Michaela walked into the office bright and early, a cup of hot tea in her hand and a lot on her mind. Today was the big day. The day the three winners of the essay contest would show up to meet the guys for the first time. She had a ton of work ahead of her if she was to leave in the morning with everyone else. She noticed that the door to her office was slightly ajar as she walked closer. Laughing came from inside. Mike pushed the door open and was greeted with JC and Lance reading the morning paper on her couch.

"Hey guys. To what do I owe the pleasure of this early morning visit?" she asked as she set the cup of steaming liquid on the desk.

"We thought we'd give you just a little bit of hell while we still could." Lance shrugged climbing to his feet before he gave Mike a quick hug.

"What an original idea, but don't you guys give me hell no matter what?" she questioned suspiciously.

"Don't take anything Lance says seriously. He's delusional. Mornings don't agree with him." JC grinned as he also gave Mike a hug.

"I never take anything either of you say seriously, so what's the point of telling me not to?" Mike teased as she sat down in front of her laptop.

"So, when are the lucky girls showing up today?" Lance questioned as he sat back down.

"And the truth of the visit is let out of the bag. In about an hour." Mike laughed shaking her head.

"Don't be a smart ass. At least not this early in the morning." JC groaned covering his eyes.

"Sorry JC, it can't be helped. I wake up this way. Deal. You're gonna have to this summer." Mike replied as she turned on the computer.

Lance stood up and stretched. "I'm gonna go search for some coffee. JC, you want some?"

"No thanks. I don't need the caffeine." JC shook his head as Mike walked into the closet to retrieve on of the many boxes that would be needed for today. Lance nodded and walked out of the room. JC jumped to his feet and followed Mike into the closet.

"So Mike, let me ask you something." he said as she looked around the room with her hands on her hips.

"Go ahead." Mike sighed, obviously baffled as to where one of the boxes was located.

"I've known you for about two years now, and not once have I ever known you to go out on many dates or even have a boyfriend in that time. Why is that?" he asked leaning against the wall. Mike spotted the box she needed and stood up on tiptoe to reach it.

"I don't know. Maybe the right people just haven't asked." she shrugged, still trying to reach the box. "I really wish I were just a few inches taller."

"I like your height." JC countered from behind her as he reached for the box himself. Mike took a sharply indrawn breath when JC brushed up against her back.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to give you a scare." he said as the box came down in his strong and steady hands. "This the box you were looking for?"

Michaela nodded, her throat too dry to let any words pass through. JC gave her an odd look then turned to bring the box into the office.

"Justin, you keep looking at that and she's going to kill you where you stand." she heard JC warn as she stepped out of the closet. She looked over to her desk, and there was Justin reading a sheet of paper that had been lying on her desk.

"Ever hear of private property?" she demanded snatching the sheet from his hands.

"Sorry Mike. I didn't know it wasn't meant for everyone. Who's Paul?" he questioned a devilish gleam in his eyes.

"Paul is none of your business. Nor will he ever be, so don't ask again." Mike stated, reigning in her temper this time. She really didn't want to get into an argument this early in the morning.

"Well, considering I hit some major nerves, I'm guessing that he's n ex-boyfriend." Justin nodded.

"Justin, drop it." JC warned.

"No," Mike said holding up her hand. "If he really wants to know, I'll tell him. Paul is an ex-boyfriend. He was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, but it just didn't work out. He lived too far away, and I was too involved with classes and this place. Maybe at another time when I was still living in the same state as him, it might have worked. Either way, it's over."

"I didn't know that. You were really serious about this guy?" Justin inquired sitting on the couch.

"Yeah, I was. But, like I said. It's over. We still talk, but not like we used to. It hurts sometimes, but I'll get over it. I always do. Now, on to business. If you'll open that box, JC, you'll find a bunch of promotional stuff that you guys have to sign. Y'all might as well get your part done now. Chris and Joe will have to do it later." Mike shrugged as she sat behind her desk, trying to regain some of her professionalism. Well, first JC asks you about your social life then Justin asks about Paul. Whatever questions JC had are now answered, Mike thought to herself as she rummaged through her drawers for a couple of black markers.

Joe sat on his bed, his head resting in his hands and his mind in turmoil. Part of him wanted to call Ashley and tell her everything including all the mixed up details. The other part of him wanted to forget about it and run as fast as he could, as far as he could.

"Get a grip, Joe. She's just a girl. It's just a phone call." he reasoned to himself with irritation as he jumped to his feet to pace the confined room.

"What the hell is going on with you? You've never had a problem with women before, so why this one?" he demanded of the empty room as he stuffed a couple of shirts into a duffle bag. Because you know she's different, his mind whispered. Joe groaned with exasperation as he flopped down on the bed. Suddenly the phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Joe, its Chris--"

"No kidding. I should know the sound of your voice by now."

"Just because you should doesn't mean you do."

"Chris!"

"Someone have their undies in a bunch?"

"No, someone just found out what his kriptonite is. What's up?"

"Someone finally realized that--"

"Chris, don't even think about going there. What's the reason you called?"

"Oh, a bunch of us are getting together tonight. Are you in?"

"Nah, I have a lot of--"

"Ash is going to be there."

"The dreaded kriptonite. Where, exactly, is 'there'?"

"Beach. Justin suggested that since this was our last night in the big O-town, we spend it as a nice quiet whatever on the beach. Pretty much everyone agreed."

"Who is 'everyone'?"

"What is this? Twenty questions?"

"To inquire is to gain knowledge."

"Ooh. Smart words coming from you Joe."

"Yeah I know, but at least I try." "And I don't?"

"Spill it crack head. Who's 'everyone'?"

"Who is everyone. Okay, everyone is Justin, JC, Lance, me, Billie, Katie, Allison, Daphne, Cassie. The usual."

"Anyone else?"

"You can't forget about Mike. Lord knows she'd kill you if you did."

"Don't I know it. Okay, I'm in."

"Sweet. Justin and I will swing by around eight."

"Yeah." Joe mumbled then hung up the phone. This was all he needed. To torture himself by being near Ashley. As if he didn't have enough going on right now. Joe finished packing the duffle then headed to the bathroom to take a shower. It was going to be a long night.

Billie Walker, Allison Johnson, and Katie Belle, the three winners of the essay contest, sat around a bonfire talking with Lance, Ashley, Justin, Chris, Joe, and JC. The others hadn't shown up yet.

"Where are you ladies from, anyway?" Lance inquired as he stuffed a marshmallow onto a stick.

"Well, I'm from the city of Lost Angels." Allison replied leaning back on her hands.

"New York." Billie laughed as her marshmallow caught on fire from being too close to the flames. She quickly blew out the flame then immediately shoved it back near the fire.

"New Orleans." Katie smiled prettily at Lance. Ashley looked over at Justin, who rolled his eyes at her as if to say, this small talk is boring. Ash giggled silently as she noticed a car pull into the parking lot.

"Well, looks like we've got more people deciding to show up." she gestured toward the parking lot with her hand. Everyone looked over to see Daphne and her best friend Cassie walk over to them. JC sighed shaking his head.

"JC, you okay with Daph being here?" Ash questioned quietly to him. JC nodded slightly as he got to his feet. He and Daphne had a bitter break up a year earlier because she had cheated on him while 'N Sync was on tour. It hadn't been easy for any of them because most everyone had been drug into the middle of the feud. Things had calmed down considerably since then, but it was still hard sometimes.

"Hey Daph, Cassie." JC nodded as the girls sat down in the circle.

"Hi Josh." Daphne smiled gazing at him with soft eyes. Everyone knew she regretted what she had done, and was trying to subtly let JC know that she wanted to get back together, but he didn't want to trust her again. Not after everything he had gone through the first time around.

"I'm gonna go get the other bag of food." JC mumbled as he walked away. Daphne sighed perceptively as she watched him leave, but tried not to let the others know that it bothered her.

"What's been going on?" she asked.

"Not much. Daph, Cassie, I'd like you to meet Billie, Allison and Katie. They won the essay contest we had." Chris answered holding another marshmallow to the flames of the bonfire. Daphne and Cassie smiled to the three women as she chose a stick from the mallow stick pile so she could roast some marshmallows.

"I'll be right back." Cassie said as she climbed to her feet. She then walked off in the direction that JC had gone. She found him leaning back against his Jeep Cherokee with his arms folded across his chest.

"My, don't we look overjoyed." she commented as she stood next to him.

"Oh yeah. Can't you tell that I'm the happiest person in the world?" JC retorted shaking his head.

"You know, she will take no as an answer from you. She just wants to know if things will work out. She misses you and wants to try again." Cassie explained softly.

"I know, but I don't think I can do that. She not only lied to me, but she cheated on me. I don't want to go through that again." JC shrugged as he opened the door he had been leaning on.

"She's changed. She wasn't ready for the kind of commitment you gave to her. She's grown up a lot since you two broke up. Just give it another chance, Josh. For her sake." Cassie cajoled helping him with the rest of the food.

"I just can't. I'm sorry." JC shook his head the headed back to the bonfire. Chris was keeping everyone entertained with a story from the road as they all roasted marshmallows and drank soda and other various beverages. Most everyone was laughing at the voices Chris made as he told the story, as if he were taking on the role of each person.

"Sorry we're late to the party." a female voice said as she approached the group of people. Everyone looked up to see Mike and another female standing behind Joe and Ashley.

"Hey Mike. You haven't missed a whole lot." Lance laughed as he scooted over to make room for her in between him and JC.

"Who's your friend?" Chris asked eyeing the woman with subdued interest.

"She's not a friend. She's my adoring cousin, Devon. She insisted that she come along, and with her screaming and pouting the way she was, I just couldn't deny her the chance to meet 'N Sync, her favorite group in the entire world." Mike replied drily as she took the seat Lance had cleared for her.

"You know, if we weren't related, I'd kill you and hide your body in my cellar." Devon laughed as she too sat down.

"You've threatened me with worse. Taking me to a Hanson concert comes to mind." Mike retorted as everyone groaned.

"Those were promotional tickets. All the owners got two. No one but you was free for that night. Besides, we all know how much you love pop music. I mean, look at who you're working for." Devon exclaimed loudly as she gestured with her hands.

"Okay, enough! Yeesh. Cut me some slack. I needed the work and they practically begged me to stay." Mike replied rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, okay." Devon sighed shaking her head as most everyone chuckled at the verbal sparring.

"Oh would you just shut the hell up so I can introduce you to everyone?" Mike questioned loudly, her eyes sparkling with laughter.

"Fine! Not another word out of this mouth." she exclaimed folding her arms across her chest.

"We wouldn't be so lucky. Anyway, this is Lance, JC, Daphne, Cassie, Billie, Katie, Justin, Joe, Ashley, Allison and Chris. Everyone, this is my cousin Devon." Mike said pointing to each person in turn.

"Wait, which one is PooFoo now?" Devon inquired a confused look on her face.

"You told her?!" Lance yelped as he pushed Mike into JC.

"How could I not? It was too funny to keep to myself!" Mike replied laughing.

"I'll remember that, little one." Lance nodded gravely.

"Who are you calling little, Avon boy?" Mike demanded a glimmer of a smile on her face.

"Avon boy? Now that's new." Chris commented from the sidelines. "Are they always like this?" Devon asked leaning over toward him.

"Yeah, they make for cheep entertainment. You should see Mike and Justin go at it. Now the two of them will have you rolling." Chris nodded smiling.

"Alright there Miss Congeniality." Lance grumbled trying not to smile.

"Oh, not that was original. Have you thought about writing one liners for a living?" Mike questioned raising an eyebrow. Lance opened his mouth to say something then obviously thought better of it and turned to Devon instead.

"You know, she really needs to get some Midol. It might help these mood swings." he whispered conspiratorially to her.

"I heard that." Mike laughed.

"Oh damn, now I'm in for it." Lance cried out in mock fear.

"Listen Lansten, just remember that I'll be living with you for the next three months, so watch it!" Mike laughed lunging for him. She was brought up short by JC who had grabbed her from behind.

"Uh oh, the ole party pooper stopped her in mid-lunge." Chris remarked shaking his head.

"Children, children. Behave yourselves!" JC scolded laughing softly.

"But she started it!" Lance whined. Mike rolled her eyes as she leaned back against JC's chest.

"You tattle tale!" she yelled cheerfully. Devon groaned hiding her face in her hands.

"Mike, stop! I'm having flashbacks to Christmas dinners at your house!" she cried. Mike burst out into a fit of laughter.

"What's so funny about that?" Joe asked baffled.

"Well, you see, Mike has the biggest family of anyone I've ever known. She has ten brothers and three sisters. Most of them are married and have kids of their own. Now I have one brother and two sisters. All older and married with kids. Now her family and my family all get together for Christmas. I think the last count was thirty some odd kids." Devon explained shaking her head.

"No wonder you have a sharp tongue." Lance exclaimed in awe.

"Yeah, you kinda had to learn how to defend yourself in that environment." Mike agreed closing her eyes as she rested her head back on JC's shoulder.

Everyone talked for a couple more hours before people started to drift back to their homes and dorms. It had been a long day and most everyone was having attacks of the constant yawns. Justin drove Katie, Billie and Allison back to the hotel the fan club had set them up in, and Daphne and Cassie had left shortly after them. Ashley and Joe disappeared to Ash's car saying something about going out for an early breakfast at an all night diner. Chris and Devon decided to join them, and jumped into the back of Ashley's car before they pulled out of the parking lot. Lance decided to go home and get some well deserved sleep. JC had remained because Mike had fallen asleep in his arms and he didn't want to wake her quite yet. Lord knows she needed the sleep with all of the things she had to do that kept her running around all day and most of the night.

JC smiled to himself when he thought about what could happen on the tour. Three months was undoubtedly a long time to spend with the same people, but it had brought the five group members closer than ever. He hoped it would do the same for the rest of the crew this time around. He wanted to know Mike better and he also wanted to form friendships with the girls who had won the essay contest. This tour was going to be full of surprises, he knew that already, and he couldn't wait for it to begin.

Mike stirred in his arms as he shifted his position. Her eyes opened and slowly focused. "Where is everyone?" she questioned, her voice horse with sleep.

"They all took off. Some of them headed over to the all night diner for some breakfast of you'd like to join them." JC replied as she sat up. Mike rubbed the sleep from her face then sighed looking up at the stars.

"You ever wonder about the man in the moon?" she inquired out of nowhere.

"What?"

"The man in the moon. My dad used to tell me when I was a kid that the man on the moon granted wishes for the sleep-bound people of the world. Do you think it's true?"

"I don't know. I guess I haven't really thought about it." JC laughed softly.

"Huh. I make a wish every night and it never comes true." Mike sighed again as she unsteadily climbed to her feet.

"Yeah? What's the wish?" JC questioned as he shook the blanket from sand.

"Maybe someday I'll tell you, but for now, my tummy is telling me to feed it so I vote we catch up with the others." Mike replied smiling impishly as she picked up what was left of the junk food.

"Sounds like a plan to me." JC nodded. The bonfire was doused in water then covered with sand before they walked to their respective cars and drove to the diner. None of them had thought about getting some sleep. There was no sense to considering that they would be leaving for the first town in less than four hours.

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