“We’ll see you again soon!”

“Thank you, and good night!”

The crowd was deafening. The screams, cheers and excitement reverberated off the walls of the arena in a thunderous drone. No one sound was discernable, coming at the five men on stage almost like a steady hum.

Waving their final goodbyes, the five friends retreated to the safety and sanctuary of the backstage area, the crowd still screaming for them to return. Taking towels handed to them by the crew, they each wiped the sweat from their faces and necks, walking briskly to deeper into the bowels of the venue.

Normally, they would head straight for their cars, which would take them directly back to their hotel before the band had even stopped playing. A quick getaway, that was always best. Before the crowds and fans were able to track down where they were parked and would be making their escape.

But tonight was the last night of the tour. A bittersweet moment that came with the end of each concert series, where they were happy to be finished, but sad that it was over. They were all tired, and longing for the comforts of home. It had been a long three months, and a little rest and relaxation was what they were all craving after this long stretch on the road.

The five men reached their destination, still hearing the band finishing the last notes of their ‘getaway song’, as Chris always called it. Tonight, they were going to hang out at the venue for a while, giving the fans time to head home, and those who would be staying around in the hopes to catch a glimpse of them enough time to give up their search. They always did this at the last show of a tour; get together with the crew, take a little time to enjoy each other as friends without the pressures and time constraints of having to move on to the next city.

Once safely inside the common room, also known as the games room, all five men flopped down; some onto couches, some onto chairs....one even directly on the floor.

It was done.

Leaning back deeper against the couch, Justin stretched his legs out in front of him to rest his feet on the table at their end.

“Thank GOD we’re done” he said with a yawn.

“No shit.” Joey added, reaching across Lance to pull a bottle of water from a cooler beside the couch they shared. “Im practically deaf from three months of screaming. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I didn’t hear ringing in my ears”

“I know what you mean,” JC added, as he pushed Justins sweaty head off his shoulder as Justin began to slump across the couch towards him. “I still think I hear it in my sleep even when we’re on the bus.”

“Oh thats just me standing outside your bunk screaming to freak you out” Chris called from his place on the floor, not even bothering to lift his head from its place on his folded arms. “I did it to Justin once and he fell out of his bunch and got that shoe print on his ass. It was awesome”

JC aimed a kick at Chris’ head, missing narrowly. He was too tired to actually try and fight with Chris at this point.

The silence they were enjoying was short lived, as the door to the games room opened again and the rest of the tour crew joined them. There were cheers, congratulations and a few tears as they all stood to thank the people who made their dreams possible. None of what they did would be possible without these people, and they would never be able to express their gratitude to them for leaving their families and friends to come along with them on the road.

Champagne was popped, food brought out, and everyone gathered for one last toast before separating into small groups to take part in various games and conversations.

The festivities carried on for almost two hours, with various members slowly trickling away to their homes or hotels.

As 1 am approached, only a few of the crew and the members of NSync were left in the games room. JC was discussing plans for a new song with the sound manager, while Justin and Lance were deep in concentration over a video game.

Chris and Joey, however, were the most rowdy, taking to watching a recent UFC fight on TV, prompting an argument over who was more likely to kick whose ass.

“Get over yourself, old man,” Joey taunted, pushing Chris roughly on the shoulder, away from him on the couch. “I would SO go GSP on your ass anyday”

“You forget, Joey, that I am the shit.” Chris countered as he aimed a mock punch at Joeys face.

“Smells like, Chris, not is the...” Justin called from his place across the room.

Choosing to ignore Justins comment, Chris returned to this original prey.

“Com’on, Joe. Think you can beat me? Lets see you try! Remember, Im the one who punched Justin in the stomach that time and made him puke!” Chris reminded with a grin.

“I had just eaten a big meal!” Justin defended, his face scrunching unhappily.

Still hyper from the concert, Joey turned to Chris. “Lets go, then, if you think your all that. I bet you twenty bucks I pin you in the first 2 minutes”

“Oh its on like Donkey Kong, beotch” Chris replied, jumping up from the couch to bounce on the stop, fists raised, already dodging punches that weren’t coming yet.

Raising from his seat, Joey mimicked Chris’ stance, the two circling each other warningly, looking for the best place to strike.

“Com’on you guys, “ JC warned. “I am SO not in the mood to take a trip to the emergency room tonight when one of you falls and hurts yourself.”

“I cant help it if Chris falls and breaks a hip. I cant be held accountable for his age and feebleness.” Joey defended as he continued to circle Chris.

Taking Joeys momentary distraction while replying to JC as a moment of weakness, Chris struck, lunging forward to grab Joeys leg and hold on tight.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Joey said, attempting to kick Chris off his leg. “That isn’t UFC fighting, you ass. LET GO OF MY LEG!”

“We didn’t establish any rules of engagement, man! The bet was whoever pinned who first....as long as I can get you down, your ass is mine!” Chris called, tightening his hold on Joeys leg with his arms as he squirmed to wrap his legs around Joeys ankle. He was now completely wrapped around Joeys leg, jerking and pulling in an attempt to make Joey lose his balance enough to bring him to the floor.

Looking away from their game, Justin and Lance watched the scene with mild amusement. The rest of the crew, so used to this type of behaviour, took little notice and continued with their conversations and pastimes.

“GET OFF ME, YOU FREAK!” Joey yelled down at Chris as he began to back up, subsequently dragging Chris along with him on the floor. Jerking his leg wildly, Joey began to lose his balance. Chris took this moment of instability to give a good final pull, sending Joey falling across the arm of the couch.

Unfortunately, due to his wrapped position around Joeys leg, Chris wasn’t able to let go fast enough, causing Joeys leg to twist awkwardly as he fell. A loud, distinct ‘pop’ rang out before quickly followed by Joeys scream as he landed on the far side of the couch, crashing to the floor, clutching his now released knee.

Everyone jumped up rushing over to Joey as he lay on the floor, his left knee pulled to his chest.

“Chris, you fucking idiot!” Justin yelled as he attempted to sit Joey up. “Why didn’t you let go?”

“I couldn’t let go fast enough! He fell over the couch, its not my fault hes got all that weight pulling him down faster than I can move!” Chris defending, rising from the floor to peer cautiously over the arm of the couch to his wounded friend.

Leaning Joey against the side of the couch, the sound manager tried to help him straighten his leg. This was met with a very loud and very profane response, causing everyone to let go of him quickly.

Two body guards stepped up and tried to figure out the best and least painful way to get Joey off the floor, while Justin stayed well back from everyone. He was known for being a bit of a klutz under pressure, and definitely didn’t want to make this worse. Chris was still peering at Joey with a confused and nervous look on his face. Everyone else seemed to be gathered in a circle, not sure what to do next.

Sighing deeply, Lance turned to JC. “Well, it looks like you’re not going to get your wish.”

“What wish?” JC asked, his eyes still on Joey as the two body guards attempted to lift him from the floor to the couch.

Shaking his head at the scene in front of him, Lance frowned. “Looks like we’re going to the ER afterall”