Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 17:52:07 +0000
From: tim tim <noway16@hotmail.com>
Subject: chapter 40 of coach'Assistant

Do you know that I hardly could believe it myself chapter 40 is there. When
ever you start a story like this you never know how long you will be able
to go on with it but in this case thanks to all of you I am getting there
and maybe we can reach chapter 50 together. I know you all want to read
more so I am not going to bug you with to much before but remember that
when reading it you might want to join in the Coach's Assistant summer
game. You can find this at my website www.geocities.com/timsfunplace

ok here we go guys a special double long chapter of Coach's Assistant have
fun

A cushion on my head is not the way I prefer to wake up, so I slowly opened
my eyes and threw the cushion aside.

"Morning sleepy heads, time to wake up for the big day".

I felt Francis stir beside me and I knew that he had also still been
sleeping.

"Good morning". I said to no one in particular.

"Are you two getting up or do you think you can win today by sleeping in
bed? I already used the bathroom so now it's free for either of you".

"Thanks David".

I had seen him like this before. It was his way of reacting to his
nervousness. He probably had been awake for quite some time now and
couldn't wait any longer.

"You have about 15 minutes before breakfast. Dad called us because he
wanted to go in early to the venue so we could take a look around and get
adjusted to it, see it as make up time for yesterday".

I looked at Francis who had opened his eyes now completely. "You first or
are we going together?"

"Hmm I think we better go separately".

Damn! He was still acting strange. We really need to talk.

"Ok, I'll go first".

I walked into the shower and made sure I was done quickly. When I got out
Francis was just sitting on the edge of the bed. I walked towards him and
give him a soft kiss on his forehead. A slight smile appeared on his
lips. "Now go," I said. He stood up and walked into the bathroom area.

I let out a big sigh.

"Your ok Nick?" David asked.

"Yea sorry just? well Francis? you know he is ?" but before I could finish
the sentence David continued.

"You need to give him time Nick. He was very scared yesterday. He was
worried that something had happened to you".

"Hmm thought so. We just need to talk I guess".

"Yea, we don't want any of that in the way today. I will go for breakfast
then you have some privacy to talk".

I got dressed and waited until Francis appeared from the bathroom. He
walked to his side of the bed and sat down. I walked around the bed until I
was beside him.

"We need to talk Francis".

He looked at me a bit sad and just nodded.

"I know I scared the hell out of you yesterday. I didn't want that, for
sure, but it seems I was in some kind of loop that I couldn't get out of at
the Moment. And then when I did I forgot the time and didn't realize that I
had to call you".

"So you are better now Nick?"

?I don't think that better is the right word Francis but at least I have an
idea of working with it all. So I know I will be ok today; it just seems
that everything that happened lately fired back at me. I have been coping
with it extremely well and the doc already warned me of the possibility of
a thing like yesterday, so when I realized that I think I started to work
on coping with it".

"Good, you still want to have that talk with him together?"

"Yes, I think that would be a good step at least for me, in dealing with
things better. I know I should be able to talk about anything with you, but
sometimes I hardly understand about things myself, so someone else there to
help me with it might be a good idea. This way I learn to talk about my
feelings and be more open with you. I realized yesterday that that was
very, very important to being able to deal with problems in life. The last
two weeks that's just what I wasn't doing so I hope if I start doing that I
can deal with the problems of life".

"Well you know I want to do anything to help you and us to move on, but I
guess I will always worry about you. That's something that I probably can't
change".

"I know and I have no problems with that, just make sure we talk and be
open to each other".

"So where did you go yesterday".

"Nowhere I guess until I stopped and saw that there was a little coffee
shop at the end of a mall. I had some coffee there".

"So what made you realize you needed to open up more?"

"There was a waitress, Jenny, who broke through my shield last evening. She
was worried, as I had been sitting there for quite a while. So she came
over to see if I was ok".

"Ah, well next time come to me, ok?"

"I will" our faces were now almost touching and a kiss followed.

Wow! My mind was working now. Who said that make up sex was good? So slowly
I started to let my hands wander down over his chest.

"Hmm, Nick, not a good idea I guess, we need all the energy today for just
one thing".

"Are you sure Francis"?

"Well you pressed me into being the responsible one this week so yea we
better go downstairs".

Another kiss was shared before we left the room.

For the next hour we ate a stout breakfast as from now we would eat only
very rich food in small portions, making sure we would be at our best. Then
we left for the venue. Dad didn't ask anything but I saw the concern on his
face. Other team members were less easy on me and I had to tell them what
happened. But it seems that my story of running away mad and not knowing in
which hotel we were was enough.

I had packed my sketchbook, as I knew that that would be the best way to
prepare myself for today. We arrived about 1,5 hours before the meet would
start.  There had been a draw and I was in the second group to perform,
together with David and Francis.  I was happy about that but it seems that
the results in our local championships had decided that. So knowing we
would be in the second half of the day I really was glad that I had brought
the sketch book since I would not be able to sit still and just watch the
others perform.

So the first 1,5 hour passed fast as there was stuff to do, registration,
getting ourselves settled in our part of the locker room, and get on the
floor to see where everything was placed. The first group was able to do
some warming up just like we would have before lunch. When the start of the
meet came closer, we (Francis, David and I) started to look around to see
if we could find our friends. First we found Peter and Andrew sitting on
the front row. They had checked in at the same hotel we were in, but as
they checked in, we already had left. Then I saw that Brian and Andy
together with James came walking in. Cameramen had seen Andy so he was
filmed straight away. I tried to see if Randy was there but I didn't see
him.

"Didn't Randy come with you?" I asked them.

"Yea he should be here soon, he saw Alexei in the hallway, so he wanted to
say Hi before joining us".

"Ah good! Alexei is here as well".

"Yea he is, I just had a little chat with him" James said with a big smile
on his face.

"Good that means we will all be together tonight".

"Well we have to go and cheer on the others so see you later".

We walked toward the coach and the other team members.

"So you guys, this is where we end it for this year. What ever the outcome
will be, do your best and you can be proud of yourself. Remember not to go
over the top and if you are not secure with any of the routines just fall
back to the secure one we talked about.  Taking risks is ok, but only if
you feel like you can handle it. So are we ready?"

The yell we had been doing since the beginning of the season was done now.

"Ok, Francis, Nick and David, you can't stay with us on the floor. They
don't approve of that because there would be too many people around, so you
can go and sit on the special stands over there".

He pointed to the near right corner where a half empty bit of the stands
was. We wished the others good luck and walked away. We knew that if they
didn't put a solid performance on the floor we would have no chance to end
up in the top 3, but if they could, lets say, keep it close to the top 3 we
would have a chance to go high.

"Are you going to stay here to watch the others?" I asked David and
Francis.

"Yes, are you not staying"? Francis replied.

"No, don't think I can sit still that long guys. I think I would be eating
myself up".

"Ok, well you can always go back to the locker room. Just make sure we know
where you are Nick". David said.

I could see that Francis was not happy with this, but I knew I just had to
have my own preparations.

"I will. When I found a spot I will tell you ok?" I said smiling at
Francis.

I guess that made him feel a bit better as he smiled back at me and said:
"Secure a spot and I might join you".

"Guys, please that is not what we are here for" David interrupted.

"See you in a Moment, guys"

I walked outside of the venue and saw the park that was beside it. I had
noticed it when we arrived. I found a bench beside a pond and decided that
would be the best, so I walked back in and told David and Francis where I
was. The first routines just started and cheers went up when I left the
place.

Good! Not sure I could deal with seeing all that. It would only make me
more and more nervous.

"Hey Nick, you're not going to watch?" the voice of Alexei came from the
other side of the hallway.

I turned around and smiled as Alexei came walking to me and pulled me into
a hug.  When he let go of me I answered his question. "No, too nerve
wracking Alexei. I need another kind of preparation, not the adrenaline
build up".

I showed him the sketchbook.

'Ah good! That just might work for you. Remember the things I taught you to
focus and you will be ok".

"Probably yea" I answered less convinced than normal.

"No need for that. I know you can do it, Nick".

"Well let's just say that with everything that has been happening I'm a bit
less convinced than I was last time Alexei".

"I know, but you seem to be dealing with it quite well".

I hesitated for a Moment. "Well I'm not sure about that Alexei, not after
last night. That's why I decided to go out and draw a bit, to make me as
focused as I can get".

"You want to talk about it Nick?"

"No, not now, I think drawing will just do the trick for me this time but
there might be a change. I do want to chat with you later today or
tomorrow".

"Fine, you know I am always there for you".

"I know. Are you going to watch it?"

"Yea I will join James and watch the morning around. Just after lunch I
will give some demonstrations of 3 or 4 apparatus and then I think it's
your turn".

We went our separate ways and I ended up on the bench in the park.

I looked around, not sure what I wanted to sketch, but my mind got the
picture in my head that I had when I fell asleep last night that of us
sleeping together, my hand just over his back and his hand in mine just
below his nipple. I tried to see how it would have been to look at the both
of us and slowly I started to draw.

For the next hour or even more I just enjoyed myself with putting the image
on paper. I must say that I was really focused on it. I knew it would do my
concentration a lot of good.

"I know you might not like me to disturb you young man, but if you would
have a few minutes".

That voice, my god I knew it. Then I realized who it was and I looked up
from the sketchbook. It was Francis' Mom.

"I'm, sorry I didn't hear you sitting down".

"I know, I have been here for about 5 minutes now I guess".

I looked at her. She looked nervous just like she did when she was not sure
about the things she did.

'What are you doing here".

"I think you know that Nick. I couldn't let this go without having a chance
to meet him out of town. And so far I have missed only one meeting with him
and I promised myself then it would be the last. So I told my husband I was
going to see my sister and went out here".

"You want to see him?"

"I don't know, did you talk with him about it?"

It had been a few weeks since I talked with him about it, but I had no idea
how he would respond to it now. "Yea we have talked about it after I met
you in the mall the last time.  But like I said I left him free in his
choice".

"I know. I don't want you to push him or anything just to bring my
message".

"Well I did that".

"So you think he might want to see me later today?"

"To be honest I have no idea. If we win he might be in a good enough mood
to do that yea, but I'm not sure".

"Can you ask him?"

"Well, I could tell him that you want to see him and that you are
here". She smiled when I said that.

"I think" I continued," that will make some difference as it is a sign on
your part that you had to do some things to be able to be here".

"Well I won't push you into doing anything Nick, as you think it is a good
idea. I will be more than happy to meet him but I will leave it up to him.

"What if he says no".

"Then I think I won't chase after him anymore Nick. Although my heart will
never stop loving him, I know then that I have done too much damage in the
past by not opening my mouth and standing up for him".

"Ok I will ask him".

"Thanks Nick. He is really lucky to have you as a friend".

I made a mental note on the friend bit.

"He might see you already when you are in there. He might get upset when he
does".

"Ah you are afraid that my appearance will make him too nervous to
perform?"

"Well could be. Not sure about it but it will put him off guard for at
least some time".

"Well I will make sure he won't see me nor recognize me".

"Good".

"Thanks Nick".

"Hmm what for?"

"Just being his friend. Being there for him while we let him drop as a. .
Well you know what I mean".

"No problem. I know he would have done the same for me".

"Well I will better leave you to it. When he wants to see me ask the hotel
reception for my room. I left notice that it could be given to him if he
would ask for it".

"Ok I will tell him".

"Good luck Nick and remember to have fun out there".

"Thanks".

She was right. Damn I was so uptight these last days. Not only about what
had happened but also with looking at the meet to come, but she was
right. It was not about winning; well not only, it was about having fun. Oh
yea and I was going to make sure I had fun.

I looked at the drawing; it was almost finished. I could see that but when
I looked how long I still had I saw that it was only about 15 minutes
before the first round would be finished so I decided to go back and see
what the others had done so far.

When I walked in I saw they were sitting on the first row of the team's
area. I saw they were talking very busily. I watched the scoreboard to see
where we were.  They were competing in the last round and I saw that our
team was in the fourth place so they where doing very well. With not too
big of a gap between the numbers 1 to 3 we could make it work or at least
have a go at it. I walked downstairs until I reached them.

Without saying anything I walked up to where Francis was sitting and there
in front of every body I kissed him. Not a 'hi I am here' kiss but a kiss
to let him know I still love him. I started to hear some comments in the
background and I knew I had to let him go.

"Come on guys be careful or do you want your thing to become public
knowledge?"  David said.

"Sorry Francis but I just couldn't resist".

"I don't mind but David is right we don't want us to become known yet and
we have other things to keep our minds on. How are you? Are you ready for
this?".

"Hmm worried as ever Francis, but I think I'm ok, just going to try to keep
focused on things and not let myself get pressured".

"I know you will, but just think! The first group did ok; we are close
enough to have a chance to win this thing".

"Down Francis" my brother said. " We're just going to try and do our best
out there and whatever place we get will be good enough for us as long as
we know we all did our best, and I'm sure that's what the three of us are
going to try to do".

"He is right you know Francis. I think I might even not look at the
scoreboard at all. That worked the last time as well".

"Sorry guys but I've never been so close to any thing like this".

The face he made with that line made both David and me start laughing at
the same time.

"Never mind Francis, I think we all know what you mean".

Our attention was then drawn to the main area again as the demonstration of
Alexei would be starting soon. I think he was going to do three of four
exercises in the next forty-five minutes. He would explain a bit about it
before he started and again afterwards. Then if there was time there would
be some questions answered by him as well.

The time flew by as we enjoyed every single thing Alexei was doing. I knew
this was a very good way to prepare us, as there was no time to get nervous
about it at all. When he was finished we had about another 20 minutes
before we had to start to do our exercises.  We went back to our locker
room where we tried to focus ourselves on what was coming. The three who
had done the morning session for us were gone back into the hall so they
wouldn't disturb us. I could tell they had been pleased with what they had
accomplished and also were happy that they weren't in the afternoon session
with all the tension.

I know my Dad was talking to us but none of his information entered my
mind.  I had taken my drawing book with me to the hall where we needed to
perform. I saw that my Dad noticed the strange look on my face, but before
he could say anything Francis had dragged me out of there.

We would start with the pommel horse. Not my best thing to start with as I
just didn't have enough power for it, but I knew my flexibility was enough
to put out a good performance.

I would go first then Francis and then David. I was just like in the first
competition - very focused. I knew what I wanted or needed to do and
performed, I guess, exactly as planned. I got a big round of applause when
I did the exercise and the judges felt it was a good performance as well. I
knew it had been my safety routine but I wanted to start with some building
of self-confidence.

The best routines were for the last when we had a good draw for me, if you
look at it from that point.

Now the waiting would start. Francis and then David would perform and then
three of one of the other teams. I had packed my drawing book just for that
reason.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw the look from my Dad when I
started to open up my bag and got the sketchbook out of it. He didn't come
any closer to me so I continued and started to draw.

I continued with the picture I was working on outside on the bench. My
attention was brought back to the present when Francis ticked me on the
shoulder and moved me up for the next round. I smiled at him and got my
things and walked on.

The next round were the rings, again an element of force was needed so not
really my type of competition, but I had built up a solid routine and knew
that if I performed without fault it would give us enough points to keep
up.

Again in between the exercises I took my sketchbook. I saw my Dad getting
closer, but David held him off.

(Conversation between David and his Dad)

"Stop it Dad. He knows what he's doing".

"But he's just doing his normal safety routines he didn't even try anything
and you can't say that sketching is a good preparation for it".

"Well it might be just for him. He has made more progress then I've ever
seen before with someone and it seems that his training techniques are
sometimes a bit unusual, but they get him where we want him. Right?"

"Probably, yea, but still it looks so strange and I know he can do better
then he did in the first two rounds. He will be so disappointed if he
didn't even try".

"We will see his best routines are still to come and we are still not far
behind on the others. I think we even closed the gap a bit".

"Yea that could be, but we could have been a lot closer, or even overtook
them if he had taken some risks there".

"You know I think that we just need to give him a chance. He's doing ok so
far".

"Well I hope he will shape up if we are going to have a chance to win
today".

"Winning Dad? I thought you told us to have fun today".

"Oops! Got me there David. But to be honest I think this year we have the
best chance to win ever".

"Well we still might, so just make sure to keep us on the edge".

I didn't pay too much attention to that conversation as my attention was
drawn back to my sketching book. Again it was Francis who got my attention
that it was time to move on to the next apparatus, which would be the
bars. Now this was more of an apparatus that fit my skills. It's not the
best performance around, but still better then the two I had done so far. I
felt secure enough to make sure to set out to perform the highest level of
exercises I had practiced. I knew there would be a chance I would fail, but
if I slipped up just a bit it would still bring me more points than doing
my safety routine.

This time I was the last one of our team to perform so I started to
concentrate again on my sketchbook instead of watching the other team
members. I knew that that would give me the best concentration possible. I
was not even sure that I did a lot of drawing, as I started more and more
to focus on the exercises, but it made me focus my concentration.  So with
the routine in my head I started to perform it. I saw that both Francis and
David got the approval of my Dad that probably meant they had done a good
job on their performances.

Describing the feeling of standing before the apparatus and doing the
exercise is a bit strange and difficult. It is only about 1 minute that you
are out there and it is gone by before you know it. I hadn't talked with
others about it so far but when I start the exercise I am more or less
given to the order of the routine and it either happens or it doesn't. I am
not able to control it when I am busy. But it felt for sure that good
concentration preparations seem to be 70% or more of the task done well.

It also gets my adrenaline shot up as I know that I am finished, but
applause or the points given to it are almost never brought to my attention
during the first few minutes. I knew that I probably would have done well,
as Dad and Francis and David were hugging me when I finished, which is
something they hadn't done before. But I knew I had three more rounds to go
and I wanted to keep myself focused as much as I could. I sensed that my
Dad was talking to me but he didn't get through to me as I walked back to
my seat, sat down and started drawing again.

Well that is what I think I was doing but more and more I think I was just
concentrating on the next exercise. It would be the jump. Now this was a
good exercise of me. This time I would be the first one to perform so I
knew I had to get ready soon.  Again I performed my exercise but this time
when I walked away from it there were strange looks on the faces of my team
members. I could hear the people in the background applauding, so I knew
that it must have been a good performance so I asked.

"Something wrong guys?"

It was silent for a bit longer, then the three of them jumped at me and
hugged me, almost squeezed the air out of me.

"Nothing wrong Nick, just going with your preparation for your next
exercise".

I sighed in relief and walked back to my chair. I got out my sketchbook
again when I was finished changing for the next round.

I looked up to see how far along they were a few times, and I saw strange
and funny looks on the face of the others from time to time, but I was not
going to let that disturb me so I went on with focusing myself. I knew I
had the next round, the parallel bars, in my head and the routine that I
needed to do.

Not a lot happened from then on. Again Francis made sure that I did the
transfer on time with the others to the new apparatus, but I kept on
focusing on my drawing most of the time.

This was an apparatus I knew I could do well on if I wanted to, so I
decided to do my most difficult exercise. Again it went by in a jiffy. This
time I could hear the crowed making an even more incredible noise, so I
started to look around a bit more when I walked down the stairs to the
others and my chair.

"My god, they are acting like I have done something exceptional, but it was
just the best I could". I said to the others who were standing there with
great smiles on there face.

"He's doing it again." David said.

"What?" I asked.

"You really have no idea do you Nick?" Francis asked this time.

"No. I'm just doing the best I can".

"Well so far that is more than enough Nick" my Dad said.

"Well I'm having fun and that's what you told us to do so".

"I know Nick so just go on with your preparations for the last bit, the
floor has always been your best".

I walked towards my chair and noticed that Francis followed me.

So when I was dressed for the last bit and before taking the sketchbook up
in my hand, I looked sideways to Francis. " So what kind of points did I
got on that last one?"

I started to get a bit more interested in the results now we are getting to
the latest round.

"Well you got a 5.8 Nick. That's the highest score on that apparatus until
now".

"Can't be! The routine I did got me a 5.5 maximum if I performed it
correctly".

"Well you got more so that was good."

I decided I'd better concentrate on the next and last apparatus instead of
wondering how that was possible. I felt that Francis did the same and just
sat beside me.  We walked to the last round a bit later as we were now the
last three that would perform with me on the end doing the last bit for our
team.

I looked at the scoreboard and I was a bit startled to see the individual
ranking. I was up there on the top 5 together with Francis and three
others. 'This couldn't be true,' I thought. Then the team results came in
and there we were on top of the scoreboard. I looked at Francis.

"How is that possible?"

"Well to be honest Nick, you just have to see what you've been doing, and I
guess neither David nor me has made a mistake yet, so I guess we are doing
really well".

"Do you think we have a chance to win Francis?"

"It all depends on the last round. You can see that there isn't a lot of
difference between the first three. If we just are a bit under score we
will end up 3rd or we could end up 1st if we compete as good as we have
been doing".

'Wow! And I am the last to perform".

"Well normally yes, as the floor takes up the most time of the exercises
and you are the last one up so I guess that would mean that you would be
the last".

"Just let me prepare then, and don't say anything before I have to go up
there or I will lose it completely".

"Ok, you got it Nick, whatever works for you".

I got my drawing book again and for the next minutes I concentrated on the
picture rather then on me going to perform. I could sense that there was a
lot going on around me, as it seems that the level of noise got louder by
the minute. I saw every body cheering after David had finished, but I got
my look back on my sketch before my attention was drawn to Francis'
performance. A Moment later I got a tap on my shoulder.  When I looked up I
saw that Dad was looking at me.

"Are you ready Nick?"

"Yea, guess so".

"Well you better go out there then".

I saw in the corner of my eye that they were congratulating Francis, so I
knew I better not fuck up. I walked up to the platform and I waited until I
could start. I closed my eyes and made sure that the whole routine was in
front of me. I knew I could do it, there was no question about it, but I
just needed to get it in the right time. I felt the tension starting to
grow around me but at the same time my level of concentration was reaching
an incredible level. I opened my eyes and looked at the judges. I nodded,
got their approval to start my exercise. I stepped into one of the corners
of the floor.

One more time I closed my eyes and started to do the exercise in my mind. I
knew I hadn't much time up here, but I wanted to use as much as I
could. When I finished the routine in my head I opened my eyes and felt
energy swirling throughout my complete body. I started my ???.

Well I must admit, looking back at what I did there, that there is little
in my memory left of the live action. When I look at the videotape of it I
still can't believe that I did what I did. But the excitement afterwards is
something I didn't need to look at the videotape for.  Within seconds after
I finished, I felt David, Francis and Dad around me, hugging me, followed
by the other team members who had come down on the floor. I ended up
sitting on the floor, still not realizing what I had done, but with the
others close around me. I could hear my name so I looked up.

"Incredible Nick! How did you do that?"

I saw it was Francis who was almost sitting beside me. He took his hand and
threw it over my shoulder on the other side giving me a big hug and before
I knew it even a kiss on my cheek. I just smiled at him. I could feel that
I was tired and I also started to feel muscles I didn't know that I had.

"So we won?"

"What a question do you think we would be here hugging you if we hadn't?"

"No, I guess not. But my god I am feeling tired, and my muscles Francis! I
really need to get up".

He helped me to stand up and we slowly started to make our way out of the
human gathering on the floor platform. I saw that besides the teammates,
also a lot of kids from our school who had come with us to cheer us on were
there now. When we came to the edge I saw Alexei standing there with an
incredible smile on his face.

"If I would have known you would do that Nick I would have tried to make it
a bit easier for you. I'm sure you are feeling muscles you have never used
before".


"Yea, you can say that again. It is strange I have done these exercises now
for a few weeks but they never hurt me like they did today".

"Are you sure Nick?"

"Sure about what Alexei?"

"He really doesn't know does he Francis?"

"No I guess not. Did you see what he got for a score on that last part?"

"Yea, are you afraid he overtook you overall?"

"No I already knew he couldn't after my own performance Alexei".

"So what did I get?" I asked them.

"You really have no idea do you Nick?"

"Idea about what Alexei? If you mean can I remember that I have been up
there doing my exercise I must say no, I hardly can remember, but I nailed
it perfectly I should say to get every one so enthusiastic".

"My god you are incredible Nick".


"What? I just did the routine that we practiced when you were last down".

Both Francis and Alexei had started to laugh and I saw from the corner of
my eye that Dad had joined us and was laughing too.

"I think Nick, it's time you turned around. They are going to show the
highest score exercise of the last round again on the scoreboard and I
think it will be you".

I looked from one to the other and then decided to turn around. On the
scoreboard there was no score, just the words "high score last round
exercise" and then there was the picture of me standing on the corner of
the floor. I turned around and said: "So what? I nailed it perfectly. What
more do you want?"

"Just look Nick" my Dad said.

Then I started to notice that everyone in there started to look at the
screen too and most of the noise seemed to start to ebb away. I looked
again at the screen where I just started to make some speed for the first
tumbling sequence. I saw that I finished perfectly just like I said I had,
but then when I landed on my two feet stable, I started to realize that the
sequence I just had done was not the one from my routine but a more
difficult one.

"What?" I said as I looked at the others. "Just watch" Alexei said. " and
enjoy".

I turned back to the screen to see new tumbling sequences there done
perfectly, but again not the ones that I had learned.

This couldn't be true! Where did I see those tumbles? I never had practiced
them and I nailed them. I watched me standing in the Position. The last bit
before the closing tumble. Again I watched with great surprise what
happened next. I tried this one once just for fun landing on my bum halfway
through, and now, incredibly I just did them all, all the tumbles, twists
and salto's. When I stood on my feet again there started a round of
applause through the audience. First I thought it was from the screen, but
then it started to become clear to me that again the audience was going
wild. I looked back this time and had only one question.

"What happened?"

Francis was beside me again and whispered in my ear. "Not sure Nick, but it
seems you just copied Alexei's demonstration on the last three exercises".

"No!" I yelled a bit harder then I meant to, but when I looked up to
Alexei's face I could tell that Francis was right.

'Impossible!' I thought. 'This could not be happening.' Then I realized
that Francis backed off a bit. It took me a while to understand why, but
then I saw that it had gone darker in the hall and the main spotlight was
directed at our group. The speaker called Alexei's name and something else
that I couldn't get through to my brain but before I knew it I was pushed
by Alexei back on the main platform.

I walked beside him towards the speaker who had positioned himself on the
other side. I saw that Alexei was waving at the audience and slowly I
started to look around more.  People were standing and still applauding. I
looked up at Alexei.

"You did it Nick. Incredible I must say but you just did it. I always knew
you had it in you but that it would come along so fast is incredible. You
should know how many hours I had to put into that routine to do it".

"Sorry Alexei".

"No don't be Nick, enjoy your performance and try to get the most out of
the talent you have, although I don't know which talent it is that made you
do this".

We arrived at the speaker and the audience got quiet. I looked around. I
saw my team members standing at the side of the platform all smiling. I saw
our friends at the other side cheering when they saw I was looking at
them. I smiled back a bit. Then just before I returned my attention to the
speaker and Alexei, I saw Francis' Mom sitting at the back on the right
hand side. My god I had to tell him later. I almost forgot it.  How could
I?  Well we had won, that might make it a bit easier to understand. My
thoughts were overruled then bye the fact that Alexei mentioned my name. I
looked at him and saw that the microphone was held under my nose. Hmm, now
what had been the question?  But then Alexei repeated.

"Oh, hi I'm Nick".

"Hi Nick, how did you manage to do that?" the speaker asked.

"I have no idea to be honest but I'm sure that my friends and our coach
should be here with me. I would have never been able to do this without
them".

"I can see that. Alexei just mentioned that you were the biggest talent he
had seen for a few years in America, does that mean you are going to go on
and try to qualify for the national team Nick?"

'Wow!' I thought. I looked at Alexei who only smiled. "Well to be honest I
never thought about that, I just wanted to make sure I had a good time out
there today and see if I could show the audience what I could do".

"Well I'm sure you managed to do that. I don't think you realized what you
did on that floor a Moment ago young man. As far as I can tell there has
not been any state final where the perfect score has been handed out
ever. But then again congratulations for this Nick and people out there
let's give him a great round of applause as I am sure we will see more of
him around".

Applause started to roll through the place and I shyly waved around. Then I
winked at the others to join us in the middle and without any hesitation
they came running toward me. I must say it ended up in another big team
celebration.

A few minutes later the coach calmed us down, although I could see that he
was looking very happy as well. He calmed us down when the teams on the
second and third place joined us on the platform for the medal
presentation. We applauded when they walked up there with us. Praises were
made and I even did see the big guy from one of our first meets. He smiled
and winked at me. But with Francis beside me I knew I had all that I
wanted.

Prizes where handed out by some state figures as well as Alexei. Like I
said our team won the team competition and Francis won the individual
competition with me on the third place and David was 7th. So all in all,
not a bad result.

I have no idea how long all this took before we were able to get back to
our locker room.  Our friends had tried to get there too but even Alexei
didn't manage to get them through.

"May I say something?" Dad asked when we were all sitting but still talking
about the day.

"Shhhh" Francis helped him.

"Thanks Francis. I must say guys that I still can't believe we did it. I
hoped for it, I dreamed for it, but I must say 'thanks' to all of you for
doing exactly what we hoped for.  Each of you made this possible".

"Well we could not have done it without you and Alexei, Sir" one of the
team members said.

This was cheered by the others.

"Ok, so now I think you all are tired, so I guess an early night is in
order don't you think?"

Some of the guys looked at him to see if he really meant that, but David
and I knew better than that.

"Yea I think that's a good idea Dad?" David said.

Now my Dad looked curious.

"In my dreams" David added then.

"Lets get ourselves cleaned up and go partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"

"Ok guys, get cleaned up and I'll see you in the bus in half an hour".

The guys got undressed and walked towards the shower. Francis got a hold of
me and we were the last ones going in that direction.

"Wait a second Nick".

I looked at him, wanting to ask what he wanted but I could see what it was
at that Moment right there.

"Here Francis?"

"Well, I want to celebrate this with you Nick. I think we did something
amazing today.  So I checked the place a bit just before we came in here".

"Oh? And now what?"

"Well we have half an hour".

"Yea, but we need to shower too".

"Yep, that's why this is such a good idea. Just come with me".

He turned away to the other side of the locker room. There was a door with
a sign on it maintenance. Now what was he planning to do there? Not a place
we could shower I guess.

The door was open and we entered. It was a bigger room then I expected.

"Look what I found" Francis said while he pushed a curtain open.

A nice big shower area was shown together with some strange looking
devices.

"There is no one that can enter this Francis?"

"I tried the other doors Nick, and they are locked, so I think we're safe
as long as we don't stay too long. Come on let's get under it".

I dropped the towel and followed Francis into the stall.

"You know you were incredible today Nick".

"Hmm you didn't do too bad yourself Francis".

"Yea but I practiced, practiced a lot. For you this seems just like it is
something you can do without effort".

"Sorry".

"Don't be! Just enjoy it".

"Come here Francis". We embraced each other while the water started to run
from several places of the device. It was a massage shower with streams
from several area's.  One I felt on my left bum and another one on my back.

"Great! I love you Francis".

A slow but intense kiss stopped him from answering. I slowly started to
discover the inside of his mouth with my tongue. Slow but keeping the
suction at a high level. The warm feeling of that was just so good. I
slowly started to move my hands through his hairs and then slowly over his
back.

I felt his hands almost copying my movements. I got a bit of shower gel and
started to wash his beautiful body with it. Wow! Incredible how I could
enjoy that soft touch of his hands on my body and at the same time still
enjoy every bit of his body just like it was the first time I touched him.

I went down on my knees to do his legs. He rested himself against the wall.
I went down to his foot leaving his crotch for later. I could feel the heat
of his hot organ just a few inches from my face but I tried to ignore it
for the Moment. When I had done his feet I moved a bit higher and I could
feel Francis shiver with anticipation. I got more shower gel on my hands
then started to move my hands from his balls slowly up to the top of his
dick.

Some moans left his lips while I moved my hand up and down. Taking some
more soap I slowly started to rub on his bum, slicing with one finger
around and up his love whole too.

"Oh yea Nick". I knew that he wanted to continue there, but I was not sure
I wanted to, so I just brought my hand back to his dick, stroking it faster
and faster. I wanted to kiss him so I slowly stood up without changing the
position of my hands. He had his eyes closed so I just put my lips on his
and with a bit of pressure I opened his mouth.

I felt his hands take hold of my dick and start to jack it slowly. When we
came up for air I saw that he had opened his eyes.

"Will you fuck me Nick?"

Now did I hear that correctly? We had never spoken about it before. Where
did this come from? Did he really want to do that now and here?

"What Francis?"

"Will you fuck me Nick?"

"Now? Here?"

"Mm...well? mm yea, maybe, if you want to".

I hugged him instead of giving him a reply as I felt flattered by it. So
far we hadn't done that and I know that he was waiting for me to get that
far along. But here?  And now?

"Oh I want to Francis you just took me a bit by surprise".

I now took his dick and mine in my hands and was rubbing them
together. Wow!  This felt really great. We never did this before.

"I know we didn't talk about this my love. But I just want to feel that
amazing tool of yours inside me".

"You don't know how good this make me feel Francis but I am not sure about
the time and the place. I don't want to do this in a hurry, and we don't
have a lot of time".

"Hmm yea you're probably right".

"But I promise soon ok?"

"Yea, fine, it's just I am so in love with you Nick. I just."

"I know Francis. I can feel it right in my hands at the Moment".

I kissed him again, before he could say anything. At the same time I moved
my hands rhythmically over our dicks. His hands were there too but then I
could feel his hand going over my balls starting to massage them softly. An
idea came to my mind. With one hand I got one of his hands and brought it
back up to our dicks. He understood what I wanted and while we kissed even
more passionately, we made a fist each with one hand around our dicks. With
the other hand we were massaging each other balls. My god this was hot!

Then I could feel his balls tighten and a Moment later he started to shake
and a moan left his mouth to enter mine. Well if you ever have felt
something like that, then you know that was enough to trigger me as well
and soon his spurts of cum were followed by mine.

I wanted to let go of our dicks, but Francis kept it steady. I couldn't get
away while Francis kept moving our fists over our dicks. First it was a bit
unpleasant but he continued in the same rhythm, which made me horny
again. I opened my eyes and saw that Francis was looking at me. My god how
I loved him! Those incredible eyes! But before I could think any further he
had his mouth over mine once more and thinking became impossible.

It didn't took me long to feel another orgasm getting nearer. I could tell
that my moans were almost simultaneous with his. But then I felt spurts of
cum getting closer and I stopped kissing him to shout out a very loud
moan. I opened my eyes and saw that Francis was almost in the same state,
then he let out a loud moan and both our dicks started to shoot again. I
never had felt a second orgasm so fast after the first but it was
wonderful.

We looked into each other's eyes. I wanted to say something but I knew that
what I had just felt could not be described at this Moment. I just moved a
bit closer to him and this time softly touched his lips with mine.

"Thanks Francis, that was great. I love you so much," I whispered softly
between our lips. I knew he heard it when a smile appeared on his face.

'I know Nick and I think that I know how much you love me as I love you
very much too".

The water of the shower was still pouring over our heads and jetting our
bodies. When I stepped back I could see that the last of our cum had found
it's way to the drain.

"We better get back don't you think?"

"I guess so, but I just needed this to get me through the rest of the
celebration".

We stepped out of the shower and dried each other off. Then Francis slowly
opened the door to the locker room. No one was in the locker room. There
were fewer bags than there had been before so some of them were already
gone to the bus, but others were still inside somewhere. Well at least we
were lucky and there was nobody around to see us sneaking back.

A Moment later David came walking from the shower area, but he already had
his clothes on.

"Mmm hmm? Where did you two sneak off to? I was looking for you in the
shower but you weren't there".

I knew that once again our faces said it all as we started to blush big
time.

"It's good that I offered to stay here and check the shower area while
others went outside. Nobody could remember that you walked with us into the
shower and now here you are, so I think I better lie and say you were in
the showers. But you should be careful guys".

We just nodded. "Hmm speechless. Well at least that is something I managed,
now get on with it; we want to start the celebrations".

Giggling like two schoolgirls, we started to get dressed. David had left to
warn the others we would be out soon. Well not out but well, you know what
I mean. It was good that my Dad and David think about these things
otherwise we would have been out already.

"Ah there you are guys. What took you so long?" One of our team members
asked.

"We just wanted to relax and make sure we were clean". Francis answered.

I saw that David was making a face like 'yea I know'.

"Well Coach just told us that we are going to have a dinner first at the
hotel as a team, then our family and friends that are here are going to
join us and we can see what we want to do".

"Sounds like a plan" I answered him.

When I wanted to step into the bus my Dad took me aside.

"Nick, whatever you were doing, you were lucky that David was there. I'm
sure that otherwise someone else would have found you wherever you were
hiding out".

"Sorry Dad, we just wanted to celebrate this together as well".

"Well just be careful. Tonight some of the guys might otherwise start to
have idea's about you two".

"I think we'll be ok now and we will have our party with friends later on
tonight after dinner if I'm right".

"Yea but some of them might not be able to sneak away so soon Nick, like
Alexei. I think the others want to talk with him too".

"Well we will see. I think we can manage to get away with some kind of
excuse".

"Just let me know when you are off, where too and with who ok?".

"Yep, I can give you David's cell phone number so you know where we are and
how to reach us if necessary".

"Is he going along with you?

"He said he was. I think that Kathy is here somewhere too so I guess they
will go".

"Yea it seems like every one from school is here today".

He was right about that. It looked indeed like a lot of people from school
had turned up to watch us. I didn't realize that so many people knew we
were going to go for the state finals. I had seen some announcements on the
boards but I guess that was all at that time.  I just had been too
preoccupied with other stuff I guess.

We got on the buss and sat down somewhere in the middle. The guys were
still chatting all excited about what had happened. I guess they were
right; it was some kind of thing to pull off. Who had ever thought that we
would win (well perhaps you who are following this story did as there was
no way as a writer I could not let them win I guess).

We arrived at the hotel and were directed to one of the corners of the
dining room. I guess they wanted us a bit out of the way. We were all
sitting around a big table, my Dad sitting on one side beside me and
Francis on the other. I guess every one on the team knew we were at least
starting to be good friends.


We had a nice and not so quiet dinner. I was asked to explain again what I
did that afternoon that got me so incredibly concentrated.

"And then memorizing Alexei's exercises! How did you do that Nick?"

"I have no idea although, well perhaps. You all have seen me drawing
lately.  I have done that in the past a lot. One of the things I do when
I'm drawing is taking the image of what I want to draw into my mind and
keep focusing on it. I guess that the concentration exercises Alexei taught
us made me do it even better than I always was able to do. When I was
drawing and needed to finish it another time, I just pictured the image in
my mind the Moment I want to go on with the drawing. It seems that I did
that with Alexei's exercises as well".

"Could be part of the reason Nick". David said.

"Still, doing them almost perfectly, that's something else" one of the team
members more or less mumbled".

"I know. And I guess I have very little explanation for that. It just seems
like I have this incredible natural talent or something. That's the only
reason I can give for it to be honest".

"Well what ever it was, you helped us get there at the end Nick".

"Oh but it was a team effort guys. If you had not been there with me
practicing and all I am not sure I would have ever gotten this far at all".

"So you will stay on the team then Nick?"

"Yea why not? As long as you want me there".

"Of course! Better you than that asshole Mike".

I looked closer to the one who had said that. There was a dark cloud
passing over his face the Moment he mentioned Mike. What was happening
here? How did Mike get to be known as an asshole? I thought that when I
started on the team, Mike was appreciate and a good member of the team. I
guess I had been wrong in that at the end.

Around 7 I think it was, there was a big group of people entered the dining
room, making lots of noise and making the other guest look kind of
disturbed by it all.

"Follow me gentlemen they should be right here". That was Alexei I thought,
and I looked over my shoulder to see who he was bringing with him. I saw
there was a big crowd of people following Alexei and a few people with
cameras on their shoulders.

When they came closer one of them stepped out of the group holding a
microphone in the middle of the table.

"So this is the great bunch of our city that made us proud today, becoming
the first state champions in a college sports match".

'Wow!' I thought, had never ever a team won the state final in anything? I
knew we had a lousy football team but I thought that the swim and
basketball teams were up to a higher level as well.

"Yea, I guess these are the ones". My Dad said.

"And you are the coach?" The guy with the mic asked.

"Yep, I am".

"How did this all happen sir? The team has never ever made it to the state
finals and now they just won it".

"I guess we are having a tremendous group of new, talented guys around".

"So we were told. Would you introduce them to us?"

We were then interrupted by one of the waiters. "Sir, I ask you to please
keep a bit quiet in the dining room. There are some people complaining
about it all".

"You want to have an interview with the guys" my Dad asked the guy with the
mic.

"Yea that's the reason I drove all the way up when news came over the
internet that you had won the state finals. If I had known, we would have
been here this afternoon".

"Do you have a small room where this can take place?" Dad asked the waiter.

"Yes, there is one just along the lobby of the hotel which is used for such
things".

"Can we use it?"

"Let me check with the front desk; I'll be right back". The waiter left the
table and the cameras had been turned off in the meantime.

I looked around and saw that James was close by where Alexei was; also
Brian, Andy, Peter and Andrew were not too far away. But other people were
around there too. We were lead by someone from the hotel to one of the
rooms that was just off the hotel entrance. There was no door for it so a
lot of people came walking in after us, making it a pretty good crowd.

"Ok lets continue. You were going to introduce us to the team members and
more particularly to the talented ones that made this possible".

"Let start me by saying that talented or not this was a team effort. They
couldn't have done this without any of them".

"Ok but what has made the difference with them this year coach? You are new
with the team are you not?'

"Yes, I just started this year but it was not me that did this. We had some
new team members as well".

"Ok, so who are they?"

He started by introducing the old members first, giving them the credit for
being on the team more then just one year.

"So that brings us to the new members I guess" the reporter said.

It seems that someone had been giving him a lot of information about us
already and when I looked at Alexei I saw a big smile on his face. I knew
somehow that he was behind all of this.

"Well first of all, there is David. He just joined the team this year but
has been doing gymnastics for several years now".

"Ah! And he is also your son isn't he?"

"Yes, that's right. Then we have Francis, who moved to this city this year
and has been doing gymnastics on a high level for more than a few years
now".

"That leaves only one I guess".

"Yes that's another son of mine, to be honest. His name is Nick and he
started gymnastics only this year".

Damn! Why did he have to tell the reporter that. I sensed the way his voice
sounded there was a lot of pride there as well.

"Ah! So this is the young man that did the incredible stuff. I saw some of
your performances just before we came to the hotel but you where incredibly
good Nick. How did you manage that?"

"Well with help of a lot of people I guess".

"That's easy to say Nick, but you must have some secret to have done this
all in one year.  I think that a lot of your team members would have loved
to be so good in just one year".

"Maybe I am just a natural, but still, if it hadn't been for the coach, all
the guys, the school facilities or Alexei we would not have been able to do
this".

"Now it's funny you mention him. Can you come over here Mr. Nemov?"

"Of course." Alexei came closer and the reporter continued now with him.

"So here we have a former world and Olympic champion, Alexei Nemov. May we
ask what you have been doing here today?"

"To be honest, I am part of a youth encouragement program in which known
gymnasts go and train for a few weeks at a local club. I have had the honor
to give the guys here some pointers during a few weeks this last season".

"So what do you think of this team? Is there more to it then just state
champions?"

"To be honest yes, I think there are 2 or 3 who can make it up to the
national level if they have the guts for it".

"So you think that our town is going to have some very good athletes with
these guys then?"

"Like I said" Alexei continued now, " there's some incredible talent
around, some natural, some technical, so indeed I think if they get a break
they can get very far".

Then I knew why he had done it. The request for subsidizing the trip to
Europe. Alexei was not doing thisfor us alone but also for himself and the
chance to get James with him on the trip.

"Well I guess that is good news. Can I ask you one thing; is it really true
that Nick here copied your demonstrations of early this afternoon and then
performed them almost as well as you did, in the competition a little while
later?"

Wow! I saw that the camera had moved from Alexei to me and back during this
question. Blood started to pulse hard through my veins.

"Yes, on the last three routines he just seemed to copy them and I must say
that there needs to be a bit more work done to come to my level, but for a
guy his age he did them marvelously".

"How do you think that this is possible Alexei?"

"I have no idea. I think you have to ask the coach or Nick".

The reporter turned himself now towards me " And Nick how do you think you
pulled this little stunt of yours today?"

"To be honest I have no idea Sir. I seem to have an incredibly good way of
concentrating just before a meet, but that's all as far as I know".

"Do you agree with that?" the reporter now asked my Dad.

I knew this was my chance and I stepped back so I was not in the middle of
all this anymore. I was not sure I liked being in the spotlight like
that. Happily for me the reporter didn't seem to mind either as he moved to
the other team members with questions. I looked around more now to see who
all was there. I spotted Kathy as well as several of our friends from
school. Then suddenly toward the back I saw Francis' Mom.

Oh no she was here and there had been no opportunity to let Francis know
she was here.  Now what? I concentrated on her and Francis. Then suddenly
the reporter had asked the last question and the room filled with even more
people. I got hugged by several and kissed by Kathy for what we had done. I
wanted to get away from it. I didn't like to be in such a crowded room. I
had never felt like this before, but somehow I was not comfortable with it
all.

"Hey there you are. Congratulations Nick, you were incredible". I turned
around and saw Andrew's two arms held open to hug me.

"Thanks Andrew, I just did my best" I replied but not moving my arms to
receive the hugs. This was not the place and time for it I thought. There
were just too many people around.

"Not so modest Nick, if it hadn't been for your performance they would
never have won the title".

"Maybe they would; it's something you never know Andrew".

"That's true Nick, so when are we going to party".

"I don't know. I want to see if we can get away soon. Maybe you can go
around and let every body know. Lets say in about 45 minutes in the
lobby. By that time the reporter should have gone and the crowd a bit
dispersed".

"Good idea. Will you stay here all the time?"

"No, I think I want to go up to the room and change before going out".

"Ok, I'll let the others know".

I looked around to see if I could find Francis to ask him if he was ready
to go upstairs. I saw him with some friends almost at the entrance of the
room. I walked towards them but just as I was doing that I saw his Mom
moving closer from the other side. I knew then that I would be too late.

"Francis" I heard her say. I looked at Francis and I saw that he had heard
her as well although he had his right backside towards her.

"Francis" she said again.

I saw that all the color left his face. Happily for me I had reached him by
that time and I put my hand on his shoulder when he turned around.

"You! What the hell are you doing here?"

'Oh no!' I thought, 'this is going totally wrong. Now what?' I thought.

"Francis" There was a lot of plea in that voice.

The people around us were moving back as they wanted to give us some
privacy. I guess some of them knew that Francis was not living at home, and
realized that this was his Mom.

"Incredible that you have the guts to turn up here after .." his voice
broke and he looked down to the ground".

" Francis please, I just wanted to congratulate you with your and your
teams performance". She had her hand out but he didn't move. I knew he must
have seen it from the corner of his eyes.

He didn't take it. Instead he turned towards me and said: "I'm going to my
room. Are you joining me?"

Without even giving any sign that he acknowledged his Mom's presence he
left to walk to the elevator. I moved a bit slower and went after him. I
was stopped by Francis' Mom's voice: "Nick, please".

I knew there was nothing I could do at that Moment. When I turned I saw
tears in her eyes and a lot of people behind her watching us. "I will see
what I can do" I replied softly to her and turned around just in time to
reach Francis as he stepped into the elevator.

"Oh Nick, what now?" and with that he started to cry and threw himself in
my arms.

I had no idea but this looks like a breakdown of some sort. So I just held
him for a while.  He cried all the way up to our floor. I got him out of
the elevator and we went into our room.

{Ok keep track of these brackets now guys, as they will say where we are in
the hotel during the rest of the story}.

{Meanwhile downstairs in the lobby}

"Madam, can I help you?"

"What? Who are you? Leave me alone. I am doomed". She answered.

"No you're not, just let us get out of the crowd a bit".

They moved to the other side of the lobby.

"Don't I know you?"

"Maybe, I'm not sure if you remember me but I visited your house once".

{Still in the back of the room where the interview was held}

"Hey guys I just talked with Nick and he wants us to meet him in 45 minutes
and then see if we can find a place to celebrate, but I'm just not sure
anymore".

"He will be able to cool down Francis, Andrew, don't worry they will be
down later".

"Do you think so David? Maybe we should give them a bit more time lets meet
in 90 minutes; that will give them time to sort out the mess and we can
refresh ourselves in the meantime".

"Good, but I don't think I want to go back to my room now Kathy, they need
their privacy".

"Well you can come to mine. I have to talk with you anyway".

"Thanks for letting us know Andrew will you tell the others?"

"Ok, I will. We have rooms in a row so I will slip a not under their doors
as I think that Brian and Andy already left. They were a bit afraid the
reporter might recognize Andy".

{In another corner of the room}

"I'm glad you are here Alexei".

"I just couldn't stand not to see. It just seems that I am starting to fall
more and more for you".

"Hmm I know what you mean but not here James, the reporter is still
around".

"So what? You are known to be bi you said".

"Yea but I don't think that you want your Mom to find out you are gay like
this".

"Oops! No she better not. It is so hard to keep my hands off of you, you
know".

"Well in that case James, I think we better go back to my room. I think we
are supposed to meet the others in 45 minutes downstairs in the lobby so
just enough time to .??".

{Back in the bedroom of Francis and Nick}.

He continued to sob instead of crying when we sat down on the edge of the
bed. I just rubbed his back.

"Sorry you had to find out like this that she was here Francis. If there
had been time I would have liked to prepare you for this".

He shot up when I said this and while he looked at me he said: "You knew
she was in town?"

"Yes. She came up to me while I was drawing in the park".

"Sucked up to you I suppose" he replied.

"No she just wanted to know if I had talked with you and if there was any
chance you might want to see her".

"Yea, sucked up to you like I said".

"Why are you like this Francis? You knew she talked with me before and
would probably do it again to find out the answer".

"So what did you tell her?"

"Nothing Francis, nothing. Just that we talked about it after I last saw
her, but that I had no idea if you wanted to see her".

"Yea she should have stayed away".

"Are you sure about that Francis?"

"I haven't given it much though since our last conversation about it Nick,
so I still have no idea".

"Well she said she would try one more time to talk with you and if you
didn't want to she would agree with it and never try to contact you again".

"Well I guess that says enough".

"What do you mean Francis?"

"Well if that's all the effort that she wants to put into this, after what
they have done to me then I don't want to talk with her".

"Oh shit! I think my last words came out wrong. what she meant was that she
would respect your wishes if you decided you wouldn't want to see her
anymore".

"Oh! So I guess I just told her that didn't I".

"Maybe, I guess she's still around downstairs. If you would want to talk
with her I could go down to get her".

He was silent for a Moment, staring into my eyes.

"What did she tell you this afternoon Nick?"

'Ah!' I thought, 'some interest awakened. That might be the start of
things.'

Although I wanted it to be, it was Francis' own decision. I knew what life
without a Mom was. I missed her even after she left without a word. I was
just hoping that there was a way that they could get back together again.

"Well she told me that she was here to see you perform. She said that the
last match was the only one she ever missed and she could not live with
that so she came to town today to at least see you in action and maybe have
a chance to talk with you".

"Oh. Does my Dad know she's here?"

"No, she said that she told him she was visiting her sister and she didn't
want him to find out either".

"So are you ready to let her out of your life or do you want me to go
downstairs and say that you are willing to talk with her?"

I knew this was a major decision for him. I felt guilty for putting him
through this but I had to try. On the other hand, I was willing to accept
his Mom's point of view that she would not pursue if he didn't want to.

He looked into my eyes I stared back at him, but I couldn't predict what
his answer would be.

{Back in the lobby}

"Yes, I think you know me madam. I visited your house once".

"Ah then you must be Nick's Dad".

"Yes, that's me. And Francis' Coach".

"You have a remarkable son Sir".

"Because what he did this afternoon".

"No, well maybe that too, but more in the way he's standing up for
Francis".

"You talked with Nick?"

"Yes. Twice. A few weeks back at the mall and this afternoon at the meet. I
wanted to find out how Francis reacted to me".

"Oh".

"And I guess we just found out" she said with a big sigh.

"Well let's just wait and sit here I think Nick could turn him around".

"You think so? I don't know. Francis can be as stubborn as his father
sometimes can be".

"I know, but I think that Nick will have a shot at this".

"Are you sure? He said he would not try to convince Francis, that he needed
to make up his own mind about it".

"Yes, that's what he told you, but I think that in this situation Nick will
do a bit more than that".

"Why do you think so Sir?"

"I'm not sure if it is up to me to tell you this, but well, it could help
you to understand Nick and maybe Francis a bit better. You know Nick has
changed a lot lately.  He has never been as self confident as he has been
lately, or well, not in a long time I guess.  After ???..

{In the meantime back in Alexei's room}

"Come here baby, I can hardly wait to feel that hard shape of yours in my
mouth".

"Wow calm down James, some of us had to perform today. I think I am one
smelly bitch".

"Maybe that's just the way I like you Alexei".

"Hmm, lets gets undressed and ?"

"Yea good idea." And with that James started to rip clothes off Alexei.

"I was not finished James, I wanted to say lets get undressed and shower
first".

"Oh even better." he said with an evil grin on his face.

"Yea, yea tell me about it".

{In the meantime in Kathy's room}

"You wanted to talk with me Kathy?"

"Yes David. How long have we been going together?"

"About 2,5 years I think".

"Yes, that's about right. Do you ever think of the future?"

"Future of us you mean?"

"Yes".

"Mmm yea well, I guess".

"And what do you see then?"

"Well I guess we will finish college, go to the uni, and then marry at some
point".

"Yes, that is the general view of it, but ever though about when to marry
or have children?"

"Well not exactly Kathy, no need to rush into things".

Kathy turned away from David and looked the other way.

"What Kathy? What?"

{In the meantime back in the bedroom of Nick and Francis}.

"You know Francis, I said I would never pursue it and that it would be your
own decision".

"Yea I know Nicky, but still I don't know what to do".

"Well just something to maybe help you Francis. I never told you about my
Mom did I?"

"No you didn't Nick".

"I never talked about her I guess".

"Why is that Nicky?"

"I miss her Francis, more then anything in the world".

"Oh" he said waiting for me to continue.

"You know she was always there for as far as I could remember and then
suddenly she was gone. We never found out where she went or why she
left. But it was not until then that I knew what kind of role she played in
my life Francis. The drawing that I do, the way I care for things. Most of
it is her doing. I never would have been the Nick I am today were it not
for her and it took me a long time after she went away to be able to do
once again those things that I did with her."

"That's why you stopped drawing".

"Guess so. It just felt like I couldn't do it anymore; as if she had taken
that with her. And there is more but ? ".

"You don't have to tell me Nick. I think you have said enough. It would be
stupid to leave her downstairs without even listening to here wouldn't it?"

"Yes I think so, but it must be your own decision Francis, not one you made
because of what I said".

"It isn't Nick, part of me was already thinking that, but another maybe
bigger parts is mad at her".

"Oh I know the anger Francis. You think I don't have any?"

We fell into each other's arms and hugged for a while.

"So now what?" Francis asked me.

{In the meantime down in the lobby}.

"Thanks for telling me that sir. I had no right to it, but at least I know
now why you think that Nick will be able to help Francis to decide".

"Well the only thing that we can do is wait and see".

"You really managed to raise him up fine didn't you? Even when your wife
left you".

"Yea well, I must admit that I do my best, but with Nick I know sometimes
that's just not enough. There's so much of him to go around. Sometimes Im
not sure I can find all that is in him. I think he knows not even himself
the things that he is capable of doing. He keeps surprising me more and
more. That's something I never have to think about with David. With him it
is just if I see myself, that makes talking to him so much easier".

"Well you are doing a great job so far".

"Thanks. I must admit that despite what happened you did a great job with
Francis too.  He is a great kid to be around and I think that he's just
what Nick needs".

Nick's Dad saw the face of the lady turn white. "Oops! Maybe that was not
the best thing I could have said. Me with my big mouth!"

"No it's me. It's just something that I'm trying to get used to, but I can
tell you it isn't easy".

"You will get used to it after seeing them together for some time you will
understand that there is no difference. It's love and that's the only thing
that is important".

"You think so?"

"Yes, I know it is".

Nick's Dad looked around after he said that, coming to a conclusion of his
own. Love!  How could he have been so stupid? He knew that was what he had
been feeling this last few weeks. 'It was right there all along in front of
my own eyes and I didn't want to see it' he thought. Damn but no longer; he
would act on it. He knew that Nick and David would understand and he hated
to be alone. Keith had been right. There was no way he could spend the rest
of his life alone.

{In the meantime, hmm where shall we go? I think back to the bedroom with
Francis and Nick}.

"Do you want me to go and get your Mom Francis?"

"Yea I guess so. Although I must admit Nick, I have no idea what I'm going
to say or if I'm going to say anything to her. I feel so much anger
Nick. What if I lose it when I see her?".

"I know you can do this Francis, just be yourself and what ever you want to
say to her say it, as long as you keep listening to her as well".

"You think?"

"Yes, she has to know how you felt as well and she has to hear that from
you but you should give her a chance. If you get angry don't throw her out
or anything, just try to cool down for a minute or so".

"Wow! You know it all don't you Nick?y"

"No Francis, I guess that the doc just got me thinking a bit like he does".

"Well I will see what I can do, but yea, go and bring her. That sounds like
the best idea at the Moment".

I gave him a big long kiss.

"Are you going to stay here?"

"You want me to?"

"Yea well I'm not sure Nick. Maybe this is a thing I need to do on my own".

"I hoped you would say that, and I know you are strong enough to do it so
as well".

I stood up and walked to the door. I will bring her here and then go and
tell the others you will be downstairs in about 1 hour. That should give
you enough time to chat with her.

"Are you coming back after you see the others?"

"If that's ok with you. I will make sure I will be out for at least 15 to
30 minutes".

"Ok, now you better go and see if she is still there".

"I think so Francis don't worry".

"It's strange but after making up my mind that I want to see her I find it
would seem very strange if she would have left".

"Ok I better go then" I kissed him and left the room.

{LOL! That will have to move us somewhere else I guess, so lets go to
Alexei and James's room)

Alexei and James had spent the time in the shower and were just enjoying
each other while drying themselves.

?You think that you were able to get the grant by getting the reporter down
here?"

"Ah you saw right through me I guess".

"Well nothing wrong with it Alexei don't get me wrong. And you were right;
a good performance and a little publicity never did any harm".

"I was not sure we would get the grant. It was a bit of a try and I think
that Nick's Dad really needs the money to be able to get them on tour with
me and I guess that I could do with a bit of company".

"Well let's just hope that the performance this afternoon was enough to
give them the grant so they can join you for some time in Europe".

"I just hope that you are with me there too, James. I can move around much
more easily in Europe then I can in the USA. With the big sponsors here I
always have to look out for negative publicity. I wouldn't mind but I think
I am losing lots and lots of money for the youth program if I were to come
out like that down here".

"We will see and there is still Mom to convince".

"I know honey".

"You know you really smell nice even after a shower" James said with a
smile.

"Oh you think so? Well maybe then we should go on to the bedroom and see if
we can do something about that. I wouldn't want to be the one that is
responsible for you not enjoying it completely".

"Ah well I'm up for it".

"Yea you can say that again," Alexei said while rubbing James' hard dick
with one hand.

"On your knees then, we will go doggie style back in there".

Slowly they moved toward the door of the bedroom. James was on his knees
shuffling backwards while Alexei was pushing him with his legs in that
direction.  James was licking Alexei's dick and sniffing his scent all over
his crotch and legs at the same time.

Alexei opened the door slowly with his eyes on James. Then James started to
crawl over into the bedroom, not taking his face more than an inch away
from Alexei.

They moved a bit further, the door opened up completely now. Then a sudden
gasp got both their attention.

"What! My god! Oh no".

Both Alexei and James got red in the face, but that didn't last too long as
they both realized in what kind position they were.

{Yea, yea leaving you at that point. Sorry guys, we are going back to David
and Kathy now}

'My god' David thought 'where is this coming from?' They never really had
discussed the future but more or less took things as they came. He had
thought that Kathy was happy with that too.

"You know Kate, that I have no idea where this gymnastic thing is taking
me, but I need to try to see how good I can get".

"I know David and until now I never thought to bring this subject up. But
after 2,5 years it's something we need to discuss."

"Yea I guess so".

"So have you ever thought about having kids for example?"

She still was not looking straight at him, so he had no idea if she was
serious or just trying to fool around with him a bit.

"You know seeing Francis and his Mom like that made me realize it is'nt
easy to be a parent".

"Yea but then we are not Francis' Mom Kathy".

"I know, it just got me thinking I guess".

'Ah was that where this was coming from?' David wondered.

"I never really think about being a Dad yet. That's something for later,
but I will say that I want children with you, to raise together".

"But then I see that Francis was born while his Mom was still very young
and that must not have been easy either".

"Well we are careful enough not to worry about that for some time Kathy. We
just need to make sure that we continue to be careful too. There are just
so many things we need to do before we are ready for them".

Damn! There she did it again. She turned away from him. What did I do? What
did I say?

{In the meantime down in the lobby}

"See? There is Nick coming already. I think you are going to have a chance
to talk with Francis".

Francis's Mom turned around and saw Nick coming towards them.

"Dad, ma'm, Can I talk with her alone for a Moment Dad?"

"You don't want me to stay around Nick?"

"No, well you know what this is about and I want to chat alone with her I
think".

"Ok I'm going up to my room and then out for a drink maybe".

"Ok see you later, we'll let you know where we will go tonight".

"Good! Thanks Nick, be gentle with her".

"I will".

Dad walked away and I saw that his pace got faster as he reached the
elevator.

'Good!' I thought 'he deserves to be without worries for an evening as
well.'

"Nick, can I go up with you?"

"We'll wait a minute ma'm. I talked with him and he is willing to listen to
you, but I want to warn you".

"He is angry with me isn't he?"

"Yes, and I have no idea how angry. I tried to make sure he would listen to
you as well"

"Good! Will you stay as well?"

"No, I am going to leave you two alone, but I just wanted to make sure you
are not going to hurt him in any way. I would not forgive myself ever if I
would leave you alone with him if you were planning that".

"Don't worry I have no pain in store for him, only the hope for happiness,
that we can at least talk with each other again".

"That would be good ma'm".

We walked to the elevator now more or less silent and when we stopped at
our floor I took her to the door. Before she opened it she turned around.

"Thanks Nick. I hope to see you later on as well or if that is not
possible, then sometime in the future. You seem like a nice young man
making Francis very happy".

I blushed a bit with that and didn't know what to say, so I just knocked
and turned around.

I heard her open the door and close it again.

{In the meantime back in Kathy's bedroom)

"Kathy please don't shut me out like this. What's going on?"

"It doesn't matter; I know what to do now".

"Kathy please! What are you talking about?"

"Damn it, David. I didn't want to tell you; you have enough to cope with".

"What Kathy?" I said a bit louder.

"Don't push David. It was a surprise to me too".

"What was Kathy?"

"Well ?us becoming parents".

"What you mean how what ?" David's voice trembled then came to a stop
leaving his mouth open.

"No way! How is that possible?"

"I have no idea David".

"Are you really sure you are PREGNANT? " he said a bit louder this time.

"WHAT?" said a third voice. They hadn't heard the door open.

They turned their faces now and saw ???????.

{So shall I leave it with this or is this too hard on you all? Well what
shall I do?





Hmm maybe a bit more then if you really want ?

{Well where are we going now? We follow Nick on his way to his friends}

I really hoped that everything was going to go ok. I didn't want to leave
them, but I knew that Francis would have some harsh words for his Mom and I
wasn't sure I could stand hearing them. Not that I didn't understand him,
because I did. In the past I had long, long talks with my Mom, which were
not nice at all, but I was lucky in that she was not there for real.

I decided I would take the elevator to the lobby to get something for
Francis and then would go back up to tell the others we would be there a
bit later.

I walked to the little shop that was still open and I entered it. There
were all kind of things from little stupid gifts to very expensive watches
and jewelry.

I looked around until I found some nice stuffed bears. Now there was a nice
idea, just something small and nice to give to him. I had a look at the
more expensive stuff as well.  I really wanted him to have a ring or
something similar from me, but that was way to expensive down here. I
better look in a normal shop.

I got myself the bear and had them wrap it, then paid for it. Just as I was
doing that I looked out the shop window into the lobby. There were some
people around, but then one in particular came into my sight. I felt a
shiver go down my spine. 'Oh no! That was impossible I thought'. I saw him
walking to the elevator. Now I had a chance. If the elevator was not there
straight away I could get to it.

But then when I just had left the door of the shop, I saw the elevator door
open and the men stepping inside. I let out a loud scream getting the
attention of a lot of people except the men inside. The doors closed.

I could feel that I started to panic. Not a little, but really panic. I
just took a deep breath.  I looked at the elevator when I got there. It was
going up. The others were all at the top half of the hotel, not making it
down very fast. I followed the one that the men had gotten into and saw it
stopped at our floor, the 9th.

Now there was only one way I could get there and hope to stop the worst. I
had to take the stairs. I looked and found them at the right hand side. I
walked there and opened it, then started to walk the stairs. The first I
ran as well as the second. The third was way too far for me as I started to
slow down. Nine stairs are a lot I guess, so I better make sure I could get
there in one piece.

When I turned around to start the fourth I was held back.

"Don't think it Nick, you have gone far enough. We need to talk now".

I looked up. This could not be true.

He started to pin me to the wall with one hand and the other found its way
to my trousers.

I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I tried again, but still my words seemed
to be stuck in the back of my throat.

Not now I though I need to .........................................


Ok guys you wanted more so there it is, more for you to enjoy. I hope you
liked this chapter. I know I leave you hanging a bit, but I thought it was
a good closure of the story for this summer. I will be away now for a few
weeks and won't be able to write a lot so I guess a new chapter will take
some time

If you want to comment on this chapter, on how the story is evolving or
what's happening on all the cliffs I left for you to hang on in this
chapter, let me know or visit my website. I have a questionnaire there on
what is happening and you can fill in the names of the persons who are not
named in this chapter but seem to be around for the good or the worse of
the story.

Also I want to thank every one that has been responding from time to time
to let me know to keep going on with the story. Thanks guys! Last but not
least my editors to whom I must say thank you for making this story a bit
more readable for us all.

Have a great summer guys and remember to contact me use:
noway16@hotmail.com,
ICQ: 36967366 or go to my summer game coach's assistant 2003 at my website
www.geocities.com/timsfunplace and quess with other readers who are the
persons in the cliffhangers