Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2019 05:14:36 +0000 (UTC)
From: rw6789@aol.com
Subject: "A Trial Of Strength" - Part 471  by Rob Williams

A TRIAL OF STRENGTH – PART 471
By Rob Williams

Chapter 471 – "BOB LEARNS HOW TO LOVE AGAIN"

IN THIS CHAPTER:

Bob, with the looks and build of Superman, is the co-founder of the tribe,
loved and admired by all the guys.  But he is close to burnout from the
pressure of work and he is drained and hostile.  A ferocious fuck from
Randy ignites a panic attack and he tells Doc Steve, "I've forgotten how to
love." Steve sends Bob to a secure retreat where he is cared for by a young
friend who teaches Bob how to love again.
___________________________________________________________________


IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER

The feud between the construction company mechanic Pablo and the foreman
Darius was calming down.

The former lovers had been fighting like stags clashing antlers in a battle
for supremacy, and had been punished by the tribe with a temporary exile to
a remote beach shack in the Guadalupe dunes.  It had been a canny move by
the leaders of the tribe as the enforced proximity at the beach had
compelled the warring jocks to recognize the futility of their dispute.

They had been helped in their reconciliation by Pablo's boy Tyler who had
accompanied them.  As Tyler later describe it to his pal Will, "Last night
we all slept in one bed and I snuck out of bed and watched from the other
room.  Darius woke up and looked at Pablo sleeping, and his gorgeous body
and that butt of his that drives Darius crazy.

"He touched it and Pablo woke up.  He was mad at first ... until Darius
kissed him, hard.  Well that did it.  Long story short they made
love. Darius fucked Pablo of course and they kept saying how much they
loved each other, always had, and they'd been real pricks all along, they
were real sorry ... yada, yada, yada."

The three men were joined at the beach by the cop Mark, his surfer lover
Jamie, and young Will.  Mark said sternly to Pablo and Darius, "One big
problem when you fight is the collateral damage, like hurting the people we
love.  Any cop's family knows about that.

"Right now I'm really worried about Bob.  That guy has a lot on his
shoulders as co-leader of the tribe.  We all think of him as solid as a
rock but this latest conflict was kind of the last straw and I've seen
signs of him unraveling.  I've spoken to him but he pushes even me away."

Later all six men were relaxing on the patio when Mark got a phone call
from one of the tribe's most respected men, the Forest Ranger Pete.  He
told Mark of his concerns about Bob.  Mark said to the others, "I don't
like the sound of it.  Seems Bob's been giving a hard time to Pete's boy
Brandon in the office.  He's been piling the pressure on, complaining about
the delay in the budgets for the new project.  He as good as blamed Brandon
for it and the kid's real upset."

"That's bullshit," Jamie said. "Brandon's my office assistant and we've
been working overtime on that thing.  Everyone knows how hard the boy works
and how good he is.  But it's weird, so unlike Bob.  What's Pete gonna do?"

"Well that's the problem.  This is rock-solid Bob we're talking about,
loved and respected by everyone.  If it were Randy Pete would challenge
him, bawl him out and even get physical.  But you can't do that to Bob.
And he can't go to Randy `cos he'd go apeshit and defend Bob.

"Like I said, I think Bob is really on edge, cracking up.  I told Pete he
should just take care of Brandon for now, the boy is pretty shook up.  Not
much else we can do right now – just have to see how it pans out.  But
I'm worried.  Nothing like this has happened before, not with Bob."

There was an anxious silence, finally broken by Will.  "Well, right now
Tyler and me got work to do – lunch.  As the boys marched off to the
kitchen Mark managed a smile.  "Thank god for the boys, eh?  Whatever
happens, we sure won't starve."


****************** CHAPTER 471 ******************

ONE FIRE IS DOUSED - ANOTHER ONE SMOULDERS

The atmosphere at the beach for the rest of the day was festive, despite
the concern that hung in the background on whether Bob's apparent meltdown
would resolve itself or grow worse. But his state of mind could only be
judged when Mark and Jamie got back home after the weekend.

The four men and two boys spent the rest of the day together swimming,
surfing or just chilling out on the beach.  Will was technically there on a
catering gig, hired by Mark to cook the group's meals, getting paid to do
what he loved to do.  He had brought with him his trademark green apron and
chef's hat, and one for Tyler too as the boys had a whole lot of fun
working together.

They gossiped as they cooked dinner and came up with the idea of pitching a
tent in the dunes and spending the night together.  Tyler cleared it with
Pablo who looked forward to a whole night alone with Darius in Zack's
shack, while Mark and Jamie indulged their mutual love and lust together in
their shack.

Needless to say, all three locations saw their share of hot action, with
every variation of love-making, passion and penetration that was ever
invented ... and a few that were invented on the spot.  Tyler and Will made
the most of the rare opportunity to spend a night together and their
inexhaustible youthful energy resulted in almost non-stop laughter coming
from the tent.

The rest of the weekend at the beach brought them all the rest and
relaxation they needed.  They forged a bond that was closer than it had
ever been and when the time came for Mark, Jamie and Will to head home on
Monday morning there were heartfelt hugs all round.  Pablo and Darius were
to finish out their weeklong `penance' and Mark said, "You sure you guys
are gonna be OK now?"

Darius chuckled.  You know, sir, when we came here the thought of being
alone together in one small shack was horrific ..."

"... but now," Pablo added, "we're dying to spend the rest of the week in
exile, along with my boy Tyler who sometimes seems to be running the whole
show."

"Yeah, well do what he tells you to do," Mark grinned.  "He sure seems to
know what buttons to press to keep things on the right track."

Pablo's face clouded over for a second.  "Sir, you will check on the, er,
the situation with Bob won't you.  Everyone knows he loves you so maybe
he'll listen to you.  Randy, he ... well, he's not so subtle sometimes.  He
thinks he can solve problems with a quick fist or a quick fuck."

"Not unlike his adopted son," Mark smiled.  "And the fuck part seems to
have worked for you and Darius – though it wasn't such a quick one
... it'll probably go on for the rest of the week.  But seriously, Pablo,
of course I'll see what I can do to keep a lid on things.  Bob's such a
pillar of the tribe that if he starts to unravel it could spread like a
virus.  I'll keep you guys posted."

And with that promise Mark, Jamie and Will took off and headed south toward
home.  Mark sighed, "Well guys, one fire's been doused up here.  Now let's
see if we can help tackle the one smoldering at home.

********************************

JAMIE REASSURES BRANDON

When they reached the house after the long drive Mark, Jamie and Will were
all anxious to get an update on the situation and they split up.  Jamie
went straight to the office on the grounds of the tribe's compound and
found Brandon hunched over his computer stolidly working away trying to
disprove Bob's unkind implication that he was responsible for the budget
delays.

He looked up and Jamie saw tears in his eyes as he said, "Jamie, I'm so
glad you're home."

Jamie knelt beside Brandon's wheelchair and hugged him. "What are you doing
working, kiddo?  I told you to take the weekend off while I was away.  You
deserve a break after all the hours you've put in."

"I can't Jamie ... I've gotta catch up ... see, I think Bob's gonna fire
me."

"Fire you?  That's the dumbest thing I ever heard.  Get this straight, Bob
is never gonna fire you, Brandon.  He loves you and respects how hard you
work.  If he ever so much as breathed the word I would protest and threaten
to resign.  But it's never gonna come to that.

"See, this is not about you, kid, it's about Bob.  Seems he's been working
long hours at his own job, plus managing the finances of the Construction
Company, of the Grady House and all the tax returns he's been doing for the
guys here.  The whole tribe looks up to him for guidance and he's had to
fight a lot of fires lately – most recently the blow-up between Pablo
and Darius.

"It all falls on his shoulders and Mark's concerned that Bob is starting to
crack up under the strain.  He's probably talking to Bob right now.  In the
meantime, let us put our heads together and see what we can do with this
budget thing.  Two heads are better than one, dude, especially when the
heads are yours and mine.

Brandon grinned and said again, "I'm so glad you're home, Jamie."

*******************************

WILL CHECKS IN WITH THE TWINS

Meanwhile, as soon as Will got home he ran straight to the kitchen where
the twins had already made a start on lunch prep.  After big warm hugs the
twins asked how things had gone in the dunes between Pablo and Darius.
Kyle said, "We hear that the `exile' turned out to be a good idea, with a
few nudges from Tyler.  Is that true?"

Will quickly summarized the good news from the beach.  "Tyler turned out to
be a real smart cookie.  He knew that once Pablo and Darius were in bed
together it would probably do the trick.  They'll probably spend the rest
of the week fucking, to make up for lost time."

Will frowned, "But, sirs, we've been hearing all kinds of bad stuff about
Bob and, like, burnout."

"Ah yes," Kevin said, "we thought you would bring that up and we need to
talk.  Here's the situation as we see it, Will."  The twins filled Will in,
saying more or less the same as Jamie had told Brandon.  "Bob's different
somehow.  He's even snapped at us, and you know he's never said an unkind
word to us in the past, nor to you.  But he's just not the Bob we know and
love."

"What can we do to help, sirs?"

"Not much for now," Kyle said, "except stay supportive.  And above all,
Will, don't take it personally.  Remember, it's not about you, he hasn't
stopped loving you.  We're hoping that the time will come when we can help
in a practical way somehow.  We just gotta be supportive for now and see
how things go."

"Yes, sir.  Mark was real worried and as soon as we got home he went to
talk to Bob.  Those two guys really love each other so Maybe Mark can get
through to him.

****************************

BOB CRACKS THE WHIP

When Mark went into the house Bob shared with Randy he knocked on the
bedroom door and got a muffled, "Yeah?"  Mark found Bob at his desk
engrossed in his computer, with sheaths of paper strewn over his desk.
"Hey, buddy, we're home."

Bob glanced over his shoulder.  "Hi, Mark.  How'd it go up there?"  His
flat tone suggested he had no real interest in how things went up there or
anywhere else."

Mark approached the desk and laid a hand gently on his shoulder.  "You OK,
buddy?"

"Sure, just busy is all.  This damn project is more complicated than we
planned – can't get the budget to come out right.  I'm not sure Jamie
and Brandon are up to it."

Mark sat down beside him.  "Did you know that Brandon was real upset –
thinks you're probably gonna fire him."

Bob turned to him.  "What?  I'm not gonna fire him, not unless he screws up
this project."

Mark was shocked by Bob's drawn face and the look in his eyes.  The dark
brown eyes were always alive with a mix of amusement and kindness, but now
they were opaque, dead almost.  It was as if Bob wasn't there inside them,
Mark thought, not the Bob he knew and loved anyway.

Mark frowned, "Bob, you sleeping OK these days?"

"Ah, good enough.  Except Randy won't keep his hands off me ... he don't
realize the pressure I'm under."  He slammed his laptop shut.  "Oh fuck
this crap, I'll come back to it.  I gotta make my rounds, keep those kids
on their toes.  A lot of them are slacking – too much fooling around.

"OK if I tag along?"

"Suite yourself.  You can see what I have to deal with."

Bob stalked off and Mark followed, with deep concern.  He had seen a lot of
cops burn out on the job and this is exactly what it looked like –
tense, dead eyed, short-tempered.

Outside Bob picked up bits of trash lying around, just as Eddie came
running out with a broom.  He was the young house manager, fairly new on
the job.

"I was just getting to that, sir.  Oh, hello Mark, how was the action up at
..."

Bob cut him off.  "Better you concern yourself with the action round here,
Eddie.  The place is starting to look like a pigsty.  If you're not up to
the job I can always get someone ..."

"Hey, lighten up dude," Mark smiled.  "The place don't look so bad, Eddie's
got it covered."

Bob whirled on him.  "Are you telling me how to manage this place, Mark?
You want the job?  Go ahead, be my guest, they're all driving me crazy."

Hey, hey, take it easy dude ..."  But Bob had moved on.  Mark looked at
Eddie who shrugged and grinned wryly as if to say `I'm used to it'.

Mark caught up to Bob just as the young gardener Finn came from the garden.
"Hello, sir," he smiled.  "D'you wanna come and see the rose garden?  It's
coming along great."

"I prefer you forget about the roses and spend more time on the lawn over
there.  It's starting to look like a damn jungle."

Nate, one of the senior boys, came through the gate from his house next
door, the Aussie House, and grinned his broad Aussie grin.  "Oh, that was
me, sir.  The roses were looking so good I suggested Finn plant some more.
The long grass don't look so bad."  He chuckled, "The other day Adam and me
fooled around in the grass and ..."

"Spare me the details, Nate.  Finn does what I tell him to do, he don't
take orders from you.  Finn, cut the grass."

As Bob walked away Mark glanced at Nate and Finn who shrugged with the same
expression as Eddie's.  Apparently they were all trying to cope with Bob's
bad moods.

Mark caught up with Bob and held his arm.  "Hey wait up, buddy.  Look at
me.  Dude, there's something going on here and I've seen it in cops who are
stressed out.  They are sent to a shrink for anger management and told to
take time off work before they flame out."

Bob pulled his arm away irritably.  "Well that may work for you and your
cops, Mark, but if I took time off the whole place would fall apart.
Listen, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me to do my job, all my jobs, and
quit interfering.  Go tell Jamie nobody's gonna fire Brandon.  I got work
to do."

He strode off to his own house and Mark went over to the office to see
Jamie and Brandon.  "Hello, sir," Jamie said anxiously.  He and Brandon had
watched from the window as Bob encountered Eddie, then Finn and Nate.

Mark sat down next to Brandon and ruffled his hair.  "How goes it, genius?"

Brandon managed a watery smile behind his black-rimmed glasses.  "OK, I
guess, sir."

"Now listen to me, Brandon," Mark said gently.  "First of all nobody is
getting fired around here, least of all you.  Everyone loves you and
respects the work you do.  As you probably know, Bob is going through a
rough patch right now and giving everyone a hard time.  You and the boys
are just collateral damage.  But it'll pass.  So just keep your head down
and get on with your work, but take a rest anytime you feel like it.
That's why I took Jamie up to the shack."

"Thank you, sir, but I'm fine.  Better now you and Jamie are back, sir.
Oh, there's Randy just come through the gate, sir.  Must have come back
from work in the lunch break."

"Ah, just the guy I wanna see.  Mark went to the door, looked over his
shoulder and grinned, "Hang in there, guys."

********************************

RANDY HAS A SOLUTION

"Hey there, officer," Randy grinned, giving Mark a vise-like handshake.
Damn you're looking good.  The sun and surf must have agreed with you –
that and your sexy young surfer."

"Yeah we had a great time, and that boy of yours seems to have buried the
hatchet with Darius."

"And not between his shoulder blades, eh?" Randy grinned. "That was touch
and go for a while."

"Surprising what a night of fucking will do to chase the blues away."

"Tell me about it," Randy said.  "I was hoping to do the same with Bob but
... man I need to talk to you about him.  They sat at a small table in a
quiet corner of the garden and Mark said, "Randy, what the hell's going on
with Bob?  He's like a bull on a rampage, giving everyone hell. He had
young Brandon in tears."

"Dammit, Mark, he's working too hard.  I tell him to chill out but he seems
to think everything around here is his responsibility and I'm afraid he's
cracking under the burden.  It's why I came home now.  I'll go up and have
a serious talk to him.  Maybe try a dose of that remedy Pablo and Darius
used in bed.  Worked for them," Randy grinned.

"Yeah but be careful, buddy.  I've seen plenty of burnout and it takes tact
and delicate handling."

"And you could hardly describe me as tactful and delicate, eh, bro?  Don't
worry, Bob and me speak the same language, especially in bed.  I'll calm
him down."

Mark watched Randy go, fearing that the big gypsy might do just the
opposite.

******************************

RANDY'S `SOLUTION' BACKFIRES

When Randy walked into the master bedroom he found Bob in the same place
Mark had found him – hunched over his laptop.  Bob looked quickly over
his shoulder and grunted, "What brings you home at this time of day?"

"Well, the twin's lunch for one thing.  Better than the chow on the site."
That attempt at levity fell flat as Bob carried on working.  Randy came up
behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.  "Buddy, the real reason I came
home is I wanna talk to you.  Can you just stop working for a minute?"

"No I can't.  This stuff's gotta get done.  And your interruptions don't
help, Randy.  Leave me alone."  He shrugged Randy's hand off him and Randy
flared up. "Dammit, man, you can't brush me off like that.  I'm not one of
those boys out there you're treating like shit these days.  They have no
way to retaliate, but this is me, dude, and you're damn well gonna listen
to me."

Bob spun his chair round.  "What part of `leave me alone' don't you
understand, Randy?  I'm working under a lot of pressure, but you just don't
get it.  It's like we're speaking a different language. Just get the fuck
away from me."

"Fuck you, man, you need to chill out.  I know what you need to make you
relax.  Maybe we are talking a different language, but there's one language
we both understand.  This!"  Randy grabbed the neck of Bob's T-shirt,
yanked it up over his head and tossed it aside.

"What the fuck ...?"  Bob sprang to his feet shirtless, eyes blazing with
anger.

"Yeah," Randy grinned, "that's the look I know.  Turns me on like the day
we first met in that motel room.  And now you're gonna get what I gave you
then."

"You can't solve everything with a caveman fuck, Randy ..."

"Wanna bet?"  Randy grabbed Bob round the waist, lifted him up and flung
him on the bed. Momentarily stunned Bob felt Randy pull off his loafers,
then yank down his jeans and he was naked on his back before he could
react.  With lightning reflexes Randy followed up by kneeling over his
waist and pinning his hands to the bed with his knees.

"Son of a bitch," Bob yelled.  "Have you gone crazy?  That's the trouble
with you, Randy, you're an animal, brute force settles everything."

"Only language you understand right now, buddy."  In the back of his mind
Randy recalled Mark's words ... `it takes tact and delicate handling'
... but fuck that noise, he was way beyond that.  He pulled off the greasy
tank-top he wore at work, ripped open his grubby jeans and yanked out his
massive cock.

Bob snarled, "Oh yeah, here it comes, the almighty club.  You really are a
piece of work, man, letting your dick think for you."

"And you love it, big guy, always have.  Don't struggle, dude, you know I
always win."

In a series of expert moves Randy flipped Bob over on his stomach and used
his discarded tank to tie his wrists behind his back.  Bob did struggle but
he knew from the past that when the powerful muscular gypsy was in this
mood it was useless to resist.

Randy flipped him over face-up again and gazed down at him.  "Fuck you're
gorgeous.  But your problem right now is you're a basket case, a tight-ass.
And there's one sure way to loosen a tight ass ... you need a deep-tissue
massage.  Coming right up, stud."

Randy spat on his cock, pushed Bob's legs back and pressed his cock between
his ass cheeks.  "Here it comes, dude. Just what you need.  Never fails."

"Aaagh!"  Bob howled and strained to free his wrists behind his back as
Randy's shaft penetrated his ass.  Randy stared down at the struggling
hunk, his shoulders, biceps and chest bulging with the effort to get free.

"Man, you look so fucking gorgeous like that.  My cock feels so damn hot in
your ass.  Here comes that deep-tissue massage, buddy."

Randy's version of a massage was more like a piston driving in and out of
Bob's ass as he leaned forward, curled his hands round Bob's biceps and
pressed them hard on the bed.  Bob was Randy's captive as he had been so
often before.  It had always excited him but this time he resented it.  He
refused to get hypnotized by those blue eyes, to be trapped in the dark
gypsy's sexual magnetism.

As he pounded ass Randy bent down and clamped his lips over Bob's groaning
mouth in a ferocious kiss.  Again Bob struggled and finally wrenched his
mouth away.  "Get off me, you son of a bitch," Bob yelled, but Randy
grinned, thinking it was all part of the protest act.  He looked down at
Bob's cock and, as he expected, it was rock hard.  Some things never
changed.

Bob knew it to and it only stoked his resentment.  But as he lay helpless
he stared up at the dark chiseled features, square stubbled jaw and shaggy
black hair and felt himself falling under the spell of those piercing blue
eyes.

"No!" he yelled, fighting against it.  "I hate this ... hate you fucking
me.  You're hurting me."

But Randy increased the force and speed of his pile-driving shaft and
panted, "Only one way to end this, buddy and you know what it is.  Your
hands are tied so you gotta do it hands-free like you always do."

"Mother fucker!" Bob howled, but his resistance weakened, trapped in those
eyes that lured him into their private enchanted world in spite of himself.
"No!" he screamed again, knowing he was beaten.  "Fuck you ... fuck
... fuck ... NO ...!"  His cock erupted in a stream of semen that he
couldn't hold back as it poured over his abs and chest.

"Works every time, dude," Randy grinned as his muscles flexed and he
blasted warm jizz deep inside the struggling superman.  But as his cock
drained a look of confused revulsion came over Bob's face that Randy had
never seen before.  He quickly freed Bob's hands and pulled out of his ass.

Bob pushed him off him violently and leapt off the bed.  As he pulled on
his jeans he snarled, "I told you to stop, man.  I didn't want it, it
disgusts me, I disgust myself.  I feel trapped – nothing but work, this
tribe and getting butt-fucked by you.  Is that all I am?  I'm lost, I don't
know myself anymore.  And there's no way out."

Stunned and disoriented Randy said, "Man that's too deep for me.  You're
freaking me out, buddy, coming unglued.  You're totally losing the plot,
dude, you need a shrink ... you need my brother Doc Steve."

"Yeah, yeah that's it," Bob said wild-eyed, clutching at straws.  "I need
Steve.  I'll go now."  He pulled on his shirt and loafers.  "I gotta get
away from here, from you, from everything."

"I'll come with you."

"No!  I need to be alone.  I'll be OK.  I know the way to Steve's."  And
without looking back he left the room, walked out to his Mercedes and drove
up the hill.

"Frantically Randy called Steve.  His house manager Tommy answered and put
Steve on.  Breathlessly Randy described what had happened and blamed
himself of pushing Bob too far.

"OK, Randy, I'll take care of this.  Sounds like a panic attack.  From
everything I've heard it's a classic case of burnout.  I was hoping it
wouldn't get this bad but I couldn't intervene until Bob admitted he needed
help, which it seems he's doing by coming to see me.  And Randy, this is
not about you and it's not your fault.  Sure, you may not be Mr. Tact and
Finesse, but it would have come sooner or later anyway.

"Please don't worry, bro, I'll take it from here.  And to put your mind at
rest I'll have Tommy call you as soon as Bob gets here so you'll know he's
safe.  I suggest you go have a stiff drink with Mark and Zack.  And do your
best to keep everyone calm down there.  Just tell them he's up here with me
and I'll keep you posted, OK?"

"Thanks, bro.  I do feel a bit shook up.  That drink sounds like a good
idea."

****************************

DOCTOR STEVE

Steve briefed Tommy on what was happening.  "As always we keep everything
calm and professional, OK?  You know the drill Tommy, no sense of
drama. Right now Bob needs to feel safe, and a sense of routine will help.
And when Bob's with me in my office please call Randy and let him know Bob
got here safely, right?"

"Right, sir." Tommy smiled.  "Business as usual."

Soon the gate bell sounded and Tommy buzzed Bob in.  He went out to meet
Bob's Mercedes as it pulled up at the door.  Bob got out and said, "Tommy,
I'm sorry to barge in on you like this but I wonder if Steve has time to
..."

"Of course, sir," Tommy smiled serenely, "Steve is waiting for you.  Randy
called and alerted us that you were coming.  Follow me, sir, and if you
need anything, a drink or anything, I'll be happy to oblige."

"Thanks, Tommy."  Bob went into the office where Steve was standing waiting
for him.  They shook hands and Steve pulled him into a hug.  Bob clung to
him and Steve could feel his body trembling.  As Tommy was closing the door
Steve said, "Brandy I think, please Tommy."

They sat in armchairs facing each other and Tommy brought the tray with
brandy and glasses and set it on the table between them.  He left quietly,
Steve poured the brandy and raised his glass.  "Cheers, Bob," Steve smiled.
"You're quite safe now, nice and private, and I want you to let me take
care of everything.  OK, in your own time.  Tell me all about it."

Like any good shrink Steve let Bob do all the talking.  Incoherently at
first but gaining in confidence Bob poured it all out, the pressure he
felt, the workload, the weight of the burden on his shoulders, the way he
had treated everyone and the scene with Randy.  He ended by echoing his own
words to Randy.

"I feel trapped, Steve.  I'm lost, I don't know myself anymore.  And
there's no way out.  Am I losing my mind, doc?"

Steve chuckled, "In a way yes, Bob.  But nothing I haven't seen in
countless other men."  Steve had listened intently and watched as Bob
talked.  He noted the vacant look in his eyes, his fidgeting hands, the
tense hunch of his shoulders.  Yes, all things he had seen before.

"As you know, Bob, I've treated a lot of cops who are under strain all the
time on their jobs, and they tell me more or less everything you have told
me.  It's a textbook case of burnout, brought on by overwork, pressure and
increasing anxiety.  In fact, I'm pretty sure what you had with Randy was a
panic attack.  They can be pretty scary, I know."

"So what's the answer, Steve?  You gonna dose me up with a whole bunch of
pills?"

"Well, medication is certainly one way to treat this, but not for you Bob.
There's a much simpler and safer way.  You need a break, Bob, and by that I
mean a complete break.  You have to get away from all the triggers that
bring on the anxiety."

"You mean a vacation, doc?"

"Sure, of one kind or another.  The important thing is to distance yourself
physically from the cause of stress, go somewhere you can be private,
pampered with no connection to work or the tribe for a while."

Bob frowned.  "Steve, I wouldn't wanna go a long distance away.  I think
that would only stress me even more being far away."

"Doesn't have to be far in miles, Bob.  Just private, secluded.  And you'd
have the comfort of knowing that if there were some real emergency, god
forbid, you could be home in minutes."  Steve smiled that knowing smile of
his.  "Actually, I have just the place in mind, where nobody can get at you
... except maybe one person I would nominate as your special personal
assistant assigned only to you."

"And I suppose you have that person in mind too, doc."

"As a matter of fact I do, Bob.  But the healing will take time.  You'll
still get that bleak, empty feeling sometimes, even more panic attacks. But
with a break from work and the loving care of a discreet assistant, I
guarantee you'll eventually be back to your old self.  And, this is
important, I would strongly suggest that you go there directly from here.
Cut the cord right now so to speak.  As the French say, `changer les
idιes' – get a whole new outlook on life, starting now."

"So, go out to the pool now, have a swim, get some sun, while I make some
phone calls and set everything in motion.  And while you're away you can
call me anytime, night or day.  I'll stay in touch and monitor your
progress.  You'll be in my hands."

Bob smiled for the first time.  "No place I'd rather be, Doc."

************************************

THE REFUGE

And so it was that an hour later Bob was driving in the Hollywood Hills
feeling he was in a never-never land, confused and out of touch with
reality.  He questioned whether he was even doing the right thing, but he
had always trusted Steve's judgement before so he drove mechanically to the
place Steve had chosen, a place he knew well.

He found himself at last driving along the private road with high hedges to
a pair of large, solid gates.  He pressed the intercom buzzer and Brian's
cheerful voice said, "Hello, sir, welcome to the Grady House.  We've been
expecting you."

The gates swung open silently, Bob drove through and they closed behind him
with a soft thud.  He had the impression that they had shut out his former
life, that he was entering a whole new world, which in a sense he was.
Steve's prescription had been for a private, secure place and he couldn't
have chosen a better place than this.

Because of Grady's international celebrity as the screen heartthrob
starring in the major movie Tarzan franchise, a totally secure house was
essential for him and his Italian lover Mario.  Paparazzi and press were
absolutely denied access and chased away from the gates of the large,
opulent house.

The perimeter of the sprawling grounds had been secured with fences, high
hedges and cameras by men of the tribe – the cop Mark, Randy and Zack
– and the tribe's men and boys were always welcome, giving the
fun-loving Grady what he desired most, a sense of family, of being just one
of the guys.  If any new man joined the tribe he was always vetted by Mario
before being accepted as a discreet friend.

As Bob pulled up to the garage area Mario came out and greeted him, his
handsome Italian face wreathed in smiles.  He wrapped his arms round Bob as
soon as he exited the car.  "Benvenuto a casa, amico.  Steve called and
told us you need a place to unwind for a while, so you have come to the
right house.  The good doctor of course told us no details of your talk
with him, although naturally we have heard gossip on the grapevine.  So,
for as long as you want, nostra casa θ tua casa, amore.

"Steve told me that this is a low-key visit, so you will not be bothered by
anyone.  It's a quiet time here right now, just Brian and our house manager
Danny and no visitors expected, except your personal assistant who is due
any time now.  Oh, and Seth also who comes to visit Danny but he will not
bother you – they are too wrapped up in each other, mostly in bed,"
Mario smiled.

"Ah and one other person of course ... Grady.  We cannot get rid of him
although we try hard."

Grady came bouncing up looking as sexily macho as ever in his baggy shorts,
loose tank top and sneakers.  He flung his arms round Bob.  "Dude, great to
see you.  I overheard Mario say he's trying to get rid of me, so I guess
you're here to take my place."

The irrepressible Grady always made Bob smile.  "Not hardly, Grady.  I'm
not much good at swinging from trees, I could never match you.  You could
sit in front of the camera in your loincloth just reading the phone book
and the audience would still get a hard-on."

"Talking of cameras," Grady said, "I'm afraid I have to love you and leave
you as I'm about to go to the studio for an all-night shoot.  Tarzan has to
wrestle with an alligator, although I'm happy to say most of it is special
effects.  The alligator in the studio tank is a dummy that Props have made,
a fearsome beast we call Al the Fake, more commonly known as Alf.  So while
you are wining and dining, spare a thought for your old pal Grady thrashing
around with Alf.

Their laughter was interrupted by Brian who wheeled himself up and said,
"Sir, your limo is waiting at the gate.  Here's your backpack."

"Thanks kiddo, and listen, I want you to keep Mario in line.  We have a
special guest and you know Mario sometimes forgets his manners – it's an
Italian thing."  He ruffled Brian's hair then turned to hug Mario.  "As for
you, behave yourself or I might leave you and run away with Alf.  We've
become quite intimate, hugging each other in take after take."

They kissed hungrily then Grady slung his bag over his shoulder and loped
off to his waiting limo.  Bob noticed Mario's misty eyes, the unmistakable
look of love.

"Brian will take you to the main guestroom, amico, where I think you will
be quite comfortable.  Anything you need, anything at all, you just have to
ask.  Later you can have dinner with us or alone in your room, just as you
prefer.  And don't forget, Bob ... everybody loves you."

***********************************

BOB'S ASSISTANT ARRIVES

Bob followed Brian's wheelchair into the elevator and along the
second-floor corridor to his room.  "I think you'll find everything you
need, sir.  And your assistant is expected soon."  Bob muttered his thanks,
vaguely realizing he had not even asked who this assistant would be.

As the door closed behind Brian Bob suddenly felt desperately alone.  What
was he doing here?  How could this reclusive life help him?  The gloom that
had hung over him like a cloud for weeks descended again.  He felt empty,
devoid of any emotion except despair.  He remembered the lighthearted
banter between Grady and Mario and the love in their eyes, but he felt
totally alienated from it.

His thoughts went back to his office and the work he had been immersed in.
He re-ran the figures in his mind and realized he should have given them to
Jamie and Brandon.  They wouldn't be able to cope with the budget without
him.  And then there was Randy and Eddie and Finn and the others who
wouldn't be able to cope without him.

He felt the panic rising again.  He paced the room, his mind confused and
scared.  He had to go back, he couldn't stay here.  He tried desperately to
fight against this new panic attack but he felt he was drowning.  He picked
up the phone to call Steve, tell him this was a bad idea, it wasn't
working.

Just then there was a light knock at the door.  "Yes?" he barked.  And in
came Will.

"Hello, sir.  I'm to be your assistant to take care of you.  Steve called
the twins who asked me to come and take care of you.  I'm to cook your
favorite foods and do whatever you ..."

"Stop!  For god sake stop treating me like a sick child.  I'm leaving here.
I don't need an assistant. I don't need you or anyone else.  Leave me
alone, get the hell out of here."

Startled Will blinked behind his owl glasses and his face flushed red.  "I
... I'm sorry, sir.  I didn't mean to ..."

"I said get out ... go away,"

"Yes, sir, sorry, sir."  Will turned and shuffled slowly toward the door.
Bob winced as he saw the hunch of the boy's shoulders and flashed on the
scared young freckled face.  Will's face ...

"Will ... wait.  Please."

Will turned and was shocked to see tears flowing down Bob's cheeks.  Bob
opened his arms and Will stumbled into them.  Together they sat on the bed,
Bob holding onto Will like a lifebelt, his body racked with sobs.  Will
just held on tight, instinctively knowing not to say or do anything.  He
just waited for Bob to stop shaking and calm down.

When the sobs died away at last Will pulled back a little and licked the
tears from Bob's cheeks.  Bob stammered disjointedly, "I ... I'm sorry,
Will, for shouting at you like that.  I'm sorry for the boys ... Eddie,
Brandon and all the boys I ... did you know I made Brandon cry?  I'm sorry
for Randy and Mark and ... I used to love them but something happened and
... I don't think I do anymore.  I don't think I can.  I've forgotten how
to love, Will."

"That's why I'm here, sir, to help you and love you."

Bob's face clouded.  "Is that what they told you to say?  `Remember to say
you love him'?"

"No, sir, of course not.  I don't have to remember stuff like that, sir.  I
... just do.  I do love you, sir, and I hate to see you sad."

Bob gazed into the earnest face, the honest, unassuming look of love, so
simple and direct, the very opposite of his own tortured soul.  And his
stony heart softened."

"You ... you say the twins sent you to help me?"

"Yes, sir.  I think it was Doc Steve's idea, sir.  Not sure why he chose me
though, sir."

Bob smiled through his tears.  "I think I do, Will.  In fact I'm sure of
it.  The doc always knows what he's doing.  So you're to stay here in the
Grady House, is that it?"

"Yes, sir, I'm to be your personal assistant.  Like I said, I'll take care
of you, cook your favorite meals, give you whatever you want, sir.  I think
I'll be good at that."

Bob smiled, "I'm absolutely sure you will, kiddo.  Have they assigned a
room to you?"

"Yes, sir, the guest room next to Brian's, although Brian will be sleeping
with Mario tonight.  He always does that when Grady's away on a night
shoot.

Bob hesitated.  "Will, I have a favor to ask.  Would you mind sharing my
bed tonight?"

Will beamed.  "Mind, sir?  I would love to sleep with you.  I don't think
we've ever done that sir ... you know, just you and me.  It would be an
honor."

"Will, I don't want it to be an honor ... I just want you to want it.  And
while we're at it, I won't call you my assistant while we're here – too
formal.  I just want you to be my friend.  Maybe you can teach me how to
love again."

"No problem with the friend thing, sir," Will grinned.  "I'm that already.
But as for love, I don't think you can teach love, sir.  It just sorta
happens, don't you think? "

"Yes, yes I do Will."  Bob sighed deeply.  "You know, Will, suddenly I feel
really, really tired.  I'm bushed.  So I think I'll sleep for a while.
And, er ..."

"You want me to sleep with you, sir?"

"You read my mind, kid."

"Oh, the twins taught me that's what you have to do to give real good
service, to read the other guy's mind and antipi ... antipis ...

"Anticipate?" Bob smiled

"Yeah, that's the one, sir ... anticipate his needs.  Do you want me to
take my clothes off, sir?"

"I think that would be very nice, Will.  And I will too if you don't mind."

"Go for it, sir."

**********************************

THE EXPERIMENT

A few minutes later they were lying like spoons, Will on his side with his
back pressed against Bob whose arms were wrapped round him.  Bob clung on
to the one thing he could be sure of right now – the honest, loving
young redhead nestled up against him.

But as so often happens with exhaustion, especially mental exhaustion,
overtiredness can make it hard to fall asleep, the mind still buzzing with
jumbled thoughts.  Will, who wasn't really tired at all, waited to hear
Bob's heavy breathing of deep sleep ... but it never came.  Instead Bob
tossed and turned.

"Sir, are you asleep yet?"

"Not yet, Will.  Can't switch my mind off."

"Well can I ask you something?  You know we said that you can't teach
someone how to love, it just has to just happen.  Well, sir, what about
making love?  Do you think that helps a guy to find his way to love?"

Bob pulled Will over to face him.  "Hm, that's a good question, kiddo.
Making love, eh?  Well, I guess it can be sort of a first step."

A long silence followed as Bob affectionately watched Will's frowning face
try to make sense of it all.  "Well, sir, if that's true, and as I'm here
to help you sir, what if we ..."

"... made love, Will?"

"Only as a sort of experiment, sir ... see if it works."

Bob smiled at Will's open, honest enthusiasm, then leaned forward and
kissed him gently.  "Well kiddo, we could sure give it a try."

Will's freckled face broke into an urchin smile – and that did it.  Bob
kissed him again, harder this time, an open-mouthed tongue-searching kiss
that Will returned eagerly.  Bob kissed his cheeks, his forehead, his eyes
and Will murmured, "I really do love you, sir.  But one of the saddest
things is when one guy loves someone but the other guy don't love him back.
It's not, er, reprisc ... resip ..."

"Reciprocal?" Bob smiled.

"Yeah that's the one, sir."

"Well maybe we can do something about that.  That experiment of yours –
the making love thing."

"Yeah, but we gotta do it right.  I mean, if there's fucking involved I
think it's best if you fuck me don't you think?  Brian told me he always
leaves a jar of lube by every bed in the house, just in case."

"And presto, there it is," Bob said nodding to the bedside table.  He got
up on his knees and Will rolled over so he was facing Bob's semi-hard dick.
First things first, sir, I gotta make you hard by sucking your cock."

Bob smiled, "Actually I don't need lessons in how to fuck, Will.  It's the
love part I'm having trouble with."

"That's what I said, sir, first things first.  Fuck first, love later
... with any luck.  I've always found that it helps to ..."

"Will," Bob smiled indulgently, "maybe a bit less talk and more action?"

"You're right, sir, that's what Eddie always says, though he's a fine one
to talk `cos once that mouth gets going it's yak, yak, yak and ... oops,
there I go again.  OK, action.  I'm good at this `cos Eddie taught me and
..."  He came to a muffled halt as he closed his mouth round Bob's cock and
pushed his face down till it was buried in Bob's wiry pubic hair.

Will was right about one thing – he was good at this, and Bob sighed as
the boy clenched his throat muscles round his cock, then pulled back
slowly, opened his mouth and breathed warm air over the stiffening cock.
He looked down at the shock of red hair moving up and down and it was
affection for the boy as much as the cock-sucking that made his cock hard
now.

He realized that he had not had an erection for weeks, except when Randy
hammered his ass earlier today and made him climax against his will.  But
that had been a bitter force-fuck and even though his cock had responded
his mind had been repelled.  This was totally different, this sweet boy,
his `assistant', giving him instructions and doing his best to help him
back to love.

Suddenly, more than anything, he wanted to make love to Will's ass.  Gently
he pulled his cock out of Will's mouth and said, "I think the first part of
the experiment worked, kiddo.  Now you know where this dick is going?"

"In my ass, I bet, sir," Will grinned.  "Or I hope it is."  Will scrambled
to get on his back, he hooked his hand behind his knees and pulled his legs
back, offering his ass to the man with the body and face of Superman.  Bob
reached for the lube jar, greased up his cock and leaned forward over Will
between his legs.  "You ready, Will?"

"Dream come true, sir."  Bob laughed, pressed the head of his cock against
the soft ginger hair round Will's butt and slowly, tenderly eased his cock
inside.  "Aaah" Will sighed and gazed up at the beautiful muscle-god
leaning over him as his cock filled his ass.  He saw the sad, opaque eyes
clear as life returned to them, the kind brown eyes he had always loved.

"Hello, sir," Will grinned.  "Welcome back, sir.  I think it's working,
don't you?"

"I reckon so," Bob smiled, "'cos now I can truthfully say I love you, Will,
and I want to make love to your ass."

And so he did, sliding his cock deep inside Will, caressing the soft velvet
membrane of the young ass, feeling warmth return to his own body that had
been cold for so long.  Will reached up and stroked Bob's neck, his
shoulders, hard pecs and abs.  "You are so beautiful sir.  You know it all
has to come right because everyone loves you so much.  You could yell at
them all day long but they would never stop loving you, sir."

"I hope my yelling days are over, Will.  All I wanna do now is make love to
my boy."

The tender fuck went on and on as Will finally fell silent and wallowed in
the ecstatic feeling of this amazing man's cock filling his ass.  Bob's
deep brown eyes smiled down at him as he tweaked Will's nipples, then bent
down and kissed him while he fucked him.

Finally Will had to break his silence.  "Sir, I don't think I can hold back
anymore, sir.  I think I'm gonna cum.  `Fact, I know I am ... oh dear
... It feels so good, I ... aaah!"  He sighed deeply as his cock spurted
semen all over his lithe young body.  That beautiful sight helped Bob
recall what love felt like and his cock responded with an outpouring of
juice that flooded the ass of this sweet boy who had the wisdom of
innocence.

The freckled face smiled up at him.  "I'd say the experiment was a success,
sir, wouldn't you?"

"A home run, kiddo.  I love you Will."

"That's reciprocal, sir."  He giggled.  "See ... I got it right."

*******************************

BOB WRITES A NOTE TO THE TRIBE

"You know, I don't feel tired anymore," Bob said as their heartbeats
subsided.

"Are you back in the land of the living, sir?"

"I wouldn't go that far, kiddo. Steve said it will be a while before I'm
back to the way I was and there'll be stumbles along the way.  That's why I
still need you with me.  Can you stay at the Grady House with me?

"Of course sir, it would be an honor.  Oh, I'm not s'posed to say that am
I?  How about, it'll be a pleasure?"

"Much better," Bob grinned.  "Now today for example.  I don't think I can
handle small talk with anyone else right now, so do you think we could have
dinner up here, just you and me?"

"Sure thing, sir.  I'll cook it and serve it myself."

"I need to ask you another favor too.  I'll give you a list of the few
things I need from the house, just clothes and things – no laptop.  So
could you run down there and pick them up for me?  The twins know where
everything is.  Also, I'm gonna write a note for you to give to Randy.  Ask
him to read it to all the other guys at dinner tonight.

"Then hurry back up here.  Mario says things will be pretty quiet here all
week – just him and Grady, Brian and Danny."

"Plus my dad Seth, sir.  He comes to visit Danny ... but you don't have to
see him."

"No, I'd like to, Will.  Haven't seen much of big Seth lately.  Maybe you,
me and your dad can spend some time together.  You know, have a meal, kick
back ... whatever.  Might do me good."

Bob wrote his list and the note for Randy and gave them to Will.  Hurry
back now, kiddo.  I need you here.  I didn't realize how much until now."

"I guess Doc Steve knew though, sir.  I'm real glad he chose me."

*******************************

THE NOTE

Later that evening, long after Will had delivered his note and left the
compound, the whole tribe gathered for dinner.  The day's events were
common knowledge and they were all anxious about Bob.

Before the meal started Randy stood up and said, "Er, listen up guys.  Bob
has sent me a note that he asked me to read to all of you.  Here goes.

"Hi, guys.  As most of you know from the grapevine I've been having a few
problems lately and I won't be with you for a week or so.  I went to see
Doc Steve and he prescribed a temporary break from work and the house
routine, so I'm staying quietly up at the Grady House with Will who's gonna
take care of me. Thanks, twins, for letting him come.  He's already
teaching me how to love again.

"You won't be hearing much from me so I wanted to just say this to you now.
You all know I've been a bear these last few weeks and I want to apologize
for that.  I especially want to say sorry to the boys I was so mean to –
Brandon, Eddie, Finn, Nate and to everyone else I flared up at.  I am
ashamed of the way I behaved to you guys, `cos I love you all so much,
you're my family.  Try to forgive me, and I know you will all pull together
to keep things running in my absence."

Randy hesitated at this point.  "Er, then there's some personal stuff that
you don't wanna hear." They all protested, "We do ... read it to us
... read it all."

Randy shrugged.  "OK, here goes.  And to you, Randy, I owe the biggest
apology.  I was cruel and insulted you, saying things I didn't mean.  I
hope you know, buddy, that I would never willingly hurt you `cos I love you
– you are the love of my life.  I hope you can forgive me, and when I
come home I'll make it up to you, dude, that's a promise.  I love you, man.

"So that's all for now.  Be loving to each other while I'm gone, as I love
you all and always will.  Your old pal, Bob."

Tears were running down Randy's cheeks as he folded the letter.  There was
a silent pause then cheers suddenly broke out as Mark and Zack stood up and
hugged Randy.

Finally he broke free, wiped the back of his hand across his tear-stained
face and said loudly, "So you heard what Bob said, guys.  He wants us to
pull together and keep everything running as always.  I want this place to
be looking perfect when he comes home ... `cos he's the boss, and our
friend and ... and the man I love."

As he sat down there were renewed cheers – and hardly any dry eyes
around the table.

*********************************

TO BE CONTINUED in "A Trial Of Strength" – Chapter 472


Hey guys, this is Rob Williams.  I hope that chapter got you off, and I
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