Boys11

No matter how hard he tried, Lance couldn't seem to get rid of the silly grin he just *knew* was on his face. After all, *Justin* was in love with *him*! He sighed happily and dug in his pockets for some change. 'Think sad thoughts,' a voice in his head said. 'If anyone sees you grinning to yourself like this they're going to think you've lost it.'

Lance nodded in agreement, whistling as he counted four quarters in his hand.

'And for God sake's man, stop whistling!'

He shrugged to himself as he deposited the quarters into the pop machine. Lance giggled as he pushed the Dr. Pepper button. "Pop!" he sang with a chuckle. "Dirty pop! Baby, baby you can't stop! I know you like this, dirty pop!"

'Stop ... singing!' the voice yelled.

But he couldn't. Lance grabbed the soda when it came out, and paused mid-song to take a large gulp.

"Ahh!" he said a little too loudly. "Dr. Pepper ... it makes the world taste better!"

"Isn't that a commercial?"

Lance whirled around at the sound of another voice. He grinned at JC and hugged him tightly.

"JC!" he squealed. "It's a *lovely* morning, wouldn't you say so?"

JC eyes were wide with sleep and a hint of worry as he stared at Lance. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but smile at his excitement.

"I'm sure it is," he chuckled. "You okay Lance?"

"Okay?" Lance asked. He was bouncing now, and in his best Tony the Tiger voice said, "I'm grrrrrrrrrreat!"

"Lance, are you high?"

Lance threw his head back with laughter, patting JC on the back as he headed for his room.

"Only high on life buddy! Only high on life."

JC grinned and shook his head as Lance's door closed. He popped a few quarters into the machine and chuckled.

"Sometimes, I wonder about him."

~*~
Joey shut his door before either JC or Lance saw him. He gave a sad sigh and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

He and Lance were sharing a room this week, as were JC and Chris, and Justin had the loner room. For some reason, he had woken up extra early this morning. He rolled over to go back to sleep, but noticed that Lance's bed was empty. It had been for the past few days, and he wondered where he went in the middle of the night. Now he knew, but he wasn't sure he wanted to anymore.

Ever since his and Lance's "chat" over a week ago, he couldn't seem to get rid of his feelings for JC. If anything, they seemed to have intensified. He and JC had been spending a lot of time together, clubbing, eating out, watching movies, and he almost *hoped* that JC was returning his feelings. But after that hug from Lance and grin from JC in the hallway, Joey knew he must have been imagining things.

'I'll bet that's where Lance has been,' he thought with a touch of
bitterness, 'In JC's room. Chris is probably sleeping with Justin so JC and Lance can shack up together.' He spit into the sink, rinsed his toothbrush and wiped his mouth. Running a hand over his face, he decided a shave wouldn't be neccesary. They only had a few radio interviews and one photo shoot today, and then the afternoon was free.

'Today's your last chance Fatone,' he thought as he got dressed. 'Show JC that he needs to be with *you* and not Lance, before it's too late.'

~*~
Chris took a long drink from his water bottle and leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold before him. All of his friends had been acting weird lately. He grinned to himself and took another drink. Well, weird for them.

Chris had excused himself from the shoot, saying he needed a drink and a minute's worth of rest. The photographer had rolled his eyes impatiently and started taking pictures without him. Chris played with a loose string on his shorts and watched his friends, the picture playing out like a sports play-by-play in his mind.

'Well, ladies and gentlemen welcome to the 1st Annual Lust After Your
Bandmate Sports Special! I am your host, Chris Kirkpatrick, and this here is my partner in crime Dick Watson, say hello Dick!'

'Hello Dick!'

Chris rolled his eyes. Even the voices in his head were nuts.

'Well Dick, it looks as if we have our first action on the field! Can it be
... yes! It is! Ladies and gentlmen it's #4 Lance Bass!'

'Looks like he's going for the old "friendly arm around the shoulder" play on #13 JC Chasez!"

'That's correct Dick, and ladies and gentlemen, #25 Joey Fatone doesn't look to happy about that.'

'No he doesn't Chris, but what's he gonna do? Ooh! It's the ever popular "push and shove" play as Fatone takes Bass' spot with Chasez.'

Lance's mouth fell open in shock when Joey nearly *shoved* him out of the way, knocking his arm off of JC's shoulder.

'Bass looks hurt Chris.'

'Yes, but here comes #12 Justin Timberlake to the rescue with a surprisingly bold move!'

'That's right. Timberlake is going for the old "hand on the waist" trick and *boy* does he look nervous!'

Justin saw the hurt look flash across Lance's face when Joey pushed him. He wondered why Joey was acting so strange, but at the moment all he was concerned with was making Lance happy again. He took a deep breath and slipped a tentative arm around Lance's waist, waiting for some sort of reaction.

'The crowd is hushed as they wait for Bass' reaction to Timberlake's move. Will he be responsive and offer a little offense? Or will he shut Timberlake down and tackle him with the defense? What do you think Dick?'

'I'm not sure Chris. But wait, what's this? Am I seeing things? Can it be ... yes! Yes it is! Bass has responded well and flashed Timberlake one of his famous "white smiles!" Oh, the rows of white teeth are just blinding, eh Chris?'

'That they are, Dick. Looks like Timberlake is well on his way to a
touchdown!'

Chris shook his head as he watched his four best friends flirt with each
other. Standing up and heading back for more pictures, he wondered about one thing.

'How is this game going to end?'