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Title:  Access Denied
Author:  Jules
Part: 1/1
Rating:  PG
Pairing:  Hmmmm you'll see
Disclaimer:  Although the events happened, it was not as depicted here.  Fiction for entertainment purposes only
Notes:  Justin was at a club and Joey and JC were not given access to the ëupper level VIP room'.  I don't know what happened, I don't particularly care.  I just thought I'd write my spin on things.


~Justin~

Everyone thought it was because of his ego.  People were talking about ëthe snub' all over the world, saying that Justin Timberlake had actually become what everyone thought he had been all along, a complete and utter snob.  Now that he'd officially gone off on his own, leaving the rest of his band mates behind, he would stop pretending he wasn't better than them and show the world that he was, or at least that he thought he was.  And with one decision, one shake of his head he'd done that, causing a ripple to mar what had been talked about as the best band breakup of all time.  Backstreet's breakup had been messy, vocal and bitter, everyone voicing their opinions on who'd been to ultimately cause the demise of their success, Nick.  NSYNC had decided to go the alternate route, be the ësupportive' friends and congratulate Justin for doing his own thing and moving up in the world.  Until recently.


People had been questioning how genuine their support had been throughout the whole break, citing that no matter how good of friends they all were, it had to hurt at least a little that Justin would leave them behind and do his own thing. And not just do his own thing, but do it and be so successful with it.  What they couldn't understand that no, there was no animosity between the five of them, not about that.  Chris, Joey, Lance and JC couldn't care less that they were being considered as Justin's background vocals in NSYNC, that they weren't half of the international success that Justin was and still could be.  That wasn't what had caused the rift between the five men, although the media loved to think it was.  The rift was because of something entirely different, something that no one would have even imagined let alone believed if they were told.


So they were at a club, well actually it was an old style theatre turned into a club, but the venue wasn't the issue.  The new ëit' thing to do at clubs in LA was to have segregated VIP sections.  Levels of VIP, really.  The higher the VIP status you had, the higher the star quality rating you had.  Being an old theatre, there were two balconies, both considered the elite of the elite.  Justin had occupied one.  Justin, Cameron and their posse.  Entourage if you will.  They were all schmoozing on one balcony, able to look down their noses at everyone else in the club, everyone else except Janet Jackson and her posse that were enjoying the mirroring balcony on the other side.  They were elite.

They were the ëchosen ones.'


Justin had gotten wind that JC and Joey were downstairs enjoying themselves, mingling with what could be considered the B level stars, or even C level, he wasn't quite sure and he didn't really care.  They weren't his business anymore.  At one time of their lives, they were best of friends, brothers, but now he was on his own and he'd left them behind.  Or they'd left him behind, it wasn't quite clear and Justin didn't enjoy harping on the past.  He just knew that he wasn't part of NSYNC anymore, never would be and now he had his own life to live, his own successes to celebrate.  Friends that would keep their loyalties.

"J, man.  Joey and JC are downstairs.  Heard you were up here and wanted to say hey,"  Trace said into his ear.  Justin had already gotten two calls from them.  One from Joey's phone, one from JC's.  He'd ignored both and continued talking to Cam, barely blinking when he'd seen their names on his Caller ID.  They were two of the last people he was interested in talking to on the phone, let alone in person.  "What should I tell security?"

Justin's ice blue eyes focused on Trace's and he took a deep breath.  Did he want them up there?

 

He shook his head just slightly, his lips formed into a thin, straight line.  No.  He didn't even have to say the word, it was understood.  His friend relayed the message and access was denied.  They wouldn't be allowed up.  He couldn't ignore the curiosity growing in the back of his mind so he looked down from the balcony to where Joey and JC were standing by the railing, talking to a few other people he vaguely recognized.  No one particularly interesting or important.

 

He saw the bouncer break into their conversation and say a few words to them.  He saw a brief glance pass between his once best friends before they both turned their gazes upwards, meeting his watching eyes.

 

Justin almost felt a pang of regret.  Almost.  But then he saw something creep into JC's eyes and the older man's lips curl into a smile and regret turned back into the rage he'd been used to for the past few months, past year and a half.  They looked at each other again and shrugged.  Joey discreetly looked around before smirking and giving him the finger, hidden of course from everyone's view but still, Justin saw it and that's what he'd wanted.

Minutes later they were gone and Justin sat back, Cameron attached to his side and his drink up to his lips.  Fuckers.

 

~Joey & JC~

 

They'd gotten to the club after Justin.  At least they'd assumed so because one of the first things said to them in passing was "Timberlake and his entourage are in the upper left balcony'.  The first thing that came to Joey's mind was ëhis left our ours?'

Neither really cared and they simply shrugged and continued further into the club.  They weren't here for Justin and were sure as hell not going to let him ruin the night.  Joey hadn't been out out in forever, and JC needed some serious cheering up.  The VIP rating system could kiss both of their asses, they weren't there for appearances they were there for a good time, and they would be having that no matter what level they were on.

The guys were proud of Justin, they knew that and he knew that.  What everyone else said wasn't their problem and for the most part they'd learned to ignore it.  When they'd gone into the group, it was understood that it wouldn't last forever.  One day someone was going to want to go on their own and no one would stop them.  They always knew that Justin would be the one to break out first and so when it came down to it, there was no surprise. No anger and no bitterness.  JC was admittedly bitter, but not at Justin but moreso at Jive.  But that was far beyond anything anyone could even begin to understand.  So for all intensive purposes, the five of them were cool.

 

Joey loved obscurity.  He still had fans approach him, still had girls trying to get him into bed, and still had the perks of being in one of the most successful musical acts of all time.  He loved being on Broadway, loved his daughter, loved his life.  If asked to sit down and think about Justin's decision and how it affected him personally, Joey would have to admit that he should thank Justin for having the group take a break, it was just what he needed in his life at that moment.  He would have still toured and been with NSYNC had they not taken the break, but it showed him that there was life outside of NSYNC and that life was worth living.

JC enjoyed working on his own material, his own CD.  He was being screwed six ways to Sunday, but it wasn't anyone's fault but his own and Jive's.  He couldn't blame Justin that they marketed him better, that they felt his popularity outshone anyone elses and that he wasn't the same star quality as his younger band mate.  JC loved having time to himself, loved to be able to do the things he was, at his own pace and on his own terms.  People didn't mind what he did as much anymore, didn't care and that allowed for him to live his life how he wanted.  And he had Justin to thank for that.

 

They were at the club for maybe an hour, an undetermined amount of drinks consumed.  Joey leaned in close to JC and whispered into his ear, "you think he'd even let us in if we asked?"  His lips were curled into a sly grin and his eyes flicked up to the balcony.

 

 JC snorted and downed the remainder of his drink.  "No."

 

 "I think he would, just to play up that he'd letting his less fortunate ëbrothers' come up to his level.  He's into the charity work.  I say yes."

 

"Go for the tie breaker.  I've got," JC looked into his wallet and pulled out a one hundred dollar bill.  "One hundred that says he doesn't."

 

Joey nodded, "I've got a hundred that says he does."  He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a familiar number, waiting for the person on the other end to pick up.

 

"Hello?"  The voice asked upon answering the call."

 

Joey explained the situation at hand.  "So, what do you say.  C's got a hundred saying no, I've got a hundred saying yes."

 

The person on the other end of the line laughed, low and throaty.  "I'm with C baby, he's not going to let you two up.  He'd let you guys up the day he let me up."

"Okay, so two no, one yes.  I'll let you know."  Joey hung up and dialed Justin's number.  It rang until voice mail picked up and Joey disconnected.  "You try."

 

JC dialed, meeting the same fate.  "He's not answering.  Ask the bouncer."

It took ten minutes to be denied access.  "I'm sorry gentlemen, we've reached maximum capacity and you are not allowed upstairs.  Mr. Timberlake regretsÖ"

 

Joey cut him off.  "Mr. Timberlake is a pussy."  He met JC's gaze before they both looked up, watching Justin watch them.  When he was certain no one would see, Joey gave his youngest ex-band mate the finger, showing him exactly what he thought about him and his exclusive VIP party.

Neither he nor JC missed the ongoing flow up and down from the upstairs balcony.  It was Justin's call not fire code hazards that kept them out.  "You owe us each a hundred bucks," JC pointed out, grinning wickedly.  Joey rolled his eyes as he watched the other man pull out his cell phone.  They made their way to the bar where two more drinks were produced for them.  Joey could hear JC's conversation.  "Denied, totally denied, even watched as we got the news." 

 

Joey was surprised when JC handed him the phone. "What?"

"He wants to talk to you."

Joey brought the phone to his ear and smiled.  "Yeah?"

 

"You really thought he'd let you two up?  You're cavorting with the enemy you know, it's considered treason in some parts of the world.  Not just that you're friends with me, but engaging in a sexual and romantic relationship with me.  You've committed the worst of the worst of crimes.  I'm not surprised he'd even let you anywhere near where he is."

 

"I figured he'd know that it doesn't always have to be about him.  That we're not about him and our relationship isn't his business."

 

"Doesn't matter, he sees it as you two being traitors.  You both are expected to pick sides, and you picked mine.  It's over, you're out.   So now that you've been dissed and dismissed by the great Justin Timberlake, what are you two going to do?"

 

Joey cocked his head to the side and flashed JC a knowing smirk. "I was thinking be sucked and fucked by the great Nick Carter."  JC nodded and their drinks were abandoned immediately as they headed towards the door.  

Nick's laughter sounded through JC's cell phone loud and clear.  "You're just in luck, I have an opening in my schedule for both a suck and a fuck for two.  I'll be waiting."

The call disconnected and all three men shivered in anticipation.   Justin may have his party going on in the upper balcony, but they had their own party going on, and it was promising a hell of a lot more action.

 
 Finis

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