It's been a couple days since Joey and Chris had been filled in on what was going on with Justin. They had both packed up and moved into the house with us. Joey took over cooking (thank goodness). Chris and Lance took turns holding Justin. I took care of the three of them, making sure Joey didn't go over board on the cooking. Making sure Chris and Lance got plenty of rest and neither one stayed too long with Justin.

Although Justin would release Lance every now and again and allow Chris to sit with him, Justin still relied on Lance the most. If he woke up and Lance wasn't in the room, all hell would break out. He'd start crying and calling for Lance. He would calm down a bit if I was there but Lance was the only one who could get him to stop crying.

I had just sat down a load of laundry that needed to be washed when I heard the cry. Lance had just gone out for a much needed walk, Joey was at the store with Chris, so it was just me and Justin. He had finally started sleeping for longer periods of time so we had thought they would have plenty of time before he woke up.

When I heard the yell I took the stairs two at a time. He still wasn't strong enough to do much on his own. Although he had finaly been able to keep a peice of plain toast down this morning. I walked into the room and approached the bed slowly.

"Justin? What is it? What's the matter?" I asked gently as I pulled his frail body into mine.

"Lance? Where's Lance?"

"He went for a walk, sweetie. I'm here, though. Is there something I can get for you?"

"No, want Lance?"

"Just, you can't have Lance at the moment. He's out. He'll be back soon and then you can hold him but he's not here right now. Come on, calm down sweetie. He'll be back soon."

"Josh?"

"Yeah, it's me Just."

"Why doesn't he love me?"

"What? Who doesn't love you?"

"Lance, why doesn't he love me? Why'd he pick you?"

"I can't tell you why he picked me, Just. But I can tell you that I love him very much. He also loves you a great deal."

"But he is 'in' love with you Jayce. Why can't he love me like he does you? I need that kind of love. It hurts so much to not have that love."

"Justin, *sigh*. We all love you very much. I know you need to be loved. Someday you'll find the kind of love that Lance and I have. I promise you it will come soon."

"But Jayce. You and Lance have something that I've never seen before. You have a love that surpasses anything I've seen. I don't think even your parents love each other as much as you and Lance love one another. How can you promise that I'll have that kind of love in my life?"

"Justin, with all the love in your heart, there is no way that you couldn't have the kind love that Lance and I have."

"But, I have no one to return the love."

"Um..." A voice from the door startles us both.

I look up and see two blondes watching us from the doorway. Lance, smiling from ear to ear, walks over, clims in the bed behind Justin. He pulls Lance back into his embrace and begins to whisper in Justin's ear. The other blonde enters the room nervously watching as Lance whispers to Justin.

When Lance pulled Justin into his arms I got up and moved to my usual spot behind Lance, then turned my attention to our visitor.

"Jayce, be nice. He's here for a reason." Lance whispered just as I was about to ask why he was there.

"Nick, why don't you come sit here on the bed (Lance pats the bed next to Justin)?"

Nick walks over and gently sits next to Justin, "Um...Hi..."

"Lance," Justin whispers. "Why did you bring him here?"

"Justin. Let him say his peace. He's not here to hurt you." Lance squeezes Justin and kisses his cheek. "It's ok Justin."

I reached forward and put a hand on Justin's shoulder, "We're here Just."

Justin brought his hand up and clenched mine, "Why are you here, Carter?"

"Um....I..."

"Either spit it out or get out." Justin growls.

"Um...I....I...I came to....Um...I'm here to apologize. I've never been very good at relationships and well...." He trailed off glancing up to meet Lance's eyes. As he looks at me I see the reason he's here.

"Just, give him a chance sweetie." I encourage.

Justin relaxed his grip a bit on my hand, "What's up Nick? What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Um...I...I just wanted to say that, I really like you."

"Ok. So what are you apologizing for? And why'd you say that about relationships?"

"Well, I thought maybe...when...you...you know..."

"What Nick is trying to say Justin," Lance cut in. "Is that when you get better, maybe you two could maybe try to start some kind of relationship."

Justin turned to look at Lance, "Really?"

Lance just nods.

"I don't know if that's such a great idea."

"What?" Nick blurts, "Why not?"

"Because, you come walzing in here and expect me to buy this crap about you wanting a relationship? Why, what's the catch?"

"There is no catch. I really like you and I'm willing to prove it. I'll do what ever it takes to prove that I'm worth it."

I work my way out from under Lance, motion for Nick to follow me and leave the room. Nick follows me out the room and down the hall.

"What the hell was that shit? You can't just come in and expect him to jump at the chance to date "Nick Carter". "

"I know, but I wanted him to know that there are people, other than you guys, that care about him a great deal."