Digital Getdown: Lost and Found
by Karen and LB
© 2002
"Screw you, JC."
"I said I was sorry. And I'll find him. What, you never made a mistake?"
"This isn't just a mistake, Josh, this is a living thing. MY living thing."
"I will find him. He couldn't have gone far. The door wasn't even open."
"Well someone opened it! Geez, JC, I ask you to watch my ferret for ONE lousy hour and you can't stay awake even that long. You know how scared he is around strangers. What if someone's dog gets to him?"
"And who didn't latch his cage?"
"I figured he'd be safe with you. I was obviously wrong."
"I...wait a minute." JC lifts a pillow on the couch where he had been sleeping and scoops up another napper, who wakens and blinks at him, curling up again in his hands. "Hey, buddy. You just got me in SO much trouble." He turns to Lance. "I told you he didn't go far."
Lance grabs the sleepy ferret from JC's hands. "Give him to me." He holds the animal up to his face. "You are a bad boy, you know that? You know what a scare you gave me? Come here." He holds Dirk close, stroking his fur and kissing his head.
"See? Not only did I not lose him--he likes me. We both share an interest in sleeping."
"You were supposed to be baby sitting. Not sleeping. Man, what if this had been our kid?"
"What, people never sleep when they have kids?"
"Not babies. Not little things like this that could get out and lost and eaten by other animals. Shit, JC, this is the last time I ask you to babysit."
"He's fine. He didn't get out. He didn't get eaten. He got lonely in his stupid cage and he came over here to hang with me. Which is more than you do lately."
"What the heck are you talking about? I see you all the time."
"You see me, but you're not WITH me. Whenever we have free time lately, you've got something else to do. When was the last time you curled up on a couch with me?"
"JC, you know when we have downtime that I have to take care of my Free Lance artists. And I do spend time with you--just not on the couch. Sleeping's your hobby, not mine."
"Give me a reason to stay awake." JC grabs his room key from the end table. "We have to leave for the venue in 15 minutes. I have to get ready. " Passing Lance, JC reaches out a hand to stroke Dirk's sleek head. "Bye, buddy."
Lance glares after JC, then pulls Dirk close, cuddling him to his chest. He really wants to scream, but doesn't want to scare the animal. Sleep. All he wants to do is sleep. It's hard to make out with someone when they're ASLEEP all the time. Lance grabs Dirk's cage and heads down to the lobby in a huff.
*****
"What's with you, dude?" Joey asks, hitting Lance in the face with one of the stuffed animals from last night's show.
"Nothing."
"You and C have a fight?"
"No."
"You look like you had a fight."
"Well, we didn't, okay?"
"Okay, whatever you say. Hey, Steve, this is what happens when you don't get it enough."
Lance rolls his eyes, ignoring the taunts. He's expecting an email from Stacy with some new contract changes so he flips open his laptop and logs on.
*****
JC stays in his room as long as possible, hoping that Lance will already be on his bus before JC gets down there. Not that Lance would notice. If Lance noticed things these days, he'd have noticed that JC's been fighting a cold all week, so of course he gets sleepy.
Ignoring everyone's glares, JC dashes onto the bus practically as it's rolling away from the curb. He grabs a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator and plops down on the couch, head back, eyes closed. He feels someone sit next to him and doesn't even have to look to know it's Justin.
"What was the fight about?"
"What fight?"
Justin makes a face. "I know you better than that, JC. Nothing else would get you this upset."
JC opens his eyes and looks at Justin. "Okay, Lance asked me to watch Dirk for a while and I fell asleep and when he came back Dirk was gone. But he was only lost for a few minutes, and he had really gotten on the couch with me and burrowed under one of the pillows."
"Since when does that RAT need a babysitter?"
"Hey! Don"t talk about Dirk that way."
"Fine. Dirk is a prince among ferrets. Did you remind Lance that you're sick?"
"No."
"Idiot."
"Thanks."
"It'll be okay, C. You two can't stay mad at each other for more than five minutes."
"Yeah, I guess."
Lance reads the first paragraph of the contract for the third time. And he still can't concentrate on it. He can't get his mind off JC. Why does he have to sleep all the time? And lately he's been sleeping more. Maybe he doesn't WANT Lance to bother him. Lance stares out the window, knowing JC is just a few feet away on the other bus. He glances over at Dirk, who is busy chewing on the stuffed animal that Joey had thrown at Lance. He pulls the ferret into his lap, stroking its soft fur.
Before they know it, they're at the venue, and then they're all caught up in the business of a meet and greet, sound check, getting ready. The show is . . . lackluster. Nothing that the audience would really notice, but the usual spark isn't there.
After the show, as the guys are gathering their stuff up to get on the buses for the long ride to the next city, Joey good-naturedly taunts JC. "Sounded different tonight, dude. Losing your high notes?"
"Leave him alone, he's sick," Justin flares.
"I'm fine, Just," JC says, a little hoarsely. "Split any pants tonight, Joe?"
"You're sick?" Lance turns back when he hears Justin.
"Um, just fighting a cold," JC says. Does he see the frostiness in Lance's eyes melting a little? Before he can find out, security starts moving them out and onto the buses.
Lance is hustled onto the bus before he gets a chance to talk to JC. He tries in vain to see out the window. He can't tell if JC is already on the other bus or not, and as they start to pull out, he sulks by the window. The show tonight didn't go as well as usual, Lance is still pissed off about Dirk, and now he finds out that JC is sick and he didn't even know it.
JC waits his turn to use the shower thinking about what he should do next. He could call Lance, but he's not sure he's ready for that. By the time he's showered, he has an idea. He gets online and fairly quickly finds what he's looking for. He plays with his find a little and then clicks the send button. Now he just has to hope that Lance checks his mail. What am I thinking, this is LANCE, he chides himself.
"Hey, dude, if you're not using your laptop can I borrow it?"
"Sure, Joey, knock yourself out." Lance slides the computer across the table and continues to stare out the window.
"Heh heh, I love these jokes."
Joey amuses himself for a few minutes, until Steve shouts from the back, "Hey, Joey, come here. I wanna whoop your ass in football."
"Yeah, right." Joey pushes himself up from the table, leaving Lance alone with the laptop. Lance flips it around and logs on, figuring he should at least check his mail in case Stacy sent him anything else. Then he sees JC's name in his mailbox. Curious, he opens the message.
To: imnotpufu@yahoo.com
From: sngwrtrjc@yahoo.com | Block
Address | Add to Address Book
Reply-to: sngwrtrjc@yahoo.com
Subject: You have a Kritter Card!
Confidential! For Lance only!
Josh has created a special posty, just for you, Lance.
The posty will be stored for you for 21 days.
Be sure to pick it during these 21 days before it expires.
You may pick it up from
http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/foreveryoung/Lost%20and%20Found/Kritter_Cards.htm
Lance clicks on the link and bursts out laughing, lowering his head to the tabletop. He gazes across the bus at Dirk, busily pawing a toy in his cage. He pushes himself away from the table and reaches inside the cage. "You think I should forgive him, huh? You think I should forgive him?" He cradles Dirk against him even as he stares at the computer screen. Still laughing, and barely able to type, Lance opens his Instant Messenger.
IMNOTPUFU: u there?
JC is almost asleep, head down on the table, when the chime of an IM goes off right next to his ear. He jumps upright, a little confused, then focuses on the screen.
SNGWRTRJC: Yeah.
IMNOTPUFU: u realize ferrets are highly intelligent animals.
SNGWRTRJC: Dirk keeps telling me that.
IMNOTPUFU: he tells me i should forgive u. he thinks i'm being an idiot.
SNGWRTRJC: He never said idiot. But he knows I wouldn't let anything happen to him.
IMNOTPUFU: i was really scared. but i didn't know u were sick. why didn't u tell me?
SNGWRTRJC: Never had a chance. Always too busy.
IMNOTPUFU: i'm sorry. i haven't been paying much attention to u lately, have i? with the tour and all.
SNGWRTRJC: We need to figure out how to make time. I see you all the time and I still miss you.
IMNOTPUFU: me too. i know it doesn't seem that way, but i do. i just can't sit still. but i promise you that after every show I'll be with u, no matter what we decide to do. hey, dirk's looking at me funny. he doesn't believe me. do u?
SNGWRTRJC: He knows that we still get on separate buses after most shows. :-)
IMNOTPUFU: but after. like tonight.
SNGWRTRJC: Yeah. Tell me again why we said yes to this separate bus thing?
IMNOTPUFU: cause u want to sleep!
SNGWRTRJC: I wanna sleep with you. That's the best feeling, you know. Falling asleep wrapped up in you.
IMNOTPUFU: i'll always sleep with u. u know that. but i also like to play.
SNGWRTRJC: I know. You must think I'm incredibly clingy. But it just feels like forever since we spent any time together except to crawl into bed too tired to even talk.
IMNOTPUFU: you're right. but we did agree to this schedule. how bout this. the next day off, i spend it with u. just u. no one else. not joey, not chris, not justin, not steve. we'll sneak off somewhere.
SNGWRTRJC: really?
IMNOTPUFU: really. dirk is my witness. and u know he won't let me back down on my word.
SNGWRTRJC: Yeah, he's a real stickler.
IMNOTPUFU: he likes u. u sleep almost as much as he does.
SNGWRTRJC: :-p
SNGWRTRJC: I like him, too. He's almost as cute as you.
IMNOTPUFU: he's got more hair on his chest.
SNGWRTRJC: I sure hope so.
IMNOTPUFU: are u saying i have to start shaving?
SNGWRTRJC: Nah, I like you just like you are. If you were as hairy as Dirk, I'd cough up furballs every time I lick your chest.
IMNOTPUFU: i wouldn't want that. i like when you lick my chest.
SNGWRTRJC: I do too.
IMNOTPUFU: i wish you were licking it right now.
SNGWRTRJC: Me too. How many hours do we have this trip?
IMNOTPUFU: 2 many. u should get some sleep.
SNGWRTRJC: I know. How else am I gonna have the strength to ravage you when we get to the hotel?
IMNOTPUFU: you're gonna ravage me? in you're condition?
SNGWRTRJC: A guy's gotta have a dream.
IMNOTPUFU: looks like we're gonna have to put the ravaging on hold. i want you in bed. with a warm blanket and a cup of tea with honey. bass family cure for everything that ails u.
SNGWRTRJC: Do we at least get to snuggle?
IMNOTFPUFU: definitely. i'll even read you a bedtime story.
SNGWRTRJC: You will? I knew there was a reason I love you.
IMNOTPUFU: u love me because i can read?
SNGWRTRJC: Your such a brat, you know that?
IMNOTPUFU: i know. but u love me anyway.
SNGWRTRJC: Yeah, I do. A lot.
IMNOTPUFU: I'm sorry i yelled at u.
SNGWRTRJC: I'm sorry I lost Dirk.
IMNOTPUFU: it wasn't your fault. if i had known u were sick i never would have made u watch him.
SNGWRTRJC: He's okay. That's what's important.
IMNOTPUFU: you're what's important.
SNGWRTRJC: WE're what's important. We're okay?
IMNOTPUFU: are u ok?
SNGWRTRJC: I will be. When I see you.
IMNOTPUFU: soon, babe. Well, in like 5 hours. Maybe u can come over to my bus at the next stop?
SNGWRTRJC: Yeah, that would be good. If we ever stop.
IMNOTPUFU: ye of little faith. brb.
IMNOTPUFU: count to 60.
JC rolls his eyes.
SNGWRTRJC: 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...11...12...13...14...15...
IMNOTPUFU: look out your window.
JC turns around and peers out.
The buses pull up to a rest stop, and as Lance approaches the door, he calls out to Mike, the driver, "Thanks, dude. I have such a craving for a slush puppie. Want one?"
"No thanks. Just hurry up. We gotta make time."
JC practically breaks a leg getting to the door and down the stairs.
Lance meets up with him on the way inside the small rest stop. "Just follow me. I'm kidnapping you, by the way." He quickly purchases a large slushie and leads JC over to his bus.
"No argument here," JC replies, following docilely.
Lance gestures for him to climb aboard the bus, then follows him in.
"Hey, C, what are you doing here?" Joey asks, when he sees his friend.
"He's not feeling well," Lance answers for JC. "I wanted to make him something hot."
"You just want to make him hot, Lance. Whatever." Joey returns to the back of the bus, calling out over his shoulder. "We got some movies back here, if you get bored."
Lance smiles. "I don't think we'll get bored. Sit," he orders JC.
JC goes to sit on the couch but glances down first, then scoops up Dirk before sitting. "What are you doing up so late, little guy?"
"He needed a warm lap to sit in," Lance answers as he opens the small refrigerator and extracts a bottle of water and some honey. He pours some of the water into a coffee mug and sticks it into the microwave. When the water heats up, Lance removes the mug and opens a tea bag, then pours in some honey. He mixes everything together, then takes a seat next to JC. "Drink this."
"Thanks, babe," JC says, taking the mug in one hand as the other continues to stroke Dirk's soft fur.
"He was whining all night. That's why I had to get you here."
"He missed me? Did anyone else miss me?"
"Joey missed you. Okay, so I missed you too."
"Oh, I guess I better go sees Joey." JC moves Dirk from his lap to Lance's and begins to rise.
"Hey!" Lance exclaims, sticking his foot out and blocking the passageway to the back. "Not so fast."
JC pauses. "What?"
"Joey doesn't miss you as much as I do."
JC lowers himself back onto the couch and sips his tea. "You sure?"
"I'm sure. Dirk would never let me live this down."
JC slouches lower into the couch and lays his head on Lance's shoulder. "Dirk is a very wise ferret."
"He is, isn't he? I knew there was a reason I liked him the minute I saw him." He puts Dirk back in JC's lap and strokes the soft fur, then wraps his other arm around JC's shoulder.
JC snuggles contentedly again Lance. "I knew there was a reason I liked you the minute I saw you."
"Because of my wise ferret?" Lance shifts so that JC's head falls into his lap, and this time he strokes JC's soft hair away from his face.
"Way before you even thought of having a ferret."
"Shhhh, Dirk will get jealous."
JC's hand curls around the small, furry body. "Dirk knows I love you both."
"He loves you too. He told me."
"Good," JC says, then starts to cough.
"Aw, babe, you sound worse." Lance is now genuinely concerned, and he slides out from under JC carefully. "Hang on. I'll be right back." He goes to his bunk, grabs the blanket off the mattress, and returns to JC, whose eyes are now half closed. He lifts JC up slightly so he can slide back under, then places a small pillow from the couch in his lap and lowers JC's head once again. He wraps the blanket snugly around JC's curled up body and rubs JC's arm in a soothing rhythm, hoping to lull him to sleep.
JC shifts then settles comfortably. "Thank you, baby. Love you."
"Love you too. Now get some sleep." Lance watches JC's face, his tired eyes closing, and sighs, content.