Chapter 2: "Blue Pens and Battle Plans"
She sat at her desk, idly fiddling with the mug of pens in front of her. She picked one up and began chewing on the cap. She knew she should be doing work, and it wasn't like her to procrastinate. But that day was just too much. The dry cleaners hadn't been able to remove that stain from her favorite pantsuit.
Damn Chris. Why she had trusted him to be within a hundred feet of her with that permanent marker she still didn't know.
To add to that, she left her purse with all her money in her apartment and she didn't think she had enough gas in her car to make it home. And now to top it off, she felt the beginnings of a headache throbbing in her temples.
So for the last half an hour, she had been toying with her writing utensils and promising herself that she would start working in "five more minutes." It was too late to start anything then, Chris was going to be there to pick her up in a few minutes to go out to lunch.
"5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Wow. I have 9 blue pens," she said out loud.
Just then there was a knock on her door. She glanced at her watch before looking up in confusion. It was only 11:59, and no matter how close it was to the meeting time, Annie knew for a FACT that Chris was never early.
"Uhhh…come in," she said cautiously.
The door creaked open slowly and before her stood the tall frame of JC Chasez. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw him, and she moved to retract her hands from inside her mug of pens.
In her haste, she went a little too quickly, and before she could do anything, the mug fell over, and its contents spread onto the desk and floor.
JC raised an amused eyebrow as her face grew red and she began throwing the pens remaining on the table back into the mug. He coughed slightly to get her attention and smiled when she slowly moved her head up to meet his gaze.
"Hey, I'm sorry. Did I interrupt you or something?" He asked.
"Ohhh...no…I was just expecting you to be Chris," she explained.
"And you were horrified when you saw my hideous face? That's ok, I understand," he said, and pretended to look hurt.
Annie smiled at his playfulness and answered, "Yeah, something like that."
"Anyway, the reason that I came here was because Chris told me you had that envelope…" he was cut off as the light bulb went off in Annie's head.
"Right! The one that was in my mailbox attached to the little Post-It that said 'JC will be by to pick this up later.' I remember now. I'm just really stressed today," Annie said and rubbed her temples dramatically to emphasis her point.
"Headache?" He asked, and Annie heard the genuine concern in his voice. The thought of him caring about her well being made her stomach feel jittery and queasy at the same time. As with every time she was around him, she had to remind herself that she was a grown woman and even five years older than him. She was more mature than she was acting. Or, at least she should be in theory.
"Yeah, I feel like someone's playing a drum solo inside my head. A real bad drum solo too…with no rhythm and a lot of bass," Annie babbled.
"I hate that feeling," he told her sympathetically, "Can I get you anything? Tylenol or something?"
She smiled tiredly at him and shook her head. "No thanks. I appreciate it though." What she really wanted to do was beg him to stay in her tiny office with her. Just having him in the room was alleviating the pressure beating in her head.
It had been almost two years since that initial meeting with JC in Chris' hotel room somewhere in Los Angeles. And still her feelings towards him hadn't lessened. It was sad, really. She had admitted that to herself on more than one occasion since she agreed to go to LA then New York to help Chris out.
She had dated a bit. Some real nice guys. But nothing ever came of it. She knew that it was her fault, she was always a workaholic, a perfectionist, never going out with the sparse group of friends she'd made, instead opting to stay and work on some proposition or new offer. Especially with this new project. It had become incredibly important to her because it was Chris'. Work always came first, a nasty habit, but one she couldn't break.
Truth be told, the only man who had ever been an important aspect of her life had been Chris. Hell, her dad even took off after the divorce. That's when her and her mother packed up and moved from Colorado. And then she'd met Chris. He had always just…been there. She'd learned not to question it, and she thrived on the confidence he had in her and her abilities.
She just wished she could find a guy that made her feel as good as Chris did. JC seemed like the kind of guy who could treat her the right way. Chris never seemed to have any horror stories about him on the road, and all the time she spent with him was pleasant. Much more than pleasant.
But no one else knew of her infatuation with JC. Chris was her best friend, but JC was like a brother to his and there was no way Annie could bring herself to confide in him about a secret crush on him "brother." A crush-she was twenty-seven years old for God's sake. Pathetic. Utterly hopeless.
"Sooo…do you have the envelope?" JC asked, and Annie noticed the uncomfortable sound of his voice.
She was confused until she realized that she had been staring at him blankly for the past few minutes. Oh yeah, way to win him over. Completely freak him out. Good tactic.
"Yeah, sorry, I spaced out a minute there," she apologized, trying to cover up her mistake.
She reached in the top right hand drawer of her desk and pulled out the large manila folder from inside it. She must really be out of it if she didn't remember he was stopping by. It was a rare thing to see any of the guys besides Chris even in the building, and she'd totally forgotten that he was going to be there.
She placed the envelope in his outstretched hand. He took the papers out of the yellow package and shuffled through them before smiling at Annie. "Great, this is what I've been waiting for. Thanks a lot."
"Yeah, anytime. What's in there anyway? I restrained myself from tearing it open when I picked it up, so I think I deserve to know."
JC laughed at her statement and then smiled coyly at her, "Wouldn't you like to know? No, I'm just kidding. It's some paper work for a new group, Jasmine Rain. I'm helping produce their album."
"Oh, that's good."
There was a moment of silence. Annie hated those moments and spent much of her time trying to avoid them at all costs. It was one of those awkward breaks in conversation where neither person knew the other one well enough to think of anything interesting to say, nor were they comfortable just staying in companionable quiet.
"So anyway, thanks again. I'm gonna go, let you get ready for your lunch with Chris," JC said, finally ending the silence.
"Right, I need to primp. Or at least brush my hair."
He smiled shyly before lifting the envelope up in another thanks and turning to leave. Annie jumped up to walk him out of the office. She rushed in front of him to open the door.
He gave her a questioning look before she shrugged and reddened slightly, "Just trying to be polite."
"I see."
He walked out of the seventh floor office and began down the hallway.
Annie watched JC walk away and eyed him closely from behind before sighing longingly. It wasn't until then that she heard the snickering from behind her.
Spinning around, she saw Chris standing not 5 feet away from her, leaning against the doorframe. His arms were folded across his chest and he had an amused smirk playing on his lips.
"Chris! I...I didn't realize you were there!" She stuttered. She could feel her face turning a very unattractive shade of red.
"That's understandable since you were so busy undressing my boy JC there with your eyes," he answered as he pushed himself off the wall.
Annie sized the situation up quickly in her mind. Chris was a decent guy, maybe if she played dumb he would let it go.
"What are you talking about?" She asked, praying her plan worked.
It didn't.
"Oh please Annie, I may be slighly immature for my age, but I'm not an idiot. I've known you for…how long? And how many crushes have I witnessed you going through? Trust me, I'd know that sigh anywhere. Why didn't you tell me you had a thing for JC sooner?" He asked, and Annie sensed some hurt in his voice.
She glanced around the hallway before grabbing Chris by the arm and pulling him back into her office. Once inside, she gave one more suspicious look out the door before shutting it tightly.
Turning around, Annie found Chris sitting in the her chair, his legs were up on her desk and crossed at the ankles.
"Get your feet off of my desk Chris," she said as she walked over and sat opposite of him.
"You know, I bought this desk. So, technically, I can put my feet..." He trailed off when he saw the look she was giving him and dragged his legs off the desk.
After a moment, he spoke again, "You didn't answer my question, why didn't you ever tell me? How long has this been going on?"
Annie shrunk down in her chair and shut her eyes. "Since the first time you introduced me to the guys that day at your house."
Chris let out an exasperated sigh, "Annie! That was almost two years ago!"
"You think I don't know that? It's been two years of watching him barely acknowledge my existence. Two years of smiling at all of the new girlfriends he brings in here. Two years of hell, basically."
Annie opened her eyes and stared up at the tiles of the ceiling. She couldn't look at him.
"But Annie, if you would have told me, I mean, if I had just known..."
He was cut off by her, "... it would have made absolutely no difference." She finally turned her gaze to meet his, "I see the kind of girls he dates Chris. They don't have limp cornsilk hair, and they aren't workaholics. I'm not blind. And to tell you the truth, I knew if I told you, I'd never hear the end of it."
His eyes widened and he put a hand on his chest innocently, "Me?"
Annie narrowed her eyes at him and he shrugged.
"Ok, so you're right, but it wouldn't have lasted that long. I'm practically over it already," he smiled down at her and she recognized the familiar look of mischief in his eyes.
He continued, "Practically, but not totally. You like JC. You like JC!"
"You know, why have I been putting up with you for all these years?" She asked, only half-joking.
"Because I'm your boss?"
Annie immediately turned around to leave the office. But Chris quickly jumped up from the chair he was sitting in and caught her arm before she could open the door.
"Awww...come on, Annie. You know I'm just kidding with you. I'll stop, I promise," Annie made the mistake of looking at his face, which was contorted into the sad puppy dog look he knew got her every time. Rolling her eyes, she walked back into the room and looked out the bay window behind her desk.
"Anyway, I was thinking, I've known JC forever, right?" Chris asked.
"I guess," Annie said, still staring intently out the window and at the hustle and bustle of the city. It was just about the time when everyone should be going home to their families.
Everyone but Annie, the over-achiever, never leaving the building until at least 11:00 every night. Chris didn't even work that hard, but she couldn't help it. When she put herself to something, she was dedicated 110%.
And she could understand Chris not sticking around that long, he had such a full plate as it was. She didn't mind because she knew he worked his ass off on a daily basis.
"Mary, are you listening to me?" Chris' voice broke her out of her reverie.
She smiled at the use of his nickname for her, but still didn't turn from the window.
"No, what did you say?" She questioned sheepishly.
"I said that I've known JC forever and I know everything about him, including what he looks for in people of the...feminine persuasion," Chris answered.
"So? What's your point Chris?" Annie asked, her mind not really focusing on his words.
"I'm saying if there's anyone in the world that could make JC Chasez fall in love with you, it's me," Chris finished his speech and waited expectantly for her to respond
Annie shook her head to make sure she had heard him correctly. Then, she slowly to turn her body around until she was facing Chris. She saw him eyeing her with a bright smile on his face.
"Come on, what have you got to lose?" He asked, his grin widening as he watched her actually consider what he was offering.
Groaning loudly, she plopped down on a chair. "Oh nothing, only my pride."
"Don't worry about a thing. Besides, who wouldn't love you, Mary?"
Chris and Annie sat at a table in the small deli they frequently attended. He was eating a submarine sandwich with everything imaginable layered thickly on top of it, while she munched on a small Caesar salad that Chris bought her, since she didn't have her money.
He made her swear she would pay him back the next day before lending her the $4.50 her entire meal cost. Annie knew that he would forget about it before then, he just liked annoying her.
"So what's the battle plan?" Chris asked after taking a long swig from his root beer can.
Annie raised her eyes from her salad to look at him curiously. "Battle plan?"
"Yeah, you know, the plan that is going to get JC to realize you are the most stunning female on the planet."
"I thought that was your territory. Frankly Chris, if I had a plan, I would have put it into action about two years ago," she answered snippily.
"Yes…I know that Mary. What I meant was, what is your plan for my plan?"
"Geez Chris, was that even English?"
"You'd think by now you'd understand me when I talk," he told her.
"It's not like you speak in a language that's easily decodable. Like Pig Latin. That I could understand," she responded.
He rolled his eyes and said, "Anyway…what I have been trying to say is, what do you want help with first? Conversation starters? Clothing options? What?"
After a moment of contemplation, she spoke, "I don't know. What do you think JC will think is most important?"
"Definitely conversation. If it's one thing he can't stand, it's airheads," Chris answered decisively.
"Couldn't tell from the girls he's dated," Annie said.
"Oh Mary, now that was cold," Chris said, equal parts amused and taken aback.
"Well, call me bitter."
"Bitter," they both responded simultaneously. Then Annie added, "I knew you were going to say that."
"Ok," he began before taking a large bite of his sandwich, quickly swallowing, then continued, "Now the best way to flatter him is to compliment his music. But not too much, 'cause then he'll know it's forced. Never mention the Mickey Mouse Club. Talking about jazz will really get you in his good graces."
Annie nodded as she digested the information he was giving her. She felt like she should be taking notes or something.
"I know this stuff already, Chris. I want to know how to act around him. Not just ways to make conversation, but also to keep it going and make him want more…" Annie cut herself off when she realized she was sounding rather ridiculous.
Chris gave her a confused look and said, "Just be yourself Mary. You have a great personality. Once he really takes the time to get to know you, he'll see that."
"No Chris, I know that you want to be supportive and all that, but I need the truth. What should I do? Should I be more flirty? More demanding? Should I just go up to him and sit on his lap, or should I play hard to get?"
Chris suddenly looked very uncomfortable, "Look Annie, I was just going to give you pointers on how to wear your hair and how to get him to take notice. I didn't think that you wanted me to completely change your whole persona. I don't know if I want to do that."
But Annie was finally getting into the idea of Chris helping her out, and she wasn't going to be let down that easily. "Please? Come on, if you really wanted me to be happy, you would do this for me. And it's not like I'll stay that way forever, I'll go back my normal self after he falls in love with me."
"Whoa! Now, I know you didn't just say love. That's a little deeper than I expected to go."
Annie sighed loudly and rubbed her hands over her eyes. "You know what I mean."
"I always thought I did, and yesterday I might have, but you're acting too different today. I don't know what to think. You're twenty-seven years old, Annie, and you're acting like a teenager."
"Oh yeah, this coming from the guy who still plays Nintendo 64."
Gathering up her things quickly, she threw on her jacket and tucked a stray hair behind her ears before resuming to speak, "You know, this was a bad idea. Forget I ever said anything about it. As a matter of fact, forget today ever happened. God, I woke up this morning and I just KNEW it was going to be a bad day. I'm just going to call it a day and head home. My head is pounding."
"Your car's at work," Chris said matter-of-factly.
"It didn't have enough gas left in the tank anyway. I'll just walk," was her response.
"No, Mary, don't worry about it, I'll drive you home," Chris decided.
"It's fine. I'll be fine. Forget about it. It's not that bad out and I'm not that far from my apartment. Thanks for lunch."
She walked swiftly to the door and past a young set of parents with their toddler son.
"Mar…" he tried to call, but the metallic ringing of the bell as she walked out of the restaurant silenced him. He sighed deeply before throwing his hands up in the air in frustration. "Dammit!"
It was the middle of November and only 15 degrees out. Chris knew that it wasn't smart for her to walk home in that weather when she was sick. And he always hated leaving things on bad terms when it came to he and Annie.
Those were two of the reasons why he got out of his seat and ventured out into the cold to find her.