Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 16:01:36 -0400
From: Ron <ronyx@woh.rr.com>
Subject: Writing for Joe   Chapter 7

The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely
coincidental. The story is intended for a mature audience. It may contain
profanity and references to gay sex. If this offends you, please leave
and find something more suitable to read. The author maintains all rights
to the story. Do not copy or use without written permission. Write Ron at
ronyx@woh.rr.com with any comments.



Writing for Joe       Chapter 7



It was well after 1:00 a.m. when two tired looking detectives entered the
waiting room and walked over to the nurses' station.

"We're here to investigate the Monroe assault." One of the detectives
said to a busy nurse. She told them to wait while she ran out of the room
and into a nearby cubicle. The detectives talked animatedly to themselves
while they waited rather impatiently.

"Oh, good." Matt said happily. "Looks like Sgt. Nichols is working
this case."

"You know him?" Jessica asked.

"Yeah. He worked on the Wellston case with me last year. He's a pretty
decent guy."

Jessica looked over and watched the two men. One was a burly man, whom
she assumed was Nichols. He was stocky, probably the result of spending
too much time in a doughnut shop. The other man was taller with better
built. He appeared about 10 years younger.

After a few minutes the nurse reappeared and escorted the detectives into
Joe's room. Ten minutes later they reappeared into the waiting area and
headed for Matt and Jessica.

"Matt Adams," He smiled. "I should have known you'd be involved."

"Hello Sarge." Matt extended his hand and they shook. He looked over at
Jessica.

"I'm Sgt. John Nichols, and this is my partner, Detective Eugene
Daniels. We're here to investigate the beating of your friend." Matt
reached over and shook Daniels hand.

"You know anything yet?" Matt instantly changed into his reporter role.

"Nothing really. Your friend was rather incoherent. They have him on
some pretty heavy sedatives right now. We'll come back in the morning.
Maybe we can get some more information when he wakes up." Nichols
explained.

"The doctor said Joe mentioned someone named Cobra. Any ideas who he
is?" Matt inquired.

Nichols face paled at the mention of Cobra's name.

"Shit. If he's involved in this, there could be some serious
problems." Nichols said worriedly. He looked briefly at Daniels and
their eyes met. Daniels took out his pad and began writing.

"Who is this Cobra?" Matt asked. He gave a hesitant look at Jessica.

"Only the meanest son of a bitch in this town." Nichols said angrily.
"We've been trying to catch this guy for a couple of years. From what
we can gather, he's Wellston's personal hit man."

Matt felt his legs go weak, and he backed up and sat down in one of the
seats. Jessica sat beside him and held his hand.

"Your friend's lucky. Cobra doesn't mess up. He obviously didn't want
Joe dead, or we'd be having this conversation in the morgue instead."
Nichols said looking at a very upset Matt.

"I think I'm probably the intended target." Matt uttered. "I'm the
one they want. I think they used Joe to get to me." Matt buried his
hands in his head.

"Why would they do that?" Nichols asked. "I thought this whole mess
was over when we finally imprisoned that piece of shit last year."

"It was." Matt began. "But last week Joe and I discussed reopening the
investigation."

"Why?" Nichols asked. Daniels looked up briefly and then returned to
writing in his note pad.

"Joe was going back over the case and discovered that nothing was ever
mentioned in the courtroom or newspaper about the sex that was going on
at the mansion the night of the raid." He began to say more but was
interrupted by Nichols.

"God dammit." he shouted angrily. "Nothing was said because we were
trying to protect some people."

"Jeremy and the others?" Matt asked.

"Shit. Just how much do you know?" Nichols face began to pale.

"Not a lot, just a few hunches is all." He told him.

"Young man, I don't know if you are aware of just how much damage you
have done here." Nichols face was becoming red with anger.

"What do you mean?" Matt was frightened by the demeanor of the usually
casual sergeant.

"During our investigation last year, we discovered that Wellston planned
to have all the boys involved in his prostitution ring murdered. After
weeks of negotiation, we had convinced him to let the boys live. In
return, we dropped all charges related to his sex trade. The boys walked
free without having to testify in court, or even worse, face a horrible
death."

Matt's face whitened. He was beginning to realize the consequences of
his investigation.

"That crazy mother fucker doesn't care about anyone. He'll order those
boys to be killed just as easily as he would order a pizza. He has no
remorse." The worry in Nichol's voice was frightening.

"I had no idea. We just couldn't understand why the sex thing was never
investigated." Matt said apologetically.

"It was. We thoroughly investigated. We know who was involved, and the
nature of their involvement. We talked to all the boys and their
families. They knew the danger their sons were in. Thanks to you, you've
put those boys back in danger." Nichols said angrily.

"I'm sorry." Matt hung his head as Jessica squeezed his hand tightly.
Now it made sense to her why she had seen the police come almost daily to
Jeremy and Tiffany's apartment.

"I've got a lot of work to do." Nichols said nervously. "I've got to
get police protection for you, Joe, and the other boys. It's not safe
for any of you while Cobra is running around this city. I'm sure he's
gotten his orders directly from Wellston."

"What do you want me to do?" Matt offered.

"Nothing right now. You've already done too much." Nichols spoke
angrily.

"For the time being, Daniels will stay with you and Joe. I don't want
you out of his sight. Got it?" He said staring into Matt's eyes. "I
want you in my office this afternoon. We should have things figured out
by that time."

"I'm sorry Sarge. I had no idea." Matt spoke apologetically.

"I know. I just wish you had come to me before you started this
investigation.

Daniels, you remain here for the rest of the evening. I'll call you
later and fill you in."

He walked over and pulled Daniels aside. They talked for several minutes,
and then Nichols quickly exited the emergency room. Daniels returned to
the waiting area and sat down several seats from Matt and Jessica. He
didn't want it to look obvious that Matt had security, just in case
Cobra decided to come looking for him at the hospital.

Matt and Jessica sat silently. Jessica increased her grip on Matt's
hand. If there was ever a time in his life he needed support, now was the
time.

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

Outside the hospital emergency room, an angry Cobra watched as Nichols
and Matt talked within. He couldn't hear what was being said, but their
body language spoke for them.

He could surmise that they were discussing Joe's injury and the reason
for his beating. By now they had probably figured out that he was
involved. He took the gun out of the holster that he carried around his
shoulder. He looked to see that it was fully loaded before returning it
to its secure spot.

He walked behind a bush when he saw Nichols angrily leave the hospital.
His fingers itched to take out the gun and shoot him as he got in his
car. But Nichols was not the person he wanted. He looked back through the
window and saw the blonde-haired boy holding the hand of the young girl.
He lifted his hand toward Matt.

"Bang! Bang! You're dead!" He said, as he pretended to shoot.

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

"Did you contact Cobra?" Wellston asked Tiffany. She had faithfully
visited him almost weekly since his incarceration. On her last visit she
had informed him about Matt and he had told her to tell Cobra to `take
care of it.'

She was sitting in a small cubicle facing Wellston, who was sitting
behind a glass window. They were speaking together on a phone.

"Yes, Sam, I called him. Dumbass can't do anything right, though.
Instead of taking out Matt, he roughed up his boyfriend." She informed
him.

"Shit. How did he fuck up now?" He asked her angrily.

"He called last night and said he waited around for Matt to show up.
When his boyfriend showed up instead, he roughed him up pretty bad. He's
in the hospital right now." She said with a smirk on her face.

"I don't know who you're talking about." He gave her a questioning
look.

"That black guy, his editor."

"Oh, yeah. I remember him now. Listen, get hold of Cobra and tell him to
lay low for a while. The cops are probably on this. I don't want
anything traced back to me. I've spent enough time in this hellhole."
He said into the phone.

"I know, Babe. I miss you so much." Tiffany frowned, then reached her
hand under her skirt and began to play with herself.

"Stop that! God, I'm ready to bust, you tease!" He yelled at her.

She smiled and stuck her finger into her mouth and licked it.

"I can't wait until you get out, Baby." She continued sucking her
finger.

"I gotta go. Tell Cobra to come see me in a few days." He instructed
her.

"Anything for you. Sam. I'll see you next week." She licked her finger
a final time, then got up slowly and turned her back to him. She dropped
her purse on the floor, and then bent over to pick it up. Her dress
lifted above her ass. She didn't have on any panties, so Wellston got a
good look at her pussy. She turned around and smiled, waving as she
exited the cubicle.

"Damn tease!" Wellston uttered, rearranging his hardening cock.

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

Matt entered the darkened room where Joe had been assigned. He and
Jessica had left earlier. Unable to rest, he returned to the hospital.
When he arrived he found out that Joe had been transferred to a regular
room.

He walked quietly into the room and found Joe asleep in the hospital bed.
He looked so peaceful. The drapes were drawn, but a small crack slightly
illuminated his face.

Matt was mesmerized by his beautiful features. Even asleep, he looked
almost angelic. His skin was flawless. He could easily have been a model,
if he wasn't so dedicated to journalism.

Matt was suddenly overcome with a tremendous out flowing of love for his
friend. This was not just a crush he had on this man, it was love. He
didn't realize how much Joe really meant to him until he saw him lying
helpless in that bed.

He walked over and looked down on his sleeping friend. Joe's bare hand
was out from under the covers, and Matt took hold of it and held it
gently. He felt Joe give it a little squeeze. Joe groggily opened his
eyes.

"Hey." He said weakly, squeezing Matt's hand harder.

"Hey, yourself. How you feeling?" Matt asked quietly, returning the
squeeze.

"Like shit warmed over." He laughed, but suddenly started coughing.

"Here, sit up a little." Matt insisted, taking hold of Joe's bare
shoulder and lifting him slightly. As Joe continued to cough, Matt could
feel his silky skin. He began to gently rub his back.

"Let me get you a glass of water." Matt walked over to the sink and
filled a cup with water. He returned to the bed and put his arm around
Joe's back. He handed him the water and held him while he drank.

"Thanks." He looked up at Matt and stared into his green eyes. Matt
leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. It was just a small gesture,
but for both it had a significant meaning. It was the first time either
had shown feelings for the other.

Matt returned Joe to a lying position and took his hand once again, only
this time lacing his fingers with Joe's. Joe didn't resist, but held
him tightly.

"You look like shit yourself." Joe told Matt and he began to laugh,
this time without coughing.

"I've been worrying about your sorry ass." He smiled back. "I
haven't slept in over 24 hours."

"I'll be alright. I feel like a mule kicked me in my sides, but the
doctor said I should mend soon." He informed Matt.

"I'm just glad you weren`t seriously hurt. I couldn't live with
myself if something had happened to you." Tears welled up in his eyes as
he squeezed Joe's hand tighter. He lifted Joe's hand and gently kissed
it without any resistance from Joe.

"Joe, I've really got something I have to tell you. I've held it in
for over three years." Matt was preparing to confess his love for his
friend.

Just then the door swung open and Jessica came rushing in, carrying a
bouquet of flowers. Matt and Joe withdrew their hands, but not before
Jessica noticed.

"Hey Sweetie." She said cheerfully. She looked over at Matt and gave
him a knowing smile. "You're looking a lot better. Must be the company
you're keeping." Matt looked at her and rolled his eyes.

She walked over and handed him the flowers and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks, Jessie. It's really nice of you to bring me flowers." He
smiled. She took them and placed them on the dresser beside his bed.

"I'm glad you're feeling better. Our boy, Matt, is a mess. He hasn't
eaten or slept since they brought you here." She looked over and saw
Matt roll his eyes again. He knew what she was up to. She was going into
her matchmaker mode.

"Thanks, Jessie, for visiting, but it's time for you to leave. Joe
needs his rest." He took her by the arm and was leading her to the door.
She had a wide smile on her face.

"Nice try, Blondie, but I'm not ready to go." She threw his hand off
his arm and went back over to Joe. Matt let out a deep sigh. He knew he
was doomed once Jessica set her mind to something. She had seen them
holding hands, and she was now determined to cement their relationship.

Suddenly the door opened and in walked an older black man and woman. The
man walked with authority. He was rather short, fat and dark-skinned. He
was dressed in a dark brown suit, tan shirt and striped brown tie.

The woman appeared a few years younger. She was very attractive. She
stood taller than the man, dressed in a business-styled slack suit. Her
hair was neatly arranged and she had only a slight amount of makeup to
accentuate her caramel-colored beauty. Looking at the two, it was quite
obvious where Joe got his good looks.

She hurried over to the side of the bed and took Joe in her arms, kissing
him several times.

"Baby, how are you?" She said, smothering him.

"Can't you see the boy's alright, Vivian?" Joe's father spoke with
irritation. He walked over and looked down at his son.

"Son." That was it. He said no more. He had coldly recognized his son
and nothing else needed to be said.

She threw him a disgusted look, and then turned to Jessica and Matt.

"Hello, I'm Vivian Monroe, Joe's mother. And this jovial person is his
father, Maxwell Monroe." Mr. Maxwell let out a small grumbling sound.

"And you must be?" She questioned.

"Jessica Livingstone." She said extending her hand. Mrs. Monroe shook
it. She then looked at Matt.

"Matthew Adams." He shook her hand, and then extended it to Mr. Monroe.
Monroe looked at it, and then tentatively shook his hand.

"Oh, you're Matt!" Mrs. Monroe said excitedly. "Whenever Joe comes
home, you're all he ever talks about." Mr. Monroe again made a
grumbling sound, and then acted like he was clearing his throat.

"It is so nice to finally meet you." She held out her arms and embraced
Matt. Matt looked over at Joe and smiled, then returned the hug.

"We really should go, Matt." Jessica spoke up. "You know hospital
rules, only two visitors at a time." She could sense the awkwardness
with Mr. Monroe in the room and thought it was best if they left.

"It was nice meeting both of you." She walked over to Joe and kissed
his forehead.

"We'll come back tonight and visit." She told him.

Matt held out his hand and shook Mrs. Monroe's hand. After being almost
rejected the first time, he didn't offer his hand to Mr. Monroe.

"It was very nice to meet you two." He walked over to Joe and squeezed
his hand lightly. Turning around, he saw a disgusted look on Mr.
Monroe's face.

"I'll see you later." He said to Joe and smiled. Joe looked up and
gave him a warm smile. Jessica and Matt left the room.

"Well, your friend seems like a nice young man. He's very attractive."
Mrs. Monroe exclaimed.

"Looks like a fag to me." Mr. Monroe grumbled.

Joe shot his father an astonished look.

"What did you just say?" He asked him angrily.

"Maxwell!" Mrs. Monroe shouted. "Not here!"

"Jesus, Viv." Mr. Monroe responded. "Anyone looking at that boy can
tell he's one of them."

"Dad, I won't have you talking about my friend like that." Joe was
becoming furious with his bigoted father. He had listened to his
homophobic bullshit for years. It was one of the reasons he had refused
to deal with his own sexual conflicts. He knew his father would never
have approved having a gay son.

"You sweet on that white boy?" He spat. "It just ain't right. I'm a
deacon in the church and the Bible says it ain't right for a man to be
with another man. Just ain't right."

"Shut up, you old fool." Mrs. Monroe interrupted the hostile exchange.
The tension was becoming overwhelming. "Come on. Let's go back to the
hotel and rest. We had a long flight getting here and my feet are killing
me."

She walked over to Joe and smiled. She leaned over and gave him a gentle
kiss and then whispered in his ear. "Give him some time, Honey. He'll
come around eventually."

Joe was stunned.  Did she realize that he might be in love with Matt?

She turned and gave Mr. Monroe a slight shove towards the door.

"We'll be back soon. You get your rest." She gave him a quick wink and
they disappeared out the door.

Joe laid there trying to piece together all the emotions that had just
occurred over the past hour.

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

Write and let me know if you are enjoying the story. I love hearing from
readers. Email ronyx@woh.rr.com and leave a comment.