(A/N: I'm going to be changing back and forth from the different view points of where JC is and where the other guys are. It's going to be signified by three stars on either side of JC or Joey's name depending on the Point of view (ex: ***JC***) normal change of scenes comes back into play when I start using (*~*~*~*) which I normally do to signify a different scene. Dialogue might double over itself when changing from view to view)
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JC watched silently as Tony Collins dialled the familiar set of numbers and then hit the speakerphone button so that ringing sound of the phone filled the air.
The older man in front of him leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lazily against the desk as he waited for whoever was going to take the call to pick up.
JC held his breath as the familiar and almost comforting voice of one of his best friends picked up the phone.
***JOEY***
"Ok Go." The officer said to Joey while pushing the record button on the tape recorder that was set up to the phone. Joey cautiously picked up the phone raising it to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Ah. I see that you have decided to take my suggestion seriously and choose someone else to answer the phone this time. Whom am I talking to now?" The voice on the other end asked in a mocking tone
"Joey Fatone."
"Well hello Mr. Fatone. If it is all right with you I'll just skip the pleasantries and get right down to business. I trust you have been told what happened the last time I called� probably even heard it for yourself since I'm sure the police you have there right now taped the conversation. You aren't going to test my patience like your other friend did are you?"
"No I will not. My friend was doing what he was told to and if he had been warned that it would maybe put JC's life in further danger he would have never done it in the first place. We thought it would be better however if someone else took your next phone call just the same."
"A wise move on your behalf probably."
***JC***
Tony Collins looked up at his captive giving him a quick wink for reasons only he himself knew delighting in the confused features of the man before him. Then turning back to Joey and addressing the singer further.
"Well I was going to wait until later on into our conversation Mr. Fatone to do this but seeing as I am a nice man and I don't want to have a repeat performance of last time I'll help you out and do this now. I imagine you doubt whether your friend is even still alive and that you would be much more cooperative with me once you find out that he is indeed fine. Am I right?"
"I would be lying if I said that that thought has not crossed our minds sir." Joey's voice said in response.
"Very well Mr. Fatone. Go ahead JC." Tony Collins said nodded at JC and signalling he could speak.
For a brief moment JC's voice failed him. He had been wishing he could hear the voice of a friend and talk to them but now that he was able to he just couldn't seem to get the words out.
"Get talking JC so your friend can hear that you are indeed alright." Tony's angered voice cut through to him. He looked up at the man to see the growing anger etched on the other man's face and shrunk back slightly in fear of it but forced himself to say something, anything.
"Joey?" He forced out.
"Oh thank god. JC? Are you all right?" JC could hear the rush of voices of his other friends in the background as soon as Joey said his name and closed his eyes in attempt to keep from crying, at hearing the worried voices of his friends and band mates.
***JOEY***
"Joey?" Joey blinked� yes that was JC's voice. His voice sounded small and scared but it was definitely him. All the sudden not knowing he had stopped Joey started to breath again.
"Oh thank god. JC? Are you all right?" Joey heard the voices of Justin, Chris and Lance behind him frantic with questions of JC's well being and the voices of the bodyguards trying to calm them down again, telling them to be quiet.
"Yes. I'm all right� I'm ok� just� I really don't have much time Joey. I'm just supposed to tell you that I'm alright and that I'm safe." JC voice said wavering slightly.
"Are you sure you are ok? They haven't hurt you or anything?"
"No. They haven't hurt me."
"Ok. We are going to get you out of there soon Jace, just hang in for a little while longer ok?"
"Ok Joey. I have to go now." JC sounded as if he was on the verge of tears.
"I know. I promise we'll get you out of there as fast as possible." Joey said almost on the verge of tears himself at how small JC sounded.
"Alright." And then JC's voice was gone and replaced with the man from before.
***JC***
"So Mr. Fatone now that you know your friend is in fact alive and well perhaps we should move onto more serious matters. The price I'm asking for you friend's safe return isn't all that much, Big stars like yourselves should have no problem getting it."
"Alright."
"One million dollars wired to an account that I will give you after you have the money in your possession. I think 2 days is enough for you to get that amount of money?"
"I think so. But what if we can't?"
"Well I don't think you would want to know that." Tony Collins said staring straight at JC, watching as the young man eyes widen in shock. "You better hope you can. I'll be in touch again tomorrow at noon to find out how you are progressing. Is everything clear Mr. Fatone?"
"Perfectly." Joey said.
"Good. Speak with you tomorrow Mr. Fatone." And with that Tony Collins ended the phone call.
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"Well that went well boys don't you think?" Tony Collin's addressed his men. A chorus of 'Yes Sir's' rang out and Tony gestured his men closer to him to explain further details in their plain, temporary forgetting that JC had yet to be returned to his room.
Seeing a window of opportunity JC took a moment to search for the exit. Spotting it he took a second to look back at the men surrounding the desk and started to slowly move toward the door praying he wouldn't make any noise to attract the men's attention.
Reaching the door he opened it quietly turning back around to make sure he hadn't been noticed yet. Satisfied JC readied himself to run only when he turned back around he walked right into the chest of a much larger man then him.
"Tsk tsk tsk� JC. Didn't you listen to me when I told you not to try anything? That there would be consequences if you did?" Tony Collin's said with malice in his voice as JC was dragged back across the room. "That wasn't a wise move on your own behalf JC. I'm afraid I have no choice now� He is all yours boys�. Just don't kill him. Yet."
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Joey held the phone listening as the static from the disconnected call started. Hanging up the phone he leaned heavily against the desk in front of him. JC was alive and that was all that mattered. A quiet voice from beside him startled him making him jump slightly.
"Was it really him Joe?" Justin asked.
"Yes Justin. It was him. He's alright." Joey responded.
"Ok you boys ready to hear this?" The officer asked and then pushed play and the conversation of minutes before filled the room.
As the conversation was played Ray listened carefully, trying to determine whether or not the loan shark was keeping his end of the bargain. Feeling eyes on him he looked up and noticed that Lance appeared to be staring at him. Giving Lance what he hoped was a tentative yet sad smile he fought not to release a sigh of relief when the green eyed man turned away from him. When no information was extremely forth coming from the call Ray decided that if he really wanted to know anything he would have to sneak out and go see the Tony Collins in person, taking the first chance he got to slip away.
When the call ended the room was a flurry of motion and sound and Ray backed slowly out of the room shutting the door as quietly as possible once he was outside.
Lance watched from his place as the bodyguard left the room, raising his eyebrow at the peculiar exit. Determined to get to the bottom of Ray's behaviour and odd story about what had happened in the parking lot, Lance looked around the room to make sure no one was watching him, grabbed his coat and followed Ray.