Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 11:06:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: Drizzt DoUrden <menzoberranzen_of_the_drow@yahoo.com>
Subject: Enjoy the Ride - Chapter 7

DISCLAIMER: Standard disclaimers apply. If you are underage (18 or 21,
depending) and/or are offended by mature themes including consensual sexual
contact between teen males, then DO NOT continue. This work is entirely
fictional and any resemblances to persons (other than myself) either living
or dead, is entirely coincidental. If you wish to reprint this story, just
drop me an email letting me know where, and make sure you give me (Menzo)
credit.

Feel free to give me criticism; my writing is far from perfect! Comments
are very much appreciated, so please drop me a quick email at
menzoberranzen_of_the_drow@yahoo.com

~Menzo

P.S. I am also posting this story on GayAuthors.org so if any of you want
to go there, be sure to check out some of the phenomenal gay fiction
available there.

http://www.gayauthors.org/eficiton/viewstory.php?sid=300

"Enjoy the Ride"

Chapter 7 - Moving On

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

"Jamie," called Sharon. I was lying on the couch where I had fallen asleep
a few hours ago. I was pleased to notice that I didn't feel as much like
shit as I had that morning.

"Yeah?" I called back, rubbing my eyes.

"Are you feeling better," she asked kindly. She was carrying what smelled
like homemade soup and I eagerly sat up on the couch.

"Much," I replied honestly. "I think venting helped. And sleep."

She grinned at me and placed the big bowl of soup on the coffee table
beside me.

"Dave has a business trip this week and I was thinking of going with him
but..."

"Go," I cut her off. "I'll be fine, don't worry. It was just a very bad
morning."

"Are you sure?" she asked, worry plain in her voice. "We were scheduled to
leave in an hour but maybe..."

"But maybe you can leave in an hour?" I smiled ruefully. "I promise, it's
all bottled tightly up inside."

She looked horrified and I laughed. "It's a joke! Go!"

"Alright, alright! We'll go but I'm starting to get the feeling you really
don't want us here," she said pouting.

"Never that, Sharon," I assured her around a mouthful of soup. She left to
go pack her things and she was soon getting ready to leave.

"You be good, Jamie," she said in mock seriousness.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Well, goodbye. Jesse went out with Matt, I think, but he'll be back
soon. Lily's upstairs doing homework if you need her."

"Thanks Sharon, have fun!"

"Bye! We will."

Jesse did indeed return soon and I learned that Sharon had passed on her
motherly tendencies on to her son. It took me a full ten minutes just to
convince him I wasn't about to have a mental breakdown.

"So Jesse," I said coyly.

"Yes..." Damn! He knew something was up.

"Your parents are gone for the week."

"No, I..."

"A party sounds great, don't you think?" I asked loudly, cutting him off.

"No!" he said firmly.

"Come on Jess," I pleaded.

"My parents would kill us, Jamie."

"That's bullshit Jess, and you know it. You think I'm trying to drown my
sorrows. Does it help if I say you are only partially right?"

"Not really," he admitted. "Either way, no party! And that's final."

"Party?" came a lively voice from the door. "What party?"

"Jesse wants to throw a party here tonight. I don't know why he waited to
the last minute," I said to Lily. I just barely managed to keep a straight
face.

"NO!" he repeated, exasperated. "Nobody's having a party tonight."

"I think a party sounds fun," stated Lily. I wasn't sure if she was
clueless or was toying with him

"Lil," growled Jesse in a voice not meant for my ears. "You're not helping
things!"

"Helping what?" asked Lily with mock innocence. I smiled appreciatively at
her. "I want a party! I'll start calling people."

"No, Lily!" Jesse looked about to explode.

"Oh don't be such a spoilsport Jess," she teased. "He just wants to have a
bit of fun, take his mind of things."

"It's true," I supplied helpfully.

"Fine!" he relented, throwing his hands up in the air and moving for the
door.

"Jess," I called after him.

"Yeah?"

"You'll make a great mother someday!" I managed not to laugh, but Lily
burst into giggles and before I could react, Jesse was on top of me digging
his fingers into my sides. I am extremely ticklish and I was shrieking
before Lily finally pulled him off me. I was red faced and crying from
laughter, but it felt great. Even Jesse seemed to be content with things. I
volunteered to go shopping while Lily said she'd invite the guests. Jesse
was to find someone willing to buy us liquor.

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

"Jamie," greeted Lily when I returned with bags full of junk food I would
never consider eating.

"Yeah?" I panted, struggling with the groceries. She grabbed a couple of
the heavier ones before speaking again.

"I called Dorian to invite him..."

I groaned loudly. "Tell me he said no!"

"He said he would come if you apologized to him."

"Me!" I practically shouted. "He wants me to apologize to him?"

"I take that isn't going to happen?"

"What? No," I said incredulously. "He should be on his knees begging me to
forgive him. I can't believe you even asked him!"

"Hey!" she said indignantly. "Nobody told me anything was wrong. I don't
know what happened and I'm not saying he deserves an apology, but maybe you
should take the high road and do it anyway."

"Over my dead body," I said flatly. " It's not a matter of taking the high
road, here."

"Care to talk about it," Lily said, motioning for me to start unpacking the
assortment of munchies. I started to explain what had happened as we
organized the house and put valuables inside of cupboards. She looked
aghast when I finally finished.

"Perhaps you shouldn't apologize after all," she said when I finished. "But
surely you can see his point? It was certainly not the time nor the place
to make it, but how would you feel if the guy you really liked placed you
behind his friends?"

"Friend, singular," I corrected. "You're right, I wouldn't like it. But I
can't just not put Jesse first. He's broken up with girls because they
thought we spent too much time together, the least I can do is show him the
same loyalty. I don't think of it as placing a partner second, he just has
to share first. And it was ridiculous to make me choose."

"Fair enough, I guess. I wouldn't advertise the fact that you would confide
in Jesse before your boyfriend."

"I'll work on it," I conceded. "But I still think I am perfectly justified
in that, given what has happened to me."

"Oh I agree, I just wanted to point out the fact."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." I knew that Dorian had a valid point, but I was
at a point in my life where I just didn't care. I need Jesse at the moment,
and I wasn't going to pretend otherwise.

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

The party itself was very enjoyable and somewhat less wild than the last
one I had been to. I got sufficiently wasted to enjoy not being able to
think, but I wasn't completely out of it. I saw Ben, Matt and Liz for the
first time in a while and we talked for a long time. I mentioned my fight
with Dorian, but didn't explain what else had happened. It suddenly dawned
on me that not a single one of them had any clue why I had suddenly just
moved in with Jesse and switched schools. I decided I would try and tell
them...in due course.

My eyes drifted around the room when the suddenly snapped back to the
entrance to the kitchen.

"Dorian, go home," I said calmly over the clamor of the party.

"Jamie..."

"Go home," I cut him off. "I'm not doing this now."

"We need to talk."

"No, we don't. You need to leave."

I could feel myself getting worked up by his mere presence and I drained
the rest of my drink in one gulp.

"Dorian." I was grateful for the assistance as Jesse materialized in front
of him.

"It's time to go now," he said simply. Dorian looked about to protest, but
he wisely decided against it. I wanted to avoid the worried questions from
Jesse so while Jesse escorted Dorian to the door I disappeared into the den
and went to find something virgin to drink. The liquor helped me sleep and
I had a sound nights sleep for the first time in a while.

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

Monday morning finally rolled around and I was decidedly not looking
forward to seeing Dorian again.

"Hey guys," I said to my friends as I stepped out of Jesse's car. "I'm
going to go get my things, now."

"Now?" Liz asked quizzically.

"Still avoiding Dorian, huh?" observed Ben astutely.

I hummed in agreement. "I want to get my books before he finds me."

Matt laughed at this and I turned to glare at him.

"I'll tell that girl - Katie, is it? - that you were looking for her, ok?"
I asked slyly, referring to the girl he had been getting rather intimate
with on Saturday. He paled and mumbled something incoherent. I laughed and
went to my locker.

Apparently going in early was the predictable thing to do because as I bent
down to open the combination lock I heard someone walk up behind me.

"Jamie, we need to talk," said a familiar voice.

"Now?"

"No. How about over lunch."

"Fine, Lunch. I'll meet you at that little deli over on Main Street." I
found my stuff and re-locked my locker as quickly as I could manage.

"I can drive," he called out, but I was already walking down the hallway.

"Having a fight with your boyfriend?" came a taunting voice from somewhere
behind me.

"Fuck off James," I said without turning around.

"I don't think I will, White. I think it's time you and I had another
'chat,'" he said with the air of somebody who wasn't alone. Alone or not, I
spun around with every intention of hitting him in the mouth. Something
deftly caught my wrist, though, and my punch was deflected.

"Is there a problem here Derek?" asked Aaron, smiling at me. I looked
around me and it Derek and his two cronies were now outnumbered by Aaron
and his friends. And given the way someone had so easily caught my wrist,
Derek didn't look so eager to fight.

"Need the big boys to protect, do you?" he sneered at me as he slunk away
with his friends. I didn't give him the satisfaction of responding.

"Thanks, Aaron," I said gratefully once he had left.

"No worries, but between you and me, I would go picking fights with
Derek. Especially one-on-three. He can...hit below the belt." I raised my
eyebrows but he didn't elaborate.

"I don't pick fights...they just sort of happen. I'm not in a good mood
this morning. But never mind that; thanks again for helping me out."

"My pleasure," he grinned. He was really hot, I noticed. Liz was a very
lucky girl, if you asked me. "Oh, sorry, I almost forgot. Jamie this is
Brad and Steve. Brad, Steve, this is Jamie."

"Hi," I said, shaking hands.

"Sorry about grabbing you like that," said Steve. "I didn't think you
needed to get in another fight."

"Oh, right. Thanks; you're probably right."

Just then, the bell rang so any response I got was drowned out. Hordes of
people started rushing into the school so I said my goodbyes and walked
upstairs to my first class. I normally would have sat with Dorian but I
chose a seat in the far corner this time. I had hoped for it to stay
vacant, but Brad - Aaron's friend - joined me shortly after. He was
actually a pretty cool guy, if a bit too much of a jock. Still, it was nice
to have somebody to take my mind off the person sitting two rows in front
of me.

Lunch time came around sooner than I would have liked but I decided it was
best to clear the air now, rather than later.

"Hey Matt," I called to him in the locker room.

"Yeah?"

"I need a drive over to Main Street, ok?"

"Uh, Jamie, weren't you going with Dorian?"

"No," I explained patiently. "I'm meeting him there. I can't go with him!"

"Why not?" he asked, perplexed.

"Because," I sighed. "Now, I need a drive, ok?"

"Fine," he laughed. "But I don't get you sometimes!"

"I'm a complicated person," I grinned. "And I shall endeavor to teach you
all the etiquette of getting drives."

"Right," he rolled his eyes. I punched him in the arm for the effort. "OK,
lets go."

The car ride was short and I was too busy thinking to talk much. I thanked
him for the drive when we arrived and walked confidently into the
deli. Dorian was already there and I nodded in recognition of this before
going to order lunch. I brought my garden salad over to the table and sat
down without a word.

"Jamie," he started awkwardly. I looked up at him and let him find the
right words.

"I'm sorry for the other day," he said at last.

"Thank you," I replied simply. "But I won't apologize for what I did."

"I didn't think you would," he sighed. "It's going to be hard for me to get
used to the fact that you have such a close relationship with Jesse. I
think we can work around it, though."

"Dorian," I said after a moment. "You're a great guy and I'd love to be
friends, but nothing else is going to happen between us."

He gaped at me in surprise. "Why not?"

"I believe you asked me to make a choice, and I did so. And if it bothered
you then - after two dates - it will bother you again."

"Relationships are about compromise, though, right?" He was looking more
and more dejected as I talked.

"You're right. But you and I aren't looking for the same thing right now. I
can't give you the attention you deserve and, honestly, I don't think I
even want to try a romantic relationship with you."

He looked a bit upset at this, but I figured it was best to be open about
how I felt. If he had been interested in me for as long as Matt and the
others seemed to think, I couldn't really blame him for being upset.

"Jamie, I know I screwed up but..."

"It's really complicated, Dorian. I'm sure I'll tell you sometime, but
trust me for now. I...just can't be with someone who would make me choose."

"I said I was sorry! I was..."

"I know," I said soothingly. I placed my hands on his and looked at him. "I
forgive you, you know. I just don't want anything more than friendship,
ok?"

"OK," he said at last. "We'll just be friends, then." He sounded doubtful,
and I understood why. I honestly did like Dorian - more, probably, than I
was willing to admit at the time - and I would try to make a friendship
work between us. With that out of the way, I did my best to have a normal
conversation. Our words were strained, however, and he soon suggested we
return to school.

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

I panted for breath as I ran the last few yards of our new cross country
course. The coach had said he wanted us to be comfortable in all terrain
and he had chosen a long, mountainous track for our practice sessions. I
was in excellent shape and even I had found it extremely difficult to
finish the course. Most of the others had long since given up running and
were walking back, enjoying the mountain scenery. I was proud - and mildly
jealous - to see that Keegan, Julian's brother, was still running only a
few minutes behind me. We had run together on a couple of occasions, and
the kid was total natural. He would, I admitted grudgingly, be a far better
runner than I was. His face was beet-red and he looked about to throw up
when he finally arrived back at the parking lot full of campers. It would
take time before he was that good.

"Wow, Keegan! Good job. I think we might have a long wait before the others
get here," I congratulated, clapping him on the back. I handed him a water
bottle and he gulped it back gratefully.

"Thanks," he finally rasped. I laughed gently and went to look for
Julian. He found me first, however.

"Hey Jamie," he said with a laugh. "You look pretty red there."

"I'd like to see you make it halfway," I teased gently. I was still unsure
just how shy and insecure he really was. He just laughed again though.

"That's why I don't bother trying. How are things with your...friend."

"Oh, him," I said with a glower. "Things have sort of cooled off between
us. How about you?"

"They've been better," he admitted, frowning. I felt bad for being silently
pleased by this announcement. He pushed his wavy brown hair back behind his
ear and heaved a great sigh.

"Aww, I'm sure things'll work out for the best," I reassured him. I just
forgot to mention what I thought the best would be.

"Yeah, they usually do. He can be so...oh forget it," he said, waving his
hand in frustration. "It's complicated."

"These things always are," I said truthfully. I wanted to talk more with
him, but the coach appeared beside me and dragged me off to talk about our
training session. Competition season was starting soon, and he needed to
know how I felt about our team. I did my best to be tactful, but in the end
I had to admit that Keegan and myself were the only two runners who even
stood a chance in an actual race. He grumbled about never having a good
running team and then informed that his hopes were riding on me for this
year. No pressure, of course.

"I might be the best chance we've got this year," I said truthfully. No
point in being unnecessarily modest. "But Keegan is the better runner. I
have trained for years and run every morning to stay in shape; but he is a
total natural at it."

"I noticed," said the coach gruffly. "But running isn't my specialty and we
only have time for one practice a week." He paused for a moment, and a
curious look came over his eyes.

"You wouldn't consider helping him train, would you?" he asked hopefully. I
smiled; I had played him like a drum.

"I would love to," I said smoothly. "Nothing gives me more pleasure than
running. I'll talk to him about it soon, ok coach?"

"Ok," he beamed at me. He took great pride in our schools athletics and was
fond of using older students as mentors for the younger ones. I was quite
happy to help him train although I must admit it was a shameless attempt to
get closer to Julian. I found it a bit odd that so soon after the rather
messy affair I was already pining after another guy.

I looked around for Keegan and found him with his brother, apparently not
in any hurry to leave. I didn't see him much at school so I decided to go
talk to him now.

"Hey Keegan, do you have a minute?" I asked as I walked over.

"Sure, Jamie. What is it?"

"I was just talking to the coach about you..."

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" he cut me off. Apparently Julian
wasn't the only insecure one in the family.

"No, no," I laughed. "Nothing like that. It's just that you are a natural
runner - one of the best, if you ask me - but you don't really have enough
time to train." He was blushing furiously after my compliment and I
permitted myself a small smile. He was a cute kid, if not the stunning
beauty that his brother was, but he didn't resemble Julian at all.

"It's true," I insisted. "Anyway, the coach suggested that I do some extra
work on the side with you. You know, to help get you ready for races."

"Really?" he asked, looking up at me. "I would love to! I mean...as long as
it doesn't bother you."

"Not at all," I smiled. "I love running and you seem like a good guy."

"Are you sure?" he asked again.

"Positive, Keegan."

"Thanks, wow! When should we meet?"

"I don't really have much going on after school, so whenever is fine with
me."

We eventually agreed that Thursday would be a good day to meet. Keegan
thanked me and went to get in his car.

"Thanks, Jamie," said Julian with a smile after Keegan had gone. "He
doesn't really have much self-confidence."

You're telling me, I thought to myself. "He should," I said aloud. "He's a
fantastic runner."

"Well, thanks anyway. It means a lot to...Keegan," he said, stumbling at
the end. I pondered the meaning of that, but I heard a car honk behind me
and I turned to see Lily waiting there for me.

"I gotta run," I said.

"Bye!" he called after me. I smiled at him as I turned to leave and then
stepped into Lily's car. Of course Lily, being the observant big sister
that she was, made sure she teased me thoroughly before driving home.

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

Things went smoothly over the next few weeks and I almost - almost - forgot
about my parents and the reason I was living with my best friend. I
eventually plucked up the courage to give Ben, Matt and Liz the short
version of what had happened and they were just terrific about it
all. Dorian and I tried going out as friends a few times but the
conversation was strained and I could practically see the jealousy in
Dorian's eyes. No matter what he said, he wasn't ready to give up on us.

About a week after I 'broke up' with Dorian, Lily and Jesse took me out to
dinner and said we needed to talk. Their somber tone would have been almost
comical if they hadn't looked so worried. They wanted me to see a
psychiatrist every now and then. I flatly refused at first but after much
pleading and coercion I grudgingly conceded to see Nancy - the kind social
worker - on an irregular basis. Jesse, especially, looked relieved by
this. I had slept in my own bed for a solid three weeks with the tears
coming after longer and longer intervals but he knew, as did I, that I
still had unresolved issues.

I had never imagined it possible that I would ever tire of Jesse's company
but since moving in with him we had been practically living in each other's
back pockets. We didn't fight, ever, but we sort of came to an unspoken
agreement that we should do things separately sometimes. We still spent a
great deal of time together - more so than we had before the 'incident' -
but we no longer spent every waking moment together. I had decided I wasn't
going to speak with any of my former friends at my old school but I wasn't
really lacking in friends at the moment.

Never being an overly social person, I didn't need to have dozens of
friends to call at any given moment. I enjoyed my own company immensely and
a budding friendship with Aaron as well as a deepening relationship with
Ben, in particular, were quite enough to keep me happy. I had fit nicely
into Jesse's small circle of friends - with the exception of Ryan, whom I
avoided like the plague - and after Jesse got a girlfriend, I was spending
far more time around them than he was. He had been crushed after his last
girlfriend had ended things with him and this was the first time in almost
a year that he had been on a date.

My brief sexual encounter with Ben had never caused any tension between us
and I was glad to be able to talk to someone who knew what it was like to
be gay and to be going through the troubles that frequently plague gay
teenagers. He wasn't out per se but he didn't hide the fact either. He was
used to dealing with people like Derek James and he was more than willing
to talk with me about things. Jesse was always there for me to cry on his
shoulder or to talk but it was different with Ben simply because he could
relate to some of my problems. He even confided in me that he had had his
own fair share of troubles with his parents.

Keegan and I had also grown quite close after the few times we had gone
running together. He was two years younger than me but he was also
exceptionally mature for his age. He didn't speak much and when he did,
each word was carefully weighed. Oh yes, there were a great many secrets
behind those eyes if you asked me. I asked only once about his home life
and he had given me short, monosyllabic answers until I had changed the
subject. My curiosity was piqued, though, and my thoughts often drifted to
Julian and his brother. Spending time with Keegan hadn't really given me
much opportunity to get to know Julian, but I enjoyed me runs with him
nonetheless. And things change.

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

It was a Friday night, and a rather boring one at that. I was watching a
bad movie on TV with Jesse when I heard the phone ring. I was in a
lethargic mood and barely noticed when Jesse's head lifted off my back and
he went to get the phone.

"Jamie," I heard him call after a few moments. "It's for you."

I exaggerated a groan as I stood up and padded over to the phone. I was
certainly jerked awake when I heard the voice on the other end.

"Jamie, it's Julian," he said somewhat anxiously.

"Hey, how are you."

"I'm fine," he said perfunctorily. "Can you be here at Starbucks as soon as
possible."

"Yeah, sure. How come?"

"I'll explain after. Bye."

He hung up without waiting for a 'goodbye' and I frowned at the
phone. Something wasn't right about the whole thing.

"Jess, can I take your car? Julian needs me to go to Starbucks."

"How come?" he asked, ignoring the movie in the background.

"I dunno," I frowned. "He seemed tense, though."

"Um, you can take the car if you like, or I can drive," he offered.

"I think I better go alone. I'll be back later, ok?"

"Sure. But don't you dare wreck the car!" he grinned. I laughed and ran to
get my shoes.

When I finally arrived at Starbucks I wasn't surprised to see it was almost
empty this late at night. I rushed in the door and walked quickly to the
bar, where I did not see Julian.

"Madeline, is Julian here?" I asked the waitress who was there. She looked
at me with a funny look and nodded. Before I could ask where he was, she
motioned for me to come back behind the bar. Now quite worried, I did as
she bade me without question.

She led me back to the small storage area where I immediately noticed two
familiar faces. Julian was sitting with on a small table, gazing off into
the distance with a far away look in his eyes. I tried to read that look,
but quickly gave up when my attention was diverted to Keegan, sitting on
the floor holding his legs in his arms.

"Keegan?" I said softly as I moved to sit beside him.

"Can you...take him somewhere please?" Julian asked, startling me.

"Um...sure," I agreed. I wanted to ask questions, but I figured it wasn't
my place. I also wanted to know why he had called me, of all people, but
decided to forget it.

"Come on Keegan," I said gently, placing my hand on his arm. He looked up,
his eyes red, and gave a small nod.

"Here is my cell number," I said to Julian as I handed him a piece of
paper. "Give me a call later and let me know what you want me to do."

Julian nodded me and gave me a short thank-you. I took that as my cue to
leave and Keegan followed me out of the restaurant. My head was about to
explode with questions but the memory of how much I hated - and still did -
when people asked me personal questions kept my mouth shut. I also had no
idea what I was supposed to do.

"Um...Jesse and I were just watching a movie. Do you wanna come watch with
us?" I asked him tentatively as I drove.

"Sure," he said tonelessly.

"Hey, lets not go home," I decided. "What's your favorite type of food?"

"I like Greek," he said with a bit more animation. I could almost see his
mind systematically repressing everything that he didn't want to think
about.

"Sound's great," I lied. I hate Mediterranean food of all types.

I drove in silence to a popular Greek restaurant in a chic downtown
area. Their salads were to die for; I had often come here with my parents.

"How many?" the waitress asked in her whiny, nasal voice.

"Just two," I replied.

"OK, follow me." The restaurant was busy, even so late at night, but we
were shown to a nice table with a view of the vegetable garden where much
of the food was grown.

"So, what do you want?" I asked in an effort to make conversation.

"I don't have any money," he frowned. "I'll just get a drink."

I sighed. "My treat," I insisted. "Have something nice!"

"Ok," he relented. He ordered chicken souvlaki while I had my usual, the
spinach salad with dried apricots. The conversation wasn't awkward, just
sparse. I did my best to talk about anything that would get his mind off
whatever it was that had happened. He seemed content to eat in silence and
I obliged him after a while. We finished our main course and I insisted
that that he try the chocolate mousse.

"It's the best," I said honestly. "The best."

"I usually get rice pudding," he said with a small smile.

"Well, I'll get the mousse and you get the pudding, but you have to try it
ok?"

"Ok, ok," he laughed. I was pleased to hear him laugh.

We quickly inhaled our deserts and then, after I paid the bill, I turned to
ask him what he wanted to do.

"Um, Jamie," he said nervously. "Julian's not gonna call tonight. Do...do
you mind if I stay the night at your place."

"Not at all," I said smoothly, not betraying my genuine concern. "You can
have my bed and I'll sleep with Jesse."

"Thanks," he said meekly. "It means a lot to us."

I looked at him sadly but simply ushered him to the car. The service hadn't
been great, and it was getting late by the time I pulled up in my
driveway. I assured Keegan that nobody would mind and I led him to the
door.

"Hi Jamie," greeted Dave as I walked in. His eyes flickered briefly to
Keegan. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah," I said looking purposefully at him. "Keegan is just going to spend
the night, ok?"

"That's fine. I think I'm gonna hit the sack myself; Sharon is already
sleeping. I think Jesse is in the den."

"Ok, thanks."

I led Keegan into the den where Jesse was waiting on the edge of his seat
for us.

"Is everything ok?" he asked in his usual voice of concern.

"Great," I replied with the same meaningful stare I had given Dave. "Can I
sleep with you tonight, Keegan's taking my bed."

"No problem," he said easily. "Let me go grab you a toothbrush, Keegan."

"Thanks," came the mumbled response.

"Do you want something to wear, or are you fine in just boxers?"

"No thank you," he responded politely. "I'll be fine like this."

"Ok," I smiled. I showed him upstairs to my room and he gratefully accepted
the toothbrush Jesse had found for him. He brushed his teeth and then
seemed eager to go to bed.

"G'night, Keegan," I said softly.

"Thanks again, to both of you."

"Don't worry about it," Jesse smiled. "Good night."

"Night."

Jesse gave me one of his 'explain this' looks and I followed him back to
his room. He didn't mind that Keegan was here, but he was obviously very
concerned about the whole thing. I explained everything that had happened,
and Jesse's initial response was to go to the police.

"No!" I said emphatically. "I want to talk to Julian, first. I think he
called me because he knows I don't know what's going on."

"Which says that this is serious," Jesse insisted.

"I know, but we can't just call the cops without finding out something
more," I whispered. I didn't want Keegan to hear us talking.

"Your right, I guess," he sighed. "But you had better get an explanation
for this tomorrow. I don't want anybody to get hurt because we didn't say
anything."

"Ok," I agreed. "I'm exhausted, let's get some sleep."

He nodded in agreement and reached to turn out the light. Like I mentioned,
it had been a long time since I last slept in the same bed as him and it
was a welcome feeling to have his warm body next to mine.

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

Comments, criticisms and suggestions are all very welcome. I write because
I enjoy it, but I post them here for you so please let me know what you
think of the story.

Menzoberranzen_of_the_drow@yahoo.com

~Menzo