| Lance conversed with the security team, wondering why in the hell people thought it funny to call death threats in on them. For chrissakes, didn't they deserve some peace? This tour had been especially tough, littered with loons trying to break them. The worst was the murder plot conconcted by some kid who thought they got all the good girls. What kind of shit was that? He stood with JC, listening to the police radio, while their bodyguards simultaniously chatted through walkie talkies. He hated this position, wanting so badly to just hang out with Mya, who he was sure would never want to talk to him again. Hell, he didn't blame her. This was a fucked up situation, even by N Sync standards. But why, why on the first night of meeting someone he truly liked. Fate was not in his favor lately, and he was growing sour. "So, what's the deal?" he asked again, anxious to let Mya in on what was happening. Maybe the hotel would be cleared for them soon. Yeah, right. Bomb searches took hours. No, there would be no returning for a while. Tour bus bunks were the sleeping arrangements this evening. That meant getting Mya home. He stared up at one of the bodyguards, annoyed that he was being ignored. "Hello? Anyone know anything?" "Shh," the bodyguard hushed him, covering one ear to hear better. "Fuck!" Lance spat, collapsing into a chair. "JC, what the hell is going on?" JC shrugged. "I think we should get her home though. It's not a good deal to have her here. Not right now." Lance gritted his teeth. "I hate this. I fucking hate this. I hate it all!" He slammed his fist down on the table in sheer frustration. It wasn't fair. Sure, he'd chosen this life, but how much would he have to sacrifice? "Lance?" Mya approached cautiously, feeling the tension in the air. She knew they were all aggrivated by the situation, although none of them seemed particulary scared. He looked up and replaced his scowl with a smile. "Hi. I'm sorry about all this. Really. Things have been so nuts on this tour and..." She held up her hand. "Stop. You don't need to apologize for this. It's not your fault." She sat next to him, touching his knee lightly and tilting her head at him. "Unless you called in the threat to get me on this lovely bus!" JC chuckled at the comment. Lance frowned. He knew she was trying to make him feel better, but in the back of his mind, it made him feel worse. At least if she was nasty, or bitchy, he wouldn't regret having her leave. It would be easier for him. JC leaned over and poked him hard. "Dude, it was a joke! Lighten up." Lance forced a smile, glad to have her hand on his leg. He liked the warmth of it radiating through his jeans. "Anyway," he continued, leaning back a bit, "I guess we'll have to figure out how to get you home." Mya sighed. Home was where she wished she could go. Then she could be their hero and invite them to come stay with her. Of course, she knew that was insane. No way would they be able to actually do that, but at least the offer would be noble. But, alas, she had work. Stupid, perverted work that she hated more and more. The money was just too good to give up, though. Putting herself through school as well as sending her brother money was killing her financially. Her job was the only thing that put her in a position to do these things. "Yeah, but my car," she said. "How will I get it?" JC rubbed his eyes, taking a seat across from them. "We could circle around. They should be able to clear a path." "No, I couldn't ask you to go back there. Maybe we could call a cab from here. That way you all can stay out of the area." She felt Lance tense beneath her touch, and her stomach rolled nervously. He really liked her. The thought was so intense, and she wanted so desperatly to be in a position to like him back. No, it would never work. Not with his celebrity status and good guy image, and her, well, her job. That fucking job. She moved her hand from his leg, reluctantly. "Do you have a cell I could use?" Lance folded his arms across his chest. Okay, well pouting wasn't something he usually did, but he was so upset. Why tonight? Now she would be gone, and unless she agreed to see him again the following day, he'd be gone. He kicked out at the bench across from him and pursed his lips. He saw JC hand over his phone from the corner of his eye and cursed the whole cell phone world. From the back of the bus, he heard Justin screaming at Joey and Chris, and he knew the terror twins were annoying him. That would normally lighten his mood, but not tonight. He listened to Mya as she called for a cab and pouted some more. Screw this life. He hated it right now more than anything. She completed her call, and handed JC his phone back, thanking him. "So," she whispered, shifting her body slightly to face Lance. "I had an interesting time." Her attempt at yet another small tease went unnoticed, and she raised her eyebrows at JC. "He's moody," she commented. JC nodded. "Yup. Moody as a...well, just moody." He swatted at Lance's leg. "I'm going back to save Joey and Chris from Justin's wrath. You okay?" Lance blinked, relaxing his arms slightly. They'd gone numb from holding them so tightly across his body. His last few minutes with Mya. "Yeah, thanks." JC stretched and sauntered down the aisle toward the pissed off voice of his friend. "Lance, it's fine. I know you're upset, but it wasn't that bad." She tried, understanding how badly he felt. How she wanted to reach out and touch his arm, sqeeze it and let him know that it wasn't him, or the odd situation surrounding them at the moment. It was thinking about tomorrow, or the future. It just would not be able to work. Being a woman, she always thought like that, even if he wasn't. A bright smile formed on his lips and he sighed. "I'm fine. I pouted, got it out, now I'm good." She was sitting so close to him, his heart fluttered. "Anyway, if you're going to be around tomorrow, I have some things to do, but maybe we could hook up for dinner or something." He was nervous, actually sweating asking this girl out, afraid of rejection. Damn, what a feeling. Mya moved back a bit, her heart screaming yes! yes! Her mind saying no! no! Looking into those pale green eyes, so full of hope, she wondered why her. Why did this gorgeous creature want her. Plain old Mya. He could have anyone. She wasn't worth his time. "I'm sorry. I don't think it's a good idea," she croaked. Lance wasn't going to be put off, no more, no way. "Please?" he begged, flashing that famous lopsided smile, the one he used when he really wanted someone to say yes. "Come on, one dinner. I know this was all a bit crazy, but it's not usually like this. Come on." Bravely, he grabbed her hand in his and traced little circles on her wrist. Mya felt her body tremble at just one touch from him, and oh god, what was he doing to her wrist? Her head nodded before her mind could comprehend it all. Lance leaned in and hugged her, heart to heart, and it was over. Job or not, she wanted him. "Good, let me give you my cell number and I have yours. I'll call you and let you know what time." Digging for a pen, Lance felt his body float. She said yes, thanks to his charm, which he was not at all ashamed he used, and he tucked the paper in her hand. The cab honked from outside the bus, and Mya jumped at the sound. "Ride's here," the bodyguard yelled, watching the yellow car carefully. Lance stood up and guided her to the front, prepared to get off with her. "Oh no you don't," a large hand pulled his shoulder hard. "You can't just get off this bus and prance out there." Lance tugged away. "Look, I can. I'm fine." He jumped from the bus before another word of protest could be spoken. Mya followed, and the large bodyguard sighed heavily, trailing them both. Lance held her hand and pulled her in for another hug. "Until tomorrow," he said, lifting his hand to push that stubborn curl from her face. His fingers instinctivly trailed from her hair down her cheek, tracing a line to her lips. Mya's mouth went dry. He was dangerously close to her with that 'i'm going to kiss you now' look that guys always got. As much as she wanted to, she just couldn't pull away. His thumbs found her cheeks, and his large, gentle hands pulled her closer. As his lips touched hers, she gasped. They were so soft, full, and tender. Her head swam as she melted into the feeling. "Lance, let's move it," the bodyguard warned, not liking the fact his charge was a sitting duck on this street. Lance broke the kiss, smiling. "I gotta go," he whispered, plucking that curl again. "I'll call you." Mya nodded wordlessly as the cab honked again. He walked her to it, opening the door. "Tomorrow," she repeated, staring at him, wondering what the hell just happened. He winked and closed the door, leaving her with her questions. Quickly, Lance jumped back on the bus, elation running through his veins. He didn't remember the last time he felt this good. No random sex or concert performance had ever given him such a high. He hurried down the bus to the back where the others were situated. "She gone?" Justin grumbled, sitting up with his blanket still wrapped around him. Joey and Chris were playing video games, hollering and carrying on. "Yup," Lance answered, sitting down and tossing his sneakers to the side. JC grinned. "He loves her!" Lance shrugged, for the first time not caring if he was teased or not. "Maybe," he smiled, leaning back into the cushions. "For fuck's sake, you don't even know her," cried Justin, shaking his head. "What is with you?" Lance barked at his younger friend. "You're such an asshole lately." "Better an asshole than a freak who thinks he's found love with some stranger." JC groaned. "That's mean, Justin. Why don't you just shut up and stay quiet!" Justin stood up angrily. "I'm going to bed. Don't bother me." Lance lifted his feet to let him pass. "We won't! Don't worry!" Whatever was bugging Justin had worn out it's welcome with the rest of them. JC sighed. "He's a pisser." Lance shook his head. "Fuck him. I'm in a good mood and not even he can take it away." He closed his eyes and started to plan his dinner with Mya for the following night. It had to be good to keep her. Keep her. He grinned sloppily at the thought. He'd never wanted to keep anyone before. If he brought someone back to his room, he always made them leave. It wasn't often, but still. Thinking about it, he called on his romantic side. It had to be good, damn good. |