Marc awoke to the soft snoring of Joey. Turning his head to watch his friend sleep Marc thought, 'Boy, am I going to miss you guys. I've never had close friends before, I've really enjoyed this week. Alright, Marc you have to stop doing this to yourself. Tomorrow they go back on tour. They will walk out the door and you will become just a memory. You'll see them at the concert, but then we will be on with our separate lives.  Ok Marc, get your ass in gear. You have people coming today. Keep yourself busy and stop thinking about what can never be.'

Getting out of bed, Marc headed for the bathroom to shower and get dressed.  He bumped into Justin coming out of the bathroom.
"Morning, Just."

"Morning," he mumbled with half closed eyes.

"You heading back to bed?"

Justin just nodded and walked into a wall.

Laughing at Justin, Marc led him back to his side of the bed and tucked him in. 

After dressing, he went into the kitchen to make a list of what he needed to get for the cookout. Opening the refrigerator, he was surprised to find it full. Evidently, Sara brought the needed food with her yesterday when she left the note. 

'Well I think a good breakfast is in order for the day. It looks like we have enough for a feast. Let's see, pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage, eggs, and biscuits and sausage gravy. If that's not enough, there is always cereal.'

The smell of breakfast cooking got everyone up and going. 

"Morning, Marc. Are you cooking for an army?" asked Lance with a grin, after seeing the spread.

"We will need all the energy we can get today. We have twelve kids to keep an eye on."

"Well, there are six of us so that's two apiece, that shouldn't be too bad," said Joey.

"Yeah, that's one kid per eye," joked Chris.

"I hope you like going around cross-eyed. Because you know they're going to be everywhere and into everything. Our only hope is some of them are fans and you get them to follow you around all day."

"Too bad they're boys. Girls would be easier to control," said Justin.

Everybody stared at Justin in disbelief. 

"Yeah, if you wanted to end your career. I can see the headlines 'N SYNC Hosts Wild Party for Dozen Underage Female Fans. Pictures on pages 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12,'" said Marc.

"You know I didn't mean it like that. I just . . . Oh hell, that's why I'm no good first thing in the morning. You know my brain doesn't work until I've had breakfast," said Justin.

Swatting Justin up the back of the head, Lance said, "Watch your language Justin! Especially around the kids."

Marc glared at Lance, not approving of his actions. 

"Come on, let's get breakfast over with before my guests start showing up." 

At breakfast, the day's activities were discussed. It was decided that Marc and Lance would take care of the food. Justin and Joey would take care of the jet-ski riding, taking the boys out one at a time and riding tandem. Josh and Chris would keep an eye on the swimming and on-shore activities. 

"It looks like we have everything covered," said Chris.

"Well actually we do have two more helpers, my Dad and Sara. I expect Josh will have some help," smirked Marc.

"Yeah, Josh can always use some help, does your Dad do brain transplants?" asked Joey as he ran out the door, with Josh not far behind.

Hearing a car pull in, Marc went out to greet his Dad and Sara. 

Tom smiled at Marc as he got out of the car. Marc quickly walked over to greet them.

Marc went up to his Dad and gave him a big hug. The hug lasted longer than normal and Tom felt a shudder from Marc. Stepping back, he looked at Marc with concern. "What's wrong?" he whispered.

Hesitating Marc softly said, "Nothing, I'm just glad to see you."

Coming around the car, Sara noticed Marc's reaction to her father's question. "Hey, don't I get any of that?"

Smiling at Sara, Marc enveloped her in a big bear hug. "Of course you do. Don't I always share?" he said while picking her up and swinging her around before putting her down with a kiss on the cheek.

"We've got ice in the trunk, let's get it unloaded and the get the soda cooled down," said Tom.

"CHRIS!! JUSTIN!!" shouted Marc. 

Justin and Chris came to the door. "What you need?"

"We have a trunk full of ice and soda. We need to get it into the tubs on the patio."

Tom picked up two cases of soda while Justin and Chris grabbed bags of ice and they all headed around the house to the patio. 

As Marc went to grab some ice out of the trunk, Sara stopped him with a hand on his arm. Looking at him and knowing something was wrong, she asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Smiling at his sister with misty eyes, Marc nodded his head, "But not right now, later, ok?"

"Sure. How about a walk?"

"Yeah, later," Marc said as he picked up his load and headed around back.

While Lance was getting the grill set up, Marc went down to the boathouse. He found Joey fueling the jet-skis.

"Joe, how is the fuel? Will we need more?" 

"Yeah, I used the last of it topping off the tanks. I'll go and fill the cans in a bit."

"Ok, take my car. The body shop will be here this morning to pick up the van and return your rental. My keys are on the hook by the front door."

Chris entered the boathouse asking, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Oh, Chris, good. Will you help me set up the volley ball net?"

"Sure, what else needs to be done?"

"We need the safety equipment taken out to the dock. The hook pole and both flotation rings, if something goes wrong we don't want anyone losing his life trying to be a hero."

The scouts showed up around 10:00 and, to everybody's surprise, no one seemed to be recognized. In fact, the scouts thought it was neat that these older guys were willing to spend the day with them. Swimming and jet skiing took up the morning. Marc and Lance had lunch ready by 1:00 and called everyone in to eat. 

After lunch, everyone joined in a volleyball tournament. There were enough people to make four teams of five players. Marc's team was eliminated in the first round. After watching the others play the next round, Marc found himself standing by the water's edge, deep in thought.

Sara came up beside Marc, and not saying anything, took his hand, standing with him. He squeezed Sara's hand as they turned and walked down the beach. They walked for ten minutes without saying anything.

"Marc, what's wrong? Did something happen this week?"

Marc, smiling slightly, said, "Yeah, I made some new friends."

"You've made friends before."

"I know. But never close friends, up until this week you and Dad were the only people I was really ever close to."

"Why is that?"

"Afraid, I guess."

"Afraid of what?"

"Letting people get too close. I was afraid of being hurt by them."

"You weren't afraid of Dad and me. Why?"

"At first, when I woke up, everything scared the shit out of me. Everything was so new. Everybody was a stranger, hell; I was a stranger to myself. I didn't know who to trust."

"It didn't take long for you to trust us."

"You two had a head start. I got to know and trust you while I was still in the coma. I knew even then, that you would never hurt me and that you cared for me. After I woke up, you taught me how to trust and how to love."

"So what's the problem?"

"I made five really good friends this week."

"And that's a problem?"

Walking quietly for a few minutes, Marc finally said, "Sara, they're more than just friends."

"Really, how much more?"

"Do you think Dad would mind adopting my five brothers?" said Marc with a smile.

"Oh, you did get close. So why are you so down?"

"They're leaving tomorrow," Marc said, as his eyes filled with tears.

Sara looked at her brother's face and wiped a tear from his cheek, "Boy, Marc, you've got it bad, don't you."

Marc stood there, looking at the sky, not saying anything.

"May I ask which one you fell for?"

He replied with a sigh, "All of them."

"You're in love, with all of them?" asked Sara, a little astonished. 

Giggling Marc said, "I'm not in love with them. I love them. I've found something that's been missing in my life for so long. Tomorrow they leave and I don't want them to leave."

"Oh, for a minute there I thought we were going to have a fight over Josh."

"I must say, Sis, he is cute. And from what I've seen in the shower . . ."

"Marc, I don't want to hear this!"

"Don't you want to know what he . . ."

"No, thank you. I'd rather find out for myself."

Marc stood there grinning at his sister as the blush rose in her face.

Hitting her brother in the arm, she said,  "Marc! You ass. You set me up again." 

Laughing, Marc said, "When, or if you ever find out for yourself, I think you won't be disappointed."

"That good?" she replied, smiling shyly.

"Maybe even better than good," Marc said, grinning broadly.

"This is too weird. Talking about my boyfriend with my brother."

"Boyfriend? Josh sure works fast. When did you two have a date that I wasn't at?"

"Marc, I do like Josh a lot. And if there's any chance . . ."

"Sara, the odds are with you. He likes you too."

Smiling, Sara asked, "He does?"

"There's a full moon out tonight. Why not get him to take a walk."

As Sara took Marc's hand, they continued their walk.

"Marc, how much do they know about you?"

"Just the main story. How I came to be here. And school."

"Do they know about your . . ."

"Sexual orientation?"

"Yeah, that."

"Why can't you say it?"

"I don't know."

"Have I disappointed you that much?"

"Oh no, Marc. You've never disappointed me. It's just the word gay. It doesn't fit you. I know you are attracted to men. But you just don't fit the stereotype of the word gay."

"Yeah, I guess I don't fit the stereotype. That's not me. And to answer your question, no they don't know."

"Are any of them gay?"

Laughing, Marc answered, "How would I know?"

"I thought you could tell."

"Sara, this myth about gaydar, is just that. If Justin showed up for breakfast in a dress then maybe I would know if he's gay. But until they tell you, there's no way to know for sure."

"Is there anyone you're interested in?"

"No! They're my brothers, it wouldn't be right."

"Ah, there is someone your interested in, isn't there?"

"Sara, drop it please."

"Ok. What about next week?"

"Oh, I plan to attend their concert on Friday."

"What about Saturday? Do they know about you and the symphony?"

"No, I haven't said anything about that."

"Why not?"

"They leave the next day for Milwaukee , they have interviews and rehearsals set for that day."

"I think you should tell them. I'm sure they would want to be there for you. After all how many times do you get to conduct a symphony orchestra?"

"Well, funny you should say that. The Chicago, Boston, New York and Houston symphonies are all interested in Winter's End for their fall/winter schedules."

"Oh, Marc, that's wonderful! When did you find out?"

"This morning, when I checked my e-mail, there were messages for me to call them."

"They all want you."

"No. They are just interested. I think it will hinge on the PBS Concert broadcast. If they like what they see, then we will talk about scheduling." 

"Well, Dad and I plan to be there for support. You did get us seats?"

"I didn't get you seats, I got you a box."

"Marc, please think about telling them about your concert. I think they would want to be there for you."

"I'll think about it. Let's head back."

"Marc."

"Yes"

"Are you going to tell them about Marcus?"

"No. I'm not ready to deal with Marcus right now. Can we just drop the subject?"

"Yeah, sure.  Marc"

"Yes, Sara."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Upon returning from their walk, Marc found the scouts busy cleaning up the yard and returning all the equipment to the boathouse in preparation for leaving. Spotting Marc on the beach, the scouts went over to thank him for the great day. Marc and the boys talked as he walked them to the waiting vans. After saying his final good byes, Marc went back to the patio area.

"That went well," said Chris.

"Yeah, no one recognized us," said Justin sounding disappointed.

Giggling at their comments, Marc said, "I hate to burst your bubble, but you were recognized. The kids were just being cool, not letting on that they knew who you were." 

"Really, how do you know?" asked Lance.

"Before they got in the vans to leave, they asked me to see if I could get your autographs for them."

"They were cool," said Chris.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect anything else, they’re scouts," smirked Marc.

"What are we doing for supper? I'm getting hungry," asked Justin.

"Just, you always seem to be hungry," laughed Marc. "But I'm afraid it will have to be leftovers."

"Hot Dogs and hamburgers again!" whined Justin. 

"No. Sara brought steaks for tonight. Besides there wasn't anything left from lunch."

"Cool, can I cook? I cook great steaks," asked Justin.

"That he can do," said Lance with a smile, "Steak, grilled cheese and cereal."

"Well, I won't have to worry about you ever starving," laughed Marc. "I'll take mine medium, Justin."

The meal, for once that day, was not rushed. And Marc had to admit Justin could cook steaks. The meal was very relaxed and conversation was on the light side. Marc sat quietly, enjoying the time he had left with his friends.

While the dishes were being cleared, Marc slipped away and went down to the dock to think.

"Sara, is there something wrong with Marc? He was very quiet tonight," asked Josh.

Hesitating, and not knowing if she should say anything, she replied, "Marc is just a little bummed out."

"Why?"

"You guys are leaving in the morning, and he's having a rough time dealing with it. He's grown attached to you guys," said Sara. Looking up at Josh, she found a very strange look on his face.

"Shit! We forgot to make the call today!" exclaimed Chris as he rushed into the cabin for his cell phone. Punching numbers as he returned, he put the phone to his ear then mumbled under his breath as he tried another number. "No answer. Pete must have his cell off."

"Chris, check your voicemail. Maybe he left a message there," suggested Lance.

Chris punched the number to his voice mail and listened. "There are two messages."

"Well?" quizzed Justin.

"Hold on, the first one is from my mom," he said while holding his hand up to keep everyone quiet. Chris listened to the second message. As he did, he got the biggest grin on his face.

"Yes!" 

Pushing the button to repeat the message, he handed the phone to Joey. The phone was passed to each of the guys as they all listened to the message. Josh was the last to listen. 

Looking at the five grinning band mates, Sara finally asked, "Josh, what's going on?"

Still grinning, Josh said, "The call was from our management. We all asked if we could bring Marc on tour with us. And they agreed."

"Let me get this right. You all want Marc to go on tour with you?" she asked.

"Yeah. Don't you think he'll want to go?"

"The only one who can answer that is Marc, and I think you need to talk to him."

"You're right, let's go talk to him," said Justin.

"Wait," said Lance, "If we all go, it will seem like were ganging up on him. I think only one of us should go."

Everyone started to look at each other. Passing glances between themselves, four sets of eyes came to rest on Joey.

 "Joe, will you go talk to Marc?" asked Lance.

Marc was standing on the end of the dock looking out over the lake and at the night sky when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. Quickly drying his face, he looked to see Joey approaching, "Hi, Joe."

"Marc," Joey said softly. "Marc, you know tomorrow we leave to start this half of our tour."

Weakly, Marc answered, "Yes, I know."

"Well, there's a problem. Management requires us to double up on the rooms to keep costs down."

"With there being five of you, doesn't one of you get a room to yourself?"

"Yes. And this time I'm the one who gets the room to myself."

"So what's the problem?"

"I don't want the room to myself."

"Ask someone to switch with you."

"I did, and no one will switch. I was wondering if you would like to be my roommate?"

"What?"

"Marc, I want you to come on tour with me and be my roommate."

Getting upset and shaking his head Marc said, "Joey, this isn't funny."

"Joe is serious, Marc," said Josh from behind him.

Turning, Marc found the other four standing behind them.

"Marc, we all want you to come with us tomorrow, and spend the rest of the summer with us," said Chris.

"What are you going to do, hide me in a suitcase all summer?"

Laughing, Justin said, "No, management wants to talk to you about a job. It seems our web master took a job with someone else. And you do know computers."

"A job on your staff, and I will get to travel with you, and hang with you, when you get free time. Right?"

"No," said Joey. "You will be Pete's assistant in charge of our web site. And you will be my roommate. You will live with us, eat with us, and go to meetings, rehearsals, and concerts with us. I would say that by the end of summer you might be sick of us."

"I doubt that I'll get sick of you guys. But since Joe does need a roommate. I could try it," Marc said with a smile.

"Great," said Justin. "How long will it take you to pack?"

"Pack? Oh, I have to pack. How much should I take?" asked Marc, excitedly.

"Calm down," giggled Lance, "I'll help you pack." 

Sara was watching what was going on at the dock when her dad came up to her. 

"What's going on?" Tom asked.

"It looks like my brother is going to be traveling this summer," said Sara with a grin.

"Oh? Where will he be going?"

"An all summer sleepover with N SYNC," she said smiling, "The guys want to take Marc with them on tour."

"Oh. Is there something more I should know?" her dad asked.

"Yep. Marc wondered if you would be willing to adopt his new brothers, too."

"Is that all?" said Tom a little surprised.
 
 
 

TBC