Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 22:32:36 EST
From: RinSong@aol.com
Subject: The Reunion Part 8

Disclaimer: This story is a work of pure fiction.  It is in no way meant to
show that he members of 98 Degrees are homosexual.  This is just a piece
that I have had running around my head for a couple of weeks.

Rating: PG

I love all of the feedback that you guys are sending!  Keep it coming.

All right everyone.  I can't take it much further than this.  I know I
promised more but I don't think I can get much more out of this one.  I
still have to end it and I will be doing that shortly.  Don't worry though,
I promise that it won't be one of those badly written rush to the finish
endings that we all hate.  LOL

<> these indicate private thoughts.

Here ya go!  Enjoy!!

Peace.
RinSong@aol.com

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


     Matt and Jeff talked for a bit about old times.  Matt had to laugh at
the wonderful memory that Jeff possessed.  It was amazing, the things he
could pull out of the air.  "Oh! Wait!  You remember that Halloween, you
convinced Nick to go in drag to the party?  Oh my God!  I never laughed so
hard in my life."

     "Yeah, that was a good one wasn't it," Matt said, his voice dropping
off at the end.  He turned and looked out the window for a moment and
swiped quickly at his eyes.  As he was turning his head back around to face
Jeff, he found himself staring into the other man's eyes.  Jeff was
kneeling on the floor in front of him, his face filled with concern.

     "Matt?  What is it?  What's wrong," Jeff asked quietly.  He reached up
and wiped a tear from Matt's cheek.

     "You figure it out, hot shot," Matt said, smiling a little.  He turned
his head away from Jeff's hand and sighed.  It was too late, the tears were
coming and there was nothing he could do to stop them and he knew it.  "I
miss him so much it hurts.  I just can't go through it all over again."

     Shh, I know.  It's all right," Jeff said.  He reached up and took Matt
into his arms and rocked him softly as the other man cried into his
shoulder.  "Everything is going to be fine.  You'll see."

     "Oh, Jeff, why does it still hurt after all this time?  I still love
him so much!  The other day, in my office, I wanted nothing more than to
just run into his arms and tell him how much I loved him.  But, I couldn't
bring myself to do that."

     Jeff didn't say anything.  He just continued to hold the other man and
rock him gently.  After a bit, Matt stopped crying and just rested his head
on Jeff's shoulder and watched out the window.  He heard Jeff ask him if
was all right now and raised his head.  "Yes.  Thanks."

     "You are more than welcome," Jeff said, smiling at him.  It was at
that moment that Jeff leaned in and kissed him.

     Matt quickly pulled away, the surprise and confusion evident on his
face.  Jeff blushed and started to stammer.

     "Oh God!  Matt, I'm sorry...I don't know...shit...why here?  Why now?"

     Jeff stood up and began to pace around the living room.  He was
muttering apologies left and right and berating himself for what he did.
Matt walked over and grabbed Jeff's arms.

     "Jeff, stop it.  Nothing happened.  See, we are still alive and whole.
Don't worry about it.  I'm not angry," Matt told him.  He smiled and patted
Jeff's cheek and laughed softly.  "Come on, let's get you back to the
hotel."

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

     The ride back to the hotel was a quiet one.  Neither was sure what to
say to the other without the risk of seeming foolish.  Both of them were
shocked by what had happened and were trying to figure out what to do about
it.

     <I can't believe he kissed me.>

     <I can't let Nick or any of the others know what happened.  They would
never forgive me.>

     "Well, here we are," Matt said, breaking the silence.  He put the car
in park and turned to smile at Jeff.  "Thanks for the visit Jeff.  It was
nice.  Please tell me that didn't sound as lame as I think it did."

     Jeff laughed.  "No it didn't.  You're fine.  Take care Matt."  Jeff
climbed out of the car and walked toward the door to the hotel.  It was
just then that he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

     Turning to look out his window, Matt came face to face with Drew.
Jumping and letting out a yelp of surprise and shock, he sent Drew back a
few steps as he surprised the other man as well.  "Matt, I am sorry.  I
didn't mean to scare you."

     "A little late for that Drew.  What do you need?"  Matt was not in the
mood to deal with Drew and his games right then.

     "Look, I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other day at
the theater. I was out of line.  I'm sorry."  Drew looked up at Matt and
blushed a little, giving him a sheepish grin.

     Matt couldn't help but smile back.  "It's all right.  Laura called and
we talked.  She told me why you had done it.  I truly appreciate the
thought behind it."

     "You do?  Cool.  Well, I had better go," Drew said, he walked around
to the other side of the car and the turned back.  "I don't suppose that
you would want to come up with me?  To talk to Nick?"

     "No, I don't think that would be a good idea, Drew.  But, thanks
anyway," matt told him.  "I had better get home.  Bye."

     "Bye."

     Drew stood on the sidewalk and watched as the other man drove
away. <Well, I tried Laura.  I told you I would.>