* Disclaimer - I do not own any of the members of 'N Sync (and I don't wanna either) they belong to their respective owners. I do, however, own all fictional characters such as Mike, Ashley and various other works of my mind. Remember, plagiarism is illegal so please don't do it. Thanks.

Why the hell are we doing this? Chris groaned silently to himself. He knew it was for a good reason, charity of all things, but he wasn't too thrilled about the whole idea of spending an evening with someone he didn't know. Hell, most of the guys felt the same way, but they were all doing this because one, small, petite, and very vocal young woman had asked them to. He would have never agreed to this, but since she gave him the puppy dog face, he was done in. Mike had always had that ability to do that to him, not to mention all the others too.

Chris sighed yanking on his collar, which had somehow gotten tighter with each passing second, and he wasn't sure if it was him, but the room was becoming unbearably hot.

"Stop that!" the man who was fitting him for a tuxedo snapped, glaring at the wild haired man in front of him.

"How long do we have to be in these things?" Chris demanded of Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joe Fatone, and JC Chasez. The only people having any fun were the fitters, who enjoyed causing these gripping and complaining men just a little more aggravation, and Ashley whom was Joe's current girlfriend. She was clearly enjoying herself. Damn women, always think a man's suffering is humorous. Chris's mind railed as he glared over at the woman.

"About four hours. Why?" Lance answered, shifting uncomfortably in the jacket he was now wearing.

"I just don't understand why we can't wear our own clothes." Chris complained, his voice raising with annoyance.

"Because it's a black tie affair. All of New York's finest is going to be there." Ashley stated as she walked over to Chris. She reached out and straightened the lapels of his jacket, smiling affectionately at him.

"If you stick that pin in me one more time..." JC threatened glaring at the man who was fitting him.

"If you move one more time, I'll stick you with the damn pin again!" the fitter practically yelled as Ashley smiled with utter amusement.

"All right. I'm done with this." Justin stated with aggrievement as he took off the jacket and tossed it onto a chair. "I'm not wearing this damn monkey suit."

"Justin, don't you know the ladies will flip when they see you in a tux? You would look suave, kinda like Sean Connery in all those James Bond flicks." Ashley cajoled as she picked up his discarded jacket.

"I don't care, wait, Sean Connery? You think so?" Justin smiled, clearly beginning to change his mind about the whole monkey suit idea. Ashley nodded holding out the jacket to him. He took the jacket back, and slipped it over his broad shoulders.

"Hey sweetheart, how do I look?" Joe called from the corner. She turned to see him in a pastel blue tux and all the blood drained from her face.

"You can't wear that.... that... atrocity to the auction!" she scolded loudly, just imagining how Mike would react upon seeing the dreaded tux in question. "It looks like a smurf exploded on you!"

Joe laughed shaking his head. "I got you. I got you good." Ashley growled and threw her small bag at him. The bag sailed past him as he ducked, chuckling to himself.

"I was only kidding, Ash, geez." he exclaimed taking off the pastel blue jacket.

"Yeah, well, that wasn't funny Joe. Mike would have had my ass if you really got that tux." Ashley sighed flopping down on the couch.

"Ow, damn it! I told you to stop sticking me! I'm not a freaking pin cushion!" JC yelled jerking away from the tailor.

"And I told you to stop moving! We're even!" the tailor yelled back as he continued to make measurements to make the alterations.

"Man, pay back's a bitch. What can we do to Mike to get her back on this one?" Lance questioned an evil glint in his bright blue eyes.

"We could keep her up all night, every night until this stupid auction." Justin suggested.

"Nah, she doesn't sleep anyway so it wouldn't bother her." Lance shook his head as the others thought for a few minutes.

"How about we make her wear the most horrid dress to the event?" Chris suggested laughing devilishly.

"Nah, that's too mean. At least she's making us look classy." Lance replied chuckling to himself.

"I got it, guys!" JC smiled turning to face the others.

"Spill." Chris demanded stepping down from the stool he had been standing on for the measuring.

"Well, you know how she hates to get dressed up, right? Why not find the most stunning dress, one that would make her blush right down to her toes, and have her take part of the auction." JC explained grinning hugely.

"You know, that's actually a good idea." Chris nodded. "She hates her height, so we could find a dress with a huge slit that would show off her short legs."

"Guys, I don't know about this." Ashley shook her head, not wanting to hear anymore. Mike was her friend, and she didn't want to be blamed for this episode of vengefulness.

"Oh come on Ash, where's your sense of adventure?" Joe questioned smiling at his girlfriend.

"I'm in a tuxedo shop with five disgruntled men who hate wearing the clothing they are being forced to wear for one evening, and you're telling me I have no sense of adventure? Are you nuts?!" Ashley demanded laughing softly. Men are insufferable sometimes. Ashley shook her head as JC stepped down from his stool. The men wandered around trying to find the perfect dress for Mike to wear to the gala.

The auction was a great idea, but selling them for an evening? They had to give Mike credit though. All proceeds were going to various children's charities throughout the United States. They had all thought the idea was a bad one. Who would want to buy a night with any of the members of 'N Sync? Most of their fans were just a bit too young to have the kind of money that was needed these types of functions. But they had agreed nevertheless, because the money was going to charity.

"If you really want to get her back, get something silver and sparkly." Ashley called out to them. "But if you tell her I told you that, I'll deny every single word!"

"Thanks, babe." Joe leaned down and kissed her soundly before helping the guys on their crusade. Chris found an evening gown that was gold, but the vote was unanimously no, so they went back to searching. Joe, Lance and Chris took one side of the store, while JC and Justin took the other side.

"Guys, Mike's gonna be here any minute!" Ashley told them, raising her voice so she could be heard as she looked down at her watch.

"I found it!" Chris exclaimed loudly. He walked out to the front of the store holding a long, flowing silver dress that sparkled from every seem. There was no apparent back to the dress, and only one strap that circled the neck, and there was a slit up one of the thighs that almost made the dress all together indecent.

"Perfect." Ashley nodded, taking glee in the fact that the guys were getting revenge. The door opened and Mike rushed in as the guys disappeared into the back to have the dress held for them.

"I swear people really aggravate me sometimes." Mike exclaimed hurrying into the store, hugging her coat tightly around her body. It was almost Christmas and the weather was beginning to make it feel like the North Pole.

"What happened now ?" Ashley inquired as Mike stood with her back to the guys, her undivided attention on her friend Ashley.

"First they tell me that they need an itinerary. I give them one. Then they tell me that I have to give them exclusive rights for a photo shoot before and after the auction. Not to mention during. Plus they want me to get up and tell the people about our favorite damn guys in the world. Its gotten to the point if I never hear any of their names again, it'll be much too soon. How was the fitting anyway?" Mike railed on as she dropped her bag on the floor. Ashley pointed mutely, telling Mike to turn around. Mike did so and promptly sat down heavily in the chair behind her. They looked great. Great wasn't even the word. They look sexy beyond all belief. She never knew they could look that good.

"Well... I'm impressed. Who are you and what have you done with the real 'N Sync?" Mike questioned leaning back in her chair. The members of 'N Sync stood before her in a line striking casual poses. Justin and JC were sporting white tuxedos with black cummerbunds and ties, while Chris, Joe and Lance sported black tuxedos with black cummerbunds and ties. All the jackets had gentlemen's tails, reaching to the backs of their knees.

"I take it you like what you see." Chris snorted rolling his eyes.

"Yeah. You guys look... wow. That's all I can say." Mike shook her head, still amazed.

"Write this one down in your calenders folks. Mike was struck speechless." Joe laughed. Fire leapt into Mike's eyes as she got to her feet.

"Okay. That's great Joe. Ruin the moment of pure visual bliss by opening your mouth." she snapped as she went to find one of the tailors to fit herself with a conservative dress. Ashley followed her to the back of the store.

"The guys knew you were busy and wouldn't really have time to pick out a dress, so they picked one out for you." she told her friend.

"Oh Lord, let me guess. It's orange. No better yet, it's pink with flowers all over it." Mike groaned shaking her head.

"Actually, it's very nice and will look great on you." she stated folding her arms across her chest.

"Let me see this creation of beauty." Mike replied snidely as the guys appeared from nowhere. Chris held something behind his back, an evil smile on his face.

"You want us to wear these monkey suits, well, you have to wear this dress." he told Mike as he held up a shining silver dress.

"I'm not wearing that. I'll look like a Christmas tree!" Mike exclaimed loudly protesting her disprovement.

"Tis the season." Chris retorted laughing.

"No way guys. No way in hell ." Mike shook her head. "That dress has no back. No arms. There's nothing to that dress. I'll freeze before I even get on stage!"

"You will not." Lance laughed shaking his head.

"Fair is fair, Mike. You said that if we really didn't like the tuxes, that you would wear something that would be equally uncomfortable for you to make us feel better." Joe stated folding his arms across his chest.

"Fine! Give me the God forsaken thing." Mike demanded holding out her hand. Chris gave her the dress and she disappeared into one of the fitting rooms. The silver monstrosity fit her like a second skin, giving no room for mercy. She shook her head glaring at her reflection in the mirror. This was not going to float. The dress was beautiful, just not on her. She didn't have the body to pull it off.

"Come on out Costeo and show us what you got!" Justin yelled from where he was sitting.

"Not on your hair dye, Justin." Mike retorted shaking her head, though he couldn't see her through the curtain.

"I'm goin' in. If I'm not out in 4 hours, call the swat team." Chris stated then walked into Mike's changing room.

"Oh my God." he whispered, eyes wide, when he saw her.

"No need to gawk, Chris. I know I look horrible." Mike snapped still glaring at her reflection in the mirror.

"No, you look stunning." Chris shook his head.

"Please. Flattery will get you nowhere." Mike sighed shaking her head.

"Come on, show the rest of them." Chris suggested taking her hand.

"No way am I going out there Kirkpatrick. I don't feel like being ridiculed." Mike shook her head angrily.

"They won't ridicule you. They'll be just as speechless as you were when you saw us." Chris stated pulling her from the dressing room. All talking stopped when Chris returned with Mike in tow, albeit a reluctant Mike.

"Wow, we really did a good job." Justin nodded, a triumphant smile crossing his features.

JC quickly got to his feet, a small smile on his face. "You actually do have legs. And nice ones at that."

"You're pushing it guys." Mike warned self-consciously folding her arms over her chest.

"It's even a perfect fit. Mike, that dress was made for you." Lance nodded approvingly.

"What about Ash. She needs a dress." Mike replied with a gleam in her eye.

"You know, she's right. We do need to find a dress for Ash." Chris nodded as all eyes turned to the other woman in the room.

"Oh no. Uh uh. You've already had your fun with Mike. I want no part of this." Ashley shook her head, backing away from the guys who now had another purpose. Chris, Joe, Justin and Lance all took off to find another dress. JC walked over to where Mike stood in front of a full length mirror, scrutinizing her reflection.

"You look absolutely beautiful." he whispered softly in her ear as he stood behind her. Her eyes darted up to his in the reflection and he smiled at her.

"You're too kind. I know I look like a piece of tinsel, but you guys wanted this dress." she sighed shrugging her shoulders.

"Listen to me Michaela. You are stunning in that dress." JC told her, this time more firmly.

"If you say so." Mike shrugged, her skin tingling with his close proximity. She felt the warmth from his body all the way to her bones, and that made her nervous. JC stepped away suddenly and she immediately felt a strange loss that she couldn't explain.

JC, what are you doing? You flirt with her, nothing more. Then why did you react the way you did when you saw her in that getup? JC shook his head, clearing all thoughts from his mind as he walked off to help the guys in their search for a second dress. Joe found a flowing, burgundy crushed velvet dress that he fell in love with immediately, and wouldn't take no for an answer.

"I can't believe you guys are making me do this. I have a perfectly suitable dress back at the hotel." Ashley sighed shaking her head.

"Go put it on." Joe demanded, pointing to the dressing rooms.

"I'm serious, guys. I don't need a new dress." Ashley replied, remaining stubborn.

"Go put that dress on, now." Joe laughed folding his arms across his chest, his eyes gleaming challengingly.

"Fine. Have it your way." Ash sighed as she walked to the dressing room. She quickly changed into the dress, and had to admit that she like the way it looked on her. Seconds after she put it on, she fell in love with it herself. Burgundy had always been one of the colors that looked the best with her dark skin. Someone knocked on the door, surprising her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah?" she questioned loudly.

"Its me, can I come in?" Joe replied.

"Yeah. Come on in." Ash stated turning in front of the mirror so she could see how well the dress fit in back.

"Holy... you are the sexiest vision I've ever seen. Kiss me." Joe smiled stepping over to her. Ashley smiled and did as she was told, meeting his lips in a soft kiss. Joe wrapped his arms around her waist and held her in that kiss for a good minute or two. Finally the couple reluctantly pulled away from one another and Joe took her hand to escort her out to where everyone was waiting.

"Isn't she the most beautiful woman?" Joe questioned as Ashley teasingly posed for them all. Joe couldn't take his eyes off her, and he had a huge smile on his face which only made Mike groan.

"Why do fools fall in love then spend every waking moment telling you every tedious detail?" Mike questioned softly to herself as she climbed to her feet. She walked back to the changing room and took one last look at her reflection before changing back into her regular clothes. While everyone else changed, Mike walked over to one of the tailors with a smile.

"Hi, I'm Mike Costeo. I hope the guys weren't too much trouble." she started. The tailor just snorted, remaining silent. "When will the tuxedos be ready to picked up?"

"About five or six days. You need them for that Bachelors Auction next Friday night, yes?" the tailor asked.

"Yeah, we do." Mike answered nodding with a smile.

"Okay. Will be ready in time for auction." he nodded then walked to the back room.

"JC, the look on your face was classic when you saw Mike." Justin smiled as he pulled on the jersey he had worn earlier.

"No kidden, I never saw a grown man drool so much in my life." Joe laughed, tying his shoelaces.

"Oh, yeah Joe, and your jaw didn't hit the floor when you saw Ashley in her dress?" JC retorted, a good natured smile on his face.

"Ah, yes. But at least I'm dating Ash. All you and Mike ever do is skirt around each other and flirt. Its beginning to make us wonder about the two of you." Joe replied shaking his head.

"What do you mean?" JC questioned confused.

"Isn't it obvious? The two of you were meant for each other, man." Chris answered, pulling on his down parka.

"What the hell are you guys talking about?" JC demanded, a confused look on his face.

"Okay, I'll explain it to you like you're five years old. You like Mike. Mike likes you. You and Mike should be together. Together as in a couple. Understand now?" Chris explained slowly, causing Justin and Lance to laugh with amusement.

"Well folks, I hate to break it to you, but Mike believes in ethics." JC countered shrugging his shoulders.

"Which would mean what to you two getting together?" Chris questioned shaking his head.

"I'll explain it to you like you're five years old. I like Mike. Mike likes me. Mike also works for me. Ethics are morals. It goes against Mike's morals to date her boss." JC replied sarcastically, which made Justin and Lance laugh even harder.

"There's two easy answers to this whole problem." Chris shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah? Do tell, I'm all ears." JC sighed, a smile on his face as he folded his arms over his chest.

"I've always noticed that you were all ears. We're talking Dumbo here. Anyway, you can either fire her, or change her mind. Take your pick." Chris replied, a devilish gleam in his eyes.

"You know something Chris, you're hilarious." JC commented drily as he walked from the room.

"I know, I try." Chris laughed loudly as he followed his friend.

Maybe Chris is right, maybe you should change her mind. You can't fire her, she's the best worker the fan club has. Besides, if you did fire her, Mrs. T would kick your ass. JC thought to himself as he walked over to where Mike and Ashley stood waiting for them. You do get along with her, and you have always wondered. JC shook his head, bringing himself back to reality when he noticed that Ashley was waving a hand in front of his face.

"Earth to JC, come in JC." she called softly.

"Oh, sorry. I'm kinda tired so my mind's wandering." JC explained a slight blush flushing his cheeks.

"I guess so." Ash laughed slipping on her jacket. "I just asked you if the rest of the guys are ready to go. I'm starving. We can even go Chinese if you want."

"Sounds good to me. I'll go round everyone up." JC nodded then turned and walked back in the direction he came from.

"Come on guys, get a move on! The ladies are hungry and want Chinese." JC called into the dressing room.

"And how hard did you have to twist their arms to get that?" Joe called back laughing.

"They're the ones who suggested it, not me." JC snorted shaking his head as Joe, Justin and Lance filed out of the changing room, all dressed in their regular clothes. They all walked outside where Ashley, Mike and Chris were waiting.

"It's about time. Yeesh." Chris exclaimed smiling. The seven of them piled into the awaiting van and told the driver they wanted to go to Chinatown for a quick dinner. The restaurant they chose was a small, cozy, somewhat elegant place with beautifully crafted Chinese artwork on the walls. They followed the waitress to one of the more secluded round booths, and sat down to look at the menus in front of them.

"I say we get a platter, one of those big ones, and split it." Chris suggested closing his menu.

"Forget it. You guys don't like the kind of Chinese food I like and vice versa." Ashley shook her head, her eyes glued to the menu she was holding. It took everyone about twenty minutes to finally decide what they all wanted. The waitress, a beautiful young woman, took their order with a shy smile then headed to the kitchen.

"So, what do we have to do for this auction thing?" Lance questioned the two girls.

"Well, you have to look pretty for the females and give them a line about how romantic a night with you would be. Then on New Year's Eve, you show them a good time." Ashley shrugged as she noticed a bunch of females enter the restaurant.

"Other than that, that's it?" Justin asked. Ashley nodded raising an eyebrow to Mike. Mike glanced over to where Ashley had indicated with her eyes and saw a small group of teenagers eyeing them with interest. One of the girls finally realized just who they were looking at, and held an animated conversation with a lot of arm and hand gestures. Mike sighed rolling her eyes at Ashley who giggled softly to herself. This was all she needed when all she really wanted to do is relax. Their fans are great, really wonderful, but sometimes I just wish I could hang out with the guys and not have to worry about being caught in the middle of a mob scene. Mike glanced back over to where the teenagers were standing and noticed that they were getting ready to come their way.

"Um guys, I think me and Mike are gonna get our dinners to go." Ashley stated glancing over at Joe, Mike and JC who would all have to move so she could get out of the booth.

"What are you talking about sweetheart?" Joe inquired shifting so he could look at his girl friend.

"Um, excuse us, but aren't you 'N Sync?" a female voice questioned from behind them. Everyone turned to see six beautiful teens, all looking as if they had just won the Prom Queen title.

"Yeah, we are. How are you ladies doin'?" Joe answered giving them a sweet smile.

"We're okay. All of us were just wondering if we could have your autographs." one of the blonds stated.

"Why don't we do one better. How about you join us for dinner?" JC suggested with a smile of his own. Mike and Ashley groaned silently to themselves. This was a mob just waiting to happen.

"Okay." the girls agreed eagerly. Justin and Lance pulled together a couple of tables so the ladies could join them. Everyone moved to the tables and chose seats. Soon the restaurant was filled with squealing laughter and loud talking. They learned that the girls's names were Jade, Sam, Cathy, Melody, Tabitha and Ruby. Melody and Jade looked like the teens you saw in the upper class magazines, and ordered the waitress around in a manner that showed their standing in the New York society. They came from rich families, and they let it be known in a subtle way. Sam, Cathy, Tabitha and Ruby on the other hand were your typical teenagers. They were flighty and hysterical to watch, yet very nice girls who had good heads on their shoulders.

"What are you guys doing here anyway? I thought that you were on tour." Taby inquired as she saturated her food with soy sauce.

"We were, but Mike here had a brilliant idea to help promote the tour and help raise money for charity at the same time. We had a break for the next two weeks anyway, so we agreed to her foolhardy plan." Chris explained with a smile.

"Thank you, Chris. You're too kind." Mike smiled tossing a glare in his general direction.

"What's the charity event?" Jade questioned as she unwrapped her chopsticks.

"The Bachelor's Auction." Lance groaned, a good natured smile on his face.

"Really? My dad wants me to escort him to that event. Maybe I will go." Jade nodded, a plan forming in her head.

"That's cool." Joe nodded then proceeded to stuff his face, as the rest of the table. The long day had worked up just about everyone's appetites, except for Jade and Melody's. They picked at their food like birds. JC took an instant liking to a few of the girls as did Justin, Lance and Chris. A few of them could hold sharp and witty conversations. They were nearly done with dinner when pandemonium struck. The restaurant suddenly became packed with young girls trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite 'N Sync guy. Screams were the only thing could be heard throughout the room. Both Ashley and Mike shook their heads, looking for an easy way out while the other girls looked on with horrified expressions. The body guards that protected the guys from overzealous fans surrounded the table and faced the mob with stern expressions.

"Okay, now what?" Ashley questioned the guys shaking her head.

"We say hello, sign a few autographs and make our way to the door." Justin shrugged smiling at a few of the girls, which made the volume of their screams intensify greatly.

"They're blocking the door so there's no way out." Jade complained folding her arms across her chest.

"Why don't you guys do some of those stunts that y'all practice for hours daily. You could jump a table here and there, do the bump and grind to distract them, then we could escape out the door where the van is waiting to take us away." Mike suggested with a sarcastic grin on her face.

"Mike...," Chris warned with laughter in his voice.

"What? It would work, you know it would!" Mike exclaimed loudly to be heard over the din of screams.

"It would not!" Chris scolded, shaking a finger in her face.

"Show me one female, just one, that doesn't go crazy over the bump and grind." Mike challenged folding her arms over her chest.

"You." Chris laughed tugging on a lock of her hair.

"Don't be too sure." Mike mumbled to herself shaking her head.

"What was that?" Chris grinned leaning closer to Mike.

"Nothing!" she yelled in his face with aggravation. Chris grimaced as he quickly distanced himself from the irate woman. Mike rolled her eyes when the crowd started chanting 'You got it, we want it' at the top of their young lungs.

"We have got to get out of here soon, because if we don't... you guys are going to drop in popularity and sales." Mike ground out as her head started a slow, rhythmic pounding.

"Why's that?" Justin asked leaning to hear her more clearly.

"I'm gonna kill every single one of them." she shot back, massaging her temples, her face showing the pain she was in. The waitress that had waited on the group suddenly appeared from nowhere, signaling to everyone to follow her to the kitchen. Mike and Ashley lead the way, leaving the others to follow. Once inside the kitchen, the waitress showed them a backdoor that lead into the alley behind the restaurant.

"Thank you very much." Mike smiled at the woman as she passed through the door.

"No problem." she laughed shaking her head. The van was waiting for them at the entrance to the alley, and so far none of the fans had noticed that they were about to make a silent escape. Everyone hurried into the van, quickly saying goodbye to their dinner guests. The van took off as the resounding battle cry of 'It's 'N Sync!' was sounded. Justin watched with astonishment as fans chased the van down the street.

"People amaze me sometimes." Justin shook his head as he turned in his seat to face Lance and Joe.

"That was the worst mob scene I've ever seen. When the hell did you guys become that popular? Was I like, looking the other way and bam, you were teen sex idols?" Ashley shook her head, shock written all over her face.

"Something like that." Joe nodded with a smirk on his face.

"I always miss the important stuff." Ashley complained teasingly as she settled back into her seat. She glanced over at Mike, who sat curled up, her head resting on the back of the seat in front of her. Pain was etched on the poor woman's face and Ashley knew right away what was going on.

"Um, guys, we need to get to the hotel as fast as we can." Ashley announced to everyone in the van.

"Why?" Lance questioned, turning to look at her.

"Because we just do." Ashley snapped. Mike had been plagued by severe migraines for the past four years, some so severe she couldn't tolerate anything. Not a noise, a shred of light, nothing. She would be laid up in bed for days, sometimes weeks with the pain, and they usually hit fast and hard.

"Oh, well, excuse me for asking." Lance shot out angrily.

"Lance, I'm sorry. It's just important that we do. I left the phone off the hook and we might have missed a dozen calls by now." Ashley sighed, the excuse coming easily. Mike had sworn her to secrecy. She didn't want the guys knowing for the simple reason that they would start worrying about her. Mike was always proud and didn't like to let others know she was suffering. She thought that there were more important things to do than worry about her.

"Whatever." Lance shrugged looking out the window. The van suddenly jerked to a halt and Mike winced in pain at the sudden movement. There was a traffic jam that looked like the

whole of New York was stuck in. Oh Lord, not now, Ashley groaned silently. She glanced over at JC, who was sitting next to Mike and noticed that he was looking at the woman with a concerned expression.

"JC, do me a favor. Scoot down a little bit and let Mike put her head in your lap." Ashley inquired, meeting his eyes with a sympathetic look. JC did as he was asked and Mike gingerly laid down on the seat. Everyone in the van was now wondering what was going on.

"What's wrong with her?" Justin asked out of curiosity.

"She has a migraine." Ashley answered simply. "She gets them all the time. She was hospitalized for them a few months back. They get really bad sometimes."

"What causes them?" JC questioned resting his hand on Mike's forehead. She was burning up and she winced at the contact.

"The doctors can't figure it out. Its not an allergic reaction of any kind and she doesn't need glasses or anything. No one knows, but it does run in her family. Her father suffers from them on a regular basis." Ashley shrugged. A horn honked somewhere and Mike groaned covering her ears instantly.

"We're almost there Mike. JC, rub her scalp and temples, would ya? Sometimes that helps." Ashley prompted as she turned to the driver. JC gently removed Mike's hands from her ears and started to massage her scalp with a gentle and soft touch. After a half an hour, they finally reached the hotel. Everyone climbed out of the van, JC remaining inside to help Ashley get Mike outside.

"She's not going to be able to walk very well, so if she starts to look like she's going to fall, you're gonna have to catch her. I'm not strong enough to keep her from falling." Ashley explained as she hopped out of the van. JC nodded silently. Mike gripped onto both Ashley and JC's arms, her hands as tight as a vice as they made their way inside the hotel.

"Screw this." JC mumbled and swept Mike up into his arms in a graceful yet commanding way.

"Gee JC, I never knew you'd actually sweep me off my feet someday." Mike stated between clenched teeth.

"What can I say? You do weird things to me." JC smiled down at her. Chris held the elevator for them and gazed at Mike with worry.

"Don't worry guys. She'll be all right, eventually." Ashley smiled at each of them, trying to ease their concerned minds. JC silently brought Mike into her room and set her down gently on the bed then turned to Ashley.

"Anything I can do?" he questioned as Ashley looked around the room.

"I don't know yet. Mike, where'd you put the medication?" Ashley replied searching through her friend's bag.

"Ran out." Mike answered simply, her voice a whisper.

"Oh Christ, here we go. Its going to get a lot worse before it gets better. I have to run to the pharmacy and refill her prescription, you're gonna have to stay here with her. Um, no noise whatsoever, and close those drapes. If she starts to get a temperature, cover her up with a blanket and soak a washcloth in cool water and put it on her forehead. Other than that, use your best judgement." Ashley stated then disappeared out the door.

© 1997 hells_fiction@hotmail.com

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page