Halle sat at her desk tapping her pencil vigorously. In front of her sat paperwork- tons. But lately, the lines had been blurring. It wasn't glasses she needed though. She was losing focus. It wasn't because of the constant tapping of the pencil either; keeping her fingers busy was a way to distract her. Ever since she had met JC she felt as if she was trapped in her mind... with him. That was where she was now. But her lips smiled outside, and despite her annoyance that he was always there she had to admit, she was getting to like it.

But there would always be a part of her that wondered where her former self had gone- the one with the goals and success. Was she still here, even as distracted as she was? Priorities, what are my priorities? If she wasn't careful she would have another one.

-*-*-*-

"It's a bird, it's a plane, no! It's Joshua Lin!" JC's voice rang through the hallway they had just walked into to. Well, in this case, it was more like ran into, but nevermind the technicalities. Josh was on JC's shoulders as they had walked to the tall recording studio: RCA, in from the busy streets on New York. It wasn't a bribe, 'If you come with Blue, Josh, you get to ride on his shoulders.' Actually, the little boy had wanted to come himself, excited when JC had told him where they were going.

JC wasn't even scheduled to come in now. He wasn't expected until 7:30 tonight. He didn't mean to sound as though he was pushing Halle aside, because he was doing so by no means, but when she had finally left for work this morning, he felt he had accomplished something. Suddenly, something was right. Now he felt the need to make the other aspects of his life right. So all this morning his mind had been bent on Justin- and making what was wrong, right.

His mind was set as he breezed in with Josh, opening the door to the studio they always used, having no problem passing the secretary. In fact, he walked right past her and security. She knew him, though she eyed the little boy on his shoulders, doing a double take. JC just smiled as he saw her. To Josh, big buildings were nothing new, but he giggled in the prospect of going anywhere with JC. He clung tightly to JC, both of them laughing.

"Ok, buddy, time to come down," he bid Josh as they reached the elevator. Obediently, Josh got off his shoulders as JC bent down and he slid off his back. He took the little boy's hand and waited for the elevator to reach its destination.

"Are you excited, Blue?" Josh asked him, turning his face to JC.

"Excited?"

"Yes, excited! Mommy says I get excited when I go places. Do you too?"

JC looked at Josh in amusement. "Well, right now, I would call it more nervous, but I get excited too." The elevator sounded, telling they that they had finally reached their floor. As the door slid open, JC looked ahead. He had his apologies to make.

The studio was small and as soon as he walked in, all eyes were on him, or rather Josh. They looked up, silent for a few minutes. In that time, JC registered that Justin was not there, neither was Chris. Instead Lance and Joey sat on low stool in front of an empty recording booth. "Hey," they said uneasily as they saw JC enter with Josh.

"Hey," replied JC quickly. "Where's Justin?" he asked quickly before another word could be said.

Calmly Lance pointed to the door JC had just come in. "Out the door in Studio D." JC turned around and was ready to storm right back out when Lance interrupted him. "Whoa! We're coming with you. Come on Joey." He dragged Joey's sleeve, pulling him along, and they barreled out after JC. Josh was silent as he sensed JC's determination and walked along as quickly as his small legs would carry him, clinging fiercely to JC.

JC practically flung open the door of Studio D revealing a slightly larger studio and Chris singing in a soundproof recording booth, rehearsing for tonight when they would actually record. But there was no sign of Justin. Hadn't Lance said he would be here?

The studio was dark with a few lights illuminating the faces around the room. JC's eyes searched the room, he eyes adjusting to the darkness as he peered further into the shadows. Further surveillance of the room revealed to him the hunched figure sitting in the corner was Justin. JC strode over quickly to him. "Justin," he said breathlessly.

The silent figure turned his head and in the shadows, looked at JC. His silence was a bit unnerving to JC, but JC figured he had come too far to chicken out now. Like the others before him, Justin's eyes traveled to the small child beside JC holding his hand, but he made no comment. However, he did smile at Josh, putting the child at ease. It also put JC a little more at ease, seeing Justin smile. "Look, Justin, I really need to talk to you. Could we go outside, please?" JC pleaded.

Wordlessly, Justin got up from his seat, not smiling, not frowning. JC followed him out, but Lance stopped their progress. Always level-headed, he was known as the sensible business one in the group and for good reasons.

"Just where do you think you're going?" he asked JC.

"Huh?" asked JC, as Lance blocked his path.

Instead of saying anything, Lance kneeled down. "Hey Josh. My name is Lance, I'm..."

"Part of Blue's band!" Josh answered enthusiastically.

"That's right," he said, looking up at JC with a smile.

"Do you want to go see that board over there, the one with all the buttons?" he asked, pointing to the soundboard.

Josh smiled but quickly looked up at JC, hesitating. "Can I go with Lance?" he asked meekly.

All too quickly JC realized that Josh was asking his permission. For all of JC's determination he had forgotten that he couldn't take Josh with him. Josh was only a child. JC was a bit ashamed as he realized he didn't want to do this himself. Josh's small hand had been his comfort. But he couldn't take Josh out there, he had to do it himself, he knew that. "Look Josh, I'm going outside for a few minutes, ok? You can go with Lance, but just remember that I am right outside, alright?"

Josh nodded and as soon as JC let go of his arm, he ran off to Lance who was already waiting for him. JC watched Josh run off. He turned his back sharply and inhaled, slowly walking forward to face his fate. It was hard because this time he knew that he was wrong... and he had hurt his best friend.

-*-*-*-

Justin was silently waiting for JC down the hall as he made his way out, glancing back before the door closed at Josh. Justin's cold glance softened as he saw JC glance back at the little boy. He must really care about him.

However, despite what he thought, he wasn't going to start talking first. He still stung from that morning. But JC seemed to be making an effort now, or trying to. Justin would see.

"Justin," JC said as he turned back.

"Present," he answered smoothly. "Now talk."

JC swallowed deeply. He knew as well as anybody how mad Justin was. "Alright. Look, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong." He paused to look at Justin's face, but it hadn't changed it's expression. "I shouldn't have said any of that to you, it was just an excuse, I was just...having some hard times with Halle."

"Oh really?" Justin asked dryly.

"Yeah, and I shouldn't have taken it out on any of you." JC bent his head to massage the back of his neck.

"Yeah, you shouldn't have. Aren't they always bad times with Halle?" Justin spat out.

JC looked up sharply. "Look, cut me a little slack here. I came to apologize not have the past few weeks of my life bad-mouthed. No, they haven't all been bad times with Halle."

Justin sighed. "Ok, that was a little un-called for."

"Look, any resentment you bear towards Halle should be directed at me, not her. She didn't do anything to you."

"But she did something to you," he reasoned.

Now it was JC's turn to sigh. "Yes, Justin, she did. But it was my own fault for letting it get to me and transfer that frustration to other aspects of my life. This isn't about her."

"Yes it is, JC."

"No it isn't..." Justin didn't let him finish. He placed his palm heavily on JC's shoulder, making his look up. Surprise registered it JC's eyes for Justin had been passive all night.

"Shut up for a minute, alright? JC, even though I'm mad at you, you're still my friend and I care about you now just as much as I did then. Are you dense or something? I'm your friend. That means that you mean something to me. And when I see you hurt or mad it does something to me inside. And when you take it out on us it's worse cause it's not our fault. But do you want to know what the worst is?"

"What?" asked JC, looking away. It didn't look as though there was going to be any apology today. Would Justin accept it?

"When we see you hurt that much and you won't let any of us help."

JC turned back to Justin only to see that Justin was looking away. "Justin..."

"You don't have to say anything. I'm not gonna lie to you. I like Halle personally from what I know about her, but I don't really know her that well. All I know is I don't like the way she's treating you. But when I see you with her son... You're not just watching him as a favor to her, you like the kid. But you like his mother too and though you may be good for the kid, is Halle good for you? You can't have one without the other."

"I don't want one without the other. Justin, lay off on Halle, you don't know her."

"Isn't that what I just said?"

"Yes..."

"Why won't you listen to me?"

"Because you're not helping!"

"Then tell me how I can help! Every time we try to talk to you, it's all 'you can't help'."

"Justin, you can't..."

"JC..."

JC held his finger up. "No, you shut up and let me finish." His eyes flared at Justin, silencing him. His voice softened. "If you could help, I would let you, you know I would."

Justin hung his head. "I know," he said quietly. "I just feel so...useless."

"Justin, it's not your duty to help me."

"Don't even say that. Duty means I need to. I don't need to, I want to. There's a difference."

JC sighed for a second time and ran his hands through his hair, pausing for a good two minutes. Justin was beginning to fear he hadn't got through to him. But just as Justin decided to speak, JC instead began. "Justin, just knowing you are there is enough for me."

"I'm always there for you, we all are. You should know that by now. I'm your friend, your best friend. Chris is your best friend. Lance is your best friend. Joey's your best friend. Don't ever think you're alone or that you have to go through it alone."

For the first time tonight, JC smiled at Justin. It was another first when Justin smiled back. "Thanks Justin, I know."

"You can talk to any of us."

"I guess that's my fault, isn't it?"

Justin nodded. "Communication is the key...to any relationship. No speak, no tweak."

"Yeah, I know, and it's my fault I know. I don't even know how it got to be a secret."

"Look, JC, it doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done, why don't you concentrate on us and the future now?"

"Does that mean I am forgiven?"

"I dunno, are you?"

"Huh?" he asked. "You tell me."

"It's not up to me. I forgave you about five minutes into the conversation."

"Then wha...?"

"It's not my forgiveness you need anymore. And if you can't figure out whose you need then I totally overestimated you." Justin stared at JC with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Ohhh..." said JC, realizing just what Justin had meant, or rather, who. There were three of them left. "Yeah, I planned to talk to them too, you know, tell them sorry."

Justin nodded his head slightly as he unfolded his arms. "It's the right thing to do."

"Yeah, it is. Will you come with me?"

Justin nodded his head slowly. "I think I will." They began to walk down the hall back to Studio D.

"You know, Justin," said JC. "Things went pretty well with Halle today."

Justin glanced ruefully at JC, creasing his eyebrow at the sign of communication. "I think I give that a six. It's a start! Worthy effort!"

"Ah man, only a six? I deserve way better than that!"

Justin laughed. "Nope, not until you apologize to the others."

JC stuck his tongue out at Justin and laughed at himself. Before he could catch himself, Justin found himself laughing at JC. If a spectator had passed them by he or she would never have guessed what had taken place not two minutes ago. Nothing could ever be the same again, time did not reverse itself, but it did go forward. JC vowed to go forward from now on and try as he might to make it up. He vowed next time, they would know. What do I have to hide anyway?

-*-*-*-

Halle entered the apartment, a few minutes ahead of schedule. She called through the house when she came in, but no one answered. Figuring that they were in Josh's room playing, she made her way over there.

"Josh, what do you think of your mom?" JC asked the little boy out of the blue. Halle paused in the doorway, wondering where JC was going with his question.

"She's a nice lady," Josh answered, as if he knew many himself.

"Yeah, she is, isn't she?" JC mused. What was this all about? Halle thought to herself. She was torn between eavesdropping and doing the right thing. Her nosy part, though, got the better of her. Besides, she wanted to hear what was being said about her.

"She doesn't need anyone, does she, Josh?"

"Mommy says that we're fine, just me and her," Josh replied in his little voice.

"That she does," JC agreed. "Guess she doesn't need me around huh?"

"Yes she does!" Josh cried out.

What?! Halle almost blew her cover by opening her mouth.

"Oh really Josh?" JC raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

"She needs you to watch me and play with me," he said triumphantly. Halle breathed a sigh of relief and almost started laughing at how silly she felt.

JC chuckled. "Your mom needs me for that, or you do?"

"Both," Josh answered after thinking for a minute. "Do you like my Mommy, Blue?"

"I like her very much, Josh," JC answered without reserve. That confession was enough to make Halle's heart go into overdrive.

"I think she likes you, too," the little boy told the older. She stopped, remembering that children were a lot more perceptive than most adults.

Halle's eyes widened. How was her son able to tell that?

"Well I like her, a lot," JC went on, "but your Mommy doesn't seem to need people. She doesn't need me."

"Yes she does!" Josh protested. For a moment, both boys were quiet. "JC, why are you in pictures?"

Halle could sense some hesitation on JC's behalf. "It's part of my job, Josh," JC explained. "I sing and people come to see me."

"Do you have fun?"

"Lots. You get to see a lot of places. My job is very important to me, and I wouldn't trade it in for the world." JC paused for a moment. "You move around from place to place almost everyday, never staying long enough to get to know people, to get to care about them."

Halle continued to listen from the hallway.

"Are you leaving, JC?" Josh asked in a small voice.

There was a long pause. Yeah, JC, let's see how you handle this, Halle thought.

"I don't want to Josh," JC started softly. "I finally got to know you guys, and I don't wanna leave you like this, but I have to."

From the hall, Halle thought that Josh might start crying. She couldn't take anymore of the conversation. Her head was spinning so badly that she couldn't even analyze the situation. Not then, anyway. Making a lot of commotion in the hall, she pretended that she had just arrived.

"Boys?" she called out. "I'm home?"

"Mommy!" Josh ran out of his room and threw his arms around her legs. Halle bent over ruffled his hair.

"How's my baby?" she asked.

"I'm not a baby," Josh said ruefully. "I'm a big boy."

"Yes, you are," Halle agreed. JC had followed after Josh, only coming out of the room then.

"Hey Halle," JC greeted as chipper as ever.

"Josh, can you please go to your room?" Halle ordered the little boy. "I have to talk to JC alone."

"Yes Mommy," Josh said meekly. Halle and JC walked into the living room, but neither sat down. I have to do this, Halle thought to herself. Throwing all caution to the wind, she looked at JC. Her own stern expression was greeted by JC's usual happy one. When he saw her face, though, his own smile fell.

"Hal, what's wrong?" JC asked, concerned. "Is everything OK?"

For a moment, Halle didn't reply. How was she going to do this?

"Hal?"

"We don't need you anymore."

JC stopped to think about what was going on for a second. Why the sudden change of interest? What was wrong? "Halle, what exactly are you trying to say?" JC demanded.

"JC, you cannot come watch or visit Josh anymore," Halle held her head up and looked JC in the eye. This was not the first time she had to put on a brave front. She could do it.

"What?!" JC exclaimed. "What are you talking about Halle? Why?"

"Joshua is getting too attached to you," she explained, her voice still strong. "The closer you get to him, the harder he will take it when you leave this weekend. I cannot see my son in pain like that."

"Halle, be reasonable," JC protested. "Josh likes me - "

"Too much," she interrupted. "JC, I know what's best for my son, and this is what's best."

"You have no rig - "

"You act as if he's you're own son," Halle fired back angrily, aware of what JC was going to say. "He is not yours. I have every right to keep him away from who I want to."

JC was speechless. He knew that there was nothing more he could say or do that would change Halle's mind. Finally, after long minutes, JC spoke, "Can I at least say good-bye to him?"

Halle shook her head. "I'm sorry, you can't."

How could she possibly do that to him? Josh meant more to JC than, well, than a lot of things. He didn't want to admit it to Halle, but he was beginning to think of Josh as a son. Now Halle was cutting him off.

"I don't believe this Halle," JC sputtered.

Halle's cold stare remain unfazed. Inside, though, she was dying. He really does care about Josh, she thought. She mentally shook herself. But you're doing the right thing.

"It's for the best."

Suddenly JC turned and punched the wall, his fist going right through the drywall.

Angrily, he stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Halle watched him go, and as the door signaled the end of her rendezvous with JC, she crumpled onto the couch and started sobbing uncontrollably. If it was the right thing to do, why did she feel so bad? Her heart ached, and she didn't feel like going on. Not only was JC leaving, but now they were parting on bad terms.

She glanced up at the hole in the wall. She had to fix it, or else it would be a constant reminder to her, a reminder of the best week of her life.

-*-*-*-

"Mommy, why are you crying?"

Halle jumped off the sofa, frantically wiping at her face to dry her tears. She didn't want Josh to see her crying. No, she just couldn't show him that weakness. She hurried over to Josh and took him in her arms.

"Mommy's just a little sad, that's all," Halle replied, sniffling.

Josh hesitated, then slowly asked, "Why were you yelling at Blue?"

She froze. Had the little boy heard the entire conversation?

"I wasn't yelling at him," Halle said softly, trying not to say anything that would upset Josh. "We were talking."

Children are more perceptive than adults, and Halle knew it. Josh, though, also didn't want to say anything that would upset his mom. "He's not coming back, is he?" he asked in a small voice.

Halle shook her head slowly. She couldn't lie to Josh. "No," she whispered.

It was as if he were moving is slow motion. First his eyes crinkled up, then his nose and mouth. Josh let out a sob, and soon a dam of tears broke, cascading down his little face.

"Shh," Halle tried to calm him. "We'll be all right, Josh. I promise."

"B - but Mommy..." Josh sobbed. The little boy was crying too hard to verbally express his thoughts.

Halle stroked his hair and hummed him a tune. Eventually Josh drifted off to sleep, and when he finally did, Halle put him in his room.

She was spent, physically and emotionally. She didn't know what to do now. Funny. Even at the worst part of her life, when her parents disowned her and she was left on her own to have Josh, she knew what she would do. This was the first time in her life that she was truly confused, and it was all because of a teenage heartthrob. Why? She didn't know, but she quickly, and possibly way too soon, ruled out the chance that she could have real feelings for him.

Sighing, Halle headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. It was already late, and she wondered how Josh could sleep on an empty stomach. Just as she was about to open the refrigerator, the phone rang.

"Hello?" she asked, tired.

"Hey Hal." It was Kel, and her cheery voice was a welcome blessing at the time. "What's up?"

Halle groaned. "I think I just did the worst thing in the entire world, Kel."

"What? You sent Josh away?" Kel joked.

"Well, one of them," she said in a small voice.

"What?!"

So Halle explained to Kel about how she told JC to leave. She left out no parts, not even the part about JC punching a hole in her wall and Josh crying.

"Hey, Hal, why don't you drop Josh off over here and take yourself out for dinner?" Kel suggested, sensing that Halle needed a break. "You need to take a breather."

"I'm fine, Kel," Halle snapped.

"Whoa. Hal, I was trying to do you a favor. Don't get into a tizzy over it," Kel backed down.

Halle sighed, realizing that she had just blew up at her best friend for no reason. "I'm sorry Kel," she apologized. "I - I think I'll take you up on your offer."

"Good," Kel said. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

Josh was still asleep when Halle dropped him off at Kel's. She didn't know where to go for dinner, but she had to go somewhere. She wound up at the restaurant that she had gone to with JC and Josh. Ironic, wasn't it?

She felt alone as she sat at the table. But I am alone, she thought bitterly. And it's no body else's fault but mine. She placed her order and waited, trying to push all thoughts of JC away. As she waited for her food, her thoughts drifted from here to there. But they were all centered on JC.

This is ridiculous, she thought to herself. I never needed him, or anyone, before. I don't need him now. Why am I acting this way?

Because you want him. A thought that she did not want to admit crept into her head. You realize that you've been by yourself too long and now you want someone else to share your happiness with, and you know that JC would be perfect.

She laughed at herself. It wasn't like her to think that way. It had to be Kel's psychology taking over.

A familiar laugh sobered her. No, it can't be him, she thought. Your mind is just so occupied by him that you're beginning to hear him. Halle thought back to the first few days she had known JC. At first she thought he was just another cute guy, but the past week proved him to be something different. He was special, and Halle could see that. Not in the sense that he was famous, no, she could deal without that, but he was genuine.

And why exactly did she push him away? She knew that he could not give her the commitment she needed. She knew that if he stayed around, Josh would be hurt. Halle also knew that she pushed him away for her own selfish reasons, like her wanted to remain independent. For the most part, she was right about it all. The only problem was, in the process, she had hurt more people than if she had let him stay in their lives.

"Chasez, party of two?"

Halle's head jerked up from her plate when she heard his voice. No, she wasn't hallucinating as she had originally thought. Her eyes drifted off towards the doorway, focusing in on a familiar figure. For a moment, her heart skipped a beat.

He looked handsome, no other words could describe it. Dressed in a black suit and navy blue shirt, JC no longer appeared to be a boy, but a man. Confidence was emitted from every aspect of him.

She wondered why he was there. Had he gotten hold of Kel and found out where Halle was? Was he looking for her? She knew her thoughts were in vain, but lately she wasn't acting normal anyway, not since she met JC.

Instinctively, Halle wanted to run heedlessly up to him and apologize, but she held back, waiting for an opportune time. Suddenly a tall blond girl appeared in the doorway and stood next to JC. He grinned at her as they followed the host to their table. With his hand on the blonde's back, he guided her to their seats.

She ducked her head as they walked past, praying that they wouldn't see her. Fortunately for her, they overlooked her table and continued to their table. Ever the gentleman, JC pulled out his date's chair for her.

Halle had to get out of there, and fast. The sinking feeling of helplessness was slowly pulling her under, like the strong undercurrent of a wave. She wasn't use to these feelings, and she didn't like them. Waving to the waiter she requested her check.

From several tables over, JC could feel that something was different, something just wasn't right. No, there were no teenyboppers in the room, but he still didn't feel like everything was the way it should have been.

"I'm glad that we're here, JC. Thanks for taking me out," Heather gushed. Heather was one of the secretaries at the studio *N SYNC was recording at, and JC wanted to take his mind off Halle. There was no other place he knew of in New York City that would offer the same security as this place, so logically he took Heather there. Not ironically at all, it was the same place he had gone to with Halle.

Halle. Suddenly JC whipped his head around and saw her familiar figure sitting a few tables away. He didn't know how, but somehow he knew she was there. For a moment, his heart leapt.

Even though she's exhausted, she still is beautiful, he thought.

As he realized, though, why he was there in the first place, his spirits came crashing down. All at once his emotions began to run wild. His anger was nothing compared to the hurt and betrayal he felt. How could she kick him out? Didn't she know that JC loved Josh? Even if Halle didn't know about his feelings for her, she could at least acknowledge his feelings for Josh.

"JC, are you all right?" Heather questioned, concerned at her

companion's sudden change of mood.

"Hmm?" JC blurted out, turning back to the table. "Oh, sorry."

"Is something wrong?"

"No," JC corrected quickly. "I - I think I know someone here."

"Why don't you say hello then?" she suggested.

JC shook his head. "We're not that close," he lied.

Meanwhile Halle had been going through her purse, anything to keep her eyes from wandering over to JC's table. Oh God, out of all the places in New York, she bemoaned, why here?

Halle's check finally arrived, just as JC and his date were receiving their meal. He probably kisses every girl like that, she thought bitterly. Only I was the stupid one to fall for it. It meant nothing to him.

She was just about to pay when her cell phone rang. "Hello?" she asked, trying to

mask the annoyance in her voice.

"Halle?" It was Kel.

"Hey," she said softly. "Is everything OK over there?"

"Perfect," Kel answered pleasantly. "In fact, I called to tell you that I'm more than willing to keep Josh here tonight so that you can sleep in and so whatever it is you want to do."

"Actually, Kel, I wanna go home and sleep," Halle replied, a smile forming on her lips. Thank God for Kel, or else Halle wouldn't know how she would've survived.

"You do that," Kel urged. "I'll keep Josh so you can have a peaceful, unbroken sleep."

The idea appealed to Halle, but she didn't want Josh to think that she abandoned him. "Kel, Josh will be looking for me," she protested.

"I'll tell him that Mommy needed a break," Kel tried to convince her. "Come on, Hal. You deserve this. You've been working like a maniac."

"Thanks Kel," Halle finally let out a breath. "I'll take you up on it."

"I'm glad you see things my way."

"Do you need me to bring anything over for Josh? Food? A change of clothes?"

"Not at all. You know Josh is over here enough to have his own wardrobe," Kel laughed. "Besides, if we need anything, I have the key."

"You take care of my son!" Halle scolded. Her tone then softened, "And tell him I love him?"

"Will do," Kel agreed. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Halle hung up her phone and flagged the waiter down again so that she could pay. Service around here sucks, she shook her head. Mental note to never come here again. When she finally received her change, she headed for the door.

As she stuffed her change into her purse, Halle bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry," she apologized. Then she looked up and realized that it was the blond JC was with. Then she corrected to herself, maybe not.

"Oh it's all right," the blond replied sweetly. "I wasn't watching where I was going." She paused for a moment, eyeing Halle strangely. "Aren't you the girl that JC knows?"

Halle glanced into the dining area to where JC was sitting at the table by himself. "Yes, but hardly," she replied, her voice cold.

"Oh really?" his date replied. "He seemed pretty worked up over seeing you here."

Halle had to laugh. "I don't mean to be rude," she excused herself. "It's just a funny thought. He's just someone I met briefly."

The blond, confused at Halle's outburst, just nodded. "Well, it was nice meeting you," she said before making her way back to the table.

Halle shook her head and exited the restaurant. Now she was glad that she had taken Kel up on her offer. There was nothing more she wanted than to fall asleep and forget her problems for a few hours.

-*-*-*-

Halle had seen him, he knew. Those were his exact thoughts as JC slammed shut the door to his hotel room. Why? Why had he decided to go there of all places? And why did he feel the need to rebound? It wasn't as if he and Halle were an actual item.

"Geez, JC," Justin yelped.

"Sorry," JC muttered in response, walking past the younger without a second glance. He stormed off to the bathroom, and JC could hear the shower turn on.

I wonder what happened, Justin pondered. JC, even though he could be moody, was usually a docile person. He didn't slam doors; that wasn't his fashion. It must have been something terrible that happened to him.

"Daddy, you OK?" Justin asked, brows furrowed in concern as JC reemerged from the bathroom.

"Great, couldn't be better," JC replied bitterly, flopping onto his bed. He covered his face with a pillow.

"What happened?" Justin asked. His friend was not happy, and he didn't like it.

"Nothing," JC answered, hoping that Justin would be able to see his sarcasm. "I had a date with a wonderful woman tonight. What could possibly be wrong?"

"Date with Halle not go too well?" Justin guessed.

There was a prolonged pause from JC's side of the room. "It wasn't with Halle," he replied.

"Oh." Justin didn't know how to reply to that. For the past week and a half, JC had been head-over-heels for this special woman. What happened to make him go out with someone else? Justin, though, didn't prod. He knew that if JC wanted to talk, he'd talk.

Finally, after what seemed like eternity, JC broke the silence. "She kicked me out, Curly," he said quietly. "Halle kicked me out."

"Of her house?"

"Her house, her life," JC moaned. "Doesn't matter. I knew it wasn't going to work."

"Oh, geez, Daddy," Justin felt for his friend. "You two - you were close. What happened? I mean, what did she say? Why so suddenly?"

"I don't know," JC shook his head bitterly, removing the pillow from his face and staring up at the ceiling. "I guess she decided after a week, a freaking week, that I should stop coming around because Josh would get too attached to me, and it would hurt him terribly if I stayed any longer."

"Are you sure that's what it's about?" Justin said dubiously.

"I know that's not what it's about," the elder sighed. "But I don't really know what it's about. Probably her whole independent schpeil."

Justin sat quietly, pondering JC's latest confession. There had to be some other reason that this girl was pushing JC away, other than the one she claimed.

"That's not the whole story, though," JC continued after another long period of silence.

"Go on," Justin urged. "I'm all ears."

JC took a deep breath and continued, "I finally kissed her yesterday."

Justin started coughing. Sure, they teased him about being slow in the department, but they all realized that Halle must have been something special and he was just respecting her space. Now that JC was coming clean with all of this, it came as a shock.

"Are you OK?" JC eyed the younger boy skeptically.

"Go on," Justin nodded, regaining his composure.

"After I kissed her... well she didn't say anything. I mean, she didn't pull away either. I don't know," he sighed helplessly before moving on. "She came home late, like really late. When she did, she was babbling something about a guy named Mike at her work. I, of course, got jealous and pissy. It wasn't until later that I found out he was an older and very married co-worker."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, I know. I thought she was mad about the kiss, that she was avoiding me. That was another stupid thought from me." JC shrugged. "I apologized to her this morning, and we were cool. But then she came home from work, and that's when she kicked me out."

"Wow." He didn't know what to say. I guess he was right about the experience thing...

"Oh, it gets better," JC went on, cynicism dripping from his voice.

"Uh oh," Justin said softly, bracing himself for what was to come.

"Stupid me, I thought I had to rebound, as if Halle and I were actually - " he paused, trying to search for the right word, " - together. So I asked this chick at the studio named Heather out. Of course, she said yes."

"And?" Justin was looking for JC to get to the point.

"Remember how I went out to dinner with Halle?"

"Vaguely."

"Well, I took Heather to the same place. I thought it would be fine, especially since there wouldn't be any fans there. Well, there were no fans there, but Halle was."

"She was?!" Justin cried.

"She was alone," JC was quick to add, "but she still saw me with Heather."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing. I didn't say anything to her. I pretended not to know she was there."

"Did she see you?"

"Probably."

"Wow. That's all I can say," Justin felt bad for not being able to share his knowledge with his suffering friend, but truth of the matter was, he had never experienced something like that before. "Wow."

"I really screwed up big time, Curly," JC once again covered his face. "She wouldn't even let me say good-bye. She just kicked me out."

"Does she know we're leaving on Sunday?" Justin asked.

"I don't know," JC moaned. "Even if she did, she wouldn't come. Not in a million years."

"What makes you say that?"

"She hates me, Justin!" he cried out, pained. "Can't you tell?"

"Maybe she really did kick you out for everyone's good," Justin shrugged, even though he didn't believe what he said himself.