The actual arrest was more easily accomplished than getting to that point had been. Rodriquez was captured in his home and, to the enjoyment of the District Attorney, finalizing plans with Jerry Grisham, the man he had contracted through to get the job done. Both men were taken into custody, bail set swiftly for amounts that were not likely to be met any time in the near future.
Roberts was released, just like he had been promised. He was immediately told to call his siblings, which he did happily. It had been months since he had had the opportunity to talk to them. Among many tears, he informed them that he would finally be coming home for good.
Lance sighed, the arms around him tightening as he did. "What's the matter?" Justin whispered into the dark, quiet room, lit only by the fireplace in the opposite wall from the couch where he and Lance were huddled together.
"I just can't believe it's over. It's over, and so many good things have come from it." Lance said, snuggling closer to his boyfriend's side.
"It is amazing, isn't it? All of the worry, and scares, and general pain brought forth so many great things. Roberts gets to be with his family finally. Rodriquez got put away so he can't hurt anyone else. I got you." Justin said, kissing Lance's forehead as he smiled at him.
"I think that's the best of all. I don't think I could live with out this now. It feels so right." Lance kissed Justin on the lips, reveling in the feeling of love that generally emanated from the boy who owned his heart.
"If it's so right, and it's what you wanted, why were you so afraid to tell me? Why did you push me away?" Justin asked. The question had been bugging him from the beginning, but with everything that had been happening, he didn't want to bring it up.
"I was afraid it would hurt the group. I didn't want something to happen to put an end to Nsync. It's your dream. If that had happened, you would have hated me eventually. I would rather spend a life time without you than having you hate me." Lance said, looking down at their joined hands. He ran his fingers over the simple gold ring that Justin had bought him at the mall the day Roberts had held him hostage. On the inside was the inscription 'J & J Forever'.
"I would rather have you than the fame any day. I can sing on a street corner. I don't have to have number one albums and television appearances to do that. But I do need you. I could live without screaming fans and nosey reporters. I could live without sold out stadiums and bodyguards around 24/7. I could even live without all the little toys we get at venues and video shoots. I couldn't live without you right there beside me though. I wouldn't want to be doing this if I had to do it without you." Justin said, his sincerity clearly evident in his eyes when Lance looked at him.
"I love you." Lance said simply, at a loss for anything else to say. It was the only thing he could put into words, his other feelings were too numerous to name.
"I love you too." Justin said, pulling Lance to him and kissing him deeply. Lance sighed and leaned back into his lover, basking in the warmth and safety of their love for each other.