Chapter 6

"Miss McLean? Mr. Wexford is ready to see you now."

Denise stood up. "Thank you." She was then led into an office where Mr. Wexford was waiting for her, looking through some files.

"Mr. Wexford?"

He looked up from his scattered papers. "Ah, Miss McLean, nice to meet you," he introduced himself, extending his hand.

She shook it and replied, "Denise, please."

"Denise it is."

After an hour or so of going over the legit and legal stuff, Denise McLean signed some forms and Gia was now her daughter.

"Gia McLean...has a nice ring to it," she murmured to herself. "I should call AJ and let him know he's now a big brother!" She dialed her cell phone and let the phone ring once before someone answered.

---

At the Backstreet's Crib...

"Yello? You're talkin’ to the sexiest man on earth, how may I help you?" asked a voice she picked out as her only son's.

"Sexiest man on earth, is it? Last I heard, it was Kevin that was sexiest."

"Mom?!"

Denise laughed. "Hi, dear."

"Oh, gee, warn a fella why don't cha?"

"I'm sorry, honey. I just couldn't wait to tell you the news!"

"What is it Mom?"

"Well..."

"Yeah?"

"Alexander James McLean, you're now a big brother to Gianna Emmaurice McLean!" she exclaimed.

AJ nearly dropped the phone. "It's all binded? Everything's legit, we're related? She's my baby sister?!" He bombarded her with questions.

"Slow down, honey. Yes, everything's worked out. Yes, everything's legit. Yes, you two are now related, legally. No, she's not your baby sister. She is now about 16 years old, but she is your sister!"

"Whatever you say, Mom, she's always been my baby sister. Whether she's 100 or not!" clarified AJ.

"OK, dear. Look, I have some fan club quirks to set up; send my love to everyone, and tell my daughter I love her."

"Will do, Mom. Love you, too. Bye!" AJ immediately hung up the phone and started running around everywhere screaming, "I've got a baby sister! I've got a baby sister! I've got a baby sister!"

It was only when everybody came out into the hallway and Nick and Mel came in from the patio that AJ stopped.

"AJ? Are you OK?" questioned Gia.

He picked her up and placed her on his shoulders. "I'm better than OK, sis!"

Gia blinked her eyes once, twice. "Um, could you repeat that?"

"I'll do better than repeat that! Mom got the legal stuff down and you're my baby sister!" he shouted, throwing her up in the air and catching her.

As he set her on terra firma again, Gia's jaw dropped and her eyes got big. "I'm Gia McLean now?" she asked slowly.

AJ nodded vigorously.

Gia let out a shrill, excited scream before she jumped back into his arms! They both fell to the ground and laughed it off.

A round of congratulations and hugs went around from everybody.

---

*NSYNC has got da flow...

"Hey guys! AJ and Gia are now bro and sis! Mel just called, and I could totally hear the screaming and partying going on over there," reported Chris.

"OK, first off, how is Mel with them already?" JC questioned.

"That's what I asked, and she said that she flew out a little early to finish up some stuff. She wouldn't say what, though. The rest of the girls will be back by Friday."

JC nodded, a bit disappointed that Jane wasn't gonna be there ‘til tomorrow.

"So, Gia is now a Gia McLean?" asked Joey.

"Yup! She might be touring with them on this one."

"Opening for them, maybe," mumbled JC.

"What was that?" called Justin.

"Hmm? Oh nothing. Just going over some ideas." JC quickly recovered.

The other four looked at him suspiciously, not really digesting that statement.

"Did you at least send them our regards?"

"Yes, Dad, I did send them our regards," replied Chris to Justin.

"Please don't start with this Dad stuff. It's is driving me crazy!" Justin groaned.

"What are you talking about?" Lance asked.

"Never mind."

---

Lavish, Lavish, Lavish...

The four remaining girls of Lavish jumped up and down. "Only a few more hours and we'll be with our men!" stated Becky dreamily.

"I really wish that Mel would've let us go with her to finish the project." Janie sighed.

"She just wanted to see Nick, girls. Let her. We all know how she feels about him." Michelle told her friends, "I'm surprised Nicky hasn't popped the question yet!"

"All right, I'll give her that." Jane conceded.

"Good. We are flying in a bit early ourselves, now aren't we?" reminded Tasha. "But right now, Mel and Nick need each other, what with the situation with Miss Willaford and all." she added disdainfully, her demeanor changing at the mention of the girl who had caused her best friend so much trouble.

"Ugh, that girl is such a dang skank!" Michelle blurted angrily.

"Didn't your mom ever teach you that when you don't anything nice to say, you don't say anything at all?" asked Becky.

"If I remember correctly, I don't ever go by that rule!" Michelle stated.

The girls sighed. "I can't wait to see them again!"

Chapter 7

BRRRRING!!

"Hello?" A gruff male voice answered the phone.

"Alec?"

"Manda, is that you?" the 24-year-old guy questioned with an annoyed voice

"Yes, you no-good scrub. Who else would it be?" Mandy spat.

"Ooooo, the she-devil strikes." Alec groaned sarcastically, "What do you want?"

"I need you to do a job for me."

"What kind of job?"

"I need you to kidnap a little 16-year-old girl," was Mandy’s reply.

"First question: why?"

"She’s a thorn in my side and I can’t have her around if I plan to get rid of Melissa and get Nick back." Mandy gave the briefest answer she could.

"OK! Second question: how much do I get for it?"

"I’ll give you $1,000, plus you get to keep the little tramp until I have use of her. How does that sound?" Mandy proposed. She could practically see the dollar signs pop up in Alec’s eyes. She knew her estranged cousin would do anything for a buck.

"OK! Where is she?"

"She’s staying with AJ McLean. You remember him, right?"

"How could I forget?" Alec growled. He and AJ had bad blood from a ways back. "When do you want her?"

"As soon as possible. Mom and I get the rest of the information to you soon."

"Oh, is dear Aunt Cynthia in on this, too?"

"Just shut up and do what you’re told!" Click!

Alec mumbled a name under his breath as he hung up the phone. "OK, AJ! It’s your turn to feel the pain now."

---

"OK! They’ve been kissing for a while." Chris whispered to Lance, who nodded.

"All right, you guys! Come up for air now!" he called to his friends.

JC and Justin broke the deep kisses with their girlfriends. "Just making up for lost time, Scoop." JC said with a smile.

"I’ve missed you, Justy." Becky said sweetly, gazing into his Justin’s eyes.

"I’ve missed you, too, Becks! I’m so glad you decided to come back early." he replied.

"OK! That’s it! Somebody get me a barf bag!" Chris exclaimed loudly.

"Shut up, Chris! They’re cute!" Joey interjected.

"What do you say we get out of here, you guys?" Lance suggested, "Before people start getting curious." He glanced around the crowded airport.

"Yeah, let’s book!" Jane agreed. She reached for her bag but JC stopped her.

"Allow me, Ms. Ebanks." he said gallantly.

"Oh, you!" she smiled and kissed his lips gently.

"We have got to get rid of the four of you and SOON!" Chris said, picking up Busta.

The guys soon scattered to their homes to get some rest. Becky went with Justin to visit Lynn who had been dying to see her and had made her son promise to bring his girlfriend home for a visit the very day she got back.

"Mom has been bugging me about you all WEEK!" Justin laughed as he drove.

"Yeah, well. I’ve missed Lynn, too, and I’ve really missed her son." She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Becks, don’t start now. Can’t you see I’m driving?" They both laughed at this.

Jane went home with JC because he had promised to cook her lunch. Her mom wasn’t expecting her home until that evening so they had the whole afternoon to spend together.

"OK! What do you want, Italian or Chinese?" JC asked.

"Mmmmm, some good Italian sounds excellent!" Jane licked her lips.

"Girl, don’t do that! You KNOW how it affects me!" her boyfriend exclaimed, trying to keep his eyes on the road and not her.

"Sowwwy, baby!" Janie apologized with an impish smile.

---

"Kevin, I..." Tasha’s words were stopped as Kev put his fingers on her lips.

"Just kiss me," he said.

Tasha smiled and closed her eyes as he leaned down to her, covering her mouth with his. Now she felt whole again! Whenever they were apart, she felt like a piece of her was missing. But when she felt herself in his arms again, she was again complete.

Kev’s heart soared as he kissed Tasha. He could smell the beautiful fragrance of her hair and her skin was so soft to the touch. He had longed to feel her arms around his neck again, her lips against his. He had missed her so much!!

When they pulled apart, Tasha couldn’t speak for a moment. Finally she smiled. "I’m happy to see you, too."

"Did Mel tell you the good news?" Kev asked as they got into his 4-Runner.

"Yeah, I’m so happy for Gia. AJ and Denise love her so much! They’re gonna be one big happy family. I know it!"

"Yeah, but now that he’s on this ‘big brother’ kick. AJ is gonna be impossible to live with from now on!" Kevin stated.

"And, besides, that your job!" Tasha quipped and they both broke out in laughter.

Chapter 8

"Come on, AJ! There’s no way you can stop me." Gia challenged.

"Oh, we’ll see, little sis! Come on, give me your best shot!" AJ returned.

Gia smiled. "OK, bro! You asked for it." With that she drove past her brother and sank the ball into the hoop in a perfect lay-up.

"Ohhh! Take that!" she crowed.

"Alright! Alright! It’s 10-8. My out." AJ said as she passed him the ball.

What the two didn’t know was they were being watched.

"Hmmmm. Mandy told me she was young but she didn’t tell me the girl was hot. This may be worth my time after all."

Alec watched as AJ grabbed Gia up and gave her a huge hug. He could see the love they had for each other and it just fueled his hatred for AJ.

"This is gonna hurt you a WHOLE lot more than it’s gonna hurt me, McLean. I guarantee it."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gia laughed as AJ impersonated Mandy. He giggled like a girl and pretended to be her as if she were to be playing basketball…if ever.

"Ugh! I broke a nail!" he cried after making a feeble attempt at a shot.

"AJ, you sound so much like her, it's wigging me out!" G exclaimed.

"Oh, please don't scare me like that!" he pleaded, falling to the ground. Gia sat on his stomach, not letting him get up.

"You think you can keep me down?" he asked skeptically.

"Umm-hmm!"

"Please," he scoffed.

"Oh, but if Michelle were in my position, you wouldn't even bother to try, now would you?"

"How did -- how do you know about things like these?"

"AJ, I'm 16. We've been over this. I know about sex. I know about condoms. I know about the ones that you keep in the second hand drawer inside of 'The Little Mermaid,' along with all your other sex-time tools, OK?"

His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. "How did you - I mean, all that? With the -- but, I…"

"I'm not as innocent as you think I am," she cut in, looking him straight in the eye.

"Oh, mama, no!" he cried, placing his hands on his face.

Gia shook her head in amusement. "Not like that! Here's a little saying that my friend always says, it doesn't mean that I will go by it, but I do take it into consideration: No ringy, no dingy!"

He broke out into a smile, picking up himself and her. "Raising you is gonna be a handful…"

"Me, being the optimistic person that I am, will take that as a compliment!"

AJ chuckled. "You're weird, you know that?"

"Look in the mirror lately, blue freak?"

"Freak?"

"Yeah…freak," she repeated, preparing herself for a dash to the house.

"You're gonna get it!" he guaranteed wolfishly.

"Really? That's only if you can catch me!" she teased, breaking into a sprint. Gia ran into the house, not watching where she was going, and bumped into Howie.

"Hey!" he cried in surprise, looking down at the perpetrator. "Gia?"

"Oh, hi, D. I'd love to stay and chat but…" Just then, AJ made it past the door. "Um, yeah, bye!" she said quickly.

Before she could get anywhere, AJ grabbed her by her thin waist and pinned her to the ground.

"So not fair!"

"Seems so to me." He began tickling her, not giving in to her demands to please stop. Soon, Brian entered the room and joined him.

"Guys…I…can't…breathe…" she reported in between laughs.

They finally stopped and placed her right-side-up on the couch, filling the two spots next to her.

"That was so mean!"

"No, it was fun!" they corrected in unison.

"I should've never told you I was ticklish."

"We would've found out eventually," assured Brian.

---

Alec rang up his cousin to discuss some plans.

"Hello?" answered a b*tchy tone.

"Manda, so nice to hear your voice. Seen the new Rolling Stone cover yet?" he returned.

"Unfortunately…Have you checked it out yet?"

"Yeah, why didn't you tell me she was as fine as that?"

"Great, now she's captured the attention of my cousin—could life get any worse?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Get real! This girl's got superstars galore lining up for a date with her!"

"Oh, really? Then why doesn't she take them?" he spat, angered at what his cousin was indirectly telling him.

"She has a boyfriend. And she's not exactly the type to go around playing people!" she stated as if it were obvious.

"Oh, you mean like you?"

"Look, just pay attention on this OK?"

"All ears!"

"They will be at a club on Friday. The new one called Energy. The guy who owns it is a record company owner."

"And why should that interest me? I understand about the club thing, but why would I care who owns it?"

"Well, the record company is called Forbidden Records; it started a year ago. The owner’s friends with Gia, so keep a look out for that."

Alec was gathering all this up. "What's his name?"

"Tobias Diamond."

He nodded. "Farewell, my cuz."

"I hate you too."

Chapter 9

"Oh, baby!"

"Ay yi yi!"

"Have mercy!"

Nick, AJ, and Justin whistled and cat-called as the girls strolled out the door of Tasha’s house. They all looked H-O-T-T—HOTT!!

Nick’s breath suddenly caught in his throat as he looked at Melissa. She was dressed in a knee-length, burgundy, form-fitting satin dress with spaghetti straps and laces that criss-crossed over her back and a pair of black, classy, Spanish-style sandals. Her hair was put up with a few ebony tendrils falling down around her face, giving her a very alluring look. She’d also put some glittery shadow on her eyelids and her lips held a touch of pink from a Bonne Bell Flipstick. Last but not least, a PHAT black leather jacket finished off the ensemble.

"Oh, God, help me!" he thought, "How am I gonna be able to keep my hands off her tonight?"

"Growwwwrrr! Baby, you look fine!" AJ growled in Michelle’s ear, sending chills up her spine. She was decked out in black leather pants, a leopard-print tube top, a long black jacket, and his leopard-print cowboy hat.

"Why, thank you, gorgeous!" she replied with a smile.

Jane, too, was wearing leather pants but with a purple tank top and sheer black blouse over it. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair hung loosely, it shine and softness tempting JC sorely.

"Ready to go and have some fun, doll?" Justin asked Becky, who was indeed dolled up in a short, baby-blue silk dress that looked like Rachel Leigh Cook’s dress from "She’s All That". With her curly brown hair up in a French twist, Becky looked positively adorable!

"Oh, yeah!" she purred with a smile.

"Hmmmm..." Kev stroked his chin and circled around his girlfriend, who donned a royal blue, satin blouse and long, black, dressy cargo skirt with high splits that showed off her long, slender legs and clung in all the right places. The outfit was complemented by a pair of strappy black sandals.

"What’s the verdict, love? Naughty or nice?" she asked mischievously.

Kevin pulled her close. "Thankfully, very naughty." he replied deeply.

"What about me? Am I just chopped liver over here or what?" Gia piped up, looking for her share of the compliments.

"G, you’d better dump that boyfriend of yours," Mel suggested.

"Why?"

"Cuz, if you ain’t careful in that outfit, baby-girl is gonna get some tonight!" Mich supplied.

"MICHELLE!!" the guys all cried.

She never flinched. "It’s true! Look at her! She’s a hottie!" she argued.

Gia was indeed a looker, dressed in a red leather halter top and a black leather mini-skirt with a split in the front, topped off with knee-high black boots. Her hair was all in curls and looked PHAT!

Smiling, AJ offered an arm to Michelle and the other to his baby sis. "You’re right, Mich. My little sis is hot!" he agreed.

"Thank you, AJ!" Gia said gratefully.

He leaned over to Michelle and whispered, "I couldn’t have said it better myself, girl."

At this Michelle giggled but said nothing.

Soon, everyone got into their limos and left for the club. Mel, Nick, Brian, Kev, Tasha, Howie, JC and Jane went in one and AJ, Michelle, Becky, Justin, Lance, Joey, and Chris went in another; first, though, they had to make a stop so Howie could pick up Hailey. Then they would all head out to Energy together.

*********************

"OK, Mark! This is your first night on the job. It’s Friday and we’re expecting some good friends of Mr. Diamond’s. Make sure they’re taken care of." The manager at Energy instructed Alec, a.k.a. Mark.

"Of course!" he replied, an evil smile spreading across his face as he set about preparing the club to open.

"I’ll ‘take care’ of them all right! Tonight’s the night, McLean; the beginning of the end of your life!"

Chapter 10

"Oh, gosh! He’s going to be here any minute! OK, Hal, calm down!" Hailey tried to still her nerves. It had been several years since she had been on a date with Howard, since she had seen him even, and her mind whirled with "what if’s".

All of a sudden, the doorbell rang!

Hailey composed herself and went to answer the door. She straightened her dress. It was black, went all the way down to just above her knew, and laced up in the back and around her neck. A high slit went up the right side, and it was lightly embroidered with lines of flowers. Her hair was worn down, framing her delicate face. Some black platforms to top it off.

She took a deep breath as she opened the door. "Hello, Howard!" she greeted him warmly.

"Wow." Howie stood there shocked. AJ nudged him. "I mean, hi. You look lovely tonight," he complimented, kissing her hand.

She blushed, "Thank you."

"I see you've let your hair down tonight?"

"Yeah, just a little change of pace."

"I like it. You should leave your hair down more often," he whispered.

"Why does she look so familiar?" thought AJ. "Have I seen you somewhere before?" This he asked out loud.

Hailey went blank for a moment but soon zapped back. "Uh, um, I...I can assure you that we've never been properly introduced before today."

AJ nodded, his suspicion only growing for this woman.

Howie just stood there, wondering what AJ was talking about. He decided to forget about the whole ordeal and held his arm out for Hailey. "Shall we?"

"Let's." she replied. "You have a beautiful limo." She complimented when they got outside.

"Thanks. Hailey, this is Brian, Nick, Melissa, Kevin, Tasha, JC, and Jane. Since the limo couldn't hold ALL of us, the others went in the other one. We’ll get all introduced later. Guys, this is Hailey." A round of hello's and nice to meet you's were said.

She nodded in acknowledgment, sliding into her seat beside Howie.

They made small talk on the way over there and rejoined the others at the club.

As soon the giant group stepped onto the carpet that was laid out in front of the door, paparazzi bombarded them with questions, flashing cameras, and hands holding out pictures and pens were brought to them. They stopped to sign some autographs, but mostly kept it short.

When they finally stepped into the club, they found great lighting systems, a party vibe, loud dance music, and numbers of celebrities and bodyguards.

"Shall we?" asked AJ, offering his hand to Michelle. She took it and they were soon struttin’ their stuff on the floor. Howie and Hailey followed and Melissa immediately pulled Nick out onto the dance floor, too; they didn't waste any time standing around.

The other couples went off in various places, dancing and having a good time. Kevin and Tasha went to find a booth as the single men went off looking for sweet young thangs to party with.

"Hey, you think Toby's here?" asked Gia over the music.

"He should be, it is opening night," responded Kevin.

"I have to go to the ladies room, be right back."

"All right, don't be long!" Tasha told her.

As Gia walked around, looking for the restroom, she bumped into what looked like an usher. "Excuse me, do you know where the ladies room is?"

"Of course, right this way," he answered with a thin smile.

"Thank you…Mark," she said, as she stepped inside, reading his name tag.

"No problem." he replied tightly.

Gia just stepped inside to see if she looked OK, touched up her makeup, and stepped back outside. Before she could so much as scream, a gruff hand clamped over her mouth!

---

"Hey, guys! Where’s Gia? She’s been gone a long time." Melissa asked quite a while later.

"I know. She was just going to the bathroom. Let’s go see if she’s OK!" Tasha suggested and the two made their way back to the ladies room.

Soon, they both returned with Gia’s purse in hand and very worried looks on their faces.

"Baby, what’s wrong?" Nick asked, standing up.

"Gia’s gone! We found this by the bathroom door but she was nowhere inside." Mel replied.

"Well, let’s not panic. Maybe she’s mingling somewhere; she probably went to look for Tobias." Kev suggested, "Let’s split up and comb the club."

The others agreed and the couples separated to look for their friend.

After almost an hour of searching and asking around, they regrouped. No one had found her, and Tobias hadn’t seen her all night.

"Oh, God! Where’s my baby sister?" AJ started to get panicky.

"Don’t worry, Bone! We’ll find her." Howie assured, pulling out his cell-phone. "I’m gonna call the police, guys."

Michelle put her hand on AJ’s shoulder sympathetically. "Don’t worry, love. I’m sure she’s fine. Maybe she got tired and hailed a cab and went home."

"But without telling me?!" AJ retorted. When Michelle recoiled a bit at his sharp remark, he reached out his hand to her. "I’m sorry, baby. I’m just really worried."

"We all are, AJ." Janie told him.