Justin bit his lip and watched Chris try to put on a brave front. "Chris? Isn't there any drug you could take that would just knock you out completely? Then you wouldn't even know."

Chris looked at Justin liked he'd just grown another head. "Are you *insane*? What if there's a crash and I'm all doped up? What if I couldn't move my legs right and couldn't get to my life jacket or something?"

"Plus we have rehearsal like a split second after we get off the plane," added JC. There'd be no way Chris could function.

"Besides, I'm fine. Don't worry about me," Chris said, but considering his pasty green color, the others didn't really believe him.

As they walked across the tarmac to board the plane, they let Chris lag behind. He was pretty sure they were deciding who was going to be stuck with him on the flight. Sure enough, after a short huddle, Joey dropped back to walk with him.

"What's up, Chris? You gonna be okay? Cause my offer to hit you with a sledge hammer will always stand," said Joey, trying to lighten the mood.

Chris gave a weak smile. "Keep it handy, but don't use it yet."

Joey half dragged Chris onto the plane and watched as he buckled himself in at record speed.

Then Joey fastened himself into the seat next to Chris and took Brianna from Kelly as she settled herself across the aisle. "Chris, hold Bri for a sec. She'll take your mind off flying."

"I appreciate the thought, Joe, but I don't think I'd be able to hold her right now without dropping her when she moves."

"You'll be fine with her. Look, she's smiling. Just hold onto her for takeoff."

Chris crossed his arms over his chest. "I really don't think that's a good idea. You know I sometimes get sick during takeoff and I'm sure you don't want your beautiful little girl covered in my puke."

Joey sighed and said "You know, for all the times she's spewed on you, it would be fair payback," but he did end up handing the baby back to her mother.

Chris white-knuckled his armrests during take-off, trying his best to focus on the constant Brianna-patter Joey was spewing in an attempt to distract him. As soon as the captain announced that they were free to move about the cabin, Justin wandered over, a Gameboy in hand, and a grateful Joey got up to fix Brianna's bottle.

Justin flopped into the seat Joey had vacated and shoved the Gameboy toward Chris. "I'm so going to kick your ass. It's your turn."

"I'm not in the mood, J. Go bug Lance."

"Lance sucks at Gameboy. It wouldn't be any fun," Justin pouted.

Chris rubbed his temples. "Justin, I can't focus on the game right now. All the flashing colors and noises make me nauseous. I promise to kick your ass once we're back on solid ground, okay?"

Justin took a moment to look perturbed, but then gave Chris a sympathetic smile. "Fine. Want someone less annoying up here?"

"It's not that you're annoying. It's just that you're, well, annoying. So yeah, non-annoying would be good."

Justin took a look back. Lance was busy tapping away on his laptop, headphones in his ears. "Want me to get JC?"

"He still awake?" Chris asked, surprised.

"Um..." Justin looked at JC's sleeping form, head resting against the window. "No. But you know he wouldn't mind if I woke him up."

"Naw, don't bother him. I'll be okay by myself. Maybe I'll just try to sleep or something."

"If you're sure, man..." Justin asked.

"I'm sure."

Justin unfolded himself from the chair and headed toward the back of the plane. He tapped Lance on the shoulder as he passed.

Lance looked up. Justin just shrugged and kept walking.

Chris was desperately trying to convince his traitorous body that a nap was just what he needed when he felt someone lift the armrest separating the seats and settle next to him. He opened one eye and saw Lance before closing it again. "You didn't need to stop working. I know how busy you are."

"You're a mess, Chris. Don't be embarrassed. Remember when JC screamed like a girl and went flying from the room last time they tried to take his temperature? We're all scared of something. It's cool."

"JC always screams like a girl," replied Chris.

Lance laughed. "You've got a point. Anyway, you think a nap would help?"

"Yeah, but I can't seem to fall asleep," Chris complained.

"I'll be right back," Lance promised. He got up and was back a minute later with a pillow and blanket. He covered Chris and sat back down, putting the pillow on his own shoulder. "Come here," Lance directed.

"You sure, man?"

"Yep. I promise I won't even get mad if you drool. I'll just be extremely grossed out, but I'll suffer in silence."

Chris let out a small laugh, then tentatively rested his head on the pillow. Lance wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer until he felt Chris relax into him. "You're doing great," Lance murmured.

Chris gave a sleepy smile. "When you talk, I can feel the vibration. It's kind of cool."

"Then I'll keep doing it." Lance began to hum. At first Chris couldn't figure out what it was. Then he realized it was "Amazing Grace," and was kind of amazed himself that Lance remembered that Chris' mom used to sing it to him at bedtime was he was young. Chris let himself be lulled by Lance's singing until everything went black.

Lance was almost asleep himself when a flash startled him awake. Joey stood in front of them, camera in hand, unrepentant grin on his face. "Sweet."

Lance gave Joey the finger with his free hand as he closed his eyes again.

But secretly, he agreed.