Four

“Remember…pay special attention to him!” Joseph said, pacing back and forth in Justin's dressing suite. Justin sighed and nodded. “I can't believe it…Lance Bass! He might even consider opening a Duke Hotel in cooperation with the theater!” Joseph stopped walking and thought about it. “A Duke Hotel…here!”

“I'm sure he doesn't consider us good enough to connect with his precious hotel chain,” Justin said, raising an eyebrow.

“Stop it. You're wrinkling,” his makeup assistant said.

“Sorry, Brit,” Justin said, smiling apologetically. He sat like a statue as she applied his stage makeup. She smiled back and continued her work. “How will I even know this guy?” Justin said out of the corner of his mouth. Joseph frowned.

“You've never seen him?”

“I hate reading newspapers, Joe, you know that…and you won't even let me have a TV up here!”

“No need to rot your brain,” Joseph scolded. “Let's see…he'll be one of the finest dressed men out there…and I made sure he got one of the two VIP tables. Let's see…his best physical characteristic that I can recommend is his eyes. They are intense, a color I've never quite seen before.” Joseph waved his hand. “Just play the room like you always do, Justin. He'll come to YOU.” 

“Do I make the grade?” JC said, walking into Christopher's apartment after AJ answered the door.

“Wow,” Nick said, gulping. “JC, you look…very handsome.”

“Impressive,” AJ said, clapping JC on the back. “You clean up good, buddy.”

JC laughed and did a small circle around the table. He had found a gorgeous black Armani suit at an incredible price. A peacock-blue shirt that brought out his eyes completed the outfit, and a thin black tie lined the center of his slim chest “Well?” JC stopped in front of Christopher.

“You'll do,” Christopher said gruffly. JC had already learned that the gruffer the tone, the more impressed Christopher was. “Just remember…play to Justin's vanity. Make up something…a poem, or something…about how wonderful he is.”

“Oh, puhleeze,” JC said. “Are you serious?”

“He's a grown man, JC, but he's still a child inside,” AJ told him. “Joseph hardly lets him out of the damn place.”

“I practically have to pay to get him to let Justin come over for dinner now and then,” Christopher said.

“Pay?” JC said, immediately paying closer attention. “You have to pay for his time?”

“I didn't mean that literally,” Christopher said, giving a weak chuckle. “Are you ready? I got us a table in the VIP section.”

“For all of us?” Nick asked, surprised.

“Don't even ask how many strings I pulled,” Christopher said, pulling on his own dinner jacket. “This is worth it. If JC can get Justin to listen to our work…we'll be on that stage in no time. Just behave yourselves.”

“Yes, Dad,” AJ said, annoyed. JC said nothing. He took a deep breath and headed for the door of the apartment. 

“This place is insane!” JC hissed to AJ as they were led to their table. AJ smiled and said nothing.

JC had heard rumors about the Star Theater, but they were not even close to reality. The performers had not yet come onstage, so the patrons wandered around, sitting on tables and on each other's laps. JC would have dismissed the place as a homosexual whorehouse and been done with it, if it wasn't for the excitement that was in the air. Something more was to come, and he knew it.

“Shh!” Christopher snapped. “They're about to start!”

Lights dimmed and the men returned to their tables and settled down. The spotlight shown on the stage and the company of the theater began to come out, singing and dancing. JC's eyes darted around. It looked normal enough, like any other stage show. “What's the big deal?” He whispered.

“THAT is,” Nick said, discreetly pointing.

A young man walked onstage, and JC's heart actually stopped. He was tall and thin, with short curly hair and an amazing grin. He owned the stage…owned the THEATER, and he knew it. He wove his way through the crowd as he sang, bumping a little, wiggling a little, but never doing anything that could have been called vulgar. Men smiled with delight when he noticed them, and frowned when he moved on without another look.

“That's Justin Timberlake?” JC whispered. This was going to be harder than it looked. He could very easily fall in love with this boy. 

The one who's dressed well and has amazing eyes, Justin thought to himself. Sitting in the VIP section. Justin casually wandered over to the two VIP tables. He almost forgot his lyrics when he caught sight of a tall brunette seated at a table. The man's incredible blue eyes never left Justin's face, and Justin allowed himself a smirk. The brunette gasped and blushed as he realized that the knowing smile was just for him. The message was ready and waiting in Justin's pocket, and as he leaned across the table to chuck Christopher Kirkpatrick's chin, he made sure his free hand moved down to the brunette's lap. Lance Bass' hand reached out, and Justin slipped the note into it. He watched the brunette open the note and read it, and Justin was surprised to see another blush cross his face. Justin allowed himself one full-fledged grin, and went back out to entertain his adoring public.

Five