Author: Elizabeth
Category: JC/Lance, Joey/Justin but totally later in the story.
Summary: This is AU but they become a band later. Lance�s home caught on fire when he was 12 and his family died. He packed up what little he had left and ran away before social services could get him. On the streets, he meets 10 year old Justin, then 20 year old Chris, 14 year old Joey and 15 year old JC. Soon, these five guys depend on each other and later discover love and a bond that will last forever.
AN: For the person who askedJ Yes, Lance and Justin are Preteens. Justin is 10 and Lance is 12. Joey and JC are teens and Chris is an adult. And it�ll be slash when Lance is 19 and Justin is 17 because they�ll be wondering about their sexuality.
~*~
Johnny parked the car and looked at Lance. �Do you want us to come with you?�
Lance looked at his friends. �I need to do this alone.�
�We�ll be right here if you need us.� JC said.
Lance looked at the man he loved. He smiled. If only he had the courage to say. He got out of the car, Lilies tight in his hand, and went to the site. JC, Joey, Chris, Justin, Britney and Johnny watched.
Lance walked over until he spotted the three tombstones. He sighed.
�Mama. Daddy. Stacy. It�s me. I�m home now. I wish you could hold me.� Lance got down on his knees and laid the flowers across each one. He gently laid a finger on the word �Diane�. Lance started to cry. �Why did you have to die, mama? Why did you leave me?� Lance�s body shook with sobs. He moved to the side and hugged the stone, closing his eyes. �Mama? Dad? I miss you so much. Not a day goes by I don�t think of you. I�m going to make you so proud of me. I�m going to make you smile up there. I hope God doesn�t hate me for who I love. I hope you don�t either.� A gentle breeze wiped Lance�s cheeks. The breeze only hit him and Lance knew it was his mom. He knew. Lance bent his head and sobbed. �Why did you go daddy? Why did you go? We were going to go fishing. We were�� Lance couldn�t continue, his cries became louder.
He felt gentle arms on his body and he leaned against the person�s embrace.
�Sh, it�s all right. It�s all right.� JC said, stroking Lance�s hair.
Lance buried his face in JC�s chest. �I miss them so much. I didn�t even get a chance to say I loved them. I didn�t tell Stacy I loved her. Why didn�t I tell her?�
�She knows, Lance. She knows you love her. Your parents know too.�
Lance cried some more. �Everything I do, it�s for them. Every song we write, every move we make, every dance we do, every concert, it�s for them. It�s for my mama, my dad, my sister.�
�Yes. It�s all for them, Lance, it�ll always be them.�
Lance took a breath and let JC hug him tighter.
Half an hour later, Lance was in the backseat of the car. He finished crying but his eyes were still red. JC held him gently.
�So how did you come up with your name?� Britney asked Justin.
�Well, it was while we were in the hospital after Joey�s surgery. We were fooling around and singing then Lance said we were totally in sync. Then I thought of what he said, took a piece of paper and fooled around with the order of our names and I got NSYNC from the last letters of our names.�
�But Lance�s name ends with an E.�
�Ah. I was thinking. I gave Lance a nickname. Lansten.�
Lance smiled slightly. �Don�t ask me how, he just thought it would be better then NSYEC.�
Britney held her nose. �Yeah, it does sound better.�
Lance smiled slightly and put his head on JC�s shoulder. �Can we drive by my old house? I think it�s still kind of standing.�
Johnny nodded and Lance directed him to the house. Lance got out of the car and looked at the big house. He went up to the porch and opened the door. It was vacant. There was a note on the burned couch. He took it.
�Lance, if you come back, we have taken your things that weren�t burned to the police station. Please come back. The Millers from across the street.� Lance sighed. �Come on.�
They went to the police station and JC went in with him.
Lance walked up to the counter.
�May I help you?� the cop said.
�I�m here to pick up some things.�
�What�s your name?�
Lance sighed. �James Bass.�
The man stopped and looked at Lance. �Good Lord.� He muttered. �We�ve been looking everywhere for you!�
�Could I please have my stuff?�
�Sure. Follow me.� He eyed Lance and JC followed Lance and the cop to a back room. The police officer gave Lance a box. �Here you go. It�s good to have you back. Where have you been?�
�Everywhere.� Was all he could say.
A little bit later, Lance looked through the box and found the things that meant most to him. His journal, family photos, old clothes. Lance sighed and JC hugged him. They finally went out front. The officers looked at Lance. Lance smiled slightly and followed JC out.
�Thank you.�
�Always Lance.�
Two months later.
NSYNC had made it big so far. Their names had been said so many times and people were catching on to the kids whom ran away all those years before. Already Justin was the heartthrob of the group but he wasn�t used to this. He was used to hiding in alleyways, which he now couldn�t do without getting caught.
The guys didn�t want to live apart so Johnny bought the guys a small condo, with three rooms so JC and Lance slept in the same room while Joey and Justin were in the other room. Chris slept by himself. Justin had a strange request when they were looking. Near an alleyway. It made Britney cry to think of what he went through for his teen years. When Lance was asked where his parents were, he changed the subject. It hurt to talk about them and he wasn�t ready to say.
One day, Johnny phoned Chris up.
�Chris, the press is looking into your past. I think you guys better say something.�
Chris sighed. �I need to tell them first.�
�Do it and call me later.�
�I will.� Chris hung up and went to get the guys.
Lance sighed. �We�ll always be asked but yeah, we should.�
�I�m afraid to.� JC said softly. Lance rubbed his shoulder. There was electricity in the touch.
�I don�t mind, not really.� Joey said.
Justin shrugged. �I guess we better.�
�Then it�s settled, we make a statement tonight.� He went to make a phone call.
The next day, newspapers were published. Chris had sent an old picture of the guys when they were on the state line but with JC. Lance and Justin were sitting back to back and laughing. Joey and JC were behind them with grins on their faces. They had asked a little kid to take the picture so Chris could get in. He stood to the side with his hands over his head. Then, he sent a picture of them at a photo shoot. Lance and Joey were back to back, JC was leaning forward and smiling, while Chris folded his arms on the left and Justin held up his hands on the right.
There was a huge newspaper article on them. The whole front page was centered on them. The guys sent statements to the newspapers saying �We were okay, and we�re happy� and �Justin didn�t know about music and Lance actually got him into it when they were cutting each other�s hair when they first met. Justin was born to do this, he was so deprived�, which was from JC. They had a part about JC�s abuse. Lance commented by saying JC was hurt when he met him and yes, he was scared but now he is fine. He would like to see his brother and sister, though. The police were thinking of putting Justin in a boy�s home but Chris had already filed legal guardianship until Justin�s birthday in six months. The other guys backed him up. When asked about contacting family, Joey sighed. �I don�t know.� Justin shrugged. Lance sighed and backed away. JC shook his head and Chris nodded urgently. JC rubbed Lance�s back.
Three weeks after the newspaper story, they were still being talked about. On a Saturday, Chris and Justin had gone to an interview to talk about what they did for eight years. Joey was practicing his dance moves down in the dance room. JC was in the music room on the piano. In his room, Lance sighed. He had to tell JC. It was killing him not to. He got up and headed downstairs.
Lance walked into the den and smiled. JC was sitting at the piano playing a song. He walked over and sat next to him. JC looked at him and smiled.
"Hey."
"Hi." Lance bit his lip. "So..."
"So...?" JC laughed.
Lance smiled. "Um...Remember when I kissed you when I was fifteen?"
JC nodded. "Yeah."
"I wanted to do it again." He said softly.
JC looked up and into his eyes. "I thought you were experimenting."
Lance shook his head. "Not with you."
JC lifted his hand and ran a hand over Lance's hair. Lance leaned into the touch. JC brought his hand to cup Lance's cheek and leaned in. Lance met him halfway and their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss. They kissed for a few seconds before pulling away. Lance licked his lips.
�You were so young when I met you. I knew somewhere inside I thought you were cute but you were so young. When you got older, I felt more for you.� Lance smiled softly. �I really hoped it wasn�t an experiment.� He brushed his lips against Lance�s nose.
�It wasn�t. I promise you it wasn�t.� Their lips met again.
~*~*~*
Justin sat next to Chris and waited for the next question. He had let Chris answer some questions and he took the simple ones.
�How long were you all in New York?�
�About a year, probably. We went out of town for Justin and Joey�s eleventh and fifteenth birthdays and Joey didn�t want to be in New York anymore so when JC�s birthday arrived, we got out stuff, woke Justin up and hopped on a train.�
�Actually I woke up on the train.�
�That was when we went to California.�
�Oh, right. But yeah I woke up as we got there.�
�Were there any moments where you almost got caught?�
�Lance almost was. He�s not here to defend himself but yeah.� Justin smiled.
�Actually, Justin and I left to go get a camera and Joey and JC were supposed to stay with him. But they decided to be bad and leave. So Lance was alone and when they came back, a cop was inside the alleyway. So they looked in and saw Lance�s head under a few blankets. They hid then when the guy left, they ran over to Lance.�
�You were so mad at them for that.� Justin grinned.
�No, I thought they were crazy but yeah, that was dangerous.�
�A lot of things you did were dangerous.�
�Yes, yes very. But we risked it all, not caring who saw or thought. Every time someone came into our view, we�d have Lance and Justin put on sunglasses or something and we�d walk pass them and they never noticed.�
�Chris, have you contacted your mother?�
�I don�t know if she�s still living at my old house but if she is, I want her to call me. I need to hear from her. I miss her.�
Justin thought about his sisters. He wanted to do something. The guilt was killing him.
�Justin?�
He shook his head. �Hmm?�
�What do you think of the controversy surrounding the orphanage?�
�I think that we should have been allowed to be more open with things. I didn�t know what anything was. I didn�t know what the word gay meant, or what music was about. I didn�t know that accidents happened and when Joey was sick, I didn�t know someone could be in so much pain. The look on his face made me cry. I just hated that I was so ignorant and these four had to deal with me.�
�We were happy to, Justin.�
He smiled at that.
~*~*~*
Later that night, all the guys sat around the dinner table, talking and laughing. They found it amazing at what they accomplished. They couldn�t believe they had actually gotten this far in their lives.
�Okay, so, what have you guys been doing today?� Chris asked JC and Lance.
�Well, Lance and I were hanging out today.� JC smiled at Lance. Lance turned away, blushing.
Joey eyed them. �Okay, you two, what�s up?�
Lance and JC looked at their friends. Lance put his hand on JC�s.
"We're together." Lance said holding JC's hand tightly.
"Oh you guys, congratulations." Joey hugged them.
"I knew it! I was only a kid and I knew it!" Justin hugged them tight.
Chris smiled. "Well, finally! The tension was killing me!"
"Oh, and um...Joey? JC? I need to tell you something?"
"What?" Joey looked worried.
"Remember the night we met JC?" They nodded. "I saw and heard that experimental kiss."
JC blushed and Joey coughed. "Lance, it didn't mean anything, I was just helping him."
"No, I know. I thought it was sweet. Although I think I was jealous."
"Aww our little Poofu was jealous of Joey!" Chris tickled him.
Lance laughed. "In a way."
�Lance, I�m so sorry.� Joey said with a slight laugh.
�It�s all right. Man, you wouldn�t believe how much I looked at you guys to see if something was there. It wasn�t.� Lance looked at JC.
JC smiled and kissed him.
�Okay, now I need to get used to that.� Justin said in mock horror.
They all laughed.
~*~
Two months later, JC and Lance were going strong. They spent every minute together and helped each other. Lance was gentle and loving with JC. JC never knew that and would cry sometimes. Even though he spent eight years with this younger man, he never knew how gentle and soft he could be.
Lately, Lance seemed to be sick. He never felt good and he would lye in bed, shivering sometimes. Johnny always offered to give him breaks but Lance said that he didn�t want to disappoint the guys so he continued on with what he was doing.
One night, they were supposed to do a concert.
�I don�t know Lance, I don�t think I can make you go out there. You�ve been sick.�
�No, don�t worry, I can do it.� Lance got up and felt a bit dizzy. He leaned against JC.
JC kissed him. �It�s okay, baby, you�ll be all right.�
Lance nodded and they all went onstage.
After it was over, JC ran off stage first to get some water. Joey followed and then Chris ran after. Lance waved then walked off stage. He leaned against a machine and pushed himself up again. Justin walked over to him.
�You okay?�
�Yeah, leave me alone, Justin.�
Justin backed off until Lance stopped and his knees went weak.
�LANCE!� Justin ran forward and caught Lance as his body fell backwards. Justin landed on his knees and he held Lance tightly. �Oh God. Oh God. HELP! SOMEBODY HELP US! PLEASE! SOMEONE CALL 911! It�s okay, Lance, it�ll be all right.�
�Justin, what�oh my God, Lance!� Joey raced over and checked his pulse. �Sh*t, I can barely feel it. CHRIS, CALL 911!�
Chris ran over and when he saw what was going on, he ran for the phone booth.
JC heard commotion and walked out of the dressing room. �Guys, what�s going�oh God, Lance!� He ran over and pushed Joey away. �Lance, baby? Oh God, what happened?� He asked Justin urgently.
�I don�t know, he just collapsed. Please say he�ll be okay.� His eyes were wide in fright.
JC just felt Lance�s face as Joey put an arm around Justin. Johnny ran over and checked Lance.
�Oh no. I�m going to cancel the rest of your shows. Stay with him.� He rubbed JC�s shoulder and walked a few feet away.
Soon, Lance was loaded into the ambulance and JC got in with him. Joey, Justin and Chris ran to the van, got in and sped after the ambulance. Chris drove as fast as he could while Joey comforted Justin. He had never seen anyone faint like that.
When they got to the hospital, Joey wrapped an arm around JC and led him inside.
�We should have taken him to a doctor, why didn�t we?�
�We�re stubborn and so is he. We weren�t thinking.�
Justin shivered and Chris hugged him. Five hours later, Justin saw a doctor walk in.
�Guys, wake up!� He said.
JC, Chris and Joey opened their eyes. They stood up and went to the doctor.
�Can we see him?�
�Sure, but only two at a time.�
�JC, you go ahead.�
�Come with me, Joe?�
Justin could see JC�s heart breaking in his eyes. He hadn�t seen that since they met him.
�Sure.� Joey rubbed his back and they walked over to the room. JC put his hand to the door and looked at Joey, pleadingly.
�I�ll stay out here.�
�Okay.� JC walked in and saw his boyfriend, pale as the sheets, tubes running down his arms and a little tube wrapped around his nose for him to breath. JC walked over to him and took his hand. He kissed it and rubbed it gently.
Lance�s eyes stirred and opened. He smiled softly. �JC.�
�Hi baby. Are you all right?�
Lance nodded. �The doctor said it was my heart. He asked me if I had any trouble as a kid. All I knew was that my heart skipped a beat sometimes.�
�Oh, Lance I was so scared.�
�I�m sorry, baby. I didn�t mean to scare you.�
JC bent down to kiss him.
Two weeks later, Lance was home and resting comfortably.
One day, a letter came for Joey.
�Joe, here�s a letter for you.�
�Thanks Justin.� Joey took it and when he saw the return address, he froze. Justin noticed this.
�Joey?�
�It�s from my mom.�
JC, Lance and Chris turned from watching TV. Chris turned it off and they sat down next to Joey.
�I don�t know if I should open it.�
�Do you want me to?� Justin asked.
Joey handed him the letter.
Justin took it and slid it open with his index finger. He pulled out the letter and opened it up.
�Dear Joey. It�s been so long since we have talked. I miss you so much and so does your dad. When you ran away, Steven was the first to find out. We were all so upset. Yes, I�ll admit it. Your father and I argued. Then, your quiet sister decided to speak out and make us see what we were doing to you guys. After some counseling, your dad and I made up. We just wish we knew what was going on in your minds before. I am truly sorry, baby. My baby is twenty-one now. You�re an adult. I just want you to know I love you and so does your dad. We miss you so much, Joey. I know, I know you may not want to see us but we need to see you. Not just in pictures, but in person.
When I saw your new picture in the paper, I cried. I buy all the magazines and the book they made with your pictures to see my son. My little boy. If you want to come see us, we still live in our old house. If you don�t want to, I understand. Just know that I love you. We all do.
Mom.�
Justin looked up at Joey. Joey had tears in his eyes.
�Joe?�
�I need to be alone.� He got up, grabbed the letter and ran upstairs.
�Justin, why don�t you sleep in my room and I�ll take the couch okay?�
Justin nodded at Chris and looked up the stairs.