Lance was shocked upon entering the reception hall. The massive sprawling room was filled with people. The low hum of classical music was nearly drowned out by the din of human voices. He had been to parties with many people before, but he hadn't been expecting it tonight. He took a quick survey of the room. There were a plethora of tables, covered in various hors d'oeuvres. There were also many punch bowls strategically placed through the hall, and a bar at the far right. The hall in and of itself was very elaborate, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and silver candelabras flanked by vases, which contained many different colors of roses, decorating tables near the walls.
Everywhere he looked he saw faces he recognized, some he actually knew, most he did not. JC was sitting at the bar, getting a drink and talking to Jason Berr of the TV Show Roswell. Chris and Joey were near the closest table to him, talking with Alyson Hannigan and Charisma Carpenter. Joey and Chris religiously watched Buffy and Angel, and they looked so happy to be talking to two of their favorite actresses. He continued his survey, and saw Joshua Jackson laughing with Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanez at the far end of the hall.
Lance let his eyes wander, and noticed Justin talking to Kerr Smith near the edge of the dance floor. It seemed like Justin was asking a multitude of questions, most of which Kerr Smith had no answer to. They were both looking out onto the dance floor, Justin was smiling widely, but Lance couldn't make out who they were looking at. Why would Justin be asking Kerr so many questions? Justin didn't know the actor, actually he himself hardly knew him, and he had acted for the WB before. Lance craned his neck, trying to see who all was on the dance floor. He laughed a little as Chris and Joey led Alyson and Charisma, respectively, to the dance floor. Chris looked so happy, like one of his dreams was coming true.
There were many couples dancing.... Seth Green and Emma Caulfield (which amused Lance to no end because of the similarities between Anya and Oz in Buffy, he imagined them as their characters going on about nothing in the most humorous way while dancing.), James Van Der Beek and Katherine Heigel, Brendan Ferr and Meredith Monroe, Katie Holmes and Tiernan, and... Katie Holmes and Tiernan! Lance looked in astonishment at them. Tiernan looked so gorgeous in that white tuxedo, he had thought the boy looked angelic before, but this far surpassed his imagination. Katie for her part looked beautiful, but it was hard for him to take his eyes off of Tiernan. The two of them moved gracefully in the middle of the dance floor. Lance envied Katie, she had her arms wrapped around Tiernan's shoulders, and he had his hands on her hips. They were so close to each other. Lance felt a stab of jealousy seeing them, but he tried to fight it down.
Lance tried to order his thoughts. It wasn't like he and Tiernan were dating. He had only known him for two days, but there was something about him. He had an indescribable charisma, and the most gorgeous body. The only word Lance could use to describe him was surreal. It was almost as if he wrapped the intense irrational reality of a dream about him, and thrived in the chaos of colors and exploding emotions. Lance became mesmerized again by Tiernan's grace, losing himself in thought. He wondered what Tiernan was thinking. Did he know what effect he was having on him? Did he even realize that after the concert tomorrow he would be leaving to go back on tour? Did it matter? Lance wanted so badly to tell him what he thought, but he was afraid. What would he say? What would he do? He knew he was very fragile when it came to love, Tiernan probably didn't realize the damage he might inadvertently leave in his wake. Was he falling in love?
"There you are, I was beginning to wonder if you were going to be here."
Beverley's voice ended Lance's musings. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn't even seen her approach. He looked at her and smiled.
"Hi Bev, you look gorgeous tonight."
He really did like her dress. It was a cream color silk with slashes of blue woven throughout. She had elbow length gloves of the same color, and an intricate necklace of pearls around her neck.
"You are one to talk, I love your tux, and I'm surprised you were able to find one on such short notice."
"Josh worked his magic for us."
Lance smiled as she looked over to his band mate and saw that he was chatting with Michelle Williams. Maybe she would improve his mood.
"So James, would you care to dance with me."
Lance cast one more look at Tiernan and Katie and decided a short dance would do him well. He also caught a glimpse of Justin gesturing in Tiernan's direction, and Kerr shrugging. He didn't really have time to think about it though, as he and Beverley started to dance.
"So you don't really hang out with him outside of the studio?"
Justin looked at Kerr as he asked the question. He had asked him so many questions, all of them about Tiernan. Do you know him well? What does he like to do? Where does he like to eat? Does he have any hobbies? Kerr was largely not useful in gathering information.
"Tiernan and I get along, we just don't really share any common interests. It's not cause he's gay or anything, that doesn't bother me. We just don't really enjoy the same things. Sorry I can't help you any more. Maybe you should talk to him if you are so interested."
Justin saw that Kerr grinned when he said it. He felt heat rush into his face. He realized he had been sounding like a love struck school girl asking all of her friends what to do about the cute boy in history class. He looked at Kerr, and both of them started to laugh.
"I'm really sorry, I have been pestering you about him."
"Don't worry about it, its cool. I wish you the best of luck he is a great guy. Oh and last I heard he was single with no prospects."
Justin laughed a bit as Kerr gave him a knowing "good luck" wink, and headed off into the crowd. He grabbed some punch and sat back to think about what he was going to do. He could just ask Tiernan if he found him attractive. No that would be embarrassing. Perhaps he should ask him on a date. Tiernan already said he was gay after all, and he had danced with him at the club. They had enjoyed themselves. Surely Tiernan would agree to going on a date with him.
Justin took a long last drink from his punch and decided what he was going to do. He wasn't going to just sit around and think about it any more. He looked out onto the dance floor, and it was like fate. Joshua Jackson was talking to Katie and Tiernan, obviously drawing his girlfriend away. That left Tiernan alone, who started to head off the dance floor and toward the bar. Justin was making his way around when he saw Lance and Beverley dancing. Justin was happy for Lance; it had been a long time since Lance had had a girlfriend. Maybe everything was looking up for the group as a whole.
JC only partially had his mind on what Michelle was going on about. His thoughts raced as he looked at Tiernan and Katie. He was so irrationally pissed off by the whole situation. Just looking at Tiernan made him want to go over and ask him what happened the night before. The more he sat and looked, the more his desire to do so grew. It took all of his self-control to stop himself from simply running over there when he saw Joshua lead Katie away to dance. He quickly disengaged from the conversation with Michelle and headed toward Tiernan, who was heading off of the dance floor.
"I wanna know what the hell happened last night!"
"Oh you mean after the club, lets see...I carried Lance back to the hotel and up into his room. He was really drunk and upset, I tried to comfort him about it, and then I left once he had fallen asleep"
JC expected a look of rage or some sort of argument about it being none of his business, but he wasn't ready for Tiernan's flippantly dishonest answer. He held himself in check and resisted the urge to punch Tiernan.
"That's BULLSHIT! I know something more happened... Did you try to force Lance to sleep with you! Is that what you didn't want him to hold against you? Did you take advantage of him while he was drunk? If you did..."
"What? Hold on a sec Josh...I didn't do anything like that. Just calm down..."
"NO! I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!"
"Josh, I don't care whether or not you believe me, but I can't tell you what happened in that hotel room.... you'll have to ask Lance."
"I'm asking you, now tell me what happened!"
"I can't Josh, it's not my place to tell you. If Lance wants to tell you, he will. If he doesn't, then I'm sorry."
JC couldn't handle it any longer. He had to get out of there or he was going to do something part of his mind thought he might regret later. Without another word to Tiernan he stormed off into the crowd that was amassing around them. He caught a glimpse of Joey and Chris giving him startled and concerned looks, but he paid no attention, he was just to frustrated to stop and explain to his band mates.
Joey starred in shock at the display between Tiernan and Josh. He had no idea what had happened for sure, he was unable to hear what they had said. He gave Chris a concerned look as he began to speak.
"What the hell do you think that was?"
Chris for his part looked a bit confused. He hadn't had any more luck in hearing what had been said than Joey, but he was beginning to put some things together.
"I have a small idea...but I'm not exactly sure."
"Oh? What do you think happened?"
"Well, lets try to order some of what we have seen in the past day or two, although we should move somewhere a bit more quiet."
Joey nodded, and the two quickly made apologies and excused themselves from Charisma and Alyson's company. They moved over near one of the less frequented tables, and there turned to be able to watch the hall for any more interesting events.
"So Chris, what are you thinking?"
"Well, have you noticed how strange Lance has been acting since he met Tiernan the other day?"
"Yeah, he has been a little off."
"Christ Joey, the guy has been practically drooling over Tiernan."
"So...I don't care if Lance likes guys."
"Neither do I, but have you noticed what Justin and Josh have been up to?"
"Oh! You mean like when Justin was trying to monopolize Tiernan's time at the club, dancing with him all night and fluttering about like a love struck school girl?"
"Yes exactly Joey.... do you realize what this means?"
"What that Justin is probably gay too? I always figured as much, the boy has always been a little too flamboyant for his own good. Oh and the whole Brittney Spears thing, she could not be any more completely obvious as a cover for curly's true social habits."
Chris couldn't help but laugh...he had always suspected Justin was at least bisexual, and there were a couple of times he was sure he caught him checking out his butt while changing for performances.
"Yes, but more importantly, I think Justin is falling for Tiernan as well."
"Oh...I could see where that would cause a problem. Having both Lance and Justin falling for the same guy."
"Ah, but the tangled web doesn't end there. What about Josh?"
"What about Josh? You are making my head hurt Chris."
"Give me a sec to explain, and you will get it, I swear. Have you noticed that Josh has been unusually on edge lately, and that his normal over protectiveness for us as a group has kind of focused on Lance the past few days?"
"Hmmm, so you think that Josh is also working up the courage to bust out of the closet, and that he has a thing for our own resident southern boy?"
"Exactly Joey, and what about Tiernan himself? Where does he stand and whom is he interested in? I would bet my life that he has fallen for Lance."
"So hold on, Tiernan has fallen for Lance, who returns the feelings, and Justin has the hots for Tiernan, while Josh is in love with Lance?"
"Yes Joey now you have it!"
"You know what that means?"
"What?"
"That we are about to hit a really bad storm."
Joey nodded of toward the dance floor to explain his point. Chris turned, and the two of them watched as Lance went to Tiernan, and started to whisper something in his ear, then the two of them started to make their way out of the crowd of people who had accumulated near where Josh and Tiernan had had words.
"Oh Joey, I think you don't realize the half of it."
To emphasize his own point, Chris pointed over to Justin, who was starring after Lance and Tiernan, with a hurt and confused expression on his face, before turning to storm off in another direction than either Josh or Tiernan and Lance had gone.
Justin had just been getting ready to go and ask Tiernan to dance, or to go out sometime, or something when he saw Lance go to him, and whisper in his ear. He looked on in anger as Tiernan turned to Lance and then nodded toward the balconies. He watched as the two of them left, and he fought to hold back tears. He had been going to ask Tiernan out, and Lance had done it. He had not even known that Lance was interested in guys.
Justin fled the party, tears starting to stream down his face, his thoughts running rampantly inside his mind. Why was it that anytime he met someone great something had to go and get in the way? Why could he never find someone to be in love with? He knew it sounded crazy because he had just met Tiernan, but he had thought there was going to be something, especially after the night at the club.
He didn't care where he was going, he just ran out and into the night.
Tiernan had been shocked when he had felt Lance brush up against him, and even more shocked when the cute southern boy asked him if he wanted to go somewhere to talk in private. He would go anywhere to be able to listen to Lance's voice. So he started to head off toward the balconies. He pushed open one of the sliding doors and gestured for Lance to go first, then followed behind the older boy.
"So, what did you wanna talk about?"
Tiernan watched as Lance slowly turned to face him, he was gorgeous, backlit by the moon. Tiernan smiled when Lance began to speak, slowly losing himself in the other's voice.
"I just wanted to spend some time alone with you. I also wanted to apologize for what happened last night."
"No worries Lance, I had a great time."
The auburn haired boy winked at Lance as he said it, and his smile broadened, then he took an unconscious step forward when the other began to speak again.
"Tiernan, I wanted you to know that...well, that I have had a great time the past couple of days with you, and I was wondering if you wanted to maybe go out sometime...you know...see a movie... or whatever."
"Are you asking me to go on a date with you Mr. Bass?"
Lance smiled when Tiernan said his name like that, and Tiernan winked at him again.
"Yeah...I guess that I am."
"Well, only on one condition."
"And what would that be Mr. Embry?"
"Only if you will dance with me tonight, then we can go anywhere you want on our second date."
The sounds of music playing could be heard from inside the hall, and Tiernan slowly started to walk toward Lance. After crossing what seemed like miles, when in truth it was only a few feet, Tiernan placed his arms around Lance's neck. The blond one responded by placing his hands on Tiernan's hips, and began to lead the dance. The two became lost in each other's eyes as they moved to the rhythm of the music. Together under the moonlight and alone, what Lance had wanted since he first accepted that he had developed an attraction for the Irish boy, and he wanted Tiernan to know.
"This is perfect."
Tiernan sighed contentedly in response as he laid his head on the Lance's shoulder.
"Yes, it is."
Lance made a decision, one he hoped he would not regret later, he removed one of his hands from Tiernan's side, and placed it under the boy's chin, drawing Tiernan's face up toward his own. Slowly he leaned down, placing his lips to Tiernan's. In that moment, all of his tangled emotions, all of his worries, and all of his inarticulateness fell away. There was only Tiernan and he, together, kissing under the stars, a perfect expression of what they felt for each other. Almost painfully Tiernan drew back after a short eternity, and Lance was shocked to see tears in his eyes. Only then did Lance remembered to breath.
"What's the matter? ...I'm sorry..."
Tiernan placed a finger against Lance's lips as he began to apologize.
"Shhhh, don't be sorry, please don't ever be sorry for that...I've wanted that for a long time... I'm crying because I'm scared. I don't know what is going to happen when you leave in a few days. I don't know what it is that you want from me."
Lance bit his lower lip in thought; unshed tears beginning to glisten in his own eyes.
"Tiernan I don't know what will happen. All I know is that I want to stay with you, I just found you, and I don't want to lose you. We will figure something out. You can come to the concert tomorrow, and afterwards we will work something out okay?"
Tiernan nodded in response, he didn't trust himself to speak. He closed his eyes, and Lance kissed the tears on his face away. He wrapped his arms around Lance's waist, not wanting to let go of him; for fear that he might disappear.