omk_hos

Hearts of Stone

    The ride had been long and the weather was hot. They were all glad to get out of the limo, but the paparazzi was the real torture. Walker took the lead, Diana clutching to him nervously for she'd never been through anything like that. Usually she left Walker to do it. Have him chaperone the three boys, but he still managed to stay out of the way of the cameras - letting their children shine in yet another moment of glory. This time she was not only accompaning them, she was expected to keep her poise while being shouted at to pose for pictures. She felt quite out of place. She was no celebrity. But as Taylor had convinced her to go in the first place with his intensifying words, she let them ring out in her memory and felt proud. 'You're more than a celebrity Mom, you created not one, but three people the world holds up. And since we hold you above us, because you were the force, that spark, in this explosion of our fame, you are our celebrity.' Holding tight to Walkers arm she walked that red carpet. Walked it pridefully and rightly so. Her smile was one of the most genuine that night, and she wasn't grinning for recieving any trinket or token of reward. No, her reward was far greater for what she had accomplished far outshone any given star that tred the red threads. She had given life more than thrice, and in return she recieved insurmountable measures of love. She was the real winner that night.

     Behind them Taylor grinned and bore the giggles. Many journalists remembered when he had taken Zoe to the benifit dinner for the childrens hospital as his 'date.' Now they were asking him if he was making a habit out of it for Jess was on his arm. His clever comment brought the house down when he told them that, 'his usual escort for these functions had a tummy ache so her older sister stepped in to take her place. He would have to remember not to bribe his dates to go out with him with icecream anymore.' Even Ike laughed at that one as he traipsed along behind Zac and Moirah with the lovely El on his own arm.

     Soon enough they were all asked to pose together. Nothing unusual for the boys, but this time was a real joy for their loved ones were to be included. Of course, as it would happen, someone noticed the ring on Moirah's hand, laced with Zac's as he stood behind her. All of the group looked to one another knowingly and Zac grinned so wide he thought his face would crack in half he was so happy and proud. He did something unexpected for the second time that night. He took Moirah's hands tenderly within his own, lovingly kissing them as he looked into her eyes.
     "As a matter of fact, it is an engagement ring. I've been blessed by this woman agreeing to be my wife." A hush followed the audible gasp through the crowd like a wave. Moirah could not look away from him, she was so lost in the reality of just the two of them in their own little universe that everything else melted away. Her soft tears of joy escaped and he held her hands to his heart as his other hand reached to her face, thumb brushing away the salty drops. He caressed her face, bending to place the sweetest of tokens of his passion upon her plump winestained lips. An explosion of blinding lights and swirling noise surrounded them, but it never flitered through to them, for they only had eyes for each other. Ignoring the blitz of media he led her away without a single word passing his lips again as they were surrounded in the protective huddle of family and entered the building.

     If they had won or not was not important to them. It was their preformance and the chance to share their music that mattered to them. A full symphony backed them as Taylor sat at the grand piano, center stage. Isaac, with his accoustic guitar, was seated on a stool in front of the piano. His jacket off and sleeves rolled up for comfort. Zac, last to enter the stage, tugged off his coat as he approached his kit, tossing it to some blonde stage jewlery. She grinned wildly, he paid no attention. Straddling his throne he pushed his sleeves the rest of the way up past his biceps and sat gracefully. Taking up his sticks he eyed the assembly and then the crowd. With a nod to Isaac, he counted off the song. As the soft strings swept through the theater, it sounded like wind and the soft chords manipulated from Isaacs fingers sounded like the pattering of rain until the shuddering Boom of Zac's bass broke free and the song was swept up in symphonic majesty of powerful movements for a full two minutes. Then as it died away to the drip, drip, drip of Taylor tinkling upon the keys and the distant hushed zing of Zac's soft cymbos, the last breath of Isaac's fingers over the strings sounded the cease of the storm.

     A silent moment filled the air and then was burst with the approved roar of a shocked audience. That was certainly something most had never expected from the Mmmbop boys! The three Hanson men stood center stage and took their traditional bow. They clapped in acknowledgement of the other musicians, and producers and director of the film that stood in the sudience. Then, jumping from the stage, Taylor raced to the seats holding his family. He pulled his red faced mother up out of her seat, kissed her cheek and showed her off to the crowd. It was well understood that she had been their inspiration behind that particular piece of music, and many also knew it was his thank you for everything else as well, that she had been there for him, as well as the rest of his family. She really was a special woman. Now the world knew it too.

     The rest of the show seemed tame after that. Luckily the Hanson brood escaped the bulk of the press amongst the chaos following the aftermath of the show. They headed out to enjoy a few of the parties to celebrate the evening. First on the list, dinner and a toast to the happy new couple. All were laden with genuine smiles as the evening pressed on.

     So he did it. He told the world about his love. He'd waited so long - life times it seemed. The rumors and speculations wouldn't simmer down any time soon. Of that he was sure. But he was happy now that he'd been given the chance to claim to the world that this woman was his, and only his. Dinner was fabulous of course, but compared to the taste of her lips, the food was bland. What made the meal enjoyable were her spectacular eyes. So full of love for him. The lilting wash of her laugh. Pulling life form the universe to hill his heart. The dazzling smile she shared. It pressed his lungs to ache with the amount of love he held for her. The warmpth of her whisper light touch that she fed to him throughout the evening. Letting him know that she was still there beside him. A promise that she always would be. Certainly his bliss was increased tenfold each time he was allowed to introduce her to aquaintences as the future Mrs. Hanson. So many crongratulations were awarded them, each one she accepted with grace on both their behalfs for he was often lost in his thoughts as he just stared at her. He was so wrapped up in her he thought the rest of the world was a million miles away. He was sure of it though each time he was able to steal a kiss. He'd never been happier.

     The wee hours of the morning had come and gone by the time they had all returned to the hotel. All of them snuggled in bed, though he would have been more comfortable with her in his arms, he still slept soundly. It was a rare and lazy day when they woke. It wasn't often they had so much time off all at once, but it was a special treat for a special time. They were all more than willing to make the most of it.

     When Zac rolled out of bed he still had a smile slapped on his face. Taylor was still in his boxers reading the morning paper as he sipped his coffee, the bright afternoon light haloing his golden blonde head. Ike was nowhere to be seen, but that didn't seem out of place.
     "Morn'n old man!" Tay teased when Zac groaned as he stretched on his way to the bathroom. Zac gave him the finger over his shoulder without even looking back. Tay only chuckled and picked at his half eaten muffin. A few minutes later a squeeky clean and very wet Zac emerged form the bathroom, dripping all over as he usually did with nothing more than a towel about him.
     "You're getting the floor wet." Tay remarked as his younger brother walked by. Zac shrugged and took Tay's cup from his hand, swallowing most of it's contents before handing it back and continuing on his way. Tay looked into his cup and frowned then got up forom the table and headed for the coffee pot for a refill.
     "Got plans? Ike and El went on a picnic supposedly. You and I both know he's out to get a little." Tay commented. Zac dropped his towel and pulled on clean underware as he replied.
     "Is that where he is? Lucky him. Actually, I asked Moirah what she wanted to do today and she said she hadn't cared, as long as we were together." He announced as he rummaged for his jeans. He picked up a ashirt and sniffed it, shrugged and pulled it on.
     "So I'm just gonna go see if sh'e awake. What are you gonna do today?" He zipped up his jeans he'd found as he turned to eye his brother. Tay was leaning against the wall, stareing out the window.
     "I dunno I just feel like being lazy for a change." He toned between sips of coffee. Zac nodded, sitting to dress his feet. He looked around for his other sneaker, finding it on top of Ike's unmade bed. He grinned and snatched it up, putting it on.
     "Well, you'd better at least get some pants on man. Zoe's gonna barge in and you remember what heppened the last time." Zac grinned remembering when Zoe had announced to a bunch of hotel hall crawler teenies that Tay was wearing pink underware. Really they had been maroon once, only faded form many a washing. Tay grinned back and chuckled.
     "Maybe I should." He agreed, looking down at his boxers wiht the big red lips across the ass. He set his coffee on the table as he crossed the room on his way to his suitcase. Zac dug through his belongings for a brush and then stood before the mirror brushing out the kinks left behind from the braid he'd not taken out until he'd stepped into the shower. Taylor was just hoisting up a pair of baggy jeans when the door burst open.
     "Wake up sleepy heads! Mama say's you slept long enough!" A cheerful voice chirped. Zac looked over at his older brother and they both cracked up. Somethimes it was the little things that were the best in life.

     Zac pulled his hair into a tail and shoved his wallet into his pocket on his way out the door. Tay was already being felled by a barrage of questions from a certain cutie in his lap as he tried in vain to finnish his coffee and the paper. Zac chuckled as he shut the door. He walked down the hall with a spring in his step, meeting his mother on her way back from who knows where.
     "Good! You're up!" She smiled cheerfully. He just grinned and kissed her forehead.
     "Yup." Was his reply and he went on his way. He could hear his mother's soft laughter behind him and he had to grin. It was the start of a beautiful day for him. It was bound to only get better. He thought as he knocked lightly on Moirah's door.
     "Honey? It's me... are you up yet?" He called gently. He heard a noise on the other side of the door and waited patiently for her to open it. A moment later he was about to knock again when the noise stopped but the door didn't open. Just then it did open, and his grin slipped from his face, the air rushing from his lungs. All of a sudden he felt weak, his body had transformed into that of a jellyfish. There before him stood the most incredible woman. Her tousled hair a sexy array tossed over one shoulder. Lean smooth legs and shapely hips that made him ache inside. Full rounded breasts that heaved with a delicate yawn making him shake.
     "That has to be the tinyest nightie I've ever seen." He breathed out with what felt like his last breath. She laughed softly, her gentle smile illuminated as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
     "Get in here you big dork." She laughed, tugging him into the room by his hand. She shut and locked the door behind them. He just stood in the center of the room, slack jawed and eyes glazed. She leaned against the door, hands behind her as she looked at the floor. When he didn't stop staring she laughed a little nervously.
     "Zac stop. You're embarresing me!" She whined a bit. That was enough to bring him out from under the spell that had captured him. His grin bloomed fully and he reached for her. Easily he slipped his hand around her waist and brought her to him unresisting as her hands slid up his chest. He grinned down at her devilishly, making her chuckle softly. His rough fingers slid over her arm and leapt to her cheek, smoothing up into her hair as he slowly, deliberately bent to her. The kiss they'd shared was one so filled with all his emotions, all the good and the bad. It made him want to just devour her.
     "Mmm..." She sighed contentedly when he granted her breath again. Her lids were heavy as she looked up into his face with adoration. It made him happy, gleeful to bursting almost. He pulled her tight against himself, just wanting to stay like that forever. His good mood leeched out in his second nature. Music. He hummed, eyes closed, his head laying against the top of her head as they swayed together, just enjoying that simple moment. They were so few and far between, it was well worth it to savor it. He at last took a deep breath, pulling himself up to his full height. She looked up to him, her smile so loving it warmed his soul.

     "You know what I'd love to do?" He hushed, eyes soft as they roamed her face. She smiled back up to him, her mischief hiding behind her emerald eyes.
     "I know, but your sisters are right on the other side of that door." She teased. He laughed heartily and sat heavily on the bed, bringing her down to sit in his lap.
     "Now that I really would love to do, but you're right, too many chances of getting caught. But what I was going to say..." He grinned at her and winked. She just laughed as she slung her arms about his neck. He wrapped his hands around her waist and continued. "How about just spending the day with the kids? Maybe the zoo or something?" He suggested. Her face lit up, eyes glittering with possibilities.
     "Oh Zac! Could we!?" She exclaimed. He grinned, knowing that she would love to spend some time with his family. So often she asked how they all were, always lamenting how much she missed them all. He recieved a few quick kisses before she started babbling on about all the things they could do and where they could go for the day. He was just enjoying watching her as she jumped up from his lap and began to buzz about the room excitedly. He coldn't help the chuckle as he watched her try to grab things from her suitcase and struggle out of her nightclothes. He took pity on her and got up to help her, stilling her hopping by gently taking her shoulders. He smiled down at her then unbuttoned the nightie she was trying to pull off. She rolled her eyes with a sheepish grin then threw her clothes to the bed as she waited for him to finnish. He took his sweet time, thrilling at the way her body responded to him, even when the gesture was innocent. But it was fast turning from innocent to heated. It was something they just couldn't help either. They were just so attracted to each other, and it had been so long since they'd touched one another.

     Slowly he slid his hands into the collar of her garment, fingers skimming over her silky skin as he pushed the material from her shoulders. He licked his lips, eyes trained on the rise and fall of her chest as her creamy throat was revealed to him, then her chest and finally her breasts, rosy pink nipples juttingly stiff. His own breathing increased rapidly as his ache for her inched through his blood. He pushed her nightie down over her arms, then past her hips as it slid down her legs, falling to the floor. She stood, want etched in her eyes, nothing but her panties between his gaze and her naked self. He wanted her so bad he could taste her skin on his tongue, feel her body against his own. Without thought his hand reached to cup her heavy breast, the curve of it molding to his palm deliciously. The rough pad of his thumb brushed over her nipple and he felt her shudder. It made him reach out for the other one in the same manner. This time when his digit made contact with the warm flesh of her she moaned softly. He echoed with one of his own as he slid to his knees, hands slipping to cup her behind. He lay his head against her, inhaling her sweetness as her fingers wound with his long hair. His nose nuzzled against her breast, his lips brushing tender kisses over her middle. He reached up, his mouth moist as his lips parted to take her into him.

     She looked down on him when he began to gingerly suckle. There were tears in his closed eyes. Her heart burst open for him. The pain washing fresh, the ache only appeased by their being together now. Slowly his fingers crept beneath her satin panties, pulling them down to join the other obstruction of his pleasure. She couldn't help the tiny wimper as his fingers traveled back up her legs after she'd stepped out of her underware. He touched her so that it made her loose all control, just to be near him really did that. His wide hands cradled her hips as he tended her other nipple with a lavish bit of attention as he had the first one. Her knees were growing weak under his ministrations. He could feel her trembling and gently guided her back toward the edge of the bed. She sat slowly, his kisses wandering up over her body until their lips once more met. She felt his hands slip between her legs, parting her thighs. She wanted him so much, but she was also afreaid of getting caught, the younger ones hearing them, or worse, one of his parents. She reached to stop his hands. Her eyes heavy with worry.
     "Zac, maybe we shouldn't?" She suggested when his hands stilled and he looked up to her in question. He was acheingly tender as his hands slipped back between her legs.
     "Let me touch you, just for a little while? Just... let me love you... please?" He begged. She could deny him no longer. Pressing a finger to her lips to indicate his quiet she opened up to him.
     "Oh gawd..." He breathed, mouth watering at the sight of her glistening sex before him.

     She caressed his cheek tenderly, drawing his attention back to her eyes. They were so much filled with love. Another tear pooled in the corner of his eye. He reached his hands up to cup her face within his palms, drawing her down to him, kissing her with all the love he held for her. This woman that was to be his wife. Share the rest of his life. Create new lives with him. His ache grew, expanding his love for her to proportions he didn't know existed. It ran so deep within him, he could not find where he left off and she began, she was so much a part of him now.
     "I love you Moirah." He stated with a passion that glittered like the rarest of gems. Her smile was pained as her eyes too were pricked with tears. She could only manage a whisper of a reply, choking on a sob that she refused to let fully manifest.
     "I love you too Zac, so much, so much...." She confessed as they once more drew together in a kiss. The passion began to spin out of control as their hunger for each other grew. In mere moments he was once again devouring her sanity with hungered kisses to her hot flesh. His mouth slipping down over her body, making her blood boil like lava within her veins as he pushed her to lay back some.

     Again he pressed his palms to the insides of her thighs, spreading her legs before him like a banquet. His eyes were of fire as he watched his fingers trace her wet folds. Her breath held back the moans she so wanted to scream. When he slipped a finger into her she began to writhe on the bed, her small wimpers not able to be checked, her passion far too great to hold them back. He entered her with another finger and she whined, her unbridled desire breaking free now in earnest. She began to knead her own breasts, wanting so much more of him, needing that stimulation. It was then his turn to groan, the sight of her more then he could take. He reached for his zipper, tugging himself free finally as she thrust her hips onto his fingers. He stroked fast and hard on his steel hard cock, his mouth begging for her taste. He didn't wait any longer, immediately he lowered his head between her legs, kissing and lapping, trying to savor her. It was sensory overload. He couldn't stop himself from slipping his tongue in her sopping hole when his fingers exited, slurping up her flavor. She began to pant and he could feel how ready she was. It was too soon, he wanted more of her, but at the same time he longed to give to her what she strived for at the moment, that blessed release. He let his fingers slide into her deeply, gently taking her clit into his mouth and sucking. Her whole body stiffened, her cry of elation the most beautiful sound to his ears. Like honey it flowed from her, and he lapped it up, every drop he could find. Now his fist was furiously flying over his hard rod. Eyes closed in euphoria he lay against her thigh, panting hard as he breathed in her musk, pleasuring himself. His gutteral grunts were primal, hips thrusting into his hand. He was so lost in the feeling, so caught up in the pleasure he didn't really let it register when she began to move. She slipped from the bed, her body gliding over his as she sank into his lap, her hand wrapping around his fist, her wet sex pressing to his tight balls. As so often when he gave himself over to the pleasure, her name was uttered on ragged breath.
     "Ohhh Moirahhh... I love you..." He moaned, breath hard in his lungs as he was spilled, a fountain of pearly cream splashing against her naked form and over their hands.

     Spent, he slumped against her, sagging on her shoulder as they leaned against the bed for support. Slowly his hand fell away from his softening member, naturally laying against her hip. A smear of streaky white growing sticky there as they rested. Yet she still held him, slowly stroking, her thumb rubbing the cooling cum into the skin of his cockhead. Then moving his nearly flacid penis to rub the spilled cream on her middle. It was a gesture of loving denial to seperate in the quiet that followed the tempest that was their passion. He sighed, a ragged breath, but a sigh none the less. He gripped her hip more tightly now, raising his head and looking down between them, watching her motions. His voice was quiet, but it still sounded too loud.
     "We really should get cleaned up. It's getting late." He stated. Though he'd rather just stay right there. She was still running his limp tool over her belly when she looked up to him. Her eyes met his and she stopped her motions. She seemed to search his eyes for an eternity before she spoke.
     "Ok." Was all she said. What else was there to say? She let him go and he felt so cold all of a sudden. She leaned forward and kissed him, almost too sweetly. He felt the tears threaten again.

     Then she got up from his lap, her hand trailing over his shoulder as she passed behind him. He looked over his shoulder and watched her disappear into the bathroom. Oh how he loved her! He too rose from the floor, hanging onto his drooping jeans with one hand. She was already in the shower by then, the steam beginning to billow out from behind the curtain. He took up a cloth from the shelf and wandered over to the shower. He drew back the curtain, thrusting his hand in to wet the cloth. He couldn't help but stare as she washed, the water cascading over her like tropical rain. It was one of the most erotic things he'd ever seen. Quickly he looked away, once more shutting the curtain lest he should loose control. He cleaned himself up and stuffed himself back into his jeans. Leaving the bathroom as fast as possible. He could feel himself beginning to stir once more. He wanted her again, and he knew if he were given the chance, it would go further, too far. Then he wouldn't be able to let her leave again, and really, that wasn't fair to anybody. It was the pain of his sacrifice. Something he had to live with. He leaned against the wall, staring out the window as he listened to her soft hum and the sound of the falling water. He tried to calm his body, but it didn't listen very well to his pleas. He decided he'd just have to go around with a hard on. That's all there was to it. He smiled to himself at the thought, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

     "What's so funny?" Her soft voice came from behind him and he whirrled around to meet her, his grin dropping from his face. She was standing in a towel, another one in hand rubbing at her wet hair. He actually wimpered. He couldn't help himself, she was just such a vision of beauty to him. He shook his head, not able to answer. She shrugged and went to the bed. Dropping her towels, she began to dress. He wimpered again and felt himself slide to the floor as his eyes were glued to her heavenly body. How was he ever supposed to get anyting done? How was he ever supposed to leave her side when she enticed him so? He bit his lip to keep from moaning. How was he ever going to live without her? How was he able to keep himself from taking her as long as he had?! That was the real question! Dressed, she began to brush out her hair. She turned to find him on the floor, she looked at him funny.
     "Would you braid my hair?" She asked sweetly. He could only nod. She went to him and sat down between his knees on the floor, handing him the brush over her shoulder. He breathed in her clean fresh scent. Filling himself with her. Sinking his fingers deeply into her lucious hair he was lost in yet another part of her he loved. He loved every part of her, every last little detail. His fingers worked without him telling them what to do. It was a good thing too, for his mind was occupied with other thoughts, thoughts that made him ache all over for her again. He took the rubberband she held over her shoulder, securing his handiwork. Then he slid his hands over her shoulders, pulling her back against his body. He took a deep breath. Just enjoying her nearness. It was a rare treat, and one he had to savor every moment of he could. She settled aganst him and they lived in that one quiet moment, loving each other so deeply, it was infathomable.

     When he was finaly able to gather himself, they rounded up the children and took them to the zoo, Tay tagging along as well. Their parents most grateful for the rare moments of alone time. It was a grand day, and it seemed to be cut short all to soon for there was an audience waiting to be treated to a nearly sold out show. El and Moirah watched the show with great enthusiasm from the side of the stage, Diana's proud smile stretched wide as she too joined them. The brothers were in their element, it was what God had made them for, that much was clear as Walker hovered around the stage, camera in hand like the proud papa he was. The evening seemed to go by in a whirlwind of hurried events, then it was over. Just like that. It was almost a disappointment to see them leave the stage, the crowd roaring for more, even after the second encore. But the promised night of celebration was so much more enticeing. They gathered up the youngsters as the boys showered and dressed, They all headed out for a night to be a family, the last one they would have in a while as the next day they would all have to seperate once more and go back to their lives the way they were. Such as it was, the mood didn't deflate at all.

     It hadn't taken much for them to find a family friendly atmosphere, they pretty much made it that way where ever they went anyway. But, celebrate they had been promised, and celebrate they did! Late dinner, dancing, merry making in general ensued. It was a great night, easily tiring out not just the youngsters, but the adults as well. Still, they pressed on, for tomarrow was another day, but one they dreaded in their parting. Sometime during the evening his mother had requested something from the bar. Zac stood, telling his father to keep his vigil at his mother's side. Being the good son he would fetch it for her. Though any of the three would have happily performed the task, he volunteered simply because he was the only one present. Both Isaac and El were dancing and Taylor had wandered off to follow his roving eye after a rather buxom blonde. Jessica was standing in the stead of the belle of the ball for she'd rarely sat down she'd been asked to dance so many times. Perhaps all of those years of ballet were paying off for her after all now. Pecking Moirah's cheek, he toddered off in search of his mothers refreshment leaving both his parents and future bride at the table. He leaned his back against the bar, elbows cocked to hold him up as he waited for there was a mad crushing rush in constant reign at the bar. He watched three of the people he loved the most interact with each other. Though he couldn't hear it, certainly he remembered the joyous sounds of their laughter as he watched them partake in the frivolity. His smile was wide,brimming over with pride as he watched his mother kiss the forehead of the woman he loved. How could this night get any better?

     "Say, aren't you that little Hanson kid? The mmmbop brat?" He turned toward the slimey voice, a sour look in his face and behind the steel of his eyes lay the hurt that was alwys there when his work was criticized. Though few chose to search for it, it was always evident.
     "You could say that." He answered stonily. The greasy man sneered.
     "I knew it! I just knew it!" The grimmy looking excuse for a man cried. Zac began to feel defensive and his posture showed as much.

     Wondering what was taking Zac so long Walker looked up in the direction of the bar. His son's stance read clearly that there was trouble and it was then that Walker noticed with whom Zac was speaking to. He was then mightily worried. Before he could even extract himself from the table to intervene, he saw the man hand Zac an envelope. Zac opened it, looked at it's contents for a moment then all in one movement dropped the envelope and coldcocked the other man. Chaos broke out then, absolute mayhem as the man tried to get back up, but just as he did, Zac hit him again. They were by then the center of attention, making it all the harder for Walker to get to them. Somehow Moirah was able to get through the throng and tried to rush over to calm him down before he killed the man. The sleezy photographer revealed a nastier side to him still and shoved the envelope towards her across the floor with his foot, the pictures tumbling out as well as the lawyers papers heralding the settlement of keeping them out of the press. Just the tears in her eyes as she looked up to Zac with such hurt made his very soul twist. He went ballistic, Tay and Ike doing their best to hold him back from doing anymore harm to the man that he now saw as the cause of such a casm between he and the woman he loved. He couldn't explain, he had no answers himself. When she turned to run, tears streaming down her face, it was what defeated him, He slumped in his brothers arms, crushed. The snicker from the culprit that began the whole thing made his blood boil. He whipped around, and out of Ike and Tay's grasp, pushing past his father even as he got loose to follow her.

     After a brief search he found Moirah and El as Moirah was about to get into a cab. He hurried to her, grasping her arm to prevent her from leaving. She looked up to him, tears shining in the streetlights.
     "You lied to me." She acused.
     "I didn't lie to you. I just didn't tell you, I wanted to protect you... " He tried.
     "Not telling me is the same as lieing, I had every right to know! How can I trust you now?" She cried into the night. He saw her wall of defense go up in her eyes. Defeat was creaping into him. He was scared now.
     "I thought I was doing what was best for you!" He tried to reason.
     "You knew... You knew how I would react and yet you still throw me that line of bullshit?! Only I decide what's best for me! Me! Only me! I'm not a god damned pet! I thought you saw me as your equal. I guess you're just like the rest of them." She stated, hurt so deeply etched in her voice that it made her words like daggers twist in his heart.
     "No! I'm not! You are my equal! Damnit Moirah you're the other half of my soul! Please! Please don't do this! Let's go back to the hotel and talk this over? Please?!" He begged, the pleading of his eyes only making her tears flow more.
     "I need to think Zac. I need... I need to be alone." She tiredly declared pressing her hands into his. She got into the taxi.
     "I'll call you... when I'm ready." She closed the door and turned her face away as the car began to pull away. He watched her leave, his heart crumbling to dust and his very soul being killed even as El put her arm around his wide shoulders. Inside he was dieing, the light in his eyes being snuffed out as the tail lights of the taxi faded away. The pain was so tremendous, he couldn't even cry. Just fell to his knees, her ring clutched in his hand, pressing against the hollow ache where his heart used to be. His head fell back as his tortured scream ripped through the night.

     Handing the envelope to Walker Diana got to her knees, holding her baby, cradling the broken pieces of the man her love held in the name of son. The accumulated crowd recieved death glares from Jess, Tay, Ike, and El. Doing little to break them up. Walker plowed through them toward the photographer who sat at the bar with a cloth filled with ice held to his bleeding mouth.
     "Expect to see my lawyer in the morning." He spat out as the threw the pictures at the bleeding mans feet. He walked away disgustedly and collected his family and the crew that had been with them.

     Ike and Walker nearly carried Zac to the limo as they headed back to the hotel in stone dead silence. He knew she'd already be gone by the time he got there. He crawled into one of the beds in the room he and his brothers shared at the moment. Tay undressed in the dark and took the other one trying to ignore the quiet weeping from his brother that faced the wall, wallowing in the worst possible misery. Isaac rose from the chair and slipped out of the room.

     The fire gone from his soul, he was then an automaton, driftng through the days in seemingly senselessness. Only his family knew the reason why he never spoke, why he always wore dark glasses, why his preformances lacked his special brand of passion. He was now again only a shell of a man. Once more a lost soul adrift on a sea of agony. The love he had forged from the very heart of his being, was now lost to him, he was no longer. He waited for her call, every day another disappointing pain when she didn't. In the darkest hours of the night sometimes Ike or Tay would wake to hear the quiet weeping of their brother, it was heartbreaking to lie there in the dark and listen to their brother die a little bit more each time. For weeks, they only went through the motions of preforming, none of their hearts were in it, they were a unit, one light gone out, the rest did not shine so brightly. Often times his mother would wake to hear him pacing in the halls, she had a difficult time getting him to eat. She was glad they had decided to stay on tour with them for she knew her son needed her from time to time, and he did, curling up next to her and just resting his head on her shoulder like he used to do when he was small. Just her comforting arm was enough to keep the tears at bay... sometimes.

     El came for another visit, it was hard for Zac, it only reminded him more that he did not have that comfort, someone to open up and be himself with. He had been missing Moirah as if she had passed away, but it was worse, she was very much alive, but refused to speak with him. He had tried to call her, hoping that he could break through her stubborness. She wouldn't even answer the phone, if anyone did, it was Ramone. And she wouldn't take the phone from him unless he told her who it was. He felt like he was drowning, lost from life itself. She was his life.

     One night he had been so desperate to speak with someone, he felt bad about trying to wake his mother, she had been sick and needed her rest. On a whim, he called his grandmother, not realizing the time difference, he woke her. She didn't seem to mind too much. As he sat in the darkened bathroom, phone cradled to his ear his listened to his grandmother's timely advice. Wait for her, she did love him, just needed that time to realize it was not meant as maliciousness when he had kept the ill tried attempt to sully her from her. She had talked to him through most of the night, long after the sun had come up in Tulsa. She asked him how he was handling the charges of assult being brought against him by the man in the bar. He snorted disgustedly, telling her he had to fly back with Walker for a court appearance. They really weren't worried. She understood, knowing the nature of the pictures he had tried to have published.
     "You should use this oppurtunity Zac dear, let her know what is going on, even if you only tell her assistant, what was his name Ramond? Tell him to relay it, then she will at least know and she won't get any madder. I know it's hard dear, trust Gram, she knows all about how life can be." She said soothingly.
He knew she was right, Gram was always right. It gave him that spark, that certain something that kindled the fire of fight within him. He was not going to let some asshole come between he and the woman he loved, he deserved to be happy damnit, and by God he was going to make her happy too. From then on, his family began to see a slow change in him, he started to once more climb from the pits of pergutory. There was no doubt now that his love for Moirah was stronger then any would have previously thought, he was making it known his love for her was eternal, the everlasting kind of strength of two hearts meant to be bound together. Hearts made of stone.

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Thanx for read'n Z-ya!

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