This will be the first of a pair of stories. A few months ago, I had a dream on which this story was based. And a couple of months later, LB had a dream on the same theme, which was the basis for the forthcoming story.
Safe House
by Karen and LB
© 2002
If one more person tells JC to be calm, he's going to scream. Everything is not okay. Everything will not be okay until Lance is in his arms again.
JC had known something was wrong before he'd even let himself into Lance's house. The atmosphere was at once too quiet and yet somehow disturbed. Lance had expected him, but was nowhere to be found. It was when JC found Lance's cell phone lying on the living room floor, JC's own number showing on the screen as if Lance had dialled it but hadn't hit send, that he was sure his fears were grounded.
The Basses had received the first phone call that night. The FBI and state police worked around the clock. The only assurance they had was that nothing would happen to Lance until the kidnappers got their money. By the third day, Diane could barely eat, let alone sleep. Joey and Justin practically had to tie JC to a chair to keep him from driving around, looking for Lance.
***** Lance was scared. Really scared. He'd never been this scared before, because nothing this bad had ever happened to him. He'd been so lucky his entire life, and he'd always felt so safe. Not now. He didn't even know how long he'd been here. He couldn't see his watch, because his hands were tied behind his back. His arms ached and his ankles hurt from the ropes. All he knew was that he was in some small, dark basement, on a mattress on the floor. Every now and then someone would come and feed him some fast food, but they always wore masks. That was his only hope: as long as he couldn't see them, maybe they'd let him go. Maybe he'd see his mom and dad and JC. He wanted so badly to see JC, to be held in those arms.
*****
JC tried to be as helpful to the many law enforcement officials as possible, racking his brain to think of suspicious faces he might have seen--anyone, anywhere who might have some reason to go after Lance. The WEG staff and even the fan club went through scores of letters, looking for possible threats. And as the days passed, JC tried his hardest to be strong for Diane and Jim, even though he himself was terrified.
It wasn't until the fifth day that things began to seem less hopeless. That's when the FBI got their big break. The girlfriend of one of the kidnappers found out her boyfriend had been cheating on her, and as any scorned woman would do, she ratted him out to the cops. Names, location, the whole deal.
*****
Lance didn't want to cry. He didn't want his kidnappers to know how scared he was. So he kept quiet and tried to formulate some sort of plan. There had to be a way out of this. There just had to be. He was going home. He was going to see his parents and his friends again. He was going to be with JC again.
*****
JC insisted on being there when the police went into the house. He was given permission as long as he promised to stay well back of the barricades that had been set up. JC had never been more frightened, but he had also made a promise to Diane, so he stood and watched and prayed. The raid went down without a hitch. Three men were arrested, and Lance was found more or less unharmed in the basement. He had to be helped up the stairs, since he hadn't walked in a week. His legs were stiff and his wrists were chafed and raw from the rope. When he saw JC, he almost broke down, but he knew if he did JC would think he was more hurt than he was. So he stayed strong and even managed a small smile when he was brought outside.
JC can't take his eyes off Lance. He looks thinner than he could imagine someone cold be after just a week, and very pale. But he's alive and able to walk, although barely. When the police finally let JC through, he wraps his arms around Lance and doesn't let go.
"I'm fine. I'm just so glad to see you." Lance squeezes hard, not quite believing that JC is really here.
"They're going to take you to the hospital to make sure. I'll be with you the whole time. I called your parents as soon as they said you were okay. They'll meet us there."
"I don't want to go to the hospital. I just want to go home."
"I know you do, baby. But it's really important that they make sure you're okay."
"Lance," a gentle voice breaks in. "C'mon, we need you to come with us so we can get a statement, and have you checked out. JC, you can ride in the ambulance if you want."
"See, I'll be right there with you. And your mom is probably already there."
Lance suddenly feels very small and very young. He reluctantly follows the EMT into the ambulance but makes sure JC is right behind him. During the ride to the hospital, he barely lets go of JC's hand, needing the contact, the reassurance that he is now, indeed, safe.
JC keeps up a steady stream of reassuring words. He's not even sure where they're coming from. All he knows is that they seem to take a little of the haunted look from Lance's eyes. And that's all he needs to know.
Justin, Joey, and Chris are waiting at the hospital with Lance's parents when they arrived, and they all converge on him, needing to know he's alive and unharmed and really there. Lance reassures his mother again and again that he's fine, and Jim practically has to pry her off Lance so the doctors can have a look at him.
"I can't believe this happened," Justin says angrily in the waiting room.
"It just proves that no one's ever really safe," Chris says, uncharacteristically serious.
Joey looks over at Lance's parents. "Don't say that. Not here. If they heard you . . . they've been through enough."
Johnny arrives just then with Big Mike in tow. Mike feels somehow responsible, even though he had been off duty that day, as were the rest of the bodyguards. "That's why we're beefing up security. For the next few weeks no one goes anywhere without a bodyguard. I don't care if you're out walking your dog."
Later, Lance is settled in a private room, Mike insisting on staying guard outside the door. Dressed in a hospital gown, Lance is relieved to be rid of his clothes, which reeked when he was rescued. He wants very much to take a shower, but they hooked him up to a heart monitor and said he could bathe in the morning, before they released him. His mother sits on the edge of the bed holding his hand until Jim finally insists they leave so she can get some sleep, after she spent so many nights awake worrying about her son. "You boys should go too," he says to Joey, Justin, and Chris. JC walks the other guys out to the elevator, giving Lance's parents a moment alone with him. He hugs each in turn.
"See you tomorrow," Joey says, his usual cheerfulness surfacing a little through the worry.
JC waves as the elevator closes, then goes quickly back to the room.
Mike nods as JC pushes open the door. Lance has his face turned away, staring at the flowers and stuffed animals the guys brought with them. Even Britney sent something when she found out Lance was okay. When he hears the door open, he turns quickly, then breathes an uncontrolled sigh of relief, and the monitor blips faster. That he can still be startled surprises him. "You stayed."
"Of course I stayed. They'd need all those cops and agents that were there today to get me out of here."
Lance manages a smile, which quickly fades as he remembers it all. How helpless he felt. "You should go home, get some rest. You look like you haven't slept in days."
"I'm not leaving, so you can just forget about that."
"Then come sit down. I know I smell, but I'd still like to have you near."
JC sits on the edge of the bed and takes Lance's hand. "I guess I can stand the smell," he says sweetly.
"I can't wait to shower. I feel so gross."
"Tomorrow. They'll take this out . . . " JC gently touches Lance's other hand, then his chest. "And this off, and you'll be able to shower as long as you want."
"Will you wash my hair?"
"Anything you want."
"I can't wait to go home."
"I know. They said if everything checked out, maybe tomorrow."
"Maybe? No way, I'm going home. I have to go home. I have to . . . Jackson . . . no, I'm going home tomorrow."
"Shhh. It's okay. Jackson's at my house. And Joey's going to go by and feed him tonight. He's probably there right now."
Lance grows quiet, soothed by JC's voice. "Thanks for taking care of him while I was . . . " The memories flood back and he swallows hard.
JC goes to hug Lance, then simply lies down next to him and gathers him into his arms. "You're safe now."
"I was so scared, JC. I was so scared. I thought I'd never see you again." His voice cracks and now he can't stop the tears.
"I know. I was scared too," JC soothes, knowing how hard it is for Lance to show emotion like this. "Just let it out."
And he does. A week's worth of fear and anger and loneliness pour out onto JC's shirt. Tears he wouldn't show his parents, tears he wouldn't show his friends. Tears only for JC.
"I got you," JC whispers. "And I'm not letting go."
This brings on a fresh wave of tears, until finally, exhausted, Lance grows quiet. After a few minutes, he wipes his eyes with the back of his hand and sighs. "I'm sorry, I got your shirt all wet."
"I never liked this shirt anyway. You think you could sleep a little? You must be wiped out."
"I-I'm afraid to go to sleep."
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
"I couldn't stop them. I tried, but I couldn't."
"I know you did. You tried to call me."
"How did you know?" Then he remembers. "The phone! I couldn't . . . they knocked it out of my hand."
"I found it. That's when I knew for sure something was wrong."
"And there was nothing you could do. Nothing anyone could do. We've always been so safe, JC. I never thought anything like this would ever happen. Johnny used to talk about it, but we never thought it was going to happen."
"We're going to beef up security. And I think we should . . . look, I know we both said we weren't ready, but I think we should move in together."
"Yes."
"Good," JC whispers and hugs Lance more tightly.
"I don't ever want us to be apart. I need you, JC."
"I got a taste of life without you this week. It was the worst."
"Just don't leave me."
"You'd have to kick me out."
"I'm not gonna kick you. Kiss you, maybe. Definitely no kicking."
"Good. I like kisses better."
"I do too. That's why I want to go home. So I can shower and you can kiss me and we can hold each other all night in front of the fireplace."
"I don't have to wait till tomorrow to kiss you." JC proceeds to demonstrate.
Lance squeezes his eyes shut and kisses back as though it will be the last kiss they'll ever share. After feeling so weak all day he feels a surge of strength in that kiss.
JC finally pulls back. "See? Not waiting is good."
"It will be. But JC, I want us to go away together somewhere. Just us."
"We can. We'll plan something together."
"Let's not wait. Let's go someplace with . . . a . . . beach . . . " Lance says sleepily.
"We will. I promise." Hearing the sleepiness in Lance's voice, he begins stroking Lance's hair again, and sings softly, "Just close your eyes, each lovin' day, and know this feeling won't go away . . . "
Lance falls into a deep sleep, having earlier refused a sedative. But a few hours later he stirs, the nightmare overtaking him. "No," he moans, struggling in JC's arms.
JC awakens immediately, keeping his arm around Lance, but loosely, not enough to frighten him. With the other hand, he shakes Lance. "Come on, baby. Wake up. You're safe."
Lance's eyes flutter open, but he's confused. The room is dimly lit by the heart monitor and the bed controls. And there's someone with him. JC. He takes a deep breath, relieved that this is the reality and what he'd been experiencing was just a nightmare. A nightmare that's finally over. "It seemed so real."
"I know. The doctor said it would be like this for a while, until you really feel safe again. Do you want to tell me about it? I'll listen if you do, but if you don't, that's cool too. I'm not going to push you."
Lance rests his head on JC's chest, gazing at the wall. He remembers another wall, much dirtier and cold, and the lumpy mattress he'd been laying on for days. "I felt so helpless. I never felt helpless before. It wasn't like they beat me up or anything, but I couldn't get away. And they had everything so planned. They were able to drive right through the gate and everything."
"The detective said they must have been watching the place for a long time."
"I thought it was the cable guy, you know? So I just opened the door. I opened the door and they came right on in. How stupid was that?"
"Not stupid. You were expecting the cable guy, they said they were the cable guy. I would have done the same thing."
"I should have asked for ID. I should have . . . They say I have to talk to a trauma counselor."
"It's a good idea."
"I guess. I just want things to go back to normal."
"That's what the trauma counselor is for. To help you get there."
"Will I? Will things ever be normal?"
"You will. You can do anything you set your mind to."
"I want to just get on with things. You know, get back to touring, to being on the road."
"Well, first we're going to take that vacation you wanted, okay?"
"Deal. Just the two of us. You and me."
"Somewhere quiet. Like, off season. So we won't get swarmed by teenies."
"At this point I'd welcome the teenies. Okay, how about . . . the Caribbean?"
"I'll make some calls. As soon as you're ready, we'll go."
"I'm ready now."
"You're wearing a hospital johnnie now."
Lance smiles for the first time in days. "You say that like it's a problem. We'll go somewhere where there's a nude beach."
"You'll make all the other boys jealous."
"I think I'll scare everyone off the beach."
"Well, we wanted it to be just the two of us."
"Good point. So I'll scare 'em off and you get the blanket all spread out."
"Deal." JC makes his voice soothing, hoping to coax Lance back to sleep. "We'll sunbathe naked and get perfect all-over tans, and then, since there's no one around for miles, because we scared them all off, we'll make love right there, with the sun pouring down on us and the ocean singing its song. And we'll go horseback riding naked at sunset . . . "
Lance could picture every image, and as the sun set in his imagination sleep finally overtakes him, a peaceful, quiet, very safe sleep. JC stays awake for a while after Lance falls asleep, watching every rise and fall of his chest, thinking how close he had come to losing him. The tears that he hadn't allowed himself earlier fall silently.
When Lance awakens the next morning JC is no longer in the bed and a nurse is wrapping a blood pressure cuff around his arm. A few more hours and he'll be home. He was going to insist on it even if they tell him he couldn't. He has to get back to his normal life, even if it means walking out of there in this hospital gown.
JC dozes quietly in the chair by the bed. Lance knows he wouldn't have slept at all if it hadn't been for JC. It isn't long before his parents arrive, and the rest of the guys, and after much discussion with the doctor Lance is allowed to go home, under the condition that he not overdo it. He's concerned about dehydration, but Lance assures him he'll eat and drink plenty of fluids when he gets home. As long as he can go home. Part of him is scared to go back there, but he knows if he doesn't the kidnappers would have taken more than just a week of his life.
Seeing the fearful look pass through Lance's eyes, JC leans in to say, "The security system has been upgraded, and we cleaned up the lamp they broke. And you won't be alone."
Sensing all eyes on him, Lance musters his courage and nods. "Thanks. I don't want to be. We can go pick up your stuff later and start moving you in."
"Tomorrow," Jim Bass cuts in. "Today you rest." They clear the room, all except JC, who stays while Lance changes into the clean clothes his mother brought him. Lance breathes in the clean scent, knowing that soon he can be home and in the shower, washing all the grime and fear that have been clinging to his skin since he was rescued.
JC stands by quietly, knowing how Lance hates to be babied, but watching for any signs of weakness. "Better?" he asks when Lance is fully dressed.
"Yeah. It feels good to be up and around again." His arms still ache, but less so than yesterday. And it really does feel good to move around. He's even looking forward to working out again. But that won't happen today. The nurse won't even let him walk out of the hospital; he's wheeled out to the waiting car, entourage in tow. Mike drives, his father in the front, his mother in the back, holding his hand, and JC on the other side.
When they arrive at the house, Mike enters first, making a show of checking every room and not letting anyone enter until he gives the all-clear. As promised, the alarm code has been changed and cameras have been installed in the yard. The house is spotless, with fresh flowers everywhere. Johnny and the guys arrive soon after, and everyone fusses over Lance well into the evening, until finally he pulls his parents aside. "Listen, I love that you're here and I don't want to you to leave Orlando yet, but if I'm going to do this I have to start tonight. JC will be here, and I promise not to stay up late."
Diane looks up as if to protest, but Jim's hand on her arm stops her. "If you're sure," she says, softly.
"I'm sure. I promise I'll call you later. I just need to know that I can do this. You can't be here all the time."
"Yes I can. But I won't." Diane hugs her son hard, as though if she let go he'd vanish. "We'll be by in the morning." She kisses his cheek, smooths back his hair, and turns to JC. Out of Lance's earshot, she says, "Make sure he keeps drinking water and give him a snack if he gets hungry again. And check all the windows and doors before bed, okay? Will you do that for me?"
"For you. And me. And him."
Diane hugs and kisses JC, then Jim orders everyone to leave. Mike won't leave until he's sure the security system is activated, and he insists on being on call all night.
When the house is finally empty, Lance puts his back to the door and sighs. "Alone at last." He holds out his hand for JC.
JC takes Lance's hand. "You never did get that shower, did you?"
"No. Everyone was so busy making sure I wasn't alone and feeding me and stuff."
JC pulls on Lance's hand. "I think I promised to wash your hair."
Lance follows willingly. "It's all I could think about today."
"Your every wish is my command."
In the bedroom, Lance says, "I wish you would kiss me."
Still holding Lance's hand, JC reaches up with his free hand to cup Lance's face as he leans in to cover Lance's mouth with his own. There's no fear or trepidation as Lance kisses back, eyes closed, heart pounding. This is what was almost taken away from him. This is what he almost lost.
JC almost forgets what they've been through as he relaxes into the kiss. Almost, because that sense of how precious Lance is to him is always there in the back of his mind.
Reluctantly, Lance pulls away. "First, the shower."
"Yeah, you sure deserve that."
As Lance starts to strip out of his clothes, he jokes, "I think it's more for your benefit. I reek."
"Oh, baby," JC says sweetly. "You DO."
Lance snuggles JC, making sure he breathes in as much of his scent as possible before kicking off his shoes and removing his pants.
"Don't worry. I'll love you no matter HOW bad you smell."
"Then you must--" But before he can finish a sound from the hallway startles him. He freezes, eyes wide, and his heart only starts beating when Jackson comes prancing in, curious as to where his owner is. Lance lets out the breath he'd been holding, his hands shaking.
JC takes both Lance's hands into his own. "Lance. Everything's locked. I checked myself. And the security system is on. You're safe here. You are."
"I know. I know that. I do. I don't know why I'm so jumpy."
"It's just going to take some time. That's all. And I'm just going to keep reminding you that you are safe."
"Maybe I'll feel better once I clean off." He has the water running and steps inside the tub, then beckons JC. "Coming?"
JC quickly strips off his clothing and joins Lance under the streaming water. He reaches for the shampoo and pours some into his hand. JC works up a rich lather in Lance's hair and then concentrates on massaging his scalp. Lance tilts his head back, lost in the soothing motions of JC's hands. As the sweet scent tingles his nose he begins to feel all the terror wash away.
Finally, after a long time, JC stops and guides Lance, his eyes closed against the soap, under the spray again and watches as the lather makes white patterns against Lance's lightly tanned skin as it sluices away. He reaches for the soap next, scrubbing Lance's skin till it's clean and slightly pink, being careful of the healing raw patches on his wrists and ankles.
Lance gives in to the tenderness with which JC so carefully washes him, allowing JC complete control. JC's nurturing side is one thing Lance loves most about him, and it's something he so desperately needs right now. As he watches the lather disappear down the drain, it's as though all the pain and fear he'd experienced the past week are washing away, leaving him clean and revived.
JC stands and smiles. "Better?"
Lance doesn't say a word. He just looks at JC with dreamy eyes and nods. "Like a new person," he finally says.
JC nods in understanding. He gestures to himself with the soap. "I should . . . you know. I don't think my own hygiene was very good, while you were, um, gone."
"I wasn't gone, JC," Lance states, taking the soap and a clean washcloth. He begins to studiously wash JC's chest. "I was kidnapped. We can say it."
"You were kidnapped and gone," JC says softly. "And it was the worst week of my life."
"It kind of sucked for me too."
"I know it did. I know. It was bad for both of us, in different ways."
"But I'm back now, and things will be better."
"They will. They already are."
"Turn around so I can do your back."
JC turns and closes his eyes, letting Lance's strong hands soothe him.
Lance waits until the soap runs down JC's back, then wets his shoulder blades with soft kisses.
"That feels good," JC practically purrs. "Really good."
Lance kisses his way up to JC's neck. "How about this?"
"Even better," JC says, his voice shifting in a way that indicates arousal.
Lance wraps his arms around JC's waist, and drops the washcloth. He begins to kiss JC's neck with more urgency, then licks and nibbles JC's large, fleshy earlobe.
JC wonders if he should stop this, wonders if Lance is ready. But Lance's lips on his neck, Lance's teeth sinking into his earlobe, Lance's erection pressing against his ass are making him forget his concerns.
Lance's hands move lower, gently fondling JC's tangle of curls until they touch the hardness between JC's legs. He never stops kissing JC or licking or nibbling. He doesn't want to break this contact after being apart from his lover for so long.
JC makes a sound that's both contented and excited, and comes from deep in his throat. He reaches back and settles a hand on Lance's hip, caressing and possessive, and presses the other hand to the smooth tiles to support them both.
Lance begins to stroke JC's length, slowly at first, nuzzling JC's neck and breathing deeply the sweet, soapy scent of their bodies.
JC's hips follow the movements of Lance's hand and he exaggerates them a bit to make sure he's rubbing, pressing against Lance's length.
His own erection straining against JC's hot, tight ass, Lance presses closer, then slowly and very carefully pushes inside.
JC manages to grunt a happy, almost musical sound as he spreads his legs a bit to better accommodate Lance.
Lance moans in JC's ear, low and guttural, as he thrusts inside JC's warm passage. He continues to stroke JC, not like he has so many times before, but as though he's touching him for the first time.
This is what JC had missed most. Not the sex itself, but the closeness, the connection it engenders. His entire body follows Lance's movement, pulsing in response to each thrust.
Taking his time, Lance just savors each moment. His senses are completely tuned into his actions. With his free hand, he touches JC's chest, his back, the strong, tight muscles of his shoulders, and he lovingly sweeps the hair from the back of JC's neck to plant wet kisses there.
With the water streaming over them and Lance's fingers and lips all over him, JC's orgasm is more of a melting than an explosion, a long, floating, dreamy sensation that seems to last forever.
Nuzzling JC's neck, Lance doesn't stop, even as he feels the warmth in his hand. Instead, he wraps both arms around JC and continues to move inside him, unwilling to break contact just yet. He wishes he could stay like this forever, but soon his own orgasm finds its release, and he's moaning against JC's shoulder again and again.
JC lets his arm relax and he collapses lightly against the wall, still breathing heavily, still wrapped in Lance's embrace.
"I love you so much," Lance says, breaking the silence and pushing JC's long, wet hair from his face.
"I love you, too," JC says hugging Lance's arms more tightly to him. "So much."
Lance rocks JC in his arms, under the warm spray. He sighs quietly, content, relaxed, and finally feeling safe at last.
When the water starts to cool, JC nudges Lance into action, quickly cleaning off all evidence of their activity before stepping out of the tub and holding up a large, soft towel for Lance to step into.
With a grateful smile, Lance allows JC to wrap him in the thick bath sheet and doesn't complain as JC dries him off.
Teasingly, JC sniffs at Lance. "Better, much better."
Lance takes a corner of the towel and rubs it on JC's face. "Glad you approve." He opens the towel and wraps JC in it, pulling him close. "It's good to be home."
"It's doubly good. Your homecoming and my housewarming."
Lance leans his head on JC's shoulder. "You're warm, all right."
"Not for long," JC giggles, snatching away the towel.
"Hey!" Lance shouts, chasing JC. "You'll scare the dog!"
JC stops and turns to Lance. "You think I'm scary-looking?" he asks, eyes wide and innocent.
"No, but if Jackson sees you running around naked he might."
"Babe, as long as we feed him, he doesn't care what we look like." But JC returns to the bathroom and quickly dries his hair, then leads Lance to the bedroom, where they slide between crisp, fresh sheets.
"Johnny wants me to talk to the press tomorrow, but after that I want to get right back to work."
"I thought you wanted to go away."
"I do. But after. I need to get back to my life."
"Then you should. Just don't push too hard, okay?"
Lance curls up against JC. "I won't. You'll be there to keep me in line."
"You're the most important thing in the world to me. You know that."
"I know. I love you, too."
JC pulls Lance closer. "Welcome home."