"So 'The Star Spangled Banner' it is then. Anybody know the words?" Joey jokes. "Joe, can I talk to you for a bit?" JC asks.

"Um, sure. What's up?"

"Can we go upstairs? I don't really want to talk about this in front of Justin. K?"

"Ok." They go up to the room that JC used during MMC. "So, what you wanna talk to me about Jayce?"

"Chris has the same thing we do man."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You know? The thing with our (peeks out the door to make sure no one is within earshot) eyes?"

"Really? He has that too?"

"Yeah. He also is telekinetic."

"He's what?"

"He is telekinetic. You know. Can move shit with his mind."

"Oh. Really? That is sooo cool man."

"Yeah. That's not all, Joe."

"What? He got X-ray vision or something?"

"No, he says we're exactly the same. We're gonna have 'powers' too."

"Yeah? When? That would be sooo cool. I wonder what kind I'll have? I can't wait."

"We won't get our 'powers' until we're 21."

"Shit, man that sucks. I was hoping we'd get them soon."

"Nope. Got over a year to wait man. Sorry. And no I don't have any clue what type of powers we're gonna have so don't even ask."

"Does…?"

"No, Chris doesn't know either. He doesn't know much more than what I just told you."

"Well, that's not much man. So you think Justin is gonna be like us too?"

"I don't know. It would be kinda weird with all four of us in a group and all."

"Yeah. The odds aren't exactly in our favor to have a whole group of us are they?"

"No. I seriously doubt it."

"Any way. You know I missed you? Why didn't you call and let me know you were coming back?" Joey asks, snaking an arm around JC's waist.

"Joe, this is not the place for that. Justin could come strolling in any second."

"So lock the door. I really missed you."

JC walks over to the door and locks it. "Ok. Now. Just how much did you miss me?"

"Hmm. Come here and I'll show you."

JC returns to Joey's outstretched arms, "Ok, now what?"

"This," Joey leans in and plants a kiss on JC's lips.

"Is that all?" JC reaches under Joey's shirt and slides his hands around to his back. "Let me show you how much I've missed you." JC brushes Joey's lips gently with his, while he unbuttons Joey's shirt. "Lie down on the bed and just relax."

Joey lies back on the bed and gets comfortable, "How's this?"

"Perfect," JC purrs as he crawls up Joey's body. "You're looking really good these days, you know?"

"Yeah, well you're looking dead sexy. Come up here and give me some of that, will ya?"

"Some of what? You want some of this?" JC kneels above Joey and points to his body. "You can't just 'have' this. You gotta earn it."

"Yeah?" Joey smirks as he grabs JC's arms. "I'll show you earn." He flips JC over so that he is pinned down on the bed under him. He seals their lips together in a searing kiss. When he pulls back they are both breathless. "God, you turn me on." Joey then begins planting kisses along JC's jawline.

"Hey, guys?" Justin yells through the door. "Why you got the door locked? Come on open up."

"Shit. I can't believe that kids timing." Joey grumbles.

"Back off Joe. He's just a kid. Hang on Justin. I'll be right there."

JC and Joey straighten their clothes and JC unlocks the door.

"What you guys talking about in here that you had to have the door locked, Jayce?"

"Don't worry about it Justin. I'll explain someday. So what are you looking for us for?"

"Chris was getting antsy down there and I didn't know what to do with him. Can you go entertain him for a few minutes Joey? I need to talk to Jayce for a minute. Please?"

Joey gives JC a heated look and then heads down the stairs.

"What's up Justin?"

"Nothing. What were you and Joey doing? And don't you dare tell me you were just talking. You don't get that (points to JC's hard on) from talking with someone. Now what exactly is going on with you and Joey?"

"Justin. (sigh) Joey and I were together before I left for LA. I thought you knew that."

"No. Jayce. I didn't know that. All I knew was that you were gay. I didn't know that he was too."

"Well, that would be because he isn't. He's bisexual."

"Oh." Justin gets a puzzled look on his face. "So, how long were you two together before you left?"

"Only a couple of months. We didn't go any farther than kissing."

"You would have just now though if I hadn't come up here. Wouldn't you?"

"Justin. Don't worry about it. You didn't interrupt anything that you shouldn't have. Joey and I are not ready to take this any farther than kissing."

"So, all you've done is kiss?" Justin asks with a glimmer of hope.

"Yes. Why?"

Justin closes the door, which he's been leaning on, and locks it. JC's eyes take on the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. "Justin, what are you doing?"

"Something I've wanted to do for a long long time."

JC licks his lips, "Um, what would that be, Just?"

"This," Justin grabs JC and pulls him to his body. "I've wanted to do this since that day in the hallway when I saw you get mad and your eyes started 'glowing'. I have no idea why they did, but it sure turned me on. At the time I didn't know what the hell I was feeling but I do now." He brushes his lips against JC's.

JC is slightly taken aback by the outburst and the knowledge that Justin knows about his 'problem' but soon overcomes the shock and returns the kiss.

"Justin," JC pushes Justin back a bit. "I can't do this. I'm with Joey, I think? God, I'm so confused. Please don't do this to me. You are way to young. I could go to jail for this."

"JC, do you want me?"

"Justin, please don't ask me that. I can't give you an answer to that right now."

"I love you Joshua Scott Chasez and I will til the day I die but if you want to wait until I'm old enough then so be it. I'll wait. You go be with Joey. But don't think that the day I turn 16, I'm not gonna come after you. You make sure that Joey knows that you're just on loan until then."

"Whoa, Justin. Where did that come from?"

"JC," Justin looks into JC's eyes. "I know you feel this too. Please don't try to deny whatever this connection is we have. I don't understand it, but I do feel it and I won't deny it. I belong to you and you belong to me and there is nothing either one of us can do to change that."

"Yes, I feel that same urge or whatever you want to call it too. I just don't think it's wise for us to act on it. I love you too Justin but I can't have you. I'd go to jail if Lynn ever found out. I couldn't bare to be away from you."

"So, we wait until I'm legal. Then your ass, and all other parts, are mine. You make sure Joey knows that when I turn 16 I'm coming after what's mine."

"You got it Justin. We need to get back down there. Your mom's gonna be wondering what's up."

*****Two days later at Trans Con****

"Hi, Anya."

"Hey, Chris? Right?"

"Yep. You remembered?"

"No, not really. It's 11 o'clock and your names on the calendar. It wasn't hard to figure out."

"Oh," Chris responds with disappointment. "Well, we're (he points to JC, Justin and Joey) here to see Mr. Pearlman. As you stated, he's expecting us."

"Yes, he is. Please have a seat. There's one more person coming in for the meeting and he's not here yet."

"Oh, ok. Where do you want us to wait?"

"Hold on. I'll check and see if he wants you to wait here or in the conference room."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Hey guys?" Chris says.

"Yeah?" Justin answers.

"We gotta wait for one more person. Mr. Pearlman doesn't want to start without them."

"Great," JC mumbles. "More time for us to get nervous."

"Relax," Joey soothes. "You'll do fine."

"I know. I'm just really nervous. I don't think I was this nervous for the MMC auditions."

"Well, that's probably because you weren't serious about doing that." Justin states. "Just relax. Think about something else." His eyes wander over JC's body. "I know I am."

JC blushes, "Thanks Just."

Joey watches JC and Justin's interaction. What the hell was that all about? Why'd JC get so embarrassed? "You'll do great JC. You have a great voice and you know it."

"Ok Chris. You and your friend can come with me. Mr. Pearlman will be with you in a couple of minutes."

"Thanks Anya. You're a doll."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Gee, I see you have a way with the ladies there Christopher." Joey observes.

"Yeah, well. Not all of us can have every member of the species drooling over us. (He pointedly looks in JC's direction) Can we?"

Again JC blushes, "Can we all stop already? I'm nervous enough. I don't need you all making it worse."

"Sorry JC," Justin apologizes.

"Yeah. Didn't mean anything man." Chris states.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Lou says entering the room with another young man about the same age as JC and Joey. "We have four little boys trying to make it in the music industry but in need of another young boy to help them out. Huh?" Lou laughs evilly.

Justin moves so he is standing behind JC and Joey. JC and Joey make sure Justin is safely behind them before JC speaks, "Yes, I guess that would be what we are. And I suppose that you would be Mr. Lou Pearlman?"

"So, you're the brain of the group. Good. So we have the joker, Chris. The smart one, what did you say your name was?"

"I didn't," JC scowls, stepping closer to Joey and Justin protectively. "The name's JC Chasez. This is Joey Fatone and Justin Timberlake."

"Well, gentlemen, and I use the term loosely. It's nice to meet you, and yes, I'm Lou Pearlman and this is Jason Latona. He'll be your fifth. He sings bass. That is what you said you needed, isn't it Chris?"

"Yes, it is Mr. Pearlman."

"Please, you boys just well call me Lou. We're gonna be working awfully closely in the coming months (leering glance directed towards Justin). We might a well get off on a good start."

"Yeah, whatever," Chris dismisses. "So, you sing bass huh?"

"Yeah," Jason answers, staring at JC.

JC leans towards Joey, "Why is he looking at me like that? He's making me nervous."

"He's not looking at you any differently than Justin, Chris or I do JC."

"Yes, he is. You guys don't make me nervous. I don't like him and I don't like the way Lou is looking at Justin. He better not try anything."

"Or what? Not like your scrawny ass could do anything about it even if he did."

"I know but I'd sure give it a good try."

"I'm sure you would JC. Just calm down. He just seems like a greedy old man. I don't think he's gonna try anything. If I were you I'd be more worried about that Jason guy. He looks like he's about to jump you right here and now."

"Better not," Justin buts in. "I'll share with you, Joey, but ain't no way that slimeball is touching my man."

"Your man?" Joey questions. "Since when is he your man?"

"Guys," Chris interrupts. "Can we deal with JC sexiness later. We got other things to deal with right now."

"Yeah, sorry. Thanks Chris." JC breaths.

"No problem, but you're gonna have to deal with them soon, before it gets out of hand."

"I know. I have no idea what I'm gonna do about them. And now this guys gotta start. It's like I got some kind of curse or something."

"Nah. It's probably just part of your power. Or it could be that you're just incredibly sexy and no man or woman can keep their eyes off you."

"Thanks," JC says blushing again.

"Ok," Lou interrupts. "So what are you two? What do I classify you as? I got the comic and the smart/shy one. What are you?"

"Justin's into sports," JC answers.

"Good, we got a jock. And you?"

"Um, well. I don't know. What else you looking for?"

"Well with Backstreet I have a smart one, a shy one, a cute young one, a crazy one, and a sweet one. So which one are you?"

"He could be the lovable one. Everybody loves Joey," Justin puts in quietly.

"What? Speak up boy."

"I said, he could be the lovable one. People just seem to gravitate towards him. You put him in a room full of people and he'll come out friends with them all."

"Oh, well. We can work with that. What about you Jason, which one are you?"

"I don't care. I'm just here to sing. The rest doesn't matter to me."

"Well, you will care boy, when I get done with you."

"No I won't. All you said was I was to come here, meet these guys, sing a few songs and I'd be famous. So lets get this show on the road. I got shit to do and standing around here is not one of them."

Everybody in the room was shocked. Lou turned, glanced at him, and said, "Well, if that's all you're here for, you can leave now. This is going to take allot of hard work from each and everyone of you boys and if you aren't willing to put the time and energy into it then you need to walk now."

Jason proceeded to get up and walk out.

"Great," JC says. "Now what do we do?"

Lou looks up and says, "You sing. You came here to sing, so sing."

They sang 'The Star Spangled Banner' and then did a couple of other songs. Lou decided to go ahead and sign them with the stipulation that between the four of them they hunt down a fifth member.

"I don't care what you have to do. Just find a fifth member that is willing to work as hard as you boys and we'll go from there. I can give you three weeks then I need to get you into some kind of rehearsals so you can learn some new songs and start working on becoming a group. We got a long road ahead of us. I hope you boys realize that."

"Yes sir. We do." JC answered. "We'll do whatever it takes. We'll work hard to make this happen. Thank you for giving us this chance."

"I hope you really are willing to do the work. I'll see you boys in three weeks. I suggest you have that fifth member by then." Lou got up and left the room.

"So. How we gonna find another person in three weeks?" Joey asks.

"I have no idea." Chris states. "I've tried everything I can think of. Any of you know anyone that could possibly do it? Or may know someone who could find us someone?"

Justin looks at JC, "I could talk to my old vocal coach and see if he knows anyone that might be interested."

"Great. Let's get the kid home so he can make a phone call." Joey states.

"Yes, let's go home." JC says wearily.

****Back at the Harless Household****

"So how did the interview go boys?"

"It went pretty good. I guess." Chris states.

"You guess? You mean you don't know?" Lynn questions. "Why? What happened?"

"Well, Lou brought this guy in and explained how much hard work it was gonna take to make it in the industry. Well, the guy just got up and walked out, so we're back to just the four of us. Lou gave us three weeks to find a fifth person or we lose the deal." Chris explains.

"So. I'll call Justin's old vocal coach and see if he knows of anybody. Hold on. I know I got the number around here somewhere. Here it is." She picks up the phone, dials, "Hello? Hi. This is Lynn Harless. Yes, I'm fine and you? Great, that's good to hear. Listen, I need to ask you for a favor. Yeah, I know it's been a while. He's doing fine. Listen this is important. Yeah. Do you know anyone that can carry off a deep bass? Needs to be around Justin's age or a bit older. Great thanks. Do you have a number for him? Yeah, I have something. Go ahead. Yeah. Yeah. Great thank you sooo much." She hangs up the phone, "Ok, boys I got a number to someone who may be able to help. We just have to convince his mom to let him join."

"Mom that's great. Can we call him now? Please?" Justin enthuses.

"I think it might be better if I call, Justin. Your coach sounded pretty sure that his mom was gonna say no. I might go over better if we do this mother to mother. Ok?"

"Ok mom. But can you call now? Please?"

"Fine. I'll call now." She picks up the phone again and dials the number she had written down. "Hello. Is this the Bass residence?"