AN: Muhaha... Someone gets some affection from a certain main character... LOL Standard disclaimers apply! ************************* Crossing Enemy Lines: Chapter Six ************************* "Kevin... its not that bad. He just freaked me out okay? No, don't kick Justin Timberlake's ass, it'd be bad PR." Laina jumped as the doorbell rang. She shifted the portable to her shoulder and reached for a dishtowel to dry her hands. She had been doing the dishes. She trotted to the foyer, still chatting with Kevin, and peered through the peep hole, curious. None of the guys, Backstreet or *NSYNC, knew where she had been hiding the past couple days. She periodically checked in with Joey, stubbornly refused all contact with Trace and Justin, and kept in touch with Kevin, who was back in Florida, and AJ. She hadn't known whether to be amused or pissed when AJ had told her a humbled Trace had called begging to know her where abouts. Laina was still ticked off at her so called protectors but the anger was slowly cooling. She figured in another couple of days she would be able to have a conversation without trying to rack one of them, maybe. "Oh Kev, I gotta go, company." She clicked the phone off before he could protest and opened the door with a surprised smile. "Howie?" Laina asked in pleased disbelief. The older man stood nervously on the porch, a shy smile on his face and a bag of what looked suspiciously like Chinese take out in his hands. "I... want to have dinner?" Laina gaped at him as he held the bag out in an obvious peace offering to her incredulity and she laughed. "Get in here you silly!" She grasped his free hand and pulled him into the house, smiling at his own surprise as she gave him a warm hug. "You're my favorite person... I haven't had real human contact in days AND you bring me food. I'm in love!" Howie chuckled and kissed her brow in a show of absent affection before releasing her. "Yeah, AJ told me some of what happened. Figured you could use a friend." She nodded vigorously. "Always. How on earth did you know where I was?" He shrugged, the movement graceful, and smiled ruefully. "Lucky guess. I know how close you and Lance are, and that you weren't staying at any of our houses. I also know that, that you don't have a close girl friend that you could have shacked up with. This just seemed most logical. I assumed you probably had a spare to Lance's house and that you were holed up here." Laina stared at him in amazement. "Ya know, I think you might know me better than my brother and his stupid friends and they've known me forever." She shook herself out of her near trance and beamed up at him, hazel eyes twinkling. "Come on in, I'm being an awful hostess. Let's eat!" Five hours later they were sprawled out in Lance's living room, empty food cartons scattered around the once pristine room. Laina had been pleased to find that, as much as she had liked Howie before, that they had a lot in common. She had never really had the chance to talk with him one on one for an extended period before and she really liked him, a lot. He made her laugh and he was a charmer. He was quiet too, polite to a fault, and so unlike any of *NSYNC in his solemn respect and regard it was astounding. She had spent a lot of the last few hours talking about herself. It wasn't like her to open up to someone she didn't know well but Howie was just... In all honesty he reminded her of Lance. Her Lansten whom she missed more than she thought possible. But he was just different enough... Just different enough to bring a blush to her cheeks when his hand brushed hers or he caught her watching him from the corner of her eyes. "So you'll come?" Laina laughed and shook her head. "Nope. Come on Howie, I'm hiding out." "I'm not taking no for an answer Angel..." She cocked her head and studied him for a heartbeat. "Angel? Damn D, you're smoother than AJ." He startled her with an impish wink. "Come on Laina. Let loose for a night, forget all the crap in your life and come see my club. I won't even tell any of the other guys. Please?" Laina stared at him for a long moment, an unsure smile on her lips as she melted into the chocolate brown of his eyes. "All right," she agreed without really realizing it. Howie's face broke into a wide grin. "Awesome... I'll pick you up at eight thirty tomorrow night Angel. Get ready to have some fun." "I already have, ever since you showed up." She blushed and groaned. "I really just said that, didn't I?" His chuckle was warm, the lips that lingered on her cheek were even warmer. "See you tomorrow Angel." And Laina, crappy hostess that she was, left Howie to let himself out as she sat on the floor, a pleased but dazed look on her face. *************************************************************************************** "You enjoying yourself yet?" Howie asked with a knowing grin as he held her close to him as they danced to the upbeat song. Laina laughed and nodded, hazel eyes gleaming. "This place is wonderful Howie! You must be proud..." "And rich, don't forget that." She snorted. They danced in silence for another few seconds before he broke it. "Can I ask you a personal question?" Laina searched his sincere sable eyes for a long moment before nodding slightly, body tensing in his arms. "I just... are you seeing anyone?" "As in dating?" Laina asked, heart pounding. "Yeah, as in dating..." "No one." He seemed surprised by her answer and stared at her for a moment, as if assessing the truthfulness of her claim. She met his eyes unblinking. "Not even the guys?" "Nope," was her soft reply. He released a deep breath he didn't know he had been holding and held her subtly tighter as a slower song started. She sighed softly and rested her face against the broad expanse of his shirt, breathing in his scent. Howie swallowed convulsively as her hands locked behind his neck and his own hands reached down to rest firmly on her hips, fingers splayed so that they touched warm, warm skin. "You feel good here," he whispered, voice deepening. Howie felt her smile against his silk shirt. "You make me feel good," was her simple retort. "Jesus... You're good at flustering pop stars, you know that don't you?" Howie stared into her twinkling eyes and felt a small smile tug at his full lips. "Lots of practice I guess." His face sobered. "Are you going to go home soon?" She shrugged gracelessly in his arms. "I guess. I've got some explaining to do and some brotherly ass to kick." "Justin's?" Laina snorted. "Justin, Trace, Chris if I can get my hands on the little weasel. I'm sure it will turn into a big group affair before its all over. Joey will want to come and give me emotional support; JC will want to play Daddy. Make sure I don't permanently damage Justin as tempting as it might be. "I wouldn't answer the door any in the next few days. I'd warn the rest of the guys too. You might find irate *NSYNC members on your doorstep. You guys aren't much different from them in age but when it comes to some things they can all be such babies. Except Lance..." Howie felt his heart lurch and wondered at it. "You miss him, don't you?" "With all my heart." Silence, more painful this time, descended between them. It was Laina's turn to break it. "You remind me of him sometimes." "I do?" Laina looked up and touched one of his cheeks softly, her fingertips barely brushing smooth olive skin. "Yup," she replied, watching him closely, "but different." "Different how?" he breathed. A crooked smile found its way to Laina's lips as she appraised him. "Different because Lance will always be my friend but nothing more than a friend. Different because I will never, could never feel like this in his arms. Different cause when you touch me, when you look at me, I don't want you to stop." The confession was blunt and honest in an unassuming way. It made him cold, then hot in a matter of moments. "I'm attracted to you Laina Marie, a lot." "Good." Howie leaned closer and inhaled her... She smelled like wildflowers, like marigolds and sunlight. "I'm eight years older than you." "Your point?" He swallowed and neither one noticed when the song changed to a fast rock song as they swayed together in each other's arms. "We don't know each other well." "Then we'll talk." His hands drifted lower and cupped her to him. "I'm not looking for a serious relationship." "I am?" Howie nuzzled her neck and laid butterfly kisses in a nearly chaste trail that stretched from her ear to shoulder blade. "I have other girls that, that I see." "Did I ask that we be exclusive?" He sucked in a sharp breath. "So you're saying...?" Laina laughed, low and throaty. "I'm saying forget *NSYNC. Forget the Backstreet Boys. You took me out to have fun so call me Angel and just freaking kiss me Howard Dorough." He happily complied. AN2: Howie's getting some lovin... That boy is FINE and he NEVER gets any play. What's up with that? I mean seriously... Brian gets more action and he's freaking married. Thought about making it a Nick story but that's just too damn predictable. So, Howie all the way!