You're My Inspiration
SS by Anne

Britney's New York Apartment - 4 months later

Sitting on the floor leaning against the couch, she read the latest Danielle Steel novel with her head in his lap as he worked on a new song. He could write anything when she was around, just from looking at her. No matter how corny it was, it always touched her heart. She donned cotton pajama shorts with a matching spagetti-strap top while he was stretched out in only a pair of grey sweatpants. Occasionally he would glance up from his notebook to look around the sight before him. The love of his life cuddled to his side, the fireplace illuminating her features and the curves of her face. His mind started to wander.

"So was Colin really a good kisser?" he asked.

"He was alright" she halfway laughed. "He's really aggressive. It wasn't the usual slow first kiss. I've had better." she winked.

"Well good" he studdered which caused her to cackle.

"Don't tell me you were jealous Mr. Timberlake" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes.

"A little" he mumbled.

"Awww, that's so cute" she pinched his cheeks like his grandmother use to do. He grabbed her face with both hands and pulled him no farther than inches away from his own face.

"Yea, call if whatever you want. But these right here..." he said pointing to her lips "are ALL mine." he grinned and claimed them for his own.

"Damn straight" she pulled back breathlessly.

Thinking for a minute, she decided to turn the tables on him.

"So how were your many kisses with Jenna, Alyssa, Cameron, and whoever else there was?" she gave an evil smile.

"Ah Brit, do we have to go into this now?" he sighed.

"Well you asked about Colin, isn't it only fair?" she pouted knowing he'd give in.

"They weren't anything. It was just flesh on flesh, absolutely no feeling with any of them. I don't even know why I kept trying with different women, it was all the same."

"Ok ok, no need to turn this relaxing night into something that'll get us emotional. So what kind of song are you writing?" she tried pulling down his paper to get a peek but he refused.

"Nope, not until it's done. And it's another love song, what else?" he laughed.

She just smiled. She was so grateful to have him back in her life. It felt like a whole new beginning and they made a pact this time. Careers would not run their lives, and they would not both be doing something as hectic as a tour at the same time. They would both still be doing their job but now they had some control over what was the final decision about everything. Distracted in twisting one of his newly grown curls around her finger, she didn't notice he started to stand up.

"Where are you goin'?" she asked, her body suddenly sad that it had been detached from it's companion.

He walked over to the stereo and flipped to a certain song before turning around. Pulling her up to stand next to him, he clicked 'play'. She immediately started to tear up once she heard the first few piano bars. Holding her as close as he could, he started to sing softly with his cheek next to hers. He smiled when he felt the tiny drops hit his bare shoulder and took that opportunity to give her a light kiss on the neck as a silent "I love you".

(a/n - Justin - italics, Britney - bold, Both - bold italics)

You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love that lasts forever
And I want you here with me
From tonight until the end of time

You should know, everywhere I go
You're always on my mind, in my heart
In my soul

Pulling his head back, he leaned his forehead against hers so he could look into her eyes as he sang. Starting to sway, they both bust out into song...

You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
No one needs you more than I need you

It seemed to turn into an unplanned duet.

And I know ( and I know ), yes I know that it's plain to see
We're so in love when we're together
Now I know ( now I know ) that I need you here with me
From tonight until the end of time

You should know , everywhere I go
Always on my mind , you're in my heart
In my soul

You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
No one needs you more than I need you

Oooooooo , oooooooo , oooooooo , oooooooo

He scoops her up and she wraps her legs around his waist, both giggling from being complete goofs.

Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
No one needs you more than I need you

You're the meaning in my life ( oooooo )
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life ( oooooo )
You're the inspiration

When you love somebody ( to the end of time )
When you love somebody ( always on my mind )
No one needs you more than I
When you love somebody ( to the end of time )
When you love somebody ( always on my mind )
No one needs you more than I

Still with her legs around his waist, he pulls out a box from his pocket and holds it between their bodies.

"Be my inspiration forever" he whispers as he pops open the box to reveal a pear shaped diamond ring. Crying...she kissed him which was followed with a long night of making new memories for the future.

prequel