Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 01:41:03 -0500 (EST)
From: Blue OConnor <ladylovey4@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Perfect16

Perfect

~ Chapter 16 ~

Flashback Gabriel's POV


    I had been looking forward to spending March break alone, actually I
wanted to go see Derek and Elaine but since they were in the middle of
their legal battle I didn't want to impose on them, they've only had two
months together as family, they didn't need me hanging around, so I refused
their invitation to spend the break with them.  Besides I knew my mother
wasn't about to pay for the ticket to go there and I wasn't about to let
Derek pay for me either.  So I'd resigned myself to staying at school for
yet again another holiday alone.  This place wasn't so bad actually now
that Mr. Thompson had taken over the headmaster position when Mr. Hogan had
been fired.  I felt more at peace here now.  I could paint whenever I
wanted and people mostly left me alone.  I didn't want any more friends.
Forming attachments to people only made it harder when it came time to let
them go.

    It took me completely by surprise when Connor's father had called me
explaining that the family would be going skiing for the break and I was
expected to join them.  The call within itself was weird first because
Connor's father had not had any contact with me during my time away at
school, and secondly because my mother would never want me on any family
trip particularly one involving Connor.

    So the first question I had asked was: "Does my mom know I'm coming?"

    "Of course she does, and she's looking forward to seeing you."  He'd
said.

    "Yeah right."  I'd muttered sarcastically but too quietly for him to
hear me.

    That's how I ended up here; sitting in a taxicab driving through the
snow in Vancouver, to some skiing lodge my so-called family was staying in.
They didn't even have the decency to pick me up at the airport but I hadn't
expected them to.  I don't know the reason my mother had allowed me to come
on this trip but I knew she hadn't done it because she missed me.

    The taxi came to a halt in front of a wood cabin, with smoke coming out
of the chimney.  Connor's father, and my mother were standing outside,
side-by-side, apparently waiting for my arrival.  The scene was the
embodiment of a wholesome family.  A family everyone wants and strives to
have.  Anyone on the outside looking in would be envious, if only they new
how rotten the core of the family was.  If only they could see the real
person behind my mothers mirrored persona.

    I had sometimes spent countless hours looking at myself, wondering why
she couldn't love me.  Wondering what I could do to change myself to make
her not hate me so much.  But now gazing at her as I climbed out of the
taxi, all hope that a mother was hidden behind all that anger she seemed to
be always lashing out at me with was just a cover.  That if I pretended I
didn't like boys then maybe she would let me come home, but the moment I
saw her face I knew it could never happen.  She was looking at me face
smiling but her eyes said it all.

    "Gabriel sweetheart."  She cooed loudly putting on a show for Connor's
dad.  "I've missed you so much."  The hug she gave me was awkward at best.
I could practically feel the coldness vibrating off of her.

    "Huh...hey Mo..." I started to say but looked nervously at her when she
dug her nails into my arm.

    "Hey Buddy," Connor's dad said, coming up to us and ruffling my hair.
"We've missed having you at home."

    "Yeah..I..Ahh...I missed you guys too."  I said.

    "Then why don't you come home? I don't know..."

    "Doug please!"  Mom interrupted.  "Don't start again.  I'm sure Gabriel
is fine where he is.  Why don't I get him settled in his room, while you
order dinner."

    She didn't give him a chance to protest or answer.  She grabbed my arm
and tugged me forward.  I barely had enough time to pick up my bag, which
the taxi driver pulled out of the trunk, before she was dragging me through
the front door.

    We entered the warm cabin and the warmth hit me first, defrosting the
chill that had hit me when I had stepped out of the taxi but had been too
preoccupied to notice.  She didn't say anything to me as she lead me up the
oak stairs and into a room at the end of the hallway.

    I hesitated before going inside because I knew what was coming.  She
didn't give any choice however, just yanked me inside and closed the door
behind her before speaking.  "I don't know what you said to Doug to
convince him to invite you here..."

    "I didn't say anything to him."  I said, trying to defend myself but I
was rewarded with a quick sharp slap on the lips.

    "I'm speaking!"  She growled, any mask of pleasantry she was hiding was
removed.

    I didn't bother touching my throbbing lip; I only stared at her with
disgust.  I refuse to let her see me cry, to see any emotion other that
hate come from eyes.

    She bent down, thrusting her face in front of mine.  "You're here that
can't be helped but I won't stand for you acting like a faggot or anything
during this trip, do you hear me?"

    I didn't answer her, just nodded.

    "You are not to spend any time alone with Connor, I won't let him be
influenced by your filth."  She drew herself up to her full height, and
then looked down her nose at me as if I was an insect she wanted to step
on.  "I've been talking a lot with a Doctor that was recommended to me.  He
said he might be able to help you curb your repulsive, more base nature,
but unfortunately his services come at a high price.  I couldn't take that
amount of money out the account without Doug's permission."

    She smiled at my stricken white face.  "I will get the money eventually
though, I hope he can do something with you."  She said almost hopefully.
"Now hurry up and get dressed for dinner."

    She opened the door and was about to leave when my soft voice stopped
her.  "What am I supposed to call you?"

    "Nothing.  I don't expect I'll be seeing all that much of you, since
you'll become hopelessly fascinated with staying inside.", she said, the
warning clear.  With that she left.

    I sat on the double bed in the middle of room, closing my eyes I prayed
for this week to be over.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


    I saw him as soon as I came down the stairs.  After a quick shower and
clean clothes I was feeling okay again.  My armor of indifference firmly in
place until I saw him sitting on the floor by the coffee table, trucks in
hand, dumping and picking up snow in a make-shift construction site made
out of a cardboard box, his curly hair falling into his eyes.  Every once
and while he'd blow on it, trying to get it out of his way.  I really
missed the little guy.

    I wasn't really sure what my feelings were for Connor.  I only knew
that every time I was around him, I would feel a shiver in my stomach and
sometimes when he would hold my hand I wouldn't want to let go.  I liked
touching him.  My mom made it seem like it was wrong, wanting another guy
but I didn't feel that way.  It felt good and I couldn't help it.

    When he looked up and saw me standing there a grin slid across his face
and he jumped up and ran towards me.  "Gabriel!"  He shouted, flinging his
skinny arms around my waist.  "You're here! You're here, you're here."

    I smiled at him.  "Hey Connor."

    "You were gone for a loooooong time."  He complained, stretching out
the words.  "I missed you lots and lots."

    "I missed you too."

    He wrapped his fingers around my hand and pulled me to where he was
sitting.  "I'm playing with my dump truck. Wanta play with me?"

    I heard someone clear their throat and turned to find my mom standing
in the hallway, glaring at me.  "Ah...No, I'm too old to play with trucks."
I wanted nothing more than to play with him and it hurt to see the look of
disappointment in his eyes.

    "Oh."  He whispered.  "Okay. Maybe later then?"

    "Connor."  My mother called out.  "Gabriel's going to be busy skiing
this week and so will you, you're going to take skiing lessons remember?"

    "Yeah but I want go with Gabriel."  He said, his face puckered sadly.

    "You can play with Gabriel any time..."

    "Nah uh...no I can't.  He doesn't come home any more, member?"

    "Connor, really!"  She said exasperated.  "Gabriel's too old to play
with you.  And besides don't you want to meet friends you own age?"

    Connor looked at me hoping I would deny everything my mother was saying
but I only looked at away and when he ran into the kitchen with tears in
his eyes, I cursed myself for being a coward.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


    The next three days passed with a tense slowness.  My time was spent
either in the cabin watching TV and reading or hiking through the woods.
After two lessons of skiing I decided it wasn't something I was ever going
to enjoy.  Actually snow wasn't something I even particularly liked.  I
hated being cold.  I hated not knowing where it was icy from where it
wasn't because fresh snow had covered the area.  I didn't fall gracefully,
and my butt wasn't taking it well either, my whole body was sore.

    The only good thing about doing my own thing I was I didn't see much of
the `family'.  Connor's dad spent much of his time up in the main lounge
with his friends doing business, while mom was busy looking glamorous with
her society friends.

    I saw little of Connor too, expect for a dinnertime.  He was always
scheduled for activities.

    That night I was in bed when I heard my door squeak open and of course
it was Connor.  He'd been trying to sneak into my room every night over the
last few days but I kept the door locked.  I must have forgotten tonight or
maybe I was just getting sick of having to turn him away.

    "Gabriel?"

     I could make out his small body in darkness as he tried to search for
where I was.

    "I'm here."  I said.  Following my voice he climbed onto the bed with
me.

    "Did you have a bad dream?"  I asked.

    "Yes."  He said.  I didn't have to see his face to know he was crying.

    "About your Mom?"  I asked.

    "I don't know, I don't member."  He sounded so pitifully small.  I
couldn't stay unresponsive to his obvious need for comfort; I've never been
able to.  Scooping him up, I pulled him into my arms.

    "You're okay now."  I stroked his hair, soothing him gently.  "I'm
here."

    "Don't leave again."  He muttered softly, trying to fight his
exhaustion.

    "I'll stay with you tonight."  I said, but I knew that was not what he
meant.  "Go to sleep Connor."

    As if on command he did.

     I sat with him curled in my arms, eyes closed as I savored this moment
because I knew in few minutes I would have to let this feeling of happiness
and belonging, go again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Present Day- Gabriel's POV


    How do you tell a child their mother is dying?  I asked myself.  I
didn't know how to make it easier.  I had no idea coming here, and still
didn't.  How did I make her understand without scaring her or making her
afraid?

    "Do you not want to come live with me?"  I asked, wanting to buy some
time so I could figure out what the hell I was going to do.  "Would you
like to stay here in school instead?"

    "Nooo!"  She said, shaking her said vigorously.  "I don't like it here.
There are lots and lots of rules.  I always get in trouble."  She tilted
her head sideways.  "Are there rules where you live? 'Cause I'm
pro'bly-going to forget them verry fast.  My nanny says I'm a mischief
maker."  She nodded as if to verify the statement, like her nanny once did.

    "There won't be too many rules I promise."

    "Kay."  She grinned at me, and I once again was startled by how much we
looked alike.  I knew the basic structure of my face and build came from my
dad but my coloring was all my mom's.

    I sat down beside her on the bench.  "Have you spoken to your mom
lately?"  I asked, cautiously bringing up the topic.

    "She's your mommy too, right?"

    "Yes."

    "Then how come you don't call her that?"

    "Because..." I said searching for an explanation.  "I haven't seen her
in a long time and... I forget some times."

    "You forget she's your mommy?"  She inquired, her face showing her
disbelief.  "That's weird."

    "No, No."  I said quickly.  "I forget she's your mommy too."

    "OH!", was murmured as if understanding.  "I'll remind you, don't
worry."

    I cupped her face in my hands.  Her skin was so soft.  "Thank you.
You're a very smart little girl, do you know that?"

    "Yep."

    "You're a cheeky little pumpkin aren't you?"

    "Pumpkin?"  She squealed.  "I'm not a pumpkin.  I'm a girl, silly."

    "You are?"  I said putting surprise in my voice.  "Well I'm sorry, with
that orange sweater on, you look a lot like a pumpkin to me."

    "Really?"

    "Uh huh."

    "That's okay, it's my favorite, so I don't care."

    "Good, because you're cute."  I ran my hand through her hair.  "For a
pumpkin."

    She giggled, and clutched her cat closer to her pressing her chin into
his fur.

    "Keira" I said, sobering up.

    "Mmmm."  She noticed the change in my mood.

    "I asked you before, when was the last time you talked to your...I mean
our mom, can you remember?"

    "Of course, I'm not little...I can member lots of things." She said
proudly.  "I talked to her at Christmas time."

    "So long?"  I mumbled softly to myself but she heard.

    "She's busy with the charity work."  She defended.  "But she's gonna
call cause it's gonna my birthday soon and I'm gonna go see her."

    "Keira honey."  I picked up both her and her cat, placing them both in
my lap.  "Did you know your mommy was sick?"

    "No."

    I placed my chin on the top of her head.  "Do you know when you get
sick and it takes a long time for you to get better?"

    "Yes."  She replied.  "But my nanny always gives me medicine and I feel
better.  Is that why I'm going to live with you cause my mommy's gonna get
her medicine?"

    "Sorta of."  I continued carefully.  "Sometimes the medicine doesn't
work and the person can't get better."

    "So they take another medicine, right Gabriel?"  I heard the panic in
her voice.

    `Jesus,' I thought to myself.  `I'm scaring the kid to death."

    "Right, they do."  I said.  "But you mommy's medicine didn't work and
right now she's in a very deep sleep, it's called a coma.  Have you ever
heard that word before?"

    "No."  She gave me a skeptical look.  "If she's only sleeping, why
don't we just go wake her up?"

    "Because she can't wake up until she's ready."

    "Oh."

    "So until then, I'm going to take care of you."

    She bit her lip and stared at me.  "But what if she sleeps forever?"

    "Then you would live with me forever.  Would that be okay with you?"

    "I guess."  She shrugged her tiny shoulders.  "Can I go visit my mommy
though?"

    "Of course you can."  I hugged her to me.  There was a bond between us.
I'd felt it from the moment I set foot into the room and saw her face.  I'd
been afraid I wouldn't feel anything for her, that my anger towards my
mother would cloud my feelings towards anything and anyone she touched.
But this little girl was so innocent, so sweet.  I've missed so much of her
life already, for that I felt a twinge of disappointment.  There were new
memories to make however, happy memories.  And even though I knew I was
going to have to face telling her the truth about our mother soon, I
couldn't wait to bring her home and start our life as a family, with
Connor.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


    I wanted nothing more than go to sleep later that night.  The flight
and my conversation with Keira had completely worn me out but I needed to
call Connor.  For no other reason but I wanted to feel just a bit close to
him even if he were 1000's of miles away.

    "Hello."  Came his groggy voice on the phone when he answered after
four rings.

    "Baby, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was so early."

    "It's not, it's around four in afternoon."  He yawned.  "I didn't sleep
a lot last night, and I was trying to study earlier.  I guess I must've
fallen asleep."

    "Miss me already?"  I teased.

    "Nah...just your heat."  He responded.  "It gets cold without you in bed
with me, but I can always just turn up the thermostat."

    "I miss you too."  I said, not buying his explanation one bit.

    "How's it going over there?"

    "Pretty good."  I said, tucking the phone under my ear as I began to
get undressed.  "I met with Mrs. Beckett, she says I can take Keira home
whenever I'm ready.  I just have to sign some guardian papers tomorrow
morning."

    "Have you seen her?"

    "Yeah."  I stopped unbuttoning my pants for a second.  "She's
beautiful, Connor... she looks like a little pixie and she's so smart."

    "Sounds like you two hit off."

    "She made it easy."  I blew out a breath of frustration.  "I don't know
what I'm going to tell her about mom though."

    "No one's told her?"

    "No, they expected me to.  I tried my best but I don't know if I did
the right thing."  I spent the next few minutes recounting the
conversation, when I was done he said,

    "You did good babe."  He soothed.  "Stop beating yourself up.  It's a
hard situation for anyone, especially a stranger."

    "But I'm not just anyone.  I'm her big brother.  I should be able to
protect her.  I should have been there for her when she was younger."

    "That's not your fault.  Your mother never told you anything about
her."

    "I never tried."  I muttered.  "I never once made any contact with her
when I left."

    "You listen to me Gabriel Greywolf."  He was in defense mode now.
"Your mother did horrible things to you and you had every right to cut
yourself out of her life.  You're a good, honorable man, that I happen to
love very much, and I won't stand for hearing one disparaging word about
you, even if it is you saying it.  So stop it right now."

    "Alright dear."

    "You're not funny."  He muttered.  "I don't sound like a nagging wife."
When I chuckled he said.  "Be careful or you might find yourself sleeping
on the couch when you get home mister."

    I laughed harder.

    "Shut up."  He growled.

    "Have you emptied Keira's new room yet?"  I tugged off my pants,
dragging them along with my briefs down my legs before stepping out of
them.

    "Yeah," he said.  "When she comes here, we'll have to go shopping so we
can decorate it for her.  It's pretty sparse right now.

    "We will."

    I laid down on the bed, "I love you baby."

    "I love you too, come home soon, Okay?"

    "I will, honey."


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Hunter's POV


    It was seven-thirty in the morning and as usual the breakfast crowd was
steadily moving in and out of the café at a hurried pace.  Sometimes I
wondered how we kept up with this many people.  But to keep busy you had to
have customers, even if at the end of the day my feet like they were
covered with blisters.

    I was serving Reggie, a local customer who came to the café every
morning but I suspected he wasn't just looking for only good food because
through every visit he made it openly clear that he was available for a
little fun on the side, even though his ring finger was currently occupied
by a gold band.

    I was suppressing a spout of laughter at Reggie's attempt to look sexy
licking whipped cream off his lip when the door chimed.

    "I'll be right with you."  I called over my shoulder.  Usually I didn't
wait tables, only helped around the bar but since we were short staffed
today I had to pitch in where it was needed.

    "Can I get you anything else?"  I asked Reggie.

    His eyes traveled up and down my body.  I rolled my eyes.  "Anything on
the menu?"

    "No, I'm fine for now."

    I nodded and made my way to the new customer.

    Sitting at the bar dressed in a dark gray suit was Tobias.  I walked
behind the bar.  "Good morning."

    "Morning."  I had the stupidest urge to tuck my hair behind my ear.
"Coffee?"  I asked, standing several feet back from him, I didn't trust
what he might do.  He had the bizarre habit of kissing me in public places.

    "That'd be great."  He gave me a charming smile and turned over his
cup, waited while I poured it.  He seemed unperturbed by my watchfulness
with him.  "How've you been?"

    "You saw me two days ago?"

    "Play nice Hunter."  He said in that low, sexy voice of his.

    "I'm fine."

    He leaned towards me.  "Do you have plans for this weekend?"

    "Yes, why?"  All right so what if my plans involved staying at home and
doing absolutely nothing but he didn't know that.  One of the cardinal
rules in my book was never to let a man know you were always available
because they would think they could just show up whenever they wanted.

    "Cancel them.  Your going out with me."

    "Excuse me?"  I fairly sputtered.

    "It's the only time I could get off."  He shrugged as if that explained
everything.

    "Well!  You can spend it by yourself."  I grabbed the coffee pot and
strode out from behind the bar heading to the other tables in order to
refill anyone's cups.

    The sheer nerve of that man.  One little kiss and he thought he owned
the rights to me.  Okay, so maybe it was a fucking hot kiss, which burnt me
all the way to my toes but that didn't change anything.  I wasn't at his
disposal twenty-four seven.  I refused to let him barge into my life more
than he already has.

    I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and bumped square into
Reggie.

    "I'm sorry."  I said grabbing a few napkins to dry the wet spot the
splotching coffee had flicked onto his shirt.

    "It's alright, sweet thing."  He grinned.  "You can bump into me
anytime you like."

    I dabbed the napkin on his chest, he really was a good-looking guy.
Tall and barrel-chested, if he wasn't married I would've taken him up his
offer but as it was he was off limits.

    "Your meal is on the house today and send me the bill for a new shirt,
this stain isn't going to come out."

    "Like I said I don't mind but if you really want to pay me back you
could let me buy you dinner sometime though."

    I should stop this conversation.  I really should.  Any other time, I
would have.  But from the corner of my eye, I could see Tobias leaning
against the bar, his arms crossed over his chest, and I couldn't stop
myself.

    "You would?"  I said, trying to sound shocked.

    "Of course, sweet thing."  He leaned in closer to me.  "Anywhere you
want to go."

    I batted my eyelashes at him, and smiled.  "That sounds very nice."

    "I can show you a good time, sweet thing."  He said, gesturing to
bellow his belt.

    `I doubt that.' I thought to myself.

    "Let me think about it, sugar."  I said before turning away and headed
back toward the bar, from the look on Tobias's face I knew I had made a
mistake.

    "Can I talk privately with you for a minute?"

    I moistened my suddenly dry lips.  "I have customers."

    "Let the waitress handle them."

    "But I..."

    "Now."

    I didn't argue, just walked to the back room and into my office.  I
didn't want to cause any more of a scene than we already had.  That didn't
mean I wasn't going to curse him out, for using his guerrilla tactics on
me.  I was going to do just than but he beat me to it.

    "What the hell was that all about?"

    "Sugar, I don't know what you're talking about?"

    "The hell you don't.  You did that on purpose.  You were trying to make
me jealous."

    "Were you jealous?"

    "Yes."

    Shit, he admitted.  I hated when he was honest, it only made me feel
guilty.  "I didn't mean..."

    "Bullshit.  You knew exactly what you were doing."

    "So what if I did?" I titled my head at an indignant angle.

    "I want to know why?"

    "Stop acting like you own me."

    "I have not..."

    "Bullshit!"  I repeated his earlier statement.  "You did it a few
minutes ago."

    "I want to spend the weekend with you."

    "You could have just asked."  I snarled.

    "You would have said no."  He snapped back.

    "No I wouldn't have."

    We glared at each other, neither of us wanting to back down, until he
said through gritted teeth.  "Hunter do you want to go out this weekend?"

    "Yes."

    "Fine."

    He kissed me hard on the mouth then pulled away.  "I don't share."

    "Neither do I."

    "And I don't like games either.  If you're pissed at me, just tell me.
Don't go flirting with other guys."

    "Fine."

    His mouth returned to mine, as if the subject was closed.  I rolled my
eyes.  `Lord save me from the arrogance of men.'

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Gabriel's POV


    The lines of the airport were packed as Keira and I stood behind
several people waiting to get our bags checked.

    It'd been hectic packing all of Keira's things for the move, most of it
would be sent later.  I couldn't wait to introduce her to Connor, though I
didn't go into any elaborations of our relationship, I had to figure out
how to tackle that too, she knew we lived together and that he was
important to me.

    Spending the last three days with Keira had been fun, busy but fun.
She was a boundless mass of energy, always moving and getting into things.
But her curiosity was a part of her charm.

    As we finally made it to the front of the line, I said to Keira, who
was carrying her cat Sheba.  "It's time to put her in her carrying case."
I put the case at our feet for her to place the cat into and started to
talk to the attendant.

    Just as we were about finished checking our bags, Keira let out piteous
wail.  At the sound of her crying, I knelt down immediately and scooped her
into my arms.  "What happened, pumpkin, what is it?"

    Still crying Keira showed me her hand.

    "Did Sheba scratch you?"  I asked with soft concern.

    "Yes," she sobbed.  "He doesn't want to go in the case."

    "Let me see."  I scrutinized the slight pink line on the back of her
hand.  With a sympathetic sound, I kissed the tiny scratch to make it
better.  I had a feeling that her crying had more to do with separation
anxiety than actual pain.  "He'll be alright pumpkin, the flight
attendant's will take really good care of him."

    "Why can't he stay with me?"

    "Because someone might be allergic to cats on the plane."

    "But what if he misses me?"

    "I promise, if he needs you the flight attendant will come and tell
me."  I hated lying to her but I couldn't stand seeing her cry.

    "Really?"

    "Of course."  The lady that was checking our bags said.  "I will
personally see to it that everyone watches out for..."

    "Sheba."  Keira supplied.

    "For Sheba."

    I gave the woman a grateful look, and wiped Keira's cheeks.  "All
better?"

    "M'kay."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Hunter's POV


    I let the water cascade over my body.  The warmth loosening up my weary
muscles.  I laid my head against the cool marble surface.  The distinct
sound of the doorbell sounded through and groaned inwardly.  I didn't feel
like having company right now.  I just wanted to go to sleep.

    The bell chimed again.

    I climbed out of the shower, and hurried to dry myself quickly then
wrapped the towel around my waist.

    Getting to the door, I pushed the open bottom on the keypad, and the
door slid open.  My jaw dropped when I saw him.  Soaked from head to toe,
his gray suit was clinging to every part of his body.  His jaw was shadowed
with his five o'clock stubble and his eyes looked haggard.  "What's wrong?
What happened?  Is it Connor?"

    "No."

    "Then what's going on?"

    "Can I come in?"

    "Yes, of course."

    His dejection was etched deeply into his face I motioned him inside.
"Can I get you something? A drink?"

    "Thanks."  He sat heavily on the edge of the sofa while I poured him a
shot of whiskey.  I handed him the glass and sat down beside him.  "Am I
keeping you from something?"  He asked dully.

     "No."  I motioned down at the white cotton towel around waist.

    "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have come over without calling first."

    I waved that comment away with a flick of my wrist.  "Tell me what's
wrong? Is it work?"

    He nodded.  "I got called into a case today.  We found a little boy,
around seven or eight years old, dead and thrown into the dumpster."

    "Oh God."

    "That kind of shit happens, but not often. I should be used to it by
now."

    "No one should get to used to stuff like that.  It's horrible."

    "It's my job."

    I wanted stroke the harsh elegant planes of his face, to soothe the
pulsations of pain that were causing the veins at his temples to throb.

    I stood up, and placed myself between his spread thighs.  I took his
chin in my hand, and lifted his face so he could look at me.  "You're
human.  You have feelings.  You can't just shut them off."

    He didn't say anything for a while, then said very low, "Everyone from
my squad is at the bar.  They wanted me to go with them but I couldn't.  I
can't be around them right now.  I didn't want to be alone either."

    He was so sad.  I didn't like seeing him this way.  "Ah, honey."  I
murmured, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his lips.

    That action seemed to set him in motion because before I knew his hand
was curled in my hair and his face buried in its mass.  "Oh God," he said,
in a harsh, muffled voice.

    I let out a startled squeak as he seized me, hauling up and onto his
lap.  His arms tightened around my trembling body, and stared up into my
eyes.  A fierce and intent came into his eyes.  His mouth covered mine in
an aggressive demand, his tongue thrusting into my mouth. He tasted like
coffee and peppermint. The kiss went on and on. He took my mouth again and
again barely allowing me to breath.

    "We've got to stop," I finally told him, forcing the words past my lips
that were bruised with his kisses, "I can't do this.  I..."

    "Shh."  He nipped the side of my neck.  "This was bound to happen,
sooner or later.  It might as well be now."

    I tried to stand up, but he held me still.  "Tobias, please..."

    "I need you tonight, Hunter.  Please don't make me stop."

    He grabbed my hand and pressed it against his rigid penis, clearly
outlined against his wet pants.  I stopped breathing as I touched him
through the rough fabric. His penis was hard as an iron poker under my
fingers. I cupped him and squeezed him, loving when he hissed in breath. I
wanted to feel his cock in my hand pulsing, hot, hard, wanting.

    "Unzip me."

    My breath grew raspy as I moved my hands to the front of his pants.  I
was going to do this; I was going to make love to this man because I wanted
him.  I wanted him with every fiber of my being.

    I struggled to undo the button, then slid the zipper down.  He burst
free of the confinement just above my hand, the tip of his cock peeking
from the top of his gray briefs.

    "Don't stop there," he whispered low, panting just as I was.

    My gaze dropped down and watched my fingers curl around the edge of his
underwear to pull it down.

    I barely caught a glimpse of his pulsing cock before he twisted us
around, and I found myself stripped of my towel.

    "Tobias." I protested.

    "Easy," he whispered, stroking my sides.

    "Shouldn't we go upstairs?"  I gasped out.

    "No."  He said, shrugging off his jacket, followed by his shirt and
tie.  "I want you now.  Here."

    He stroked his way down my spread legs to the sole of my feet.  My toes
curled when he stroked my instep and my hips jerked in response.

    "You like that?"  He pressed harder, causing me to moan.

    I wanted to touch him.  His body was lightly furred by silky dark hair
that lay flat and glossy against his skin.  I didn't know what to touch
first.

    I trailed my fingers over the curves and hollows of his throat.  His
jaw was taut and vibrating with tension, his penis jutted proudly up
against his belly.  I wasn't a size queen but if I were I would very
satisfied.

    I petted the heavy muscle of his shoulders, my hands sliding across
curves and contours, dips and bulges.  His body was hard and wiry,
perfectly portioned.

    I splayed my hands against the broad expanse of his chest, leaned over
and kissed his flat brown nipples.

    I was acutely aware of his feathery strokes against my thighs.  The
path of his gentle, questing fingers was traced with light heat.

    He pushed my legs wider, lifted my bottom onto one of his thighs, then
spread my cheeks open, just enough so that the tip of his finger brushed
against my opening.  I gasped and jerked in his arms.

    "Please," I whimpered.

    He pulled his finger back and held it to my mouth.  "Lick them for me
honey."

    Eyes glued to his I flicked my tongue at the tip of his index finger,
nipping at it softly then warped my tongue around, drawing it in my mouth.

    He growled, when I began to suck, wanting his finger to be his cock.

    "Your so sexy, so damn sexy."  He muttered, then pulled free of my
mouth, bringing his finger against my opening again.  He sank his finger
inside me, slowly at first but as I started humping against his thrusting
finger he pushed in harder, faster, adding a second finger inside me.  "OH
God!"  I cried out.

    He used his other hand to grasp my hip, forcing me to stop moving.
"Not yet."  He drew me backward until the thick head brushed against my
bottom, and found my rosebud.  And started slid inward.  Moving in and out,
slowly, steadily until he was deep inside me, big hard, pulsing.  I ducked
my head, biting down on my lower lip at the pleasure.

    He growled in satisfaction and began to stroke.  I threw my head back,
feeling each hard thrust as it pulled and twisted at my flesh, his rigid
length delving deeper and deeper.

    His gray eyes opened and caught me watching him.  Whatever he saw on my
face spread a satisfied male smile on his own.  Deliberately, possessively,
he began to thrust harder and harder, driving the breath from my lungs and
forced my legs to wrap around his waist.  Pleasure coursed through me each
time his big shaft plunged in against my prostate.  I cried out, a wordless
plea for mercy and for more, and he took me still faster, pumping
ruthlessly.

    Cupping my ass in his hands, he forced me further onto his straining
cock.  I came then, my body twisting his hands.  He held me easily.  I was
still quaking when he suddenly stiffened and drove himself into me one more
time, roaring as he came.

    Long minutes passed, as he lay slumped in my arms, the spasms of
pleasure still gripping my body.

    "You okay?"  His voice sounded hoarse.

    "Yeah."  I grimaced at the rough croak I produced.

    "You sure?"  He turned and brushed his lips against my temple.

     I nodded and smiled.  Drowsiness was beginning to settle in, and a
wonderful, lazy contentment.  My eyelids drooped closed.  Snuggling closer
to Tobias, I drifted into a peaceful sleep.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Connor's POV


    It was raining again tonight.

    In Toronto, storms in summer were something I've gotten use to because
rain was always right behind a hot day to cool us off.  I guess rain itself
could be considered a good thing in a way because it represented the
refreshing of the atmosphere, creating a clean slate and wiping away the
old.  But I never realized how eerie the sound of a storm could be
especially when you're alone.  Everything seemed darker, more sinister.

    I couldn't sleep as usual; for the three nights Gabriel has been away,
I haven't been able get any rest at all.  I couldn't wait for him to come
home tomorrow afternoon.  My heart and body were aching for him.

    I was reading when my cell phone rang in the middle of the night.
Quickly I hopped out of bed and hurried over to dresser where I had dropped
it earlier.  I was hoping it was Gabriel; just hearing his voice would
bring comfort on a night like this.

    "Hello?"

    Silence.

    "Hello?"  I repeated a little louder.

    Still no response.

    A sudden chill crawled up my spine.  I knew someone was on the other
line.  Why wasn't the person saying anything? Unless it was...No... there was
no way the stalker could have this number, the phone wasn't even in my
name.  It was one my Dad had gotten me, under his name, for the specific
reason of not getting calls from this creep.

    "Hello?" I said little more desperately this time, praying it was a
mistake, that a bad connection was the reason for the silence.

    With trembling hands, I drew the phone away from my ear intending to
hang up.

    "It's not nice to hide from me."

    It was not only the words alone that sent a shock wave through my body,
but the bone-chilling mechanical hiss of the voice, the tone distorted by
something that altered the sound.  It was the same voice that was imbedded
forever in my mind.

    "Who is this?" I demanded, trying to talk through the knot in my chest.

    "I've been watching you."

    I clutched the edge of the dresser, trying to force my legs to move, to
go to the home phone and call the police, to do anything but stand there
and tremble.  "Who are you?"

    "You should know who I am."

    "I don't!" I practically screeched.  "Tell me who you are or I'm
hanging up."

    "Don't hang up!" Rage poured through the line, stilling my hand.  Then
a dark laugh echoed over the connection.  "You don't want to make me angry.
I'm not nice when I'm angry."

    "What do you want?"

    "You."  The single syllable, drawn out in a long metallic whine, had
the same effect as nails scraping on a chalkboard.

    Fear, white-hot fear, stabbed me between the eyes.  "Why are you doing
this to me?"

    "Because you're mine."  The voice said.  "You are all I think about.
Every night I go to sleep and I picture myself riding you.  Taking you from
the behind, sideways, on top, with you begging me to take you.  Wouldn't
you have liked that?"

    I couldn't answer, my voice wouldn't work.

    "But you had to go and spoil it didn't you?"

    "What?"  I squeaked.

    "I was watching you, courting you.  Making sure you were worthy of my
affection."  The voice whispered.  "I didn't mind you touching yourself in
the shower because I knew you were thinking of me weren't you?"

    I closed my eyes to keep the bile from coming up.  `No' I wanted to
scream, `this is not happening to me.'

    "You were teasing me weren't you?"  The voice hissed.  "Making me think
you wanted me, that you were pure and worthy but you're nothing but a
slut. Aren't you?"

    "I didn't do anything to you."

    "Yes you did, you little whore.  I saw you with him, touching him,
kissing him with the passion you were supposed to show me."  I gasped, but
he continued, as he hadn't heard me.  "You've showed your true colors and
proven yourself undeserving of me.  But I'm going to make you pay for
deceiving me.  One by one I'm going to take away everyone you hold dear.
I'm going to break your heart like you've broken mine."

    "Don't..." I managed to say through my constricted throat.

    "OHHH...Are you scared?"  The voice taunted, mocking the quiver that we
both heard in voice.

    "No."  Refusing admit any weakness to this psycho.

    "You should be.  You can't hide from me forever.  I'll find you and
when I do we're going to have a little fun."  Then he was gone, like a
twister that dropped out of nowhere he disappeared, leaving behind damage
and destruction.

    For several minutes I couldn't do anything but stare at nothing, my
head ringing with his threats.  My heart hammering so loud it echoed all
over the room.  Gabriel's face found itself into mind, enveloping me with a
new sense of urgency.  I strode to the phone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Hunter's POV


    I woke as the first light of dawn filtered into the room.  After
napping last night for a few minutes Tobias had carried me to the bedroom,
where we made love again.

    Right now though, I watched as he shrugged on his shirt and slid
through the door, turning to look at me before walking out.  I closed my
eyes not wanting him to know I was awake.

    I listened to his soft footsteps as he went down the stairs, hoping he
wasn't doing what I thought he was doing.  But when I heard the ding of the
elevator.  I knew he was gone.

    I didn't glance around the room, looking for a note because I knew
there wasn't one.

    Never before had I been on the receiving end of this.  I've only had
two one night stands or booty calls or whatever you wanted to call them,
and I hadn't realized how dirty that person felt left lying alone in bed.

    For the first time in my life I felt like something I never thought I
would, like a slut.


To be continued....