Note from LB: This story is based on an actual dream I had. I really did dream Lance was kidnapped and taken to a mall and escaped. Don't ask me where I came up with that, but that's the way dreams work. And no shoes were harmed in the making of this dream. Read on, and enjoy!
*****
Ransom: Mall Ratz
by Karen and LB
© 2003
"I already told you what to do!" Chris screams into the phone.
"Then tell me one more time. I just want to make sure we're perfectly clear about this," the voice on the other end of the phone speaks in a voice smooth as liquid chocolate.
"I told you--get someone big. Someone who's worth a lot of money. But I don't want to know any more. I don't care who it is. I just want the money."
"And me?"
"You get half. You split it with whoever you hire. That's all I want to know. You get me three million, and you get half."
"I think we have ourselves a deal."
There's a click, and Chris stares at the phone. For the first time in a long time, he paces the room nervously, not out of excitement or joy, but out of fear.
*****
Lance doesn't know why he clicks with Freddy, but he does. Freddy is so completely different from himself, but at the premiere, when they were introduced, it was as though they were old friends. Freddy has great ideas, and seems really eager to get into the business. And he seems willing to help Lance get whatever he wants--movie deals, clubs, whatever. Freddy knows people.
JC watches Lance and Freddy curiously. It's weird how Lance, who is usually pretty cautious about opening himself up to new people, suddenly has a new best friend. And there's something about Freddy, something JC can't put his finger on, that rubs JC the wrong way.
One night they're at yet another party, Freddy posing for pictures with Lance, when he proposes yet another business venture. "You'll love this place, and I know the guy who owns it. It's the perfect space, and we can have it up and running in three months."
Bleary eyed, Lance throws his arm around Freddy. "Sounds dope, dude! Let's do it!"
JC glares at the pair from a distance and turns to Joey. "I don't like that dude."
"Who, Lance? All these years, I never knew."
"No, Freddy." JC rolls his eyes. "Knew what?"
"That you hated Lance."
"Did I say hated? No, I said 'don't like.' There's a difference. And it's Freddy I don't like."
"So you like Lance? Dude, I never knew."
JC rolls his eyes again. "Dude, you're not listening to me."
Joey changes positions so he's looking JC squarely in the face. "Okay, I'm listening. Tell me why you like Lance."
"I didn't SAY I liked Lance. I said I DON'T like Freddy."
"So you don't like Lance or Freddy."
"Of course I like Lance. He's my friend. I just don't trust Freddy. He's using Lance."
"How is he using Lance? He's a great guy. He's got tons of connections. And he's very generous." As evidence, Joey holds up the nearly vat-sized glass of liquor in his hand.
"If Lance wasn't famous, do you think he'd be around? And what do you wanna bet it's Lance's card that's gonna be charged?"
"Dude, you're being paranoid. You know Lance doesn't have that kind of limit." There's silence, then he blinks. "Okay, maybe so, but I'm sure Lance doesn't mind. He's smart. He doesn't trust just anyone. Look how long it took him to let Steve ride the bus with us."
"I know. That's why this feels weird to me."
"Do I detect a note of jealousy, Joshy?"
"NO! I mean, no. Why would I be jealous?"
"Because you're crushing on Lance?"
"Where do you get that?"
"You said it. Well, in so many words."
"I did not. You're nuts."
"No, I'm drunk."
"Drunk, crazy, and hearing things."
*****
"So Lance, if you want to get in on this we gotta move fast. He's already got other buyers interested."
"I don't know, Freddy, what do you think?"
"I think you should do it. I mean, your own club at your age? It's perfect. Your name, my connections, we can fill the place."
Lance thinks for a minute. "Okay, set it up."
"That's my boy. You won't be sorry."
****
"Good work," the voice on the phone tells Freddy. "Keep up the good work and there may be a bonus for you."
The connection is severed. Another call is placed. "Mr. K? We're ready to move."
*****
Lance is introduced to Freddy's business associates at Lance's house. Always the courteous host, he offers everyone food and beverages before getting down to business. "So how far out is this place?"
"Far out, dude," Freddy replies, laughing. Lance chuckles back. "Just outside the city. You'll like it. Trust me."
"Okay, if you say so."
"We better get moving, though. It's gonna take a while to get there." Lance checks his cell to make sure the battery is charged, and they file out and into Freddy's small car. Freddy gets in the back with Lance, and the two "business partners" sit in the front.
*****
"Dude, you wanna see a movie?" Joey asks into the phone.
"Yeah, sure," JC replies. "Listen, I just ordered Chinese and I always get too much. Why don't you come over and help me out with it before we go out."
"You don't have to ask me twice."
*****
"So are we almost there?" Lance is starting to get a little impatient. They'd driven almost an hour and Freddy had just kept talking the entire time. But Lance noticed.
"In a little while. Hey, Lance, let me use your phone."
"Where's yours?"
"I forgot it."
Lance reaches into his pocket and hands over the small phone. Just then, a ringing comes from somewhere up front. The young man in the passenger seat flips open his phone and begins speaking. "Yeah, everything's going according to schedule. You can make the call now."
Puzzled, Lance looks at Freddy. "Dude, what's going on?"
"I'm sorry, Lance. But you won't be hurt. I've seen to that."
"Hurt? What are you talking about? What the heck is going on? Let me guess: Chris put you up to this."
"No one put me up to anything. Paid me, yeah."
"Paid you for what? I don't get it."
"Boy, you weren't kidding when you said this would be an easy job," a voice from the front seat calls back. "You're being kidnapped, blondie."
"Kidnapped? Freddy, what . . . why? Stop the car."
"Look, someone needs money and hired us. We keep you for a few days, get the money, and let you go."
"STOP THE CAR."
"Sorry, buddy. No can do."
"You're gonna pay for this. You are SO gonna pay."
"I'm sorry, Lance. I am. If I'd know it was gonna be you, I probably wouldn't have gotten involved."
A snort comes from the front seat. "That's not what he told us. 'Easy mark' was what he said."
"Thanks a lot, Freddy. So you think you can just kidnap me and what, my parents'll just fork over the money?"
Freddy shrugs. "Your parents, the guys. You. Whatever."
"So if you want the money, I'll give you the money. Just pull over at the next exit and let me go."
"We'll let you go when we have the money."
"How much?"
"Someone else will talk to you about that. That's not my job."
"This is crazy." Lance begins to chew his nails and looks out the window for passing cars. Unfortunately, they seem to be on the only road in the state of Florida without any other cars. "How much longer?"
"Fifteen minutes, tops. Lance, buddy. I won't let them hurt you."
"You're not my buddy. I can't believe I trusted you."
"You wanted to."
Lance glares and then looks out the back window. If there was any time he wanted to be recognized, it was now. But still there is not a car in sight. Until they turn off at the next exit and approach a large shopping mall.
"What now? We going shopping?" Lance asks, not even trying to hide the sarcasm.
"We gotta meet someone. And you've got to cooperate, or these guys WILL hurt you."
"You said I wouldn't get hurt. So you lied about that too."
"You won't get hurt as long as you don't do anything stupid. But I won't let them hurt you randomly."
"The only stupid thing I did was trust you."
"Just . . . don't do anything that will make them hurt you."
"You are so gonna pay, Freddy."
"Someone's gonna pay," the thug with the phone says from the front seat, as they park the car. "Now, we're going inside, and you're gonna be a good boy and act like nothing's wrong."
"You still haven't told me why we're here."
"We gotta meet someone. So no funny stuff."
Lance grows silent, complacent. All he has to do is bide his time and wait for the right moment.
As they get out of the car, Freddy belatedly wonders why they're meeting in such a public place, where Lance could easily be recognized. They're more in danger of getting swarmed by teenage girls than anything else.
And as they enter the store, Nordstrom's of all places, Lance wonders the same thing--only he wonders why no one recognizes him. Then he sees the sign: One Day Sale! Of course no one will pay attention to him when there are Manolo Blahniks to be bought.
One of the strangers has a tight grip on Lance's arm, but even he is distracted by the wealth of shoes. "My girlfriend would look HOT in these," he says, picking up a strappy, spike-heeled shoe and showing it to Lance.
"So buy it for her."
"Maybe I will . . . Hey! You're just trying to distract me."
"No, seriously, chicks love shoes. But they love a guy who buys them shoes even more."
"Give me your credit card."
"No way, man. You want the shoes, you buy them." He gave them his phone. There's no way he's giving up his credit card. He might need it later.
"I can't afford these. You can."
"You took my phone, now you want my credit card?"
"Will you come ON?" the other stranger hisses, gesturing at his partner to move Lance along.
"Oh wow, look a sale," Lance remarks, pointing to a pair of red stilettos ten feet away.
"Where?!" The guy loosens his grip on Lance as he turns to look.
Lance doesn't hesitate. If he's going to make a run for it, it has to be now. Freddy and the driver are ahead of them and unaware of the conversation, so Lance turns and bolts for the nearest escalator.
In the confusion, the three captors stumble over each other trying to reach Lance before he disappears down the escalator.
Lance doesn't look back and in the crowded floor of women's designer fashions, a running man goes unnoticed. Lance desperately searches for a security guard. "You gotta help me," he pleads, when he finally finds one in the corner, out of sight of the escalator.
"What's the matter, son? Lost your mommy?"
"Listen to me--there are some guys after me!"
"Hey, Ted! I think this one's spent too long in the video arcade."
The man named Ted looks over from his spot by the register and rolls his eyes. He lumbers over, as Lance glances nervously around, expecting Freddy and his gang to run over any minute. Again, he pleads, "Don't you know who I am?" He lowers his voice and continues, "Look, I'm Lance Bass from 'N Sync."
"And I'm Elvis."
Frustrated, Lance realizes there's no way to get through to these so- called security guards. He longs for Lonnie's unwavering loyalty, and realizes that without the presence of his trusty bodyguards he probably IS unrecognizable. "Can you at least let me use a phone?"
"I guess we can do that, kid. Go with Ted, he'll hook you up."
"Thanks." Grateful to finally be under someone's protection, Lance follows Ted.
Ted leads Lance outside. "The security offices are out here." They enter a small bungalow.
"This is a weird place for a security office," remarks Lance.
Ted looks around. "Yeah, I guess it is."
"I just need to use the phone."
"Yeah, give me a minute." Ted leads Lance into the bungalow and points to a doorway. "Go in there." As soon as Lance is out of sight, Ted pulls out his walkie-talkie. "Okay, I got him out here. I don't think he suspects."
But Lance hears the conversation, and his eyes search for the nearest window. As quietly as he can, he climbs through and runs. He has no idea where he'll go--he can't go back to the mall--but he doesn't know where he is. All he knows is that he has to find a phone fast.
"How long do you want me to keep him out here? He keeps asking for a phone." Ted peers into the inner room and discovers the open window.
Lance has never been more glad that he started getting in shape than he is now. The mall is set in a clearing surrounded by trees, and it's here that Lance finds cover. He figures if he stays near the road but not visible from it he should be okay. And there has to be a gas station nearby. Sure enough, within a mile he finds one, and a payphone on the far side. Digging in his pocket for change, he comes up with a handful and frantically deposits it in the slot. Justin . . . Justin . . . please be home. But when Justin's voicemail kicks in Lance swears. He searches for more change, but he'd used it all on the call to Justin. So he pulls out his credit card and punches in the numbers as quickly as his fingers allow, keeping an eye on the road as he waits for Joey to pick up. Come on, Joey, be there.
"Dude, can you get that?" Joey calls from the bathroom. Reluctantly, JC peels himself out of the comfortable, overstuffed chair and reaches for the phone. "Fatone residence . . . ," he intones.
"JC?" Lance asks, puzzled.
"Yeah, what's up, dude?"
"JC, you gotta help me--Freddy, he tried to kidnap me. You gotta come get me."
JC's first impulse is to joke back. It has to be a joke, right? But something in Lance's voice stops him. "Where are you?" he says simply.
"I-I don't know. Some mall. I didn't see the name. But we drove for about an hour. I'm gonna try to find someplace public, like a restaurant. Just . . . I don't know, get here. Please."
"I'm coming. Right away. Just give me something to go on. What direction? Anything?"
"Um, east, I think. The highway. Lots of trees. And we passed . . . um, a Chili's, I think. Listen, I gotta go. They could be here any minute. I'll call you when I get to someplace public. Freddy has my phone, so I have to find another payphone."
"I'm on my way. Call my cell as soon as you can." JC wants to say more, somehow, but the phone in his hand is dead. "I gotta go," he yells, and is out the door before Joey can respond.
Lance manages to follow the road until he hits another busy commercial district. As luck would have it, there's a busy, noisy family restaurant just ahead. The parking lot is full, and Lance ducks inside and heads for the payphone. He calls JC and gives him the address, which is on the cover of a matchbook. Then he gets a table, orders a Coke and waits.
JC drives as quickly as he dares. He was relieved to hear he was driving in the right direction when Lance called back, but his knuckles are still white as he clutches the steering wheel. Be there, be okay, pounds in his head with every mile.
Lance chews his nails as the waitress brings him his third Coke, slightly annoyed that he won't order any food. Every time a car pulls in the parking lot he jumps, but when he sees JC's car pull up, he has to stop himself from running to the door.
JC's heart is pounding as he runs into the restaurant, and he doesn't start breathing until he sees Lance, looking small and young in a booth.
"JC!" Lance exclaims quietly, when JC takes a seat across from him. "Man, I'm so glad to see you."
"Are you okay? Have you called the police? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Lance replies, touched by JC's concern. "Just confused. I don't know what's going on. I didn't call the police. I thought about it--if I told them what happened they'd think it was a prank. They didn't have any guns, from what I saw. And what did they do? They took me to a mall. How crazy does that sound? I got kidnapped and taken to a mall."
"At least it's nice mall," JC jokes, then gets serious again. "If you don't tell anyone, what's to keep them from trying again?"
"Because now I know who it is--Freddy."
The name hadn't registered when Lance had said it on the phone, but it does now. "I KNEW it!" JC exclaims.
"Knew what?"
"He's a creep."
"You don't like Freddy? I guess I trusted the wrong guy."
"Yeah. You wanna get out of here?"
"Yeah. I think we should get the guys together and let them know what's going on."
"Yeah, okay." JC hands Lance his phone. "You can call them while I drive."
And call he does. He doesn't explain what happened, just that everyone needs to meet at his house. As they pull into the driveway, Lance turns to JC and says, "Thanks for coming to get me, JC. I guess I owe you one."
"You don't owe me anything. I'm just, I'm just really glad you're okay."
Inside the house, Lance tells the story, hearing how ridiculous it sounds.
Finally, Joey speaks. "JC was right."
JC, who has hovered over Lance since they walked in the door, looks up. "That's not what's important."
"You said it--you didn't like Freddy from the get-go."
"I don't care about being right. I care about keeping Lance safe."
"He is safe," Chris interjects.
"For now. But what if they try again?"
"They won't."
JC looks at Chris curiously. "How do you know?"
"I didn't know it was gonna be Lance!"
"Chris, what the heck are you talking about?" asks Lance.
"I swear, Lance, I didn't know. I was desperate."
"Didn't know what?"
"Some guys. They told me they could get me some fast cash. To save FuMan Skeeto, you know?"
"You almost had me kidnapped so you could save your company?"
"I didn't KNOW. They didn't tell me it would be someone I knew."
"Kidnapping is a CRIME, Chris. If you needed money that badly, why didn't you just ask?"
"Any of us would have helped you." JC adds. "All of us."
"I don't KNOW!" Chris cried. "I don't know why it sounded like a good idea."
"They took me to a mall," grumbles Lance.
"You like malls."
"Yeah, when I'm going SHOPPING, not when I'm being KIDNAPPED. Freddy took my phone, you know."
"I'll make them give it back."
"That's messed up, man," Justin finally says.
"We could always do a benefit album," Joey chimes in. When everyone stares at him, he adds, "You know, to raise money for FuMan Skeeto."
"Makes more sense than kidnapping someone," JC says, glaring at Chris.
"Okay, it was a stupid thing to do. I'm sorry, Lance."
"I know you are. And I guess I forgive you, because no one got hurt. And they were pretty stupid."
"Figures I'd not only end up DOING something stupid, but I have to hook up with stupid people too?" Chris pauses. "I didn't know about Freddy."
"You didn't know who was working for you AND you didn't know who was being kidnapped?"
"I talked to one guy. He said he'd take care of everything."
"Who's the guy?"
"He said his name was Bill Smith."
"Well, here's what you're gonna do, Chris. You're gonna call Mr. Smith and tell him you don't need his services anymore."
"Duh, Lance. I was going to."
"Hey," JC interjects. "You're lucky Lance isn't turning your ass in to the authorities. Don't give him attitude."
Lance looks at JC, who's always been the most sensitive of the group. He senses a tone of protectiveness in JC's words, and it triggers something inside him. Maybe something that's been there all along and it took an event like this to bring it to the surface. "One more thing," Lance continues. "You won't need Mr. Smith because you have a new business partner."
"What?" Chris asks.
"WHAT?" JC echoes.
Joey doesn't even look at Chris. He looks from Lance to JC and back, with a secret smile on his face.
"You heard me. I'm buying into your company. We all are. So as of now, FuMan Skeeto is a privately owned subsidiary of SKEEZ, Inc."
"Dude, do you think that's a good idea? I'm being sued and all."
"So you change the name if you have to. You had a good idea, starting the company. I think it's a good investment. Besides, we're brothers. When your brother's in trouble, you don't desert him."
JC is almost angry with Lance for being so generous to someone who could have gotten him hurt, or worse. Someone who had, however unwittingly, betrayed him. But then, he considers, this IS Lance. And JC loves that innate generosity of spirit in him. "I'm in," he says, quietly but distinctly.
Joey shrugs. "I guess I am too."
"Yeah, whatever," says Justin. "We have enough stalkers to worry about. We don't need to worry about getting kidnapped."
JC looks at Chris, but he's no longer glaring. Rather, his expression is encouraging. "Call your contact, Chris. We need to know that Lance is safe. That they're not going to come after him again. If you need money to pay them off or whatever, I'll take care of it."
Again, Lance feels that protective blanket spread over him. It was JC who saved him, and it's JC who is making sure he's safe. Why? Because they're brothers. Secretly, Lance hopes it's something more.
They discuss briefly the terms of their agreement, then Chris announces he'll leave to take care of everything. Joey and Justin offer to go with him, and as the boys head toward the door, Lance trails behind and takes JC's arm. "C, can you stay for a minute?"
"Yeah, sure. Hey, are you hungry? You must be hungry."
"A little. Why don't I fix us something."
"Dude, I should be cooking for you. Why don't we compromise and order something?"
"Okay. Chinese? Or Pizza? Whatever you want."
"I'll call it in. Are you sure you're okay? They didn't hurt you or anything?"
"No, I'm fine. All they did was drive me around. And, well, they almost made me buy a pair of shoes."
JC almost drops the phone. "Shoes?"
Laughing, Lance replies, "Yeah. I'll explain later."
JC orders their pizza then sits on the couch. "I . . . I'm glad you're okay. When you called . . . man, I was scared. All I could think was that I'd take too long or something and they would find you again."
"I was really surprised you answered the phone. And that you came so quickly, no questions asked."
"Oh, yeah. You did call Joey, didn't you," JC says, deflated. "But of course I came."
"I called Joey because I'm, like, closer to him. We never really hang out together, you know?"
"Maybe we should change that."
"I, you know, think that's a good idea."
JC smiles. "So you weren't disappointed that it was me instead of Joey that came for you?"
"No. I just never expected you to be the type who'd face down danger like that."
JC looks down, then up and into Lance's eyes. "You needed me," he says simply.
"I do. I mean, I did. I mean--" but he can't finish because the gate security guard buzzes to let him know the pizza's here. Lance takes care of it, and soon they're settled back, slices of pizza in hand.
JC, concentrating hard on his slice of pizza, says, very softly, "It made me realize, um, how much you mean to me."
"What?" Lance asks, about to take a bite.
" I . . . you know, the . . . how I felt when I heard your voice on the phone. How scared I was at the idea something could happen to you."
Lance puts down the slice. "JC, what exactly are you saying?"
"I . . . I think . . . I maybe, you're maybe . . . more than a brother to me?"
"I think, um, I feel the same way."
"UM, good. Cause otherwise, I'd be really embarrassed right now."
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about." Lance moves closer, taking JC's pizza from his hands and putting it on the plate. "In fact . . . " he begins, touching JC's face lightly, waiting for him to pull back in horror.
JC lifts his eyes to Lance's face, and it's as if he'd never looked at his bandmate before. "In fact?" he whispers, admiring the curve of Lance's eyebrows, the clarity of his eyes, the soft pink of his lips. His heart hammering harder than it had when he'd raced to Lance's side earlier today, he brushes those lips with his own.
Lance closes his eyes and breathes sharply as those full, sweet lips touch his. He never expected the conversation to reach this point, although he had secretly hoped it would. JC pulls back, his eyes closed, his lips curved into a smile. When he opens his eyes, his smile widens. "Wow," he breathes.
"I can't believe we just did that," Lance adds.
"I know. I love surprises."
"So it didn't, like, gross you out?"
"No. You?"
"No. Heck no--it was, um, pretty great."
JC's smile spreads into a grin. "Eat your pizza, Lance."
Blushing profusely, Lance grins back and looks down at the forgotten pizza. "This is like the best pizza I ever had."
"It is. Especially with the side order of kisses."
Lance's smile broadens. He never saw this romantic side of JC before. "So if that's the side order, what's for dessert?"
JC's eyes widen. "Um, whatever you want."
"So, if I wanted, like, more kisses that would be okay?"
"That would be better than okay."
"Finish your pizza."
JC drops his crust on his plate. "I'm done."
"That's funny. So am I."
"We have so much in common."
"You might say we're in sync."
JC groans. "You are in SO much trouble."
"I am?" Lance asks, feigning innocence. "What did I do?"
"Bad jokes must be punished."
"It wasn't that bad, was it?"
"I guess not. So maybe I should kiss you instead of punishing you."
"Depends what the punishment was."
"Tickling may have been involved."
"Whew, so I don't get tickled?"
"Disappointed?"
"Relieved."
"Ready for dessert?"
Lance wipes his mouth, slightly self-conscious of the pizza taste, but replies, "I am so ready."
JC puts his hands on Lance's shoulders and draws him closer. As if reading Lance's mind, he murmurs, "At least we both taste like pizza," before closing his mouth over Lance's.
"Mmm," Lance moans, wrapping his arms around JC's waist and parting his lips eagerly.
JC takes his time kissing Lance, learning the shape of his mouth, his lips. He thinks about how much Lance already means to him, how much more he could, and he smiles into the kiss.
Lance senses the change in the way JC is kissing him, and he pulls back."Why are you smiling?"
" 'Cause this morning we were friends and now we might be something more? 'Cause you're safe and we're here, together? 'Cause this really is the best pizza we ever had?"
"Those are good reasons. Really good reasons." Satisfied, Lance pulls JC into another kiss.
Nothing in JC's life has ever felt so right, although a few hours ago, he wouldn't have thought this was possible. He slides his hands down Lance's back, feeling the sleek muscles beneath his clothing, as their kiss deepens.
Lance's tongue finds its way inside JC's mouth, and he's completely and utterly lost in this most wonderful moment.
That questing tongue makes JC want to throw Lance down on the couch and have his way with him. But he also knows that they have time. Time to be together, to get to know each other in this whole new way. The sex part will come, when it's the right time.
The kiss lasts a long, long time. They get more comfortable, and in the security of JC's arms, Lance remarks, "This has been a weird day."
"The weirdest," JC agrees. "But I like the ending."
"Me too. It was all like a dream, you know? But no one could dream anything this crazy, could they?"