Six

“I need a gift!” Lance said suddenly as they walked by a shop window. “I can't come to dinner without a gift!”

“Lance, you don't even know them,” JC said. “I don't even have a gift with me. I'm just renewing some subscriptions to magazines Nick likes, and I'm having a new set of kitchen utensils sent to Joey, and I got Justin a membership to the symphony.”

“He likes music?” Lance asked, stopping in front of a tiny gift shop.

“He loves it. He works in a studio. Joey is a chef, really, but he works for a caterer. Uh, Nick's an aspiring actor. I should warn you.”

“Thanks,” Lance said absently. “Let's go in here, quick.”

“Excuse me, sir, we're about to close,” the woman behind the register began, then she took a good look at Lance. “Oh, Lance Bass! I LOVE your movies!”

“Thank you…Tiffany,” Lance said with a warm smile, reading her nametag. “I just need to pick up a few gifts. I have to go to a birthday party.”

“Anything special you have in mind?” The woman gushed.

“I have someone who likes food, likes music, and likes…”

“Sports,” JC interjected.

“I have some books here,” Tiffany began.

“Not for Justin,” JC said quickly, realizing that he hadn't even bothered to tell Lance that Justin was blind.

Lance quickly picked out a book about French cuisine for Joey, and a binder with basketballs on it for Nick. “For his portfolio,” he told JC. “Trust me, he'll need a new one, if he's trying hard to get parts.”

“For your musician?” Tiffany suggested, pointing at a small wind chime. Tiny silver music notes hung from the pipes.

“Is that too girly?” Lance asked JC.

“No. Justin will love it,” JC said, running his fingers along the delicate silver notes.

“Can you gift wrap for me, Tiffany?” Lance asked.

“Yes, sir!” Tiffany beamed. “Would you…”

“Autograph? Of course, since you've been so helpful.” Lance smiled at her as he scribbled his name on the sheets of paper she shoved at him.

“Wow…that was amazing,” JC said, shaking his head as they left the shop and Tiffany locked up after them. “She fell over herself to help you.”

“That's one of the perks, true,” Lance said, pulling the collar of his leather jacket up around his face. “I try not to abuse it, but sometimes you can't help it.”

“And you just made her day by signing your name,” JC said in wonder. He was beginning to think that Lance Bass was way out of his league.

Lance shrugged. “You get used to it.”

They were going up the steps of Joey and Justin's building when JC remembered what he had to tell Lance. “Lance, uh, about Justin…”

“Hey, JC!” A familiar voice called. JC turned to see Nick huffing up the street. “Am I late?”

“I thought we were,” JC said. “Nick Carter, this is…”

“Lance Bass,” Nick whispered. “Holy hell. Joey said you were bringing a date, but I didn't think…” Nick stared at Lance in awe.

“Date?” Lance asked JC in amusement. JC blushed. “I hear you're an actor, Nick.” Lance held out his hand and Nick barely remembered to shake it.

“Not like you. I mean, that Golden Globe performance knocked me on my ass,” Nick said reverently. “I've seen all your movies. I've studied them.”

“I never thought of myself as a teacher, but thank you,” Lance said graciously. “Shall we go in?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” JC moved aside. “Listen, Lance…”

“I was wondering…which method do you really use?” Nick asked, stepping in front of JC as they went inside. “I could use some pointers.”

JC sighed as he watched Nick and Lance walk ahead of him. 

“It's about time, you guys. The delivery guy will be here…holy fuck.” Joey stopped short as Nick and Lance came into the foyer. “Where's JC's date?”

“I'M Josh's date,” Lance said. “I'm Lance.”

“I know. I mean, I'm Joey,” Joey said, holding out a hand. “Justin's in the bedroom getting ready. He'll be right out.”

“Happy birthday, by the way. To you, too,” Lance said to Nick.

“You know it's my birthday?” Nick blushed pink with pleasure.

“I TOLD him, dumbass,” JC almost grumbled.

“I have gifts,” Lance said, waving the small boxes in the air.

“Um, on the table, there,” Joey said, pointing to a small table near the dining room. “We'll eat, then open them.”

“Is that dinner?” Justin said. He entered the room and sniffed. “Nah…must be Nick. I can smell that cologne he showers in.”

“Screw you, Timberlake,” Nick said, scowling. Justin laughed. He sniffed again. “And I smell my babydoll Jayce…but someone else, too.” Justin smiled his sunny smile. “Ah, this must be the date I heard about. Such mystery.” He carefully made his way towards JC and Lance. “I'm Justin.”

“Lance Bass,” Lance almost whispered, taking the hand that Justin held out. He stared at Justin in such a strange way that JC found HIMSELF staring at Lance.

Justin blinked. “Damn. If I didn't recognize your voice, I wouldn't believe it. Nice to meet you.” He turned towards Joey. “What time is dinner? I'm starving.”

“You're always starving, pig,” Nick said, to get back at him for the cologne comment.

“Wine for everyone?” Justin asked the room.

“Not me,” Nick said, wrinkling his nose.

“That would be great,” Lance said. JC could only nod in Joey's direction.

“Joey, quit staring at the famous actor,” Justin said, taking Joey's arm and pulling him towards the kitchen. Nick followed them.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Justin being blind, Lance. I was hoping it wouldn't matter,” JC said quickly.

“It doesn't. Not that way,” Lance assured him. “It's just…he…reminds me of someone. Someone I knew long ago, and lost. God…it could be Will's twin,” Lance said softly. “The same hair, the eyes…” Lance shook his head. “Has he always been blind?”

“Since he was young,” JC said. “There's surgery he could get…it could possibly reverse it…but it's too expensive.” JC wanted to bite his tongue off. “But we're not supposed to know that, so don't mention it.”

“Of course,” Lance said immediately. He smiled at JC. “So…I'm your date?”

“Uh, well,” JC stammered.

“It's okay. It's a long time since I've been someone's date instead of the other way around,” Lance said.

“Here, Lance,” Nick said, almost tripping over his large feet as he handed Lance his wine. “So…about that acting method?”

“Nick,” JC groaned.

“No, it's fine. I don't mind talking shop with someone who's truly interested,” Lance said, sitting on the sofa. Nick plopped down beside him.

“Oh, God,” JC murmured, heading for the kitchen.

“That's Lance Bass, dammit!” Joey growled at JC.

“Is he really as hot as he sounds?” Justin asked. Joey poked him. “What? He has that sexy porn voice. It melts MY butter.”

“He looks even sexier than he sounds,” JC admitted. Justin sighed happily and Joey poked him again.

Seven