*****

�Morning,� Pacey greeted Jack from his sleep.

Jack looked around the room and was relieved to see only Pacey. The thought of people watching him sleep was kind of creepy to him.

�What time is it?� Jack asked, sitting up in bed.

�11:38.� Pacey answered, smiling uneasily.

�I�ve been sleeping hours,� Jack sighed.

�Yeah.� Pacey took a breath. �Jack, are you okay?�

Jack looked at him, trying to work out why he was being so hesitant and what he may be insinuating. �Yeah, fine. Why?�

�It�s�It�s just�Last night��

�Breakfast�s ready!� Andie chirped as she entered the room, interrupting Pacey, who was already finding it hard enough to ask what he wanted to.

�How do you always know when I�m awake? Breakfast always seems to be ready the moment I wake up,� Jack said.

�Well, over the last week or so, we have been watching you sleep a lot. Jen and I have noticed that you start fidgeting about twenty minutes before you wake up,� Andie smiled.

�Andie, you are really weird,� Jack answered.

Pacey couldn�t help but laugh at the look on Jack�s face.

�That I may be but never the less, it�s time for you to eat.� Andie placed the tray in Jack�s lap.

***

�Thanks, Andie. That was great,� Jack said as Andie removed the tray.

�Good. I�m glad to see you eating.� Andie left the room happily whistling.

�Look, Jack, last night�� Pacey started, Jack cut him off.

�Hold that thought. I really need to use the bathroom.�

Jack climbed out of bed and left the room, leaving Pacey sitting there, still not having talked about the occurrences of the night before.

***

Jack closed the bathroom door and walked straight to the toilet. He knelt down and immediately pushed his fingers to the back of his throat. After a couple of tries his goal was reached.

As he was being sick he heard the door open.

�Oh my God!� Joey ran over to him, kneeling next to him.

He was still being sick.

Joey rubbed his back. �It�s okay,� She comforted softly.

Jack was unsure whether he was now being sick because of his actions or because he had been caught.

Jack had finally finished, he was panting heavily, kneeling over the toilet.

Joey was still at his side. �Are you okay? What happened?�

�I�m�I�m fine. I had an upset stomach, that�s all,� Jack answered.

�Do you want me to get Mitch?�

�No!� Jack looked up at Joey. �No. I don�t want to worry him. I�m okay. Just a stomach bug or something. Please don�t tell anyone - I really am fine.�

�I think I should, Jack.�

�Please, Joe. Don�t tell anyone. I really am fine.� Jack�s eyes were pleading with her. �Please!�

�Jack�I�� Joey sighed.

Jack�s eyes were still pleading.

�Jack, I just�Okay, I won�t tell anyone. But is this happens again I have to, all right?�

�Thanks, Joey. Thank you.� He hugged her tightly.

***

�Mitch, we really need to talk.�

�What�s up, Pacey?� They both sat down at the kitchen table.

�It�s Jack. I�m worried about him.�

�Why? What�s happened?� Mitch began to get worried.

�Last night, when I went to find him. He was being sick. He doesn�t know that I heard him.�

�Are you sure? Are you sure that it was him?�

Joey walked in while Mitch and Pacey were talking. Neither person noticed her.

�Yes, I�m sure. He was the only one in there. He was definitely being sick.�

�Pacey, are you seriously sure? Jack would have told me.�

�It�s true,� Joey whispered.

�How do you know?� Mitch asked.

�I walked in on him being sick after breakfast. He begged me not to tell you. He said it was just a stomach bug.�

Mitch put his head in his hands suddenly realising the reason behind Jack dodging his kiss the previous day.

�I�ll sort it,� Mitch whispered. �Don�t tell anyone, okay? Don�t let Jack know that I know, do you understand?�

�Yes,� they both quietly replied.

�I�ll sort it.�

***

The sun was shining. Everyone sat eating their lunch in the garden.

Mitch kept staring in Jack�s direction. He couldn�t help but notice how awful Jack looked, as the sunshine made him appear paler. His clothes were hanging off of him and he was very quiet, as if raising food to his mouth took so much energy that he was unable to talk.

One thing filled Mitch�s head. �How long has this been going on?� He didn�t know, but he was going to find out.

After lunch had been consumed everyone sat in the sunlight appreciating the warmth and peace. Only two pairs of eyes remained open, resisting the heat of the sun. Jack was looking at his empty plate and was totally oblivious to the fact that Mitch�s eyes were burning in to him.

Suddenly Jack carefully stood up.

�Where are you going?� Mitch asked.

�Uh�the bathroom,� Jack answered as he slowly walked back to the house.

As Mitch looked round he saw Pacey and Joey both staring at him.

�Go,� Joey silently mouthed to him.

That was all the encouragement Mitch needed. He stood up and followed at a safe distance behind Jack.

***

As Mitch got to the top of the stairs he saw Jack disappear in to the bathroom, the door was slightly ajar. Mitch quietly peered round the door just in time to witness Jack pushing his fingers to the back of his throat.

Mitch couldn�t believe his eyes. How could Jack do this to himself? How could he not have noticed?

Mitch left the doorway and waited at the bottom of the stairs for Jack to come down.

Minutes passed before Jack appeared on the stairs. �Mitch? What are you doing inside?�

�I came to see you.�

Jack reached the bottom of the stairs.

�So, how are you?� Mitch asked wanting to give Jack a chance to confess.

�I�m fine. I should be a lot better before school starts again.�

�Good,� Mitch smiled, steeping closer to Jack. �I�m glad to hear it.� He leant in to kiss Jack.

�Shouldn�t we go back outside?� Jack dodged it again.

�Why won�t you kiss me?�

�I do.�

�That was the second time you�ve dodged me since yesterday. Why?�

�I�I just don�t feel comfortable doing it in Grams� house.�

�Rubbish!�

�What?�

�That�s rubbish and you know it!�

Mitch looked at Jack�s desperate eyes. He placed his hands on the back of Jack�s head and neck pulling him in to a kiss that he couldn�t escape from. After a struggle Mitch managed to plunge his tongue in to Jack�s mouth, but quickly pulled away.

�You promised me that you would eat!�

�I am eating!�

�And then you are making yourself sick!�

�I�m not!�

�You are. I saw you do it, I can taste it and two people have already told me that they have heard and seen you be sick! How much more evidence do I need?!�

�I�m sorry,� Jack whispered.

�Did you think I wouldn�t notice?! Did you think that I wouldn�t notice how slim you have become or that you have to hold your jeans up?! Why, Jack?! Why do you do it?!�

�I don�t want to, but I have to! I tried to eat but it made me sick! The first time wasn�t me, honestly. It just happened and I felt so much better! Now, I have to do it or I am in so much pain. It hurts! It really hurts! I don�t want to do it, but I have to stop the pain!�

Jack sank to the floor. �I tried to eat! I really did!�

�I�m going to help you. It�s not going to be easy to get over, eating disorders never are��

�I don�t have an eating disorder!�

�Jack, you do. I don�t know exactly what it is - maybe Bulimia or something like it.�

�There�s nothing wrong with me! I�m okay!�

�Jack! Listen to me! You are making yourself sick! You have an eating disorder and I want to help you. You can�t say that you�re okay! You can either help me help you or I will have to do it the hard way. Either way I will help you.�

Jack was crying. Mitch took him in his arms.

�What�s wrong with me? I�m going crazy! Don�t put me in the hospital! Please!� Jack was hysterical.

�Jack, calm down. You are not going anywhere! You�re not crazy, you�re sick!�

�I know what that means. Sick is just a nice word for crazy! I know that! I�ve used it! I�m going crazy. It�s my turn in the family!�

�Jack, listen to me. Even if you were crazy, which you are not, I wouldn�t let anyone take you anywhere. They would have to kill me first.�

�Me too,� Jen said.

�And me,� Mrs. McPhee and Andie said in unison. Both Mitch and Jack looked up, surprised to see and hear unexpected people.

�How long have you all been there?� Mitch asked.

�Long enough to know what�s going on,� Grams answered.

�We heard shouting,� Joey added.

Mitch�s arms were still wrapped tightly around Jack.

Mrs. McPhee walked over and crouched down next to him. �Jack, you are not crazy, I promise. You�re going to be fine. You just have to let us know what�s going on. We can�t help you otherwise. You�re not crazy,� she whispered.

Tears fell from Jack�s eyes as exhaustion once again took over his whole curled up body.

***

Jack woke up the next morning with everyone around him. There was already a tray of food on the table next to him.

�Oh no,� he groaned as he looked at the food.

�Jack, you have to,� Jen said walking over. �You just have to pick one thing off the tray and eat all of it.�

�And keep it inside you,� Mitch added.

�I can�t. It hurts,� Jack sighed. �It hurts and I have to be sick to stop the pain.�

�We�ll be here, we can help you,� Jen smiled warmly.

�You can�t take the pain away. How are you going to help?�

�By helping you resist being sick,� Mitch explained.

�Okay. I�ll eat, but not with everyone in here. It makes me nervous having people watching.�

�Okay, we�ll go as long as you eat,� Joey replied.

�But not all of us. Mitch and I are staying,� Jen added.

Jack looked at everyone around the room. �Okay.�

Quickly the room emptied leaving Jen, Jack and Mitch.

�Right, what are you going to eat?� Mitch lifted the tray and moved it towards Jack.

Jack looked at it. He slowly reached up and removed a sandwich. Jack just looked at it.

�You have to actually eat it,� Mitch half laughed.

Jack glared at him before taking the smallest of bites.

***

�I don�t think I�ve ever seen anyone make a sandwich last so long,� Jen joked as Jack took his last bite.

�How are you feeling?� Mitch asked.

Jack didn�t respond. He didn�t move or make any sign of recognition.

�Jack, don�t be like that. You had to eat and we had to make sure you did. Don�t throw a strop over it,� Mitch said.

Jack stayed the same.

�Jack, are you okay? Are you feeling okay?� Jen sat on the bed next to Jack.

The pace of his breathing began to increase.

�Jack?�

He put his head in his hands.

�Jack, what�s wrong?�

�Ow!� Jack yelled out in pain.

Jen wrapped her arms around him, pulling him in close. He was shaking, breathing heavily and holding his stomach tightly.

He yelled out again.

�Jack, what is it?� Jen asked.

He tried to control his breathing. �It hurts!� he panted. His temperature was rising. �I have to go to the bathroom!�

He tried to pull away from Jen but she wouldn�t let him go.

�No! Jack, you aren�t going anywhere!� Mitch answered.

�It will go. Just give it time. Let it pass,� Jen said mildly.

�You don�t understand! You don�t know how much it hurts!�

�I know. Just give it a chance, Jack.�

�I can�t!�

�You have to. There�s nothing else you can do.�

�There is!� Jack begged.

�No! You are not making yourself sick again! I won�t let you!� Mitch yelled.

Jack curled up tighter within Jen�s arms. The room went quiet. All that could be heard were Jack�s whimpers.

�Jack, I�m sorry for shouting,� Mitch said sitting down on the other side of Jack. �We just want to help you,� Mitch apologised.

Jack didn�t pay any attention, he was still in obvious pain. He was oblivious to what was going on around him; all he could concentrate on was his pain. It took over the whole of his body and mind.

�Mitch, he shouldn�t be in this much pain, not just from eating.� Jen looked up from Jack. �There�s something very wrong.� She paused. �He hasn�t been making himself sick because he doesn�t want to eat, it really is because of the pain.�

�I know, but I don�t know what to do.�

The room fell quiet again.

�We�re going to have to take him to the doctors,� Jen sighed.

�He�s not going to like that,� Mitch sighed back.

�Tough,� Jen answered. �We have to do something. What other choice do we have?�

***

�What�s going on?� Mrs. McPhee asked as she walked in to the bedroom. Jack was curled up on the floor in the corner. His face was covered with panic.

�I�m not going,� he whispered.

Both Jen and Mitch were crouched in front of him.

�Go where?� She asked.

�He has to go to the doctors,� Jen answered.

�Why?�

�He was in so much pain after eating. It wasn�t right,� Mitch answered still facing Jack.

�I�m not going!� Jack curled up tighter, pushing himself further in to the corner.

�You promised that I wouldn�t have to go anywhere!�

�I know, but things have changed,� Mitch tried to explain.

�You want to get rid of me! You think I�m crazy and you�re trying to get rid of me! I�m not crazy. It really does hurt, it really does.� Jack�s shouts withered away to a whisper.

Any mention of doctors made Jack react badly. How could you trust people who screwed up your family so bad? They were supposed to be there to help. They hadn�t in the past, so how could they now? Jack saw doctors as people who separated his family in his time of need. They stole his mother away, promising that she would make a full recovery in no time. How could he be expected to trust people who had lied to him over and over again?

�Darling, nobody thinks that you�re crazy. We want to help. We want to get rid of the pain, not you. The only way we can do that is to take you to the doctors.� Mrs. McPhee moved closer to Jack. �We need to get you dressed so we can go.�

She put out her hand for her son to take - he just looked at her hesitantly. She understood what he was feeling, how he felt about doctors. All the times that he visited her she may have been too overly medicated to talk to him, but she still heard every word of what he told her.

�Come on, Jack. We�ll come with you. I won�t leave you. We won�t to get you better. We won�t leave you anywhere. We know you�re not crazy, Jack. We know.�

She held eye contact with him until he slowly lifted his hand to hers, helping to pull himself off the floor.

�You promise you won�t leave me?�

�I promise.� Mrs. McPhee hugged him. �I promise. Now, come on. We need to get you dressed.� Mrs. McPhee manoeuvred him across the room, leaving Jen and Mitch still crouching in silence.

***

Jack lay on the examining table with the doctor standing over him. His shirt was lifted and the doctor was applying pressure to various points of his chest and stomach.

�Does this hurt?� the doctor asked.

�No,� Jack answered.

�Here?�

�No.�

The doctor moved his hands lower on to Jack�s stomach.

�Ow!� Jack hissed.

�What about here?� the doctor asked once again moving his hands.

�Yes! Ow!�

�Okay,� The doctor said pulling Jack�s shirt back down.

He walked back to sit behind his desk. Jack got up and sat in the chair between his mum and Jen.

�And you say that you are in pain when ever you eat?� the doctor asked, tapping his pen on the desk.

�Yeah, that�s right,� Jack answered quietly.

�I�m guessing from the looks of you that you�ve recently been in a fight?�

�It wasn�t really a fight,� Mitch corrected.

�Yeah, just over a week ago.� Jack ignored what Mitch had said. It was easier this way.

�Right.� The doctor started writing something down.

�So, what�s wrong?� Mitch asked.

The doctor looked up. �I think the fight, or what ever it was, has caused some bruising to the area around the stomach. When food is consumed the stomach expands which would push against the bruised tissue, causing discomfort,� the doctor explained. �I am going to right a prescription for some anti-inflammatory drugs and some pain killers. If you take these regularly the pain will be decreased and totally gone with in a day or two.�

The doctor stood up and handed Jack the prescription.

�Thank you.�

�Oh, Mr. McPhee. I suggest you get some rest, you look exhausted,� the doctor smiled warmly as he opened the door indicating for them to leave.

***

�Here you go.�

Mrs. McPhee handed Jack a glass of water to wash down his pills. They were seated on the swing seat in the garden, everyone else was inside.

�Jack?�

He looked up at her as he placed the glass on the ground. �Yeah?�

�Are you okay, Jack?� It�s just that you�ve been very quiet the last few days. Is there something bothering you?� Her voice was full of concern.

�No, Mum. I�m fine,� Jack answered.

Mrs. McPhee looked at him knowingly.

�It�s�It�s just I�ve been thinking�I�m�I�m scared,� he finally confessed.

�Scared of what?� she moved closer to him, showing comfort.

�Dawson, school,�Mitch.� Jack hung his head.

�Why?�

�It�s just�We start school again in a few day and�Well look at me�It�s not as if no one will notice. I�m covered in cuts and bruises, I have bandages on my wrists and we aren�t going to be hanging around with Dawson. Unless people are really stupid they will put two and two together. If that happens they are bound to find out about me and Mitch.�

�Is that a problem?� Mrs. McPhee asked.

�Yeah�Well, no�I don�t know. If people find out, Mitch will probably lose his job or get in to a lot of trouble. If he does lose his job, it will be my fault.�

�Jack, you wouldn�t be to blame. Mitch knew the consequences when he got in to this relationship.�

�I don�t want to be connected with consequences. I don�t want him in the future to look back on me and only remember what he had to give up.�

�I don�t think there is any danger of that now.�

�How do I know that he won�t look back on this and only remember having to give up Dawson and his job? I just want a relationship that is consequence free and easy.�

Jack rested his head on his mum�s shoulder.

�I�m sorry to disappoint you, but there�s no such thing as a consequence free relationship. Every relationship is hard and every single one has consequences. You�re lucky. You have found a man that loves you. He would do anything for you. And if it doesn�t work out between you I can almost guarantee that he won�t remember the bad. He will remember the special things. He will remember your first date, first kiss. He will remember your gorgeous smile and the way you make him fell. No one who has ever met you could ever look back on you and remember only bad things. You are greatly loved by everyone who knows you. Your love is infectious. No one can resist loving you; you�re so special. You mean the world to everyone. Mitch would never look back and think that, never.� She smiled.

�And you have nothing to worry about at school. All your friends and your sister will be there for you and I think Jen is determined to keep him away from all of you. And if anyone asks you what happened, you can tell them what ever you like, whether it�s the truth or not.�

Mrs. McPhee put her arm around her only son. �Jack, you�re going to be fine, you have nothing to be scared of. You�ll be fine. I promise.�

There was a short silence.

�Thanks, mum. I�m really glad that I can still talk to you�

�I�m glad you still feel you can talk to me too. I am always willing to listen.� She smiled. �But if you still feel this way, I suggest you talk to Mitch.�

�Yeah, maybe.� Jack forced a smile.

�I�m glad that nothing�s changed. You know? Between us,� Jack confessed.

�I love you too much to let that happen, it never will. Just because you�re gay, it doesn�t mean that you�re no longer my son or that I would no longer do or give anything to make sure your safe, well and happy. I do and always will love you, no matter what.�

�I love you too.�

***

�Mitch, could I talk to you please?� Mrs. McPhee asked as she entered the living room.

�Yeah, sure,� he answered.

Grams stood up and walked to the door. �I�ll leave you two alone�

�Thank you, Evelyn.� Mrs. McPhee sat down.

�What is it that you want to talk about?�

�It�s Jack.�

�Why? Has something happened?� Mitch began to look worried.

�No. Well, not really. It�s�It�s just that I�ve been talking to him and he�s scared. More scared than I have possibly ever seen him.�

�Why?� Mitch began to get worried again.

�He�s worried about school. He is afraid that everyone will find out, which could provoke Dawson, get you fired, or both. He�s worried that you will either blame or hate him for causing your job loss and the Dawson thing is pretty self-explanatory.�

�He�s got nothing to worry about where Dawson is concerned. I�ll make sure of it,� He paused. �When I started seeing Jack I knew that the chances were that I would have to find a new job. That�s not his fault, it�s my choice. It�s not a problem, it�s life.�

�You don�t know how glad I am to hear you say that� Mrs. McPhee smiled. �I would like to apologise for the way my husband treated you. He was out of order. I would also like you to know that as long as Jack is happy I will support the both of you. His and Andie�s happiness and well-being is all I care about. And it�s very clear that you make him happy.�

�Thank you.�

�I think you should talk to him, spend some time together. Maybe take him out tonight. Somewhere quiet.�

�Yeah, maybe I will.�

***

Mitch walked in to the bedroom with a wide grin across his face. Jack and Jen were sitting together on the bed.

Jack looked up and saw the smile. �What�s going on?� he asked.

�Are you ready?� Mitch replied.

�For what?� Jack smiled.

�A surprise.� Mitch�s smile widened.

�Well, how am I supposed to know if I am ready if I don�t know what I am getting ready for?�

�Well, I was thinking and I don�t think the cinema classed as a first date because everyone was there. So, I thought I should arrange a proper one. So, that�s what you are getting ready for.�

�He�s ready� Jen smiled. She turned to Jack. �Mitch and I have been organising this all afternoon so you have to have a good time.�

She stood up and pulled him from the bed. �Have you had your pills?�

�Yes, you practically forced them down my throat.� He paused. �Hang on, this is all making sense now. This is why you have been glamming me up like your own personal Barbie doll for the last hour. I was getting very worried about you, Jen,� Jack smiled.

�Exactly. Now go.� She said picking up his sweater and handing it to him. �Have fun.� She pushed him towards Mitch. �Don�t do anything I wouldn�t do.� She winked towards Jack.

�Doesn�t leave much out of bounds then,� Jack laughed as they both left the room leaving Jen standing alone smiling.

***

Jack sat on the blanket that Mitch had laid down on the grass. Mitch was still pulling things out of the boot of his car. Jack looked around. They were in a field, there were no houses for miles. The creek flowed through the middle. They were alone with only the stars watching. The only light was that coming from the headlights that lit up the area where Jack was seated.

Mitch sat down next to Jack after placing a portable radio and a picnic basket on to the blanket.

�Jen did a good job, you look great,� Mitch smiled.

�Thanks, so do you,� Jack said blushing slightly. �Do you ever lose that smile?�

�Not when I�m around you.�

Mitch moved closer to Jack and raised a hand to stroke Jack�s soft skin of his face before leaning in to kiss him. Jack wrapped his arms around Mitch as the kiss deepened. Their tongues moved inside each other�s mouths the same way their hands did on the other�s back.

Jack lowered himself to a lying position on the blanket with Mitch half on top of him. They broke away panting for air. Jack�s eyes were still closed, but he knew that Mitch was still smiling.

�I love you, Jack.�

�I love you too.�

Mitch lowered his lips to Jack�s neck.

Jack gasped in shock at the sudden contact. Jack knew that if Mitch�s lips carried on being so good to his body he would lose all control of himself. He let out a soft but surprised groan of pleasure. Mitch carried on working on Jack�s neck as Jack�s hands worked on his back.

He could hear Jack�s breaths becoming heavier. They were full of want, need and pleasure. It felt good to finally touch Jack. No one was watching them now, he could touch Jack as much as he wanted or needed to. Mitch wondered if this was what Mrs. McPhee had had in mind when she suggested he took her son out. The thought made Mitch smile even more.

�I can feel that,� Jack laughed as Mitch�s smiling lips tickled his neck and throat. Mitch pulled away out of breath. �I don�t deserve you,� Jack suddenly said seriously.

That was Mitch�s cue.

�I think we need to talk.�

Mitch sat up.

�About what?� Jack asked confused.

�About how you are feeling?�

On Jack�s look Mitch carried on. �How do you feel about people finding out about us?�

�I�I don�t mind. Well, I mean I am worried but I don�t want to hide it because then it would look like I am embarrassed or ashamed about us, which I�m not. I�I�Well, I just don�t want to be responsible for you losing your job.� Jack paused. �I just want you to really consider everything you are going to have to give up or lose because of me and work out whether it is really worth it, whether I am really worth it. Because the last thing I want is for you to wake up one morning and regret your choices because regret is like a conscience, it kicks in too late. I don�t want you to hate or resent me because I was the cause of you giving everything up.�

�Jack, I could never hate you and I would never resent you.�

�It�s easy for you to say that now, but what about after you lose your job or your relationship with Dawson deteriorates even more? I already feel guilty enough. I have always envied your and Dawson�s relationship and now it is me who has got in the way.�

�Jack, it was his choice to wreck our relationship not yours. You have to stop taking all the blame. If I lose my job it isn�t a big deal, I can get a new one. And it wouldn�t be your fault. If I was really worried about things like that I wouldn�t have gone out with you, would I?�

�I�I don�t know.�

�Jack, I know you�re scared. But I promise that that will never happen. You are worth having to find a new job. You are worth everything. You make me happy. I love you. I could never hate you. You mean the world to me. I have considered what I could lose, but it always comes down to the same thing: It doesn�t matter what I lose because I will always have you. No mater what I give up, I will always have the most important thing: You. That�s all I care about. You are all I care about.� Mitch sighed. �I would never hurt you. You must trust me.�

�But how can I be sure?� Jack whispered.

�Trust me.� Mitch leant in and kissed Jack.

The kiss said everything Mitch had wanted it to. It was gentle, soft, caring and understanding. He eventually pulled away.

�Well?�

�I�I trust you,� Jack nodded. �I�m sorry. It�s just everything that has happened in my life has made me so scared, and so nervous of everything and everyone. But I do trust you. I know that you wouldn�t hurt me and that you love me, but everything still scares me.� Jack�s voice was quiet.

�Do I scare you?�

�No�Yes�Kind of. It�s not that you scare me, It�s my feelings for you that scare me. They�re new to me. I�ve never experienced them before. It scares me to be this in love with some one in such a short space of time. It scares me to have that person love me back, even though they know the real me. It scares me to be this honest with someone. I have never felt this way about anyone.�

Jack half laughed, �If anyone had told me a month ago that I would be feeling like this now I would have called them a liar, and the last person I expected to be feeling this way about is you. The whole thing is so twisted; it�s the type of thing that would be in a movie that no one would believe possible. But I wouldn�t change it because I love you. If someone offered me a chance to go back a few weeks to the locker room or when I asked you in for a drink I wouldn�t change a thing, not a single thing. With out you I doubt I could have got through the last week or so. You have been so supportive, that also scares me because I don�t think I could have been if our roles had been reversed.�

�Of course you could have. You are the strongest out of the two of us. You�ve managed to survive the past - resent and distant. I don�t think I could have done that at seventeen. You don�t have to be scared anymore. I am here to share your fears, to make them manageable. I am here to protect you when you don�t feel strong, to help you when you are going through a rough patch. That�s why I am here, to love you no matter what and that�s exactly what I am going to do.�

Mitch put his arm tightly around Jack. �So, I don�t want you to apologise for your feelings. They�re not wrong, they�re perfectly natural. Just keep sharing them with me, okay?�

�Okay,� Jack whispered.

�Now, where were we?� Jack knew that as Mitch�s lips touched his that Mitch�s smile was back, spread widely across his face.

***

Jack climbed in to bed. Mitch sat himself next to him.

�I had a really great time tonight,� Jack smiled.

�Good. So, do you think a second date is on the cards?� Mitch smiled back.

�Maybe, I just have to get rid of all the other boys first. They�re very clingy, you know?� Jack looked up at Mitch. �Give me a call some time.�

�Yeah, Maybe.� Mitch played along. �So, do you think it would be possible to get a good night kiss?�

�What kind of boy do you think I am?� Jack laughed.

�Do you really want me to answer that?�

�Okay, maybe I could make an exception for you, but don�t tell Pacey, he�ll only get jealous. You know what he�s like.�

Jack couldn�t keep a straight face.

�I knew there was something going on between you two! Anyway, was that a yes to the good night kiss?�

�Yes, as long as Jen doesn�t see. She�s very protective over me,� Jack smiled as he leant in to kiss Mitch.

Jack�s mouth was warm and inviting. Mitch accepted. His hand raised to Jack�s face. The feel of Jack�s soft skin was intoxicating to him. Whenever his lips touched Jack�s he wanted more. He wanted so much more. He knew he would have to wait - he was willing to do so.

Mitch had to fight for bodily control as Jack�s tongue massaged the inside of his mouth. Jack�s hands roamed Mitch�s back, pulling him closer. That�s when he felt it, Mitch�s hardness pushing against his jeans. One of Jack�s hands moved from Mitch�s back to his heated groin.

The kiss deepened - it became more desperate. Jack�s hand stroked Mitch through the denim. Mitch�s panting mouth moved from Jack�s mouth to his neck where it carried on working the same magic on Jack�s neck as his hands were on him.

The sound of his name escaping from Jack�s lips nearly sent him over the edge; he wasn�t sure how much longer he could go on for. Mitch�s hand lowered to discover that Jack was just as hard as he was. Mitch�s hand and mouth attacked Jack�s body in a rhythmical unison. Jack�s stroking of Mitch became more pressured as a result.

Jack was shaking; every single one of Mitch�s touches was amplified inside of him. He had never experienced anything like this before. Sure, he had been kissed and touched by both Kate and Joey but it had never felt like this. When they touched him it hadn�t set off a spark from deep inside of him. It hadn�t awoken every single one of his senses like this was. He had never got hard from kissing and touching fully clothed before. Mitch was doing all these things to him. And if he didn�t stop soon the minor shred of control he had left would be lost.

Mitch�s mouth had moved to Jack�s throat and chest, his hand still stroking.

Jack stopped stroking. He lowered his face in to Mitch�s hair and raised his hands to either side of Mitch�s face. He stayed that way for a minute or two panting until Mitch stopped touching him.

�We can�t do this - not here,� Jack panted.

�I know, I know.�

Mitch�s face was in the curve of Jack�s throat. Jack kissed Mitch�s soft brown hair.

�Anyone could come in. Mom, Andie, Grams.�

�I know, I just sometimes find it really hard not being able to touch you or kiss you.�

�I know, I feel the same. But we can�t do it here, not with everyone around,� Jack sighed.

�Right, tomorrow, after your mom has gone, we are going out. We are going to take a boat up the creek and find somewhere quiet where we can be together,� Mitch smiled.

�So, that�s the kind of boy you think I am?� Jack laughed.

�You better believe it! If that�s what you do after one date I can�t wait until tomorrow,� Mitch laughed back.

�Until tomorrow then?�

�Yeah. You better get some sleep and save your energy.�

Mitch gave him one last kiss, which was almost a promise of what was to come.

�Good night.�

�Night, Jack.�

The lights went out as Mitch left Jack alone, still partially hard.