Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 11:35:00 EST
From: JuilianJ@aol.com
Subject: the story of us part 11

THE STORY OF US
BY: Julien

This story is 100% fictional and is by no means depictive of the life of
any person, place or thing.  It contains sexual activities between males
and should only be read if it is legal to do so in your area.  Read at your
own risk and enjoy.  Comments are welcomed and would be very much
appreciated.  ENJOY!

There will be many flashback sequences in this story so as not to confuse
anyone, when a flashback takes place, there will be an asterisk (*) before
the start of that flashback.

I couldn't believe this was happening, I wouldn't believe it was happening,
not to me, not to the people I loved the most.  Here was Michael, the last
person I expected to ever get close to, lying in a hospital bed with broken
ribs and bones, nothing I could do but sit and wonder why he would do such
a thing.  Michael had been beaten so badly that he couldn't speak nor could
he open his eyes.  His words could not find me and tell me what happened so
I was going on blind faith alone.

"He's out for the night so you might as well go home and come back later."
I looked up from Michaels' face to see a man I presumed to be his physician
standing in the doorway.

"Is he going to be ok?"  My voice held so much emotion, so much pain that I
didn't know how to deal with it.

"Sure, he's been injured pretty badly but he'll pull through.  He has a
broken arm and wrist as well as several fractured ribs but other than that,
he'll pull through just fine."

I let out a sigh of relief and held Michaels' hand.

"Can I just stay a few more minutes, just to let him know I'll be back?"

"Sure, no problem."  And as I watched him walk out my mind wandered over to
Bobby.  I still couldn't fathom the idea that he could do such a thing,
that blind rage could make him want to hurt anyone especially Michael.  I
had seen the police take him away only to return a few hours later to
question me about what I had seen or heard.  The only thing I could provide
them with was the history between Bobby and Michael, something that put him
in an even worse light.  And even thought Laurence had called me, begging
me to talk to him, I couldn't.  I didn't know Bobby anymore.  This new
persona that he had taken was one of Jekle and Hyde for one minute he could
be sweet, caring and concerned and the next he could be ruthless.  Michael
didn't deserve this, no matter what had transpired between them and I in no
way, shape, or form was going to lead him to believe other wise.


"I have some good news."  I looked up at Laurence and for the first time in
a long time, a smile adorned my face.

"You're getting out of here today..." I cut in.

"Thank God.  Another day of this shit and I would have gone out of my
mind."

"Also," I held my breath, "the charges against you have been dropped."

"Even the assault charges?"

"Those too."

"How come?"

"Because it appears that Mr. Stevens won't bring charges against you.
Apparently he's telling the cops it was a fist fight that got out of hand."

I couldn't believe it.  I had unjustifiable beat him senseless and he
didn't rat me out.

"I can't believe it.  So that means I'm getting out of here!"

"Yeah you are but there is a catch."

"What?"

"Anger management."

"What!"

"Anger management.  I spoke to Mr. Stevens' lawyer and his client will
indeed not press charges against you if you agree to take anger management
classes."  It seemed like such a small request that I agreed immeadiately.

"Is that it?"

"Yes.  We just sit and wait for them to sign you out," he looked at his
watch and then back at me, "In about twenty five minutes."

I could wait that long.  And as I looked around, I knew this was a place I
never wanted to end up.  And not for the first time I thought about all the
time I wasted listening to Ernie and his bullshit philosophy on portraying
the thug life.  Yeah that shit might have sold me more albums than I ever
thought possible but money wasn't everything and it sure as hell wasn't the
only thing.  Life was just too damn short to fuck it up with menial
bullshit like that.

"Did you get in touch with Richie yet?"  It had been at least two days
since I had been in police lock up and I was yet to hear a word from him.

"Yes."  Looking at his face when he said it, I knew something was off.

"And."

"And he's with his friend at the hospital."

"Is that all he said?"

"Bobby."

"Is that all he said?"  My voice rose another notch, something that earned
me a warning look from the guard.

"No but I don't think this is the right time to be talking about this."

"Well fuck what you think!"  I didn't mean for it to come out the way it
did and in no way did I mean to disrespect Laurence.

"I'm sorry man, shit!  I just seem to pissing everybody off today."

He looked over at me and leaned over to grasp my shoulder, "I can only
imagine how hard this has been on you Bobby."

And it was as if all the emotions that I had bottled up inside of me
spilled over.  I began to silently sob.



I had only to get my lab top and then I would have been gone before he
arrived but it was not to be as he entered the house and dropped his bag on
the floor not yet noticing me.  I had parked my car down the block and had
locked the door after entering.  I watched as he went into the kitchen and
opened the refrigerator, no doubt getting ready to bend over and retrieve a
beer from it.  I watched closely as the contours of his ass made itself
clear as daylight and I instinctively licked my lips and drew in a breath.
He sprang back up quickly and turned around looking stunned to see me
there.

"Richie." He said taking a step closer towards me only to stop.  "I..." I
cut him off before he could finish his thought.

"I'm just here to get my stuff."  He didn't seem too surprised to hear it
or at least that's what I thought from his facial expression or lack of it.

"Where you going?"

"I'm going to stay with Michael!"  My voice held so much hostility that I
even surprised myself.

He hung his head low and ran a hand over his face.  Looking up at me he
countered with, "Please stay."

It sounded so sincere, so honest, so desperate and I almost let that voice
and those words take me away, almost.

"I can't.  Michael needs me now."

"I didn't mean for it to happen Richie.  I take full responsibility for
what went down, I fucked up."  And I knew it wasn't an honest confession.
By Michaels' own words it wasn't an honest confession and for once I wish
they would both stop trying to spare my feelings. I was a man for Gods'
sake.

"Yeah you did and my friend almost got killed.  What the hell are you
trying to prove Bobby?"

He looked like a little boy lost, "I don't know.  I just, I just don't want
to see you get hurt.  I know how hard you took it when Michael fucked you
over, I was there."

"We're not involved Bobby, I told you that."

"And I'm not some fucking idiot.  I can read between the lines.  Him
kissing up on you like that. I can see what he has on his mind and I don't
like it one bit."

"So you fucking try to bash his head in!"

"I went about it the wrong way."

And I had to see how far we could take this.  I wanted to know, needed to
know the real reason why he did what he did.

"What the hell were you trying to prove?"

"I don't know.  I was just..." and on the verge of hearing the answer, the
telephone rang jolting both of us.  I silently cursed under my breath as he
went to answer it.

Watching him move, his actions brought to me a sense of serenity.  I was so
familiar with every part of him that it was downright scary.  I probably
knew Bobby better than he knew himself.

He turned to me and offered up what I imagined a smile was supposed to look
like but instead it came out as a sort off a pitiful rendition of one.  I
could hear him try to hurry off whoever was on the phone with no avail.

After about twenty minutes he hung up and ran over to the television and
turned it on to channel seven.

The news anchor, Janie Roscoe was reporting live from New York City in
front of Caldwell Studios and doing a piece on:

"Oh my God, that's you!"  I stated the obvious as a televised broadcast of
earlier footage began to play.  Bobby was walking down the precinct steps
with Laurence on one side and a heavyset man on the other.  The press
surrounded him asking one question after another.

"Did you intend to kill Mr. Stevens?"

"Was this a publicity stunt gone bad?"

"Was this apart of a love triangle between you, Mr. Michaels and Ms
Patricks?"  And as the questions got more demanding and ridiculous, Bobby
and Laurence made their exit in a waiting Mercedes Benz.  The news anchor
went on to say:

"This is just another incident in a long line of abnormal behavior that
Mr. Knight has displayed.  It seems as If these media blitzes has served
only to boost his album sales as after this latest incident, 560,000 copies
of his latest album Sunshine and Rain were sold.  The charges stemming from
this latest incident have been dropped leaving his fans and the world alike
waiting to see what he will do next.  This is Janie Roscoe reporting live
from the 72nd precinct, channel 7 news back to you Todd and Marlo in the
studio.

He shut of the television and fell back into the sofa, hands in his lap.

This was my opportunity to walk out but I couldn't leave him here in this
condition.  I walked over to him and carefully placed my hand on his
shoulder and to my surprise, he gently grabbed and held it in his large
hands.

"I need you Richie, I can't do this, this shit alone.  I can't do it.
You're the only one I can turn to man..." and as his words trailed off, I
knew I would be unpacking my things just as soon as he would let me.




I had felt guilty about promising Michael that I would stay with him and
then turning around and changing my mind but he seemed to have been taking
it pretty well.

"You gotta do what you gotta do right."

"Michael..." he must have noticed the dejected look on my face for he
leaned in and kissed my cheek, "don't worry about it Richie.  He probably
needs you more than I do."

There was no venom to his words or any animosity, something that actually
surprised me.

"Why didn't you tell the truth when the cops asked you what happened?"

"That was out in left field."

"I know."

"Because as strange as it may sound, I could see that he only had your best
interest at heart.  And besides, I kind of provoked him into hitting me."

"That didn't mean you deserved what happened to you Michael!"

"Of course not but I still didn't have the right to say what I said to him
and If I'm honest with you and myself I'll admit that I did it to provoke
the hell out of him."

He never did tell me what he had said to Bobby.  I had spent that night
with him nursing his wounds and allowing myself to feel that human warmth
that I had been missing for a while now.  And of course every time I tried
to fall asleep, I was awakened by Michael's constant erection seeking entry
in my rear.  After about forty-five minutes of this I decided that we
really needed to do was sleep in separate beds.

"Ok I'll stop but you feel so good and besides, when was the last time you
got fucked good."

"Come on Michael!"

"What!  It's a legit question.  You're tense Richie, I can feel it."  And
he then began to massage my shoulders while spooning me.  And I had to
admit that it felt good, better than good, incredible.  I allowed myself to
fall into that trap again and responded to his touching by pushing myself
into him more.

"Getting into it."

"Shut it up before I change my mind."  And that was all it took for him to
get me on my back.

"You're going to enjoy this so much that you'll wonder how you survived
without it before."

He slowly made his way down to my briefs using his tongue on my stomach and
as he approached nirvana he bit down into my skin HARD.

"Shit Michael, what the hell are you trying to do!"  I pushed him off me
hard, sat up and drew my knees up into my chest.

"Sorry, I thought you would enjoy that, my doctor didn't seem to mind it."

"Tell me you didn't."

"But I did."

"Ugh!"  I grunted before getting off of the bed and searching for my pants.

"What's the matter?"

"What's the matter!  Jesus Michael, what the hell is wrong with you?
You've been out of the hospital less than a day and already you're acting
like a slut!"

"But I am Richie and I'm not afraid to say it."  I stopped what I was doing
and turned to face him.  He had this huge grin on his face and all it
served to do was to make laugh.

"You're an ass you know that."  And even though I tried to come across as
serious all I ended up doing was adding more fuel to this fire.

"Thank you, now will you get that nice little tush of yours up in this bed
before I do it for you."

"I can't have sex with you Michael.  I thought I could but I can't."  He
seemed resigned to that fact and instead responded with, "I know, poor baby
doesn't want to cheat on his man.  I didn't expect you to Richie.  We'll
just cuddle."

I gave him a look of doubt.

"Really!  We'll just hold each other and pretend we just had mind-blowing
sex.  It's the best I can do."

"Ok but no funny business and no teasing and no talk about whoever you had
sex with lately."

"Fine fine but don't get mad if I fall into a coma from this boring
exchange."

"Fine."  And I climbed into bed next to him careful not to let my own
erection show.


He walked through the door looking all frazzled and it reminded me of one
of the many nights I had wasted on one-night escapades.  I was feeling
something close to jealousy but the reason why I could not have said.  He
seemed surprised to see me up at this hour and his face became flushed.

"Morning."  I sad watching his every move.

"Morning, you're up early."

"You're home late.  I was wondering what happened to you last night."  I
tried my best not to sound like his father but I knew I was coming off as
such.

"I tried calling you but the machine picked up."  I looked over by the
phone and saw the light blinking.

"Oh."  Was the only response I could come up with.

"I really tried to get you but even your cell phone was off.  You know I
would never not come home and not call you."  And I should have told him
that he didn't have to explain but as strange as it may have seemed, I
enjoyed the fact that he felt he needed to explain himself to me, like I
was an important part of his life.

"I know, I just..." and even though I knew what I wanted to say, the words
wouldn't come out.

He seemed to be anxious to hear them but all he was left with was the
tension between us.

"I'm gonna take a shower and head out to the studio.  You want to ride
along?"

 He looked at his watch and yawned.  He seemed so tired and I wondered what
he had kept himself busy doing last night.  The thought alone was enough to
give me a headache.

"I think I'll pass."

"No problem, maybe I'll see you later."

"Definitely.  I have a meeting with Laurence about resuming work so I
should see you then and maybe we could go for dinner or a drink or
something."

"Yeah we'll do that."  And I had left with so many questions on my mind.




"From the top Bobby."

"What the fuck for?"  The music stopped and the producer opened the door to
the recording room.

"Because I said so.  You sound like shit in there!  Take a break." And
turning towards the glass he spoke into the microphone, 'Take ten minutes
everyone."  I watched as the room dispersed and folded my arms over my
chest.

"You want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Fine but you need to adjust that attitude and you need to adjust it now.
We got an album to make and nobody here wants to spend the whole goddamn
year making it."

And any response I was about to give was cut off by the reality of what he
was saying.

"I know you're going through a whole lotta shit with this damn media and
the bad press but that's what it means to be a celebrity man.  You got to
roll with the punches."

"I'm just under a lot of stress right now man.  The pressure to get the new
stuff out right now, it's just wearing me down.  I need a break."

"And I agree.  Why don't you finish this session and take a few days off.
Go to Mexico or the islands, bring a girl with you, get laid, just do
something."

And the idea alone had my mouth watering.  I hadn't been away in God knows
how long.

"I think I'm gonna do that."

"And which lovely lady will accompany you on this trip?"  Looking at the
smirk on his face was avoidable.

"I haven't even decided if I'm going to take anyone with me yet."

"Well all the better.  Why bring sand to the beach right."  He laughed and
patted me on the back.  And as the crew started to come back from their
break and prepared to start recording again, I had in mind to ask Richie to
go with me.



"I don't know man, I mean I already told Laurence that I'd start working
Monday."

"So.  I'll call him up and tell him you're busy.  This is just what we both
need to get back on track."

"I have to think about it."

"Well you have till four this afternoon because I have an outgoing flight
to Jamaica."

And the look on his face seemed to hold so much hope for me.  I couldn't
say no to him.

"Ok but we can only stay till Tuesday, maybe Wednesday ok.  I have a
meeting with Diane to discuss her upcoming photo shoot for vibe."

He walked up to me and embraced me in his powerful arms.  "This is going to
be the trip of a lifetime Richie.  We're gonna chill and get back on track,
I promise you that."

Long after he had left the living room I was still standing there trying to
get my feelings under control.  What could be more romantic than a trip to
an exotic island?  And what would keep me from falling to one knee and once
again declaring my undying love and affection for him? And as all these
questions swam around in my mind, I found myself wishing that these were
different times and under different circumstances.



"So you're gonna go?"

"Yes Michael, I'm gonna go."

"Are you gonna be ok."

"With what?"

"With being there with him.  It's such a beautiful place there.  I don't
want you to get caught up in the moment only to be rejected again."

"I won't.  I've already told myself that I would only continue my
relationship with Bobby on a platonic level."  And even though I sounded
convincing enough, there was nothing further from the truth.

"Ok if you say so but be careful."

"I should be telling you the same thing.  How is the good doctor?"

"Hmm, we actually had a repeat performance this morning."  Michael actually
seeing one of his fuck buddies twice, very out of character for him.

"And how was it?"

"It was good.  I've had better but it definitely ranks up there with one of
my better experiences, besides, I get a free meal out of it."

"He asked you out?"

"Yeah.  Don't take it to heart Richie.  He's gonna be out the door by the
end of the weekend, they always are."

"Do you want him to stay?"

"Hell no!"  I wasn't at all convinced, not one damn bit and when I got
back, we would have to have a long talk about it.

"Well I have to go, the flight's at four but I will be sure to send you a
postcard."

"Only if you're not too busy fucking."

"Michael!"

"Ok, ok, I just had to get that one in, I'm sorry."

"I know you are.  Have a safe flight ok."

"Ok.  I'll talk to you when I get back, bye Michael."

"See you when you get back Richie.


Over the high skies of the Atlantic I took the opportunity to look out my
window and was in awe at the sight below me.  You would have thought that I
would be used to flying but no matter how many times I did it, I still
amazed myself by being surprised each and every time at the beauty of it
all.  I looked over at Richie and noticed that his eyes were closed.  Since
we had taken off he seemed to have had a hard time staying awake and it
came as no surprise when he finally dozed off.  He looked so peaceful, so
at ease and I realized that this was the first time I had seen him asleep.
He looked so innocent, so pure and I wondered not for the first time how I
could have ever treated him the way I did.  He wanted nothing but the best
for me, never yet asking for something in return.  It was as if he were my
guardian angel, always watching over me, taking care of my needs and here I
sat knowing in my heart that I couldn't give him what he wanted, what he
needed.  And then another thought which I didn't understand came into my
mind: 'is it that you can't give him what he needs or you won't give him
what he needs' and I had to shake the thought away.  So much was at stake,
so much that I had worked hard for.  Richie knew that, he knew all of it.
And as the captain came over the speakers instructing us that we were free
to roam the cabin, I wondered if all of that would ever change, if it even
could ever change.  Could I ever really give him what he needed?  Would it
be worth it?  I didn't want to think about, not now anyway and even though
I knew I would have to deal with it eventually, this week was not the time
and Jamaica was definitely not the place.


SORRY IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG BUT I HAVE BEEN BUSY AND I HOPE THE WAIT HAS
BEEN WORTH IT.  PLEASE EMAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.