Chapter 8

Inner Reflection | home

Joey stepped off the elevator after Lance, calling, "You going to get the kitten?"

"You mean wake up Mr. Chasez? Um...do I dare risk my life for a 'flee infested fur ball'? Do I really love you that much?" the blond teased.

"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. You going to get her for me?" Joey asked, unlocking the door to their hotel room.

"Maybe..." Lance answered, already knocking on JCs' door.

Smiling back, Joey walked into the bed room, laying the items on the bed, waiting for Lance to return with Jez.

"What do you want?" JC asked, opening the door groggily.

"The kitten," Lance anwered. "You know, the small black thing that, knowing her, kept on scratching where she wasn't suppose to while you were trying to sleep."

Not getting it at all, JC asked, "What? Oh, she's around here somewhere." Turning back into the room, he looked around the room for her.

"What do you mean she's around here somewhere? You don't know where Jez is?" Lance asked, looking around with JC for the black kitten.

"She's around here somewhere...don't know where though...but she's in the room."

Laughing quietly, Lance searched under the covers to the bed and in the bathroom. "Joey's not going to be happy when he finds out you lost his cat..."

"Check under the bed," JC said. "She was attaking my feet from there earlier."

Nodding and walking over to the bed, Lance knelt down and peered under; a light smile playing his lips. "Found her," he whispered, reaching in carefully, pulling out a sleeping kitten.

Sneezing, JC grabbed his tissue from the bathrobe pocket and walked back to the bed. "Great, I'm going back to sleep."

Laughing, Lance walked back towards the door, cradling the kitten in his arms. "Sleep tight JC," he said, entering the hallway, sheilding the kittens' eyes from the light and walking over to the door to the room he shared with Joey. JC only mumbled and headed back to bed.

"Baby?" Lance asked, walking into the room. Seeing the bags on the bed, but no Joey, the blond nuzzled the kittens' back, kissing her head gently before sitting down on the bed. "I think you're really going to help Joey, Jez...I really do..."

Strolling in front the bathroom, toothbrush hanging from the side of his mouth, Joey mumbled, "Yeah?"

"Oh, I taste that bad? You have to brush your teeth after we fool around?" Lance teased, looking hurt at the same time. "I feel so...so loved..." To add to it, he added some fake sniffles and closed his eyes, his lower lip quivering.

"No, on the contrary..." Joey started. "If I happen to kiss you tonight, which I plan on doin...I don't want to have stinky breath...I want my kisses to you to be minty-fresh and not alcohol-tastin, as you claim they are." Crossing the room to embrace him, Joey forgot that Lance was holding the cat. From her protective spot in Lances' arms, Jezabel meowed quietly as she was kind of squished between the two. Still holding Lance, Joey took the kitten and gently tossed her onto the bed, then moved into a kiss again.

Smiling, Lance thought for sure that the abusive Joey was long gone. It had been almost one full day and never once had he raised a hand to strike him.

Joey slipped a hand down Lances' back and down into his pants, starting to feel around. Laughing quietly at his cold hands, Lance took a step back, pressing Joeys' hand against his ass, the kiss continuing. Smirking as the kiss began to deepen, Joey let his hand grab at Lances' buttocks. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Lance mimicked Joeys' movements, but without slidding his hands down his lovers' jeans.

Finally ending the kiss, Joey asked, "Well, how did I taste? Glad I brushed?"

Looking up at him, but not moving his hands, Lance smiled then leaned forward, resting his cheek on Joeys' chest. "You always taste good baby...weather you brush or not." A content sigh escaped his lips, one that, if he was of the opposite sex, would be that one sigh that women do when they're pregnant about to tell the father.

"So," Joey started, keeping his hands down Lances' britches. "What's on the agenda for tonight?"

"I guess just rest baby...we leave for the next city tomorrow..."

Scrunching his face up at the thought of traveling again, Joey asked, "Do we get a room to ourselves? And wait a minute...the others don't know we're together? When am I going to get to be your master?" Leaning down to whisper slyly in his ear, he ended, "We both know you're gonna lose."

Pulling away from Joey and turning his back, Lance gulped. "Um...actually Joey...one of them...um..."

"One of the guys...they know about us..." Lance whispered quietly.

"Which one?" Joey asked, starting to lose his temper. "And how would they know?"

"Justin..." Lance again whispered. "I...I told him..." He could sense Joeys' raising anger, but Justin had been right. Secrets shouldn't be kept in a relationship, so, Lance had to tell Joey about what he told Justin.

Joey was about to strike Lance, but heard Jezs' desperate little cry and stopped himself before whispering, "I can't do this." Raising his voice, he added, "Lance I...I...I'm sorry...For the whole ordeal I've put you through...If you want to leave I won't blame you...I've been wrong...I never should have hurt you to start with...God dammit...I love you...I'm sure you had a reason to tell Justin..."

"He...he doesn't know about the abuse...he just knows...that we're together..." Lance replied, his voice still a quiet whisper. "He promised me he'd take it to the grave." Turning and facing Joey, the blond added, "I don't want to leave you Joey. I love you with all that is in me. I know I deserved to be hit, for making you mad. I know that...but...I don't deserve to be without you...unless you want me to leave...then...I'll leave..."

Joey was already standing, but raised himself to his full height. "No...please don't go...I can't live without you...I need you in my life...You are my happiness..." Lowering his head, he went on. "And you didn't deserve the beatings...If anyone did it was me, for bein a jerk to such a wonderful person."

Sniffling, Lance looked up into Joeys' eyes and wiped away a few tears that had started to fall down from his green eyes. "Joey...there's...there's something else..."

Looking back up, Joey moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Picking up Jez, he started to stroke the kitten lightly, his voice nervous. "What?"

"I...I made another stop...this morning. I didn't go to just the department store and pet store. That's why I was late...I had to pick up something else..."

Curiosiity got the best of him this time. "What?" Joey asked.

Lance walked over to a small bag resting on the dresser drawer and pulled out something, his back towards Joey so he coudln't see what it was. Walking back over to Joey, Lance knelt down in front of him. "Joey, I love you more then words can ever express. And every day, I thank God for letting me wake up next to you. Every night I thank Him too for giving me that day with you, the one I love. You're the only one that makes me feel loved. You're the only one that can calm me down when I'm upset, you're the only one that can send shivers down my spine from just a gentle touch." Holding a small box up for Joey to take, the blond fought back the tears as he ended his little speech. "You're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Will...will you do me the honor of...of marrying me?"

This was quite possibly the first time in his life, that Lance knew of at least, that Joey cried...tears of happiness, of being wanted and loved by somebody... someone that he loved with his whole being...wanted him in return. Stuttering and choking on his words, he was able to reply, "Y...y yyyeeeesss Lance I will..."

Lances' hand was shaking as he pulled the diamond encrushed ring from it's soft resting place and slipped it onto Joeys' finger. Once he had, the blond looked down at the engagement ring on Joeys' finger, whispering, "I love you..." The older man only wrapped hs arms around Lances' neck, pulling him up for a hard kiss.

Pulling out of the kiss, Lance asked quietly, "Are...are we going...going to tell the others? Or...or not?"

"Your choice," Joey answered. "It doesn't matter... But I think they're gonna figure something out at seeing this beaut." Looking at the ring, he continued. "But even it doesn't compare to the sparkle in your eyes," moving his loving gaze back to Lances' face.

"I want to tell them...but...the more people who know, the more likely it will slip out to the press," Lance said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Overjoyed at his newfound status, Joey almost shouted. "Who cares? Can't we just sceam it from the mountaintops?"

Laughing quietly, Lance pointed out, "We're in the city baby...no mountains anywhere near here..."

"Oh well," he shrugged, then spotted the collar on the bed next to him. "So," he asked, picking it up. "What about when I win? How we gonna do that tomorrow huh, my Prince Charming?"

"You so sure you're going to loose?" Lance asked quietly, taking the collar from Joey and again holding it up to him. "You do look good in it you know."

"And IF I do lose, what makes you so sure you're gonna get me to wear that thing? Especially in front of the guys," Joey asked, playfully pouting.

"Who says I'll make you wear it? Maybe since you'll be MY slave, I might let you be in control tomorrow...you know, tell ME what to do instead of vise versa..."

Getting a stupid grin on his face, Joey replied, "Well then, I'll win either way..."

"So...why don't we just end the bet here and now...since you'll win anyway..." Lance replied, holding up a pair of boxers.

"No, fair is fair," Joey said, a said a smirk appearing on his face. "I'll at least give you a chance."

Mocking Joey, he mumbled, "Fair is fair..."

"Oh puh-lease Lance. That's the best you can do?" laughed the older one.

"Well, no. I can do better, but I don't think I want to be known as the wild chick magnot in the clubs, and I certainly don't look good in a goatee. And I'm perfectly happy singing bass thank you."

"But you don't know what you're missing."

"I'll take your word for it," Lance teased.

"Fine." Settling down on the bed, the brown eyed one asked, "Wanna join me?"

"Sure baby." Making his way towards the bed, he laid down, snuggling up as close to him, resting his head on Joeys' shoulder. "I love you Jojo..."

"Love you too Poofers," Joey replied, propping his head up so he could watch Lance.

Tracing designs on Joeys' chest, Lance closed his eyes, letting sleep over take him. They had a busy next few days ahead of them, what with promos, traveling, concerts, and wedding plans to make; they'd both need their rest. Joey fell asleep right after Lance had. The last thing he remembered was looking at the clock...10:45pm.

"Joey...Joey..." a voice whispered lightly in his ear. "Joey sweetheart...wake up..."

Joey only rolled over and tried to push the voice out of his head.

"Joey...come on...up...NOW!"

"What?" Joey asked, finally giving into the voice.

Sitting up, he mumbled, "What for? It's bedtime."

"No it's not," Lance hissed. "It's 2:05am. I let you sleep in. Now...up!"

"Like I said...bedtime." Laying back down, Joey pulled the covers over his head.

Pulling the covers off the bed, Lance clipped on the leash to the collar that Joey was wearing and tugged. "I said up slave!"

Feeling the pressure on his neck, he sleepily obliges. "What the fuck?"

"I won the bet..." Lance said simply. "You're my slave for the day. It's after midnight, therefore the day has started." Pointing to the pile of blankets he had arranged for Joey on the floor, he added, "Puppies don't sleep on the bed..."

Shrugging it off as a joke, he laid back down. "Yeah right..."

With another tug, Lance pulled Joey off the bed and onto the floor with a 'thud'. "I said puppies dont' sleep on the masters' bed..."

"Lance, what's gotten into you?" Joey asked, shaking his head.

"You said that you'd be my slave if I won the bet. I did...so in other words, move your ass before you're punished..."

Still not moving, Joey tested him to see if he was for real. "Yeah, uh huh...sure..."

Using a rolled up paper, Lance hit Joey on the nose. "Move puppy...or next time it'll be harder."

Looking shocked for a moment, Joey finally understood that it wasn't a joke. Crawling as far as the leash would allow, he turned back to face Lance. "Um...you gotta let go..."

Tethering the leash to the bed post, Lance smirked and walked over to the bed, throwing back the warm blankets. "Good night puppy..." leaving Joey to sleep on the pile of blankets set for him in the corner. Sitting down on the blanket, curled up, watching Lance, waiting for him to go to sleep.

A few minute later, the blond turned over and mumbled something that Joey couldn't understand. From his slurred words, it was obivous that he was sleeping and dreaming.

Once Joey realized that his now fiancee, was out cold, he reached up and unfastened the collar from around his neck. Once doing so, he sneeked back into bed besides Lance.

"Puppy shouldn't be on the bed," Lance said, his eyes still closed yet his words sounded as if he were awake.

Whispering back, "I'm not," Joey said, snuggling into Lances' back.

"It doesn't feel like you're not on the bed..." Lance replied, not making any movement on the bed, only grasping the rolled up newspaper he held in his hand tighter.

Curling in tighter to Lance; thinking he was getting away with it, "Don't worry, I am..."

"I'll tell you again, puppies, bad ones that don't listen, at that, aren't allowed on the bed..." Joey was not half asleep, mumbled something; not even comprehending what Lance was telling him. "Okay puppy, if you don't want to listen," he warned, pulling away from Joeys' embrace. Turning onto his back, the hand with the paper rolled up in it sailed straight and true, hitting Joey on the nose again. "Bad puppy, no treats for you..."

Snapping back awake, Joey looked over at the one in bed next to him. "What the -- Lance what the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Punishing a puppy that doesn't listen," he replied simply, hitting Joey this time on the forehead. "And such a dirty mouth too..."

Challenging Lance, he asked, "Yeah, what you going to do about it huh?"

Rolling Joey onto his stomach, Lance pulled down Joeys' boxers, so that has in the buff from his waist down and started swatting him with the paper, all the while, trying to remain in charactor and not laugh.

Looking stunned, Joey stuttered, "W...w...wh...what?"

"You going to listen now?" Lance asked, holding the paper just above Joey, looking down at him as the moonlight cascaded slightly into the room through the closed curtains.

"No...why should I? Give me one good reason."

"Because I said so, and until midnight tonight or until I say otherwise, I'm the boss of you...and I say you listen...doggie," Lance answered, again swatting Joey on the butt, a little harder this time.

"So what do you want me to do? Go sleep on the floor"

"Very good doggie, and you haven't even gone to obedience classes yet. They start at 8 in the morning by the way."

"You got to be kidding me right?"

"I don't kid when it comes to training animals."

"I ain't no freakin animal!"

"You challenging me?" Lance hissed, hitting Joey again, as hard as he could, his voice raising also.

Slidding off the bed, Joey hissed, "Fine, I'll go sleep on the floor. Just answer me this? How do you expect to keep me here once you fall asleep?"

"As you could tell, I'm a light sleeper. Any movement on the bed and I'll wake up...good night doggie..."

"Yeah right, whatever."

Smirking to himself, Lance yawned and turned on his side, his back away from Joey. "Goodnight doggie..."

"Well if I'm going to have to start training, then I can keep you up all night by talking."

"And I can easily call the pet store to come and pick up Jezebel and sell her to someone else..."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Why should I? I know you wouldn't."

"Okay, kiss Jezebel goodbye Joey...she'll be gone when you wake up..."

"Well then, I'm not going to sleep." Looking around, he realized that Jezebel was no where to be found. "Where is my cat?"

"She's around here...somewhere...go to sleep without another word, and if you listen, I'll tell you where she is. If you don't, then with one phone call, she'll be going bye bye bye. And I know it will tear up your heart, but hey, I'll be good for you when that cat isn't around."

Putting in one last protest, he grumbled, "Fine, I'll go back to sleep, but don't put that stinking collar back on me."

"We'll see doggie. Goodnight..." Lance smirked, curling up on the comfortable bed, trying to keep from laughing. He knew he was being kinda mean to Joey, but hey, it was a bet, and this is what Lance wanted his 'slave' to do. He figured why not make the best of it...for him at least?

Curling up into a ball, Joey started snoring instantly, making it obviously that he was already fast asleep.

Laughing quietly, Lance reached under the covers and pulled out the tiny kitten. Kissing her head gently, as not to wake her, Lance kicked the covers back and walked towards the door. "Come on Jez, lets get you to Uncle Justins' room."


	Inner Reflection \| home back to When Love Hurts Chapter 8 Joey stepped off the elevator after Lance, calling, "You going to get the kitten?" "You mean wake up Mr. Chasez? Um...do I dare risk my life for a 'flee infested fur ball'? Do I really love you that much?" the blond teased. "Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. You going to get her for me?" Joey asked, unlocking the door to their hotel room. "Maybe..." Lance answered, already knocking on JCs' door. Smiling back, Joey walked into the bed room, laying the items on the bed, waiting for Lance to return with Jez. ----- "What do you want?" JC asked, opening the door groggily. "The kitten," Lance anwered. "You know, the small black thing that, knowing her, kept on scratching where she wasn't suppose to while you were trying to sleep." Not getting it at all, JC asked, "What? Oh, she's around here somewhere." Turning back into the room, he looked around the room for her. "What do you mean she's around here somewhere? You don't know where Jez is?" Lance asked, looking around with JC for the black kitten. "She's around here somewhere...don't know where though...but she's in the room." Laughing quietly, Lance searched under the covers to the bed and in the bathroom. "Joey's not going to be happy when he finds out you lost his cat..." "Check under the bed," JC said. "She was attaking my feet from there earlier." Nodding and walking over to the bed, Lance knelt down and peered under; a light smile playing his lips. "Found her," he whispered, reaching in carefully, pulling out a sleeping kitten. Sneezing, JC grabbed his tissue from the bathrobe pocket and walked back to the bed. "Great, I'm going back to sleep." Laughing, Lance walked back towards the door, cradling the kitten in his arms. "Sleep tight JC," he said, entering the hallway, sheilding the kittens' eyes from the light and walking over to the door to the room he shared with Joey. JC only mumbled and headed back to bed. "Baby?" Lance asked, walking into the room. Seeing the bags on the bed, but no Joey, the blond nuzzled the kittens' back, kissing her head gently before sitting down on the bed. "I think you're really going to help Joey, Jez...I really do..." Strolling in front the bathroom, toothbrush hanging from the side of his mouth, Joey mumbled, "Yeah?" "Oh, I taste that bad? You have to brush your teeth after we fool around?" Lance teased, looking hurt at the same time. "I feel so...so loved..." To add to it, he added some fake sniffles and closed his eyes, his lower lip quivering. "No, on the contrary..." Joey started. "If I happen to kiss you tonight, which I plan on doin...I don't want to have stinky breath...I want my kisses to you to be minty-fresh and not alcohol-tastin, as you claim they are." Crossing the room to embrace him, Joey forgot that Lance was holding the cat. From her protective spot in Lances' arms, Jezabel meowed quietly as she was kind of squished between the two. Still holding Lance, Joey took the kitten and gently tossed her onto the bed, then moved into a kiss again. Smiling, Lance thought for sure that the abusive Joey was long gone. It had been almost one full day and never once had he raised a hand to strike him. Joey slipped a hand down Lances' back and down into his pants, starting to feel around. Laughing quietly at his cold hands, Lance took a step back, pressing Joeys' hand against his ass, the kiss continuing. Smirking as the kiss began to deepen, Joey let his hand grab at Lances' buttocks. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Lance mimicked Joeys' movements, but without slidding his hands down his lovers' jeans. Finally ending the kiss, Joey asked, "Well, how did I taste? Glad I brushed?" Looking up at him, but not moving his hands, Lance smiled then leaned forward, resting his cheek on Joeys' chest. "You always taste good baby...weather you brush or not." A content sigh escaped his lips, one that, if he was of the opposite sex, would be that one sigh that women do when they're pregnant about to tell the father. "So," Joey started, keeping his hands down Lances' britches. "What's on the agenda for tonight?" "I guess just rest baby...we leave for the next city tomorrow..." Scrunching his face up at the thought of traveling again, Joey asked, "Do we get a room to ourselves? And wait a minute...the others don't know we're together? When am I going to get to be your master?" Leaning down to whisper slyly in his ear, he ended, "We both know you're gonna lose." Pulling away from Joey and turning his back, Lance gulped. "Um...actually Joey...one of them...um..." "One of what?" "One of the guys...they know about us..." Lance whispered quietly. "Which one?" Joey asked, starting to lose his temper. "And how would they know?" "Justin..." Lance again whispered. "I...I told him..." He could sense Joeys' raising anger, but Justin had been right. Secrets shouldn't be kept in a relationship, so, Lance had to tell Joey about what he told Justin. Joey was about to strike Lance, but heard Jezs' desperate little cry and stopped himself before whispering, "I can't do this." Raising his voice, he added, "Lance I...I...I'm sorry...For the whole ordeal I've put you through...If you want to leave I won't blame you...I've been wrong...I never should have hurt you to start with...God dammit...I love you...I'm sure you had a reason to tell Justin..." "He...he doesn't know about the abuse...he just knows...that we're together..." Lance replied, his voice still a quiet whisper. "He promised me he'd take it to the grave." Turning and facing Joey, the blond added, "I don't want to leave you Joey. I love you with all that is in me. I know I deserved to be hit, for making you mad. I know that...but...I don't deserve to be without you...unless you want me to leave...then...I'll leave..." Joey was already standing, but raised himself to his full height. "No...please don't go...I can't live without you...I need you in my life...You are my happiness..." Lowering his head, he went on. "And you didn't deserve the beatings...If anyone did it was me, for bein a jerk to such a wonderful person." Sniffling, Lance looked up into Joeys' eyes and wiped away a few tears that had started to fall down from his green eyes. "Joey...there's...there's something else..." Looking back up, Joey moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Picking up Jez, he started to stroke the kitten lightly, his voice nervous. "What?" "I...I made another stop...this morning. I didn't go to just the department store and pet store. That's why I was late...I had to pick up something else..." Curiosiity got the best of him this time. "What?" Joey asked. Lance walked over to a small bag resting on the dresser drawer and pulled out something, his back towards Joey so he coudln't see what it was. Walking back over to Joey, Lance knelt down in front of him. "Joey, I love you more then words can ever express. And every day, I thank God for letting me wake up next to you. Every night I thank Him too for giving me that day with you, the one I love. You're the only one that makes me feel loved. You're the only one that can calm me down when I'm upset, you're the only one that can send shivers down my spine from just a gentle touch." Holding a small box up for Joey to take, the blond fought back the tears as he ended his little speech. "You're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Will...will you do me the honor of...of marrying me?" This was quite possibly the first time in his life, that Lance knew of at least, that Joey cried...tears of happiness, of being wanted and loved by somebody... someone that he loved with his whole being...wanted him in return. Stuttering and choking on his words, he was able to reply, "Y...y yyyeeeesss Lance I will..." Lances' hand was shaking as he pulled the diamond encrushed ring from it's soft resting place and slipped it onto Joeys' finger. Once he had, the blond looked down at the engagement ring on Joeys' finger, whispering, "I love you..." The older man only wrapped hs arms around Lances' neck, pulling him up for a hard kiss. Pulling out of the kiss, Lance asked quietly, "Are...are we going...going to tell the others? Or...or not?" "Your choice," Joey answered. "It doesn't matter... But I think they're gonna figure something out at seeing this beaut." Looking at the ring, he continued. "But even it doesn't compare to the sparkle in your eyes," moving his loving gaze back to Lances' face. "I want to tell them...but...the more people who know, the more likely it will slip out to the press," Lance said, a hint of sadness in his voice. Overjoyed at his newfound status, Joey almost shouted. "Who cares? Can't we just sceam it from the mountaintops?" Laughing quietly, Lance pointed out, "We're in the city baby...no mountains anywhere near here..." "Oh well," he shrugged, then spotted the collar on the bed next to him. "So," he asked, picking it up. "What about when I win? How we gonna do that tomorrow huh, my Prince Charming?" "You so sure you're going to loose?" Lance asked quietly, taking the collar from Joey and again holding it up to him. "You do look good in it you know." "And IF I do lose, what makes you so sure you're gonna get me to wear that thing? Especially in front of the guys," Joey asked, playfully pouting. "Who says I'll make you wear it? Maybe since you'll be MY slave, I might let you be in control tomorrow...you know, tell ME what to do instead of vise versa..." Getting a stupid grin on his face, Joey replied, "Well then, I'll win either way..." "So...why don't we just end the bet here and now...since you'll win anyway..." Lance replied, holding up a pair of boxers. "No, fair is fair," Joey said, a said a smirk appearing on his face. "I'll at least give you a chance." Mocking Joey, he mumbled, "Fair is fair..." "Oh puh-lease Lance. That's the best you can do?" laughed the older one. "Well, no. I can do better, but I don't think I want to be known as the wild chick magnot in the clubs, and I certainly don't look good in a goatee. And I'm perfectly happy singing bass thank you." "But you don't know what you're missing." "I'll take your word for it," Lance teased. "Fine." Settling down on the bed, the brown eyed one asked, "Wanna join me?" "Sure baby." Making his way towards the bed, he laid down, snuggling up as close to him, resting his head on Joeys' shoulder. "I love you Jojo..." "Love you too Poofers," Joey replied, propping his head up so he could watch Lance. Tracing designs on Joeys' chest, Lance closed his eyes, letting sleep over take him. They had a busy next few days ahead of them, what with promos, traveling, concerts, and wedding plans to make; they'd both need their rest. Joey fell asleep right after Lance had. The last thing he remembered was looking at the clock...10:45pm. ----- "Joey...Joey..." a voice whispered lightly in his ear. "Joey sweetheart...wake up..." Joey only rolled over and tried to push the voice out of his head. "Joey...come on...up...NOW!" "What?" Joey asked, finally giving into the voice. "I said get up!" Sitting up, he mumbled, "What for? It's bedtime." "No it's not," Lance hissed. "It's 2:05am. I let you sleep in. Now...up!" "Like I said...bedtime." Laying back down, Joey pulled the covers over his head. Pulling the covers off the bed, Lance clipped on the leash to the collar that Joey was wearing and tugged. "I said up slave!" Feeling the pressure on his neck, he sleepily obliges. "What the fuck?" "I won the bet..." Lance said simply. "You're my slave for the day. It's after midnight, therefore the day has started." Pointing to the pile of blankets he had arranged for Joey on the floor, he added, "Puppies don't sleep on the bed..." Shrugging it off as a joke, he laid back down. "Yeah right..." With another tug, Lance pulled Joey off the bed and onto the floor with a 'thud'. "I said puppies dont' sleep on the masters' bed..." "Lance, what's gotten into you?" Joey asked, shaking his head. "You said that you'd be my slave if I won the bet. I did...so in other words, move your ass before you're punished..." Still not moving, Joey tested him to see if he was for real. "Yeah, uh huh...sure..." Using a rolled up paper, Lance hit Joey on the nose. "Move puppy...or next time it'll be harder." Looking shocked for a moment, Joey finally understood that it wasn't a joke. Crawling as far as the leash would allow, he turned back to face Lance. "Um...you gotta let go..." Tethering the leash to the bed post, Lance smirked and walked over to the bed, throwing back the warm blankets. "Good night puppy..." leaving Joey to sleep on the pile of blankets set for him in the corner. Sitting down on the blanket, curled up, watching Lance, waiting for him to go to sleep. A few minute later, the blond turned over and mumbled something that Joey couldn't understand. From his slurred words, it was obivous that he was sleeping and dreaming. Once Joey realized that his now fiancee, was out cold, he reached up and unfastened the collar from around his neck. Once doing so, he sneeked back into bed besides Lance. "Puppy shouldn't be on the bed," Lance said, his eyes still closed yet his words sounded as if he were awake. Whispering back, "I'm not," Joey said, snuggling into Lances' back. "It doesn't feel like you're not on the bed..." Lance replied, not making any movement on the bed, only grasping the rolled up newspaper he held in his hand tighter. Curling in tighter to Lance; thinking he was getting away with it, "Don't worry, I am..." "I'll tell you again, puppies, bad ones that don't listen, at that, aren't allowed on the bed..." Joey was not half asleep, mumbled something; not even comprehending what Lance was telling him. "Okay puppy, if you don't want to listen," he warned, pulling away from Joeys' embrace. Turning onto his back, the hand with the paper rolled up in it sailed straight and true, hitting Joey on the nose again. "Bad puppy, no treats for you..." Snapping back awake, Joey looked over at the one in bed next to him. "What the -- Lance what the fuck do you think you're doing?" "Punishing a puppy that doesn't listen," he replied simply, hitting Joey this time on the forehead. "And such a dirty mouth too..." Challenging Lance, he asked, "Yeah, what you going to do about it huh?" Rolling Joey onto his stomach, Lance pulled down Joeys' boxers, so that has in the buff from his waist down and started swatting him with the paper, all the while, trying to remain in charactor and not laugh. Looking stunned, Joey stuttered, "W...w...wh...what?" "You going to listen now?" Lance asked, holding the paper just above Joey, looking down at him as the moonlight cascaded slightly into the room through the closed curtains. "No...why should I? Give me one good reason." "Because I said so, and until midnight tonight or until I say otherwise, I'm the boss of you...and I say you listen...doggie," Lance answered, again swatting Joey on the butt, a little harder this time. "So what do you want me to do? Go sleep on the floor" "Very good doggie, and you haven't even gone to obedience classes yet. They start at 8 in the morning by the way." "You got to be kidding me right?" "I don't kid when it comes to training animals." "I ain't no freakin animal!" "You challenging me?" Lance hissed, hitting Joey again, as hard as he could, his voice raising also. Slidding off the bed, Joey hissed, "Fine, I'll go sleep on the floor. Just answer me this? How do you expect to keep me here once you fall asleep?" "As you could tell, I'm a light sleeper. Any movement on the bed and I'll wake up...good night doggie..." "Yeah right, whatever." Smirking to himself, Lance yawned and turned on his side, his back away from Joey. "Goodnight doggie..." "Well if I'm going to have to start training, then I can keep you up all night by talking." "And I can easily call the pet store to come and pick up Jezebel and sell her to someone else..." "You wouldn't dare!" "Try me..." "Why should I? I know you wouldn't." "Okay, kiss Jezebel goodbye Joey...she'll be gone when you wake up..." "Well then, I'm not going to sleep." Looking around, he realized that Jezebel was no where to be found. "Where is my cat?" "She's around here...somewhere...go to sleep without another word, and if you listen, I'll tell you where she is. If you don't, then with one phone call, she'll be going bye bye bye. And I know it will tear up your heart, but hey, I'll be good for you when that cat isn't around." Putting in one last protest, he grumbled, "Fine, I'll go back to sleep, but don't put that stinking collar back on me." "We'll see doggie. Goodnight..." Lance smirked, curling up on the comfortable bed, trying to keep from laughing. He knew he was being kinda mean to Joey, but hey, it was a bet, and this is what Lance wanted his 'slave' to do. He figured why not make the best of it...for him at least? Curling up into a ball, Joey started snoring instantly, making it obviously that he was already fast asleep. Laughing quietly, Lance reached under the covers and pulled out the tiny kitten. Kissing her head gently, as not to wake her, Lance kicked the covers back and walked towards the door. "Come on Jez, lets get you to Uncle Justins' room."