Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:23:56 -0800 (PST) From: Kirk Landers <ilj4ever44@yahoo.com> Subject: Phases- part 8 Copyright 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. Well, hope you are all enjoying the story and the direction the story is taking. If you have any input on future storylines please e-mail me and let me know, I would love to hear what you might like to happen in the story and I might incorporate it into the story if I can find a place for it. So hope you all enjoy! Thanks so much! Here's part 8 entitled 'Date Night' 'DATE NIGHT' It's been a week since Thanksgiving and everything was still going well for the guys. Nick was getting ready for spending some time with Adrian who was flying in the next day from New York. Kurt and Ryan have been enjoying each other's company and were planning their big first date together. Leo and Jesse were talking every day and taking baby steps to getting back to a good place with one another. It was a cool night out and Kurt and Ryan were walking down the street together near their apartment. All the stores had their Christmas decorations up, the street lights had holiday banners on them, many of the trees in the area were filled with Christmas lights. Kurt loved every second of it, it was his favorite time of year. "I love the holidays," Kurt said looking at all the decorations everywhere. "Yeah, they're all right," Ryan answered. "Just all right?" Kurt asked, "Are you kidding? It's the best time of year. The decorations, the way it brings families and friends together, it's great." "I don't know, I guess I'm just a little down this year," Ryan sighed. "Why's that?" Kurt asked. "Well, around this time every year my friends and I would always plan a snowboarding trip together," Ryan replied, "But since I'm not friends with them anymore it's not going to happen." "Have you tried talking to them since?" Kurt asked. "It's only been like three months you guys haven't been friends right?" "Almost six now," Ryan replied. "Oh," Kurt said, "Well you should try calling them and reconnecting with them. Now that you're not with Craig anymore I'm sure you can patch things up." "No, not with them," Ryan said. "They hate me. And I don't blame them. I just dropped them when Craig told me he didn't like them. They were my best friends and I just cut all ties with them. The last thing they said to me was, 'when your relationship with Craig falls apart don't expect us to be there for you.'" "I'm so sorry," Kurt said putting his arm around Ryan's shoulder. "It's okay," Ryan answered. "Yeah, you have a chance to start over with new friends," Kurt said referring to Leo and Nick. "And you," Ryan added. "And me," Kurt replied giving Ryan a sweet kiss on the lips. "Maybe you're right," Ryan said. "Maybe it will be a good Christmas this year." "It will be," Kurt said. "It'll be the best one ever." The two then continued on their walk back to their apartment. The next day after Nick did his usual morning work out and got showered and dressed he sat down to do some work. Only he wasn't able to concentrate at all on the letters he was reading. He was too busy thinking about Adrian and how he would be here in a few hours. Too excited to work he called up Kurt. "Hey Nick," Kurt said answering the phone. "I can't concentrate on my work," Nick said. "Could it be because a certain hottie from New York is coming in today?" Kurt asked. "Yes," Nick replied. "It's so weird. I haven't felt like this about a guy in so long. I haven't felt like this since Luke." "Nick, this is a good thing," Kurt said. "I know, but it's just so unusual for me to feel this way," Nick replied. "Well you deserve it," Kurt said. "You've been single for so long that it's about time you met a guy who's worthy of you." "Except for the fact that he lives in New York," Nick said. "Maybe you two can try a long distance thing," Kurt suggested. "No, no, no," Nick answered, "Those hardly ever work and for people as picky as me, they never work." "Well, then all I can really suggest is just take these few days he's here and just have fun," Kurt said, "If it's not going to go anywhere then that puts a lot of weight off you're shoulders and you two can just enjoy each other's company." "Yeah, you're right," Nick said. "Maybe I should be the advice columnist," Kurt jabbed jokingly. "Cute," Nick retorted. "So how's Ryan doing?" "He's good," Kurt said. "Him and I decided this morning to go on our first date tonight." "Tonight huh?" Nick asked, "Big date night for us." "Yeah, and I just talked to Leo and I guess him and Jesse are going on their big date tonight as well," Kurt said. "Can I be honest with you about something?" Nick asked. "Is this about Leo and Jesse?" Kurt asked. "Yes," Nick replied. "Then no," Kurt said. "But I just think that they're rushing back into this," Nick said. "Nick, it's not your place to tell Leo how to handle his relationship with Jesse," Kurt said. "You're telling me you're not a little bit worried?" Nick asked. "Okay, maybe just a tiny bit," Kurt replied, "But that's how relationships are. They're about risks. And you saw how good Leo and Jesse were together and they're trying to work back to that." "I know," Nick sighed. "so stop being so overprotective and just let Leo go to try and work this out with Jesse," Kurt concluded. "But what if-" Nick began, but Kurt cut him off. "Zip it," Kurt said. "All you need to worry about now is what you and Adrian are going to do when he gets here." "All right," Nick agreed, "What should him and I do?" "Just take him around the city," Kurt suggested. "Sounds like a good idea," Nick said. "Actually I have a good idea," Kurt said. "What's that?" Nick asked. "Adrian is going to stay through the weekend, right?" Kurt asked. "Yeah," Nick replied. "All right, how does this sound," Kurt began as he proceeded to tell Nick about a plan he had. Meanwhile, Leo was at work getting the restaurant ready to open for the lunch rush. He was just wiping down a table when his co-worker, Dana came up to him. "Hey Leo," Dana said, she was cute, a year older than Leo, big beautiful eyes and a perfect smile. "Hey Dana," Leo replied. "How'd that audition you have go yesterday?" "Not great," Dana sighed, "Oh well. Just have to keep on trying right?" "Right," Leo answered. Dana too was an aspiring actress and has been going on countless auditions, picking up pit parts here and there, but nothing substantial enough to jump start a career on. "So you been going on any auditions lately?" Dana asked. "No," Leo replied. "I can't even remember the last one I went on." "Are you giving up?" Dana asked. "No, just taking a break," Leo replied. "A lot of stuff is going on in my personal life that I'm trying to sort out right now. After that's all worked out I'll go back out on auditions." "Well if you're interested the casting director told me they're looking for a young actor on the show they're casting for," Dana said. "What kind of role is it?" Leo asked. "He said they're still looking for their leading man," Dana replied. "You should go." "Please, what are the chances that an inexperienced actor like me who's only credits are little theatre productions, can get a lead part on a tv show?" Leo asked. "You never know unless you try," Dana replied. "You should just go. They're having open auditions next week. What do you have to lose?" "Maybe you're right," Leo said thinking it over a bit. "So what's going on in your personal life that's putting your career ambitions on hold?" Dana asked. "It's just stuff with Jesse," Leo replied. "You two still together?" Dana asked. "I thought you guys broke up?" "We did," Leo replied, "But we're trying to work things out." "How's that going?" Dana asked. "It's going well," Leo answered, "We're talking every day and just trying to work our way back to where we used to be." "I hope you two work it out," Dana said. "When you and him both worked here together, the two of you were so sweet with each other." "Yeah, it was a blast when he was here," Leo remembered, "All of us hanging out together here." "I remember when he told us that you were going to start working here," Dana said, "He told us how you met here, he said he spilt your drink all over you or something like that." "Yeah," Leo laughed, "It was a memorable meeting for the two of us. This restaurant has a lot of memories with him." "I hope it all works out for you two," Dana said sweetly. "Thanks," Leo replied. "More working, less talking," their manager said coming up to them. "You can talk and socialize after the lunch rush." The two parted and proceeded to getting back to work. Over at the gay and lesbian center, Ryan was looking over upcoming event he had to start getting the place ready for. The next event he had coming up was the center's annual holiday gathering. He sighed remembering how his friends used to help him plan this event. It was once hit favorite event to do and now this year it was the one he dreaded. "Hey Ryan," his co-worker Lisa said walking into his office. "Hey Lisa," Ryan replied, "What's going on?" "Well, I saw that we had to start planning the holiday event," Lisa began, "And I know how it's your favorite one." "Not this year it isn't," Ryan sighed. "Why not?" Lisa asked. "Because I don't have my friends with me this year to help plan it," Ryan replied. "Oh that's right," Lisa sighed remembering how Ryan lost touch with his friends, "I'm sorry. But you and I can still have a good time doing this. And at least we have Leo now to help us out. He comes to volunteer on a pretty regular basis." "I know," Ryan replied. "It's just not the same." "Well what about Kurt?" Lisa asked, "You've been telling me so much about him. Why don't you get him down here to help us out too?" "I guess I could," Ryan said, hoping that Kurt would be up for it. "I mean, he usually just works at him and gets most of his work done in the morning. I'll give him a call." "Great," Lisa said, "I can't wait to meet this cutie you're so in to." Ryan smiled as Lisa left his office. He picked up the phone and called Kurt. "Hello?" Kurt asked picking up the phone. "Hey Kurt," Ryan replied. "It's me." "Hey Ryan, what's up?" Kurt asked. "Not much, I was just curious if you would be interested in helping me out at the center for the next few weeks," Ryan replied. "Always," Kurt said, "What do you need help with?" "Well, I'm working on this holiday event at the center and it's our biggest event of the year and need some help with organizing it, decorating, and all that stuff," Ryan said. "Interested?" "Yeah, that sounds great," Kurt replied. "Thank you so much," Ryan said. "You're helping me out a lot." "Any time," Kurt said. "So, I heard you have a big date tonight," Ryan said playfully as he changed the subject. "Yeah, so I won't be able to hang out with you tonight," Kurt joked. "Ouch," Ryan said with mock sadness. "I can't wait for tonight," Kurt said smiling thinking about how it was his and Ryan's first date tonight. "Me too," Ryan replied. "So I'll be done here at around five, I'll go home and then we'll leave at seven. Sound good?" "Sounds like a plan to me," Kurt said. "I'll see you later." "All right," Ryan said, "I'll let you know tonight what days I'll need help for this event." "Okay, have a good day," Kurt said. "You too," Ryan replied as they hung up the phone. Later that day after the lunch rush passed at the restaurant Leo was taking a break outside when he saw Jesse pull up in his car. He waved Jesse as he walked up to his car. "Hey, what are you doing here?" Leo asked as Jesse got out of his car and gave Leo a hug. "I just came by to say hi," Jesse said. "Really?" Leo asked touched by how sweet it was of Jesse to come by. "Didn't think I was a capable of doing those cute things anymore?" Jesse asked jokingly. "It's just going to take some getting used to again," Leo said, "You always did things like that when we first got together, but it's been a while." "I know, I'm going to start doing this things more often," Jesse said. "I forgot how good those type of surprises used to be." "Yeah, well we're both guilty of stopping those things we used to do for one another," Leo said. "So let's just try and get back into doing those things, sound good?" Jesse asked. "Yeah," Leo replied, "Sounds really good." "All right, so after work I'll come pick you up at your place around seven," Jesse said. "Can't wait," Leo replied. "Okay, well I have to get back to work," Jesse said giving Leo a hug. "All right, thanks again for stopping by," Leo said. "No problem," Jesse said as he got into his car, "I'll see you tonight." Leo went back inside to work as Jesse drove back to work. The evening came and it was time for Nick to meet Adrian. He went to the hotel Adrian was staying at and gave him a call on his cell. "Hey," Adrian said picking up, "You here?" "Yeah, I just got here," Nick replied as he walked inside the hotel, "I'm in the lobby now." "Great, want to come up to the room?" Adrian asked. "Sure," Nick said. "Okay, I'm in room 378 on the third floor," Adrian said. "All be right up," Nick said as he went inside the elevator and went up to the third floor. When he got to the Adrian's room he knocked on the door. When Adrian opened the door up the two both gave each other a big smile, both very happy to see one another again. "It's so good to see you!" Adrian said giving Nick a big hug. "It's great seeing you," Nick said. The two leaned in and gave each other a very gentle and sweet kiss. "Come on in," Adrian said, "I'm almost done getting ready." Nick walked inside Adrian's room. It was a nice hotel room, he went in the living room area and sat down as Adrian went in his room. "So how was your flight?" Nick asked having to raise his voice so Adrian would hear him in the other room. "It was good, was asleep for most of it," Adrian replied. "So what's the plan for tonight?" "I made reservations as this sea food restaurant by the beach," Nick said. "Sounds great," Adrian answered. He then walked out putting on his jacket. "All right, I'm all set." "Great, let's go," Nick said as the two headed towards the door. Before they could open the door the two both made eye contact with one another and kissed each other again, this time though it was a more intimate and passionate kiss. It was a kiss that was definitely leading to them not making it to dinner at the restaurant. "You know," Adrian said between kisses, "We can always just order room service." "Works for me," Nick replied as the two proceeded to taking each others clothes off. Over at the gay and lesbian center, Ryan was packing up his things getting ready to go. He looked at his watch and saw the that it was already 6:30 PM. He was just getting ready to call Kurt to tell him he would be late when Craig walked into his office. "Craig?" Ryan said surprised to see him. "Hey Ryan," Craig replied with a faint smile. "What are you doing here?" Ryan asked. "I came to talk to you," Craig replied. "What is there left to talk about?" Ryan asked. "Ryan, you just all of the sudden dumped me," Craig said, clearly upset. "I'm sorry, but it just wasn't working out for me," Ryan said apologetically. "I did everything, everything I could to be a good boyfriend to you," Craig said. "Was that not enough?" "It's not that," Ryan said. "We just weren't right for each other." "This is because of Kurt isn't it?" Craig asked. "You fell for him." Ryan didn't say anything. "I knew it!" Craig continued, "Didn't I tell you it was a bad idea for you to move in with him?" "If it wasn't Kurt it would have been someone else," Ryan rationalized, "You and I just didn't fit as a couple." "Why not?" Craig asked. "Because it wasn't a fair relationship for us," Ryan said getting bitter, "I gave up so much to make you happy. I dropped my friends for you! I did so much to invest in that relationship and never got that happiness out of it I hoped to get." "And you think you can get it out of Kurt?" Craig asked. "Maybe," Ryan said. "Probably." "Don't throw away all we had for your room mate," Craig said. "I love you. If you want me to make changes I will." "I'm sorry Craig, but it's not going to happen," Ryan said. "Let me prove to you that there's something still left between us," Craig said as he quickly reached over and pulled Ryan in kissing him. After a few seconds of trying to end the kiss Ryan was finally able to push Craig off of him. When they broke the kiss Ryan looked behind Craig and saw Kurt standing in the doorway. "Kurt!" Ryan said in shock. Kurt looked at Ryan with a hurt and betrayed look on his face. "I was just stopping by to see if you were okay since you said you would be back at five," Kurt said backing away from Ryan's office. "Obviously something came up." "Looks that way huh?" Craig asked giving Kurt a bitchy smile. Kurt just quickly turned and walked away. "Kurt wait!" Ryan called out trying to catch up to him, but Craig stopped him at the door and whispered in his ear. "You screw me over, I screw you over," Craig said cooly, "Have a nice life bitch." "Get out of my way," Ryan said pushing Craig away, "You see why we broke up? All you think about is yourself." Ryan then proceeded to try and catch up with Kurt to explain. When he got outside to the parking lot he just saw Kurt's car pull out of the drive way and take off. At seven o'clock Leo was just finishing getting ready for his date with Jesse when there was a knock on the door. "Come on in," Leo yelled. "Hey," Jesse called out as he walked inside. "Hi," Leo said giving Jesse a hug. "You look good," Jesse said sweetly. "Thank you," Leo said. "So do you." "Are you ready?" Jesse asked. "Yeah," Leo replied, "Where are we going?" "Our restaurant of course," Jesse answered. "Yeah?" Leo asked excited. "Yup," Jesse answered. "I'm so excited. I haven't been there since the break-up," Leo said. "Well it's a night of reconnecting and I thought 'no better place than our place,'" Jesse said. "I couldn't agree more," Leo answered as they headed out on their second first date. After Ryan got Craig out of the center and was able to lock up the place he quickly drove back to the apartment. He went and knocked on Kurt's bedroom door. "Come in," Kurt said quietly. "Kurt I am so sorry you had to walk in on that," Ryan said as he came into Kurt's room. "It's okay," Kurt sighed, "You and Craig have a history together. I don't want to come between that." "No, it's not like that," Ryan said sitting on the bed next to wear Kurt was laying down. "Ryan, I saw the two of you kissing," Kurt said. "No, you saw Craig kissing me," Ryan explained, "You're view was obviously blocked cause you didn't see me trying to push him off." "What?" Kurt asked. "Craig came in and wanted to get back together," Ryan replied, "But I told him I wasn't interested." "You did?" Kurt asked. "Yes, of course," Ryan replied. "Kurt, I don't want to end things with you before they've even begun." "I'm sorry," Kurt sighed giving Ryan a hug, "I should have stayed to let you explain the situation." "It's okay," Ryan said. "I would have thought the same thing if I walked in and saw what you saw. So, how about that date?" "We missed our dinner reservations," Kurt replied. "Well we can find somewhere else to eat," Ryan suggested. "Ryan, it's a Friday night," Kurt said, "All the nice places are probably packed by now." "We'll find someplace," Ryan said. "Come on." "Okay," Kurt replied as he got up. Over at the restaurant Leo and Jesse were eating at the two were very quiet. It was an awkward silence, they both weren't quite sure what to say to one another. Before when they were together they were able to talk about everything and anything, now since all that's happened it seems to have put a wedge between them and now weren't sure what to talk about with one another. "So how's your food?" Leo asked not too sure what else to say. "It's good," Jesse replied. "How about yours?" "It's good," Leo answered. The two grew silent again, both looking around the restaurant for a distraction to keep from noticing the awkwardness between them. "So how was work?" Jesse asked trying to break the silence. "It was all right," Leo replied. "How about you?" "Good, busy," Jesse answered. "Cool," Leo said. The two once again grew silent with one another. After another couple minutes of silence Jesse finally confronted the issue. "Why can't we talk?" Jesse asked. "I don't know," Leo replied. "We used to be so good at this." "I know, we were always back and forth with each other," Jesse said, "Hardly a moments silence and now we're struggling to find anything to talk about." "What happened?" Leo asked. "I wish I knew," Jesse answered. Over at the hotel Adrian was staying at the finally finished having sex and were laying in bed together. "Wow," Nick said in shock that him and Adrian did that. "Yeah," Adrian replied feeling equally weirded out that the two had sex. "That was fast," Nick said. Then quickly rephrased it, "Not the sex, but the time we waited to having it." "Yeah," Adrian agreed. "Wasn't expecting that." "Me neither," Nick replied. "Just so you know," Adrian said, "I didn't invite you up here with the hopes that we'd end up doing that." "Oh, I know," Nick replied. "I didn't come up here with the expectations that we would be doing that." "So, I guess it's a little late to make it to our dinner reservations huh?" Adrian asked. "Yeah, just a bit," Nick replied. "Want to walk around and see if we find somewhere else to eat?" "Sounds good," Adrian said getting out of bed. "I should get changed." "Me too," Nick replied. "Things aren't going to be weird between us now right?" Adrian asked. "I mean, do you regret us doing that?" "It was a little quick," Nick said again, but then went up to Adrian and kissed him, "But I don't regret it." "Good," Adrian said, "Me neither." Later that evening Kurt and Ryan were walking around together looking for a place to eat. "It was so weird him showing up like that," Ryan said. "And I'm so pissed that he almost ruined our first date." "It's okay," Kurt said, "The point is, he didn't. We're here now on our date." "Yeah, but it's not really a date," Ryan said, "All we're doing is walking around, we've do this all the time. I wanted to take you out to a nice restaurant and wine and dine you." "You don't need to do that to make it a date," Kurt said. "No?" Ryan asked. "No, all you need are two people who like each other," Kurt replied. "Yeah?" Ryan asked as he gave Kurt a kiss. "Yeah," Kurt replied kissing Ryan back. The two looked over and saw a nearby Denny's diner "Want to eat at Denny's?" Ryan asked. "Sounds perfect," Kurt replied. Back at the restaurant Leo and Jesse were at they were still trying to figure out the problem they are having on their date. "Jesse," Leo sighed. "Yeah?" Jesse asked. "Do you think we planned this first date too soon?" Leo asked. "Maybe," Jesse sighed, "Obviously we still haven't worked out our problems for breaking up in the first place." "I guess I just thought if we went on a date we could some how-" Leo began. "Reconnect," Jesse said finishing Leo's sentence. "Yeah," Leo replied. "Well, maybe we don't go out on a date for a while still," Jesse said, "Maybe we should just hang out as friends." "Friends?" Leo asked. "Yeah," Jesse answered, "Friends who kiss and are exclusive with one another." Leo and Jesse both laughed, first time they laughed that night. "Should we get out of here and just go somewhere and hang out?" Leo asked. "Sounds like a good idea to me," Jesse said waving down their waiter for the check. Later on back at the diner Kurt and Ryan just finished eating their dinner and were just talking. "So, maybe not the most romantic first date," Ryan said. "But it was a good one," Kurt said. "A great one," Ryan answered. He then reached over at the end of the table to grab the dessert menu. "Should we get a banana split?" "Sounds great," Kurt laughed. Kurt looked over to the entrance and saw Nick and Adrian walk in. "Nick!" Kurt called out. Nick looked over and saw Kurt and Ryan and went over to their table with Adrian. "Hey, I thought tonight was your guys' big date," Nick said. "Yeah," Kurt said, "This is it." "You came to Denny's?" Nick asked. "Yeah, it's a long story," Ryan replied. "What about you?" Kurt asked. "Aren't you and Adrian supposed to be having a night on the town." "There was a slight change of plans," Adrian said. "Well why don't you guys join us?" Ryan asked making room in the booth for them. "You sure?" Nick asked, "We don't want to interrupt your date." "No, it's fine," Kurt said, "It's a double date now." "Thanks," Adrian said as they two sat down at the table with them. "Adrian, this is Ryan," Kurt said introducing the two. "Nice to meet you," Ryan said shaking Adrian's hand. "You too," Adrian replied. "What are you guys doing here?" Leo asked as him and Jesse went up to their table. "We're on our dates," Nick replied. "What are you doing here?" "We just finished our date," Jesse answered. "Yeah, we decided to just hang out a while as friends and reconnect a little more before we go on a date again," Leo said. "So we came here to just grab some dessert." "Well sit down," Nick said making room for them. "Thanks," Leo said as they sat down with them. "Well, some date night," Nick said looking at all of them sitting at the table together. "Oh hey, so Nick and Leo," Kurt said getting their attention, "Did you mention to your men about the plan for Sunday?" "Yeah," Nick said, "I asked Adrian on the way here." "Same here," Leo said. "So it's a plan?" Kurt asked. "What's going on?" Ryan asked. "You'll find out Sunday," Kurt replied with a smile. "It's a surprise." When Sunday morning came Kurt came into Ryan's room and woke him up. "Get up," Kurt said shaking him. "What?" Ryan asked groggily then looked over at his clock. "Kurt, it's five in the morning, what's going on?" "Get up, it's time for that surprise," Kurt replied. "At five in the morning?" Ryan asked. "Yeah," Kurt said. "Come on." Kurt pulled Ryan out of bed and dragged him into the living room. When Ryan came out into the living room he saw a big box sitting on top of the coffee table. "What's that?" Ryan asked. "It's for you," Kurt replied, "Open it." Ryan went up and opened up the box and pulled out a complete outfit for the snow. "Thank you," Ryan said, "But what's this for? We won't need it much for the winter here in California." "No, but you will need it for snowboarding," Kurt said. "What?" Ryan asked confused. Right when he said that Nick, Leo, Jesse and Adrian walked into their apartment. "Are you guys ready yet?" Nick asked. "For what?" Ryan asked. "We're going snowboarding today," Kurt replied. "What?" Ryan asked smiling. "Yeah, you said you missed not going this year and I thought it would be a fun thing for us today," Kurt said. "Yeah," Leo said. "You're our friend now and this is the stuff friends should do with each other." "Thank you guys," Ryan said genuinely touched that they all went through the trouble of doing this. "Of course," Nick said, "But it's Kurt who planned this whole thing up." Ryan went over to Kurt and gave him a big hug. "Thank you," Ryan said gratefully. "Of course," Kurt replied. "Now go get dressed. We have to be on the road soon." Ryan went into his room to get ready. When he was done he came out and the guys headed out and took off to go snowboarding and spend the day together as friends. **************************************************************************** To Be Continued.... With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!!!! Hope to hear from some of you soon. Thanks!