Chapter 31 - Misconstruction

"No! No, no, and did I mention no?" Piper pushed Justin back onto the bed, exasperated. The man struggled vainly beneath her hands. Normally he would have been able to shrug off her body weight quite easily but right now he wasn't at his best.

"But I have to get up…" He broke into a spasm of coughing. "I can't be sick today, I can't cancel!"

"Lynn…" Piper sighed wearily. "Please tell your son that he cannot go on stage like this."

"Mom…"

"I'm sorry honey but she's right. I know this was your big night but you can't go on stage sick. You won't give the fans a good show and you'll only make yourself feel worse." His mother was sat beside him on the bed. Naturally while they were in Memphis she had insisted on playing host not only to her son but also Piper and the entirety of *NSync. Well, minus Joey of course. He was with his daughter. "I know it's disappointing but you have to look after yourself first. Besides, I already called and told them you were sick and you won't be there tonight."

"Why didn't I think of that?" Piper smiled. "Just go straight over the boy's head…"

"But who's gonna go on? I was the replacement in the…" Justin coughed again in a most violent fashion. Alarmed, his girlfriend thumped his back as his face went purple from the hacking.

Finally he settled again, leaning back against his pillows and looking completely downhearted. Stroking his head, Piper wordlessly handed him his glass of water. Well, that was one thing to be said for being sick - he had both his mother and his girlfriend rushing around after him, coddling him. If only he wasn't ill, then he could really enjoy it.

"They asked me to extend my set, do an hour." Piper informed him.

"Please tell me you said no, you work too…"

"Yeah, yeah I work too hard. Heard it all before buddy. But I said no anyway. Priorities. X Rated are taking your slot."

That had been her first, brave little step. She was still quite terrified of the end of the tour, which was looming in just over a week. That was make- or- break time for their relationship, she knew. And if she wasn't going to make the same mistake twice she was just going to have to learn to cut back and to put him first instead of her career. That meant cancelling stuff and saying no occasionally.

Typically, on hearing the end act was open Shalique had pushed herself forward and volunteered her entire group without asking them. Piper didn't much care. Well, actually, on the one hand it pissed her off that Shalique who supposedly cared so much about Justin and considered him one of her dearest friends (more like her next conquest) hadn't even asked if he was okay or why he suddenly couldn't perform. On the other hand she didn't care because it meant her spot in the show got moved back and she would be finished earlier.

Plus she was inwardly gloating that while MTV had sought her out to ask, Shalique had had to volunteer herself because Piper had said no. Maybe that made her a bad person but at this juncture she really didn't give a crap.

"But I can take my slot I'm…"

"But nothing, Justin Randall Timberlake, you are not getting out of this bed today and that's final. Oh, wait, was that your line, Lynn?"

"That's quite alright dear. You tell him." Lynn grinned. "Well, honey, seeing as you're ill I'm thinking I might be incredibly nice to you and go make you some peach cobbler. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm good, thanks Mom." His voice sounded scratchy and hoarse. Rising off the bed, Lynn patted her son's hand and left the room. Running her hand over his head and down his ear one last time, Piper moved to follow.

"Baby girl? Stay with me?" Justin begged. She looked over at him and eyed him warily. He really needed to sleep, she had some calls to make and technically she was supposed to go meet Taye in the studio for some final tweaks to the track they'd just laid down. That and there was every possibility the man was contagious. Unfortunately he looked too small (amazingly so considering his well over six foot stature) and pathetic with those big pleading blue eyes she couldn't help herself.

"If you make me sick I'm going to throttle you." Piper warned him as she strode over to her side of the bed and sat up against the pillows, leaving him to burrow under the covers and lay his head on her lap. Lynn was amazingly liberated about that kind of stuff considering she was from the South; not that she and Justin would ever get up to anything like that in either of their parents' homes (at least while the parents were in) but still Lynn never seemed to care if they shared a room.

"Where are the guys?" Justin asked sleepily as she began stroking his head again. Warmth spread through his scalp from her fingertips and it was quite soothing.

"Gone exploring. I think they were bored of X-Box so they just grabbed Trace and told him to lead the way. If they're not back by tomorrow morning I'm calling the cops. Of course they better be back before then because if I find myself without a singing partner JC is going to rue the day he met me."

"Why didn't you go?" He punctuated with another few coughs and Piper vainly rubbed circles on his back in an attempt to calm them.

"I'm not leaving you while you're sick, that's just… well I don't know what word I'm looking for but it's bad and just no."

"Thank you." He closed his eyes and sighed a little, smiling even through the pounding headache. Actually it helped a little; it relaxed his face somewhat. "Nice to know I'm a priority."

"Who said that you were a priority? I never mentioned specifics." She teased. As she saw the pout coming on again she quickly backtracked. "But you know I do occasionally listen to you. I need to stop agreeing to everything all the time. Besides, you always run round after me when I'm ill. You remember that trip we took to Brazil?"

"Too well. One stupid box of aspirin and it took me like three hours."

Back in what they now liked to call 'Phase One' of their relationship - they didn't like to really acknowledge the break up by admitting they had two separate relationships so they just called them 'phases' - they had gone on their first vacation together and naturally Piper had to get sick. But she wasn't allowed to take any painkillers that contained ibuprofen so he had spent god only knew exactly how long trawling through the local pharmacies trying to find either some boxes with instructions in English or somebody who could translate for him.

"So I'm returning the favour. Anyway, if your mom comes up here and finds out I'm making you exert yourself talking I'm gonna be banned from the room so quiet now. You want me to put on a movie?"

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off?" Justin was so predictable it wasn't even funny.

"Sure baby." Briefly she got up to flip through his collection and find the film in question. Once she did, she quickly set it up and put it on for him before returning to her station on the bed. Piper didn't particularly like this film, she had to say, but Justin did and he was sick so she would sit through it with him. When she managed to make him watch The Sound of Music with her that would be when she knew it really was true love.

"You think maybe if I'm not dead by the end of the day Mom might let me at least come watch the show?" He asked yawning as the all too familiar scenes started rolling across the TV screen. "I still haven't seen all of your set."

"Maybe. Now hush and just watch, ok?"

Naturally it wasn't five minutes into the thing before Justin was sound asleep, head still rested in her lap and his hand latched over her knee. It was a good job she was comfortable, Piper thought ruefully. Because it didn't look like she was going to be able to move for a while. Then again, he looked that beautiful and peaceful and serene when he slept she wasn't sure she wanted to move away. Instead she just watched him quietly, choosing to concentrate on his crooked lips and closed eyes and the smooth contours of his face.

**

She had kissed Justin goodbye, grabbed her microphone and she was striding down the corridor with Liz and the tour manager trailing after her. These five minutes before she went on always seemed to pass in such a blur, people bustling around her. This tour she particularly hated those five minutes because she was about to be put in the most claustrophobic space imaginable. It wasn't the most original of entrances, she just came through a trap door, but she had to be 'locked' into the thing before hand and she hated it with a passion.

"Piper!" She groaned inwardly. Not that she minded saying hello to Taye but right now was not a good time.

"Hey. Gotta run."

"Where were you at earlier?" He pressed, falling into step beside her despite her hurried pace.

He had been calling her all day without answer and then when he had managed to get through to her she had abruptly hung up on him without giving him an explanation. Taye was getting really fed up of this whole thing; not only was Piper being completely resistant to his continued attempts to spend even a little time with her, he now had Shalique breathing down his neck and it was all a little much for one man to take.

"Sorry about that but I got waylaid. Listen, I really gotta…"

"Shit woman, you've been pushing this whole song back for god knows how long and you've been promising me for weeks… we were supposed to be working together on this thing and I keep rearranging stuff for you only for you to go waltzing off into the sunset with lover boy or whoever and you expect me to just do everything on your time? What was so fucking important?"

Piper's temper flared. She wouldn't like hearing such a tirade the best of times but just when she was due on stage was the wrong occasion to pick, especially if he was going to throw her relationship in her face like that.

"I'm sorry that you and your astronomically sized ego are used to people bending over backwards and catering to your every whim but I on the other hand have other commitments and other priorities and quite frankly I am sick to death of you bugging every second of the damn day, especially when I've gotta go on stage! Do you not get it? I'm busy, okay? I've got my own career, songs to write, a charity to run, other people's songs to produce, I'm in the middle of a god damn tour and occasionally I need to take a few seconds to, y'know, breathe and shit. So if you're really that desperate and if you're determined to be such an asshole you can just find someone else to finish the song for you, and go fuck yourself while you're at it, ok? Now excuse me but I've got a set to do."

Wow… she really had been listening to Justin. By all appearances she had also managed to subconsciously pick up his attitude to Taye while she was at it.

Piper pretty much forgot about it as she went on stage. She forgot everything up there. Well, almost everything; there were a few things you could never actively forget because even while you pushed them to the back of your mind they were always there. Whenever she performed she carried her father's words and teachings inside her and in a weird way every time she got on stage she felt him watching. As ever, Justin was in her thoughts.

But for the most part whatever petty stuff had happened that day or how bad she felt it all disappeared and it was just her and the music and the dance and the vibe. As per usual it felt like she hadn't been up there five minutes before she was getting towards the end of her set, and she had to flee into the quick change area to put on her dress for the duet, which then ripped off to reveal her final outfit.

"Good luck, bro." Justin said quietly to JC as he saw Piper running for the wings and knew that it was time for the pair of them to sing their song.

After much pleading and some slightly falsified assurances that he was feeling alright and his headache had calmed down, his mom had allowed him to go to the show on the condition that he came straight home after Piper's set. That worked for him, he didn't really want to watch X Rated doing what should have been his half hour. JC tugged at the tie he was wearing and adjusted his hat, smiling at his still croaky band mate.

"I can't wait to hear you guys."

"Well… I didn't tell you this but seeing as you guys are back now anyway… this is your song."

The older man winked at him and Justin was a little confused. How was it his song? He hadn't written it. All he could do was stare at JC's retreating back as he walked out a little, preparing to make his entrance.

"Well now…" Piper walked back on stage in her long white dress to thousands of cheers. "Hello again." She gave a little wave and a smile and there was more screaming. "Okay, so it's time for one of my favourite parts of the show. I get to sing a song with one of the most talented singers I've ever had the privilege of knowing. You might have heard of this band he's in, they're called *NSync…" There were more screams and wolf whistles. "And to top it all off he's had some amazing solo success as well. He has a fantastic voice and I have to say I always thought he was a bit of a cutie."

This was her little tease to the audience - half of them had already attended one show and knew she was about to bring JC on but most of them always assumed she was talking about Justin.

"So, please, put your hands together, for Mr JC Chasez!"

Justin, waiting in the wings, was feeling incredibly hot and overtired and more than a little ill right now. His mother had been right; he probably should have stayed in bed. He was kind of mesmerised though as the pair of them began singing softly to each other and he listened to the words. All those sweet, simple words about being lost and helpless and forced to carry your heartache with you; all those lines about how much it hurt to be apart. He now understood that JC had meant Piper had written it about him, but that wasn't the reason it was his song.

He didn't understand how this had managed to come from Piper and not him, because it was him who had been the idiot and said goodbye to the best thing in his life. It was his song because that was what he had done and exactly how he had felt - as evidenced by his little brush with the demon drink.

With her long hair hanging loose by her shoulders, she looked as radiant as he'd ever seen her as she sang. Justin loved watching her sing; he would always count getting her back up on stage as his greatest achievement, even above his own career. The world deserved to hear that voice and she belonged up there in the spotlight. It scared him how deeply he was under her spell but quite frankly he'd be happy if he never awoke from it.

He was determined that this time it was going to work somehow, anyhow, whatever it took. It wasn't often you got a second chance and he was not letting it slip this time.

**

Well, wasn't this a nice surprise? Shalique had heard a whisper that Justin was sick - and the boy really did look it - but she hadn't expected him to be there, stretched out on the couch in the green room looking all pale and moaning to himself. Actually, she got the distinct impression his forehead would be clammy to the touch; he probably had a fever. She was probably pushing it, she had to be at the stage in five minutes, but he was all alone and she couldn't resist.

"Well hey there, soldier." She smiled at him, pasting a sympathetic look on her face. "Geez honey you look sick. Don't you think you should be tucked up in your bed at home?"

"Huh?" Justin could hear a voice but he was so drowsy and his head was pounding so much he couldn't distinguish it. His headache had turned into a migraine, he felt nauseous and it was affecting his vision. One minute he was suffocating from the heat burning through his skin, but then two seconds later he'd be shivering and feeling like he'd never been colder in his life.

"God you are sick aren't you?" Shalique perched on the sofa, looking at him through narrowed eyes. She didn't really want to catch anything, but god help her he was still gorgeous even when he was all disgusting and sick. What were a few germs for a few uninterrupted minutes with this god like creature?

A golden halo of hair descended into his vision and Justin smiled even through the slight delirium he had going on. Not to mention the nausea. "Hey you. Didn't recognise you for a minute there."

"Oh great. Thanks. I'm hurt now." She kidded.

"Sorry. I'm a sick man and you're all blurry." He picked up her hand in his and her first instinct was to recoil in shock. A strange magnetism held her in place as she wondered what was on going on and why he'd suddenly warmed up so much. Hell, she wasn't complaining though.

"Yeah, I noticed. What are you doing in here by yourself?"

"Needed to sit down for a couple of minutes. I was just waiting for you." As Justin's lips softly brushed her hand Shalique felt a strange series of cartwheels through her stomach, only some of which were with joy.

What was going on? No, she couldn't think about that, she just had to take advantage of the situation. And she did, placing her mouth over his. For a breathless, suspenseful moment she felt nothing and then he exerted a brief, gentle pressure back and she crowed. She had finally done it. She had Justin Timberlake in the palm of her hand and his lips on hers. It was only for a couple of seconds but it was a victory.

"Piper baby, could we please go home?"

That wasn't a bucket so much as a great big tank full of cold water poured all over her. Damn it - the man was so delirious he thought she was Piper frickin' Tenshaw. He hadn't been smiling at her; he hadn't been kissing her hand or responding to her touch. Well, technically he had but in every way that counted Justin had been connecting with Piper, not her. Shalique really wanted to scream.

"You wait here; I'll be back in a second." She yanked her hand from his and stormed out, heading for the stage. Her heels clacked on the cold tile floor as she had to run, having made herself late all for nothing as the stupid bastard had mistaken her for Little Miss Sweetness and Light.

It was just as well she headed down the corridor in that direction. Had she gone the other way she would have rounded the corner and come face to face with the confused and broken pop star that was leaning heavily against the wall, desperately trying and failing to breathe after having watched the man she lived for kissing her worst enemy. And worse, it had been him who initiated it, she had seen him taking her hand and kissing that first. He had been waiting for Shalique and he had… pain wracked through her body and she was only glad she hadn't stayed. God only knew what else she would have seen, but the second their lips had touched it had been enough.

That was all it took to break her heart into another million pieces: one lousy second.

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