JC looked at the doctor with confusion, "What?"

"How long has this abuse been going on?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Son, you can talk to me. If it's one of your friends that's been doing this to you…"

"What? No? They would never."

"Well, then why don't you tell me? I may be able to help you."

"Hmmm. I seriously doubt that."

"JC, I'm your doctor. If you tell me who has been doing this to you then I can make sure they don't get in to see you while you're here."

"That's great, but how are you gonna keep them from getting to me while I'm at home or at work?"

"Well, can't your security keep them away from you?"

"That'd work, if…." He's cut off when a head peeks in the door.

"You done with him yet doctor?" Roy asks.

The doctor looks at JC and decides that whoever it is, JC isn't telling so there isn't much he can do. "Yes, I'm done for now."

"Thanks, doctor," JC says.

"Anytime, and if you ever want to talk you just have Anya contact me."

"I will." JC gives a weak smile.

"What's going on son? Why were you talking to the doctor alone? Where's Justin?"

"Nothing is going on. The doctor just wanted to ask me some questions and run a couple more tests. I have no idea where Justin is, he left when the doctor asked him to."

"Son, are you ok? I mean… I know you're not physically ok, but are you ok?"

"Yeah, dad. I know what you mean, and I'm fine."

"So, you get to leave in a week? What are you gonna do? Where are you going to go?"

"I don't know dad. I'm thinking I'll need at least a live in nurse and I'll have to make some changes in the house."

"What about the fans? Nsync?"

"I don't know dad. Hopefully, we'll be able to do a press conference or something. I don't know. If I get some movement back before I get out of the hospital then maybe we can. I haven't really had a chance to talk to anyone with all the medication they keep pumping into me."

"So have they said anything else about the damages? Or why you can't move?"

"No, they can't figure out what it is that's causing the problem. Could you do me a favor dad?"

"Sure son, anything."

"Could you go find Justin? I really need to talk to him."

"Sure, I'll be right back."

"Thanks."

Roy walks out, leaving JC a few minutes to himself. Just as he's about to nod off to sleep he hears the door open.

"Ah, here's my pretty baby. How's my baby doing?"

JC's head snaps up, his eyes wide, "Johnny, what are you…."

"Oh, please. You know why I'm here. My pretty baby is in the hospital because of some phycotic woman. Tell me you weren't expecting me to come here and see you."

"Well, actually…" JC's cut off by a pair of lips on his.

Johnny pulls back, "Don't tell me you don't want me here. I know you do. Now what have you told the doctors?"

"Nothing. I've said nothing." JC whimpers.

"You didn't tell them anything?"

"No."

"That's a good boy. You've always been such a good boy." Johnny smiles as his eyes travel over the thin body under the white sheets. "Are they taking good care of you, my pretty baby?"

"Yes."

"You look so thin. Have you been eating? I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine, just can't move. That tends to ruin the appetite." JC states and then cowers expecting a hand to come down on him for being smart.

Johnny leans in and snarls in his ear, "Just because you can't move doesn't give you the right to talk smart to me boy. Don't press your luck."

"I know, I'm sorry, please forgive me," JC whispers.

"You're forgiven, but don't you ever pull that again. You understand?" Johnny snarls.

"Yes," another whisper.

"What, I can't hear you."

"I said, yes sir."

"Much better. Now where are the rest of the guys? I figured they'd be sitting here next to you?"

"I don't know. My dad just left to go find Justin. He was the only one here when I woke up."

"Oh, well, I give them a call and see…." Johnny trails off as the guys come bounding in.

"Hey, you're awake." Chris says.

"Hey, Johnny. What are you doing here?" Lance asks.

"Hey, man, good to see you again." Joey states.

Justin just eyes Johnny with a questioning look and then moves closer to JC. Roy walks in with Heather, Tyler and Karen trailing behind them.

"We can't stay for long. The nurse said she was gonna start limiting your visitors cuz there are so many of us." Karen comments, while leaning in to give JC a hug.

"Yeah, it's about time for you to get another shot, isn't it Jayce?" Chris asks.

"You tell me man. You know my shot schedule better than I do." JC smiles, then frowns when he sees the glare from Johnny. "Sorry man, I shouldn't have said that."

"What, that's cool." Chris stammers.

Justin leans in and whispers, "Jayce? You ok?"

"Yeah, just tired I guess." JC smiles weakly.

Justin gets up and says, "I know you all just got here but we all know he needs his rest. Let's let him get some." He ushers everyone out of the room. "You too Johnny, let's go."

They all leave and JC offers a quiet thank you to Justin.

Anya returns moments later with her needle, "You need your friend to hold your hand while we do this again?"

"No, but I can't deprive him of drooling over you while you're doing your job." JC smiles.

"That's cool, I'll get him." She walks to the door, opens it, "Hey Chris, you gonna help me or what?"

Chris comes barreling into the room, "Of course I am."

"Always the helper." JC mumbles. "Is this shot gonna make me tired again?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because, I really need to sleep for a while. Chris can you please get rid of Johnny for me. I'm really not ready to deal with Nsync right now."

"Sure man. What about your parents and the guys? I know I'm not gonna be able to get Justin to leave but you want the guys to hang around a while?"

"Yeah, we need to talk later. There are a few things you guys need to know. I'm just not up to it right now. Ok."

"Sure, and if this shot hits you like the last one did, you'll be out cold in about ten minutes. I'll send Justin in and send Johnny and your family off for a while. I think they'll understand."

"Thanks Chris, I appreciate it."

"No problem man. That's what friends are for. You just take care and work on getting well."

"I'll try." JC smiles.

"JC?"

"Yeah, Anya?"

"If you ever want to talk, I'd be happy to listen. I'm a really good listener."

"Thanks but I don't have anything to say."

"Ok," she leans in, "I know what you're going through. I've been there myself. Sometimes it helps to talk it out with people who've been there." She pulls away and leaves the room.

JC just stares after her. Justin comes back in to JC staring at the door, shock all over his face.

"What's the matter Jayce?"

"Nothing. I swear that damn nurse is psychic or something."

"She giving you the willies or something man?" Justin teases.

"Just, please don't. I just need you to hold my hand and tell me it's gonna be ok. I don't need the teasing. I'm really not handling this well today."

"Oh, Josh. I'm here. I'll always be here for you. No one is gonna hurt you anymore. I won't let them."

"Justin, I have to tell you something. But first go make sure Chris got rid of everyone, then get the guys. There's something you all need to know."

"Sure Jayce. I'm on it." Justin hurries, gets the guys. They all come back into the room.

"K. Jayce. We're all here. What's up?" Lance asks.

"You guys need to sit down. I have something I need to tell you and it's not gonna be pretty." JC says with tears in his eyes.