Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 05:53:25 -0800 (PST) From: Francis O'Ratigan Subject: As the Last Stone Falls Chapters 1, 2 & 3 (Twist and Turns) Hello, it is me again Tim the author of the Trilogy Twist and Turns. I would like to take a few moments to let you know how much I apreciate the fact that you all have honored me. To have the knowledge that my work is being read and enjoyed worldwide is truly an honor. Over the last two months I have received many fan letters urging me to continue with the story. I have stretched my imagination to the limits. Now I am forced to announce that this will be the last book of the Twist and Turns series. Jason and Kevin will have many more trials and tribulations to go through before both will find happiness. We will also follow Nick and Brian's quest for that perfect love. And yes we will visit upon the sick and twisted mind of the fictional Britney Spears. She will continue to weave a web of distruction. So stay glued to Nifty and wait for the continuing saga of "Twist and Turns a Trilogy of Love. A VERY SPECIAL THANKS AND WELCOME TO MY ADVISOR TONNY, THE FAMOUS AUTHOR OF "WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL" I hope you like the break up scene man. Thank you for keeping it real. Any comments or ideals please e-mail me at frnceso@yahoo.com Now on with the story. As the Last Stone Falls Chapter 1 Six days before Christmas After laying the first stone the building went fast. And soon it was moving day. Kevin and the guys were on tour. The time I got to spend with Kevin was fewer and further apart. Three days after my birthday party he and the guys went back on tour. That was not to say that I wasn't happy. I was blissfully happy and very much aware that Kevin loved me dearly. It did not however make the loneliness any better. I would spend hours at night crying myself to sleep. My heart was aching for Kevin's arms to hold me. I heard from the rest of the guys that Kevin was in just as bad of shape too. Only Kevin handled it differently than I did. He stopped calling or e-mailing me. That hurt the most. If I had some contact with him it would make it easier. Brian assured me that Kevin's love was still there. They were off for the next three weeks and Kevin was planning on coming home to see me. I was estatic. Brian and Nick were tagging along. I had also found out that Brian and Justin had broken up and Justin was now dating Nick. They were blissfully happy. Brian was seeing a new singer, some one named Casey. He had asked if he could bring him along and I had said yes. On a sad note Boomer had passed away two days after they had left for their tour. The Vet said it was a stroke. A new puppy had arrived from Kevin. I named him Scrappy because he reminded me of Scrappy on Scooby Doo. He was Sheapard like Boomer. Boomer was buried under the oak tree beside my precious Nate. It was just two weeks before Christmas and I was going around like I was nuts getting the house ready. Snow was on the ground and I was looking forward to spending Christmas with my lover. The phone rings and alerts me to the world around me. I pick it up. "Yea, this is Jason," I spoke into the receiver. "Hi Babe!" said the voice from heaven. "Do I know you?" I asked teasing him. "Well I think I am engaged to you," he said playing along. "Well the person I am engaged to would always call me and e-mail me every day and night," I said. I could almost see him cringe. "I'm sorry," he said in a small voice. "I know you are now apologies," I laughed into the phone. There was a long pause on the other end. I knew he was pouting. "I'm sorry Babe. I just had to say that," I teased. "So you are calling me to tell me that you are coming home?" I asked. "Well actually if you look out your study window you will see me," he laughed. I stood up and walked to the window and looked out. There he was standing there in all of his glory waving at me. I ran out of my study and down stairs and out the door. I grabbed him in a crushing hug. He bent down and kissed me full on the lips his tongue probing my lip. I welcomed him in. I just held him and he just kissed me for the next three minutes. After he was done kissing me on the lips he moved to my chin and neck causing me to giggle. I looked into his eyes and saw the love that I remembered. Than I proceded to punch him in the shoulder. "Ouch!" he yelped. "What was that for?" he whined rubbing his shoulder. "That was for not calling me or e-mailing me for almost three weeks," I scolded him. "But I said I was sorry!" he said. "Well next time I am coming with you!" I said. His eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas. "Realy!" he exclaimed. "I mean you would really come with me on tour?" he asked. "You just try and stop me!" I said leaning and stealing another kiss. We were interupted by some growling. We looked around and laughed. Scrappy had a bewildered Brian cornered. I went over to him and picked him up. "Oh you are such a big bad watch dog," I teased. Scrappy just wiggled in my arms and tried to lick my nose. I let him loose and he trotted over to a very attractive young man, about my height and jet black hair and gray eyes with a hint of blue. Scrappy sat down in front of him and demanded to be picked up. So he bent down and picked him up and cradled him like a baby. Scrappy was in puppy heaven. "You must be Casey," I said extending my hand. To my shock he looked at it like it was a piece of trash. I was about to withdraw it when he grabbed it and shook it hard. "Yea and you must be Jason," he said with a sneer. I wanted to punch him in the face but held back. Brian shot him a nasty look and Casey backed down. "Let's all go in the house," I sudgested. All of the rest of the guys filed in except Casey. I shrugged my shoulders and started to go in with him standing there alone. "Hey trash boy!" he said. I turned around and went over to him. "What is your problem?" I asked. "They are all mine!" he said. "Brian and Kevin both, stay the fuck away from them," he brushed by roughly and stormed into the house. I noticed Kevin standing by the door. "What is his problem?" Kevin asked concerned. "Why don't you ask him Kevin?" I answered him and grabbed his hand and walked into the house with him. "Nice house," commented Brian as he looked around the entrance hall. "Yea real nice if you like little house on the prairie," laughed Casey. Kevin was about to explode when I stopped him with a shake of my head. After about 30 minutes I gave them the grand tour. "Where are we supposed to sleep?" asked Casey. You guys can sleep in the west wing. I said as we headed up the stairs. "I love the stairway," spoke up Kevin. "I bought it from an old light house. I only needed a quarter of it," I said as we walked into my study. Casey of course started in again. When he saw the surveilance system I had set up. "Man you must be really paranoid," he laughed. "You have to excuse Casey but some times he acts like an ass whole," said Kevin in my defense. "No that's alright Kevin. Casey deserves to know why I have this surveilance system installed. But that will have to wait for another day," I said. The door popped opened and Nick popped his head in the door. "Hi every body," he laughed. I went to Nick and pulled him into a hug. I heard Casey whisper under his breath, "Whore". That was it for Kevin, he lost it. He went up to Casey and slammed him against the wall. "What is your fucking problem Casey?" he yelled. "You have been bad mouthing Jason since we showed up here!" he shouted. Poor Casey I thought he actually looked scared. Brian stepped in the way to stop Kevin. "Come on Kev stop," he pleaded. "You're upsetting Jason. "I'm upsetting Jason!" shouted Kevin. "Try your boyfriend. He is the one who is upsetting my Fiance." "Hah! That's a laugh Kevin," Casey laughed. "When were you planning on telling him that you were sleeping around on him?" he taunted him. I looked at Kevin and saw him look to the ground. I went up to him and looked him in the eye. "Is that true Kevin?" I asked hoping beyond hope that Casey was lying. Tears welled up in Kevin's eyes and I turned and stormed out of the study. I ran down the stairs and into the living room. I slammed the door shut and walked over to the fireplace and grabbed Kevin's picture and threw it at the door. It almost hit Nick thankfully he ducked in time. He went over to me and pulled me into a hug. "That's twice now Nick. He's done it twice now," I sobbed into his shoulder. "I know," Nick said looking down at his feet. "What are you not telling me Nick?" I asked. Nick sat down and buried his head in his hands and started sobbing. I backed up to the fire Place and sat down on the hearth. "Oh God no!" I sobbed. Nick just hung his head in shame. "Oh God No!" I screamed. "You and Kevin did--" I started. Nick nodded. I got sick and ran to the trash can and threw up every thing I had to eat that day. I started sobbing over again and coughing at the same time. I just stood there crying and coughing over the trash can. I felt some one's hand on my shoulder. I stood up and turned and saw Nick standing there. "Get away from me Nick!" I shouted. He just stood there staring at me. "Get away from me you bastard!" I shouted shoving him away from me. He got this hurt look on his face which only made me madder. "I hate you Nick. I don't ever want to see you again!" I screamed at him. Tears came streaming down his face. "I'm sorry Jason," he pleaded sobbing. I balled up my fist and hit him in the nose. He went down holding his nose which was bleeding now. "I'm sorry Jason," he said again. "Get out of my house now, I don't want to see you here when I come back down stairs," I said turning and leaving the room. I brushed passed Brian who grabbed my arm to stop me. I shoved him out of the way and ran up stairs. On the way up I ran into Casey. He had a triumphant grin on his face. I shoved him up against the wall. "You are a fucking trouble maker, and I want you out of my house now!" I yelled. "What's the matter Jason baby you can't handle the truth that your lover is a slut!" he taunted me. "You want a fight on your hands boy?" I asked him. "Because if you do I'm afraid you're out of luck. You see your boy friend is my best friend. And I respect him. But cross me again and I will beat the crap out of you!" I yelled in his face. "Come on Jason let's see you back those words up," yelled Casey assuming a fighting stance. By this time Brian had reached the top of the stairs. He ran in between us and held us apart. "Nock it off Casey. Jason is a good friend of mine. You hurt one hair on his head and you will have to deal with me," Brian stood up for me. Casey glared at me and stomped off. "Remember what I said Casey, I want you out of my house tonight!" I shouted at him. He just flipped me off and continued down the stairs. "Can I talk to you Jason?" asked Brian. I nodded and we walked into my study. Kevin was no where to be seen. I motioned him to sit on the couch. "Don't be so hard on Casey," he said. "He's the one who started this whole mess," I said back. "No Jason, Kevin and Nick started this fucking mess!" he yelled at me. I was shocked. This was the first time I had heard Brian swear like that. "You know it's true, don't you?" he asked softly. I nodded my head yes. "How could he do this to me?" I asked. "Kevin went through hell when we were on tour. He was so lonely with out you," Brian excused his cousin. I glared at him. "I know that is not an excuse but it is true." "But with Nick?" I sobbed. Just the thought of those two having sex made me sick to my stomach. I ran to the waste basket again and proceded to throw up again. Brian came up behind me rubbed my back until I had calm down. "Do you still want them to leave?" Brian asked. I shook my head no. As mad as I was at Nick he was my friend and Casey was Brian's boyfriend and I would not turn them out. "No they can stay, just keep them out of my way," I said. "Can you leave me alone for a while?" I asked him. He looked at me worried and I knew what he was thinking. I smiled at him and pulled him into a hug. "Don't worry friend, I'm not that stupid," I assured him. He kissed me on the forehead and walked out. I sat back down behind my desk and looked out the window. I spotted Kevin sitting at the bench under the oak tree. I looked away from the window. I had some thinking to do. I looked down at my left hand and at the ring. The first instinct was to remove it and throw it as far as I could. "No I wont betray my oath I made to him," I said out loud. I still loved him deeply and that is why it hurt so much. I got up and walked out of the study and down the stairs and out the front door. I slowly made my way to the oak tree. Kevin scooted over to allow room for me so I sat down beside of him. "I'm so sorry Jason," he sobbed. "I don't want to hear it Kevin. Because it is just bullshit like the last time you cheated on me," I waved him off. "I was so lonely with out you--" he started. "So you hopped into bed with one of my best friends and fucked him?" I shouted at him. He cringed at the harsh words. "Oh were those words too hard for you Kevin? Well you want to know something? Fuck you and the horse you rode in on!" I shouted at him. "Ok Ok I deserved that," he said. "And a hell of lot more!" I added glaring at him. I waited a couple of moments for asking the next question. "How did it happen?" I asked. "Do you really want to know that?" he asked. I nodded starting to calm down. "It happened about a month and a half ago. We were drunk and --" he started. "And that is supposed to make it right?" I asked. "No it not supposed to make it right. I am not using it as an excuse!" he shouted at me. "Now will you let me finish?" I nodded for him to continue. He took a couple of deep breaths and started talking again. Chapter 2 (One and a half weels ago from Kevin's point of view) "Give me another one," I said to the bar tender. An ice cold beer appeared in front of me. I took it and drank deeply. It did little to make me forget the pain and loneliness. "God, I miss you Jason," I quietly sobbed to myself. I felt someone sit down beside me. I looked up and saw it was Nick. He wore the same down cast look on his face that I wore on mine. The high and adreniline rush from tonight's concert had worn off long ago. "You too?" I asked. "I miss Justin so much Kev," he mumbled wiping a tear away. I put my arm around his shoulder. "Come on let's go find a table," I said. We found a small quiet table in the corner. It was the hotel bar and not much action was happening here tonight so we were pretty much left by ourselves. I was pretty much passed caring by this point and bought Nick as many Beers as he wanted. By the time we were done we were both trashed. "Man I am going to regret this in the morning," I groaned holding my head. "Come on Nick let's go upstairs and hit the sack," I helped Nick up and after settling the bill we staggered up to our room. Nick and I had been bunking together ever since Brian had caught Justin and Nick together and threw Nick out of his room. Brian had gotten past that when he hooked up with that Casey kid from the Back up band. So I invited him to stay in my room provided that the games went off when I went to bed. So far the arrangement was going pretty good. I soon found ourselves at the door. I fumbled for the key card and slipped into the slot and it clicked opened. I helped Nick to his bed and laid him down. Just as I was about to get up he grabbed me by the neck and pulled me down and pressed his lips to mine driving his tongue deep into my mouth. He also started to grind his crotch into mine. My mind shouted Stop! But my body said something entirely different. I took his head in my hands and kissed him back. His arms traveled to the back and started to pull my shirt up. I broke apart long enough to rip my clothes off. Soon we were both naked and I positioned myself so that we were in a 69 position. I swallowed his cock and he in turn swallowed mine. Soon we were both thrusting in and out of each others mouths. I was the first to shoot my load. Nick soon followed. After cleaning each other off we broke apart and sat up. The door pops open and Brian and Casey waltzes in. "Hey Kev I wanted to---," Brian started but stopped in mid sentence when he saw us naked and sitting next to eachother. "What the fuck is going on?" he yelled. Casey stuck his head around Brian and yelled, "Alright Nick! Way to go!" Brian stared at Casey like he was nuts. "Casey shut up!" he shouted. "Kevin how could you do this to Jason?" I sat there staring at the floor. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized that for the second time in less than a year I had cheated on my one true love. I buried my head in my hands and pulled myself into a fetal position. I heard Casey laugh. "Jesus man, what a fucking slut!" he taunted. Brian grabbed Casey and shoved him back outside and grabbed poor Nick and threw his clothes at him and threw him out to. "Your staying with Casey tonight in my room and I'm staying with Kevin to make sure that he doesn't do anything stupid," he said as he shut the door. He turned around and looked at me with my head hanging low. I felt something hit me in the face. I looked up just in time to get slapped again across the face by Brian. "You stupid idiot. After everything Jason has been through you are going to put him through this again?" he shouted at me. I lost it I curled up in a fetal position and started to sob. My whole heart was crying when I thought of poor Jason. He would probably hate me for good now. Brian covered me up and turned off the light to allow me to sleep. The last thought was that somehow I had to make this right. I could not loose Jason. I loved him to much to do that. I guess I should have thought of that before I screwed up with Nick. The First Stone falls. Back to present. (From Jason Point of View) I sat on the ground listening as Kevin spilled the details of his infedelity. I watched him crumble before my very eyes. I heart went out to him but I remained seated away from him. "Can you forgive me?" he asked me. I fingered the ring on my left hand. It was heavy. As heavy as the weight on my heart was. I looked at him and saw the love he had for me. I also saw the fear of loosing me in his eyes too. "Of course I forgive you Kevin. I will always forgive you," I said. He jumped up to hug me but I held my hand up stopping him dead in his tracks. He looked shocked and hurt. "There is one request I must ask of you," I said. He nodded. "Anything Jason. I will do anything," he pleaded his hopes rising. "Promise me that you will never again be unfaithful to me," I said. "If you can promise that and really mean it than all is forgotten." He looked at me for a few seconds and than knelt on the ground and buried his head in his hands and started sobbing. It hit me, that was the one thing he couldn't do. I felt the weight getting heavier. My left ring finger was on fire. "You can't promise me can you?" I softly mumbled. "I'm not a perfect man Jason. I am human and I make mistakes," he sobbed. "Bullshit Kevin, I can make the same promise with a clear heart and know that in my heart I will never betray you!" I shouted and sobbed at him. He just hung his head. My right hand took hold of the ring and I started to pull it off. "NOOO!!" he shouted at me grabbing my hand to stop me. "You promised me you wouldn't take it off!" he wailed. "You promised me. Not until I ask you to!" he pleaded. I wrenched my hand away and shoved my left hand in his face. "Than ask me Kevin!" I shouted at him. He looked at me in shock. "I ask you to make a promise that you can't make. So I am asking you to set me free of the oath I swore to you!" "I love you and I won't let you go!" he shouted at me. He turned away from me and sat back down on the bench. "I won't let you go," he sobbed. "And I won't live like this Kevin. I won't love a man who cannot promise me he will be faithful to me. I'm sorry but it is over," I sobbed out. With a breaking heart I slipped the ring off of my finger and placed it on the cold marble bench beside Kevin. I turned and walked back towards the house. I walk up the driveway and meet Brian half way. He looks at me and pulls me into a hug. "It's over Brian," I sobbed. "Kevin and I are finished." "I'm so sorry Jason," he said softly as he led me up to the porch. I sat down in one of the chairs. And he sat next to me. "What are you going to do now?" he asked. "I have no ideal," I sobbed. "For the last 6 months my whole life centered around Kevin. I haven't a clue as to what I am going to do," I said looking at Brian. "Well we are here for you buddy," he said with his trade mark smile. A shadow crossed over us and we looked up and saw Kevin. There was a change a dark change. I looked into his eyes and saw a different man standing there. He looked past me like I wasn't there. "Come on Brian, get your stuff packed, we're getting the hell out of here," he said. "That's not necessary Kevin, you guys can stay here all you want," I said. "I don't remember asking you!" Kevin hurled at me. "Come on Brian, get your ass moving. I want to be out of this fucking hell hole with in the hour!" "No!" shouted Brian standing up and walking to his cousin. "I am staying here with Jason. He invited us here and I am staying!" "Fine stay here if you want, but I am getting out of here," he hurled at his cousin. I chased him in the house. "Kevin, you don't have to be like this you know!" I shouted at him. "Do I know you?" he asked looking over his shoulder. I just frowned at him and walked away. "No Kevin, I guess you don't know me at all," I said as I walked away from him. I closed the living room door and locked it. I sat down in the chair and looked out the window. I frowned, it was opened and it was cold out. I got up to close it. As I approached it I heard a noise like a cork popping. A sharp pain in my shoulder in I looked down and saw a small dart sticking out of my shoulder. I yanked it out and fell to the floor. I yelled for help just before I passed out. The Second Stone falls Chapter 3 (From Kevin's point of View) I stormed into the room and grabbed my suitcase and headed out. I heard Jason yell for help. My heart stopped and I raced to see what was wrong. It came from the living room I tried the door and found it locked. "Jason, open up!" I shouted. Brian came in and went up to me. "Brian, something is wrong. Jason yelled for help. The door is locked," I pleaded at him. He rushed over to the door and started pounding on it. "Come on Jason, open the door!" Brian shouted. "That's it Kevin, let's bust it down," he said. Together they threw their weight on the door forcing it open. He saw Jasonn lying on the floor face down. "Jason!" he screamed running up to me. He turned him over. I reached them and looked down. Jason was awake but he couldn't move. I could see the fear and confusion in his eyes. "It will be alright Babe," I cried. He looked at Brian and not me. It hurt me when he did that. I could tell he wanted to say something. But all that would come out was a moan of anguish. I got up and ran to the phone and dialed 911 and requested an ambulance. I looked over at Brian jealosy raged through me as I saw him cradling Jason's head in his lap soothing him. I scolded myself and went to them. "The ambulance is on the way," I told them. I knelt down and put my hand on his shoulder. He delibritly looked away and at Brian. I didn't care I wanted him to know that I still cared. "Please God watch over him," I prayed aloud. I heard the screams of an ambulance siren. I got up and went to the door and I ran into Nick. "What's wrong?" he asked worried. "Something has happened to Jason. I thing it might be a stroke or something," I told him. Tears came to his eyes as he ran into the living room and knelt besides Brian and Jason. "How is he doing?" asked a worried Nick. Brian just shook his head and stared into Jason's eyes. Nick looked down and into Jason's eyes. He was shocked to see so much pain and suffering in them. Tears were streaming down his cheeks. Nick grabbed a kleenex from the desk and gently wiped them off. Jason tried to talk again but all that would come out is an anguished moan. "Shhh Jason," Brian soothed brushing his hair out of his face. "The ambulance is here and they will take care of you," he sobbed out. I wanted to ride in the ambulance so bad but Jason started screaming when I tried to get in that I stepped back out. Brian climbed in and Jason stopped screaming. I climbed into the Limo with Nick and we raced off to the hospital. They rushed Jason into the emergency room and into a cubicle. I tried to get in but a nurse stopped me from getting in. I hung my head and walked into the waiting room. Nick was there sitting by himself in a corner. I went to him and pulled him into a hug. "Why is this happening to him?" he sobbed. "How much more crap can he tolerate?" "I don't know Nick, I don't know," I said shaking my head and fingering Jason's engagement ring he gave back to me. I slipped it into my pocket. "We really fucked up this time didn't we?" he said softly. "Yes Nick we really fucked up this time. Jason broke up with me, he wont have any thing to do with me anymore," I sobbed. "I am so sorry Kevin. If only I hadn't of taken advantage of you that night none of this would be happening right now," he sobbed laying his head on my shoulder. I reached up and stroked his back to calm him down. A shadow crossed over us and we looked up to see the Doctor standing over us. Brian was standing behind him. "We are pretty sure that Jason has had a stroke," the doctor said. "We will know the extent of the damage after we perform more tests. In the mean time we want Mr. Gibson to be left alone. He has requested only one visitor. That will be Brian. I'm sorry Kevin but he has requested that you not be allowed visit him." My heart was crushed. But I understood why. I had treated him really bad before he had the stroke. I just nodded my head and agreed with out any complaints. "We have managed to get him to talk again," he said and he is asking for Nick. So Mr. Carter you have five minutes with him." Nick nodded and followed Brian into the room. (from Jason's point of view) (the stroke like symptons have affected Jason's speech. So don't pick on my grammar!" I was laying on a bed. I couldn't move a muscle. I could bearly talk. I wanted to tell them that it wasn't a stroke but some thing else. I was shot by some sort of dart. The door opened and Brian came in with Nick following him. Poor Nick looked scared. I smiled at him to let him know that I wasn't mad at him. He knelt by my bed and took my hand "Hi ya Jason," he sniffled. "You really had us worried out there. Kevin and I are really scared for you." At the sound of Kevin's name I looked away. Nick saw this and made a scolding sound in his throat. I looked at him stubbornly and he quietly nodded. "Ok I understand why you are mad at him. I don't have to like it but I do understand." "I forgive you Nick," I stuttered out. He looked surprised. "But you wont forgive Kevin?" he asked lightly scolding. "Do forgive him. But he wont promise to be faithfull," I stuttered out again. This was getting old. "You need to rest and get over this stroke," he said smiling at me. "Not a stroke Nick--," I started. He looked at me confused. "Was shot by a a a Dart or something," I said shaking my head in frusturation. "Are you sure?" he asked looking over at Brian. Brian just shook his head no. "Jason you have had a rough day---" started Brian. I growled in anger and frusturation. "NO NO NO NO!" I struggled out. Nick and Brian looked at me in surprise. "Not crazy Not Crazy!" I half sobbed and yelled at him. He went up to me and pulled me in a hug. "I know Jason, your not crazy," Brian soothed me. "But you have been through a lot today. Could you be mistaken?" I sighed loudly. 'Man was this guy thick headed," I thought to myself. I shook my head no and said very slowly. "No Brian, I know what happened. It was a dart or something. Came through the open window. Hit me in the shoulder." I said. He looked at me and than pulled up my shirt to inspect. Sure enough there was a red circle where the dart had hit. "See, Dummy!" I stuttered out grinning. "I told you wasn't crazy!" He just looked at me and than ruffled my hair messing it up. "Yea Jason, you're not crazy," he said. Turning to Nick, "Hey Nick go and get the Doctor. He will want to know about this." Nick nodded and ran to get the Doctor. Within minutes the Doctor was in. "Yes Mr. Gibson?" he asked. I looked him in the eye and said slowly. "Wasn't a stroke. Some kind of dart hit in the shoulder. Right shoulder," I struggled out. Brian pointed to the shoulder and the Doctor looked at it. "Hmmm," he said thoughtfully. "What is with the Hmmmm Doc?" asked a frusturated Nick. "That is a sign that he could have been hit with a dart of some kind. I am going to order a bunch of blood work and chemical tests on him. We will need to find out what the chemical is. In the mean time Mr. Gibson you need your rest. So Nick and Brian will have to leave," he said. "Brian stay, Please?" I pleaded with the Doctor. He thought about it for a while and nodded his head yes and than left to fill out the paper work for my blood work. Nick went back out to the waiting room. Brian sat down in a chair beside the bed. He looked at me for a moment and than asked me a question. "Jason, are you going to give Kevin another chance?" he pleaded with me. "Not up to me! It up to Kevin, not my choice!" I said. "He loves you, you know?" he asked. I shook my head no. Brian frowned at me. "True love not unfaithful! He has no true love. Not faithful! Not Faithful! I will not live like that!" I said loudly. He took my hand and held it firmly. "It pains me to see both of you hurting so much. Is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked stroking my face. I couldn't feel the touch. And I wanted to so bad. My heart ached for Kevin's arms to hold me. I looked away from Brian with tears streaming down my face. I let them fall for I couldn't move to wipe them. Brian noticed that my eyes were not looking at him. So he took my chin and forced me to look at him. "Please Jason, talk to him. Make this work," he said with tears in his eyes. "I'm afraid he will hurt again me-- hurt me again," I sobbed out. Brian buried his head in his hands and sobbed. "If you don't get back together with him it will tear him apart. And it will tear me apart to," he sobbed "Why tear you apart?" I asked confused. Brian looked up at me with fear and pain in his eyes. "Because with you out of his life Kevin will have no reason to hang around you. And that means that I won't get to see you anymore," he blurted out. I was shocked. I suddenly realized that Brian was in love with me. Head over heals in love with me. I remembered Kevin saying that Brian was attracted to me when I first met Kevin. Brian and I didn't get off to a good start back than. I carried around a shiner for a week to remind me of our rocky start. "Love me you-- auurgh," I growled in frusturation. "You love me?" I asked slowly. He looked at me in fear. "God oh, you do love me," I whispered. He buried his head in his hands again. Oh how I wanted to hold him. "Brian?" I asked quietly. He looked up. "Kevin can you get?" I asked. He nodded and sniffled and walked out to get him. I laid in the bed waiting for Kevin to appear. I really had no other choice but to wait since I couldn't move. I heard the door open and Kevin's face came into view. I looked at him lovingly. I couldn't help it. I looked at his green eyes is jet black hair and thin mustache and goatee. God he was a good looking man. And a few hours ago he was all mine. Now he was gone. Gone out of my life because he couldn't make one promise to me. Was I being to hard on him? No, I wasn't. I had done everything I could to save this relationship. He had decided to destroy our relationship with his infidelity. Tears came to my eyes. "Love you I--- I love you," I said letting the tears fall. His eyes welled up with tears too as he bent down and lightly kissed me on the lips. He than wiped my tears away with his thumbs. "Can we get through this?" I asked him hopefully. He sat down beside me and took my hand in his and brought it to his lips and kissed. I couldn't feel it. I wanted to feel his touch so bad. I ached for his touch so much that fresh tears flowed forth. "I would like to try," he said looking deep into my eyes. "Why can't you make that one promise?" I asked slowly and deliberitly. He hung his head. "I will not make a promise that I might break," he explained. "I love you to much to lie to you," he sobbed looking away. "The promise just don't break," I pleaded. I was met with silence. "Tell you I must--- Brian me loves much very," I struggled out. He looked at me with anger in his eyes. "Dont' mad at him please?" I pleaded. "His fault not for following his heart." He nodded looking away. "Promise me you not mad at Brian," I repeated. "I promise you I am not mad at Brian. I've known for a long time that he was in love with you. He told me the first time I cheated on you that if I ever hurt you again he was going to take you away from me," he said with hurt in his voice. "It is my fault for lossing you, not Brian's. And I will not hold that against him or you," he said with a small smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring and placed on my finger. I was angry at first. "Don't do this Kevin!" I said loudly. He just smiled and put his hand to my mouth. "Shhh Jason my love, you don't under stand," he said turning to the door he yelled for Brian. Brian came in looking scared. He had heard me tell Kevin that he loved me. "Don't worry Brian I am not mad you. Mad at myself yes. But not at you. You were only following your heart," he said with tears streaming down his face. Turning to me he bent down and kissed me with passion and love one last time. Than looking deep into my eyes he said. "Jason my love, I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused you. I will not allow myself to hurt you further. There fore I am releasing you of your vow to me. I am asking you to take off the ring I gave you for I no longer deserve the honor of you wearing it," he said with his head bowed. With strength I know I didn't have I removed the ring allowing it fall to the floor. Kevin watched it roll away and did nothing to retrieve it. He than took Brian's hand and placed it in mine and kissed his cousin on the forhead and walked slowly from the room. Brian sat there holding my hand for the longest time. We just sat there staring into eachother's eyes not saying a word. But volumes of words and feelings passed between us during those hours We had no ideal what the future would bring for us but we were willing to try. Maybe the answer would be made known to us tomorrow or the next day. But for now we were content to look into eachother's eyes. ************************************* Well that is it for the first three Chapters of As the Last Stone Falls. Please let me know how you feel about the breakup. And how you feel about Brian and Jason. Is there a future for Kevin? What about Nick? What will Justin do when he finds out about Nick's infedility? And what about the new comer Casey? What will happen when the dart that hit Jason is discovered? Stay tuned to find out. e-mail me at frnceso@yahoo.com