Summary: Nick is struggling to make it day by day. Justin is trying to survive stardom. They both live two very different lives, but when they meet on a cold winters night a friendship begins. Will there be more then friendship? Do opposites really attract?

Paring: Justin/Nick (Timbernick)

Rating: PG-13 and Up

Warning: This is slash, meaning there will be male/male sexual relations mentioned in the story. Also, this story should also get a HET warning for those of you that don't like HET content. There are other couples in this story other then Justin and Nick and a few of them happen to be male/female couples. If you don't want to read chapters with explicit HET content then go ahead and scroll down to read the EDITED chapters.

Authors Note: I am really grateful to have a great friend writing this story with me. How we have it worked out is that I write whatever Nick says, and my good friend Kris writes all of Justin's lines. If this is confusing, or if you have any questions about the format feel free to e-mail me and I'll try and help clear anything up.

Status: Incomplete

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After laying awake in Marty's arms for a while, Kelly finally decided to get up. She carefully pulled away from him...not wanting to wake him...and climbed out of bed. After brushing her teeth and using the bathroom, she headed out of the bedroom to go to the small kitchenette to make some coffee. She quietly closed the bedroom door, and almost jumped when she turned and saw Eddie sitting on the couch...drinking coffee and watching cartoons. "What the hell are YOU doing up?"

Eddie smiled at Kelly. "Geez...aren't you a bright ray of sunshine this morning."

Kelly folded her arms over the front of her t-shirt. "Well...I was just thinking you'd sleep a lot later than this after your late night."

"I haven't been to bed." Eddie said as he took a sip of his coffee.

Kelly arched an eyebrow. "Are you serious? We have rehearsal today."

"And the concert...I know this." Eddie said as he got up off the couch and walked over to the coffee pot to get more. "Help yourself if you want some."

Kelly watched Eddie walk across the room. "That's actually what I came for. Well...to make some..."

Eddie smiled. "Well...now you don't have to make any...cuz it's here for you." He said as he leaned against the counter looking at Kelly.

Kelly smiled. "Yeah...thanks," she said...then walked over to the counter. "So...did you have a good night?"

"Sure...we didn't get back until like five or something." Eddie answered as he sipped more of his coffee. "Did you and Marty have a good night?"

Kelly nodded...grabbing a mug, then picking up the coffee pot to pour some. "Yeah...we did. It was very nice, actually."

"You guys gonna be sharing beds all the time from now on?" Eddie asked, since he knew they had for the last two nights.

Kelly looked at Eddie and laughed as she put the coffee pot down. "What's THAT supposed to mean?"

Eddie shrugged. "Nothing bad...just wondering since you guys have done it twice in a row now."

Kelly shrugged, as well...stirring some creamer into her coffee. "I don't know. I mean...the last couple days I've just been going through some shit...and he's just been there for me...keeping me company, and stuff."

Eddie smiled and nodded. "Yeah...that's Marty for you." Yawning Eddie put his cup down. "I'm going to go take a shower to help make sure I wake up in time for the day to start...see ya Kel." With that he walked into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

"Later, Ed..." Kelly said...then picked up her mug and took it over to the couch to watch the cartoon Eddie had abandoned. She leaned back against the arm of the couch, bent her knees up, and rested her bare feet on the couch cushion.

After a few minutes, Marty started to wake up when he felt that something wasn't right. Feeling around with his arm and not finding Kelly he opened his eyes and sighed. Sitting up he rubbed the sleep from his eyes before getting out of bed. Not thinking about only being in his boxers he walked out into the main room and smiled when he saw Kelly watching TV. "You left me in the big bed all alone."

Kelly looked over at Marty and smiled. "You were sound asleep. I didn't wanna bother you."

"Getting up and moving bothered me." Marty joked as he joined Kelly on the couch. "What time is it anyway?"

"Nine-ish."

Just then Marty noticed the shower running and his eyes went wide. "Eddie is awake at 9 o'clock in the morning?"

Kelly laughed. "Yeah. He hasn't been to bed yet," she said before sipping her coffee.

Marty rolled his eyes. "Yeah and he won't make it to bed...cuz I'm sure we'll be getting a call from somebody saying we're supposed to go practice before it gets too late."

Kelly shrugged. "Not necessarily. I mean...since the rehearsal's at Madison Square Garden...and all the other artists have to rehearse, too...it could be late."

"Good point." Marty said through a yawn. "Why the hell am I still tired and we went to bed at like eleven o'clock."

"I don't know," Kelly said...reaching out her free hand to rub it over Marty's short hair. "Maybe you're emotionally drained."

Marty made an almost purring sound when Kelly rubbed his head. "Maybe...I dunno."

"Go back to bed if you're still tired."

"What are you gonna do...If I go back to bed?" Marty asked, looking over at Kelly.

Kelly shrugged. "Finish my coffee...then go back to my room and read, or something."

Marty put on a playful pout. "You won't come cuddle with me?"

Kelly giggled. "Why? You need more sleep...I'm done sleeping."

"No...I'm okay...I'll stay up too." Marty said as he yawned again.

Kelly leaned forward and kissed Marty's cheek. "Go to bed, sweetie."

Marty was going to protest again but nodded slowly when he felt himself falling asleep sitting up. "Okay...come get me if I'm asleep until too late." He said he got up off the couch and headed back to his room.

Kelly smiled as she watched Marty walk out of the room. As she sat drinking her coffee, she thought about how good he was to her, and how lucky she was to have him...and about how she was going to deal with him being in love with her. When she finished her coffee, she sighed quietly, and got up to go rinse the mug.

Eddie walked back out into the room with just a towel around his waist. "Hey, Kel...do you think I have time to try and get some sleep before we do all our junk today?"

Kelly looked up at Eddie and chuckled. He was hot. No doubt about that. But he was just so funny and silly and playful with her that she could never look at him as anything more than a big brother. "Yeah...I think so. We haven't heard from anyone, yet...so I'm guessing rehearsal will be late."

Eddie yawned. "Good... then I'm going to crash." he said walking back into his room.

"Eddie...wait..." Kelly said...walking to the middle of the room and folding her arms.

Eddie turned back around to look at Kelly. "Yeah?"

"Does Marty ever...I don't know...talk to you...about me?"

"Talk about you how?" Eddie asked even though he knew the answer.

"Ya know...like...about his feelings for me..."

Eddie leaned against his bedroom door and sighed. "He really likes you Kel. He hasn't had to say anything to me about it for me to know. You're the topic of conversation all the time...but it wasn't until he turned me and the guys down last night to hang with you that I knew for sure something was up. So, if you're having trouble believing he’s sincere or something...well honey...I don't think you have to worry about that."

Kelly gave Eddie a small smile. "Thanks."

Eddie smiled back. "No problem." Yawning one last time and with a small wave Eddie walked into his room.

Kelly took a deep breath, then opened the door to go back into Marty's bedroom. She looked over at her clothes...thinking about putting them on to go back to her own room...but decided against it. Instead, she crawled back into bed and rested on her side...keeping her eyes open to watch Marty.

Marty was already fast asleep again and didn't move when Kelly climbed back into bed. Instead he just lay on his back, hand resting on his stomach as he snored softly.

Kelly leaned closer to Marty...and placed a soft kiss on his cheek...letting her lips linger there for a bit before pulling away.

Not waking up, Marty just snuggled closer to Kelly as if sensing she was there.

Kelly propped her head up on her elbow...looking down at Marty's sleeping face. Her hand went to grab hold of the one resting on his stomach.

Blinking a few times, Marty opened his eyes slowly. "Decided to join me after all?" He whispered.

Kelly smiled...her cheeks blushing...feeling like she'd been caught doing something bad. "Yeah...I did. That OK?" she whispered back.

"Mmmhmm...okay." Marty said, turning onto his side and snuggling up to her more, still not fully awake and now starting to fall right back to sleep. He hadn't even thought about how it was weird that Kelly was watching him and holding his hand.

Kelly giggled. "And now you're gonna go back to sleep on me...?"

"Hmmmhmm." Marty said again, just responding because he thought somebody was talking to him, even though he had no idea what they were really saying.

Kelly sighed and dropped her head down to the bed...burying her head in Marty's chest. "OK."

Marty sighed a content sigh as he fell all the way into a peaceful sleep with Kelly snuggled close to him again.

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At around 11am Nick opened his eyes and blinked when light came shining through the window. Groaning he turned to bury his face in his pillow again, but that was when he remembered WHO he was in bed with. He couldn't help but get the biggest smile on his face. Moving his head a little closer he gently kissed Justin on the cheek.

Justin was still sound asleep on his stomach...having hardly moved at all throughout the night.

Sitting up a little more, Nick looked over at the clock and was pretty amazed to see how late it was. He wasn't sure what Justin had to do that day so he thought maybe he should get him up. Laying back down again he started to place soft kisses all over Justin's cheek and ear and neck while whispering. "Justin...you should probably wake up."

A deep groan slipped from Justin's throat as he turned his head a bit...burying his face in the pillow. He knew that Nick's little kisses felt good...but he wasn't sure at that point that they were worth waking up for.

Nick laughed and shook his head. "Okay...fine sleepy head." He said as he climbed out of bed so he could pull the covers off of Justin.

Justin groaned again. "Nooooo..." he whined out into the pillow...still not moving. He'd slept like a rock...and he wasn't ready for his slumbers to come to an end.

Nick thought for a second and knew that Justin really didn't have to get up...so he put the blankets back on him up to the middle of his back. Then he climbed back onto the bed, and climbed under the warm covers himself, snuggling back up to Justin. He didn't go back to sleep, but watched Justin sleep instead.

Justin was sound asleep again within minutes...his face tilted out of the pillow just enough for him to breathe in a quiet snore.

After watching Justin sleep for a few minutes, Nick reached for the phone and dialed Kelly's cell number. They hadn't talked since she had left him drunk the day before and felt they should talk.

Kelly lifted her head when she heard her phone ringing...and it took her a second to remember where it was. She carefully moved away from Marty and slipped out of the bed, then went to the chair by the window to grab her phone out of her sweatshirt. "Hello...?" she answered as she took a seat in the chair.

Nick smiled when he heard Kelly's voice. "Hey, Kel." He said in a soft tone because Justin was still asleep next to him. He would have went out into the other room but he was warm and cozy next to him.

"Nick...hi...what's up?"

"Nothing...just woke up...and remembered we haven't really talked since yesterday morning." Nick said through a small yawn as he tried to still wake up.

Kelly took a deep breath. "Yeah...I know. How've you been...since...everything?"

Nick looked over at Justin sleeping next to him and sighed. He was happy...but he knew that Kelly had given up something really special to her...for him. "I've been doing okay...how are you?"

Kelly took another deep breath. "I'm alright...been better..." she said honestly. "...but alright."

"I'm sorry, Kel...that things turned out like this." Nick said softly, and honestly.

"I'm not," Kelly said...looking over at Marty's sleeping figure. "I mean...yeah...it sucks...for me, anyway. But...I think everything will turn out for the better. Like it's meant to."

"Oh hey, Kel...umm Justin mentioned something about how you tell Marty everything...and you guys have been close the last few days...so does he know?" Nick asked, looking over at Justin as he said this.

"Yeah...he knows. But...it's not just the last few days we've been close...we've been close for years." Kelly paused, and sighed quietly before going on. "I just had to tell someone...I couldn't handle it. But...don't worry...he'd never say anything."

Nick smiled. "I know...It's okay that he knows...Justin didn't seem to worried about it....Oh which reminds me...do you know what time I need to wake Justin up for rehearsals and stuff today?"

"No...I haven't heard, yet. We're still-" Kelly stopped short when she realized what Nick had said. "Wait...why would YOU have to wake him up?"

Nick bit his bottom lip, wondering what Kelly would think about him spending the night. "Uhh...cuz I'm still in Justin's room." He said, leaving out how he was in Justin's bed...snuggled against him.

"Oh..." was all Kelly said in response. It was all she could get past the lump in her throat. Nick was where SHE should have been...where SHE usually was until he came along. SHE was usually the one waking up in Justin's bed. Kelly put a hand over her eyes...willing the tears away as the harsh reality hit her: THAT part of her life was over.

Nick could tell by the way Kelly had said that that she was upset. He wish he knew what to say to make the girl feel better...but there wasn't anything he could say. "We're still friends right?" He asked feeling tears coming to his own eyes, thinking of losing Kelly, who had become one of his best friends.

Kelly swallowed the lump in her throat, and managed to keep her voice strong and confident even as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Yeah...of course we are."

"God...Kelly, I'm so sorry." Nick said, knowing she was crying and upset. "I know I can't do anything to make it better...and I know I'm technically the enemy right now...but I'm honestly not trying to take your place...even though I am."

Kelly sniffled. "I know. Just...forget it. There's nothing either one of us can do."

Nick sniffed too as he rested his head closer to Justin's as he talked. "Okay...So I get to see you in action on stage for the first time tonight...I can't wait." He said trying to change the subject.

More tears fell down Kelly's cheeks as she did her best to go along with Nick's change of topic...even though she really wanted to yell and scream and rip his head off for taking away the man she loved. She knew that wouldn't do anyone any good. "Well...it won't be that big a deal. You'll enjoy the show tomorrow night a lot more than tonight's rehearsal."

"Yeah...true...but I kinda like the behind the scenes stuff better then the actual show." Nick pointed out as he shifted in bed and accidentally kneed Justin in the hip.

Justin didn't even respond to Nick's knee hitting him...having not even felt it.

"Yeah...well...we'll see," Kelly responded...looking down to her lap to see a tear splatter onto the t-shirt she was wearing.

Nick sighed, knowing this conversation wasn't going any place. He needed to give Kelly more time. "Okay...well I just wanted to call to make sure everything was okay and stuff...but I'm gonna go now." He said softly.

"OK...I'll talk to you later," Kelly said into the phone...then hung it up just before she started sobbing. She dropped the phone on the chair beside her, pulled her knees up to her chest, and buried her face in her hands as she cried.

Nick slowly put the phone back in the base and sighed as tears fell down his own cheeks. He hated knowing he was hurting her. Snuggling up closer to Justin again he let the tears fall onto the pillow that was mostly Justin's and half of his own. "I...I'm sorry." He said out loud as he tried to stop crying. He had everything he wanted...or at least was on the right path...but yet he felt like shit when he knew he should be happy.

Justin woke up and opened his eyes to see Nick crying. Without moving, he studied Nick's face for a second before quietly asking, "What happened?"

Nick shook his head. "N...nothing really."

"Why are you crying, then?"

"I just talked to Kelly." Nick whispered sadly, snuggling even closer to Justin. "I don't want her to think I'm replacing her, Justin...I could never do that. She never actually even said that...but she was crying. I know it's something...we all just have to work through...but It still makes me sad."

Justin took a deep breath. "I know...it makes me sad, too," he said quietly.

"I...I feel like I'm supposed to leave...so you two can get back together...but I know deep down that isn't the solution...plus there is still that small selfish part of me that is happy how things turned out...but I feel shitty for even thinking something like that." Nick said sniffling.

Justin draped his arm over Nick and rested his hand on the small of his back. "No...I know exactly what you mean. I mean...just imagine how *I* feel. I gave up HER to take a try at THIS...and I don't even know yet if this is what I really want. I feel like absolute shit for what I'm doing to her."

"I don't even want to imagine what you must be feeling. I don't think I would be strong enough to handle it." Nick said, looking into Justin's eyes with a small smile on his face, but tears still on his cheeks.

"I don't know if I CAN handle it. I have this awful fear that this is gonna backfire on me, and she's gonna end up hating me."

Nick shook his head like crazy. "I won't let her do that...she has no reason to hate you...if anybody she should hate me."

"She won't. As long as I'm happy...we're happy...she'll be fine."

After thinking for a second, Nick sighed. "You know what...I think you've been around me too long...you're becoming a worry wart just like me." He giggled.

Justin sighed. "No...I don't worry about a lot of things. Just losing one of my best friends."

Nick smiled and leaned in a few inches to kiss Justin's nose. "Which is a VERY good thing to worry about...I should know...I lost all mine."

Justin took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "She'll be fine..." Justin said...trying to convince himself. "...just gotta give her time."

"Exactly what I was thinking...and who knows...this Marty thing might come in...he cares for her." Nick said softly, knowing Justin probably felt the same way about Marty...and Kelly did about him.

"He does care about her...a lot," Justin said...not opening his eyes. "...he's a great guy."

"Oh...and I found out this morning that he does know...even though you figured that anyway."

"I'm not surprised. I'm kinda glad, actually. She needs someone to talk to...since she's kind of alone in this whole thing."

Nick nodded and took a deep. "Did you sleep okay?" He asked changing the subject.

Justin just nodded. He was too busy with his thoughts to talk.

Nick could tell Justin was distracted so he stayed quiet, just wanting to be there if Justin wanted to talk.

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Marty turned over in bed when he was sure he heard somebody crying. He was out of bed in a flash when he saw Kelly sitting in the chair by the window with tears running down her cheeks. "Kel...god, honey what's wrong?" He asked, squatting down in front of her.

Kelly just shook her head as she kept her face in her hands. She couldn't bring herself to tell Marty what was bothering her.

Marty took Kelly's chin in his hands and tilted it up to look at him. "Talk to me, Kel."

Kelly sniffled as her eyes met Marty's...her lower lip trembling a bit. She couldn't believe she was crying like this, but she apparently needed it after not crying enough the day before.

Before he thought about what he was doing, Marty pulled Kelly off the chair gently and into his arms as he held her on the floor. "Shh...honey...it's going to be okay." he said rocking her.

Kelly snuggled into Marty immediately...tucking her head under his chin and burying her face in his chest as she cried some more. It got to the point where she wasn't even sure what she was crying about anymore.

Marty held onto Kelly as he let her cry on him. He really wanted to know what had gotten her so worked up, but he knew she would tell him when she was ready.

Kelly sobbed in Marty's arms for a few minutes before finally settling down...at which point she pulled back a bit to wipe her eyes.

"You gonna tell me why you are crying?" Marty asked after another few more minutes.

Kelly took a deep breath as she looked Marty in the eye. "I don't know if I should," she said quietly.

Marty looked at Kelly confused. "We back at that again? I thought you were telling me everything. You know I won't judge you, Kel."

Kelly shook her head. "No...it's not about you judging me...it's about how it'll make you feel."

Marty sat up straighter. "Just tell me, Kel...I'm a big boy I can handle anything."

Kelly sighed. "Nick called me...from Justin's room..." she started...not exactly meeting Marty's eyes. "...he slept there..."

"Oh...Kelly...I can understand why you're crying then." Marty said holding onto Kelly tighter.

"It's stupid!" Kelly said...getting loud. "It was MY idea to end things...so it's stupid for me to be hurt when someone else is in his bed!"

Marty shook his head. "No it's not, stupid...it's a normal reaction. You love him...the idea of him having somebody else is supposed to hurt...no matter who ended it."

"It just...I don't know, Marty...knowing that they were together last night just made it...so...real."

"I have a feeling you aren't the only one who is thinking that right now."

"What do you mean?" Kelly asked...her wide eyes searching Marty's.

"Justin and Nick are probably thinking the same thing. That things are finally seeming so real. Probably scaring them some too." Marty said, hoping he wasn't stepping his bounds.

"Yeah...now that I'm out of the picture."

Marty closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Don't think of it like that, Kel...because they probably aren't thinking of it like that."

"No matter how we're thinking of it...it's the truth." Kelly wiped her eyes and sniffled again...her tears finally stopping. She took a deep breath that came out in a frustrated sigh.

"This is how it always works out for me, Marty," she said with a bitter laugh.

"What do you mean, Kel?" Marty asked, seriously not understanding.

Kelly shrugged. "It always works out this way. It's the story of my life. Everyone I love ends up gone." She wasn't saying it to seek pity...because that was something she never wanted. She was saying it because it was the truth.

"For one...Justin isn't gone...two if you always think that like...it's always going to happen." Marty said, not meaning to get rude or mean...but it was true.

"If I THINK it? What's that supposed to mean? Did I THINK that I wanted my mother dead? No. Did I THINK that I wanted my father to kick me out, and ban me from seeing my sister and her family when I was seventeen? No. Did I THINK that I wanted the only two boyfriends I ever had to leave me for other people? No."

Marty looked at Kelly with wide eyes but kept his cool because he knew she was upset. "I didn't mean that, Kelly. All the shit that has happened to you is terrible...and I can't even imagine what it must of been like...but you can't look at THIS situation as thinking of losing something...when well maybe what you gain could be a lot better. Like what if Justin finds his true self with this bisexual stuff. What if you find something even better? If you keep thinking about something falling apart and ending terribly...you aren't ever going to be happy."

Kelly sighed...leaning back a bit against the bottom of the chair. "I'm sorry. You're right."

Marty touched Kelly's leg softy. "That doesn't mean it's not hard...but you just have to try and be happy...for what I don't know."

Kelly gave Marty a small smile. "Happy that I have YOU. That's a start...right?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders and blushed a little. "If that makes you happy...then yeah."

"Of course it makes me happy. I'm always telling you how lucky I am to have you in my life."

"I'm lucky to have you in my life too." Marty said smiling.

Kelly took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about all of this. I'm sure the last you thing you wanna hear is me whining about how I can't have Justin."

Marty shook his head. "That isn't true...if it's important to you...then it's important to me. " He took a deep breath. "But hon...don't take this the wrong way but you have to let Justin and Nick do their thing."

Kelly nodded. "I know. I wouldn't get in the way of that. I'll just have to get over it...and do MY thing, too."

"Yeah...you do." Marty thought of something. "I'm actually pretty surprised that Nick and Justin slept in the same bed last night." He said, not meaning to make Kelly feel bad again, he really just wondered.

Kelly shrugged...looking down as she toyed with the hem of the t-shirt at her thighs. "I'm not."

Marty shrugged back. "I guess I just didn't know they were that close yet."

Kelly nodded her head a bit. "They are. Or...at least they're getting there, anyway."

Marty scooted back a bit and stood up. "I'm going to get dressed and go try and find out when shit is happening today...You're welcome to stay here if you want." He said, feeling like he needed to be alone, and think some of this through himself.

Kelly shook her head and stood up...a bit surprised at why Marty was so suddenly leaving. "Umm...no...it's OK. I'm gonna go...do some laundry, or something."

Marty felt bad for it...but his head was swimming with thoughts and he hadn't really had time to himself to think them through. "Okay...I'll get a hold of you later to tell you what is going on." With that he walked to his bag and got some clothes out, taking them into the bathroom to change.

Kelly kept her eyes on Marty as he collected his clothes, then locked himself in the bathroom. By the time she grabbed her jeans off the chair and slipped them on, her eyes were filled with tears again. She knew she shouldn't have told Marty she was upset about Justin. He loved her...and knowing she wanted someone else hurt him. She quickly stepped into her flip flops and collected her things before heading out of the room and down the hall to her own.

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After silence for quite some time, Nick thought maybe Justin had fallen back asleep.

"Justin...you okay?" He asked softly.

"Yeah," Justin replied...then finally rolled over onto his back, and slowly got out of bed.

Nick sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes, watching Justin. "Okay..."

Justin stretched until he heard his back crack...then groaned quietly as he stood up and stretched again.

"Is it still bugging you?" Nick asked quietly as he continued to watch Justin stretch.

"Yeah...but I'll be OK," Justin said...walking around the bed to head into the bathroom to pee and brush his teeth.

Nick sighed and flopped back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. Too much junk was going through his head, he couldn't even sort it out anymore.

Justin finished in the bathroom by taking his pills, then came back out into the bedroom. "You better?" he asked Nick...knowing he'd been crying earlier.

Nick glanced over at Justin and nodded. "Yeah...I'm okay."

Justin smiled. "OK."

Nick thought for a second and then got a sheepish smile on his face. "Would I be asking too much...if I asked for a good morning kiss?" He asked biting his bottom lip.

Justin chuckled. "No...I don't think so," he said...then went over to the bed...and carefully bent down to give Nick a soft kiss on the lips.

Nick smiled against Justin's lips, wanting more then just a soft peck on the lips...but he wasn't going to say anything...or complain at all for what he was getting.

Justin pulled back a bit...then nibbled at Nick's lower lip a couple times before standing up.

"Thanks." Nick giggled, looking up at Justin.

Justin laughed softly. "You're welcome," he said...going to get a t-shirt out of his bag.

Nick sat up and stretched his arms over his head, yawning loudly, sounding like a lion.

Justin laughed at Nick as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. "Wake up."

"Hey...I was awake before you were...I even pulled the blankets off you and everything...but you didn't like that too much." Nick laughed as he got off the bed and looked around for his t-shirt.

"I was sleeping. Rule number one: don't fuck with me when I'm sleeping."

Nick held his hands up in mock surrender. "I will keep that one in mind." Finding his shirt he bent down to grab it and pulled it over his head.

"I'll be back..." Justin said...heading out of the bedroom. "...I'm going to go find out what the deal for today is."

"Alrighty." Nick said as he walked into the bathroom. After using the toilet and washing his face, Nick walked into the main room and got a bottle of water out of the fridge. He then took it over to the window and spent some time looking at the busy streets of New York City under him.

Justin returned to his suite about twenty minutes after he'd left. He smiled when he saw Nick at the window, and walked over to join him.

Nick turned to smile at Justin as he joined him at the window. "It still amazes me a little to think I'm actually in New York City....I never thought I would make it here."

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Nick's smile got bigger and he nodded, moving a little closer to Justin and leaning against him a bit. "Yeah...it is really beautiful."

Justin sighed quietly. "Well...you should take some time later to walk around and see things. Cuz unfortunately...it's a closed rehearsal tonight. They're not letting anyone in..."

Nick's smile faded quickly and he looked away so Justin couldn't see the disappointment on his face.

Justin sighed again...reaching out to touch Nick's arm. "I know you're disappointed, but there's nothing I can do...it's not my decision. The radio station and the Garden are making it closed for security reasons. But hey...you won't be missing much. We're just gonna rehearse our songs...then come back. We can hang out all night."

Nick tried to put the smile back on his face and nodded. "Okay...sounds cool...when do you gotta go?"

Justin shrugged. "Around four. We're on stage at six."

Nick nodded again, not sure what to say next. He wanted to spend the next few hours with Justin...but he had said they would hang after...so maybe he had plans. Plus, he didn't know what he would suggest they would do anyway. "You have a while before you gotta go then." Was all he said.

"Yeah..." was all Justin said...leaning to his left a bit to rest his head against Nick's right shoulder as he continued looking out the window.

"Do I only get to hang with you AFTER...or do I get you now too?" Nick finally got the courage up to ask, wrapping his right arm around Justin's back.

"You can stay for a while if you'd like...til my trainer comes at two."

Nick raised an eyebrow and looked at Justin. "What are you going to do with your trainer?" He asked curiously.

"Work out a little...mostly some therapy for my back."

"Sounds cool." Nick giggled as he turned back to look out the window, looking down at the ground. "Very crowded streets."

"Always...no matter what time...day or night."

After looking for a few more minutes, Nick turned back to Justin and smiled. "So...If I'm allowed to stay here until two...what are we going to do?"

Justin smiled at Nick. "I don't know. You hungry?"

Nick thought about that for a second and shrugged. "I could eat."

"We could order up some brunch."

"That sounds good to me." Nick said smiling again, his blue eyes looking right into Justin's.

"OK," Justin said...then gave Nick a quick kiss on the lips before going to get the room service menu.

Nick smiled bigger as he watched Justin go to get the room service menu. His lips were tingling from the quick kiss. After a second he walked over to where Justin was, standing behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist and looking over his shoulder.

Looking down at the menu, Justin smiled when he felt Nick's arms go around his waist. "What do you feel like having?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders, looking down at the menu. "Uhh...I'm not really that hungry how about like fruit and toast and...something else."

"And cereal," Justin added...looking over the menu's offerings.

Nick laughed, kissing the back of Justin's neck softly. "Of course...the day doesn't start without cereal."

Justin laughed softly. "Damn straight," he said...reaching for the phone.

Nick let his arms loosen up a little so Justin could reach for the phone, but he didn't move totally from his spot. He just stood there quietly so Justin could talk on the phone.

Justin ordered some fruit, English muffins and Lucky Charms before hanging up the phone and putting the menu down.

Once the phone was down, Nick wrapped his arms around Justin tighter again. "Lucky Charms...my favorite."

Justin chuckled. "Really?"

Nick nodded against Justin's shoulder where his chin was resting. "Uh huh...and I haven't had it in years."

"Sounds like I made the right choice, then."

"Yup...you sure did." Nick said, placing another soft kiss right behind Justin's ear.

Justin giggled at the ticklish feeling of the kiss. "What're you doin?"

"Kissing your neck." Nick giggled as he placed a few more kisses on Justin's neck, this time not making them as soft as before.

Justin moaned quietly...laughing at the same time.

"Somebody’s neck is ticklish." Nick mumbled against the skin at the back of his neck. Justin didn't seem too uncomfortable so he kept it up.

Justin giggled again. "Yeah...mine."

"Well...are your lips ticklish?" Nick asked as he, letting his arms go a little more slack so he could turn Justin around to face him.

Justin smiled. "Not like my neck is."

"Hmm...guess I better check this out to make sure." Nick said as he leaned over and pressed his lips to Justin's.

Justin laughed quietly as he let Nick kiss him...his hands moving up to grip Nick's biceps.

Nick let his tongue out of his mouth and lip Justin's lips as his teeth nibbled on Justin's bottom lip. His hands staying on his lower his lower back.

Justin opened his mouth to Nick's tongue without hesitating...finding himself very much enjoying the kiss.

Nick's tongue found it's way into Justin's mouth to start the passionate kiss. His hands tightening around Justin, pulling him closer against him.

Justin groaned quietly when his body pressed closer to Nick's, and returned the passionate kiss eagerly.

Nick kissed Justin back deeply, his tongue exploring every spot of Justin's mouth it could reach. His fingers finding their way under the bottom of Justin's t-shirt.

Justin continued kissing Nick back...gently nibbling and sucking on the older man's tongue...as his hands went up to gently caress the back of his neck.

Nick shivered against Justin when he felt the younger man's hands on the back of his neck. It was at the same time that he felt other parts of his body starting to react to the kiss...and he prayed to God Justin was okay with that...because he didn't want the kiss to stop.

Keeping one hand on the back of Nick's neck, Justin slid the other one up into his spiky hair...raking his fingers through it as he took it upon himself to deepen the kiss by plunging his tongue out against Nick's.

Nick moaned into Justin's mouth as he kissed him back with just as much passion, his hands going all the way up Justin's shirt to rub against his bare skin.

A shiver went up Justin's spine at the feel of Nick's cool hands on his back. Just as he let a deep moan slip out of his throat, there was a knock on the door...causing him to pull away from Nick. "Fuck," he mumbled...trying to catch his breath.

Nick groaned and tried to compose himself. "Better get that." He said between gasps for air, cursing the person at the door. He didn't know what Justin would think but he was going to grab him and kiss him again once the person was gone.

"Yeah," Justin agreed as he headed for the door...quickly adjusting himself on the way.

Nick turned around and adjusted himself as Justin went to answer the door.

Justin opened the door to find Johnny...his manager...standing outside. Before Justin could even protest, Johnny had blown by him and taken a seat at the table...intent on having a 'meeting' with Justin.

Nick's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he watched Johnny walk into the room. He then looked at Justin with the same look on his face.

"Umm...Nick..." Justin started...joining Johnny at the table. "...Johnny has some things to go over with me. So you can...umm...just make yourself comfortable."

Nick was a little shocked that Justin hadn't asked him to leave. So he didn't say anything and just went to make himself comfortable on the couch, picking up a magazine to start looking through it.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After about two hours, Marty found himself outside Kelly's hotel room knocking on the door.

Mel pulled the door open almost immediately after Marty knocked. "Hey..." she greeted with a smile. "...I was just on my way out."

Marty smiled sheepishly. "Oh...okay...well I wanted to tell you that we're supposed to leave here at four...but you might already know that."

Melanie shrugged. "I didn't...so thanks. I'm going to get some food with the girls...wanna come?"

Marty shrugged. "I kinda need to talk to Kel."

Mel smiled and nodded. "OK...she's in her room. I'll catch ya later, babe," she said...walking around Marty to head down the hall.

"See ya." Marty said as he walked into the room and over to Kelly's room. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door.

"Yeah..." Kelly called to the knock from where she was sitting on the bed folding laundry.

Marty opened the door slowly and walked into the room. His hand then going to his pockets. "Hey."

Kelly looked up and gave Marty a small smile. "Hi."

Marty walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. "I'm sorry for running out on you earlier." He said softly, looking down at his lap, ashamed for doing something like that.

Kelly shrugged...her attention focused on the laundry she was folding. "I'm sure you had a reason."

"I had to clear my head a bit...I don't know if that is a good reason or not." Marty said, still not looking up.

"Don't worry about it."

"We're leaving here at four...thought you would like to know."

"Oh...OK...thanks," Kelly said...adding to the neat pile of t-shirts before starting to fold her underwear.

Marty sat on the bed, watching Kelly fold her laundry, not sure what to say anymore.

"I'm sorry about before," Kelly finally said...not looking up from what she was doing. "I know that you got upset by me talking about Justin."

"You don't need to apologize...I'm still your friend...and you need to talk to me about that because I'm the only person you can talk to it about." Marty paused to take a deep breath. "But yeah...I guess the part of me who loves you...took it kinda hard...but PLEASE, Kel...don't stop telling me things because of that. I want you to tell me everything."

Kelly looked up at Marty...stopping in the middle of folding a pair of panties. "I DO tell you everything...and I'll continue to." She paused to take a deep breath, then went on. "Besides...I've done some thinking of my own the last couple hours...and I've kind of come to terms with things. I'm not gonna talk about it anymore. That's the best thing for everybody."

Marty reached out to take her hand. "Are YOU included in that everybody?"

Kelly nodded slowly. "Yeah. I mean...how can I let go and move on if I keep obsessing over it...over him? Yeah...it's gonna suck for a while...but...oh well."

"As long as you're sure." Marty said, still holding onto Kelly's hand, softly in his.

"Well...I'm not completely sure...but...we'll see."

Marty nodded and smiled. "Okay...that sounds pretty good to me." He then thought of something. "How come you weren't going out with the girls?"

Kelly shrugged. "I wasn't all that hungry."

"Yeah...I know what you mean...I'm not really that hungry right now either." Marty said, looking around the room a bit nervously.

Kelly studied Marty carefully for a moment. "Why are you so uptight, hun...so...nervous?"

Marty took a deep breath, and moved to sit on his hands. "I really wanna kiss you." He admitted softly.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

Marty nodded his head slowly. "Yeah."

"Oh..." Kelly said simply...then went back to folding her laundry without anything further.

Marty blinked a few times and then sighed, having no idea what to do next. "What do you have planned for the rest of the afternoon?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

Kelly finally had to laugh...and looked up again as she did so. "Damn, Marty...you're not yourself...you need to lighten up."

Marty laughed a little at that. "I know...Sorry...I'll try to act more like myself."

"OK...so then if you wanna kiss me...why aren't you? The Marty *I* know would."

"Because that Marty did things without thinking about it...because he didn't care about what the other person thought. I care about what you think, Kel." Marty said simply.

Kelly sighed. "I know you do, baby," she said quietly...going back to her folding.

"So that's why I haven't just kissed you yet....cuz I know you aren't ready for it."

"OK...if you think so."

Marty looked over at Kelly. "Cuz you would tell me if you were."

"You think I'd just come out and be like, 'Hey Marty...yeah...incase you're interested...I'm ready to be kissed any time now,'?"

Marty had to laugh at that. "I guess not...but if I say something like. 'I really want to kiss you now.' You could say something like. 'Okay...they why aren't You'."

Kelly cocked her head and looked at Marty. "I already did."

Marty shook his head. "Yeah...you did...but you said it as if I was the 'other' Marty...the one that goes out and sleeps around...not the guy who loves you. That is the only Marty that will kiss you."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Marty...what you don't seem to understand is that it's all the same person to me. The cute, nervous little Marty who's scared to kiss me...the confident one who snags all the ladies. It's all the same Marty to me. All the Marty I love."

Marty smiled and blushed bright red. "Really?"

Kelly nodded. "Of course. You are who you are...and that's it."

"Can...I kiss you?" Marty asked, nervously looking at Kelly. No matter how much he tried he couldn't get himself to shake the nerves.

Kelly chuckled. "Would it make you a little less nervous if *I* kissed YOU?"

Marty rolled his eyes and laughed, scooting closer to Kelly. Taking one last deep breath he leaned forwards and pressed his lips to hers gently.

Kelly's eyelids fluttered shut as she kissed Marty back...keeping the kiss tender and innocent. When she pulled back, she smiled shyly and looked down to the t-shirt she was folding. "So...umm...what are your plans for after rehearsal tonight?"

Marty pulled back and shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't have any."

Kelly nodded as she stacked her folded underwear into a neat pile. "Me neither. I mean...I'm keeping my options open," she said as she shrugged her shoulders. "See...there's this guy I kinda like...and I'm hoping maybe he'll ask me out on a date. But...I don't know. I think he might be too nervous..."

Marty smiled and giggled a little. "Would you like to go have a late dinner with me, or coffee or something? Then maybe something after?"

Kelly looked up from her laundry...her face as serious as she could keep it. "I just told you...I can't. I'm waiting for this guy I like to ask me out."

Marty looked at Kelly closely, trying to figure out of she was teasing him. When he couldn't tell he got a little scared. "Kel...I..."

Kelly smiled as she got onto her knees, and leaned over her pile of laundry. "I'd love to go out with you tonight," she said quietly...then gently cupped Marty's face in her hands as she gave him another tender kiss.

The smile that spread over Marty's face was so big. "You really scared me there for a second." He said, putting a hand to his heart to try and calm the fast beating.

Kelly giggled as she sat back on her thighs. "Jeez...I'm just trying to get you to lighten up. I've never seen you this uneasy before...especially with me."

Marty laughed a little. "Telling somebody you didn't want to go on a date with them...cuz there was somebody else...isn't exactly the way to do that...now if you wanted to lighten me up you would have said yes....which you did...and now I'm all light and happy." He said with a bigger smile to make his point.

Kelly laughed again. "OK...and I'm sorry I didn't just straight up say yes. You usually know when I'm playing with you."

"My brain is a bit frazzled, I guess." Marty said with a shrug.

Kelly smiled...reaching her right hand out to touch Marty's head. "Relax it a little...OK?"

"Okay...I will try." Marty smiled and leaned into Kelly's touched, he liked it when his head was touched.

Kelly massaged Marty's head with her fingers for a bit before pulling her hand away, and getting up to start putting away her laundry. "So...where are you taking me tonight?"

Marty thought about that for a second. "Well...what are you in the mood for...Italian...Chinese...Mexican...uhh anything else."

Kelly smiled as she tucked some clothes into her bag. "How bout you surprise me? I mean...as juvenile as this might sound, it's been ages since I've been on a real date. I'd like to make it as authentic as possible," she said with a chuckle.

Marty laughed at that. "I think I can manage that." With that Marty got an idea. "I'm gonna go for a bit...need to do some things." He said sounding excited.

Kelly looked over at Marty and smiled as she crossed her arms over her chest. "OK. See you for rehearsal, then?"

Marty nodded. "Yup...definitely see you there." He leaned over and gave Kelly a soft kiss on the cheek before running out of the bedroom and out of the hotel room. There were some things he needed to take care of before their date that night.

Kelly smiled as she watched Marty leave her room...then shook her head and laughed softly as she went to get the rest of her laundry off the bed. She couldn't believe she had an actual date that night...with Marty, of all people...and she couldn't believe how excited she was about it.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Fifteen minutes or so into his meeting with Johnny, Justin was trying his best to follow along with everything his manager was saying. It was difficult, though. as he was having a hard time forgetting about the kiss he and Nick had shared right before Johnny had arrived.

Nick was trying hard to concentrate on the magazine article he was reading about...well he wasn't really too sure what it was supposed to be about. He was too busy sneaking glances at Justin as he talked with Johnny.

Justin looked over at Nick when there was a knock on the door. "Wanna get that?" he asked. "It's probably the food."

Nick nodded as he got up off the couch. "Sure." Walking to the door he smiled softly at Justin before opening the door to get the food. After talking with the food guy he let him roll the cart inside. Once he was gone, Nick poured himself a bowl of lucky charms and took it back to the couch to nibble on while he waited for Justin and Johnny to be done.

A few minutes later, Justin showed Johnny out, then headed over to the room service cart to get some breakfast. "Sorry about that," he said to Nick as he put some jelly on an English muffin.

Nick smiled and shrugged around a mouth full of his cereal. "It's okay...I understand." He said once he had swallowed.

Justin put his English muffin on a napkin and went over to sit beside Nick on the couch. "How's the cereal?"

"Very good." Nick said this time with his mouth full and then he giggled as he chewed and swallowed.

Justin chuckled...sitting back as he bit into his English muffin.

Nick took a few more bits of his cereal before turning on the couch so he was facing Justin. "You're English muffin good?"

Justin nodded as he swallowed his mouthful...then took another bite.

"So, what was Johnny telling you? I wasn't really paying attention." Nick asked as he finished off his cereal and leaned over to set the empty bowl on the coffee table.

Justin shrugged. "Schedule stuff," he said...then bit into the second half of his muffin.

Nick nodded and leaned back against the couch again. "Sounds exciting." He giggled.

Justin shrugged again. "Not really...pretty boring."

After playing with the tiny hole in the knee of his sweats for a minute, Nick looked over at Justin again. "Is something wrong?"

Justin looked back at Nick. "No...why?" he asked before shoving the rest of his English muffin into his mouth.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno...you were being quiet...but I guess that's cuz you're eating huh."

Justin chuckled as he swallowed his food. "Yeah...and thinking."

"Wana talk about it?" Nick asked, bringing his legs up onto the couch, getting comfortable.

"It's no big deal. Just trying to figure out how I'm gonna deal with the schedule I have coming up."

"What is your schedule look like, coming up?" Nick asked, curious to what Justin was going to be doing.

Justin took a deep breath...trying to organize everything in his head. "Home for Christmas...then to Vail for a few days over New Years with my parents for an actual vacation...then to London to tour for a few weeks...then...back to the US for the Grammy's second weekend in February."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Wow...sound's busy...but I'm sure you can do it."

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...I'm sure."

Nick was quiet for a few minutes as he tried to process his thoughts. "What's it like in Europe?"

Justin sighed quietly as he thought about it. "It's amazing. So totally different from anywhere in the United States. It's much...I don't know...calmer."

Nick nodded as he thought about what Justin had said. "Sounds nice....calm definitely normally is nice."

Justin laughed. "I wouldn't know half the time."

"Either would I." Nick laughed along with Justin. "This is the most relaxed I've been in years."

"Sure...relaxing for YOU...uptight as hell for ME."

Nick scooted over on the couch so he was leaning against Justin and rested his head on his shoulder, looking up at him. "I'm sorry, you're uptight."

"It's not a big deal, really. I'm used to it. This has been my life for the last eight years, or so."

"True." Nick said as he rested his hand on Justin's thigh and rubbed it softly. "Just don't stress too much if you can help it."

Justin smiled. "Well...stressful personal issues aren't helping any, right now."

Nick didn't say anything for a few minutes, just continued to rub Justin's thigh as he thought. "Anything I can do to help you?"

"Nah...not really," Justin said...looking down at Nick's hand on his thigh.

"Okay...but if you think of something...just tell me." Nick said with his big 100 watt smile before resting his head back down on Justin's shoulder.

"I will...thank you," Justin said...reaching down to take hold of Nick's hand on his thigh.

Nick looked down at Justin's hand on his and continued to smile. "Johnny had pretty sucky timing didn't he?" He giggled.

Justin laughed softly...looking down at their hands as he laced their fingers together. "He usually does."

"What would happen if you didn't answer your door?" Nick asked giggling more, his fingers holding tight onto Justin's.

Justin shrugged a bit. "I kinda have to. Never know what it could be."

Nick nodded. "Very good point." He said as he snuggled even closer to Justin, his leg moving over to hook with Justin's. He didn't get it...but it was like he couldn't get enough contact.

"So...have you thought anymore about moving to LA?"

"Yeah...I have actually...and if you still want me to...if everything is still open...I don't see why not." Nick said, looking down at their linked hands, his own hand holding onto Justin's even tighter as if for protection...because it did scare him a bit...moving to a totally different state.

"It's completely up to you. I mean...I definitely have a job for you. And...you can live in my guest house, if you want...and I can get you a car til you're on your feet..."

Nick looked up at Justin and smiled. "Thank you...you don't have to do any of that...but thank you." He said letting go of Justin's hand for a second so he could wrap his arms around the younger man for a big hug.

Justin smiled as he hugged Nick back. "No problem. I'd hate to see you struggle...and be miserable..."

Pulling back to look into Justin's eyes, Nick leaned forward again to press his lips to Justin's. He automatically moaned softly, his brain remembering the heated, passionate kiss from earlier right away.

Justin brought his hands up to take a hold of Nick's head as he feel right into the kiss...letting out a quiet moan on his own.

Feeling Justin holding onto his head gave Nick what he needed to know he could deepen the kiss so he started to kiss him harder, his tongue sneaking out of his mouth to like Justin's lips.

Justin didn't want to wait for Nick to lick his way into his mouth...so he opened it to the older man right away...easily taking his tongue in.

Nick whimpered softly into Justin's mouth as he started a passionate kiss. His tongue doing now what came natural inside of Justin's mouth. His hands resting on Justin's chest over his t-shirt.

Justin slid his hands around to the back of Nick's neck as he eased his tongue out against Nick's...groaning softly at the contact.

Feeling Justin's tongue against his own caused Nick to moan deep in his throat. Shifting around a little without breaking contact, Nick took his chances and got so he was straddling Justin as he continued to kiss him back with the same passion and heat.

Justin went with it...bringing his hands to Nick's waist as he moved over him.

When Justin didn't stop him, he relaxed more against him and threw all caution to the wind and just went with the flow. His hands moving from Justin's chest to go around to his neck, holding his mouth to his.

Justin continued to go with what he felt was right at the moment...and slid his hands just under Nick's t-shirt to rest on the small of his back as he continued kissing him.

When Nick felt Justin's cool hands on his heated back he moaned deep into the kiss as his tongue searched ever part of Justin's mouth as he could reach. When his body started reacting to the kiss he just chose to ignore it and just keep on kissing.

Justin finally broke the kiss with a quiet groan...dropping his head back against the couch to swallow some much-needed air.

Nick brought his hands back to Justin's chest as he took big gulps of air into his lungs. He didn't move from his position on Justin's lap, just continued to sit there as he ran his hands up and down the younger man's chest.

"Damn..." Justin managed to get out between quick breaths...looking at Nick as he tried to catch his breath.

Nick giggled and nodded. "Uh huh." He said, looking into Justin's eyes as he shifted on his lap a bit...Still trying to catch his breath too.

Justin swallowed hard...still looking at Nick. "Should we be...doing this?"

"What do you mean?" Nick asked, making sure not to break eye contact

"I...I don't know. It's happening...quick."

Nick thought for a second, thinking of something to say. "Does it feel right?"

"Kinda..."

Nick giggled slightly. "Want to define kinda?" He smiled and reached up to stroke Justin's cheek. "I'm just trying to help...I don't mean to sound like I'm making fun of you or something."

Justin gave Nick a small smile. "I know. I just...I don't know. It feels right...but it doesn't..."

Once again Nick stopped to think for a second, trying to come up with the best answer...on how to make Justin feel more comfortable. "Sometimes...you have to take chances...and go with the right feelings...and try to forget about the bad. If we always stopped something when it felt a little bit wrong...we probably wouldn't do half of the things our life puts in front of us."

Justin sighed quietly. "I know. I guess what I'm trying to say is that THIS...what we're doing right now...feels right...but not anything more."

Nick nodded his head and gave a reassuring smile. "This is fine, Justin...I don't expect anymore."

Justin widened his eyes a bit. "You don't?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Sure...more would be nice...but I'm not going to push you...you need to go through this at your own pace...and if your pace is to never go past this point...then okay."

Justin smirked. "I don't believe that you'll be OK with just making out forever...but...thanks."

Nick rolled his eyes and smirked back. "I'm sure my body is going to have totally different ideas...hell it already likes this making out stuff a little too much...but I would rather do that...then do something you don't want to do...and I mean that."

"Thanks," Justin said...then gave Nick a soft kiss on the lips. After taking a deep breath, he asked, "Do you think we could...just...I don't know...watch some TV, or sumthin, til my trainer gets here?"

Nick smiled and nodded. "Sure...sounds like a good idea." He said as he climbed off of Justin to sit down next to him on the couch.

Justin leaned over to get the remote off the coffee table, and turned the TV on before leaning over against Nick's side.

"Wonder what's on TV at this time of day." Nick wondered out loud as he got comfortable snuggling up against Justin.

Justin shrugged. "It's a Sunday...probably a good Lifetime movie," he said with a chuckle.

Nick laughed. "Ahh yes...the gay guy watching Lifetime movies...seems to fit." He joked.

Justin laughed. "I like them...and I'm not gay. We've talked about this before."

Nick giggled and nodded. "I know...I like them too...but like you said we've talked about this before. So let's see who is getting beat by her husband this afternoon."

Justin leaned closer to Nick...draping his hand over his thigh in the process.

After watching the TV and cuddling for about twenty minutes, Nick thought of something. "Does your parents know...that...well what we're doing?"

Justin turned his head to look at Nick. "What do you mean?"

Nick sighed, he wasn't sure what to call what he and Justin had. "I mean...do they know that I'm gay...and that we're doing things that are more then normal friendship stuff?"

Justin sighed as he thought about what to say. "Well...they know you're gay...and that you've kinda helped me figure things out."

Nick nodded. "Okay...cool." That was all he could think of to say...the situation was still a little weird.

"They don't know that I like...make out with you, and shit...if that's what you're asking."

Nick had to giggle at that. "I didn't think so...that would just be weird to talk to your parents about anyway."

"Yeah...I don't talk too much about my...relations...with my parents."

"I'm sure they don't really care to hear details of all that junk...probably scare them to death." Nick giggled, winking.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...probably."

Just then Nick thought of something really funny. "I remember one time my dad was watching TV and for some reason this girl brought up blow jobs...and my dad couldn't believe that because he only thought that was a gay thing to do...he honestly had no idea that girls give their guys head."

Justin arched an eyebrow. "Are you fuckin serious?"

Nick nodded, laughing more at the memory. "Yeah and my sister was almost about to tell him a story about herself and her boyfriend...but of course changed her mind."

"Damn...so like...that means your dad's NEVER...in his LIFE...gotten head."

Nick made a face as a bad image when into his head. "Okay...I may hate my dad...but god that is not something i care to think about." He said shivering.

Justin laughed. "Damn. All *I* know is that I'm GLAD girls give their men head."

Nick laughed. "The first girl that gave me head bit me."

"THAT sucks."

Nick nodded his head like crazy. "And I mean bit hard...I'm not even sure how it happened...all I know is I was all feeling pleasure and shit and then...CHOMP."

"I wouldda freaked out, dude."

"I did I like jumped up and pulled up my pants yelling at her and stuff. Then she started to cry." Nick said chuckling at the memory. "The poor thing was so mad at herself...it was kinda cute...even though I hurt like a bitch for like a week."

"I don't even wanna know."

Nick smirked. "I made sure I never did that to anybody...cuz I knew all too well what it felt like to get a really bad blow job."

"I don't think I've ever had a REALLY bad one."

"That was the only time that I have...and I was like 14 at the time or something...so I guess that just made sense." Nick laughed.

Justin chuckled. "Well...I wasn't exactly gettin head when I was fourteen...so..."

Nick laughed again. "I think that is a good thing...I definitely wouldn't want my kids doing stuff like that until they are much...much older."

"Yeah...me neither."

"Do you think your mom is going to treat me differently now that she knows...compared to if I was just some weird friend of yours?" Nick asked, knowing he wasn't making any sense. "I mean...I know I'm just a weird friend...but things are a little different..." He trailed off when he knew he was rambling too much.

Justin took a deep breath. "First of all, you're not weird. Second of all...no. She'll be fine."

Nick smiled. "You're very lucky...but we wont get on that topic again cuz...I really don't feel like breaking down and crying anymore for a long, long time."

Justin smiled. "OK."

"So, what are we gunna do tonight...after the rehearsal? I know I have your time on reserve." Nick giggled, resting his head down on Justin's shoulder. This was quickly becoming one of his favorite positions.

Justin shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I don't know. We'll think of something, I'm sure."

Nick nodded. "Yup...I'm sure we can think of something. Now I just gota come up with something to do while everybody is gone."

"You should go for a walk...look around the city."

"What good is doing that all by yourself?"

"It won't be for very long."

Nick thought of that for a bit and shrugged. "Maybe I will... I dunno...might just chill out here too. It doesn't really matter."

"Do whatever you want. Go browse in the giftshop...go down to the spa and get a message. Whatever you want...or need...just charge it to your room."

Nick raised his eyebrows. "Ohh...a massage...now that is an idea."

Justin chuckled. "Go for it, then."

"Okay...and then you can tell me all about the cool things at rehearsal when you come back." Nick said as he placed a soft kiss on Justin's t-shirt covered shoulder.

Justin laughed. "Well...I don't know how COOL it'll be...but...OK."

Nick shrugged. "I don't know all this stuff...so it will all be new and cool to me."

"I guess that's true," Justin agreed...his hand gently moving over Nick's thigh in a completely non-sexual way.

Nick sighed contently as he turned back to watch the Lifetime movie that was playing. "I think I've seen this one before...it was really good."

"OK...so let's watch it, then."

*****@*****

"So...are you at least gonna tell me how I should dress?" Kelly asked Marty...fishing through her bag for her room key as they stepped off the hotel elevator after rehearsal.

Marty thought about that for a second. "Dress nice...not too fancy like I wouldn't go wearing a tux or something crazy like that."

Kelly laughed as she stopped outside her door. "OK..." she said...glancing at her watch to see that it was just before eight o'clock. "...and what time should I be ready?"

"Our reservations are at 9:15...and it should take us about ten minutes to get there." Marty said with a smile. "Oh...and I would suggest nice pants...and bring a warm coat and gloves and stuff like that."

Kelly smiled as she unlocked the door to her hotel room. "OK...got it."

"So...how about I meet you back here in an hour?" Marty suggested, leaning against the wall.

Kelly nodded...her eyes on Marty's. "Yeah...that sounds good."

"Okay...see you in a few." With that Marty walked down the hall and got into his own room to get showered and dressed.

Kelly went into the room and straight to her bedroom...wanting to jump in the shower before Melanie got back from getting food. She took a long, hot shower...then dried her hair straight and put on just a touch of makeup before dressing in a pair of dark gray dress pants, a fitted white blouse, and black boots.

Once in his room Marty went straight for the shower and took a relaxing shower before getting out and shaving. Finishing up in the bathroom, he went back into the bedroom and put on a pair of black dress pants and a dark blue dress shirt. Sitting down on the bed he pulled on his dress shoes. As the final touch he grabbed his dressy black leather jacket from the closet.

As Kelly put on her silver Tiffany's heart necklace and matching bracelet...and sprayed on a tiny bit of her perfume...she took a good look at herself in the mirror. She still couldn't believe she was about to go on an actual date...with Marty. As much as she didn't think she should be, she was nervous.

After giving himself a quick pep talk and a once over in the mirror, Marty knew he was as ready as he would ever be. Taking a deep breath he grabbed his wallet and keycard before walking out of his room and down to Kelly's. Knocking on the door he tried not to look as nervous as he was.

Kelly was putting her room key in her small black handbag when she heard the knock. Taking a deep breath, she walked across the sitting room to open the door. She automatically smiled when she saw Marty. "Hi..."

Marty smiled back. "Hey...you ready?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I just need to get my coat. Come in."

Walking into the room, Marty stopped at the kitchen area and leaned against the counter. "You don't have some crazy curfew I don't know about right? Won't be turning into pumpkins at midnight?"

Kelly laughed as she took her white scarf out of the coat closet and wrapped it around her neck. "Believe me, honey...I am NO Cinderella."

Marty smiled. "You sure look like a princess to me." Yeah, he knew it sounded like some stupid line...but it was true.

Kelly smiled a shy smile. "Thank you," she said quietly...then turned to the closet to take out her black wool Pea coat.

Marty just smiled and watched Kelly move around the room getting the things she needed. His hands went into his coat pocket to nervously mess with his gloves that were tucked safely inside.

Kelly pulled on her coat and buttoned it up, then took her white gloves out of her pocket and slipped them onto her hands. "OK..." she said...picking up her purse with her right hand, and brushing a stray hair off her face with her left. "...I'm ready now."

"Okay...then let's get going." Marty said reaching his right hand out to take her left.

Kelly smiled at the way she could feel the warmth of Marty's hand through her fluffy glove as he led her out of the hotel room.

After taking the elevator downstairs, Marty led Kelly out the front door of the hotel where he had a limo waiting for them. After smiling at the driver who opened the door for them, He let Kelly climb in first before climbing in after her.

Kelly climbed into the car and slid across to make room for Marty. "Wow...this is just...too much..." she said as she watched him climb in after her.

Marty blushed a little and shrugged. "I wanted it to be special." He said as he felt the driver pull away from the curb and start the short drive to the restaurant.

Kelly set her small purse down on the seat between them, and gently touched Marty's left hand with her gloved right one. "It's very special. Thank you," she said as she gracefully crossed her legs.

After about ten minutes, the limo pulled up to a fancy Italian restaurant. After the driver opened the door, Marty got out of the car and held his hand out to help Kelly.

Kelly gave Marty her hand, and climbed out of the car. She smiled as she took in their surroundings. "Wow...this place looks incredible."

"It's supposed to be really good. I've heard some great things about it." Marty said as he walked with Kelly into the building.

"Well...I'm sure it's great, then," Kelly said...instinctively grabbing a hold of Marty's arm as she stood beside him...waiting for the hostess to seat them.

Once the hostess came he gave her his name and she quickly led them to a table towards the back of the restaurant. Sitting down, Marty took a look around. "This is really nice." He said as he picked up the menu, trying to shake his nerves.

Kelly put her coat and scarf over the back of her chair before sitting down. She smiled across the table as she set her purse down on the floor by her feet. She couldn't help but chuckle softly as she opened her menu.

Seeing Kelly take off her coat reminded Marty that he was really warm still in his. Scooting his chair away from the table a bit he took his coat off and draped it over the back of his chair as well. Scooting himself back in he picked up the menu again. "Order anything you want." He said as he looked over the selections himself.

Kelly crossed her legs under the table as she studied the menu. "Everything looks so good."

When a waiter came around Marty ordered a bottle of red wine and then went back to looking at his menu. "I'm not even sure what half of this stuff is." He laughed.

Kelly laughed softly. "Well...what do you feel like having?" she asked not looking up from the menu. "Chicken...fish...beef..."

Marty shrugged. "I'm not sure...all I know is...who in their right mind eats eggplant Lasagna?" He giggled.

Kelly giggled. "I don't know...not me. Actually...I think I'm gonna have the trout."

"I think I'm gunna have the Ribeye Steak." Marty said looking over the choices one last time.

Kelly nodded. "Sounds good," she said as she folded her menu and put it on the edge of the table.

Marty just got his menu folded as the waiter came back with their wine, pouring each of them a glass and to take their order. Marty quickly told the man what they both wanted and the waiter was gone once again. "Next time we can do pizza and beer." He joked taking a sip of his wine.

Kelly smiled as she sipped her wine, then set the glass down. "Ya know...this is all really nice...and very sweet...but you didn't have to do it if it makes you uncomfortable. Pizza and beer would have been fine by me."

Marty smiled and shook his head. "It doesn't make me uncomfortable...I'm perfectly cool with this."

Kelly smiled again...reaching her right hand across the table to touch Marty's left. "I'm perfectly cool with it, too."

Marty took Kelly's hand and smiled more. "So...do you think the show is going to go smoothly tomorrow night after seeing how everybody was at rehearsal?”

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I do. I mean...things seemed to go really smoothly from my point of view...and Justin can even do a few more moves then we thought he was gonna be able to...so..."

"Yeah...we definitely weren't expecting him to be able to do that." Marty said as he took a small sip of his wine.

Kelly lifted her wine glass with her free hand to sip it, then nodded as she set it down. "I think it's going to go well."

"I wonder what Nick did all afternoon with his time. I mean this is the first time that we have all been busy and he has had to stay back."

Kelly shrugged...looking down at her hand in Marty's. "I'm sure he was fine."

Marty laughed. "Yeah...he's a big boy." He said as he slowly moved his finger over the top of Kelly's hand.

Kelly smiled and looked up Marty. "This is all so sweet of you...and I mean...I'm thrilled that I'm here...with you. But I hope you didn't feel like you HAD to do it. Cuz...well...I DID pretty much tell you I wanted you to ask me out." She finished with a soft chuckle as her cheeks blushed a bit.

"I've been wanting to do this for like two months now, Kel." Marty admitted softly.

"And you didn't...just because of Justin?"

Marty shrugged. "I'm not really sure , actually. I guess Justin was part of it...but also I didn't have the courage to do it yet."

"Why not? I mean...it's not like you had any reason to be intimidated by me..."

Marty took a second to think about that question. "I think I had to get the courage to know that if I actually asked you out on a real date...that my life as I knew it wasn't going to be the same...since I never dated before...at least not normally."

Kelly focused her eyes on Marty's. "But...why would taking me on just one date...change your life?"

Marty shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really know...that was just my thinking...two months back when I was struggling with the idea of asking you out."

"Oh...I see..." Kelly said...looking back down at their joined hands.

When Marty was sure he had run out of things to say, he was saved by the waiter bringing their food. After telling him they were fine with what they had he left leaving them alone once again. This time with food to keep them somewhat busy.

Kelly paused after a bit of her food and looked over at Marty. "I can't believe it. You're so nervous that you're practically speechless." She chuckled as she lifted her wine glass for a sip. "That NEVER happens to you."

Marty giggled around a bite of his food. "Yeah I know...maybe if I eat something I will loosen up." He said once he had swallowed.

"How's your dinner?"

"It's good...looks a little odd but tastes really good." Marty said with a smile. "How about yours?"

Kelly smiled. "It's excellent, thank you. Wanna try it?"

Marty shook his head. "No thank you...I'm not a big fish fan." He said as he took another bit of his dinner. "Oh...and I must warn you...you better really like rice...cuz I think my mom lives by a rice god or something...cuz every meal we have there is rice." He said, knowing she probably noticed that before when she had been to his parents house off and on over the years, but it had been a while.

Kelly giggled. "That's fine. I love your mom's cooking. And besides...ANYTHING homemade would be heavenly at this point."

Marty laughed. "You have definitely got a point there. I don't remember the last time I've had home cooking."

"I'm sure it's been longer for me," Kelly said before sipping her wine. "Even before we came out and I was at my apartment...it wasn't like I was all that big on cooking."

"That's probably true...then again if I wasn't at home with my parents I lived off of frozen pizzas and TV dinners." Marty giggled as he took a few more bites of his dinner.

"I don't know how you stay so thin. It's got to be that male metabolism."

Marty rolled his eyes and laughed. "I'm sure it had something to do with how I never really stayed still back then...between auditions and running and stuff."

Kelly shrugged. "Maybe. Too bad we aren't ALL that lucky," she said before taking a bite of her fish.

Marty looked at Kelly weird. "You are talking like you're fat or something...you are no where near fat, Kel."

Kelly nodded. "I know. But you know how I USED to be."

Marty shrugged. "I never thought you were fat, Kel."

"I don't mean that. I mean the problem I used to have. The anorexia."

"Yeah...that was some scary stuff." Marty said, taking a deep breath. He remembered that all too well.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...it was." She took one last bite of her fish, then leaned back in her chair...wine glass in hand...with a contented sigh.

Marty took a few more bites of his food and did the same thing as Kelly. "That was really good...maybe I won’t just do pizza and beer next time." He giggled.

Kelly laughed quietly into her glass as she sipped her wine...her eyes going across the table to Marty's.

Just then the waiter came to take their dishes and asked them if they wanted anything dessert. Marty then looked over to Kelly. "You want anything?"

Kelly shook her head. "No, thanks...I'm fine."

Marty said the same thing back to the waiter as he gave them their check. "Do you wana stay here and talk and drink the rest of this...or do you wana head on to the next thing?" He asked taking the last sip of his wine.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "The next...thing?"

Marty giggled and nodded, looking down at his watch seeing it was almost 10:30pm. "Yeah...the next thing...and we should probably go...cuz the next thing closes at midnight."

Kelly nodded...then drank down the last sip of her wine. "OK..." she said...pushing her chair back from the table and reaching down for her purse. "...let's go, then."

Marty got up and grabbed his coat, slipping it on. "Alrighty...sorry to rush you."

"That's OK...I don't feel rushed," Kelly said...getting up and putting her scarf back around her neck.

Reaching into his back pocket, Marty pulled out his wallet and payed the bill, leaving a tip. Once that was done he zipped up his coat and put on his own gloves. Walking over to Kelly he picked up her coat and held it open to help her put it on.

Kelly smiled as she slipped her arms into the sleeves of her coat. "Thank you," she said as she buttoned it up and put her gloves on.

Marty smiled, as he waited for her to get all bundled up. "My pleasure."

Kelly grabbed her purse then smiled at Marty. "All set."

Reaching for her hand, Marty took it and led her out of the restaurant to the waiting limo.

*****@*****

Justin looked out the backseat window of the SUV as he held his cell phone up to his ear, and waited for Nick to answer the phone in his hotel room.

Nick put down the TV remote that he had just picked up to turn on the TV when he heard the phone ring. Reaching over onto the end table he picked it up. "Hello?"

"Hey...it's me. What's up?"

Nick smiled big. "Hey...nothing...just got in actually...what are you up to?"

"I'm on my way back," Justin said through a small yawn. "I was thinking maybe I'll go to my room and shower...then come down to your room for dinner...?"

"Sure...that sounds good to me...but are you sure you're up to hanging out tonight...you sound tired." Nick said as he got comfortable on the couch.

"I am...but I'm cool for a little while, anyway. I at least have to eat...right?"

Nick giggled. "True...well I'll be here for whenever you're ready...just come over."

"How bout you order some food now so it's there by the time *I* get there," Justin said with a laugh.

"Okay...what do you want to eat?"

"Anything...surprise me," Justin said as his car pulled up outside the hotel and some of his guards surrounded it. "But I gotta go right now."

Nick laughed. "Okay...get yourself smuggled in...and I'll see you in a bit." With that Nick hung up the phone and walked over to grab the room service menu off of the table.

Justin made it safely up to his hotel room, where he immediately jumped in the shower. He took some extra time relaxing his muscles under the hot water.

Nick spent his time ordering dinner, which ended up as spaghetti and meatballs...garlic bread and red wine. It wasn't supposed to seem so fancy...but that's how it ended up. Once that was done he took his position on the couch again and watched some crazy TV show.

After his shower, Justin dressed in some track pants and a t-shirt, then let his security know where he was going before heading down the hall to Nick's room.

Nick was still engrossed in the TV show, still dressed in tight jeans and a long sleeved shirt from going out. The top button of the jeans were undone, but he still hadn't thought of changing.

Justin slipped his cell phone and room key into his pants pocket as he knocked on Nick's door.

Hearing somebody at the door, Nick turned off the TV and walked to the door. He smiled when he opened it and saw Justin. "Hey...come on in." He said backing out of the way so he could.

Justin smiled as he stepped inside. "Hey. How was your evening?"

"It was good...how did rehearsal go?" Nick asked as he walked farther into the room and went over to the couch to sit down. "Food should be here in a few minutes."

Justin took a seat beside Nick. "Rehearsal was fine...nothing exciting. Tell me about what you did."

Nick smirked. "I went shopping...uhh got that massage."

Justin raised his eyebrows. "Yeah...? How was it?"

"Which shopping or the massage?" Nick asked with a laugh.

"Well...both."

"The massage felt great...as for shopping that was great too." Nick said being very vague on purpose.

"Where'd you go shopping?"

Nick tried to think how he was going to answer that without giving anything away. "I went to Macy's and umm a few other places. That big huge toy store...forgot the name."

"FAO Swartz. What were you buying?" Justin wondered...knowing that Nick didn't have a lot of money.

"I didn't buy anything...just looked. You know for stuff for my Aaron and Angel. She really likes stuffed animals so I was looking at those."

"Oh...that's nice. They have some really great stuffed animals. I got Kelly a teddy bear there for her birthday last month."

Nick nodded. "Yeah I saw a few that I know Angel would really like. I might have to break into my heater fixing money to get her that."

Justin smiled. "Sounds good. Find anything else you liked?"

Nick shrugged. "A few kinda odds and ends things that I know my sisters would like...like perfume and earrings."

"Cool," Justin said through another yawn.

"Dinner should be here any second...getting food in you might wake you up." Nick said, reaching over to rub Justin's thigh.

Justin laughed. "I can't make any promises."

Nick shrugged. "If you are really tired I don't care if you leave...I don't want you hanging around me cuz you think you have to."

Justin shook his head. "I don't feel that way. I'll leave when I want to."

"What If I kick you out before you want to." Nick giggled, knowing he would never do that...Justin could stay however long he wanted.

Justin shrugged with a chuckle. "Whatever," he said...absently reaching for Nick's hand.

Nick saw this and was about to reach for Justin's hand when there was a knock on the door. "That is probably the food." He said jumping up to go answer the door to let the guy in.

Justin just nodded...and watched Nick go to the door.

Nick let the room service guy into the room with the food, and thanked him as he left. "You ready to eat? Hope you are in an Italian mood...cuz I went with spaghetti and garlic bread."

Justin laughed...not moving from the couch. "You like spaghetti...don't you?"

"Is that a bad thing?" Nick asked as he got the table set up.

Justin shook his head. "No...just something I noticed."

Nick smiled then. "Oh...okay...and yeah I really like Italian food."

"I like it, too."

Once the table was ready, Nick looked over at Justin who was still on the couch. "Are you going to come over here and eat or are you going to try to eat it through telepathy?"

Justin chuckled, and finally got up. "I'm coming," he said...going over to sit at the table.

Nick giggled as he sat down and automatically put his napkin on his lap before taking the lid off of his food. "This looks good." He said as he looked down at the food on his plate.

Justin did the same, and widened his eyes at the food. "Yeah it does. I'm starved."

Nick couldn't help but bust up laughing at the look on Justin's face. "You would think nobody ever feeds you."

"My mom doesn't think so," Justin said...digging into his pasta.

Nick smiled as he started to eat his food. "She one of those mothers that see you and think you have got to have lost like 50 pounds because you look like a skeleton?" He asked between bites.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...cuz usually when she sees me it's after a few weeks of touring...and I lose a lot of weight on tour."

"Yeah...I can understand that...then again I think I have eaten more then I normally eat when I'm here on tour." Nick giggled as he took a piece of garlic bread and started nibbling on it.

"Yeah...but I'm talkin about the TOUR, tour...when I'm dancin my ass off every night."

Nick nodded. "That's true...I can understand how that would cause you to lose weight and stuff...I mean not only are you burning fat...but you are losing water weight from sweating and stuff."

Justin just nodded as he continued eating...taking a few small sips of wine in between.

Nick was careful with drinking his wine, he barely finished half of his glass by the middle of the meal. After his last bout of getting drunk...he wasn't about to do it again. So he paid more attention to eating his food.

"Are you enjoying your dinner?" Justin asked...watching Nick closely.

Nick looked up from where he was twisting spaghetti on his fork. "Yeah, I am...are you?"

Justin nodded. "It's good. Good choice."

Nick smiled big, any compliments just caused him to do that. "Thanks." Was all he said before going back to finish up what was on his plate.

Justin cleaned his plate, then ate the rest of his garlic bread as he finished his first glass of wine.

"You really were hungry." Nick giggled when he looked over at Justin's clean plate. His was too, but he couldn't remember seeing Justin eat that much since he had known him.

Justin nodded. "I was. Thanks for getting dinner."

Nick smiled. "It wasn't a problem...thanks for coming to eat it with me."

Justin chuckled. "No problem."

Picking up his glass, Nick drank another small sip before putting it back down. Seeing Justin's glass was empty Nick held up the bottle. "Want some more?"

Justin shook his head. "No thanks...I shouldn't be drinking any with my meds."

Nick nodded, he had forgot about that. "That's true...would you like something else to drink?" He asked as he got up to go get himself a coke.

"No thanks...I'm all set."

"Okay." Nick said as he opened his can and took a big gulp of it. Shivering as the carbonation went down his throat. "You up to staying around for a bit...or you wana head back to your room to sleep?" He asked, not really wanting Justin to go...but he understood if he wanted to sleep. Then again another part of him wanted to suggest that Justin stay there for the night...but he didn't.

Justin shrugged. "I'll stay a while."

"I have no idea what we are going to do...but okay cool." Nick laughed as he walked over to Justin at the table.

Justin chuckled. "We don;’ have to do anything. We can just sit...and talk."

Nick nodded. "Okay...that sounds cool with me." He said as he held his hand out for Justin to take. "Let's go sit on the couch."

Justin took Nick's hand and followed him to the couch. He sat down to the older man's right with a tired sigh.

"I would give you a back massage...but I don't want you falling asleep on me yet...I'll do that later." Nick said, without really thinking about what he said as he turned to face Justin so they could look at each other when they talked. "So...is there anything you wana know about me...that you don't know yet? Anything at all."

Justin shrugged. "I don't know...I mean...you've been pretty open."

Nick nodded and tried to think of some piece of useless trivia that Justin didn't know about him. "Bet you didn't know that I fell down the stairs when I was five and cracked my head open." He giggled, knowing Justin could careless about that...but that was the point.

Justin chuckled. "Cracked it open?"

Nick rolled his eyes. "It didn't like split in half or something...but I had to get like 50 stitches and have my head shaved and everything...I have pictures it looks pretty nasty."

"Those are NOT pictures I wanna see."

"Don't blame you." Nick laughed. "Okay now you tell me some crazy thing that I probably wouldn't want to know."

"Hmm...when I was little...my curly-ass hair used to piss me off so bad, and kids used to make fun of it...so I cut it with a scissor in school one day."

Nick's eyes went wide. "Oh man I bet your mom was pissed!"

"Oh HELL yeah. I think that's the only time she ever spanked me."

"I can understand why you wouldn't want the curls...but thought they were cute." Nick giggled. "Me...I had this haircut where it was like almost to my chin...perfectly straight and you couldn't see my eyes."

Justin chuckled. "Why?"

Nick shrugged. "No idea...guess my mom thought it was cute. I don't think it had anything to do with the style of the times...cuz Aaron had the same hair cut until a few year ago...and that’s like a 10 year time gap. People thought I was a girl a lot of the time." He said rolling his eyes. "Hmm...wonder if that had anything to do why I turned out gay." He joked.

Justin laughed. "I doubt it."

"It would be cool if you could meet my sisters and brother sometime." Nick said out of the blue. "Not cuz of who you are like to the world...but cuz who you are to me."

Justin smiled a bit...leaning to the left and resting against Nick. "Maybe someday."

Nick wrapped his arm around Justin and held him close. "Yeah...maybe some day." He said as he kissed the top of Justin's buzzed hair. "What did your mom think when you got all the curls buzzed off?"

Justin chuckled...closing his eyes as he relaxed. "She was PISSED. I did it on a whim. Like...Trace dared me. So...I did it. And that was it."

Nick brought his hand up to rub the back of Justin's head. "Well...I like the curls too...but the buzziness is nice too." He giggled softly.

"I was kinda glad when I did it. I was sick of the fro, and shit."

"Yeah...that would get annoying. I have no idea what it would be like to have curly hair." Nick giggled again, sighing contently.

"You're not missin much." Justin said...cuddling into Nick a bit more as he lifted his legs up onto the couch.

Nick continued to rub the back of Justin's head as he tried to think of something else to talk about.

"So your massage was good?" Justin asked.

Nick giggled and nodded. "Uh huh...and the dude doing it was cute too."

Justin chuckled. "Lucky you."

"Yeah...but it's not nice when you are lying with only a towel on and you are praying that you don't get hard from it." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed with Nick. "You didn't...did you?"

Nick shook his head. "Nope...thankfully...cuz that would of been halla embarrassing."

"Yeah it would."

"But yeah it was nice and relaxing...I think I might of fell asleep a few times." Nick giggled as he tried to wiggle around some but it was hard with his jeans still on.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Getting fed up with the jeans Nick pulled away slowly. "I'm going to go put on sweats before my lower half falls asleep even more then it is." He giggled standing up to stretch, his already pretty short t-shirt going up to show off his stomach and unbuttoned jeans.

Justin nodded. "OK..." he said...giving Nick a quick once-over as he sat up.

Nick walked into the bedroom and quickly stripped out of his jeans that we was already not wearing underwear with. He went through his bag of clothes he had washed and pulled out his favorite pair of warn sweats, forgetting that probably wasn't the best thing to wear with company around since there wasn't much to them. With sweats on he walked back into the sitting room.

Justin was in the same spot Nick had left him in. "Hurry up...I'm waitin for you. I can't sit up much longer."

Nick laughed as he walked quickly to the couch and sat back down where he was. "Okay...your pillow has returned." He said as the thought of Justin staying the night went through his mind again. Taking a deep breath he just went for it. "Do you wana stay here tonight? We could go talk in bed then." He said as he nervously bit his bottom lip.

Justin thought about it for a moment, and decided there was no harm in his staying with Nick. "OK...sure...but I'm just warning you that I might not last long," he said with a yawn and a laugh.

Nick giggled and shrugged. "I know I'm boring...why don't you just say that." He joked as he didn't make a move to get up from the couch yet, just holding Justin in his arms was almost too good to give up...to even go into the bedroom.

Justin laughed again...and finally pulled away from Nick and got up. "No...I'm just exhausted."

"I know...just messing with you." Nick said as he stood up too. "Now come on, let's get you to bed." He said wrapping his arm around Justin and walking towards the bedroom.

Justin smiled as he walked with Nick. "OK."

Turning on the bedroom light, Nick let go of Justin to grab a few pieces of clothing that was scattered on the bed and put them with his bag.

Justin went right over to the bed...stopping to take his key and phone out of his pocket and put them on the nightstand.

Nick walked to the other side of the bed and pulled down the covers . Once the bed was set he stripped off his shirt and placed it by his other clothes. His sweats riding dangerously low on his hips. "Do you want some sweats or something to sleep in?"

Justin shook his head as he pulled off his own t-shirt. "No, thanks...I'm fine."

"Okay." Nick said as he headed towards the bathroom. "I'll be right back." Disappearing into the bathroom he brushed his teeth and peed. Coming out a few minutes later.

By the time Nick returned, Justin was already curled up under the covers with his eyes closed.

Nick smiled as he watched Justin curled up in bed. Slowly he walked around the bed and climbed in himself. "You already asleep on me?" He asked as he leaned over Justin and practically breathed the words into his ear.

Justin giggled...not opening his eyes. "Almost," he said lazily.

"Do I get a kiss before you pass out on me?" Nick asked as he pressed his body up against Justin's back and kissed his ear.

Justin rolled over onto his back, opened his tired eyes, and smiled at Nick. "Oh, alright."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Well...if it's going to be that much of a pain and hassle then forget it." He said playfully pouting as he rolled back onto his own back looking up at the ceiling...being a nut.

Justin laughed. "If you think I'm coming over there, you're wrong. So if you want that goodnight kiss..."

Nick pretended to think about that for a second before he rolled over and practically all the way on top of Justin. "Oh...Okay you got me." He giggled before leaning down the rest of the way and kissing Justin deeply from the start.

Justin groaned quietly and returned Nick's kiss...his hands still buried under the covers.

Nick some how managed to wiggle around on the bed so he too was under all the covers and on top of Justin with the kiss still intact. He licked Justin's lips for a second before getting a little more forceful with it asking for entrance...knowing that Justin didn't have a problem with that anymore. His hand staying planted on either side of Justin so he didn't put all of his upper body weight on

him.

Justin groaned again as he continued kissing Nick back. He debated bring his arms up to wrap them around Nick's neck, but he was just too tired to lift them.

Nick could feel himself getting turned on quickly with the kiss and debated if he should stop before he got himself in too much of a mess. Shaking the thoughts away for a second he pretended he wasn't already hard and Kissed Justin back.

Justin could feel Nick getting hard, and pulled back from the kiss...not because he was uncomfortable, but because he was just too tired. "We should stop," he said with a quiet sigh.

Nick nodded and sighed. "I know." He said rolling off of Justin to lie on his back. Running his hands over his face with a frustrated groan. He wasn't angry at Justin for stopping...He understood the younger an was tired...and so was he. It was more frustrated at himself for getting so turned on from a small kiss.

Justin rolled over and cuddled up to Nick. "Goodnight," he said...placing a kiss on Nick's cheek.

Nick smiled big and rolled over too and cuddled up to Justin. His face resting against his chest. He tried to keep his lower body on the total opposite side of the bed even though it was uncomfortable. "Goodnight." He said kissing Justin's cheek.

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The next time the limo stopped it was right outside the skating rink. Even though it was really late at night and a Sunday there were still a few couples out trying to get in the last minute skate before the rink closed. Much like at the restaurant, the driver opened the door for them and Marty got out first. With a hand held out to Kelly he helped her out of the car.

Kelly smiled brightly when she climbed out of the limo and looked at the rink. "Wait...is this...Rockefeller Center?" she asked excitedly...taking in the area that she thought looked familiar to her.

Marty smiled and nodded. "Yup...I remember you telling me you wanted to go skating when you were going to stay here for Christmas...so I thought since I'm stealing you away instead...I'll give you another chance to go skating. " He said as he bent back over into the limo again and stood back up with a bag and a box in his hand. "I didn't know if you already had skates...or what...so I just bought you some." He said as he handed her the box.

Kelly's mouth fell slightly open as she took the box from Marty. She looked down at it...then back up at him. "I can't believe you did this," she said quietly...her warm breath leaving a thick fog in the cold night air. "I...I'd completely forgotten about that."

Marty nervously threw the small athletic bag that held his own skates over his shoulder. "I hope it's okay that I did."

Kelly smiled up at Marty. "Of course it is. It's perfect."

"Okay...then we better get going...cuz this place closes at midnight." Marty said with a smile as he took Kelly's hand and led her over to a bench where they could lace up their skates.

Kelly tucked the box under her arm...looking around at everyone and everything as they walked over to the bench. "I can't believe how beautiful it is," she said...taking in the bright Christmas lights and world-famous Christmas tree as she unzipped her boots.

"Yeah, I know...guess this is the perfect time to do this...in the dark and all." Marty said as he too looked around at everything that was going on around them. Looking over at Kelly he smiled. "I hope they are the right size...I think I remembered it...but I've been known to forget things and screw up."

Kelly giggled as she laced up her first skate. "They are...they fit perfectly," she said...reaching up to push some hair back off her face.

"Okay...good." Marty said with a smile as he took the time to take off his own shoes and put on his skates. He was actually pretty amazed he got all this figured out and bought in the amount of time he gave himself that afternoon. But seeing the happy look on Kelly's face made all the rushing around so worth it.

Kelly finished lacing up her skates...and chuckled as she looked at the people out on the ice. "I hope I remember how to do this," she said...pulling her gloves back on.

Marty laughed softly as he stood up and put his own gloves back on. Then he reached for Kelly's hand. "I think I remember how to do this...so hold my hand." He said as he walked the few steps it took to get out onto the ice.

Kelly did just that...holding tightly to Marty's right hand with her left. "OK...just don't let me fall."

"I would never let that happen." Marty said as he held onto her left hand tightly as they both slowly made their way out onto the ice. He was thankful when he figured out that he did remember what he was doing well enough to keep both of them up, and not make a total fool of himself.

Kelly chuckled as she made her first few slides on the ice. "Wow...I haven't done this in years."

"I think the last time I did it was with my little cousins last Christmas." Marty said as they started to skate around slowly.

Kelly clung tightly to Marty's hand as they skated...because she felt safe holding onto it, and because it just felt good. "Did you decide whether you wanted to leave right after the show tomorrow night?"

"I talked to my mom about that earlier...and she said if you want to stay to go shopping with Justin the day after...the we can. She was just so happy I was bringing you with me that she didn't care I wasn't going to be there when my great aunt showed up." Marty laughed. "So, I don't care either way, really."

Kelly shrugged. "It's up to you. I mean...I don't mind going tomorrow night as long as you have some time to take me shopping Tuesday or Wednesday in Salt Lake."

Marty thought about that for a second and nodded. "Okay...that sounds good, since I already have the tickets for the plane out tomorrow night. Flying red eye...exactly what I love to do." He said making a face and then giggling.

Kelly giggled. "OK, then...sounds like a plan." One of her skates then suddenly slipped, and she let out a tiny squeal...her grip on Marty's hand preventing her from falling. "Whoa..." she said with a laugh...reaching for Marty's other hand, too, once she was steady on her feet again in front of him.

Marty was a little shocked from the near fall but gained control of himself too and gladly took both of Kelly's hands in his looking her in the eye. "So...are you enjoying yourself tonight. Miss, Kelly?"

Kelly gave Marty a small smile as she laced the gloved fingers of both their hands together. "Very much," she said quietly...her eyes on Marty's. "Honestly...no one's every been this sweet...and romantic...and so much of a gentleman to me. I've never had help getting my coat on...or...like...someone opening all the doors for me. I had no idea dates could be like this."

Marty blushed a little at the compliment. "Well...like I said before I wanted to make things special...because you are very special Kelly."

"Thank you. And...you've been successful...because that's exactly how I feel. Special."

"Good...I'm glad." With that Marty leaned in closely and placed a soft, gentle kiss to Kelly's lips.

Kelly closed her eyes at the initial feel of the kiss...letting out a soft, content sigh. She let go of Marty's hands and reached up to gently touch his cheeks as she kissed him back very tenderly...thinking that she'd never had such a perfect evening.

Marty continued to kiss Kelly back tenderly, not going any farther then that. He wanted things to stay soft and sweet. This was their first date after all. After a few minutes, he pulled back and smiled. "Are you staying warm enough?" He asked as he looked at her pink nose.

Kelly giggled. "Yeah...I'm fine," she said...gently rubbing her gloved thumbs over Marty's cheeks. "You?"

Marty nodded. "I'm fine too." He said as he started to skate backwards, his one hand still holding onto Kelly's as he looked her right in the eye.

Kelly laughed. "You better turn around so you don't crash us into something."

"You mean you wouldn't warn me first?" Marty said with a playful pout as he continued to skate backwards slowly.

"I would...but you're WAY too tall for me to see behind you."

Marty laughed. "Good point." So, instead of continuing to skate backwards he moved to the side still holding her hand and making it so they both could skate forwards again. "So...while we are in Salt Lake...is there anything you wana do?"

Kelly shook her head. "Nothing special, really...unless there's anything you wanna show me, or whatever. I've never really been there but for a quick show."

"Okay...I'll think of something to show you once we are there." Marty said as he noticed most of the people on the ice skating to the edge. Pulling his glove down a bit, he looked at his watch and sighed. "It's almost midnight...so guess it's time for us to get our shoes back on." He said almost sadly.

Kelly smiled. "That's OK. It was a lot of fun while it lasted."

Marty nodded as they started to skate back to their shoes. "Yeah...it was a lot of fun...thank you for saying you would come along with me."

Kelly chuckled...taking a seat on the bench. "Why wouldn't I? I WANTED you to ask me out."

Marty shrugged as he sat down on the bench. "I dunno."

Kelly couldn't help but giggle quietly...looking down as she replaced her skates with her boots. "I can't believe I'm actually on a date with you."

"You make that sound like something that was once impossible." Marty laughed as he tied his shoes, putting his skates back into his bag.

Kelly shrugged as she neatly packed her skates into the box. "I don't know. If you think about it...maybe it was."

"True." Was all that Marty said as he stood up and threw is bag over his shoulder. "Ready?"

Kelly nodded as she put her gloves back on again, then grabbed her box and got up. "Yeah."

Automatically, Marty took Kelly's hand and led her back to the limo. There he opened the door for her and let her climb inside, a huge smile playing across his face as he thought about how he had actually pulled if off. The night had been a success.

Kelly tucked one leg under her on the seat, and turned to face Marty as she got comfortable in the limo. "Thank you...so much...for everything. I had an amazing time."

"You're very welcome...I would like to do it again sometime...if you would want to." Marty said with a giggle, knowing they would be doing this a lot since she was coming with him for Christmas.

Kelly giggled...looked down as she reached for Marty's hand. "Well...are you talkin just hanging out over Christmas. Or...like...another date?"

Marty took Kelly's hand and looked into her eyes. 'I mean another date."

Kelly smiled as she looked up into Marty's eyes. "So...you're asking me out on a second date?"

"That is exactly what I am doing." Marty said as he continued to look into Kelly's eyes.

"Well...I definitely accept." Kelly just looked back into Marty's eyes for a bit before leaning closer to him, and kissing him tenderly...just barely nipping at his lips.

Marty let out a soft barely there moan when he felt Kelly's lips against his own. His hands going to the back of her neck and gently holding her against his mouth.

Kelly deepened the kiss just a bit as she brought a hand up to touch Marty's cheek...slowly, sweetly moving her lips over his.

Marty quickly fell into the rhythm of the kiss and kissed her back with the same sweetness. His hand still playing with her hair a bit where they were rested on her neck.

Kelly pulled her other leg up onto the seat...leaning it over Marty's thigh as she continued kissing him...her fingers gently stroking his cheeks as her lips brushed over his.

Thinking it probably wasn't too much, at least he didn't hope so, he gently let his tongue out of his mouth and started to lick Kelly's lips asking for entrance.

Kelly groaned softly when she felt Marty's tongue grace her lips...and they parted automatically for him.

Marty let his tongue into her mouth once he felt it open for him. There he took all the time to slowly kiss and lick all the places in her mouth. Nothing was rushed as he took his time to get to know the woman he was in love with.

Keeping her right hand on Marty's cheek, she slid the other one to rest on the back of his neck...continuing to move her lips against his as his tongue explored her mouth.

Marty let out a deep moan into Kelly's mouth as he continued to kiss her, the kiss turning passionate and a little bit heated without meaning to.

Kelly wasn't sure she wanted the kiss to get much deeper...but she knew she didn't want it to end. So...she took it upon herself to set the pace of the kiss...slowing her lips against Marty's a bit.

Marty was thankful that Kelly took it upon herself to set the pace, because he needed that little push back to keep himself from totally spinning out of control. So, he continued the kiss, but this time at Kelly's pace. Content to do just that and nothing more.

Kelly slowly slid her gloved hand around Marty's neck and back to his cheek...slowing the kiss a little more by pulling back and starting to lightly nibble on his lower lip.

With one last small moan, Marty pulled back from the kiss all the way, and looked Kelly in his eyes. "Wow...that was..." He trailed off not, sure if saying that was the best kiss he had ever had would be a good thing...even though it was true.

Kelly smiled...still holding Marty's face gently in her hands. "Yes...it was."

Just then Marty felt the limo slow to a stop and he sighed. "Guess we're back." He said, not wanting the moment to end.

"Guess so," Kelly said...still not moving.

When he heard the driver get out of the car and walk around to their side, Marty pulled back finally right when he opened the door. "Come on, let's go." He said softly to Kelly as he helped her out of the car.

Kelly sighed quietly...picking up her purse and the box of skates before Marty helped her out.

Once out of the Limo, Marty led Kelly inside the hotel and walked through the lobby to the elevators. With a small smile in Kelly's direction he pushed the button and waited for the lift to come.

"I wish this night didn't have to end," Kelly said quietly...looking up at the numbers on the elevator floor indicator.

"I know what you mean...but we'll do it again soon." Marty said with another small smile as the doors to the elevator opened and they walked inside.

Kelly giggled as she leaned back against the elevator wall. "Beer and pizza next time?"

Marty laughed and shrugged. "Maybe, Maybe not. The fancy stuff wasn't all that bad." He said with a wink.

"No...it wasn't. But I don't expect to be treated so...elegantly...ALL the time."

"Oh...only half of the time?" Marty teased as the doors opened and they walked out onto their floor.

Kelly chuckled as she followed Marty off the elevator. "No...just once in a while...when I need to feel special."

"I hope to make you feel special all the time...even when I'm not taking you to fancy Italian restaurants and Ice skating in Rockefeller center." He said as he walked with her down the hall to their rooms, trying not to think too much about how the sleeping arrangements were going to go that night.

Kelly smiled as she stopped in front of her room and leaned against the door. "I think that's something you could be very good at."

Looking at Kelly's door, Marty smiled a little. "Well...if I'm going to keep up this gentlemen stuff...then this is where our night ends."

Kelly nodded slowly...her smile still on her face. "I think that's a good idea," she said...something inside her wanting this to remain a true first date...one like she'd never had.

"Goodnight, Kelly." Marty said soft as he leaned in to kiss her tenderly on the lips before pulling away. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Ya know..." Kelly said probably a bit too quickly...then swallowed hard. "It really isn't that late. I mean...our night doesn't have to end just yet if you wanted to...I don't know...go downstairs and get some coffee...or a nightcap, or something."

Marty thought about that for a second and shrugged. "Okay...sure that sounds good."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" she asked...not quite sure Marty was confident in his answer.

Marty smiled and nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure...just now we have to go downstairs AGAIN!" He exclaimed playfully.

Kelly giggled. "I'm sorry," she said...getting her key out of her purse and opening to door to go put her things away. "I just don't want it to end yet," she said quietly...going into the hotel room.

"I don't either." Marty said honestly as he walked into the room. "Can I leave my skates in here?"

"Of course," Kelly said...putting her skate box down on a chair, and taking her coat off to go hang it in the closet...along with her scarf.

Marty set his bag on the floor and then took off his coat and gloves setting them on top of it. "I don't know about you, but coffee sounds pretty good...after being out in the cold."

"You know what sounds even better? Hot cocoa," Kelly said...smoothing out the front of her blouse.

"Ohhh...not THAT does sound really good." Marty said with a big smile, he then thought of something. "Have you ever been skiing or snowboarding?"

Kelly shook her head. "No," she said...grabbing her purse and opening the door so they could head back out into the hallway.

"We'll have to go do something like that when we are back home. Even inter-tubing if you don't feel like trying to ski or snowboard." Marty said as he followed Kelly out of the room.

"That sounds like fun," Kelly said...heading for the elevator. "I remember that one time a couple years ago when I was at home with you for like...two days...and we went sledding."

Marty had to bust up laughing at that memory. "Yeah...and I ran into that huge oak tree." He said as he pushed the button for the elevator.

Kelly laughed with him. "That was hilarious. Thank God you weren't hurt."

"Just my pride." Marty giggled as the doors opened and they were once again inside the elevator.

Kelly stepped up beside Marty and held onto his arm as she laughed. "Come on...it was funny."

Marty rolled his eyes but continued to laugh too. "I think that squirrel was laughing at me too...it wasn't nice." He said pouting playfully.

Kelly laughed again. "No...THAT part wasn't nice," she said...then buried her face in Marty's shoulder.

"Mean rodent." Marty mumbled as the elevator doors opened and they walked out into the lobby again.

Kelly chuckled yet again as she walked with Marty out into the lobby...still holding onto his arm. "You're too funny."

Marty smiled. "Why thank you." He giggled as they walked across the lobby to the coffee shop.

Kelly looked around as they entered the coffee shop. There weren't very many people inside, as it was well after midnight.

Walking to a table towards the back, Marty pulled a chair out for Kelly with a small smile on his face.

Kelly smiled, as well, as she took a seat in the chair. "Thank you."

After pushing the chair in a bit, Marty walked around the table and sat down in his own seat. "So, do you know what time we have to be at the Garden for tomorrow night?"

"I thought they said around the same time as tonight. We go on stage around seven, I think."

Marty nodded as he toyed with a napkin . "Yeah...now that you mention it...that is what they said."

"What time's your...well...our flight?"

"The flight is at 12:30." Marty said making a face

Kelly shrugged. "And it's probably what...a five or six hour flight? We can sleep on the plane."

Marty nodded as a waitress came up to take their order. "You wanted hot chocolate?" He asked, looking at Kelly

Kelly nodded...her eyes on Marty. "Thanks."

Marty then told the waitress they wanted to hot chocolates and she walked off to get their order. "So you really don't mind that we're leaving early?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...not at all. I mean...I'll go shopping for a bit before the show tomorrow cuz I have to get a few things before I leave here. But...everything else I can get when we get to Salt Lake."

Marty smiled. "Okay coo...Just didn't want you to feel deprived of the whole shopping with Justin thing on tomorrow night."

Kelly shook her head...looking down at the dessert menu she'd taken into her hands. "No...he doesn't need me to go, anyway."

Marty reached across the table and took Kelly's hand in his. "Kel...he's still your best friend...He still needs you."

Kelly took a deep breath. "I don't really wanna talk about him right now," she said...turning the page of the menu with her free hand. "Do you feel like sharing a dessert?"

Marty nodded in account to both things. "Sure...pick anything you want...when it comes to dessert I could eat anything." He giggled.

Kelly chuckled. "You pick...cuz it all looks good to me," she said...handing Marty the menu.

Taking the menu, Marty looked over it, his eyes going wide. "You're right this all does sound good...umm how about chocolate fudge cake?"

Kelly smiled...the fingers of her right hand still gently toying with those of Marty's left on the table. "You read my mind."

Marty giggled and as soon as the waitress came with their hot chocolates he ordered the cake. "It's a special talent I have." He said as he looked down at his whipped cream covered hot chocolate.

Kelly laughed. "You have a lot of different talents."

Marty rolled his eyes as he took a sip of the warm liquid. "I wouldn't be so sure of that...but okay."

Kelly lifted her mug and took a small sip of her hot cocoa. "I'm sure of it. You're VERY talented...in a lot of ways."

Marty's mouth almost watered as the waitress brought the cake and set it down between them with two forks. "Okay...now that looks REALLY good."

Kelly giggled. "Yes, it does," she said...letting go of Marty's hand to put her napkin on her lap.

When Kelly let go of his hand he quickly did the same thing with his napkin and then picked up his fork to take a bite. "Oh...wow." He moaned at the chocolate taste in his mouth.

Kelly looked at Marty with a smile on her face as she sipped her hot cocoa. "Good?"

Marty nodded like crazy. "Very good...here try some." He said putting more on his fork and reaching it across the table for Kelly to take the bite.

Kelly leaned forward a bit and carefully put her lips around the fork to take the bite of cake. "Mmm...delicious."

At that moment, Marty was busy watching Kelly's lips and his fork. He was surprised it was until then that he felt the tickly sensation of desire in the pit of his stomach. Of course, then again he wished it didn't happen at all because he wanted to get through this night without making a fool of himself.

Kelly lifted her napkin off her lap to wipe her mouth, then put it back down before picking up her hot chocolate. "So...how were you able to think of all your plans for tonight on such short notice?" she asked...then sipped from her mug.

Marty giggled a little as he sipped his own hot chocolate. "I'm not sure if I should tell you...because then I would probably have to kill you...cuz you would know too much."

Kelly laughed as she crossed her legs under threw small table. "Oh...OK, then. I don't wanna know."

"Nope...cuz I wana keep you around for a while." Marty laughed as he grabbed his fork to take a few more bites of the cake.

Kelly smiled...sipping her hot chocolate as she watched Marty eat the cake. "Why? What do you need ME for?"

"Hmm let's see...you're cute....and funny and just plain fun to hang around with. I would definitely miss your company." Marty said in response.

Kelly giggled. "Well...thanks," she said...finally picking up her own fork to take a bit of cake.

For the next few minutes, Marty just ate the cake and drank his coco in silence. Not an awkward silence but a comfortable one that felt almost calming.

Kelly fed herself a bite of cake, then put another small bit on her fork. "Here...let me," she said...reaching out to feed it to Marty.

Marty giggled and leaned over to take the bit of cake from her fork. "Hmm...some how it tastes better when you feed it to me." He giggled.

Kelly laughed with him. "That's my magic touch."

"Well...I like your magic touch." Marty said with a wink as he leaned back in his seat again, his mug in hand.

Kelly chuckled. "Glad it's good for something these days," she said...widening her eyes a bit as she took a bite of the cake."

Marty's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What do you mean by that." He said, talking about the wide eyed expression on her face.

Kelly shrugged...lifting her napkin to wipe her mouth again. "I don't know. Nothing, really."

Marty didn't push the subject and just finished off his coco before setting the mug down on the table. "Now I'm all warm and toasty."

"Have another one," Kelly said...sipping her own drink. "I mean...unless you're in a rush to go..."

Marty shook his head. "I'm not in a rush...but I don't think I will have anymore." He said as he relaxed back in his chair.

Kelly leaned forward in her seat a bit...re-crossing her legs under the table as she held onto her mug on the table with both hands. "So...tell me what Christmas at your house is gonna be like."

"Well...let's see. My mom likes to bake a lot...so she'll be doing that most of the time until Christmas Eve. Then we'll go over to my grandparent’s house, where my Aunts and Uncles and cousins and stuff will have dinner with us. Then on Christmas morning my sisters and their husbands will come with all their kids to open presents and stuff." Marty laughed shaking his head. "It gets pretty crazy at times."

Kelly laughed. "Sounds pretty crazy," she said...picking up her spoon and stirred what was left of her hot cocoa. "Should I get gifts for everyone? I mean...I was gonna get something for your parents...but...what about your sisters and their families?"

Marty shook his head. "Do you really want to be getting seven extra presents. Hell I don't even know what I'm getting them." He laughed, sometimes it still felt weird to him knowing he was the only boy in a family with seven girls...and he was the baby.

Kelly laughed softly. "OK, then."

Marty yawned, even though he didn't want to. It wasn't even 2am yet...and he was trying to convince himself he wasn't getting sleepy. "I talked to Becky the other day and she's extremely excited that you're coming with me."

Kelly smiled. "That's cool. Becky's great," she said...then took the last sip of her hot cocoa. "Looks like you're ready for bed," she said quietly.

Marty nodded sadly. "I guess I am a little tired...sorry."

"Don't be...It's OK. It's been a long day," Kelly said...raaching for her purse.

"Yeah it has been...and we got a busy day tomorrow too." Marty said as he stood up, taking a second to stretch his tired muscles.

Kelly nodded...taking some cash out of her purse as she stood up. "I'll go get this," she said...turning to head for the cash register.

Marty of course reached for her shoulder and stopped her. "This was my night remember." He said as he put a tip down on the table and then continued to the cash register.

Kelly smiled...then tucked her money away as she stood at the table to wait for Marty.

A few minutes later, Marty walked back to the table and reached for Kelly's hand. "Come on...let's get you upstairs so you can have your beauty sleep...and so can I." He laughed.

Kelly chuckled. "Why...? Are you saying I NEED it?"

Marty rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean...and you definitely don't to be anymore beautiful.” He said as they walked over to the elevator.

Kelly smiled at Marty...then leaned against him as they waited. "You're too sweet to me."

Marty wrapped his arms around her waist and then pushed her slowly into the elevator when it arrived. "I'm glad you think so." He whispered against her ear as he kissed the top of her head as they road the elevator to their floor.

Kelly smiled as she felt herself relax in Marty's embrace. She was definitely feeling sad that the evening was really ending this time.

Once the elevator stopped on their floor, they both walked out together and to Kelly's door again, this time really to say goodnight. Turning Kelly in his arms he leaned over and placed a soft kiss to her lips. "Don't be sad...I promise you we will do it again, very soon. This is just the beginning, Kel."

Kelly looked deep into Marty's eyes, and swallowed hard as she took both his hands in hers. "The beginning of what?" she asked in a whisper.

Marty thought of a way to answer that and took a deep breath. "For us...maybe?"

Kelly smiled. The thought of being with Marty DID excite her...make her happy...but at the same time, she thought it was too soon for her to jump into anything. "Maybe..." she replied softly.

Marty smiled at her response. He wasn't expecting her to jump into his arms and say she loved him. Sure they had known each other for years...but this was their first date...and he wanted things to go slow, not just because he knew Kelly needed it...but because HE needed it too. With one more soft kiss to Kelly's lips he smiled and whispered goodnight before walking down the hall to his room.

Kelly watched Marty walk down the hall and disappear into his room, then went into her own. She was glad to see Mel...her one true, close female friend...awake and in the living room...because she couldn't wait to tell her about her night.

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It was probably around ten o'clock before Nick even stirred in his sleep. Some how he had managed to snuggle as closely as humanly possible to Justin in the middle of the night and he was just way to comfortable to wake up just yet.

Justin groaned quietly in his sleep...feeling Nick move against him. As he started to drift out of his slumber, he knew he should probably get up...but he just didn't want to yet.

Feeling Justin moving, caused Nick to wake up even more and he groaned and grumbled something in his half awake state, as if he was mad at himself for waking up.

"We should get up," Justin mumbled somewhat incoherently.

"Don't wana...comfy." Nick mumbled against Justin's chest, his leg moving that some how was draped over Justin's legs.

"Thing,...to do..." Justin got out through a yawn.

"Too bad...so sad." Nick giggled, awake by this point, but just too comfortable to move. His arms that were around Justin, holding him even tighter.

Justin lay there in Nick's arms for a few minutes before his cell phone rang on the nightstand...causing him to groan.

Nick let out a frustrated sigh and let go of Justin, his leg that was wrapped around Justin's falling to the bed so he could get the phone. "Better get that." He said as he moved his head for Justin's chest to give him a bright, still half asleep smile.

Justin nodded and leaned over to get his phone. "It's Kelly," he said after looking at the caller ID. He then dropped his head down on the pillow as he answered it. "Hey, girl..."

Nick smiled again and stayed snuggled up next to Justin, because he knew that if the person on the other end of the phone heard him...they wouldn't be in trouble. "Tell her I say hi...sometime." He whispered. He knew she was uncomfortable with them being together like this...but he also knew if they hid it...and pretended nothing was happening…that would be worse over all.

Justin continued talking to Kelly for just a couple minutes, then hung up and put the phone down. "She wants us to have lunch with her and Marty this afternoon...so they can see me...well...us...before we all go our separate ways tonight."

"Oh...that sounds cool. When do they want us?" Nick asked with a yawn, snuggling back up to Justin even though he knew he needed to get up.

"Twelve..." Justin answered...closing his eyes back up.

"Stay with me here...for a few more minutes?" Nick asked as he leaned over to kiss Justin softly on the lips.

"Mmm hmm..." Was Justin's answer against Nick's lips.

Nick took it upon himself to deepen the kiss more, His hands going back around Justin to rest on the back of his neck.

Justin groaned and pulled away after a moment. "Don't...I have morning breath."

"I have mouthwash if you want to use it." Nick said, with hope in his voice. He didn't want to have to get out of bed...but if he knew they could get right back in to make out for a few minutes before they started their day...then maybe getting out would be okay.

Justin nodded...slipping away from Nick and climbing out if bed. "I definitely need THAT," he said...stretching his arms high above his head.

Nick giggled and climbed out of bed too. His sweats sliding almost all the way off, showing his bare ass before he had a chance to pull them back up. Blushing a little he turned around and walked to the bathroom to get the mouthwash for Justin.

Justin laughed at Nick's pants falling down before he walked around the bed toward the bathroom. Unfortunately, he hadn't noticed in time, so he hadn't gotten a good look at Nick's ass before they were back up.

"I think it's about time I throw these things away." Nick said as he plucked at the fabric of his sweats. "There is like no elastic in the waist anymore." As he walked into the bathroom he shuffled through his stuff until he found what he was looking for. Setting it on the counter he smiled. "There you go."

Justin opened the mouthwash and reached for one of the plastic cups on the counter to pour some in. "Thanks."

"No problem." Nick said as he grabbed his toothbrush and started to brush his teeth while Justin washed out his mouth.

Justin went to the other sink to spit out his mouthwash, and splash some cold water on his face. "Did you sleep well?"

Nick nodded as he spit into the sink and rinsed out his mouth. "Yeah I did...did you?"

Justin nodded, too...looking at Nick in the mirror. "Yeah...I did."

Once Nick was sure his mouth was nice and minty fresh, he smiled at Justin in the mirror when he saw him looking at him. "Good...I didn't smother you too much did I?" He asked as he headed back into the bedroom, intent on getting back into bed...for at least a few minutes.

Justin laughed...following Nick out of the bathroom. "Almost."

Nick looked at Justin confused as he climbed back into bed. "What do you mean, Almost?"

"I was pinned under you for a while, there," Justin said with a smile as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Nick blushed. "Sorry about that." He smiled though when Justin sat down on the edge of the bed. "Come here."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Nick rolled his eyes playfully. "Well...now that we have cured the bad morning breath problem...I wanted to get back in bed with you...Like we never left and make out for a few minutes before we gota get up and get ready to go to lunch with Kelly and Marty." As he said this he had to giggle at how double datish that sounded.

Justin laughed. "You want me to get back in bed...just so we can make out?"

Nick shrugged his shoulders and giggled. "You make it sound like I'm asking you to do something that is so difficult and terrible."

Justin laughed again as he climbed onto the bed and crawled toward Nick. "Well...makin out with you isn't THAT terrible."

Nick watched Justin crawl towards him and swallowed the lump that seemed to have just formed in his throat. "That's good to know." He said, his voice already taking on a huskier tone.

Justin leaned over Nick, and lowered his head to kiss the older man softly on the lips.

Smiling against Justin's lips, Nick kissed him back just as softly, letting him lead the pace.

Justin continued kissing Nick softly...bracing himself with his right hand on the bed, and bringing his left hand up into Nick's hair.

Nick moved his own left hand up to Justin's head, as the other found it's way to rest on his lower back. Nick kept the kiss soft and gentle, even though he wanted more. It just felt right for Justin to take the lead this time.

Justin eventually broke the kiss, and trailed his lips down to Nick's neck...where he started placing soft kisses on the warm skin.

Feeling Justin's lips on his neck caused Nick to moan softly and tilt his head back more on the pillow to give Justin better access to his neck. If it wasn't somebody touching his ass...it was kissing his neck that turned him on to no end...and he loved it.

As he continued kissing Nick's neck, Justin moved over him so that he was straddling his hips. He rested his hands on Nick's hips as he moved his lips to the other side of his neck.

Nick moaned again as Justin continued to move his lips over his neck. His own hands moving down to trace the waist band of Justin's sweats, but not moving any farther then that. By this point Justin could probably already tell how much he liked his neck kissed since he was straddling his hips.

Justin groaned quietly as he shifted on Nick's hips a bit...definitely feeling his state of arousal. He chuckled as he kissed his way up to Nick's ear. "Didn't take YOU long to wake up, did it?" he teased before nibbling his earlobe.

Nick giggled deeply and groaned when Justin nibbled his earlobe. "My neck...is umm...very sensitive." He said as he wiggled under Justin a bit, loving the attention.

"I see that," Justin said...then trailed his tongue across Nick's chin to bring his mouth back to his lips.

When Justin's lips were on his mouth again, Nick couldn't help but almost attack them in a heated kiss. He wanted Justin to feel as good as he had been feeling.

Justin groaned deep in his throat in response to Nick's fiery kiss. He hadn't been expecting it...but it felt wonderful.

Nick groaned back as he kissed Justin passionately. His hands moving to rest on Justin's hips as he tried so hard not to thrust up against the younger man.

Feeling himself reaching a state of arousal from the heated kiss, Justin intentionally pressed his hips down against Nick's as he settled over him a bit more.

What little self control Nick had, keeping his hips still was gone once he felt Justin's hips press down against his. As he continued to kiss Justin with the same passion and heat his hips thrust up on their own accord.

Justin gasped quietly into the kiss...gently moving his hips against Nick's...his hands traveling up and down his bare sides.

Feeling Justin moving against him...Nick knew then that it was alright if he did the same. His own hands found their way back around Justin's back to run up and down his bare skin. He was quickly running out of air but he didn't want to pull back, afraid it was all going to end.

Justin moaned loudly as he plunged his tongue into Nick's mouth...hungry for the kiss as his back covered in goose bumps triggered by Nick's touch.

Nick's tongue started to passionately fight for control with Justin's in his. His body was on fire and his groin ached in it's state of arousal. Justin's body on top of him was the best feeling in the world. His hands continued to run up and own Justin's back from his shoulders to right where his track pants started.

Justin pulled back a bit for some air...breaking the deep kiss, but keeping contact by sucking on Nick's lower lip.

Nick opened his eyes in hope to meet Justin's and know what the other man was feeling. He could tell they were both hard...and it seemed that Justin was okay with this...at least he wasn't stopping. Taking deep breaths of air his hands went back to Justin's hips.

Justin opened his eyes and smiled against Nick's lips when he looked into Nick's deep blue ones.

Nick smiled back and pulled away from Justin's lips for a second because he wanted to say something. "Dang...you know how to kiss." Nick said in such a husky, list filled voice that he almost didn't recognize it as himself.

Justin chuckled...and buried his face in the crook of Nick's neck. "I was thinking the same thing about you," he said against Nick's skin.

Nick brought one of his hands up to run over Justin's buzzed head as he leaned down and kissed it gently. "What are we gunna do about our obvious problems? I don't think Kelly and Marty wana see us like this." He joked, but was serious in the sense that he wanted to know what Justin thought about the whole thing.

Justin laughed into Nick's neck before lifting his head to look at the older man. "They don't have to see us like this. We have plenty of time to get cleaned up and look appropriate before we have to go down and meet them."

Nick giggled, looking into Justin's eyes. "I think we look pretty appropriate for lying in bed...I like how this feels." He said softly, not letting his gaze leave Justin's.

Justin smiled...his fingers trailing lazily up and down Nick's sides. "I do, too."

Nick was slightly shocked by Justin saying that. "Really? It doesn't bug you anymore that we do this...and that you get turned on from it too?"

Justin chuckled. "It never bugged me that we did it."

"I just meant that you obviously aren't freaking out that being with a man got you hard anymore." Nick said, thrusting his hips up for emphasis, a sly smile on his face.

Justin laughed again. "It doesn't freak me out. It's still weird...but it doesn't freak me out."

Nick nodded. "I can understand that." He said as one of his hands trailed down to Justin's ass, resting on top of his track pants, without really noticing what he was doing.

Justin buried his face in Nick's neck and chuckled again. "Now you're gettin fresh."

Nick noticed what he was doing but, since Justin was laughing...he didn't think he really minded too much. "You don't mind my hard dick against your hip...my hands on your ass bug you?" He asked in a joking manner...but was once again serious too.

Justin just laughed into Nick's neck again...not feeling the need to say anything.

After a few minutes of not doing anything, just relaxing the crazy erg to kiss Justin came back at him full force. He actually had to groan a little at the feeling as he moved his hands to take Justin's face in his hands and lifted his head to look at him. Looking him in the eye for a second before he pressed his lips to his again.

Justin groaned softly as he kissed Nick back...his hands gripping his hips.

Nick slipped his tongue past Justin's lips to get the heated and passionate kiss started again. His hands leaving Justin's head to go back down to his ass again.

Justin kissed Nick back for a bit longer before pulling away with a groan. "Nick...we should really stop...and get ready."

Nick whimpered as Justin pulled away. Looking into his eyes he sighed and nodded. "Okay." He whispered, trying to figure out how he was going to get his body to calm down...and not think about this the whole time they were having lunch with Kelly and Marty.

Justin sighed quietly as he pulled off of Nick. Giving him one more quick kiss, he softly said, "I'll make it up to you," before getting off the bed.

Nick smiled softly and sat up on the bed, running his hands through his hair as he watched Justin get up and walk around. "You don't have to feel like you have to make it up to me, Justin."

Justin chuckled as he grabbed his t-shirt off the floor and put it on. "If I want to...can I?"

Nick's smile got bigger and he nodded, getting out of bed too, trying to ignore how he was still so turned on. "Yeah....I don't think I'll be complaining." He said as he waited for Justin to be ready so he could show him out. "You know...it almost seems like we are going on a double date...kinda."

Justin looked at Nick questioningly as he put his phone in his pocket, and picked up him room key. "Why? Kelly and Marty aren't dating," he said...absently adjusting himself.

Nick shrugged his shoulder, feeling like he was out of line with that comment. "Never mind." He said as he watched Justin adjust himself and let out a deep groan, trying to move his gaze back up from Justin's crotch but it wasn't happening.

Justin shrugged...not really making anything of the situation. "OK, then. So...meet us in the sandwich shop downstairs at noon...?"

"Yeah...I'll be there." Nick said as he walked Justin into the main part of the room and to the door.

Justin smiled at Nick as he stopped at the door. "Thanks for having me over," he said before giving Nick a quick kiss.

Nick smiled against the kiss and pulled back. "You're very welcome...hope you slept okay even when I was squishing you." He giggled.

Justin chuckled. "See you in a while," he said...then walked out the door and down the hall toward his own room.

******@******

Kelly pulled on a baby blue turtle neck sweater with her dark blue jeans, then tied on some shell-toed sneakers before pulling her hair into a messy bun, grabbing her key, and heading down the hall to Marty's room. She knocked on the door, and waited patiently for an answer.

Marty opened the door, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, just looking casual and comfy. "Hey...Kel." He said as he walked out, shutting the door behind him, since he was already ready when Kelly had knocked.

Kelly chuckled. "What...not gonna invite me in? Are you hiding something?"

Marty laughed. "No...but there wasn't much going on either." He said as they walked down to the elevator. "Eddie was busy doing crunches in the middle of the living room...grunting and groaning...it was getting very annoying."

Kelly laughed as she walked beside Marty. "Oh...I see." When they stopped to wait for the elevator, she turned to look at him. "You sure you were ready? I was a little early."

"I was ready...and you were like three minutes early." Marty laughed as they waited for the elevator.

Nick walked out of his own room and walked down the hall. Smiling when he saw Kelly and Marty waiting at the elevator. "Hey guys."

Kelly looked at Nick and gave him a small smile. "Hi, Nick."

Marty turned to Nick and smiled too. "Hey, man." As soon as the door opened he took Kelly's hand, not thinking about it and walked on.

Nick walked onto the elevator and leaned against the back, feeling a little awkward for some reason.

Kelly looked at Nick again once they were on the elevator. "How've you been, Nick?" she asked...not having really seen him in a while.

"I've been fine...how about you?" Nick asked, as he looked down at Kelly and Marty's hooked hands.

Marty was the first one to notice the doors opened and led Kelly out of the elevator, knowing Nick would fallow behind.

"I've been OK," Kelly answered as they headed for the sandwich shop. "Are you looking forward to the show tonight?"

Nick's smile got bigger and he nodded his head. "Of course...I'm looking forward to seeing all of you guys dancing up there. I haven't gotten to see one before." He said, the fan in him coming out...something that hadn't happened much in the last few days.

Marty giggled. "Well...hopefully we don't disappoint you."

Kelly giggled. "Yeah...it's been a while."

"Yeah...but I'm sure you guys will do okay." Nick said as they walked into the sandwich shop. His eyes automatically looking around for Justin.

Kelly spotted Lonnie and Mike before she saw Justin. "Back there," she said...pointing to the booth at the back...right behind Lonnie and Mike...where Justin was sitting.

Marty headed back in that direction, his hand still holding Kelly's . He smiled at Lonnie and Mike as they passed their table and then his smile got bigger when he saw Justin. "Hey, J."

Nick followed behind, not exactly sure how he was supposed to act with everybody around. It was going to take some getting used to with Justin living the semi double life. Kissing him in privet...and then just being friends in public.

Justin smiled at all of his friends as they joined him at the table. "Hey, ya'll. What's up?"

Marty slid into one side of the booth, wondering where Kelly was going to chose to sit.

Kelly...almost as if on instinct...slid in beside Marty. Not only did she WANT to sit next to him, but she thought Justin would rather sit with Nick.

Seeing everybody settle in, Nick walked and sat next to Justin, keeping his hands in his lap. He hated being nervous...but he still wasn't used to being out with any of these people. Plus, he really only talked to Marty like twice and didn't know him well.

"How long have you guys been here?" Marty asked Justin, looking at him but tilting his head backwards to mean the body guards too.

Justin shrugged. "Not long...I only got here a few minutes before you guys," he answered...catching Kelly's eye across the table.

Kelly gave Justin a small smile. "How's your back feeling? You good for tonight?"

Nick just let himself relax, listening to his friends talk around him.

Marty picked up the menu that was in front of him and started to look through it as listened to what Kelly and Justin were talking about.

Justin nodded. "Yeah. It's doin alright. I think I'll be fine...especially with some time off after this."

Kelly nodded in response...then leaned closer to Marty so she could look at the menu wth him.

With Kelly and Marty both looking at the menu, Nick turned his gaze to Justin and smiled a small smile.

"I'm not sure about you guys...but I know I'M ready for this break." Marty said as he continued to look through the menu.

Kelly giggled...still looking at the menu as her hand draped over Marty's thigh under the table. "Me, too. I mean...damn...we've been doing a lot of traveling for nothing. We've been used like...3 times in the last month."

Justin laughed as he picked up a menu. "I know...really."

"Why did you guys come then...I mean if you weren't really needed until tonight?" Nick asked, speaking up for the first time since they had all been together.

Kelly shrugged. "I really didn't have anywhere else to be. Besides...it's like a free tour of the country. Plus...sometimes they'll decide last minute they wanna use us...so..."

Nick nodded as he picked up his own menu. "I see...that makes sense."

Marty, already figuring out what he wanted handed the menu to Kelly, reaching down to rest his hand on hers. "I'm getting a club sandwich." He said like the rest of the table cared.

"Yeah...I think that's what I'm gonna have, too," Justin chimed in. "And fries."

"I'm gonna have the soup and salad," Kelly said as she folded the menu and set it down. "So...Nick...are you having fun in New York? Have you gotten out to see anything?" As hard as it was making 'normal conversation' with Nick and Justin at that point, Kelly knew she had to do it...and having Marty there with her made it a lot easier. She laced her fingers with his on his thigh as she waited for Nick's answer.

"I'm getting the same thing as Kel." Nick said putting his own menu down. "I am having a good time...and I went out shopping yesterday. Got a few Christmas gifts." He answered Kelly, actually giving out a little more info then he had with Justin the night before.

Justin wrinkled his forehead and looked at Nick. "You told me you didn't buy anything."

Nick put on his best innocent face as he looked at Justin. "I did...oops."

Kelly laughed. "Speaking of gifts, I went shopping this morning. I want you two to come to my room after so I can give you your gifts."

Marty pouted playfully. "Hey...I don't get a gift?"

Nick giggled at the look on Marty's face.

Kelly giggled. "You can have yours on Christmas morning."

Justin glanced across the table at Kelly. "You're...going with Marty...for Christmas?" he asked...surprised.

"Oh yeah...that's right." Marty giggled, and then looked at Justin. "Yeah...I invited her home with me." He said, trying not to say that in a way that sounded like he was saying. 'Yeah, she's coming with me because...she didn't get to go with you.’

Nick sat back against the booth, gently sliding his hand onto Justin's thigh to comfort him. Knowing that little piece of information might bother him a bit.

Justin took a deep breath as he gently pushed Nick's hand away...not wanting to risk getting caught. "Oh...well...that sounds like fun."

Kelly gave Justin an almost sad smile. "I think it will be."

Nick quickly put his hand back into his own lap, trying not to feel hurt about it...cuz he knew he shouldn't be. He understood why Justin had done it. "Yeah...take some time to relax." He said to Kelly.

Marty looked around the table and for the first time seeing first hand how iffy all three of their friendship still was.

Kelly cleared her throat and looked over at Nick. "Well...I don't know how relaxing it'll be...cuz he wants to take me skiing and snowboarding and all this crazy shit."

Nick laughed as he nervously started to play with his napkin. "Sounds difficult and scary."

Marty playfully glared at Nick. "You sure are helpful...now she won't want to go." he accused.

Kelly giggled. "No...I will...I know you won't let me get hurt," she said.

Justin was trying to think of something to say so that he wasn't so quiet...and so that he could stop thinking so much. Fortunately, he was rescued when the waitress came for their orders.

Marty ordered his club and Kelly's salad and soup...not even thinking about it. He was still thinking about last night.

Nick ordered his own soup and salad and gave the waitress his menu.

Justin placed his order, then glanced at Kelly and Marty as he picked up the ice water in front of him for a sip. Maybe Nick had been right. Maybe something WAS going on with those two.

Nick glanced over at Justin to try and see his reaction to what was going on. He had a feeling that things were about to get worse between him and Justin again...cuz now Justin would have reasons to think that Kelly really wasn't his anymore.

"Can, you move for a second, Kel...I need to use the restroom." Marty said, smiling at Kelly.

Kelly nodded. "Sure." She let go of Marty's hand and slid out of the booth to let him out.

Marty got out of the booth and headed in the direction of the restrooms.

Kelly sat back down and took a sip of her own water.

Justin watched Marty walked toward the bathroom, and asked the same of Nick. "Can I get out, too?"

Nick nodded and slid out of the booth. "Of course." He asked looking at Justin a little worried, hoping that neither of the guys would come back with blood shed.

"Thanks," Justin said...then headed for the mens' room...trailed closely by Lonnie...who waited outside the door when Justin went in.

Marty was standing at one of the Urinals doing his business, he didn't even know Justin had joined him.

Justin didn't have to use the bathroom. He just washed his hands instead while he waited for Marty.

Turning his head when he heard water running, Marty was a little shocked to see Justin by the sinks. "Hey, J..."

"Hey," Justin replied...not looking up as he wiped his hands.

Finishing up, Marty tucked himself back in his pants and flushed before walking over to the sink to wash his hands. He didn't know what to say to Justin, because he really didn't know why he was there all of a sudden.

"Can we talk for a minute?" Justin asked as he leaned back against the sink next to Marty. "I know this is a weird place, and all...but..."

Marty finished with his hands and dried them off. "Sure...what's the matter?" He asked as he too leaned back against the counter, looking over at Justin.

Justin shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just kinda curious as to what's going on with you and Kelly."

"I took her out last night." Marty said, thinking he wouldn't beat around the bush...knowing being honest was probably best.

Justin nodded. "OK...and...?" It wasn't uncommon for Marty and Kelly to hang out. They'd always been close friends.

"I mean really took her out...as in on an actual date. Took her to dinner and skating in Rockefeller center." Marty said hoping that cleared things up a bit.

"Oh," Justin said...looking down and folding his arms over his chest.

Marty smiled a little. "Justin...we're friends right?"

Justin looked up at Marty. "Me and you?"

Marty nodded. "Yeah...I mean we've known each other for a while...and I consider you my friend...I guess my point in saying this is that...I'm not taking Kelly out...because I'm trying to show you up or something."

"Yeah...I know. I'd like to think you wouldn't do that."

"I wouldn't..." Marty said taking a deep breath. "I really like her Justin...have for a few months now. But she's still stuck between her feelings for you and moving on...so we're moving slowly." He paused to laugh. "Which thinking of me probably sounds like an oxymoron...but it's true."

Justin nodded slowly...taking everything in. "You'd better be doing this for the right reasons. Because...if you're doing it to spite me...and you end up hurting her.."

Marty's eyes went wide. "I wouldn't do that, Justin. I just said I care for her. I know she's having a hard time with everything...so why would I hurt her on purpose...a person that I care so much about?"

Justin sighed. "Settle down, Marty. I know you said you care for her...but...I HAVE to say it."

Marty smiled softly and nodded. "You know how many times I've wanted to come and kill you and Nick the last few days?." He laughed and shook his head. "But then I thought about it...and I Know you loved her...and what was happening wasn't anybodies fault....just something that was...happening...and everybody has to find a way to go along with it."

Justin shook his head slowly. "No...not LOVED her...LOVE her."

Marty took a deep breath and nodded. "I know, Justin...but you've got somebody else to cares a lot about you now too. I can see it in his eyes, when he doesn't exactly know how to act...it's cute actually."

"I know...and I have no idea what's gonna happen with Nick. But...either way...I love that girl. Now...I just have to find a way to turn it into a...sisterly love."

"I have a feeling everything is going to turn out okay." Marty said with a friendly pat to Justin's back.

Justin covered his face with his hands and sighed. "I don't know."

"Nick is going with you to Tenn right?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah. And now I know why Kelly turned me down," he said...not knowing that she'd turned him down long before Marty had invited her.

Marty shook his head. "No...actually I invited Kelly when she had no other place to go...after she already told you she had plans."

"Wait. You mean...she DIDN'T have plans when *I* invited her?"

Marty took a deep breath and nodded his head. "That's right...but don't say anything to her about it...cuz I don't think she wanted you to know that."

"Well...why the hell'd she say no to me?"

"Let's see...he has blonde spiky hair...and bright blue eyes..."

"She won't come cuz of Nick?"

Marty nodded. "I don't know her actual reasoning...but I think she wants you guys to have time ALONE to figure things out...and this was back even before you guys broke things off."

Justin shook his head. "What a fuckin mess. She must hate me."

"She doesn't hate you, Justin...she's confused like you are...but she doesn't hate you. She'll be okay, she's a tough girl." Marty said with a small smile. "Just follow YOUR heart, Justin...and try not to think of others feelings. Kelly and Nick will be okay with whatever happens."

"That's my problem, Marty. My heart's going every which way."

Marty thought of a question he wasn't sure if he should ask, but he did anyway. "Don't get pissed at me for asking this...but is your love for Kelly as strong as it used to be...or is it maybe more of a comfort thing now? You know what it's like to love a woman...so you are letting yourself to so. But then there is Nick...who, even though he might not say it or admit it right now who loves you but you aren't sure what to do back because he's a man...and that's scary and foreign.”

Justin shook his head and sighed. "I don't know. I love Kelly for who she is. She's a remarkable person."

Marty smiled and nodded. "She is a very remarkable person...but loving somebody for who they are...is different then loving somebody in a romantic way. Like I love you for who you are but I'm not about to kiss you." He giggled.

That made just laugh. "I might hafta bitch slap you if you did."

"I would probably bitch slap myself." Marty said making a face. Then he thought of something else. "Are things with you and Nick cool though? I mean after things ended with you and Kelly? Or are things worse?"

Justin shrugged. "Things are cool, I guess. But...I don't know. I think we both feel kinda like shit after what happened with her."

"Naturally...I would have to pummel you guys if you didn't feel bad at all." Marty joked and shifted against the counter.

Justin just looked at Marty for a second. "Take care of her...OK?"

"That's what I'm trying to do." Marty said with a smile.

Justin smiled and nodded. "OK."

"We should probably go out and see if our dates are behaving themselves." Marty giggled, being his silly old self.

"Yeah. After all...we know they're secretly hot for each other."

Marty made a fake disgusted face. "I still can't believe she slept with him." He said as he pulled away from the counter and headed towards the door.

Justin sighed. "Yeah...me neither."

*****@****

Meanwhile Nick watched Justin walk to the bathroom and Lonnie and Mike follow. "Why am I scared all of a sudden." He mumbled to Kelly.

"Scared of what?"

Turning back to look at Kelly he shrugged. "Why Justin followed Marty into the bathroom."

"He just wanted to talk to him," Kelly said knowingly. They were probably the two people she knew best.

Nick laughed a little. "They always have heart to hearts in the men's room?"

Kelly chuckled. "Not necessarily. But wth our lifestyle, you take the alone time wherever you can get it."

Nick smiled at Kelly, happy to hear her laughing. "How are you, Kel...really?"

Kelly smiled...looking down as she played with the napkin on the table in front of her. "I'm alright, Nick."

"Marty making you happy?" That was Nick's way of trying to see what was going on between them.

Kelly nodded...looking up at Nick. "He's always made me happy. He's a good friend."

Nick smiled. "Good...I'm glad...you deserve somebody who will make you happy."

"You say it like you think...we're an item...or something."

Nick raised an eyebrow. "If you aren't...even somewhat...you could have fooled me."

"Why do you say that?" Kelly asked curiously before sipping her water.

"You guys just seem cozy...like he ordered your food for you...and you're holding hands. I haven't seen you guys do that before." Nick said as he grabbed his own water to take a sip.

"Oh...yeah..."

Nick laughed and put his glass down. "Oh yeah? Is that all you're going to tell me?"

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. We went out last night."

"That's cool...you should go out and have a good time." Nick said with a smile.

Kelly smiled as she nodded...an almost dreamy look on his face. "I had a very good time last night."

Nick giggled when he saw the look on Kelly's face. "I can tell...and that is really good. Marty seems like a great guy...He's good for you."

Kelly looked up at Nick. "You think so?"

"Yeah...I do...but you probably aren't taking advice from me anymore." Nick said, looking down sadly, remembering the last time they talked...He wasn't exactly Kelly's favorite person.

"That's not true, Nick."

Nick looked up at Kelly slowly, his eyes sad. "You mean...you still want to be my friend?" He asked, semi shocked.

"Yeah...I do. Shit's just kinda hard right now. I can't help but feel sometimes like you took Justin from me," Kelly admitted.

Nick took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah...I know...I can understand that...but I'm not even sure if *I* have him either."

Kelly smiled at Nick. "You do...trust me."

Nick looked at Kelly curiously. "What makes you say that?"

Kelly shrugged. "I just know. I can tell."

Nick couldn't help but smile. He knew Kelly was sad...for the reasons he was happy...and he didn't like that...but he couldn't help but feel happy for himself too."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Whatever...I'm sure it'll work out for everyone."

"Yeah, I think so too." Nick said with another smile.

Marty smiled at Justin as they walked back to the table. "Hey guys." He said to Nick and Kelly as he sat down next to Kelly, this time on the outside of the booth.

Kelly slid over toward the wall to let Marty into the booth. "Everything OK, gentlemen?"

Nick looked up at the guys curiously, as if looking for bruises or harm in some way. "It doesn't look like there is any missing teeth." He stated with a smirk on his face.

Justin smiled. "Everything's fine."

"You want back on the inside?" Nick asked Justin with a big smile...the smile he got whenever he saw Justin for the first time after him being away even for just a few minutes.

Justin shook his head. "This is fine, thanks."

Just then the waitress brought their food, asking them if they needed anything else.

"Could I have a Diet Coke, please?" Kelly asked the waitress as she put her napkin on her lap.

The waitress nodded and walked off to get the drink.

Marty picked up a part of his sandwich and took a bite. "Oh...this is good, Justin." He said with his mouthful.

Justin nodded his agreement...his mouth full of his own sandwich.

Kelly laughed. "You two are disgusting," she said before taking a bite of her French onion soup.

Nick laughed too and took a forkful of his salad, taking a bite that was too big for his mouth like the other guys.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Gross. I need to find some female friends."

Marty chuckled as he took a sip of his water. "You know you love us."

"I don't know WHY," Kelly said...snatching a fry from Marty's plate.

"Hey now...that was mine!" Marty exclaimed, going into sea gull mode from Finding Nemo and saying "Mine...Mine." over and over again as he looked at Kelly...as if asking for the French fry back.

Kelly groaned and rolled her eyes again. "I'm about to get up and leave you guys here," she said...putting the fry back where she got it from.

Marty took the fry and shoved in his mouth. "Another victory!" He said, throwing his hands up in the air.

Nick looked at Marty with raised eyebrows as he laughed around a spoonful of soup.

Justin laughed. "Really. How DARE she take a French fry?"

Just then Nick reached over and stole one of Justin's fries, trying to do it without him looking.

Marty sighed. "I really don't know...but one of yours just left your plate too." He laughed.

Justin grabbed Nick's wrist. "Drop it."

Nick looked up at Justin innocently. "Drop what? I don't have anything."

Justin squeezed Nick's wrist and put a mean look on his face. "Drop...the French fry."

"What are you gunna do if I don't." Nick asked, putting a mean look on his own face, trying not to laugh.

Justin sighed, let go of Nick's wrist, and went back to eating. "I give up."

Nick sighed and handed the fry back. "I was just kidding." He whispered before picking up his fork again to eat.

Marty looked at Nick and Justin and then at Kelly with a confused look on his face.

Kelly shrugged...taking a bite of her salad.

Justin glanced at Nick. "What's the matter?" he asked...wondering why Nick had gotten all melancholy.

Nick shook his head. "Nothing."

Marty shrugged and went back to eating.

Justin sighed and leaned back in the booth. He'd done it again. He joked around with Nick when he shouldn’t have.

Nick looked over at Justin. "Can I talk to you please?" He asked, wanting to see what was going on...but not with Kelly and Marty there.

Kelly spoke up...knowing it would be too big of a pain for them to go and talk privately somewhere in public. "Actually...we'll go..." she said...gently elbowing Marty. "...we'll go grab some boxes and take our food to go."

Marty nodded, and scooted out of the booth.

Nick shook his head. "You guys don't have to go...never mind."

Kelly slid out of the booth. "It's OK..." she said...going over to the lunch counter to get some containers. She brought them back to the table, packed up hers and Marty's food, then took some money out of her pocket for the bill.

Marty packed up his food and paid for his meal. Taking Kelly's hand he made sure she was ready and walked out of the restaurant with her.

Justin wathced his friends leave, then looked at Nick with a sigh. "What's going on?"

Nick kept his head down low. "I didn't mean to ruin lunch" He said softly.

"Just tell me what the hell's wrong with you."

"Nothing the HELL is wrong with me." Nick exclaimed softly, not really liking the way Justin said that...it made him feel even shittier then he already did.

Justin looked at Nick with wide eyes. "OK...well...I guess THIS was a bad idea," he said...then dropped some cash on the table before getting out of his seat, nodding toward Lonnie and Mike, and heading out of the restaurant. The last thing he needed was a public scene.

Nick looked at Justin with wide eyes and got up following them but not so it looked like he was upset. Once he was walking along side with Justin again he looked at him confused. "All I wanted to know was why you wouldn't joke around with me with the French fry thing." He said softly. Having a feeling Justin was really pissed at him again.

"Not now, Nick,"...Justin said...picking up his speed as he headed for the elevator...Lonnie and Mike moving in on either side of him.

Nick stopped where he was and tried not to break down in the middle of the hotel lobby. "Shit." He mumbled to himself.

Justin got in the elevator with his men, and headed up to his room. He needed some time alone to figure out how he was going to deal with all of this...or even if it was going to work, at all.

*****@*****

Once out in the lobby, Marty turned to Kelly. "What in the world was going on there?"

Kelly shrugged and shook her head. "Your guess is as good as mine...but it looked like Nick had a hard time with Justin joking around," she said...pushing the button for the elevator.

Marty thought about that for a second. "Well...the way he ended the joking around...made it kinda look like Justin was actually mad at him for taking the fry." He said, putting his two cents worth as they waited for the elevator.

Kelly shrugged. "Maybe. I guess I can just read him better," she said...getting on the elevator once the door opened. "But...I don't know...I'm gonna go crazy if I worry about those two."

"I think they like each other too much...and don't know what to really do about it." Marty said as he followed her into the elevator.

"Nick knows what to do about it...J doesn't."

"Not totally...I mean, he doesn't know how he's supposed to act in public...knowing Justin can't have anybody know about them. That would be hard." Marty said and sighed. "But, you're right...Justin is just scared he doesn't know what he wants."

Kelly sighed. "Yeah...I know."

"It's kinda weird...but if Nick was a girl...this wouldn't be a problem. It's kinda stupid the way people really look at gay people so weird...that it gives the poor guys trying to find themselves panic attacks."

"I know...but what can you do? That's just the way society goes," Kelly said...stepping out of the elevator and heading down the hall...for some reason automatically passing her door and stopping at Marty's.

Marty didn't think anything of Kelly not stopping at her own room and gladly let her into the room. "Want to sit at the table to finish our food?"

"Wherever you want," Kelly said...walking into the sitting area.

"Okay." Marty walked to the table and set his box down on the top, sitting down with a sigh. "Hopefully they figure shit out before tonight...or their trip is going to be terrible."

"Yeah...that would really suck," Kelly said...taking the chair next to Marty instead of across from him at the round table...and taking the cover off her container of soup.

"They'll be fine." Marty said almost as if he was trying to convince himself. He really liked Nick...and Justin was his friend...he wanted them to be happy...together.

Kelly nodded. "I think so. They just have some stuff to figure out."

Marty opened up his box and started to eat a section of his sandwich again. "They have only known each other for like 2 weeks now, haven't they."

"Something like that," Kelly said...then spooned some soup into her mouth as she watched Marty eat. "Can I have a fry, now?" she asked with a chuckle.

Marty laughed and pushed his box towards her. "Sure...sorry about that." He said almost feeling like Nick and Justin's fight was partly his fault.

"Why?" Kelly asked...eating some soup again instead of taking a fry. "You always play with me like that."

"If I hadn't done it...maybe Nick wouldn't have...and he's even more sensitive then you are...I can tell that and I've really only talked to him twice."

"More sensitive THAN me? I'm not sensitive at ALL. Well...I mean...not to your jokes, anyway."

"I know...that's what I meant...that you could take it...he couldn't" Marty said with a sigh.

"It looked like he was just trying to do something that we were doing...you know us being semi coupleish...and be able to do something like that with Justin. But it blew up in his face."

Kelly nodded...taking another bite of her soup as she crossed her legs under the table. "I totally see what you're saying."

"It looks like he's trying so hard for Justin to like him...and except him."

Kelly looked at Marty thoughtfully. "You know...you make a hell of a lot of sense. Maybe you should talk to Nick."

Marty laughed. "I may know what is happening...but that doesn't mean I know what to do to help the problem...I'm not even sure what the problem is...cuz I mean it seems like Justin isn't getting it or something...I don't know."

"I don't know. But like I said...I think I might go crazy if I keep worrying about them."

"Then what do we do?" Marty asked, ready to try anything too...cuz he hated to see Justin and Nick upset...and most of all, Kelly upset.

Kelly shook her head...pushing her half-full soup container aside and opening her salad. "I don't know...I guess we just have to let them work it out for themselves."

Marty giggled. "You mean we don't lock them in a room together until they figure it out." He joked.

"Or get laid. Maybe THAT'S what they need."

That caused Marty to bust up laughing. "Probably so...but we can't really go up to them and be like. 'Okay...you two fuck and then you'll be fine'." He joked.

Kelly laughed. "No...we definitely can't."

"Do you know if they stayed the night with each other again last night?" Marty asked, trying to figure out how comfy they are when they are alone.

"I think so. Cuz I called J's room this morning and there was no answer. But then...he answered his cell phone."

"Then obviously something good is happening." Marty said with a sigh. "You just get them out in public and all hell breaks loose."

"Yeah...seems like it to me," Kelly said before taking a bite of her salad.

"But yeah...let's not worry about them...there isn't anything we can do at the moment." Marty said as he wrapped his arm around Kelly's back.

"Nope...just be here if they need us, I guess."

Marty nodded as he took another bit of his sandwich. "You looking forward to the show tonight?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...definitely. It's been too long since we've been out there."

"I totally agree...just hope we remember how to do it." Marty laughed, holding Kelly tightly as best as he could when they were in separate chairs.

Kelly laughed...then spoke after finishing her bite of salad. "We'll be fine. We'll kick ass like always."

"Of course." Marty said as he leaned over to kiss Kelly on the cheek. "I wanted to do that the whole time we were sitting at the table with the guys."

Kelly giggled. "Good thing you didn't. All Hell REALLY wouldda broke loose."

"Which is exactly why I didn't." Marty laughed as he nibbled on one of his fries.

Kelly smiled. "Well I'm glad you did now."

"Justin knows I took you out last night...on a date."

"You told him?"

Marty nodded, hoping Kelly wasn't going to be mad. "He asked...and I wanted him to know I really care...and that I'm not just dragging you around."

Kelly nodded. "Nick asked, too."

"Guess we're pretty see through then." Marty giggled.

Kelly looked at Marty and smiled. "Is that a bad thing?"

Marty shook his head. "No...because I wasn't exactly trying to hide it."

Kelly nodded...picking a cucumber out of her salad with her fingers and putting it into her mouth.

Marty watched Kelly put the cucumber in her mouth and took a deep breath before taking a bit of his own sandwich again. "You all packed and ready to leave?"

Kelly laughed. "No. I still have to pack...but I have to get some shit off the bus before I do that."

"Yeah I know...same here." Marty said as he pushed his chair away and got up. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Water, please," Kelly said...finally reaching over for one of Marty's fries.

"Wait until I leave...and then grab my food...I see how it works." Marty laughed as he watched Kelly out of the corner of his eye.

Kelly laughed. "You said I could have one," she said innocently.

Marty groaned playfully as he grabbed two bottles of water. "You're right...I DID say that."

"OK, OK...I can take a hint. I won't take anymore."

"No...take as many as you want." Marty said as he walked back to the table. He handed Kelly her water bottle and then sat back down.

"Nope...they're yours...and I know you're territorial with your food," Kelly said with a laugh.

"You've got that right." Marty laughed as he picked up the last piece of his sandwich to eat it.

Kelly ate a few more bites of her salad before closing up the container, and returning to the soup.

"Good?" Marty asked as he watched Kelly eat.

Kelly looked up at Marty and nodded. "Wanna try some?"

Marty shook his head politely. "No thank you...I'm not really a big fan of onions…but thank you for offering."

Kelly laughed. "You don't like anything I eat."

"Fish and onions are like the only two things I don't eat." Marty laughed.

Kelly laughed. "I'll try to remember that," she said...then took one more spoonful of her soup before putting the cover back on, and wiping her mouth with a napkin.

Finishing up his sandwich, Marty closed the box and leaned back in his chair. "So, you wana watch something on TV and relax for a while before we gota get all our shit together?"

Kelly nodded. "Sure...sounds good," she said...then got up and started getting the trash together.

Marty stood up and helped Kelly collect the trash, taking it over to the kitchen area and throwing it away. Once that was done he headed over to the couch and picked up the remote to see what was on TV.

Kelly pulled the elastic out of her hair, and re-did her messy bun on the way over to the couch...then took a seat to Marty's left.

Marty's left arm automatically went behind Kelly on the couch as his right hand flipped through the channels. "Any idea of what you wana watch...or what kind stuff you wana watch?"

Kelly shook her head...relaxing back on the couch and crossing her right leg over her left. "Nope...whatever you want is fine."

"Okay..." Marty started flipping through the channels more and laughed when he saw something he hadn't seen in ages. "I used to love this show." He said selecting the channel so they would watch Babylon 5.

Kelly wrinkled her face. "What IS this show?"

"Hey...you said I could pick anything I wanted...so you're stuck with Sci-fi." Marty giggled as he kicked off his shoes to get more comfy.

Kelly chuckled as her right hand fell onto Marty's left thigh. "That's fine...no problem."

Marty looked down at his thigh when Kelly rested her hand there and smiled before turning back to the show. He then began explaining the point of the show to Kelly. "They live on a space station...and it's the year 2261..."

"Hmm...interesting..." Kelly said with a chuckle as her fingers started absently picking at the fabric of Marty's jeans.

"And him...that's President Sheridan...he's the president of the inner stellar Alliance...which is like a combination of planets...like Earth...Mars...and this place called Minbar." Marty continued to explain as he tried to ignore the feeling of Kelly's fingers moving along his thigh.

"Mini bar?" Kelly asked...totally confused by all the Sci-Fi stuff.

Marty glanced over at Kelly and started to bust up laughing. "Not...mini bar...but Minbar." He then paused for a second looking at the screen. "You see those funny looking pail guys with what looks like bones on their head?"

Kelly just nodded...trying to follow along.

"Those people are Minbari people...they come from the planet Minbar...and those guys right there with the funny hair...who remind me a lot of captain crunch...that is Lando...and he's from the planet Centari Prime." Marty continued to explain even though he knew what he was saying was totally going past Kelly.

Kelly shook her head and patted Marty's thigh a couple times. "You know what...just stop...cuz I'm never gonna get it."

Marty chucked and nodded his head. "Okay...why don't you pick something you would like to watch." He said handing the remote over to Kelly, not upset that she didn't understand and he wouldn't mind if she wanted to change the channel.

Kelly shook her head. "No...it's OK...you can watch this. I'm happy to just be sitting here with you."

Marty smiled. "Okay." He then turned back to the TV and continued to watch the show. Laughing along with the characters.

Kelly took a long, deep breath and dropped her head against the back of the couch...completely uninterested in the show. It was true, though...she didn't care what was on the TV. She just liked sitting there beside Marty.

Marty turned to look at Kelly when he heard her sigh. "Everything okay?"

Kelly turned her head to look back at Marty and smiled at him. "I'm fine, sweetie," she answered...rubbing her hand over his thigh a few times.

Kelly's hand rubbing his thigh sent shivers through out Marty's whole body and he had to take a deep breath of his own. "Okay...just making sure." He said, turning back to the TV, he wasn't really paying attention to what was going on with the show though, mostly now it was there to distract him from the closeness of the beautiful woman sitting next to him.

Kelly kept her head turned and continued looking at Marty for a bit. "Hey," she finally said quietly with a tap to his leg to get his attention.

"Yeah?" Marty asked as he turned to look at Kelly.

Kelly gave Marty a small smile. "Can I have a kiss?"

Marty couldn't help but laugh. "You interrupt me from my show to asking me something crazy like that." He said with a smirk, to show he was joking.

Kelly shrugged...still smiling. "*I* didn't think it was so crazy."

"Well...either do I." Marty said as he leaned over and placed a soft, tender kiss to Kelly's lips.

Kelly couldn't help but smile slightly against Marty's lips. Kissing him felt good...VERY good. She'd never been kissed in such a gentle, romantic way.

Marty brought the hand that was on the back of the couch, up to hold the back of Kelly's neck as he pressed his lips a little harder against Kelly's.

Kelly let out a barely-audible groan as she shifted in her seat a bit to turn more toward Marty. She lifted her hand off his thigh to bring it up to his face, and uncrossed her legs to drape her right leg of Marty's left.

Marty continued to kiss Kelly with small pecks to her lips and a few nibbles to her bottom lip. He didn't try and make the kiss anymore then that because he wasn't sure what Kelly wanted. He knew that if she wanted more she would make the next move. Feeling her leg draped over his made it almost impossible for him not to moan softly as he continued the soft tender kisses to her lips.

Kelly brought her other hand up so that she was holding Marty's face as she allowed him to continue kissing her...loving the way he was nipping at her lips so gently.

Eddie yawned and walked out into the room from his bedroom. Once again only wrapped in a towel and still wet from a shower. He stopped short when he saw Kelly and Marty on the couch...Kissing. "Whoa...Isn't that interesting."

Marty pulled back when he heard Eddie's voice and for once he actually blushed. "Uhh...Hey Ed."

Kelly giggled and buried her face in Marty's shoulder...not moving away from him.

"I thought you guys were going to lunch with Justin and his friend Nick." Eddie said as he walked towards the kitchen to get something to drink.

Marty gave Eddie's back a death glare as if staring at him long enough would make him go away. "We did...but we left early."

Kelly sighed...looking up at Eddie. "Yeah...it wasn't exactly the most friendly environment...so we bolted."

"Oh...Justin got in one of his moods again?" Eddie asked as he leaned back against the counter and drank his water.

Kelly shrugged. "Yeah...sumthin like that."

Marty did some sort of male telepathy and Eddie finally got the hint that he may of just walked in on something. "Okay...well you two go back to doing whatever...you two were doing...and I'm going to go get dressed..." With that he walked back into his room and shut the door.

Kelly laughed and buried her face in Marty's shoulder again. "How embarrassing."

"Yeah...tell me about it...but not like people weren't going to find out soon or later." Marty said softly as he leaned over and kissed Kelly's head gently.

Kelly looked at Marty with a small smile and an arched eyebrow. "Find out what?" she asked softly.

Marty got a deer caught in headlights look and shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing...I don't know what I'm talking about." He said, knowing he was assuming too much when he had said that.

"No...come on..." Kelly said quietly...still smiling. "...tell me."

Taking a deep breath Marty shrugged again. "That we are...you know a little more then friends...since I took you out and stuff...and we're kissing." He said, the nervous scared Marty coming back.

Kelly had to chuckle at how cute Marty was when he was that nervous. Going with what she'd been feeling in her gut, she encouraged him a bit by saying, "You mean...like...they might find out that we're...dating?"

Marty smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah...that's what I meant."

Kelly looked deep into Marty's eyes. "So...ARE we?"

Marty bit his bottom lip and nodded. "I would like us to be....if you would like us to."

Kelly's nose twitched a little in her state of concentration. "Do you think it's...I don't know...too soon?"

Marty thought about that for a second and sighed. "Too soon...well let's see...we've known each other for like 5 years...and we're with each other almost 24-7...so I would say we know each other pretty well. I know that *I* really enjoy your company. Too soon in the sense that things with Justin just ended...and you are still in love with him...that only you can know, Kel." He said honestly, looking Kelly in the eye.

Kelly sighed. "That's what sucks. See...what I ended with Justin wasn't really anything, at all. It was sex...that's it. Do I love him...? Yeah. But...who knows...maybe not for the reasons or in the way that I originally thought." She paused...then closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead as she went on. "Not to mention that I've slept with both him AND Nick in the last week...and that's not fair to you," she added...disgusted with herself.

Marty looked at Kelly in confusion. "What isn't fair to me?"

"Why would you wanna hook yourself up with a girl...like that?"

Marty's heart melted right there hearing Kelly say something like that about herself. "Honey...Kelly...I don't look at you like that at all. You are the least slutty person I know. I know you don't understand why you slept with Nick...but I'm sure deep down there is a reason both of you did it. I don't think it was just a crazy spur of the moment thing that had no meaning what so ever." He took a deep breath and too Kelly's face softly in his hands. "I don't think you are 'like that' Kelly...not one little bit."

Kelly sighed...trying to ignore the tears that were stinging her eyes from behind. "Then why do I FEEL like that?"

"Because you feel used...with the whole Nick thing. Because you are confused. You were a virgin until like 6 months ago and then in one week time you did something you never thought you would do, sleep with two guys at the same time." Marty said, putting in his two cents.

"Exactly...and I totally regret it, now."

Marty thought of something . "If you think that about yourself...why would YOU wana be with ME? You know I've been with more girls then I can even remember."

"I know..." Kelly said quietly. "...but when I look at you...and think of how you make me feel and how much you mean to me...that never even crosses my mind. That's not how I see you."

"Which is exactly how I see you." Marty said with a soft smile.

Kelly smiled. "So you really don't think I'm a whore?" she said with a chuckle.

"Honey...I've seen whores...and you are definitely not one." Marty said making a face.

"What made you do it?" Kelly asked...keeping her leg draped over Marty's as she leaned back against the arm of the couch.

Marty's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. "What made me do what?"

"Sleep with all those girls," Kelly said quietly.

"I don't really know." Marty answered softly. "I didn't really think about it much...and it wasn't like I had any reason not to. I didn't have a girlfriend...and the girls were there and stuff just happened. I really don't know."

Kelly just nodded as she tried to understand.

"Something I'm definitely not proud of." Marty added with a sigh.

Kelly took Marty's hand and gently pulled him over to lean against her. "Well...I think that if you look as it as a learning experience...then you shouldn't feel all that bad about it."

Marty looked up into Kelly's eyes. "I think you should take your own advice, Kel." He said with a small smile.

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah...maybe I should."

"Sometimes we do things that we aren't proud of...but we just gota move on and put it behind us." Marty said as he wrapped his arm around Kelly.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I guess you're right."

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...I guess you're right."

Marty pulled Kelly close and kissed the top of her head. "So...um after talking about this...do you know in your heart...what you want us to be?"

Kelly gave Marty a small smile. "Yeah...I think I do...but I'm scared."

"You don't need to be scared...I'll take care of you." Marty whispered, wondering exactly what Kelly's answer is.

Kelly's smile grew a bit. "I know...I'm not scared of THAT. I'm scared that...I don't know...I won't be enough for you."

Marty's eyes went wide and he pulled back a bit to look Kelly in the eye. "You could NEVER not be enough for me...if we do this...you will be my only, Kelly. No more sleeping around with namless girls." He said, wanting to make sure Kelly understood that.

"No, no, no..." Kelly said quickly...putting a hand on Marty's chest and shaking her head. "That came out wrong...I'm sorry. Although...that IS good to know...but I know you wouldn't do that to me." She paused to take a deep breath, then explained herself. "What I meant was...like...I'm afraid my pace might not be fast enough for you. Because...after what I've just been through, I might not be up for the whole sex thing right away."

Marty smiled and nodded his head. "I wasn't expecting you to be, Kel. I'm a big boy I can handle not having sex. It's about time I learn self control." he giggled.

Kelly giggled...bringing a hand up to rest on Marty's head. "Well...then maybe having me as a girlfriend will be good for you."

Marty wasn't sure he had smiled so big in his life. "Really...you mean you will be my girlfriend?" He asked, sounding a lot like a 14 year old boy having the first girl say she would go out with him.

Kelly laughed again. "If you'll have me."

Marty nodded his head quickly and pulled Kelly in for a big hug, kissing her cheek. "Of course, I will."

Kelly wrapped her arms around Marty's neck tightly...closing her eyes and enjoying his embrace.

"I think I could hold you like this forever." Marty mumbled into Kelly's hair.

Kelly smiled. "I know...feels good."

Just then there was a knock on the door and Marty groaned, not pulling away from Kelly's embrace. "Maybe if we are really quiet...whoever it is will go away."

Kelly giggled. "Don't count on it."

Groaning again, Marty pulled back. "Okay...don't go anywhere...I wana be in that hug again when I get back." He giggled as he walked to the door and opened it.

Kelly laughed as she relaxed on the couch and crossed her legs again.

Nick stood on the other side of the door with tears stained cheeks. "Is...Kelly with you?" He asked in a soft voice.

Marty's eyes went wide when he saw Nick and backed away from the door. "Yeah...come on in, Man."

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Nick walked into the room, looking down at the ground.

Kelly looked over toward the door, and was surprised to see Nick. "Hi..."

"You can sit down, if you want." Marty said as he walked back to the couch and sat down next to Kelly.

Nick nodded his head and walked to sit in a chair next to the couch, still not saying anything but tears started to fall from his eyes again.

Kelly took a deep breath as she studied Nick. "Nick...what happened?"

"I...I didn't even get to talk to him...he just got mad at me and walked off." Nick said softly, looking down at the ground.

Marty looked to Eddie's door. "I'm gunna go see if Eddie wants to go shoot some hoops...so you guys can talk." He said getting up and going into Eddie's room, not wanting Eddie to overhear the conversation.

Kelly nodded, and watched Marty walk across the room to Eddie's room.

Nick didn't say anything else until he heard the guys come out of Eddie's room and say their goodbyes and leave the room. Once he felt like it was safe he broke down in tears again, leaning over in his chair with his head in his hands.

Kelly leaned forward in her seat...looking at Nick. "You're a mess...are you gonna tell me what happened?"

"H...He just walked out on me, Kel. I didn't even get to talk to him. He asked me what the hell was wrong with me...and I didn't like how he said that...so I said nothing the hell was wrong with me...because he could of said it nicer you know...and then he left." Nick rambled as he continued to cry.

Kelly sighed. "Well...I'm sure it was partly because he didn't want to make a scene in public."

"But I followed him...and he still wouldn't talk to me." Nick whispered, looking down at his lap again.

"Nick...when Justin gets really pissed off or aggravated...he needs time to cool off."

Nick listened to what Kelly said and nodded. "Y...yeah."

Kelly sighed quietly. "I think you should go try to talk to him now."

Nick sniffled and shrugged. "Maybe...but he probably wants nothing to do with me."

Kelly took a deep breath. "Want me to go talk to him first?" she asked...not really sure if she should even get involved.

Nick thought about that for a second and then shook his head with a small smile. "No...I need to do this by myself...but thank you." He said as he stood up. "Sorry to mess up your afternoon for a second time."

Kelly smiled. "You didn't...trust me."

"I have a feeling I missed something." Nick giggled. "But you can tell me that later...I'm going to go try and fix my relationship...whatever it may be."

Kelly laughed quietly as she got up. "OK...good luck. I'm gonna go find the boys."

Nick leaned over and gave Kelly a small hug. "Thanks, Kel...and good luck with you and Marty." He said before he walked out of the room and headed down to Justin's. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Justin heard the knock on the door and sighed. He knew it was Nick...and he wasn't sure he was ready to deal with that. But...he knew he had to...so he got up to go open the door.

Nick smiled softly, his hands going back into the pockets of his jeans. "Is it safe for me to come now?"

Justin didn't say anything...but just stepped aside to let Nick in.

Taking that as good enough of an answer, Nick walked into the room, automatically going to go sit down on the couch.

Justin took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I snapped at you before," he said...taking a seat in the chair across from the couch.

Nick took a deep breath of his own and nodded. "I'm sorry if I made a scene in public...I wasn't meaning to."

Justin nodded. "I know."

"All I wanted to do was try to act normal around you...so I thought goofing around with the fry thing was funny. But when you pulled back and said you give up and sighed...I thought I had made the wrong choice in playing around." Nick said, finally saying why he started acting funny at the table earlier.

Justin sighed. "Well...you obviously haven't learned how to read when I'm joking yet...because that's what I was doing when I said I gave up."

"I kinda thought that was the case...when I was wandering the hotel thinking a few minutes ago. I think I would of noticed...if I wasn't already so uptight." Nick answered, looking up at Justin.

"But why were you so uptight?"

Nick took a deep breath. "I'm still not so sure of how I'm supposed to act around you in public."

Justin shrugged. "Just act like my friend. It's not that difficult."

Nick giggled a little and nodded. "I know it's not...and I'm sorry if it showed that I was uncomfortable...I didn't mean to cause a bit huge problem."

Justin sighed quietly. "Look...just act like my friend...that's all. Just be careful of...ya know...the way you look at me...and...you can't touch me, and shit."

Nick nodded again. "Okay...I can do that...I'm not exactly sure how I look at you...but I'll try not to do it in any weird way." He said, hoping he could do that...cuz sometimes you can't control the way you look at somebody.

Justin just nodded.

Nick bit his bottom lip and looked at Justin, not sure what else to say.

"I'm sorry," Justin said again. "I know I acted like an ass when I walked out on you...but I needed space."

Nick shook his head. "It's alright...I understand."

"Well...I'm sorry, anyway."

Nick smiled. "I know you are...and thank you for apologizing. I'm still sorry I messed up lunch."

Justin shook his head. "It's fine. I'm sure they understand."

"They seemed to when I saw them." Nick said finally relaxing a little bit.

Justin nodded. "They're two very cool people."

Nick nodded. "Uh huh they sure are." Taking a deep breath, he looked Justin in the eye. "Are we okay?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah."

"You sure?" Nick asked, when it seemed like Justin was still acting weird.

Justin nodded again. "Yeah...I'm sure."

Nick looked at Justin curiously and sighed. "Okay then...I guess if you aren't really going to talk to me...I'll go."

"What do you want me to say?" Justin asked...wondering why Nick was being so weird.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know...but you are just acting weird...I always feel like when we get into arguments that it takes us like 2 days to get back to the same place we were before." He sighed. "I guess it makes me feel kinda funny is all. A few hours ago we were goofing off and kissing and making out and stuff...then this happens and you are talking to me like I'm just a normal casual friend."

"I just don't know what to say about it all."

Thinking about that for a second Nick smiled a little. "I know...I guess I don't really either...sorry if I sounded angry...I'm not...just confused."

"You and me both."

"And I'm the one that is supposed to have all this figured out." Nick said with a sigh.

"Not necessarily. That'd be expecting too much of yourself."

Nick took a deep breath for probably the millionth time since he had been in Justin’s room. "Are we gunna figure this out together, then? Do you think we have a chance." He paused. "Wait...let me rephrase that...do you want us to?"

Justin sighed yet again. "I have to be honest with you, Nick. I don't know yet if I want there to be an 'us'. This is still too new to me for me to be making a decision like that."

Nick thought about what Justin said and smiled a little before he nodded. "You're right...I shouldn't of even said anything...I know you aren't ready for that."

"I like the way things are going now."

Nick giggled a little and nodded. "Me too...when we aren't fighting over stupid things."

"Yeah...that needs to stop."

"Yes...I agree...what should we do to try and prevent stuff like this from happening again?" Nick asked.

Justin shook his head slowly. "I don't know."

Nick thought for a few minutes, not saying anything. "I guess I'll just continue to work on not being so sensitive about things you say...take a minute to think about it before I get sad or upset..."

Justin nodded. "That's a start."

"I will also try not to let it bug me...how we have to go back and forth from being friends...to whatever the hell we are behind closed doors." Nick paused to smile. "Cuz I totally understand why that has to be hidden...just a little hard to get used to...but I'm working on it."

"I know...and I know it's hard...so I really appreciate it."

Nick giggled. "Hey...I appreciate it too...I don't wana know what those crazy teenage girls would do to me if they found out I had taken their man."

Justin chuckled. "That could get ugly."

"Yes...I happen to like all my body parts intact." Nick said putting on a mock freaked out face.

Justin laughed and shook his head.

Nick smiled. "Yay...I got him to laugh."

"Yes...you did."

Getting up off the couch, Nick kneeled down in front of Justin and rested his head on Justin's lap. "Ahh...there we go...I was feeling lonely over there." He said, since he was getting so used to being able to couch Justin even a little bit when they were alone.

Justin laughed softly...putting a hand in Nick's hair.

Nick sighed contently at the feeling of Justin's hand in his hair. "Yeah...this is what we should be doing instead of arguing...every time we start to argue I'll tell you to rub my head." He giggled.

Justin laughed. "Why do I have to be the one to do the work?"

"I don't think anybody needs to do anything...I think just saying rub my head...and seeing the confused look on people's faces when we were supposed to be arguing will make us laugh and stop." Nick busted up laughing thinking about that.

"I don't think you should tell me to rub anything in front of people."

Nick giggled and nodded his head against Justin's lap. "I know...I was totally joking Justin." He said laughing harder, thinking of telling Justin to rub things...that was putting naughty images in his head.

"Do you know where Kelly is?" Justin finally asked. "She wanted to see us before we left tonight...and we have to leave in like...an hour."

"Last time I saw her she was heading downstairs to the basketball court after Marty and Eddie." Nick said sitting up, looking up at Justin.

"Wanna take a walk to go find them?"

Nick nodded. "Sure...we gota go get Lonnie and Mike?" He asked as he stood up.

Justin shrugged. "We gotta get someone," he said...getting up to go to the phone to call his security's suite.

"Alrighty...I'm going to go use the bathroom." Nick said as he headed into the bedroom and then into the bathroom.

Justin got a hold of his security, then put his sneakers on while he waited for Nick.

A few minutes later Nick walked out of the bathroom. "Get a hold of somebody?"

Justin nodded. "We're all set. Ready?"

Nick nodded back. "Yup, I'm ready...let's go find our missing friends."

Justin nodded, then headed out the door to the hall...where Mike was already waiting. He gave the main a quick nod, then headed for the elevator.

Nick matched Justin's pace to the elevator, used to Mike being around finally. "I wonder what Kelly got us."

Justin chuckled. "Something thoughtful, I'm sure," he said...stopping to press the button.

"Yup...I can bet that." Nick giggled as he waited with Justin. "I'll have to remember to get her something when we go out shopping tonight...and then just send it to her or something."

"You don't have to get her anything. I'm sure she doesn't expect anything in return," Justin said as he got onto the elevator.

"I know she doesn't...but I would like to get her something...and Marty. They are my friends it's been a long time since I've had friends to buy gifts for." Nick said as he followed Justin into the elevator.

"Well I'm sure they'd appreciate it."

Nick leaned back against the elevator wall and giggled to himself, thinking about what he had bought when he went out shopping the day before.

Justin smiled as he listened to Nick laugh, then took a deep breath as he stepped out of the elevator and followed the signs toward the basketball courts.

Nick followed closely behind Justin, just happy that they were okay again. "I think that is where we are supposed to go." He said giggling again pointing at a door that had basketball court written next to it.

Justin nodded. "I guess so," he said...opening the door. He went in, and saw that Eddie and Marty were the only ones playin, and Kelly was sitting on a bench watching.

"Not a big basketball fan?" Nick called to Kelly as they walked into the room, the huge smile that had been on his face was still there.

Kelly looked over at Nick and laughed...glad to see that he looked happy. "They won't let me play."

"Yeah...that's cuz she's a girl...and girls have cooties." Marty said as he threw the ball through the hoop before Eddie could grab it, sounding like a grade schooler.

"That's not what you were saying an hour ago," Kelly mumbled...swinging her right leg a bit as it hung crossed over her left.

Nick giggled again as he ran over to Marty and Eddie asking if he could play a little bit. When they said sure he took the ball and they all started to do some sort of game with three people.

"Guess this means *I* have to play, too," Justin said...rolling his eyes dramatically as he went over to join the game. "Just take it easy on my back, boys."

"Okay cool...a full game...Justin and Nick against Me and Eddie." Marty said as he sent Kelly a big smile.

Kelly smiled back...leaning back in her seat on the bench to watch. "I'm the referee."

Nick giggled again, having no idea why he seemed to have a bad case of the giggles but he did.

Marty walked up to Justin, ready to block him. "Everything cool?" He asked softly as they started to play.

Justin gave Marty a quick nod. "Thanks."

Nick had the ball first and moved around Eddie enough to pass the ball to Justin. Happy this was one sport he at least knew how to play somewhat.

Justin caught the ball...made a quick dribble move around Marty...and easily laid it up into the hoop.

Kelly clapped loudly from the bench. "Woo hoo! Nice job, J!"

Marty stuck his tongue out at Kelly. "Hey now...who's side you on." He teased.

Kelly laughed. "The winner's."

Marty took the ball when Justin checked it to him and attempted to pass it to Eddie but Nick got it instead and dribbled it towards the basket and took a shot, making it.

Marty glared at Eddie. "Hey...what was that!"

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "Hey...can't help it...the kid is good."

"Yup..." Kelly chimed in from the bench. "...and you two SUCK!"

"You gunna let your girlfriend say you suck." Eddie asked, just assuming things from what he saw on the couch...not really knowing.

Now Marty got a freaked out look on his face and glanced at Kelly quickly.

Kelly just smiled at Marty. He'd been right earlier when he said everyone was going to find out eventually.

Justin stopped and looked back and forth between Eddie and Marty. "Wait, wait, wait...are ya'll not tellin me sumthin?"

"Busted." Nick called from where he was standing with the back, and of course giggling again.

Marty took a deep breath, Kelly's smile gave him the courage to say what he needed to. "I know she means it as a term of endearment." He said looking right at Justin as he said it....knowing in his own way that was pretty much saying that what Eddie said was true.

Justin gave Marty a small smile and extended his hand to the older man. It might have stung a little, but he knew in his heart it's what was best for Kelly.

Marty looked at Justin with wide eyes before taking Justin's hand, a smile on his face.

Nick took it upon himself to walk over to Kelly. "I knew I had just interrupted something earlier."

Kelly shrugged. "It wasn't a big deal. We were just talking."

"Yeah...well congrats girl...I know he'll make you happy." Nick said with a smile before running back over to join the game.

Kelly smiled and nodded...turning her attention back to the game.

Eddie took the ball this time and some how managed to get it past Justin and over to make a basket. "See...we don't suck THAT badly." He giggled.

"Just a little," Kelly called with a laugh...pulling her legs up onto the bench to sit Indian style.

Nick walked over to Justin. "We gunna let them make baskets like that." He asked with a laugh.

Justin shrugged. "They only made one."

Just then Nick thought of something. "Didn't we come down here for a reason?"

"Oh...yeah," Justin said...then walked away from the game and toward Kelly.

Nick followed after Justin.

Marty looked at Eddie and shrugged as they went back to playing the game from before.

"You guys are quitting?" Kelly joked. "You could KILL them."

"We came down here looking for you...I just got excited when I saw the basketball." Nick laughed.

Kelly laughed...looking at her watch. "Yeah...I wanna give you your gifts before we leave," she said...standing up, and looking over toward Marty and Eddie. "Guys...we have like...a half hour."

"Okay." Marty and Eddie both called, not stopping their game.

Nick shook his head and laughed. "They are having fun."

"I don't wanna hear it when you're late!" Kelly called as she headed for the exit.

Nick was about to reach for Justin's hand before he caught himself and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

"Let's go," Justin said...heading out into the hall...where Mike was waiting right outside the door.

"Doesn't he ever get bored?" Nick asked with a laugh as he walked with Justin and Kelly back to the elevator.

Justin laughed. "I don't think so."

"Wonder what he has to think about to keep himself entertained." Nick laughed again, just in a good mood.

"He people watches mostly," Justin said as they got on the elevator...talking like Mike wasn't a few feet behind him. "That's pretty much his job, anyway."

"I don't think anybody was walking around the halls down here." Nick said with a shrug. "But alright...just thought MY job got lonely when nobody came into the bar."

"You won't have to worry about that working at Justin's restaurant," Kelly said. "It's always busy in there."

"There is a major difference between a strange little hole in the wall pub that I worked at...and a restaurant owned by a super star." Nick laughed. "Justin could tell you how strange the bar I worked at was."

Kelly chuckled. "He's mentioned it."

"Still have NO idea why you went in there." Nick said with his head turned towards Justin.

Justin shrugged as the elevator stopped and he got off. "To get away."

"Makes sense." Nick said with a shrug back as he followed Justin off the elevator.

"Lead the way, Kelly Bell," Justin said...following Kelly down the hall to her room.

"That was cute." Nick laughed.

Justin and Kelly both laughed as Kelly opened the door to her room. "Come on in, boys."

Nick walked into the room. "So...whatcha get me?" He asked bouncing on his feet like a little kid, he was hyper for some reason.

Kelly went over to the coffee table and picked up the two wrapped gifts that were on it...handing one to each of the guys. "I'm not telling...and I want you guys to wait to open them til Christmas."

Justin pouted as he took his gift. "Do we have to?"

Nick put on an identical pout to Justin's. "Aww...man."

Kelly giggled. "Knock it off, you two. You'll live."

Nick turned to Justin. "I dunno...do you think we'll live?"

Justin sighed. "Oh, alright."

Nick put the gift down on the floor and shoved his hands back in his pockets. "I will not open you." He said looking down at the gift.

Kelly laughed out loud at that. "You're crazy."

Nick laughed and looked up. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"Good...I guess," Kelly said with another chuckle.

"Well...you don't have to put up with me much after tonight...this poor helpless soul over here...is stuck with me." Nick said with a playful evil smirk as he wrapped his arm around Justin.

Kelly sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically. "That's OK...I'M stuck with Marty," she teased with a laugh.

Justin smiled. "You'll have a great time with him."

"Yup...and you better call us sometime so we know you guys are still alive." Nick said with a small smile, it just hitting him that he really didn't know when the next time he would see Kelly will be.

"We'll be fine...as long as I don't bite it snowboarding."

Nick made a face at that. "Snowboards are not my friends." As he said that his hand went to his ass.

Kelly giggled. "They probably won't be mine, either."

"There aren't any snowboards in Tennessee right?" Nick asked looking up at Justin with puppy dog eyes.

Justin laughed. "Not usually."

"Good...then my ass is safe." Nick said with a mock sigh of relief.

Kelly smirked. "Maybe not if Justin has anything to say about it," she teased.

"Uh oh...Kelly's saying naughty things...what should we do about that?" Nick asked looking at Justin.

Justin wiggled his eyebrows. "I don't know...spank her?"

Nick pretended to think about that for a second. "Hmm...she might like that too much."

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Shut up, you two."

"We could tickle her." Nick said with a smirk.

Kelly held her hand out to keep them away. "No way. Don't you dare touch me," she said seriously.

Nick laughed. "Okay...fine."

Kelly checked her watch and sighed. "I better go down and get those two. They're gonna be late."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I need to go and get my shit together."

Nick made a face. "Me too...thankfully it’s all pretty much together after I washed it."

Justin laughed...heading for the door. "I'll see ya'll at the show, then."

That reminded Nick of something as he followed Justin out the door. "What exactly am I doing before hand?"

"Just get ready," Justin said as all three stepped into the hall. "There'll be a car for you, and Tina will take care of you when you get there."

Nick smiled and giggled. "Okay...sounds good to me...see you later." He wanted to give Justin a kiss goodbye but knew better then to do that.

Justin waved to both Nick and Kelly, then headed for his room.

Kelly sighed as she turned to Nick. "I'm gonna go back down and get those two fools."

"No need...the fools are here." Marty said as he walked up behind Kelly, laughing.

Kelly laughed and turned around to look at Marty. "Woops."

Marty smirked at Kelly. "You are just insulting me up and down today aren't you."

Kelly shrugged. "Just playin."

Nick laughed as he waved goodbye and headed to his own room. Eddie did the same thing and went into his room.

Marty, didn't say anything just took Kelly's arm and brought her back into her room. Shutting the door he leaned forward and kissed her deeply.

When the kiss broke, Kelly looked up at Marty with wide eyes. "What was THAT?" she asked almost breathlessly.

Marty laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "Just had the erg...hopefully I didn't do something you didn't want me to."

"N...no..." Kelly replied...still looking up at Marty as she subconsciously reached up to touch her lips with her fingertips.

"Good...cuz I would like to do it again sometime." Marty said with a smile as he held Kelly close.

Kelly laughed...slipping out of her slight daze and reaching up to wrap her arms around Marty's neck. "Oh, alright."

"Okay...that sometime is turning into right now." Marty said quickly before he dropped his head down to kiss Kelly again.

Kelly closed her eyes and gently caressed the back of Marty's neck as she kissed him back...slowly and tenderly.

Marty kept the kiss slow and tender this time, knowing the last kiss was a little much for both of them.

Kelly slid her hands over Marty's shoulders as she continued kissing him...stopping them to gently grip his biceps.

Subconsciously Marty pulled Kelly as close to him as he could go, his hands moving to rest on her ass. He still some how managed to keep the kiss soft and tender...even though it was getting a little difficult.

Before the kiss had the chance to develop further, the hotel room door opened...hitting Marty in the back as Melanie came into the room. She just looked at Marty and Kelly with a dumfounded look on her face.

Feeling the door hit him in the back caused Marty to break the kiss and turn around to look at Melanie. "Hey...Mel." He said with a small laugh.

Mel reached out to touch Marty's arm. "Oh my God...I'm so sorry. Are you OK?"

Marty nodded and moved away from the door more so Mel could come into the room. "Sure...I'm fine."

"OK," Mel said with a deep breath. "I thought I hurt you," she went on...starting to collect up her things around the room in a hurried fashion.

Marty turned back to Kelly with raised eyebrows. "Guess I should go get my stuff together, huh?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah. See you on the bus...?"

"Yup...see you there." Marty said as he leaned down for one more soft kiss before walking out the door and to his own room.

******@*****

Nick walked into the back door by where he had been dropped off and looked around, trying to find somebody he recognized. It would be even better if he could find Tina...but anybody who could show him where Tina was would be good.

Tina spotted Nick almost immediately...as she'd been alerted that he was on his way...and walked right over to him. "Hi, Nick," she greeted him...handing him an access sticker to put on his shirt before anyone would question him.

Nick smiled at Tina and took the sticker. "Hey Tina." He said as he peeled off the back of the sticker and put it on his shirt. "It's pretty crazy around here."

Tina nodded. "Yeah...and you're just in time. Justin's about to go on stage in about a half hour," she said...starting to walk with an indication to Nick to follow her. "They're in the green room right backstage getting ready. I can take you there for about five minutes, or so."

"Okay, cool." Nick said following after Tina, looking around at everything going on as he walked. This was a lot different then Justin's club concerts...so many more interesting things to look at. Then there was that question going through his head. 'Why is it called the green room?'

Tina shrugged. "I don't know. Wherever you go...radio stations, talk shows and stuff...the room right before you go on is called the green room," she said over the sound of Good Charlotte performing on stage...pushing open the door to a decent sized room where Justin and his dancers were costumed, and scattered around...all doing different dance moves and warm-ups.

Nick walked into the room and looked around, seeing all the people he was becoming more and more used to and friendly with. The first person he saw was Kelly so he walked up to her. "Good, luck girl." He said with a smile.

Kelly smiled at Nick quickly...trying not to break her concentration...and state of near-meditation. "Thanks."

After that, Nick wasn't too sure if he should go around talking to them or not. So he walked to the side and his eyes drifted to where Justin was. He wanted to go say hi...but he didn't want to bother him.

Tina stepped beside Nick. "I probably should have warned you that they're all pretty serious and intense right before they go on stage."

Nick laughed and shrugged. "It's okay...I understand." He said without letting his eyes leave Justin. He knew he probably shouldn't be staring like that...this is probably what Justin meant by not looking at him weird...but he couldn't seem to let his gaze leave the man as he got ready to go on stage.

After a few more moves, Justin caught Nick's eye and gave him a small smile...then went back to concentrating on what he was doing.

Nick smiled back and then broke out of his daze to turn to Tina. "So, where am I gunna be when they are on stage?"

Tina shrugged. "I thought you might want to watch from backstage. But...if you'd rather not..."

"That would be cool." Nick said with a smile, before looking around the room again. This was all still so new to him and he couldn't not look around at everything that was happening around him.

"OK," Tina said after a couple minutes. "We should go to our spots...give these guys a few minutes before they go on..."

Nick turned back to Tina and nodded. "Okay...let's go then." With one last look in Justin's direction he let Tina lead him to where they were supposed to go to watch the show.

Tina brought Nick to a spot off to the left of the stage, where several other people were standing to watch Good Charlotte's song. When the song finished, the host for the evening...P. Diddy...came out to talk to the crowd for a bit.

Nick leaned against a wall and watched and listened to P. Diddy talk. Laughing at a few things that he said. It wasn't until that minute that he realized he wasn't just with Justin anymore...but around other famous people as well. That thought was a little overwhelming to the fan inside him...but he tried not to let it show.

Before long, all of Justin's dancers came out from the other side of the backstage area, and took their positions on the stage behind the curtain that P. Diddy was standing in front of.

Nick watched all the dancers go into the stage and for the first time, he looked at them like people he knew. That was a really weird concept...but one that he liked. He turned to Tina and smiled, before quickly turning back, not wanting to miss anything.

Moments later, P.Diddy was introducing Justin, and he walked off the other side of the stage as the curtain went up, and the dancers started moving around under the lights as the intro to 'Rock Your Body' started blaring through the arena.

Nick shoved his hands in his pockets as he continued to watch the dancers on stage. He then felt his stomach turn almost nervously...like butterflies as he waited for Justin to make his first appearance.

Justin smoothly slipped onto the stage as the familiar beginning chords of the song rang out from his band...and he fell right into step with his dancers as he started singing...his back doing better than he'd thought it would be.

Nick smiled big when he saw Justin dancing along with the dancers. He was shocked to see that he was able to do that with his back still bothering him a little. His smile stayed as he continued to watch Justin doing the familiar song, but this time with the dancers too. He kinda missed his concert buddy, but it was fun to watch Kelly dance around on stage all the same.

The first song ended, and Justin talked to the crowd a bit as the music turned into the opening strings of 'Senorita,' and his dancers got into the groove of the new song.

As 'Senorita' started, Nick found himself quietly singing along to the music as he really got into watching the show. At that moment he flashed back to a time when he wasn't Justin's friend...but Justin's fan.

'Senorita,' turned into 'Last Night,' during which Justin took off his hoodie to please the crowd with a muscle shirt...and that into 'Cry me a River,' which included a mini beatbox performance.

Nick's eyes went wide when Justin took off his hoodie and laughed when the crowd went crazy. 'I've seen him with a lot less clothes then that.' He said to himself with a smirk as he continued to enjoy the show.

Justin paused after 'Cry Me a River," to drink some water, and chat with the crowd again...his face and forehead covered in sweat from the lights and the dancing.

Watching, Justin walk around sweaty was starting to have a reaction on Nick. He licked his lips when he found them getting dry. Turning to Tina he smiled again before turning back to watch Justin.

Tina was alternating between enjoying the show, and glancing around to check on all of Justin's body guards strategically placed backstage and down in front of the stage...not that they'd ever be doing their jobs incorrectly.

Nick let his eyes leave Justin for a second to glance at the dancers. They all looked so happy, and he could only imagine that they were probably glad to be back on stage again.

"OK..." Justin started...wandering around the stage a bit to get himself a stool and a microphone stand. "...now...since it's just a couple days before Christmas...I wanted to do a little sumthin special for ya'll tonight..." He took a seat on the stool and adjusted the mic stand to his liking as the dancers all sat down at the back of the stage in front of the band.

'I wonder what he's gunna do?' Nick thought to himself as he shifted his position a bit.

Justin turned away from the mic to quickly clear his throat, then closed his eyes as he started singing 'Oh Holy Night' a capella. No music...just his voice.

Nick leaned against the wall more, his head moving to rest against it too as he relaxed to listen to Justin sing. He had the most amazing voice and when there wasn't any music it seemed so much better.

It was almost amazing how quiet the rowdy crowd got while Justin sang...as if they were hanging on his every note.

Nick found his eyes drifting shut as he let the words Justin was singing sink into his head...is soul. He couldn't remember a time he had felt so relaxed...and he was standing up backstage at a concert.

Justin finished the last of the Christmas carol, then whispered a quiet "Thank you," into the microphone...making the crowd go wild. All the stage lights went out, and in the dark, Justin and the dancers took their places for the last song.

Hearing the crowd go wild again made Nick opened his eyes and stand up a little better. He then waited like the rest of the crowd to see what the next song was going to be. He tried to remember back to the rehearsal a few days before...to what songs they were going to do...but he couldn't remember.

The very familiar guitar chords that started 'Like I Love You' rang through the arena...and Justin and the group easily fell into the routine.

Singing along to the song, Nick tried hard not to dance along with Justin and the dancers....because he had memorized the whole routine a while back, but that would be really embarrassing if he showed that he knew it.

The song ended...and Justin and his dancers waved to the crowd as he wished them a good night and happy holidays. As soon as the curtain was down, four of Justin's guards were on him as he and the dancers left the stage.

After a few seconds, Nick turned to Tina with a huge smile on his face. "That was awesome...what do we do now?" He asked.

Tina smiled, then started walking away from the stage as some radio guys came on stage to play some games with the audience...motioning for Nick to walk with her. "Justin said to bring you to his dressing room to wait for him. He has to do press for a little while as soon as he comes off stage...so..."

"Okay...that's fine." Nick said as he followed Tina away from the stage. "Singing 'Oh Holy Night' was really cool." He said as he almost bounced after Tina...hyper after the whole experience.

Tina nodded. "Yeah...he did an excellent job." When they arrived at Justin's dressing room, she opened the door for Nick. "OK, honey...just hang here and wait. I have to go join him in the press room."

Nick smiled at Tina. "Thanks...for letting me watch the show and helping me know what I'm supposed to do." He said as he walked into the room.

"Any time." Tina tossed Nick a wink, then closed the door as she left.

Marty walked up behind Kelly and wrapped his arms around her. "You almost ready." He whispered in her ear.

Kelly laughed quietly as she continued putting her things back into her bag. "Yeah...couple minutes."

"You did great out there tonight." Marty said, still in the same position from before.

"You too. It felt great to be out there."

Marty pulled back and turned so he was leaning against the wall by Kelly's things. "Yeah...it really did...I didn't really know how much I missed it until we got out there again, tonight."

Kelly nodded. "I know what you mean," Kelly said as she went about looping a black leather belt through her jeans, then pulling on a gray zip-up hoodie over her white tank top. "Justin was amazing."

"Yeah he was...and he could do a lot more of the dance steps them we originally thought." Marty said as he watched Kelly finish getting ready.

Kelly nodded again. "Yeah...he'll probably be hurting a few more days, though," she said...boosting herself up to sit on the counter so she could put her sneakers on.

"Hopefully not too much, so he can enjoy Christmas and his time off." Marty pointed out as he bent down to pick up Kelly's bag for her.

"Yeah..." Kelly agreed...tying on her second sneaker. Just as she finished, Tina's assistant came through the dressing room passing out mail that they'd received the last few days of the tour. It always took a couple of days for the mail to get collected up and passed out. Kelly thanked the young man as she took her stack of mail from him.

Marty took the mail he was given and started to look through it. "Why are my sisters sending me Christmas cards...when they know they are going to see me." He laughed.

Kelly chuckled as she took a minute to go through her own pile...knowing that had plenty of time to get to the airport. She eventually came to one envelope that made her face go white, she dropped all her other mail onto the counter as she studied the return address, then opened the envelope.

Marty looked at Kelly worried. "What is it, Kel...what's wrong?" He asked, as he wrapped his arm around her back.

Kelly was oblivious to the fact that Marty was even talking to her as she unfolded the letter and read it...her skin paling more, and her breathing becoming slightly uneasy as she read on.

Marty pulled Kelly into his arms even more as he watched her face changing color and he breathing becoming more and more uneasy. He didn't say anything though, nor did he read the letter.

Kelly finished reading the letter, and took a deep, shaky breath as she hopped off the counter and folded up the letter. "Let's go," she said...grabbing her purse and shoving the letter into her sweatshirt pocket. She needed to get outside. "I need air."

"Okay...come on." Marty said as he grabbed his own bag and carried it along with Kelly's. He then led her out of the room and then out of the building

As soon as they got outside, Kelly pulled her pack of cigarettes out of her purse and lit one up. It was the first one she'd had in days, but she need it. Her first drag was long and deep, and she closed her eyes as she leaned back against the brick building and exhaled it.

Mary leaned back against the building, looking over at Kelly. "You gunna tell me what's gotten you so upset?"

Kelly nodded as she took another drag off her cigarette. "Sorry," she said quietly before breathing out the smoke. "I didn't mean to freak out and take off like that."

"You don't have to apologize...I would just like to know why my girlfriend is so upset...so I can try to make it better." Marty said as he put a gentle hand on Kelly's shoulder.

Kelly held her cigarette down as she flicked the ashes off it's end. "The letter was from my sister," she said quietly...finally looking over at Marty.

"Wow...that's a shocker." Marty said as he let out a deep breath, watching his breath in the cold air. "You haven't talked to her in years right?"

Kelly shook her head...using her free hand to hold the sides of her unzipped sweatshirt together in the cold night air. "Almost four years."

"What did she say?" Marty asked softly, not sure if Kelly wanted to share that piece of information.

"She wants me to come to her house for Christmas," Kelly said simply before lifting her cigarette to her lips.

Marty sucked in a deep breath, not sure what he was supposed to say to that. "You can go if you want to, Kel. I understand."

Kelly shook her head as she blew out the smoke...staring at something across the busy city street. "No...I don't wanna go."

"Okay...and you don't have to." Marty said as he wrapped his arm around Kelly's shoulders.

Kelly sighed. "My father's gonna be there. She wants to get us to reconcile," she said...handing her cigarette in Marty's direction.

Marty too the cigarette and put it to his mouth taking a long drag on it before replying. "Which...you will do on YOUR time...not hers...if you ever want to."

Kelly folded her arms over her chest...trying to keep warm. "I don't know. I don't wanna see him. If Dorie really wants to see me, then THAT I might do. But...not til after Christmas."

"Sound's like a plan." Marty said as he shivered slightly. "What do you say we get outa here...it's fucking freezing." He said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood a little.

Kelly nodded...taking her cigarette back and taking one last drag before dropping it to the ground and stepping on it. "That's fine...but I left my coat inside."

"So did I....so let's go back inside and grab our coats." Marty said with a smile as he led her back towards the door.

Kelly nodded...continuing to hug herself to say warm as she walked back inside with him. "I didn't say goodbye, either."

Marty led Kelly back into the building and back towards the room where they had been before. “We’ll do that too.”

After she got her coat on, Kelly said goodbye to the rest of the dancers...giving Mel and Eddie extra long hugs. "I'm gonna miss you guys," she said...squeezing Eddie tight.

Eddie hugged Kelly back. “Take care, girl...and have a good Christmas.”

"You too," Kelly said...kissing Eddie on the cheek...then doing the same to Mel as she hugged her tightly.

Marty moved in taking turns saying goodbye to everybody. Giving Eddie a friendly hug. They talked for a few minutes and then Marty joined Kelly over where she was saying goodbye to Mel.

"Have fun, you two," Mel said...pulling away from Kelly and hugging Marty. "Take care of my girl," she said to him quietly.

“You can count on it.” Marty said as he hugged Mel. “Merry Christmas...and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Melanie giggled. "THAT leaves me wide open."

Pulling back, Marty laughed. “Okay...let’s change that to don’t do anything that I WOULD do.”

Mel winked. "You got it, baby."

Shaking his head, Marty turned to Kelly. “You ready to hit the road?”

Kelly nodded. "Yeah. I need a vacation," she said as she put her gloves on...then reached for Marty's hand with her left as she picked her purse up with her right hand.

“You and me both girl.” Marty laughed as he waved goodbye to everybody before he took her hand and led her back out the door.

******@*****

"So what did you like best about the show?" Justin asked...coming out of the small bathroom in just his jeans after showering.

“When you sang ‘Oh Holy Night’.” Nick said with a smile a he lounged on the couch.

Justin smiled...going through his bag for a t-shirt. "I love singing that song."

Nick watched Justin move around the room, his eyes not able to leave Justin. “You sounded really good singing it.”

"Thank you," Justin said...selecting a t-shirt, and pulling it on over his head.

“It was kinda crazy how the whole crowd just went silent.” Nick laughed, remembering how quiet it had gotten.

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I noticed," he said...pulling on a gray Nike hoodie before going to sit on the couch to put his sneakers on.

Nick moved his feet from where they were resting on the couch so Justin could sit down. “So, what is happening next?”

"Shopping. You wanna go?"

“Of course.” Nick giggled. “It will be more fun this time since I wont be by myself.”

"That's true, I guess," Justin agreed as he tied his shoes.

Nick took this time to stand up and stretch his arms over his head and let out a small yawn. “Which stores are we going to again?”

"A bunch of different ones," Justin said...getting up. "You shouldn't come if you're too tired."

“I yawned and stretched...that doesn’t mean I’m tired.” Nick giggled. “I really want to come.”

Justin smiled. "OK...you can come."

“Good...cuz I would have to tickle you if you said I couldn’t come at the last minute.” Nick said as he wiggled his fingers, a smirk on his face.

"And I'd have to kick your ass."

“Could be fun.” Nick giggled as he jumped out of the way, just in case.

Justin widened his eyes. "Oh no...that wouldn't be fun. TRUST me."

Nick held his hands up in the air. “Okay...Okay I take it back....don’t hurt me.” He said continuing to giggle...he was still hyper from watching the show.

Justin laughed as he gave Nick a gentle shove in the chest...then went to throw the rest of his stuff in his bag.

Nick laughed and watched Justin gather his things. “You did pretty good out there...with dancing and stuff for your back still bugging you.”

Justin nodded. "Yeah...but I probably pushed a little too much. It's sore now."

“I’ll rub it later if you want me to.” Nick said, not thinking anything about saying stuff like that anymore.

Justin shrugged. "Maybe," he said...checking his watch as he put it on. "Wow...it's early. We still have a couple hours before the stores close for us."

“What are we going to do until then?”

"Wanna eat?" Justin asked...looking at Nick. "We could go back to the hotel and eat so we don't have to deal with people."

Nick nodded. “Okay...that sounds like a good idea to me.” He said with a small smile.

"Alright...cool," Justin said...pulling on his coat and grabbing his bag.

Nick grabbed his own coat off of the couch and pulled it on. “What is the weather like in Tennessee this time of the year?” He asked, curiously.

"Pretty cool...like in the forty's and fifty's," Justin said...heading out of the dressing room to meet up with his security.

“Sounds nice to me.” Nick giggled as he followed Justin out of the dressing room.

"Yeah...even sixties on a good day," Justin said as his security walked them to the limo.

Nick’s eyes went wide. “Wow...sixties for Christmas...I can’t even really imagine that.”

Justin nodded. "It's nice." he said...climbing into the limo at the back of the arena.

“I bet it is.” Nick said as he climbed into the Limo after Justin

Justin leaned back against the seat and relaxed...the limo pulling away once his security was in the SUV right behind them.

Nick leaned back against the seat too and turned to look at Justin with a smile.

Justin felt Nick looking at him and turned his head to meet his eyes. "What?"

“Nothing...just looking at you” Nick said with a shrug, and he continued to look at Justin.

Justin chuckled. "I know I'm hot...but you don't have to stare," he joked quietly...not concerned about being heard...as the privacy screen was up behind the driver.

Nick rolled his eyes. “So true...but you already knew I thought you were hot.” He giggled as he rested his hands in his lap. He really wanted to reach out and take Justin’s hand...but he didn’t know what touching rules were in limos.

Justin laughed again. "Yeah...I know."

Just then something popped into Nick’s head. “Hey...I was just wondering...are you going to tell your dad about you...well you know?”

"You mean my father?"

Nick thought about what he said and nodded his head. “Yeah...your father...sorry.”

Justin shook his head. "No...he doesn't need to know my business."

“You’re right...he doesn’t.” Nick said with a smile in Justin’s direction.

Justin sighed and closed his eyes...trying to relax a little.

Nick didn’t say anything else, just allowed Justin to relax. He turned his head to look out the window.

Justin was in a state of near sleep when he felt the limo stop outside the hotel. "Damn," he said...snapping out of it and sitting up in his seat.

Nick turned to look at Justin when he heard him curse. “What?” He asked, not knowing that he had been falling asleep.

Justin laughed as he collected his bag. "I was almost out."

Nick laughed and shook his head. “And you were saying *I* was sleepy.”

Justin laughed...getting out of the limo to be escorted inside by his security.

Nick followed closely behind Justin and his security into the hotel.

Justin was quiet until they got up to their floor, and his men left him alone outside his door. "Wanna come in?" he asked Nick. "We can just eat here."

“Yeah...that sounds like a good idea.” Nick said as he walked into Justin’s room. “So, when are we leaving for Tennessee...I keep forgetting to ask things like this.” He laughed.

Justin laughed...dropping his coat and bag on a chair. "Tomorrow morning."

Nick pulled his own coat off and draped it over the same chair. “Okay, cool.”

"I'm starving," Justin said. "How bout pizza?"

Nick’s stomach growled loudly at the mention of pizza and he laughed. “That sounds perfect.”

"OK," Justin said...then went to the phone and ordered a large pepperoni pizza. When he hung up, he walked over to Nick...smiling as he rested his hands on the older man hips. He quickly licked his lips before leaning in and giving him a soft kiss on the lips.

Nick let out a small moan when he felt Justin’s lips on his. He was shocked, not expecting that at all but he quickly figured out what was going on and kissed Justin back.

Justin wrapped his arms around Nick's waist...pressing their chests together as he continued kissing him slowly...taking the time to really familiarize himself with Nick's lips.

Once he was over the shock of Justin kissing him, Nick moved his arms up to wrap around Justin’s back. He then let Justin kiss him, enjoying that he was taking his time.

Justin eased up a bit...taking some time to just nibble and suck on Nick's lower lip.

Nick’s left hand moved up and down Justin’s back softly as he continued to let him nibble his lower lip. The feeling was almost comforting.

Justin switched to Nick's upper lips for a bit, then finally deepened the kiss...moving his mouth lazily over Nick's.

Moaning softly again, Nick stopped his movements with his hands and wrapped them around his back again, pulling him close. His mouth starting to move with Justin’s now, keeping the lazy pace.

Justin moaned quietly as his tongue found its way into Nick's mouth...just poking around playfully at first.

Nick had no idea where this had come from, but he wasn’t about to protest. He let Justin’s tongue into his mouth willingly and continued to let Justin set the pace and do what he wished.

When he was a bit more sure of what he was doing, Justin got a little more forceful with his tongue...lapping around Nick's mouth and tongue with slow, gentle pressure.

Nick moaned a little louder this time, his right hand going up to Justin’s neck, holding him there gently. Justin’s tongue in his mouth felt wonderful...and he knew he wouldn’t want this to be the only time he got to enjoy this.

Justin kept up the kiss a bit longer, then pulled back to look into Nick's eyes as he took a deep breath.

Nick looked back into Justin’s eyes as he too took a few deep breaths of his own. His has hand moving back to join his other on Justin’s back, still holding him close.

Justin's lips curled into a smile. I...umm...I just had to..."

Smiling back, Nick placed a soft kiss to the tip of Justin’s nose. “I’m glad you did...you can do that any time you want to.” He giggled softly.

Justin chuckled himself as he pressed a kiss to Nick's chin.

Nick sighed a content sigh as he continued to hold Justin close, just happy to have the younger man in his arms again.

Justin laughed again. "That felt really good."

“Mmm hmm. It sure did.” Nick laughed. “You can surprise me like that more often.”

"Were you really that surprised?" Justin asked...moving his right hand up to brush a stray eyelash off Nick's cheek.

Nick shrugged. “Maybe a little...I don’t think you’ve just came up and kissed me before.”

Justin shook his head...still smiling. "I don't think so, either."

Nick smiled, still holding Justin tight. “I liked it...I’m glad you came up and kissed me...cuz I’ve wanted to kiss you all evening.”

"So why didn't you? When we got back, I mean?"

“We were only in here for like 5 minutes at the most before you kissed me.” Nick pointed out, giggling. “I didn’t really get the chance.”

Justin chuckled. "Oh."

Nick laughed again. “But...I don’t mind...cuz either me kissing you...or you kissing me...we’ll end up with the same result.”

Justin cocked his head thoughtfully. "True...but...it WAS kinda nice kissing YOU for a change."

Nick smiled big and nodded. “Yeah...it was nice...very nice.”

"I'ma go to the bathroom," Justin said...then gave Nick a quick kiss before pulling away and heading for the bedroom.

“Okay...don’t get lost.” Nick giggled as he walked over to sit down on the couch.

Justin laughed on his way through the bedroom to the bathroom.

Nick kicked off his shoes and brought his feet up onto the couch, getting comfy. His right hand going up to his mouth to touch his lips, a huge smile on his face. He couldn’t believe it...Justin had kissed HIM.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Marty kept his hand wrapped around Kelly’s waist as he got his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door to his parent’s house. He wasn’t too surprised to see that all the lights were off in the house, because his parent’s hadn’t really known when they were going to show up.

"Have you talked to your parents yet?" Kelly asked quietly as she watched Marty unlock the door. "I mean...about us being together?"

“I haven’t talked to them today...so no.” Marty whispered as they walked into the house. “But, I doubt they will have a problem with it.”

Kelly smiled...lifting her bag onto her shoulder and carrying it inside. "I hope not."

“They wont.” Marty smiled back. “Come on, let’s just take our stuff upstairs and get some more sleep...I don’t know about you but I don’t sleep well in planes.”

Kelly sighed. "Me neither...but I think I'm too uptight to sleep."

“What about?” Marty asked as he led Kelly up the stairs.

"The whole thing with Dorie," Kelly said quietly as she followed Marty upstairs. "The letter, and all."

“Oh yeah...I can understand that.” Marty said as he walked down the hallway quietly, not wanting to wake anybody up. “Do you wanna just share a room with me...or do you want your own?”

Kelly stopped in the hall. "I don't know. I mean...I don't know how your parents would feel about us sharing a room. I don't wanna disrespect them, or anything."

Marty giggled a little. “They only way they will care is if they start hearing noises...other wise they could care less...believe me.”

Kelly smiled. "Do you WANT me to share your room?”

Marty smiled sheepishly and nodded his head. “I kinda wanna cuddle.”

Kelly chuckled softly. "OK...we can share."

“Yay.” Marty giggled as he opened the door to his old room and walked inside.

Kelly followed Marty into the room and set her bag down on the floor. "Your parents must be getting up for work soon, huh?" she asked...looking at her watch to see that it was 5:30 in the morning as she set her purse down on his desk.

Marty shook his head. “They normally take two weeks off at Christmas time. My mom did it when we were little so we didn’t have to go to day care or whatever on Christmas break...and I guess it just stuck. My dad did it because nobody came into work anyway. So, if I know my parents they were up until like 2am with friends over.” He said as he put his bag down by the closet and then flopped down on the bed.

Kelly nodded. She took her coat off and draped it over the desk chair...then walked over to look out the window.

Propping himself up on his elbows, Marty looked over at Kelly. “Are you okay, honey?”

Kelly nodded...folding her arms over her chest as she continued looking out the window. "Yeah...just thinking," she said softly.

Marty got up off the bed and walked over to where Kelly was standing. Wrapping his arms around her waist he rested his chin on top of her head. “If you ever wanna talk...I’m here to listen.”

Kelly nodded...taking a hold of Marty's hands at her stomach as she fought off the tears threatening to creep up on her. "I know. We can talk after you get some sleep."

“I’m not too tired to listen to you.” Yeah...he was tired but, Marty knew that Kelly talking was much more important then him getting to sleep.

Kelly sniffled quickly. "Go to bed, hun," she said in a near whisper. The last thing she wanted to do was be a bother.

Marty turned Kelly in his arms and looked her in the eye as he backed towards the bed and sat down, spreading his legs he pulled her forward, still looking her in the eye. “I would like you to talk to me first...then maybe you will be able to sleep too.”

Kelly looked down at Marty from where she stood between his legs. "Are you sure?"

“Totally.” Marty said with a smile.

Kelly took a deep breath...looking down at the front of Marty's shirt as she spoke. "I just...I don't know. I get kinda sad this time of year. I mean...don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled to be here with you and your family...but...sometimes I just wish I could be with my own family."

“I can understand that, Kel.” Marty said softly, looking up at Kelly. “Being around somebody else’s family may be nice...but they aren’t yours.”

Kelly nodded slowly...sniffling again. "And getting that letter from Dorie last night just made me feel it more," she said...her eyes focusing on the diamond earring in Marty's left ear as she reached up to touch it.

Marty put his hands on Kelly’s hips and slowly pulled her down onto his lap, holding her tightly. “I know, Kel...I’m so sorry your family treated you the way they did...you so don’t deserve that.”

Kelly lowered herself onto Marty's lap...resting her knees on the bed on either side of him. "It sucks. I mean...all cuz I wanted to be a dancer instead of a doctor like my perfect big sister and her perfect husband."

“Seems like a really sucky reason to disown your daughter to me.” Marty said, trying not to let the anger he had for Kelly’s father come out in his voice. He had always been mad at the man...but now he was even more protective of Kelly...and seeing her so upset, made him want to seriously injure the older man.

"Yeah...I think so," Kelly said with a quiet sigh.

Marty gently rubbed Kelly’s back, as he tried to think of something good to say. He was never very good with words and right then he really wished he was. “I think you should go see your sister...talk to her...if you can’t make up with your dad...it will at least be good to have something with your sister right?”

Kelly just nodded...absently toying the bottoms of Marty's t-shirt sleeves. "Will you come with me?" she finally asked in a soft voice.

“Of course I will.” Marty said as he kissed the top of her head.

"Cuz...if something goes wrong...I don’t wanna be there by myself."

“You don’t have to be by yourself ever again.” Marty whispered as he held Kelly as tight as he could without hurting her.

Kelly sighed quietly as she reached her arms up and wrapped them around Marty's neck...burying her face in his shoulder.

Marty sighed himself and looked out towards the window as he continued to hold Kelly tight.

He didn’t understand how anybody could hurt their daughter like that.

Kelly eventually pulled back and wiped away the unshed tears that were clouding her eyes. "I know it's like...freezing out. But I think I wanna go out and have a cigarette. I think it'll help me relax a little before I try to sleep."

“You can just open the window in here if you want to...That way you can stay a little warmer.” Marty suggested. “And I can go downstairs if you want to be alone.”

Kelly shook her head. "I don't necessarily wanna be alone...but I don’t wanna smoke in your parents' house, either," she said...getting off Marty's lap, and going to get her cigarettes out of her purse.

“My parents both smoke...so I really don’t think they would care.” Marty giggled a little.

Kelly chuckled. "I just don't wanna get on their bad side...so I feel like I shouldn't smoke in the bedroom."

“Just don’t set the house on fire and they will be happy.” Marty laughed and then thought of a crazy memory. “Did I ever tell you how my dad had me smoke pot on my 16th birthday?”

Kelly laughed quietly. "No," she said...going back to the middle of the room. "I'd feel better if I at least went to the basement, or something."

Marty rolled his eyes playfully and got up off the bed. “Okay then...we’ll go down to the basement.” He said as he took her hand and led her out of the room and down to the basement.

"Thanks," Kelly said as they headed down the basement stairs. "You didn't have to come with me, though."

“I’m not going to let you down in the scary basement by yourself.” Marty laughed as he led her into a nicely furnished basement with leather couches and a bar. A big screen TV was on one side of the room with a full entertainment speaker system. There was a pool table and shelves and shelves of games and other toys.

Kelly widened her eyes. "Yeah...real scary," she said...walking around the room to take a look. "This is new since last time I was here."

“Yeah...my parents had it totally redone when they had Beverly’s kids living with them for a while when she and Curtis were figuring stuff out.”

Kelly smiled...turning to look at Marty. "It's beautiful. I feel like I shouldn't smoke HERE, either."

Marty sniffed the air. “Believe me smoking as been done down here.” He looked around the room and saw several ashtrays left over from the get together with friends his parents had had the night before. “See.” He pointed to the ashtray.

Kelly chuckled. "OK," she said...finally giving in. She took a seat on one of the bar stools, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it...taking a long drag, and holding the smoke in her lungs for a second before expelling it.

“May I have one?” Marty asked, pointing to the pack as he joined her at the bar.

"Of course," Kelly said...sliding the pack toward him as she crossed her legs.

Marty took one of the cigarettes our of the pack and grabbed the lighter, lighting it. Taking a long drag he blew it out and looked around the room. “This place is even more decked out then it was the last time *I* was here.”

Kelly watched Marty closely for a bit as she took another drag off her cigarette. She felt so lucky to have him in her life. "Thank you for bringing me here," she said quietly.

Marty smiled big. “Thank you for coming with me.”

"Ya know..." Kelly started...looking down at the ashtray on the bar as she flicked her cigarette over it. "...when I found out Nick was going home with Justin, I really thought I was gonna be spending Christmas alone."

“I’m glad you told me you weren’t going any place...because I would hate to know you were going to be alone.” Marty whispered before taking a long drag of his cigarette.

"I'm glad I did, too," Kelly said...looking back up at Marty. "I could have easily lied to you...like I did to Justin."

Marty took a deep breath. “I’m glad you didn’t lie...I still don’t think you should of lied to Justin. If you would of told him the truth...I’m sure he would of understood.”

"It's not that I liked lying..." Kelly said...uncrossing her legs and bringing her left foot to rest on one of the bars on Marty's stool. "...I just didn't want any pity...didn't want him...or anyone else...feeling bad for me."

“I don’t think it was pity that made him invite you last year.” Marty pointed out.

"No...but this year I think it would have been...cuz I'm sure he wants to be alone with Nick," Kelly said before inhaling off her cigarette...turning her head to look at the liquor bottles lining the shelves behind the bar.

Marty shrugged his shoulders. “Make new friends...but keep the old, Kel. I think Justin would of been happy to have you along.” He said, knowing it was true...the real question was if it would of been good for all three of them if she had gone.

Kelly sighed. "Maybe...but I just don't think it would have been a good idea."

“Well...either way, I’m glad you are here with me instead. I like to have a coming home buddy too.” Marty said with a smile.

Kelly laughed as she looked at Marty and cocked an eyebrow. "Buddy?"

Marty rolled his eyes. “Okay...well at first it was just bringing my friend home right...but now it’s bring the girlfriend home to see the parents.”

Kelly shivered a little. "Scary thought."

Marty laughed and shook his head. “Nah...not scary...since you already know everybody.”

"I know...but now I'm your girlfriend. That's a lot of pressure," Kelly said before taking a drag off her cigarette. "When's the last time you brought a girl home to mom and dad?" she asked curiously after blowing out the smoke.

It took Marty a second to think about that. “Uhh...sophomore year of high school.”

"Wow...so that's like...ten years."

“Okay...make me feel old why don’t you.” Marty giggled, elbowing Kelly playfully.

Kelly laughed. "You're not old," she said...putting her cigarette out in the ashtray, then looking at Marty as she rested her left hand on his right thigh. "When was the last time you had sex?" she asked quietly.

Marty looked at Kelly funny when she asked that question. “Umm...two weeks ago...I think.”

Kelly nodded...looking down at her hand on Marty's leg. "I was just wondering."

Marty looked down at her hand too and then back up at her face. “I didn’t mind that you asked.”

Kelly smiled. "OK...good."

“There are going to be some new kids you haven’t seen before here on Christmas.” Marty said with a smile, he loved all his nieces and nephews.

Kelly smiled...sliding to the edge of her chair to be closer to Marty. "I can't wait. It'll be fun."

Just then Marty thought of something. “Ohh...and just to warn you...my grandma...when she finds out we’re dating she’s going to bug us to death about when the wedding is...and when we are having kids.” He laughed shaking his head. “She asks me that stuff...even when I’m not dating anyone.”

Kelly laughed as she widened her eyes. "The wedding? Damn."

Marty held up his hands. “Hey...I’m not the one that said it...there isn’t a wedding anywhere in the near future...at least not that I’m aware of.”

Kelly giggled. "You tell grandma that you're lucky if I even let you kiss me goodnight."

Marty pouted playfully. “And I guess kid’s wont come about that way.” He joked.

Kelly giggled some more. Marty was cheering her up without even trying. "No...definitely not," she said...spinning her stool to the left so that she was facing him.

As soon as Kelly was facing him Marty couldn’t help but yawn loudly and then laughed. “Sorry.”

Kelly smiled at Marty...resting her hands on his thighs. "I think you should go to bed now," she said...trying not to show any sadness in her voice.

Marty shook his head with droopy eyes. “No...I’m fine. I don’t want to go to bed.”

Kelly studied Marty's tired face for a bit, then looked over toward the sitting area. "Well...then...we could curl up on one of those comfy-lookin couches and watch TV," she suggested.

Marty nodded and got off the stool. He reached a hand out to Kelly. “Good idea.”

Kelly took Marty's hand and hopped off the stool. When they got to the couch, she sat down to take off her sneakers.

Marty bent down to take off his own shoes and once he did he lied down on the couch, scooting all the way to the back so Kelly could lie down in front of him. He was already struggling to keep his eyes open...but he knew Kelly didn’t want him to go to sleep...even though she said she did...so he tried to stay awake.

Kelly looked over at Marty...smiling when she saw him already drifting off. She grabbed the remote off the coffee table and turned on the local morning news, then slipped her sweatshirt off before laying down in front of Marty...resting her back against his chest.

Marty automatically wrapped his arms around Kelly and blinked to keep his eyes open. “It’s weird to see...Utah news.” He said in a deep voice from being sleepy.

Kelly took a hold of Marty's hand in front of her. "Go to sleep, sweetie...I'll let you know if anything exciting is happening around here."

“Highly doubt...anything will.” Marty chuckled as he finally let his eyes close.

Kelly closed her eyes, too as she let herself completely relax in Marty's arms. She wasn't ready to sleep...and she knew she wouldn't...but she was perfectly content with laying there with her boyfriend while he slept.

Marty’s breathing got deeper behind Kelly as he drifted off to sleep. He wasn’t going to tell Kelly, but he hadn’t slept much at all the night before because he had missed sleeping with her in his arms. But now she was and he was already sleeping better then he had.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Justin threw his backpack onto his back, and put his stocking cap and sunglasses on as he headed for the plane's exit with Lonnie right at his side...the airline giving them time to get off the plane before everyone else.

“Another plus about hanging with you...not having to wait to get off the plane.” Nick giggled softly as he walked on the other side of Justin.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...right," he said as they headed down the tunnel. There were three more local bodyguards waiting just inside the terminal, and all four escorted Justin to the car.

“All this to get through an airport?” Nick mumbled in amazement as they got to the car.

Justin took off his sunglasses once they were in the limo...and sighed as he sat back and looked out the window...waiting for their luggage to be brought to the car.

“Doesn’t driving around in a limo make you stand out?” Nick asked as he looked out the window with Justin.

Justin shrugged. "Not necessarily."

Nick giggled. “I know that if I saw a limo driving down the street I would only wonder who it was...and then follow that person in the limo to see where they go...and find out who it was.”

He said as if he had done it before.

"There are lots of limo services around, though...business people use them all the time."

“True.” Nick giggled and relaxed back against the seat. “So, does Lonnie come with you? Or where does he go after this point?”

"Nah...he'll leave me, now. But he has a place just up the street from me...just incase. I use the local guys while I'm home, though...to give him a break."

“Oh...that’s cool...He needs a vacation just like everybody else.” Nick said as he crossed his legs, looking out the window some more at people moving around the outside of the terminal.

The luggage was soon loaded, and the car pulled away from the curb to pull out of the airport. "I can't wait to get home," Justin said with a sigh.

“Almost there.” Nick said and smiled as he reached out to give Justin’s thigh a soft pat, still not sure how much he could touch Justin in limos

"I can't wait to see the boys tomorrow," Justin said...watching the familiar scenery pass by outside the window.

Nick smiled a little at that. “That will be cool.”

"Yeah...they'll love you...cuz you're fun."

“I haven’t had much experience with little kids though.” Nick said, looking at Justin...the nervousness of meeting everybody starting to set in and his knee started to bounce.

"Don't worry about it. It won't make a difference."

“Okay.” Was all Nick said before turning his head to look out the window again, wanting to hide how nervous he was from Justin. Meeting new people was something that scared him to death...why he hadn’t thought about it before this point...he had no idea.

Justin sat quietly until the car pulled into his neighborhood...at which point he anxiously leaned forward in his seat...staring out the window.

Nick turned to look at Justin when he leaned forward in his seat. Seeing this caused him to smile no matter how nervous he was. “Excited?”

"Yup...and it's like two o'clock. That means mama's gonna have a nice lunch all set up..."

Nick’s smile got even bigger when he heard Justin say that. His mom never made big lunches when he was little...and would probably never do it now for him being all grown up.

“Sounds nice.”

"Wait til you have her food."

“You’re going to make my stomach growl...if you don’t stop that.” Nick joked.

Justin laughed. "Here it is," he said excitedly as the car turned onto the grounds of a beautiful Victorian house with a huge yard and perfect landscaping.

Nick’s eyes went wide. “Wow...that’s a VERY pretty house.” He said putting a hand on Justin’s arm. “Don’t jump out of the car before it stops.” He giggled.

"Dad's got my car out already," Justin noticed...seeing his pearl-colored Escalade in the driveway as they pulled closer to the house.

Nick gasped when he saw the Escalade, his eyes wide and mouth dropped open.

Justin looked at Nick when he heard the gasp. "What?"

“I want your car.” Nick laughed as he looked at the car, his eyes still wide.

Justin chuckled...not feeling the need to mention the seven other automobiles he owned.

“You take me for a ride in that at least once and I’ll be a happy camper.”

Justin laughed. "You can drive it if you're REAL good," he said...opening the car door just as it came to a stop.

Nick laughed at Justin and got out of the car too. “Good boy…you at least waited for it to stop.” He joked...and then what Justin had said sunk in and he stood there looking at Justin with wide eyes once again. “Really??? You mean that!!”

Justin slipped his backpack onto his shoulders and laughed at Nick. "Yes...I mean it. You DO have a license...right?"

Nick nodded his head like crazy, trying hard not to jump up and down and make a total fool of himself. “Yeah...I have my license...haven’t had a car to drive for a few months...but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how.”

Justin chuckled and shook his head...taking a hundred dollar bill out of his wallet as the driver took their bags to the porch.

Once he was semi calm from the car thing, Nick took a second to look around the grounds of the very pretty house...his eyes going wide all over again.

Justin, meanwhile, folded the bill and slipped the tip into the driver's hand. "Thanks a lot, man. Happy Holidays," he said. The driver thanked him, then headed out.

Nick continued to look around in awe of his surroundings. He couldn’t remember ever being some place so beautiful in his life.

"Come on," Justin said excitedly...walking up the steps to the porch, right past their bags, and through the front door. "Where my mama at?"

Right as soon as Justin said that, Lynn came walking down the steps a huge smile on her face. “You’re here...finally!” She said, walking quickly to give Justin a big hug.

Nick shoved his hands in his pockets nervously and looked at the woman who he had only seen pictures of.

Justin smiled brightly as he hugged his mother tightly...lifting her right off the ground. He hadn't seen her in almost three weeks, and he hardly ever went that long without seeing his mother. "Mama...it's so good to see you."

Lynn laughed as Justin picked her up off her feet. “It’s so good to see you too.” She said hugging him back just as tightly for a few more minutes before pulling back. “Your flight go okay...no problems with security at either airports right?” She asked, going into mother hen mode right away.

"Everything was fine, mama," Justin said...still smiling. He glanced at Nick, then back at his mother. "Mama...this is Nick...Nick Carter."

Nick smiled nervously and took his right hand out of his pocket to shake Lynn’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harless.” He said politely.

Lynn rolled her eyes and walked over to the nervous boy and pulled him in for a hug. “You will call me Lynn...none of that other crap.” She said with a laugh.

Nick giggled a little and hugged her back a bit. “Okay, Lynn.”

Justin laughed softly as he watched the scene. "Where's dad?" he asked...looking around the spacious foyer and downstairs area.

Lynn pulled back from hugging Nick and looked around. “The last time I saw him he was in the garage getting your car out...and that was about twenty minutes ago.”

"I'll go find him," Justin said...quickly heading through the house to the garage...leaving Nick and Lynn alone.

Nick smiled, even more nervous now that Justin was gone. “Thank you for letting me join in with your Christmas.” He said, once he figured out something to say.

Lynn smiled big. “You’re very welcome, we are happy you could join us...now come on let’s go sit in the kitchen while we wait for Justin and Paul to join us.” She said, leading Nick through the house to the kitchen.

A couple minutes later, Justin and Paul came through the garage door into the kitchen. Justin smiled at Nick as soon as he caught his eyes. "Nick...this is my dad, Paul. Dad...this is Nick."

Paul walked over to where Nick was seated and extended his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Nick. Welcome to Memphis."

Nick put on his best smile and shook Paul’s hand firmly. “Pleasure to meet you too, Sir...and thank you.”

Lynn laughed at Nick being formal again as she started to move around the kitchen getting out the things she had prepared for lunch.

Justin laughed with his mother, then turned to Nick. "Come on...let's get our bags," he said...leading him back out to the front porch.

Nick quickly followed after Justin, glad to be with just him for a least a moment so he could catch his breath.

Justin stopped to look at Nick once they were on the porch. "You OK?"

“Yeah...I’m okay.” Nick said with a small smile as he leaned down to pick up his things.

Justin chuckled...picking up his own things. "Right this way, Mr. Carter," Justin said playfully...leading Nick back inside.

“You make me sound like that doctor on ER.” Nick laughed as he followed Justin back inside.

"That's DOCTOR Carter...you're MISTER Carter," Justin pointed out...leading Nick all the way through the foyer to the back of the house, and then out a sliding glass door to the back yard.

“Well EXCUSE me.” Nick laughed, rolling his eyes as he continued to follow Justin, wondering where in the world they were going. “Going to throw my stuff in the pool?”

Justin laughed. "No...I stay back here," he said...nodding toward the small house about fifty yards from the main house.

Nick smiled. “Ahhh...It’s all making sense now.” He giggled

Justin took a shot at the doorknob...figuring that his mother would have left it unlocked...and he was right. "Come on in," he said...sighing dramatically as he entered the main room...which pretty much contained the whole house. There was a spacious kitchen and dining area, a sitting area with glass walls that looked out to the pool...as well as an entertainment center, pool table, and piano. "Home sweet home," Justin said with a laugh...dropping his bags and looking around. His mother had obviously been taking care of the place...and gotten it ready for his return. Everything was sparkling clean, the pillows on the sofas were fluffed, the blinds opened to let in the sunshine, and several vases of fresh flowers placed throughout the house.

Nick dropped his bags next to Justin’s and took a look around. “This place is really, really nice.” He said, not sure what else to say cuz he was almost at a loss for words.

Justin smiled...still looking around himself. "Thanks. It's home."

“A very nice home...you should see mine.” Nick giggled as he continued to look around, moving around a bit, almost afraid to touch anything.

Justin laughed...walking through the house. "Come on. I'll show you the bathroom and stuff...incase you wanna get washed up for lunch." He walked about five steps, then stopped. "Damn...did I just say that? That was SO southern," he said...continuing on with a laugh.

Nick scrunched up his face in confusion and shrugged. “I don’t know...I didn’t even notice what you said.” He laughed as he followed Justin.

"Don't worry. You'll hear my mother say it a million times while we're here," he said...walking into his bedroom...all decorated in navy blue, baby blue and white...also with glass walls overlooking the pool. "Boys...go get washed up for supper," he mocked in a high-pitched voice.

Nick took one look at Justin and busted up laughing. “Oh wow...that was too funny.” He said almost on the floor laughing.

Justin rolled his eyes with a laugh of his own. "Anyway...the bathroom's through there," he said...pointing to the door on the left of the bedroom that led to the big bathroom...complete with large Jacuzzi tub and glass-enclosed shower.

Nick looked where Justin was pointing and nodded his head. “Gotcha...bathroom.” He then walked over to the windows and looked out at the pool. “And very big windows.”

Justin laughed. "Don’t worry...the blinds close."

Nick laughed and turned back to Justin. “No, I just figured you liked to give your parents a show when you got ready for bed.”

"That's right," Justin said...laughing as he headed back out of the room. "Gotta have shades when you sleep nekkid."

Nick couldn’t help but groan at the mental pictures that went through his head...and the way

Justin said that...made him shiver. “Definitely.” He said as he followed Justin out of the room.

"Ready to go over for lunch? I'm sure mama's got everything ready."

“Sure...I could go for food.” Nick said with a smile.

"Alright...come on," Justin said...opening the front door and letting Nick go through first.

“Why thank you.” Nick giggled as he walked out.

Justin followed Nick back to the house at a leisurely pace...looking around the yard as if getting reacquainted.

Nick took the time to look around. “This place is really beautiful.” He said as he walked with Justin slowly.

Justin nodded. "Yeah. And ya know...my mom and dad take care of the whole place themselves."

Nick’s eyes went wide. “Really? We had a little tiny yard but my dad still paid somebody to mow our yard and do all that stuff...always said he had better things to do.”

"They don't work...aside from running Justin-Time Entertainment...but they do most of that from home...so they're always around," Justin informed Nick as he opened the door to the main house for him.

“Yeah...guess that would give them time to do things like that.” Nick said as he walked into the house.

“Boys...go ahead and get washed up for lunch!” Lynn called from the kitchen as she finished putting different meats and cheeses out on a plate, setting it on the table to make sandwiches.

Justin turned to Nick with an 'I told you so' look on his face.

Nick tried so hard not to bust up laughing, his face turning red.

Justin laughed as he led Nick to the bathroom off the foyer. "Sure thing, mama."

“I like your house already.” Nick giggled as he followed Justin to the bathroom so they could get washed up.

Justin turned on the hot water and started washing his hands. "What's not to love?"

Nick walked to the other sink and started to wash his own hands. “Nothing...nothing at all.”

"I think after lunch I wanna go find Trace," Justin said...drying his hands on the towel on the rack.

“Find him...is he hard to find normally?” Nick asked, giggling as he dried his hands off.

"Sometimes," Justin said...heading out of the bathroom. "Ya never know where he might be."

“What does he do?” Nick asked as he followed Justin back to the kitchen.

Justin laughed...taking a seat at the table. "Works for me...sorta."

Nick laughed as he sat down at the table next to Justin. “I see.”

Lynn brought a plate full of homemade bread and set it on the table. “Okay guys...we’ve got meat and cheese...bread...muster...mayo...lettuce and tomatoes...anything else you guys would want for your sandwiches?”

"No thanks, mama...this is fine...sit down and eat," Justin said...getting up to go to the fridge for some bottled waters.

Lynn grabbed a bowl of macaroni salad and put it on the table before sitting down across from Nick.

Justin brought the waters to the table and sat beside his mother. "Where'd dad go?"

“I have no idea...he keeps disappearing today.” Lynn laughed as she started to make her sandwich.

Nick quietly started to put together his sandwich and listen to Justin and his mother talk.

Paul came breezing through the kitchen with his briefcase in hand...grabbing a piece of bread on his way through. "Honey...I'm going into the office to take care of a few things so we don't have to go in until after Christmas."

Lynn looked at Paul kind of funny. “Justin just got here...and you’re going into work?”

Justin smiled. "Mama...its fine...let him go. I'd rather him be able to hang around the next few days. Besides...I think I'm gonna go out and find Trace after lunch."

Lynn sighed and nodded. “Okay...bye honey.” She said giving Paul a small smile.

Paul leaned down to kiss his wife on the cheek, then headed for the garage. "I love you," he said to her...then opened the door to go out. "See you later, boys."

“Love you too.” Lynn called.

“Bye.” Nick said after swallowing what was in his mouth.

"Mama..." Justin started as he finished making his sandwich. "...I really don’t mind if he goes. Don't be upset with him."

“I’m not, Justin.” Lynn said as dished herself up some of the salad.

"OK," Justin said...taking a bite of his sandwich...not sure whether he believed her, or not.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Janet Kudelka walked down the stairs to the basement and smiled when she saw the TV on. She knew that Marty was home because she saw his things in his room...but then hadn’t found him any other place in the house. Walking around the room so she was looking at the couch her smile got even bigger. She never expected to see Kelly wrapped in Marty’s arms like that. Bending down a little she ran her hand through Marty’s hair. “Marty...honey.”

Marty’s eyes flashed open and smiled sleepily when he saw his mom. “Mom...hi.”

Janet laughed. “Hi...it’s almost three in the afternoon...thought you might want to wake up sometime today.”

Kelly shifted a bit in Marty's arm in response to the commotion around her, but didn't wake up. She'd only fallen asleep a couple hours before, and was still sleeping soundly

Marty groaned and tried to stretch but he couldn’t on the cramped couch. “Thanks...we’ll get up...sometime.”

Janet nodded. “Okay...well I just made cookies, so if you want them when they are hot then you’ll have to come and get them soon.” With that she walked out of the room, still wondering what was going on with Kelly and Marty...but knew her questions would be answered soon enough.

Marty had to laugh at his mom. She still thought of him as a little boy sometimes...and it didn’t really bug him like he thought it should. He didn’t see her enough and liked to be pampered when he could.

Waking up slightly, Kelly managed to turn her petite body around so that she was facing Marty...and buried her face in the comfort of his chest with a content sigh.

Marty wrapped his arms around Kelly tightly and then groaned when he found out he really needed to go to the bathroom, but he didn’t want to wake Kelly up.

"What time is it?" Kelly mumbled into Marty's shirt a few minutes later when she finally woke up.

“Mom said it was like three in the afternoon.” Marty said as he placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Damn. I was only asleep like an hour and a half?"

“You’ve been awake all this time...I mean until an hour and a half ago?” Marty asked, the shock evident in his voice.

Kelly nodded. "I remember 'Days of Our Lives' was on when I fell asleep."

“Jesus...then go back to sleep, or you’re going to be dead.” Marty said trying to relax again behind her so she could go back to sleep.

Kelly shook her head...and moved away from Marty to sit up. With a long groan, she stretched her arms high over her head. "What I need is a shower."

“We’ve got five of them...so I think you can manage to do that.” Marty laughed as he tried to sit up and groaned loudly when his back was cramped up like crazy...”Okay...sleeping on couch bad idea.”

Kelly made a face as she stood up and stretched again. "I'm sorry..."

“It’s not your fault.” Marty said as he finally got himself into a sitting position. “Ouch.”

Kelly pouted as she stepped in front of Marty...and started massaging his shoulders. "Yes it is."

Marty hung his head down and moaned when Kelly started to massage his shoulders. “Not it isn’t...I was just in one position for too long.”

Kelly moved her hands to the back of Marty's neck to massaged there for a bit...then down his back as far as she could reach as she leaned closer to him.

Feeling himself loosen up a bit he twisted his hips and got the kinks out of his lower back. “Okay...I think I can move now.” He laughed.

Kelly smiled. "OK," she said...extending a hand to help Marty up.

Marty took Kelly’s hands and let her help him up. Once on his feet he stood hunched over. Taking a deep breath he stood up quickly, the bones in his back cracking loudly.

Kelly grimaced. "Ouch. You need a shower, too. Nice and hot...let the water run on your back for a while...as hot as you can stand it."

Marty nodded, trying to not let the tears that were in his eyes fall. That had really hurt. “Yeah...sounds good...and told you I was getting old.” He joked.

Kelly didn't like the look on Marty's face. "Are you alright?"

“Yeah...I’m fine...let’s just get upstairs.” Marty said as he attempted to walk normal to show he wasn’t hurting at all.

Kelly grabbed her sneakers and her sweatshirt, and jogged up the stairs ahead of Marty to open the door.

Marty took the stairs slowly and smiled when he got to the top where Kelly had the door open. “Thank you.”

"You're welcome," Kelly said...holding the door until he got through.

Walking through the kitchen as fast as he could so he wouldn’t have to deal with his mom. He didn’t want her fussing over him...cuz he was fine. “Come on.” He practically whispered as he snuck past the den where his mom was.

Kelly peeked into the den on their way by. "Why are we dodging your mom?" she asked quietly as they started up the stairs.

“Cuz I don’t want her seeing me hurt.” Marty said as he tried to make it up the stairs without hurting his back too much.

Kelly sighed once they got up to Marty's room. "I wish I hadn't asked you to stay downstairs with me."

“You didn’t know this was going to happen...Hell that never happened to me before.” Marty said putting a gentle hand on Kelly’s shoulder. “Please don’t blame yourself.”

"OK. Just...do me a favor and go take some Motrin...and get in the shower."

“Take a shower with me?” Marty asked, wiggling his eyebrows, the one part of his body that it didn’t hurt to move.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Are you for real?"

“Depends on your answer.” Marty giggled.

"I...I just wanna know if you're serious, or not," Kelly said...still slightly wide-eyed. She was definitely NOT expecting THAT question.

Marty took a deep breath. “I was being serious...but we don’t have to Kel...I don’t want to do anything you would be uncomfortable with...but I’m in no position right now to do anything funny...so you wouldn’t have to worry about that.”

Kelly swallowed hard as she thought about the proposition. Sure...Marty had seen her damn near naked many times over the years. He may have even seen her totally naked at one point that she didn't recall. But it was different now...now that he was her boyfriend. "I...umm..." She paused to think for another second. 'What the hell...you trust him completely.' Kelly took a deep breath before she finally answered. "Alright."

Marty wasn’t so sure about that answer...it had taken her a really long time to come up with it. “Are you sure...cuz Kel...I totally understand if you don’t want to.” He said honestly.

Kelly gave Marty a small smile. "No...it's OK...I want to. It's just a shower."

“You’re right...it’s just a shower...and you might be able to help your poor crippled boyfriend out a bit.” Marty giggled.

Kelly laughed as she went to open her bag to get some clean clothes out. "I'll wash where you can't reach...within reason."

Marty laughed and then tried to twist his back again and groaned. “Okay...Justin gets better and I throw my back out...just great.” He pouted.

"No snowboarding for YOU, this week," Kelly said...setting her clean clothes on the bed.

That just caused Marty to pout even more. “No fair.”

Kelly had to smile. "We'll see how you feel...but for right now...you have GOT to take some Motrin. Like...four of em."

“Whatever you say, doctor Konno.” Marty chuckled as he slowly made his way towards his bathroom.

"Trust me," Kelly said...following Marty toward the bathroom. "...if there's one thing I've learned over the years...its muscle pain."

Walking to the medicine cabinet, Marty pulled out the Motrin and put four of them in his hand. Getting a Dixie cup off the counter he filled it with water and took all four pills. “Yeah...that’s for sure.” He said once he had the pills down.

"Good boy," Kelly said with a laugh...closing the bathroom door.

Just then Marty remembered that he really had to pee and he looked at Kelly. “If you don’t mind...I’m going to use the toilet...you can start the shower if you want to.” He said not caring if she saw him going to the bathroom...she was going to see him totally naked in the shower in a few minutes anyway.

Kelly just laughed and shook her head as she walked to the other side of the bathroom to start the shower. She jut didn't understand guys sometimes.

Marty did his business and then slowly attempted to take his t-shirt off, groaning even when his hands were raised a little bit.

Kelly turned to look at Marty as she pulled the elastic out of her hair and set it on the counter. "How bad are you hurt? Maybe you should go to the Emergency Room."

Marty shook his head like crazy. "No...I'm fine." He said as he finally got his shirt off and sat down on the toilet seat to take off his socks.

Kelly sighed quietly as she pulled her tank top off and put it on the counter...leaving her bra in place as she, too, went for her socks. "I think you're lying to me."

"We'll see how I am after the shower...kay?" Marty said as he stood up slowly and unbuttoned his jeans.

Kelly nodded. "OK. But if you still hurt that badly, I really think you should see a doctor. I mean...there might not be much they can do, but maybe they can at least give you something for the pain so you're not miserable for Christmas."

Marty nodded as he pulled down his jeans, sitting back down on the toilet to pull them off his legs. "Yeah...I think you're right."

Kelly pulled her own jeans off, and folded them neatly before putting them on the counter. "I want you t be able to enjoy yourself."

"I want to be able to enjoy myself too." Marty said as he stood up to strip his boxers off, totally forgetting that it was close to or the first time Kelly had ever seen him naked.

Kelly smiled...her eyes focused on Marty's face. "Get in the shower...maybe it'll help."

Marty smiled back and walked over to the shower. Holding onto the wall he stepped into the bathtub and stood to stand under the rather hot water, wincing a little when it hit his skin.

Kelly made sure that Marty got into the shower safely, then went about slipping off her bra and panties, and adding them to her pile of clothing on the counter. Not thinking twice, she climbed into the shower and pulled the curtain closed.

Marty had his eyes closed and head down as he let the hot water hit his back, he could already tell it was making his muscles loosen up. "This...feels really good."

Kelly smiled...her eyes on Marty's face as she stepped close to him. "See...I told you it would," she said quietly. She rested her hands on his hips in a comforting gesture. Being with Marty like this felt good. But what was strange to her was that what she was feeling wasn't at all sexual. She felt comfortable...and safe...and relaxed.

Marty looked up when he felt Kelly's hands on his hips. "Yup...you are right once again." He laughed as he looked into her eyes. He knew she was naked...in there with him...but for the first time in a situation like this he didn't think of it as being sexual. "Here...let me move a bit so you can get under the water too." He said stepping to the side and then pulling Kelly closer to him so she could get under the warm water.

Kelly chuckled...moving her hands from Marty's hips up to run through her hair as the water started running over it. "Thanks."

Marty reached for the shampoo and poured some of it into his hands. "Can I?" He asked, pointing at Kelly's hair.

Kelly smiled at Marty. "Sure," she said...bringing her hands back to his hips.

Rubbing the shampoo into his hands for a second, Marty moved his hands to Kelly's hair and started to scrub the lather into her hair. His fingers massaging her scalp as he made sure to wash every inch of her hair.

Kelly groaned softly and closed her eyes. "Feels good...just like at the hair dresser," she said with a chuckle.

Marty laughed as he continued to massage Kelly's head with his finger tips, using his finger nails a little but not enough to hurt her. "Yes...That is my other job." He joked.

Kelly laughed again. "Think about doing it someday when you're too old to dance and hard up for cash."

Marty chuckled. "Might be sooner then later if lying on a couch weird messes up my back." He joked.

"Yeah," Kelly said with a sigh as she moved back under the water to rinse her hair. "We're not ever going to do THAT again."

"Yeah...we'll just cuddle in bed from now on." Marty giggled as he helped Kelly rinse her hair.

"Or I could just let you sleep on the couch alone," Kelly said...reaching for the soap as Marty got the shampoo out of her hair.

That caused Marty to pout. "Hey...I haven't done anything wrong...why do I gotta sleep in the couch?"

Kelly chuckled. "No...I mean if you're gonna lay on the couch, you can do it alone...so you don't mess up your back."

"Ohh...okay...I get it." Marty giggled, bringing his hands back down again when all the shampoo was out of Kelly's hair.

Kelly reached for the fresh washcloth on the rack, and lathered it up before setting the soap down. "Turn around...I'll wash your back."

Marty turned around so his back was facing Kelly. "I'm never going to want to take a shower alone...this is nice."

Kelly giggled quietly as she carefully washed Marty's back...gently running the washcloth over his skin. "Well...maybe if you're good you won't have to do it too often."

"I'll make sure I'm really, really good then." Marty laughed, his back already feeling much better.

Kelly laughed...and placed a soft kiss to the middle of Marty's back. "I'm sure you will."

Marty let out a content sigh as he turned around. "Okay...your turn."

Kelly smiled up at Marty. "My turn for what?"

"To have me wash your back." Marty said smiling down at Kelly, trying to keep his eyes on her face and not wander downward.

"Oh...alright," Kelly said...turning her back to Marty.

Taking the washcloth from Kelly, and grabbing the soap, Marty got the cloth all soapy and then started to softly was Kelly's back. "What do you want to do today?" He asked softly as he leaned down and kissed the top of her wet head.

"You mean besides take you to the doctor?"

Marty groaned. "I don't want to go to the doctor...I'm fine."

"OK..." Kelly said...reaching for the shampoo bottle, and just holding onto it. "...but if I hear you whining...or know that you're hurting...you're going."

"I don't whine." Marty said with a laugh as he finished up washing Kelly's back, being a very good boy and not letting his hands wander any place else even though he was beginning to want to.

"Here," Kelly said...reaching over her shoulder to hand Marty the shampoo bottle and take back the wash cloth. "I'd help you, but I don't think I can reach good enough to do it right," she said with a chuckle as she finished washing herself on her own.

Marty laughed as he took a little bit of shampoo into his hand and started to wash his buzzed head. "Not like I have much hair to wash." He said with a smile.

"I like it like that, though," Kelly said...rinsing out the washcloth and hanging it up.

Putting his head under the spray, Marty washed out his hair before grabbing the washcloth again so he could wash the rest of his body. "I like it like this too...it's VERY easy to take care of."

"Looks nice, too," Kelly said...moving under the shower head to rinse herself off.

Marty moved out of the way as he soaped himself down. "Why, thank you." He giggled.

"I'm done," Kelly said...giving Marty's arm a squeeze as she moved around him and climbed out of the shower...immediately grabbing a towel from the linen closet and wrapping it around herself.

"Okay...I'll be done in just a sec." Marty said as he walked to stand under the spray, rinsing himself off. After another minute or so he turned off the water and slowly climbed out of the shower, his back still bothering him a bit.

"How you feelin?" Kelly asked...trying to read Marty's face as she dried her hair with a hand towel.

"I'm feeling better...it still hurts a little, but the shower really helped." Marty said as he grabbed a towel and started to try his body off.

"You're not laying to me cuz you don't want to go to the doctor...are you?"

"Kelly...I'm not lying to you." Marty said, looking her right in the eye as he wrapped the towel around his waist.

Kelly smiled a small smile...then dropped the small towel into the hamper. "OK."

Once he felt all dried off, Marty leaned back against the counter to wait for Kelly. "Thanks for taking a shower with me." He said with a big smile on his face.

Kelly looked over at Marty as she laughed softly. "You're welcome...I guess."

Marty laughed. "I was a very good boy too."

"Yes you were," Kelly said...moving to stand directly in front of Marty. "And don't think I didn't notice that you have a really nice ass," she said...then let out a giggle as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss his lips quickly.

Marty's eyes went wide in mock shock. "Hey...what were you doing looking at my ass, Miss Konno?"

Kelly laughed. "I couldn't help it. It was practically eye-level for me."

Marty rolled his eyes and laughed. "You're not THAT short...and I'm not THAT tall." He said with a smirk. "But if we are being honest...I can't say that I didn't look."

Kelly shrugged. "Either way...you were a gentleman. That's all that matters."

"How I managed it...I have NO idea." Marty laughed.

Kelly rolled her eyes with a laugh and headed for the door. "I'm gonna go get dressed," she said...holding the knot in her towel with her left hand as she used her right to open the door.

"Right behind ya." Marty said as he followed Kelly out the door, holding the door open for her once she opened it.

Janet just happened to be walking down the hallway and glance into Marty's room when the two of them walked into the room with only towels wrapped around their bodies. She stopped in her tracks and gasped.

Kelly looked up like a deer caught in the headlights when she heard the gasp in the hallway.

Marty stopped and looked towards the door to see his mom standing there, taking a deep breath he smiled. "Hey, mom." He said, not sure what else to say.

Janet, shook herself out of her daze and then gave Marty a pointed glance as if saying...'We'll talk later.' Before she walked down the hallway again.

Kelly sighed and put her face in her hands. "Oh my God...I wanna die. Please kill me."

"No you don't...and it'll be okay...she was just shocked." Marty said as he wrapped his arms around Kelly's waist.

"How can you say that? Your mom doesn't even know we're together, and she just caught us coming out of the shower together."

"Because I know my mom...she doesn't care that we were in the shower together." Marty whispered into Kelly's hair as he guided her to sit down on the bed with him.

"She looked kinda like she cared," Kelly said...dropping onto the bed.

Marty wrapped his right arm around Kelly and sighed. "Because she doesn't know we're together...she wasn't expecting to see that."

"We have to tell her."

"We will...I was planning on telling her today." Marty said as he lied back on the bed.

Kelly sighed quietly as she got up and went over to close the bedroom door. This was NOT how she wanted her visit to Marty's house to start. She grabbed her clean clothes off the bed, and went over to set them on the dresser...where she stepped into her panties...then dropped her towel as she put on the matching bra.

Marty looked over at Kelly and sighed. "Are you upset with me?"

Kelly turned to look at Marty and shook her head. "No...not at all. I'm just embarrassed."

"Just be glad she didn't walk in on us having sex...that's happened before." Marty said making a face, trying to get Kelly to laugh.

Kelly stepped into her jeans and looked at Marty again as she buttoned them. "Your mom's walked in on you before?"

Marty nodded, the same look on his face. "Uh huh when I was a teenager...she came home from work and just walked right into my room...now THAT was embarrassing."

Kelly laughed and shook her head. "I'd REALLY kill myself," she said...walking over to her bag to get her hair brush.

"Guess I should get dressed too, huh?" Marty giggled as he didn't make any move to get up from where he was lying on his back on the bed.

Kelly laughed...keeping her eyes on Marty as she brushed out her damp hair.

Marty watched Kelly brushing her hair with so much love in his eyes. He understood that Kelly wasn't ready to return the feelings of love...but that didn't mean he couldn't feel it.

Kelly finished brushing her hair, then grabbed a clip out of her bag to pull it up. "What are you looking at?" Kelly asked Marty with a smile.

"The most beautiful woman in the world." Marty said, knowing it sounded cheesy...but it was true.

Kelly's smile grew as she blushed. "Thank you," she said...then turned to go back to the dresser to get her shirt.

Groaning, Marty got himself sitting back up and then walked to the dresser, wrapping his arms around Kelly and kissing her on the back of the neck. He didn't get what was going on, but he had made it through the whole shower without getting turned on...but now seeing her walk around with just her bra on, it was turning him on.

Kelly tilted her head forward a bit when she felt Marty's lips on the back of her neck...not moving from her spot. She held her t-shirt in her hands...as she was stopped as she was about to put it on.

Marty continued to place gentle kisses over the back of Kelly's neck and taking a few minutes to nibble on both of her ears. When he felt his body reacting to having Kelly so close he quickly backed his lower half up, trying to hide the fact which wasn't easy wearing only a towel.

Kelly giggled when Marty's kisses started to get ticklish. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing..." Marty said in a husky voice and laughed. His lips continuing to kiss Kelly's neck

"I disagree," Kelly said playfully...tilting her head to the side.

“Oh you do huh?" Marty laughed again as he nibbled on her ear.

"Mmm hmm," Kelly responded as she closed her eyes.

Marty let his tongue out of his mouth for a second to lick around Kelly's ear. "Well...I think I'm not doing anything."

Kelly giggled with a quiet moan. "I think you're trying to make me crazy."

"Good...cuz that's what it's doing to me." Marty giggled, still keeping the lower half of his body away from Kelly.

Just then there was a knock at the door. "Marty...Kelly...I have dinner going...it should be ready in about fifteen minutes." Janet said from the other side of the door.

On instinct, Kelly quickly pulled away from Marty and pulled her New York Yankees t-shirt over her head. "You should talk to her before we sit down for dinner."

Marty let out a loud groan as he backed up, mentally cursing himself. "Yeah...I know." He said as he walked to the closet to try and find a shirt to wear as he also tried to calm himself down again. All he needed was to talk to his mom with a hard on.

Kelly went to her bag to get her hairdryer...and stopped at the closet on her way to the bathroom. "Do you want me to come with you...or you wanna do it alone?"

"You can come with me if you would like to." Marty said with a small smile, still not turning to look at Kelly.

"That's up to you," Kelly assured Marty...then went into the bathroom to dry her hair...and give Marty the time alone she knew he needed.

"Then you can come with me." Marty said as he walked to the dresser to grab boxers and jeans to put on.

Kelly smiled as she plugged the hairdryer in, then went about drying her hair.

Once he was dressed and at least some what composed, Marty walked to the bathroom and leaned against the door, watching Kelly.

Kelly finished drying her hair, then brushed it out before pulling it into a loose ponytail at the base of her neck. She giggled when she looked in the mirror to see Marty watching her.

Marty smiled at Kelly when he noticed her looking at him in the mirror. "You don't have to come with me to talk to her if you don't want to...I would understand."

"I totally will if you want me to," Kelly said...still looking at Marty in the mirror as she unplugged the hairdryer and wrapped the cord up. "It's just up to you."

Marty thought for a minute. "You can come with me...she might actually believe me if you're there." He joked.

Kelly laughed as she turned around and leaned back against the counter. "Why...you don't think she'll believe we're dating?"

"Since she's never heard me use the word dating in my life." Mary laughed, walking forward so he was standing right in front of Kelly.

Kelly smiled...lifting her arms to drape them around Marty's waist. "So I should feel pretty honored."

Marty nodded his head. "Mmm Hmm...you should feel very honored."

Kelly leaned up to softly kiss Marty's chin. "We should probably go down and talk to your mom now...since dinner's almost ready."

"Yeah...we should." Marty said as he pulled back and took Kelly's hand. "Come on, Kel...let's go tell my mom that you're my girl."

Kelly chuckled softly as she walked with Marty out to the hallway...not expecting to run into his father there.

"Well THERE you are, son," Martin said with a bright smile as he walked out of his own bedroom. "I was wondering when I was going to get to see you two."

Marty smiled big when he saw his dad. He gently dropped Kelly's hand and wrapped his arms around his dad in a firm hug. "Hey dad."

Kelly smiled as she watched Marty with his father. He was Martin's only son, and she'd always noticed the close bond between them.

Pulling back, Marty smiled even bigger when he looked over at Kelly. Thinking he might as well get a start on telling his parents, he decided to tell his dad first. "Dad...I know you remember Kelly...but now she just isn't my friend Kelly...she's my girlfriend." He said with the smile still plastered on his face.

Martin looked at Kelly with wide eyes. "Well I'll be damned. I certainly wasn't expecting you to come home with a girlfriend."

Marty wrapped his arm around Kelly's waist. "Yeah...well I did...and the best one a guy could ever have."

Kelly smiled at Martin. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. K. How are things?"

Martin smiled back at Kelly. "Things are fine, Kelly. And please...you'd better call me Martin."

"Yeah...or he'll beat you up." Marty laughed. "We were just on our way downstairs to talk to mom about this...I have a feeling she is down in the kitchen cleaning or something, confused to death."

Martin looked back at his son. "Why would she be confused?"

Marty bit his bottom lip. "She kinda saw us coming out of the shower...and since she doesn't know we're together..."

Martin narrowed his eyes a bit. "I see. Well...just be careful of what you do around here. Don't let your mother get upset...or feel disrespected."

"I didn't do anything, Dad...honest." Marty said, never wanting to upset his parents or disrespect them.

Martin nodded. "I believe you, son...just be careful."

Marty nodded before leading Kelly down the hall again, quiet as he tried to think of how he

was going to talk to his mom about this.

Kelly watched Martin retreat into the hall bathroom as she walked with Marty. "Is he pissed?"

"Nah...just shocked like mom was." Marty said with a smile..."I think I really shocked him with even mentioning that I had a girl friend." He said as they walked down the stairs and then into the kitchen where his mom was indeed cleaning the stove.

Kelly's heart sank at the sight of Marty's mother in the kitchen. Being in the environment that their home provided really made the absence of her own family feel all the more strong.

Janet looked up and smiled big when she saw the two of them walk into the room. "Come on in guys...dinner is almost ready...but I have a feeling you both have something you would like to tell me?" She said with a twinkle in her eye.

Marty looked at Kelly and then back a this mouth. "Mom...Kelly and I are dating now...have been for about two days."

Janet's smile got even bigger as she walked over to them giving each of them a big hug. "I'm so proud of you Marty...you finally got yourself a good girl...that I know will make you happy." She said looking at Kelly.

Marty couldn't help but blush ten shades of red, hearing his mom say that.

Kelly smiled shyly. "Thanks, Mrs. Kudelka. That's sweet of you to say. I hope I don't let you down."

"I don't see that happening, Kelly." Janet smiled as she went back to setting things out for dinner, the smile never leaving her face.

Marty turned to Kelly and smiled. "I told you she would be cool." He whispered as he guided her to the table to sit down.

Kelly smiled at Marty, but turned away from the table instead of sitting down. "What can I do to help?" she asked Janet.

Janet shook her head and used her hand to playfully shoe Kelly away. "Thank you, honey...but I've got everything under control."

Kelly laughed. "OK," she said...then went over to sit beside Marty at the table.

Marty wrapped his arm around Kelly's shoulder and pulled her close for a soft kiss on her cheek. "Thank you...for coming...and just being you." He whispered.

Kelly smiled at Marty. "I have a lot of things to thank YOU for...but I won't even get into it now. It'll take too long."

Laughing, Marty kissed Kelly's cheek one last time before turning to face the table, ready for dinner.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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Justin pointed to a small building on the right side of the street as he pulled to a stop at a red light. "And that's where I used to take voice lessons and piano lessons. I started when I was like...three."

Nick's eyes went wide as he looked at the small building and listened to what he had said. "Wow, that's really young...I was still running around in diapers eating dirt when I was three." He laughed.

Justin laughed with Nick. "THAT'S a great visual."

"Hey...at least I didn't tell you the story of when I ate dog poop." Nick smirked, turning to look at Justin.

"And you won't tell me now, either," Justin said...pulling away from the light.

Nick laughed as he turned back to look out the window of the really expensive SUV. He was still a little giddy that he was even inside of the vehicle. "So, where are we going?"

Justin shrugged. "I don't know. It's starting to get late, so we could just go home and relax...go swimming, or sumthin."

Nick giggled. "Swimming in December...that sounds totally impossible to me...but sounds good all the same."

Justin chuckled as he checked the outdoor thermometer on the dashboard. "Well...it IS only forty-three degrees...but the pool is heated."

"If I get too cold you can warm me up." Nick said with a straight face...some how, even though he was so close to busting up laughing.

Justin laughed again. "Actually...what might be even nicer is my hot tub."

The idea of being in a hot tub...with Justin actually sounded pretty damn close to one of his all time fantasies. "Now...that sound's like a very good idea." Nick said with a smile.

Justin smiled...turning down the street that would take him to his neighborhood. "Sounds like a plan, then."

Nick looked around the car, seeing all the fancy buttons and things. "This car is amazing." He said in a near whisper.

Justin shrugged. "Yeah...I guess so.”

"You probably wouldn't think so...but if you saw the cars that I've had...you would definitely think this car was something else." Nick said just as if he was stating a fact...he wasn't trying to say that Justin was better then him in anyway.

Justin nodded...not wanting Nick to feel bad. "Yeah...it IS something else. It's my favorite."

Nick giggled, running his hand's over the arm rest of his seat. "Uh huh...I can understand how it would be your favorite...even though I'm sure all your other cars are pretty awesome too." He said turning to look at Justin.

Justin had to laugh, too. "Yeah...I guess they are," he said...pulling up to the gate outside his house, and pressing the remote button on the visor to open it.

Nick giggled slightly when he saw Justin use the remote to open the gate. The whole idea just crazy to him...but not in a bad way. Just then something struck him out of the blue. "I didn't bring my swim trunks."

"I'm sure I have some that will fit you," Justin said as he pulled the truck around to a stone lot on the side of the house...not seeming too worried about it.

"Okay cool...thanks." Nick said with a big smile...such little things like that still meaning so much to him.

"No problem," Justin said...unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of the car.

Nick followed suit and climbed out of the car, then waiting for Justin to lead the way.

Justin glanced toward the main house as he set the car alarm...noting that there weren't any lights on. "They must have gone to bed early tonight," he said...starting to head back toward his house.

"Probably had a busy day getting everything ready for you to come." Nick said as he followed Justin back to his house, still taking time to look around at the grounds of the large house.

Justin used his key to unlock the front door, then headed inside. "Yeah...probably."

"How long have they lived here?" Nick asked as he walked into the house behind Justin.

Justin thought about it as he put some lights on and locked up. "Umm...I bought the house...like...four years ago, or so."

Nick smiled as he walked over to a lamp and turned it on to be helpful. "That's cool...I really like it...it was a good choice."

"Thanks. It actually wasn't much when I bought it. My parents had a couple of additions put on, and did a lot of work on the property. It was almost like we rebuilt the whole thing from scratch. But they really liked the grounds...and we like the private location...so..."

Nick's eyes went wide as he walked over to the large window wall and looked back at the main house. "Wow...that's impressive."

Justin laughed quietly. "Make yourself at home. I'm gonna go get the tub heated up," he said...heading back toward his bedroom.

"Okay." Nick said as he walked over to the couch and bent over to take his sneakers off.

Justin returned a few minutes later...wearing only baby blue swim trunks. "I left a couple swimsuits on the bed," he said...heading for the fridge. "Go see if any of them fit."

Nick got up off the couch and walked back towards the bedroom. Picking up a pair of dark green swim trunks he quickly stripped out of his clothes and pulled them on. They were a little tight around the waist, but nothing terrible. Folding his clothes up neatly he left them lying on the bed and walked back out to the main part of the house. "All set."

"Cool," Justin said...walking to Nick and handing him a bottle of beer.

"Thanks." Nick said with a smile as he took the beer from Justin's hand and taking a sip. "How long does it take for the hot tub to heat up?"

"Not very long. It's got some super duper turbo heater," Justin said before sipping his own beer.

Nick couldn't help but laugh. "Is that the name that came on the box?" He teased.

Justin laughed. "I don’t know. I didn't install it."

"Would be funny if it really was called the super duper turbo heater." Nick laughed more, for some reason finding that really funny.

Justin chuckled again...sipping his beer as he headed back toward the bedroom again. "Let's go see if it's working."

Nick followed after Justin, holding his beer bottle in his hand. "Alrighty...let's do that."

Justin walked through his bedroom, and then through the patio doors on the left side of the room...into the small indoor porch. The ceiling fan lights were off, so the porch was only dimly lit by the bedroom light coming in through the patio doors. Justin walked over to the edge of the tub and reached his hand in to feel the water. "Hmm...what do YOU think?"

Nick reached his hand into the water, making a face when he wasn't sure. "I don't know I'm not an expert at hot tubs...It feels hot...but is that how it's supposed to feel?"

Justin laughed. "I don't know...but it'll eventually be as hot as it's supposed to be," he said...climbing the three wooden steps to the tub's edge, and stepping into the tub. He sighed contentedly as he floated to a seat across form the steps. "Perfect."

Nick climbed up the steps and stepped into the warm water. "Ohh...this is very nice." He said as he floated to another seat, across from Justin.

"Sure is," Justin agreed...then took a long swig of his beer before setting the bottle on the tub's wooden edging. He then sighed again as he closed his eyes, and sank a bit lower into the water.

"You gunna fall asleep on me?" Nick teased as he set his beer bottle on the edge after taking a long drink. He too leaning back and relaxing in the hot water.

Justin chuckled. "Nope...just trying to relax."

Nick closed his own eyes and let out a content sigh. "Yeah...it feels nice to relax."

Justin jerked his foot back quickly when it brushed against Nick's under the water...but then relaxed...and let his foot rest against the other man's. "Yeah...it does. And these jets feel good on my back."

Nick opened his eyes and looked over at Justin. "Is it still bothering you?" He asked, concerned.

Justin shrugged. "A little bit every once in a while. Like...it'll stiffen up. But it's much better."

"That's good...I'm glad, I wouldn't want you hurting over your whole vacation...that wouldn't be fun at all." Nick said with a smile.

Justin opened his eyes and smiled. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Yeah...cuz we're gunna have fun with your brothers and...each other...so you can't be in pain." Nick said as he splashed in the water a bit.

Justin cocked an eyebrow as he looked at Nick. "We're gonna have fun...with each other?"

Nick thought over what he said and blushed a little. "I didn't mean it in a weird way...I just meant, we're gunna hang out." He said trying to correct himself.

Justin pouted a bit. "Oh."

The pout on Justin's face, made Nick's eyes go wide a bit. "That is...unless you WANTED me to mean something else." He giggled a little. "I'm cool with that too."

Justin put a sly smile on his face as he drifted across the tub toward Nick. "Maybe I DO want you to mean something else."

Nick's eyes got even wider as he watched Justin move towards him. Then when he got over the shock a sly smile crossed his face too. "Oh yeah...well...that's what I meant then." He giggled.

Justin stopped moving only when he found himself straddling Nick on his seat. "Something like...this?"

Nick swallowed hard when he felt Justin straddling him. "This is good." He smiled, wrapping his arms around Justin's back.

Justin smiled as he took a gentle hold of Nick's face. "But THIS is better," he said before crushing his lips against the older man's.

Groaning softly into the kiss, Nick wrapped his arms around Justin's back tighter as he kissed him back.

Justin caught Nick's lower lips between his teeth for a second before darting his tongue out to seek entrance.

Nick opened his mouth the instant Justin licked his lips, he had wanted to kiss Justin all day, but they had been busy and never not around other people. Now with a very wet Justin...the kiss was even more then he would of expected.

Justin's tongue sought out every inch of Nick's mouth...at a not-so-slow pace...as he slid his hands down under the water to rest them on the older man's hips.

Nick closed his eyes tightly as he let Justin kiss him, loving the feeling of the younger man's tongue moving all around his mouth. His hands started to run up and down the bare skin of Justin's back as he kissed him back passionately.

Justin pulled back for air. "Feels good," he whispered against Nick's lips...opening his eyes to look at Nick's face.

"Uh huh...very good." Nick breathed out, looking into Justin's eyes.

Justin gave Nick a quick smirk before lowering his head to kiss the left side of his neck.

Nick couldn't help the groan that came from deep in his chest when he felt Justin kissing his neck. "Shit." He whispered, as he tilted his head to the side to give Justin better access.

Justin pulled back to look at Nick's face with a smile of his own. "You're cursin," he drawled with a quiet chuckle. "Is that good...or bad?"

Nick opened his eyes that had drifted shut and smiled back at Justin. "In this case...that was very good." He said his voice starting to get deeper then normal.

Justin laughed quietly again at the look on Nick's face and the sound of his voice. "What's the matter, Nicky..." he teased. "...are you horny?"

For some reason Nick blushed a little and nodded his head. "Just a little bit." He giggled softly.

Justin giggled with him. "That's interesting," he said...running his fingers over the skin low on Nick's sides.

"Is it really?" Nick asked with a raised eyebrow, having fun being able to tease and joke around with Justin...in this kind of a setting. Things were finally comfortable for them.

"Yeah...it is, actually," Justin said. He was finding himself more comfortable and at ease with Nick than he ever had...like he could be himself. Being at home...where his surroundings were safe and familiar...allowed him to do that.

"Why is it interesting that I'm horny?" Nick asked with a giggle. "Not like you've never seen me horny before."

Justin shrugged...sliding his fingers just under the sides of Nick's swim trunks. "I don't know...it just is."

Nick bit his tongue a little when he felt Justin's hands moving. "Okay...well then it's interesting...glad to know I'm interesting at least in some way." he joked.

"You're interesting in lots of ways," Justin said quietly...his hands slipping completely into Nick's shorts to rest low on his bare hips.

"Thank you...it means a lot to hear you say that." Nick said honestly his big 100 watt smile playing over his face.

"It's true," Justin said honestly...moving the pads of his thumbs over Nick's skin.

Nick felt himself shiver because of Justin's thumbs moving over his skin. "You're a really interesting person too." he said at a loss for words because he was getting lost in Justin's eyes.

Justin shrugged. "Not really."

Nick shook his head, still looking into Justin's eyes. "You are, Justin...and I don't just mean that because of what you do for a living...this Justin right here in front of me is a very interesting person." He said as he pointed at Justin's chest.

Justin smiled. "Thank you...it means a lot to hear you say that."

"You're welcome." Nick giggled and then moved his hands down to rest on Justin's lower back...sort of on his ass. "How in the world did we get on his topic...when we were just making out."

Justin just shrugged...his eyes on Nick's as he hesitantly brought his hands a little lower...and more to the front of Nick's hips.

Nick blinked his eyes for a second when he realized where Justin's hands were resting. "I like talking to you though too." He said in a deep whisper.

"I wanna touch you," Justin suddenly said distractedly...his voice coming out in a husky whisper. "I wanna know what you feel like."

Nick swallowed hard and nodded his head, he wanted to say something...but he couldn't get his voice to fallow though with that.

"I'm scared," Justin said quietly...his hands remaining where they were.

Moving his hands from where they were on Justin's lower back, he brought his right hand up to Justin's cheek. "You don't need to be scared when you’re with me, Justin. I understand that you are though...and please don't do anything you don't want to do." He said, surprised he could get his voice to sound normal...and calm.

"I want to touch you..." Justin admitted again. "...but I'm scared I'll freak out...and end up being some kind of cock tease."

Nick leaned his head down and kissed Justin's nose softly. "If that happens...I'll understand...I won't think you are a cock tease."

Justin swallowed hard...his eyes on Nick's. "So...can I...?"

Nick nodded his head and wiggled around a bit to sit up better so Justin could get his hands in between them a little easier. "Yeah...you can."

Justin bit his lower lips in concentration as he slid his right hand down a bit more to rest just above Nick's semi-hard penis...his left hand staying put on Nick's hip.

Nick imitated Justin and bit his own lower lip as he kept his eyes on Justin's. His right hand staying on his cheek in a soothing gesture.

Justin sighed and pulled both his hands out of Nick's shorts. "Not in the water," he said...sliding off Nick's lap. "Sit up on the side."

"Okay." Nick said as he sat up and then jumped up onto the side of the hot tub, looking down at Justin. "You doing okay?" He asked softly.

Justin nodded...rising to his feet between Nick's legs. "Yeah...you?"

Nick nodded back and smiled, shivering slightly from the change of temperature. "Yeah...I'm fine."

Justin smiled at Nick as he kneeled on the seat Nick had been sitting on...his right hand creeping up the left leg of Nick's trunks. He figured it would be easier that way...since they were a little tight around the waist.

"I can take my shorts off...if it would be easier." Nick suggested, knowing that Justin wouldn't be able to get his hand down the front of his shorts well enough. "But this is fine too." he added.

Justin shook his head quickly...knowing that too much at once wouldn't be good. Taking a deep breath, he slid his hand further up into the leg of Nick's shorts...jerking it away with a start when his thumb brushed over the head of his cock.

Nick smiled at Justin sweetly, sure the idea of Justin's hand up his shorts was a major turn on...but this felt special...he felt good to be able to help Justin do this. "It's okay, Justin...just relax a little." He said soothingly.

Justin laughed nervously. "Seriously. I mean...it's not like I don't know what they feel like."

Nick laughed back and shrugged. "Somebody else’s...is a little different then your own...but then again...not all that much...cuz remember me saying how doing things with another man is sometimes better...because you know exactly what feels good to you."

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I remember," he said as his hand gently grabbed the tip of Nick's growing erection.

Nick couldn't help but gasp when he felt Justin hand on him, his erection growing even more at the contact.

Justin's hand froze where it was as he gauged Nick's reaction. "Is this OK?"

"Yeah...this is perfectly fine." Nick said with a husky chuckle as he looked down at Justin with heavy lidded eyes.

Justin took that as an OK to go on...and he got a firm grip on the first few inches of Nick's cock...tugging on it gently.

Nick's eyes rolled back in his head and a deep moan escaped his lips when Justin tugged gently on his cock. It had been a long, long time he had been this close with a man...and god did it feel good.

Justin gave a small smile at the look of pleasure on Nick's face. That alone was enough to encourage him to proceed...and he started slowly stroking the length of Nick's cock...excited by the fact that he could feel it growing in his hand.

"Shit...Justin...feels good." Nick said through another moan. He wanted to encourage him...and plus he just felt like saying that. His eyes opening to look down at Justin, his breathing starting to get uneven.

Justin smiled at Nick. "Good...I'm glad," he said...Nick's reaction giving him more confidence. He started stroking Nick's erection a bit harder and faster...stopping occasionally to run his thumb over the slit at the tip.

Nick couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and he closed them tight as his head fell back in pleasure. His cock was pulsing in Justin's hand by this point and God...was he loving this. Not sure what to do with his hands, he left them by his sides on the edge of the hot tub.

Justin brought his free left hand up to the edge of the tub to lace it together with Nick's right as he continued to carefully jerk the older man off in his shorts. Feeling even more sure of himself, Justin quietly whispered, "You're big...aren't you?"

Nick opened his eyes and swallowed hard as he looked down at Justin. "I dunno." He managed to get out some how in a voice that was dripping sex.

Justin smiled and kissed Nick's lips quickly. "Feels like it to me," he said...not stopping his motions.

"Then....must be...true." Nick moaned, feeling his orgasm starting to build at the tip of his toes. His breathing getting even quicker the closer and closer he got.

"Should I stop?" Justin asked in an almost-teasing tone. "Or do you want me to make you cum?"

Nick could tell Justin was teasing him so he tried to put a mock glare on his face...but he wasn’t sure how scary he looked with the amount of lust and desire in his eyes. "You better...not do that." He teased right back.

Justin cocked an eyebrow as his thumb teased the tip of Nick's cock. "Better not make you cum?"

Nick's hips lifted off of the hot up and he groaned loudly. "Stop...better not...stop."

"Oh...OK.." Justin said...his hand drifting down to squeeze Nick's balls a bit.

Feeling Justin's hand on his balls caused Nick to start feeling shivers go through his entire body and he knew he was getting close. "C...close." he warned...just in case Justin didn't want this...didn't want to see him cum.

Justin leaned up toward Nick a bit. "Do it," he whispered in his ear...then nibbled his earlobe as he went back to stroking his hard erection.

Justin whispering and nibbling on his ear was all Nick could take and he felt this whole body start to tremble before he came hard into Justin's hand...Justin's name coming out of his mouth as he reached that perfect spot.

Justin couldn't help but groan himself when he felt Nick cum in his hand. He continued to stroke Nick for a bit...milking his orgasm out of him.

After what seemed like hours, Nick finally relaxed, his body spent after the intense orgasm. He opened his eyes to look down at Justin and managed a big smile before he could even say anything.

Justin smiled back at Nick...finally removing his hand from his shorts, and dropping it into the water.

"Wow...you sure...you haven't done that before?" Nick asked once he could finally talk again, his hands hand squeezing Justin’s softly.

Justin chuckled. "Only to my OWN dick."

"That is a mental picture that would normally make me very hard...but I don't think that is even possible right now." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed again...blushing a bit. "You OK?"

Nick nodded his head like crazy. "Uh huh...I'm okay...I think the question of the night is if YOU'RE okay."

Justin shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Cuz you just did something that is kinda scary." Nick said as he took his other hand and ran it over Justin's hair tenderly.

"Yeah...I know...but it was OK...I'M OK."

Nick smiled and leaned over to kiss Justin's forehead. "Good...I'm glad...I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I wasn't."

"Good." Nick said before he shivered again, this time from being chilly...not from pleasure.

Justin laughed. "Let's get out and get dried off," he said...moving around Nick to climb out f the hot tub and get some towels out of the towel-heating compartment. "Here..." he said...handing one to Nick. "Next time I'll turn up the heat out here for you."

Nick giggled as he walked to Justin taking the towel. "I wouldn't of been cold if I was inside of the hot tub." He teased...cuz he knew Justin knew he had enjoyed himself...even outside of the hot tub.

Justin laughed...wrapping his towel around his waist and heading through the doors into the bedroom. "Oh...OK...next time we can skip that part, then."

"I didn't mean that!" Nick exclaimed, giggling as he followed Justin into the bedroom. "I liked that part."

"Yeah...I know."

******@****

"Do you think I need a boob job?" Kelly inquired from where she was standing in front of Marty's dresser...examining her profile in the mirror as she cupped her small breasts through her t-shirt. It was still hard for her to remember that Marty was now her boyfriend...and not just the friend that she'd normally talk about these things with.

Marty's eyebrows raised from where he was lounging back on the bed, watching Kelly. "Why would you ask something, silly like that? I think you're fine...just the way you are." He knew Kelly had problems with her physical appearance...but for the life of him he couldn't figure out why.

Kelly shrugged...still studying the profile of her chest in the mirror. "I don't know. Aren't they kinda small?"

"No...I think they fit your body perfectly." Marty said honestly, still watching Kelly as she looked at herself in the mirror.

Kelly glanced at Marty in the mirror and chuckled. "You're just saying that so you don't hurt my feelings."

Marty shook his head like crazy. "No I'm not...I never really liked big breasted girls anyway."

Kelly smiled as she walked away from the dresser and over to sit on the edge of the bed. "So...what...are you like...an ass man, then? Or a leg man?"

"I like all of the above." Marty laughed. "I just liked it better when girls didn't have huge boobs that made them look like they were going to fall flat on their faces from being top heavy.

Kelly laughed. "Yeah...well...I don't think that's me."

"I don't want you to change anything about yourself, Kelly. I love you for who you are...right now." Marty said, pointing at Kelly.

Kelly smiled at Marty where he was lounging against the pillows. "Thanks. And don't worry. I don't think I'd have the balls to get implants, anyway."

Marty smiled, pulling her next to him. "Good...cuz those things seem kinda freaky anyway...and pointless."

"You wouldn't think they were pointless if you liked big boobs," Kelly pointed out as she leaned against Marty...resting her head on his chest and draping her right arm over his stomach.

"Even if I did...I still wouldn't ask my girlfriend to go out and get them...I would never get like penis extensions or something...so why should she get that done?" Marty asked, hoping he was making sense.

Kelly chuckled quietly. "Well...that's a good point...but it's not like you need your penis enhanced, anyway."

Marty giggled, and smirked at Kelly playfully. "And how would you know that?"

Kelly laughed again...resting her chin on Marty's chest to look up at him. "I already told you I peeked in the shower.

"Oh right." Marty laughed, groaning to himself when he actually felt his dick twitch at the idea of Kelly looking at him. "I'm guilty of the same thing."

"Well...like I said...at least you were a gentleman."

"Still don't know how I managed that." Marty laughed shaking his head in disbelief.

Kelly smiled. "I'd like to think it's cuz you respect me."

Marty smiled and kissed the top of Kelly's head. "I do respect you... I would never do anything you didn't want me to do."

"I know that," Kelly said...then kissed Marty's chin before getting up off of the bed. "OK...so...it's only 6:30...what are we gonna do?" she asked...going over to the closet, and bending down to go through her bag that was on the floor. "I thought I needed to finish some shopping...but I don't. Unless...how do you guys dress for Christmas Eve and Christmas?"

"Christmas Eve is like casual." Marty giggled. "Christmas is PJ's and then whatever the heck you feel like wearing the rest of the day."

Kelly chuckled. "So...I don't need to have anything really nice, then."

Marty shook his head. "Nope...no need for anything fancy." He said with a big smile on his face as he turned on his side on the bed to watch Kelly going through her bag.

"OK," Kelly said...pulling her journal out of her bag. She opened it to the back where she had a bunch of photos and letters stuffed. She found the picture she was looking for, then went back over to sit on the bed. "This is me and Dorie...like...right before the last time I saw her," she said...handing Marty the picture. "Christmas...four years ago."

Marty took the picture and looked at it. "That's a really beautiful picture." He said as he smiled up at Kelly. "You are both very pretty girls."

Kelly smiled...looking down at the picture in Marty's hand. "Thanks. I always thought she was really beautiful. I looked up to her so much."

"I hope you guys can get your relationship back on track...so you can continue to do so." Marty said softly, reaching out his hand to hold Kelly's.

Kelly sighed quietly. "I have a year-old nephew I've never met."

That was something that Marty could understand. "I've never seen Becky's daughter...haven't made it home since she was born." Marty sighed. "But that's different I know."

Kelly shrugged. "A little different, I guess," she said...holding Marty's hand in both of her own.

"You'll get to know him, Kel...I have a feeling you and your sister will make up." Marty said with a smile as he pulled Kelly back too lie between his legs.

Kelly managed a small smile. "I hope so," she said...curling up and resting against Marty's chest. "I just hope I have the guts to go through with this."

Marty held Kelly tight against his chest. "I'll be right there with you ever step of the way."

Kelly's smile grew. "Thanks...I'm gonna need it."

Marty sighed and looked up at the ceiling for a few seconds. He just hoped that he had the strength to see Kelly's father and not beat the shit out of him. "So...we still gota figure out something to do." He said, once he was looking at Kelly again.

Kelly shrugged. "You're the one that lives here. Any suggestions?"

"We could go see a movie or something...or go shopping I still have to buy presents for my sisters and their family."

"Marty! Tomorrow's Christmas Eve...and you still have all those gifts to buy?"

Marty blushed and shrugged his shoulders. "Uhh...yeah?"

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Men."

Marty put on a playful pout. "Hey...what’s that supposed to mean?"

Kelly sighed and climbed off the bed again. "It means get up...cuz we have to go shopping."

Marty pouted even more. "Can't I just give them each like 50 dollars or something?"

"No," Kelly said...grabbing a gray hooded sweatshirt out of her bag and pulling it on over her head. "That's so impersonal."

"How about tube socks...I've got like 10 bags that aren’t opened yet." Marty giggled, still not moving from his spot on the bed.

Kelly looked over at Marty and raised an eyebrow. "James Martin Kudelka...if you know what's good for you, you'll get out of that bed...right now."

Marty got a mock scared look on his face and jumped out of bed. "Yes mom." He laughed as he walked to the closet to grab shoes. "But you know how much I hate shopping...and what the hell do you buy one year olds?"

Kelly shrugged...sitting on the bed to put on her sneakers. "I don't know...we'll find something."

"I should of reminded mom buy my gifts again." Marty grumbled as he sat down on the floor to put on his shoes.

Kelly laughed and shook her head at how lazy Marty was. When she got up to go get her coat off the desk chair, she looked out the window, and smiled to see that it was snowing. "Hey..." she said to Marty...something popping into her head. "Ya know how on TV and in movies you see people outside in hot tubs when it's snowing...? Do they really DO that around here?"

Marty laughed..."We have a hot tub...but it's not exactly outside in the middle of the snow...it's on the deck and covered."

"But you see people actually outside...IN the snow," Kelly said...pulling on her pea coat. "I don’t know...I just always thought it looked really romantic."

"It does...and I'm sure people have done it...I just don't know anybody who has." Marty giggled as he grabbed his coat from the closet

Kelly shrugged...putting on her scarf and gloves and grabbing her purse. "Maybe I'll get to do it someday."

It was at that point that Marty became determined to find a place were they could do just that. Not saying anything he pulled his gloves out of his pocket and put them on. "Okay, ready Freddie?"

Kelly laughed as she grabbed her purse, then went over to Marty and leaned up to give him a quick kiss on the lips. "Yes...I am. Where to...the mall?"

Marty nodded. "Yup the mall is only about ten minutes from here." Taking Kelly's hand he led her out of the room and down the stairs.

Kelly shook her head as she walked with Marty. "I cannot believe that you put off ALL this shopping until now."

"When have I had time to shop?" Marty said, trying to make up an excuse as he led her to the kitchen and then out into the garage where his black Ford Expedition was.

"Yeah...you're right," Kelly said...walking around to the passenger side. "I mean...you did SO much with ALL the down time we've had the last few weeks."

Marty opened the passenger side door for Kelly and tried to put on his cutest pout. "I just don't like going shopping...so I didn't."

Kelly rolled her eyes dramatically as she climbed into the truck. "Men."

Walking around the SUV, Marty got in and started the car, backing down the driveway. "Not all girls like to shop either...and some guys like to shop." He pointed out.

"Yeah...I know," Kelly agreed as she put her seatbelt on. "But still...it's Christmas shopping. And you had a LOT of it to do. Thank goodness I have no one to buy for. If I were you...and I had all those gifts to buy...I would have started in...like...July."

"Yeah...well I'm not as smart as you." Marty said, smiling in Kelly's direction as he drove down the street, slowly since it was snowing pretty badly.

"Yeah you are...smarter, even," Kelly said...turning her head to watch Marty. "I mean...you have a LOT of life experience on me," she teased. "You DO realize you're going to be twenty-six in like...three weeks...don't you?"

Marty groaned. "Please don't remind me...I already feel old enough as it is...now I'm only 4 years from thirty."

Kelly chuckled. "That's OK. You're young at heart."

Laughing, Marty stopped at a red light and watched the snow fall. "This is why I moved to California." He said as the windshield wipers tried to clean away the falling snow.

Kelly smiled...gazing out the window at the falling snow. "I kinda like it. Reminds me of when I was little...growing up in Canada."

"I think it's cold." Marty laughed as he finally pulled into the parking lot of the mall. Finding a spot surprisingly close he parked the car and turned off the engine. "Okay...ready to do this junk?"

Kelly sighed as she unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed her purse. "Yeah...even though it's gonna be scary in there," she said before opening the door and getting out of the car.

"We should of stayed in New York and went shopping with Justin and Nick...then we wouldn't be killed." Marty laughed as he opened the door and hopped out, shivering at the contact of the cold air and snow on his face.

Kelly laughed as she started hurriedly walking toward the entrance. "Hey...no complaining. You HAD that option."

"Yeah and I'ma dumb ass." Marty grumbled as he walked quickly with Kelly, his longer legs having an easier time with the fast pace.

Kelly laughed again...practically jogging to the door and pulling it open. "Yeah...but you're a cute dumbass," she said once she was inside...pulling off her gloves and shoving them into her coat pockets.

Marty shook his head to get the snow off of his buzzed hair. Taking a deep breath he turned to Kelly. "Okay...I won't complain anymore...and thank you for helping me do this...when I should probably be suck to do it all by myself."

Kelly shrugged. "Well...you're just lucky you have a nice girl."

"Yeah...a mean one would be really scary." Marty said making a face as they walked into the main part of the mall. Stopping by a directory thing he sighed. "Okay, now where the hell should we go?"

Kelly unbuttoned her coat and unwrapped her scarf from her neck as she studied the directory. "Well...do you have any idea what you wanna get? I mean...presents...gift certificates...? Do you even know what they like?"

Marty thought about that for a second as he unzipped his own coat. "Gift certificates sound good for my sisters and their husbands...and maybe the older kids...but i should probably get the kids under 10 an actual present?" He half stated...half asked...not sure about what he was saying.

"OK," Kelly said with a nod...trying to sort everything out in her head. "Do you want to get gift certificates for specific stores...or for the whole mall?"

Marty got a look of pure concentration on his face as he tried to remember the things all his sisters liked. "I think I should do different stories...so it's more special." he admitted with a smile. "Linens and Things for Bev...Pottery Barn for Anna...Sharper Image for Chrystal...Disney store for Megan cuz she still loves Disney stuff. Sam Goody for Jaclyn...and then Gap for Becky."

Kelly counted in her head as Marty spoke. "I think you forgot someone."

Marty thought back over what he said and then laughed. "Opps...Jess...she would want something from the Discovery Channel store...with her love of animals and science."

"OK..." Kelly said...her right hand instinctively reaching for Marty's left. "Sounds good. And you can probably get gifts for the kids at the Disney store, too...or the toy store."

"Yeah...and I think I will just get all the older kids like a Sam Goody gift card too...cuz all kids like music." Marty said taking Kelly's hand as they headed in the direction of their first store.

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...that's definitely true," she said...looking around at the Christmas decorations as they started walking. "I've been thinking about it..." she said suddenly. "...and...well...I think I'm gonna call Dorie."

Marty turned to smile at Kelly. "I think that's a good idea...I'm sure everything will be okay." He said giving her hand a reassuring squeeze as they walked into Sam Goody to get all the things from there.

Kelly took a deep breath as she stopped just inside the entrance. "Ya know...since you'll probably be in here a little while...I'm gonna stay out here...and call her now...before I chicken out."

Marty looked at the extremely long line and groaned. "Yeah...okay...I'll meet you out here once I'm done." He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "Have faith...Kel."

Kelly nodded. After she watched Marty go into the store, she stepped into the restroom hallway just next to the store so that there weren't that many people around. Taking a deep breath, she took her cell phone and her sister's letter out of her purse, and dialed the number Dorie had sent with shaky hands.

After about five rings Dorie picked up the phone. "Hello?"

Kelly sighed when she heard the voice on the other end. She had a feeling it was her sister, but she needed to be sure. "Umm...hello. Can I speak with Dorie, please?"

"This is she...may I help you?" Dorie asked, not recognizing her sister's voice.

Kelly took a deep breath...her eyes filling with tears as soon as the woman's identity was confirmed. "Dorie..." she said...trying to keep her voice steady. "...it's...Kelly."

Dorie couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips. "Kelly...hi...how are you?" She asked, trying to make the conversation as normal as possible when in reality she was shaking inside.

Kelly blinked her eyes a few times...trying to prevent her tears from falling. "Umm...I'm good, actually. How about you? And Mike?"

"We're good...getting thing's ready for Christmas..." Dorie let her voice trail off for a second and then took a deep breath. "I have a feeling...you got my letter."

"Yes...I did. Yesterday...when I was in New York. How did you find out where to reach me?"

"A friend of Mike's...knows somebody who could get the mailing address for you and the rest of your dancing friends."

"Oh...my dancing friends..." Kelly repeated softly. The way that had come out of her sister's mouth made her think their father had brainwashed her to believe his own thoughts about how ridiculous her career choice was.

"So, are you coming for Christmas?" Dorie asked, hoping to get her sister home so they could figure out this craziness that had been going on between them. Maybe if Kelly came back...she would finally understand how stupid she was being.

"Umm...no..." Kelly started, then stopped to clear her throat. "...I appreciate the invitation...but...I'm spending it with my boyfriend and his family."

Dorie couldn't help but get excited hearing her sister had a boyfriend. Maybe she would marry somebody high ranking and educated...and then there would be hope for her yet. "You have a boyfriend??"

"Yeah. Umm...we haven't been together that long...but we've been...like...best friends for years. I've known him since before I...well...left home." Kelly just couldn't bring herself to say 'got kicked out.'

A sinking feeling came to Dorie and she sighed. "Oh, so he's in the same profession as yourself?"

Kelly swallowed hard...trying not to let her sister get to her...even as a couple tears rolled down her cheeks. "I met him at the dance company in Toronto. He was teaching there. He's a very successful choreographer. It's thanks to him I got this job...and the Janet Jackson tour a couple years ago."

Dorie sighed and shook her head even though Kelly couldn't see it. "You could of done so much for yourself, Kelly. You're smart and pretty...I just don't understand why you felt the need to ditch your whole family for this crass dream of yours."

Kelly couldn't help but laugh cynically. "Crass dream? Is THAT all you think this is? And how DARE you say I ditched my family when you know damn well that dad threw my ass out on the street?"

"He wouldn't of had to...if you hadn't given him a reason." Dorie said back, her voice still calm.

"Would you listen to yourself?!" Kelly nearly shouted into the phone...then calmed and quieted herself when she remembered she was in public. "For your information, not only am I happy...but I'm successful...and damn good at what I do...and I'm probably making more money than you are, doctor."

"Why did you call, Kelly...If you are just going to yell at me." Dorie stated, her voice still a scary calm.

Kelly laughed again. "Ya know what? That's a good fucking question," she spat into the phone...then hung it up. She sniffled...reaching up to wipe her eyes as she put her phone back into her purse.

Meanwhile, Marty walked out of Sam Goody and looked around for Kelly. She wasn't sitting outside the store on the bench like he thought she would be.

Kelly took a second to compose herself, then walked back to the front of the store to meet up with Marty.

Seeing, Kelly walking towards him he knew automatically that something wasn't right. Walking to meet up with her he pulled her into his arms, and without knowing the real story he held her tightly. "I'm sorry." He whispered in her ear.

Kelly couldn't help but lose it as soon as she was in Marty's arms. She started sobbing quietly as she balled her fists into the front of his shirt and buried her face in his chest.

Not caring that he didn't have all the gifts he needed, Marty turned them around so they could walk back to the door they came in at. His family would understand if he gave them checks instead of gifts...this was important to him.

Kelly sniffled and pulled away from Marty. She wiped her eyes as she stopped walking. "No...wait...where are we going?"

"Home...where we should be." Marty said, trying to get them to start walking again.

Kelly shook her head. "No. Fuck her. I'm not gonna let her ruin our Christmas."

Marty sighed, and gave in. "Okay...if you're sure."

Kelly nodded...wiping her eyes one more time. "Yeah...I'm sure...come on," she said...reaching for Marty's hand.

Marty groaned as he flopped back on the bed closing his eyes tightly. "I'm NEVER doing that again...I have a headache from hell."

Kelly sighed...kind of in her own world as she took off her scarf and coat and put them over Marty's desk chair. "Don't worry...I won't let you."

"Good." Marty mumbled as he massaged his temples. "That toy store was TERRIBLE!"

"Yeah..." Kelly agreed...then started digging through her purse for something. "Dammit," she said with a quiet sigh.

Marty opened his eyes and raised himself up on his elbows. "Something wrong?"

"I left my cigarettes downstairs last night. I'm gonna go down and have one...if that's OK."

"Want me to come with you?" Marty asked, sweetly. His head was pounding and he knew the cigarette smoke was going to make it worse, but he didn't care.

Kelly shook her head...then pulled off her sweatshirt and tossed it onto her bag. "No...stay here. You have a headache," she said...then headed out of the room and down to the basement.

Marty stayed upstairs for a few minutes before he took a deep breath and followed Kelly downstairs to the basement. Pausing at the bottom of the stairs he just watched her quietly.

Kelly took a seat in the same stool she'd sat in the night before, and immediately lit a cigarette

Janet walked down the stairs and was surprised to see Marty just watching Kelly. "What's wrong, honey?" She whispered.

Marty turned to look at his mom and sighed. "Kelly talked to her sister today...and it didn't go well...I'm not sure what to do...and my head is pounding really bad." He said looking at his mom through slits for eyes because the light was bothering him.

Patting her son on the back she smiled. "Go upstairs and sleep...I'll talk to her and send her up in a few minutes...it's after midnight anyway...and we have to be at grandma and grandpa's around 10 tomorrow."

Marty nodded and with one last look at Kelly, walked back up the stairs.

After Marty had gone, Janet walked into the room and over to the bar. "Care for some company?"

As soon as Janet approached her, Kelly put her cigarette out and exhaled the last smoke in her lungs. Even if Janet knew she smoked, Kelly didn't necessarily want her to see her doing it. "Sure..." she said...crossing her legs on her own stool.

Janet couldn't help but smile at Kelly being so polite. She had always loved the young girl, even from the first time she had met her. "Marty told me what happened...would you like to talk about it? I know he's probably better at listening them I am...or more fun at comforting...but I can try." She said in a calm, sweet voice.

Kelly managed a small smile as she looked at the older woman. She knew that Janet probably knew a little about her family life, but she herself had never spoken to Marty's mother about it. "I...take it you know about what's been going on with my family?"

Janet nodded her head. "Marty has told me about it over the last few years. It's a real shame what your father and sister did to you. They are missing out on knowing a very great woman. Who they should be VERY proud of."

Kelly's smile grew. "Thank you so much. That means a lot coming from someone like you." She'd always liked Marty's mother...and respected her as a kind and successful woman and mother.

"It's all true...and I know it's not the same...but I hope you can consider our family...your family. I know we think of you as family." Janet said with a smile. "And that won't change if what you and James have doesn't work out."

Kelly nodded. "Thank you. That's sweet," she said...then took a deep breath. "I really mis my mother," she admitted quietly...talking about her for the first time in a long time. "Sometimes I think that if she was still here...none of this would have happened."

Janet put a gentle hand on Kelly's upper back. "You may be right, sweetheart...but you can't think of things like that...because it will just drive you insane."

Kelly chuckled softly. "Tell me about it. I mean...sometimes I find myself thinking back to when I was little...when my mom used to take me to every dance class...and be in the front row at every recital. I was SO happy back then."

"I think she would be very proud of you, Kelly. Those dance classes really paid off." Janet said with a big smile. "You are very talented."

"Thanks. But I owe a lot of that to Marty, too. He's really helped me develop as a dancer over the years."

"My son is very talented too...not just with his dancing skills...but with his heart. I know he hasn't made some of the best choices in the world...with how he ran his social life when it came to women...but he has always had a big heart none the less. I see it the most when he's with you though."

Kelly nodded and smiled...blushing a bit. "Yeah...I see it, too," she said softly. She sighed...her face falling after a second. "I just...when I talked to my sister today, I told her about him...and of course...she said he's not good enough for me. And that just made me sick."

"Kelly, honey...if you are happy with your life...every aspect of it...then that is all that matters. I know parents permission and acceptance is always nice...but you are a grown woman and make your own decisions." Janet said, tilting Kelly's chin up so she could look into the sad young woman's eyes.

Kelly blinked back a couple tears as she looked into Janet's eyes. "But what good is me being happy if it's making people miserable...especially the people who are supposed to love me?"

"They are making themselves miserable with their sheltered thinking. You aren't doing anything." Janet said firmly. "If I was like that with my kids...hell I would probably hate each and every one of them for some reason or another."

Kelly had to laugh at that. "But you don't. You're a perfect mother."

Janet had to roll her eyes and laugh a little. "Honey, I'm FAR from perfect...Marty will definitely agree with me on that. And you would of thought I had the whole thing mastered by the time he came around."

"Well...in MY opinion, you DO have it mastered."

"Thank you...that means a lot." Janet smiled. "I have a feeling you'll be a great mother too some day."

Kelly widened her eyes and chuckled a bit. "Well...maybe someday...but I don't know how soon THAT will happen."

Janet laughed and patted Kelly's back before moving her hand. "No rush...I was twenty when I had Bev...and I was WAY too young."

"Yeah. I'm definitely too young right now...but I'd love to be a mother someday."

"You've got plenty of time." Janet said as she stood up, stretching her arms over her head with a yawn. "I think I'm going to head upstairs to bed now...it's after midnight and I'm beat. Oh, and Marty should be upstairs in bed...I think he has one of his migraines."

Kelly nodded as she got off her stool. "I'm gonna go check on him." She then leaned over to give Janet a hug. "Thank you...for everything."

"You're very welcome...any time you want to talk...I'm always here and just a phone call away." Janet said as she hugged Kelly back.

"Thank you," Kelly said...pulling back and smiling at Janet. "I'm gonna go see if Marty's OK," she said...then jogged up the stairs, and up to Marty's bedroom. She walked in and quietly closed the door,

Marty was on top of the comforter on his bed and still fully dressed but fast asleep scrunched up in a fetal position. He didn't even hear Kelly come into the room.

Kelly sighed when she saw Marty. She knew he had to be in pain. She went into the bathroom and wet a washcloth with cool water, then brought it back to the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she gently placed the cool compress on Marty's forehead.

Feeling the coolness on his forehead, Marty blinked his eyes and opened them slowly but not wider then slits. "Hey." He whispered, closing his eyes again.

"Hey," Kelly whispered back...still holding the compress on Marty's forehead. "I hope you know that I'm never gonna let you do your Christmas shopping this last minute again," she said quietly...leaning down to place a kiss on his cheek.

"Good idea." Marty whispered again and sighed. "Shit...I hate when this...happens."

"Did you take something?" Kelly asked...flipping the compress over to the cooler side.

Marty nodded. "Yeah...I took my prescription stuff...now I just have to sleep and pray it works."

"OK. But let's get your clothes off and get you under the covers."

Marty opened his eyes a little and looked down at himself, laughing softly when he noticed he was still dressed. "I didn't even notice I was still dressed.” he said getting up on unsteady feet and stripping out of his jeans and t-shirt, leaving himself only in his boxers, before climbing back into bed.

Kelly carefully tucked Marty in then kissed him gently on the forehead. "Night, sweetie."

"Night, night...love you." Marty whispered, not realizing what he was saying when he was hurting so badly.

Kelly smiled...then changed into her pajamas before settling herself on the bedroom floor to wrap all of Marty's gifts for him...since he wasn't feeling well, and she wasn't sleepy...and needed something to do.

******@*****

Once Nick was in the living room after Justin let him shower first, he himself climbed into the shower to get washed up. He laughed softly when he thought about what had just happened in the hot tub. He had no idea what had even made him think of doing what he did. He was glad he did it, though. The look on Nick's face when he came in his hand made it all worth it.

Now dressed in his favorite sweats that he still had yet to throw out, Nick sat in the living room watching something on TV. He didn't have the slightest idea what it was though because he was still thinking about what had happened in the hot tub. That single hand job meant more to him then anything else in the world right about then. It wasn't because Justin had gotten him off...but the whole thing had been so special...he helped Justin overcome something that was difficult and brought them closer then they were before...or at least he hoped so.

Justin finished up in the shower, then wrapped one of his fluffy baby blue towels around his waist before going into his bedroom to find something to wear.

Sighing, Nick tried to pay attention to the show that he was watching and busted up laughing when he realized he was watching some crazy thing about the mating dance of cheetah’s.

Justin heard Nick laughing in the living room, and smiled as he dug through one of his dresser drawers. "What's so funny?" he called.

"Watching the discovery channel." Was Nick's response as he laughed more, a crazy song going through his head as he continued to watch.

"Oh," Justin said...pulling a pair of dark blue cotton PJ pants out of the drawer, and stepping into them as he removed his towel.

Nick got up off the couch and walked over to stand in the doorway of the bedroom. "You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals. So let's do it like the do on the Discovery Channel." He said in between giggles. For some reason the whole thing really cracking him up.

Justin raised his eyebrows at Nick as he balled up his towel. "You've lost your mind," he said...then went to the bathroom to put the towel in the hamper.

"Crazily, intense orgasms can do that to a person." Nick smirked as he walked over to the bed, bouncing on the end of it.

Justin laughed...tying the drawstring on his PJs as he came back into the bathroom. "It wasn't THAT intense."

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Felt pretty intense to me." He said, his smirk turning to a smile as he watched Justin move about the room.

Justin widened his eyes when he saw Nick bouncing on his bed. "I swear...if you break my bed...I WILL kill you. I've been waiting to sleep in it for months."

Nick stopped right away and sat back down. "Sorry." He whispered sitting down, a flash back of his childhood coming into his mind and making him shiver.

Justin noticed Nick's reaction and silently cursed himself. "Nick...I'm kidding...it was a joke," he said...moving closer to the bed.

Nick smiled a small up at Justin and nodded his head. "I know that."

"No...you didn't. I hit a spot again...and I'm sorry."

Thinking for a second, Nick patted the spot next to him on the bed. "Come here and sit with me for a second...I've gota tell you something."

Justin didn't say anything. He just kept his eyes on Nick' face as he went over to the bed and sat beside him.

"I haven't told anybody this...it was a huge family secret." Nick started, his eyes still on Justin's, but they weren't happy anymore.

"Well...then...you don't have to tell ME," Justin said quietly.

Nick shook his head like crazy. "No...I want to...I need to." He whispered and looked down at his lap for a second, as if it was going to give him the right words. "The reason...I got so freaked when you 'Yelled' at me for jumping on the bed...was because my dad...he used to hit me for doing things like that. I DID know you were joking Justin...I just got a flashback from other times...that's why I freaked out."

Justin took a deep breath...his eyes not leaving Nick. "I guess that's why you can't take my jokes," he said...making a realization to himself.

"Yeah...that has a lot to do with it." Nick said, a look of relief on his face...he had been wanting to tell Justin that for a while now...but he had been scared for some reason.

"Well...umm...I had no idea. But...now I'll try even harder not to do it."

Nick groaned and sighed. "I don't want you to do that though...I don't wana be treated any different" He pleaded with his eyes.

Justin nodded. "OK," he said...wondering how he was going to joke around without offending Nick...or scaring him...or hurting him.

Nick bit his bottom lip and looked at Justin, silent for almost two minutes. "What are we doing tomorrow?" He asked finally, wanting to change the subject.

Justin took another deep breath. "Whatever we want during the day...probably have lunch with my parents, though. Then...go to my father's tomorrow for dinner...and to spend the night."

"Okay...sounds good." Nick said as he scooted closer to Justin and rested his head on his shoulder, wanting to be close to him.

"I'm sorry...about...your dad, and all."

"It isn't your fault, Justin...but thank you." Nick said as he looked up at Justin from where his head is resting. "Thank you for understanding...I guess after all these years I still haven't gotten over it."

"There's no reason why you should have. Stuff like that leaves a scar."

"Physically and emotionally." Nick whispered, scooting as close to Justin as he could when sitting up in the middle of the bed.

"Yeah...I know."

Sitting up a little bit, Nick looked at Justin. "Where am I sleeping?"

Justin shrugged. "This is the only bed I have here in this house...but the sofa pulls out. And it's not some cheap one with a bar down the middle. It's got a real mattress."

Nick nodded and forced a smile onto his face. He wished Justin would have asked him to sleep in his bed...with him but he wasn't going to throw a fit or anything. "I'm sure it's fine...I've slept on a lot worse...the ground would of even been fine."

Justin laughed. "I'd never make you sleep on the ground."

"Aren't you a sweetheart." Nick laughed too, as he ran his fingers over Justin's PJ covered thigh, without realizing it.

"Do you mind sleeping in the living room?" Justin asked...looking down at Nick's hand on his thigh.

Nick shook his head. "No...It's fine."

"Are you sure? I don't wanna be rude."

Smiling Nick shook his head. "It's not rude...why would it be? Where else would I sleep?" He said that and mentally cursed himself...that was really stupid.

"With me..." Justin said quietly...then sighed. "...but...I don't know...I think I just need some time tonight. To...like...think about a bunch of shit."

Nick nodded his head and smiled. "I don't expect you to do that Justin...this is your bed." He said and it was true...he didn't expect it...didn't mean he didn't want it...but he didn't expect it.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...but...incase you didn't notice...it's big."

Looking around him he laughed. "Actually...I really hadn't noticed that...you could lose the other person you were sleeping with in this thing." He joked.

Justin laughed through a yawn. "Yeah...maybe."

Nick moved away from Justin with another smile. "You're sleepy...I should let you get to sleep."

"We should rest up now," Justin said as he stood up. "My brothers are gonna be off the wall tomorrow night...and it's gonna suck the energy right out of us," he said with a laugh...his hand absently moving up to rub his bare stomach.

Nick laughed and nodded. "Yeah...I remember how younger siblings can get...even though mine were young when I was young too."

Justin chuckled. "I'm gettin too old for it."

"Oh yeah...almost twenty three is just SO old." Nick laughed rolling his eyes.

Justin laughed. "Whatever," he said...then walked over to the closet. "I have pillows and a blanket in here for you. The sheets...knowin my mama...are already on the bed, I'm sure," he said...opening the closet to find what he was looking for.

"Unless she wasn't expecting anybody to be sleeping on pull out bed." Nick joked wiggling his eyebrows.

Justin laughed. "No...believe me...she was," Justin said with a laugh as he pulled two pillows and a blanket out of the closet.

Nick laughed and nodded. "Good...cuz I really don't want your mom thinking of me...or you like that...since we aren't even like that." he rambled.

Justin chuckled. "I get it," he said...heading out toward the living room.

"Good...because I don't." Nick laughed, following Justin with a confused look on his face as he tried to figure out what came out of his own mouth.

Justin dropped the bedding on a chair and went to pull the bed out. "You don't want my mama thinkin we're gettin in on...cuz we're not."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Exactly...when you say it...it sounds so much better."

Justin laughed as he got the bed pulled out. Then he spread the blanket out over it, and tossed the pillows up to the head of the bed.

"Thank you." Nick said politely as he sat down at the edge of the bed.

"You're welcome," Justin said...going to stand in front of Nick.

Nick looked up at Justin and smiled. "For everything...for letting me come here with you...it really means a lot to me." He said feeling tears pooling at the bottom of his eyes.

Justin smiled at Nick. "It means a lot to me to have you here."

"Really?" Nick asked shocked. "Why?"

Justin shrugged. "I don't know...it just does. You're important to me."

Nick smiled again and reached out to touch Justin's hips. "You're important to me too."

Justin smiled. "I know," he said...then leaned down to give Nick a soft kiss on the lips. "If you need anything...just help yourself. Make yourself at home."

"Okay...thanks...see you in the morning." Nick said, but his hands still hadn't let go of Justin's hips.

Justin nodded. "OK. Sleep tight."

Finally letting go of Justin Nick nodded back. "Night, night."

"Night," Justin said with a smile...then shut off the hall light on the way to his bedroom. He turned off the lights in his room, and climbed right into bed with an extremely content sigh...so thrilled to be in his very own bed.

Nick moved around on the bed and crawled under the covers. Lying down he sighed a big smile on his face. Things were going good...they were getting along and things looked fine. He just hoped they stayed that way.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

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At around four thirty in the morning, Kelly was still awake. She had finished wrapping all of Marty's Christmas gifts, and was still seated on the floor Indian style...flipping through her journal and looking at photos.

Marty had been fast asleep for hours, his pills knocking him out into an even deeper sleep then he normally slept. Because of this he was now stuck in one of the most erotic dreams he could remember...that had to do with Kelly...and a hot tub in the middle of the woods. Moaning in his sleep his wiggled around in bed a bit.

Kelly heard Marty making noise, and looked up at the bed through her tear-reddened, puffy eyes to make sure he was OK. When she realized he was probably just dreaming, she went back to what she was doing.

Groaning louder this time and mumbling words that didn't make any sense...one of them that did though was Kelly's name that was said through a long moan as he continued to wiggle around on the bed. He had no idea what was really happening around him...or that here he was having a crazy dream like this...while his girlfriend was wide awake and upset.

Kelly looked up again when she heard Marty moan her name, and had to laugh a little.

For some reason right at that moment Marty woke up panting and confused as to what was going on. The dream had seemed so real that he was seriously freaked out when he woke up and in his bed...alone.

Kelly looked over at Marty again...and frowned a bit when she noticed the almost-horrified look on his face. "Marty...you alright?"

Taking a few deep breaths he started to come back to reality and nodded his head. "Y...yeah...I'm fine." he panted, his body still stuck in the erotic dream of Kelly riding him inside of the steamy hot water in the middle of the snow.

Kelly got up...leaving her things on the floor...and went over to the bed to touch Marty's sweaty forehead. "You're all clammy...is it your headache?"

Marty blushed a little bit and shook his head, his body was on fire. "No...My head is fine."

"Good," Kelly said...then smirked as she pulled her hand away. "Must have been SOME dream, then."

"You could say that." Marty laughed deeply and shifted on the bed.

Kelly chuckled. "Well...I'm glad your head's feeling better," she said...going to pick up her journal and pictures off the carpet.

Marty sat up and looked around the room, seeing the wrapped gifts. "You've been wake all this time...doing that?" He asked, groaning when he had to clear his throat to even get his voice to work.

Kelly nodded...going to set her journal on the desk. "I finished about an hour ago."

"You didn't need to do that, Kel." Marty said as he scratched his sweaty chest.

"I know," Kelly said...pulling off the sweatshirt she'd put on over her tank top earlier when she'd gotten chilly. "But I didn't feel like sleeping...so..."

Marty looked at Kelly in the tank top and that was something that his body couldn't really handle at the minute, but he was strong her then this...he knew Kelly was upset...so pushing aside the fact that he was like two seconds from cuming before his dream stopped, he got up off the bed and walked to stand next to Kelly. "Wana talk?" He asked, his voice still deeper then it should be.

Kelly shrugged. "We can wait til morning," she said...studying Marty's face. "God, Marty...you're a sweaty mess," she said...looking down at his shoulders and chest. "I'm sure your sheets need to be changed," she said...going over to the bed and starting to unmake it. "Was it a nightmare...or a steamy sex dream?" she asked with a chuckle.

Marty couldn't help but blush bright red as he glanced down at his tented boxers and then back at Kelly. "I think you know the answer to that." He said as he walked over to help her strip the bed.

Kelly glanced over at Marty from the other side of the bed, and smiled when she noticed his condition for the first time...a blush shading her cheeks. "Oh," she said with a quiet laugh...looking down at the pillows as she took the cases off them.

Just ignoring how he felt, Marty walked to the bathroom and grabbed a laundry basket that they could throw the dirty sheets in. "I'm going to go grab some other sheets...I'll be back." He said before walking out of the room, to grab sheets from a closet in the hall.

Kelly took a seat on the edge of the stripped bed to wait for Marty to come back. She was hoping that he didn't feel uncomfortable having her around with the way he was feeling at the moment.

Once in the hall Marty took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself before he figured out that it was no good. Sighing, he just grabbed dark blue sheets form the closet and walked back into the room. "Thanks for helping me...I should be doing it, since I'm the one that got them all sweaty." He said as he shook the fitted sheet out and started to put it on.

Kelly got up and took over making the bed. "I'll do this. Go get washed up...if you want."

Marty smiled. "Thanks...I'm pretty nasty." He laughed and then placed a soft kiss to Kelly's cheek before walking into the bathroom to take a shower.

Kelly smiled as she went about making the bed...taking her time to make sure that it was done neatly, and the sheets and blankets were tucked in perfectly. After she put the pillow cases on and tossed the comforter back on the bed, she went to take a seat at Marty's desk...where she started looking at some of the photos in her journal again.

After fifteen minutes later, Marty walked out into the room wrapped only in a towel and made his way to the dresser to put some PJ pants on. It had taken him almost five minutes of his shower to try and figure out if he could jerk off with his girlfriend just in the next room. In the end he decided not to and just cleaned up, knowing he was strong enough to handle it. Now with is seats on he walked to stand behind Kelly. "What are you doing?" He asked, rubbing her shoulders.

Kelly leaned back in her chair a bit when she felt Marty behind her...letting her head fall back against his stomach. "Looking at some pictures," she said...not looking up from the photo in her hand.

Marty looked down at the pictures as he continued to rub her shoulders. "I'm sorry...that I was wrong...and that everything wasn't okay." He whispered, sadly.

"It's not your fault," Kelly said quietly. "She's a bitch."

"How you came out so good in that family...I have no idea." Marty said as he leaned down to kiss the top of Kelly's head. "Come on honey, let's go back to sleep...I'll try and promise to be a good boy and not have anymore weird dreams."

Kelly chuckled as she tucked her pictures safely into her journal and closed the book. "You couldn't help it," she said...getting up off the chair and turning to look at Marty. "I'm cool with it...as long as it was about me," she teased with another laugh.

Marty couldn't help but let out a low groan when he remembered the dream. "Was it ever." He laughed.

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes...gently squeezing Marty's sides as she stepped in front of him. "Pervert."

"No...I was just born with really horny genes." Marty giggled as he smiled at Kelly.

Kelly smiled up at Marty brightly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Oh...OK. I guess I'm just gonna have to deal with it."

"Yup...unless you wana trade me in for something else." Marty said with a smile, his arms wrapping around Kelly's back.

Kelly shook her head. "Nah...never. I've waited a long time for someone like you."

Marty laughed, looking into Kelly's eyes "A horny freak?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...you know what I mean."

Marty nodded. "I think I do...cuz I’ve been waiting a long time for someone like you...too."

Kelly smiled and leaned up to softly kiss Marty's lips. "I don't know if I can sleep, but let's lay down for a bit. It's still early."

"We gota be outa here by ten to go to my grandparent's." Marty stated as he climbed back onto the bed, hoping Kelly would still follow him.

"OK...that's fine," Kelly said...tugging her loose PJ pants up a bit before climbing onto the bed herself. "It's OK if I can't sleep now. I will eventually."

Lying down on the pillow he pulled Kelly into his arms and kissed the top of her head. He was going to continue to be the sweet kind boyfriend...even if it killed him with the images of the dream still in his head. "Did my mom talk to you?"

Kelly nodded against Marty's chest as she draped her left arm over his stomach. "Yeah...she did. She's an amazing woman."

Marty smiled proudly, thinking of his mom. "Yeah she is...I'm very lucky to have her."

"Yeah...you are. Do you have any idea how proud of you she is?"

Marty scrunched up his face in confusion. "Huh?"

"She's so proud of you...for all your accomplishments...and for growing up into such a caring, loving man with such a big heart."

"Just last month she was yelling at me for fucking around...don't know where that came from." Marty giggled, running the fingers of his left hand over Kelly's arm on his stomach, lightly.

"Well...yeah...she doesn't exactly like that you do...that. But...she really loves you...and she's really proud of you."

"Yeah...well I'm not doing it anymore...so she should be happy." Marty said with a big smile as he kissed the top of Kelly's head.

Kelly sighed quietly...her hand absently toying with the drawstring on Marty's PJ pants. "Yeah...not now. I just hope you don't go back to it...ever. I mean...I never admitted it, but I was scared for you at times."

Marty turned his head to the side a bit so he could look at Kelly. "Scared for me? Why?"

Kelly tilted her head up to look at Marty. "You were sleeping with all kinds of women you didn't even know. For all YOU knew, that could have had all sorts of diseases, and shit. I mean...who knows where they've been?"

Marty sighed and nodded. "I know...but I'm fine...I'm not sick."

"Have you...ya know...gotten things checked?" Kelly asked quietly.

"Yeah...I've gotten tested at least once every three months...the last time was about three weeks ago." Marty said, happy Kelly was asking him these questions...he knew that he should possibly be offended but he wasn't she had EVERY right to know.

Kelly placed a soft kiss to Marty's chest, then sighed quietly as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Good...cuz I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you," she said in a near whisper.

Marty pulled Kelly to him tighter. "I'm not going any place...not for a long long time." He whispered in her ear.

Kelly didn't even try to fight the tears that were burning her eyes. "I'd wanna die if anything happened to you."

"Oh honey...I'm okay...I'm not sick...I'm going to be here for you." Marty said as he placed soft kisses around Kelly's ear as she cried.

"I hope so. Cuz...you're ALL I have. You're my family...and my friends...you're everything," Kelly said through a sniffle...just coming to the realization herself.

"Maybe I am...but I'm not the only person that fits into the categories. What about Justin? He's your best friend...he'll always be here for you too."

"He's NOT my best friend. One of them...yes. But...you were my best friend before I even knew Justin. And now that he's got Nick..."

"Doesn't mean he won’t love you any less...or want to spend less time with you." Marty stated. "And if you think about it...he could be thinking the same thing about you...he could be saying. 'Now that she's got Marty'."

"But I've always had you."

"Not as your boyfriend." Marty pointed out with a smile. "You have something that he doesn’t even have...Nick isn't his boyfriend."

"It won't be long before he is," Kelly said...twirling Marty's PJs string around a couple of her fingers.

Marty had to giggle a little at that. "It's still a little shocking sometimes to think of our Justin...with a boyfriend." He said as he tried to ignore Kelly and the draw string of his PJs being played with.

Kelly wrinkled her face a bit at the thought. "Yeah...I know."

Marty yawned and reached up to scratch his head. "But...it doesn't sound bad either...just different."

"Yeah...I guess so," Kelly said...then pulled away from Marty and propped herself up on her elbow. "Go back to sleep. I can't...so...I'll go find something to do."

"Kelly...you need to rest...or you're going to get sick." Marty said calmly, but sturnly at the same time.

"No I won't. I get like this sometimes."

Marty sighed and sat up in bed. "So what are we going to do?" He asked. Sure, he was really sleepy, but he didn't want Kelly awake all night by herself.

Kelly sighed as she sat up and curled her legs up to sit Indian Style. "I don't want you to stay awake for me."

"I don't want you awake without me." Marty whispered as he tried to hold back a yawn.

Kelly smiled. "Why not? You won't be missing anything."

"Yeah...but I don't want you to be bored." Marty smiled back, this time not able to hold back the yawn that came.

"Am I gonna have to tie you down to this bed?"

Marty got a smirk on his face and wiggled his eyebrows. "Is that a promise?"

"See?" Kelly said with a chuckle. "I TOLD you you're a pervert."

"I'm a guy...you were telling me that all day." Marty laughed.

Kelly laughed...then sighed dramatically as she lay down on her back...folding her hands at her stomach and looking up at the ceiling. "OK, then. We'll lay here and talk...so you can at least rest a little. Maybe even fall asleep listening to me."

"Tell me about your favorite Christmas memory." Marty said sleepily, already close to drifting off but like a toddler or young child he kept trying to force himself to stay awake.

Kelly sighed quietly. "Definitely when I was three...when my mom gave me my first pair of ballet shoes. I can't believe I remember that far back...but I do."

Marty smiled big, turning his head to look at Kelly. "That sounds like a very nice Christmas. I thank your mom for giving you those slippers...cuz if you hadn't loved to dance...I would never have met you."

Kelly smiled...dropping her head to the right to look at Marty. "Yeah...I know. So I guess...even if she never got to meet you...I thank HER for bringing you into my life."

Marty yawned again and rolled his eyes. "Why the hell am I so tired...I used to go out and party until we hours of the morning and never sleep sometimes...and now it's like I have to sleep at least 8 hours or I'm dead." He laughed.

Kelly giggled. "It's cuz you're gettin old."

Marty pouted playfully, his arms crossing over his chest. "I ain't old."

"No...not yet...but soon."

Marty's pout got even bigger. "Twenty six isn't old."

Kelly laughed and leaned over to kiss Marty's pout. "I know...I'm playing with you."

Marty moaned softly against Kelly's lips even though it was just a soft kiss...it was driving him crazy. He had pretty much forgotten about the dream and his other problem up until that point...but now it all came back full force.

Kelly giggled at Marty's moan as she pulled back to look at him. "Tell me about your dream."

Blushing, Marty shook his head. "You don't wana know about that."

"Well...maybe I do...but that doesn't mean I'm gonna beg you to tell me. It was YOUR dream."

"You really...wana hear my sex dream...about us that was this close to turning into a wet dream?" Marty asked, his fingers apart about an inch to show how close.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Are you serious? Do you have wet dreams often?"

Blushing even more, something he still rarely ever did he shook his head. "No...haven't in a long time actually."

"What was your last wet dream about?" Kelly asked curiously...dropping her head down onto Marty's shoulder.

"My last wet dream...shit...umm. I was still in high school at the time I think...so it had to have been this girl in my English class that I had the hots for." Marty laughed, shaking his head thinking about Hannah Collins.

Kelly laughed. "You haven't had a single wet dream since high school?"

Marty thought about it and shrugged. "Probably...but i don't really remember...or what they were about. It's kinda hard to go around having wet dreams...when you are having sex on a regular basis." He said making a disgusted face, mad at himself for his previous lifestyle.

"Yeah...I guess that's true," Kelly said thoughtfully. "So...now that you're with ME...you'll probably be having them often," she said with a laugh.

Marty laughed and shrugged. "Maybe...either that or a lot of cold showers."

"Now...see...I can't help but think that's not really fair to you. You're way too used to sex to go cold turkey."

"Yeah...well I'm not about to go out and fuck somebody else...so I'm gunna have to get used to it right...I mean guys survive being hard...I can do it too."

"What if I said...like...I wanted to...I don't know...be a born again virgin, or something...and not have sex again til I got married?" Kelly asked seriously...honestly curious as to how Marty would feel about something like that.

Thinking for a second Marty smiled and shrugged. "Then you do it girl."

"Yeah...but how long would you last with me if that were the case?"

Marty couldn't help but be a little offended at what Kelly was saying. "I wouldn't dump you because you wouldn't sleep with me, Kelly. I happen to think that our relationship is a lot more then just sex."

Kelly sighed. She could tell by the tone in Marty's voice that she'd offended him. "I know you think that...and I do, too. And honestly...I don't think you'd dump me over lack of sex. I'm just paranoid about losing people. You know that."

Marty sighed and nodded his head. "I know...I'm sorry I got snippy at you, honey." He said, giving Kelly a soft kiss on the cheek.

Kelly chuckled. "Don't be sorry. I deserved it. I think much more of you than that, but I said it anyway."

Looking Kelly in the eye, Marty smiled but had a serious tone in his voice. "It might be hard, but if that is what you chose...then I'm going to be here with you 100 percent."

Kelly smiled and kissed Marty softly. "Thank you...that means the world. But...believe me...that's NOT what I'm saying."

Marty looked at Kelly, confused. "You've lost me...the old man can't understand things well in his old age." he joked.

Kelly giggled. "All I'm saying is that I'd appreciate it totally if you went all virginal with me...but I haven't exactly decided that that's what I want."

"Oh...okay I get it." Marty giggled and then yawned again.

"When was the last time you got a blow job?" Kelly asked randomly...a hint of laughter in her voice. She was enjoying just shooting the shit with Marty. He was right...she HAD been bored while he was asleep.

Marty laughed and thought about the question. "Umm two weeks ago."

"Was it good?"

"It got me off." Was Marty's only response...not sure if he should say that sex to him...hadn't been all that good in a long time.

"That's it? Nothing special?"

Marty shook his head. "No...quite frankly, Kel...sex hasn't really been all that great for a while now...that's all it was...just a way to get off."

"So if you weren't really enjoying it, then why'd you keep doing it...when you couldda been jerking off?"

"I didn't really have a reason to stop...and the guys still asked me out...and I went. I don't know guess I kinda felt like I had to." Marty said, looking away from Kelly in shame.

"We don't have to talk about it..."

Marty turned back to look at Kelly and shook his head. "No...it's okay, Kel. I want you to be able to talk to me about anything...I'm just ashamed of how I acted is all." He admitted.

"Well...like I said...you came out of it OK...so take it as a learning experience."

Marty smiled and nodded. "That is true...and I'm glad I shaped up and found you...no sex at all is better then that."

Kelly laughed. "What took you so long to FIND me? We've know each other over five years."

"You're five yours younger then me...you were 16 when we met and that was illegal. Then things just got too crazy and I knew I couldn't get into a relation ship. Then...when things finally started to calm down some you got with Justin."

"Yeah...I guess that's all true. You ever been in love?"

Marty shook his head and smiled. "Not until recently."

Kelly smiled. "I meant...before. Like...you've had a lot of sex...but have you ever...made love?"

Marty shook his head no. "No...I haven't."

"That's too bad."

Smiling a little Marty shrugged. "I will at some point in my life I'm sure...some people don't get to be as lucky and meet a really great guy to be the person they sleep with." He said, still thinking highly of Justin even though he was kind of upset at him for hurting Kelly.

"Yeah...he really IS a great guy...but...it wasn't...making love."

"I though you loved each other." Marty asked, confusion in his voice.

Kelly nodded. "We do. I mean...I definitely love him. But the more I've thought about it the past couple days, the more I've realized...I don't think I was ever IN love with him."

Marty nodded. "Oh...okay...I think I understand." He said with a smile.

Kelly looked into Marty's eyes. "No...I don't think you do."

Now Marty got confused again. "Okay...I don't?"

"I don't think I was ever in love with Justin...cuz what I felt for him...what I STILL feel for him...it wasn't anything like what I'm starting to feel for you."

Marty got a huge smile on his face despite himself. "Really?"

Kelly just nodded...her eyes still on Marty's.

Looking into Kelly's eyes for a minute, he didn't know what to say. Finally thinking of something he smiled a little. "You know how I feel."

Kelly nodded again. "Yeah...I know."

Looking over at the clock he noticed it was already 6:30 and he could hear his parents up and moving around in their room. "You should try to sleep, Kel...You didn't sleep much last night either."

Kelly sighed. "I don't wana sleep."

"Why not?" Marty asked, giggling. "You sound like a three year old, not wanting to go to bed."

"No...not like that. "I just...sometimes I'm scared to go to sleep."

"Scared?"

"Scared I'll have nightmares. I'd rather just stay up all night than have those dreams."

"You're really going to get yourself sick if you do that, Kel...and I'll be here the whole time." Marty whispered holding Kelly tight.

"I know," Kelly said...resting her head down on Marty's chest and closing her eyes.

Marty started to hum a song and ran his fingers through Kelly's hair, hoping to calm her down. "Just relax...and everything is going to be okay." He said gently.

Kelly took a long, deep breath...relaxing almost immediately under Marty's gentle touch and sweet words. "Thank you," she said through a yawn.

"You don't need to." Marty whispered as he kissed the top of her head again. His hands continuing to run through her hair. Smiling a little when he felt her relaxing.

It wasn't long before Kelly's entire body had gone limp against Marty's, and she'd fallen into a light sleep.

Marty didn't close his eyes though, he forced himself to stay awake and keep watch over Kelly. Ready to jump if any nightmares attacked her in her sleep.

*****@*****

After putting on a pair of yellow track pants and a t-shirt, Justin put on some running shoes, then pulled a navy blue hoodie over his head on his way out to the living room...where he immediately stopped to look out the blinds to check the weather. He was happy to see that the sun was shining.

Nick was lying in bed, just looking up at the ceiling when Justin walked into the room. "Good morning." He said softly.

Justin looked toward the sofa bed when he heard Nick's voice, and smiled at the older man. "Mornin," he drawled through a short yawn...going over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Sleep good?" Nick asked with a smile, turning onto his side so he could look at Justin better.

Justin nodded...looking down at Nick. "Yeah...I did...amazingly good."

Nick's smile got even bigger. "Good...I'm glad," Yawning he looked around for a second. "What time Is it?"

"Just after nine. I'm gonna go out for a run. But listen...if someone comes lookin for me, don't tell them where I am. I'll get my ass reamed for going alone."

"Can I come with you? Or do you wana be left alone?" Nick asked, expecting Justin to say he wanted to be alone...so he wasn't going to be too shocked to hear that answer.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "You run?"

Nick looked down at his pudgy stomach and shrugged. "I do...not much in the winter though because normally I'm places where it's to cold...but nothing good ever comes out of it besides loss of tension." He said patting his stomach.

Justin laughed. "OK...get dressed...hurry up."

Nick was out of bed in a flash, shocked that Justin was letting him come along. Once in Justin's room he went to the bathroom and then pulled on a new pair of black track pants and a dark green t-shirt. Grabbing his old warn sneakers he pulled them on and then jogged back out into the living room. "Okay...I'm ready."

"You took too long. I'm going back to sleep," Justin teased from where he'd dropped onto his back on the bed.

Nick giggled and jumped onto the bed and then crawled on top of Justin, sitting on his hips. "You're being silly this morning." He said smiling down at him.

Justin looked up at Nick questioningly. "I am?"

"Uh huh...and it's cute." Nick said as he leaned down and kissed Justin's nose before sitting up again.

Justin chuckled. "I ain't tryin to be cute."

"You don't have to try to be cute...you're ALWAYS cute...even when you are mad and yelling." Nick laughed and then made a face. "Well...maybe not.."

Justin laughed again. "And you haven't even seen me at my maddest."

"Hopefully I never will." Nick whispered as he lied down on Justin, resting his head on his chest, for some reason needing that close contact for at least a second. He knew it was childish but he liked to listen to Justin's heartbeat...it helped him remember that this wasn't all a dream.

Justin lay there still for a minute, then finally took a deep breath and spoke. "OK...let's go."

Nick sat up and nodded, climbing off of Justin and off the bed. "Okay let's go break a sweat." He giggled.

Justin sighed and climbed off the bed. "OK...but I'm warning you...sometimes I go for a real long time," he said...opening the front door and heading out into the cool morning.

"If I get too tired...I'll just fine my way home." Nick said with a shrug as he followed Justin out of the house. It had been a while since he had ran...but he was determined to keep up with Justin.

"OK..." Justin said...starting to stretch his legs a bit.

Nick looked at Justin and started to do the same thing. "What time do we have to go to your dads?" He asked as he stretched.

"My father's. Not until around dinner time. But I think we'll probably go out to lunch with my parents."

Nick mentally cursed himself for slipping up with the dad/father thing again. He understood where Justin was coming from with it...but he kept for getting. "Okay...sounds good." He said, giving Justin an apologetic look.

Justin looked at Nick after a few more lunges. "OK...ready?"

"Yeah...I'm ready." Nick said with a smile.

"Let's go, then," Justin said...walking around to the front of the main house...and to the edge of the driveway.

Nick followed Justin and smiled at him when they got the edge of the driveway. "Which way we going?"

"This way," Justin said...pointing to the right...then started down the road in a slow jog.

Nick jogged along side of Justin in the direction he pointed. He had missed doing this...jogging and running had always been something he loved to do...just with his crazy busy schedule he never got the chance.

"My mom would flip if she found out I was out here alone," Justin said with a chuckle...looking down the road ahead as he jogged.

"Almost sounds like something she would of told you when you were five." Nick laughed in response. "But you aren't exactly alone...I'll beat up the scary teeny boppers." he joked.

Justin laughed...then took a few deep breaths of the cool, fresh air.

Nick let his mind wander a little as they jogged down the sidewalk. Every once and a while he still took time to marvel in how much his life had changed in a few short weeks. Sometimes the whole idea still really overwhelmed him.

Justin was quiet as they jogged...taking the time to familiarize himself again with his small, secluded, wooded neighborhood. He also made it a point to clear his head of all the hectic touring stuff...and just all himself to relax and be in the moment.

Looking around as they walked, Nick smiled big. The whole neighborhood was beautiful, he couldn't remember ever seeing some place so great.

"Are you gonna call your brother and sisters for Christmas?"

Turning to look at Justin for a second he nodded. "Yeah...I was thinking of calling them tonight when I know everybody will be at my grandparent's. That way I know my parents wont answer the phone."

"That's true," Justin said...heading over toward a lake and starting to circle around it.

Nick's eyes went wide when he saw the lake. "My gosh...that's beautiful." He said, almost stopping so he could take a good look at it.

Justin laughed as he continued jogging on the path around the lake. "Let's go...keep up.”

Nick laughed as he ran to catch up with Justin. "Okay, Mr. Bossy." He joked as he jogged along side of him.

"I ain't bossy. I don't know what you're talking about."

Nick just laughed and continued to look around as they jogged. The moment was a great one...at least he thought so. Just doing a normal every day thing with Justin like jogging in the morning.

"You don't jog in the winter out there, do you?"

"Not unless I wana freeze my balls off. It's like 20 degrees this time of the morning usually." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed...heading carefully down a hilly, rocky path. "Well...we wouldn't want you to freeze your balls off...now would we?"

Turning to Justin with a smirk on his face he shook his head. "Nope...we definitely wouldn't want that."

Justin picked up the pace a bit as they hit a flat sidewalk again. "Let me know if you need me to slow down."

Nick kept the pace fine for the time being as he stayed in line with Justin. "I'm fine...for now." He said with a smile.

"OK," Justin said...then continued jogging quietly. He was so content at the moment...to be home...and away from the craziness...and able to be himself with Nick.

"Does your father and his wife know you have a friend coming with you tonight?" Nick asked as they jogged.

"Yeah..." Justin said...snapping out of his thoughts. "...I talked to my step mother."

Nick nodded. "Okay...didn't want to just like jump in and intrude."

Justin shook his head. "You won't be."

Nick didn't say anything else though because he was starting to get slightly tired and talking was making him out of breath. So, he just took the time to relax and enjoy himself.

Justin jogged quietly for about twenty minutes longer before finally heading back on to the grounds of his home...stopping outside the front door of the main house to catch his breath and stretch a bit.

Nick leaned against the door as he tried to catch his breath, sweat dripping off his forehead. "I don't think I've ran that much in years...that felt great." He laughed, even though he looked half dead...he never felt better.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...it DID feel good."

Finally feeling like he could stand up without falling over, and breath without it hurting he stopped leaning against the door and stretched his arms over his chest, groaning loudly.

"Let's go inside and see what's going on," Justin said...stepping around Nick to open the door and go inside. "Mama...?"

Lynn was in the kitchen making last minute Christmas cookies when she heard Justin calling her. "In the kitchen!" She called back.

Justin led Nick toward the kitchen in the back of the house...smiling when he saw his mother baking. "Mornin, mama...smells great."

"Just making sugar cookies...you can frost them when they are finished if you want...Like you did when you were little." Lynn said pointing to all the homemade frosting and sprinkles on the table ready to be used.

Nick smiled and sniffed the air too. He didn't remember things like this happening at his house.

Justin had to smile at the thought. "Sounds like a plan," he said...then turned to Nick. "Let's go get cleaned up first."

Nick giggled and nodded. "Yeah...I'm all sweaty."

"Everything should be ready by the time you boys are done.” Lynn said with a smile as she looked at the two men standing in her kitchen. She didn't know how far things had gotten with them...but she could tell their friendship was building really well.

"Alright, ma..." Justin said...heading into the foyer and out the back door. "...we'll be back."

"See ya in a bit." Nick waved to Lynn as he followed Justin out the back door. "I really love your mom." He said to Justin once the door was shut behind him.

Justin laughed...heading across the yard to his own house. "Me too."

Nick laughed. "Well, you better cuz she's your mom...you're supposed to love her."

Justin pulled his sweatshirt over his head...his t-shirt briefly riding up as he did so. "She's easy to love."

Nick swallowed hard as he watched Justin strip of his sweatshirt. It wasn't until that point that he really took a good look at sweaty Justin. "Yeah...sure is." He answered as he prayed that his body wasn't going to react.

"You wanna shower first?" Justin asked...walking through the front door into his house.

Nick shook his head. "Nah...it's okay you can go first if you want." He said smiling big for really no reason besides that he was really happy.

"Go ahead," Justin said...stopping in the middle of the living room and dropping to the floor. "I'm gonna do some crunches and stuff."

Nick felt himself twitch in his pants, thinking of Justin doing crunches...the idea a major turn on. "Uhh...yeah I'll go take my shower...before I stand here and watch you...and totally embarrass myself."

Justin laughed out loud at that as he lay on his back and started his exercises.

Quickly walking out of the room, Nicked into the bathroom and stripped out of his sweaty clothes. Then turning on the shower he got in and let out a deep sigh. With the warm water falling over his skin he let his mind wander to Justin in the other room.

Justin did a set of crunches, then stopped to take off his sneakers and socks...then his t-shirt...before going back to his workout.

After about fifteen minutes, Nick turned the water off and climbed out of the shower. Drying himself off he wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out to the bedroom. "Showers free." He called to Justin as he bent over to look through his bag.

Justin didn't hear Nick call him. He was too busy concentrating on keeping his breathing focused as he did push-ups on the living room floor.

Finding boxers he, slipped them on before walking to the door looking out into the living room. He swallowed hard again as he watched Justin doing push-ups on the floor. "Uh...shower is ready." He said again, this time a little louder.

Justin flopped onto his stomach with a groan, then looked up at Nick in the door way. "Damn, you're hot," he said with a chuckle...taking in Nick's broad chest, pudgy tummy, and thick, strong legs as he tried to catch his breath.

Nick's face heated up and a dark blush crept onto his cheeks and he shook his head. "No I'm not....you're the hot one." He said, his eyes never leaving Justin's body now lying on the floor.

Justin finally got up onto his feet, and shrugged his shoulders as he stretched out his back a bit. "Well...I guess we just have different tastes in men, then."

Nick giggled a little at that. "I can't really just like myself...what fun would that be?"

Justin chuckled...bending down to pick up his things off the floor. "That depends on how well you and your hand get along."

"Not well enough." Nick laughed as he let his eyes watch Justin's ass closely as he bent over to grab his things. God, did he love his ass...but most of all the freckles on his back was beginning to drive him insane.

When Justin leaned back up, he turned toward Nick, and smirked when he saw the direction his gaze was traveling in. "Hey...were you checkin out my ass?"

Nick smirked back and nodded his head. "Mmm Hmm." Was all he said.

"Oh...OK," Justin said with a smile...then brushed by Nick to head into his bedroom.

"You're a tease." Nick laughed as he followed Justin into the bedroom, having all intentions to get dressed.

"How am I a tease?" Justin asked...dropping his sneakers by the closet, and leaning into the bathroom to throw his shirt and socks in the hamper.

Watching Justin lean over again, Nick groaned. "Oh...I have NO idea...but I'm not complaining." He laughed as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Justin laughed as he slowly walked toward Nick. "Why are you makin funny noises?"

"Funny noises?...What funny noises?" Nick asked putting an innocent look on his face.

"You're like...groaning and shit," Justin said...still smiling as he stopped right in front of where Nick was sitting on his bed.

"I was? Oh I had no idea." Nick said trying to keep a straight face a he looked up, Looking Jusitin in the eyes.

Justin chuckled. "Liar."

Nick smirked and shrugged. "Nah...Just being silly. You are really sexy all sweaty like that " He said softly, his voice taking on a bit of a deeper tone.

Justin made a face. "I think I'm gross."

"I know...I feel the same when I'm all sweaty...but I think you look hot." Nick said as he reached his right hand out to trace a line down the middle of Justin's sweaty chest and stomach.

Justin's muscles immediately contracted under Nick's hand. "Oh...really?"

Nick nodded his head as he moved his finger back up so he could do the motion again. "Uh huh...really hot." He said, his voice getting even deeper, his eyes still locked on Justin's.

Justin was distracted from the feeling of goose bumps forming on his skin by the feeling of his cock twitching in his pants. "Thanks," he said quietly...his eyes on Nick's.

"You're welcome." Nick said as his tongue came out to lick his lips unconsciously.

At that point, Justin couldn't help but lean down and kiss Nick full on the lips.

Nick whimpered against the kiss but quickly responded to it and kissed Justin back deeply. His hands moving from his chest to his hips.

Justin groaned softly...bringing his hands into Nick's damp hair as he gently plunged his tongue into Nick's mouth.

Nick willingly opened his mouth for Justin's tongue as his fingers traced the line of Justin's track pants.

Justin swept his tongue through Nick's mouth in deep, slow strokes...his hands gently grabbing at the older man's hair.

Nick moaned deeply as he kissed Justin back. Spreading his legs as far as they could go, he let his hands move to Justin's lower back and gently push him a little so he was standing between his legs, their bodies as close as they could be in that position.

Justin continued devouring Nick's mouth as he stepped between his legs...taking his hands out of his hair, and sliding them down over his bare back.

Nick's soon started to fight a passionate battle with Justin's as his hands moved to rest of Justin's ass, pulling him even closer if it was even possible.

Justin finally broke the kiss, and laughed against Nick's lips as he caught his breath. "I like your hands."

Nick laughed and squeezed Justin's ass in his hands. "I know you do."

Justin laughed again. "I don't just mean like THAT...like I've been sayin. I mean I like them ON me, too."

Nick smiled as he continued to rub and squeeze Justin's ass. "Good...cuz my hands like being ON you...and my body likes YOUR hands on ME too."

Justin chuckled quietly. "So I've noticed," he said...recalling the previous evening's events in the hot tub.

Nick smirked a little as he scooted a little more to the edge of the bed to lick around Justin's belly button. He didn't know what gave him the erg to do so...but once he got the idea in his head he couldn't help but do it.

Justin laughed out loud and squirmed in Nick's arms a bit...trying to get away. "Hey!"

Pulling back, Nick looked up at Justin and blushed. "Sorry."

Justin laughed again. "That tickled."

Nick giggled. "Sorry...I'll remember that from now on." He then pulled Justin back to him again, not wanting the contact to end.

"I'm VERY ticklish."

"I've noticed." Nick laughed as he leaned back on the bed a bit, his elbows holding him up. He looked up at Justin and smirked, his eyes saying. 'Come here'.

Justin raised an eyebrow at Nick...resting his hand on his own sweaty stomach. "What? Why you lookin at me like that?"

"Come here and kiss me again." Nick laughed. "I like when you kiss me."

Justin laughed and shook his head. "Un uh. No way. I ain't gettin on my bed all sweaty, and shit. I need a shower."

Nick pouted and sighed. "Oh...okay fine...be that way." He said trying to keep a straight face.

Justin smiled. "I should get a move on, anyway...so we can go frost those cookies."

"I've gotten out of the cookie frosting mood." Nick laughed and flopped back on the bed with an exasperated sigh.

Justin laughed as he headed for the bathroom. "OK...then...have sexy thoughts of me in the shower," he said...going into the bathroom without bothering to close the door behind him.

"My sexy thoughts are going to be pretty intense if you're going to leave the door open." Nick laughed as got up on his elbows again, looking right into the bathroom.

Justin laughed as he went about doing what he had to do in the bathroom...not really thinking about what Nick had said. After a look in the mirror, he decided not to shave...leaving the small patch of hair on his chin, and the thin layer of stubble on his cheeks. He then leaned into the shower to turn on the water, then...his back to the bathroom door...he stepped out of his sweats and boxers

and climbed into the shower. He was completely at ease. No bothersome thoughts of going to his father's in just a few hours...no thoughts of crazy tour life, and how he needed to recondition himself for arena shows...no thoughts of how he wasn't at all afraid to completely be himself with Nick.

With one look of Justin's naked ass, Nick was totally hard and he whimpered from his spot on the bed. Taking a deep he waited for Justin to get in the shower before walked over and shut the bathroom door for Justin. Closing his eyes and trying to get himself to calm down he walked over to his bag and got dressed despite the fact he was turned on beyond belief. Once he was dressed he lied down on the bed to wait for Justin to be done.

Justin came out of the bathroom in a towel about ten minutes later. "Everything OK?" he asked Nick...taking note of how he'd shut the bathroom door, and how he was laying on the bed.

Nick looked up at Justin and smiled. "Yeah...I'm fine...have a good shower?"

Justin nodded. "It was nice," he said...going over to his dresser to find some underwear.

"Good...I'm glad." Nick said as he sat himself up in an Indian style position and put a pillow into his lap.

Justin pulled out a pari of yellow boxers and looked at Nick with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure you're alright? You're just acting...different."

Nick nodded his head again. "I'm okay." He said not sounding to convincing...but the problem was he didn't even know what was bugging him.

Something dawned on Justin as he stood there looking at Nick. "Did it bother you...before...when I left the bathroom door open?"

Nick thought about that for a second and then shook his head. "It didn't bother me...just turned me on...but what else is knew." he said softly. When in reality what was really getting to him was the fact that he had behaved himself. There Justin was naked and not behind closed doors...because he didn't want to be. But he was a good boy and even walked over and closed the door even though he wanted nothing more then to walk in there and join Justin in the shower. He was so shocked at himself for doing that...pleasantly shocked though.

Justin smiled at Nick as he twisted the clean boxers in his hands. "Nick...it's OK that...I turn you on. I don't mind."

Smiling Nick nodded. "I know...I guess I'm still used to you not being okay with it...or not as okay anyway."

Justin sighed. "I don't know what it is, but I'm a LOT more comfortable with all of...THIS...when I'm here...home...and away from...life."

Nick smiled and nodded again. "I can understand that...sorry if I'm acting weird." He said, removing the pillow from his lap and putting it right back in its spot.

"It's OK," Justin said...then stepped into the bathroom to put his boxers on and put his towel in the hamper.

"Why did you leave the door open when you went to take your shower?" Nick asked, wondering what was going through Justin's head when he did that.

Justin shrugged as he went to grab a t-shirt out of his dresser. "I don't know...I honestly didn't even think about it until you pointed it out."

"Okay...well I didn't mind...your ass is even hotter without clothing on it." Nick giggled, wiggling his eyebrows.

Just smiled...blushing a bit. "Glad you approve," he said...opening another drawer to get some jeans out.

Nick laughed and shrugged. "Not like you need my approval of your ass." He said looking down at his lap, wondering how in tune Lynn was with this kind of stuff...if he could pass off as normal with his tented jeans.

Justin put on his jeans and t-shirt, then walked over to the bed. He chuckled after studying Nick for a second. "Are you like...always hard?"

Nick thought about that for a second and laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "Not always...but if your in my mind then I am...and seeing your naked ass...I mean okay if images of it in my head does it....how do you expect the real thing to make me react?" He asked with a smile on his face.

Justin laughed quietly. "Maybe you should...do sumthin about it."

"About what?" Nick asked, confused.

"Your hard-on."

Nick blushed and shook his head. "I'm okay."

Justin laughed again. "You wanna go frost my mama's Christmas cookies with wood in your drawers?"

Taking one look at Justin and what he just said Nick bused up laughing. "Okay...that was probably one of the funniest things I've ever heard...and to answer your question...do you think she will notice?" He asked biting his bottom lip.

"Yeah. She's probably LOOKING for shit like that."

"Wouldn't it mean something if i showed up hard...cuz then that means we weren't fooling around and you didn't get me off...so it would look good right?" Nick rambled like crazy, looking confused after he said that. "Okay what in the world did I just say?"

Justin laughed and shook his head. "You're too cute."

Nick flashed one of his huge smiles. "Tank you."

Justin went to grab some socks and sneakers, then sat beside Nick to put them on. "You need some time?"

"I can't do that...with you...knowing I'm doing it." Nick spit out with wide eyes. He still hadn't jerked off once since he had known Justin...because he didn't know if he could do it...now that he actually knew Justin.

Justin laughed as he tied his sneakers. "I didn't mean THAT. I meant...to like...chill out and calm down."

Nick blushed bright red and hid his face in his hands. "Oh." He mumbled behind his fingers.

"Why are you so easily embarrassed around me?"

"Cuz I'm an easily embarrassed guy." Nick giggled, peaking out between his fingers.

"Don't be...not with me. Just be yourself."

Nick smiled and giggled a little. "You don't want that...believe me you would rather have me be embarrassed."

"No I wouldn't. If *I* can be Myself...why can't you?"

Nick thought about that for a second and shrugged. "Yeah...I guess you're right...okay." With that he climbed onto Justin's lap, straddling him. "You sure you want that?"

Justin swallowed hard...laughing at the same time. "Umm...I don't know...do I?"

"Cuz see...if I'm going to be myself...I'm going to be this really horny guy...who really wants to make out really bad right now." Nick said with a smirk, sneaking his tongue out to lick his lips teasingly.

Justin gasped softly. "Oh..." he said...dropping back onto the bed.

Nick stayed where he was sitting and looked down at Justin. His hands resting on his chest. He shifted on Justin's lap a little teasing him again.

Justin groaned quietly. "So...are we just gonna sit her like this?"

"Oh...you want me to do something?" Nick asked, with a smirk.

Justin smirked back. "Like what?"

Nick leaned down and without real warning practically attacked Justin's lips in a passionate, heated kiss.

Justin moaned loudly into the kiss...his mouth immediately fighting back against Nick's.

Nick brought his hands up to Justin's head and ran his fingers through his short buzzed hair as he kissed Justin like there was no tomorrow.

Justin brought his hands to Nick's sides as he kissed him back with everything he had...immediately sliding his hands up under his shirt.

Nick gasped and moaned loudly into Justin's mouth when he felt his hands on his bare back. His tongue trying all that it could to make the kiss even deeper.

Justin shifted his hips under Nick a bit as he finally broke away for some air. "Damn...you make me hard," he said in a near-whisper.

Smiling, Nick giggled huskily as he ground his hips against Justin's. "I can feel that...glad to know I have the same effect on you...that you do on me." he whispered.

"Yeah...you definitely do."

Just then, Nick got more nervous then he had ever been in his life. Knowing Justin felt the same for him...scared him to death...in a good way. Swallowing hard he looked down at Justin, with so many emotions in his eyes.

Justin narrowed his eyes as he looked up into Nick's. "What's the matter?"

Nick smiled and shook his head. "Nothing...I just never expected you to feel the same way for me...in any sense of the word."

Justin shrugged. "I guess you could say that..."

"What do you mean?" Nick asked softly.

"Now that I think about it...I guess I DO feel the same way for you..."

Nick smiled a little. "Really?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I mean...I obviously have the same physical reaction..."

Nick wiggled around, grinding against Justin again and giggled. "Yeah...obviously you do."

"But...aside from that...maybe other feelings I have are becoming like yours, too."

"Can you tell me which feelings?" Nick asked softly, resting his head on Justin's chest.

"I don't know if I can specifically...but...like...I'm attracted to you...you make me happy...I'm comfortable with you..."

Bringing his head back up he smiled. "Good...I would never want you not to be comfortable around me...but you already knew that." He said as he looked into Justin's eyes.

Justin smiled back. "Yeah...I know."

Nick wiggled his hips again and smirked. "Uh oh...I think we both have a problem now."

Justin laughed. "We need to cool it. We're supposed to be frosting cookies."

"We both felt very dirty...and needed really long showers?" Nick said with a giggle.

"My mother's a lot smarter than that."

Nick sighed and nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure she is...then let's go frost cookies." He said sitting up so he was sitting on Justin's hips again.

"Hey..." Justin said...putting his hands on Nick's hips. "Are you upset?"

Nick smiled down at Justin and shook his head, taking his hands and lacing his fingers through his. "No...I'm not upset."

"I don't believe you."

"Why would I be upset about going to frost cookies with your mom?"

"No...I mean about...leaving here...leaving this..."

Nick leaned down and kissed Justin's nose...for some reason becoming a thing he liked to do. "I'm not mad or angry about anything...frustrated maybe but we are here to spend this time with your family...so that's what we are going to do." He whispered in his ear, meaning what he said.

"But it's not right for me to leave you frustrated.”

"And it's not right for me to have you do something...just because I am...You have to want to." Nick said as he rested his head back down on Justin's chest...another one of his favorite places.

"Well...what if I DO want to?"

"We gota go frost cookies...what if your mom comes looking for us?" Nick asked, still not moving his head.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...she WOULD, too."

Nick moved his head to look at Justin with a freaked look on his face. "Ekk...that would so not be good...I think I would rather walk around your house hard as a rock then let her see that."

Justin laughed. "Neither one for me, thanks."

Nick put on a playful pout. "Then what do we do...we're both hard so we can't go walking into your house like this...but we can't fool around cuz she might come."

"Grab me the phone," Justin said with a nod in the direction of the nightstand.

Looking at Justin with a raised eyebrow, nick sat up a little and reached for the phone. Grabbing it he handed it over to Justin. "Watcha gunna do?"

"Wait," Justin said...turning the cordless phone on and dialing the main house.

After a few rings Lynn answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi mama."

"Hey, honey...did you two drown in the shower?"

Justin chuckled. "No, ma. We just worked out for a while when we got back, so we're running a little behind. We'll be over in a bit...OK?"

Nick lied on Justin and tried so hard not to bust up laughing...'worked out...good one.' He thought to himself.

Lynn couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips as she leaned back against the kitchen counter where she was making banana bread now. "Okay honey...the cookies will be here when you guys are ready."

"OK. See you soon."

"Bye...love you."

"Love you too, mama," Justin replied before turning off the phone and handing it back to Nick.

"You are a very bad boy...lying to your mama like that." Nick said with a smirk as he leaned over to put the phone back in the charger.

"I wasn't TOTALLY lying. I DID work out..."

"True...and it was totally hot." Nick giggled as he lied back totally over Justin again. Just then thinking of something. "I'm not too heavy on top of you am I?"

"No...of course not...you feel good."

"Good...cuz I like being on top of you." Nick said with a smile. "And I mean that in both a sexual and a nonsexual way."

Justin laughed. "How could that even mean anything nonsexual?"

"I like to cuddle...and rest on you." Nick said, leaning back down to rest his head on Justin's chest...as if to demonstrate what he meant.

"Boy...wake up! Do you think I just semi-lied to my mama to lay here and cuddle?"

Nick couldn't help but bust up laughing, his head raising back up. "I wasn't sleeping...I was making a point." He said putting on his best sexy pout.

"Good...cuz I'm pretty sure it's already been decided that we both need to get off."

"Yup...it sure feels that way." Nick said as he ground his hips against Justin's. "Now the only question is how do we go about doing this?"

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

At around four thirty in the morning, Kelly was still awake. She had finished wrapping all of Marty's Christmas gifts, and was still seated on the floor Indian style...flipping through her journal and looking at photos.

Marty had been fast asleep for hours, his pills knocking him out into an even deeper sleep then he normally slept. Because of this he was now stuck in one of the most erotic dreams he could remember...that had to do with Kelly...and a hot tub in the middle of the woods. Moaning in his sleep his wiggled around in bed a bit.

Kelly heard Marty making noise, and looked up at the bed through her tear-reddened, puffy eyes to make sure he was OK. When she realized he was probably just dreaming, she went back to what she was doing.

Groaning louder this time and mumbling words that didn't make any sense...one of them that did though was Kelly's name that was said through a long moan as he continued to wiggle around on the bed. He had no idea what was really happening around him...or that here he was having a crazy dream like this...while his girlfriend was wide awake and upset.

Kelly looked up again when she heard Marty moan her name, and had to laugh a little.

For some reason right at that moment Marty woke up panting and confused as to what was going on. The dream had seemed so real that he was seriously freaked out when he woke up and in his bed...alone.

Kelly looked over at Marty again...and frowned a bit when she noticed the almost-horrified look on his face. "Marty...you alright?"

Taking a few deep breaths he started to come back to reality and nodded his head. "Y...yeah...I'm fine." he panted, his body still stuck in the erotic dream of Kelly riding him inside of the steamy hot water in the middle of the snow.

Kelly got up...leaving her things on the floor...and went over to the bed to touch Marty's sweaty forehead. "You're all clammy...is it your headache?"

Marty blushed a little bit and shook his head, his body was on fire. "No...My head is fine."

"Good," Kelly said...then smirked as she pulled her hand away. "Must have been SOME dream, then."

"You could say that." Marty laughed deeply and shifted on the bed.

Kelly chuckled. "Well...I'm glad your head's feeling better," she said...going to pick up her journal and pictures off the carpet.

Marty sat up and looked around the room, seeing the wrapped gifts. "You've been wake all this time...doing that?" He asked, groaning when he had to clear his throat to even get his voice to work.

Kelly nodded...going to set her journal on the desk. "I finished about an hour ago."

"You didn't need to do that, Kel." Marty said as he scratched his sweaty chest.

"I know," Kelly said...pulling off the sweatshirt she'd put on over her tank top earlier when she'd gotten chilly. "But I didn't feel like sleeping...so..."

Marty looked at Kelly in the tank top and that was something that his body couldn't really handle at the minute, but he was strong her then this...he knew Kelly was upset...so pushing aside the fact that he was like two seconds from cuming before his dream stopped, he got up off the bed and walked to stand next to Kelly. "Wana talk?" He asked, his voice still deeper then it should be.

Kelly shrugged. "We can wait til morning," she said...studying Marty's face. "God, Marty...you're a sweaty mess," she said...looking down at his shoulders and chest. "I'm sure your sheets need to be changed," she said...going over to the bed and starting to unmake it. "Was it a nightmare...or a steamy sex dream?" she asked with a chuckle.

Marty couldn't help but blush bright red as he glanced down at his tented boxers and then back at Kelly. "I think you know the answer to that." He said as he walked over to help her strip the bed.

Kelly glanced over at Marty from the other side of the bed, and smiled when she noticed his condition for the first time...a blush shading her cheeks. "Oh," she said with a quiet laugh...looking down at the pillows as she took the cases off them.

Just ignoring how he felt, Marty walked to the bathroom and grabbed a laundry basket that they could throw the dirty sheets in. "I'm going to go grab some other sheets...I'll be back." He said before walking out of the room, to grab sheets from a closet in the hall.

Kelly took a seat on the edge of the stripped bed to wait for Marty to come back. She was hoping that he didn't feel uncomfortable having her around with the way he was feeling at the moment.

Once in the hall Marty took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself before he figured out that it was no good. Sighing, he just grabbed dark blue sheets form the closet and walked back into the room. "Thanks for helping me...I should be doing it, since I'm the one that got them all sweaty." He said as he shook the fitted sheet out and started to put it on.

Kelly got up and took over making the bed. "I'll do this. Go get washed up...if you want."

Marty smiled. "Thanks...I'm pretty nasty." He laughed and then placed a soft kiss to Kelly's cheek before walking into the bathroom to take a shower.

Kelly smiled as she went about making the bed...taking her time to make sure that it was done neatly, and the sheets and blankets were tucked in perfectly. After she put the pillow cases on and tossed the comforter back on the bed, she went to take a seat at Marty's desk...where she started looking at some of the photos in her journal again.

After fifteen minutes later, Marty walked out into the room wrapped only in a towel and made his way to the dresser to put some PJ pants on. It had taken him almost five minutes of his shower to try and figure out if he could jerk off with his girlfriend just in the next room. In the end he decided not to and just cleaned up, knowing he was strong enough to handle it. Now with is seats on he walked to stand behind Kelly. "What are you doing?" He asked, rubbing her shoulders.

Kelly leaned back in her chair a bit when she felt Marty behind her...letting her head fall back against his stomach. "Looking at some pictures," she said...not looking up from the photo in her hand.

Marty looked down at the pictures as he continued to rub her shoulders. "I'm sorry...that I was wrong...and that everything wasn't okay." He whispered, sadly.

"It's not your fault," Kelly said quietly. "She's a bitch."

"How you came out so good in that family...I have no idea." Marty said as he leaned down to kiss the top of Kelly's head. "Come on honey, let's go back to sleep...I'll try and promise to be a good boy and not have anymore weird dreams."

Kelly chuckled as she tucked her pictures safely into her journal and closed the book. "You couldn't help it," she said...getting up off the chair and turning to look at Marty. "I'm cool with it...as long as it was about me," she teased with another laugh.

Marty couldn't help but let out a low groan when he remembered the dream. "Was it ever." He laughed.

Kelly laughed and rolled her eyes...gently squeezing Marty's sides as she stepped in front of him. "Pervert."

"No...I was just born with really horny genes." Marty giggled as he smiled at Kelly.

Kelly smiled up at Marty brightly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Oh...OK. I guess I'm just gonna have to deal with it."

"Yup...unless you wana trade me in for something else." Marty said with a smile, his arms wrapping around Kelly's back.

Kelly shook her head. "Nah...never. I've waited a long time for someone like you."

Marty laughed, looking into Kelly's eyes "A horny freak?"

Kelly shook her head. "No...you know what I mean."

Marty nodded. "I think I do...cuz I’ve been waiting a long time for someone like you...too."

Kelly smiled and leaned up to softly kiss Marty's lips. "I don't know if I can sleep, but let's lay down for a bit. It's still early."

"We gota be outa here by ten to go to my grandparent's." Marty stated as he climbed back onto the bed, hoping Kelly would still follow him.

"OK...that's fine," Kelly said...tugging her loose PJ pants up a bit before climbing onto the bed herself. "It's OK if I can't sleep now. I will eventually."

Lying down on the pillow he pulled Kelly into his arms and kissed the top of her head. He was going to continue to be the sweet kind boyfriend...even if it killed him with the images of the dream still in his head. "Did my mom talk to you?"

Kelly nodded against Marty's chest as she draped her left arm over his stomach. "Yeah...she did. She's an amazing woman."

Marty smiled proudly, thinking of his mom. "Yeah she is...I'm very lucky to have her."

"Yeah...you are. Do you have any idea how proud of you she is?"

Marty scrunched up his face in confusion. "Huh?"

"She's so proud of you...for all your accomplishments...and for growing up into such a caring, loving man with such a big heart."

"Just last month she was yelling at me for fucking around...don't know where that came from." Marty giggled, running the fingers of his left hand over Kelly's arm on his stomach, lightly.

"Well...yeah...she doesn't exactly like that you do...that. But...she really loves you...and she's really proud of you."

"Yeah...well I'm not doing it anymore...so she should be happy." Marty said with a big smile as he kissed the top of Kelly's head.

Kelly sighed quietly...her hand absently toying with the drawstring on Marty's PJ pants. "Yeah...not now. I just hope you don't go back to it...ever. I mean...I never admitted it, but I was scared for you at times."

Marty turned his head to the side a bit so he could look at Kelly. "Scared for me? Why?"

Kelly tilted her head up to look at Marty. "You were sleeping with all kinds of women you didn't even know. For all YOU knew, that could have had all sorts of diseases, and shit. I mean...who knows where they've been?"

Marty sighed and nodded. "I know...but I'm fine...I'm not sick."

"Have you...ya know...gotten things checked?" Kelly asked quietly.

"Yeah...I've gotten tested at least once every three months...the last time was about three weeks ago." Marty said, happy Kelly was asking him these questions...he knew that he should possibly be offended but he wasn't she had EVERY right to know.

Kelly placed a soft kiss to Marty's chest, then sighed quietly as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "Good...cuz I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you," she said in a near whisper.

Marty pulled Kelly to him tighter. "I'm not going any place...not for a long long time." He whispered in her ear.

Kelly didn't even try to fight the tears that were burning her eyes. "I'd wanna die if anything happened to you."

"Oh honey...I'm okay...I'm not sick...I'm going to be here for you." Marty said as he placed soft kisses around Kelly's ear as she cried.

"I hope so. Cuz...you're ALL I have. You're my family...and my friends...you're everything," Kelly said through a sniffle...just coming to the realization herself.

"Maybe I am...but I'm not the only person that fits into the categories. What about Justin? He's your best friend...he'll always be here for you too."

"He's NOT my best friend. One of them...yes. But...you were my best friend before I even knew Justin. And now that he's got Nick..."

"Doesn't mean he won’t love you any less...or want to spend less time with you." Marty stated. "And if you think about it...he could be thinking the same thing about you...he could be saying. 'Now that she's got Marty'."

"But I've always had you."

"Not as your boyfriend." Marty pointed out with a smile. "You have something that he doesn’t even have...Nick isn't his boyfriend."

"It won't be long before he is," Kelly said...twirling Marty's PJs string around a couple of her fingers.

Marty had to giggle a little at that. "It's still a little shocking sometimes to think of our Justin...with a boyfriend." He said as he tried to ignore Kelly and the draw string of his PJs being played with.

Kelly wrinkled her face a bit at the thought. "Yeah...I know."

Marty yawned and reached up to scratch his head. "But...it doesn't sound bad either...just different."

"Yeah...I guess so," Kelly said...then pulled away from Marty and propped herself up on her elbow. "Go back to sleep. I can't...so...I'll go find something to do."

"Kelly...you need to rest...or you're going to get sick." Marty said calmly, but sturnly at the same time.

"No I won't. I get like this sometimes."

Marty sighed and sat up in bed. "So what are we going to do?" He asked. Sure, he was really sleepy, but he didn't want Kelly awake all night by herself.

Kelly sighed as she sat up and curled her legs up to sit Indian Style. "I don't want you to stay awake for me."

"I don't want you awake without me." Marty whispered as he tried to hold back a yawn.

Kelly smiled. "Why not? You won't be missing anything."

"Yeah...but I don't want you to be bored." Marty smiled back, this time not able to hold back the yawn that came.

"Am I gonna have to tie you down to this bed?"

Marty got a smirk on his face and wiggled his eyebrows. "Is that a promise?"

"See?" Kelly said with a chuckle. "I TOLD you you're a pervert."

"I'm a guy...you were telling me that all day." Marty laughed.

Kelly laughed...then sighed dramatically as she lay down on her back...folding her hands at her stomach and looking up at the ceiling. "OK, then. We'll lay here and talk...so you can at least rest a little. Maybe even fall asleep listening to me."

"Tell me about your favorite Christmas memory." Marty said sleepily, already close to drifting off but like a toddler or young child he kept trying to force himself to stay awake.

Kelly sighed quietly. "Definitely when I was three...when my mom gave me my first pair of ballet shoes. I can't believe I remember that far back...but I do."

Marty smiled big, turning his head to look at Kelly. "That sounds like a very nice Christmas. I thank your mom for giving you those slippers...cuz if you hadn't loved to dance...I would never have met you."

Kelly smiled...dropping her head to the right to look at Marty. "Yeah...I know. So I guess...even if she never got to meet you...I thank HER for bringing you into my life."

Marty yawned again and rolled his eyes. "Why the hell am I so tired...I used to go out and party until we hours of the morning and never sleep sometimes...and now it's like I have to sleep at least 8 hours or I'm dead." He laughed.

Kelly giggled. "It's cuz you're gettin old."

Marty pouted playfully, his arms crossing over his chest. "I ain't old."

"No...not yet...but soon."

Marty's pout got even bigger. "Twenty six isn't old."

Kelly laughed and leaned over to kiss Marty's pout. "I know...I'm playing with you."

Marty moaned softly against Kelly's lips even though it was just a soft kiss...it was driving him crazy. He had pretty much forgotten about the dream and his other problem up until that point...but now it all came back full force.

Kelly giggled at Marty's moan as she pulled back to look at him. "Tell me about your dream."

Blushing, Marty shook his head. "You don't wana know about that."

"Well...maybe I do...but that doesn't mean I'm gonna beg you to tell me. It was YOUR dream."

"You really...wana hear my sex dream...about us that was this close to turning into a wet dream?" Marty asked, his fingers apart about an inch to show how close.

Kelly laughed out loud. "Are you serious? Do you have wet dreams often?"

Blushing even more, something he still rarely ever did he shook his head. "No...haven't in a long time actually."

"What was your last wet dream about?" Kelly asked curiously...dropping her head down onto Marty's shoulder.

"My last wet dream...shit...umm. I was still in high school at the time I think...so it had to have been this girl in my English class that I had the hots for." Marty laughed, shaking his head thinking about Hannah Collins.

Kelly laughed. "You haven't had a single wet dream since high school?"

Marty thought about it and shrugged. "Probably...but i don't really remember...or what they were about. It's kinda hard to go around having wet dreams...when you are having sex on a regular basis." He said making a disgusted face, mad at himself for his previous lifestyle.

"Yeah...I guess that's true," Kelly said thoughtfully. "So...now that you're with ME...you'll probably be having them often," she said with a laugh.

Marty laughed and shrugged. "Maybe...either that or a lot of cold showers."

"Now...see...I can't help but think that's not really fair to you. You're way too used to sex to go cold turkey."

"Yeah...well I'm not about to go out and fuck somebody else...so I'm gunna have to get used to it right...I mean guys survive being hard...I can do it too."

"What if I said...like...I wanted to...I don't know...be a born again virgin, or something...and not have sex again til I got married?" Kelly asked seriously...honestly curious as to how Marty would feel about something like that.

Thinking for a second Marty smiled and shrugged. "Then you do it girl."

"Yeah...but how long would you last with me if that were the case?"

Marty couldn't help but be a little offended at what Kelly was saying. "I wouldn't dump you because you wouldn't sleep with me, Kelly. I happen to think that our relationship is a lot more then just sex."

Kelly sighed. She could tell by the tone in Marty's voice that she'd offended him. "I know you think that...and I do, too. And honestly...I don't think you'd dump me over lack of sex. I'm just paranoid about losing people. You know that."

Marty sighed and nodded his head. "I know...I'm sorry I got snippy at you, honey." He said, giving Kelly a soft kiss on the cheek.

Kelly chuckled. "Don't be sorry. I deserved it. I think much more of you than that, but I said it anyway."

Looking Kelly in the eye, Marty smiled but had a serious tone in his voice. "It might be hard, but if that is what you chose...then I'm going to be here with you 100 percent."

Kelly smiled and kissed Marty softly. "Thank you...that means the world. But...believe me...that's NOT what I'm saying."

Marty looked at Kelly, confused. "You've lost me...the old man can't understand things well in his old age." he joked.

Kelly giggled. "All I'm saying is that I'd appreciate it totally if you went all virginal with me...but I haven't exactly decided that that's what I want."

"Oh...okay I get it." Marty giggled and then yawned again.

"When was the last time you got a blow job?" Kelly asked randomly...a hint of laughter in her voice. She was enjoying just shooting the shit with Marty. He was right...she HAD been bored while he was asleep.

Marty laughed and thought about the question. "Umm two weeks ago."

"Was it good?"

"It got me off." Was Marty's only response...not sure if he should say that sex to him...hadn't been all that good in a long time.

"That's it? Nothing special?"

Marty shook his head. "No...quite frankly, Kel...sex hasn't really been all that great for a while now...that's all it was...just a way to get off."

"So if you weren't really enjoying it, then why'd you keep doing it...when you couldda been jerking off?"

"I didn't really have a reason to stop...and the guys still asked me out...and I went. I don't know guess I kinda felt like I had to." Marty said, looking away from Kelly in shame.

"We don't have to talk about it..."

Marty turned back to look at Kelly and shook his head. "No...it's okay, Kel. I want you to be able to talk to me about anything...I'm just ashamed of how I acted is all." He admitted.

"Well...like I said...you came out of it OK...so take it as a learning experience."

Marty smiled and nodded. "That is true...and I'm glad I shaped up and found you...no sex at all is better then that."

Kelly laughed. "What took you so long to FIND me? We've know each other over five years."

"You're five yours younger then me...you were 16 when we met and that was illegal. Then things just got too crazy and I knew I couldn't get into a relation ship. Then...when things finally started to calm down some you got with Justin."

"Yeah...I guess that's all true. You ever been in love?"

Marty shook his head and smiled. "Not until recently."

Kelly smiled. "I meant...before. Like...you've had a lot of sex...but have you ever...made love?"

Marty shook his head no. "No...I haven't."

"That's too bad."

Smiling a little Marty shrugged. "I will at some point in my life I'm sure...some people don't get to be as lucky and meet a really great guy to be the person they sleep with." He said, still thinking highly of Justin even though he was kind of upset at him for hurting Kelly.

"Yeah...he really IS a great guy...but...it wasn't...making love."

"I though you loved each other." Marty asked, confusion in his voice.

Kelly nodded. "We do. I mean...I definitely love him. But the more I've thought about it the past couple days, the more I've realized...I don't think I was ever IN love with him."

Marty nodded. "Oh...okay...I think I understand." He said with a smile.

Kelly looked into Marty's eyes. "No...I don't think you do."

Now Marty got confused again. "Okay...I don't?"

"I don't think I was ever in love with Justin...cuz what I felt for him...what I STILL feel for him...it wasn't anything like what I'm starting to feel for you."

Marty got a huge smile on his face despite himself. "Really?"

Kelly just nodded...her eyes still on Marty's.

Looking into Kelly's eyes for a minute, he didn't know what to say. Finally thinking of something he smiled a little. "You know how I feel."

Kelly nodded again. "Yeah...I know."

Looking over at the clock he noticed it was already 6:30 and he could hear his parents up and moving around in their room. "You should try to sleep, Kel...You didn't sleep much last night either."

Kelly sighed. "I don't wana sleep."

"Why not?" Marty asked, giggling. "You sound like a three year old, not wanting to go to bed."

"No...not like that. "I just...sometimes I'm scared to go to sleep."

"Scared?"

"Scared I'll have nightmares. I'd rather just stay up all night than have those dreams."

"You're really going to get yourself sick if you do that, Kel...and I'll be here the whole time." Marty whispered holding Kelly tight.

"I know," Kelly said...resting her head down on Marty's chest and closing her eyes.

Marty started to hum a song and ran his fingers through Kelly's hair, hoping to calm her down. "Just relax...and everything is going to be okay." He said gently.

Kelly took a long, deep breath...relaxing almost immediately under Marty's gentle touch and sweet words. "Thank you," she said through a yawn.

"You don't need to." Marty whispered as he kissed the top of her head again. His hands continuing to run through her hair. Smiling a little when he felt her relaxing.

It wasn't long before Kelly's entire body had gone limp against Marty's, and she'd fallen into a light sleep.

Marty didn't close his eyes though, he forced himself to stay awake and keep watch over Kelly. Ready to jump if any nightmares attacked her in her sleep.

*****@*****

After putting on a pair of yellow track pants and a t-shirt, Justin put on some running shoes, then pulled a navy blue hoodie over his head on his way out to the living room...where he immediately stopped to look out the blinds to check the weather. He was happy to see that the sun was shining.

Nick was lying in bed, just looking up at the ceiling when Justin walked into the room. "Good morning." He said softly.

Justin looked toward the sofa bed when he heard Nick's voice, and smiled at the older man. "Mornin," he drawled through a short yawn...going over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Sleep good?" Nick asked with a smile, turning onto his side so he could look at Justin better.

Justin nodded...looking down at Nick. "Yeah...I did...amazingly good."

Nick's smile got even bigger. "Good...I'm glad," Yawning he looked around for a second. "What time Is it?"

"Just after nine. I'm gonna go out for a run. But listen...if someone comes lookin for me, don't tell them where I am. I'll get my ass reamed for going alone."

"Can I come with you? Or do you wana be left alone?" Nick asked, expecting Justin to say he wanted to be alone...so he wasn't going to be too shocked to hear that answer.

Justin raised an eyebrow. "You run?"

Nick looked down at his pudgy stomach and shrugged. "I do...not much in the winter though because normally I'm places where it's to cold...but nothing good ever comes out of it besides loss of tension." He said patting his stomach.

Justin laughed. "OK...get dressed...hurry up."

Nick was out of bed in a flash, shocked that Justin was letting him come along. Once in Justin's room he went to the bathroom and then pulled on a new pair of black track pants and a dark green t-shirt. Grabbing his old warn sneakers he pulled them on and then jogged back out into the living room. "Okay...I'm ready."

"You took too long. I'm going back to sleep," Justin teased from where he'd dropped onto his back on the bed.

Nick giggled and jumped onto the bed and then crawled on top of Justin, sitting on his hips. "You're being silly this morning." He said smiling down at him.

Justin looked up at Nick questioningly. "I am?"

"Uh huh...and it's cute." Nick said as he leaned down and kissed Justin's nose before sitting up again.

Justin chuckled. "I ain't tryin to be cute."

"You don't have to try to be cute...you're ALWAYS cute...even when you are mad and yelling." Nick laughed and then made a face. "Well...maybe not.."

Justin laughed again. "And you haven't even seen me at my maddest."

"Hopefully I never will." Nick whispered as he lied down on Justin, resting his head on his chest, for some reason needing that close contact for at least a second. He knew it was childish but he liked to listen to Justin's heartbeat...it helped him remember that this wasn't all a dream.

Justin lay there still for a minute, then finally took a deep breath and spoke. "OK...let's go."

Nick sat up and nodded, climbing off of Justin and off the bed. "Okay let's go break a sweat." He giggled.

Justin sighed and climbed off the bed. "OK...but I'm warning you...sometimes I go for a real long time," he said...opening the front door and heading out into the cool morning.

"If I get too tired...I'll just fine my way home." Nick said with a shrug as he followed Justin out of the house. It had been a while since he had ran...but he was determined to keep up with Justin.

"OK..." Justin said...starting to stretch his legs a bit.

Nick looked at Justin and started to do the same thing. "What time do we have to go to your dads?" He asked as he stretched.

"My father's. Not until around dinner time. But I think we'll probably go out to lunch with my parents."

Nick mentally cursed himself for slipping up with the dad/father thing again. He understood where Justin was coming from with it...but he kept for getting. "Okay...sounds good." He said, giving Justin an apologetic look.

Justin looked at Nick after a few more lunges. "OK...ready?"

"Yeah...I'm ready." Nick said with a smile.

"Let's go, then," Justin said...walking around to the front of the main house...and to the edge of the driveway.

Nick followed Justin and smiled at him when they got the edge of the driveway. "Which way we going?"

"This way," Justin said...pointing to the right...then started down the road in a slow jog.

Nick jogged along side of Justin in the direction he pointed. He had missed doing this...jogging and running had always been something he loved to do...just with his crazy busy schedule he never got the chance.

"My mom would flip if she found out I was out here alone," Justin said with a chuckle...looking down the road ahead as he jogged.

"Almost sounds like something she would of told you when you were five." Nick laughed in response. "But you aren't exactly alone...I'll beat up the scary teeny boppers." he joked.

Justin laughed...then took a few deep breaths of the cool, fresh air.

Nick let his mind wander a little as they jogged down the sidewalk. Every once and a while he still took time to marvel in how much his life had changed in a few short weeks. Sometimes the whole idea still really overwhelmed him.

Justin was quiet as they jogged...taking the time to familiarize himself again with his small, secluded, wooded neighborhood. He also made it a point to clear his head of all the hectic touring stuff...and just all himself to relax and be in the moment.

Looking around as they walked, Nick smiled big. The whole neighborhood was beautiful, he couldn't remember ever seeing some place so great.

"Are you gonna call your brother and sisters for Christmas?"

Turning to look at Justin for a second he nodded. "Yeah...I was thinking of calling them tonight when I know everybody will be at my grandparent's. That way I know my parents wont answer the phone."

"That's true," Justin said...heading over toward a lake and starting to circle around it.

Nick's eyes went wide when he saw the lake. "My gosh...that's beautiful." He said, almost stopping so he could take a good look at it.

Justin laughed as he continued jogging on the path around the lake. "Let's go...keep up.”

Nick laughed as he ran to catch up with Justin. "Okay, Mr. Bossy." He joked as he jogged along side of him.

"I ain't bossy. I don't know what you're talking about."

Nick just laughed and continued to look around as they jogged. The moment was a great one...at least he thought so. Just doing a normal every day thing with Justin like jogging in the morning.

"You don't jog in the winter out there, do you?"

"Not unless I wana freeze my balls off. It's like 20 degrees this time of the morning usually." Nick giggled.

Justin laughed...heading carefully down a hilly, rocky path. "Well...we wouldn't want you to freeze your balls off...now would we?"

Turning to Justin with a smirk on his face he shook his head. "Nope...we definitely wouldn't want that."

Justin picked up the pace a bit as they hit a flat sidewalk again. "Let me know if you need me to slow down."

Nick kept the pace fine for the time being as he stayed in line with Justin. "I'm fine...for now." He said with a smile.

"OK," Justin said...then continued jogging quietly. He was so content at the moment...to be home...and away from the craziness...and able to be himself with Nick.

"Does your father and his wife know you have a friend coming with you tonight?" Nick asked as they jogged.

"Yeah..." Justin said...snapping out of his thoughts. "...I talked to my step mother."

Nick nodded. "Okay...didn't want to just like jump in and intrude."

Justin shook his head. "You won't be."

Nick didn't say anything else though because he was starting to get slightly tired and talking was making him out of breath. So, he just took the time to relax and enjoy himself.

Justin jogged quietly for about twenty minutes longer before finally heading back on to the grounds of his home...stopping outside the front door of the main house to catch his breath and stretch a bit.

Nick leaned against the door as he tried to catch his breath, sweat dripping off his forehead. "I don't think I've ran that much in years...that felt great." He laughed, even though he looked half dead...he never felt better.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...it DID feel good."

Finally feeling like he could stand up without falling over, and breath without it hurting he stopped leaning against the door and stretched his arms over his chest, groaning loudly.

"Let's go inside and see what's going on," Justin said...stepping around Nick to open the door and go inside. "Mama...?"

Lynn was in the kitchen making last minute Christmas cookies when she heard Justin calling her. "In the kitchen!" She called back.

Justin led Nick toward the kitchen in the back of the house...smiling when he saw his mother baking. "Mornin, mama...smells great."

"Just making sugar cookies...you can frost them when they are finished if you want...Like you did when you were little." Lynn said pointing to all the homemade frosting and sprinkles on the table ready to be used.

Nick smiled and sniffed the air too. He didn't remember things like this happening at his house.

Justin had to smile at the thought. "Sounds like a plan," he said...then turned to Nick. "Let's go get cleaned up first."

Nick giggled and nodded. "Yeah...I'm all sweaty."

"Everything should be ready by the time you boys are done.” Lynn said with a smile as she looked at the two men standing in her kitchen. She didn't know how far things had gotten with them...but she could tell their friendship was building really well.

"Alright, ma..." Justin said...heading into the foyer and out the back door. "...we'll be back."

"See ya in a bit." Nick waved to Lynn as he followed Justin out the back door. "I really love your mom." He said to Justin once the door was shut behind him.

Justin laughed...heading across the yard to his own house. "Me too."

Nick laughed. "Well, you better cuz she's your mom...you're supposed to love her."

Justin pulled his sweatshirt over his head...his t-shirt briefly riding up as he did so. "She's easy to love."

Nick swallowed hard as he watched Justin strip of his sweatshirt. It wasn't until that point that he really took a good look at sweaty Justin. "Yeah...sure is." He answered as he prayed that his body wasn't going to react.

"You wanna shower first?" Justin asked...walking through the front door into his house.

Nick shook his head. "Nah...it's okay you can go first if you want." He said smiling big for really no reason besides that he was really happy.

"Go ahead," Justin said...stopping in the middle of the living room and dropping to the floor. "I'm gonna do some crunches and stuff."

Nick felt himself twitch in his pants, thinking of Justin doing crunches...the idea a major turn on. "Uhh...yeah I'll go take my shower...before I stand here and watch you...and totally embarrass myself."

Justin laughed out loud at that as he lay on his back and started his exercises.

Quickly walking out of the room, Nicked into the bathroom and stripped out of his sweaty clothes. Then turning on the shower he got in and let out a deep sigh. With the warm water falling over his skin he let his mind wander to Justin in the other room.

Justin did a set of crunches, then stopped to take off his sneakers and socks...then his t-shirt...before going back to his workout.

After about fifteen minutes, Nick turned the water off and climbed out of the shower. Drying himself off he wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out to the bedroom. "Showers free." He called to Justin as he bent over to look through his bag.

Justin didn't hear Nick call him. He was too busy concentrating on keeping his breathing focused as he did push-ups on the living room floor.

Finding boxers he, slipped them on before walking to the door looking out into the living room. He swallowed hard again as he watched Justin doing push-ups on the floor. "Uh...shower is ready." He said again, this time a little louder.

Justin flopped onto his stomach with a groan, then looked up at Nick in the door way. "Damn, you're hot," he said with a chuckle...taking in Nick's broad chest, pudgy tummy, and thick, strong legs as he tried to catch his breath.

Nick's face heated up and a dark blush crept onto his cheeks and he shook his head. "No I'm not....you're the hot one." He said, his eyes never leaving Justin's body now lying on the floor.

Justin finally got up onto his feet, and shrugged his shoulders as he stretched out his back a bit. "Well...I guess we just have different tastes in men, then."

Nick giggled a little at that. "I can't really just like myself...what fun would that be?"

Justin chuckled...bending down to pick up his things off the floor. "That depends on how well you and your hand get along."

"Not well enough." Nick laughed as he let his eyes watch Justin's ass closely as he bent over to grab his things. God, did he love his ass...but most of all the freckles on his back was beginning to drive him insane.

When Justin leaned back up, he turned toward Nick, and smirked when he saw the direction his gaze was traveling in. "Hey...were you checkin out my ass?"

Nick smirked back and nodded his head. "Mmm Hmm." Was all he said.

"Oh...OK," Justin said with a smile...then brushed by Nick to head into his bedroom.

"You're a tease." Nick laughed as he followed Justin into the bedroom, having all intentions to get dressed.

"How am I a tease?" Justin asked...dropping his sneakers by the closet, and leaning into the bathroom to throw his shirt and socks in the hamper.

Watching Justin lean over again, Nick groaned. "Oh...I have NO idea...but I'm not complaining." He laughed as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Justin laughed as he slowly walked toward Nick. "Why are you makin funny noises?"

"Funny noises?...What funny noises?" Nick asked putting an innocent look on his face.

"You're like...groaning and shit," Justin said...still smiling as he stopped right in front of where Nick was sitting on his bed.

"I was? Oh I had no idea." Nick said trying to keep a straight face a he looked up, Looking Jusitin in the eyes.

Justin chuckled. "Liar."

Nick smirked and shrugged. "Nah...Just being silly. You are really sexy all sweaty like that " He said softly, his voice taking on a bit of a deeper tone.

Justin made a face. "I think I'm gross."

"I know...I feel the same when I'm all sweaty...but I think you look hot." Nick said as he reached his right hand out to trace a line down the middle of Justin's sweaty chest and stomach.

Justin's muscles immediately contracted under Nick's hand. "Oh...really?"

Nick nodded his head as he moved his finger back up so he could do the motion again. "Uh huh...really hot." He said, his voice getting even deeper, his eyes still locked on Justin's.

Justin was distracted from the feeling of goose bumps forming on his skin by the feeling of his cock twitching in his pants. "Thanks," he said quietly...his eyes on Nick's.

"You're welcome." Nick said as his tongue came out to lick his lips unconsciously.

At that point, Justin couldn't help but lean down and kiss Nick full on the lips.

Nick whimpered against the kiss but quickly responded to it and kissed Justin back deeply. His hands moving from his chest to his hips.

Justin groaned softly...bringing his hands into Nick's damp hair as he gently plunged his tongue into Nick's mouth.

Nick willingly opened his mouth for Justin's tongue as his fingers traced the line of Justin's track pants.

Justin swept his tongue through Nick's mouth in deep, slow strokes...his hands gently grabbing at the older man's hair.

Nick moaned deeply as he kissed Justin back. Spreading his legs as far as they could go, he let his hands move to Justin's lower back and gently push him a little so he was standing between his legs, their bodies as close as they could be in that position.

Justin continued devouring Nick's mouth as he stepped between his legs...taking his hands out of his hair, and sliding them down over his bare back.

Nick's soon started to fight a passionate battle with Justin's as his hands moved to rest of Justin's ass, pulling him even closer if it was even possible.

Justin finally broke the kiss, and laughed against Nick's lips as he caught his breath. "I like your hands."

Nick laughed and squeezed Justin's ass in his hands. "I know you do."

Justin laughed again. "I don't just mean like THAT...like I've been sayin. I mean I like them ON me, too."

Nick smiled as he continued to rub and squeeze Justin's ass. "Good...cuz my hands like being ON you...and my body likes YOUR hands on ME too."

Justin chuckled quietly. "So I've noticed," he said...recalling the previous evening's events in the hot tub.

Nick smirked a little as he scooted a little more to the edge of the bed to lick around Justin's belly button. He didn't know what gave him the erg to do so...but once he got the idea in his head he couldn't help but do it.

Justin laughed out loud and squirmed in Nick's arms a bit...trying to get away. "Hey!"

Pulling back, Nick looked up at Justin and blushed. "Sorry."

Justin laughed again. "That tickled."

Nick giggled. "Sorry...I'll remember that from now on." He then pulled Justin back to him again, not wanting the contact to end.

"I'm VERY ticklish."

"I've noticed." Nick laughed as he leaned back on the bed a bit, his elbows holding him up. He looked up at Justin and smirked, his eyes saying. 'Come here'.

Justin raised an eyebrow at Nick...resting his hand on his own sweaty stomach. "What? Why you lookin at me like that?"

"Come here and kiss me again." Nick laughed. "I like when you kiss me."

Justin laughed and shook his head. "Un uh. No way. I ain't gettin on my bed all sweaty, and shit. I need a shower."

Nick pouted and sighed. "Oh...okay fine...be that way." He said trying to keep a straight face.

Justin smiled. "I should get a move on, anyway...so we can go frost those cookies."

"I've gotten out of the cookie frosting mood." Nick laughed and flopped back on the bed with an exasperated sigh.

Justin laughed as he headed for the bathroom. "OK...then...have sexy thoughts of me in the shower," he said...going into the bathroom without bothering to close the door behind him.

"My sexy thoughts are going to be pretty intense if you're going to leave the door open." Nick laughed as got up on his elbows again, looking right into the bathroom.

Justin laughed as he went about doing what he had to do in the bathroom...not really thinking about what Nick had said. After a look in the mirror, he decided not to shave...leaving the small patch of hair on his chin, and the thin layer of stubble on his cheeks. He then leaned into the shower to turn on the water, then...his back to the bathroom door...he stepped out of his sweats and boxers

and climbed into the shower. He was completely at ease. No bothersome thoughts of going to his father's in just a few hours...no thoughts of crazy tour life, and how he needed to recondition himself for arena shows...no thoughts of how he wasn't at all afraid to completely be himself with Nick.

With one look of Justin's naked ass, Nick was totally hard and he whimpered from his spot on the bed. Taking a deep he waited for Justin to get in the shower before walked over and shut the bathroom door for Justin. Closing his eyes and trying to get himself to calm down he walked over to his bag and got dressed despite the fact he was turned on beyond belief. Once he was dressed he lied down on the bed to wait for Justin to be done.

Justin came out of the bathroom in a towel about ten minutes later. "Everything OK?" he asked Nick...taking note of how he'd shut the bathroom door, and how he was laying on the bed.

Nick looked up at Justin and smiled. "Yeah...I'm fine...have a good shower?"

Justin nodded. "It was nice," he said...going over to his dresser to find some underwear.

"Good...I'm glad." Nick said as he sat himself up in an Indian style position and put a pillow into his lap.

Justin pulled out a pari of yellow boxers and looked at Nick with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure you're alright? You're just acting...different."

Nick nodded his head again. "I'm okay." He said not sounding to convincing...but the problem was he didn't even know what was bugging him.

Something dawned on Justin as he stood there looking at Nick. "Did it bother you...before...when I left the bathroom door open?"

Nick thought about that for a second and then shook his head. "It didn't bother me...just turned me on...but what else is knew." he said softly. When in reality what was really getting to him was the fact that he had behaved himself. There Justin was naked and not behind closed doors...because he didn't want to be. But he was a good boy and even walked over and closed the door even though he wanted nothing more then to walk in there and join Justin in the shower. He was so shocked at himself for doing that...pleasantly shocked though.

Justin smiled at Nick as he twisted the clean boxers in his hands. "Nick...it's OK that...I turn you on. I don't mind."

Smiling Nick nodded. "I know...I guess I'm still used to you not being okay with it...or not as okay anyway."

Justin sighed. "I don't know what it is, but I'm a LOT more comfortable with all of...THIS...when I'm here...home...and away from...life."

Nick smiled and nodded again. "I can understand that...sorry if I'm acting weird." He said, removing the pillow from his lap and putting it right back in its spot.

"It's OK," Justin said...then stepped into the bathroom to put his boxers on and put his towel in the hamper.

"Why did you leave the door open when you went to take your shower?" Nick asked, wondering what was going through Justin's head when he did that.

Justin shrugged as he went to grab a t-shirt out of his dresser. "I don't know...I honestly didn't even think about it until you pointed it out."

"Okay...well I didn't mind...your ass is even hotter without clothing on it." Nick giggled, wiggling his eyebrows.

Just smiled...blushing a bit. "Glad you approve," he said...opening another drawer to get some jeans out.

Nick laughed and shrugged. "Not like you need my approval of your ass." He said looking down at his lap, wondering how in tune Lynn was with this kind of stuff...if he could pass off as normal with his tented jeans.

Justin put on his jeans and t-shirt, then walked over to the bed. He chuckled after studying Nick for a second. "Are you like...always hard?"

Nick thought about that for a second and laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "Not always...but if your in my mind then I am...and seeing your naked ass...I mean okay if images of it in my head does it....how do you expect the real thing to make me react?" He asked with a smile on his face.

Justin laughed quietly. "Maybe you should...do sumthin about it."

"About what?" Nick asked, confused.

"Your hard-on."

Nick blushed and shook his head. "I'm okay."

Justin laughed again. "You wanna go frost my mama's Christmas cookies with wood in your drawers?"

Taking one look at Justin and what he just said Nick bused up laughing. "Okay...that was probably one of the funniest things I've ever heard...and to answer your question...do you think she will notice?" He asked biting his bottom lip.

"Yeah. She's probably LOOKING for shit like that."

"Wouldn't it mean something if i showed up hard...cuz then that means we weren't fooling around and you didn't get me off...so it would look good right?" Nick rambled like crazy, looking confused after he said that. "Okay what in the world did I just say?"

Justin laughed and shook his head. "You're too cute."

Nick flashed one of his huge smiles. "Tank you."

Justin went to grab some socks and sneakers, then sat beside Nick to put them on. "You need some time?"

"I can't do that...with you...knowing I'm doing it." Nick spit out with wide eyes. He still hadn't jerked off once since he had known Justin...because he didn't know if he could do it...now that he actually knew Justin.

Justin laughed as he tied his sneakers. "I didn't mean THAT. I meant...to like...chill out and calm down."

Nick blushed bright red and hid his face in his hands. "Oh." He mumbled behind his fingers.

"Why are you so easily embarrassed around me?"

"Cuz I'm an easily embarrassed guy." Nick giggled, peaking out between his fingers.

"Don't be...not with me. Just be yourself."

Nick smiled and giggled a little. "You don't want that...believe me you would rather have me be embarrassed."

"No I wouldn't. If *I* can be Myself...why can't you?"

Nick thought about that for a second and shrugged. "Yeah...I guess you're right...okay." With that he climbed onto Justin's lap, straddling him. "You sure you want that?"

Justin swallowed hard...laughing at the same time. "Umm...I don't know...do I?"

"Cuz see...if I'm going to be myself...I'm going to be this really horny guy...who really wants to make out really bad right now." Nick said with a smirk, sneaking his tongue out to lick his lips teasingly.

Justin gasped softly. "Oh..." he said...dropping back onto the bed.

Nick stayed where he was sitting and looked down at Justin. His hands resting on his chest. He shifted on Justin's lap a little teasing him again.

Justin groaned quietly. "So...are we just gonna sit her like this?"

"Oh...you want me to do something?" Nick asked, with a smirk.

Justin smirked back. "Like what?"

Nick leaned down and without real warning practically attacked Justin's lips in a passionate, heated kiss.

Justin moaned loudly into the kiss...his mouth immediately fighting back against Nick's.

Nick brought his hands up to Justin's head and ran his fingers through his short buzzed hair as he kissed Justin like there was no tomorrow.

Justin brought his hands to Nick's sides as he kissed him back with everything he had...immediately sliding his hands up under his shirt.

Nick gasped and moaned loudly into Justin's mouth when he felt his hands on his bare back. His tongue trying all that it could to make the kiss even deeper.

Justin shifted his hips under Nick a bit as he finally broke away for some air. "Damn...you make me hard," he said in a near-whisper.

Smiling, Nick giggled huskily as he ground his hips against Justin's. "I can feel that...glad to know I have the same effect on you...that you do on me." he whispered.

"Yeah...you definitely do."

Just then, Nick got more nervous then he had ever been in his life. Knowing Justin felt the same for him...scared him to death...in a good way. Swallowing hard he looked down at Justin, with so many emotions in his eyes.

Justin narrowed his eyes as he looked up into Nick's. "What's the matter?"

Nick smiled and shook his head. "Nothing...I just never expected you to feel the same way for me...in any sense of the word."

Justin shrugged. "I guess you could say that..."

"What do you mean?" Nick asked softly.

"Now that I think about it...I guess I DO feel the same way for you..."

Nick smiled a little. "Really?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah...I mean...I obviously have the same physical reaction..."

Nick wiggled around, grinding against Justin again and giggled. "Yeah...obviously you do."

"But...aside from that...maybe other feelings I have are becoming like yours, too."

"Can you tell me which feelings?" Nick asked softly, resting his head on Justin's chest.

"I don't know if I can specifically...but...like...I'm attracted to you...you make me happy...I'm comfortable with you..."

Bringing his head back up he smiled. "Good...I would never want you not to be comfortable around me...but you already knew that." He said as he looked into Justin's eyes.

Justin smiled back. "Yeah...I know."

Nick wiggled his hips again and smirked. "Uh oh...I think we both have a problem now."

Justin laughed. "We need to cool it. We're supposed to be frosting cookies."

"We both felt very dirty...and needed really long showers?" Nick said with a giggle.

"My mother's a lot smarter than that."

Nick sighed and nodded. "Yeah...I'm sure she is...then let's go frost cookies." He said sitting up so he was sitting on Justin's hips again.

"Hey..." Justin said...putting his hands on Nick's hips. "Are you upset?"

Nick smiled down at Justin and shook his head, taking his hands and lacing his fingers through his. "No...I'm not upset."

"I don't believe you."

"Why would I be upset about going to frost cookies with your mom?"

"No...I mean about...leaving here...leaving this..."

Nick leaned down and kissed Justin's nose...for some reason becoming a thing he liked to do. "I'm not mad or angry about anything...frustrated maybe but we are here to spend this time with your family...so that's what we are going to do." He whispered in his ear, meaning what he said.

"But it's not right for me to leave you frustrated.”

"And it's not right for me to have you do something...just because I am...You have to want to." Nick said as he rested his head back down on Justin's chest...another one of his favorite places.

"Well...what if I DO want to?"

"We gota go frost cookies...what if your mom comes looking for us?" Nick asked, still not moving his head.

Justin chuckled. "Yeah...she WOULD, too."

Nick moved his head to look at Justin with a freaked look on his face. "Ekk...that would so not be good...I think I would rather walk around your house hard as a rock then let her see that."

Justin laughed. "Neither one for me, thanks."

Nick put on a playful pout. "Then what do we do...we're both hard so we can't go walking into your house like this...but we can't fool around cuz she might come."

"Grab me the phone," Justin said with a nod in the direction of the nightstand.

Looking at Justin with a raised eyebrow, nick sat up a little and reached for the phone. Grabbing it he handed it over to Justin. "Watcha gunna do?"

"Wait," Justin said...turning the cordless phone on and dialing the main house.

After a few rings Lynn answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi mama."

"Hey, honey...did you two drown in the shower?"

Justin chuckled. "No, ma. We just worked out for a while when we got back, so we're running a little behind. We'll be over in a bit...OK?"

Nick lied on Justin and tried so hard not to bust up laughing...'worked out...good one.' He thought to himself.

Lynn couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips as she leaned back against the kitchen counter where she was making banana bread now. "Okay honey...the cookies will be here when you guys are ready."

"OK. See you soon."

"Bye...love you."

"Love you too, mama," Justin replied before turning off the phone and handing it back to Nick.

"You are a very bad boy...lying to your mama like that." Nick said with a smirk as he leaned over to put the phone back in the charger.

"I wasn't TOTALLY lying. I DID work out..."

"True...and it was totally hot." Nick giggled as he lied back totally over Justin again. Just then thinking of something. "I'm not too heavy on top of you am I?"

"No...of course not...you feel good."

"Good...cuz I like being on top of you." Nick said with a smile. "And I mean that in both a sexual and a nonsexual way."

Justin laughed. "How could that even mean anything nonsexual?"

"I like to cuddle...and rest on you." Nick said, leaning back down to rest his head on Justin's chest...as if to demonstrate what he meant.

"Boy...wake up! Do you think I just semi-lied to my mama to lay here and cuddle?"

Nick couldn't help but bust up laughing, his head raising back up. "I wasn't sleeping...I was making a point." He said putting on his best sexy pout.

"Good...cuz I'm pretty sure it's already been decided that we both need to get off."

"Yup...it sure feels that way." Nick said as he ground his hips against Justin's. "Now the only question is how do we go about doing this?"

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Marty tried to dodge the flying pills as he fell into the bed. "Fucking shit!" He exclaimed and was out of the bed in half a second running after Kelly even though he was only in his underwear. "KELLY WAIT!" He yelled.

"Leave me alone!" Kelly called...trotting her bare feet down the stairs. "I don't wanna talk to you!"

"Kelly...please...I'm sorry." Marty pleaded as he continued after her.

Kelly stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to look at Marty. "Sorry? You're not sorry! If you WERE...if you CARED about how I'd feel about this...you never would have done it in the first place!"

Marty stopped on one of the last steps and looked at Kelly. "I couldn't help it!" He yelled, tears in his eyes. "I need them...I need the pills."

Kelly stared in to Marty's eyes with her own teary ones. "Than you don't need ME," she said...walking away from him and going down the stairs to the basement.

Marty followed right behind, but didn't say anything until they both got downstairs, "I don't know how to stop on my own...last time they forced me to stop because I was in the hospital because of my heart...I didn't have to do it alone or cold turkey...I don't know what I'm doing...and i can't do it alone." He said as tears fell down his cheeks.

"I made it quite clear to you this morning that you didn't have to do it alone," Kelly said as she sat on a bar stool and lit a cigarette. She didn't speak again until after her first, long drag. "I told you I was gonna help you however you needed me to...but you didn't even give me the chance. You had to go and take those fucking pills as soon as we got home."

"I'm scared...I'm scared at what I'm going to feel like...when I don't take them." Marty whispered, not moving from his spot right by the door.

"You KNOW what it feels like not to take them," Kelly said...not looking at Marty. "You did it for what…like ten years?"

"I mean right after I stop taking them...it feels like shit Kelly...I don't wanna feel like that again." Marty said but took a deep breath. "But what would feel worse is losing you...as my best friend...my girlfriend." Taking another deep breath he walked closer to Kelly as if she was going to bite him. "I had my priorities really fucked up, upstairs and now I probably ruined everything."

Kelly set her lit cigarette down in an ashtray as a couple of tears rolled down her cheeks. "YOU fucked up?" she started...finally looking at Marty. "What about ME? I was gonna sleep with you, Marty. I was gonna have SEX with you! Why? Because I fucking trusted you! Deep inside I KNEW something was wrong...I KNEW you took those pills. But I convinced myself that you wouldn't lie to me anymore...so I was gonna do it." She paused just long enough to catch her breath. "Thank God I didn't...because ya know what it would have been if I had? Just another one of your emotionless fucks...THAT'S what! You obviously don't care worth a SHIT if you were gonna let me sleep with you while you were lying through your fucking teeth!"

Marty couldn't help but let out a choked sob as he listened to Kelly, but what killed him the most was that she was right. "You didn't do anything wrong...It's all MY fault...I'm the bastard the idiot...don't YOU DARE blame yourself. I'll just leave you alone now...you deserve so much better then me." With that Marty took off back up the stairs.

Kelly let Marty go. She HAD to. She needed to sort things out in her head. What the hell was she doing to herself? Did she really need this added stress in her life? She sighed...picking up her cigarette to take a drag as fresh tears pooled in her eyes.

Upstairs once again, Marty grabbed up all the little pills that had been thrown onto the bed and carried them into the bathroom. After flushing them down the toilet he dropped in front of it and lost all he had eaten. He had lost the best thing in his life over a stupid addiction and he felt his heart coming apart in his chest.

After finishing her second cigarette, Kelly wiped her tears, and slowly headed back upstairs. Marty was vulnerable and scared, and she knew she shouldn't leave him alone for long.

Marty was still kneeling on the bathroom floor with his chin resting on the toilet seat as he balled, his sobs coming out in hiccups.

Kelly made it into Marty's room, and followed the sound of his sobs to the bathroom. As upset as she was, she did the only thing she could do. She squatted down behind him...reaching a hand out to rub his back.

Feeling Kelly's hand on his back, Marty tried to shrug it off as he tried to catch his breath. "No...I'm not...good...for you." He managed to get out.

"Don't..." Kelly said...now rubbing Marty's back with both hands. "...just...let me."

Marty struggled to get Kelly's hands off of him for another few seconds before he relaxed back against her as he continued to cry.

Kelly let herself fall back onto her butt...pulling Marty back against her as she sat down on the floor. She hated seeing him like this...she wished there was something she could do.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry." Marty mumbled over and over again as he cried big alligator tears, letting Kelly hold him.

Kelly's right arm held Marty close to her as her left hand moved up to rub his head. "Shhh...it's OK, sweetie," she said soothingly. "Just relax."

It took almost ten minutes for Marty to finally relax again but once he did he sniffled a little, not sure what to say.

"I'm sorry for what I said down there," Kelly said quietly once Marty had relaxed. "I was way outta line," she said with a sniffle of her own. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her eye makeup was streaked down her face.

"No you weren't it was all true...you trusted me...and I broke your trust in the worst way possible...and I don't know how to make you believe how sorry I am." Marty said as he sat up more to look at Kelly, seeing her all ready and puffy with her makeup streaked down her face, made him want to start crying again. "I...I made you cry." He whispered sadly.

Kelly just shrugged. She didn't know what to say in response to that. It was true, but Marty didn't need to hear that pointed out.

"I can understand...if you don't want to be my girlfriend anymore...but will you still be my friend?" Marty asked, sounding a lot like an elementary school kid.

Kelly sighed quietly. "Marty...I don't wanna...I don't wanna give up on us...because of this," she said quietly...then paused to think. "But...I can't lie. It's gonna take a while for me to trust you again. Especially after going all these years thinking you'd never lie to me..."

"I don't know why I did it...I knew what I was doing...was wrong...but I still did it." Marty groaned and ran a hand over his buzzed head. "I'm so fucked up right now...I can't even stop from lying to the woman I love...how terrible is that."

Kelly sighed again. "You're not doing it on purpose...lying to me, I mean," she said. "Well...unless...there's other stuff...you're not telling me..."

Marty shook his head like crazy. "There isn't anything...and I flushed the rest of the pills...they are gone now...and I'm telling the truth...if you believe me."

"I'd like to..."

"You can search my room if you want to." Marty said softly and then took a deep breath. "What a great Christmas this is turning out to be...you would of been better off staying in New York and shopping."

"As much as I talked about it...I really didn't want to be alone."

"Being with a drug addicted weirdo...can't be that much fun either." Marty said with a small giggle.

"You're not weird. And the...addiction...we'll fix it. I promise."

Sighing, Marty stretched his arms over his head. "Why don't we get off of the bathroom floor...it's not too comfy down here."

Kelly nodded...watching Marty. "Good idea. You should get some sleep."

"I'm not sure how relaxed I can get...I just took two pills when you were getting my lunch." Marty admitted for the first time out loud...even though he knew Kelly knew before he had even said anything.

Kelly nodded slowly...getting up off the floor. "Yeah...well...maybe you threw them up," she said...flushing the toilet before going over to the sink to wash her stained face.

Marty made a face as he stood up to grab his toothbrush. "You've got a point there...I think I threw up what I had to eat three months ago." He tried to joke.

"I'll make you something later..." Kelly started as she rubbed some Noxema on her face, then turned the water on and started scrubbing her skin with her fingertips. "...when you feel better."

"Thank you." Marty responded with a small smile. "I guess I'm gonna go try to lie down now." With that he walked into his bedroom and crawled under the covers with a heavy sigh.

Kelly rinsed her face, then dried it with a towel before going into the bedroom. She sighed as she crawled onto the bed, and dropped onto her back beside Marty. "Can we talk?"

Marty turned his head towards Kelly and nodded. "Yeah...I think that would be a good idea."

Kelly turned her own head to look at Marty. "OK. What do you wanna talk about?"

“You're the one who brought it up...so you go first." Marty said with a smile, giggling a little.

Kelly shrugged. She really just wanted to lay there and talk to Marty so it would be like it was before all this happened. Just laying around and talking and laughing with him was something she loved.

Thinking about something that had happened before, Marty smiled. "You said you talked to my grandma...did she do what I said she would?"

Kelly chuckled...looking up at the ceiling. "Yeah...she said we'd make a beautiful family together."

Marty's smile got bigger. "I think she is right on that account."

Kelly laughed again. "Our kids would he able to dance, that's for sure. I hope."

"I would wonder if they were aliens if the couldn't.," Marty joked but then shook his head. "That would be up to them...if they don't want to dance and be hair stylists instead...then so be it."

Kelly sighed quietly. "Yeah...I'd NEVER force my children to do anything they didn't want to do. I'd want them to do whatever would make them happy."

"Exactly...even if one of them turned out gay...that would be okay too." Marty said, not sure where this topic of conversation came from...but now that reminded him of two of their good friends. "I wonder how Nick and Justin are doing...have you heard from them?"

"No. I figured I'd just let them be for a while. I'll call them tomorrow to say Merry Christmas, though."

Marty nodded. "Yeah...sounds good...I'll take the phone from you and say hi too." He giggled.

"OK," Kelly said...then took a deep breath as she rolled toward Marty...resting her chin on his blanket-covered stomach to look up at him. "Why do you think you're grandma's so anxious for you to get married and have babies?"

"Probably cuz my sisters all got married when they were like 20 and 21...and had kids before they were my age. I'm the late bloomer I guess." Marty said with a shrug.

"Well...that's OK...you're still young. Twenty-six isn't old when it comes to marriage anymore."

Marty nodded. "Yeah...I'm not in any huge rush...I mean I'm just now trying to calm myself down...give me a year or more to get myself used to that...Plus, I'm happy with being an uncle...a dad is a scary thing."

"Yeah...definitely. And who knows...you might not even find the right woman for you until you're into your thirties."

Marty smiled at Kelly and shook his head. "Kel...I don't see that happening."

"Why not?" Kelly asked curiously...folding her arms on Marty's stomach, then resting her chin on them. "Think you'll be even older than that?"

Marty made a face. "I don't even wanna think about being older then that...but no what I meant was I don't see it taking me till I'm in my thirties till I find the right woman for me."

Kelly chuckled. "OK...so maybe it'll be sooner than that, then."

"It's already happened." Marty whispered, knowing Kelly probably didn't want to know that now...after all that had happened that day...but he said it anyway.

Kelly looked up at Marty with intensity in her eyes. "Do you really believe that?" she asked softly.

Marty nodded. "I do."

Kelly sighed quietly...then felt the need to take the conversation in a lighter direction. "OK...so...how to you prefer to get off?" she asked with a laugh.

Marty looked at Kelly with confused eyes. "Huh?"

Kelly giggled. "I mean...like...what works best for you? Blow jobs...intercourse..."

Marty had no idea where this part of the conversation came from...but he was going to answer anyway. "Intercourse normally...but blow jobs work too." He said, the confused look still on his face.

Kelly laughed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I wanna know where that question came from." Marty laughed back.

Kelly shrugged a bit. "I don't know...just making conversation."

"Yeah...well if you aren't careful this train of thought is going to do something very unwanted right now to my body." Marty laughed again, keeping the conversation light.

Kelly smiled. "I'm sorry. We don't have to talk about this stuff anymore."

Marty shrugged, "It doesn't matter if you want to...we can talk about anything."

"I know. I always felt like I could talk about anything with you. But...why am I always the only one asking the questions?"

"Because I have no idea what to say." Marty giggled, then thought of something. "Okay...to stay on the same topic...what was the craziest thing you've done sexually...we've never really talked about this stuff before.”

Kelly chuckled. "No...we never really DO talk about MY sex life, do we?"

Marty laughed and shook his head. "Nope...so spill girly."

"Well...there really isn't all that much to spill. Are you forgetting that I don't have that much experience?"

"No...I didn't forget that...but I know you aren't a virgin...so there is SOMETHING for you to say...but you don't have to tell me anything either, Kel." Marty said with a smile.

Kelly shrugged. "I don't mind telling you. OK...let's see...the craziest thing I've done...?"

Marty nodded. "Yeah, the craziest thing."

"I guess it would have to be sex in the bathroom on the bus."

Marty's eyes went wide. "You had sex in the bathroom on our bus...where was I?" He laughed.

Kelly giggled...and blushed a bit as she briefly buried her face in her hands...then folded her arms on Marty's stomach again. "Right there...sitting in the booth playing cards with Mel and Ed. I KNOW you saw us go into the bathroom...unless you were drunker than I thought."

Marty tried to remember the time and then got a big smirk on his face. "Ohhh yeah...now I remember that."

Kelly chuckled. "Yeah."

"How was that? I can't even say I've done that." Marty laughed.

Kelly put a thoughtful look on her face. I'm not gonna lie...it was pretty hot...both times."

"Okay girl...I want details..." Marty said turning his head more so he could look right at Kelly, the smirk still on his face.

Kelly laughed. "What details? I had sex in the bathroom on our bus with Justin...and on Justin's bus with Nick."

"Yeah...but how...those thing's aren't exactly big...and Justin's is even a little larger then ours...come on I need dream material here." Marty giggled, bringing his hand up to run his fingers through Kelly's hair.

Kelly laughed again. "I don't know. With Justin...I just kinda...rode him...on the toilet."

Marty bit his bottom lip and tried not to groan. "Okay...that is a very good mental picture...scary enough even with Justin in the mix." He said making a face, jokingly.

Kelly laughed out loud at that. "Please don't start having dreams about me and Justin."

Marty's face got even worse and he shook his head like crazy. "Something would be VERY wrong with me having dreams like that...I'll keep that to Nick...having dreams about Justin." He laughed.

Kelly giggled. "I'm sure they're in the process of making their OWN dreams as we speak."

Marty raised an eyebrow. "You think they're getting closer?"

"I'm sure. I mean...away from the public eye, and all. They HAVE to be," Kelly said...unfolding her arms and placing her hands on Marty's bare sides as she rested her chin on his stomach again.

Marty sighed. "Maybe we should both take a nap...before my parents get home?"

"You can...but I'm not tired."

"Kel...you haven't slept much in the last two days...how can you not be tired?"

"I don't know," Kelly replied...sitting up and stretching a bit. "I think I'm working on adrenaline at this point. It's Christmas Eve."

Marty smiled and laughed. "You've got a good point." Just then he remembered something. "When should I give you your gift?"

"Whenever you want. I actually have one that I don't wanna give you in front of everyone else. But don't worry...I have something else you can open tomorrow morning."

"You giving me sex toys again?" Marty asked with a smirk, glad that they seemed to be able to joke around again even after all that had happened that morning.

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Hardly."

Marty pouted playfully. "Awe, man."

"Why do you even NEED sex toys when you have a girlfriend?"

"Hmmm...you've got a good point." Marty smiled and leaned over to give Kelly a soft kiss to her forehead. "You're much better then any sex toy."

Kelly laughed as she got up off the bed and stretched again. "How exactly would YOU know that?"

"Because you're real...and I love you. A sex toy or a quick fuck from a club couldn't do that." Marty whispered.

Kelly gave Marty a sincere smile, then headed into the bathroom. "So you're saying if I gave you a bunch of sex toys right now and told you to go at it...you wouldn't?" she teased as she pulled her hair into a loose bun, and rubbed some moisturizer on her face.

"If you wanted to watch me...that would be a different story." Marty giggled.

"Perv," Kelly retorted...wiping her hands on a towel.

Marty yawned and snuggled farther under the covers. "Who...me? Never..."

Kelly came back out into the bedroom and looked over at Marty. "So...you're really gonna go to sleep, huh?"

Marty pouted. "I don't wanna go to sleep...but my body is telling me something different...which really shows I have a problem...if only taking 2 of those pills really doesn't do much for me." he said sadly.

Kelly sighed quietly. "OK...you can go to sleep. I understand. But...it's early..." she said...checking her watch to see that it wasn't even five o'clock. "...so I'm gonna go...like...find something to do, I guess."

Marty sighed. "I'm sorry, Kelly...this is turning out to be a terrible vacation for you."

Kelly shook her head...slipping her hands into her jeans pockets. "I'll be fine," she said quietly...trying to fight off her emotions. "I've dealt with worse."

Mary pulled the covers back and stood up and walked over to Kelly. Once he was in front of her he pulled her into a big hug. "I will make it up to you I promise...I'm going to get better and we'll go some place really nice."

Kelly sighed a shaky sigh. "I don't want you to promise me anything...except that you're gonna get better."

Marty pulled back and looked Kelly in the eye. "I PROMISE you I will get better...i won't pull what I did earlier again...I can't lose you." By the time he was done talking tears were falling down his cheeks again.

"You need to know...that you WILL...if this keeps up. I can't be with someone I can't trust."

"I wouldn't expect you to be." Marty said sadly.

Kelly pulled away from Marty, and took a deep breath to try and stop herself from crying. "OK...just...go to bed."

"What are you going to do?"

Kelly shrugged. "I don't know. Watch a movie, maybe."

"You can watch one up here with me...that is if you want to." Marty said pointing to the TV across from the bed and the huge rack of DVDS.

Kelly shook her head. "I don't wanna keep you up."

"I sleep like a log...after I get off one of my highs." Marty admitted as he walked back to the bed to lie down, he was starting to feel light headed. "But if you would rather go downstairs you can."

"I'll come check on you later," Kelly said...then put her slippers back on before heading downstairs. She first went to the kitchen, searched around for a mug and tea bags, and put some water in the kettle. While she waited for it to boil, she leaned against the counter and let herself get lost in her thoughts. She wanted to believe that Marty was really going to change his ways...and not let her down again...but how could she be so sure?

Once Kelly was gone, Marty curled up under the covers and softly cried himself to sleep. He was so scared he was going to mess things up again without meaning to.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Nick sat in the passenger side of the Escalade and looked out the window. Once again he was really nervous, but was trying not to show it.

Justin groaned. "I think I ate too many of those cookies."

Nick looked over at Justin and had to laugh. "You had like ten or something...I told you not to eat the last three."

Justin shrugged. "They were good...and I don't get to have my mama's cookies all that often."

"Yeah...well now you're moaning and groaning." Nick laughed again, reaching across the seat to rub Justin's thigh for a second and then put his hands in his lap.

Justin chuckled. "It was worth it. Thank the Lord they didn't expect us to go out to lunch, though."

"Yeah...then you would have try to explain to your father why you wouldn't want lunch...because you had 10 Christmas cookies...with WAY too much frosting." Nick said, trying not to bust up laughing. "I'm surprised you aren't like so hyped up on a sugar high right now.

"I handle my sugar well," Justin said...turning down his father's street.

Nick giggled as he turned to look out the window and sighed . "Good thing you're better then me."

"Good thing you didn't eat as many as me."

"Yeah...I don't really wanna scare your father to death by having a twenty three year old in his house who is more hyper then his grade schooler." Nick laughed.

Justin smiled at the thought of his brothers. "You may be more hyper than Jon...but definitely not more hyper than Steven."

"I guess I'm about to find out...I think I can handle it."

"You can...I'm not worried," Justin said...pulling the SUV into the driveway of a large-yet-simple Victorian style home.

Nick took a deep breath. "I can do this." He said nervously.

"Yes you can...now relax. They're all cool...except my father. So...avoid him...like me," Justin said...then opened the door and got out of the truck.

"Avoid Randall Timberlake...I can do that." Nick laughed as he opened the door and got out.

Justin got his backpack out of the back seat, then walked around to the front of the car. "This is gonna suck."

Nick grabbed his own backpack and then put a gentle hand on Justin's back before moving it away quickly...knowing he had to be careful. "You'll be fine."

Justin locked the car, then headed for the front door. "OK...now...remember...I don't want him knowing about me...about us."

Nick nodded his head and smiled. "I know...I shall keep my hands to myself like a good boy." He said as he followed Justin to the front door.

Justin chuckled. "OK," he said...then took a deep breath as he rang the doorbell.

Nick stood next to Justin and had to laugh when he heard a little boy's voice on the other side of the door.

"I've got...I've got it....I've got it." Steven yelled as he ran to the door and threw it open. "JUSTIN!" he screamed and jumped at his brother.

Justin laughed...bending down to hoist Steven into his arms. "Hey, munchkin," he greeted before kissing his baby brother's forehead.

Steven pouted. "I'm not a munchkin...I'm a LOT bigger now." He said as he stretched up in Justin's arms to make his point.

"Yes...you definitely are," Justin agreed with a smile...looking over at his step mother...who wasn't far behind Steven. "Hi, Lisa...Merry Christmas."

Lisa smiled brightly at Justin. "Same to you, Justin. It's so good to see you," she said...walking over and kissing Justin on the cheek. "And you must be Nick," she said...looking at Nick.

Nick nodded his head. "Yes, Ma'am...It's nice to meet you...thank you for letting me come." He said going into polite mode.

Steven looked at Nick and then at Justin. "He the friend mom said was coming?"

"Yes he is. This is Nick, Steve."

Nick turned to Steven and smiled brightly at the boy, holding his hand out. "It's nice to meet you too Steven."

Steven giggled and took Nick's hand, shaking it strongly. "I've got a good grip, huh?"

Nick took his hand back and shook it. "Dang...yeah you hurt me." He played around.

Justin laughed...then leaned down to set his brother on the floor. "Where's the other one?" he asked Lisa. "Jonathan! Come see your big brother!"

Jonathan came walking into the room with a coke in his hand, a lot more calm and collected then Steven...but he still had a big huge smile on his face. "Justin...you're here." He said giving his brother a big hug.

Justin bent down a bit to hug his brother. "Yes...I'm here. Dang...you two have grown a ton in the...what...six weeks since I've seen you."

Lisa laughed. "I swear they're bigger every day."

"I wear a size five shoe now." Jonathan said looking down at his feet. "Dad says I'm gonna end up having clown feet." He laughed.

Justin laughed as he clapped Jon on the shoulder. "Just like me, pal."

Nick had to laugh from where he was standing, Justin was too cute with his younger brothers.

Hearing Nick laugh Jon turned to look at Nick. "You must be Justin's friend Nick,"

Nodding Nick held his hand out for the older boy. "Yup...that's who I am...nice to meet you, Jon."

Jon laughed and shook Nick's hand. "This guy is cool, Justin...you can keep him." He said, not knowing how that would sound.

Justin laughed and shook his head, then looked at Lisa. "Where's my father?" he asked almost hesitantly.

Lisa took a deep breath. She knew her husband and his oldest son didn't get along, but she couldn't understand why. She thought Justin was a kind, respectable young man...and that he was a great role model for her sons. That's why SHE was the one who always took the boys out on the road to see their brother. "He went to pick up your grandmother."

Nick laughed at what Jon said and then shoved his hands in his pockets while he listened to Justin ask about his father. Letting out a soft sigh of relief when he figured out he wouldn't have to meet the infamous Randall Timberlake right away.

Justin nodded. "OK."

"Well, boys..." Lisa started...putting the cheer back in her tone. "You can put your things upstairs. We only have the one guest room...so Justin...maybe you'll want to let Nick have it...and you can sleep with one of your brothers?"

Justin nodded again. "Sure...that's fine...if THEY don't mind."

"Fine with me!" Both boys said and then stopped to glare at each other.

"He's gonna sleep with me!" Steven said.

"No...he'll sleep with me." Jon said glaring right back.

Justin chuckled. "Boys...boys...I know how to solve this if ya'll are gonna fight. How bout you two sleep together...and I'll sleep by myself?"

Jon and Steven looked at each other and made a face

"Nuh uh...no way he snores!" Steven exclaimed.

Justin laughed and shook his head. "We'll settle this later," he said...then turned to Nick.

"Come on...let's bring our bags up."

"Yeah...at least we know where MY stuff is going." Nick laughed as he followed Justin.

Jon and Steve continued to argue who's room Justin was going to stay in as Justin and Nick walked off.

Justin headed upstairs, then pointed a room out to Nick. "That's the guest room."

Nick nodded. "Okay cool." He said heading in the direction to put his stuff down.

Justin, meanwhile, went into his brothers' room and, and dropped his bag onto a chair in the corner. He smiled as he took a look around...realizing how much he missed watching them grow up. He remembered when that very room had bunk beds, and was filled with diapers, blocks and stuffed animals. It had all been replaced with two double beds, a computer, a PlayStation, and all kinds of other high-tech, complicated toys and games.

After setting his stuff down, Nick walked out of the room and passed by the boy's room. Looking in he saw Justin looking around. Walking in he stood by him, but kept his distance. "You okay?"

Justin turned to look at Nick, and nodded. "Yeah...I'm fine," he said...taking his coat off and putting it on the chair. "Damn...they're growing up so fast."

"Yeah I know...I feel the same way about my brother and sisters...I guess you kinda know how your parents must feel now when they say you grew up too fast." Nick said with a smile.

Justin shrugged. "Yeah...I guess so."

Nick wanted nothing more then to hug Justin tight and tell him that the next few days with his father were going to be okay...but he kept his promise and stayed where he was.

Justin sighed. "OK...let's go downstairs and see what's going on," he said...leading Nick out of the room and down the stairs to the kitchen...where Lisa and the boys were baking cookies.

Seeing the cookies, Nick looked at Justin and chuckled a little. "Ohh...Look Justin more cookies."

Justin groaned and dropped into a chair at the table.

Lisa chuckled as she wiped her hands on her apron. "What's the matter?"

"We helped my mother frost cookies this afternoon...and I ate about forty-six and a half."

Nick looked at Justin with wide eyes. "I don't remember you eating that many. You must have stuffed your mouth when I went to the bathroom." He laughed.

Jon looked at his brother and started to bust up laughing. "Didn't Lynn ever tell you not to eat so many cookies?"

Steven giggled as he licked his batter covered finger.

Justin laughed. "Yeah...she yelled at me more with every one I ate," Justin said...slouching down in his chair and putting a hand on his stomach.

Nick watched Justin and smiled. " You won't be doing THAT again for a while."

Justin shook his head. "Nope...no way," he said...then burped...as if on cue. "Excuse me," he said with a quiet chuckle.

Steven giggled again before trying to stick his finger in the batter again without Lisa noticing.

Jon just rolled his eyes at his big brother and went back to frosting the cookie he was working on. Trying to make the Santa look exactly like it was supposed to.

Justin grabbed Steven's wrist as his finger made it's way back to the bowl on the table. "No...that's gross."

Steven pouted. "My fingers are clean...mom made me wash um."

"Yeah...but then you licked em."

Steven blushed and looked down at his hand. "Oh yeah...I forgot."

Nick leaned back in his chair and watched Justin with his other family a big smile on his face.

"Go wash em again," Justin instructed...giving his brother a tap on the butt.

"Hey now...don't touch my ass." Steven laughed as ran off to the bathroom.

Jon's eyes went wide and looked at his mom. "Mom...he said it again!"

Lisa widened her eyes. "Steven!" she called after the boy with an exasperated sigh.

Justin's eyes widened, as well. "Whoa...where'd he learn THAT?"

Jon shrugged his shoulders. "No idea...but he's been saying it for like the last month."

Justin put up his hands defensively. "It wasn't me...I swear."

Nick laughed and shook his head. "He could watch TV and probably hear that word a trillion times." He said putting in his two cents worth.

Lisa nodded...wiping her hands again. "That's true...but he's not going to get away with this," she said...heading for the bathroom to speak with her youngest son.

"Somebody's in TROOOOUBLE." John giggled as he continued to frost his Santa cookie.

Justin chuckled. "Stop. You wouldn't like it if it was you."

Nick laughed shaking his head. "I SO remember doing that with my sisters."

Justin got up to go get a drink from the fridge. "Not me...I was always too old to do it."

"That's cuz you were a teenager when I was born." Jon pointed out.

"Yeah...so I missed out on all that fun stuff," Justin said with a chuckle...taking a water back to the table for himself, and handing one to Nick.

Nick smiled and took the water. "Thanks, he said with an extra big smile, knowing at least his smiles could show affection.

"You can argue and yell with me if you wanna." Jon laughed.

"Nah...no need," Justin said as he sat back down. "How's school, Jon?"

Jon smiled big and practically bounced in his seat. "You know how I was telling you about that big huge spelling Bee...that I was doing last week?"

Justin nodded before sipping his water.

"I get to go to the state level competition in February." Jon said excitedly.

Justin widened his eyes. "No way...are you kidding?"

Jon shook his head like crazy the smile still on his face. "Nope...I'm not kidding..." He paused to jump out of his seat and ran over to the side of the fridge and pulled off an award and ran back over to give it to Justin. "SEE!"

Justin took the paper, and smiled proudly as he looked it over. "Wow...this is awesome, Jon. I'm so proud of you. I'ma ask your mom when it is...so I can make sure to be there."

Jon's smile got even bigger as the normally calm boy started to jump up and down. "Really! You would come???"

Nick stayed quiet and watched Justin and his brother...thinking it was too cute.

Justin smiled some more...trying to hide the sinking feeling in his heart. He'd always known deep down that he wasn't there enough for his brothers. "Yeah...of course I'll come. I wouldn't miss it."

Jon stopped jumping but the smile didn't fade. "I would understand if you couldn't come though...you've got a very important job that you gotta do...I'm proud of you too." He said sounding too grown up.

Justin chuckled a bit. "I know you are, Jon. And I'll be there...I promise."

Jon turned to Nick and smiled at him too. "Are you on tour with Justin?"

Nick shrugged a little. "I have been with him for the last like 2 and a half weeks."

"Tour's over now for a little while, Jon."

"Oh right...I knew that." Jon giggled as he sat back down to work on his cookie again.

Nick reached across the table and grabbed one of the cookies to nibble on, passing half of it to Justin. "Want a bite." He said with a smirk on his face.

Justin looked at Nick with a sickened look on his face.

Lisa sighed as she walked back into the kitchen. "OK...that's settled...for now," she said...going to check on the cookies in the oven.

"Where is he?" Justin asked...not seeing Steven come back into the room.

"In the family room...taking a time out."

Jon snickered as he finished up the cookie and went on to making a bell look just as perfect.

"Maybe Justin should hate time out time for eating too many cookies." Nick laughed.

Justin laughed. "I'll probably be taking a time out in the bathroom soon enough."

Jon looked at his brother and made a face. "TMI Justin...TMI."

Nick laughed out loud almost chocking on the cookie he was eating.

Justin laughed, too...then got up out of his seat. "I'm gonna go check on Steven," he said...heading for the family room.

Steven was sitting on the couch a pout on his face and arms crossed over his chest.

Justin dropped onto the couch with a sigh. "What's up with the potty mouth?"

Steven turned his head to Justin and glared at him still pouting. "Leave me alone...mom said I'm in time out."

"I know you are...but I just wanna talk to you about what's goin on. And don't look at me like that."

"Nothing is going on." Steven whispered.

Justin relaxed back against the couch...his eyes on his brother. "Come on, munchkin...you know you can tell me."

"Dad and mom don't like me anymore...cuz I don't get cool awards like Jon does."

"Oh come on...now...I know for a FACT that that's not true."

"Then why does dad keep asking me why I don't bring awards home from school? I try to get cool stuff like that...but I just can't do it...I'm dumb." Steven whispered again looking down at his lap.

Justin sighed as he wrapped his arm around his brother and pulled him against his side. "You're not dumb, Steve...you're just not old enough to get those awards, yet." Justin's hatred for his father grew tenfold at that point. He wasn't going to stand for him treating the boys like he treated HIM.

"I could get awards for reading." Steven mumbled into his brother's shirt as he tried not to cry. "But I'm not in the good reading group...so I couldn't get the award."

"Don't worry about it, kiddo. Your turn will come someday. And even if it doesn't, you don't have to feel bad. Just cuz you don't get awards doesn't mean you're not good at things. *I* never got any awards in school."

"Yeah...but you get really cool awards like those little moonman guys...and grammys." Steven said as he lifted his head to look at his brother.

Justin smiled down at his brother. "Yeah...maybe NOW I do...but I never got any awards...ever...til I was like...seventeen."

"Guess…I gotta wait ten years then." Steven giggled, giving Justin a big hug.

Justin chuckled as he hugged Steven back...pulling him into his lap. "Nah...you're a lot smarter than me. It won't take you as long as it took me."

"That isn't true...you're the smartest most coolest guy I know...and you're my big brother."

"Maybe not smart...but definitely cool."

Steven giggled. "I think you're smart too."

"Thanks, munchkin. You are too."

Just then Steven heard the oven timer go off and he was off of Justin's lap in a flash. "More cookies are done!" He exclaimed as he ran back into the kitchen, forgetting he was actually supposed to be in time out.

Lisa watched Steven run into the kitchen...followed closely by Justin...as she set the new batch on the counter. "What are you doing out of your time out, young man?"

Steven bit his bottom lip and looked up at his mom with big eyes. "I wanted to have one of the warm cookies."

Nick was now busy like Jon trying to make the most perfect bell cookie, his tongue sticking out as he worked hard.

"I talked to him, Lisa," Justin said...hoping she wouldn't mind him interfering.

Lisa smiled. "OK," she said...and handed Steven one of the fresh cookies.

Steven smiled big and went to sit down at the table so he could eat his cookie.

Nick was so busy working on his cookie he didn't even know Justin walked back into the room.

Justin was about to go and sit by Nick when the garage door opened, and his father walked into the kitchen. Justin's stomach turned...as he stood there quietly...staring at his father.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Janet got out of the car and waited for Martin before going into the house. "Do you think he's going to be okay?" She asked her husband softly as they walked into the house.

Martin sighed...opening the garage door to the kitchen for his wife. "I hope so."

"He has to be." Janet said close to tears. They had left the party a few hours early because neither of them could keep their minds off of what was going on at home with Marty.

Martin patted his wife's arm lightly. "We'll be able to help him out," he said...then wordlessly headed down to the basement for a drink and a cigar.

Kelly, meanwhile, was curled up on the family room couch watching 'White Christmas,' on TV, and never heard the Kudelka's come in.

Watching Martin go downstairs, Janet sighed and walked into the family room, intent on finding some happy Christmas movie on TV to get into the Christmas spirit again. As she walked around to the front of the couch she saw Kelly and smiled a little. "Mind if I join you?"

Kelly looked up and Janet, and boosted herself up on the couch a bit. "No...of course not. I...umm...wasn't expecting you home so soon."

"We weren't really in the being cheerful and partying mood." Janet said as she sat down on the couch, and looked at the TV for a second. "Marty asleep?"

Kelly nodded. "Yeah...has been for the last hour or so," she said...sitting completely upright against the back of the couch. "I'm sorry we ruined your day."

"You didn't do anything, Kelly." Janet said with a small smile. "And nothing was ruined."

"I can't help but feel like Christmas is ruined," Kelly admitted quietly...her eyes on the TV.

Janet sighed and nodded her head a little. "In a way yeah...but we can't give up...we'll just have to try harder to make tomorrow special."

"He took more pills...after we got home," Kelly said after taking a deep breath.

Janet closed her eyes when she felt the tears ready to spill. She wouldn't allow that...she had to be strong. "I'm sorry, Kelly...that you're having to deal with this."

"I'm not...I wanna help him. The only thing I'm sorry about is the lying. THAT I can't deal with."

"He lied to you about it?" Janet asked, turning to face Kelly. Hearing Kelly say that made her heart sink...knowing that he was lying meant that he was in deep…once again.

Kelly nodded. "I asked him about it...and he lied. But then I found his little stash."

"God help us." Janet sighed as she looked up at the ceiling, obviously praying, a single tear falling down her cheek.

Kelly sighed...nodding again. "I know...I've been praying all day."

"Do you know how long he's been doing it this time...and how many he's been taking at a time?" Janet asked, once again looking in Kelly's direction.

"All I know is that he started taking them a few weeks ago. I don't know why...and I don't know how much he's taking."

"Did something change for you guys on tour a few weeks ago...something that would really stress him out?" Janet asked, hoping that they could get to the bottom of what got Marty hooked again.

Kelly slowly shook her head. "I honestly have no idea. I mean...he's actually been doing well, I think. Ya know...he's decided to stop...playing around...change his lifestyle."

Janet sighed and shook her head. "I don't get it...he KNOWS how bad this can get...he almost died, for goodness sakes!" She said, not knowing that Marty hadn't exactly told Kelly how bad things had gotten.

Kelly swallowed hard. "It was that bad?"

Janet nodded, closing her eyes as she remembered the day. "He was only 15 years old...I got a call from his dance teacher and he was frantic...told me that Marty had collapsed in class and that he was being taken to the hospital...when I got there they told me he had suffered from a massive heart attack...something that normally wouldn't happen to such a healthy young boy. He was in a coma for almost a week. We were more then shocked when we found out that he had been taking these pills for almost three years."

Kelly's eyes burned with fresh tears. "Oh my God...he told me it was just a mild heart problem. Why all the lies?"

"In that case...I think he was just trying to protect you." Janet said softly.

Kelly shook her head. "He's not going to protect me by lying to me...no matter what."

Janet smiled a little. "We both know that...but Marty...he thinks the less people know about something...the less they will get hurt. For example...It took him two years to actually fully tell me that he liked to go out and party...I had to learn it from somebody else...and ask him about it...He didn't want to tell me because he thought it would hurt me...not knowing that lying was much worse."

"I just don't know what to think right now," Kelly said...dropping her head back against the couch.

"I honestly don't know either...I'm too old to have to worry about this stuff. It's just my luck that my youngest is the one with all the problems." Janet laughed, trying to joke around a little.

"He doesn't mean to be a problem. He hates upsetting you."

Janet smiled and nodded her head. "I know he doesn't...that's what makes addictions such nasty things...that we may want to blame him for making things hard...but in reality that doesn't do any good because they are blaming themselves enough for the whole world."

"He could just have an addictive personality. The pills...the sex...I mean...it happens."

"It would make sense too...my father is an alcoholic...so addictions are in his blood." Janet sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "I think I'm going to go take a nice hot bath and try to relax."

Kelly just nodded...her eyes going back to the television.

Patting Kelly's leg quickly, Janet got up off the couch and walked out of the room. Walking up the stairs she stopped at Marty's door and looked inside. He may be almost twenty six years old but he was still her baby...and it was killing her to see him hurting so much inside. Taking a deep breath she turned from the room and headed down the hall to hers.

Kelly pulled the blanket down off the back of the couch, and wrapped herself in it as she curled back up into a cozy ball. She took a long, deep breath and closed her eyes...trying her best to relax.

End of Chapters Thirty One - Forty