Chapter

Kevin leaned against the side of the elevator. Luke stayed beside his charge and tried to shield him from the few prying eyes that were looking into the elevator. Kevin looked up just in time to see a very flustered Kaylee walk into the lobby and head toward the elevators. Kevin wanted to stop the doors from closing, but Luke wouldn't let him. He knew he had to get Kevin up to his room. So, Kevin had to be content with a wave goodbye to Kaylee. He was hoping she could see the gratitude in his eyes as the door closed in front of him.

Kaylee watched Kevin's eyes until she could no longer see him behind the closed door. In that split second that their eyes met, Kaylee could feel her heart leap into her throat. He looked so sad and lonely. But, what could she do for him? Hell, she didn't even know his last name! All she knew was that she had never, in her life, met a man with such a completely captivating outward appearance. "Oh my God, he is absolutely beautiful! I wonder who or what could have hurt him so badly.....", her voice trailed off as she pushed the call button for the elevator.

In the meantime, the elevator came to a stop on the 14th floor. To Kevin, it felt like a very abrupt stop. "Whoa," he exclaimed , as he tried to grab the wall. He ended up falling into Luke with a slight chuckle. It had been a while now since his last drink, but he still could not completely settle down. His mind was racing with thoughts of a lost love and what could be so terribly wrong with him that he couldn't find someone to love him back.

As Kevin and Luke made their way to Kevin's room, Kevin could feel the tears start to build again. Kevin had always been a very emotional man, it was not unlike him to cry at the slightest provocation. Tonight was no different. He was feeling very emotionally vulnerable and seriously wondered where his personal life was going to now. When the two men finally reached Kevin's room, Luke reached into Kevin's pocket to get the key card to open his door. Kevin looked at Luke, with a small smile, tears in his eyes, and said, "don't be gettin' fresh with me buddy!" Luke just rolled his eyes and replied, "in your dreams, boss", hoping this might keep Kevin from falling apart again. Luke opened the door to Kevin's room, and he made his way inside. He turned and saw Kevin lingering at the threshold. "Get in here Kevin," Luke commanded, "just get in here!" Kevin dropped his head and walked in the room.
Luke felt a tug at his heart, as he realized how truly devasted Kevin was, and decided that maybe a little patience tonight would go a long way.

"Kevin...", Luke spoke quietly, "......c'mon, lets get you outta those clothes and into bed. You had a pretty rough day."

"Yeah...yeah...you could say I had a rough day....", Kevin muttered. "Proposin' marriage...gittin' laughed at...playin' spin the fuckin' bottle with NO ONE....singin' a goddamn song outside, at the top of my lungs...then endin' up on my ass cryin' like a damn baby with a strange woman lookin' to save my soul....yeah...it was a little rough!"

Kevin tried to get out of his coat, but was so overcome by his emotions, he became frustrated, and ended up caught in the sleeves. Luke reached around and took the coat off, tossing it on the couch. All at once, it seemed as if Kevin snapped back to reality.

"Luke, its ok, really. I can do this...", Kevin said, as he pulled his turtleneck off while sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Ok, boss...if ya don't need anything from me, I'll get outta here and leave you alone", replied Luke.

"Yep...alone...that's what I'll be, isn't it, Luke?"

"Kevin....get some sleep, ok? You can try to think this through in the morning, but for now...rest!" Luke reached out and patted Kevin on the shoulder and then turned to walk away.

"Luke! Wait! Thanks man...I don't know what I'd do...or where I'd be without you. You put up with a lot of shit from me. I know I don't make things easy for you...but, I'm a good person, Luke. Dammit! I am! And, you're one helluva man to put up with me!", Kevin said in a strained voice, as he fell backward on the bed.

He had taken his shoes off...and was now struggling to get his pants off.

"Damn...leather's rough to get in and out of when you're sober...harder when you're drunk and laying down.....help me........please....", Kevin begged.

Luke just shook his head, and walked back over toward Kevin. He reached for the bottom of Kevin's pants and helped to pull them off. He then reached behind him to pull the covers down. He grabbed under Kevin's arms, and pulled him up to the pillows. "Good night, Kevin...things will be a little clearer in the morning."

".......g'night Luke.....thanks.....a...gain...", Kevin said as his voice trailed off. He was physically and emotionally exhausted.

Luke started to walk away, then he looked back at the broken hearted young man he'd grown to love like a brother. He walked back and pulled the covers up over his bare chest...shook his head and wondered how Kevin was going to get through this one. "Damn that blonde bitch! I'd wring her neck right now if I could", he said to himself as he shut off the light...walked out the door and headed down the hall to his own room.