Part 11
Justin, Chris and Joey ran in the halls of the hospital, searching for Lance's room. All they knew was that their friend had been admitted few hours ago and they had to pick him up. They were surprised to get the call from a nurse instead of JC but didn't ask question. Finding the room, they slowly made their way inside. They saw Lance half awake on the bed with bandages o his shoulder, his arms and one of his legs. At the sound of his friends, Lance woke up completely.

" Hey man. Are you okay?" Justin asked, moving closer to the bed. Lance nodded and reached for his glass of water. Seeing his friend wince in pain, Justin grabbed it for him and handed him quickly, spilling water on Lance's lap.
" Thank Justin. Now they'll think I peed in my pants." Lance joked, offering a weak smile. The curly man giggled and apologised. " Hey guys." Lance said two his friends standing in the doorway. The two older men nodded and smiled, standing at the end of the bed. Lance looked at them and then glanced at the door. " Where's Josh?"
" What?" Justin asked from the side of the bed. " He's not here?"
" I…I don't know." Lance said, a lump forming in his throat. "I woke one hour ago and I didn't see him. I thought he had gone back to the hotel to get you all. You didn't saw him?" They all shook their head and Lance's face paled. He vaguely remembered seeing JC, but it was in a blur.
" You don't think he went back with…them?" Joey asked to Lance, who couldn't answer.
" There was a boat. Maybe he's on it." Lance said as more vague memories flood in his mind. He didn't see the look of fear appearing on his three friends' face.

Chris looked at Joey, panicked. He wondered if the look that he saw on the Italian face was the same that he had on his own. But he knew they were thinking the same thing. At the same time they both looked at Justin. Talking with their eyes, Justin nodded glanced at Lance who was lost in his own world. The two other men quickly excused themselves from their young friend and hurried out of the room. Once outside, Chris sat on a chair and sighed.

" Do you think it's the same boat? The one that exploded two hours ago? Do you think JC was on it? Is he dead? Oh my god…" the eldest said, running his hands on his face, trying to make a rational thought.
" I'm gonna call the police. Maybe they can give us some info." Joey said as he walked toward a public phone. Chris only shook his head in disbelief.

Joey came back fifteen minutes later, tears in his eyes. He swallowed and looked at his best friend.

" It was the same boat."

They both felt silent, immediately thinking JC had been on the boat when it had exploded. Both thinking they had lost one of their best friends. Chris started to cry softly, soon followed by Joey who sat on the floor. That's how Justin found them when he walked out of the room. He didn't had to ask, he knew why they were crying.

" I think we should get some coffee." Justin said, his voice trembling.
" But Lance…we have to tell him." Joey said weakly.
" He's asleep for now. We'll be back before he wakes up. And I don't think I can face him right now."

~*~

From the doorway of another room, JC watched his friends leave. He had seen them cry. He knew they must think he was dead and couldn't bring himself to walk to them. He didn't want to face them. Not until he would have forgiven himself. When he was sure they were out of sight, he adjusted his disguise and went into Lance's room. He immediately smiled when he saw him with his angelic face. He frowned when he saw the bandages, and silently cursed himself.

Standing close to the bed, he reached for Lance. He was almost touching his arms but not completely. He jerked his hand away when Lance moved on his side. He observed quietly the way his love didn't stay longer in this position. JC assumed it was because of the pain. Without thinking, he kissed Lance forehead and smiled when he heard the happy sigh.

' They'll think I'm dead. I don't want them to be sad. But I don't want them to search for me.' JC thought as he looked at Lance. 'It's better for everyone.' He finally concluded, leaving the room before anyone could see him.

~*~

Lance opened his eyes believing he would see JC. But all he saw was Justin. Justin who had tears rolling on his cheeks. He looked around and saw Chris and Joey, crying too.

" What's wrong?" The adorable blond asked, sitting up on the bed.
" The boat JC was on…there was an explosion and…the police say the chance to find him alive are slim to none." Joey explained, wiping his tears away.
" But maybe he wasn't on the boat. Why would he have gone back on it? He didn't believed in them anymore. He had no reason to go back there. You have no proof he's dead." Lance said, not believing what he was hearing.
" He's nowhere to be found Lance. Do you really think JC would leave like that? Without explanation? I'm sorry Lance." Justin said, sitting on the bed and hugging his friend.

Lance held on Justin tightly. He had no idea how he would manage without JC. He didn't want to try. He hadn't told him he loved him.

" I want to get out of here. I want to be in my home, in my room." Lance said on a tone that didn't leave place for a reply.
" I'll go talk to the doctor." Chris said, running out of the room.

~*~

They were back in Florida, Lance not able to leave his friends, not able to go back in Mississippi. He needed to be with his friends and they needed him. They all crashed to Justin's house. Looking outside, none of them could see any journalist. They were still amazed that nothing had gone to the media. It has been a couple of days since Lance had been in the hospital. JC's death hadn't been officially declared because they hadn't found his body, yet. They all kept a small hope that their friend was alive.

Lance was curled on the couch, looking blankly in front of him. He knew his three friends were doing the same into their room. Tired of the silence, tired to have time to think, Lance turned on the television and the first thing he heard made him close his eyes. It was now out in the public. Everyone would know about JC. Hearing it from a pure stranger made Lance cried. It was more real coming from a journalist, more official.

He turned off the television. Outside the moon was shining brightly. He observed it for a while until he felt asleep, tears in his eyes. As he was falling asleep, he could almost swear he had seen JC looking at him through the window. But he didn't bother to open his eyes.

From the window, JC saw the object of his affection slowly falling asleep. He wanted nothing more than walks in there and kisses his green-eyed friend until the morning. He missed staring into those eyes. He knew where the key was; he knew the security code. He could walk in if he wanted. But he didn't. He would stay around until he was ready to face his friends.

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