After that things seemed to return to a quasi-normal. Justin stopped clinging to them all so much, but he was still very jumpy and was more cuddly then he had been before the incident. All of them just took Justin�s new attitude in stride, not saying anything so Justin was not made to be uncomfortable. At one point or another they all had been grabbed by a fan and knew it could be disconcerting. The fan being able to get onstage just made it worse.
The U.S. tour ended at the end of August, but they all knew a rest was still several weeks away. They had a couple of weeks worth of work to do in New York City before they could go home. Although all of them were used to the constant work, it didn�t make it any easier when it was the end of a tour and they still couldn�t take a breather.
A couple of weeks later they had done more photo shoots then they wanted to count, performed at the MTV Music Awards while taking home several of the Moon Men statues and performed with Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 in a television special set to air later in the month. All of them were exhausted and ready to head back to Orlando.
Their plane left New York early on a Tuesday morning. Although they were all exhausted, they were also happy to be headed home. They had chartered a private plane to get home since it was almost impossible for them to take a regular flight without causing a riot. It was also easier to work around their schedules especially if they were running late which it seemed they frequently were.
The plane had just landed in Orlando when they heard the news. A wave of silence engulfed them as they thought about the people dead and injured with a plane flying into the World Trade Center. A couple of minutes later the emotion changed to disbelief and fear at the news of the other plane hitting the other tower. All of them realized immediately this was some sort of premeditated attack.
Normally they would all head off to their individual homes to rest and recover, but today was not normal. They all headed to Lance�s home figuring it was probably the best stocked with food since his assistant usually went shopping for him right before he got home. When they walked in the door and turned on the television they were met with the news of the plane hitting the Pentagon and also the plane going down in Pennsylvania. What shocked them all the most was watching as the World Trade Center towers they had seen only yesterday crumbled on the screen before them.
Joey immediately pulled out his cell phone and tried to call his relatives in New York. He wasn�t able to get through due to all the circuits being jammed though. Chris and JC were immediately at his side to lead him to the couch and hold him as he contemplated how many of his relatives could be injured or dead. They were so engrossed in taking care of Joey they didn�t see Justin�s skin turning an alarming shade of white and his body collapsing towards the floor. Luckily Lance had caught the movement in the corner of his eye and was at Justin�s side to catch him before he hit the floor.
Lance picked up Justin�s body and carried it to the other couch in the room. With his sensitive hearing he could hear the beat of Justin�s heart which reassured him as he headed to the kitchen to get a wet cloth and a glass of water for when Justin woke up. He figured his friend was just overwhelmed at the thought of all that had happened. Even though Lance had survived some horrible events in the past, somehow this seemed almost more barbaric. He contemplated how this could seem worse then Pearl Harbor or the atrocities of Hitler and finally decided it was because they were able to see this entire event happening on televisions right in his living room. Those previous events were only shown in the newspapers and in the news reels before films. It was easier to separate yourself from something you didn�t see on every channel.
When Lance walked back into his living room he was met with the sight of Joey silently crying in JC�s arms while Chris rubbed his back. Chris met Lance�s eyes and they both silently communicated their shock and fear. They had seen a lot if their years together, but this was hitting them the hardest of anything since the plague that swept through London and led to Chris changing Lance. Their eyes also conveyed their love for each other and their support of each other. Once Lance was sure Joey was being taken care of and Chris and JC were doing the best that they could under the circumstances he moved his focus to Justin.
Justin was still unconscious on the couch and Lance started to worry something more than shock was wrong. Lance was about to get Chris to come and see if he could sense what the problem was when Justin started to stir and opened his eyes.
�Was it a nightmare?� He whispered to Lance.
�No. I wish it was JuJu.� Lance normally didn�t use the nickname with Justin, but thought maybe it would help calm the man to hear the old name used.
�Oh My God, Lance. I was going to stay in New York. I was supposed to be meeting my accountant for breakfast today, but he called yesterday and said he had a family emergency and had to go out of town. I would have been there. He worked at the World Trade Center and we would have been meeting when the planes hit. I would have been there.� Lance closed his eyes as the thought of possibly losing Justin flooded his brain. He knew right then Chris had been right when he said Lance was drawn to Justin in a way he wasn�t to the others. He knew he couldn�t act upon the impulse, but at the same time he knew losing Justin would almost destroy him.
Justin�s sobs broke Lance out of his thoughts and Lance quickly pulled the man into his arms. He may not be able to have Justin for his own, but he could help comfort and protect the man. Lance vowed then to bury his feelings for Justin deep and to do everything in his power to make the other man happy.
The five men spent the rest of the day watching the news and all the events unfold. Joey�s parents called him later in the afternoon to tell him they had heard from all his relatives in New York and every one was fine. They were all shocked when they found out one of their crew members who also worked for Backstreet Boys was killed on the way to be with his pregnant wife. They had all known him well and were further saddened at the lose. With reddened eyes and heavy hearts they fell asleep in each others arms late in the night secure only in the knowledge they would get through this together.
* * * * *
The European tour which had been planned for the fall but was canceled due to security concerns. Any logical person would think the cancelations would mean they would have more time off, but instead they were on a whirlwind of charity concerts. They were all in demand for comments on what had happened and also to carry concerts raising money for the victims and their families.
They found themselves clinging to each other to get through all of it. It wasn�t unusual to find two or more of them cuddled up together, trying to comfort each other. What was a little surprising was the way that JC, Joey and Chris seemed to be each other�s greatest comfort, while Justin and Lance seemed to be welded at the hip whenever there wasn�t a camera around. No one said anything about Chris and Lance often spending the night in different rooms, though every one noticed that both Chris and Lance looked like they were sick and getting worse. At first they passed it off as being due to all the stress and worries the entire nation was feeling, but the other three started to get more worried when the situation just seemed to be getting worse.
Chris and Lance were aware both of them were weakening and they also knew what they needed. Both of them were involved in trying to keep everything and everyone around them together and hadn�t had time to take care of their feedings. Without the feedings they were both getting weaker every day, but every time they tried to do something about it they were interrupted. They knew something had to be done soon, but they were all living on top of each other more than when they were touring. They had all just made themselves at home at Lance�s home and never really left even though they had homes nearby.
Everything came to a head a week before the benefit in Washington DC. It had been three weeks since the attack on the United States and three weeks since Chris and Lance had really fed their vampire hunger. They were planning their set when Chris stood up and started to collapse due to his hunger. Lance was at his side quickly and helped him sit back down. He looked around at his concerned band mates and then back down at Chris knowing what needed to be done and wondering how to get rid of their friends to accomplish it. Joey must have read his mind because he decided right then what Chris needed was food and since they were all sick of pizza and Chinese food he decided he could go get some Italian food from the local restaurant. Lance mentioned maybe Justin and JC could use some air as well and they were all gone.
As he heard the car leaving the driveway, Lance was busy pulling Chris�s pants and boxer briefs down to his knees. Chris was only half-aware of what was going on until he felt Lance engulf him with his mouth. Moans were soon filling the air as Lance opened his throat and swallowed Chris entirely. Lance sucked hard for a couple of minutes before pulling back with a grin. Chris moaned at the loss of Lance�s hot mouth but was awestruck at the sight of Lance sucking three fingers into his mouth, running his tongue up and down the fingers. Once the fingers were well lubricated and Chris was moaning from the sight of Lance sucking on his own fingers, Lance bent back down to take Chris in his mouth again. His fingers went straight to Chris� opening and thrust two digits in quickly. Chris� hips lifted up further until he was thrusting hard into Lance�s mouth as Lance fucked him hard with two fingers and then three.
�Oh God Lance, I�m going to cum.� Lance really didn't need the reminder, he could feel Chris� pleasure in the air and he gulped it in. Lance let the pleasure wash over him and through him before swallowing one more time and feeling Chris explode in his mouth. Chris continued to thrust hard until he was completely drained. Once he had caught his breath and could talk, Chris raised his head to look at his friend.
�Lance, let me take care of you now.�
�There isn�t time. They will be back any time and I really don�t want them to find us in the act again. I�m fine. The most important hunger had been fed. Can you feel it Chris?�
�Yeah, I feel it. Why did not being fed weaken me more than you though?�
�I think I was feeding off of Justin�s dreams a little. I don�t think he had a sexual dream or anything, but I think there was some sexual satisfaction involved.�
�You never told me you could do that Lance.�
�I wasn�t really sure until the past couple of weeks. I�ve never gone without feeding the hunger for this long before. I don�t think I was feeding off of dreams made a difference until it was the only way I was being fed.� Chris was about to continue the discussion when they both heard the car drive up.
�Well, they are back. Ready to get back to it and be Lance Bass of NSYNC again?�
�No, but at least this isn�t public Lance Bass, it is just the serious businessman Lance Bass of NSYNC.� Lance said quickly before leaning down to steal a kiss before the others entered the room.
* * * * *
It was mid-November when the group headed down to the Atlantis resort to film their television special. All of them were excited at the thought of performing for the smaller audience and for a more laid-back concert style after the huge production that Pop Odyssey had become. They would still have the dancers for a couple of songs, but the choreography didn�t include as much running or pyrotechnics. All of them were also looking forward to the medley sung with Tim McGraw not only because they would all have a chance at a solo, but also because they really did admire Tim�s work. Lance had pulled them all into a love of country music several years before and Tim McGraw had become a frequent addition to all of their play lists.
The concert was all pretty much planned when they arrived at the resort. They still had a couple of rehearsals to make sure everything would work with the stage and the one rehearsal with Tim to go over the medley. The rest of the time was spent exploring the resort with cameras following their every move. They were able to swim with dolphins and play in the pools. Run along sandy beaches and kickback at the many bars. JC even got all of them into the aquarium area where the fish swam above you and to the side of you and they sang together. The five of them singing together again with amazing acoustics and nothing but their voices was a highlight for all of them and they silently promised they would sing together just for fun more often.
All five men were on for the concert. The choreography seemed to flow seamlessly and their voices rang true. None of them could keep the smiles from their faces as they listened to the reaction of the select few who got to experience the concert in person. They just seemed to get more energetic as the audience got into the music more and more. It was during the medley with Tim McGraw it seemed to reach its peak. JC was in his own music world singing to and beside Tim as the others looked on in amusement knowing he was lost in his favorite place. As the others switched off positions and solo duties Chris and Lance could feel their hunger taking a little sip of the pleasure in the air. It was a new experience for both of them and during �Lean On Me� Chris draped his arm over Lance�s shoulder to help support them both as the emotions ran over them and through them. It wasn�t enough to actually feed them completely, but it did wet their appetites and they knew they would be finding someone to help fulfill them before the night was through.
After the concert was over everyone was on a high and set out to party the night away. It was a couple of hours in when Chris found a woman who would make the perfect donor for both Lance and himself for the evening. He read her thoughts enough to know she was in her mid-twenties and the thought of having a chance with both him and Lance was highly arousing to her. The three of them made their way back to Chris and Lance�s suite. Clothes were quickly discarded and skin was rubbing together on the large bed.
�My name is Riley.� The woman whispered as the three were kissing and rubbing against each other.
Chris was the first to move and initiate further contact. He lay down upon his back and pulled the woman down hard upon his cock. Once she was used to the feeling of being filled by him, Chris pulled her down to lay chest to chest with him with her legs still straddling his. This effectively opened her up for Lance to begin working her from behind. Both Chris and Lance knew she had never been double-teamed before so Lance clouded her mind with sexual pleasure as his fingers worked to stretch her out far enough so he would not tear her when he entered her. Once she was sufficiently stretched he slowly thrust into her from behind, Both men patiently waited for her to get accustom to all the sensations before begin a rhythm that was sure to excite all of them.
Lance did most of the moving, his hard thrusts forcing Riley onto Chris and then when Lance would withdraw Riley would pull away from Chris slightly as well. Chris was happy to just let them do the work while he ran his hands along both Riley and Lance�s sweat slicked skin. He could feel the beginnings of the hunger feeding and as he met Lance�s eyes he could see the mutual agreement this would be more than a sexual feeding. Neither had fed on blood for a couple of months and they knew it had to be done soon or the effects would start to show as they had when the sexual hunger had not been fed.
As Riley was just about to fall over the edge into oblivion, Lance bent down to the right side of her neck and Chris took the left and both sank fangs into her neck right as all three of them climaxed. Lance and Chris were done feeding and had licked the wounds on her neck closed by the time she came down from the ecstasy. The room was filled with all of their hard breathing until a lone voice broke through all of their consciousness.
�What the fuck just happened?� Justin�s voice asked incredulously.
Both Lance and Chris turned their head to look at their youngest band mate as the reality they had been found out slowly sunk in. They had agreed several years earlier if one of the guys were to find out about them they would first try talking to them and explaining. If talking didn�t work, then Chris would go into their mind and change the memory. Lance and Chris both agreed though they felt it was an invasion to change memories or thoughts unless it was absolutely necessary.
�Justin,� Lance said calmly after a moment�s hesitation, �we can explain. Let us say goodbye to Riley first.� As Lance spoke he was motioning for Riley to get dressed. She wasn�t real happy about it though and moved slowly. Of course the fact she had just fed two vampires sexual and blood hunger could also be attributed. As she slowly pulled on her clothes, the three men were staring at each other knowing they had to wait for the outsider to leave before dealing with personal business.
Once Riley was dressed and realized something more was going on then she was aware of, she took off quickly unaware Chris was slightly altering the memory in her head so she wouldn�t expose the truth about his relationship with Lance or of Justin walking in. She would vaguely remember an encounter with Lance and Chris and she would realize she had sex, but the two memories would not correspond in her mind. Chris feeling no remorse for changing her memories and yet not wanting to alter Justin�s memory was just the paradox in his life.
Lance and Chris quickly pulled on pants and shirts and motioned Justin to sit down in the attached living room area. Chris automatically pulled a couple of beers out of the fridge and handed one to Justin figuring by the time they were through with their explanation he would need several beers. He knew this was a very tenuous situation and silently wondered why it couldn�t have been JC or Joey who walked in on them feeding. Chris thought Joey would probably take the entire situation in stride figuring his friendship with Chris and Lance more important then worrying about the fact they were vampires. In fact, since their method of feeding was sexual it was very possible Joey would be nothing except a little jealous of the entire situation. JC would just sit back and ponder the whole situation. He would be quiet for a couple of days until he had assimilated the information and then he would get any excess emotions out by painting or writing a song. It would have been simple and tidy. With Justin they faced the unknown. It was very possible he would listen to what they had to say and be okay with it. It was also possible he would not handle the information and Chris would have to alter the entire experience in his mind.
While Chris had been pondering their luck at having Justin walk in on them feeding, Justin himself had finished gulping the first beer and was opening a second before motioning for one of them to start talking. Lance took a deep breath and then started the explanation.
�What you saw in the bedroom was Chris and I feeding.� Lance said calmly sitting next to Justin in case he didn�t take the news well and tried to bolt. �We are a form of vampire Justin. We don�t feed on blood very often; in fact this is the first time in a couple of months we have fed our blood hunger. When we do feed it, we only take a small amount as you saw. She doesn�t even realize she has donated blood to us, just thinks the sex was a little bit rough at the end.�
Justin swallowed hard, �You really expect me to believe you two are vampires? How stupid do you think I am?� All the while in his head Justin was lining up memories of inconsistencies, things which made much more sense now with this information.
�Justin, we are trying to be upfront about something here. So, instead of blowing off the explanation Lance is giving you, listen and then process all we tell you later. Those inconsistencies going through your head will definitely make a lot more sense when we are done I promise you.� Justin was shocked Chris knew exactly what he was thinking down to the terminology he was using in his head. Chris saw the shock and decided it was better to come clean about his abilities.
�Yes, I can read your mind. I don�t usually do it; I consider it an invasion of your privacy. But we have to know what you think about this. We are not lying to you. In fact, we are telling you more then we have ever told anyone before. So, please try to have an open mind about all of this because I promise you we would not lie about something like this.�
�Okay. I will try to listen to all you have to say without judging.� Justin said as he drained the rest of the second bottle. He ran his hand over his face and then sat back figuring this was not going to be quick.
Lance looked critically at Justin and then began again. �As I said, we are vampires. It is not like all the legends say, though there are vampires out there who are. We are for lack of a better word, sexual vampires. The main way we feed is off of sexual pleasure. What food is to you, an orgasm is to us. We do have to feed on blood occasionally although I couldn�t explain to you why. Just like I cannot explain to you how we feed off of sex. I just know this is the way we live. We can go out in sunlight, obviously, though we don�t like to. Sunlight is uncomfortable to us, like a low-level ache, it�s bearable but not enjoyable. We aren�t damned as the legend claim, which is why I can wear my cross and we can go into churches and holy water has no affect. We can be burned by rose oil, again I don�t know why. Rose oil can also keep us out of a room or dwelling if it is rubbed around all the entrances. It does have to be pure though; holding a rose or being near them doesn�t hurt us although it is uncomfortable like sunlight. Do you have any questions so far?� Lance looked at Justin as he finished.
�How long? And what about the immortal thing? And why didn�t you tell us?� Justin asked quickly. Chris concentrated a second and then nodded at Lance telling him Justin was actually listening and trying to understand.
�Okay, we didn�t tell you because we were not sure how you all would take this. It�s not something you would normally discuss with your friends. Yes, vampires are immortal except for a few exceptions. As for how long, we have been vampires for around 650 years.� Lance and Chris looked closely at Justin�s reaction as he tried to understand what he had been told.
�Six hundred and . . . .� Justin looked around frantically. Chris realized they needed to do something to calm him down or focus his attention elsewhere. He grabbed the remaining bottle of beer and after taking off the lid thrust it into Justin�s hands. Justin didn�t even blink, just tipped the bottle back and drained it quickly. He then took a long breath, looking at the two men before him.
�You knew each other before all of this?� It wasn�t really a question as much as a statement.
�Yes.� Chris answered quietly.
�I need to think about all of this. Is that all right?� Justin asked equally as quiet. �I promise I won�t say anything to anyone else, it�s just this is . . . it�s a bit much for me to wrap my mind around.� Lance and Chris both nodded understandingly. �Do you mind if I just stay here? I know you probably want to be alone, but if I have any questions . . .� Justin trailed off.
�It�s okay J.� Lance said as he pulled Justin into his arms. �You can stay here as long as you need. We will answer any questions you have. Just sleep right now.� Lance said as Justin�s eyes dropped close as all the stress from the day caught up to him.
Three hours later Justin woke up to find himself still cuddled in Lance�s arms with Chris on his other side. The two of them were softly talking and had not realized he was awake.
�Do you think he is taking it all right? I don�t want you to have to alter his memories Chris.� Lance said as he unconsciously rubbed Justin�s head.
�As far as I can tell he is. He is overwhelmed of course, but try to remember what you felt like the night I told you I was a vampire. You thought I was crazy and then you took some time to think it over and we were okay. I was worried it would be too much for him, but I think he is going to be okay.�
�Chris, I think you underestimate Justin a lot. Yes, he is young. But I think you sometimes forget he has been thrown into a business which makes you grow up really quick. He is so much more mature than most people his age are and he loves us. He will want to understand because of it.�
�I hope you are right. I want to alter his memories even less then you want me to. It was different when we were first getting the group together. I didn�t really know any of the people I had to alter memories of, now I know him though, I don�t know if I could do it.� Chris said as he raked his fingers through Lance�s hair. �But, I would do it to protect you. If his knowing puts you in danger I would do it in a second.�
�I know.� Lance smiled. �You have always looked out for me and you will never know how much I appreciate it.�
�I have an idea because you look out for me as well. I don�t think I would have survived all these years without you by my side. Those fifty years apart were the loneliest I�d been since before I met you. You are part of my heart now Lance and you always will be.�
�You are part of my heart too Chris. I lie in bed at night and wish you could be the soul mate I was looking for and sometimes I wonder if you really aren�t my soul mate and I just haven�t realized it yet. I know I cannot live without you again.�
�Remember when you find your soul mate, I will still be here for you Lance. He or she better be willing to share a little because I�m not going anywhere.� Chris pulled Lance�s head towards him and kissed the lips he loved. It was Lance who pushed the kiss a little further by licking at Chris� mouth asking for entry which was quickly granted. The two men kissed hungrily with Justin between them, neither even realizing Justin was not only awake but also getting aroused by what was happening above him.
Justin couldn�t control the gasp escaping his mouth as he saw the two tongues battling back and forth. At the sound Lance and Chris broke apart and looked down at Justin. They both smirked at the obvious arousal on Justin�s face.
�Don�t stop.� Justin whispered.
�Maybe another time you can watch J. We�ve already fed for the night and all of us are tired. We should go to bed.� Chris said smiling slightly at the disappointment flooding Justin�s face. �Are you staying with us or going back to your own room?�
�I can stay?� Justin asked tentatively.
�Of course, come on.� Lance said as he offered the younger man a hand up. The three men headed towards the bedroom where they all stripped down to boxer shorts and climbed in and tangled their bodies together without thinking about it. It was natural for Chris and Lance to sleep tangled up and they just automatically pulled Justin in as well.
�Can I ask one more question before we go to sleep?� Justin asked into Lance�s back.
�Of course J.� Lance answered.
�I heard you say Chris could change my memories, can you both do change memories or is it only Chris?�
�I can change memories and thoughts of people J. It is my power but Lance can�t do it.� After a brief glance at Lance to make sure it was okay, Chris continued. �Lance has his own power though. He can seduce anyone and he has the ability to control sexual desire with his mind in a way that I never could.� Both Lance and Chris were expecting more questions to follow, but Justin just murmured a quiet �okay� and then drifted off to sleep content in the arms of his friends.
The three men woke up the next morning to the sound of pounding on the door. It took a minute for Lance to untangle himself enough to get out of the bed. He took a moment to look back and smile at Justin and Chris who had moved into each other�s arms after he had left the bed. When he opened the door he was met with the sight of Joey about to pound on the door again.
�Is there something I can do for you at ass o�clock in the morning Joey?� Lance growled as he thought about how he could be sandwiched between Justin and Chris right now if it wasn�t for Joey.
�Justin is missing. No one has seen him since last night.� Joey said worriedly.
�He�s here. Don�t worry.� Lance said as he started to close the door. Joey quickly got his foot in the door and looked intensely at Lance.
�What do you mean he is here with you? Where is Chris then?�
�Chris is here too. We were just talking and Justin got tired so he stayed here instead of going back to his room.�
�Yeah, like the ten feet across the hall was so far to walk. What is going on Lance?� Joey asked knowing something was not right with the situation but not sure what.
�Nothing is going on Joe. We talked. He was tired. He didn�t want to be alone. He is here. End of story.�
�Where did he sleep?�
�He slept in the bed as if it is any of your business.�
�He slept in a bed with you and Chris and it�s not my business?� Joey said worried.
�We didn�t do anything to him Joey.� Lance almost screamed. �We have all slept in the same bed before. It is no big deal.�
�You slept in the same bed before you and Chris were together.�
�Joey, Chris and I have been together since the beginning. We can control ourselves. Now leave me alone. I am going back to bed and I will see you at lunch.� Lance closed the door before Joey could say any more.
Lance walked back into the bedroom and studied the bed intently. He and Chris could control themselves, it didn�t mean Lance always wanted to though. Pushing the thought aside Lance stripped off his pants and then crawled back into bed.
* * * * *
Although Chris and Lance expected Justin to wake up with a whole list of questions, he just smiled at them and said he had a lot of thinking to do. They knew he wouldn�t tell their secret to anyone and after making sure Justin knew they would be there if he needed them, they sent him on his way.
Two weeks later all the guys finally had a couple of days off and they were all planning what to do. Joey had plans to fly to New York to visit some old friends and family. JC was flying to Los Angeles to relax and spend some time playing in the studio. Lance and Chris planned to spend a couple of days just hanging out since both of them were caught up on business as well. Justin hadn�t said anything about his plans until everyone was scattering and then he approached Lance and Chris.
�I know you all have plans, but is there any way that we could get together and talk in the next couple of days?� Justin asked shyly. He had thought things through and was now ready to face the truth about his friends.
�Of course J.� Chris said sweetly. �We told you anytime you wanted to talk we would be here and we meant it. Do you want to come over tonight?�
�Okay. Is there anything I can bring?� Justin asked brightly now he knew he wouldn�t be denied.
�Nope. Just yourself.� Lance said as he got into Chris� car. �Why don�t you just plan on staying tonight as well J? Then we don�t have to worry about you driving if you drink or anything.�
�Okay. See you in a couple of hours then?� Chris and Lance both nodded and Justin took off to do some errands before meeting up with his friends.