*Disclaimer - I do not own any of the members of 'N Sync (nor would I ever want to) they belong to their respective owners. I do, however, own all fictional characters such as Mike, Ashley, Rachel, Katie, etc. Plagiarism is against the law and will not be tolerated. Thank you.

Katie sat alone in the hotel's ballroom, lost in thought as she halfheartedly played the piano in front of her. Most everyone was up in Chris's room watching a movie, so she had slipped out unnoticed. She sat, bemused at the way Justin was acting toward her now. Sometimes he would be painfully aloof and other times he would laugh and joke with her. Katie never knew what to expect and it was becoming an emotionally draining game to play constantly. She shook her head with a sad smile. Soon it would be all over and her life would get back to normal, but she wasn't so sure she really wanted that to happen.

"Is this a private party, or can anyone join in?" a familiar voice questioned. She looked up and smiled at JC with a shrug.

"I'll take that as an invitation." he snorted as he took a seat next to her on the piano bench. Katie nodded, remaining silent.

"Is there something you want to talk about?" JC inquired as he plunked a few notes on the piano. She shook her head, gazing out one of the huge windows on the far wall. JC shrugged with a silent sigh as he began to play a jazz version of one of 'N Sync's songs.

"Part of me wishes that this will never end and part of me can't wait until it does." Katie stated suddenly. JC stopped playing and turned to face her.

"We all feel the same way sometimes. Touring can take a lot out of a person, especially if they're not used to it." he commented softly with a nod. "Something else bothering you?"

Katie shrugged, not knowing how to explain the situation or even know where to start. "I just don't understand Justin."

"What do you mean?" JC questioned, raising a slightly amused eyebrow.

We used to fight constantly and I could deal with that. Now after that damn kiss, he's been aloof one minute and attentive the next. I just don't understand him." she exclaimed gesturing wildly with her hands.

"Ah, I see what you're getting at." JC nodded with a faint smile. "Justin's an individual who hates to start things he can't finish. Because you're going home soon, I think he doesn't want to get too attached. He likes you, most of us can see that, but he knows it's unfair to date someone. Especially in the career we've all chosen."

Katie sighed with frustration and jumped to her feet to pace the room. "Then explain Lance and Rachel, Chris and Devon, Joe and Ashley, you and Mike for God's sake."

"We made those decisions and every single one of us knows how hard a relationship is, because of the fame and the recording and touring. You have to deal with not being able to see each other on a regular basis and having no privacy at all. You may date him, but the fans practically own him. It's one of those things you have to be sure of." he explained, a bemused expression on his face. "Plus he's constantly worried about whether a girl likes him for him, or because he's Justin from 'N Sync."

"I give up. If he doesn't know by now, I'm not going to spell it out for him." Katie shook her head, folding her arms across her chest.

"Sometimes you need to explain things to Justin. If you like him, tell him. What have you got to loose?" JC shrugged, plunking a few more notes on the piano.

"Aren't all men the same way?" Katie snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Some." he laughed with a nod as his cellular phone rang.

"Have fun talking to the old lady." Katie teased, waving as JC pulled out his phone.

"Hello?"

"I am so tired of hospitals, sick people and dying that it's not even remotely funny anymore."

"I can imagine. I take it things aren't going as well as you hoped."

"Not really. Things are just ducky here."

"Yeah? How so?"

"Well, lets see. Sage wants out because he doesn't want his son to see him die in the hospital. Mom hasn't stopped crying since I've arrived. Dad hasn't said more than five words to me. Jordan and Cory have surgically attached themselves to my legs, which I don't really mind, cause I've missed them like hell. Blake won't shut up and quit harping me about you and the guys. She keeps telling me she wants a date with Justin. It's sickening. Trucker keeps yelling at Dallas and Dallas keeps slamming the front door as he leaves, no matter the time and who is sleeping at the moment he feels the urge to let everyone know that he's either home or he's just left. I've become the head chef and the maid. So, I'm going to have a purely selfish moment right now. I want you here. I need my rock."

"You want me to fly out there?"

"No --, I just miss you and it's crazy here. So crazy in fact, that I'm hiding in the closet to make this phone call."

"What?"

"Don't laugh at me. It isn't nice."

"Okay, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"Is there anything I can do for you from here?"

"Sing to me --, no I'm kidding. I don't know, just talk to me. Tell me what's going on over there."

"Well, Joe's still griping about Ashley under his breath. Lance and Rachel can't bear to be apart for more than an hour, which I find quite unnerving. Chris is always on the phone with Devon. And things are brewing between Justin and Katie. It should be interesting to see how that one turns out."

"Um, okay. All the fun stuff happens when I'm not there. Rats, I've been found. I have to come out of the closet now."

"Uh, yeah. Wait, does this change things with us?"

"No, you silly man."

"Just checking."

"Okay."

"Ya think?"

"I'm gonna slap you."

"Promises, promises."

"Oh, shut up. I have to go. The kitchen's on fire and the kids are playing Tarzan from the furniture. Actually, it looks more like George of the Jungle cause one of them just smacked into the wall."

"Kitchen's on fire? For real?"

"Yeah. That's why I have to go. Duh."

"Smart ass."

"I know, but you love me anyway."

"This is true. I'll talk to you soon."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye." JC laughed and hung up the phone, shaking his head ruefully.

Katie strode purposefully down the hallway, stewing over the conversation she and JC had a few minutes earlier. She stopped in front of Justin's hotel room door, hand raised to rap on the wood. Katie sighed dropping her hand to her side, doubts and second thoughts plaguing her. Part of her wanted to demand why he was acting so childish and part of her wanted to forget about it and move on with her life. She sighed tossing her hands up into the air, then headed for her own room. She flopped down on one of the two beds and picked up the phone to dial her best friend's number.

"You have Shalousie, what up?"

"Hey Shal."

"Skit-zay?"

"Yeah."

"Whatsamaddayou?"

"Nothing."

"Yeah right. So, how's touring with America's five most eligible young bachelors?"

"Only one of them is a bachelor anymore and it's all right."

Don't we sound thrilled to pieces."

"I don't need your sarcasm, Shal."

"Man, what is up with you?"

"That's just it! I don't know."

"All right then, start from the beginning."

"I was born on a rainy --,"

"Now who's being sarcastic?"

Fine. When the tour started, Justin kept his distance, then things started to change. We fought all the time about stupid, dumbass things and one day he kissed me. Now he avoids me one minute and smothers me the next. It's too damn confusing."

"Oh, I get it now."

"Don't start."

"I'm not going to, but it sounds like he's starting to change his opinion of you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He probably likes you, but doesn't know if it's because he's famous or not."

"That's pretty much what JC said."

"I always knew the man was intelligent. Look, there's a pool there, right?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't you go take a few laps and get some exercise. You always feel better after you exert yourself in a pool."

"You know, now that you mention it, it does sound like a good idea. Thanks, Shal."

"Any time Skit-zay."

Katie hung up the phone then began to rummage around in her bag to find her bathing suit. She pulled out her favorite aqua colored suit then hurriedly changed in the bathroom. She wrapped her oversized beach towel around her waist then headed downstairs to where the pool area was. It was deserted, which she was thankful for. Katie had always loved to swim, in fact she was on her high school's swim team and had won many awards. She was also up for a possible scholarship for her talent.

She dove into the water and began warming up her muscles. After a ten minute warm up, she began doing laps, letting her mind wander. If he likes me, why does he act the way he does. Most guys try to spend as much time as they can with the girls they like.

She grabbed onto the wall of the pool and hoisted herself up to sit for a moment to catch her breath.

"Looks like I wasn't the only one who wanted to take advantage of the empty pool." a familiar voice laughed, making her heart jump in her chest.

"I guess not." Katie replied climbing to her feet. She glanced over at Justin as she made her way to the diving board. She climbed up the latter and stood on the end, concentrating. She jumped once, twice, and performed a perfect swan dive. Justin folded his arms over his chest as he watched her swim back to the edge of the pool and haul herself out in a single graceful movement. She shivered slightly as she walked back to the table where she had left her things and wrapped her oversized beach towel around her shoulders.

"The pool's all yours." she stated stiffly then turned to leave.

"Katie, wait a second." Justin called out to her. She sighed softly then turned to face him, eye dubious about what would happen. "You don't have to leave. Actually, I was hoping you'd join me. We haven't been able to talk in a while."

"We've both been busy with our own things." Katie shrugged, trying to act as indifferently as she could. Justin raised an eyebrow, remaining silent for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess so. Have you been having fun?" he inquired suddenly as he sat down at the edge of the pool, dangling his feet in the water.

"I like to travel, so yes. It's been quite an experience." she nodded, still standing behind him.

"I can imagine. I remember the first time we toured. We were over seas. Everything was beautiful. The land, the food, the people. It was amazing. Though if I had to pick my favorite place, it would have to be South Africa." Justin smiled slightly. "South Africa is by far, the most beautiful and awe inviting."

"I'd love to see Africa someday. Maybe for my honeymoon or something. I'd like to see Ireland, too. Maybe Scotland. Most definitely Aruba and the Virgin Islands." Katie laughed as she took a seat next to him.

"I don't know, I think I'd like to visit Russia, Japan and China." he shrugged gazing over at her.

"Mmmm.....yup. Me too. I'd like to go everywhere. Take a tour of the world, see everything there is to see. Experience all the different cultures. Try all sorts of different foods. Get a feel of the earth, I guess." she sighed gazing into the chlorine blue water that filled the pool. Justin nodded in silent agreement.

Why do you suddenly have the feeling you'd like to be the one taking her to all those places? This is insane. You've lost it Justin. Totally lost every shred of sanity you had left. Justin climbed to his feet and grinned down at her.

"I'll race you." he challenged.

"I only race when there's a bet on the line." Katie laughed shaking her head.

"Okay, a bet it is. If I win, you have to go out on a date with me." Justin shrugged, becoming nervous all at once because of what he just said.

"All right, and if I win, you have to become my slave for an entire day." she smiled impishly.

"You have a deal." he smiled as they walked to the edge of the deep end. "The race will be to the shallow end and back. First one to touch the wall, wins."

"Okay, I can agree to those terms." Katie nodded, taking the diving stance she had perfected year earlier.

"On your marks, get set, go!" Justin called out loudly just before he dove into the water. Katie did her best and she was winning for a while, but decided that a date with Justin was what she really wanted in the first place and let him get just an inch or two ahead of her. Justin touched the wall first and let out a yell of victory.

"Looks like you owe me a date." Justin stated breathlessly as he sat on the concrete floor.

"Yeah, I guess it looks that way." Katie sighed, silently delighted.

Rachel and Lance sat in one of the hotel rooms, watching TV with a highly lonely Joe. As of late, he had begun missing his girlfriend and had tried to call her, but she had been at work. Rachel smiled and curled up next to Lance as he wrapped an arm around her. Joe jumped to his feet and started pacing the room.

"Joe, sit down! You're making me nervous." Lance admonished playfully. Joe sighed and perched on the edge of the second bed.

"I'm going stir crazy. I need to get outta here for a while." he muttered savagely.

"Why don't you see if JC wants to get outta here for a while. The two of you are like twins without the girls here. Miserable and bored as hell." Lance suggested as Rachel rested her head on his shoulder.

"Because, Lance, that would be too easy. Besides, when does JC ever go out anyway. It's seven-thirty, he's probably getting ready for bed." Joe snorted with a shake of his head.

"Joe, then why don't you call her?" Lance exclaimed, becoming frustrated with his older friend. Rachel giggled softly. "You have something to say?" Lance inquired looking down at her.

"I just think this is funny. I mean, you guys aren't really allowed to date or anything, considering you fan population, and here we are. You're sitting here cuddling with me, Joe's been a bear because he's not with Ashley; Justin and Katie, well, who knows what the hell is going on with them; JC's trying to put up a front so people won't figure out just how much he misses Mike; and Chris, well Chris is being a bit more childish than usual because Devon's not here to make sure he acts his age. All of you have girlfriends of some sort, yet you aren't really allowed to tell." Rachel shrugged with a grin. "It's the ultimate game of hide and seek."

"I'm glad you find this so humorous." Joe sighed flopping down on the bed in front of him.

"I don't find this humorous, Joe. I can sympathize that you miss her, but you can do something about that. You could call her and talk to her for a while. There are dozens of things you could do. Go hang out with JC for a while and get Chris to join you. Start a lonely hearts club. Do something, anything, to either fix it or help you not miss her so much." Rachel shrugged with a sigh of her own.

"All right, I can get the picture." Joe mumbled, climbing to his feet.

"Yeah, but only after you get hit with it a couple of times." Lance laughed.

"Very funny, Poofoo. Remind me to laugh when I get back." Joe snorted as he walked out into the hallway. He knocked on JC and Chris's door loudly before walking in. Chris sat in front of his laptop, jabbing away at the keys, while JC sat in front of the television, flipping through channels.

"Hey Joe, what's up?" JC inquired glancing over at him.

"I've just come to a conclusion." Joe sighed taking a seat on the foot of a bed.

"Uh oh, Joe's come to a conclusion, therefore he's been thinking. That's a scary thought all by itself." Chris smirked from the table.

"Shut your face grandpa. I've come to the conclusion that we're pitiful. Every single one of us. Utterly pitiful." Joe mumbled with a shake of his head.

"Why? Because we miss people?" JC questioned distractedly.

"Speak for yourselves. I'm chatting with my person." Chris retorted as he typed something quickly.

"Well, lucky you knows how to do that sort of thing." Joe countered sarcastically.

"Only because I took lessons from Dev and Mike." Chris laughed.

"It would figure. Ash is probably about as Internet illiterate as I am." Joe grinned as he flopped backwards.

"Chris, you've been on that thing for two hours. I would like to check up on Mike." JC reminded, rubbing Chris's head.

"Hey Joe, you'll never guess who's here." Chris burst out laughing.

"Who?" Joe inquired walking over to the table to peer over Chris's shoulder.

"Your leading lady." was the answer. JC sighed, tossing his hands into the air with a rueful smile.

"I'm going to bed. Have fun chatting your brains out." JC mumbled as he walked over to the bed he had laid claim to. He flopped onto it and closed his eyes.

Justin sighed and impatiently knocked on Katie's door again. They had a date tonight and she was taking forever to get ready. The door opened and Billie glared at him.

"Do you mind? I'm trying to talk on the phone." she snapped angrily.

"Then tell the princess to get her ass in gear." Justin retorted, rolling his eyes heavenward.

"Whatever." Billie sighed shaking her head before slamming the door in his face. Justin shook his head with a rueful smile. This was the first time anyone had slammed a door in his face, and he thought it rather humorous. He paced the hallway, trying to find his patience. He looked up expectantly when the door opened, and he nearly stopped breathing. Katie was a vision in her long, flowing casual dress.

"Sorry it took me so long. I couldn't find my luggage." she explained.

"It's okay." Justin shook his head, not quite sure on what to say, so he decided on the truth. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks." Katie replied shyly with a smile. Justin suddenly remembered his manners and offered her his arm. She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and smiled up at him.

"Where would you like to go tonight?" he inquired as they walked toward the elevators.

"I don't know. I've never been to LA, so I wouldn't know where to start." Katie shrugged. Justin nodded, a devilish smile forming on his face.

"I'm sure I can come up with something." he nodded with a small laugh.

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