Chapter 11

"Mmmmm, huh?" Gia’s eyes suddenly flew open! She was in a sparsely decorated apartment living room. She tried to move but her hands were tied behind her back, to a post built into the wall behind the chair she was sitting in. "Where am I?!"

" ‘Come into my parlor,’ said the spider to the fly." a dark voice quoted from the corner. Then the figure of the "usher" stepped out.

"You?!" Gia recognized him immediately. "What’s going on? Where am I?!"

"Nowhere of consequence, sweet thang." he replied with a sinister smile.

"Don’t you ‘sweet thang’ me, you..."

"Oh, do you kiss big-brother AJ with that mouth, Gia?" he chuckled, amused by her fiery tongue.

Gia’s body went cold at his mention of AJ. "Oh, God! Who are you?"

"You’ll fine out soon enough. Now, I suggest you make yourself comfortable. You may be here for a long while."

"What the hell do you want with me?"

"What everybody else wants, baby," he cooed. Alec walked over to her and touched her cheek.

She jerked away and spat in his face.

He brought his hand up and slapped her, sending a wave of pain through her cheek! "B*tch...try that again, why don't you?"

She glared at him for a moment but turned her head away.

"I thought so. Make yourself at home, I gotta go make a 'business' call."

"Take your sweet time." she yelled after him furiously.

"Great. Just great. What the heck am I gonna do...?" she pondered.

Closing her mouth and opening her ears, Gia could catch pieces of the convo going on in the next room.

"Yeah, I got her. When do I get my money?" [Pause] "What?! You better get that prick back soon. I want my payment!" he hissed. [Pause] "What in hell do you see in that pretty boy anyway?" [Pause] "Whatever. I take back what I said. I wanna have some fun with this girl before I return her." [Pause] "Yeah, sure. Bye, Manda."

"Manda?" questioned Gia. "MANDA?!" she cried.

Alec returned to the room, a grin plastered on his face. "Enjoying yourself?"

Gia didn't respond.

"C'mon, I'm not that bad of a guy," he coaxed.

"Is that why you kidnapped me?"

"No."

"Then why? In movies, when the villain—take offense—when the villain captures his victim, he always tells them the plan."

"Is that so?"

She simply nodded.

"Well, since you're bound to a chair, and there's no possible way of you getting out, fine."

"Great," she replied, unenthusiastically.

"Let's see...long story short: My cousin called me up, kidnapped you, only did it cuz I get money and cuz I hate your brother!"

Gia's face was twisted with disgust. "You hate my brother that much? What happened between you two?" she asked, genuinely curious.

He shrugged pitifully.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait...you're Alec, aren't you?"

"Yeah, glad to know you know my name," he answered sarcastically.

"Alec, Alec...oh, no..." she moaned.

"What? Hear some nasty stories about me? I'm gonna be honest with you, they're probably true."

"Look, I give you two thumbs up for this bad boy act and all, but just drop it!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Alec McCartney, in a rival gang that was out to get AJ..."

"Right," he clarified.

"Alec McCartney, got in countless rumbles with AJ."

He nodded, not sure where this was leading.

"Alec McCartney, jealous of Alex McLean because he won your role over when you were auditioning for a scout?"

"What?!" he cried in disbelief.

"You tried to do good, so did AJ, you guys just didn't know that you were trying to pursue the same career!" she explained.

"That's a lie!"

"Sure..."

"I don't have to talk to you."

"I'm not making you." Gia stated matter-of-factly.

He scowled, but soon his eyes brightened. He stepped over to Gia and planted his lips on hers, forcing his tongue in.

She tried to pull back, but he kept her in place with his dirty hands...

---

At The Police Station

"Where was she last seen?" repeated the officer for the 3rd time.

"We told you! Kevin and Tasha last saw her at the booth, she excused herself to the bathroom!" shouted AJ, very irritated.

"Calm down, sir. We're just trying to get the facts."

AJ groaned in frustration and walked out of the room.

Justin followed him out. "AJ! AJ!" he called.

AJ turned around in the parking lot. "What?"

"You can't just step out now. They're only trying to help."

"Maybe if they got their asses off their seats and stopped choking down donuts, they could go out and do a search!"

"You heard what Officer Bradley said. 48 hours."

"I don't give a care what he says! Gia wouldn't be gone this long without notifying me, or anybody for that matter!"

"AJ --"

"Tell the others I'm goin’ on my own search," he muttered.

"AJ!"

"Look, Justin, I really appreciate --"

"No, let me tell the others. I'm coming with you."

He gave Justin a small and forced smile, replying, "All right. Hurry up."

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

Gia smiled with satisfaction as Alec doubled over in pain. He was trying to force himself on her when she brought her foot up and kicked him in the groin! And those boots she had on were hard.

"Care to go again?" she questioned.

Alec was no idiot and backed off.

"Now we’re even." Gia told him coldly. She glanced down at her top. The right strap was ripped! "Hey, you scrub! That was new!"

"Ha! McLean’s little sister’s got guts. But perhaps not much brains." Alec said lowly, sitting in a chair on the other side of the room. Gia could see the deadly fire that burned in his eyes. It was full of hatred for AJ, but probably for her now, too.

"So what does little Ms. Manduh or Willa or whatever you call her now want with me?" she asked candidly.

Alec chuckled. "Well, it seems you’ve made yourself a thorn in my dear cousin’s side. With my help, she’s gonna rectify that."

Gia couldn’t explain it but, all of a sudden, she felt that the situation had just got a whole lot more dangerous.

Chapter 12

"Mel, will you at least smile?" Nick begged his girlfriend as they sat together on a bench in the park about three days later.

"How can I? Gia’s gone, AJ’s heartbroken, and the police have turned up nothing!" Melissa replied bleakly.

"You just have no faith," a mocking voice said.

The two looked up to find Mandy standing in front of them. "Hello, Nicky." she said coolly, not even acknowledging Melissa.

Nick’s eyes clouded. "What do you want here, Mandy? Haven’t I made it clear that you’re not wanted around us?" he demanded, standing and instinctively placing himself in front of Mel in a protective manner.

Mel stood herself, a resolute look on her face; she was in no way scared or intimidated by this girl.

"I just came to offer my condolences about your friend’s disappearance." Mandy told them.

"How did you find out? We didn’t release ANY information publicly!" Mel stated.

Mandy smiled secretively. "I have my ways, honey. But I just want you to know that I truly am sorry." she purred, putting a hand on Nick’s shoulder.

He pushed her off, angered by her brazenness! "Don’t give me that, Amanda! For all we know, you could have had something to do with this!" he accused.

Mandy gave him a shocked look. "Nicky, how COULD you even insinuate such a thing?!"

"Because you gave the threat yourself. Or have you forgotten our little tête-à-tête a few days ago?" Nick challenged.

Mandy’s face turned dark with anger for a moment but she soon recovered her composure. "Poor Nicky, Melissa’s done everything she can to poison you against me, hasn’t she?" she asked, glaring over his shoulder at his girlfriend.

"ME?!" Melissa pushed past Nick to stand nose-to-nose with Mandy. "You’re the one who made his life a living hell! Not me! Remember that, ManDUH!" she spat, "You never loved him! You’re nothing but a self-serving, gold-digging whore!"

Nick looked at his girlfriend in shock. Mel was not a violent person and never spoke like that! It just wasn’t her. But obviously her anger was running hot.

Infuriated, Mandy raised her hand to strike Mel’s face but Nick grabbed it. She saw a fierce fire flash in his ice-blue eyes as his hand tightened like a vise around her wrist and, for a moment, she was actually scared.

"Don’t you dare...!" His voice was low and intense.

Mandy wrenched away from him, her wrist red from his grip, and Nick and Mel could both see the burning hatred in her eyes. "You’ll pay for this!" she swore and stalked away.

---

"MOTHER!!!" Mandy shrieked as she stormed into the house and slammed the door.

"Let me guess," Mrs. Willaford said calmly, "He still hasn’t caved in."

Mandy stalked around the room. "What do I have to do?! Even with Melissa’s brat of a friend gone, it seems like they just get closer! Argg!!"

"Darling, have you ever thought that perhaps Nick isn’t the one you have to break?" her mother asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Nick’s had experience; he knows how to deal with you. Melissa, on the other hand, truly does not." the lady explained.

A sinfully gleeful smile spread across Mandy’s face. "You have a very good point," she said.

"I suggest we play the "Gia" card then." Mrs. Willaford proposed.

Mandy grabbed the phone and quickly dialed.

"Hello?"

"Alec!"

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

"What?! Why so soon?!" [Pause] All right! Fine. How bad do you want her?" [Pause] "Sounds like fun. Yeah, I hate you, too. Bye."

Gia felt her heart pound as Alec returned to the room, a tight smile on his face.

"Seems that cousin Mandy wants you taken back home." he said, lifting her chin. Suddenly, his grip on her face tightened as an evil gleam filled his eyes! "But she wants you in NOT so perfect condition."

After that, all Gia could remember was the pain and blackness.

Chapter 13

"Morning, baby. Have the police found anything yet?" Michelle asked AJ as she came downstairs the next morning. AJ had called her over to stay with Denise because he wanted his mother with him but he was so distraught, he was afraid he couldn’t care for both himself and her. So he’d asked Michelle to come and stay with Denise; of course, she’d agreed.

"No, they’ve found nothing." he replied listlessly. He and Justin had combed all of south Orlando over the past four days but their search had been fruitless. The others had found nothing in their searches either. All BSB, Lavish, and *NYSNC business was postponed until they found Gia.

Michelle sat next to AJ on the couch; she could tell that he hadn’t slept a wink all night, and that he had been crying.

"I’m sure we’ll find her soon, love." she offered gently.

AJ said nothing in reply and she rose to get the paper. As she opened the front door, Michelle let out a scream that brought AJ running!

When he saw the sight outside the door, he almost collapsed. "Oh, God! No!" There, in front of their own eyes, lay Gia—scarred, beaten, and bruised!

"Get Mom, call the hospital, tell them we're on our way!" he shouted.

"But --"

"We don't have time to wait for them to come to us!"

Mich nodded. "Me and Denise will meet you there, go on ahead. I'll call the others."

AJ carried Gia into his car, laying her down in the seat. "C'mon, girl. Don't die out on me now…bad choice of words…hang in there…"

After driving through red lights, getting cursed and honked at by passing drivers, and almost getting hit 10 times, they made it to the local Orlando hospital.

"Please, I need a doctor, quick!" he cried breathlessly.

The nurse saw the situation, and immediately called for one.

The rest of the group arrived shortly after, panting, with looks of worry on their faces and cheeks streaked with tears.

"Michelle told us what happened. I'm so sorry!" said Kevin, trying to comfort his "brother."

All AJ did was shake his head. After over an hour, a doctor came out with a report.

"I take it you're here for Gia McLean?"

They nodded, the looks of worry turning into looks of hope.

"Well, she was beaten badly, and when she was brought in, she was unconscious…" Some gasps from them came out. "But, she's regaining consciousness now, and we have tended to her bruises. She's in a fragile condition right now, and we normally wouldn't allow visitors in her state—but she insisted on it. I will allow a few of you at a time."

"Thank you, Doctor." Denise managed.

"Think nothing of it. Just tell me, do you know how she was brought to this?"

They all shook their heads silently. He nodded, understanding, and went to fill in some file reports.

They knew AJ wanted to go first, no one objected.

He walked in and saw Gia attached to tubes and machines of all sorts. Bruises everywhere, cuts and scrapes here and there, broken bones. She was wearing so many bandages, you probably could not have known that this body was once full of such life and youth.

"Oh, God…Gia…" he murmured.

She made an effort to open her eyes, only wincing in pain and closing them again.

"Hey." AJ laughed then, mostly out of fear. But some of it was because she still had that spark in her, though it was smaller than before.

"You OK?"

She just laid there.

"What am I talking about? Of course you're not." AJ chided himself, "Can I at least get a hug?" He gave her a gentle one, frightened that if he hugged too hard, it would only fracture her ribs even more.

Gia shut her eyes tight, bearing the pain it took to lean up like that. She didn't want her brother to know how much she was hurting.

"Gia, I want you to answer a question for me…who did this to you?"

"Alec…" She didn't have to finish.

He leaped up and shot straight out of the door. He was hit with questions by his friends and family but didn't give them any answers. They all soon came into Gia's room.

"Where's he going?" asked Justin, afraid he knew the answer.

"H-h-he went to go face Alec." Gia managed painfully.

"McCartney?!" screamed Nick. Everyone jumped at his outburst and Gia made a feeble attempt to nod.

"Wait, who's Alec McCartney?" questioned Becky.

"Only AJ's most hated rival," stated Denise pitifully.

"And Mandy's cousin!" added Nick bitterly.

Soon both Nick and Justin were out in the hospital parking lot, trying to keep up with AJ and determined to beat the living sh*t out of this Alec.

---

"Did you do it yet?" demanded Mandy as Alec stalked into her house and flopped on the couch.

"Yeah, but I want my money! I could've had some fun with that little thang, but Miss Manda just had to have her returned like that, didn't she?"

"I never said you couldn't have your fun."

"But you cut it short!"

She shrugged, "Your problem. And you don't get the cash til I get my Nick!"

He snarled.

"Look, call the National Enquirer, get them the news pronto. Make it so that those scavengers get every detail, and added detail will be all over the news. Make it so that they get in the face of those goody-two-shoes, got it?" she ordered. "Then I want you to lay low, but stay in the city. I may still need you."

"Yes, your B*tchness." he replied, flipping her off and going to dial the phone.

"What's the number?" he called.

"I have it on speed dial!"

"Figures," he muttered. Soon he was connected, and the dirt was dug.

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

Mel ran out into the parking lot after AJ, Nick, and Justin. "Guys, wait! You can’t do this!" she protested. "You can’t just go stalking around the city. You don’t even know where to look for him!"

AJ whirled around. "Mel! Did you see what he did to her?! What he did to Gia?! To my SISTER?!" he demanded.

"Of course I did!" she cried, "And don’t you think I feel responsible?" Tears began rolling down her cheeks. "This is my fault!"

"Whoa-whoa, Mel! How is this your fault?" Justin asked, calming a little.

"You heard what Nick said. Alec is Mandy’s cousin! This happened because of me! I don’t know exactly what happened—none of us do—but I can guarantee you this much! Gia’s friendship with me is what got her into this! Mandy did this to her because she took up for me! It happened because of me! It’s my fault!" Her voice rose with emotion until she was practically shouting. Suddenly, Melissa hid her face in her hands, sobbing and unable to go on.

AJ felt his heart rate slow, though his fury still surged. He walked over to her, putting his hands on her heaving shoulders. "Mel, listen to me. This isn’t your fault. Alec has a personal thing with me. That’s what this is all about."

She raised her tear-stained face and looked up at him. "But I know Mandy had something to do with it; I know she did, and it’s because of me. Gia’s my friend."

Nick kicked himself for not having seen it sooner. That’s why Mel had been so down lately: she felt that Gia’s disappearance was her fault because G had gotten in Mandy’s face in he and Mel’s defense that day.

"Baby, it’s not your fault. If it’s anyone’s, it’s mine." Nick said, coming over to the two. "Mandy has a vendetta to settle with me and she thinks that hurting you and those you love is going to accomplish it. But I swear to you, here and now, I won’t ever let her win." Then he turned to AJ. "But Mandy dug her grave when she brought my closest friends into this. I promise you, AJ, she and Alec will pay!"

"You guys, let’s wait until Gia is better. Then we won’t be running around the city on a hunch. We can’t leave her now." Brian said.

"ROK’s right. Forget about Alec for now; we’ll find him. Gia needs us more." Jane agreed.

AJ nodded, looking down and giving Mel a little smile. "We’ll make it right, Mel. All of it." he swore as he felt Nick’s hand on his shoulder.

Then everyone walked back into the hospital to their friend.

Chapter 14

Knock! Knock! Alec looked around as he waited impatiently outside the door.

"What?" Just then, it was opened....by Hailey!

"Hey, baby!" he greeted her with a deep kiss.

"Get off me and get in here!" she ordered sharply, pushing him inside. She glanced around in front of the house before closing the door back. "Did anyone see you?"

"No."

"Good! If How....." she stopped herself. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I need to lay low for a while," Alec replied, making himself comfortable on the couch. "And who better to spend it with than my favorite woman in the world?"

"Did she send you?" Hailey questioned.

"You could say that." he answered. "Now come over here and give me a proper hello."

With that, he grabbed Hailey’s hand and pulled her down onto his lap, kissing her deeply again. He loved the taste of her.

When he released her, Hailey recoiled just a bit. Sure, Alec was hot and they’d been together off and on for years but there was always something deep inside him that repulsed her. She could never explain it but it was always there.

"So where your little gay Backstreet Boy?" he asked disdainfully.

"He’s at the hospital," Hailey replied after a moment’s hesitation.

"Admiring my handiwork, is he?" Alec gave a chuckle.

"I still can’t believe you did that to that girl." Hailey told him.

"Hey, I’m gettin’ paid for it and she was a little witch anyway."

"Don’t say that," Hailey begged, sitting next to him again.

Alec grabbed her by her waist and leaned over her. "Why not? I thought you liked your guys bad. Or have you changed your standards for sweet little Howard-dearest?" he asked lowly.

Hailey could see that dangerous fire in his dark eyes; it was a fire that had once intrigued her but, though it still turned her on, now scared her just a bit.

Alec didn’t give her a chance to answer but pressed his lips against hers again; he didn’t get to have any fun with little Gia, so now he was gonna make up for lost time.

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

"Mel? Are you OK?" Tasha came up to her friend one afternoon.

Melissa didn’t answer but brushed a hand at her cheek; Tasha saw that her "little sis" had been crying.

"What’s the matter, Missy?" she asked, calling her by her childhood nickname.

"I don’t know if it’s worth it anymore, Tash."

"If what’s not worth it anymore?" Tasha was confused.

"I can’t sit by and watch what she does to my friends, to those I love! When she only came at me, I could handle it. But I can’t watch Nick hurt and my friends get harassed. Now Gia....I can’t take it anymore."

It was then that Tasha realized that Mel was talking about Mandy.

"Maybe it would be better for everyone if..." Melissa paused for a moment, "If Nick and I..."

"No! Don’t you even FINISH that thought!" Tasha stopped her friend. "Mel, you give up and Mandy will win. Can’t you see she’s trying to break you? You can’t let that happen. Nick and AJ and Gia need you! They need you to be strong. Don’t let Mandy win."

"She’s right, Mel." All of a sudden, Nick’s voice came from the door. He came over and knelt in front of his girlfriend, looking full into her tear-stained face, as Tasha slipped out of the room. "You can’t leave me. I need you! I promised you that I wouldn’t let Mandy win and, with God as my witness, I won’t! But I can’t do it alone, I need your help. Please don’t give up, Mel. Please! I love you." He reached up and stroked her cheek.

Melissa closed her eyes for a moment, letting his touch consume her. "I love you, too."

"We’ll get through this. Don’t let her break you; we need you. I need you!" Nick told her lovingly.

Then he stood to his feet, drawing her up with him, and, leaning down, kissed her gently. Mel felt all her sadness, guilt, and tears melt away, overshadowed by the glow of his love.

When they pulled apart, Nick wrapped her in his arms and just held her there, where she felt safe and loved.

---

"Look, I'm fine!" protested Gia.

"But --"

"I'm OK!" she persisted.

The nurse still wouldn't leave her alone! "I'm supposed to make you as comfortable as possible! Your brother and the Doctor's orders!"

"Just leave me the way I am! I was comfortable! I don't need my pillows fluffed. You've changed my sheets 3 times today. I’ve eaten and drank so much that I feel like I'm gonna explode!" she screamed.

The nurse sighed. "Have it your way."

"Thank you…" Gia sighed. "Godly, when do I get out of this place?" she asked the ceiling.

"Next week," answered Dr. Krabowski, coming into the room.

"Next week?! Why can't leave now? I feel fine!"

He nodded skeptically.

"C'mon, I do! I really do! I could do back-flips all the way home!" she declared.

"Sit up."

She tried, only to fall back down, grimacing at the shock after shock of hurt.

"Umm-hmm. Next week!" repeated the doctor.

She groaned. "Fine…" she grumbled.

Dr. Krabowski turned on the radio for her. "We have a caller claiming that he has some very important news on the McLean brother and sister. Let's hear the scoop!" the DJ’s voice came through the speakers.

"This just in, ball of talent, Gia McLean, now daughter of Denise McLean, mother of Backstreet Boy AJ McLean has been put in the hospital. Her condition is very unstable, and unlikely that she will make it. Word is that brother and sister got in a little argument, and it grew into something larger. McLean pushed his sister down the stairs after hitting her repeatedly, causing bruises and broken bones."

"Thank you to our anonymous caller. You say you heard it off the news?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks once again. There's the dirt for today! I think that I've just lost all respect for that man," added the DJ pitifully, the notes of "It's Gonna Be Me" parody coming on.

Gia scowled, shutting off the radio. "There's only one sick and twisted mind in the world that has that voice…ALEC!"

"I'd better go straighten things out with the officials," offered Dr. Krabowski.

"Forget this! John, I'm leaving," she stated, using his first name and packing her overnight bag.

"Gia! You can't leave!" he shouted.

"Watch me!" she shot, walking out the door.

After walking only a few blocks, she almost collapsed, she pulled a cab over and had him drive her to the house.

---

"Breaking news, Backstreet Boy AJ McLean has beat up his new sister, Gia McLean, on account of jealousy for her talent," reported the newscaster. A picture of Gia flashed on the left hand side of the screen. A before and after shot. A black and white 'before' and a colored 'after’—one of her on the porch that very same day actually.

Mandy smiled at the screen, laughing gleefully. "You know, it’s not just between you and me anymore, Nick. I’m out to get you all!" she said quietly.

Chapter 15

"Sh*t! Did you see the news?!" hollered Chris.

"Unfortunately," muttered Melissa.

"I can't believe they would stoop that low," said Lance in disgust.

"Apparently, you don't know them that well," responded Nick, AJ, and Mel in unison scornfully.

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

Alec sat back and watched as the rumors began to grow. Every channel had this as the top story. Newspapers and tabloids were on stands in a flash!

His eyes gleamed, rumor after rumor growing, more juicy details added every time. He laughed triumphantly, "McLean, this is just the beginning, wait ‘til you see what else I've got in store for you. As for 'Howard'? We'll see what Jean, or rather, Hailey decides—we’ll see…"

---

"Knock! Knock! G? Can I come in?" Melissa knocked on her friend’s bedroom door several days ago.

"Yeah." came the quiet reply.

She found Gia sitting on her bed in the midst of millions of particles of paper, the remains of a tabloid newspaper. Her curtains were drawn and the room was lit only by the light of her bedside lamp.

Looking up, Gia read the question on her friend’s face. "I couldn’t stand to see it anymore. All the lies, all the stories....all the pictures. I can’t believe that creep took pictures of me while I was unconscious!!" she spat. "And now all these jerks are standing outside, just waiting to photograph my every life moment. AJ and I aren’t even safe in our own home! I can’t take it anymore!!"

Mel felt her heart break all over again as she sat on the bed with Gia.

"Do you know what the story is now?" G asked slowly.

Melissa shook her head; she had stopped listening to the radio and even watching TV most of the time, just to avoid hearing it.

"They’re saying now that AJ molested and abused me, and that I’m pregnant! What the heck is that all about?!!!" Gia fell back on her bed, exasperated.

"Have the police found Alec yet?" Mel questioned.

Gia shook her head. "They couldn’t find me. What makes you think they’ll find him?" Her words were sharp but very true.

---

"Howard!" Hailey said in surprise as she opened her front door.

"Hi! Can I come in?" he asked sweetly.

"Ummm.....yeah. Sure!" she replied and opened the door wider. Neither of them saw Alec dash upstairs into the bedroom before he was discovered. But he stood where he could watch and still be unseen.

"How’s, uh, how’s your friend?" Hailey asked as she and Howie sat on the couch.

"She’s better. All the nasty tabloids and stories about what happened to her are really bearing down hard on she and AJ. The problem is, we can’t dispel them until we have proof."

"I guess the police haven’t caught the guy yet then?" Hailey said.

Howie shook his head.

As he watched them, Alec felt his hatred grow. It wasn’t just AJ now but he was starting to hate everyone in that whole group. They all seemed to be a thorn in his side in one way or another.

Soon, Howie and Hailey rose from the couch, saying their good-byes. Just before he left, Howie gently took her in his arms and kissed her sweetly.

"Good-bye, beautiful." he said and walked out the door.

After he was gone, Hailey just stood by the door, her fingers on her lips. He kissed really nice, and there wasn’t the underlying repulsion that she felt with Alec. She genuinely liked Howie. A lot!

"You liked it." stated Alec’s voice behind her.

Hailey whirled around, her dark eyes flashing. "Yes, I did! And I want you out of here now! I don’t want anything more to do with you, Alec McCartney!" she told him and tried to get past him into the kitchen.

Angered, he grabbed her arm, spun her around, and whipped his hand heavily across her face! Uttering a cry of pain, she fell back on the couch.

Alec loomed over her. "You don’t order me around, Jean!" he snarled, using her real name, "Remember, you helped me. You’re an accessory. Don’t think I will hesitate to take you down with me if they find me! Plus, I found you once. I’ll do it again!"

With that, he stalked out of the room. Hailey just sat there, her hand on her bruised cheek, and cried. What had she gotten herself into?

---

"God…all this sh*t…all the lies…and I thought that the whole controversy with me and Britney was bad!" exclaimed Justin.

"Well, you know the media…they print whatever they can get their hands on," said Becky, in a soft voice.

"Unfortunately, I know the media all too well," he muttered.

"Honey, it'll all blow over, don't worry."

"How can I not? It's like a monster. It grows everyday and gets fed every minute. The whole Brit thing was way smaller than this, and it's still going on! They'll be lucky if everyone's great grandkids’ great grandkids’ grandkids are the last people to ever discuss this issue."

Becky was about to protest, but in her heart, she knew it would be a very long time, without proof at least, that this would be finished…

---

"JC? Yo, JC!" hollered Chris.

He stumbled through the door and found JC with Jane, engrossed in a kiss. "Whoops, I'll come back later…"

They both looked up. "Chris! Wait! What is it?" asked Josh.

"Uh, just, well, um --"

"Chris?"

"H-h-have y-you read the-the-the d-daily pa-p-per, yet?" he stuttered.

JC shook his head slowly. "Why?" he asked cautiously.

"Well, uh…"

"Chris? Spit it out!"

All he did was hand the paper to JC, opening up to the front page.

"*NSYNC's Lead Singers Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez Involved with the Gia McLean Rape," he read out loud. His eyes burned and threw the paper against the wall with all his might!

Jane immediately stood up and tried to comfort him. "Has J seen it yet?" she questioned Chris.

"Nah, he hasn't."

"WHAT THE HECK ARE THESE PEOPLE ON?!" screamed somebody from downstairs.

The three ran down to the living room, finding everybody minus AJ and Gia situated there. They had been almost camping out at the McLean abode for the past week, as if being there together could help protect them from everything going on in the world outside.

"I take it you read the paper?" questioned JC.

Justin kicked the ground and fell back into a chair. He sighed and ran a hand through his once-again blond curls.

"What a piece of sh*t!" he cried.

"You've read the headline, now read the article," instructed Kevin.

'Gia McLean, raped by her brother, of phenomenon the Backstreet Boys, JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake of *NSYNC, and Chasez and Timberlake's girlfriends. Word is that she was molested out of jealousy, and is now pregnant, undergoing abortion. Chasez, Timberlake and accomplices are quoted to have said, "Just for the fun!" Female McLean was found pretty messed up. She later was put in the local hospital, while male McLean and others involved played dumb for the officials. An executive from JIVE Records, company that all 3 groups are signed to, have only released that this is all a rumor. One executive was steamed enough to go and quote, "This is all BS! You dirty bastards go on and print whatever the hell you want!" Guess AJ takes from her side! [More on this story on B2]"

A picture of Gia beautiful and then "broken" was under the article.

"Great, perfect! So now it's AJ, JC, Justin, Becky, and Jane too?!" Howie muttered angrily.

"That's the last straw!" Michelle walked over to phone and picked it up. "Hello? National Inquirer? This is Michelle Taylor of Lavish, and I've got the real scoop!" she supplied.

"What are you doing?" asked Melissa.

"We all know it's Alec McCartney and something to do with that b*tch Amanda, right?"

They all nodded.

"Well, Nick, first off, do you mind playing a role?"

"Like what…" He could almost see the wheels turn in Michelle’s mind. Of any of them, she could the worst when she wanted to. And when you got her mad, there was no telling what she might do.

"Bait."

<a href=http://www.oocities.org/brisnarf/BySide4.html> Next Chapter </a>