The fire was crackling in the fireplace. That was the only light in the small cabin. Shadows fell across the floor both from the dancing flames and from the soft snowflakes blowing against the window.

Haley Meyers cuddled up into the warm body behind her.

"This is the last one," Haley said. She had a plainly wrapped box in her hands. She pulled the card off of the top of the box and opened the envelope carefully. A simple white card rested in her hands.

Justin took it from her hands and opened the folded paper.

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Timberlake," Justin read. He squeezed Haley to him. "Words cannot express the joy we feel that you found each other. You were made for one another and never doubt that. We wish both of you the greatest happiness in the world and in your lives together. Lots of love, Kim, Josh, Chris, Joey, Lance and Jen."

Justin looked at Haley. They both had tears in their eyes. Justinnuzzled Haley’s neck, kissing the soft skin lightly. "Well, are you going to open it?"

Haley lifted the lid of the box and pulled out a picture album. The cover was a ribbed white. Slowly she opened the album and smiled immediately. There were words written on the first page:

Haley turned the page, her smile growing even wider.

Justin laughed at the picture of the two of them in the pool. They were splashing water at each other. Justin had a look of outrage on his face and Haley was laughing.

"Can you believe we were only 17?" Haley asked quietly.

"It seems like yesterday," Justin said. He lightly kissed Haley’s hair, relishing the scent.

The khakis rested on his thin hips, sagging slightly, held up by a brown belt. The white T-shirt hung over the top of the pants, partially obscuring the belt. The blue and white sweater vest was loose, hanging off his body. He raised his arm, muscles rippling, brushing his flopping brown hair off of his forehead.

"Haley," a voice said to the seventeen-year-old girl standing down the school corridor. "Stop drooling."

Haley blushed and turned towards her friend. "Hey Jen," she said. "I wasn’t drooling."

"Uh-huh," Jen said. "Sure." She turned her eyes towards the guy down the hallway from them. He was standing with four other guys, her brother included.

"I wasn’t!" Haley protested.

"Whatever," Jen said. She decided to change the subject. She smiled. "I’m about to make you a very happy girl."

Haley raised an eyebrow. "How’s that?"

"Well," Jen began slowly. "You know Collin and I are having a pool party this weekend right?" The bell rang and the two girls began walking down the hall.

Haley nodded. She felt her heart begin to speed up.

"Well," Jen continued. "A certain basketball player back there named Ryan said that he might drop by and bring a friend."

Haley stopped in the middle of the hall.

"Noooo." She sounded disbelieving. "Don’t joke with me Jen. It’s not nice."

"I wouldn’t joke about something as serious as Ryan Jenkins," Jen said. She looked at Haley smugly. "I thought you’d be happy."

Haley was still staring at her friend in shock. Ryan Jenkins was going to be at a pool party at her best friend’s house.

"C’mon Haley. We can’t be late for Español again." Jen stuck her arm through Haley’s and began to drag her down the hall.

Haley nodded and the two girls walked arm in arm into the classroom giggling.

Justin Timberlake ran a hand through his short, blond, curly hair nervously. No matter what he did, the curls still stood up off of his head.

He didn’t know why he was so nervous. It was just Ryan who was coming over. Just his best friend from Orlando. It had been so weird to come home and not have Ryan next door to him anymore.

Justin looked at his watch. Five minutes late. Ryan never had been punctual, even when he’d been living next door.

Justin began pacing and ended up in front of the couch. He flopped on to the cushions, relishing the feel of the softness conforming to the shape of his body.

He leaned forward and turned on the TV, flipping through the channels until he rested on MTV. There was a random video playing on the screen, some group he didn’t know.

He had just started to get comfortable when the doorbell rang.

Justin leapt up and went to the door, throwing it open.

"Hey bro!" he said.

Ryan stood on the doorstep smiling. "Dude! I’m glad that you still remember your childhood friends now that you’re extremely famous."

"Shaddup." Justin said. He pulled Ryan into a manly hug.

The two boys walked into the house and crashed onto the couch.

"Where are we going to go?" Justin asked. "You said you had someplace?"

A smile lit up Ryan’s face. "My bud Collin is having a pool party," he said. "Think chicks in bikinis, dude. Think chicks you can actually touch. Chicks your age, not the little girls who want to marry your scrawny ass."

Justin smiled. Ryan hadn’t changed at all. He and Joey were two of a kind.

"Well," Justin said with a laugh. " With an introduction like that, what are we waiting for?"

Haley tugged nervously at the strap of her bikini top. A towel was wrapped tightly around her waist.

Jen turned to her, a look of mock annoyance on her face. "Stop fidgeting Lee."

"I can’t help it," Haley complained. Her eyes were filled with worry. "Why isn’t he here yet?"

"I don’t know if he’s even coming. I told you that."

Haley huffed. "I know." She suddenly got a large smile on her face. "Can’t you just imagine him in shorts with no shirt on?"

Jen began laughing. "You are incorrigible."

Haley smiled evilly. "I know."

The smile faded to one of lust as she thought about Ryan in swimming trunks in the pool, with water droplets rolling down his body. She felt herself begin to feel hot. A sharp elbow in her stomach interrupted her daydream though.

"Oww!" Haley shrieked. She turned towards Jen, glaring at her.

"He’s here," Jen hissed through clenched teeth. "And he brought a friend."

"Oh," Haley said. Her eyes were drawn toward the sliding glass door of the modestly sized house. The world slowed down as the bronzed body of Ryan Jenkins walked through the doorway. And the world stopped as ‘the friend’ walked out onto the pool deck.

"Holy shit," Haley mumbled.

"Uh-huh," Jen echoed. "You’d better wipe up the drool girl, cause your lust object is looking this way. Damn he looks even hotter than I imagined."

Haley blushed and focused her eyes on Ryan, who indeed was looking their way.

Jen raised a hand and Ryan returned the gesture. He began walking toward the two girls. The friend tagged along closely. He almost looked like a lost little puppy dog.

Haley felt her breathing quicken as they got closer. She began to turn bright red as the two shadows fell across her.

"Hey Jen, Haley," Ryan said. His voice had the ability to turn any girl to jello and he knew it.

"Ryan," Jen said. "Glad you could make it. Collin said you weren’t sure."

"Well, Justin here decided that it sounded like a good time so here we are."

Haley looked at the guy now identified as Justin. She forced herself to calm her breathing. Ryan was her crush. Not his friend. But, damn.

"Justin," Ryan said turning to his friend. "This is Jen and Haley. They’re in my class."

"Nice to meet you," Justin said. His eyes traveled up and down both girls’ bodies. There was a twinge of an accent that made both girls blush.

"You too," Haley managed to stutter out. Jen looked at her friend and smiled. Ryan had been long forgotten. "I- uh, are you from around here?"

Justin smiled. She was cute. "Yeah, I used to live next door to Ryan. But then he moved away. Bastard."

Ryan punched him in the shoulder. "That is not true asshole. You left first."

Haley and Jen raised their eyebrows. They were confused.

"I travel a lot," Justin said.

Jen nodded while Haley smiled.

"Is Collin around?" Ryan interrupted.

Jen looked around the pool area. Her brother was no where to be seen. "He is somewhere. Maybe in his room. Mandy’s over there so it’d be safe to go in."

Ryan laughed and turned around. He saw his friend’s girlfriend sitting on the other side of the pool.

"I’m gonna go try to find Collin, okay bro? You want to come, or are you going to stay here."

Justin looked at the two girls in front of him and then back at Ryan. "I’ll stay here."

Haley felt like she was going to faint. Her heart was beating a mile a minute, or even faster, and her body was tingling.

"Please sit down Justin," Jen said, getting up from her chair. "I’m going to go help Ryan find my brother. I just remembered he might have said something about going to the store, or something."

Haley looked at Jen confused. She was standing behind Justin now. She just smiled and mouthed, "go for it."

Haley smiled and scooted over on the lounge chair so that Justin could sit down. She felt a small twinge of jealousy though as Jen went off to find Ryan.

Justin and Haley sat in silence on the lounge chair. They stared at the water, watching the laughing people.

"Haley right?" Justin asked. He turned his head to look at the girl beside him.

"Yeah," Haley said. She was still staring out at the water. Deliberately she turned her head to look at Justin.

"Why do you travel so much? You’re my age right?"

Justin nodded. "I’m in a group. A music group."

Haley nodded. "Oh, cool. Are you guys any good?" She turned to look at the water again.

Justin shrugged his shoulders. "We like to think so."

Haley laughed. "I like music. What sort do you play?"

"A little of everything," Justin said. "Do you want to get in the water?"

Haley got a worried look on her face. "Um, sure." She stood up slowly and released the towel from her waist. She stepped out of the flip-flops that graced her feet. She turned to look at Justin who had stood up beside her. Her eyes graced his body just as he was pulling off his shirt revealing a finely toned, hairless chest. She immediately blushed and turned away.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Justin begin moving towards the water.

"Hey Haley," she heard him say.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Last one in is a rotten egg."

Justin took off running towards the water. Haley looked at him in shock for a split second. She took off running after him.

"No you don’t Justin! That wasn’t fair!"

They cannonballed into the water and came up laughing.

"Life isn’t fair Haley," Justin said as he paddled around the water.

Haley smiled at him and narrowed her eyes. "You’re right," she said. "It isn’t." She took her hands and pushed as much water at him as she could.

"Hey!" Justin yelled. "What was that for?"

"Nothing!" Haley said innocently. "Life isn’t fair, remember?"

They didn’t hear the camera snap.

"Where are you going?" JC Chasez asked as he watched Justin play with his hair in the mirror. "You got a date or something?"

Justin turned around and stared at JC. "As a matter of fact I do."

JC raised an eyebrow and leaned against the doorframe. "Oh really. Do tell."

Justin blushed slightly. "Well, it’s not a real date, sort of a semi-quasi date. I don’t even know if she likes me that way."

"You’re Justin Timberlake." JC said with an edge to his voice. "How could she not like you that way?"

"Shaddup," Justin said. "It’s not like that. I don’t even think she knows who we are."

Justin turned back toward the mirror and ran some more gel through his hair.

"How’d you meet her?" JC asked. "You’ve only been home for three days."

"Remember when Ryan came over?" Justin asked. He watched JC nod in the mirror. "She was at that pool party we went to. We got in a huge water fight, but anyway you know how Cruel Intentions, that movie with Ryan and Sarah just came out? Well we both wanted to see it so we decided to go together."

"What’s this girls name?" JC asked.

"Haley," Justin said. He got a large stupid grin on his face.

JC laughed. "You really like her don’t you?"

Justin shrugged. "Yeah, I like her. I don’t really know her though."

"That’s what dating is all about," JC said.

Justin turned around, finally satisfied with his hair. "Well?"

"I don’t think it’s going to move," JC said.

Justin glared at the older man.

"Justin, just be careful okay? I don’t want you to get hurt."

"I’m not going to get hurt," Justin said. He looked at his watch. "I’ve got to go. You sure I look okay?"

"Yes Justin," JC said. "You look fine."

"Okay, spill," Jen said as she flopped on Haley’s bed.

"What?" Haley asked, her voice muffled as she rooted through her closet for clothes.

"I need details girl," Jen said. "I mean you go to the pool party to impress Ryan and you end up in the pool with his friend for like two hours. And now you guys are going out on a date. Spill!"

Haley pulled her head out of the closet. "I don’t think it’s a date," she said. "Can you help me find something to wear first though?"

Jen sighed and got up off the bed. She went to the door and stood beside Haley looking at the multiple hangers.

"Where are you guys going?"

"We’re going to go see Cruel Intentions," Haley said. "I guess we’re going to grab something to eat too."

"Sounds like a date to me," Jen said. She pulled out a shirt and a pair of jeans. "Wear this. It’s cute."

Haley looked at the clothes before nodding. "Okay."

"Now spill," Jen said.

"We’re just going to the movies," Haley said. "It was something we both wanted to see."

"Uh-huh," Jen said. "I think you’re more nervous than if you were going to go see this movie with Ryan."

Haley blushed. "Justin is a really sweet guy," she said. "Of course I’m nervous."

"That’s all he is?" Jen asked. "Just a sweet guy?"

"Okay, he’s damn hot too," Haley laughed. "Now will you please help me get ready?"

"Hey Ryan," Haley said to the basketball player that opened the door to Justin’s house. She walked into the foyer. "Is Justin around? I’m assuming he is if you’re here."

"Yeah," Ryan said. "He should be down in a moment."

The tall basketball player studied the girl in front of him. "You know I never pictured you and Justin together."

Haley blushed. "I wouldn’t say we’re together," she said slowly.

Ryan looked surprised. "Really? You guys are like together all the time."

"I don’t really know what we are," Haley said. She felt very weird discussing her feelings for Justin with her former crush.

"Is he as good a kisser as all the girls say he is?" Ryan asked.

Haley blushed even redder. "I, uh, I wouldn’t know."

It was Ryan’s turn to blush. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just assumed…"

"It’s okay," Haley said quickly. She looked toward the stairs praying Justin would come down.

"I’m sure you can go up," Ryan said. "I’ve got to get going anyway. Tell Justin I said goodbye, okay?"

Haley nodded as Ryan left. She looked around the entryway nervously. She’d never been farther than the living room in Justin’s house before. She didn’t know whether she should go try to find Justin or whether to just wait. As she was pondering this question, she heard feet coming down the stairs. She sighed in relief. Justin was coming.

But it wasn’t Justin. It was a tall dark haired man.

"Can I help you?" he asked. There was a look of surprise on his face.

"I’m waiting for Justin," she said quietly. "Ryan said I should just go on up, but I’ve never been in his room before so I don’t…"

"I’ll show you," the man said. "You’re Haley right?"

Haley nodded.

"I’m Josh," he said. He started back up the stairs and Haley reluctantly followed.

The hallway was plain. All the doors looked the same. Haley was glad that she hadn’t tried to find the room by herself. Josh stopped in front of one of the doors and knocked.

" ‘Min," Justin’s voice said.

Josh opened the door and poked his head in. "Just, you have a visitor."

The door immediately jerked open.

"Haley!" Justin said enthusiastically. "I didn’t hear the doorbell ring."

"Ryan answered it," she said. She was blushing for some unknown reason. Since their initial meeting she hadn’t felt awkward around him, yet she did now. "He said for me to tell you he said goodbye."

Justin nodded and looked pointedly at JC. JC smiled and left the doorway.

"It was nice to meet you," he said.

"You too," Haley said.

"Come on in," Justin said.

Haley stepped into the room and looked around. It was surprisingly neat. Some clothes were thrown over a chair, but the bed was made and the floor was almost picked up.

"Sorry I’m running late," Justin said. He took the clothes off the chair and threw them in the closet.

"It’s okay," Haley said. She smiled awkwardly.

"You can sit down if you want," Justin said.

Haley looked at the bed as if it were going to bite her. She sat on the very edge gingerly.

Justin sat beside her. "Are you okay?" he asked. "You seem a little out of it."

"Yeah," Haley said quietly. She wouldn’t look at Justin.

Justin knew something was wrong. She wasn’t acting her normally exuberant self.

"Did Ryan or Josh say something that made you feel uncomfortable?" he asked.

"No," Haley said quickly. She blushed as she said it. "Not really."

Justin closed his eyes. This was just what he needed. Just when he’d been getting to know a girl who seemed to like him for him, the guys had gone and screwed it up.

"They told you didn’t they?" Justin asked.

"What?" Haley asked. She was really confused. Ryan hadn’t told her anything.

"They told you who I was didn’t they?" Justin said. It wasn’t really a question. "They told you what band I was in."

Haley was very confused.

"What band are you in?" she asked.

"’N SYNC," Justin said.

Haley wracked her mind. That sounded familiar. God must have spent a little more time on… "Oh my god," she said softly. "You’re in ‘N SYNC?"

Justin looked confused. "You didn’t know?"

"No," Haley said. "I’m not huge on pop music, I mean I like it, but…"

"I thought you were upset cause Ryan or Josh told you that I was in the group and you were gonna freak or something."

Haley shook her head. "No, they didn’t tell me. And yes I’m about to freak."

"What did they say?" Justin asked. He was getting a headache from trying to carry on two different conversations with the same person at one time. "And please don’t freak. I’m a normal person, really. I mean…" he trailed off. "Why were you upset?"

"Ryan asked if we were together," she said quietly. She was blushing fiercely. "And I said we weren’t together, really. And then he asked if I thought you were as good a kisser as every girl said you were and I said I didn’t know and he got all flustered and then…"

"Woah," Justin said. "Slow down. He asked if we were together?"

"Yeah," Haley nodded.

"And you said we weren’t really."

Haley nodded again.

"Well, do you want to be together?" Justin asked.

"How can we be together if you’re a superstar?" Haley asked. "You don’t want a girlfriend."

"I didn’t ask about the logistics," Justin said. "I asked if you want to be together."

Haley looked at Justin and nodded once, slowly. "Yeah," she whispered.

Justin stared at her for a moment. He cleared his throat. "Can I kiss you?"

Haley nodded and Justin slowly leaned forward. Their lips met hesitantly at first, barely touching. Justin put a little more force on Haley’s lips, moving his against hers. After a few moments he pulled away from her. She kept her eyes closed, her lips parted slightly. Her cheeks were flushed.

"Haley," Justin said quietly.

Haley opened her eyes and stared into his crystal blue ones.

"Would you like to go out on an official date?"

Haley smiled and nodded. "Yes."

The camera clicked from the doorway. JC stood there with a smile on his face.

"Sorry," he said slightly sheepishly. "I had film to waste."

The picture was of them sitting in Justin’s room staring into each other’s eyes. Justin’s hand was intertwined with Haley’s. Their lips were slightly parted. Both of them were smiling.

Justin pulled Haley closer to him. She snuggled into his shoulder as they stared at the picture.

"You know I hated JC at that moment," Justin said.

"I know," Haley said. "I’m glad I turned red with embarrassment after he took the picture."

"I’m glad he took it now though," Justin said.

Haley flipped the page and a smile immediately lit up her face.

"Oh my god," she laughed. " I can’t believe they have this picture. I thought I’d lost it. Why am I guessing Kim stole it."

"They really are going for a complete history aren’t they?" Justin asked with a smile.

"I guess so," Haley said.

They looked at the picture, both of them smiling at the memory.

It was a simple picture. There was a bus side as the background and Haley and Justin were leaning together, their foreheads and noses touching. They were staring into each other’s eyes.

"It’s been a month," Justin said. "I’ll be home in another month though, okay?"

Haley cringed slightly. "Yeah," she said. She felt awful. This last month had been blissful, being able hang out with Justin every afternoon and weekend.

"It’ll go by really fast sweetie," Justin said. He stroked her hand lightly. "I’ll be back before you know it."

"I know," Haley said. She felt like whining, like throwing a tantrum. "I just don’t want you to go. That’s all."

Justin pulled away from her slightly and Haley immediately felt bad for her comment. She didn’t want to make him feel regretful at all.

"Haley look at me," Justin said. He lifted her chin with his hand. "I love touring. I love performing. This is the first time ever I haven’t wanted to go. I’ve never had anything to keep me here until now and it’s tearing me up inside to leave you."

"I know Justin," Haley said. "I know. I’m sorry."

She settled back down against Justin, attempting to enjoy their last evening together.

Haley felt the tears running down her cheeks. She was off to the side of the busses with assorted friends and family members while the guys were waving at the cheering fans. They disappeared behind the busses, supposedly to store their luggage. Four of the guys came back out front. Not Justin.

Suddenly a very large black man came up to her.

"Ms. Meyers?" he asked.

Haley looked up and nodded.

"Mr. Timberlake would like me to take you to meet him."

Haley followed the man behind one of the busses and saw Justin standing there. Immediately she was in his arms.

"I had to say goodbye," Justin said quietly in her ear.

Haley relished the feeling of Justin’s muscled arms around her. She wrapped her arms around him tighter and buried her face in his chest. She squeezed her eyes closed, forcing a few more tears out. They soaked into Justin’s shirt.

"I’m going to miss you so much," Haley said.

Justin began rocking back and forth slowly, trying to comfort both himself and the girl in his arms.

"Just as much as I’m going to miss you," he said.

"I’m just afraid…" Haley began in a whisper. She trailed off, not wanting to say the words, afraid that it would become a reality.

"What are you afraid of?" Justin asked. He pulled back slightly so he could look Haley in the eyes. He rested his forehead against hers.

"I’m afraid that you’ll forget about me once you’re on the road," Haley said. "I’m afraid nothing will be the same when you get back."

"It won’t be the same," Justin said softly. "It’ll be even better."

He kept their foreheads pressed together and looked deep into Haley’s eyes. He saw love and affection in them— sentiments he knew were mirrored in his own. He felt his lips moving before he knew what he was saying.

"I love you."

Haley blinked slowly as her brain registered the three words. "I love you too," she whispered.

The camera flashed behind them, but Justin and Haley didn’t care. Their lips slowly came together and melded. They didn’t notice the camera flash again.

Justin pulled his lips away from Haley’s. "I didn’t know what I was going to do without you for that month."

"At least you were on the road," Haley said. She had a small smile on her face. "I was stuck in school hearing all these rumors about you and these other girls."

"I think I drove the guys nuts," Justin laughed. "They were so sick of hearing your name."

"Jen began to wish she’d never had that pool party."

Justin reached over Haley’s hand and turned the page. Haley smiled, cuddling up to Justin even more. She could almost feel the confused look on his face.

"I don’t remember them taking that picture," Justin said.

"There is probably a reason for that," Haley said with a laugh.

The picture was taken in Justin’s backyard. Justin was sitting on a lawn chair and Haley was sitting in his lap. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and they were kissing deeply. Justin had one hand resting underneath Haley’s loose sweatshirt.

"It’s probably a good thing my mom never saw this picture," Justin said. "She wouldn’t have ever left us alone."

"Like she did anyway," Haley said. She leaned over and kissed Justin on the lips.

"Haley," Jen whispered from her place next to her best friend. "Pay attention. Shmitty is starting to notice."

Haley jumped slightly and turned her attention toward the front of the room where their teacher did indeed appear to be noticing her lack of attention. She turned her attention back to her paper in front of her. Integrals. Yuck.

She absentmindedly moved her pencil back and forth on the paper, though it made no marks. She looked up at the clock again and noticed that she was one minute closer to her goal.

Haley felt her knee begin to jerk causing her leg and heel to move rapidly. Her breathing became faster and she felt small tingles throughout her body. Three and a half minutes. This day was unbearable.

A slip of paper landed on her desk. Haley looked at Jen who smiled at her. She opened the paper. Only one sentence was written: Call me tonight… I need details!

Haley looked back at her best friend and nodded. "Will do," she mouthed.

Jen nodded back and looked at her watch.

Haley looked at the clock again. Thirty seconds…twenty seconds… ten seconds… BRING!

Haley leapt out of her seat so fast that it almost fell over. She caught the chair and steadied it, before running out of the room.

Jen stared at the back of her friend and couldn’t help but laugh.

"What’s her problem?" the guy next to her asked.

"Her boyfriend just got back in town," Jen said. "She hasn’t seen him for a month."

The guy nodded in understanding.

Haley stood at the front of the gym waiting for the car she had spent so many happy hours in. She didn’t see the brown Ford though. It just wasn’t in the parking lot.

Suddenly she felt a tapping on her shoulder.

"Haley?" a familiar voice asked.

Haley spun around and threw her arms around Justin. "You’re here! You’re actually here!"

"I said I would be," he said. He disentangled himself slowly. "Come on, let’s go somewhere a little more private."

Haley smiled and nodded. Her hand was nestled in his as he led her through the parking lot to a bright red convertible.

"Like the car?" he asked.

"Is it yours?" Haley asked in surprise. It was a very nice car— even to someone who didn’t like cars.

"Yep. My mom picked it up for me." Justin opened the door for Haley before getting in the driver’s seat. He had a fisherman’s hat over his hair and sunglasses covering his eyes.

"Where are we going to go?" Haley asked. She felt slightly awkward now that Justin was here. Seeing him in person was so different than the perpetual talking on the phone.

"My house. My mom is out— she had to work. We’ll have the place to ourselves."

Haley nodded and relished the feel of the wind in her hair.

Justin pulled Haley into his lap as he sat down in a lawn chair.

"We haven’t really been alone in forever," Justin said as Haley made herself comfortable.

"I know," Haley said. "I’ve missed it."

"Did you miss me?" Justin asked.

Haley looked at him for a moment as if contemplating. "Nope. I had that other boy at school and that guy from that other band." She paused and began laughing. "What do you think?"

"I think that I was going crazy without you."

"Not as crazy as I was going," Haley said. "Do you know how hard it was to listen to the rumor mill. You’ve made it into my schools rumor mill you know."

"Really?" Justin asked. "I guess we are making a name for ourselves then."

"I’ve actually become a fan of your music," Haley said. "It’s sort of catchy."

Justin laughed. "Well one good thing came out of my absence I guess."

"Another good thing came out of it too," Haley said. She leaned her forehead against Justin’s.

"What’s that?" Justin asked. He could feel Haley’s lips pulling his own towards them.

"I know that I love you," Haley said. "I love you more than anything else."

"I love you too," Justin said. His lips lost the battle and found hers. They playfully moved with hers and his tongue asked for entrance into her mouth. They didn’t hear the snickering at the gate of the garden. They didn’t see or hear the flash of the camera. They didn’t see the three figures sneaking around toward the front of the house. They didn’t notice anyone but each other.

Haley finally pulled away panting slightly. "Damn," she said.

Justin just nodded. "What do you say we go up to my room? JC and Chris should be back soon and I’m not ready to share you yet."

Haley smiled and nodded.

Hand in hand they entered the house and went straight to Justin’s room.

Haley looked up from the book that she was reading as the door to her room opened. She was curled up on her bed surrounded by fluffy, ruffled pillows.

A curly head poked into her room. "Can I come in?"

Haley smiled and nodded. "Of course."

"Your mom let me in," Justin said. "She just left for the store."

Haley rolled her eyes. "Nice of her to tell me."

"Well," Justin had a glint in his eye. "It leaves us by ourselves."

Haley smiled and scooted over on the bed. Justin lay down beside her. He rolled over on his side so that he was facing Haley. Haley was still curled up in the pillows.

"Well, what did you have in mind that required us to be by ourselves?" Haley asked. She had a knowing smile.

"Something that mothers don’t approve of," Justin said. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Haley’s. Rolling back onto his back he pulled her on top of him.

Haley’s tongue entered his mouth and Justin sucked on it lightly. He rolled over, settling himself on top of her. Panting, he pulled his lips away from hers.

"I thought you were going to be in rehearsals all day," Haley said breathlessly. "I thought you weren’t going to be here until dinner."

"We got out early," Justin said. "And what better thing do I have to do than come see you?"

"Nothing," Haley said crinkling her nose playfully. "Nothing at all."

Justin leaned down and kissed her again.

He rolled off of his girlfriend. "You know, I really don’t want to leave you in a week."

"You’re going to have fun though," Haley said. Her voice didn’t convey excitement.

"Yeah," Justin said. He didn’t sound too excited either. "Why don’t you come visit me?"

"I can’t," Haley said. "I have school and…"

"But I won’t get to see you for two months," Justin pouted. He leaned in and kissed Haley lightly. "Please Haley."

Haley stared into Justin’s eyes.

"I’ll try okay?"

Justin nodded and pulled Haley to him again. They lay there in silence, enjoying each other’s company.

This was a scene that was becoming all too familiar. Haley stood next to Justin’s mother. The tears weren’t streaming down her face this time. This was the third time she’d watched him leave and amazingly it became easier every time.

Justin came up to her this time, hugging her deeply. He rested his chin on top of her head and rocked back and forth slowly.

Unwanted tears began to prick Haley’s eyes. She pulled away slowly and looked up at Justin.

"I love you," she mouthed. No one heard her, but Lynn noticed. She smiled at the girl she’d begun to think of as a daughter.

Justin pressed his lips to her forehead. "I love you too," he said.

The flash of the camera went unnoticed.

Justin pulled away and pulled his mother to him.

"I’ll be back before you know it okay?"

Lynn kept a tight hold on her oldest child.

"I know you will," she said. "Good luck."

Justin looked back towards the bus. The rest of the guys had already boarded.

"Bye," he said. He bit his lip lightly. "I’ll call you tonight."

It wasn’t clear which woman he meant, but it didn’t really matter.

The picture was from a magazine. Justin was kissing her forehead as Haley had her eyes closed. Justin’s mother could be seen in the background. She had a smile on her face.

"Do you know how badly I freaked when I saw that picture in that magazine?" Haley asked.

"Yes," Justin said. "You called me right after, remember?"

Haley smiled and kissed Justin on the bottom of his chin. "At least you calmed me down."

"That was one hell of a phone bill if I remember correctly."

Haley laughed. "We always had large phone bills."

Justin turned the page and immediately pulled Haley closer to him. He put his lips near her ear and whispered, "That was the happiest night of my life."

Haley looked at the picture.

"It was the happiest night of my life too, so far."

The photo was simple. Justin had his arm around Haley’s shoulder and they were both smiling. The sun was setting in the ocean behind them and birds were flying in the background.

"Yes mother," Haley said. Her voice was tired, as if she’d been hearing the same argument for the past week. She continued putting clothes into a suitcase. "I will have my own room. Justin promised it."

"And there is an adult female on the road with them?"

"Yes mom," Haley said. "All groups have a tour mother."

Haley’s mother sighed for the millionth time that week. "I just don’t like this at all."

"I know you don’t mom, but I need to see him."

Mrs. Meyers nodded. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I will mom," Haley said. She walked over to her mother and pulled her into a hug. "I always am."

Haley paced the hotel room. She couldn’t seem to sit still. She’d never known a concert to last so long before. Of course she’d never been waiting for one to end before. The guys should be back by now. Justin should be back by now.

There was knock on the door. Haley ran over to the door quickly, throwing it open.  She stood there awkwardly looking at the guy that she’d grown to love more than life itself.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," he echoed. His eyes smiled at her.

Haley threw herself into Justin’s arms.

He walked them both into the room, as she hung onto his neck. He set her down about a foot into the room and shut the door with his foot. His lips found hers and they were lost in each other for several minutes.

"It feels so good to hold you," Justin said quietly.

Haley just nodded into Justin’s chest. She looked up into his eyes. "I thought you’d never get here."

"This concert did seem to take a long time didn’t it?" Justin asked.

Haley nodded empathetically.

"Do you want to go see the other guys?" Justin asked. "They were asking about you."

Haley nodded. "Sure," she said. "It’ll get them to leave us alone tomorrow won’t it?"

Justin nodded. "They know that tomorrow is our day."

Haley looked at herself in the mirror. She smoothed her dress and fluffed her hair lightly. Her makeup was done perfectly— thanks to the tour makeup lady in the room next door.

She moved to the bed and sat down, trying to calm herself. She could feel her palms sweating slightly and she rubbed them on the bedspread. She was shaking lightly and she didn’t know why.

A familiar knock sounded on the door. Haley got up slowly and opened the door.

Justin was standing outside holding a single rose. It was white.

Haley backed away from the door, allowing Justin to enter. He stood watching her.

Haley suddenly laughed nervously. "I don’t know why I’m nervous," she said.

"We haven’t been on a date in awhile," Justin said lamely. He handed her the rose and Haley smiled. "That’s not it is it?"

Haley shook her head. "I love you Justin."

"I love you too," Justin said. He moved towards her. "What’s the matter?"

"Have you ever wanted to move beyond what we’ve been doing?" Haley asked.

Justin pulled away slightly. "I love you Haley. I want to be with you in every way."

Haley pulled Justin tightly to her.

"Do you want to go farther?" Justin asked.

Haley didn’t move against him. "Yeah. I think so."

"We both need to be sure," Justin said. "I didn’t want you to come so that we could…"

"I know," Haley interrupted. "I know. It’s just being here, alone with you. I don’t know. I love you Justin and I want to show you just how much."

Justin nodded. "You know, if it happens, it happens." He pulled away and held Haley’s hand. "We need to go out on the town and have a nice dinner. It’s our six-month anniversary. If anything happens later it will just add to the night."

Haley nodded and smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly.

The restaurant was close to the hotel. They walked there side by side. Justin couldn’t risk having anyone suspect they were on anything more than a date.

The table was secluded. There were two candles lighting it in the otherwise dark restaurant. Justin pulled out Haley’s chair as the waiter pulled out his own.

Haley looked around the restaurant. "This is really nice."

Justin nodded. "Chris recommended it. This is where he came with Danielle on their first date."

Haley nodded. She stared at the guy across from her. "Thank you Justin."

"What for?" Justin asked.

"For being you. For caring enough about me to make this work."

"It will always work Haley. I don’t think I’ll ever care about anyone as much as I care about you. From the moment I saw you…"

"I know," Haley interrupted. "I went through the same thing. Suddenly my massive crush on Ryan was gone."

"You liked Ryan?" Justin asked.

Haley blushed. "Yeah. Did I forget to mention that?"

"Yes," Justin said slowly.

"The moment I saw you walk through that door though, my world stopped. I was over Ryan so fast."

"Good," Justin said. "Good."

The sky was a deep blue. The clouds were still reflecting the brilliant orange sunlight. The dock was busy, people walking back and forth.

Justin and Haley meandered down the uneven wood walkway. She pulled a camera out of her bag and looked at Justin.

"I want a picture."

Justin nodded. "Okay."

He walked up to a man in his early twenties and handed him Haley’s camera. The man didn’t look like someone who would know who Justin was. He didn’t.

The man smiled as Justin draped an arm over Haley’s shoulder.

FLASH

Justin put his lips on Haley’s ear. "I love you."

As they entered the dark room, Haley felt herself being pushed against the closed hotel room door. A mouth pressed to hers and she opened her lips to accept his tongue.

Justin pulled away. "You're sure you want to do this?" His voice was husky with lust.

"Yes." Haley looked into his eyes and saw the mixture of love and lust she knew was mirrored in her own.

"We can't take this back Haley." Justin said. He was trying to discourage her as his mouth placed frantic kisses on her neck, face and lips.

"I don't want to wait any longer Justin." To emphasize her point Haley moved her fingers to the top of Justin's button down shirt. Her lips followed as her fingers moved down his chest undoing the buttons.

Justin nodded and brought her head up to meet his gaze. He pressed her lips to his again. He put one hand behind her neck pushing her mouth closer to his. His tongue played with hers. He moved his arms around her back and lifted her off the ground.

Haley shrieked lightly, but Justin silenced her by placing his lips over hers again. She hung on as he moved both of them towards the king size bed. Gently he laid her down and climbed on top of her. His open shirt hung down on both sides of her small frame. She reached up and ran her hands through his curly hair bringing his mouth down to meet hers.

"I love you," Justin said into Haley’s ear.

Haley smiled and turned towards her husband of 10 hours.

"What do you say we get this honeymoon started?" Haley said with an evil grin.

"I’d say what are we waiting for," Justin laughed. He got off the couch, sweeping Haley into his arms. His mouth covered hers as he made his way over to the bed. He set her down gently, climbing on top of her.

"You ready?" Justin asked quietly.

Haley answered by pulling Justin’s head down to hers. Her lips covered his letting him know the answer without any words.