WildHearts16

For the most part, the ride to Orlando was a quiet one. Josh, being the closest living relative to Chris, and also the person who knew the most about the show, took on all of his brother's responsibilities. With Lance, Joey and Britney's help, they were back on the road again in a few days and off to Orlando. Josh drove the first truck with Lance in the passenger's seat, and Joey drove the second one with Britney.

Lance glanced at Josh out of the corner of his eye. He was steering with his right hand, and chewing on the thumb nail of his left one. They had had several long talks about what had happened and what was going to happen, complete with hugs, kisses, and many tears. Lance had asked how Chris had died, and after a minute of staring off into space, Josh answered him.

"I guess it was just his heart," he had said softly. "That's what the doctor thinks. He probably had a relapse of his heart disease that we didn't know about, and when he laid down to rest that one day ... he just didn't wake up."

Josh had asked Lance, more like sobbed, what they were supposed to do about the show. Lance had smiled, kissed his cheek, and tapped Josh's chest, right above his heart.

"You should do it," Lance had whispered. "That's the way Chris would have wanted it."

Lance was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice that Josh was speaking until he felt a warm hand on his arm. Lance looked up, his eyes still slightly hazy, and smiled sheepishly. Josh grinned and pointed down the road.

"We're here," he said.

Lance turned in his seat, his face lighting up with anticipation and excitement as they drove into the city of Orlando. Cars and people littered the area, and streets were bustling with life. Lance pressed his palms flat against the window, leaning forward until his nose rubbed the cold glass. He continued to watch the scenery and people whiz by with childlike fascination until Josh pulled up to a large building.

They were immediately greeted by a young man who looked only slightly younger than Josh, wearing a business suit. His hair was similar to Lance's, but hung in longer, flatter spikes on his head. After a handshake and a quick hug from Wade, Josh turned back to him.

"Wade, meet Lance Bass," he said cheerfully. "Lance, meet Wade J. Robson."

They shook hands, and immediately went inside the building and into Wade's office. Within an hour, the papers and contracts were all signed in ink and the deal was sealed. Stepping out of the building once more, Wade turned to Lance and Josh.

"Ya know, I hadn't originally planned on your show having the top advertisement spot on our arena," he chuckled, "but Chris wouldn't have it any other way."

"What do you mean?" asked Lance.

Wade grinned, resting his hand on Lance's shoulder and pointing up to the entrance of the large arena that stood just a block or two away from where they were. "Take a look for yourself," he said.

Lance's eyes grew wide and his mouth fell open slightly. There, at the very front of the arena, was an enormous poster with Lance and Toby posed next to each other. On it, it read: 'KIRKPATRICK'S RIDING HORSE SHOW: THE MOST AMAZING SHOW IN THE WORLD.' Lance twirled around, pointing up at his own face.

"That's me!" he squealed. "That's me and Toby!"

Josh grinned and Wade laughed, both of them enjoying the excitement that radiated off of Lance.

"It sure is baby," whispered Josh, coming up behind Lance and resting a hand on his waist, "it's all you."

~*~
Lance and Joey were walking around the fair grounds of Orlando, talking and getting used to the area. Later that day would be their first show in Orlando, and they were both bouncing with excitement. Lance tore off a piece of his cotton candy, laying it on his tongue and letting it melt away. They left town soon and started back to the house they had all rented for their stay in Orlando. Coming around the back, they could hear Josh talking loudly. Walking closer, they saw him dressed in a nice suit, talking to a full length mirror on the porch.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" he said loudly, his arms extended out. "Welcome to Kirkpatrick's Riding Horse Show!" He paused and shook his head. "No, that's not good," he mumbled. Clearing his throat, he looked up at the mirror and grinned at the fake crowd. "People of Orlando! Welcome to..." He stopped when he heard a snort of laughter. Turning, he saw Joey doubled over in laughter, and Lance grinning at him.

Josh sighed, his lower sticking out in a pout. "What?" he whined. "I've never introduced a show before and I don't want to mess up. I just, God Joey, shut the hell up!"

Joey coughed and stood up, extending his arms out like Josh had. "People of Orlando!" he mocked loudly, causing Josh to scowl and Lance to crack up. "My name's Josh, and this is my lame ass attempt to sound like a professional!"

"Oh, that's it," said Josh, leaping over the railing and chasing Joey around the yard.

Lance grinned widely as he watched them run around. Finally, Joey ran off into the house giggling and Josh stopped in front of him, pouting. Lance shook his head softly, kissing away the pout.

"I just don't want to screw it all up," sighed Josh. "Chris was always the people person in the family. He was good at introducing the shows and winning the crowd. I'm not." He paused and looked down at himself. "What do you think of the suit? Yes? No?"

Lance bit his lip in thought. He grinned and handed his cotton candy over to Josh. "I'll be right back," he said, running off.

Lance jogged into the house and into Josh's room. In the corner was a chest of Chris's stuff that Josh had yet to open. Lance knelt down by it, lifting up the heavy wooden lid. He saw what he was looking for right away. Picking up the brown leather coat, he held it to his nose and inhaled softly. It was Chris's lucky jacket, and he wore it to introduce every show. As he was about to get up, Lance caught sight of a few envelopes sticking out of one of the pockets. Curious, Lance pulled them out, sitting back on his heals to look at them. He was surprised to see that they were addressed to him, and looking up at the left hand corner he saw that they were from Josh. Opening the most recent one, he unfolded the letter and skimmed it over carefully. It was short, but the last paragraph was what caught Lance's attention:

I miss you so much Lance, it hurts. I miss holding you, I miss kissing you, I miss falling asleep in your arms. I've had a lot of bad relationships in the past, and somehow I always end up getting hurt. It's not like that with you. You are the most selfless and most amazing person I have ever met in my life. I'm not afraid of how I feel anymore. I love you Lance.

Lance smiled softly, folding the letter and slipping it into his pocket. Shutting the chest, he grabbed Chris's jacket and walked back outside. Seeing Josh in front of the mirror again, Lance approached him silently. When Josh turned to look at him, Lance held up the jacket.

"I think you should wear this," he said confidently.

Josh smiled, turning around and letting Lance slip the jacket onto him arms. He pulled on it and looked at Lance expectantly.

"Turn around," said Lance, making a spinning motion with his fingers, "so I can get the full view."

Josh spun around slowly, then stopped when he was facing Lance.

"Now," smiled Lance, "hold out your arms." Josh held them straight out. "More." He spread them another foot. "More." Josh grinned and flung his arms back. When he did so, Lance launched himself into Josh's arms, hugging him tightly.

Josh smiled, hugging his arms around Lance and kissing the top of his head.

"Come on," he whispered, "we've got a show to do."

~*~
Lance and Joey were talking together in the stables, practically yelling in order to be heard over the loud music being played by a live band near the arena. The show was about to start, and people were still filing in, filling up the seats more than any of their previous shows. Cymbals crashed together and Lance jumped, placing a hand over his heart.

Joey looked at him. "Are you okay?"

Lance let out a breath. "Those damn cymbals scare the hell out of me. They just, catch me by surprise." He looked into the stall he was standing by and looked at Thunder, who was kicking the walls. "I don't think Thunder likes them either. Gets him too riled up."

"Maybe you should ride Toby," suggested Joey.

Lance shook his head. "No. Toby's still too weak. Don't worry Joe, me and Thunder will be fine."

Forty minutes later, after Josh had introduced the show and Britney had done her tricks, Thunder was in his gate and Lance was climbing the fence. He stood on the second to top rail, grinning and waving his hat at the crowd. They cheered and whistled loudly, causing him to blush. He moved to climb onto Thunder's back, but stopped when he heard Josh's voice over the speakers.

"Lance, Lance Bass. I love you more than life itself, and I want you to be my husband. Will you marry me?" He paused, before repeating himself. "Lance. I love you more than life itself, and I want you to be my husband. Will you marry me?"

Lance blushed ten shades of red, ducking his head in order to hide under his cowboy hat. To make things worse, a few people in the audience were snickering, and Britney and Joey had large grins plastered on their faces. Lance looked around the arena for Josh, but didn't see him. Climbing down from the fence, he jogged around the stands and down into a pit near the platform. Josh was standing with a microphone in his hand, and grinned when he saw Lance.

"Took you long enough," he said into the mic.

Lance laughed. "What are you doing?" he asked, very aware that hundreds of people could hear them.

"I'm asking the love of my life to marry me," said Josh with a smile.

Lance laughed again, because it seemed that was all he was capable of. "This is nuts," he grinned. "We have a show to do."

"All you have to do is say yes!" prompted Josh.

The audience heard this, and much to Josh's amusement and Lance's embarrassment, started chanting, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Josh reached into his pocket, pulling out a silver band and slipping it onto Lance's finger with shaky hands.

"It's just tin and metal," he said softly. "It was all I could afford. When things get better I'll get you a real one." He looked up at Lance with fear and nervousness in his eyes. "What do you say?"

Lance held out his hand, admiring the ring on his finger. Ignoring the audience and focusing on Josh, Lance grinned. "Yes!" he said, launching himself into Josh's arms.

The audience roared with cheers and applause, even though they couldn't see Josh or Lance. Josh and Lance kissed shortly, but passionately. Pulling back with a grin and sparkling eyes, Josh pushed Lance back towards the arena.

"Go!" he laughed. "It's show time!"