A word from Scoop: I've made some slight modifications to this chapter. One major change was about who walked off the sound stage (talk about a f**k up!). Anyway, enjoy again.

Scoop
AIM: The Skoop
ICQ: 27497085

Jon laid silently on his bed. He stared at the ceiling, but that was it. He didn't move, barely breathed, barely blinked, and tried not to think. Only five minutes ago Jared had stormed out of the house and peeled out of the driveway, driving off to who knows where, for who knows how long.

Jon had called him a nobody. It wasn't intentional, it had come out during an argument, and it was meant in a different context. He didn't mean to call Jared a nobody, but he did. And Jared had left him.

"And he had every right to do so."

Did I just say that out loud, he wondered. Heh, does it matter?

"Maybe I did. But I shouldn't have."

Jon sat upright on the bed and swung his legs over the side so that he was looking towards the entrance to the bedroom. There, with his suitcase in hand, and tear stains on his face was...

"Jared?"

"Heheh, who else looks like this?"

"But - I thought you - " Jon started to cry again. "You left me."

"Funny thing that."

Jared walked in, leaving his suitcase beside the wall, walked over to the bed and sat beside Jon. Jon wanted to wrap his arms around him and apologize, but he wasn't sure exactly how Jared would react. To his surprise, Jared placed an arm over his shoulder and pulled him in, placing Jon's head on his shoulder. He gently ran his fingers through his lover's hair.

"Remember walking home after Leno?" (Not the walk you remember! That was just a dream sequence.)

"Yeah," answered Jon quietly.

"Remember the promise I made you?"

Jon fidgeted slightly. "Umm, I was so nervous that night I don't remember a lot of what was said. I'm sorry."

Jared chuckled and rubbed his hand across Jon's cheek. "It's OK baby. That night, I promised you I would never leave you again."

"Oh, OK. Actually I think I remember that."

"And, I was halfway down the street just now, when that promise ran through my head from out of nowhere, and I realized how stupid I was being. I wasn't thinking. I was acting purely on emotion, not my head. That isn't me."

"You had every right to do that Jared. What I said was cruel. I guess you weren't the only one not thinking at that point, because I know I wasn't."

Jared sighed loudly. "I'm not going to disagree with you Jon. But I know that you didn't mean it. I knew it then as well, I just didn't listen to myself. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"You've done nothing wrong that requires you to apologize." Jon sat up. "But I have. Will you forgive me? Please baby, I love you. I've always loved you, and I always will. You're not a nobody. You're the most amazing somebody I've ever known. No, you're not just a somebody. To me: you're everybody - you're everything and everyone I need."

Jon was crying softly through his apology, as was Jared.

"Of course I do Jon. I love you too. And I promise now, just as I promised then: I'm not going to leave you ever, ever again."

"I know," Jon managed to whisper. They wrapped their arms around each other in a long, warm embrace. After almost a minute of simply enjoying the feeling of the other, they pulled apart just a little so that they were face to face.

"Jon?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Make love to me."

Jon smiled and kissed Jared, their lips felt each other for the first time that day. Soon, tongues wrestled, pushing each other back and forth. If one were to stand back and look at the two lovers, one might think they were joined together at several different positions. Was it possible for them to be any closer?

Yes...

One month later...

"Captain! Unidentified sub coming in from starboard sir. I'm picking up a high power signature. Looks like they have weapons armed and ready."

"Commander, I want those WHSKRs up and running now! This damned boat is half blind, we can't defend ourselves in this condition."

"Aye Sir, I'm on it!"

"And CUT! Great scene guys, take a 15 minute break. We're going to start rigging the pyrotechnics around the bridge for the big battle scene. Ted, don't go to far, we need to talk about some script changes involving your character."

Jared walked off the Seaquest bridge set and over to the lunch table. First thing he went for was the coffee. He had been up all night trying to get as many lines learned as possible, as well as trying to get his next article going for the magazine. He'd only gotten two hours of sleep and the coffee was all that was keeping him alert. But just barely.

Oh well, he thought. At least I can sleep on the flight.

All of a sudden a pair of arms wrapped around his waist and Jared felt a pair of lips at the back of his neck and a tickling sensation that could only be caused by the blonde hair of one specific individual.

"Hi gorgeous," he said spinning around to face his beloved, "how are ya?"

"I'm OK I guess. I'd be better if you didn't have to go."

"I know babe, but it's only going to be for a week. I can't pass this up. You said so yourself, remember."

Jon made a classic puppy dog face, making Jared laugh. "Stop that!"

"OK, OK. I know you have to go. You'd be crazy to pass up a chance to model at a Paris fashion show."

"Uh huh. Besides, it was your idea."

"I keep wondering what got into me."

Jared slapped Jon playfully on the arm. They both laughed at the little joke, but it soon went quiet again.

"I wish I could go with you."

"I know. So do I. But you have to start work on your first episode of ER tomorrow. You can't pass that up either."

"I know."

The couple shared a quick kiss, not wanting to draw the attention of the film crew. That had happened the day before, and everyone started hooting and hollering at them after they were caught making out by the wardrobe trailer. Jared had been teased for the rest of the day and the makeup lady had a bit of fun trying to hide all the blushing he was doing.

"I left your suitcase out in the Durango."

"Thanks. Did you remember everything?"

"Yes, your spare batteries for the laptop and the cell phone as well as the power converter kit. And I slipped a little something extra into the false bottom of your suitcase. But no peaking until you get there, promise?"

Jared smiled. "I promise."

"Good. Now make sure you bring me back something from Paris."

"You know I will."

Jon looked deep into Jared's eyes. "Hmm, what would I ever do without you?"

"Eh, don't worry about it."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Because you're never going to be in that situation again."

Jon smiled and leaned in to kiss his soulmate again. This time though, they did not pull away quickly. Instead they took their time, enjoying one of the simplest physical expressions of love. One that contained the most emotion. The film crew saw them and started their teasing again. But, Jared and Jon didn't care. To them, there was no one else in the room. All they knew was each other: and that was everything they needed.

I am Scoop, hear me type. Thanks again to Lucas for a kickass story idea.
Chapter 19 will be out just after Christmas (Hopefully, if not, blame my boyfriend)!

PEACE,
keep it real