December 30, 2000

"What is it Tyson?!" Leah yelled over the phone, growing irritated.

"I just wanted to know how you were doing" Tyson replied innocently.

"For the fifth time this morning?" Leah asked, while packing her suitcases.

"Well excuse me for caring."

"No, it's one thing to care, but it's another to be completely and totally obsessive. I thought that if we we're gonna make this work, you wouldn't be so intense."

"Sorry, I'll try to ease up." Tyson apologized.

"Now, if you'll excues me I have some packing to do!"

"Fine!" Tyson yelled hanging up the phone. He hated that Leah was going to be gone a whole weekend in 'The City of Sin' with her ex-boyfriend. He wished that there was something, anything that he could do to stop it. But he knew there wasn't, and it drove him crazy.

Leah stared at her cordless phone, shocked. She tried to work things out with Tyson, but he was more controlling, and more rude and disrespectful than ever. She didn't know how much more she could tolerate. She was thankful for the mini vacation heading her way. A whole weekend in Las Vegas with her old friends. There was no better way to ring in the New Year! She was so ecstatic when MTV called her and offered her a spot to co-host "The MTV Ultimate New Years Bash" along with Nsync, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera, she immediately accpeted! Hanging out with all of her friends was exactly what she needed to relieve all of the stress that she had been feeling!

*************

"We're here!!!" Chris screamed to the top of his lungs when the guys opened the door, and entered their suite at the Palms Hotel and Casino, where they would be co-hosting the New Years party downstairs in the Rain Nightclub.

"Dude shut up." Joey said, dropping his bags, and walking around to check out the suite. "You're like all wound up twentyfour-seven!"

"Please, like you're not all excited to be in Vegas!" Chris teased.

"Yo, check this out!" Lance screamed from the other side of the suite. The other four guys rushed to see what Lance was all excited about. All of their eyes, bulged when they saw that their was a swimming pool off the side of the room, and looking over the side of the building.

"Dude, this is awesome!" Justin exclaimed. All five of the guys immediately stripped down to their boxers and jumped in the pool. All though they were all adults, they didn't take themselves too seriously and all took the time out to play around, and enjoy themseleves.

Although JC looked as if he were having fun, on the inside, he was a nervous wreck! He didn't know how he would react when he saw Leah. He had all of these pent up emotions inside of him, and he didn't know how things would all play out. He kept trying to tell himself that he still had Bobbie, and that he and Leah we're just friends. However, he didn't know if that were enough anymore.

*************

As Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears were getting settled into the suite they would be sharing, the phone rang. Britney raced to pick it up. "Hello?" She answered. "Oh, we're settling in just fine... No, we're still waiting on her to get here... Sure, that sounds great... Yeah, we sure will... Thanks for everything, bye!" Britney hung up the phone.

"Who was that?" Christina asked, coming out of the bedroom in the suite that she chose to stay in.

"That was George Maloof." Britney replied, referring to the owner of the hotel.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to know how we were liking it here so far. He invited us and the guys out to dinner with him tonight at The Eiffel Tower." Britney explained.

"Oh, that sounds cool, I've always wanted to go there!" Christina exclaimed, joining Britney on the couch.

"Oh yeah, and he's having a bottle of Champagne sent up here to us." Britney added, reaching for the remote and turning on the plasma screen T.V.

"Does he know that we're not even twenty one yet?" Christina asked.

"Yeah, I don't think it matters to him!" Britney said, shaking her head.

"It's so weird when you have status, you get all of these adult privileges, and you don't even get carded." Christina said in disbelief. In the last few years, her and Britney's careers had really taken off, and they were still trying to adjust to this "fame" thing, and all of the special treatments it garnered.

"Yeah, well I wouldn't mind taking advantage of it every once in a while and getting a little tipsy!" Britney said naughtily. Christina laughed. "What? It's a special occasion!" Britney shrugged. Just then there was a knock on the door. "Champagne's here!" Britney cheered.

"You are all to eager missy!" Christina teased.

"Dibs!" Britney cried, jumping up from her place on the couch, and racing towards the door.

"Hey!" Christina called, getting up and running to catch up with Britney. "Cheater!" When they got to door, Christina stopped Britney from opeening the door. "Wait," she stopped in front of Britney, guarding the door. The person on the other side knocked a little louder.

"What?" Britney asked, a little irritated. Christina couldn't help but to giggle at her friends eagerness to get to the alcohol.

"What if it's like a serial killer or something?" Christina questioned, suspicious.

"Christina really? Paranoid much? You really need to stop watching so many Lifetime movies!" Britney replied. The knock on the door continued.

"I'm just sayin'. And some of those movies are true stories!" Christina said in defense. She looked around for the closest object, she then grabbed a vase full of fake flowers off a nearby table, and dumped out the flowers. She held the vase up like a baseball bat.

"What are you going to do with that?" Britney asked in disbelief.

"What? It's how all the heroines survive in the movies." Christina said innocently. Britney just shook her head. Christina could be out there out times, but that's why she loved her. "Who is it?" Christina called to the person on the other side of the door.

"It's me!" A female voice yelled.

"Me who?" Christina asked skeptically.

"It's me you silly goose, now let me in!" The light bubbly voice on the other side of the door demanded.

"Oh for heaven's sakes!" Britney cried, her southern accent coming out, she pulled Christina away from the door, and opened. Standing in the hall, was a five foot two brunette with green eyes, and a big smile on her face.

"LEAH!" Britney and Christina squealed in unison, excited to be reunited with their old friend from The Mickey Mouse Club. When she stepped in the suite with her luggage, both Britney and Christina embraced her in a super tight hug.

"Oh my god, it's so good to see you!" Christina exclaimed, vase still in hand.

"What took you guys so long to answer the door, and what's with the vase?" Leah asked in confusion.

"Oh nothing, Christina just thought you were a crazy psycho serial killer." Britney answered sarcastically. Leah gave Christina a weirded out look.

"Christina, seriously?" Leah asked, setting down her luggage.

"It's the Lifetime movies getting to her head!" Britney explained.

"Oh-kaaay. Well then, I guess it's a good think I'm not a serial killer, because man Christina, I would've been totally toast with that vase and all!" Leah laughed. Christina and Britney laughed too. "So where's my room?"

"Follow me." Christina said, taking Leah's luggage. Leah and Britney followed behind.

"Yeah, you better carry my luggage, as long as you had me waiting. I thought my arms were gonna turn to Jell-O!" Leah teased.

"Like I said, you could've been a serial killer!"

"Me? Little ole' me? Please, I'm 5'2. And have you seen me fight? I couldn't hurt a bumble bee, it would sting me first!" Leah chuckled.

"Hey, ya never know! It's always the least suspecting ones!" Christina replied. Leah and Britney gave each other a knowing glance, and then rolled their eyes. Christina came to a stop. "Here's your room!" Christina, Leah and Britney walked into her room, and plopped down on the king sized bed. A moment of peaceful silence followed.

"It's so good to see you guys!" Leah said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah it's been a while!" Christina replied.

"This weekend is gonna be so much fun!" Leah exclaimed.

"Yeah, especially for you!" Britney said, pointing to Leah.

"What do you mean especially for me?" Leah asked.

"Oh come on, you and JC!" Britney replied. Leah's eyes widened, and she playfully poked Britney on the shoulder.

"I told you, JC and I aren't like that anymore." Leah reminded. "And besides, you're one to talk. Your boyfriend's here!"

"Yeah, but that's different. Justin and I are a couple. An official couple, and everyone knows it. We're sort of...setteled! But you and JC are much more interesting." Britney explained, Christina nodded her head in agreement.

"How?" Leah asked.

"You and JC are like a real live soap opera." Christina chimed in.

"Are not!" Leah argued.

"Are too." Christina replied. "It's like are you on again, or are you off, which is it? It's so damn hard to determine."

"I told you, we're just friends."

"Mmmhmm. That's what you say." Britney cut in. "To outsiders it may seem that way. But you can't you can't fool us. You see, we know the truth."

"The truth is, we are just friends and nothing more." Though I wish we were more. Leah wanted to add.

"Give it up Leah, we've known you for years!" Christina said. "Spit it out. You can trust us!"

"Yeah you can trust us!" Britney cosigned. Leah looked back and forth to the two girls in front of her. She's known them just as long as she had know JC and Justin, and she knew she could trust them. And to be honest, she couldn't hold her feelings in any longer. She'd been dying to tell someone. Lucky had been out of town, vacationing with her family in the carribbean where there was no cell reception, so she couldn't talk to her. And it's not like she could talk to Jaime about her problems; she didn't even know Josh, and they hadn't even known each other for that long, so she had no idea about her and Josh's history.

Leah closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Well the truth is... I'm still in love with Josh." Leah admitted. It was the first time since her and JC were a couple that she actually said what she had been feeling for her bestfriend aloud. When she didn't hear a response, she opened her eyes, scared of what Britney and Christina might think. She saw the two content faces staring back at her.

"I knew it." Britney said.

"But you can't tell." Leah said seriously.

"Why not?" Britney said deviously.

"Because Brit, we said that she can trust us. And besides, if Josh finds out that Leah's in love with him, don't you think that Leah should be the one to tell him?" Christina reasoned.

"Which he won't be finding out anytime soon." Leah said.

"Why not?" Christina asked this time.

"For too many reasons." Leah answered.

"Reasons like what?" Christina asked.

"Well there's the fact that he has a girlfriend." Leah said.

"Who he totally doesn't love." Britney assumed.

"And then there's the fact that we tried being in a relationship before."

"Okay, and..." Christina said.

"I'm just afraid. The last time we were in a relationship, JC broke up with me. I was so broken hearted, and I thought that I had lost my bestfriend forever. It was so awkward after the break up, it took the longest time for our friendship to get back on track. And I don't want for that to happen again. What if we don't work out again, and even after that we don't remain friends. Josh is my bestfriend, I don't know what I would do without him in my life. He's been through all of these things with me, things that you guys don't know about. He's been my rock, and I'm not ready to risk that again." Leah explained her reasoning for not telling JC that she was still in love with him. "There's that, and the fact that he may not feel the same about me anymore. What if he's not in love with me anymore? I mean he is with Bobbie, and they have been together for almost four years! More than likely, he's moved on. Then what would I look like? I'd be a complete and total dork if I poured my heart out to him, only for him to tell me that he doesn't feel the same." Leah continued, tears now falling from her eyes. It felt so good to get that off of her chest.

"Oh honey." Christina said, reaching her arms out and hugging a crying Leah. Britney then reached over and hugged her too. Sometimes a hug from your friends was all you needed to make you feel like everything was going to be okay.

"Listen I can't pretend to understand what you're going through," Britney spoke up. "But we've known you and Josh for a really long time now, and we've witnessed your friendship, and relationship. We know how much you two love and care for each other. I know you're scared, but honestly, don't be. I can't prove it, but I just know that Josh just has to feel the same way about you. If he says that he doesn't have feelings for you anymore, that's at total lie. In case you didn't know, it's obvious to everyone else that you two are meant to be together. You guys can pretend all you want that you've moved on, but you both know deep down that you're meant for each other. You guys have been through too much and love each other so deeply, there's no way you two won't end up together." Britney said, finishing her lecture. She's been dying to say that! Leah wiped her eyes and smiled.

"Thanks guys, I'm glad you understand." The three shared a group hug, and silence came over them. Suddenly there was the sound of a ring tone breaking the silence. Leah took her cell phone from her purse. When she read the caller ID and saw that it was Tyson, she pressed ignore. She rolled her eyes, and let out a sigh.

"Who is it?" Christina asked, curious by Leah's reaction.

"My ex-boyfriend Tyson. He totally screwed up a few months back, I broke up with him, he apologized, and I told him we could be friends again, but now he's being a completely possesive and obsessive freak. He actually thinks that we have a chane at getting back together." Leah explained.

"Wow. What did he do?" Christina asked.

"I went to a party with him, and I caught him smoking pot. He was high out of his mind, and left me with no way home. Not to mention, he's a complete and total asshole!" Leah answered.

"That's a big no no." Britney said.

"You're telling me." Leah replied.

"Which is a sign telling you, that JC is the one for you." Christina said smiling. "It's so obvious. Your one boyfriend besides JC is a jerk, and JC would never do that to you!"

"I agree." Britney concurred. "Now, get dressed." Britney demanded, changing the subject.

"Why?" Leah asked.

"Because, George Maloof is taking us out tonight!" Britney answered.

"Seriously? Where?" Leah's eyes lit up with interest.

"The Eiffel Tower." Christina replied.

"Cool!" Leah responded.

"And no pressure, but where your sexiest dress, because the guys are coming too!" Christina added, and Leah rolled her eyes. Heading out of Leah's room, the girls heard a knock on the door.

"And that's the Champagne!" Britney cheered.

*************

"So how are you guys liking the Palms?" George Maloof, the owner of the luxurious hotel asked the guys of Nsync along with Leah, Britney, and Christina from the head of the reactangular table.

"Oh, well we actually love it!" JC spoke up for the group, the rest nodding in agreement. George Maloof had met up with the group at The Eiffel Tower, the famous French Restaruant in Las Vegas. He allowed them to order what ever they wanted, on him.

"You know, it's really an honor to have all of you stay at my hotel." George said. The group all thanked him. "Now, lets get down to business. I have invited you all here for a reason." He continued. "I'm really grateful that you are shooting your New Years Eve Bash here, it's a lot of great promotion and good for business. So as a thank you gift, I would like to sponsor all of your tours." Everyones eyes lit up in disbelief. They had been called by MTV to go to Vegas to host a New Years celebration, they hadn't expected for the actual owner to meet with them and drop this bomb on them! Sponsoring four tours? That was gonna be more than expspensive, but hey if any one could do it, it would be George Maloof of all people, the man was known to give extravagant gifts to the celebrity guest staying at his hotel.

"That is so very generous of you!" Christina exclaimed, she couldn't believe this.

"Well it's the least I could do, the four hottest acts in entertainment are staying at the Palms all at once, do you now how great that is for business?" He asked.

"But Mr. Maloof, we've already finished our tour, we only have one more show on left on the 18 in Rio de Janeiro, after that we're pretty much done." Justin explained.

"Well for your next tour, consider it covered." George replied.

"Thank you so much Mr. Maloof." Lance said.

"Hey, Mr. Maloof is my father, call me George." He smiled.

"Okay, George." Leah remarked, smiling.

The dinner continued, everyone (almost everyone) having a good time, drinking, eating, and more drinking. JC slowed down on the drinking though, becuase he didn't trust himself. He was afraid that with alcohol in his system, he would get bold, make a move on Leah, say something stupid, and mess up his relationship with Bobbie, and ruin his friendship with Leah. At this point he was more tense then ever. He looked at Leah, who was sitting directly across the table from him. She was engaged in a conversation with Lance, who was sitting next to her. While she wasn't paying attention, JC took the opportunity to look at her, something he had hardly been able to do all night. God, she's beautiful, JC thought. A smiled spread across her face, laughing at whatever it was that Lance said. She had the most beautiful smile that he had ever seen, and he got a little jealous. He wanted to know what Lance had said to her to make her laugh, he wanted to make her laugh, to make her smile. The most he'd said to her all night was "Hi, how are ya!" 'Hi, how are ya?' Really? He said that as if they were neighbors who didn't really know each other, but spoke to each other in the supermarket just to be nice. Or like a stranger, who he had just met for the first time. They had known each other for nine years! His feelings for his bestfriend were getting really bad. So bad that he was getting jealous of Lance! Lance of all people. He knew Lance would never cross that line, because he was his bestfriend, and because he knew that JC and Leah had once dated. Besides, Lance had a girlfirend, Danielle. But that didn't really mean anything. JC had a girlfriend, but that didn't mean that he wasn't in love with Leah either.

As Lance was telling Leah a funny story about a prank they pulled while on tour, Leah couldn't help but think about the one across from her, JC. It's not that what Lance was saying wasn't interesting or funny, because it totally was, but still... She couldn't get JC off of her brain. It was insanity! Sure, she was happy that she would get to spend a whole weekend in Las Vegas with some of her bestfriends, but the whole time she was packing, and her whole flight here all she could do was think about him. She was so nervous, she didn't know how she would react to seeing him again. After "The Tyson Incident", as she dubbed it, she reevaluated her relationship with him, and asked herself what she really wanted in a guy, and all of those answers led back to JC. Which totally sucked because a.) JC had a girlfriend, and b.) she was pretty sure that JC no longer felt the same way about her. They were a couple six almost seven years ago, and she was sure that JC didn't share those same feelings for her. He was the one that broke up with her after all. She couldn't help it, but she was jealous of Bobbie. She wondered if Bobbie knew what a great guy she had, and she hoped that she was treating JC right. He was a great person, and deserved nothing but the best.

"Well, I have to get going guys, I have a meeting to go to, but you can stay and order anything you want on me." George said, snapping Leah from her thoughts. It wasn't unusual for people in the entertainment business to have meetings at eight o'clock at night, it was the norm.

"Thanks George!" The group said in unison. George exited their private room, and that left just the eight of them together. After dinner, they had a dress rehearsal for the New Years Eve Bash at The Rain Nightclub in the Palms. They went over the list of videos on the "Top 100 videos of 2000 Countdown", each act rehearsed the songs that they were slated to perform, and practiced introducing other artist, interviewing the party goers, and practiced counting down each second as the ball dropped. Although it was work, it really didn't feel like it! The group had a blast hanging with each other. JC and Leah's tension towards each other had dissolved, and they were back to being the bestfriends that everyone knew they were. When they were around each other it was just like they were fourteen and fifteen again! Everyone teased each other, laughing hysterically as they did when they were kids! It was just like the good old days! JC wished that things could stay like this forever.

When they were finally finished rehearsing, it was two a.m., and officially New Years Eve. "So what she would do now?" Joey asked the group, as they were all gathered in the empty VIP area. The club had been closed for the day, so that they could rehearse for the New Years special.

"Why don't we hit up a club?" Chris suggested.

"A club?" JC asked. "It's already two now, and besides we'll be partying all day in a few hours, and well on into the New Year. We have a good, I don't know say fifteen or sixteen hours of partying ahead of us." It was true, they had a full twelve hour spot on live television, not to mention the few hours after midnight that the party would continue. Everyone but JC and Leah groaned in disappointment.

"JC's right." Leah spoke up, defending her friend.

"You would say that." Chris teased. JC shot him a look the burned holes through his skull.

"No, seriously. If we go to a club now, then when will we get back to our rooms? Five? When we have to be up at six." Everyone just stared at her. "C'mon guys we're gonna be working for twelve hours straight, live on television. I'm not saying it won't be fun, but what good would it do us if we wear ourselves out now? All I'm saying is that, if we go to a club now, what good will it do us in the morning? We'll be so tired and cranky, that it'll suck the fun out of everything." Leah reasoned. They knew it was true, so they said nothing.

"Killjoys." Chris finally said pouting, as he was sitting on the red velvet couch. JC and Leah were perfect for each other, Chris thought as he sat looking back and forth between the two of them. They were just alike. Ever since he had known them, they had always been the voice of reason. The mature ones. They had always shown a united front, defending each other's actions, as if they were a married couple. So Chris couldn't figure out for the life of him why they wouldn't stop beating around the bush, and be together like everyone hoped they would.

"C'mon guys, unfortunately JC and Leah are right." Joey said, giving in. "We should all just go back to our suites."

"Thanks a lot Mom and Dad!" Chris teased, poking his tongue out at them like he was little kid. Leah and JC just shared a knowing glance and laughed.

"Consider the source" JC mumbled. As the crew was about ready to head out of the club, they noticed that there were two of them missing.

"Where's Britney and Justin at?" Christina asked. They all looked around for the couple, when they finally spotted them in a corner making out, Britney sitting on Justin's lap.

"C'mon you two love birds, it's time to go!" Lance shouted in their direction, Britney jumped when she noticed that they had an audience. She got up from her place on her boyfriends lap, and they both stood up.

"What club are we going to?" Justin asked.

"We're not." Lance answered.

"Why not?" Justin asked.

"Thanks to JC and Leah, we now have a curfew." Chris sighed.

"Aww man, I really wanted to go to a club. My only chance to drink. I won't be able to tomorrow because MTV is gonna have camera's everywhere, and I'm supposed to be 'a good role model'." Justin complained, quoting Stan Lathan, the show's creator. The group laughed.

"Well role model, practice what you preach." Lance replied. Justin glared at him.

"Thanks a lot Mom and Dad." Justin pouted, as Chris had just done minutes before. The group the began to head out of the club.

"Oh no, not you too!" JC exclaimed.

*************

"So how was it for you?" Christina asked, coming out of the bathroom in her pajamas, and into her room.

"It wasn't as nerve racking as I had anticipated." Leah answered, referring to being in the same room as JC, as she flooped down on Christina's bed.

"Tonight was great!" Britney stated, coming into the room, and sitting on the bed beside Leah.

"Yeah it was!" Christina replied, sitting on the bed. "It was like we were kids again!"

"Yeah, you know what it reminded me of?" Britney asked the two.

"What?" Leah asked propping herself up on her elbows.

"Back when were on the MMC and we would spend weekends together." She replied.

"Yeah." Leah and Christina agreed.

"Hey remmeber how we always used to eat at Gigi's?" Christina asked.

"Yeah, and that old creepy guy who used to take our orders! I swear, he was looking down our tops." Leah laughed.

"That man, freaked me out!" Britney exclaimed. "What was his name?"

"Mr. Moretti" Leah answered. "Or Crazy Mell Moretti." Crazy Mell Moretti is what the neighborhood kids had dubbed him.

"That's right!" Christina said. "Wow, that man must of been like 100 years old!" She pointed out. "One time I went to the bathroom, and I was washing my hands, I thought I was alone, but then Crazy Mell come's bursting out of a stall, you know because Gigi's had co-ed bathrooms, and there wasn't like a special one for employees or anything..." Christina went on. "He gave me the weirdest look, and he washed his hands, but kept his eyes on me the whole time. I washed my hands as soon as I could and dahsed out of there!" She shuttered. The others laughed.

"Whatever happened to Crazy Mell anyway?" Leah asked.

"I think he died." Britney replied.

"Oh." Was all that Christina, and Leah said in response, the smiles on their faces fading.

December 31, 2000

"Hey guys, this is Leah!" Leah said through a microphone introducing herself to the at home audience. She along with Britney, Christina, and a television crew were standing on top of the roof of the Palms Hotel and Casino.

"I'm Britney!" Britney introduced herself, standing next to Leah, holding her own microphone with the MTV logo on it.

"And I'm Christina." Christina intoduced herself as well, on the opposite side of Britney, with her microphone in hand. "And we're here chillin' with the guys of Nsync here at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas!"

"And you are watching The MTV Ultimate New Years Eve Bash!" Leah cheered reading the teleprompter back behind the camera.

"We'll be here all day and all night counting down the top 100 videos of the year!" Christina explained.

"That's right, you guys at home picked em', and we're gonna play em'!" Britney read enthusiastically.

"After the video countdown, stick around for another countdown. A countdown of the seconds that is, as we ring in 2001 with a bang!" Leah said, reading her line.

"We'll be back in a few, but first a word from our sponsors." Britney read.

"So sit back, relax, and don't change that channel." Christina said.

"Cut!" Steve Paley, the director called from his place in his director's chair. "That was great guys! Excellent!" He smiled. Since they had a good three minutes before the were due back on camera, the hair and make-up artists rushed to their sides to give them quick touch-ups.

"Ooo, I have to pee!" Britney said anxiously, sliding away from the hair and make-up artist and rushing towards the bathroom.

"Ughh, TMI!" Leah laughed, as she watched Britney hightail it to the ladies room Britney made it back just in time before the camera's started to roll again. She picked up the microphone, and stood beside Christina and Leah as if she had been standing there the whole time.

"Welcome back to The MTV Ultimate New Years Bash!" Christina welcomed the at home audience back. "We're here at the Palms Hotel and Casino celebrating the year with 100 videos that you at home have chosen!"

"Coming in at number one hundred here's Faith Hill with Breathe." Leah said, introducing the first video on the list. "100? Really?" Leah asked, once the camera's were off. Since they were filming live, they couldn't just pre-record their parts, they had to introduce the video, and then wait anywhere from three to six minutes, depending on how long the video was, then pick up filming again. "I really like that song. Hmm, I had more faith in our viewers." She said seriously as she sat down in a chair with her name on the back. Christina, Britney, and the crew all laughed at her. "What? I'm just sayin'... We totally should have chosen the videos."

"Yeah, but that would take out the interactive part." Stan Lathan, the producer and creator explained. "We want to reach out to the audience."

"At number ninety-nine is Blink 182's All the Small Things." Christina said. After announcing what the next five videos were, the film crew stopped rolling, they were now going to be shooting Nsync's portion of the countdown, ninety-three through eighty-six.

*************

"And our number one song is Bye Bye Bye by our very own Nsync!" All three of the girls cheered, announcing the final song of the video countdown. They were in the VIP section of the Rain Nightclub, surrounded by Justin, JC, Joey, Chris, and Lance, as well as a crowd of celebrities and party goers. The crew stopped filming while the Bye Bye Bye video was being played to the at home viewers. By it being the number one song of the year, the DJ played it, and everyone in the club started to dance. Justin with Britney, Joey with his girlfriend Kelly, Chris with some random chick he pointed out in the crowd, and Lance with his girlfriend Danielle Fishel who played Topanga Lawrence on the TV show Boy Meets World. Leah and JC just sat on the couch, wathcing everyone else dance. Leah didn't have anyone to dance with, no one asked her, and JC just didn't want to get into anymore trouble with Bobbie. If he wasn't with Bobbie, he would so ask Leah to dance.

Leah eyed, JC and scooted over next to him. "Congratulations." She whispered in his ear. Her lips on his ear sent a chill down his spine, and caused him to grow hard. He crossed his legs trying to hide his erection. Oh boy, he thought to himself.

"For what?" He asked nervously.

"Duh, for having the number one song!" Leah replied.

I'm trying to have fun, but you keep making my dick grow hard! JC wanted to scream. "Yeah sure."

"Jace are you okay?" She asked. "You seem... I don't know, you seem tense!" JC scooted further away from her, and she knitted her eyebrows together in confusion.

"I'm fine!" He blurted out. He couldn't take this anymore! Being this close to her, and not being able to have her? It was killing him! Did she know she was flirting him? Did she know how much she turned him on!

"Okay, we're ready!" The director shouted. "Everyone to the roof!" Leah, Britney and Christina along with the guys of Nsync, and the filming crew all made their way to the roof along with a group of lucky fans, who would watch the ball drop with them.

Once everyone made their way to the roof, which was decorated silver, black, and white, the crew rushed to set up. These last few moments were all about impeccable timing. One tiny slip up could ruin the whole thing! "And we're rolling in 3, 2, 1... Action!" The director called.

"Welcome back everyone! We're all here on the rooftop of The Palms Hotel and Casino where any minute the ball will drop, and we'll ring in the New Year!" Joey said into the camera, the rest of the group crowding around him. The crowd of fans behind them cheered, pining for a spot on national television. Cindy, the second assistant director gave Joey a thumbs up, the okay to start the countdown.

Joey started the countdown from 30, and everyone joined in with them. Leah got a knot in her stomach, the way she always did when ringing in the New Year. She was nervous and excited all at the same time. A new year meant new things, they could either be good or bad. She sure as hell hoped that this year would be better than her last.

"15, 14, 13, 12..." The crowd counted down. "10, 9, 8, 7,..." Here it comes, here it comes, Leah thought to herself, linking arms with Christina and Britney. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" The crowd shouted in excitement. Fireworks went off, and music blared extra loud. Leah looked around. She spotted Justin and Britney in a lip lock, Christina shared a small peck on the lips with a guy she had been dating, Joey was kissing his girlfriend Kelly, Lance shared his first kiss of 2001 with Danielle, and Chris was making out with some random girl. Everyone for someone, but no one for Leah. She looked aross the roof top and spotted JC standing alone. How she wished that he was her New Years kiss. She decided to walk up to him.

"Happy New Year!" She greeted.

"Happy New Year!" He smiled.

"So..." She trailed off at a lost for words.

"Pretty awesome night huh?" He asked her.

"Yeah." She replied.

"Leah."

"Yeah?"

"Can I get you a drink?" JC asked.

"Sure." Leah answered. Ah, what the hell? It's New Years!

"C'mon lets go back inside!" JC pulled her by her hand and took her back to Rain.

Soon one drink turned into two, and two into three, and JC and Leah had lost track of how many drinks they had had. The hadn't moved from the bar since JC bought their first drinks. They were pretty buzzed, and were very playful and touchy feely with each other. JC then stood up, walked behind Leah and wrapped his arms around her. "Dance with me." He whispered into her ear seductively. It was more a demand, than a question. He then took Leah by the hand and she followed him onto the dancefloor. The DJ played the song "Music" by Madonna, and JC and Leah were dancing their hearts out on the floor. The alcohol drowning out their sorrows and loneliness, the only thing that mattered to them in that moment was that they were together, and that they were having the time of their lives. Leah was having so much fun, and never wanted the song to end, but when it finally did, she couldn't wait until the next. "This next song, is for all of you couples out their. Grab the one you love, and get your butt on the dancefloor for the first slow song of the year." The DJ announced. Feeling uncomfortable, Leah didn't know whether she should dance the next song with JC, or just go sit down somewhere.

Hearing the first few notes of the song, Leah felt like she was gonna faint. This couldn't be happening. The sounds of violin strings rang loud in her ears. "This is our song." Leah said, barely audible, her voice shaking. She felt a lump in her throat. As she heard Steven Tyler sing the first few lyrics of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", she looked for a way out. Turning around to leave the dancefloor, she felt a hand on her wrist. She turned around, it was JC, catching her before she ran off.

"Dance this song with me." He said gently.

"Okay." She replied. JC pulled Leah close to him. She placed her arms around his shoulders, he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. As the song went into the chorus, her heart began to pound inside of her chest.

Listening to the words brought tears to her eyes. She remembered when she and JC went to go see Armageddon the day it came out in theaters. The movie was powerful and really touching, but what touched her most was not when Bruce Willis dies in the end, but when the Aerosmith song is played. She remember it bringing tears to her eyes, and JC glanced over to her and asked her what was wrong. "Nothing," she replied. "It's just.. This song is so... So beautiful, so touching."

"Well how about we make this are song?" JC asked.

"I'd like that!" She replied, laying her head on his shoulder in the dark movie theater. Okay, so they weren't a couple when JC declared that I Don't Want to Miss a Thing was their song, so it was more like a bestfriends song, but still, it meant so much to their relationship. Whenever she heard the song, it reminded her of him, and every single time she heard it, she wished they were together again, like she wished they were together now. She then laid her head on JC's shoulder like she had done that day at the movie theater. She wanted to be with him so bad. It was so hard being this close to a person, and know that you can't have them.

When the song ended, the DJ played another song, this time a more uptempo one; That's the Way Love Goes by Janet Jackson. Oh boy, JC thought. How is this even possible. "Oh my god, Jace! You have to dance this one last song with me! Please?" Leah begged.

"Sure," JC replied, not wanting to turn her down. JC didn't know how much more he could take. First the DJ played their song, now he's playing what could possibly be one of the horniest songs known to mankind. This could not be happening. JC didn't know if he could control himself now with Leah grinding him like she was. He did want to remain faithful to Bobbie, but at the same time he was a man. As the song played, he couldn't help but to grind harder into her.

Leah didn't know what had come over her, maybe it was the champagne, but when the song came on, she began to dance seductively with JC. It's as if the song spoke volumes. It said what she wanted to say to him, without even having to say anything.

"A-are you sure?" Leah stammered, taken by surprise. This had seemed to sober her up a bit. Here he was, the man of her dreams, asking her to come with him to his room. So why was she so hesitant?

"Yes." JC replied simply.

"Okay," Leah answered. JC took her by her hand and led her out of Rain.

Justin looked over the balcony from the VIP section of the club, pleased by what he saw. He knew that after a few drinks in them, they wouldn't be able to resist a few love songs. Justin eyed the DJ from the DJ booth and gave him a thumbs up. His plan, "Operation Hook Up", as he liked to call it, had worked! Score!

After JC had used his key card to open the door to the suite that he shared with the guys, he and Leah, kissing roughly and passionately, made their way to his room, knocking over flower vases and picture frames in the process. "Mmmm." Leah moaned as she backed into his room. Standing in front of the bed, JC stripped Leah of her clothing. He pulled down her black sequined strapless mini dress, as she kicked of her shoes. He smiled to himself when saw that she wasn't wearing a bra. JC took off his shirt, as she took off her black lace Victoria Secret thong. Not being able to wait any longer, Leah decided that JC needed some help. She got down on her knees, and unbuckled JC's belt, and unzipped his pants. Coming back up she planted a kiss on his soft lips, and pulled back the covers, and laid on the bed. JC followed, climbing on top of her. Once in the bed, JC pulled his boxer briefs off, and slid them down to his ankles, and tossed them to the floor. They continued to kiss passionately, their hands roaming each other's bodies. A million thoughts were running through JC's mind. This is what he's been wanting for the longest, and now he was finally going to take advantage of the opportunity. He was tired of always doing what was right, he wanted to finally do what he felt in his heart. It was just him and Leah, no one else. He finally had her all to himself, and he wasn't going to let the moment pass him by, like he had done time and time before. He and Leah belonged together, and he didn't care if she was taken or not, fuck being polite!

"Mmmm, Josh..." Leah moaned, as JC made his way down her neck. "Josh?"

"Yeah baby?"

"What about Bobbie?" Leah asked before they went too far. JC stopped dead in his tracks, his heart beating fast.

"Me and Bobbie are over." He lied. "What about you and what's his face?" He countered, looking deep into her eyes.

"You mean Tyson? We are so history." She replied. That was music to JC's ears! That's all he wanted to hear. He needed to know that there was no other man in her life. That was all the confirmation he needed, to know that she was all his. He made his way down her chest to her stomach and down in between her legs. She spread them, for JC's access. He rubbed one of his fingers against her slit. "Josh!" Leah called.

"Yeah baby?" He answered

"I need you." She groaned, not being able to take the his slow teasing torture.

"Not now baby."

"C'mon Jace, I need you." Leah moaned. JC smiled, he loved to hear her beg. He had her right where he wanted her. JC dove right in between her, thrusting his tongue in and out of her.

"Josh please!" Leah cried out, she didn't know how much more she could take, all she knew was that she needed to feel him insider of her. Still not listening, JC found her bud, and flicked his tongue across it. Leah felt like her head was spinning, she thought she going crazy. "Josh, I can't take it anymore. I need you inside of me now!" He continued to flick his tongue across her bud. "Josh," Leah cried. "I already know what you can do, remember? So stop showing off, and fuck me!" She demanded. JC came up to her, until they were face to face. This is exactly what he wanted, for her to beg. For her to tell him how bad she wanted and needed him. He smiled at her smugly.

"Are you sure?" He asked, already knowing her answer.

"Yes Josh, I'm fucking sure!" He coudn't help but to laugh a little to himself, it was funny to hear her swear, because she hardly ever did it. "Josh please!"

JC took his shaft, and gently glided it over her opening, sliding up and down, teasing her. He smiled when she writhed beneath him, he knew exactly what he was doing. "Josh, please don't tease me she moaned." He planted slow soft kisses on her lips, and down to her neck, before slowly entering her.

"Ahhhh!" Leah cried out in pleasure. She hadn't felt this amazing in forever, and she never wanted for this feeling to go away.

"Mmmm..." JC groaned from deep in his chest, she felt so good, just like it was their first time all over again. She was still slick and tight, just like he remembered.

"Oooh, faster baby." Leah purred. JC thrusted faster inside of her, the friction driving the both of them nuts. As JC thrusted faster and deeper insider of her, he looked deep into her eyes, feeling everything that he was supposed to feel. In that moment, everything just felt right to the both of them. This was how it was supposed to be. They fit together so perfectly physically and emotionally. This wasn't just any ordinary fuck, no they were making love. Hot and passionate love.

"Shit, Josh I'm cumming." Leah moaned. She tried her best to hold on, but she could no longer take it. Her head began to spin, and she lost all control. When JC felt Leah clench him, he knew he was close. Thrusting now deeper, and harder JC pounded into Leah at a rapid pace. Looking deep into each other's eyes, they both came together, their bodies melting into each other.

JC rolled off of Leah, and she rested her head on his bare chest. He wrapped his arms around her, and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Mmm, that was so good." Leah said.

"Yeah it was." JC replied, stroking her hair. "Leah."

"Yeah Josh?" Leah asked, looking up at him, and into his beautiful blue eyes.

"I love you." He confessed what he had been feeling for the past few months.

"I love you too, Josh."