Finally they arrived in the Rebels camp where they knew they would be safe for a little while.
"Well, well, well," smirked a women walking towards the group. She had long blond hair and piercing blue eyes. "That looks like James Bass. But it can't be because James would of never returned after leaving us."
"Shut up Odessa!" grumbled Lance climbing off Freelance and then helping Joshua down. "It's really me. I'm back!"
"Maybe we don't want you back!" snapped Odessa. "So why don't you and your friends leave?"
"We want to help," replied Joshua gently stepping in front of Lance. "My sister had a dream and I want to help her achieve it!"
"Sister?" asked Odessa confused. "What does your sister have to do with us?"
"Raine was really Princess Taylor Chasez," informed Lance. "This is her brother Prince Joshua Chasez."
"So now her baby brother wants to join the fight?" mocked Odessa. "That's so sweet. I think I'm going to throw up."
"Stop it!" ordered Chris walking forward. "Ever since the three of us met up with these two we've had nothing but trouble so shut up and cut us a little slack!"
"I can't trust people I don't know," replied Odessa. "There are too many spies around."
"You know me!" protested Lance.
"At one time, yes," admitted Odessa. "But that was a long time ago."
"Why would you change your mind?" asked Lance. "I made it very clear I left to get my revenge and that can only be achieved with Joshua."
"I don't know," sighed Odessa. "It's been years, James."
"Look I hate to be the bearer of bad news people," interupted Justin. "But the BackAlly Boys are only a day or two behind us and even they could figure out where we went."
"I think we're pretty safe here," replied Odessa with a smirk. "This is the BackAlly Boys we're talking about."
*~*~*
"We're lost aren't we?"
"Shut up Nick!" yelled Brian. "We are not lost!"
"I need a new job," sighed Howie.
"You shut up too!" hissed Brian.
"Yeah," smirked Kevin.
"Everyone shut the fuck up!" yelled Brian.
"Little Brain needs a nap," whispered AJ to Howie who nodded his head in agreement.
"Do you want to give and face Lou?" asked Brian. "I don't know about you but I do enjoy my head and would like it to stay attached to my body."
"Well when you put it that way," replied AJ. "What are we waiting around here for?"
*~*~*
"You should rest after your long trip," commented Odessa to Joshua walking up to him where he was brushing Freelance's coat. Nothing was decided between the two groups but Odessa did, which much conviction finally agreed to allow the weary travelers to rest in their camp fro the night under the protection of the rebels.
"I won't rest until my father and Lou Pearlman are defeated," replied Joshua sadly. "It will happen. With or without your help."
"And then what?" asked Odessa sharply. "You become King! How can we trust you?"
"You trusted my sister."
"You are not your sister!"
"You're right," sighed Joshua sadly. "She was special."
"Look your Highness--" began Odessa.
"JC," interrupted Joshua. quietly. "Call me JC."
"Okay," replied Odessa staring at Joshua with a odd look. "I'm not saying you aren't special, JC. You're a prince, of course you're special. But we trusted Raine, we don't trust you!"
"I plan on changing that," replied Joshua softly. "If you're willing to give me a chance."
"I figured you'll try that," sighed Odessa turning away to walk away. "By the way, you do realize if you become king, the thing you have going on with James would have to stop. Kings are expected to have Queens, not male lovers."
"I don't know what you're talking about," whispered Joshua, shocked. Not even Joey, Justin or Chris knew about him and Lance since they decided it was best to keep it between themselves for the time being.
"I saw the looks," replied Odessa turning back to him with a gentle smile on her face. "It's a women's gift, so don't worry about your friends finding out. Just don't hurt James. I know I don't show it but he means a lot to me. If you hurt him, I'm coming after you! Understand?"
"Yeah, I understand," nodded Joshua. "I don't plan on hurting him, ever."
"Remember that when you say you want to become king," replied Odessa before walking off in the night leaving Joshua once again alone with Freelance.
*~*~*
The next morning Joey woke early to find the young prince the only one awake staring into the fire.
"What's up JC?" asked Joey, sensing something was wrong.
"I can't lose him," whispered Joshua as he continued to stare into the fire since Odessa's words had haunted him all night. With Taylor dead he was next in line to the throne. The only way to escape being king was by death.
"Lose who?" asked Joey confused.
"Lance," answered JC softly.
"JC you aren't making much sense," sighed Joey, rubbing his temples.
"Odessa said if I became king I would lose Lance," sighed Joshua sadly. "I don't know what to do!"
Joey stared at Joshua in shock as his mind proceeded what the young prince was telling him. Follow your heart," he finally replied. "But what ever happens, I'll help you no matter what you decide."
"Thanks Joey," sighed Joshua as he turned his attention back to staring at the fire. It wasn't long however before nearby movement caught his eye.
"Hey," said a soft but deep voice. "You should get more rest. We're safe in the camp. Scouts will give the warning of any on coming attacks."
"I know," sighed Joshua as Lance sat down next to him. He wanted to collapse in Lance's arms but he knew that was impossible. Instead he settle for the quiet moment between them.
The quietness however was stopped short when a bird call rang throughout the forest.
"Your friends are closer than you thought," informed Odessa rushing up to them. "Prepare your weapons and we'll see if we can trust you or not!"
"How many?" asked Lance, jumping to his feet, with Joshua and Joey quickly behind him.
"Not many," informed Odessa. "The scouts only spot five so far, so I'm assuming it's the BackAlly Boys!"
"They're always fun to play with," grinned Lance.
"No playing," ordered Odessa. "More than your life is at stake!"
"Since when do I take orders from you?"
"Since you want back in with my group!" snapped Odessa. "Fight under my orders or leave!"
"We'll fight," replied Joshua for all of them. "Joey wake Chris and Justin and inform them of the situation. Tell them if they want to leave they can but I'm fighting."
"Right!" replied Joey before running off to full-fill his commands.
"You sure about this?" asked Lance quietly.
"Yeah," nodded Joshua.
"Then alright," replied Lance. "We'll fight!"
*~*~*
"Well?" asked Brian annoyed.
"It's the camp," informed Howie. "And from what AJ and I could tell they are with the rebels."
"How far from the castle are we?"
"A few hours," replied Kevin.
"Kevin, you and Nick ride back to the castle and summon some troops," ordered Brian. "Ride fast and hard. Be back in three hours no matter what. We attack then and wipe them out!"