Jennifer and James didnt speak until they were almost to the club.
"You dont have to kiss him" was his only words
"No, I'm mature enough to be a professional" she said. "But I want this in one take" she said, forcing a smile
"I'll tell Kyle" he said, breathing a sigh of relief.
They walked onto the set. Jennifer approached Kyle.
"I'm going to kiss Nick for the sake of the video, but I want it done in one take and lets get it over with now" she said, her voice sounding somewhat demanding.
Kyle looked at her for a moment. His face hiding a smile.
"What?" she demanded, getting very frustrated
Kyle didnt speak. He simply pointed towards the center of the dance floor. Jennifer's mouth dropped when she saw who was standing there.
Early that day at the hospital...
The man looked at AJ and despite the sadness of the situation, he laughed.
"No" he said with a smile. "I'm not her husband, I'm her father"
AJ breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"You must be the Mr. McLean shes dating" he said, extending his hand
"Yeah, sorry, about the mistake, its been a long night" he said, shaking his hand.
"Its ok" the man replied warmly. "So hows she doing?" he asked
"Last I heard they thought she would be okay, but shes in bad shape now" AJ said, his voice quivering at the thought of losing her. Even though they hadnt dated long, she still had an enormous impact on his life. More than any other girl. It scared AJ to know that someone could have such a influence on him.
"I just hope the guy that hit her doesnt get off" the man said, now fighting back tears.
"What do you mean?" AJ said. He never thought about the man that did this to Alyssa.
"Oh, you didnt know. He was drunk. A crazy ex-boyfriend of hers. He claims she was supposed to meet him, and that she ran in front of the car when he said he wouldnt get back together with her" Mr. McAfree said, shaking his head.
AJ paused, unsure of how to reast. Was Alyssa really in love with this guy? She did leave him in the middle of a passionate moment to meet someone. Was it him? AJ was scared, sad and confused. He looked at Mr. McAfree's warm brown eyes. They looked like Alyssa's. So warm, so caring. He sighed.
"She loves you" Mr. McAfree said, sensing AJ's uncertainty.
AJ looked at him, hoping for a definate answer. Nothing.
Meanwhile...
"Oh Brian, lets go see the Seigfried and Roy Magic Show tonight" Caitlyn said eagerly as she read the sign. "They are playing at our hotel" she insisted, looking in his eyes.
"I dont know" Brian said, avoiding her eyes.
She placed a kiss on his lips. "Want more?" she asked playfully. He responded by kissing her back.
"After the show" she said, licking her lips.
"Dammit" Brian said with a smile. "Lets go see the magic show" he added
"Yeah! You'll enjoy it" she insisted
"Well, if not, theres always the afterparty" he said teased
She smiled. He was so cute.
At the same time...
Howie gently stroked his hand through Amber's long blonde hair. She slowly opened her beautiful green eyes.
"Hi sleepyhead" he said with a smile.
"Morning" she said, placing her tiny hand in his.
They stared in each others eyes. No words were spoken. No words would be able to describe the love and passion evident in their eyes. Howie had never fallen so deeply for someone he had just met. Someone he knew nothing about.
Amber finally broke the endless silence.
"Want to go riding?" she asked anxiously
"Riding?" Howie responded
"Yeah, horseback riding silly" she said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him up. "I have a few horses in the stable"
"Ok" Howie said, although it didnt look like it was a question. He didnt mind though.
They went and saddled up two or her horses in the nearby stable. This is going to be embarassing Howie thought. He had never really rode horses. I just hope I dont fall off he said to himself.
Back at the video shoot...
"Justin?" Jennifer said as she stared at the NSync star surrounded by extras.
"Yeah" Kyle said, hoping she would be happy.
"Why? Why did you get Justin?" she asked, unsure of what to think.
"Because I figured that since you guys were friends that he would be easier to kiss than an ex-boyfriend" he replied, still praying she would be happy with his change.
Ex-boyfriend. Those words shot right into her heart. She knew they were dating, but that seemed to permanent. She was so confused. She wanted things to be over with Nick, but hen again, she didnt know. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Oh no, you dont want Justin?" Kyle said, his voice hinting a sense of panic.
"No, he's fine, thanks" she replied as she walked towards Justin.
"Hi" he called, pushing past the extras that were surrounding him.
"Hi" she said, forcing a smile.
"You look like you could use a hug" he said as he embraced her tiny little frame in his arms. He smelled so good. Jennifer breathed in and layed her head on his broad, comforting shoulder. He was right. She did need a hug.
"Ok, are we ready to re-shoot that last scene?" Kyle called from across the club.
"Yeah" Jennifer and Justin said in unison. Jennifer was anxious to get this stressful video over with.
"Great. Justin, I need you over here and Jenn, on the stage" Kyle yelled.
They got in place. Damn, she looks amazing Justin thought as he watched her dance in her little tube top and black sparkly pants. Jennifer looked in Justin's direction. He is definately one sexy guy she thought to herself. Too bad he's taken. Too bad I'm taken. No, I'm not, she corrected herself. Or am I?
Justin pushed his way into the crowd and over to the stage. Her grabbed her hand and helped her onto the dance floor. Together they danced. He was defintely a better dancer than Nick she thought. Their bodies grinded together in perfect unison to the beat of 'Give It To Me' She is an incredible dancer Justin thought as he placed his hands on her hips. She trembled at his touch.
"Ok stop the music" Kyle called to the soundman. "Now kiss" he directed Jennifer and Justin.
The moment of truth she thought. Maybe I shouldnt she told herself. No, its purely professional. He thoughts were interupted by Justin's soft, wet lips touching hers gently at first, then more passionately. His tongue entered her mouth. Jennifer was too caught up in the moment to resist. She forgot about the cameras, about Nick and about the people watching them. She kissed him back, equally returning his passion. Justin ran his figners through her hair and she placed her tiny hands on his face as if to pull him closer. Their bodies were so close together that one couldnt tell where one began and the other ended. The kiss lasted for what seemed like forever. Finally they stopped, pausing briefly to look in each others eyes, hoping for an answer as to what just happened.
"Well, that was, um, great" Kyle said. "Way to make the girls jealous" he teased
"And guys" Justin yelled playfully.
Jennifer faked a smile as she left the crowd. She had to sit down, her knees feeling weak from the kiss.
"Well, thats a rap" Kyle said with a relieved smile. "I'll get with you and Jennifer to go over the final copy in a few days" Kyle said to James.
Everyone packed up and left until just Jennifer and Justin remained in the empty club.
He approaced her.
"Sorry if I scared you" he said, placing his hand kindly on her shoulder.
"No, its ok" she said. The truth was, she enjoyed the kiss. A little too much she feared.
He smiled. His smile melted her heart.
"So hows Britney?" she asked, trying to change teh subject.
"Well, we havent spoken much since the break up" he said, his voice unchanged
"Oh, I'm sorry" she said grabbing his hand for comfort.
"Oh its perfectly ok" he said quickly.
"Oh, um, ok" Jennifer said, unsure of what to do or say next.
"Well, we better get out of here" Justin suggested
"Yeah" Jennifer agreed
They left and headed back to the hotel.
Meanwhile...
"Mr. McAfree, Mr McLean" Doctor Yorkshire said, looking down at his clipboard
"Yes" they both said in unison, jumping out of the chairs and walking towards the doctor.
"Good news. She's going to be fine. Just a few bad bruises. No broken bones. No internal injuries. We'll move her downstairs to another room and then we'll look at releasing her probably late tomorrow" Doctor Yorkshire said
AJ and Mr. AcAfree turned to each other and smiled. Overcome by emotion, they embraced each other in a much needed hug.
"Why dont you go get some sleep" Mr. McAfree suggested
"No, I couldnt" AJ replied
"You need to rest. Everything will be fine and if anything comes up, I'll call you immediately" he said
AJ, barely able to keep his eyes open as it was, took his offer.
At the same time...
"You did great" Amber said with a smile
"OF you consider falling off the horse good, then what do you consider bad?" Howie teased
"Aww, it wasnt that bad" she insisted
"Well, lets just say I'm a better performer than I am a horseback rider" he said grabbing her in his arms.
"I'm getting hungry" Howie said
"Me too" Amber nodded in agreement.
"Lets go get some dinner" he suggested
"Ok" she said as they left the stable.
Later that day...
Jennifer finished applying her make up and took one last look in the mirror before leaving to meet up with Kevin at his room.
She knocked on his door. He answered.
"Kevin, are you alright?" she asked. His face was red and he felt very hot to the touch. "You have a fever" she said suddenly
"I'm fine" he insisted. The truth was, he felt horrible, but he knew Jennifer needed a night out and he didnt want to let her down.
"No your not" she said pulling him to the bed
"No, lets go before we're late" he insisted
"Kevin, its ok" she said, smiling. "Your sick. I'll go with Alyssa or Caitlyn" she said as she hugged him
"Are you sure?" he asked
"Yeah" she replied
"I feel so bad letting you down" he said
"Its ok, you need to rest" she said, taking the tickets off the counter. "Now go to lay down" she said as she turned off the lights and blew him a kiss goodbye.
Kevin layed down and was soon asleep.
Jennifer walked down the hall to Alyssa's room. No answer. Must be at AJ's she thought. No answer there. She tried Caitlyn and Brians...no answer. "Great" she said out loud. "I guess I'll go see the magin show by myself"
"I'll go with you" a voice said from behind her.
Jennifer turned around at the sound of a familair voice. Her heart melted when she saw who it was.
