"What? What are you two up to?" Joey looks down to see two sets of brown eyes staring up at him.
"What the hell do you think we want you big Ohf? We want food and we want it now?" Dirk says.
"Yeah, what he said." Busta chimes in.
"Hey, Lance?"
"What Joey? Lance is busy. What's up?" JC asks, emerging from the bedroom.
"Dude. I'm thinking these two are hungry. They been sitting here giving me this look for a few minutes now."
"Hang on. Hey, Chris? Your dog's hungry. You got any food for him? I'm getting Dirk some food, I just well ought to get your mutt something too." JC yells.
"Just give him one of those little cans of food on the counter. If you want to give Dirk one I don't mind. I think they're all meat product so it shouldn't bother his stomach too much."
"Nah, the gal at the store gave Lance some special food that's just for house bred ferrets. I don't think it would be a good idea to change what he's been eating. Especially with us being on the bus for the next three days. It's gonna be a long enough trip the way it is. We don't need any sick critters to make it worse."
"Ok." Chris yells. "Thanks man. I appreciate it."
"No problem dude."
"Hey, JC?" Justin questions. "Why are you taking care of that rat? It seems that when Lance got those other rats, you didn't want anything to do with them, but you've been taking better care of Dirk than Lance. What's up with that man?"
"Nothing. Don't worry your curly head about it Justin. Lance is busy and I said I'd do it." JC answers.
"It just seems strange, that's all." Justin mumbles to Joey.
"Yeah, well just drop it would you?" JC snaps.
"Sorry man." Justin apologizes.
"Soooo… Who is Lance staying with while his house is getting redone?" Joey asks.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Justin questions.
"He's gonna stay with me. And to answer your question Justin, Lance is having some work done on his house and it's not livable right now." JC stated
"He's staying with you? Hmm. Guess that makes sense." Joey says.
"Yeah, we're gonna work on some songs and I'm gonna see if I can help him get his books straight for FreeLance."
"Really? What's wrong with his books?" Justin asks.
"I don't know. He hasn't shown them to me yet. I'm not sure he wants you all to know about it anyway, so don't say anything to him about it ok?"
"Sure. Well, if anyone can help with that stuff it's you. That's for sure." Chris jokes from the doorway.
"What you trying to say man?" JC snaps.
"Nothing! Calm down. I'm just saying, you've always been good with numbers and shit. If you and Lance can't figure it out then I don't think anyone can. That's all." Chris defends.
"Oh, yeah, well thanks." JC mumbles.
JC feeds the critters their food and then goes back in the bedroom. "Hey, baby. You about done with that stuff?"
"Yeah. Couple more minutes K?"
"Ok."
Lance slams his laptop shut and looks over to JC, "Done."
"Yay! Now what you wanna do?"
"I'm thinking we should talk to the guys. Get that out of the way. You?"
"That sounds good but there is something I would like to do first."
Lance strolls over to the bed and sits next to JC, "Oh, what's that?"
"This." He pulls Lance down til their lips meet in a passionate kiss. When they pull apart for a breath of air , "Now we can go tell the guys. I'm ready."
"Um, yeah." Lance stammers. "Let's do that."
"Yes. I knew they were getting it on." Busta squeals.
"Will you shut up? You're gonna get them caught. They haven't said anything to the others yet." Dirk admonishes.
"Come on. We have something to take care of. Then we can come back in here and finish this." JC says getting up and heading for the door.
"Jayce? Wait." Lance begins. "Are you sure they're gonna be ok with this? I mean…"
"Lance," JC walks over and puts his arms around Lance. "It's gonna be fine. They're our brothers. They aren't gonna hate us."
"You sure?"
"I'm positive. I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't already figured it out."
"Really, you think?"
"It's possible. Come on. Let's get this over with." JC says again heading for the door.
"Where's Dirk? Have you seen him?"
"Huh? Dirk? Will you stop stalling already and come on?" JC states. "Besides the little fur ball is right here." JC reaches down and picks Dirk up. "I think you need to go see your master for a minute. I think he needs a little love and support."
"My master? Wait a minute. I thought you were my master. Who you talking about? What's going on? What did I miss?" Dirk rambles.
"Go on. Come here Lance and take him. He should help calm your nerves a bit and I'll be right there with you. We'll be fine. Stop worrying so much."
"Sorry, I'm just nervous about this."
"Well, relax. They didn't freak out when we both came out to them. Why would you think they'd freak out over this?"
"I don't know. Guess I'm just a chicken."
"Mmmm. Chicken. That sounds good. Hey buy the way. What the hell was that crap you gave me to eat earlier? It tasted like crap. Please don't feed me anymore of that stuff." Dirk mumbled looking at JC.
Lance and JC make their way back out of the bedroom and into the main lounge of the Penthouse.
"Guys," JC starts. "Can we have your attention for a few minutes? Please?"
"Um sure Jayce. What's up?" Joey asks noticing the two holding hands he smiles.
"JC? Why are you holding Lance's hand?" Chris questions.
"Hey, Dirk? What's going on? What'd I miss? Why is that guy that's holding you so white? He don't look so good man." Busta barks.
"JC, you better start explaining your self fast. What's going on here." Justin demands.
JC stops and looks at Lance to make sure he's ok. He notices Lance is about to crush Dirk and takes his other hand in his. "Lance and I are together."
"What do you mean by together?" Chris asks.
"He means they're 'dating' you idiot. Right guys?" Joey comments.
"What are you talking about Justin?" Chris asks.
"Dude, don't you think they are like, perfect for each other?" Justin answers. "It's not like they can go out and date anybody they want. This way they can be with the person they like and still tour and work just as hard as they want. No one will be suspicous of their relationship as long as they don't get carried away in public."
"Thanks Justin. I'm glad you feel that way. I never thought of all that but those are some good points." Lance states.
"Dude. You are alive. I was starting to wonder. You ok?" Chris asks.
"Yeah. I was just a bit nervous about how you guys were gonna take all this. I'm so glad you all are ok with it." Lance answers.
"Yeah. We're cool with it." Joey says. "Just try to keep you're hands off each other in public and we'll be fine. I don't care what you do as long as it's just the five of us. Well, no mad sex with the rest of us in the room but kissing and shit is cool. Just not in front of the crew or fans. Got it?"
"Yeah, got it and thanks guys." Lance says.
"Hey, Dirk. Looks like everything's cool here. Where'd you but my boa? I wanna play. Come on."
"Yeah, let's go. Looks like I'm not needed here any more." Dirk jumps off Lance's lap and he and Busta head off to JC's room to play.
"Yeah?"
"You ever figure out what a 'Press' or a 'Fan' is?"
"Nope. They must be some terrifying creatures though. All five of those guys are scared of them. They can't be good things."
"Yeah, I didn't think they were. You figure out what that big hairy brown thing was yet?"
"Nope, been too busy checking this place out. Come on. Let's go see what it is."
"Um, you go ahead. I think I'll stay here on the floor with the boa's where it's safe."
"Chicken."
"Yep. I got no problem with that."
"Didn't think you did. Just keep an eye open for JC and Lance. Don't want to get caught climbing on the clothes. Might get in trouble for that. Never know with them two. They get crazy over the strangest things."
"Yeah. I'll watch for them. Now hurry up."
"K." He climbs up a chair next to the closet and jumps into a pocket in the coat. "Wow. This thing is nice, Busta. Come on over here. It's not gonna hurt us. What ever it is it's nice and warm. See if you can work your way into that chair over there and I'll see if I can get a piece of it over there so you can feel it."
"Ok. Hang on. I'm not sure if I can get into that chair. It's pretty high off the floor. Umf. Yeah. I made it. I don't believe it. Did you see that Dirk? I actually got my ass up here all by myself."
"Yeah. Great job. Now keep it down or they'll all be in here and we'll get in trouble. Here. Check it out. Isn't that the softest thing you've ever felt? What I wouldn't give to have this thing to sleep on."
"Yep. It's nice alright. And really warm. Damn, too bad it's hanging in this closet."
"Uh oh. You better get…."
"Chris get your damn dog away from my coat. What the hell? Dirk? What are you doing in there? Get out now?" JC fumes. "You better not have done anything to my coat or you'll be a boa yourself. Now go play."
"JC calm down. He didn't do anything. They were just checking it out. It probably frightened the shit out of them. Thing probably looks like a bear or something to them." Lance soothes.
"I know. I just don't want it to get ruined." JC says turning into Lance's arms.
"I don't think they did anything to it. Dirk's been pretty good so far. Right? He hasn't really got into anything and he's been a good boy so why would you think he'd try to destroy your jacket?"
"I don't know. Maybe in self defense. You said it yourself. It probably looks like a bear to them."
"Well, you can relax. No harm was done to the jacket and they seem to be fine with leaving it alone now. So come on. Let's go to bed. We got a long day tomorrow."
"Ok. Fine but I better not catch you near that coat again, Dirk. You got that?" JC admonishes.
"Ok, geez. Don't have a cow ok. I got it. The stuff in the suitcase is cool to play with. The stuff in there is off limits. That's cool. I understand."
"Good boy. Now go get your boa and go to sleep."
"What? You're not gonna let me sleep up there with you again? What's kinda crap is that?"
Dirk scoots himself into a corner and looks forlornly at JC and Lance who have commenced making out on the bed. "Figures. I gotta sleep on the floor so you two can get it on. Well, I'll let you have your fun then I'm climbing up there. Don't even think I'm sleeping on this nasty ass floor."
"Jayce?"
"Yeah?"
"Where is Dirk?"
JC looks around the room, "He's over in the corner with his boa."
"Oh. Ok. Come back here. Where you going?"
"I can't stand to see him like this. He looks so lost down there."
"He can stay there for a few minutes. I want you first. Then he can have your attention. Now get your gorgeous ass back in bed."
"But. Fine. How can I resist you?"
"Mmm. That's better. Now where were we?"
"I think I was right here." JC stretches over Lance's body, leans down and kisses him. "Yep. I'm pretty sure this is where we were."
"Mmmm. I think so." Lance runs his hands down JC's back, stopping short at the hem of his shirt. "You think you could take this off?"
"Um… Yeah. I think I could." JC sits up, takes off his shirt, then reaches down and says, "You too."
"K." Lance leans up a bit so JC can pull his shirt up and over his head.
"Yep, that is definitely better. You let me know if you want to stop ok?"
"I will."
"I just want to look at you and kiss you all over Lance. You turn me on so much, but I really don't think we're ready to take this too much farther. You won't be mad at me if that's all we do will you?
"No. I won't be mad at you. I feel the same way Jayce."
"Good."
They kiss and cuddle for a little bit longer. Lance starts to drop off to sleep and JC looks over to Dirk all curled up in his boa. Dirk is still looking all forlorn and depressed.
"Come on Dirk. Come over here boy." JC coaxes.
Dirk picks his head up and looks at JC. "What now you want me to come over there."
"Oh, come on Dirk. Don't be like that. Come on or you can sleep on the floor from now on."
"What? Oh, no you don't. You are not gonna make me sleep on the floor all the time. No way in hell. I'm coming hang on, I gotta get my boa."
Dirk drags his boa over to the side of the bed and JC scoops him up. "I don't know how Baron is gonna react to you, but there is now way I'm gonna let Lance go because my dog wants to eat his ferret. I hope you and Baron can get along."
"What is Baron? Why is everybody so afraid of it? Between this 'Baron', that 'fan' thing, and that 'press' thing, you guys sure have allot of things that scare you. I thought humans were brave. I guess I got a lot to learn still."
"Go to sleep Dirk. We'll worry about what to do with Baron and you when we get home." JC mumbles as he wraps his arms around Lance and pulls him close. "Night love."