“Hi Aida.” Betsy said from the sliding screen door to the deck.
“Betsy! Come on in! Dinner’s nearly ready and I was about to go arouse the troops. Would you like to come with me?” Aida asked after greeting Betsy.
“I don’t think so… I’m a little nervous.” She admitted.
“Don’t be… the guys are all terrific. You’ll love them and I’m sure they’ll love you too.” Aida said. “Well, help yourself to some tea then. I’ll be right back.”
“Aida? When’s dinner?” Lance asked as he came into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. It was then that he noticed Betsy.
“Funny you should ask, I was just about to come and wake y’all up. Lance meet Betsy, Tara’s new assistant. Betsy Andrews, meet Lance Bass. He’s very single.” Aida said, teasing them both. They both blushed. Lance, being the gentleman that he always is, walked over to Betsy and kissed her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Betsy.” He said.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Lance.” Betsy replied. `Oh my lord, he’s even cuter in person.’ She thought to herself. They struck up a conversation as they sat at the breakfast bar. Aida had gone to get everyone else.
“I’ll see you first thing tomorrow, doc. Thanks.” Tara said and handed the phone back to Joey before leaving everything as it was and leaving the room. She had to tell Randy about the appointment and also write it down in her day planner.
Joey just sighed and let her be. He knew she wasn’t mad at him but at herself because she knew he was right and that he loved her and just wanted her to get better. They’d both apologize later when she had time to calm down and think everything over again.
“There you are!” Aida declared.
“Is Chris alright?” Tara asked, motherly/sisterly mode taking over.
“Yes, he’s resting. Betsy’s here and dinner’s ready.” Aida said.
“I’ll be right there. I just need to write something down in my day planner before I forget and is Randy back yet?”
“No… He’s still with Tiny at the debriefing.” Aida explained. Joey came up on the porch. Tara thanked her and went on into the house.
“Dinner is smelling really good. You made steak, didn’t you?” Joey asked Aida.
“Of course. Tara insisted on it. You two okay?” Aida asked.
“Yeah Nana… she’s just being stubborn.”
“Ya know, she hid her misery well these few days you were gone. It’s gonna kill her when you’re gone even longer.” Aida declared.
“Not if I can help it.” Joey replied, “Not if I can help it.” They walked into the house together.
Tara had gone to the last place she had left her day planner on the desk in the den. Justin was still lying on the couch but Tara hadn’t noticed him. She quickly wrote down the doctor’s appointment in her schedule for tomorrow.
“Everything all right?” Justin asked as he sat up. She screamed. Totally caught off guard. She had forgotten that he and Lance and JC had fallen asleep in there earlier. Justin ran to her side as she slumped in the chair and cried. Everyone with the exception of Chris had run towards the den. Joey held everyone back and shooed them off at the door.
“I am so sorry… I didn’t mean to make you scream, let alone cry.” Justin said as he handed her a tissue.
“It’s not you Justin. But thank you.” Tara said as she looked down at the floor.
“Wanna talk about it?” Justin asked.
“No, would you mind giving me a few minutes alone?” Tara asked. She placed her arms on the desk in front of her and then put her head down on top of them. Justin kissed the top of Tara’s head and when he looked up towards the door, he noticed Joey.
“I didn’t mean to scare her, J.” Justin said.
“It’s okay, Juju… tell everyone to start without us?” Joey asked and closed the door after he entered the den. He sat down in a chair on the other side of the den.
“This isn’t like you Tara. This is why you should keep doctors appointments. We need to know what exactly is happening with your system and with the drugs that they’re giving you.” Joey spoke softly.
“This is an over-reaction to forgetting that Justin was asleep here in the den. That’s all.” Tara said as she looked up at her fiancé. “I just can’t seem to do anything right by you, can I?” she asked him.
“What do you mean?” Joey asked.
“Never mind… we’ve got guests.” Tara said. She took a few more tissues and dried her eyes.
“This conversation is not over, Tara. We’ll talk about it later.” Joey said, “But before we go out there, there is one think I want you to know.” Joey said.
“What?”
“I love you no matter what. No matter what. Don’t forget that, no matter how bad things may seem. I love you and I’m not letting go and I’m not giving up. Something is wrong and I’ve told you before and I’m telling you again, we will get to the bottom of this.” Joey reached out to touch her. She backed away.
“Yeah, we’ll see. Our guests are waiting.” Tara said. Joey opened the door for her and waited until she left the room to follow her out to the dining room.
“Would you two come out to the dining room now?” Aida said to Lance and Betsy. They were discussing music contracts and enwrapped in each other’s words. Aida had been back and forth from the kitchen to take the food out to the dining room table after she had made a tray for Chris and Dani and had JC take it to them.
“Are you ready to meet the rest of the guys?” Lance asked Betsy.
“Do I have to?” Betsy asked. She knew that she’d meet them all but she wasn’t sure she was ready to meet them.
“It’s okay… they won’t bite. I’ll protect ya.” Lance replied.
“C’mon you too. Joey’s about to say the prayer.” Aida came back into the kitchen. Betsy and Lance laughed and followed her into the dining room.
“Lance, glad to see you’ve stopped corrupting my personal assistant long enough for food. Betsy, this is my fiancé – Joey, JC, and Justin. Chris and Dani are having dinner up in Chris’s room. We’re glad you could join us tonight, Betsy. Boys, mind your manners or it’s up to your rooms with no desert.” Tara said as she took Joey’s hand. “Joey, would you mind saying the prayer?” Tara asked him. Everyone bowed their heads.
“Lord, we come before you to say grace for this wonderful meal that Aida has prepared to nourish our bodies. We thank you for watching over Chris and as you continue to watch over him as he recovers from his physical injuries. Thank you for leading us home safely and bringing us to our loved ones. Thank you for the family and friends, old and new, in this room lord. May they feel the presence of your love every day in their lives as well as the presence of our love. In your name, we pray. Amen.” Joey said. Betsy sat on one side of Tara while Joey sat on the other. Lance sat on the other side of Betsy.
Joey noticed Tara having trouble cutting her meat. He nudged her and asked her if she wanted some help. She nodded. He cut her meat for her and for the moment, everything was calm between them.
“So Betsy… didn’t you work for Jive? Because you look familiar.” Justin asked.
“Um, yes, I did. Jonathan told me about this position and I jumped at the chance. Little did I know what I was getting into.” She looked at Lance.
“How long did you work at Jive?”
“Since high school. Jonathan’s my brother-in-law.” Betsy explained. All four guys nearly choked on whatever food they were eating. Tara had already known because Betsy did tell her during their initial interview.
“You’re Elisabeth?” Joey asked.
“Yeah, but only he’s allowed to call me that.” She admitted. Tara squeezed her hand to let her know she was doing fine.
“So why did you want to do some assistant work?” Justin asked.
“Well, I wanted to try something different other than producing music which I would love to do someday as a career. I wanted to see other areas of not only the music business but the fashion business as well. Although I’m majoring in music, I did minor in Liberal Arts: Fashion.” She explained. Lance couldn’t believe just how wonderful Betsy seemed just from the little that he had gotten to know her from.
“So, you pretty much know about all of us then?” JC asked.
“Not really. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’ve heard your music and love it, but I learned long ago not to put anyone on a pedestal.” Betsy said.
“Enough badgering of my new assistant you guys.” Tara said. “Or I’ll make you guys work for me.” She teased.
Justin looked at Tara then looked over to Joey who had stayed out of the conversation. Joey was just sitting back taking everything in. Tara didn’t see what he meant, but he knew. Tara was already a moody, emotional person, but whatever medication she was on made her more vocal with her emotions whether silently or verbally. Joey noticed Justin looking at him with a questionable look as if to ask `is everything alright?’ Joey replied with a small hand gesture as if to say he was handling the situation. Things quieted down a little and everyone, with the exception of Tara, scarfed up dinner. Tara was helping Aida clean up in the kitchen while the guys took Betsy to meet Chris and Dani. Joey came into the kitchen.
“Tara, we need to talk.” Joey said.
“About?” Tara said without looking up.
“Earlier.” Joey replied.
“Nothing to talk about. Can’t go back and change it. What’s done is done.” Tara told him. Joey took hold of her hand and led her into the Jacuzzi room.
“If you’re worried that I’m mad at you, I’m not. Frustrated at the situation, but I’m not mad. You’ve got to stick to the plan when I’m gone, okay?” Joey asked her. “Don’t cancel an appointment because you’d rather be on a plane to see me. Your health is too important to wait any longer than necessary for tests and such. Aida and Dani are two people that we can trust and they adore you Tara. Trust in them and me. Let us help you.”
“I’m just so use to doing for myself, Joe. I don’t know what was going through my mind last night or this morning. I just know that I missed you and didn’t like being alone.”
“That’s perfectly normal, Tara. All normal feelings that you’re allowed to have. And I love that you wanted to be spontaneous, just don’t be spontaneous for a while. Okay? And don’t be mad at yourself either.” Joey gave her a goofy smile and got her to laugh. “I knew you could do it.” Joey chuckled. He loved it when she laughed. Her eyes would dance.
“C’mon, let’s go save Betsy from the guys.” Tara said as she calmed down.
“I think she can hold her own for a few more minutes.” Joey said as he pulled Tara closer to him so he could kiss her. Tara let out a slight moan.
“Can’t object to that.” Tara said when they parted.
“So are things better between us?” Joey asked.
“Why do you put up with me?” Tara asked as she brushed his hair off his forehead.
“Three little words will explain it. I Love You.” Joey held up three fingers for Tara as he said them.
“Thank you, Joey. I love you too. Very much.” Tara said and moved in for a hug.
“Hey you two, we’re going to play charades in Chris’s room. You two game?” JC knocked on the screen door.
“Tara?” Joey asked.
“Sure… be right there.” Tara said for both she and Joey.
“Okay, they’re on their way… Justin, Betsy… you ready?” JC asked as he ran into Chris’s room and left the door open just a little. Betsy nodded and Justin got behind the door, ready to grab Joey when he came through the door.
“JC… you are gonna be sooooo dead when … hey guys! Up for some charades?” Lance asked as he and Chris faked playing cards on the bed. Betsy pulled Tara out of the way as Justin jumped on Joey.
“What the???” Joey started to say as Justin put his hands over Joey’s eyes and JC pulled up Joey’s sleeve to reveal a tattoo of two hearts, an arrow and “Joey + Tara”. The outlines were started; it just needed color added to it.
“Oh my, Joseph Anthony Fatone, JR… when did you get this done?” Tara asked. She figured out the guys were having fun with Joey.
“I forgot about that.” Joey admitted as he poked Justin in the side.
“Ow…” Justin said.
“Sorry, but get off me now man!” Joey told him. Justin got off and backed away.
“We figured he hadn’t shown you it yet so we wanted to show you asap.” JC added.
“No charades then?” Tara asked.
“Oh no, we still want to play.” Lance said. Betsy joined him, Chris, and Danielle on the bed.
They broke off into two groups of four and played charades until Betsy noticed it was nearly 11pm.
“Geez, I hate to break up the fun, but I should go… my first class is at eight.” She announced to everyone. “C’mon, I’ll walk you out.” Tara said, crushing Lance’s hope of walking Betsy out to her car alone.
“I’ll go with.” Justin suggested.
“Me too…” JC teased. Lance gave them both a look as if to say, “Back off.”
“C’mon ladies… I’ll go with you.” Lance said, looking in the direction of JC and Justin. They both sat back down and laughed. Betsy exchanged good nights with everyone in the room and left with Tara and Lance.
“Tara alright Joey?” Chris asked.
“Not even close, Chris.” Joey said and sat down on the bed.
“We thought she was getting better? But she doesn’t seem like herself.” JC said.
“The medication isn’t working. But that’s not what I’m upset about. She went as far as to cancel the appointment to fly out to see me in Seattle. She’s never spontaneous. Her thought process and pattern are off. Aida didn’t notice it, Randy didn’t notice it, but Tiny, and Jonathan, and I have because we haven’t been around her all day. Oh, but get this… that officer back in PA in charge of the investigation into the shooting emailed Tara to boot. She may need to go to Pennsy on Thursday.”
“What’s being done to help her?” Danielle asked.
“She re-scheduled her appointment for tomorrow at eight. I’ll go with her. As for Thursday, I don’t know yet. But I do know that she won’t be allowed to fly. Not in the condition that she’s in.”
“So Chris, I guess the accident was a blessing in disguise then?” JC asked.
“Hardly, we all wanted to finish this tour so badly. I can’t believe I trusted him like that to get me back to the hotel. I should have known.” Chris stated. Still visibly upset over the accident.
“What’s done is done. You’ll be back up performing and such in a few weeks. Don’t be mad at him forever. It was an accident.” Justin told him.
“Ju… you weren’t there… he should have been more careful.” Chris winced in pain as he went to sit forward to get out of bed.
“Where are you going?” Danielle asked in surprise.
“The bathroom…” Chris explained. Joey and Danielle helped him into the bathroom.
“You like her, don’t you?” Tara asked Lance as they watched Betsy leave.
“She’s very interesting and intelligent. Would it bother you if I asked her out?” Lance asked. “I’d like to get to know her better.”
“Doesn’t bother me at all. Just be careful.” Tara suggested.
“Because of Belle?” Lance asked.
“Yeah. I don’t want to see either you or Betsy hurt.”
“Tara, have I told you lately how much like a sister you are to me? And that means a lot to me seeing how my family is all back home in Mississippi.”
“Tara, be honest with me. How are you really?” Lance stopped her from walking up onto the porch to go into the house.
“Lance… I…”
“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. It’s just that the guys and I are worried about you and Joey. He barely slept at all these past few days because he was so worried about you. What sleep he did get, wasn’t truly restful. Thank god we wear some make-up when we go on stage because he just doesn’t look good.” Lance interrupted her. She sat down on the first step.
“Alright Lance… the truth… you want it… here it comes. How am I? I don’t know. I thought I was doing really well, but Joey pulled me aside today to explain to me about what he’s observed today. I don’t know what’s up. But I’m obviously not getting any better. He’s worried and he has reason to be. I’m petrified. Does that answer your question?” Tara asked. Lance sat down next to her and put his arm around her.
“So maybe Chris’s accident was a blessing in disguise?” Lance suggested.
“Maybe. Would you promise me something?” Tara asked him.
“Depends on what that is, but you know that I care about you, and I’m willing to listen so tell me what you want me to promise you.” Lance said. He was always good with her.
“I know that Joey and JC are super-close, but you’re the one that thinks things through totally. I need you to promise me that when Joey needs a level head, that you’ll be there. I say this because I can’t be counted on to be there for him right now and he needs someone who is headstrong and levelheaded. Can you do this for me?” Tara looked directly into Lance’s eyes.
“I promise that I will be there for Joey when he needs me Tara. Don’t worry about that. And I’m here for you too. I know this can’t be easy for you. Being down here away from your best friend and your work.”
“I’m safe here. I’m not safe up there anymore physically or mentally. I know that. Joey knows that… That’s why he brought me down here. That’s why I agreed to come down here. And I love him with all my heart. I truly do. Maybe I’m just blowing things out of proportion.”
“You need to have some mindless fun. C’mon… I have an idea.” Lance grabbed her hand and led her back up to Chris’s room.
“Not tonight Lance. It’s late and Joey and I have to be at my doctor’s at 8am but thanks.” Tara gave him a smile. He looked at his watch.
“Yeah, you’re right. Okay, well, we should get back inside.
“What took you guys so long?” Chris asked.
“We were talking… anyhow… What’s going on?” Lance asked.
“Justin and JC were trying to decide whether or not to go clubbing. Lance, you up for it?” Chris asked.
“Nah. It’s late. Should get some sleep.” Lance said.
“He’s right… Chris, I’m sorry about the accident but allow me to be very selfish in saying I am so glad Joey’s home so thank you.” Tara gave Chris a kiss on the cheek.
“I do my best to make people happy.” Chris gave her a grin.
“What matters most is that it was an accident and you’re going to be fine. I love ya, ya lug.” Tara told him.
“I love you too.” She replied and took Joey’s hand as she got up off the bed. Justin and JC each gave her a hug.
“Remember what we talked about, okay?” Lance reminded her.
“I will. Thanks for the chat.” Tara gave him a hug.
“Anytime.” Lance replied. Joey said goodnight to everyone as they left Chris’s room and went down the hallway to theirs. They found Chris’s pugs sound asleep in front of their door.
“Look at these two… they’re waiting for Marxycat to come out and play.” Joey laughed as he scooped up the dogs and took them back to Chris’s room. Tara went on into their bedroom and sat down on the bed. She laid back and stared at the ceiling. What was she going to do about the business? She couldn’t go home again. Not anymore. This was her home now. Tears flowed down from her eyes. Joey was watching her from the doorway.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“I can’t go home again. Not permanently anyway. As long as there’s a threat that Kim will be free, I can’t go back there.” Tara said. Joey walked over to the bed.
“Now listen to me. You have a bodyguard now and if need be, we’ll get you more. I will do everything in my power to protect you. I don’t want you to be afraid to go back to Pennsylvania. I don’t want you to be afraid to go anywhere. What brought this on?” Joey asked as he lay down next to her on the bed.
“I’ve been thinking since our talk in the Jacuzzi room about just exactly why I came down here in the first place. My safety. At first it may have been physically, but now, it’s mentally as well. I see that now. And that’s because of you. I owe you so much.”
“No you don’t owe me anything, Tara. Your love is all I need and I have that.”
“I owe you my life, Joe. I truly do. I was slowly going mad up there after losing Andy. Then you came into my life and showed me how to love again, that it’s okay to love again. And that I don’t have to be alone anymore.”
“What are you saying Tara?”
“I guess I’m saying I’m sorry for not thinking about my health today. That I should take care of that before and above all else. I should have kept the appointment with the doctor.”
“It’s over and done with and you’re going first thing in the morning. Don’t dwell okay. We’ve discussed this and we’ve both said our peace. We both need some sleep and I have to admit that I’m really glad that I’m back here and able to have you in my arms all night long.” Joey explained. He got up and went over to her dresser and tossed her her favorite sleepwear. His boxers and a superman t-shirt. She smiled as she quickly changed and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. Joey joined her. “You see that woman in the mirror?” Joey asked her as he stood behind her, “That’s the woman I love with all my heart and soul and I’m gonna marry her, no matter what.” Joey turned her around to face him. “We will beat this chemical imbalance together and we will work through everything together even when I’m several thousand or thousands of miles away from you. I promise.” Joey said. Tara put her arms around him and closed in for a hug.
“Thanks for being my voice of reason. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She replied.
“Well, hurry up and finish up in here. Six-thirty will come awfully early for both of us.” Joey playfully teased. Tara came to attention and saluted him as she finished brushing her teeth.
As soon as they settled into bed for the night, Marxycat jumped up in between them.
“Oh no you don’t marxy, not tonight…” Tara scooted the cat to the end of the bed. Tara and Joey fell asleep with their arms wrapped around each other.
“Okay, here’s the new medication with a slightly different dosage. Same side effects are possible. You’ve been slacking off in your journal, Tara. This is very important if we’re going to find the correct dosage and treatment.”
“Thanks doc. I’ll do better.” Tara said.
“And I’ll see to it.” Joey said.
“Okay. Now, about Thursday and going up to Pennsylvania. I’ll clear you to fly only if you do not go alone.” Her doctor stated.
“Thank you.”
“Now if anything doesn’t feel right at all these next few days, I want you to call me immediately. Like I explained earlier… I do see some improvement but not enough that makes me happy. This could be a really slow process. Are you ready for the long haul?”
“Have to be. Thanks.” Tara was trying to absorb everything.
“Okay, so, let’s go schedule you for Monday for more tests. Joe, will you be here?”
“Yes. I’ll be here.” Joey said.
