Whimpering9

They got on the bus like they normally did, Lance in front so that Joey could keep and eyes on him. However, what Lance saw when he stepped through the curtains that separated the driver from the rest of
the bus, wasn't normal at all. Chris, JC, Justin, Johnny, as well as several bodyguards filled the seats.

"Move." Joey growled from behind him. Lance moved further into the aisle, still staring. He could feel Joey stiffen behind him and he knew there was going to be trouble. Tears fill Lance's eyes. Finally something
was going to happen, someone had noticed and Lance didn't know whether hug them or to turn and hug Joey.

There was a hand in the middle of his back, pushing him toward that back of the bus. "Why don't we put our stuff on our bunks and go back and watch TV." Joey said calmly to Lance.

"I think we have to have a discussion." Johnny said, rising to his full height.

"I don't think there is anything to discuss." Joey challenged, glaring at the older man. "On second thought Lance, you have to be tired. Get into your bunk and take a nap." Lance looked from Johnny to Joey before
nodding and slipping into his bunk. He had to bite back a sob when Joey pulled the curtain closed, isolating him from the rest of the world for a second time in 24 hours.

There was a scuffle outside of his bunk. Everyone's voice's blended together and he couldn't tell who was who. Lance was pretty sure it didn't matter. They could say whatever they wanted to Joey, it would never change anything. After all, if he belonged to Joey and his
begging never worked, why would their anger? He turned his back the curtain and stared at the wall. Lance tried to think of anything else but where he was. His thoughts drifted to french toast. How it tasted when his mom used to make it for him. He'd have to ask Joey if it would
be okay to call his mom.

Suddenly things fell silent. He knew better than too open the curtain and see what was happening. Joey had told him to take a nap and that meant he was to lie there until Joey told him it was all right to get up.

The silence was deafeningly loud. Where had everyone gone? They had better get going if they where going to make it to the next venue on time.

Lance turned when he heard the curtain being slide open. Chris poked his head through the opening.

"Are you okay?" Chris asked.

"Mhmm. What's goin on?" Lance looked confused. "Joey won't like it that you're interrupting my nap. Chris lowered his eyes before looking back at Lance.

"Joey doesn't have any say in that anymore." Lance's eyes teared up again.

"What do you mean?"

"Joey isn't going to be able to hurt you anymore. Johnny had him taken away." Chris said calmly.

"What! He can't do that! Chris, why did he do that?" An irrational panic constricted Lance's chest. He couldn't live without Joey. He'd been too much a part of the last few years for him to just disappear.

"He was abusing you Lance, we couldn't let him continue hurting you." Chris ran a hand down Lance's arm.

"He wasn't abusing me! He was protecting our relationship and me. He was making sure that I didn't screw up." Lance yelled as he got out of the bunk and ran toward the front of the bus but Dre was there to stop
him. "JOEY!" he screamed at the top of his lungs before collapsing in sobs against Dre's chest.