Challenge For the Children

Gabby looked up into the seats of the packed arena. All these people had come because the men of *NSYNC thought helping children was a worthy cause – and some because of the other celebrities present. It still amazed her how open and available the men were.

He is beautiful...That was Gabby’s thought when she saw JC’s face on the huge screen hanging from the ceiling. The camera had caught him unaware. In that moment, she was just as breathless as every other woman there – he was a study of male perfection. His face held an intriguing mix of innocence, intelligence, boyishness and masculine beauty. She woke to that same face every day on the pillow beside hers.

As the camera followed him, Gabby appeared on the screen. The crowd got to see JC nuzzle his wife tenderly. In the dark blue uniform of the Knights, she didn’t look like an aloof princess. In fact, with her hair in a swingy ponytail, she looked like a sweet teenager – and JC obviously adored her.

“Hey, baby,” he murmured in her ear as he settled an arm around her shoulders. When she smiled up at him, he melted into her soft gray eyes. He fell more deeply in love every day. Marriage had added wonderful permanence to their relationship. They were no longer like two frightened clinging out of desperation, afraid they would be left alone. JC couldn’t foresee a day he would regret taking Gabby as his bride.

“Joshua, I do not play basketball,” she reminded him as everyone around them practiced shots from various distances.

“That’s okay. You’ll warm the bench and be a cheerleader for the most part.”

“Warm the bench?” She saw no benches. There were folding chairs....

“You won’t be playing much.” He gave her a tender smile. “It was awesome that you agreed to this.”

She shrugged. “It does not seem like so much.”

“But it is. It let’s people see what sort of wife I have – that she supports me.”

“I do. Is that not the role of a good wife?”

“And I got the best.”

“Would everyone take their seats?” The announcer asked. “And that includes the teams.”

The teams were introduced. Justin’s Daze team went first, then everyone on the Knights with the exception of JC, Lance, Joey and Gabby.

“And in the name of team spirit, we have a last minute substitution. One of our celebrities couldn’t make the event due to illness. So, to support her husband, the captain of the Knight’s wife stepped up. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Gabby Chasez!”

This was where her royal training served her well. Gabby wasn’t overwhelmed by the crowd and gave them a jaunty wave. She grabbed the bottom of each side of her shorts and gave an impromptu curtsey. The crowd roared its approval.

Joey and Lance were introduced, then JC. When he reached Gabby’s side, he gave her a quick, hard kiss that sent forth another deafening affirmation from the crowd.

“We’re still gonna kick their butts,” Justin jeered as Gabby was heading toward her seat.

“Pardon moi?” Gabby turned to face him. “I think not!”

He towered over her. “And what’re you gonna do? You’re just a little girl.”

Suddenly, Gabby was lifted off her feet onto the shoulders of Lance and her husband. “And you are just a little boy!” Gabby ended on a giggle.

Little Gabby was game for anything she was asked or offered to do – from being the bowling ball in human bowling to belching into the microphone after drinking soda. She could scream, clap, hug, console as well as anyone on her team – and all with genuine enthusiasm. One of her primary duties was answering Justin’s teasing jibes with equal vigor.

JC watched Gabby throughout the skills challange. He couldn’t have been more proud at her easy sportsmanship. She congratulated others unfailingly. She was a little trouper, his beautiful royal wife. He vaguely wondered if news of this would get back to her father. What would the King think of the most unlady-like belch Gabby had just let out? He’d bet nasty Prince Alfred would be appalled.

On a more pleasing note, the fans ate up his spunky little wife. They seemingly adored her – and he felt no negative vibes when he and Gabby showed each other affection or were particularly playful with one another. That was wonderful for him.

During the speed basketball throw, JC received a kiss for each basket he made. Talk about incentive! The crowd got into it. They counted each basket out loud and when his round was finished, they shouted the total calling, “Come on, Gabby!” And for once, JC beat Justin at a game in which the younger man had always excelled.

“Baby, you’re my good luck charm,” JC told her as they walked back to their seats.

“Maybe I just like kissing you,” she teased.

“I know I like you kissing me.”

Gabby grinned. “I know!”

Gabby watched, as for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, JC pushing his hair behind his ears. The thick, wavy mane did not want to behave. She wondered if he realized this habit he had –along with the gnawing on his poor fingernails!

At one point, during a lull, she went up to him and pulled his hand from his mouth. “Do I make you that nervous?” She repeated one of their first conversations.

JC smiled at the memory. “Yeah, but now it’s cuz I know what you do to me.”

Reaching up, she tenderly stroked his hair back, tucking it behind his ears. “Another habit, mon cheri?”

He nodded sheepishly.

“How do we break you of this?”

Gabby wanted to help him get rid of bad habits? His warm, sweet smile went right to her heart and it did a little flip.

“By keeping my hands occupied doing something else?” he suggested.

She was about to make a rude quip at the seeming innuendo, when both of his big hands smoothed the few stray hairs back on her own head.

“Baby…“ he whispered, unconsciously, bending his head to hers…

“C, quit pawing at Gabby. We got strategy to plan.” Joey called, breaking the spell.

Once all the contestants for the dance-off had been chosen and had performed, JC announced he had one more. He towed Gabby from the gathered players and presented her to the crowd.

“But I have no need for tickets,” she stated, reminding him the winner got front row tickets for the next day.

“Just dance for me, baby,” he said softly.

She was fairly certain the other contestants had been much better than she was. Still if JC wanted this...

His baby girl knew how to shake her moneymaker, JC thought as he gave her a smile of encouragement. A few moments later, he jumped in and they were grinding for the crowd. A huge cheer went through the arena.

“I am doing well?” she asked.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

“Truly?”

“Uh-huh.”

Her brilliant smile left him breathless and he was only too glad when their showcase was over. He wanted to have just five minutes alone with her, to kiss the breath out of her.

For those who had seen JC at such events noticed he was much more animated with everyone, not just Gabby. And even though she could distract the hell out of him, he seemed more focused. They could credit his marriage. There was a peaceful energy about him, almost as if Gabby gave him direction. Of course, what they didn’t know was that because of his wife, he had foregone much of the party going, since he’d rather be home with her than drinking too much and staying up too late.

As was nearly always the case for theatrical value, the teams deadlocked on the obstacle course. A run off would be necessary to see which team would win. The Knights chose their shining star, Gabby to do the course. The Daze chose Justin after some debate. To the delight of the audience, they would be able to watch the friendly antagonism of the two going head to head.

Arrogantly assured, Justin merely shook his arms and legs for a warm up.

The crowd gasped in shock when Gabby bent all the way back to do a little flip and a brief floor exercise, ending in the splits. “Hmm...you like that?” she asked the audience. At their affirmation, JC, Lance and Joey brought out the vault and mat used in a previous competition. She mounted in a flying flip and executed several tricky maneuvers then dismounted perfectly. She walked over to Justin who gaped. “I am warmed up now.”

JC laughed at his friend’s expression. “Oh, did I forget to mention Gabby was an Olympic gymnast?” He had only found out himself when she had seen the vault.

“Yeah, well, she’s still little.”

“And you are still tall.” Gabby shrugged. “Little and agile has its advantages.”

“We’ll see.”

“Oui, we shall.”

With his arm slung casually around her waist, JC walked his wife to the starting line.

“It will be your turn to kiss the victor, mon cheri,” Gabby told him confidently.

“Gettin’ my pucker ready, baby,” JC grinned down at her. Gabby was such a wonderful surprise package.

“Kiss for luck?”

“Mmm...yeah...” He kissed her softy. “Mow him over, princess.”

“But of course!”

“Quit neckin’ and let’s do this,” Justin grumbled.

“Sounds like the beginnings of a poor loser, non?” Gabby taunted as she lined up with Justin.

Once the gun went off, Gabby bolted ahead of Justin. Scrambling up and down and around the course, she never looked back. Vaguely, she heard JC’s encouraging cheers of ‘C’mon, baby!” — She fully concentrated as she heard Justin panting behind her. Diving under the low, narrow tunnel, her height allowed her to gain her feet quickly to scurry over the last two walls and down the final slide.

“Yes, baby!” JC crowed when he caught her up when she made the finish line.

The entire Knights team crowded around, allowing them a moment for a breathless kiss.

“Damn, she must be part monkey!” Justin declared, making his way to the couple.

JC laughed. “She’s very...agile...”

“And fast. How did you ever catch her, C?”

“It was not difficult – I was not running!” Gabby quipped.

She and Justin gave each other a friendly hug.

“Later, Gabby.”

“Wooo whoo, Princess!” Lance teased, hugging her as well. “I think we need you as a fixture on this team.”

“Yeah, you really pulled it off,” Joey told her.

Walking towards the locker rooms, JC kept his arm around Gabby, nuzzling her. “I am so proud of my baby girl,” he murmured.

“You won many points in basketball,” she reminded him.

“Yeah, but you came in as a sub, as a favor to me, and kicked butt.”

“I like kicking Justin’s butt,” she announced with a saucy grin.

Stopping at the locker room the women had been given, he pulled her against him. “Let’s skip the shower and go home, Gabby. We gotta get ready for the auction tonight anyway. Just throw on clothes and meet me out here in fifteen minutes.”

Gabby nodded. “All right, Josh. And perhaps we might share a shower at home.”

“Oh, yeah...”

Basketball Gabby had little affinity for the game since her ill-fated date with Justin. JC had said she wouldn’t play much – and that was fine with her she thought as she stood watching the men shoot baskets to warm up. This would be difficult. Justin played well, she only hoped her team had some stars too.

“Gabby!” Joey called. “JC needs a kiss. He’s missin’ every shot.”

Chuckling, she trotted to where her husband stood and watched him shoot – and miss. “I believe you are, how they say ‘over-thinking’ the shot, mon mari.”

He grinned at her. “My little expert.”

“Mais oui,” she teased and grabbed the ball. Barely looking at the basket, she tossed the ball.

“Damn!”

“What?”

“You hit it!”

“Fluke.” She shrugged. “Proves you do not have to be so serious, non? How you say?...Loosen up.”

Teasingly he grabbed her around her waist and challenged, “Loosen me up, princess.”

“You only wish,” she giggled.

“Give me some incentive. If we win this game, what do I get?”

“A night of hot sex.”

He chuckled. “If we lose?”

“A night of hot sex.”

“Hmm...lost the incentive there.”

“A night of hot sex with me reminding you how much you suck at basketball,” she taunted.

JC laughed – an honest to goodness belly laugh ending with a giggle. Gabby felt the tension flow out of him.

“Thanks, babe.”

The Chasezes as a team worked amazingly well. Because she was little and quick, it was incredibly easy for Gabby to get people to foul. The free throw line was her zone. JC didn’t hit every shot, but he played better than anyone had ever seen him do previously. Once again, JC was amazed at his little trooper of a wife. She had so much spunk, even getting knocked to the floor didn’t seem to faze her.

“You didn’t tell me you had a secret weapon when you said Gabby agreed to sub,” Justin grumbled good naturedly at JC on the sidelines.

“The truth is, I didn’t know. She said she was no athlete.”

“Bullshit.”

JC watched as Gabby sunk another free throw. “Yeah, she’s awesome.”

“Mon capitaine?” Gabby called JC as she bounced the ball to prepare for her next shot.

“Yeah?” JC looked at her.

“Do I get a kiss for each basket?”

The audience laughed and made catcalls.

JC grinned. “Double or nothing, Gabby.”

Swish. Another basket.

“That is two baskets, Capitaine Chasez.”

“Four kisses, JC!” the crowd shouted.

Dramatically rolling his eyes, JC walked towards Gabby. “See what a guy’s gotta do for the team?” he complained.

“Aww.... Poor JC,” they responded.

He gave Gabby three little pecks. For the last kiss, he bent her back over his arm and kissed her soundly.

On her release, Gabby teasingly fanned herself. “Where’s that ball?”

The arena filled with laughter.

Jealousy was a very bitter, ugly emotion, Gabby decided as she watched the blonde drape herself over JC. To her husband’s favor, she noticed he squirmed as if uncomfortable but not knowing how to escape. It was her wifely duty to rescue him, she supposed.

JC watched Gabby approach. Her eyes looked dark as thunderclouds. He was in big trouble!

“Mon Cheri...” Gabby gave JC an encouraging smile.

He reached for her hands. “Hey, baby.”

“Miss,” Gabby looked pointedly at the blonde, “did you miss the introductions?”

The woman replied, “No, I was here.”

“Then perhaps you missed my introduction?”

“No.”

“You know who I am.”

“Yes.”

“Then I might ask why you have been pawing at my husband.” All her royal training served her well as her voice froze with ice-cold disdain.

The blonde merely sniffed at her.

Gabby met Lonnie’s eyes. “If this woman so much as looks as if she wants to touch Joshua, please escort her to a different seat.”

“Why, you little bitch!...”

JC jumped up and spun around. “Hey, nobody talks to my wife like that!”

“Calm yourself.” Gabby patted his arm. “If I am a bitch defending what is mine, so be it, mon mari.” Flicking a last look at the blonde woman, she moved JC to a seat further down the row and placed herself between him and the interloper.

JC nuzzled Gabby’s ear. “Thanks, babe.”

“I happen to be the only woman entitled to paw you,” she reminded him.

“Paw away,” he teased.

“You just wish.”

“Yeah...I like the way you manhandle me.”

“Manhandle?”

“Woman-handle?”

Gabby grinned at him. “Later.”

“I can hardly wait.”

If the other woman had any hopes of luring JC, they were pretty much scuttled when he lowered his head to lingeringly kiss his wife. It wasn’t so much the kiss as the dazed, happy expression he wore when he raised his head. Gabby Chasez was the only woman in his universe.

The fans seemed to enjoy the playful couple throughout the day – as well as the barbs Gabby and Justin continued to toss each other’s way. At half time, when a young black performer came out to do his latest release, the couple got the audience to their feet to dance along. If nothing else, JC’s young wife added entertainment value to the event!

“Wow!” was all JC said when he, Joey and Lance stepped up to present the trophies for the winning team. “We pulled it out, huh, guys?”

“We got together and decided our MVP,” Joey stated.

Lance took the microphone from JC. “Gabby Chasez.”

Gabby stepped up to accept hugs, then said. “I have a question.”

“What would that be?” Lance asked.

“Should I return next year?”

The crowd roared affirmative.

“Oh...okay.” She grinned.

“You heard the nice people,” Joey told JC. “You gotta bring our girl back next year.”

He had no microphone, but JC murmured, “My pleasure,” as he wrapped Gabby in his arms.

Gabby had conditioned herself to not to hear the screams of “JC!” as the crowd in front of Planet Hollywood spotted the couple coming up the red carpet. With her hand firmly in JC’s and two large bodyguards, she felt truly secure. The couple waved, stopped for pictures, and touched hands that reached for them. When JC moved away to step in front of the Challenge for the Children/Planet Hollywood banner alone, the crowd called for Gabby.

“Maybe she needs her own fan club,” JC quipped laughingly as he brought Gabby beside him.

“C, I have never seen you play like that” Justin remarked.

JC squeezed Gabby’s waist. “My good luck charm.”

“I guess! I know if Gabby laid one on me for every basket, I’d never miss a shot!”

“That’s not happening,” JC growled jealously.

“Chill, man. Gabby only has eyes for you.”

Gabby smiled up at her husband. “This is true.”

“Not gonna party tonight.” Justin pointed at the glass of wine JC held.

“I don’t need to get wasted to have a good time anymore. I just need Gabby.” JC finished softly.

This seemed to give Justin pause. He had believed JC had married the runaway princess to save her from deportation – and for sex. Now he acted like he was completely in love!

“We won’t be here too late.”

Moving through the partygoers, JC stopped to thank everyone for their participation. He was teased about his exceptional performance – and asked if Gabby was the reason. He would smile at her and give the credit to where credit was due. Yes, his stunning upset was due to his wife. Again and again, he stated it. She was his good luck charm and a real trooper. But true to his word, once the mingling was finished, he was ready to call it a night.

“It’s barely midnight!” Justin reminded the couple.

“You got here later. We’re ready to go home – and Wigglesworth needs to be let out.”

“How about you, Gabby? You ready to be a party pooper?”

“Most certainly. I do not care over much for drunken revelry.”

With that, JC said “C’mon, baby.” He led her to the car he had requested wait for them. A few remaining fans called and he waved as he ducked into the backseat after Gabby.

“Joshua?” Gabby peered up at him in the dark vehicle.

“Yeah?”

“Are you leaving because of me?”

“Yeah, but not the way you think.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “Because I have you with me. I’d rather be home. I was partying too much for a while there. Now I have someone to go home to. It isn’t just a place to crash.” His mouth found hers unerringly. “I got it all. You and a dog – all that’s missing is a picket fence.” This kiss was longer. “I just want to be alone with you, Gabs.”

“I like being alone with you,” she said softly.

“You’re my anti-drug. You and music.”

“I believe you most probably rescued me from the temptation of numbing myself with drink. I do not particularly care for alcohol...still I may have used it as an escape from my life.”

“Then you aren’t sorry you married me?”

“I have had no regrets. I believe neither of us have yet.”

“Yet?”

“When you fall truly in love and I am a burden–“

”That’s not happening, Gabby,” he denied the possibility of that scenario. Gabby was the one he loved, the one he had chosen to marry. “I’ll have no regrets,” he murmured against her cheek.

“I have none.”

Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close for the rest of the ride home. JC prayed his beautiful princess never found her handsome prince charming – he wanted to keep her.