AN: Wow, its been awhile for this story, bit of a mental block with it, but, I wrote through it. Hope you all enjoy and as always, thanks for the feedback! =) ********************* Nightmare of a Lifetime: Chapter Sixteen ********************* So Justin and Nicole spent their three days at Ozz Fest and left amidst tears, well wishing, and some good natured cursing. They returned to the *NSYNC tour with a kind of unspoken understanding. They were hardly friends and they still didn’t like each other but there was a depth of respect that hadn’t been there before. Justin watched Nicole in a new light and she was impressed, despite herself, that Timberlake had managed to survive the time with her friends and almost family. They weren’t exactly welcoming of newcomers, though Jason’s unexpected acceptance had softened things a bit. Having a seven foot tattooed giant on your side usually sways people to your point of view. Nicole knew that all too well. ************************************************************************************* Episode Six was a big one and was exactly halfway through the ‘season’, conveniently in time for sweeps. MTV wiped the floor with other shows as it aired its crowning glory which included everything from Britney art on Perry’s cast, to the ‘Ozz Fest’ surprise, to actual coverage of Ozz Fest, the only footage still being allowed out. Ozzy was being stubborn. He had been thrilled to have her for the three days she had been “home” but he wasn’t about to let MTV trounce through his tour until Perry was off of ‘Tour of a Lifetime’ for good, no matter how hard Sharon, Malcom, or anyone else tried to talk sense into him. She loved “Uncle Ozzy”. Nicole found it all, predictably, amusing, including the rumors that had her and Frankie getting back together or, wilder still, her and Justin hooking up. ************************************************************************************* “What’s up Sex Toy?” she asked with a flippant grin as she flung her arms around Justin’s neck. She batted her eyelashes at the wide eyed reporter as Bill snickered behind her. Justin stiffened. “Perry, go away.” “Oh I see how it is!” she exclaimed with a dramatic cry, “One night of passion is all I’m good for isn’t it? Well fine!” She threw a wilting hand over her brow and peeked out behind her arm to see the ‘Rolling Stones’ reporter’s mouth drop open to match her eyes. “The baby probably isn’t yours anyway. I mean, I’ll still name him Justin Jr. of course but there’s no proof you’re his father…” Nicole added a sniffle for good measure and risked a glance down at Justin who was torn between aghast horror and embarrassment. He looked good red. She waited a long moment before breaking her pose to lift up her army tank top to reveal the peacock tattoo and her flat, toned stomach. “Would you like to try to feel your son?” Nicole asked innocently. Justin Timberlake spluttered helplessly. She waited another full thirty seconds before laughing hysterically. She and Bill high fived each other on the way out of the posh hotel room where Justin was giving a private interview for a feature in ‘Rolling Stones’. They opened the door to an expectant and waiting Joey, Chris, Lance, and JC. Lance and JC were grinning behind their disapproving frowns but Chris was open in his approval as he got down on his knees and bowed before her. “You,” Chris stated simply in an awed voice, “are a goddess.” Nicole grinned and looked at Joey who was shaking his head. “I… I can’t believe you actually did that… I mean, the execution was perfect and the timing and, I agree with Chris. You are a goddess.” Joey joined Chris on the floor in his absolutions. Perry shook her head, bemused. “Goddess of *NSYNC, what a title,” she said dryly. “Next time you pull out the double dare Joey you damn well had better have something slightly more challenging than THAT. I have NO problems humbling the arrogant little snot you call Justin.” “So much to learn,” Chris wailed, “oh teach me mistress, teach me your art of suffering and mayhem. I wish to learn!” Bill lost it as Nicole sighed. “Amateurs.” ************************************************************************************* Justin was furious but he granted Perry her due. It was one hell of a prank, even if their PR manager was throwing hissy fits over the suddenly VERY active rumor mill. And Nicole, who was starting to find the lives of international pop stars rather mundane, was thrown through a loop one night at a club when she met someone who defied expectations by catching her eye, and, despite the odds, her heart. “Come on,” Joey whined, “dance with me Perry. Get your groove on!” Nicole shook her head at the slightly inebriated boy band member and sighed loudly as she allowed herself to be propelled from the relative safety of VIP to the dance floor. She really, truly, loved to dance and Joey, Joey knew what he was doing, despite appearances to the contrary. Malcom insisted that she attended extracurricular activities with the boys, Bill in tow, which meant she spent more nights than she would have preferred getting hit on by infants with a ‘bad girl’ complex who were infatuated with her tattoos. Which meant that she mostly stuck close to the guys and the bodyguards, and Bill. Which meant that she had some very long, very boring evenings watching pop stars waste their lives dancing to disco music and drinking overpriced alcohol as they tried to take back beautiful fake breasted women back to their rooms for meaningless one night stands. Not that she didn’t hadn’t had her share of them, just not lately. But, well, that wasn’t the point. The song changed from rock to a slow piece and Joey wrapped her against him expertly, mindful of the cast, grinning sloppily at her rueful smile. Nicole really did like *NSYNC as people, despite herself. She loved Lance and identified with JC and found Chris more fun than she could have dreamed of a supposedly uptight thirty something. Justin was wonderful fun to annoy and Joey, Joey always asked her to dance. She always said yes too, because it annoyed Chris and THAT, that was truly difficult to do. A blonde swayed by, hips shaking as she tossed a sultry blue eyed look over her shoulder at a suddenly very alert Joey. “Perry…” he whined, helplessly as he drooled after the model wanna be. She sighed loudly, again, but stepped away from Joey’s arms and slapped his butt. “Go get your ass laid you stud you,” she said with a bemused shake of her head. Joey beamed, winked at her, and slipped off through the crowd on the dance floor, intent on his prey. Nicole rolled her eyes and tensed when someone tapped her on her shoulder. She turned around with a sharp remark on her lips, which promptly died when she got a good look at the man in front of her. She wasn’t one to be attracted to pretty boys. This boy was pretty, but certainly not in the traditional way. He was rugged, rugged in a way that made her toes curl. He was wearing jeans for one, in a club, which was usually faux pas, nice tight imagination churning jeans, with a simple black wife beater. His skin was olive, tanned instead of just naturally dark, and black tattoos crawled around his well defined biceps like ornate snakes. His hair was dark, shaggy and curled at the ends. He had a five o clock shadow and light green eyes. His jaw was square, nose crooked, and a noticeable but not unappealing scar was a white line along his cheekbone. He smiled at her and his mouth dimpled from his five feet nine height. He was average height for a man, but she barely clocked in at an even five feet. She almost swooned on sight alone. But then, Nicole never took the easy route. “Little underdressed for a pop club, aren’t you?” The man raised thick brows and the smile turned into a grin. “Little over dressed for a slutty club, aren’t you?” His green eyes slid down from her black spiked hair and annoyed features to the black tube top and red patched jacket with cast. She was dressed in black capri pants striped white that ended mid calf and had red, thick heeled army boots on. White skulls were painted on the tops of the shoes. She was, in all truth, one of the most covered females there. “I don’t show skin to just everyone.” “How about someone who asks nice?” the stranger said as he stepped closer, an interested look darkening his green eyes. Her stomach flipped with sudden, sharp want. But, even if she did one night stands, Nicole was nothing if not picky. “How about asking for a dance first?” “How about giving me your name first?” She smiled, despite herself. “Perry, my name is Perry.” And then he surprised her by bowing to her, a perfect gentleman. “My name is Robert. Perry, may I have this dance?” She humored him because he was one of the most attractive men to hit on her in a long time. She had been with Frankie way too long. Nicole curtsied with a grin. “I’d love to.” ************************************************************************************* “Have fun last night?” JC asked delicately as Nicole stumbled down to breakfast with just enough time to scarf cold eggs. She smiled sweetly and flipped him off. Chris and Joey snorted with laughter. Lance glared at her. Lance followed her out into the hallway afterward, Bill behind. “Did you really take some guy home from the club last night?” Nicole ignored the camera man and turned to Lance. “Jealous?” she asked insinuatingly. Lance’s glare narrowed. “No, I just think it was…” It was her turn to glare. “I’m going to stop you before you say another damn word. First, get off your moral high horse. You are all male sluts, hell the entire music industry is. Everyone sleeps around with everyone else, fans, peers, its like one giant orgy. I’m always afraid you guys are going to have inbreeding problems with further generations. “Second, Lansten, this is my life, not yours. You can tell me what you think until you’re blue in your baby face, but I’m telling YOU, upfront, that this is my life and I’m damn well going to live it the way I freaking want to.” “Dear Lord Perry, did you even know his name? Or was he just a nice screw to get over Frankie?” Nicole crossed her arms, cast and all, across her breast defensively. “His name is Robert Stanon. He’s a local who was with a group of friends who were trying to console a recent single guy by getting him laid. I’ve BEEN over Frankie from the moment I heard my arm snap thank you VERY much. I found Robert attractive, witty, and polite. We had a wonderful night together, it wasn’t the first time I’ve had a one night stand and probably won’t be the last. Not that its ANY of your damn business.” “Do you even believe in love?” Lance demanded acidly. She sneered. “I had sex with my second boyfriend when I was sixteen Lance. That’s when I first found out that even if you love someone, it doesn’t matter if they don’t love you back. I take my happiness where I can find it. I want to find love one day, but I’m sure as hell not going to wait for it. I’m too selective to believe I’m ever going to realistically find someone I can spend forever with. I’m not exactly a girl you can bring home to Mom. Now let me ask YOU something Lance, do you believe in love?” He flinched and Nicole knew she had hit home. And because she considered him a friend, she reached out with her undamanged arm and touched his shoulder with one small tattooed hand. “I won’t make excuses for myself Lance. I know what I’m doing and I don’t have to answer to you or anyone else. I’ve paid my dues a hundredfold, but I’m sorry if you’re upset. I like you being my friend. I don’t have many, and most of the ones I do aren’t nearly as pretty as you.” That coaxed a smile form him and he threaded a hand through blonde, bleached hair. “Shit,” he cursed suddenly, “I’m an ass.” She laughed. “Most men are Lance, don’t worry about it, but don’t you dare do it again.” Lance snorted. “Yes ma’am. And about that male slut comment…” Nicole grinned and ran off. Lance, with a curse and chuckle, chased her. Bill, camera ever in hand, shook his head and smiled. He hadn’t seen Nicole Perry so carefree in a long, long time. It was nice to see her smile. It was nice to see her happy.