[chapter fourteen]

After what felt like hours, Caitlin slowly pulled back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. JC did the same, and they gave each other shaky smiles.

"I bet this is a turn you didn't expect the evening to take." Caitlin said with a small laugh.

"Not quite. But I'm glad it did." JC said quietly. "Things make a lot more sense now. And...and that you trusted me with this." JC trailed off.

"I wanted you to know. I wanted to tell you the last time we talked about this, but I just couldn't. But I meant what I said... you mean a lot to me, and I want to be honest with you. I'm just amazed you've been patient enough to put up with me." Caitlin said.

"You're worth being patient for." JC said, touching her face tenderly. They looked at each other a moment, then JC's voice rose. "When I think about what that bastard did to you..." His face reddened, and he had to grab hold of his temper before it ran away from him.

"It's in the past. And like I said, it gave me the chance to learn my self-worth. To become a stronger person. I'm definitely not the same girl I was a year ago. Yeah, I'm still a bit skittish around guys, but I know I'll never be hit again. Or told to become someone else to please a guy--I won't stand for it. Never again." Caitlin said with determination in her voice.

"Thank God for that." JC responded. "I like this person."

"Me too." Caitlin said with a soft smile. "Me too."

JC put his arm around Caitlin's shoulder and pulled her close. They sat in silence for a few minutes, both lost in thought. Caitlin was wondering what JC was thinking right now, and also about how their relationship was going to progress from here. Funny as it was, she felt closer to JC than ever, and desired him more than ever. To see his determined look, his protective nature, and the way his arms felt around her. Caitlin shook her head to rid herself of the lusty thoughts that starting filling her mind.

JC was trying to keep from spouting off on Ray, and the bastard he is. He was also wondering what Caitlin was thinking, and how this would change their relationship from here. He felt so protective of her...and at the same time, knew that she didn't need protection. She was strong enough now to take care of herself. But he couldn't help wanting to look after her, and care for her, and make love to her... JC shook his head to stop that train of thought right away.

"I'm glad you're here." Caitlin said softly. "So...now what?" She asked.

"Now what what?" JC asked.

"I don't know. Now what with us? Now what do you want to do tonight? Now what are you thinking? Now what about making out?" Caitlin said with an evil grin.

JC looked at her, disbelieving. His face broke into a smile when he saw hers. "You amaze me. We've just had a serious, life-altering conversation, and you're joking about..."

"Who's joking?" Caitlin interrupted. " I don't want to dwell on this anymore. I just want you to kiss me, Chasez." And with that, she leaned over and placed her lips on his. He immediately responded, and wrapped his arms around her to pull her closer. The bodies melded together, and their mouths pressed hungrily against each other. Caitlin ran her hand through JC's hair as JC ran his hands up and down Caitlin's spine, giving her goose bumps. She pulled her face back to look into JC's eyes, then lowered her head to rain kisses on his jaw line and down his neck to his collarbone. JC sighed at the contact of her lips on his skin and ran one hand through her hair. Finally, she stopped torturing his neck and returned her lips to his. After several more moments of kissing, they pulled back and settled into a deep hug.

Caitlin closed her eyes and laid her head on JC's chest. She smiled when she heard his heart beating faster than normal, sure that hers was running at the same beat. Somehow, now that she had come clean with JC, she felt stronger, and more confident. "And lusty, apparently," she thought to herself.

"You ok?" JC asked quietly.

"Better than ok." Caitlin replied.

"I hate to do this, but we better get going. I have an early, early meeting tomorrow with some publicity reps, and I want to try and get some sleep before then." JC said, with regret.

"I understand. It's been quite a night. I could use some sleep myself." Caitlin confessed as she stood and brushed off her clothes. JC stood beside her and, taking her hand, ambled towards the parking lot. They looked at the stars, ducked into the woods for a few stolen kisses, and finally found themselves on the asphalt of the parking lot. Getting into Caitlin's Blazer, they strapped in and started the car. "Well, at least the transmission still works." Caitlin teased as she shifted the car into first.

"It's a girl's car. I'm sure this transmission has never been tested before." JC teased back.

Caitlin threw him an evil grin, then promptly popped the clutch, punched the gas, and peeled the tires for a good 20 feet. "Living with boys teaches you lots of useful tricks." She said, as way of explanation for her talent. "Do you want me to drop you at home?" She asked.

"That would be great. Then Lonnie wouldn't have to go so far." JC replied.

"Oh my gosh! I forgot about him! Where did he go?" Caitlin asked, looking around.

"He parked at the entrance of the course parking lot. He knew we needed some privacy. Much as I may bitch about security, they do a good job of staying out of sight when they need to." JC said.

"Apparently! I forgot all about him." Caitlin said. "Ok, big pop star, where do you live?"

JC laughed. "Ok, head straight down here, then turn right..."

With JC's directions, Caitlin easily found his neighborhood, and whistled appreciatively at the splendor of the houses. "These are beautiful houses." Caitlin sighed.

"Joey actually lives across the street, and the others live about a block away. God knows why we all have houses--we seem to spend all our time at each other's houses or at the Compound. But at least it's nice to say I have a house, and a permanent address." JC said, slightly embarrassed at the grandeur of the houses surrounding them. He always tried so hard to be 'normal' around her, but seeing this side of him will just remind her that he isn't
normal. "Do you want to come in for a minute?" He asked shyly.

"Are you sure? What about your sleeping plans?" Caitlin asked skeptically.

"Just a tour and quick drink." JC responded. "Please?"

"Who could resist that face?" Caitlin said, laughing at JC's pout.

Caitlin pulled into the driveway, and JC hopped out to punch in the security code for the gates. They swung open and they drove up the drive and parked in front of the house. Caitlin whistled again as she took in the enormous façade of the house and the perfectly landscaped lawn.

"Big gardener, are you?" She teased, noting the perfectly kept flowerbeds.

"Actually, Joey's mom does a lot of it. She has quite the green thumb. And it gives me a constant supply of flowers to give to girls." He leaned over and picked a rose and handed it to Caitlin. "It's another one of your favorite flowers, right?"

Caitlin inhaled the bloom deeply and smiled. "You do remember everything, don't you?" She followed him to the front door, where he unlocked it and threw it open for her. "After you."

"Thanks." Caitlin replied, stepping into the enormous front entryway. The floors were marble, and the ceilings looked about 50 feet tall. Caitlin took in the intricate woodwork, the tiling, the plush carpeting...and laughed out loud to see a hideous sofa in the middle of the family room, along with an air hockey table. "So much for the classy decorating, eh?"

"What can I say? I'm a pretty low-key guy when it comes to decorating. I guess I just don't have that women's touch, Martha Stewart flair." JC said with a grin.

"Say the word, and I'll make this place a palace of muslin and chintz." Caitlin teased. "How about a tour?"

JC led her from room to room, and she soaked in the beautiful, if sparsely decorated, rooms. She admired the enormous kitchen, the spacious bathrooms, and thought secretly dirty thoughts to herself about the king size bed in the master bedroom suite. She fell instantly in love with the hot tub in the backyard, as well as the landscaping of the garden.

"The best part is the basement." JC said excitedly, taking her hand and leading her down the stairs. "What the hell are you guys doing here?" JC exclaimed as he rounded the corner and saw Joey and Justin playing a spirited game of foosball.

"Couldn't sleep. Bored. Wanted to kick Joey's ass." Justin said between determined hits.

"Pshaw! I'm kicking yours, teeny!" Joey retorted. Joey immediately scored another goal, and declared victory. "Wow, hi Caitlin!" Joey said, catching sight of Caitlin standing slightly behind JC.

"Hi Joey. Hi Justin." She said brightly.

"Hi Caitlin." Justin responded. "Still hanging around this loser?" He asked.

"It's all part of an elaborate plan to get with you, honey." She replied with a wink. "Too bad you're spoken for."

"Oh sure. I finally start dating someone, and now librarians are throwing themselves at me. I can't win..." Justin muttered. "Getting a tour of the pad?" He asked Caitlin.

"Yep. It's a beautiful house, even if the decorating leaves a little something to be desired." Caitlin nudged JC lightly in the ribs.

"Yeah, yeah. I hear ya." JC replied. "What have you guys been up to?"

"Hanging out. Relaxing. Using your house as a crash pad. You don't mind do you?" Joey said with a grin. "Since we're already here and all."

"Well, we were going to have hot, nasty sex, but now that you're here..." Caitlin trailed off, with a regretful expression.

Joey's jaw dropped in unison with JC's and Justin's. He quickly recovered his composure to retort, "You into orgies?"

"Not with you involved." Caitlin patted his cheek affectionately. "But thanks anyway."

They all burst into a chorus of laughter and JC led the way back upstairs to round up some drinks for them. Joey, Justin and Caitlin flopped down in his family room and began talking about Christmas, which was rapidly approaching.

"So, Caitlin, what are you doing for the holidays?" Justin asked, thanking JC for the cola with a nod of his head.

"Actually, we're having a Shack Christmas, so that should be fun." Caitlin said, also accepting a cola.

"Shack Christmas?" Joey asked.

"For years, the house where Alex, Scout, Jon and I live has been referred to as the Love Shack, or the Shack. Since the guys have to work every day around Christmas, they can't get home. I don't really want to go back to Michigan without Alex, so we all decided to stay here and celebrate the holidays. Which probably means presents, me cooking some elaborate meal, and a mud football game somewhere." Caitlin paused. "I can't wait!" She grinned. "What about you guys?"

"Well, since all our folks relocated here, we all tend to stay around here. Lance will go to Mississippi for a few days to see his grandparents, and Chris will fly to Pittsburgh to do the same." Justin replied. "Do you have to work over the holidays?"

"Yeah, but I have a few days off here and there. I asked for my birthday off, and miraculously got it. Birthdays have never been a big deal or really celebrated with Alex and I, because of our parents and all, but I figured maybe I'd treat myself to at least having the day off." Caitlin said.

"When's your birthday?" JC asked.

"December 21." Caitlin replied.

"December 21..." JC repeated. Caitlin was sure she could see the wheels in his head turning, and she grinned.

"Are you planning something?" She teased.

"For you? Nah." JC said with a wink.

"Tease." Caitlin replied with a smile.

The four of them continued to chat about the holidays, the upcoming album, the NFL, and any other topic that sprang to mind. After about 20 minutes, Caitlin yawned and stood up. "Well, guys, I hate to say it, but I have to get out of here. I need to get some sleep--I have to work in the morning." She smiled. "It was good to see you both again."

"You too." They chorused. "See you soon, right?" Joey added.

"Of course!" Caitlin replied. "Someone has to keep JC here in line." She teased.

"I'll walk you out to your car." JC said, putting his hand on her back to guide her to the door. After several called goodbyes, Caitlin and JC stepped out into the darkness of the night and walked slowly to Caitlin's car.

"I had a good time tonight." JC said softly.

"Weird night, but a good one. I feel like, I don't know...like a load has been lifted. And I really do like your band mates. And your house." Caitlin said.

"Thanks." JC said, blushing slightly. "When can I see you again?"

"Call me." Caitlin said flirtatiously.

"I'll do that." JC said with a smile. Caitlin lightly grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her. Their lips met and their bodies immediately pressed together. One kiss turned into two, then three.

After several minutes of non-stop kissing, Caitlin put a hand on JC's chest and gently pushed him away. "If we keep doing this, I'll never get home tonight." She said.

"I wish you could stay." JC said huskily. "I mean, just to do this...or sleep...not, well, you know, though I really..."

"I know what you mean. Me too." Caitlin interrupted. "I'll talk to you soon."

"Goodnight Marian." JC said, helping her into the Blazer.

Caitlin rolled down the window and started the car. "Goodnight, pop star." She said with a smile. After one last brief kiss, she drove the car slowly down the driveway and into the night.

chapter fifteen