"Sean, let's go honey, you're going to be late for school."

Tiredly, the little one walked out of the kitchen, yawning his way over to his beautiful mother.  He just entered Kindergarten the month before and everyday, he's been on time.  That was something his young mother took pride in and she didn't plan on ruining it today.  He looked up to her, striking green eyes looking into browns, he smiled and took her hand.  His little brother was had already been at daycare for about an hour now, something his mother reminded him of when she let him sleep an extra fifteen minutes.  The pair walked out of the front door, waiving to several of his mother's employees on the way to the car.  He didn't really understand the need to have so many people around all the time.  Anytime he went over to any of his schoolmates houses, they didn't have the same amount of people that his mother had.  He wouldn't know what it meant to be a celebrity's son until later.  For now, he was fine with how his life was; his mom, little brother and grandpa. 

"Mommy, I'm supposed to bring in snacks for the class party this weekend.  Only healthy, organic stuff though.  Ms. Davis said that I could bring apples or oranges, whatever we wanted."

"Sure, I'll have Sam go to the store later and pick up a bunch of stuff, cool?"

"Yeah, thanks."  He answered smiling.  She returned his smile and seeing her happy made him happy.  There were times he could remember her not smiling.  He was glad those days seemed to be long gone.

The young mother looked over at her eldest son pridefully.  She couldn't believe how fast time has gone by.  She can remember when she first held him in her arms, vowing to protect him from anything that could possibly harm him.  From diapers, to potty training to his first words, she'd been present through it all.  She sometimes wondered where all the time had gone.  Shaking her head of those thoughts, she smiled again and turned the radio up.  Hearing the song playing on the radio, she immediately turned the radio down again.  She couldn't deal with that song, those words, or that voice right now.

"Mommy, I like that song.  Justin's the man."

Looking at her son quizzically since she'd never played anything by him around them before, she asked "How would you know."

"Amber took her sister's I-Pod to school one day and that's all she had on it.  We listened to him every recess for a week.  And then one time, Auntie Jamie was dancing around her room to his music but when that song came on, she shook her head and turned off the radio.  I like that song, but I guess she didn't."

"Well, that's good that you heard his music before.  He's very talented.  We used to be friends a long time ago.  In fact, we were best friends."

Sean's eyes grew twice in size at his mother's last statement.  He knew she had a bunch of cool friends, but she had been friends with Justin Timberlake?  In his book, that was big.  At least, it would be with the girls at school who'd trade snacks with him at lunch time.  They loved to hear about all of his mommy's friends.

"Really momma?  That is so cool.  Are you not friends anymore?"

"Sadly no.  We grew apart because we were so busy all the time.  But, I miss him alot.  Alright bettlebug, we're in front of your school now.  Have a good day.  And make sure you show Ms. Davis your homework.  I checked everything, and filled out the slip for your field trip next week and for you to try out for tee ball.  I'll be here at 3pm to pick you up.  Give me sugar."  She says, her southern twang slipping out a bit.  He leans over and plants a sloppy, big kiss on her cheek and she giggles in response.

"Eww, sticky kisses."  She says tickling his sides lightly, his laughter matching hers. 

"Have a good day baby."  She tells him, watching him get out of the car.

"I will mommy, love you!"  He responds before running off to his class lining up to enter into the building.  She yells back her love, and he smiles and waves to her as she drives off. 

With a contented sigh, she pulls out onto the road and heads back home.  She has studio time booked next week and she's lining up more meetings with songwriters and producers.  Her last album did very well and she wanted to make sure she gave her fans the best of her.  She hadn't done that with everything that was going on in her life a few years ago but she promised herself that she'd never let that happen again.  It took her all of ten minutes to get back home where she was greeted by her boyfriend and her manager, sitting at the kitchen table, looking over what appeared to be songs.

"Good morning doll, how are you today?"  Larry her manager asked.  She kissed each gentleman on the cheek and sat down at the head of the table.

"I'm good Lar, what are you doing here so early."

"I just wanted to drop off these songs to you.  They were the best of the ones I've received so far.  I think you'll like them."

"Okay, I'll look them over.  Thanks.  Jason, do you remember what day Sandra said she set up studio time?"

"Yeah, in about two hours.  I thought we put it on the calendar."

"I did but I thought that was the week of the 19th."

"It is the week of the 19th honey." 

"Well darn, I guess I'm going into the studio.  I told Sean I'd pick him up at 3pm so I just take a little break then, bring him home and come back.  No biggie.  So Larry, these songs are good huh?" 

Britney picks up the first song, a melody instantly forming in her mind.  She'd been toying with different sounds on her keyboard all week but she just needed words to go along with them.  She was suffering from serious writer's block.  She began to hum the lyrics to herself, getting caught up in her head, letting the music take her away as she did often.  It really was her only refuge.  She notices that the song is written by The Y's. 

"I like this song Larry, alot.  I'd like to start with this one.  Do we own the rights yet?"

"Not yet, we're working with the guys now.  They'd like to be in the studio with you or whoever's interested in buying it because it's incomplete.  But before you get too wrapped up in it, you should know all the details."

"What's there to know?  It's has a great hook and I love the lyrics they have so far.  Who are these guys anyway?  I've never heard them before."

The look on Larry's face is solemn.  He's was trying to ease her into this but she caught them in the middle of a conversation and that happened to be the first song she picked up.

"Brit, Justin wrote the song."  Larry says plainly, trying to prepare for her response.

"Aww shit, why do you look so afraid to say that Lar?  It's a hot song, we both know how good of a songwriter he is.  It's no surprise that it's so good.  Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well Brit, he wants to be present when the song's recorded.  Throughout the entire process."

"We could make the process short if necessary.  I don't think it'll be that bad.  Does he know that I'm one of the people looking to record it?"

"Not yet.  When was the last time you guys saw each other in person?"

This takes Britney a while to remember.  So much has happened since the last time they had a decent conversation.  She racks her brain, remembers the night she showed up to his house to explain herself, only to have his security send her away at the gate.  She talked to him briefly through the intercom but he just told her to go home.  He had company and they didn't have anything to say to each other.  She decided to leave that incident out though.

"Gosh, 2004 maybe?  I really can't remember right now.  Jason, what do you think?"

"I don't know babe.  I think if you like it and want to record it, you should do it.  He had to know that you'd probably see it some kind of way.  I'm sure he wouldn't mind another couple grand in his bank account and who knows, maybe you guys could even talk to each other during that time.  Now that I think about it, I think you need to do it."

"And that's why I love you.  There's nothing tying us to each other anymore so working with him should be easy enough.  Tell you what, I'll get ready to head over to the studio and we'll tinker around with it while I'm there.  See what happens when we put it to music. Is that  okay Larry?"

"I'm good with it if you are Brit.  Listen, I have to head out but before I go..."  He says grabbing his cell to dial a quick number.  After three rings, the call connects.

"Good Morning, Justin Timberlake's office, how can I help you?"

"Good Morning, Larry Rudolph for Mr. Timberlake please."  He says walking away while Brit and Jason talk amongst themselves.  He didn't want her to overhear him calling Justin.

"One moment please."  The line goes silent for a minute or two before he hears...

"This is Justin."

"Hey Justin, its Larry Rudolph.  How are you this morning?"

"I'm good Larry, gosh it's been a long time. How are you?"  Justin says with a chuckle.

"I'm doing well.  Listen, we got a hold to one of your songs and my client is really interested in recording it.  The only problem is she wants to go into the studio today.  Do you have time?"

"It is rather short notice but luckily I have nothing going on right now.  What song is it?"

"Circus." 

When Justin heard Larry say the song title, he nearly choked on the herbal tea he'd been sipping on.  For some reason, he instantly knew who Larry's client was.  He'd wrote the song with her in mind.  But just to be sure, Justin asked...

"Which of your clients is interested in it Larry?"

"It's Brit.  I'm actually with her now.  Hold on, I'll grab her."

Before Justin could respond, Larry was calling her to the phone.  He hears her ask who's on the phone and his heart quickens a bit.  It's been a really long time and at times, he didn't think they'd ever speak again personally or professionally.  Yet, here he was, two seconds away from...

"Hello?"

Silence.

"Hello?"

"It's been a long time.  How are you Britney?"

"Justin, hey.  It really has.  I'm good Justin, how are you?"

"I'm good.  So, I hear you want to record Circus.  When would you like to meet."

"You know, we don't have to do this if you don't want.  The last thing I want is to create any kind of disruption for you.  But, I really like the song and I'd love to record it if you don't mind."

"Actually, Larry and I were just talking about that.  I could meet you in the studio today if you'd like."

"Okay, I'm heading over there now.  See you in about an hour?"

"That'll work, see you there."

"Okay and Justin?  Thanks for doing this.  I really appreciate it."

"No problem.  Bye Brit."

She pauses because she hasn't heard that from him in forever.  And it feels just as good ringing in her ears as it felt on his tongue.

"Bye Justin."