After Symone cried herself back into a fitful sleep, and Nicole tucked her into her bed, the group sat silently in almost the same positions that they had been when the whole ordeal began.

“Well, there goes our great farewell night,” Anna muttered and put her head on the table. The rest mumbled their agreement, all except Emmi.

“No.” Everyone glanced up at the fierce determination in her voice. “No, this is our last night together, possibly ever, and I am not going to let Justin’s grumpiness ruin it. JC, what was your idea?”

Josh cleared his throat. “Well, I was thinking…we could drive to the closest big town and do some kareoke.”

Nicole chuckled softly, and pushed his shoulder. “Oh, yeah baby, that’s fair to Anna, Emmi, Terri and I. The rest of you sing in front of people for a living.”

He reached around her waist and tickled her flat stomach. “It was only a suggestion. Besides, I have heard you sing, and…” JC trailed off as if in thought. “Now that I think about it, maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

“HEY!” Nicole pouted and everyone laughed freely for the first time since Justin left. JC tried to put his arm back around her, but she shrugged it off. Now it was JC’s turn to pout. “Oh put the lip away Chasez, that was a low blow and you know it!” There was a laughing tone to Nicole’s mockery, and everyone could tell she was just playing with her fiancé.

“Looks like Joshie’s gonna be sleeping alone tonight,” Lance said to Emmi under his breath.

Emmi laughed, and then got the group refocused. “So, does kareoke sound like a good idea?” When there were no objections, she grabbed the phone book from under the counter and began searching for the closest kareoke bar in the area.

Nicole went into the back room to check on Symone and Adrienne, JC following her closely and muttering apologies. The smirk on her face said she loved making him sweat.

Krysti decided to get a head start on the day and shower and change, while Chris and Terri remained placid on the couch, still talking to the unborn twins.

Anna and Joey got up and decided to take a walk around the property, though it was obvious the distance that Anna put between them.

And Lance sat at the kitchen table, watching Emmi, as she was perched atop the counter leafing through the large book, and wondering if he had made the biggest mistake of his young life.

An hour or so later, Lance was still in the same position and still in the same frame of mind, when the screen door creaked open and then slammed shut. He reflexively jumped, startled out of his thoughts. When he looked up, his eyes were met with a weather worn Justin Timberlake. His usually milky white skin had taken on an almost red hue, and his hair was matted to his head with sweat.

“Where have you been?” Lance asked, taking in his friend’s unusually derelict appearance.

Justin pretended not to hear him. “Where’s Symone?”

“Now, now Justin, didn’t your tutors ever teach you not to answer a question with a question?” Seeing that the younger man was in no mood for joking, Lance answered his inquiry. “My guess would be as far away from you as humanly possible. You know you screwed up, right?”

Justin nodded slowly. “Big time, I know.” He sat next to his band mate at the large oak table and put his head in his hands, gently as not to disturb his sunburn. “I don’t know what is wrong with me. I am scared of getting hurt again, and I figured the only way to avoid it is to hurt her first. But, man, I will be damned if hurting Symone doesn’t hurt me ten times more.” He stood up. “I have to apologize.”

Lance shook his head, “Leave it alone right now. She needs some time to cool off and put things into perspective.”

Justin sat back in the chair dejectedly. “How do I make it up to her, Lance? I was so horrible, so…”

A light went off in Lance Bass’ head. “I think I know just the way...”

There was a light rapping on the girls’ bunkroom door. Symone sat up in the bed, but made no move to acknowledge the person on the other side. For all she knew, it could be Justin and Shai, here to rub their newfound happiness in her miserable face.

The door creaked open, and a mass of sun-kissed blonde hair peaked around the corner. “Oh good, you’re up,” Krysti said, noticing her best friend sitting and watching her at the door.

“Yeah, I am. What time is it?”

“I believe it is almost 3 in the afternoon,” Krysti replied, glancing at her watch.

Symone gasped. “What? I slept for 5 hours?”

“You kinda knocked yourself out there, kiddo. Not that I blame you in the least.” She made her way over to the bed. “You wanna talk about it Sym?”

She shook her dark tresses, and sighed. Frankly, Symone wanted to forget this morning had ever happened. But, even more so, she wanted revenge. She wanted Justin to know what it felt like to be completely humiliated in front of everyone they knew. “What did they all decide we were doing tonight?”

Krysti smiled. “JC suggested kareoke, and Emmi found a place not to far from here that claims to have every song ever recorded available to sing.” She coughed for a few seconds and regained her composure. “With this cold I have going I doubt I will be belting out any tunes, but it should be fun.”

“Kareoke, huh?” A light went off in Symone Cabrerra’s head. “That give’s me a great idea…”

Piling out of the large white van, the 11 adults looked at the building in front of them. Wood from top to bottom, the only things that set it apart from the other establishments in this region of South Carolina were the neon signs and the raucous laugher/music that came from inside its walls. The group smiled, and strode inside. It was relatively busy for a Thursday night, but there were a few empty tables toward the middle of the room. On the makeshift stage, two guys were doing an almost pitiful rendition of ‘Macho Man’, but their friends’ cheers of encouragement made their performance quite comical.

Lance pulled Emmi and Symone to sit at a table with him, which Krysti quickly joined. Nicole and Josh sat with Chris and Terri and Joe and Anna, all the couples talking quietly amongst themselves. This was JC and Nicole’s first time out without Adrienne in almost 3 months, and the way they were cuddling proved it. Shai had offered to watch the little girl after she found out about the group’s trip to the bar.

Justin stood between the two tables, not knowing what to do. All the love and affection shown at the couples’ table was bound to make him miserable by the end of the night, especially if Lance’s plan didn’t work. But his other option was to sit at Symone’s table, and in effect sit under her piercing, angry stare. He had felt it as she sat behind him in the van, and was squirming through the entire half-hour drive. Reluctantly, he pulled up a chair next to JC.

“Hey man, why so glum?” JC asked, his hand entwined with Nicole’s.

“Gee, I will give you three guesses…”

Nicole laughed slightly. “It’ll be all right Justin, just give her some time to cool off. Now have some fun tonight, or risk me blowing up at your ass for hurting my little sister!”

Justin had to laugh at that. “OK, you’re right Nic, thank you.”

“No problem, hon. Just don’t let it happen again, or I will seriously beat you until you look like a Backstreet Boy.”

The whole table laughed, and then Emmi, Symone and Krysti came up to the table and pulled Nicole, Anna and Terri with them. The girls were going to have a little fun onstage.

Krysti went up to the man in control of the sound and let him know what song they were planning on singing. He handed her 5 microphones; Terri insisted she wasn’t going to sing, just dance a little and support her girls.

After distributing the mics and discussing who would sing what, the girls turned to face the audience.

“How’s everybody doing out there?” Symone asked, her performance skill kicking in as soon as she saw all the eyes focused on her. A few little yelps and cheers encouraged her on. “Well, this song is dedicated to all of you technology buffs out there, especially my future brother in law, Josh. And Josh, let me just say, this was more than I needed to know about your relationship with my sister.” She nodded to the sound guy and the music cued up.

Symone jumped off the stage and worked the audience, using the most seductive voice she could so sing the first part of the song.

Baby, baby we can do all that we want
We're gettin nasty nasty, we're getting freaky deaky
Baby baby we can do more than just talk
Cause I can hear ya hear ya, and I can see ya see ya
Baby baby we can do all that we want
We're getting nasty nasty, we're getting freaky deaky.

The rest of the girls joined in during the chorus, and though their harmonies weren’t nearly as good as the guys’, they elicited many a cheer with their dancing in combination with the seductive lyrics.

Digital digital get down just you and me
(You may be) Twenty thousand miles away but I can see ya
And baby baby you can see me
Digital digital get down just what we need
We can get together naturally
(We can) We can get together on the digital screen.

Symone took Justin’s verse, walking through the audience and teasing some of the guys. She winked, and blew kisses and had an all around great time. Every man in the place was focused on the cute brunette, and were loving her moves and flirtatious ways. All except Justin.

Every time I'm sittin home alone girl
I can't wait to get you on the phone girl
So pick it up babe
I can see everything you do
Bouncin me from satellite to satellite
I love the things you do for me so late at night
You turn me on babe
It's like I'm right there next to you yeah.

She got back on stage, and Krysti took over, her long blonde hair whipping around as she danced around the tables. She stood behind a guy in a South Carolina Gamecocks hat, and sang into his ear, as everyone watched his eyes go wide.

Can we get connected
I need some love and affection baby
I'll call you on the phone
I hope that I get through
If you're in the mood and I'm not home
Here's what you do: leave a message
You know the kind I like to get back to.

Once again all the girls took the chorus, and with all the teasing that Symone and Krysti had put the mostly male filled room through, there were catcalls and dollar bills flying at the girls. But, one of the men in the audience hadn’t even seen teasing yet.

Digital digital get down just you and me
(You may be) Twenty thousand miles away but I can see ya
And baby baby you can see me
Digital digital get down just what we need
We can get together naturally
(We can) We can get together on the digital screen.

Nicole lowered herself to the floor level and sauntered over to her fiancé. She was going to make him pay for criticizing her singing. She pulled his chair away from the table and straddled his lap, facing him, and sang the verse that he had written specifically after an incident they had during the long promo tour during the lawsuit. Licking her lips and then his, she reveled in his reaction to her.

I lose my mind just when you're speaking
I see you on the screen, I get to freaking
So get down babe
And I'll get down for you (I'll get down for you)
I get so excited when I'm watching boy
I can't wait to see you touch your body boy
It's just me and you
So we can do what we gotta do (yeah).

Can we get connected
I need some love and affection baby
I'll call you on the phone
I hope that I get through
If you're in the mood and I'm not home
Here's what you do: leave a message
You know the kind I like to get back to.

JC’s jaw may as well have attached itself to the floor when Nicole was finished. Not only had he never heard her sing so well, she had aroused him to the point of wanting to grab her off the stage and pull her out to the van for some quality time alone. She looked over her shoulder and winked at him with a smile. He realized in that moment how much he was going to love being with her for the rest of his life; she would always keep him on his toes.

Digital digital get down just you and me
(You may be) Twenty thousand miles away but I can see ya
And baby baby you can see me
Digital digital get down just what we need
We can get together naturally
(We can) We can get together on the digital screen.

Digital digital digital digital get down (get down)
Digital digital digital digital get down (get down...)

The mechanical voice that lead into Justin’s seductive bridge signaled Symone’s next voyage into the audience.

Alert: Your satellite feed has been interrupted...

This time, she went directly for the table that her friends were sitting at. She played with Lance’s hair, and then kissed his cheek. The look of shock on Josh’s face required no more teasing, and so she quickly kissed his, too. She did the same for Joey and Chris, and made her way purposefully to Justin. Symone whispered the lyrics breathily into his ear and the mic. When he gulped and turned his head to her lips, she pushed him away roughly and moved back up to the stage, laughing.

Baby baby we can do more than just talk
Cause I can hear ya hear ya, and I can see ya see ya
Baby baby we can do all that we want
We're getting nasty nasty, we're getting freaky deaky
Baby baby we can do more than just talk
Cause I can hear ya hear ya, and I can see ya see ya
Baby baby we can do all that we want
We're getting nasty nasty, we're getting (oh oh) digital.

Digital digital get down just you and me
(You may be) Twenty thousand miles away but I can see ya
And baby baby you can see me
Digital digital get down just what we need
We can get together naturally
(We can) We can get together on the digital screen.

Digital digital get down (get down)
Just what we need...

The girls took their bow and picked up their money among room-shaking cheers. It had been an erotic few moments for the inhabitants of the bar, and the girl’s giggled that all eyes were on them as the walked back to the tables.

“So, what’d you thi-” Nicole started to ask, before Josh cut her off in a mind-blowing kiss.

“That was NOT very nice young lady!” he panted as they broke it off. She merely smiled.

“At least I didn’t do what Sym did to Justin,” she whispered. “Not that he doesn’t deserve it to some extent, but…”

He nodded, and then looked at his group mates. “So fellas, how are we gonna follow up that…”

“Head-expanding performance?” Chris supplied, only to be slapped playfully by Terri.

“That’s one way to put it,” Joey laughed. He had been mesmerized by the way Anna’s body swayed onstage, and was rather grateful that she stayed there, out of reach of the horny drunkards that were there.

“I have an idea guys, come with me.” Justin hopped up and walked to the sound booth, the other four following questioningly. A laugh rang out from them, and Chris nodded enthusiastically at Justin’s choice of music.

They hopped up on the tiny stage, a definite change from playing arenas and stadiums. Justin spoke into the mic and smiled, knowing the audience was going to laugh their heads off at this little show. “Hey y’all, my name is Humpty J, and this is my Humpty posse. We about to get freaky, so hold onto your hats.” He gave the cue for the music and at the familiar bass line, Symone started cracking up from her seat even before Justin started the vocals.

Aa'it stop whatcha doin'
Cause I'm about to ruin the image and the style that ya used to.
I look funny, but yo I'm makin' money so listen up world I hope you're ready for me.
Now gather round, I'm the new fool in town and my sound's laid down by tha Underground.
I drink up all the Hennessee ya got on ya shelf so just let me introduce myself.
My name is Humpty, pronounced with an umpty.
Oh ladies oh how I like to frumpty, and to the rappers in the top ten, please allow me to bump thee.
I'm steppin' tall y'all and just like Humpty Dumpty you're gonna fall when the stereos pump me.
I like to rhyme I like my beef funky.
I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy.
I'm sick with this. Straight gangsta mack.
But sometimes I get ridiculous.
I eat up all tha crackers and tha licorice.
Hey yo fat girl come here are ya ticklish?
Yeah, I called ya fat, look at me I'm skinny.
It never stopped me from gettin' busy.
I'm a freak. I like the girls with the boom.
I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom.
I'm crazy. Allow me to amaze thee.
They say I'm ugly but it just don't faze me.
I'm still gettin' in tha girls’ pants and I even got my own dance.

Nsync was having the most fun they had ever had on stage. They danced around singing, winking at the girls and laughing. Joey put his microphone up to Krysti’s moth on the ‘Do me baby’ lines and she laughed through every single one.

The Humpty Dance is your chance to do tha hump.
Ohh do me baby.
Do the Humpty Hump.
Ohh ohh do me baby.
Do the Humpty Hump.
Do ya know what were doin'?
Were doin' the Humpty Hump yall.
Watch me do the Humpty Hump.
Just keep on doin' tha Hump.

JC took the next verse, ready to show his ‘thug appeal.’

People say "yo, Humpty you're really funny lookin'"
That's aaiit 'cause my body's in motion.
You stare, you glare, you try to compare me, but ya can't get near me.
I'm on the floor, bein' at the bars and see all the ladies adore me.
Oh yes ladies I'm really bein' sincere 'cause in the 69 my Humpty nose will tickle your rear.
My nose is big. Uh uh I'm not ashamed, big like a pickle,
I'm still gettin' paid.
I'm gettin' laid by the ladies, you know I'm in charge.
Note how I'm livin' and my nose is large.
I get stupid. I shoot an arrow like cupid. I use a word that don't mean nuttin' like loopded.
I sang in Dowhatchalike and if ya missed it. I'm the one that said "just grab 'em in tha biskets".
I also told you that I like to bite well yeah, I guess that's obvious I also like to write.
All ya have ta do is give Humpty a chance and now I'm gonna do my dance.

The Humpty Dance is your chance to do tha hump.
Ohh do me baby.
Do the Humpty Hump.
Ohh ohh do me baby.
Do the Humpty Hump.
Do ya know what were doin'?
Were doin' the Humpty Hump yall.
Watch me do the Humpty Hump.
Just keep on doin' tha Hump.

Justin walked into the audience and smiled at Symone, who seemed to be having a really good time watching him make a fool of himself. She glared at him once again, but it wasn’t as deadly as it previously was, and there was a hint of a smile still playing on her lips.

Oh yeah, that's the breaks. Let me get a little of this bass groove right here.
A dooreaar dooreah dooreaar dooreah.

Lance took this line and everybody laughed at how well he pulled it off. The guys were having a great time performing for an audience who could care less that they were used to stadiums with thousands of screaming fans. Justin finished the verse.

Ah yeah, now I told y'all a little about myself, lemme tell y'all a little about this dance.
It's real easy to do, check it out.
First I limp to tha sounds like my legs is broken, shakin' and twitchen' kinda like I was smokin' crazy whack funky.
People say you look like MC Hammer on crack Humpty.
That's aaiit 'cause my body's in motion.
It's supposed to look like a fit or a commotion.
Anyone can play this game.
It's my dance y'all Humpty Hump's my name.
No two people will do it the same, ya got it down, when you appear to be in pain.
Humpin' funkin' jumpin' gig around shakin' your rump
And when a dude or chump ups and points a finger like a stump you tell him to step off I'm doin' the hump.
Let's get stupid. And to all the ladies, peace and Humptiness forever.

He returned to the stage where the guys all did their hand held synchronized bow and then burst out laughing harder than they ever had before.

They went back and sat at their respective tables, and laughed again when they saw all the girls in hysterics, tears practically streaming down their faces at the thought of what they had just witnessed.

“I will be damned if that isn’t the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life!” Symone said, still trying to control her giggles.

“Well, thank you, thank you!” Chris took his bow, and then sat next to his wife. He reached out and rubbed her tummy, barely listening to the chatter at the table, and trying NOT to listen to the girl on stage who was all but slaughtering “My Heart Will Go On.” He looked up at her, though, as she looked down at her boyfriend, and saw the love that was shining in their eyes. He glanced at Terri, and his heart soared in his chest as he saw that same look of utter devotion. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. Terri squeezed his hand, just because, and he turned to look at her. God, she was beautiful. And his, forever. Chris personally thought she was even more alluring now that she was pregnant, but Terri just rolled her eyes when he said so.

"I'll be right back,” he leaned over, telling her above the music. He kissed her cheek and walked towards the kareoke station. He could hear the guys cheer, and Terri groan, as he stood on stage minutes later.

"This song is special, and I want to sing it to my love of a lifetime." Chris stepped off the stage and walked over to Terri. He took her hand and led her back to sit on a chair that had been placed on stage. He cued the person running the booth to start the music. The opened chords floated out, as Chris began to sing.

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

Chris was not the kind of man who had showed his emotion in the past, but with Terri, his heart was always on his sleeve. She had a way of just…being that made him a better person. He was so lucky, he knew, to have found a love like this. It was almost as if he was living in a dream world. The woman that he loved with the fiercest passion he could imagine was his for life, and was bringing his children into the world.

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you, it just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life, with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I’m amazed by you

The smell of you skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me, baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time every time
I wanna spend the whole night in your eyes

Looking down and seeing the tears in those beautiful eyes, he bent down and kissed them away before returning his mouth to the microphone and telling the world how much her love meant to him.

Every little thing that you do
I’m so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life, with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Oh, every little thing that you do
Baby I’m amazed by you...

Chris pulled Terri up and kissed her amongst the applause.

"That was beautiful. Thank you." Terri said, as the next singer moved to take the stage.

"And I mean every word of it. Thank for being my wife, having our children. You amaze me.”

Back at the table, Emmi turned to Lance, looking rather indignant.

"You knew what he was going to sing, you cheater!" She playfully swatted at Lance's arm.

"I didn't! It was a guess! Honest!" Something about the way his eyes shone made Emmi distrust him. She should over never bet with Lance over what song Chris would sing to his wife. Now she had to get up there and sing all by herself.

"Can't I do something else? Anything?" Emmi pouted.

"Now, I do believe you're whining. And no, you may not. We made a bet, you lost." Lance tried to be stern, but he felt his heart give looking at Emmi's pathetic face. "Fine, fine. I'll get up and sing if you do." He said generously.

"You sing for a living, you big dork! That means nothing..." Emmi trailed off.

“Well, you lost, and all’s fair in love and kareoke, so get to singing Miss Valley!”

“Lance, come on, I will be your slave…I will…I’ll do anything, please don’t make me!

He looked at her sympathetically and for a second she thought he would relent. “Will you go sing!!" He shooed her away with a swipe of his hand. Emmi slowly walked towards the booth to request the dreaded song.

A few minutes later, she was on stage with a mic in her hands. "Now, I'm warning y'all, I lost a bet with a friend, and that's the only reason I'm up here. Any pain I put you in, see my friend, over there." Emmi pointed to Lance who waved and smiled weakly. Emmi nodded at the man controlling the music, and heard the opening rhythms.

Emmi was a true country girl, and a huge Tim McGraw fan. This song seemed to strike her. She started singing, shakily and her voice cracking one certain notes.

6 lanes, taillights, red ants marching into the night
Disappeared to the left and right again
Another supper, from a sack, 99 cent heart attack
I got a pounding head and an aching back
And the candles buried in a big straw stack

And I'm gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord's blessed
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Ohh, where the green grass grows

I'm from a map dot, a stop sign on a black top
Caught the first bus I could hop from there
But all this glitter is gettin dark, there's concrete growing in the city park
I don't know who my neighbors are
There's bars on the corner and bars on my heart

And I'm gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord's blessed
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Ohh, where the green grass grows

Emmi sat down, blushing furiously while the people around her applauded. Lance leaned over and whispered to her.

"You're not half bad, Ems."

"You ever make me do that again, I'll kill you."

Before he could respond Joey came up behind him, and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey Lance, man, I need your voice for this song.”

Lance raised his eyebrows, “Oh really?”

“Yeah, come on,” Joey pulled him out of his chair, whispering all the way. Lance made a face and waved to his table as he was dragged away.

After a minute they were up on stage, Lance obviously taking a back seat to Joey for this number.

Joey looked into the audience, and immediately locked into Anna’s eyes. His Belle. He wasn’t sure how it had happened, but he was sure that he loved her. Somehow, the game ended, the players dropped their masks, and all of a sudden this was the most important song he would ever sing in his life.

“Before I sing this song, I want you all to know a little something about me. I have always been a flirt, chasing women whenever I had the opportunity. I was completely loyal when I was in a relationship, but they were so few and far between that I had the playboy image down to a tee. I never knew what true love was. And, then it hit me…with a blow dryer no less.” His table laughed, and Anna giggled slightly, still entranced by what he was saying. “I found that true love, one-in-a-million, God-intended-mate kind of girl that I had been searching for without knowing it. Anna, this isn’t Bach, but I hope it will show you how serious I am.”

Lance’s voice picked up the bass line of the song, and Joey launched into the verse, his eyes never leaving Anna’s bewildered pair.

Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do?
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time

Anna stared at the man she had come to know so well over the last few weeks. Even when she was pushing him away, he still managed to find a place deep within her heart, and it didn’t sound like he was planning on letting go. She knew that she loved him, but…in all honesty, she was terrified of what that meant. She didn’t want to lose herself in him, only to wake up one day and not know who she was anymore. Still, the love that was shining in his eyes made even that prospect seem petty.

Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time

Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time

Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for

Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time

I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the woman that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more than I hoped for

I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time

This song spoke Joey’s heart, and he hoped that it would change Anna’s mind. He didn’t want to lose her; the mere thought terrified him to no end. He looked up and into her eyes one more time and the flicker of love shone brightly. That gave him hope. As the last chords trailed off into oblivion, Joey walked off the stage. Anna knew she had two choices: pretend the song didn’t affect her, or run into his arms, sob and tell him that although she wasn’t sure how it would work, she was willing to try for the sake of their hearts.

Unfortunately, she took option one.

When Joey saw the nonchalant look in the eyes that for a moment shone brightly for him almost crushed his spirit completely. He took a deep breath and slumped in his chair, turning it slightly so he wouldn’t have to look at her. Terri placed a hand on his arm and squeezed lightly.

“She will come around Joe. She’s just scared right now. Give her a little while and let it sink in,” she whispered. Joey merely nodded blankly and looked up at the stage, swallowing back tears all the while.

After Joey’s unsuccessful serenade, Lance had remained on the stage. He took a few deep breaths, and swallowed hard before raising the microphone to his lips.

“This song…well, this song is one of those songs that you hear on the radio at that one time in your life where it is applicable, and suddenly, something in your head…just clicks…” His bass voice trailed off and his pale green eyes sought out Emmi’s. “Emmiline, I don’t know exactly how to say this, and since I promised you I would sing, I guess that’s the best way to get this out. I am not sure of the when’s and where’s and how’s, but…well, this song’s is what’s in my heart.”

Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendin' all my love
Along the wire

They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line
It's been you and me
And lovin' a music man
Ain't all it's supposed to be

Oh girl you stand by me
I'm forever yours...faithfully

Emmi’s navy eyes welled with tears, and her hand went reflexively to her mouth as it emitted a soft gasp. She couldn’t believe the message that Lance was sending her through this song; he wanted to be with her, even though he knew the sacrifices they would have to make because of his career. No song had ever meant more to Emmi Valley in her entire life.

Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns
To make us smile
Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am
Lost without you

And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy
Of rediscovering you
Oh girl, you stand by me
I'm forever yours...faithfully

Oh, oh, oh, oh ...
Faithfully, I'm still yours
I'm forever yours
Ever yours...faithfully

As the last notes faded away, Krysti leaned over to Emmi and whispered, “You got yourself a fine man there Em. Now go get him.”

With a push from Krysti, Emmi was out of her seat and through blurred eyes was walking toward Lance, who was wringing his hands together nervously.

Lance looked up from his focus on the floor, and saw the tears streaming down her face. “Oh Ems, why are you crying?” he whispered.

“Because…well, because…” The words were just not coming to her, so she grabbed him by the shirt and kissed him, softly at first and then gaining intensity.

Lance broke away, gasping for breath. “I take it you liked my selection?”

Emmi laughed, her forehead pressed against his. “Yes, Mr. Bass, I loved it.” She paused for a second, and then leaned into his ear. “Do you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“The day that I met you, you said that all you wanted was a love so strong you could feel it and taste it and almost touch it…so, can you feel it?” Emmi asked, a hopeful look in her eye.

Lance stared deep into her soul, searching…searching…searching…and all at once a grin broke out on his face. “Oh most definitely!” He kissed her once more and then grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the door.

“Wait—wait, Lance, where are we going?”

“To call my mom,” he replied. “I have to let her know I found the woman of my dreams.”

The rest of the group watched the display, all of them extremely happy for Emmi and Lance. All except for Symone, who was so bitter at the moment she couldn’t see past her own nose. She pulled Krysti out of her chair, and stalked toward the sound booth, already intent on a particular song. Within a minute, she was onstage, and ready for a little pay back.

“I’m a little sick of the lovey-dovey stuff, how about you all? This song goes out to a very…umm, let’s say special friend of mine. Justin, this one’s for you…”

The heavy horns in the beginning of the song put Symone and Krysti right in their element. Symone took the main vocals while Krysti’s cold would only let her help with the harmonies. It was almost like a good old Asylum Star show, minus Tony and Alex. But, the snarl on Symone’s lips as she sang the lyrics directly to Justin was not part of their stage act.

I never told you how to live your life
I never said you had to be something you don’t wanna be
I never said you had to stick around forever
Never said you had to stick around and be with me

I ain’t gonna be responsible
When your life don’t end up full
All your talk has become bull
Just what do you see?
Don’t place the blame on me

You lacked in vision when you made your decision
And you wonder why your life has turned out this way
You tried to use me and succeeded to confuse me
But, now you’re feeling sorry cause you got played

I ain’t gonna be responsible
When your life don’t end up full
All your talk has become bull
Just what do you see?
Don’t place the blame on me

Life is evil when you don’t get what you want
Memories can serve as ghosts; they’ll tease and haunt you
When you spend your nights up late
Wondering all about your fate
Why did life end up this way?
For you
For you…for you…for you…for you…

Justin jumped up from his table, and for a second, Symone felt guilty for singing that song, and the almost evil stares she gave Justin during the performance. She tried to push that feeling down, telling herself that he deserved the humiliation for all the times he had wronged her and hadn’t apologized. She tried as hard as she cold to hold on to the bitterness and anger, because she knew that was the only wall blocking her love for Justin.

Justin’s next move surprised them all.

Before the shock of Symone’s song even began to wear off, Justin was on the stage.

“Well, that was one side of the story. Hi, to everybody I don’t know, my name is Justin, and that last song was dedicated to me. I have made some pretty stupid mistakes in my life, but none more or stupider than with that beautiful girl who just graced us with her marvelous talent. She has captivated me since the day that I met her, in a hotel hallway, fighting with a soda machine.” Everybody laughed. “But, like I said, I have screwed up, big time, in more ways than I even care to remember. But, even still, I hope that there is some way that we can be together.” Looking past everything and straight into Symone’s chocolate brown eyes, Justin whispered, “Sym, the only thing that I know in this world is that I love you, and I am not the real me without you. Please, accept this as my apology. I truly do need you…”

Symone almost laughed as she recognized the piano chords that were ringing through the bar. This song, made famous by Justin’s “rivals” was the ultimate symbol of him humbling himself for her.

Open up your heart to me
And say what's on your mind, oh yes
I know that we have been through so much pain
But I still need you in my life this time, and...

I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
I really need you tonight

I figured out what to say to you
But sometimes the words they, they come out so wrong, oh yes they do
And I know in time that you will understand
That what we have is so right this time, and...

I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right

All those endless times we tried to make it last forever more
And baby I know
I need you
I know deep within my heart
It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right
I really need you, oh

I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep within my heart
No, it doesn't matter if it's wrong or it's right
All I know is baby
I really need you tonight

During the final chorus, Justin jumped off the stage and made his way to Symone. She sat with a dazed look in her eyes, confusion written all over her face. He knew that she expected his reaction to her display to be utter retaliation, and in retrospect, he had never given her a reason not to. His surrender to her was totally out of the ordinary, but he knew that if he wanted to make an impact, he had to be drastic. He kneeled in front of her chair, still singing about needing her, watching as the water began to pool in her eyes. The music faded, and he reached for her hand. Symone’s eyes were pressed closed, hot tears seeping from beneath her lashes. As soon as his hand touched hers, it was as if an electrical charge had run through her body. Her eyes shot open and searched frantically for something to look at besides the man kneeling before her with his heart in his hands. She sprung up and ran toward the bathroom, leaving an astonished and sobered Justin on his knees.

Emmi and Lance made their way back inside only to catch a glimpse of Symone’s retreating form and Justin’s bewildered expression.

“What happened?” Lance asked, his fingers laced tightly with Emmi’s.

Justin gulped. “I think I just ruined my life.”

The singing continued in the bar, but none of the others wanted to actively participate after the display, so they merely sat and watched. Justin had finally risen from his place on the floor and was sitting with his elbows on the table, his head planted firmly in his hands.

JC had been debating whether or not to get up and sing a song for Nicole. He had it all picked out: ‘Inspiration’ by Chicago. But looking at his younger friend’s posture, he quickly decided against it. “Hey, I think we should go now, what do you think?”

Everyone agreed and began to gather up their things. They all kept their eyes trained away from Justin, because the sight of him was truly heart wrenching. His hair was mused from his hands, and his eyes were rimmed with red. The color had all but drained from his face, and his expression was lifeless. He got up from his chair and started heading for the door while the others got their stuff and Krysti went to fetch Symone from the bathroom. As he was about to push the door open, he heard her voice.

“Umm, hi again. As you all probably know by now, my name is Symone. I’m almost 18 years old and…well, I am probably about as stubborn as they come.”

Justin turned around and saw her standing atop the stage.

“I have done some things in the past and even tonight to hurt and even completely humiliate a person who is very dear to me. Justin…well, as you just saw, Justin is a total romantic. We broke up a few months back because I was stupid, and jealous, but mostly because I was insecure. You see, I have never been anything special in my life. I’m a good basketball player, and a decent musician, but that was about it. Nothing spectacular. And then, out of absolutely nowhere, Justin came into my life, and everything about the boy is a five-alarm fire. He is 110% of anything you could ever want out of a friend, boyfriend, lover, colleague, everything. And, here I was, still plain old Symone. I got scared that he was going to realize just how gypped he got and move on, so I did it for him. It is a decision I will live to regret, probably for the rest of my life. But, as for singing, I have a much nicer song to dedicate to him. Justin, you know how hard it is for me to admit when I am wrong, but I was so wrong about everything.” She motioned for the music to be started, and then began to sing.

Everybody needs a little time away
I had to say
From each other
Even lovers need a holiday
Far away
From each other

Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to stay
After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise to And after all that's been said and done You're just the part of me I can't let go

Couldn't stand to be kept away
Just for the day
From your body
Wouldn't wanna be swept away
Far away
From the one that I love

Justin began walking through the crowd, intent on reaching the stage. It was a little hard to see through his tears, but this time they were due to happiness, so he would survive. He knew that they would have a lot to work out, but admitting that they were still in love and wanted the second chance they had been handed was an amazing place to start.

Hold me now
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry
I just want you to know
Hold me now
I really want to tell you I'm sorry
I could never let you go

After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise to
And after all that's been said and done
You're just the part of me I can't let go

After all that we've been through
I will make it up to you
I promise to
You're gonna be the lucky one

As she sang the last line of the song, Symone finally opened her eyes and saw Justin, dazzling smile on his face, at the foot of the stage. That was all the encouragement she needed. Mic still in hand, she practically catapulted into his arms, burrowing her head in his neck.

“I am so sorry Jus, so sorry...” she breathed.

“It’s all right Baby, it’s gonna fine. WE are gonna be fine,” he replied, lifting her head and looking into her eyes. “You really meant all you said up there?”

“Every word.”

A stern look crossed his face. “You listen to me Symone Florensia. You are VERY special, and I love you very much. I have never met a more passionate and loving person in my life, and I never want to lose you again. Promise me?”

“I promise Justin. We’re in this for the long haul now.” She smiled an almost wicked grin. “Besides, now I have my very own Backstreet Boy wannabe.”

Justin groaned and then captured her lips in a sweet kiss that seemed to make the whole world fade into oblivion. When they broke apart Justin laughed. “You are very lucky that I love that smart mouth of yours.”

Symone looked straight into his bright eyes. “I am the luckiest girl in the world. I love you.”

The group behind them clapped excitedly. Justin and Symone turned to see their friends carrying on as if they were at a football game and started laughing.

“Let’s go home, guys.”

They all took one last look around the somewhat small, somewhat shabby bar, and knew that it would always hold a special place in their hearts. Now they had to return to Grandma’s Valley and face the reality of leaving the summer behind.

Song credits:

*Digital Getdown-Nsync

*The Humpty Dance-Digital Underground

*Amazed-Lonestar

*Where The Green Grass Grows-Tim McGraw

*The Longest Time-Billy Joel

*Faithfully-Journey

*For You-Save Ferris

*I Need You Tonight-The Backstreet Boys

*Hard To Say I'm Sorry-Chicago