...With You

Chapter 13


"I don't believe we're going to yet another, *Nsync concert!" Liz said. "Thank you so much for inviting me along."
"Like I would ever think of not inviting you!" Madison said.
They were at Madison's apartment getting ready for the concert and waiting for the ride that JC had promised to send.
"I'm glad you decided to go. So who persuaded you…Justin or JC?" she asked.
"No one had to persuade me, Liz. I just didn't want JC to be mad or upset if I came." Madison answered.
"Alright. I'm just glad we're going. These are by far the best seats we've ever had, plus the backstage passes. I guess this is what it's like to be on the A-list" Liz said.
::Ring, Ring::
Madison rushed towards the phone.
"Hello?" she answered smiling.
"Madd?" he said.
"Hi Justin!" she said.
"Hey. I just wanted to let you know that the car left to come get you so it should be there in about ten minutes. They're going to bring you right back to us before the show, alright." Justin asked.
"Well, I guess so." Madison joked
"Ha. Liz is with you right? I told 'em to save two seats." He said.
"Yeah, she's here. She can hardly contain herself." Madison laughed.
"And you?" Justin said seriously. "Are you going to be ok?"
"I'm dealing. Liz'll be there so, it'll be ok. Thanks for asking." Madison smiled.
"I know it's gonna be weird, but I’m glad you're coming. I missed you!" he admitted.
"I missed you too, Justin. The beach wasn't the same without you" she said.
"Well, I better let you go. I'll see you two soon enough" he said.
"Alright, bye Justin" Madison said, hanging up the phone.
"What's up?" Liz asked from behind her.
"The car's on the way" Madison answered.
"Good. I'm ready, are you?" Liz asked.
"Yeah, I am. We could go down and wait" Madison said.
"Well then, let's go!" said smiled.
Madison and Liz headed out the door and down into the main lobby to wait for the car the guys had sent. Madison felt the butterflies start to flutter in her stomach. She didn't know what made her more nervous, seeing JC again or seeing Justin again with JC there.

**~*~*~*~**

The car ride over had taken shorter than Madison expected. It was a good two hours before the show and Madison knew that it was going to be a long two hours. The smile on Liz's face had remained the entire ride over and Madison knew that it would remain for the rest of the night. She was so glad Liz came with her. If anything, for moral support. She needed as much of that as possible. The car pulled to a stop in back of the venue and the back door of the limo was opened. Madison and Liz stepped out and were escorted into the back enterance.
"You gotta start dating more people in this business" Liz whispered.
"Liz!" Madison whispered back.
"I'm just kidding" Liz said. "Geez, you're so defensive."
They stopped at the desk to get their passes.
"Hello Ms. Wilkes" said the big security guard.
"Lonnie! How are you?" Madison smiled.
"Good. Good. Can't complain." He said.
"Lonnie, this is my friend, Liz." Madison introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Liz." He said shaking her hand. "Now, can I show you ladies the way?" he asked.
"Of course." Madison answered.
Liz grabbed onto Madison's hand, first out of nervousness then excitement. Madison's emotions however, would stay strictly on nervousness.

**~*~*~*~**

"She should be here soon" JC smiled.
"Yeah, they should be here any minute." Justin agreed.
"They?" JC questioned.
"Yeah. Her and Liz." Justin said.
"Oh. I didn't know she was bringing anyone." JC said a little disappointed.
"Oh, sorry man." Justin said. "It's alright. Liz is great."
"That's alright, I just didn't know, that's all" JC said.
JC smiled again at the thought of Madison. In a few moments she'd be standing in front of him. He knew that this was going to be an interesting evening. Just having her in his life again was amazing, and he didn't plan on ever having her leave again. The rest of the guys were scattered around the room. Justin and Lance were sitting on the sofa, watching some sports show. Chris and Joey were playing some game in the corner. JC just couldn't find it in him to sit down.
::Knock, Knock::
This was it, there she was, right on the other side of that door. He took a deep breath as he went to open the door.

**~*~*~*~**

::Knock, Knock::
Madison and Liz stood outside the door, waiting for it to open. Liz could barely contain herself anymore. Madison on the other hand, was a ball full of nerves. The door finally opened, and there he was.
"Madison!" at least three voices yelled out.
"Wow! Hi guys!" she smiled.
There it was, the smile that he missed. He couldn't hide the smile on his face.
The two girls walked into the room. And Liz just stood there in amazement.
"Guys, this is my friend, Liz" Madison said. "Liz…you know Justin. And there's Lance, Joey, Chris, and JC."
"Hi Liz" they all said.
"Liz, I think they're a seat open here, right next to me" Joey said motioning her over to him.
Liz walked over to him and took the seat between Joey and Chris and joined into their conversation.
"Hi Madison" JC piped up from behind.
Madison turned around and saw JC's smiling face. His eyes pierced through her, making her blush a little.
"Hi JC" she said giving him a hug.
JC just held her for a moment, remembering how wonderful it was to have her in his arms.
"Thanks for coming" he said, still holding her.
"Thanks for inviting me. I hope it's ok I brought Liz." She told him.
"Of course. I'm glad you did" he said.
She looked over her shoulder and saw Justin staring her.
"Well hello there stranger!" she smiled and made her way over to him.
"Hello yourself" he said standing up to give her a hug. "How was the rest of your vacation?" he asked.
"Good." She answered.
Boring, lonely, un-eventful was what she wanted to say, but JC was within earshot.
JC took a seat in the chair opposite to Justin and watched Madison as she made her rounds to the rest of the group.
"Lance? Do I get a hug or what?" she asked.
"Hey, I was just waiting my turn, that's all. I'm not as pushy as they are." He answered. "Alright. Well, come here then." She said pulling him in.
"How ya doin' Madd?" he smiled.
"I'm good. Having a really good summer off so far." She said.
"Good, I'm glad. You deserve it." He said.
Madison made her way over to Chris and Joey who were heavily into conversation with Liz.
"Can I interrupt?" Madison piped up.
"Sure!" Joey said, snatching her up and pulling her on his lap.
"Well! Aren't I the lucky one today?" Madison smiled. "How are ya, Joe?"
"Well, I'm pretty good right now." He laughed.
Madison smiled and nudged him.
"Joey, you're such a flirt." She said.
"I know, that's why you love me though! He sighed.
"Yeah, I guess so" she said, getting up from Joey's lap and heading over to give Chris a hug.
"So, you saved the best for last, huh?" Chris said.
"Yeah, don't I always?" Madison said.
"True. See, I knew you always loved me most." Chris sighed.
"You are so right" Madison joked. "But, it's our little secret alright?"
Chris smiled and nodded. Madison smiled at Liz who seemed to be in he glory. She made her was back over to where JC, Justin and Lance were and took a seat next to Justin on the couch. Was it her fault that was the only seat open?
"So Madison, when do you start at MTV? Lance asked.
"Beginning of September" she answered.
"So you get the whole summer off. That's nice." He smiled.
"Yeah, it's been great. It's weird for me not to work, but I'm loving the break." She said. "You working in the graphics department?" JC asked.
"No. I'm signed on as the new news corespondent." She answered.
"Oh. So you'll be on air?" JC said.
"Yeah. Among other things, they want me to work with Carson on TRL. They think we have good chemistry or something." She smiled.
"Where do they see that?" Justin laughed.
"I'm not sure" Madison smiled. "But anyway, I'm sure it'll be interesting."
"I'm sure you'll be great." JC smiled.
"Thanks." Madison said, looking at JC.
An hour passed in no time at all when Lonnie came back into the room to get the girls to show them to their seats.
"So, you two are gonna come out with us afterward, right?" Justin asked.
Liz looked in Madison's direction for an answer.
"Yeah, of course." She smiled at Justin.
"Alright, Lonnie, can you make sure they get back to us before we leave?" Justin asked.
"No problem, J." Lonnie answered.
"Ok, well, then goodbye girls. We'll see you soon." JC smiled.
"Bye JC" Madison said. "Bye guys." Madison yelled into the room.
Liz did the same and they were off to find their seats.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison and Liz were on their way back to the exit in the back of the venue.
"That was by far the best concert we've been to!" Liz exclaimed.
"Oh my god, yeah. Definitely. They worked their butts off tonight!" Madison said.
"Madd, you were so right. They are the nicest guys in the world. I already love them!" Liz shouted above the screaming they could still hear.
"Like there was any doubt that you were going to say that" Madison said, looking at her friend.
They reached the door and Lonnie opened it and let the girls into the car that was waiting to take them and the guys to the club.

**~*~*~*~**

At the club…

Madison sat on the bar stool looking out into the large swarm of people, dancing on the floor. JC had been pulled away and left Madison alone with her drink. She smiled at the sight of Liz and Joey dancing. Liz had not stopped smiling the whole night. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Justin heading toward her.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
"I thought you'd never ask!" Madison smiled.
Justin grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor. They began to dance around the floor with him spinning her any chance her got. Liz targeted her attention to them and smiled. It was like they never left the beach. Liz wasn't the only one watching Madison and Justin laughing and having a good time. JC noticed them immediately. He saw Madison smiling and laughing a long with Justin and immediately felt jealous.
"I'm so glad you came, Madd" Justin said into her ear.
"So am I Justin. So am I." Madison smiled.
"Was it as bad as you thought it would be?" he asked.
"No, actually. I mean, it was a little weird at first, but I guess that was to be expected." She said.
"Yeah, I guess." Justin said.
"So, how much does he know about last week?" Madison asked.
"All he knows is that I saw you, that's it. Why, what did you tell him?" Justin asked.
"I didn't say anything to him." Madison said.
"Maybe it's best that way." Justin suggested
"I would have to agree with you there." Madison smiled.
"So, I wanted to ask you. What are you doing next Sunday?" he asked.
"Nothing, that I can think of." She answered.
"Good. We're having a birthday party for JC here in New York on the sixth. Do you think you can make it?" he questioned.
"Yeah. I think so." She answered.
"Good. I'm sure he'd want you to be there." Justin smiled. "But, keep it quiet, it's a surprise."
"Alright." Madison smiled. "See, I told you we'd see each other."
"Yeah, I know. And I’m glad." He said.
"Me too." She smiled. "Me too."

Meanwhile…

Lance looked on as Justin and Madison smiled and laughed together.. This could not be good. He saw JC talking to someone, but every so often he also, stole looks at Madison and Justin.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison and Liz were on their way back to Madison's apartment. Madison couldn't help but smile. Although JC had been involved in conversations all evening, she couldn't help but smile at the hours she spent with Justin. Right now she didn't care about why she was feeling this way, she just liked the feeling.

Meanwhile…

They guys walked into their hotel room and went to their respective rooms. JC went into his room and went to crash onto the bed. He wished he could've spent more time with Madison. He was glad to see her, and even more glad to see her happy. But why did it look like she was most happy talking and dancing with Justin?

"Justin, can I talk to you for a second?" Lance said after the others went into their rooms.
"Yeah, what's up" he said smiling.
"You wanna tell me what's going on with you and Madison?" he asked, straight out.
"I don't know what you mean." Justin replied.
"Justin, don't play stupid. I saw you two dancing." Lance said flatly.
"Lance, you're reading way too much into nothing" Justin said evenly.
"You sure? Cuz if there's something that your trying to do where Madison is concerned I suggest you stop thinking it right now. JC would kill you if you went for Madison. You know he still loves her." Lance said.
"I know Lance. But I assure you that there is nothing going on between Madison and me." Justin said. "Alright. Keep it that way." He said.
Lance left to go into his room and Justin was once again left alone with his thoughts of Madison. Lance was right and Justin knew it. JC would sooner have him killed than be happy about him pursuing Madison. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Justin would just have to mask whatever feelings he did have where Madison was concerned. If not for himself, then for her, and their friendship.

<< Chapter 12 :: Chapter 14 >>