Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 00:39:02 -0800 (PST) From: Kirk Landers Subject: Phases- part 45 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. Here's part 45 entitled, 'The Missing' "THE MISSING" Two weeks have passed since Thanksgiving and Jesse still hasn't heard from Mark. He's called his cell phone constantly, checked in with his parents, even filed a missing persons report, but had no luck. It's all he's been able to think about since he woke up the day after Thanksgiving to find Mark and all his things gone. Once again, Leo's had to take a backseat to Mark, but at least Leo knew it was for good reason this time. He was worried about Mark as well and wondered why Mark left when he had such a good thing going for him by staying with him and Jesse. "Well please call me as soon as you here anything," Jesse said talking to the police station. He's gotten into the habit of calling them every day. "Jesse, the police will call you if they find him," Leo said putting his arm around him. "You have to stop getting yourself all worked up." "He's my little brother," Jesse said, "And he's missing. How can I not worry?" "I'm sure he's fine," Leo said optimistically. "You don't know that," Jesse replied. "What if something happened to him?" "You have to stop thinking so negatively," Leo said. "Why don't you go into work? You haven't been into the office for two weeks." "I won't be able to concentrate there," Jesse said. "Well you have to," Leo said. "Do you want to add finding a new job on that list of worries? Because that's what will happen if you continue to not go into work. They'll fire you." "Do you not understand how upset I am right now?" Jesse asked. "I do," Leo replied. "But you need to try and carry on. Mark will be found when he wants to be." "You're right," Jesse sighed, "I know that." "Good," Leo said. "Now go get ready for work." "Okay," Jesse said giving Leo a kiss, "Can I talk to you about something real quick though?" "Sure," Leo replied. "Leo, until I know he's okay I can't think about planning our wedding," Jesse said taking Leo's hands in his. "Is it okay if we put it off a little longer?" Leo sighed knowing that was coming sooner or later, "Sure." Jesse gave Leo another kiss and then went to get ready for work as Leo sighed, not being able to help but feel a little disappointed. He then put on his jacket and left for work. Meanwhile, Kurt was at the hospital spending some more time with Josh. Something he's been doing practically everyday. "Do you not have any healthy people to talk to? Is that why you decide to come down to the hospital and find a sick person to talk to?" Josh joked. "I do, but I feel by me coming here and talking to you then I'm fulfilling my good deeds for the year," Kurt retorted. "Oh, ouch," Josh feigned being hurt. "Do you not like me coming here?" Kurt asked. "No, I do," Josh replied. "Probably more then I should." "What do you mean?" Kurt asked. "Well, you shouldn't be here flirting with a sick guy like me," Josh said. "You should be out at the clubs or at the bars hitting on healthy people." "None of them seem to interests me the same way you do," Kurt smiled sincerely. "I like spending time with you. You make me feel good." "I feel good when I'm with you too," Josh replied. "Sometimes I even forget I'm sick." "How about we go on a date?" Kurt suggested. "A date?" Josh asked. "Explain to me how we're going to go on a date when I'm staying here?" "I'll come by later and we can eat in the cafeteria," Kurt said. "Wow, some date," Josh sighed wishing he wasn't sick and could take Kurt out on a real great date. "It sounds like a good date to me," Kurt said. "As long as I'm spending time with you, anything we do will be a good date." "Kurt, I want you to think really carefully first," Josh said. "Do you really want to get romantically involved with someone who might not even live to see next year?" "I do," Kurt said. "If there's one thing I've learned is that life is precious and you have to make every second count." "Are you sure?" Josh asked. "I'm positive," Kurt replied getting up, "I'll be by around six. See you later." "Bye," Josh smiled impressed by how open Kurt is to dating him. Over in Newport Beach, Ryan took the day off of work and was spending some time with Gordon. The two were at Fashion Island eating at Cheesecake Factory. "So you grew up in Newport?" Ryan asked as they were eating their food. "Yeah, born and raised," Gordon replied. "And what do you do for a living?" Ryan asked. "I'm a partner at a Law Firm," Gordon replied. "So are you busy a lot?" Ryan asked. "Actually not that much," Gordon said. "It's been a while since I've seen the inside of a court. One thing we often do in the cases we get is settling. We get through twice the amount of cases by settling then if we take it to court." "And do you have a family or anything?" Ryan asked. "I used to be married," Gordon replied. "But we divorced ten years ago." "And kids?" Ryan asked. "You do have three siblings," Gordon confirmed. "Wow," Ryan said taking it all in, "This is unbelievable." "What is?" Gordon asked. "Well, I go one day with out any family then suddenly I meet my birth father and find out that I have siblings," Ryan replied. "Is that a good thing?" Gordon asked hopeful. "It's good," Ryan replied. "It's just going to take some getting used to. Your my father yet I don't really know you at all." "Ryan, I want you to know something," Gordon said. "Had I known you existed I never would have let you be taken away from me." "You say that now," Ryan said, "But who knows if that's really what you would have done?" "I know there's no way of knowing," Gordon said. "But the more I think about it, the more I truly feel that I never would have given you up." "Why did my birth mother?" Ryan asked. "I think she felt that she didn't have the means to be a good mother," Gordon replied. "She was captain of the cheerleading squad, the prom queen, she was going to go to Harvard for college. Her parents wanted those things for her. I think her giving you up was more their doing than hers." "Really?" Ryan asked. "Yeah," Gordon replied. "You need to know that your mother isn't a bad person. She's a great lady and when she told me about you she said she regrets it every day of her life." "Regrets having me?" Ryan asked. "No," Gordon said. "She regrets giving you up." "What's her name?" Ryan asked. "Lyla," Gordon replied. "Where does she live now?" Ryan asked. "I don't know," Gordon said gently. "After she told me about you she seemed to have disappeared." "Oh," Ryan said feeling his heart tighten knowing he'll never know his birth mother, a secret hope he's carried all his life. "When?" "About a year ago," Gordon replied. "I'm sorry." "It's fine," Ryan said pretending that it didn't hurt to hear that it looks like he'll never get the chance to meet her. "Yeah, but still-" Gordon replied, but Ryan quickly cut him off by changing the subject. "So tell me about your kids?" Jesse didn't go into work like he told Leo he was going to. He ended up going over to his parents' place to see if they heard anything. But they had no news either, and it was worrying all of them. "Leo thinks that he's fine," Jesse said. "He said that Mark will be found when he wants to be." "That's probably true," Darryl said hopeful. "It's all we have to go on right now," Helen added. "But it's not enough for me." "I know Mom," Jesse said giving his mom a hug. "I wish I knew where he was." "I just don't understand what happened, what prompted him to leave? Last time we saw him things were starting to calm down," Helen said. "I don't know," Jesse said. "I've been trying to figure it out myself." "Did you two have a fight or anything?" Darryl asked, "Was he having troubles he didn't tell us?" "There was one thing," Jesse replied, "But him and I were going to figure it out together." "What was it?" Helen asked desperate. "I can't say," Jesse replied not wanting to spill more of Mark's dirty laundry. "You need to tell us Jesse," Darryl said. "But it shouldn't be me telling you," Jesse said. "If anyone should say it, it should be Mark." "Well he's not here," Helen said. "Please Jesse. Tell us." "Fine, but please don't freak out," Jesse said. "Just tell us son," Darryl said. Jesse sighed, hating that he has to tell his parents this, "Mark might have a kid." Darryl and Helen both were speechless, not knowing how to take that bit of news. "He found out a few weeks ago," Jesse said. "But we're not positive it's his. We were going to have him take a paternity test to be sure." "But it's possible that Mark has a child?" Helen asked. "Yeah," Jesse sighed. "I'm sorry to tell you both like this." Helen and Darryl both looked at each other, still trying to process that information. Meanwhile, Leo was at work on his computer when he saw an e-mail from a small production company he had sent his resume and a brief synopsis of his script to. As he was reading the e-mail Kurt came into his office. "Hey Leo," Kurt said sitting down in a chair across from Leo's desk. "One second," Leo said reading the e-mail. After he finished he quickly jumped up in excitement. "What's going on?" Kurt asked. "I got a meeting with Golden Treasures Productions," Leo replied. "What's that?" Kurt asked. "It's this small company," Leo replied. "I applied for an internship and sent in an outline of the script I wrote and they want to meet me." "Leo that's great!" Kurt said giving him a hug. "I didn't even know you applied for an internship." "I didn't want to say anything in case I didn't get it," Leo replied, "But I got an interview, that's a good sign, right?" "That's a great sign!" Kurt said. "Leo, this is excellent. You're finally starting to take the right steps to do what you want to do with your career." "I know," Leo said, "I should call Jesse." "How's he doing?" Kurt asked. "Not good," Leo replied. "He hasn't been into work for the past couple weeks." "You're kidding," Kurt sighed, "Poor Jesse. If you guys need anything, let me know." "We will," Leo said. "What are you doing here anyway? Did we have plans?" "No, I just was on my way home from the hospital and decided to stop by," Kurt said. "The hospital?" Leo asked, "Were you visiting that one guy again?" "Yeah," Kurt replied. "Josh is a really great guy Leo. In fact, him and I have a date tonight." "What?" Leo asked surprised. "You're going on a date with a guy who's at the hospital?" "Yeah," Kurt replied. "What's wrong with that?" "Where are you two going?" Leo asked. "We're going to stay at the hospital," Kurt replied. "Oh," Leo said, "Well isn't that what you two have been doing for a while anyway?" "Yeah, but this time it's a date," Kurt smiled. "You really like him, huh?" Leo asked. "I do," Kurt replied. "Well I'm glad," Leo said. "It's time you dated again. But aren't you worried about the fact that he's sick?" "It sucks, but I don't really care," Kurt said. "I know that there's a chance he won't live, but there are advances in medicine every day. And maybe while I'm with him they'll find some way to help him." "That's true," Leo said. "Just be careful, okay?" "Always," Kurt said giving Leo a hug, "You have a good day. I'm going to go shopping for my date." "Maybe I'll leave work early today and go with you," Leo said. "I can shop for clothes to wear to my interview." "Sounds like a good idea," Kurt smiled. "Come on." The two then headed out to shop for their big events ahead. Later that night, Kurt was getting dressed when Ryan knocked and entered the room. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Ryan asked. "Sure," Kurt replied. "What's up?" "It's about my dad, or Gordon, I'm not even sure what to call him," Ryan sighed. "This is something I never expected to happen." "But isn't it a good thing?" Kurt asked. "I guess so," Ryan replied. "It's just weird having him in my life all of the sudden." "Well it's obviously going to take some getting used to," Kurt said. "But eventually it'll get easier." "It's just that, he's my father, but he's a complete stranger to me," Ryan said. "That's why you need to just spend time with him, give each other a chance to get to know one another," Kurt said. "Ryan, you are the type of person anyone would be proud to call their son." "You think so?" Ryan asked. "I wouldn't have fallen in love with you if I didn't think so," Kurt smiled. The two took a moment to gaze at each other, both having so much history between them, so much history that was taken away from them. Ryan quickly changed the subject by commenting on how dressed up Kurt was. "Well I'm kind of going on a date," Kurt sighed. "A date?" Ryan asked stunned. "With who?" "You know that guy I've mentioned at the hospital?" Kurt asked. "The guy who's dying?" Ryan asked. "You're going on a date with someone who's dying?" "Don't say it like that," Kurt replied. "He's not dying, he's just sick. He's a great guy who I get along with." "But he's dying," Ryan said. "How could you even think about dating someone who might possibly die soon?" "Ryan, I appreciate the concern, but it's fine," Kurt said. "Do I realize that he may not be around for much longer? Yes, but he's a great guy and I want to do this." "I don't think it's a good idea," Ryan said. "Well I do," Kurt said. "I'll be okay Ryan." Kurt then grabbed his coat and headed for the door. "Go see your dad tonight," Kurt suggested. "I can't," Ryan said. "He's having dinner with your mom tonight." "What?" Kurt asked stopping in his tracks. "It's not a date, is it?" "I don't think so," Ryan said, "They just got along well on Thanksgiving and wanted to spend some time together." "Interesting," Kurt said not sure what to think about that. "So you're going on your date now?" Ryan asked. "Yeah," Kurt replied. "Where are you going to go for your date? The hospital cafeteria?" Ryan asked with a hint of judgment in his voice. "Enough," Kurt sighed, "I'll talk to you later." Kurt then headed out for his date, leaving Ryan who was slightly jealous. When Jesse got home that night, Leo was waiting for him in the living room. "Where were you?" Leo asked. "Work," Jesse lied. "Oh yeah?" Leo asked. "Yeah," Jesse said, "Why?" "Because your boss called today," Leo replied. "He said you missed an important meeting with some new clients." "Oh," Jesse said sheepishly. "So tell me where you really were," Leo said. "I went to my parents place and then drove around looking for Mark some more," Jesse admitted. "Jesse, you have to stop doing this," Leo said. "Doing what? Caring about my brother?" Jesse asked. "No, you have to stop putting your life on hold in order to help your brother," Leo replied. "Like it or not, Mark is a grown man. If he's going to do something then that's his decision to make, not yours. He left at his own free will, you can't blame yourself for that." "Yeah, well it's a little late for that," Jesse said defeated. "I failed him." "No you didn't," Leo replied quickly. "Yes I did," Jesse said. "I promised him that I would help him get his life back together." "You did everything you could," Leo said comforting Jesse. "You gave him a place to stay, you gave him a chance to start again." "It wasn't enough though," Jesse said. "I should have done more." "You know what? If you're just going to beat yourself up over this, fine. I don't know what more I can say," Leo said grabbing his car keys and heading for the front door. "I'm going to go over to Kurt and Ryan's for a bit, because I'm not going to just watch you sulk over something that isn't even your fault." Leo then left frustrated at how Jesse was treating himself. Over at the hospital when Kurt got there he helped Josh into a wheelchair and took him to the cafeteria where they got sandwiches and milk. "Classy date, huh?" Josh asked. "It doesn't matter where you go, only about the company you have," Kurt replied. "Very true," Josh said. "So, can I ask you something?" Kurt asked. "Of course," Josh replied. "How is it that you have such a good sense of humor through all you're going through?" Kurt asked. "Well, what's happening to me isn't anyone's fault," Josh said. "I guess I see no reason to be angry." "You see no reason to be angry?" Kurt asked. "You live a perfectly healthy life and then suddenly you get cancer, that's not a reason to be angry?" "I guess if you look at it that way it is," Josh said. "But from the way I look at it, I've lived a great life. I have no complaints, I have no regrets, if I'm going to die young, I feel pretty luck to die knowing I've lived a full life." "Then why even stay at a hospital if you're so content with dying?" Kurt asked. "I was rushed here in and out so much with medications that I needed that the doctors figured it would be easier to monitor me if I stay here," Josh replied. "You're a remarkable person," Kurt smiled. "I'm starting to feel the same way towards you," Josh replied. Over at Kurt and Ryan's place, Leo came over and forgot that Kurt was on his date. "Is it okay if I hang here for a bit?" Leo asked Ryan. "Of course," Ryan replied. "I could use the company." "Oh yeah? How come?" Leo asked. "Kurt's on his date and it's making me feel pretty miserable," Ryan replied. "What's making you miserable? The fact that Kurt's on a date or that he's dating before you?" Leo asked. "The fact that Kurt's going on a date and it's not with me," Ryan replied. "I guess a part of me still feels like Kurt and I are supposed to be together." "Well, if you ask me, Kurt isn't over you either," Leo said. "He's on a date with someone he says he really likes," Ryan replied. "I'm pretty sure he's over me." "No he isn't," Leo said. "Ryan, why would Kurt pick a dying man to start dating? He knows subconsciously that this new relationship with Josh won't last long and I think that makes it safer for him. It makes it okay for him, otherwise he wouldn't be dating someone either." "You think?" Ryan asked. "I think so," Leo said rubbing Ryan's back. "Thanks," Ryan sighed giving Leo a hug. "So what's wrong on your end?" "It's Jesse," Leo said. "He's full of all this guilt about Mark." "Why? It isn't his fault that Mark ran away," Ryan said. "That's what I'm trying to tell him," Leo said. "But he swears that he could have done more to help him." "Impossible," Ryan said. "Jesse went above and beyond for Mark. Obviously he's going to feel upset because it's his brother, but he can't blame himself." "I know that," Leo said. "I just wish he did." "You've been having a lot of problems with Jesse lately, huh?" Ryan asked. "Yeah," Leo sighed. "I just wish I knew what to do. I feel like I never can say or do anything to help him." "He's lucky to have you and I'm sure he knows it," Ryan pointed out. "Maybe you should try telling him that," Leo joked. "I'm sure he knows that," Ryan said. "If I had a boyfriend as good as you I would make sure you knew just how special you are." "Yeah?" Leo asked. "Absolutely," Ryan replied. "Thanks so much for that Ryan," Leo said giving Ryan a hug, "You're going to find someone great, because you deserve it." "Thanks," Ryan said giving Leo a kiss on the cheek. "And Jesse will start to appreciate you again. I know it." "I hope so," Leo replied. Over at the hospital Kurt was back in the hospital room with Josh. The two were sitting back and playing cards together. "So how does this night rank over all the first dates you've been on in your life?" Josh asked. "All the first dates?" Kurt laughed. "I've only been on a few in my life." "You're kidding," Josh said. "A great guy like you?" "I can count the number of men I've dated on one hand," Kurt said. "That's it?" Josh asked. "Why's that?" "I don't like putting myself out there if I think I'm just going to get hurt," Kurt replied. "Then why are you dating me? You know I'm going to die," Josh said bluntly. "I guess," Kurt replied, "Some people are worth taking the risk over." "Come here," Josh said gesturing for Kurt to lean closer to him. Kurt leaned in and Josh leaned in the rest of the way and gently kissed Kurt. "Wow," Kurt said after the kiss. He knew he liked Josh, but after that kiss he didn't realize how hard he starting to fall for him. To Be Continued... With any comments, questions, or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thanks!