[Big big..BIG thanx to Tink for letting me use her pic that she scanned!! Love ya! :) (Ok WHY the pic of Justin & Maggie Lawson? Because Maggie looks soo much like what I always pictured Dani to look like. :) ) ]

Chapter 19

"Ok guys that sounds good. Lets take a break and then go back over the chorus again."

"The chorus again?" Justin mumbled. "Man I forgot how tiring recording was."

"Yeah really..its only 5 o' clock and it seems like it should be midnight." JC said yawning. "Maybe we should've waited. You really need to get some rest Justin."

"I did. last night. And I'll be resting fine from now on because everything is finally working out."

"Justin..." JC said, taking a deep breath. "They did tell you that she's very weak right now. Even though she seems to be doing better, her health hasnt really improved."

"Yeah...She told me that herself. But I don't know. I don't see it that way. I think she's going to pull through this."

"I hope youre right bro. I really do."

"Hey. Im Justin Timberlake..Im Always right!" He said laughing.

"Well...Never thought I'd say this but, its nice to see you back to your old cocky self."

"Thank you."

"Now..Lets get back to work, shall we?"

Meanwhile back at the hospital, Dani had woke back up and Alyssa was busy filling her in on everything that had happened between her and Joey while Dani had been in the hospital.

"He asked you to go on tour?"

"Yes! Can you believe it?"

"That's great Lyss. I'm really happy for you."

"Well, I'd be happier if my best friend got to share my excitement with me."

"Lyssa..dont cry. Please?"

"Im sorry Dani, Im trying but its so..hard." she said breaking down. "you're my best friend. I don't want to loose you. And you and Justin...you guys would be so...happy together. I just....I just feel like that I shouldnt be with Joey if you don't get to be with Justin."

"Lyssa don't you dare say that! Please I want you two to stay together."

"But its not fair.."

"I know it isnt, but please..Please dont feel like that! Alyssa I want you to be happy, and I want Joey to be happy too. You two are perfect for each other..don't ruin it."

"Allright.."

"And please go on tour with them and have a good time...for me ok?"

"I will." Alyssa said smiling as he held Dani's hand.

Suddenly Dani closed her eyes and tightened her grip on Alyssa's hand.

"Dani? Dani?!? Are you ok?? Dani?!?!"

"Lyss..Can you get me some paper and a pen?"

"paper and a pen?"

"Uh huh...please."

"Sure sweetie." Alyssa said, running over to her purse.
"Here ya go."

"Ok. Get me that rolling table over there so that I can write on it."

"Umm..ok, Dani do you want me to write it for you?"

"No Im fine. I can do it. Just give me a few minutes ok?"

"Dani..are you allright? Do you want me to get a nurse or something?"

"No Lyss Im fine. Come here." Dani said reaching her arm out to hug her friend. "Just give me a few minutes to write this and then you can come back in here. I'm going to have to go back to sleep anyway."

"Are you getting tired again?"

"Mmmhmm.." Dani said biting her lower lip. "I love you Lyssa. Thank you for always being here for me."

"I love you too Dani." Alyssa said as she left the room.

"Ok Justin..lets try the first verse again."

Justin sighed and stared at his watch. 9:00...man..I need to go. He cleared his throat and began to sing.

When the visions around you.. Bring tears to your eyes.. And all that surrounds you are secrets and lies.., I'll be your strength...I'll give you hope.. Keeping your faith when its gone. Then one you should call Was standing here all along... And I will take you in my arms and hold you right where you belong.. Til' the day my life is through this I promise you This I promise you...

"Allright guys..that was perfect. JC we'll do your verse in a minute."

"Im gonna go get some water before we start again." Justin said as he headed for the break room.

"Allright Justin." JC said as he and the others stood around the studio.

"I think you all have a visitor in the lobby." Lonnie, thier bodyguard said.

Everyone looked at each other with the same scared, concerned look on their face.

"Who is it Lonnie?"

"I think it might be Alyssa. I don't know. You all better go check and see."

JC, Joey, Lance and Chris hurried out into the lobby and saw Alyssa sitting there with her coat tightly wrapped around her, wiping the tears off her face.

"Lyss?" Joey said walking over and kneeling in front of her. "Lyssa baby...what's wrong?"

"She's gone." Alyssa said falling into Joey's arms. "Joey she's gone!"

"Oh my God.." JC said to himself as he, Lance and Chris all stood there stunned. He eventually broke down and started crying himself.

"Hey guys. there you all are." Justin said coming around the corner. Everyone turned and looked at him. They tried to regain thier composure but there was no use. Justin already knew what had happened the second he saw the looks on thier faces. JC walked over to him and gave him a hug. He just stood there and let his broken-hearted best friend cry on his shoulder for as long as he needed to.

"Are you allright man?"

Justin nodded his head and pulled away from JC.
"At least....At least I got to tell her I loved her."

JC smiled sympathetically at Justin as Lance and Chris came over and hugged him. Joey was still holding Alyssa in his arms, rubbing her back and lightly kissing her on the cheek.

"We're all here for you." Chris said as he hugged him. "And we totally understand how you feel. She was our Dani too."

"Of course she was, I punched you in the stomach over her remember?"

"How could I forget?" Chris said cracking a smile.
"But seriously..are you gonna be ok? You're not gonna go nuts on us and do something stupid are you?"

"No Chris..no, Im gonna be fine. I promise."

"Im gonna be just fine" Justin thought to himself as he closed his eyes and remembered the last thing she said to him.... I love you.

He sighed and opened his eyes as he stared at the floor. "...And that has made all the diffrence."

~ Epilouge ~