It was her second day in New York City and already Reini Campagna was being sent on what she was told would be one of the biggest casting calls of her modeling career. As she stood in front of the enormous building she thought back to how all of this began. Less than a month ago she was just a normal teenager working at a dry cleaners in boring Melrose New Mexico. Now here she was all alone in front of the biggest building she’d ever seen in the biggest city she had ever seen. She inhaled deeply and pulled open the large glass doors of A-List Casting. Walking up to the large receptionist desk she timidly asked “Can you please point me in the direction of casting room…number…umm…” shuffling through the papers she held in her hands along with her portfolio she desperately looked for the sheet of paper that the agency had given her with all the information for her casting calls for the day. Letting out an exasperated sigh the young woman behind the desk gave her a terribly annoyed look and promptly went back to her previous task. Finally finding the single sheet of paper Reini quickly scanned over all the times and addresses until she came across the correct one. “Umm its room 365” she finally got out. Looking Reini up and down the young woman let out a slight chuckle and pointed to her left. Reini stood there slightly perplexed. She wasn’t a complete hick but surely in a building this large there had to be more direction than just simply left.

“Umm that’s it its that way?” she said pointing left still looking every bit confused.

“Calvin Klein audition right?” she asked not looking back up from her work

“Right”

“Its that way.” taking another look at Reini she continued “trust me you cant miss it.”
 

**********

Sitting in the crowded hallway with the rest of the campaign hopefuls Reini laughed to herself. “The bitch at the desk was right” she thought, there was no way in hell she could have missed this cattle call. Sizing up her completion Reini began to feel a little self conscious. She knew that she was a cute girl and she was pretty thin but as she sat in the hallway with the other models she couldn’t help but feel like she was in the middle of a Kate Moss convention. Checking out the guys she knew that they would have it far easier if only for the fact that the women out numbered them about 3 to 1. Taking a deep breathe she decided that the best thing she could do was just to go through her portfolio to make sure that all her pictures were in their proper order 

An hour and five-million portfolio checks later Reini decided that she needed to fixate on something new, seeing as how the line had only seemed to move about a foot in that time. Pulling one of her comp cards from the back pocket of the portfolio she began to look over her stats:

Name: Reini Allisandra Campagna
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 110 lbs
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Hazel
D.O.B: 4-26-84
Measurements: 28-24-26

As she continued to obsess over the cards she heard a soft slightly southern voice in her left ear.

“First casting?” the soft male voice asked.

“How could you tell?” she replied turning to see the face of the first person other than her agent and ‘the bitch’ who had spoken her since she got to this city.

“Your fidgeting,” he stated matter of factly and nodded toward her legs. “and you damn near burned a hole through that comp card with you eyes.”

Reini glanced down at her legs and wondered how long she had been rocking them back and forth. She looked back up at the young man and let out an uneasy laugh. “Nerves I guess” she said averting his glance. He had the most piercing green eyes she had ever seen. As a matter of fact he had the most piercing everything. She couldn’t tell how tall he was from his seated position, but she could tell that he had an excellent build. With his shaved head, strong jaw line and irresistibly pouty lips he was easily the most beautiful human being she had ever seen. 

In the midst of her thoughts Reini hadn’t notice that he had extended his hand out in front of her. “Channing” he said hand still out stretched

Snapping out of her daze Reini extended her hand as well “Reini. Nice to meet you”

After their brief introduction Channing picked up the comp card that Reini had been looking at. Eyeballing it oddly he asked “How in the hell do you pronounce your last name? Camp-Ag-Geena?” Normally the butchering of her last name would have annoyed Reini but this time it was quite funny. She didn’t know if she wasn’t offended because he was hot or nice, but probably both.

“Its pronounced Camp-Anna its Italian.” she corrected giggling 

Over the next half hour while they continued to wait they spoke candidly with each other like old friends that just had a lot of catching up to do. Although there was a four year age gap between the two of them they found out that they had a lot in common, including the same birth date. Reini told him about the craziness of living with a Brazilian mother and Italian father in Melrose, and how the mix of her mothers Portuguese, her fathers Italian and both of her parents poor English as well as the Spanglish in New Mexico made for an interesting childhood to say the least. Channing told her about his childhood in the south and his experience in military school. By the time Reini was called in for her audition she felt like she had known him for years.

Minutes later Reini walked out of the casting room not sure exactly what had happened.

“How’d it go” Channing asked on his way into the male casting room

“I’m not really sure.” Reini replied with a half smile “I think okay”

“Well hey I gotta get goin in here but uh where are you staying…you know maybe I could show you around the city.” he asked looking slightly shy

“The agency’s putting me up in a penthouse at the Waldorf-Astoria until I get a couple jobs so just swing by there I’m in suite 304”

“Wow the Waldorf when I got here my agency had me in some piece of shit loft with like four other guys. They must see a gold mine in you.” he chuckled lightly. Just as he finished his statement the casting door opened and he was signaled in. 

“Well Ms. Campagna it was nice to meet you I gotta get going but what about tomorrow afternoon for that tour?”

“Sounds good to me. Besides I need to hear more about how you ended up in military school.” she said with a devious grin. 

Walking backward he confirmed their plans for the next afternoon and disappeared inside the casting room. Standing on the other side of the door Reini began to think that maybe New York wouldn’t be so bad after all.

**********

When she got back to her suite late that evening she noticed that she had messages waiting on her phone. The first was from her agent.

“Hey Rei I’m sure your not back in yet but I got good news for you. You got the CK job so give me a call first thing tomorrow and I’ll let ya know all about the booking. I knew you had the look” Reini couldn’t hide the smile that spread across her face and had she not been so tired she probably would have ran around her suite screaming. After saving the message she was shocked to see that she had a second message waiting since she had already talked to her parents she couldn’t imagine who it was 

“Hey Reini its Channing I called the front desk and they put me through to your room. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that my agent called me about an hour ago and told me that myself and ‘some young unknown model named Reini Camp-Ag-Geena’ got the CK job. That’s all I wanted. See you tomorrow” she smiled at his deliberate mispronunciation of her last name. Oh yeah she could definitely do this New York thing. 

He watched his sleeping roommate and thought about the day that they had met. It had been four long years ago yet it still seemed like just yesterday. He looked at her innocent face as she lay curled up with her head in his lap. Brushing a strand of her long brown hair away from her face he took in all of her features. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Sliding the back of his hand across her right cheek he gently traced every feature on her angelic face with his index finger. He ran his finger up and over her full lips which were always in a slightly pouted position even when she smiled, over her high cheek bones that always had just a hint of a blush to them, across her perfectly arched eyebrows and down the bridge of her nose that turned up just at the tip.

For four years Channing Tatum had watched Reini Campagna evolve from a shy 16 year old girl into a world renowned super model. They had come up in the industry together both gaining their own fame and fortune, and through it all becoming each others best friends. Channing had always thought that Reini was the most beautiful woman on earth and probably the most kind and loving person he had ever met. To be honest with himself he had wanted her from the moment he laid eyes on her in that crowded hallway, but in the beginning the age difference was a big deal. Being that he was 20 and she was 16 when they met he felt a little like a pedophile for being even remotely attracted to her. But now no matter how much he felt like he wanted her they had such an amazing bond as friends that he wouldn’t dare jeopardize that.

"What you thinking about?" her half sleep voice jolted him back into reality

"How I’ve been watching movies by myself for the past four years" he lied

Reini laughed lightly knowing that he was trying to be smart about her falling asleep. "Chan." she said lightly sitting up. "You know I’m still on…" she thought about it for a second, pretended to look at her watch and continued "Euro time." They both laughed

"Was it a good movie though?"

Truth be told he hadn’t really even paid much attention to the movie so he decided to go with the most convincing generic answer that he could think of "Uh the plot was alright, but I kinda dozed too". Yep that answer would work

She didn’t seem to want any details so he was safe. Getting off the couch Channing headed toward the kitchen to grab himself a beer. Knowing just what he was going after Reini called after him to bring her one as well.

"Hey we should go out tonight" Reini suggested when he returned. " You know to celebrate my return. This is the longest that I’ve been in America for like the last three months."

Channing could honestly say that he had no real interest in going out, and was pretty shocked that Reini wanted to go out. She had prided herself on not being a part of the New York celebutant scene, but hell after spending three months all over the globe he couldn’t blame her for wanting to have some good old NYC fun. "What the hell lets go"

**********

Justin Timberlake wasn’t your average New Yorker well at least not in his eyes. In a city where you had to be rich just to be poor he was sitting pretty damn close to the top and he liked it that way. He was rich, powerful, young, good looking and oh yeah did we say rich. Justin was heir to the biggest multi-media and publishing empire in the states and most parts of the world. Ever since he could remember he had broken bread with the rich, famous and royal and everything from money to women was expendable in his world.

He was used to getting everything that he wanted but tonight had to go off without a hinge. It was his birthday and he along with his two best friends Usher Raymond and JC Chasez along with their entire entourage were going to show this entire city just how to have a good night. Instead of renting a club out for the entire night however, Justin had bigger plans in mind. He was going to throw his powerful name around all night to get in to every hot spot in the city and dare anyone to deny him what he wanted this night.

"Yo J lets go its not getting any earlier." JC huffed looking down at his watch impatiently. Joshua Chasez a.k.a JC was one of Justin’s oldest and closest friends. His father and Justin’s father had started World Media together when they were quite young and had kept their families close together. As long as JC could remember his and Justin’s families had done everything from vacation together to eating Sunday dinners together for all general purposes they were pretty much brothers.

"J c’mon Usher and everybody else is already at the club lets go." JC called up the stairs.

Moments later a 6 foot 2 inch tall slender man came walking down the stairs of the New York apartment. "Loosen your panties Chasez they’ll wait…" the young man said nonchalantly. Walking over to a mirror in the foyer of the apartment he gave himself a once over before heading toward the door. "Tonight this city is mine"

~ 1:15am club Marquee NYC ~

The night was turning out beautifully for just and his entire entourage. They had hit every hotspot in the city and were now ending their night at the infamous Marquee. It had turned out to be quite an amazing 24th birthday for Mr. Timberlake, everywhere that he had gone that night he and his crew were treated like even bigger VIP’s than usual. People were breaking their backs to try to may him happy and that was the way he liked it.

Sitting in a private VIP booth at the club Justin took in his surroundings for a second. He couldn’t have asked for more. He was beyond being drunk sitting in one of the hottest clubs in the country with about 25 of his nearest and dearest surrounding him, and on either side of him were his two best friends Usher Raymond and JC Chasez. On his right JC was damn near swallowing a very petite young woman resembling a coke bottle. He was always the first one with a nice little chick on his lap. To his left was Usher. Usher was about the same height as Justin with strikingly similar features. Hell had their skin color been the same they probably could have been mistaken for brothers. Usher like JC had known Justin since what he described as their "shorty days". Ushers parents either owned or had invested in almost every hot club from New York to Japan, and had let their son and his friends rein as the crowned princes of the worlds night club scene since they were barely teenagers. Having a friend like Usher definitely got you into all the right doors with all of the right people without so much as a question asked.

"Hey J!" Usher snapped his fingers in front of Justin’s face jarring him back to reality. "Yo J." he snapped again

"What’s up?" Justin’s voice was heavy with liquor

Stretching his arm out Usher pointed to the dance floor. Justin squinted to see what he was pointing at. Scooting closer to his friend he finally saw what his friend was pointing at. She was beautiful. No beautiful was an insult this girl was breathe taking. She had long dark brown hair that spilled over her shoulders and stopped just at her breast. She was wearing black gaucho pants and a silver halter top that plunged just above her belly button. The top was backless and showed off her amazing shoulders and bronze skin that seemed to sparkle in the dim lights of the club. She was exotic looking maybe Hispanic he thought.

Usher looked at his friends face and smiled. Justin had ‘the look’ in his eye the ‘I must have her’ look. Usher decided to break his friends trance "That right there is the reason I know that GOD has to be a man because there is no way in hell another woman created THAT." Usher said not taking his eyes off of his friend.

Justin didn’t reply he couldn’t have said anything if he wanted to. All he could do was watch as she danced. She was dancing with some tool that he assumed was her boyfriend from the way that they were touching and smiling at each other. She was with about five people on the dance floor but he notice that she was giving the guy she was dancing with all of her attention. Justin couldn’t lie he was a handsome guy he was terribly tall maybe even taller than himself and had strong features even in the dim lighting of the club.

He couldn’t stop starting at the girl. What the hell was wrong with him? He was Justin fucking Timberlake. He had slept with some of the most beautiful women all over the world, but none of the had ever mesmerized him before. Why was this girl different he hadn’t even spoken to her yet and already she had him. "I have to have her" he thought out loud.

As soon as the words left his mouth he got his opportunity. The tool was walking away from her and she was heading to an empty booth on the other side of the club. Justin decided to capitalize on the opportunity before she was surrounded by people again. Quickly getting up from the booth he started to make his way over to her. What was he going to say, and why in the hell was he finding himself getting more and more nervous the closer he got to her?

About five feet away from her he somehow talked himself down and began to feel more comfortable. Her back was turned to him and he was pretty sure that all her attention was on the friends she had left on the dance floor. He slid into the booth next to her and leaned in toward her ear. "Are you having a good time?" he asked.

He must have startled her because the words hadn’t left his mouth good before she jerked up strait slamming the side of her head into his forehead. A surge of pain went flying through Justin’s head and through his eyes. As he sat there holding his forehead and right eye he swore that for at least 10 seconds he had gone temporarily blind. He looked over at the girl who was also holding her head but she was laughing hysterically. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out what was so funny, maybe she was delusional from their collision. He didn’t get a chance to ask her if she was okay before she beat him to the punch.

"Oh my God are you okay!" she managed to laugh out. "I am so sorry. You scared the shit out of me" Her voice was angel soft. She was an angel. He could tell that she wasn’t lying about the scare he had given her she still had a hand over her chest and the other holding her head where they hit.

"No no it okay. I mean I’m okay. Are you alright?" now he was laughing. He didn’t find the situation funny at all but her laughter was contagious. She nodded at his question and he extended his hand. "Justin Timberlake"

Accepting his hand she introduced herself "Reini Campagna." she smiled.

His headache was suddenly gone

That was all it took. Within seconds they were enthralled in conversation with each other. Every time she spoke he smiled. He was hanging on her every word and he didn’t try hide it. She was absolutely captivating .

**********

Channing was standing at the bar waiting for their drinks when he saw him walk over to her. He knew exactly who the slime making his way over to his friend was. The infamous Justin Timberlake. He was THE New York playboy. This guy had racked up more women in one night than most men did in a life time. Channing had heard all about Mr. Timberlake and for lack of a better description he was Paris Hilton with a dick.

He watched as Reini damn near knocked the guy out with her head. It would have been funny had it not been their conversation starter. Channing watched and smiled as Justin tried to run his game on her. He laughed to himself, this guy was a piece of work, but he knew his Reini and she was too smart to fall for any bullshit lines he tried to feed her. His smile faded though when she started laughing. She was laughing and hard. What was wrong with her Channing could believe his eyes. Was she flirting? She was and hard. Channing watched as the two chatted each other up they were smiling at each other and touching as if they hadn’t just met.

After grabbing their drinks from the bar Channing headed over to the booth where Reini was sitting with the New York City man whore. Sitting the drinks down on the table he waited for his friend to notice that he was there. She was so caught up in whatever it was that they were talking about that it took her a full minute to notice him.

"Oh hey!" she was far too excited "Justin this is my best friend in the whole world Channing. Channing this is Justin Timberlake." she made the introductions

Justin immediately extended his hand to Channing and flashed him his million dollar grin. "Hey man what’s up?"

As much as he hated to Channing took Justin’s hand in his own and gave him a brief and dejected hello.

For several seconds all three sat in awkward silence with Channing and Justin sizing each other up. Justin didn’t like her so called "friend" Channing. He had known the guy for all of 30 seconds but he knew he was going to be a pain in his ass. Maybe Reini was oblivious but Justin sure as hell wasn’t, and he knew that if this Channing person had his way he would surely be more than her "friend". Hell what strait man wouldn’t. Justin want going to take any chances of letting this douche bag ruin his night and decided to simply eliminate him from the equation for the night at least.

"You know I’m being pretty rude to my friends over there," he started and nodded over to his table where now both Usher and JC were pretending not to be spying on him "why don’t you come and join us."

She looked hesitant but before she could decline or her "friend" could interject he grabbed her hand and continued "Please don’t make me beg. C’mon I promise you’ll have a good time." putting on his most charming face he flashed her that irresistible grin and added "besides you cant say no its my birthday." With that he stood looking down on her waiting for her to respond.

Standing next to him they exchanged flirtatious stares and in her sweetest tone she conceded. "Well if its your birthday…" That’s all she needed to say before he was leading her away and toward his table. Looking over her shoulder she gave Channing a regretful look and mouthed ‘Sorry. I’ll be home later’

Reini lay in her bed reeling. Where did the month go? She could have sworn that it was just yesterday that she had met Justin. But here she was laying there just trying to catch her breathe. It had been a whirlwind of a month to say the very least. First there was meeting Justin which she was sure was the best part of the entire month of February. Then there were the jobs that she had completely forgotten she had taken on, it was this photo shoot here and that photo shoot there, fly to this country do a show in that city. She would be lying if she said she even knew what day it was. Hell she was lucky to get the month right. But the thing killing her the most was that all of a sudden it was like she and Channing didn’t even know each other any more.

It happened the night that she had met Justin. She hadn’t meant to hurt her friends feelings and she honestly didn’t think that he would get so bent out of shape about the whole thing, but that night had set off a terrible domino effect. Reini could admit that when she hadn’t been working she had been spending most of her nights with Justin club hopping with him and his friends all over the city. She had neglected her friend, something that had never happened in the four years that they had known each other. She knew it was a matter of time before her and Channing got into it but she could never have predicted the disaster that unfolded.

It was after 4:00 am when Reini walked through the door of her apartment. The night had been a blast. Reini, Justin, Usher and her friend Reagan had gone to the opening of yet another one of Usher’s families night spots, a club called The Naughty. The place had generated so much buzz that 30 minutes after it opened it was to its capacity. They must have partied for six hours strait and the drinks never stopped coming. By the time Reini got home she was drunk, tired and HUNGRY.

Walking strait into the kitchen she made a b line for the fridge leaving a trail of clothes, shoes and accessories on her way. Opening the freezer door she spotted her prey…bagel bites. She tried to be as quiet as possible while she prepared her feast but that was all shot to hell when she dropped the baking sheet meant for the bagels on her foot.

"FUCK" she shouted grabbing her right foot.

Before she had time to look at her foot good she saw the hallway light come on and heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Ray what the hell are you doing" Channing’s voice was groggy and irritated.

"Sorry I woke you. I dropped this stupid…thing on my foot." she said waving the baking sheet in the air.

Channing gave her a disgusted look. She was drunk, and dressed like she was about to do a Maxim photo shoot. Looking at the oven clock Channing became furious. "Reini its after four in the fucking morning. What the fuck are you doing?"
Oblivious to his anger Reini simply responded to the question "Makin bagel bites. You want some?"

Ignoring her answer Channing continued "I guess that means you were out with Justin and his ‘posse’ again getting drunk all over the city"

"And?" she continued to make her bagel bites.

"Ray this isn’t you what’s going on? Your acting like one of them."

Reini couldn’t help but laugh "Wow Channing ‘one of them’ what exactly is being ‘one of them’" her tone was laced with sarcasm.

"Just like one of the people that you used to say you hated. A goddamn socialite, a flake a fucking celebutant"

Reini was shocked and had she not been talking to her friend she would have sworn she sensed a hint of disgust in his voice. Before she could reply he continued.

"I mean look at you." he gestured toward her outfit "look at how your dressed. Look at how drunk you are Ray. And this…" Walking into the living room he picked up a magazine and a newspaper off of the coffee table and shoved them in front of her. "Have you even seen yourself lately"

Now she was angry. Snatching the magazines out of his hands she looked them over. The "newspaper" was the latest issue of Page 6 New York’s gossip column. The other was an US weekly from the week before. Both of the gossip blotters said pretty much the same thing. They both had pictures of Justin and Reini either kissing or snuggled up in a booth at a club in them with headlines reading something like "Media Heir and Model Canoodle All Over Town" or "Is Timberlake Getting Serious with Sexy Campagna?"

Reini was furious. Yes she had seen the articles and every other one that had been printed since she began seeing Justin. But if she didn’t know better she would say that Channing was implying that she was a slut. "Look Channing if your tryin’ to say something you better say it and quickly, because my patience is wearing thin with this conversation."

Channing was screaming at her now "What I’m trying to say is that your letting this asshole cart you all over the city like some kind of fucking accessory. That’s what he does Ray. He’s gonna fuck you, flaunt you, and then throw you away just like every other chick that has had the misfortune of dating him."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Channing tried to speak but Reini put her hand up to silence him "Look I don’t know what the hell your problem is but let me tell you one thing Channing Tatum. This is my life and I’m living it not you. And if I choose to be ‘one of them’ that is my business. And not that its any of your business but I am not FUCKING anyone. Justin and I have fun together which is more than I can say for you. All you want to do is sit around and judge other people for not being just like you and you know what Channing its pathetic!"

Reini was fuming and on quite a roll. Channing couldn’t get a word in edgewise even if he could think of something to say. She was ripping him a new one.

"You’ll have to excuse me if I want to enjoy my life. I’m sooo sorry that I came from shit. In a shit city with shit people and a shitty life. So forgive me that I don’t feel sorry for myself for being able to rub elbows with rich and famous people. I happen to like being a VIP and I happen to like being Justin’s arm candy. And if you don’t like it and you cant be happy for me …then…you can go fuck yourself"

Before Channing got a chance to reply she was out the door.

That was almost a week ago. Reini hadn’t seen or talked to Channing since that night. Now he was on a job in Japan and she knew that it would probably be another week before she saw him again. However, the time apart might do them some good she thought. Maybe that’s what they needed after almost four whole years of blissful friendship. She figured if their friendship couldn’t survive one stupid fight then maybe they should reevaluate their friendship.

Unfortunately in the middle of her reevaluation her intercom buzzer rang.

"Oh shit I totally forgot!"

Rushing to her closet she quickly threw on a pair of light denim jeans and pulled a black wife beater over her head. As she ran to the door she managed to get her socks on and pull her hair back into a ponytail. Grabbing her shoes and her purse she ran to the door throwing it open and let out the most ear piercing scream.

"What is it with you and scaring me" she laughed giving Justin a playful slap on the arm.

However Justin’s expression was anything but playful as he glanced at what she was wearing and then down at his watch, "I’ve been waiting for almost 20 minutes Reini. And from the looks of things I guess I wasn’t waiting for you to get ready." his voice was harsh, and she could tell that he did not approve of what she was wearing.

Reini opened her mouth to speak but Justin put his finger up to her lips to hush her. Letting out a heaving sigh. He rolled his eyes and barked out "Well…go change, and hurry up my parents hate to wait."

Reini quickly turned and ran back up the stairs. Frantically rummaging through her closet she found a freshly dry cleaned pair of black slacks and paired them with an almost sheer channel top. Quickly changing her outfit she ripped the socks off her feet and replaced them with a black pair of Jimmy Choo’s. Looking in the full length mirror across the room she swept some lip gloss across her lips and brushed on a bronze colored blush. Running back down the stairs she pulled her hair back down and hastily ran her fingers through it. When she got back to the front door Justin looked like he was about to explode.

"Its about time. You almost got left." he said grabbing her hand and practically dragging her out of the apartment and into an awaiting limo.

Lunch with Justin’s parents had been interesting to say the least. By the time they had gotten to the restaurant Justin was all but screaming at her about how she had made them late and how angry his father was going to be. And when they finally sat at the table Reini wished she had stayed at home. His father was a brute of a man and surprisingly young looking. As soon as they sat down his father took the liberty of ordering everyone a drink and appetizer without so much as asking what anyone would like. No one seemed to mind.

Once that task was squared away he went strait to tearing into Justin about being late for their lunch.

"Well Justin I’m glad that you could grace us with your presence. I guess lunch with your parents wasn’t a priority today?" Randy Timberlake asked sarcastically.

Justin didn’t bother with an explanation. He knew his father too well and knew that nothing he said would be a good enough answer. No one at the table said anything for that matter they all just waited for Randy to continue on his tyrant.

"You know son tardiness show a severe lack of character and discipline," he paused for a second and to everyone’s relief brought his point to a close "don’t let it happen again"

Justin gave his father a slight nod before picking up his menu and skimming it over. Reini was at a total loss for words. What on earth had she just witnessed. Was that seriously the man that she knew sitting there being made to look like a child. This was by far the most uncomfortable situation that she had ever been in. Not to mention that nobody had bothered to make the introductions yet, and she sure as hell wasn’t about to breathe too hard let alone talk after what she had just observed.

Once the drinks and appetizers arrived the mood seemed to lighten. Reini sipped on the belini that Justin’s father had ordered for her and watched as the two men began to chat in quite some depth about new business ventures. Looking across the table she met eyes with Justin’s mother for the first time. She was a pretty woman with the same piercing blue eyes as her son. She had a much more gentle look about her than Mr. Timberlake, with soft expressions and a gentle posture. She looked every bit of how a good mother should Reini though.
Reini must have been staring at the women for quite some time, because once she snapped out of her daze she was staring right back. Still she couldn’t look away there was something about his mother that was just so…so warm looking. And the way she was looking back at her almost a loving look or maybe it was pity. Either way Reini had never been looked at like that by anyone’s mother not even her own. It felt nice.

Lynn Timberlake watched her son’s girlfriend (at least she thought it was his girlfriend) staring at her from across the table. The girls face was absolutely angelic and the way she was looking at her, Lynn couldn’t even recall her own son looking at her with such adoration. It was flattering really. The look in this girls eyes was so intense but soft at the same time for a second she thought that the poor thing was going to burst into tears. For what she hadn’t the foggiest idea but something in the way that she was looking at her just screamed for love it made her wonder about the girls past.

Not wanting to analyze the situation any longer Lynn extended her hand across the table to the girl.

"I’m sorry sweetheart I wasn’t aware that I had raised such a…" she gave her son a sideways glance and decided no to finish the statement "I’m Justin’s mother Lynn"

"Its very nice to meet you Mrs. Timberlake. I’m Reini…Campagna" she said shaking the woman hand.

"Oh none of that Mrs. garbage just call me Lynn. All of Justin’s friends do. Oh and this brute over here-who I guess is as rude as his son-is my husband Randy"

Randy Timberlake gave his wife a a light scoff still didn’t bother with any pleasantries.

"So Campagna did you say, what is that, French?" his voice still gruff

Reini took a gulp of her mid afternoon cocktail before she replied. "Umm no sir its Italian actually" she hoped it came out every bit as bitchy as she had intended it to. From the look on his and Justin’s faces it did. Justin looked angry, his father annoyed. Taking a long hard drink of the scotch that his father had ordered for him Justin replied to his girlfriend’s comment before his father got the chance to

"Sweetheart. You never told me that your parents were Italian." Justin said trying to hide the anger in his voice. She was beginning to work his nerves. First being late, then that atrocious ensemble she had on at first, being rude to his father and not to mention she hadn’t touched her appetizer yet. Before she could reply to his first comment he added in the same fake voice "is there something wrong with your dish you haven’t so much as tasted it yet."

Reini looked down at the oysters in front of her, 3 of them sitting there all slimy and raw and waiting to kill her. She wanted to slap both Timberlake men right across their smug faces ‘well sweetheart the reason why I haven’t touched my plate is the same reason that you don’t know that my FATHER not parents is Italian, because apparently neither you nor your father have the presence of mind to ask people questions about themselves. For instance had your father bothered to ask me whether I even liked oysters or not he would have found out that I am terribly allergic to them, kinda like you would have found out over a month ago that I’m half Italian. You know…if you had bothered to ask’ . That’s what she wanted to say. Instead she smiled politely and said. "Oh I guess I never told you, I’m terribly allergic to oysters." and left it at that.

The rest of the lunch was relatively uneventful. With the two men going over business plans for the remainder of the time, and the two women sharing silent smiles across the table. Reini did however get to order her own entrée!

***************

Reini sat in the limo while Justin and his father had a quick farewell chat.

"I’ll be in London for the next month at least closing some deals. So I will expect you to be my eyes and ears on the New York end." Randy paused to let his son absorb the information. "got that son?"

Justin simply nodded. He rarely spoke when his father was speaking. He knew better, had learned that lesson the hard way at the age of eight, and would not soon forget. Justin was every bit the model son and heir waited until his father turned to leave to get into his limo. Before he could get the door open his father turned back around.

"Oh and son. That girlfriend of yours needs to be taught her proper place. That is the one you say your going to marry correct?"

Again just a nod

"I cant blame you there. She’s a gorgeous one. Nice posture, nice face very well spoken and great for publicity, a little ethnic for my taste almost looks Mexican…But I’ve never heard my son mention the M word so I’ll trust you on this Justin. But by the time I get back from London, if you still plan on giving her OUR last name she BETTER be taken down a peg or twenty. You’re the man Justin and you better damn well let her know it and make sure that she doesn’t forget."

With that he turned and walked toward his limo giving his son a wave and called back.

"Order my son. Society. Life. A marriage. The foundation of these things is order. Without it there would be chaos…even your mother-as spirited as she is-knows this. Teach her the meaning of order." with that last bit said he walked the last few feet to his limo and he was gone.

Justin watched his father drive off in the jet black limo his words echoing in his head as he opened the door to the limo

Order. Its all about order

Channing heard a light tapping sound at his door. Since he was half asleep he wasn’t sure if he had actually heard it or if his mind was playing tricks on him in the middle of the night. He heard it again *tap tap*. Before he could respond to the noise he saw his bedroom door creek open slowly and a thin figure blocking the light in the hallway from flooding into his room.

"Channing…you still up?" her voice was soft. Almost childlike.

"Yeah I’m up" he said sleepily but with concern evident in his voice "is something wrong?"

Reini stood in the door way digging her right foot into the carpet and fidgeting with the small white wife beater she had on. She didn’t know how to ask the next question.

"No, nothings wrong. I was just wondering if umm…I wanted to know if its ok with you…"

Channing knew what she wanted by the way she kept eyeballing the bed. She had slept in his bed every night this week. At first he was slightly weirded out by the fact that she wanted to sleep in his bed all the time, but after a while he got kind of used to it and now it just sort of felt right. They had been living together for three months now but this was the first time that she had ever spent an entire week sleeping with him. He would have thought that by now she would be comfortable asking him if she could stay in his bed for the night. Hell by now she should have known that she no longer had to ask.

Slowly pulling his comforter back he patted the spot next to him. Although it was dark he could see her face light up like a Christmas tree. She always looked so adorable to him. Especially tonight -it was funny how she always managed to incorporate something childlike into anything she did-skipping over to the bed in her wife beater and little boys Incredible Hulk briefs.

Easing her way under the comforter she snuggled in close to him placing a light kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks Channing. Really I mean it." she paused as if not sure what to say next. He could hear the sob in her voice "I’m really glad that I met you…you’ll never know how much you really mean to me."

"Reini? What’s wrong babe? C’mon don’t cry." Channing was absolutely confused. He knew that she didn’t like sleeping alone. He thought that maybe she was still just a little home sick or at the absolute worst a little afraid of the dark, but now he wasn’t so sure. Maybe there was a whole lot more to her not wanting to sleep alone than he first thought.

Brushing a strand of hair away from her face he kissed her forehead lightly. When he moved back to look at her he noticed a long scar that ran almost the entire length of her hairline on the right side of her head. Reini could feel him staring at her scar and quickly turned her back to him.

Turning her back over to face him Channing now saw a fresh trail of tears streaming down her face. Gently he traced the scar with his index finger and place a kiss on it.

"I wont ask. I‘ll never ask I promise." he spoke softly "but if you ever want to confide in me…I would never EVER betray your trust."

He didn’t say anything else and neither did she. Reini didn’t tell Channing her secrets that night, but just knowing that she could was more than enough.

That was the last night that she slept in his bed. Over the next couple of weeks he would hear the light pat of her feet against the wood floor and see her shadow underneath his bedroom door. But she never knocked again not even once, never made a sound outside of his door. She would just stand there for a minute or two and then the footsteps would retreat back down the hallway. As much as it ate him up inside wanting to know what it was that she had buried so deep inside herself, he kept his promise. She never told and he never asked.

"Flight 256 Tokyo to New York is now boarding…" the voice droned over the airport speakers bringing Channing back to reality. Picking up his carry-on bag Channing headed toward his terminal dreading the 14 hour flight back to the states. He had been in this business a long time, but no matter how many times he traveled he didn’t think that he would ever get used to the jet lag.

*****

When Channing finally arrived home he was beyond tired and wanted nothing more than to sleep for the next week. Deciding to wait until after he slept to unpack, he left his bags in the living room and headed strait for the bed. When he reached his bedroom door he noticed an enveloped taped to his door with just his name written on the outside of it. Knowing that it had been left for him by his roommate he tore the envelope open and read the letter that Reini had left for him

Channing,

I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I’ll start by saying I am deeply sorry for the hurtful things that I said to you the last time we saw each other. I want you to know that I didn’t mean it and I cannot apologize enough four not only what I said, but also for the way that I have been treating you lately. I guess I just wasn’t sure of how to balance my friendship with you with my relationship with Justin. I want you to know however, that as sorry as I am for hurting you I am NOT sorry for the way I feel about Justin. But there has got to be a way a middle ground for you two. Because I refuse to give you up but I also refuse to turn my back on the love that I feel for him. You once told me that our love was a different kind of love an unbreakable kind and that’s why people didn’t understand our friendship , because most people could never give or have that kind of love . Well I think I finally understand that and now I know that you can love more than one person that way. In other words just because I love him that doesn’t mean that I have to stop loving you. So I guess that’s it. I hope that we can work it out when I get back. I am going away with Justin for a couple of weeks but when I get back I’m all yours (I took the liberty of looking at your calendar and I penciled myself in for a whole week!!! Ha ha ha). Anyway I love you and I miss you and I cant wait to see you

Always Yours
Scrappy

Channing read the words over and over again until they sank in. He wasn’t sure what to think of her letter. He had to admit though that it put a smile on his face that she had signed the letter with the nickname that he had given her way back when. Reading her words one last time he stuffed the letter back into the envelope and set it on his dresser. Pulling off his flight clothes he slid into his bed under his…Egyptian cotton sheets? Before he had time to even think about where they came from he caught a glimpse of a card on the pillow next to him in the corner of his eye.

HOPE YOU LIKE ‘EM. 900 THREAD COUNT BABY!!!
NOW YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE ME!

Channing smiled to himself. She was a piece of work, but did she know how to apologize or what?

*****

Justin and Reini had spent nearly two weeks in the Hamptons. When he had first offered to take her to the Hamptons to get away for a couple of weeks Reini was a little bit apprehensive. For one it was barely spring and no one really went to the Hamptons until summer and secondly she wasn’t really sure if she just wanted to drop out of site for that long. But in the end Justin won the battle-anyway maybe a trip together was exactly what they needed. Ever since lunch with his parents things had been a little weird between them.

The trip had turned out to be a complete roller coaster ride. Some days were great, beyond the fairytale that Reini had expected, but that was just some days. Most days…well most days were another story. If they weren’t partying or all over each other they were at each others throats ready to murder one another. Reini could say without hesitation that she had seen sides of Justin that she never would have thought possible. From being out of this world romantic to being an out of this world asshole. He was a true Jekyl and Hyde.

Now here they were their last weekend at his families beautiful home in East Hampton and yet again ready to kill each other.

"WHAT!!" Reini yelled from the upstairs bathroom where she was getting ready for the day.
No answer. "WHAT!" she yelled again more annoyed this time. Good lord the man was bellowing her name like he was dying or something.

"What to you mean WHAT?" Justin asked. Yep it was definitely going to be one of THOSE days.

Reini didn’t bother to answer instead she continued to apply her creamy lilac eye shadow as if he had never even entered the room.

"Oh so now you’re deaf?" Justin asked sarcastically. Then in a much more stern tone he eased next to her right ear and whispered "Ok keep playin’ with me if you want to Reini. And I’ll show you better than I can tell you that I am NOT in the mood for one of your bitchy little attitudes today."

Knowing that he was very serious and not wanting to fight for the last 48 hours of their trip Reini put on her most convincing smile and turned to face Justin. He looked like his father with that scowl on his face. It was scary, literally. At that moment she would have done anything to take that look off of his face.

"I’m sorry baby. I promise I’ll be good tonight." giving each other a light peck they both went back to getting ready for the day.

The rest of the day went on relatively drama free. They had lunch with Usher who was now dating Reini’s friend Reagan at The Maidstone Arms one of the most trendy place to be seen in East Hampton. After lunch the guys went to meet up with some of their other friends to have cigars before a party that Justin would be throwing later that night, while the girls walked around the town and did some serious shopping. Which gave them time to talk candidly without worrying about their significant others over hearing.

"So you and Usher huh!" Reini said raising her eyebrows at her friend.

"Yup ever since The Naughty." Reagan beamed "He’s amazing Ray. He doesn’t seem like he would be but he is just the sweetest, most charming, romantic man that I have ever met in my life. I mean…"

Somewhere after charming Reini quit listening to her friend. She didn’t mean to ignore Reagan but out of nowhere she began to think of Justin and how he sort of reminded her of her father. She couldn’t put her finger on it but something about him reminded her of her dad.

"…just sweep you off your feet you know? Like totally in love out of no where!"

Reagan had stopped her rant and was now looking at Reini with expectation in her eyes. Oh god she wanted her to reply. Reini had no clue what the hell her friend was talking and would be lying if she said that she really even cared.

"Oh of course! Justin’s just great" was that the right answer? Apparently it was since Reagan picked up right where she left off.

"I know what you mean Usher just…" Normally Reini would have gladly dished about her boyfriend too, but right now she just wished that her friend would shut the hell up and quit asking her questions. But she didn’t shut up. In fact she kept going for the rest of the day. By the time they got back to Justin’s beach house all Reini heard was "blah blah blah Usher blah blah blah…"

Stepping through the front door Reini did not expect the site before her when they entered. Justin’s party was in full swing. How long had they been wondering around East Hampton? What time was it? Why hadn’t he called her? Well whatever the answer was Reini knew that she had to get upstairs quickly and quietly and get changed before Justin saw her.

Making a b-line for the stairs she was almost home free when she heard what might as well have been her death sentence.

In a loud and clearly drunk voice JC screamed across the house "Hey J there’s your chick over there!"

Stopping dead in her tracks Reini looked up to see Justin marching her direction. He had that look again, that Randy Timberlake look. She wished that she could just disappear at that very moment. Not saying a word Justin roughly grabbed her by her wrist and escorted her upstairs.
Once in the privacy of their bedroom, on the upper level of his obscenely large home, Justin didn’t waste any time tearing into her about where she had been and why she was late to the party.

"Where the Fuck have you been?" He screamed releasing her wrist and pushing her toward the bed. "Do you even know how bad this looks Reini? Do you!?!" Did he want an answer or was that a rhetorical question. He continued to scream. Rhetorical definitely didn’t need to be answered. "You know I try to take you away from the city to relax and what do you do? Huh? You have to go and fuck it up, running around town with your dumb ass friend doing God knows what!" he paused and for a second looked like he was trying to regain his composure.

"Do you know the meaning of order Reini?" he asked in a voice that was too calm to be comforting.

"Is this a rhetorical question?" as soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to slap herself. She hadn’t meant to say it. It just came out like…like word vomit completely out of her control.

Before she could retract her question she felt a sharp sting run across the entire left side of her face. Placing her hand over left cheek which was now on fire the realization of what had just happened finally sank in. He had just hit her, and hard. Sitting on the bed reeling she looked up at her boyfriend who showed absolutely no sign of regret on his face.

"Don’t even bother coming back down, just go to bed" his voice was cold and left no question about whether he had meant to hit her or not. The look on his face and the tone of his voice said it all. He hit her and on purpose.

Once Justin left the room Reini walked into the bathroom to inspect her face. Slowly raising her head she looked in the mirror. It was already starting to bruise. Reini lifted a shaky hand to the side of her face and with her index finger traced the perfect outline that Justin’s hand left across her face. A single tear escaped her right eye. In a way she felt that she deserved the slap that he had given her. In all actuality she could honestly say that she had expected it much sooner with all the fights that they had been in lately.

Reini didn’t know why, but she didn’t feel any anger toward Justin at all. If anything she was angry at herself. The only thoughts that were running through her head now were ‘I should have known better’ and ‘gotta stop the swelling asap’

Grabbing a towel off the shelf she ran some cold water over it and placed it to her left cheek which was absolutely on fire. Stripping down to just her underwear, she put on one of Justin’s oversized T-shirts and crawled under the covers. She didn’t shed another tear. Instead she closed her eyes and imagined that she was sleeping in Channing’s bed just like she had years ago, and when she finally fell asleep she was there. Back in the city, back in her apartment, back with Channing

Reini spent the remainder of the trip out of sight at the request of Justin. He said that he didn’t want anyone asking dumb questions about her "accident" as he referred to it. He had apologized and then went on some long ass speech about order that Reini could have given a shit less about and then went about life as though nothing had ever happened.

*****

2 days later NYC

It was after midnight when Reini finally got home. Carrying her luggage into her room she quietly changed into her favorite sleep wear. Her old white wife beater and Incredible Hulk briefs. Walking out of her bedroom she made a quick pit stop in the bathroom to make sure that her bruise was carefully concealed and continued on down the hallway.

Almost reaching the stairs that led to the living room Reini stopped in front of the last closed door before the descend down. Standing in front of it quietly she raised her hand to knock, but she couldn’t. She stood there right arm raised for a good five minutes before she continued down the stairs.

Entering the kitchen to get a glass of water and clear her head she gave herself a little pep talk as she ran the tap.

"You can sleep by yourself stupid. For god sake your almost 21. Grow up!" Pressing her palms flat against the counter top she began to take deep breathes to calm herself down a little. Why was she freaking out like this? She didn’t understand. And why in gods name had she gotten the urge to go sleep with Channing again? It had been over three years since she had pulled a ‘can I sleep with you tonight?’, but for some reason his bed was the only place she wanted to be at this moment.

Turning off the kitchen light she headed back up the stairs toward her bedroom. But on the way she stopped again just outside Channing’s door. Staring at it for a moment she continued on to her own room. Entering her room she turned off her light and headed over to the bed. Laying her head down on her pillow she felt something crunch beneath the weight of her head. Flipping on her nightstand light she looked on her pillow and smiled. It was a note from Channing.

Scrappy

thanx for the sheets they’re great!!
And yes you are forgiven you know I cant
Stay mad at you!!

Luv ya 2 much
Chan
P.S. I saw your feet 5 minutes ago. You know my door is always open

Reini read the last line of the note that Channing had left her over and over again. For some reason it warmed her heart to know that he knew her so well. God she missed him and now she wasn’t going to waste anymore time pretending like she didn’t. Throwing her covers back she jumped out of bed and headed strait for Channing’s room. Approaching the door she tapped on it twice lightly and then slowly pushed it open.

Entering the room slowly she looked up at her friend who was already staring back at her with the biggest smile on his face. Reini couldn’t help but to smile back. Neither of them saying a word Channing pulled back his covers and patted the spot next to him on the bed. Half walking and half running Reini jumped into her friends bed and quickly made herself comfortable. Pulling the covers over both of them Channing scooted his roommate closer and wrapped his arms around her.

"You know what I was thinking about in the almost month that we haven’t seen each other?" Channing asked quietly

"How big of a bitch I am?" they both laughed.

"That too" laughing Reini gave Channing the best punch she could from the angle she was laying "no but seriously I was thinking that I’ve known you for four years but I don’t really know you" Channing stopped like he was thinking for a moment "You know what I mean?"

"No I really don’t. I thought we knew each other pretty well actually" Reini wasn’t sure where this was going but she had a pretty good guess.

Hearing that her voice was already getting defensive Channing decided to drop it. "Never mind. I guess I was just over analyzing shit."

They laid there quietly for a good hour - both pretending to be asleep - listening to one another breathe. Reini knew what Channing was talking about before and she wanted to tell him, really she did. But where was she supposed to begin and was she ready to open that can of worms yet? If she was ever going to tell anyone who better than Channing. She trusted him more than anyone in the world. Taking in a deep breathe she broke the silence.

"When I was little…" she could feel the tears burning her eyes already "my brother used to hold me in his arms every night until I fell asleep." she paused but Channing knew that it wasn’t his turn to talk yet and didn’t want to run the chance of her clamming back up.

"I was always scared and he made me feel so safe." she stopped again and Channing decided to speak.

"What were you scared of?" he asked, his voice shaking with concern.

"My father" as soon as the words came out Reini began to sob. Pulling her into his arms Channing held her as tight as he could while she continued sobbing into his chest. After a couple of minutes of hysterical crying Reini wiped her eyes and gazed up at Channing , now wanting to tell him everything.

"My father hated me." seeing the look of disbelief in his face Reini decided to explain further. "When he found out that my mother was pregnant he wanted her to get an abortion, but being that my mother was catholic…well you get it. Anyway since she wouldn’t abort he beat her while she was pregnant with me. One night he beat her so bad that she went into labor. I was 3 months premature."

Channing couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What kind of man would do that to a woman. He knew that his face must have been priceless at that moment and he did his best to try to hide it . He wanted to hear the rest of her story.
"Anyway I watched my father beat my mother up until I was about eight. I guess that’s when he decided I was old enough to get a little piece of the action. I remember the first time it happened." Reini closed her eyes and saw that day as if she were living it again.

She had been outside with her older brothers Carmine and Joey. When her father called her in to tell her to go to the grocery store with her mother. She had asked him why she couldn’t stay and play football with the boys, and that was all it took. The next thing she knew her father was telling her to hold on to the bathroom sink and that if her mother heard her she would get it worse. Clenching the sink she closed her eyes as tight as she could and awaited what was next. Then she felt it…the horrible pain of her fathers thick black belt against her back. Holding tighter to the sink she gritted her teeth in preparation for the next blow. And it came, with more force than the first. And then another and another and another, the crack of his belt on her back echoing through the entire house.

Reini turned her head toward Channing and opened her eyes. She couldn’t believe what she saw. Channing had tears streaming down his face. She hadn’t realized until that moment that she had relived the moment out loud. But she couldn’t stop. Now that she was telling him she had to get it all out.

"He left me there in the bathroom curled up on the floor like a scared little animal. I couldn’t even walk. All I could think about was the pain. The next thing I can remember is laying in Carmine’s bed with an ice cold towel on my back, and him brushing my hair back with his fingers telling me that it was gonna be ok.". Reaching up to Channing’s face she brushed a tear from his cheek. "from that night on Carmine was always taking up for me, getting me out of trouble at home and everywhere else. I slept in his bed every night…until he went away."

Channing didn’t know how to process the information that his friend had just given him. He knew that Reini had had a hard life but he had no idea that it was that bad. Channing didn’t think that there was anything wrong with spanking but what she had just described to him wasn’t even child abuse it was assault.

"Wow Ray. I just…I mean…I really don’t even know what to say."

The air was thick in the room now. Oh god. Now he thought that she was crazy or something. Reini couldn’t breathe. She knew that it was a bad idea to tell him, but just as she was about to get out of the bed he squeezed her tighter and placed a light kiss between her eyebrows. He didn’t say anything else. He didn’t have to. Reini didn’t say another word either. Nothing else about her childhood or anything about what had happened with Justin in the Hamptons. She just let her friend hold her and protect her, and even if it was just for that brief moment in time...that was enough.

Randy Timberlake stared at his son completely perplexed. He wasn’t disgusted by what his son had just revealed to him, but more in shock that Justin had actually put his little "girlfriend" in her place. Actually he was pretty proud of his son for "stepping up" and showing her that he was the man. The one thing that he didn’t like, however, was that Justin seemed to be a little remorseful for what he had done.

"Look Justin, you did the right thing. Anyway its too late to gripe over it now…its in the past." Randy Timberlake said pouring himself a generous glass of scotch. "Besides son, if you apologize now you’ll be apologizing for every decision you make as long as your with this girl."

Justin let his father’s words sink in. He knew that in his father’s mind everything that he was saying made perfect sense. Some of it even made sense to him, but at the same time Justin couldn’t shake the feeling that his father’s advice wasn’t necessarily the right course of action for him.

"Yeah I get what you’re saying dad but if what I did was right then how come she wont even see me? Huh? If its so right, then why do I feel like shit about it?" Justin asked taking a gulp of the scotch that his father placed in front of him. Randy Timberlake took a deep breath.

"She’s still talking to you right?"

Silence

"Right?"

"Yeah but-" before Justin could finish his father interrupted

"No buts Justin. I promise you that if you want to mold this girl into who YOU want her to be, a woman worthy of the last name Timberlake, you will listen to my advice."

Justin sat in silence sipping his scotch. He knew what he had to do. All of his life all he wanted was to make his father proud and now he had a way. Had a way to show his father that he himself was worthy of being a Timberlake…worthy of his father’s respect.

"So what do I do?" he asked looking into the now empty glass.

"You keep her in her place." Randy stated mater-of-factly, refilling his sons empty glass. "Sure shes having a little ‘moment’ right now but she will realize what’s good for her. And when that time comes that’s when you truly show her who is running things"

"How?"

"You’ll know when the time comes J. That I cant tell you." Randy contemplated what to say next before continuing on" I will tell you this though. Whatever it is that you say or do, do it with conviction. Sure you can make it up to her later, I mean we’re not monsters, but never ever be sorry for disciplining her. Trust me."
Justin was confused. Was his father contradicting himself? Why was all of this so hard for him to understand?

"But isn’t making it up to her sort of like saying sorry?" Justin asked with question in his eyes.

Letting out a slight chuckle Randy took another drink of the dark liquor before continuing on. "Okay son let me put it like this. Whenever you find yourself having to…chastise her. Do not take any pity on her for what your doing. Women need to be put in their place and sometimes they need us to show them where that place is, and at times it may take a certain amount of…malevolence on your part. Do you understand what I’m telling you Justin?"

"Yeah. Okay I get that part but before you said something about ‘making it up’ to her? How do I do that without jeopardizing what I’ve already done? Ya know."

Randy smiled at his son. He was rather enjoying their conversation and was quite happy that his son seemed to be heeding his advice already.

"Well son this is where it gets confusing, because as much as you need to show her who’s who in the relationship, you also need to love her endlessly. So here is what I would say, no matter what you do to show your love for her make sure that its in her head not to mistake your kindness for weakness, and that no matter how badly you have punished her that it was for her own good. After all you wouldn’t tell your dog ‘thank you’ for shitting on the rug, but your still gonna love it not matter what, right?"

"Right" Justin said loving the fact that for the first time in his whole life he and his father were actually connecting. "okay dad just one more question."

"I’m all ears…" Randy said tossing back the rest of his scotch and pouring himself another drink.

"How did mom become…you know, so well behaved." Justin knew that with the advise that his father had just given him surely he was speaking from experience. His mother was an excellent mother and wife as far as he could remember so whatever it was that his father had done to her must have worked. Right?

"Your mother was a lot like that girlfriend of yours. I was always having to put her in her place. She had a little too much spunk about her," and with a look that Justin had never seen before, almost a look of pure satisfaction his father stated simply "I put the fear of God in her." Saying nothing more on the subject Randy Timberlake refilled his glass and for the first time Justin could remember gave him the most loving smile he had ever received from his father. Setting his glass down on the small table next to him Randy gave his sons hand a reassuring pat "I’m glad we had this talk son."

Smiling wider than he ever had in his life all Justin could say was "Me too"

~*~

Reini and Channing had spent every day together since she got back from the Hamptons. It was just like old times again. They bummed around the house, rented movies, ate tons of take-out and really just got to know each other all over again. For an entire week it was Scrappy and Chan again and they both loved every minute of it.

Sitting on the plush red couch in the living room of their apartment Reini thought about Justin. She missed him. Sure they talked every day but she wanted to see him. She thought to herself a week was long enough, she had given herself sufficient time to get over their little spat and for him to regret what he had done. Surely a week was long enough Right? As Channing emerged from the kitchen with a bottle of tequila, limes salt and chips and salsa in his hands Reini tried to shake the thoughts of Justin from her head. She had done good all week not mentioning Justin once, and even managed to keep her small shiner from Channing.

"Alright Ray dawg whats it gonna be?" Channing asked holding up two dvds "Empire Records or Boogie Nights?"

Reini scanned the dvds with her eyes pretending to really be contemplating her decision

"Hmmm…Mark Wahlberg with a 12 inch penis or Renee Zelwegger pre Bridget Jones. Ahhh decisions decisions." she said tapping her index finger on her chin "As much as I’d love to see a 12 inch penis I’m gonna have to go with Empire."

"Good Call"

While Channing put the dvd in Reini went about pouring each of them a shot. As the opening credits appeared on the screen they toasted to their friendship and dug into their late night snack. By the time the movie was over they had about ¼ a bottle of tequila left and about half a bag of tortilla chips to much on.

Pouring herself another shot Reini sat up strait and lifted her glass in a drunken salute to Channing. "Man o man I love me some Ta-Kill-Ya." she said throwing back her umpteenth shot of the night.

Pulling what was left of the bottle away from his roommate Channing gave her a soft smile "Okay drunk girl noa that you’ve had more than your fair share of tequila maybe we should call it a night."

Letting out an intoxicated laugh Reini brushed her hand over the top of Channings head lazily. "Chan? Did you know that I never…EVER," she emphasized with a nod of the head "had sex with Justin. Never!" she announced helping herself to a handful of ships.

Channing was sure that the look on his face was somewhere between shocked and amused at her revelation. "Wow no Ray, didn’t know that." he stated sarcastically trying not to laugh.

"Hell I’ve never had sex with anyone before!" she laughed lightly but there was a hint of disappointment in her voice. Before Channing could even respond Reini began speaking again. "How come you never tried to fuck me?"

Taken slightly aback by her question Channing didn’t even know what to say. He had entertained the idea once or twice when they first met but being that she was a minor there was really no point in pursuing it, and after so long he just loved her too much to let their relationship go down that road. But the idea was still something that plagued him even today.

"I wanted you to, but now its too late. You should have taken the opportunity Chan. I would have, it makes me sad to think that I wont lose my virginity to you."

What the FUCK!!! Was she for real? How in the hell could she just say something like that, and so nonchalantly. What the hell kind of twilight zone had he just stepped into. Her he was standing in front of a girl that he had all but pined over for nearly four years and shes telling him this. Channing opened his mouth to respond and sighed when her heard the light rhythmic sound of her breathing. She was asleep.

Cradling her in his arms Channing carried Reini up the stairs to her bedroom to put her in bed. Once he reached the bed he gently placed her down on it and began to stand up strait again, when he felt the light pressure of feminine hands on his shoulders. Before he could wrap his head around what was happening his roommates mouth came crashing down onto his. Her lips were as soft and warm as he had imagined they would have been and her kiss was full of hunger, want, need and at the same time innocence. As the realization of what was happening began to hit him, he felt those soft full lips slowly pull away from his as she rested her forehead against his. Sliding her head down to rest in the crook of his neck he could feel her labored breathing as she softly whispered "Why Channing? I waited for just one sign…I was yours. You could have had me." Letting out a heavy sigh she slowly lowered herself back down to the mattress and pulled the covers over her shoulders.

Channing sat there in the silence of her room listening to her breathe while she slept. He knew what she had just done. She hadn’t invited him to sleep with her tonight but more or less she was saying goodbye. Without even saying the words. They knew each other all too well, and in that one kiss she had told him more than any words could have ever said. Quietly leaving her in the darkness of her room Channing walked back down to the living room and stared at the blank television, quietly declaring to himself that he would move on from any feelings that he had ever had for his roommate. In nearly four years not a thing and then this, tonight, to have it end before either of them knew it could begin…that’s what hurt. The only question that still hung in the balance of the silence of their apartment was where their friendship would go. However drunk he knew Reini was Channing also knew that she had just unofficially changed everything between them and she had done it on purpose. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Reini awoke the next day with nothing more than a slight headache. Laying in her bed she reached over to open her nightstand drawer where she kept an emergency bottle of aspirin just for mornings like this. Popping two of the small white pills in her mouth she swallowed them without water and threw her comforter back over her head. Honestly she didn't really want to stay cooped up in her bedroom, but the thought of having to face Channing was more than enough to keep her in bed for at least another hour. As soon as she closed her eyes there was a knock on the door. She didn't bother to ask who it was was.

"Come in." she grumbled

"Hey champ! Thought you could use some coffee." Channing said walking into the room holding two piping hot cups of coffee in his hands. Reini accepted the warm cup gratefully.

"Mmmm" she moaned as the warm liquid slid down her throat. "Thanks Chan".

Both friends smiled at each other and continued drinking their coffee in silence. A good five minutes going by before either of them spoke a single word.

"Look Channing about last night…"

"We watched a movie, had some drinks, and went to bed. What else is there to say about last night" he said in one breath.

"Right" was all she could say. Dropping the subject completely Reini went back to focusing all of her attention on her coffee.

Another couple of minutes went by before Channing got up and began to walk toward the door. Giving her a silent glance before walking out without another word. After Reini heard the front door close she felt a single warm tear roll down her cheek. ‘How did it come to this' she thought. Their once solid friendship was now sinking faster and just as unexpectedly as the Titanic! Reini sat and finished her cup of coffee before finally getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. There was no sense in sitting around harping on the train wreck that she called her friendship.

Once Reini emerged from the shower she headed back to her bedroom to finish getting ready for the day. While setting her clothes out on the bed her cell phone began to ring. Quickly she rushed over to her dresser to retrieve it. Looking down at the phone she saw that it was Justin and flipped it open quickly.

"Hey you!"

"Hey girl" he said. He could hear the smile in her voice.

Neither of them spoke for a few seconds. Justin thought that he may have heard her open her mouth to speak but stop a couple of times. Deciding that he needed to get the wheels of his plan into motion, and she was obviously at a loss, for words he began to speak softly.

"You know Ray I really think that this has gone on for long enough." he started.

"Well Justin I'm still really…lost over what happened." she stated blankly.

"Look Reini I said I was sorry. What else do you want me to do…beg?" he was already beginning to get irritated with this conversation.

"I don't know. I'm just really confused right now."

"Well Reini I'm not confused, and I'm not gonna beg. Look I'm not gonna keep playing this game of phone tag either. Your being ridiculous."

Letting out a heavy sigh she walked over to her bed where her clothes still sat out and began to get dressed. "What do you want me to say Justin?" she asked pulling her pants on.

"Say you'll have dinner with me tonight."

Reini let out a soft sigh. When she didn't respond right away Justin knew that he had her. Letting out a heavier sigh this time Reini finally answered. "Well…where do you want me to meet you?"

A slow smile crept across Justin's face. Tonight was gonna be THE night. He could feel it in his bones.
______________________________________________________________________

Reini finally arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes late. After getting off the phone with Justin she had spent the rest of the day on a rampage through her closet to find something to wear. She finally decided on a dark forest green Marc Jacobs slouch dress and a pair of black BCBG stilettos.

When she walked into the restaurant Justin's eyes locked on her immediately. She looked absolutely breath taking. The dark green dress she wore had a plunging scoop neck that hung just off of her left shoulder and the dress fit her body to a T. It looked almost like an oversized t-shirt, fitting a little loosely on top but hugging every inch of her body from her hips all the way down the few inches of her thighs that it covered. And her legs…good god the girl had legs for days. Justin swore that every time he saw her she got even sexier!

As she approached the table Justin rose from his seat to great her with a hug and pull her chair out.

"Wow! You look amazing Ray" he exclaimed as they both took their seats.

"Thanks" she said with a smile. "Your not looking so bad yourself Timberlake"

They both sat in silence. It wasn't that they had nothing to say to each other they just had to take each other in. Reini stared at Justin and admired how striking and sharp his features were. From his sharp jaw line, to the arch of his brow, to the distinction of his nose, and the curve of his lips. His face was absolute perfection. He in turn was taking his own mental inventory of her face as well.

Her hair which was a black curtain that always seemed to frame her face just right, those amazing green eyes, her perfect lips that always glistened from whatever gloss it was that she wore, and her neck. She had by far the most sexy neck that Justin had ever seen, It was long and slender and feminine. Justin hadn't realized how sexy a woman's neck could truly be until he had really paid attention to hers.

They were both drawn back to reality when an unfamiliar voice interrupted their thoughts.

"What?" Justin asked looking up with a dreamy smile on his face.

"I asked if I could take your drink order?" the young lady repeated herself, presenting Justin with the restaurants wine menu.

Taking the menu from the young girl Justin scanned it over quickly before folding it back in half and handing it back to her. "I'll take a bottle of your '78 Cabernet Sauvignon"

"I'll be right back with your wine Mr. Timberlake. Your waiter should be with you in just a moment"

After a giving the hostess a quick nod Justin went back to staring at Reini. Only now for the first time during their evening they made eye contact. She had the biggest smile one her face, which in turn made Justin smile.

"What"

"Nothing…Mr. Timberlake" she mocked with a small giggle.

"Ha ha. You think your so cute don't you?"

"I know I'm cute" she said with an arrogant smile and began to play with the edges of the napkin that sat to her left.

Justin smiled back and placed his hand on top of hers. Looking up from the table she locked eyes with him again. Without ever breaking eye contact Justin turned Reini's hand over so that her palm was exposed, brought it to his lips, and placed a kiss on the inside of her left hand. Keeping hold of her hand he set it back down on the table.

It wasn't long before the hostess came back with their bottle of wine. Showing Justin the label she poured him a small serving and waited until he nodded his head in approval before pouring a more suitable serving into each of their glasses.
Reini couldn't take her eyes off of Justin. He just had this whimsical look on his face the entire time they sat there. The heat from his hand holding hers made her whole body warm and at that moment she realized just how much she had truly missed him in the time they hadn't seen each other.

"Whatcha thinkin about?" she asked staring deeply into his eyes.

"I'm thinking that I cant believe that I am so in love with you" Justin said smiling softly at her. "I'm thinking that I cant believe at 24 I found the woman I'm going to spend the rest of my life with!"

Reini didn't respond, she didn't need to, the look in her eyes said enough. It said that what happened in the Hamptons was a distant memory, it said that she had forgiven him, but most importantly it said that she felt the same way.
A moment later their waiter finally arrived at the table to begin taking their orders.

"Do you mind if I order for you?" Justin asked half jokingly and half sarcastic remembering the lunch incident with his father "its just kinda how I was raised."

"Order away" she smiled

"To start I'll have Lobster Bisque and the Tomato Salad" Justin said continuing to scan the menu for what to order for Reini.

"And for your beautiful companion?" The waiter asked Justin but stared at Reini the entire time.

At those words Justin stopped looking at the menu and rose his head to a very unpleasant scene. The asshole waiter was blatantly flirting with his girlfriend, and what was even worse was that she didn't seem to mind one bit. From the blush that crept across her face Justin could even go as far to say that she seemed to be enjoying it. Clearing his throat he gave the waiter a look that told him to do his damn job and stop eyeballing his damn girlfriend and continued.

"She'll have the French Onion Soup and the Endive Salad" he said bitterly, snapping his menu shut and shoving it back at the waiter. Taking the menu the waiter went to retrieve the first part of their appetizers.

Reini had a look of disbelief on her face. She couldn't believe how rude he had just been to their waiter. When she looked up at him the look on his face was almost frightening. Just a few moments ago he had looked at her like she was the only person left on earth, how could he go from that to looking like he wanted to throw her across the restaurant in a matter of seconds? Before she could say anything to him their waiter returned with two bowls of soup. Setting the first in front of Justin and then carefully placing the other in front of Reini.

"Can I get you folks anything else at this moment?" he asked.

"We're fine." Justin said through gritted teeth.

Looking over at Reini the waiter asked "Ma'am?"

"I said we were fine!" Justin said a little bit louder and a lot more angrily

Once the waiter left Justin's appetite had gone completely. Sitting back in his chair he pushed his soup away from him and tossed the napkin that was on his lap onto the table. Reini's appetite seemed to be fine as he watched her sip her soup slowly like nothing had just happened. Justin began sucking on his teeth until she finally looked up at him.

"What?" she asked softly

"Oh nothing. I was just wondering if you wanted to follow your little boyfriend back to the kitchen?" He said sarcastically.

Rolling her eyes Reini let go of the spoon that she held in her left hand and reached across the table to grab Justin's.

"Baby please! We're having a nice night okay. Please don't start." she asked her eyes pleading with him. "I was just being polite."

Leaning forward onto the table slightly Justin began to squeeze Reini's hand. She winced in pain and tried to pull her hand away from his, but he just tightened his grip pulling her in closer. "So that's what you call blatantly flirting with someone right in front of me? Being ‘polite'?" he asked in a stern voice but low enough so that only she could hear.

"Justin your hurting me" she whined.

Squeezing her hand even tighter he jerked her arm a little more so that she was now leaned over the table. Leaning in closer to her face he continued squeezing her hand until he finally saw a look of sheer pain take over her face. Leaning in a little more he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and slowly began to let go of her hand.

Once her hand was completely free she pulled it into her lap and began massaging it with her other hand. What was wrong with him? One minute he was the sweetest guy on earth and the next he was inflicting pain on her for what really seemed like nothing at all. Reini didn't understand. What had she done to make him so angry?

"I'm not hungry anymore. Lets go to the bar." Justin said interrupting her thoughts. Reini didn't bother protesting. In all actuality she was still hungry, but with the mood that he had seemed to acquire out of nowhere, she decided that it would be best to just pacify him and go to the bar.

As they walked toward the bar area of the restaurant Reini spotted their waiter walking toward them.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked giving Reini a flirtatious smile. She didn't respond, just smiled back and continued to walk behind Justin.

Reini thought that she had done the right thing by not speaking to the waiter again, but apparently the smile was enough. As soon as they were far enough out of sight so that neither the people in the dining area nor the bar could see them Justin grabbed Reini by the arm and hastily drug her into the coat check area.

"Just-"

Before she could even get his name completely out of her mouth, he quickly whipped her around so that she was now facing him and slammed her against the coat check wall. Reini let out a small whimper at the impact of her back hitting the hard concrete wall.

"You like flirting with the fucking waiter, huh?" Justin asked holding her firmly against the cold hard surface "You like to make me mad?"

"What are you talking about?" Reini asked as her eyes began to fill with tears.

"Oh please Ray don't play stupid. You were a heartbeat away from pulling down your panties and fucking the guy right on the table"

Pushing him away slightly Reini tried to push herself away from the wall.

"Justin what the hell are you talking about? Your acting crazy!" she said now crying.

Pulling her completely away from the wall he looked in her eyes and slammed her back again. This time with twice the force causing her head to connect with the cold wall making a loud thud.

"Well maybe if you wouldn't act like such a fucking slut I wouldn't have to act crazy!!" he said in an eerily calm voice.

Just then one of the hostesses came back to retrieve a coat for another guest. Quickly adjusting himself Justin grabbed Reini's hand and exited the coat area. Walking briskly through the restaurant he headed strait for the exit with Reini in tow. Once outside Justin handed the valet his ticket and waited while they got his car, still holding Reini's hand.

"Justin. My hand really hurts." Reini said trying to ease her hand away from his.

Squeezing it even harder than he had at the table, which until this point she didn't even think was possible, he bent his head to her ear so that only she could hear him.

"Sweetheart, at this point your lucky I don't break your fucking hand. So I suggest you shut up."

As they stood there waiting for the car Justin seemed to be getting more and more angry, and showing no signs of releasing the death grip that he had on her hand. When the car finally pulled up Reini was so relieved that he had finally freed her hand that she hadn't noticed the waiter running out of the restaurant waving her purse at them. It wasn't until she heard Justin's voice that she even realized what was going on.

"Oh so you're the purse police now too!?" Justin asked sarcastically walking toward the guy.

Putting his hands up defensively the waiter held out Reini's purse.

"Look she left her purse at the table okay. I was just trying to catch you guys before you left, I didn't want your girl to forget her purse is all"

Taking a step closer Justin snatched the purse out of his hands.

"Yeah I noticed you've been real ‘concerned' with MY girl all fucking night long".

"Justin please…" Reini pleaded grabbing his arm in an attempt to end the confrontation.

Looking down at his girlfriend's hand on his arm Justin's face softened a bit and he smiled at the guy. Slowly backing toward his car he handed Reini her purse. As they both began to get into the car Justin heard him call out

"There's no need to be jealous. I'm sure you'll be the first to know when your girl wants a real man."

Before the words fully left his mouth Justin had thrown the car door back open and was now charging toward the waiter. In what seemed like only seconds the waiter was laying on the ground holding his nose and a handful of blood, and Justin was sitting back in the drivers seat of his bmw. As he started the car Reini opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced.

"It would probably be in your best interest not to speak right now." he said before skirting out of the parking lot.

 Reini sat back in her seat and watched the streetlights fly by much faster than they probably should have been. She had a feeling that this night was no where near over. And that thought made her want to cry all over again.

When they finally pulled into the massive skyscraper that Justin called home, Justin practically leapt out of the small blue sports car and raced around to the passenger side door. Opening it he motioned toward the front of the building.

"Out."

Stepping slowly out of the car Reini couldn't stop her legs from shaking. Her nerves were standing on end anticipating what he was going to do next. Not to mention that she was absolutely terrified that he may try to grab her now throbbing hand again. To her surprise, however, once she was fully out of the car he just stared at her for a second and then began to walk toward the building.

Reini hated the way that he was making her feel right now. She still didn't understand what she had done wrong. Why was he taking the fact that the waiter innocently flirted with her out on her? Walking slowly behind him her eyes began to well with tears.

Standing in front of the elevator Justin waited impatiently for Reini to catch up to him. Once they both stepped onto the elevator Reini began to search through her purse for a tissue to wipe away the tears that were now spilling down her cheeks.

Justin glanced at Reini searching through her purse with shaky hands. What the hell was she looking for? And then it hit him. It all made sense. The comment that the waiter made at him when they were leaving, the constant flirting, her ‘forgetting' her purse at the table. What kind of fucking fool did she take him for?

The light ding that the elevator sounded as they reached the floor that his apartment occupied might as well have been the starting bell of a heavyweight bout. Furious, Justin snatched the purse from her hands and threw her into the apartment as soon as the doors slid open.

"What the fuck are you looking for?" He screamed practically ripping her purse in half as he began to rummage through it. "What, your boyfriend at the restaurant slip his number in here for you?"

"I was just looking for a tissue" Reini cried trying to snatch the purse back. "Stop you're gonna ruin it!!"

Throwing the purse across the entry way Justin got directly in her face. Grabbing her by the chin he lifted her face up toward his.

"You think I give a shit about that fucking purse?!" he screamed in her face tightening the grip he had on her.

Grabbing his wrist with both hands Reini tried to pry his hand away from her face. Finally pulling her face free from his hand, she stumbled backward and fell next to the scattered contents of her purse.

Now standing over her Justin continued to scream at her.

"So was that the plan?! HUH!!!" he screamed getting louder with each word. "You wanna FUCK HIM! HUH?!? You wanna be the little hot shit model that goes around fucking WAITERS!?!"

As much as he was scaring her right now, Reini could feel her own rage beginning to bubble up inside of her. Where the hell did he get off making accusations at her, and if he wanted to play the crazy game then she was gonna play right along with him.

"YES Justin yes! Is that what you wanted to hear?" she screamed back crying hysterically now. "I wanna FUCK HIS BRAINS OUT okay!!! I wanna scream his name all night long. Who knows I may even get a free appetizer out of the deal!"

Time seemed to stop as the words left her mouth. Looking up at Justin, Reini saw what may have been the most frighten mix of emotions on a mans face. Deep in his eyes she could see that he was truly hurt by what she had just said, there was also confusion, but the look of hurt and confusion was terribly overpowered by the look of rage that all of his features wore.

Taking a step back Justin began to nod his head as if someone were whispering in his ear. He let out a small chuckle.

"That was real funny Ray." he said calmly. Too calmly

Then without warning Reini felt a burst of pain surge through her entire mid section. Doubling over in pain she realized what the pain was as she felt Justin's foot kick her in her stomach again, this time knocking the wind out of her. As she gasped for air he continued to kick her over and over again. The entire time screaming for her to say something else.

"What's that baby? I cant hear you!" he yelled as he kicked her harder and harder. "Scream his name now you little bitch!"

Reini curled up into the fetal position trying to limit the access that he had to her body. Justin had completely snapped. As he kicked her his father's words played over and over again in his head ‘…keep her in her place…when that time comes that's when you truly show her who is running things…do it with conviction… ' As the words rolled trough his mind they were like fuel to his fire.

With each kick they seemed to get louder and their meaning more intense. Justin closed his eyes and visions of his father's face flashed through his mind. They were jumbled memories of his childhood, and remembering the terror that coursed through the Timberlake house, mixed with the look of pride that his father had on his face when they'd had their talk.

Justin was jolted back to reality by a horrendous gagging sound. Realizing that the sound was coming from the floor he looked down at Reini, and at that moment his heart broke. She was curled up in a little ball with her knees pulled up to her chest and her forearms covering her face, and a pile of vomit laying next to her.

Noticing that he had stopped kicking her Reini slowly began to uncoil herself. As she moved her hands away from her face she looked up at him, her entire face now moist from the tears that she was crying.

Justin felt a terrible wave of guilt wash over him. Looking into those big green eyes that were now swollen from crying, they seemed to be pleading to him for an answer as to why he had just done this to her. It was too much for him to handle.

Backing away from her he turned as quickly as he could and headed up the stairs strait for the bathroom. Slamming the bathroom door he began to punch it as hard as he could.

"FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!" he screamed as he pounded the thick door. What had he just done? The anger and disgust that he felt for himself consumed him as he continued his assault on the door wishing that he was punching himself. Finally stopping as the door began to splinter he looked at the spot that he had been punching and began to hyperventilate.

Blood. It was everywhere. On the door, the floor, everywhere. His entire fist throbbed as blood dripped from it, but he still felt no pain. Leaning back against the wall he tried to catch his breath, but could not catch the tears that began to fall from his eyes. Breathing in and out at a rapid pace, he fell over onto his side cradling his right hand. His entire body shook as he cried and quietly apologized to the woman he loved.

"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry." he whispered barely loud enough for himself to hear. "I love you. You gotta believe me Ray. Its just so…hard. I'm sorry."

Laying there for what seemed like hours Justin finally regained his composure. Getting up from the floor he walked over to the sink and began to splash handfuls of cold water in his face. Turning off the faucet he looked at himself in the mirror, only the reflection wasn't his. He saw his father, and it scared him. Closing his eyes as tight as he could he prayed that he was just hallucinating, but when he opened them the reflection was still the same.

Staring into the mirror like a deer caught in headlights Justin watched as his fathers reflection spoke to him.

"So this is the man that I raised? " the face in the mirror asked

Still a little shaken up from what had just happened and from what he was seeing Justin was speechless.

"I asked you a question Justin ."

"No sir." he answered with a shaky voice.

"Wow! You could've fooled me! "

"But I did what you told me to do dad. I don't understand." Justin said with tears streaming down his face again.

"That's funny, because I don't ever recall telling you to runaway crying like a little bitch! " the reflection said angrily.

Feeling a lump ride in his throat Justin could barely get his words out. "I don't like hurting her dad. I just…I just lost it on her"

"Your not hurting her J your making her better. Now what your gonna do is wipe your face, go down there, and be a fucking man. Am I understood? "

"Yes sir"

Turning the faucet back on Justin once again began to splash his face with cold water. Turning it off he looked back into the mirror. This time he saw himself. No hallucinations of his father talking to him, just his own reflection. Taking several deep breaths he finally walked out of the bathroom.

Walking down the stairs and into the foyer where he had left Reini Justin was shocked to see that it was empty. No large pile of vomit, no torn designer handbag, no scattered remains of accessories and makeup, but most importantly…no Reini.

Where the hell was she? She couldn't have left. Even if she wanted to. Justin knew that as hard and as many times as he had kicked her, that there was no way in hell she would be able to get anywhere too fast. Starting to get worried he began to search for her throughout the enormous apartment, but she was no where to be found.

Knowing that there was one place he still hadn't checked Justin ran up the stairs taking them two at a time. When he got to his bedroom the door was closed slightly. Pushing it open slowly Justin walked into the room. There she was. Laying with her back to him in his bed. Her dress, shoes and purse lay carelessly tossed in a pile on the floor.

Walking over to the bed he pulled the covers back a little to see if she was asleep. She looked so beautiful laying there in one of his t-shirts that swallowed her tiny frame. Her eyes were open , but she looked half dead staring strait ahead of her at the wall.

Remembering his father's words Justin sat on the edge of the bed.

"So I guess your gonna leave me now?" It was more of a question than a statement

Silence.

"Guess you don't love me anymore, huh?"

Silence

Stripping down to just his boxers Justin crawled in to be next to Reini. Wrapping his arms around her waist he scooted her closer to him.

"I love you." he said kissing the back of her neck "You know that right?"

Silence .

Turning her over so that she now faced him. Justin looked into her eyes. His expression was soft and loving and kind.

"You know that I love you right?"

A hot tear rolled down Reini's cheek hitting his arm

"Yes" she whispered

"You still love me?"

"Yes" her voice cracked as she spoke

Kissing her forehead Justin pulled her in to a tight embrace.

"Then don't make me hurt you. I don't wanna hurt you Reini…but I will." He said trying to keep his own voice from shaking. Kissing her forehead again he fought back the tears that threatened to escape. "Please don't make me hurt you again."

Reini lay there next to Justin, silently replaying the events from the night over and over in her head. From the beautiful way that their evening began, to the disaster that it had turned into! What went wrong? She asked herself. What had she done to make him so angry?

She couldn't help but think that she was to blame for the way that their night had turned out. As she lay there she quietly contemplated what, if anything, she could have done differently. Her thoughts were interrupted by the movement of the body laying next to her. Closing her eyes tightly she let out a soft painful moan as he tightened his arms around her waist.

When Justin finally got comfortable again she blinked her eyes open trying to fight away the tears that were now burning them. Staring into the dark space of the room she once again begin to replay the evening in her head. As flashes of the blows she received from Justin raced through her mind, she found herself thinking back to her childhood in New Mexico . Back to the first time she had ever been victim to her father's unforgiving hands.

All at once the memories of the two events became too much, and the tears that had once rimmed her lids now spilled over onto the pillow. Feeling Justin stir behind her again she quickly wiped the tears away and closed her eyes.

As she tried desperately to fall asleep she came to the realization that maybe this was the way her life was supposed to be. What right did she have to complain? Lots of people had parts of their lives that they couldn't escape, and for Reini this seemed to be it. Accepting her new found knowledge Reini drifted off to sleep no longer questioning her fate, but embracing it.

~*~

When Justin awoke the next morning, he felt unusually refreshed. The guilt that had plagued him from the night before was no longer present. Taking a long tired stretch, he looked over to the spot that his girlfriend had occupied and noticed that it was now empty.

Hearing the shower being turned off he realized that she was in the bathroom. Making his way over to the slightly ajar door he looked inside. Making sure that she couldn't see him, Justin watched as she stood in front of the large full length mirror with her towel open.

Pushing the door open a little Justin peered in a little more to see exactly what it was that she was looking at. Watching as she cocked her head slightly to the side it finally hit him what she was doing. Seeing the deep look of concentration on her face he realized that she was examining the bruises that covered her entire torso.

Once again that feeling of guilt crept up into his chest. Watching as she softly touched her once flawless frame was almost too much for him to bare. But the feeling of guilt was quickly replaced by that of confusion. Why was she still here? Not that he was unhappy that she had stayed, but why did she? As soon as the question entered his mind so did the answer. His father was right! As much as he didn't want to believe it, his father's advice worked. It was at that moment that Justin decided that there was no turning back.

Putting on his game face he entered the bathroom. It took a moment for Reini to realize that she was no longer alone. Embarrassed Reini tried to wrap the towel back around her as quickly as possible. Looking at her in the mirror Justin smiled at the crimson blush that began to take over her entire face.

"Don't" he said still smiling.

"What?" Reini asked softly

"The towel…take it off." his eyes became serious as he held his hand out for the towel.

Slowly sliding it off of her body Reini handed it back to Justin, never looking away from the mirror. Taking a couple of steps Justin closed the distance between them and dropped the towel to the floor.

Softly he pushed her head to the left and traced the bruises along her collar bone with his index finger. Continuing downward, he outlined each bruise, applying a little pressure to some causing her to wince in pain. Reini looked at Justin's reflection in the mirror and instantly her eyes began to water. The look on his face was unmistakable. It was the look of a job well done. He was proud! Dropping her head in shame Reini closed her eyes and hoped that this humiliation would soon be over.

"Hey" Justin said softly brushing her hair away from her face "Hey. Look at me."

Keeping her head down Reini opened her eyes. Sounding annoyed Justin exhaled deeply and brought his hand around to her chin lifting it slightly. As soon as their eyes met in the foggy glass of the mirror Reini once again averted her gaze.

"I'm not gonna ask you again Reini. Look at me."

Slowly bringing her eyes back to where they met his, she stared at his reflection standing behind her. Sadness taking over her features.

"You know…it could have been a lot worse" Justin said caressing her cheek. "You know that right?"

"I know" she replied barely audible.

"Turn around"

Doing as she was told Reini turned around and stared up into Justin's eyes. He loved her eyes. She had the biggest walnut shaped eyes that he had ever seen, and he loved the way that they changed colors. Last night they had been a deep green, today they were a smoky gray.

Never breaking her gaze he pulled her closer to him and kissed her deeply. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but a hungry kiss. One that said he wanted more than just a kiss, and that he planned on getting just that. Going with the initial flow Reini wrapped her arms around Justin's neck and kissed him back ass he pushed her so that she was now wedged between his body and the bathroom wall. As their kiss deepened, and Justin's hands seem to be showing no limits, Reini knew that if she didn't stop this now it more than likely was going to go to a place that she would undoubtedly regret. Pushing his hands away from her body she tried to remove herself from the compromising position.

"Justin. Stop. Please." She managed to get out between breaths.

"What do you mean Stop?" he asked sounding rather annoyed.

"I mean Stop! I don't wanna do this."

"Why not!" he asked now sounding even more annoyed

"I just don't okay."

"Uh…No! Really sweetheart its not okay. I hate to break it to ya Ray, but if you don't wanna fuck me, I'm sure I can find somebody who will!"

"Its not like that"

"Oh really! Then what is it like?" he asked sarcastically.

"I just…" she started looking up at the ceiling "I just…"

"You just what?!" he asked getting annoyed.

"I've never done it before." her voice was so soft he wasn't even sure that he'd heard her correctly.

Softening his expression slightly Justin tilted his head to the side, and repeated her statement.

"You've never done ‘it' before, as in had sex?"

"No." she said as her entire face turned red.

Taking a step back from her Justin continued to stare into her eyes. Was she serious?! How in the hell did a girl as sexy as she was manage to stay a virgin past the 8th grade? As the thoughts ran through his mind a look of complete disgust came over his entire face.

"How big of a fool do you think I am Reini?" he asked placing his hands on either side of her head on the wall. " A 20 year old virgin! I mean come on!"

"Well you don't have to believe me if you don't want to!" she said choking back her tears. "Why would I lie about it?"

"I don't know. Maybe you're getting you're kicks off somewhere else."

Reini wasn't sure why but that comment was almost amusing to her. Was he really that insecure, to think that she of all people was cheating? Looking him dead in the eyes she half smirked before saying anything.

"Look Justin I have no reason to lie to you!" she said defensively unaware of the smirk that played at the corner of her mouth.

"Said the ‘virgin' with the smile on her face" Justin said emphasizing the word virgin and making mock quotations with his fingers.

"I really don't understand why this is so hard for you to believe. I am NOT lying to you!"
Stepping closer Justin pulled her arms up above her head and held them together with one hand. Slowly he began to trace his fingers across her waist.

"How do I know for sure though?" he asked raising his eyebrows with the question. He could feel her pulse begin to quicken.

"For one, I was raised strict catholic, so premarital sex really isn't something that I believe in. And secondly, if you love me like you say you do then the fact that I said that I am should be enough!"

Letting out a small laugh Justin looked her in the eye. Her eyes that always seemed to tell the truth were telling him that she was doing just that. But he had to make sure.

"Okay. I believe you, but I want to see for myself."

A look of utter confusion swept over her face.

"Open your mouth…" he said still staring her square in the eye.

Knowing that he didn't like to repeat himself Reini did as she was told and slowly opened her mouth. Holding on to her wrists with his left hand still, Justin brought his right hand to her mouth and slid his index and ring fingers in. The look in her eyes as he massaged his fingers around in her mouth told him that the realization of what was about to happen was sinking in.
Making sure that his fingers were good and moist he removed them from her mouth and placed his hand just above the place that he now knew he would be the first man to enter.

"Open"

"Justin please…" her voice was a squeaky whisper

"Open" he said again a little more firmly, ignoring her plea.

As she slowly began to open her legs Justin slid his hand down a little further and slipped one finger in. Almost instantly she snapped her legs back shut and a small whimper escaped her lips. With his finger still in place Justin repeated himself.

"Open"

Her eyes were pleading with him not to continue, but knowing that he would she shakily opened her legs again. As soon as they were open wide enough for his liking he pushed the other finger in. Squeezing her eyes shut Reini felt an almost blinding pain shoot through her entire body as the second finger was forced in.

To say that Justin was shocked would be a severe understatement. She really was a virgin! He was absolutely flabbergasted. He pretty much knew that she was telling the truth when he had a hard time getting the first finger in, forcing in the second one was really just for show.
Feeling how tight she was, was amazing. She was a virgin in every since of the word.
Absolutely pure. He had found a girl who was completely untouched! As the thoughts raced through his head Justin could feel himself getting hard simply knowing that he was the first man ever to touch her this way.

The longer he left his fingers inside of her the tighter her walls became around them. Slowly he slid them out of her, but still kept his hand on the place he knew that he now owned. Finally releasing her arms from their position over her head he leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. Lingering for only a moment after kissing her Justin began to make his way back out of the bathroom.

"Finish getting ready and then come down for breakfast ok?" he said just before exiting the bathroom not bothering to wait for an answer.

As Justin walked back into his bedroom he was almost startled out of his skin by the presence of JC

"What the fuck are you doing in here man?!" he asked, his hand over his chest trying to slow his heart beat.

"Damn relax J I just came in to get my digital camera back from you!" JC said laughing at his friend "I knocked for fucking ever man I thought you were gone!"

"Nah just had to handle a little business with Ray is all"

"What kind of business?" JC asked his interest now peeked.

Before Justin could answer him though they were interrupted by the sound of Reini's voice in the bathroom. Giving each other a questioning glance both men walked toward the bathroom to see what or who she could have been talking to.

Peeking their heads around the door just enough so that they weren't seen, they saw Reini still sitting naked on the bathroom floor. With her knees pulled into her chest and her hands clasped together tightly, she sat there eyes closed whispering to herself.

‘What the fuck?' JC mouthed to Justin

Looking at his friend Justin just shrugged and both men continued to listen. After a few more seconds they finally realized what it was that she was doing. She wasn't talking to herself…she was…praying? Silently they watched and listened.

"Please guide me Mary. I'm so lost. I don't know what to do. I don't understand why this is the path that God has chosen for me…but if this is my path please give me the strength and the courage to accept it. Please!…" she pleaded.

Opening her eyes she looked up toward the ceiling as tears began to stream down her face. Justin and JC stood there both speechless. Once again looking at each other this time the question on their faces was replaced by a look of utter bewilderment.

"I know that Justin is good. I just…I just…What am I doing wrong? I don't try to make him angry. I don't wanna hurt anymore. Mary please give me obedience and grant me a conscious mind to do what's right. To accept his faults and to correct my own. Make me better!" she whispered

Finishing her prayer she stood and walked over to where her towel lay. It was then that JC realized the reason that she was praying. When she stood he could see that almost her entire torso and up to her chest and shoulders were covered in bruises. When she bent to pick her towel up he saw that most of her forearms and her left hand were also littered with bruises.

JC's survey of her body was cut short when Justin pulled the bathroom door back up. He carefully pulled it all the way shut so that Reini wouldn't hear it close.

"You said you wanted your camera, right?" he asked brushing by JC

JC's mouth dropped open in shock.

"Whoa whoa whoa!! Fuck the camera! What the hell just happened here?" JC asked looking half amused.

Both friends stood there staring at each other for what seemed like forever before Justin promptly dismissed his friends question.

"Look man I don't know where the camera is right now but I'll find it a little later okay."

Normally JC would leave well enough alone, but this one was just too good! He NEEDED to know what the hell he just witnessed.

"Okay seriously J your girlfriend was just praying." he said pointing back at the bathroom "I mean like she was REALLY praying! What the hell happened last night?"

Justin knew that JC wouldn't rest until he found out what happened. Looking over at the bathroom door, then back at his friend, Justin's mouth turned upward into a sly grin.

"We had a little…quarrel last night"

"Little quarrel my ass! You beat the shit out of her!" JC blurted out half laughing "I mean damn J you got this bitch praying to Mary or whoever to give her the strength to accept the ass beatin you gave her!"

"Hey man she's not a bitch!" Justin snapped back as he walked into his closet to find something to put on

Following behind him JC continued "I'm just sayin man that's some serious shit."

Pulling a gray Armani t-shirt over his head Justin smiled at his friend.

"No. You wanna hear some serious shit?" he didn't wait for JC to answer "She's a virgin!"
JC stood there with his mouth open he was literally speechless. A virgin? They still made those?

"Yeah right! What she told you she was a virgin so you believe her?"

"No she told me she was a virgin and I checked!" Justin stated matter of factly pulling a pair of jeans on over his boxers.

JC gave his friend a knowing look and shook his head.

"So JT's got balls after all!" he smiled

Justin smiled back.

"I think you may have really found yourself a keeper Justin."

Justin walked out of the closet with the smile still on his face. As both men headed for the door to exit the room he looked over to his friend.

"She is a keeper. And I have every intention on doing just that"

As they headed back in to the living room, JC couldn't stop smiling. The sight of Reini naked on the bathroom floor praying for god to help her get through her ordeal with Justin was just too amusing.

"What?" Justin asked, heading over to the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water.

"I'm just still getting over the shock man. I would have never thought you had it in you." he said, rather proud of his best friend. "So, what caused this 'little quarrel', as you so mildly put it."

Opening the bottle of water, Justin took a sip and then began thumbing through the mail laying on the counter. Although he was proud of the fact that he followed through with it, it wasn't something he wanted to keep dredging up. He didn't want to do these things to Reini. He just didn't have a choice.

"To make a long story short, she got a little too friendly with a fuckin waiter when we were out at dinner last night. I just couldn't let it slide."

"So I see." JC laughed, as he adjusted his position in the chair. "I take it she put up a fight? I mean, from the looks of her she had to of."

"No. She didn't" Justin said rather calmly.

Peaking JC's interest even more, he gave him a questioning look. Did he really hand her what had to be the beating of a lifetime without her even trying to defend herself.

As JC's eyes widened over the comment, Justin began grinning from ear to ear. Clearly JC was impressed with him. He just hoped that the reaction would be the same from his father. Because, if truth be told. That's who mattered. That is who he did it for.

"She knew she had it coming. I mean, what would have been the outcome if she did fight back? Would it have turned out any better for her? No, it wouldn't have. She knew that."

After a few moments of silence, JC leaned back on his chair and stared at Justin.

"So. You up for a party tonight or do you two have plans?"

"Tonight?"

"Yeah. Nothing too big. Just a few friends, lots of liquor, some bitches.....the usual things." JC said laughing.

"No, I don't have any plans yet. I'm game for a party though."

Hearing the sound of footsteps coming from behind him, Justin sat his bottle of water down and turned around.

"Morning Ray." JC said, nodding his head at her before turning his gaze back to Justin.

"Hey JC." she replied, her voice soft and frail as she walked in to the kitchen.

Extending his hand to her, Justin waited for Reini to join him at the counter. Once she did, Justin wrapped his arm around her waist and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. Sure. Last night he had to take a stand and show her that he meant business, but at the same time, he didn't want her to forget how much he truly loved her.

Offering him a half hearted smile, Reini tucked a small piece of hair behind her ear and looked out the window at the opposite end of the kitchen

"Hey, me and JC are going to head out for a little bit. I should be back in a few hours though. Once I get home I'll drive you back to the apartment and you can change for the party."

"What party?" she asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. "For what?"

"Just a little get together. I mean, since when did we need a reason to have a party?" he said, slapping JC five as he finished off his water.

"How about a 'fuck the world, let's get drunk' party?" JC chimed in, laughing

"Now that's my kind of party!" Justin said laughing. "We better restock the bar then. Can't get plastered without the proper tools."

"I'm ready to go man. Let's roll."

"Alright. Just give me a minute with Ray."

Once JC was out of the room, Justin turned Reini so that she was now facing him. Seeing the distant look in her eyes as she looked at him broke his heart. He didn't want anything to change between them, but he had a feeling that it had already happened.

"Look Ray, it doesn't have to be like this. You know that right?" he said, softly caressing her cheek.

Feeling the tears well up in her eyes, Reini looked down at the floor.

"Ray? Look at me."

Placing his index finger under her chin, he brought her gaze back up to his. After a few moments of awkward silence, Justin let out a heavy sigh and released his hold on her. This was harder than he ever expected.

"I'll be back in a little bit."

As Justin walked past her and out the front door, Reini broke down and let the tears fall that she had been holding back. Everything that had happened within the last twenty fours hours started to take it's toll. She needed to get out of there and figure out what she was going to do.

Letting out a heavy sign, Reini grabbed the phone from the counter and began to dial the number to her apartment. After a few rings, a very groggy Channing answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey. Sorry to wake you." she said softly, her voice slightly cracking as she choked back the tears.

"Ray? What's wrong?" Channing asked, concern quickly causing him to sit straight up in bed.

"Can you come get me?"

"Yeah. Where are you at?" he said, blinking a few times quickly to try and clear his vision.

"Justin's."

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"Nothing. Can you just come get me?"

Tossing the covers down to his feet, Channing slid out of bed and over to his dresser. He knew without a doubt that she had been crying and that worried him more than anything. Something upset her.

"I'll be there in like fifteen minutes. If you need me before then call my cell." he said, quickly slipping on a pair of cargo pants.

"Thanks Channing. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm on my way."

After ending the call, Reini headed back in to the bedroom to grab the rest of her things. She knew that she could always count on Channing to be there for her....no matter what.

Shaking his head with disgust, Channing threw a t-shirt and began looking for his keys. He told her that getting involved with Justin's pompous ass was a mistake. That his lifestyle wasn't something she needed to be a part of. Why didn't she listen to him.

"Keys....keys." Channing began chanting, as he shuffled through the stack of papers on the table. "Where the fuck are my keys!"

After frantically clearing off every surface in his room, Channing finally found his keys and sprinted towards the door. Once he made it down to the street, Channing quickly deactivated the security alarm on his Porsche and jumped in. Every second that went by felt like an eternity. All he wanted to do is get there and see for himself that she was alright. Until that happened, he wouldn't be able to relax.

"Come on. Fucking NY bullshit!" Channing growled as he impatiently waited for a break in traffic so he could pull out. After a few minutes of him nervously tapping his fingers off the steering wheel, Channing finally saw a space coming up and quickly pulled out.

"Finally!" he said, reaching down in to his pocket to grab his cell phone.

Flipping it open, Channing dialed the number to Reini's cell and place it to his ear. After a few rings, she answered it.

"Hello?"

"You alright?"

"Yeah. Where are you?" she asked, tossing her purse down beside her as she collapsed on to the sofa.

"I'm on my way. I just had some trouble with traffic and I wanted to make sure you're ok."

"Yeah....I will be once you get here."

"Just hang tight. I'll be there shortly."

"Alright."

Flipping her phone shut, Reini placed in back inside her purse and glanced up at the clock. Fifteen minutes had never seemed so long.

As Reini paced the floor of Justin's apartment, she began worrying what would happen if him and JC came back early or if they came back because they forget something.

"Oh Channing. Please hurry up." she said softly, glancing down at her watch.

Almost as soon as she said it, Reini heard the intercom buzz. Quickly sprinting over to it, Reini pushed the button.

"Hello?"

"It's me Ray."

Buzzing him in, Reini quickly grabber her purse and waited for him to get off of the elevator. A few moments later, the bell of the elevator dung and the gold embellished doors opened up.

Seeing a clearly upset Reini, Channing ran in to the apartment and wrapped his arms around her.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"Me an Justin had an argument. I really don't want to get in to it right now though. Can you just please take me home?" she asked, looking at up him with the most innocent eyes he had ever seen.

"Yeah. Come on." he replied, taking her small hand in his as he headed back over to the elevator. "Funny, it's just what I expected from someone like him."

"Channing. Don't start on me about this right now. Please."

"I meant the apartment Ray." he replied, giving her a questioning look.

"Oh."

Looking back at the surroundings behind her, Reini knew where he was coming from. The place definitely spoke volumes when it came to it's expensive taste. Everything from the marble floors down to the crystal lighting screamed 'I'm filthy rich'. However, if you asked Channing, he would tell you it spoke volumes alright. Volumes of arrogance saying things like 'I'm better than you' and 'You'll never be like me'.

"Let's just get out of here." he said, pressing the small pearlescent button that called the elevator back up to the penthouse.

Once the door opened, Channing placed his hand on the small of her back and escorted her in. Giving her a comforting smile, Channing pressed the button down to the lobby and pulled her close. He hated seeing her upset like this. He just wish he knew more about what exactly upset her.

***************************************

"So it seems like things are still ok between you and Ray." JC said, glancing out the passenger side window of Justin's BMW.

"Yeah. I mean, sure there is a bit if awkwardness there, but in time that will go away. She knows I love her and would do anything for her."

"Well you mean anything within reason right? I mean, you sure as hell didn't let her get away with the waiter thing."

Laughing, Justin turned to face his best friend.

"You're really enjoying this aren't you?"

"What?" he asked innocently.

"You know damn well what." Justin said, pulling in to the parking lot of the local liquor store.

"Like I said before. I'm just surprised, that's all. I mean, maybe I could see you slapping her around a little or something. But full on beating the shit out of her? I NEVER saw it coming." JC laughed as he opened his door. "I bet she didn't see it coming either."

"Man, you're a lost cause. You know that?"

Continuing to laugh, the two of them headed inside and began to load up on everything from vodka to tequila. Clearly by the amount of bottles JC was lining up on the counter, his idea of a 'fuck the world and let's get drunk' party was serious. They had enough liquor to knock out the whole building.

"Will that be everything?" the clerk asked, packing up the last of the two bottles.

"Do you really think there is anything else we need?" Justin said, looking over everything they had purchased.

"No, I guess not."

After he handed her his platinum card, Justin began to find himself lost in thought over what Reini could be doing at that very moment. He hated the helpless look he saw in her eyes before he left and he was hoping that when he returned, that they would be back to the same innocent looking doe eyes he fell in love with. The eyes that could hold your gaze and melt your heart all at the same time.

"Yo, J! Get your card man." JC said, smacking his in the arm.

"Oh, sorry. Drifted off there for a minute" he laughed, grabbing the card back from the clerk and signing his name on the small piece of paper.

"Thank you Mr Timberlake." she said, glancing down at the signature before her. "Have a good day."

"You too."

Once they were outside, Justin hit the unlock button on his keyless remote and the truck popped open.

"Do you think this is all going to fit?"

"Yeah. I mean, we have the backseat dude." JC said, slightly laughing.

Shaking his head over the absurd comment he made, Justin let out a good laugh himself and began loading the trunk up.

"This one is coming up front with me." he said, grabbing one of the bottles of tequila from a small box. "I think I need to get a jump on this party tonight. Clearly I'm not quite with it yet."

Grabbing his own bottle, JC tapped his bottle against Justin's and shut the trunk.

"Fuck the world! Let's get drunk!"

"Man, you've lost your damn mind! You know that?" Justin said, walking around to the drivers side and getting in.

"Yes I do. But thanks for the heads up anyway." JC replied, opening his own door and getting inside.

As they headed back across town, Justin pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number to Reini's cell phone. After several rings, Reini answered the phone, slightly out of breath.

"What took you so long?"

"I didn't know the phone was ringing until Channing told me."

Immediately his face turned from annoyed to full blown mad.

"Channing? What is Channing doing at my place Ray?" he asked, as JC turned to face him.

"I'm not at your place Justin. I'm at my apartment."

"What's going on?" JC mouthed to Justin, who had now begin to squeeze the steering wheel.

Waving him off with his hand, Justin switched the phone to his other ear and proceeded in with the questioning.

"Why are you at your place?"

"I just needed some time to think Justin."

"Time to think? About what Ray?!" Justin growled, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut.

"Just think."

Turning to face JC, Justin covered the mouthpiece of the phone.

"Do you mind if we stop over Ray's place for a minute?"

"No, not at all."

"Ok, cool." he said, removing his hand from the phone. "Look, I'll be there in like ten minutes."

"Be where?" Reini asked, nervously. Did he seriously just tell her that he was coming over?

"Your place."

After squeezing her eyes shut for a second, Reini glanced over at Channing as he looked on with interest. Clearly by the tone in her voice, she wasn't the least bit thrilled by his news and he knew it.

"Justin, maybe....." she began, but was quickly cut off.

"I'LL BE THERE IN TEN MINUTES!"

Knowing that he wasn't about to change his mind, Reini looked up at Channing one last time and sighed.

"Fine. I'll see you in a little bit."

The next thing she knew, she heard a loud click and the line went dead. She figured that he would be upset with the fact that she left, but she just didn't think he would make this much of a deal about it. Now she was beginning to get worried. What if he cause a scene in front of Channing?

"Everything alright?" Channing asked, as he looked up over his cup of tea.

"Yeah. Everything's fine." she said, trying to sound as calm as she could, even though her heart was now racing a mile a minute. "Justin is stopping over for a minute though so please try and be nice."

Letting out a disgusted laugh, Channing grabbed his cup of tea and stood up.

"I'll be better than nice. I'll be in the other room. Far away from all the arrogance and fakeness" he said rolling his eyes.
Once Channing was out of sight, Reini picked up a few things she had laying around on the coffee table and went to refill her cup. Clearly this wasn't a social call.

Once he arrived at her apartment, Justin pulled in to the first open space along the street and parked his car.

"This shouldn't take too long." he said, quickly checking his side view mirror to make sure that it was safe to open his door.

"I'm in no rush man. Do what you have to do." JC smiled mischievously.

Exiting his BMW, Justin headed in to to her apartment building and hoped that she wouldn't give him too much trouble. After all, it hadn't even been twenty four hours since the last time he had to show her who was in control of the relationship.

Finally arriving at her apartment door, Justin took a deep breath and knocked three times. After a few seconds, he heard the sound of the door being unlocked and shoved his hands in to his pockets.

Pulling the door open, Reini saw the look of disapproval plastered across Justin's face and just hung her head.

"Can I come in?" he asked, almost annoyed at the fact that she had not invited him in.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Please. Come in." she said, taking a few steps backward so that she could open the door all the way.

"Thanks." he replied rather disgusted as he brushed past her. "You know, I'm still having a hard time trying to figure out exactly why you're here Ray. I told you I would be right back. Why did you leave?"

Shutting the door behind him, Reini headed in to the living room and plopped down on the sofa. She knew that she was having a hard time excepting the hand she was dealt in life, but she also knew better than to tell Justin that. She would just have to think of something else.

"Well, I'm waiting."

After racking her brain for something feasible to tell him, Reini finally said the first thing that came to mind.

"Channing needed me."

"Channing needed you? For what?"

Again she was at a loss. When the thought first popped in her head, it sounded like a good idea. Now she was back pedaling trying to come up with something...anything that wouldn't send up any red flags.

"Look, cut the bullshit Ray. We both know why you went home. Do you really think I am that dumb? This is about the other night."

Glancing up in to his blue eyes, Reini debated on trying to deny what he was saying, but ultimately she knew that he would see right through her and that it would just make things worse.

"You know, I should have expected you to do something like this when I left. I guess deep down I just thought that we were making some progress in our relationship. That I could trust you."

Now feeling guilty for leaving like that, Reini quickly stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist. She didn't want him thinking he couldn't trust her. After all, trust was the most important thing to her when it came to relationships.

"Justin you can trust me."

"Yeah, whatever Ray. You say that now, but like two minutes ago you blatantly lied to my face telling me that Channing needed you." he said, pushing her away from him.

"I did need her." Channing chimed in, as he came out of the bedroom to place his cup in the kitchen sink. "I called her and asked her if she could come home."

Looking over her shoulder, Reini immediately heard the protection mode of her "big brother" kick in. Obviously Channing had been listening to their conversation the whole time and felt the need to come to her rescue. Well, it was either that or he was simply enjoying the fact that he could take credit for putting a damper on Justin's day.

"So, what was it that you needed her to come home for again?" Justin asked, as he slightly cocked his head to the side.

"I never said what it was Justin. Honestly, I don't really think it concerns you."

Letting out a slight chuckle, Justin balled his fists up in his pockets and looked down at Reini as if to say 'He better watch his step'.

"Look, it doesn't matter why I'm here. I never said that I wasn't coming back though Justin." she said, quickly trying to diffuse the situation that was developing in front of her very eyes.

"So then, grab your stuff and let's go."

"I thought we were going to spend some time together tonight?" Channing interrupted, as an uncomfortable feeling took him over as he watched Justin interact with her.

Before Reini even had a chance to look his way, Justin quickly offered a solution to the problem he was almost certain Channing was trying to create.

"Why don't you join us then. I mean, any friend of Ray's is a friend of mine." he said, faking a smile that was as clear to Channing as it was Reini.

Almost as if she was caught in a trance, Reini held her breath and waited for what she was sure to be a verbal lashing of insults headed Justin's way. She knew that Channing hated everything Justin stood for and for him to actually attend one of his parties was a joke if nothing else.

"I'd love to."

Quickly turning around to face Channing, Reini studied him with a look of complete disbelief. Did he really just agree to hang out at Justin's with the all people he loathed? Was he going to socialize with the "paparazzi whores" as he so delicately called them? More importantly, who was this guy and what did he do with her best friend?

"Then it's settled. Party starts at seven. Try to get there a little early. I'd like to spend some time with Ray before it gets too crazy." he said, taking her hand in his.

Nodding his head that he understood him, Channing grabbed a few papers off of the kitchen table and headed back in to his bedroom. He knew that once Justin left, Reini would have a ton of questions for him and he had to think how he was going to approach them. He certainly couldn't just flat out tell her that the reason he agreed to go was that he sensed Justin was up to no good. If he did, she would just go on the defensive and blindly look past anything that was right there in front of her face.

"So...I guess I'll see you tonight then." Justin said, his voice nor expression ever changing as he stared down at her.

"You're not mad are you?" she nervously asked, as she glanced up in to his piercing blue eyes.

"Mad? She asks me if I'm mad." he growled, squeezing her hand so tight that her fingers tips were now turning a bright red.

"Justin stop. You're hurting me."

Biting the corner of his lip so that he didn't cause an unnecessary scene, Justin glanced over towards Channing's door and then leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Ray, you have no idea just how mad I am." he said, releasing his grip on her hand as he pushed it away from him. "You just better not be late tonight. We have a few things we need to talk about."

Lowering her head, Reini watched as Justin headed towards the door. Now on top of Channing accompanying her to Justin's for the party, she also had to worry about how Justin was going to treat her once they were there.

"Remember. DON'T be late." he said, opening the door of her apartment and walking out.

Once Channing heard the sound of the door closing, he headed back in to the living room and over to where Reini was standing.

"Why did you say that?"

"Say what? That we were supposed to do something together tonight?"

"No. That you would go to the party."

"Look, clearly things are still a little strained between you two. Now, I personally don't care for the guy, but obviously if you do, I am going to have to learn how to co-exist with him. Right? I mean, I'm not going to be pushed out of your life simply because we have a difference of opinions."

Smiling after he said it, Channing realized that it sounded better when he said it outloud than when he practiced it to himself a few minutes ago in the room.

"All I'm saying is that you don't have to do this because of me. I know that this is the last place you want to go to tonight."

"Actually, you're wrong. You will be there with me and I couldn't imagine spending tonight with anyone else."

After kissing the top of her head, Channing plopped down on the sofa and patted the spot next to him.

"Come on Ray. It will be alright. You just have to trust me."

Offering him a half-hearted smile, Reini sat down beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks Channing." she said, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Anytime."

*******************************************
As Justin walked back down to his car, he could still hear Channing's condescending tone as he stated that 'they' were supposed to do something tonight.

"Fuckin prick!" Justin mumbled to himself as he exited the building and over to his car.

"So, you get everything taken care of?"

Simply shaking his head in disgust, Justin stuck his keys in the ignition and started up his car. He knew that Channing was a pain in the ass before, but now he was beginning to see him more as a threat than anything else.

"What's wrong man?"

"You know what. I've never let some nobody walk all over me before and I'm damn sure not about to start now!' he said, peeling out of the parking space and on to the road.

"Let me guess. Channing."

"Yeah Channing! What the fuck kind of name is Channing anyway." Justin spat back. "Stupid mother fucker, telling her that 'they' were supposed to spend time together!"

Now laughing at Justin's little outburst, JC shook his head and looked back out the window.

"Should be quite interesting when they get here tonight." Justin said, turning to look at JC.

"When they get here? You invited him too? Why in the hell would you do that?"

"Well, several reasons actually. First and foremost, I wanted to burst that little cock suckers bubble! If he thinks he is going to cause problems between me and Ray, he has another thing coming. I know he was lying through his teeth and so was Ray, but once that prick gets on my turf, it's a whole other ball game."

"Do I get to play some ball too? I always was the athletic type J, you know that." he laughed, adjusting the sleeve of his shirt so that he could flex his biceps. "See, I got the guns baby!"

"Good. Maybe you can wrap one of them around his fuckin neck for me." Justin laughed, an evil smirk now gracing his lips.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

"We're going to find out exactly what this guys deal is tonight. No more wondering what his intentions are with Ray."

"His intentions? Do you think he is interested in her?"

"Is that supposed to be a serious question? What guy wouldn't be?"

Silently acknowledging Justin's statement, JC knew just how right he was. Ray was gorgeous. Every inch of her, pure perfection. Unfortunately Justin had saw her first and he dealt with that daily, if truth be told.

"Anyway, I just want you to be on guard tonight. I don't trust either one of them right now."

"No problem man. I have your back. What time are they coming?"

"I told them the party starts at seven, but I also told him that I wanted them to come early so I could spend a little one on one time with Ray".

"Ah, I see. Couldn't quite get your point across with Channing there could you?"

"No, not exactly. You're going to have to make sure that I get that much needed time though when they get here."

"Just keep the yelling down to a minimum. I don't want to have to go toe to toe with this fucker. I'm a small man J."

"Are you almost ready Channing?" Reini yelled from her bedroom, placing the last of her make-up back in to her purse.

"I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be."

"Hey, you're the one who agreed to go to this party. I'm not forcing you."

"I didn't say you were. Besides, I just might have a good time rubbing elbows with those high society types."

"Yeah.........right." she said, dragging out the word right. "And I might even enjoy eating your pasta. Is that what you call it?" she said, tapping her finger to her temple.

"Ouch! That's hitting below the belt Ray." he laughed.

"Oh you know I'm just playing. I mean, I'm sure there are people in some third world country that would eat it."

Glancing down, Channing looked up at Reini with a sinister look in his eyes. This is the girl he couldn't live without. The playful spirit that made his life worth living.

"I really am glad that you're coming with me tonight Channing."

"I'm glad too. Just promise me you won't leave me to fend for myself for too long. I don't want to end up discussing the latest stock portfolios and interest rate for fun."

"I promise. Girl Scouts honor" she laughed whole heartedly, as she raised her right hand.

"You were never a girl scout Ray."

"Ok, Scrappy's honor." she said, quickly throwing up a peace sign as the biggest smile lit up her face.

Rolling his eyes at her, Channing grabbed his keys and wallet from the coffee table and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Alright, you ready to do this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." she replied, knowing that her comment meant way more to her than he would ever perceive it to be.

Once they got down to Channing's car, he opened the door for her and allowed her to slip inside. After offering her a smile and a playful wink, he shut her door and headed back over to the driver's side to get in.

As he started the ignition he glanced over at her and saw that she was nervously playing with her Chloe purse as it sat in her lap. Normally, that sort of behavior was reseved for a highly sought after audition or casting call, but seeing it in all it's glory right before a trip to her boyfriends house for a party....yeah. That was a total red flag.

"Ray."

Almost as if she was in a trance, Reini continued to stare off in to space as her fingers meticulously ran up and down the shiny silver buckle. Her mind racing with the thoughts of what would or could happen at the party tonight.

Again Channing called out to her, this time a little louder making sure that she heard him.

"REINI!"

Quickly blinking her eyes, Reini diverted her glare from her lap and over to the worried eyes of her best friend as he stared at her with concern.

"I'm sorry Channing. Did you say something?"

Giving her a puzzled look, Channing shifted slightly in his seat so that he could face her directly and began to stare at her intensely. Something wasn't right. He could feel it. He saw it in her eyes when he shut the door.

"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." she quickly replied, trying her best to let out a slight chuckle at the end to alleviate some of the tension that was clearly building in the car.

"Ray?"

"What?!"

"Want to try that response again? I mean, it's been what? Over four years now. Do you really think I can't read you like a book? What's wrong? What is this all about?" he asked, motioning down to her hands as they sat still fumbling with the buckle.

Looking down to where Channing's gaze was now focused, Reini realized what she was doing and quickly stopped. She loved the fact that she and Channing were so close that he knew what she was thinking or feeling without saying a word, but in this case, it was a double edged sword.

"Well?"

Letting out a heavy sigh, Reini said the first plausible thing she could think of. One that would work well enough to get Channing off her back, yet keep the actual reason for her tension under wraps.

"I'm just worried about how things are going to go with you tonight. I know you hate this stuff. The lifestyle, the people..."
Shaking his head, Channing quickly cut her off and placed his hand over hers as it one again began to play with the buckle.

"Ray. I may not be a big fan of Justin's or the lifestyle he leads, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go there and cause a scene either. I told you, if he means that much to you, I'll try my hardest to get along with him." he said, slightly making a face as he said it.

Giving him a questioning look, Reini let out another heavy sigh.

"See! That's what I mean. That's why I'm on edge!"

"I'm joking Ray! You have to loosen up. Have a drink when you get there. Hell have a few! Everything is going to be fine."

After giving her hand a light squeeze, Channing turned back around in his seat and adjusted the rear view mirror. Once they pulled out, Reini tried her best to relax her breathing. Tonight was going to be whatever she made it. It was all in her hands. She had to believe that, because if she didn't, she was surely going to crack under the pressure.

Continuing to drive, Channing initiated most of the conversation. Sure, she would contribute here and there, but once she answered his questions or laughed at his jokes, it was back to the stone cold stare down with the road ahead of her.
After some twenty minutes of driving through New York's busy city traffic, Channing finally arrived at Justin's penthouse and looked for the first open spot he could find to park.

"There! Four cars up." Reini shouted, quickly pointing out a spot that had just been vacated by a silver Cadillac Escalade.

"Ok, I see it!" Channing shouted back. "God Ray! What the hell is with you tonight!"

Letting her head fall back momentarily against the head rest, Reini knew that she had to pull herself together. Clearly she wasn't herself and if it was obvious to Channing, then it would be obvious to Justin as well and she definetly didn't want that to happen.

"You ready for this?" she asked taking a deep breath. Her eyes still focused on the road.

Giving her a worried look, Channing smoothed his hand over her's in a reassuring manner.

"C'mon Scrap. Its gonna be ok." he gave her hand a slight rub. "Look I told you I'm gonna play nice. I wouldn't put you in a bad situation.....you know that right?"

"Yeah, yeah I know." she forced a smile on her face. "C'mon lets go."

Sliding her hand away from his, she pushed her door open and let herself out of his car. Making her way to the sidewalk, she didn't bother waiting for Channing before she began to head toward the entrance of the large building. She didn't want him looking at her face. She hated the way that he could read her. She hated the hurt expression on his face when he knew she was hiding something from him.

Once he was out of the car, Channing jogged briskly to catch up with Reini. He knew that she was avoiding him, and he assumed it was because she was worried about what may happen between him and Justin. He didn't understand why his word didnt seem to be enough for her. Finally reaching her, Channing opened his mouth to attempt to reassure her again, but was promptly silenced.

"Don't." she put her hand up, not even turning around to look at him.

They knew eachother entirely too well.

Making their way into the building and up to the penthouse, Channing shoved his hands in his pockest, not really knowing what else to do at the moment. Things hand't been this uncomfortable between the two of them since.......ever.

The elevator ride up to Justin's penthouse seemed to take forever, the silence as they made the ride almost deafening for both occupants of the small space. When the bell sounded, alerting them that they had reached their destination, Reini let out an audible sigh and all but bolted through the doors as they opened. Channing trudged behind her, still unsure of how things between them had changed so drastically in such a short period of time.

By the time Channing entered the suite, Reini was already standing in front of the bar filling a glass. He shook his head as he watched her empty the small glass of it's contents before refilling it and taking up stance on a near by wall. A sullen look hanging over her delicat features.

Resting her small frame against the wall, Reini stared at one of the pieces of artwork that adorned Justin's walls and exhaled deeply. Everyone else at the party seemed to be enjoying themselves except her. Was she simply reading more in to Justin's reason for having Channing at the party or was it a case of her over active imagination getting the best of her.

Glancing down the hall, Reini saw Justin talking and laughing with a few of his close friends before disappearing in to the to the other room.

"Well at least someone is having a good time." she said to herself, taking another sip of her drink before heading down towards the kitchen.

Soon after Reini walked in to the kitchen, she felt someone walk up behind her. Wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, she assumed it was Justin and leaned her head back against his chest and sighed.

"What's wrong Reini? Not having a good time tonight?" he whispered in her ear, his voice deep and seductive.

Realizing it wasn't Justin, Reini immeadiately tried to free herself from JC's hold. Unfortunately, all he did was squeeze her tighter as he pulled her back against him.

"What are you doing JC. Let me go."

"Come on Reini. Be honest. You knew it was me the second I walked up behind you."

"No I didn't. I thought you were Justin." she said, fear quickly replacing the initial shock she first felt. "Now let me go."

"You know, when Justin told me you were a virgin, I thought he had to be out of his mind." he said, running the tips of his fingers just under the waistband of her jeans. "He seems convinced though that you are. Why don't you convince me Reini. Prove to me you're a virgin. I need to know you are worthy of being Justin's girl."

"Get off of me!" she yelled through gritted teeth, trying not to cause any attention to them.

"Relax baby. No one has to know." JC said, quickly walking her forward so that she was now pinned between him and the counter.

"Now where were we?" he said, slowly sliding his hand down between the restricting confines of her jeans and the soft warm flesh of her skin.

As complete fear flooded through every inch of her, she quickly placed her hands on the glistening marble surface in front of her and tried to push herself away from him.

"You're not going anywhere. Just quit fighting me and it'll be over before you know it." he said, sliding his hand down even further. "Obviously your reluctance at my presence behind you is misleading Ray. You seem to be quite excited with what is going on." he growled, sliding his middle finger down the soft folds of her flesh.

"JC, please! Stop!"

Feeling himself growing hard with excitement, JC pushed himself against her even more and continued to work his fingers gently against her. He knew this was his best friend's girlfriend and that he was crossing the line, but at that moment, all he could think about was how good she felt.

"So I guess he was right about you after all." he said, hesitantly removing his hand from her pants before kissing the back of her neck. "I can't wait to see what other surprises you have in store for us."

After slowly allowing Reini to slip from the space he had confined her to, JC's smile turned in to an evil smirk as he winked at her.

"Get away from me JC!" she screamed, pushing him back against the kitchen counter.

Hearing the commotion as he walked down the hall, Justin picked up the pace and headed in to the kitchen.

"Ray, what the hell is going on? I heard you yelling all the way across the house." he said, rather annoyed.

Although JC knew Reini wouldn't dare tell Justin what had just happened between the two of them, he didn't want to risk her giving off any bad vibe and quickly answered for her.

"Shes just a little moody. I mean, it's a party man and I was just trying to cheer her up. Guess she didn't want to hear it though."

"What's wrong with you tonight?" Justin asked, slamming his drink down on the counter before walking over to her.

"Maybe you should ask JC?!"

"Why ask me?!" JC spat back all defensively. "All I was doing was trying to help."

"Is that what you call it?" Reini scoffed, although she really didn't expect an answer or want one.

"Ray! Knock it off!" Justin yelled, grabbing her by her arm to get her under control.

"Hey, I'm sorry man. I didn't mean to cause any problems."

"You didn't." Justin said, sternly looking at Reini who was at a loss for words. "Now apologize to him."

"What?"

"Apologize."

Standing slightly behind Justin, JC cocked his head to the side and smiled at her. Clearly, she wasn't going to get anywhere trying to tell Justin what had just happened.

"Justin, wait."

"No, you wait! This is his home too Ray! Do you have any idea how disrespectful you're being?" he growled, quickly realizing that an audience was developing. "Let's go!"

Forcefully squeezing her arm, Justin proceeded to lead her down the hall and up the small flight of stairs. He certainly couldn't let her just get away with acting that way. Especially in front of his friends.

"I'll just catch up with you later J."

"No man, come back here." Justin said, motioning towards the bedroom. "I told her to apologize and that is exactly what she is going to do."

Once JC joined in the procession, Reini started to get nervous. What did Justin have in mind for her? He would dare do anything drastic with JC around would he?

"Get in there!" Justin yelled, forcefull pushing Reini in to the room as JC took a seat in the corner of the room. "I thought we had an understanding Ray. Do you think I should just let you run your mouth like you did a few minutes ago? That it is acceptable to talk to my friend like that?" he yelled, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Some friend." Reini mumbled, momentarily glancing at JC.

Completely furious over the fact that she wasn't letting up, Justin withdrew his hand and forcefully backhanded her to the ground.

Although JC was temporarily stunned by her small frame hitting the floor in front of him, he couldn't help but be amused by the fact that he was going to witness Justin put her in her place first hand. He just coudln't help it. It was how they were raised, and in his twisted little mind, keeping women in line wasn't only a neccessity...it was a pleasure.

"Have anything else you want to say Ray?"

Holding her now tender cheek, Reini looked up at Justin and allowed the tears to fall from her eyes. She just didn't understand why Justin wouldn't even let her try and explain why she was acting the way she was.

"I'm sorry."

"What was that?" Justin asked, his eyes cold as ice as he glared down at her.

"I said I'm sorry."

"Oh you're going to be. I guarantee it Ray."

As Justin stared down at Reini, the guilt he had felt over hurting her last night was nowhere to be found. Obviously, she still had a lot of "training" that needed to be done before she would be worthy of the name "Timberlake". He just hoped for her sake that it would sink in sooner than later.

"Now don't you have something you need to say to JC?" he asked, grabbing her by the back of her arm to pick her up.

Taking a deep breath, Reini glanced over at JC who was casually leaning back in the chair loving the sight before him. She knew that he was going to savor every minute of her apology and hated the fact that Justin was forcing her to do it. If he only knew what JC had done, he would be singing a different tune. After all, she knew Justin was more than thrilled by the fact that he was going to be her first. Having JC anywhere near something he considered to be his would undoubtedly cause some serious tension between the two if nothing else.

"Ray."

"What?"

"Now!" he yelled, forcefully pushing her over to JC.

Adjusting his position in the chair, JC looked up at her and smiled. Obviously by the way she was looking at him, the look of complete satifaction had to be plastered all over his face. If truth be told. He was satisfied. Having Reini there foced to do something she didn't want to do was a turn on it all sense of the word.

"I'm sorry." she mumbled, half-heartedly and full of sarcasim.

She just couldn't bring herself to apologize to him the way Justin wanted her to, when clearly it was him that needed to be doing the apologizing. Especially after what he did to her only moments ago in the kitchen. It made her sick to her stomach just thinking about it.

After the words came out of her mouth, JC looked up at Justin with a look of disbelief on his face. Was that it? Was that her apology? A half ass, 'I'm sorry.' laced with contempt and disgust?

Now furious that she was making him look like a complete fool in front of JC, Justin quickly walked over to where she was standing and grabbed her by the back her of hair.

"Are you trying to be funny Ray? Because trust me when I say that this is not the time to try and test the waters with me!"

As Justin forcefully worked to get her in an upright position, JC moved his legs so that he was not hindering Justin's movement in anyway. It had come to the point now that JC wanted to see Justin discipline her as much for himself as it was for his friend.

"Justin, stop. It's not what you think! Just let me explain."

"NO! You let me explain! You were told to do something and I expect you to listen to me.

When you don't do as you're told, it's a sign of disrespect. A sign of disloyalty and I won't have that from you or anyone else around me? Do you understand me?" he said, slamming her against the wall a few feet away from JC. "This is your last warning. You either do it right or I will politely ask JC to leave the room and finish this the hard way. It's your choice" he growled in her ear, his teeth now clentched as tight as his grip was in her hair.

Looking on with absolute amusement, JC lowered his head slightly before looking back up at her as an evil smirk danced across his lips. Everything she was going through right now was because of him and he loved it. This was definetly way better than anything he could have been partaking in outside Justin's bedroom door.

"I'm sorry man. This is not how I expected the party to turn out when I came up with the idea." Justin said, releasing his hold on her before strongly motioning her to head over to JC.

"Don't worry about it. I mean, we all have bad days."

"Yeah well, this definetly has the potential to turn out to be her worst one ever if she doesn't get her shit together."

After Reini looked back over her shoulder at Justin, she slowly walked over to where JC was sitting and regretfully gave the apology that Justin had been waiting for.

"I'm sorry JC. I didn't mean to jump all over you like that. I know you were just tryin to cheer me up." she said, nervously tucking the small piece of hair that had fallen forward back behind her ear.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the time will come when you can make it up to me." he laughed, clearly trying to get under her skin while keeping everything under Justin's radar.

"Alright, I think we've wasted enough time dealing with this mess. It's time to go back out there and show everyone a good time." Justin said, straightening out as shirt as he looked over at Reini. "Clean yourself up and then meet me in the livingroom."

Nodding her head, Reini watched as Justin did one last check of his appearance in the mirror before opening the door.

"And Reini, I dont expect to be waiting long either."

After Justin walked out of the bedroom door, Reini turned around and headed in to the bathroom. She knew that Justin meant what he said about this having the potential to be one of her worst days ever and she didn't want to give him any reason to make that thought a reality.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Reini momentarily closed her eyes and said a quick prayer that the rest of the night would go a lot smoother. She just didn't see her having the strength to deal with anything else tonight.

"Just listen to your heart. Trust in the fact that he loves you and only wants what's best for you." she whispered to herself, gently wiping away the mascara stained tears that had collected beneath her lower lashes. "It will get better. It has to." she whispered, so softly that it was barely audible to even herself.

After pulling herself back together, Reini turned off the light in the bathroom and headed back out the door and in to crowd of Justin's closest friends and supporters. She had to try her best to let what had just happened slip to the back of her mind. If she didn't, she would undoubtedly upset Justin even more than he already was and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Finding herself in need of a drink, Reini headed over to the bar and prepared to make herself the strongest drink she ever had. If nothing else, the powerful effect of the alcohol would have to help numb the feeling of emptiness she felt inside.

Grabbing a glass from underneath the bar, Reini placed it on top of the counter and added a few ice cubes to the bottom. After scanning the numerous bottles that were lined up in front of her, Reini found one she liked and removed it from the others.

"Here's to hoping you work wonders" she said, filling the cup to the top with it's crystal clear liquid before placing it back in it's place.

"Are we drowning our sorrows or celebrating things to come?" JC said, walking up beside her to fill his own glass.

"Stay away from me JC. I'm not kidding. Don't think for one second that just because I didn't tell Justin what happened back there that I won't hesitate to go to him the second you try anything else."

"Yeah, that would go over well I'm sure. I can just see his thought process now as he goes over and over in his mind the reasons you kept the other time a secret from him."

Realizing that he had a point, Reini gave him an evil glare and attempted to walk away from him. Unfortunately, JC wasn't done with their conversation and grabbed her by her forearm to stop her from going any further.

"You know I can still feel your warm softness on my fingers Ray." he whispered seductively, leaning in closer to her. "I just hope that I won't have to wait too long before I can feel it again."

Feeling complete distain wash over her, Reini forcefully pulled her arm away from him.

"You make me sick. I hope you rot in hell!"

Laughing as she knocked past him, JC sat his glass down on the bar and filled it back up with his own liquor of choice. As he swirled the liquid around in his glass to chill it, JC felt an eerie feeling wash over him that he was being watched. Chalking it up to his nerves getting the best over him, JC shook it off and placed the glass to his mouth to swallow a large mouthful of the carmel colored liquid. Unfortunately as he looked over the rim of his glass, he saw that in fact he was being watched. Problem was, how much did Channing actually see.

Quickly sitting his glass back down on the bar, JC stared back at Channing and wondered what the hell he was thinking. Clearly by the look of disgust on his face, he had to have witnessed at least some of his interaction with Reini. Now it was just a matter of whether or not he felt the need to confront him about it.

As the two continued to stare each other down, Justin walked up to the bar and nudged JC in his arm.

"Scoping out tonight's lucky lady?" he laughed, pouring himself a drink as he surveyed the guests in attendance.

Knowing that the last thing he wanted to do was make Justin suspicious of his relationship with Reini, JC finally turned his glare away from Channing and looked out in to the crowd.

"Yeah, you know me. Got to get them while the getting is good." he said, raising the glass back up to his lips to take a large swig.

"You know, what you need to do is find someone you can get serious with. Not these "in and out of your bed in record time" bitches. You need to find someone to settle down with. Someone like Ray."

Only offering Justin a slight nod in agreement, JC nervously swirled what was left of his drink around in his glass.

Although Justin was being sincere when he said it, JC couldn't help but worry that Justin might simply be setting him up to take a fall. That was how he handled things. He would simply put enough information out there so you would eventually hang youself. He wouldn't confront you to your face unless he had to.

After a few quiet minutes had passed, Justin sat his drink back down on the bar and turned to face JC.

"Hey, I'm really sorry for earlier man. Ray was really out of line. I thought I had things taken care of with her. I guess I was wrong."

"You don't have to apologize or explain anything to me man. Like I said, we all have bad days. I'm sure things are cool with her now. Don't even worry about it." JC replied, thankful that Justin was obviously unaware of his indiscretions with his girlfriend.

"Where did Ray go anyway? Wasn't she over here talking to you a minute ago?"

Feeling a lump growing in his throat, JC worried that he may have jumped the gun. Was this one of Justin's interrogations? What if had he already spoken to Ray and knew everything that had happened between them?

"Umm...yeah she was for a second. She filled her drink back up and then pretty much went on her way." he said, casually glancing back over to where he had last saw Channing. Noticing that the space was now being occupied by another guest, JC used the opportunity to switch Justin's train of thought. Just in case.

"Actually, I saw Channing not that long ago in the living room. Since he is now conveniently missing as well, my guess is that she is with him."

After watching Justin's expression change from one of relaxation to one of complete irritation, JC knew that Justin's next move would be to locate Reini.

"Well then, why don't we take a little walk and see what the lovely couple is up to. Besides, I think it's time me and Channing had a man to man talk. Don't you?"

Knowing exactly what Justin's "man to man" talk meant, JC let out a slight chuckle and followed his friend as he proceeded to search the party for Reini. This was something he definetly wanted to see.

It didn't take long to locate her, and like JC said, Channing was right there by her side.

"See, what did I tell you?" JC said, following Justin as he quickly closed the distance between them.

"Look, can you do me a favor?"

"Absolutely. What do you need?"

"Can you keep Ray occupied for say....fifteen minutes or so. I want to take a little walk."

"Ummm....I can try to, but honestly, I don't think she is going to be game for this AT ALL" he stressed, noticing Reini looking up at the two of them as they got closer. "You know, incase you forgot, I'm not her favorite person right now."

"Yeah, well unless she wants to have another chat with the angels almighty, she'll do as she's told and stay with you."

Snickering to himself, JC recalled the utter shock he was in when he saw her praying in the bathroom. Granted Reini always came across as the wholesome type, but to be on the floor praying to Mary, naked as the day she was born was just too much.

"There you are. I was looking for you. I saw you talking to JC earlier but by the time I made it over there, you were gone." Justin said, snaking his arm around Reini's waist as Channing looked on.

"Yeah, I wonder why." Channing said in to his glass as he gave JC a quick once over.

"You having a good time man?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I mean, normally this isn't my type of thing, but being here with Ray helps." he said, a playful smile easing across his lips as he winked at her.

Forcing himself to smile, Justin just nodded in agreement. Where in the hell did this guy get off acting like she was there with him. She wasn't with his sorry ass. She simply drove there with him. Reini belonged to him, in every sense of the word, and it was about time he made it well known.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Talk to me?" Channing asked, momentarily looking over at Reini who was cautiously trying to mouth to him that she didn't want him to go.

"You don't mind, do you Ray?"

Knowing there was only one answer he would allow her to give, Reini shook her head 'no' and looked up at him. For a moment she thought she saw the same fire in his eyes that he got when she got out of line. The fire that clearly meant no good was going to come out of whatever was next.

"Don't worry. JC will keep you company until I get back." he said, placing a single kiss on the back of her hand before handing it over to JC.

"I don't need him to keep me company Justin. I'm quite capable of keeping myself occupied until you get back." she said nervously looking up in to JC's eyes. After all, the last thing she wanted to do was be alone with JC.

"Humor me, alright?"

Sensing that she was coming dangerously close to crossing the line, Reini simply nodded her head and allowed JC to pull her over to him.

"You ready man?"

"Sure."

As Channing followed Justin over to the double set of doors to the lower terrace, Reini felt a wave of panic rush through her body. As if it wasn't bad enough that Justin was actually talking to Channing alone, she also had to deal with the fact that Justin left her under JC's supervison. Of all people!

"So...here we are once again. Did you miss me?" JC said, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

"Get away from me JC. I swear to God!"

"You swear too? Wow Ray. Praying and swearing all in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah, Amen!" he taunted, throwing his hands in to the air as if he was leading a morning sermon.

Squeezing her eyes shut until they were only slits, Reini coldly glared at him. It was one thing to attack her, but to poke fun of her religious beliefs was a little more than she could stand right now.

"You know what JC...."

"What's that Ray?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her as a smirk graced his lips.

"UGH! Just get away from me!" she yelled, placing both hands on his chest and shoving him backwards. "Leave me alone! I'm serious!"

"Sorry baby, but I can't do that. I was told to keep you company and that is exactly what I am going to do." he said, quickly reaching up to grab both of her hands. After doing a quick check to make sure that Justin was nowhere in sight, JC forcefully pulled her back over to him until her body crashed against his.

"Let me go JC! I mean it!" Reini said, tears quickly filling her eyes as the pressure he was applying to her wrists intensified. "Why are you doing this?!"

Licking his lips, JC glanced down and gave her body a nice once over before bringing his gaze back up to meet hers. He had to admit that even he was surprised at how far he was taking this with her. It wasn't like she had been some girl he met on the street or at a club. This was the ultimate "off limits" when it came to guy code. She was his best friend's girlfriend!

"C'mon Ray. I think you know exactly why I'm doing this." he said, letting out a slight chuckle as he lowered her hand and placed it firmly against his crotch.

Now absolutely terrified over how he was acting, Reini quickly pulled her hand away and began searching the room for any sign of Justin or Channing.

"I said stop! Get away from me" Reini said, letting out a louder than normal protest as she backed away from him.

Noticing that a few people were now looking on, JC casually laughed it off and slowly walked back over to Reini was standing.

"Are you trying to make your life a living hell?" he growled as he approached her. "Do you want Justin to know what's going on?"

"Actually...YES! Then I can watch him kick your ass!" she snapped back, placing both hands on her hips as she leaned forward slightly. "That is something I would love to see up close and personal."

"Yeah, well you go ahead and tell him Ray and I guarantee that won't be the only thing you see up close and personal."

"Is that a threat?"

As JC took a few steps closer to her, Reini felt an unsettling feeling wash over her. It was almost as if someone had just walked over her grave.

"You can call it a threat if you want to Ray. I'd like to think of it as an iron clad insurance policy. I mean you don't really think that hes going to believe you over me, do you Ray?" JC said. Taking in the now lost look that swept over her features, JC let out a slight chuckle, placing his hand over his heart. "Aww you do. How cute! You really are just about as naive as the come aren't you?"

Finally managing to break eye contact with him, Reini nervously looked down at the floor and prayed that Justin would soon show up. Just the idea of spending another minute alone with JC causing her to feel sick to her stomach. He was just so arogant and full of himself, and she knew that if he really wanted to, he could make things much worse between her and Justin. He had already proved that tonight. What was it with these society types that had them craving power and control?

Now feeling completely comfortable with his new found power over her, JC moved in a little closer and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"You know Justin may be getting the priviledge of being the first one to take a dip in the honey, but rest assured that once he clears the way I'll be having a little taste of my own."

Quickly backing away from him, Reini glanced up in to his eyes and realized just what he meant by the comment.

Opening her mouth in complete shock, Reini wanted to say something...anything that might deter JC from following through with his future plans concerning her. Unfortunately, Reini quickly came to the realization that there wasn't anything she could say.....only what she could do.

As fear took over her body, the tears streamed down Reini's check and she took off to find Justin. She had put up with way too much of this already. JC needed to be stopped and he needed to be stopped now before things got any worse.

"Ray!"

Watching her run out of the room, JC saw his life flash before his very eyes. Where was she going? She wouldn't dare tell him. Would she? Not wanting to wait and find out after it was too late, JC quickly manuvered through the crowd in an attempt to catch her.

_____________________________________________

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Channing said, taking another sip of his drink as he followed Justin out a double set of door and on to the terrace.

"Look, let's cut the bullshit here. You know damn well what I want to talk to you about. Don't play games with me."

Slightly taken by surprise, Channing lowered his glass and looked Justin up and down. Was this guy for real?

"Hey man, I'm not playing games. What do you want to talk about? Reini? What about her?" he replied back, sitting his glass down on the ledge beside him and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Am I supposed to be intimidated by you?" Justin asked, quickly stepping forward to stop only inches from Channing's face.

"Are you? I mean, you're all up in my face like you have something to prove. What are you worried about Justin? Worried that you might not be the only man in Ray's life."

Shaking his head, Justin took a step back and stared directly at Channing who had now been sporting a smug grin.

"Well, I'm the only one in her life where it counts."

"Really? Where does it count then Justin? Does it count to be a part of her life if she confides in you. Does it count to be in her life if she feels she can count on you. Maybe it counts in her bed? Is that it? Does it count if you are a part of her life in the bedroom? Because I can tell you with much certainty that you aren't in that part of her life."

Feeling his blood begin to boil, Justin clentched his teeth together and tried his best to remain calm. It was almost as if he was insinuating that he wasn't entitled to that part of her life because that position was being filled by him.

"You know what, I think it would be in your best interest if you stayed away from Ray. Actually, I don't think....I know."

"Um....I don't actually recall asking for your opinion on what was in my best intrest." Channing replied scratching the side of his head

"See, that's what you don't seem to understand. I don't need to ask people for their opinions or anything else, I just simply tell them how it is or what to do."

Growing uncomfortable with the way Justin seemed to need control in every aspect of his life, Channing grabbed his glass back off the ledge and took a large swig.

"Yeah, well if you want to handle your life that way, you go right ahead and enjoy yourself. But if I hear that you even entertained the idea of trying to mold Reini in to who you think she should be or who you want her to be, then you're going to have to answer to me. You understand me?!"

Turning his head to the right, Justin let out a hearty laugh. He just couldn't believe the nerve this guy had talking to him like that. Especially when he was a guest in his own home!

"Now, if you don't mind I'm going to go and find Ray."

"Oh, I mind!" Justin said, grabbing a hold of Channing's arm as the glass he was holding fell to the ground and shattered in to several pieces. "Maybe you didn't hear me the first time I said it. I SAID STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM REINI!"

Clearly by the way this guy was going on, his intentions or feelings for Ray ran way deeper than friendship. Question was, did Ray share those feelings? Maybe he was right all along. Maybe she wasn't giving it out to someone else, it was just reserved for someone else.

"You stay the fuck away from her!"

Now letting his emotions get the best of him, Justin threw a hard right hook and landed it squarely on to Channing jaw.

"Thanks man." Channing said, rubbing his jaw a few times as he smiled. "I'm sure this is all Ray will need to hear about to tell your sorry ass to take a hike."

Forcefully brushing past him, Channing headed back through the double doors and down the hall that led back to Justin's apartment. All he wanted to do now was find Reini and get her the hell out of there. Clearly she didn't know exactly what kind of person he was.

As Channing sat the phone back down, a satisifed smile crept across his face.  He knew that he had pressed every last one of Justin's buttons and that more than likely he would end up hanging himself in front of Ray once he got to the apartment.  Something he took great enjoyment in.  After all, he knew how Reini felt about the guy and that she would only defend him if he tried to speak up.  This way, he would be there for a shoulder to cry on instead of the other way around.

"Hey, did I just hear you on the phone?"  Reini asked, walking out of the bathroom.

After doing some quick thinking, Channing turned back around to face her and shook his head.

"No, it was probably just the TV.  I was switching through a few channels." he replied, trying his best to keep a straight face.  "You look refreshed."

"Well, I can't say I feel completely better, but it helped some."

"You want to talk about it yet?"  Channing asked, laying the remote down on the coffee table before turning to face her.

"Not really.  There isn't much to say."  she said, running the towel through her hair in an attempt to dry it.  "Besides, it's nothing you need to concern yourself with."

Studying the troubled look on Reini's face, Channing gave her a quick once over and then tapped the space next to him on the couch.

"What?"

"Come here."

"I can't.  I have to call Justin.  He is probably wondering where I went. I didn't even say goodbye Channing."

"Who cares if he is wondering where you went.  You don't have to report to him Ray.  If you want to leave, then you leave.  You don't need to clear it with him first or explain yourself after."

Now giving him a once over, Reini threw the towel over her shoulder and stared blankly at him.

"Where did all that come from?"

"Where did what come from?"

"That attack on Justin?  Did something happen between you two earlier at his place?"

"Believe me, that was no attack. Besides, it's nothing you need to concern yourself with."

Placing both hands on her hips, Reini stood there and gave Channing a look of disapproval.  Clearly something did happen between the two of them and she wanted to know exactly what it was.

"You're not funny Channing!"

"I'm not trying to be.  Come on Ray.  You get what you give, right?  Isn't that how we do things?  You want answers, you give answers."

"Channing."

"What?!  Something happened tonight and I want to know what.  Why are you trying to hide stuff from me Ray?"  Channing asked, as he got up from the couch and over to where she was standing.  "This isnt like you."

"Look, just forget it."

"No, I'm not going to just forget about it.  Talk to me damn it!"  Channing yelled, grabbing her by her shoulders to force her gaze to his.

Feeling the tears begin to well up in her eyes, Reini looked away from him and prayed that he would just drop the subject.  She didn't want to get it to this right now.  She couldn't get in to this.  It was her problem and she would handle it.  The last thing she needed now was for him to get involved in the mess.

"Look, I'm sorry.  I'm not trying to upset you more than you already are, but I know you're not telling me everything."

"Channing, I......"

Then before she could even finish the sentence, there was a knock at the door.

Knowing who was likely on the other side, Channing quickly tried to get her to leave the room. 

"I'll get the door.  You go and clean yourself up."  Channing replied, brushing a tear away from her cheek.  "We'll talk about this later."

Wiping the rest of her tears away, Reini slowly headed back to the bathroom and closed the door as another knock echoed through the apartment.

After glancing over his shoulder to make sure she was out of sight, Channing adjusted his shirt and opened the door.

"Well, well, well.  What a pleasant surprise!  What brings you here Justin?"  Channing asked, a chesire smile plastered across his face.

"Cut the bullshit Channing.  Where is she?"  Justin asked, looking over Channing shoulder in to the apartment.

"Sleeping.  Didn't I tell you we were going to bed?"

"You know what......"  Justin growled, shoving his keys in his pocket. "I'm done playing these game with you.  MOVE!"

Placing his hands firmly on Channing's chest, Justin shoved him backwards and forced his way inside.  He didn't drive all this way just to have some pretty boy think he was running the show.  He was there for a reason and nothing Channing could say or do was going to stop him.

"Ray?"

"What hell do you think you are doing?!"  Channing asked, grabbing Justin by his arm.  "No one invited your ass in."

Unable to control himself any longer, Justin made quick work of removing himself from Channing's grasp and after grabbing him by the front of his shirt, forcefully shoved him against the wall.

"DON'T TEST ME MOTHER FUCKER!  YOU'LL LOSE EVERY TIME!"  Justin yelled, quickly letting him go once he heard the bathroom door open.

"Justin?  What are you doing here?  I was just about to call you."

"Imagine that!"  Justin said sarcastically, as he headed over to Reini. "You mean lover boy here didn't tell you that I called and was on my way over?"

Slightly taken back by his comment, Reini looked over at Channing with a look of confusion.  If Justin had called, why didn't he tell her.

"Channing?"  

"What?!  You think I'm lying?"  Justin asked, almost daring her to give the wrong answer. "I called about ten minutes ago, but that fucker refused to put you on the phone!"

"Did Justin call here?"

"Oh....yeah.  I guess it slipped my mind."  Channing replied, adjusting his shirt.

After standing there watching the two exchange threatening looks, Reini turned to face Channing once again.

"So, you were on the phone.   I asked you if you were on the phone and you said no.  Why did you lie to me?"

Before Channing even got a chance to answer the question, Justin let a small smile ease across his lips and helped fuel Reini's anger toward her best friend.  This was just going to be way too easy.

"Probably because he didn't want you finding out about the shit he pulled back my place."  Justin chimed in.  "The threats he felt so confident issuing to me."

In shock, Channing stood there and watched Justin twist everything around to his advantage.  It was almost an exact account of what happened, but with the role reversed.

"Hold up!  That's not what happened and you know it?!" 

"It's not?!"  Justin asked, quickly trying to play the role of victim.

Letting out a slight chuckle of disbelief,  Channing turned to face Reini who stood there with a complete look of shock.

"Did you threaten him?

"JESUS CHRIST!  AM I NOT HERE RAY?!  ISN'T THAT WHAT I JUST SAID?!"  Justin yelled, catching them both by surprise.

"I was just asking him Justin.  I wasn't implying that you were lying or....."

"Yeah well you better not be implying that or anything else!"  Justin yelled, taking a few steps closer to Reini.

"I'm not."

"You know, if I'm not mistaken, it was you that was doing most of the threatening.  You know, right before landing that right hook."

Feeling her heart begin to race with the night's turn of events, Reini glanced over to Channing and then back to Justin.

"You hit him?"

After giving her nothing more than a slight smile and nod of his head for a response, Justin glanced down at his watch and then back to Reini.

"Come on, let's go.  It's getting late."

"Late for what?  Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you back to my place.  You really don't think I'm going to let you stay here with him do you?"

"Stay here with him?  Him?"

"Yeah that little cocksucker over there."  Justin growled, pointing his finger in Channing's direction. 

"So what?  Because you two can't seem to get along I have to pick sides?"

"There is no picking of sides Ray.  Grab your stuff and get ready.  We're leaving."

"I don't think so.  Ray is staying here.  There's a reason she left your place.  Did you ever think of that?"

"You know what, if you want to keep that so called career of yours intact, I advise you turn and walk away right now."

"Is that a threat?"

"Feel free to hang around and find out."  Justin said, an arrogant smile stretched across his face.  "But you might want to make a mental note since we're on the subject anyway that I don't make threats.  I just speak the facts."

"GOD!  JUST STOP!  THIS IS INSANE!"

As both men turned in her direction, the reality of the decision she faced hit her full force.  She had to make a choice between the two most important men in her life and there was no easy way out.  

It was true that she had left Justin's house for a reason, but that reason didn't have anything to do with him.  Had he simply came to her house and asked her to come back to his place, chances are that she would have went without giving it much thought.  Unfortunately, given the new information about Justin's encounter with Channing on the roof, she couldn't help but worry that it was just the tip of what the night could still hold.

"What are you waiting for?  Grab your stuff."

After momentarily glancing over at the look of sheer disbelief on Channing's face, Reini let out a long sigh.  Deep down she knew she would rather spend the night in her own place, but given Justin's fondness for getting revenge on those who he felt crossed the line, she knew she had no choice but to go home with him.  At least then she wouldn't have to worry about the damage Justin could do to his career.

"I'll be right back."

"Ray!"

Standing there with a smug grin on his face, Justin pushed his way past Channing and collasped down on to the sofa as if he owned the place.

"Don't feel bad Channing.  Everyone loses to me at one point or another.  And I do mean EVERYONE."  Justin said, glancing towards Reini's bedroom door as he adjusted himself.

"Yeah well, we'll just see about that."  Channing snapped back, as he turned to head in to Reini's bedroom.  "You may have her fooled with your Oscar worthy performances, but I see right through you."

As Justin turned to look over his shoulder, he saw Channing disappear in to Ray's room and immeadiately jumped to his feet.  It was one thing to allow him to speak his mind in front of him, but to fill Reini's mind with ideas behind his back...that wasn't going to happen.

"Do you mind telling me why this joker feels he can just walk in and out of your bedroom without so much as knocking?"  Justin asked as joined the two of them in the room.

"Justin...."

"No, I'm serious.  Where the hell do you get off man?!"

"You know what, you better just back the fuck up.  I don't know where the hell you think you are or who you are talking to, but I'm not going to stand for that shit in my own house."

"God!  Will you two just stop!" Reini yelled, pushing one of her dresser drawers shut. "Justin can you please just go wait in the livingroom.  I'll be out in like five minutes."

Smiling, Justin stood there for a few minutes longer and watched Channing's body language as he sat on the edge of her bed.  Clearly he was trying to get under his skin.

"Why do you want me to leave Ray?  You need to say goodbye to your lover in private?"

"Justin don't"

"No, I'm serious.  This fuckin clown is in here sitting on your bed and you are asking me to leave.  What the hell is wrong with that picture Ray?!"

"Nothing is wrong with it.  He lives here Justin and we're not doing anything wrong."

"Yeah maybe not right now with me standing here, but how do I know what the hell you do when I'm not around.  Maybe you are fucking him!  I mean, come on!  You don't think he wants to hit with you?"

"Justin!  Stop it!"

"NO!  ASK HIM RAY!"

"No!"

"Come on Channing.  Be honest with her.  With yourself.  I mean, you're sitting there with that high and mighty look on your face trying to act all innocent, but you want to fuck her...if you haven't already.  I know it.  I can see it on your face."  Justin said, eyeing Channing up and down as he leaned back against the wall.  "The only thing I can't be quite sure of yet, is how far you'll go to try and make it happen."  

"Didn't she mention something about you waiting in the livingroom?"  Channing asked as he scooted himself back against the headboard of her bed.  "Because I could have swore she asked you to leave."

Letting out a slight chuckle, Justin stood there and watched Channing's facial expression change right before his eyes.  He knew without a doubt that his suspicions were right as far as his feelings for Ray were concerned, but putting it all out there in the open in front of Ray clearly made him uncomfortable.

"Come on Ray.  We're not going on vacation.  Whatever you have packed is good enough.  Let's go."

"Look, I'll see you when I get back home Channing.  Thanks for everything."  she said, tossing the bag over her shoulder and joining Justin's side.

"Yeah, we need to have a little talk about 'home' Ray, because this set up you have right now really doesn't work for me."  he said, grabbing her by the back of her arm as he led her towards the front door.

"Call me if you need anything Ray.  I mean it.  Anytime."

"Thanks Chan."

Biting his lip so that he wouldn't delay their exit any longer, Justin squeezed Reini's arm a little tighter and quickly headed out the door.  Once they made it down to Justin's car, he forcefully removed her bag from her shoulder and threw it in the back seat as a physical display of how displeased he really was.

"Get in the car Ray."

With the tone of his voice now echoing in her mind, Reini slowly lowered herself in to Justin's BMW and felt her heart beat quicken.

"Buckle up baby.  It's going to be a bumpy ride home."  he said, slamming her door closed.

As Reini fastened her seat belt, Justin quickly made his way around to the drivers side and opened the door.  After lowering himself down in to his seat, Justin turned to face her with a look of disgust plastered across his face.

"Did you enjoy yourself up there Reini? Huh? Watching Channing disrespect me like that?"  he asked, putting his keys in the ignition and starting his car up.

Afraid to even speak, Reini shook her head 'no' and proceeded to direct her attention out the passenger side window.  The last thing she wanted to do was keep this tension between them building. She figured that if she cut off every attempt he made at continuing the topic that everything would die down and be left alone.  Unfortunately that thought quickly slipped away when she felt Justin forcefully grab her by the back of her hair. 

"As if it wasn't bad enough that he disrespected me, but now you are going to do it too?!"  he yelled, forcefully bringing her gaze to his.  "What the fuck are thinking Ray?!  Have you learned nothing?!"

"Justin, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what Ray?  Sorry for blantly being disrespectful or sorry that I'm not going to stand for it?!"

As Reini winced in pain from the force he was using to keep her turned in his direction, Justin took a few slow deep breaths to try and calm himself down some.  When he finally felt he had things under control, he slowly released his grip on her and shoved her back over to her side of the car.

"I'm sorry Justin.  I know Channing should have told me that you called and I know he only added fuel to an already tense situation but what did you want me to do.  It's his house too." 

"You're on really thin ice Ray.  Be very careful where you walk tonight."

"I was just saying...."

"And so was I."  Justin quickly chimed in as he pulled back out on to the road.

Knowing that this conversation wasn't likely to get any better, Reini let out a soft sigh and once again glanced out the passenger side window.

After several minutes of near silence between the two, an all too familiar sound began to echo through the car and Reini cringed.  Quickly reaching in her purse, Reini hoped that she could avert the call directly to her voicemail but Justin intercepted her the second she pulled it out.

"Who is it?  Is it Channing?"  he asked, reaching for the phone.

"I'm just sending it to voicemail.  I'm not going to answer it."

"You're damn right your not.  Give it to me."

"Justin....."

"Give me the fuckin phone Ray!"

Letting out a heavy sigh, Reini sat there not wanting to cause any more problems, but not wanting to hand the phone over either.

"You know what, I said give me the fuckin phone!"  Justin yelled, screeching the car to a stop at the redlight as he reached over.  "All you had to do was give me the phone Ray! Now you're going to need a new one!"  he continued, jumping out of the car and launching it sideways across the street.

After he watched the phone shatter on the road a few feet away from him, Justin paced back and forth for a few seconds before finally getting back inside his car.

"Justin I'm......"

"I don't want to hear it Ray."  he yelled, collapsing down in to his seat and slamming the door.  "There isn't a damn thing that you could say that would benefit you right now."

Knowing that her only option at this point was to sit there quietly, that's exactly what Reini did.  Unfortunately the longer Justin was left to his own thoughts, the more erratic his driving became.  Something that she was finding it very hard to remain tight lipped about.

"God damn it!  What the fuck is wrong with people tonight?!"  Justin yelled, once again swerving in to oncoming traffic to avoid the slower moving cars in the right hand lane.

"Justin, please slow down.  You're starting to scare me."  Reini begged, her voice cracking slightly as she clutched tightly to her seat.

Turning to face her, Justin let out a sinister laugh.

"I thought I had you past that, but if I'm just 'starting' to scare you Ray, then clearly I've been going about things all wrong."  he said, not once breaking eye contact with her. 

"Justin please!"

After shifting gears once again, Justin finally brought his focus back to the road in front of his and saw that the traffic light a few feet in front of him had just turned red.  Knowing that the cross traffic was going to be in the intersection in a matter of seconds, Justin forcefully slammed on the brakes.

As he did, the momentum forced Reini forward and she screamed out.  Then as she braced herself for the crash she was certain was about to occur, Justin's BMW came to a screeching halt just short of the intersection and she was quickly snapped backwards against the seat. 

Now clutching on to the seat for dear life, Reini sat there and tried to calm her shattered nerves as Justin looked on with amusement.  

"You feel that Ray?  The pounding of your heart inside your chest.  That uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach?  That fear?"  he said turning to face her, his eye cold as ice as he glared at her.  "That's nothing compared to what you'll feel the next time you fuck with me. You understand me?"

Unable to speak from the fear still coursing through her body, Reini quickly nodded her head and the tears instantly began to form in her eyes.

"I didn't think it was possible for you to look any more beautiful Ray, but you know what."  he said, grabbing her chin to turn her towards him.  "You're even prettier when you cry."  he continued softly, pulling her face towards his so that he could kiss away the single tear that managed to find it's way down her cheek. 

After softly placing another kiss on her lips, Justin adjusted his position in his seat and shifted back down to first gear. As he did, Reini glanced over at him and literally felt every ounce of self worth slip from her grasp.  Because if it wasn't obvious before, it certainly was now.  She belonged to him....body and soul.

Once the light turned green, Justin slowly pulled out and continued to head back home.  Both of them knowing that the night was far from over.

Finally after another fifteen or so minutes of uneventful driving, Justin pulled in to the first open space he saw out front of his building and put his car in park.  After turning off the ignition, Justin slowly turned towards Reini.

"Are you going to continue to pout all night?"

"I'm not pouting."  she replied, tucking a small piece of her still damp hair behind her ear.

"Well then what would you call it Ray?  I mean, you've been sitting there for the last fifteen minutes looking at me like I stole the last damn oreo."

"I don't know what you want from me Justin.  I try to do what you want, I try to be who you want me to be, but it just never seems like enough."

"Maybe because deep down you're really not willing to do what I want....what I expect."  Justin said, removing the keys from the ignition.  "I mean, this thing earlier with that fuckin bitch boy.  What the hell was that Ray?!  Do you think that it's acceptable for him to be parading in and out of your bedroom?  Do you think it's acceptable to be living with another guy while you are seeing someone else?"

"But it's not like that.  You're making it in to way more than it is.  I've known Channing for years.  He's my best friend."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's what he wants you to believe."  Justin said, letting out a slight snicker.  "Do you really think that he hasn't thought about you in that way?  I mean really Ray?  Are you that naive?"

"What do you want me to say?"  Reini asked before stepping out of the car.  "Because I'm sure whatever I say will be the wrong thing."  

"You know what, I'm beginning to think you're right.  Maybe you should just keep your mouth shut."

After hearing the anger once again return to Justin's voice, Reini just hung her head in defeat and waited for Justin to reach her side of the car.  She knew when they left her apartment that the night was far from over, but she also held out some hope that he would at least let things quiet down some.  Unfortunately, that just didn't seem like the case.

Once Justin made his way over to where Reini was standing, he grabbed her bag and engaged the security system on his car.

"Let's go."  he said, grabbing a hold of her hand and practically dragging her towards the double set of doors that led inside the building.  "This night has dragged on long enough."

As Reini felt herself being quickly pulled through the lobby, the sudden realization hit her that she would have to see JC.  The thought alone shook her to her core and without even realizing it, she slowly began resisting his efforts to get her on the elevator.

"What the fuck are you doing?"  he asked, looking over his shoulder at her as the elevator doors opened.

"Justin....it's just that....earlier at your party..."

"Earlier at my party what?"

Feeling like she was going to be sick, Reini took a few deep breaths and reluctantly allowed him to push her in to the elevator.  She knew that she needed to tell him what JC had done to her earlier, but she also couldn't help but worry that he wouldn't believe a word out of her mouth and that it would only make things worse.

"I'm waiting."  Justin growled, hitting the button that took them to the penthouse as he turned to face her.

"Promise me that you're not going to get mad first."

Giving her a look of complete disbelief, shoved his keys in to his pocket and studied her with an intensity that literally sent chills down her spine.

"I'm not promising anything Ray.  Let's go.  I want to hear what you have to say."

"Justin...."

"Now Ray!"

As her breathing quickly caught up to her rapid heartbeat, the elevator finally came to a stop.  Hoping she could avoid the conversation altogether, Reini quickly tried to head through the doors the second they opened.  Unfortunately, Justin picked up on her plan and grabbed her by the arm before she could even take a step.

"Uh uh.  We're not going in there until you finish your little confession." he said, slamming his fist on the emergency stop button.

"It's not a confession Justin." she yelled over the alarm

"Then what is it Ray?  I mean, all of a sudden you go and get all crazy on me and then start to tell me something, but ask me not to get mad?!  Earlier at my party...what?!"

"JC."

"What about him Ray?!"

Hearing the alarm go off on the elevator from inside the penthouse, JC got up from his position of the sofa and headed over to the front door.  After unlocking it, JC pulled the door open and saw his best friend and Reini just standing there.

"What the hell are you doing man?"

"Should I just ask him Ray?!  I mean, since he's here now anyway."

"Ask me what?"

"Apparently Ray has an issue with you and something that happened ealier at the party.  I'm just trying to find out what the fuck it is!"  he yelled, pushing Reini out of the elevator so that he could turn off the emergency stop. "You want to fill me in?!"

"Me?!"

"Yeah.  You."

Looking over at Reini, JC saw the look of fear on her face and realized exactly where she had planned on taking this conversation with him.  This was about him making advances toward her.  This was her throwing him to the dogs.  Luckily though, he knew exactly how to divert the attention away from her real issue to something else.

"I don't know.  I mean, I'm sure she's still not too thrilled about the little apology you had her give me.  Maybe she's still sulking.  Maybe she still has issues with that."  he said, turning his attention towards Reini.

"Is that what this is all about?!  That I made you fuckin apologize to him?!"

Looking over at JC as he stood a few feet behind Justin, Reini saw him glare at her with such contempt that she knew there was only one thing to do.

Looking down at the floor, Reini knew that she couldn't tell Justin the truth.  Especially with JC standing right there.  Because even if he did believe her that he made advances on her, JC would just flip it around to make her look bad anyway.  It was a no win situation for her either way. 

"WELL?!"

Nodding her head 'yes', Reini felt the tears build up and knew what was coming.

"Get the fuck in there!"  Justin yelled, shoving her towards the apartment so hard that she practically tripped over her own feet.  "I can't believe you're giving me shit about an apology you know damn well you owed him!  What the fuck is your problem?!"

Knowing there wasn't anything she could say or do about the situation right now, Reini kept from making eye contact with either of them as they headed in after her.

After tossing her bag down on the floor, Justin looked over at JC and then turned his attention back to Reini.

"You know, if you want to talk about having issues with someone.  Let's go talk about my issues...shall we."  he growled, forcefully grabbing her by the back of her hair as she cried out.  "Offer JC his apology right now for keeping him up."

"What?"  Reini asked, tears building in her eyes once again and the pain continued to increase from his hold on her.

"Tell him your sorry.  Tell him your sorry that you're crying and screaming is probably going to keep him up tonight!" he yelled, tightening his grip on her even more.

"Justin...."

"TELL HIM RAY!"

"I'm sorry JC." she cried out, reaching behind her to try and relieve some pressure.

"You have any issues with that apology?!"  

"No." she softly replied.

"That's what I thought." he growled, practically lifting her feet from the floor as he forced her down the hall and up the stairs towards his bedroom.  "You just had to find a way to make this night worse than it already was, didn't you?!"

"Justin I'm sorry."

"You're not sorry Ray.  I don't even think you understand the meaning of the word...but you will."  he said, shoving her in to his room and slamming the door behind him.

As she stumbled over to his bed, Justin could feel the rage slowly building within.

"Alright, now since you like to bring up issues you have, let's discuss one of mine."

Looking up at him cautiously, Reini wiped her eyes and slowly sat down on the bed.

"This thing with Channing.  You know, it's still not sitting right with me Ray.  I mean, I'm just not buying the fact that you live with the guy and nothing is going on."  he said, tossing his keys over to his dresser.

"Justin I told you we're just friends."

"Yeah again, I'm not buying it.  The fuckin guy parades in and out of your bedroom like it's an everyday thing!"

"Obviously there isn't anything I can say to convince you that nothing is going on.  I mean, you're going to believe what you want, right?  Who cares what I say or what I tell you!  Clearly my word doesn't mean shit!"  she yelled, frustration quickly getting the best of her.

"You know what, I've about had it with your mouth tonight!"  Justin yelled, quickly making his way over to the bed.  "You raise your voice to me like that again and I'll knock every one of your teeth down your god damn throat!  You got me?!" he continued, pulling her to her feet as he swung her around.

Closing her eyes to avoid the look of rage that she knew was dancing in his eyes, Reini simply nodded her head as fast as she could and prayed that he would just let her go.  Unfortunately, it was only a matter of seconds until she realized that it had been wishful thinking on her part.

"You better fuckin look at me when I talk to you Ray!"  Justin yelled, slamming her up against the wall and knocking the wind from her lungs.  "It was simply a matter of circumstance that kept me from kicking your ass earlier when you did it, but now...in my house...I won't stand for it.  I'll fuck you up and not so much as blink an eye!  You understand me?!"  he yelled, pulling her away from the wall only to slam her back up against it.

With tears now blazing trails down her cheeks, Reini struggled to answer him.  Her heart racing in her chest.  Her body trembling in his grasp.  She didn't want to go down this road with Justin again.

"I understand you."  she sobbed.

"You damn well better!"

Realzing that she now held her life in her hands, Reini slowly glanced up at the shiny gold lock on the bedroom door and then back at Justin. If she was going to do it, she needed to do it now while he was distracted. 

After seeing the look on Justin's face as he glanced down at the caller ID, she knew that he was going to take the call. She couldn't be sure if the call would be quick or not, but she knew there wasn't a moment of time to waste. This was it. 

As Justin stared out at the city from his bedroom window, Reini slowly reached her hand up and unlocked the door. After checking to make sure that he didn't hear anything, Reini shifted positions and opened the door just enough to slip out without being noticed. 

Once she was safely on the other side of the door, Reini placed her hand on the wall and forced herself to endure the pain that coursed through her body as she attempted to stand up. 

"I have to get out of here." she cried out, practically dragging herself down the hall towards the livingroom. "God, please help me." 

Hearing the soft cries come from down the hall, JC stood up and hesitantly walked towards the hall. 

"Ah Jesus Christ." 

Seeing the sight before him, JC felt almost compelled to help her. Clearly she was in need of help. 

Unfortunately for her, JC never got the chance. It only took Justin a few seconds to realize that she was gone and she could hear the heavy footsteps as he ran towards the door. 

"You little fuckin BITCH!" 

Seeing his best friend come flying out of his room, JC knew that the apartment was the last place he wanted to be and quickly turned back around. It was bad enough to see her in the condition she was in now and he knew he couldn't stomach anymore. He had to get out of there. 

Quickly pulling his keys from his pocket, JC headed for the front door and never looked back. 

"Going somewhere?!" Justin yelled, forcefully grabbing her by the back of her hair as she struggled to get away. "You know, I would have thought that at some point your common sense would have kicked in and told that you're going about this all the wrong way Ray, but clearly that is not the case. How fucking dumb are you?!" 

"Justin please don't!" Reini begged, quickly reaching behind her to try and alleviate some of the pain. 

"You don't call the shots around here Ray, I do, and right now I think it's time that we get a few things straight between us." 

Fearing exactly what he meant by his statement, Reini began to cry uncontrollably as he led her back up the hall and through the living room. 

"Come on Ray. Let's get a look at the big picture, shall we." he growled, practically lifting her feet off the floor as he pushed her in to the dining room. 

After whipping a chair from it's position at the table, Justin slammed it down on the other side of the kitchen counter and forced her in to it. 

"You know how many girls would kill to be in your position Ray?!" he said, shuffling through a stack of mail on the counter. "I mean, just look around. New York's Penthouse Princes, America's Most Wanted Bachelor, Timberlake Triumphs Again!" he yelled, firing the various magazines and tabloids at her. "I'm a fuckin God around here!" 

As Reini tried to shield herself from flying periodicals, Justin's breathing became more of a raspy growl. Knowing it was in her best interest to just keep her mouth shut, Reini glanced down at the mess laying at her feet and hoped that by some miracle that things weren't going to get as carried away as she feared. 

"I mean, Christ Ray! If you like praying so much, get down on your knees and pray to someone who is fuckin worthy of it!" he yelled, quickly sprinting back around the counter to kick her chair over. 

As Reini fell backwards on to the hardwood floor, she knew that she was in trouble. Clearly Justin was on power trip and there wasn't anything she could say or do to stop it. 

"Come on Ray! Lay it on me! Let me hear those saintly words of wisdom." 

Turning slightly on her side, Reini glanced up at him and knew without a doubt that she was going down. Now there was only one question that remained. Was she going down with or without a fight? 

"Justin please." 

"Pleading isn't going to do a damn thing for you this time Ray." he replied, reaching down to move the chair out of his path. 

Taking the distraction as her cue, Reini quickly scrambled up to her feet and ran as fast as she could across the room. 

"Justin, please. You don't need to do this!" 

"You know what, that's all I keep hearing out of your fuckin mouth Ray! 'Justin please!' 'Don't do this!' 'I'm sorry!' You're pathetic. Absolutely pathetic!" he growled, desperately trying to figure out where she was going to run next. "Come on Ray. Let's just do this and get it over with." he continued, an eery sense of calmness suddenly taking over his voice as he stood straight up. 

Watching as he matched her every movement, Reini knew she had nowhere to go. Every escape that stood before her would be blocked in a matter of seconds. 

Feeling her heart race with a sense of panic that she had never felt before, Reini saw the reflection of the terrace behind her in the mirror and took a deep breath. Granted it wasn't an ideal escape, but at least it would open up access to other areas of his apartment where she could figure something out. 

Sensing that she was up to something, Justin tried to gauge what she was looking at. Once he put two and two together, he quickly leapt in to action. 

Seeing him come directly at her, Reini turned sharply on her heels and ran out on to the terrace. Unfortunately before either one of them could get their bearings as they skidded on to the slick stone surface, Justin slammed in to Reini knocking her back against the railing. 

"JUSTIN DON'T!" Reini screamed out, fear consuming every ounce of her body as her feet slowly started to brake contact with the floor. 

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW RAY?! ARE YOU THINKING NOW THAT MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE QUIT WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE?" he growled, bending her 
further back over the rail. 

"OH MY GOD! JUSTIN PLEASE DON'T! PLEASE!" 

"It's too late Ray. We're here now. There's no turning back." 

Clutching on to his shirt for dear life, Reini struggled to get her feet back on solid ground. Unfortunately the more she struggled, the harder Justin pushed her backwards. 

"I really hope you do believe in God baby, because right now, he is the only one that can save you." he laughed and with one final push had her teetering precariously over the edge of the building. 

"JUSTIN!" 

Suddenly hearing the sound of the front door opening, Justin looked over his shoulder and saw his best friend walking back in to the apartment and froze in place. 

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" JC yelled, quickly heading across the living room. 

Realizing that JC had come back, Reini began to frantically kick and scream for help. She knew he was her only hope and had to make sure he knew what was going on. As much as he loved to torment her, she was sure that even he would think that Justin had taken things way too far. 

"JC! HELP ME!" 

Feeling Reini struggle beneath his grasp, Justin quickly turned his attention back to her. Unfortunately before he realized what was happening, Reini's frantic struggle for help forced her weight to shift and she started to slide over the edge. 

"JUSTIN! NO!" 

"FUCK! REINI!" 

Seeing Justin lose his grasp on Reini, JC lept over the table and ran on to the terrace. He just couldn't believe his eyes. 

"HOLD ON RAY!" Justin screamed, his face distorted with pain as he braced himself against the rail with one hand and held on to Reini's wrist with the other. "JACE HELP ME! SHE'S SLIPPING!" 

Quickly bending over the rail, JC reached down and tried desperately to grab a hold of Reini's other hand. 

"RAY, GIVE ME YOU HAND!" 

"I CAN'T REACH IT!" she cried out, her fingers extended upward hoping to make contact with JC's hand. 

"YES YOU CAN DAMN IT! REACH!" JC yelled, watching as her long brown hair whipped around in front of her tear stained face. 

"I'M GOING TO LOSE HER!" Justin yelled, his own body now bent over the rail as the force of gravity continued to pull her downward. 

"JUSTIN PLEASE DON'T LET ME GO!" she pleaded

"We're mot going to let you go Ray! Now, reach for my hand! COME ON! You can do it!" JC tried to sound calm for himself as much as her. 

Knowing that they only had a matter of seconds until they both went over the edge, Justin took a deep breath and fought to arch his body backwards in an attempt to bring her closer to JC's reach. 

"That's it. I almost got her! Come on!" 

Letting out a loud grunt, Justin used all the strength he could manage and jerked himself backwards. As he did, JC finally grabbed a hold of her wrist and began pulling her up. 

"We got you. Come on." 

As Justin and JC continued to pull her back up, she managed to get enough footage on the side of the building and one more quick pull was all it took bring her back to safety. 

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" JC yelled, watching Justin quickly scramble over to Reini as she sat on the floor of the terrace. 

Ignoring his question, Justin wrapped his arms around Reini's trembling body and pulled her tightly against him. 

"I'm so sorry baby. I don't know what the hell I would have done if anything happened to you." he sobbed, rocking her softly as she cried in to his chest. 

"JUSTIN?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!" 

When JC still didn't get an answer, he threw his hands up in defeat and stormed back in to the apartment to try and pull himself together. The fact that he almost witnessed a death first hand quickly taking it's toll on his already frazzled emotional state. 

"I need a god damn drink!" he groaned and after a quick glance in their direction headed over to the bar. 

"Are you alright?" Justin asked, slowly bringing Reini's tear filled gaze up to meet his. 

Still trembling, Reini just stared at him with widened eyes. Her mouth opened slightly when she tried to speak, but it quickly closed when she realized she didn't know what to say. How could he even ask her if she was alright after what he had just done. 

"Ray, please talk to me." Justin pleaded, his eyes quickly scanning her face for any sign of emotion. "I said I was sorry. It was an accident." 

Letting out a slight laugh, Reini slipped from his hold and stared at him. 

"Is that supposed to be funny?!" 

"Is what supposed to be funny?" he asked, completely confused by her comment. 

"I accidentally kick you and for payback, I'm supposed to believe that you accidentally knocked me over the terrace?!" 

"It was an accident Ray! I can't believe you would think I could do something like that on purpose!" 

"I don't believe you! I mean...I'm just....." she began to say, but quickly found herself tripping over her words. "I can't do this Justin. I'm sorry." 

And without so much as even looking back at him, Reini pushed herself to her feet and headed back in to the apartment. 

"Where are you going?" 

"I'm leaving. I can't do this Justin. I can't live my life like this." 

"I said I was sorry Ray!" 

"Yeah, but you and I both know that you aren't." she said, wiping the tears from her eyes as she headed towards Justin's bedroom. "That's the problem." 

Letting out a heavy sigh, Justin headed down the hall after her, only stopping briefly to address his best friend who was watching everything unfold from the other side of the bar. 

"Don't even say it man. Just go about your business." 

"Trust me man. Whatever you got going on, I don't want any part of." JC exclaimed, pointing his finger in Justin's direction. 

Shaking his head with disgust, Justin continued down the hall in search of Reini. Once he walked in to his bedroom, he saw her gathering her stuff from his dresser and laughed. 

"Where are you going?" 

"I already told you. I can't do this. I'm leaving." 

"I heard that part Ray, but why are you taking you're stuff?" 

"I'm not leaving for the night Justin. I'm leaving....for good. As in the 'it's over between us' type of leaving." she replied, throwing her purse over her shoulder. 

"So that's it?! You're just going to toss everything we had away because of one mistake?" 

"It wasn't just one mistake Justin!" 

"You mean on your part, right baby?" 

Glaring at him from across the room, Reini felt her blood begin to boil. She just couldn't believe the nerve he had trying to make it seem like this was all her fault. Especially when he was the one who almost took her life! 

"No, I don't mean on my part!" 

"You know what, I said it was an accident Ray. If you even cared half as much about me as you claim to, you would know that." he replied, an arrogant tone dancing heavily across his words as he deliberately turned the tables on her. "But hey, if you want to leave, go ahead and leave. I'm sure you're just dying to get back to Channing anyway." 

"How dare you!" 

"How dare I? How dare you Ray!" 

"It's Reini Justin! Not Ray....not baby...or sweetheart...Reini! Think you can get that straight?! My name is Reini!" 

Unsure of how to respond to her outburst, Justin stood in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest in front of him and just stared her down. The brashness of her comment cutting away at the last bit of patience he was holding on to. 

"Fine....REINI. I'm sorry things didn't work out the way you wanted them to. Guess I just couldn't compare to your little live in poster boy. Hope you two have a nice life together." 

Shaking her head with utter disbelief, Reini decided to just ignore the comment and walk past him and out the door. Clearly he was delusional if he even thought for a moment that she wanted Channing over him. 

Once she walked past him and out in to the hall, Reini headed towards the front door. Without even realizing it, she found herself trying to hear if he was following after her. Pathetically hoping that he would call out to her and tell her not to leave. Unfortunately by the time she realized that none of those things were happening, she was standing at the door with a decision to make. She hated herself for not being able to just walk out the door. The man had almost ended her life, and yet she still didn't have it in her to walk away. 

Letting out a heavy sigh, Reini glanced over her shoulder and saw Justin still standing in the doorway watching her. 

"What are you waiting for? Go!" 

Feeling like her heart was about to break, Reini stood there on the verge of tears and watched him easily dismiss her. 

"GO! Don't wait for me to stop you, because the second you walk out that door, I'll have twenty more just like you lined up." 

"Justin...." 

What?!" 

"Why don't love me?!" she yelled, tears now streaming down her cheeks as she turned quickly on her heels to face him. It was the only thing she could think to say. 

"Is that supposed to be funny? I don't love you?! You won't let me love you Ray, remember?! You're saving yourself." 

"That's not what I meant." 

"Yeah well, it's what I meant. I mean, you can't possibly expect me to just run around New York with you on my arm as a friend. Because that's the equivalent of what we have, right? A friendship?" 

"That isn't fair. You know why we aren't having sex! Why can't you respect that it's how I was brought up? That it's what I believe in? Why does it always have to be about that?!" 

"Hey, I'm so far over it Ray....seriously." he quickly replied, motioning towards the door before heading back in to his bedroom. 

Caught off guard by his sudden departure, Reini stood there for a few seconds wondering what to do. She originally had every intention of walking out that door, but now she wasn't sure what she wanted. After all, she loved Justin. She enjoyed the time they spent together when he wasn't upset about something, but if he wasn't going to change, could she deal with things continuing on the way they were. 

Hearing a sound come from her left, Reini glanced across the living room and saw JC sitting his glass back down on the bar and sighed heavily. 

"Are you alright?" he asked, pouring himself a refill. 

Unsure of what to say, Reini simply shrugged her shoulders and slowly headed back down the hall towards Justin's bedroom, hoping that by some miracle she could sort her feelings out. 

Once she reached his bedroom, she saw him pulling his t-shirt up over his head. After tossing it on the dresser, Justin pulled open the double set of door that led to his closet and walked in. 

"Justin..." 

"I thought you were leaving." he said casually, sliding a button down shirt from it's hanger. 

"I am...I mean....I was." 

"Was?" he continued, grabbing a pair of black shoes from their place on his neatly lined shelf. 

"Can you please just stop and talk to me." she yelled, quickly grabbing a hold of his arm as he brushed past her. 

"I'm sorry, I can't. I'm getting ready to go out. It will have to be some other time." he said, glancing down at his watch. "I can probably get a good two hours in at least before the clubs close. Plenty of time to have some fun now that I'm single." 

"Ok! Alright! I get it!" . 

"Do you Ray? I mean...do you really get it?" he asked, stopping what he was doing to look at her. "Because unless this situation gets resolved somehow..." 

"I know." Reini sobbed, wiping away the tears that were building in her eyes. 

Letting out a heavy sigh, Justin tossed his shirt down on the bed and grabbed her wrist to pull her over to him. 

"Justin....you know I love you, don't you? I mean, just because we aren't having sex doesn't mean I don't love you or that I want to be with someone else." 

Bringing his hand up to her cheek, he brushed away a few more tears and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. Just looking at the change in her demeanor from the way she was acting five minutes ago until now, clearly showed that things had turned around in his favor. 

"It's not enough to just say you love someone. Actions speak louder than words, and from what I hear...you don't." 

"But I do. I do love you." she said softly, looking up in to his blue eyes. 

"Then show me Ray. If you really love me, show me." 

"Justin, you know I can't.........I can't have sex with you." The words that normally came out with such conviction, were suddenly laced with shame. 

"There are other things we can do besides have sex Ray. All you have to do is trust that you'll be in good hands." he said, softly sliding his hand between her legs.

Gasping slightly, Reini locked eyes with Justin and felt her heart skip a beat. She knew that if they were going to work things out between them that she would have to make some sacrifices, but she didn't think she was going to have to commit herself to the cause that quick.

"It's ok Ray. I'm not some stranger looking for a good time." he said, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Just let nature take it's course."

"Justin...I'm scared."

"Don't be." he said, slowly releasing his hold on her so that he could turn around and lock the door. "I promise I won't hurt you. Just come here."

Swallowing the large lump that was rising up in the back of her throat, Reini timidly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and allowed Justin to once again pull her over to him. Once her body was pressed up against his, he let out a soft moan. He knew that sex wasn't an option tonight, but that didn't mean he wasn't about to thoroughly enjoy her body.

Grabbing a hold of the hem on her shirt, Justin slowly lifted it up and over her head, tossing it on to the bed beside him. Feeling the cold air against her skin, Reini shuddered and unknowingly moved closer to the warmth radiating from Justin's body. Taking that as his cue, Justin brushed away the stray strands of hair that her shirt disrupted and cradled her face in his hand.

"You do trust me, don't you?" he asked, softly grazing her cheek with is thumb.

Unable to do nothing more at the moment than nod her head 'yes', Reini locked her eyes with his and gently placed her hands on his hips. But truth be told, she wasn't sure if she did or not. Especially after everything that had been going on. She was just going to have to have a little faith and hope that by night's end, she would still respect him...and herself.

"Just don't ruin this for us. I know where you stand when it comes to certain things and I promise...at least for tonight...you have nothing to worry about." 

Feeling ashamed and slightly embarrassed already, Reini attempted to drop her head but Justin refused to let her. She may have been a stranger to the world of pleasure and self gratification before she met him, but if she was going to continue to be a part of his life, she was going to have to reinvent herself.

Letting out a slow and steady breath, Justin's other hand joined the first as it cradled her face and he slowly brought her lips to his. A deep hunger that had been burning inside him already making itself apparent as he quickly backed her against the wall.

After gasping from the cold surface of the wall making contact with the exposed skin on her back, Reini arched her back away, bringing her chest instantly in to Justin's view.

"Looks like we still have some clothing to get rid of, don't we?" he asked, seductively licking his bottom lip.

Realizing he meant more than her bra, Reini stood trembling as Justin worked to slowly unfasten the button of her jeans. Once he had it free, he made quick work of the zipper and slid them down over her hips. Unfortunately he soon realized that the removal of that particular article of clothing was being hindered by her still present shoes.

"You're going to make me work for this, aren't you?" he asked seductively, crouching down in front of her so that he could slide her shoes off.

After removing both shoes and sliding her jeans the rest of the way off, Justin tossed them aside and glanced up at her.

Feeling like her face was a bright shade of crimson, Reini avoided his gaze and instead kept her focus straight ahead. The shame she felt from being so exposed in front of him quickly grabbing a hold of her.

Letting a slight chuckle escape his lips, Justin repositioned himself at her feet and slowly slid his hands up her legs, stopping at her waist to hook his fingers under the thin bands of her underwear that wrapped around her hips. Hearing her take in a deep breath, Justin let a smile dance across his lips and slowly slid them downward.

"Justin..."

"Reini..." he mocked, his voice deep with desire as he lifted each foot to remove them.

Dropping her head back against the wall, Reini tried to focus on something...anything other than what she feared was about to occur. Unfortunately, no sooner did she think the thought, did she feel the hot breath of Justin's mouth on the inside of her thigh, just above her knee.

Instantly thinking she should stop him from going any further, Reini reached forward and placed her hand against his forehead.

Leaning back slightly, Justin sat down on the heels of his feet and looked up her. Her obvious discomfort with what was going on evident as she bit down firmly on her lower lip.

"Ray, you can't keep going in to panic mode everytime I touch you. You have to relax."
Turning her head to the side, Reini let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and slowly placed her arms back against the wall.

"Thats my girl." he said, once again taking up his position in front of her. "Just remember to breath baby. It will be alright." he continued, a hint of cockiness in his voice as he reached down to slid her feet further apart.

Letting her head fall back against the wall once again, Reini tried her best to remain calm as she felt Justin's breath on her inner thigh once more.

Knowing that he had been dreaming about this moment from the time he laid eyes on her, Justin moaned seductively and continued his path upward. When he finally reached what he was looking for, he placed his hands firmly against her hips and held her to the wall. 

Confident that he would be able to gain access her with little protest, Justin leaned forward and traced his tongue between the folds of her intermost center.

Gasping at the sensations he was causing to build within her body, Reini's hands clung desperately to the wall as he continued to stroke her intimately with his tongue. The heat that was now radiating from her face, suddenly paling in comparison to the fire she felt building between her legs.

Suddenly hearing a soft moan escape her tightly sealed lips, Justin smiled against her and continued to savor everything she had to offer. He would be lying if he said he was surprised she wasn't protesting as much as he thought she would.

Feeling Reini's body begin to give way slightly, Justin traced his tongue up her moist center one more time and stood back up.

"You alright Ray?" he asked, the warmth of his breath against her ear causing a slight chill to run down over her as he leaned down slightly.

Simply nodding her head, Reini locked eyes with him and tried to keep her wits about her. It was as if she was off in a world all her own. Her body relaxing against him as the pleasure he insighted drifted throughout her body.

"Felt good, didn't it?" he moaned, sliding his hand back down her stomach and stopping once he reached his target. "It's ok you know...to enjoy it. It doesn't make you a bad person Ray."

Feeling a few tears begin to well in her eyes, Reini turned her head away from him and stared at the wall.

"It's just not how I was raised Justin." she began, turning her face back to his. "It's not right."

"You know, you keep focusing all your attention on the guilt because of what you were told, of what others felt was right for you, but what you should really be focusing on is what you want, what you feel Ray. Allow yourself to experience what pleasure feels like." he said, gently caressing between her legs.

"But...."

"Uh uh. Shhhh." Justin whispered, capturing her mouth with his once again. "Don't think about it, just let it happen." he continued, suddenly sliding two fingers deep inside her. A small whimper just barely able to escape her lips as Justin's kiss continued to muffle the soft noise. 

Keeping his hand in place, Justin continued to gently slide his fingers in and out of her, creating an almost perfect rhythm. Not wanting to stop their forward progress, Justin used his foot to part her legs even further as he continued to devour her lips. As Reini's body began to slowly accept what was happening, her now barely audible whimper began to turn in to a soft purr and Justin felt himself gowing hard. 

After a few more small strokes, their lips finally parted and he began working his way down her neck. Nibbling softly on the tender skin along her collarbone.

Tilting her head to the side to allow him better access, Reini soon realized that she was actually beginning to enjoy herself and wrapped her fingers around the back of Justin's neck.

"See what you've been missing being a good little girl Ray?" Justin growled, wrapping an arm around her waist so that he could pull her over to the chair with him.

Once Justin had found a comfortable position, he grabbed a hold of Reini's hands and pulled her over to him.

"Come here baby."

After allowing Justin to pull her closer, Reini stood there and watched as adjusted himself in his pants. Worried that he was going to try and take things to the next level, she tried to take a step backward.

"Whoa. Where are you going?"

"Justin...I....."

"It's alright Ray. It's not like I'm taking it out or anything. Just trying to make him a bit more comfortable" he said, shifting in his chair once more. "Now, why don't you be a good little girl and come sit down" he said, patting his lap. 

Hanging her head for a second, Reini took notice of her nearly naked frame and tried to cover herself some with her hands.

"You're so cute." he laughed, reaching out to grab a hold of her hand. "I've already seen it 
Ray, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, it's how God created us, right?" he said, giving her a playful wink as he pulled her the rest of the way over.

Once she was standing in front of him, Justin sat forward and softly kissed her stomach. The erection he now had, fighting the confines of his jeans and begging to be set free.

"Come on Ray. Don't be shy."

Realizing her only option at this point was to do as she was told, Reini let out a heavy sigh placed her right knee along side of Justin's thigh. Once she had found her balance, she followed with her left and gently lowered herself on to his lap.

Licking his lips at the thought of what it would feel like if he wasn't restricted by his jeans, Justin grabbed her hips and shifted her slightly.

"I think it's time to get rid of this last little piece of clothing, don't you?" 

After making quick work of sliding the straps down over both of her shoulders, Justin tossed it on the floor with the rest of her clothes and slid his hands up her back.  Placing a gently pressure on her shoulders, Justin arched her slightly away from him and found his eyes drawn in to the sight of her breasts rising and falling in rhythmn to her now heavy breathing.

Not wasting another second, Justin leaned forward. Licking small circles around her nipple, Justin moaned softly against her skin before finally taking one into his mouth. As he did, he caressed her other breast with his free hand, waiting to hear some sort of objection from Reini as she sat teetering on his lap.  Surprisingly though, he hadn't heard her utter a single protest.  She had simply allowed her head to fall back slightly.

After removing his mouth from her one breast, Justin quickly captured the other and continued his skillful work.  Hoping to inflict the same pleasure he had obviously accomplished with the first one.

As he did, he heard a soft moan escape Reini's lips and he quickly arched her back towards him. 

"What's this Ray?  My good girl gone bad?" he asked, sliding his hands down over the soft curves of her hips so he could grab her ass.

Embarrassed at the fact that she vocalized the pleasure she wasn't supposed to be feeling, that she knew wasn't right to feel, Reini attempted to get up from his lap.

"Where are going?" he asked, grabbing a hold of her wrist to hold her in  place.

"Justin...I just can't do this anymore.  I tried, I really did, but...."

"But.....you're done now?  Just like that?" 

"I'm sorry.  I just....I feel dirty."  she replied softly, quickly trying to cover her exposed body once again.

"So what am I supposed to do now Ray?  Sit here and jack off?!"

"Justin..."

"No, I'm serious?  I wanna know?  Do you expect me to just take care of myself?"

Giving him a sympathetic look, Reini stood there and stared at his now obvious excitement.  She hated this.  She knew that this would happen and that he would undoubtedly want to go the distance and actually have sex, but she just couldn't let that happen.  She wasn't ready.

"Well?"

Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Reini reluctantly took the few small steps back over to where he was and crouched down.  After letting out a heavy sigh, Reini reached forward and began to unfasten the button of his jeans.

Caught by surprise, Justin leaned back slightly and took in the sight before him.  He never really expected her to warm up to the idea of giving oral sex, but to have her not only be open to it...but slightly eager to, turned on than he had ever been.

Letting a small smile creep across his lips, Justin shifted positions in his chair and allowed her gain access to his now completely swollen shaft.

Once he was free of his confines, Justin bit down on his bottom lip and focused his attention on the curves of Reini's mouth.  The mouth that would soon envelope him in warm wetness.  He was in heaven with the mere thought if it.

"Just because we can't have sex Justin, doesn't mean I can please you in other ways."

"I know Ray."  he replied, never taking his eyes off of her.  "But actions speak louder than words you know."  he continued, reaching forward to trace his thumb across her bottom lips.

Offering him a slight smile, Reini then proceeded to watch Justin lean his head back against the chair in preparation for the pleasure she was hoping to give him.

Then without wasting another second, Reini wrapped her delicate hand around him and began to stroke him rhythmically. 

In what could only be described as a state of complete and utter shock, Justin's eyes flew open and he stared as Reini with disbelief.

"Ray, what are you doing?"  he asked, a tone of irritation evident in his voice.

"Swallowing the lump that was now rising in the back of her throat, Reini removed her hand and sat back down on the heels of her feet.  "I'm sorry.  Was I doing something wrong?"  she asked, her cheeks quickly changing a bright shade of red over her lack of experience in the department.

Studying the look on her face, Justin quickly realized she never had any intention of giving him the pleasure he sought.  She was simply planning on offering him what he could have very well taken care of himself.

"Jesus Christ Ray!  If I wanted to get off to a God damn hand job, I would have just did this myself!"  he said, scooting back some in his chair as glared down at her.

"I'm sorry.  I just thought that..."

"Yeah, me too!"  he said, an annoyed chuckle escaping his lips.

Scrunching her face up, Reini studied the look on Justin's features and tried to figure out what she did wrong.  What she had done so wrong that would elicit such a response.

"Just move Ray.  I gave you way too much credit.  I should have known better."

Taking offense to his behavior and comments, Reini remained seated and glanced up at him.  Then, almost instantly, it hit her.  She knew exactly what his problem was.

"Oh...did you think that....that I was...that I was going to perform oral sex on you?"  she asked, her voice so soft it was barely above a whisper.

"The thought had crossed my mind Ray, but you know what.  This obviously just isn't going to work.  I mean, we're from two different worlds.  You live by the rules, and I live to break them.  I need someone that is going to be there for me completely.  Someone who is willing to make sacrifices for the one they love and I just don't think that's you Ray."  he continued, lifting up slightly from the chair so that he could refasten his jeans.

"Justin, wait!  Don't be like that.  I love you.  You know I do."

"No.  All I know is that when push comes to shove, you talk a big game that you can't back up.  I don't even know why I bothered."

Worried that she had just sealed her own fate and possibly put a permanent wedge in to their currently rocky relationship, Reini took a deep breath and grabbed a hold of his hand.  She knew that she was about to go against everything she was taught, everything she stood for, but suddenly Justin's comment held a bit of truth to it.  She was an adult and she needed to start doing the things she wanted, not that she really wanted to do what she was planning, but she did want to try and fix the problems they were having in their relationship.

"Justin....wait."

Looking down at her, Justin saw a look of desperation wash over her and let out a heavy sigh.

"What?"

"There are other things I can do for you besides have sex?"

"Yeah, I think we just covered that." he replied, picking her hand up and tossing it off to the side.

"That's not what I meant." 

Raising an eyebrow,  Justin looked down at her and wondered if she really meant was he was reading in to her comment.

"And what exactly do you mean Ray?"

Not really wanting to put into words what she was planning, Reini bit her bottom lip and unfastened his pants once again.  She hands shaking with the revelation that she was about to commit a sin.

Taking his cue, Justin once again slid out of his jeans and studied the near mortified look on Reini's face as she laid eyes on him once again.  It was taking everything he had in him to not laugh at her.  She really was as innocent as they came.
Taking another deep breath, Reini gently wrapped her fingers around him and leaned forward.  She knew basically the idea behind the actions, but actually getting herself to perform them proved to be more of a challenge than she thought.

"Anything wrong Ray?"  Justin asked, studying the look of dread on her face.

"Nothing."  she replied, letting out a slow and steady sigh.

After coming to terms with what she was about to do, Reini bent over slightly so that she was hovering just above him.  With the feel of her warm breath raining down, Justin let out a soft moan and braced himself for what he knew what was coming next.

Then out of nowhere it happened.  The moist feeling of Reini's tongue tracing a trail from the center of his shaft up. 
For a moment he contemplated giving her a questioning look as she looked up at him, but quickly thought better of the idea after he saw the look on her face.  The girl was literally on the verge of a breakdown and he honestly didn't have the heart to say anything.

Unfortunately after a few more attempts to enjoy her slightly skewed version of oral sex, Justin knew he had no choice but to speak up.  Extending his hand out to her, Justin cradled her chin in his hand and brought her gaze up to his.

"You don't have to be afraid of it Ray.  It won't bite, I promise."  he said, offering her a small smile.

Trying her best not to be embarrassed, Reini fought against the slight pressure Justin was using to keep her focused on him and looked down. 

"Just relax Ray.  You're making this way more difficult than it needs to be.  Just let it happen." he said, once again bringing her gaze up to meet his.

Seeing a softness in his eyes that she hadn't seen in quite some time, Reini suddenly felt like a weight was lifted from her shoulders.  Her perfomance wasn't on trial and neither was she.  This was simply about the two of them and their realtionship.

Nodding her head that she understood what he meant, Reini smiled softly at him and he let his hand fall back down to his side.  Knowing that Justin wouldn't judge her, she once again brought her mouth closer to him. This time gently wrapping her lips around the tip of his shaft.

Worried that she would soon retreat to her previous attempts at pleasuring him, Justin quickly entwined his fingers in the back of her head and pressed down slightly.  As he did, Reini opened her mouth and allowed him to go deeper.

"Mmmmm.  That's my girl."  he whispered, slowly starting to create a rhythm between them.  "It's ok baby, I got you." 

Relaxing her body even more, Reini allowed Justin to guide her up and down the length of his shaft.  Every once in a while letting her take over the pace as he felt a surge of pleasure creeping up on him.  Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Reini heard a few soft moans escape his lips.  Worried that he may be close, Reini tried to back away.  Unfortunately it was no use.  Placing a bit more pressure on the back of her head, Justin lifted his hips slightly and revelled in the orgasm that was now releasing down the back of Reini's throat.

Once the high of his orgasm began to wind down, he quickly realized that he still had Reini's mouth wrapped tightly around him and gasped slightly.

"Sorry baby. Guess I got caught up."  he said, quickly releasing his hold on her as he stroked the back of her hair.

Unsure of what to say, Reini simply sat back on her heels once again and wiped off her mouth.  Thoughts of guilt and remorse quickly flooding through her.

"See, it wasn't that bad, was it?"  he asked, placing a small kiss on her forehead before getting up to go to the bathroom.

Knowing the best thing for her to do was simply nod her head, Reini did just that and slowly pushed herself up to her feet to head after him.

After watching her walk in to the bathroom beside him, Justin opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out a bottle of mouthwash.

"I'm sure right now you would probably prefer to wash your mouth out with holy water, but this is all I got."  he said, placing the bottle down in front of her before grabbing a small towel from the shelf.

After getting himself cleaned up, Justin tossed the small towel in to the laundry hamper and headed back in to the bedroom to prepare for round two.

"I'll be out in second."  Reini called out to him, quickly twisting the cap off of the bottle of mouthwash.

After placing a small amount of solution in to the cap, she quickly emptied the contents in to her mouth.  For the next few minutes, Reini continued to gargle with the potent solution hoping to wash away every last bit of the salty aftertaste she now had embedded in her mouth.

"You coming Ray?"

Hearing him call for her, Reini quickly spit the solution out and washed it down the sink.  After grabbing another small towel from the shelf, Reini wiped her mouth off and headed back in to the bedroom to join him.

"Come here baby.  I have something for you.  A present, if you will."  he said, gently patting the bed beside him.

"Just let me grab my clothes."

"No.  Just leave them go."  he said, reaching out for her hand. "You can get them later.  Come sit down."

Wrapping her arms around herself,  Reini hoped to feel somewhat less vulnerable around him.  Unfortunately, once she got close enough to him, one quick extension of his arm was all it took to have her standing completely exposed in front of him once again.

"Justin, can I just please get dressed first."

"Actually, for what I have in mind, the clothes need to stay off."

"And what do you have in mind?"  she asked nervously as he pulled her on to the bed.

"Just lay back."

"But Justin...wait..."

"Ray, it's ok.  Just lay back."

Letting out a heavy sigh, Reini slowly lowered her back to the plush comfort of Justin's mattress and just stared up at the ceiling. 

After she was laying back, Justin swung her legs over to the right so that she was now sprawlled out across his bed.

"Do you trust me Ray?"

Hearing his question, Reini placed her hands beside her and attempted to push herself to an upright position to answer him. 

"No, just lay back Ray."

"But..."

"Trust me."  he replied, a sinister smile dancing across his lips as he laid down on the other side of the bed.  "Just listen to what I say and do I as I tell you and everything will be just peachy."  he continued, licking his lips as he stared down at her naked figure.

Trying to focus on anything other than what he was planning, Reini stared up at the ceiling and silently said a small prayer.  Of course she wasn't sure exactly what it was that she was praying for, but just the fact that she was in some form or another reaching out to a higher power made her time while waiting a bit more tolerable. 

"Now, just remember what I said Ray.  Relax."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
With the first light of morning beginning to pour in to his suite, Justin let out a hearty yawn and stared at the ceiling above him . After blinking a few times to clear his vision, he glanced to the side and saw one of the most beautiful sights he had ever laid his eyes on. 
 
Brushing away the few stray hairs that draped down over her delicate features, Justin ever so softly placed a kiss to her temple and sat upright. He really didn't expect to sleep as well as he had after the night they had, but surprisingly the comfort of having her in his arms worked wonders for him and his guilty conscience.

After stretching his arms above his head, Justin stood up and headed over to the window that overlooked the city. It was still early and he was just getting his bearings for the day, but looking down at the city streets, clearly the rest of the world had already sprung in to action. 
 
Glancing back at the clock once again, Justin figured he had at least a good two hours before Reini would be getting up and knew he wanted to try and do something for her to make up for last night. After grabbing a fresh pair of boxers from his dresser, Justin walked in to the bathroom and shut the door. 
 
Unfortunately he hadn't been in there for more than five minutes when he heard a knock on the door. 
 
"Justin can I come in?" 
 
"Yeah." he replied, yelling over the sound of the running water from his shower. 
 
Turning the knob on the door, Reini slowly pushed it open. Once the rush of steam escaped back in to his bedroom, the silhouette of Justin's naked frame came in to focus and she blushed. 
 
"I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I need to be down at the studio at 8am for a shoot." 
 
"A shoot?" 
 
"Yeah, I thought I told you about it. It's for a new Calvin Klein perfume ad." 
 
"Ummm...Ok. I don't recall you telling me about it though." he replied, continuing to wash the traces of shampoo from his hair. 
 
"I'm sorry. I could have sworn I told you." 
 
"It's fine Ray. I mean, I planned on spending the day with you but we can always do something when the shoot is over. Maybe grab something to eat?" 
 
"Yeah, I'd love that." she replied, a gentle smile creeping across her lips as she looked up at him. 
 
"You know...there's room for one more in here?" 
 
Letting out a slight chuckle, Reini felt her cheeks begin to blush and looked away. 
 
"It's just a shower Ray." he snickered, opening the door up a little more. 
 
Tossing her head from side to side in thought, Reini slowly slipped off the t-shirt that she had haphazardly thrown on when she got out of bed and tossed it on the small shelf. Once she was all the way inside the shower, Justin closed the door and pulled her in to a loving 
embrace. 
 
"Did you sleep well?" 
 
"A little too well." she giggled, tilting her head to the right to allow Justin more access to the soft skin of her neck. 
 
"Oh really?" 
 
Not wanting to elaborate any more on the subject, Reini just nodded her head and stepped back under the warm spray of the water. Giving her a devilish grin, Justin decided to drop the subject...for now. 
 
After about twenty minutes of rotating shifts under the water, both had finished showering. 
 
"So how long is it going to take you to get ready?" Justin asked, reaching down to turn the water off. 
 
"Honestly, not long at all. All I really have to do is dry my hair and get dressed. The make-up artists and wardrobe people will take care of the rest when I get there." 
 
Nodding his head that it made sense, Justin grabbed a large plush towel from the oak cabinet and wrapped it around Reini's body. 
 
"Well, I'll leave you to do whatever it is you need to do. I'm just going to get dressed and see if the paper is here." he said, grabbing another towel from the cabinet and wrapping it around his waist. 
 
"Ok. Well I'll come find you when I'm done." 
 
"Alright." 
 
Once Justin had walked back in to his bedroom, Reini shut the door and removed the towel from her still damp body. She hadn't really studied the extent of her injuries before, but with the photo shoot only hours away, she had to see what she was going to be up against. What Jamie would be up against. 
 
Turning to her side, Reini began to trace her finger along the six inch bruise just below her ribs. The color had faded from a deep shade of purple to a yellowish green, but it was just as tender as it was the night he kicked her. Deciding that Jamie would more than likely be able to cover that one up, she turned once again and looked for any more imperfections on her once flawless body. 
 
Lifting her arm above her head, Reini continued to check along the other side of her ribs and around towards her back. Convinced she only had that one flaw, Reini was about to lower her arm back down when something else caught her eye. Turning the inner part of her forearm to the mirror, Reini saw three small reddish purple imprints just below her wrist. 
 
"Shit!" 
 
Quickly lowering her arm back down, Reini twisted her arm slightly so that she could get a closer look. Biting down on her bottom lip, Reini studied what she considered a reminder of exactly what Justin was capable of. After letting out a heavy breath, she knew that it was in her best interest to get there early and pull Jamie to the side to enlist his help in covering everything up before anyone saw it. The last thing she needed was people questioning her. 
 
Once she wrapped the towel back around her body, Reini headed back in to Justin's room to get her bag. After placing it up on top of his bed, she unzipped the center compartment and pulled out a small case that held her toothpaste and basic essentials. Once she made sure she have everything she needed, she grabbed a fitted t-shirt and a pair of jeans from her bag and headed back in to the bathroom to get ready. 
 
After about another fifteen minutes, Reini walked back out of the bathroom and in to Justin's room. Once she made sure she had everything she could possibly need to take with her, she grabbed her purse and headed to find Justin.