[chapter nine]

(The following weekend)

"You, of course, understand how not cool I am with not knowing where we're going?" Caitlin said as JC pulled his car into a parking spot.

"I know you don't like it, 'little miss librarian who always has a plan and an itinerary. Why do you think I do it?" JC said teasingly.

"To torture me?" Caitlin ventured.

"Precisely." JC replied, climbing out and walking around the car to help Caitlin out and to grab their pieces of luggage. Caitlin had been needling JC all the way to the airport to tell her where they were going, but he was not budging. After arranging for Caitlin to have Friday afternoon off by secretly calling her boss at the library, he had arrived at noon at the library and forcefully kidnapped Caitlin. Though at first concerned about skipping out on work, when her boss happily told her to have a good time this weekend, she had practically skipped out to JC's waiting car. However, her delight quickly turned to annoyance when he refused to divulge their destination.

"Maybe I should check my luggage to see that you packed everything I need." Caitlin tried, hoping to garner clues from what he had packed.

"Nice try. No." JC said with a grin. Though she fought valiantly all the way to the airport gate, he still gave nothing away. JC checked them in at the gate, and they sat down at a nearby coffee shop to wait for their boarding call.

"You know, they always announce the flight and destination, so your little plan will be foiled." Caitlin reasoned.

JC shook his head sadly. "Took care of that too." He had called the airport and airline earlier that day to arrange for the boarding crew and flight attendants to not announce the destination of their flight. In some ways, his status as JC Chasez was useful in getting his way, but he hated to use it. It was almost frightening how using his name or signing a few autographs would allow him to get away with things the normal public never good. Though he rarely took advantage of the 'don't you know who I am?' line, sometimes it helped tremendously. Now was one of those times. He enjoyed torturing Caitlin, but he also wanted to get away from everyone and everything, and being secretive made it that much easier. And spending the weekend alone with Caitlin was the ultimate goaleven if she didn't know where they were going. He grinned to himself as he thought about how frustrated she must be right now.

"Stop grinning, you tool." Caitlin demanded. "This isn't funny. This will become exponentially less funny if there is a blindfold involved at any time."

At this, JC burst into laughter. Though she tried to fight it, Caitlin soon joined in. A few minutes later, their flight numberwith no destinationwas called and they eagerly boarded the plane. The flight was smooth, and the flight staff (who also never mentioned the destination) extremely attentive to Caitlin and JC's every need, even though he asked for nothing but a couple of Dr. Peppers, but signed several autographs in return. He and Caitlin talked quietly up in first class throughout the flight, but upon landing, Caitlin grew excited about learning where they were. With a grin, JC pulled a blindfold out of his pocket.

"You have to be kidding." Caitlin said, the smile dropping off of her face.

"I'm not." JC said, kissing her lightly on the nose then tying the fabric around her eyes. Caitlin soon resigned herself to the situation and allowed herself to be lead through the airport to the waiting limousine. She could only imagine the stares they were getting, but JC held her hand tightly and kept up conversation as they walked along. She was relieved to hop into the limo, and within twenty minutes or so, they stopped.

"Are we there yet?" Caitlin teased as JC helped her out of the car, still blindfolded. She could feel solid pavement under her feet, and the air was warm, but she could tell nothing else. Slowly she felt them stepping onto grass as JC held her hand in his own. A minute later he stopped, then stood behind Caitlin.

"Are you ready to take this off?" JC asked teasingly.

"Actually, I've grown quite used to it. If you don't mind I'd like to wear it..." Caitlin trailed off as the fabric dropped from her eyes. "...a bit longer." She said quietly. Before her eyes was a sweeping view of a city, with surrounding countryside that was beautiful. Wherever they were, it afforded a hell of a view. Looking from side to side and trying to judge the surrounding areas, and the size of the city before her, she guessed. "Is that LA?" She whispered.

"Mm-hm." JC said quietly into her ear. "Like the view?"

"Love the view. This is incredible. I've never been here before, and I've certainly never seen it from this angle." Caitlin replied. "Where are we?" Caitlin asked, turning around and looking at an enormous 3-story home, with angular walls, tons of windows and an amazing amount of space behind her. "JC?"

"Do you like it?" He asked tentatively.

"What did you do, Ray?" Caitlin said, imitating Bill Murray from Ghostbusters.

"It's the StayPuft Marshmallow Man." JC said, picking up the line effortlessly. "Actually, I did a little shopping last time we were here, and picked this up." JC added.

"You just...picked it up." Caitlin said, shaking her head in disbelief. "This is yours?" She asked, pointing at the enormous house.

"It's mine. I thought we could crash here for the weekend...actually stay in it for more than a couple of hours, which is all I've managed to do since I bought it." JC said.

Caitlin stood, speechless, looking at the house before her. After a few minutes of introspection, she broke the silence. "Well, damn! What are we standing here for! Show me your new pad, Chasez!" she demanded, grabbing his hand and dragging him towards the front door, both of them laughing like children.

***
"Oh honey, I love it when you cook." Caitlin cooed as she bit into her steaming plate of tortellini. JC's 'cooking' (calling the delivery Italian place down the block) had just arrived, and JC and Caitlin were sitting in the sunroom looking out over the city as the sun slowly faded into the night sky. Luckily, JC had bought some furniture and hired a decorator before bringing Caitlin out to LA, so they were comfortably seated on some deck furniture with their meals, an open bottle of Chardonnay between them.

Caitlin was still in shock over JC's new home. Granted, his Orlando house was also large and vaguely 'rock star-like' (the uggo couch notwithstanding), but this house was truly a wonder. A huge professional looking kitchen, two fireplaces, enormous windows, and a master bedroom suite that was two stories high were just some of the highlights. Caitlin had fallen in love with it the minute she walked into the front door. JC told her that he had done some renovations and bought quite a bit of furniture before they flew out, and part of the reason for the weekend jaunt was to check in with the contractor and decorators on progress, and to make some more decisions, which he was hoping Caitlin would help with. She had a better eye for these things than he did.

"Yeah, well, I do what I can." JC said with a grin, pouring more wine into her glass. "So, despite the blindfold and kidnapping, are you glad to get away for the weekend? I was a bit worried that maybe you wouldn't like the spur of the moment-ness." JC said, digging into his own meal.

"I tend not to be a spur of the moment gal, but this is wonderful. I don't like spur of the moment because I have to worry about too many thingswhat to pack, arranging flights, finding places to stay, all that jazz. Since you took care of everything, this has been great. Restful, rather than stressful." Caitlin said.

"Good. That's the whole idea." JC said happily. "Besides, I needed a break myself. I love the guys, but when we spend that much time the studio, we need to step back a bit or we'll kill each other."

"I can well imagine. And I bet your voice could use a bit of a break." Caitlin said, concerned as always that JC, the perfectionist, would push himself too far in the singing department. "Except for serenading me, of course." She teased.

"Oh, well, I'm always up for that." JC said with a tender smile. "Any requests for this evening?"

"I'll get back to you." Caitlin said with a smile of her own. "I just hope you guys get lots of rest and relaxation before the tour starts. From all you've told me, it sounds like a major marathon you guys are getting ready for."

"Pretty much. And after we finish recording, then there's choreography to learn, sets to plan, run-throughs, rehearsals, costume fittings remind me again why I do this?" JC said, rolling his eyes.

"Because you would die doing anything else." Caitlin said seriously. And after a pause, added: "And because of all the chicks." She said, raising an eyebrow, to which JC laughed. "After all, that's the only reason I'm dating you, Mr. Famous Star Person."

"I figured." JC said, laughing. They sat in comfortable silences and casual conversations while eating dinner, drinking wine and admiring the view from JC's new home. After they were both done eating, JC took their plates out the kitchen and returned with another bottle of wine. "Ready for another glass?" He asked, sitting down again next to Caitlin.

"Are you trying to get my tipsy?" Caitlin teased.

"Only so I can take advantage of you." JC returned, filling their glasses.

"I keep thinking about this house of yours." Caitlin began. "Why LA?"

"Well, since we spend a lot of time here as well as Orlando, I wanted a home base. And we seem to be out here more and more, between television or award show appearances, and we do more recording out here, and well, I like LA as a change of pace. But I wanted my own place, rather than a hotel. I've spent enough time in hotels to last me several lifetimes." JC said. "I like having a home."

"Understandable." Caitlin agreed. "Well, you did good. I love the house. But it still needs some decorating help." She gestured to the half empty family room behind them.

"That's where your expertise comes in." JC said, dropping a kiss onto Caitlin's forehead as he slid his arm around her shoulders. She immediately snuggled into the crook of his arm and sighed. "I'm glad you like the house."

"Did you think I wouldn't?" Caitlin asked.

"Well, I...um. When I was looking at different houses, I...I was looking with you in mind. Trying to find something we would both like. I wanted this to feel like our house." JC stumbled over his own words.

Caitlin sat up and looked into his eyes. "What do you mean?" She asked softly.

"I'm not...I'm not saying we should...argh, I'm saying this all wrong." JC said, shaking his head.

"Spit it out, honey." Caitlin said with a smile.

"I was just thinking about the future. And the fact that I think we may be together for a while. Or forever. And that we should have a house that we both like. And that I love you. And I love us. And I want whatever we have to lastthrough tours or anything else. And I just wanted a place that was kind ofours. I know it's not really, but in my mind it is." JC rattled off quickly, then looked to Caitlin for her reaction.

"I. Wow. Really?" She asked immediately, cocking her head to one side.

"That sounded completely mental." JC said, shaking his head again.

"It sounded very sweet. I'm just...surprised. I had no idea you were thinking so long term with us. A whole house. And everything. I mean, you know I love you too, I just thought...ok, don't take this the wrong way, but I figured I had more emotion invested in this relationship and more at stake." Caitlin said evenly.

"You think I'm not in this 100%?" JC asked testily.

"I don't think that. At all. But let's face it, in order for this to work, you are going to have to make more sacrifices and be more emotionally vested than I am. I'm not the one going on tour or being adored by millions. You are. And much as I want nothing more than the move into this house with you right now and raise a family of dogs, I figure at this point that's a pipe dream of mine until your career is really stable." Caitlin said.

JC paused and got his small temper flare under control. It had hurt him to hear Caitlin say he wasn't as invested in the relationship as she was. But upon further reflection, he could see why. Even though he made an effort to see her as much as possible, it must feel like she was always a distant second to his career. "Okay. I'm in this as much as you are. I swear. And even though you doubt it, I bet right now I'm a lot more in love with you than you are with me." He put up his hand when Caitlin tried to interrupt. "I'm serious. I've never been this serious, this fast about anyone. I've dated girls; I think I've probably loved girls before, but not like this. I'm totally out of my mind over you. You're all I think about. I barely considered buying a house until I thought about it being ours, together. And somehow, the thought of coming home to you every day for the rest of my life is so appealing I can't stand it. And the thought of not being with you hurts. Why do you think I keep asking you to tour with me? Trust me, it would be a lot easier to do what I do if you weren't around--the constant separation, the no sleep, the scrambling to find time off just to have dinner with you--but I can't stand that thought of not having you around. So, even though I see your point of view, I hope to God you don't believe it." JC finished in a rush, then realized how much he had just bared his soul.

"I love you." Caitlin said quietly. "More now than ever for admitting all that. And seriously, I want nothing more than to be with you forever, but your particular lifestyle right now makes that tough. But you have to know by now that I love you, or I wouldn't put up with this constant separation. Although the perks are nice." She said with a grin, gesturing around the house.

"So you believe me?" JC asked. "You believe how much I need you?"

"I believe you." Caitlin said. "What brought all this on?" She asked curiously.

JC sighed. "I'm not sure. I think the stress of what's coming up might be getting to me a bit. And watching Chris and Dani go through their breakup. I mean, if anyone was going to last, it was going to be them. And now they're apart. And Justin and Britney have been fighting, and just...everything. I don't want that to happen, so I just wanted you to know how I really feel, no matter what."

"I'm not going anywhere." Caitlin said quietly, hugging JC close to her. She closed her eyes and inhaled the light scent of his cologne, and feltsafe. And very loved. The moment could have lasted forever, but for the loud, shrill sound of Caitlin's cell phone. "Who the hell..." Caitlin muttered as she jumped up and dug around in her bag just inside the house for her phone. JC grinned as she frantically dug towards the ringing before pulling it out triumphantly and pressing the talk button.

"Hello?" Caitlin said.

"Caitlin? It's Chris." Caitlin immediately recognized the voice of Chris, but the tone was unfamiliar.

"Chris? What's wrong? You sound upset." Caitlin said, mouthing to JC that it was Chris on the line and she would be a minute. JC nodded and walked to the kitchen to clean up.

"I justI'm sorry. Are you busy? Am I interrupting?" Chris said abruptly.

"You aren't interrupting anything. What happened?" Caitlin said sympathetically.

"Dani just came by. We started off talking FuManSkeeto talk, but somehow it turned into a big relationship talk, culminating in us yelling at each other." Chris said morosely.

"Oh Chris. I'm so sorry. Tell me all about it" Caitlin said, settling down into one of JC's couches.

***

"I'm sorry, I didn't think that would take so long. Ironic, we were just talking about Chris, and then he called." Caitlin said 45 minutes later when she hung up with Chris and walked into the kitchen, where JC was making lists of things to be done around the house.

"No problem. What did Chris want?" JC said tightly.

"He and Dani had a fight, and I think he needed a female perspective." Caitlin said, hopping up on one of the counters.

"You and Chris have gotten pretty tight, I guess. A few months ago, I don't he would have dared tell his troubles to us, much less a girl." JC said, looking up at her.

"Well, I guess I bring out the chatty in people." Caitlin said lightly.

"I guess." JC said, turning back to his list.

"JC? Are you upset that I'm friends with Chris?" Caitlin asked, picking up on a weird vibe.

"No. Well, a little. I mean, usually he turned to me with problems, and now he's turning to you. I guessI guess I'm a little jealous of you guys." JC said, blushing at his confession.

"Jealous? What for?" Caitlin said, surprised. "We're just getting to know each other. You wanted me to be friends with your friends, so I am. And we get along great, and he's having a rough time right now, so it all works out." Caitlin said in a rush. "Sorry, ran all that together."

JC laughed. "I know, I know. I don't know what my deal is. Forget I said anything." He said, kissing her tenderly.

"Said what?" Caitlin murmured.

chapter ten