Justin pulled his headphones closer to his ears and he closed his eyes, allowing the music to take his mind away from everything... Or at least attempt to.

He couldn't get over the fact that Natalie was right in the next room, probably showering or laying in bed. He still couldn't believe she'd actually agreed to come with him to his house, and he almost felt bad for leaving her alone for a second.

Loudly, he sighed and scratched his head. For someone who'd only known Natalie a couple days, he sure had fallen for her pretty hard. It wasn't love... He didn't know her well enough to love her.. But there was a heavy attraction there that he knew he couldn't deny.

Did Natalie feel the same as him, he wondered? Was she sitting over in the room right across from him wondering what he was doing at that very moment? Did she think about the kiss they'd shared practically all the time? Did she ever just find herself thinking of him for no apparent reason? Did she ever steal glances at him when he wasn't looking?

He slipped the headphones off of his ears, pausing his mp3 player. He couldn't believe all of the things that were going through his head. He hadn't felt this way since he'd been dating Victoria. The thought of her made him cringe, now. There was no way Natalie could ever be compared to Victoria. Ever.

Standing up, he walked over the dresser where he looked in the mirror and combed his fingers through his curly hair. He needed to get out of the house for a little while. He just really needed to think. Everything was hitting him so hard suddenly. In two days, he'd be back on tour. He'd be trying to please everyone, trying to do everything right... Trying to be someone he wasn't. He wasn't ready to go back. He wished the break would be longer.. And would give him more time to spend with Natalie and figure his feelings out for her.

Grabbing a stray jacket that was hanging on a chair beside his door, he placed it around his shoulders before exiting his room, shutting his door behind him.

He was about to walk to the steps when he saw that Natalie's door was open. Stopping, he listened to what he thought was Natalie talking.

"Lisa..." Natalie shifted her cell phone to her other ear and sighed. "I'm at Justin's house right now..."

Lisa squealed in her ear and Natalie held the cell phone away from her ear. "Oh my god!"

"Lisa, don't get any ideas. I mean, I really do like Justin, but I just don't know if I'm his type. I mean, what if I made a move on him and found out that he didn't really like me anyways. I thought about everything you said, and some of it made sense, but I really don't know what to do. I just wish he'd tell me some of what he's feeling... I'm so confused."

"Awe, Nat."

"Lisa, you know how I am with men. I don't trust them... I mean, I trust Justin... It's just, I haven't really known him that long... and yeah we've talked a lot, but what if he isn't what I think? My mom is always warning me about men in the business...."

Justin took this opportunity to knock lightly on her door. She looked up at him and smiled, putting her finger up signifying for him to wait. "Yeah, Lis. I have to go. Okay. Yes, I'll think about it. Okay, all right sweetie. Bye." She hung the phone up and threw it onto the floor before looking to where Justin was standing. "Yes, sir?"

This was where Justin finally took the time to notice what she was wearing and how good she looked in it. A long, red, thin strapped nightgown covered her entire figure, and even though she looked completely innocent in it, he still found her incredibly sexy. Her hair was down and laid in curls down her back and Justin fought the urge to walk over to her and take her in his arms and show her that he did have feelings and attraction toward her.

"Well?" She crossed her legs and looked up at him, waiting for him to answer.

He swallowed the lump that had formed in his now dry throat and smiled. "I was just coming to say goodnight. I want to get some air, so I'm going to go take a walk."

A concerned look suddenly embraced her features. "Are you sure that's safe, Justin? Do you want me to change and go with you?"

Justin considered it for a second, and shrugged. "Well, if you really want to take a walk.. I mean, I'm fine since it's dark and everything..."

"Just hold on a second and I'll change into something." She stood up and put a hand on her hip. "Do you know if it's cold?"

"I'm not exactly sure, but I brought a jacket."

"Eh, I think I'll be fine." She grabbed a pair of gray sweatpants and a white shirt from her bag and turned to smile at him. "Give me two seconds and we can take that walk."

A couple seconds later, she emerged from the bathroom, throwing the red nightgown that had only mere seconds ago been eye candy to Justin.

He couldn't get over how completely...HOT she could be at one second, and then look completely adorable the next. Still gorgeous, but just... adorable.

"Is your mom going to be upset that we're going out this late?" Natalie asked suddenly, pulling her hair into a ponytail.

"Nah, she's used to it.. And I don't think we're going to go very far.. I just need some air."

She nodded her head, before walking past him. "Come onnnnn, slow poke!"

Justin just smiled before following her until they got to the bottom of the steps and she dashed toward the door and ran out onto Justin's front lawn. He watched her for a second from the doorway as she looked up at the sky and giggled, before he joined her.

She looked at him, her green eyes sparkling. "Ready?"

Justin nodded his head and began walking. "Just hope you can keep up."

She remained beside him, their slow pace not even evident to either of them. "So.. Where are we walking to?"

They reached the gates and Justin punched in a code to open them and then was sure to lock them again. "I'm not sure. Wherever our feet carry us."

"Okay..."

Justin watched her for a second before his hand hesitantly began making it's way closer to hers. He faltered, before he slowly allowed his hand to slide over hers. She moved her fingers to slide in between each of his, and the two continued their walk, now hand in hand.

"So..." Natalie broke the silence as they walked down the empty street. "Are you glad to have these few days off?"

Justin nodded his head quietly, while his thumb began unconsciously rubbing against the top of Natalie's hand. "Oh, I'm ecstatic. Two days isn't even enough."

"Don't you miss performing?"

"Of course. My fans are everything to me, Natalie. It's just; sometimes I get so fed up with everything. It's so hard to be something your not. I love music. I love performing. I love being on stage. I love the thrill I get when I sing to people... But I hate the whole image.. I have to be perfect... I get followed around everywhere... I can't even go out during day light with a female friend without them accusing her of being my girlfriend. It's hard to be something I'm just... not.."

Natalie tried to relate, but she knew she couldn't. All she really could do was understand and accept what he said. And after a long stance of quietness, Natalie spoke very softly. "I'm sorry."

"Great.. Now I scared you."

"Oh, no.. I was just trying to imagine how I would feel if people followed me everywhere. I don't think I'd be able to not shop. I would die... But you can't just go shop, can you, Justin?"

He shook his head. "No, but it's not that bad... I get people to shop for me!"

She bumped his shoulder with her own and smiled. "I really like talking to you, Justin."

"I like being with you, Natalie. It's fun to have someone who will listen to your problems and not analyze them and try to change my thoughts."

Natalie shivered when a small gust of wind blew through her hair. "It's starting to get chilly."

Justin released her hand and shrugged the jacket he had been wearing from his shoulders before handing it to Natalie. "You're lucky I'm very warm blooded."

She pulled the baggy jacket onto her body and immediately cursed herself for saying she was cold. The sweet aroma of his cologne now invaded her senses and the jacket was still warm from him wearing it.

"So, Natalie..."

"It's really pretty out tonight." She stated suddenly, looking up at the sky.

Justin looked up too and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it is."

"Hmm... We should probably start back because I don't want your mom and Paul getting upset. It's pretty late."

Justin felt the slight resentment of the statement in her voice, but agreed. "Yeah.. It's getting late and we're going to want to rest up. Don't be surprised if I sleep in all day."

She walked beside him, her hands buried inside the warm jacket. "I may just do the same.."

The two were mainly quiet until they got back to the mansion and they walked up the stairs together, pausing in front of Natalie's room. "I hope you're enjoying yourself so far." Justin said, his voice hopeful.

"You're being an excellent hostess, and your family is amazing."

He shuffled his feet and looked at the ground before looking back up at her. "So, you probably want to go to bed, so I'll let you go."

She nodded. "Yeah..."

"Night, Nat."

He began to turn, but Natalie reached out to touch his shoulder. "Wait..."

Turning, he looked at her in suspicion. "Yeah?"

"You forgot your jacket!" She unzipped it and pulled it from around her and handed it to him.

"Oh.." He swung the jacket over his shoulder and looked at her for a moment.

She wasn't exactly sure what she was feeling at the moment, but she did acted upon instinct, and moved closer to him, standing on her tip toes so that she could place a sweet, gentle kiss on his lips.

Justin opened his lips slightly over hers to return the favor, and he lifted his hand to sweetly place on her cheek before they pulled away. His thumb ran across her moist lips before he removed his hand.

Natalie breathed in deeply and smiled. "Goodnight, Justin."

She disappeared into her room and Justin watched the door close. "The things you do to me, Natalie.. I can't wait to see what else you have in store for me."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

(a week later)

The tour buses drove quickly to there next destination in early hours as everyone still slept. Natalie was curled up in her blanket with headphones and a cd player still hooked up. She didn't sleep at all that night. It had been a few days since she had been at Justin's with him, but she was still thinking about it. He was invading all of her thoughts and dreams. It wasn't that she didn't like it, but it was bothersome.

Slowly, her hand went to the curtain to open slightly to see if it was daylight yet. She was sure that it was morning when the sun flooded into her small bunk. A yawn escaped her mouth as she opened it the rest of the way with her cd player still in her hands, headphones covering ears. She jumped out of the bunk and made her way to the back. Natalie was sure that everyone else was still sleeping, so she kept quiet.

After sitting down on the couch, her thoughts were disturbed by a thumping noise. She bent over to look down by the bunks. What she saw was totally unexpected. Mandy, the make-up artist for the tour, was standing there with her bags and she brought one down from her bunk that caused the thump that Natalie heard.

Curiousity got the best of her, so she stood up and walked over to where Mandy was. "Are you ok Mandy?"

Mandy sighed, zipping up one of her last bags and putting the strap of her purse on her shoulder, positioning it so it wouldn't slip off. "I'm perfectly fine. How are you Natalie?"

Natalie shrugged and looked down to see all of her luggage. "I'm fine...but what are you doing with all of your luggage?"

Mandy picked up two of the bags and quickly put them up front before returning to Natalie. "Let's go talk in the back."

Natalie nodded, following after her. She sat down on the couch across from Mandy. "Ok, so what's up?"

Mandy sighed and set her head on her hands. "I'm quitting."

"Why?"

"I just can't take it. It's not the guys. They are perfectly fine and some of the best angels I've met but the chaos that comes with them is just not for me. I don't even deal with them, but the constant screaming even before a show and all of that, it's giving me headaches. Of course then there's all of the stuff I have to do with make-up for them. They dont' require a lot, but I have to do this almost every night and I can't handle it. Plus, there are family things going on at home that I have to be home for and I just didn't know if I could do it anymore without flipping out, so I'm leaving before hand."

Natalie had never really commuticated with Mandy except for on the bus, but she was glad that she was hearing why. "Well, I'm very sorry. I'm sure we'll all miss you. I bet the guys will too."

Mandy shrugged her shoulders and rolled her neck in attempt of getting comfortable. "I hope they don't think that it's them. I would feel bad, but I just need to get away from this. I hope they find a new make-up artist soon."

"Are you just quitting today? Or did you already tell Johnny about it?"

Mandy smiled warmly at Natalie, who was younger than her. "I told Johnny about a week ago that I wanted to leave today or tomorrow, and he said that would be fine because it wouldn't be hard to find someone to do the guys' make-up just for the tour and that t.v stations could do it instead of me. I guess I'm easily replacable."

"I doubt that highly, you've been with these guys forever."

"True, but it's the end now."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

(at the venue)

Natalie walked around while the guys' did their soundcheck. She talked to a few tour people and just hung around with the dancers. When she spotted Johnny Wright walking around, she ran up to him. "Johnny!"

Johnny turned around to see Natalie's smiling face. "Hey, what do you need?"

"Um, so did Mandy leave today?"

Johnny sighed and nodded his head. "Yea."

"So why are you here? You usually don't tag along..."

"I know, but I'm looking all around for a new make-up lady."

Natalie nodded her head and thought for a second. All of a sudden it came to her. "Johnny, is there anyway that I could do it? I mean, when I did the whole hair thing, it also included make-up for me, so it's not like that I don't know how to do it. I could easily do it for the guys, and I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem. Well, that's if you didn't find anyone yet, but I'll do it if you need."

Johnny smiled and brought out a clip board and looked at it to see who all was lined up for him to talk to. He noticed that all of those people were on vacation or hadn't been available to call earlier. "Well, you would be paid for both you know, and you would be running on very short time.. Are you sure you'd be able to do it?"

Natalie confidentally nodded her head. "There is no doubt about it that I could do it."

The soundcheck was over and Justin ran over to Nataie and Johnny to listen in on the conversation.

Johnny sighed and shrugged back at Natalie. "If you think you could do it, you can, but that's only if you think you can. I don't want to stick you with something that you can't do, because then it would just end up in a mess and you might quit. To tell you the truth, you are probably the best hair-dresser that we've had, and that would be a shame if you would have to leave due to stress. Taking on two jobs for this tour is definately a burden."

Justin stepped up and grinned. "What would you be doing Natalie?"

Natalie looked over at Justin and breathed deeply. "I might replace Mandy."

"The make-up artist?"

"Yes Justin, that's her."

"Why would you do that?"

Natalie shrugged. "Well, she quit due to some things and I figured, since I learned professionaly how to do both of them, I mine as well do both, you know?"

Justin shook his head and put his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth. "I dont' want you to get too stressed out, that would be bad. I want you to stay on this tour, and if you take on two jobs, you'll end up quitting. You don't need that extra job on your shoulders anyway. Besides, I'm sure it's not hard to find someone to do make-up for us. Come on, that would get them out in the world..."

"Justin, control your ego buddy..."

Johnny shook his head at the two before concentrating on Natalie. "If you're going to do it, tell me before the show, so I can tell the assistant that she doesn't have to do it tonight, ok Natalie? I need to know, so don't forget to get a hold of me."

"All right Johnny, I'll probably do it, so don't worry."

When Johnny left, Justin shook his head. "Natalie, I don't think you should put that extra weight on your shoulders, that's just too much."

Natalie smiled at Justin and put her hands on his shoulders. "Don't worry about it, it'll all work out."

"I don't want you to end up leaving us."

"You like me? You really like me! YES!" Natalie giggled and put her hands to her sides. "Jeez Justin, I wouldn't leave, I've been having too much fun, you know that."

Justin sighed. "Well, just promise me that if it gets to be too much that you will quit one of them and just calm down."

"I promise."

Natalie and Justin walked around looking at everything. Natalie sighed in amazement. "It's amazing how this place will be completely filled tonight and there will be no extra space for people to walk around like they are right now. It's amazing."

Jusitn smiled and took Natalie's hand and walked over to the stage with her where the other guys were standing with Wade and Laura. Laura looked over to see them walking towards them and she nudged Jc, who was standing beside her. "Hey Jc, look at what's coming over to see us."

Jc looked to see Justin, holding Natalie's hand, walking over to them. "I see that."

"And you're jealous."

"Of Justin having Natalie? No."

Laura shook her head and grinned. "No silly, that I'm winning this damned bet.."

"Oh, no you aren't. There is still plenty of time."

"This is so wrong. We're toying with their hearts and they dont' know about it. It's evil."

Jc shrugged. "We'll just say that it's pay back for everything Justin's ever done, well that would be my excuse, and you have none, so you're screwed."

"Oh thanks."

Justin sighed and looked around at everyone. "Well, Mandy quit."

Lance looked up with a shocked face. "Are you serious?"

"Yes Lance, you can't go chasing her anymore.. She quite supposedy just because she was tired, but Natalie said that it wasn't our fault. She talked to her this morning."

Natalie nodded her head and let go of Justin's hand to sit down. "I'm taking over her job."

Joey's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Yea."

"You can do that too?"

"Sure can."

Joey sighed. "What can't you do?"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

(that night at the show)

Natalie and Laura walked through the crowds of fans to the VIP box where their seats were. They took their seats and Natalie released a sigh. "I love watching the show."

Laura nodded her head in agreement. "I agree, but it gets old after seeing it a bunch of times."

"True.. Where's Wade? You usually come in here with him... Did you lose him?"

Laura shook her head. "No, I didn't lose him, I just told him I'd be coming in here with you. He said he'd come in eventually probably with Steve, or something."

"Oh. So how was your short vacation with him?"

Laura sighed. "I don't know. It was fun."

"What did you guys do?"

Laura, wanting to change the subject, took it in her will to change it. "Did you have fun with Justin?"

Natalie giggled and shook her head. "I asked you first. What happened?"

Laura shrugged her shoulders and plopped her feet up on another chair, attempting to get comfortable. "Nothing really, we went around looking at stuff, visited my parents, watched movies and that's about it."

Natalie kept quiet for a second before saying another thing. "So, when are you guys going to hook up?"

Laura turned her head, trying to avoid the question. She didn't really want to talk about it, but she knew she'd have to face it anyway. Natalie was going to be nagging about it, so she mine as well just do it and get it over with. Laura turned her head back to Natalie and sighed. "It's not going to happen."

"What do you mean?"

"We talked about it."

"He turned you down?"

Laura shook her head. "Natalie, I wouldn't want to ruin our friendship, it means too much to me to lose. I wouldn't want to ruin the relationships with each other's families either. I mean, come on, what if it wouldn't work? That would ruin everything. My mom wouldnt' want to talk to Wade's mom and vice versa. I don't want to take the risk."

Natalie sighed and looked straight at Laura. "Laura, it's worth the risk.. Have you guys even taken any step towards a relationship that would help you see what you guys feel?"

Laura kept silent. She didn't need to talk about the kiss. Not now at least. It was none of Natalie's business. They still didn't know all that much about each other, but they immediately clicked, even if they disagreed a lot, but if she mentioned the kiss, that would ruin the conversation. All it would be about would be the kiss and how much Laura should be with Wade and so forth. Laura didn't want to put up with being set up that night, she just wanted to enjoy the show, go back to the bus and go to sleep. At least while they were in the bus, Laura didn't have to share a bunk like sharing a bed with Wade in a hotel room. She didn't mind sharing a bed, but she wanted to be alone.

Natalie looked at Laura, still waiting for an answer. "So, did you guys even do anything at all?"

Laura shook her head. "No."

Natalie raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "How come I don't believe you?"

"I don't know, you tell me, Natalie."

Natalie sighed deeply. "I'll nag you later, but you will tell me whatever happened. I don't believe you."

"Whatever you say Natalie."

Laura looked over when Wade sat down beside her with Steve following him, sitting behind them. Wade bent over and kissed Laura's cheek briefly before looking at the stage. "When's it going to start?"

Laura shrugged, touching her cheek. "I dont' know, I think it should happen soon, they're ready.. I know that."

Wade nodded his head, moving his arm to go around her shoulders, holding her protectively. "You ok?"

Laura looked up and sighed deeply. "Yea, I'm fine, why?"

Wade shrugged his shoulders before lowering his head slightly. "I don't know, you just don't look to happy."

Natalie looked over at them and smiled to herself. She knew she was right. Something happened, and neither of them looked willing to talk. She did believe Laura thought about nothing going on right now and them not being together or anything, but she did know that something happened either while they were gone or before they left because they weren't acting the same. Usually they would be picking on each other, laughing and having a good time, not just sitting there relaxing silently.

When 'Space Cowboy' came up, Natalie shook her head and looked over at Laura. "This will get good."

Laura grinned and nodded her head. "Oh yes, there's no doubt about that. I wonder how pumped Jc is tonight.."

"Or how evil Chris will look."

"Or how hyper Justin will be."

"Or how loser like Lance will be."

"Or how Joeyish Joey will be."

Natalie looked over at Laura and laughed. "Right."

Laura shrugged and watched the guys as they jumped on the bulls that soon started to move. "Oh know, here we go."

Natalie covered her eyes. "Tell me when it's over."

"NO! WATCH IT! It's like the best part."

Wade looked over at Laura and raised an eyebrow. "It is?"

"Hey, they look FUNNY and good there, I can't help it. It's fun to watch how crazy they get and how much they look turned on just by jumping on bulls. It's the most amusing thing I've ever seen."

"Oh really?"

Laura nodded her head and smiled. "Yes and oh, I want to leave during 'The Game is Over' though, that is just scary."

Natalie laughed along with Laura and watched the guys on the bulls. "I agree with you Laura, I wouldn't want to stay for that performance. We've seen that one too much."

"I can't wait till 'No Strings Attached'. That's like one of my favorite songs... well and then there's 'Fallin'. Oh well."

Natalie sighed dreamily, thinking of Justin. "I like 'Gone'."

Laura shook her head and smiled. "Figures."

"Why do you say that?"

Laura looked over at Natalie with wide eyes. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I am."

"Goodness, you and Justin practically drool all over each other. I love the performances your lil Ju Ju puts on. Especially when he looks at you. He never stops smiling. He looks like a doll with that permanent smile problem he has going on. It's ridiculous."

"What are you talking about?"

Laura pointed to Justin, who was on the stage, staring right at the box right at Natalie. "I don't know Natalie, just the way he's staring at you."

"He's not staring, he's looking around."

"Natalie, there are several places to look around and he choses to look back here? Sure.. of course there is nothing going on."

Natalie sighed and pretty much stayed quiet the rest of the show. Her and Justin still hadn't been able to talk all that much and it was bothering her. She really wanted to just get it out of her chest. All of the feelings that were in her chest were bothering her. She needed to talk to him and it would have to happen soon. If she was going to do anything about a relationship with Justin, she figured she mine as well do it soon because it was never going to happen if she didn't do it soon.

Chapter Seventeen

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