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The Conquered - Chapter 28: Trials (part 2)

***** Taylor *****

Just five more steps. I had never realized what a challenge climbing stairs could be when your right leg, left wrist, and neck are immobilized. Okay, my neck wasn't immobilized, but the brace rubbed under my chin to the point I had to take the fucker off. It was only whiplash anyway; not like I'd broken my neck. With my right arm across my chest, to hold the railing, I braced myself and pulled as I jumped up using my left leg. Pain ran up my leg to my hip, and I gritted my teeth. "Fuck."

"What the hell are you doing?" Andrew stared up at me from the bottom of the stairs.

I shrugged, turning to brace my ass against the railing while I let my throbbing leg dangle beyond the step. I gripped the railing below me. "I forgot to ask you to bring down my briefcase so I could go over my paperwork."

Andrew climbed the stairs, dwarfing me as he drew near. "And you couldn't wait? I was only gone twenty minutes."

I felt like my father was chastising me. I didn't need that. "Excuse me, Andrew. I'm not a helpless invalid. I can climb a set of stairs."

Andrew frowned at me, noting the sweat beaded on my brow, my labored breathing, and the strain I was certain I wasn't able to conceal. "Sure you can, you've been at this what, ten minutes?"

I was about to launch into some stupid, defiant, tirade, when he gripped my face and kissed me. I whimpered, more than from the emotion in the kiss and how he could slip passed my determined independence. My neck twinged so bad I thought my eyeball would burst.

Andrew pulled his lips back. "You don't have to prove anything to me."

Fucking bastard. I sank into him. "Maybe I need to prove it to myself."

He slid his arm behind my back and scooped me up. I felt like a drowned child being carried by a life guard out of the ocean. "Up or down?"

I sighed as my stomach growled. "You just brought home food?"

"Chinese."

"Down I guess. I'll just get sauce on my paperwork." At least I had a functional right hand. I could feed myself without making a mess.

He carried me back down the stairs that had become Mount Everest to me, through the living room, and into the dimly lit kitchen. The table was set so I could sit with my leg out and prop my wrist on a pad, with two plates, open containers of Chinese, sparkling grape juice in wine glasses, and candles. Setting me down gently, he held my chair as I hopped myself into position and took a seat. I really didn't know what to say as he came around and sat down opposite me. After a few minutes of just looking at each other, Andrew picked up a set of chopsticks and proffered them to me.

"Hungry?"

I smiled. He had already split the things apart, knowing I preferred to eat oriental food with chopsticks. I took them.

"Thanks."

"What do you want?" He started pointing at the open boxes. "We have Mongolian beef, Hunan chicken, egg foo yung, brown rice, fried rice, and steamed wontons." He'd bought enough for me to nuke myself food for the next couple days of meals.

"Some wontons I guess." I set my chopsticks down as he plopped five noodles onto my plate and set the dipping sauce nearby. I sank my head to my hand and rubbed my temple. "I'm sorry, Andrew."

"For what?"

"What do you mean, for what?" I sat up and gestured at myself. "I can't even change my fucking clothes without help. I can't shower. I smell like a dead rat. I look like shit. You've had to get up early to make sure I have what I need because whether I spend the day downstairs or up, I'll be trapped there for the duration. And you've spent your lunch and dinner breaks for the past three days driving instead of having a break. Just so you can 'check on me'. That's a lot to be sorry for." I shook my head. "I should have called Mom."

Andrew reached over and squeezed my hand. "We both know why you didn't call her; she's still getting over the flu she had last week. She doesn't need to be taking care of someone else." He sat back and shrugged. "Don and Seb will be picking Mom and Buck up from the airport tonight. You can bet your hot ass that she'll be living in that spare bedroom until you're self-mobile again." He pointed at my plate. "Eat. They're getting cold."

I picked up my chopsticks and ate my wontons. "I'm sorry I haven't been good about this," I mumbled as I chewed. I had a huge serving of humble pie on my plate, in addition to the food. "I've been a bitch, and you don't deserve that."

"Are you going to make me kiss you again?" He smiled at me. "You took care of me when I needed it, Taylor. Even when I didn't realize I needed the help. I'm just getting a chance to return the favor."

I sighed again. "You shouldn't have to..."

"Bullshit." He set down his fork. "What fucking rule is there that you're the only one in this relationship allowed to give, huh?"

I shrugged. "I'm used to being self-sufficient."

"And I'm not?" Andrew snorted, picking up his fork again. "News flash: I wasn't a helpless cripple either, physically or emotionally, when you stepped in to help."

I could have argued that point, but I didn't have a reason to win this argument. I shrugged. "What can I say, but I'm sorry?"

Andrew talked around his mouth full of beef. "How about: I love you and I will accept your help without complaint?"

I looked at Andrew as he chewed. He raised an eyebrow at me as he swallowed.

"Well?"

What had I done to deserve him? "You have no idea how fucking much I love you."

He had his trainer face on, which didn't acknowledge that I'd at least gone half way. He was an all or nothing trainer. I liked that about him. "And?"

"I'll try to accept help without complaining."

The twist of his frown and the raise of his eyebrow would have been annoying, if I hadn't been hedging. I could hear Yoda instead of Andrew. Do, or do not! There is no try.

"I'll be gracious about your help."

He finally grinned, and a satisfied smile lit his face. "That wasn't so tough, was it?"

I grumbled, taking another bite of my wonton. "At least when you were my trainer, I got an at-a-boy for doing the last set."

Andrew leaned in proffering me some beef at the end of his fork. "He's a good boy."

I glared at him. "I never agreed to be gracious about being teased."

He laughed, taking his fork back and eating the bite himself. "Okay, okay. But it does mean I get to help without you complaining later."

I frowned. "What did you have in mind?"

"You stink, Mr. Madison. I plan to give you a careful, complete, attentive sponge bath. And I don't want a single word of complaint out of you about it." He wiggled his eyebrows as he turned that damn sexy grin on me.

"You might get more of a mess than you bargained for," I warned, grinning back at him. We hadn't been intimate since the Thursday we went up to go skiing. It had been almost a week; a very difficult, frustrating, pissy week.

"Oh, I certainly hope so." He pointed at the cartons. "You'd better eat up."

I held up my now empty plate. "Egg foo yung?"

Andrew grinned, and doled out a healthy serving.

***** Andrew *****

When dinner was done, after I'd made sure Taylor had eaten his fill, I blew out the candles and put the leftovers away. As I came back to the table, I watched as Taylor struggled to stand. My man worked so hard to prove he didn't need any help. Not that he was helpless, far from it. But his asking for help was like asking for a hot January. It was very unlikely to happen. I understood the pride, but it got on my nerves. "Ready for that bath?"

Taylor stood abruptly, as if startled. "Sure."

I could let him have his pride. I walked up to him and pressed my lips to his. When he whimpered and leaned in to me, I pulled back. "I'll be back in a few." I winked at him. "I have some things to get ready."

On flat surfaces, Taylor could move around fine. Stairs proved nearly impossible for him. I ran upstairs and got a pair of Taylor's briefs from the bureau, went into the bathroom and started the tub, and got all the supplies I'd need lined up. When I had everything where I'd need it, I went downstairs to find Taylor in the kitchen, balanced against the counter, loading the dishes into the dishwasher. Damn stubborn bastard. I shook my head, loving him even though I ground my teeth in frustration. "Ready?"

Taylor straightened up and shut the door to the dishwasher. "As I'll ever be."

I walked up to him and scooped him up in my arms. I kissed away his protests, leaning against the counter, and let his taste invade my mind. When he was pliant and relaxed in my arms, I pulled away and carried him out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I walked us through our bedroom and set Taylor against the bathroom counter. "Stay put."

I loved to shower. When Moira and I settled out over the house, I spent a few weekends redoing the master bathroom. I'd wanted to take out the old tub, but never got around to it. Now I was thrilled I hadn't done it. The old fashioned, reclining edge tub sat along one wall. The spigot and knobs were midway along one side instead of near one end or the other. I stepped into the bedroom and took off my clothes. I opened my drawer and grabbed a pair of the white silk briefs Taylor had given me for Christmas. I tucked myself inside and drew my cock over my hip. My silky briefs were almost obscenely stuffed and I found the whole experience of wearing them decadent. I walked back into the bathroom and grinned as Taylor swallowed at the sight of me. "Let's get you naked."

I stood before Taylor and grabbed the hem of his shirt as I kissed him. I slowly pulled his shirt up, as I tasted his lips. Not too strenuous; especially since Taylor refused to wear his neck brace. I broke from his lips to nuzzle his neck as I pulled his shirt off him. God, he stank, but it was kind of sexy. I pulled back and grinned at the slumberous look in his eyes. "Put your arm around my neck."

His hand trailed through my hair as he wrapped his arm around me. I lifted him and worked his baggy sweats under his ass before I set him down. I knelt between his legs as I worked the material down his legs. I spent a long time kissing and licking his inner thighs. I moved up and licked his belly as I grabbed his briefs and pulled them off him, maneuvering over his cast. When he was naked in front of me, I stood and took his lips again. When he moaned into my mouth I stood up and lifted him in my arms.

I'd placed a folded towel on the rim of the tub for his wrist and an overturned washtub with several towels for his leg. I wrapped his wrist cast in a towel, just be be safe. At least his leg as in a compression cast; it wouldn't be ruined if it got a little damp. I got him completely settled, then turned for the two pails I'd filled, grabbed the soap. I knelt before Taylor and smiled. "No protests?"

Taylor smiled but I could tell it was a struggle. "Nope."

I looked him over as I grabbed his shampoo. "None?"

"No."

I smiled. "Are you sure?"

His lips compressed into an angry line. "Not if you don't hurry this up."

I chuckled as I grabbed a large cup and filled it with hot water. "Sit up, Bacon."

I poured the water over his head then brushed his hair out of his eyes. I kissed his ear as I grabbed the shampoo bottle. "Have I ever told you how much this shampoo turns me on?" I poured a dollop of it in my hands and lathered it together. "Just smelling your hair makes me hard." I slowly scrubbed his hair, being gentle and not pressing too hard against his scalp. Taylor moaned as my hands rubbed over his scalp and grazed his ears. "Like that, huh?"

Taylor chuckled and from the sight of his erection, he didn't really need to answer. "I like it best when you shower before we go to bed. I love to hold you and smell your hair before I go to sleep." I grabbed another cup of water and doused his hair. I slicked my hands through it and got more water. "Your hair is so soft. It feels so good against my cheek." I kissed the top of his head and sniffed. "Or against my belly." I tilted his head up just a bit and pressed my lips to his. "Or against my balls."

Taylor whimpered and ran his free hand against my chest and tugged my nipple ring. It made me moan before I caught his hand and moved it back to the tub.

"No way. This is my show."

Taylor looked up at me with a devilish grin on his face. "Oh really?"

"Yes. You promised."

Taylor sat back as I grabbed the washcloth and soaked it in the warm water. "When can I start taking this thing off again?"

"The doc checks you out Friday. If everything looks good, you can start taking it off to put on pants and such." I rubbed soap in it until it was full of lather. "With assistance," I added firmly.

Taylor grumbled, but I didn't catch what he said.

I started with his neck and moved in slow, gentle circles all over his chest, belly and arms. When Taylor moaned, I realized how tense he'd been.

"When we're done in here, I'm thinking a long massage is in order."

"Or a long fuck. Like that will happen," he muttered it under his breath, but I heard him anyway.

I moved the washcloth lower and let the rough, soapy terrycloth brush against his erection. Taylor moaned and shut his eyes. I lowered to his ear and nipped the lobe and took his earring between my teeth and tugged gently. Taylor groaned. "Perhaps later, Bacon."

I moved down his legs and washed and massaged them gently. I lifted Taylor up and did his back. After I'd washed his body, I put the washcloth in the bucket and soaped up my hands. Now it was time for fun. I moved my hands over his body, massaging his shoulders and cupping his chest. The entire time, Taylor moaned and groaned. "That feels wonderful, Andrew."

"I agree."

He chuckled before I cupped his sac and ran my fist over his shaft. His chuckle degraded into a deep moan as I continued to stroke him slowly. Not enough to accomplish anything other than to turn him on and keep him on edge. I kept my right hand in his crotch as my other snaked down his back, under him, and gripped his ass. I brought my left hand up to his low back and cradled him with my arm while my right massaged his balls and slid lower. Taylor squirmed; his ass was hungry.

"Don't stop."

My fingers moved down and one finger swirled around his hole. Taylor bit his lip and lowered his head back against my arm I moved my hand from his shaft and took the cup. I filled it with water and poured it over his back and chest. The warm water made Taylor squirm as I kept working his hole. With his head against my arm, I found his lips and tasted him as I slowly, methodically rinsed his body with the warm water. When Taylor free arm grabbed on to my arm, I pulled away and grinned at his shuttered, slumberous, almost drowsy look.

"I think you're clean, Bacon."

He lifted enough to meet my lips. He chewed on my lips until I opened for his tongue. His kiss was needy and filled with desire. "Take me to bed, Andrew. Fuck me."

I sat on my haunches and grinned at him. I was sure we could find one way to do this. "Okay, Bacon. But remember, I'm still in charge."

Taylor grinned as his hand played with my chest and caught my nipple ring. "Of course."

I moaned and stood. Taylor caught my hip with his hand and pulled me forward. He licked against my shaft and the wet, see-through patch over my cock's head. I groaned as he started sucking my pre-cum out of the silky fabric. I pulled away from him and grabbed a towel. I picked Taylor up and set him against the counter so I could dry his body. He had stopped protesting long ago and helped me dry him, turning when I needed him to.

"Put your arm around my neck, Taylor." When he did, I scooped him up in my arms and carried him to bed. I lay him down on it and helped him roll over onto his belly. I didn't particularly like this position, because it reminded me of that first time, but like then, it would be the easiest for him. I spread his legs gently and lowered to his ass and started feasting on him.

Taylor's grunts and groans filled my ears as his musky, soapy essence coated my tongue. I could never not want to feast on his ass. It was a delight and a delicacy greater than any other I'd found on earth. When Taylor's groans became needy whimpers, I grabbed the lube from the side table and lowered my underwear before I doused both of us. Thankfully, my longer legs and wider hips allowed me to straddle his ass. I braced my arms on either side of his chest, below his arms and my knees on both sides of his hips. I pressed down slowly as I began to enter him. I took it slow and rocked into him until he had taken all of me. When I bottomed out, we both groaned loud and deeply.

"You feel so good, Taylor." I lowered to nip at the back of his neck. "I love you so much."

Taylor's free hand curled up to my hand and he gripped it. "Do me, Andrew. I've missed you."

I pulled back so slowly, I could feel every bump, crease, and curve of his body as he squeezed and milked me to within seconds of losing my mind. I pressed back and reveled in Taylor's muttered, filthy words of encouragement.

When I'd set up a slow, steady rhythm, I lowered to my elbows, so my hairy chest could rub against the length of his back as I continued to long stroke him from base to tip. I'd almost pull out and stretch his ring before I'd press completely back. It was too slow to do anything but build us both to mindless, numb nirvana.

Not one pound of my weight pressed against Taylor while I controlled my need and desire to go fast. When Taylor had cried out and released twice against the sheets, I let myself go and sped up just enough to cause my own explosion. As my cock twitched deep inside him, I kissed the back of his neck and moaned out my love.

I stayed in place for several minutes, not wanting to disengage my body from his. My arms started to get shaky from holding myself above him for so long, but I didn't care. As my nose nuzzled into his shampooed hair and my lips brushed against his nape, Taylor's hand found mine as his fingers laced with my own. "That was amazing, Andrew."

"I aim to please." Taylor chuckled as I slowly withdrew from him. When the head popped out of his ring, he gasped. I lay by his side and rolled him over. I cupped his face as I kissed him deeply. "Are you okay?"

He reached down with his free hand and rubbed his fingers against the wet sheets. He brought his fingers up and rubbed the wet tips against my lips. I licked his semen from his fingers and spent a long time nibbling and sucking the pad of his index finger. "I'm better than okay."

I chuckled as his fingers left my face. He was tired and fighting sleep. I scooted over and even though my hip lay in his cooling, sticky mess, I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled his head against my chest. "I love you, Taylor."

His mumbled, sleep induced reply rose from my chest. "I love you too, Gorilla."

I chuckled as I turned off the lamp and slowly drifted off to dreamland.

***** Don *****

"There's Buck," Seb said as he pointed into the crowd.

I turned and looked. Yep, there they were. Our being here was going to confuse the hell out of them. I squeezed Seb's shoulder. "Let's round them up."

Grace and Buck looked about, probably trying to spot Andrew or Taylor. They didn't even register our presence until we were almost on top of them. Grace smiled.

"Hello, Don, Seb. What are you doing here?"

"Andrew asked us to pick you guys up. He's got his hands full." I really didn't want to spring the news about Taylor until we were a bit more privately situated.

Grace smiled. "Business must be booming. Taylor sent us an email saying that the boys had to hire a temp."

"Oh?" I wondered how well Taylor was able to keep up with stuff from their house. With DSL and a Wireless router, he was fairly well connected to the world, even if he was stuck in bed.

She nodded. "He sent us an email yesterday, updating us on the gym and to let us know that the windows hadn't come in yet."

It was amazing how normal the guy could make life sound in an email. "That's all?"

We walked with them to baggage claim.

"I think so." She looked at Buck. "Was that everything, Buck?"

Buck nodded, leaning on his cane as we stopped by the carousel. "Yep, that's it."

Seb smiled. "How's the grandson?"

Buck lit up, smiling at Grace, who smiled back. "He's perfect."

Grace laughed. "And in need of changing and food on the same schedule as any other baby: every two hours."

"Oh, there's one of our bags," Buck pointed with his cane.

I grabbed it, and then the next one. We had to wait another ten minutes for the last two bags to show up. I'd never understood how bags that were checked at the same time could come off a plane so far apart. At least we weren't bored. Grace and Buck regaled us about the newest member of the Jackson-Jacobs family and the places they visited while in Germany. We got the bags packed into Seb's car and made it out of the airport before it was time to say anything about why we were there.

Buck looked at his watch. "I'm amazed that Andrew is stuck with clients this late. It's after eleven."

I looked at Seb, and he shrugged. There was no point holding off any longer.

I sighed. "Andrew has his hands full, but not with clients. Just a loving little ex-client."

Grace blinked. "What's happened to Taylor?"

"He's okay, Grace. Really." Okay, so maybe not, but he would be. "He took a spill while skiing this weekend, and he's mobility challenged."

"Donald, I swear, if you don't tell me what happened, I'm going to beat you with Buck's cane."

Damn, Grace was protective of her boys. Sometimes it seemed like Taylor was as dear to her as Andrew or Moira. I didn't understand all that had gone on before Taylor and Andrew became a couple, but it had had a profound effect on their family as a whole.

"I don't know all of it, Grace. All I know is that Taylor took a bad spill. He's got a cast on his right leg and his left wrist, and he's wearing a neck brace that he hates. Andrew has to help him get up and down the stairs at the house, and has gone into nanny mode. He's driving Taylor nuts."

Buck chuckled, but stopped when Grace shot him a dark look. She looked back at me in the rearview mirror.

"He didn't mention a word of this in his email."

"Esto está sorprendiendo?" Seb snorted. "We're talking about Taylor. He may be the littlest Alpha Male on the planet, but he's also one of the most stubborn."

Grace crossed her arms and frowned. "Little Man Syndrome. It's probably his only unattractive trait."

I snorted. "He does have a need to prove he's as good as the rest of us."

Grace rolled her eyes. "Better. The man's a triathlete. Have you ever met a triathlete that didn't have control issues?"

I thought about that. "Come to think of it, no."

"Taylor is going to wish he'd never set foot on that ski slope by the time I'm through with him..."

Buck put his hand on Grace's knee. "Grace, honey, what should he have done? Sent us an email telling us that he was laid up with a broken leg? We were coming home in a few days, and he had Andrew and their friends in the interim. All that would've done was make you worry, and ruined the last few days of the trip."

"That isn't the point."

Buck smiled at her tolerantly, and after a moment Grace gave way.

"Okay, you're right. I still don't like how blithely he could write us emails without a hint. They weren't too cheery, or perfect. He mentioned things as if everything was the usual chaos." She rolled her eyes. "The man should be a politician."

"He's a counselor, Grace. He knows how to behave and what to say to make people feel safe and comfortable. It's a gift, not a sin."

Grace frowned. "It's a talent for trouble is what it is. If he can smooth talk past these things so easily, what would he be like if he were actually trying to hide something? Andrew was never good at lying, save maybe to himself."

"Grace..."

She shook her head and squeezed Buck's hand. "I'm just being a worried mother, Buck. I suppose it never occurred to me to imagine Taylor lying about anything, even if only by omission. He and Andrew have such an open, honest relationship. They talk about everything. It just caught me off guard."

"Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill, Grace."

"Well, I'm sure things will be set straight tomorrow when I go over there. With Andrew working all hours, and Taylor with restricted mobility, I'm certain the house could use some attention." She smiled. "Not to mention, Andrew can burn water. The trash cans must be overflowing with carry out and frozen meal boxes."

I almost felt sorry for Andrew and Taylor. Hurricane Grace had arrived.

***** Sean *****

"You'd think they're teaching remedial English," Katie commented as we walked out of the Liberal Arts building. "I thought this was supposed to be level two. I clep'd out of level one."

I shrugged. "It isn't so bad. At least Mrs. Martin isn't trying to teach us what a verb or noun is."

Katie grimaced. "Thank God for small miracles." She waved at a couple girls near the benches. "We're heading over to Two Jays for lunch. Want to join us?"

I looked at my watch. It was after eight back home; perfect time to call and leave a message. "Sure, I've got to make a call first, but my next class isn't 'til two on West Campus, so I have to cross town anyway."

"Haley is going to be there." Katie winked, but I groaned.

"Oh please, no."

"Okay, okay." Katie shook her head. "You leave a girlfriend behind in California or something?"

I sighed. I hadn't planned on being in the closet, but I also hadn't planned on coming out in the second week of class. I tried to sound as casual as possible as I dropped the bomb. "No, a boyfriend."

Katie blinked for a moment, then shrugged, and continued on without so much as a hitch. "That explains why Carlos was giving you the eye in class. He always knows who's gay."

Carlos, Carlos, which one of the Hispanic guys in class was Carlos? I resisted the urge to look behind us to see if he was coming out. Some guy had been checking me out? Why was it I never noticed? I looked back at Katie. "You took that well."

Katie laughed. "Sean, I grew up in the Shadow of the Rat. Have you any idea how many gay guys work at Disney?" She shook her head. "At least Haley will be diverted from heartbreak early."

I cringed. "She only met me on Wednesday in biology lab."

"You're new. You're cute. You're a nice guy. What more does a girl need?"

"That he be straight?"

Katie tapped her nose and pointed at me with a smile. "Oh yeah. That's an important characteristic too." She shrugged. "But not a requirement."

I flinched. "Huh?"

She laughed. "I had a gay boyfriend for my senior year in High School. Even though we live close to Disney, you just don't live as an 'out' gay teen in Saint Cloud. Kissimmee, maybe, but not Saint Cloud. It's still a cow town."

That caught my attention. "Did you know he was gay?"

She nodded. "Yep, Marc has been my best friend since grade school. He told me when we were sixteen." Katie shrugged. "He ended up being my date for Senior Prom because I found out my boyfriend had been cheating on me with Cynthia Stroud." She frowned. "Serves him right that the bitch got pregnant and now he's stuck in cow town with a kid at nineteen."

I frowned. "But you said Marc was your boyfriend in senior year."

"Well, I suppose technically he wasn't, but we were pretty much inseparable before David, and after him we were practically joined at the hip." She smiled. "Marc was the best kisser."

"Ewww." I looked at her. "You guys made out?"

"Sure. Marc told me once that he wished he was straight; he loved me, but just not in 'that way'." She shrugged with a slightly sad smile on her lips. "He's attending Georgia Tech to be an engineer. There's a pretty good Gay scene in Atlanta, or so I've been told."

Janie shook her head as we got to the bench. "Katie, are you reciting your tales of star-crossed love again?" She rolled her eyes. "You get kissed by one gay guy, and suddenly straight guys don't measure up."

"Hi, Sean." Haley smiled at me, and I got that uncomfortable shiver.

Now that I knew what that look meant, I recognized it. I hoped I wouldn't stay clueless about people noticing me forever. I didn't want girls pining away uselessly, and I wanted a shot at a guy if he was cute and interested. A couple of the Hispanic guys in class were cute. I wondered if one of them was Carlos.

"Hi, Haley."

Katie caught the look and patted my shoulder. "See you at Two Jays, Sean. I'll deal with it."

I smiled. "Thanks, Katie." With a nod to the girls, I crossed the lawn to get to student parking.

I still couldn't believe Andrew had left me his truck. At first I was pissed, but Taylor told me it gave them an excuse to buy Andrew something new. Like his recliner, Andrew had a hard time getting rid of anything that wasn't broken.

I got into the old Ford, started it up, and plugged in my hands-free set for the cell the guys had bought me. I only needed to make a quick call. I clicked the autodial as I pulled out of the parking lot. After two rings, someone picked up the phone.

"Jackson residence."

"Taylor?" I looked at my watch to confirm the time. What was he doing home at eight-twenty in the morning?

"Sean?" Taylor's voice lit up the connection. "How you doing, kiddo?"

I smiled. I hadn't wanted to talk to anyone, but just hearing a friendly voice made me feel warm inside. "Pretty good." I realized I still didn't know why Taylor was home. "What are you doing home?"

Taylor made a dismissive sound. "Nothing major. I took a spill on the ski slope last weekend and the doctors want me off my leg for the week. I've been doing a lot of on-the-couch reading." He paused a moment, and asked, "You on your cell?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Let me call you back. The family plan allows unlimited mobile to mobile calling."

"Uhm, okay." I really hadn't planned on talking.

"Good, I'll ring you right back." He hung up.

"Damn," I muttered as I pulled onto Colonial. I answered the phone as it rang. "Hi."

"Okay, so how was the first full week of school? Last week doesn't count; it was only a half week."

I snorted. "Tell my teachers last week didn't count. I've got my first quiz this afternoon."

Taylor laughed. "I hope you studied."

I wanted to stick my tongue out at him, but I'd have licked the mouthpiece. "Yes, I studied."

"How's your grandmother?"

"She's good." I swerved, and honked at the idiot trying to make a right hand turn into a restaurant parking lot from the hammer lane. "MORON!"

"Huh?"

"No," I apologized, "not you. Some fucking tourist doesn't know how to drive."

Taylor laughed again. "Some tourist, huh? Sounds like you're settling in already."

"You have no idea what it's like. The local drivers are fine, but people from all over the country, hell, the world, overrun us. These tourists check their brains at the border and pick them back up when they leave. I'm sure they can't be this bad back home, wherever that is."

I spotted the Barnes and Noble that landmarked the center that Two Jays was in. I pulled into the parking lot and started searching for a space. Lunch hour, down town. What idiot decided to meet here?

"You should see the truck Andrew has on order. It's supposed to be in to the dealer this weekend. They had to transfer it up from another dealership." Taylor chuckled. "The thing is big enough to haul a house."

I grinned. "I went to the link you emailed me. That's a kick-ass truck. GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT? It may be big enough. I'm surprised you guys didn't get the 3500."

"Oh good Lord. Andrew wanted one, but we can't afford a forty-four thousand dollar truck. The 2500 was expensive enough."

I frowned as I parked and shut off the engine. "Yeah, I saw the price tag."

"That's Suggested Retail online, Sean. We got some pretty good discounts. And right now they have zero percent interest on a five-year loan. We can swing the payments. It'd be tight if I hadn't rented my condo out for such a great rate, but it's in a prime location so we got top dollar."

I got out of the truck and started wandering over to the restaurant. I didn't see the girls, but the odds were they stood around talking. Thank God I wasn't in a rush to get to West Campus. Just as I got to the door, I a Honda whipped into a parking spot, honking, and I saw the girls waving from their seats. "My friends just arrived, so I guess I should go."

"Let us know if you need anything, Sean."

I smiled. "You take care of that leg."

Taylor laughed, something about it seemed more nervous than happy. "You know how Andrew like's to be Tarzan and throw me over his shoulder on the way up the stairs?"

I smiled. He'd done that a few times just to prove he was 'the man of the house'. "Yeah."

"Well, just look at this as an excuse for him to do it without me objecting."

Those two were so funny. "Okay, got to go."

"Be good, Sean."

"Always." I hung up, and smiled at Katie, Janie and a slightly blushing Haley as they got to the door. I pulled it open. "After you, ladies."

Katie grinned at Janie. "This is why I like gay guys. They know how to treat a woman with respect."

Janie smiled. "Why not just pin a sign on his chest, Katie. Jeez."

"Okay, okay. I'll shut up. Let's eat."

I held the door as the girls went in. I wasn't sure what I'd gotten myself into.

***** Taylor *****

I ended my call with Sean and looked up to see Grace watching me from the kitchen. "What?"

"Nothing major? A spill?"

I frowned. "I didn't tell him anything that wasn't true. And it isn't major. It's an inconvenience, especially to you, Buck and Andrew since two of you are mother-hens, and Buck has to play mediator. It isn't like I'm crippled or have permanent injuries."

Grace frowned. "I suppose the fact that you're going to have to rehab that knee isn't a big deal either."

"All part of a leg injury, Grace. Best way to heal is to look ahead and not dwell on it."

She rolled her eyes. "You are the most stubborn..."

"Grace!" She'd been on my case since they got back. "What was I supposed to do, ruin your vacation with unnecessary worry? You couldn't do anything from Germany. What is Sean going to do from three thousand miles away? He'll worry and feel guilty about things that aren't under his control."

"If Andrew ever hid things like this from me, the way you're hiding this from Katherine, I'd take a rolling pin to his head."

I almost spit out, "He did for fifteen years," but I bit it back. It wasn't the same thing, and I knew it. "She knows I'm off my feet and that I have you and Buck and Andrew taking very good care of me. I don't want her feeling she needs to come down too." I shuddered. "Or worse yet, send Aunt C."

Grace just threw up her hands. "Men!" She turned around and went back into the kitchen.

I wasn't sure what was worse, Andrew's attentive hovering, or Grace's smothering protectiveness. My leg had to heal fast. I was glad Doctor Jerrin gave me the okay to remove the brace to change and wash, and that I could return to work on Monday. I wouldn't last through another week of this.

***** Andrew *****

Was everyone on the road on Sunday? Why did I have to have so many clients yesterday? I drummed my fingers on my thighs as we turned off the highway.

"I really appreciate you doing this, Dad." I looked over at Buck.

He smiled from behind the wheel of his older truck. He turned to me as we stopped a red light. "No problem, Son. I'm glad I could do it."

I looked out the window and felt bad for taking over his life ever since he'd gotten home from Germany. "You've done so much for Taylor and I. You've barely rested at all since you got home from Kelly's."

He blew air through his slightly pouted lips that ruffled his hair. "Your guest room is plenty comfortable, and Taylor needs the help." He put his hand on my knee. "You were running yourself pretty ragged there, Son. Whether you want to admit it or not."

I shrugged sheepishly. Sure, I'd been burning the candles at both ends, but Taylor would've done the same for me. "Thanks, Dad."

It still felt odd, but in a good way, calling Buck, Dad. In less than a month, he'd be my father. Well, stepfather. "Before I forget to tell you, you're a great Dad."

Buck flashed me a grin as we headed down the road. "Thank you. That means a lot. I don't know all of what happened with your real father, but from what I've heard, you saying that took a lot."

His words brought back a lot of memories. Not all of them were bad. I had to chuckle as I remembered ice cream cones on hot summer days and checkers and hot chocolate during Christmas Break. No, it hadn't all been bad. But the sperm donor still fucked us over. "It wasn't all horrible. But it still doesn't make me feel anything but contempt for the man." I shrugged. "The internet is a great thing. Through it, I found out that I have three half-brothers and a half-sister floating around out there."

Buck looked over at me, shocked. "Your mother doesn't know that."

I nodded. "I know. I refused to tell her or Moira." I looked out the windshield and remembered the day I'd found out. "I tried to find him, so I could force him to pay mom for all the child support cheated her of. You can imagine my surprise when I found out that there were three other women who were searching for him for the same thing."

"Bastard." Buck muttered it, but I heard him anyway. "Why'd you bother?"

"Moira was going to college, and Mom started working a second job to help her." I looked away, not sure about how much I should tell him. I figured that he deserved to know, so I spilled my guts. "Moira doesn't know, but I chucked in what I could." I had to smile at the memories. "Grandma died when Moira was half way through college. I used my inheritance and managed to get a mortgage to buy out Moira's share of the house. Mom had to co-sign on the mortgage, but I've managed to cover the payments."

Buck pulled off into the parking lot of a Red Lobster and looked at me. "Why don't we go grab some lunch? I think I need to hear some more of this."

I nodded and went inside with Buck. He technically didn't need his cane anymore. I think he still used it because it was what he knew. After we'd sat down and ordered drinks, Buck leaned towards me and clapped his hand on my arm. "Why'd you give them all the money?"

"I got the house."

Buck shook his head, as if confused. "You had to be what? Twenty?"

I shrugged. "Twenty-three, almost four. I was already a certified trainer and had a steady income. I'd never had much, so it wasn't like I suffered."

"Why?"

I looked away. This had never been an issue for me. "When the sperm donor finally took off for good, Mom had to scramble to find a job. She worked ten hours a day at least." I blinked back the tears that appeared in my eyes. "She was so tired all the time. With the money, she wouldn't have to work so hard."

Buck shook his head and grinned. "You have quite a heart in there, Andrew."

I looked down at my clasped hands. "It killed me to see her doing so much for us. I was so angry with my father. He made her cry." I stared Buck straight in the eyes. "She cried every night for over a year after he left." I pointed my finger at him. "If she sheds one tear because of something you've done to hurt her, I'll kill you."

The anger in my voice shocked me. But what scared me was that I meant it. No matter how much I'd come to care, love, and respect Buck, I would kill him if he hurt my mother. He didn't even flinch as he nodded. "I'd expect nothing less. In fact, I'd be disappointed in you if you didn't."

Our salads arrived and we dug into them silently. After a few bites, Buck looked at me. "Was it just the three of you?"

I chuckled. "No. Grandma watched over us during the summers and after school. Mom didn't want to give up her independence, so we didn't live with her, even though she offered."

"I'm sorry I never got to meet her. She sounds like she was a great lady."

I smiled. "You bet. She knew how to make chocolate chip cookies and tickle an awkward teenager who was angry at the world." I looked into the past and grinned. "She knew how to turn the living room into a maze with the chairs and blankets. She died five years ago."

"How'd your mom manage?"

"She worked at the hospital as a nurse. When I got older and could help with Moira, she worked double shifts."

Buck shook his head. "She seems to like her job now."

"She loves her job. She always has. She loves taking care of people." I grinned. "Now, she gets to be choosy over who she helps and how often she does it." I finished the last bite of my salad as our entrees arrived. "In home care has been a great thing for her."

Buck nodded and bit into his halibut. After he chewed he looked at me. "I've decided to come out of retirement." I raised my eyebrows as I had some of my shrimp scampi. Oops, garlic. I'd need to brush before I kissed Taylor. "What are you going to do?"

He sat back and grinned before he held up his cane. "Now that I'm not in constant pain and can move around pretty well, thanks to you, I've decided to work with your mother."

I was confused. "You're not a registered nurse."

"No, I'm not. But I can take care of other things. Kind of a Meals on Wheels sort of thing." He shrugged. "I'll drive around, which isn't a problem, and deliver meals to those clients of Care Givers who can't cook for themselves."

Care Givers was a hokey name, but they did some really good work. Sometimes, all their clients needed was someone to check on them to make sure they ate properly and had their medication. Mom hardly worked with them on a daily basis, but more than once, she'd mention one of them. "That's great, Dad."

He grinned and nodded. "Yeah, it will be. It only pays minimum wage, but with my retirement and other investments the money isn't important. It gives me something to do and I'll help people who couldn't be helped like me."

I pointed my fork at him. "And, like mom, you can both set your own hours and cut some hours when you need to go to Germany, or help out ski accident prone family members."

"Exactly."

We paid for lunch and got underway to the Chevy/GMC dealership. I was excited about my new truck, but with everything that had gone on lately, I had tried not to think too much about it. When we got there, I practically hopped in my seat. It was like Christmas or my birthday. Buck looked over at me and chuckled. "Are you like this whenever you get a new toy?"

"Pretty much."

"Come on then, Son. Let's get some keys for you before you breakdown the seats."

I laughed as I went inside and walked over to the dealer's desk. I was chomping at the bit while I waited for Jack to finish up a phone call. When he rang off he looked up at me and smiled. "Ready, Mr. Jackson?"

I couldn't help the smile. "You better believe it."

"We tried to get it here as fast as possible, but that red is a popular color." He dug around in his desk for a moment. He stood and handed me a key chain. "Let me get those keys and we'll get you on the road."

When he came out of the back room, he had a few papers and the temporary license. He came over to his desk and had me sign for the license and handed me the keys. "Come on then, let's get you on the road."

When we rounded the corner of the dealership, there it was; shiny burgundy and gleaming in the bright winter sun. Buck followed me to the truck as Jack opened it up and taped the license to the rear window. I ran my hand over the bed rim and kicked the rear tire. Solid. I looked up at Buck and smiled then broke out in a laugh. "This is a great truck."

"Yeah it is, Son."

I continued to walk around it, trailing my fingers along the bumper. When I got around to the driver side, Jack stood there with the keys. "Why don't you take it around the block a few times, just to make sure." He looked over at Buck. "Take your Dad for a spin."

I looked over at Buck. "Come on, Dad. Let's try this baby out."

I took the keys and crawled into the truck as Buck used the step to get in. When I pressed in the clutch and turned over the motor, it purred. I looked over at Buck as I let the emergency brake go. "Ready?"

He chuckled as he put his hand on my arm. "Let's go, Son."

While I drove down the road for a mile or so, I played with all the buttons and knobs. I adjusted my mirrors electronically. I tried out the heater and air conditioner. I didn't have a CD, and the satellite radio account had to be activated before I could use it, but the regular radio was great. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out why my butt was so warm. It wasn't until we got back to the dealership that Buck started laughing and hit a button on the center console. "Seat warmer, Son. Those things work too well."

When we pulled into the lot, Jack was waiting for us. Buck and I got out and he came forward. "Everything okay?"

"Great, Jack."

He nodded. "One more paper to sign, then you're off."

I went inside and signed the last paper. I looked at Buck as I got outside. "Race you home?"

"Hardly. You go have fun."

I walked up to him and gave him a hug. "Thanks again, Dad."

"You're welcome, Son." We held on for a bit longer than normal, neither of us wanting to let go. When we finally pulled apart, I grinned at Buck.

"Hey, Dad? I want to take Taylor for a drive this evening. He's been cooped up so long, I'm sure he's stir crazy. Why don't you and mom make plans for tonight?"

Buck smiled and nodded. "That's a great idea. What did you have in mind?"

"One of my favorite comedians is playing over in Reno. It's not that far of a drive, and the hotel the club's in has a great prime rib dinner." I didn't tell Buck that the I'd heard about the comedian from an old fuck buddy of mine I'd play around with when he was in town. He didn't need to know that.

"Sounds like fun. Are you sure Taylor can handle the drive?"

"It's only two hours, and with how this new baby is, he'll be plenty comfortable."

Buck chuckled and got in his truck. I crawled into my new beast and sniffed deeply. There is something about a new car smell that almost always makes me rock hard. Probably because I'd had a great time one night with the car dealer who'd sold me my first truck. I shook my head at the memory as I started the new truck up. I'd gotten one hell of a deal on that truck.

I put the truck in gear and headed on out. The engine purred as I hit the Interstate and shifted smoothly up to speed. Damn, but this was a fine truck. All too soon, I was pulling into the driveway. I wanted to run inside and grab Taylor and show him everything.

When I got inside, I found mom standing in the kitchen, putting away dishes from the dishwasher. I kissed her cheek. "Hello, gorgeous. Where's my man?"

Mom rolled her eyes and kissed my cheek. "The patient is being surly in the living room."

I ducked my head. "That bad?"

She shook her head. "He's going stir crazy."

I chuckled. `I know just the cure."

I walked through the kitchen towards the living room. I found Taylor sitting on the couch, staring at the fire. "Hello, lover."

Taylor turned and grinned at me. He looked me up and down and smiled as he saw my excited state. "So the new truck is to your liking?"

I walked over to the couch and knelt in front of it. "You have no idea what I'm going to do to you in that truck." I leaned in and kissed him senseless, until Taylor clung to me like a boneless mop. When I pulled back, I brushed his hair out of his eyes. "Feel like getting out of here for a while?"

Taylor's eyes lit up and he smiled. Then his smile faded. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

I kissed his neck and gripped his hand. As I nuzzled his ear, I whispered to him. "I think it's a great idea. A drive in the country, a nice dinner, some great laughs, and then I'm going to drive you home and ride your cock until we're both spent."

Taylor groaned as I nipped his earlobe. "I'm not dressed to go out."

Feeble protest, Taylor. I knew I was wearing down his resistance when he grabbed my nipple ring. "I can fix that." I scooped him up in my arms and carried him upstairs. I know he hated when I did that, but it really was the most expedient way to get him to the bedroom.

Once he was dressed, I picked him up and walked downstairs. I kissed my mother on the cheek and waved good-bye to Buck before I carried Taylor out to my new toy. "We really need to come up with a name for this thing."

Taylor laughed and looked at me. "Did you name the old one?"

I ducked my head as I set him on the passenger seat. "Yes. We gave Fred to Sean to drive around the wilds of Florida."

"Fred?" The incredulous tone Taylor gave me made me blush. "You named your truck Fred?"

I shut the door in his face and went around to get in my side. "I was eighteen and it fit."

Taylor sat back and thought as I backed us out of the driveway. "You know, it fits."

"Of course it did." I headed out and caught I-80 going east. I got us up to speed and turned to Taylor.

"What should we name this beast?"

Taylor grinned and ran his hand over the dash. "I don't know. Ginger would be funny, but wouldn't fit."

Ginger? Not in a million years. Then something else sparked my mind. "Why didn't we get the blue one? Everything we buy for me is blue lately."

Taylor shrugged. "None of the blues matched your eyes."

I rolled my eyes. "Then why not the black one they had in stock?" I looked over at him and grinned. "I get the eye thing. I mean, my eyes are blue, nothing special, but I get why you like me in blue. But why the deep red?"

"Because you love red, you idiot. This is your truck, after all." He frowned. "And your eyes are beautiful. Dark and deep and they change color depending on how you're feeling."

Now I was blushing. "They're just eyes, Taylor."

"Eyes are the windows to the soul."

I swallowed. I think that was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me. "Thank you, Bacon. Yours are pretty expressive too." I reached over and caressed his face with my hand.

Taylor laughed. "Okay. What should we call it then? And why do we have to name it?"

"If men can name their penises, then I think I should be able to name my truck."

Taylor rolled his eyes. "And have you named your penis?"

"Nope. That's your job."

Taylor grinned. "Have you named mine?"

"Yep."

"What?"

I grinned. "Nirvana. Because it always takes me there."

Taylor snorted. "Nice. Bullshit, but nice." He looked around and then back at me. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Reno."

"What?"

"Reno. You know, the biggest little city in the world?"

I felt Taylor's hand on mine on the gearshift. "Why are we going to Reno?"

"Because it's not far, and I think we could use a night out. We're going to see a comedy show and have dinner at one of the casinos."

"Okay. I'm not sure why, but okay."

I grinned. "An old friend... nope. An old fuck of mine manages comedians. He has a website, and I know that the guys playing are really funny." I looked at Taylor. "I think we could use some mindless laughter."

"You're right. I haven't been much fun lately." He looked away and I wanted to kick myself.

"Will you stop? You broke your wrist. Big deal. And by the way. You are always fun." I waggled my eyebrows, which made Taylor laugh. "Besides, the prime rib and lobster are excellent."

"I go back to work tomorrow."

I picked up his hand and kissed his knuckles. "I know. We'll be home by eleven. I promise."

Taylor laughed and shook his head. "Okay. Lead on MacDuff."