"What?" Marissa asked, oblivious that they were almost the first couple on the floor.
Justin smiled. "I just thought you wanted to get out of there.
She sighed in some relief. "I did, thank you so much."
"What happened?" he asked.
"Were you not listening?"
He chuckled. "I was watching Joey. He's relaxed around her. It's cool."
Marissa turned to catch sight of Joey and Clara walking along the edge of the dance floor. "She seems to be good for him."
"I hope he's as good for her," Justin said softly.
"And I hope Chris doesn't go off on her. I'll kill him if he does. Want to be an accomplice?" Her tone was only half teasing.
"Probably. But why would you want to do that?"
"What, kill him?" Her eyes swept the floor. "Because I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through what I did. That hurt."
"So you kill him?"
"Well, he's the cause. If he'd been smart, he would have ripped all over Gina, but no... he takes it out on the innocent bystander." She wasn't entirely sure where all the bitterness was coming from. But then, getting attacked like she had been really didn't put her in that great a mood.
"Whoa, mad much?" he asked, half laughing.
Marissa sighed. "I'm just so confused, Justin. There are days, unfortunately, that I wish I'd never met you guys."
"Why?" He sounded more concerned than hurt.
She sighed again. "It's just that.... I thought Chris and I were friends. Then he attacks me, now he's ignoring me. I guess I'm just glad I'm going home, and he can sulk on his own on this side of the country."
Justin chuckled. "He's trying not to stare at you. You look good, girl."
She smiled and blushed a little. "Thanks. It's all Lance's fault; he found the dress."
Justin grinned. "Maybe, but he wouldn't look as good in it."
Marissa laughed. "No, I guess he wouldn't."
Justin leaned closer. "Don't look now, but he is staring at you."
Her hand tightened on Justin's arm. "So, get me out of his sight." Her shoulders twitched, and she shuddered slightly.
He shook his head. "You two have got it bad." But he moved her a little, and she relaxed, ignoring his words for now.
Joey walked Clara over to where she had given Marissa's drink away, only this time, the table Joey had caught her at was occupied. "Hey, Joey," Nick said, standing to greet them.
"Hey, Nick, Brian. This is Clara. She's a friend of Ben's. Clara, this is Nick Carter, and Brian Littrell." Clara just stood there, her hands twitching nervously. She didn't know what to do with them.
"Hi," she said shyly. "I saw you guys sing.... You weren't quite as good as Joey over here but very, very close...." Clara smiled lightly at Joey, and he blinked in surprise.
Nick lifted his eyebrows. "Already got her subverted, Fatone. Very good tactics," he said, admiration in his voice.
Joey grinned. "Gotta start somewhere. Anyway, the reason I brought her over is because she helped pen "I Want it That Way"."
Brian smiled. "Ah, that Clara! Well, thanks for the help. It's a great song."
Clara blushed, but didn't let it bother her. "Thank you. And I am not subverted, or whatever you said," she told Nick evenly. "I just recognize talent..."
Nick nodded. "Talent and spirit.... Can I borrow her for a minute?" he asked Joey.
Joey grinned. "She a little too old for you, Carter," he said, in easy banter.
"And she looks like she might bite your head off, Nick," Brian said, and turned to Clara. "Ignore him, he's... I don't know, gone tonight. It was nice to meet you... Can we look forward to performing more of your work?"
"It all depends on what Ben's showing you," Clara said, a little more at ease. Music was something she knew and could discuss with some intelligence. "I've helped him with some.. .He's the one with the talent, though."
"Sure," Brian grinned, too knowingly for her taste. "Sure." He glanced sideways at Nick. "Better get her out of here. Nicky's on the prowl." He chuckled. Nick flushed and punched Brian's shoulder lightly.
"That's right, just ruin whatever reputation I might have, Frick. Thanks," he grumbled.
"You don't need his help," Clara told him pertly.
Nick laughed. "Okay, I can only take so much of everyone picking on me. It was nice to meet you, Clara, and if Joey lets you go for one dance, I'd like to take it. And I won't do anything stupid." He shook her hand, clapped Joey on the shoulder, and vanished onto the dance floor. Brian waved and followed his friend.
Joey shook his head. "I'm glad I don't have to deal with him and Justin at the same time."
"Must be tough just with Justin," she mused, then turned and looked him in the eyes. "Thanks, Joey," she said. "Thank you."
He tilted his head in confusion, and walked her toward the dance floor. "For what?" he asked finally.
"Just for being sweet and caring... for being you."
"Oh." He could only imagine he looked as stunned as he felt. "Um. You're welcome. And thank you." He pulled her gently onto the dance floor and began to dance.
Clara smiled at him. "Now it's my turn to ask: for what?"
Joey paused. "For showing me that people aren't.... out to hurt you, I guess."
When the song was over, Justin escorted Marissa back to the table. It was empty. "You know what?" she said, staring at it. "I'm going to get a drink. You go find some lady to charm the socks off of."
"You'll be okay?"
She chuckled. "I've been on my own for six years. I'll be fine. Thanks." She started for the bar, dreaming of a virgin Margarita.
"Excuse me." The voice was low but completely unfamiliar; she turned and looked up into stunning green eyes. "Would you care to dance?"
Speechless, she nodded, and followed Kevin Richardson onto the dance floor. Dancing with the guys she'd come with was one thing; this was the first time someone else had tried to dance with her. "Hi. I'm Marissa," she said after a minute. What more could this night possibly bring?
"Kevin." He chuckled softly. "They're like watch dogs."
"Joey and them?" she smiled. "I've been giving them a hard time."
He attempted a step; she followed him, and his green eyes lit up. Before she realized it, they were waltzing around the floor. "Oh, I haven't done this in years," she said, in real pleasure. There was one answer to her question.
"Who is Marissa dancing with?" Anika asked JC as Marissa swept by them. He turned to find her, and raised his eyebrows.
"Someone slipped; she shouldn't have been left on her own for him to dance with," he said with a grin. "That's Kevin Richardson. She's safe with him; he got engaged recently, and I guess she couldn't make it."
"Sure, but is he safe with her? Take a look at Chris." She pointed him out, and JC nodded at the scowl that followed Kevin and Marissa around the floor.
"Yep, he likes her. We're going to have to beat him over the head to get him to admit it, though." There was a resignation to his voice that Anika thought interesting.
She looked up at him, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Okay, let's go, before Kevin becomes a casualty."
They started across the floor toward Chris. JC grabbed his arm. "Let's talk," he said as Marissa swept by again.
Chris looked at him, and grinned. "Sure. What about?"
Anika sighed. "You are not as stupid or as clueless as you pretend, Chris."
His grin faded. "In some things, I suppose. Sometimes, I just am. I presume you're referring to my scowl a minute ago?"
She stared at him. JC's eyes turned icy. "You only talk like that when you're mad, Chris."
He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I know. I'm not going to kill him, JC. Or her."
"She would say yes if you asked her to dance," Anika told him. "She hasn't turned anyone down yet."
"It's only been us," he protested.
"This is probably the first time she's been left alone. And I wasn't just talking about tonight." She looked at him for a minute, then chuckled. "Oh, you are a pair." She tugged JC's arm. "I'd like a drink."
He glanced at her, then nodded. "All right." Without another word, they walked off again.
"We are not a pair," Chris mumbled, and Anika looked back and grinned at him as if to say ‘I heard that.' Chris took a deep breath and released it slowly, then turned and started for the table again.
"Joey..." Clara looked concerned. "Do you want to talk about... whatever it is?"
Joey shrugged, uncomfortable. "I've talked and talked... It's part of the... occupation I'm in." He laughed."You could say I was a casualty of war."
Clara looked at him, her eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry that you think it's normal for someone to hurt you like that. Because I've been around people all my life who have hazardous occupations, and it isn't normal."
He shook his head. "No, not normal. But to be expected. I guess. And I don't expect it, Justin doesn't expect it - I think he was more hurt than he let on about Trish tonight. Chris doesn't expect it and someone is going to hit him if he doesn't... I don't know, get over himself." He scowled slightly. After a minute, he smiled at her. "Let me know if you want to sit down again. I'm used to two hours of this at a shot."
That was an opening if she'd ever heard one. "Lets go sit down." She led him gently off the dance floor and to her former table; the older couples were all gone. He pulled her chair out for her, then sat down next to her. "Joey, it shouldn't be expected either. You need to realize that just because you're in a group that sings people don't have the right to do that to you. Warn Chris, maybe, but don't go out expecting people to hurt you. That's when they do, because they think you don't trust them."
He laughed. "Warn Chris? He tried to protect us all by telling Marissa to leave us alone." He looked at her, admiring the way her blue eyes sparked with the passion she felt. "And we don't expect it. Which is possibly why it happens so easily, you know?"
She relaxed a little. "I guess I can understand...but please don't lose out on some things because you don't trust people."
"Oh, don't worry," he told her. "I'm not going to turn jaded because of one girl." He shook his head; a shadow fell across his face and was gone. "Besides. There are always people like you... and Marissa and Anika, to restore our faith in people," he added hastily, and smiled.
Clara took his hand and squeezed it. "I'm glad you found people that give you reason to believe in faith. You never should have had to lose it though."
"I never did." At least, I hope not.
She nodded sharply to herself. "Okay. Sorry for being serious there for a while."
"Hey, serious is good, and even has it's place. How do I get hold of you while you're here?"
The change of subject was so abrupt, it caught her off guard. "Um. Give me your number. I'll call you tomorrow."
Joey nodded hesitantly. This was part of that test. Had he really not lost his faith in people? He looked around for something to write on, and found only cloth napkins and no pens at the table. "What shall I write it on?" he asked helplessly.
Clara looked as frustrated. "I don't know. Maybe Marissa has a piece of paper in her purse." She rolled her eyes suddenly. "Wait, duh, I have my address book with me!" She reached for her purse, only to remember that it was hanging on her chair at the other table.
Joey nodded sagely. "That's a good thing to write it in."
"You're right, it is. I have to enter Marissa's address anyway."
Joey raised his eyebrows. "She gave you her address? She just gave Justin her phone number when she invited us to Thanksgiving dinner." He mock pouted, looking sullen.
Clara glanced at him, worried. "Did I say the wrong thing?"
Joey shook his head and straightened up again. "No, no! Why do you think that? I babble, by the way, ask anyone who knows me...."
Clara's sigh of relief was soft. "I just am very...apprehensive around new people. Give me a while, and I'll be less nervous."
Joey nodded. "Great. You a beach bum?"
"Nah."
He looked disappointed. "Well, then, want to dance again?" She nodded, and he led her back onto the dance floor.
"You're thinking again," Justin said, interrupting his thoughts. Chris looked at him.
"Yeah, that's what I do."
"What are you thinking about?"
He looked at Justin, then sat down. "Marissa."
Justin grinned and sat next to him. "At least you'll admit it now." Chris didn't respond, taking a sip of his wine. Justin regarded him seriously. "What are you thinking about her?"
"That I have no right to be jealous. That I had no right to do most of the stuff I've done to her the last couple of months. That for some reason, my brain turns off. That I don't dare ask her to dance because I'm afraid of my reaction."
Justin pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Which would be what?"
"I don't know. But considering I kissed her the first time I saw her again, I'm not sure being that close would be a good idea."
"Man, I can't believe you did that," Justin said, awe in his voice, then straightened his smile at Chris' glare. "Do you want to dance with her?"
Chris stared at him, then turned to search the dance floor. She was dancing with Lance now, next to Joey and Clara. "Look at her, Justin. She's beautiful, she's funny, she's infinitely patient. She's put up with you guys stepping into her vacation almost the whole time she was here. She's been polite... And where did she get that dress?"
"Lance asked my Mom the best place to take them."
"They both look stunning." Chris sighed. "I feel like asking her to be my friend would be... ridiculous."
"Why?"
"I haven't been the best friend lately, to anyone." He rubbed his face with both hands, and they sat there in silence for a moment.
"Can anyone join this table, or is it reserved for famous people?"
They looked up, startled, to see Marissa smiling at them. She didn't wait for an answer, sinking down in her seat. "The main problem with fancy places like this, is that they don't keep your water glass full," she said after a minute. "No, I'm sorry. It's not fancy places, it's big parties like this one," she corrected herself.
"Been to a few?" Justin asked.
"Four. This is five. Four company Christmas parties." She shrugged. "One year I snuck out and went to see ‘Star Trek: Insurrection'. Last year I left early and went to watch ‘No Escape' on cable."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "No Escape?"
"Yeah, with Ray Liotta. Not too bad a movie, actually. Weird, futuristic... just they way I like it," she said, grinning evilly. Justin smiled.
"That was a good movie," he said.
"Yeah. I saw it the first time with my Dad about five years ago, and so I was glad to see it again." She shrugged, fiddling slightly with her glass. Justin glanced at Chris and sighed.
"We could consider you a traitor," Justin said after a minute of silence.
"What?" Marissa asked, eyes fixed on him. He was struggling to keep his face straight.
"Dancing with the enemy?" he asked.
"Oh...." She smiled softly. "He's a really good dancer. I haven't danced a waltz in years. And I haven't had someone who could lead that well in almost that long, since.... Matthew."
"Who is Matthew?" Justin asked, and shot Chris a look that he was sure his friend didn't see. His eyes were fixed on his hands on the table.
"An old high school friend. We used to dance a lot together. My parents taught us the jitterbug and stuff, and we just had a great time. And we were doing it before this current craze of swing dancing," she added. "He's married now, and happy." She caught Chris' nod, but actually wasn't sure if he was nodding or just moving; he was always moving. "So it's been a few years. And Kevin is really good." She shrugged. "So, if I'm a traitor, I'm proud to be one. Besides, isn't he engaged?"
Justin laughed. "Yes. And really stuck on her. She's managed to stick with him through all this crap, so I think they'll be okay."
She nodded. "Well, Justin Timberlake, and you too, Chris Kirkpatrick, I wish you both the best of luck in finding a woman like that. You both deserve her. Now, I'm going to get that drink I promised myself, if I can do it without being interrupted again." She got up and left the table gracefully. Chris sighed and let his head fall to the table.
"It's just not fair," he mumbled.
"What?"
"Everything." He sat up, glanced around, then stood and left the table. Justin watched him go, more confused than ever.
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