January 2001

Britney sat with her legs tucked under her on the large leather couch in the recording studio. She smiled widely as Justin was on the other side of the glass singing his heart out while the four other guys bobbed their heads along to the music. They had just begun to record their Celebrity album, and from what Britney was hearing, it was going to be great.

"How was that?" Justin asked the producer, peaking his head around the mic.

"One more time," he replied back. Justin groaned impatiently.

"Come on, Brad. Don't you see that beautiful girl behind you?" He asked through the mic, pointing to Britney.

"How could I miss her?" He said with a chuckle.

"Yeah well that's my girlfriend that I haven't seen in a week. I'd kind of like to see her," he said sarcastically. Britney giggled as her heart fluttered with anticipation.

Brad laughed and turned his neck to face Britney who smiled at him. "One more time!" She said loud enough for Justin to hear.

"The lady says its for the best," Brad said with a shrug.

"Come on J," Chris said speaking up, "stop acting like you don't do whatever Britney says." All of the guys laughed in unison.

"Alright alright, one more time," he said hesitantly. Britney sighed in satisfaction as she heard his voice come through the speakers again, caressing her body and soul. She couldn't wait to get her hands on him.

"Alright, done now?" Justin asked with his hands on the head phones, anxious to get them off.

"Yeah yeah, get outta here," Brad said shooing him.

Justin threw the head phones on the stand in front of him and burst through the door. Britney stood up as he approached her and she held her arms out for him. He smiled widely at her and scooped her up in his arms picking her up. She squealed and wrapped her legs around his waist, burying her head in the crook of his neck. They ignored the sounds all the guys were making in an attempt to make fun of them. They were in their own world.

"I missed you baby," he whispered into her ear, causing her whole body to shiver.

"I missed you too," she said putting her lips on his.

"Aw man, would you two get out of here with that?" Joey whined from behind them. They broke the kiss and laughed as Justin gently put Britney back on the ground.

"I'll see you guys later tonight," Britney said with a giggle. She picked up her purse and grabbed Justin's hand as they walked out of the studio.

"Are you sure you're okay going with me to this?" Justin asked as he buttoned up his shirt. Him and the guys had to go to a club party for another artist on their label. "I know its kind of last minute. You can stay home if you're tired."

"I'm already dressed, J," she said with a laugh. "Plus, I want to go with you," she said walking up to him and putting her arms around his neck. "I want to spend as much time with you as possible, even if it means being with a bunch of people."

"Okay," he said leaning down and kissing her lightly on the lips. "Well then, let's go."

Britney sat next to Justin at the v.i.p. table bored out of her mind. There was some guy trying to talk business with Justin. Even though Justin was being nice to the man and talking back to him, Britney could tell he was getting impatient and was trying to get the guy out of his face. Britney sighed heavily and rested her head on his shoulder, causing him to quickly peck her on the forehead before turning back to his conversation. She smiled and snuggled closer to him. It was amazing to her how even the slightest contact with him could send her flying. Justin was finally able to get rid of the man and brought her back to reality by squeezing her hand.

"Sorry about that," he said smiling down at her. "That must have been really boring for you to listen to."

"Maybe," she said giving him a teasing smile.

"You know you could go around and socialize if you want to," he said pointing to the group of people she knew.

"I want to stay with you," she said smiling at him. "I've missed you so much."

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. She tilted her head to the side and slightly opened her mouth, inviting him to deepen the kiss. He put his hand on her face as they continued to kiss. He wanted her so bad.

"Ew guys, get a room," Lance said walking up to them. They broke apart and Britney eagerly got up and hugged Lance. They had become especially close over the past year. Britney was the only person that Lance told about his sexuality, he hadn't even told his parents, and she swore that she would keep it to herself.

"Man, what are you stealing my girl for?" Justin said jokingly as he stood up and slapped Lance on the back.

"Sorry man," he said playing back, "I guess she just loves me more."

"Oh my God!" Britney squealed as one of her favorite songs came on. "Come on, lets go dance!" She said, grabbing Lance's hand and pulling him with her. "I'll be right back baby," she said blowing Justin a kiss. Justin just laughed at her and waved them off and went to join J.C.

Wade stood on the second floor of the club looking down at the dance floor. There were hundreds of people dancing, but he only noticed one. He watched as Britney swayed her hips back and forth to the music, her blonde locks sticking to the sides of her face. She let out her famous laugh as Lance did a funny dance move. A pang of jealousy shot through his body. Why wouldn't she ever have fun with him like that? She only ever looked at him as a business partner. She didn't even call him a friend. He watched as the two of them danced in unison with smiles on their faces. 'At least she's not dancing with Timberlake,' he thought to himself. That would really set him off. Even though they were great friends, he hated him every day for being with her. He decided he couldn't deal with just watching her beautiful figure sway to the music, he was gonna go down and dance with her. He didn't care if Justin was somewhere around.

Britney was having the time of her life dancing with Lance.

"Oh, so you think you're sexy?" He asked over the loud music as she moved her body. "Well watch this." He did a weird and awkward grindy thing with his hips, causing her to throw her head back and laugh loudly. "Yeah, take notes," he said laughing with her. They moved closer as another song came on and let it carry them away. Britney was so into the moment that she almost didn't notice the unfamiliar hands on her hips until Lance abruptly grabbed her hands and pulled her away from the embrace of the stranger. Britney turned around and saw Wade standing behind her with an awkward smile on his face.

"Wanna dance?" He yelled over the music.

"Um…I'm dancing with Lance," she said moving closer to him, trying to distance herself from Wade's hands that were still on her waist.

"Just one dance," he said with pleading eyes, his grip on her getting stronger.

"I'm sorry Wade, maybe another time," she said pushing one of his hands off of her, thinking he would get the hint.

"Britney, just dance with me," he said, putting his hand back on her and pulling her towards him.

"Seriously man," Lance said, stepping in between them, "you need to back off." Lance knew that Wade was drunk and knew that he had feelings for Britney. He was trying to keep his friend out of trouble.

"I just wanna dance with her man!" He said loudly in Lance's face, reaching for Britney once again. But he was stopped when he felt a strong grip on his shoulder and turned around to see a very displeased Justin behind him.

"You can't fucking dance with her, Wade," Justin said angrily. He saw the whole thing from upstairs and quickly ran down to keep Wade's hands off of her.

"Whatever man, sorry," he said, putting his hands up in defeat and backing away.

Justin reached across and grabbed Britney's hand and she happily walked into his embrace. Justin looked at Lance and mouthed 'thank you' as he walked away with Britney into the crowd. He was going to have to talk to Wade and put him back in line, sooner rather than later.