SUMMARY: NSYNC, Lance and Chris.  NSYNC is coming to an end, and
Lance has to break the news to Chris.

ARCHIVE:  Please.  Wherever you like and as often as possible.


A Drive In The Country, by Mercutio (mercutio@europa.com)


Lance drives up to his house in Floribama when he can.  There isn't
often time, what with the pressures of business and his extensive
commitments both inside and outside of NSYNC.  But when he has the
time, he loads his pets into the car and drives north, taking side
roads whenever possible, detouring down two-lane country highways
that remind him a little of growing up in Mississippi.

He likes to stop partway through the trip at little mom-and-pop
stores in the no-stoplight towns he passes through.  Lance feels at
home shopping in the quiet, ill-lit stores with their bait
displays, places that close at 8 p.m., and where no one ever
recognizes him, or are too polite to bother him about it if they
do.

When he comes back out, soda pop in hand, his dog has her nose
pressed up against the glass of the partially rolled-down window,
waiting for him, and Lance is happy, because it's nice to be loved
the way Lexi loves him: because he feeds her and plays with her. 
He doesn't have much that's simple and uncomplicated in his life,
and he likes it.

****

Lance isn't sure why it's his job to break the news to Chris that
NSYNC is probably over.  Justin's told them all many times about
his desire to go solo, and Joey's Broadway dreams have turned into
solid reality, so it really isn't much of a surprise from Lance's
point of view.  But they all know Chris will take it hard, and
doesn't see it coming, no matter how much hinting has been done. 
Lance doesn't know why it's his job, but he invites Chris to go
with him to Floribama, figuring he'll tell him there.

He leaves his pets with a sitter; Chris confined to a car is more
hyperactive and frenetic than any cocker spaniel, and it'll be
enough to deal with him.  Plus, he doesn't know how long they'll be
staying in Floribama, or what Chris will do or need.

But he still takes the back roads there, and that much is familiar
and comforting, even if he doesn't know yet what to say, how he's
going to tell Chris that his life is over, that he's possibly
sacrificed the ability to walk when he gets older for a bunch of
guys who are leaving him by the side of the road.

He's about halfway through the trip when he gets thirsty.  "I, uh,
usually stop and get something to drink.  Do you want anything?  I
mean, if you don't want to come in.  People don't usually hassle
me; you could come with."

Chris is fiddling with the radio and doesn't look at him.  "No,
it's fine, Bass.  Get me a Mountain Dew, will you?"

"Sure, whatever you want."  He pulls the car into the store, and
gets out.  It's a hot day, but he leaves the windows rolled up
because, unlike the animals, Chris can do that for himself if he
gets uncomfortable.

When he comes out of the store, holding the two cans of soda pop,
Chris has his face pressed up against the window, watching him,
eager to see him return, and Lance feels sad and guilty.  He knows
that Chris won't understand why they're abandoning him, but Lance
gets in the car anyway, because it's the only thing he can do.


-the end-