Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 22:32:36 EST From: RinSong@aol.com Subject: The Reunion Part 8 Disclaimer: This story is a work of pure fiction. It is in no way meant to show that he members of 98 Degrees are homosexual. This is just a piece that I have had running around my head for a couple of weeks. Rating: PG I love all of the feedback that you guys are sending! Keep it coming. All right everyone. I can't take it much further than this. I know I promised more but I don't think I can get much more out of this one. I still have to end it and I will be doing that shortly. Don't worry though, I promise that it won't be one of those badly written rush to the finish endings that we all hate. LOL <> these indicate private thoughts. Here ya go! Enjoy!! Peace. RinSong@aol.com ************** Matt and Jeff talked for a bit about old times. Matt had to laugh at the wonderful memory that Jeff possessed. It was amazing, the things he could pull out of the air. "Oh! Wait! You remember that Halloween, you convinced Nick to go in drag to the party? Oh my God! I never laughed so hard in my life." "Yeah, that was a good one wasn't it," Matt said, his voice dropping off at the end. He turned and looked out the window for a moment and swiped quickly at his eyes. As he was turning his head back around to face Jeff, he found himself staring into the other man's eyes. Jeff was kneeling on the floor in front of him, his face filled with concern. "Matt? What is it? What's wrong," Jeff asked quietly. He reached up and wiped a tear from Matt's cheek. "You figure it out, hot shot," Matt said, smiling a little. He turned his head away from Jeff's hand and sighed. It was too late, the tears were coming and there was nothing he could do to stop them and he knew it. "I miss him so much it hurts. I just can't go through it all over again." Shh, I know. It's all right," Jeff said. He reached up and took Matt into his arms and rocked him softly as the other man cried into his shoulder. "Everything is going to be fine. You'll see." "Oh, Jeff, why does it still hurt after all this time? I still love him so much! The other day, in my office, I wanted nothing more than to just run into his arms and tell him how much I loved him. But, I couldn't bring myself to do that." Jeff didn't say anything. He just continued to hold the other man and rock him gently. After a bit, Matt stopped crying and just rested his head on Jeff's shoulder and watched out the window. He heard Jeff ask him if was all right now and raised his head. "Yes. Thanks." "You are more than welcome," Jeff said, smiling at him. It was at that moment that Jeff leaned in and kissed him. Matt quickly pulled away, the surprise and confusion evident on his face. Jeff blushed and started to stammer. "Oh God! Matt, I'm sorry...I don't know...shit...why here? Why now?" Jeff stood up and began to pace around the living room. He was muttering apologies left and right and berating himself for what he did. Matt walked over and grabbed Jeff's arms. "Jeff, stop it. Nothing happened. See, we are still alive and whole. Don't worry about it. I'm not angry," Matt told him. He smiled and patted Jeff's cheek and laughed softly. "Come on, let's get you back to the hotel." ********************** The ride back to the hotel was a quiet one. Neither was sure what to say to the other without the risk of seeming foolish. Both of them were shocked by what had happened and were trying to figure out what to do about it. "Well, here we are," Matt said, breaking the silence. He put the car in park and turned to smile at Jeff. "Thanks for the visit Jeff. It was nice. Please tell me that didn't sound as lame as I think it did." Jeff laughed. "No it didn't. You're fine. Take care Matt." Jeff climbed out of the car and walked toward the door to the hotel. It was just then that he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Turning to look out his window, Matt came face to face with Drew. Jumping and letting out a yelp of surprise and shock, he sent Drew back a few steps as he surprised the other man as well. "Matt, I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." "A little late for that Drew. What do you need?" Matt was not in the mood to deal with Drew and his games right then. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other day at the theater. I was out of line. I'm sorry." Drew looked up at Matt and blushed a little, giving him a sheepish grin. Matt couldn't help but smile back. "It's all right. Laura called and we talked. She told me why you had done it. I truly appreciate the thought behind it." "You do? Cool. Well, I had better go," Drew said, he walked around to the other side of the car and the turned back. "I don't suppose that you would want to come up with me? To talk to Nick?" "No, I don't think that would be a good idea, Drew. But, thanks anyway," matt told him. "I had better get home. Bye." "Bye." Drew stood on the sidewalk and watched as the other man drove away.