DISCLAIMER: Story is fiction. None of it's true. Not even the imaginary lives I've created for the celebrities. So don't go running to the magazines to sell the story that Justin, Lance, Jc are really gay. It would be a lie. And we don't want you telling lies now do we. Besides, I would hate to sick Gabriel on all of you.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to Timmy, a kindred spirit that never fails to put a smile on my face. Cheers.

Here are a few stories that I have enjoyed reading.

Jc's Hitchhiker (the weirdest title in history)

What I See (Just started this one today. So far I like)

On the Streets (though he never answers my emails)

My Girlfriend Made Me Do It (Is it just me or does this story need updating faster? Hint hint)

Thieves (just cause the ending was one of the most original)

Tales of A Real Dark Knight (mostly cause I'm a Batman freak from hell)

I urge you to read them if you have not already though the chances are slim that you haven't. There are many others stories but the list is too long to tell.

"You threw up?" Gabriel said, choking on his orange juice.

"Can you believe it?" Jc smiled brightly. "I tell him I'm in love with him and all he can do is roll over and hurl over the side of the bed."

All four of them laughed at the story. It was the second time Justin had heard it but it was still funny. Lance was blushing but even he could appreciate the picture.

Jc continued, "There I was, waiting breathlessly for any sign. And he hurls."

"Ow, he was just letting you know how much he loved." Justin piped in with a giggle.

"I love you with every thing inside me." Gabriel stated as he leaned over the edge of the couch and pretended to puke. "I love you this much." Again another retching noise.

"Don't make fun of him." Jc chided him. "He had a lot to drink last night."

"We all did." Gabriel said with a whistle. "I've never drank so much in my life."

"Speaking of drinking." Justin said thoughtfully. "Where's Joey and Chris?"

"Sleeping it off I'd imagine." Lance said finally pushing his empty plate away. Burping loudly, he leaned back against the couch and smiled contently.

"Bout time you finished." Gabriel said with amazement. "I can't believe someone so skinny can eat so much."

"It's all the dancing." Lance said, patting his full stomach.

"Actually it's all the practicing." Justin informed Gabriel with a smile.

"What?" Gabriel turned his head and looked at Justin.

"He's not the best dancer around. It takes him a while to get it right." Justin explained as he dodged a pillow from Jc.

"Don't say that." Jc ordered.

"But it's true." Justin countered, giggling.

"Maybe but it's not polite to point it out." Jc stated in a motherly tone. "Haven't we taught you anything?"

"Sorry mom." Justin said as he peeled a banana.

"That's better." Jc said as he settled down next to Lance on the couch.

Gabriel stood up and gathered all the dishes and pushed the cart into a corner, a frown crossing his scarred face. The others saw the change in his demeanor and gave one another confused looks. Silently, Jc and Lance decided to leave them alone.

"Hey Justin, we have to start getting ready. We leave for the park in two hours." Lance reminded him, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in Gabriel's presence.

"Yeah, plus we have to make sure Joey and Chris are up and ready to go." Jc said absently, staring at Justin intently.

Justin shot Gabriel's back a look and shrugged at Jc. "Yeah, I'll be ready."

"Gabriel." Lance said as he stood up. "It was nice to have met you."

Gabriel turned around, his face unreadable, "Definitely. I wish it could have been under better circumstances though."

"Maybe next time." Lance replied, shaking his hand warmly.

"Josh." Gabriel nodded at the brunet. "I hope you will find true happiness. If anyone deserves to smile its you." Gabriel's voice trailed off as he met Justin's questioning gaze.

"Thanks. Nice meeting you." Jc replied genuinely. "I think I owe you one."

Gabriel smiled, "No worries."

Lance looked at Justin and reminded him, "Two hours. Please be on time today."

Justin flashed him a smile and leaned back into the couch. As they walked out of the room Gabriel sat down on the arm of the chair directly across from Justin, a worried frown on his face.

Justin looked at him and asked, "Why does it feel awkward all of a sudden?"

"Sure you do." Justin stated blandly.

"Always so confident." Gabriel accused him as he rubbed his stomach absently.

"Only when I'm right." Justin replied softly. "Are you worried about today?" Justin asked, fishing for some information or maybe just understanding. From the panic look that crossed Gabriel's features, he realized he hit the mark closer than he expected.

"Justin I..."

Feeling a lie was coming, Justin held up his hand and said, "Look, don't explain."

Gabriel smiled weakly, gratitude washing over him visibly. "Thank you."

"We have our own lives right?" He asked. Gabriel shook his head sadly and he continued, "Let's not cloud up the water any more than it already is."

Gabriel stood up and walked into the bedroom and quickly changed clothes back into his tuxedo. Carrying his jacket in his arms, he walked back into where Justin was sitting on the couch.

Opening the door, he paused, "Good luck tonight."

"You too." Justin said cryptically.

Gabriel shut the door behind him and walked down the hall. Pushing all thoughts of Justin from his tortured conscious, he tried to focus on the day's events. He had no time to worry about the singer or his friends. He had to stop an assassination today and he needed all his energies focused on the task at hand.

When he stepped into the elevator he saw Mike peering at him talking into a mobile phone. As the doors shut he suddenly remembered that he had not spoken with Scott since early last evening. Fishing his phone from his jacket pocket, he dialed the number.

"That's strange." He muttered as he walked out of the elevator. Scott had not answered the phone. Where the fuck could he be at he worried. It wasn't like Scott to not be around a phone. Remembering the problems with Scott's cell phone, he dialed his home number.

The phone was still ringing as he opened the door to his room. Closing the door behind him, his eyes widened. He dropped his phone as he stared at the mess on the bed. After checking the room for unwanted visitors, he walked over to the bed.

Someone had unloaded both of his 9mms along with his high-powered sniper rifle and left them on the bed laid out in an orderly fashion. His lock picking case was open and rested on top of a videotape. Laid out systematically were pictures of all the files he had on the Senator as well as other documents that were supposedly locked safely away in his safe. As he peered over the pictures, he found another warning. This one written instead of typed.

"I know who you are. I know you Robert. This is your last chance. Stay away from the Senator."

"Fuck." He cursed loudly, crumpling up the piece of paper in his hand. Grabbing the videotape, he popped it inside the VCR and pushed play.

The tape was from his own security camera in his apartment. It showed a man dressed in black walking to his door and opening the door with a set of keys. And then with a wave at the camera, the man disappeared into the apartment.

Where the fuck was Scott he wondered angrily. How did someone get keys to his apartment? Stopping the tape, he retrieved it from the machine. Grabbing a trash can, he broken the tape open and retrieved the film. Stuffing all the pictures on top of the film, he opened one of his bags and pulled out a bottle filled with a clear liquid.

A knock on the door caused him to turn suddenly. Grabbing a gun, he quickly loaded it. Peering out the privacy hole, he saw Lonnie standing there. Tucking the gun in his pants, he un-tucked his shirt to hide it before opening the door slightly.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't the best time." He started to explain when the big man pushed the door open roughly. Lonnie gripped him with a massive hand as he barged into the room.

His instincts took over immediately. Using Lonnie's forward momentum against him, he grabbed Lonnie's hand from his shoulder and darted to one side, twisting the arm in the process. Kicking the big man's feet out from under him, Lonnie fell to his knees with a grunt. Gabriel smashed his fist into the side of Lonnie's head, stunning him. That gave Gabriel enough time to pull his gun and point it at the big.

"What the fuck is your problem?" He spat, pushing the gun roughly into Lonnie's back. "That's a good way to wind up dead."

Lonnie moved with lightening quick speed, his hand reaching for his own pistol as dove to the left. As fast as he moved, Gabriel was faster. Before the man could bring his gun to bear, Gabriel brought his own gun crashing down on the top of his head. Lonnie's eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped to the floor.

"Fuck me." Gabriel muttered as he kicked the gun underneath the bed. Making sure Lonnie was still breathing; he shut the door and locked it behind him. Dousing the contents of the trashcan with the clear liquid, he watched as the acid melted the pictures and film. Satisfied with the results, he threw the trashcan into the bathtub and turned on the water.

Filling up the ice bucket with cold water, he walked back into the room and poured the water on Lonnie's face. The big man stirred and groaned before opening his eyes slightly.

Gabriel grabbed a chair and waited for the big man to regain his senses, the whole time training his gun on him. After a few minutes, Lonnie heaved himself up in a sitting position, leaning his bulk against the edge of the bed.

Gabriel studied him with a frown, a thinly veiled mask of anger plastered on his face. "How's your head?" He asked unconcernedly.

Rubbing the bump, Lonnie winced, "I've never seen anyone move like that before."

"Your lucky I didn't kill you." Gabriel stated coolly. "And you better have a damn good reason for what you just did or I might change my mind."

Lonnie looked at the man before him. He had sat backwards in the chair, his gun resting on the back lightly. To the untrained eye he looked relaxed and calm, not like a person that just threatened to kill someone in a calm voice. But to Lonnie's eye, he knew the anger that was bubbling just underneath the cool exterior.

Meeting his gaze, Lonnie stated matter-of-factly, "I received a call today about you."

Gabriel stared at him blankly. Hiding the raging emotions coursing through his mind, he waited for Lonnie to continue. This is the last thing he wanted to happen. This is the reason you don't get involved with people he chided himself.

"Just who are you Gabriel?" Lonnie asked, frustration showing on his face. "What do you want with Justin?"

"I thought we went over this yesterday." Gabriel replied coldly.

"I have a friend in the NSA." Lonnie informed him, shifting slightly on the floor. "Who is Mehmet?" He asked pointedly.

Gabriel controlled his face as he studied Lonnie. The big man was calm, no trace of fear in his eyes as he sat on the floor. He seemed to be waiting patiently. Either for Gabriel to shot him or to let him go. He had to admire the big man for that. He was staring certain death in the face and he was meeting it calmly.

"Why did you come here?" He asked, ignoring the question.

"To tell you to stay away from Justin." Lonnie answered bravely. "I told you I won't allow you to hurt Justin."

Tapping the gun on the back of the chair, Gabriel said, "He's already in danger. But not from me."

"The NSA are sending two agents out here to apprehend you." Lonnie stated. "What do you call that?"

"Stupidity." Gabriel replied. "Whatever you think is going on here your wrong."

"Then tell me." Lonnie replied harshly. "Give me one good reason why I should let you walk out of this room. You're wanted by the fucking government for christ sakes."

"You have no idea what you're getting involved in." Gabriel said pointedly. "You're in so far over your head. You can't even begin to comprehend the depth of this."

"I won't allow you to hurt Justin." Lonnie repeated again. This time anger flashing in his brown eyes.

"And I won't allow you to interfere with my job here." Gabriel shot back. "If you are smart, you would leave me be and concentrate all your energy into keeping Justin and the rest of the guys safe today."

Lonnie noticed the equipment on the other bed, his eyes widened in understanding as he saw the sniper rifle lying there. "You're here to kill the Senator aren't you?" He accused, his face filled with rage. "And you're using Justin to get close to him. I won't allow that to happen."

Gabriel shot to his feet as Lonnie stood up, the chair flying across the room. Gabriel pointed the gun at Lonnie's head, automatically cocking the deadly weapon. The big man confused him. Here he was willing to lay down his life for his friend, fighting till the very end.

This was something he could respect. Loyalty in a world that revolved around greed deserved respect. Making a decision he stated, "You would die for him."

Lonnie shot back defiantly; "I would die for all of them. They gave me a chance when no one else would."

"I can respect that." Gabriel explained as he lowered his gun. Offering the gun to the big man, Gabriel asked, "Give me five minutes to explain."

Lonnie grabbed the gun and nodded, "Okay."

Gabriel turned his back and went over to the chair and sat down. Motioning Lonnie with his hand, he waited until the man sat down across from him. He did notice that Lonnie held the gun in front of him. Hoping that his feelings were right, he began.

"Someone is going to kill the Senator today. But it's not me. I'm here to stop him." Gabriel informed him bluntly. "Your friend is right about me. I am an assassin."

Lonnie's eyes widened but he held his tongue as he waited to here the man out. All of his instincts had been right about the man. Cursing himself for allowing it in the first place, his only option was to hear the man out before he made any judgments.

"The NSA has been looking for me for three years." Gabriel continued. "Ever since I killed an ambassador in the Russian embassy. Whatever else you know about me is probably right. I kill people for money."

"Then why should I believe you over my friend?" Lonnie asked.

"I was offered the job to erase the Senator but I turned it down." Gabriel explained. "I don't shit in my backyard. One of my standing rules. I like my life here and I didn't want anything to jeopardize it."

"And where does Mehmet come in?"

"He is my contractor. Or should I say was." Gabriel stated with a weak smile. "I quit."

"Don't tell me you quit because you met Justin." Lonnie warned him. "I won't buy that."

Smiling, Gabriel insisted, "Justin's a wonderful guy but he's not that good. I quit for another reason that you probably wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"The contract states that the Senator has to be killed today. And when I found out that he's travelling with his daughter I realized that no one should have to witness a parents death."

"So you're going to stop it because you don't want his daughter seeing it." Lonnie stated in disbelief.

"Yes. And because no one kills in my town without my permission." Gabriel stated bluntly. "This isn't about morals."

"It's about your pride?"

"In a way. I can't allow this to happen." Gabriel said earnestly. "Especially now that Justin is involved."

Something in the way he said that made Lonnie believe him. He knew full well the power Justin had over people. If anyone could change someone it was the curly headed singer. He set the gun down and looked at the man.

"Tell me one thing." Lonnie stated. "Why did you decide to trust me?"

"Truthfully." Gabriel admitted. "I couldn't kill you because of him. I know what he thinks of you and I could never live with myself if I caused him pain. I told you I would never hurt him."

Smiling, Lonnie said, "Right answer. Because I meant what I said about not allowing you to hurt him. Now tell me why the guys are in danger today."

Gabriel nodded and began to explain. "There are only three places a hitter can pull off the job. First, today when the guys are at Hershey Park. Public places are an assassin's favorite locations. Too many variables to cover for security. Lots of places to hide and thousands of people to blend in with. Secondly, the stadium tonight. A huge arena has so many hiding places and with all the noise and everyone facing the same direction, it's impossible to cover everything. And lastly when the Senator arrives here. He's staying in the suite next to Justin's."

"Jesus Christ." Lonnie exclaimed. "We didn't even know that."

"Well, I've got the arena pretty much covered. I have a friend on the inside who has arranged for me to work security there tonight during the concert." Gabriel informed him walking over to one of his bags.

Retrieving the blueprints for the arena, he lay them out on the table. "The backstage area is pretty much taken care of with all your people and the added security of the park. Here is the Senator's booth."

"Damn, that's a pretty much open target from anywhere." Lonnie muttered. "What about at the park today?"

"That's easy." Gabriel explained. "Not only does the Senator has his own bodyguards but you can be on the lookout as well. Plus I can mingle with the crowd and keep my eyes opened."

"What about the NSA agents?" Lonnie asked.

"They won't recognize me. No one will." Gabriel assured him. "Not even you."

Lonnie smiled and said, "For some reason I believe you. I was against this from the beginning though."

"The Senator?" Gabriel questioned.

"Yeah, it was all last minute planning." Lonnie stated. "I'll be glad when this tour is over."

"We only have to worry about today." Gabriel assured him. "I will stop the hitter. I promise that."

"What about Justin?" Lonnie asked, concern leaking through his voice.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But for now I need to concentrate on other matters. It's your job to make sure they don't get involved with this." Gabriel said quietly. "Assassin's don't miss they're targets. And they're really only in danger at the park today."

Lonnie's beeper went off and he said, "I've got to go and make sure everything's ready."

"I need to prepare as well." Gabriel said with a grin. "I have a little surprise to prepare someone."

Lonnie picked up the gun and handed it back to Gabriel with serious look on his dark face, "This still isn't finished. I don't know what to do about Justin or you."

"Let's worry about one thing at a time." Gabriel stated flatly. "Just promise me you won't tell Justin any of this. I don't think he would understand."

"You'll be surprised at what he would understand. But I agree with you, Justin doesn't need to know about any of this." Lonnie agreed as he opened the door and left a bewildered man staring at his retreating back.

Gabriel straightened up his gear quickly and reached for his phone. It was time to find out what the hell happened to Scott. Dialing the only number he had left, he prayed that the chubby man would answer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Scott had arrived at his apartment, he immediately started searching his various contacts for information. It had been a long night but he finally started making some headway. The whereabouts of Gabriel was still a mystery, the man had tried his hotel room all night but to no avail. It was like the longhaired man had disappeared.

True to his suspicious nature, Scott had already started the ball in motion. If Gabriel had been eliminated, then Scott wasn't going to hang around and be next. He had already combined his extensive bank accounts under one identity in a safe account in Switzerland. Only someone with his fingerprints could get access to the sizeable amount of money he had hidden away.

He had spent all night but the long hours had finally started paying off. He was almost finished with erasing all traces of Scott Nevison, in a few more hours he would only be a faint memory that faded over time. Foster Acquisitions was long gone as well, only a broken paper trail left. Only those that had direct dealing would remember, all computer records were gone, deleted sometime in the night.

Scott took off his thick glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. He tried to stifle a yawn but the long hours had finally started catching up to him. A lukewarm cup of coffee was sitting beside his computer and the oversized ashtray was overflowing with cigarettes.

Concentrating back on the screen, he deleted a trail of credit card receipts from Gabriel's last vacation. Only a few more hours to go and he could quietly slip away from Harrisburg, a ghost in the night.

The ringing of his phone caused him to jump. He stared at the phone like it was demon come to life. It had been such a long time since that phone had rang that he had almost forgotten it was there. Smiling he quickly walked over and picked it up.

"Hello." Scott answered quickly.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Gabriel's voice growled at him.

Scott breathed a sigh of relief. He had never been so happy to hear that voice. "Where the fuck have you been? I tried calling you all night." Scott yelled back.

"I was busy asshole." Gabriel said his voice dripping with anger. "The fucking apartment was broken into last night."

"I know." Scott relayed the previous night's events for his employer. He left nothing out, his run for junk food and his attack. Gabriel listened intently only interjecting swear words every few seconds.

"I told you to stay in the fucking apartment didn't I?" Gabriel said. "That was fucking stupid Scott."

He quickly told Scott of his own break-in and what he found just a few minutes ago in his own room. Scott whistled and lit another cigarette.

"I've spent all night erasing all traces of us. We've got to go." Scott informed excitedly. "I've got it all arranged."

"No. I still have a job to do." Gabriel argued. "I stay until the Senator is safe."

"Gabriel, in the three years I have worked for you I've come to appreciate your professionalism. And in all that time you have never done anything stupid or risky." Scott said waving his arms around. "But that is the single stupidest thing I've ever heard you say. The heat is on; someone knows everything about you. They know you on sight, we have to cut our losses and disappear. The fucking NSA has sent two more agents in the area. They have orders to shoot you on sight. We have got to get out."

"Are you finished yet?" Gabriel asked, slightly amused at the panic in his friend's voice. "Because I have all day to listen to things I've already thought about. But if it will make you feel better than go right ahead and remind me of them again."

"How can you be so calm?" Scott demanded.

"Because I don't drink coffee all night and I exercise regularly. Besides this happens all the time. A plan is only a list of shit that goes wrong." Gabriel poked fun at his friend. "Now sit down and think you're way through this."

Scott collapsed into his chair and peered at the screen in front of him. His mind reeling with information and fear coursing through his body.

"First, no one wants you or you would never have woken up in that dumpster. That was only to get access to me." Gabriel explained in a quiet tone. "Secondly, whoever has been toying with me doesn't want me dead."

"What about that shot in the parking garage?" Scott interrupted him roughly.

"That still bothers me but I don't think it was the same guy who broke into my apartment." Gabriel guessed. "He tries to kill me then spares your life and tries to warn me off. No, whoever took a shot at me wasn't this guy."

"Maybe it was someone Mehmet sent." Scott mused. "Possibly a second hitter?"

"More than likely. The guy dodging me is something else entirely. I don't think he's the one."

"Then who is he?"

"That is still a mystery. But for now we have to concentrate on the Senator and those two goons from the government. They'll be easy, NSA are like boy scouts, anyone can join." Gabriel said with a smile.

Scott took a deep breath and lit another cigarette with the burned down butt clenched in his teeth. "Okay, what do you want me to do?"

"Continue to check on known hitters in the area. Try to find out why you can't find anything out." Gabriel said tightly.

Scott frowned, in the years of service to Gabriel he had never come up so empty before. Feeling guilty that he had not turned up one thing on the mysterious hitter, he said, "I'll do what I can. But I can't find anything out. It's like everyone's gone underground. No one knows anything."

"Keep trying." Gabriel said evenly. "But either way I will stop him. But it would be nice if my intelligence would turn up something."

"Look, I've got to go and get ready." Gabriel stated. "I have my phone so call me as soon as you get something. Oh, monitor all the calls going in and out of the security offices at Hershey Park, maybe something will turn up." And with that Gabriel hung up the phone.

Scott took the reprimand to heart and already started setting up the phone tap into Hershey Park. As an afterthought, he began pulling up the phone records for the last week as well. If Gabriel had a hunch about something, then he would delve even deeper into it. Maybe the reason no one knew anything was the job had already been set up prior...

"Oh shit." Scott stated flatly. Dialing the number for Gabriel he lit another cigarette.

"Hello, Gabriel here."

"Gabe. I've just had a thought." Scott said excitedly. "Maybe we've been going about this all wrong."

"What?"

Scott stood up and started pacing. "Maybe you weren't ever suppose to take this job."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Gabriel asked with a frown. The thought that he wasn't the first choice irritated him for some reason.

"Listen. I've checked everything. All the normal ways Mehmet contacts hitters and I've gotten nothing. And someone knew right where to find you. Who you are, where you live, even who I am. Coincidence?" Scott rambled excitedly.

"You mean, Mehmet knew I would turn the job done and had already set someone else up?" Gabriel asked, testing out the theory carefully.

"Yeah, Mehmet was quite put out with you for that botched Tokyo job three weeks ago. It was suppose to look like natural causes and you did throw him off a twelve story building." Scott reminded him, still searching through the phone records as his mind raced.

"Mad enough to want me eliminated?" Gabriel questioned. "Then why even offer the job to me?"

"Listen. He wants you dead but before he kills you he gets you to do one last job for him. Then after you finish the job he gets someone else to hit you." Scott rushed out quickly.

"That would explain how someone knows everything about me." Gabriel mused as he rubbed his cheek absently.

"And how I can't find anything about any new contracts. We aren't looking far enough back. Everything is already set up and in motion." Scott finished, smiling wickedly at the computer screen.

"Go back..."

"Way ahead of you boss. I'll see what I can find out and let you know." Scott stated as he opened another window and typed in the information he was looking for. "Talk to ya soon."

To Be Continued

Copyright©2002 Glacier Boy