Created by Justin F. Started November 18th, 2005. E-mail me if you like this story @ justin@soulstrong.net.

For more short stories, check them out at http://www.soulstrong.net/portfolio/files/indexwritings.html

I am also a prolific writer at Nifty.org: http://www.nifty.org/nifty/authors.html#justinf

This is written in bullet form, so imagine everything is happening as you are reading. In addition, please excuse any past-present-future tense mistakes.

*DISCLAIMER* This story is completely fictional and features sexual intercourse. You are precautioned. If you are not of age, if reading these stories is illegal where you are, if you find these stories offensive or negative, please do not read them.

Taken

His life was taken away.

It wasn't his choice at all.

Now he has to live with it.

Chapter One -- It happened by Chance.

• Tom is walking along the waterside, as he normally does every now and then. He is 21. The waters are raging though, the wind is blowing, it's going to storm soon.
• Suddenly a lighting bolt strikes nearby.
• Before Tom can move away, something hits him so closely, a bright light; a surge--
• And he can feel something all around him.
• Water? It's a horrible pain...and then something else...
• All there is now is emptiness...
• Emptiness from lack of something...
• Lack of life...is it? Has he died?
• And a comfort comes in, almost to save him from the emptiness...
• Everything is dark, but he can feel arms around him...a hand had come out to hold him and both have taken him now, they want to save him; to help him.
• Tom looks, and feels a handsome man holding onto him.
• The man smiles to him; a shining light behind him. He's so...beautiful.
• He is the Angel of Death...Tom knows this.
• Life matters to him, but not details of it, not until after the shock, Tom can't deal with anything more than this shock at this moment--but he wants to get to it later...just not now. Will he be like a ghost then?
• Death interrupts his thoughts and tells him that he wasn't supposed to die but that he'll let Tom live but only as another person, that he'll create a new identity for him, he'll have to change time for this...
• But only under one condition; that he'll stop the deaths that are not supposed to happen before they happen until Death can figure out a way to stop their deaths.
• Tom remains silent...perhaps he'll be rewarded with his old life then? Yes? No?
• And suddenly Death pulls him forward and kisses him on the lips--

• And Tom wakes up--with no memory of what has happened.
• Tom looks around and realizes he is in a hospital bed, in a hospital.
• He looks over as a nurse nonchalantly walks into the room, she sees him and yelps; then runs into the hallway, signaling someone to come over.
• The doctor quickly runs in and over to him, looking at the screens to his left and right, then lifting his head and examining him.
• "Do you know what your name is, son?" the doctor asks.
• He replies no, and the doctor quickly turns to the chart turns back.
• "Your name is Thomas Dean Russell; you're...23 it says here. Do you remember anything from before?"
• "No..."
• "All right, well Mr. Russell we're going to have to--"
• And a loud voice is from the hallway...
• "He's awake?!" the voice calls out, and a man walks into the room--
• Something about him excites Tom...he doesn't know what it is but it just does.
• The doctor asks who he is
• The man replies that he's a friend of Tom's
• Tom doesn't even know this man, but if he'll let him get out of this bed
• The man introduces himself as Aaron Tanner
• The doctor says he'll have to leave until they can run tests
• Aaron is getting agitated...
• "If he isn't ill anymore, and he's waken up from his coma, why can't he go?! Tom, you wanna get out of here, right?"
• Tom nods, and Aaron quickly takes his hand, grabs a bag full of clothes on a nearby chair, and helps him up
• The doctor tries to stop Aaron but Aaron just glares and the doctor soon backs away
• The doctor turns to a nurse who has just walked in and tells her to call security
• Aaron grabs Tom and runs with him out of the room
• They go to the stairway and run down the stairs and to another floor
• Aaron guides him to a nearby bathroom
• Aaron takes out a pair of socks and gives them to Tom to put them on
• Tom grabs them and puts them on
• "Who are you?!" he asks, in excitement.
• "...I'm Aaron--I live with you, here put these on"
• Aaron hands him a pair of black boxers and grabs the smock and pulls it off of him, he smiles at Tom's nakedness
• Tom looks to Aaron and quickly grabs the boxers, putting them on
• "Sorry, I just miss seeing that, that's all" Aaron apologizes, and hands him a pair of jeans.
• "Hurry up, security is on their way up here any second" Aaron reminds him
• Aaron gives him a black t-shirt and a pair of black jeans.
• Tom puts them on.
• Aaron gives him a pair of tied shoes and Tom shoves them on.
• Aaron lastly pulls his red shirt off, exposing his bare chest and sees Tom looking at him, partially with absence, confusion, but with arousal, and pulls out a blue shirt, putting it on.
• Aaron picks up the bag and shoves it into the trash can, then turns to the door but looks back to Tom and examines Tom and himself.
• Aaron turns to the mirror and sink and turns on the water, splashing some into Tom's face, then grabbing a paper towel and rubbing his face a little with it, then turns off the water and pulls the door open; taking Tom's hand and running with him to the stairway.
• "They'll be expecting us in the elevator...I'll...uh make conversation and you just talk like you...remember...me...okay?"
• He grabs Tom's hand and they run down the stairs; Aaron sees two security guards hurrying up the stairs, "So in Mr. Delany's class he was talking about the report that was due last Tuesday..." Aaron says.
• "Oh it was due last Tuesday, I had it in way before then" Tom blurts out.
• The security guards examine them and keep watching.
• Aaron and Tom hurry down a few more flights and into the main lobby, then walk to the nearest doors and onto the street.
• Aaron walks with him to his car and takes out his keys, pressing the remote.
• Aaron opens the door for Tom and Tom gets in, skeptically watching Aaron.
• Aaron walks around, getting in, and starting the car.
• "Wait, we need to talk, fill me in here"
• "Oh...sorry, okay, umm, okay we graduated from college a few months ago, uh 7 days ago you disappeared from the apartment during the middle of the night, you showed up at the docks unconscious three days ago, laying in the middle of the street at 1:13 in the afternoon--though no one saw you there, and you got sent here, and you just awoke just now--"
• "Why'd we have to run out just now? Why'd you change your shirt?"
• "I'm just a daring person--and--okay, there's just something bad about that doctor...I can just sense it. And the security guards would have identified me by my shirt if they had seen us together."
• "You knew to bring these clothes?"
• "Yeah, I brought them when I first heard you were in...of course I didn't originally think we'd be dashing out of here--"
• Tom looks to his mirror and sees two guards run out, seeing the car.
• "Security Guards--drive, Aaron, drive!"
• Aaron steps on it and they speed out of the space and down the street.
• Tom looks to the flip-down mirror; he hadn't in the bathroom, and stares at his reflection
• Aaron notices him and looks to him then back to the street, "What, what's the matter?"
• "My...face...something's not right...I can just...tell"
• "Tom, you have the most beautiful and...attractive...and handsome face I've ever seen, what are you talking about?"
• "Heh, thanks, but uh...it looks...I'm not...well I guess since I lost my memory I wouldn't be use to my face...but still...I...don't even remember it...like I'm not use to it..."
• "Well...you did just lose your memory, as you said..."
• "Well yeah, the doctor had asked me if I remembered anything."
• "Yeah, the lady that found you and the paramedics said that you were unconscious when they found you."
• "Yeah...it's...it's just odd that I don't remember anything..."
• "Well Tom you lost your memory, I'm sure it'll take a while to get it back, maybe once we get home--"
• "Aaron?"
• "Yeah?"
• "Home...when we get home you said you said--"
• "Yeah? What about it"
• "Are we related?"
• "No...we're...we were...sort of...dating...ish."
• "Oh, so that was what that thing was then I saw you? Yeah that works"
• "Really, you felt something for me?"
• "We were dating weren't we?"
• "Well...we were getting there. We flirted around a lot...I'd...like to, I mean--well I didn't plan on saying it like this, but you'll get your memory back anyway, the doctor had told me that you would though he couldn't figure out what had happened but since you didn't have any tumors or bad things, you would"
• "Well...good...I am attracted to you"
• "You think I'm hot?"
• "Well yeah, you are" Tom replies.
• "Good...flirting just doesn't let me know enough, you know?"
• "Not really...I don't remember anything, remember?"
• "Oh yeah. Well...you had flirted with me, the things you'd say, the hugs, the way you'd touch me when you passed by...I...really liked it."
• "Good, good."
• A smile. "What date is it?" Tom asks.
• "July...13^th, actually."
• "I lost my memory of who I am...and of...well history...but I know of things nonetheless...facts and things, I'm recalling..."
• "And?"
• "It's 7/13, 7 and 13 are biblical and significant numbers. I went missing 7 days ago? How old am I?"
• "21...I'm not getting this" Aaron replies, driving on.
• "21...is 7 times 3. What time is it?"
• "About 1:30 or so, I think; this clock is always screwing up on the time, it decides to be fast or slow...anyway."
• "I probably came conscious at some number too."
• "I think you're looking into this too much."
• "It's possible...I guess..."
• "Just wait until we get home. Just...look at things, think about things...try to remember things, focus on yourself, that's what's important, okay?"
• "Yeah, okay."
• Tom looks down to his body and feels himself through his clothes, then lifts his shirt up and feels himself...he looks back to the mirror and feels his face, looks at his hand...feels his legs, his crotch, his cock, bends over to feel more of his legs and feet...his eyes look to the window and examine his surroundings...
• The surroundings sort of register...but he doesn't remember any of his body...any of himself.
• It's almost as if he knows the buildings and everything more than himself.
• Everything is silent except for the car and the surroundings passing by.
• Tom's eyes focus on the outside...the reflection of his face and crystal blue eyes looking back to him.
• He has blonde hair. It's so beautiful...is it really his? Is this a normal feeling to have after losing one's memory?
• Wouldn't it feel different for everyone?

• The roads past by...he doesn't know these...
• And they pull into a complex of apartments...
• Many trees.
• Many people.
• A college campus? No, just a college area.
• They're in part of the city, there are many trees though.
• Aaron pulls alongside a complex...the complex is brown, it's very clean looking.
• The sky is cloudy, like after a storm has occurred.
• "We're here" Aaron peacefully and unintentionally tears his thought process. The car breaks, turns off.
• Tom takes off his seatbelt, opens the door, and walks slowly towards the door; as Aaron quickly runs up to join him after getting out and locking it with the remote.
• Aaron opens the door as Tom walks in, Aaron can't help but stare at his butt.
• "Can you remember which apartment it is?"
• "I don't remember...any of this...at all, sorry."
• "Ah really? Well don't apologize to me, it'll come to you--no worries."
• "Okay..."
• Aaron walks down the central hallway and to the first apartment on the right, takes out his keys, and walks in.
• Tom follows, closing the door, and looks around the apartment.
• None of this looks familiar.
• It's like someone else's life.
• As soon as he walks in...there's a dining room table further in front of them.
• An L couch and ottoman facing a flat screen T.V. on the side of the window to the kitchen nook, aside the dining room table area.
• Tables, artwork, posters and such.
• A few picture frames scattered across the room...pictures of himself and Aaron...some with others, some with either or just one.
• It was definitely their home.
• The walls are painted earthy colors; it's very warm-toned though.
• A hallway meeting the dining room area and kitchen area.
• A door on the right, a bathroom probably.
• Double doors across, a closet probably.
• And down the hall, a door with another door on the perpendicular wall, bedrooms probably.
• Aaron walks to the nearby lighting switch on the wall by the nook and a light brightens the room for the ceiling and a few wall lights.
• "Maybe your bedroom will?"
• Aaron turns, taking Tom's hand, and they walk to the bedroom on the right of the hallway.
• A queen-sized bed in the center, a dresser on the side, a desk on the other side.
• Artwork on the walls, posters, an evident white and black with a green accent theme.
• A bulletin board, photographs on the desk, papers and boxers on and around the desk and dresser. A CD rack, a television on the dresser, a few coats and robes along the closet to the left of the door. Someone lived here...it was someone's life.
• "None of this is familiar...not even ringing a bell."
• Aaron turns, walking slowly towards him, hesitantly.
• "Maybe this will?"
• He's coming closer.
• And suddenly he's pressed against Tom, his lips have met his.
• He's kissing him.
• Tom's kissing back.
• Aaron's hands are around his body...
• Tom is against the bed, he has fallen back...Aaron is on top of him.
• Aaron's lips are hot and excited...
• Tom can feel Aaron's chest against him...
• He's muscular...he must work out...he's so warm...so hot...
• Tom can feel all the muscles in his back...his butt's curve...
• He can see Aaron sitting up, taking his blue shirt off. The same chest from before.
• And he finds himself desperately trying to take off his own shirt.
• The shirt Aaron gave to him to put on to him.
• Tom's eyes looked up, Aaron had tan skin...he had short black...brown hair, about 2 inches long or so. It was shorter on the sides.
• Was he Hispanic? He did have Hispanic traits...but then again, did he?
• Why did Tom only remember facts and not actual events? Why had he lost his memory?
• Another wet kiss...
• And another...Aaron's hands were moving towards his and his own pants...
• Aaron had an intention...maybe he hadn't before but he did now...
• And Aaron then sat up undid his own pants and pushed them down...he pulled Tom up and undid his...
• And more kisses...
• More groping...
• It was a blur...it was as if Tom was watching it all happen...
• The boxers were off...
• It was just skin against skin...
• And hot breaths...
• So much kissing...
• The touching...
• And Aaron sat back up for a third time, to look down to Tom
• Tom could see how happy and glad Aaron was that he was actually letting him do this...
• And Tom couldn't let this go on...
• Aaron was having sex with someone who didn't even remember him...
• Aaron would be having sex with someone who wasn't actually who Aaron knew him to be.
• Tom took a breath in and looked directly into Aaron...
• And suddenly Tom could feel a change in the air...
• He fell back, his head only inches from the bed from before.
• And he looked up...and Aaron didn't move.
• It was as if he was frozen.
• "Aaron?"
• Tom's eyes looked to Aaron's...and Aaron was just simply...stopped.
• Tom looked down to Aaron's cock and saw it perfectly in the air...
• Just perfect.
• And Tom crawled back from Aaron's legs and looked at him.
• It was actually a little funny seeing him in this position with no one underneath him...
• It was incorrect to gravity's laws...
• Tom looked over, seeing a clock on the wall...it didn't move.
• The second had hadn't moved.
• Did he somehow do this?
• Tom moved back to Aaron's legs and focused...
• His eyes closed and looked into Aaron's...
• And Aaron suddenly came back; his hard cock was against Tom's.
• This was such a good sensation...so passionate...
• But it wasn't Tom's passion mixed with Aaron's...it was wrong founded.
• Tom felt Aaron's passionate kiss against his lips...
• He felt Aaron's body press and grind against his own...
• The kiss still planted and their breaths mixed...
• He had felt his before! Before ever seeing Aaron in the hospital!
• He had felt such a passionate combination of kiss and...love...before...
• It was a different type of love...but it was still a level of love...and liveliness...and purity.
• Where had he felt this before?
• Tom's mind wondered as he let his body perform the motions as Aaron moved down his body...
• Gave him a blowjob...
• Then as he did the same...somehow he knew how to...
• As he felt Aaron inside of him...as he felt Aaron move and touch inside of him.
• As he did the same...
• He let this possession of love fill inside of him and combine with Aaron's flood as they made love to one another...
• And they laid side by said...
• And Aaron kissed him one last time...
• A last kiss...
• Tom took in a deep breath.
• He knew where the kiss was from.
• He had...been reborn.
• It didn't make sense...Tom knew that...
• But he recalled the feeling of passage from life to life once more...all from the kiss of Death.
• It was...a passage from one life to another.
• It wasn't reincarnation...
• It was rebirth...
• A life that had been created and inserted into the history of the World.
• It was as if he had lived two lives...except he was only now living this own...
• Tom didn't know how it was possible...but it seemed to make sense and work.
• It wasn't...wrong, was it?
• All of that feeling and thought had spawned from the reminder...the déjà vu of that kiss...
• Or was he just jumping to conclusions?
• Aaron's arm and chest were along his...
• Aaron's warmth against his...
• The covers had been pushed from beneath them and on top of them.
• And Tom falls asleep.

Chapter Two -- A Mystery of Time.

• Tom awakes with Aaron sucking his cock.
• For some reason, the thought of whether this was the right thing to do registered with him? It felt so right, having sex with another man, but the question ringed in his mind.
• How had he even known how to do what he had done?
• Were those solutions to his questions true or had he made them up? Were they just in his mind?
• "Aaron...oh Aaron...please, please--I..."
• Hot breaths, the courage to say what his mind was thinking
• "I'm not the Tom you think..."
• "But you will be...you just have to get your memory back" Aaron argued, going back to his pleasure.
• "But I don't know you--"
• "But you will"
• "But I don't right NOW!"
• He had shouted...
• He had come...
• And somehow time had frozen like it had before...
• Tom looked down again, seeing Aaron there; and he suddenly returned back to time...returned with his tongue and his lips...
• How was any of this happening? Had he been given this right?
• Had Death given him this right?
• Were his thoughts even true?!
• Tom quickly moved himself from Aaron's lips and ran to a dresser, opening the shelves quickly and just grabbing different clothes and putting them on.
• "Tom--Tom--whoa, what are you doing? Hey, don't you want to finish?"
• Aaron leaped over the bed and put his arms around Tom as Tom dressed in a panic.
• "Look, I need to take a walk...get some space...get some answers"
• "Tom--"
• "Aaron you don't know who I am! I don't know who I am! I'm not even sure of anything right now! The only thing that even proves you are who you are and I am who I am are the pictures in the living room and the ones in this bedroom! My bedroom! My bedroom?! I don't even know!"
• He grabbed his shoes and put them on, and ran to the door.
• Aaron stumbled and quickly grabbed the closest pair of pants--Tom's from the hospital--and put them on; with the closest shirt--Tom's--and put it on too.
• Tom turned and quickly opened the door and walked out into the hallway.
• "Look I'll come with you!" Aaron shouted and quickly forced on his socks and shoes.
• Tom turned and grabbed a pair of keys from the table by the door and a wallet by the door--opening it and seeing an I.D. inside with his face on it...the face he had seen in the mirror, and put it in his pocket.
• "Tom, come on"
• "I just came with you, you already came with me--"
• "No jokes, okay? You don't even know where you're going, who or what anything is, it wouldn't be safe...do you have any ideas?" Aaron was so concerned...
• Tom turned and looked at Aaron, he was so hot...wearing Tom's clothes that really were too small for him so they showed off his muscles...
• Tom quickly turned and opened the door, walking to the front door and to the car, happy to remember which one they had driven up in.
• Aaron quickly runs after him.
• They get into the car.
• "Do you know where you want to go? Talk to me"
• "The..." Tom closes his eyes "Water...is there water nearby? Yeah I think you said so earlier"
• "Yeah...the docks, there?"
• "Yeah"

• They go to the docks and they get out.
• Tom quickly walks to the riverside and walks quickly down the piers...along the sides.

• "I'm remembering something...sort of déjà vu-ish."
• They walk further and see a area in the distance taped-off.
• Tom stops and stares, then quickly walks and then runs towards it.
• "Hey wait--I saw that on the news a while ago, a guy got struck by lightning or something there" Aaron yells as they run
• Tom approaches it, faster faster, faster--
• And he reaches the caution tape and goes underneath it and to the evident spot where the cement and wood had been struck.
• It's blackened, and the area around is as well.
• Tom turns and slowly walks around the spot, feeling closer to something as he does...
• "Tom, careful--it's caution-taped-off for a reason" Aaron warns, he wants to keep his distance...
• Tom walks closer and closer to a specific spot and takes a final step...
• A deep gasp...
• And a faint smell of the water mist on the wind...
• A faint whisper of a thought...
• A faint remembrance of a soul.
• Was it his own?
• It feels...so...familiar...
• Or was he simply ovethinking?
• "I think I was here before" Tom tells Aaron, and quickly moves away from the spot, back underneath the tape, and hugs against Aaron.
• Aaron stands up strong for his friend, hugging him and feeling him up.
• "How so?"
• "I...I think it was...me, Aaron...I know it sounds crazy...but I think it was me."
• "Right...well, let's go to the police station. See if we can get any information about what happened here" Aaron suggests.
• Tom nods and turns with him, walking away from the scene and towards the main street.
• They approach the crosswalk, the street busy from the tourist-docks and the shipping-docks meeting the city.
• Tom looks forward and sees a woman crossing the street, headphones on. He is about to walk with her but he sees the walking sign blinking red--so he stops; but then he turns to his right and sees a car driving forward.
• The car doesn't stop--the woman is only looking forward.
• Tom realizes the car won't stop.
• THE CAR WON'T STOP.
• "NO!" Tom yells in a gasp as he throws his hands out, about to cover his eyes/hold onto his hair--
• And time stops.
• The birds in the area stop. The noise and traffic stop. The car stops--the woman stops...that's what important...
• Tom smiles as he sighs and looks over to Aaron, seeing him frozen as well.
• "So it wasn't the sex, at least" he jokes, Aaron still frozen though.
• He takes a few steps forward slowly--the birds begin to flap their wings...the car begins to move a little closer--
• Tom realizes what's going on...he can see time beginning to speed up.
• He runs forward and closer towards the woman. He jumps forward as the car begins to move more and more forward.
• He tackles her out of the way and time zooms back up.
• The car swerves as the driver realizes and hits a telephone pole.
• Aaron runs across the street, careful to watch both sides of the street, and pulls out his cell phone; immediately calling 911.
• Tom looks up from the concrete and looks over to the woman, then back to Aaron.

• Tom's eyes search the large area as a female nurse passes him after checking him for any injuries.
• His eyes instantly change as he watches a police officer enter the room from the elevator.
• He was...okay looking...but it was obvious he didn't care to be in the hospital.
• Aaron jumps up from the chair on the side of the tall bench/bed and instantly taps Tom lightly...then sulks back when Tom doesn't jump up like he use to do...
• The policeman approaches...
• "I need to get some basic information from you three before the detectives come in to settle this thing up. It's a good thing everyone's all right, or I would have had to bring over more paperwork and all that. Plus...the drunk driver's upstairs it seems, and I can save myself the trip and time."
• What a jerk...Tom tries to interrupt but the policeman carries on...
• "So--we'll start with you then--name?"
• "Tom" -- Ha, Tom knew that one...what was his last name again?
• "Tom...what?"
• "Uh..." --Crap, what was it again?
• "Tom Russell" Aaron interrupts.
• Aaron is so great.
• "Oh yeah..." Tom replies...
• "Right..." the policeman slowly continues. "Age?"
• "Uh...Twenty...one?" --Aaron nods--
• "Date of birth?"
• Crap Tom didn't know this one--wait, Aaron's replying, great!
• "Uh...April...16^th...1984."
• Aaron's great...
• "Right, can he answer some himself maybe? Or do you have a problem with that?" the policeman asks.
• He has no idea...haha, the joke's on him.
• "Well actually--"
• "Current Address?" the policeman asked.
• Aaron answered...
• The policeman quickly raises his hand to cut him off.
• Yeah...no.
• Aaron was persistent, "Well Tom, your license still has your old address on it...you keep procrastinating to change it...this nice policeman could probably use the one that's actually on your license..."
• "We could probably use that too" the policeman interrupts.
• Probably? Ha, and he had said he didn't want to do more work.
• "Well what's the address?" the policeman hurries.
• Ass.
• "Let me check" Tom quickly responds, grabbing his wallet from his pocket, quickly seeing the I.D. with his picture on it.
• "134 Latimore Road--"
• "That's all I feel like writing down... And your story?"
• "Well..." Tom's eyes glance to the woman talking to some nurses, "She was crossing the street and the car wasn't braking, so I ran forward and got her out of the way."
• "Yeah, he was super fast..." Aaron adds in.
• Tom's eyes smile to Aaron's comment and glance around the room as the policeman decides to write what he had said down in short terms; and Tom's eyes catch another policeman standing by the front desk, writing down something. He looks kind enough...like he actually cares about his job.
• "The detective will be here soon, just...don't go anywhere."
• Tom walks over to the other policeman.
• "Excuse me--"
• "Just a second..." --he finishes writing and looks up, instantly smiling-- "How can I help you?"
• "...There was a death by the docks a while ago...can you tell me about that?"
• "Sure...erm...what was the boy's name? ...Tim? No...Tom...Almore I think it was. Yeah. That was it...Tom Almore. He got hit by lightning I think. Why do you ask?"
• "Well...I walked by there earlier and didn't know what had happened...I was curious if that was it...did he go to a college nearby?"
• "I think so...I don't really remember, sorry I can't help more; try asking...Detective Morrison--" a gesture to a man surrounded by people across the room...
• "Thanks" Tom replies...the policeman was nice, that was good.
• "Tom!" Aaron alerts, walking over to him.
• "We can go, I just chatted with the detective. Let's get out of here."
• Aaron put his hand on Tom's back as they approached the elevator.
• "Thank You again" Tom says to the policeman and glances over, seeing the woman he had saved talking to a nurse still.
• Her eyes meet his...and she mouths "Thank You" to him.
• Tom returns with a smile and walks to the elevator.
• "So can we go now? You get what you needed?"
• "Yeah...let's go."
• The elevator rings and buzzes as it descends.
• As soon as they get back to the apartment...Tom's going to sleep, definitely.
• He has to think about the day...the woman he saved...he had saved someone's life. But...what of his own? His...other life?

Chapter Three -- A lot of unexpected miracles.

• Tom awoke in the middle of the night.
• He was naked; his eyes were aching, he felt sore at first, but then felt fine.
• The sheets and air in the room were new to him...the sheets were...too smooth...too comfortable. The air was blowing softly from a vent; but he wasn't use to it.
• The sound of the gentle wind touched the window--had a storm really just passed?
• Tom's eyes searched the room --he quickly got up, and studied his desk.
• He didn't remember any of this.
• Was this really his life?
• He turned to his mirror and studied himself.
• He was so attractive...the moonlight shining upon his gentle, light, firm skin.
• He wasn't particularly muscular...he had either worked out or just become strong...but overall, he had a slim physique but was fortunate to look so good.
• How much passion had he really put into his body?
• Had he put any?
• ...It hurt Tom to not know these answers...
• To not know himself.
• He glanced back to the dresser. A portrait of him and a older woman. He was smiling, his arm around her. She was smiling too. He was wearing a grey turtleneck sweater. She was wearing a red sweatshirt.
• Who was she?
• He closed his eyes and breathed in, gripping the frame with all of his might.
• And he heard a voice...many voices...
• He could feel lights against his eyelids--
• A warm sweater around his torso and neck...comfortable jeans around his legs.
• The smell of something rich and sweet; warmth against his skin--
• And his eyes opened--light and vision came into view, and the woman came towards him from a kitchen area...in a house...their house.
• She said something..."Oh! Tom give me a hug before you go for the night--" and Tom felt himself lean forward, hug her; and a warmth came upon him instantly.
• "Love you Mom, `Night" he had said to her.
• He had leaned back...
• And he was back in his bedroom at the apartment.
• A memory? His eyes gently moved back to the frame.
• This was a memory....his first recovered memory!
• He had that memory...so...this was his life after all; but what about his other life? That feeling he had? Was it just in his head?
• Was he just being odd?
• He stared at the other frames and objects along the dresser. The items along the walls and around the room.
• These all belonged to someone; they all held some type of significance.
• But did they really belong to him? It all just looked like he was in someone else's room...not his own...but then again, what would he know? He didn't know himself--he didn't know any of his past.
• He sighed and quickly grabbed a pair of jeans, a grey shirt, and some socks and shoes...

• Tom walked down the absent urban street. He had been walking for a long time.
• He didn't want to stop--not until his questions were answered.
• He walked down onto another street; almost a copy of the previous perpendicular street.
• His eyes forward and down, his breath against the cool, sweet air.
• And there was a faint whisper in the air--
• He recognized it...he knew it...it was...desperation...need...loss...a final prayer.
• He quickly turned down the alley he was just about to walk past--he could feel the whisper's origin; he could feel the voice in the air.
• And suddenly Tom stopped running; as a woman lay on the ground, her eyes looking directly at him.
• She was dressed so nicely...a black dress, high heel shoes, a purse only feet away.
• "Help me" she whispered. She closed her eyes only for a second, to blink--
• And Tom looked directly at her and put his hand out as he approached her--
• And she froze.
• The alley froze.
• It all froze.
• It was silent; Time had stopped; Tom needed it to happen, he smiled when he realized it did.
• Tom didn't know why he could do this. This was...the third time he had frozen time? He could feel himself in sync with it. He could feel time all around him when he needed to pause everything--get away from the real world's contracting borders. Aaron's wishes of the past, the reminders of a former life, Aaron's wishes of the future, thoughts of the storm.
• Tom bent down and took the black cell phone from out of his pocket. It was Aaron's, Tom knew he shouldn't have taken it without asking, but then again, it would be better than not having any.
• He dialed 911--he knew to, it was so ornate, so natural of a thought...from his past--
• He glanced around the dark alley.
• The phone dialed and the world came back to time as Tom told the operator of the situation...but the woman remained frozen.
• Tom couldn't let her come back to Time's hands. It'd take her whole and never let her come back, never let her live again.
• Tom's eyes looked down, and he only now saw the blood from underneath her body. It had stained her dress; her hair was a mess, her face was in panic and distraught.
• It was such a shame, she was so beautiful. What had happened to her...could never have been beautiful. She hadn't wanted this to happen, it had just happened to her.
• Like...his loss of his memory.
• The question of how he had lost it.
• Why and how he was found.
• None of it truly made much sense.
• Why couldn't he remember?!
• 5 minutes passed.
• 10 minutes passed.
• Tom waited with the still woman until the police and ambulance sirens came into range.
• And cautiously, with tears in his eyes...though Tom hadn't even recognized their existence...Tom placed his hand just above her chest.
• And the woman came back to time's grasps.
• But Tom knew she had a chance to be saved now.
• He looked down to the woman as she opened her eyes.
• Tom turned and the ambulance pulled out, the police car as well.
• She'd be in too much distress and pain to realize how close he was to her--that she had just passed out would be a reasonable alibi.
• A streetlight was the only light that illuminated them.

• This was the third time Tom was in a hospital since he had wakened.
• It was now at least 6am.
• Aaron probably hadn't even awoken.
• And Tom was sitting in an uncomfortable hospital chair in an uncomfortable waiting room.
• He had just finished yelling or debating at three doctors, two nurses, and two resident psychiatrists about whether he was capable of living without taking the hospital's program about regaining his memory.
• Then he had to explain to them that although Aaron's actions weren't exactly...the best; that it was all right and that everyone needs to leave them alone.
• The woman had been in surgery for some time now.
• She had been shot in her side.
• It was by chance that she was even still alive.
• Unfortunately, the doctors were treating internal bleeding right now.
• And Tom was tired.
• He stood up, walked to the front desk, and left his information with the receptionist. Luckily, there was a card inside of his wallet with all his contact information on it.
• It was however annoying to rely on his wallet for personal information.
• The clock continued to tick, the sound of beeping and talking buzzed about the room.

• Aaron stood in Tom's doorway, dumbfounded.
• He turned and walked to the front door...his wallet was gone, along with Tom's wallet.
• "For someone with amnesia he sure is reliable and smart."
• Though Aaron was only wearing his red plaid boxers, that didn't stop him from walking out the apartment and to the large glass frames to check to make sure his car was still there.
• Aaron returned to the apartment, only now seeing his keys had fallen off and onto the floor, but underneath the small table.
• And just as he had closed the door and walked to the phone; the front door opened and Tom entered and closed it behind him--immediately shocked at seeing Aaron awake early.
• "You're up...early" Tom stated.
• "I always get up early. Try to remember that."
• "Remembering isn't my strong point."
• "Where'd you go? I was worried about you--you can't go out doing that with amnesia and a lack of...things!"
• It was obvious Aaron cared. He grabbed Tom and quickly stripped him of his jacket, wallet, and the cell phone.
• "I went for a walk. I...saw a woman in an alley and she was shot...so I called the police, and now she's in the hospital being treated."
• A momentary silence.
• "You saved two peoples' lives and you haven't had your memory back for 24 hours?"
• "I'm just tired, I'm gonna go back to bed."
• Tom moved past Aaron and to his bedroom.
• Aaron was the jock-type physique-wise. Tom could see the free weights through the doorway into Aaron's room. And as Aaron followed Tom and placed his hands around Tom from the back and felt up his chest, Tom knew what Aaron's intentions were.
• "Can I go to bed with you?"
• "Aaron...did I give into your flirts before this happened?"
• "Well not really but--"
• "If I was attracted to you, I probably didn't tell you for a reason--"
• "Well now you don't have those constrictions. We can be open to one another..."
• Aaron turned Tom around, looking him directly in the face.
• Tom looked into Aaron; he was so handsome, had such great eyes...he was so true.
• But the momentary silence ended, as Aaron pushed Tom against the bed, stripped him of his clothes, took off his boxers, and began to kiss him with the same passionate, fiery kisses as the last time they had had sex.
• Tom lay back as he let Aaron force himself upon him.
• Tom wasn't even sure why any of this was happening...but it was passion.
• Did Aaron even love him? What was Aaron like before this amnesia?
• And soon Aaron entered himself into Tom's body...
• And the window soon grew light and the light soon got brighter.

• He had let it happen again. He had let Aaron seduce him--his amnesia had become an excuse; the mixed emotions had faded when Aaron did that to him.

• It was now 3 o'clock or so.
• The sound of the refrigerator was buzzing in the background.
• This was day two--he had found out his gift, the ability to freeze time. It was unique...only to him...had he had it before his amnesia? Had he just developed it?
• He had saved two peoples' lives each by the chance that he was where we was and was able to help them.
• It was extraordinary...just another question to his list of questions.
• Tom sat on his bed, the light from his window shining into the room.
• He had awakened with Aaron--but now was Tom-time.
• He had been looking through the photo albums, books on his bookshelf, files on his computer laptop, and anything else he could get his hands on in the entire apartment.
• It had been about 6 hours or so that he had been looking through, studying, and remembering things.
• That morning, he had had only one dream while he was asleep.
• He was soaring through the wind and into the ocean, but as he kept moving through the water, something kept holding him back.
• Then the water disappeared and he lay against the ground--it was bricks actually, not dirty--and Tom recognized the pattern...they were from the docks. But Tom couldn't move...and then the dream just ended and all he could do was to just sleep.
• Over his perusing he had had memories of almost every photograph and whatnot. Everything was a vague recognition of life...each through the life he had lived before the amnesia.
• Tom got up--and Aaron opened the door and stood by the frame.
• He wore a blue button-down shirt with the top few buttons undone, revealing his chest underneath with a white beater underneath. Navy pants, a silver buckle with black leather for his belt, black socks with black shoes.
• A corporate job.
• "Tom, you've got leave from your column job. When you're ready, they said they'd be happy to have you back. You're a movie critic--"
• "Yeah I found every article I wrote in the brown photo album."
• "Great, well I have to go to work in two hours. Do you know how to drive?"
• "Yes, I remember everything...rules...driving itself...a fender bender I had in...2004."
• A smile--Aaron was glad that he was getting his best friend back.
• "Good, well let's go now. I'll leave the car with you, and we can go for a walk in the mean time."
• "Great idea--"
• "I'll leave you some money, and I also got you a cell phone as well, so even though you'll be on your own you can contact me, my number is in there and everything. Hopefully tomorrow maybe we'll be able to have dinner together or something. Well let's get going."
• They walk to the front door and close down the house and get ready.
• Tom walks to the front door to meet Aaron, grabbing his jacket.
• As Tom turns back to Aaron to put his jacket on Aaron turns kises Tom for only a second.
• "Aaron..."
• "Will you be my boyfriend?"
• "Aaron--"
• "You've had memories I'm sure"
• "Yes, I'm remembering about myself...my life."
• "So be my boyfriend, you love me right?"
• "I do...I don't know if it's best friend love or--"
• "But you like it when we kiss?"
• "Yes--"
• "When we talk, hang out?"
• "Yes--"
• "When we fuck?"
• A smile. "Yes...definitely."
• "Well I'm only with you. I've stayed only to you...in hopes of being with you. Granted this isn't the best reason for it but here you are with me, come on Tom...will you be my boyfriend?"
• Aaron leans forward without giving him time to respond and kisses him--
• So intimate.
• "Yes..."

• "And this is my desk!"
• Aaron had shown the entire business to Tom.
• They had walked down the entire boulevard. For at least 6 blocks, stopped by a café and now Aaron had to work.
• The shared a simple kiss and Tom walked back to the car.
• Aaron's building was a nice place to work, it was well designed.
• It was now about 5 o'clock.
• Memories ran inside his head, people, incidents of ages--it was all becoming less foggy--more evident.
• Tom got in the car, the keys in his his hand, and stared at the dashboard.
• He could remember his first time dirving by himself...life at seventeen.
• And he started up the car.
• He was cautious, and turned, put the car in reverse, checked the mirrors and everything.
• And he drove off.
• Tom kept driving, the street prolonging.
• It was such an odd sensation...being in control of a car...it felt like he was so use to driving but so foreign to driving.
• But he kept going.
• Then he realized...he didn't know how to get home...he didn't know where he was...
• What was his address again?
• Aha! His I.D. in his wallet!
• Oh wait...crap...that wasn't new.
• Wait--the new address on that I.D. card was probably right...maybe...
• He'd have to check that out later...
• So Tom drove, and he kept driving until he heard and could feel the music coming closer and louder.
• Tom wasn't sure what he was doing...but he found himself parking...
• He got out, started to approach a club...
• He walked up to the doors...he took out his I.D...he was admitted in...
• And the club was active!
• It was so alive!
• The music; the tempo! The Bass!
• The techno; the dancing bodies...the...
• The hot guys.
• Tom smiled as he walked inwards towards the club more...
• What was he doing?
• How had he even got here anyway?
• And he got closer to the dance floor...
• But No-no-no; there was no way Tom was going to dance--
• He quickly turned and walked to the bar.
• The bar was just as alive as everything else; and the bartender approached him--a big guy, with black hair and green eyes.
• "What'll you have?"
• "Uh..."
• Tom didn't feel like spending any money...how much had Aaron given him anyway?
• "Water...with Ice?"
• "Right..." the Bartender shrugged and quickly grabbed a glass, a dispenser, and dug some ice from underneath the counter--a large bin containing ice--and shot the water into it; then handed it to him.
• "Free; enjoy your...water, it'll cool you down hot stuff"
• And just as simply, with a smile and a wink, the Bartender walked away to help another customer.
• Tom sat down at the bar and sipped his water...glancing around...now realizing this was a gay bar.
• Was Tom even gay? Was he bisexual? Was he straight and just liked guys?
• That was just another question to add to his list of questions as well...
• He took another sip; the music and beat booming all around him...somehow numbed at the bar somewhat...
• And he glanced over, seeing a man sitting right next to him, looking directly at him.
• This guy was about his body type...about his size too, a bit bigger but not by that much. He had dirty brown hair and a tan...he was about Tom's height--not too tall, not too short--and was slim with some muscle...more muscle than Tom but not by a large amount.
• And he was leaning closer towards him as well...
• "Hi!" Tom blurted out--though now only realizing it probably was normal now that the music was so loud.
• "What's your name?" the man asked, leaning ever closer.
• "Tom--and I...uh have a boyfriend..."
• "Since when? You didn't have a boyfriend a week ago--"
• "What? Who are you?"
• Who was this guy? That was an odd thing to say...
• "What's the matter with you?" the man asked back.
• "Do I know you?" Tom replied--it was the questions game!
• "I'd hope so--I talked to you at the gym a week and a few days ago!"
• "Oh!" --That'd explain it...Did he have a crush on this guy...was that why he had reserved himself from Aaron?
• "I--uh--lost my memory over the week; went to the hospital--long story short, I just got back like two days ago and I now have a boyfriend"
• The man smiled and simply leaned in even more...even to feel his breath.
• "Well I'm Gavin. I met you at the gym on the main campus while you were on the exercise bike and talked to you for a little while before I left, I was hoping I'd see you again."
• Tom could tell Gavin believed him...and Gavin definitely had sex appeal...it was like smell breathing from Gavin's skin...
• "Well...sorry but nice to meet you!"
• This was definitely abnormal, but what to expect when you have amnesia, right?
• And suddenly Gavin moved in and kissed him--
• He used tongue...
• And Gavin's hands were all around Tom...
• Tom quickly pushed Gavin away after a few good seconds and jumped off the stool--
• "I have a boyfriend!"
• "You've only what, known him for a couple days since your amnesia?"
• "That's not the point!"
• "Well who is he?"
• "His name is Aaron--and--"
• "Oh Aaron! He's definitely hot, your roommate right? I met him when he came up as I was leaving!"
• Tom didn't know what to say...this guy was some jerk; that was true.
• And Gavin quickly stepped after Tom and took him by the hand and led him to a back room; behind the bar, to a hallway which led to that back room along many others.
• "Good, a place to talk that's a little more quiet" Tom stated as Gavin led him.
• Gavin closed the door behind them and sat down on a bed with him.
• Tom...just realized he was sitting on a couch.
• "So you have memory loss; that's obvious..."
• "Well not all of my memory is back yet...I just started..."
• Tom vaguely remembered Gavin, but he was beginning to ring some bells...
• "I can tell! Well Tom, I like you a lot...sorry I just kissed you back there, but you're pretty hot, even if you didn't think so at the gym--"
• "...I don't remember the gym that well..."
• "Right, right"
• Gavin was too suave...
• "Listen Tom" Gavin continued..."You seemed to like me a lot before--we made out a little--"
• Was this even true? Had he--
• And another memory...Gavin's lips...Gavin's hands around his butt...the lust to have Gavin's cock in his mouth...in his butt...
• "--And we hit it off before I had to go, but if you've got a boyfriend now, Aaron that is, and I know you're just rediscovering him but you've already committed yourself to him, I don't want to interrupt--"
• He was very considerate...
• "Oh who am I kidding?!"
• And suddenly Gavin had pounced--
• He forced Tom against the bed, and before Tom knew it his shirt and Gavin's were off--
• And Gavin's lips were all along him...his lips, his neck, his chest...
• And Gavin's hands were holding him down...
• No--Tom wouldn't let this lust take him again! Not again! Even if Gavin was desirable...temptation could be ignored!
• Tom gathered his strength and pushed Gavin to the other side of the bed and jumped up; hitting the back wall.
• "Gavin sorry but--"
• Gavin jumped up, pushing himself against Tom and kissed him again.
• That smile on Gavin's face; his body actions, his motion...
• Tom was starting to remember that night...
• The tired feeling from the exercise bike...
• The conversation he had had with Aaron earlier...
• The news station that was on the TV in the exercise room...
• And Gavin brought him back to the bed, and began his seduction again...
• And Tom's thoughts began to remember that night...the first words Gavin had said..."Is that your water?"
• The thoughts afterwards of seeing Aaron and saying goodbye to Gavin and feeling almost guilty for not holding out for waiting for Aaron to actually admit his feelings...
• Aaron had...said he was straight before...he had actually told Tom that he wasn't interested in him...how stupid and shy...
• And after being with Gavin, Tom decided that he'd pursue the relationship with Gavin because Aaron was taking too long...
• That was the secret Aaron never wanted to tell him...
• A quick gasp...
• And Tom came back to reality...
• And he was naked...Gavin was naked...
• Tom could have laughed at how easy he was...he started to hope it was the amnesia's effects...
• Why had he gasped?
• And then he felt Gavin's cock against his hole...
• And he felt Gavin beginning to enter him...
• He could feel the condom--a little bit of relief...
• "No...Gavin...No..."
• "So you're back?" Gavin asked... a simply quick kiss...
• And Tom jumped back from Gavin and fell off the bed and onto the floor; then jumped up and quickly started to try and gather his clothes...
• "I--remember the night when we met...and I can't do this--I told Aaron I'd be with him, it'd be wrong to do this!"
• "Wrong is sometimes good Tom...temptation..."
• Tom was stronger than this...he had saved two peoples' lives...he had recovered loss of memory...
• Gavin was closer to him again; his hard cock against his own...
• And something happened...
• Time didn't freeze...
• Gavin had turned him around...he had bent him over, he had entered him...first slowly with some lubricant...then faster...harder...and Tom was back on the bed...Gavin inside of him...
• What was happening?! Tom didn't know this feeling...he recognized being fucked from Aaron...but not this other feeling...
• It was weakness.
• He had just experienced the miracle of remembering an entire night...and now this was happening to him.
• He had given into temptation...and it was all happening so quickly...
• Gavin kissed the back of his neck as he fucked him even more...then as he gave his final last pushes, quickly came out of him, flipped Tom around, took off the condom, and came all over Tom's chest.
• Tom came; but not of his mind's accord, but of his other head's accord.
• His cum all over Gavin's body and his own...
• Gavin pressed himself against Tom's body...kissed him a last few final times with full passion...then began to lick him...cleaning Tom with his tongue.
• Tom just...let it happen.
• Time...wouldn't freeze for him...
• So Tom just let the scene play out. It felt so good but so bad...
• And soon Gavin was beginning to get dressed...
• "I know you didn't really want this tonight...but I did...I've been wanting it for a week...and I always get what I want...and maybe...we can have this again some other time, I'd like that. So it's a fact then, we'll have it then."
• Tom was in shock...he was...just laying there in his sweat and passion.
• Gavin picked up Tom's cell phone from his pants pocket and dialed a number, waited a few moments, reached into his pocket, then folded the cell phone and put it back into Tom's pocket.
• "I'll call you" and with that Gavin walked over to him, kissed him for a final time, felt his cock and balls quickly, and walked to the door, opened it, and left.
• Tom had gotten dressed.
• He had walked back to the car.
• He had started the car and slowly found his way back through familiar streets and went back to the apartment.
• He studied more of the books and albums...watched some television...
• Showered.
• Waited for Aaron to call him.
• Drove to pick up Aaron, met him, and drove back.
• They had sex that night; it was Aaron's dream coming true just another time.
• And Tom decided to go to sleep, reflecting on the day.
• Was it a good day?
• Was it a bad day?
• Gavin wasn't a bad guy, he was just determined.
• But Tom still felt guilty.
• It wasn't entirely from having sex earlier...
• But it was simply from being weak.
• This...weakness...was new.

Chapter Four -- Loss of words.

• The phone rang at exactly 11:13pm the next day.
• Tom had spent his entire day with Aaron; a lot of memories of being with him were coming back as well.
• Tom could definitely see through Aaron's actions now and in his memory why he had given up on Aaron's actions before.
• Aaron was more honest now than before, he was very touchy and sexual now, and he talked more openly than he had before.
• They had both awoken around noon, went to lunch at a café called "Hot Hot Coffee" on the college campus, then Aaron showed him around the campus and showed him every building; the classes he had had, and afterwards they went to get smoothies at the nearby mall.
• It was so strange to Tom; all of these people were saying hello to him; some people Tom could remember, some he couldn't.
• It was hard; it was a toll on him.
• Aaron wasn't that much help either; he kept showing him off and revisiting places to "see more things." Not only that, but feeling Tom's crotch while Aaron drove around the college streets wasn't helping either.
• After they had visited the college, Aaron and Tom went shopping for a few hours; not buying anything worth remembering, and eventually they just came home and had a good time together.
• Aaron went out to buy microwaveable popcorn, beer, pizza, and a movie.
• They had a movie-night; and Aaron decided to go to bed right afterwards.
• "Hello?" Tom asked, watching a sexual movie on an extra channel.
• "Hey there lover boy, I'd like to see you sometime soon."
• It was Gavin.
• Tom cursed silently and stopped playing with his cock while he talked; he didn't want to remember last night for the fact that he had let it happen.
• "Gavin, I'm sorry but I'm just not interested anymore, I told you that I'm with Aaron and I mean it. He's a great guy and I love him for that."
• "You keep saying that but are you sure you wouldn't want to fuck me? Want me to fuck you? I know you want me" he responded.
• This guy was cocky and to the word!
• "Sorry but it just won't work out"
• "I could stop by if you don't want to meet somewhere else"
• "Gavin, you're a nice guy but--"
• "I'll get my keys, maybe we can have a threesome--"
• The idea did linger in Tom's mind but he quickly ignored it.
• "Sorry but it doesn't look like that's going to happen."
• "I could make friends with boy-toy and we could have it then..."
• "Gavin, have a goodnight."
• "Tom wait--"
• "It was a mistake. A fun but unwanted mistake. See you around."
• And with that the receiver was back on the phone station, Tom went back to eating popcorn, watching the movie, and playing with himself.
• "Tom--" Aaron called for him as he walked into the living room.
• Aaron was nude, it was very appealing...
• "Who was that on the phone?"
• "Uh...Gavin, from the gym apparently. I saw him yesterday and he wanted to meet up but Nah."
• "Oh, I didn't like that guy that much. He was hot as hell though, but something about his personality..."
• "I know..."
• Tom's eyes knelt down for a moment then back to his boyfriend.
• "Something else?" Aaron asked, almost as if Tom was invading his space.
• "I'm...enjoying the movie?"
• Aaron smiled and glanced to the screen, gently nodding his head.
• "I saw that last night, yeah it is pretty good isn't it?"
• "Yeah..."
• Tom tried to keep his mind elsewhere...his eyes kept lingering to Aaron's...then to Aaron's cock as Aaron gently watched Tom play with himself...
• Soon Aaron's cock was getting hard...and his eyes were directly onto Tom...
• And Tom glanced over; quickly turned off the T.V. and stood up, looking Aaron directly in the face.
• "Look--I...I had sex with Gavin" Tom announced, looking Aaron directly in the face.
• Aaron blinked a few times, his cock still erect, and put his hand onto Tom's cock; letting Tom's pants fall to the ground.
• "Let's...just...enjoy the night...we'll talk about it tomorrow morning"
• "No, look, I told Gavin I didn't want to have sex but I was still recovering from my amnesia and he was so--"
• "He had sex with you while you still had memory loss? What an ass..."
• Aaron kissed him briefly, then traced his hands along Tom's ass and kissed him again...
• "Aaron...we need to talk about it..."
• "No...it's cool. You were still forgetful...and you told him not to..."
• Another sweet kiss.
• "But I still let him. I tried a few times but he still ended up fucking me. He wanted to meet me again...he found my cell phone and put my number onto his. He might find me again--"
• "Then don't let him--"
• "I gave into temptation last time--"
• Aaron kissed Tom again, pulling them back into Aaron's bedroom.
• "Don't give into it then--"
• "I couldn't stop him...I couldn't stop myself last time"
• "You're my boyfriend...just...stay with me"
• Another kiss and they were on the bed together...
• "I--had--a--memory--of--you--you pretended like you were straight before..."
• "That was back then, I'm so much happier now--"
• Another kiss--Aaron pulled Tom onto of him...moved on top of him...
• "But you didn't tell me that before--"
• "And?"
• "You're my boyfriend, you should have told me that..."
• "Well I'm sorry...now come on--"
• "You know, Gavin suggested a threesome--"
• Tom regretted it, but he didn't apologize.
• "Right now all I want is you..."
• Aaron kept kissing him every time he didn't want to answer what Tom said...
• Tom sighed and moaned as he felt Aaron soon moving inside of him.
• The lubricant was cold at the beginning, but soon didn't matter.
• Aaron pushed hard; and harder; and harder...
• Tom breathed faster and faster as Aaron got faster and faster.
• Tom could remember Gavin's cock inside of his ass...
• Gavin was actually bigger than Aaron...Gavin was huge...
• Aaron moaned and groaned and grunted every second he wasn't kissing Tom's back...
• Tom wondered how'd his he'd think of this happening before the amnesia had happened...would he like it? Disapprove of it?
• Gavin's grunts sounded a lot better than Aaron's...
• His voice was more melodic...his hands were smoother to his skin...
• Tom imagined Gavin fucking him...
• Gavin's strong hands keeping him down; Gavin's cock inside of his ass...
• Gavin's legs against his own...
• Gavin's breath against Tom's skin...
• Gavin's cum inside of his own...
• "Oh...Gavin..." Tom whispered...
• And suddenly Tom knew what he had said...
• And there was nothing he could say to take it back.
• Tom cursed as he looked up, wishing he hadn't uttered those words.
• Luckily to his amazement though, it looked as if Aaron had frozen in time.
• How opportune...though when he was with Gavin that would've been better...
• But had he frozen before or after Tom had said those two words?
• Tom quickly concentrated and Aaron proceeded back to time's hold--and continued back and forth; tender kisses and touches...
• Lucky break.

Chapter Five -- A Change in Realization.

• 4 o'clock or so, the next day, the telephone rings.
• Tom's cleaning the apartment. Aaron's off to work again, but they'll go to dinner later on.
• The telephone rings.
• "Hello?" -- Tom picks up.
• "Hey Tom, it's your Mom--"
• The voice does give it all away, but it's nice she feels like she has to introduce herself.
• "Through amnesia I don't think anyone could forget your voice"
• "Aww how sweet. Listen Tommy, I can't talk long, but I wanted to see how you are doing."
• "I'm fine, remembering more and more as time goes by. I'm staying in mostly, for my own safety, Aaron says, and just because it's easier. I've gone out somewhat though."
• "Oh, Aaron's so sweet. You're so lucky to have him as a best friend. He's been keeping me filled in left and right. I'm worried about you though; I have to go now but be safe, all right?"
• "I'm fine, and I'll be safe--you said the same thing when I came to visit you over the holiday."
• "I love you Tommy, you'll always be my little baby."
• "Yes Mom, I love you; have a nice day, bye!"
• He goes back to cleaning, but feels sad for some reason.

• The next morning, Tom realizes that he has to do his job soon, so he's studying more of the photo albums of each of his articles...looking into his life...looking into his educational backgrounds: certificates, medals, awards, and more.
• And suddenly there are two knocks at the door.
• Tom jumps up, placing the books to the other side of the couch and coffee table.
• He walks over to the door and opens it--
• It's Gavin--crap.
• "Hey there" Gavin excites, instantly putting his hands around Tom' waist as he invites himself in, closing the door behind himself.
• Tom passes back and pushes Gavin's hands off of him.
• "I'll make this very simple for you. I am dating Aaron, and yeah you're hot but I'm with him, and I like him, and as more of my memory comes back to me, so are my feelings; so I'll let you know if anything changes."
• Gavin nods and looks around the apartment.
• "I got your address and the complex is nice, but this place looks really nice..."
• "Thanks--anything else?"
• "Yeah..." Gavin responds, stepping inwards to kiss him--
• Tom brings up his hand and pushes Gavin's forehead back.
• "No means No, Gavin" Tom answers, "Abstinence; learn it you lecher."
• Gavin simply smiles, and replies "Fine, friends then. I'll see you around" and he turns and lets himself out.
• Tom spends the rest of the day studying his old life...a lot of introspection.

• Tom visits the docks again, reflects and spends the day there.
• Another storm is brewing.
• Tom instantly feels afraid...is it this place?
• He goes to the police department, when he was found, there was a woman before.
• Tom walks to the main desk and sees a woman yelling to an officer behind the desk.
• Tom walks over to them,
• "Excuse me..."
• She turns to him and immediately stops talking.
• The officer leaves, happy she's stopped nagging.
• "It's you, you're the man I found"
• "Yes...my name is Tom, I have some questions for you..."
• "Great--I'm told you suffer from amnesia, so I guess you can't answer any questions I have for you; but I was visiting a friend of mine when I was walking to my house, which is also near the waterside, when I found you in the street...just lying there. So of course I ran over to you; your clothes were messy and worn, your face was dirty, but I knew you needed help!"
• Tom rose his hand to stop her--it didn't work.
• "And then when my sister was walking back to my place after visiting the sights and you saved her--oh those horrible drivers--but you, it was you, It's Karma, that has to be it. I saved you, and you saved my sister; and the miracle you're walking around, it's just divine, some miraculous happening; it's you; you're really wonderful--"
• "Thank you...I think you answered all my questions though...actually."
• "You said your name is Tom? Hmm...that rings a bell. Yes. My sister said that there was a Tom that was hit by lighting or something during that mighty storm..."
• "Yes, I know, what's your name?"
• "Leslie"
• "And your sister?"
• "Leah"
• "Good...names to faces, good--"
• "Oh you poor thing, your mem--"
• This woman is...what...in his age group? Maybe older than him?
• "No, I was like this before. Look, I think I'm going to have some more questions for you..."
• "Oh of course, me too, here's my number--"
• And suddenly she was forcing a business card in Tom's face.
• Tom grabs it and places it in his pocket.
• "Thanks--"
• "My little sister thinks you're hot, plus you did save her after all."
• "Thanks..."

• Tom has nightmares in his sleep and instantly wakes up in a sweat, feeling torn inside.
• He gets up and starts to remember things that don't seem just right. He keeps walking and sees an apartment that catches his eye.
• He goes up to the apartment and sees that the apartment is empty.
• He pushes the door and finds it is open.
• He walks in and remembers this place.
• He enters each room and stops in a bedroom --A bright light blurs at his mind-- he stumbles forward and walks to the window --Another bright light...a memory?-- He quickly rushes to the door and grabs the doorknob --another bright flash-- he has to get out...
• He rushes out of the apartment and down the stairs and bumps into a man...he apologizes and quickly continues out of the apartment and down the street.
• The man calls after him and follows him --he catches up.
• "Hey--excuse me!" the man shouts.
• Tom turns and sees the man full on and --another flash of light!-- he blinks a few times.
• The man looks familiar.
• "You were in my brother's apartment weren't you? Tom Almore?"
• "I...didn't, not really, but I heard of what happened--I...was drawn here --sorry,I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
• "No, its fine--you remind me of him, actually, something in your eyes...the way you talk, I mean."
• "And you are?"
• "Oh sorry, I'm Jeff...Jeff Almore"
• "I'm Tom...Russell. Tom Russell."
• Jeff laughs lightly, noting the name, and says goodbye as he has to go lock the apartment and to finish cleaning up before it gets resold.
• Tom walks back to his home and falls asleep.
• At least he's getting his exercise.
• He has a dream of a man about his age in a townhouse--the house is poorly decorated. A woman comes out and hugs him...
• Tom wakes up and it's late in the day.
• He sees its raining lightly and drives down to the docks.
• He gets out and walks outside.
• He keeps getting déjà vu...
• Is it from just being outside?
• He feels a sudden burst of energy and falls down but is unharmed.
• The bolt had hit a while away.
• He pushes himself up but falls back down.
• He finds himself crying --and he closes his eyes...
• A man meets him and takes his hands, pulls him close and kisses him gently on the lips...
• "Aches and pains I'm sorry, remember your pasts--help others woes...help prevent the necessities..."
• And the man let's go--he's the Angel of Death, Tom knows that now.
• And Tom wakes up, the rain hitting his face.
• He looks over to the water and gasps; a huge pain hitting him.
• The rain seems to be falling harder...or is it?
• And suddenly he knows why he's felt this way before...
• He had died here...it was a mistake...
• He could remember what Death did to him...
• What Angel does this to someone?
• He hadn't even agreed!
• His lives...two lives lived...
• Everything was beginning to come back to him.
• And suddenly he awoke in his bed...
• The blankets and comforter all around him.
• The rain raining hard against his window.
• Had he ever even left?

• "Tom? Tom wake up..."
• Tom felt a frantic pat against his cheek, he could feel warmth against his body, he could sense worry all around him.
• He opened his eyes.
• Aaron looked down at him, quickly hugging him then looking back to him.
• "Are you all right? You wouldn't wake up"
• "I'm fine...just a nightmare...I'm fine, really..."
• It was an understatement though.
• The rain still hitting against his window.
• "I'm...just worried about you, that's all. Ever since the amnesia I've been worried about you. And now your waking up...acting different...it's all just a lot to take in, and you're not really talking about it with me--Never mind, I'll get you some water, be right back" --And he was up and dashing out of the room.
• Tom sat up and looked around the room.
• He gritted his teeth as he struggled to recognize the reality he had come to know...the memories were slowly coming back to him...
• These were new memories...new experiences...
• From a different body.
• From a different Tom.
• How was he supposed to deal with this?
• Tom laid his head in his hands as he balled up against his pillows and looked up, seeing Aaron walking into his bedroom
• Aaron had the water in his hand, the care and love in his mind--
• Tom squinted his eyes and lifted his palm; and instantly Aaron stopped moving.
• A soft sigh escaped his lips.
• He glanced up, looking at the mirror, and studied his face.
• The image of someone else came into his head...his alternate life...
• Everything he had lived to become--stopped.
• Everything he had hoped to become--ended.
• Everyone and every thought he had loved--no longer knew him.
• He had lost everything...and gained someone completely new and day by day, no longer foreign.
• What was the point of any of this?!
• Tom fell back and hit the pillows; staring off at his wall as he focused on the right answer...ANY answer.
• He rolled back over, seeing Aaron still standing there. The water still in its place, still unaffected by time.
• Tom yelled out loudly and fell into his lap, images flashing through his mind.
• Jeff Almore...he had such a broken tone in his voice...it was like he had lost himself when his brother had died. He had lost so much...but he still moved on.
• Tom had to see Jeff again, he...had been his brother, once upon a time.
• A murmur of his former self and Jeff wrestling on his bed came into Tom's mind.
• Was that really his life?
• Was that really his body? His thoughts? His actions?
• Was any of this truly real?
• Tom collected himself and sat up, back to his position before.
• He lifted his head as he laid back against the bed and raised his hand as Aaron handed him the water.
• "Are you sure you're all right? I have to go to work soon but I don't want to leave you here--"
• "I'll be fine, don't you worry."
• A sip...another sip...a swallow...a gulp...
• All gone.
• Aaron just sat against the bed watching him.
• Aaron's face was so beautiful, the way everything just matched itself, just...worked so correctly.
• Aaron leaned in and kissed him a soft, gentle kiss on the lips. He stood up and walked back to the doorway.
• "Get your rest, please?"
• Tom nodded and watched as Aaron hesitantly left the room.

• Aaron had left to work, it was obvious he still worried but was also relieved by how much Tom was acting `like himself' again.
• But Tom knew the truth. It was coming back to him when he wasn't expecting it; every truth kept coming back to him.
• Tom had gotten dressed and had left the apartment.
• He wasn't interested in taking a huge walk downtown; luckily the bus moved through quickly enough.
• Step by step, Tom found himself closer to the apartment where he, Tom Almore, had lived.
• All Tom knew was that Jeff was there before, so he'd probably end up there again.
• Tom wasn't even sure of what he would talk to him about, but he had to see him again, maybe let Jeff finally come to rest.
• Car by car passed by the street, but still no Jeff.
• Tom takes out his cell phone and considers calling Leslie; the woman that had saved him.
• And suddenly Jeff's walking towards the apartment.
• "Hello Tom" he shouts as he walks closer.
• Tom bounces up and waves to him.
• "I felt like I had to talk to you again. I hope you don't mind..."
• "No, I'm happy, you remind me of my brother, besides the namesake"
• Tom felt a pit inside his stomach; maybe it's because he is his brother.
• Memories still decided to come back when they felt like.
• "Come on up with me, I just wanted to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything"
• And Jeff leads Tom upstairs and into the apartment.
• "I remembered to lock it last time, ha; but I guess it all worked out fine because I did meet you after all--"
• "I'm not Tom Almore--"
• "I know...I know. Tom's buried and his soul is off to better things, but it helps me to meet new people anyway."
• "Good, good."
• The apartment door opened and the apartment was barren and empty.
• "I think I left something in the bedroom" Jeff explains as he walks down the hallway.
• Tom's eyes look around.
• He's being forgotten; he's being erased. Only the people he knew remember him.
• Part of him wants to become friends with everyone person he had known and hadn't appreciated--
• The other part is saying `This is a new life, you can relive everything!'
• And the sound of a telephone rings.
• Tom instantly searches his pockets but realizing Jeff's talking to someone as he walks out with a single lamp in his left arm.
• "Yes Mom, I know. Don't worry, there's only a lamp left."
• Tom can hear his...Jeff's mother's voice.
• Tom quickly turns and looks out the window, remembering how many times he looked out the window.
• Jeff walks around the apartment in circles, talking with his mother; pushing away any tears.
• Tom can hear the depression in his voice, he can see it in the way Jeff walks.
• If only he had known how Jeff felt with he, Tom Almore, was alive.
• He wasn't incredibly close with Jeff...they were just brothers.
• Tom quickly turns and walks down the hallway and to the bathroom, turning quickly; pressing the light switch--the familiar light switch--and turns to look into the mirror.
• Part of him flinches; the other doesn't.
• Instead of the brown hair...and the face he had grown up with--
• It's the blonde hair...and the face he had grown up...
• The double life.
• The hairs on his skin stand up...
• To remember and experience two lives...it was so much.
• "You ready?" Jeff asks as he steps to the bathroom door.
• "Yeah, I just wanted to...make sure I looked all right" Tom replies.
• "Great, listen...I know this may be odd...but would you mind meeting my mother? It'd mean a lot to her, she didn't really get a chance to say goodbye to Tom"
• "I'm...not--"
• "You can keep saying that. But...Tom--"
• Does...he know? The way he said `Tom' was so familiar...
• "--Tom, there's something about you that is just like my brother. Something in the way you are...and I just met you and you came into my life and you're a cool guy, and you could help someone--"
• "I'd be happy to meet her. I don't have anything I have to do today. I don't have to start work again for a while...until I'm ready."
• "Ready?"
• They move towards the exit, Jeff locks the door; they proceed downstairs.
• "I was in a coma for a few days; I'm just getting back from the amnesia."
• "Really? When did it happen?"
• "Jeff,"
• "When?"
• He didn't even know he was leading into dangerous territory.
• "About a week ago..."
• "...Tom died a week ago."
• "I know that."
• "Let's get on the way, my car is nice and clean, so I don't even have to clean up or anything."
• "You and your messy--"
• He stops short.
• "What?"
• "Oh, nothing, nothing..."
• And they begin walking, Tom instantly thinks of another subject.
• He almost slipped. He'll have to be careful next time.

• "You have a very nice home, Mrs. Almore" Tom forced himself to say.
• She had already made him wear a tan sweater, of which Tom could vividly remember already wearing in his past life.
• Jeff returned to the living room from the kitchen and eagerly sat down next to him.
• Tom could see the light in Jeff's mother's eyes.
• He had to stop thinking of her as his own mother...that life was gone, and he couldn't get it back.
• "So, Tom, you know, my son's name was Tom. He was such a sweet boy..." she stated with the most warmness in her voice.
• Tom could feel Jeff lean back in a sigh next to him.
• Jeff's mother had even more of a sweetness to her now that her first son had died. That must have done it to her, it rendered her to becoming this woman who ignored the bad and only cherished the good. Tom could remember in his past life how horrifying she could be when yelling at him...where was that woman now?
• Tom had to keep himself together.
• He made conversation.
• Jeff's mother served him a slice of pie with some juice.
• And eventually Jeff said goodbye to his mother and they left.
• "Are you still happy you met with her?" Jeff asked, he opened the car doors with his key remote and hopped into his blue truck.
• Tom walked to the other side and stepped in, closing the door behind him.
• "She's a nice woman, she reminds me of my mother actually. She's keeping up very well actually" Tom replied as Jeff started the car, reversed from the driveway, and drove away.
• "Well you made her day, you know? I know I don't know you that well but you did a good thing."
• "Thanks Jeff."

• "So tell me how your day was, you've been mostly silent and drowsy the entire time here" Aaron commented, smiling widely in the warm setting.
• They were at dinner. Aaron wore a grey-green button down shirt with dark grey pants and black shoes. Tom wore a white button down shirt with tan pants. Well...at least Aaron could look nice enough for the both of them.
• "I've just been thinking a lot lately. I've been doing a lot of investigating, had strange dreams, just a lot of puzzle solving, I'd say."
• "About your amnesia and what you were doing?"
• "Sort of. The guy my age was killed by lighting or something at the docks; Tom Almore; remember? Well I've been looking into that as well. Just a lot of déjà vu and strangeness. I met his brother though, his mother too; made her day...I remind her of her son--"
• The waiter walks to their table, he's casual but still nice-looking.
• "Can I get you guys any drinks?" he asks, completely unaware of the cut he made in the conversation.
• Aaron fiddles with his menu to quickly find the beverages section.
• "A Ginger Ale, please" Tom responds, setting his menu down; Chicken Alfredo will be the meal...unless Aaron's getting that, and then they both can't get the same thing...
• "I'll have a Sam Adams, please?" Aaron responds, setting his menu against the red tablecloth as well.
• The waiter smiles and nods, quickly turning and walking away.
• "You were saying?"
• Aaron's so considerate...
• "Yeah... I haven't really found out how or why I went into the coma...at least not with anything that makes any sense...I have one theory but I don't think it makes any sense...technically."
• "Care to share it?"
• "Not really...I think you'll just think I'm crazy or something."
• "Not any crazier than normal." A smirk.
• "Aww, how nice of you." A kiss in the air.
• "I know, I know" Aaron replies.
• "Maybe another time, okay? I just want this dinner to be as great as possible. I don't need to be fogging up my mind with more questions or thoughts."
• "Respectable, respectable."
• The waiter returns, setting their drinks down; then putting his tray on another table and placing a basket of breadsticks in a green cloth in the center of the table.
• "Your drinks and breadsticks. And I'll be back in a minute to place your orders."
• "Great," Aaron replies as the waiter walks away.
• Tom leans back, just looking at Aaron's demeanor. He's so handsome, and a great personality; so great.
• "So, I had a great day at work today. Suzie, my superior, got caught for stealing supplies and she got fired, so I think I might be able to get a promotion; isn't that great?"
• "Yeah! Do you think you'll get it? Like, you'll have to flare more than anyone else."
• "Tom, you know how flare-y I can be" Aaron replies, smiling.
• "Yes, I think I do" Tom replies, placing his hand on Aaron's with a smirk.
• "So--Our waiter--do you think he's cute?"
• Tom laughs, nodding quickly as the live music begins to play in the background.

Chapter Six -- Different from everyone else.

• "Why can't you just understand that I love you?"
• "We are something, don't you want that?"
• "We could be something; don't you want to be something?"
• "Who are you anyway? You aren't the same person I knew before!"

• Tom woke up as the sunlight shined on him.
• Where was he?
• His eyes looked around the bed, there was a bottle on a side table, a tissue box, a clock turned around...the sheets a mess, stains...
• Tom sat up and looked around...this wasn't his bedroom...
• This wasn't even Aaron's bedroom.
• What had happened last night?
• They had gone to dinner...came home...Tom had gone to sleep...how'd he end up here?
• "I brought you a cup of coffee" a male voice told him, coming from the opposite direction from where Tom's eyes were.
• Tom turned in the bed; now aware that the covers only covered his legs...at least the room was warm.
• Gavin stood in the doorway, wearing a pair of red boxers...Tom's red boxers...a cup of coffee in his hand.
• "Morning" Gavin added, as he walked in, sat next to Tom, set the coffee on the other side table, leaned in, and kissed him, then leaned back.
• Gavin's breath was sweet, luckily he had already brushed, and had a rich taste of cinnamon and coffee.
• Tom glanced around...something inside of him told him to look for a mirror...but he couldn't find any...
• Tom sat up to Gavin, and blinked his eyes a few times.
• "Gavin, no offense"--something with his voice...was it...different? Not just morning-effect but...something different--"But how did I get here...in your bed?"
• Gavin smiled and placed his hand on Tom's waist...
• Tom looked down to Gavin's hand then to Gavin...something about him looked different...Tom didn't know what, but something was off.
• "Well...I met you yesterday at the club on 42^nd and West, and we came back here, we made out, came to my bedroom"--
• Tom realized the sheets were silk or satin or something smooth...and a creamy red color...
• --"And we had sex a little...a little of this and that...and you sort of passed out, but I didn't mind, because you were relaxed enough that it didn't take much effort to--"

• "WHOA!"
• "What?!--What's the matter?!"
• That voice...who's that?
• Aaron, thank God.
• Tom looked over, Aaron just awaken in a startle and looking at him.
• "Bad dream?" Aaron asked, placing his hand on Tom's chest and laying back down, bringing Tom with him...
• "Thank God...just a dream" Tom whispered, as the night and Aaron's bedroom came back to them.
• Tom's voice...same as...his...normally...was...?
• "What was it about?"
• "Honestly? I don't think you'd like the subject matter?"
• "Why? Tom, it can't be that bad?"
• Tom looked over to the window, then back to Aaron's eyes...
• Aaron set his hand on Tom's waist.
• ...A different touch...not Gavin's...the feeling of his hip different...
• Tom closed his eyes...
• He allowed himself to lie back against the soft pillow...
• And his eyes opened back to Gavin's bedroom...he allowed Gavin to kiss him another time so that he could stand up and out of the bed. He allowed his naked self to move back to the hallway...and he spotted a mirror on the wall. He walked to the mirror...steps away...and brown hair looked back at him...Tom Almore looked back at him...
• What's this mean?
• Tom opened his eyes back to Aaron's.
• "I had a dream with Gavin...we had had sex...but...I wasn't exactly...me..."
• "Oh" -- A Simple `Oh'?
• "Aaron?"
• "Yeah?"
• "What do you think of Gavin? ...We haven't really talked about him or the relationship you and I had before this amnesia thing..."
• Tom lay back against the pillow, still looking into Aaron's eyes.
• "I...was too worried about losing you before...or...at least...losing something about...us. So even after I developed feelings towards you...towards other men...I just continued pretending I was straight...even though I'm bisexual. And I just gave little flirtations here and there but was too afraid to do anything...but this amnesia was opportune to my feelings towards you. I sat by your hospital bed looking directly at you and it just came to me...be adventurous...be flirtatious and physical...and see how you respond. It all worked in my favor."
• "You do like being adventurous...daring."
• Aaron leaned in, a little kiss.
• "And about Gavin? I had feelings about him...you denied how you felt about me..."
• "Opportunity...all opportunity for me."
• "Selfish--"
• Tom sat up and pushed the covers away as he stood up and walked towards the doorway.
• "Wait--" and suddenly Aaron was directly opposite him.
• "--We are something now. And I'm sorry but I didn't want to lose you" Aaron responded.
• Tom looked into Aaron's eyes, he was so handsome, his eyes were so brilliant...
• "But what about the cost of losing me now? You've made me feel this way. I had decided to stop waiting for you...I thought you were great...to feel your lips...your...hands!" Tom took Aaron's hands and pushed them away-- "But I gave up after you kept pretending and you kept playing games; wouldn't tell me if you liked me; told me how hot you thought that girl's ass is and that girl's so pretty...I had no problem with letting you know I found guys attractive! I may not have been sure what I was, but I didn't keep you in the dark! Now we're both in the dark, Aaron!"
• Tom turns and walks to his bedroom.
• Aaron darts after him, grabbing Tom's left hand.
• Tom swings around, forming a fist; aiming it to Aaron's cheek.
• Aaron may be stronger, but a fist is a fist!
• Aaron grabs it with his left hand and pulls Tom's right hand and forces him to the wall; pressing him against it. He forces his body against Tom's, each hand on Tom's.
• "You wanna hit me?! You want to hurt me?! I could hurt you too! I COULD HURT YOU TOO! I...I..."
• His brilliant eyes...brown and so true against his tan skin...
• The night blue against their naked bodies...
• The silence in the air; but their breathing so loud against one another.
• "So do you want to be my boyfriend then? I don't even have a clue how we'll end up...if this is just a young thing...if we continue this for years to come...I don't have any clue...but I like you...I...love you."
• So much of Tom's memory had come back to him...he could make the right decisions now...couldn't he?
• "I love you too...but I can't ignore these feelings I have for this simple lust...this simple infatuation with Gavin...the boy I hardly know who will be there...always be there...whether it's Gavin or someone else..." Tom replied...
• Aaron's warm body still against his own.
• "Then we aren't boyfriend-boyfriend then. We're just best friends...with benefits. Benefits..."
• Aaron leaned in and kissed him hard on his lips...Aaron's hands tightened around Tom's hands...his hard cock against Tom's...Aaron didn't let go of the kiss...he wanted to hold it forever...
• But eventually Aaron had to let go, he had to lean back...take a few steps away from Tom. Tears on both of their cheeks.
• "Okay then..." Tom replied...
• Aaron didn't leave; he just leaned against the dresser, staring at Tom.
• Tom didn't leave or lay down; he just leaned against the wall, staring at Aaron.
• "Your other question. How do I feel about Gavin? You had feelings with him before the amnesia. I've met him, heard things about him too. We don't know much about him. And I'm not trying to be wild or crazy or anything...and he is a jerk...but I'm...fine...with you bringing him around here...making out with him while I'm around...if he's interested and true to you..."
• Aaron stopped...he stopped looking down at his cock and feet and to Tom's brilliant blue eyes.
• "...A threesome's fine too."
• And Aaron returned to his bedroom, closing the door behind him.
• And Tom simply closed his door, and lay down against his bed, soon to fall back into sleep.

• Tom would go back to work tomorrow...or at least meet with the Media Editor to discuss the job...
• But for now...Tom ate his cereal in the dining room...and the cereal was good.
• Tom finished and carried the bowl and spoon to the sink.
• He walked to the sink, but his sock slid against the tile and he slid a little, the bowl and spoon flying into the air.
• Tom turned, seeing the bowl fall towards the floor; it was ceramic, it'd break; the set of dinnerware wouldn't be even--
• And Tom's eyes widened and the bowl and spoon froze in the air.
• "Tom, you okay? I heard a thud--"
• Aaron was coming.
• Tom jumped up and grabbed the bowl, pushing it into the sink and turning just as it clanked in the sink.
• "I just slipped" Tom replied as Aaron walked by the door.
• Aaron nodded and examined Tom with his eyes...a slight smile.
• "I'm surprised you didn't drop it and shatter the bowl all over the place."
• "Yeah...uh me too."
• "You going back to work tomorrow?"
• "Yeah, I'm ready now."
• "Good...good. I'll be staying late tonight, but I'll try to be home by 10...big meeting coming up, and I'm the one in charge--"
• He smiled widely; Tom was proud.
• "Are you city-going again today? Going to save another damsel in distress? Investigate another death? Maybe you should be a columnist or something instead of a movie critic."
• A genuine friendly smile on Aaron's face. Hmm.
• "Maybe. I think I'll `city-go' again."
• Aaron nodded and turned, walking back into his bedroom.
• Tom breathed out and turned back to the sink, clinching the countertop in relief.
• That's right...besides his job, mind, and relationships...the Angel of Death had said something to him...about his helping others; was it?
• To stop the wronged deaths until the Angel of Death can stop their cause?
• How long would this go on? Will he have to go looking for them, will they come to him? How long will he have to go walking around busy intersections and alleys?
• And this power...this gift...to freeze time; what was that about? It's hard enough without that...but...how does that even work? Is he just faster than everyone else; is the entire world stopping too? Is just the concentrated subject stopping? If only there were some answers...

• Aaron had gone to work; he was such a workaholic, but the determination Tom found attractive, and the fortune that he wasn't home for some of the day was like freedom to Tom to investigate his life.
• Tom stood in the living room; a baseball in his hand; his other hand free.
• Tom threw the baseball into the air and threw his other hand at the ball; stopping it in the air.
• He walked in front of the ball and focused on the ball and it unfroze just as Tom caught it.
• "Great..." Tom whispered to himself as he tossed the ball onto the couch.
• He turned and walked to the kitchen; aiming for the Iced Tea in the refrigerator--and the sound of knocks at the front door fills the apartment.
• Tom turns and walks to the front door, hesitatingly waiting to open the door. He leans into the door and looks through the peephole, seeing Gavin glancing around the hallway.
• Tom turns around, then sighs and turns back around, taking hold of the doorknob; unlocking it, turning it up, and opening the door.
• Gavin turns and smiles as he notices the door open.
• "Hey Tom" he announces, instantly smiling and obviously happy.
• Tom nods to Gavin and let's go of the door's frame, turning and proceeding back to the refrigerator; still having a taste for iced tea.
• "I dropped by to see if you wanted to go or anything...when you're starting work...if there's anything new going on?"
• Tom opened the refrigerator, pulled out the Iced Tea jug, and poured the cool beverage into a tall glass; putting the jug back and closing the door. Gavin still in the living and dining room area.
• Tom walked to the kitchen's doorway and stopped, seeing Gavin looking at a picture frame sitting on the side table.
• He looked so beautiful...so handsome; just standing there, looking at a portrait frame. To anyone else it might be normal...but something about him...was just so appealing.
• Gavin turned; seeing Tom's eyes--
• Oh! Tom should probably be saying something.
• "I'm going to call my editor today and go into work tomorrow...I think; and Aaron's up for a threesome!"
• Tom...shouldn't have blurted that out.
• Gavin's eyes light up and he fell against the wall, laughing hard.
• Tom smiled widely as he wondered what beast he may have released...
• "That's great, Tom; just great..." Gavin laughed out; eventually gaining himself and standing up on his own.
• Tom took a sip of Iced Tea.
• "So, you're sure you're ready for work again? Don't want to delay another day, spend some time with me? You don't know me that well; I might rape you for all you know."
• "You've already done that, and I can stop you this time."
• "True, true; worth a wrestle though" Gavin replies, smiling genuinely.
• Tom walks to the L-couch in the living room and lays back, sipping his Iced Tea.
• Yum, Iced Tea...
• Gavin sits down as well, leaning inwards; scooting more towards Tom.
• "So, what's the plan for today?"
• "Why do you ask?"
• "Well, I was thinking, and its one thing to be impulsive and forcing, but it's another thing to be rude. I wanted to apologize for that, take you somewhere to eat maybe? Do something together?"
• Tom smiled, this was a nice thing for Gavin to decide on doing.
• "There's a café near the clubs; only a few blocks away, and we could have a good time, you know--"
• "Aaron will be home by 10; hopefully, so I can't stay out too late."
• "We have the entire day to get to know each other; you can fill me in on things. I can tell you about myself; since you don't know much about me...come on?"
• "Sure" Tom replied, placing his empty Iced Tea glass down on the coffee table.

• The waitress set their drinks down in front of them; "Enjoy," and she politely walked away.
• She looked a little familiar, but Tom was too busy thinking about Gavin to think much about it.
• "So I'm not Aaron's `boyfriend' anymore; we had a fight..."
• Gavin drank his drink and set it down, smiling but quickly hiding it.
• "Not being impulsive and forcing, remember?" Gavin asked, he glanced about the restaurant and glanced to their waitress, who was cleaning behind the bar, and looked back to Tom. "That waitress over there...what do you think of her?"
• Tom rolled his eyes and turned around, seeing a woman across the room. What was with Tom's friends asking him what he thought of their server? Geez...
• Wait...
• Tom recognized her...she was so familiar...the hair...her eyes...it was the woman from the alley...
• "I'm gonna go say hello to her" Gavin announced as he suddenly jumped up and walked over to her.
• Tom couldn't even react fast enough to stop him before Gavin was already sparking a conversation with her...
• She had stopped cleaning the bar and was now looking directly at him.
• Geez...what was with Gavin's ability to mesmerize people?
• Tom stood up slowly, this was indeed the woman from the alley...she was safe...she was back to life...
• She was in this café...and she might recognize him...
• What if she did?
• He didn't need to be congratulated for what he did...he didn't want it...it was by chance that he had found her...helped to save her...
• And suddenly Gavin glanced towards him, gesturing in his direction; and the waitress turned to see him.
• Her eyes opened wide, and it was if something had shocked her...the look in her eyes...it was like she had seen a ghost...
• A ghost she had never expected to see before...
• Why couldn't time freeze right now? Why...couldn't everything just reverse?
• And Tom quickly turned and walked towards the exit, having to remember to breathe as he kept walking.
• The sound of Gavin yelling out his name was quickly blurred away by the street sounds as soon as Tom made it outside.
• The sound of the city was nice...it was freedom; away from everything.
• He had enough stress to deal with...he didn't need anymore change.
• These changes in his life only made life worst...
• His former life.
• His present life.
• His amnesia.
• Aaron.
• Gavin.
• Jeff.
• The woman he had saved at the intersection.
• The woman he had saved in the alley.
• Everything.

Chapter Seven -- It happened by Fate.

• Tom had explained everything to Gavin as they went back to Tom's apartment.
• Tom had left Gavin at the car and had quickly ran into his apartment and allowed himself some peace and quiet.
• His eyes looked to Aaron's bedroom; but luckily Aaron hadn't come home yet.
• Tom walked to the couch and lay down, worried about everything that had occurred.
• Why did everything have to come to him in such a distressful way?
• So many questions, so many worries, how would he ever get answers?
• Tom closed his eyes and focused on sleep until it came. It was the only thing he could hope to have if he could find the answers he desperately needed.

• "Thomas. You mustn't worry like this. This is a new life for you, enjoy it, embrace it, be happy."
• "No....NO...NO!"
• Everything was black.
• Tom recognized something as he knew someone was coming towards him.
• A hand.
• An arm.
• A body.
• It was a man.
• He was so handsome, so genuine, so true.
• The Angel of Death.
• "You must live on. Be happy, find peace, find solitude."
• Tom approached him; he moved directly in front of this man; so that he could feel the Angel's breath and the Angel his.
• "This isn't a new prospect on life, this isn't a new chance. You disrupted the fate that I was supposed to die that day. Now you've burdened two people. Do you understand that?"
• "I have?"
• "Tom Russell and Tom Almore. You've hurt both of us...both of me, by all of this. I don't want to lose my life...either of mine...but I need to find peace...a key to this box of mystery. The answers I've been searching for, a solution."
• The Angel took his hands.
• "You've helped save those two women, third's a charm."
• "What is that suppose to mean?"
• The Angel moved closer to him, his arms moving upwards on Tom's.
• "I won't burden you with anymore responsibilities. You are nearing the end of your search. You'll get your answers...and I'll get mine through all of your actions."
• The Angel's chest touched his and he could feel his warmth...
• Why did Death contain warmth? Was he just a messenger to something else? Was he not the villain after all?
• "The world has to stay in various states of balance in order for things to work correctly. The layers of truth are fixing themselves, and with them you are finding your answers."
• "But what does that mean though? How does that help me? What should I do?"
• The Angel looked directly into his eyes.
• "Go back to where it all started. There you will find the answers you need."

• Tom awoke, Aaron rubbing his shoulder.
• "Hey there, I'm home."
• Tom smiled, and sat up, recognizing Aaron's welcoming.
• "Hello" Tom greeted, realizing his voice was heavy; his cheeks were weighed; he had been crying.
• "Are you feeling all right? What's the matter?"
• "Everything..." Tom replied, moving his legs aside; allowing Aaron to sit down beside him.
• Aaron took off his tie and his shoes and pushed them away, as he looked to Tom and brought his attention to the matter.
• "Talk to me, what's on your mind?"
• "I've saved two people since I came back from my coma. The woman I saved at that intersection with you, and a woman in an alley in the city one night that I was walking around. She had been attacked...mugged, I guess...and I found her and dialing 911 and stayed with her until they arrived. Well...I was with Gavin today, we went to a café, and she was there--she worked there--and she saw me...and I got out of there as fast as I could... I just don't think I can deal with everything I have to deal with at the moment. Remembering my pasts...learning my present and future...preparing myself for my job...finding love...solving the mysteries of everything..."
• "Your pasts? The mysteries of everything?"
• "I...feel like...I...know...know that this may sound crazy...but...I've lived two lives...the man that was killed by that storm at the docks...Tom Almore...I'm him...he's Me...the coma...the amnesia...it was all like a merging-transition; to correct the errors of the global way everything works...I...Tom Almore...had to die...and it's like my soul had always been split in two...and I became whole; except that instead of just one amnesia problem I've had two. And every thing I do reminds me of something else times two; and not only that, but I'll have these dreams that are so insane to describe, some that don't make any sense, some that do..."
• He sighed, burying his head in his lap.
• Aaron placed his hand on Tom's back, rubbing it, leaning inwards and holding him.
• "Tom, you aren't crazy...I believe you."
• "You do?"
• "I know how you've been acting since the hospital. I had to worry about your being missing...throughout everything. I had to fill your mother in. I had to see you dealing with all these problems...I saw your reactions at the docks, at that intersection; with Gavin; around me. It...doesn't make much sense to me...but I can feel how you're feeling at least."
• He rubbed Tom's back more, moving his hand towards Tom's shoulder and arm.
• "And I'm sorry I've added to that stress. ...I took advantage and tried to advance on you and then complicated your world with taking things too fast--"
• "Nothing was too fast...you were just doing as you felt was right--"
• "But it wasn't right, not all of it, and I'm sorry for everything I put you through. Plus, I've left you here all by yourself...I haven't been helping you through this abnormal...shit..."
• Tom looked up and into Aaron's eyes. A moment in time.
• Tom moved in and kissed Aaron suddenly on the lips...
• Was it the right thing to do?
• Aaron pushed him away almost instantly; perhaps a millisecond too long.
• And Tom just started into Aaron's eyes, and pushed himself forward and kissed him again.
• He pushed Aaron backwards against the couch and kissed him even more; even harder--as if kissing him would unleash everything that needed to be released, that needed to be free.
• Aaron kissed him back; and it was as if since their fight all of the sexual male tension had built up.
• And Aaron pushed Tom backwards and jumped at him, forcing him against the cushions as he kissed him back. His hands finding their way up Tom's clothes.
• Tom delicately pushed Aaron away from him as he breathed for air and stripped himself from his shirt, and leaned inwards to kiss Aaron again but stopped, simply exploring Aaron's eyes.
• "Not boyfriends..."
• "But you're my friend and need my help" Aaron explained; pulling Tom up with him as they stood up, took a few steps towards the hallway.
• "I love you so much--you're the best friend I've ever had..."
• Aaron threw his clothes off of his body and looked back to Tom.
• "And you're the best friend I always want to have..."
• Tom stripped from his clothes and pushed himself against Aaron, as they made their way to Aaron's room.
• What was this anyway? Just passion and emotion?
• Was it just sex?
• Or was it everything they had ever wanted to communicate with one another but never could?
• The guilt? The jealousy? The anger? The frustration? The happiness? The lust? The hidden secrets? The escape of breath?
• They found themselves in Aaron's bed; had they really only been here last night? Had it only been a day?
• Soon they were together; they had found themselves together.
• Aaron found himself one with Tom; Tom found himself one with Aaron.
• And they found their way underneath the covers; the tears, the sweat, everything...

• And suddenly Tom's alarm clock rang and the daylight was shining throughout the apartment.
• It was time for the media advisor...time for the future to arrive and things to return to how they were.
• Tom opened his eyes and sat up, flicking his arm towards his bedroom; the alarm suddenly halting. Tom fell back to the bed and pushed himself against Aaron's warm skin, allowing himself to enjoy the warmth of Aaron's body for one last moment.
• He turned and stood up, slowly walking to his bedroom, to his alarm, and turning it off.
• He sighed as he then turned to his dresser and closet, and slowly pulled out the clothes he would wear.
• He had choices ahead of him...they were different from the choices he had to make lately; would he keep his job? Change to another division? These were money problems and life decisions, and just how ready was Tom for life?
• He had throughout the entire day to speak with his advisor, `Anytime' the advisor had said when he had last called.
• But Tom knew there was one last thing he had to do before he could progress...
• He moved to his hamper in the corner of his bedroom and found a pair of jeans...he searched through the pockets; nothing--another pair; nothing--another pair...a business card. He took it out, it was crinkled but it was still understandable...
• He tumbled back over his bed and to his telephone, quickly dialing the number on the card.
• It rang...and rang...and rang; a click.
• "Hello?" a woman's voice asked.
• "Hi, is this Leslie?"
• "Yes, yes this is--who is this?"
• "Leslie, this is Tom Russ--"
• "Oh hey Tom! I'm glad you decided to call me; how have you been?"
• "I'm great...listen...I need to ask you something, then I have to jet."
• "Oh sure, sure, sure."
• "Could you tell me where you found me? I need to know."
• "Sure...it was on Blue Harbor Road directly--"
• "Thanks Leslie!" Tom yelped, quickly putting the telephone back on the receiver as he jumped to finish getting dressed.

• He knew as he'd sense something as soon as he got closer.
• Step by step, he walked closer to the more familiar...the distant and foreign yet close and familiar.
• Tom walked down Blue Harbor Road; it was three streets parallel to the docks, and there were houses, businesses, and many different types of buildings.
• Tom stopped as he felt closer to where he must've laid before. Had the Angel of Death took him from time and set him here a week later?
• He took a few steps into the street and was glad no cars were coming. He walked to the center of the street and bent down, letting his hand touch the ground, just before standing back--

• He gasped; something had hit him, it had pushed him and he was falling backwards; his eyes lost their concentration; his body lost its balance; was it a car? Had he been hit? Was he dying?

• "TOM!" a voice yelled out to him.
• He hit the pavement as the world zoomed back to him.
• A woman pushed him out of the street and back to the sidewalk.
• Cars were zooming by almost immediately as he had fallen down.
• Had he frozen time...on himself?
• "Tom, are you all right? You aren't hurt are you? What were you doing out there?"
• Tom's eyes came back into complete concentration, and he looked up to see a girl looking directly at him.
• Who was she? He recognized her...but still...who was she?
• "I'm Leah, Leslie's sister--she told me you had called and asked that I see if you had come here...but why were you out in the street? There were cars coming; you weren't out there for just a second--geez, what do you want to go back into a coma? That won't solve anything."
• He smiled, she was so worried--it was cute.
• "Hello Leah."
• "Hi."
• "I only meant to be out there for a second...sorry..."
• "Don't apologize to me, apologize to yourself for almost getting yourself killed."
• She was clever.
• "Sorry Tom" he said to himself, `No Problem' he responded to himself. This wasn't really the time for jokes to himself, but he felt it...
• Felt.
• What had he felt the moment after he was about to stand up--before Leah had saw him and pushed him out of the way?
• "Let's get you up, and you're going to have a talk with my sister" she told him, pulling him up with her.
• She could have been his age it seemed...she couldn't have been that much younger than him at least.
• "I don't need to talk to Leslie...I...just needed to come back here..."
• He scanned the environment.
• "See if anything came back to me."
• "Well of course nothing would come back to you if you were unconscious!"
• "Go home then, but don't get hit by any cars. I won't be there to save you--and I won't be the one needing to be saved."
• "At least I don't have headphones on" he responded, smiling.
• "Apparently it seems you don't even need them--I'll see you around" she responded, placing her hand on his arm and walking away from him.
• The wind blew as he looked around for the last time at this street.
• What was so special about it, that he was found him?
• The spot in the middle of the street was just so random.
• It was by chance that he was even seen by Leslie at all!
• But it was also by chance that he had seen Leah and saved her that day.
• And that he had saved the waitress at the alley.
• Everything seemed by chance. Everything happens by chance.

• Tom returned to the apartment after the appointment with the advisor.
• What had the visit to the place he had been found done for him? It...wasn't closure but it was experiencing something...new...something different.
• For now...he'd continue his current job, and get on to actually doing it tomorrow.
• "Did you find what you needed?" Aaron asked, sitting across from Tom as he finished his cereal at the dining room.
• "Yeah...somewhat. I think...there are a lot of answers out there that I need to answer..."
• "But? And? Yeah?"
• "It's like I've been talking to the Angel of Death...chance...fate...all at once. The Angel of Sexuality, Relationships, Stress, Work, everything--that isn't too emo is it?"
• "It sort of is but go on..."
• "Well I've found out why I was...reborn...to say. I've saved two people, solved some matters with my...previous family. Solved some matters with my current family...my mother...I've talked to my mother, both of them now."
• Aaron gave him a slightly weird look, but he then nodded and smiled.
• "Thank You" Tom thanked, as he watched Aaron take another spoonful of cereal and milk.
• "Your Mom--everything's cool with her?" Aaron asked, chewing.
• "Well she cares about my being all right, that's what matters. I...just don't know where to go from here. I feel like something is unsettled...I can't move on until I seal that rip."
• "Well...not everything that's happened to know needs a second encounter...but if you are having trouble...with whatever it is you are going through...think of where you'd like to be the most. And when you need to come home, I'll be here."
• And then Aaron took another spoonful and began to chew loudly again.

• There were cool winds deflecting off the water as Tom watched the water bend and change as he walked along the docks.
• He had been here before...so many times; and yet he still didn't know why this place was so special.
• He normally just found the waves and wind so relaxing...and now it had all transcended him here?
• All the ties from his previous life he had to sever.
• Tom had settled with just ending his life to his family...but his friends...they'd have to live with what they knew--that Tom Almore was dead.
• Tom bent down against the wood and the water cliff. His hand sank and the cold water bent around his skin and kept moving.
• The elements all met at this dock. Fire from lighting, air and water from the sky and sea, and earth from below everything.
• ...This...was Tom's life for now?
• Solving this crisis...and then what?
• He'd live as a columnist...find some peace with Gavin and Aaron?
• He was only so young...maybe he was just taking in so much and not expecting there to be time to let it all out?
• The water pulsed--a small series of circles moving around the palm...
• The air lifted slightly; just a brief wind from the west...
• And Tom knew what this feeling was...

• In the water he saw the Angel of Death standing before him.
• "Just like how the water solves its questions; you're solving yours--you've helped solve mine" he spoke.
• "How?" was the only word Tom could think of saying.
• "Somehow your death caused a rip--a problem--and now your life has caused a seal--a solution."
• "But what now? I'm...getting a little miserable here; I'm not making any of this go that well" Tom admitted.
• The Angel could only look so nice; he could only provide so much.
• "So then you have a final question then. Will you allow yourself to find real happiness? Think...and what truly makes you happy right now? What makes you happy? You are young; you don't need to take things so sudden--just let yourself find where you need to be right now."
• And just as sudden Tom found himself staring into the water...and he slowly took his hand out of the cool essence...and found himself walking back towards his apartment.

• Aaron had drifted off to sleep. It was a lazy morning; and Aaron seemed to have no problem falling asleep in the wrong direction bare naked with a bag of cheetos next to him.
• Tom drifted into the room, studying Aaron as he entered.
• He had been friends with Aaron for so long now...and he was getting a chance at something he use to only dream about.
• It was amazing how despite all the jokes, talks, arguments, and sex, that he could still find himself staring at Aaron with complete confusion.
• This was the man that made him happy?
• What did the future hold then? Did it matter?
• He was only in his early twenties...perhaps he should just enjoy life for now?
• Be safe and be truthful?
• Tom shed a smile, and took a few steps towards Aaron and placed the bag of cheetos on his dresser; across the room.
• This man who looked like an Adonis in Tom's eyes--they had sacrificed so much to be together...to be with one another.
• And...even if they weren't still boyfriends anymore--they were still best friends...
• Despite Gavin; despite any other men or women...they were still best friends.
• Tom lay against Aaron where he could, and then placed himself onto Aaron's warm body.
• Aaron's breath comforted Tom's skin as he could feel Aaron beginning to wake.
• Sometimes he just slept as he an earthquake couldn't wake him...
• And Aaron looked up, seeing his best friend, and placed a kiss on Tom's forehead.
• "Hey."

The End