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.
~*~
JC looked at Lance�s face and studied it carefully. Lance looked at him and smiled.
�What?�
�Just looking at how beautiful you are.�
He blushed and hid his face. JC reached out and gently pulled his head up and kissed him. Lance smiled.
�I�m sorry about tonight. I don�t know what came over me.�
�Hey, it�s all right. Chris called me and he said you were upset.�
�I�m such a burden.�
�Hey. Baby, you are not a burden. You never have been.�
�I believe you.�
He smiled and kissed his boyfriend.
Half an hour later, Heather showed up with her bags, a huge grin on her face. Lance watched JC interact with his sister and sighed. Heather hugged him tightly and Lance held onto her embrace.
They got into the car and JC drove for home.
�Here Heather, these are some pictures we didn�t let people see.� Lance handed her some packets.
�Thanks.�
She opened them and looked at every single one. There was one where JC was crying in his sleep and Justin was trying to change but Joey couldn�t exactly cover him enough until all of the guys formed a circle around him.
Heather sniffled a bit.
They never stopped driving, only for gas maybe. Heather, JC and Lance switched off at times. They arrived in Orlando five days later. When they got there, JC made a U-turn and went down a familiar street.
�Lance, look.�
Lance opened his eyes and looked. �The warehouse!� He grinned. �Heather, that�s where we stayed most of the time.�
�Wow. How ironic is that?� She said with a laugh.
�Very. Wait. Justin saw moving vans from there! Maybe it WAS Tyler!�
JC laughed. �I hope so.�
Lance nodded and JC drove down a small street. They got to a house on the corner and JC pulled into the driveway. In the yard, an older man was helping a little girl swing and a woman was sweeping in the open garage.
Lance sighed. �This is it.�
�Yeah. Oh I didn�t think I was as scared as I am not.� JC said.
Heather licked her lips. �We better go.�
They got out of the car and Lance stood next to JC and Heather got on the other side. The man was the first to notice them and he waved. They waved back and Heather went up to him. The woman looked up and smiled warmly. She walked up to them and looked at Heather and JC.
�You must be Josh and Heather.�
They nodded.
�Is Tyler home?�
�He�s at the movies with his friends but he should be home soon. Would you like something to drink?�
�Yes please.� Lance said.
�Oh, your Lance. It�s so great to meet you. I�m Susan, that�s Mark, and that�s our daughter Lydia.�
�Hello sir.� JC said.
�Hello.� He walked up to them. �Tyler has told us a lot about you.�
Heather breathed deep and walked up to him. �Thank you�for taking care of him.�
�I love him like he was my own, Miss. Chasez.�
�Was he scared when you adopted him?�
�He was a little scared. He got used to his surroundings a year later.�
They nodded and everyone went inside.
While JC and Heather went into the kitchen, Lance went over to the mantle. He looked at the pictures then he saw a photo of a blond in a graduation gown and cap. He took the photo and looked at it. He walked into the kitchen.
�Jayce? Heather?�
They looked at him. Lance held out the photo.
JC took it and he froze. �That�s him.�
Heather put a hand to her mouth. �Look at him.�
Susan walked up to them and smiled. �That was taken at his high school graduation. We have videos if you want to see?�
�Please?� JC asked.
�Of course.� She ushered them to the living room and they all sat down. Everyone went in and Susan put in the video. The screen came to life and at first it showed Lydia wave then run up to someone. The guy picked her up and took her to the camera and waved.
�Hey guys. I thought I�d never get here.�
�You did great, honey.� Susan hugged him.
�Dad, can we go get barbecue after this? Please?� Tyler begged into the camera.
�Now who am I to ruin your day? Sure we can.�
�Thanks!� He went to hug him but decided against it when the camera nearly smashed into his face.
�Honey, let me take that.� Susan took the camera and filmed Tyler giving Mark a hug.
�Thank you for giving me my life back.� He said softly.
JC and Heather cried softly watching the tape. Later on, they watched a tape of when Tyler was fifteen. He was walking through the house and touching the walls in wonder. He peaked into the newborn baby�s room and looked at Mark.
�Can I go in?�
�Sure, you can. You don�t have to ask.�
Tyler looked at the crib. �I always had to ask.�
Mark gave the camera a solemn look. Heather sighed, remembering how at a party, Tyler had went to see a baby cousin and their dad slapped him.
The camera and Mark followed Tyler into the room and he looked into the bassinet.
�Can I hold her?�
�Sure. Go sit on the chair.�
He did what he was told and sat down on the chair. Mark handed the baby to him and Tyler held her protectively. He bent his head and kissed her nose, cheeks, and forehead.
�Don�t worry. I won�t let anybody hurt you.�
Mark rubbed Tyler�s head and he smiled. The first real smile in the whole video.
Twenty minutes later, dinner was served and they all sat down to eat when the door opened.
�Mom! Dad, I�m home! That movie was so bad! Why did I want to see it?�
�You�re stubborn and you begged me to let you see it?� Mark asked.
A pause. �Why are you always right?�
Heather tried not to laugh too loud. Mark just rolled his eyes and ate.
�Go to him.� Susan whispered to JC and Heather.
They nodded and stood. JC looked to Lance for support. Lance smiled and squeezed his hand before letting them go. He went to the door and opened it. Tyler had been looking at some mail when he finally looked up. He dropped what he was holding and stared at the two people standing in front of him.
�Josh. Heather.�
�Tyler.� Heather said.
�Ty��
Tyler walked to them and JC and Heather pulled him into their arms, all of them crying.
�Oh God, I missed you so much!� Tyler cried. �I never thought I�d see you again!�
�Tyler, look at you! You�re so handsome!�
�My baby brother�s all grown up.�
Tyler smiled through tears. �Look at you two! I can�t believe this.�
Lance smiled at their reunion and sighed. He walked out of the kitchen.
Tyler looked at him and smiled. �You must be Lance.�
�Yeah. Nice to meet you, Tyler.�
�Likewise.� Tyler gave him a hug but not before whispering �Hurt him and I will break every bone in your body.�
Lance smiled. �Don�t worry.� He looked at JC. �The last thing I would do is hurt him.�
JC smiled and walked over to hug Lance. Lance wrapped an arm around him.
�Hey, I�m going to go make sure Chris hasn�t burnt the house down with his cooking. You can stay here.�
�You sure baby? I want you to stay.�
�You deserve this moment.� Lance kissed him and hugged him. He looked at Tyler and Heather. �It was wonderful to meet you. JC never stopped talking about you.�
They smiled and hugged him. When Lance left, the siblings went to finish their food and catch up.
~*~*~*
That night, Heather, Tyler and JC were laying outside on the grass looking up at the stars. JC saw a shooting star and smiled.
�My wish came true.�
�Hmm?� Tyler looked at him.
�Before we became famous, Justin, the guys, and me were staring up at the sky and we saw a shooting star. Justin told us to hold hands and make a wish. My wish was to see you and Heather again.�
Tyler smiled. �Heather, how did you find out JC was famous?�
�Um�well, I was at my house and I was watching my brother. My mom came home and she asked me what Josh looked like. I said I last saw him with long hair and she showed me a magazine with all of you guys on it. Josh, you were smiling so big. Joey and Lance had their arms around you protectively. I knew�somehow I knew you were all right. Then, the newspaper article came out and I realized it was you. What about you Tyler?�
�Actually, my dad saw it. I had told him I wanted a new CD but I didn�t have the money so we made an agreement that if I did the dishes for two weeks, he�d get it for me. So for the next two weeks, I made sure I did the dishes. Well, he went to get me the CD and as he was going to the line, he saw something that made him turn his head. He saw your CD and his eyes landed on Josh. He picked it up and brought it home. He didn�t let me see it, he just asked to see a picture of Josh. So I went to my room and got a picture where he wasn�t bruised. I gave it to dad and he said �Son, is this him?� and he gave me the CD. I cried and cried. I couldn�t stop. Then I got the book of pictures with you guys and it surprised me. You looked so happy, Josh. I had never seen you so happy.�
JC smiled slightly. �Yeah. Those were good years. Even though I was stuck in alleyways and warehouses, it was peaceful.�
Heather smiled and looked at him. �So, Josh, who put the moves first? You or Lance.�
�Actually�Lance had just figured out he was gay because he was looking at me in a new light. Well, one night, I woke up to him crying and went to see if he was okay. Well, he kissed me and went to bed. I thought it was an experiment because I had fallen for him, even when I tried not to. Well, a few years later, he finally admitted he loved me and here we are now.�
�Guys, why did they always hit us? What did we do wrong?� Tyler asked.
Heather and JC looked at him.
�I don�t know, little brother. I wish I knew but I don�t.�
Tyler struggled not to cry. JC and Heather sat up and pulled Tyler up for a hug.
~*~*~*
Lance walked into the house and smiled. �Chris, are you cooking again?�
�I�m doing good, Bass! Where�s JC?�
�He�s with Heather and Tyler.�
�Cool! Hey, heard from Justin and Joey. They send their love and I think that they can�t keep their hands off each other.�
Lance laughed and leaned into the kitchen. �Remember how Justin tripped over his legs when they met?�
�Ah yes, the misadventures of Justin Timberlake.�
Lance laughed. �So, what are you making?�
�I think it�s pasta.�
Lance looked into the pot. �Yeah, it�s pasta.�
Chris nodded. Lance took a spoon and tasted the sauce. �Needs more pepper.�
Chris growled and Lance just smiled.
�Okay, since we�re the only guys here, let�s chow down on pasta, popcorn and watch movies.�
�Sounds like fun!�
After the pasta, popcorn, and drinks were passed out, they sat down in the living room and watched TV.
~*~*~*
Justin opened his eyes and smiled, feeling Joey snuggle up to him. Justin turned and snickered. He gently pushed Joey�s arm off of him and got out of bed. Joey whimpered. Justin struggled not to laugh as he went downstairs. He went into the kitchen and saw his mom cooking breakfast.
�Hey mom.�
�Hi Justin.� She stroked his hair. �How are you?�
�I�m fine. It�s still a bit weird sleeping in a bed.�
She nodded. �It must be. Sit down, breakfast is nearly ready.�
Justin sat down at the table and tapped his fingers. As soon as Lynn had the breakfast on the table, they began to eat.
�Mom?�
Lynn looked at Justin. �Yes, sweetie?�
�Um�did you tell anyone? About what happened?�
Lynn put down her fork ad folded her hands on the table. �I tried to. No one believed me though. They thought I meant for it to happen. At the time, I was dating your stepfather. He was the only one who believed it happened to me. When you were born, he told me that whatever I wanted to do, he�d agree. I kept you for a month, trying to figure out what I wanted and how I would handle it. Well, one day, I said I couldn�t care for you. I wanted you to have a better life.�
�So you left me at the orphanage.�
Lynn nodded. �Baby, I am sorry. I didn�t know it�d end up like this.�
�No one did.�
Lynn smiled slightly. Justin squeezed her hand.
�What else happened at the orphanage?�
�The kids teased me. They said I was left in a suitcase. Lots of things. Then Brit came along. She was my best friend and she still is.�
�I�m glad you�re all right, baby. When I found out you ran away, I was so scared. Then the girl�s mother took her daughter home and she taught her everything. I�m just so glad you were able to find out all this wonderful stuff.�
�Mom, aren�t orphanages supposed to teach you things?�
�Yes, they are. I don�t know why these people didn�t but we�re going to find out.�
Justin nodded.
~*~*~*
One Year Later.
Justin did the final step of the song and the fans cheered. He smiled and looked at the guys at different areas of the stage.
�Welcome to the No Strings tour.� Lance said.
�It�s great to be here!� Chris cheered.
JC smiled. �We�ve dreamed of this day for years.�
�Now for a very special song.�
�On a cold Sunday evening in 1991, Lance woke up to screaming and smoke.� Joey said.
Lance looked at them, not saying anything.
Justin walked towards him. �He went to open the door and he burnt his hand. He was not a dumb kid, that�s for sure. He knew what was going on.� He got besides Lance and wrapped an arm around him.
JC took the next step. �So Lance grabbed his backpack and a duffel bag. He put in clothes, toys, some food he had in his room, and jumped out the window. He ran out to the front of the house. It was engulfed in flames. His parents and sister were dead instantly.�
Lance took a deep breath and the fans awed. They could see his heart breaking.
�Well, Lance was taken to a hospital and was fine. He had a little bit of smoke inhalation though. While at the hospital, Lance realized something. He�d be taken to a foster home. He didn�t want anyone taking his mama�s place. So he did something that brought him to us. He ran away.� Chris looked at Lance. Lance smiled slightly.
�When we came back from Germany, Lance wanted to go home and see his parents and sister�s graves. So we took him.� JC said wrapping another arm around Lance.
�Lance won�t be afraid to say he cried, because he did. He cried for eight years of pain and anguish. This next song we�re going to sing is dedicated to Lance�s family. May God take care of them and that they watch over Lance. Lance was an orphan at a young age. But now, he�s a grown man with dreams and a new life.�
�But I�m never going to forget the way my mama said good night to me. I�m never going to forget how Stacy would dare me to tumble down the stairs. And I will never forget my dad�s loving words and how he made us feel happy when we were down. I love you.� He put to fingers to his lips and held them up towards the ceiling. The guys did the same.
On the screen behind them, shots of Lance�s family photos and home videos played. Then came the last photo of the family before the fire, on Lance�s 12th birthday. Then the article about the fire. The guys all held Lance�s hands as the music started and pictures of Lance looking lost and sad while they were running showed up, including the one Joey caught of Lance looking at a picture of his family in an alley.
As they started to sing, shots of Lance older showed up. One showed JC holding Lance as he cried softly. Then, the last one, Lance was holding onto the tombstone with his eyes shut. Justin was touching the date on the other side of him.
Yeah....
Oh yes
Ohhh..yeah..
Can this be true?
Tell me, can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel?
My life was complete
I thought I was whole
Why do I feel like I'm losing control?
I never thought that love could feel like this
and you've changed my world with just one kiss.
How can it be that right here with me
there's an angel?
It's a miracle...
Your love is like a river
Peaceful and deep
Your soul is like a secret
That I could never keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must of spent...
A little more time
On you...
(A little more time, yes he did baby)
In all of creation
All things great and small
You are the one that surpasses them all
More precious than
Any diamond or pearl
They broke the mold
When you came in this world
And I'm trying hard to figure out
Just how I ever did without
The warmth of your smile
The heart of a child
That's deep inside
Leaves me purified
Your love is like a river
Peaceful and deep (and deep)
Your soul is like a secret
That I could never keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must of spent...
A little more time
On you...
(on you, on you, on you, you....on you, on you, on you, you..) ohhh...
(on you, on you, on you, you....on you, on you, on you, you..) yeah...
Never thought that love could feel like this
and you changed my world with just one kiss.
How can it be that right here with me
There's an angel?
It's a miracle...
Your love is like a river
Peaceful and deep (peaceful and deep)
Your soul is like a secret
That I could never keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must of spent...
A little more time
On you...
(on you, on you, on you, you..)
God must of spent...
A little more time
on you
(on you, on you..you....you..oooh..yeah)
A little more time
on you...ohhh
After the song ended, Lance was crying a bit and JC pulled him into a hug while the other guys stared at the screen.
The last picture of Stacy showed up then Lance�s mother then Lance�s father. Slowly, a soft glow filled the whole audience and led to JC and Lance. Lance smiled and looked up. He knew. He knew it was his mom. She was watching him.
~*~*~*
�You okay, bud?� Justin asked.
Lance looked up from snuggling his head in JC�s chest. He nodded. �I�ll be fine.�
Justin smiled.
The next day, Justin put on a hat and sunglasses and headed to the grocery store. When he got there, he went into the ice cream aisle. He was looking around when a young girl walked up to him.
�Justin?�
�Yes? Would you like an autograph?�
�Um�no. I�my name is Emily. I�m Chris�s sister.�
Justin froze. He took off his sunglasses. �You�re serious?�
�I have proof.� She pulled out a locket of her jeans and handed it to him. He opened up the four hearts and sure enough, there were younger pictures of Kate, Molly, Chris, and Beverly in it.
�I�ve been looking for you everywhere.�
She smiled. �I know. How is he?�
�He�s fine. He misses you.�
�I have a baby sister.�
�Yeah. She�s beautiful.�
Emily smiled. �So Justin, do I get to meet my family again?�
�Sure, just let me get a few things. How has your life been?�
�Great. I miss everyone though.�
Justin nodded. After they were finished, they got into Justin�s car and drove to the condo. They got out and Justin saw that everyone was there. Chris�s mom and sisters, his mom and her husband, JC�s sister and brother, and Joey�s family. He sighed not seeing Lance or JC. JC must have been taking care of Lance.
�Stay here.� He walked up to Chris, Beverly, Taylor, Molly and Kate. �Guess what?�
�What?� Chris asked.
�My mission is complete�I hope.� He pointed to Emily.
Chris�s jaw dropped. Kate just stared while Molly and Beverly got tears in their eyes.
�Mama? Chris? Kate?�
�Emily!� Chris ran to her and hugged her tightly. �I missed you so much!�
�I missed you too. Look at you, in the hottest group in America!�
Chris laughed. �I didn�t have any part of it.�
�You know you did!� Joey called.
Chris sighed and went to reunite Emily with her mother. Justin smiled and Joey hugged him.
�I did it Joey! I did it. I actually did it.�
Joey smiled. �I know. You did awesome, baby.�
Justin smiled shyly.
~*~*~*
�This is um�kind of�weird.� Justin said pulling on the cuffs of his tux.
�Don�t worry, we�ll get used to it. I think.� Lance looked at his outfit then back up at the mirror. He turned to Joey. Joey was touching the silk shirt and then pulling away. Lance sighed and straightened out his hair.
�Someone tell me if this is too flashy?� JC asked coming out of the bathroom.
All four guys looked at him.
�That�s nothing, C. You just haven�t dressed like that�like, ever.�
JC sighed. Lance walked over to him and hugged him tightly. Chris sat down on the luxurious bed that he was sleeping in. The guys had gotten a nice room but all of this stuff, they felt like they didn�t even deserve this.
There was a knock and Justin opened the door. �Britney!� He hugged her.
�Hey Justin. Wow, you guys look great!�
�We think we look too rich.�
�Don�t worry you get used to it. Now come on, we have to go eat.�
�Can�t we just eat outside?� JC mumbled.
Lance, Joey, Chris, Britney and Justin looked at him.
JC looked up. �I�m sorry.� He said softly, tears filling his eyes.
�You guys run along, we�ll be right down.� Lance said, his eyes pleading.
�Okay. Come on.� Britney pulled the others out.
Lance put his hands on JC�s cheeks and wiped his eyes. �It�s all right, baby. It�s all right.�
JC kissed his soft lips. �I love you.�
�Love you too.� Lance hugged him tightly.
Pretty soon, Lance and JC walked down to the banquet hall and saw that Justin was looking at everything in confusion while Britney told him about everything.
Soon they sat down and began to eat.
Justin ran a hand over his tuxedo again, not believing he was really wearing this outfit. He looked across the table at Lance who was fingering a glass of champagne. He looked a bit pensive. He looked at JC, who was shaking his head to himself. Joey and Chris were talking about the beds they had slept in. They hadn't slept in one for eight years.
Justin turned to Britney. She was carefully eating her food and talking to the manager. Justin looked down at the plate of food and smiled. He took the shiny fork and fingered it before stabbing the potatoes gently and putting it into his mouth. He chewed slowly and then ate another bite. He picked up the roll and chewed on it.
After a few minutes of them all eating, they heard a bag being opened and looked at Justin. Lance froze a bit. Justin was putting his roll into the bag followed by his steak and mashed potatoes.
"Oh God." Chris said softly.
"Justin? What are you doing?" Britney asked.
Justin stopped what he was doing. He looked at her then at his band mates. He looked down at the bag and looked into Lance's eyes.
"I...I...ugh." He got up and ran away.
Britney started to stand.
"No! I'll get him." Lance got up and followed Justin into the bathroom. He saw Justin leaning against the wall crying. Lance walked over and pulled him into his arms. "Sh, it's all right. It's all right."
"I can't get used to this Lance, I can't. I don't even know why I'm here."
"Sh, it's okay. You're making a better life for yourself Justin it's all right. It's going to be okay."
The door opened and Joey walked in. "Hey."
"Hey. Joey's here, Justin."
Justin looked at Joey then let him engulf him in his arms. Lance patted his back before leaving.
Joey kissed Justin's earlobe and rocked him. "It's okay, it's okay."
"I'm so scared, Joe, I'm scared. What if I can't do it?"
"You can and you will. I know you will."
�Where are we again?�
�New York. Remember we walked past this place when you were 10? We were going to the World Trade Center and you wanted to see this place.�
He nodded. �I remember. I remember.�