Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 00:21:46 -0500
From: Matt Holmes <love_and_fate@hotmail.com>
Subject: Love and Fate

WARNING: If you are not interested in boy/boy relationship type stories, or
are offended by sex between underage boys, READ NO FURTHER.  This story is
pure fiction.  Any relation to anyone living/dead is unintentional.

	I had originally written this story under a different title, however I
don't really like it, and I had to rewrite the first chapter because it was
too bare.  I didn't get to build the foundation that it needed.  I think
I've done a little better a job on it now, and I would like any good
comments, or constructive criticism, sent to love_and_fate@hotmail.com
	Sorry about the re-posting crap, but I needed to make sure I included
everything I needed to say in the first chapter.  Otherwise, I would have
run into the same problem as with the original, Love and Fate.  Please
forgive me.  PLEASE?! *L*
	Ok, enough babble.  Enjoy.

	Jordan Blake was the only son of a rich Lawyer family in New York City.
His parents were very well off, from both their legal careers and their
market investments.  His father had many friends in the local and state
government.  The Blake's were much respected in the community.  Their house
was a masterpiece in Upscale New York, one of the most expensive houses in
the city.
	Jordan was a rather spoiled child, getting pretty much whatever he wanted,
  though he never considered those less wealthy to be beneath him.  Any one
whom he felt was a good-natured person was given equal treatment, regardless
of their social class.
	At thirteen years old, Jordan was of average height and weight, startling
blue eyes, blond hair, kissable cherry lips, a killer smile, and black
wire-rimmed glasses that seemed to compliment his radiant face.  He was
slim, with a round, prepubescent tummy diminishing as puberty began to take
control of his body.  By looking at him, you couldn't tell he was gay.  He
had no stereotypical gay traits.  He appeared to be as straight as the next
kid.  This kept the gay jokes down to a minimum.  Not that anything would
stop bullies from finding something to make fun of, but one less strike
against him made life that much easier.
	The girls often hounded him, hoping that one would be so blessed to be able
to go out with the God-like creature that is Jordan Blake.  Truth be told,
he could have had any girl in the school.  But, it was not meant to be.
Most of the time, he preferred to stay in the background, keeping himself
out of the spotlight that sometimes came with being of a wealthy family, not
to mention looks to die for.
	Jordan had always been attracted to boys.  He would spend many hours
sitting in class, shifting his eyes around, admiring the other beautiful
boys around him.  Girls just never did anything for him.  Even now, as he
was beginning his adventure into puberty, girls failed to catch his
attention.  He could admire their beauty, but was never attracted to them.
This fact only increased his need to express his feelings for the boys
around him.
	Of course, a boy looking for a boyfriend is a lot more difficult than if he
were looking for a girlfriend.  Thus, Jordan spent many days both excited,
and depressed by seeing other boys around him, knowing that he probably
would never find a boy that would feel the same about him.
	Jordan was a very intelligent boy.  He was very knowledgeable in computers
and always had the very best quality components installed into his computer.
  He excelled in all his subjects, often classified as a "teacher's pet."
This tended to increase the insults from others around him.  He didn't care,
because he wanted to make something of his life.  He was almost a straight
"A" student, his favorite subjects being Math, Science, computers, and of
course, Gym.  The boys were like eye candy: beautiful faces and bodies
losing their boyish figures and taking on a more adult frame.
	It was a Wednesday, the first day of the eighth grade,  his sky blue eyes
opened, he groaned, stretched his body this way and that to loosen up his
muscles, and slowly climbed out of his full size bed.  He clumsily walked
toward his private bathroom, walked in, and began his morning ritual.
	As he stared at himself, he noticed the tent in his briefs: morning wood, a
common male anomaly.  He was only wearing a white tee and briefs, and mid
calf socks.  The bulge in his pants showed a developing endowment.  He
grabbed his tee and pulled it over and off his body, which was sweaty from
the long night.  He slid his thumbs under his briefs and quickly pulled them
down and off.  There he stood with his 5 inch erection, with his quarter
sized balls and small bush of hair developing above his penis.  He started
the Jacuzzi style bath, and then slipped into the hot, soothing water.
After running the soap all over his body, he relaxed and closed his eyes and
began to dream. He dreamt of some of the boys he knew from school, and from
his soccer team.  He dreamt on still, dreamt into the locker rooms where
they showered before and after practice or phys Ed.
	He knew for a couple of years that looking at other boys, dreaming about
him gave him weird feelings inside that he didn't know how to explain at the
time.  In between then and now, he learned that society would deem him a
"fag" for the feelings he intends to pursue.  As much a problem as it
actually is, Jordan knew that he would believe what he wants to believe, not
what others want him to believe.  He came to the simple conclusion that he
likes boys and he will have a boyfriend some day.
He knew that he should wait a few years to come out to anyone.  As always,
the ignorant think that it's something a boy will "grow out of,."  Who know?
  Maybe he would.  But right now he saw no end in sight, and he didn't want
to hear all the bullshit, so he saw no point in making that decision.
	His cock once again began to fill with blood and become erect.  Jordan
grinned at the sensation of his hard on surrounded in warm soothing water.
He let the feeling linger for a bit before finishing up.
	After bathing, he stumbled down the stairs to the dining area, and the
butler walked up with his breakfast.  "Morning, sir.  How are we today?"
	"Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?" Jordan yelled.  The butler
was taken aback, and seemed confused as to what he did wrong.  Jordan's face
changed from anger to a devious grin, finishing with "You are never to call
me 'sir' again.  Now sit down and watch me eat."
	"Very well, Jordan" the butler stated, then took a seat at the table.
	The Blake's were very busy people.  With all the court trials, hearings,
and the like, not much time was left to take care of Jordan.  They decided
to hire a housekeeper to lighten the load.  Jordan never took offense at the
hiring of a helping hand, because law was his parents' profession.  The
absence of time is a given, as trials can get very involved at times.  It
was very lonely for him at times, but Jordan would always find his servant
when he was feeling really bad, and John, the butler, never failed to cheer
him up.
	Jordan talked with his butler about his school work, his computer, and
other things as he finished his breakfast.  He was never the kind of person
to flaunt his family name, and the money and power that came with it,
around.  He treated everyone the same.  Needless to say, the butler was very
happy to be around this young lad.
	After breakfast, Jordan was taken to one of the cars, and driven to school
by the same man whom had served him breakfast that morning.  And of course,
the car which was chosen was the least expensive one, since he wouldn't be
caught dead in such a sickeningly expensive car that basically said "I'm too
good to ride in a bus with you NORMAL people."
	Once again, Jordan returned to the school he so loathed throughout 6th and
7th grades, but this year would be different, because he was in 8th grade.
Eighth graders were the kings of the school.  Then again, kings don't often
stand in the corner, so he didn't know quite how that was going to work out.
	The ride to school was quiet and tense.  Anyone could tell how nervous
Jordan was about returning to the school where he left no mark.  He tried to
be more outgoing every year, but his poor self-esteem would push him back
into his favorite wall in the commons, or his secluded table at lunch.
	He had a couple of acquaintances which he hung around with at school, but
he was never close enough to any of them to call them friends.
Except maybe Ryan.  Ryan was his age, as shy as Jordan, with light brown
hair and bright green eyes.  Ryan could always hold Jordan's attention with
those beautiful eyes.  The two boys spent their lunch together on a daily
basis, as well as some after school time doing something computer related.
Rarely did either boy go to the other's house, but Jordan thought it the
best.  For, if Jordan was to go over to Ryan's house, which would mean
eventually, he'd have to take Ryan to his.  Ryan was pretty low on the
social ladder.  Jordan did feel sorry for him, but that wasn't the reason he
hung out with him.  It was the arrow in his pants that always seemed to
point to Ryan when he was around.  The arrow knows what it wants.
	Despite his obvious attraction, he was a bit scared, for many reasons.
Rejection was a large factor.  He didn't want to be hurt by his friend
rejecting his advances.  He was also afraid of being outed at school, and to
his parents.  He was still not 100% sure that boys would be all he ever
wanted, so he wasn't ready to shout to the world that he was gay.  Being
outed at school could be devastating to his emotional, as well as physical
well being.
	As always, his inhibitions kept him going no further than quick peeks, and
fantasies involving Ryan.  He knew it wouldn't quell his desires forever,
but for the time being, he was able to keep his hormones under control.
	Jordan met up with Ryan in the halls before the beginning of class.  "Hey,
man" Jordan mumbled quietly.
	"What's up Jordan?" Ryan asked in a voice, if it was possible, even lower
than Jordan's.  His eyes showed a hint of...infatuation.  Maybe it was
because Jordan was higher class and Ryan wished to be on the same level.
Maybe it was something else.
	Jordan had considered Ryan's behavior around him as a sign that he may at
least be in the middle, but he was far from having an accurate gaydar, so
all he would do is revel in the feeling that Ryan may actually be coming on
to him.
	Jordan needed to knock himself out of his trance once he noticed a bulge in
his pants that he wouldn't want Ryan to see.  "Another year of hell at
Roosevelt Middle School."
	"How was your summer?"
	"Not bad," Jordan responded.
	Conversation of the superficial subjects continued until the warning bell
to first period.  Jordan waved to his.....to Ryan as he walked toward his
locker to test his combination, after which heading to his first period
class.
	His first period was history, a most agonizingly boring subject.  It didn't
really matter how boring it was though.  For, Jordan could always get
average or above grades regardless of whether or not he paid attention in
class.
	He was happy to have Ryan in his class the first period of every day.
'That'll wake me up every day for sure,' he thought.  He was so good looking
in Jordan's eyes.  Extreme eye candy.  Ryan and Jordan would go to computer
club together, hang out during the summer and after school together and just
generally screw around when time allowed.  Ryan was quite good looking as
well. However, he did not seem to have as many girls falling all over him as
did Jordan.
	"Hey Jord, wussup?" Ryan whispered to his friend.
	"Sssh, don't get me in trouble," he whispered back.
	"Wanna hang out after school?"
	How could Jordan pass that offer up?
	"Sure!" Jordan blurted out, not so quietly.
	"Jordan, do you have something to say?" Mr. Allen asked him.
	"Umm, no.  I'm sorry, sir."  Jordan looked down at his desk, and didn't
speak for the rest of the period, despite Ryan's attempts to get a rise out
of him.  It wasn't until lunch that he started up again.
	The rest of the day, Jordan tried to show himself more, to get involved in
some interesting class conversations.  It was the first day, so each teacher
basically just took half the class giving out books, and explaining the
rules.  The remainder was left to give the students a chance to catch up
with their friends.
	The day went quickly, and Jordan's bag got heavier and heavier as the
teachers piled the books on higher and higher.  The new teachers were boring
as usual.
	Jordan met up with Ryan outside the cafeteria.  "Hey man, sorry about
earlier.  But you DID get me in trouble."
	"Sorry 'bout that, man," Ryan apologized.  Ryan was two faced.  He could be
open and funny, cracking jokes and getting Jordan in trouble one day.  The
next, he was clammed up and introverted.  His family was lower middle-class.
  Though he was very smart, he didn't show it, as he would be deemed a nerd
and his social life would be that much worse.  Jordan saw through it all
anyway.  He knew what his friend was like inside.
	All through the day, he continued scouting out the classrooms for cute
boys, as he always did.  Classes were pretty simple: issuing of books, list
of needed materials, and free time to talk.  Jordan kept quiet and doodled
on his notepad until the end of classes.
	Last period of the day was gym.  He loved gym.  Lots of eye candy for him.
Especially on Tuesdays (swimming day).  As much as all boys try to cover up
while in the nude, their attempts always fail, and those looking for the
opportunity to see some flesh, namely Jordan, would be granted with a
generous portion of prepubescent boy meat.  Just his luck, Ryan was in that
class with him as well!  He couldn't wait to see Ryan change for swimming.
Hiding his erection may be a problem though.  Jordan dressed down quickly,
so as not to divert attention to the flagpole in the middle of his body.
'Only 6 more days till Tuesday!' Jordan thought.  That's how he got through
the loneliness.

	After school let out, Jordan was picked up by the same man who dropped him
off.  He was quiet all the way home, and upon arriving, he went straight up
to his room, immersing himself in the wonders of the Internet, reading love
stories and talking to other gay teens on the anonymous chat rooms that
allow him to truly be himself with other people.
	Around 7, he ambled downstairs and asked John to make him some spaghetti,
which was finished and devoured in no time flat.  John just sat back and
watched in amazement at the speed at which the food disappeared from
Jordan's plate.
	Jordan looked up to a wide eyed John and asked, "what?"
	John just laughed and replied, "Nothing."  He patted a confused Jordan on
the shoulder and turned toward the kitchen to clean up, whistling a peppy
tune.  Jordan just shook his head, the joke gone completely over his head.
After dinner, Jordan returned to his domicile and went back on his computer,
looking at young star sites, with pictures of his favorite actors, which
made him very horny.  At one point his erection was so hard he had to stop
browsing completely, and plop himself down on the bed and gently stroke
himself to a powerful orgasm, breaking out of the ecstatic euphoria long
enough to pull up the covers and fall into a peaceful slumber.
	He had a dream that night, a dream in which he found a soul mate, one that
he could love and would love him back.  They made passionate love that
night, in his beautiful and creative mind.  If only one day his dreams would
come to life, and he could find true love and happiness in his life.
	His day would come.

				***
	As Chris Anderson woke at 4 am, he stretched about in the bed, loosening up
his tight muscles, to prepare for his paper route delivery before another
long day at school.  He hurriedly showered and dressed for school, then went
around and woke up his two brothers Jake, 11, and Matt, 8, for school.
	As he walked into the bathroom to retrieve fix his hair, he looked at
himself in the mirror.  He was tall for his age, already well into puberty,
was very thin.  Not anorexia thin, but thin.  He was very busy with his life
that all the eating he did never exceeded the energy he used.  He had light
brown hair and wonderful green eyes that caught the eyes of many girls, and
a few guys, in school.  He could have been a star athlete, but his tight
schedule never allowed for more than a weekly workout.
	The family lived in a middle class neighborhood, in a small ranch house
with 3 bedrooms.  The master bedroom was medium sized, with a bathroom
connected to it, which also doubled as the family bathroom.  Matt and Jake
lived in a smaller bedroom across the hall, Chris having his own room down
in the basement, off the family room.
	As the two young ones ambled down to the kitchen, Matt declared, "I want
some pancakes and sausage!"
	"Yeah!  And some scrambled eggs too!"  Jake added.
	Chris was rather disheartened at his brothers' demands.  His family was on
the low side of middle class.  His mother worked a factory job all day, and
his father a manager at a local food mart.  Money wasn't exactly thrown
around in that house.  In addition to the paper route Jordan had in the
morning, his night job at Burger King also helped to bring in some extra
spending money, which he normally spent, at least in part, on his two
brothers.
	Truth be told, Jake was always Chris' favorite.  He helped his younger
brother with his homework, played games with him, hung out with him on the
weekends, and other activities.  Jacob always seemed to need extra
attention, as he felt a little alone being the middle child.  Chris was
happy to brighten his brother's day.  Not that he never spent time with the
baby of the family, Matt, but Matt always seemed to enjoy himself more when
he was alone.  At least Chris knew that both of them were happy, despite
some of the strikes against them.  Both his brothers, Chris knew, were going
to be serious head turners when they matured.
	Chris tried to fix the situation temporarily.  "We don't have any.  How
about Rice Crispies?"
	"Awe man..." Matt sighed, "We ALWAYS have Rice Crispies for breakfast!"
	Chris frowned when he saw the look on Matt's face.  The feeling he knew all
too well.  It was a feeling of resentment, pleading, wishing that things
would get better.  That they could have everything all their friends have.
"Look, I'll try to get some tonight after school, and then you can have 'em
tomorrow for breakfast.  Ok?"
	Jake smiled a bit, and then agreed.  "Ok, but you better get some tonight!"
	Chris decided not to comment.  Instead he just indulged himself in a bowl,
scarfing down the cereal quickly, then heading out to do his paper route.
	  Chris breezed through the streets on his bike, delivering the days
papers, lost in thought.  His biggest thought, of course, was that of his
girlfriend, Jennifer.  They had been going out for a few months, and were
kissing, holding hands, and spending as much time as possible together.

	Jenn was everything Chris wanted in a girlfriend.

	While the boys ate breakfast, Chris went out to the garage to retrieve his
bike, and started on his paper route.  As he passed all the houses in the
slightly more upscale neighborhood north of his, he wondered what it would
be like to be rich.  Not filthy rich, but comfortable.  The boys would never
go hungry; their living situation would be more open, less like a little
closet living space.  His family wouldn't be looked down upon by the upscale
types; he could spoil the hell out of his girlfriend.  Things would just be
better.  If only one day his family got lucky and struck it rich.
Everything would change.
	After finishing his route and returning home, he made sure the boys had on
clean clothes, sack lunches packed, homework done.  He was like a father to
them, and that's exactly how Jake and Matt looked at them.  Not to say that
they didn't think of their own father that way, but it was nice to have an
older brother that looked out for them.
	Chris walked his rat pack to their bus, then biked to the Middle school.
He was an 8th grader, not much ever enjoying school.  Though he was far more
intelligent than he let on, he never really felt the need to excel beyond
average, because that's all he ever thought of himself as.  Minimal work for
acceptable grades.  That was fine with him, and his parents.  He didn't like
the idea of being a geek.  He just liked to have fun with his cool and
popular friends, never allowing himself to be cast out of the social group
he was in.  Sometimes it was tough not to show off in algebra, when the
answer was plain as day and no one saw it.  He would bite his tongue when he
thought of raising his hand to answer the question.  After all, he didn't
have to show off in practice, just do well on the tests.
	Upon arriving to the first day of the eighth grade, Chris met up with his
"ghetto buddies" as he referred to them, and joked along with them, picking
on a scrawny little new kid that didn't have enough confidence to defend
himself.
	"Hey, shrimp," Chris started, "you lost?"
	The boy was frowning and looked as if he was so confused and afraid he was
about to burst into tears.
	"Yea," Sam, one of Chris' friends chimed in, "you gonna go call your
mommy?"
	"Lemme alone!" the boy yelled.  He was tearing up now.
	"What a fuckin' pussy," Kevin included.  "Run along sissy boy."
	The three boys burst out laughing as the young boy ran off crying.
	"What a little fag!" Sam exclaimed.
	"Yea, fuckin' pussy fag boy," Kevin added.
	Chris laughed along, though he silently felt for the young boy.  He knew
what it was like to feel alone.  All the friends he ever found himself
around suddenly seemed so low, even for Chris.  He just walked away after
that.
	"Where you goin' man?" Kevin questioned.
	"He's probly gonna go find that kid and fuck 'em in the bathroom," Sam
answered.
	Chris was so enraged now that he turned on his heel, face beet red with
anger, and with a deep growl, said "that was not cool, guys.  Fuck this, I'm
outta here."
	Chris stormed off and walked over to his first class, sat down and tried to
cool off before class started.  He sat down at a desk in the back, and then
thought against sitting there.  If he sat there, chances are his "friends"
would most likely sit there too.  He got up and moved towards the front,
where his girlfriend sat, with her golden hair and sparkling green eyes.  He
looked her over, a perfect figure, licked his lips, and a thought crossed
his mind.  'She's not as cute as that new kid...WHAT?  Ok that was
weird....I gotta get laid.  It's been so long I'm starting to get horny over
EVERYONE!'
	Chris shook off the strange thoughts and listened in when class started.
It was standard first day stuff: books, rules, and free time.  Chris turned
to Jennifer and started turning on the charm.  "Hey, Jenn.  God, you look
pretty.  I like what you've done with your hair this year." Jenn blushed and
giggled at such a flattering comment.  And so the conversation continued.
It was all Chris could do to keep his hands off of her until they were out
of school.
	The day wore on, with the teachers reading their first-day scripts with
such a rehearsed and monotone voice that it was almost ridiculous.  Once
classes were let out at the end of the day, Chris headed over to Mel's
locker.  "Hey Jenn," he greeted his sweetheart.  "You wanna go over to
Friday's with me?"
	She let out her delightful high-pitched giggle and nodded, quickly
following Chris out to their bikes, then following him across the street to
a local mini-mall.  The two locked up their bikes and went inside.
	Chris was all over her while they were waiting for their food, kissing her
on her neck and face, holding her hand, even lightly petting her thigh.
Jennifer was ecstatic to get this much attention from a boy from the more
popular crowd.
	'New kid...'
	Chris shuddered at the thought.
	"You okay Chris?" Jenn asked him.
	"Oh, uh, yeah.  Sorry."
	The two continued to eat and talk, and then parted ways.  Chris biked the
rest of the way home and his younger brothers were there, waiting for some
sort of sustenance.  Chris just threw in a frozen pizza, dished it up when
it was ready, then headed to his room.  He listened to some of his favorite
music, relaxing on his bed, for quite a while.  He pondered the strange
feelings he had been having over the new boy, whom he found out was named
Marcus.  'Cute name' he thought.  *Shudder* Chris began to wonder what this
was all about.
	Chris sat with the boys for a while after dinner, watching some comedy on
TV.  Jake was snuggled up on his left side on the couch, Matt on his right.
His parents came home some time later, staying awake just long enough to ask
the kids how their day was, play around for a bit, then went to bed.
Chris put them to bed soon after, tucking them in, hugging them, and giving
them each a kiss on the forehead before heading to bed himself.
Chris sat in bed for a few minutes thinking.  He scared himself at the
thoughts he was having towards the new kid.
He had begun puberty about a year ago, sprouting hair in crazy places, voice
crackling, beginning his growth spurt.  He never gave much thought into why
he went looking for a girlfriend.  It was just what he was supposed to do.
Did he feel like that's what he wanted?  He became unsure.
	Chris went to bed that night all worries.  Was he a freak?  Was he mentally
ill?  Something was wrong, he knew it.
	Chris didn't get much sleep that night.
	The week continued on in much the same routine as it did the first day of
school: him hanging out with his friends, his girlfriend, and the strange
thoughts.  He did begin to shy away from the particular group that made fun
of Marcus, though.  He regretted doing something mean like that to a new
kid.  He even went so far as to apologize to Marcus and even hang out with
him a little, sticking up for him when his ex-friends or others bullied the
boy.  Why he was feeling different, he did not know.  But one thing he did
know, it was new and a bit exciting to feel a different way.
	Of course, he was still too immature to figure out what it all meant to his
life.
	It was Tuesday the eleventh of September, a day just like any other.  Chris
had history that period.  'Funny,' Chris thought to himself, 'why do they
even HAVE history during the first period.  I mean, do they WANT us to fall
asleep in class?'  Chris chuckled at the thought, then continued to half
listen, half doodle on his notepad.
	Near the end of first period, there was an announcement over the loud
speaker.
	"This is your principal.  The twin towers have just been attacked by
hijacked planes.  Please stay calm.  Evacuation plans will be implemented
shortly.  Classes are cancelled for the day.  Please feel free to share your
thoughts, talk to a teacher, or take a personal moment of reflection while
you have the time.  There are a lot of people up there, and Rescue crews are
working hard to save everyone.  This is Principal Reed."

				***

	It was already about a week and a half into the 8th grade.  Jordan was once
again becoming comfortable with the school routine.  Jordan met up with Ryan
before classes started and the two hung out until the first warning bell for
first period.
	Jordan noticed that since the beginning of the year, Ryan had changed
somewhat since last year.  He was more open and friendly with Jordan.  There
were times when Ryan seemed downright weird, in what he said and did while
the two hung out.  As he looked back, he noticed that how Ryan acted was
almost flirtatious at times.  Jordan didn't think much of it.  After all,
many boys seem to do a lot of testing out of the waters before they totally
realize who they want: boys or girls.  Jordan knew, from conversations he
had overheard in various places that boys often messed around with each
other, as they began to understand their bodies and develop their hormones
which, at 12 and 13, are surging so fast that some will do anything to get
off.  Most, obviously, grow to dislike boys and focus in on other girls.
Jordan knew he was one of the exceptions.
	Jordan decided not to think too much into the Ryan situation, as he didn't
want to hurt his own or his friend's feelings over some lame attempt to cop
a feel or get either one of them into a situation they wouldn't be ready to
handle.  Jordan was too shy and afraid to do something like that.
	It was nearing the end of first period, September 11, 2001, when an
announcement from the superintendent came over the speaker.
	"This is your superintendent, Mark Roberts.  Tragedy has just befallen the
United States.  A plane has just crashed into one of the twin towers.  Let
us take a moment of silence to support the rescue efforts under way."

				***

There it is, hope you liked it.  Comments/constructive criticism to
Love_and_fate@hotmail.com

BONUS: For some reason, I can't seem to find a good name for this story.
Many who have read the original version know what it was formally known as,
however I do not care for it.  I never really did.  So, here's my proposal.
Send me an email at the above addy with any suggestions, and if  I like your
suggestion enough to use it, I will write you into the story.  Major or
minor character, I don't know.  Sound good?  Good.  Laterz.