"Where are you going?" Megan asked her brother Jamie as he jumped in his Jeep.

"Lance's" He muttered as he started the engine.

"Lance is home? When did he get back?" She knew the constant questions about his best friend made him wonder.

"Yesterday. We're gonna spend the day at the lake. You know jet skiing, boating the usual. Wanna come?"

As much as the idea of spending the day with Lance thrilled her she declined.

"The girls and I are going shopping today. Maybe some other time."

"Alright then later sis."

The thoughts of Lance were still fresh on her mind as she pulled into Emma's driveway and honked. She smiled as the three girls emerged from the house.

"Hey" She greeted them.

"I think we should definitely hit the beach later. It is perfect suntanning weather." Brooke told them.

The other girls nodded in agreement.

"What's wrong with you today?" Taylor asked Megan as they parked if front of the Gap and got out.

"Nothing's wrong why?"

"That's a crock. I know that look and something’s up now spill it." All three girls waited patiently for an answer.

"Lance is home."

"He is? Have you seen him yet?" Emma asked.

"No, him and Jamie are spending the day at the lake."

"Well then let's go over there when we're done shopping." Brooke suggested.

"I don't know guys."

"Come on Meg he hasn't been home in three months."

"I know. I just...." She let the thought vanish from her lips.

"Just what?" Taylor wanted to know.

Megan thumbed through the rack of clothes in front of her hoping they would let it go, but they didn't.

"What happened between you and him?" Brooke asked.

"Nothing. Lance and I are just friends." She said trying to look calmer then she felt.

"Come on we're your best friends, but when it comes to Lance you won't talk to us. Now why is that?" Emma asked.

"There's nothing to tell. Lance is the last person I would get involved with. He's my brother's best friend and besides when would I ever see him?"

"You're living a lie Megan. You are crazy about him. Whether you admit it to us or not we see it."

Megan rolled her eyes at Taylor.

"I am NOT attracted to him nor will I ever be so let's just drop it." She hated being short with them almost as much as she hated lying to them about the way she felt about Lance, but it was all for the best whether they realized it or not.

They made their way up and down the streets and hit their usual spots. On any other day Megan would have maxed out her credit card on purchases, but today her mind just wasn't on clothes.

"Well whadya say we hit the lake. It's almost four." Emma suggested looking at her watch.

The girls piled into Megan's car. They stopped at Emma's long enough to change into their suits and headed to the lake.

Megan noticed Lance's Four Runner the minute they got there.

"Aw, Justin's here." Taylor squealed pointing to the Mercedes parked next to Jamie's Jeep.

"They're all here." Brooke said as they got out of the car and walked toward the beach.

"See I told you they'd come." Jamie told the guys when the four girls approached.

"Yeah, someone told us Nsync was in town so we came running." Megan laughed as she began to greet them.

It didn't take her long to notice that Lance wasn't among the group and it didn't Taylor either.

"Where's Lance?" Brooke asked.

"He's over by the docks on the phone." Joey told them.

Megan gave the girls as knowing look and walked over to where Lance was. He waved to her as he talked.

"Alright, well just meet me there tonight. I think everyone will be there."

Megan fought herself not to listen. She knew that Lance probably had a date for tonight. She'd witnessed this enough times to recognize the jealousy that formed in the pith of her stomach. She knew she had no right to feel that way, but that didn't make it stop. Mentally laying claim to a man that wasn't hers was naive and she knew it.

"Okay, then we'll see you later. Bye." He said as he ended the conversation and hung up.

"Big date tonight?" She said almost choking on the words.

"Definitely not, unless my sister counts as a date." He laughed.

"Aw, so you're taking Stacy out. I see"

"Yeah, she's gonna meet up with us later at Gavin's. You coming?"

"I don't know I'll have to talk to the girls and see what they're plans are."

"So do you base all you decisions on what Emma, Brooke and Taylor are doing?" He teased.

"No, but going to a club with a bunch of guys could be trouble."

"But it's just us."

"My point exactly." She laughed.

"Well you'll be going if Justin has his way." He said directing her attention toward their friends.

"Leave it to Jay to put the moves on Taylor."

"Weren't they an item at one time?"

"Yeah, a long time ago." She said as she turned to look at him.

"What happened? Justin never talks about it."

"Justin's life on the road and lack on privacy kinda tore them apart. You know the story."

"I guess I do. That's too bad."

"So what ever happened to Lacy?" Megan didn't know why she asked, but when opportunity knocks.

"She dumped me for someone more grounded."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It wasn't really that serious anyway. How about you got someone special in your life you haven't told me about?"

She wished she had. She wished so badly that Lance would be that someone.

"Nah, work takes up my time too."

"Too bad. There are a million guys out there that don't know what they're missing."

"Flattery will get you everywhere Mr. Bass." She told them as they made their way back to the group.

"So, you two done flirting?" JC asked when they got there.

"Done? We never started." Megan told him.

"You must be doing something wrong Lansten." Justin said.

"Yeah, I must." Lance laughed.

"You know you guys should just keep your comments to yourselves." Megan teased.

"Oh, this means war." Justin said as he threw Megan over his shoulder and carried her to the lake.

"I swear if you throw me in there I will limit you ability to have children Timberlake."

"I'll take my chances." He said as he heaved her into the water.

Megan screamed as the waves crashed over her body. "Oh you are so dead Justin!"

"If you can catch me I might be scared."

Just as she was about to start chase she felt a pair of strong arms fold around her. Looking back her eyes met Lance’s.

"Lance put me down." She protested.

"Not a chance. I have to at least let Justin get a head start."

The feel of Lance being that close was reeking havoc on her senses, but the more she struggled to break free the tighter his grip became.

"Okay he’s halfway across the beach now let me go."

"Why do you freak when ever I come within a foot of you?"

She finally wriggled from his grasp and ran after Justin without saying a word.

"What’s her deal?" Lance asked Emma as he stared down the beach at Megan’s attempt to ward off her attackers.

"What do you mean?"

"I don’t know. She doesn’t treat me any differently then she does Jamie."

"Should she?" Emma or anyone else would have to be blind not to see the way they gazed at each other when their backs were turned. She knew deep down that Megan was interested in Lance, but it actually evolving into something was another thing.

"I’d like her to."

"Lance give her time. She’s been through a lot."

"Meaning what?"

"I can’t say it’s not my place, but take it slow and build her trust and I’m sure she will tell you everything you want to know."

Lance had thought talking to Emma would make him understand, but it only left him more confused. He had known Megan since they moved to Orlando four years ago and she had always come up with an excuse not to go out with him.

I swear I will find out what it is if it takes me the rest of my life.. He promised himself silently.

"Meg, Lance was asking me about you." She told her friend when the two of them were in the safety of Megan’s bedroom.

"Asking what?"

"About why you won’t go out with him basically."

Emma could see the horrified look on Megan’s face. "Don’t worry I didn’t tell him anything. I told him he should talk to you about it."

"Thanks." She sighed as she threw herself on the bed next to Emma

"Maybe you should tell him. I think he’d understand."

"I can’t Em. I really don’t know him that well."

"Then maybe you should get to know him better. Deny it all you want, but I know you like him."

"All right all right I do, but I’m so afraid. I don’t want to get involved with him and get stuck in an intimate moment that I may not be able to handle."

"I understand."

"You ready to go. We should have been at the club half an hour ago."

Emma nodded and followed her out the door.

"It’s about time you two showed up." Joey said giving them each a kiss on the cheek.

"Come on Joe we’re not that late." Emma said shooting him an annoyed look.

Megan didn’t need to make eye contact to feel Lance’s eyes on her. It made her self-conscience and excited all at once.

"Aw, Tony’s here. I’m going to go say hi." Megan said jumping out of her seat.

Lance’s eyes followed as he watched her grab Tony’s hand and lead him to the dance floor.

"Settle down. They have been friends for a long time." Taylor informed him teasingly.

"What? I’m calm."

"That’s why your ears are all red? You look like you want to strangle him."

"No, I just wonder why…… never mind."

"No, wonder what?"

"I wonder why I can’t get her to be like that with me. Am I a troll?"

"No, Lance you are definitely grade A choice. Just give her some space. Let her come to you."

"I don’t know. I have been waiting and if I continue to wait I may be collecting social security before she notices me."

Taylor couldn’t help but laugh at the analogy. "I doubt that. She likes you just give her time."

Lance got up from his chair and walked to the dance floor.

"Can I cut in?"

"Sure, I’ll catch ya later Meg."

Megan smiled as she watched Tony return to the bar. Lance moved in closer and put his arms around her waist.

"Please don’t pull away. I just want to dance."

"Well this isn’t really slow dance music." She chuckled.

"You’re right. Hold on." He said leaving her long enough to talk to the DJ.

She heard the chords of ‘This I promise you’ start as Lance returned to her.

"Let’s pretend, just for tonight, that this is our song." He whispered in her ear.

"Lance…"

"Shhh just listen to the music and dance with me."

She listened as Lance sang the words to her. She wished so bad that she had the strength to let everything go and be with him, but she knew she couldn’t. She knew that when sex and closeness became an issue she would run just like she had before.

"I can’t do this." She said as she ran to the table for her purse and bolted out the door.

"What was that all about?" JC asked when Lance came back to the table.

"I don’t know JC, but I’m going to go find out." He said brushing past them.

Emma caught his arm before he could leave.

"Lance please just let her go. Let me handle this."

He fought every urge to ignore her, but he finally agreed.

Emma knocked on Megan’s door before she stepped in.

"Meg, what happened tonight?" She asked sitting next to her friend on the bed.

"Nothing."

"It’s not nothing you’ve been crying. Please tell me."

"He’s so perfect and so sweet…."

"But?"

"But, I just can’t. One night last summer my life changed forever and I can’t ever expect him to understand or accept that."

"I know intimacy is a big issue for you and it’s hard to let anyone in, but at some point you need to try."

"I know, but how? I feel like I can’t trust anyone."

"I think you can trust Lance."

"I don’t know maybe."

"Think about it."

"I will. I don’t want to be rude, but I want to be alone."

"Okay then. I’m gonna go. Call me if you need anything."

"I will. Thanks Em."

"Of course what are best friends for?" Emma told her giving her a hug as she made her way out the door.

After Emma was gone Megan walked over to her stereo and put in a CD and soon the song she had chosen was flowing from the speakers

When the song had finished Megan was all too aware of her swollen eyes. He had no idea how much the song meant or how true it was to her. I want so badly to let you in Lance. Please bear with me. The thoughts ran through her mind as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Megan drug herself down stairs for some breakfast.

"There is a huge bouquet of flowers on the table for you." Her mom said and Megan knew it was more of a question than a statement.

She felt her heart drop to her toes when she saw the dozen white roses. Quickly she dug the card from them.

The tears started again, but she quickly wiped them away and answered the persistent ringing of the doorbell.

"Hey girl want to hit the mall? We’re gonna get birthday presents for JC."

"Yeah, come in and let me get changed." She said grabbing the flowers as the girls followed her upstairs.

"Nice roses. I bet I know who sent them." Brooke said looking at her knowingly.

Megan handed them the card and watched as they read it.

"Wow." Was all Taylor said.

"You know Meg you should grab onto this one before he gets away." Brooke told her.

"Yeah, I’ll just drop everything and go on tour."

"Come on they don’t leave for another month and you know that’s just an excuse."

"I don’t need excuses Tay I have enough real life horrors to keep him away."

"We know Meg. We just think you should give him a fair shot that’s all." Brooke told her sympathetically.

"I know you guys love playing matchmaker, but please if it’s gonna happen let it happen on it’s own."

Megan finished dressing and they headed to the mall. They spend a good two hours shopping. She had bought a huge stuffed Taz for Lance, a baby blue sweater for Justin, a Superman T-shirt for Joey and a classic vinyl for Chris, but had failed to find a thing for JC.

"Ugh, I hate this. Josh is too hard to shop for." She told the others.

"I know I haven’t found a thing I think he would like." Emma told her.

"I found a cool pair of Star Wars boxers he might like." Brooke told them.

The girls made no attempt to hide their laughter.

"What?" She looked at them accusingly.

"Brooke, only you would buy Josh underwear." Megan chuckled.

"Yeah so she can see them scattered on her bedroom floor maybe."

"I wouldn’t go there if I were you Tay." Brooke challenged.

"Why what are you going to use against me.. Justin?"

"Possibly. What’s up with you two anyway are you back together?" Emma joined in.

"No we are definitely not back together." She said with a sigh. "But maybe someday it can work for us."

Megan recognized the fake smile on Taylor’s face. The smile that was so much like her own. Her and Taylor knew that the men they set their sights on were the ‘ones’, but how to make it happen seemed a no win situation.

Taylor noticed Megan trail off on her own and caught up to her while the other two girls tagged behind.

"Meg, what’s wrong hun?"

"I’m so confused Tay." She said dropping down onto a bench. " It’s ironic to know that I’m scared to death of the one person I want most."

"I’m sure it’s normal to feel uncertain about what you’re going through, but I don’t think you need to be scared of Lance. Meg he adores you. It’s evident in everything he does and if you ever felt you could trust anyone let it be him."

When Megan didn’t comment Taylor hugged her.

"Everything will work out the way you want."

"I hope you’re right. Now back to shopping. I still haven’t found anything for Josh." She said needing to change the subject.

An hour later they left the mall and went to Brooke’s. The girls fumbled through their bags admiring each other’s purchases.

"I am so glad I remember Josh talking about wanting this CD." Megan told them.

"What did you get him Brooke?" Emma asked.

"Aw, the fail safe Tommy cologne." She said holding up the bottle.

"I don’t know about this shirt guys. You think blue is JC’s color?"

"Well it’s his favorite color." Megan told her.

"Oh, it’s definitely his color. Have you ever noticed what it does to the color of his eyes when he wears blue?" Brooke sighed.

"Oh no here she goes again." Taylor teased.

"How about you Emma?" Taylor asked rolling her eyes at Brooke.

"Steven King’s latest. I think he’ll like it."

Brooke still hadn’t let Taylor’s comment slide.

"Don’t roll your eyes at me Taylor Reid. It’s not like you don’t act this way over Justin."

"She got ya there girl." Megan joked as the girls dissolved into laughter.

"You people are pathetic."

"Come on Em join in the madness with us. I bet you could charm your way into Fatone’s heart." Taylor told her.

"Me and Joey? Please tell me you’re kidding."

"Well Chris is engaged to Kimberly so it’s gotta be Joey." Brooke added.

"No it doesn’t have to be Joey. I’ll say it again. You people are pathetic."

"You are no fun."

"I tell you what Tay if Mr. Fatone wants me he can come to me."

"Ohh, so maybe there is a spark of interest?" Megan teased.

"Maybe." Emma said crossing her arms over her chest with a seemingly uninterested look on her face.

The girls laughed at her attempt to be nonchalant.

"Well I’m gonna go home. I need to spend some quality time with the family. My grandparents are in town."

"Alright Meg. We’ll see you later."

Megan arrived home and greeted her grandparents warmly.

"It’s so good to see you." Her grandma Ann told her.

"You too grandma."

"There’s my girl."

"Grandpa!" Megan squealed like a three-year-old as she ran to hug him.

"So any prize winning boys grabbed your attention."

Megan blushed at the question. "Grandpa." She wasn’t about to tell them about Lance. He and Jamie had been best friends from the time they had moved to Orlando and Lance knew everyone in her family. Yet she was very hesitant to tell them she had fallen for him even though she knew they would be thrilled by the idea of her and Lance together.

"Dinner is ready." Mary told them.

"Okay mom we’re coming." Megan told her mom.

They sat around the dining room table and chatted happily as they ate. They discussed her grandparent’s trip to Rome and Jamie’s upcoming trip to Europe. She heard key points to the conversations and occasionally added something, but her mind had wandered back to Lance. She wondered what he was doing right then. She knew they were in New York for a charity event, but what they were doing for fun was what really weighted on her mind.

After dinner she helped her mom and grandma load the dishwasher then excused herself and went to her room.

She put in her No Strings Attached CD and dug out her photo album. She thumbed through pictures of family members and vacations until she found what she was looking for. A picture of her and Lance at Disney World. He was so sweet and it had only been in the last few months that she had realized how hard she had fallen for him. Everything about him drove her senses crazy. His smile, the way he smelled, his beautiful green eyes. In that moment she knew she had to tell Lance how she felt, but he was in New York. Even so she knew if she waited she wouldn’t retain the courage. So she picked up the phone and dialed his cell number.

"This is Justin."

"Why are you answering Lance’s cell phone?" She laughed.

"Well it’s nice to talk to you too." He said.

"That’s not what I meant Jay. I was just a little surprised to hear your voice that’s all."

"I know hun. Lance is in the shower."

The though of Lance naked under the steaming heat of the water made her insides turn to mush.

"Hello, You still there?"

"Oh sorry. Yea I’m still here."

"Um huh, you are but your mind is focused on the mental picture." He teased.

"You know me too well Justin."

"I know. So you want him to call you?"

"Yea, tell him I called."

"Alright I will and we’ll see ya in a couple days."

"Bye Jay."

Just as she had figured the thought of not telling Lance was slowly setting in as she waited for him to call back. An hour later she had just about given up hope he would call when the phone rang.

"Hey Justin said you called. What’s up?"

She hesitated as the courage came back to her.

"I kinda wanted to talk to you about something."

"I think I know what it is, but can it wait till I get home?"

"Um, yea I guess it can."

"Okay. I’ll come over right away when I get back."

"Alright I’ll talk to you then."

"K bye"

I didn’t take a genius to figure out that he didn’t feel the same way about her. The realization that he must only see her as the sisterly type was setting in.

"Come in." She said to the knock at the door.

"Hey sis."

"Hey Jamie."

"I was thinking. Our birthday is coming up and I asked grandma and grandpa about using the condo for a week and they said we could. So whadya say we veg in Mexico for our birthday?"

"Sounds good to me. After this week I think I’m gonna need it." She hadn’t meant to say the last part out loud. She knew that Jamie would question her about it.

"Why do you say that?"

She knew she couldn’t lie to him. This was her twin brother and he never fell for her made up versions of anything.

"There’s this guy I’m interested in and I don’t think he feels the same way about me."

"Have you told him how you feel?"

"Well no not yet, but I plan to."

"Well then I wouldn’t get to upset about it until you know. Maybe you’re wrong about how he feels."

"Yea, maybe but I don’t think I am."

Jamie got up and headed to the door. "Well when you tell Lance let me know."

"What?" She said totally dumbfounded.

"When you tell him how you feel about him."

"How did you know."

"Meg, I’m your brother. Besides it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see you’re crazy about him." He said and then he was gone.

She finally realized how Lance knew what she wanted to talk to him about and she hoped she was wrong about how he felt about her.

The next day and a half seem to crawl by and when Monday finally rolled around she wished it was still Saturday. It was noon and she knew the guys had gotten into Orlando at nine, but Lance hadn’t called yet.

She was checking out the birthday cake they had gotten for JC when she saw Lance coming up the walk. Quickly she checked herself in the hall mirror and then answered the door.

"These are for you." He said handing her a bouquet of daisies.

"They’re beautiful, but you didn’t have to do that."

"I know, but who else am I gonna buy flowers for?" He said following her into the kitchen.

"Oh, I see so you got me flowers twice this week for lack of someone better to give them to?"

"No not at all. Fact is I could never find anyone better then you."

"Like I always tell you flattery will get you everywhere."

"I’m hoping so cause so far it’s gotten me no where."

It wasn’t what he said, but how he said it and the way he looked at her that made her stomach flutter.

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning I want you to tell me what you wanted to talk to me about." He said looking at her in anticipation.

She finished putting the last for the daisies in a vase and stood across the breakfast bar from him.

"Well I guess it’s more of a confession." She said urging herself to go on. "Lance I really like you and I don’t mean in a platonic way. I mean.."As she talked he walked around the counter to stand beside her.

"You don’t need to say anymore." He said placing his hands on her face as he pulled her in and kissed her. "I feel it too baby." He told her when the kiss ended.

"You do?"

"God yes. I have for a long time, but you have always brushed me off and I just thought you weren’t interested."

"Absolutely not Lance. I just have some issues that I’m not ready to talk about and I hope you can understand that."

"I guess I can, but I hope that someday you will share them with me."

"I will when the time is right."

Lance pulled her into his arms and just held her.

"Hey Lance makin my sister cry already?" Jamie teased as he came in the kitchen.

"Yeah, I guess I make a habit out of it." He laughed.

"Joey’s in the car. Wanna go to Universal with us? We’re gonna meet Chris there."

Lance looked over at Megan.

"Do you mind?"

"Of course not. Have a good time." She told them kissing Jamie on the cheek as she left the room.

"So, you and my sister finally together or what?" Jamie interrogated him once they were in the car.

"I’m not sure."

"What do you mean you’re not sure?" Joey asked.

"Well she told me she likes me in a non platonic way, but we kinda left it at that."

"And do you feel the same way?" Jamie questioned.

"Yeah, I do, but you know my track record with women. They love me, but they hate my career."

"No kidding man I don’t know how Chris does it." Joey told them.

"Me either."

"Life is rough. You guys don’t know how lucky you are to have women falling at your feet. Hell I can’t even find a date to come to Mexico with me for a week."

"Mexico?" Lance said looking at him in wonder.

"Yeah, Meg and I are gonna spend our birthday at my grandparents condo. Didn’t she tell you about it?"

"No, was she supposed to?"

"Well duh. I figured she’d invite you to go with her. I told her she needed to bring a date."

"Nope this is the first I’ve heard of it."

Lance began to wonder if he had missed something or if he had made more out of what Megan had told him then he should have. The realization that he may never understand women was now weighing heavy on his mind.

"So you told him?" Emma asked holding on to the phone as if it were going to leap out of her hand.

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And he said he felt the same way, but we didn’t talk about it any more than that."

"So are you going to invite him to go to Mexico with you?"

"I don’t know. I don’t want to come on too strong. I also have very mixed emotions about what I told him."

"Well I can understand that, but if you don’t invite him then you’ll be the only one with out a date."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning Joey asked me to go with him and I said yes." She said in a satisfied tone.

"So he finally made you cave." Megan laughed.

"I did not cave. I needed someone to take and so he volunteered."

"Oh whatever. You act like you don’t care either way, but deep down I know you’re nuts about him."

"I’m that easy to read huh?"

"Definitely, but a word of advice he’s not commitment material so be up front with him and try not to fall too hard."

"I know, but don’t worry I think I can handle Mr. Fatone."

"I’m sure you can." Megan teased.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know. Bye."

Megan hung up before she could retaliate.

After she finished talking to Emma she decided she would ask Lance to go to Mexico with her. Even though she had confessed her feelings to him she wasn’t so sure she was ready to jump into a relationship with him. Nevertheless she enjoyed him company and she wasn’t about to leave him out of the fun.

Three hours later Jamie returned to the house with Lance and Joey.

"So I hear you are escorting Emma to Mexico." She questioned.

"That I am and I hope it pays off."

"Oh and what does that mean?" She said looking at him accusingly.

"It means he’s looking to get laid." Lance laughed.

"For you information I am not. I really like Emma. Not that rocking the room with her would be bad."

"Hey that’s my friend you’re talking about Fatone." She said punching him on the arm.

"Don’t slug me women. You should hear the things Bass was saying about you in the car."

She shot Lance a questioning look.

"What?"

"Go ahead tell her." Jamie said.

"I didn’t say anything."

She stood there silently waiting for an answer.

"We’re just kidding. He didn’t say anything." Joey laughed.

Lance took her by the arm and led her out the back door.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Come walk on the beach with me."

He entwined his fingers in hers as they walked along the shore in silence.

"Lance will you come to Mexico with me?" She finally asked.

"I’d love to." He said smiling at her. The doubts from earlier had begun to fade after she asked the question.

"Good cause I want you to come."

"Good cause I want to come too." He said looking at her seductively.

"That’s not what I meant."

"I know, but it’s a nice thought."

"Lance I…" She tried to speak as his mouth came down on hers.

"I can’t do this." She said pushing him away and running to the house.

Damn it Bass what were you thinking? He thought as he mentally kicked himself.

"Where’s Lance?" Jamie asked when she came in without him.

"He’s out on the beach." She answered as she brushed past him and before he could say another word she was gone.

A week later she was standing on the deck of her grandparent’s beachside condo in Cancun. She could feel the stress of the last week leaving her body as the gentle summer breeze blew through her hair.

She heard the sliding glass door open behind her.

"So are you going to tell me why Lance all of a sudden changed his mind about coming?" Jamie asked her.

"I’ve told you Jamie I don’t want to talk about it."

"Well I do. I’ve seen that look in you eyes before and I hate it so please talk to me."

"Jame just please leave me alone." She said just barely above a whisper.

"Come on Meg he said you haven’t talked to him in a week and he has no idea what he’s done."

"I know and I plan on keeping it that way. There are a lot of things he doesn’t know and they are things he will never know. Now please I want to be alone."

Without another word he headed back inside and she was thankful that he had because she had lost all control over the tears that were falling from her eyes.

An hour later she joined the rest of her friends in the living room and she started to feel better as she sipped on a margarita.

"Who the hell could that be?" She said out loud. When no one responded she got up to answer the door.

"Lance. What are you doing here?"

"I believe I was invited." He said stepping inside.

He continued when she didn’t say anything.

"The truth is I wanted to talk to you."

She didn’t respond, but she motioned for him to follow her.

The look of amazement fell on the others faces when Megan walked up the stairs followed by Lance.

"Megan I don’t know what I did to piss you off, but whatever it was I’m sorry." He said when they entered the room and shut the door.

"I’m sorry too. I like you a lot and I don’t know why I have such a hard time showing it." She knew she was lying to him by telling him that, but she wasn’t about to tell him the truth.

"Was it the sexual comment I made?" He asked as she saw the realization on his face.

" I want you Lance. I just felt like everything was starting to happen so fast."

Lance walked to her and put his arms around her waist.

"I’m sorry I said that. I won’t pretend I didn’t mean it, but I do realize it must have sounded pretty bad."

"Do you still mean it?"

He looked as shocked by her words as she was. She didn’t know where the words had come from.

"Well?" She said when he didn’t respond.

"Yeah, I do."

"Then make love to me." She said placing her mouth over his.

"Are you sure?"

" I’m sure."

At that very moment she was, but the next morning she knew she had been rash and she did the only thing she knew how to do.

"Where’s Megan?" Lance asked when he joined the others downstairs the next day.

"You mean she didn’t tell you? She went home." Brooke told him as she fed JC a strawberry.

"What do you mean went home. Why?"

"We’re not real sure. I thought you might be able to answer that. What did you do to her?"

"You got me."

"She dashed out of here mumbling something about male gratification and that they were all the same."

Lance darted up the stairs and returned a few minutes later with his bags in hand.

"Where are you going?" Justin asked him.

"Chicago."

"Chicago? Lance we don’t have to be there for another three days." Joey told him.

"I know, but I can’t be here. I need some time alone." He told them and then vanished.

The next day Jamie followed suit.

"Oh god not you too." Chris said when he noticed Jamie loading his bags in the car.

"I have to go to Chicago and find Lance."

"Okay, but you know how he gets when his space is invaded when he wants to be alone." Chris warned.

"I know, but there are things about my sister that he doesn’t know and it’s time he finds out. Whether she agrees with it or not."

"Well what do you want us to do?"

"Stay. Enjoy the rest of the day. I’ll try to hook up with you at home tomorrow." He said as he pulled away.

They’re all the same. If only one of them could think with the head between their shoulders instead of the one between their legs. Megan had poured over the hostile thoughts until she forced herself not to think about it anymore. Forget Lance. It surely won’t take him long to forget about you. She tried to focus on the sight of the waves splashing against the rocks, but her eyes were all but swollen shut from crying. The horrid memories of last summer and the thoughts of last night were taking their toll.

"Why you cryin baby?"

She spun around and met his eyes.

"I’m not your baby." She said hostily.

He carefully approached her.

"Lance why are you here?"

"Jamie followed me to Chicago and told me everything and I came here to say I’m sorry."

The heat of anger inside her was threatening to boil over as she wondered how Jamie could betray her.

"And what exactly are you sorry for Lance. The fact that a some drunk asshole raped me or the fact that my emotion problems hinge on my ability to put out?"

"That’s unfair." He said trying to keep his own building anger in check.

"You’re right it is unfair." She shot back.

"I think if you’d have told me we could have avoided this whole mess."

"Why Lance so that you could be the one to rescue me from my past? You’re just like everyone else."

"No, but I could have listened. I would have."

"You know what no amount of talking is going to make what happened to me go away. Hell I take six pills a day to try to do that and that doesn’t work well either."

"And I’m not saying it would, but at least I would have known Megan. I wouldn’t have pushed."

She tried to talk over the uncontrollable sobs as Lance pulled her into his arms.

"Let me go." She screamed.

"I’m not letting you go. Not ever."

"Lance, leave now!" When he seen the rage in her eyes he wasn’t going to argue.

He slowly turned to go with the look of defeat on his face, then stopped for a moment.

"We could be so good together if you’d just give it a chance. Give us a chance."

"Just go."

The moment she heard him pull away she wished she could take it all back, but her pride kept her from that.

Still weeks after Lance had left to go back on tour she wished she could change how things had happened that day. She felt things for him she had never felt before and even though she knew why she had pushed him away it didn’t make letting him walk away any easier.

The weeks slowly drifted into months. She though, on many occasions about hopping on a plane to find him. To tell him she was wrong.

As January neared she prepared herself for his homecoming.

"Lance will be home in a few weeks." Jamie told her one day while they sat on the porch swing enjoying the final days of unseasonably warm weather.

"I’ll be back at school before he comes home."

"School, but I didn’t think classes started until mid March ?"

"They don’t"

"Megan, you can’t spend the rest of your life running from him. He doesn’t deserve this."

"Jamie I’m not running. Ross needs help at the resort and he asked me to come back early."

Jamie stood up and walked to the railing at the edge of the porch looking out over the front lawn.

"Well that’s convient. Why are you doing this?" The anger that rose in his voice startled her.

"I’m not doing anything. Ross needs me." She fought the urge to argue with him, but the more he talked the harder it became.

"No, Lance needs you." He said turning around to face her. "Why can’t you see that. He adores you and I know you like him so why are you fighting it?"

"If he needs me then he can wait!"

"Wait for what? For how long, forever? Because he won’t you know." His tone suddenly turned sympathetic and he placed his hands over hers. "Come on Meg sooner or later you have to move on. I know you can never forget and I’m not asking you too, but dwelling on the past isn’t healthy."

"I know that Jamie."

"Then what is the problem?"

"I love him."

Jamie looked at her in total confusion. "That doesn’t make any sense. If you love him then why don’t you want to be with him?"

"I do. I just….Jamie, I would drop everything right now and marry him if he asked and that’s where the problem is."

"I don’t understand."

"What if the doctor is right. What if I can never have kids is that fair to Lance?"

"Don’t you think you’re being a little premature?"

"No I don’t. It is my biggest fear. Lance is the one Jamie I feel it, but I can’t ask him to give up on the dream of having children of his own when I’m confident I can’t give him that."

"Will you just promise me one thing?"

She looked at him hesitantly before she answered.

"What?"

"Will you promise me you’ll talk to him before you go back to Ft. Lauderdale?"

She knew she wasn’t sure she could do it, but she agreed.

Megan sat in her room in total silence. It had been three weeks since she had agreed on Jamie’s request that she talk to Lance. Yet as everyone bustled around down stairs she had her doubts. She knew that every emotion and everything she felt hinged on Lance. If he refused her how could she go on? She was confident in what she had told Jamie about Lance being the one and every day she spent away from him the more confident she was of that. She had never known misery like this in her life and she ached to feel his arms around her. In the months that he had been gone Megan daydreamed about the one and only night they had spent together. She thought of the times they had spent at the lake and the trips them and their group of friends took to Disney and Universal. Her family loved him, but more importantly she loved him.

"You coming to the airport with us?" Brooke said breaking Megan from her thoughts as she entered the room.

"What? No, I’ll catch up with you guys at the club."

"Alright then we’ll see you later and Megan."

"Yeah."

"For whatever it’s worth JC told me that Lance really misses you."

Megan gave her a weak smile before she walked out.

I miss you too Lance. She thought as she got up to go shower. They had reserved a room at her father’s county club for a welcome home party for the guys.

Half an hour later she was ready to go and she could feel the sweat form on her hands as she drove. She had no idea what she was going to say to him. The awkwardness was something she had never experienced with him, but she knew that tonight it would be there. He nervousness grew as she pulled into the club parking lot and got out of her car. As she reached the door thoughts of fleeing ran rampant through her mind, but she continued.

"I’m looking for the Bryant party." She told the women at the desk.

"Room 334. Down the hall and it’s the last room on the left."

"Thank you."

As she approached the door she could hear the familiar voices as the chattered.

"Megan!" Justin said as he threw his arms around her.

"Hi everyone."

She made her way around the room hugging everyone finally stopping in front of Lance. She hesitated for a moment before embracing him. For the few brief minutes his arms were around her she felt whole as if the agony in her heart had been sealed off. He smelled so good and all she wanted at that very moment was to be alone with him. Everyone else in the room seemed to disappear as she gazed into his eyes.

"I hate to interrupt, but I’d like to talk to you in private Megan."

As she followed Diane outside to the patio she thought of how much she adore this women. The two stepped outside and Diane closed the sliding glass door behind them.

"Megan, I hope you won’t be upset, but I want to be totally honest with you."

"Okay." She wasn’t sure what this was all about but she was anxious to find out.

"Lance told me about what happened to you last summer. I know that may upset you, but please try to understand how hurt and angry he was."

"Hurt and angry?" Megan was a bit confused.

"My son cares about you very much and it hurt him to know what happened to you."

Megan sat in silence as the tears trickled down her cheeks.

"All in all what I want to say is that I hope you and him can work out your differences. We really like you Megan and that Jim, Stacy and I would like to see you and Lance together."

"I don’t know what to say."

"You don’t need to say anything to me, but please talk to Lance."

Megan just smiled at her and without another word the two joined the rest of the group.

"What were you two up to?" Lance asked Megan.

"Nothing just girl talk." She said smiling at him.

"I’d like to talk to you too."

"Can it wait till later. I’d just like to enjoy the party for now."

"Of course. Wanna dance?"

"I’d love to." She said as Lance took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor. "I promise I won’t run away this time." She added.

"Good."

They danced in silence and her body trembled whenever she felt Lance’s breath on her skin. She felt her heart sink when the song ended.

"We have something special for you." He said as he joined the guys and grabbed a microphone.

She gave him a confused look as Justin began to speak.

"We want to sing a song for you all and with little thought we have all agreed that this song has officially been dedicated to very special girl. Megan this one’s for you from Lance." After Justin finished she heard the opening chords of This I Promise You flow in the back ground.

Megan and Lance’s eyes never parted from each other as they sang and by the time the song was finished everyone’s eyes were on them also and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

"That was beautiful." She told him when he returned to her side.

"Every word of that song represents how I feel about you and even the things you must be going through."

"You are wonderful." She said putting her arms around his neck as he moved in to kiss her.

"I’m glad you finally realized that." He said laughing softly as the kiss ended.

Lance’s eyes fluttered around the room.

"Whatdaya say we get outta here?"

"Sounds good to me." She smiled shyly.

They made their way around the room muttering good-byes and silently slipped out when the music had started again.

"I was thinking we could go back to my place. You know so we can be alone without any interruptions."

"Okay."

They were both quiet on the drive to Lance’s house, but occasionally Megan caught Lance smiling at her.

"What?"

"What what. I can’t look at you now?"

"Well yes, but it’s the way you’re looking at me."

"I’m sorry I’ll stop."

"No, I like it." She told him as they pulled up to the house and got out.

"I just put in a hot tub. Feel like trying it out?"

"That sounds great, but I don’t have a bathing suit." She told him knowing that was the point.

"Well if you don’t care then I definitely don’t care." He was unsure of how the comment would effect her.

"You are terrible."

"Me?" He said pointing at himself innocently.

"Yes you. Don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind Mr. Bass." She told him as they slipped out of their clothes and into the tub.

"I’m sorry." He said honestly meaning it.

"It’s alright."

"I have one wish."

"And what’s that?" She asked as he moved closer to her and took her in his arms.

"I want to make love to you and for you to still be here when I get up in the morning."

"I think that can be arranged." She told him as she slid her arms around his neck and brought his mouth down on hers.

"I am so in love with you." He whispered to her as the heat from her body took over his senses.

"I think I love you too."

"You think?" He said as she wiggled away from him and ran for safety.

Lance chased her into the bedroom and gently tackled her onto the bed as she let out a playful scream.

"Okay maybe I do."

"Maybe? You can do better than maybe." He said as he began tickling her.

"I do. I do." She yelled over her laughter.

"That’s better."

The teasing turned more serious as they began kissing. Slowly at first, but as it continued it became more needy.

"I’m laying naked in your bed whatever will you do with me."

"Oh I think I have a few ideas." He said as he climbed on top of her and slid himself into her.

"Oh Lance." She moaned as he moved in and out of her. The ripples of orgasm taking over her body.

Moments later Lance followed with his own. Covering her in his white juices.

"Um, that was incredible." She said rubbing what Lance offered all over her.

"You’re gonna get sticky baby."

"Oh well then I guess we’ll just have to go back to the hot tub."

"You’re a bad girl Megan, but I like the way you think." He said raising his eyebrows at her.

"I thought you would, but you haven’t seen anything yet Bass."

"Um what do you have in mind Miss. Bryant?"

"Wait here."

Lance looked at her as she smiled at him mischievously and left the room returning a few minutes later with a silk scarf and something behind her back.

"Is that for me or you?"

"You. Now come here." She said crawling behind him and tying the scarf around his eyes.

"What are you doing to me?"

"Lay down." She demanded sweetly as she pushed him back onto the bed.

Lance jumped a little as he felt the sticky liquid she was dripping down his chest and grabbed the mattress in his hands when she began licking it off. She repeated the process again only this time instead of licking it off she slid her body up his.

"My turn." He said pulling the blindfold off and looking into her eyes as she stuck a finger into his mouth.

"Mmm, chocolate." He quickly rolled her over and began his own attack on her. Licking the chocolate off hungrily as he made his way down her chest and stomach to her most private place.

"Um baby you taste good all over."

Megan moaned at Lance’s touch and his comment. He had a way of making her feel things she had never felt before and in more ways than one. Up until the time she was raped she was a virgin so Lance was, in her reality, her first and she knew that she had made the right choice. Not only did she love this man, but the sight of him made her hormones rage out of control.

"Oh Lance, you make me feel so good."

"I’m at your service sweetness. Tell me what you want."

She put her hand to his face and looked at him passionately.

"You in the hot tub."

"You got it." He said wasting no time retreating to the next room and hopping in the warm, bubbly water.

"Come in here and let me make love to you." He didn’t need to ask twice.

As night turned into morning the passion ceased to subside. They continued their rein until exhaustion set in just before dawn.

Lance awoke and answered the phone.

"Hello." He said as he wiped the sleep from his eyes and got up careful not to wake Megan.

"Lansten, were you sleeping man?"

"Yes, I was Joey."

"It’s two in the afternoon. Long night?"

"You could say that. What’s up?"

"Um, we have a show tonight."

"Oh man, no I didn’t forget I was just distracted." He told his bandmate as he glanced over at the women in his bed.

"I bet you were. Well we have to be at Waterhouse in an hour for sound check."

"I’ll be there." He said hanging up the phone and quietly moving to the bathroom.

He quickly showered and got dressed.

"Where are you going?" Megan asked sleepily.

"I have to be at the venue in forty five minutes for sound check."

"Oh my gosh the show. I almost forgot." She said scrambling to get dressed.

"You don’t have to get up. Go back to sleep."

"No, I wanna come. If you don’t mind." She said walking over to stand in front of him as he bent over the bed to put his shoes on.

"Of course not. I think the other girls will be there too." He told her as he slid his arms around her waist.

Slowly he stood up and kissed her deeply.

"You’re lucky we have to go."

"What you didn’t get enough last night?" She teased swatting him on the butt.

"Of you? Never."

"That’s good to know." She laughed.

"Ready to go?"

"Yep."

"You two look like you could use about 10 hours of sleep." JC started teasing when Lance and Megan finally made it to the venue.

Neither of them said anything they just looked a each other and smiled.

"So, it looks as though you have finally made a decision." Brooke said once the guys were up on stage.

"Yeah, I have."

"Well I think it’s a good one."

"I do too Brooke. I do too."

THE END