Lisa leaned back against Gina’s bed. "That was a good movie. I like Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant isn’t that bad looking."

"Oh, yes, isn’t he just darling. I love the accent. It makes me melt," Tyler added in a high falsetto.

Lisa pushed his shoulder. "Ha ha. Very funny, wise guy."

Lance stood up and stretched. "That was a good movie. And it hits close to home too. You never know someone’s real intentions when you have our status."

"Lance is right. You never know if someone’s using you until they do." JC rubbed the back of his neck and yawned.

"But couldn’t she see how much she meant to him?"

JC looked at the person next to him. "There is something called acting, Gina."

"That’s right. You tried that when you were on the Mickey Mouse Club. Tried being the operative word."

"Hey, Justin was in the MMC too." JC pointed to the younger man.

"But he looked so cute with the floppy hair and all."

"How do you know how I looked back then?" Justin asked as he stretched his legs in front of him

Gina walked behind Justin and put her hands on his shoulders. "Since I’m making a web site about Chris I though I’d check out what’s already out there. And you, youngin’, are the focus of many a girls pages." She pretended to choke him.

"So you want to play rough, huh? Two can play at that game." He grabbed her hands and stood up, taking her with him.

Gina wiggled her feet in the air. "Hey, put me down!"

"Your wish is my command." Justin carried her over to her bed and dropped her on it. He made sure part of her would land on JC, who was still sitting on the bed.

"Justin, did you forget I was still here? You just dropped her on me." JC roughly pushed Gina off him.

"You didn’t have to push so hard, JC. I’m not one of the guys." Gina rubbed her arm which felt hot but wasn’t red.

"I know you aren’t and being a female you screwed up the chemistry of the bus."

"Excuse me for getting the job. I’m sorry if I don’t just fall into jobs like you do. I actually have to work to get where I’m going. I don’t have everybody in my family supporting me. Actually I only have one. My brother. So take your holier than thou attitude and leave my room."

"Just don’t forget who pays for this room or why you’re even here. If it wasn’t for me this job wouldn’t have even been available. No *N SYNC equals no job for Gina."

Gina balled her hands up trying not to explode. "JC, I’m here for Chris. Not you. There could have been a group if there wasn’t you. As I recall you are not the one who started this group so I could have a job without you."

JC was about to open his mouth but was interrupted.

"Guys, it’s my last night here and I would rather not spend it listening to you two fight."

"I'm sorry, Lisa, but don’t blame me. Blame Gina here. If she weren’t so annoying I’d be fine."

Gina unclenched her fists. "I’m annoying. No, no, no, you’ve got that wrong, pretty boy. The tables are the other way. You’re the unbearable one."

"Gina, please don’t give in to him. This is my last night here and instead of spending time with you I’m spending it on the computer with hockey81."

JC was walking out the door but stopped when he heard the screen name. "Who?"

"Hockey81," Lisa stated simply.

Gina knew the name also but did not want JC to tell Lisa. "Who’s hockey81? Is that the guy you’ve been talking to and e-mailing?"

Lisa nodded her head in shame. "Yeah, it is."

"He sounds nice. I have to go ask Chris something please excuse me. Come on, JC, let’s give her some time alone."

JC followed Gina out the door and turned to her. "Did she just say she was talking to who I think she’s been talking to?"

Gina nodded. "Yup, and since they don’t double up on screen names it should be him. Let’s go check if he’s on the computer."

The two walked down the hall and opened a door. Inside they saw a figure at the computer and closed the door again.

"I can’t believe this. All the time they are right next to each other and they’ve been talking to each other," JC said in wonder.

"Well, she’s only been here a few days but it is crazy to see that they have known each other for these couple of days and not know that they are completely taken by the on-line them. I have an idea on how we can break the news to them. Come here."

JC listened to Gina’s plan and walked back to the door. Before he opened it he turned around. "Gina? She’s not going to hurt him is she?"

"No, JC, she’s not. If she likes him as much as we think we’ll be okay. He’s not going to mess with her, right?"

"I’ve never seen him like this about someone. As long as he doesn’t get hurt he’s going to treat her like a queen."

Gina nodded her head once. "Okay, let’s tell these two the truth." Gina opened the door to her room and watched Lisa at the computer for a moment. She thought of how funny it was that her roommate’s on-line man was actually down the hall. "Hey, Li, how’s the hockey player?"

"He’s doing good," Lisa stated distractedly.

"Let me see what kind of sweet talking he’s doing." Gina walked up behind Lisa and waited giving JC ample time to get to the computer.

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

hockey81: i’m so glad we met. i can’t picture my life without you to talk to.

craziebabe: aww. you’re sooo sweet. hey my roomie is here and wants to say something. is that ok?

hockey81: roomie? i thought you were at home.

craziebabe: i’m visiting her.

hockey81: that’s right. you’re on vacation. just to let you know my brother’s here also.

craziebabe: ok, here’s gina

craziebabe: so i take it you’re there jc?

hockey81: yup. since lisa just typed gina and you knew i was here i can see his wheels spinning in his his head.

crazybabe: lisa’s wheels are taking her nowhere. how about you two come here and we’ll do something about this?

hockey81: sounds good we’ll be right there.

craziebabe: ok. see ya in a few.

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

Lisa turned away from the computer and looked at Gina. "What’s going on here? I’m am completely confused."

Gina sat on the edge of her bed. "Well, since I got to see the name of who you’ve been talking to I figured something out."

"May I ask what you figured out?"

"Yes you may. Well JC knows the name also. So when-"

Lisa turned and faced Gina. "What do you mean ‘JC knows the name also?’ Are you telling me you know who hockey81 is?"

Gina shook her head.

"Then who is it?"

There was a knock on the door and Gina got up to answer it.

"Well, he should be behind this door with JC." Gina opened the door and JC walked in followed by Tyler.

Lisa’a jaw dropped. "Are you telling me all this time I’ve been talking to TJ? TJ, you’re hockey81?"

"So I was right. You are craziebabe. I think we should go somewhere and talk. Face to face this time."

Lisa slowly nodded and let him lead her to the elevators and down to the hotel outdoor pool.

JC and Gina watched the two enter the elevators and then looked at each other. They burst out into uncontrollable laughter. When the others decided to see what was going on they saw the two leaning against the walls laughing themselves into tears.

Lance and Justin looked at each other as they stood in their doorway.

"What in the world is going on?"

Lance shrugged. "I don’t know. Lets go check it out."

The two walked down the hall until they came to the couple.

Justin bent his knees and tried to calm Gina.

"Gigi, what’s so funny?" Justin had to wait a moment until she could make any intelligible words.

"Well, Lisa and TJ… Lisa and TJ are… They’ve been… Oh geez, this is too funny."

A perplexed look crossed Justin’ face and decided to try and get answers out of his other friend. "What is she trying to say, JC? Lisa and TJ are what? Have they been crushing on each other and just told each other how they feel? Although I don’t think something like that would make you laugh like this."

JC held up a finger signaling for Justin to wait for a moment.

"Here’s the deal. I hope I can make it through this without cracking up. You know how Lisa and Tyler have been talking to someone every night on the computer?"

Lance and Justin nodded.

"Well, tonight when Gina and I were fighting Lisa made a comment about the fact that instead of spending time with Gina she was spending time on the computer with hockey81."

Lance mouthed, "Hockey81," in confusion.

While Lance was clueless Justin knew the name. "Hockey81? Isn’t that…?"

Gina nodded. "Yup. That’s Tyler’s name."

"So they’ve been talking to each other every night?"

"Yeah. They’ve even talked to each other while sitting across the table from each other and didn’t even know it." Gina hit her hand against the floor as another fit of laughter overtook her.

Justin and Lance exchanged looks for both knew the couple in front of them had been doing that exact same thing.

"Hey, you two have been talking at the exact same time. Maybe you two have been doing the same thing."

Justin’s comment sobered Gina and JC up.

JC stood up. "I haven’t been talking to her. The person I talk to has class and is a very understanding person. Clearly the two don’t have anything in common."

Gina glared up at JC. "Oh, I understand things perfectly. I understand that you will never be as kind and warm hearted as the guy I talk to. I bet he even looks better than you do. If he stood next to you all your fans would look away from you and swarm to him."

Before any more could be said an inquisitive voice called down the hall, "What’s going on down there? It’s gone from laughing to yelling."

"Be right there, Steve," JC yelled down the hall. "I’m going to tell them about Lisa and Tyler. I’m in the mood for some good conversation."

Gina watched JC walk down the hall and mumbled, "You may hear some intelligent conversation but I feel sorry for them." She looked up and took Justin’s outreached hand.

"So now that Lisa’s out of the room can I come for a visit?" Justin wiggled his eyebrows.

Gina laughed and pushed him away. "Sorry, Justin, but you’re a bit too young for me. Lisa might go that young but not me. I like older men. I’ll let you in on a secret if you promise not to tell."

"Do tell."

"I’ve got a crush on an older guy," Gina whispered.

"You do? Tell me more."

Gina looked down the hall. "It’s on Ricky Martin. I just love the way he swings those hips."

Justin looked at her and laughed. "If I didn’t know you any better I’d think you were serious. Plus you’re not his type."

"And why not?"

Justin leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Oh, then I guess I’m not his type. Plus who likes to go that old? I prefer someone around my own age anyway. Maybe I’ll go see if Drew Lachey would dump his girlfriend for me. Do you have his number?"

"Yeah, but I’m not giving it to you. I think you’d better stick to guys you know."

"If you say ‘like JC’ I’m going to hurt you."

"Then I won’t. We’ve got a show tomorrow night and if I don’t get some sleep my body’s not going to cooperate."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

Justin returned Gina’s kiss on his cheek and looked at the closed door before going to his own room.

"Like JC who did break up with his girlfriend for you."

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

"I’m going to miss you guys," Lisa cried out as she got ready to head home from the venue.

"Uh-oh I think I’m going to cry." Joey sniffled and pretended to blow his nose on his brother’s sleeve.

"Eww get away from me, Joey." Steve turned towards Lisa. "It’s been fun. I’m sure we’ll see you again." He hugged her after his brother released her.

Lisa looked over his shoulder, sneaking a peek at Tyler. "I hope so." She then looked at Gina across the room ready to yell at her computer. "I think you will. Especially if JC’s going to be dating my roommate I think it’s a big possibility."

"If that ever happens."

Lisa turned to hug Chris. "It will. Just give them time."

"But how much?"

"I don’t know." Lisa shrugged.

"Christopher Kirkpatrick you’d better get your butt over here."

Chris widened his eyes in surprise. "Now what did I do? She’s not going to kill me, is she?"

Lisa laughed at the fear across the dreaded man’s face. "No she’s not. I think that she’s just frustrated at the computer and she’s not in a good mood. Word to the wise. Don’t make her any madder. You don’t want to be on the other side of the table when she gets really mad."

"Aye aye, captain." Chris saluted her and walked carefully over to Gina.

"So you’re just leaving us like this, huh? Where’s the loyalty I ask you."

"Come here, you big lug." Lisa reached up and hugged Justin. She kept her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear. "Thank you for being such a good friend to Gina. I’m glad she had a friend to talk to especially since she and JC are deciding to give each other a hard time. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate that."

Justin tightened his arm around her. "No problem. With her it was just a natural thing to do. Now I’m going to let you go because I value my friendship with Tyler enough to know that I should let go of you. You don’t want to see the look in his eyes."

Lisa blushed and pulled away from Justin. She waited as Tyler and JC to approached her. "Hey, guys."

"Hey, I’m sorry for fighting with Gina last night so you two couldn’t spend any time together."

Lisa hugged JC and backed away. "No you’re not. You need to fight with her. Plus then I wouldn’t know who hockey81 is."

Tyler blushed and signaled that he would be back in a moment.

JC watched his brother’s retreating back and sighed. "I know this is going to sound rude and all but he is my little brother and I have to say this."

Lisa held her hand up for him to stop. "I know what you’re going to say and I’m going to tell you not to worry. I’m not going to mess with him. If something does happen between us it will be real and I won’t play around or break his heart. I’m not looking for fun. And you know I don’t like him just because he’s your brother. That might be how I met him in person but that’s not why I like him. To tell you the truth I’ve liked him since that night at the Hard Rock. To get to my point I’m not going to play him and I’m not using him to get to you."

"Thanks, Lisa, for that. I know you’re not like that but it’s my duty to see that my brother doesn’t get hurt."

"I completely understand. If I play with Tyler’s heart I have to deal with you. And if you," she looked directly into JC’s eyes, "mess with Gina’s heart you’ll have me to answer to. Bye, JC, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again." Lisa turned and followed Gina’s frustrated outbursts until she found her friend about ready to hit her computer. "Gina, are you ready to go drop me off?"

Gina looked up with sheer hatred in her eyes. "Is it that time already? This thing has lost a bunch of my work and I’m going to have to work extra hard to get this site done in two weeks."

Tyler placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "How about I go with Lisa to drop her off and you work on this?"

Gina blew her bangs up. "Do you mind? I’d love to see you off and everything, Lisa, but I need to do this and I’ll see you at school."

Lisa bent down and hugged her frustrated friend. "No problemo, Gina. I don’t mind being escorted home by this fine gentleman. That also gives us more time alone to talk," she whispered in her friends ear. She stood up and waved to everyone in the room. "Bye, guys. See you next time."

There was a chorus of good-byes as Lisa and Tyler walked out of the room.

JC watched his brother exit the room. He felt an unexpected twinge of jealousy as his brother slowly grabbed the hand of the woman next to him. Why am I jealous of my brother? I’m fresh out of a relationship. I’m not looking for anyone. He shook his head. It is weird how they got together. Imagine. Meeting on-line then finding out that you are sitting right next to the person. Literally. Imagine if we could all meet the person we like on-line and hit it off like them. I wonder what senorita is really like.

Out of the corner of her eye Gina watched Lisa straighten her back as TJ took her hand. She could not believe that they had talked to each other, on the computer, in the same room but never knowing it was the other person. Where is this sad feeling in my heart coming from? It’s not like I’m fighting some unrequited love that I wish was fulfilled. I guess it is exciting knowing who your on-line crush is and what they’re like. I wonder what goof is like.

"Hey, JC, Gina, we got to get back to the hotel. We leave in about an hour and a half, after TJ gets back."

Chris’ voice pulled JC and Gina out of their trances. They quickly finished getting ready for the move and went to leave the room at the same time.

"Excuse me. I was here first."

Gina sighed. "Haven’t you ever heard the term ‘ladies first’?"

"Sure I have. When a lady is there I let her go first."

"Well…"

"Well what? Wait a second. Are you insinuating that you are a lady? What a laugh."

"The only laughable thing here is you. I’m very glad your brother is decent, unlike you. Lisa deserves the best."

"Well, I was pleasantly surprised that your roommate was nicer than you. I trust her with my brother. I wouldn’t trust you with my worst enemy."

"I thought I was your worst enemy?" Gina shifted her computer to the other hand.

"You are. So?"

"Then what you said doesn’t make sense. You just said you wouldn’t trust me with myself." Before JC could respond Gina pushed in front of him and made her way to the bus.

JC shook his head in distaste and followed her.

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

Tyler sat in the back of the limousine trying to figure out how to approach the subject on his mind. He tried to start a few times but nothing he was going to say made any sense to him. While he was deep in thought he felt someone sit next to him.

"You look like you’re having just as much trouble figuring this out as I am."

Tyler widened his eyes in surprise. "You mean you’re trying to figure this mess out also?"

Lisa nodded and placed her hand on his. "Of course I am. You’re not the only one in this situation. I think we both fell for each other on-line." She paused. "And off."

Tyler was silent for a minute before moving his thumb, rubbing across the top of her hand. "So I’m not alone in any of this? You felt things for me even before you knew I was hockey81?"

"I’ll admit it’s true. When you, me, Kristen and JC spent that night out the day before his birthday it started."

"Me too. And when I got to know you the attraction increased. I was a little worried because I also had feeling for craziebabe."

"But now that you know that I’m craziebabe-"

"And I’m hockey81."

"And you’re hockey81 I think we lucked out and got the best of both worlds."

"Yeah. I kind of agree with that. I can’t believe all this. Is it really this easy to fall for someone?"

Lisa shrugged. "I guess so. Look at JC and Gina. I think it was instantaneous for them. Neither will admit it though."

"No they won’t. JC is one stubborn guy. Trust me. I know."

"And I’ve lived with Gina enough to know that she can be just as stubborn. She doesn’t like to admit when she is wrong."

Tyler let her move her hand to hold his. "They are both scared. Scared to have feelings like they do for each other. So scared that they are hiding those feelings from themselves and it’s killing them. I’ve never seen Josh like he is with her. One night she was crying and asked him to sing a song to her."

"Gina asked JC to sing to her?"

"Well he was walking to the fridge and, being Josh, was singing to himself. I guess she was in her bunk crying and liked the song he was singing so she asked him to sing to her. He gave in and sang. I’ll tell you I’ve never seen such a look of love and compassion on my brother’s face. He really has fallen for her and shows it everyday to everyone else but won’t admit it to himself."

"As you know Gina’s doing the same thing. I remember when JC hurt himself in sound check the other day I swear Gina didn’t hear a word I was saying until he got up and said he was okay. She pretended to be listening but I could see her mind was a million miles away. Or you could say a JC Chasez away. And mine is a TJ Chasez away."

Tyler smiled and looked out the window as the limousine stopped. "I guess we’re here. I can’t believe I find you and the next day you have to go home."

"Hey you know how to contact me. You know my e-mail address and my instant messenger name. Here’s my phone number here." She took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote her number on it.

"How about your school number?"

"To tell you the truth I haven’t remembered it yet but Gina has it. Ask her for it when you get back." She looked down. "I really am going to miss you."

He squeezed her hand. "Me too."

She looked back up at him. "Listen, Tyler, I like you a lot and I would like to try and make something of what we have started."

Tyler nodded. "So would I."

"I’m glad." Lisa put her hand on his knee and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Bye, TJ."

"Bye, Lisa." He watched her close the limousine door and turned to watch her enter her house as the limousine pulled away.

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

"Come on, you guys. Can’t you guys not fight for one hour, one minute?"

"I think I could handle it if he wasn’t so self-centered and wrong all the time."

"I’m self-centered," JC yelled. "Who’s the one who thinks she’s too good to do anything with us. You never do anything but sit at that computer. What? Too good to speak to the guys who put up with your snobbery all summer?"

"Well excuse me for having work to do. As you well know almost half my work disappeared last week. I now have a little over a week until this needs to be done and I have to redo a lot of stuff. I’d love to go out and play with Justin, Lance, Joey, Chris, Steve and Tyler but I can’t. And if you have half the brain power you seem to display you’ll notice I left you off the list."

JC pretended to be upset. "Oh no. I’m going to get all teary eyed because Gina Gacona left me off a list. I don’t know if I can stand it. Someone please hand me a tissue." JC continued his dramatics by sniffling.

"Oh just grow up. I can’t believe a twenty-three year old resorts to that type of antics." She turned to return to the booth.

"Oh and at twenty-one you’re much better." He reached out and tugged on her ponytail.

Gina stopped in her tracks and whipped around. "What did you just do?"

JC clasped his hands behind his back and smiled. "Nothing."

"Whatever. I have to go back to work. I don’t have time for this."

Once as she turned back JC pulled her ponytail again only she was quicker than him and moved to hold his hand behind his back.

"Now what did you say you did? I didn’t quite hear you."

"Ow, I said I did nothing. Now will you let go of me?"

Gina tightened her grip on his arm. "Not until you apologize and make it sound sincere."

JC sighed. "I’m sorry for pulling your ponytail, Gina. Is that good enough for you?"

She let his arm go and sighed in disgust. "I guess that’s the best I can expect from you. Next time try and at least act like you’re sorry. Then again you could just not do anything that stupid again. But I’m talking to you so I know that’s too much to ask." She made her way back to the booth and took one last look at JC before settling down to work again.

JC glared at Gina before answering his cell phone.

"Hello?"

"What’s wrong, Josh? Are you okay? Nothing’s wrong with Tyler is there?"

JC sighed. "No, mom, we’re fine. Ready to finish this tour, but fine." He took one last look at Gina and went further into the bus to find his brother.

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

"Okay. This is our last night on the bus before heading back home. What are we going to do?"

Gina sat next to Justin. "I don’t know. You have any ideas, J?"

Justin nodded. "As a matter of fact I do. Lets get everyone else in here and I’ll tell you about it. Hey, everybody get in here."

Gina held her ear and laughed. "That’s a way to do it. Next time try not to do it next to my ear."

Justin smiled. "Will do."

By this time the others had gathered in the mid section of the bus. Everyone but JC and Gina had been told to go with whatever Justin suggested on the premise that something major between the couple would happen.

Steve sat on the other side of Gina. "What’s up, Just?"

"Well, tonight is our last night on the bus and within a week we will have to say good-bye to two of our travel companions. Tyler and Gina. I thought it would be fun if we all did something together on the bus since when we get home we all have our own lives to live."

"What do you have in mind, Justin?" Lance asked, being the only one fully knowing what was in store.

"You know how in some of the fiction about us out there writers have us play truth or dare?"

"Uh-oh. I don’t think I like where this is going."

"Aww, come on, Joey. It could be fun."

"I’m going to have to agree with Joey here. I don’t like the idea very much. It would be funny to watch you guys play but I don’t know if I want to play."

Justin arched an eyebrow at Gina. "You afraid to tell us something? What you got hiding in your closet?"

"Nothing." Gina sighed. "I’ll play if that’s what you decide to play."

"Goody." Justin rubbed his hands together. "Are all of you in?"

Everyone gave in to Justin’s idea without much hassle. JC wanted to but to make things easier just went with the idea. He leaned against the kitchen counter.

"So who goes first?"