Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 14:57:24 -0800 (PST)
From: Kirk Landers <ilj4ever44@yahoo.com>
Subject: Dating and the Single Life- part 24

Copyright and Disclaimer:
1. This is a fictional story with fictional
characters.
2. No one is to steal this story under any
circumstances.
3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so
if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it,
this isn't the story for you.

Well, hope you are all enjoying the story so far and
are still loving the characters and the journey they
are all on in their lives.  I have gotten many e-mails
about how boring Kyle and David have become and I'm so
glad that I received those e-mails because that was
exactly the way I wanted them to be portrayed so I can
lead up to the storyline their in.  I think that you
will all enjoy it and enjoy the new storylines all the
characters will be going through.  Thanks again
everyone for reading.

Part 24

"I Need A New Version Of Me"


    It's been a week since Thanksgiving, a week since
Kyle and David have seen or spoken to each other.
Kyle had signed a lease with Mrs. Colby and was
packing his things to take to his new apartment.  He
was in the bedroom of David's apartment finishing
packing when Randal came over to help him move his
stuff.

"So have you thought any more about Faith?" Kyle
asked.

"What do you mean?" Randal asked.

"Have you thought about her helping you with the club
idea?" Kyle asked.

"No," Randal replied.

"Why not?" Kyle asked.

"Because I don't want her help," Randal replied. "I
don't want to feel any more inferior to her then I
already do."

"Randal, she's your sister," Kyle tried reasoning.
"You know she loves you and would want to help you."

"Yea, but she'll never let me live it down," Randal
said.

"You try making her sound like some she-devil," Kyle
said. "She's nice."

"No, she's a stuck up wasp," Randal retorted.

"It sounds more like you're trying to convince
yourself she's a bitch because you know that she
isn't," Kyle said.

"Well either way I don't want her help," Randal said.

"All right, but it would be a lot easier if you had
her help then getting a loan," Kyle replied. "You'll
end up saving a lot of money that way."

"Kyle, I'll figure it out," Randal said. "And I'm
going to do it with out Faith and her check book."

"Okay, I won't push the issue anymore," Kyle said.

"Thank you," Randal replied as he finished boxing up
some of Kyle's things.

"So I think I'm done," Kyle said zipping up a
suitcase.

"You finished packing already?" Randal asked.

"Well, since the fire at my old apartment I don't
really have much to pack anymore," Kyle replied.

"So I guess you didn't really need help moving,"
Randal concluded.

"No, I just wanted some company," Kyle confessed. "Do
you mind?"

"No not at all," Randal answered patting Kyle on the
back. "So how are you?"

"I'm okay," Kyle replied. "It's just weird.  I don't
even know where David and I stand right now."

"You two are just on a break," Randal said. "It'll
turn out all right."

"I don't know," Kyle said. "It's been a week and we
haven't talked or anything.  Have you heard from him?"

"No," Randal replied. "I don't even know where he
went."

"Have any of the guys heard from him?" Kyle asked.

"You know we would have told you right away if we
have," Randal replied.

"I know, I'm sorry," Kyle said. "I'm just worried
about him."

"We are too," Randal replied. "Can I be honest to you
about something?"

"Of course," Kyle said.

"I can understand and see why David left," Randal said
gently.

"I know," Kyle nodded. "This was all my fault.  I
didn't handle it well at all.  I should have talked to
him about it more and explain to him why I'm moving.
I didn't mean to hurt him, that's the last thing I
wanted to do.  I just hope he knows how much I love
him."

"He knows," Randal said. "You know David, he always
just runs from his problems for a while.  You avoid
them, he runs from them.   You two are a perfect
match."

Kyle gave a slight smile to Randal's joke, "I just
hope to hear from him soon."

"He's probably going to come back soon," Randal said.
"He knows you're moving and is just waiting until
you're gone until he comes back."

"Wow, that makes me feel so much better," Kyle said
sarcastically.

"I know it sucks, but you know that the only reason
he's staying away now is that he doesn't want to be
around when you move out," Randal replied. "It's too
hard for him."

"Well how will he even know when I'm gone if he hasn't
talked to any of you guys?" Kyle asked.

"That's why I'm sure we'll hear from him soon," Randal
replied.

Kyle looked around the bedroom, every hope and dream
he had with David seemed to slowly be slipping away
from him and he didn't want that to happen.  It just
became too much for him and he had to leave.

"Let's get out of here," Kyle said grabbing his
suitcase.

Over at Dr. Waissman's office Tyler and Jake arrived
for their second session.

"So how have things been going?" Dr. Waissman asked.

"Better," Tyler replied. "We've been communicating a
lot better."

"In what ways?" Dr. Waissman asked.

"We actually talk to each other now," Jake answered.

"We both know and realize that our problems aren't
something we can just do a quick fix with, but we do
realize that we have to be more appreciative of each
other," Tyler added.

"Good," Dr. Waissman said. "I'm very impressed you two
have improved so drastically from your first session.
Tyler, let me ask you, were you really angry at Jake
because of the kiss with his co-worker?  Or was is
something more?"

"It was more because I felt that he didn't feel we
were soul mates anymore," Tyler replied.

"I see," Dr. Waissman said. "And you said last time
you met this guy right?"

"Once," Tyler replied.

"How did that go?" Dr. Waissman asked.

"It just brought back all those angry feelings I had,"
Tyler replied. "That's why Jake and I ended up here.
Things were great before Miles showed up again."

"Were they really great?  Or just suppressed?" Dr.
Waissman asked.

Tyler and Jake thought it over for a bit then both
answered at the same time, "Suppressed."

Meanwhile, Trevor was at lunch with Luis, Zack and
Miles.  They were eating at Zack's restaurant.  Zack
had the day off and the four of them decided to hang
out and talk about the potentially awkward moments
that might arise with Miles, Jake and Tyler.

"Okay so Miles, you have to promise me you're not
going to try anything," Trevor pleaded.

"Trev," Miles complained. "You can't ask me to do
that."

"Why?" Trevor asked. "You and Jake had one kiss, why
is he so important to you?  You didn't even see or
hear from him afterwards."

"Don't you remember how much I liked him then?" Miles
asked.

"Yes I do," Trevor replied. "But you have to realize
how things have changed."

"Miles you have to understand that now it will make
things weird for Trevor now," Luis explained. "He's
dating Jake's best friend."

"Luis, remember how you felt about your old boyfriend
Clark?" Miles asked.

"Yea," Luis replied.

"That's how I feel about Jake," Miles explained.

"Miles, you hardly know Jake," Zack added. "You two
worked together for a little bit, but that was it."

"Whenever I was around him, I felt different," Miles
said. "I felt good.  It was a way in which I always
wanted to feel.  And no one has ever made me feel like
that before.  I'm sorry Trevor I really don't mean to
make things difficult for you, but this is something I
have to do."

"And what if he turns you down?" Luis asked. "Will you
give up then?"

"I'll give up when I know that there is no chance
anything could ever happen," Miles replied getting up.
"Sorry, but I have to get to work.  I'll talk to you
guys later."

The other three watch Miles go.

"I get how much he liked him," Trevor said. "Jake was
all Miles talked about when they first met, but a lot
has changed."

"Maybe we need to look at this another way.  How are
things with Jake and his boyfriend?  Are they pretty
solid?" Zack asked.

"Honestly, they are kind of having a rough patch from
what I've seen and what Marcus has told me," Trevor
replied.

"Trev, if they are having rough times now then we have
to keep Miles away from them until they get back on
track," Luis said. "Otherwise Miles will really mess
things up for that group."

"I know," Trevor replied sighing. "But you know
Miles."

"We know," Luis nodded.

"He's stubborn," Zack said. "He's keeps going until he
gets what he wants."

"I love Miles.  He's a great guy, a great friend, but
he can really mess things up," Trevor said.

"We'll help as much as we can," Zack offered.

"Thanks," Trevor replied. "I really want things to
work with Marcus and me and if Miles goes after Jake
it could ruin it."

"I know, the guys could blame you for bringing Miles
into the picture," Luis said. "Don't worry, we won't
let that happen."

Over at Marcus's office he had just gotten back from
court when Stanley walked in.

"Hey what's up Stan?" Marcus asked.

"Nothing, just wanted to see how court went today,"
Stanley replied.

"Lost," Marcus sighed.

"Aw, I'm sorry," Stanley said. "You were so sure you
were going to win it too."

"I really thought my closing argument was going to do
the trick," Marcus said.

"Well, you can't win them all," Stanley said.

"That's the problem," Marcus said. "All my cases I've
been losing."

"Don't worry," Stanley said. "It'll pick up."

"It better," Marcus said. "The partners aren't too
happy with my performance lately."

"Don't worry," Stanley said patting Marcus on the
back.

"So any calls?" Marcus asked.

"Do you mean David?" Stanley asked.

"Yea," Marcus replied.

"No, he hasn't called and he hasn't called any of the
other guys either," Stanley said.

"It's been a week," Marcus sighed.

"I know," Stanley replied.

"I have to say this time I think Kyle was in the
wrong," Marcus said. "I mean, don't get me wrong I see
both of their sides, but Kyle didn't handle it as well
as he should have."

"I think so too," Stanley said. "But at the same time,
I do see that Kyle was only trying to help their
relationship."

"Oh absolutely," Marcus said. "I'm just saying that
Kyle could have done it another way or talked it out
with David more."

"Yea," Stanley said. "I just hope David's all right."

"Me too," Marcus replied.

"Excuse me," Renold Barker, Marcus's boss, said coming
into the office.

"Hey Renold," Marcus said.

"Hi Mr. Barker," Stanley said.

"Marcus, might I have a word with you?" Renold asked.

"Yea of course," Marcus replied. "I'll talk to you
later Stan."

Stanley then quietly left the office.  He then went
over to his cubicle and went over some more paper work
that he had to get through.  As he was doing this he
over heard some of the other partners talking.

"I can't believe that they're thinking of letting
Marcus go," one of them said.

"Yea, but it's not that surprising is it?" the other
replied. "He hasn't been doing real well lately.  His
mind seems to be focusing on other things."

"I don't know what happened," the other said. "He used
to be so good."

The two talked some more but they walked away so
Stanley couldn't hear them anymore.  He then looked
over at the closed door to Marcus's office worrying.

Later that day Kyle and Randal got to Kyle's new
apartment.  They brought in Kyle's things and set them
down in the living room area.  Kyle and Randal looked
over the place, it was a small one bedroom apartment,
it was very bare especially since Kyle only had a few
boxes of things.

"I'm sure it will look great once you get some
furniture," Randal commented.

"I can't really afford furniture," Kyle replied. "This
is it for a while."

"Really?" Randal asked.

"Yea," Kyle answered. "My job doesn't pay enough for
me to live comfortably.  I have to start looking for
something else.  I've been at that damn toy store for
over two years now and I've gotten no where."

"Well, what are you interested in?" Randal asked.

"I don't know," Kyle replied. "I guess that's my
problem too.  I don't really know what I want to do
with my life.  Doesn't help that I barely go to
school."

"I'm sure you'll think of something," Randal said.

"Hopefully," Kyle answered. "But that's another
problem for another day.  Right now I just want to get
moved in here and then hopefully get a hold of David."

"Sounds good," Randal said. "Want help unpacking?"

"I'm all right," Kyle said. "Thank you so much for
helping me out."

"Of course," Randal said. "Anytime."

They hugged and then Randal headed out to leave.

"Hey Randal," Kyle called out as Randal opened the
door.

"Yea?" Randal asked.

"If you hear from David, tell him I love him," Kyle
replied.

"All right," Randal nodded as he left.

Meanwhile, Tyler and Jake were just leaving Dr.
Waissman's and talking about their problems some more.

"Are we really doing better?" Jake asked unsure.

"What do you mean?" Tyler asked.

"I just want to make sure we aren't suppressing any
more feelings," Jake replied. "Last week with David
you had said that all that matters is our love and I
just wanted to see if you still felt that way."

"Yes, I do," Tyler replied leaning over and giving
Jake a kiss.

"I like Dr. Waissman," Jake said as Tyler pulled out
of the parking lot.

"I do too," Tyler replied. "She's helped us out a
lot."

"Do you ever wonder if we would have been able to work
through all this if we didn't go to her?" Jake asked.

"I think we would have, but it would have been a lot
harder," Tyler replied.

Before Jake could say anything else his cell rang.

"Hello?" Jake asked answering.

"Hey Jake," a familiar voice replied. "It's Miles."

"How did you get my number?" Jake asked surprised.

"Trevor had it saved on his phone," Miles replied.

"This is ridiculous, leave me alone," Jake said
getting ready to hang up the phone.

"Wait," Miles said. "I just wanted to say sorry for
interfering with you and Tyler."

"Is that all?" Jake asked.

"And I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry, but
I'm not giving up on you," Miles finished.

Jake sighed and hung up his phone.

"Who was that?" Tyler asked.

Jake shook his head, "You don't want to know."

"Was it Miles?" Tyler asked.

Jake nodded, "I'm sorry Tyler.  I told him to just
leave me alone though."

"I know," Tyler said taking Jake's hand.  "It will be
okay."

Tyler and Jake both went quiet, not sure of what the
future will hold for them.

Across town Stanley went into Marcus's office after he
saw Mr. Barker leave.

"Everything all right?" Stanley asked.

Marcus looked disheveled, but tried to play it off.

"Yea, everything is fine," Marcus said putting on a
smile.

"Are you sure?" Stanley asked.

"I'm positive," Marcus replied.

Stanley was going to leave, but he wanted to make sure
Marcus knew he was there for him.

"Mar, I overheard some of the partners talking,"
Stanley said.

"You know?" Marcus asked.

Stanley nodded.

"Well, don't worry," Marcus said. "Everything will be
fine.  I mean, yea I've lost focus lately and haven't
really been concentrating on my job like I should
have, but it will be okay."

"Of course it will," Stanley said.

"I just can't believe this," Marcus said. "I've worked
my ass off to get to where I am now.  I've done so
much for this damn company and now they're saying that
they might let me go?  What the hell is up with that?!
 Sure I may not be doing as good of a job as I have in
the past, but I'm still a good lawyer."

"I know, and you'll figure this out," Stanley said.
"You just need to focus.  You'll be fine."

"If I lose this job then what's going to happen to
me?" Marcus asked. "I'll have nothing.  I'll have to
start all over again."

"You can get a job at another law firm," Stanley
suggested.

"I doubt a respectable law firm will hire me if I get
fired here," Marcus said.

"Well don't freak out yet," Stanley said. "You can
turn this all around.  Just focus on work right now
and I'm sure you'll be okay."

"Sorry I really have to get back to work now," Marcus
said.

"All right," Stanley said heading out. "Just let me
know if you need anything."

"Thanks," Marcus said as he dove into the stack of
files on his desk.

Back at home Randal was brainstorming ideas for the
club.  He was trying to think of names and locations
and every other aspect that he could think of.  He
looked over on his desk and saw a picture of him and
the guys together and all he could think of is David.
He knows that David has a impulsive side, but him
being gone for as long as he's been was beginning to
worry him.  He picked up the phone and called his
cell.

"Hey it's David, leave a message and I'll call you
back," David's voicemail picked up with out even a
ring.

"Hey David, it's Randal.  We're really worried about
you.  Kyle is freaking out and doesn't know what to
do.  He misses you and he takes full responsibility
for what happened.  Just please come home.  We miss
you and want to make sure you're all right."

After Randal hung up he then called someone else.

"Hello?" a female voice asked answering.

"Hi," Randal replied.

"Randal?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, this was stupid.  I have to go," Randal
said and then hung up the phone.

At Kyle's apartment Kyle was unpacking some of his
things.  The box he was going through was full of
pictures of him and David together.  He looked through
them and all the fun times they've had together.
Pictures of the two of them riding horses on his
birthday, pictures of David and him kissing, etc.

"Dammit," Kyle said out loud. "Where are you David?"

That night all of the guys went over to Kyle's for a
house warming-type get together.  They were in the
living room eating and making small talk, Tyler and
Jake didn't say anything about the incident with
Miles, Randal didn't want to bring up who he called
earlier, Marcus and Stanley didn't want to mention
that Marcus's job was in trouble, Trevor didn't want
to mention how much Miles likes Jake, and Kyle didn't
want to show how scarred he really was that something
might be wrong with David.

"So anything exciting happen today to anyone?" Randal
asked.

"No," they all replied in unison.

"Great," Randal said taking a bite of pizza.

"How was work?" Trevor asked Marcus.

"Fine," Marcus lied.

"Counseling go well today?" Stanley asked Tyler and
Jake.

"Yea," the two answered.

"Any word from David?" Jake asked.

"Nope," Kyle sighed.

"All right, obviously a lot of stuff went on that we
all just don't want to talk about right now," Marcus
said. "So let's just try and talk about other things
besides what went on today."

Before the guys could reply Randal's phone rang.

"Hello?" Randal asked answering.

The guys looked at Randal as he suddenly had a look of
shock on his face.  He then looked over at Kyle.

"It's David," Randal mouthed quietly.

All of the guys turned to look at Kyle's reaction, he
just starred at Randal blankly, not sure how to react.

"David, stay there I'll be there in a little bit,"
Randal said hanging up the phone.

"Where is he?" Marcus asked.

"It was hard to hear him, but he was at some party,"
Randal said.

"What?" Jake asked.

"Yea, he sounded drunk," Randal replied.

"Are you going to get him?" Tyler asked.

"Yea," Randal replied.

"No wait, I'll go," Kyle said. "Where is he?"

"I'll take you there," Randal said.

"I'd rather do this alone," Kyle said. "I just have to
talk to David one on one.  I have to apologize to him
and let him know that this was all my fault."

"Are you sure?" Randal asked.

"Positive," Kyle replied.

Across town Kyle pulled up to a house that was booming
with loud music and people cheering.  Kyle got out of
his car and opened the front door and observed the
people everywhere, some were taking shots, others were
dancing, others making out, and others heading
upstairs to the bedrooms.  By the large crowed of guys
it was obviously a gay party.  Kyle walked through
feeling overwhelmed, he wasn't much of a party person
so being in that atmosphere was overwhelming.  Kyle
then spotted David at a table taking shots with some
other people.  He went over and tapped David on the
shoulder, David turned around and was shocked to see
Kyle.

"Kyle!" David yelled. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you," Kyle replied.

"I'm kinda busy right now," David said as someone
filled up his shot glass.

"Who's party is this?" Kyle asked.

"I don't know," David replied. "I was just at some gay
bar and someone invited me.  You know how I like
parties."

"Yea, and I know how you like drinking," Kyle said.

"You know me," David said taking another shot.

"All right," Kyle said. "Can I please talk to you?"

"We are talking," David said in a drunken tone.

"Please," Kyle said.

"Kyle, what do you want from me?" David asked. "I
tried to be everything to you, but it never seemed to
be good enough."

"I know," Kyle said. "This was all my fault."

"Just go," David said hurt.

Kyle didn't know what else to do, he sadly turned to
leave.  As he was leaving some guy came up and put his
arms around him.

"Want to dance baby?" the guy asked clearly drunk.

"No thanks," Kyle replied trying to get away.

"Come on," the guy insisted not letting Kyle go.

"Dude, get the hell off of me," Kyle said shoving the
guy away from him.  Kyle then headed for the door when
the guy came up to him again and grabbed him from
behind.

"So you like playing rough?" the guy asked. "I like
that."

The guy then began kissing Kyle on the neck.  Kyle
tried getting out of his grip, but the guy had a firm
grip and was holding Kyle's arms down.

"Get off of me," Kyle yelled out.

"You know you like it," the guy said kissing Kyle's
neck some more.

"Hey!" someone shouted and then grabbed the guy and
punched him, knocking him out.  Kyle turned around to
thank who helped him out and was surprised to see it
was David.

"You all right?" David asked, the situation clearly
sobered him up some.

"I'm fine," Kyle replied. "Thank you."

"No problem," David said.

The two stood there quietly, not sure what to do next.

"I'm going to take off," Kyle said. "Did you want to
come with me?"

"No, I'm okay," David replied.

Kyle nodded, "Okay, well thanks."

"You're welcome," David answered.

Kyle then left and went back to his apartment feeling
like a failure.

Over at Randal's place him and Stanley were getting
ready for bed when there was a knock on their door.

"Maybe it's Kyle," Randal said going over to answer
it.  When he opened the door he was shocked to see...
"Faith."

"Hey little brother," Faith replied.

Faith was beautiful, long blonde hair, blue eyes, she
was wearing very expensive clothes, but the one thing
Randal noticed right away was her growing stomach.

"Faith, are you?" Randal asked.

"Yea," Faith replied. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh my God," Randal said shocked.

"Well give me a hug," Faith said.

"Why are you hear?" Randal asked giving Faith a quick
hug.

"Well, you called me earlier and I was curious as to
what you wanted," Faith said. "I was going to call you
back, but decided to just come by and visit instead."

Randal looked down by Faith's feet and saw luggage.

"You planning on staying?" Randal asked.

"If you don't mind," Faith said. "Just a little visit
to catch up with my baby brother."

"Great," Randal said holding back his anger.

****************************************************************************
To Be Continued...

Hope you all enjoyed.  Any comments, questions, or
feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com and
get ready for the next Christmas installment!  Take care!