Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 20:35:06 EDT
From: Double A
Subject: Bob and Zac: Vive le Montreal 5-6

Disclaimer:

Okay, same deal. This is a story concocted from my own mind and is not
based on any factual event. Bob's and Zac's sexual preference and sexual
activities are unknown to me and I'm not insinuating anything. I'm also not
insinuating that Zac is unhappy being in his band and, even though it would
be a fantastic career move for him, thinking of joining up with the
Moffatts.

The last two chapters are coming at ya!

++++++++++++++++++++++

Chapter "cinq"

	That morning, Scott had made all the arrangements with his parents
and Zac had called his family and, much to their shock, told them the
situation. Frank Moffatt and Walker Hanson, as well as Taylor and Isaac,
were all on the way there for that afternoon. It was quite an interesting
situation that they were now faced with.

	Should they make reservations for a brunch or should they reserve a
conference room and order down coffee and cake? Should food even be
involved?

	It was unknown what their respective fathers might have to say
about the situation, but both Bob and Zac regretted not coming out to their
parents earlier. It would have made this situation much less awkward.

	In Zac's case, he probably would have been forced to undergo some
sort of religious cleansing before being simply told that he was way too
young to know what his truly wanted. However, Zac's conversation with his
father had not gone very well at all. It's never easy for an almost
thirteen-year-old boy to call his father and say, "Hi dad, I just called to
tell you that I'm gay. Oh, and I also want to leave the band and and join
the one that my fifteen-year-old boyfriend is in."

	Zac had hung up the phone, already in tears, and had immediately
rushed in Bob's arms. Bob had squeezed Zac tightly and had repeatedly
kissed his head, telling him that everything was going to be all
right. Scott was going to object to that display of affection, but, for
some strange reason, he hadn't felt like it. What made it even more
awkward, was that today was October 22nd; Zac's fourteenth birthday. He was
sure that, regardless of the outcome, this was one birthday that he was
never going to forget.

	In the end, they had gone with the conference room with coffee, and
they spent the remaining hours until the meeting, pacing around the room.

	In the last fifteen minutes before their decent to the conference
room, knowing that this might be their last time together, Bob and Zac sat
on Bob's bed and held each other, crying quietly and softly whispering
reassurances and words of love. Clint watched them with pity, as he knew
what the probable outcome was going to be. Beyond simple twin sympathy
pains, Clint felt genuinely affected by the love that his brother felt.

	"How is it possible that two people, after spending so little time
together, can be so close?" Clint thought to himself, as he stood off in
the corner and watched them hugging and kissing.

	Gazing around the room, he saw Dave sitting on the bed and watching
TV, while Scott sat by the window and plucked at his guitar. Walking over,
he exclaimed, "How can you two sit there, when Bob is in so much pain?"

	Dave gazed up and shrugged, "What do you want us to do? He brought
this on himself and now dad is going to talk some reason into him."

	"Tell me something..." Clint said, "if Zac were a girl, would you
feel the same way?"

	Scott put down his guitar and cut off Dave, "We wouldn't, because
Bob is a guy and guys are supposed to like girls, not other guys!"

	"I'm not talking to you!" Clint barked, turning toward Scott, "I'm
aware of how you feel and I think you're being a real jackass! He's your
brother, man! Why are you being so cruel? Can't you see he's hurting?!"

	"Look..." Scott said, standing up and facing Clint, "I know you
feel you have some sort of subconscious bond with Bob, but face facts,
Clint! It isn't just any guy that Bob...well, that Bob likes. It's Zachary
Hanson, man! He's from another band and he has his own agenda to deal with!
His brothers need him or else their band can't work! People like Hanson...a
lot! You have to understand that Bob is not thinking clearly. If he were,
he'd know that, by doing what he wants to do, he's breaking apart a group
of superstars that the public love, simply because of his own needs. He's
being selfish, Clint, and so is Zac! If you really want to help them, then
help them to realize this!"

	Clint shook his head, "He's not being selfish, Scott! He's
following his heart, which is what I've always loved about Bob! He's doing
something because it makes *him* happy! Sometimes, Scott, we have to put
aside the good of the many, in order to pursue the good of the one. Bob has
never wanted anything so much in his whole life! You saw how sad he was for
all those months; how reserved and depressed! He was heartbroken and, when
he's around Zac, he's all smiles! Zac may be young, but I think he knows
what he wants, too. He's a smart kid, that Hanson boy, and if he wants
something, he'll take it and if he doesn't, he'll be the first to tell
you. Scott...he wants Bob and Bob wants Zac. They'd want each other whether
they were famous or not! Why can't you just put aside your prejudices and
accept that they are truly in love?! Bob is your brother, for God's sake!"

	Scott crossed his arms across his chest, "Prejudiced or not, we
can't side with tearing apart the Hanson band, simply because Bob and Zac
want to be together! Also, what would it do for our band if word got out
that Bob was touring with his gay lover? What would..."

	"Scott, forget about the fucking bands for ten seconds and just
look at them!" Clint yelled, cutting off his brother.

	Both Scott and Dave looked over toward Bob's bed. Bob and Zac sat
on the bed, crying in each other's arms. Bob's hand stroked over Zac's long
blond hair, matted to his face with tears, as he whispered softly to him
and brushed his lips against Zac's lips and chin. Zac's tear-streaked face,
with his expressive brown puppydog eyes, showed extreme misery as he
whispered back at Bob. His arm was clutched around Bob's waist and held Bob
tightly, so he was almost sitting in Zac's lap. His other hand held Bob's
free hand in a tight grip, as if he thought that if he held tight enough,
nobody could ever seperate them.

	Scott and Dave stared at them for more than the ten seconds asked
of them. Clint thought he saw a look of pity on Scott's face, before he
turned and said softly, "Come on, guys...It's time."

	Clint nodded and stood up, as Scott walked over to the door and got
on his shoes. Dave turned to Clint briefly, before going over to get his
shoes, and said, "They really do look cute together."

	Clint nodded and, looking over at the two boys, said, "Come on,
Bob...Zac...We have to go now."

	Bob and Zac looked up and sniffled. Bob nodded and said,
"O...okay." and he and Zac stood up, still holding hands, and walked with
Clint over to the door.

	After getting their shoes on, the five boys began their walk
downstairs. Bob and Zac trailed behind, walking very slowly though not
holding hands anymore. Clint lagged back and walked beside them.

	"So, how do you feel?" Clint asked, though he regretted it
immediately.

	Bob looked up at him and, on the verge of tears again, shook his
head, "I don't know what to do. They're going to tell us that we can't be
together and I can't take that. I can't live without Zac anymore."

	"What if we just tell them that we're staying together and that's
all there is to it?" Zac asked, sniffling.

	Clint shrugged, "I don't know how they're going to react, but I
know that this is a really serious thing. I'm behind you guys, though. You
two deserve to be together."

	Bob smiled slightly and said, "Thanks so much, bro. I love you."

	Clint smiled too and patted Bob on the back, "Just think positive,
okay?"

	"We'll try." Zac said.

	Clint and, looking at Zac, said, "So, you'd really be willing to
leave Hanson, just to be with Bob?"

	Zac nodded, "Bob means more to be than any dumb band. The band
stank to begin with and we just got lucky with all the fans. Besides,
Taylor and Isaac always shoved me into the background. It's time I got away
from my brothers and went out and met new people. Bob and you really care
about my feelings and I like that. I want to be with you guys."

	Clint put his hand on Zac's shoulder and squeezed it, "You're a
good kid, Zac. We'd love to have you with us."

	They soon reached the elevator and decended down to the ground
floor to join Dave and Scott in the conference room.

	Slowly, they walked down the hallway of the lobby, until they stood
by the large double doors of "Conference Room A."

	Clint turned to Bob and Zac and said, "You ready?"

	They both nodded slowly and Bob took Zac's hand again and held it
in his own.

	"Are you sure that's the best idea?" Clint inquired.

	Bob shrugged, "They know we're gay. They know we're in love. Why
bother hiding?"

	Clint nodded, "Okay...It's up to you."

	Taking a deep breath, Clint pulled open one of the doors and he,
Bob and Zac stepped through.

	As they entered, they saw Scott and Dave already seated there and
also at the table, were Frank Moffatt and Walker, Taylor and Isaac
Hanson. Everybody stood up as they entered and looked at them. Zac's eyes
avoided his father and brother's gaze as he, Bob and Clint made their way
over to the three spare chairs.

	"Hello boys," Frank Moffatt said in a neutral, yet somewhat cold,
voice, "please sit down. I believe we have a matter to discuss."


Chapter "six"

	An hour later, the meeting was still going on in full force.

	"So, what you're trying to say, Zac, is that you no longer want to
be part of the band, because you want to be with your...boyfriend,
correct?" Walker Hanson said, his fist supporting his chin.

	Zac nodded, "Yeah."

	"And how long have you wanted this for?" Isaac cut in.

	"Wanted what for? Wanted to leave the band, or wanted to be with
Bob?"

	With a slight smile, Walker responded with, "Both or either, it
doesn't really matter."

	"Well," Zac said, "I've wanted to leave the band for a while, but
I've wanted to be with Bob since I first fell in love with him."

	There were assorted snickers from those gathered there, with the
exceptions of Bob, Zac, Clint and Scott.

	"So, you think you love with Bob?" Walked said ryely.

	"No!" Zac said for the third time since this meeting started, "I
*know* that I love Bob and I *know* that I'm gay! Stop asking me these
things!"

	"Zackie..." Taylor said as calmly as he could, "Hanson is getting
ready to go on a major world tour now. We need you, buddy! We can sort out
how you feel afterwards."

	Zac lay back in his chair and held Bob's hand tightly, then, as
steadfastly as he could, said, "Well, you can do the tour without me,
because I'm staying with Bob!"

	Walker shot up from his chair. "Dammit Zac!" He bellowed, "What the
hell is wrong with you?! You're a fourteen year old kid! You're confused
and I can understand that; I was confused too when I was your age. But, you
can't just run off with some kid who you barely know and who you think
you're in love with! You're not gay, Zac! You're too young to know what the
hell you are or what you want!"

	Walker stopped and took a deep breath, he slowly sat back down and
said slowly, "You have fun with your brothers, don't you, Zac? Why not just
stay with them and with this band you have going on, for a few more years?
Then, you can think about what you want and where you want to be in life,
okay?"

	Zac swallowed back his tears and said, "I'm not going, dad. You
can't make me!"

	Walker nodded, "I *can* make you and if you keep pushing me, I
*will* make you!"

	"Whether you believe or not," Zac said, with tears streaming anew
down his flushed cheeks, "I love Bob and I'm proud to say that I'm gay! Not
only does Bob treat me like I want to be treated, but him and his brothers
are a successful band! People like them, dad! Millions of people!"

	"People like you guys too!" Walker countered.

	Zac retorted, "Oh please! Hanson is a joke and it's always been a
joke! Mad TV made fun of us! David Letterman made fun of us! Jay Leno made
fun of us! Mad Magazine and Cracked both made fun of us! Howard Stern makes
fun of us all the time! There are hundreds of Hanson Hater pages all over
the internet! They boo'ed us at the World Series and they boo'ed us the
Women's Soccer Cup! For years to come, people will always remember Hanson
as the biggest joke in the music industry...I mean, what the fuck is an
Mmmbop anyway? We sucked, dad! We sucked like no band has ever sucked
before! The only people that liked us, were little bitch girls and other
people who wouldn't know good music if it bit them on the ass!"

	Everybody in the conference room was totally shocked at what was
just said; the Hanson's especially.

	"How dare you say that!" Isaac yelled, "You were as much a part of
the band as Taylor and I are! If we sucked, it was because of you, too!"

	"Uh uh!" Zac responded, "You two never let me do anything, so I had
to go out of my way to liven things up!"

	"You acted like a total jackass!" Taylor replied

	"Excuse me, guys!" Frank cut in, "I think we're getting a bit off
topic here. What we're trying to figure out, is..."

	"There's nothing left to figure out, Frank!" Walker interuppted,
"I'm taking Zac home right now, before your son ruins him any furthur!"

	"Excuse me?!" Frank replied in shock, getting to his feet, "How did
Bob ruin Zac?"

	"Zac was a good christian until he ran into your boy! He never even
*looked* at another male in a sinful way!"

	"Maybe if you paid more attention to your kids instead of worrying
about your stupid bible laws, you'd see that poor Zac was being neglected!"

	Walker took a threatening step forward, "Are you calling me a bad
father?! Sir, I know for a fact that you live in the great state of
Tennessee and their churches would brand you as a heretic if they heard you
speak like that to me, never mind that you are harbouring a gay child and
actually agree with it!"

	Frank Moffatt smiled, "My good Mr. Hanson, I may live in Tennessee,
but I'm a full blood Canadian and in the great province of British
Columbia, our churches accept and welcome homosexuality and always preach
that family is the most important thing, moreso than even the church
itself. Furthurmore, us Canadians always get a special joy out of deporting
people like you, so when you're in my country, Mr. Hanson, you'll respect
my rules!"

	Walker and Frank argued back and forth, and meanwhile, the boys sat
at the table in total disbelief at what this had escalated into.

	Bob leaned across the table and said to Taylor and Isaac, "Listen
you guys...I'm not a bad guy, and I can't help the way that I am. I just
really love Zac..."

	Isaac shrugged and smiled, "I always sort of suspected something
since that time that you came into our room with Zac with no shirt on. I
understand how you must be feeling, but Zac is a young boy...He's smart and
everything, but he sometimes does crazy stuff. He's just going through a
bad bout of puberty now...He'll be fine tommorow."

	"No he won't." Scott piped up.

	"Why not?" Taylor asked, "he'll eventually just find some girl when
he's older and he'll move on with his life."

	Scott shook his head, "I thought that too, but despite all the shit
that I've put Bob through, since Zac arrived, they've both defied
everything, just so they could hug or kiss each other. You should have seen
them before the meeting today...They were crying in each other's
arms. Taylor, I don't think age comes into this...Zac is still a young kid,
but I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt and let the two
guys be together. Maybe they'll get sick of each other after a while and
things can go back to normal."

	"Or maybe they'll stay together. What will we do then? What will
happen to the band?" Taylor asked.

	Scott looked at Clint and then back at Taylor and said, "My brother
showed me today, that sometimes we have to think about the guy of the band
members rather than the good of the band. I'm not a big fan of my brother
being gay, but I want him to be happy and he really seems to be miserable
when he's not around Zac."

	Isaac nodded, "Zac was miserable too, since that visit to
Vancouver. He just wasn't his usual self and we couldn't figure out
why. Maybe we have been less than attentive to Zac's needs, but he always
seemed different than Taylor and I. I guess we know why now."

	Taylor shrugged and, looking at Zac, said, "Listen, Zackie...Are
you really sure that you want this? I mean, do you really...like...love
him?"

	Zac nodded emphatically, beginning to cry, "More than
anything. Please believe me, you guys!"

	Scott looked over at Dave, "What do you think?"

	Dave smiled, "It's weird, but...they seem like they belong
together."

	Bob looked over at his brothers and Zac's, "Listen...I love Zac. I
may be a kid, but I know what love is and when I'm around Zac, I feel like
there's nobody else in the world that matters. I know how stupid and
inconvienient this is for all of you and I really don't know how it's going
to work out. Still, I'm willing to put everything on the line if Zac and I
can be together. I'll quit the band! I'll move into a cave with him,
somewhere! I know it's hard for all you guys to accept, because you don't
feel the same way about guys as I do..."

	Scott smiled, "That's not entirely true, Bob."

	All his brothers stared at him. Clint said, "Scott? You mean...you?
What about all the girls? All the insults?"

	Scott shrugged, "Fear. I just wanted to be accepted by everybody
and so many girls like me. I'm really sorry about being so mean to you,
Bob. This is no time for talking about me, though. This is about Zac and
Bob. When this is over with, you guys can tie me to a chair and whip me."

	Taylor stood up and yelled, "Dad!"

	Walker and Frank turned around from their heated debate.

	"Dad..." Taylor began, "Isaac and I think that Zac should be
allowed to be with Bob."

	"What?!" Walker exclaimed, "What are you talking about? What about
your band? Your comeback?"

	Isaac shrugged, "We can find a new drummer, dad. We just want Zac
to be happy."

	Walker looked from Isaac to Taylor to Zac and back again, "This is
ludacrous! I won't accept this! I refuse!"

	"I'm staying with Bob!" Zac said, for the umpeenth time that
meeting.

	"No you're not!" Walker said adamantly.

	"Listen!" Frank piped in, "We'll give Zac a home, we'll take care
of him and pay for him! Come on, what's one less kid from the hundreds that
you've bred already?! This is your kid's happiness, for God's sake! Your
God's sake!"

	Walker looked at Zac and pleaded, "Why are you doing this, Zac? Why
are you putting me in this position?"

	Zac shrugged, "I'm gay, dad. I'm gay and I'm in love with Bob. If
you won't accept it, then just wash your hands of me and let me go with
Frank and his sons. You won't ever have to worry about me again."

	Walker looked critically at Zac for several seconds, then said,
"And this is really what you want?"

	Zac nodded.

	Finally, Walker shrugged, "Fine. I'm late for an appointment
anyway, so if this is what you really want, then this is what you'll
get. Happy Birthday, Zac."

	Zac smiled and, rushing forward, hugged his father tightly. His
father quickly detached Zac from him and walked off toward the door, "Come
Taylor...Isaac. Listen, Frank...You better take good care of Zac, or else!"

	Frank walked over and put his hands on Zac's shoulders, "Don't
worry. I'll see to it that he's taken care of."

	Zac broke away from Frank and hugged Taylor and Isaac, then walked
back into the room and faced his new family. There was almost a chilling
silence after the sound of the conference room door shutting was finished.

	Frank broke that silence by smiling and walking over to the
door. Turning back, he said, "Listen boys...Be good, okay?"

	Scott smiled and said, "I'll make sure of it."

	With a nod, Frank Moffatt walked outside the conference room and
left the five boys alone.

	Zac smiled and looked at Scott, "Scott...Can I...please?"

	Scott looked at Bob and then back at Zac and, smiling, said, "What
the hell! Show us how it's done, guys."

	With that, Bob and Zac rushed into each other's arms and locked
lips. Openly weeping, they hugged each other tightly as they kissed, their
hands stroking each other's hair and face.

	Clint put his hand on Scott's shoulder and said, "Now...What about
you?"

	Scott smiled, "Later, Clint...I think we should leave these two
alone for a while."

	Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out $50 and tossed the bills on
the floor, then he walked over to the exit of the room.

	"Why don't you guys go out for a bit to celebrate. We'll see you
later!" Scott called as he walked out..."And happy birthday, Zac."

	Zac mumbled a response, but continued to hug and kiss Bob, as they
both stood in the middle of the conference room.

	THE END

Okay guys...This is going to be my last story for a while. I want to get
started on Chronicles Of Whiteshadow Isle: Second Era and I need some free
time to think and brainstorm ideas. Feel free to e-mail any ideas that you
might have for COWI 2...They'd be appriciated.

God bless all you guys and always be good to one another!