Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:34:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Kirk Landers Subject: Phases- part 34 Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you. Hope you are still enjoying the show and I promise I'm doing my best to not let you all down. Here's part 34 titled "Moving On" 'MOVING ON' "Oh my God," Kurt said looking at the damage that was done to Nick's room the night before. "Take deep breaths," Leo advised seeing that Kurt was clearly very upset. "How did this happen?" Kurt asked. "I had a friend over who turned out to be not such a good friend and tried to steal stuff from in here," Joey explained. "And we sort of fought." "You fought in Nick's room?" Kurt asked. "I had to," Joey replied. "It was the only way to keep Nelson from stealing Nick's things." "Yeah, so if you think about it, it's a good thing," Leo said trying to make light of the situation. "Look at this place," Kurt said looking all over the room. "Kurt, it's not so bad," Ryan said standing in the doorway holding Sydney so she wouldn't walk in the room and cut herself on the broken glass lying around from the mirror that shattered. "Not so bad?" Kurt asked. "Look at the mirror. It was an antique that Nick got when we went to the swap meet. Now it's totaled." "We can clean it up," Joey offered. "It won't be so bad then, right?" "The bedside table is in pieces," Kurt said pointing to a pile of wood that was once the bedside table. "Maybe I can take a look at it and fix it," Ryan said. "No, it's gone," Kurt observed. "I'm really sorry Kurt," Joey said. "I know how much this room meant to you." "Yeah, well not anymore," Kurt sighed. "I'm going to go to work." "I better go to," Ryan said. "Sydney and I are off to Disneyland today." "Have fun," Leo said. "Thanks," Ryan said. "I'll call you later Kurt," Leo said. "Yeah," Kurt replied before he left with Ryan and Sydney. "Kurt is never going to like me," Joey sighed. "Don't say that," Leo said. "He's just upset is all. He'll cool down." "You know, when we had lunch yesterday I thought things were starting to take a turn for the better," Joey said. "We got along and everything, then I mess up and now I'm back to square one with him." "Joey, he'll get over it," Leo said. "Trust me. I'll talk to him." "I should talk to him," Joey insisted. "Show some responsibility for what happened." "Good for you," Leo said. "Now lets clean this mess up." Outside the apartment Kurt was walking to his car with Ryan and Sydney. "You know that Joey didn't mean for that to happen," Ryan said. "I know," Kurt replied. "I'm not mad at him. I'm just upset that the one place that was going to remain intact in memory of Nick has been ruined." "I know that meant a lot to you," Ryan said giving Kurt a hug. "Well, have fun at Disneyland you two," Kurt said as he got into his car. "I'll see you later," Ryan said giving Kurt a kiss. "I love you." "I love you too," Kurt smiled. "You know, we still have to celebrate getting back together." "I know. We will," Ryan smiled. "I'll talk to you later." "Bye," Kurt said as he got into his car and left. Back inside the apartment Leo was finishing throwing always the shattered pieces of the lamp that was next to Nick's bed when Joey came in with another trash bag to clean up with. "So are we going to work on the job applications some more today?" Joey asked. "I can't today Joe," Leo replied. "I have a lot going on today. I don't even know if I'll be able to do all I have to do." "Anything I could help with?" Joey offered. "No, it's okay," Leo replied. "Leo, I would really like to help," Joey said. "Please." Leo thought it over, while he could use the help at the center, he wasn't positive yet if Joey was responsible enough, but after a minute he realized the only way to find out was to give him a shot. "Well, there is one thing you can do," Leo said. "What?" Joey asked. "I have someone that is going to be meeting me at the center at noon to hand out flyers around town," Leo replied. "If you want to go in my place and just help him and go to different buildings and businesses and hand out the flyers it would help me out a lot," Leo replied. "No problem," Joey said. "What are the flyers for?" "We're throwing a fund raiser for the center," Leo said. "And it's just letting people know when it is and how to donate." "Well I'd love to help," Joey said. "Great," Leo smiled. "Well the flyers are in the top drawer of my desk in my office. I have to get going, but I'll check in on you later all right?" "All right," Joey replied. "Who's the person I'm meeting?" "His name is Hank," Leo replied. "Thanks Leo," Joey said. "You're welcome," Leo said. "I'll talk to you later." "Bye," Joey called out as Leo rushed out. When Kurt got out of his car in the parking lot at his office he was looking across the street when he saw a homeless man begging for change. It wasn't unusual to see a homeless person in LA, but this man looked familiar. Kurt squinted his eyes a bit to try and get a better view of his face. He looked down at his watch and saw that he was five minutes late for work, Claudia was going to yell at him anyway, so he decided to go across the street to try and figure out why the homeless man looked so familiar. When he got across the street he was able to hear the man speak. "Can you spare a dollar?" the man asked people walking by him as he held out a dirty paper cup filled with a few coins. As Kurt got closer, the voice too began to sound familiar and when he saw the face is when he knew who that homeless person was. "Tristan?" Kurt asked gently as he approached the man. "Get away from me!" he screamed covering his face so Kurt couldn't see him. "Tristan, is that you?" Kurt asked. "Please go away Kurt," Tristan pleaded in humiliation. "Tristan, what happened?" Kurt asked. "Kurt, please go away," Tristan said again. "Why are you living on the streets?" Kurt asked. "Do you know how worried Leo was about you when you left?" "How is he?" Tristan asked. "He's good," Kurt replied. "Let me take you back to my place so you can shower and eat and we'll talk." "No, Leo might be there," Tristan said. "I can't see him." "Leo has work today," Kurt said. "He won't be there." "I don't know," Tristan sighed. "Tristan, please," Kurt said. "Lets talk. Go wait by my car and I'll go tell my boss that I have to have the day off." "Okay," Tristan sighed. "Thanks." "You're welcome," Kurt replied. Tristan headed to Kurt's car slowly walking in obvious humiliation. Kurt just watched him for a moment feeling completely terrible for the state that Tristan got himself in. Kurt then took a deep breath and then went to tell Claudia he wouldn't be coming in. Meanwhile, Leo got to a little cafe a few blocks from his place and found a man sitting in the back corner who he was looking for. The man was named Harvey Wilkins, in his fifties, a bit heavy-set, beard, he had a look that told you that he doesn't have much fun in his life. "Hey Harvey," Leo said sitting down. "Hello Leo," Harvey replied hading Leo a big envelope. "Did you find him?" Leo asked. "I told you I would," Harvey replied. "He was tough to track down, but I was able to." "Where is he?" Leo asked opening up the envelope and taking out a few photographs that Harvey had taken. "He's not doing so great," Harvey said. "Good. Where is he living?" Leo asked. "He has a little place in East Los Angeles. It's in a bad neighborhood," Harvey replied. "From what I found out, he is staying there and working at a local diner." "How was he able to rent a place?" Leo asked. "The police are looking for him." "He's going by a different name," Harvey answered. "He's going by the name of Russ now." "Son-of-a-bitch," Leo said. "I don't understand how you were able to find him and the police weren't, but I appreciate it." "It's why I'm the best," Harvey said. "It was worth every cent," Leo replied getting up. "Thanks again Harvey." "What do you plan to do with him once you make contact?" Harvey asked. "It's personal," Leo replied. "Bye." Leo then walked out of the restaurant and looked again at the pictures that Harvey took of Wayne. Down at the Gay and Lesbian Center Joey got there a little before noon. He went into Leo's office and grabbed the flyers and waited for Hank to arrive. He looked at the desk in Leo's office and noticed the pictures of him with Kurt and Nick and then one where he is with Jesse. Joey couldn't help but be a little envious of the nice little life Leo had and hoped that one day he could have a life like it. "Am I in the right office?" a guy asked as he walked into the office. "Are you Hank Thomas?" Joey asked. "Yeah," Hank sighed. "Hi, I'm Joey Valentine," Joey said shaking Hank's. Joey then noticed how incredibly cute Hank was, he seemed to be about 5'10, light brown hair, blue eyes, he had a look that was a mixture of being hot and cute at the same time. "So where's Leo?" Hank asked. "He unfortunately had something he needed to do today so he sent me to help you out," Joey replied. "Can I leave then?" Hank sighed, clearly not wanting to be there. "No, he asked me to come to help you hand out flyers," Joey said. "Fine, let's go then," Hank said. "This will be fun," Joey mumbled to himself. Outside as they were handing out the flyers Hank didn't say one word, Leo tried talking, but got nothing from him. "So, you obviously don't want to be here," Joey said. "Can you explain to me why you even come to the Center? It's strictly volunteer work you're doing here, no one is forcing you." "I don't have to explain anything to you," Hank said. "How old are you?" Joey asked. "You're acting like you're twelve." "I'm eighteen," Hank replied. "Me too," Joey said. "Why don't you quit your bitching and help me or just leave." "I can't leave," Hank said. "Why not?" Joey asked. "Because this is part of the help I need to do in exchange for staying at the shelter," Hank replied. "What shelter?" Joey asked. "The center has a shelter for people who don't have a place to live," Hank said. "I'm staying there and in return they are having me do some online GED prep courses and some volunteer work. So I have to be here." "Do you give Leo this much grief?" Joey asked. "Maybe that's why he pawned you off on me." "I don't need to put up with this crap from you," Hank said. "Just hand me a stack of flyers and I'll pass them out by myself." "No, if anything happens to you my ass is on the line," Joey said. "Sorry, but as much as it pains both of us, you're sticking with me." "Whatever," Hank groaned. "Whatever," Joey mocked quietly. When Kurt and Tristan got back to Kurt's apartment he went and got Tristan some clean clothes and let him take a shower while he cooked some food for him to eat. When Tristan came out of the shower Kurt had a plate of pasta sitting at the kitchen table for him. Kurt was impressed by how well Tristan cleaned up, by looking at him you wouldn't be able to tell he was homeless. "Thanks Kurt," Tristan sighed, still embarrassed. "It's no problem," Kurt said as him and Tristan sat down at the table together. "So how long have you been living like that?" "Since I left Leo," Tristan replied. "So about three months?" Kurt asked. "Yeah," Tristan nodded. "What happened Tristan?" Kurt asked. "I just couldn't do it," Tristan replied. "I'm not strong like Leo is." "I think you just didn't give yourself enough credit for the progress you made in rehab," Kurt said. "No," Tristan said. "It was me. I wasn't strong enough." "You should stay here until Leo gets back," Kurt suggested. "He can help you." "I don't want his help," Tristan replied. "I don't want him to know I'm here." "But Tristan-" Kurt began, but Tristan cut him off. "No," Tristan said. "Promise me you won't tell him about me. Please Kurt, I don't want Leo to remember me being like this. Dirty, no home, nothing." "Tristan," Kurt said wanting to reason with him. "Promise me," Tristan insisted. "I promise," Kurt reluctantly agreed. "Thank you," Tristan said. "But you have to let me help you," Kurt said. "If you won't let Leo, then at least let me." "What do you mean?" Tristan asked. "Let me take you back to rehab," Kurt replied. "No," Tristan said. "No, I will not go back there." "But they can help you," Kurt said. "You can get your life back together." "I said no," Tristan replied. "I'm not going to go back there." "Then what are you going to do?" Kurt asked. "Are you going to just go back to the streets and live there? Why are you going to throw your life away?" "Because maybe living life the way you think I should just doesn't work for me," Tristan replied. "I'm not like you or Leo or Nick. I'm not able to make it in the world you guys live in. It's too hard." "That's life," Kurt said. "Life deals you a tough hand sometimes, but we have to face them." "You have no idea what it's like having to deal with something like me," Tristan said. "Oh no?" Kurt asked. "You think I never had to go through something that was so hard and so painful I wanted to just ran away from it all?" "Yeah," Tristan replied. "Well you're wrong," Kurt said. "In fact, just recently Nick got killed." "What?" Tristan asked shocked. "Yeah," Kurt replied. "Nick, my best friend, got killed. So believe me, I know what it's like when life doesn't exactly seem fair." "I'm sorry," Tristan said. "I know what it's like to lose a friend." "Yeah life isn't fair," Kurt said. "There are times when it sucks beyond the telling of it, but it's something we have to live with and we have to face. You've been running for too long Tristan, it's time to face it." "I told you, I can't," Tristan said. "You can, you just don't want to," Kurt pointed out. "There's a difference." Before Tristan could reply they heard a the front door being unlocked. Tristan's eyes grew wide with fear because he knew who would be coming in. Leo walked in and immediately made eye contact with Tristan. "Oh my God," Leo sighed in disbelief. "Leo, why don't you come sit down with us," Kurt said. "Tristan, what are you doing here?" Leo asked. "What's going on?" "Hey Leo," Tristan smiled meekly. "What's going on?" Leo asked looking back at Kurt and Tristan. "I think I should let the two of you talk and I'll just go," Kurt said starting to get up from the table. "No, sit down," Leo said. "I asked you guys a question. What the hell is going on?" "Here's the thing," Tristan said starting to come clean, but Kurt jumped in. "Tristan just stopped by to tell you that he was okay," Kurt said. "He felt bad about how he left." "Yeah," Tristan added giving Kurt a grateful smile. "I just wanted to drop by and say hi and tell you not to worry about me." "You're okay?" Leo asked skeptical. "Yeah," Tristan replied. "Where did you go?" Leo asked. "I had a lot of stuff to figure out so I went to stay with a relative I have in Oregon," Tristan replied. "I was just down for a bit, because I felt guilty about taking off the way I did." "I see," Leo said. "Well, I'm glad you're doing good." "Yeah, and I hear you're doing good too," Tristan said. "Kurt was telling me that Jesse woke up, that's great." "Yeah," Leo smiled. "Great," Tristan replied. The two of them both took a moment to take each other in, at one time they both liked each other a great deal and now it seemed like it was a lifetime ago. "Well I just came here to change my clothes then I have to go back out," Leo said. "But thank you for stopping by Tristan." "Of course," Tristan replied as the two hugged. Tristan held onto Leo tightly, wanting so much to be back in his arms, but knowing that it would never happen again. "Take care," Leo said. "You too," Tristan replied. They then finished their hug and Leo went and changed and then headed out. "Well, goodbye Tristan," Leo said as he opened the door to leave. "Bye Leo," Tristan replied putting on a brave front. After Leo left Tristan buried his face in his hands in humiliation. "You okay?" Kurt asked. "I'll be fine," Tristan replied. "Thanks Kurt." "You want some more pasta?" Kurt asked. "No, I should go," Tristan replied. "Go? Go where?" Kurt asked. "Kurt, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but face it, some people just aren't meant for anything in life," Tristan replied. "Everyone is meant for something," Kurt insisted, "It's just up to that person to live up to their potential." "Maybe if it was during my time in rehab when I felt like I could fight this," Tristan said. "It's too late now." "You have got to stop playing the victim here," Kurt said. "It's way to 'damsel in distress.'" "I don't want help," Tristan said. "I just want to be left alone. Thank you for everything Kurt, maybe one day I'll find the strength to put my life together, but I doubt it." Before Kurt could reply, Tristan left. Kurt shook his head in sadness for Tristan, as much as he wanted to help him, he knew that he couldn't if Tristan wasn't willing to fight. Later that day Leo finally got to the place that Harvey listed where Wayne was now living. It was a very run down neighborhood, it was a good place to go if someone didn't want to be found. Leo got out of his car and walked across the street to where Wayne lived. As he was walking to the front door all he could do was think of Nick and how quickly his life was cut short. When he finally got up to the front door he was so filled with rage and anger that he pounded on the door. "Hold on a second!" someone yelled on the other side of the door. When the door opened Leo was shocked to see a middle aged woman instead of Wayne. "What do you want?" the woman asked in a cranky tone. "You're not Wayne," Leo said. "Good observation genius," the woman sad sarcastically. "Is Russ here?" Leo asked remembering that Wayne went by a different name now. "No," she replied. "Are you sure about that?" Leo asked not in the mood to play any sort of games as he tried to look into the apartment. "Positive," the woman said. "He left two days ago. He was paranoid that someone was following him so he packed his stuff up and let me take over the lease. I worked with him down at the diner." "What?" Leo asked upset to hear that Wayne wasn't there anymore. "Where did he go?" "I don't know," she replied indifferently, "Personally I didn't care. He was a pain in the ass at work." "I bet," Leo said. "Look, I need to find him. Do you have any idea where he might have gone? Did he mention anything?" "Do I look like his secretary?" she asked. "I already said, I don't know where he is." "Dammit," Leo sighed. "Why do you need to find him so bad?" she asked. "He in some sort of trouble?" "You could say that," Leo replied. "If you ever see them, will you give him a message?" "What?" the woman asked. "Tell him he can't keep running forever," Leo said as he turned and walked away. Leo then got in his car and left. When the woman closed the door Wayne was standing on the other side of the door listening to their conversation. "Thanks Janice," Wayne said. "Yeah," Janice replied. "Mind telling me what the hell I just did?" "Don't ask questions," Wayne said. "I have to go now." "Where are you going?" Janice asked. "What's going on? Who was that guy?" "Janice all you need to know is that you are now getting to stay here for two months with out having to pay rent," Wayne replied. Wayne then grabbed his bags to leave. "Thank you." "Sure," Janice replied with a shrug. "You know, he's right." "What?" Wayne asked. "Whatever you're running from," Janice replied. "You can't keep doing it. It will eventually catch up with you." "I know," Wayne said. With that Wayne left and was once again on the run. Meanwhile, Joey and Hank were just finishing handing out their flyers and were headed back to the Center, both kept pretty silent most of the day since they couldn't stand each other. "Well this day was fun," Hank said sarcastically. "You're so much fun to be with." "Shut it," Joey retorted, "You aren't exactly winning any ray of sunshine contest either." "I don't know what's worse," Hank said. "Listening to a Deathcab for Cutie album or listening to you." "Believe me, among the five most annoying people in this world you just beat Andy Dick," Joey shot back. "Let's just get back to the Center," Hank said. "Smartest thing you've said all day," Joey said. "Faster we get there, faster I'll be able to leave and never have to see you again." When they got back to the Center they stormed into Leo's office and were surprised to find him there sitting at his desk. "Leo, what are you doing here?" Joey asked. "My appointment I had today got cut short so I came here to see how things were going," Leo replied. "How did you two do?" "Great," Joey said trying to keep things professional in front of Leo. "Perfect," Hank said putting on a fake smile. "Good job guys," Leo said. "Well, I just have to make some more copies of these flyers and Hank and I will pass some more out tomorrow." Leo then left the office. "So are you going to leave?" Hank asked. "Yes," Joey said. "Are you?" "Yes," Hank replied. "Why aren't you leaving?" Joey asked. "Why aren't you?" Hank shot back. The two quietly looked at each other for a moment before lunging at each other and started kissing. "What are you doing?" Joey asked breaking the kiss for a moment. "I don't know," Hank replied. "What are you doing?" "No idea," Joey answered, "But I know I want to keep doing it." "Me too," Hank said before they started kissing again. "Whoa," Leo said as he walked back into the office, "What's going on?" Joey and Hank quickly separated from each other as soon as they heard Leo's voice. "Nothing," Joey said with a shrug. "Yeah," Leo replied sarcastically, "Walking in on you two kissing is nothing." "We're not too sure what we're doing," Hank said. "We-" "Hate each other," Joey finished Hank's sentence. "I'd even use the word despise," Hank said. "Yeah, despise is a good way to put it," Joey said. "So you two fight by kissing?" Leo asked. "Can you just pretend you didn't see it?" Joey asked. "Love to," Leo replied sitting at his desk. "Good, well I should get going," Joey said. "Joey, come over to my apartment for dinner tonight, okay?" Leo asked. "Got it," Joey said as he left. "I guess I'll go too," Hank replied. "Wait, stay a minute Hank," Leo said. "Sit down please." "What's up Leo?" Hank asked sitting at a chair across from Leo's desk. "I just wanted to see how things were going with you?" Leo asked. "Things are okay," Hank replied. "Better." "It's going to take a long time to get over what you went through," Leo said. "I know," Hank replied. "And I want to make sure you know that you can always come talk to me," Leo said. "Trust me, if anyone knows what it's like to go through what you went through, it's me." "I appreciate it Leo," Hank said. "Can I ask you a question?" Leo asked. "Sure," Hank replied. "Are you and Joey going to see each other again?" Leo asked. "I don't know," Hank replied. "What we did just now was completely not what either of us expected." "Well, if you do, be good to each other," Leo said. "He's had a rough life too." "Okay," Hank said getting up. "Thanks Leo." "No problem Hank," Leo smiled. That night, Kurt, Leo and Jesse were cooking dinner and waiting for Joey to show up. "Kurt, can I ask you something?" Leo asked. "Yeah," Kurt answered. "What was Tristan really doing here?" Leo asked. "You had that look like you just got caught with Monica Lewinsky when I walked into the apartment." "Tristan?" Jesse asked. "The guy you dated?" "Yeah," Leo replied. "He was here talking with Kurt." "He just came by to tell you that he was doing okay," Kurt lied. "Really?" Leo asked skeptically. "Yeah," Kurt said. "He's fine. That's all he wanted to say." "Oh," Leo said. "Okay. Well, I'm glad he's doing all right." "What did you do today Jesse?" Kurt asked quickly changing the subject. "Just worked," Jesse replied. "Been getting into the old routine I used to do before the accident." "And doing great at it," Leo said giving Jesse a kiss. "Knock, knock," Joey said as he opened the door to let himself in. "Hey," Leo greeted as he came in. "Hi Joey," Kurt said. "Dinner is almost done." Kurt then checked on the chicken they had cooking in the oven. "Can I help with anything?" Joey asked. "No, just tell us about the boy you were kissing today," Jesse said. "I see Leo told you guys about that," Joey smiled embarrassed. "Of course he did," Kurt said. "So spill." "He's just this guy that Leo wanted me to go with to hand out flyers today," Joey said. "I really don't like him at all." "Oh yeah, that's usually how we treat people we don't like," Kurt said sarcastically. "Yeah, the other day there was a guy who annoyed me to death so I had sex with him," Jesse joked. "It's okay if you like Hank," Leo said. "That's the thing," Joey replied. "I really don't. I really can't stand him, but we just had this heat between us." "Can't deny the heat," Jesse said. "It was only one kiss," Joey said. "So can we just drop the interrogation." "Fine," Leo said. "Kurt, are you still mad at me about Nick's room?" Joey asked, changing subjects. "No," Kurt replied. "In fact, I wanted to apologize for snapping at you. I know it wasn't your fault." "Thank you," Joey smiled. "Well, dinner is ready," Kurt said taking the chicken out of the oven. "Great! Let's eat," Jesse said. The guys sat down and enjoyed dinner together. After dinner Kurt went over to Ryan's place. "So how was Disneyland?" Kurt asked as the two enjoyed a glass of wine together in the kitchen. "It was fun," Ryan replied. "Exhausting, but fun." "That's good," Kurt said. "I love having Sydney here," Ryan said. "It just feels right. There's nothing like being a dad." "I'll take your word for it," Kurt replied. "Do you ever think of being a dad?" Ryan asked. "Me?" Kurt asked with a chuckle, "No. I'm not exactly the father-type." "You don't think about having a family? Getting married?" Ryan asked. "Marriage?" Kurt asked. "No, I never thought of that." "Why not?" Ryan asked. "It's just too much of a Charlotte York fantasy for me," Kurt replied. "Charlotte York?" Ryan asked. "Sex and the City," Kurt answered. "Yeah I know, best friend to Carrie Bradshaw. I just wasn't expecting a reference like that to pop up," Ryan said. "It's just something I never gave much thought to," Kurt said. "Do you want to get married?" Ryan asked. "Not really, no," Kurt replied. "Really?" Ryan asked a little disappointed. "Do you?" Kurt asked. "I guess not," Ryan lied. "Phew," Kurt laughed giving Ryan a kiss. "Come on, let's get some sleep." Kurt got up to head to Ryan's bedroom. "I'll be right there," Ryan said. "Okay," Kurt replied walking away. After Kurt was in the room Ryan pulled out a ring he was holding in his pocket and places it inside one of the kitchen drawers. He then let out a little sigh and went to join Kurt in bed. To Be Continued... With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!