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(February 20, 2001)
"There they are," Kat said, pointing. Her and Marie headed over. Everyone was at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Grammy rehearsals. 'N Sync had been there for a since the 18th, but Marie had flown into Las Vegas from Orlando, picked up Kat, and then they had flown into LAX. Kat had been able to miss class and would play Justin's date because Britney had a prior commitment. Marie had to come out to be JC's date, obviously, and to check up on the progress of the house.
"Justin Randall TIMBERLAKE!" Marie exclaimed. Everyone turned to look at the brunette as she stood in shock. "What in the world did you do to your hair?" JC reached around and muffled her tirade. His other arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Shhh..." he mumbled in her ear. Marie pulled away and punched him in the shoulder.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded. JC rubbed the place where her fist had made contact and grimaced.
"He told me not to," JC defended. Marie turned to Justin. The younger 'N Syncer threw his hands up to protect himself.
"Kat did it!" he said.
"Oh, no you don't!" Kat cried. "I've been here five minutes and I'm not about to have you blame things solely on me. I'm not your scapegoat." That caused a squabble to break out between the two.
"Okay, knock it off," JC said, stepping between the two. "Geez, you'd think you two were three years old again." Kat and Justin's bickering subsided to glares.
"So when did this exactly happen?" Marie asked.
"That weekend after I saw you in LA," Kat told her. "Justin came to Vegas and told me to shave his head."
"I was DRUNK!" he told her, only loud enough for the four to hear.
"I asked you several time if you were sure," she stated, getting a little neck action into the argument. He glared again. Kat stuck her tongue out at him. Marie sighed.
"I'm done here," she told them. "Kat, you coming to check on the house with me?"
"I am now," she said, more to Justin than anyone else. The young man's face immediately softened into a troubled look at her tone. "I'll be in the car," Kat told her sister. She turned and walked away, her arms crossed and her destination set.
"Kit Kat, wait," Justin called and hurried after her.
"Those two," JC muttered. Marie smiled up at him. He caught sight of her looking at him. "What?"
"Oh, just that I've been here for a while, we haven't seen each other in a few day, and I have yet to see any signs that you're glad that I'm here," she told him. JC smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lifted her off the ground and spun her.
"I didn't say to spin me!" she cried as he set her back on Earth. He leaned down and captured her lips with his. Marie was already dizzy but the kiss added to the effect. She pulled back by putting her hand on his chest.
"Okay, that's too much," she said. "I'm already dizzy, thank you." JC laughed and pulled her close again. She slipped her arms around his neck and savored the strength in his hold.
"Okay, lovebirds," Lance told them walking over. "We've still got work to do." Marie and JC parted and smiled at him. The man walked away, mumbling something about not wanting to have that goofy look on HIS face.
"I'll see you later," JC said. Marie nodded. He kissed her quickly and went to meet up with the rest of the guys. Marie walked outside to where she had parked the rental car and saw Justin and Kat locked in an embrace. Kat's face was in his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his neck. His neck was bent as he whispered something in her ear, his arms locked around her waist and holding her close. As she got closer, Marie could hear that he was singing to her.
"Baby, won't you show me the way back to your heart? Let me see a sign to know if I'm close or far. Lead me back to the road that leads back to your arms," he sang in her ear, rocking them slightly. Marie was touched at the sight. She knew that Justin and Kat had gotten close, but to see him distraught enough to be willing to do anything to make things right again. She cleared her throat and Justin turned them. Kat looked over.
"They're getting ready to start up rehearsals again," she told him. Kat nodded and pulled away.
"I'll call you," Justin mouthed to her. Kat nodded and went with Marie.
"Are you two okay?" Marie asked. Kat nodded and she knew that was all that needed to be said. This was the typical Donovan coming out. Something serious would happen and they would retreat back into themselves for a while. The two climbed in Marie's rental car and headed back to the hotel.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(Grammy Night 2001)
"Marie, are you ready?" JC called, fixing his tie in the mirror. He heard the bathroom door open and saw her step out in the mirror. He turned and saw her in full glory. She was dressed in a black boat necked dress that ended mid calf. The dress had silver glitter lines that ran sideways down it and formed diamonds. Her hair was curled and the sides were pulled back to open up her face. Her eye makeup was dark and made her eyes stand out more. Her cheeks were highlighted with blush and her lips were a dark mauve. She wore black heels that laced all over her feet.
"What do you think?" she asked, spinning. JC walked over and put his hands on her hips. He pulled her close as he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Marie wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into the kiss. One of JC's hands cupped her face as his lips forced hers wider. He leaned in more, pushing Marie against the wall. She felt his tongue graze her lip and met it with hers. She lightly flicked it with hers and held back the smile when she heard JC moan slightly. She pulled back, smiling at the way his forehead was furrowed slightly.
"We've got to get going," Marie whispered.
"True," he replied, kissing her forehead.
"Besides, you're wearing my lipstick." JC bolted to the mirror.
"Aw, man," he said. "Damnit."
"Chill out," she told him, rolling her eyes. She wouldn't think a little lipstick wouldn't faze the man that had to wear layers of makeup for photo shoots.
Five minutes later, the two emerged from their room looking like they had pre-makeout.
"Ow, ow, look at the hottie in the black dress," Kat catcalled. Marie rolled her eyes.
"You should talk little sister. Are you actually wearing pastel pink?" she replied. Kat pointed at her.
"It's carnation pink and I'll have you know this was not my decision. I lost a golf game to Curly Sue." Justin smiled smugly at his date. Kat was dressed in a sheer dress with spaghetti straps. The bottom was cut diagonally and flowed with a ruffle. She wore silver heels with straps that laced up her ankles. Her wavy hair was pulled back from her face and flowed down her back.
"I bet her another pink outfit that she's going to fall in those shoes," Justin said. Kat smiled at Marie and then elbowed him in the stomach. Everyone rolled their eyes as Justin hugged his side in pain.
"We need to get going," Lance said. The group headed down the elevator and to the limo.
Half an hour later, they reached the Staples Center.
"Are you okay?" Marie asked Kat who was sitting beside her. She spoke low enough for only them to hear. Kat reached over and squeezed her sister's hand.
"I'll be fine," she replied. Marie linked their fingers and squeezed again. She knew Kat wasn't. She could see it in her eyes that she was scared, but Marie also knew that Justin wouldn't let anything happen to her.
"Let's go," Max said as the driver pulled the door open. Flashes immediately started going off as the group emerged from the limo. JC smiled down at Marie as he weaved his fingers through hers. Marie looked back to see Justin take Kat's hand and lead her right behind them.
"'N Sync, over here!"
"JC! Marie!"
"Justin! Justin!"
"Over here, guys!"
Flashes went off continuously and Marie tried to hold her smile the best she could. That and she was trying not to squint from the flashes. After a few seconds of pictures, they moved onto the press.
"Entertainment Tonight's over here," Max said, motioning the group over to Mary Hart.
"Hey, guys," she greeted. "Are you ready to go?" They nodded. Mary turned to the camera.
"I'm standing here with the guys of 'N Sync. Are you excited about performing tonight?"
"Very," Lance replied. "This is the big time for us."
"JC, how's married life treating you?"
"It's wonderful."
"And where is Marie tonight?"
"She's right here." JC pulled Marie forward from behind them.
"He better say it's going well," Marie joked and the guys laughed.
"Justin, who's your date tonight?" Mary asked. Justin pulled a slightly reluctant Kat forward.
"This is my golf partner, Kat. She's also Marie's sister and my best friend."
"Where's Britney?"
"She's in New York doing some press."
"We need to move on," Max said.
"Thanks, guys," Mary told them. The group moved onto MTV.
Over the next twenty minutes, the group talked to Access Hollywood, MTV, E!, and several others. They were finally escorted to their seats.
"I'm trying really hard, but I'm so starstruck right now, it's not even funny," Kat told Marie.
"You think I'm not? I was secretly dying inside when I met Aerosmith," she replied. "It's okay."
"What are you talking about?" Justin whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I feel like an idiot, but I'm a little starstruck," Kat told him.
"Hey, don't worry about it," Chris responded. "We still do it to. We're not BSing the reporters when we tell them that."
"Oh, my God. That's BBMak!" Kat said. Justin groaned.
"You couldn't freak out over someone NORMAL, could you? You have to do it over a boy band," he muttered. Kat glared at him.
"I'll have you know that they are a band, period. They play their own instruments."
"Justin, just introduce her already," JC told him.
"You KNOW them?"
"Of course I do. They opened for Britney. Come on." He grabbed her arm and led her away.
"She did well on the red carpet," JC told Marie, leaning over so their conversation was private.
"She was scared," she replied. "She's good at faking confidence." JC looked over at where Justin and Kat were talking to the members of BBMak. He saw Kat's smile and the sure way she held her height.
"She looks fine."
"She's nervous. See the way her toes keep wiggling? She's trying to remain cool."
"You're good."
"I'm her sister. I know her." JC smiled and reached for her hand. He weaved his fingers with hers.
"And how are you doing? This is your first Grammys," he replied.
"It's a little overwhelming, but I'm doing okay," she told him. He leaned over and kissed her head. Marie smiled. "What was that for?"
JC shrugged. "Because you look beautiful tonight and I don't think I told you that."
"You keep telling her things like that and she's going to keep you," Kat said, looking down at the two as she and Justin came back to their seats. The two parties looked at her, simultaneous knives ripping through their stomachs. They didn't have long to mull over the younger Donovan's words before the show started and the group had to maintain that engrossed look for any camera which might show their faces.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JC went and answered the knock on the door. He swung it open to see Kat standing there in pajama bottoms and a long sleeved t-shirt with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She smiled cheekily at him. He rolled his eyes.
"Come on in. She's in bed," he told her. Kat entered the room and launched herself at the king sized bed, right on top of Marie.
"My spleen!" Marie cried as Kat giggled.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow morning," JC said. The two's giggles followed him out of the room.
They had discussed it earlier that week and decided that after everyone got back from partying after the Grammys, JC would stay in Kat's be in Justin's room while the two sisters shared the ever present king sized bed in JC and Marie's room so they could talk all night.
JC walked the two doors down and knocked on Justin's door. It swung open a minute later and the younger man waved him in. JC sat on the closest bed and stayed silent while Justin finished his conversation.
"I told you it wasn't a date...Yes, I know I said she was, but seriously...I didn't WANT to take my mother this time...She and I are just friends...I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you...Kat's my friend and I would never cheat on you...I've got to go. JC's here...No we will not talk about this later because there's nothing to talk about...Good night, Britney." With that, Justin flipped his cell phone closed. He turned to JC.
"Trouble in paradise?" JC asked.
"She's pissed because I took Kat as my date tonight," Justin replied. "She seems to think I'm cheating on her or something."
"With Kat?" His tone was disbelieving and Justin nodded vigorously.
"That's what I'm talking about. I'd never cheat on Britney and I defiantly wouldn't do it with Kat. She's one of my closest friends." He groaned. "She's been doing this a lot lately, too. Getting weird over the amount of time that Kat and I spend together. She hates that I visit Kat in Vegas. She hates that I sent Kat flowers for Valentine's Day..."
"You sent Kat flowers?" JC interrupted.
"Yellow roses."
"Oh, okay."
"And she drops little hints too. Like she knows what I did in Vegas this weekend and that it's okay. It's like one of those movies you see and the girl tells her boyfriend or husband or whatever that she knows and he breaks down and tells her everything. But there's nothing to tell! Kat and I just go and play golf or go running and have Blockbuster night that last all day. I could never lay a hand on her like that."
"It's a good thing Kat's not in the room. She might take offense to that."
"You know what I mean. I've been cheated on too much to cheat on the woman I love."
"You didn't say I love you when you were on the phone with her."
"Huh?"
"Before you hung up. You didn't tell Britney that you love her." Justin slapped his forehead.
"Great. ANOTHER problem," he muttered.
"Dude, chill. Maybe you two just need a break. Take a vacation or something. Go to Hawaii. Go to the Bahamas. Maybe you just need time alone together to work all this out."
"That's a good idea." He nodded and grabbed his palm pilot to enter the idea. JC looked around the room in the meantime and caught sight of something. He picked up a soft stuffed animal and shook it in his hand.
"Hey, Justin?"
"Hmmm?" The young man looked up and his eyes widened.
"Is this a donkey?" Justin walked over and grabbed the animal from JC. He tucked it in the crook of his arm.
"It's Stub and he's a mule," he said.
"Is he Kat's?"
"Uh, no."
"You travel with a stuffed animal named Stub?" One of JC's eyebrows was cocked in disbelief.
"Look: Kat sent him to me one day. I was having a bad day and told her that I wished she was there so we could get coffee and talk."
"So?"
"I've always told Kat that she's stubborn as a mule and she sent him to me so that I could have coffee with her whenever I wanted. Stub is short for stubborn," Justin told him. "You can loose the 'Are you shitting me?' look now."
"I'm sorry, but I've never known you to be this sentimental over anything."
"You have your little weird things, too. Kat's special to me. She gets me."
"I never said that she didn't."
"You know what I'm talking about. It's the same thing you feel when Marie calls you Josh instead of JC. It makes you feel normal again."
"How'd you know that?"
"It's all in the relieved look you have when you hear her say it. It's like you drop the JC part from your personality totally and can be Josh again."
"I didn't know that you could pick up on something like that."
"Truthfully, I didn't know a lot about myself until I started talking to Kat more. She made me remember things. Like when I was younger and stuff I had forgotten."
"That's cool, man," JC told him. Justin eyed him carefully as he tucked Stub closer.
"Really?" he asked.
"Well, yeah. It's important to remember what it's like to be normal again. We all need to be able to retreat once in a while." Justin sat on the bed and put the animal aside.
"So what's up with you and Marie lately?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"What's up with you two? Everything's still going okay?"
"Yeah, things are..." JC's voice trailed off as he smiled, remembering their kiss earlier that evening. "Things are really great."
"Have you decided what you're going to do after this year's over?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you and her are getting along really well and I know you like her a lot, but what if you're still in this relationship within a relationship when November rolls around? What are you going to do then?"
"We haven't really talked about that."
"Shouldn't you? I mean, before someone gets hurt?"
"We're just taking it one day at a time."
"Do you love her?" JC's eyes widened.
"Marie?" he asked.
"No, Jennifer Aniston. YES, Marie."
"I don't know."
"It's a yes or no question."
"We have fun together. She's a great person."
"You didn't answer the question."
"No, I don't love her."
"Okay. Are you falling in love with her?"
JC took a deep breath. "Yes," he stated. "A little more everyday." Justin grinned at him and JC's eyes narrowed.
"You tell the guys and I'll tell Chris about Stub," he threatened. Justin looked worriedly at the animal and then at his bandmate.
"Okay," he agreed. You never said I couldn't tell Kat.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh! I never told you!" Kat said, as Marie buffed her fingernails. The older Donovan paused, looking at Kat's face rather than her fingers.
"Never told me what?" she asked.
"I ran into Jeff on campus a couple weeks ago."
"I thought you always run into him?"
"I do, but I'm not done. We were talking and I told him about how a got an eighty seven on my trig test and he said that he aced trig and that if I ever needed any help, just to ask."
"Go, Kat!" Marie told her, smiling.
"That's not all. He gave me his number."
"No way!"
"Yeah!"
"Have you called him?" Kat smiled and looked down. "Kat!"
"We went to a movie last weekend."
"So are you dating now?"
"I don't know. What do you think about all of this?"
"Well, I think he defiantly cares about you."
"I'm trying not to get too excited. I mean, if anything we could be closer friends."
"You and him were always complicated. You didn't even start talking to him until ninth grade."
"I know. And we've never been anything more than acquaintances. We've just said hi when we see each other. I mean, I've known him for thirteen years, but not really."
"Have you told Justin?"
"Yeah. He said just to go with it and if it was meant to be it'd happen."
"I always knew he was smart."
"Speaking of boy band members, what's up with you and JC lately?"
"Not much. We're good."
"Have you two talked about September?"
"What about it?"
"Well, what are you going to do?"
"Well, we separate in September, let the rumors happen, and the divorce is final in November."
"Come on. You mean to tell me that that's really what's going to happen?"
"Well, yeah. Why wouldn't it?"
"Do you love him?"
"I never said anything about loving him," Marie told her, grabbing a bottle of clear coat and brushing on a layer on Kat's nails.
"I think you two do or are close to loving each other."
"And how do you know that?"
"The way you look at each other. It's the way you used to look at Evan, except Evan never look at you the way you were looking at him."
"I don't love him."
"Why not?"
"I haven't known him long enough."
"I think you're not letting yourself love him." Marie sighed.
"Of course, I'm not letting myself love him," she replied.
"Why not?"
"The last time I thought I was in love, I ended up married to someone I didn't know."
"But JC's not Evan."
"And how do you know that?"
"JC would never cheat on you. He cares about you too much and now after the Caitlyn thing, he defiantly wouldn't. He knows what it's like to have someone rip out your heart." Marie brushed on another coat. "Besides, I told him that I would cut off his penis and feed it to him if he ever did anything to hurt you."
"Katharine Rebecca Donovan, you better not have!" Marie threatened. "I raised you better than that."
"Don't worry. I really didn't."
"I want to. I really do, but I just can't."
"Is this about Mom and Daddy?" Kat asked. Marie halted mid-reach to put the bottle on the nightstand and looked back.
"What do you mean is this about Mom and Daddy?"
"Marie, did you ever mourn them? Because you can't expect to be able to love him if you're too busy fighting to keep your emotions in over Mom and Daddy."
Kat never ceased to amaze her. She was a smartass who liked to let people think that's all she was. Then there were times like this that the real Kat shined so brightly. She was quick to protect and cared so much. She would turn things over in her head forever, but never jumped until she was almost positive she had it right. Marie just hoped that others saw this side of her, too.
"Oh, Kat," Marie said. She leaned and hugged her. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Loving Josh...It's just going to take a while. I don't want to jump into anything." She pulled back. "Okay?" Kat nodded. She looked at her hands.
"Nice," she commented. "You've still got the touch." Marie rolled her eyes. The two giggled and then yawned simultaneously. They laughed again. Kat pulled back the covers while Marie got up and turned off the light. She crawled into the bed next to her sister.
"I love you, Marie," Kat said.
"I love you, too." Kat snuggled and shifted until she was on her side with her back to Marie. She heard her breathing deepen. Marie stared upwards into the darkness, guilt rising in her throat. She had just lied to the one person she told herself she'd never lie to.