Justin sat on the couch writing a new song. He could barely focus because he was worried about Nicole. He knew where she was but couldn’t keep the sadness from forming a lump in his throat.

See, her & Justin met 3 ½ years ago when they were at a charity event. It was to raise money for programs for kids with special needs. Nicole herself was born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy.

Recently, Nicole’s new boyfriend Rick had dumped her. She had no place to go so Justin offered for her to stay at his place. She was reluctant at 1st, not wanting to impose, but eventually said yes. After all, she had no choice.

Now, they’ve been living together for a month. Over the last week, Nicole had gotten drunk several times to ease her pain she felt from the breakup. Justin felt horrible but she would brush him off if he talked to her about it.

A year ago, they were in the same situation. She was suffering from a broken heart because of her ex John. This time around, Justin knew he couldn’t let her slip into another depression from this new jerk Rick. She barely made it out last time.

'She's too good of a person to be put through all this pain all the time' Justin thought.
---
Soon, in the middle of writing, there was a knock on the door & he answered it.

It was JC carrying a drunk Nicole. “She was at the club again.”

“Thanks, man. I’d’ve come get her but the 1st time I tried that, she hit me & almost didn’t come home.” Justin took her & softly said in a soothing voice, “C’mon, Baby. Let’s get you cleaned up & get you some rest.”

JC watched for a small moment, noticing how gently Justin moved Nicole as so not to hurt her legs. Justin was always caring with Nicole, not because of her disability, but because he truly cared about her. Tonight though, JC could see something extra in Justin’s blue eyes. It was a gaze mixed with pain, sadness but also...love. JC just hoped the 2 in front of him realized it before it was too late.

He quietly slipped out, closing the apartment door & leaving.
---
Justin got Nicole settled in her room when she softly cried, “I’m sorry I’m such a mess, Justin.”

“Shhh....it’s not your fault. Now, just get some rest, it’ll all be ok.” He quietly added once he was out of the room, “I promise you, you WILL be ok.”

NEXT DAY Nicole had a bad hangover; her body never dealt right with alcohol due to her condition but that didn’t stop her from drinking.

She ridded the alcohol from her body as Justin heart-wrenchingly listened. She refused to let him take care of her so he was reduced to pacing in the living room. After she was done, not saying a word, she got dressed.

“I’m going to the gym,” she announced, fully dressed & walking out the front door. She did this after every time she was drunk. She acted like nothing happened & went to the gym to work on a punching bag.

Justin was forced to sit there & not be able to help. He figured it was good that she took her anger out on a bag but it killed him that she wouldn’t take his help like she used to.

When she started getting drunk, he had tried helping, talking to her, but she had just gotten more furious so he didn’t want to push her anymore.
---
A few hours later, Nicole was still gone & Justin paced in front of the TV as JC sat on the couch.

“And she acts if nothing happened! After she’s just gotten sick!”

JC watched his concerned friend, who over the years had become more like a brother, pace. “Man, I know you're worried, I am too. Same with Chris, Lance & Joey. But you just need to give her time. She knows you’re here for her, she just needs to sort her pain before she explains it to you. You know she has a hard time explaining things.” JC still couldn’t stop Justin from pacing. “She wears her heart on her sleeve but she gets scared; you know that.”

“Yeah, I know.” Justin plopped down next to him, feeling drained & defeated. “She’s always been able to talk to me - about anything. Anything,” he whispered; his head hung low.

JC put a hand on the man’s shoulder. He’d always looked out for Justin, all 5 *NSYNC guys looked out for each other & their friends. He knew it killed him to see the woman he loved hurt. “I know, Buddy, I know.”

“She came to us last time something like this happened, ya know? She was sorta dealing with what John did but she was so lost so fast. I was surprised that our music could help her that much but then we talked ‘bout it." There was slight anger at the mention of John's name. "One night on tour, she said that without us she’d be even more lost & after that I spent endless hours with her.”

Both men smiled at the memories of Nicole slowly opening up & becoming 1 of their best friends. She hung out with all 5 former members of *NSYNC & was always a good listener & best friend when they needed 1.

“And then, this happens only a year later, & I slowly watch her begin to slip away again. I should've known she couldn't trust Rick. She just wasn't ready,” Justin continued. He barely whispered audibly, “she always said she was afraid of slipping back into that dark place again, JC. I should’ve recognized the signs as soon as she started looking run down. She became self-conscience again a few weeks after they started dating...but I didn’t notice.”

JC looked thoughtfully at his tired friend. “It wasn't your fault, man. It was both jerks & I’d cream both if I had the chance.”

All 5 men of *NSYNC knew Nicole had been in a horrible relationship with John. And now Rick cheated on her & ruined everything.

”I think it’s time you tell her you love her, Justin.”

“Yeah but I have to do it carefully. She’s so afraid right now & I don’t blame her but I can't let her go. She needs to know I’M not goin’ anywhere.”
---
2 DAYS LATERNicole showed up very angry at JC’s place. He knew she’d be angry at what him & the guys were helping Justin plan.

“WHAT were you guys thinking?!” she shouted coming into the kitchen.

“What are you talking about?” He knew what was going on but thought it best to stay silent.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. I don't know what you & Justin are planning but when I find out...”

“You'll just have to follow whatever Justin said & see what happens.”

She turned, stormed to the front door & left. JC had a mixed look on his face. ”Man, I hope he can pull this off.”he thought.

THAT NIGHT Justin had apparently left a note telling Nicole to put on a dress & come to the beach. She wasn't too thrilled seeing as she wanted to go drink more but figured she’d humor him. After all, she knew he was trying to help. Her heartbreak wasn't letting her be ready to open her heart again.

As she walked along the beach, she spotted him in the middle. “What’re you doing?” she asked, reaching him.

“Wow, you're so beautiful,” he said looking at her. “I want to talk to you. I have something to tell you.”

They ate dinner & then walked along the shoreline. When they got back inside the apartment Nicole said, “Justin, this night was beautiful but what's it all about? What'd you want to tell me?”

He moved closer to her, put an arm around her waist & set her crutches aside. Stepping in front of her while keeping 1 hand on her so she wouldn’t fall, he brushed the fingers of his other hand along her arm. Still not saying anything, he slipped 1 of the dress straps down.

“Wait,” Nicole said. “I trust you but why are you doing this?”

He looked into her eyes. “I know you've been hurt before. I know you're having trouble with what your heart’s been through...but you're the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I love you more than life itself & I can't let you go. You deserve so much more than what you're going through.”

“Justin, I...”

He lowered his voice to a soft whisper. “I know but I promise you, I will NOT break your heart. And I know you don’t want to trust that but please...let me show you what true love is supposed to be...”

She nodded. She loved him, but prayed that since she had trusted him for so long, he wouldn't betray her like everyone did.

Keeping 1 arm around her since she didn’t have her crutches in hand, Justin led Nicole to his room.

He gently laid her down & kissed her. His touch sent good chills down her spine. As they made love, it was gentle & sweet but intense with so much passion they had denied for so long.
---
NEXT MORNING, Justin rolled over & saw Nicole sitting up crying. “What's wrong, Baby?”

“What's this?” She asked handing him a sheet of paper.

It was a song.

When winter comes in summer
When there's no more forever
That's when I'll stop loving you
That's when I'll stop loving you
I'm sure you've heard these words before
And I know it's hard for you to trust them once more
You're afraid it all might end
And a broken heart is scared of breaking again
But you've gotta believe me
I'll never leave you
You won't ever cry
Long as I am there
And I will always be there
You will never be without love

Chorus:When winter comes in summer
When there's no more forever
When lies become the truth
You know then, baby
That's when I'll stop loving
That's when I'll stop loving you

Long as sunlight lights the sky
Light of love will be found in these eyes of mine (these eyes of mine)
And I will shine that light for you
You're the only one I'll ever give this heart to
What I'm trying to say is
Nothing will change this
There'll be no time
You won't find me there
'Cause I will always be there
You will always have all my love
(Repeat chorus)

Bridge:When this world doesn't turn anymore
When the stars all decide to stop shining
'Til then, I'm
Gonna be by your side
I'm gonna be loving you forever
Ev'ry day of my life
(My life) Well, you know then, baby
That's when I'll stop loving
That's when I'll stop loving
That's when I'll stop loving you
(Repeat chorus)
That's when I'll stop, I'll stop
Loving you

By now, Nicole was full out crying...but they were good tears.

“I meant what I said, Baby Girl. I’ll never stop loving you.”

She looked up at him & wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Justin. Thank you for saving me.”

He kissed her hair & held her. He knew he was going to keep his promise.
THE END