Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2003 19:57:45 -0400 From: rye encoke <rye_encoke@hotmail.com> Subject: Mark-and-Rye-23 Okay the usual stuff that nobody reads. This is a gay story with lots of gay sex. If you aren't supposed to be here, leave. The work is mine and unless you ask you can't post it anywhere else. I have no clue if any member of Westlife is gay, so this is all my fantasy. Email me at rye_encoke@hotmail.com to tell me what you like or hate. The author wishes to acknowledge and thank the archivist for Nifty for allowing this story to be published here. Authors Notes: I just want to remind everyone that I am a sucker for a happy ending. So when you get to the end of this chapter don't think of it as a cliffhanger. NOBODY DIES. The plane is not going to go down. DEDICATION: As always to David and also to Glenn, my two boys. - Makeover Madness - Rye couldn't believe he had actually gone through with it. The morning had started out innocently enough. He and Jill had finished taking the last of the food out of the fridge and had left as the first crew of the day had come in. There were three crews working on the loft and construction was now going to be going on 24/7 until it was completed. Then out of sheer stupidity Rye had wondered aloud if it would hurt much to have his nipples pierced. "Okay try not to tense up," the guy said as he placed the clamp firmly on Rye's left nipple. Not tense up, Rye had nearly pissed himself when the young master of pain had pierced his right nipple. This time though he knew it was coming and it seemed to hurt less. "Fuck that hurt," Rye said as the clamp was removed and he gazed down at his abused chest. "Yeah but when they heal they are going to be super sensitive and if your lover enjoys playing with your nipples he will drive you crazy, it's like a constant orgasm," the man replied. Rye tensed briefly. The man had assumed he was gay. "Don't worry about it," the man said as he turned and saw the look on Rye's face, "who would I tell?" Rye smiled and pulled on his shirt as the guy went over the instructions for looking after his piercings. Jill sat there the whole time just watching the process. As Rye stood she finally spoke. "Fuck me I can't believe you did that. You are gonna drive the boys nuts," Jill whispered. "You think so?" Rye asked with a bit of fear. "Honey you were sexy before but now you are like a walking orgasm," Jill giggled. "She's right. No kidding I had wood the whole time," the young guy said as he reappeared with antibiotic lotion. Rye blushed as he accepted the bottle. "Oh geez. Please miss take him away, if he blushes one more time I am gonna be very embarrassed about what happens," the guy said. Jill smiled and dragged Rye from the store. She laughed out loud when she turned around and saw the young man place a 'back in 15 minutes' sign on the door. "What?" Rye asked. "The guy just closed up for 15, I think he has to relieve some pressure," Jill smirked. The two friends began to giggle and wrapped their arms around each other as Jill led Rye to the next stop on the itinerary. - Anger Management - "We would like to thank the boys of Westlife for coming in to talk to us this morning. Thanks guys," the radio host said. "Thanks for having us, we had a great time," Nicky responded. "We'll be back right after these messages to give out our last set of tickets for the concert tonight. Stay tuned." The host turned off the mike and turned to the boys, "Great job guys. Thanks for coming in." "We had fun. The trivia game was awesome possum," Bryan giggled which set off the other boys. "Have a great concert tonight guys." The host led them out of the booth and then went back to give away tickets. "That was actually fun. This guy put a lot of effort into the show. And he handled it so well when we gave him the message about the personal questions," Kian said. "Geez, what the hell," Mark said as he nodded towards Liam who looked pissed. "Hey guys," Liam said. "Hey Liam, what's wrong?" Shane asked. "Upper management heard the interview and is pissed about the no personal questions thing. They want a meeting tonight," Liam said. The boys all visibly sagged. Finally Shane took a deep breath and stood straighter, "No." "What?" Liam asked with surprise. "Tell them no. We have already made the decision and we are not going to let them bully us. There will be no meeting and no change," Shane said. "That's right, we are all behind this and if they don't like it they can fuck off," Bryan said angrily to Liam. Mark placed a restraining hand on Bryan, "Liam is not the bad guy here remember, just the messenger so let's not take it out on him." Mark then turned to Liam, "But that is our decision, and if management doesn't like it they can take whatever legal action they want. We have to talk Liam, in the car, now." Liam nodded, his heart was heavy though as he followed the group to the waiting car. - Mister Timothy - "Baby what have you brought me?" the man asked in best high queen fashion. "Timothy this is my best friend Rye, I've told you about him. He needs a new do," Jill smiled. Timothy was actually completely straight but had had no clients as a straight man. When he started the gay affectation his business shot through the roof. Timothy reached out and took hold of Rye's chin and gently moved his head sideways and up and down. Smiling he said, "Short and messy spiky with blonde tips." "Exactly what I was thinking. He also needs an earring," Jill spoke. Rye didn't even try to argue. He had already done the nipples so what was one more hole on him. "Right, let's do the hair first so we don't infect or hurt the ear." Timothy called out to a young girl nearby, "Tanya, wash and shampoo, platinum 37 tips, messy spiky then small gold hoop left ear." The young girl nodded and took Rye by the arm and led him to a chair and reclined him into the sink to wash his hair. - Impromput Meeting - Liam sat in the car with the boys, fear in his heart. "Okay Liam here's the situation. We are gonna lay it all out for you and let you decide what you want to do," Shane said. Liam gulped but nodded. He did not want to lose these guys. He loved working with them and considered them friends. "First off. Mark is gay and has a lover, that is who we were visiting over the break. Also Bryan, Nicky and myself are together. Kian has a girlfriend who is the best friend of Mark's boyfriend. We plan on Mark coming out sometime this year, but first we are going to let our contract go. Rye, that's Mark's fella, is starting a new record label and management company. He is going to sign us up after we leave here. Actually we are all going to be co-owners. So we really don't care what management says or throws a fit over. We only plan on being with them for the next 3 weeks then we are freeing ourselves up. We want you to continue to work with us and actually I have already talked to Rye about bringing you on board so he will be calling at some point." Shane had not even tried to candy coat it, he had put it all out there as simply and bluntly as possible. Liam just sat in shock for a long time. The boys sat and watched him, waiting. Finally he stirred and said, "Okay." "Okay? That's it?" Nicky asked with a smile. "Well I mean, fuck, what can I say. I knew Mark was gay and figured Bryan for gay as well. That's no big deal. The rest is a bit of a heart stopper though," Liam said with a silly grin. "You knew I was gay? What do you mean you knew?" Mark asked. "Well I guess I didn't know for sure, but I would have bet the farm on it," Liam's grin got bigger. "I will set up a phone meeting with Rye and Jill over the weekend, they are coming to visit us. They are actually coming every weekend," Shane said trying to get Liam back on track. "Sure, sounds good," Liam answered. The boys looked at each other then at Liam. "You seem to be taking this pretty well," Kian said. "Well it's out of my hands. What can I do? I would like to stay with you guys but I will have to see what this Rye fella has up his sleeve. You guys have thought this through though?" Liam asked. "We have. We all agree. This is what we want," Kian said firmly Mark felt a weight lift off him at Kian's words and the vigorous nods of the other boys. He had believed they were truly behind him but now, as they finally put things in motion, it truly hit him. He released a sigh and Bryan noticed. "What's the matter fella?" Bryan asked with concern. "Nothing really, it's just that now it has really started. I mean I know what Rye is doing at home and all, but now that we have taken a step it just hit me that it's all real," Mark said. Shane on one side and Nicky on the other put their arms around him. "It's all so wonderful and scary isn't it?" Nicky said softly. Mark nodded. "Wanna call Rye?" Shane asked. Mark really wanted to but did not want it to look like he was so dependant on Rye. Bryan however took the initiative by flipping his cell phone opening and pressing the speed dial. Bryan would take any reason to talk to Rye. Mark briefly thought that if Bryan's breakfast was particularly good he would want to tell Rye about it. --Jill's BoyBand Emporium. I'm sorry all the really cute boyband members are spoken for. If you want one of the girly boys from N'Sync or Backstreet Boys please stay on the line and an operator will be with you shortly.-- Bryan burst into laughter and couldn't stop laughing so Kian took the phone. "Hello?" Kian said. --Hiya my sweets. Just joking around. I have you guys on caller id and so I said something about all the really cute boyband guys are taken but if you want a girly boyband then stay on the line for N'Sync. And he just broke up.-- Bryan was still in hysterics and the rest of the boys and Liam were now laughing as well, although not knowing what had been said. "Is Rye around. Mark is feeling a little down. We just told Liam about everything and I guess the realization that it's all going to happen just hit him," Kian said. --Sure, let me go to him. He is getting his hair done at the moment but I think he can talk.-- Kian handed the phone to Mark, "Jill is taking the phone to him. He is getting something done to his hair so it may take a minute." Mark nodded and waited. --Hey my fella. You would not believe what I have had done to me. I hope you like it.-- Mark got very choked up hearing Rye's voice and the love in it. "I love you my angel. We have started things on our end and it just all hit me. I wish you were here now." --Oh my fella. I love you so much. I wish I was there too. How did you get things going on your end?-- "Well we have been using the no personal questions statement at all our appearances. Today someone from upper management heard it and threw a fit. They said they want a meeting tonight. We basically told them no. Then we told Liam we aren't going to be bullied because we don't care anymore. We told him everything." Mark answered. --Oh my beautiful fella, I am so proud of you all. How did he take it?-- "He seems to be taking it okay. He realizes it's out of his control but he is laughing along with the rest of us at Bryan's fit. He's a great guy." --He is there now?-- "Yes." --Let me speak to him a bit.-- Mark passed the phone to Liam who took it with surprise. "Liam Walsh here," Liam said --Hi. My name is Rye Encoke. Guess my boys threw a monkey wrench into the works huh? Listen they speak highly of you and I have done my research on you. They want you and I want you. This weekend I am bringing the papers for everything up with me in case management really kicks up a fuss I can buy the boys out of their contracts and take over the concerts. I will be bringing a lawyer so you and I can work out your contract as well. - "Shit," Liam answered with shock. The boys looked at him with worry wondering what was being said. --Liam let me put it bluntly. I have the money to buy out their current label and management several hundred times over. I am protecting the boys I love and nothing will hurt them or their careers. They want you and so do I, but stand in my way and I will destroy you. I will take down anyone that stands in front of me on this. Choose your side carefully.-- "No need. I choose the boys. Listen I don't know if you are aware, I don't even know if the boys are truly aware. Their contracts are up for renewal but the option for renewal is on the side of the label, the boys can't just break their contract. If the label wants them for another year the boys have already agreed to it." The boys looked at each other in shock. It was obvious nobody knew about this. "From the looks on their faces they didn't know. If the label thinks that the boys are acting in a way so as to force them to not renew, there could be legal repercussions. I don't know what all you can do. This will be tricky," Liam said. There was a long silence on Rye's end. --Liam is there a buyout clause?-- "Yes but it's astronomical," Liam said. --How much?-- "10 million per," Liam answered. --So 50 million. Liam I need you to set up a meeting for me tonight. I am going to buy them out now. I want the concerts to continue but all management and people from their label must be gone. Can you work that out?-- "Fuck me are you serious. Christ you have that kind of money?" Liam asked. Suddenly Mark grabbed the phone. "Angel what are you doing?" Mark sounded worried. --Listen fella. The label could cause a lot of trouble including a huge law suit if they think you are trying to force them to not renew. So I am gonna fix it. There is a buyout clause wherein you can buy yourselves out of the contract at the time of renewal. I am gonna do one better. I am gonna buy you out now. The new company will take over the rest of the concerts. All crew will have been already paid so they will stay. The only thing that will change is the management and label people will be gone.-- "Angel no. What did Liam mean when he said 10 million per? Did he mean that to buy us out you have to pay 50 million? You can't do that. And how much more to buy us out of the concerts? This is all going wrong," Mark was in tears now. Luckily Shane took the phone. "Angel go ahead. I was afraid something like this might happen, although I didn't know management had control of our renewal. Do it though okay. We will pay you back somehow, just get us out of this mess please," Shane begged. --Ah my boyo. You got it almost right. I am going ahead. But this is a company expense and if you ever say anything like you have to pay me back again I am gonna have Bry boy refuse you love for a week.-- Rye chuckled and heard the relieved sigh of Shane on the other end. "Angel I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Mark can't talk now but we will see you this weekend," Shane said. --Actually you will see me tonight. I will be flying up with Jill and a team of lawyers and some security and God knows how many other people. Tonight's concert will be the first one you do for your new label.-- "Okay Angel. I'm sorry it came to this but I am glad you are looking after us. I have never felt so safe in such a stressful situation. We all trust you and love you. See you tonight." Shane hung up. "He's coming tonight?" Nicky asked. "Yep. The shit is gonna hit the fan but it's all going to work out," Shane answered. "Is it true he is going to pay 50 million to bail us out?" Bryan asked. "Actually it will be more than that. My guess it will be around 75 million since he is going to buy out the last two weeks of this contract. Does he really have access to that kind of money?" Liam asked. "You have no idea. This man could pay off the national debt if he wanted and wouldn't even bat an eye," Shane said. He was the only one of the boys who knew the true extent of Rye's wealth and he had been stunned by the revelation. "Do you know he threatened me?" Liam asked with a smile. "Threatened you how?" Nicky asked. "He told me to make a choice, you boys or the label, then said he wouldn't give it a second though to destroy me, the label and management. I am going to love working for this man," Liam chuckled and sat back in the seat thinking to himself and smiling broadly. - Angel of Fury - "Geez Rye what is going on?" Jill asked. She had sat beside him through the conversation and understood most of it but wanted to hear it all. "The boys current label has the renewal option not the boys. When they signed the contract it gave the label the choice to renew if they wanted. If the boys don't want to continue they have to pay a buyout cost of 10 million per boy. Today their management threw a fit over their no personal questions stand and wanted a meeting. The boys refused. So I am going to go with the papers to sign the boys to the company, and Liam as well, and buy them out of the renewal and the last two weeks of concerts," Rye said seriously then turned with a twinkle in his eye and added, "Wanta come with?" Jill burst into laughter and the two shared a minute together before Jill got serious. "Okay we are gonna need J-girl and her team. You mentioned security?" "Yeah we will need some of our own people to cover security. I am not comfortable keeping the same security of the previous management," Rye answered. "Okay, let's take Matt and Andy. Andy can be a personal assistant while Matt is muscle. Let's call Ed and Jay and do the same with them. I will call a local security firm and hire about 10 guys. That should hold us for the two weeks. Let's make Ed our head of security....hey I wonder if he would really like that job, I mean full time?" Jill suggested. "It had never occured to me, but it is so up his alley. I don't know if he would leave the horses though. Let's talk to him," Rye said. "Okay, how about letting me talk to him, he is a little intimidated by you," Jill said and Rye raised an eyebrow, he had not known that. "We will work it out I am sure." "Good girl. Now call Maria and have her pack us. I want to be out of here in three hours. How much longer?" Rye had asked the girl doing his hair. The girl had listened in amazement to what was happening but quickly answered, "Another 15 minutes sir." "Okay Tanya, good girl," Rye answered. "Rye?" Jill asked quietly. "Yeah hun?" "When you told Liam you would destroy him or anyone else...did you mean that?" Jill asked. "Yes. In a heartbeat." Rye answered. Jill felt a chill wash through her. This was a side of Rye she had never seen and she was not sure if she was comfortable with it. Rye seemed to sense this. "Don't worry beauty. It's not something I would do lightly and I would hate doing it, but you have to know I would do anything for them," Rye said Jill nodded and looked into his eyes. She saw the anguish he was going through and realized that even though it would hurt him, he really would do it for them. She prayed he would not have to do this though, it was so opposite to the way he was. Rye flipped open his phone and dialed. "Alex it's Rye. I need the jet ready in 3 hours. It's gonna be a full plane." Jill listened as Rye gave flight instructions to the pilot and opened her own cell. She began to get things ready by calling Maria first then Matt and finally Ed. Rye was then on the phone with the lawyers so Jill called a local security firm. In less than 15 minutes plans had been set and the two were leaving for home. - Back with the Boys - "Shit I can't believe things have gone so bad," Nicky said. "They haven't," Shane said. "That's right, they haven't, not really. Okay sure their is a big payout to buy out the contract but you can make that back easily. And compare that to what a lawsuit may cost if the label decided to sue. Whoever this guy is he sure cares about you all," Liam said. "He loves us," Bryan said as if that explained it all. And amazingly enough, to Liam it did explain it all. "You guys are lucky and I have a feeling I am too, although I don't know it for sure yet," Liam said. "God I miss him," Mark said again. "We all do fella. But he is coming to us tonight and then he can stay with us all through tour," Shane tried to comfort Mark. Liam smiled, "Let's blow off the other interviews today. I will call and say one of you is sick or something." "You can't do that," Kian said. "Sure I can, what are they gonna do....fire me," Liam then burst into laughter, and everyone else soon joined him. Finally everyone calmed and Liam took out his cell phone. "No wait. We all feel like shit but we can't disappoint the fans. We will do the rest of the interviews," Mark said. "You sure fella?" Bryan asked and placed his hand on Mark's leg. "Yes," Mark said simply. Everyone nodded their acceptance. "I wonder what Rye meant when he said he would destroy Liam?" Bryan asked to no one in particular. "If you had heard his voice you would have understood. He meant it. He would have made my life not worth living. I truly pity anyone who ever steps in the way of this man," Liam said easily. The boys suddenly seemed uneasy. Liam saw this immediately. "Look I don't pretend to know anything about your relationship with this man. But I can tell you a couple of things. I have been in this business a long time and I have learned to read people. Mr. Encoke wouldn't hesitate for a second to protect you or keep you safe, that was obvious, but what was also obvious at least to me was that it hurt him to say it. When he threatened me, I believed it, but I also knew it took away a little part of him to do it," Liam said. "He loves us and he is willing to hurt himself to protect and help us. He has done it before. Hopefully this is not going to go too badly," Nicky said softly. "I think it is going to go very smoothly. If he has that kind of money to toss around the label will give in quickly. Unfortunately it's the money that counts to those people and not the performer," Liam answered. The car pulled up outside another radio station and the boys got ready to go in. "Guys, would you mind if I sat this one out?" Mark asked. "Of course not fella. We can just cancel like Liam said," Bryan answered "No, I will do the television spot. But right now I just need to sit and cry for a bit," Mark said. "Who do you want to stay with you?" Shane asked. "Nobody. I know you promised to look after me, and I love you for it. This is not sadness from missing Rye or anything else. It's just a release of stress. I will be perfectly alright to be left alone," Mark answered as a tear fell. The boys looked at him and then to Shane. Shane continued to look at Mark then nodded. "Let it go fella. I understand what you mean. I love you fella, never forget that." Shane kissed Mark on the lips and left the car. The others followed behind after kissing Mark. Liam was last to go. "You going to be okay Mark?" Liam asked softly. Mark was quickly losing control and simply nodded. Liam smiled and reached out and patted his knee then making a quick decision leaned forward and gave Mark a quick fatherly kiss on the forehead then left the car. Mark felt the door for the driver close and realized Liam had made sure that Mark was completely alone. Finally he released his emotions and cried freely, releasing all the stress he had let build up. - Pup and Blue - "I understand. We will be ready, but how are you going to get us. We are like 6 hours away?" Jay asked then his eyes widened. "Okay we will be ready." Jay hung up the phone and stood there for a minute before going out to the barn. He watched his lover as he filled the stalls with hay. "Blue," He said softly. Ed looked up with a smile that turned quickly to a frown as he saw the serious look on Jay's face. "Pup?" Ed asked as he came to his lover. "Jill just called. Something serious has come up and Rye and the boys need us." Jay explained as he began to lead Ed to the house. It took a very short time to explain it all but when he was done Jay just watched Ed to see what his reaction was going to be. Finally Ed spoke, "Okay Pup, can you get us both packed. Let's count on at least a week. We will need everything from casual to business dress. If we need to stay longer we can buy something else. I will call my sister and brother-in-law and they can come look after the place. They can be here in a couple of hours. How soon before they are here to pick us up?" Jay smiled. He loved this man so much and the way he had just dropped everything to help his friends just reinforced and strengthened it. "About a half hour, they are sending a helicopter. We will meet them at the airport," Jay said as he headed upstairs to pack. Ed picked up the phone and dialed. After a couple of rings a woman answered. "Susan, its Ed." --Ed baby how are you?-- "Good thanks. Listen I need you and Alan to come look after the place for at least a week, maybe more." --Of course. Is there a problem?-- "Some friends are in trouble and me and Pup need to be with them. I have a feeling this may turn into something more permanent. How would you two feel about moving here permanently and taking up custodianship of the place?" --You know we would. Is Rye in trouble? Can we help?-- "For now coming here to look after the place will help more than you know. Thanks sis." --I think you are just running away with your lover so I never get to tell him what a little brat you were growing up.-- Ed smiled at his sister's laughter. He knew she was trying to put him at ease and he loved her for it. "Thanks sis. I will call as soon as I can to fill you in on everything. And I am actually looking forward to introducing you to Pup. We gotta run though. Rye is sending the helicopter for us and we have to be ready." --Okay baby. Take care and keep me informed. Give my love to Rye and Jill and your Pup.-- "Bye sis, luv ya." Ed hung up the phone and went to find Jay. - Maria - Maria unlocked Jill's apartment and immediately began to pack for Jill. Before she had finished she heard Jill and Rye come in. "I'm in the bedroom. Jill is packed you start on Rye's stuff," she called out. Maria closed the suitcase and yanked it off the bed and left the room to meet Jill and Rye in the hallway heading to Rye's room. She stopped dead in her tracks and her mouth gaped as she saw Rye. "Holy Mother," was all she said. Rye had always been handsome, even beautiful, but now he was almost otherworldly. Maria knew the boys called him Angel and for a brief moment she wondered if this was truly an angel come to walk on earth. Rye blushed and stopped. "I look okay?" he asked hesitantly and with sincerity, he honestly did not realize how heart stoppingly beautiful he was. "Oh Jesus Rye," was all Maria could get out. Rye blushed deeper and Maria felt her heart flutter. "Thank you Maria," Rye said shyly and kissed her on the cheek before going to pack. Jill stood in the hallway and smiled at Maria. "Stunning isn't he?" Jill smiled. Maria nodded, "That is just not natural. Nobody should be that beautiful." "I can't wait to see the affect on the boys," Jill giggled. This served to bring Maria back a little bit from her shock, "Those poor boys. Imagine being forced to make love to that," Maria rolled her eyes. Jill trembled a bit and got a worried look. "Maria?" Jill asked. "Don't worry Jill, I heard Matt and Andy talking. It's fine with me. He has so much love he needs to share it, it's not really surprising. Most people wouldn't understand but I know him and love him and I do understand. I don't think less of him or the boys or you," Maria answered. "Thanks girl. We gotta jet, thanks for the hand," Jill said as she embraced Maria "Okay let's go," Rye said as he came from the bedroom with a suitcase and a suit bag. The two quickly left the apartment leaving a stunned Maria behind. After a minute she let herself out and headed for the office. - Matt and Andy - "Ready yet Andrew?" Matt called out. "Yeah let's go," Andy said as he came trotting down the stairs. "I know I shouldn't be excited, I mean with all that's happening to the boys and all but I am," Matt smiled. "Me too. I have never flown before though," Andy said. "Me either. We can hold each others hands though," Matt said as he closed the trunk after putting the suitcases in. "What if I get sick. Some people get sick," Andy sounded worried now. "If it happens it happens. I will hold your hand and head," Matt said. Andy smiled and leaned in to kiss his lover. "Love you Matthew." "I love you too Andrew." The two jumped into the car and took off for the airport. - Mark - Mark had exhausted himself from crying. He lay now across the back seat in the limo breathing softly as he thought about his life. Things seemed tense right now but he knew deep down that his life had never been better. He had found his true love, the other half of his soul. He loved Rye so deeply that it had actually hurt him physically when he had had to leave him behind. He remembered the physical ache in his chest and how he had been scared he was having a heart attack. He smiled when he remembered how Shane had drugged him and Bryan to make them settle themselves. His world was turning upside down and he just didn't know how to feel. But his man was coming to save him, again. He knew he should feel embarrassed or upset that he needed rescuing again but instead he felt warm and loved. And he knew that he needed Rye to do this. He doubted if all five of the boys could scrape together 10 million let alone 50. His man. He kept rolling those words over and over in his mind. Finally picking up his phone he pressed the speed dial. --Hello fella.-- Rye's voiced purred out of the phone "My angel. I just wanted to say I love you and thank you. I know you don't expect it but I wanted to say it." --Thank you my love. We are almost ready for take-off. I am getting rid of old security and bringing my own. We will use the labels buses until the weekend but I have new buses for us for the rest of the tour.-- "Angel you look after us so well. I don't know what we would do without you. I'm so sorry for all this," Mark started to cry softly but Rye heard him. --My fella, I would do anything for my boys and for you.-- "I know. Liam told us about you threatening him. He said he heard it in your voice that it hurt you to do that, and I know it would have. It's not you. But I thank you for that too. I will see you tonight. I just wanted to say I love you always." --Always and forever. We are going to take off in about 10 minutes so I will let you go. See you tonight.-- ...to be continued