Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:35:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kirk Landers <ilj4ever44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Phases- part 30

xCopyright and Disclaimer:
1. This is a fictional story with fictional
characters.
2. No one is to steal this story under any
circumstances.
3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so
if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it,
this isn't the story for you.

Here's the season 2 finale.  This chapter is one that
is going to completely change the course of this
story.  I am going to take a little break after this
and write the third series of chapters which I hope
you will all enjoy.  Here's part 30 entitled "Remember
When."

'REMEMBER WHEN'


"You're moving to San Diego?" Kurt asked in shock as
Nick, Leo and him were all sitting down for breakfast
together at Nick's place.

"Yeah," Nick replied. "Luke got a job promotion there
and asked me to go with him."

"Oh my God," Leo said stunned. "I can't believe it."

"You guys, it's only a couple hours away," Nick
reasoned, "We drove for three hours every week up to
visit Leo when he was in rehab."

"But that was only temporary," Kurt said. "This is
indefinitely."

"I know it's a big change," Nick said, "But this is
really what I want to do.  I love Luke and I want to
be with him.  Besides, if we move it will also
hopefully get Wayne off our backs."

"That's true," Kurt said. "But still, it's a huge
change for all of us.  We've been here together for so
long."

"What are you doing with your apartment?" Leo asked.

"I'm going to sublet it," Nick replied.

"I just thought we were coming here for breakfast, I
didn't know you were also serving a side of life
changing decisions," Leo said.

"Nick, don't think we aren't happy you and Luke are
back together, because we are," Kurt began, "It's
just-"

"Have you thought this decision through all the way?"
Leo asked finishing Kurt's sentence.

"You guys I've been thinking this over for the past
two weeks and every time I think it through I come up
with the same answer," Nick said. "I want to do this
and I would really like the support of my two best
friends."

"Then of course we'll support you," Kurt said. "It's
just going to be very sad for us."

"You're breaking the group up," Leo half-joked,
wanting to make Nick feel a little bad for leaving him
and Kurt.

"I'm sorry," Nick said, "I love you both so much, but
I really think this is best for me."

"What are you going to do about work?" Kurt asked.

"My editor is going to have the letters forwarded to
me in San Diego and I'll e-mail the column to him,"
Nick replied.

"I can't believe you're going to be leaving this
place," Leo said looking around the apartment,
"Remember when we all lived here together?"

"Of course," Nick laughed, "It was almost the end of
all of us being friends."

"I always woke up every morning to the sound of you
and Kurt arguing over the bathroom," Leo remembered.

"Nick!  Hurry up with the bathroom!  Other people in
this apartment have to get ready too!" Kurt shouted
pounding on the bathroom door.  It was six years ago
and Nick, Kurt and Leo all lived together.  Nick was
fresh out of college, Kurt was in his third year of
college while Leo was a sophomore in college.  They
moved in with each other a year earlier.  Nick and
Kurt had originally got the place together, but had an
extra room in the apartment so decided to rent it out
to someone, so Kurt asked Leo to move in.  Kurt and
Leo had met in college and were lab partners with each
other for Chemistry.  The two became fast friends and
luckily Leo was in need of a place to live so Kurt
introduced him to Nick and the three instantly got
along.  Leo quickly moved in with them.  At first
everything was great, the three loved living together,
but after a year the fun started to fade.  Leo woke up
every morning to the same argument between Nick and
Kurt, they were always fighting over the bathroom.
Because Nick had work in the morning and Kurt had an
early class it was always a race to see who would make
it to the bathroom first the get ready.

"Nick!  I have to get to class!  Hurry your ass up!"
Kurt shouted pounding on the door.

"Don't worry, I was just waking up anyway," Leo
groaned as he rolled out of bed and headed to the
kitchen to get a cup of juice.

"Sorry to wake you as usual Leo," Kurt said and then
shouted again at Nick in the bathroom, "But some
people are just so inconsiderate about sharing the
bathroom.  We only have one Nick!"

"All right!  All right!  I'm done," Nick said opening
the bathroom door.

"About time," Kurt said as Nick came out and Kurt
quickly went inside and closed the door.

"Morning Leo," Nick said as he entered the kitchen
where Leo was sitting reading a magazine with a cup of
coffee.  Nick went to pour himself a glass, but when
he got to the pot he found that there was no coffee.
"Leo, where's the coffee?"

"I forgot to set the timer last night," Leo replied
simply and went back to reading his paper.

"Leo, I told you last night before I went to sleep to
set the timer for the coffee," Nick said.

"Yeah and I forgot, I'm sorry," Leo replied not seeing
the big deal.

"Leo, I asked you to do one simple thing," Nick said.

"I don't even drink that much coffee," Leo said, "You
and Kurt are the ones who practically inhale it.  Why
couldn't you just set the damn timer?"

"Because I was busy trying to fix the computer that
you downloaded a virus too," Nick retorted.

"Oh my God!  How many times do I have to apologize
about the damn virus on your computer?" Leo asked. "It
was an accident."

"Maybe if you weren't downloading porn all the time,"
Nick shot at Leo.

"Whatever," Leo said getting up, "I'm going to my
room.  I should be asleep any way."

"Of course you walk away right in the middle of an
argument," Nick pointed out.

"I don't want to start my day out on a crappy note,"
Leo said, "Just go to work already and leave me
alone."

"Alone to do what?  Waste another day just being
lazy?" Nick asked. "When was the last time you even
went to class?"

"I went last week," Leo replied. "Who are you?  My
mother?"

"Might as well be for all the times I've had to clean
up around this apartment after you," Nick said.

"Where did that come from?" Leo asked, "Do you just
have a list of stuff you want to use against me so
when a fight arises you can just lay them all out
there?"

"If I did it would be a long, long list," Nick
replied.

"Stop fighting you two!" Kurt yelled out from the
bathroom.

"You should be used to it by now," Leo called back to
Kurt, "Nick gets on my ass practically every day."

"You two have got to stop fighting over the dumbest
things," Kurt said coming out of the bathroom.

"Please, you're one to talk.  You're always getting on
Nick's ass when he's in the restroom before you in the
morning," Leo said.

"That's only because Nick takes a whole hour to get
ready in there when he knows that I need to use it
also," Kurt said.

"Then just wake up before me," Nick replied. "Then you
can get in the bathroom before me."

"Or you can just be a little more courteous," Kurt
said, he then looked at his watch, "Whatever, I don't
have time for this, I'm going to be late for class."

"And I'm going to be late for work," Nick said, "I
guess I'll just have to stop by Starbucks along the
way since someone didn't set the timer for the
coffee."

"Oh boo hoo," Leo said.

Kurt and Nick both left and Leo went back to his room,
slamming the door shut.

****PRESENT DAY****

Nick opened up his closet door and took out his suit
cases to start packing some stuff up.  Kurt and Leo
were sitting on his bed still in partial shock over
the news of him moving.

"Wait, you're packing up already?" Leo asked. "When
are you leaving?"

"Two days," Nick replied.

"Two days?" Kurt asked. "Why so soon?"

"Luke wants us to go get settled into the new area
before he starts his job," Nick replied.

"Where are you going to live down there?  Do you guys
already have a place?" Leo asked.

"No, we're going to stay at a hotel until we find an
apartment," Nick replied.

"I still can't believe this," Leo said, "Nick, you
can't just tell us you're leaving in two days and
expect us to be okay with this."

"I know that it's a lot," Nick said, "I know that, but
I just really need you guys to be supportive here,
this is a big deal for me."

"We know that," Kurt said, "And we are happy for you,
but you have to realize that it's sad for us as well."

"It's sad for me too," Nick said. "But we'll still see
each other a lot and we'll call all the time.  I
promise."

"You better," Leo said giving Nick a hug.

The three then started to help pack Nick's things.

Meanwhile, Jesse was in another therapy session
working to regain his memory.

"Tell me about Leo," Dr. Walton said.

"Leo is great," Jesse said. "He's been so great with
me through all of this and I just wish that I could
thank him by remembering him."

"Well the memories you've gotten back seem to be ones
that revolve around him," Dr. Walton pointed out.
"Maybe he's the key person to help you get it all
back.  Are there things about him that seem familiar
to you?"

"I guess little things," Jesse replied.

"Such as?" Dr. Walton asked.

"Well, when I'm close to him and I can smell him, it
just smells familiar,' Jesse replied. "It's this
fresh, clean smell.  It's hard to describe, but
anytime I smell anything similar to it I think of him.
 And then when he smiles at me I just get this feeling
inside of me, it's a feeling I know I've had before,
but I just can't quite place it."

"Do you think it's love?" Dr. Walton asked.

"I don't know," Jesse said. "Can you love someone you
can hardly remember?"

"Your mind might not remember, but maybe your heart
does," Dr. Walton answered.

"You think that's possible?" Jesse asked.

"Jesse, when it comes to love, anything is possible,"
Dr. Walton said with a smile.

"I don't know," Jesse sighed. "It frustrating."

"Well just close your eyes and concentrate," Dr.
Walton said. "I know we didn't have much luck with
this on our session a couple days ago, but it worked
on your first session.  So lets try this again."

Jesse closed his eyes and tried to relax.

"Now think about Leo," Dr. Walton said. "Memories with
him seem to come to mind easiest.  Just relax and
concentrate."

Jesse relaxed and kept his eyes closed keeping his
thoughts focused on Leo.  He was almost in a
dream-like state when memories started pouring into
him.  He remembered suddenly going to college, getting
his first job, moving out of his parents' place and
into his apartment.  Memories came pouring in, the
memories that stuck out the most however, were the
ones with Leo.  He remembered their first date, first
kiss, first time they made love.  Jesse opened his
eyes and a big smile drew across his face.

"What is it?" Dr. Walton asked.

"I remember," Jesse smiled.

Back at Nick's place Kurt was going through one of
Nick's drawers and emptying things into a box.
Through all the stuff he found an old picture of the
three of them when they lived at the apartment
together.  Just looking at the photo you could tell
the three were not getting along during that time for
none of them had a smile on their face and both
standing a comfortable distance away from each other.

"Oh my god," Kurt laughed, "Look at this picture."

Leo and Nick both joined Kurt.  They laughed also when
they saw the picture.

"God, we look like we're ready to kill each other,"
Leo laughed.

"When was this picture taken?" Nick asked.

"I think it was during that party we had here a week
or so before we decided to move out," Kurt replied.

****SIX YEARS AGO****

Nick, Kurt and Leo were having a party to try and have
at least one night of fun in their apartment since
they haven't had an enjoyable evening together for a
while, they all thought that having a bunch of people
over could change things.  Kurt was walking around
giving out drinks to people, most he didn't even know.

"Who are half these people?" Kurt asked Nick.

"I don't know," Nick replied. "I only invited like
five out of the thirty people here."

"Yeah, I only invited two," Kurt said. "I thought we
were just going to have a little get together.  I made
cookies!"

"Well ask Leo," Nick said. "These are probably most of
his friends."

"I can't, because some how I got turned into the beer
bitch at this party and am busy handing out drinks,"
Kurt said, "You go ask him."

"You are such a push-over Kurt, if you don't want to
serve them all drinks then don't," Nick said.

"I know, I just can't help myself," Kurt groaned
walking away.

Nick then walked over to Leo who just got done taking
a shot of tequila.

"Leo," Nick said getting Leo's attention.

"What?" Leo asked.

"Who are all these people?" Nick asked.

"I don't know," Leo replied. "I only know like ten of
these people."

"Okay well if only seventeen of the people here are
people we actually know then what the hell are the
rest of these people doing here?" Nick asked.

"You guys said 'lets have a party tonight,' so I told
my friends and they obviously told their friends," Leo
answered.

"Leo, can you for once be considerate of other
people?" Nick asked.

"You're one to talk," Leo replied. "You're hogging the
bathroom in the morning all the time from Kurt."

"Leo, now after this party, Kurt and I will be up
until the crack of dawn cleaning this mess," Nick
said.

"I'll help," Leo said.

"Oh yeah right," Nick replied. "If you're not passed
out in an hour then I'll be surprised."

"Can you two not fight right now," Kurt said quietly
to the two of them. "We don't want to cause a scene at
our own party."

"What would it matter?  It's not like half the people
here know us or who's place this belongs to anyway,"
Nick said.

"You seriously need to relax a bit and just have some
fun," Leo said. "Stop being such a stick in the mud."

"Stop being so immature," Nick said.

"Stop fighting," Kurt said trying to calm the two
down.

"Oh hey you three," their friend, Gwen, said coming up
to them.  Gwen was one of the few people that they
actually invited.  She held up her camera, "Get
together so I can take a picture of the three of you."

"Oh great," Leo sigh rolling his eyes.  The three got
together, but kept a comfortable distance apart and
didn't even attempt to smile.

"One, two, three," Gwen said before taking the
picture.

****PRESENT DAY****

The three just got done taking a picture together with
Nick's camera.  He wanted to take some photos with the
guys before he left to capture some memories.

"Well this picture I'm sure will look a hell of a lot
better then that one that Gwen took," Nick said
tossing the older picture in a box.

The three looked around Nick's room and saw how empty
it was beginning to look.

"Geez," Kurt sighed. "It's really happening."

"Yeah," Leo replied. "It is."

 "You know, this day was going to come eventually,"
Nick said. "If it wasn't me moving somewhere it would
have been one of you two."

"I guess I just never really gave it much thought,"
Kurt said.

"Yeah, I just assumed we'd always be close by each
other," Leo added.

"Well, you're right," Kurt said. "It did have to
happen eventually."

"We just didn't want it to," Leo said.

"Let's take a little break okay?" Nick suggested.

"Sounds good," Kurt said. "I should go home and
change.  I'm not exactly wearing my 'pack your best
friend up to move' clothes."

"All right, well how about we meet a later," Nick
said. "Just come by this evening.  We'll get dinner
and then pack some more."

"Okay," Leo said. "I should go check on Jesse real
quick."

"We'll see you later," Kurt said giving Nick a hug. "I
love you."

"I love you too," Nick replied.

"Me too," Leo said joining in on the hug.

"I love you guys so much," Nick said.

The three all fought to hold back a few tears.

"Okay, we'll see you later," Kurt said breaking the
hug.

Kurt and Leo then left leaving Nick to have some alone
time with his apartment that he'll soon be leaving.

"Looks like it'll be just the two of us," Kurt said
taking Leo's hand.

"Yeah," Leo sighed. "It'll be different."

"We'll make this work," Kurt said. "You and I will go
down every weekend to see him."

"Yeah," Leo said. "It'll be fine."

"Won't be the same, but it'll be okay," Kurt said
sounding a little less enthusiastic with the idea.

"Yeah, it'll be cool," Leo sighed as they walked out
to the parking lot.

"You coming home first?" Kurt asked.

"No, I'm going to check on Jesse real quick," Leo
said. "He'll be finishing up a therapy session in a
bit."

"All right.  I'll see you later," Kurt said as he
headed to his car.

"Bye," Leo replied going to his car and then driving
off to see Leo.

Kurt needed to talk to someone, he took out his cell
phone and made a call.

"Hey it's me....I'm sorry to bug you like this, but I
need to talk to someone.  You think we can meet at the
diner by my apartment?" Kurt asked. "Thanks."

 When Kurt got to the diner he went inside and saw
Ryan sitting at a corner booth waiting for him.

"Thanks for meeting with me," Kurt said sitting down.

"No, I'm glad you called," Ryan replied. "How are
you?"

"Been better," Kurt replied.

"Kurt, about when I kissed you-" Ryan began, but Kurt
cut him off.

"Ryan, you don't have to explain yourself," Kurt said.
"I actually wanted to tell you that Nick is moving."

"What?  Where?" Ryan asked.

"San Diego," Kurt replied.

"Wow," Ryan said. "Why is he moving down there?"

"Luke got a job promotion so he's going with him,"
Kurt replied.

"That's great, right?" Ryan asked.

"I guess," Kurt replied. "I'm just going to miss him."

"San Diego isn't that far away," Ryan said.

"I know, but it's far enough," Kurt said.

"You okay?" Ryan asked.

"I just feel weird," Kurt replied. "I mean, I'm happy
for him, but I'm just a little sad.  Nick and I have
always lived close to one another since we were kids.
Him, Leo and I have been this little unit for so long
that it will feel weird not having him there."

"I know," Ryan said.

"It would be so much easier if we got along the way we
did six years ago," Kurt said.

"What happened then?" Ryan asked.

"The three of us were not getting along at all," Kurt
replied.

"Really?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah, remember how I told you that the three of us
used to live together?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, we all moved out to our own places cause we
couldn't stand living with one another," Kurt laughed.

*****SIX YEARS AGO*****

Kurt was on the phone with his mom, while Leo and Nick
were arguing in the living room.

"So how are things?" Monica asked.

Kurt looked into the living room at Nick and Leo
fighting over the TV.

"I told you that there was a show on the Discovery
channel I've been wanting to watch," Nick said trying
to grab the remote control from Leo.

"I'm watching something," Leo said trying to ignore
Nick.

"You're such a little brat," Nick said.

"Whatever," Leo rolled his eyes.

"Things have been better," Kurt replied to his mom's
question.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Monica asked. "You three still
having troubles living together?"

"Always," Kurt said going into his bedroom.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Monica said. "I have some
news for you."

"You do?" Kurt asked.

"Well, your step-father and I are planning to go back
east for a bit," Monica said.

"As in move?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, just for about six months or so," Monica
replied. "There's a doctor there that I'm taking your
step-father to see."

"His health still isn't improving huh?" Kurt asked.

"No," Monica sighed. "So we'll be back there for a
while."

"What are you going to do when you come back?" Kurt
asked.

"We're going to move back into the house," Monica
replied. "The family that is subletting now are going
to be leaving in a couple months, so it'll be free for
us."

"When are you leaving?" Kurt asked.

"Two weeks," Monica said. "I want him to get the
treatment from the doctor as soon as possible."

"Well I hope it goes well," Kurt said.

"Thanks honey," Monica said. "I have to go.  I'll call
you later.  Love you."

"Love you too," Kurt replied before he hung up.

He then went back into the living room with Nick and
Leo who were dead silent.

"What's wrong?" Kurt asked knowing the two were in a
bad mood.

"Nothing, Leo's just being himself as usual," Nick
spat.

"And Nick is just being annoying as usual," Leo
replied.

"God, why do we even live with each other?" Nick
asked.

"That's a very good question," Leo replied. "It's one
I've been thinking over for a while."

"What?" Kurt asked surprised by this.

"Look, none of us get along living here," Leo replied.
 "Maybe it's time we all do something about it."

"What are you suggesting?" Nick asked.

"I've been looking for other places to live," Leo
replied.

"You have?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah," Leo replied. "I think that's the only way
we'll survive."

"Wow," Kurt said. "I knew we were having trouble
living together, but I didn't think it would come to
this."

"But I think it might just be for the best," Nick
agreed.

The three of them all looked at one another, knowing
that they had to face this sooner or later.

"Well, lets sit down and just all talk about this,"
Kurt said.

"Okay," Leo agreed.

The three sat together and for the first time in a
long time had a real and honest conversation with each
other.

*****PRESENT TIME*****

"If we got along now how we did back then, I probably
would be okay with Nick moving to San Diego," Kurt
said. "But now, it's hard to even imagine him not
being near me."

"Anything I can do?" Ryan asked sincerely.

"No," Kurt said. "Thank you though.  You're really
sweet."

"Can I ask you something?" Ryan asked.

"Sure," Kurt replied.

"Why did you want to talk to me about this?" Ryan
asked. "Why didn't you just call Gabriel?"

"I know, I shouldn't have bothered you with this,"
Kurt replied.

"No, it's not that I'm bothered with it.  I'm not at
all.  I'm just curious why you called me," Ryan
explained.

"Because you know me better," Kurt said honestly, "Gab
isn't around enough to know how much Nick moving would
upset me.  You do.  I feel like I can talk to you
about some of these more personal things because you
would understand them better.  It isn't Gab's fault,
he's busy, but I just wish that he knew me-"

"The way I do," Ryan finished Kurt's sentence.

"Yeah," Kurt sighed. "I know I shouldn't be saying
this stuff to you and I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Ryan said. "It's nice to know that
I am still an important person in your life."

"Of course you are," Kurt said. "Always will be."

The two sat there looking at one another, both
frustrated at the situation they're in with one
another.

Meanwhile, Leo was waiting at Jesse's parents' place
when Jesse came home from the doctors.

"Hey," Leo said giving Jesse a hug. "How was therapy?"

Jesse didn't say anything he just leaned in and kissed
Leo wrapping his arms tightly around him.

"I love you so much," Jesse said holding Leo tightly.

"What's going on?" Leo asked confused.

"Do you want me to tell you about our first date?
When we got back together?  I can now.  I remember,"
Jesse smiled.

"What?" Leo asked with a huge smile growing on his
face. "You remember?"

"I remember everything," Jesse replied.

"Yeah?" Leo asked excited.

"Yes," Jesse replied.

"Oh my God!" Leo said jumping into Jesse's arms. "I
can't believe it!"

Leo's eyes began to fill with tears, for he feared
this day might never come.

"I remember everything so clearly," Jesse said. "I
don't know what happened, but I just was thinking of
you and suddenly all these memories came pouring back
in."

"This is unbelievable," Leo said giving Jesse a kiss.
"So you really remember?"

"I remember," Jesse replied. "Come on.  Let's go out
an celebrate."

"Shouldn't we tell your parents?" Leo asked.

"We will, but I want to take you out for being so
patient with me," Jesse replied.

"I am so happy for you," Leo said giving Jesse another
kiss.

"For us," Jesse said.

Over at Nick's place he was looking at his apartment
and realizing how much he would miss it.  It was going
to be very different not having his place anymore and
not having Kurt and Leo only a few minutes away from
him.  After taking a few minutes to reflect he began
to pack up again and started to assemble another
cardboard box to pack things up in.

*****SIX YEARS AGO*****

Kurt finished packing up the rest of his things in one
more cardboard box.  He looked around his now empty
room.  Nick came in and stood by the door.

"We're really doing it," Nick said.

"Leo and I are," Kurt joked. "You're just being lazy
and staying in this apartment by yourself."

"So you're going to be moving into your mom and
step-dad's apartment?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I'm going to take it over for them," Kurt
replied. "Going up the steps at the apartment building
is too much work for my step-dad.  Him and my mom are
going to move back into my old house when they get
back from New York."

"I see," Nick nodded.  The two grew quiet for a moment
to reflect on the status of their friendship. "We're
still friends right?"

"Of course we are," Kurt replied. "We've been best
friends for years now.  We just obviously can't live
together."

"At least not all three of us," Nick said. "Actually,
pretty much the only way it would work is if you and I
lived together or you and Leo lived together.  Leo and
I are just too opposite to live with one another and
I'm sorry we put you in the middle of a lot of it."

"It's okay," Kurt replied giving Nick a hug.

"Well all my things are ready to go," Leo said coming
in and joining Kurt and Nick.

"Let's make a promise," Nick said. "Obviously living
together didn't work for us, but we're still friends.
We have to keep it that way."

"Yeah," Leo nodded. "I still love you both."

The three hugged each other tightly.

"This will help our friendship," Nick said.

"Absolutely," Kurt agreed.

"Definitely," Leo added.

The three then separated and headed to the front door
where Kurt and Leo grabbed the last of their things.

"After you guys settle in a bit let's meet for dinner
tonight okay?" Nick asked.

"Okay," Leo replied.

"Yeah," Kurt said.

"Bye," Nick said.

"Bye," Kurt and Leo replied as they left and headed
out to their own places.

*****PRESENT TIME*****

Nick looked around the old rooms that used to belong
to Leo and Kurt that were now a guest room and a
storage room.  He then went and looked out on his
balcony at the beautiful view of the park he would run
through every day when he worked out and at the
perfect city view.  This would definitely be a hard
apartment to give up, it not only was his home, but it
held so many memories for him.  His thoughts were
interrupted however by a knock on the door.  Nick
opened the door to Luke who was holding a little
picnic basket.

"How about a nice little meal at the park?" Luke
asked.

"Sounds perfect," Nick replied giving Luke a kiss.

At the park Luke noticed how quiet Nick was.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Luke asked.

"I'm just taking everything in," Nick replied. "Before
the move."

"You having second thoughts?" Luke asked.

"No," Nick replied. "I want to go with you.  I'm just
going to miss it here."

"Well I'll make a deal with you," Luke offered. "If
you don't like it back here we can move back."

Nick gave Luke a kiss, very touched at how considerate
he was of his feelings.

"No, we need to stick it out down there," Nick said.
"That job is a great opportunity for you and I don't
want you to give it up."

"I think it will be really great down there," Luke
said. "New place, we can meet new people and we'll
make sure to find an apartment down there with a guest
room for Kurt and Leo to stay in any time they want to
come down."

"I love that you love my friends," Nick said.

"I do," Luke said. "And I know that they are
everything to you so I want to make sure they are
considered in all of this."

"We're going to meet a little later if you're free,"
Nick said.

"I would, but I have some work I need to get done,"
Luke said. "I have to finish my last few articles
there."

"Okay, well if you get done early just give me a
call," Nick said.

"Sounds like a plan," Luke said. "What are you guys
going to do?"

"I don't know," Nick said. "Probably just go out to
dinner and hang out.  They're going to help me pack."

"Well I'll come over and stay the night after work to
help you finish packing," Luke said.

"Thanks babe," Nick said.  The two finished their meal
and then Nick headed back to his apartment as Luke
headed off to work.

Meanwhile, at the restaurant that Leo and Jesse used
to work at and where they first met, they were sitting
in a private booth together eating a mid-afternoon
appetizer and drinking sparkling cider.

"It feels like a weight has been lifted off my
shoulders," Jesse said.

"I'm so glad you got your memory back," Leo sighed.
"I've missed us so much."

"I've missed you so much baby," Jesse said holding
Leo's hand. "Thank you so much for being so patient
with me through all of this.  I know it wasn't easy."

"You would have done the same for me," Leo smiled. "It
wasn't that bad."

"Well thank you," Jesse said.

"I hate to damper this moment, but I have some news
for you," Leo said. "Nick's moving to San Diego."

"He is?" Jesse asked. "Are you okay?"

"Still in denial about it," Leo said. "I can't believe
he's actually doing it.  He's going down there with
Luke."

"How's Kurt doing?" Jesse asked.

"He's about the same as me," Leo replied.

"When is he leaving?" Jesse asked.

"Two days," Leo replied. "Kurt and I are supposed to
meet him later today and help him finish packing.  You
want to come?"

"I'll let you three spend the evening together," Jesse
said. "Besides, I should spend some time with my
parents."

"Okay," Leo said.

"You're going to be okay," Jesse said. "San Diego
isn't that far."

"It's far enough," Leo said. "It's just a big change
to get used to."

"You three will work it out," Jesse said. "I know it."

"You think?" Leo asked.

"I do," Jesse assured. "You'll be fine and I'll be
there for you."

"I know," Leo said. "Thanks."

"What time do you have to head over to Nick's?" Jesse
asked.

"Probably an hour or so," Leo said looking at his
watch.

"Well we should get going," Jesse said.

"All right," Leo said giving Jesse a kiss. "Thanks for
the pep talk."

"Thanks for helping me get my memory back," Jesse
said.

"What did I do?" Leo asked.

"All I had to do was think of you and it helped me,"
Jesse replied. "So thank you."

Leo just smiled, loving that he finally had Jesse
back.

Later on, over at Luke's office he was working late.
Everyone else had left.  He was finishing up some work
when his office phone started ringing.

"This is Luke," he answered.

"How could you?" he heard a lucid voice say.

"Excuse me?" Luke asked.

"How could you do this to me?" this time Luke could
tell that it was Wayne, obviously on drugs.

"Wayne?  What do you want?" Luke asked not in the mood
to talk.

"We could have had it all," Wayne replied. "I loved
you so much."

"You tried to come between me and Nick.  I have
nothing to say to you," Luke said and was about to
hang up.

"You'll be sorry," Wayne said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Luke asked.

"I'm standing outside of Nick's apartment building
right now," Wayne replied.

"What?" Luke asked getting worried.  He knew from
experience that when Wayne was on drugs he got
violent.  He knew that Nick was in danger.

"You know what it feels like to have the love of your
life taken away from you?" Wayne asked.

"Wayne, don't do anything.  Please," Luke said.

"Oh, now you play nice?" Wayne asked. "Save it.  It's
too late for that now.  You screwed me over.  You
ruined my life.  I have to return the favor."

"You listen to me you son of a bitch," Luke said. "You
leave Nick alone!  Did you hear me?  You-"  But before
Luke could finish Wayne hung up. "Shit!"  Luke quickly
called up Nick, but his phone just went to voice mail.
 "Dammit!"  He then called up Kurt.

"Hello?" Kurt answered.

"Kurt, are you at Nick's?" Luke asked.

"No, I'm at my place.  I'm just about to head over
there," Kurt replied.

"Get over there as fast as you can.  Nick's in
danger," Luke said.

"What are you talking about?" Kurt asked.

"Wayne just called me," Luke answered. "He was drugged
out and was calling me from outside Nick's apartment
building and I think he's going to try and hurt him.
Can you get over there quickly?"

"Oh my God," Kurt said getting worried.

"Now's not the time to freak out.  Just get over there
now and I'm going to call the police," Luke said. "I'm
too far away to get there in time, you're closer.
I'll be over as fast as I can."

"I'm on my way," Kurt said and hung up the phone and
ran out of his apartment.  As Kurt ran down the stairs
of his apartment complex Leo was just walking through
the building door as Kurt was rushing out.

"Whoa! What's the rush?" Leo asked.

"Come on.  We have to hurry to Nick's," Kurt said
grabbing Leo's hand and pulling him off.  When they
got outside they looked at the streets and saw it busy
with rush hour traffic.

"Dammit!" Kurt said. "It's too busy to drive.  We have
to run.  It's only a couple blocks."

Kurt then started running still holding onto Leo.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" Leo asked.

"Nick is in danger," Kurt replied. "Wayne called Luke
from outside of Nick's apartment building.  Luke
thinks that Wayne might try to hurt him."

"Oh my God," Leo said and started to speed up his
running.

Over at Nick's place he was in his room packing some
more.  His cell phone was on vibrate and in the
kitchen.  He couldn't hear the frantic calls that Luke
has been making to him.  Back in his room he finished
packing up another box when there was a knock on his
door.

"It's open," Nick called out, expecting Kurt and Leo.
"I'm in the bedroom guys."

"Hey Nick," Wayne said walking into Nick's room.

"Wayne?" Nick asked shocked. "What the hell are you
doing here?"

"Just strolling by," Wayne replied. "Thought I'd say
hi."

Nick looked at Wayne's face and saw how drugged out he
looked.

"Wayne, are you high right now?" Nick asked nervously.

"Shut up Nick," Wayne said as he closed the door to
Nick's room.

Back a couple blocks away Kurt and Leo were both
running as fast as their legs could carry them.

"What if we don't make it in time?" Leo asked worried.

"We will," Kurt said trying to be optimistic.  Finally
after what seemed like an eternity they made it to
Nick's place and quickly rushed up to his room and
began banging on the door.

"Nick you in there?" Kurt yelled.

Leo turned the door knob and it opened.  They both
quickly rushed in and looked around.  When they got in
all the lights were on, but it was quiet.

"Nick!" Leo called out, but they didn't get an answer.

"Nick!" Kurt called out.  Nothing.  They saw the door
to Nick's room closed, but the light inside shining
underneath the door frame.

They went into the bedroom and saw Nick lying on the
floor.

"Nick?  You asleep?" Leo asked as they entered the
room.  As they got closer they saw that Nick's eyes
were open starring blankly at the ceiling.

"Kurt-" Leo said with fear.

"Oh my God," Kurt sighed then ran up to Nick, "Call
911 Leo!"

While Leo was calling for an ambulance Kurt was
checking Nick's pulse.

"Come on Nick, don't do this to us," Kurt said trying
to wake Nick up, but Nick didn't respond. "Get up
Nick!"  He checked to see if Nick had any injuries on
him, he saw red marks around his neck, like he had
been choked.

"They're on their way," Leo said kneeling next to Kurt
and trying to revive Nick. "Nick wake up!"

"Don't you dare do this Nick!  Don't you dare leave
us!" Kurt screamed shaking Nick.

"Is he alive?" Leo asked.

"I don't know," Kurt replied.  He then started giving
Nick mouth to mouth resuscitation.  "Come on Nick!
Breath!"

"Wake up Nick!" Leo cried. "Come on, get up.  It's us,
we're here to hang out with you so please get up!"

Nick didn't respond, he just continued laying there.

"Kurt, he's cold," Leo said feeling the side of Nick's
cheek.

"No, no, no, no, no!  Come on Nick!" Kurt screamed,
"You have to get up.  An ambulance is on it's way!
You have to pack!  You're moving to San Diego with
Luke!  Wake up Nick!"

"Kurt I think he's dead," Leo said in shock.

"No, he's not dead," Kurt shook his head, refusing to
believe that, "He's fine!  Nick, wake up!  If you
leave us I swear I will never forgive you!"

Leo couldn't say anything, he just started crying
uncontrollably.

"Nick!  No!" Kurt screamed as tears poured down his
face.  He started to pound Nick's chest to try and get
him to breathe, "Don't you even think about doing this
to us!  You have to get up!  Nick!!!!"

"Kurt stop!" Leo said grabbing Kurt's arm before he
could pound on Nick's chest again.

Kurt then buried his face in Nick's chest crying.

"Please wake up Nick," Kurt cried.

*****TWELVE YEARS AGO*****

Nick and Kurt were both sitting next to each other in
their Biology class on the first day of their
sophomore year of high school.

"All right class," the teacher said, "Look at the
student sitting next to you.  That will be your lab
partner for the year."

Kurt and Nick both looked at one another and exchanged
a quick smile.

"Hi, I'm Nick."  Nick shook Kurt's hand.

"Kurt."

"Nice to meet you," Nick smiled.

"You too," Kurt said.

"You good at science?" Nick asked.

"Horrible at it.  You?" Kurt asked.

"Awful," Nick laughed.

"Well looks like we'll be doing a lot of cheating in
this class," Kurt joked.

"We'll get through it," Nick replied.

The two then started talking and started building
their friendship.

*****PRESENT TIME*****

"You can't leave me Nick," Kurt cried.

"Nick," Leo cried holding onto Nick's cold hand.
"Please."

*****SEVEN YEARS AGO*****

Nick was just getting home from work when Kurt came
into the door with Leo.

"Hey Nick, you know how we have that extra room and we
thought about renting it out to someone?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah," Nick replied.

"Well meet Leo!" Kurt introduced him. "He needs a
place to live and we need a roommate."

"Hi," Leo said shaking Nick's hand. "Nice to meet
you."

"Nice to meet you too," Nick replied. "Kurt, can I
talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah sure," Kurt said. "I'll be right back Leo."

"Okay," Leo said.

"Who is he?" Nick asked as him and Kurt stepped into
Nick's bedroom.

"He's a friend of mine that I met in my Chemistry
class last semester," Kurt said. "He's really cool and
a lot of fun.  I told you about him remember?  He's
the one I go to those parties with."

"Oh yeah," Nick remembered, "I think you did mention
him.  Are you sure he's going to be a good fit with us
here?"

"Positive," Kurt replied. "He's a great guy.  Why
don't we all go out for a bite to eat and you can
really get a chance to get to know him."

"Okay," Nick agreed as they stepped back outside to
where Leo was waiting.

"Leo, why don't we all go to eat so we can get a
chance to get to know each other first," Nick said.

"Sounds like a plan," Leo smiled.

They three went to lunch and Nick and Leo clicked well
and became good friends, while they all became good
friends they didn't know it then that they would soon
become horrible roommates when they all lived
together, but no matter what, they all sincerely cared
for and loved each other.

*****PRESENT TIME*****

Kurt and Leo both looked at Nick and they knew.  Nick
was dead.


End of Season 2....To Be Continued...

It was hard saying goodbye to a character who was such
an essential part of the story.  He was the 'big
brother' of the three who watched out for them and who
the other two would turn to, but I really feel this
will be best for the overall story.  I decided to
write him off because I think Nick's story was
complete.  in the end, his big journey I had set out
to write for him was opening up to love again and then
finding love and he found that in Luke and it just
felt right to end the story there.  With him now gone
from the story it opens further stories up to Kurt and
Leo, how will they cope?  How will their lives change?

Coming up in the third installment of chapters you are
going to see how Kurt and Leo grieve with this loss.
Old familiar characters will pop up in the story and
the Ryan/Kurt/Gabriel triangle will be resolved.  One
of the past characters that will pop up again will be
around for most of the chapters.  I am really looking
forward to it.

With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail
me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com.  Thanks so much!