Part 4
Justin knocked at Lance and JC's door. They were already late and he hadn't heard from his two friends yet. He had also called them but no one had answered. He was getting worried. From JC he could understand. He was often late. But Lance was always in time with the schedule, never missing anything. And now Joey and Chris were waiting in the lobby while Justin was getting frustrated in front of the door.

He knocked another time, calling Lance's name. He sighed when the only answer he got was a boring silence. He tried the doorknob, hoping it was unlocked. He smiled to himself when he heard the soft 'click' made by the door and the movement of it opening.

" Lance?" He took a look at the room and immediately noticed the form on the bed. He plopped down on it and shook Lance.

" Wake up sleepyhead. We're gonna be late." He jumped repetitively on the bed, chuckling. Lance groaned and pushed Justin off the bed.

" Hey!" Justin cried. " Why have you done that? You're feeling pissy or what? Are you PMSing?" Lance sat up and looked at the floor where Justin was, glaring at him.
" I'm sorry. I'm not in the mood okay. If you could just leave me alone." Lance said, his voice cold.

The curly haired man stood up quickly and forced his friend to sit up. " Man, have you slept at all last night?" Justin asked, taking in the appearance of his friend. The bags under his eyes, the lack of life in them. " And where's JC?"

" JC is gone. He left us, he left me. He's gone with his illuminated friends who think they found the new Eden." Lance said harshly. He waited for a reply from Justin but didn't get one. He turned his head so he could see. Justin was staring at him, almost as if Lance had a second head growing up. "What?"
" You're kidding right? I mean, JC would never do something like that. He's not stupid. He believes in God and all. Why would he do something like that?" Lance snorted at the answer coming from Justin and stood up.
" If I knew Justin. If only I knew…" he whispered making his way to the windows. He remembered the feels of JC's hands on him. The softness of his lips, the taste of his tongue. He breathed deeply and concentrated on looking in front of him.
" Lance, we'll bring him back to you. I swear, even if I had to beat the shit out of him, he'll come back to his senses." Justin said, moving beside Lance who smiled weakly at his friend.
" Why are you doing this Justin? Why are you so…devoted to match JC and me together? Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your support. But I don't understand why it seems so important for you." Lance asked softly, doing his best to understand Justin's motivation. But thinking was out of line for him right now. Justin played with his T-shirt and sat on a chair near the window.
" Because I'm not blind. I've always seen the way you two looked at each other. The way you always seemed happy when he was around. And it was the same for JC. And now I want you both happy. JC is like my big brother. He was there when I was so scared I couldn't go out of my room. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for him. And well, you're my best friend Lance. You stayed with me when the rest of the guys went clubbing and I couldn't go. You just…you were there when I needed a friend. And now it's my turn to be there for you and for JC. And I swear I won't let you fall apart." Justin explained truthfully, causing Lance to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. He had never heard his young friend talk like that.
" Thanks Just." The youngest man looked up at his friend.
" You can cry Lance. I won't think less of you."
" What are you talking about?" Lance said, swallowing nervously.
" I just said, you can cry. Let it out." Justin said, standing up. He was almost nose to nose with Lance.
" Why would I cry?" The now uncomfortable blond said.
" You can cry." Justin said seriously, looking directly at Lance's eyes.
" You sound like Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting." Lance laughed nervously hoping his friend would laugh too.
" That's the whole point Lance." The blue eyed man said and put his hand on Lance's shoulder. The contact made it. Lance's started to cry softly but he was fighting. Crying was the last thing he wanted. " It's okay Lance. Cry it out." Justin continued, wrapping his arms around Lance.

Few minutes later, Lance wiped the tears and slowly disengaged from Justin's protective embrace. Silently he thanked the youngest man and walked away, suddenly feeling stupid. He felt like he was crying for nothing. It wasn't like he had been with JC for a long time. They had only shared one night together. 'But it hurt' he thought, sitting on the bed with a sad sigh. Justin joined him and friendly put his arms around his friend's shoulders.

" Did he tell you where he was going?" Justin asked, worried for JC, more than he wanted to admit. Lance nodded and pointed the paper on the table. " We'll go see him. It's not too late." Lance nodded again.

" HEY! ARE YOU STILL ALIVE? DO YOU REMEMBER US?" The two young men jumped a feet in the air at the sudden yelling coming from the door. They immediately recognised Joey's voice.
" Oops, I guess I forgot them…" Justin said, feeling guilty. Lance couldn't help but smile.

" Come in guys." The youngest man said when he reached the door and opened it for his friends. " There's a little change of plan for today."
" Huh?" Chris asked in confusion. He looked around the room and saw Lance sitting on the bed with red eyes. But no JC in sight. " What's going on? Where's JC?"
" JC's gone." Lance said from his spot on the bed.
" What? Where? When? How?" Joey shouted getting small chuckled from his friends.
" Calm down Joe. We know where he is. And we're going right now."
" But Justin…" Chris started before he was cut by Justin.
" No buts. Nothing is more important than getting Josh back and fast." 'If it's not already too late' he continued in his head.

Justin rushed them outside and took the paper with him. Lance stopped him at the door and embraced him in a friendly hug.

" Thanks man. For everything."
" It's nothing. You're my friend. I want you happy." Justin said, patting his friend back.
" Are you two coming anytime soon or you're planning on letting us wait again?"

Lance and Justin turned around and faced an impatient Chris. They laughed at the sight. Chris's hands were on his hips and he was tapping the floor with his feet. A slight frown completing the amusing sight. Then Justin dragged Lance in the hall with him.

" Where are we going anyway?" Chris asked, following his three bandmates down the hall.
" JC is in trouble."
Joey raised his eyebrows and looked at Chris. The older man shrugged and threw his hand in the air in desperation. Joey cleared his throat and stopped walking. The others stopped as well.
" Care to tell us what kind of trouble?"
" I'm not sure how deep he's in." Lance said.
" In what? Your name is James Lance Bass not James Bond, tell us already." Chris nearly yelled.
" You'll see soon. But be prepared okay. I don't know in which state he will be…" Lance said and started walked again. The rest of the group had no others choice; they followed Lance.

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