****Later that Afternoon****

"Hey, you're back," Anya states.

"Yep, you missed me," Chris smiles. "I knew you would."

"Whatever," she dismisses. "You're a bit early and Lou is in a meeting with Ivan right now. So you're gonna have to wait."

"That's cool girl, Johnny isn't here yet anyway and we're not..."

JC's hand clamps over Chris' mouth. "She doesn't need to know anymore than we are waiting for Johnny." he whispers.

JC drags Chris over to the waiting area.

"Geez, Jayce, it's not like I was selling government secrets or something. You really gotta get a handle on your suspicious mind."

"Shut up." JC growled. "not every..."

He trails off as Joey and Justin put a hand on either shoulder.

"Jayce, calm down. He's just being Chris man. You know how he is," Justin states.

"Yeah, you know he runs off at the mouth before his brain kicks in," Joey adds.

"I know, just sometimes I wish his brain would kick in gear first."

"Well, perhaps," Justin nods towards Lance. "He can help. Chris has really taken a liking to him."

"True, and Lance seems like a pretty calm kid," Joey adds.

"Sorry guys," JC sighs. "I just get a really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach everytime I come here."

"Gentlemen," Johnny smiles. "You're all here. Wonderful."

"Yeah, but Lou is in another meeting," Chris states.

"They're ready for you now," Anya states. "Same room as last time."

"Thank you," Johnny replies.

They walk down the hall and into the conference room.

"Gentlemen," Lou smiles. "It's good to see you all again." He shakes everyone's hand. "And who is this young man," he asks while looking Lance up and down.

JC, once again stepping between Lou and the rest of the guys, "This is Lance."

Lou takes Lance's hand and pulls him from behind JC, "It's nice to meet you son."

Lance shakes Lou's hand and then yanks his hand away quickly. "Nice to meet you too." He states quietly.

"Now, that is a beautiful bass voice. "Lou smiles wrapping an arm around Lance's shoulder. "Let's go see what it sounds like when you sing, shall we?"

Lance looks to Chris and then meets JC's eyes, "Sure."

JC meets Lance's eyes and notices they have taken on a more emerald color and have begun to glow. "Hey, Lou?" He states, "Are we gonna be meeting with Ivan again today?"

Lou turns (removing his arm from Lance's shoulder) "Yes, you will and you will be getting your first taste of rehearsing with him."

"Cool," Chris chimes in. "We are finally gonna get this show on the road."

"Don't get too excited Chris." Johnny warns, "You boys have a lot of work to do before you can actually get 'the show on the road'."

"I know, but we are finally a group." Chris responds.

"Yeah, this is so cool. I can't believe it's actually gonna happen." Justin states.

JC just quietly listens to his friends (I just hope it all goes well. I don't trust Lou.)

"So Lance," Lou begins. "Here is the contractt that the others have all signed. If you would be so kind as to look it over and then sign it, we can get on with this little meeting and getting to the waarehouse to begin learning your routines."

"I'll read through it and return it in the morning." Lance states. He meets Lou's gaze with one that says, 'And don't challenge me on this.'

"That would be fine." Lou states raising an eyebrow, "Ok then, we have a couple other things to go over." He hands each one of them a seperate set of identical papers. "This, gentlemen, is your itenerary for the next three months. You will be at each destination promptly at the time assigned. You will not be late, no exceptions. There is no rescheduling. All five of you will be at 'every' appointment. At the end of the three months, if you are all still alive and together, you will go to Belgium to start on your first song."

"Wow," Joey exclaims, "Some of these times are pretty close."

"You will have a car that will pick you up and drive you to each appointment. Most of your time will be spent in the warehouse, working on learning how to dance together and sing together. Now, lets get you all to the warehouse. As you can see we start today. Food will be brought in for lunch and dinner."

"Lunch and dinner?" Justin exclaims, blipping through the schedule. "How long are we here for?"

"Til eight, J." JC states. "Don't you want to hear Lance sing?"

"Oh, yes. That would be a good idea, I guess." Lou answers. "Sing something for me Lance."

"Um, like what?"

"I don't care, something, anything."

"Ok," Lance says, "Michael row the boat ashore."

"Perfect, wonderful. Let's go. Off to the warehouse we go."

"But..." JC starts.

"He's perfect. I don't need to hear him with you boys. The vocal coach will make sure you all blend anyway. Now, let's go."

As they walk to the car Lance grabs JC's arm, "Thanks man."

"For what?"

"For getting Lou to take his arm off me."

"No problem man. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"I'll ask later," he looks around. "I don't want anyone else to here what I have to say."

"Ok, come on, I think they're waiting for us."

They get in the car and head over to the warehouse.

Lou leads the way in, "This boys, is the warehouse. This will be your new home for the next three months."

Chris leans into Joey, "Is it hot in here or what?"

"There is no airconditioner but if it gets to hot you can open the windows," Lou states.

They all look at the small slips of glass near the roof of the building.

"Well, maybe I'll have industrial fans brought in," Lou grumbles.

"Gee, he's so generous," Joey states.

JC walks up behind him, puts a hand on the small of Jey's back, "Shhh, he'll hear you."

"So."

"Please Joe, just don't piss this guy off." JC looks around nervously. "Somehting bad has happened here and I get the felling he (points to Lou) had something to do with it."

"So you feel it too?" Lance asks shyly.

"Yeah, we can't talk about it here though." JC answers.

"Boys!" Lou yells. "Come on Ivan isn't gonna wait all day."

Lance looks over to Lou and Ivan, "Now, he's pure evil," he whispers.

JC looks at Lance, "We definitely need to talk later."