Let's Dance

He didn't even notice it happen, whenever that was. He didn't notice a thing, actually until they were off stage and heading down the hall to change. Then it hit him, hard and fast. He staggered a little, the pain in his right knee suddenly excruciating. He braced himself against the wall, head bowed as he gasped for breath.

"JC, hey, what's wrong," Chris was there immediately, staring up at him with an expression of concern. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure, my knee," JC hissed out. "I twisted it or something."

Justin suddenly materialized next to Chris. "C'mon, Jace, lean on me." He found himself propped on their shoulders and being led over to a chair.

"Guys, it's not that bad," he batted away their attempts at helping him undress. "I just twisted it or something. I'll put it up and ice it tonight and it'll be fine." He smiled at them, clenching his teeth against the pain. There was no way he was letting them know how much it hurt. They would just insist on having him be checked out and he was fine. He just twisted it. Not a big deal.

"You sure," Joey asked, leaning against the door and looking worried.

JC smiled up at Joey. "I'm sure. Give me a minute and I'll get changed. Guess I'm not going clubbing with you tonight." He smiled again. "I'm fine."

"Do you want me to stay in?" Joey asked as Chris and Justin squeezed their way around him.

"No," JC's reply was muffled as he pulled his shirt over his head. "I really just want to ice it and rest. You go out, I'll be fine."

"If you say so," Joey hesitated for a second, then left. JC leaned back with a sigh. His knee really did hurt. A lot. Gingerly he poked at it, wincing as he felt it already starting to swell. That wasn't a good sign. He hurriedly finished changing, then slowly made his way to the bus, longing to lie down. He grabbed an ice pack, filled it, then downed a handful of aspirin. He collapsed into his bunk, propping his knee up with a pillow. It really did hurt. He fell into a fitful sleep, hoping that it would be better by the next day. He didn't even notice when they pulled away and headed for the next stop.

"Okay, let's run through Girlfriend," Wade called out as they paced the stage. "Joey, you were a little late on a few of the cues last night."

Joey shot a glare in Wade's direction as they moved into place. "C, you okay?" he asked quietly, noting that JC looked a little pale.

"Fine," JC replied with a quick smile. "Just a little sore."

"You sure," Joey smiled back at JC's quick nod. "Ok, you say something if you're not." JC nodded back and then moved to his mark.

They were about halfway through when JC's sudden cry cut through the music. Lance barely beat Justin to where JC was sitting on the floor, his knee cradled against his chest.

"C, what's wrong," Lance calmly asked, ignoring all the people who were suddenly milling about.

"My knee, it just, it gave out, I'll be fine, gimme, just gimme a minute," JC gasped out. "I'll be fine."

"Bullshit." Lance looked up. "Someone call an ambulance."

"No, no, that's, that's not necessary, I'll be fine, I just stepped wrong, don't," JC panted out.

"Hey, hey, here," Justin reached down and helped JC stand, wrapping an arm around JC's waist. "Lance, we don't need an ambulance, but JC you are going to the hospital to get it checked out." By this point the stadium paramedic crew had arrived with a wheelchair and Justin settled JC into it.

"We're right behind you, C," Chris called out as they gathered up their stuff and followed JC out the door.

"Ok, Mr. Chasez," the doctor came into the room, a little startled to see how many people were there. "The MRI came back and it appears to be a sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament. Luckily, there's no tear. But you really need to stay off of it for a few weeks."

"But, no, there's still a week left to the tour, can't you just bandage it up or give me a shot or something," JC begged. "Give me a brace or something, it's only a week and,"

"I strongly advise against that, Mr. Chasez, it's a bad sprain and any more stress could easily result in a tear. And you don't want that." The doctor looked up from the chart. "I'm quite serious about this, if it tears then you're looking at surgery."

"But," JC started only to be cut off.

"It's only 4 concerts, JC. I think it's best if we cancel them. We're looking at two months until the next leg of the tour starts already. We can pick up the shows on the next leg. Really, you don't want to take chances with your knee." Johnny looked around the room. "Guys, what do you think?"

"No way you're going back out there, C." Justin said. Lance nodded his support. "Seriously, if you blow a knee out then that's going to be long term. And, you know, I think it's nice of you to fall over like that so I can go see Brit earlier. Ow." Justin rubbed his arm trying to soothe the sting from Chris's slap.

"We're canceling the shows. End of discussion. Now, what kind of drugs did they give you, anything good?" Chris flopped on the bed next to JC.

"But when Joey got hurt, you went on without him, so there's no reason to cancel, and I'll be fine, if Joey can," JC started again.

"Joey only had staples in his leg, Joey did not have a strained anything," Joey said, glaring down at JC. "And I don't have lead on every other song. And," he put up his hand, cutting off JC's response. "And, don't suggest that Justin do it. You know his vocal cords are stressed already." Joey watched as JC's shoulders sagged. He felt a twinge of guilt at using Justin like that, which was quickly assuaged by Justin's wink.

"Yeah, C. Can't have the voice blowing out at my tender age. Four shows is all. It's no big deal." Justin gave JC a quick hug. "Don't look like you just ran over someone's dog. It's fine. You just go home and get better."

JC nodded slowly, seeing that the decision was out of his hands.

JC cocked his head as the discordant sound cut through the music again. "What the," he muttered, trying to place the noise. He hit mute and cocked his head listening. The sharp peal of the bells sounded again and he sighed. The front door bell. He grabbed a towel and his water bottle and made his way to the door. He sighed as he peered through the peephole. He should have known this would happen.

"Hey, Joey, what are you doing here?" He held the door shut, peering at Joey through a narrow gap.

"I'm checking to see if you're alive, C. I mean, hey, what's with heading out to LA when the rest of us are in Orlando? You realize you left us to deal with Justin all by ourselves. Not cool, man." Joey kicked at the overnight bag at his feet. "And since you went incommunicado, well, here I am."

"Fine. I'm alive. You can go now." JC tried to close the door but Joey got a hand up before he could do so.

"What the hell is wrong with you? I fly all the way out here and you can't even let me in the house? I know your mother, Joshua Scott Chasez, and I know she raised you better than that. Now, can I at least use the bathroom?" Joey looked at JC through the crack of the door. "Please?"

"Oh, fine." JC stepped back and opened the door, heading out to the back. He heard Joey following behind him and he didn't stop until he was leaning against the railing, taking in the view. Joey quietly came to stand next to him and they were silent for several minutes, watching as the sunset over the valley below them.

"You can tell everyone that I'm alright. I'm great. I'm fine. It's nothing. I went to the doctor yesterday and he said everything is fine. I'll have to wear a knee brace but I'll be good to go in about four weeks. So you can tell everyone that I'll be back. And not to worry, I won't fuck up anything else." JC continued to stare straight ahead even though he could feel Joey turn to stare at him.

"That's great, Jace. I'm glad to hear you're doing so much better. But you didn't fuck anything up." Joey continued to stare, noticing how JC's jaw clenched at his words. "You got hurt, it's a miracle you haven't before now, you really need to take better care of yourself. I mean, the way you throw yourself into it out there, man, you're really going to hurt yourself one day."

"And that'll really fuck everything up," came the bitter reply.

"JC." Joey hoped he sounded as shocked as he felt. "Where the hell is this coming from?"

"C'mon, Joey, I'm not an idiot. I know that I've always been the most expendable one. I mean, I know that I'm not the world's greatest songwriter. I know Justin's a lot better than I am, I mean, just look at all the songs he got on Celebrity. And I know that Wade's a lot better dancer than I am. And Justin's got the cute one thing down pat, not to mention what a gorgeous man Lance has grown into. And you're the solid, stable one and Chris, Chris is just Chris. You guys don't need me, not really, and I know that, and now you had to cancel those dates because of me and I know you're all upset about it and I just wish someone would say something," JC sucked in a breath. "Just say whatever it is they sent you out here to say, Joey. Then you can get to wherever you're staying and go out and have a good time."

Joey stared at JC, stunned speechless. "First, I hope I'm staying here. That's what I was planning on, anyway. Second, what the hell? What was all that? Have you been smoking crack or something? Or those pills, are you still on those pain pills? Because, you must be high to be saying all that. JC, you are not expendable. And no one's upset. Well, no, everyone's upset that you've holed yourself up like this and won't talk to any of us, but upset at you for getting hurt? Were you upset at me when I got hurt?" Joey's voice cracked and he could tell he was nearly flapping his arms. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

JC sighed deeply and turned to face Joey. "I know I'm not making any sense."

"Damn right, you're not," Joey growled out.

"Let me finish. I know, in my head, that none of that's true. But, sometimes, just, sometimes, it seems that way, you know," JC slowly said. "And I'm not upset with Justin or anything, it's just, hell, I don't know how to explain."

"It's just that you hate being hurt and you don't want to let anyone down and you lie there and can't do anything you want to do and you have all this time to think and you start thinking all these insane things." Joey quietly replied.

"Yeah, how do you, oh," JC's eyes went wide. "Oh, so that's why,"

"Why I was so grumpy when I got hurt? Yup. And that's also kind of why I'm here. See, if I had the opportunity to hole myself up I know what I would have been thinking. So I'm here to save you from yourself. And to get away from the rest of them, God, seriously, Justin's been annoying as all hell, you wouldn't even believe." Joey bumped JC's hip with his own. "So, can I stay?"

"Yeah," JC answered. "Thanks, Joe."

"Any time." Joey glanced over, taking a close look at what JC was wearing. A t-shirt, sweats, knee brace on his right knee, the shoes he usually wore at rehearsal. A towel around his neck. "Jace, what were you doing before you answered the door? I had to ring three times."

"Um," JC ran a hand through his hair, flushing slightly. "Nothing really."

"JC, you are the world's worst liar. Why do you think we always ask you to play poker with us? Were you rehearsing? You were, damn it, C." Joey heaved out a sigh. "You aren't supposed to be doing anything strenuous yet."

"No, I wasn't, well, maybe a little. But, I did go to the doctor yesterday and he said that it was fine to start dancing again as long as I didn't push it too hard. And didn't jump. And wore the brace. And I don't want to forget the steps, we aren't going to have that much time to rehearse before the next leg starts, and," JC stopped as Joey's skeptical look. "Really, I'm being careful."

"Sure you are, I've met you, remember?" Joey cocked an eyebrow as JC flushed again.

"I am. As a matter of fact, I'm going back to it. You do what you want, Joey. You know where everything is." JC walked back into the house, heading back to rehearse.

"Hey, hey," Joey reached out and caught hold of JC's arm. "Sorry, I'm sure you're being careful. Tell you what, let me toss my stuff into the spare room and change and I'll rehearse with you."

"You don't have to do that," JC replied, stilling under Joey's touch.

"I know I don't have to, but I want to, I need to practice too, probably a lot more than you do." Joey gave JC's arm a little squeeze then let go. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay," JC answered. Joey nodded and turned and headed down the hall. "I'm glad you're here, Joey." JC quietly said, staring after Joey for a moment before going to start the music.

Joey watched JC out the corner of his eye as they made their way through Girlfriend. JC had been telling the truth, he was being careful. Joey was surprised by that, he expected to have to slow JC down. Either JC was in more pain than he was admitting, or for once he was taking care of himself. He took in a deep breath as Girlfriend came to an end. They had been dancing for about an hour now and Joey hated to admit that he was already slightly tired. It always annoyed him how quickly he got out of touring shape. Not like JC, he thought, JC always seemed ready to go.

The opening strains of Bye Bye Bye started and he raised his voice to be heard above the music. "JC, you sure about this, I thought the doctor said no jumping."

"I won't," JC promised, moving smoothly through the first steps. "I promise."

Joey nodded and they moved along to the beat, Joey smiling slightly at the intense look on JC's face. He was so into what they did, so focused on it, whether on stage or off. Joey shook his head and concentrated on not falling over himself. His head snapped up when he heard a sharp hiss.

"JC," Joey yelled as JC stumbled and fell against the wall, "Shit, I knew this was a bad idea, oh, hell, Jace, you okay? Shit, I don't know why I listened to you." He knelt in front of JC, his hands dropping to JC's right knee. He quickly stripped off the brace and started checking JC's knee. "Fuck. Where's the phone, who's your doctor, Cedars, right that's where you go, where's the phone, I'm such an idiot,"

"Joey," JC cut into the litany. "Joey, I stumbled a little, it's okay, I don't think I hurt it any more."

Joey continued his gentle exploration of JC's knee. "You sure, it doesn't feel swollen." He looked up as JC let out a whimper as he pressed down. "That's good actually, if you really hurt it again you would be trying to rip my balls off right now."

"Screw you. Oh, that's nice." JC's head dropped back against the wall as Joey started rubbing gentle circles around his knee. "That's really nice."

"Yeah, I know, I think it's okay, you should still call the doctor tomorrow, just to tell him what happened. You might need an adjustment on your brace." Joey pressed a little harder and was rewarded by a low hum.

"I will. And if I don't you would anyway." Joey grunted his agreement, and they fell silent as Joey continued his gentle massaging.

"Why did you really come out here, Joe?" JC's quiet question broke the silence.

"Because I wanted to make sure you were okay," Joey didn't look up from watching his hands as they moved over JC's leg.

"You could have called."

"I tried that. I got a little tired of hearing 'I'm fine, Joey. Oh, there's someone on the other line, bye.'" Joey looked up at that. "Like I said, you are such a bad liar."

"I wasn't avoiding you specifically, you know that, right, I wouldn't." JC reached down and placed a hand over Joey's. "I wouldn't."

"I know. I also know that I'm the only one you talked to. Thanks. I mean it." Joey looked up then, honest appreciation showing in his gaze. "It means a lot. To know that you would talk to me when you wouldn't talk to anyone else."

"I'll always talk to you, Joey." JC blushed a little and pulled his hand away, hoping Joey wouldn't notice the way his leg was trembling under Joey's touch.

"I'm glad to hear that." Joey's hand stopped its slow circling on his knee and JC could feel the burn of Joey's palms through the thin cotton of his sweats. They stared at one another and JC could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

"Joey," he started to say but the rest of the sentence was lost in the warmth of Joey's mouth. He went still for a moment, stunned, then he began kissing back, mouth opening under the pressure of Joey's lips. He sighed as Joey shifted a little, moving so that he was better centered between JC's legs. Hot, wet, warm, all JC could feel was that mouth on his, the slide of Joey's tongue and the taste of Joey starting to mingle with his own. He grabbed Joey's shirt and tugged him closer, thrilled by the moan that pulled from Joey's throat. They shifted, sliding down the wall, coming to rest on the floor, Joey tilting sideways a little to keep from crushing JC. Still they kissed, on and on, each one blurring into the other until it seemed that there was only one kiss. They pulled apart slightly, drawing in air, then they leaned back, mouths coming together again. JC ran his hands down Joey's sides, feeling the muscles rippling underneath, that strength and sturdiness that he admired for so long. He slipped his hands under the hem of Joey's shirt and gently brushed his fingers along the warm skin of Joey's back, delighting as Joey shuddered above him.

"Jesus, C, so good," Joey murmured into his mouth, then JC felt warm hands creep under his shirt, stroking against his ribs and across his stomach. He arched into Joey's touch, trying to pull them closer, to melt into Joey's warmth. Joey's mouth moved across his face, gentle kisses dropped on his forehead and ears, then down the line of his neck. He gasped and clutched Joey's back, squirming as Joey nipped at the hollow of his throat. JC finally realized that Joey was muttering something against his skin.

"Bed, bed, need a bed or couch or something because this floor is damn hard and I swear if we both hurt our knees they'll kill us." Joey pulled back slightly, panting and grinning.

JC laughed as he tried to catch his breath. "Yeah, bed, couch, either, whatever, that's a good idea."

Joey nodded, then stood, reaching down to help JC to his feet. He pulled JC tight against his chest and leaned down to capture JC's lips again. "That's a very, very good idea." He started walking backwards, half carrying JC along with him. "Careful, your knee, don't wanna hurt you, hate seeing you hurt, scared the hell out of me, Jace, scared me so bad."

"Now you know how I felt when you got hurt, so scared, but I'm fine, I'm fine," JC muttered into Joey's ear, licking around the rim. "Everything's going to be fine, I'm fine, you're fine."

"Not going to make the bedroom, not going to make the bedroom," Joey panted, tumbling them onto the nearest couch in the living room, pulling JC down on top of him. "I know, I know, but you wouldn't talk to me, you wouldn't talk to anyone, and I know you, I know, C, I do, and I missed you, I missed you so much, going crazy, driving everyone else crazy, don't do that, don't go off by yourself, you don't have to,"

"Shh, I won't, I'm sorry, I didn't think, I didn't know," JC gasped as Joey slowly pulled his t-shirt up. He leaned up, helping Joey pull it off his body. "Get it off, get it off," he chanted, plucking at Joey's shirt.

"Hell, yeah," Joey breathed out, jerking his shirt over his head and tossing it on the floor. "Come back here." He tugged JC back down, shifting so they were lying sideway, JC trapped between the back of the couch and Joey's body. Joey's hand roamed over JC's chest, tracing the lines of muscle, relishing the small shudders that ran through JC's body. He hissed as JC began running his hands up and down Joey's ass and thighs, his fingers gently pressing and pulling them together.

"Joey," JC whispered as he pressed his lips to Joey's throat. "Fuck me, please, Joey."

Joey pulled back, staring into JC's eyes. They were huge and dark and Joey couldn't help but lean down to kiss JC again. "I thought maybe you would fuck me, actually. I really, really want that, what do you say?"

"I will, I will, I promise, Joe, but not now, now I want you inside me, I, I've always imagined it the other way, and well, my knee and," JC blushed as he ran a finger down the side of Joey's face. "Please, Joey."

"Oh god," Joey buried his head in JC's shoulder, panting heavily. "You imagined, you did, I thought I was the only one. So long, wanted you so long," He kissed JC again, unable to move far from that mouth, from the lips that had entranced him for so long. He felt nimble fingers undo the tie of his sweat and then JC's hand was there, stroking him. He shifted, trying to toe off his shoes and wiggle out of his sweats at the same time. He started to laugh as their legs tangled together.

"Wait, wait, hold on, hold on," Joey reached down and gave a sharp tug to JC's sweats. They slid easily off those slim hips as JC let out a yelp. "Hey, fair's fair. Get them off, quick, or I'm ripping them off." He quickly stripped his own sweats off then helped JC get rid of his. He gathered JC back into his arms, sighing as they were finally pressed together flesh to flesh.

"God, I've wanted this," Joey murmured, reaching down and grasping their erections in his hand. JC thrust into his hand, head dropping back, exposing his throat. Joey leaned down with a growl and gently bit the tender spot right behind JC's ear.

"Stuff, we need stuff, bathroom, Joey, bathroom, not going to last, hold on, hold on," JC pushed back against Joey's shoulders, hair plastered to his head and sweat running down his cheek. Joey licked along the line of JC's cheekbone and JC shuddered. "Joey," his voice cracked and Joey reluctantly released them.

"I'll get it, don't want to strain your knee after all." Joey grinned as JC gave him a quick swat. He stood, then leaned back down to kiss JC again. He was convinced that he was now addicted to the taste of JC. JC leaned up to meet him and they kissed until they were breathless.

"Stuff, Joey," JC finally said, pushing him away. "Bathroom. Top right hand drawer. Go. Now." He turned his head as Joey leaned back for another kiss. "None of that until you get back, mister."

"Yes sir," Joey grinned as he padded across the living room. "Back in a second."

JC collapsed against the couch, his head spinning. Joey was here. Joey has come to check up on him. Joey had kissed him. Joey was naked in his house. Joey was about to fuck him. He shivered slightly in anticipation. How many nights, how many days for that matter, had he wanted exactly this. And now, now here Joey was.

"Damn, should have gotten hurt a long time ago," he grinned up at his ceiling.

"What was that?" Joey asked, kneeling over him and smiling down.

"Nothing important, c'mere." JC grabbed Joey by the back of the neck and pulled him down. Joey settled across JC's body, careful to keep away from JC's knee. They began kissing again, hands running over and over each other's bodies, wordless sounds coming from both of them.

Joey finally pulled up, resting on one arm as he brought a hand up to trace over JC's face. "Never thought, wanted you so much, I never thought, god, JC," he pressed a tender kiss to JC's forehead. "I wish I said something sooner."

"So do I, you have no idea," JC replied, reaching up to tangle his fingers with Joey's. "But we're here now."

"I get the point," Joey quickly opened the lube and slicked his fingers. He reached down, then paused. "Um, Jace, the couch,"

"Ok, ok," Joey leaned down to kiss JC just as he slipped the first finger inside. JC moaned into his mouth as Joey slowly rotated his hand.

"Good?" Joey asked quietly, pulling his hand back, getting ready to slip in another finger.

"Yeah," JC breathed, "C'mon, please, don't make me," he choked on the words as Joey slipped two fingers in.

"Later, you can beg later, I'll make you beg, don't worry, later, we have plenty of time," Joey murmured in JC's ear. "Plenty of time." JC just nodded, panting and flushed.

"Joey, I'm ready, c'mon, Joey," JC's hands scrabbled over Joey's back, trying to pull Joey over him, "I'm ready, please."

Joey kissed JC quiet as he ripped the package open then rolled the condom on. He quickly slicked himself and then moved to lie over JC. JC wrapped his legs around Joey's waist as Joey buried a hand in his hair.

"This ok, don't want to hurt you," Joey said, slowly easing himself into position.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," JC pulled him in, "I'll be better when,"

Joey thrust forward, entering JC in one smooth motion. "Christ, JC, oh fuck," Joey panted, holding still for a moment. So tight, so perfect. He leaned up on his elbows, watching JC's face closely, checking for any sign of pain. JC's eyes were closed, his mouth slightly open with bright spots of red highlighting his cheeks. "So fucking beautiful." Joey licked at JC's neck then slowly began to thrust. He set up a steady tempo, watching as JC's eyes flickered open and a smile lit his face.

"Joey," he breathed out and Joey was lost, lost in the sound and the depths of JC's eyes. He pumped harder and faster, reaching down and grasping JC's cock in his hand, pumping hard and strong, matching his pace to the gasps and moans coming from beneath him.

"Come on, come on, come for me, JC, wanna see, wanna see you, so hot, come on," Joey chanted, eyes locked on JC's face.

"Joey, Joey, Joey," his name fell from JC's lips until that lithe body suddenly arched hard. Then JC was coming, coming long and fierce and Joey's own orgasm tore through him, fast and furious. He pulled out and managed to get the condom off and tied and dropped on the floor before collapsing onto JC's chest. They lay there panting, JC running his hands slowly up and down Joey's back. "We're going to stick together," JC finally whispered into Joey's hair, dropping a quick kiss on his head.

Joey dropped a hand down and rummaged around the floor, finally encountering a piece of fabric. He brought it up, wiped them off, then collapsed back down, nestling into JC's embrace.

"Is your knee," Joey sleepily asked.

"It's fine." JC replied. They were quiet for a while longer, and Joey started to drift off.

"When's your flight back," JC ran through a quick mental checklist. There wasn't that much he needed to pack and he could keep up with his physical therapy in Orlando. And if he couldn't get a seat on Joey's flight, they could always change Joey's ticket.

"I only bought a one way ticket." Joey stated as he burrowed into JC's neck.

JC smiled as they slowly drifted to sleep.

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