Stacy walked into her apartment and found her roommate, Lisa, sitting out on the balcony. She set down her keys and grabbed the mail, then she walked out to where Lisa was. She leaned against the railing next to her friend. "Hey--"

Lisa glanced over at her friend. "Hey. Brian and I broke up."

Stacy looked at her best friend with a concerned look. "Why? What happened?"

"He found someone else, I guess. But you know what? It was for the best. We've been fighting way too much lately, anyway," Lisa said. She lifted up her sunglasses and placed them on her head. She noticed Stacy had the mail. "Anything good in there?"

Stacy flipped through the pile of mail. She spotted a letter from Lance. "Not much. Just something from Lance." She pretty much left it at that because she didn't want to make her friend feel worse.

"You can open it. I'm ok. Really," Lisa told her. She walked back into their apartment.

Stacy followed her inside and into the kitchen. Stacy set down the junk mail. "Maybe we should go out tonight."

"Not tonight, ok? But maybe tomorrow night. I'm going to go down to the beach for a little bit, all right?" Stacy nodded and watched her friend leave.

When Lisa was gone, Stacy took Lance's letter and sat down on the stool in the kitchen.

Stacy wanted to pick up the phone and call him so bad. She couldn't wait for them to finally spend some time together. It had been over 2 months. But as long as he loved her, she could handle everything else.

Lance walked into Joey's hotel room and joined the rest of the guys. "Food here yet?"

"Yeah, dig in!" Joey pipped up, already half into the meal.

"He's hungry." Chris laughed.

Lance sat down. "JC, did Katie ever call you back?"

"Yeah, she sure did. She thinks I cheated on her so she ended things," JC informed the guys.

"She said that?" Justin asked as he shook his head.

"Yeah. It's better that happened anyway. It's too hard to have a girlfriend with all the traveling and stuff. It just gets too complicated to explain about all the other girls that surround us," JC said.

"I guess Lance and Chris work miracles with their women." Joey laughed.

"I don't think so," Chris replied.

"No kidding. Stacy and I sure have our fair share of arguments. But, I don't know-- we work *real* hard at staying together. Trust is so important," Lance replied.

"And that goes both ways," Chris added.

"Speaking of girlfriends, I think I am going to go call mine," Lance said. He stood up and took his cell phone out of his jacket.

"You can't even wait till after you eat to call?" Joey asked as he scarfed down a piece of bread.

Lance didn't respond to his constant joking. "Guess not," Justin added.

Stacy sat out on the balcony with a picture album in her hands. After getting that letter from Lance, it made her miss him a lot. She opened it up and looked through all the pictures and memories that they've shared so far. She laughed about the time he met her parents for the first time. She was all of a sudden overflowed with saddness. She started to cry.

The phone rang and Stacy wiped away her tears. She grabbed for the phone and said hello.

"There's my favorite girl's voice," Lance said in a deep, sexy voice.

"Lance!" Stacy said with excitement. Just the sound of his voice put her in a more mellow mood.

Lance could tell something was bothering her. "What is it? You sound like you've been crying."

"Not really. I was just missing you, so I started to look through our photoalbum. I came across a few of our pictures when you met my parents during christmas. They were good tears, honey," Stacy explained.

"Oh, ok. I still can't believe I acted like that. Your Mom must have thought I was a weirdo." he laughed on the other end of the phone.

"No, she loved you. I got your letter today and I can't wait for you to come home," she told him.

"Me, either. Can't wait to spend some quality time together. I think about it every night," he told her. Stacy closed her eyes and was thankful for that last comment. "Stace?"

"I'm here. Just don't go falling in love over these next few weeks," Stacy told him.

"But I already did - with you," Lance said to her.

"I mean with anyone else!" Stacy laughed. "Do you know what picture I am looking at now?"

"No, which?" Lance asked.

"When I met you guys at your concert in Europe. It was so beautiful. I loved being there with you," she told him.

"I know, me too. Look, I have to go. But as soon as I get back we can get 'us'

back on track, ok?" Lance said, in a half asking manner.

"I can't wait. Lance?"

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Just remember that I love you and I'm so proud of you. I think about us every day," she said softly.

"That's what keeps me who I am, baby. I love you, and I'll see you soon," Lance said. He hated everytime he had to let her go. But hearing her voice gave him a reason to why he was so lucky.

"I love you, too," Stacy replied and they hung up the phone.

Stacy set the phone down and held her photoalbum close to her chest. "Just 2 more weeks."

�

Lisa raced into the apartment when she heard the phone ringing. "Stace?" She called out. She didn't see her around so she reached for the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, Lisa, it's Lance," he said on the other end of the line.

"Oh, hey! How's the tour going? When are you coming back?" She asked him. She looked around the kitchen and found a note on the counter.

"Actually, I am back," he replied. "I'm in my car right now," Lance said as he stopped at a light.

"Stacy will be so happy to see you," Lisa said as she glanced over the note Stacy had left her.

"I can't wait to see her, either. Listen, is she around?" Lance asked.

"No. She left me a note, though. She went down to the beach for awhile," Lisa told him as she sat down at the kitchen counter.

"Good. I'm on way over there. I will stop at the beach first, but if she comes home before I find her, don't tell her I am back. She thought I was coming back early next week. I want to surprise her," Lance said as he turned down Stacy's street.

"You are always surprising her." Lisa laughed.

Lance chuckled back at her, as he neared the beach. "I'll talk to you later." They two hung up the phone. Lance pulled into the parking lot of the beach where Stacy was at. He parked his 4-runner and hopped out of it. As he walked closer to the beach he spotted Stacy. A smile appeared on his face. He couldn't wait to be near her again.

Lance walked over to her and stood behind her. "Is this spot taken?"

Stacy half heard the deep male voice. She was sprawled out on a towel and had sunglasses over her eyes. She propped herself up on her elbows. "Excuse me?" She took her sunglasses off and placed them on top of her head. A smile appeared when she realized who it was. "Lance!"

Lance smiled down at her. He sat down on the towel and pulled her near his body. Lance felt the tight grip that Stacy had on him. After he got a weird sense from her, he pulled back. He noticed a tear fall down her face. "Hey, what's the matter? Aren't you happy to see me?" He asked her as he wiped a few tears away.

"Of course I am. I don't know what's the matter with me these last few days. I guess I've just missed you a lot, and it's been hard," she told him as she looked into his sparkling green eyes.

"Stacy, I thought we talked about this. I thought you supported my career and what I'm doing. I thought you knew that if we were going to be together it was going to be tough," he said to her.

Stacy shook her head. She didn't want him to misunderstand her. She was so proud of his accomplishments. "Oh, Lance - I am. I really am. I wouldn't want you to be anyone else. It's just that some days are harder than others."

"So, what do you want to do? Do you want to make this work or do you want to break up?" He asked her, half afraid of her answer.

"I definately don't want to break up. God, I would be so miserable. I can handle things as long as I know we trust each other, and love each other. I'm all right," she said with a smile. Stacy turned around and rested her back up against his chest.

Lance wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Hey. You know I love you. Let's spend these next 3 weeks together as much as possible. Let's have as much fun as we can. I know we need to spend some time alone together, but the guys wanted us to join them at this club. What do you say?" He asked as he leaned in closer to her face.

"I think that sounds great. Can Lisa come? She sort of broke up with Brian and she needs to have some fun," Stacy told him.

"Whatever you want. I think Justin would like to see her. Those two really hit it off last time." Lance laughed. He placed his head against her cheek and they swayed back and forth. "I love you, Stacy."

Stacy turned her head toward him. "Yeah? I love you, too," she said. She leaned in and they shared a tender kiss.

Stacy and Lance walked into her apartment. "Lisa!" Stacy called out to her roommate. She found Lisa coming into the hallway. "Get dressed because you're coming out with us tonight!"

"What? You guys want to be alone I'm sure. I don't need to be your charity case," Lisa said to her as she walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge. "I'm fine!"

Lance let go of Stacy's hand. "Lisa, come on. All the guys are going to be there."

"I think I'll pass--" Lisa said.

"Justin will be there," Stacy chimed in.

Lisa just laughed at her friend. "Fine. Fine. Give me 45 minutes."

"No rush. You've got an hour," Lance added.

Stacy smiled over at Lance. She knew her and Lisa weren't crazy over their appearances, but it took 45 minutes for just the basic stuff. And guys were just clueless about the time it took to look great. Stacy grabbed ahold of Lance's hand. "Come on, help me pick out something to wear."

�

Stacy, Lance, and Lisa all entered the club. The music was blaring and there were so many people pushing their way toward the bar. "It's packed in here," Lisa said loudly.

Stacy just nodded at her. She glanced over at Lance. "Do you see them?"

Lance spotted 2 of the guys at a booth across the dance floor. "Yeah. Follow me." He grabbed Stacy's hand and they made their way across the room.

Justin stopped talking with JC and Katie when he saw Lance. "I was wondering if you guys were coming tonight," Justin said. He then spotted Stacy's roommate, Lisa from behind. He stood up. "Lisa, I didn't know you were coming."

Stacy looked at her friend. "It was a kidnapping." She laughed. She gave Justin and JC a hug.

"Ha!" Lisa laughed. She smiled as Justin took her aside. "I'll be back."

"You look great, Stace," JC added. "Happy that Lance is back? We told you we'd bring him back safe and sound."

"Yeah, months later," Katie chimed in. She knew JC cared about her but she, like Stacy, felt it was tough being apart from him for so long.

Lance placed his arm around Stacy and gave JC a 'cool it' look. Stacy wrapped her arm around Lance's waist. "He's mine for the next three weeks."

JC got out of the booth. "Lance, let's go get some drinks for these cuties."

"All right," Lance said. "The usual?" He asked Stacy.

Stacy nodded with a smile. When the guys were gone Stacy took a seat next to Katie. "I bet you're about as happy as I am to have JC back home."

"I just wish I could keep him here," Katie told her. "It's so hard with him gone. And with all these girls everywhere--"

"I know. But you trust him, don't you? I mean, with the business they are in, you just have to have that. God, if I didn't trust Lance then I don't know how we'd keep it real," Stacy explained.

Lance stood next to JC in line. "What's up? I thought Katie ended things with you?"

"She did. But we spent all day talking. I guess we're gonna try it again. She's just so upset with me gone so much. What do I say? I'll quit the group?" JC said. "She knows I won't do that."

"I know what you mean," Lance said quietly.

"You and Stacy? I saw the look you gave me," JC said to him as they neared the bar.

"She was in tears today. Being apart kills her. It kills me, too, but it has to be this way for right now. So, I have to spend some time with her these next few weeks and make sure she is all right. I definately don't want to lose her," Lance told him.

"Women--" JC laughed and so did Lance.

Justin and Lisa sat in a nearby booth. "You look really good tonight." Justin told her. He gave her the most beautiful smile.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself," she told him. "It's been a long time since I've seen you."

"Yeah, well - you've always had that boyfriend keeping you away." He laughed.

"Not anymore," she replied.

"Oh, yeah?" Justin asked, in a enthuastic manner. He reached his hand over the table. "Wanna dance?"

Lisa nodded and they made their way to the dance floor. Justin pulled her near and Lisa closed her eyes slightly as they moved to the beat of the music.

"What do you do when you hear all these, 'oh, he was kissing so-and-so'?" Katie asked Stacy.

"I ask Lance the truth. I make him tell me one way or another. If he is, then we have a problem. I don't even care if she kissed him first. I just have to be able to trust him. I really have to fight with that. And love. God, I have to believe he loves me," Stacy said. She gave Katie a hug. "It will be all right. You'll see."

JC and Lance approached the table and the girls just smiled. Both the guys sat near their girls and handed them their drinks. "Thanks," Stacy said and gave Lance a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah, thanks." Katie smiled at JC. She thought maybe Stacy was right. Maybe she just needed to trust JC. She glanced over at Stacy and Lance. They looked so happy together.

Lance took a sip of his drink and looked at Stacy. "I thought you could meet my parents tomorrow. I mean, I've met yours."

"I would love that. I hope they like me." Stacy smiled.

"They will love you," he replied.

Lance saw Justin and Lisa on the dance floor. "Stace, look." He pointed to them.

"Oh, my God!" Stacy laughed. She was happy for her friend. "She's got to be on air about now."

"I bet she--" Lance didn't get to finish his sentence because some girl landed in his lap. "Um--" He said as he glanced at her.

The girl leaned down and kissed him hard. "Remember me?" She asked, after she had pulled out of their kiss.

Stacy's jaw just about his the floor. What was she just telling Katie, 'trust him'? "Lance?"

After a few seconds of shock he asked the girl to get up. "I'm sorry. I think you have the wrong guy."

The tall, slender girl looked down at him. "Nope. New York last month. I wouldn't forget someone like you." She blew him a kiss and then walked away.

Lance closed his eyes and thought, 'Crap'. He glanced over at Stacy. "I swear I don't know that girl."

"You swear?" Stacy asked him with anger.

"I can vouch for him, Stace," JC added.

Stacy shook her head. "You can, huh? Like you would tell me if he was. Does this go on all the time?" She asked Lance.

"Maybe we should go and talk about it," Lance said as he stood up.

Stacy got out of the booth and stood next to Lance. "You stay--" she said and pushed him back down. "I'll leave." Stacy ran out of the club in tears.

Lance sat there for a few seconds and just shook his head. "I don't believe this."

JC leaned across the table. "You see what I mean?" He whispered.

"No. Stacy doesn't act like this. She trusts me, just like I trust her. I'll see you later, man." Lance got up and ran after Stacy, in hopes that he could make her understand.

�

Lisa and Justin noticed Stacy bolt from the group. They walked over to JC and Katie. "What happened to Stacy?" Lisa asked JC.

"She got upset cause some girl kissed Lance," JC told them. He didn't dare say too much because Katie would get upset with him as well.

"Well, did he know this girl?" Lisa asked him.

JC shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think so. He said he didn't. And I've never seen her. But Stacy got real upset and left."

"She shouldn't be getting upset. Especially not now--" Lisa trailed off. She wasn't about to let on what she knew, and what she knew Lance needed to know. Lisa was glad no one caught what she said. Lisa stopped talking when she saw Lance walk back into the club. "Well, did you find her?"

Lance took a few deep breaths. "No. Listen, Lisa - is it all right if we left? I think I need to find Stacy and talk to her."

"No, I agree," Lisa told him. Lisa turned toward Justin. "Thanks for the dance. It was really great to see you again. Maybe we can do something like this again. Just call me."

"I'd like that," Justin said and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He turned toward Lance. "I hope things are ok, man."

Lance thanked him and JC. He turned around and Lisa followed behind him as they left the club. Justin took a seat in the booth. "I've never seen Lance so frantic and upset."

"I know, but you should have seen it. Stacy wouldn't even take his word for it. She just accused him of lying. He wouldn't lie to her," JC said.

"That's not like her. We were talking about trust ealier. She is usually very calm and she trusts him completely," Katied piped in.

"Something else has be going on," Justin replied as he glanced back at the door to the club.

Stacy had the cab drop her off at the beach that Lance had found her at earlier. She paid the cab driver and started to walk. She made her way down to the beach. She quickly slipped out of her shoes and picked them up as she stopped near the water. Stacy stood close to the water and let it wash over her feet. She remembered that this was the first place that her and Lance shared their first kiss. There were so many happy memories that they shared together.

Stacy snapped out of her thoughts. 'How do I tell you what's going on right now, Lance? I --' she thought to herself, but was interrupted as she felt a touch from behind. Stacy quickly turned around. "What are you doing here?"

"To find out what is going on with you? What was that outburst in the club?" Lance asked her.

Stacy just shook her head. Where was she to start? "I don't know. I don't know what happened, Lance. That girl-- well, I don't know if you've fooled around with her. I don't know because I'm not around to know!"

Lance knew getting upset wasn't going to get to the bottom of this. "Ok, ok," Lance said in a calming manner. He placed his hands on both of her shoulders. "Stace, you know that I love you, right?" Stacy shook her head. "Ok. And I thought we agreed that we have to trust each other."

"We did. We have. I'm just scared, all right?" Stacy said, still not sure what to tell him.

"Of what?" Lance asked.

Stacy turned around. "I can't tell you. I don't know how. I guess I'm afraid of what will happen to us if I do."

Lance reached out for her and turned her body back around to face him. "What are you getting at? If we are going to pull out of this together, you have to tell me."

"If I tell you -- well, you might end things with me. I just--" Stacy just couldn't get the words out.

Lance knew she wasn't going to tell him whatever was bothering her. At least not tonight. And he knew getting upset wasn't the way to go. So, he decided to let her sleep on it. He just hated that she was carrying something heavy, and was afraid to share it with him. "Look, you know where to find me when you are ready to tell me. Good-night." Lance walked around her and headed for the parking lot.

"Lance, wait!" Stacy called out as she took a few steps forward. She thought he would stop, but when he didn't she knew she had no choice. "I'm pregnant!" She yelled out to him. She watched him stop in a very quick motion, turn around, and look at her. She wasn't quite sure what that meant. "I'm pregnant," she whispered one last time.

�

Lance stared at Stacy and walked slowly over to her. Her words repeated in his mind. 'I'm pregnant.' After a few steps he finally reached her. He stood in front of her and a small smile appeared on his face. "You're pregnant?"

Stacy wasn't sure if this was good or if it was bad. Would he break up with her over this? Would he share responsibilty for his child? "I'm sorry--" Was all she could get herself to say.

Lance didn't understand why she was apologizing. "You're sorry? For what?"

"I don't know-- for getting pregnant, I guess. I mean, this isn't exactly what you had in mind. Not when you're so busy with the band. I'm sorry for that. And I swear I didn't do this on purprose," Stacy told him.

Lance reached over and brought her into his arms. He just stood there for a few moments and held her so close to his chest. "I know you didn't do it on purpose. Things happen."

Stacy quickly pulled away from him. "Eventhough I didn't plan it, that doesn't mean that I want to give it up. I want to be a Mom, Lance. I really do," she said firmly.

"I know. I wouldn't want you to give it up. Sure, I might not have planned to be a Father this soon, but that doesn't mean I would give the chance up. And I wouldn't want to be a parent with anyone else," he told her as he brushed the hair out of her eyes.

Stacy knew he probably would need some time, even she had needed that. She had a few weeks to think about what to do, and she knew she had to give him time. "Are you ok with this then?"

"Yes, I am," Lance replied to her and then gave her a tender kiss. "Come on, let me take you home." Lance put his arm around her and held her while they walked to his jeep.

JC and Katie sat on his couch in the living room. "You all right?" He asked her as he took a seat next to her.

Katie nodded quickly. "Yeah. It was hard to see Stacy get so upset because of how they are. They are perfect together. And after what's happened to us these past few weeks-- it just makes me worried."

"Katie, you just have to trust me. You just do. There are girls around us everyday, but that doesn't mean that I will cheat on you. Come on, you have to know me better than that. And I have to trust you, too," he explained to her.

Katie palced her hand on his. "You can trust me."

~*~The Club~*~

Justin looked around for Joey, since he had got a ride with him. He had seen Joey for about two seconds that night because Joey was off flirting most of the night. Justin spotted Joey across the club. He walked over to him. "Hey!" Joey said with a little bit too much happiness.

Justin just looked at him and laughed. "Hi. Had a few?"

"Just a few," Joey told him. "Where have you been all night?"

"I spent some time with Stacy's roommate, Lisa, for a bit tonight--" Just started to tell him, but Joey cut him off.

"Really? Did Lance and Stacy ever show?" He asked.

"Yeah, but they weren't here long. Stacy got upset with Lance and he ran after her." Justin shrugged.

"I told him there are plenty of fish in the sea." Joey laughed.

"I'm sure you did." Justin laughed at him. "Are you ready to head out?" Justin asked.

"Yeah, let's book," Joey said, and the two guys headed out of the club.

Stacy and Lance walked into her apartment. When they turned on the lights, Stacy found Lisa on the couch. Lisa stood up quickly. "You all right?"

Stacy looked at her and nodded. She turned toward Lance. "I need to talk to Lisa for a second. Why don't you wait for me in my room."

"Ok," Lance replied and he walked down the end of the hall.

Stacy just turned to her best friend. "I told him."

"That's good. I'm really glad. Are you guys ok?" Lisa asked her with concern.

Stacy half nodded. "We have some things to talk about, but I think so. I just wanted you to know that I told him, and thanks for all the support these past few weeks."

"Oh honey, you are welcome. I'm always here for you, you know that," Lisa said and gave her a hug.

Stacy walked into her room and shut the door. She smiled at Lance, who was sprawled out on her bed. She walked over to him and sat Indian-style in front of him. "This feels so weird."

"For me, too," he replied as he sat up.

Stacy glanced down at her hands, afraid to look up. "I just-- I don't want to be the one that holds you back. I don't want you to regret sticking by me for this. I want you to be who you need to be."

Lance held Stacy's hands in his, and she looked back up into his sparkling, green eyes. "I would never regret it. Never. Things might not be happening the way I had planned, but what is? Finding you was such a Godsend."

"Lance, I don't want you to feel you need to change things because of this. Please," she pleaded with him. She knew he was fully aware of what she was getting at.

"Stacy-- I want to be there for you during this time. You'll need me," he replied.

"I'll always need you. I love you," Stacy told him.

"I love you, too. That is why I have to quit 'NSYNC," he said in a firm tone.

Stacy shook her head. "That's what I'm talking about. We can work around this. The baby won't even come for another 9 months. And after that, we'll work it out. Just please tell me you won't cut your dreams short because of me."

"How can you ask me not to? When this baby is born -- I don't want to be a Dad that misses his/her first word, first step. I don't want to miss any of that. And most of all, I don't want to miss the important days of watching you be a wonderful Mom. I just don't want to miss that. I'll tour with them for the next 6 months, but after that--" Lance began to say.

Stacy cut him off. "After that we'll talk about what to do. Please, Lance. Just don't make any rash decisions. Please," Stacy said pleadingly with her eyes glued to his. All Lance could do at that moment was hold onto her, and keep her safe and happy. She rested her back against his chest, and they both placed their hands on her belly.

"This is my future. This is our future," Lance whispered. He placed his face up against hers and just held her.

�

Stacy walked into her apartment after a long day. She saw Lisa on the balcony talking on her cell phone. Stacy noticed that the machine was beeping, so she walked over to it. She pressed the button for the messages to play. Stacy took a seat on a stool, which was near the machine.

'Hi, Stace. It's me, Lance. I knew I wouldn't catch you, but I wanted to call anyway. How did your Dr. appointment go today? I really wish I was there with you. I hate that I've missed you these last few calls. We have a show tonight, but if you are up later give me a call. I could really use hearing your voice. I love you. I'll talk to you soon. Bye.'

A smile appeared on Stacy's face. She was so glad that she convinced him not to quit the group, even if it was on a trial basis. More than anything, she just wanted him to be happy. And she was even more overyjoyed about the baby that she was carrying. Lisa walked back into the apartment, and Stacy popped out of her thoughts. "Hey--"

"Hey," Lisa said. She noticed the ultrasound picture that Stacy was holding. "They gave you another one, huh?"

"I can't believe someone this big is inside me!" Stacy laughed. "Who were you talking to?"

"Actually....I was talking to Justin. Lance wasn't around, otherwise I would've let you talk to him," Lisa told her as she sat down by her roommate.

Stacy shook her head. "Oh, it's ok. He called and left a message on the machine. I think I'll call him tonight."

"That's good. So did everything go all right at the Doctor's?" Lisa asked her.

"Yeah, it did," she nodded. Just then the phone ran and Stacy reached for it. "Hello? Hi, Mom. Yeah, everything is good. No, Lance is on tour remember? Right. I'm hoping we can come and see you soon, too," Stacy said. She rolled her eyes a little as she listened to her Mom talk up a storm.

JC, Justin, Lance, Chris, and Joey all sat around backstage in the Auditorium. Justin was practicing his vocals to make sure they were all ready to go that night. Chris and Joey were goofing around.

JC just hung up his cell phone, and then took a seat next to Lance. "Did you get ahold of Stacy? Everything ok?" He asked.

"No, I just left a message. I'm sure she wasn't home from work yet. I just hope everything with the baby is all right," Lance replied.

"I'm sure it is. You know Stacy, she wouldn't do anything to hurt the baby," JC told him.

"Yeah, I know." Lance nodded. "Were you talking to Katie?"

"Yep. It's her birthday in a week, and we won't be home. So I am having her flown out to us. Hopefully, we can have some time together," he said. "I just have no idea what to get her."

"That's cool, man. Spend some quality time with your woman." Lance smiled.

"You do the same!" JC told him and then got up.

"You said it," Lance whispered as he thought about Stacy and the baby.

Stacy finished getting ready for bed. She turned off all the lights and walked into her room. She turned on the lamp next to her bed, grabbed her cell phone and got into bed. She dialed his cell phone number and let it ring a few times.

"Hello?" A woman's voice said.

Stacy's mouth opened wide and sat there for a few seconds. "I'm looking for Lance. Isn't this his phone?"

"Yeah, it is. Who's this?" The other person asked.

Stacy took a deep breath and shook her head. "I'm his girlfriend. Who's this?"

"Girlfriend? I didn't know he had a girlfriend. What's your name and I'll see if he knows you," the woman said.

"Stacy. You tell him that Stacy is on the phone and if he cares, then he can call me back." Stacy hung up the phone. "God!" She screamed and threw her pillow against her door.

After a few seconds, her door opened opened. She saw Lisa, who she obviously just woke up. "Are you ok?" Lisa asked her, rubbing her eyes.

"I called Lance's cell phone and some girl answered the phone," she told her.

"You're kidding me," Lisa said in shock.

Lance walked into the room and saw some girl holding his phone. "Where'd you get that?"

"Um - I needed to make a call, and Justin told me to use yours since he couldn't find his. I was only on a second. But you got a call a few seconds ago," she told him.

"Why didn't you come and get me? Who was it?" Lance asked her.

"Some girl who said she was your girlfriend." she laughed. "I told her I didn't know you had one."

Lance couldn't believe this. "Was it Stacy?"

"Um...wait-- oh, yeah. She said if you care then you will call her back," the girl mumbled.

Lance grabbed the phone out of her hand. He saw Justing walking their way. "Justin, tell this friend of yours not to answer my phone. She told Stacy that I didn't have a girlfriend."

Justin looked at the girl next to him. "You knew he had a girlfriend. Why would you do that?"

"I didn't know," she replied. She could tell that neither one of them looked happy.

"I'll be in the other room," Lance said and he left Joey's room.

Lisa knew that Stacy was about to start jumping to all kidns of conclusions. "There has to be an explanation. You know he wouldn't--"

"I don't know what to think. You remember what happened at the club. Some strange girl just walked up to him and kissed him. I'd hate to think he'd cheat on me. I mean, I'm carrying his child!" Stacy screamed with anger and confusion.

The phone rang and Lisa looked at Stacy. "Let him explain, Stace. Just talk to him." She leff the room.

Stacy reached for her phone. "Hello?"

"Hi. It's me," Lance said. He hoped she wasn't too upset.

"You tell me. Having a good time, I see," she stated.

"That girl was some girl hanging around Justin. She had used my phone, and that is why she answered it. I'm sorry," he apologized.

"Do you not tell people you have a girlfriend?" Stacy asked him.

"Of course I do. I don't know why she said that," he said. He waited for some type of response from her. "Stacy, come on. You know how I feel."

Stacy knew she had jumped the gun. "I'm sorry. I guess it just worried me. I mean, especially because of what is going on now. I love you, Lance, but I don't want you to feel like you have to stay with me, ok? Promise me that if you want out, you'll tell me."

"I'm not being pushed into anything. I am where I want to be, all right. Do you know what it's been like for me without you this past month? I think about you every moment. You and the baby. I think about what it would be like sitting with you at the Dr.'s office. I miss you so much," Lance finally told her.

"God, I can't tell you how much I needed to hear that. And you know, I miss you more than anything. My Mom called tonight. She wanted to know when we could come and see her again," Stacy said.

"Well, we're in Minnesota in a couple of months. Then we have a week off. We could do it then if you feel up to it," he replied.

"I'd love that. I put on my shorts today and they weren't as loose as usual. I'm going to be fat before you know it." she laughed.

"You'll be beautiful. I look at that ultrasound picture every night. I just can't believe it's our baby. Oh, I wanted to tell you that my Mom loved you. She told me we're perfect together, and I agreed. And she's so happy about the baby," he said.

"I love you--" Stacy told him.

"I love you, too," he replied back. "Good night." The two of them hung up the phone.

�

Lisa walked into her and Stacy's apartment. She noticed the machine was beeping. She pressed the button and listened to the messages as she walked over to the fridge.

'Hi. This is Stacy's Dr. and she wanted me to call you because she was rushed to the hospital. She was involved in a car accident and she lost her baby. The most crucial thing right now is that she is still unconscious. I'd appreciate it if you could get here as soon as you can, and then I will explain everything to you. Thanks.'

�

Lisa's jaw dropped from what she heard. "Oh, my God! Oh, my God," Lisa said with tears as she reached for the phone. As her hands trembled, she dialed Lance's cell phone number. It rang and rang. "Damn it, Lance. Answer your phone." When she got no answer she dialed Justin's number. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Justin's voice on the other end. "Justin, it's Lisa."

"Oh, hey. Listen, I can't talk. We're all just about to head out--" Justin told her.

"Is Lance with you?" She asked quickly.

"Lance?" Justin knew something was definately wrong. "Yeah, he's right here. Is something wrong? Is it Stacy?" He noticed Lance look his way and walk over to him.

"Yeah, it's Stacy," Lisa cried.

"Something's really wrong, man--" Just said as he held out the phone for Lance.

Lance quickly grabbed Justin's cell phone. "Lisa, what is it?"

"I don't know all the details. Stacy's Dr. called and left a message. Lance, she was in a car accident--" she paused for a moment. "and she-- lost the baby," she told him.

Lance didn't give her the chance to say another word. "Oh, my God. Not the baby." He saw the rest of the guys look over at him. "Where is she? Is she all right?" He asked as he started to feel numb.

"She's at the hospital. I'm about to head over there. I know she wouldn't normally want you to come back here. But Lance-- she is still unconscious. She hasn't woken up," Lisa told him.

"All right. I'm on my way. Oh, God. I'll be at there as soon as I can. Is it at the hospital she was going to for the baby?" Lance asked as a few tears slid down his cheeks.

"Yeah. Just hurry," Stacy told him and then hung up the phone.

Lance turned to the other guys. "She lost the baby and she-- she's unconscious." He trembled.

"Oh, man. We'll cut the tour short. Just go. Did Lisa say what happened?" Justin asked him. He walked over to him.

"There was-- there was a car acciden.," Lance ran his finger through his hair as the words echoed in his head. "I don't believe this. I need to go to her and be with her. I have--" he couldn't say anything. He was fearful of Stacy's life.

"Of course, man," JC told him. "Go. We'll fix everything here."

Lisa rushed into the hospital and asked where Stacy was at. She found her room and walked inside. She found Stacy hooked up to a few monitors. She saw bandages on her forehead, and some cuts on her face. "Oh, my God," She said as she brought her hands up to her face.

Lisa took a seat next to Stacy and touched her hand. "You have to wake up, sweetie. Lance is on his way and he needs you. You need each other." She wiped a few tears from her face. "Stace, I need you. I need my best friend."

Lance sat back as the plane took off. He looked out the window and wiped a tear from his eye. He thought about how happy they both were only a few days before. What if she didn't wake up? What if he lost her? 'Stacy, if I hadn't gone back on tour-- this would have never happened. It's all my fault.' he throught to himself.

�

Lisa heard a slight knock on the door, so she turned to see who it was. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was Lance. She got up and went over to him. "Thank God you're here."

"Is she--" Lance couldn't get himself to even speak the words that he feared.

Lisa shook her head quickly. "No, no. She's hooked up to some monitors. She hasn't woken up yet, though. That is making the Doctor very worried."

Lance looked in at Stacy. She looked so fragile. "God, I can't believe we lost the baby. This is all my fault, you know."

Lisa led Lance out of the room. "Listen to me. That isn't going to do you or Stacy any good. You didn't do this. Some drunk driver did this. He's to blame for you guys losing the baby. Besides, you know Stacy would hate to hear that you blame yourself," Lisa whispered in a serious tone.

Lance just shook his head slowly. In his head he knew she was right, but he couldn't help it. He felt responsible. "All right. What did the Dr. say? What can I do for her?"

"She's not sure why Stacy hasn't woken up yet. She said there is no internal damage, which is good," Lisa told him and Lance nodded in agreement. "But you can sit with her and talk to her. That would be good for her right now."

"Ok. I can do that." Lance nodded. He thanked Lisa for calling him and he entered Stacy's hospital room, while Lisa walked around the corner to make a call.

Lance sat in the chair that was near Stacy's bed. He pulled himself as close as he could get. As he watched her, he reached for her hand and placed it into his. He brought his free hand up to his mouth and tried to control the tears that had begun to form again. "This wasn't supposed to happen to us. We were supposed to be a family - to be happy." Lance brought his hand up to her face and just touched it softly. "You are going to wake up. You have to because I am NOT going to lose you, too. Do you hear me?"

Lance just prayed that her bright hazel eyes would open. "Ok.." he sighed. "Do you honestly think I continue with how my life is going without you? I mean, who will I talk to when the fame gets to me? Who will be there to tell me the hard truth when no one else will? Who will bring me down a few notches when I deserve it?" He laughed. "And most importantly who will know me better than I know myself?" He asked her.

Lance leaned a little closer to her face. "Do you--" He paused as a smile appeared on his face. "Do you remember the first time you told me you loved me? I do. I will never forget it. You made sure I knew it wasn't because of who I am, but it was for the person I am. Every day we spent together I realized how lucky I was to be with you. Stacy, you showed me what love really is. So how can you expect me to just walk away?" Lance rested his head on her hand and another tear trickled down his face, and onto her limb hand.

Lisa took her cellphone out of her purse and sat down in a chair. She dailed a phone number and waited for someone to pick up on the other end. "Justin, it's me."

"How is Stacy? Did Lance show up?" Justin asked her with concern for a friend.

"Yeah, he's with her right now. I just needed someone to talk to. I just don't know what to do. I can't talk to Lance about it because he blames himself as it is, and I don't want him to have to deal with my garbage. What if she doesn't pull through?" Lisa asked him.

"Come on. You know Stacy is a strong person. She wouldn't give up without a fight. She wouldn't give Lance up without a fight," Justin told her.

"I know you're right. It's just that she's my best friend. I can't lose her now--" Lisa said as she held back the tears.

"Listen, we have some loose ends to finish up here, and then we're on our way back home. We'll be there sometime tonight, all right? Just hold on. She'll make it through this, you'll see. Will you be ok till then?" Justin asked her.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll see you when you get here," she told him and then she hung up her cell phone. Stacy placed it in her purse. She buried her face in her hands and burst into tears. After a few silent moments, she felt someone touched her shoulder. Lisa wiped her face and looked up. She tried to smile when she saw it was Stacy's Mom. "Did Lance call you?" She asked with surprise of seeing her.

Stacy's Mom bent down and wrapped her arms around her. "Yes. He called me from the plane on his way over. Stacy's Dad and I were in Florida visiting my Aunt," She pulled back. "How is she now?"

"No news. Lance is with her right now. He blames himself," Lisa told her.

Stacy's Mom, Janet, just shook her head. "I'll just have to have a talk with that boy." She smiled. "How long as Lance been here?"

"10 minutes, maybe," Lisa told her.

Janet sat down on the chair next to her. "I'll give them some time, then." She noticed that Lisa was full of emotion. She moved Lisa's hair out of her face. "It's ok. You can unload. You're like a second daughter to me, and I'm here."

Lisa didn't say another word, she just fell into Stacy's Mom's arms and cried.

Lance held his head up and wiped away the tears that had formed on his face. "You know, you're like no girl I've ever met before. You give me what I've always been missing. The first time we met--" Lance laughed. "God, the first time we met you were so unimpressed by me. Well, you still are. You -- oh, my God--" He chuckled from the memory. "You said to me, 'I don't even like *NSYNC so what makes you think I'd care to spend time with you.' But you know what? That just made me want you even more."

Lance glanced down and noticed the bracelet he gave her was on her right hand. He reached over and touched it. "I remember when I gave this to you, too. I gave it to you the first time I had to leave for a tour. The first time we were ever apart. That was a special night for me. You told me you loved me. Remember that? The girl who had no desire to give me the time of day fell in love with me. And from that moment on-- my life began. So don't you dare leave me alone now. Not when I need you the most," he told her. Lance closed his eyes and sat there in silence.

"You can't get rid of me that easy," a soft and fragile voice whispered.

Lance opened his eyes quickly and a huge smile appeared on his face. He stood up and placed his head against hers. "I thought I'd lost you forever." They both sat there in complete silence as he held her.

Lance and Lisa stood outside Stacy's hospital room, while they gave Stacy and her Mom a chance to say good-bye. Lisa glanced at Lance and she could tell the worried look he had on his face. "Hey, she's going to be all right. You heard the Dr. She told us that Stacy just needs a few days of rest."

"If they're so sure that she's going to be ok, then why can't we take her home?" Lance asked, more to himself than to her.

"They need to keep an eye on her for a few days just to make sure. It's for the best. I mean, you wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her just because they let her go too early, would you?" Lisa asked him.

"Of course not--" Lance replied. He walked over and watched Stacy with her Mother. He just wanted to watch her. He could watch her for hours.

Stacy's Mom leaned over and gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. "You have a good man looking after you. That's why I feel all right with leaving. He loves you so much, and he wants what's best for you."

Stacy just nodded. "He's perfect."

"I'll call you tomorrow," Janet told her and gave her one last kiss good-bye.

Janet walked out of Stacy's room and shut the door behind her. She smiled at both Lisa and Lance. Lisa and Lance both gaver her a hug good-bye. Janet held Lance a little longer. "You take care of my little girl--" She whispered into his ear.

Lance and her pulled out of their embrace. "I will. I promise." Janet gave him a kiss on the cheek and then she left the hospital.

Lisa turned to Lance. "I'm going to go get something to eat. Then when I get back you will. All right?"

Lance just nodded and made his way back into Stacy's room. He smiled at her and sat on the edge of her bed. He just sat there and watched her sleep. "Things will be different. I promise." Lance promised her.

Stacy opened up her eyes and saw Lance staring at her. "How long have I been asleep?" She asked as she looked around the room.

"Not long. Your Mom just left," Lance told her.

Stacy looked away from him for a brief moment. After a few seconds she turned back to him. "I'm sorry."

Lance noticed a saddness in her eyes. "For what?" He asked, not know what she could possibly be sorry for.

"I should have been more careful. If I wouldn't have been in a hurry I wouldn't have gotten in that accident, and I wouldn't have lost our baby. I know you really wanted this baby," she told him softly.

Lance reached out and touched her stomach. "So did you." Stacy turned her head and looked away from him. "Hey--" He waited until she made eye contact with him again. "Everything will be ok. I promise. I won't leave you like that again. I won't let something like this happen again."

Stacy winced in pain as she tried to sit up a little. "What? Lance, what are you saying?"

"I think you know," He replied.

She got a serious look on her face. "If you are talking about quitting the group again, then you can stop right now. I don't want a pitty party. Do you hear me?" Stacy told him.

Lance got up and went and sat right next to her. He reached out and touched her face. "It's not like that. I just want to be there for you."

"You just don't get it. Maybe this pregnancy ending was a sign. A sign that maybe we shouldn't be together anymore. A sign that you need to move on with your life," Stacy told him.

Lance just looked at her and shook his head in disagreement. "How can you ask me to let you go? You're like-- you're the better part of me."

"You'll find someone new. Someone like you won't be without. In time, I will be just a distant memory. Maybe you'll even forget--" She tried to explain.

Lance cut her off. "I'll never forget. Never." Lance just stared at her as his heart started to break.

�

Lisa walked into the room and could tell something was going on. "Uh-- I'll come back later."

"No, it's ok." Stacy pipped in.

Lance just looked at her. "I'll be back in the morning. Think about what I said."

"You think about what I said," Stacy told him.

Lance got up and looked at her for a few seconds before walking out the door. "I love you. Remember that."

Stacy just nodded and Lance left her room. Lisa walked over to her and sat down in the chair. "Stace, what's going on? What happened between the two of you?"

A tear trickled down Stacy's face. "I broke it off. I ended things with Lance."

"What? Why? You love him," Lisa said in confusion. She wasn't sure why Stacy would do this.

"I can't give him what he needs. He wants to quit the group to take care of me and I won't let him do that. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he continues to do what he loves. Even if it breaks my heart," Stacy replied through her tears.

Lance drove to where Stacy had told him that he was going to be a Father. He approached the beach and stood near the water. He remembered every detail about that night. How she looked, how she smelled. And most importantly, how she turned his life around.

"All I had to do was take care of her. Just show her what she meant to me," Lance whispered to himself. "That's it. I need to show her what she means." Lance turned around and headed back to his jeep.

Stacy and Lisa stopped their conversation when they saw Justin walk into the room. "Hey! You're awake!" He smiled.

Lisa stood up. "I'll be right back, all right?" She smiled down at Stacy.

Stacy just nodded. "Justin, I need you to do me a favor." She told him as she saw Lisa leave the room.

Justin sat down next to her. "Sure. Anything."

Stacy turned to look at him. "I need you to make sure Lance stays happy."

Justin wasn't quite sure what she was getting at. "But you do that for him."

"Not anymore. I had to end things with him. Please. Watch over him. I had to do the right thing, Justin. He was going to quit the group and I just couldn't let him do that." Stacy tried to explain.

"So.. what? You thought breaking things off would be for the best?" Justin questioned.

"I just wanted him to be happy. I don't want him to sacrifice anything for me. I love him too much for that. Please just tell me you'll watch him for me," Stacy pleaded with him.

Justin leaned over and gave Stacy a kiss on the cheek. "I promise."

�

Lance pulled into Justin's driveway and saw him walk out the door. Lance shut off the engine and opened up the door and hopped out of his jeep. "Hey, man."

Justin walked over to him. "Where have you been? I was worried about you when I didn't see you at the hospital last night. And you weren't answering your cell phone."

"I know. I had some thinking to do," Lance replied.

"Stacy told me. I'm sorry, man," Justin said to him. "But you do know why she's doing it, don't you?"

"Not really. She just said it was for the best and that I'd forget here eventually," Lance told him.

"No, man. She's doing it because she doesn't want to stand in the way of your dreams. She doesn't want you to quit the group for her, and to her this is the best solution," Justin explained to him. He hoped Lance did something and not just give up.

Lance just stood there in silence for a second. "I have to go," he told him as he hopped in his jeep. "I'll call you later."

"Lance," he tried to call out but Lance was already out of the driveway. "Be careful."

Stacy looked over at Lisa. "I can't wait to get out of this place."

The Dr. knocked on the door. "I guess you get your wish then. Things are looking great, and I don't see there is any other reason to keep you here."

"Really?" Stacy asked. She couldn't wait to get back to her normal life and try to move on.

"Yes. I want you to call of us if anything changes. Go easy for awhile, otherwise you will be back in here. No working for another 3 or 4 days. Stop at the front desk and you can sign your release papers." The Dr. smiled and then left Stacy's room.

Lisa reached for Stacy's stuff and helped her get dressed. "Are you ready?" Lisa asked her.

"Yeah. I'm so ready," Stacy replied as they walked toward the door.

Before either one of them could take another step, Stacy came face to face with Lance. "Hi--"

Lance looked at her and noticed she was wearing her normal clothes. "Going somewhere?"

"Yeah, I was released." Stacy nodded.

"That's great. Stace, can we talk for a second?" He asked.

Stacy looked over at Lisa and nodded. "I'll be out in a few minutes."

Lisa left the room, and Stacy and Lance walked back into it. Stacy turned and looked at him. "Did you think about what I said?"

"Yeah. All night. Look, I understand why you don't want me to quit the band. I get that," he told her.

"You do?" She asked.

"Yeah, I do. But I also need you to understand that I love you. More than I've loved anybody. When you said we should break up I started to feel empty inside. I can't imagine my life without you," Lance tried to explain to her.

Stacy felt like she could just reach out to him and hold onto him forever. But before that was possible she needed to hear some things from his own mouth. "I love you, too. But what do you want? What do you want me to do?"

"To be with me. To love me for me. To help me through my crazy life and to someday marry me--" he finally told her.

Stacy couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What?" She said, half crying.

"When it's time. I mean, when our group settles down and when we're ready. It doesn't matter. I just need you with me. You're my best friend and I don't want to go through life without you," Lance told her as he walked closer to her.

Stacy leaped into his arms and just held on tight. "I love you. God, I love you so much." They just stood there and held onto each other. "Take me home" She whispered into his ear. Lance and her pulled out of each other's arms and they made their way out of her hospital room. Out of the hospital, and onto their future.