"Hello?" Pause. "We’re at the hospital visiting one of Gina’s friends." Another pause. "Yeah, we’ll be heading back soon." He turned the phone off and turned to the rest. "That was Mike. They would like JC to be back at the hotel soon for a team meeting. Actually Gina needs to be there too."

Gina sighed. "All right, I guess we should wrap this party up. I hate to say hi and run, but I hope you understand."

Pam reached her hand out and squeezed her friend’s hand. "No worries, Gigi. I understand that there are a set of rules that you have to abide by when you’re in the presence of famous people, and when you’re not. You know we won’t say a word about you and your knight in armor here unless you tell us we can. I can keep my lips sealed."

"I hope you can, Pam. By what I’ve seen today I’m a little doubtful." JC stretched and received Jim’s hand.

"Good one, JC. I’m sure I’ll see you at some point in the future. Bye, Gina." He turned to hug his wife’s friend, but she remained seated.

"I’m going to stay here a few extra minutes. It’s best for everyone. JC gets to be seen without a girl by him and right now I don’t think I can be by him without being by him, so I think I’ll just stay for a few extra minutes."

"Okay. We’ll see you back at the hotel, Gina. Come on, Jace. Nice to meet you two." The bodyguard waved to Jim and Pam and opened the door. Upon seeing it okay for JC to leave the room he tightened his posture and led the dark-haired man out of the hospital.

"Jim, can you please close the door again? Thank you. Now, Gigi, I thought you told me everything?"

"I do."

"Then how did you leave out something as important as landing him?"

"It’s a long story that I’ll fill you in on later. I’m sure you’d like your rest and I need to get going. I’ll call you soon and maybe on a free weekend or something I’ll come down." She leaned over and gave Pam a hug before walking into Jim’s embrace. "Now I have a question for you, Jim."

"Give it to me."

"Why did you look at JC out in the hallway when you asked me the JJ question? I mean it was before we came in here and Pam so obnoxiously announced that we were a couple."

Jim laughed and hugged Gina tighter. "Oh that was simple. As soon as I grabbed you from behind that bodyguard of his had to grab him to hold him back and he also had the most protective look on his face. Even though he had those glasses on the expression was loud and clear. So I figured if you guys weren’t going out, then I was hoping you’d return the obvious feelings he felt for you and one day there’d be little JCs and Ginas."

"But you didn’t even know that his name began with ’J’ then."

He shrugged. "Another guess. Now get out of here before that guy goes crazy not having you next to him. I know what it’s like not having the one you love near you when they could be. Bye, Gina."

"Bye, Jim. Bye bye, Pam. I’ll call you later with all the details."

"Just as long as they’re juicy I’ll be fine."

Gina laughed as she closed the door. She thought back to Pam’s vision of what JC had wanted to do to her and her cheeks enflamed. Damn, let’s hope that at some point tonight he corners me. I can’t believe Pam just put that image in my head. I know I’ll be thinking of it until we kiss again.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"Hey, Jace, where’s Gina? How come she’s not attached to your hip?"

JC had entered the meeting room and sat at the long table with his groupmates.

"Well, she stayed at the hospital a few minutes more for safety reasons." He began to click the pen he had picked up from the table.

Lance shot the pen a death glare. "Why? Were there too many fans in the area or something?"

JC continued to click the pen and didn’t say anything.

"Ooh, ohh, I know. I know." Chris raised his hand as if to answer a question. "Gina stayed back for JC’s protection from her. If she didn’t stay behind than there could a chance she’d jump him on their way back. Am I close?"

JC laughed to himself and threw the pen down. "Very, plus there was a chance I’d jump her too. Her friend was very blunt about her observations of us and the conversation left unpure thoughts in my head."

"Yeah, I bet it did, JC." The five guys turned to see Randy behind JC. "Well, that point when she asked you if you wanted to father her child was probably the final touch. Will I be following you to church this Sunday?"

"No, that won’t be necessary, Randy. Thanks for offering." JC slid down in his seat as four sets of eyes stared at him.

"I wasn’t really offering. I’m stuck following you around no matter where you go. I was just wondering if you need to go to confession or something." Randy passed them and sat further down the table.

"Um, Jace," Justin began hesitantly, "um, what was that about Gina asking you to be the father of her children?"

"Umm, well, Pam, her friend, said something about mothers not being able to fall for the puppy dog eyes look and Gina jokingly asked me if I wanted to help her with that. It was nothing serious, but…"

"But…?" Chris raised his eyebrows.

"But at the same time it was serious."

"In what way?"

"Well," JC rubbed his hands together nervously, "it means that she wouldn’t mind me being the father of her children in the future. She didn’t even hesitate when she turned to me, as if there was no other choice than me to be the father of the baby."

"But you are her boyfriend," Lance pointed out.

JC shook his head. "No, it’s more than that. It showed that she’s comfortable joking around about it with me. Lance, what would you have done if Jackie were to ask you to father her child, although jokingly, under that circumstance?"

"Truthfully? Run and hide. But she’d never do that."

"I know, but Gina did."

"Don’t you think you’re reading too much into this, man?"

"No, Joey, I don’t. What she said and how she said it is a direct correlation to the fact that in the end…"

"In the end what?"

"Uh-oh, it’s never good when he gets that look in his eyes."

JC half-smiled. "I was just going to say that in the end it’s gonna…," he pointed to Lance, "gonna…," he pointed to Justin, "gonna…," he pointed to Chris, "gonna…," he pointed to Joey, "it’s gonna be me." He pointed to himself.

"Oh god, the song hasn’t been released and he’s already messing with it. That wasn’t even the right beginning of the line." Justin sat back and shook his head.

"It was also a hint that someone needs to go into the studio and finish up his solo…" He shot the other blue eyed man a direct look.

"Point taken. I was thinking of doing it tomorrow. I’ll bring Nick and I’ll finish it. I called about it earlier this week."

"Good." JC turned at the commotion by the door and smiled when he saw Gina enter the room with Jackie and Nick. He was really pathetic in his opinion. Just one look at Gina and he was in a whole other world where no one but the two of them lived, and if she was smiling, forget it. Then he had to physically restrain himself from pulling her in his arms and never letting go. Sometimes the other guys had to help him stay where he was, like now. "Thanks, J."

"No problem. Actually you’re helping me too. I’m too occupied with holding you down to go pick up Nick and spin her in a circle. It’s crazy that even though we’re in the company of the people who work for and with us sometimes we can’t be ourselves."

"I know." JC sighed and smiled at Gina across the table. "But it’s part of this thing we call our careers."

Justin would have responded but someone stood and cleared their throat. The room quickly quieted.

"Okay. Today some big announcements have been made to the public and we have to have a temporary plan of how to handle this weekend. We’ll get into more details when we get back to Orlando. Now, Randy and Mike, you both have to step it up a little bit. Even though only the people at the taping heard JC word is spreading quickly. I don’t even want to think about what will happen on Monday.

"Since Justin actually made news on the show he’ll need immediate back-up. Justin and JC I suggest you stay inside the hotel if you wish to spend any quiet time alone. Not that it’s really quiet around here, but you should be free of fans. Even if you go out alone you could be hassled. I’m not telling you what to do, but I’m just giving you a heads up on what could happen. I know you know this, but I’d feel better if I can just say it. Now, Mike, it’s your responsibility to see that Justin doesn’t get mobbed by angry fans."

"So I can let the happy fans attack him all they want?"

"Funny, Mike. Very funny." Justin crossed his arms and huffed.

"I thought so. Didn’t you guys?" He laughed as the other bodyguards nodded their approval.

"Okay, can we get on topic now, people? Okay, so Mike, just make the judgment call and take someone else if you need to. And, Randy, same goes with you. If you need someone just ask. JC is a little less at risk, but there’s always a risk with these guys. And, girls," his gaze turned towards Gina, Nick and Jackie, "I know you know the drills, but just be careful. So what is on everyone’s agenda tonight?"

Chris sat up. "Well, we figured we’d be easy on all of you. We were planning on having a get together in JC, Justin and Lance’s room. Just the eight of us staying in."

"Okay, but just keep it down. We do not need a repeat of the last time, okay?"

"Yes, sir," all five *N SYNC members shot out.

Everyone else in the room rolled their eyes.

"Hey, Jackie, do you think maybe they should start a group or something?"

"I don’t know, Nick. Don’t groups today need to be good looking or something? I think these guys seriously lack in that category."

"Oh really, Jackie? You think so?" Lance asked, his deep voice full of mischief.

"Oh most definitely. Now if you’ll excuse Nick and I we’ll be getting our head start now."

JC and Gina laughed Chris, Joey, Justin and Lance chased Jackie and Nick down the hall. They heard two shrieks as the girls were caught. JC walked over to Gina and held out his arm.

"Would you do me the honor of being your escort to this shindig tonight?"

"It would be my pleasure, sir." She linked her arm through his and they began walking down the hall. "So what is this about not being a repeat of last time? Is it that thing you told me about in Minneapolis?"

"Yeah, and something’s giving me a feeling this will give it a run for the money."

"Why?"

"Because Jackie, Nick and you are here. Imagine the five of us together and then add you three to the mix. Get the picture?"

"Clearly. Oh my god, what are they doing to them?"

JC turned and doubled over in laughter. On each bed Jackie and Nick were held down by Lance and Justin, respectively, and were being tickled by Joey, Chris or both.

"Gina, help us!" Jackie called from under Lance.

"Nope. I’m staying out of this one." She felt JC put his hands on her hips and leaned against him.

"Sorry, Gina, it’s too late to withdraw," JC told her as he held her tighter and began tickling her. Soon all eight of the room’s occupants were laughing too hard to notice the smiling bodyguards outside the still open door.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"We are the champions. We are the champions," JC sang as he tried to hug Gina, but only succeeded in pulling her with him to the ground.

"Oh stuff it, Jace. We could have won if it wasn’t for two left feet here who was my partner." Chris pointed to Joey before bending down and untying the pillowcase that connected their ankles. Out of boredom a three-legged race was organized down the hall. Being without female partners Chris and Joey had ran together.

JC just laughed at his friend and laid out on the floor.

Justin walked in the room folding the pillowcase that had connected him and Nick. "But you’re forgetting something, Chris. JC and Gina are so in tune with each other that it was almost like walking normally for them. None of us had a chance."

"Especially when someone has the brilliant idea of trying to carry his partner and trip himself up all the way down the hall. Nice one, J." Nick sat on the couch by the window.

"It’s not my fault you’re so slow." He sat beside her. "I just thought that if you were off the ground than I could walk normally and we’d win."

"Oh, so you forgot that I’d still be attached to you, or did you just think that you are so strong that my weight would mean nothing against a big strong man like yourself?"

"Exactly. Come on, you were laughing." He draped his long legs across her lap and over the couch arm.

"Oh, yeah," she bit out sarcastically. "I really enjoyed when you tripped into the wall and my nose was trapped against your chest. That was definitely a highlight. My nose is still hurting from hitting that rock you call a chest."

"Aww, poor baby," he cried from his reclined position. He kissed his fingertips and reached to touch her nose. "This is the closest thing I can do from my position to kiss and make it better. I hope this helps."

As soon as Justin’s hand touched her face lightening quick sensations ran down his arm. His fingers began acting with a mind of her own as they started to explore her face. They slid off her nose and slid beneath her eye before burying themselves in the curve behind her ear. Next they made their way down her jawline and down her neck until he hit her shoulder. He traced that curve a few times before starting to slowly draw small circles down her arm. Justin’s eyes followed the path his fingers made. When his fingers reached her hand they began tracing the outline of it which now laid on his stomach.

The others had the decency to leave the young couple alone and look away. Lance, Jackie, Joey and Chris conversed while JC and Gina looked through CDs.

"Hey, Gina, I got a song here that reminds me of you."

"What?" she asked as she leaned to him. As soon as her eyes saw the name Meredith Brooks her eyes widened. "Are you trying to tell me something here, Joshua?"

"Me? No, I’m not trying to insinuate anything here." His words may have been believable if there wasn’t a gleam in his eyes.

Gina placed her pile of CDs next to her and rose to her knees. "Oh, I bet you’re not. You’re going to get it, boy."

She advanced and tackled him. JC put his hands up in defense, but she was already in position to knock him down. He grabbed her wrists as he fell. She tried to hit him but his hands had a firm hold on her and she couldn’t get close enough. She straddled his laughing body and continued to struggle against his strength.

"Give it up, little girl, you are not going to win this one. This is one of muscle and I’ve got you there."

"Yeah, you do," she sighed. "This isn’t a mind war or I’d have it hands down." She blew her bangs out of her face.

"Hey." He rolled his body and pinned her beneath him. "I do have brains."

"Yeah, you’re just full of brains and brawn. That’s not all you’re full of either…"

"You are so asking for it." He looked at her heavily breathing body before raising his eyes to hers and leaned down towards her. "What was that Pam said about pinning you or something?"

The look in his eyes made Gina breath come quicker. Ever since the hospital she had wanted to kiss him. At that point she had to admit to herself she had wanted to kiss him since that afternoon when they kissed. She cursed herself for putting her mind and body through this torture.

"Actually she said it would be against a wall. This clearly isn’t a wall." She returned his daring stare.

"No, it’s a floor and you two look like you’re going to use it for an activity that the rest of us would rather not witness."

JC blinked and laughed. "Come on, Joey, we’re not that stupid. We were just having a little fun."

Joey walked over them and sat on the cot next to the couple. "Yeah, it’s called foreplay."

"Funny, Joey. I’ll remember that one day. JC, can you please get off me? Thanks." She shivered. "Now why is it suddenly cold in here?"

"It’s called lack of body heat. You just lost a lot when JC got off you."

Gina glared at Joey smiling above her. "Thank you, Dr. Fatone, for that intriguing answer. Now let’s see if you’re deductions are correct. Can you give me a hand, JC?" She raised her hand for JC to help pull her up, but he just clapped.

"JC, you have a lady waiting for your assistance and you just stand there and clap at her? Where are your manners?" Joey shook his head and reached down to help Gina up.

"Thank you, Joey. Nice to see that there is a real gentleman in this group. Ugh, what are you doing?" she screamed as he pulled her down on the cot with him.

"Well, you wanted to prove my body heat theory and since JC wasn’t willing to help you I thought I might. I’m a hot-blooded Italian so I thought I might even generate more heat than the skinny Frenchman over there." He hugged her closer to him. "So what are your observations?"

JC stood over them. "My observation is that you’re flirting with my girlfriend and holding her way too close. Then again who cares what I think."

"Aww, JC, I love it when you’re jealous. Actually, Joey is quiet comfortable to cuddle up next to. A big Italian male can be quite warm." She curled next to Joey’s body and he put his arm around her. She laughed when he stuck his tongue out at JC.

"Ha ha ha-ha ha. She’d rather lay next to me than you." Joey pulled her tighter and pretended to sleep.

Gina laughed and pushed his head up. "Don’t flatter yourself too much, Joey. There’s nothing like a skinny, but nicely built, man to make you feel not overwhelmed by his size. Love ya, Joe, but I’m not giving JC up."

Joey released her and turned his back on her. "Fine, go to the lead singer, one of the most popular and leave poor Joey out in unloved land."

"Aww, you big baby. Oh my gosh, I just thought of something. Be right back." She struggled to get off the cot before heading to the door.

"Where you going, hun?"

"To get a CD of Lisa’s that has a song reminds me of us. You stay here," she ordered his as he began to follow.

"Uh-oh, I’m kinda afraid here of what song she might bring out."

"Jace, man, think of your relationship. How bad can it be?"

"Well, since the song I showed her before was ‘Bitch’ by Meredith Brooks, I don’t know. She knew it was a joke, but she might try to retaliate."

"JC, I told you not to play with Gigi’s mind. She’ll get you back." Justin walked up to the two. Somewhere in the commotion he and Nick woke up and began dancing to the radio station someone put on.

He hung his head. "I know, but it’s so fun." His head lifted and he smiled. "Plus it shows her brains when we do this. You know how I am with girls with brains. Sure a pretty smile is nice, but give her brains and I’m gone. I am so gone."

"That you are, my pal." Justin smiled and called over his shoulder, "Hey, Gina, you got a good song for us to listen to?"

"Yeah, but how’d you know I came in the room when you didn’t even turn around?" She knelt by the radio and turned the CD player on.

"Well, I may not have seen you but by the Gina detector we call JC I could tell that you just walked in. His smiled just turned soft and I could almost see his insides melt. Ain’t that so sweet?" He pinched JC’s cheek and ducked the arm that swung back.

JC walked behind Gina and let his hands follow the arch in her back as she stood up. "What song ya got, hun?"

"Just something that reminds me of how our relationship progressed. Can you please hit play for me, Lance?" She grabbed JC’s hand and led him to the open space by the door that connected that room to Joey and Chris’ room. She began lip synching to the beginning of the song until JC pressed his body against hers. From then on all her concentration was on the man next to her and the way his hands on her body were making her feel.

"This song is perfect, my Angelina." JC kissed her neck. Both the kiss and his words sending shivers down her body.

"What’s all this usage of my full name? I’m not used to it unless I’m in trouble or something," she asked as he put a few inches of space between them.

"Well, it is your name," he said as he began circling her and stopped behind her. He put his hands on her hips again and brought her back against him. She leaned back and placed a hand on his cheek while they talked.

"Yeah, I know, but I’m not used to it."

"Well, how about you try to get used to me saying it and I’ll try not calling you it. I think I have to warn you that sometimes I don’t have much control over my mouth. Like now." He nuzzled behind her ear before grabbing it gently with his lips and flicking his tongue across the bottom, smiling when Gina produced a frustrated ‘damn.’ "Like I said- I’ll try, but I don’t know if I can control what my mouth says or does."

When the song ended Gina turned around and slid her hands behind JC’s neck. The radio was turned back on and "Love Is" by Brian McKnight and Vanessa Williams floated through the air. JC’s hands met behind Gina’s back as his arms brought her closer. Jackie and Lance made their way near the couple. When Justin and Nick paired up Gina winked at Joey.

"What was that wink for?"

"Oh, nothing, sweetie. I just felt like winking at Joey." Gina smiled as Joey went to the other room and walked back with something behind his back.

JC shook his head. "I don’t believe you, Gina. You and Joey are up to something and I want to know what it is."

"Just be quiet and look up." She pointed above them and both smiled when he saw what was above them.

Joey dangled the red and green plastic above them. "Mistletoe! Now you two have to kiss."

"Don’t have to tell me twice." JC slowly brought his face towards Gina’s and lightly brushed her lips repeatedly with his.

"Come on, JC, that’s not kissing her. We want some real action. This is mistletoe we’re talking here."

"Sorry I’m too much of a gentleman for that." He saw the disappointment in Gina’s face and smiled. "But I’m not too much of a gentleman to do this. Excuse me, friends." He grabbed Gina’s hands and led her to the next room. "We’ll be back in a bit."

Everyone watched them go with humor and disbelief written on their faces. Joey and Chris looked at each other for a moment.

"Stay off of my bed," they yelled into the next room. JC’s head peered around the doorway.

"We don’t need a bed for what we’re going to do. Just a wall. A nice sturdy wall." He wiggled his eyebrows menacingly and disappeared. In Joey and Chris’ room he slowly walked up to Gina.

"See anything you like, big boy?"

"Oh yeah." His eyes traveled up and down her body before walking even closer. "and thanks for the compliment by the way."

"What compliment?" she asked as she began walking backwards away from him.

"You just called me a big boy. You know what stuff like that does for a guy with low self-esteem like myself." He reached out as they neared the wall. He began nuzzling his nose and mouth in the nape of her neck.

"Damn, boy, you are incorrigible. Now what’s this about you having low self-esteem?" Gina laughed at her comment but moaned at what JC was doing. Involuntarily her left hand made its way to his chest, grabbing the cotton of his shirt, while the other one crept up his neck and slowly began digging its way into his dark hair. "Oh, please don’t stop."

JC smiled against her neck and pushed her body against the wall. He tactfully planted kisses up her neck until his mouth was below her ear. "I believe that is a wall behind you. Do I have it right now?"

"Umm…yeah…oh god…yeah, I think so. Well, now you just have to finish it off. How do I ever live without your mouth near me?" she wondered aloud as his hips pushed her even harder into the wall and gave her a firm kiss on the lips.

"I don’t know. I guess it’s the same way I live without you next to me each day," he whispered against her lips. "Now what is this about finishing it off? How do I do that?" In response she licked her lips, touching his because of their closeness. "Oh, that’s easy."

JC gave her short, deep kisses. Just when she’d give him full access to her mouth he’d pull away. Every few kisses he’s linger before slanting his head the opposite way. Gina’s body went numb against the wall. All she knew was that his body was pressed up against hers and that his mouth was kissing her.

"If you don’t stop making my body react to you like this I may ask you to never stop," Gina got in between kisses. JC kissed her again before responding.

"I might just take you up on that offer."

This time when their mouths met it was like nothing either of them experienced before. The feelings were deeper and nothing existed in the world but them and their need for each other. Gina’s left hand let go of JC’s shirt and made its way to his neck. Her right hand slid down his back, trying to pull him even closer. JC’s left hand stayed on the wall as his right hand buried itself in her hair. After several pleasure filled moments JC pulled back slightly.

"So have I achieved it?" he asked after she opened her eyes.

"Achieved what?" she asked dazedly.

He smiled and kissed her nose. "I guess not. You’re talking. Talking uses your tongue. Talking means no kissing."

"So are you going to stop anytime soon?"

"Yes, master," he surrendered as their mouths met again.

~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

"I don’t even want to know what that meant." Chris sat on the bed after JC disappeared and tapped his feet to the dance beat that now came through the radio’s speakers.

"Me neither." Lance grabbed Jackie and dipped her. "Hey, Joe, how about bringing some of the mistletoe magic over here? I want to try my luck at it."

"As if you need it." Nick rolled her eyes and laughed as Jackie closed her eyes and Lance kissed her cheek. Jackie cocked one eye open.

"Try again?" she asked.

"If you insist." He lifted her chin and met her lips in a passionate kiss. The kiss was everything that would usually satisfy him, but something was off. Lance shrugged it off and slowly pulled out of the kiss. "Is that what you guys had in mind?"

The others smiled and before they knew it Joey was holding the mistletoe over Nick’s head. He looked up at Justin and smiled.