AN: Yes, I'm back, the vacation was lovely, but I was ithcing to write! Lucky ya'll huh? ;) Feedback is cherished, adored, you get the idea... inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com ***************************** Blindsided: Chapter Seven **************************** JC murmured to himself, unwilling to wake from the dream that put Laura Danon willingly in his arms. He struggled with himself for a moment before opening sapphire eyes. Joshua Chasez blinked, and blinked again at the sight of Laura Danon wrapped up in him, her warm skin flush against his, the fleece of her nightshirt softer than he could have imagined, her even breaths blowing gently across the breadth of his naked chest. His heart nearly stilled as his arms convulsed and automatically tightened around her body, bringing her close enough for her hair to brush his chin and spill across his shoulders. He trembled, trying to resist the urge he had to bask in this unsought but not unwanted embrace. JC counted to ten, twice, and with a deep swallow slowly eased himself out of the joint tangle of their limbs as he tried to ignore the tight feeling of hopelessness within his chest that tried to tell him that what he just woke up to was as close to Laura Danon as he’d ever get. He refused to believe that, for his own sanity. A quick glance at the clock told him it was five til six, when the alarm and Laura’s eternal clock, would go off. Jayce smiled tenderly at the small, forlorn woman on the bed who curled instinctively into the warmth he had just vacated. Before he could stop himself he knelt and brushed his lips across hers, the movement swift and light, but his toes curled and his stomach unfurled into a pit of yearning want with that one simple action. She tasted like sunlight after a warm rain. He fled into the shower before he lost control but hummed newly inspired songs of love and affection under his breath as bathed. ************************************************************************************** Laura woke to a kiss. Or, she thought it was a kiss, but the moment the fleeting sensation of firm lips left hers, she remembered where she had fallen asleep. How. And with who. She held perfectly still, afraid to move, to face whatever consequences there were waiting for her opened eyes. But then she heard the shower running and the unmistakable sounds if JC showering, a familiar morning routine she had learned in their time as close friends. So, if JC was in the shower, he wasn’t, by definition and the laws of physics, in the bed with her. Laura opened her eyes to an empty bed, though the covers were still crumpled and twisted as only Jayce could manage. His body heat lingered next to hers. She swallowed rolled over, stretching, and burying her face into a pillow that still smelled distinctly of the man she found herself wanting more and more everyday despite herself. She didn’t want to care for Joshua Chasez but at this point, she wasn’t sure she got a choice in the matter. The alarm went off exactly at six in the morning and Laura, with a groan, began her day. ************************************************************************************** Laura was *NSYNC’s assistant. She ran their errands and organized their lives, both collectively, individually, professionally, and privately. She knew every detail of every second of their days, mostly because she planned them. She was their human calendar and computer. She knew more dates than Lance. She was thriving, and loving it, loving her job, the difficulty, the complexity, but not so loving the current conversation she was having with “the Baby”. “Justin, don’t you have somewhere to be?” “I dunno…” the tall pop star said with a graceful shrug as he wrapped his arms more securely around Laura’s waist as she tried to wiggle out of her current seat in his lap. “Do I?” “Justin, seriously, let me go! Chris…” she tried whining to a passing Kirkpatrick who smirked evilly, winked at her, and proceeded to saunter off towards the snack bar set up next to the dressing rooms backstage. “No chocolate, you go on stage soon!” Laura cried out ineffectively at his retreating back. Unfortunately soon was not soon enough. Justin pinched her. “Ow! Justin come on, go bug someone else.” “Nope, I like you.” He tightened his hold even more and Laura squeaked as her much larger friend folded her even more securely between his bent legs as he plopped his chin on top of the bun of her hair. “You smell nice.” Laura let out an exasperated sigh. “Thank you, I think, but really, how dignified is this? I’m supposed to be maintaining SOME semblance of professionalism Timberlake.” “Yes and you and Jayce’s late night rendezvous are so very professional.” She flushed scarlet. “We’re friends Justin. We just hang out.” “And sleep in the same bed.” “Justin Randall Timberlake!” “I liked you better shyer, you screamed at me less.” Laura huffed and managed to twist so that she could glare up at him, face red and angry. “I didn’t have sex with JC Justin.” The twinkle that was usually present dimmed and was replaced by a suddenly solemn pop star. Justin stared down at her, blue eyes dark, and smiled crookedly. “You’ve kissed though, I can tell, I can always tell.” She was speechless for the first time in a long time. “Josh is a good man Laura.” She looked away from his too perceptive stare. “You don’t have to convince me of that Justin. He’s wonderful… its just I’m not… Justin…” Laura trailed off helplessly, unable to articulate the depth of her own inadequacies. She had learned to live with them long ago, even if she didn’t know how to name them. Justin leaned down and kissed her softly, his full lips against hers as they parted in a gasp of soundless surprise. He pulled back slightly and bent his forehead down so that it rested against hers. “You’re perfect Laura Danon, anyone who has ever told you any differently should be taken outside and shot.” And in one fluid motion Justin was standing and striding away, leaving a spluttering Laura behind. Chris sauntered back over, contraband chocolate bar in hand as he chewed on it. “What just happened?” Laura asked dumfounded. Chris shrugged. “Justin gave you his version of a pep talk.” She raised one dark brow. “Does he kiss all of you?” Chris shrugged again. “Only if we’re too slow to duck.” Laura nodded and mutely grabbed his candy bar before taking a large bite. “You people have issues.” Chris nodded gravely and snatched the candy bar back. The two friends chewed chocolate in contemplative silence together.