JC took Gina’s arm off his shoulders and turned to her. "Is that your way of telling me I’m not wanted?"

"JC, this is my room. That should go without saying. And, no, that’s not my way of saying you’re not wanted. This is." Gina walked to the door and pointed into the hallway where the other three guys had watched her show. "Go away, JC. Just go."

"Why would I want to stay here with someone like you anyway?" JC huffed before he stormed out of the room.

Justin moved to follow JC but one look at Gina told him maybe he should stay. Lance saw Justin’s dilemma and decided to help his young friend.

"I’ll go check on JC and see what’s wrong although I think I know what it is." He looked pointedly at Gina before following JC.

"Well, Joey, I think I want to check out what’s in the vending machines. Care to join me?"

"Right behind you, buddy."

Joey and Chris quickly fled the scene to leave Justin and Gina alone.

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

"JC?" Lance walked into JC’s room and found him on his bed. Lance sat next to his friend. "You okay?"

JC picked up his cell phone and nodded. "I will be."

"Who are you calling?"

"Heidi."

Lance covered JC’s hands and prevented him from dialing. "Do you think that’s a good idea?"

"I haven’t talked to her in a few days and I think she’d like the fact that Gina and I are hardly on speaking terms."

"That’s what I’m talking about. You haven’t spoken for a few days and I’m sure you two will have an argument and in the mood you’re in right now you might say something you might regret. Do you want that?"

JC thought it over and shook his head. "No, you’re right. With my temper I might just say something I would regret. Thanks, man." JC placed a hand on Lance’s shoulder.

"No problem." Lance stood up and sat on the other bed in the room and faced JC. "Now do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?"

"Nothing’s bothering me. I would be better if that little person wasn’t on tour with us." JC leaned back against the bedpost.

"But, JC, you know we need Chris. Who else is going to sing those high notes? Certainly not me."

JC smiled. "Funny, Lance, and I was so waiting to hear you sing his parts but I was talking about Gina. She’s just a thorn in my side. I told you I had a bad feeling about her before she even came."

Lance sighed and tried to figure out how to approach this. "JC, have you ever noticed that she’s only a pain in your side? No one else’s."

"Ha, especially not Justin’s." JC crossed his arms.

"JC, Justin and Gina are just friends. Nothing more. All of us know that."

"Come on, Lance. Those two are just trying to fool everyone. I bet they have a secret thing going."

Lance put his head in his hands and sighed. "J-C…"

"Yes?"

"Why do you care so much? Especially if you think you hate her?"

"Because Justin is one of my oldest friends and he deserves better." JC stopped but realized there was more to Lance’s sentence. "What do you mean think I hate her?"

Lance tapped a finger on his lips before he spoke. "How do I put this? Remember the feelings I was getting before Gina came? About her and someone getting together on this tour?"

JC nodded. "Yeah? You think it’s me?"

"Yes, I do, JC-"

"Come on, Lance. Me? All she does is fight with me."

"And you with her. And I think the real reason you hate the idea of Gina and Justin going out is because you have feelings for her."

"You left out one denominator, Lance. I have a girlfriend."

"And I think that’s why you keep fighting her. You’re afraid that Heidi’s not the one for you and you don’t want to be the one to break it off."

JC got off the bed and stood up. "That’s ridiculous. Heidi and I are fine and Gina and I hate each other."

"There’s a thin line between love and hate, JC."

"And Gina and I are on the hate side. Now if you’d please leave me alone I have some things I have to do."

"All right. I’m gone." Lance stood up and headed for the door. He placed his hand on the knob and turned toward his friend. "Just answer me this, JC. What side are you and Heidi on?"

JC looked up and stared at the door in which Lance had just exited.

Where do Heidi and I stand?

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

Justin sat on Gina’s bed and patted the spot beside him. "Come here, Gina."

"Uh-oh. You called me Gina. What’s wrong?"

"The way you’re treating JC."

"Ummm, hello, and he treats me well?"

"I’ll admit he’s just as bad as you but what you just did pushed the limit. You two are just getting worse and have to stop that before you continue to hurt each other."

"Hurt each other? My insults bounce off him and he shoots right back at me. How are we hurting each other?"

Justin sighed. "You will hurt each other and yourselves when you realize that you don’t actually hate each other."

Gina brought her leg on the bed and turned to face Justin. "Not hate each other? Don’t tell me you think we actually like each other? Or, better yet, love each other."

"You said it, not me."

"Justin Timberlake, what has gotten in your head and made you crazy? JC and I can’t be around each other without being uncivil. We always fight. Just like I’ve always thought we would."

Gina’s last sentence spark an interest in Justin. "What do you mean ‘just like I’ve always thought we would?’"

"Well, when my roommate showed me a picture of you guys after I heard I got the job and she, of course, pointed JC out I just knew he and I would not get along very well. There was just something about him. Don’t even think of continuing this line of questioning. JC and I hate each other."

Justin stood up and lifted Gina’s chin with a finger. "There’s a thin line between love and hate, Gigi."

She nodded. "And JC and I are on the hate side."

"If you say so, girl. I have a photo shoot to get ready for. See you later." Justin kissed Gina’s forehead and left her room.

"Justin?"

Justin turned and saw Lance standing in the hallway. "What is it, Lance?"

"JC’s in bad shape. He’s so confused and he won’t admit to why," Lance told the younger blonde sadly.

"Gigi’s not admitting it either. Does this mean you’ll help me?" Justin looked at his groupmate.

Lance sighed in defeat. "Yeah, it does."

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

"Has anyone seen my leftover Chinese food?" Gina called throughout the bus. She had been looking for her leftovers from the night before.

JC emerged from the bunk area. "They were your leftovers? I thought they were Mike’s. If he orders Chinese food he usually leaves his leftovers in the fridge for me."

"Nope, they were mine. I love Chinese food. I can eat it everyday."

"Me too. That’s why Mike does that." JC looked at the carton in Gina’s hand. "What are you eating?"

Gina brought her hand up and looked at the small carton of ice cream. "Oh, chocolate chip mint. Another favorite."

"Mine too. That’s why I bought that carton."

Gina took the spoon out of her mouth and mentioned for JC to wait a moment before she spoke. "This is yours? I thought that Justin got it for me since he knows how much I love it and haven’t had it in a long time. It had no name on it so I just assumed."

"Same here with the Chinese. I’m so used to Mike doing that I just assumed they were for me."

"I guess we’re even then. You ate my food and now I’m eating yours."

JC sighed. "I guess. From now on I’m labeling the food I buy."

"Me too. Then you won’t eat my food again. At least I know who the culprit would be if my food’s missing again." Gina sat on a couch and took a spoonful of ice cream. "Hmm-hmm, this is great. Good choice, JC. Thanks."

"No problem. Glad I could be of some service. Tell me when I can do it again and I’ll make sure not to do it. I’m going to take a nap. Don’t disturb me." JC turned and returned to his bunk.

"What ever you say, master," Gina called after JC. She took another spoonful of ice cream and glanced out of the bus window. I can’t believe he ate my food. Gina looked down at the carton in her hands and smiled. At least it didn’t go without revenge.

Gina was pulled out of her thoughts by a phone ringing somewhere near her. She put the ice cream container down and stood up. She stood still and listened to where the ring was coming from. She walked toward the noise until she found the ringing phone. I wonder who’s phone this is. The only way to find out is to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Is this Gina?"

A confused look crossed Gina’s face. "And who may I ask this is?"

"Yes, you may and it’s TJ Chasez. JC’s brother."

"Hi, TJ. This must be JC’s phone I just answered."

"You didn’t know who’s phone you were answering?"

"Nope. I just heard the ringing and answered the phone. I had no clue who’s it was. I guess now I know."

"Now you do. So where’s my brother? You didn’t kill him yet, did you?"

Gina looked at the bunk area. "Actually, TJ, he’s trying to sleep in his bunk and told me not to bother him. Do you want me to wake him up or do you want to leave a message?"

"Neither. I’d like to get to know the new kid on the tour."

"You want to talk to me? You’re brother hasn’t convinced you I’m evil yet?"

Tyler laughed. "He’s trying but it’s not working. I wanted to make my own decision. I was going to wait until I came on tour with you guys in a couple of weeks but I think now’s about a good time as any. Do you mind?"

Gina sat back down on the couch. "No, I don’t. It’s kind of nice to know that not all Chasez’s are like your brother."

"He’s really not that bad. He just has a quick temper and lets his emotions take control of him."

"You mean he actually has emotions and feelings in there? Could have fooled me."

"You two really don’t get along. JC told me his version of how it started. Why don’t you tell me your side of things."

"He did? What did he say?"

"Uh-uh. It’s not going to work that way. I’m not telling you before you tell me your side."

Gina sighed. "All right. I walked into the conference room to meet everybody and all the guys were there, but JC."

"So he wasn’t there when you first walked into the room?"

"No. Did he tell you otherwise?"

"I told you I’m not telling. I’m just making sure I’m hearing things straight."

"You know what? You’re starting to get on my nerves like your brother."

Tyler laughed. "Sorry about that. It’s this bond we have, its called brotherhood. Please continue with the story."

"Well then JC comes traipsing in with that female behind him. If you can even call her a female."

After a short pause TJ decided to interrupt the silence. "Can I assume we are talking about Heidi?"

"Yeah. I can’t believe the nerve of that girl."

"What happened?"

"Well first she introduced herself to me as JC’s girlfriend and then to explain to everyone why she made sure I knew he had a girlfriend she said she wanted to make sure I’d keep my claws off of her boyfriend."

TJ whistled. "Really? She said that? JC didn’t tell me about that. He just said you started attacking Heidi without being provoked."

"Oh, trust me. I was provoked. It was then that JC and I started having problems. As soon as he started to defend that little jealous witch."

"Now, now, Gina. You’re talking to me now. No need for that kind of language."

"If you want to hear better language then pick a better topic."

"All righty then. How about this topic? What kind of food do you like to eat?"

Gina looked at the carton in her hands and laughed. "That’s not the best topic at this moment either."

"What’s wrong with food? Are you on a never-ending diet like most girls I know?"

"No, it’s just that the last argument I had with JC was over food."

"You two fought over food? What is there to fight over food?" TJ asked disbelievingly.

"Well, I put Chinese food leftovers in the fridge last night."

"Let me guess. My brother ate them."

"Correct." Gina smiled at the carton again. "But we’re even now."

"How did you get even?"

"I swiped his chocolate chip mint ice cream."

"He must have hated that. If he really wants that he guards it with his life."

"I didn’t do it on purpose though. I thought someone had bought it for me."

"But the outcome of it not being for you was an added bonus, wasn’t it?"

"Yeah, it was. Okay, safer topic for me. What’s going on in your life?"

TJ laughed. "I see how you’re playing it. To keep you safe you put it all on me."

"Exactly. So what’s up with you? Anything going on in your love life?"

"Nope. I had some action over the Internet but for some reason I can hardly get on anymore. I wonder why?"

"I’m sorry about that, TJ. I need to be on for work and sometimes I like to see if anyone else is on when I’m done." Talking about the Internet made Gina think about the one person she had not been talking to.

"Don’t worry about it. I was only kidding. My brother isn’t any better than you. You don’t know how many nights I couldn’t get on because he was talking to his Spanish chick."

"His Spanish chick?" Gina was intrigued.

"I don’t know if she’s really Spanish but her name is some Spanish word which I forget right now and some year in the late 70’s."

Gina sat up at TJ’s words. Some Spanish name and a year in the late 70’s? My name is… Nah, it can’t be. Goof’s a nice guy while JC is…

"Gina? Still there?"

Gina shook her head so she could pay attention to Tyler, "Sorry about that, TJ. I’m back. Just thinking about something."

"I gotcha. I was just wondering how your love life was going."

"Well.."

BEEP

"It’s not goi-"

BEEP

"Hold on a second, TJ. I think someone else is crazy enough to actually call your brother."

"Sure."

"Be right back." Gina pulled the phone away from her ear and clicked over to the other line. "Hello, JC’s phone."

"What are you doing answering my boyfriend’s phone?"

"I answered it earlier because I didn’t know who’s it was."

"Then why don’t you just let his voicemail get it now?"

"Because the call earlier was TJ and I’ve been talking to him."

"You’ve been talking on JC’s phone? How long have you two been on?"

Gina sighed. "I don’t know. Why does any of this matter to you?"

"Since JC is my boyfriend I think I can ask you questions regarding your use of his things."

"Heidi, I think you should stop while you’re ahead. JC’s asleep and told me not to bother him so can I take a message?"

"No, you can’t take a message. Wake him up. I need to speak with him."

"Okay, Heidi, I’ll wake him up but just let me say good bye to TJ first. Hold on," Gina spit out before she could get a response. She clicked back to TJ. "TJ?"

"Yeah?"

"I hate to do this to you but Heidi, speak of the devil, is on the other line and she insists on me waking JC for her."

"Ooh, hate to be in your shoes. Not only is JC a sound sleeper but he’s a grouch sometimes when you wake him up."

"He’s definitely going to be a grouch when I wake him up. It’s just the way of JC’s world."

"And yours. Listen, I’ll let you go and let the lovebirds talk."

Gina laughed. "How anyone can stand being with her I don’t know but then again I can say the same thing about your brother. Okay, I’m done with that. Hopefully I’ll talk to you soon, TJ. Bye."

"Bye, Gina."

Gina pressed the button to go back to Heidi and walked towards JC’s bunk. She sat on the edge of hers and opened his curtain. "JC?"

JC moved a little bit but did not wake up.

"JC, wake up."

With little response again from JC Gina decided to use a different tactic. She placed the phone on her bunk and grabbed his top sheet. She positioned herself and pulled with all her might.

"JC. I SAID GET UP!?!!"

JC fell on the bus floor and looked up to see who woke him. "Gina, I said not to wake me. You’d better have a good reason to wake me up."

In response she handed him the phone and retreated back to the middle of the bus. Speaking of sleepygoof I wonder if he’s on now. Gina placed her laptop on the table and turned it on. Of course he’s not on. He’s never on anymore. I wonder what he’s up to.

JC picked up the phone and brought it to his ear wondering who could be so important that Gina had to wake him up for. And what a lovely way of waking me she has.

"Hello?"

"Hey, baby," JC heard Heidi purr over the phone.

JC widened his eyes in surprise. "Hey, Heidi. What’s up, babe?"

"I haven’t talked to you in a while and just wanted to see how my baby was doing."

"I’m doing all right except for the fact that Gina’s here."

"You and her still not getting along?" JC thought he could hear her smile through the phone.

"Not at all. Everything that could happen has happened. Everytime I turn around there she is ready for a fight. I don’t think an hour has gone by that we’re near each other that we haven’t fought."

"Well I’d hate to add to the fire…"

"What?"

"When I called she was talking to someone else on this phone and it had sounded like they’d been talking for awhile."

"Really? I’m going to talk about that with her. She has her own phone and I pay for this bill. That’s just not right."

"No, it’s not, baby. You should talk to her about that."

"I will after we hang up. So now do you have that silly notion of Gina and me ever getting together and me dumping you?"

Heidi still was not sure but said "Sure" just to please him. I still can’t get that moment when I walked in on them in the office out of my head. JC had better not be falling for her. He’s mine.

"Good, I’m glad that’s settled. Now what has been going on in your life since we’ve last talked?"

"Nothing much. Just missing you like crazy."

"Hon, you know you could have called or beeped me. I did call you and left a few messages on the machine."

Heidi sighed. "I know. I replay them sometimes to hear the sound of your voice. I’ve just been so busy at work that having enough time to call you is next to impossible. I don’t want just a three minute conversation. I want to have your undivided attention for a good length of time."

"Well, you have it now."

"Good. That’s just the way I like it. So, baby, you miss me?"

"You don’t know how much."

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

"JC, Gina, I’m glad you’re here. Well, we’ve finally got everything together to get Gina her own account and get off yours, JC."

"Does this mean I can finally have my account back and Tyler and I don’t have to worry about her hogging up the time?"

"Well excuse me for having to do my work and keep in touch with people. I only see you get on and off. I at least have people who are interested in my well being."

"Excuse me but I talk to my family. And Heidi."

"What? You talk to her every two weeks? I’ve only seen you talking to her once since the first few days of the tour."

"That’s because she does have a career of her own and-"

"JC, Gina, stop this nonsense!" Both looked up at Donny, the road manager.

"Sorry, Donny," JC and Gina mummbled.

"Bobby told me you two were bad but I’ve never seen two people fight and argue as much as you two. Gina’s not in the public but it’s starting to effect your appearance to fans, JC. They see the tension on your face and wonder if what they thought about you is wrong. If you really aren’t as nice as they’re told."

JC stood up. "I’m really sorry, Donny. I’ll try not to seem tense in public anymore. All I’ll have to do is stay away from the little princess here and everything will be fine."

"JC!" Donny called after the young man but JC did not turn around and acknowledge being summoned.

"I’m sorry about him, Donny. I don’t know why I’m apologizing for the likes of him but I’m sorry."

"It’s because you feel partly at fault, and you should. Now here’s the software. Get JC to take you off his account and set this up."

"Is there anyway I can change my screen name?" Gina asked hopefully.

Donny shook his head. "I’m sorry but there’s nothing we can do about that. We have to track everything and it’s easier if you just keep the one you have."

"Thanks anyway." Gina took the software from Donny’s hands and left the small room.

She took the elevator up to the floor where they were staying and went to her door. She remembered she had to be taken off JC’s account before installing the new software into her computer so she put everything down in front of her door and walked towards his room and knocked on his door.

Hearing a knock on his door JC got up from the desk and answered it. "What do you want now?"

"If it wasn’t important then I wouldn’t even think about being around you. I want to install this software onto my computer and I can’t until I’m off your account."

"If all you need is for me to delete you off my account wait a few minutes and it will be done."

"All right. I’ll be counting the minutes until it’s done."

"Why don’t you come in and I’ll do it right now?"

"Good idea then I can be sure you are going to do it right now."

JC sighed in frustration. "Come on in. I was about to sign on anyway."

In a few minutes JC had finished deleting her from his account and Gina was back in her room installing the new software onto her computer. After installing it she decided to try it out and check who was on. A minute after she signed on a big smile crossed her face. The one person she had been longing to talk to was on, sleepygoof.

As Gina was setting up the program he decided to check his e-mail. After he checked his e-mail he checked to see if there was anyone on he wanted to talk to. He smiled as he saw a familiar name pop up. He turned his other name on and clicked on the one name that made him forget his whole day with Gina, senorita78.

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

sleepygoof: hey girl. long time no talk.

senorita78: no kidding. I’ve missed ya bud.

sleepygoof: aww….thanks *blushes*

senorita78: your welcome. how’s life going?

sleepygoof: remember the new person i’m working with?

senorita78: yeah. things any better between you two? i’ll tell you right now the guy and i still fight all the time.

sleepygoof: you have no idea how bad it is.

senorita78: wanna complain about co-workers for a bit? you can start…