Jack Daniel's

Setting- an abandoned Florida warehouse where the band reherses. Old and slightly creepy this is where all the action gets under way during the hot summer months.
Era- mid 90's
Characters-
Justin Timbere is a 14 year old with light brown hair and warming blue eyes. He is the youngest member of the pop group *NSYNC and looks to the other members for advice on his career and life in general. Being in a group like *NSYNC is a life-long dream of his and he is willing to put his past behind him, but will his new found freedom and mystery friend alow it!?
Lance Bass is two years Justin's senior, and not afraid to show or tell him when he is wrong. He is a new commer to the group's previous four part dynamic, and is trying to come to an understanding with four guys who already have a brotherly bond. Using his southeren manners he wows the three older counterparts, but cannot seem to connect with Justin.
J.C. Chaez must comes to realize this group will not work if the younger two cannot get along. He is witty in finding ways to get the two into some sort of friendship, whilst the other two advise against the idea, afraid that if they are not willing to work together that is that. J.C. won't have it.
Joey Fatone he's happy go lucky, and gets along with them all. Through each struggle he puts on a smile and caries on, despite the outcome. Justin admires him for being so happy all the time, and Lance wisely uses Joey to understand Justin's inner-depth.
Chris Kirkpatrick is the oldest, but certaintly not the maturest of the group. He finds that if they work hard enough and leave their differences behind that the sun will come out of the clouds.
Jack Daniels is an unusual young man with pale skin tone, piecrcing blue eyes, and he has the power to change Justin for better or worse.

Sitting on a worn out cot with a dull sheet over it, Justin blinks his eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. Tilting his head to the side at the call of his name, he catches the waterbottle Lance is sending in his direction.

An awkward expression casts over Justin's features, as he consumes the water.
"Justin," Lance says, "You and I need to talk about yesterday......"
Unresponsive, Justin places the bottle on the nightstand, and begins walking towards the door."
"Oh no you don't," a tall man with darkish brown hair implies, as he steps in front of the youngest band mate. We can work anything out."
"J.C. I.I.I., need some air," he insists softly.
"No Justin, you cannot keep ignoring Lance. He made a mistake when he said what he did. You need to let it go. It wasn't......," but Justin is quick to cut his friend off in a teary voice, 'You know why C.' "I do," J.C. replies, "I understand that what you're going through isn't easy."
Turning his head toward Lance, he lifts up his pant legs, revealing to Lance his disapponitment.
Stepping forward Lance sighs deeply, "How long have you had artifical legs?"
"About a year and a half," Justin admits, "It sure beats using a wheelchair all the time."
"I would've never known. You walk well with them," Lance smiles, hoping to get Justin to open up. Do you ever take them off?"
"Before I go to sleep, or they will irratate my skin," Justin tells him slowly. He closes his eyes in deep thought, not ready to reveal his story.

"Ouch Momma," Justin cries, as he has help removing his prostetics. His head rests against a soft pillow. Justin's breathing slows, and he begins to drift away, when he asks, "Do you think Jack will ever come back?"
Sitting at Justin's bedside, his Mom, Lynn, talks to him soothingly, "No Sweetheart, he can no longer cause you pain."
His eyelids flutter ,momentarily, open in response, "I still hurt," he reminds her.
Lynn brushes the fine curls from his eyes, "I know you do," she whispers.

Waking to the sound of his mother's comforting voice, his blue eyes open. Grips on his bed make it easier for him to move his body, until he can wear his faux legs.

Wobbly on his feet early in the morning, Justin starts to gain better control of his muscles, as he walks through the house.

He is back to dancing with his band mates, by late afternoon into the wee hours.
Lance is cautious to remark on Justin's legs, and how he lost the use of his limbs.
Justin is so normal, Lance thinks, "He's bright, and able to dance pretty good, with a few limatations. Why isn't he like the majourity of handicapped people out there?" His only answer is that, "Justin is special. He was meant to show the world that you could anything if your heart's in the right place.
Justin even suprises Lance when he does not have his prostetics on. He moves so well from point A to B. Justin's determanation is incredible. Lance touches Justin's knees where the leg devices will attach. He expects the young man to be in pain, but Justin explains to him he doesn't have much sensation, as the surgery affected his nerves. Justin glances at his two types of prostetics. One is for basic activities such as walking while the other pair is for dancing and his aqua therapy. Justin refuses to talk about his injuries afraid Lance will not understand.
This intrigures Lance the side Justin won't let him see. A wall is surrounding him, and Lance is determined to break it away, and soon.

Two days later, Justin blinks, and squints, as the light source enters through his eyes.
"Justin," he hears a faint voice cry," but all he can do is focus on the light in front of him.
"What is he doing?" Lance asks with concern.
"Oh, he's just daydreaming," J.C. replies, "he'll start mumbbling shortly, and then his eyes will open, and he won't tell us what he had seen or was thinking."
The images around him are blurry comming out of his hazzy fog, as tears drift down his face.
Comming to his aide, J.C. slips into a chair, "Just what's the matter?"
"Jack," Justin says breathlessly, "he still hurts me."
Lovingly, J.C. takes Justin's hands, "What do you want us to do?"
"Stop him," he sobs.

"Here he is, Just," J.C. calmly says stepping in front of a grave stone, an hour after Justin's breakdown.
Justin is placid, as confussion fills him, and his eyes turn to the blond.
Lance brings his hand behind Justin's backbone, "Shhh, things are different now."
In his heart, Justin knows the man is right.
"Just look into it, Just," J.C. says, pointing to the light. "We've all been waiting for you to know no hurt, and pain, like all of us."
"But, I'm not ready," Justin says shaking his head.
"The light is so pretty, and you are going to start to see a lot of wonderous things."
His body relaxes, as his eyes focus on the light, and his special journey.
A lightness fills him, as voices talk to him, and he is told"This is not the end but a new beginning, and you shall return safely to where you reside, with your friends at your side. It is at his request......"

His world goes dark, until he hears his friends voices, all but Lance. "Where is he?"
Who?" J.C. asks. "There are only four of us in this group, and Trace is out of town."
"Lance, we had this new guy named Lance who was somebody else.....," he tries to continue.
"No Just, you must have dreamt it while you were out from all those meds they gave you to reduce your fever....."