Justin clung to Alicia's hand, as the plane they had been sitting on for the past 6 hours made its descent into Kennedy International Airport. The past three days had been filled with minor slip-ups on Justin's behalf, strange looks from the other 4 Backstreet Boys and Al, comforting Justin through it all. Even now, the way that she rubbed her small fingers gently against the back of his hand was enough to slightly ease the tension that was building in his head. He wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but he knew that this meeting with Nick was crucial to him getting back into his own body.
Justin looked carefully around the plane. He had gotten to know Brian, AJ, Kevin and Howie pretty well the last few days. He noticed how they were always cracking jokes on Nick's age and lack of experience, but Justin also noticed that they seemed to have a light of respect and love shining in their eyes whenever he, or rather Nick, was around. They had basically raised Nick out on the road, and even though their ages didn't lend much more experience, they did feel like proud fathers. The way Justin saw it, they were just afraid of their little boy growing up.
Nick was another person that he had gotten to know immensely throughout the ordeal. Nick was literally the best friend that Justin never had but always wanted. Sure, the other members of Nsync were his best friends, his brothers, but Nick was right there on the same level as Justin. They both knew what it was like to have missed playing basketball in school. They had both discovered girls while traveling around Europe. They both knew the loneliness that you feel when the one person you can talk to is merely a voice over the hotel phone. And now they both went through this together. They were kindred spirits, and Justin vowed after that fist telephone conversation that he would remain close friends with Nick, no matter what.
"Justin, we're here." Alicia whispered softly into his ear.
Through his thoughts, the plane had successfully landed and taxied to the gate. The fasten seat belt sign was even turned off. Justin felt like he had spaced out completely. He looked at Al, taking in her dark, soft hair and sparkling green eyes before smiling. "Thanks Al. I was just caught up in my thoughts."
"What were you thinking about? I would offer you a penny, but you know, you are the famous pop star, I am just a lowly theatre actress."
Justin laughed, and leaned in to whisper to her. "I was thinking how this whole thing hasn't been all too bad. I got to meet the guys in this group, especially Nick, and you know, get to really know them as people. And I was thinking that when I get back into my body, I should keep in touch with Nick, stay friends."
Al smiled slightly, but her heart dropped at the fact that he didn't mention her anywhere in the equation. Justin had come to mean so much to her in the past week, it was hard to fathom life without him. Yes, she missed Nick, so much at times that she cried herself to sleep at night. But the reason that she needed Nick was Justin. She was so confused by the things she was feeling. It was almost as if all of the things she felt for Nick that went past a best friend sensation and were transferred to Justin tenfold. As impossible as it seemed, Alicia felt like she was in love with Justin, and that scared the living daylights out of her. She had only known him for a week, but in the past week, Justin had let his guard down totally. She saw every aspect of his personality, good and bad, and she embraced it wholeheartedly.
The pair walked out of the aircraft after gathering their carry-on luggage and met security and the other guys right before the end of the terminal. By the noise level outside, there was no doubt that a group of Backstreet fans had come to welcome them back to the States. Justin checked his watch. Only 3 hours until he was suppose to meet Nick at the restaurant.
Nick watched Leigh sleep. It had become his favorite pastime over the week he'd spent in Justin's body. Leigh looked so peaceful and worry-free in her sleep, and it made Nick wonder if he would ever have a dreamless sleep again. His nights were racked with strange nightmares that forced him awake, often covered in a cold sweat. The bags under his eyes became darker and darker as the days progressed, deepened by Nick's lack of sleep and strenuous daytime schedule. Every muscle in his body in his body felt strained and overused. Leigh had been working with him for almost 12 hours every day, perfecting the dances to all the songs that Nsync performed.
Nick hadn't had too much trouble, except on the song 'Bye Bye Bye' which was coincidentally the song they would be doing on TRL in about an hour. And then, of course, there was the previous day when Lance, JC, Joey and Chris found Leigh and Nick in the gym of their California hotel, with their latest single blasting. They looked mighty confused, considering that Justin was usually the one assisting them with the choreography. Leigh had come to the rescue, saying that Nick, or rather Justin, was teaching her the moves to the new song. Nsync laughed, and decided that they would have a little practice right there in the gym. Nick kept up pretty well, surprising Leigh, and more so, himself. He even threw in a little pelvic thrust, a la Justin, during his solo.
The songs came to him easily, as most music did. But, Nick missed his own voice, and the songs that he sang with the Backstreet Boys. But, he also began to really enjoy Nsync's music as well. It was just a matter of familiarity, and he was aching to have his old life back, despite all the things that made him want Justin's life to begin with.
There was good that came out of all of this, though. Nick learned that the guys in Nsync were really down-to-earth, funny, and kind to just about everyone they came across, especially their fans. He realized the special bond that the guys all shared with Justin, especially JC, who had watched Justin grow from a cocky 12 year-old into the man he was today. He realized to a greater extent how much respect the guys in the group seemed to have for Justin, even though they often teased him in the same manner that the older Backstreet Boys teased Nick. But through it all, the underlying admiration would shine through.
And Nick understood why they admired Justin so much. Over the past few days, and numerous phone calls, Nick grew to really depend on Justin's levelheaded attitude. He had basically planned their meeting, which would hopefully lead to them switching back. Nick was extremely grateful that he had gotten to know Justin, who was so similar to him in so many ways. He had heard it in so many interviews and read it in as many magazines, but up until this experience, Nick never really realized the likeness that all of the fans and reporters seemed to see. He had gained a lifelong friend, if nothing else.
But there was something else. He watched her now, her even breathing tugging at his heartstrings. Leigh had worked herself so effectively into his life in such a short period of time. The intensity of the week only served to bring them closer together, although they stopped the sexual relationship they had experienced the first two days. The past three were filled with dancing, talking, laughing, and just being themselves around each other. They avoided physical contact whenever possible, but continued to share a room, talking into the wee hours of the night, until Leigh fell into her reverie, and Nick watched.
Nick glanced at his watch, realizing that they would soon be making their way over to the Viacom building, where the MTV studios were located. As much as he hated to do so, he had to wake Leigh. Running his hand over her forehead, brushing the blonde locks away from her eyelids, Nick softly whispered, "Leigh, we gotta go soon."
"Hmm?" Leigh stirred, opening her eyes and adjusting to the light that flooded them, as well as stilling her beating heart as Nick stroked her hair and gazed down at her.
"We have to get going to MTV. Remember, today is the day I get to make Justin look like a fool on national television," Nick said with a smirk.
Leigh laughed, still groggy, but managed to grasp onto the pillow beside her, and swing it, smacking Nick upside the head. "You are gonna do fine. You need to get that confidence up. I mean, after all, you are THE Nick Cater, right?" Nick nodded, smoothing the hair that Leigh had ruffled. "And not only that, you had the best teacher in the world."
"Damn right I did." They exchanged a smile for a few moments before Nick spoke again. "I never did thank you for all that you have done for me this past week Leigh. I would probably have gone nuts without you."
Leigh's tone matched Nick's in seriousness. "There is no need for you to thank me, I did it because I wanted to. I am sorry that I was even hesitant in saying that I would help you in the first place, but…"
"But you were scared, and confused. Leigh, I don't blame you for that."
Leigh buried her head in her hands, and moaned pitifully. "I blame me, Nick. I just can't believe that I possibly would have left you to fend for yourself, that I would have just ignored you, and all of the wonderful things that come along with you. I feel so stupid and so... so heartless."
Nick raised her head and looked deep into her eyes. His focus was hard and pressing, but was countered by the softness in his voice. "You are not heartless. You have the most beautiful heart Leigh, so beautiful. Everything about you, I just can't describe it, but the beauty of your heart is something that I will never be able to put into adequate words." He searched her eyes for permission to bring his lips against hers. Nick wasn't taking the chance of scaring or confusing her again. When he found her ready and willing for his kiss, her eyelids slowly dragging downward, he moved his head closer, savoring the thought of once again connecting to Leigh again.
"Ahem. It's time to go guys." JC said loudly, leaning the top half of his body through the doorframe that once again connected his room to Leigh and Justin's.
Nick and Leigh both jerked their heads back, startled.
"OK, JC, we are right behind you." Nick said, finding his voice first.
He grabbed Leigh's hand and pulled her behind him out the door. When he reached the lobby of the hotel, the screams outside gave away the presence of the group of Nsync fans that had staked themselves outside, hoping for a glimpse of the guys. Nick glanced down at his watch. Only 3 more hours until he had to meet Justin.
