...With You

Chapter 17


Madison walked into the upstairs offices of the MTV studios and walked right into Carson.
"Hey" she smiled.
"Hey yourself. I've been looking all over for you. You ready for lunch?" he asked.
"Absolutely, I'm starving." Madison smiled.
"Good. Me too." He smiled.

They walked to an outside restaurant not too far away and waited to be seated.
"How was your evening?" Carson asked.
"It was good" Madison smiled.
They got seated and Carson looked suspiciously over at Madison. She'd been acting strange for the past few weeks and it bothered him that she felt that she couldn't talk to him.
"Madison, is something going on that I don't know about?" Carson asked, point blank. "I mean, I know I promised to stay out of your decisions but I'd still like to think you can come talk to me."
Madison smiled across the table at Carson. There was a time when she told him everything, and she hated to keep this from him. She hated that Justin was kept a secret from one of the most important people in her life.
"Carson, of course I can come and talk to you!" she said.
"But you're not." Carson answered. "And you cancelled on dinner last night, what's up with that?"
"Carson, it's not you, believe me, it's not you." She said, reaching across the table and taking his hand.
"Then what is it, Madd?" Carson asked.
Madison looked down towards the table, not answering the question.
"Are you seeing someone?" Carson guessed.
Madison's head shot up to look at him.
"You're back with JC, aren't you?" Carson questioned. "That's why you've been acting so weird! You're back with him and didn't want me to know. Madd, I don't think it's best, but you didn't have to hide it, I mean…… "
"Carson! Carson! Slow down. I'm not back with JC." She smiled.
"But there is someone?" he asked.
Madison sighed and nodded. "Yeah. There is." She smiled.
"I'm insulted! You didn't want to tell me?" Carson said excitedly.
"Of course I wanted to tell you!" Madison exclaimed. "If it makes you feel any better, you're still the first person to find out." She said.
"I don't get it, why wouldn't you tell anyone…." He paused. "Wait. Madison, you're not seeing who I think you're seeing, are you?" Carson asked.
"Probably." Madison answered.
"Justin?" Carson asked.
"Yeah." Madison said softly, as she nodded.
"Oh boy. This is a disaster waiting to happen. You know that right?" he said.
"Yeah. Which is why no one knows. At all." She answered.
"How long has this been going on?" he asked.
"A month. It was a month yesterday." She affirmed.
"Which would take us back to about…. JC's birthday party." Carson guessed.
"Yeah" Madison said, relieved that he finally knew.
"Start talking Madison. You have a lot of explaining to do!" Carson smiled. "That is, if you want to."
"Carson, if I don't get to talk about this, I'm going to lose it!" she said.
"Well, I'm here to listen" Carson smiled.
"Well, it started actually two months ago, when we were at the beach." She started.
"I knew something more went on down there." Carson smiled.
"Yeah. Nothing serious, don't get that idea. It was just so nice to see him. The first night he was down there we went out to dinner and took a walk on the beach and stuff. We talked about JC and the whole situation and he told me to forget about JC and do what made me happy. Ya know what? I did, and I had the best four days I could've had. We went dancing every night. We ate together. Went to the beach. Never once did he try to make a move on me. When he asked me to come out to a show I never wanted to go as badly but was scared shitless of being around JC. He understood that." Madison said.
"And when you went to the show?" Carson asked.
"One of the best times I've had." Madison smiled. "Liz came with me so I had moral support for the JC part. Which I do have to tell you, was difficult. It was the first time I'd seen him since I broke things off, and it hard to see him again. But I got to chill with all of them before the show and things went ok. We even went out with them afterwards." Madison thought back to that night. "I didn't even see JC much. Justin and I danced basically the whole night and it was like things never changed from the beach."
"And JC's party?" Carson asked.
"Ah. Well, that proved to be interesting too. I told you basically everything that happened at the party, what I didn't tell you is what happened afterward." Madison said. "Justin offered to walk me home. So, he did. After he left, he came back again and told me he had more than feelings of friendship for me." Madison sighed. "So… we fought for about ten minutes because I just didn't see how it could work with JC being his best friend and all. It wasn't long until he convinced me not to think about JC and to think about my feelings. And I knew that I could only do one thing, and that was to be with Justin." Madison smiled.
"Wow." Carson said. "That's one hell of a story, Madd. I gotta tell ya. He's right. You can't let you're past with JC stand in the way of your future." He said.
"Oh my god" she said, shaking her head.
"What?" Carson asked.
"That's exactly what he told me" she said smiling.
"What can I tell ya. He's a smart man!" Carson smiled. "Madison, I have only one question." He said.
"What's that?" Madison asked.
"Are you happy?" she asked.
Madison smiled as she looked over at Carson. "I've never been happier" she said. "And can I tell you something, for the record?"
"Of course" he said.
"I love him" she smiled. "I am so much in love with him, I want to tell the world!" she said.
"Madison, I am too happy for you to tell you" Carson said. "You deserve to be happy more than anyone I know."
"I am" Madison smiled.
"And I assume that's why you ditched me last night. He was there?" he asked.
Madison nodded. "Yeah, he stayed over again last night." She answered.
"And last week? When you wouldn't leave the apartment? And the weekend before that?" he asked.
"Yes, yes, and yes. I guess we have a very in-door relationship. I hate hiding out, we just haven't found the right time to tell people." She said.
"Who? The public? Or JC?" Carson asked.
"Both, actually. But to tell you the truth, I think we're both more nervous about JC finding out than anything else." Madison answered.
"Madison I understand your situation here. But you can't choose who you fall in love with, you just gotta follow your heart and hope it doesn't hurt you in the process." Carson said.
Madison smiled. "I know. I know that more than anything. I didn't set out to fall in love with Justin, but I did, and now I don't want to be anyplace else." She said.
"Madd, as long as you're happy, I say go for it." He said.
"Thanks Carson." She said.
"Anytime. Hey Madd?" he said.
"Yeah?" she said, looking up.
"No more secrets between us, ok?" he said.
"Deal. No more secrets, Carson." She agreed.

**~*~*~*~**

The two of them headed back to studio.
"Hey guys. Madison, I was just looking for you." Kate said.
"Yeah. What's up?" she asked.
"Dave is stuck somewhere and he won't get here in time for TRL, we need you to fill in and go with Carson to Radio City." She said.
"Ok, no problem. What's the game plan?" she asked.
"Alright. The only thing Dave set up as a definite was to interview *Nsync. You think you'll be ok?" Kate asked.
"Yeah, I know the guys, it'll be fine" Madison lied.
Madison turned away to face Carson as Kate turned into her office.
"Liar!" Carson whispered.
"I know, I know" Madison smiled. "Hey, how bad could it be, right?" Madison shrugged.
"With JC and Justin at your side…. Bad!" Carson joked.
"Thanks Cars, you're really helping ya know!" Madison smiled.
"Sorry, Madd. I'm just teasin' ya. You know I'll be there if you need me" he assured her.
"I know. I guess we better get heading over there" she said.
"Yeah, let's get outta here" Carson said.

**~*~*~*~**

"I keep running into to you" JC smiled.
Madison turned around and saw JC standing there, looking at her.
"Hi JC" she smiled.
"Hey, I -- " he started.
"Madison! We need you in here!" Carson yelled from the dressing room.
"I'm sorry JC, I gotta go." She said.
"Yeah, I see that. No problem, I'll talk to you later." He said.
"Yeah, I'll see you in a bit actually. I took Dave's spot today." She smiled.
"Good." JC smiled.
"Madd!" Carson yelled again, this time peaking his head out to see what was keeping her.
"Oh, hi JC." Carson smiled.
"Hi Carson" JC smiled in return.
"Madd, they're ready for you." Carson said, turning to her.
"Alright, thanks babe" she smiled "I'll be right there."
She turned to JC.
"I'll see you later, Madison." He said, turning away and walking back to the rest of the group.

**~*~*~*~**

"I'm telling you, she's acting really weird around me" JC said.
"What do you mean she's acting weird?" Joey asked.
"I don't know, she's just not herself" JC answered. "I mean we agreed to be friends, I don't see what the big deal is." JC said.
"Who are we talking about?" Justin asked, walking into the conversation.
Joey rolled his eyes toward Justin. "Who else does JC talk about? We're discussing Madison." He said.
"What about Madison?" Justin asked.
"She's just acting weird" JC answered. "Like she's hiding something."
"Huh. I don't know man. It's probably nothing." Justin answered.
"Yeah, you're right. I won't let it worry me." JC said. "She's interviewing us later for TRL."
Justin head snapped to attention. "I thought Dave was here?" he asked.
"I just got down talking to Madison and she told me that she's filling in for him today, so that means that we get her instead." He smiled.
'Well, this should be interesting.' Justin thought to himself. He left the room in search of Madison, desperately seeking her before this interview.

**~*~*~*~**

"You all set?" Carson asked.
"Me? Oh yeah, piece of cake!" Madison shrugged.
"You'll be fine" Carson said, hugging her tightly.
"Thanks, Cars" she smiled. "For everything."
"What are best friends for?" he asked.
"Madison!" Tim ran toward her.
"Hey Tim, what's up?" she asked.
"Alright, final word is to interview *Nsync in two separate sessions. Carson will do countdown numbers ten through six and then you'll interview JC, Joey and Lance. Then after Carson does five through two you'll talk with Justin and Chris and then introduce the number one video, which of course is surprise, surprise "It's Gonna Be Me"." Tim said. "Got it?"
"Yep. Thanks." She said smiling.
She turned back and faced Carson.
"Well, that worked out well." He smiled.
"Tell me about it" she smiled. "You do this?" she asked.
He shrugged. "I may have mentioned something of the sort." He smiled.
"You're the best babe." She smiled. "I owe you."
"Consider it a freebie" Carson smiled.
She smiled at him and followed Tim down the aisle. And Carson took his cue to start the show.

**~*~*~*~**

On Air
"That was our number six request of today. Right now, I'd like to check in with my friend Madison, who I believe, is standing there with *Nsync. Madison?"

"Hey Carson! I am standing her with, well, some of *Nsync anyway. I got JC, Joey and Lance here next to me." She turned her face towards the guys. "So, ok, I've been watching you guys rehearse and… WOW! I don't wanna give anything away, but this performance is going to rock!" she smiled. "Do you guys ever get nervous about performing in front of such a large crowd?" she asked.
"Um, not really. Maybe a little." Joey said.
"And, who gets most nervous?" Madison smiled.
"That would be JC." Lance said.
"Thanks guys. Just rat me out." JC smiled.
"Well, you know, there's all the people in the audience and then the millions watching on TV. That's gotta get nerve wracking." Madison smiled.
"Thanks Madison!" JC smiled. "You're really helping!" he joked.
"You heard it first here folks. If they mess up tonight, it's all my fault" Madison smiled.
"All on her… " Joey said, pointing.
"Well, Carson, there you have it from down in here." Madison laughed. "Back to you."

"Thanks Madison. Leave it to you to make the biggest pop act in the world weak in the knees." He smiled. We got to take a break now, but we'll be back with the rest of your top ten and more from Madison and the rest of the guys from *Nsync."

**~*~*~*~**

Madison chatted up with JC, Joey and Lance for awhile after the interview. It actually didn't go as bad as she thought it would. She'd kill Carson for his little 'weak in the knees' comment later. At least the rest of them didn't hear that, she only heard it through the speaker in her ear. She waited till Tim told her time was up until she moved her spot to find the remainder of the boys. She spotted Justin and Chris horse playing in the aisles.
"Hey you two, shape up, we go on the air in five." She smiled, putting her hand on Justin's shoulder.
He turned around to face Madison and smiled. "Yes Ma'am" he said saluting.
She smiled at him, closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Well, good afternoon, drill sargent!" Chris joked.
"You guys are just way too funny!" Madison laughed, mocking them.
"Tell me how I got stuck with these two?" she asked Tim.
The camera man just shook his head.
"You love us!" Justin smiled. "Deep inside, you know you do!"
Madison looked at him smiling. "You're right. But Chris is still my favorite." Madison smiled.
"Yeah, we'll see about that" Justin smiled back.
He was having way too much of a good time trying to beat her at her own game. She had to admit, they kept their friendly banter believable to the unsuspecting soul.
"Madison, we're back in one minute. Places." Tim told her.
"Alright, thanks Tim." She said, taking her place between Chris and Justin.

**~*~*~*~**

On Air
"Alright, at number two was Britney Spears with 'Lucky'. Now we go down to another lucky girl who is standing with the remaining to members of *Nsync. Madison, you still there?"

"I'm here Carson. And you're right, I am one lucky girl. I'm standing here with the other two members of *Nsync, Justin and Chris. "Ok, you guys are up for six awards tonight. Any particular one that you'd like to take home with you tonight." She asked.
"Definitely the third one." Chris joked. "Which ever one comes third, that one would be the best."
"Oh boy." Madison smiled.
"Seriously though" Justin smiled "I think Viewers' Choice would probably mean the most to us, because it is voted for by the fans. They're the ones that buy our music and come to our shows so getting an award from them would mean the world." He said.
"I still want the third one" Chris shook his head.
Madison laughed as she looked from Justin to Chris.
"Ok! We gotta get to the number one video now. Any guesses what it is, guys?" she asked.
"Is it yours?" Justin asked her, pointing.
Madison smiled. "No. Mine just didn't get on the countdown today." She joked.
"Too bad, that's which one I voted for." Justin replied, laughing.
"Maybe next time." Madison smiled. "But the real number one video for today is "It's Gonna Be Me"! Check it out y'all!"


**~*~*~*~**

The video played and Madison stood there talking with Justin and Chris for a little before Chris excused himself to talk to the choreographer.
"You know what I want to take home with me tonight?" Justin smiled at Madison.
"Hmm. I have a pretty good idea." Madison said smiling.
"Yeah, I bet you do." He said.
"When JC told us you were interviewing us instead of Dave, I searched all over for you. I thought that would have been a little bit of an awkward situation." He said.
"Yeah, well, you should've seen my face when they told me!" Madison said. "I'm happy they decided to break you guys in sessions." She said.
"Me too, babe. Me too." He said.
"Madison." Tim came up behind her. "We'll be back from commercial any minute. They want you up with Carson." He said.
"Ok." She said.
She turned back to Justin. "I'll see you later, ok?" she said.
"You can count on it" he smiled.
She turned around to leave and he watched her make her way up to Carson. Once there, all he could see was her smile, lighting up the room. He loved watching her, it was mesmerizing.

JC watched Madison walk up the aisle back to Carson. He watched her talk and laugh with him, shining all the way. He watched her smile and laugh, making the world around her a better place.

**~*~*~*~**

On Air
"Well, that's our show for today. I'd like to thank my good friend Madison here for helping me today." He said, wrapping his free arm around her.
"Thanks for having me" Madison smiled.
"And we hope to see all of you here tonight when we come to you live with the 2000 Video Music Awards." He said.
"Later, y'all!" Madison waved.

**~*~*~*~**

They both escaped into the dressing room, laughing and talking.
"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" Carson asked.
"No. It was actually ok. Except for your little comment in the beginning." Madison smiled.
"I swear, Madd. I don't know what came over me. I wanted to slap myself after that one." He said.
"That's ok." Madison said smiling. "They didn't hear it."
"Thank God for that" Carson smiled. "You ready to get outta here?" he asked.
"Yeah, I gotta get ready for tonight. I'm doing pre-show with Brian." She said.
"That's right. Come on, I'll walk you home." He smiled.
"Yeah, cuz ya know, it's so far out of your way." She rolled her eyes.
They walked out of the dressing room and outside.
"Madison! Carson!" Justin yelled.
They turned around and saw Justin coming toward them.
"Hey Justin" Carson said.
"Hey man, how ya doing?" Justin asked, shaking his hand.
"Can't complain" Carson smiled.
"Good. Hey I just wanted to invite you both to our party we're having after the show. We'd love for you guys to be there." Justin smiled.
"Sounds like a plan" Madison smiled. "Thanks Justin."
"No problem" he said. "I'll see you both later."
Justin ran back to the rest of the guys who were on their way to the car heading back to the hotel. Carson and Madison turned back around and headed towards home.
"He doesn't know I know, does he" Carson asked.
"No, I didn't get a chance to tell him." She answered.
Carson nodded. "You going to the party I presume?" he asked.
"Of course. He asked me a few weeks ago. I guess he just had to cover his tracks." She said.
"Probably." Carson nodded. "It should be an interesting night." He smiled.
Madison smiled and nodded in agreement. "That's an understatement, Cars. A complete understatement."

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