Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 21:25:22 EST
From: WatchitcrumbIe@aol.com
Subject: linkin park love - 4

Alright. So, sorry this one took so long. I've been pretty sick lately, so
I haven't had a chance to really work on this story at all. You guys know
the drill; I don't know the members of Linkin Park personally, and what
occours in this story is to have no bearing on the sexual orientation or
status of relationships for ANY of the members. And, if you're not 18,
don't be reading this.

Alright, I said it. It's all legal, now. Enjoy!

-Nick.
_________________________________

I was confused and at the same time almost pleasently surprised to see that
Chester had come to me when something happened between he and his wife. But
then... Why me? I couldn't help but wonder.  He'd hardly known me a day,
and there he was... That gorgeous dark brown gaze staring at me sadly as he
leaned up against the doorframe. He looked weary. Tired; like he'd lost
faith in everything he'd thought was real. His whole world had just come
crumbling down around him, and it showed in his face.  In the way he
half-slumped as he shuffled into the room and kicked the door closed
carelessly, in the heavy sigh that he let out as he sank down against the
wall, sitting down beside me, wordlessly. I fought the urge to take him
into my arms and kiss him; to hold him and tell him that everything would
be fine.  That she didn't deserve him anyways, and that I'd do anything I
could to make him feel better. But naturally I did nothing of the
sort. Instead, I played stupid.. Acting as if I hadn't a clue what had just
taken place. I didn't want to piss him off by making him aware of the fact
that I was.. Listening to his argument with Samantha.
         I spoke sheepishly, a half-whisper as I shifted him gaze to look
at him from a side-ways glance.  "Hey," was all I said, arms folding across
my abdomen as I half-huddled forward, still watching him closely from the
corner of my eye. I was almost overwhelmed by the surge of emotion I was
getting from this situation. I'd barely spoken to him, but I wanted to give
him the world, and take his pain away from him. Bear it for him, ten-fold,
if need be.
         "...She left me, Scott," His voice was shaky, a hoarse whisper
that shook as if he were on the brink of tears. I meerly blinked slowly and
turned my head to look at him, trying to seem incredulous.
         "She did... What?" I cocked my head forward to place emphasis on
the last word I spoke. They hung in the air for a moment, and I realized
that it was a stupid thing for me to say; I knew I could've said something
better. But at the same time I didn't want to jump to the typical 'I'm so
sorry' routine. It just wasn't something I could see myself doing.
         "...She's gone. She wants a divorce, and I'm hardly ever going to
get to see my son.." his voice trailed off gradually as I saw him tremble
softly with the onslaught of a pent-up sob that he just couldn't
contain. My brow furrowed as a frown fell upon my face as I warily slipped
an arm around his midsetion and tugged him into me in a half-hug. I wasn't
surprised when he recoiled, though I couldn't help but be a bit
disappointed. But after a moment of silence, and him staring intently at
the floor, I felt his head rested heavily on my shoulder as he trembled
periodically in little, tearless sobs. Tearless thus far, at least. Once
more my arm found it's way about his middle, holding him in a lingering
half-hug that I hoped was at least marginally comforting to him.
         "...But... Why?" It was an honest question to ask. That much I
didn't know, and I was curious to find out. But at who's expense, I didn't
yet know. I had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy for Chester to tell
me.
         "Beacuse she's too good for me. Because I'm a worthless asshole
who never gave her the attention she deserved," Once more he returned to
barely whispering his words, his voice cracking in midsentence. He
recollected himself qucikly, though, and finished what he was saying. I
sighed, and shook my head slowly.
         "That's not true, and you know it, Chester. She knew that you
wouldn't be able to give her all your attention, all the time, when she
married you." I tried to sound as reassuring as I could. There was plenty
more I could have said to him right then, but nothing that woudln't have
caused him more confusion, and more pain.
         "...You're just saying that, Scott. I could have treated her
better," I felt the dampness through the mesh shirt I wore, and I knew that
those periodic sobs were no longer dry. It broke my heart to see him like
this, knowing that there was so little I could do for him. So I just held
onto him tighter, the silence settling thickly over the room as Chester
finally grew still. I knew he was falling asleep, because his breathing had
slowed marginally, and he grew rather still. There was so much more I
wanted to say, to reassure him that it wasn't his fault; to tell him that
Samantha was just a stupid bitch for leaving him on those grounds. But it
was Chester who got in the last word right then, whispering tiredly ''Thank
you, Scott..''. He was asleep only a few moments later. I knew that he'd
only be able to remain asleep for little more than an hour, but I stayed
where I was for that time, watching him tenderly. I said not a word, though
in response to his 'Thank you', I mouthed the words '' I love you ''. Soft
breaths of air that were filled with what I truly felt in my heart, that
just rolled over him and dispersed elsewhere.

____________________________

Well, Like I said. It's getting better. Samantha's out of the picture, and
we know Scott's absolutely crazy for Chester. What happens next? Ah. Well,
dearies. You'll have to wait and see. Hope you liked it.

As always, Comments are welcome.

Watchitcrumbie@aol.com