Alex ushered Alanna straight to the VIP waiting area after stepping off the plane from Germany. In the past couple of days she had calmed down about the whole situation but Alex in particular had noticed how quiet she had become. As her sole form of security he was a constant by her side when she was working. The pair had formed a good relationship over the months. No longer did Alanna question his presence even though she still found it bizarre that this hulk of a man was there to protect her. She had been warned on numerous occasions that that was one of the biggest dangers, not thinking you are important enough to be guarded. Of course so far Alex hadn’t had any major tests while with her.
Alex wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her along a lengthy corridor, slightly cool from the air-conditioning. Outside one of the doorways she spotted 2 of the *NSYNC security team and smiled slightly at them. Alex walked ahead of her and the 3 men spoke momentarily in hushed voices.
Alanna stopped where Alex had left her. She felt slightly awkward all of a sudden. All of these people were supposed to be elsewhere but because she’d kicked up a fuss they were now in a crowded airport on a Friday night.
Alex broke away from the huddle and motioned her over. He reached for the door handle in front of her and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze before opening it and pushing her in.
The door closed behind her and she watched as he lifted his head out of his hands to see who had entered.
JC jumped off of the sofa and swiftly made his way to her side. He grasped her face in between his hands and searched her face before wrapping his arms around her.
Her head fell onto his shoulder, an immediate form of comfort. Slowly she wrapped her arms around his waist.
They stood there, holding each other, familiarising themselves with each other, not a word spoken between them for a long time. Finally JC took a step back, holding her at arms length. “I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“What for? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I totally freaked, I shouldn’t be here, I’m supposed to be in Orlando. All these people have had to go out of their way for me and I bet Lance has lawyers checking out my contract to make sure I can’t get out of it.”
“Lance isn’t like that and you know it,” he pointed out.
She nodded. “I know but I feel bad about mucking him around. He’s trying to run a business and I’m just taking advantage of his friendship here. Any regular manager would’ve kicked my ass into place a long time ago.”
JC grinned before becoming serious again. “You’re not are you? Going to quit I mean,” he asked unsurely. “Because if you really didn’t want to do this anymore I think Lance would understand.”
She shook her head. “Like I said, I freaked. I don’t want to quit but it all just became too much back there. It was a culmination of events and circumstances. Being away from home, my family, you.” She poked his chest gently before lifting her eyes to meet his. “I didn’t think it would hit me that hard and it didn’t totally hit home until Ashlyn left.”
She grasped JC’s hands and shrugged slightly. “It upset me and all that she just up and left to God only knows where…but I think it was the thought of being alone through all this that upset me the most. I’d never felt totally alone until that point. You have the guys to share all that stuff with and I…well I had Ashlyn. Rebekah and the guys are great but I don’t really know them, not like Ash anyway."
She dropped one of his hands and pulled him over to sit on the sofa. “Touring here and then working over there…” She shook her head trying to comprehend it all. “There’s a huge difference.”
JC nodded in agreement. “All that water in between does make you feel a world away doesn’t it. It’s the small things though isn’t it, like being able to eat your favourite foods…or ordering it in your language,” he joked. He smiled when she cracked a smile of her own. “Or being able to phone home and not worry about the time difference, or how long you spend talking because of the cost of the call.” He traced a pattern on her hand with his thumb. “And when you’re here there’s at least a small chance that you could get a bit of free time and make it home or maybe even get a surprise visitor.”
A small smile played on her lips. “You planning on visiting me then?” she asked curiously.
He grinned. “Maybe.”
“Good ‘cause it’s your turn next.”
His lips twitched with amusement. “How did you figure that?”
“I’m here now aren’t I?”
He rolled his eyes. “It was hardly a surprise visit.”
Alanna hit him in the side. “Hey it’s not my fault I have an inconsiderate best friend who ditches me in my time of need.”
“Oh so we’re past the emotional point and we’re now into the angry and feeling sorry for yourself phase are we?” he asked playfully.
“Shut up,” she complained with a laugh. “You’re supposed to be being nice to me.”
He leaned in and gave her a long awaited kiss. “Oh but I am.”
Alanna licked her lips as he pulled back with a grin. “Um…yeah,” she flustered. JC chuckled quietly and brushed her hair behind her ears. “So going back to what we were talking about, I never realised how different it was going to be.”
“It gets lonely I know. I was lucky and had four other people to share it all with.”
“I’m exhausted,” she admitted.
“That’s what happens when you go overseas. Who knows when you’ll head back there so they pack it in while they have you.”
“Well that sucks,” she commented, raising a laugh from JC.
There was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal Lonnie. “You two set to go? We’ve got a van waiting out back.”
“Sure. Have you got Alanna’s stuff?”
“It’s all loaded in the van.”
“Thanks Lonnie,” Alanna said.
“No problem,” he replied before ducking out of the room.
“You ready?” JC asked, standing up and pulling Alanna to her feet.
“Yup, let’s get out of here.”
The shrill ring of the phone startled JC out of his deep slumber. Dazed and confused, he gazed around the hotel room trying to get his bearings straight.
Reaching out slowly to his left he picked the receiver up before immediately dropping it back into its cradle.
“I don’t wanna get up,” the person beside him grumbled sleepily.
JC looked down at Alanna, nestled into his shoulder, her eyes still yet to open. Tipping his head to the side he rested his head on her and pulled her closer. He brought the heavy quilt up to cover them once more and sighed contentedly.
“You don’t have to,” he whispered as they snuggled together under the covers.
“Good.”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
Her arm tightened around his waist. “No,” she complained, her words mumbled into he crook of his neck, her warm breath making him shiver.
He sighed. “I wish I could stay too hon but work calls unfortunately.” Squinting he glanced over at the digital clock. “I’ve got about fifteen minutes to lay here and do nothing though.”
“Good,” she said again. “Mmm,” she cuddled up even closer to him, “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
They lay in silence for a moment; the only sound to be heard was their shallow breathing.
“So what are you going to do today?” he asked as he smoothed back her bed hair. He couldn’t help but think she looked adorable first thing in the morning. She seemed to be in exactly the same position as when they’d drifted off to sleep the night before, nestled at his side, but somehow her hair was now in total disarray.
“I was thinking I’d go visit Katie.” She waited for a reaction.
He stopped what he was doing when what she’d said had registered; his hand hovered above her head before he dropped it onto the pillow beside him.
When he didn’t say anything she spoke up. “JC.”
“What?” he asked, not looking at her.
“She’s my sister.”
Exactly why you should be as mad as hell at her, he couldn’t help but think.
She twisted in his arms, straddling his waist and looked down at him. “I know she’s not your favourite person,” she placed a finger on his lips when he tried to comment, “but like I said, she’s my sister, family, and we’re putting it behind us.”
She gently rubbed her fingers across his forehead trying to smooth out the worry lines that had appeared. “I’d like for you to do the same.”
He met her gaze, noticed her pleading look, and sighed. Placing his hands at her sides he used his thumbs to stroke the flesh left exposed between her shorts and tank top. “It’s not that easy Alanna.”
He grasped the top of her legs, effectively halting her when she tried to move off him. “With all the promotional work and this thing with Ashlyn I think you’ve got enough on your plate. She hurt you and I just don’t want it happening again.” He frowned at the thought and framed her face with his hands.
“You planning on sleeping with my sister?”
“WHAT? No!”
She smiled and placed a soft kiss oh his lips. “Then there’s nothing to worry about then. I’ll handle Katie, you go entertain those fans of yours.”
“Just be careful okay?”
“Okay dad.”
“Alanna!”
She laughed as she moved off him and he playfully swatted at her butt. He was getting way too protective over her but in a way she liked it, it made her feel safe. “I’m gonna be fine,” she confirmed as she settled down for their last few minutes of peace.
Chapter 4
Chapter Index
Stories Page
Main Page