*This I Promise You* - A fan fiction story by Tammy "Tammtamm" Frederick © Sept. 2000, thetamm@yahoo.com (inspired by the song THIS I PROMISE YOU written by Richard Marx and sung by NSYNC - from their album NO STRINGS ATTACHED, released in 2000)
Joey and Tara woke up to pounding on their door. Joey looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was a little before seven am.
“Go away.” Joey yelled, forgetting Tara was still sleeping. She stirred when she heard him yell.
“Joe, it’s important.” Tiny said from the door.
“No… I don’t wanna hear what Kim’s done now. I don’t want anyone to bother us until ten am.” Tara replied for Joey.
“Don’t make me go and get a room key.” Tiny said. By this time, the rest of the group and the girls, including Britney had all come out of their rooms.
“What’s up, Tiny?” JC asked as he rubbed his eyes.
“Everyone go back to your rooms. Everything’s fine. Joey just forgot that he wanted me to wake him up this early. Go on.” Tiny shooed everyone back to their rooms as Joey opened the door.
“Tiny, this better be good.” Joey said. He was in boxers and white socks.
“You’ve forgotten what you wanted to do this morning?” Tiny asked him.
Joey thought for a minute… “Guess so.” he replied.
“Knott’s Berry Farm? You and Tara?” Tiny said.
“She’s still sleeping. She tossed and turned most of the night, Tiny. I don’t think we’ll go.” Joey admitted once he remembered about wanting to take her to Knott’s Berry Farm.
“Okay…”
“Thanks though Tiny. Sorry I yelled.” Joey replied. He had totally forgotten about the park.
“No problem… see you in a little while.” Tiny said. Joey closed the door and climbed back into bed with Tara.
“Joey?”
“Everything’s alright. What about you?” Joey spoke softly, “You tossed and turned all night.”
“So did you.” Tara replied.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Kim?” Tara looked at him.
“Yeah. You?”
“Yeah. Can’t help it. She burned down my house, Joey. My house!” Tara said, trying not to cry. “I’m just grateful that no one got hurt.” She added.
“I just don’t know where things went wrong and Kim got so messed up.” Joey said as he wrapped his arms around Tara.
“Is there anything new on her since we found out she burned down the house yesterday?” Tara asked.
“No… nothing, but hey, this is the last day of the No Strings Attached concert, and I’m so glad you’re with me because I can’t think of anything else that would mean as much to me as having you here with me.” Joey said.
“Me too.”
“So, you recovered from the food poisoning?” Joey was still concerned.
“I think so.” Tara said and turned to look at him.
“Okay, do we sleep for another hour or two or order breakfast?” Joey asked. Tara quieted Joey by kissing him. “Um… hello?” Joey asked when they broke the kiss.
“Just wanted to give you a proper good morning.” Tara giggled.
“Wow!” Joey chuckled. “I love proper good mornings.” Joey said and pulled Tara closer to him to kiss some more. After kissing for a little while, Tara went to take a shower while Joey called Lance’s room to get the schedule for the day.
After Joey took his shower, they joined everyone in Chris and Dani’s suite for breakfast.
“Okay Ladies, what are your plans for today?” Chris asked.
“Shopping, hanging out, catching up, same old female bonding stuff. What about you guys?” Britney asked.
“TV interview, some free time for some male bonding stuff, and a complete run through of tonight’s show as well as the fact that Carson Daly will be around during sound check and backstage tonight.”
“Complete run through?” Chris asked.
“Yeah, and ladies… we thought that’d it be great to give it a homey feeling so we’d like to include you as much as possible. Is that okay?” Joey asked. Tara, Betsy, Shawn, Danielle, and Britney all looked at each other.
“Sure… why not.” Tara agreed for them all.
“Awesome!” Justin said with a wide grin. He had ideas spinning in his head already. As they all continued to eat breakfast, they discussed what songs to do and what should happen. There was a knock on the door a short time later. It was Tiny and Jonathan.
“Guys, time to go…” Jonathan said when Lance opened the door.
“Everyone ready for tonight?” JC asked the gang. They all nodded in agreement. “Okay then. Ladies, we’ll meet you at the venue for sound check at three pm. That gives you four hours. Don’t be late or Darren will kill us all.” Everyone laughed.
The guys met up with the TV crew at a surprise radio station appearance for a fundraiser for battered and abused women. They guys sang a few songs and donated a check for twenty-five thousand dollars to the shelter. They also signed autographs and took a few pictures with some of the fans, radio personalities and TV crew.
“C’mon Britney… you should know this routine by heart. You’ve had the steps and the tape for several days now… sharper… sharper.” Darren was instructing Britney as the ladies were practicing Tearin’ Up My Heart. “Okay, ladies… this time I wanna hear the words as you’re moving. Everyone know their parts?” Darren continued on. The girls all nodded. “Ladies and Gentlemen… the *NSYNC Babes!” Darren announced and started the music. The girls were right on with every move and snap and note for the last rehearsal of the song.
“Well, that was amazing!” Richard Marx said as he walked onto the stage from the side where the opening acts were watching the girls. They were all sworn to secrecy about who the band was that would be on right before the guys started. As soon as the girls were done, Tara collapsed.
“Okay guys… we need to finalize a set list before we get back to the arena.” Lance said as the guys all sat around the table on the bus drinking sodas.
“Well, we know we’re starting with No Strings Attached.” Joey said. Lance took out a pad of paper and a pen and began writing things down.
“Right into I Want U Back,” Chris added.
“Then God Must Have Spent…,” JC noted. He had plans for that song. Lance noticed.
“JC? What’s up?” Lance asked.
“Just want to make Shawn feel special tonight, like she has me in the few days that I’ve known her.” He blushed.
“You’ve really fallen hard for her man!” Justin declared.
“Hook, line, and sinker.” Chris said and gave JC a high-five. All the guys laughed.
“Next song is Tearin’ Up My Heart.” Justin said.
“Wait a sec guys. The act before you is going to sing that song and only that song. Do you really want to sing it?” Jonathan asked from the doorway.
“Depends on how badly they screw it up.” Joey said.
“Or how much they show us up.” Lance added.
“Let’s leave it in for now. And we’ll decide as we go along. Remember, right after I Want You Back, while Lance is talking to the audience, we’re all taking off jackets and headgear, we can decide then.” Justin offered. The guys all thought that was a good idea. They ran off the rest of the set and added additional Christmas songs and the mini set that Richard Marx would do after they all sang This I Promise You. They were changing the line up just a little. And they knew the fans would notice it… but it would be fun for everyone. They hoped.
“Joey, phone’s for you. It’s Danielle.” Tiny interrupted the guys as they were finishing up the line up.
“Why is my girl calling you?” Chris asked, half jokingly. Joey took the phone from Tiny.
“What’s wrong?” Joey asked.
“Tara had an episode and blacked out for a few minutes. The doctor is looking at her now. She asked me to call you.”
“Is she alright? What brought it on?” Joey asked. The guys all looked at him intently. He walked into the hallway away from everyone and got into a bunk. He was worried.
“We were working out at a great pace. None of us knew when to stop, I guess.” Danielle covered for Tara.
“Are you sure she’s all right?” Joey asked.
“Yeah. Darren went to get her some food. She said she didn’t eat a good breakfast and we hadn’t eaten lunch really. Just picked at a veggie tray.”
“Where is she now?”
“The extra office. She said she’s fine.” Danielle insisted.
“We’re on our way back. Keep her in there and don’t let her do anything. She’s to rest. Understand?” Joey said.
“Sure, Joey. I’ll get her to rest.” Danielle hung up on her end. Joey went back out to the guys.
“What happened?” Chris immediately asked. He had been staring at the bunks since Joey had left.
“Tara collapsed.” Joey replied.
“She alright?” Justin asked.
“Well, she didn’t eat much of breakfast and then apparently the workout they did was pretty intense and mixed with the fact that she picked at a veggie tray… well, she overdid it. She wanted Danielle to call me. A doctor is looking at her now.” Joey sat down at the table.
“We should be there in another twenty minutes or so.” Tiny said from the doorway.
“Thanks Tiny.” JC replied before focusing his attention back on Joey.
“What about you?” Lance asked.
“We knew this could happen, she hasn’t had an episode since before she arrived from Florida. What is so important though that she would risk having an episode? I just don’t get it?” Joey said as he placed his head in his hands.
“So you both were sort of expecting this?” Chris asked.
“Yeah, but I was hoping it wouldn’t have been this extreme. Tara pushes herself past her limits and doesn’t realize it until it’s too late.” Joey said. He sighed heavily.
“The important thing is that she’s alright. Don’t make this out to be big, ok?” JC stated.
“I know… I know… I’m trying not to. Forgive me if I worry.” Joey said.
“You’re human, you’re allowed.” Justin said.
“Okay, so are we all set for tonight? We just need to finalize everything during sound check. Think Richard and the girls will mind being so involved?” Lance asked.
“Wait, what about Tara?” Chris asked.
“Now who’s taking things out of proportion?” Joey asked Chris.
“Let’s let Tara decide after Joey talks to her?” JC suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.” Chris replied.
When the guys arrived back at the venue, Joey was the first one off the bus as he ran into the backstage area and straight to the office that Tara was in. She was eating and laughing with the rest of the girls.
“Joey!” Tara exclaimed when Joey burst into the room.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Heard you gave everyone a scare though. Ladies.” Joey said as he acknowledged everyone else in the room. They all quickly left to give Joey and Tara some privacy. “So, what happened?” Joey inquired.
“Just like Danielle explained. I should have eaten something before we worked out.” Tara commented.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Stuffed. I ate a double cheeseburger meal.” Tara laughed. Joey couldn’t help but chuckle.
“So we’re just shrugging this off?” Joey asked when the laughter subsided.
“No… I was out for a good ten minutes, Joe. I’ve got a call into Dr. Ken. He’s in surgery though.” Tara asked.
“Well then, do you think you could go ahead and be heavily involved in tonight’s concert then?” Joey asked.
“What all is involved?” Tara wanted to know.
“Let me get the gang in here so we can all discuss it? How’s that?” Joey asked.
“Sure.” Tara said. Joey stood up. Tara stopped him by grabbing a hold of his hand. Joey turned to look at her as she pulled his hand, and him, closer to her. “Thanks Joey.” She said as he moved in closer to kiss her.
“We will get past this, Tara. I know it.” Joey replied after they parted. “I’ll be right back.” He said and went out to gather the gang.
They called a big meeting out in front of the stage so that the guys could go over the set list and the plans for the evening before they began sound check. When Lance was done writing down the set list, they had come up with:
No Strings Attached
I Want You Back
Kiss Me At Midnight
God Must Have Spent…
Tearin’ Up My Heart
Juju Beat Boxes
It’s Gonna Be Me
I Don’t Want To Spend One More Christmas Without You (Britney comes out, Happy Birthday (per Justin))
Richard’s Set – Don’t Mean Nothin
Take This Heart
Now And Forever
Power Of You And Me
I Drive Myself Crazy
I Thought She Knew
Just Got Paid
Home For Christmas
Space Cowboy
It Makes Me Ill
This I Promise You (with Richard Marx)
Digital Get Down
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (everyone comes out for this)
Bye Bye ByeThey then did sound check and when the guys went over to talk with Carson Daly, they could hear Richard and the NSYNC Band rehearsing Richard’s songs. The girls went to the back to shower, change, and do each other’s hair and make-up.
“Ladies… ready for dinner?” Chris knocked on the extra office door an hour later. It was nearly five pm and the meet and greet started at 5:45pm.
“Yeah, ladies… let’s go.” Joey backed his buddy up. Betsy opened the door and all five women walked out of the office. All five guys whistled at the women.
“Alright… what did you do with our ladies?” JC teased. Lance lightly punched him in the forearm as everyone chuckled at his comment. They went to the lounge to eat with everyone else and to have a great time before the last show.
“Alright… before we all disperse to our respective pre-show prepping and what not… just wanted to say a few words…” Jonathan said after Angie got everyone’s attention by whistling, “This second leg of the tour has been truly amazing. Each and everyone one of you from the grip personnel to the opening acts to the guys to the security team to the women behind the guys, you’ve all contributed to making this tour a huge success and Jive can’t thank you enough for a job well done.” Jonathan kept it short, sweet, and to the point.
Joey grabbed Tara by the hand and led her from the lounge to a different room to steal a few moments to themselves before Joey went into concert mode.
“Joey… you’ve got the meet and greet to get to.” Tara protested a little as Joey shut the door behind them.
“I know… I just wanted a few minutes alone before things got hectic for the next several hours. Having you here on the tour these last few days has been wonderful. I’m glad that you came out. I didn’t feel like I left a part of me behind this time.”
“Joey, you never leave me behind. You know that. You’ve got me right here.” Tara said as she placed her hand on his heart. Joey covered her hand with one hand and cupped her chin with the other. He then kissed her.
“I love you, Tara.” Joey told her.
“I love you too Joey. Now, you’d better go and meet up with the guys… your fans await.” Tara said as she reached for the door.
“I’ll see you before we go onstage?” Joey asked.
“Yup, that’s the plan.” Tara said, trying not to give away just where he’ll be seeing her.
“Joey! Let’s go!” Chris was yelling down the hallway. Tara went to open the door but it was locked.
“Joey… we have a problem.” Tara stated calmly. “We’re locked in.” Tara said.
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Joey declared. He tried the door and when it wouldn’t open for him, he began pounding on it. They both yelled out to Chris, “We’re locked in. Get help.”
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” Chris declared. He got Jonathan and a maintenance worker to let them out. Joey and Tara had tried another door in the room that was also locked in the meantime. Jonathan and Joey ran to the meet and greet once the door was opened while Tara ran to get ready for her debut on stage as a part of the NSYNC Babes. But before she could, she snuck over to the meet and greet and saw her father and Matt standing at the end of the line. She told Tiny who they were and to make sure that they are taken aside to be with the other family members after he and Matthew met the guys.
“Why hello there young man. What is your name?” Joey asked the little boy.
“Hi, I’m Matthew and this is my Uncle. Garret Marshall.” Matthew said with a big grin. When Tara had talked with him earlier that day, she had told Matthew to introduce her father to Joey. Joey’s jaw dropped as he extended his hand to his soon to be father-in-law.
“Mr. Marshall, it’s an honor to meet you.” Joey stuttered. He had seen pictures of Tara’s dad, so he was sure it was him.
“It’s an honor for me too, Joe.” Mr. Marshall said. Joey introduced Mr. Marshall and Matthew to the rest of the guys. There were a few more fans waiting for autographs so Tiny and Jonathan took Matthew and Tara’s father to the lounge area with the rest of the families. Jonathan got Tara from the girls’ dressing room so that she could say hello. Once she said hello to her father and Matt, she ran back to the dressing room. Angie wasn’t far behind.
“Ladies… the only problem we have is getting you from here to the stage without the guys seeing you.” Angie said when she went to close the door behind her.
“What about the robes the guys use to get into position for Bye Bye Bye?” Shawn suggested.
“Great idea… I’ll go get them.” Angie said and opened the door. As she was about to across the hall to wardrobe, a young man blocked her entrance when she opened the door. “Oh my god, what are you doing here?” she asked the man. Jonathan was standing next to him.
“Looking for you.” He said as he pulled her closer to him and gripped her in a passionate kiss. Angie totally forgot where she was and what she was suppose to be doing until Britney cleared her throat. Jonathan pushed the man and Angie into the room when he saw Tiny and the guys begin to leave the meet and greet area.
“Nick, what are you doing here?” Angie asked.
“And what are you doing kissing Angie?” Danielle questioned.
“Uh oh… we’ve been found out.” Nick said.
“Damn it, Nick. I can’t talk to you now.” Angie said.
“Go, Angie. I’ve got everything under control.” Jonathan said and turned to Randy, “Go make sure the guys are changing and getting ready for their set. I’ll go find something to cover the girls on their way to the stage while Angie and Nick go talk.” Jonathan said with a grin. Nick took Angie’s hand and led her out of the room. She gave Jonathan a look as if to say she’ll kill him later. She let Nick take her out of the room. All the while thinking to herself `So much for getting closer to Richard’.
“Ladies and gentleman… Jive records is proud to present the NSYNC Babes!” Jonathan announced fifteen minutes later as Randy, Tiny, and some security guards ushered the girls past the guys and onto the stage. Joey, JC, Chris, Lance, and Justin were getting their harnesses and such on.
“NSYNC Babes?” Lance questioned as the guys all stopped what they were doing.
“This I gotta see!” Chris said. The guys were heading to the side of the stage when Tiny stopped them.
“This way…” Tiny said as he lead them down to stage side.
“So this is what they’ve been up to the past few days…” JC said as he and Joey high-fived each other as the girls went through the song.
“Nick, you shouldn’t have come. How did you know where to find me anyway? I didn’t tell anyone where I was going.” Angie said as they talked in the management offices. She was talking to her boyfriend of 10 months, Nick Carter of The Backstreet Boys.
“Jonathan called me last night after he found you crying in your hotel room. Why didn’t you call me?” Nick asked.
“And tell you what? We haven’t talked since you left for your round the world album tour in four days, Nick? You chose it to be that way. You’re the reason I was crying last night, Nick… you and you alone! And last night I came to the realization that you made you’re decision that day. It’s okay, Nick. Really it is. You can’t handle an older woman, I understand.” Angie said. She was trying not to cry. “I’ve got to get out to the girls.” Angie said. As she went to pass him, Nick grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Do you really think that I would have come out here if it were over between us?” Nick asked. Angie couldn’t look at him.
“I’ve got work to do. Go home Nick. I don’t want you here.” Angie said coldly as she looked at the ground. Nick felt rejected and slowly let go of her arm. Angie headed for the stage.
“Let’s go guys… we have to get you into position.” Jonathan said to the guys as the girls were finishing up the song. The girls were getting a great response from the crowd. Angie stood on the side of the stage and held a white wipe board that said “just talk to crowd”. Tara took the lead so she started off by introducing the girls for the crowd.
“Now that y’all know who we are… can you guess who we’re paired with?” Tara asked. One by one, she pointed to the girls as the crowd guessed who the girls were with. They got Shawn and Betsy wrong but they had a good time guessing who was with who. After talking to the crowd for five minutes with the other girls chipping in here and there, Angie held up the wipe board saying they were ready. All but Tara ran offstage waving.
“Alright ladies and gentlemen… the time has come. The NSYNC Babes are proud to present NSYNC!” Tara looked up at the guys and saw Joey looking at her with a huge smile on his face. He mouthed I Love You to her as she blew him a kiss before running off stage.
The guys went through No Strings Attached and I Want You Back and went right into Kiss Me At Midnight for their first Christmas song and special event of the evening. As Joey, Chris, JC, and Justin took off jackets and hats, Lance went into his routine for the beginning of God Must Have Spent… as JC walked over to the side of the stage and took Shawn by the hand and led her back out to join him and the guys.
“Everyone… meet Shawn… Shawn… meet everyone.” JC smiled as Shawn looked into his blue eyes, deciding how she was going to torture him later that night. The rest of the guys just went with the flow as they sang God Must Have Spent… when it came time for the guys to be lifted into the air, JC pulled Shawn to him with her back to his chest and held onto her with one arm as he held the microphone with the other. “Just lean into me… I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” JC whispered into her ear, which made her shiver with excitement. When they came back down from being lifted, JC walked her off stage as the song ended. The guys took a minute to catch their breadth and decide whether or not to do Tearin’ Up My Heart. They looked over to the girls and motioned for them to come out and help them with the song. The crowd responded favorably to their shake up. Everyone except for Justin left the stage and Justin then went into his Human Beatbox routine. The next song was It’s Gonna Be Me. Afterwards, the guys sang I Don’t Want To Spend One More Christmas Without You. At the end of the song, Justin walked to the side of the stage.
“Uh, Justin, where are you going? We’ve got a show to do.” Joey said into his microphone.
“Just give me a second. Talk to the gang for a minute, I’ll be right there. Have to get something.” Justin explained. He walked out a few seconds later holding Britney’s hand and leading her onstage.
“Hey everyone. How are you tonight?” he asked the crowd. They went nuts. “Guess what tonight is?” he asked.
“The last night of the concert?” Lance replied.
“Yeah, but there’s something more…” Justin said. The guys knew what he was doing. He had told them before the show.
“Um, you passed your driver’s test?” Chris answered. Justin swung at him playfully.
“No… it’s someone’s birthday.” Justin finally let them all know what was going on, “and I thought it would be nice if we could all sing Happy Birthday to her. What do you say?” Justin asked the crowd, “on the count of three.” Justin said. He and the guys along with the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Britney. Tara, Danielle, Shawn, and Betsy brought out a cake with candles on it for Britney.
As that was happening, Richard Marx stood next to Angie and watched the whole thing.
“So, when did you start dating Nick Carter. I thought you swore off musicians.” Richard stated softly.
“I thought he was different. Turns out I was wrong.” Angie replied.
“It was wrong of you to give him an ultimatum like you did, Ang. It’s not easy doing what we do for a living.” Richard stuck up for Nick. `Damn!’ Angie thought, `don’t get in the middle of this Richard.’
“Is it wrong to ask where we stand in our relationship? Is it wrong to ask him for some sort of commitment on whether or not I’m the only woman he’ll date or if I’m just a notch on his belt?” Angie asked.
“It’s not wrong and if it helps, you’re not just a notch on his belt.” Richard turned to look at her. “He cares about you Angie and he wants to be in your life and wants you in his life. What can he do to make it up to you?” Richard asked.
“Nothing. It’s over. I can’t deal with his unwillingness to communicate and/or commit one way or the other.” She stated.
“Hey, he came all this way to see you and to talk to you and you’re the one that pushed him away.” Richard called her on what she had done earlier.
“Hey everyone! We have a real special guest for you tonight. He produced a song we will be singing later and you all probably know who he is by now… ladies and gentlemen, guys and dolls, Richard Marx!” Justin announced a few moments later.
“C’mon Angie… you deserve to have a little fun tonight too.” Richard grabbed a hold of Angie’s hand and ran out on stage and waved to the crowd.
“Hey guys, you don’t mind if Angie joins me for a few songs do you?” Richard asked the crowd as he led Angie to the piano.
Tara, Danielle, Shawn, Betsy, and Britney all looked at each other and then joined Richard at the piano as the guys were exiting the stage.
“Uh, ladies? We’re leaving for a few minutes. Are you coming?” Joey asked. This part was not planned.
“Nah… I think we’ll stay and listen to Richard, right ladies?” Tara replied for them all. The girls all agreed.
“But, uh, you’re suppose to come with us now?” Chris said and gave them all a wink. Danielle winked back, making it obvious and getting the crowd to laugh
“Hmmmmmmmmm… the guys or Richard.” Tara replied and thought about it for a sec. “Um, sorry… but right now… I’d give anything to hear a Richard tune. No offense or anything.” Tara teased. The adults in the crowd roared with laughter.
“But… but…” Lance stuttered, trying not to laugh as the rest of the guys were trying not to laugh as well..
“It’s Richard, guys… we’re not leaving.” Tara stared down the guys as she laughed. She then turned to the crowd and said, “You think I’m kidding? This man is amazing… wait until you hear him. You’ll see just how right I am!” Tara exclaimed as Richard started playing on the piano and began playing Don’t Mean Nothin’. He then went right into the first few notes of Take This Heart before stopping to talk to the crowd. “Okay everyone, there’s a guy I know in this stadium tonight that has until the end of this song to get his butt down to this stage to talk to a certain woman, so Nick… start running man!”. As Richard Sang Take This Heart, Nick and his bodyguards ran down to the side of the stage. JC held him back from going directly onto the stage as the song ended. “So, Angie… do you think we should find out if Nick made it down here to the stage?” Richard asked. Angie couldn’t believe what Richard was doing for her. Although she had always held out a small ray of hope that she and Richard would connect in some way, she knew they would never be more than friends, and now he was playing mediator between her and Nick. She nodded. “Nick… if you’re there, come on out.” Richard stated. The guys led him onstage and over to the piano. The crowd went insanely loud for the appearance of Nick Carter on the NSYNC stage. “This next song is dedicated to Angie from Nick and to all the NSYNC Babes from the guys.” Richard said as Nick offered Angie his hand and the guys each took their respective ladies’ hand in his own to the beginning chords of Now And Forever. The members of NSYNC and Nick danced to Richard singing Now and Forever. Toward the end of the song, Nick and Angie danced off stage. (To see what happened immediately after, click Here) After the song, it was JC’s turn to talk.
“Hey everyone. Did you know that Richard has a great new album out in stores now? It’s called Days In Avalon. All the songs were written or co-written by Richard. The songs are amazing and the album is truly a labor of love. Richard’s going to be back later on, but right now he’s going to sing one last song of his own for us and this one is off the new album.” JC led into the song for Richard. Richard smiled as he started Power Of You And Me. The lights dimmed slowly at the end of the song so that everyone could get off stage and get ready for the next few songs.
The living room set came out and lit up as the guys ran around to the back middle of the stage, changed and re-appeared on stage within five minutes.
While the guys sang I Drive Myself Crazy, the girls were ushered around the stage to the back to get ready for Just Got Paid. Pink and the girls from Dream were also going to be dancing during Just Got Paid.
“This next song goes out to all those guys who aren’t sure exactly how to tell the love in their life just how special they are…” Justin announced, “It is also dedicated to Robin.” The guys sang I Thought She Knew acapella.
After the brief intermission for the guys to change into their money clothes, they sang Just Got Paid and had totally forgotten that the girls would be involved with the song. The brought their ladies onto the main dance floor at the end of the song and went right into Home For Christmas. Afterwards they ran offstage to change for the next song and came up out of the stage for Space Cowboy.
“Where’s the gurney? We need the gurney!” Angie yelled in the back as Space Cowboy was ending. One of the stagehands pushed the gurney towards the back stage entrance.
“Angie… go talk to Nick, I’ve got this under control… just be back for Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.” Jonathan instructed Angie. She looked at Nick waiting for her back in the hallway and smiled for him. She made a mental not to thank Richard before the end of the night.
The guys came offstage and the girls helped them into the lab coats and other props for It Makes Me Ill. Everything went off smoothly. Before they went onstage, Joey whispered into Tara’s ear “You’re mine for TIPY,” he kissed her neck and followed the guys out onto the stage. Tara giggled as she placed her hand over the spot on her neck where Joey kissed her. After the song was over, the lights came on for a few moments as the guys all got ready for the last song before the encore.
“What a fantastic audience we’ve had tonight for our last show, huh guys?” Lance asked as the guys took swigs of water and wiped the sweat off their brows with towels. A few roadies had brought out stools for the guys little act before going onto the platform to go visit the crowd.
“Yeah, but something’s missing.” JC said.
“What?” Chris asked.
“We gotta get closer to the crowd. I’m just not feelin’ it sittin way back here.” JC admitted.
“He wants to get closer guys… c’mon…” Chris said as he got off the stool and moved it closer to the crowd.
“How’s this JC?” Lance asked.
“Nope… still feel lonely up here with them all out there.” JC admitted.
“Oh, alright… let’s get closer.” Chris said and moved the stool out of his way and went to the edge of the stage. Everyone followed him.
“How’s this?” Justin asked.
“We gotta get closer…” JC stated, still not satisfied.
“Wait! Before we do… can we bring the ladies out?” Joey asked. They were going to mix up the songs and he and Chris definitely wanted Danielle and Tara out there on the platform with them.
“Sure… ladies!” Justin yelled to the back. The NSYNC Babes came out onto the stage with Richard.
“Richard, looks like they didn’t want you to leave.” Lance laughed.
“Well, they sorta said I was being kidnapped until they heard one more song that I wrote. Mind if I join you guys for it?” Richard asked. The guys looked at each other.
“Not at all. What ever the women want.” Chris told him.
“I’m just gonna go over and play the piano while you guys do whatever over here, just remember, you’ve got fans watching, so no funny stuff.” Richard teased. The girls joined the guys on the platform.
“Thanks Richard.” JC said, “This next song is a really special song for all of us up here. It’s helped us through some rough times in the past and we hope that you all like it as much as we do.” JC told the crowd as he took Shawn’s hands in his and gently pulled her closer to him. They sang the song the way they sang it the night that Joey sang it to her at the Westbury Music Faire that fateful night way back when. They waved to the crowd and threw key chains, koosh balls, and magnets out to the crowd as they went up and then back on the platform. When Justin ended the song, the girls all had tears in their eyes.
“Thank you San Diego for an awesome evening. Because of you, our fans, we strive to do better with our music. We look forward to seeing you again real soon on our next tour. Thank you and god bless!” Justin said for the guys as they ran offstage for a few minutes to change for the encore and so that the girls could get a breather before going back onstage for Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. They also changed the encore set a little. They would do Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays last. So after a few minutes of the crowd chanting for the guys, they went back out to do Digital Getdown and Bye Bye Bye. They stayed out on stage for the last song.
“One more song for ya’all tonight.” Lance said into his microphone.
“And we’re asking for a little help from our crew so gang, come one out… all of you, yes Jonathan, even you and Angie… bring Nick out too.” Justin said into his microphone. Everyone came out onstage as the band began to play the music. The opening acts had come out as well. Richard stayed and joined the guys on stage as well.
“Again, everyone thank you for your love and support of NSYNC! Drive safely and Happy Holidays!” The guys said after the song was over. Joey took Tara immediately offstage and to an empty room to kiss her before they were to meet up with everyone else in the lounge.
“Okay everyone, can I have your attention please?” Jonathan asked when everyone had gathered backstage a half-hour later in the lounge with family and friends who had come to be with them for the last concert of the tour. “I just wanted to thank everyone for coming out tonight and for your dedication and support throughout the entire tour. As we all travel home to various locations, I ask that you all be safe and remember all the fun we had with the hard work too. Thanks again.” Jonathan said.
After the gathering, Joey, Tara, Randy, and Tiny escorted their families back to the hotel to spend time with them. By the time they got to bed, it was nearly three am. Sunday afternoon brought Joey and Lance saying goodbye to Tara and Betsy as Tara had to return home for a doctor’s appointment on Monday and Betsy had to get some studying done away from Lance for n exam she had on Thursday. Tara was scheduled to meet up with the guys in time for the Billboard awards on Wednesday night though.
At the airport..
“Joey, these past few days have been wonderful.” Tara said to Joey as they waited for the announcement that the plane was ready to board.
“I know… I feel the same way. Get some rest… you look tired. And take it easy… you’re system is way out of wack. Call me when you get home?” Joey asked. Tara nodded and kissed him goodbye as the announcement came over the speakers that she could board the plane. Betsy was holding her by one hand as Randy took the other and led her onto the plane. The last thing Tara saw before closing her eyes to rest on the flight home, was Joey and Lance waving to her and Betsy.
