Ten

 

"You're right," JC said, laughing as he turned off the music.  "You really CAN'T dance!"

"I can dance," Nick said defensively.

"Just not well," AJ said. 

"No...just not as good as you and JC.  Christopher can't dance, either," Nick pointed out.

"Christopher doesn't have to," Christopher said.  "Christopher is a creator, not a performer."

"Whatever," JC said, rolling his eyes. "I don't figure we'll have a lot of dancing in our show, Nick, so you'll be safe."

Someone knocked at Christopher's door and he went to answer it.  "Oh!  Hello!" Christopher said in surprise. "Come on in!"

JC almost fell over a chair when he saw Justin in the doorway.  The bearded man with him could only be Joseph Fatone.  "Hello, Christopher," Justin said shyly.  "Nick, AJ...JC, right?"

"Yes," JC said, nodding.

"Joseph, this is JC Chasez...he's my new creative partner," Christopher said.

"Yes...Justin told me about your new show. He's adamant about starring in it," Joseph said, giving JC the once over and dismissing him.  "It just happens to be your lucky day, boys.  We just came into a large sum of money, and we'll be renovating the theater, as well as putting on a new production.  Your show has been chosen."

JC noticed that Justin looked everywhere but at him, and he knew suddenly where the large sum of money had come from.  "Really?" Christopher yelled. "Oh, Joseph, Justin, that's fantastic!  You won't be sorry."

"Justin will have the lead, of course...otherwise you may cast as you see fit.  I'd like to go over things like scenery and costume, so we can work out a budget," Joseph said.  "Could you and JC come to the theater later today for a meeting?"

"Of course," Christopher said immediately.  "You won't regret this, Joseph."

"We'll see." Joseph turned to Justin. "Come on, Justin.  Back to the theater."

"Goodbye," Justin said to the room at large, and followed Joseph out the door.

"I don't believe this!"  Christopher screamed.  He grabbed Nick and hugged him, giving him a passionate kiss on the lips.  Nick looked a bit shocked, but seemed to enjoy it.  Christopher danced around the room happily.

AJ looked at JC. "It's too late, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You're already in love with him, aren't you?"  AJ smiled sadly.  "He hooked you."

"It's not like that," JC protested.

AJ put a hand on his arm. "We all know where the money's coming from, JC, and that man has power. If he catches on that you're in love with your diva...he could be dangerous."

"No worries," JC said, smiling.  "I've got a gun." AJ laughed as if JC was teasing, but JC wasn't teasing.

 

When Christopher and JC arrived at Joseph's office, they were surprised to find Justin seated on a chair by the wall.  "I figure I have as much say in this as you do," Justin said before they could comment.  "This show could make or break my career."

"Now, Justin, there will always be room on my stage for you," Joseph said consolingly.

"But this is my first show as a real performer," Justin said, and Joseph said nothing more.

"We sat down and thought out costumes and scenery," Christopher said.  "Nothing extreme...it's gonna be like a West Side Story, lovers divided kinda thing."  Christopher opened a notebook and he and Joseph began to look through it.

JC watched Justin.  Justin tried his best not to look at JC, but finally he gave in.  "Hello," JC said.  It was something anyone would have said.

"Hello, how are you?" Justin replied politely.

"Fine.  So, you got backing for the theater?"

"Yes," Justin said with a sigh, understanding the question.  "It's nothing I can't handle, though."

"Good," JC said, nodding.  Justin looked into his eyes and smiled, a smile so radiant that JC blushed.  That made Justin smile more.  JC knew that smile was just for him.

"So...rehearsals every day...we can afford to close the theater for about a month or so while we renovate," Joseph said. 

"I don't think so," Justin said suddenly, and everyone stared at him. "I mean...I've never done anything like this. I don't even know what West Side Story's about...I think...I think I may need extra help," Justin finished.  He looked at JC. "Do you think maybe we could work together alone now and then? If you have time?"

"Your time is going to be stretched pretty thin," Joseph reminded Justin.  Justin knew what he was talking about.

"Not during the day," Justin said.  "And it's not like I'm in every scene.  While Christopher works with the company, I can work with JC. If you don't mind, that is."

"No," JC said quickly.   "I mean, I want you to do well. Your performance reflects on all of us."

"Okay," Justin said, nodding. "Perhaps after rehearsals get started, we could work from lunch to maybe two or three in the afternoon?"

"Good idea," Joseph said.  "That will give you time to rest between full rehearsals."

Joseph and Christopher chatted some more, but JC and Justin didn't pay attention. They were trying too hard not to stare at one another.

Eleven