TITLE: The North Star
AUTHOR: Jennie
CHARACTERS: Michael Garnett and Jim Slater of the Atlanta Thrashers
SUMMARY: All Michael wants to do is fall in love. But maybe true love has been staring him in the face all this time..
RATING: PG
DISCLAIMER: This is all fiction!
A/N: The quote was taken from a December 28, 2005 article in the AJC. Let me know what you think, and happy reading! :)

Maybe the reason Michael Garnett is playing so well is that he's finally getting a good night's sleep. After being recalled from Chicago (AHL) in mid November, he stayed at the Duluth hotel on the side of I-85 for six weeks and ate most of his meals at a nearby homestyle restaurant, getting to know the staff on a first-name basis.

But recently he accepted an offer to live with Jim Slater where he spoke of luxuriating in a goose down comforter and 1,200-thread count bed sheets (provided by Slater). Slater described the living arrangements:

"He likes the computer, he likes the TV, we watch the NHL package," Slater said. "I cook, he eats. I pay the power bill, he turns things on."

In reference to the bed, he said, "I'm glad I did it. He's winning us games right now."

--

�I want to fall in love.� Jim tilted his head to the side so he could have a better view of Michael. Since it was a clear night, the stars illuminated his soft features and brought to light the self-satisfied grin on his face.

�You�ve never been in love?�

Michael slid his arms beneath his neck and stretched out his legs, sending sand flying. �Never. I�ve always wanted to know that I�d never be alone, to look at someone and just feel completely at home. I want to have that feeling where you want to shout something from the rooftops. I want to be in someone�s arms and know that I�m completely safe there.�

Jim sat up slowly and looked at Michael.

�I think..� Michael whispered. �I feel safe here. I feel like I have someone for life. You�ll always be here, right?�

�Always.�

�Then I know I�ll never be alone. I feel like I could stay here like this forever and be completely content.�

Jim scooted closer to Michael and lay down beside him, slowly removing Michael�s arms from beneath his neck. Then, using his own arm as a replacement, Jim brought Michael closer to his own body and let Michael�s head rest on his shoulder.

�Look,� Michael said as he pointed skyward, �the north star.� He pointed to the brightest star in the dark sky. �That one is supposed to bring you home, right?�

�I think so.�

�Then maybe I�ve already fallen in love. Even the stars think I�m at home, right here.�