Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 20:22:00 EST
From: Jay Cee <jay102@hotmail.com>
Subject: Boy Bands > If I Let You Go 8

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional, and therefore it does not imply
that any of the characters portrayed in this story (i.e. the five members
of Westlife) are gay...

If you're under 18, then you might want to hit the "back" button on your
browser. This story is not for you!

Check out my new WL fan*fic site @ www11.ewebcity.com/jay102 where you'll
find all the installments for "If I Let You Go"


IF I LET YOU GO (PART VIII) Author: Jay Cee


"Bryan, I've found him!"

Kian's voiced roared through the forest, echoing between the trees. His
voice finally reached Bryan, who backtracked down the stream, and then up
the path Kian had taken. He was greeted with the site of Kian cuddling Mark
in his arms, Mark's head nuzzled up against the warmth of Kian's
chest. Bryan thought nothing of it, though to Kian and Mark the position
they were in was more than just to keep Mark warm.

"Thank God you're alright." Bryan said, relieved to see that no harm had
come to Mark. "We need to get him back to the house, get some food in him
and get him into bed. Will you be okay to walk Mark?"

"Yeah, I think so, either way I can't stay out here."

Kian chuckled, "No, I think you've spent enough time out here to last you a
while."

Kian slipped him arm around Mark, ready to prop him up. He lifted him
gently off the ground, taking most of his weight as Mark's legs were stiff
and weak from the cold. Mark was heavy, and Kian struggled a bit, but Mark
was gradually able to do most of the work himself, easing the burden on a
tiring Kian.

"You know Mark, you really had us scared for a while there. Didn't think we
were going to find you," Bryan said, leading the way, Kian and Mark
trailing not far behind him.

"I was more worried than any of 'em" Kian said, giving Mark a quick kiss on
his cheek, Bryan unaware of what was going on behind him.

"Kian, stay with me tonight...please."

"Anything for you."

"What are you two whispering about back there?" Bryan asked inquisitively,
hearing the hushed sounds of his friends behind him.

"Nothing Bryan, I was just asking Mark if he wanted to rest up that's all."

"We're nearly there Kian, I can see the lights of the house now," Bryan
replied.

"Home to bed" Mark said.

"Just the two of us" Kian replied, a huge grin on his face.

* * * * * * * * * *

Nicky and Shane continued their search, unaware that Mark had in fact been
found already. Shane was in a terrible mood, blaming himself for Mark's
disappearance. Nicky followed behind Shane, concerned about the way his
friend felt. They trudged along the stream, not having spoken a word to
each other for several minutes. As he had done before, Shane stopped dead
in his tracks.

"It's hopeless, we won't find him in this darkness Nicky. I've lost him."

"I don't understand why you keep blaming yourself Shane, it's not your
fault. It could have just as easily have been you under the circumstances."

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up Nicky, but..."

"But what, are you just going to feel sorry for yourself, or try and put it
right by finding him?"

Shane made no attempt to respond to Nicky's comment. Instead he slumped
against the trunk of one of the huge oak trees and buried his face in his
hands. His body shook as he sobbed quietly in despair.

Nicky's heart ached for his friend. He stood there looking at him for a
second, pitying him, then walked over to him, sitting at his side. He
placed his hand on Shane's shoulder, rubbing it lightly.

"It's okay Shane, we'll find him, you'll see."

"What if we don't, what then Nicky, what then?" Shane said, his voice
muffled.

"That's not going to happen Shane, I won't let that happen."

Shane's face emerged from the cradle formed by his hands, his tear-stained
face looking up into Nicky's eyes. His crying had stopped.

"Shane,"

"What Nicky?"

"I started writing a letter this afternoon."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just listen to me Shane. I wrote a letter to Georgina this afternoon."

"Is this really the time for this Nicky? Mark's out there..."

"I have to say this Shane. I wrote her a letter, telling her that I want to
break up with her."

There was a shocked silence, as Shane took in the news. Nicky and Georgina
had been together for what seemed like forever. Shane had thought that they
were deeply in love, but it seemed like that had all changed.

"You want to what? Why would you want to do that?"

"We've been growing apart, I never see her anymore. I think she's been
feeling the same way. I spoke to a friend of hers the other day, and she
told me that Georgina had been seeing someone else. I decided to write her
a letter, but I didn't want her to know that I'd found out about what she'd
been doing behind my back."

"I don't know what to say Nicky, I'm sorry, you don't deserve that..."

"Don't be sorry Shane, there was another reason why I wrote that letter."

Shane looked up at Nicky, eager to hear his reason for his ending his long
standing relationship.

"It's because I've found someone else, and I'm not sure, but I think they
feel the same way as I do." Nicky gulped, a feeling of anxiety rising up
from the pit of his stomach. "If they don't, I'm going to make a very big
fool of myself Shane. If I'm wrong, its going to hurt, its going to hurt
really bad."

Shane thought for a moment, still trying to take it in. "So who is she
Nicky, come on, you can tell me. Please tell me its not one of my cousins,
I'll kill you if it is."

"No, it's not Shane, but you could say that this person is in your family."

This person Shane thought What does he mean by that?

Nicky took his hand off Shane's shoulder, and took a deep breath.

"It's you Shane."

Right then it felt as if time had stopped in Shane Filan's world. The words
reverberated around his head... It's you Shane. He looked up at Nicky, who
quickly looked away, embarrassed at his admission. His heart beat at what
felt like a hundred miles an hour, when he decided it was time to do
something.

"Nicky, I feel the same way."

"You..."

Shane silenced Nicky, moving in on what was now his territory. Their lips
locked, Nicky quickly giving in to Shane's advances. Shane's tongue pressed
gently at Nicky's lips in an attempt to prise them open. Nicky soon gave
in, Shane reveling in the opportunity to explore Nicky's mouth. They both
moaned softly, the only sound made in the still night air.

Nicky moved his hand onto Shane's thigh, the kiss ending too soon for the
both of them.

"Whoa..." Nicky said, shocked at what had just happened.

"Nicky, I..."

"No, don't speak Shane, don't say a word" Nicky said, as he laid his head
on Shane's shoulder, nuzzling up to the warmth of Shane's neck. He moved
his head and trailed light kisses along the length of his new found lover's
neck.

"Nicky, that tickles..."

"That's the idea Shane."

"I could stay here all night, but,"

"Mark..."

"Yep, Mark."

Nicky glanced down at his watch, the hands on the face glowing in the
darkness of the night. "It's already 10:30 Shane. We should get back to the
house, maybe the others have found him."

"I think they would have by now. Mark and I walked downstream, that's why I
wanted us to go upstream, so I could spend some time alone with you."

"You devil Shane."

"Maybe, but its one decision that I will never regret making."

They got up off the ground, Shane taking Nicky's hand in his, and slowly
walked back to the house.

* * * * * * * * * *

Well, there you go Shnicky fans. Any comments or suggestions to
jay102@hotmail.com