Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 03:03:42 -0800 (PST)
From: Kirk Landers <ilj4ever44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Phases- part 9

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.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Thank you all so much
for continuing to read this story.  Please e-mail me
with any feedback!  Thanks so much!  Here's part 9
entitled "'Tis The Season"

''TIS THE SEASON'

Things have been going well for the guys.  Kurt and
Ryan have been blissfully happy dating one another,
Jesse and Leo were taking it one step at a time and
getting to know each other all over again, and Nick
and Adrian were keeping in touch over the phone.

It was two days before Christmas and Kurt and Leo were
at Nick's apartment decorating his Christmas tree
together.  Every year since the three have been
friends they have gone and decorated Nick's tree
together and spent the night talking, and watching
holiday movies together.

"Tree looks beautiful," Nick said standing back to
look at the tree with all the decorations they've been
putting on it.

"I love the way it smells," Kurt said taking in the
fresh pine smell that the tree gave off.

"You guys want more food?" Leo said heading into the
kitchen to get some of the food the guys made
together.

"No thanks," Nick said, "That's your third helping of
food tonight."

"You pregnant?" Kurt asked jokingly.

"Shut up," Leo said coming back out with some food.

"So how's Ryan doing?" Nick asked Kurt.

"He's good," Kurt replied.

"He mind that we stole you away for the night?" Leo
asked. "You two have been spending so much time
together."

"Well, most of the time has been us working on that
holiday event for the center," Kurt said.

"Oh yeah, I found some volunteers for the event," Nick
remembered.

"Who?" Leo asked, "I need to put them down on the
volunteer list when I go to the center tomorrow."

"You remember Randal right?" Nick asked, "The guy who
co-owns the club we went to a few months ago."

"Yeah," Leo said.

"He's coming with his boyfriend and some of his
friends," Nick said.

"Do you have their names?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, I have it written down here," Nick said going
to the desk in his living room and grabbing a piece of
paper.  He read it over and then handed it to Leo.

Leo looked at the list and started reading off the
names, "Randal, Stanley, Kyle and David."

"Wow, four volunteers," Kurt said impressed, "That's
going to help out a lot."

"Yeah, I know we really need them," Leo said. "When
are they available?"

"They said they can start tomorrow," Nick said.

"Great," Leo answered, "Cause we need a lot of help
with the decorations."

"Ryan has been so stressed out over this whole thing,"
Kurt said, "Every night him and I lie down together
and just talk and all he's been talking about is this
event.  He's working so hard on it."

"Yeah, you should see him down at the center," Leo
added. "He's so dedicated to his job.  It's really
inspiring."

"Kurt, can I just say how glad I am that you two are
dating?" Nick said, "He's such a great guy.  You
deserve someone like him."

"Thanks," Kurt said, "I really like him."

 "Hey Kurt, are you going to invite your mom to the
event?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I already did.  She's coming," Kurt said.

"Have you told her about Ryan?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Kurt replied. "She's looking forward to
meeting him.  What about your parents?  Are they going
to be at the event?"

"Yeah," Nick replied, "They said they'd show up."

"I wish I had your parents," Leo sighed.

"Leo it's just going to take them some time to get
used to you being gay," Nick said.

"Yeah, they've only known for a year," Kurt added.

"I know, but I don't think they'll ever be okay with
it," Leo said.

"Talk to my parents at the event, they'll tell you it
took them time to get used to me being gay," Nick
said.

"Did it take over a year?" Leo asked.

"Well, no," Nick replied, "But it varies from people
to people."

 "I hate that I don't speak to them anymore," Leo
sighed, "Especially during the holidays.  We used to
be so close."

"You should invite them," Kurt suggested, "Maybe
they'll decide to come."

"Yeah right," Leo said dismissing the idea.

"You'll never reconnect with them if you don't try,"
Nick pointed out.

Before Nick could press Leo about it anymore his cell
phone rang.

"It's Adrian!" Nick said happily looking at the caller
id and quickly answering it. "Hello?"

"Hey Nick," Adrian said.

"Hey," Nick replied, "It's so good to hear your voice.
 How've you been?"

"I'm been really good," Adrian replied. "Miss you."

"I miss you too," Nick said.

Kurt and Leo both looked at each other and rolled
their eyes as they laughed.  Nick saw them making fun
of him and picked up a pillow from his couch and threw
it at them.

"So what's up?" Nick asked.

"Well, I was wondering what your plans were for after
the holidays," Adrian said.

"Just work," Nick replied.

"Could I possibly persuade you to spend some time with
me in New York?" Adrian asked.

"Are you serious?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Adrian replied, "I have some time off and I
would like to spend it with you."

"I'd love that!" Nick said.

"Great, well I have so many miles from traveling so
much that I can get you a ticket," Adrian said.

"No, I couldn't ask you to do that," Nick said.

"I want to," Adrian replied, "Just say ok."

Nick smiled, truly touched before he replied, "Okay."

"Great, well I'll plan the whole trip out and all you
have to do is pack your bags and come out here the day
after Christmas," Adrian said.

"I can't wait," Nick said, "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure," Adrian answered. "I'll talk to you
later."

"All right," Nick replied, "Bye."

Nick hung up his phone and jumped up and down
excitedly.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked.

"I'm going to go to New York!" Nick replied.

"When?" Leo asked.

"Day after Christmas," Nick replied.

"Wow," Kurt said impressed, "He's really splurging
you."

"I know," Nick said. "I love it."

"Still, isn't it a bit soon for him to be spoiling you
like that?" Kurt asked. "Are you two even a couple?"

"Not exclusively," Nick replied. "But we like each
other a lot."

"And you don't mind him spoiling you like that?" Kurt
asked.

"Let him get spoiled," Leo protested. "He deserves to
finally be with someone who'll do stuff like that for
him."

"I know," Kurt said, "I just am wondering if he's
expecting anything in return."

"I personally think it's romantic," Leo said. "It's
like an old romance being swept off your feet by
someone with a lot of money like that."

"I would feel this way about him even if he were
poor," Nick said. "He's just a great guy."

"I just want to make sure you're being careful," Kurt
said putting his arm around Nick, "It is a long
distance thing and all."

"I know," Nick said leaning his head on Kurt's
shoulder, "Thanks."

"That's kind of unusual," Leo pointed out, "For once
it's not Nick dishing out the concern and advice."

"Cause now he's got his own romance to worry about and
doesn't have to worry about ours," Kurt said.

 "Finally," Nick sighed with relief. "You know how
long it's been since I've been able to say I'm happy
in my personal life?"

"Well we're glad," Leo said.

"Just be careful," Kurt added.

The guys spent the rest of the night hanging out and
decorating and watching Christmas movies together.

    The next day the guys arrived at the center to set
up for the holiday event.  When they got there Ryan
was already busy with other volunteers working.

"Morning," Kurt said giving Ryan a hug.

"Hey," Ryan sighed, "I'm so stressed out."

"Well, Leo, Nick and I are here now to lend a hand,"
Kurt replied.

"Can you and Nick get started on the Christmas tree
and set it up on the far side of the room?" Ryan asked
pointing to the opposite end of the banquet room.

"Really?  I was hoping I could help you out with
something so we could work together," Kurt said
hopeful.

"I already have people helping me out," Ryan said,
"Should have come an hour earlier.  But I really need
that tree set up, so do you mind?"

"No problem," Kurt said knowing by the tone Ryan was
speaking that he was really stressing.

"Oh hey Ryan, I got some people to come by who are
volunteering," Nick said.

"Great," Ryan said, "Thanks Nick."

"Nick!" someone shouted.  Nick turned to the entrance
and saw Randal, Stanley, Kyle and David walk in.

"Hey guys," Nick said greeting them. "I was just
telling Ryan about you guys.  Ryan is in charge so
just check in with him and he'll give you stuff to
do."

"Sounds good," Randal said. "So how've you been?"

"Good," Nick replied, "Do you remember Kurt?  You guys
met at your club opening."

"Oh yeah," Randal said shaking Kurt's hand, "It's good
seeing you again."

"You too," Kurt replied and then said hello to the
other guys. "Our other friend Leo is over on the other
side of the room setting up tables."

"Guys, less talking and more working please," Ryan
chimed in.

"Oh sorry," Nick said, "Come on Kurt."

Kurt and Nick headed to set up the Christmas tree as
Randal, Stanley, Kyle and David checked in with Ryan.

"So what would you like us to do?" David asked.

"Can I get two of you to help out with the sound
equipment and then can I get the other two to go help
out Kurt and Nick?" Ryan asked.

"Sure," Kurt replied, "Let's go help with the tree
David."

"And then that means you and I are going to the sound
equipment," Stanley said.

The four guys split up and went to their perspective
areas.  When Leo got to his area Jesse was already
there setting stuff up.

"Hey you," Leo said giving Jesse a hug.

"Hi," Jesse replied, "How you doing?"

"Good," Leo replied, "I didn't think you were going to
be here so early."

"Well, I know this is important to you so I wanted to
help out as much as I could," Jesse replied.

"Thanks," Leo said touched.

"So after we're done for the day want to come over to
my place and I'll cook?" Jesse asked.

"Sounds great," Leo replied.

Over on the other side of the room Kurt, Nick, Kyle
and David were lifting the Christmas tree up and
putting it on it's stand.

"Careful David," Kyle said in concern, "Don't strain
yourself."

"I'm fine," David replied.

"No really," Kyle said, "We just came from the
doctors, maybe you should just stand back while the
three of us finish this."

"Kyle stop babying me," David snapped, "I'm fine."

Kurt and Nick both exchanged glances with one another
at the little spat between the other two.

"Everything okay?" Nick asked once they finished
standing the tree up.

"Yeah, it's fine," David sighed. "I'll go grab some of
the boxes of ornaments."

"I'll come help you," Kyle offered.

"Kyle," David said talking quietly to him, "You have
to knock this off.  Just let me go do some things on
my own okay?"

"I just don't want you to over due anything," Kyle
replied.

"I feel great," David said, "So knock it off. Please."

David then walked off to grab the ornaments while Kyle
went and helped David and Kurt put on some garland on
the tree.

"So," Nick said trying to start a conversation to end
the awkwardness, "How long have you and Randal been
friends?"

"Long time," Kyle replied, "He's one of my best
friends."

"And I'm guessing David is your boyfriend?" Kurt
asked.

"Yeah," Kyle replied, "That's my guy."

"You two seem like a cute couple," Nick lied.

"You don't have to say that," Kyle said, "I apologize,
I know it seems like we're just one of those dramatic,
bickering couples, but we really aren't.  We're just
going through some stuff right now."

"I understand," Kurt said, "All couples do."

"Not what we're going through," Kyle added.

 "Kyle can I talk to you?" David asked approaching the
three of them.

"Yeah sure," Kyle said excusing himself from Kurt and
Nick.  Kyle and David walked to a corner of the room
to talk privately.

"Sucks that they're fighting," Kurt commented,
"Especially during the holidays."

"What did you say to them?" David asked angrily.

"Nothing," Kyle replied.

"Did you tell them I have HIV?" David asked.

"No," Kyle replied. "I didn't."

"Kyle, I don't need this," David said, "Especially
during the holidays."

"You don't need this?" Kyle asked, "David, you already
have it.  It's not going away."

"I don't need to be reminded of it," David said.

"I'm not trying to," Kyle said. "We've been fighting
so much since you found out about this disease.  Can't
we at least get through the holidays with out
fighting?"

"Well for starters, why don't you stop babying me?"
David asked. "That might help things."

David then went back to decorating the Christmas tree,
leaving a frustrated Kyle alone.

Meanwhile, Kurt went over to the other side of the
room to see how Ryan was doing.

"Hey you," Kurt said giving him a hug, but Ryan
shrugged him off.

"I'm sorry Kurt," Ryan said, "But I don't have time to
talk right now.  There's so much to get done."

"Hey," Kurt said, "I know you're stressed out, but try
to have some fun with this.  Isn't that the point of
this whole holiday event?"

"It will be once I get all this done," Ryan sighed.

"Ryan," Kurt said messaging Ryan's shoulders, "Relax a
bit."

"I will later," Ryan said giving Kurt a kiss on the
forehead and taking off.

Meanwhile Leo and Jesse were taking some trash out to
the dumpster outside together and talking.

"So I think I figured out what our problem was a
couple weeks ago when we had our bad date," Jesse
said.

"Oh you did?" Leo asked.

"Yeah," Jesse replied, "And I determined that we were
putting way too much pressure on that date.  We were
trying to hard to just pick up where we left our
relationship off."

"I guess," Leo agreed.

"We shouldn't do that," Jesse said.

"So what do you suggest?" Leo asked.

"Let's not try to continue where our relationship
ended," Jesse said, "Let's just try and start over."

"You really think it's as simple as that?" Leo asked.

"I think it might be," Jesse replied.

"Okay," Leo said. "Lets give it a shot."

Jesse then leaned in and gave Leo a very tender kiss.

Over on the other side of the room Randal and Stanley
went over to help out Nick and David with the
Christmas tree.

"Where's Kyle?" Stanley asked.

"I don't know," David replied.

"Did you two get in another fight?" Randal asked.

"Don't we always?" David asked.

"Why don't you just talk to him?" Stanley asked.

"Because I'm sick of always doing this routine," David
replied. "It's the same thing over and over, nothing
ever changes.  He always babying me, he needs to let
me breath a little."

"Just tell him that then," Randal said. "Go talk to
him."

"Not right now," David said. "We have work to do
here."

Randal and Stanley both rolled their eyes and went
back to work.

After they finished decorating the tree Kurt went over
to where Jesse and Leo were.  As he walked up to them
he smiled seeing how playful the two were with each
other.  The two were now working on painting a sign to
hang up for the event and they were both playfully
dabbing one another with paint.

"Glad to see you two are having fun," Kurt said
walking up to them.

"Hey Bug," Jesse said as Kurt sat down next to them.

"How's it going?" Leo asked.

"Okay," Kurt sighed.

"What's wrong?" Jesse asked.

"It's just Ryan," Kurt replied. "He's not letting
himself having any fun doing this.  He's so stressed."

"Well it's a lot of work," Leo noted.

"Yeah, but he has to relax a bit," Kurt said. "He's
going to give himself a heart attack if he stresses
himself out anymore.  I mean, look around, everything
is going great."

"I know, but he just wants it all to go well," Leo
replied.

"But Kurt's right," Jesse said, "Ryan needs to just
relax a bit and let things go with the flow."

"Exactly," Kurt said.

Meanwhile, Nick was taking some trash out to the
dumpster outside when he saw a teenage boy who looked
to be around 15 or 16 hanging out by the back door.

"You okay?" Nick asked noticing that the boy looked a
little upset.

"Me?" the boy asked.

"Yeah," Nick replied.

"I'm fine," the boy replied quickly before hurrying
off.

"Wait a minute," Nick called out trying to get the boy
to stop, but he just kept on running.

Nick just shrugged and went back inside.

The next day Kurt woke up and went to Ryan's room, he
knocked on the door but didn't get an answer, he
opened the door and saw that his bed was already made,
Kurt looked at his watch and saw that it was eight in
the morning.  He then went and picked up his phone and
called Ryan.

"Hello?" Ryan answered.

"Hey," Kurt replied, "You leave already?"

"I didn't come home," Ryan replied.

"You've been up all night working?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah," Ryan replied.

"Ryan, come home and get some rest," Kurt said.

"I can't, the event is tonight," Ryan replied.

"Ryan you have plenty of volunteers to do the last
minute stuff," Kurt said, "Leo said he was going to
head down there at nine today so he can take charge so
you can rest."

"Kurt this is really important to me," Ryan said, "I
can't just rest."

"And you're really important to me and I want to make
sure you're taking care of yourself," Kurt said.

"Well thanks, but I'll be fine," Ryan said. "I'll see
you tonight."

"Okay," Kurt replied, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Ryan replied hanging up.

Later that day Kurt and Nick arrived at the center at
around three, when they walked inside the room
everything was set up beautifully, the stage where the
performers would entertain was all set, the lights
were set up, the trees were all decorated, it looked
amazing.  Kurt and Nick ran into Leo and Jesse who
were looking over the room as well.

"Looks great," Kurt said.

"It does," Leo agreed.

"Where's Ryan?" Kurt asked.

"In his office," Leo replied.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Kurt said excusing
himself.

"Where do you want me?" Nick asked.

"Well, the event starts in one hour, I'm just going to
have you survey the area and make sure nothing is
getting out of control tonight," Leo said.

"Okay," Nick replied.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Jesse asked Leo.

"Sure, we'll be right back," Leo said to Nick.

"No problem," Nick replied.

Leo and Jesse went to a private corner to talk.

"What's up?" Leo asked.

"I wanted to give you my Christmas gift," Jesse said
handing Leo a little box.

"What's this?" Leo asked.

"Open it," Jesse said smiling.

Leo opened the little box up and took out a ring.

"What's this?" Leo asked.

"It's a promise ring," Jesse replied.

"A promise ring?" Leo asked.

"Yeah," Jesse replied, "It's me promising that things
will be better this time.  I don't want to lose you
again.  I love you."

"I love you too," Leo said kissing Jesse. "Thank you
so much."

Inside of Ryan's office he was sitting behind his desk
going over the checklist for the night.  Kurt went and
knocked on the door as he entered.

"Hey," Kurt said walking in, "Merry Christmas."

"Yeah, you too," Ryan replied not even looking up from
his papers.

"Have you seen how beautiful everything is set up out
there?" Kurt asked.

"Not yet," Ryan replied, "Just going over everything
for tonight."

"Why don't you go take a look?" Kurt asked.

"I will later," Ryan said.

"No," Kurt said grabbing Ryan's arm, "Come on."

Kurt pulled Ryan up and dragged him outside.

"No, Kurt not now," Ryan complained.

"It'll just be a second," Kurt said, "It'll relax you
a bit."

"Kurt not now!" Ryan snapped jerking his arm away from
Kurt. "You have no idea how much stress I'm under
right now!  Just leave me alone right now!"

"Whoa," Kurt said in shock.

"Kurt," a woman's voice said from behind them.

 Kurt and Ryan both turned around to see...

"Mom," Kurt said in surprise seeing his mom here so
early.  His mom, Monica Parker, was in her 50's,
beautiful for her age, dark hair, brown eyes.

"Everything okay?" Monica asked giving Ryan a slight
glare.

"Yeah.  Fine," Kurt replied.

"Crap," Ryan sighed knowing his first impression he
made on Kurt's mom was a bad one.

"You're here early," Kurt said giving his mom a hug.

"Well I wanted to come by and see if you needed help
with anything here," Monica replied. "Who's this?"

His mom gave Ryan a heated look, obviously upset to
hear someone speak to her son in a crude tone.

"This is Ryan," Kurt said introducing them.

"This is Ryan?" Monica asked upset to hear that this
is the guy her son is dating.

"Hi Mrs. Parker," Ryan said trying to be polite enough
to make up for his outburst at Kurt.

Hi," Monica replied clearly not liking Ryan. "Can I
talk to you for a minute Kurt?"

"Sure," Kurt replied.

"I have to do some stuff," Ryan said walking away
quickly, clearly embarrassed.

"That's the guy you were telling me so much about?"
Monica asked.

"Mom, you just walked in on a bad time," Kurt said.
"He's just under a lot of stress right now."

"That doesn't matter," Monica said, "Doesn't give him
the right to talk to you that way."

"He's really a sweet guy," Kurt defended, "It's just a
tough day for him right now."

"Well, I still don't see the reason for someone
talking to my son like that," Monica said giving Kurt
a hug. "Merry Christmas sweetie."

"Merry Christmas mom," Kurt replied. "Do you want to
come in and get something to drink?"

"You know, I think I'm just going to head over to Aunt
Nadine's," Monica said.

"Really?" Kurt asked, "But you just got here."

"It's for the best," Monica said, "If I'm around him
when he acts that way again tonight then I might never
like him.  I'm sorry sweetie."

"It's okay," Kurt said giving his mom another hug.
"I'll call you tomorrow okay?"

"All right, love you," Monica said.

"Love you too," Kurt replied.  Kurt watched in
disappointment as his mom walked away and got upset at
Ryan's behavior in front of his mom.  He then went and
headed in to look for him.

Back inside the party room the event was starting to
kick off, people were showing up and the DJ hired was
starting to play music.  Leo and Jesse were collecting
tickets at the door and gazing lovingly at each other
the entire time.  Meanwhile, Nick was walking around
and spotted the teenage boy he ran into when he was
taking the trash out the day before.

"Hi again," Nick said coming up to him.

"Hi," the boy replied nervously looking around,
clearly not wanting anyone to pay attention to him
there.

"How are you doing?" Nick asked.

"I'm fine," the boy replied.

"I saw you yesterday," Nick said.

"Yeah," the boy answered.

"So why did you run away?" Nick asked.

"Just because," the boy said.

"Just because?" Nick asked, "What kind of an answer is
that?"

"It's answer when one doesn't know an answer," the boy
replied.

"Well how about we start out with your name?" Nick
asked. "My name's Nick."

"Joey," he replied shaking Nick's hand.

"Are you here with family?" Nick asked.

"No," Joey answered quickly. "They would kill me if
they knew I was here."

"Are you in the closet?" Nick asked.

"I guess," Joey replied.

"So is that why you're here now?" Nick asked. "Getting
a glimpse at this world?"

"I guess you could say that," Joey answered.

"Well hang out, have some fun," Nick said. "This is a
good place to be."

"Thanks," Joey replied.

Nick started to head off when Joey tapped him on the
shoulder.

"What's up?" Nick asked turning around.

"Do you work here?" Joey asked.

"Not officially," Nick replied. "I just volunteered
for this event."

"Oh," Joey replied sighing.

"Why do you ask?" Nick asked.

"I was just wondering if I could come down more often
and maybe talk to you sometime," Joey replied.

"Oh," Nick said taken aback that the kid wanted to
talk to him more, "Well, let me talk to my friend
Ryan, he works here, he might be able to set something
up for me to volunteer so we can talk some more,
okay?"

"Really?" Joey asked.

"Yeah," Nick replied.

"Thanks a lot," Joey answered.

"No problem," Nick replied. "Go have fun.  I'll talk
to you later."

Nick then headed off to survey the rest of the event.

Meanwhile, Kurt was off looking for Ryan when he ran
into Kyle who was crying.

"Hey," Kurt said coming up to him, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Kyle said. "I'm sorry, I know I should
be working right now."

"No, it's fine," Kurt said, "Want to tell me what's
wrong?"

"It's just me and my boyfriend, David," Kyle said.

"You two still fighting?" Kurt asked.

"It's not so much that we're fighting," Kyle replied,
"It's-"

But Kyle couldn't finish.

"Everything okay with you two?" Kurt asked.

"Can I confide in you about something?" Kyle asked. "I
need an outside opinion."

"Sure," Kurt replied.

"Well, he has HIV," Kyle replied.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Kurt said.

"I guess I've been really overprotective of him since
I found out," Kyle said, "Is that wrong of me?"

"I don't think it's wrong," Kurt said, "But you can't
really smother him.  If he says he's okay then just
believe him and let him be.  I'm sure he knows you're
just trying to help, but it's probably frustrating for
him that you think he needs your help all the time."

"That's exactly what I've been trying to tell you,"
David said coming up to them, having overheard their
conversation.

"Hey," Kyle said surprised, "I'm sorry, I know you
don't want people to know, but-"

"It's okay babe," David said giving Kyle a kiss, "I
understand.  But just believe me when I say I'm okay."

"All right," Kyle sighed giving David another kiss,
"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," David said, "Come on.  We have to get
back to work."

"Thanks Kurt," Kyle said as the two left.

After they left Ryan came up to Kurt.

"Hi," Ryan said sheepishly, "I bet you hate me right
now."

"No," Kurt replied, "I don't."

"Even after the scene I made in front of your mom?"
Ryan asked.

"It's okay, I know you're under a lot of stress now
with this event," Kurt said. "But I just wish you'd
talk to me and not keep it all to yourself."

"I know," Ryan said giving Kurt a hug, "But this event
has to go perfectly.  My job depends on it."

"What?" Kurt asked curious.

"The people here at the center think I've been
slacking off lately," Ryan explained, "They told me
that I have to prove myself tonight if I want to keep
my job here.  Otherwise, they're going to find someone
who they feel will be more dedicated."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Kurt asked.

"Because this is my problem," Ryan replied.

"No," Kurt said, "If it's something that effects you
then it's my problem too.  I care a lot about you, you
should have told me so I could have helped you more."

"It's okay," Ryan said, "That's why I've been so
stressed, I'm sorry I took it out on you."

"It's all right," Kurt said giving Ryan a kiss and
then joked, "You just better have gotten me a good
Christmas present."

"I actually do have a little gift for you," Ryan said.

"Oh yeah?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, come with me to my office," Ryan said taking
Kurt's hand as they walked off.  When they got to his
office Ryan pulled out a wrapped gift from his desk
drawer.  He handed it to Kurt who eagerly unwrapped
the gift and revealed a first edition copy of his
favorite childhood book, The Polar Express.

"Oh my God," Kurt said in complete shock. "This is a
first edition copy."

"You like it?" Ryan asked.

"I love it," Kurt said wrapping his arms around Ryan,
"Thank you so much.  This is the book that made me
want to write.  I would read this book all the time
and as I got older and saw the power a book could have
on someone's emotions was something I wanted to do.  I
can't believe you got me this."

"I'm glad you like it," Ryan said.

"Like it?" Kurt asked, "I love it.  I feel bad, I only
got you some clothes.  Nothing real personal there."

"I got the most personal gift I could ever want," Ryan
said.

"What's that?" Kurt asked.

"You," Ryan replied kissing Kurt, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Kurt replied.

The two then headed out to the Christmas event.  While
Ryan wasn't too sure what his career future held, he
knew that his future would at least have Kurt in it.

*****************************************************************************

To Be Continued....

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