Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 22:25:50 -0400
From: musicfan <musicfan@subdimension.com>
Subject: Where Do We Go #18

     Before they had left Stephen's hotel room, he and Eloy had agreed to
meet down at a Soho coffee shop.  Stephen didn't want to take chances with
any fans that might have gotten a tip off that he had come into town early.
He left as Eloy was finishing his shower and walked down the four flights
to the lobby.  He didn't see anyone as he left the hotel, so it looked like
he actually was lucky for once.

       After wandering around the neighbourhood and looking into some of
the shops, he entered the coffee shop.  It was a great place to meet
people... it was one of the lads favorite haunts because no one ever
bothered them there.  The man minding the counter nodded as Stephen walked
through the door and smiled.

     "Mornin'," he said as he pulled down a mug from the hook overhead and
poured Stephen a cup of coffee.  "It's been a while.  How are you?"

      "Not too bad, Ned.  How's it going?" Stephen said.  He dropped two
sugar cubes in the mug, picked up the mug and sipped.

     "Can't complain, Stephen. Can't complain," Ned said amiably.  "What
else can I get you?"

     Stephen looked through the glass to the pastries and sweets inside.
He found he was famished.  "What's your special this morning?"  He took
another sip from his mug.  As usual, the coffee was excellent.

     "Ham steak and eggs," the man said as he took a wet cloth and wiped
the counter.

      "Ah, sounds good.  I'll have that with some toast on the side, if I
may." Stephen asked.  After asking him how he wanted his eggs cooked, the
Ned nodded and told Stephen to take a seat.  Stephen looked around, but
Eloy still hadn't arrived yet.  He chose a table towards the back that was
shadowed from the windows.  It was midmorning, and there was a lull in
business.  That was fine with Stephen. He sat back against the wall and
drank his coffee.  Not too long afterwards, Eloy walked in.  He blinked as
he pulled his sunglasses off, trying to adjust to the dim light.  Stephen
took the opportunity to watch him over the rim of his mug.  He shoved the
glasses in his back pocket as he moved over to the counter and talked to
the proprietor.

     Stephen let his eyes wander over Eloy as he leaned against the
counter, his hip jutting out to one side.  The worn jeans he had on fit him
rather snugly, and Stephen smiled into his coffee as he appreciated the
view.  He let his eyes drift upwards.  Eloy had a faded blue button down
shirt on.  Over that, he had a denim bomber jacket.  His hair was still
damp from the shower he had taken and it curled over the collar of his
jacket.

     He smiled as Eloy turned to look around the room.  Spotting Stephen
towards the back, he nodded to the man behind the counter and walked over,
his coffee cup in one hand and a coffeepot in the other.  Stephen pushed
the chair opposite out from the table with his foot and Eloy sat down.  He
settled the pot down and took a sip of his coffee.

     "Hey there," he said, smiling at Stephen.  "Good choice."

      "Yeah, it's a good place," Stephen said with a grin.  "Any trouble
finding it?"  He reached for the pot and poured more coffee into his mug.

      "No, not at all.  Good directions," Eloy said.  "What'd you order?"
He cocked his head back to the counter at the front.

      "Special of the day, eggs and ham steak." Stephen said.  "For some
reason, I'm starved."  He grinned and Eloy laughed.

     "We must be on the same wavelength, because I went with the same
thing."  He set his mug down and leaned on the table.  "Hmmm, kind of quiet
here."

      "Yeah, sometimes.  It's great because even when it does get busy,
people tend to leave you to your own devices.  The rest of the lads and I
have been coming here for years now."  Stephen leaned back and tipped his
chair against the wall.

     "Ja, I can see why."  Eloy leaned his chin on his hand and casually
looked around.  There were old clippings from the local soccer teams in
framed pictures along the walls, different smiling faces of people over the
years.  It helped create a nice old hometown feel.  It was a comfortable
place to be in.

      A short while later their food came and they dug into it with relish.
In between bites they discussed what they wanted to do for the day and came
up with a plan to wander the shops.  After one last cup of coffee they put
some money on the table and left, waving to Ned as they went out the door.

      "Which way?" Eloy asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking
up and down the street.  Stephen paused and thought about it for a moment.

      "This way," he said, indicating the way with a jerk of his head.
They strolled down the street, chatting.  Occasionally they'd stop and look
in a window when something looked interesting.  They avoiding the busier
shopping areas for the most part.

      "Hey," Eloy said, pausing in front of a storefront.  Stephen turned
and looked over his shoulder.  Eloy was reading a brochure posted in the
window of the shop.  It was a travel brochure advertising a bus tour.
"What do you think of this?" He asked, pointing to the ad.

      "What, go on it?" Stephen asked with a laugh.  He peered at the
brochure that was showing tourists looking at castles and various sites of
interest.  "Be tourists?"

      "Ja, why not?" Eloy asked with a grin.  "Do you know in all the times
I've come here, I haven't seen anything here?  And look, this one goes to
Stonehenge.  I'd like to see that."

      "Oh, I don't know E," Stephen said reluctantly.  Though he had never
been to any of those sites, either.

     "Aww, c'mon," Eloy cajoled.  Stephen started to waver.

      "Well, we can look into it." He said.  Eloy smiled and opened the
door.  Stephen rolled his eyes and followed Eloy inside.  They found that
they were actually in the back entrance and a long hallway led them down to
the lobby.  Inside the lobby, there were all sorts of people waiting.  Most
of them, judging by their accents, were from America or Canada.  Stephen
relaxed more as he realized that chances were there weren't going to be
many locals taking a travel tour in the middle of the week.  He let Eloy go
talk to the woman behind the ticket counter while he looked at some of the
other adverts on the walls.  A few minutes later Eloy walked over to where
Stephen was standing.

     "There's one leaving in about 15 minutes.  It goes to Stonehenge,
Salisbury and Bath, and is back in time for dinner."  Eloy grinned.
Stephen had to laugh.  He seemed so excited about the trip.  "Can we go?"

     "Yeah, we can go," Stephen agreed.  Eloy went back over and got them
their tickets and they waited off to the side for the tour to be called.
Stephen looked around at the other people waiting.  There seemed to be a
small family group sitting at one end of a bench and the mother was trying
to keep the kids quiet while they waited.  One small boy was climbing on
the back of the bench and reaching past his mother to pull on his sister's
hair.  She gave out an earth-shattering screech and Stephen had to turn to
hide a grin.  Eloy covered his laugh by turning it into a cough as the
mother turned to reprimand her son.

     And older woman turned on the microphone at the desk and tentatively
leaned down to speak into it.  Everybody winced at the whine it produced as
her necklace banged into the mic.  She announced the tour and people
started shuffling for the door.  Stephen and Eloy got to the back of the
line and followed a group of chattering older women.  They got on the bus
and worked their way to the back of the bus.

     It wasn't a large group, about 30 people or so.  The bus held at least
twice that, so they didn't have anyone sitting near them in the back of the
bus.  Stephen sat next to the window and Eloy took the isle seat.

     "You going to be okay back here?" Eloy asked.  He knew that sometimes
Stephen got motion sick.

     "I think so.  We'll see.  If I have to move up front, I will," Stephen
assured him.  "But I'd rather sit back here with you."  He glanced around
to make sure that everyone was looking at the tour guide as the bus started
rolling before reaching out and clasping Eloy's hand in his.  Eloy smiled
and threaded his fingers in Stephen's.  They sat back in their seats and
listened to the tinny voice of the tour guide that came through the
overhead speaker.  She was busy describing the local sites as they made
their way through the narrow streets out of the city.  Occasionally when a
break in the buildings allowed, she'd point out places like the Tower or
St. Paul's Cathedral.  They obediently craned their necks in the directions
indicated.

     Eventually they were out of the city and onto the M3 motorway.  Meg,
the tour guide, gave them a short description of their first stop, which
was Salisbury.  Eloy lightly stroked his thumb on the back of Stephen's
hand.  Stephen leaned his head against Eloy's shoulder and smiled. They
passed the trip in a comfortable silence as they listened to the chatter of
the other passengers in front of them.

     Being this close to him, Stephen could smell Eloy's cologne.  It
brought back memories of the night before and he found himself shifting in
his seat, a bit restless.  A part of him wished they had just stayed in the
hotel room.  But he could see that Eloy wanted a bit of an adventure.  His
thoughts were interrupted by Meg announcing their arrival in Salisbury and
she started her spiel about the town that surrounded the famous cathedral.

     "As we step off the bus, you will notice the lovely gardens to your
right.  They were created in...." She said as she stepped outside and
Stephen missed the rest of what she was saying.  He reluctantly dropped
Eloy's hand as they got up and made their way to the front of the bus and
off.  He pulled down his hat and squinted in the bright noontime light.

      "You'll no doubt be surprised to find that over 600,000 visitors come
here each year to see the Cathedral," Meg was saying as they moved to stand
at the back of their small tour.  "It was built in 1220 and its spire which
you see above you is the tallest in Britain at 123 meters.  It took over 30
years to complete the cathedral, which was finally finished in 1258. The
spire itself was built many years later, starting in 1285, and completed
finally in 1310.  Off to the right you can see the Bishop's Palace.  I
highly recommend that as you walk inside, you look at the Close, which is
the courtyard behind the spire and those of you interested in history will
be interested to know that the Cathedral hosts one of only four existing
copies of the Magna Carta.  You will find that in the Chapter House off to
the side."

      Stephen and Eloy followed the group as the tour guide led them
through the different areas as she talked.  One of the older gentlemen took
pictures of just about everything and everyone as they went and Eloy
chuckled as his wife kept on shushing him.  They all quieted down as they
entered the cathedral proper.  Stephen bowed his head briefly as they
passed the precept area.  Eloy stared up at the vaulted ceiling, amazed at
the amount of detail that the artisans had crafted so many years ago.  He
wasn't religious at all, but paused out of respect for those who were.

       Soon they entered the cloistered garden in the center of the
cathedral and Meg pointed out the huge sycamore trees that graced the
middle of the garden.  She informed them that they were planted in honour
of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne.  She then asked if they had
any questions.  A couple of people asked a question here or there.  One
woman said that she had heard there were a few famous people associated
with the cathedral and Meg listed several artists and poets who had left
their mark there.  When she mentioned T.S. Elliot, Stephen slanted an
amused glance at Eloy.

      "I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots; Her coat is
of the tabby kind, with tiger stripes and leopard spots. All day she sits
upon the stair or on the steps or on the mat; She sits and sits and sits
and sits--and that's what makes a Gumbie Cat!" Stephen whispered softly,
quoting from Elliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.  Eloy grinned in
appreciation.

       Meg gave them leave to wander about for another half-hour before
returning to the bus and heading onto Stonehenge.  Stephen and Eloy
followed the path leading out of the cloister and walked around the
cathedral.  There, they bumped into a couple of their fellow tourists.

     "Oh, hello!" The young woman said, absently pushing her glasses
further up the bridge of her nose.

     "Hello," Eloy said.  He moved off to one side to allow them to pass.

     "I don't suppose you know which direction our bus is in, do you?" She
asked, a bit breathlessly.  "I'm afraid my mother and I are a bit lost and
have no clue as to which direction is which."

     "Ja, we're headed back there ourselves." Eloy said with a smile.  "I
think it's this way."

     "Oh then you don't mind if we follow you, do you?" The older woman
asked.  Stephen could see the family resemblance.  Both women had brown
hair, though the daughter's was a good deal darker.  They were about the
same height - about 1.5 meters.  He also took an instant liking to both of
them.

     "You're certainly welcome to follow, but you might also find out that
we're just as lost!" He laughed.

     "I think we'll take that chance, if you don't mind!" The younger woman
said.  "I'm Helene, by the way, and this is my mother Dorothea.  We're not
from around here," she said with a smile, as if her mid-western accent
wasn't a giveaway already.

     "I'm Stephen and this is Eloy," Stephen said, grinning.  "And I'll let
you in on a secret: we're not from around here, either."  They all laughed,
since it was obvious from both of their accents that they weren't locals,
either.  They walked along the path that wound itself around the edge of
the cathedral grounds.  Helene talked about some of the other tours she and
her mother had been on over the past couple of weeks.

      "In fact, we were in your neck of the woods," she said to Stephen.

      "Oh, really?  Did you enjoy it?" Stephen asked.  Ahead of them Eloy
was leaning down to listen to what Dorothea had to say.  Occasionally he'd
let out a laugh in response.

       "Oh, definitely.  It's so beautiful over there.  What part are you
from?" She asked as she looked up at him.

     "Dublin," Stephen replied as they rounded the corner and found
themselves back in the car park.

     "Oh, we didn't get there.  I wanted to, but I was a little intimidated
driving around.  The country wasn't so bad, but going into the city was a
little hairy.  I kept on thinking I was going to forget and drive on the
wrong side of the road!" Helene laughed and Stephen had to laugh in
response.  She had one of those fetching laughs that just invited you to
join in with it.

    "I'm sure it wouldn't have been that bad," he said.  "But then, I don't
drive, so it's easy for me to say." Dorothea sat down on a bench near the
tour bus and Helene sat down next to her.  Stephen pulled on his sunglasses
since the afternoon sun was hitting him full in the face.

     "I was just telling Eloy here that we might be related," Dorothea said
with a laugh.  "Since we have some Dutch blood somewhere in our history."

     "Well, if that were to be the case, I would be delighted to have you
as a relative, Dorothea."  Eloy said gallantly.  Both women laughed and
they chatted as the rest of the tour came straggling back.  Meg rounded
everyone up and they got back on the bus.  Helene urged them to sit closer
to the front, but Eloy begged off, saying he was more comfortable
stretching out in the back where his long legs wouldn't get in anyone's
way.  Again they sat towards the back of the bus and Eloy made a point of
stretching his legs into the isle.

          Soon they were underway and Meg gave them the story of Stonehenge
as they drove along towards the site.

     "Stonehenge is one of those mysteries that historians still argue
about.  It was built well over 4,000 years ago and its purpose is still
under question.  Some people see it as an astronomical timepiece.  Others
think that it was built as a temple for some long dead religion.  It is
thought to have been built over the course of some 25 generations, with
whole families devoted to its completion.  The noted antiquarian John
Aubrey thought it a place of worship for the Druids, but we now know that
the Druids are younger by about 2,000 years to when Stonehenge was first
built.

    "Nonetheless, the fact that it still exists today makes it a veritable
monument for the builders, whomever they were.  Started in 3,000 BCE, it
through to have been constructed over many years and completed somewhere in
the neighbourhood of 1,500 BCE.  One of the mysteries is how the stones got
there in the first place.  The sarsen stones, for instance, can weigh up to
45 tonnes and came all the way from Marlborough Downs, which is a distance
of some 30 kilometers.  The blue stones are thought to have come from much
farther away in the Preseli Mountains, which is a distance of 385
kilometers."

     Meg went on to describe some of what they were going to see and soon
they were travelling past the henge itself and into the car park located
across the street.  Meg gave them instructions on crossing over to where
Stonehenge was and also recommended the shop for trinkets and souvenirs.
The group got out of the bus and Stephen and Eloy found themselves paired
up with Helene and her mother again.  They strolled along, taking their
time as they walked through the underpass that led under the motorway to
the field on the other side.

     "Don't let me keep you gentlemen," Dorothea said as she paused for
breath.  "I'll just follow along at my own pace."

    "No, Dorothea, its not a problem," Eloy assured her.  "This way we let
the crowd get there first and they'll be bored by the time we get there."
He grinned and Stephen laughed.

    "Hey, that works for me," he said as he leaned against one of the posts
along the path.  Helene smiled and offered her arm to her mother for
support.  Eventually they got to the top of the hill and they all stood in
silence.  There was something about Stonehenge that required it.  They
could see the rest of their group and other tourists milling around the
structure.  Stephen half closed his eyes and tried to imagine the scene
without the people in it.  There was something wild and mystical about the
place and he shivered slightly.  Eloy cast a glance at him and raised an
eyebrow.  He shook his head and started to walk down the hill, Eloy, Helene
and Dorothea following behind him.  A wind kicked up and whistled around
the stones.  He was fascinated.  He always felt like he had an affinity for
things like this.  He could almost imagine the people who had built this
place surrounding the stones.  When Eloy touched him lightly on the
shoulder he jumped.

     "You okay?" Eloy asked, a bit concerned at his reaction.  Stephen took
a deep breath as he tried to slow down his heart after being startled by
Eloy's touch.

     "Yeah, fine.  Its just..." he trailed off, unable to explain how he
felt.

     "Eerie?" Helene asked softly, also caught up in the feeling of ancient
history that surrounded them.  Stephen nodded silently.  They quietly
walked around the monumental stones, occasionally referring to the notes in
the brochure.  A rope walled them off from getting closer to the stones as
a protection against vandalism.  After a short while later, they headed
back and stopped in the shop by the car park.  Helene picked up some
postcards to send to relatives back in the States while her mother poked
around at the T-shirts, looking for something to bring back to her
grandkids.  Eloy picked up a book on Stonehenge to read.  Stephen didn't
buy anything other than a cup of coffee from the stall outside.

     Eventually Meg rounded everyone up and they headed off to Bath.  Again
as they traveled, she gave them a brief history of what they were about to
see.

     "The Roman Baths here are the best preserved relics north of the Alps.
It is well known that the Romans found the hot springs a palliative and
curative for many ailments and would often locate temples close by for
worship.  In the case of Bath, there is a major temple dedicated to the
goddess Sulis Minerva.  Contrary to what you might think, people didn't
actually bathe here, but used the baths as places of worship, throwing
coins in honour of the goddess Minerva into the waters."

     Meg went on, describing the pump room and how it was a place for
social gatherings, much as it was in Roman times.  It was late afternoon
when they finally arrived and the tourists were a little slower at getting
out.  Stephen and Eloy wandered around the site, taking the audio tour.
After a while, they found themselves alone under the temple.  Eloy stood
behind Stephen and wrapped his arms around him, hugging him briefly.
Stephen leaned back into his embrace and pulled his headset off.

    "Just wanted to say thanks for this.  It's been fun."  Eloy's breath
tickled against his ear and Stephen shivered in reaction.  It was amazing
that the slightest touch could set him off the way it did.

     "Yeah, it was a good idea, E."  Stephen said softly, his eyes closed
in contentment.

     "Except for one thing," Eloy whispered.

     "What's that?" Stephen asked.

     "I haven't been able to touch you," Eloy said as he slipped his hand
inside Stephen's collar and stroked his neck.  Stephen sighed and rubbed
his head against Eloy's chin where it rested on his shoulder.  They stayed
like that a moment until a murmur of voices coming down the passageway
broke them apart.  Stephen pulled away reluctantly with a sigh of regret
and they separated just before a group of women clattered down the steps
and into the room.  Eloy looked down at the inscription in front of them as
if it were the most fascinating thing he had ever seen.  He moved politely
aside to let the women look and headed off down the passageway.  Stephen
followed after a minute and in a few moments they found themselves back on
the street level.

      "Well, I'll tell you I'm glad to be headed back," Stephen said.  "As
fun as this has been, I think I wouldn't mind a nice quiet evening back at
the hotel."  Eloy nodded and they made their way back to the bus.  After
finding the right one, they sat in the back again and waited for the rest
of the group to board.  It was dark inside and Stephen sat down with a
heartfelt sigh.

     "Tired?" Eloy asked as he sat down next to him and stretched his legs
into the isle.  He reached over and stroked Stephen's knee.

    "Just a bit.  That was a lot of walking around today!" Stephen said.
"But it was fun."

     "Ja, it was."  Eloy pulled his hand back as the bus driver got on.  He
nodded to the two men and sat down in the driver's seat.  Eventually people
started climbing aboard, and once Meg had rounded up everyone and counted
heads, they were on their way back to London.  It seemed like it was a lot
faster getting back than it had been earlier in the day when they were
headed out.  The streets of London closed about them and an hour later they
were disembarking.  Eloy handed both their driver Nick and their tour guide
Meg a nice tip as they got off.  They said their farewells to Helene and
her mother, and wished them a pleasant rest of their trip.  Dorothea
invited them to dinner, but they begged off, citing other commitments.

     They left the way they had come in, through the long hallway to the
other side of the block and out the back door.

     "What now?" Eloy asked.  The streetlights were just coming on as the
sun sank down behind the buildings to their left.  "Back to the hotel?"

     "Yeah, I figured we could get something in to eat and just relax for
the evening.  How's that sound to you?" Stephen asked.  Eloy nodded his
assent and they made their way back to the hotel.  Stephen sighed when he
saw what looked to be a sizeable crowd outside the front.  "Damn."

     "Around the side?" Eloy asked.  Stephen nodded and they agreed to meet
up in his room once they had both gotten inside.  Eloy let Stephen go first
and watched as he ducked around the corner and into the side entrance.  It
didn't look like anyone had seen him.  Since Eloy wasn't that well known
here in town, he had no problem crossing the busy street and moving through
the crowd and into the hotel.  There were quite a few fans waiting, but it
actually looked like the crowd waiting around the hotel was older.  He
stopped and chatted with the doorman.

     "Someone famous staying here?" He asked idly.

     "Yeah, believe it or not.  Tom Jones of all people!" The doorman
laughed and indicated the crowd with his hand.  "Would that I have that
kind of a crowd around me when I'm his age!"  Eloy chuckled and waved as he
went inside the lobby.  There was no sign of Stephen so he headed upstairs.

     He got off on the 4th floor and walked down the hall to Stephen's
room.  Enough time had passed that it was probably okay to knock.  He
knocked softly and Stephen opened the door.  Motioning him inside, Stephen
left him to close the door.  When Eloy finally entered, Stephen had just
finished closing all the drapes.

    "Any problem?" Stephen asked as he looked over his shoulder.

     "No, not at all.  And we're safe for the time being.  Apparently the
crowd was for Tom Jones, who's appearing over at Albert Hall tonight."

     "Oh?" Stephen said with surprise.  "All the skulking around was for
nothing?"  They laughed over their cloak and dagger entrance which was all
for naught.  Stephen kicked off his sneakers and sank down onto the sofa.
Eloy followed suit and sat next to him, stretching his arm along the back
of the sofa.  Stephen leaned against him with a sigh and they sat quietly
for a moment.

    "Your phone is flashing," Eloy said softly, the red light illuminating
the darkness by the bed.

    "Is it?  Probably my sister, dying of curiosity," Stephen said. He made
as if to get up, but Eloy pulled him back.

    "Let it sit.  No rush in checking it." He said.  He left his arm stay
wrapped around Stephen's shoulder.

    "Mmm, I suppose.  What shall we do for dinner?  I think we have a
little of the Indian left in the fridge upstairs." Stephen said.

    "We could do that.  Or just order something up.  I'd look at the room
service menu but it's too far away," Eloy said.  He tugged on Stephen.
"Besides, I'd rather stay here and love you."

    Stephen smiled.  "Mmmm, that sounds good to me."  He let Eloy pull him
onto his lap and be cuddled in his arms.  He looked up at Eloy.  "I had a
lot of fun today."

     "So did I, liefste." Eloy smiled down at Stephen.  "But I did miss
touching you like this."  He stroked a finger against Stephen's cheek.
Stephen closed his eyes and leaned into Eloy's touch.  A moment later he
felt lips brushing his own in a kiss.  He reached up and threaded his hand
through Eloy's hair.  He parted his lips in invitation and felt Eloy's
tongue slip through.  They touched each other with their tongues, Stephen
chasing Eloy's back into his mouth and then teasingly retreating before
Eloy's assault.  By this time Eloy had unbuttoned Stephen's shirt and was
stroking his chest.  They parted after a few moments and stared into each
other's eyes.  Where Stephen's eyes darkened, Eloy's seemed to lighten, if
such a thing was possible.  There were gold flecks that danced in the
reflected lamplight as he stared into Stephen's eyes.  They were both
breathing a little harshly.  Eloy had worked his hand under Stephen's shirt
and was stroking his back. Stephen still ha!  d his hand stroking the back
of Eloy's neck as they separated from the kiss.

     "So," Stephen said a bit breathlessly.  "Does that make up for the
lack earlier?"

     "Not quite," Eloy said with a lazy smile.  "I think we need a little
more before I can safely say I've made my quota."

     "Quota?" Stephen said with a laugh.  "There's a quota?"  Eloy nodded.

    "Oh ja!" He said.  "I'm finding that I need a regular dose of kisses in
order to make it through the next hour.  And I was so deprived today...."
He trailed off with a slight pout.

     "And whose fault was that?" Stephen asked.  Eloy moved his hand back
to Stephen's chest and he lightly let his fingers trail across it, making
Stephen shiver.

     "Oh, I freely admit it was my fault," he said.  "But everyone makes a
mistake once in a while."  He could see an additional reaction as Stephen's
nipples contracted under his fingertips.

     "Just as long as it's only once in a while," Stephen said as he rubbed
himself against Eloy's hand.

    "I'll certainly try to refrain from making another such mistake," Eloy
promised as he leaned down for another kiss.  A few moments later he pulled
back with a sigh.  "Ah, it's getting better."

     "Is it?" Stephen asked.  He pulled himself out of Eloy's arms and sat
up on the sofa.  He got up in spite of Eloy's quiet protest and snagged the
room service menu off the tabletop.  He came back to the sofa and climbed
back onto Eloy's lap, this time straddling him.  Eloy sighed in contentment
as Stephen kissed him.

       "That should hold you for a second while I figure out what we're
going to eat." He said.  He clasped his knees lightly on either side of
Eloy's waist.  Eloy dropped his hands so that they kneaded Stephen's butt
and he wiggled enticingly.

      "Tease!" Eloy groaned.

     "Uh huh," Stephen agreed as he rested the book on the back of the sofa
behind Eloy and turned the pages.  "Hmm, we have a few choices here."

      "Ja, I suppose we do," Eloy muttered as he leaned forward and sucked
on Stephen's neck.  "Whether to make love here, or on the bed."

     "Hush, that's not what I'm talking about," Stephen said with a grin.
"Besides, dessert comes after the main course."

     "Baby, you are my main course!" Eloy said with a growl.  He ran his
fingers up Stephen's ribs and back down again before dropping his head and
sucking on a nipple.  Stephen gasped softly in response and closed his
eyes.  It was amazing the feelings that Eloy engendered from just sucking
on him there.  He felt himself grow hard and forced his eyes back open.

      "Stop that!" He said as he attempted to push Eloy away.  "I'm trying
to concentrate here."

     "Mmmm," Eloy responded while flicking his tongue across the sensitive
nipple.  He resisted Stephen's attempts to push him away.  Finally Stephen
relented and wrapped his arms around Eloy.  He rubbed his back and pressed
his legs together as Eloy ran his hands down and over his butt.  Finally,
after a few moments, Eloy pulled back and looked up.  Stephen was breathing
more heavily and had his head thrown back in reaction.  "You were saying?"

     "Damn you," Stephen said with a smile.  "You know exactly what to do,
don't you?"  He looked down at Eloy.

     "Not really.  I just know what I want to do. It's a good thing you
enjoy it." Eloy said with a grin.  "But enough of this, you were talking of
dinner."

     Stephen dropped his head against Eloy's shoulder with a whimper.  "I
was.  But I think I got a bit sidetracked."

     "I can't say I'm at all sorry about that." Eloy said.  "But I'll
behave now."

     Stephen raised his head up and looked at him suspiciously.  "Promise?"

     "Promise," Eloy said solemnly.  Stephen stared at him a moment longer
before reaching for the menu again.  They looked over the choices together
and then decided on what they were going to have.  Stephen reluctantly got
up and headed over to the phone to put in their order.  He threw in a
request for a bottle of champagne.  He also checked his messages and
confirmed that his sister had left a message for him to call when he got
in.

     "Hmm, she says she might have an idea for a house for me," Stephen
said as he hung up the phone. "She must have been thinking about this long
before I asked if she has something already."

     "Did you want to give her a call?" Eloy asked as Stephen came back
over to the sofa again.  Stephen shook his head.

      "No, it can keep.  I'm not headed back to Dublin for a couple of
weeks, at least.  No need to rush anything.  Besides, I've got other things
I want to concentrate on," he said with a grin.

     "Oh?" Eloy said.  "Anything in particular?"

     "Yes, a gorgeous man."  Stephen replied.

     "Anyone I know?  And can you introduce me to him?" Eloy said
teasingly.

     "No," Stephen said as he climbed back onto Eloy's lap.  "This one is
all mine, and I'm not sharing him with anyone."  He planted a long slow
kiss on Eloy's lips.  They spent their time kissing and touching each other
this way until room service arrived with their dinner.