Summary: Nick is struggling to make it day by day. Justin is trying to survive stardom. They both live two very different lives, but when they meet on a cold winters night a friendship begins. Will there be more then friendship? Do opposites really attract?

Paring: Justin/Nick (Timbernick)

Rating: PG-13 and Up

Warning: This is slash, meaning there will be male/male sexual relations mentioned in the story. Also, this story should also get a HET warning for those of you that don't like HET content. There are other couples in this story other then Justin and Nick and a few of them happen to be male/female couples. If you don't want to read chapters with explicit HET content then go ahead and scroll down to read the EDITED chapters.

Authors Note: I am really grateful to have a great friend writing this story with me. How we have it worked out is that I write whatever Nick says, and my good friend Kris writes all of Justin's lines. If this is confusing, or if you have any questions about the format feel free to e-mail me and I'll try and help clear anything up.

Status: Incomplete

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Nick yawned and stumbled onto Kelly's bus only half awake. He had been told that morning that he couldn't go with Justin because of the whole 'smuggling' thing. So he was giving the option of the dance’s bus or the other staff. So this is what he chose. Now that he was actually on the bus he didn't care where he landed at the moment so he dropped his stuff and flopped onto the couch.

Mel, Marty and Eddie all boarded the bus after Nick, and greeted him before retreating to their respective bunks to go to sleep...all lacking it after being up all night partying. Kelly was the last one to board...her haired piled messily atop her head, and designer sunglasses shading her tired eyes.

Nick's tired eyes were still halfway open as he watched everybody pile onto the bus. "Good morning...but kinda good night." he said to Kelly in a tired voice from his sprawled out position on the couch.

Kelly laughed...dropping her backpack onto the floor as she dropped onto one of the benches at the table. "Good morning," she said to Nick...crossing her legs and pushing her sunglasses up on her head.

"I think I would of been better off not going to sleep at all...I think I got about an hour and a half by the time I fell asleep." Nick said as he yawned again. A lazy smile played on his face as he looked up at Kelly.

Kelly took a sip from the water bottle that was in her hand. "So...did you talk to Justin when you got back last night? Well...this morning?"

Nick sighed, thinking about how it didn't really stay a very nice talk for a few minutes there. "Yeah I did...I thought we had a real problem on our hands for a few minutes."

Kelly took a quick glance toward the bunk hall when she heard one of the guys talking on his phone. She got up, walked over to Nick, and held out a hand to him. "Come on..."

Nick got up and took Kelly's hand. He wasn't sure what her plan was so he let her lead.

Kelly led Nick through the bunk hall to the back of the bus, which...unlike on Justin's bus...was a TV lounge. Once they were in there alone, she closed the door to the hall...giving them some privacy. "I don't want them to hear us talking," she said...taking a seat on one of the couches.

Nick nodded his head in understanding and went to go sit on the couch next to Kelly. "Yeah...it wouldn’t be a good thing...if they heard us."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah, so...how'd he take it?"

"He freaked out at first. I wasn't exactly sure what his reaction meant...but later on I figured out it was because he was jealous...and well scared of losing you I guess." Nick said smiling. "After talking for a little while...he seemed okay with it. I can't say that I really blame him for freaking out though."

"Yeah..." Kelly started...pulling her legs up under her to sit Indian Style on the leather couch. "...I mean...we tried the whole relationship thing a while back, but decided we'd be better as friends...and still kept sleeping together. Now...that we CAN'T be together...we're both regretting it, I guess."

Nick sighed and took a deep breath. "This is going to be really hard...but we have to stay firm for him. I know both of us don't really like the idea of him sleeping with us as he tries things out...sounds kinda cheep and stuff...but we'll make it."

Nick paused for a second. "Wait...more like him sleeping with you...and freaking out on me....aren't I lucky." he giggled.

Kelly giggled. "He'll come around, Nick. It might take him some time...but he will."

"You don't know that...he might find out that he was wrong all along and then nothing is going to come of it." Nick said, looking down at his lap to hide the sadness and fear in his eyes. That whole idea scared him to death....but he didn't want Kelly to see that.

Kelly took a deep breath...trying to think of the right thing to say. She knew that thought scared Nick. "I know Justin very well, Nick...and I honestly don't think that'll happen. He wouldn't even be testing these waters if he wasn't sure."

Nick sighed and nodded. "I know...I have a feeling that is true...I just wonder where that is going to put us if he DOES find out that he isn't bi and having some crazy identity crises. Did he tell you he invited me to come to LA and work for him in his bar?"

Kelly's eyes went wide. "No he did NOT. Are you for real?"

Nick looked at Kelly kind of weird. "Yeah...he did...why so shocked?"

Kelly shook her head. "Honestly...I don't know," she said with a soft laugh. Since she didn't know much about Nick's life, she didn't really know that it was the offer of a lifetime to him. "But that's great."

"Anything is better then staying at my shit hole of an apartment with no heat...and having lost both my jobs." Nick stated. "So yeah, it's a great opportunity."

Kelly's face fell. "Wow...I had no idea."

Nick smiled and shrugged. "It's alright...I've got a pretty shitty past...or at least the past eight or nine years. Let's just say my parents didn't like the idea I was gay AT ALL...and I was forced to figure out how to live on my own."

Kelly shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, Nick...that really sucks." She paused to take a deep breath...then spoke again. "I guess in a way, I KINDA know how you feel..."

Nick raised an eyebrow at Kelly. "You do?" He asked, interested in what she was saying.

Kelly shrugged. She moved to lay back against the arm of the couch...bending her knees up and resting her slippered feet on the couch. "Yes and no. I mean...my mom died when I was ten...so it's always been just me and my dad. And well...let's just say that he wasn't exactly happy with me choosing dancing as a career."

Nick smiled and nodded. "I think I get what you are saying...so yeah it is kind of the same thing. You seem to be doing pretty good, considering."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I guess so. I mean...I really have no choice, right?"

Nick shrugged. "I don't know...is there something else you would rather be doing?"

"Career wise? No...not right now. I mean...when I'm too old to dance I'll do something else. But right now...this is IT for me. I mean come ON. How much better can it get than dancing in all of Justin Timberlake's videos...and on his world tour...? It's a dancer's dream...and the pay is incredible to boot."

Nick laughed. "You have definitely got a point there. You were really lucky girl. Normally I would say I hated my jobs too...or well what was my jobs but without the shitty bartending job I had...I wouldn't be here right now.”

Kelly smiled. "That's true. I always believed that everything happens for a reason."

"This time a week ago, I never believed I would be here right now. Did Justin tell you that I was like a big huge scary fan...or well am I guess...but that's kinda changed through this whole thing." Nick laughed, shaking his head, thinking about how quickly his life had change.

Kelly nodded. "He mentioned something about it."

Nick blushed a little. "Now that I actually know him...that's pretty damn embarrassing."

"Don't feel that way. Justin's such a cool guy...he wouldn't hold that against you. Well...unless you like...went psycho bitch on him."

Nick laughed and shook his head. "I pretended to be a psycho fan...jumped on him screaming like a girl...but that's as close as I got. Well...unless you count him accidentally watching me jerk off on his couch...dreaming about him." He bit his bottom lip and looked at Kelly, blushing bright red at the last part.

Kelly's jaw dropped. "You didn't!"

"I was fast asleep...I had NO idea what I was doing. I woke up like a few minutes later and went to talk to him...still sporting the biggest boner, having no idea still...and he finally told me what happened and god I was so embarrassed." Nick laughed.

Kelly couldn't help but laugh. "I can only imagine. I'm sure he didn't embarrass you over it, though."

"Nope...but it scared him to death I think...That was when he was first starting to have his feelings. We got in some pretty crazy 'arguments' after that point. I had no idea what he was thinking about...when I guess I should have assumed...I went through the same thing. But I didn't." Nick said, moving to bring his feet up onto the couch, and tucking them under him.

"Well...it's probably best not to assume anything when it comes to him. Just...let him figure things out...help him out...and let him explain things when he's ready."

"Very true." Nick said and then yawned, his body suddenly reminding him that he was still very tired.

"So...he's really cool with this whole...you and me thing?"

"I think so...we were both really tried when we talked last night...I'll talk about it with him more once we get to the hotel." Nick said as he wiggled around on the couch a second and then lied down so his head was in Kelly's lap. "Hello." he giggled, smiling up at her.

Kelly laughed. "Hi," she said...smiling down at Nick and moving her legs to give him some room as she brought a hand to his hair.

"He did have some trouble understanding why we did it." Nick said after a second, remembering that part of their conversation. "I told him it was because we had to stick by each other...but he didn't understand why that meant we had to sleep together...I really didn't know what to say to him."

"Well...what DID you say?" Kelly asked...gently raking her hand through Nick's hair.

Nick took a second to try and remember and then when he did he blushed slightly. "That I remembered all of the good things he said about you...and that we both knew I had feelings for you. So I jumped at the chance." He sighed. "It was a crappy answer...but I didn't know what to say."

"Did he accept it?"

"I'm not really sure...that was when he got up and walked out...I had to be brave and follow after." Nick sighed, remembering Justin crying. "He was crying when I found him."

Kelly looked down at Nick with wide eyes. "Wow."

"Of course I was a fall down mess at the time too. I think it was just too much for our already emotionally overloaded bodies to take."

"Wow. Justin doesn't cry. He's very emotional, but he always holds it in and keeps to himself. He NEVER cries."

"I shouldn't be telling you this, Kel...but I think the real reason he was crying is because he loves you...but knows he can't do anything about it anymore." Nick whispered, still looking up at her.

Kelly smiled a sad smile. "You're probably right, Nick. And...it sucks. But...I'd rather have us love each other as friends than not at all."

"Which he always will." Nick said, smiling back at her. "I don't regret what we did though...even though you probably do cuz that wasn't the best experience for you." he giggled.

Kelly giggled. "OK...I'm not gonna lie...it wasn't the BEST sex I've ever had...but I DID enjoy it. And I DON'T regret it. And I KNOW that now that you're pent up tension is released, you'll do much better next time," she said with a wink.

Nick laughed. "Exactly...you try being around Justin...making out with Justin...and not getting any release from it...that has been the story of my life for the last two days. Actually I think I've been hard since last week...So I'm actually surprised I didn't cum in my pants...before we even got to the bed."

Kelly laughed. "THAT would have been interesting."

Nick laughed again and shook his head. "More like horrifying and make me feel like I was 13 even more then I already do."

Kelly chuckled. "It's not like you were BAD."

"Maybe I wasn't bad at 13 either." Nick laughed, rolling his eyes. "Okay...I didn't have sex when I was 13...that would have just been wrong."

"Yes...it certainly would have."

Thinking about something for a second, Nick smiled. "So...since we are on this crazy topic...if Justin was your first then your first time must of been pretty recently....right?"

Kelly nodded...smiling a bit at the memory. "Kinda...it was just over six months ago."

Nick smiled back. "You were really lucky to have Justin for that. I had two pretty sucky experiences for my first times."

Kelly made a bit of a face. "THAT sucks."

Nick nodded and laughed. "My first time with a girl I was barely 15...and if you saw me at 23 last night...you can just imagine what I was like at 15. Then my first time with a guy was some weird dude I picked up at a club. Let's just say he got off on knowing he was hurting me." Then my first time with a guy was when some weird dude picked ME up**

Kelly shook her head. "That's some crazy shit."

Nick sighed. "Yeah...I was really into the whole club scene for a while. Sleeping with different guys every night. Doing drugs and stuff like that. You are right...it was some really crazy shit."

"Well...if it makes you feel any better...you seemed to have turned out pretty well."

"Thankfully...I could of got myself killed or really sick...but yeah, I turned out fine." Nick smiled.

"Lucky for us," Kelly said with a chuckle...still running her fingers through Nick's hair.

Nick chuckled too and sighed. "My little brother doesn't know about any of that stuff. Sure he knows I'm gay, but I don't have the heart to tell him what I did for those dark few years. I'm very lucky I didn't have to tell him because I found out I was sick. Seeing the look in his eyes would make me want to die right there."

"I can only imagine," Kelly said quietly.

"But because of some stronger power I managed to stay safe...even though I know for a fact I always wasn't." Nick smiled, still looking up at Kelly. "Good for us...cuz I would NEVER have put you in danger like that."

Kelly shrugged. "I wouldn't think you would have."

"Okay, this is totally off topic...but where the hell are we heading to now?" Nick asked, laughing.

Kelly laughed. "Atlanta...he has two shows there."

"Wow, which means we are there for a little longer then we were in Charlotte?" Nick asked, still not totally sure how this stuff worked.

Kelly shrugged. "Probably till at least the day after tomorrow."

"Is one of the shows tonight?"

"Yeah...and then tomorrow night."

Nick smiled and then giggled. "Are you gunna come with me? We could both watch him do his sexy dance and drool."

Kelly giggled. "Are you asking me on a date?"

Nick blushed a little and shrugged. "Yeah...guess so...a date to where I'm asking you to drool over another guy...something is SO wrong with that picture." He laughed.

Kelly laughed quietly. "Seems fitting, though."

"Do you have ANY idea how hard it was for me try and act straight before you knew? Especially when you were telling me things about how much of an animal he was in bed...and how sexy he is on stage...I wanted so badly to ask you questions about it...or nod my head like crazy."

"Gee...I can only imagine."

"You put such crazy thoughts in my head that night. One of which was extreme jealousy." Nick admitted, remembering how he felt when Kelly was with Justin a few nights ago.

"Why...? What'd I do?" Kelly asked sincerely...trying to recall that night.

"It was stupid really...you just made some comments about how I put you in 'Justin' mood and how you wanted to go play with him." That caused Nick to giggle a bit. "Then when you asked him back to your room. I just sat at the bar and drank much more then I should have and tried to stay quiet."

Kelly chuckled. "I was only half serious about that, hun. Me an J play like that all the time."

"Yeah well my stupid jealous self didn't think of it like that...but it's all cool now." Nick said smiling. "It's weird...he turned you down to spend time with me...and it turned out that I stayed there and danced with you."

Kelly giggled quietly. "That IS kinda weird, huh?"

Nick was quiet for a second and then pouted a little. "The more we talk about him...the more I miss him." he said, honestly missing Justin...they had only said like two words to each other that morning in their half dead state...and he missed really saying good morning.

"I'm sure you're not missing much," Kelly said with a grin. "I'm sure he's passed out cold."

"He's fun to watch when he is sleeping." Nick replied, the pout still on his face.

Kelly's smile grew. "Yeah...I know."

Nick giggled. "He kisses real good too."

Kelly sighed. "You're telling me. But...then again...so do YOU."

Nick blushed a little and giggled. "I do?"

"Hell yeah, you do."

Nick laughed. "Nobody ever told me that before."

"Are you serious?"

Nick nodded. "I've never really been with people who would tell me that. The only REAL relationship I've been in was that girl when I was 15...and I'm not sure if she thought I kissed too great." He laughed.

"Justin hasn't told you, you kiss good?"

Nick tried to remember, and he seriously couldn't. "He might have...I really don't remember."

"Well...if he hasn't yet...he will."

Nick smiled, getting a kind of far away look on his face. "If I get to kiss him again."

"No way. That's not an IF. That's definitely a WHEN."

"Yeah...well I wana kiss him now... and I'm stuck on this bus with YOU!" Nick said, winking to show he was joking...somewhat.

Kelly laughed. "Well...I KNOW I'm not Justin...and I KNOW my lips are too little and shit...but you can kiss me any time you want."

Nick pretended to think about that for a second and then he smirked. "Oh...I suppose you'll do." He said, sitting up and getting into a position where he could kiss her in. Once he found that position he softly touched his lips to hers.

Kelly chuckled softly against Nick's lips when he kissed her.

Nick kissed Kelly back for a few seconds before he had to pull back to yawn. He barely got his face turned away in time. Once he was done he blushed. "Sorry, bout that."

"That's OK," Kelly said with a smile. "So...I guess you don't feel like makin out, huh?" she asked playfully.

Nick thought about that for a second but another yawn helped him figure that out. "Sorry girl...You wore me out last night...and I never got a chance to sleep." he giggled.

Kelly giggled...getting up and taking Nick's hands. "That's OK...I was just playin. I haven't really slept, either."

Nick stood up too, once again wondering what she was doing. "I didn't think you would have...if anything like an hour more then I did."

"So let's sleep, now," Kelly said...leading Nick across the room and opening the door to the bunk hall...where all was quiet, and her three bus mates appeared to be asleep.

"Sounds...good." Nick answered, yawning again.

"Mind sharing my bunk?" Kelly asked quietly...pulling back the curtain of her middle bunk.

"Won't people wonder?" Nick asked, not against the idea at all...except for that.

Kelly shrugged...reaching into her bunk to push aside her extra pillows and teddy bear to make room for them. "Not really...we're always sharing beds around here. If there's nowhere to sleep, there's no choice," she said with a quiet laugh.

Nick laughed and nodded. "Sure that's fine...Do you want the back of the front?" he asked, wanting her to be comfortable the most since it’s was HER bunk.

"You can go in first."

Nick hopped into the bunk and turned around so his face was facing out, and waited for Kelly to climb in. He was still amazed at how comfortable these things were.

Kelly climbed up into her bunk, and pulled the curtain closed as she lay down on her side in front of Nick.

Nick wrapped his arms around Kelly and sighed a content sigh. "Have a nice nap." He whispered against the back of her head, where he placed a soft kiss.

Kelly smiled...settling into Nick's embrace as she closed her eyes. "You too. G'night."

Nick closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly. He was both physically and emotionally drained that he was sure it was going to take a jack hammer to wake him up.

A few hours later...

About an hour after everybody arrived at the hotel and Nick had a chance to take a much needed shower, He finally picked up the phone and dialed Justin's number.

Justin wrapped his towel around his waist as he walked over to the phone on his nightstand. He picked it up and brought it up to his wet ear. "Hello...?"

"Hey hot stuff...watcha doing." Nick said in his best sexy voice, trying hard not to bust up laughing.

Justin couldn't hold in his laughter. "You're an ass."

Nick laughed at his point as he sat down on his bed. "Thanks a lot...I love you too." He said, still being a goof. He had, had a really nice nap and was now ready to jump out of his skin he was so hyper. Then again that might of had something to do with the two energy drinks he had drank...and the cup of coffee.

"How was your bus ride?" Justin asked...reaching his free hand up to wipe off the stray drops of water rolling down his neck.

"It was good...talked with Kel for a while...then took a nice long nap...oh and then they gave my mega caffeine...which was SO not smart." Nick giggled a giggle that sounded almost evil.

Justin groaned. "Good Lord," he drawled. "You can stay in your room by yourself."

Nick pouted and groaned back at the same time. Justin drawling like that drove him insane. "Hey...that's not fair...I haven't seen you all day...I miss ya."

"Liar..." Justin said...glancing at the clock to see that it was just about one in the afternoon. "...you saw me at seven o'clock this morning."

"Yeah and we grunted at each other as we passed in the bathroom." Nick pointed out. "I never got my good morning kiss. Or got to talk to ya. I was scared you were gunna bite me If I tried." He said pouting again.

Justin chuckled at that. "Don't be scurred. People LIKE it when I bite."

Nick laughed too. "Yeah well with less then two hours of sleep...I would be scared at what you would bite."

"OK...good point."

"So, you really gunna make me stay in my room...Or can I come see you...and Kiss you like I've wanted to do since this morning?" Nick asked, knowing he was being rather blunt...but if anything was worse then a drunk Nick...it was an extremely hyper one.

Justin swallowed hard. "Umm...yeah...you can come by."

Nick smiled wide. "Okay...see you in a sec." He said, hanging up his phone before he even gave Justin a chance to respond.

Justin laughed when he heard Nick hang up, then went back into the bathroom to dry off and put some deodorant on.

Nick was out of his room, key in hand and walked down the hall to Justin's room in less then a minute. Like two minutes after he hung up with Justin he was knocking on his door. Pretty much bouncing as he stood there waiting.

Justin heard the knock from the bedroom, and stopped rummaging through his bag to go open the door. In a way, he wished he'd had a chance to get dressed before Nick got there...but he didn't want to keep him waiting. Taking a deep breath, he secured his towel on his hips, then opened the door.

"Don't hate me for doing this." Was the first and only words out of Nick's mouth as he lunged at Justin and pulling him to him so he could kiss him deeply on the mouth.

Justin couldn't even think of responding before Nick's mouth was devouring his. He sighed quietly as he let himself fall into the kiss...his right hand reaching up to gently touch Nick's cheek as his left hand reached out to shove the door closed.

Nick heard the door close behind him and that was when he noticed how dumb what he did was. He had been extremely lucky that nobody had come down the hall. Even though his plan had been to attack Justin with kisses he pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Shit...Justin I'm sorry...I wasn't thinking...about the door...and people...shit." He rambled, not being able to make full sentences.

Justin laughed quietly...backing away from Nick a bit. "It's OK...you were obviously only thinking about one thing. But...no one was coming..."

"I know...but still." Nick said, looking down at his feet, guilty that he had done that. Then when his eyes went back up he was very aware that Justin was just standing there in a towel. "Oh shit...not this again." He said blushing bright red, remembering the last time he had seen Justin in a towel."

Justin chuckled...blushing a bit himself. "Lemme go put some clothes on," he said...turning to go back into the bedroom.

"You don't have to go through all that trouble for me." Nick called after him, giggling as he went to sit down on the couch.

"I need to to SAVE you from trouble," Justin called back with a laugh as he found some jeans and a t-shirt to put on.

Nick giggled. "I would be a good boy...I promise." He said sitting on his hands, crossing his fingers.

"I don't know about that," Justin called as he stepped into his boxers and jeans...out of view of the open bedroom door.

"Yeah...don't blame you...I wouldn't trust me either...You would think I would be less horny after last night." Nick laughed at the thought. "But nope...not me."

Justin felt a quick jolt of jealousy shoot through him at the mention of Nick and Kelly...but quickly pushed it aside. "Guess you're just a horny person," he said...pulling his t-shirt over his head as he padded his bare feet back into the sitting room.

Nick laughed and nodded. "Yeah...sorry about that...and sorry about the attack earlier. Just I need to remind myself and other people...do not give me so much caffeine." He said, holding out his hand that was visibly shaking.

Justin laughed...sitting next to Nick and grabbing his hand to steady it. "I'll remember...THAT'S for sure."

"Yes...two Red bulls and a cup of coffee...is a very bad thing." Nick said as he scooted closer to Justin. Once right next to him he rested his head on his shoulder to try and calm his fast beating heart.

Justin chuckled...his left hand absently falling onto Nick's right thigh. "The only time I drink Red Bull is when I'm trying to get through a video shoot at like...four in the morning."

"I know...the only time I do is if I'm trying to go a week without sleeping because of back to back shifts at Starbucks and the bar." Nick said as he finally started to calm down some. Being next to Justin was calming.

"Well...at least you won't need to worry about THAT anymore."

Nick giggled slightly and turned to look at Justin and smiled big. "Because of you. For once in my life I'm thankful for the snow...brought you into my shity bar that night."

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...cuz the weather was too bad for me to walk far enough to find a REAL bar."

Nick pouted and elbowed Justin softly in the side. "You are being mean to me today." he joked.

Justin laughed...subconsciously squeezing Nick's thigh. "I'm playin."

Nick felt Justin squeeze his thigh and tried not to react to it in anyway. "Yeah...I know...just like I'm playin with you." He took a deep breath to get serious for a second. "I'm glad we can still joke around after all the shit that happened yesterday."

Justin shrugged. "Well...we're gonna have to get used to it if this is how it's gonna be while I'm...figuring shit out."

"Kelly and I won't do it anymore if it bugs you in any way, Justin. All you need is something else to confuse you." Nick answered, putting his own hand on Justin's thigh.

Justin shook his head. "No...you two do what you want. I mean...yeah...it bugs me a little...but ME being with HER bugs YOU...and ME being with YOU bugs HER...so..."

Nick had to laugh at the way that sounded. "Okay...we are seriously confused souls. All three of us not just you."

Justin chuckled. "Kinda sounds like it."

"Things could get really interesting once all of it gets figured out." Nick giggled, still thinking of the whole threesome thing.

Justin looked over at Nick and laughed...knowing what he was thinking about it. "Pervert."

Nick smirked. "Don't you know it...but you love me anyway." he joked.

Justin chuckled. "Don't flatter yourself."

Nick giggled as he rested against Justin even more. His body wasn't shaking anymore, but he just loved feeling the younger man's body heat against him. It made him feel safe and comfortable. "Okay, maybe love is a little strong." he giggled.

"Yeah, it is. I tolerate you...how bout that?" Justin teased.

"Do you let everybody you just tolerate, snuggled against you and kiss you?" Nick teased right back, snuggling into Justin's side.

Justin shrugged...propping his feet up on the coffee table. "All depends on if they're hot or not."

"Ahh...so you snuggle and kiss only the cute people you just tolerate...I get it all now. It's all crystal clear now." Nick laughed, rolling his eyes.

Justin chuckled...folding his arms over his stomach. "Yeah...you're catchin on."

"How was your bus trip?" Nick asked, lifting his head off of Justin's shoulder to look him in the eye.

Justin shrugged his shoulders a bit. "I don't know. I slept the entire way."

Nick giggled. "I slept for like four hours of it...It took me like five minutes to get my arm to wake up because I slept with it wrapped..." He paused when he noticed what he was going to say. He didn't want Justin to feel bad about his sleeping in the same bunk with Kelly. He understood why Justin was jealous...and didn't want to make that worse.

Justin glanced at Nick with one eyebrow arched. "...wrapped around Kelly?" he finished flatly.

Nick didn't say anything, just nodded his head against Justin's shoulder. He wished that they didn't have to worry about any of this anymore. Not that he regretted anything that had happened between the three of them...he just wish things would be easier.

"Did you sleep well?" Justin asked...not making an issue of it. He'd promised himself that he wouldn't.

"Yeah...I slept fine." Nick said letting out a deep breath against Justin's arm. He was thanking God that Justin wasn't going to make a big deal out of it. He would of felt really guilty if Justin had.

"Gonna come to the show tonight?"

Nick giggled and nodded. "Yup...Kelly and I are gunna go and watch you being all sexy up on stage. It's going to be fun." He laughed an evil sounding laugh, just thinking of how they could sit there and point out all his cool, funny and sexy traits while he was on stage.

"Oh I see," Justin said with a chuckle. "Ya'll are gonna watch me like I'm some freak show."

"In a totally loving and sweet sort of way." Nick laughed again and lead his head up to place a soft kiss on Justin's cheek.

"Well...just don't publicly ridicule me in front of my people. Keep it to yourselves."

"You said anything about ridiculing you." Nick asked, sitting up better so he could look at Justin. "And we know not to say anything in front of people...we aren't that stupid." He said getting upset, and he wasn't sure why.

"No...I don't mean don't say anything about our...situation. I was just...I don't know...I was joking. I meant like...don't say anything embarrassing about me..." Justin paused and sighed quietly. "Just forget it. I'm sorry I pissed you off."

Nick closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. "No...you're right...I got all weird there for no reason...I'm sorry. I know you weren't meaning anything by it."

"I didn't," Justin said quietly...looking down.

Nick wiggled around so he was lying down with his head in Justin's lap, a lot like he had been with Kelly earlier. "Don't be sad...I'm sorry." he said looking up at his downcast eyes.

Justin couldn't help but smile. "I'm not sad. I guess...well...I think...I should just probably watch what I say."

Nick giggled and reached up to touch Justin's lips. "There's that smile that I love to death...and no you don't need to watch what you say...say what you feel Justin...holding things in are worse...if it hurts me then we'll deal with it...or I'll deal with it."

"It's just...you're sensitive...and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I'm just used to dealing with people who are so NOT like that. We can say whatever to each other...joke about the most perverse things...and no one takes anything seriously. I mean...unless it's a serious time, or whatever."

Nick smiled a little. "I've always been like this...I used to get sad at the strangest things as a little kid...like I used to think everything was alive and had feelings...so I would cry for hours if a snowman melted...or that little meatball in the 'On top of spaghetti' song...when it got smooshed my mom couldn't get me to calm down for hours." he said, blushing.

Justin chuckled. "Wow...you're even more sensitive than I thought."

"I think smooshed meatballs and snowman’s wouldn't effect me anymore though." Nick laughed and then sighed. "I'll try hard to understand if you are joking are not Justin...I just have to understand the way you say things better."

"Or...I could just watch my mouth."

Nick shook his head like crazy against Justin's lap. " I don't want you to do that. I don't want you changing who you are or how you normally act just because you have an overly sensitive freak on your hands."

Justin chuckled. "OK. And who knows? Maybe spending all this time with me will toughen you up."

Nick laughed. "Yeah...toughen me up…make me less of a frilly gay guy." he joked, knowing that isn't what Justin meant...and he knew he wasn't exactly frilly...even though he wasn't really that macho and manly either.

Justin laughed and rolled his eyes. "You are NOT frilly. Jesus...you make it sound like you're a pansy."

Nick raised his eyebrow. "You haven't heard my dad talking."

Justin shrugged. "I don't care what your dad has to say. This is MY opinion."

Nick giggled. "Yeah...I never really got into the whole dressing in drag...or walking around with crazy hand gestures...have a few friends that did." he giggled.

"Those guys are funny sometimes...like that guy on 'Will and Grace.'"

That caused Nick to bust up laughing. "Yeah...he's pretty funny...or this guy on the show Queer as Folk...Emmett. He's pretty funny too. It takes a lot of guts to be a queen out in the world these days." He answered honestly.

Justin smiled. "Never seen that show."

Nick laughed and rolled his eyes. "It's my sisters favorite show...I can't really sit and watch it very well though because it's too real to life for me...well sort of the whole clubbing aspect of it...and fucking around. It gives me the creeps. But sometimes it’s nice for a good laugh."

"Yeah...I probably wouldn't want to watch it all that much, either."

"I think it's more of a straight girl thing to watch...something about watching two gay guys go at it makes um hot or something." Nick said rolling his eyes.

Justin chuckled. "I don't understand why...but OK."

"Kinda like how straight guys find it a turn on to watch lesbians go at it." Nick said making a very disgusted face at that idea.

Justin smiled and wiggled his eyebrows a couple times. "THAT I understand."

Nick looked up at Justin, the look still on his face. "I don't get that AT all. I mean how the hell do you have sex...when you have nothing to stick any place...I mean sorry but what fun are dildos for the other person?"

Justin chuckled and shrugged. "I don't know."

Nick scrunched up his nose. "Thank god we never have to find out."

"True. We're lucky enough to come with all necessary equipment."

Hearing Justin say that caused Nick to bust up laughing. "That is a VERY good way at putting it…which makes me wonder why people make a big stink out of gay people...I mean hello nothing abnormal has to be done for it to work."

Justin laughed in response. "This is very true."

"Okay...we seriously get off on really crazy subjects when we talk." Nick laughed shaking his head, which was still resting in Justin's lap.

Justin laughed...looking down at Nick as he absently rested his right hand atop Nick's head. "That's OK. At least we're never bored."

"Nope." Nick sighed a little, still looking up at Justin. "I seriously thought I fucked things up to the point of no return last night...I thought you weren't going to forgive me." he admitted softly.

"Well...let me tell you. If I wasn't in the process of trying to figure out my sexuality...and I was still totally straight and into her like I am...I would have fuckin castrated you...or anyone else...for going there." Justin paused...and took a deep breath before going on. "But...it wouldn't be fair to either one of you for me to expect you to not mess around with anyone else...each other included."

"I didn't do it because I was horny and needed to get off. If I was that bad off I would of come back and jerked off instead. I care about her too Justin. Not in the way that you do...but I didn't do it because of a physical need as much of as an emotional thing. So, I'm not sure if fooling around is really the right word." Nick said, shrugging.

Justin nodded. "I understand." And he really did. "Poor choice of words on my part."

Nick smiled. "I just wanted to make sure you knew I didn't just fuck her because I needed to get off. Hell, there wasn't any fucking involved...I personally can't stand that word...when actually said about having sex with somebody. Sounds so crude."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I agree."

Nick yawned and arched his head into Justin's lap as he did so. "Why the heck am I still yawning...I was as hyper as a crazy person a few minutes ago?"

Justin chuckled...running his fingers through Nick's hair a bit. "You're coming down from your high."

Nick giggled, then he became curious about something. "What is the worst drug you've ever done, Justin?"

Justin looked at Nick curiously. "Why would you ask me that?"

Nick shrugged. "It was just a random question...you don't have to answer it if you don't want to...just popped into my head."

Justin shrugged. "No...I mean...it's not a big deal. "I've smoked pot. That's it."

Nick nodded. "Good...don't do anything else." he said and then thought better of it. "Not like i'm trying to be your dad or nothing."

Justin laughed. "I get it. You're just speaking from experience."

Nick made a face. "Definitely...and I wish I NEVER did any of the shit that I did...it wasn't easy getting off of."

"I'm sure it wasn't," Justin said...studying Nick's face as they talked.

Nick smiled at Justin, looking up into his eyes. "Did I say I love your eyes too?"

Justin smiled. "I'm not sure. But thanks."

Nick smiled even bigger. "You're welcome."

"Yours are nice, too...they're very blue."

Nick blushed bright red, still having trouble at taking compliments. His lip going between his teeth. "Thank you.." he whispered.

Justin smiled. "You're welcome."

"I like lying here." Nick giggled, wiggling around to get more comfortable with his head in Justin's lap. He almost felt like purring with Justin's fingers in his hair...but he stopped that from happening.

Justin laughed softly. "Well...I'm glad you like it...ya know...considering that you just took it upon yourself to get comfortable."

"Are you not?" Nick asked, feeling bad he didn't even think about Justin.

Justin shook his head. "I'm fine."

Nick smiled and giggled. "Am I going to have to wait a while to make out with you again?" He asked, honestly still scared to death about Justin's feelings because of what happened last time.

Justin shrugged...keeping a straight face. "I don't know...I'll have to think about it."

Nick nodded, in the pit of his stomach he was disappointed but he wasn't going to let that feeling out. "Of course."

Justin laughed. "Damn, Nick...lighten up."

"Who said I had to be lightened up?"

"Me. You're taking me too seriously again."

"It's a serious thing, Justin. I don't want you to think I'm kidding around about it. Cuz I know you're still having troubles with all of it." Nick answered.

Justin took a deep breath and dropped his head back against the couch. "OK...fine. Like I said...no more joking."

"Shit...Justin...don't be like that...please. I just meant that I don't want you to think that I'm making fun of you or anything. That I respect how you feel." Nick said, tears coming into his bright blue eyes. "I didn't mean to frustrate you...or whatever." he sniffled. He hated being so sensitive...and he hated how he was always trying to make things work...but then have them blow up in his face.

Justin sighed. "Why the hell are you crying? I mean...damn, Nick. Humor is one of my defense mechanisms...and since this is a REALLY hard situation for me, you're gonna have to forgive me for joking around."

Nick blinked a few times and tired to put a hard look on his face even with the tears in his eyes. "You're right...I'll keep that in my mind from now on." he said, trying not get even more upset at Justin's tone. He wasn't a cry baby like his dad called him...he wouldn't give Justin a chance to call him that.

Justin sighed again. He knew Nick was putting up a front...and there was nothing he hated more than that. He hated it when people were fake. "Can I get up, please?" he asked an emotionless tone.

Nick looked up at Justin, the tears almost falling at this point. "O...okay." he whispered, sitting up, watching Justin with sad eyes.

Justin took a deep breath as he boosted himself up off the couch. "I need to go make a phone call," he said...walking across the sitting room and into the bedroom.

"Okay." Was all Nick said again. He was so scared he was going to break down. He hated seeing Justin upset...even more so when he knew it was HIS Fault. Once Justin was in his room, Nick put his head down on the couch and curled into a little ball. A comforting position he took up when he had been locked away in William's house. It was his way of shutting out the world when he was really upset.

Justin walked over to his bed and dropped onto his stomach. He was so frustrated that he didn't know how to handle it. What was he doing wrong? Why was it that Nick took everything he said the wrong way?

Nick cried into his arm as he lied curled up on the couch. He couldn't help it that he had never learned how to trust anybody in his life. His dad had always hated him...thinking he wasn't good enough at anything...his mom just went along with his dad. Now it made it almost impossible for him to know when somebody was telling the truth or joking with him. He was always on the defense because he felt he was always going to be verbally bashed down. He didn't know how to explain this to Justin...when he really didn't understand himself

Justin sighed loudly as he buried his face in his mattress and sprawled out. 'Maybe this is just a sick fuckin joke to test me,' he thought. 'Maybe I should just make myself forget this whole 'bi' thing.'

After a few minutes, Nick had got himself to calm down a little bit, and knew he had to try to explain himself before everything was lost. Taking a deep breath he got up on the couch and walked over to Justin's room. Knocking on the door he cleared his throat. "C...can I come in?" He asked, in a voice that sounded a lot more unsure then he wished.

Justin didn't answer. He thought that maybe if he ignored the world it would go away for a while.

When Justin didn't answer him, Nick felt dread in the pit of his stomach. Everything was fucked...and he lost his chance. He didn't know what to do. "Justin...please." he tried again, fresh tears falling down his cheeks.

"What?" Justin finally responded through a deep breath.

Nick let out a small sigh of relief. "C...can I come in...I...I want to talk to you." He tried to get out the words without them breaking but it didn't work.

Even though he wasn't in the mood, he knew he should hear Nick out if he didn't want to make them both miserable. "Yeah," he yelled into the bedspread.

Nick opened the door slowly and walked into the room. He didn't know where he should go...So he just walked a little closer to the bed and stopped. "I can't tell when you're joking with me very well...Justin. I don't want you to stop doing it...because that isn't who you are...I don’t want you to change that...I already told you. It's going to give me time to trust you enough to know you aren't trying to hurt me. I'm so used to people saying nasty mean things to me all the time...That I just don't understand jokes...I'm sorry." he said looking down at his feet, tears dropping to the carpet.

"Don't apologize. I'll just knock off the wise cracks until you can trust me...IF you can trust me."

"I don't want you to do that though!" Nick exclaimed, his voice raspy from crying. "I want you to be you...and nothing else. If making wise cracks and jokes helps you when things are tough...do it. I'm never going to learn if you stop. I like you just the way you are and if you're a total stick in the mud that wouldn't be you...now would it?" He asked, trying to bring a smile onto his lips.

Justin remained quiet...still face-down on the bed.

Nick sniffled and walked closer to the bed, to sit down. "You don't have to say anything...I understand." he said whipping his nose and eyes on the back of his sleeve, much like a little boy.

Justin turned his head to the side...his eyes closed...so that he could better talk to Nick. "Ya know...this is hard as hell for me...and I'm really, really trying to go about it the right away. But...I just don't know anymore."

"You aren't doing anything wrong, Justin...Hell I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to these things." Nick said truthfully. "You have to go with your heart...not what you feel others want you to do...or want you to feel. I'm sorry if I've been like purposely trying to influence you into something that you don't want.”

"You're not. But...you ARE making it kinda hard to be myself...cuz I'm at the point where I'm terrified I'm gonna say something stupid...to piss you off."

Nick shook his head and smiled a little. "You have never pissed me off...if anything I've been scared that you hated me. I want nothing more then to have you like me...at least as a friend and I feel like I'm screwing that up left and right." he admitted.

"Nick...you already know I like you as a friend...and am headed toward more. So why do I have to keep reassuring you?"

Nick thought about that for a second and then smiled even more. He hadn't thought about that before. "You don't have to...I think I get it now."

Justin sighed. "Thank you."

"I was just scared to joke around with you...about your sexuality because I honestly didn't know how you would take it. I knew it was hard for you...and I didn't want to hurt you."

"I don't think you'll hurt me. Cuz honestly...if you say something I don't like...or do something I don't like...I'ma let you know."

Nick giggled. "I'm beginning to understand that one...and I really need to work on this crying shit." he said sniffling again, feeling embarrassed.

"Crying's OK...just...not when I'm being a puck ass. Save it for when it's necessary."

"You weren’t being a punk ass...you had the right to be upset." Nick answered, his hand going up to rub Justin's side.

"No...I mean like...I was being a punk ass as in a wise ass...cracking jokes, and shit. No reason to cry over that."

Nick nodded. "True...I'll seriously work on that Justin...and I need you to act the same as you always would so I can. I will trust you...hell I do trust you...I'm just showing you how my crazy ass childhood screwed me up good."

"We all have shit like that that screwed us up in one way or another."

"That is very true"....Just then Nick thought of something and his eyes opened wide. "Fuck!"

Justin rolled over onto his back and looked up at Nick. "What?"

"I never called Mr. Robbins to tell him to keep coming to my apartment to feed Benny!" Nick exclaimed, a look of fear in his eyes thinking about his old cat.

"Well...don't you think he would have figured it out when you didn't come home?"

Nick thought about that for a second and let out a slight sigh of relief. "I would hope so...but he might of just assumed I came home...and now the poor old guy is probably lying dead in the freezing cold apartment building. On his favorite little blanket by the window." He said, actually making 'gayish' hand gestures with his hands because he was getting upset.

"Call him, Nick," Justin said...pointing to his cell phone on the nightstand.

Nick grabbed up the cell phone and dialed his neighbor's number. "Yeah Hi...Mr. Robbins...yes I know...You did...okay good...oh...well I'm glad you came to check...yes thank you....No I promise...uh huh...yeah sure...bye." Nick pushed the off button and finally let out a real sigh of relief.

"Everything OK?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah...he hadn't come up for two days because he thought I came home...but when I hadn't come down to thank him for watching Benny...he came to my house to find I was still gone. So he's been feeding him again."

"OK...good. No worries."

Nick giggled and crawled over Justin to the other side of the bed where he flopped. "That would of just killed me if something happened to him. I could give a shit about my jobs...but Benny."

Justin smiled. "I'm glad he's OK."

"Me too." Nick said as he turned onto his side to look at Justin. "Guess we got lucky to have our own rooms this time...huh." he said, his tone slightly sad. He had liked sharing a room with Justin.

Justin shrugged...looking up. "Doesn't matter. I didn't mind sharing a suite with you...cuz we still had our own bedrooms."

Nick nodded. "Yeah...I didn't mind it either. We seemed to do okay rooming with each other until the whole walking in on you and Kelly thing." Nick said blushing.

Justin laughed at the memory. "And that didn't seem to affect any of us that much...so..."

"Yup...you still got to have sex with her without being interrupted...so everything was good." Nick joked.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...it was good."

"At least she got one good lay that night." Nick giggled, smiling that they were joking around again.

Justin laughed again. "Come on...it couldn't have been THAT bad."

Nick giggled again and shrugged. "She made me promise to make her cum three times the next time." he said blushing a little. "But I don't think it was terrible...I mean she seemed to be enjoying herself while it lasted."

"You...uhh…think there will be a next time?"

Nick thought about that for a second and shrugged. "I don't know...we aren't making any plans for it...and I honestly don't know if my straight experience was a one time thing or more then one. Hell I may never get it up again around her."

Justin sighed and shook his head. "I doubt that, buddy."

Nick looked into Justin's eyes. "Even if I do...that doesn't mean I'm gunna do anything about it. Think of how many times you've gotten me hard and I've been the perfect gentleman." he pointed out.

"True. But Miss Kelly's a LOT more irresistible than *I* am."

Nick laughed and shook his head. "I don't know about that...you turn me on much more then she does...a lot quicker anyway. You just have to smile at me and I'm gone."

"Dangerous."

Nick laughed. "I've just learned how to live day to day in at least some stage of arousal. I don't even notice it sometimes." he said shaking his head at the idea. "Some how I don’t think that is healthy." he giggled.

Justin laughed at that. "I don't think so, either."

Nick smiled. "Is there a party after the show tonight?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I think so...at the club."

"Okay then...I will let you steel my date for the party." Nick giggled, knowing Justin had no idea what he was talking about probably

"What date? Kelly?"

Nick nodded. "I asked her if she was going to the show tonight...and she asked me if I was asking her out on a date...and I said sure...its a ogle over Justin date...so once you are done being sexy on stage and we are done ogling at you. You can have her. " He said smiling. Happy that this time around there wouldn't be any jealous feelings.

Justin laughed. "Nah...It's OK. She's YOUR date...you can keep her for the evening."

"Or we can ditch her and go together." Nick laughed, joking...but not joking if Justin liked the idea…which he knew was slim to none.

"Or...we can BOTH be her dates.

Nick smiled and then laughed. "Dang...that is one lucky girl...gets two hunky guys to take her out."

Justin laughed and shook his head. "Crazy."

Nick thought about that with a dreamy look on his face. "I wouldn't mind having two hunky guys taking ME out." he joked.

Justin looked at Nick...a look of mock hurt on his face. "What...one isn't good enough?"

Nick smiled and leaned over to give Justin a soft kiss on the lips. "One is definitely more then enough."

Justin smiled. "OK...that's what I like to hear."

Without really thinking, Nick scooted closer to Justin and rested his head on his chest. His hand going to lightly rub Justin's stomach. "I'm glad we're okay again." He said softly.

"Well...we were never really...NOT OK. We just have...I don't know...misunderstandings...?"

Nick nodded against Justin's chest. "Yeah, that's what it was a misunderstanding. I think both our brains are having a little trouble...figuring out what the hell is going on. Almost too much has happened in the last week."

Justin nodded, too...his hand going to Nick's head. "Yeah...things are almost happening too fast."

Nick sighed and nodded again. "Yeah...maybe...but I'm not sure if I could change anything. We've gotten really close." He said softly, not really sure how Justin thought about their friendship exactly.

Justin laughed softly. "Yeah...I know. I mean...sometimes I question if I'm doing the right thing...cuz it's SO hard for me to trust people. I've NEVER trusted someone so quickly. In fact...I could probably count the people I actually trust on one hand."

"Same here...but for some reason I feel like I can trust you...I'm not sure what it is...but I can just tell." Nick said, his hand was playing with the material of Justin's shirt.

Justin nodded. "I know...same here...and that's HUGE for me. Trusting a complete stranger so quickly could absolutely destroy me...ESPECIALLY with the stuff YOU know."

"Even if we end up getting in a huge fight and I hate your guts I will NEVER do something like that." Nick answered, placing a soft kiss to Justin's t-shirt covered chest. He knew Justin probably knew that...he had said it before, but he felt he should say it again.

Justin took a deep breath. "Apparently, something in my head must have been telling me that since I met you...or I never would have opened up to you."

"I'm really glad you did. You are a really great person, Justin and I

Justin and I've been very lucky to get to know you." Nick said, smiling against Justin.

"Thanks. I feel the same."

Nick sat up a little so he could look at Justin, his head and face almost touching Justin's. "Even though I'm a really hyper, horny, nosy....crazy person?" A smile on his face the whole time to show he was just being funny.

Justin laughed...looking up at Nick. "Yes...even with ALL those issues."

Nick giggled. "Good...glad we got that settled."

Justin smiled at Nick. "OK, then...can I have a kiss, now?"

Nick was slightly surprised by that but tried not to let it show. Instead he smirked and pretended to think. "Hmm...I don't know...have you been a good boy today?"

Justin dropped his hands down onto the bed and rolled his eyes. "Yes...of course."

Nick giggled. "Okay then." With that he leaned his down a bit and lightly touched his lips to Justin's.

Justin closed his eyes...waiting for Nick to deepen the kiss.

Pressing his lips to Justin's a little harder, Nick stunk his tongue out of his own mouth and teasingly started to run it over Justin's lips. His Left hand going up to stroke Justin's cheek.

Justin let out a quiet groan as he parted his lips for Nick...losing himself in the kiss.

Nick let out a small moan of his own when he felt Justin opening his mouth for him. Slowly he let his tongue make its way into Justin's mouth. Once there he took his time trying to memorize every nook and cranny of the younger man's mouth. He wasn't in any rush for this kiss to end and was enjoying taking his time. At the same time his hand that was on Justin's cheek moved up to Justin's buzzed hair and the feeling of it against his hand caused him to shiver. He LOVED Justin's hair...or lack there of.

Justin kissed Nick back just as slowly and sweetly...enjoying the leisurely pace of the kiss as he brought his left hand to the back of Nick's head, and rested his right hand above his own head on the bed.

Nick shifted on the bed a little, moving his leg so he could straddle one of Justin's legs. He continued the slow kiss for a few more minutes before he knew he had to pull back to get some air. Pulling back just enough to look at Justin he smiled. He wanted to say something but he couldn't figure out what to say.

Justin smiled back at Nick. "What?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders, still smiling. "Nothing...I just really like kissing you...makes me happy."

Justin chuckled. "Well...I think that's a good thing. It would suck if it made you sad."

Nick laughed and rolled his eyes. "I don't think kissing you could ever make me sad...I really, really like kissing you." he giggled.

Justin laughed again. "Yeah...I know...you JUST said that."

Nick giggled again and blushed a little. "Yeah...I know...but I do...and it's something I've wanted to do all day."

Justin smiled...absently twirling a few of Nick's short blond hairs in his fingers. "Glad to grant your wish."

"Yeah well...I think it was YOU who asked ME to kiss you." Nick pointed out, smiling.

Justin blushed a bit. "Yeah...well...you know you wanted to, anyway."

Nick giggled and rested his head down on Justin's chest again, just taking time to listen to his heartbeat. "Thank you for giving me a chance...I never expected in a million years to get it...but thank you."

Justin smiled. "Thank YOU for giving me the chance to...I don't know...be myself, I guess...or at least figure out who myself is."

Sitting up a little more again, Nick looked down at Justin. "You're going to be okay, Justin. You may feel so confused right now and think your life is just a big mess of confusion...but I know you'll figure something out. If that is that you really do believe you are bi and you belong with a guy...then that's cool...but it's okay if you find out that you weren't really feeling any of this."

"Well...I already KNOW that I'm feeling it...I just don't know how much...ya know?"

Nick nodded in understanding. "I went through all of it too, I may have been year ago...bit I still remember what it feels like."

Justin nodded. "I know. That's why I'm glad to have you to help me understand things."

Nick giggled..."Yeah, and I'm not too bad looking either...and I probably kiss okay. So it's not ALL bad." he joked.

Justin chuckled. "You're hot. And you kiss like...damn."

"I guess I must kiss good...Kelly said the same thing this morning...nobody ever told me that before today." Nick said, smiling at the compliment.

Justin arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure I haven't told you yet?"

Nick blushed a little and shrugged. "I don't remember."

Justin laughed quietly. "I don't either...but I KNOW I thought it."

"Well...I kinda figured I was doing SOMETHING right...when you started to react to the kiss yesterday...even though it freaked you out."

Justin blushed again. "Yeah...THAT'S a dead giveaway."

"You know...I know how you felt with that whole thing...I felt the same way when I was dancing with Kelly a few days ago. When I started to get hard, it scared the shit out of me...cuz that wasn't supposed to happen." Nick admitted.

"Maybe it's not supposed to happen in general...but maybe it IS supposed to happen with her."

Nick laughed. "Yeah...I would probably have to wonder for my sexual health if I didn't get hard around that girl."

"Seriously...she's sumthin else."

"Yeah...she is just a great overall person. Her looks and the sexual stuff is just a really great added bonus." Nick said laughing.

Justin laughed at that. "Yeah...definitely."

Nick looked down into Justin's eyes and sighed a content, happy sigh. Leaning down he kissed Justin again, this time not starting out as softly, his tongue already starting to lick Justin's lips. He didn't know what came over him all of a sudden but he had the erg to kiss Justin something terrible.

Justin let out a small moan when Nick's lips crushed against his, and his tongue found its way into his mouth. He'd already decided that Nick's kiss was the best he'd ever experienced. He just wished that was enough to help him make some decisions.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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Nick laughed as he and Kelly got their first drinks. "I still say he looks hotter when he's trying to hit those really high notes."

"Ooooh...yeah...when his eyelids close and get all fluttery."

"Do his eyes do that when you guys are having sex?" Nick asked before taking a sip of his drink. He no longer thought about the jealousy thing anymore.

Kelly sipped her drink, and then giggled as she set it down on the bar. "Once in a while during it. But mostly just when...never mind..." she trailed off...blushing as she laughed again.

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Ohhh…you SO can't do that girl...you've gota tell me!"

Kelly sighed and rolled her eyes. "Ya know...when he...cums."

Nick groaned deep in his throat and took a long slip of his drink. He wasn't going to get hard now when he couldn't do anything about it. "That is a VERY hot picture." He said clearing his throat.

"You have no idea," Kelly said with wide eyes before sipping her drink. "And I swear...if you tell him I told you..."

Nick held his hands up. "I promise...I won't tell him...hell *I* really need to stop thinking about it." He said shifting in his seat.

Kelly just laughed and shook her head. By the time she had sipped her drink again, Justin had come up behind her bar stool. "Hey, guys."

Nick turned around when he heard Justin's voice and smiled big. "Hey, you...good show...like always."

Justin smiled a bit. "Thanks," he said...then cleared his throat. "I hurt my back, though...pulled it dancing, I think. It fuckin kills," he said...looking back and forth between Kelly and Nick.

Nick looked at the way Justin was looking at them and then turned to Kelly. "Is he trying to ask us for a back massage?" he giggled.

Justin groaned. "No...he's not. He's tellin ya'll to have a good time...cuz he's going back to the hotel and going to bed."

Nick wasn't sure what to do...He wanted to go back with Justin, to make sure he was okay...but he didn't want to leave Kelly behind either. "Oh...okay." He said, the sadness evident in his voice.

Justin put an arm on each of his friends' shoulders. "You two hang out...have fun. I need to go drug up and go to bed. I have another show here tomorrow night."

Kelly turned in her seat to look at Justin. "Do you want us to go back with you, babe?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah...we can come hang out in the room and watch a movie or something. You know just in case you need us. We don't need to be here."

Justin shook his head. "No...really, have a good time tonight. I'm just gonna pass out. There will be people around if I need em, anyway."

Nick turned to Kelly, as if asking what they should do.

Kelly shrugged...looking at Justin but speaking to Nick. "Well...if he's sure..."

Nick couldn't help but feel uneasy about the whole thing...but he didn't want to push Justin. "Yeah...okay."

Justin saw the looks on his friends' faces and rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, Ya'll. I'll be right pissed if you don't hang out and have fun. It's the perfect night. You don't have to get up early tomorrow, or anything."

Nick put on a smile and nodded. "Yeah...okay. See you in the morning?" It was right then that he wished that he and Justin shared a room so he would have a reason to go and check on him...and say goodnight even if Justin was fast asleep.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...definitely. I'll call you both when I get up." Kelly leaned over to kiss Justin on the cheek. "Take care, sweetie. Call my cell if you need anything."

Nick smiled up at Justin, wishing he could give him a kiss or a hug too. "Yeah...call if you need anything."

Justin nodded with another small smile. "I will. Have fun, kids," Justin said...then walked slowly toward his security by the door.

Nick sighed as he watched Justin walk away. "Poor guy." he whispered.

Kelly nodded...also watching Justin. "Yeah...that's gotta suck."

Turning around in his stool again, Nick looked down at his still half full glass. He didn't feel much like a party anymore. It had been a long time since he and Justin had a chance to hang out and have fun. He had been looking forward to that. Sure he loved being there with Kelly...but he felt like a little kid who had gotten his hopes up.

Kelly drank down the rest of her cocktail, then turned to look at Nick. "What's wrong, hun?"

"I was looking forward to hanging out with him...that’s all." Nick said, softly...a good indication he was sad.

Kelly smiled. "I'm sure you were...but...it's better for him to go back and go to bed, right now."

Nick smiled and looked at Kelly. "I know that...I didn't expect him to stay...it's just a bummer he got hurt in the first place."

"I know...but some things can't be prevented."

Nick drank down the rest of his drink, took a deep breath and reached for Kelly's hand. "Wana dance with me? I promise this time I won't freak out on you." he giggled.

Kelly giggled, too. "Oh...but honey...maybe I WANT you to get freaky," she teased...widening her eyes as she hopped off her stool.

Nick rolled his eyes as he grabbed her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. After they had been dancing for a few minutes Nick spoke up over the loud music. "I still feel kinda guilty for being here having fun while he's back there in pain."

"There's nothing we can do, Nick. And if he doesn't want us there, we're just gonna get in the way and piss him off."

Nick made a face at the idea of Justin getting pissed off. "Yeah...I want to do that. We already got in an argument today...or well more like a crazy misunderstanding but it wasn't good for a little while."

"What happened?" Kelly asked...moving closer to Nick as they danced so she could hear him.

"I just have trouble understanding when he is joking around...and stuff because of my shitty past...so we got in this huge thing over that...it's a long story but things are cool now." Nick said into Kelly's ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

Kelly nodded her understanding. After a few more minutes of dancing, she looked up at Nick. "Hey...I have an idea."

"What?" Nick asked, looking down at Kelly.

Kelly smiled. "We're in this great city...and I'm sure there's gotta be a lot of clubs just on this street. Why don't we go find a place where no one knows us...and we can be ourselves."

Nick smiled and nodded. The idea of doing something 'normal' again sounded really nice. Sure he didn't mind all the touring and stuff...but he was ready to do something else for a night. "That sound's great...let's get outa here."

Kelly laughed as she took Nick's hand, and led him through the crowd, and out the back door of the club. Since they were in Atlanta, the night air was cool and refreshing...nothing like the snowy destinations they'd been experiencing lately.

"Wow...Its December and not snowing or extremely cold...I don't know what to think of this." Nick laughed as they walked out into the warmish night air.

Kelly chuckled. "I know...isn’t it great? Let's walk," she said...tugging on Nick's hand and leading him down the sidewalk. The street was buzzing with nightlife.

"It's been a LONG time since I've really been places like this. The Indianapolis show was the first time I was in a club since I was 18." Nick said as they started to walk hand in hand down the street.

"And I'm sure the clubs you went to weren't exactly like these."

Nick laughed and shook his head. "NOTHING like this...I mean the only thing that is the same is people drink and dance. But much, much more." He said making a face.

"Yeah...I can imagine." Kelly started looking around at some of the clubs and bars they were passing. There was everything from quaint little pubs to huge dance clubs and pool halls. "So...pick a place, any place."

Nick looked around for a minute and then closed his eyes. Pointing his finger out he turned around in a circle. "That one." He said, having no idea where his finger was pointing.

Kelly looked at the sign on the building Nick had chosen. "Billiards. Feel like playing pool?"

Nick laughed and shook his head. "I have NO Idea how to play pool." He said and then looked again and just pointed at a club that it seemed like a lot of people were going to. "How about that one?"

Kelly shrugged. "Fine by me."

Nick looked both directions before he held onto Kelly's hand tighter and crossed the street. Walking to the club he got behind the few people who were in line and smiled at Kelly.

Kelly smiled back. "What are we gonna do? Drink? Dance?"

"How about some of both." Nick said as he moved up in line and got his ID out ready to show. He giggled to himself, thinking how it was really the first time he had gone to a club where he was of legal age.

Kelly slipped her ID out of the back pocket of her jeans, as well. "Sounds good to me. Do we get to kiss, too?"

Nick laughed as he showed the man his ID. "That will probably come into play when we are drinking and dancing...I don't know about you but I feel like getting pretty messed up tonight." He said that in a total fun kind of way...not because he wanted to drown his sorrows or something.

Kelly laughed...taking her ID back from the bouncer and putting it back in her pocket. "Sounds like a plan, Nicky boy," she said...taking Nick's hand again as they walked into the club.

Nick held onto her hand tightly as they walked into the nosy crowded club. "So what first...drinks or dancing?"

"Definitely drinks," Kelly suggested...sticking close to Nick in the crowd.

For the first time in Nick's life he felt like he could protect somebody. He was always used to being the small stupid one that everybody had to look out for. Now here in the huge club, his hand holding Kelly's tight he felt like he was in control of the situation. "Drinks sound good." He said leader her towards the bar.

As they approached the bar, Kelly noticed a small corner booth available by the dance floor. It seemed like more people were into dancing and socializing that night than sitting around drinking, so there were actually a couple of tables free. "Nick...I'm gonna go grab us that table," she said...pointing it out.

Nick turned to see where she was pointing and nodded his head. "Okay...what do you want to drink?"

Kelly shrugged. "Anything," she replied...then squeezed Nick's hand before letting it go to go over to the table. She slid into the crescent-shaped booth, and started watching people on the dance floor while she waited for Nick.

Nick walked to the bar and ordered their drinks. Talking to the bartender for a minute about something he saw, that he hadn't seen before. It was some bartending tool and he was interested in it. After talking with him for a few minutes he finally brought the drinks over to Kelly at the table. Sliding in next to her he handed her the drink. "Here you go."

Kelly smiled as she took the drink. "Thanks," she said...looking into the glass as she stirred it around with the straw. "What is it?"

After taking a sip of his own drink Nick smiled. "Long Island Iced Tea...it's good but I can make um better." he laughed.

Kelly chuckled...then took a sip of her drink before setting it down on the table. "Damn...are you trying to get me drunk?" she teased...looking at Nick as she reached down to tug her black tube top up a bit.

Nick smirked. "I'm trying to get both of us drunk...and I'll be very close to it by the time I'm done with this one drink. Which totally sucks. I really have a low tolerance for alcohol."

"Well...mine isn't THAT low, but with something this strong it won't take much."

"Well then...drink up honey and let's have fun." Nick said, wiggling his eyebrows before taking a long sip of his drink.

Kelly took a long sip of her own drink, then laughed as she set it back down. "So, Nick...tell me some more about yourself," she said...sliding to her right a bit to get closer to Nick.

"What exactly do you want to know?" Nick asked, turning a little in the booth so he could look at Kelly better as they talked.

Kelly shrugged...looking deep into Nick's eyes as she crossed her legs under the table. "I don't know. Tell me a deep, dark secret."

Nick really thought about that one for a second. "A deep dark secret huh...well you know that girl I told you I slept with...my first one?"

Kelly nodded...her eyes still on Nick's as she took another sip of her drink.

"Nobody knew this...hell I barely knew it...but I got her pregnant and she had an abortion. She almost didn't even tell me but one day it slipped out like 2 years later. I've never told anybody about that." Nick said with a sigh, it always made him sick to his stomach when he thought about that. If he had known he would never have let her do it.

Kelly brought her right arm up to put it around Nick's shoulders...putting her hand on the back of his neck and caressing gently. "Wow...I'm so sorry, sweetie. That's horrible."

"I wish she would have just told me ya know. I mean she was only 14 and everything...so I don't really blame her...but I mean...I don't know I guess it's like they always say it isn't really the guy’s choice anyway." Nick said in a kind of disgusted voice. He was the one that put the baby there...how couldn’t he have any say in anything.

Kelly shook her head. "*I* don't think so. Personally...I think the guy has just as much to do with it as the girl."

Nick smiled and then shook his head as if trying to get the thoughts put back where they had been for years. "How about you, tell me one of your deep dark secrets."

"Hmmm..." Kelly said thoughtfully as she sipped her drink...her right hand still at the back of Nick's neck. "I don't know...I'd have to think about that..."

Nick relaxed back into Kelly's hand as he sipped more of his drink. It was almost halfway gone and he was starting to feel a little buzzed. "Okay...you can tell me later."

"No...wait...I wanna think of something." Kelly stirred her drink around a bit, then laughed. "I'm not THAT boring. Have to have some kind of big secret."

"Honey...your life is FAR from boring." Nick laughed, taking another long sip of his drink.

Kelly giggled. "I know. But my personal life. Let's see..." She took a long, slow sip of her drink, and then spoke up again. "I know," she said...looking into Nick's eyes again. "I was anorexic. Well...I AM, I guess...but kind of in recovery."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Whoa...I'm glad you're in recovery...cuz that's scary shit. We were worried for one of my little sisters for a while...thought she was having anorexic tendencies...but things seemed to clear up on her own once she got out of middle school."

Kelly nodded. "She's lucky...to have figured it out and fixed it, I mean."

Nick nodded. "Yeah…she really is." He said as he finished off his drink. He definitely felt the alcohol going around his system.

Kelly took a couple more sips of her drink, and then turned back to Nick. "So...tell me something else about you, Nick...something sexy," she said...uncrossing her legs and draping her right leg over Nick's left under the table.

"What do you mean by something sexy?" Nick asked, not sure if he knew how to answer the question. His hand going to rest on Kelly's leg.

Kelly laughed her bubbly giggle. "Anything."

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what is sexy about me...or something that I've done that is sexy...my sex life before this point wasn't all that neat and clean."

Kelly giggled as she leaned in to quickly nibble Nick's earlobe. "So...just say something sexy, then."

"What you are doing to my ear is pretty sexy." Nick moaned softly.

Kelly giggled again. "Oh...you like that?"

"Uh huh...I like that." Nick said, his hand squeezing Kelly's thigh a little more

Kelly gently sunk her teeth into Nick's earlobe as she shifted a bit closer to him...her thigh settling a heavy pressure between his legs.

Any place on Nick's ears, neck, or ass were his very sensitive parts. What Kelly was doing was slowly driving him insane. "God...Kel...keep that up and we won’t be dancing for very long."

Kelly giggled against Nick's skin as she lowered her lips to his neck. "We haven't even STARTED dancing yet, baby."

Nick moaned...she just HAD to move to the neck. "Exactly my point." He said, feeling his body starting to react to the attention Kelly was giving his neck.

Kelly placed a few kisses on Nick's neck before lifting her head to look into his eyes. "Do you WANNA go dance?"

Nick shrugged, looking back into Kelly's eyes. "What else do you have in mind if we don't?"

Kelly laughed and placed a kiss on Nick's lips. "I could think of a few things. But...whatever you want."

Nick smiled against Kelly's lips, and slipped his hand up farther on her thigh, to almost between her legs. "Oh yeah...a few things like what?"

"Hmm..." Kelly said with another kiss. "Maybe I should make you guess."

Nick's heart skipped a beat. He liked the sound of that guessing game. "mmmkay...make me guess."

kelly giggled devilishly. "OK...well...it would involve a little of this," she said...then kissed Nick deeply on the mouth.

Nick eagerly kissed Kelly back. His other hand that wasn't high on her tigh went around to her back, pulling her closer to him.

"Hhmmm...some of this," Kelly said...sliding the tip of her tongue up Nick's neck to his earlobe, then biting it gently.

Nick felt his cock twitch and harden more and a quiet moan escaped his lips. "Oh...yeah...what else...cuz I'm not yet convinced you have a better idea yet." He said, in a husky voice.

"Hmm...well...how bout some of this," Kelly teased...leaning over Nick a bit as she kissed his neck to slide her left hand up the front of his shirt...her right hand still on the back of his neck.

Kelly's cool hands on his warm skin caused him to shiver. What she was doing to his neck though was really starting to affect him. The evidence was getting harder and harder in his baggy jeans. "That's...getting...closer."

"This might convince you," Kelly said in Nick's ear...moving her thigh a bit so that she could slide her hand out of his shirt, and down to his crotch to grab his dick through his jeans.

Nick gasped and tried hard not to thrust up into her hand. "Oh...fuck...Kel." he whispered through clenched teeth. His own hand moving up farther to rest between her legs.

Kelly purred in Nick's ear at the feel of his hand between her legs. "Why are we still here?"

"I honestly have NO idea." Nick said, swallowing hard and taking a few deep breaths to try and keep himself under control. "Wana...get outa here?"

Kelly nodded quickly...then pulled away from Nick, and straightened her tube top as she got out of the booth.

Nick got up and groaned, really wishing large t-shirts were still style right about then. Grabbing Kelly's hand he walked them as fast as they could with all the people around to the exit.

Kelly giggled as Nick pulled her out the door and onto the sidewalk. "Which way to the hotel?"

Nick looked around quickly, trying to figure out where the hell they were. "I think it was that way." He said pointing to the left. His brain was seriously not working right. All the blood was going to different places.

Kelly laughed again. "Hun...I don't think we can walk back. We took a car from the hotel to the show...remember?"

"I know....you just asked me which way the hotel was...so I answered you." Nick then tried to figure out what to do next. "Should we go back and get one of the guys to get us a car?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...we left there to get away from everyone, remember? I don't want them seeing us leave together. It's none of anyone's business."

Just then Nick saw a cab driving down the street and stepped to the corner hailing it down. "Then we shall take a cab back to the hotel." He said, pretty proud of himself as he opened the door for Kelly.

Kelly giggled as she climbed in and slid to the other side.

Nick climbed into the cab and shut the door. Then he told the driver where to go and leaned back in his seat. He bounced his leg, as he tried to think of something besides Kelly sitting next to him and what she had been doing in the club. He could still feel her lips on his neck...her hand on his crotch and it was driving him insane.

Kelly crossed her legs and looked out the window as she absently draped her right hand over Nick's left thigh.

Nick bit his bottom lip as he tried to get himself to calm down. If she didn't watch that hand he was going to lose it right there in the cab. Either that or attack her and make a scene.

Kelly took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. She felt like she was about to combust.

Nick glanced over at Kelly and almost lost it when he noticed the look on her own face reflected in the window. She was having as much trouble as he was. That wasn't helping his case any...because he had a feeling she wouldn't mind if he attacked her in the cab and took her right then.

Kelly's crossed legs started swaying side to side a bit in a release of nervous energy as she tried to distract herself by looking at all of the bright signs and lights on the street.

Seeing Kelly swaying made Nick wonder if maybe something else was wrong. "Kel...are you okay?" He asked, his voice still deep and husky from arousal...but concerned and worried all the same.

Kelly turned her head to look at Nick and smiled. "You mean besides being so horny that I'd fuck you right now in this cab if I wasn't such a lady?"

Nick moaned deep in his throat and had to adjust himself in his jeans when he couldn't stand the constricting anymore. "Shit girl...why the hell did we have to pick a hotel that was like 10 minutes away from the damn club." Sure ten minutes wasn't a long time...but right now it seemed like a lifetime.

Kelly laughed. "No, hun...we picked a CLUB that was ten minutes away from the HOTEL."

Nick thought of that for a second and then laughed. "Well...whatever it is...I don't like it." Then he started to think about who’s hotel room was closer to the elevator

Kelly sat quietly for the remainder of the ride...contemplating what was going to happen when they got to the hotel. When the cab finally pulled up in front of the Ritz Carlton, she sighed and opened the door to climb out. She pulled some cash out of her pocket and handed it to Nick for the cab ride. "Here."

Nick felt shitty that she was paying for the cab...but he had used the last of his cash...from back home when he bought their drinks earlier. "Thanks." He said before paying the cab driver and then taking Kelly's hand before quickly walking into the hotel.

Kelly went straight to the elevator. When they got in, she put her card in the slot and pressed the button for the tenth floor.

Nick shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the wall. His foot tapping, he was getting very impatient

Kelly looked at Nick and chuckled. "We're almost there," she whispered...standing in front of him and kissing his lips.

Nick kissed Kelly back hungrily, even though he meant to just peck her lips until they were safe in somebody’s room. When he heard the bell ding saying they were stopping Nick pulled away, panting. "Who’s...room...closest?"

"Who cares?" Kelly asked...pulling Nick out of the elevator. "We're going to yours cuz *I* have a roommate. She could come back at any time."

Nick nodded as he fumbled to get his cardkey out of his pocket as they walked down the long hall. Once they were at his room he quickly slid the card in until it unlocked and pushed the door open. Pulling Kelly into the room he shut the door and kissed her passionately on the lips.

Kelly groaned deep in her throat...her hands pressing against Nick's chest as she kissed him back hungrily.

Nick wrapped his arms around Kelly, his hands going to squeeze her ass as he pulled her to him tight. His erection poking her in the stomach. His heart was pounding so fast and hard he could hear it in his head and he knew he couldn't do this making out thing for much longer.

Kelly gasped for air as she pulled away and looked at Nick. "Do you have condoms?" she asked urgently.

"Fucking shit!" Nick exclaimed, he had totally forgoten about that...well he probably wouldn't have if he would have found the brain power...but he hadn't. "You...know I haven't done this in years. What condoms I do have would be like a trillion years old and probably not work." He exclaimed frustrated, his fingers running through his hair.

Kelly smiled. "That's why I asked," she said...then kissed Nick quickly on the lips. "I'll be right back. You'd better be ready for me when I get back," she said with a wink...then walked out of Nick's hotel room.

Nick groaned and walked to the door, he propped it open with something he found, so she could just come back in when she came back. He then stripped out of his shoes and socks. Next came his t-shirt and he threw them on the floor whenever it happened to land. Walking into the bedroom he flopped down onto the bed, sitting up against the headboard. There he waited for Kelly to come back.

Kelly ran down the hall to her room...where she grabbed the box of condoms from her bag...then ran back down the hall to Nick's room. She let herself in, then closed the door before heading into the bedroom. "All set," she said...smiling at Nick as she tossed him the box.

"My hero." Nick laughed as he patted the spot next to him on the bed. "Come here...I'm getting very lonely."

Kelly laughed as she bent down to unzip her boots. "Well I can't let THAT happen." She pulled the boots off her calves and dropped them to the floor...followed by her socks. She then unzipped her jeans and stepped out of them before she crawled onto the bed in her tube top and black lace panties.

Nick watched Kelly undress and climb onto the bed with heavy lidded eyes. He really needed to get himself to calm down again...or he was going to do a repeat of last time and there was NO way he was going to let that happen. "I'm still lonely...come here." He said patting his lap this time. He was still in his jeans but you could tell how aroused he was by the tent forming in his baggy jeans.

With a smirk on her face, Kelly climbed up the length of Nick's body, and kissed the tip of his nose before she straddled him and settled on his lap. "Better?"

Nick moaned deep in his throat when she settled onto his lap. "Mmmhmm...much better." He said as he leaned in for a hungry kiss.

Kelly groaned loudly...reaching up to hold Nick's face in her hands as she kissed him back...thrusting her tongue out into his mouth.

Nick sucked and licked all over Kelly's tongue. His hands going down to grab her ass over her lacy panties. As the kiss got more and more heated the more and more turned on he got. After a few minutes he had to pull back for air and to look into her eyes. "Need...you." he breathed out.

Kelly smirked again...taking a minute to catch her own breath. "How bad?"

Nick thrust his hips up, and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

Kelly giggled almost excitedly...reaching between them to unbutton and unzip Nick's jeans.

Closing his eyes to keep control, Nick's fingers went to the bottom of Kelly's tube top and then slowly pulled it over her head. His breath quickening even more when he took in her beauty again. This time around he wasn't as nervous...and was taking a little more time to enjoy himself.

Once Nick had Kelly naked from the waist up, she raised herself up on her knees, and kissed Nick slowly and sensually as she reached her hands into Nick's jeans and boxers to fondle him.

Nick's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he let out a noise somewhere between a moan and a gasp. "Don't...do that...if you...want me to...last longer...this time." he some how managed to get out even though he was breathing a lot faster then normal.

Kelly laughed as she removed her hands from Nick's pants and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "I think we definitely want that...don't we?"

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...we definitely want that." He said as he tried to get himself back under control again, his hands going back to rest on Kelly's ass as he leaned down and started to kiss all around her collar bone.

Kelly moaned and dropped her head back as she sank back down on Nick's lap. "Mmm...feels good."

Nick continued to kiss all around Kelly's neck, collar bone and chest as his hands tried to work her panties down.

Kelly fidgited a bit, then sighed and climbed off of Nick and the bed when she realized that was the only way her panties were going to come off.

Nick watched Kelly strip all the way and his cock twitched in his jeans again, reminding him that he was still half dressed. He quickly solved that problem by lifting up his hips and shimming of out his jeans. His boxers came off in the process and soon he was half sitting up on the bed, totally naked.

"God you're fuckin hot," Kelly growled as she climbed back onto the bed and crawled back over Nick.

Nick looked Kelly up and down and groaned back. "You too." He some how managed to get out, he was almost to the point where talking was starting to take too much brain power.

Kelly ran her hands up and down Nick's arms as she kissed his neck a bit. "I thought you didn't think girls were hot?"

"Y...you are. Cuz you are special." Nick said with a lazy, lust filled smile. His desire for the woman was almost scary. He had never felt like that for anybody, not even Justin. He thought that was probably because he had never gotten to this point with Justin.

Kelly chuckled. "OK...I'll take that as a compliment."

Nick laughed a deep husky laugh. "It was supposed to be." He said as his hands moved up and down her back softly.

Kelly gave Nick a smile and a wink. "OK, big boy...how we gonna do this?" she asked...getting anxious. "How do you want it?" she teased with a playful growl.

Nick laughed again and grabbed the condom box and handed it to her. "Just like we are...put one on me." He smirked.

Kelly arched an eyebrow as she took a condom out, then gave the box back to Nick. "Yes, Sir." She carefully tore the packet open, then tossed the wrapper to the floor.

Nick giggled as he reached to set the condom box on the night stand. Then he scooted up on the bed some so he was sitting up better. "Okay...I'm ready." he giggled again.

"Me too, baby," Kelly said...stroking Nick's swollen dick a few times before putting the condom over the tip, and slowly rolling it on.

Nick closed his eyes tightly, biting his lower lip as Kelly put the condom on. Once it was on he looked into her eyes and smiled.

"You sure you can handle this?" she teased in a husky voice...giving Nick a quick wink.

Nick rolled his eyes. "I'm a big boy...I think I can handle it."

"Yes...you ARE a big boy," Kelly said...gripping the base of Nick's dick in her right hand as she raised up on her knees and brought herself over it.

Nick watched Kelly's eyes, his whole body shivering in anticipation of what was to come next.

Kelly had her eyes on Nick's as she first lowered herself on him, but she closed them and dropped her head back with a deep, throaty groan as he started to penetrate her.

"Holy shit." Nick groaned, his head falling back against the headboard as Kelly lowered herself on him. He moved his hands to rest on her hips, letting her set the pace...since she knew when she was comfortable

Kelly lowered herself a bit, then sucked her teeth and gasped...pausing when she was about half way there.

Nick heard her gasp and opened his eyes. "You...okay?" He asked, his fingers moving along he sides, trying to comfort her. In a way he felt like he understood her better...since HE himself was normally in the position she was...having somebody inside of her.

Kelly nodded quickly. "Yeah...fine," she said...keeping her eyes closed. After a deep breath, she managed to lower herself completely onto Nick. She groaned...and winced a bit as she moved in his lap to adjust to his size.

Nick moved his hands to rub Kelly's back trying to sooth her as much as he could. "Don't rush yourself." He whispered as he tried hard to hold out from moving at all.

Kelly opened her eyes and smiled at Nick...reaching over his shoulders to grab the headboard. "I'm OK."

Nick smiled back and wiggled to get him better in a position again. "Good...I'm glad...wouldn't want to hurt you."

"You won't," Kelly whispered...leaning in to kiss Nick on the lips.

Nick kissed Kelly back and very slightly thrust his hips upward to see what her reaction would be. His hands still running up and down her back.

Kelly moaned into the kiss when Nick thrust up into her. As much as she enjoyed the first time they were together, this was already so much better.

Hearing Kelly moan showed Nick that she was doing okay now. So he started a slow rhythm thrusting his hips up, taking things slow and sweet. They didn't have any reason to rush this time. Justin wasn't expecting him home. There wasn't a party going on outside...just them.

Kelly broke their kiss...dropping her head back and closing her eyes again as Nick started moving in her. She brought her hands to Nick's shoulders and gripped them firmly...moving perfectly with Nick's rhythm. "Mmmmmm...feels good..."

"Yeah...feels really good...so good." Nick moaned as he continued the slow pace. This to date was the most amazing experience he had ever had. Sure, he did prefer gay sex...but he would take this slow, nice...sweet...love making to any of the hard fucks he had over the years.

Kelly took Nick's face in her hands and kissed him deeply on the mouth as she moved on him...her tongue memorizing the inside of his hot mouth.

Nick kissed Kelly back just as deeply as she was kissing him, his thrusts beginning to get a little more forceful as he was getting closer and closer to the edge.

Kelly stopped the kiss again. She opened her eyes to look at Nick as she leaned back...and reached behind her to brace her hands on Nick's legs as she continued riding him...rocking on him in a forward and downward motion.

Nick opened his eyes to watch Kelly, and then something popped into his head. Justin telling him about her riding him on the tour bus toilet. He couldn't help it and started to laugh. He thought he had to be the only person who would crack up laughing when in the middle of the best sex of his life.

Kelly froze, and lifted her head to look at Nick.

Nick shook his head. "S...sorry." he laughed and moaned at the same time.

Kelly gave Nick a questioning look. "OK...getting laughed at...during sex is...not cool," she got out between breaths...remaining still on him.

Nick stopped laughing right away and got a scared look on his face. "Kel...I'm sorry...I just thought of something funny...I'm sorry." He said, praying he hadn't messed things up and she wasn’t angry with him now.

Kelly smirked. "Relax. I'm over it. Just tell me you're not laughing at my performance, and we'll be OK."

Nick's eyes went wide and shook his head. "No way!" He practically yelled, probably sounding a little more desperate the he should have.

Kelly giggled. "Then what?"

"I was thinking of a story Justin told me...about you and him." Nick answered, biting his bottom lip, not sure if he should say anything.

Kelly arched an eyebrow...moving on Nick a few times, then stopping again. "What ABOUT me and him?"

Nick groaned when Kelly stopped moving. "Something about a bus and a toilet seat...nothing major." he said, feeling himself getting in a really sticky situation...either Kelly was going to kill him and chop him up and feed him to lions...or Justin was going to.

Kelly giggled. "Oh really?" she asked...leaning back up, and pressing his chest against Nick's as she reached over his shoulders to grab the headboard again.

Nick nodded, looking at Kelly, wondering what she was going to do. "Y...yeah."

"Oh...yeah...that was a good fuck," Kelly said in a husky voice as she started moving up and down on Nick again.

Nick's eyes rolled back in his head as Kelly started to move on him again. God, this girl was good. His hands found their way back to Kelly's hips as she road him. "S...sounded...like it." he managed to say.

"WE should try it some time," she whispered...then minimized her movements a bit as she bent her head to take Nick's left nipple into her mouth.

"Fuck...Kel." Nick moaned when Kelly took his nipple into her mouth. "We...should try it...sometime." He said as he started to thrust back up into her, starting their rhythm again.

"Mmmmm..." Kelly moaned against Nick's chest as she gently bit his nipple...her hips moving in time with Nick's.

"Feel...so good." Nick breathed out as he started to pick up the pace a notch, his hands holding onto Kelly's hips as she moved.

Kelly groaned again...this time pulling off of Nick, and rolling onto the bed on her back beside him. Spreading her legs wide, she looked at him and smirked.

It only took Nick a split second to figure out what was going on and he quickly got into position over top of Kelly. Positioning himself he thrust in, groaning when he got more of a depth he had needed before and wasn't getting. He just hoped he wasn't hurting Kelly. He started a faster pace, knowing both of them would need their release soon.

Kelly groaned loudly...maneuvering her legs up Nick's chest to bend them over his shoulders. It was times like those that she was glad she had a dancer's body and limberness. She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped fistfuls of the sheets at her sides. "Oh...oh...yes...go...so big...hard...in me..." Her words came out as random mumbles between panting breaths.

Hearing Kelly like this only made Nick move even harder and faster. Yeah, the nice sweet stuff was good for a while...but this was a much needed change. "Feel...so good...inside you." he managed to get out between thrusts. His hands going to her breasts as he moved in and out of her.

Kelly cried out as she arched up into Nick's hands when she felt them on her breast...her body craving...and loving...all the contact she could get from him. "Nick...mmm...Nick...so...good...fuck."

Nick rolled his fingers across her nipples, as he leaned down for a hungry, passionate kiss. His tongue searching every nook and cranny of Kelly's mouth. His hips still moving at a fast pace as sweat dripped down his forehead, his blonde spiky hair getting matted to his head.

Beads of sweat were beginning to form on Kelly's forehead, as well, as Nick thrust in and out of her. She brought her hands from the sheets up to Nick's shoulders...digging her fingers into them as she returned his kiss fully.

Nick could feel his own orgasm building in the pit of his stomach and knew that he was going to bring Kelly with him this time. It was times like this that he wished he knew more about woman. Thinking he was probably doing good with thinking about doing something related to her breasts he broke the kiss to trail kisses down her neck and to her chest. There he took her left nipple into his mouth and started to suck on it. So the other one wouldn't get left out, Nick used his hands to kneed it. All the while, still thrusting his hips like no tomorrow.

Kelly almost lost it at that point. "Oh Nick...shit! So...fucking...good," she practically yelled...arching her back up to bring her breasts into Nick more.

Nick smiled against her breast before he trailed kisses across her chest to the other one. There he gave it the same treatment as its twin. His own breathing getting more and more labored with each thrust...he was getting so close but he kept holding out.

Kelly groaned loudly. This was good...VERY good. But she knew she needed just one more little boost to get there. She managed to slide her right hand between her own body and Nick's...bringing her fingers down to her swollen clit.

Nick lifted his head, wondering what Kelly was doing. When he felt where he hand was going it dawned on him and he quickly moved her hand away. Instead he replaced it with his own fingers and slowly started to rub her as he trust a few more smaller thrusts. He tried to keep his eyes open to watch her reaction to what his fingers were doing.

A shiver went through Kelly's entire body when she felt Nick's fingers on her. She felt like she was about to go into overload. "Oh God...yes...just like...just like that..."

Nick smiled and continued to move his fingers against her as he started his hard thrusts again. The sounds of her moaning in pleasure were doing numbers on his control and he had to bit his bottom lip hard to the point he tasted the metallic taste of blood as he held off.

Kelly's orgasm crept up on her so suddenly that she cried out loudly when she knew it was about to overtake her. "Oh shit...Nick...I...I...I'm gonna..." Her body shook as she was on the brink. "...oh...uuuugh..."

Nick felt Kelly's body shudder around him and continued to move his fingers, wanting her to enjoy the orgasm even more. He thrust a few more times before he couldn't stand it anymore he groaned. "Shit…I’m...gunna..." he didn't even know why he was even trying to say anything as one of the most intense orgasms shook his body and he came deep inside of Kelly. It wasn't until then that his finger stopped moving on Kelly and he screamed her name at the top of his lugs.

Kelly cried out loudly with her own explosion...and her body continued to shudder as her muscles contracted violently around Nick and her eyelids fluttered shut in an intense orgasm.

After what seemed like years, instead of minutes Nick landed on top of Kelly, his breathing labored and sweat dripping from every part of his body. That was the most amazing experience of his life. He had a feeling he wouldn't be moving for years after that orgasm.

Kelly groaned quietly as she dropped her arms down to the bed, and unhooked her legs from Nick's shoulders as she tried to get her breathing back to normal.

"Shit...that...was..."Nick couldn't even finish his sentence he was still so out of breath, his brain had seriously turned into mush and he never knew if it was going to be the same again.

Kelly sighed almost dreamily. "Yeah...it was."

After another few minutes, Nick finally got himself up on his elbows to look down at Kelly. He then lightly placed a kiss to her swollen lips. "Very amazing...is what that was."

Kelly smiled up at Nick. "Exactly."

"Told you...I could do it." Nick laughed as he slowly pulled out of Kelly, groaning as he did. He then removed the condom and threw it in the trashcan by the bed. Lying back on his back he turned to look at Kelly.

Kelly dropped her head to the side to look at Nick. "Are you still gay?" she asked with a smirk.

Nick laughed. "I'm seriously considering changing my status to bi...but it might take too much time to change all my gay memberships." He joked.

Kelly giggled as she rolled over to cuddle up to Nick...resting her head on his chest.

Nick wrapped his arm around Kelly and kissed her head. "Stay here with me?"

Kelly propped her chin up on Nick's chest so that she could look at him. "Really?"

Nick nodded as he shrugged. "Yeah...why not...I mean why get dressed to go back to a cold bed when you can stay right here...but you don't have to."

"No...I'd love to...if that's what you want."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Okay then...but let's get under the covers." He said as he got up out of bed to turn down the blankets.

"I'm gonna use the bathroom," Kelly said...getting up and going into the bathroom.

"Okay." Nick said as he turned down the rest of the bed and got things ready so they could sleep. He then climbed under the sheets and yawned. Yeah, he definitely got a work out.

Kelly used the bathroom, and then went to the sink to wash up a little. Once she was all set, she went back into the bedroom and climbed under the sheets with Nick. "Hey, Nick?"

Nick opened his eyes which had drifted shut while Kelly was in the bathroom. "Hmmm?"

"Don't you ever wonder why I'm doing this?" Kelly asked...looking up at the ceiling.

"Doing what? Saying here for the night?" Nick asked, his brain not functioning the best at that moment.

"Sleeping with you...while I'm still sleeping with Justin."

Yeah...Nick had thought about it, but he never really wanted to think about it too much. "Yeah...I guess I have." He answered, looking over at Kelly, even though she wasn't looking at him.

"Justin and I were never really exclusive, so I saw no harm in going after you in the first place. I did feel a little guilty...but that kinda went away when I found out Justin was messing with someone else, too..." Kelly started...then paused to make sure Nick was following along.

Nick just nodded, letting Kelly continue.

Kelly looked over at Nick as she went on. "I'm not doing this to make Justin jealous...or out of spite or anything. It's not like that. But...I have to admit...that now that I AM doing it...well...it's helping me realize that I'm going to have to let go of Justin eventually. Actually...it's showing me that I CAN let go of Justin. Ya know...if I have to."

Nick smiled and ran a hand through Kelly's hair as she talked. "You still might not have to, Kel. We don't know how any of this is going to turn out. Even if Justin has feelings for men...a lot of bi guys live with women and get happily married...do the whole white picket fence shit. You haven't lost him yet...and *I* haven't gained him."

Kelly smiled at Nick...moving closer to him to cuddle. "I know," she said with a quiet sigh. "I don't know...I guess I'm just saying this stuff because I don't want you to think I'm using you."

"I don't want you to think the same thing about me either. I still think this is our way of handling what is happening...because we are both in exactly the same place that we connect and bond so well. I hope we never lose what we have...we may lose the intimacy part of it once Justin figures stuff out...but I hope we never lose this." Nick whispered as he pulled Kelly close and kissed the top of her head again.

Kelly smiled again...resting her head on Nick's chest. "I hope not either. I mean...I know I only met you a short time ago, and all...but...I feel like you've been one of my best friends forever. It's kinda scary."

"I feel exactly the same way." Nick said as he held Kelly as close as he could, his eyes starting to drop. "Let's get some sleep it's probably close to five o'clock."

"OK..." Kelly said quietly...draping her arm over Nick's stomach. "OK."

"G'night." Nick mumbled as he started to drift off to sleep.

"G'Night," Kelly whispered back as she closed her eyes and relaxed in Nick's arms.

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Justin groaned loudly before he even tried to roll over. The pain hit him like a ton of bricks the second he woke up. With a painful, frustrated sigh, he slowly reached his hand to the nightstand for his phone, and managed to dial Kelly's cell phone.

Nick was woken up from a very nice dream to the sound of strange song playing. It took him a second to open his eyes and look around to know it wasn't really a song but a cell phone. Groaning he got up out of bed and walked over to where Kelly's stuff was. Finding her phone, he answered it. "Hello?" He asked in a half a sleep voice.

Justin was suddenly thinking that he'd dialed the wrong number when he heard a guy answer Kelly's phone. "Hello...?" he said a bit weakly into the phone.

Even though he was half asleep and Justin sounded weak, Nick knew that voice. "Justin...you okay?" he asked, sounding more awake and like himself.

Justin's tired eyes went wide. "Nick?"

Nick slowly made his tired body move into the main room of the suite so he wouldn't wake Kelly up. "Yeah...It's me...Kel is sleeping. Do you really need to talk to her?"

Why the hell was Nick answering Kelly's cell phone at nine in the morning? Justin swallowed hard as he quickly went over the possibilities in his head. "Umm...yeah...I do."

"Okay...just a second I'll wake her up." Nick answered, walking back into the bedroom, totally forgetting he was walking around totally naked. Sitting down on the bed, he shook Kelly softly. "Kel...Justin is on the phone for you."

Kelly groaned and pried her eyes open slowly. "Hmmm...?"

Nick smiled at Kelly and handed her the phone. "It's Justin...he wants to talk to you."

Kelly groaned sleepily again as she took the phone from Nick. "Hello...? Yeah. Oh no. Yeah...OK. OK, baby...I'll be right there." Kelly turned the phone off, then stretched out her body under the sheet.

As Kelly talked to Justin, Nick slipped on his boxers and jeans. "Is he okay?" He asked once Kelly hung up the phone.

Kelly sighed as she got up and looked around for her underwear. "He's not sure he can get out of bed himself."

Nick's eyes went wide as he got up to find a shirt and shoes. "I'm coming with you." He said and then held up Kelly's underwear when he found them on his shoe hunt. "I believe these are yours."

Kelly took the panties and stood up to put them on. "No, Nick. He just wants me right now," she said...squeezing into her tube top.

"Oh...yeah okay...I understand." Nick said, putting down his shoe that he finally found. He tried not to sound bitter…but he wanted to see if Justin was okay...he was worried and wanted to help. It made him sad that Justin didn't want to see him.

Kelly looked over at Nick as she put her jeans on. "I think it's just cuz...well...me and him...we haven't had a chance to talk about...everything...yet."

Nick thought about that for a second and nodded. "Yeah...your right...I'll stop being stupid now." He said taking a deep breath to get the jealous feeling back where it belonged. "Promise to call me if he's really bad?"

"You're not being stupid...and yes...I promise," Kelly said...putting her socks on. "Do you have like...a t-shirt, or something?"

Nick nodded as he got up to go look through his bag. He found one of his last clean t-shirts and handed it to Kelly. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Kelly said...pulling the t-shirt on over her skimpy top. "I'll give it back." She grabbed her boots and tucked them under her arm, then walked over to Nick and kissed him softly on the lips. "I'll call you...K?"

Nick nodded and kissed Kelly again on the lips. "Give that Kiss to Justin for me...tell him I hope he feels better."

Kelly smiled. "I will." With that, she headed out of Nick's room, and down the hall to Justin's.

Sighing, Nick walked to the mini kitchen and got a bottle of water out and sat down at the table to drink it. The whole time trying to sort out all the feelings that were going on in his head. He wasn't exactly sure how he was going to help Justin now...when he himself was rethinking his sexuality a bit.

Nearly two hours after she'd left Nick's room, Kelly returned and knocked on the door...her boots discarded, and her slippers on her feet.

Nick had been watching Trading Spaces on TV when he heard somebody knocking. Getting up off the couch he walked to the door and opened it. Smiling when he saw Kelly. "Hey...come in." He said moving out of the way so she could walk in.

Kelly gave Nick a small smile as she walked into his room. "Hey...what are you doing?"

"I was watching Trading Spaces...they are trying to make this room purple and red." Nick answered, making a face that the choice in colors.

Kelly chuckled. "Sounds great."

Nick went back to the couch and patted the spot next to him. "Come here and tell me what's going on with our favorite man."

Kelly shook her head. "I'm not gonna stay, thanks...I'm gonna go to my room and take a shower."

Nick didn't like that Kelly wasn't going to tell him anything. "Kelly...what's going on?"

Kelly smiled. "Relax. I'm gonna tell you...I'm just not gonna sit...and stay," she said...gesturing toward the couch.

Nick let out a sigh of relief and waited for Kelly to tell him.

Kelly took a deep breath, then started explaining. "I went and got the spare key from Lonnie and went into his room. He was in bed. His back hurt so bad he couldn't even get himself outta bed. So I helped him to the bathroom so he could get washed up and take a half-ass shower, and I helped him put some clean clothes on and get back in bed. Then I talked to Johnny...who called to get a doctor sent over. While we were waiting...we talked..."

Nick's eyes went wide. "His back is that bad? Did the doctor come...what did he say?"

Kelly shook her head. "Nothing yet. He just got there. That's why I left."

Nick nodded and sighed. "God...the poor guy.... did you guys figure things out...I mean with your talk?"

Kelly shrugged and nodded at the same time. "Yeah. I mean...he understands why I'm doing what I'm doing...I understand why he's doing what he's doing. We both know we're not always gonna like what the other is up to...but we're gonna accept it. And if we're really meant to be together...we'll end up that way."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Sounds pretty good to me...I don't think things can get understood any better then that in this situation."

Kelly nodded. "That's true." She took a deep breath, then said, "I'm gonna go back over after my shower and see if the doctor's still there. I'll let you know what's going on."

"Does he not want me to come over at all?" Nick asked, sadness evident in his voice. He wanted to talk to Justin more then just a few seconds on the phone.

Kelly shook her head as she opened the door to leave. "No. I'm sure he'll wanna see you after he sees the doctor and meets with Johnny and everything."

Nick nodded. "Okay...see ya." He said, watching Kelly leave.

Kelly waved and gave Nick a small smile as she left to go to her own room.

After Kelly left again Nick stretched out on the couch to finish watching the show. After about ten more minutes though he started to drift off to sleep.

Kelly returned to Nick's room around noon time...now wearing his t-shirt with a pair of baggy sweats and her slippers...her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She knocked...and waited patiently for Nick to answer.

Nick was still fast asleep on the couch when he heard somebody knocking on the door. Shaken from his nice nap he forced himself up out of bed and walked to the door. Opening it he smiled though. "Hi...sorry if you were out here long."

Kelly smiled as she shook her head. "No...I wasn't. Sorry I woke you."

Nick shook his head as he moved out of the way so Kelly could come into the room. "It's okay...I hadn't meant to fall asleep in the first place."

Kelly took a few steps into the room, then stopped. "Well...go get showered or dressed or whatever it is you need to do...cuz his highness is requesting your presence."

"His high...?" Nick got it before he finished the question and laughed. "Okay, I'm gunna go take a shower then...if you're gunna stay here make yourself comfy and I will be right back." With that Nick headed into his room and into the bathroom.

"I'm gonna go, Nick," Kelly called as Nick went into the bathroom. "I need a nap."

"Alright...talk to you later Kel." Nick called as he stripped out of his boxers and jeans.

"OK. I'm leaving the key to his room right here on the table," Kelly said...then set it on the table by the door. "Bye," she called before walking into the hall and heading to her room.

Nick quickly showered and got dressed in record time. With his hair still wet he put his socks and shoes on and walked out into the main room. He saw the key that Kelly had left and picked it up. Grabbing his own key he walked out the door and down the hall to Justin's room. Opening the door he walked inside. "Justin...It's me." he called, so Justin wouldn't be scared of who was coming in.

"Hi," Justin called from the bedroom...where he was laying on top of the made bed...slouching down against his pillows with a heating pad under his lower back. His hands were folded on his stomach as he watched 'Family Feud' on TV.

Nick walked through the room and to where Justin's room was. Standing in the doorway he watched Justin for a second. His stomach flip-flopped seeing him lying there hurting. Taking a deep breath he walked into the room. "How ya doing?"

Justin looked at Nick and shrugged his shoulders a bit. "Like ass. But oh well."

"I'm sorry you got hurt." Nick said as he walked to sit on the edge of the bed.

Justin took a deep breath. "Well...it's definitely not YOUR fault...but thanks anyway."

Nick smiled a little. "I didn't think it was my fault...I'm just sorry you had to be hurting for whatever reason." Nick scooted up so his back was against the headboard, next to Justin. "Kelly didn't tell me what the doctor said."

Justin sighed. "Well...tonight's show's obviously cancelled...and so is Saturday's in New York. I have to stay in bed the next three days. I have to keep putting heat, then ice...heat, then ice...and he gave me Vicodin for the pain." Justin paused...and grimaced as he shifted on the bed just slightly. "I'm not canceling the radio show on Monday, though. I'll do it sitting on a stool and have just the dancers dance if I have to."

Nick watched Justin grimace when he only moved slightly on the bed and he felt tears coming to his eyes. He always hated seeing people he cared for hurt. "Sounds smart...gota get you better." He said, his hand going to Justin's thigh, rubbing it in a comforting fashion.

Justin sighed again as he resettled himself against his pillows. "Yeah...I know. But it fuckin’ sucks. I'm not out here to be layin’ around all day. I got shit to do."

"Yeah well...everybody will understand. Nobody expects you to be invincible and not get hurt Justin. Even crazy ass fans who think you are immortal or something don't think that." Nick said, his hand still moving on Justin's thigh.

"But it sucks. I mean...that's two shows I'm not gonna be able to do. That's so many disappointed people. And a week before Christmas, too."

"Can't you like add the dates onto the end of the tour or something. I mean I guess that would put you out a little...but I dunno...I have no idea what I'm talking about. I don't know how this stuff works."

"Technically this IS the end of the tour. The radio show on Monday...then I'm taking off a couple weeks for Christmas. After New Years I go overseas."

Nick felt his heart drop into his stomach, fear setting in. Justin was leaving...going overseas. He couldn't think of that happening...he would miss him way too much. "Oh yeah...I keep forgetting Christmas is next week." He said trying to hide the sadness in his voice.

"I know...it came up so quick."

"Do you still want me to come with you?" Nick asked, his voice sounding a lot like a little kid who was trying to not get his hopes up.

"For Christmas? Of course...if you want to."

The big smile that played across Nick's face was enough of an answer. But he also gave Justin a soft kiss on the lips too. "Does that answer your question."

Justin smiled weakly. "Yeah."

Nick pulled back and sat back against the headboard again. "Kel told me you guys finally talked about stuff."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...we did. I'm not gonna lie, Nick. I love her...so it kinda sucks. But what can I do? I mean...she's had opportunity to sleep with other guys the whole time we've had our...thing...going on...so..."

Nick still couldn't help but feel like shit. "Yeah...but the other guy shouldn't be your friend...and I know you love her, Justin...and she loves you."

Justin nodded again. "I know. But really...we talked...and it's OK. As sick as it sounds, it's fair to everyone this way...ya know?"

Nick laughed and nodded. "I know...you wana know something pretty fucked up?"

"What?"

"I'm not sure how much help I'm going to be with this whole finding your sexuality stuff...cuz I'm starting to do the same thing." Nick answered, turning to look at Justin, wondering what the younger man was going to think

Justin looked at Nick curiously. "Kelly's making you think you're bi, isn't she?"

Nick bit his bottom lip that was still really sore from the night before and winced. "Yeah...I don't think I can just pass it off as her being really special anymore."

"Why's that?"

Nick blushed a little, not sure if Justin wanted to know this...but he said it anyway. "Because I had the best sex of my life last night...or at least up until this point."

Justin chuckled. Sure...the whole thing DID make him jealous even if he DID agree to go along with it, but as friends of both Nick and Kelly, he was going to have to get used to talking about it. "Well...what made it the best sex you've ever had?"

Thinking about that for a second, Nick wasn't really sure he knew the answer. "It was so sweet and careful at first...but then got so hard and needy towards the end...I don't know the whole experience was so much more then the quick fucks I had gotten used to in the past."

"OK...so let me ask you this. Is it just the SEX with Kelly that's making you question things...or is it more than that?"

Nick groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't really know...this shit is confusing...no wonder you have been having issues." He tried to joke.

Justin chuckled quietly. "Yeah."

Nick thought of something though, and knew he had to make it known. "I still know I really like boys though...I'm just not sure how much I really like about girls...and maybe it still is just Kelly because she is so sweet and kind and becoming one of my best friends."

"Which is cool. But...she obviously turns you on something fierce."

Nick giggled and nodded his head like crazy. "I’m going to have serious issues...the two people that turn me on the most are best friends...and are pretty much together all the time."

"Yeah...that could get really interesting."

"The question will be who do I jump on and attack with kisses." Nick laughed.

"Well...when my back is healthy...you got a better chance of getting your ass kicked if you do it to me...so..."

Nick put on a playful pout. "Aww...you're not fun."

"I can be when I wanna be."

Nick smiled and nodded. "I know you can. So, now that you're stuck in bed for a few days what should we do to pass the time?"

"I'M gonna do nothing. "YOU can do whatever you wanna do. Don't feel like you have to be held up here with me."

"Okay...I will do what I wana do." Nick answered by propping up more pillows behind his back and getting comfortable to watch the TV.

Justin glanced over at Nick. "It's fine if you wanna stay for a while...but don't think I'm letting you stay here the whole time."

Nick glanced over at Justin and shrugged. "Okay...whatever you want." He said as his eyes turned back to the TV to watch the game show.

"I just don't want you to sit around here and do nothing. Especially when there's so much to do in this city...and so many people to do them with."

Nick shook his head. "I'm here to be with you...if that means we're going to have a marathon of weird old game shows...then that is what we're gunna do. I went out and had fun last night."

Justin laughed quietly. "Yeah, you did."

Nick pouted playfully. "We went to a club, we didn't even get to dance...Kelly had other ideas." he giggled.

"I'm sure you didn't mind."

"Not in the least...and I think I made up for last time too." Nick said blushing a little.

"Yeah...that's what SHE said."

Nick couldn't help but get a huge smile on his face. "She did?"

"Yeah. She...uh...had a good time."

Nick could hear the hesitation on Justin's voice and turned to face him. "I'm sure she has a much better time when she is with you...you know what you're doing better then I do."

Justin laughed at that. "Not necessarily."

"Believe me...I still have to remind myself I'm not with a guy. It's like 'oh wait...she doesn't have that...she has that instead.' It can get pretty confusing." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed a little harder. "Damn...that's funny."

Nick smiled, happy to see Justin laughing. "You may find yourself with the same problem...if you ever find yourself in that position with another guy."

"I don't think it'd be THAT bad...cuz everything HE has *I* have."

"Hopefully...unless your doing it with a very odd, deformed guy." Nick joked, trying to keep the mood light.

Justin made a face. "That's disgusting."

Nick made a face back when he really thought about it. "Yeah…that is just nasty...and well you wont have to worry about that if you stick with me." he said wiggling his eyebrows

Justin arched an eyebrow. "How do I know you're not all deformed and shit?"

"Would Kelly really do stuff with a guy who was deformed?" Nick asked with an arch of his own eyebrow.

Justin shrugged. "Probably. She's sweet like that."

Nick had to nod his head at that. "You've got a really good point...but I assure you I'm not deformed...I did have this guy fuck me once who's cock was like really crooked...that was really....uhh interesting."

Justin wrinkled his nose. "Didn't it like...hurt?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah...and at first I like freaked out...I kinda feel sorry for the guy now that I think about it. But assured me that it was good and nobody else minded. " Nick paused and smirked. "It hurt a little more but with the extra pain there was more pleasure...It was like he could hit places in me that had never been hit before."

Justin made another face. "That's kinda freaky."

"Yeah...but SO hot." Nick answered smirking. "I know I could never go straight again...Having somebody in you is just too amazing to give up. I can't even imagine what it would be like to do that with somebody you love. It must be really intense."

"So you've never been in love with a guy, huh?" Justin questioned more seriously.

Nick thought about Justin's question for a minute and then nodded his head. "Yeah...I've been in love before...I really liked this guy...his name was Michael. I thought he liked me too because we fooled around more then once...which back then was something I just didn't do. I really started to feel close and connected to him and I think the feeling was love...but then less then a week later he

told me he couldn't do this anymore and that we should go back to fucking different guys."

"Wow...that definitely sucks. I kinda know what it's like, though."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"To like...be ditched to fuck someone else...? Yeah..."

Nick was shocked, and angry at that person. "Who did that?" he asked, without really thinking.

"Oh come on...how could you not know?"

Nick tried to think, but he couldn't think. "Because I'm blonde and stupid?" he joked.

"Britney. I mean...big a fan as you are, I would have thought you knew that."

Nick groaned and slapped himself in the head. "Sorry...I'm still going on like four hours of sleep and a small nap...but yeah I do know that."

Justin groaned. "She's a bitch," he mumbled...almost surprising himself. He tried so hard not to talk bad about her.

Nick nodded his head. "Yeah she is...I've always hated her...wanted to slap you when you started dating her."

Justin chuckled. "How can you hate her? You don't know her."

"I don't know she just gave me creepy vibes...and she can't sing." Nick laughed.

"No...she really can't. She should have been a dancer," Justin said with a laugh of his own.

Nick thought about that for a second and nodded in agreement. "Yeah...I can see that." He then laughed again. "I really wana know what was going through her head with the whole Madonna thing."

"I don't. I could care less."

"Yeah...you don't really have any reason to care anymore. She's out of your life...and you've moved on to much better things." Nick said smiling.

"I'm trying to, anyway."

"You're going down the right road being with Kelly. She's such a sweet girl...wouldn't hurt a fly unless she would have to."

"Yeah...I know that...but I'm not WITH Kelly."

"You aren't WITH anybody...and sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about that and just have friends. Relationships are confusing...but then again our friendships are damn confusing too." Nick said, getting a confused look on his face as he thought about that.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...it IS all a big mess. But for some reason I'm not all that uncomfortable with it. At least not for now, anyway."

Nick nodded. "Nope...in a way it seems kind of normal...or at least normal for us. Now that everybody is more okay with the situation."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...exactly." He leaned up from the pillows a bit to pull the heating pad out from under his back and tossed it onto the ground. He then rested back down with a painful groan.

"Anything I can do to help?" Nick asked, looking at Justin, wishing he could make his pain go away.

Justin shook his head with a sigh. "Thanks...but no."

"What was it like being in show business and stuff when you were so young?" Nick asked out of the blue.

Justin shrugged. "Same as it is now," he started...slipping his left hand under his wifebeater to scratch his stomach. "Some parts of it were awesome, some parts of it sucked. I missed a lot of things...like high school and basketball and the prom, and stuff. But...I guess what I DID have more than made up for it."

"I used to wana be one of the kids on the Mickey Mouse Club. I would watch you guys and ask my mom why I couldn't do that." Nick laughed at the memory.

"I didn't really enjoy that all that much. I was much happier when the whole NSYNC thing started."

Nick laughed. "I have NO Idea why...I mean singing in a band that everybody loved. All the girls screaming for you. Getting to go overseas and see more stuff then most people get to see in a lifetime. Yup...no idea why a young teenager would see that as exciting."

Justin chuckled as he brought his eyes to the television...where 'Wheel of Fortune' had come on. "It was very exciting."

Nick turned back to the TV too and groaned when he saw what was on. "I always watched this show...but sucked at trying to figure it out because I can't spell worth shit." he laughed.

Justin laughed, too. "I love this show. I'm good at it."

Nick looked at the board on the show hard. "I have no idea what they are trying to spell." He said seriously trying to figure out what the letters Vanna was bringing up spelled.

"Hmm...I don't know this one, yet."

Nick blushed up laughing when one of the women landed on something to win a trip to Mexico and she was jumping up and down. "Somebody is sure happy."

"Mexico's OK..." Justin said absently. "...but there are nicer places."

"Yeah...I agree with you there." Nick said, still trying to figure out what the phrase was.

Justin groaned when he heard a knock on the door to his suite. "Damn...would you mind gettin that?"

"No problem." Nick said as he got off the bed and walked out of the room. Going to the door he opened it.

Justin's assistant was standing on the other side of the door...a small paper bag in hand. "Hello, Mr. Carter," Tina said...a smile on her face.

Nick smiled back. "Hi Tina...and please call me Nick." He said, backing away from the door so the older woman could come in.

Tina kept the smile on her face as she stepped into the room. "OK, Nick. How's Justin?"

"He's hurting and can't really move too well...but I guess it could be worse." Nick replied, closing the door behind Tina.

Tina nodded as she sighed quietly. "Yes...I suppose it could. But anyway...here's his medication," she said...handing the paper bag to Nick. "The instructions and all that are in the bag."

Nick took the bag from Tina and opened it to look inside. "Alrighty...I'll make sure he takes it...thanks for bringing it by and checking up on him." He said smiling.

"No problem," she said...opening the door to leave. "Call if you guys need anything."

"Will do." Nick said as he let her out. Once Tina was gone, Nick grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and carried it with the pills into the room. "I come baring drugs." He giggled.

Justin chuckled. "My savior."

Nick handed Justin the bottle of water and then set the bag down on the bed. Looking in it he brought the pill bottle out and read the instructions. Getting the right amount of pills he handed them to Justin. "There ya go."

"Thanks," Justin said...then swallowed his pills down. "Great...maybe they'll put me in a coma."

"I sure hope not...I plan on keeping you around for a while." Nick laughed as he climbed back onto the bed.

"At least til the pain goes away."

Nick pretended to think about that. "Oh...okay...I guess so." He giggled.

Justin chuckled...a laugh that turned into a frustrated sigh when he heard his cell phone ringing. "What now...?"

"You are popular when everybody is scared to death their star is dying...do you want me to get it?"

"Can you just grab it for me? I can't reach," Justin said...looking at the phone on the nightstand. His back was too sore for him to reach his arm that far.

Nick nodded as he got up off the bed and walked around to the other side. Getting the phone he handed it to Justin. "There you go."

"Thank you," Justin said...opening the phone up. "Hello...?"

"Honey...are you okay?" Were the first words out of Lynn Harless' mouth when Justin answered the phone

Justin sighed quietly...resting his head back on his pillow and closing his eyes. "Yeah, mama...I'm fine."

"You must not be fine if they are canceling two shows." Lynn pointed out in a worried tone.

Nick looked over at Justin, when he heard him say mama. Thinking he should give Justin some time to talk on the phone, he walked out of the room.

"I'm fine...just not fine enough to move around the stage for a few days."

Lynn sighed. "Have they given you anything for the pain?" She asked, knowing how bad Justin's back could get when he hurt it.

"Yeah. I saw a doctor earlier, and he prescribed Vicodin. I just took the first dose."

"That’s good...I hope it works." Lynn said before pausing for a second. "How are things other wise? How is that friend Nick of yours adjusting to tour life?"

"He's doing good. He's fitting in just fine."

"That's good...I'm glad. Is he there to help you out?"

"Yeah. Kelly was here all morning...and Nick's here hanging out with me now."

"That's good honey...well call me again if you need to talk or just get bored lying around." Lynn said.

Justin laughed. "That was a quick call, mama...everything OK?"

Lynn shrugged her shoulders even though Justin couldn't see her. "Well...no…"

"You don't sound too convincing."

"I just don't want to bother you with my problems...you have enough going on in your life." Lynn replied.

"What is it, mama?" Justin asked...getting concerned. "I have time to listen."

"It's nothing Justin...don't worry about me. I'm fine." Lynn sighed. "Now...tell me how is Kelly doing...you guys ever going to try a relationship again? You two were very cute together." She said, being pushy like a mother should be, without knowing it.

"Kelly's fine. And we're still just friends...for now. Now come on, mama...tell me what's up."

"Why just for now? I don't understand why you guys would go back to being friends anyway." Lynn exclaimed, ignoring Justin's further questioning about her life.

"Cuz it wasn't working, mama...you KNOW that. And right now...well...neither of us wants a relationship. So...we're just doing our thing like always."

"You're still sleeping with her Justin...that isn't right." Lynn said going into major mother mode...Justin had never actually told her that but she was his mother and she knew these things.

"God, ma...I didn't even say that."

Lynn laughed a little. "I know you didn't...but your reaction just then was a good indication that I was correct in thinking that. Just watch what you're doing." She warned.

Justin sighed quietly. "I know. I'm always careful. You know that."

"All the birth control in the world doesn't protect you or her from a broken heart." Lynn pointed out and sighed herself.

Justin squeezed his eyes shut and reached his free hand up to rub them. "Tell me about it."

Lynn could tell by her son's voice that she hit a nerve. "Things aren't going as smoothly with this just being friends thing as you would like me to think is it?"

Justin took a deep breath. "No, nothings are fine. She's just...kinda datin around...and that sucks a little."

Just then Nick walked into the room and headed into the bathroom, trying not to bother Justin.

"Ohh honey...I'm sorry. That would not be easy to watch. I bet she has trouble doing that while she's on tour though."

"Yeah...there's only been one guy as far as I know," Justin said...not going into any details.

"I can't see her as the type to fool around...so I would be shocked if there was anybody else." Lynn stated, and then thought of something. "Does Nick have a girlfriend? I mean that would be hard if he left somebody at home to come with you guys."

"No...no, he doesn't."

"Well that's good...gives him a chance to have fun when with you guys." Lynn laughed.

"Yeah...it does. So...tell me what's going on with YOU, now," Justin urged...wanting to drop the subject...as well as find out what was on his mother's mind.

Lynn sighed. "Things aren't going so great with Paul and I." She finally admitted.

"What?" Justin asked...shock evident in his voice.

"I know...It's shocking me too...but he's just been so distant lately...every time I try to ask him what is wrong he doesn't tell me. Then he's barely ever home, or when he is he's in another part of the house. I just don't get why he's ignoring me." Lynn said, sadness in her voice.

"I don't get it, either...you two have never had problems." Paul had been married to Justin's mother since he was six years old...and he thought of him as a father. This was NOT news he wanted to be hearing.

"I could just be making a big deal out of nothing though, so Justin don't worry too much, I'm fine." Lynn said, knowing Justin was going to get angry and upset and he didn't need that.

"It wouldn’t be bothering you if it was nothing."

"Justin...It's nothing." Lynn said too quickly and a little harshly. Which was a good indication that she was indeed worried about it.

Justin sighed. "Whatever, ma...call me when you REALLY wanna talk."

"I'll call you sometime tomorrow to see how you are doing...Take care honey...Love you." Lynn said, trying hard not to cry. She didn't know what to tell Justin, because she wasn't sure what was going on anymore than he did.

"I love you too, mama."

With that Lynn hung up the phone.

Justin closed his cell phone and sighed. "Fucking great," he mumbled...dropping the phone to the floor since he couldn't reach the nightstand.

Nick walked out of the bathroom, wiping his hands on his jeans right when Justin dropped the phone to the floor. "Trying to brake things now?" He asked as he bent down to pick it up and put it back on the table.

"No...just couldn't reach."

"Something bad going on at home?" Nick asked softly as he climbed back onto the bed to sit next to Justin. He could hear the change in Justin's voice and knew something must have happened.

Justin rested his head back and closed his eyes. "Just some shit with my parents. I don't know..."

Nick sighed. "That is never good...I thought Lynn and Paul got along good?"

"How would you know? I've never talked about them."

"I think I read it some place." Nick said blushing a little.

Justin sighed. "Yeah...well like everyone else, you've probably also read that I have a great relationship with my father even though he walked out on my mom and me when I was three. THAT'S not true."

Nick thought about what Justin was saying. "So Lynn and Paul haven't been happy?" he asked, thinking since Justin was saying that what he read normally wasn't true...then that wasn't either

"I'm not sayin that...I'm just telling you not to believe all the shit you read...no matter how reliable you think a source might be."

"I know that." Nick said, not sure why Justin was getting all weird on him.

Justin took a deep breath to relax. He hadn't meant to get testy with Nick. "Sorry," he practically whispered.

Nick smiled a little "It's alright...you have a lot of shitty things going on right now...if you need to rant and rage go ahead and do it."

"Nah...I'm fine."

"Well...I'll be praying for your mom and dad...that whatever is going on with them gets worked out quickly. Having parents at each others throats all the time is sucky." Nick said, thinking about his own parents. He was one of those kids that actually wished his parents would have gotten divorced.

Justin sighed. He felt back for Nick...and he hoped his parents didn't end up at each other's throats, too. "Maybe I'll talk about it another time...but not now, OK?"

Nick nodded his head. "Of course"...he then turned back to the TV to see Wheel of Fortune was over. "We never did get to see what that weird phrase was."

"That's OK...what's on next?"

"I don't know." Nick said as he waited for them to say which weird game show was on next. "It's pretty crazy they can make a whole TV station full of game shows." he said and then laughed when they announced what was next. "Newlywed Show."

"I haven't seen this one in years," Justin said...trying to keep his attention on what was going on there in the room...rather than what was going on with his parents in Tennessee.

"I haven't either." Nick said, looking at Justin more then the TV. He knew what was going on with his parents was bothering Justin to death and he wish he could help.

Justin rested his right arm down on the bed...and his other hand distractedly toyed with the bottom edge of his wifebeater as he looked at the TV.

"Why don't you wait and see how those pills work...and then beg Johnny to let you go to Tennessee. You aren't doing yourself any good sitting around here wondering what is going on." Nick said, turning his head to look at the TV. "I would come with you." The last part wasn't much more then a whisper.

"I can't...I have to go to New York this weekend for the radio show Monday...and my people have already made plans to get me into some of my favorite stores in the city after closing hours to do my Christmas shopping."

"Oh yeah...I forgot about that." Nick said, a smile forming on his lips. It just hitting him that HE was going to New York!

"Yeah..." Justin said...still tugging at his shirt and staring at the TV.

Nick turned to look at Justin and saw what he was doing to his shirt. "Justin...calm down...everything is fine." He said calmly, his own hand going to rub Justin's stomach to try and help calm him down.

"I'm calm...I'm fine."

Nick looked at Justin with a raised eyebrow. "Then let the poor shirt live...you're going to stretch it out of shape."

Justin chuckled. "So?"

Nick laughed and shrugged. "I guess it doesn't matter if you do.... but still I'm just showing you, you aren't calm."

"Sorry...I'll be fine, though."

"You sure?" Nick asked, looking Justin in the eye. He didn't want Justin hurt and upset...or sad...or anything like that.

Justin just nodded...his eyes still on the TV, and his hand still tugging at his shirt even though Nick's hand had joined his own on his stomach.

Nick continued to rub Justin's stomach, thinking it may calm him down even if he felt he didn't need to be. "What stores are you going to go to?" He asked, remembering what Justin said about shopping in New York City.

"Abercrombie...J. Crew...Diesel...Tiffany...FAO Swartz..." Justin rambled...trying to remember some of the store names Tina had given him.

"Whoa...that sounds really cool...even though it would be kinda strange shopping all by yourself." Nick said, thinking about the few times he went Christmas shopping with his mom at the mall and how crazy it was. She had, had a fit about all the people but Nick thought it was interesting to watch everybody.

"You kinda get used to it. Stores are always willing to do it for me to get me to shop there, ya know? Usually there are some photographers and camera crews that are given special permission by my people to be there...and there are a bunch of sales people to take care of everything we need."

"Yeah...but the fun of Christmas shopping is all the crazy people trying to fight over that one last cool present." Nick said laughing.

Justin chuckled. "So...why don't you go out shopping now, then?"

Nick made a face. "Two words...strange city."

"Take a cab downtown and walk around."

Nick shook his head. "I don't want to go alone and both my friends are in bed."

"Go see if Mel or Eddie or someone wants to go."

"I don't want to go!" Nick exclaimed

Justin looked at Nick and narrowed his eyes. "Jesus Christ. Settle down. Don't fuckin yell at me."

Nick took a deep breath. "I'm sorry...It's just...I don't want to go shopping I want to stay here with you." He whispered.

"Fine...damn. I just feel like shit because I'm supposed to be entertaining you...and here I am laid up in bed."

Nick turned to look at Justin. "Who said you are supposed to be entertaining me?"

"Well...I invited you out on tour...like it's a vacation...so I should be making sure you have fun."

"I don't feel like this is a vacation anymore. Hell what am I taking a vacation from? I don't want you to feel like you have to entertain me. Or making things all cool and special anymore. From this point on I'm just one of the group, kay? I don't need special treatment."

Justin sighed. "OK...if that's how you feel."

Nick took Justin's hand in his and looked at him. "Justin, I'm not saying I'm not grateful for everything you've done...because I SO am. It's just that I don't want you to feel like you have to make everything special. I'm just here as your strange old friend now...not some fan you feel you have to show the world to. I'm having fun and seeing the world no matter what...because I'm with you."

Justin looked at Nick and smiled a bit. "OK...I understand."

Just then Nick thought of an idea. "How about I go make us some popcorn...I think they have a microwave and stuff like that in these rooms."

Justin nodded. "They do...but I'm not hungry. Help yourself, though."

Nick was going to say he wasn't hungry either but then his stomach growled. "Yeah...I think I will...I haven't eaten anything since dinner last night."

"OK...go ahead."

Getting off the bed, Nick walked into the other room and found the popcorn and put it into the microwave. "You sure you don't want anything? Have you eaten anything? Cuz I think you should have something with those pills or you're gunna feel sick to your stomach." Nick called as he watched the popcorn pop.

"I'm fine for now...thanks."

"Okay." Nick called again as he got the popcorn out of the microwave and carried it into the bedroom. Climbing back on the bed he held the bag out to Justin. "You sure...its yuuummmy."

Justin shook his head. "No thanks," he said through a yawn.

Nick smiled at Justin. "Why don't you sleep...I'm sure the drugs are making you sleepy."

Justin shrugged. "I'll sleep when I'm ready."

Nick giggled. "Yes, sir." he said with a mock solute.

"So...you REALLY wanna be sittin around here with me doing nothing?"

"I'm not doing nothing...I'm watching..." Nick had to pause to look at the TV. "The Gong Show...and eating popcorn."

Justin chuckled. "Alright."

"Oh yes...because nothing is better then watching a really terrible old game show...where people bang a gong at you when you suck." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed. "So change it. Put on some soap opera or something."

Nick made a face. "I would rather watch The Gong Show." He laughed but started to flip through the channels anyway. "Ohh...now here we go." he laughed as he put it onto a really old episode of Beverly Hills 90210.

"Wow...haven't seen this in forever."

"I know me neither...I remember when I wasn't allowed to watch it." Nick laughed.

"That had to suck."

"Yeah...my mom didn't want me to watch a show with annoying teenagers who were going around having sex." Nick said rolling his eyes.

Justin laughed. "And you were probably having sex by then anyway...right?"

Nick laughed and shook his head. "Not in 91...I was only 11. I lost my virginity in..." He thought to himself trying to remember. "...95"

"Oh...OK...well I was close."

Nick giggled. "I don't think I could even have sex when I was 11."

"Probably not."

Nick made a face at the idea. "Sure hope not...not like I have to worry about that." He laughed and then turned back to the show. "God...I remember watching this thinking Brian Austin Green and Luke Perry were so hot."

Justin looked at Nick and arched an eyebrow. "I thought *I* was the first guy on TV you thought was hot...?"

Nick turned to look at Justin. "You were...this is when I was watching it right before it ended."

"Oh...OK...I see," Justin said...looking back at the TV. "And there was me...wanting to bone Kelly Taylor."

Nick laughed. "She wouldn't be bad I suppose...but I would take Dylan any day."

Justin chuckled...his hand going to play with the hem of his shirt again.

"I could never stand Brenda...she drives me insane." Nick said as he watched Brenda yell at Dylan for something.

"Yeah...she's a HUGE bitch."

"I was glad when she left." Nick said as he continued to stuff popcorn into his mouth.

"So was I...but then they brought in Val...another bitch."

Nick made a real face at that. "Yeah I HATED her. And then at the end when Noah came alone...that made me mad too. I guess I didn't like David and Donna apart." He giggled.

"True...they were meant for each other."

"I was glad they got married at the end. I remember asking for that night off so I could actually watch the show and not tape it." Nick laughed, remembering how he actually didn't go out and party because he wanted to watch the show.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...I remember watching it too. I think it brought a tear to my eye."

Nick turned to Justin in shock. "Really? I know it did mine...but...I dunno.."

"It was sad...cuz it was all over."

Nick nodded, feeling sad all over just thinking about it. "I know... I HATE when things end."

"Yeah...me too. But my mama always told me that all good things must come to an end."

Nick turned to Justin and smiled. "She's got a good point...even though that is kinda sad."

"Yeah...I know."

"What time do we leave here tomorrow?" Nick asked out of the blue.

Justin shrugged a bit. "I'm not sure, yet."

Nick nodded. "Okay...doesn't really matter just wondered."

"So...are you enjoying yourself so far?"

"Of course I am." Nick said turning to Justin and smiling. What he said was the truth...he was having a blast even though things were pretty messed up.

"OK...good. I just wanted to make sure."

"Let's see...I've met two of the best people in the world...who I'm beginning to see as my best friends. I get to stay in posh hotels. Go to concerts for free. What else could a guy want?" Nick giggled.

Justin chuckled. "Not to mention you're getting some great sex, too."

Nick laughed and nodded. "Oh yeah...how could I forget that. Plus I get to make out with two people...that's a nice bonus too."

"Oh yeah...who else you makin out with besides the lovely Miss Kelly?" Justin asked playfully.

Nick pretended to think about that. "Gosh...I have no idea...but I think I remember the lips being those of a man." He said with a mock gasp of shock.

Justin gasped as well. "Not a man..."

Nick nodded quickly. "Uh huh...and you know what?? It was really, really good too!"

"Oh was it?"

"Uh huh...very good." Nick said with a sly smile on his face.

"Interesting," Justin said...returning his attention to 90210 as he slipped his hand under his shirt and rested it on his stomach.

Something about 90210 made Nick think about the deep dark secret he had told Kelly the night before. It was strange, he hadn't thought about that in years...so why was it bothering him again. Sighing he tried to pay attention to the show.

Justin was quiet for a while...laying still as he watched the show.

"Don't ever trust a girl when she says she's on birth control." Nick mumbled, mostly to himself.

"Huh?" Justin questioned...still looking at the TV.

When Nick noticed he said that loud enough for Justin to hear he just went along with it. "I said don't trust a girl if she says she's on birth control...and says you don't need to protect yourself."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Nick laughed a little and shrugged. "I'm not really telling you it...I just thought about it because of a personal experience...and was saying it to myself kinda."

Justin turned his head to look at Nick. "Are you saying you...got someone pregnant?"

Sighing, Nick nodded his head. "Yeah...a long time ago."

"Wow...I had no idea. I mean...I never would have guessed."

Nick laughed a little. "I actually haven't thought about it in years...then Kelly asked me a deep dark secret last night...and that was really the only thing I could think about that I NEVER told anybody."

"Wow. So...what happened...if you don't mind me asking?"

"I don't mind." Nick said, pausing for a second to collect his thoughts. "She was my girlfriend at the time. It was freshman year and that is when you're starting to hear that sex is the cool thing to do and that you NEED to be doing it. So, one night we thought we'd give it a try. She told me she was on the pill...and I believed her because I never thought she would lie to me."

"Damn, Nick...that really sucks. You got her pregnant the first time you had sex?"

Nick laughed and nodded. "Yeah and it totally sucked too...I think I was inside her for all of like 30 seconds."

"Are you for real?"

Blushing slightly, Nick nodded. "Uh huh...totally serious."

"Wait...so what about the baby?

Nick looked down at his lap and sighed. "We broke up like a week later because of something stupid that I don't even remember...and her family moved to a different part of the city so she left my school. It wasn't until two years later when she came into the music store where I was working at the time that we went and had coffee. She told me that two years before she had gotten pregnant and got an abortion."

"You've gotta be kidding me..." Justin said quietly.

Nick shook his head sadly. "She talked about it like it was just something that happened in the past like it was nothing special or important. I felt like my heart was being torn from my chest."

"Oh my God...I'm so sorry."

Nick got a small smile on his face. "It's kinda weird to think that I have a kid in every sense of the word. I may never see it...but it was created none the less."

"Yeah...I know...that IS weird."

"But yeah...that was my deep dark secret...now I will put it back into my head where it belongs and hopefully not think of it again for a really long time. It makes me too sad." Nick said, looking back at the TV to see it was a commercial.

"You're a strong guy, Nick. I mean...I know I've said this to you before...but I really admire that about you."

Nick turned to Justin and smiled. "Thanks...that means a lot to me to hear you say that."

"Well...it's true," Justin said as he watched the commercials on TV. His hand traveled up to rest on his lower chest...pulling his wifebeater up his stomach with it.

Nick watched Justin's hand out of the corner of his eye and sucked in a deep breath. Why did he have to think Justin was so sexy all the time. Especially when he couldn't do anything about it.

Justin watched the show until it ended. When the credits started, he groaned quietly. "I have to pee."

Nick looked over at Justin. "Need help getting there?"

"I don't know...but I definitely need help sitting up," Justin said...putting both hands on the bed to start getting up.

Nick turned better on the bed and put his hands gently on Justin's back so he could help him sit up. "Careful...don't do anything too fast."

Justin slowly sat up and swung his feet down to the floor...a look of discomfort on his face the whole time. "Fuck."

"I can help you if you need it." Nick said, actually following Justin the whole time he was sitting up, his hand always on his back gently.

"Just...come over here so you can like...grab my hands and pull me up."

Nick was off the bed in a flash and taking Justin's hands in his. "Okay on three, try to stand up...One...Two...Three." He held onto Justin tightly, ready to jump and hold him up if something happened.

Justin tried sittin up, but struggled. "Ouch...shit...you gotta pull me up."

Nick bit his bottom lip, he didn't want to hurt Justin, but he knew he had to do this. "Okay." Nick counted again and this time grabbed onto Justin's wrists so he wouldn't pull his hands out of the socket as he pulled Justin up.

Justin let Nick pull him up slowly, then groaned once he was on his feet. "Shit. OK. I'm up."

Nick giggled slightly. "Yeah...you are on your feet...but can you move?"

Justin smiled a bit...bringing a hand to his lower back. "Yeah...I should be able to shuffle my way to the bathroom."

"You still look adorable even when you're in pain." Nick said smiling his 100 watt smile.

Justin laughed as he slowly headed for the bathroom. "Thanks."

Nick sat down on the bed and watched Justin closely. "Haller if you need help."

"I will," Justin said. He eventually made it into the bathroom and over to the toilet to pee.

Keeping his eyes on the door the whole time and at the edge of the bed, Nick made sure that Justin was okay...and ready to pounce if he needed to.

Justin washed his hands, then made his way back out into the bedroom.

Nick smiled when Justin came out. "Feeling better?"

"My bladder does," Justin said...stopping to rest halfway across the room. "Could you do me a favor and get the ice pack in the freezer?"

Nick was up in a flash and into the mini kitchen. Grabbing the ice pack he was back in the room before Justin was even to the bed.

Justin passed by the bed and went over to one of the chairs by the window. "I'm gonna sit here for a while...something different," he said...sitting down slowly.

"Change is good." Nick said following Justin, ice pack in hand.

Justin leaned forward in the seat. "Can you put that behind me?"

Nick nodded and gently placed the ice pack on Justin's lower back. "Okay, go ahead and lean back."

Justin leaned back with a sigh, then closed his eyes. "Thanks."

"Cold?" Nick asked, smiling at the look on Justin's face.

"Cold as hell."

Nick sat down in another chair and looked out the window for a second. "It was weird to be outside without snow last night."

"I know...it's nice here," Justin said...shifting in his chair a bit. "So..in all honesty...what's going on with the whole Kelly thing? Do you REALLY think you might be bi?"

Nick took a deep breath. "I really like her...I know that. I love hanging out with her, talking to her...and of course having sex with her. But she's kind of like my female friend with benefits ya know." He sighed and took a second to think. "As for the Bi thing...I don't know. She's the only girl in years that has turned me on like that."

"What is it about her?"

Nick thought some more and then it hit him like a tone of bricks. "She's been with you." He whispered...for some reason not all that happy with what he figured out

"What?" Justin asked...widening his eyes. He wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.

Nick swallowed hard. "The reason she's different...the reason she turns me on so much...is because she has been with you." He said, this and felt sick to his stomach. The whole thought made him feel dirty and cheep...but he knew it was true.

Justin sighed and dropped his head back against the chair. "Oh man. So...you're saying that KELLY doesn't turn you on...the fact that Kelly sleeps with ME turns you on."

Nick scrunched up his face in confusion. "I...I really don't know. I...shit." He said, leaning forward and putting his head in his hands.

Justin took a deep breath. He really didn't know what to make of all of this. "You have to tell her," he said somewhat sternly.

Nick shook his head as a few tears escaped his eyes. "I can't do that...It would crush her." He whispered.

"Yeah? Well here she is having sex with you now...getting you off like whoa...and thinking that she heats you up and does it for you. THAT'S fucked up."

Nick looked back up at Justin, tears falling down his cheeks, his face showing all the pain he was feeling. "I know it is!" He exclaimed, so angry at himself. "I'm a terrible person...but I didn't know!"

"You need to tell her," Justin said again...his tone calm.

Nick nodded his head and sniffled. "God....I feel like such a shit...I can't believe I ever did something like that."

"How could you not have known? I mean...what...like...were you thinking of ME?"

Nick shook his head. "No...I didn't think of you...not really anyway."

"Not really...?"

"I thought of you telling me about you and her in the bathroom on the bus. At the time I thought it was because I was thinking of her doing that stuff to you...but now the more I think about it...it was YOU to her that did it." Nick whispered again, he felt so sick...so disgusting.

"Go talk to her." Justin was pissed. He didn't do well with people fucking around with the people he loved.

Nick looked up into Justin's eyes and saw how angry he was. He knew he did the one thing he promised not to do...hurt Kelly. "I'm sorry." He said quietly as he got up and walked out the door. Tears were still falling down his cheeks by the time he was knocking on Kelly's door.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

"Hey listen...someone's at the door...I'll call you back," Kelly said into her cell phone as she got up from the couch. "OK...bye." She dropped the phone on the coffee table on her way to the door. She opened it to see Nick, and her face fell when she saw him crying. "Honey...what happened?"

"I...I need...to talk to...you." Nick said, almost sobbing by this point. He knew he was about to lose both of his friends this afternoon and it was tearing him up inside.

"Wh-...OK...come in and sit down," Kelly said...wondering what the hell was going on as she stepped aside to let Nick in.

Nick walked into the room and went to sit down on the couch. "He...hates...me...you gunna hate me." He sobbed, having trouble getting out what he needed to say.

Kelly sat beside Nick and put her hand on his back. "Hey...slow down. Now...what on earth are you talking about?"

Nick took a few deep breaths until he was finally calming down a little bit. "I...finally figured it out."

"Figured WHAT out?"

"Why you turn me on so much...it's not because I'm turning Bi...It's something else." Nick whispered, looking down at his lap.

Kelly swallowed hard...bringing her hands to fold them in her lap. "OK..."

"It's the thought that I know you've been with Justin...like that." Nick whispered again, his face still looking down. His stomach was in knots...and he knew his world was slowly crashing down on him.

"Oh shit..." Kelly breathed out...her heart falling into her stomach and making her sick as she leaned against the back of the couch.

Nick closed his eyes tight and then opened them to look back up at Kelly. His heart breaking in a million pieces at the look on her face. "I...I know saying...I'm sorry...probably doesn't mean anything...but I am...SO sorry, Kelly. I never meant to hurt you."

Kelly shook her head slowly...staring straight ahead as her eyes filled with silent tears. "I don't even know what to say," she said in a hoarse whisper.

Nick nodded. "Okay." He said softly, not sure if she wanted him to leave...or if she was going to have something to say to him. All he knew was he was so close to throwing up and watching Kelly so upset was killing him inside.

"How stupid," Kelly said...letting out a bitter laugh as a few tears rolled down her cheeks. "How could I be so fucking stupid? You're gay! I should have known you couldn't really be interested in me."

Nick's eyes went wide. "This isn't your fault! It's all my fault I"m the sick stupid fucking bastard here. I led you on...tried to convince myself and you that this is what I wanted. I'm the bad guy...you didn't do anything!" He exclaimed, crying harder again.

"I fucking slept with you...and it meant nothing. That's something I promised myself I'd NEVER do...meaningless sex."

"You can't be mad at yourself when you didn't know." Nick pointed out. "Hell *I* didn't know until half an hour ago.." He added softly but then shook his head. "Which is a fucking lame excuse."

Kelly took a deep breath and reached up to wipe her eyes. "I don't want to be mad at you, Nick...because for some reason, I really trust that you're just now figuring this out. "But...I just can't deal with this right now. You need to go. I need time."

Nick let out a big sigh of relief...that was a LOT more then he was expecting. "Thank you...for at least giving me a chance." He said as he stood up. "Take all the time you need...you know where to find me." With that he walked to the door and back out into the hall. Once there he debated weather to go back to Justin's room or not. Thinking he probably wanted to know what was going on he went down the hall and using the cardkey he was given before he opened the door and walked in. Quietly he walked to stand in the bedroom doorway. "Hi."

Justin just looked at Nick from where he was still seated in the chair.

"You gunna bite me if I come in?" Nick pretty much whispered, a small smile on his face.

Justin looked away from Nick...moving his eyes to look out the window. "I don’t wanna talk to you right now. I wanna talk to Kelly."

Nick nodded sadly. "Okay...she'll probably be here to talk to you any minute so I better leave then." With that Nick walked back out of the room. Holding the cardkey in his hand he walked down the hall and back to Kelly's room. Knocking on the door he waited nervously. He knew she didn't want to see him...but he wasn't there to talk...just to give her the key.

Kelly pulled the door open, and just stared blankly at Nick.

"Justin wants to see you...so I brought you this." Nick said softly as he handed Kelly the key.

"Thanks," Kelly said simply...taking the key, and closing the door as she walked around Nick and down the hall to let herself into Justin's room.

Nick sighed and made his way back to his own room. Letting himself in he made his way straight to his bedroom and flopped onto the bed. There he cried himself into a restless sleep.

*****@****

Kelly was in Justin's room for well over an hour before she finally left and made her way down to Nick's room. She knocked on the door, and redid her ponytail while she waited.

Nick was shaken from his sleep and slowly made his way to the door. He was sure he looked like death warmed over by this point but he didn't care. Opening it he was shocked to see Kelly on the other side of it.

Kelly gave Nick a small smile. "Hi...can I come in?"

Nick nodded and moved out of the way to let Kelly in. Running his hands through his messed up hair he headed over to the couch, wanting Kelly to follow him.

Kelly followed Nick to the couch and took a seat beside him. "I talked to Justin..." she started...looking at Nick.

"And he hates my guts and wants to cut my body up into little tiny pieces?" Nick tried to finish her sentence.

Kelly took a deep breath. "No...of course not. He's...he's OK."

Nick looked at Kelly. "You can at least look me in the eye...he can't...but I don't blame either of you for being mad at me...even hate me. What I did was terrible." He was looking down again by the time he was finished. He wasn't sure how he was ever going to forgive himself.

"Nick...listen. Justin and I talked...and he's OK. I mean...yeah...it hurt when I found out...it definitely did. But...the more I thought about it...and the more Justin and I talked about it...I realized you couldn't help it. You didn't know why you were doing it."

Nick looked up at Kelly again and nodded. "I honestly didn't, Kel. I would NEVER have done it if I knew the reason behind it. I just thought maybe for some weird crazy reason I was having straight feelings for the first time in years. I mean that doesn't seem too far fetched. I didn't mean to cause any harm or hurt anybody."

Kelly nodded. "I know you didn't. I just...I don't know. It hurt because I thought you were attracted to me."

Nick put a soft hand on Kelly's thigh. It was meant as a comforting gesture not a sexual one. "I thought I was too...You are a very beautiful woman Kelly. You has so much going for you. You are so sweet and kind and friendly to everybody. If I was straight I would jump at the opportunity to be in a relationship with you."

Kelly laughed. "Too bad you're the only one."

Nick giggled and shook his head like crazy. "I know for sure the right guy will come along. You're still young." Just then he started to laugh. "Okay...I just realized I like don't know how old you are."

Kelly sighed. "Twenty-one...and the right guy DID come along...I just let hm get away."

"Yeah...you guys were stupid...why did you stop things anyway?" Nick asked in a joking manner.

Kelly leaned back on the couch and crossed her legs. "I wish I knew, Nick."

"Yeah...well you might get him back when Justin cuts my dick off...for hurting the woman he loves." Nick giggled a little, happy to be some what happy again.

Kelly sighed again. "He’s not gonna cut your dick off, Nick. Is he pissed? Hell yes. But...he'll get over it."

"I don't get why I do these things to myself. I want him to like me...more then just a friend. Then I go and get him pissed off over and over again. I'm like not getting myself anywhere." Nick sighed.

Kelly laughed. "No...right now...you're NOT getting anywhere...but he'll be OK...especially now that he knows I'M OK." She paused, then went on in a serious tone. "You know, Nick...I really, really wanted to be mad at you for this...but I just can't. Cuz deep inside...I KNOW that you like me and respect me...and I KNOW that you'd never hurt me on purpose. I don't know WHY I know...but I do."

"Maybe it's because I'm cute." Nick said putting on a big smile, trying to look happy even with the tear stained cheeks and puffy eyes.

"No...that's not it."

Nick pouted. "Fine...be that way." he joked and then sighed. "Okay...guess being funny right now doesn’t really fit."

"It's like...I'm mad at MYSELF for not being mad at YOU."

"I'm glad you aren't mad at me...because I don’t think I could ever forgive myself if I knew you hated me."

"I don't hate you. I...damn...guess this proves you're gay, huh?"

Nick laughed and shrugged. "Have been since 1998....when I saw our buzz headed friend dancing on TV."

"He wasn't buzzed then."

Nick laughed again. "Yeah...he was so cute with the blonde curls." he said with a fake dreamy sigh

Kelly sighed and got up off the couch. "Go see him."

"You sure he wants to see me? I don't want to make things worse." Nick stated, seriously scared to see Justin.

Kelly nodded. "He wants to see you. I think he wants to apologize."

Nick sighed and got up off the couch. Walking with Kelly to the door he turned off the lights. "He has nothing to apologize for." He said softly as they walked out of the room.

"Well...he thinks he does...so hear him out."

Nick smiled a small smile and nodded. "I will...can I have the key back?"

Kelly nodded and handed Nick the key. "Make sure you guys call me later, or sumthin."

"I will...and thank you." Nick said giving her a small hug before making his way down to Justin's room. Letting himself into the room he took a deep breath and headed to the bedroom. Stopping in the doorway again he didn't know what to say.

Justin was back on his bed...laying flat on his back with the heating pad under him and a couple pillows under his head. He looked toward the door when he heard someone come in. "Hi."

"Hi...can I come in?" Nick asked softly, scared of what was going to happen.

"Yeah..." was all Justin said in response.

Nick walked farther into the room and stood at the end of the bed, he didn't want to sit down, not sure if Justin would want him to. "Kelly said you wanted to talk to me."

Justin took a deep breath. "Yeah...I do."

Shoving his hands in his pockets Nick waited to hear what Justin had to say. Kelly had told him to hear him out and that is what he was going to do.

"You can sit down."

Nick sat down on the edge of the bed, his hands still in his pockets. "Thanks."

"Look...when I found out what you did to Kelly...I was pissed. I told you how I felt about people hurting her."

"You had every right to be pissed at me, Justin." Nick said quietly.

"I know I did. And I still WOULD be if Kelly hadn't talked me out of it."

"I'm pretty shocked she isn't extremely pissed at me and want to shoot me or something...but that's the kind of person she is."

"Yeah...but me, on the other hand...you're lucky I don't have a gun cuz I wouldda shot your dick off."

Nick had to laugh at that. "I told Kelly I was scared you were going to cut my dick off...but shooting...that works too."

Justin took a deep breath. "She pretty much has me convinced that you didn't know what you were doing...you didn't realize THEN why you were sleeping with her...that you thought you were genuinely attracted to her and turned on by her."

Nick nodded. "I honestly true to God didn't even think of that until I told you a few hours ago. It hit me like a tone of bricks and I thought I was going to throw up."

Justin nodded his head against the pillow. "I could see that you were upset."

"I never wanted to hurt her, Justin. She's become one of my best friends and I try hard not to hurt people I care truly about...and I seemed to do the exact opposite and hurt you too in the process. I wish I could take back everything I did...or take back the reason I did it anyway...but I can't do that."

"I know you can't...and I'm not asking you to. Just...please...don't hurt her anymore. Damn. I don't care if you hurt me...just...not her."

"I can't promise not to hurt somebody, Justin...because sometimes that happens even when you aren't meaning to, but I will promise with all I can to try never to hurt her again. I definitely won't make it a plan. I'm lucky to be given a second chance and I don't want to blow that." Nick said, feeling tears coming to his eyes again.

Justin sighed. "I'm sorry...about the way I reacted. It was just instinct. It never dawned on me when you first told me that you didn't realize what you were doing."

Nick smiled softly and nodded. "I know...I understood why you were upset. I was just as upset and angry at myself...I still am."

Justin smirked. "I still am, too...just so you know."

"Still mad at me?" Nick asked, a little confused.

Justin shrugged. "A little."

Nick nodded. "Okay...well as long as I know you aren't around any sharp objects or guns...I'll be safe." He joked.

Justin had to chuckle. "Yeah...you will."

"I think I picked a good time to piss you off too. You can't move enough to beat me up." Nick giggled.

"Yeah...good point. To be honest...If I'd been OK...I think I would have punched you."

"And I would totally of deserved it. What I did was unacceptable." Nick said as he brought his legs up onto the bed to sit Indian style.

"Yeah...it was. But...since Kelly understands...and is over it...I think we should be, too. I think we should just put it behind us."

Nick nodded. "I agree...it didn't happen. We can just try to go on and be the Three Muskatears." He laughed an evil laugh. "That could be kinda scary."

"Yeah it could."

"This just hasn't been you day has it...or more like your week. It seems like all sorts of shit has been happening to you."

"Yeah...well...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Nick nodded at that. "Exactly." He said scooting up on the bed to sit back against the headboard, looking down at Justin. "Still my buddy?"

Justin looked back up at Nick and smiled. "Yeah...but this is your last chance...and only cuz you're a good guy...for the most part."

Nick laughed. "I try...It's not fun being a mean guy...I'm not cut out for the job."

"No...you're really not."

"You have more friends when you're a nice guy. Good friends who don't totally drop you on your ass when you mess up." Nick said smiling down at Justin. He honestly never thought he would be back here...he thought he had screwed everything up for good.

Justin smiled. "Yeah...well...call me a sap if you want. But like I said...last chance."

"I wont mess it up. I'll be a good boy." Nick said, folding his hands in his lap and sitting up straight

"I'm serious, Nick," Justin said quietly.

Nick took a deep breath and looked down at Justin again. "I know you are...I won't fuck things up this time."

"I hope not," Justin said...sincerely meaning it.

"I can't lose you or Kelly. I mean it when I say you are seriously the best friends I've ever had. I've never trusted somebody so much in my life."

"AND after only a week and a half..."

"Seems like a lifetime to me." Nick said smiling.

"I know...it DOES seem like a while."

"Do you regret coming into the bar that night and meeting me?" Nick asked, looking down at his lap. He still couldn't help but feel that he caused too many problems in the last week...that maybe Justin would be better off without him.

Justin shook his head. "No...not at all."

"Good...because I'm really glad to have met you...not because you're Justin Timberlake the famous person. But because you're Justin Timberlake the really cool guy...who I'm lucky to say is my friend."

"And who you're lucky didn't blow your balls off."

"We couldn't really work on your experimenting thing if I didn't have my balls now could we." Nick joked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Justin rolled his eyes. "Ha ha...funny."

Nick giggled. "I thought so."

Justin sighed. "I'm starving."

"My stomach is still not happy with me after all the crying and being upset that I did." Nick said rubbing his stomach. "What would you like to eat?"

"Ramen Noodles. There should be some in the kitchenette somewhere. I always have to have it in my room."

Nick got up off the bed. "You happened to pick my specialty...Romen Noodles a la Nick...coming right up." He said as he walked into the other room to make Justin's dinner.

Justin smiled...then closed his eyes to rest a bit. He was glad that everything had been cleared up for the most part. He was happy that Kelly had figured things out, and wasn't really hurt over the whole thing. He was also happy that Nick wasn't the jerk he'd been quick to think he was. He would have been so upset had that happened...because he really liked Nick.

*****@*****

Later that night Nick lay next to Justin on the bed and picked up the hotel phon. Justin had fallen asleep watching some crazy old movie with him and Nick had yet to go back into his own room. He also thought he might just stay for when Justin needed help. Dialing Kelly's number he waited for a response.

Kelly grabbed for the hotel phone just as she was about to leave the room. "Hello...?"

"Hey Mom...Just calling to check up." Nick laughed, talking softly so he wouldn't wake Justin.

Kelly chuckled. "Hey...I was just on my way over there. I figured I'd spend the night with Justin so he doesn't have to be alone. How is he?"

"He's sleeping...fell asleep about ten minutes ago." Nick said in the same tone of voice, trying to let his mind think that Kelly should be the one staying with Justin and not him...but he was still a little sad.

"How's his back?"

"He was complaining about it about an hour ago but It was time for him to take his meds so he took them and then fell asleep." Nick glanced over at Justin who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. "He doesn't seem to be in any pain right now."

"OK...I'm coming over. Open the door for me?"

"Will do...see you in a second." Nick said as he hung up the phone. He then grabbed Justin's empty bowl from dinner and carried it out into the kitchen.

Kelly made her way down the hall and knocked on Justin's door.

Dropping the bowl in the sink, Nick walked over to the door and opened it. "Hola...welcome." he giggled, backing away from the door.

Kelly smiled at Nick. "Hey," she said...walking her slippered feet into the suite...her hands in the pockets of her huge hooded sweatshirt.

"Want something to drink?" Nick asked as he walked back into the little kitchen and got himself a beer...for some reason it sounded really good to him at the moment.

Kelly sighed as she dropped onto the couch. "Yeah...sure...why not?"

"What would you like?" Nick asked, his head still looking in the fridge. "Got pretty much anything you can think of...including evil drinks like red bull...which almost killed me when Mel gave that to me the other day." he laughed.

Kelly chuckled. "Beer's fine."

Nick got out another beer and took it to Kelly on the couch. "You should of seen what I did to poor Justin when I was so hyped up." he laughed.

Kelly took one hand out of her sweatshirt pocket to take the beer from Nick. "What'd you do?"

"I like lunged at him...and kissed him hard. He was only in a towel too." Nick giggled, shaking his head at the memory.

Kelly giggled as she took a sip from her beer bottle. "That's crazy. He must have thought you were nuts."

Nick laughed again and nodded. "Yeah...I think he did....now he knows to keep me away from caffeine."

"So...is everything OK with you two, now?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah...we talked for a while and we both apologized. He made me promise not to hurt you again...and then we said we were going to put it behind us and we didn't really talk about it much more for the rest of the night."

Kelly nodded. "That's good."

"Yeah and then he ate dinner and we watched some weird black and white movie...and he fell asleep." Nick said smiling, so happy to be able to have his friends back even after all he did.

"Well...I'm glad he's getting some rest."

Nick giggled. "Yeah...once second we were watching the movie talking about something...the next I look over and he's out like a light."

Kelly chuckled. "He does that sometimes...when he's really exhausted."

"Yeah I think he was telling me something about a purple dog...which made no sense and then he was fast asleep." Nick said laughing.

Kelly laughed again, then looked down at her beer bottle as she started peeling at the label. "About last night, Nick..."

Nick turned to look at Kelly, even though she wasn't looking at him. "Yeah?"

"Regardless of what it meant to you...it was kinda special to me, and I really, really enjoyed it."

Nick smiled softly. "I enjoyed myself too...and not because of the fact that I was having sex...I meant I enjoyed spending the time with you...and no matter what got me turned on in the first place...I still care so much for you that I wanted to make it special...there for it was special for me. That was seriously the most feeling felt and best night I've had in a long time. And I really mean that."

Kelly smiled. "Ya know...as crazy as this might sound...I'm kinda sad that you're probably not gonna wanna do it anymore."

Nick sighed. "I couldn't do that anymore, Kelly. Because we both know that I would be doing it for all the wrong reasons. Now, if we get Justin and all three of us go at it...now that would be a different story." He joked wiggling his eyebrows.

Kelly chuckled at Nick's joke, then got serious again. "I don't know...I mean...you definitely wouldn't do it even if it felt right at the moment? Like...a friends with benefits thing?"

"Without Justin's permission...No." Nick said and then giggled. "I'm kinda on probation right now."

"What's THAT supposed to mean?"

"It means if I mess up one more time I'm outa here." Nick said sadly, looking down at his lap.

"How would having sex with me be messing up if we both knew what was behind it and there were no strings attached?"

Nick shrugged. "I don't know...because I don't think he was all that cool with it in the first place. Sure he said he was...but I think we both know what it feels like to know the person your care about is out with somebody else."

Kelly dropped her head back on the couch and sighed.

Nick closed his eyes for a second. "Please don't be angry with me...I just think maybe we should stop things...you know before things get anymore complicated.

"Yeah...sure...story of my life."

"Do you honestly want to sleep with me...knowing I'm really not feeling anything for you?" Nick asked, seriously not understanding what was going on.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Well...since you put it THAT way..."

"You could be sleeping with Justin and knowing that he's feeling things. Probably save you heartache too...because HE could still chose you in the end."

"Yeah...whatever. It's fucked up of me to even think this way."

Nick groaned, running his hands through his hair. "No it isn't...and I'm sorry...I'm just scared I'm going to hurt you again...but I guess I'm doing that now without even trying." He said softly.

"No...you're not hurting me. It's me. I need to get my act together."

Nick nodded his head and leaned back against the couch. "Same here...that's another reason why I can't do it. I'm still beating myself up over this. I know you guys forgave me...but I'm having a really hard time forgiving myself."

"Forget it, Nick...I shouldn't have even suggested it."

Nick turned on the couch to look at Kelly. "Kel...look at me." He said calmly.

Kelly dropped her head to the side to look at Nick.

"I'm glad you suggested it...because that shows me you still trust me...and you have NO Idea how great that makes me feel. Don't ever feel stupid for saying or suggesting what is on your mind. I've only known you for a little over and week and I think of you as one of my best friends. Please let's try not to let what happen get in the way of that." Nick said gently, looking Kelly in the eye

the whole time.

"It doesn't get in the way of anything. Like you and J, I put it behind me. I thought about it all day...then I put it behind me." Kelly paused to swig down the rest of her beer before she went on. "WHY did I suggest it? Because...like I told you last night...I need to break away from Justin...and sleeping with you was helping me do that."

Nick giggled slightly. "That would normally sound mean but I get exactly what you are saying."

Kelly shurgged. "That's not the only reason. Even though I knew you were gay, I still felt like I had a connection with you..."

Nick nodded. "We do, Kel." He paused for a second and then smiled. "I guess I can't say we wont have sex again...cuz I have a feeling we will...but as of right now I need to think thinks through a bit...but if you are willing to wait for me...then we'll see what happens...kay?"

Kelly sighed dramatically. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Yeah...we are all stuck in limbo land I think." Just then Nick thought of something. "You know...with all this stuff going on...I haven't really thought much about Justin having like tripple things to worry about. I mean he's still working through his Bi issues...and now this...and then his mom called his afternoon and something she said really shook him up. Oh not to mention his back...shit."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I talked to him about all of it earlier."

Nick nodded. "Poor guy." He said looking towards the door to make sure Justin was still asleep.

"He'll be OK. He's tough."

"Yeah he is. I really respect him." Nick said smiling. "He's an awesome person."

Kelly smiled. "Yes he is."

"If I never get to be more then his friend...at least I get to be that."

Kelly nodded as she got up from her seat on the couch. "Yeah...you're lucky," she said...going to through her beer bottle in the trash. "I'm gonna go in there and go to sleep. I'm sure you can find your way out." She went back over to the couch and gave Nick a peck on the lips. "G'night, sweetie."

Nick shook off the jealous feeling he got quickly because he had no reason to have it. "G'night, Kel...Call me in the morning to tell me how he's doing." He said getting up off the couch.

"Will do," Kelly said...then went into the bedroom. She took off her slippers and sweatshirt before carefully crawling into bed beside Justin.

Nick walked past the bedroom door and smiled. Then he grabbed his own shoes and walked out the door and down to his own room. Once there he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. It may not have been all that late but he was emotionally drained and he hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. Once he was snuggled under the covers and his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.

*****@*****

Justin said goodbye to Kelly, then picked up the hotel phone and dialed Nick's room.

Nick was in the bathroom shaving when he heard the phone ringing. Setting his razor down he walked into the bedroom and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Mornin," Justin drawled into the phone...shifting on the bed a bit.

Nick smiled hearing Justin. "Hey...good morning to you too. How ya feeling?"

Justin groaned. "About the same."

"Awe, I'm sorry. Want me to come over and hang with ya once I finish shaving and get dressed?" Nick asked as he he sat down on the bed.

"Actually...no. You need to get ready to go. I just found out that we're leaving at ten...and it's almost 9:30."

"Holy shit...okay...and which bus am I going on this time...Kel’s" Nick asked as he got up off the bed and started to throw clothes into his back, setting out the ones he was going to wear that day.

"I don't know. Kelly's actually coming with me."

"Can I come with you guys?" Nick asked, not wanting to sound like a little kid, he just didn't feel comfortable with the rest of the group yet...and didn't want to be left alone.

"Yeah...sure...if you want."

"I would like to...cuz I don't wana be alone with everybody else. I don't know them well enough." Nick admitted as he finished packing up his stuff.

"OK...so meet Kelly in her room at ten, then."

"Okay...I'll be ready...see you later." With that Nick hung up his phone and went about getting ready to leave. At ten o'clock he was knocking on Kelly's door.

*****@*****

Nick laughed as he and Kelly walked up to the bus. "How long are we all going to be stuck on this thing, this time around?"

"I think it's about fourteen hours to NYC," Kelly said...climbing up the stairs and onto the bus.

"Oh goody." Nick groaned as he climbed up the steps after Kelly.

Kelly greeted Justin's three bodyguards as they boarded, then went to the bunk hall to put her bag away. Within moments, the guards were gone and the bus had started moving.

Nick followed Kelly and put his own bag away. "Justin back in his bed?" He asked as he threw his bag onto the bunk with all their junk.

"Must be," Kelly replied...knocking softly on Justin's bedroom door and peeking her head in.

"Either that or the smuggling job didn't work right and they put him on the wrong bus." Nick laughed at his lame joke.

"Be right back," Kelly said...then stepped into Justin's tiny room. She sat on the edge of his bed, and talked to him softly as she rubbed his buzzed head.

"Sure." Nick said as he leaned against the door and watched the two of them. Even though he hated to admit it, they made a really adorable couple.

Kelly kissed Justin on the forehead, then got up and tucked his blankets up to his shoulders before she headed for the door.

"You're really good to him." Nick stated as Kelly walked past him.

Kelly closed Justin's door and headed for the couch in the front of the bus. "I can't help it...I care about him."

Nick followed after Kelly. "I meant that as a good thing...I'm glad you're good to him...he deserves to have somebody like that in his life."

"Yeah...I think everybody does," Kelly agreed as she flopped onto the couch and stretched out into a slouching position.

Nick sat down next to Kelly and smiled when he thought about what had happened the last time he had been on the bus.

Kelly sighed. "He'll sleep now. He didn't sleep very well last night...he was restless. But now...he's nice and drugged up...and he sleeps really well on the bus...so..."

Nick nodded and laughed. "Yeah unless he has crazy people coming into his room and dropping things."

Kelly chuckled. "I heard about that."

Nick pouted playfully. "He stepped on my CD player and broke his own CD."

Kelly giggled. "I know. How ironic."

"And then the same day we kissed for the first time...Ahhh what a day." Nick giggled, getting a dreamy look on his face.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Oh, please...spare me."

Nick giggled again and got a smirk on his face. "Tell me you wouldn't want to see us making out...or doing more then that."

Kelly made a face. "I don't know about that. I'd rather be doing it with him...or you...than watching you two."

"Not both of us?" Nick giggled, hot images going through his mind that he wished would go away before he embarrassed himself.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Like a threesome…?"

Nick nodded his head. "Exactly...you're a very smart girl." He said the smirk still on his face...he couldn't help it he was in a cocky mood.

"THAT could be interesting."

"We might scare poor Justin." Nick laughed, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Yeah...cuz Lord knows we're pretty hot together."

"Uh huh...more then pretty hot...we were amazing is I think what we said after." Nick said leaning back against the couch.

Kelly chuckled as she lifted her left leg and draped it over Nick's right thigh...getting comfortable against him. "Yeah...THAT was it."

Nick wrapped his right arm around Kelly and sighed. "So Ms. Kelly what are we gunna do to pass the time?"

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know...what do you wanna do?"

Nick shrugged and looked around the bus. "I have no idea what I want to do...there isn't much TO do."

Kelly giggled. "Well...if it were up to me, I'd suggest we make out...but..."

Nick bit his bottom lip to think about that. "Hmmm...that idea doesn't sound half bad." He said turning his head to face Kelly.

Kelly chuckled. "It doesn't?"

Nick didn't say anything else, instead he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Kelly's.

Kelly kissed Nick back for a bit before she turned in her seat a bit...bringing her right leg over so that she could drape both her legs over Nick's lap.

Nick brought both his arms around Kelly, holding her to him close as he deepend the kiss, bringing his tongue out to teasingly lick her lips.

Kelly moaned quietly...bringing her right hand up to touch Nick's face as she kissed him back...opening her mouth to his tongue.

Nick moaned into Kelly's mouth and closed his eyes tight as he put everything he had into the kiss. His tongue licking every part of Kelly's mouth that it could reach.

Kelly finally pulled back and took a couple of breaths. "Is this...OK?"

Nick took a couple of breaths of his own and nodded his head. "Y...yeah...I...I just don't know what's making me feel like this...just so you know...if that bothers you...then we'll stop." He managed to get out as he tried to catch his breath.

Kelly smiled at Nick. "I'm OK for now."

Nick smiled back. "Okay then." With that he brought his lips back to Kelly's, this time starting out right away with a heated kiss.

Kelly groaned...fully returning Nick's passionate kiss. As she kissed him, she slowly leaned back to lay on the couch...bringing Nick down with her.

Nick let Kelly pull him down on top of her and brought his hands down to rest beside her head so he wouldn't squish her. There he rested between her legs as he kissed her back, taking a nip at her tongue and bottom lip a few times before diving his tongue back into her mouth.

Kelly dropped her right foot to the floor to make more room on the couch for Nick. As she kissed him back...sucking and nipping at his tongue...she reached up to hold his head in both her hands.

It didn't take long for Nick to feel the familiar twitching in his groin to start and he groaned loudly into Kelly's mouth as he tried to deep the kiss even more.

Kelly let out a groan of her own in response...her hands sliding down the back of Nick's neck to the backs of his shoulders as she continued to kiss him back forcefully.

Nick really had no idea what it was that was turning him on like this...making him this needy but at that moment the really didn't care. His hands found their way up int Kelly's hair as he kissed her back with the same force

Kelly bit down gently on Nick's lower lip...running her hands up to the back of his neck...then all the way down to his ass.

Nick whimpered into Kelly's mouth when he felt her hands on his ass. His dick coming to life even more in his sweats. It was then that he had to pull back to try and catch his breath or he felt like he was going to pass out.

"Everything OK?" Kelly asked...looking up at Nick as she continued to grip his ass through his sweats.

Nick nodded his head as he yawned once from lack of oxygen. "Yeah...just...dang." he laughed, knowing he was beginning to not make any sense with all the blood rushing to his groin at lightning speed.

Kelly giggled. "What is it?"

"That was some kiss." Nick said, wiggling around on the couch a bit to get more comfortable.

Kelly laughed quietly. "I know," she said...bending her left leg up at the knee and leaning it against the back of the couch.

"They really need to make couches wider for things like this." Nick laughed as he still wiggled around trying to get into a position where his back wasn't cramping up.

"Well...we could get up...if you want."

"Get up and go where?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow. He wasn't ready to stop what they were doing...and there wasn't really any other place to go.

Kelly chuckled. "I just mean like...get up...and stop...if you want."

Nick laughed and shrugged. "Do YOU want to stop?"

"Not really..."

"Okay then...we'll stay here and if my back hurts...you can give me a back massage....and play nurse." Nick said with a playful evil laugh, and a smirk on his face.

Kelly laughed at that. "Well...I don't know how good I'd be at that...but OK."

Nick shrugged. "I'll take my chances." He said leaning down for another kiss.

Kelly smiled...willingly accepting the kiss as she gently ran her hands up and down Nick's ass.

Nick moaned into the kiss. He couldn't help it when people touched his ass he felt like he was on fire. In response he deepened the kiss even more, getting then back to where they had started before he had to stop to catch his breath.

Kelly squeezed Nick's ass a bit harder as she continued kissing him...knowing that he was responding positively.

The combination of the passionate kiss and what Kelly was doing with her hands caused Nick to harden fully against her thigh. His hands moved around between their bodies and up under her shirt, dancing across her stomach.

Kelly gasped softly...getting extremely turned on by the feel of Nick's erection against her thigh, and his hands on her bare stomach.

Nick shifted on top of Kelly, grinding against her a little bit. His hands moved up her shirt to rest on her bra covered breasts as he kissed her back with as much passion as he could.

Kelly groaned quietly...arching up into Nick's hands to press her breasts against them.

Nick pulled back and looked down into Kelly's eyes as he tried to catch his breath once again. "Shirt...off." He said tugging at her shirt.

Kelly quickly shook her head. "Bus driver."

Nick groaned and nodded. "Dumb...bus drivers." he laughed a little before lying back down again and kissing her.

As Kelly kissed Nick back, she tried to think of a solution to their problem. They couldn't go to a bunk...that was too close to Justin's bedroom. Coming up with something, she pulled back from the kiss. "Bathroom?"

Nick nodded his head quickly. "Bathroom...now." He said in a deep husky voice as he stood up and held a hand out for Kelly. He thought he had been turned on like crazy the first two times...but this was insane. He wasn't sure if he could make it the few feet to the bathroom.

Kelly let Nick pull her up off the couch...then she ripped her hand from his. "Wait..." she said...going over to the bunks and fishing through her bag for a condom. When she found what she wanted, she went back over to Nick and handed it to him. "Here."

"Good thinking." Nick said as he took her hand again and walked into the tiny bathroom, shutting the door behind them.

"Tight squeeze," Kelly said...maneuvering her way around Nick, and boosting herself up onto the small sink.

Nick laughed. "So how we gunna do this?" He asked, already know this wasn't going to be like the slow nice time they had a few nights ago. One they were smooshed in a bathroom on a bus...two he was so turned on.

Kelly spread her legs and pulled Nick between them. "Use you imagination," she said with a laugh.

Nick took one look at Kelly and groaned. "Shit girl...I'm sorry but this isn't going to last long this time." He said feeling bad for that...but he couldn't help it. Taking a few deep breaths he pulled her shirt over her head and then did the same thing with his own.

Kelly giggled and kissed Nick's lips a few quick times. "Why's that?"

"I'm already so turned on...and remember what I said about what Justin told me about bus bathrooms." Nick said as he worked on getting her bra off and then stripped out of his sweats, which he had nothing on underneath.

"Yeah...I remember..." Kelly said...boosting her hips up a bit so Nick could get her sweats off.

Nick quickly got Kelly's sweats and panties off and threw them to the floor with the rest of their clothes. "I'll make it up to you...I promise." He said in a breathless voice as he scooted Kelly even more to him and wrapped her legs around his waist. Grabbing the condom he quickly put it on and the positioned himself at her entrance. He then looked into her eyes one last time to see if this was for sure okay.

Kelly groaned and wrapped her arms around Nick's neck. "What are you waiting for?"

"Fuck.." Nick groaned as he quickly thrust into her, his head falling back and his eyes rolling back in his head.

Kelly dropped her head back and moaned quietly as Nick filled her...biting on her lower lip to stop from crying out.

Nick held onto Kelly's hips tightly as he thrust in and out of her, his lower lip in his mouth just like Kelly's. Just the excitement of what he was doing...and where was almost throwing him over the edge, but he knew he had more control then this and held out.

"Oh fuck, Nick..." Kelly moaned out quietly before biting her lip again. There was something wild an intense about the moment that was driving her crazy.

Nick moaned and continued to thrust into hard and fast. "Too...good...Shit." He tired not cry out as he felt himself getting so close to the edge. Feeling this he reached between their bodies to touch Kelly's clit like he had done before, knowing that drove her crazy.

"Oh shit...oh shit..." Kelly arched her back a bit into Nick's hand...making his dick penetrate deeper into her as well.

Nick groaned loudly and leaned down to kiss her hard on the lips to keep them both from being too loud. His hips picked up pace as his fingers did the same. His tongue also moving wildly in her mouth.

Kelly groaned into Nick's mouth as she felt her muscles start to contract around his dick. She was close...and having trouble keeping quiet.

Nick moaned deep in Kelly's mouth as he tried to keep himself in control as he felt Kelly's muscles contracting around his dick.

"Shit Nick...please..." Kelly moaned out. "I...please..."

"So...close." Nick moaned as he rubbed Kelly harder, knowing it was only a matter of seconds before he couldn't hold out any longer.

"I...I...oh God..." Kelly cried out a bit louder than she intended as her orgasm hit her like a ton of bricks.

Feeling Kelly's orgasm shake her body made Nick lose all control and he came hard, biting down on his bottom lip hard to keep from crying out.

"Oh God...oooooh God," Kelly moaned...closing her eyes in pleasure as she rode her orgasm out.

Nick thrust a few more times before he collapsed forward resting his head on Kelly's shoulder as he tried to catch his breath.

"Holy shit," Kelly breathed out...running her hands up and down Nick's back.

Nick nodded his head against Kelly's shoulder. "Y...yeah." He said as he pulled back and slowly moved out of her, groaning deep in his throat as he did so.

"That was...interesting," Kelly said with a giggle.

Nick laughed as he took off the condom and wrapped it in toilet paper before throwing it away. "Definitely was." he said handing Kelly her clothes as he started to put his own on."

Kelly laughed again as she started getting dressed. "I wasn't expecting that."

"I wasn't either…shit whatever happened to me waiting until I figured things out." Nick laughed as he pulled up his sweats and threw on his T-shirt.

Kelly managed to get her sweats and t-shirt back on...and collected her bra and panties in her hand. "Yeah...I mean...dare I ask what got you hot THAT time?"

"Your hands on my ass...is what really started it...after being a bottom for years...you get REALLY sensitive down there when it comes to sex." Nick said, not sure if Kelly really wanted to know that, but it was the truth. "But come on lets go watch TV or something." he said opening the door.

Kelly laughed as she stepped out of the small bathroom ahead of Nick. She stopped dead in her tracks right outside the door when she saw Justin sitting on the couch...staring at the bathroom door. Her face immediately went white and a knot formed in her stomach. "J…Justin..."

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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When Kelly stopped so quickly, Nick almost ran right into her. He was going to ask what the hell was going on but then he heard her say Justin's name. Looking over her shoulder he sucked in a deep breath. This was not going to be good.

Justin remained in his seat on the couch as he just looked back and forth between Kelly and Nick...a look on his face that was a combination of shock and anger.

Kelly sighed quietly. "J...We thought...I mean..."

Justin shook his head quickly and cut her off. "I just wanna go to the bathroom,” he said...struggling to get up from the couch.

Nick closed his eyes and looked down at his feet. He knew Justin was upset and hurt over what had happened. Why didn't he listen to what he had said himself the night before and kept himself under control today? Nick walked from behind Kelly and over to Justin, intent on helping him up.

Justin shook his head again when Nick approached. "I can do it. I got outta bed myself when no one answered me when I called," he said bitterly...finally boosting himself to his feet with a grimace.

Nick looked at Justin and then over to Kelly with sadness in his eyes. What in the world had done?

"Justin...let us help you," Kelly said quietly...watching Justin walked toward the bathroom.

Justin just laughed a bitter laugh as he stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.

Once Justin was in the bathroom Nick landed on the couch hard and put his head in his hands. "Fucking…Shit." He exclaimed.

Kelly sighed...bringing a hand to her forehead as she paced the bus's small sitting area. "Oh my God...how much do you think he heard? How long do you think he was there?"

"Considering he was calling for us...and didn't hear us. And THEN got himslef out of bed and in here. I'm thinking he heard and knew from almost the beginning." Nick replied, his right hand running through his hair.

"Oh no...oh no..." Kelly whined. "...what am I gonna do?”

"First you're going to calm down and sit down for a second before you hurt yourself. Then we are going to try and figure out what to say." Nick said patting the spot next to him. He normally wasn't very good at staying calm in situations like this but for some reason he knew he needed to be.

Kelly took a deep breath and went to sit beside Nick. "This is horrible..." she said in a shaky voice. She looked up just in time to hear the toilet flush and see Justin come out of the small bathroom. "J..." she started quietly. "How...umm...how long were you...sitting out here?"

Justin stopped and took a deep breath. He looked at Kelly for a second, then looked directly at Nick. "Long enough to know that YOU can't last nearly as long as *I* can," he said...then headed back to his room.

Nick watched Justin out of the room in shock. "What the hell?" He exclaimed, trying not to get mad at what Justin had said...cuz he knew Justin was just angry at them...but still, that is NOT something you tell a guy.

Kelly sighed...resting a hand on Nick's thigh to calm him down. "Relax...he's just pissed."

Nick groaned and nodded. "I know...God Kel...why the hell were we so stupid?" He said resting his head in his hands again.

Kelly sighed again. "I don't know. I guess we just got caught up in the moment...again." She paused to take a deep breath and reach her hand up to rub her forehead. "Damn! What am I gonna do? He's not just pissed...he's ROYALLY pissed. And hurt." She added the last part in a sad tone.

"We go in there and grovel at his feet and say how sorry we are. There really isn't much more we CAN do." Nick shook his head slightly and laughed. "You...he's not going to kick out...me on the other hand...I don't what's going to happen."

"We can't both go in there, Nick. I'm sure the last thing he wants to see right now is us together."

"Then you go...he won't be mad at you for long." Nick said putting a hand on Kelly's back to lightly push her.

"No..." Kelly said...shaking her head. "YOU go."

Nick made a face but stood up. "If you hear screaming or things braking come to my rescue."

"Yeah. Good luck."

Taking a deep breath Nick headed to the back of the bus. Knocking on Justin's door he waited.

Justin didn't answer. He just continued to sit on the edge of his bed...his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Being brave Nick opened the door and poked his head in. "You gunna throw things at me...or make other lame comments about my sexual performance?" He asked, trying to stay tough.

Justin looked up at Nick without saying anything...his blue eyes boring holes into the older man's.

"Why don't you try talking to me...instead of trying to kill me with death stairs." Nick said as he walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.

Justin took a deep breath. "You know what I REALLY wana do?"

"Beat the shit outa me." Nick suggested, standing right in front of Justin with his arms spread. "Go ahead...I must deserve it if you really wana."

Justin groaned in pain as he slowly stood up. "No..." he started...shaking his head. "...I don't wanna beat the shit our of you." He then fisted his right hand, drew it back, and landed a good punch to Nick's right eye. "I just wanna punch you once," he finished as he shook the sting out of his hand.

Nick's head turned harshly when Justin's fist made contact with his face. He winced in pain but didn't falter really. Being in quite a few abusive relationships and being in the wrong place at wrong too many times, he was pretty used to being hit. "Thanks... I thought my face was missing something." He said reaching up to touch the tender skin under his eye.

"Get out," Justin said in an angry tone...sitting back down on the bed.

Nick shook his head. "No...I came in here to talk to you...not fight. And I don't think we've done that yet." He said being stubborn because he knew Justin needed to get his anger out and they NEEDED to talk. Sure he was scared...but he wasn't going to show it.

"I don't wana talk to you!" Justin practically yelled...trying to ignore the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Yes you do!" Nick practically yelled back. "You're pissed at me...and I would like to know why. Sure I just had sex with Kelly...but you know we've been doing it...So I'm not sure I understand the problem." Of course Nick really did understand...but he wanted to understand what Justin was thinking.

"Yeah, I'm fuckin pissed at you!" Justin yelled...his face heating up and getting red. "You just fucked MY girl in MY bathroom on MY bus!"

Nick shook his head. "Correction...sure it was YOUR bus...and YOUR bathroom...but she is NOT your girl. I didn't know you guys got back together." He exclaimed knowing he was getting himself in deep shit...but he wasn't going to back down...he was just getting Justin to open up

"Fuck you, Nick," Justin spat...glaring at the other man.

"You must really hate people fucking in your space...cuz I didn't think you cared that I was doing it with Kelly. At least that's what you've been telling me."

"Do you want TWO fuckin black eyes?"

"Why won't you just admit you don't want me having sex with Kelly? Because If you ever gave me an indication to stop I would have!" Nick stated calmly. It was true, if Justin had said he didn’t like it...he would of stopped in a heartbeat.

"OK! Is THAT what you wanna hear? I don't want you having sex with Kelly." Justin paused and took a deep breath. "Actually...it's more like I don't want KELLY having sex with YOU."

Nick paused in what he was going to say and looked at Justin in shock. "Excuse me?"

Justin took a deep breath...rubbing his hands over his face for a bit before he spoke...more calmly than previously. "I don't want her having sex with you...or anyone. I love her."

"Then I won't." Nick said softly, going to sit next to Justin. "I would of stopped in a heartbeat if you would of told me to."

"How could I have told you to?" Justin started...forgetting that he was supposed to be pissed, and getting emotional all of a sudden. "You're right. She's not MY girl. I can't tell her I don't want her sleeping with other guys," he said...his eyes filling with fresh tears.

Nick put his arm around Justin's shoulders and pulled him gently to him. "Just because she isn't your girl doesn't mean you don't love her." he sighed and took a second to think. "I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just that she was getting mad at me cuz I didn't want to sleep with her anymore...and I told her I wasn't going to...then...God I don't even know what happened."

Justin sniffled as he looked at Nick. "She got mad cuz you said you didn't wanna sleep with her anymore?"

Nick thought for a second and shook his head. "Not mad...that was the wrong wording. She just didn't want to stop. I was pretty shocked."

"Maybe because she's not getting what she wants...or needs...from me," Justin said sadly...feeling bad.

Nick shook his head and held Justin closer, kissing the top of his head to comfort him. "I don't think that is the case...She explained it to me like it's her way of branching off from you because she needs to...since she doesn't know where things are going to lead with you being Bi and everything."

Justin sighed quietly...reaching up to wipe away his tears. He hated crying in front of people. "I don't know where things are going to lead, either." he said...then paused to sniffle. "I don't know. I mean...I tried to tell myself I didn't mind if she slept with you...and I didn't think I did...till I...HEARD it."

Nick giggled a little and blushed. "I'm really sorry about that, Justin. That was very rude of us."

"Don't laugh...it's not funny," Justin said seriously...finally realizing that he was more hurt than he was angry.

Nick stopped giggling right away and nodded. "I know it's not. I don't know what to do to make it better. I can't take back what I did. We both feel like shit for doing it. I really am sorry." He said as he still held onto Justin as tightly as he could without hurting his back. He was almost afraid if he let go, Justin would be gone.

"I just..." Justin started...taking a shaky breath. "...I need some time alone."

Nick nodded and pulled back. "How is your back?" He asked as he stood up.

Justin shook his head slowly. "I don't know," he said quietly...and he didn't. He couldn't really feel much of anything at the moment.

"Okay...well I'll leave you alone now. I should probably go put ice on my eye anyway." Nick said walking towards the door.

Justin leaned back on the bed, and started crying as soon as Nick left.

Nick walked back into the main part of the bus and straight to the fridge to find something to put on his eye.

Kelly looked up at Nick from where she was still sitting on the couch. "What happened?" she asked anxiously. "I heard some yelling...but that's it."

Finding an ice pack Nick took it out and put it to his eyes. "He's upset and jealous and hurt. He doesn't like me sleeping with you...because in his head he thinks of you as HIS."

Kelly sighed...then widened her eyes when she noticed Nick with the ice pack. "My God...he hit you?"

Nick shrugged. "I edged him on...I wanted him to express himself so he could get out what he was thinking." He said as he walked over to sit next to Kelly on the couch.

"Damn. He must have been seriously pissed...cuz that's not like him," Kelly said...reaching over to gently move Nick's hand and the ice pack away from his eye. "Let me see..."

Nick turned to look at Kelly, squinting slightly when his eye started to throb more. "Yeah...he is...but I finally got him to crack."

Kelly sighed...gently patting the swollen, red flesh around Nick's right eye. "I should have known it really pissed him off that we were sleeping together...even though he never would have admitted it."

"I know...I should have too." Nick said sighing, wincing when Kelly touched his sore eye. "He feels like you're doing it because he isn't enough for you."

Kelly widened her eyes. "What?"

Nick nodded. "That's what he thinks...I told him that wasn't the case...at least I didn't think it was."

Kelly sighed quietly. "Of course it's not that case. He MORE than gives me what I need. But those are details you probably wouldn't want to hear," she said...gently placing the ice pack back on Nick's eye.

"Or what to hear too much." Nick laughed and winced again. "Two of my favorite people going at it...uh huh...yeah."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Nick...this really isn't funny. What am I gonna do? How am I gonna get him to forgive me?"

Nick sighed. "I know...I'm sorry...and just tell him everything you were feeling. Telling him you love him too and both of you stop being silly and get back together. You both care so deeply about each other." He said, trying to keep his own voice from braking.

"He can't be with me right now, Nick."

"Sure he can...What's hold in him back." Nick asked even though he already knew.

"You...and his newfound bisexuality...and the fact that he's interested in you."

"Yeah...well I'm not sure if he is anymore." Nick said, trying not to sound sad.

"Give him time, hun. Let him get over what just happened."

Nick looked at Kelly. "Maybe he shouldn't...I'm probably not right for him anyway. YOU'RE what’s right for him? A girl who he can love, get married to. What could I give him?"

Kelly thought about it for a second. "Wait...why ME...of all the girls he could love and marry...?"

"Why NOT you...You're who he loves." Nick said, looking down at his lap.

"He could have ANY girl he wants."

Nick looked up at Kelly and smiled a little. "I don't think he wants ANY girl. He wants YOU."

Kelly smiled back at Nick. "Yeah...maybe he will if he decides to be with a woman...but the competition is tough."

"There wont be any competition if the competition leaves." Nick said, seriously willing to go, forever. If it meant Justin and Kelly would be happy.

Kelly shook her head. "I really don't think that's gonna happen, Nick. He really IS starting to have some feelings for you...and they're not just gonna go away."

Nick shrugged. "Maybe not...but I'm just causing things to be fucked up being around here."

"It's just as much my fault as it is yours."

"I don't just mean this, Kel. Everything I've done has fucked something up. There hasn't been a day that we haven't fought over something...or one of us got upset over something. I don't want to be making him unhappy!" Nick practically yelled, he was getting worked up and sad...he didn't mean to take it out on Kelly.

Kelly got up off the couch and ran a hand through her hair. "Stop yelling!"

Nick closed his eyes and took deep breath. "Shit...Kel I'm sorry." He said looking up at her.

"That's fine. Just...settle down and learn how to face facts. Justin's into you...and he doesn't think that you've brought him trouble. He doesn't think you make him unhappy."

"I don't get why he could be though." Nick said softly.

"Could be what?"

"Into me."

Kelly shrugged. "Why wouldn't he be? You're funny...and sweet...and very attractive. But most of all, you awaken feelings in him he didn't even know he had."

"Feelings that he doesn't like." Nick pointed out, still in his mood.

"No...not that he doesn't like...that he's not used to."

Nick sighed and nodded. "Yeah...guess you're right."

"I KNOW I'm right. Justin's close to me. He tells me things."

That reminded Nick that Justin was back in his room alone, and upset. "He said he wanted to be alone...but maybe you could help him. He was actually crying when I was in there."

Kelly sighed quietly and nodded. "OK...I'll go," she said...and headed down the narrow hall toward Justin's room.

Nick flopped back on the couch and closed his eyes to try and stop his head from pounding.

*****@*****

After almost two hours and a small nap, Nick was curious as to what was going on with Kelly and Justin. Getting up off the couch he quietly walked down the hall and knocked on

"Come in," Justin called in response to the knock. He was laying on his back with a few pillows under his head...and Kelly was curled up to his left side...sound asleep.

Nick walked into the room and smiled when he saw Kelly asleep. "She okay?" He asked as he walked over to the bed.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...she's fine," he said quietly...then cleared his throat. "Nick...I'm sorry," he said...looking at the older man's black eye.

"You don't have any reason to be sorry...You were angry and hurt. I deserved it." Nick said shrugging, taking a seat on the edge of the bed around where Justin's waist was.

Justin turned his head to the right a bit to look at Nick. "Yeah...I WAS angry and hurt...but I had no right to hit you."

Nick smiled a little. "Well...apology accepted." He took a deep breath. "You and Kel okay?"

Justin nodded again. "Yeah...I guess so. But...don't expect her to sleep with you anymore...cuz I don't think she will."

"Good...because I don't want her to. It only causes problems...and hurts people we care about." Nick said playing with the comforter, scared to ask how THEY were.

Justin sighed. "I don't want you to like...not get any while you're waiting around for me. Just...please...don't get it from her."

Nick shook his head. "It wasn't about getting off, Justin. It was more then that. I went 6 years without having sex...I can wait."

"If it wasn't just sex...then what WAS it?" Justin asked...truly trying to understand. "I mean...you already said you were only turned on by her because of...well...me..."

"I'm still trying to figure that all out in my head." Nick admitted. "What we did today...I think that was just sex...and totally unexpected."

"That's what SHE said," Justin said...briefly looking over at Kelly...sleeping soundly with her head on his left shoulder. "And she explained everything to me...why she was doing it. Cuz she's attracted to you...and turned on by you...and she was trying to distance herself from me...in that way."

Nick nodded. "Yeah...in a way I think we are both using each other...in a loving sort of way." He sighed. "But that probably doesn't make any sense."

"No...it does," Justin said...then paused to think for a moment. "Nick...Me and Kel...we decided that things are gonna keep going like they've been going with us...until I come to a decision." He looked into Nick's eyes. "I don't know how you feel about that," he added quietly.

"I can't say I'm not going to feel jealous...and sad at times...because I felt that way even when I was fooling around with her too. But I understand why you are doing it...so it's okay with me."

"I need you to be honest."

Nick smiled and looked Justin right in the eye. "I am being honest. I'm not saying it wont hurt me...but I'm saying that it's okay."

"Well...I don't want to hurt you...but this is how it has to be right now. I mean...I need Kelly...and SHE needs ME."

"I know she does...and I know you do...and that is why I'm saying it's okay...and I'm not going to stand in the way." Nick took a deep breath and smiled. "Just don't go ignoring poor Nick...he might get sad."

Justin smiled. "I wouldn't do that," he said...then took a deep breath. "What about US, though? I mean...are you still gonna wanna...ya know...do stuff...with me...knowing that I might still be sleeping with Kelly?"

"Let's just go back to the normal game plan. She's helping you figure things out from her end...while I'm helping on my end." Nick stated.

Justin sighed. "I know...but...I love this girl. So...you have to realize that my decision might eventually be based on that."

Nick took a deep breath and nodded his head. "I know that...I guess I'm willing to take the risk." He said, trying hard not to think about how he knew his heart was going to be broken in the end.

"I promise I'll do my best not to hurt you," Justin said in a near whisper.

"I know you wont hurt me on purpose Justin." Was Nick's only response because he was having trouble not crying. He had been so tough the whole day...he wasn't going to turn into a cry baby again.

"I promise I won't," Justin said quietly...reaching his right hand out to touch Nick's arm.

Nick looked down at his arm and then up at Justin as a few tears spilled from his eyes. "Okay." he sniffled.

Justin smiled at Nick. "OK...that's enough crying. We've all cried enough today."

Nick giggled a little and sniffled again as he tried to get himself to stop. "I haven't."

Justin smiled a bit bigger. "Yeah...I know. You've been pretty tough. All mean and nasty to me, and shit."

Nick blushed a little, and bit his bottom lip. "That was so hard to do...I'm surprised I didn't start groveling at your feet or something."

Justin chuckled. "No...I deserved it. After all...I DID make a lame comment about your sexual performance."

Nick mock glared at Justin. "Yeah...ouch man. Did you really have to go THERE!" he giggled.

Justin laughed a bit more. "I'm sorry...I know it was outta line...but it just fit at the moment."

"Well she didn't..." Nick stopped in mid sentence when he thought better of what he was gunna say. "Yeah well...I don’t think I was that bad."

"I'm sure you weren't. Ya know...it was just the heat of the moment."

"You know...the first time I did it in a bus bathroom was supposed to be with you." Nick giggled wiggling his eyebrows, trying to be silly.

"Oh well."

"Yeah...oh well." Nick said still looking down at Justin. "Did you hurt your back worse when you had to get out of bed on your own?"

"I don't know," Justin said with a sigh. "It hurts like a bitch, though."

"Anything I can do to help? Cuz if it's worse...I can't help but feel guilty." Nick said softly.

Justin chuckled. "Well you should...you BOTH should. I musta yelled both your names ten times when I needed to get up."

Nick chuckled back and shook his head. "I don't get why we didn't hear you." He blushed.

Justin rolled his eyes dramatically. "Don't remind me."

"Tell me you didn't want to see that..." Nick paused. "Okay...you probably didn't...I will shut up now before I get myself in trouble."

"Yes...you really SHOULD shut up."

Nick shut his mouth tightly and didn't say anything else, looking down at the comforter again, where his hands were still nervously playing with it.

Justin glanced at Nick's hands, then back up at his face. "What's up?" he asked softly.

"I'm so scared I'm going to mess things up again...because I've only got one more chance...hell I don't think I even have that anymore." Nick whispered, not looking up.

Justin smiled. "Yeah you do...cuz this wasn't entirely your fault. We're ALL at fault on this one."

"Okay...but then I still only have that one more chance...and trouble seems to follow me around like a puppy. I'm scared I'm going to lose you...even before it comes to the point where you are deciding between us." Nick said, still not looking up.

Justin took a deep breath before he started speaking...his hand still on Nick's arm. "Honestly...I think you'd be a lot better off if you didn't TRY so hard. Like...stop worrying that you're making trouble and stop trying to make everything perfect. Just...be yourself."

Nick giggled slightly. "I'm a worry wart...that is who I am."

"Well...just try to relax some," Justin said...absently caressing Nick's forearm with the tips of his fingers. "I mean...for the most part...we're all so carefree and laid back around here."

Nick did just that, he took a deep breath and tried to relax. Justin's fingers helping him do so. "Okay...I'll try to relax." Then he remembered something. "Is there anything I can do to help your back?"

Justin shook his head. "No...I just need to rest it. It's not even time for my meds yet."

"Okay...I can go if you want me to." Nick said, ready to get off the bed and leave if he was told to. Of course he didn't want to but that didn't matter

Justin nodded. "Yeah...go ahead an keep yourself busy. I'm gonna try and go back to sleep."

Nick nodded sadly...he would rather sit around and do nothing...with Justin. Then sit around do nothing by himself. "Sure...I'll see you later." He said getting off the bed.

"Hey...wait..." Justin said quietly...gently tugging on Nick's wrist.

Nick turned back around to look at Justin. "Hmm?"

Justin smiled a small smile. "Can I have a kiss?" he asked in a near whisper.

Nick smiled back and nodded. "Of course." He said as he leaned down and kissed Justin softly on the lips.

Justin kissed Nick back just as softly...smiling slightly against his lips.

Nick pulled back and smiled. "Have a good nap...call me if you need anything."

The smile was still on Justin's face when the kiss ended. "I will."

"You're too cute when you smile." Nick giggled as he leaned down and kissed Justin again on the lips, it was soft but not quite as soft as before.

Justin chuckled. "Thanks," he said after the kiss...then turned his head to kiss Kelly on the top of the head before closing his eyes.

Nick stood and watched them for a few minutes before he walked out. Thinking he would take a nap too he climbed into one of the bunks and closed his eyes.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Kelly walked out of Justin's room and through the bunk hall...yawning and pulling her hair into a ponytail as she entered the sitting area.

"Hey sleeping beauty." Nick said, smiling at Kelly as she walked into the room.

Kelly stopped and smiled back at Nick as she rubbed her eyes. "Hey."

"Justin still asleep?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...he's awake," she said...then stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.

Nick got up off the couch and headed back to the bedroom to say hi to Justin. Standing in the doorway he smiled. "Hey."

Justin looked over at Nick with sleepy eyes from where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Hi."

"Need help?" Nick asked, as he walked over to where Justin was sitting.

Justin gave Nick a lazy smile. "Sure."

Nick put his hand under Justin's arms and pulled him up. "Where do you wana go?"

"To the bathroom," Justin said...using Nick's help to get up.

"If Kelly is out...that is where she headed." Nick said as Justin got to his feet.

"OK...let's go check."

Nick took Justin's hand and slowly helped him out of the room and to the bathroom. "Did you have a good nap?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I slept well," he said...letting go of Nick's hand to walk into the bathroom that Kelly had just left.

"Good...now go pee." Nick giggled as he backed away from the bathroom and into the room.

As Justin closed himself in the bathroom, Kelly went to the fridge to get a water. "Is everything OK with you two?" she asked Nick...glancing at him as she leaned back against the counter.

Nick nodded. "Yeah...things seem to be pretty good. Which I'm thankful fo." He said, leaning back against the wall, waiting to see if Justin needed help when he was done.

Kelly nodded slowly. "Good. What about you and me?"

"We're good too...Right?" Nick asked

Kelly nodded again. "Yeah...I think so."

Nick smiled. "Good...cuz I still want to be your friend."

Kelly chuckled. "You don't have a choice."

Nick rolled his eyes and shifted his waight to another foot. "Yeah well...I'm glad I don't."

"So...who you gonna hook up with now that we're just friends?"

"Nobody...I'll just go back to relying on my hand." Nick joked.

Kelly giggled and made a face. "Eeewww."

"Not like I really was doing that much while I was here anyway. My favorite person to think about while doing that...is right behind that door." Nick said pointing at the bathroom door. "And I didn't feel to comfortable doing it thinking of him...with him in like the same general area."

Kelly laughed again. "Yeah...except for that time he caught you," she teased before sipping her water.

"Which I didn't know I was doing." Nick pointed out and then made a face. "I never got off from that either." he outed playfully.

"Well...no biggie...cuz you've gotten off enough times since."

Nick laughed. "Oh yeah...and how would you know that." He joked.

Kelly smirked. "Good guess."

Looking back at the bathroom door, Nick wondered if Justin had fallen asleep. "You okay in there?" He asked in a joking manner, even though he really wondered.

Justin opened the door right after Nick called him. "Yeah...I was brushing my teeth," he said...slowly stepping out of the bathroom...and making his way to the table to take a seat in the booth.

"You hungry?" Nick asked as he followed Justin to the table.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I am. Are we stopping soon? Can we get some food?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders as he sat down. "I have no idea."

Kelly stepped away from the counter and headed for the front of the bus. "I'll ask James."

Yawning and stretching his arms over his head as he sat across from Justin at the table. "It will be nice to get something to eat."

"Yeah...I'm starving," Justin agreed...looking across the table at Nick.

Just then Nick's stomach growled loudly to say that it agreed and it was hungry too. Nick laughed. "I agree."

Justin laughed as Kelly came over to the table. She slid into the booth beside Nick as she spoke. "James said they're about to stop at the next area. It's supposed to have a McDonalds, and stuff. So...you and me can go and get us some food while they fuel up," she said...nudging Nick's leg with hers.

Nick nudged her leg back. "Sounds good to me."

"Sounds great. I want a Big Mac, fries and a Coke," Justin said with a laugh.

"Yes sir." Nick said with a mock solute. Smiling big at Justin.

Justin chuckled. "Don't give me a hard time, ya'll. I'm crippled."

"Not for, forever....then you can wait on us." Nick joked, looking at Kelly. "Right?"

Kelly laughed. "Or at least you can have your people wait on us."

"What good would that be...we can always tell him we won’t give him any...or stop kissing him." Nick giggled, talking as if Justin wasn't sitting right across from him.

Justin pouted. "Excuse me..."

"You wouldn't miss my kisses would you?" Nick asked, smiling his 100 watt smile.

"THAT'S not the point. The point IS that ya'll are talkin about me like I'm not even here."

"Did somebody just say something? I was sure I heard a little voice." Nick giggled looking around the room.

Kelly laughed at Nick. "Come on now, Nick. Be nice before he gets all pissy."

"He wouldn't get pissy at me...he loves me." Nick joked again.

"I'll get pissy at BOTH of you...and THAT won't be pretty."

Nick looked over at Kelly and made a face. "Ut oh...that doesn't sound good...I already have one black eye."

Justin looked at Nick. "Stop...I already feel bad enough about that."

Nick looked back at Justin and sighed. "I know...I'm sorry."

"It's OK. Hey...by the way...I need some pills."

Kelly slid out of her seat. "I got it, babe."

"She's got it babe." Nick said sliding out of the booth to go sit next to Justin. "I am sorry." He said again softly to just, Justin.

"Don't worry about it," Justin said...looking at his folded hands on the table. "Just know that I feel awful."

Nick took one of Justin's hand and held it, for some reason that was his new favorite comforting gesture. "I know you do." He said smiling.

Justin smiled...looking at Nick's hand on his. "You have big hands," he observed with a laugh.

Nick looked down at his own hand. "Yeah...guess I do." He said with a shrug.

"They're nice, though," Justin said quietly. "They're warm and soft."

Nick smiled and let his fingers caress Justin's hand, turning to smile at him. "Yours are too."

Justin turned his free hand over to look at his palm, and made a bit of a face. "Not really. My fingertips are dry and rough from playing the guitar and the piano...and my palms get rough sometimes from break dancing."

Nick shrugged. "I think it feels good. I like your hands."

"OK, your highness..." Kelly started...coming back to the take and setting down a pill bottle and a glass of water. "...your medication." She slid into the other side of the booth, looked at Justin and Nick's joined hands, and couldn’t help but smile a bit.

Justin cleared his throat and let go of Nick's hand to open his pill bottle. "Thanks."

Nick sadly put his hands in his lap and sighed. Lately their time alone when they weren’t angry at each other or something bad had happened was small and few. He missed just hanging out with Justin, having fun or just goofying off.

Justin popped his pill into his mouth, then put the cover on the bottle before he drank down the water. "Shit. Where's this service station? I'm fuckin starved," he said...letting his right hand settle on Nick's left thigh under the table.

Nick quickly brought his hand to hold Justin's again and squeezed it. "I don't know...but I’m hungry too."

"Ya know what...? Make that TWO Big Macs...and the biggest fries they got. Yeah...and some onion rings."

Nick laughed. "Okay, Mr. Piggy." He joked, resting his head on Justin's shoulder for a second to show he wasn't being mean.

Justin shrugged. "I don't care if I look like a pig. I haven't eaten since that soup you made me last night."

"I haven't eaten since the popcorn yesterday afternoon." Nick said, totally forgetting that. His had still resting on Justin's shoulder.

"Well you better eat up too, then," Justin said...squeezing Nick's hand.

"Then I will get the exact same thing as you...besides the onion rings cuz I don't like onions." Nick said making a face, forgetting he was still resting on Justin's shoulder, he was comfortable and it made him feel good. It was like his way of making sure Justin was still there...and that they were okay.

Justin chuckled...then his eyes widened when he felt the bus come to a stop. "Sweet...we're here. Go get my food!"

Kelly rolled her eyes. "You do realize that the only reason why you get away with talking to me like that is cuz you're hot...right?" She laughed as she went to the bunks for her wallet.

Once Kelly was out of view Nick picked up his head and kissed Justin softly on the lips. "There that was my pay for being nice and going to get you food." He said smiling his 100 watt smile.

Justin laughed. "Fine...now get outta this booth, cuz my men'll be on this bus any second." As soon as Justin finished speaking, the bus doors opened, and Lonnie and Mike boarded.

Nick got out of the booth and smiled at the guys before heading to grab his shoes.

"Kel...grab my wallet," Justin called from his seat.

Kelly smiled at Justin when she walked into the kitchen area to wait for Nick. "Don't worry about it...I got it."

With shoes on his feet Nick walked back out to the kitchen area. "Alrighty let's go get food before his highness gets pissy again." He joked.

Justin smiled and waved as Nick and Kelly headed off the bus...then sparked up a conversation with his security while James left the bus and his replacement driver boarded and got settled.

Nick took a big breath of fresh air as he and Kelly headed over to McDonalds. "Wonder how long till we get to New York."

Kelly shrugged...shivering a bit and shoving her hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt. "Probably six or seven more hours. I'm guessing we'll be there around midnight."

Nick wasn't even cold in his sweatshirt as he opened the door for Kelly and walked inside. "Okay...I'm VERY hungry now." He said once he smelled the food.

"Me too," Kelly said...stopping at the counter and looking at the menu.

"You think about what you want and I'll order mine and Justin's food." He said stepping up to the young girl working the register. Quickly he ordered their food, the exact same thing besides his didn’t have onions and he got an extra fry instead of the onion rings.

"And I'll have a grilled chicken sandwich...fries...and a diet Coke," Kelly said to the girl stepping up beside Nick.

Nick stood out of the way as the girl read off their order so Kelly could pay. He felt stupid that she was paying...but he didn't have the money.

Kelly paid and took her change, then shoved her wallet back in her pocket. "How's your eye?" she asked...looking up at Nick's shiner.

"I've still got a pretty good headache and it hurts...but I'm okay." Nick admitted as they stepped over to wait for their order.

Kelly pouted a bit. "I'm sure he feels like shit for it."

Nick nodded. "I know he does...and I'm no where near angry at him for doing it."

Kelly nodded...then looked around Nick, and smiled when she saw Marty walking toward the counter. "What's up, baby?" she greeted her fellow dancer.

Marty smiled at Kelly. "Hey girl...just grabbing food like you two. How's J doing?" He asked as he got his wallet out to pay for his food.

Kelly shrugged. "He's OK. I just drugged him up again, so maybe he'll sleep some more." She looked over at Nick, then back at Marty. "Marty...you remember Nick, right?"

Marty smiled at Nick. "Sure...how are you?" He asked looking at Nick then his eyes going wide. "Whoa, nice shiner man."

Nick smiled back at Marty. "Oh yeah...thanks." He laughed. "I thought it looked kinda cool." He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say about who did it.

Kelly bit her lower lip before she piped up. "Yeah...pissy, drugged up Justin had a bit of a moment, and poor Nicky got in the way."

Marty's eyes got even wider. "Justin did that? Dang, he never gets violent...or at least not too often." He was seriously shocked that Justin would have done something like that.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I deserved it."

Kelly caught Marty's eye and smiled. "They had a minor disagreement...no big deal."

Marty smiled back when his smaller order got called first. "Well...I'm gunna get going so I can eat this...you two have a good night. Stay warm, its getting cold." He said with a wave before walking out of the restaurant.

Nick turned to Kelly and let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks...for saving me there…I had NO Idea what to say to him."

Kelly shurgged. "He's cool with J, anyway. He probably could have handled the truth, but that's up to Justin to tell him."

Nick nodded as he grabbed their food when they called their order. "Yeah...Justin has to be the one to tell that kind of stuff. My sisters went crazy telling about me…and it drove me insane because half the people I didn't really want to know."

"That had to suck," Kelly said...walking ahead of Nick and opening the door for him.

"Thanks." Nick said as he carried the food back to the bus. "Yeah it did...but they didn't really mean any harm. All my siblings have been really cool about the whole thing."

"That's cool...you're lucky," Kelly said...then climbed onto the bus ahead of Nick.

Nick followed in behind Kelly and once on the bus held up the food. "The grub has arrived." Nick laughed.

Justin turned away from his conversation with Lonnie and smiled. "Thank GOD."

Kelly laughed as she returned to her seat at the table after saying goodbye to the bodyguards...who left as soon as she and Nick returned.

Nick started to pass at their food before sitting back down next to Justin. "Are we your very best friends now?"

"Sure...at least til I finish eating," Justin said...glancing out the window as the bus started moving.

Nick pouted. "Here that Kel, he only likes us when we're feeding him."

Justin chuckled as he poked his straw into his Coke. "That's not true...other things please me, too."

Nick raised an eyebrow as he turned to look at Justin, two fries hanging out of his mouth like walrus tusks. "Oh yeah?"

Justin laughed. "You're nuts," he said...digging into one of his sandwiches.

Nick giggled as he ate the French fries. "Thank you...I will take that as the compliment that I know it was meant to be."

Kelly laughed on her side of the table as she sipped her soda. "Don't flatter yourself."

"I wasn't doing that...was I doing that?" Nick asked, turning to Justin again, smiling sweetly, just having fun goofing around.

"Shut up..." Justin said through a mouthful of his Big Mac. "I'm trying to eat here."

Nick pouted. "Kelly...Justin's being mean." He whined like a five year old tattle tailing on his brother.

"Shut up...I'm trying to eat here," Kelly said as she ate some fries...managing to keep a straight face.

Nick's playful pout got even bigger and he slumped down in his chair with his arms across his chest. "Nobody likes me anymore." He fake sniffled as one of his hands snuck up to get a fry.

"Pass some ketchup, Kel..." Justin said...ignoring Nick.

Soon Nick's stomach was growling too much for him to play the game anymore and he sat up and started to eat one of his big Macs. Not saying anything else.

"So what are we gonna do after we eat?" Justin asked both Nick and Kelly a few minutes after they'd started eating. Without thinking about what he was doing, his right hand found its way to Nick's left thigh as he shoved some fries into his mouth with his left hand.

Nick didn't really think much of Justin's hand on his thigh. In the back of his mind it helped him feel safe and comfy...not turned on. "I dunno," he shrugged.

"Let's watch a movie," Kelly suggested between bites of her chicken sandwich. "Then...I think when the bus stops for the last time, I'm gonna go onto my bus for the rest of the ride and see what's going on."

"A movie sounds good...and yeah your bus might need you to help keep them in line." Nick giggled as he took a sip of his pop. "Keep them away from those evil energy drinks they gave me before." He said making a face.

Kelly laughed. "They don't agree with you, do they?"

Nick glanced over at Justin. "Justin could tell you that...that's for sure."

Justin laughed...reaching both of his hands up to the table to open his second sandwich. "Yeah...stay away from those things."

Nick laughed. "You didn't like me attacking you?" He joked.

Justin shrugged. "It was a bit unexpected."

"Ahh...but if I said. 'Justin may I please attack you now?' Then that would be a different story?" Nick asked, smirking to show he was just being silly as he nibbled on a ketchup covered fry.

Kelly rolled her eyes dramatically. "Spare me the graphic visual."

Nick just laughed and went about eating his food. Winking at Kelly a few seconds later.

Justin groaned quietly...slouching down in his seat a bit. "This back thing sucks."

Not really thinking about what he was doing, Nick's hand went up to rub the back of Justin's neck. He knew that it was his lower back that hurt...but he was hoping that the gesture would relax him some so it would put less pressure on the sore muscles. "I know it does...I've pulled muscles in my back before...it sucks big time."

Justin closed his eyes for a bit. "I think I need a stringer dose of those Vikes."

"I think we want you to live...not keel over in shock." Nick giggled as he continued to massage the back of Justin's neck with his left hand, his right picking up his food.

Justin chuckled. "It'll just knock me out for a while so I can sleep till the pain's gone." He sat up in his seat a bit...leaning away from Nick's hand and cracking his neck to both sides as he went back to eating.

"You should ice it for a while when you're done eating," Kelly suggested.

Nick nodded. "That's probably a good idea...you haven't done that today...at least I don't think you have." He said as he took his hand away so he could pick up his food better.

Justin shook his head. "I don't think so, either."

"Yeah...you've been sleeping most of the day." Nick said through a mouth full of his hamburger.

Justin nodded. "I know...but I need it, I guess."

Nick nodded. "Yup...wasn't saying that it was a bad thing."

Kelly sighed contentedly as she slid out of the booth and collected up her trash. "I'm stuffed now."

"I could probably still eat a few more of these things." Nick laughed as he finished off his second hamburger and worked on finishing his fries.

Justin looked down at his half eaten second sandwich. "Have the rest of mine...I can't eat anymore," he said before sipping his soda.

Nick shook his head. "I was joking...I'm not still hungry." He said, but really he sort of was. But he didn't want to look like a pig...and he was already fat enough as it was.

"Eat it if you're hungry," Justin said...pushing the sandwich in Nick's direction. "It'll just go to waste."

Nick shook his head again. "I'm not…but thank you." He said as he at his last fry and sipped his drink.

Justin sighed...wrapping the sandwich up and collecting his trash. "OK."

"I'll take that," Kelly said...coming back to the table for their trash.

Nick giggled as he handed Kelly his trash. "We should keep her around...she cleans."

Justin handed off his trash as well. "Not all the time. I don;t know what's gotten into her."

"Me." Nick said and then groaned. "Okay that sounded wrong...so I will go die now." He said sinking down in his seat, his face bright red. He totaly didn't mean it like that. He just meant that since he was around now...she was acting like that.

Kelly rolled her eyes and went to throw away that trash.

"Why are you gonna drop a lame joke like that at a time like this?" Justin asked quietly.

Nick looked up at Justin from where he was almost under the table. "It wasn't meant to be a lame joke. I didn't mean it." He answered back just as quietly.

"Then what DID you mean?" Justin asked as Kelly went to have a seat on the couch and flip through the television channels.

"I just meant that now that I'm here Kelly was acting different. It was meant to be funny...not mean." Nick practically whispered. Wishing he has just left his mouth shut.

Justin thought about it for a second. "Oh..."

"I would never say anything mean about anybody...even joking around." Nick said looking Justin in the eye.

"I know," Justin replied.

"I know, too..." Kelly called from the couch...having just barely overheard Nick from where she was sitting. "...now will you two get over hear so we can watch a movie?"

Nick groaned from the position he was in. "Yeah...if I can move." He said having to actually slide under the table and crawl out.

Justin chuckled. "You ARE nuts," he said...slowly sliding out himself.

Getting up off his hands and knees Nick walked over to the couch and took a seat. "What are we gunna watch?"

"Whatever ya'll want..." Justin said...carefully sitting on the other side of Kelly. "...cuz I'll be asleep soon."

*****@*****

A few hours later Nick glanced over at Justin sleeping and giggled. "Should we wake him up?"

Kelly shook her head. "Nah...leave him. He doesn't feel the pain when he sleep," she said...then looked over her shoulder to peek out the blinds when she felt the bus slowing down.

"Yeah...poor guy." Nick said then too felt the bus slowing down. "Guess we're stopping again."

Kelly nodded. "This'll be the last time," she said...getting up and going to the bunks to get her backpack.

"I'm kinda looking forward to New York...I've never been before." Nick said kind of out of the blue as he stretched his arms over his head.

Kelly smiled at Nick as she came back. "You'll love it. It's beautiful. Especially at Christmastime."

"Yeah I'm sure...what are you gunna be doing for the holidays?" Nick asked, forgetting he didn't really know much about Kelly's other family or friends...besides what she had told him.

Kelly shrugged. "I'm not sure yet," she said...brushing off the question.

Nick all of a sudden felt bad for even asking the question, but didn't say anything just dropped the subject. "Yeah…I'll have to make sure to get my brother and sisters something while we are there. They would be pretty impressed their brother is getting them stuff from NY."

Kelly widened her eyes. "Well you'd better come shopping with us Monday night after the show, then. They close the stores to the public just for Justin. It's crazy."

"Yeah he was telling me that and I told him that’s no fun you're supposed to fight the crazy shoppers and fight over Tickle Me Elmo's." Nick laughed.

Kelly laughed. "No need for that," she said...hoisting her backpack onto her shoulder as the bus stopped, the door opened, and Lonnie and Mike came back on board. "See ya in a while, hun," she said to Nick before getting off the bus.

"Bye bye." Nick waved before smiling at Mike and Lonnie. "Hi guys." he said, even though he wasn't really expecting them to say much back.

Mike and Lonnie took the two seats closest to the front of the bus, and both nodded and smiled at Nick.

********@********

Kelly climbed onto her own bus, and the only person she saw in the front lounge was Marty. "Hey hun...where's Eddie and Mel?"

Marty smiled when he looked up to see Kelly walking onto the bus. "Hey...Eddie was complaining of a headache and went to bed. Mel is on her phone calling various people."

Kelly laughed. "What else is new?" she joked...dropping her backpack in the booth, then taking a seat on the couch.

"So you decided to come join us commoners again, huh." Marty laughed.

"Ha ha...very funny." Kelly relaxed back on the couch and closed her eyes. "Actually...I just needed off that bus for a while. Need to clear my head."

"Have anything to do with why Justin, punched his friend?" Marty asked, turning on the couch so he could look at Kelly.

Kelly sighed...and looked into Marty's eyes for a bit before speaking. "Yeah. Actually...*I* have to do with why Justin punched Nick."

Marty looked at Kelly confused. "What could you have done to get Justin that pissed that he would punch Nick?" He was having a hard time believing Kelly could do something like that.

Kelly sighed again. "I slept with him."

Marty's eyes went wide. "Nick?"

Kelly took a deep breath as she nodded. She liked Marty...a lot...and she was suddenly feeling like he was going to lose respect for her over this.

"Wow...I mean, I understand why you would do that. He's a cute guy and all. But for some strange reason I always got this crazy 'gay vibe' from him." Marty laughed and shook his head. "Guess I was wrong."

Kelly just nodded again...practically biting her tongue to keep her mouth shut.

Marty had known Kelly long enough to understand she was trying to hide something. "Ohh...I think I get it."

Kelly looked at Marty questioningly. "Get what?"

"That what I was thinking was actually true...but he doesn't want people to know?"

Kelly took a deep breath. She wasn't going to lie to Marty. "Yeah...he's gay," she said quietly...not wanting to be overheard. "But...it's more like he can't tell people cuz of Justin. Cuz...people will talk if he's hanging out with a gay guy, ya know?""

Marty nodded. "That makes sense...even though I don't get why J hanging with a gay dude would look bad on him."

"Come on, Marty...you KNOW there are people that'll turn it into something."

"Yeah I know...and that is just stupid...hell even if J was gay or some shit like that...nobody should give a shit." Marty said getting angry. He hated the way media did stuff sometimes.

"Sure...none of US would give a shit. But unfortunately...we're not the ones that matter as far as his career's concerned."

Marty nodded and sighed. "Still think it sucks...but then again we don't have o worry about that." He paused for a second, remembering something. "Okay...so Nick goes for guys...but he was boneing you?" He said in his normal blunt fashion.

"Yes. And keep your voice down. I don't need everyone knowing."

"Sorry." Marty said softly. "I still don't get why J would punch um for that."

Kelly tilted her head and put a 'duh' look on her face. "Hello? Have you been smoking dope, or something? You KNOW why."

Marty thought about that for a second and then groaned, shaking his head. "Cuz he still wants you...but it's not like Nick is gunna want more then a casual fuck...so I mean not like he's a real threat to Justin." he said in a quiet voice.

"But Justin doesn't like the idea of me sleeping with someone else."

"He doesn't own you...the second you guys broke it off...he gave up that right." Marty pointed out, not really understanding, cuz he didn't know the love aspect of it.

Kelly sighed...leaning to the right and resting her head on Marty's shoulder. "He's in love with me."

"Oh shit...and you aren't in love with him." Marty asked, feeling like he was missing a huge piece of this puzzle.

"No...I am."

Marty pulled Kelly up a little to look at him. "Then...I really don't understand the problem here. You both love each other...then why aren't you two together?"

"it's just...I don't know...it's not a good time."

"Why are you so bent out of shape about it then? You are acting like you've lost your best friend...when really you could have everything you wanted from him." Marty pointed out.

Kelly groaned and dropped her head back down onto Marty's shoulder. She wished she could tell him the WHOLE story...to clear it up, and give her someone to talk to about it...but it wasn't her place.

Marty started to rub Kelly's back and sighed. "Jesus, something is going down that you aren't telling me. I wish you would cuz...I know how you work...and you have trouble figuring anything out until you talk about it."

Kelly closed her eyes and kept quiet...fighting off the urge to talk.

"Why wont you talk to me, Kel?" Marty asked, feeling so bad for the girl, because something was obviously bothering her so much.

"I want to..." Kelly said honestly. When there was something she needed to talk about on the road...namely Justin...she always went to Marty. "...but...I shouldn't."

"I promise I won't say anything." Marty whispered, leaning down to kiss his friend on the head.

"Marty...I really shouldn't..." Kelly said quietly...her eyes nearly filling with tears.

"Okay...then don't...only you can really say if you should or shouldn't. I don't have any idea what we're talking about here." Marty said, his tone still quiet.

Kelly took a deep breath. She'd had enough of holding everything in. It was against her better judgment, but she had to do it. "Justin's having these...feelings..." she started in a near whisper. "...like...he thinks he might be bisexual. And he and Nick...are..."

Marty sucked in a deep breath. "Whoa...yeah I know I said that stuff about Justin being like that and all...I never really thought it was true." He said, and then added "I'm totally cool with it...just wasn't expecting it."

Kelly lifted her head to look at Marty. "You gotta SWEAR that you won't breathe a word to ANYONE."

Marty held his hands up in the air. "I promise, Kel...I wouldn't do that to J."

Kelly nodded. "I know," she said...then rested her head back down.

"So, are like he and Nick a couple or something?" Marty asked, trying to make sure he got all the facts.

"No...no...nothing like that. Nick's just helping Justin...ya know...figure things out."

Marty nodded his head. "Oh...okay...I get it...I think." He laughed.

"It's crazy."

"What is?" Marty asked, confused.

"This whole situation. It's crazy."

"You don't think he should be doing, what he is doing with Nick?"

"No...it's not that. I mean...if that's what makes him happy...then so be it."

"But you don't want him to figure out he really does like...guys. Cuz then that means things won’t work out for you two?" Marty asked, having a feeling he was getting the idea.

Kelly sighed. "Sumthin like that."

Marty sighed. "What does Nick think of you two still being so close?" he asked, knowing that Kelly and Justin still fooled around.

Kelly shrugged a bit. "He's jealous...but I guess he's cool with it."

"Well...I don't think he has a choice. I mean...I don't think Justin plans to stop sleeping with me."

"Ever?" Marty asked seriously. "Even when he figures things out?"

"Well...no. I mean...he will eventually if he decides he doesn’t wanna be with me. I mean right now."

"As of things right now...who do you think he would choose if somebody told him he had to?" Marty asked curiously.

Kelly sighed...pulling her legs up onto the couch and curling into Marty a bit. "I have no idea. I guess I would say he'd pick me...cuz ME he's sure of. He's NOT sure of the whole bisexual thing yet."

Marty nodded. "Makes sense...even though I have NO idea what that would be like...probably be really hard."

"Yeah...probably."

"Just take everything by stride girl...but make sure you keep in the back of your head that it might not turn out quite like you want." Marty giggled. "And don't go around sleeping with the experiment." He said, still not totally understanding Nick's position in the whole thing.

Kelly chuckled quietly. "Yeah...I'm done with that. I'm really not quite sure what I was thinking."

"He's cute...and from what I can tell he's a really sweet person?" Marty suggested.

"Yeah...I'm sure that had something to do with it."

Marty continued to rub Kelly's back. "So...feeling a little better now?"

"Yeah...kind of, I guess. Thanks."

"I wish I knew more of what to say...but that situation is pretty crazy. I just hate knowing the fact that somebody WILL get hurt in the end."

"Yeah...but I'm just trying to look at it like...if he doesn't pick me...if he picks Nick or another guy instead...then that's what'll make him happy...so..."

Marty nodded. "Good point...and there will always be somebody else for you, Kel."

Kelly laughed. "I've heard THAT before."

Marty shrugged. "Hey weirder things have happened." He said smiling, tickling Kelly's sides a bit. "You gota trust me on these thing sometimes."

Kelly giggled and pulled away a bit when Marty tickled her...then settled against him again. "I do...I trust you on everything."

"Good...I'm glad." With that Marty pulled her close to him and held her tightly.

"I'm lucky to have you out here in this lonely touring world," Kelly said with a quiet laugh.

Marty laughed back and shrugged. "Yeah...same here...and there you went and ditched me this whole ride. I had to hear about Eddie bitching about his head...and I don't think Mel has been off her phone the whole time. Don't wana know what her long distance bill is gunna be."

Kelly chuckled. "I'm sorry, baby...but I needed to...talk to them...and stuff."

Marty put on a playful pout. "Yeah...stuff...stuff that I couldn't do."

"Well I'm sure you could do it if you tried," Kelly said with another laugh.

"Yes...but I'm a gentleman." Marty giggled.

Kelly laughed with a snort. "Sometimes."

"Yeah...and YOU'ER not very lady like...miss piggy." Marty laughed, talking about Kelly's snort.

"Sometimes," Kelly agreed...calming down a bit.

"Yeah...well being stuck with, Eddie, J and I all the time...I'm not surprised."

"Seriously. Some of the disgustingness was bound to rub off on me sooner or later."

Marty smiled big. "But you love all of us anyway."

"If you wanna call it that," Kelly said with a laugh. "So when are you heading home for Christmas? Are you gonna leave right after the show on Monday night...or are you gonna stay and shop with us...and leave on Tuesday?"

"I was planning on staying till Tuesday...but I talked to my mom today and my great aunt Barbra is coming into town early and she wants me there." Marty said rolling his eyes. "So, I'm not all that sure anymore."

Kelly laughed. "Sounds like fun."

Marty made a face and shook his head. "Not at all. She is like one of those huge fat women who you are sure is going to smoosh you...or smother you with kisses. She still thinks I'm eight. Even asks me about how school is going." He laughed.

"Wow. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that shit."

"What are you going to be doing, Kel?" Marty asked, knowing family and vacations like this was a really touchy subject.

Kelly shrugged in Marty's arms. "I don't know, yet. I was actually think I might stay in New York for Christmas. Go skating in Rockefeller Center...see the parade and the giant Christmas tree, and stuff."

"You aren't going home with Justin this year?" Marty asked a little surprised since that is what she did last year and had said she had a blast.

Kelly shook her head. "No. We haven't really talked about it...probably because I told him I had somewhere to go."

Marty sighed. "When is Nick going back home to uh...I forgot where he was from."

"Indianapolis. And he's not. He's going to Memphis with Justin," Kelly said quietly.

Marty sucked in a deep breath. "Oh man." He didn't know what else to say...because he knew that probably struck a cord with Kelly.

"That's why I told Justin I had plans."

"I'm Justin would of let you come too."

"I'm sure he would have, too...but...no."

Marty sighed. "I honestly think he should of known you didn't have any place to go...and I think he should be taking you instead. Nick can just go back to where he came from." He said getting pissed because he didn't want anybody hurting Kelly.

Kelly sighed quietly. "No...Nick's good for J. It's just...strange. And I told you...he invited me...I said no."

"I still don't like it. I mean whatever happened to make new friends...but keep the old."

"He's not trying to lose me, Marty. *I* told HIM I wasn't going home with him. It just wouldn't feel right."

Marty sighed. "Yeah...okay fine...oh and by the way...you're coming home with me. As long as you can handle crazy great aunts."

Kelly shook her head. "Thanks...but I don't need a pity invite...I'll be fine."

"Who said anything about pity. I need you to protect me from my crazy aunt." Marty said smiling. "Pretty pweeze?"

Kelly lifted her head to look at Marty. "Are you sure?" she asked seriously.

"Totally."

Kelly smiled brightly and gave Marty a peck on the lips. "Thanks, sweetie."

Marty giggled. "Hey...if I'm gunna get that reaction...I would invite you all the time."

Kelly giggled and punched Marty gently in the chest. "In your dreams."

"She'll sleep with the gay dude...but not her best bud who is perfectly straight. This I don't get." Marty giggled playfully.

Kelly laughed some more and curled up against Marty again. "Speaking of which...will you come sleep with me when we get to the hotel? I don't wanna be alone tonight."

"Of course." Marty said kissing the top of her head again, holding her to him.

******@*****

Justin's eyes fluttered open...and he gasped quietly when he tried to roll over and realized how much pain he was in.

Nick turned around quickly from the video game he was playing when he heard Justin gasp. "Justin...you okay?"

Justin sighed. "I think so."

Nick crawled over to the couch and ran his hands over Justin's stubbly hair as a soothing gesture. "You're back killing you?"

"Yeah..." Justin said...closing his eyes back up. "Isn't it about time for my meds?"

Nick looked at the clock and nodded. "Yeah actually you could of had more an hour ago." He said getting up off the floor to go grab Justin's meds.

In the meantime, Justin managed to sit himself up on the couch and swing his feet down to the floor...groaning a few times in the process.

As he got the meds he watched Justin move around and sighed. Grabbing the bottle of water and the pills he walked back to the couch and handed them to him. "Here you go." He said softly as he sat down next to Justin on the couch. His hand going to rub Justin's back softly.

"Thanks," Justin said...then leaned forward in his seat a bit to stretch his back as he swallowed his pills.

"Where does it hurt?" Nick asked as he moved his hand down a bit lower.

"All the way...at the bottom," Justin replied...squeezing his eyes shut and grimacing a bit.

"Do you want me to try and rub it...or no?" Nick asked, stopping his hands movements when they were in the middle of his back.

Justin shook his head. "I don't think so."

Nick moved his hand and put them both in is lap. "Okay." Just then the video game started to talk and he glanced over when he noticed it was still waiting for him to set up the play.

Justin glanced at the screen and chuckled. "What are you doing?"

Nick blushed a little. "Uhh...passing time?"

"Did you learn anything yet?"

"I don't know...I'm trying. I at least got them to run with the ball for a bit before he got squished." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed. "That's a start," he said...sitting back on the couch. "Where's Kel?"

"She went to her bus about half an hour ago." Nick said as he leaned back on the couch too.

"Oh...OK," Justin said...leaning into Nick a bit as he tried to get comfortable.

Nick wrapped his arm around Justin, out of instinct. "I'm no where near ready to play with you...my poor little people would die."

"Yeah they would...cuz I'm just THAT good."

Nick rolled his eyes. "I'm sure there is something that I'M good at that you aren't...just not sure what that is." he giggled.

"Let me know when you figure it out," Justin said with a laugh...letting his left hand fall on Nick's right thigh.

Nick gently slapped Justin with his fingers that were on his shoulder. "You're just being SO mean to me tonight." He pouted.

Justin looked at Nick and pouted back. "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

Nick groaned and looked away. He could handle the hand on the tight...but the pout...THAT was a different story. "Nope...don't think so." He said, with his head still turned the other way.

Justin shrugged. "Oh well."

Nick turned back to look at Justin again, his face a little redder then it should be. "See you've been really, really mean...and I'm not sure If I should let you get off that quick." He said playfully.

Justin shrugged again. "What I gotta do, then?"

"Pout again...and just let me stare at you until I get off." Nick said with a straight face for a second before he started to bust up laughing.

Justin was shocked for a bit...then laughed out loud. "You CAN'T be serious."

Nick laughed and shrugged. "Maybe it would take a little more then that...but not much." He said, and he was being totally honest...that pout was pure evil.

"Nice to know I can use that against you."

It was Nick's turn to pout. "That would just be mean...you better not be doing that in public...or you would have to walk around with an extremely turned on me." He giggled, wiggling his eyebrows.

Justin chuckled. "I wouldn't do that."

"Yes...cuz then I would have to find a dark corner...take you to it and do nasty things to you." Nick continued to joke.

"Only if I let you get away with it."

Nick pouted again. "Good point...rats...and I was SO close."

Justin chuckled. “Ya never know."

Nick felt his dick twitch just thinking about what he would be doing and shook his head to try and clear the cobwebs that were starting to form. "Okay...must stop thinking about that." He laughed a little

Justin laughed and gently squeezed Nick's thigh. "Gain control of yourself there, Nick.

Nick looked down at Justin's hand on this thigh and groaned again. "Yeah...you're hand there isn't helping any." He laughed, a big smile on his face, that said he really didn't mind.

Justin pulled his hand off with a quiet laugh...his cheeks blushing a bit. "Sorry...I didn't even realize."

Nick reached for the same hand and held it in his, squeezing it softly. "I didn't care, Justin."

"But...it's making you a little uneasy," Justin said in a soft tone...looking down at his hand in Nick's. For some reason, he really liked the feeling of Nick holding his hand.

"No...not uneasy...I always feel good and safe when you're touching me...and I don't mean that in a sexual way." Nick answered, also looking down at their joined hands.

Justin smiled. "Funny you should say that."

Nick looked up at Justin confused. "Say what?"

"That whole safe thing. Cuz...I don't know...I kinda feel the same way about you. I mean...I'm so used to being the protector and making other people feel safe...especially with Kelly. But YOU do that for ME...and I've never really had that."

"I think i tmust be a mutual thing or something...because I feel safe with you. It's like we are protecting each other." Nick said, automatically moving as close to Justin as he felt he should, knowing the younger man was still in pain.

Justin shrugged. "I don’t know why...cuz it's not like I feel like I NEED protecting."

"Me neither...but I think for me for the first time in my life I really feel like somebody gives a shit about what happens to me." Nick whispered.

Justin looked up at Nick. "I'm not the only one who gives a shit about you, Nick."

It was Nick's turn to shrug. "Pretty much...I mean my siblings they care I guess...but they can't really do much when I'm not allowed to see them...well except Aaron. You're the first person who has taken the time to show you care."

"Well...what about Kelly?"

Nick smiled at the mention of Kelly's name. "You two are the only ones."

"Well...I'm glad you feel that way about us, then," Justin said...then brought Nick's hand up to his mouth to kiss the back of it.

The smile that spred across Nick's face when Justin had kissed his hand was probably one of the biggest he had ever smiled. His hand was tingling as if that was the first kiss Justin had ever gave him. But no hungry passionate kiss could have felt as good as that.

Justin looked down at Nick's hand holding his again and chuckled. "I don’t know why, but I really DO love your hands."

Nick giggled. "I like them too... I would have a lot of problems without them." He joked, like he always did through compliments.

Justin laughed again as he opened Nick's hand up, and traced the lines on his palm with his right index finger as he held it with his left hand.

Nick shivered at the tickly feeling. "What is it you like so much?" He asked softly, his eyes on what Justin was doing to his hand.

Justin shrugged. "I don't know. They're big...and strong...and warm and soft, too."

"I'm glad you like them...cuz I like holding your hands...and having you touching them. You wouldn't do that if you didn't like them." Nick said in response, even though he knew he wasn't making much sense.

Justin chuckled. "I would...just maybe not as much."

"Do you think your family will like me?" Nick asked out of the blue. It had been scarying him a bit to go have Christmas with Justin's family, but until now he hadn't said anything.

Justin smiled. "Sure...I think they'll love you. I just think they'll be surprised that I'm bringing you, and not Kelly."

"You should of brought her instead...she probably has no place to go." Nick said, feeling guilty he was taking away Kelly's spot in the Harless/Timberlake Christmas.

Justin shook his head. "I asked her to come, too...but she has plans."

"She just didn't want to get in our way. I don't think she is going any place." Nick whispered sadly. Sure he didn't have any place to go either...but Kelly was so much more special then he was....deserved so much more.

"She told me she has plans, Nick."

Nick nodded and tried to smile. "Right...okay. So umm, tell me how things work."

"How what works?"

Nick giggled. "Christmas at your house. What do you guys do?"

"Oh...well...I spend Christmas Eve at my dad's house...he has a big thing with all his family. Then I sleep over so I can spend Christmas morning with my brothers. After presents and breakfast, I go home to mama's and open presents there...and spend Christmas afternoon and night with her side of the family.”

Nick smiled big, thinking about all the festivities. "That sounds really cool. I've missed being a part of stuff like that."

"It IS nice...except for the fact that my dad makes me miserable. But I put it aside for Christmas."

"Yeah...sometimes you gota do stuff like that." Nick said, gently resting his head on Justin's shoulder.

The weight of Nick's head on his shoulder made Justin lean a bit, and he groaned at the pain in his back. "Ohhh...not a good idea, he said quietly."

Nick quickly sat up and looked over at Justin, seeing the look of pain in his eyes. "Shit...Justin I'm sorry."

Justin smiled. "It's OK...don't worry about it."

"I wish I could do something to make it feel better." Nick whispered. Ever since he was a little boy seeing people in pain made him feel sad. He had always tried to do something to make that person or animal feel better.

Justin shrugged a bit. "I'll be OK in a couple days. It'll go away."

"Does this happen a lot?"

"My back? No...not too often. It's happened a few times over the years."

Nick let out a sigh of relief. "Well...that's good...cuz it would suck even more if it happened all the time."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I know. I'm pretty healthy for the most part, though."

Nick smiled his famous smile. "I'm glad...it's no fun to be sick. " Just then Nick thought of something. "Whatever illness I had a week ago...sure went away quickly after that day or so."

"It was probably just a cold."

"Would make sense, since I spent so much time in the cold." Nick shivered at the memory of how cold he had gotten walking home that night.

"Yeah...cuz of me," Justin said...squeezing Nick's hand.

"It was all worth it though...I probably wouldn't be here right now if I hadn't gotten sick and you felt bad and invited me with you to get better."

Justin chuckled. "True."

"You aren't still being my friend cuz you feel guilty or feel pity cuz of me right?" Nick asked softly, finally saying one of the things he has been wondering for a while now.

Justin looked at Nick with narrowed eyes. "Of course not. Why would you even think something like that?"

Nick shrugged and got nervous at the way Justin was looking at him. "Well...you just said I wouldn't be here if I hadn't gotten sick...so I guess I was wondering...why I'm still here." He said just as softly as before.

Justin sighed. "I didn't mean you were only here cuz you got sick. Sick or not, I wouldn't have invited you if I didn't like you."

Nick giggled a little. "How could you like me...you didn't even know me."

Justin shrugged. "I just got a vibe, I guess. I've really had no choice but to learn how to read people over the years."

"I totally know what you mean." Nick said as his fingers started to stroke Justin's as they held hands. "I'm glad you got that vibe.

"Me too," Justin said...then chuckled. "Even f the shit HAS hit the fan a couple times."

Nick laughed. "I think it's been hitting the fan more times then it hasn't been...at least the last few days."

"Yeah...I think it has."

"But we've all come out of it okay...at least I think so." Nick said as he crossed his leg at the ankles with Justin, just needing the contact...more then what he was getting with their hands couching and bodies right next to each other.

Justin sat quietly for a few minutes, then took a deep breath before he spoke. "I think I should go lay down till we get there. I don't think sitting up his helping me any."

"Okay." Nick said as he moved his leg and let go of Justin's hand so he could get up.

Justin stood up, and stretched just a bit. Turning to Nick, he asked, "Are you cool? I mean...do you need anything?"

Nick wanted to scream that all he wanted was just to be with Justin...but he didn't instead he shook his head. "No...I'm okay."

"OK...we should be there in a couple hours, I think."

"Okay cool...see you in a while." Nick said as he sat back down on the floor and picked up the video game controller.

Justin smiled as he watched Nick start up the game again...then turned and walked down the hall to his room...where he carefully rested down on the bed.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Justin ended his call with Johnny, and out of habit, the first person he called was Kelly. He dialed her cell phone as he adjusted the heating pad under his back.

Marty heard the phone ringing and groaned. Leaning over Kelly he shook her a bit. "Kel...phone...ringing." He said, still half asleep.

Kelly groaned, but didn't move...not fully comprehending what was going on.

Marty groaned again but reached farther over Kelly to grab her cell off of the night stand. "Yeah?"

Justin suddenly thought he had the wrong number. "Hello? Who's this?"

"Marty...who's this?" He said into the phone as he turned over trying to fall back to sleep while still on the phone. He hadn't recognized Justin's voice in his sleepy state.

"Marty...?" Justin questioned...a hint of surprise in his voice. "It's Justin."

"Oh...hey J." Was all Marty said as he snuggled deeper into the covers.

"You...why are you answering Kelly's phone?" Justin asked...a feeling of deja vu coming over him.

"Tried to shake her...but she didn't wake up."

"Why are you WITH her?"

"Asked me to sleep with her last night...so I did." Marty said with a yawn.

Justin swallowed hard. "Sleep...with her?"

Marty nodded against the pillow even though Justin couldn't see him. "Yeah you know...lay down...close your eyes...sleep."

"Oh...sleep," Justin said...relaxing a bit.

"That is what I just said wasn't it?" Marty mumbled, still trying to find that happy place of his dreams again.

Justin took a deep breath. "Yeah...whatever, man. But listen...I'm calling cuz we have rehearsal in a half hour. They converted a conference room down the hall into a dance studio for us."

Marty groaned and nodded. "Kay...I'll get Kel up and moving." He said when he figured that falling back to sleep wasn't gunna happen.

"Alright...I'll see you down there at 8:30."

"Yeah...8:30...gotcha." With that Marty turned off the phone and threw it to the edge of the bed. With one final groan he sat up and shook Kelly again. "Kel...we gota get up."

Kelly just groaned...still not budging.

"Justin called and said we gota be at this conference room to do rehearsal." Marty said as he got up off the bed and headed for the bathroom.

Kelly was still in a near-deep sleep, and was unaware of Marty talking to her...or leaving the room.

Three minutes later, Marty walked back out of the bathroom and over to the bed where Kelly was still asleep. "Kel...up...now." he said, throwing the blankets off of her.

Kelly rolled onto her back, and stretched out her whole body. "Rude..." she mumbled.

"We gota be outa here in like twenty minutes...so come on...up." Marty laughed, watching Kelly...god she was so damn cute.

"Fine," Kelly sighed...getting up out of bed and stretching again. "WHERE are we going?" she asked...pulling down her tank top that had hiked up during her stretching.

"J called...we have to meet in the conference room for rehearsal." Marty said as he grabbed his sweats and t-shirt he had taken off the night before.

"Rehearsal...? He can't even dance," Kelly said...looking at Marty as she rubbed her eyes.

Marty shrugged as he sat down on the bed to put on his shoes. "Don't know...I didn't really get much of the conversation...I was trying hard to get back to sleep."

Kelly groaned...then trudged across the room to the bathroom to brush her teeth. "I really don't think he can dance," she said around her toothbrush...her free hand holding her hair back away from her face.

"Maybe he'll just sit there and watch us dance around like zombies at 8:00 in the morning." Marty grumbled as he twisted his back to try and help him wake up.

Kelly laughed as she spit out some toothpaste, then stuck his toothbrush back in her mouth to continue brushing. "Are we supposed to call anyone else?"

"He didn't say anything about it." Marty replied as he headed into the bathroom behind Kelly and grabbed some toilet paper to whip his nose. "Damn allergies." he mumbled as he threw the toilet paper into the trash.

"Take something," Kelly said...the rinsed her mouth and out her toothbrush away. "I have some Sudafed if you want it."

"Thanks...but I'll wait until we get back. That stuff knocks me out." Marty said as he left the bathroom.

"OK," Kelly said...following Marty out of the bathroom and going to her bag to look for some clothes.

Marty sat on the bed, not thinking about leaving even when he saw Kelly looking for clothes to dress in.

"We must be rehearsing for Monday night's radio show, right?" Kelly asked...pulling a sports bra, t-shirt and sweats out of her bag. "Cuz...I mean...that's all he's really using us for anytime soon."

Marty nodded in agreement, still trying to fully wake up. "Yeah...that's probably what it's for...at least I would think."

"Yeah...must be," Kelly said...her back to Marty as she pulled off the tank top she wore to bed, and pulled her sports bra on over her head.

Marty swallowed hard as he watched Kelly taking her shirt off. Even though she wasn't turned to him the sight still turned him on. Groaning softly he attempted to cross his legs and stop the stirring.

Kelly turned back toward Marty once she'd put her t-shirt on. "Do you have to go get dressed?" she asked...stepping out of her PJ pants and pulling her sweats on over her underwear. She thought nothing of it, as she was so used to changing clothes in front of people for quick changes during concerts.

"I'm okay...I'll change after we practice and shower and all that stuff." Marty said, his voice an octave lower then it should be. There was just something different about Kelly changing in front of him, that he never had felt or seen before and it was driving him insane.

Kelly nodded as she started putting on her socks and sneakers. "OK...you wanna go down there early to stretch and shit?"

Marty nodded quickly, he needed to get out of that room before he did something stupid. "That sounds good to me."

Kelly finished tying her shoes, then pulled her hair into a ponytail as she headed for the door. "OK...let's go."

Marty followed Kelly out of the hotel room and to the elevator so they could head down to the room Justin had set up. "I hope this doesn't last too long."

Marty followed Kelly out of the hotel room and to the room Justin had set up. "I hope this doesn't last too long."

Kelly laughed. "Aww...come on. We could use the workout."

*****@****

After he got word across to all eight dancers, Justin picked up the hotel phone and dialed Nick's room.

Nick pouted in his sleep when he heard the phone. He tried not to let it wake him up but he was soon brought out of the great dream he was having and sighed. Sitting up a bit in bed he reached for the phone. "Hello?" He said, his voice deeper then normal from sleep and from the amazing dream he had been having.

"Mornin," Justin said into the phone. "Did I wake you?"

Nick looked down at the tented sheets and groaned. "Woke most of me anyway...some was already awake" he mumbled. "Yeah...but it's okay." He said a little louder.

Justin tried his best to let Nick's comment go. "Well...umm...we're having rehearsal in like...fifteen minutes in a conference room down the hall. You can stay in bed if you want, but I just wanted to let you know incase you wanna come by."

Nick thought about that for a second, it wasn't like he could get the dream back if he tried. "Sounds cool...I'll be there...but Justin...how are you going to dance?"

"Nah...I really can't."

"That's what I thought." Nick said as he got up out of bed and started to look around for something to wear. "Hey...J remind me that I really gotta do laundry sometime." He laughed.

"Sure...whenever you want. We'll actually get it done FOR you. Just put it in the laundry bag."

Nick laughed again as he found one last pair of clean sweats and underwear. "Sounds like a plan Sam...so meet you in the conference room once I'm ready?"

"Yeah...sure."

"Alrighty..." Nick was about to hang up when he noticed Justin was acting a little weird. "Do you want to meet right now so we can talk? You sound a little off...something wrong?" He thought he might as well ask.

"Nah...I'm fine. I'll meet you down there...OK?" Justin said...not really feeling like getting into things.

Nick knew Justin wasn't really okay but didn't push. "Okay...see you in a few." With that Nick hung up the phone and quickly got dressed, not really taking time to bother with the fact he still was a little too 'happy' from his dream.

Justin made it to the conference room by about 8:25, and as the dancers started filing in, he sat at a small table over in the corner to meet with Johnny about what they were going to do if he couldn't dance in the show.

Marty sat on the floor next to Kelly as they stretched. "Did you sleep well?" He asked as his head was between his legs, stretching his back.

Kelly nodded...looking at Marty as she crossed one leg over the other to stretch her lower back. "Yeah...I did. Thanks for staying with me."

Marty smiled as he sat up. "No problem."

"What about you?" Kelly asked...switching legs. "How'd you sleep?"

Nick walked into the room with a baseball cap on his head and glasses on his face. He never really wore them but didn't feel like taking him to mess with his contacts.

"I slept fine...thanks." Marty replied, not going to mention how he hadn't slept much at all because he was scared at passing that imaginary line down the middle of the bed.

After his ten minute meeting with Johnny, Justin got up and stretched his back a bit, and went to join his dancers on the floor as Johnny explained to them how things were going to work: Justin wouldn't be dancing in his show that was only two days away...he'd be either just walking around the stage or sitting on a stool as he sang. Only his dancers would dance.

Nick walked and sat down on the floor against one of the walls and watched what was going on around him. He liked the concerts and stuff...that was cool...but he loved the behind the scenes stuff even more.

Johnny finished with what he had to say, and then Justin took over. "OK...we're gonna be doing 'Rock Your Body,' 'Last Night,' 'Senorita,' 'Cry Me A River,' and 'Like I Love You'...in that order. So let's do 'Rock Your Body,' first. George...you dance with Kelly in my place. That'll work out...four and four. OK?" When no one had any questions, Justin turned to Marty. "Alright...you can get them started with stretches and shit. Floor's yours," he said...then dragged a chair over to where Nick was sitting on the floor and sat beside him.

Marty got up and went to the front of the room and started the rest of the dancers in their normal warm up routine. It had been a while since they had all done it together but everybody seemed to follow along well enough.

Nick looked up at Justin over the bill of his hat at smiled. "Hello Mr. serious."

Justin looked down at Nick and smiled. "What? That's how I work."

"I know...and it's cute." Nick said softly, not wanting other people to hear him.

Justin laughed...looking away from Nick and back to his dancers.

Marty still had the dancers going through the warm ups, now they were all on the floor doing stretches much like Kelly and He had been doing before everybody came into the room.

Nick turned his head to watch the dancers too. "It's really cool to see how they all move together perfectly even when doing stretches."

Justin nodded. "They're an awesome group. I couldn't have asked for better."

"Okay guys...up for 'Rock You're body.' " Marty said as he walked back to start the music.

Justin sat back in his chair...a look of complete concentration on his face as he watched.

Nick watched the dancers dance for a while but then his eyes turned to Justin and he found it much more fun to watch Justin with that look of concentration on his face.

Marty quickly fell into the dance moves with the rest of the dancers as they did the moves they had done so many times before. Only when he noticed a few of the still not quite awake dancers mess up a little did he start counting a few of the steps.

Justin watched Marty closely...very impressed. He'd always admired his work ethic. That was making it hard for him to be mad at him for being in Kelly's bed that morning.

Nick turned back to watch the dancers and smiled at Kelly who was doing a great job. "They are really good...Marty is so professional and stuff." he said, having a hard time getting his words to come out right this morning for some reason.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...he is."

Once the song was finished, Marty turned off the music and started to talk to the dancers about a few of the steps that they had messed up on more then once. He wasn't surprised since it had been a while.

Looking back up at Justin, Nick could still tell something was wrong, but didn't feel like he should ask. So he simply just went for..."Are you okay?"

Justin nodded...looking away from the group and down at Nick. "I'm fine."

"You just seem a little...I don't know distracted about something...and It's not the dance rehearsal...or anything work related. It's something...different." Nick said, a little shocked that he could read Justin that well...but he could.

Justin took a deep breath as he looked away from Nick and back over toward the dancers. "Marty stayed in Kelly's room last night..." he whispered. "...or visa versa...I don't know."

Nick's eyes went wide as he watched Kelly now dancing to 'Last Night'...then to Marty who was leading them. "You don't think she would..." His voice trailed off because he didn't want to let his own mind think something like that.

"No...I don't think so...but still..."

"Did they ever do that before?" Nick asked, his eyes still on the two dancers.

Justin shook his head. "No...I mean...I don't think so. Neither one of them ever mentioned it. And like she told you, I'm the only guy she was ever with. Well...till you."

Nick blushed a little and nodded. "I feel kinda icky about that in a way. " He admitted but then shook off the feeling to go back to the matter at hand. "Maybe she was just lonely?"

Justin shrugged. "Maybe."

"Well...if she runs off with the choreographer…you still got me." Nick said turning his head to smile at Justin, trying to comfort him, but wondering after he said it if it was going to make things worse.

Justin sighed. "I can't even imagine that happening."

Nick didn't know why but the wise ass comment came out before really thought about it. "Why...cuz nobody is as good as you...so she can't even think of being with anybody else?"

Justin looked down at Nick in shock. "Where the fuck do YOU get off? I meant because it would probably break my heart. Damn."

Nick looked up at Justin, shock on his own face...how the hell had he even said anything like that at Justin. The only time he had ever talked back to the younger man had been the other day on the bus when all shit went down. He didn't even know what to say to make what he said better. Quickly his eyes glanced down at his lap and sighed.

Justin sighed and got up out of his chair to walk across the room. Once there, he leaned against the wall to watch the routine from another angle.

Nick silently cursed himself but tried not to think too much of it. He wasn't going to cry or freak out...Justin still liked him...and he didn't need to worry...Justin had said that. Now he just had to figure out something to say to him when he came back...if he did.

After that song was done Marty called a five minute break and headed to grab his own water bottle. Seeing Justin off to the side he walked over. "Hey man...things looking okay?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah, man...things look great, as always. Nice job."

Marty leaned back against the wall and took a long drink of his water. "Sorry bout this mornin on the phone and all. I wasn't really awake."

Justin briefly glanced away before looking Marty in the eye. "Yeah...it's OK...don't sweat it."

Marty smiled a little. "We were just sleeping, J. She didn't want to be alone last night and asked me if I would stay with her." He said, feeling like he needed to explain himself, even though he knew Justin didn't expect it or even want it.

Justin managed a smile. "It's OK, dude...I know ya'll are tight, and shit."

Just then Eddie came up wanting to speak to Marty so he excused himself and walked off with the other male dancer.

Nick waited until Eddie and Marty left to walk all the way and stand by Justin. "You angry with me?" He asked not much above a whisper.

"Yes," Justin stated simply...his eyes on his team of dancers doing various moves and stretches between sipping their water.

Nick looked down at his feet and sighed. "I didn't mean it...I don't even know why I said it." He said not looking up.

"I don't either. I thought you knew me better than that. I'm not some self-centered asshole who thinks I'm better than everyone else."

Nick looked up at Justin and nodded his head like crazy. "I...I know that. I'm just in a pissy mood this morning...I'm sorry I took it out on you."

Justin turned his head to look at Nick. "What's YOUR problem?"

Nick laughed a little and shrugged. "I don't know...nothing...I'm just in a mood."

"Fine. Just don't say shit like that to me if you don't mean it."

Nick nodded sadly, feeling terrible. "I won't...I'm sorry." He said turning and walking away.

Justin walked away from the wall toward Marty...seeing that he'd finished his conversation with Eddie. "Marty...if you wanna run through everything one more time and be done, that's cool. Ya'll look good...and we have a real rehearsal at Madison Square Garden tomorrow...so..."

Marty nodded and yawned. "Yeah...sounds good...I could use a few more hours of sleep." He laughed as he called to the dancers asking them to get back to position.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...couldn't we all."

Nick looked at the dancers and Justin for a second before walking out of the room. No point in being some place he wasn't wanted.

Marty turned the music back on and they started to go through all the dances again.

Justin returned to his seat on the other side of the room, and tried to forget about everything else as he watched the routines with his creative eye.

After another hour Marty turned off the music one last time and told everybody that it was time to call it a day. Then walked over to Kelly who he hadn't really talked to the whole morning. "You did great."

Kelly smiled at Marty. "Thanks," she said before taking a long swig out of her water bottle.

"I'm going to go head back to my room and take a shower...and get some more sleep...but if you wana hang out later call me, okay?"

Kelly just nodded...a small smile still on her face.

With a soft pat on the back Marty waved at Justin before walking out of the room and heading back to his own hotel room.

Meanwhile Nick was in his room attacking the mini bar...Doing something he rarely ever did when he was upset or other wise. Drinking like crazy.

Once most of the people had cleared out of the room...aside from Mel, Tony and George, who were doing some more stretches and practicing a few moves...Kelly approached Justin. They talked for a bit as she asked him about his back. Justin talked to her in his normal friendly tone...not even bringing up the whole Marty thing.

After he downed at least two beers and a few other alcoholic beverages, Nick was beyond drunk. It didn't take much and that much in a matter of an hour was really getting to him. Of course it was also making him very stupid so he found himself wondering the halls and ended up back in the conference room where he stumbled in almost falling on top of George and Tony.

Kelly and Justin both turned to look at Nick as he came stumbling into the room. Kelly sighed quietly and looked up at Justin. "I'll take care of this..." she said...putting a hand on his arm. "...you go get some rest."

Justin put up a bit of an argument, but was defeated. Aggravated, he walked out of the room and went back to his suite as Kelly walked over to Nick.

Nick was busy trying to keep himself up right as he ran into George and Tony. "S...sorry...guys." He slurred.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Come on, Nick..." she started...taking a hold of his arm. "...let's get you back to your room."

Nick looked around the room as if trying to figure out who was holding onto him. Then his eyes landed on Kelly and he smiled wide. "Hey...Kell-eey...didja know you dance good." He giggled like crazy.

Kelly sighed quietly as she started to usher Nick out of the room. "Thanks, Nick. Now...come on...we're gonna go get you some water...and have a little talk."

"Nut uh...don't want water...that minty stuff in the bar was willy, willy good...I wana have more of dat." Nick said as he stumbled over his own feet.

"No...I don't think so," Kelly said...stopping in front of Nick's door. "Where's your key?"

Nick shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out his key and dangled it in front of Kelly's face.

Kelly grabbed the key and opened the door...then helped Nick inside and over to the couch. Once he was seated, she went over to the minibar and got him a bottle of water. "Here," she said...sitting on the coffee table across from Nick and handing him the bottle.

Nick took the bottle into his hand but didn't drink it. "I don't...wana…talk to you." He slurred as he tried to get up off the couch but ended up falling back down.

Kelly leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees...propping her chin up on her hands. "Tough...you're gonna talk to me, anyway."

Nick quickly turned his head so he wasn't looking at Kelly. He may be drunk off his ass, but he was embarrassed that she was seeing him like that. "Go...please." He whispered, sounding more like himself.

"No. I'm your friend...and I'm not leaving until you tell me why you're like this right now."

Sighing, Nick drew his stocking feet up onto the couch and brought his knees to his chest, hugging them tightly. "I dunno why." He whispered again.

"Yes you do...and it obviously has to do with Justin, cuz he's not happy, either."

"I said something really mean to him." Nick said, looking down at his knees.

Kelly sighed. 'Not again,' she thought. "What'd you say?" she asked quietly.

Nick bit his bottom lip and shook his head. "Can't tell you." He said, sounding like a little kid. He just didn't want Kelly to know that they were fighting over something that had to do with her.

"Of course you can. Now...come on...spit it out."

"He was kinda outa sorts cuz of finding out you were sleeping in the same bed with Marty last night...and then I said something stupid...I don't even really remember what it was I said." Nick said softly, trying hard not to move too much, his stomach was really starting to feel gross.

Kelly sighed...and buried her face in her hands for a moment before she spoke. "He was upset that Marty slept in my room...? And what did you say about it?"

"I said that maybe you were just lonely and that if it was more he still had me." Nick whispered. "Then he said he couldn't see that happening...and then I said something like 'why cuz nobdy is as good as you...so you can't even think of being with anybody else’." Nick said the last part even more quietly as he bit his bottom lip and looked down at his knees.

Kelly sighed again. "Damn, Nick. That's the worst thing to say to him. He doesn't have an ego at ALL...and he doesn't think he's better than anyone. He's SO sensitive about that shit."

Nick sniffled and nodded his head, but then groaned when his stomach turned dangerously. "I..I know that...I was...stupid."

Kelly thought quietly for a bit before she spoke again. "OK...well...you two obviously need to stop these petty shit arguments if anything is gonna go on between you..." she started...then paused again.

Nick didn't nod or say anything to that he was too busy trying to figure out how to make all the alcohol in his stomach not come back up. He had heard everything Kelly had said though too and was also trying to process that.

"I know at least one thing that can be done to stop some of the fights," Kelly finally said...getting up and heading for the door.

Nick looked up quickly and then groaned again and held a hand to his mouth when he was sure he was going to be sick. When the feeling went away he finally spoke up. "What...you doing?" He said slightly breathless from the deep breaths he was taking.

"I'll be back," Kelly said before heading out the door to go talk to Justin.

Once Kelly was gone Nick made a beeline for the bathroom to spend the next ten minutes getting sick...which reminded him exactly why he didn't drink so much.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

After taking some time to think in the solitude of his suite, Justin slowly made his way down the hall to knock on the door to Nick's room.

Nick heard the knocking and tried to ignore it, but it was making his head hurt even worse, so he thought if he would get up and answer the door then it would stop. Slowly he got out of bed and fought back the erg to run to the bathroom and get sick for the 100th time that day. Taking a deep breath he answered the door. He was sure he looked like shit and smelled even worse.

Justin just stood there looking at Nick for a minute before he said anything. "Can I...umm...come in for a minute?"

Nick nodded slowly and moved out of the way so Justin could walk in. "Sure." He whispered, his voice horse from sleep and from being sick all afternoon.

Justin went over to have a seat in the easy chair by the couch. "You got a minute to talk real quick?"

"Yeah...just sorry if I run outa here without saying anything." Nick said as he slowly sat down on the couch.

Justin sighed. "Whatever. Listen. I don't know what exactly you talked to Kelyl about earlier...but she came to see me after..."

Nick ran a hand through his messy hair. "I don't remember what I said to her." He answered honestly, his eyes looking every where besides Justin.

"Well...I have no idea what it was...but whatever it was...it made her decide that she's been getting in the way of anything happening between you and I."

Nick looked at Justin with wide eyes. "She what?"

Justin nodded slowly...looking down and trying not to start crying over it again. "Yeah...she broke it off with me. Well...whatever IT was, anyway."

Nick felt worse then he had before. "Shit...Justin...I never meant to do that...I'll go talk to her...we'll work this out...I'm...so sorry."

Justin quickly shook his head and looked up at Nick. "No...it's better this way. I mean...I never should have been trying to be with her and you at the same time...especially being in love with her. It wasn't fair to her OR me. Mostly her, though..."

Nick closed his eyes and nodded. "You would be so much better off If you never met me." He whispered, trying hard not to start crying again.

"No...cuz Kelly and I decided NOT to be officially together well before I met you...regardless of what we felt for each other."

"Still...before I came along...at least you guys had...something." Nick sniffled, keeping his eyes on his lap.

"Something that shouldn't have been happening the way it was happening. It wasn't right of me to be with her knowing that she loved me...and we weren't doing anything more than having sex and cuddling after."

Nick slowly looked up at Justin. "It still meant a lot to both of you..." He paused to try and figure out what to say. "I didn't mean anything I said today Justin...I was the biggest jackass...and a fool...I don't know what I was thinking."

Justin shrugged. "Yeah...it DID mean a lot...still does. But...what you said...it just kinda woke us up, I guess...like the last straw."

Nick swallowed hard. "You're sending me home?" He asked in a soft voice, tears pooling at the bottom of his eyes.

Justin shook his head slowly. "No...I meant the last straw...like...for me and Kel...to make us realize."

"A...are you going to resent me for forever...because I was the one that made you guys see that?" Nick asked, still feeling like everything was his fault.

"No...we talked for a long time...and we both agree that it's best this way. We need all or nothing...and the all just won't work, right now."

Nick nodded and sighed a sigh of relief. "Okay." Was all he said, afraid to ask any other questions...not sure what to say anymore.

Justin took a deep breath and got up. "I'm gonna go rest for a while. Stay away form the minibar, will you?"

"Justin?" Nick said his name as he stood up too.

Justin stopped on his way to the door to turn back to look at Nick.

"Stay...and rest with me? I don't want to be alone." Nick whispered softly since he knew he was going to be turned down.

Justin shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry...I can't right now. I have more thinking to do."

Nick blinked a few times and then nodded. "O...okay...bye." He said softly before turning and walking into his bedroom where he slowly climbed into bed and snuggled under the covers...he didn't plan on getting out of bed for a very long time.

Justin left Nick's room and moped his way back to his suite...intent on figuring out how he could have fucked his life up so badly.

*****@*****

Kelly made a fist and banged on Marty and Eddie's door. Old tears were still stinging the backs of her eyes, and new ones were threatening to fall.

Marty got up off the couch and walked to answer the door. Opening it he was shocked to see Kelly on the other side looking so shaken up. "God, Kel...what happened?" He asked as he took her by the arm and gently pulled her into the room, closing the door behind her.

Kelly sighed and took a shaky breath...trying not to start crying again. "I ended things with Justin."

Marty automatically pulled Kelly into his arms and hugged her tightly. "Oh...I'm so sorry girl." He whispered in her ear as he softly kissed the top of her head.

Kelly let a few fresh tears fall as Marty hugged her. "It's what's best."

"You're probably right...you didn't need to be in the middle of all that he is dealing with." Marty said as he guided them into his bedroom to talk so Eddie wouldn't hear.

"I know...but still..." Kelly sniffled and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt as she sat on the bed.

Marty reached over and grabbed a tissue, using it to whip off Kelly's face gently. "I know, hun...but you deserve so much better...somebody who can love you and make promises of forever. Not somebody who is guessing his sexuality and just keeping you around to really tell if he likes girls or not." He sighed. "I'm not saying what Justin is doing is wrong...I just hate to see YOU in the middle of it...you're too special to be involved in that."

"I know what you mean...but...it's not THAT bad...he DOES love me..."

"But he can't give you what you need." Marty said rubbing Kelly's back softly.

Mista13181JT says:

Kelly sighed. "I have no idea WHAT the hell I need. I'm so fucked up."

Marty wanted to scream that she needed him...but he didn't say that. "You need a break from the drama for a while."

"Probably. But as long as I'm around Justin, the drama's probably going to be there."

"And Nick...I heard from Tony that he was having a bit of an issue this morning." Marty laughed a little, finding the situation funny.

"Yeah...I think THAT'S what put me over the edge and made me decide to kill things with J."

"Why would Nick making a fool of himself make you break things off with Justin?" Marty asked, confused.

Kelly sighed and wiped her eyes again. The reason Nick was so shitfaced was because he and Justin had a fight...over something Nick said about me...THAT was when I realized I needed to not be involved."

Marty tensed when he heard that Nick had been saying things about Kelly. "He better not being saying shit about you."

Kelly shook her head. "It wasn't like that."

"It isn't your fault that Nick is an emotional mess...he's a big boy he should be able to handle what he drinks and doesn't." Marty pointed out

"He runs off at the mouth when he's pissed. He needs to control that."

"Yeah...and you breaking things off with Justin isn't going to help him there. Nick is a great guy and all...but it seems to me so much shit has been happening since he got here. Maybe it would be better if he just left," Marty said.

Kelly shook her head. "That's not what Justin wants. And besides...without me in the way...things'll be better."

"How do you see that?"

"Now Justin can figure out how he really feels about guys...about Nick."

Marty sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "That's the part I don't totally understand I guess. I don't know what he's feeling. So to me the idea of leaving you...for him just seems stupid."

Kelly shrugged. "I guess that's cuz you DON'T know what he's feeling. I don't know, either." She paused for a second, then laughed a bit...trying to make light of things. "All *I* know is I won't be gettin laid anytime soon."

Marty laughed. "I could change that if you ever wanted me to." He joked back.

Kelly chuckled. "You wouldn't sleep with me. I don't even come close to meeting the requirements of a pimp like you."

Marty rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah...sure." He laughed and pulled her down with him to lie on the bed, holding her close. "Rest a little...it's been a hard day."

Kelly sighed as she cuddled up to Marty and closed her eyes. "I can't sleep...I've been trying for the last hour."

"Just try." Marty whispered as he ran his fingers through her hair soothingly.

"You must have better things to do. You can leave me alone."

"Watching MTV with Eddie...no thank you." Marty laughed a little. "But I can leave if you want me to."

"No...I don't."

"Good...because I don't want to leave." With that Marty pulled Kelly even closer as he too closed his eyes, sighing softly.

*****@*****

After a couple of hours of thinking about his messed-up situation, Justin got showered and dressed in some jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt. Then...at around 6:30...he took a seat on the edge of his bed. He took a deep breath, then reached for the hotel phone to dial Nick's room. He knew he was going to have to sort everything out with him sooner or later.

Nick groaned and threw a pillow over his head when he heard the phone start ringing. After a few seconds he finally gave up trying to drown out the noise and reached blindly over to the night stand for the phone. Putting it to his ear he cleared his throat before saying. "Hello?"

Justin cleared his own throat before responding. "Hey...what's up?"

Nick couldn't help but smile a little when he heard Justin's voice. "Nothing, really." He said as he reached one hand up to rub his eye. "What time is it?"

Justin glanced at his watch. "Six thirty."

Groaning, Nick sat up in bed slowly. "Shit...didn't know it was that late."

"Well...you probably passed out."

"More then likely." Nick mumbled as he tried to clear the cobwebs from his brain.

Justin took another deep breath. "Sounds like you could use some coffee. You wanna get some with me?"

Nick nodded forgetting for a second that Justin couldn't see him. "Yeah...sure...just give me a few to take a shower and attempt to look like I'm alive."

"OK. Actually...I don't feel like going out and dealing with people...so I'm just gonna have some brought up."

"Sounds good to me...I'll meet you in your room in about half an hour?" Nick asked through a yawn.

"Yeah...OK...sounds good," Justin said before hanging up. He then called Tina to see about getting some coffee.

Nick hung up the phone and went about getting himself ready. He took about a five minute shower to clean off the sweat and grime and then brushed his hair and washed his glasses. Throwing on his favorite pair of sweats and a ratty old t-shirt he slipped on his flip flops and threw on a baseball cap. After grabbing his key he made his way down to Justin's room and knocked on the door.

Tina opened the door for Nick on her way out. "Hi, Nick," she said with a bright smile. "I just brought up some coffee for you two."

Nick smiled at her sweetly. "You're a lifesaver...thanks."

"No problem," Tina said...then headed out the door and down the hall.

Nick walked into the room, his hand's shoved in the pockets of his sweats. He was nervous, because he knew Justin was still angry with him.

Justin glanced up from where he was lounging on the couch playing X-Box. "Hey," he said before looking back to the TV.

"Hi." Nick said softly as he walked into the living room area and sat down in a chair to watched Justin play.

"Are you feeling better?" Justin asked without looking up.

"Sorta...my stomach finally doesn't feel like it's trying to redue the scene from Alien when the alien jumps out of the guy’s stomach." Nick answered with a small smile.

Justin smiled a bit, too...his eyes still on the TV. "Well...coffee's right there if you want it," he said...gesturing toward the coffee table...which held a tray with a coffee urn, some mugs and spoons, and cream and sugar.

Nick got up out of his chair and walked over to where the coffee was. Getting a mug he poured himself a cup of coffee and carried it back to his seat. Normally he didn't drink straight black coffee...but right now he felt like he needed it. "Has the last few hours of your day been better then the first half?" He asked as he took a sip of the coffee.

Justin shrugged...finally pausing the game and setting the controller down. "I guess so...I've just been thinking, and shit."

Nick nodded. "Yeah...I can understand why."

"I think I'm even more confused than I'd originally thought," Justin admitted...carefully leaning forward in his seat toward the table to pour himself come coffee.

"I think I'm pretty confused myself." Nick admitted too as he took a sip of his coffee. "No matter how much I told myself not to be...I think deep down I was still very jealous of what you and Kelly had...which is why I think I lashed out earlier."

Justin added some cream and a little bit of sugar to his coffee before stirring it. "What was there to be jealous of, though? I mean...it's not like it was a relationship. It was just sex."

Nick smiled a little and then looked down into his coffee mug. "She had your love." He said softly.

Justin smiled a bit, too...taking his spoon out of the coffee and setting it down. "She still HAS my love," he said quietly...picking up his cup and leaning back on the couch.

"Good...I'm glad...she deserves it." Nick whispered as he kicked off his flip flops and brought his legs up onto the chair.

"But she doesn't deserve what we were doing. She deserves to have me love her...in a relationship."

"I don't want to be the one to get in the way of that." Nick pointed out as he took a sip of his coffee. "You both should just be together...I'm not important enough to end something over."

Justin shook his head. "There's nothing to end. I mean...we were just really good friends having sex. Now...we're just really good friends NOT having sex. And as far as being together goes...it's not right for us, right now."

"I'm sure you'll miss the sex though." Nick giggled a little, wiggling his eyebrows, trying hard to lighten the mood a bit.

"Of course I will," Justin said…then sipped his coffee. "But...it's not just the physical stuff I'll miss. We had en emotional connection, to, as far as sex goes."

Nick smiled and nodded. "I can understand that...not that I really ever had that...but I know what you mean...and a boy can always dream."

Justin sighed quietly. "I just don't wanna lose her friendship...and I think to hang on to what we have, the sex has to stop."

"Then you guys did the right thing." Nick answered, he had the erg to get up and sit with Justin on the couch and snuggle against him, but he didn't feel he had the right to do that anymore.

"When we were talking about it before..." Justin started...looking down into his mug. "...she told me that she wants me to explore the feelings that I'm having right now. Ya know...possibly being bi, and shit. And that she doesn't want to get in the way or hold me back...and that for that to happen...I couldn't be attached to her by sex."

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "She may have a point...but I understand why you were keeping her around though...besides the idea that you guys were so close...the idea of not having the female sex around to help you through...was probably scary." He said, praying to God he was making some sense...even though his brain was a jumbled mess.

Justin nodded. "You're right. I mean...don't get me wrong...I wasn't using her. The sex meant something. But...I also think that it was kind of like a security blanket."

Nick smiled at Justin...just happy to be hearing him say stuff like that. "We all need our security blankets sometimes."

"I know...but mine can't be Kelly. She doesn't deserve that. She needs to find someone who can not only love her like I do...but can give her undivided attention...and be with her every night...and not be questioning whether that's what they're really gonna want in the end."

Nick's smile got bigger. "That is really big of you Justin...I know me saying this probably doesn't mean much...but I'm proud of you."

Justin looked up at Nick and smiled a bit. "Thanks...of course it means something. I just...I don't know...it DOES hurt to let go of that last little spec of a relationship I had with her."

Taking his chances, Nick got out of the chair and went to sit next to Justin on the couch. His hand going to gently rub his thigh. "I know it does...but just try to tell yourself that things will be better for her...and who knows things could be better for you too."

Justin sighed...glancing down at Nick's hand on his thigh. "Maybe someday," he said...then sipped his coffee.

"I know it hurts, Justin. Change always does and when it has to do with losing something it's even worse. You just have to be strong...and I know you're a very strong person...hell one of the strongest people I know...so I know you're gunna make it." Nick said softly, squeezing Justin's thigh.

Justin nodded. "I will...it'll just take time."

Nick moved his hand and put it in his own lap. "I'm still really sorry for earlier...I was way outta line...and I don't expect you to ever forgive me."

"You were outta line because you were jealous. I'm sure you were sick of hearing me talking about Kelly and shit."

Taking a deep breath Nick nodded his head. "Sort of...I care for her too, Justin...and I was sure I was over all of that...I mean hell I go to have her too right?" He paused and closed his eyes. "But I didn't want her...I wanted to get to know her so I could hopefully understand YOU better. I wanted to try and figure out how to help you...but in the process I made a big huge mess..."

Justin took a deep breath, too. "I HATED knowing she was sleeping with you."

Nick laughed a little, shaking his head. "And I hated knowing she was sleeping with you...but I really couldn't say anything...because I don't own you."

"Yeah...but...she was sleeping with me WAY before you came into the picture."

"I know that...so who was I to say that I didn't like it."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I guess."

Nick took a deep breath and looked down at his lap. "Do you hate me?" He asked, sounding like a little kid. One of his worst fears were that everybody that he loved hated him...that's how it's worked every other time.

Justin sighed. "Dammit, Nick. Why do you always have to ask me that? Of course I don't hate you. Have I gotten REALLY mad at you a few times? Yes. Do I hate you? No. Like I've said, you wouldn't still be here if I hated you."

Nick looked up at Justin with wide eyes and then sighed himself. "Okay...sorry. I was just trying to figure out where *I* stand in the scheme of things."

Justin shrugged. "Where do you WANNA stand?" he asked Nick...leaning forward in his seat to put his mug on the coffee table.

That was a question that Nick wasn't prepared for. He wasn't sure if he should answer that question from his heart...or say what he knew Justin wanted to hear. "I want to be your friend..." He trailed off because he couldn't finish...he didn't want to mess up what he had just struggled to get back.

Justin rested his elbows on his knees and looked back at Nick...continuing to lean forward to stretch his back a bit. "And...?" he prompted Nick...knowing that it hadn't sounded like he'd finished with what he wanted to say.

Nick looked down at his lap. "I want you to like me...and kiss me cuz you want to...not only because your experimenting." He whispered.

Justin looked down at his folded hands and nodded. "Sounds fair..." he said before a short pause. "...but it's not like I didn't WANT to those times."

Nick looked up at smiled a little. "Really? I mean...you don't think I'm stupid...for even saying something like that?" He couldn't help but hide the shock in his voice...he had been expecting Justin to say something totally different.

Justin took a deep breath. "No. I mean...YES...I was doing it out of experimentation. But...I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to."

Nick nodded, he knew what Justin was saying was true. "It was starting to make me feel a little...weird...you know, knowing that I was there for you just to experiment. I mean I liked it and all...but you know that I really like you...part of me wished you could feel the same for me." He said looking back down again.

Justin shrugged a bit. "Ya never know what might happen," he said thoughtfully.

"You're still willing to try and find out?" Nick asked, shock evident in his voice.

Justin looked over his shoulder at Nick again. "I thought you KNEW I was. I mean...I pretty much agreed to give up Kelly for it."

Nick smiled big even though he knew he should try to act not too excited about the whole thing. "Okay...then I'm willing to help you."

Justin shook his head. "I don't want it to be like that. No more experimenting, and shit."

"What do you want then?" Nick asked, interested in what Justin wanted, but a little confused all the same.

"I just want things to happen like they're meant to happen. Just...ya know...see how things go."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Sounds good to me." He said, scooting a little closer to Justin without really thinking about it, just something inside of him was saying he needed the contact.

Justin just sat thinking quietly for a moment before he spoke. "I think I...umm...I need to make a couple phone calls. Can we meet up later, or sumthin?"

Nick nodded. "Sure...I should probably go call a few people too." He said as he got up off the couch. "Call me when you're done?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...OK."

Nick smiled and waved a little before he walked out of the room and back to his. There he picked up the phone in the main room and dialed his grandparents phone number.

******@*****

Marty sighed in his sleep as he pulled Kelly tighter against his body. Once again he was having a great dream about the two of them being a couple...and actually having her in his arms was feeling really good.

Kelly sighed quietly as she cuddled closer to Marty. She'd been just laying there awake the last few hours. She'd drifted in and out of sleep a few times...but was too uptight to really rest. She didn't want to get up, though...because laying in Marty's arms felt good. It was giving her the comfort she needed at the moment.

When Marty's dream started to get a little too intense and he felt himself reacting to it he quickly tried to shake himself out of the dream and open his eyes. When he glanced over at Kelly snuggled in his arms he groaned and moved away a little bit. "Hi." He whispered, not trusting his voice otherwise.

"Hey," Kelly said...lifting her head up. "You OK?"

Marty laughed deeply and nodded. "Sure...I'm fine." He said as he moved away a little more.

Kelly laughed as she rolled onto her back. "Then why are you acting like I have a disease?" she teased...reaching up to rub her eyes that were burning from crying occasional tears.

Marty shook his head as he took a deep breath and pulled her back to him, trying to ignore the fact that he was hard against her now...and just paying attention to the fact that she needed him. "You don't have a disease."

Kelly chuckled quietly when she was back in Marty's arms. "Oh...I get it. You're one of those guys who always wakes up like THAT," she said playfully...feeling him hard against her thigh.

Marty laughed and rolled his eyes. "Only when I wake up with beautiful ladies in my bed." He answered back just as playfully.

"Oh...right...and since you're a pimp...that's ALL the time."

"I am not...and not ALL the time." Marty said, swatting Kelly's tummy playfully, a smile on his face.

Kelly giggled...rolling away from Marty and onto her back again. Once she settled down, she rested her hands on her stomach and took a deep breath. "Ya know...I've been doing a lot of thinking these past few hours."

"You mean you've been awake this whole time? Why didn't you wake me up?" Marty asked, shocked.

Kelly shrugged. "You were sound asleep? Why bother?"

Marty shrugged back. "I dunno...but what were you thinking about?"

"Just...everything. I mean...the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what I had going on with Justin just wasn't right...even though I DO love him. It wasn't fair to him...and it wasn't fair to me. I mean...damn...here I was holding onto this half-assed relationship for so long...and depriving myself of so much. I mean...shit...I can't even tell you the last time I actually went on a date."

Marty smiled. "Then you probably made the right choice. You both can do better then a relationship like that...even if you do love each other very much."

Kelly sighed quietly. "Yeah...I guess so."

"You're welcome to talk to me any time you need to...or stay here or whatever. And you're still coming home with me in a few days right?" Marty asked, hopefully.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...if you're sure your parents don't mind."

Marty laughed and shook his head. "I talked to them...and they were estatic...they haven't seen any of my friends in years."

Kelly chuckled. "Your parents are awesome. I've always liked them."

Marty laughed again. "They have always loved you...can't wait to see you again."

"That's so nice of them to open their home to me on Christmas."

"Then would open their home to you any day of the year." Marty said as he leaned over to kiss Kelly softly on the cheek.

Kelly smiled. "Thank you...for everything. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here right now."

Marty pulled her close again and sighed. "I'm not going any place, Kel...I'm here for you."

"I know you are," Kelly said. "Ya know...you're such a nice guy. Why don't you have a girlfriend?"

"It's not all that easy to date people with the life we live, Kel. You know that." Marty answered softly.

Kelly sighed. "Yeah...I know."

"Not that I don't want a girlfriend though...I mean I don't like sleeping with different girls all the time...It's cheep and quite frankly not all that fun anymore." Marty sighed. "But it's easier then getting attached to somebody when you spend your most of your life away from home."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I know. Well...I don't exactly know about the sleeping with someone different all the time thing...but...I get the idea."

Hearing Kelly say that got Marty's attention even more. Propped himself up on an elbow and looked down at her. "Don't...I mean never find out what it's like to do that, Kel. You're too special to be sleeping around."

Kelly looked up at Marty curiously. "Well...if *I* am...then why aren't YOU?"

Marty looked at Kelly confusion written all over his face. "Why aren't I what?"

"If I'M too special to sleep around...why aren't YOU?"

Marty shrugged and looked away from Kelly. "You're just a better person then I am...then I will ever be."

Kelly shook her head. "No way...you're one of the best people I've ever met. Me...? I'm pretty much just some orphan who's doing what she's doing cuz she has nowhere to call home."

Marty turned back to look at Kelly and shook his head like crazy. "Don't you Dare say that about yourself...you are such a strong person to have done what you have. You're father was a jackass for doing the things he did to you, Kelly...but you stood in there strong and have come out as the girl...woman I can SO much about." Tears were in Marty's eyes as he finished what he was saying, his heart pounding fast in his chest.

There were tears in Kelly's eyes, too, by the time Marty finished speaking. She gave him a small smile as she sniffled. "Thank you. I mean...if I didn't have you as a friend...I don't know where I'd be right now. I mean...you didn't have to take me with you when you got this job with Justin. I could still be in L.A. working as a dance teacher and hoping for the occasional stage gig...struggling to pay rent, and shit."

"I didn't take you with me because I felt pity for you, Kel. You are a wonderful dancer and I knew you would be perfect for the job." Marty paused and smiled. "You are perfect for the job...and fit in well with everybody."

Kelly smiled again. "Thanks. And...I mean...I see that, now...but I wasn't thinking like that at first."

Marty nodded. "Which would explain why you were angry with me for a while there."

"Angry?"

Marty shrugged. "I dunno...we were close...and then you kinda ignored me...I guess I thought you were mad at me for something."

"You mean when we first started this job?"

Marty nodded again, not saying anything else.

Kelly shrugged. "I guess I kinda was. I mean...at first...I DID feel like I only got the job because you like...talked to Justin...and told him I was some charity case that needed a job. But then...when we all started working together...I realized that I had just as much a right to be here as anyone else."

Marty smiled big and nodded. "You did...and I NEVER told Justin you were some big charity case...All I told him was you were a great dancer and sent him a video of one of your stage performances. He called me back to say you were in."

Kelly widened her eyes at Marty. "If I was already in, then why did I have to go through those grueling auditions?"

Marty giggled. "We didn't want the other dancers to be jealous...and figure out you had inside connections."

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah...they would have accused me of sleeping with you, or something...and I was actually a virgin."

Marty laughed again and rested his head down on the pillow Kelly was using. "Yup...and the big guy himself was the one to rid you of that."

Kelly laughed heartily. "Can you even imagine...? Who EVER would have thought THAT was gonna happen?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno...He always had his eye on you. I wasn't too shocked when you told me stuff was going on between you two."

"He always had his eye on me?"

"He liked you Kel...from the beginning...at least I think he did. Being a guy myself it's sometimes easy to read other guys minds when it comes to girls." Marty giggled.

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever." The conversation got her back to thinking about what she had with Justin...and the whole Nick situation. "Ya know...I feel bad for what I did. Sleeping with Nick, I mean..."

"Because it messed things up for you and Justin...or because of Nick?" Marty asked softly.

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. I just don't think I should have done it. I'm kinda mad at myself for having meaningless sex. I always promised myself I'd never do it for the wrong reasons."

Marty thought about something for a second. "Even though I said pretty nasty things about Nick earlier...I don't know if I can see him as the type of person to have meaningless sex. He looks like a really sweet person." He paused to laugh a little. "Really gay...but sweet none the less."

Kelly sighed quietly. "I know. But...either way...when it comes down to it...it was meaningless to ME...and that's what matters. That's what makes me feel kinda...I don't know...gross."

"Have you talked to him about that?"

Kelly shrugged. "Yes and No. I mean...he's a great guy...and I don't wanna hurt him...even if I knew HE did it for the wrong reasons, too."

"What was his reasoning?" Marty asked, always wondering how Nick had managed to do what he did with Kelly...If he was indeed gay.

Kelly took a deep breath as she looked up at the ceiling. "Something about wanting to feel a connection with me...and how we needed to be close while we were both waiting on Justin..." She paused...then gave Marty the information she really didn't want him to know. "...and...because...knowing that Justin had been...in me...made HIM want to be in me." She closed her eyes as she said the last part in a whisper. The more she thought about it...the more disgusted it made her.

Marty made a face, and his fists clenched at his sides. "That is a REALLY shitty way to treat somebody...I should go in there and beat his drunken ass." He said, beyond angry.

Kelly took a deep breath. "He didn't realize til after it started."

Marty sighed and relaxed again. "I just wish he wasn't here...cuz it seems like everything has become a mess. Why can't he just go home?" He asked, sounding like a kid.

Kelly sighed, as well. "It's over, now. Me and him, I mean...and I'm not getting in the way of Justin being with him if that's what he really wants...so...no more messes. Just...let him be."

"So, Justin has a back up plan...while you get to be all alone?"

Kelly shrugged. "I'm fine...I'm not alone. I still have his friendship...and yours. And I have everyone else here..."

Marty nodded. "You're right...and I meant it when I said I'll always be here."

Kelly smiled at Marty. "I know."

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Justin took a deep breath as he relaxed back against his bed. "Actually, mama...there's something else I wanna talk to you about..." he said...already nervous as to what his mother's reaction was going to be to what he was about to tell her.

Lynn could tell from the tone in Justin's voice that this was going to be a longer talk then normal. Bringing her legs up onto the couch she got more comfortable. "What is it, honey?"

Justin switched the phone to his other ear before he went on. "Well...first of all...I wanted to tell you that me and Kelly are totally over, now...even though...ya know...it wasn't exactly a relationship."

Lynn took a second to absorb what Justin was saying. "So you guys are just going to be friends...instead of this friends with benefits stuff?"

"Yeah...friends...GOOD friends...but that's it."

"May I ask why the sudden change?" Lynn asked softly, not wanting Justin to feel like he needed to tell her everything.

"She...umm...she thought it was right...and I agreed."

Lynn could tell there was something Justin wasn't saying but didn't feel like pushing the matter. "Well...if you both feel it's the right thing to do...then I'm sure it is."

"Mama...there's a reason..."

Lynn didn't like the tone in her son's voice but tried to keep herself from freaking out too much. "Okay..."

"I didn't really wanna tell you this over the phone...but I don't wanna wait anymore."

"Justin...just tell me honey...you know you can always talk to me." Lynn said, and it was true...she didn't think there was anything Justin could say that would shock her too badly.

Justin took a deep breath. "I...mama...I think I'm...bisexual," he practically whispered.

Lynn knew her eyes must of bugged out of their socket because Paul gave her a weird look as he walked by. She wasn't exactly sure what to say. She wasn't angry...or disgusted...just shocked. Justin managed to find the one thing that did shock her.

Justin's eyes started to fill with tears. "Say something...please..."

Lynn took a deep breath and smiled slightly. "I'm just a little shocked is all...I didn't think I was going to ever hear you say that...but that doesn't mean I love you any less...and I know Paul will feel the same way."

"Why aren't you pissed off...or disgusted?"

"Honey...that is no reason to be pissed off...and as for disgusted you know that Debbie my best friend her son is gay...have I ever had a problem with that?"

"No...but he's not YOUR son."

Lynn took a deep breath and wished Justin was there so she could hug him tight and prove to him she didn't have a problem with it. "Yes...but that doesn't matter because I love you so much Justin...for who YOU are...and if you're bisexual....then that is who I love."

"Mama...I know you love me...but you don't have to pretend to accept this," Justin said...shocked that his mother wasn't having a hard time with this.

"I'm not pretending, Justin." Lynn exclaimed, a little frustrated that Justin didn't understand that she was okay with the whole thing. "Now...why don't you tell me how this happened? I mean what made you start thinking you were bisexual."

Justin took a deep breath. "I don't know, exactly. I've kinda been having feelings for a while..."

Lynn nodded even though Justin couldn't see it. "Okay...well any boys in particular catch your eye?" She giggled, actually having fun with this for some reason.

Justin sighed. "Ma...could you please be serious about this?" he asked...getting frustrated.

"Yes...I'm sorry." Lynn said her voice serious again.

"It's just...Nick...he's...gay..."

"Uh huh." Lynn didn't say anything else knowing Justin needed to talk...she would give her two cents once he was finished.

"Being around him has kinda...I don't know...made me more aware of my feelings."

"What does Nick think of this? Or does he not know about your feelings...or your confusion?" Lynn asked softly.

"He knows. And...well...he...likes me."

Lynn smiled a little. "I remember you saying he was a fan...this makes a little more sense now."

"He IS a fan...but he...LIKES me, likes me."

"Ohhh...I get it...and what do YOU think of that?"

Justin sighed. "I don't know...I really don't know what I think of anything right now."

"Justin...all I can say is...try not to analyze things too much...you've done that too much since you were a little kid. Just try going with the flow and going with the feelings deep inside of you." Lynn suggested, even though that big of advice scared her a bit.

"I know...that's what I've been telling myself."

"With Kelly not in the picture anymore...It might be easier for you and Nick too." Lynn said giving her two cents about that whole issue.

Justin sighed. "That sounds horrible...Kelly out of the picture."

Lynn sighed too. "Honey...I didn't mean it like that. I know she is one of your best friends and I really hope she still is...I meant in a sexual way."

"Yeah...I know. I'm just a mess."

"How are Kelly and Nick doing with it?"

"Nick's OK. I mean...why wouldn't he be? There's nothing in his way, now." Justin paused to take a deep breath. "Kelly...I think she's OK...she was when we talked. It was pretty much her decision."

Lynn thought about the way Justin had said this and sighed. "Do you really think Nick looks at it like that? I thought you said he and Kelly were getting to become friends too."

"They were. I just don't know if things will be the same. We'll have to wait and see, I guess."

"Things will be fine I'm sure, Justin. Just try to do what I said and not spend all your time trying to figure out what the right thing is...and just go with what you FEEL is right. Normally gut instincts feelings are good ones."

"Yeah...we'll see."

Lynn glanced up at the clock and sighed. "Honey...I hate to do this but Paul and I have reservations at that little Italian place downtown for 8:00 so I should probably finish getting ready...but if you need to talk again go ahead and call tonight, okay."

"Yeah. You and Paul...are things OK?"

Lynn smiled big thinking about that. "Things are fine honey...we talked and well he was having some really hard times at work. One of his coworkers was in some trouble and he was trying to help him out. He apologized for acting the way he was and so everything is fine now."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive...we're both looking forward to you and Nick being here in a few days."

Justin sighed quietly. "OK, mama...have a good night, then...and tell dad I said hi."

"I will...and honey I'm going to leave it up to you to tell him about this." Lynn said as she got up off the couch.

"Why...? He must have been hearing some of what you've been saying to me."

Lynn looked into the dinning room where Paul was sitting at the table working on his lap top. "He probably has but I'm not going to say anything unless he brings it up...he would want to hear it from your mouth."

Justin sighed. "He's gonna hate me."

Lynn sighed. "Honey...no he won’t...why would you think that?"

"I don't know..."

Lynn looked at Paul again and got an idea. "Would you like to talk to him now? While I get ready?"

Justin sighed. "I may as well."

"Okay, just a second." Lynn walked the cordless phone into the dinning room and handed the phone to Paul. "Justin wants to talk to you." she whispered.

Paul took the phone in his hand. "Hey, son...how's the back?"

Justin swallowed hard and closed his eyes. "Hey, Dad. It's...umm...it's a little better today, actually."

Sighing, Paul thought he wouldn't beat around the bush anymore and give Justin a little slack. "I heard what your mother and you were taking about...and she was right...I don't hate you."

Justin took a deep breath. "Why? I mean...why the hell are you two so...cool...with this?"

"I think you must hear too many horror stories about people's parents taking it badly." Paul pointed out. "We've been supportive of you all these years...why should we stop now?"

"Because this is just...this is just crazy...and...wrong."

Hearing Justin saying it was wrong made Paul's heart stop. "Do you feel like it's wrong, Justin?"

A few tears fell down Justin's cheek. "I don't know WHAT the fuck I feel," he said...then sniffled. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Paul's heart out when to his son. "It's okay...and I can't say that I understand...because I don't but...I hope it helps you feel better knowing that your mother and I are behind you one hundred percent...and I'm sure you have friends that are too."

Justin sniffled again. "At least ONE, anyway. I just talked to Trace. He's the one that convinced me to tell ya'll now."

"How did he take it?"

"Fine...he doesn't give a shit."

Paul laughed a little. "Sounds like Trace to me...and I'm glad. Does anybody on tour with you know?"

"Just Kelly. And well...Marty, probably...cuz she's been spending a lot of time with him...and I know she confides in him...so..."

"And she's taken it in perfectly calm, Kelly stride I'm sure." Paul said, remembering how the girl acted whenever she came home with Justin.

"Yeah...in fact...she's been kind of encouraging, and stuff."

Paul smiled. "Good...I'm glad." He looked up when Lynn came back into the room, dressed up and putting on her earrings. "I think it's time for us to head out, Justin...you gunna be okay?"

"Uhh...yeah. I'll call ya'll tomorrow. Thanks, Dad."

"We'll be waiting for your call...goodnight son." With that Paul handed the phone back to Lynn.

"Good, night honey." Lynn said in a soft comforting voice.

Justin sighed. "I love you, mama."

"Love you too, sweetheart...and don't worry so much. You'll be okay." With that Lynn hung up the phone and joined Paul at the door with her coat.

Justin hung up the phone and took a long, deep breath. He was relieved that his parents and best friend had reacted well to his news. He just wished HE himself could handle it.

Nick walked up to Justin's door and knocked on it. He knew Justin said he was going to call him...but, after a few hours without hearing from him he thought he woudl just go see if he was okay.

Justin got up and rubbed his red eyes...not wanting to appear too much like he'd been crying. He made his way to the front door of his suite, and pulled it open.

Nick smiled at Justin softly. "I know you said you would call...but I well...thought I would come by." he stuttered.

Justin nodded and moved aside to let Nick in. "That's OK...sorry I took so long."

"It's okay...had a pretty long talk with my brother anyway." Nick said as he walked into the room. "Did your phone calls go good?" He asked, looking up into Justin red eyes.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...fine."

Nick walked and sat down on the couch, his hands going into his lap. He wasn't exactly sure what to say next.

"How's your brother?" Justin asked...taking a seat to Nick's right on the couch.

"Good...enjoying Christmas break, hanging with his girlfriend a lot from what my grandma tells me." Nick said with a smile. "My gram likes her...so she must be pretty cool."

"Yeah...I'm sure she must be if she likes her."

"Yeah but then she got into this huge thing about how I need to find the right boy to bring home." Nick laughed and rolled his eyes.

Justin chuckled. "You will."

Nick didn't try to think too much about what Justin just said and just nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure I will sometime. Aaron still insists I'm busy fucking my brains out wherever I am."

"Well...you were...for a while," Justin said with a smirk.

Nick laughed. "He wouldn't believe me if I said I was fucking a girl." He said smirking back.

Justin laughed. "Probably not."

"Then again he would probably make some lame comment about how I haven't gotten any in so long that I would fuck anything that moved." Nick said rolling his eyes.

"Well...that was kinda true..."

Nick thought about it for a second and sighed. "Yeah...guess so." He shook his head trying not to think about that...it always made him feel sick to his stomach and dirty.

Justin noticed Nick's reaction and knew he had to clear things up. "No, Nick...it was a joke. I didn't mean true that you'd fuck anything...I meant...true that you hadn't gotten any on a long time."

Nick smiled a little and blushed. "Oh...yeah well...that was true." He giggled. "How I managed to do that *I* have NO idea."

Justin laughed. "Me neither."

Nick shrugged. "But I would do it again if I have to."

"You mean go without?"

"Yeah...that's what I meant."

Justin sighed and leaned back on the couch. "I guess abstinence wouldn't be THAT bad."

Nick laughed and leaned back against the couch too, looking over at Justin. "I wouldn't recommend it if you don't have to...it's a lot more fun getting laid." He said wiggling his eyebrows.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...that IS fun."

"Guess you'll have to find somebody else to fool around with now that you and Kelly are just friends." Nick said biting his bottom lip, trying to hide the fact that he wanted that person to be him. He knew Justin knew this...but he still wanted to say it.

Justin shook his head. "No...I'm done with just fooling around."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Gunna go for the abstinence thing?"

Justin shrugged. "For now...til I'm with someone I actually want to...and can...be with."

Nick smiled a little and nodded. "Sounds like a good plan to me."

Justin nodded. "Yeah. I hope so. I just hope Kelly does OK with this."

Nick thought for a second before saying the next thing he was thinking. "I think Marty will take good care of her...at least in a friendly way...they seem close."

Justin nodded again. "They are...very. But...I hope she can find someone to be with. She deserves it."

Nick nodded in agreement. "I agree...she is a very special girl...no matter my reasoning behind what her and I did...I still thought of her as special."

Justin smiled. "She's very special," he whispered.

"I'm glad I've had a chance to get to know her...thank you for introducing us." Nick said smiling a little.

"No problem."

Nick laughed and sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "I am SO not drinking that much again in my life!" He exclaimed, giggling more.

"Yeah...stop getting drunk like that...especially over me."

Nick turned his head to the side to look at Justin and nodded. "Okay...I wont...if I ever get drunk and you're in the equation we can be getting shitfaced together...could be interesting." He giggled.

Justin chuckled...turning his head to the left to look at Nick. "Yeah. I'm definitely not ready for THAT."

Nick laughed and smiled big. "Nope...I don't think either of us are ready for that."

Justin glanced at his watch to see that it was nearly nine o'clock, and sighed. "I'm not hungry...but I should offer you dinner..."

Nick made a face and shook his head. "I don't think I want to try food yet...my stomach is still a little uneasy." He admitted. "But thank you for the offer." He added with a smile.

"No problem." Justin said...his eyes roaming the room and landing on the mini bar. "Can I get you a drink? Soda, or something?" he asked...getting up and going to get himself something.

"Just a bottle of water would be nice." Nick said as he watched Justin get up and walk into the mini bar, his eyes trailing up and down Justin's body. He didn't know why but he was getting so horny all of a sudden. It had been a while since he had lost control around Justin...and he hoped that wasn't going to happen now.

"OK," Justin replied...bending down to grab a water and a Diet Coke from the small refrigerator.

Nick blinked a few times and shook his head to clear it. "Your back seems better."

Justin nodded as he walked back over to the couch. "It is. It's kinda just like...a dull pain..." he said...sitting back down and handing Nick his water. "...just gets really painful when I move certain ways."

"Thank you." Nick said as he took the water. "Just don't move those certain ways then." He smiled big.

Justin rolled his eyes as he screwed the cap off his soda bottle. "Duh."

Nick busted up laughing at that. "We back in 2nd grade now, Justin?"

Justin just laughed as he drank down some of his soda.

"Can I ask you why you were obviously crying before I came?" Nick asked softly after a few minutes of silence.

Justin shrugged. "I don't know, really. I was just telling my parents about...shit...and I got emotional."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Did you tell them about...well you know?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...they know."

Nick scooted over closer to Justin and put a comforting hand on his thigh. "How did it go?"

Justin widened his eyes and exhaled deeply. "Surprisingly well. And they can't wait for us to come home."

Nick had to wonder what Justin had told his parents about them if he was saying they couldn't wait for US to come home. "That's great...isn't it?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I think my mom's been wanting to meet you since I first told her about you."

Nick blushed a little. "Don't really know why...I'm nothing special."

Justin smiled at Nick. "Of course you are."

Nick shook his head and looked down at his lap. "No I'm not...I'm not even sure how you can be friends with me...how you can like me. Nobody has before." He whispered.

Justin shrugged. "That's THEIR loss."

Nick looked up into Justin's eyes for a second, tears in his own. "Can you hold my hand...please?" He asked, feeling vulnerable all of a sudden and needing one of the only people who cared for him to show him...at least in some way.

Justin didn't reply. He just moved his soda bottle to his right hand, and reached for Nick's hand with his cool left one.

Nick held onto Justin's hand tightly and tried not to cry, even though he felt like it so much right then. Justin telling him about telling his parents was bringing back memories he didn't want to be having and it was tearing him up inside.

Justin focused his eyes on Nick's teary ones. "What?" he asked quietly.

"Y...You have no idea how lucky you are." Nick sniffled as tears started to fall down his cheeks.

"Why...?" Justin prodded gently...squeezing Nick's hand. "Talk to me."

"T....they still love you." Nick sobbed, his head resting on Justin's shoulder. "W...why couldn't mine...still love me."

Justin sighed quietly...his heat breaking. "I don't know..." was all he could say.

"I...I miss them so...much." Nick whimpered, clinging to Justin's hand like a lifeline.

Justin turned his head a bit and placed a gentle kiss to the top of Nick's head. "I know..." Justin didn't know what to say in response, so he just listened...and let Nick talk.

Nick didn't say anything more, just continued to cry on Justin's shoulder for a good ten minutes before he finally stopped and spent another few minutes trying to calm his hiccupping.

"Drink your water," Justin ordered gently.

Nick picked up his water with his left hand and took a few sips as he calmed himself down. "S...sorry." He managed to get out. His head and hand still where they had been before.

"Don't be sorry," Justin said...his voice still soft and soothing. "You obviously needed to get that out."

Nick nodded against Justin's shoulder. "I've never really said any of that to anybody before."

"Well...it was probably good for you, then."

Nick tilted his head enough so he could look at Justin. "I'm really glad your parent's are cool. I didn't mean for it to sound that I was like. 'Why you and not me'. At least not in a bad way anyway."

Justin nodded. "I know exactly what you meant. Don't worry about it."

Nick used the tip of his fingers to trace the top of Justin's hands. "Thank you...for letting me cry on you...and for letting me hold your hand."

Justin smiled...looking down at their hands. "Any time."

"I don't think I wana cry any time...but I like sitting like this." Nick giggled softly, snuggling up to Justin a little more, still scared of hurting him physically...and maybe even a little emotional.

Justin chuckled...tilting his head to the right a bit to lean it against Nick's on his shoulder. "It's nice."

"Okay good...then I'm never going to move." Nick giggled again.

"Well...I don't know about THAT."

Nick laughed more and brought Justin's hand up with his to kiss the back of it. "You may like my hands...but I think I love yours more."

Justin laughed softly. "I told you...mine are a mess."

Nick let go of Justin's hand long enough to flip it over and look at the plam of it. He then started to place soft kisses over every inch of it, every finger. Justin was right they were rough, but Nick loved every part of it. "Don't care...love them anyway." He said as he continued.

Justin laughed again as he watched Nick...his stomach flip-flopping a bit at the feel of Nick's ticklish kisses on his hand. "Maybe they're not that bad today."

"I still wouldn't care...they are your hands...very masculine..." Nick said as he started to use his tongue instead of his lips and worked it over the palm and inside of his fingers.\

Justin gasped a bit...and automatically pulled his hand away with a chuckle. "That tickles."

Nick giggled and pouted a little. "Awe...no fair." He said pouting a little more, being playful.

Justin widened his eyes. "Well...it does."

Nick smirked and nodded. "I know it does."

Justin laughed again before taking a long sip of his soda.

Nick watched Justin's lips and throat as he sipped and swallowed the soda and tried not to groan. He didn't understand why some days he was totally fine around Justin...and others every little thing the man did would turn him on.

Justin burped quietly as soon as he took the bottle from his lips. "Scuse me."

"You're excused." Nick giggled, still looking up at Justin from where his head was resting on his shoulder.

Justin sighed. "It's getting late...I need my meds."

Nick moved away quickly and got to his feet. "Where are they...I'll get them for you."

Justin chuckled and stood up, as well. "I'll get em. Don't worry about it."

Nick nodded, still standing. "Kay."

"I'm gonna change, anyway," Justin said...then started walking toward his bedroom...drinking down the rest of his soda on the way. He tossed the bottle into the trash...then burped a bit louder as he walked into the bedroom.

Nick rolled his eyes and laughed. "That was attractive, Justin." He said as he watched Justin walk into his room.

Justin laughed heartily from the bedroom, then went into the bathroom for his pills.

Sitting back down on the couch, Nick brought his legs up onto it and waited for Justin to come back.

Justin took his pills, then replaced his jeans and shirt with some sweats and a wifebeater before coming back out into the sitting room. "Want something else to drink...or a snack?" he asked...leaning down to the mini bar for another soda.

"Just get me whatever you're having." Nick said with a smile, content with how things were going with them at the moment.

Justin took out two Diet Cokes and a package of microwave popcorn, and set it all on the counter. "Should we get a movie?" he asked...taking the plastic off the popcorn and putting it in the microwave.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Sounds good to me if you want to...this time you can pick the movie."

Justin chuckled as he leaned against the counter...his right hand going up to scratch his stomach. "Alright...let me think..."

Nick's eyes watched Justin scratch his stomach and he moaned softly. God, why did he have to be like this tonight. He mentally started yelling at himself. "Anything is fine with me."

"Hmm...how bout something scary?" Justin asked...then laughed quietly. "I don't usually like scary movies...but maybe it won't be so bad with a big, tough guy sitting next to me to protect me."

Nick giggled. "I think we will be clinging together...cuz I'm not big on scary movies...you saw how scared I got at ‘Finding Nemo’." He said making a fake scared face. "But yeah...scary sounds good...I'm in the mood for that."

******KEL&MARTY******

Marty walked up to Kelly's room and knocked on the door, single red rose behind his back.

"Hang on, girl..." Mel said into her cell phone...then carried it with her to open the door. She smiled when she saw Marty. "Hey, sweetie...what's up?"

Marty smiled at Mel. "Hey, Mel...is Kelly here?"

Mel nodded. "Yeah...she's in her bedroom. She just got out of the shower, I think," she informed him...letting him into the sitting room.

"Oh...okay cool." Marty said, acting a little nervous as he shifted the rose around behind his back.

Melanie closed the door and went back to her phone call. She walked back to the couch and sat down...assuming that Marty would take it upon himself to go to Kelly's room.

Marty took a deep breath and walked to Kelly's room, knocking on the door.

Kelly didn't hear the knock on the bedroom door...even though the bathroom door was open...as she was blow drying her hair at the bathroom counter.

Hearing the blow dryer after a few seconds, Marty opened the door and walked in. "Kel." He said louder, hoping she could hear him and not scare her.

Kelly was bent over at the waist...drying the underside of her hair...her tiny tank top riding up and revealing an expanse of her tanned back above her equally tiny pajama shorts.

Marty looked at Kelly and closed his eyes for a second to try and get himself to stop thinking the thoughts that were going through his head. Walking to a chair by the window he sat down to wait for her, the rose sitting on his lap.

Kelly dried her hair for a few minutes longer, then brushed it straight before walking into her bedroom. She jumped with a quick gasp when she saw the figure in the chair on the other side of the room...then relaxed immediately when she realized it was Marty. "You scared the shit out of me," she said...putting her hand over her heart.

Marty giggled a little and stood up, holding the rose out to her. "Peace offering?"

Kelly's mouth fell slightly open when she saw the rose. She walked over to where Marty was standing, and took her hand off her heart to take the flower from him. "What's THIS for?" she asked...instinctively bringing it up to her nose.

Marty shrugged his shoulders as he shoved his hands in his pockets nervously. "Just though...you could use something nice...and I saw it when I was downstairs...so I got it for you." He rambled, which was very unlike him to do.

Kelly couldn't help but smile at how shy and innocent Marty was acting. It was VERY unlike him. "Thanks," she said...then leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Smiling big Marty sighed when Kelly kissed him on the cheek. "What are you doing, for the rest of your night?"

Kelly shrugged...glancing at the clock on the nightstand to see that it was just after nine. "I didn't have any plans...so I was just gonna get in bed and read, or something."

"Mind if I join you?" Marty asked shyly...really wanting to tell the girl how he felt about her...He just felt it was too soon and plus...why would she want him?

Kelly chuckled. "Well...we could do something else if you wanna hang out. Watching me read some trashy novel will probably get pretty boring for you pretty quick."

Marty shrugged. "I don't care what we do...I just want to be with you." He said softly, looking down at his feet. He felt like a fool because normally he was always so sure of himself.

Kelly smiled. She loved the fact that Marty wanted to be with her because he knew she was in a sensitive state...and didn't want her to be alone. She thought he was just being friendly and protective. She had no clue as to his true feelings. "Wanna go downstairs and get a drink?"

"Dressed like that?" Marty asked as his eyes scanned the tiny tanktop and shorts combo.

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes. "No. I'll change."

Marty pouted playfully. "Awe...I was having fun watching dressed like that...those shorts are REALLY short." He said wiggling his eyebrows.

Kelly smirked and gently shoved Marty. "Perv," she said...then went to put the rose on the nightstand. "So...yes...or no?"

Marty shrugged. "Sure...drinks sound good...but I like watching you in the short jammies too." He giggled, using humor to hide his true feelings as always.

"Well...buy me enough drinks, and you might get to see them later tonight," Kelly teased. She laughed and winked at Marty before going to the closet to find something to wear.

Marty sighed, not finding that very funny. "I wouldn't do that, Kelly."

Kelly leaned out of the closet to look over her shoulder at Marty...concerned at his change in tone. "Do what?" she asked...totally confused.

"Get you drunk so you would have sex with me." Marty said softly.

Kelly sighed and turned around. "Marty...I KNOW that. I was kidding. That's the last thing I'd expect you to do. If I even thought you'd think something like that, I wouldn't trust you and depend on you the way I do."

Marty nodded. "Okay...just wanted to tell you that." He said going to sit down on the chair again.

Kelly smiled...the turned back to the closet. When she found what she was looking for, she went over to her bag to dig out some underwear.

Watching Kelly closely Marty couldn't help but react to it. His body loved the way she moved...how beautiful she was...and no matter how hard his brain told it to stop feeling that way...he couldn't. It was then that he knew he wasn't going to drink much that night...afraid that what Kelly said...might actually happen.

"OK...just gimme a minute," Kelly finally said...then took her clothes to the bathroom to change.

"Okay...take your time." Marty called to her as he used that time to try to get himself under control

Kelly quickly replaced her PJs with a blue lace bra and matching panties, then pulled on her jeans and baby blue tank top. She then did her hair up in a messy bun, and put on a little lip gloss before going back out into the bedroom. "OK..." she said...stepping into a pair of blue flip flops and pulling on a white zip-up hoodie. "All set."

Marty hadn't even heard Kelly come back into the room he was so deep in thought...or like deep in conversation with himself.

Kelly looked at Marty as she grabbed her ID and some cash and slipped them into her back pocket. "Marty...you OK?"

Marty looked up quickly and put on a small smile. "Yeah...I'm okay...you ready?" He asked, standing up.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay...then let's go." Marty said as he headed out the door of her bedroom.

Mel looked up from the TV...her phone call over...when she heard Marty and Kelly come into the room. "Hey. Where are you guys off to?"

"Drinks. Wanna come?" Kelly asked.

Mel shook her head. "No thanks. I'm calling Mike in about twenty minutes," she said...referring to her boyfriend back home.

Marty laughed and shook his head. "Oh yes gota make sure you make the hourly phone call." He joked with her as he wrapped his arm around Kelly and steered her towards the door.

Mel flipped Marty off with a smirk, and Kelly laughed...waving at her friend on her way out the door.

Marty rolled his eyes as they walked out of the room and down the hall. "I honestly don't want to know her phone bill."

Kelly shrugged...pushing the button for the elevator. "Oh well...at least she can afford it."

"Good point." Marty laughed as they waited for the elevator...He seemed to be back to his old self again...he wasn't sure how long he could keep up this act though and that is what was scaring him the most.

Kelly giggled as she stepped onto the elevator. She looked up at Marty when the doors closed. "Thanks for the rose...it was really sweet of you. Just what I needed."

Marty smiled big. "You're very welcome...I saw it and just thought of you." He knew that sounded cheesy but that is exactly what had happened.

Kelly smiled back. "Well...thanks."

"Have you talked to Nick or Justin at all this evening?" Marty asked, hating to bring that up...but he knew they were important to Kelly...and to him so he knew she wouldn't just want to forget.

Kelly shook her head. "Nope...not at al," she said...sighing as the doors opened and she headed off the elevator. "I'm assuming they're together tonight."

Marty smiled and followed Kelly out into the lobby. "That's good...I really hope they are happy. I know I've said a whole bunch of junk about the whole thing today...but I think everything is gunna be okay." He said leading her over to the small bar off to one side.

Kelly walked through the bar entrance, and looked around for seats at the bar. "Yeah...I hope everything's OK."

"Let's sit over there." Marty said pointing to a table towards the back of the room. A place where the could hopefully talk without being interrupted.

Kelly nodded...heading in the direction Marty pointed out.

Marty followed close behind, his hand resting on the small of her back the whole time. He felt really protective over the young woman, always had...but even more so now. She had always been like a little sister to him...when that feeling turned to more...he wasn't exactly sure.

Kelly smiled as she slid into the booth. "This is good."

Sliding into the seat across from her, Marty rubbed his sweaty hands over his jean clad thighs and took a deep breath. "Yeah...it is."

Kelly looked around the small, quaint bar as she shrugged her sweatshirt off and put it beside her on the seat. "I'm glad you came over," she said...crossing her legs and looking across the table at Marty as she settled in. "I didn't wanna go to bed yet," she said with a chuckle.

Marty laughed. "Yeah...I didn't really like the idea of going to bed at nine o'clock either...and Eddie was gunna go out with George and Tony...so I thought I would come see how you were doing." What he didn't mention was the fact that the guys had invited him to come along too...he just turned them down.

Kelly looked at Marty questioningly. "They were going out...and didn't ask YOU to go?" She knew that Marty was never excluded.

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe they did."

Kelly chuckled. "OK...so they DID. Why didn’t you go?"

"I wanted to hang with you...not go out in search for trouble or some girl to bring back like they were." Marty said, softly, which was totally out of character...because like Kelly had said before...he had a way with ladies...and never turned down the opportunity to bring one back to the hotel...and into his bed.

Kelly was about to say something when a waitress approached, so she saved it.

"Hey, guys...what can I get ya tonight?"

Marty looked at the waitress and smiled a little. "I'll just have a beer." He turned to look at Kelly. "What would you like?"

"Umm...pineapple and Malibu, please."

"And like she said...Pineapple and Malibu." Marty relayed the drink order even though the waitress probably already had it written down.

The waitress nodded. "OK...coming right up," she said before walking away.

Once the waitress was gone, Marty turned back to look at his hands which were resting on the table by now. He knew Kelly was confused by why he didn't go clubbing with the guys...but didn't want to be the one to bring it up.

"Can I ask you something?" Kelly asked...her eyes on Marty's face as she folded her own hands on the table.

Marty's eyes look up, but the rest of his head stays looking downwards. "Shoot."

"Usually...when I make comments about you being a pimp, and stuff...I don't mean it to that extent...ya know? Like...I know you bring home the occasional lady...but I never mean to call you dirty, or anything like that. I'm just playing with you..." Kelly paused...wondering if Marty was with her so far.

Marty nodded his head. "I know that."

Kelly nodded...then took a deep breath before she continued. "Well...just out of curiosity...and you don't have to answer this...how many ladies are you talkin?"

Marty looked fully back down at his hands for a second. "I...I'm not sure if I can tell you." He said softly, for once in his life regretting the way he had lived his life so far. "I think I lost count."

Kelly took a deep breath...looking down at her own hands. "I'm sorry," she said in a near whisper...regretting having brought it up.

Marty looked up, reaching over the table to touch her small hands with his own larger ones. "Don't be sorry...It was an honest question...and normally I wouldn't of minded it so much...But well I guess I'm really second guessing myself right now." He admitted.

Kelly looked up at Marty. "Why?" As far as she knew, he'd always been pretty happy.

"Because somebody opened my eyes." Marty whispered, looking Kelly in the eye. He hadn't been planning on doing this tonight...or any time soon for that matter...but he just needed Kelly to know how much he cared for her...but that he would wait until she was ready.

Kelly swallowed hard...her eyes still on Marty's. She had a feeling she knew what he was talking about...but she didn't think THAT was possible. "What...do you mean?"

Marty took a deep breath as he held onto her hands. "Kel...I've liked you for a while now...but things with you and Justin were going so well that I didn't want to say or do anything. I always thought you two would get back together and do the happily ever after thing. When you came to me and told me all that had been going on, It really made me angry to know somebody was hurting you. I don't ever want to see you hurt again..." He paused as looked down for a second before looking back. "Some how over the years...I've fallen in love with you."

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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Kelly's eyes widened, and her mouth opened and closed a few times like she was going to say something...but nothing came out. She closed her eyes and gently shook her head...like she was trying to clear it. Luckily, the waitress picked that moment to deliver their drinks.

Marty looked up when the waitress brought them their drinks and politely thanked her before she left. It was then that he looked at Kelly and sighed. "You don't have to say anything, Kel...I shouldn't have said anything...after all that happened and stuff..."

"No...no..." Kelly said quickly...letting go of Marty's hands to reach for her drink. "I'm glad you said something," she said before taking a long sip of her cocktail.

Marty's hands went into his lap, not even touching his beer. "Okay." He said, trying to figure out what else to say as he watched Kelly drinking her cocktail like it was water.

Kelly emptied the top quarter of her glass, then folded her hands on the table again as she looked back at Marty. "I should have known. I mean...you've been acting strange lately."

"I wouldn't say strange...but okay." Marty said, not really thinking his actions had been all that strange.

"Well...you've been quiet...and acting kinda shy and nervous...especially tonight. That's not you."

Marty smiled a little, getting the shy nervous smile back on his face. "Yeah...guess you're right."

"I KNOW I'm right," Kelly said with a smirk.

That caused Marty to smile bigger. "Like always."

"Exactly," Kelly said with a chuckle...then sipped her drink before getting more serious. "So...now what?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno, Kel."

"I...umm..." Kelly cleared her throat...looking into her glass as she toyed with the straw. "You know I still love Justin..."

"Yeah...I know. So, don't worry about it...we'll just continue to be friends...Its cool." Marty said with a semi forced smile, He was trying so hard to get sad...because he understood what Kelly was saying...and It all made sense.

"Hold on...let me finish."

Marty shut his mouth quickly and nodded.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Marty...I care about you...a lot. And to be honest...way back in the day...like...before this whole gig...I guess you could say I had a crush on you. But then...Justin came along...and I went for it...cuz you never showed interest...so..."

Marty smiled softly and nodded. "Guess...I lost my chance then huh?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...not necessarily."

Marty looked at Kelly with a small amount of hope in his eyes. "No?"

"No. I mean...I don't know what might happen anytime soon...cuz even though I know Justin and I are over, I still have feelings to get over..."

"I understand that." Marty said, nodding his head...because he did.

Kelly shrugged and took a deep breath. "I don't know, hun...let's just see what happens...OK?"

Marty sighed and smiled, happy she wasn't angry at him for even thinking it. "Okay...sounds good." He said finally taking a sip of his beer.

Kelly giggled as she sipped her drink. "Ya know...I remember like...four or five years ago...when we were dancing together. I thought you were the greatest thing. I mean...nothing's cooler than a guy like...five years older than you...talking to you and paying you attention."

Marty laughed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah...cuz you were only like 16 at the time."

"Yeah...I know. But I'm a big girl now."

"Yeah...I've definitely noticed that." Marty said as he took a big drink of his beer.

Kelly chuckled at that...and could feel her face blushing a bit. She sipped her drink...then cleared her throat before speaking. "So...why did you REALLY turn the boys down tonight? JUST to check on me?"

Marty shook his head. "Nah...not to check on you...I wanted to hang out...like we're doing."

"But you have so much fun when you go out with those guys."

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I know I do...but I have fun when I hang out with you too."

Kelly nodded her agreement. "Ya know...you don't have to wait around for me...I know you like your ladies...and..."

"I'm not going to spontaneously combust if I don't get laid, Kel...I think I'll be alright." Marty giggled.

Kelly chuckled. "You sure?"

Marty pretended to think hard about that for a second before nodding. "Yup...I'm sure...and if I feel like I will...I still have my good friend. Mr. Hand." He said as he strummed his fingers on the table, giggling.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Good to know," she said before sipping her drink.

Marty was quiet for a few minutes. "You take all the time you need...I mean to get things figured out. And if it never happens...I'm cool with that too."

Kelly sighed. "I just don't wanna get hurt...again," she said...then drank down the rest of her cocktail. "I'm not saying I think you'd hurt me...I...just...I don't know. That's just always how it seems to work."

"You're right...I won't hurt you on purpose...But I do understand that it takes more then a few hours to mend a broken heart." Marty answered honestly.

Kelly smiled at Marty. "You're right...but you're definitely doing a good job of making me feel better."

Marty smiled big. "I thought I was doing a good job of freaking you out."

"No..." Kelly said...then chuckled. "Well...a little...but I'm over it."

Marty finished off his beer and knew it wouldn't really be good for him to drink anything else. "What would you like to do now?" He asked; looking down at his watch to see it was only 10:30.

Kelly shrugged. "Whatever you wanna do...since you DID give up your night out for me."

"Isn't that a scary thing to be asking me?" Marty asked jokingly, wiggling his eyebrows.

Kelly shook her head...lifting her right hand to push up the bra strap that had slipped down that shoulder from underneath her tank top. "I'm not scared of you."

Marty's eyes followed Kelly's actions and the feelings from the hotel room quickly came back. Mentally cursing himself he laughed uneasily. "Good...to know." He said in a voice that was a little to deep. 'Okay...I'm definitely pathetic...and in trouble.' he screamed to himself.

"I'd say we could go for a walk...but it's freezing out. We'd have to go up and get our coats."

"Yeah...and I think I did something to my ankle today in practice...so I'm not sure if walking that much would be good." Marty said, trying to figure out something for them to do...that would be good enough to keep his mind off of his feelings.

Kelly made a face. "Are you gonna be OK for the show?"

Marty nodded. "Yeah, its fine...I just don't wana aggravate it any more before that point...So I CAN do the show."

Kelly nodded...though her thoughts were suddenly going back to Marty and his feelings for her. "Ya know...if you don't wanna have sex with girls, or whatever...you can still...like...date."

Marty giggled a little. "I never dated before...so why would I start now...when I already know what I want?"

"You never dated ANYONE?"

"Well...of course I have dated before...but not really all that much. I've never been able commit myself. And the dates that were supposed to just be casual turned into one night stands like everything else...so what's the point?" Marty said, playing with the label on his beer bottle.

Kelly studied Marty's face for a bit. "But...why would you wanna stop all that now...just for me...especially when you don't know when I'll be ready?"

Marty tried to think of the reason and shrugged his shoulders. "Would you believe me if I just said I got sick of that lifestyle and want to try something different?"

"Something different...like a committed relationship?" Kelly questioned...pushing up her stray bra strap again.

Once again Marty watched Kelly adjust her bra strap and groaned a little. "Yeah...I mean...I'm not getting any younger...and I'm not getting anything outa all the sleeping around shit besides like a few hours of lust and fake passion. I wana be with somebody who sex is making love...and not just a means to get off."

Kelly nodded slowly. "I see what you're saying." She uncrossed her legs, and crossed them again...accidentally kicking Marty lightly under the table. "Sorry."

Marty smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He then took a deep breath and looked up at Kelly. "Does this mean you won't be spending the night in my arms anymore...now that you know how I feel?"

Kelly met Marty's eyes with her own. "I hope not."

Marty thought about that for a second and smiled bigger, shaking his head. "No...we can do it as much as you want...I'll be good...I hope." He said, for the first time sort of admitting he was having problems with the physical aspect of the whole thing.

"Well...if you're not...comfortable..." Kelly loved sleeping with Marty...she felt comfortable and safe in his arms. But...it was something she'd give up if he couldn't handle it.

Marty shook his head. "I'm fine...it might be kinda hard sometimes...but I'll be okay." He said with a smile and then yawned a little. "I know we spent most of the day sleeping...or at least *I* did...but why don't we head back upstairs...I'm still beat for some reason."

Kelly nodded...reaching into her pocket for some money. "Yeah...we have rehearsal at the Garden tomorrow, anyway."

Marty pushed her hand away softly. "Let me." He said taking out his wallet and putting down the money for the drinks. Standing up he held out his hand for Kelly, smiling.

"Thanks," Kelly said...taking Marty's hand and sliding out of the booth. She then leaned over to grab her sweatshirt off the seat.

Once Kelly had her sweatshirt he led them out of the darkened bar and back to where the elevators were. "You think we should check up on Justin and Nick? Make sure nobody is dead?"

Kelly shrugged as she started to put her sweatshirt on. "If you want to."

Then Marty thought of something. "Oh wait...they might get all weird if I go...cuz I mean I'm not supposed to know." He said as he pushed the button for the elevator.

"I'm sure he thinks you know...cuz I'm always telling you stuff. But...if you'd rather not go...that's fine."

"We can go see them in the morning...if Justin doesn't go waking us up at the ass crack of down like he did this morning." Marty laughed as the elevator arrived and they got on.

Kelly chuckled. "OK...sounds good."

Once the elevator go to thief floor he stopped in the middle of the hall. "Who's room?" He asked, just assuming they were going to sleep in the same bed again.

Kelly smiled...looking up at Marty. "What if I wanna sleep alone tonight?"

Marty blushed bright red...something he NEVER did. "Of course...sorry."

Kelly giggled and grabbed Marty's hand. "Come on...YOUR room. Mel's probably having heated phone sex with Mikey by this point."

Marty made a disgusted face. "Oh god...that is an image I SO don't want to have." He said walking with Kelly down to his own room. Once they were there he opened the door and let her go in ahead of him as he turned the light on, which of course showed him that Eddie was still out with the other guys.

"Guess they're having fun," Kelly commented as she walked into the room...noting that Eddie was still out.

"Yeah...hopefully we will be asleep by the time he stumbles into the room in a few hours." Marty said through a yawn as he headed straight for the bedroom.

Kelly followed Marty into the bedroom...taking her sweatshirt back off.

"You want something to sleep in? Like a t-shirt or something?" Marty asked as he turned down the bed and kicked off his shoes.

"If you don't mind," Kelly said...putting her sweatshirt over the back of a chair as she stepped out of her flips flops.

Marty dug through his bag and pulled out a dark blue t-shirt and threw it at her. "There you go...It's a little big on me even...so should be perfect for a sleep shirt." He said with a soft smile as his hands started to undo his jeans.

Kelly smiled as she snatched up the shirt. "Thanks..." she said...putting it down on the chair as she turned away from Marty to pull her tank top off.

Marty took this time to walk into the bathroom to brush his teeth and do his other nightly things.

Kelly pulled on the t-shirt...then took off her jeans and put them over the chair with the rest of her clothes...before walking over to the open bathroom door. "Got any mouthwash?"

Marty spit into the sink and washed his mouth out one last time before nodded. "Yeah...I have an extra toothbrush too if you want it." He said going into his cosmetic bag type thing and pulling out both the mouth wash and the new toothbrush still in the package.

"Toothbrush is even better," Kelly said...walking into the bathroom and taking it from him. "Thanks."

"Not a problem." Marty said smiling at her in the mirror before heading out of the bathroom and climbing into bed.

Kelly brushed her teeth and splashed some water on her face before returning to the bedroom. She laughed when she saw Marty already in bed. "Didn't take YOU long," she said...reaching up under the t-shirt to unsnap her bra.

Marty giggled as he watched Kelly and quickly looked away. He didn't need to be having crazy thoughts like that when she was going to be in bed with him. "It's warm and cozy in here."

Kelly laughed again as she pulled her bra out from under the shirt and threw it over to her pile of clothes. She then climbed onto the bed and under the covers.

Once Kelly was in bed, Marty reached over and turned off the light before snuggling back down under the covers more. Turning to face Kelly he kissed her nose and smiled. "Night, night."

Kelly giggled. "Goodnight," she replied...cuddling under the covers on her own side of the bed. She wasn't about to get close to Marty if it might make him uneasy.

Marty stayed on his side of the bed for a few minutes before he said 'fuck it' to himself and snuggled closer to Kelly, pulling her into his arms and quickly falling asleep.

Kelly smiled when she felt Marty pull her close...knowing she was going to get a good night's sleep.

*****@*****

Justin leaned forward to put the empty popcorn bag on the coffee table, then relaxed back against the couch again.

Nick sat looking at the movie with wide eyes. "There is no way in hell I'm renting a movie ever again." he mumbled as he looked at the screen almost in a trance.

"This is some scary shit."

Nick snuggled closer to Justin as somebody else the lady put the movie back in to watch it again. He closed his eyes tightly. "Tell me when it's done." He whispered against Justin's chest.

Justin closed his own eyes. "I can't...I'm not looking."

Nick lifted his head just in time to see something really scary and he literally screamed and shoved his face back in Justin's chest again. "Movie...very scary." He muttered.

Justin laughed...opening his eyes, but not looking at the screen as he got up and went over to shut off the television. "OK...bad idea."

Nick stayed on the couch curled into a little ball. "Did you make it go away?" He asked from where his face was pressed into the back of the couch.

Justin chuckled. "Yes...you can look now."

Taking his face away from the couch, Nick looked around the room as if trying to make sure nothing scary was there. "Okay...that was not a good idea." He said wanting to cling to Justin again, scared to death.

"Calm down...it was just a movie."

Nick took a few deep breaths and nodded. "I'm gunna go to the bathroom." He said walking into the bedroom, but not before turning on the light. He then ran into the bathroom peed as fast as he could, washed his hands and ran back into the main room in all about 30 seconds or less.

Justin stood laughing in the same spot Nick had left him in. "Damn."

Nick blushed bright red and looked down at his stocking feet. "I may of lived on my own for years and handled big scary gay guys...but I get terrified of movies like that...and well the dark." he mumbled.

Justin smiled. "It's OK...don't worry about it."

"Can we uhh...do something fun...or funny or something? I need to get my mind off of that scary ass movie." Nick said shivering when once again images of it flashed in his mind.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Nick laughed and shrugged. "I have no idea...umm...funny...fun...uhh."

Justin chuckled...trying to lighten Nick up. "Wanna make out?"

Nick shrugged again, of course he LOVED that idea...but he didn't want to see too eager. "You joking...or being serious?"

Justin shrugged. "Depends on whether you want to or not."

Nick laughed and walked a little closer to Justin. "That's a pretty silly question to ask me...we haven't made out in days...I think it's time...but only if you do."

Justin chuckled...feeling a lot less nervous than he had in previous situations like this with Nick. "Yeah...I think it's time."

Nick wasn't nervous at all, normally he was scared that Justin was going to get angry or whatever, but this time he felt like being a goof and just letting them BOTH enjoy themselves. Walking the rest of the distance he was standing right on front of Justin and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. "Yup...it's time." He said before pressing his lips to Justin softly, but deeply at the same time.

Justin laughed quietly into the kiss as he brought his arms up around Nick's neck.

Nick smiled against Justin's lips and deepened the kiss even more. His tongue came out to lick the outline of Justin's lips, not wasting any time...it had been too long and he knew Justin would slow him down if they needed to.

Justin let a quiet groan slip as he opened his mouth to Nick...his fingers rubbing the back of Nick's neck as they kissed.

Shivering slightly at Justin's fingers he moaned softly into the kiss as he let his tongue make its way into Justin's mouth. Yeah, it had been way too long since he had done this. Sure kissing Kelly was nice...but this was pure heaven. His tongue quickly started to reintroduce itself with all the nooks and crannies in Justin's mouth. His hands still resting on the small of Justin's back.

Justin kissed Nick back thoroughly...his hands moving up to gently hold the older man's face.

After kissing Justin for a few minutes Nick finally had to pull back to catch his breath, and he was getting tired of standing up. "Wana go some place else where we don't have to stand?" He asked as he tried to catch his breath, his hands still rubbing Justin's back softly.

Justin just nodded...his tongue sneaking out to lick his lips.

Nick groaned as he watched Justin's tongue. "Couch...or bedroom?" He asked, wanting Justin to make the choice...since he was the one who was still getting used to all of this.

Justin took a deep breath. "Wanna stay?"

Nick looked at Justin confused. "I didn't say I was going any place did I?" He said not understanding what Justin meant.

Justin smiled. "No...stay here...tonight."

Nick's eyes went wide and he smiled. "Really?"

"Well...yeah..."

Nick nodded his head then, thinking he wouldn't make such a big deal out of it...not wanting to end up scaring Justin. "Of course, I will. Don't think I would sleep much in my own bed tonight anyway...bad evil movie."

Justin chuckled. "Right."

"Plus...I just want to be with you." Nick whispered as he moved his arms from behind Justin's back and took a hold of his hands, looking into Justin's eyes the whole time.

Justin smiled. "OK...so stay, then."

Nick smiled back. "Okay...I will." He said keeping hold of Justin's hands, a little scared to make the next move...almost afraid if he did Justin was going to change his mind.

"So...are we gonna stand here til we fall asleep?"

Laughing, Nick shook his head. "I think that would get uncomfy." He said looking around the room to see if there was anything they should do before they went into the bedroom.

"Let's go to bed, then."

Nick never thought he would hear Justin say that to him and smiled big. "Okay." He said, still holding onto Justin's left hand with his right as he walked them into the bedroom.

Justin took a deep breath as he walked into the bedroom with Nick. He wasn't worried...he knew he didn't HAVE to do anything with Nick just because he asked him to stay.

Once in the bedroom Nick was a little nervous, not because of anything they were going to do, because he didn't expect anything. He just mostly didn't know what to do next. "Okay...why do I feel like I've never gotten ready for bed before." He giggled nervously.

Justin laughed...pulling off his wifebeater and climbing onto the bed in his sweats. "I don't know."

Nick pulled off his own t-shirt and climbed into the bed next to Justin, trying to calm his pounding heart. After lying there for a second, looking up at the ceiling, he looked over at Justin. "Uhh...we still gunna...well...make out?" He said blushing.

Justin chuckled...looking over at Nick. "We don't have to."

Nick smiled a little. "I wana...but if you don't want to...its okay."

"No...we can..."

Nick was going to say something else but changed his mind and just leaned over to kiss Justin. He didn't start it out as softly as before because he kind of wanted to get it back to the same passion as when they stopped in the living room.

Justin groaned. He'd decided that making out was a good idea.

Hearing Justin groan, made Nick shiver. He moved a little closer in bed so their bare sides were touching as he deepened the kiss even more. His tongue once again licking Justin's lips asking for entrance.

Justin moaned quietly as he accepted Nick's tongue...his hand going around to the small of his back.

Nick's tongue went back into what it now knew as one of its favorite places to be and started to do the in depth search of the insides of Justin's mouth. His hand's going to rest on Justin's chest.

Justin eased his tongue out against Nick's as his fingertips traced lazy patterns on his lower back.

Groaning softly into the kiss, Nick's tongue started a passionate fight with Justin's tongue as he kiss grew more intense. The hand that was on Justin chest moved over a bit and one of his fingers started to play with Justin's nipple a little bit.

Justin gasped and pulled back from the kiss...shocked by the feel of Nick's finger on his nipple. "Don't..."

Nick stopped his finger and moved his hands down onto the bed between them. "O...okay....sorry." He said looking into Justin's eyes, trying to figure out if he was just scared...or if something hurt...or what.

"S'OK," Justin said...and went back to kissing Nick.

Nick laughed a little against Justin's mouth but quickly fell back into the kiss with him. This time his hands went to run over Justin's buzzed head, thinking they were pretty safe there.

Justin moaned softly...leaning into Nick as they kissed...rolling him onto his back and ending up half on top of him in the process.

Nick whimpered softly when he felt Justin half on top of him. It was a great feeling and he just hoped he could control himself well enough. His hands moved to the small of Justin's back as he kissed the younger man back hungrily.

Justin pulled back to catch his breath...gently nibbling at Nick's lower lip and running his hands through his spiky hair as he steadied his breathing.

Nick just lied there and tried to catch his own breath, wondering what Justin would do next. His hands continued to rub over Justin's back.

Justin was about to move a bit more onto Nick when he felt a sharp pain in his back. "Damn!" he groaned with a wince.

"You're back?" Nick asked as he held Justin still so he wouldn't move and hurt himself even more.

Justin nodded...slowly moving away from Nick. "Yeah."

Nick propped himself up on his arm and looked down at Justin. "I'm sorry you still hurt." He said softly with a small smile on his face, his hand going up to rub his head. "Wana go to sleep?"

Justin shook his head as he carefully rolled onto his stomach. "No... can you rub it a little?"

Nick smiled and nodded. "Of course...where does it hurt...and where should I be careful?" He asked as sat up, just sitting next to Justin in an Indian style position.

"Everywhere..." Justin said...hugging a pillow under his chin. "...and everywhere."

"Gee...don't make me scared to touch you at all." Nick laughed a little as he started to gently massage Justin's lower back...knowing that is where it really was bugging him. He bit his bottom lip, knowing he was going to hurt Justin.

Justin grimaced...then buried his face in the pillow as he yelled out a cry of pain.

Nick stopped what he was doing as he watched Justin, tears coming to his own eyes...scared to be the one who was physically hurting the man he cared so much about. "Want me to stop?"

Justin shook his head. "No."

"Okay." Nick whispered as his hands went back to rubbing Justin's sore muscles again, hoping that he was helping more then he was making things worse.

Justin winced a few more times...and let out a few quiet cries...but Nick's massage eventually started to feel good.

When Nick could tell that Justin was starting to relax under his hands, he moved so he was straddling Justin's thighs and started to rub a little more. "Tell me to stop at any point and I will." Nick said softly.

"OK..." Justin said into the pillow...relaxing more.

Nick giggled when he felt Justin relax more. "You're going to fall asleep on me...I can feel it." He said as he moved up and sat on Justin's bottom so he could reach and massage higher parts of Justin's back too.

Justin groaned. "Ouch...not there," he said...the pressure on Justin's bottom tugging on his back.

"Oops...sorry." Nick said moving back to where he was before.

"That's OK..."

"What time do we gota do all the stuff we gota do, tomorrow." Nick asked, giggling at how stupid that sounded.

"Dunno..." Justin said into the pillow...his voice getting lazy.

Nick rubbed Justin's back for a few more minutes but when he was sure Justin was going to fall asleep he got off of him and liked down next to him. "Can we cuddle?" He asked softly, wanting to sleep in Justin's arms...but he wasn't sure what Justin thought of that.

Justin sighed into his pillow. "I can't really move...but if you wanna like...cuddle up to me..." His voice trailed off with a chuckle.

Nick laughed. "Won't it hurt you to be stuck like that all night? He asked, knowing his back hurt like crazy if he slept on his stomach the whole night...not to mention how his stomach felt.

"No...It’s good."

"Okay." Nick said as he scooted his pillow over so it was touching Justin's. Then he reached over Justin to turn the light off and yawned. Lying back down he snuggled up to Justin as much as he dared, not wanting to hurt him. His hand was resting gently over Justin's back the front of him up against Justin's side. "This okay?" He whispered.

"Fine..." Justin answered quietly...already close to asleep. "G'night."

"Night, night." Nick whispered again as he leaned over to kiss Justin's cheek softly before lying his head back down and closing his eyes. With one last content sigh he fell asleep.

End of Chapters Twenty One - Thirty