WhenTragedyStrikes

"Hello?"

"Yes is this Mr. Timberlake.. a Justin Timberlake?"

"Yes.. yes it is. Who is this?"

"This is the Orlando Major Hospital. I'm sorry but I have some news for you."

Justin gripped the phone tighter as he listened closely to the strange voice.

"What's wrong? What's going on?

"Mr. Timberlake, your mother, step-dad and brothers were brought here today due to a plane crash."

Justin's world came to a halt. His eyes widened as he listened to the voice on the phone. Joey was lying on the couch watching a movie but tuned it out as soon as he heard Justin ask what was wrong. As he kept watching the one-sided conversation, he knew it wasn't good. He saw Justin's white-knuckled grip on the phone and the stiff posture of his body.

"What? A.. are they ok?"

Joey was getting worried. He sat up on the couch as he saw Justin's stiff form start to shake.

"I'm sorry Mr. Timberlake. We did all we could. I'm so terribly sorry, but we need you down here for verification."

Justin's world came to an abrupt stop. He dropped the phone and fell to his knees. He looked down at the floor with his hands in front of his knees keeping him from falling forward. He just stared into oblivion. His eyes blank without a sparkle of life.

Joey flew from the couch to Justin's side. He landed hard on his knees and grabbed Justin's forearms in a tight grip.

"Justin? Justin, what's wrong?"

When Justin didn't answer he shook him a little to try and bring him out of his phase.

"Justin, please answer me... what's wrong?!"

He heard someone yelling and looked toward the voice. He followed the sound to the floor and seen the phone lying next to Justin. He grabbed the phone and heard the voice yelling if everything was ok. He brought it to his ear and asked the voice what was going on.

"Hello? Who is this? What's going on?" he asked frantically. He wanted to know what brought Justin to his knees. Justin was obviously in shock of whatever he heard.

"Yes, this is the Orlando Major Hospital. Who's this? Is Mr. Timberlake alright?"

"No he's not. I'm Joey.. a friend of Justin's, please tell me what's wrong? Justin is sitting here on his hands and knees not saying a word!"

"Oh dear. Listen your friend is going to need you right now. He's going through a tramatic shock right now."

"Of course I'll be there for him. Please just tell me what's wrong?!" Joey heard the voice sigh over the phone before continuing.

"I'm afraid that Mr. Timberlakes mother, step-father and brothers were brought here after a plane crash here in Orlando. We tried everything, but we were too late. I'm terribly sorry."

"Oh dear god. Umm... ok.. is there anything that needs to be done there at the hospital?" Joey asked trying to be businesslike. Inside he was torn up.

"Yes there is. We need Mr. Timberlake here for verification. Even though they had there ID with them, it's still a rule. He probably wants to get together with other family also."

"Yes, I'll make sure he gets there. Thanks for your cooperation. I'm sure this isn't the best part of your job."

"No it's not. Please make sure Mr. Timberlake will be alright. He will greatly need his friends now. Now get off the phone and go to him Joey."

"Of course. Goodbye, we'll be there as soon as we can." Joey replied as he pressed end on the phone.

He turned to Justin who was still kneeling on the floor only this time there was tears flowing down his face.

"Oh Justin. I'm so sorry." Joey knew that hearing the words I'm sorry wouldn't help, but it's all he could say. He was in shock himself. He took Justin in his arms and held him tight.

"I'm here J. Don't shut me out. I'll help you get through this." Joey soothed and kissed Justin of the forehead.

He felt Justin loosen out of the embrace and came face to face with a tear stricken Justin. His eyes were red and puffy with tears still raining down his face. "I'm here J. Please talk to me." he pleaded.

"They... they're gone Joey. My momma... daddy... and oh god... Jonny and Stevie! They're all gone!!" Justin sobbed collaspsing against Joey's chest. "Jonny and Stevie weren't supposed to be there Joe! They should have stayed with dad and Lisa!"

Joey sighed. Lynn, Paul, Jon, and Stevie all came to visit Justin while they had free time off from the tour. Lynn had asked Randall if she could bring the boys along cause they'd been missing their big brother like crazy. Randall of course agreed since neither he nor Lisa would be able to make it. Who knew this would be the last they would see of them alive. Joey closed his eyes. Life is so unfair sometimes. Why did this have to happen to them? To Justin?

Joey felt Justin's shaking subsiding a little and tightened his grip before letting go. He then cupped Justin's face in his hands and brought them face to face. He looked Justin in the eye and whispered, "I'm here Justin. You're not alone. You will never be alone while I'm here. You hear me J? Do you understand?"

When Justin didn't answer he shook the face in his hands gently and repeated the question. "J... J listen to me. You won't ever be alone when I'm here... Do you hear me?"

This time he saw something in Justin's eyes flicker to life. He felt Justin nod his head and heard his almost voicless answer. "Yeah... I won't ever be alone." Justin whispered looking at the love in Joey's eyes.

Joey smiled softly at Justin and wiped the tears from his face with his thumbs. Slowly he brought his head closer and felt his heart flutter when he say Justin leaning in to meet him. Fireworks flew in Joey's head as he came in contact with Justin's lips. He felt the quiver of Justin's lips stop under his touch. He didn't want to scare Justin too much so he ended the kiss sooner than he would have liked.

As he pulled back he smiled at Justin's closed eyes. Slowly those eyes opened and met his. He was blown away at the love he seen in them and amazed him even more to have it directed at him.

Justin smiled at Joey's amazed expression and knew everything was going to be ok. As long as he had Joey by his side, he knew everything would work out. He leaned forward once again to capture Joey's lips with his. As they kissed Justin knew that as long as he had Joey he would be ok because love conquers all.

THE END