AN: This story is a continuing outlet for the romantic in me... THANK YOU for the feedback! inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com **************************** Blindsided: Chapter Nine *************************** Laura thought that dinner was going to be an awkward affair but she underestimated JC, and how well he knew her. He surprised her when he lead her through the lobby of the hotel, unguarded, while only stopping to sign autographs for a few fans, and when he quite literally kept her by his side with a linked arm and fierce smile. The boys usually went out with security just to be safe but, though they enjoyed phenomenal success, the mobs of their heyday were usually restricted to well publicized events. People still gathered at hotels and restaurants, but most of the fans were mature enough not to need physical restraint. Laura knew she blushed a million shades of red ever time one of the girls asked who she was. JC was perfectly up front and even cheerful when he introduced Laura as a close friend and Johnny’s official assistant. It was on their way out of the hotel that she managed to whisper privately to him, “What about security?” JC shrugged fluidly and winked at her. “Security is for JC of *NSYNC. Tonight I’m Josh, Jayce, C, Laura Danon’s friend and dinner date. And if some people happen to mistake me for some very famous pop star then I’ll humor them and sign some autographs, maybe take some pictures.” She rolled her eyes. “What did you have to bribe everyone in security with to wrangle that deal?” He winced. “Let’s just say that my perpetual tardiness is a thing of the past. I have to be the first one everywhere for the rest of the tour. Apparently they’re tired of dragging me out of bed when we’re in a hurry. I have a wicked right hook and a dislike for being awoken prematurely.” JC frowned. “But I don’t hit assistants unlike some of my younger band members…” Laura laughed and patted the arm that was possessively wrapped around hers. “Don’t hold a grudge about that Jayce… So I had a bit of a black eye. I think of it as a battle wound.” He sighed dramatically. “So brave, my hero!” The laugh turned into a relaxed chuckle as her friend gallantly held open a waiting cab door. Laura slid in and JC climbed in behind her before giving directions to the cab driver that told her absolutely nothing about the restaurant they were going to. Laura was hardly wide traveled and this was her first time in Chicago. She was watching the city slide by, lit up and neon, and didn’t notice as JC inched closer until the distance between them had vanished in the backseat. It startled her when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her more firmly to his side. She was so short she could nearly be tucked against him like a child. Laura started to snap at him for surprising her but he stole her breath when he rested his chin on top of her head with a contented sigh. She changed the acid question for a more gentle one as she tried to relax. The boys were very touch oriented. She KNEW that, but it didn’t stop her from jumping every time one of them tried to cuddle, however platonically, with her. “You okay Jayce?” “Umm humm…” he murmured low in the back of his throat, like a purr she could feel because of their closeness. “You smell nice. Like apricots and peaches…” Laura waited for more because, it was JC, there was always more if you gave him long enough to answer, and took a deep breath to calm her heart. There was another sigh. “I miss home. I always do after awhile on the road but, I miss my things and my city and my house and my loved ones.” “That’s only natural Jayce…” “I know,” he replied, “I’ve been traveling enough of my life to know what makes it better.” Laura swallowed and tried to shift a bit but Jayce only cradled her closer to him. “Does being close to your friends help?” she hazarded a guess based on his present behavior. She could feel him smile even if she couldn’t see it, a genuine one, full and beautiful and bright on his unique face. “Its helps to be close to what or whoever reminds me of home.” “Oh,” Laura replied quietly, voice small. JC’s smile grew and he held her more firmly, happy, truly happy as only she made him. She let him hold her until they arrived at the restaurant. It was nice to be reminded of home. It was nicer to think that Laura was his home, in all the ways that mattered. ************************************************************************************** The restaurant was beautiful, elegant, classy. Laura Danon felt horribly out of place, even with JC at her side. He fit right in though, with the grace she so admired him for, both physical and social. She’d give almost anything to glide through life with his sure, easy step. Would give anything to know he’d always be with her to lead her through the more complicated steps of life. The restaurant was on the top floor of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the heart of downtown Chicago. The atmosphere was dim and intimate, with low lighting and candlelight at all the tables. Fresh red roses and baby breath were in vases at each table and live music from the grand piano tucked away in the corner. A small dance floor was in the middle of the restaurant and couples slow danced to classical music as waiters in tuxedos carried expensive food to waiting patrons on literal silver platters. They were lead to a corner in the back of the restaurant, by the huge windows that revealed the breadth of the skyline and city stories below. JC thanked the waiter and held out her chair by himself. Laura, blushing, accepted it, and the menu offered by an amused waiter who promptly disappeared to give them time to look over the selections. JC sat opposite her and flipped open his menu. “Do you need me to translate anything?” he asked casually. Laura snorted delicately but smiled at her friend. “No thank you. I took five years of French in high school and college. I have passable proficiency in food names. Now, care to explain this place Jayce? I know you said ‘dress nice’ but this will cost a fortune!” He looked inordinately pleased by the French information and simply shrugged off her complaint like he shrugged off most of the world. Nothing bothered JC unless he decided to let it bother him. “I don’t get to go out much, and neither do you. This is a treat and if I’m going to get a treat, well, might as well make it memorable. And…” he leaned across the table, “I think I’ll be able to afford this place.” “That’s not the point JC…” He grabbed her hands as he sat back down, holding them carefully as he grinned ruefully at her. “I know Laura. I know. But, I have it. Might as well use it for a bit of spoiling. Now, enough about money…” “They don’t even HAVE prices on the menu,” she remarked mildly. JC laughed. “They’re afraid they’ll give the customers indigestion I’m sure. Now, I mean it, not another word about it.” She grumbled a bit. “You take all the fun out of being economical.” “I try.” ************************************************************************************** Two glasses of wine, and three courses later, the whole time spent in their usually amusing and at times deep conversations, JC broke his news to her. “I got my solo record deal. I’m going to start recording when we get back from the ‘Forever’ tour. I’ve already been talking to some producers.” Laura blinked and blinked again to make sure she had heard him correctly. He nodded at her, confirming the words. “Oh Josh!” she gushed, excited beyond all belief for him, “you did it, are going to do it, oh you know what I mean!” She was babbling, and knew it, but couldn’t find it in herself to stem her words of congratulations. He deserved every one of them. Josh, despite his incredible talent and strength, was oddly vulnerable at times, especially when it came to his writing or ideas of going solo. She had been a staunch supporter of the idea of a solo record ever since she and him had had one of their first diner conversations about how much hidden material he had stashed away. It might have been improper behavior for such an elegant restaurant but Laura got up and went over to give her close friend a fierce hug. “You deserve it Josh. You deserve it all!” He hugged her back, hard, and when he released her his cornflower blue eyes were s parkling with excitement, both for the impending musical side project and for her obvious approval. “Thank you,” he murmured, “but don’t tell the guys yet! I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I have to beat Justin’s first solo method.” “Which was?” JC shook his head. “He faxed us copies of his record contract. The dork.” “Good thing you all are very understanding.” Jayce snorted. “Chris faxed him his college degree, it shut the pup up quick.” Laura laughed because she had no doubt that Chris had done just that. Her laughter stilled when she looked up to see JC staring down at her, sapphire gaze bright and dark with hidden feelings. He smiled almost shyly and held out one strong, long fingered hand. “Since we’re already standing, care to dance?” She was surprised again but shouldn’t be; he managed to surprise her on such a regular basis just by being as wonderful as he was. “I’m not the greatest dancer in the world Jayce…” “Well,” he replied confidently, “it’s a good thing you just happen to be eating dinner with a world famous pop star who’s not half shabby at dancing. I lead, you follow.” She hesitated a longer second and he stepped closer, hand still out. “Dance with me,” he murmured, blue eyes fixed on her gray. She couldn’t say no to that, even if she probably should. Laura Danon took JC Chasez’s hand. His fingers tightened around hers and he smiled his thanks as he lead her to the dance floor.