them are interested." James shook
his head with much disapproval and continued to make the Apple Jacks.
Mel saw this and smirked with much Louisiana attitude. "You really need to
get laid, James. There are many people in this place that you could go to
bed with, me included, if you would just allow yourself to do it. I could
probably show you a good time, if you'd let me, you know."
James rolled his eyes. "The problem with that logic is, as you very well
know, is that I bat for the other team. True I could go to the sack with
anyone of these guys if choose to but I don't for I just don't feel
comfortable with the idea." James placed the Hard Lemon and the scotch mix
on the tray. He thought of how much Chris loved his Apple Jacks.
"You're such a prude, James. I mean, how many people have hit you since you
got to work." James considered but before he could say an answer,
"Honestly!" said Mel.
"About 8 people, 3 girls and 5 guys", James said while looking at a spot on
the counter. She continued to glare at him. "Okay, 15 people. Satisfied?"
"See! Now try to be more open to this and play the field a bit more. I'll
see you later, sugar. I'll just give my number to that tall brunette. He's
sooooo my type."
James rolled his eyes again as Mel sauntered across the floor to the two
strangers that James couldn't quite see due to the Speakeasy's semi
darkness. After filling in on some more orders, he went up on stage and ran
a quick set list with tonight's band.
From their table, JC pointed out for Chris where Lance was on the stage.
Chris was taken aback at what he saw. He knew that Lance changed his
appearance drastically but to actually see the change was unnerving. If one
of things that Chris knew about Lance was that he hated drastic changes.
"He must have hated all the shit that happened to him to possess him to
alter his appearance. Damn, we are such pricks", Chris sighed in despair. He
raised his glass for a large gulp. JC did a long swig of his bottle and
wiped his mouth. Both looked at each other, clinked their drinks together,
finished their drinks then ordered for another round.
Soon enough, James began his set and played a few songs that surprised
Chris. "How in the hell did Lance learn this? It's Bob Dylan for God's sake.
He doesn't listen to anything other than country. So since when does he
listen, let alone, play Bob Dylan? Its like a freaky episode of the Twilight
Zone."
"This is nothing. You should have heard him last night when he played some
Duncan Sheik. It's like nothing I've ever heard before", JC commented.
After finishing his song, James stayed silent for a few moments and "awoke"
to the clapping of the crowd. He smiled as he spotted a familiar lady
sitting at the bar. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we seem to have another celebrity
here in the Speakeasy tonight. Please give it up for the lady of 10,000
Maniacs fame, Miss Natalie Merchant."
Spotlights began focusing on the petite singer as she moved across the
floor towards the stage. She gave James and the rest of the band a hug and
spoke to the microphone, "Hello, everyone. I won't sing you a set but maybe
a few songs just for tonight. James, if you want, can we sing a duet of that
song I first heard you sing." James remembered and began strumming the
chords of "Trouble Me". With that, Natalie began singing.
Trouble.
Trouble me, disturb me
With all your cares and your worries
Trouble me
On days when you feel spent
Why let your shoulders bend
Underneath is burden when
My back is sturdy and strong?
Trouble me, speak to me
Don't mislead me
The calm I feel is a storm is swelling
Speak to me
There's no telling where it starts or how it ends
Speak to me
Why are you building
This thick brick wall to defend me
Speak to me
When your silence is my greatest fear
Why let your shoulders bend
Underneath this burden when
My back is sturdy and strong?
Speak to me, let me
Have a look inside
These eyes while I'm learning
Let me
Please don't hide them just because of tears.
Let me send you off to sleep
With a "There, there now stop your turning and tossing"
Let me
Let me know where the hurt is and
How to heal
Spare. Spare me. Don't me spare me.
Anything Troubling.
Trouble me, disturb me
With all your cares and your worries
Speak to me
And let our words build a shelter from the storm
Let me
And lastly, let me know what I can mend.
There's more, honestly, than my sweet my friend
That you can see.
Trust is what I'm offering if you
Trouble me...
James and Natalie finished the song with a final crescendo. The crowd rose
to a standing ovation. The applauds overwhelmed James as he turned to
Natalie simply smiled at his blush. A few more songs later, Natalie left the
stage much to the chagrin of the crowd. A few more after that, James left
the stage to take a break. Tonight he didn't notice the faces of his old
bandmates who somehow blended with the other faces of tonight's crowd.
Chris and JC asked for their bill and Mel came over. Chris pulled out a few
bills and started to stand when Mel slipped a folded piece of paper into
JC's pocket. JC stared at Mel's face as she said, "Call me sometime,
Handsome." Then Mel moved to other table to get some orders. JC was just
left stunned and Chris just cracked a grinned. "Oh, JC is going to get
some!"
Shaking out of his shock, JC slapped Chris with a backhand and stalked out
of the bar, but not before waving at Mel.
As the two best friends neared the exit, Kelly approached them. "Hey,
y'all. How did you like the show?"
"Good. Thanks for setting this up for us Kelly", JC said with an
appreciative smile. Chris copied it with much fervor.
"Hey, why do you think I asked Janine to convince you guys to come here in
the first place? I had my suspicions about James, especially when Janine
told me about Lance's disappearance and James' arrival here. It took me two
months to realize that James was Lance with a completely new look. It was
the little things that set me off, like his Mississippi accent would sound
out every now and then. We would talk about NASA or watch a launch on TV; he
would light up with interest. Just the little thing really."
Even with the party mood of some of the patrons of the Speakeasy, the three
of them were drawn in a pensive mood. Breaking out of the trance Chris said,
"Well Kelly, I was nice of you to set this up for us and all. We'll figure
something out. By the way, what happened to the guy that you said that was
supposed to be performing?"
"Oh Derrick? I fired him a couple of days ago but I somehow forgot to tell
the rest of the employees that he's gone." Chris and JC shook their heads
and gave Kelly a hug each before going outside to hail a cab.
As James came out of the back office, he saw Kelly in the entrance hugging
JC and Chris. He stiffens at this and tried to ignore his impulse to go up
there and attack them. He went up on stage and began the second set.
Back at the Hotel...
Janine stayed in Joey's room, much like a person on suicide watch. Howie
and Dani explained the situation to Justin, Christina, and Ryan. They were
all in Justin's suite, which he shared with Ryan and Christina. Their
reaction was much to be expected which quickly led to more questions about
what are they going to do about it.
Within 15 minutes, Chris and JC got to the hotel and went to the front desk
for any of their messages. Chris got another package. As the elevator
brought them to their floor, Chris and JC quickly discussed a plan of action
as what to do tomorrow. Entering Justin's suite with a master key, they sat
down on the only available space to sit on, the floor. Dani sat down beside
Chris and held his hand.
"Guys, me and JC have a plan to get Lance back. This is all or nothing
here. If he doesn't come around to what we plan to do, then it's a lost
cause." Chris looked at the expectant faces surrounding him and JC. He
smiled that he didn't need to confirm their involvement here because they're
all willing to do this. "Tomorrow morning at 6, Justin, you and me, are
going to the park for some exercise. Then we are all going on TRL
tomorrow......."
Chapter 5
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