AN: Happy Birthday Justin. I'm in a questionable Justin mood. I love to write him sweetness and light, and as an obnoxious jerk. Unfortunately, he seems to reflect that duality in real life as well. But, Happy Birthday. Here's a new chapter to my JC story... LOL A HUGE thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and awesome with feedback. Its addictive. Thank you for helping me with my addiction! ;) ************************** Blindsided: Chapter Four ************************* JC was talking with Joey whose voice was growing louder and louder, probably to cover the steps of one very irritated Laura who swatted him upside the head from behind, making him jump a foot and a half. Joey howled with laughter, wished their assistant a late good morning, and bounded away, pointless story abandoned. JC turned slowly and smiled tentatively at the glowering woman before him. “I’m sorry Laura… I really am but you needed it.” Her face remained impassively unyielding for a minute before she expelled an angry breath and sighed, pretty gray eyes lightening. “Its okay Jayce. Just don’t do it again,” she admonished with a wagging finger. JC grinned. “Then sleep more often.” Laura rolled her eyes. “You know, I’m starting to think you might be more annoying than Chris.” “Aww, its okay honey. I’m late for everything and no one minds. Besides, we were just running through our routine some more, nothing majorly important that you simply HAD to be here for. It is lunch time though…” “And I suppose you want to be fed?” she demanded good naturedly. JC winked and slung a friendly arm around her slender, surprised shoulders. “Actually,” he whispered secretly in her ear as Chris crowed in silent triumph from across the room, “I was going to offer my services as protector against the evil slumbering Justin monster…” Laura laughed despite herself. “In that case I gladly accept. Now enough chit chatting, you already made me waste half my day.” “I’ll have you know,” he argued nonchalantly, “that sleeping is NEVER considered wasting time. Its considered savoring it. Trust me, I know these things.” JC lead Laura away, still chattering and bickering, his arm holding her comfortably close but not so close that she saw him flip off a cheering Chris with his middle finger as they walked by. *********************************************************************************** Chris managed to corner him at the end of rehearsal several hours after lunch. JC, who was putting a sweat soaked towel into his duffel bag, simply said, “I don’t want to talk about it so don’t even start in on me.” “But C…” “No buts Chris,” Jayce replied mildly but firmly. “I don’t want to hear your theories or your plans or any other insane idea that has popped into your confused little brain. Okay?” “She likes you.” JC massaged his temples. “Laura likes everyone. That’s just how she is.” “She doesn’t like Kevin Richardson,” Chris chirped in. “She thinks he’s a rude ass. Basically told him so too.” “She did not!” Chris laughed manically, enjoying himself. “Our little Laura has fangs. It was some awards show thing right when she first started working for us. Kevin blew in all high and mighty and pushed her the wrong way. Funny as hell and AJ McLean loves her for it. Whenever he sees her he always makes a point to go and say hello, just because she annoyed Kevin.” “Is there a point to this Chris?” Chris studied JC for a long moment before replying, voice serious, “Ask her out man, you might be surprised.” JC glared at his older band mate as he shouldered his duffel bag. “I’m doing this my way Chris. MY way. Stop trying to interfere. Laura doesn’t see me like that and yes, yes I’m halfway to head and over heels for her but could you just drop it? Please?” “Ask her out first and I’ll never make another peep about it...” JC smirked and sauntered past Chris. “We’re going to dinner right now actually. The silence on the matter starts now.” Chris spluttered in amazement. “Well damn,” he finally muttered after JC was long gone. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Hot damn.” Chris left for the night beaming from ear to ear. *********************************************************************************** So Laura and JC went to dinner, as friends. Actually, most nights after rehearsal or meetings they went out, if not for fast food then usually at least coffee. Laura never questioned it. She enjoyed, adored actually, spending time with Josh. He understood her on so many levels, wanted to understand everything about her it seemed. And he was so earnest. Some nights he talked more than she did, ramblings, ideas, some about music but more about the world; politics, news, religion, philosophy. Jayce was a bit of this and that melded together to form a wonderfully unique being. He was just so open to everything around him. He hated, absolutely hated, not understanding things. He could have become a professional student and died happy. JC wasn’t exactly studious as much as curious. He craved enlightenment soaked her words up like he was going to die of intellectual thirst. He made her feel human and alive. She cherished him and the hours they spent in companionable conversation or sometimes, sometimes even silence. JC was one of the rare people who treasured the beauty of silence as much as she did. He was a shy woman’s gift. And she wondered sometimes why he didn’t go out with the guys, to clubs, or bring girls around anymore, but it wasn’t in Laura’s nature to pry. His last breakup with his public girlfriend had been before she had joined them but she had seen some of the pain he still felt over it. JC didn’t like to date because he always blamed himself when it didn’t work out. For all his confidence onstage and charisma, Laura was finding out exactly how insecure he could be. She didn’t know why Justin’s own shyness didn’t surprise her more, but it was JC’s that struck her most odd. She was rapidly growing use to Justin’s need for a mature perspective in every aspect of his life. It was funny because, as quickly as he had to grow up, Justin Timberlake was such a little boy in so many things. He was gorgeous, Laura wasn’t about to deny that, not without raising the ire of half the free world, but part of his attractive quality was that edge of hinted unsureness. Although, if Laura had to help him pick out his outfit one more time she was going to hire him his own fashion consultant from her personal salary. JC, on the other hand, was attractive by himself, for himself. It was an absent minded kind of handsomeness that hinted at the beauty of his soul. Laura, who was excellent at judging people, knew how good his heart was. It was a sort of innate beauty. The shyness wasn’t the appeal, just an added bonus. Not that she entertained any romantic thoughts towards Joshua Chasez. She was very, very good at lying, especially to herself, and blocking. JC was neatly tied and boxed off in the ‘do not touch, dream, or fantasize about’ category of her mind. He was beyond her, hell, Chris was beyond her. Laura was happy with friends and the time they spent together. She was used to being lonely in the romantic sense. Despite JC’s opinion to the contrary, she was hardly an optimist when it came to human nature. Laura understood how the world worked. She wasn’t five nine, blonde, blue eyed, and perfect. She knew she’d find someone, she would just have to wait for awhile. *********************************************************************************** Fortunately for Laura Danon, it might not be as long as she expected.