For Marc the rest of the evening was a blur.  But with Lance's help, Marc managed to get his clothes together.  By 10:30, Marc had calmed down enough for his brain to kick in and he was able to function on his own.

Going to the den, he pulled a laptop computer out of a cabinet and connected it to his main computer.  He sat for a minute, thinking about what he was going to need on the road.

Chris came into the den and found Marc quickly typing on the computer. "Marc, what's wrong?  Did you and your computer have a fight?  You're not talking to each other."

Smiling at Chris's comments Marc said, "Yeah, Chris. The old lady here got jealous when the new lap chick came into the picture . . . Actually the voice system doesn't work when they are linked together.  I was just transferring the programs I will need to my lap top."

"How much are you taking?"

"Just the main programs, stuff I think I'll need for web page work, and my music programs.  And in a few moments the laptop will become the main control unit.  There!" said Marc, pressing the last button.

Plugging a head set into the laptop, Marc said into the mic, "Computer."

The computer said. "Please identify."

Marc said, "This is my tree, don't pee on it."

Identity confirmed.

Computer, connect to slave unit.

Connection confirmed.

Access protocol, Marc 101

Marc 101 ready.

Computer, engage Marc 101.

Marc could hear the computer's modem engage and numbers being dialed. The screen on the desktop computer was showing rapidly changing images of data.  It was changing so fast that Chris couldn't identify anything.  "Marc, what's going on?"

"Oh, right now I'm dumping my hard drives.  This should take about an hour."

"Won't you need any of that information?"

"I'm not erasing the data, I'm uploading it to 23 computer main frames around the world.  That way I will have access to all my files, anywhere in the world that I may be, without any problem."

"How much are you uploading?"

"Almost 250 gig.  Actually, most of it is already there.  I use these sites for storage.  You might say I'm backing up my hard drive.  Just in a big way."

"What will happen after everything is backed up?"

"Then my desktop will format the hard drive, removing all data, and the laptop will reload the operating system and security system." 

"Then what?"

"Then I will be able to secure the desktop from anyone accessing it. And with the laptop, I will be ready to travel."

Marc went out back looking for his dad and found him lying on the grass looking at the night sky.  Sitting next to him, Marc asked, "Did Sara finally get Josh to take a walk with her?"

Sitting up, Tom said, "They wondered off about half an hour ago.  How are you doing?"

Smiling, Marc replied, "I still don't believe what's happening.  Today I was trying to come to terms with having to say goodbye.  And now, I'm packing to go with them."

"Marc, are you sure about this?  Is this really what you want to do?"

"Yes, I'm sure.  Dad, this last week has been my happiest in a long time.  I have found five someone’s to fill part of what is missing in me." 

"Are you sure their celebrity status doesn't have something to do with this?"

"No, I've only seen a small part of that side of them.  What I have seen, is five great guys, who are interested enough in me to want to share part of this summer so we can get to know each other better."

"Marc, I think the key word here is share.  Are you willing to share everything with them?"

"Dad, in time, I know I will have to share everything with them.  And I can only pray they will accept me, for me."

"Son, I hope you're right.  But what about Saturday?  When do you plan to tell them about that?"

"I need to talk to their management first.  Justin's mom will be there. I will fill her in on what all I'm into." Marc said, with a laugh, "She may turn and run when she finds out what I have in the works."

"Marc, I hope it all works out for you.  I just want to see you happy." He yawned, "I wonder what's keeping your sister?"

Laughing, Marc replied, "Dad, why don't you head home.  You look beat and it's been a long day. I'm sure Josh will be willing to see her home."

"You're right," said Tom, as he got up, "Now, you have a good time and keep in touch."

Giving his dad a hug, Marc said, "I promise. And when you come down Saturday will you bring my tux? Everything is in the blue garment bag in the right side of my closet."

"Sure, no problem.  Now, have a good time and behave yourself.  I love you, Marc."

Hugging his dad one last time, Marc added, "I love you too, Dad."

Marc was sitting on a bench on the patio when Sara and Josh strolled up from the lake holding hands.  They stopped and kissed before going into the cabin and didn't notice Marc sitting a few feet away. 

Clearing his throat, Marc said,  "Sorry.  Dad went home awhile ago.  Josh can drive you home."

"Thanks Marc," said an embarrassed Josh.

"Josh, would you mind if I had some time with my sister?  To say goodbye."

"I'll meet you out front," Josh told Sara.
Sara sat next to Marc, took his hand, and asked,  "How are you feeling now?"

"A lot better.  I didn't expect anything like this to happen.  I was prepared for something completely different."

"Marc, I hope you find what you're looking for in this.  These guys like you a lot.  Be honest with them.  If they truly are your friends they will support you."

"I know, but I need to talk to management first.  I want them there Saturday and I only hope we can work it out.  I also need you to see that Dad brings my tux with you when you come up Saturday."

"No problem.  Anything else?"

"Will you see that the food in the fridge doesn't go to waste?"

"Ok, would you like me to do your laundry too?"

Laughing, Marc replied, "No. But I do need a favor.  Will you take care of my mail for me?"  He asked this as he handed a checkbook to Sara. 

"You're on this account so you can sign the checks.  Pay the bills as they come in.  If anything comes in that you think I need to see, just fax it to me.  I'll get you a schedule as soon a possible."

"What if I need to get a hold of you?"

"Use e-mail, I will check several times a day.  Or just call Josh.  I know you have his cell number.  He can relay a message."

Getting up, Marc walked Sara to the car. "Now little brother, you have fun.  Don't worry about anything here.  And we will see you . . . ahem, you know when."

Wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tight, Marc said,  "I plan to.  I love you, Sis."

"Love you too.  Bye."

"Bye."

Marc awoke at his usual time but this morning he decided not to go on his run.  He quietly got out of bed, not disturbing Justin.  Taking a quick shower, he dressed in jeans and his polar bear shirt.  After pouring a large glass of orange juice, he went out onto the patio to watch the sun rise. 

A sleepy eyed Josh noticed Marc standing out on the patio.  Walking out in his bare feet, he said,  "God, Marc, it's cold out here."

"Morning, Josh.  I'm not out here in my bare feet and underwear."

"The sun rise sure is beautiful," said Josh.

"I imagine you don't get to see many of these when you're on tour."

"Only if we're still up when we are on the bus."

"Bus?  How much time do you spend on a bus?"

Laughing at Marc's reaction, Josh replied, "Oh yeah, the bus.  Didn't anyone mention the bus?  Well, let me fill you in.  We travel with three busses.  One is for us, and the other two are for support staff.  Our bus has a small kitchen area, a bathroom with a shower, sleeping bunks, and a large media lounge." 

"Sleeping bunks.  How much use do they get?"

"A lot.  Marc after we do a show, we leave immediately for the next city.   It usually takes us a couple hours to unwind then we hit the bunks for some rest.  We sleep until we get to the hotel, then, depending what is on the schedule for that day we might get a couple more hours of rest.  Only when we are in a city for several days do we get to know a real bed.  So your bunk on the bus becomes very familiar."

"Josh, it's too cold for you to be out here, you're starting to shiver," Marc said as he went into the cabin.

"What other goodies have you all neglected to mention?"

"Well, hotel food varies, some good, some bad.  We can't leave the hotel without security.  There are hours of interviews, all asking the same questions, with us giving the same answers.   Photo shoots, costume fittings, rehearsals, sound checks, performances, studio time, and in there, somewhere, we find personal time."

"Bad food.  I don't know if I can put up with bad food,"  Marc said, with a grin.  "Do you think your security is fit enough to keep up with me on my morning runs?"

"I doubt your running will be a problem unless one of us goes along.  Then I doubt any of the current ones could keep up on foot."

"Who can't keep up?" asked Joey, coming into the kitchen.

"Security, if any of us joins Marc on his runs," Josh answered.

"That would be interesting.  I doubt they could make it a quarter mile before they would call for a van to follow," said Joey

"It must make you feel all warm and comfy knowing you're being protected by such an in-shape security team," smirked Marc. "Why don't you two get everybody up and going while I start breakfast."

Everybody took their cue from Marc as to the outfit of the day: jeans and their polar bear shirt.  Justin came to breakfast carrying his shirt. As he sat down with his bowl of cereal, he noticed everyone looking at him. 

"What?"

"Have we a new dress code for breakfast," asked Chris.

"I just didn't want to get anything on my new shirt.  I'll put it on after I'm done eating."

Everybody exchanged looks and shrugged, and then they all removed their shirts.

"And you say I never have good ideas in the mornings," said a grinning Justin.

Smiling, Marc said, "This practice would really be interesting to observe if we did this in a restaurant."

"Management would have a cow," said Lance, "Let's do it some morning."

"I'll do it only if Lance does it first," said Joey.

"Yeah, me too," said Chris

Justin and Josh also agreed.  That left Marc as the only hold out. Looking at Marc, Lance said,  "We all have to agree on this.  We do it as a group or not at all." 

"Something tells me I'm going to regret this. Ok, but please, Lance, not on my first week on a new job.  They can't fire you all but they can fire me."

"Ok, we'll only do it when management pisses us off about something," said Lance.

The breakfast dishes were washed and the van was being loaded when Josh's cell rang.

"Hello."

"Morning, Josh."

"Morning, Sara."

"Have you all left yet?"

"No.  We are still loading the van."

"Is Marc near by?"

"No, he's locking up the cabin.  Do you want to talk to him?"

"No. I just wanted to ask you a big favor."

"Sure, what can I do?"

"Will you keep an eye on Marc?"

"Sure, why?"

"As long as I've known him, he only functions when he has control of his life. He is giving up that control by going with you. He is giving himself into your hands and I'm not sure how he will handle it."

"What could happen?"

"He is prone to panic attacks, and he will just shut down."

"Justin had one of those earlier this week and Marc recognized it right away and knew how to handle it.  Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him."

"I know this may never happen but I'm glad you're there for him.  You have my home and work numbers so call if you have any problems."

"Sure will."

"Now you drive safe and have a good trip.  Bye, Josh and thanks."

"Bye, Sara, I'll call you tonight.  Ok?"

"Yeah, till tonight."

Marc locked the front door and put the key under the doormat.  Picking up his backpack, he headed for the van.  He noticed Josh on his cell and Marc had to smile, knowing to whom he must be talking.

"Chris, hope you have room for this," said Marc, handing him his backpack.

"Christ, Marc!  What have you got in here?  It weighs a ton."

"Only my laptop, cameras, notebooks and a change of underwear."

"Here, Marc, you drive," said Justin, as he tossed him the van keys.

Marc tossed the keys right back at him.  "Can't. It's your rental. I'm not on the paperwork," Marc explained, climbing into the back seat.

Josh climbed in next to Marc.

"Josh, why don't you drive?" pleaded Justin.

Looking at Marc with a grin, Josh answered, "Justin, you started this adventure why not finish it?"

Marc smiled and gave a little nod at Josh's statement.

"Go ahead Justin, we trust you," said Chris.

"Go for it," added Lance.

"Justin, I can honestly say, I never felt safer than I do now, in this seat," said Marc with a gleam in his eye. 

Justin grinned ear to ear as he took his place behind the wheel.

Josh leaned over to Marc and said softly, "I hope he can find Madison."

"Don't worry. I gave Joe a map with the route clearly marked," whispered Marc.

The trip to Madison took almost three hours.  During the drive, everybody kept Marc entertained with stories of things that had happened to them on previous tours. Marc noticed Josh watching him.  Putting this interest together with Josh’s call before leaving the cabin, Marc knew Sara was behind it.

Leaning over to Josh, he said softly, "Josh, when you talk to Sara later, let her know I'm not going to flip out, that I'll be fine.  And that if things start to get out of hand, I'll come talk to you."

With a stunned look, Josh said, "Sure, I'll tell her."

"Josh, unless you're starting to fall in love with me, please stop watching me.  It feels really weird," Marc said, with a smile.

At the hotel, Nsync's management and security were waiting in the lobby for the boys' arrival.  Lynn stepped off the elevator and walked over to Pete.

"Any sign of them?"

"No. Joey said they were just turning off the expressway when they called. It's been twenty minutes.  They should have made it here by now." 

Looking off to the side entrance Pete noticed a van of young men unloading but he dismissed them as some sort of sports team from their dress.

"Let's give them another five minutes, then I'll call to see where they're at," said Pete.

Getting out of the van, Marc grabbed his backpack and his suitcase, as did the others.  Entering the hotel, they stepped off to the side and put their bags down.

"Guys, our security and management are right over there and they haven't spotted us," said Chris.

"Yeah, Pete looked directly at us and did not recognize us," said Joey.

"You guys want to have some fun?" asked Marc, with an evil grin.

"What do you have in mind?" asked Lance.

"Justin, use your cell and call Pete.  Tell him he must have given you the wrong directions to the hotel.  Say that we're here and there is no one to meet us.  That sort of thing, and hang back so they don't spot you."

"Ok, got it," said Justin, as he pulled out his cell.

"All right, Bert, Dave, Tad, and Billie come with me.  Follow my lead and think country." 

The five of them made their way over near Pete so they could hear his conversation with Justin. Pete could not believe they had gone to the wrong hotel.

Marc started, "Damn guys, looks like some kind of big doings going on here."

Joey added, "Sour do.  It's posed to be some kinda girlie band."

Marc finished it,  "Yep.  I heardit was that Backstreets Boys Band. Sapos  ta be playin at the arenia this week."

A very annoyed Pete and Lynn turned to give death glares to the annoying group.  But their jaws dropped as they saw the six grinning young men looking at them.

"Hi, Mom," said Justin, with a little wave of the hand.

Taking off his cowboy hat, Joey said,  "Hey, Pete.  I think we found the right hotel."

Pete was finally able to close his mouth from the shock. He then smiled saying, "Great disguise, guys.  I didn't spot you and I looked right at you as you were coming in." 

Looking at the new member of group, he said, "You must be Marc."

"Guilty. It's nice to meet you, Pete," Marc said, shaking his hand.

TBC