Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 15:12:24 +0100
From: jerichoholic #1 <beer4myhorses@hotmail.com>
Subject: Paul & Josh / chapter 9

DISCLAIMER: The following story is completely FICTIONAL is
does not imply anything concerning the private life of Paul
walker or Josh Hartnett. I don't know them and I don't know
anything about their lives. This story is only meant as
fiction and does in no way describe real occurrences,
situations or facts. All other persons mentioned in this
story are fictional. Any resemblance to an existing person,
company or business is totally coincidental.
Author's note: Just want to stress again that this story is
complete fiction. In this chapter there's some talk about
their families and childhood. That's all made up ok. I have
no idea what their real lives look like so please keep that
in mind. For the rest: Enjoy chapter 9 and please let me
know what you think ok? I'm sorry it took so long for me too
finish this chapter but writers block is a funny thing.
Sometimes you go days without being able to write a single
word and then it suddenly hits you...All I want to give away
right now is that this story has a few turns in store you
won't  expect. stay tuned: definitely more to come.


Paul & Josh: Chapter 9:

...

He walked through the streets of New York, not really sure
where he was going. The streets were as deserted as they'll
ever be in the city and the cold night-air seemed so crisp
you could take a bite out of it.

While he walked down the streets he tried to remember the
last time he had been in a city as big as NY. It seemed ages
ago. He hadn't been really sure why he had come here, until
tonight. He had seen what he came for but even he was
confused by his reaction. He couldn't remember the last time
he had felt like this. He walked back along the traces of
his life. After he had turned away from everyone at the age
of 16 he had lived a different life. He had seen more sides
of men's evil and darkness in one year than most people
would in their lifetime. He didn't regret anything...His
choices had made him the person he was today. His strength
came from the choice he made, but tonight he'd seen the life
he'd never lived...because of his choice.

...

Paul was standing in front of the window looking at the
sunrise. He had been awake since Josh had woken up screaming
earlier that night. Even though Josh had fallen back asleep
after a while Paul couldn't. He was too worried about Josh.
The sight of Josh simply crumbling down played over and over
in his mind. It was without a doubt the scariest thing he'd
ever seen. After Josh had fallen back asleep he had gotten
up. He didn't want to fall asleep in case something might
happen, and even if he wanted to he probably couldn't have.

The sun had risen when Josh awoke. He immediately noticed he
was alone in the bed. He got up to see where Paul was at.
When he entered the kitchen he saw Paul standing by the
window looking outside.

"You're up awfully early" Josh said.

Paul hadn't noticed Josh behind him so he jumped a bit when
his voice broke the silence in the apartment. "Couldn't
sleep..." he answered as he turned around.

"Everything all right?" He asked with concern

"I'm fine" Josh answered, smiling at Paul's concern.

"Really...you really scared me tonight, you know." Paul said.

"I'm fine!" Josh reassured him as he put his arm over Paul's
shoulders and pulled him into a hug. "I was just tired and
worn out I guess,...don't worry about it".

"You want to get some breakfast?" Paul asked, changing the
subject.

"Yeah, I'm quite hungry actually." Josh smiled as he noticed
Paul's worries started to disappear.

"Any suggestions?" Paul asked.

"Yeah...actually...Let's head out...I'm dying for an espresso
right now". Josh answered.

"Are you?" Paul grinned, "ok let's get ready and let's get
going."

After they'd both taken a shower and got themselves dressed
they left the apartment in search of some breakfast. Even
though it was still early in the morning the city was
preparing for another day. As the two boys walked by
newspapers were being delivered to the newsstands.
Shopkeepers were unloading supplies from trucks and the
mailman was doing his round. They both enjoyed being out
this early. They somehow felt more at ease knowing most
people were still asleep, safe for the businesspeople and
manager-like types who from the looks of it never go to
sleep that is. The found a little coffee-shop that looked
decent enough to get some breakfast. They made their way in
and settled at a table in a corner. After the waitress had
taken their orders and brought them their food they started
talking.

"so we're leaving for your parents home this evening,
right?" Josh asked in-between two bites of sandwich.

"yeah" Paul answered, "you know I'm really looking forward
to seeing them again. It's been a while. And I want you to
meet them too."

"That's cool" Josh smiled. He took another bite out of his
sandwich before continuing; "Can I ask you something Paul?"

"Sure" Paul replied, "and I've told you: you don't have to
ask"

"How did you tell them you were...you know?" Josh hesitated to
ask.

Paul smiled at Josh's question but didn't mind answering:
"Well...it took me about 3 years to figure out I was
gay...after that it took me another year to finally work up
the courage to tell them. One evening, we'd just come home
from a family diner in a restaurant I can't remember and I
told them I had something important to tell them. We sat
down around the kitchen table and...well I told them."

"How did they react?" Josh asked intrigued.

"Well..." Paul smiled, "My dad congratulated me and opened up
a bottle of wine, one he had been saving for a special
occasion he said."

"What?" Josh asked confused.

"They said they'd always known." Paul continued, "My mother
said she'd known from the moment I was born and they were
happy to see I had come to terms with it. They've always
been very supportive." Paul smiled at the memories that came
back while telling the story to Josh.

"Sounds like they're really cool parents." Josh sighed.

"They are" Paul agreed and, reading Josh's thoughts he
added, "and don't worry...I'm sure your parents won't come
down on you as you think they will."

"I hope you're right." Josh sighed.

"You need to stop worrying so much..." Paul smiled. "Whatever
happens you know I'll be there. But again I'm sure they'll
accept it."

"I wish I could have your confidence" Josh said, "but you
don't know them...They're very religious and my dad was in the
military...not exactly a biography that says `ok with my son
being gay'."

Paul smiled a bit at Josh's comment but deep down he was
more worried then he showed. He knew the place Josh was at
right now and he knew it would devastate him if his parents
didn't react the way they both hoped they would. But those
were worries for the future. Right now the were about to go
to his parents for the week-end. He was really looking
forward to seeing them again, and he was even more excited
with the idea of introducing Josh to them.

After they finished their breakfast they headed back to
Paul's apartment. It took them some time to pack some
clothes and other stuff together. But eventually there were
two suitcases standing by the door. Paul was checking every
electrical appliance to make sure they were all plugged out,
in case of a thunderstorm while they were away. Josh was
checking the windows. When they had completed their mental
checklist they grabbed their cases and headed to the parking
lot.

It would take nearly a five hour drive to the home Paul grew
up in, but considering the company they had in eachother,
neither guy minded. With Willie Nelson playing in the
background Josh looked out of the window as they slowly left
New York City behind. It was weird but as they left the city
Josh felt like a burden fell of his shoulders. Some
unexplained worry seemed to fade away with the city. He felt
a certain relief as the memory of
his bad dreams and paranoid feelings sank away to the back
of his mind.

...

"This is without a doubt the weirdest thing I've ever
encountered!" was all the confused air-port security agent
could think. He had worked at JFK airport for over fifteen
years. During that time he had seen the most creative ways
to hide drugs...stuff you couldn't begin to imagine. He had
seen exotic animals hidden in spaces you couldn't fit your
foot in...but this was definitely a first. Furthermore the
regulations didn't even mention this, so he had to call his
superiors to ask for instructions. After they decided
nothing illegal had occurred he turned back to the woman
sitting in front of his desk.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience miss." He spoke "As strange
as this has been, there is no law prohibiting you to carry a
goat-skull in your suitcase...same goes for the dog bones and
the other stuff your carrying."

The woman smiled as she heard the man apologize. She  had
expected as much but she thought the whole situation was
quite funny. The security agent took one last look at her
before she left his office. Her brown tan, grey-white
hair...and above all her intense eyes gave her a friendly yet
somewhat threatening aura. As she left he wondered what a
woman like that could be doing in New York.

...

Even though they had been on the road for nearly two hours
it felt like they had just left NY. Paul and Josh took the
opportunity to talk about everything that came to mind. They
had talked about the movie that was about finished but after
a while changed the subject to different things. From music
to sports to politics to whatever anecdotes came to mind.
For the last few minutes the conversation had died down a
bit. Both guys were simply enjoying the ride, and off course
each others company. Josh was lost in thoughts while he
stared through the window at the houses, streets and towns
they passed. In the background he could still hear Willie
Nelson, this time singing `you were always on my mind'. he
tried to remember the last time he had felt this good about
his life...it seemed ages ago.

"Are you still with me?" Paul asked his passenger.

"Yeah" Josh smiled at Paul's question. "Just enjoying the
ride, I guess."
"Can I ask you something" Josh continued the conversation.

"Oh Oh" Paul laughed, "Every time you ask me if you can ask
me something...it's something serious...but nevertheless,
shoot."

"Aren't we Mr. funny today" Josh couldn't help but laugh,
"anyways...I was just thinking about all that happened the
past couple of weeks..." His words trailed of as he tried to
formulate his thoughts.

"And...?" Paul asked curious.

"Well..." Josh continued. "A few weeks ago we were, at least I
was, lone and miserable...and now...I can't remember when I've
been this happy. I mean...doesn't it seem strange when you
think of it...How everything seems to `ve just fallen into
place like that?"

Paul couldn't help but smile. He'd been thinking the same
thing. "Well, I guess that's just what life is about.
Sometimes good things just happen. Who are we to argue with
fate." He responded, still smiling. He couldn't help but be
touched by moments like these...when they just seemed to
connect on a level neither one could fully comprehend.

"You believe in fate then?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, if it's in the cards...it'll happen." Paul replied. "
I'm just happy you were in there." He joked.

Josh couldn't help but laugh. He lay back
against the carseat and just continued to
enjoy the moment. As Willie nelson continue to
sing they rode into the twilight glow of the
sunset

<<It's been rough and rocky travelin',
But I'm finally standin' upright on the
ground.
After takin' several readings,
I'm surprised to find my mind`s still fairly
sound.

I guess Nashville was the roughest,
But I know I said the same about them all.
We received our education
In the cities of the nation, me and Paul.>>



I know this isn't exactly the longest chapter,
but I'll try to get chapter 10 up before the
end of the week. Please let me know what you
thing (beer4myhorses@hotmail.com)


Thanx 4 waiting.