Part 15
Justin ran into the airport, ignoring the angry glance he was getting. He couldn't wait to see Britney and hold her in his arms. He was aware of the stupid grin on his face while running toward the gate. He finally saw his girlfriend waiting with open arms. He spinned her around, laughing.

" I missed you so much." He whispered, his face buried into Britney's hair. His eyes were watering in joy. Britney smiled and kissed him softly on the neck before pulling away abruptly.
" Who was it?" She asked, hurt in her voice.
" What…what are you talking about?" Justin asked nervously, worried at the sudden change. Britney took a mirror out of her purse and put it in front of him, allowing him to see the small hickey. Justin gasped and brought his hand to his neck guiltily.
" So who was it?" Britney asked again, getting angry.
" Brit, it's not what you think…" he sighed sadly and leaned his forehead against hers. " Lance and I…" She gasped quietly, putting the pieces together while Justin kept talking. "…we needed it. Both of us. I love you with all my heart but I needed to be close to Lance. It was a one-time thing, we agreed to that. I know Lance had is reasons to do it and I had mine. I don't want to lose you…" Justin trailed, closing his eyes.
" Oh baby…" She whispered, pulling him into a kiss. " That's okay. I…I understand." She swallowed, surprised at her own words. Then she smiled slyly and looked at Justin. " You could have wait for me…"
Justin laughed and hugged her tightly. " You're bad Brit. That's why I love you."

~*~

Lance walked around the house, bored and lonely. The house was empty and he didn't like it. Justin was at the airport and he had no idea of where Chris and Joey were gone. He didn't like to be alone because it was giving him too much time to think.

Soon enough Lance had been everywhere in the house and had picked every JC related things: Pictures, books, CDs. He put everything in a small box and closed it. He delicately put the box on the table in the living room and sat on the couch. He stared at him blankly, loosing himself into his thoughts. He was tired. Both physically and emotionally, and he knew why. He couldn't go on like this any longer. He had to take a grip on himself.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear Justin and Britney calling his name repetitively. It wasn't until Britney touched his arms that he moved his head slowly.

" Hey Britney!" He said, smiling, but it didn't quiet reach his eyes.
" You're okay? We've been calling your name for the last few minutes and you didn't hear us." Justin said, sitting beside him so now he and Britney were on each side of the blond man.
" I'll be. It's time for me to move on."

Just then the door opened again. Joey and Chris walked in, followed by JC who looking shyly around. The three young friends on the couch stayed still, stunned. It wasn't something they had expected. Justin was the first one to react. He stood up and walked to JC, hugging him. JC returned the hug awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable in the embrace.

" I…man I thought you were dead." Justin said as a single tear escaped his closed eyes. He pulled away and saw JC looking at Lance.

Lance's hands were gripping the couch tensely, his eyes emotionless. Britney felt him shaking and immediately put her arm around him. She had to or she would probably faint. Lance stayed cold at the comforting gesture. Joey and Chris looked worriedly at each other. Justin didn't know what to do and JC was just standing there, waiting hopefully. JC took a step forward and hurt echoed through his body as he saw Lance clutching the couch tighter.

" Lance…" JC whispered, wordless in front of the man he loved.

Lance shook his head and stood up. JC tried to reach him but the green eyes man jerked away, purposely ignoring everyone around him.

Once out of view, Lance leaned against the wall and sat on the floor. He looked at his shaking hands and exhaled slowly. He couldn't believe JC was within reaching distance and he had walked away. He had waited for this moment for the last month but couldn't bring himself to go to him. He closed his eyes and listened the conversation going on in the living room.

Surrounded by an uncomfortable silence, Justin put his hand on JC's shoulder, needing to know if he was really there. The brunet shrugged it away and glared at the curly man. Justin glanced at his girlfriend nervously before looking back at JC.

" Are you hurt? What happened? Where were you? Lance missed you so much." JC snorted at the words.
" You sure took advantage of it huh? I never thought you were a player Justin." He said as he moved closer to Justin until their noses were almost touching.
" Wait! I never took advantage of Lance." Justin defended.
" I saw you yesterday. Does Britney knows you're a cheater?" JC spitted more bitterly than he had intended to.

" Stop it right now JC!" Britney said loudly from her spot on the couch. She stood up and put some space between JC and Justin. " I really don't think you have any right to talk like that to him. You don't know what he went through, what Lance went through, all of them. You don't realise how important you are for them. You've been into Justin and Lance's life since they were only teenagers. When you disappeared, one of the only stability they had in their life disappeared too. How did you expect them to react? They needed you JC. They have a part of you in them and being together was a chance to have a biggest part. They've been able to share it because they needed to. I would give everything I have for a friendship like Justin and Lance has. They were there for each other. I know what happened, I know why it happened and I'm dealing with it. It has nothing to do with you so let us be and mind your own business." She finished, breathless and anger dancing in her eyes. She had no intention to make Justin feel guilty about what he had done.

Everyone felt silent. Justin stared at his girlfriend, pride shining through his eyes and a little smile pulling at his lips. He put his arms around her waist and held her lovingly. JC stared at them in disbelief. They had never seen Britney burst out like that before.

" Remind me to never ever say anything wrong to Justin while she's around. Damn she would rip my head off." Chris whispered to Joey who couldn't help but smile.
" You took him away Justin. He doesn't want to see me…" JC said sadly, searching for an excuse.

It was then that Lance walked back into the living room. Even if he felt uncomfortable because everyone knew about him and Justin, he was glad Britney wasn't mad against them. He hoped she wasn't.

" Justin has nothing to do with it. You put yourself into this situation. Don't try to blame someone who was there." Lance said sternly, looking hard at JC. " Where were you?" Lance asked, trying to keep is voice steady.
" I needed time to think." JC replied quietly. " But I couldn't stay away of you anymore."
" I hope it was worth it." Lance said coldly before leaving again, but this time walking out of the house.

JC immediately followed him. The rest of the little group looked at each other.

" I need a drink." Joey said, going to the minibar. Everyone agreed and joined the Italian.

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