Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 17:46:33 -0400
From: Randy Zak <beyondanytherapy@gmail.com>
Subject: Love With A View: Chapter 1

Author's Note:

The idea for this story came after I had a long session of reading yaoi
manga. Many stories in the manga center around a business environment,
since it is so common in Japan, and my mind went from there. While I can't
say it's my greatest work ever, I've enjoyed writing it and I am starting
to enjoy the characters as I go.

Oh, and to be completely honest, I have no idea what the companies are
supposed to be doing, and totally fudged the stuff they were talking about.
Vague terms like projects, proposals, etc. made it so I didn't have to come
up with a grand idea. I honestly didn't want to have to research it too
much because it would have made my head explode and probably have put me
off writing!!!

Huge thanks to Jeremy, because I wouldn't be writing without his
encouragement. You're awesome, Jer!!  Also thanks to Styx, my fellow writer
and sounding board, for keeping me supplied with yaoi manga to feed my
creativity! And also big props to Riley! This is the first story he's
worked on editing for me, and I hope he has the patience to help edit my
never-ending slew of in progress works!!

A quick note for this chapter. 5 asterisks (* * * * *) denotes a POV shift
or scene change, while 3 asterisks (* * *) is denoting a flashback.

This will be my first time posting an in progress story. I'll try very hard
to keep the wait between chapters down to a fairly reasonable time! I hope
that it does not disappoint!! Any comments or questions can be sent to
beyondanytherapy@gmail.com. To keep up with any updates I have on stories
in the works, visit http://randyscorner.blogspot.com.

Thanks, Randy Zak

-------------------------------------

Love With a View Chapter 1

Staring out the window of his high-rise office brought with it a view of
the city in full motion. Cars and people alike hurried along the streets to
work, giving the ground far below the appearance of a sea of movement.

"The meeting has been moved ahead to 2 o'clock. Director Kingston will be
in attendance as well; he just arrived from Shanghai this morning."

The sun reflected off of the windows of the other buildings in the city,
shining like giant crystals in the morning light.

"You have the benefit for the Literary Society tonight - black tie, so your
tux is already being prepared. I would suggest a haircut before this
evening, though."

While he had never really cared much about having an office for the power
and prestige it held, he had to admit the view was worth it.

"Sir, are you listening?"

At the rather perturbed shift of tone, Michael Andrews dragged his gaze
from the world outside his office window and turned to his assistant. The
tall, slender man glaring at him through rimless glasses was named Ethan
Harper. He was a handsome man in his late twenties; broad shoulders filling
out his suit jacket well, and long, lean legs hidden inside crisply pressed
pants. His sandy blonde hair was cut short except for a few strands over
his forehead that fell in his bright green eyes now and then. Michael loved
those pieces of hair.

Michael gave him a reassuring smile. "Hanging on every word, Ethan."

He almost missed the slight flush to his assistant's face as Ethan turned
and focused on the folders and notebooks he had brought in.

"It might help to actually be facing me so I know you're paying attention."

"I thought that would make you nervous, so I focused somewhere else."
Michael couldn't resist teasing the other man. Ever since he had let his
feelings slip after a long night of drinking at the Christmas party the
last year, things had been a little tense between them. It was almost
April, and Ethan was just now beginning to accept his teasing without going
completely red and becoming flustered.

Ethan ignored Michael's joking and continued on with the morning
briefing. "The proposals for the new Skyrise project are in. I'm leaving
them here, so please try to review them today before the meeting. With
Director Kingston attending, you'll certainly be quizzed on them."

Michael scoffed quietly. "I thought I had left pop quizzes behind in high
school. All that bastard ever does is question me."

Ethan raised an eyebrow questioningly. "He is your superior, isn't that his
job?"

"His job is to jet around the world and kiss ass to anyone who might one
day be flattered out of money. He's a corporate whore."

Michael had never liked the older director. When he had first joined the
company, Kingston was the first to greet him. He raved about the potential
he saw in Michael. It wasn't until later that Michael discovered exactly
what kind of potential he had been sized for. Kingston had brought him in
as a puppet, a pretty face to groom and train the way Kingston wanted, so
he could reap the benefits. Michael was seriously starting to despise the
man.

Putting aside his irritation, he glanced at Ethan. "What is my schedule for
lunch like?"

Ethan consulted his Blackberry. "Nothing for today."

Michael smiled. "Good, let's go to Fuji."

"Since when do you like sushi?" Ethan asked with an arch of his eyebrow.

"What, I can't try something outside my usual palate?" Michael kept his
expression innocent.

The look on his assistant's face was one of hesitancy. "It isn't
that. You've always said that you found sushi to be disgusting. I thought
raw foods bothered you."

Michael shrugged and stood. "I'm trying to work past it."

The two walked to the elevator and rode down to the parking garage in
silence. He knew he was missing a good chance to talk with Ethan in
private, but Michael hated elevators, and never could bring himself to talk
while he rode one. It was a strange and irrational fear, he knew, but for
some reason they unnerved him. One day, he was going to get over it.

As the car descended, Michael stared at their reflections in the mirrored
doors, counting the differences between himself and Ethan. Where Ethan had
short, sandy blonde hair, Michael's was a dark brown, courtesy of his
mother. He stood several inches taller than his assistant, but to Michael,
it just put Ethan at the perfect height. Maybe he was a romantic, but he
thought that just meant he didn't have to lean over as far to rest his head
on Michael's shoulder.

Michael looked himself over carefully, taking in all the minute things that
had changed about him over the years. His brown eyes were maybe a little
more tired, his face was gathering an odd wrinkle or two, but he kept
himself in good shape by regular visits to the gym. Overall, he didn't
think he was looking all of his 36 years. He wondered idly if the years
between himself and Ethan would be too much if everything else weren't a
problem.

The doors opened to the executive parking level and Michael turned towards
his silver Audi. He pulled the keys out of his pocket and smirked. "You
drive today."

Ethan turned to him and reflexively caught the keys that had been tossed to
him. He stared at Michael in disbelief. "What is with you today? First
you're willing to eat sushi, and now you're letting me drive? You didn't
hit your head in the shower this morning, did you?"

Michael looked shocked and innocent. "What? Can't a guy change his routine
a little bit? Monotony gets boring." He smiled, walking past the still
stunned Ethan to stand next to the passenger door. "Well, hurry up. If we
don't get there in time, all the bait, I mean, sushi will be gone."

Ethan sighed, turning and unlocking the car. "I knew it wouldn't last," he
muttered, sliding into the driver's seat.

* * * * *

Ethan secretly watched his boss out of the corner of his eye while they
ate. Michael had been acting very strangely so far that day, and Ethan was
almost certain he was ill. Or maybe he had struck his head. Whatever the
answer, it bothered Ethan.

In all the time he had worked as Michael Andrews' personal assistant, Ethan
had found it hard to not watch the older man. He was honest, dedicated and
fair in all his dealings, never leaving any client feeling like they had
been cheated or short-changed. A tireless worker, he was the kind of man
that women fawned over and other men wanted to be. Though secretly, Ethan
sided more with the women.

Now, though, Ethan was wondering just what was going on in the other man's
head. Despite his typical aversion to sushi, Michael had willingly
suggested the restaurant and actually seemed to be enjoying himself! He was
chatting with the older chef behind the bar, seeming to be genuinely
interested in the preparation that went in to his craft. He asked questions
and watched with rapt attention as the chef demonstrated some of his
techniques. The look on Michael's face was almost child-like in its
enthusiasm. Some might think he was putting on a show, given his status and
prestige in the company. However, Ethan knew from experience that it wasn't
an act; Michael truly was interested. He never feigned an interest or
patronized anyone. He was always upfront and honest.

It made Ethan that much more uneasy about his boss' actions at the office
Christmas party.

Ethan thought back to the night that had shaken him so badly months
before. The night had started out as any other. He came only to make an
appearance, not intending to enjoy himself. If only he had known what would
happen, Ethan would have made it a point to stay home.

* * *

The evening started off well enough. The office's large ballroom was
decorated with over the top Christmas décor. Ethan wondered if there was
any one piece of fake holly or a bag of artificial snow still left at any
of the nearby party stores, or if the planning committee had bought them
all out. Thankfully, they didn't have a Santa prowling the floor this year!

Dutifully, Ethan made his rounds through the executives and their
assistants, speaking with each one in turn. As the assistant of a top
executive, Ethan knew it was one of his duties to mingle, even if it wasn't
his favorite part of the job. He wasn't the best ass-kisser.

Michael had been in his usual boisterous spirits that night. He was deeply
engaged in a raucous conversation with a group of middle executives, each
of them nursing what could easily be their sixth bottle of beer or glass of
liquor. Ethan had left Michael to his idle chatter and when he returned, he
found that the group hadn't moved from their spot next to the bar.

Perturbed, Ethan stepped forward, speaking to Michael in hushed
tones. "Don't you think you should be spending a little time with your
other coworkers, sir?"

Michael looked at his assistant, a grin tugging at his lips. "Oh, come on
now, Ethan! It's Christmas! I have to talk with those stuff shirts all the
time."

Ethan could feel the color rising in his cheeks. "Yes, and I think that it
would be proper manners to greet all your fellow workers appropriately,
don't you?"

One of the other men chuckled. "Now, Michael, it looks like you're
upsetting the young man here. Maybe you should go along with him." He
nudged Michael's arm playfully.

"I suppose you're right, Richard." Michael gave a rakish, albeit lopsided,
grin. "He does know what's best for me, after all!"

Ethan firmly tried to ignore the heat he could feel creeping up his
neck. "I am your assistant for a reason, sir. I have been tasked with
keeping you focused on your position."

"Bet he likes that job!" The guffawing laughter told Ethan more than he
wanted to know about what the other men were thinking about him and his
work. He didn't know exactly what to do or say in response.

Michael gave the others a reproachful look. "Now that isn't nice, boys."
Turning back to Ethan, he nodded. "Come on, let's go then."

When Michael placed his hand on Ethan's elbow as if to guide him, that was
the last straw. Ethan pulled his arm free, turning to look at his boss with
a firm glare.

"If you do not intend to listen to my input, sir, I don't see why you need
an assistant at all. I am only doing my job and trying to help you
succeed."

"If I had an assistant who was as attentive as him, I'd probably never get
anything done!"

The comment from one of the other men sent the group into peals of laughter
and brought more color rising on Ethan's cheeks.

Michael shrugged at Ethan as if to say 'oh well.' "They won't ever stop if
they think it's funny."

"Perhaps if they hadn't drunk half the bar, they wouldn't find it funny."
Ethan's biting reply sounded bitchy even to his own ears, but he wouldn't
hold back now. He was too angry. "There isn't anything to find funny in
this situation. Do you think I find this funny? Do you think that I want
someone laughing about my job like this?"

"Of course not."

"Then why in heaven's name do you continue this line of conversation?"

"Because it's all I have until I can get you to agree to go out with me."

Ethan froze in shock, looking at his boss in stunned silence. It took him
several minutes to recover. "What did you say?"

"I said go out with me."

The intent look on Michael's face was only slightly dampened by the
alcohol. However, the look of amusement and almost lecherous interest on
his nearby conversation companions' faces did not seem like it was at all
affected by the amount they had been drinking.

The fact that they had an audience for this awkward exchange brought him
back from his stunned silence. Ethan gathered his wits about him, shaking
his head. "You're drunk, sir. You don't know what you're saying." He took
Michael's arm and began to lead him out of the ballroom and toward the
garage. "I'm taking you home. You are in no condition to talk to anyone
like this."

As they passed an empty, shadowed doorway, Michael suddenly turned and
pressed Ethan back against the door. The movement was so steady and quick
that Ethan was momentarily shocked into stillness. He looked up into the
eyes of his boss, seeing far more in those depths than he expected.

Michael's eyes stared into his intently. "I'm serious, Ethan." How could he
manage to sound so in control being that drunk? "I've wanted to ask you
that for a very long time. I've watched you since you started here, and
every day I keep trying to convince myself to ask you out."

Ethan frantically tried to come up with something to say. "Sir, this is the
alcohol talking. You need to get a hold of yourself."

"I'm not so drunk that I don't know what I'm doing, Ethan. Or who I'm doing
it with." His hand came up slowly and stroked down Ethan's cheek. "God,
you're so beautiful," he whispered, almost reverently.

A shudder passed through him at the touch, but Ethan wasn't sure if it was
from desire or fear.

Michael sighed, leaning his forehead on the door beside Ethan's head. "I've
wanted to ask you for so long now. But I've been so damn scared you'd run."

Ethan remained frozen in shock. He didn't know what was scarier -- the fact
that his boss was basically confessing to him, or that he wanted to accept
it!

Fighting down his feelings, Ethan managed to speak. "Let me get you home,
sir. I think you'll feel better after you've slept this off."

Slowly, Michael straightened, his eyes searching Ethan's. Then he nodded
silently and turned to follow Ethan outside.

Pulling up into the parking garage of Michael's condo building, Ethan
hurriedly got out and helped his boss from the car. He stepped back and
checked to see how stable the older man was on his feet. "Can you manage
from here?"

Michael nodded, his manner much more subdued after the ride back
home. "Yeah, I'll be alright. Thank you, Ethan."

"You're welcome, sir. Please get some rest and be sure to drink water."

Michael stepped away from the car, heading to the door to his
building. Ethan shut the passenger door and walked around to the driver's
side of his car. His hand was reaching for the handle when he heard
Michael's quiet voice.

"Ethan?"

Pausing at the door, he turned back slightly toward Michael. "Yes?"

His boss stared at the ground, looking uneasy, almost lost. After a
moment's hesitation, Michael lifted his gaze and spoke softly. "I'm sorry
if I made you uncomfortable tonight."

Ethan could only manage a small nod. "It's alright, sir. I understand."

A pained look passed over Michael's face and he looked away again. Ethan
felt his heart go out to the other man. He wanted to soothe his hurt, to
tell him he felt the same.

All he could bring himself to say was a quiet, "Good night, sir."

Michael's reply was just as quiet. "Good night, Ethan."

Ethan watched as Michael turned and walked into his building silently. Once
the older man was gone from view, Ethan climbed in to his car and slowly
made his own way home.

Alone.

* * *

Ethan was pulled out of his memories by a nudge at his side. He turned to
Michael, who was looking at him oddly.

"Are you alright, Ethan? You've been really quiet today."

Ethan forced a smile, nodding. "Yes, sorry. I was just thinking about
something."

"Anything interesting?"

The playful gleam in his boss' dark brown eyes was back. That suddenly made
Ethan feel better.

He let a little smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe."

"And you're not going to share it with me, are you?"

"Why would I do that?"

Michael feigned a look of hurt. "Why not? I've been told I'm a pretty good
listener. I figured you might want to share something that is on your
mind."

Oh if only he knew what was on my mind. Ethan smiled as he sipped his
water.

* * * * *

"So, Michael, how is the Skyrise project going?"

The meeting had been yet another continual bore from the moment he sat
down. To pass the time, Michael had been jotting down notes on his steno
pad he had brought in with them. Granted, most of the notes had nothing to
do with the meeting, and everything to do with how to get Ethan to open up
to him. The lunch that day had been a good start, he felt. As they had
driven back to the office, Ethan had been almost relaxed, smiling and
joking with him more easily than he had in a very long time.

When he realized he was being spoken to, he glanced up from his notebook to
face Director Samuel Kingston.

"Going well, sir. We've received all the proposals and I started reviewing
them. So far, there are a few I want to examine in more detail. They have
some merit to them. In particular, the one from Aston. I think they're
probably the closest in what we're aiming for, and have the most ability to
adjust to any changes we might need."

Kingston nodded thoughtfully. "What about Carlysle?"

"Carlysle isn't going to be an option, based on what I'm seeing. They
completely underestimated expansion room, and I don't think they understand
the real vision behind what we need to do with the project."

Kingston smiled. It was the kind of patronizing smile a father gives a
child when the boy doesn't understand a "grown up idea."

"I think we'll keep them in the running for now. Maybe talk to them about
it. I'm sure they can come up with something we'll like."

Michael bit back a retort. It wasn't like he was surprised; Carlysle was
one of the major companies Kingston had been romancing for years. And, as
usual, Michael had been given this assignment as an elaborate
show. Kingston didn't care what he thought, and he had every intention of
putting the group at the top he felt should win, no matter what objections
Michael would raise.

The rest of the meeting was boring and business as usual. For probably the
millionth time, Michael wondered why he even came to these meetings. His
part wasn't even necessary; it could be done by handing in a
report. Kingston obviously didn't want his input, so why should he bother?

The rest of the time was mercifully spent with the attention off of
himself. Of course, most of it involved the other underlings ass-kissing
Kingston, and the director lapped it all up. The blind adoration gave
Michael a sick feeling deep in his gut.

When he got back to his office after fleeing from the board room, he was in
a foul mood. His day had to get better from here on out, didn't it?

A knock came at the door not long after he had settled back into his desk
chair.

"Come in," he called as he turned his computer back on to check email.

Ethan stuck his head in, looking over at him. "You have company, sir." He
opened the door and stepped in to allow the guest inside.

Michael was surprised to see two attractive young women following Ethan
into the office. Their matching long brunette hair had been recently
styled, and they were carrying multiple shopping bags each. They were
twins, though very subtle differences in facial features spoke volumes
about their slightly different personalities.

Instantly, his day was better.

"Autumn! Summer! What brings my beloved sisters into this drab, boring
place? Wait, wait, don't tell me. Let me guess. Your credit card hit the
limit and you want mine, right?"

Michael's sisters fixed him with matching glares.

"Shut up, Mike. We don't always come over just to borrow money." Autumn
huffed at him, setting down her bags and sitting in the chair across from
his desk.

Michael smiled. "Of course not. Do you two want anything to drink?" He
glanced up at Ethan. His assistant swept in handed the girls each a bottle
of water, then excused himself. Michael watched him go for a moment then
looked back at his sisters. "What can I do for you two?"

"We hadn't heard from you in a while so we wanted to stop in and see you."
Summer looked at him firmly. "You keep saying you're going to come by, but
you never do."

"I'm sorry, work gets pretty bad sometimes and I'm finding myself staying
so late these days. I promise, I'll come over soon for dinner."

Summer fixed him with a stern look. "We're holding you to that, Mike. We
never really see you anymore. You used to come by all the time, but now
you're always working."

"You're not a kid anymore," Autumn added. "You need to relax and enjoy your
life."

Michael smiled at them. "I'm fine, Autumn, I promise."

"You're still alone," Summer pointed out. "You know Mom and Dad would have
wanted you to be happy with someone by now."

Chuckling, he leaned back in his chair. "Yes, well, they were probably
hoping for me to find myself a nice woman and have a half dozen kids by
now, too. I'll take alone over that, thanks."

His sisters rolled their eyes. Summer sighed. "We just worry about you,
Michael. Mom and Dad did too. We don't like seeing you work yourself so
hard."

He couldn't help smiling at the concern in her eyes. "Thank you, but I
really am fine. A little lonely, but I'm okay."

Their conversation drifted for a while, thankfully sticking to more mundane
topics. Both girls were planning to go on an overseas trip in the summer
and had gone to update their passports that day.

"You have no idea how much we hate renewing those things," Autumn
lamented. "Every time, either with passports or driver's licenses, we get
the same question."

The twins looked at each other and recited simultaneously, "Oh, how cute!
Autumn and Summer! Where are Winter and Spring?"

Michael chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I can imagine how that would get
old quickly."

Summer sighed, pouting at him. "You got the normal name. How in the world
did you avoid some flowerchild hippie granola lover kind of name?"

Michael chuckle, glancing at his sister with a smirk. "Dad put his foot
down. Being his only son, he refused to let me get away with anything
remotely unmanly."

Autumn laughed. "Poor dad, if only he knew."

Michael fixed his sister with a feigned hurt look. "What is that supposed
to mean? I'm manly!"

Summer rolled her eyes. "Can gay men really be manly?"

Michael chuckled with a waggle of his eyebrows. "Trust me, yes."

Both girls gave an exaggerated, playful shudder, giggling. Autumn sighed.

"Honestly though, how are you doing? You seemed really down around
Christmas, and I know you've been working too hard lately."

Michael smiled. "I'm doing fine, I swear. Work has been a little crazy, but
I can handle it. I kind of like it, to be honest. "

Summer gave a conspiratorial smirk. "Have you asked Ethan out yet?"

Michael felt himself freeze, staring at his sister in shock. He'd never
told them anything about his feelings for Ethan. "How did you know about
that?"

Autumn laughed, sharing a look with her twin sister. "You think we're
blind? It's pretty obvious when you watch him that you're into him. So,
what's he think?"

Michael sank back in his chair, sighing and rubbing his forehead. "I think
I scared him when I told him my feelings. Of course, it might have been the
fact that I'd had a little too much wine that night and he probably didn't
take me serious. It's almost turned into a joke, and I don't know how I can
convince him I'm serious."

"Don't confess when you're drunk is a good start," muttered one of his
sisters.

He glanced up, smiling tiredly. "If I hadn't been, I would never have said
anything."

"Why not?"

"A lot of reasons. He's my assistant, for the main reason. I have never
mixed business and personal life before, and it might not look right to be
courting my personal assistant."

Summer rolled her eyes. "Things like that shouldn't matter if you're in
love."

"Well, I am, but I don't think he sees me as anything more than a boss who
flirts with him."

"Then you have to show him you're more than that."

Autumn's advice was right, even if it wouldn't be the easiest thing to
do. Michael sighed, then shook his head. "Enough about me and my pitiful
love life. What about you two?"

The girls chatted for a while about their current jobs. Autumn was a hair
stylist in a very exclusive salon, while Summer worked as a receptionist
for a publishing company. Both of them were married to very good men, and
they were doing well for themselves. Michael envied their relationships a
little, but he would never admit it.

Finally, they excused themselves to leave and Michael walked them out. The
door shut behind his sisters and for a moment, Michael listened to the
silence in his small office. He sighed, turning to stare out the window
again. The sun was almost hidden behind the North Point Bank building a few
blocks away, and Michael watched the cars wandering through the city.

His conversation with the twins had gotten his mind working again. He knew
they had his best interests at heart, but sometimes their presence brought
him back around to reality and it wasn't easy to deal with. He knew his
parents would probably be concerned for him as well if they knew how he was
doing. He had never told them the truth about himself before they passed
away, but he had a feeling they suspected something.

Michael rubbed his forehead, eyes shifting to stare at the carpet in
confusion. What was wrong with him? He used to throw himself into work
wholeheartedly, uncaring about almost anything else, for days at a time. He
used to love his work, but lately, it wasn't satisfying him anymore. He
felt like he was being patronized here, and he wanted more. He wanted to
feel like he was really doing something good.

He reached over, opening a drawer in his desk and pulling out a white,
unmarked folder. Inside was a letter and some information an old college
friend had sent him. Jack Parrish had tried to convince him to join his
firm years ago. He said that the president had liked Michael's work and was
interested in seeing what he could do for them. Michael had never given
Jack's offer any serious thought... until now.

Michael hesitated, glancing at the clock. Still time before most people
left for home. What would it hurt to just call and see if there was still
some interest? It didn't mean he was going to make a decision right away.

Before he knew it, he was reaching for the phone and dialing the number on
his friend's business card.

* * * * *

"I'm surprised you called me, Mike. Thrilled, but surprised. When I gave
you that information, you assured me you were happy where you are. What's
changed?"

Michael glanced over to his friend while sipping his beer. They had agreed
to meet a few days later at a pub between their two offices to talk.

Michael shrugged. "Got a little too sick of the bullshit Kingston is
spewing."

Jack chuckled. "I told you that bastard was hard to deal with."

"It's more than that, Jack. He patronizes me, giving me projects and then
completely ignoring the input and information I work to give him. It's
ridiculous. He's a sycophant and I don't know why he's still working there,
except he courts so many people that obviously someone thinks he's doing
something right."

His friend nodded sympathetically. "Well, I've told you before a hundred
times, you know there's a place for you waiting if you're interested. We'd
love to have your input on our side. I know what your work is like and the
rest of the board has seen you in action enough to be impressed."

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, Jack. I don't think I can keep
it up there anymore. I've got some projects I have to wrap up before I can
go anywhere, though. As much as Kingston pisses me off, I won't leave my
customers in the lurch."

Jack smiled. "That's why I know you'll be a good fit at Pinnacle. How long
do you think you'll need?"

Michael sipped his beer while he thought it over. "Shouldn't be more than 6
months. The skyrise project isn't even on my radar, since Kingston is
controlling that no matter what he pretends. Otherwise, I've got some jobs
for smaller clients that I want to finish. They're good companies and I
don't want them to get overlooked after I leave."

"You should let them know you're leaving. Maybe they'd follow you. I know
you probably can't break contract now, but for future jobs, they might
follow you."

"I don't know if I want all that to get around. I want to make this exit as
clean as possible."

Jack shrugged, sipping his beer. "What about any assistants? Executives a
lot of times want to bring a valuable assistant along with them that
already knows how they like things done."

Michael hesitated, sighing. "I'm not sure if that would be a good idea or
not."

"Why's that?"

Michael didn't particularly want to tell his old friend about Ethan, but he
figured he might as well be upfront.

"Well, I don't know that he would want to come along. I think I make him
nervous."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You? You're the most easy-going person I've ever
met."

"That's because I've never hit on you."

The look of playful reproach on his friend's face spoke volumes. Michael
gave a sheepish grin, sipping his beer.

Jack nudged him with a smirk. "Well, you old dog. So you got burned and now
you're giving the poor kid a hard time?"

"No! It's nothing like that, Jack. I had a few too many drinks at the
Christmas party and kind of let my feelings slip. I think I scared him with
my confession and he's just now getting comfortable around me again."

Jack thought this over, nodding idly. "Well, were you serious?"

"Of course I was." Michael looked at his friend. "Ethan is an amazing
guy. He's smart, capable, funny, and good looking goes without saying. He's
an incredible assistant, and I wanted to get to know him more outside of
work."

"Then I don't see a problem. If you were just yanking his chain, that's one
thing. But if you're serious, then I say ask him to come along."

Michael considered the idea. Would Ethan be willing to transfer with him?
Somehow, Michael didn't think so.

He sighed, taking another long swallow of his drink. "I'll see."

Jack clapped him on the shoulder. "Good man. Now, let's talk shop. What
kind of ideas did you have for Seattle?"

The conversation flowed smoothly the rest of the evening. Michael always
enjoyed working with Jack. Even in college, they had a good working
relationship. Their strengths matched well and they were both dedicated and
motivated. It was such a change from the environment he was used to at
Dynatek that it made Michael hopeful for the future.

It was late by the time they walked out of the bar and Michael groaned. He
could tell that he'd had a few too many to drive.

"Shit, Jack, you have got to quit drinking me under the table."

Jack chuckled. "You're a big boy now, Mike. Gotta learn to hold your
liquor."

"I do... right up until it knocks me out on my ass. Guess I'll be getting a
cab tonight."

"Forget that," his friend replied. "Come on, my apartment is just a couple
blocks away. Crash with me. You can get up early enough to run home and get
ready."

Michael agreed that sounded like a much better idea and they began the walk
toward Jack's bachelor apartment. It didn't take long before Michael
wondered why he thought it was such a good idea.

"How far do you live? Geeze, Jack, you didn't tell me you were almost to
Oakland." Michael felt like his legs were going to fall off from the
walking and he was breathing harder than he had in a long time.

Jack laughed. "Oh come on, you big baby! You used to take hikes that lasted
half a day! This should be nothing."

He glared at his old friend. "I wasn't stumbling drunk back when I went
hiking, genius."

The good-natured ribbing continued on their slow journey back.

Finally, after what felt to Michael like hours, they arrived at the
apartment complex. Even the dreaded elevator was almost a welcome presence
when compared to the idea of trudging up three flights of stairs.

Michael groaned and leaned against the doorway as he waited for jack to
open the apartment door. "I'm too old for this shit, Jack."

Jack chuckled. "Me too, man."

As they stumbled into the apartment, Michael looked around in blurry-eyed
confusion. "Where's your couch?"

Jack tossed his keys on the kitchen counter. "Don't have one yet. I just
moved in last month."

Michael looked around again, then looked up at Jack. "Where am I gonna
crash?"

Jack patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, the bed's big enough. And I'm
pretty sure you won't assault my virtue."

He led the way back to the bedroom. Quickly, they stripped down to their
boxers and fell onto the bed with matching groans.

Michael grimaced as his the ceiling spun above his head as he stared at
it. "God, I am never doing that again. What was I thinking?"

"You were trying to drown your sorrows, buddy. Never works."

"Thanks for telling me that now," Michael grumbled.

Jack's grunt was muffled as he rolled his face into his pillow. "Go to
sleep, Mike. And no grab ass."

His mumbled words made Michael chuckle, then wince as the room spun a
little more. "Don't worry. Yours isn't the ass I want to grab."

Another grunt was the only response he got and soon Michael faded into a
drunken slumber.