Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 00:39:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Robyn <wolfhowlin2001@yahoo.com>
Subject: Lives Intertwined (Chapter 9)

Lives Intertwined (Chapter 9)
By The WhiteWolf

	Taking a deep breath, Adam closed his eyes, and than exhaled. He
didn't have enough courage to walk to the mailroom. He was well aware that
he knew nothing about this kid. He only refers to him as kid because it
seems to make Jim more attractive to Adam. This didn't change the fact that
Jim appeared to be unattainable. But Adam could always fantasize about him
while working at his desk.

	"Mail call," Jim called through doorway.

	The sudden voice startled Adam as he spoke, "What?" He looked up
and saw Jim holding some envelopes.

	"Mail."

	"Thank you, Jim," Adam spoke as he motioned for Jim to enter.

	Jim, not missing a beat, still replied in a surprised manner, "You
remembered my name?"

	"Yes." Adam wasn't sure of what to say. Here was Jim, the one
person that has been on his mind for the past few weeks standing in his
office and he had no idea what to say. As he looked him over he noticed he
was holding a coffee cup. "What kind is it?" He indicated nodding his head
towards the cup.

	"Oh. What I always drink. A white chocolate mocha. The only thing I
drink."

	"Sounds good." Adam could only manage speaking in short
sentences. He can't understand why he is so nervous around him. There was
absolutely no reason to be frightened of Jim.

	"Want a sip," Jim asked slowly. He walked to the desk and Jim knew
that he was acting slightly seductive. He offered the cup to Adam.

	"No, I shouldn't."

	"Don't be afraid," Jim smiled, "I've been immune to cooties since I
turned ten."

	Adam hesitated but looked up at Jim once more to see him smile,
"Very well." He gingerly took the cup and his fingers lightly caressed
Jim's hand for a moment. He kept his eyes focused on Jim as he took a small
sip. Adam didn't usually like coffee but all that mattered was the moment
he and Jim were sharing in that instant. "It's very good."  He handed the
cup back and their hands touched again. He wasn't sure how it tasted
because he wasn't concentrating on it.

	Jim knew that Adam was staring at him. Every movement between the
two of them had been intentional, and Jim was trying his best to act calm
and collected.  Unfortunately, there was nothing more to do. He already put
the mail on Adam's desk and was about ready to leave.

	"Can I ask you something, "Adam forced himself to stop Jim before
he left.

	Jim turned to face him, "Anything." He knew that particular word
would catch Adam's attention.

	Adam hesitated for a moment. He stopped Jim, sure, but what was he
going to ask him?

	"Do- do you want to have coffee, sometime," it was the only thing
Adam could think of as he looked at the Starbucks cup. Not the brightest
move since he was already drinking some. He knew he had to say something so
the moment didn't feel so odd, "I know that you drink it."


	Jim was very pleased with himself as he sat back down at his
workstation. He had just set up another "date" with another very attractive
guy.

	"Two guys in less than 24 hours. What a country," he smiled
broadly. (Little was he aware another man would approach him soon. The
goddess was smiling on him today.)

	As his car waited a red light Greg checked himself in the rear view
mirror. He was only a block away from the building where Jim worked. He
knew he was close as he could see the building numbers clearly. He
remembered exactly how Jim looked, so he shouldn't be exceptionally
difficult to find. After pulling into the parking garage, he sat in his car
and looked at the clock. It wouldn't be long before he had to appear at the
club.  Greg hoped he could take care of this as quickly as possible, even
though he wasn't entirely sure where to find Jim in the building. He
decided his best bet was to start in the lobby. A few seconds passed and
Greg knew which direction to head.

	Jim couldn't wait for his lunch break as he kept his mind occupied
with image of Adam. He ran scenarios in his head about how conversations
would begin and where they might lead. Things were starting to come
together.

	"There you are," Greg spoke disturbing the scene.

	Jim knew the voice but didn't need to look, "Forget something?" Jim
smiled as he picked up the purse and handed it to "her". He glanced up and
saw him. "So this is Greg?"

	Greg took the purse, "It is. And this is where you work?" He looked
around the office.

	"It is."

	"Thank you for holding my purse, "Greg bowed his head slightly.

	Jim smiled, "I was going to try it return it to you,
personally. You know, to your house."

	"Apartment."

	"Sorry."

	Greg laughed, "Don't be, it's a penthouse. But you felt the need to
drive all the way out to my place?"

	Jim grinned sheepishly but hid it clumsily, "I wanted to see you
again. I was intrigued."

	"Because I'm a drag queen," Greg leaned back without a smile.

	"No, not all," Jim stopped him, "You seemed^Å"

	"Intriguing." Greg finished Jim's sentence feeling as though he
couldn't find the words.

	"Exactly."

	Greg looked at Jim closely. He seemed genuine in his statements and
he was more than honest. He could even be considered kind for attempting to
return the purse by hand.

	"Tell you what," Greg smiled with a small sigh, "I'm performing at
a club tonight. Have you heard of The Tiger Cage?" Jim nodded. "Good. I
will be on sometime after 3:30. 3:45 at the latest."

	"I'll see if I can make it."

	"I hope to see you there."

	Jim smiled at Greg just before he was about to leave, "Can I talk
to you sometime? A phone number perhaps?"

	"Phone number! Don't we move fast?"

	It hit Jim. It was JR52.  The person he had talked to online just
days earlier. Jim held back laughing at the humor of the situation.

	Jim, still holding back his laughter, had a hard time responding,
"I'll try to catch you at the club." The only way to keep a straight face
was to raise the pitch of his voice slightly.

	"Good, I will count on seeing you."

	"You can be assured at that." Greg nodded his head as he bid his
goodbye. Jim kept eye contact until he was out of sight. He nearly broke
out laughing at the coincidental nature of the scenewhile sitting at his
desk. Lowering his head down to his hand he maintained a slow chuckle.

	"I don't pay you to laugh at your own jokes," Rick was standing a
few feet away.  "Planning to get to work?"

	"Sure, Rick." Jim was still smiling. Not even Rick could ruin the
day now. Still with a slightly chuckle, "Anything you say." (If only Jim
knew the day could only get better.)




	That was chapter 9, and I tried to focus on Jim who seems to be the
Casanova of our story. He certainly has his work cut out for him. In the
next chapter I'll continue Jim's adventure, but I won't ignore the other
characters, as they are just as important.  And I have a special surprise
for all of you in the next chapter. Tell me if that doesn't give you reason
to bug me to submit it ASAP.
	But as you wait for chapter 10 you have an opportunity to write to
me.  Constructive criticism? Insightful comments? Have ideas of which
characters you'd like to see paired up? Your favorite ice cream? Seen any
good movies lately? G'head write to me: wolfhowlin2001@yahoo.com