Britney picked up her carry-on, the one she'd dropped by her feet five minutes ago when she walked into the dining area backstage unnoticed by anyone. Hefting the expensive messenger back over her shoulder, she quietly slipped out of the room, only to return from another door moments later and call, "Justin!" in an overly-excited voice.
Justin turned, his face caught in a deer-in-headlights expression. "Hey, baby!" He immediately swooped in and hugged her. "I didn't expect you here."
"Well, I got the day off, and I thought I'd surprise you," Britney smiled brightly, all the while thinking, Thank God for the acting lessons in MMC!
"That you did," Justin smiled and slid his arm around her waist, marveling at it. It was thin, but a muscular, strong thin, not like Tonya's thin-thin. Where did that come from?
"So, baby, I don't have to be back until tomorrow night for the concert, what do you wanna do?"
Justin shrugged. "I dunno, Bits."
"You didn't have any plans, did you, baby? If I interrupted any plans, you go right ahead with them, ok?" Britney smiled sweetly.
Britney didn't miss the way Justin paused and glanced up at Tonya, and she didn't miss the way Tonya just kind of shrugged slightly and turned away. She just kept smiling, even though a piece of her heart was being torn away by each passing second.
"Nah, nothing that can't take a rain-check," Justin turned his gaze back to the blonde in front of him.
"So, do you want to go out, or do you wanna just stay in or..." Britney left the sentence trailing in her voice, but in her mind, she added, Or put me back on a plane and ship me back on tour, so you can go be with Tonya?
"How 'bout we stay in?" Justin asked. "Get a movie, get some room service, just chill?"
"Sounds like a plan, J. Now, you need to get ready for your concert, ok? Go show 'em how ya do it," Britney smiled outside while she cried inside as her boyfriend placed a chaste peck on her lips.
"Thanks, B, you're the best," Justin grinned and took off for a dressing room.
Britney turned and greeted the rest of *N Sync, who had been hanging back. When JC's arms finally engulfed her, it was all she could do to keep from breaking out into sobs. "I know," JC whispered into her ear. "I know."
Britney took in a deep breath and stepped back away from JC. "It's out of my hands, C."
JC nodded, then watched as she turned and walked away, giving her bags to a security guard of theirs to put in Justin's bus.
Britney sat next to Tonya in the VIP seating and watched their performance that night, little pieces of her heart falling to her feet the entire time. Tonya kept gushing about the performance, continually throwing JC's name into the conversation at the oddest time, almost as if she didn't want Britney to know about the crush she still harbored on the famous Justin Timberlake.
Britney sighed to herself as she thought that. That was exactly what he was to her, the famous Justin Timberlake. To her, he was just J. He was spectacular and gorgeous and funny and talented - but not because of what he did, because of who he was. He wasn't famous in her eyes, he was her boyfriend, the one she loved with all her heart.
Britney turned and smiled sweetly at Tonya. "Do you happen to have any Tylenol on you? I've got the worst headache from a lack of sleep, and I'm gonna be up late tonight."
Tonya paled, but nodded, and reached into her purse, pulling out two tablet. "Here."
"Thanks, Tonya," Britney smiled again. "You're so sweet to me."
Tonya nodded, mumbled something, and turned away.
After the concert, the pair lay on a hotel bed together, watching American Pie 2 and gobbling junk food. At least, Justin was gobbling junk food. Britney was too upset to eat.
That night, Britney lay in bed awake, watching Justin sleep. He looked so innocent and sweet, just absolutely adorable.
The next morning, she showered before he even got up. They usually lay together, silent, drawing off each other's company for as long as possible before preparing to face the day.
Britney emerged, dressed in tight flares with silver glitter around the hems, a silver glitter halter, and silver heels.
"Hot," Justin observed from the bed, where he lay with a confused look on his face. Since when did Britney ever do herself up nice for traveling?
"Thanks," Britney acknowledged.
Justin stood, took his shower, and dressed. Britney stared at him in the hotel as he opened the door for him. "Uhm, Britney...About your flight...I got somewhere I gotta be when it-"
Britney interrupted. "It's ok, I understand..."
"Thanks, B," Justin smiled, pecked her cheek, and began to walk away.
"Hey, J?" Britney asked.
"Yeah?" Justin turned and smiled a dazzling smile.
"Just...just tell Tonya she wins."
Those were the hardest words she ever said in her life. She had to let him go, she couldn't keep holding on enough for the both of them. If he wanted her, he would have to come to her.
Justin stared at her for a moment, then ducked his head. "Yeah, ok."
"Goodbye, Justin," Britney sighed and glanced down at her outfit. She'd dressed like that so Justin would know exactly what it is he was he could have had. She wanted him to remember walking away from her, and exactly how she looked, not how she would look the minute she got in the black van that would take her to the airport. Alone. For the first time in two years, she was leaving Justin at the hotel, and not at the airport.
"I...Bits, I know this-" Justin began.
Britney held up her hand. "I'll always love you, J. You know I'll always be here. If things change, maybe we could try again. I don't know."
Justin sighed, then, for old time's sake, asked her what he always asked her before she left. "You gonna be ok?"
Britney answered as she always did. "Yeah, baby. It's gonna be apples and sunshine."
Justin's smile was a sad one, because he knew he was losing the one he truly loved. "I'll get you back," He whispered to the back of the girl twenty yards from him, stepping into an elevator. "And it really will be apples and sunshine."