Part Twelve

    "Brooke," Mary Ann said with a sigh. "I'm serious."
    "MA, if you're lying to me I swear."
    Mary Ann rolled her eye's as she talked to one of her old high school friends. "I'm serious, I'm with JC right now. Well, he's in the shower."
    "Oh, right...uh-huh, and I have Justin in my bed right now."
    "No, you don't because Justin is over at Britney's house right now," she said annoyed. "I met Britney last night and she's great and....."
    "You need help," she said with a laugh.
    "What I need is to knock some sense in your......" She stopped talking and her jaw dropped when she saw JC emerge from the shower. He was grinning at her while he stood their, with a towel wapped around his waist while he dried his hair with another towel. His towel hung low on his hips, and so you could see that wonderful hipline disappearing under the towel. She then realized that he was talking to her. "I'm sorry what?" she asked as she looked at him.
    He grinned. "I asked who you were talking to."
    "Oh, I'm talking to my friend Brooke."
    "Who is that?" Brooke asked. "Oh, yeah I forgot...It's JC."
    Mary Ann cupped the phone. "She doesn't believe that I'm here with you."
    His eyes raised as he walked over and sat next to her and took the phone. "Brooke, it's JC, she'll call you later, cuz right now I want to kiss her, okay?" The other line was silent and he just laughed. "Take care, Brooke." he said and then clicked off her cell phone. "Call her later."
    "Okay," she said with a grin and then cupped his face as he pressed his lips to hers. He was about to deepen the kiss, but the phone ringing interuppted him...again.
    "Dammit," he groaned and the picked up the portable. "What?!"
    "Excuse me?"
    "Mo...Mom!" he exclaimed and cupped Mary Ann's mouth to keep her from laughing. "Sorry, I...."
    "Why are you answering the phone like that?" she asked. "I taught you better!"
    "I uh...sorry, I thought you were an obsessive fan and...."
    "You shouldn't talk to your fans like that," she shot back.
    "I....crap," he said as he walked off and paced the room. "Look, I..."
    "Stop giving excuses."
    He sighed and sat at the edge of the bed. "Yes mam."
    "Better...How was your New Years?"
    He grinned. "Wonderful, and yours?"
    "Very good," she said. "Your father took me dancing."
    "How fun. Did you...." His body bolted up right and he gasped when he felt Mary Ann's lips on his shoulder blades.
    "Honey what's wrong?"
    "Er...Nothing," he said and then closed his eyes when her tongue flicked over his wet skin. "Go on...tell me what ya'll did."
    Mary Ann straddled him from behind while she sat on her knees and she slid her arms around his waist. She felt him shiver when she ran her hands up and down his chest and then ran tiny kisses over his shoulder and up his neck.
    JC tried hard to listen to his mom, but the feel of her hands and lips everywhere was too distracting. He mumbled "Mm-hmms," and "Uh-huhs" so she would no he was still there. "That's great mom," he managed to say as she began to play with his ear. "Glad you had fun."
    Mary Ann smiled in triumph and she playfully tugged on his ear. "Payback is a bitch, huh?"
    He groaned softly as he collapsed the back of his head against her shoulder. Mary Ann just laughed softly and nuzzled his neck and continued to roam her hands over his chest.
    "Did you have a good new years?" his mother asked.
    "Yeah, we had a great time," he croaked and then cleared his throat.
    "Did you have fun with what's her name? Mary something?"
    "Mary Ann?" he asked as she started to move around him until she straddled in front of him. "She's something alright."
    She smiled softly, her eyes no longer playful, but soft as she looked at him with admiration. JC reached up and played with a strand of her hair. "You would love her," he said softly. "She's the sweetest person I've met....yes, she's very pretty," he told his mom and smiled when she turned red. "Oh, and she beat me in HORSE," he added and then chuckled. "She sure did, fair and square."
    Mary Ann wanted to laugh, so she buried her face in his neck and her body shook up and down as she laughed. "Okay, Mom, I gotta go....I love you, too....bye." He clicked off the phone and pulled her away from him. "You, MA....are in big trouble."
    "You did it to me," she pointed out with a smile and then locked her arms around him. "Thank you for saying those sweet things."
    "I had to, you were here," he teased. "I didn't want you to kick my ass if I said something bad."
    "I'm gonna kick your ass now if you don't tell me that you meant ever word," she said sweetly.
    He cupped her face with his hands and brushed his lips with hers. "I meant every...single...word," he murmured between kisses.
    "You better have," she said and then their lips met again and they lingered there until she finally pulled away. "Okay, now I have to go take a shower."
    He groaned in protest. "No you don't."
    "Yes, I do," she said and crawled off his lap.
    He stood up and pulled her in his arms. "Can I join you?" he asked and then started to kiss her as the stumbled to the bathroom.
    "You already took one," she mumbled against his lips.
    "I can always take another one," he said and then pressed her against the door and loomed over her.
    "Behave, young man," she warned him.
    "What?" he asked innocently. "It will save water?"
    She laughed. "Okay, I'm going now," she said and then kissed him quickly and walked in the bathroom. She closed it fast, before he could worm his way through. "Nice try."
    JC grinned and then began to whistle "It's Gonna Be Me," as he began to get dressed.

    "Was that the last one?" Natalie asked as she turned her head on his lap and looked up at him.
    Joey sighed as he turned off the movie. He was sitting comfortably on the couch, and Natalie was stretched out using his lap for a pillow. "Yes, that was the last superman ever."
    "Good," she sighed.
    "What was that?" he asked as he placed a hand on her head.
    "Um...I said that was good," she lied as she smiled up at him.
    "Uh-huh, sure ya did," he sarcastically.
    "No, I did...I really liked it," she said and then shifted on her side and turned her attention on the TV.
    "If you say so, sweetie," he said with a chuckle and then began to casually run his fingers through her curls.
    She just smiled, and enjoyed the feel of his fingers in her hair. "What's on the tube?"
    "I don't know," he said and started surfing. "I...."
    "Oh, go back to MTV!" Natalie commanded. "Brian McFayden is hosting!"
    He cupped her chin and tilted her head up. "You like Bri?"
    She giggled. "He's yummy."
    His eyes widened. "Yummy, huh?"
    "Yeah, but..." She reached up and patted his rough cheek. "He ain't no Joey."
    "That's better," he said and then leaned down and kissed her softly. "I don't want to watch TRL, If I have to see that Shape of My Heart vid one more time....."
    "Joey, you and I both know it's rigged," she said as she turned back to the TV.
    "I know, that's why I don't...."
    "Just let me watch my yummy man," she begged.
    "All right, that's it," he said and turned off the TV.
    "Hey! He was wearing a turtle neck, too, Joey!" she protested.
    "You are no longer aloud to watch that man," he teased as he began to tickle her.
    "Joey..stop," she laughed as she started to squirm beneath his hands.
    "Not until you say it," he said and then surprised her by flipping her on the other side of the couch and then pinned her with his body.
    "Say what," she laughed as he continued to poke at her sides.
    "That I am your yummy man," he said as he grinned at her.
    "Nevah...Brian is my one and only yummy man," she teasked.
    "Oh yeah?" he asked as he cocked an eyebrow and then stopped tickling her.
    She caught her breath and her laughed died, but she smiled up at him. "Yeah, Bri is my...."
    He just rolled his eyes and nodded. "Yeah right," he said softly and then dropped his head towards hers and quieted her with his lips.
    She mumbled her words against his lips and then let out a sigh of surrender. He kissed her softly and nibbled at her lips. "You were saying?" he asked softly and then deepened the kiss.
    "That...uh..." Her voice trailed when he ran his lips down her jaw and down her neck. "That....Joey I can't think right now."
    He chuckled as he ran his lips back up and then hovered them over her lips. "You were saying something about a Brian being your yummy man?"
    "Ohhh," she said as she remembered and then leaned up and kissed him deeply. "Brian who??"
    He grinned down at her. "That's more like it," he said and then captured her lips once more.
    Natalie laughed against his lips, as she ran her fingers up the nape of his neck. He let off his weight he was supporting on his elbows, causing him to press her against the couch with his body. He cocked his head, and deepened the kiss, tasting her deeply after every stroke of his tongue. He nibbled at her lips, before he traveled them down her jawline and over the collum of her throat.
    The phone above Natalie's head started to ring in her ears, but Joey didn't even flinch. He nuzzled her neck and his stubble rubbed against her smooth skin, causing her to shudder. "J..Joey?"
    "Hmm...yeah, I know.....phone," he mumbled as he kissed the groove of her shoulder. He reached above her and aimlessly grabbed the phone and then finally lifted his head up to answer. "Hello?" he asked breathlessly.
    JC snickered at his heavy breathing. "Hey, Joe...did I interrupt an...."
    "What do you want, JC?" he asked before he could finish.
    Natalie grabbed the phone. "You're getting back at me for this morning aren't you?"
    JC chuckled. "Didn't plan on it, but now that I think about it...I guess I am."
    "Ugh," Natalie groaned and then handed the phone back to Joey. "Dispose of him quickly."
    "My pleasure," he said. "What do you want?"
    "Me and Mary Ann are on our way to the video store," JC said as he drove his jeep through an intersection. "We thought we would rent a movie and hang out over there...order pizza or something."
    "Sounds good," he said and then closed his eyes when Natalie reached up and kissed his neck.
    "Okay, you order the pizza," JC said as they pulled into the lot. "We'll be there in like twenty minutes...giving you plenty of warning."
    "Yeah, yeah," he said, anxious to get off the phone. Natalie was now attacking his ear with that clever mouth of hers, and she was driving him crazy. "See ya in twenty." He then clicked off the phone and threw it on the floor.
    "They're coming over?" she asked as she ran her lips up his neck, and over his stubbly chin.
    "Uh-huh," he murmured and then kissed her lips. "I need to order pizza."
    "Okay," she said and then their lips met at a frenzy.
    "Where's the phone?" Joey breathed.
    "You threw it on the floor?" Natalie managed to say.
    "Oh...Damn," he said and then deepened the kiss. He needed to get to the phone, but he didn't want to leave her. So he did the only thing he could think of.
    Natalie laughed as he rolled her off the couch with her. They rolled on the floor until they were by the phone. Natalie was still laughing as he picked up the phone and hit speed dial. "Yes, I'd like to make an order for delivery."
    "You have it under speed dial," Natalie laughed and then kissed him hard. "You are too cute."

    "I can't eat another bite," Mary Ann said as she plopped her half eaten pizza on the cardboard box.
    "Honey," JC whined as he picked up her peice. "This is a waste of good pizza." He then took a bite of it.
    "So sorry," she said as she collapsed against the loveseat with a sigh.
    "I'm with you, MA," Natalie said after she took her last bite. "Guys, finish the rest."
    "Gladly," Joey said as he picked up a uneaten slice. "What movie did ya'll get?"
    "We got two of them," Mary Ann said. "I told JC, that Natalie has never seen Scream 2 or 3..."
    "And since that is unhuman," JC added. "We had to get it."
    "Both of them?" Natalie asked warily. "Two Screams in one night?"
    "Sweet," Joey said as he plopped his pizza down. "I haven't seen Scream 2 or 3 in forever."
    Mary Ann stood up and grabbed the box. "I'll put this in the kitchen," she said and then walked out of the den and set the cardboard on the counter. When she returned to the den, Joey and Natalie was stretched out on the couch. Joey on his back and Natalie curled up on her side while using the crook of his shoulder as a pillow.
    The video was going, and JC was spreading out a blanket in front of the TV. He looked at her and smiled. "I figured the loveseat was too small for us."
    She smiled and then walked up to him. "This is perfect," she said and then leaned up on her toes and kissed him softly. JC responded by wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her to him.
    "Hey, hey, down in front," Joey said annoyingly. "The show is starting."
    JC and Mary Ann pulled apart and looked at them. "Oh, are we in your way?"
    "Sit down C," Joey said.
    "Alright, alright," he said and then sat down on the blanket and pulled Mary Ann down on the blanket.
    "This is better anyway," she said as she curled up next to him.
    He kissed the top of his head. "Sure is."
    The room became quiet, as the movie started. The girls were practically glued to their man during the whole movie. As much as Natalie hated scary movies, it was something about Scream movies that she liked. She didn't know why she didn't mind it much, since she still jumed ever five seconds. Maybe it was the comedy that was played in the movie, or maybe it was getting to look at Jerry O Connell. Or maybe....She looked up and smiled at Joey. Or maybe it was because she was snuggled next to Joey. In his arms she felt safe....she felt complete.
    They made it through Scream 2, and so JC stood up and stretched before he popped in the other tape. He pushed "play" and then crawled towards Mary Ann and got comfortable once more. The four of them struggled to keep their eye's open, but by the time the credits were rolling--they were all asleep.

    "We have to stop by Joey's first," Justin said as he pulled out of Chris's driveway.
    "Tell me again why I shouldn't kill you for waking me up?" Chris asked as he glared at him through is tired eyes.
    "Because you love me."
    "Not good enough."
    "Because the world loves me?"
    "Try again."
    "Because my mom would castrate you if you harmed one bone on my body?"
    Chris' winced and closed his legs together. "Okay, fine you're safe....for now." Chris then yawned tiredly. "Why are we going to Joey's?"
    "I left my watch there," he said as he turned onto Joey's street.
    "Aww, the one Brit gave you? How sweet."
    "Shut up," he said as he pulled into the drive. "Plus, you never met Mary Ann or Natalie...they're cool as shit."
    "Yeah, Dani told me they were cool. So where are you dragging my ass after?"
    "Ahem...to my aunts," he mumbled under his breath and then shot out of the car.
    "Woah, what?" he asked as he chased after him.
    He sighed and turned to him. "To my Aunt Ida's."
    His eyes widened. "Are you kidding me? You're dragging me to your cheek pinching aunt! And I am NOT talking about this kind of cheek."
    Justin eyed him as Chris pointed to the side of his face. "Chris, just be glad you're not JC...my aunt loves that guy."
    "Whatever," he pouted and then watched Justin pull out the key that was hidden in the plant, where Joey said he would leave it.
    Justin opened the door. "Come on, the sooner we leave to sooner we'll be done."
    "You owe me big, Justin," Chris sighed as they walked in.
    "I know, I'll make it up to you, promise."
    "You beter. I...."
    They both stopped in their tracks when they saw the scene displayed in the den. Joey and Natalie were curled up in the couch sound asleep, and JC and Mary Ann were sprawled out on the floor in each other's arms.
    "Aww, ain't that sweet," Chris cooed.
    "Kodak moment," Justin snickered. "We should just get my watch and go."
    "Yeah, we should," he said with a laugh. "But we won't."
    "Of course not," he laughed. "What are we going to do? Jump and scream?"
    "Nah....let's go for something a little more....interesting."
    "Oh, I like how your mind works, Chris," Justin said with a grin. "What's the plan?"
    "To the kitchen," Chris commanded and then the younger man followed the sly older man. Chris opened and closed cupboards until he found two pitchers. He handed one to Justin. "Fill her up."
    Justin grinned and then they both chuckled as they filled the pitchers with water. "All the way to the rim," Justin said.
    "But of course," Chris said. "Let's go have some fun."
    The two walked into the den, and Chris tip-toed to JC and Mary Ann and Justin stood in front of Joey and Natalie. "One, two, three!" Chris counted and then the poured the pitcher of water all over them.
    Natalie and Mary Ann both gasped in shock as they sprung forward. JC and Joey sat up suddenly and then both stared evily at the victims. "You are so dead," JC warned.
    Mary Ann looked down at her wet body in shock. It was freezing! Mary Ann looked up and glared up at Chris. He grinned down at her. "Hi, I'm Chris...so lovely to meet you."
    "What you are Chris...is DEAD," Mary Ann told him as her breath began to quicken with anger.
    "Um...wow," Chris said as he backed away. "Justin..we need to go."
    "I'm right behind you," Justin said as he was backing away from Natalie. "Natalie looks ready to kill."
    JC chuckled. "Mary Ann? Just pretend Chris is one of those girls last night, that you picked a fight with."
    "Good idea, sweetie," Mary Ann said as she slowly sat up.
    "Uh-oh," Chris said as he backed away. "What girls?? Um...Justin?"
    "Let's get out of here," he said and they both started to run from the crowd.
    "You can run, but you can't hide!" Natalie yelled. "If my ankel was good, I swear...."
    "Oh, I'll get them," Mary Ann warned as she shook off the water. "And they....." She stopped talking when she saw Chris and Justin walk slowly back in the room. "Well, speak of the devil."
    "We come in peace," Justin said as they walked slowly in the room.
    Joey stood up and shook the water out of his hair. "Well, we don't."
    "I...I need my watch," Justin said shakily. He swallowed hard when the four of them just glared at them.
    "Um...Come on guys, we were just playin," Chris said shakily. "Where's you're watch," he mumbled to Justin.
    "On the table," Justin said quietly.
    "Oh...this watch?" Mary Ann asked as she held up the sliver rolex.
    "Yes, that one," Justin said and then took a step towards her.
    "Hold this for ransom, hun," MA said as she gave it to JC. "I got some pop-star ass kicking to do."
    "Justin...I don't like that look in her eye," Chris said warily. "Man, JC...she's scary."
    He chuckled. "My little Joan of Arc."
    "Did I ever tell you, that I have three older brothers, and 3 brother-in-laws, and I have taken karate AND judo??"
    "That's it, I'll get the watch later," Justin said and then grabbed Chris' arm and they stumbled out the door.
    "Wimps," Mary Ann said.
    "Go, MA!" Natalie cheered.
    JC looked pale in the face. "Hun, did you really take those classes?"
    Mary Ann studied him. "Yes, I did, but it was only for one semester. I mean, don't you think I'd have been able to throw you down the other day?"
    He let out a sigh of relief. "Good point," he said and then pulled her in his arms. "But you're still my Joan of Arc."
    "I'm freezing," Natalie said as she shivered. "Those boys are dead."
    "Indeed they are," JC said and then stretched his body. "I'm gonna head home and change." He grabbed Mary Ann's hand. "Walk me to my car."
    While JC and MA were leaving, the phone rang. Joey picked up the portable. "Hello?"
    "Yes, is Natalie Dawson in?"
    "Yes mam, she is...hang on one second." He held the phone to her. "For you."
    "Hello?....Oh hi...yes, I'm feeling better....uh-huh...."
    Joey sat down on the couch and watched her nervously pace the room while she talked to this women. "Tomorrow? Yeah, that would be great. Noon is great....thanks." She hung up the phone and smiled at him. "I have my interview tomorrow."
    He smiled. "You'll do great."
    She let out a groan as she sat next to him. "What if I mess up? What if I say the wrong things? What if I...."
    "What if you go in there and be the sweet and smart Natalie Dawson that I know...what if you show those people what you can offer them. What if you go in there, with your head held high, and show them that there is no one else for this job, but you."
    Her eyes softened and she smiled warmly at him. "You are too good for me, Joey."
    He cradled her face and kissed her softly. "You are going to do great, Nat. I have no doubt in my mind that you are gong to get that job."
    She sighed. "I hope so," she said and then hugged him. "Thank you, Joey."
    "Anytime," he said softly and then leaned back and kissed her forehead. "Why don't you go upstairs and get showered and ready. I'll take you out today."
    "Where?" she asked with a smile.
    "Where do you want to go?" he asked and then kissed her again, this time lingering on her lips
    "Hmm...how bout Sea World? I've never been, and always wanted to go."
    "What? You have never seen Shamu? Ever?"
    She shook her head. "Nope."
    "Oh, well that's just a crime," he said and then stood her up and turned her back to her. "Now go get that cute butt in the shower and meet me down here in an hour."
    "Okay," she said and then yelped when he playfully slapped her behind. "Joey Fatone, behave."
    "Get," he warned. "Before I become really naughty."
    She laughed. "Just how naughty."
    "Nataallie," he warned as he stepped toward her like he was ready to pounce.
    She shrieked and ran up the stairs. "I'm, goin, I'm goin."

    JC turned toward her when they got to his car. "Do you have a kiss for stud muffin?" he asked playfully.
    She chuckled and then reached up on her toes and placed her hands on his damp shoulders for balance. She brushed her lips against hes and moaned softly against his mouth. She leaned back and looked up at his face. "Good enough?"
    He shook his head. "Nope."
    She sighed. "Very well," she said and then took his mouth once more, this time more forcefully. She heard him moan, when she deepened this kiss and then quickly pulled away. "Better?"
    "You're a tease, Mary Ann," he growled.
    "Me? Naaah."
    He just laughed and rested his forehead against her's. "I want to go to the studio today...care to join me?"
    Her eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, I'd love too!"
    He smiled. "Really?" His past girlfriend never wanted to go to the studio with him. She complained that it was too boring. But he could see the excitement in Mary Ann's eyes and it made him smile. "Okay. You don't have to if you want."
    "Don't be silly," she said. "I would love to go. I know that music is your passioin, and I would like nothing more than to see that passion for my own eyes."
    His heart tugged at her words and then corner of his mouth lifted. "Thank you," he said softly and then kissed her. "You don't know what that means to me."
    She kissed him. "When do you want me to be ready?"
    "An hour. We'll grab some breakfast first."
    "Okay," she said and then their lips locked one more time. He cupped her face and plunged. Her words kept echoing through his mind, and it made him want to hold her forever in his arms. He pulled back just as quickly as he swooped in. "See ya in an hour," he finally said.
    "Okay," she said softly and touched her swollen lips. "I'll be ready."

Part Thirteen