Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 14:27:01 EDT
From: Kenitra Writer <kenitra_canada@hotmail.com>
Subject: set-you-free-11

Legalities: It's just a story folks. It is not intended to imply anything
about any of the Backstreet Boys or anyone else. If you're offended, please
go away. If you're curious, read on, you might like it! If you're too
young, don't get caught.

Notes:

Well, since this is the last part of Set You Free (Please, no throwing
things!!), I wanted to take a minute to thank some people. Thank you to
EACH and EVERY ONE of you who have read the story, and let me know you were
reading. Hearing from the fans makes writing that much more enjoyable. A
big THANK YOU, to David and Nifty for allowing me to post this story on the
archive.

A very special thank you to a few VERY special guys: Rune, for your honest
and constructive advice; Chris, for talking to me (even though you yell at
me sometimes! :-D); Justin, for the conversations and funny subject lines;
Michael, my west coast friend; Andy, for loving Kevin so much! *VBG*; and
Nik for your ever present encouragement. All of your emails mean a lot to
me guys. THANK YOU!

As I've mentioned to a few people, this is the end, for now. I MAY come
back to the story in the future, but no promises, and please, no bugging
me! :-))

At the end of this story, I've included the first couple of pages from four
other stories I've started. If anyone has a preference, let me know!

Thanks again to everyone! Kenitra
kenitra_canada@hotmail.com

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

Set You Free
**********
Part 11 (Two months later)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Jason, there's a delivery for you," a woman called out.

Jason left the dark room and walked to the front of the small galleria.
"What'd you say Kristi? I was in the back," Jason said.

The petite, middle-aged woman smiled fondly at Jason. "You're always in the
back, Jason. You need to get out more. I said there was a delivery for
you." She handed him an unmarked envelope.

Inside was a pass for a concert that night with a surprise guest at Massey
Hall. Jason's heart flipped. He looked inside the envelope again. The only
other thing inside was a tiny piece of paper with one word written on it
*Free?*. Jason gasped and Kristi looked at him.

"Something wrong, Jason?" the gallery owner asked.

Jason looked at her and smiled the most genuine and happy smile she had
seen since they had met. "No.  Everything is finally right," he said.

-------------------------------------------------

Jason was nervous as he approached the concert hall. It hadn't taken long
for the rumors to fly about who the mystery guest was and the street was
swarming with teenage girls.

Jason showed his pass at the door and was admitted. He walked into the
theatre, his apprehension growing.  It had been two months since he'd left
Orlando. In that time, the only communication he'd had with any of the
singers was two answering machine messages. Brian had left a message
wanting to know that he got home safe. Jason had left a message letting
them know he was okay.

During those two months, Jason had taken charge of his life. He'd sold the
house and moved into an apartment in the city. He'd taken some night
classes. Most importantly, he'd found Kristi Wilson, owner of Wilson's
Galleria, a small gallery and art shop in downtown Toronto. He'd shown her
some of his Orlando photographs and she loved them.

She'd booked him a show and it had been a great success. The trendy, urban
clientele loved the pictures, some preferring the happy, funs one, others
the dark and poignant shots.  Only one of his pictures in the gallery
wasn't for sale. It was a picture of a man, taken almost from the back, but
it showed a powerful, thoughtful man with a sharp nose and wide brows,
strong angular chin. Jason called it *The one*. He refused to talk about it
or tell anyone whom the picture was of.

Now here he was, about to see *the one* again. He'd been a little surprised
that he hadn't heard from Kevin.  But then, what did he expect after he
took off like he did.

Jason found his seat right in front of the stage. The crowd reminded him of
the concert in Orlando. He didn't even bother to look up when someone sat
down beside him. The person leaned close to Jason.

"Love you too, Jay," the man said softly before quickly standing up and
darting backstage. Jason looked up, catching a brief glimpse of Kevin as he
pulled off his hat and glasses disguise in the wings. Their eyes met, and
Jason grinned.

The concert began, starting with the upbeat Larger than Life. Each of the
guys smiled and winked at Jason as they danced by. Jason never took his
eyes from Kevin and was anxious for the concert to end.

He sighed when it finally did. He remained in his seat, uncertain about
what to do. Should he go backstage or sit and wait? The crowd filed out
quickly leaving Jason sitting alone. He finally stood up and walked
backstage. The place was fairly deserted; only a few voices could be heard
here and there.

"Hey Jayce, you owe me a rematch on that race," Howie's voice came from
behind him. Howie was talking about the five mile race they'd had the day
before Jason had left.

Jason turned and grinned. "Name the time and place D," he said as Howie
gave him a quick hug. "Good to see ya again."

"You too," Howie said and continued on to wherever he was going.

"So how do you fix photos that come out all red?" A.J. asked as he walked
up to Jason.

"What? Do we have to go through that lesson again?" Jason asked with a
smile.

"Guess so." A.J. patted his shoulder and trailed after Howie.

Jason knew the hard part was coming. He peered into a room and saw Nick and
Brian finishing dressing.  They were goofing around. Nick was holding
Brian, who had his legs around Nick's waist, while he buttoned Nick's
shirt. Jason couldn't help but smile; they were so incredible together.

Nick spotted Jason by the door and smiled. Brian turned his head and
dropped down. He held out his hand.  Jason quickly walked to the two men
and was engulfed in a three-way hug.  Words weren't necessary and for that,
Jason was grateful because he could feel the tears close by. They finally
separated and Jason looked at them.

"Where?" he asked softly. Brian pointed to a closed door. "Thank you,"
Jason whispered and walked to the door.

He pulled it open and immediately saw Kevin sitting at a table looking
through some papers - always the businessman.

Jason smiled and walked in, his heartbeat increasing as he looked at the
love of his life. How had he gone two months without seeing him? Kevin
looked up. He rose and waited until Jason was standing in front of
him. Green eyes met teal eyes.

Kevin reached out and tentatively touched Jason's cheek, suddenly unsure of
himself. Jason's skin was on fire; the touch sent shock waves through him
and he trembled. Kevin's eyes spoke a thousand words, just like a
photograph; they spoke of pain, longing, hope and love - absolute, pure,
simple love.

Jason could feel that love radiating from Kevin and sighed in
wonderment. He reached up and took that beautiful face in his hands. "I
love you, Kevin Richardson, now and forever," Jason whispered, his voice
overflowing with emotions.

Kevin felt his heart suddenly soar - the ties that had been binding it
suddenly broke away and he was free.  He had never known love could feel so
incredible and he breathed it in deeply. He lost himself in those green
eyes and smiled at the inspiring sensations. "And I love you Jason Hunter,"
he said softly, smiling tremulously.

"I'm so sorry it took me so long to find my way to you, " Jason said,
unable to look away.

Kevin just continued to smile. "You had to find yourself before you could
find us." He lowered his head and found Jason's full, sensuous lips. The
kiss was filled with the love neither had been able to express until
now. Kevin wrapped his arms around Jason, holding him tightly to his body
as their mouths continued their dance, discovering, tasting and teasing
each other's lips and tongues. Jason leaned into the taller man and knew he
was home.

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

THE END


Check out the sneak previews below and let me know if you have a fave!
Kenitra
kenitra_canada@hotmail.com

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

Nick and Ryan

'God, I have to get out of here,' Nick thought to himself. Thoughts were
running wild through his mind and he couldn't sleep. He looked over at
Brian sound asleep in the other bed.  Quietly he pulled on track pants, a
t-shirt and sneakers. Earlier in the day he'd flipped through the local
phone book and found a 24 hour gym nearby. Nick grabbed his basketball,
keys and some money, quietly stuffing them into a small gym bag.  Picking
up his jacket, he silently slipped out the door and out of the hotel.

It was after midnight and fortunately, all the little girls had gone home.
Nick breathed in the cold air. 'What am I going to do? Today was the
worst. Every guy I see I began to think about, wondering what kissing a man
would be like, being held in strong arms. I've been fighting myself for so
long, I am just so tired.' Nick thought. 'Just say it Nick,' a little voice
said inside. "I'm gay," he finally whispered aloud. Then quickly looked
around to make sure no one had heard him.

Everything was falling apart. He couldn't go on fighting himself, but how
could he tell the guys the truth?  Especially Brian. He'd been distancing
himself from him lately, and Brian had noticed. Typical Brian though,
didn't push. He was waiting for Nick to confide in him, as Nick always did;
until now. The others may eventually come to accept that he was gay, but
Nick was sure Brian never would.

Nick sighed as he approached the gym. He needed to let out some of his
frustrations and b-ball was always a good idea. He walked in and found the
empty court. He dumped his stuff in a corner and began dribbling the ball,
before taking some free throws.

He'd only been there for a few minutes when he heard someone walk in. Nick
turned and found two men approaching him. 'Shit, they don't look like they
want to play ball,' he thought.

"Hey man," one of them said as they continued to walk towards Nick. "Nice
shoes," he added as he looked down at Nick's feet. Of course, he'd had to
wear his most expensive sneakers.

The other one knocked the ball out of Nick's hand and began bouncing
it. "So you think you can play ball, do ya?" he asked, as he passed the
ball to the first guy. Nick was in the middle.

"I'm not too bad," Nick said, trying to stay calm although he wasn't.

"Well, why don't we play some two on one, and the winner gets those shoes
of yours," Number two said.  'Yeah right, like I'd have a hope in hell of
winning that one,' Nick thought.

"Listen, why don't you just give me back the ball, and you guys can have
the court," Nick said loudly hoping someone would hear him.

They looked at each other. "Nay, don't think so," the first guy said.
"Unless you just want to give us that watch of yours," he added, getting
right into Nick's face. Now he was afraid. He could just imagine the
headlines, *BSB killed in ball court mugging*. Of course, imagining Kevin's
reaction was even more frightening.

In the locker room, Ryan Hastings took off his coat. He was surprised to
hear voices coming from the basketball court. Usually when he finished a
3-11 shift, and made it to the court by one am, the place was empty. He
sighed, the voices were arguing, just what he wanted to deal with.  Ryan
pulled his wallet out of his gym bag and stuck it over the waistband of his
jeans. He pushed open the door and saw two men hassling a young blond
guy. He was wearing expensive sneakers and a Nike suit. The fact that he
was drop dead cute caught Ryan's attention too. He was about six feet tall,
but obviously not used to the type of aggression he was facing; Ryan could
tell he was afraid.

Ryan decided the best way to deal was to go easy and not piss the two guys
off. "Hey, little bro, I thought it was just going to be you and I playing
tonight," he called out, immediately attracting the attention of all three
guys. Ryan figured he could pass as the young guy's brother having similar
straight blond hair, although his eyes were green and the blond's were
definitely blue. The two aggressors backed off slightly.  The blond kid
looked at Ryan gratefully and played along.

"That's what I thought too, bro." Nick moved slightly away from the men,
grateful for the help.

Ryan set his gym bag down and turned around, loving the little power trip
he got when the two men saw the police badge at his waist. Their eyes
widened and they began to back away. Nick looked closer at the new man. He
looked too young to be a cop. Nick also noticed that he was very cute, with
vibrant green eyes. Ryan continued playing along. "I guess we could go two
on two, if you want?" he said as he approached the three men.

That was enough for them. "Nah, you guys go ahead," one of the men said as
they both walked quickly towards the door. "We'll play some other day."
They dashed out the door.

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

Brian and AJ

He picked up the mail from his mailbox and immediately spotted the two
large brown envelopes. He practically ran to the elevator and jumped
on. The pictures had finally arrived. He ripped off the end of one and
peered in. The elevator dinged and he jumped off, running down the hall to
his apartment.

"Damn," he swore quietly under his breath as the lock jammed. He jiggled
the key and the lock popped open. Slamming the door shut behind him, he sat
down on his couch and poured the photographs onto the coffee table.

He wasn't interested in the ones of the tall, young blond, or the two
brunettes. He sighed happily when he found what he was looking for; a close
up shot of that beautiful face with soft, wavy light brown hair, intense
blue eyes and square jaw.

Ripping open the second envelope, he repeated his actions. His brown eyes
lit up when he found the picture he'd been dreaming about. The five singers
were in a row, all but one with goofy smiles on their faces. He hadn't been
able to smile. Having those arms around him had been too
distracting. Another picture on the table attracted his attention. The five
men were wearing shirts and jackets, but their pants were down at their
ankles showing their legs. He couldn't resist running his fingers over the
picture and down those sexy, muscled legs of his beloved.

Suddenly tears began to run down his face as he remembered the announcement
from a few weeks ago. His beloved was going to get married in September.

-------------------------------------------------------

(in another apartment, elsewhere in the city)

"This came in the mail for you," the man said, tossing a large brown
envelope on the table.

"Thanks, cus," he said, trying to contain his excitement. He picked up the
package and walked back to his bedroom. He closed the door and made sure it
was locked. He couldn't risk having anyone walk in on him and wonder what
he's doing.

Sitting down at the desk, he opened the envelope and pulled out the
photographs. As he sorted, he set aside the pictures of his cousin, the
young blond, and the other brunette. He only wanted the pictures of his
angel with the short, spiky, colored hair and goatee. He smiled gently at
the individual shot he found. Then he sighed as he realized that in all the
pictures, his love was wearing his dark sunglasses. All he wanted was to
see those beautiful brown eyes. Finally, he found the picture he'd been
waiting for. The five were standing in a row, arms around each other,
joking around. He had managed to slip in beside his angel and when the
photographer said for everyone to hug, he'd done just that. His eyes closed
as he remembered the feeling, standing so close and holding him in his
arms, even if only for a moment.  Looking at his own image, he recognized
the genuine smile, one people rarely saw in his pictures. But how could he
not smile when everything his heart truly desired was standing beside him,
and in his arms.

He gathered up the photographs and put them back in the envelope before
taking them to his small safe and locking them away. Angrily he brushed the
tears from his cheeks. God had brought his angel into his life seven years
ago, but it was God, too, who was breaking his heart by not allowing them
to be together. Not that his angel would want him. In seven years of
friendship, there had been no indication, not even when he'd reluctantly
announced his plans to get married in the fall. 'But then, he doesn't know
that you're gay, does he?' he asked himself.

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

Brian and Tyler

The boy staggered down the dark alley, completely oblivious to his
surroundings. The only thing he knew was that he had to find some place
safe, some place safe and warm before he died. He made his way to the end
of the alley and leaned heavily against the corner of the brick
building. He paused, trying to focus his mind, numbed by the drugs he'd
been given. He peered around the corner.

A large bus was parked, idling against the curb. He could feel the warmth
emanating from the vehicle. He just wanted to crawl up beside it and
die. Before he could move, the bus door opened and a man walked off. He lit
up a cigarette and glanced around. The man took out a cell phone and
dialed.

Through his fogged brain, he could make out a few things the man said. The
bus was secure...no one on board...ready to roll. The boy watched as the
man closed the phone and began walking around. His mind lost in delirium,
he didn't even think when he walked towards the bus as the driver wandered
around to the front end of the vehicle. The door was open and the only
thing he knew was that he needed to be warm, he needed a warm place to curl
up and pray for death.

Despite his condition, he still registered surprise when he found the bus
lit up inside. There were couches and tables. He stumbled towards the back
and found bunks, six in all. His legs finally gave out and he fell over
onto one of the lower bunks. His body gave into the pain, and horror and
numbness as blackness took control.

---------------------------------------------

"Damn, its cold out there!" AJ exclaimed as he rushed onto the tour bus,
quickly followed by Nick, Brian, Howie and Kevin.

"Ya think?" Brian asked sarcastically through his shivers. He walked over
to the small kitchenette on the bus and put a kettle of water on to
boil. "Who wants tea or hot chocolate?"  he asked the others.

Three voted for chocolate and one for tea. Brian was going to have tea too.
The five guys slumped down on the two couches and one chair, trying to
relax after their long concert. A phone on the wall of the bus rang, and
Howie reached above his head to answer it.

"Yeah, I think we're ready to roll," he said as he glanced at his
bandmates.  Each one nodded. "Yeah, we're good to go." He hung up the
phone. About a minute later, the bus began to move. They would be driving
all night before they got to the next city. They would finally get to check
into a hotel though because they were doing two shows over three nights.

The five men sat quietly as they drank their hot beverage and gradually
calmed down from the typical adrenaline rush that came with each concert
they did. Nearly an hour after the bus began to roll Brian stood up.

"That's it for me guys. I'm gonna crash," he said, stifling a yawn.

"Night, Bri," the guys said as he walked back to the bunks.

--------------------------------------------

"Aaaaahhhhhhh!"

--------------------------------------------

The boy bolted awake when he heard the scream. The drugs still had a hold
of him and he couldn't remember where he was. But his body quickly reminded
him of the pain. He instantly curled up in a tight ball and covered his
face with his hands. His entire body trembled.

Kevin was the first to reach Brian when they heard him scream. Brian was
holding back the curtain for his bunk, staring into it.

"What the hell Bri?" Kevin asked. Then he looked at the bunk and saw the
curled body, covered in tattered clothes and dirt, trembling. "Oh fuck!" he
said quietly.

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

Kevin and Kian

`Maybe I should have gone back with Jerold,' Kevin thought as he stared out
the window at the constant stream of icy rain. 'Although I wouldn't be
doing much more at home than I am here.' He sighed. 'Alone as usual,' he
thought.

"Parlez l'anglais?" a deep voice behind him suddenly said.

Kevin started slightly, drawn out of his daydreaming. "Excuse me?" Kevin
asked as he turned to the voice and found he had to look up to see amber
eyes surrounded by wavy blond hair.  He felt his heart race. This man was
gorgeous.

"Sorry," the man said, smiling easily. "I asked if you spoke English, which
you obviously do. I think we're the only two here with English as a first
language." Kevin remembered to breathe.

'Why haven't I seen him before?' he wondered before offering his hand.
"Kevin Richardson." The man's large hand was warm and his handshake firm.

"Nice to meet you Kevin. I'm Kian Lareau." `Please tell me you're gay,'
Kian wanted to ask, immediately taken by the incredibly handsome man
looking at him. 'How'd I miss seeing him?'

Kevin quickly looked the man over. He stood at least four inches above
Kevin's six-one frame and was solid muscles. Kevin smiled as his heart
turned. "Let me guess, Irish and French?" he said just wanting to keep
talking to this stranger.

Kian laughed a deep full laugh that made Kevin grin. "Not too obvious eh?"
Kian said. 'He looks familiar, but I would remember seeing someone as hot
as him.'

"Ah, and Canadian too!" Kevin added, making Kian laugh again.

"Attention, s'il vous plait!" a voice instructed. The dozen or so guests
sitting in the chalet's large lounge turned to look at the resort
manager. He began speaking quickly in French.  Kevin sighed; he was quickly
becoming tired of hearing only French.

Kian heard the sigh and realized Kevin probably didn't speak any of the
language. He leaned close to Kevin; Kevin could feel his breath on his
cheek. Kevin could smell Kian's cologne and his senses went wild. "He's
explaining that the weather forecasters are predicting the storm will last
another couple of days." Kian paused to hear more. "The roads are
completely closed and the road down from here is blocked by fallen trees
and branches." Another pause. "We don't need to worry because the resort is
well stocked with food and uses propane for cooking and heat so we won't
freeze if the power goes out."

"Great," Kevin muttered and Kian grinned, continuing his translation. Kevin
couldn't help but look up at the tall blonde as he spoke. 'He's like a
Greek God,' Kevin thought, then 'Kev you've been alone way too long, now
get your mind out of the gutter.' Kevin tried to focus his attention on the
manager while listening to Kian translate.

"He asks that we all bear with him, its unfortunate, but the weather is
unpredictable and blah, blah, blah..." Kian finished and grinned at
Kevin. Kevin returned the smile. It was gnawing at Kian; where had he seen
that beautiful smile before?