

BOYSTOWN

Season One

Jake Biondi

**BOYSTOWN Season One**

Jake Biondi

Copyright 2014 by Jake Biondi

Smashwords Edition

©2014 Jake Biondi

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Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Start of Book

Episode #1

The emergency room should have been busier, but it wasn't. Saturday night at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood was typically quite a sight -- all the usual unusuals. But the ER was quiet as Joyelle Mancini checked her cell phone for the umpteenth time. She shoved the phone into her scrubs pocket and headed back to the nurses' station. Her baggy, blue scrubs covered her gorgeous body and only those who knew her outside of the workplace were aware of her model-like physique. She was certainly modest, but enjoyed the compliments she regularly received on a night out on the town.

"Nothing?" Joyelle's coworker at the admittance desk asked.

"Nope. Just checked again."

"I'm sure his flight is probably just delayed a bit. You know O'Hare. Don't worry, sweetie." She smiled and Joyelle continued on toward the nurses' station. Everyone knew that it was Joyelle's fifth wedding anniversary, and she was anxiously awaiting word from her husband that he was safely back in Chicago from his business trip in Boston.

She passed the nurses' station, patted her hand on the counter twice to get the attention of her colleague, mumbled "I'll be right back," and headed outside. As she approached the doors, they opened automatically, and she stepped outside into the cool autumn air. Usually loud with ambulance sirens, the area was eerily quiet and Joyelle took a deep breath. She loved Chicago in autumn: the crisp air, the bright gold and orange leaves of the trees, and the dramatic waves of Lake Michigan. Winter would be here before she knew it, and Joyelle had learned long ago to make the most of Chicago's short fall seasons.

Joyelle first met Derek about seven years earlier at their five-year college reunion. She had never known him when they were both undergrads at the University of Michigan, but they were introduced by mutual friends at a dinner event during their reunion weekend. For her, it was love at first sight. He had boyish good looks and a great physique beneath his perfectly fitted suit. They talked all night over cocktails as if they had known each other for years. He had played varsity baseball at Michigan, earned both his BBA and JD there, and worked at a law firm based in Chicago with clients all over the country. She tried to impress him not only with her beauty, but her brains as well. She was articulate, sophisticated, and driven -- and she spoke with compassion and empathy about her patients.

Over time, they learned more about each other and their families. They fell deeply in love and five years ago this very night, they were married at a lovely autumn ceremony at Chicago's Botanic Gardens. Married life seemed to suit them well. They carefully balanced their careers with their personal lives, enjoying friends in their Lakeview neighborhood and beyond. Joyelle hated that Derek's job took him out of town often, but kept her concerns to herself because she appreciated the income it produced.

Joyelle glanced at her wedding ring as it sparkled in the autumn moonlight. They had designed their own wedding rings. People always commented on them because they were so unique -- intertwined bands of different colored gold with the diamonds interspersed throughout the design.

Joyelle then checked her phone one more time for texts or missed calls. She put it away, took one last breath of the night air, and returned to the emergency room to complete her shift. Optimistic, she still hoped that they could celebrate their anniversary at least a little bit once her shift ended and he landed in Chicago safely.

Unlike Chicago, Boston was experiencing a severe storm that night. Frequent lightning lit the Boston skyline, but that wasn't why Derek was late arriving in Chicago. Music from an iPod next to the room's bed drowned out the sound of rain pounding against the hotel window. Lightning illuminated the otherwise dark bedroom, revealing the contours of Derek's muscled body as he rolled back on top of Cole O'Brien.

Derek looked into Cole's eyes and smiled, shoving his tongue down Cole's throat. Clinging to Derek as if he would never let go, Cole dug his toes into the back of Derek's calves and cupped Derek's tight ass with his hands. Derek's tongue moved down Cole's neck, then back up along his jaw line to his ear.

In some ways, Cole's body reminded Derek of what his used to be. While Cole was completely smooth, his muscled chest, arms, and thighs were reminiscent of the hard body Derek had during his days playing baseball at Michigan. His body was still great, but Cole's had a youthfulness that made it even more appealing.

Cole playfully nibbled on Derek's chin and smiled. He flipped over on top of Derek, sitting across his hips and looking down at Derek's hairy chest. He leaned forward and put his lips on Derek's nipple, carefully biting the tip. Derek twitched momentarily and then laughed, "Oh, no, you don't!"

Derek pinned Cole down. The smile left Derek's face as he reached over to the nightstand to grab some lube and a condom, which he quickly pulled on. He once again kissed Cole and pulled Cole's legs over his shoulders.

"Yes," Cole whispered as he grabbed Derek's butt and pulled Derek inside of him.

Derek thrust hard and Cole's face turned red. The tips of his blond hair stuck to the sweat forming on his forehead. Cole's toes curled as Derek's hard dick pumped into his hole. The thrusts were long and penetrating, while Cole's own hard dick was sandwiched between their hard abs.

"Fuck, I'm close," Derek whispered.

"Stay inside me....please," Cole begged, but Derek took orders from no one. He continued to thrust as his entire body tensed up. "Please," Cole pleaded once again, but Derek swiftly pulled his cock from inside Cole, tore off the condom, and shot his load all over Cole's smooth chest. "Oh, God," Cole moaned as his own load mixed with Derek's.

Derek collapsed onto Cole, kissing him and rolling over onto his back next to his conquest. He took several deep breaths as he looked up at the strange shadows the lightning cast across the hotel room ceiling. "Fuck..."

"You rock," Cole stated as he planted a kiss on Derek's chest. He ran his fingers through the mixed cum on his chest, making a random design.

"Looks like you need a towel," Derek said, smiling as he hopped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Cole enviously watched his ass as it disappeared behind the bathroom door. Derek tossed Cole a towel and closed the door completely.

After cleaning his chest and stomach, Cole sat up and flipped his legs over the side of the bed. He pulled on a pair of Notre Dame shorts and shoved his toes into some flip flops. Standing up, he walked to the window. It was still raining.

"Oh fuck!" Derek yelled as he ran back into the bedroom. "I'm gonna miss my flight." Derek scanned the room for his pants and shirt. He pulled on his pants and sat down to put on his socks. Cole crawled across the bed and wrapped his arms around Derek's back, kissing his neck. Derek smiled and continued to put on his shoes. Then Derek stood up and pulled on his shirt. "Notre Dame? Really?" Derek quipped as he caught a glance of Cole's shorts.

"Yup. So?"

"I went to Michigan," Derek explained. "Notre Dame sucks."

Cole smiled back at Derek without comment.

"What are you doing in Boston anyway? You said you're still in school."

"I'm graduating early, in a few weeks. Job interview here."

"Oh, cool. Good luck with that," Derek said as he pulled on his suit coat. "I gotta grab a cab."

"When's your flight?"

"I think I missed it. Fuck."

"Before you go, can I get your number?" Cole asked. He smiled, then bit his lip.

"I told you. Can't do that."

"Aw, come on," Cole pleaded.

"Look, these two days have been awesome. Hot, even. But I have to go back to my life. You do, too." Derek leaned in to kiss Cole quickly on the lips. "Thanks, man." And Derek was out the door and gone.

"Ya, thanks," Cole mumbled to himself. He walked over to the mirror on the wall and checked himself out.

Letting out a sigh, he returned to the window to contemplate the storm. As he walked across the room, the lightning reflected off something shiny half-buried in the carpet. He knelt down to take a closer look and picked up a ring. It was both gold and silver with a series of small diamonds in it. Cole turned toward the hotel room door, then looked back at the ring. He examined it more closely and slipped it on his finger.

In Chicago, Derek's younger brother Emmett Mancini attended a housewarming party with friends in the Uptown neighborhood. He was similar in stature to his older brother Derek, with lighter hair and a youthful face. Emmett had stood up for Derek as best man at his wedding and had learned to love Joyelle as the sister he never had. They enjoyed spending time with each other, even when Derek wasn't around, and Joyelle had been extremely supportive of Emmett's relationship with Keith Colgan.

Twenty-five-year-old Keith and twenty-eight–year-old Emmett had been together for about as long as Joyelle and Derek had been married. They met at a party much like the one they were attending that night. Emmett immediately assumed that Keith was out of his league, only to discover that Keith had the same impression of him. Looking back on that misunderstanding always made them smile. Together, they made a handsome, somewhat quirky couple.

Keith and Emmett were attending the party with their good friends, Maxwell Taylor and Logan Pryce, who were in their mid-forties. A tall, handsome black man, Max was a Chicago native as was Logan, who was slightly shorter than Max and had sandy blond hair. Standing next to one another, they seemed like the odd couple. Outgoing and athletic, Max dominated any room he entered, while Logan had a quiet, polite presence that often blended into the background. Yet their relationship had lasted nearly ten years, longer than anyone had first expected.

"This is a nice place," Max said, taking a gulp of his beer.

"If you like IKEA," Keith laughed. "Not exactly my style."

Emmett elbowed his boyfriend.

"I'm just saying."

"You gonna join the conversation?" Max asked Logan, who, as usual, was standing outside the group's circle.

Logan smiled and finished the rest of his wine. "I'll be back," Logan stated, heading through the crowd to the bar.

Max sighed, as Todd Smith, the owner of the house, worked his way over to the group.

"Hey boys," Todd said with a smile. "What do you think?"

"Great place," Emmett stated. "Thanks for having us."

"Amazing what one million can get you, eh?" Todd laughed, putting his arm around Keith.

"In Uptown," Keith mumbled not so quietly.

Todd turned to Keith. "This is Ravenswood."

"Of course it is, dear," Keith commented sarcastically with a smile, drinking his vodka.

"Hey!" Emmett said, redirecting the conversation. "Can you show me where the bathroom is?" Emmett turned Todd in his direction, away from Keith.

"Sure, come on," Todd replied, leading Emmett away from the group, but not before Emmett could roll his eyes at Keith.

As Todd and Emmett left the area, Keith pulled Max closer to him.

Logan returned with another cocktail and joined the huddle as well. "What's up?" he asked.

"I got it," Keith said, reaching into his pocket.

"It?" Max asked.

Keith pulled out a small box. He took another step closer to his friends before opening it.

"Holy shit," Max gasped as Keith opened the box, revealing a beautiful platinum wedding band. "You're going to ask him to marry you!"

Keith nodded, smiling widely. "Uh huh."

"Oh wow," Logan whispered, grabbing the box to take a closer look.

"Does he have any idea?" Max asked.

"I don't think so," Keith replied, closing the box and returning it to his pocket.

"When?"

"Thanksgiving is coming up. I'll do it then."

"Here he comes," Max whispered, changing the subject as Emmett returned to the group. "You guys wanna head out?"

"What time is it, midnight?" Keith asked.

"What were you thinking?" Emmett said as he hit Keith in the arm. "Uptown? You really had to go there with him?"

"I couldn't help it," Keith replied. "He's so smug sometimes."

"Should we head out?" Max repeated, looking at Logan.

"Fine by me," Emmett stated. "Otherwise, this one may have time to start another argument with our host!"

Keith kissed Emmett. "You know you love me."

"Todd's near the stairs," Emmett said. "We can say goodbye on the way out." Emmett headed toward the door.

Keith and Max followed, while Logan chugged his drink.

"Leaving already?" Todd asked as the four reached him at the top of the stairs. "It's early."

"Gotta be up early in the morning," Max explained. "Thanks for having us. Great party." Max kissed Todd on the cheek.

"And great place," Emmett added, giving Todd a kiss as well.

"Bye, dear," Keith said.

The guys made their way down the narrow staircase to the condo foyer with Keith leading the way as usual. As Emmett and Max reached the marble room at the bottom of the stairs, they were startled by a horrific sound. Before they knew what was going on, they saw Logan hitting the ground face down. His limp body hit the white marble floor and remained motionless. Blood crept across the tile floor as the other three turned in horror and rushed to him.

Todd bounded down the stairs and stopped halfway, looking down on Logan. "Oh, my God! Is he okay?"

Max knelt down next to his boyfriend. "He's okay. He tripped down the stairs."

"He passed out," Keith said.

"Let me call 911," Todd offered as other guests gathered at the top of the stairs.

"No, no," Max said. "He's bleeding from his nose, that's all."

Todd handed him a cocktail napkin, and he wiped Logan's face.

"It's a cut on the bridge of his nose," Emmett stated. "Those bleed like crazy."

"It could be broken," Todd said, as guests passed him a few kitchen towels to give to Max.

"Logan! Logan!" Max called, shaking his partner to wake him up.

Keith grabbed Logan's left arm and lifted him up.

"He'll be okay, guys." Emmett tried to reassure the guests staring down from the top of the stairs.

"You should take him to the ER," Todd urged.

"We may," Max replied as he helped Keith lift Logan.

"I'm okay, I'm okay." Logan slurred his words.

Emmett got on his knees to wipe up the foyer floor quickly.

Max wiped Logan's face again and, together, Max and Keith helped Logan out of the building's front door.

Max turned back to Todd. "I'm sorry."

"Are you sure he's okay? I can drive you to the ER."

"Thanks, man. We're good." Emmett followed Max, Keith, and Logan outside and hailed a taxicab right away.

Max and Keith struggled to get Logan into the back of the cab. He was moaning and mumbling.

"We'll go with you to get him home," Emmett said.

"No, no. I got him," Max replied. "It's a quick ride home. Sorry about your shirt." He pointed to the blood on Emmett's chest.

"Oh, please, not to worry. You sure you got him?"

"We're good. Thanks," Max said as he got into the cab next to Logan and gave the cab driver his home address.

"We'll check on you in a bit," Keith added as the cab drove away.

The cab ride home was a quick one. Logan moaned and complained of pain all the way as Max held a napkin to the bridge of his nose. Worry and frustration filled Max as he cradled his boyfriend in the back of the cab. Max had been concerned about Logan's drinking for a while, but nothing this horrible had ever resulted from Logan being over served. When the cab pulled up in front of their home, Max paid the cab driver and carried Logan into their condo.

Max helped Logan to the couch in their living room. He propped up his head with a few pillows, then covered him with a blanket. Logan's nose had finally stopped bleeding and didn't appear to be swollen. "I'm okay, I'm okay," Logan mumbled as he drifted in and out of sleep.

"Shh, shh. Just relax," Max said. "I'll be right back. Rest." Max jogged into their bedroom to quickly get out of his blood-covered clothes. He tore off his shirt and fumbled through his drawer for a t-shirt. Then he heard a loud crash.

He raced back into the living room, only to discover the couch where he had left Logan was empty. He looked around the living room, then darted to the bathroom. He found Logan lying on his back on the bathroom floor, his head near the toilet in a pool of blood. "Oh, my God! Logan!"

Outside the condo, it began to rain, but not as hard as it was still raining in Boston. Derek was passing through airport security, having booked himself on another flight home to Chicago. As he removed his belt and shoes prior to entering the metal detector, he reached into his pocket for his wedding ring. It wasn't there. He checked his other suit coat pocket, then his pants pockets -- nothing.

"Please step forward through the detector," the TSA agent urged Derek, who continued to check and double-check his pockets and carry-on for his ring. "Sir, you're holding up the line. Please come on through." Reluctantly, Derek passed through security.

At the same time, Derek's wife Joyelle checked her phone once again. No missed calls, no text messages. She could hear the rain against the ER doors, but otherwise the place was quiet. The emergency room should have been busier, but it wasn't.
Episode #2

Now that the rain had finally stopped, it was the perfect night for a walk. The wet streets and sidewalks glistened in the moonlight and reflected the streetlights high above. Cool air and constantly morphing shadows beckoned people to explore what the night had to offer.

Under the glow of the University of Notre Dame's famed golden dome, Jesse Morgan made his way back toward Dillon Hall, his college home. As Jesse zig-zagged across the massive campus, he took a circuitous route so that he could pass the grotto nestled beneath the basilica.

The grotto was a quiet, peaceful place where visitors stopped to pray and light a candle for a special intention. Made out of large stones, the grotto resembled a small cave filled with flickering candlelight. Whenever he could, Jesse stopped by the grotto to light a candle and reflect. Deep in his heart, a heart he rarely opened to those around him, Jesse secretly prayed that he would one day meet his father, a man he had never known and was not allowed to ask his mother about. From birth, Jesse was the man of the house, and he continued to be at the age of twenty-one, even living in South Bend, Indiana far from his mother.

Jesse paused in front of the grotto, mesmerized by the glow of the moving candle flames. Each time the wind shifted, their dance changed as well. Jesse continued to reflect on the evening and his secret desire to know his father. After some time passed, and the temperature dropped a bit, Jesse continued back to Dillon Hall. His roommate Cole O'Brien was in Boston for a job interview.

Both Jesse and Cole were graduating from Notre Dame a semester early and were racing to obtain jobs they could begin in January. Jesse had a job interview of his own on Monday in Chicago. He was excited about the interview, but nervous as well. His pre-screening telephone interviews with his potential new boss had gone very well and Jesse was invited to travel to Chicago to participate in a series of interviews with other partners at the firm.

Jesse's roommate Cole believed his job interview had gone well, but employment wasn't foremost on his mind that evening. Rather, he was lying on the bed in his Boston hotel room reliving the previous two days that he had spent with Derek Mancini. Cole had never met anyone quite as masculine, quite as passionate, quite as enticing as Derek, and Cole was lost in remembering their lovemaking. He recalled Derek's strong kisses, his athletic body, and the way he forced himself into Cole's tight ass over and over again. As Cole thought about him, he played with Derek's wedding ring which he'd found on the hotel room floor as Derek left in a hurry to catch his flight back to Chicago.

He reached over to pick up his cell phone off the night stand. He fumbled through some apps and pulled up the most recent photo he had taken a few hours earlier. While Derek was in the bathroom, Cole had snapped a photo of Derek's driver's license from his wallet. He examined the photo and enlarged it so that he could more clearly read the name on it: "Derek Mancini."

When Derek's flight landed in Chicago, he grabbed a cab and headed toward St. Joseph Hospital to meet his wife Joyelle, who was still on duty in the emergency room. The cab ride gave Derek more time to decide how to explain the loss of his wedding ring. There would be no good time to have lost it, but their wedding anniversary was the worst possible scenario. He couldn't think of a story that would help contain what was sure to be a heated argument. At least it was insured.

The emergency room at St. Joseph had recently become busier with the arrival of Logan Pryce. His partner, Max Taylor, was pacing in the waiting area. He couldn't shake the image of Logan lying passed out on their bathroom floor. He had never seen so much blood.

"Dammit," Max mumbled as he leaned against a vending machine. He looked up at the water-stained ceiling tiles. "Why is this happening?"

Before he could even posit a response, his friends Emmett Mancini and Keith Colgan burst into the waiting room, startling Max.

"How is he?" Emmett asked as he embraced Max and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks for coming over," Max replied.

"Have they said anything?" Keith asked. Max shook his head and collapsed into a nearby seat.

"He's pretty much out of it," Max said. "They stopped the gouge on his forehead from bleeding, so that's good. He's complaining of lots of pain."

Keith and Emmett took seats on either side of Max. "What the hell happened?" Keith asked.

"When we got home, I put him on the couch and tucked him in so he could rest and sleep off the vodka. I only left the room for one second to change my clothes. Then I heard a loud noise and found him lying on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood."

Emmett gasped quietly.

"He must have hit his head on the toilet or the floor when he fell because it was bleeding everywhere. I couldn't get it to stop, so I called 911."

Emmett grabbed Max's hand. "That was the right thing to do."

"I know. By the time they got him in here, they had stopped the bleeding. They took him upstairs for a scan to see if he had a concussion. He was also complaining about pain in his arm, too, so they are going to take some x-rays."

"Is that where he is now?" Keith asked, looking toward the door.

"Yes. I mean, I think so. No one has been out to talk to me in a while. Joyelle is on duty. I think she had to question him about abuse, too."

"Yes," Emmett reassured Max, "but that's standard procedure."

"Is he even coherent enough to answer questions like that?" Keith asked, receiving a harsh look from Emmett. "Well? He was pretty drunk. He could barely stand, let alone talk or be interrogated."

"I don't know." Max stood up and resumed his pacing. "Fuck. When is enough enough?"

"Maybe this can be a turning point? Maybe he can get some real help now," Emmett suggested. "That'd be a good thing."

"I've been trying to convince him to get help for a long time. He never listens. Why doesn't he ever listen?"

Emmett stood and walked over to Max. "He's stubborn. And he's scared."

"Well, I am, too."

As Max finished his sentence, Joyelle emerged from the door to talk with Max, but she stopped when she saw Keith and her brother-in-law Emmett.

"Joyelle!" Emmett said, approaching her. "Max said you were on duty tonight." He planted a quick kiss on Joyelle's cheek.

"Hey guys."

"How is he?" Max asked.

"They are bringing him back down now. We gave him some fluids to keep him hydrated. You can come on back with me so you can be with him when the doctor tells him about his tests."

"Is it bad?" Emmett asked.

"I haven't seen the tests. The doctor will explain everything to Max. Come on back with me."

"You guys don't have to stay," Max told his friends.

"No, we'll be here," Keith said as Max followed Joyelle out of the waiting area. "What a mess."

"I know, Keith. He's had a drinking problem for a long time."

"And none of us has done a thing about it. We enable him," Keith said.

"That's not true. Max has talked to him a million times about it. He won't listen."

"Maybe it's not just Max's job to do alone."

Derek arrived carrying a bouquet of flowers, and he stopped in his tracks at the sight of his brother and Keith. "Whoa!"

"Derek," Emmett said, noticing his brother and the flowers. "Oh, you shouldn't have."

"They're for Joyelle. Are you guys okay? What are you doing here?"

"We're fine," Emmett stated, giving Derek a quick hug. "It's Logan. He drank too much and fell."

"Is he okay?"

"He and Max are with the doctor now. Joyelle is with them."

"Oh, good. Then I didn't miss her," Derek said, checking his watch.

"Miss her?"

"Yes. Tonight's our anniversary, and my plane got in from Boston late."

"Oh, that's right. Happy anniversary."

"Thanks, bro," Derek said with a smile. "Well, I hope Logan is okay."

Keith chimed in. "I'm sure he will be."

"So...big plans?" Emmett asked, again eying the flowers. "Does she get off work soon?"

"I hope so. My plane was so late that I thought she'd be off already. Then my phone died," Derek lied. He remembered his ring was gone and quickly put his left hand into his pocket so no one would notice.

"Derek!" Joyelle yelled as she came back through the door with Max. "Oh, my God!" She rushed over and embraced her husband. "I was so worried."

"I'm sorry, Joy. My phone died and the plane was late."

"I was so worried." Joyelle kissed Derek. "With the storm and everything."

"I'm sorry. How is Logan?"

"Ya, what's going on?" Keith asked.

"He's got a mild concussion," Max began, "and he broke his arm. Way up here near his shoulder, so they can't cast it." Max pointed on his own arm to the location of Logan's break.

Joyelle explained, "When the break is in that location, they can't do anything but stabilize it."

"They are releasing him so I can take him home. They want him to see an orthopedic specialist tomorrow just to double-check everything the doctor here said. They also gave him some pain meds."

"We can help you get him home," Emmett added.

"Thanks, Emmett, but he's pretty out of it, and I think it's best if you don't. I'll touch base with you guys in the morning. Promise." Max seemed exhausted.

"Sure, sure," Keith agreed. "That sounds like a plan."

"And you two," Emmett said, pointing to Derek and Joyelle, "need to get out of here and celebrate."

Derek smiled. "Is your shift done?"

"Yes. Let me just check out and finish a few things." As Joyelle left the waiting area, she paused and faced Derek. "The car's on deck three," she said, tossing him the car key. "Can you bring it around? And thanks for the flowers." She disappeared back through the doors. Derek just smiled.

"Thanks guys," Max said, giving each of them a quick hug before he left. "Talk tomorrow."

Keith grabbed Emmett by the hand. "Let's go. It's late."

"Absolutely," Emmett agreed. "Again, happy anniversary."

"Thanks, bro," Derek replied, fumbling with the car key. "See you guys soon. I hope Logan is okay."

"Thanks," Keith said as he led Emmett out toward the hospital main entrance.

Derek headed toward the parking garage.

Finally back at home, Derek positioned the flowers he bought Joyelle on the night stand right next to a framed childhood photo of him with his two brothers Emmett and Justin. His towel-dried hair still damp from the shower, Derek sat down on the end of his bed, the light from the nearby lamp casting shadows across his hard, naked body. He could hear the shower water running in the bathroom; Joyelle was scrubbing the emergency room from her body. Derek looked down at his bare left hand and, for a brief moment, thought of Cole. He forced that thought from his mind and heard Joyelle turn off the shower.

"Please don't ever do that again," Joyelle yelled from inside the master bathroom.

"Do what?" Derek asked.

"Leave me guessing where you are. I was a nervous wreck! No texts, no calls."

"My phone died, Joy. I told you. But I am sorry. I didn't want you to worry."

"Well, I did. I had half the nursing staff thinking something terrible had happened," Joyelle said as she entered the bedroom wrapped in a towel.

"I'm just sorry I ruined our anniversary."

"You didn't. I had to work anyway. Besides, you're home safe and sound. That's what counts." Joyelle sat on the bed. "I'm beat."

"Beat?" Derek smiled as he rolled over on the bed toward Joyelle. "Just because we aren't going out, doesn't mean we can't celebrate." Derek pulled the towel from Joyelle's body.

"Derek..."

"I love you, Joy." Derek rolled on top of her beautiful, naked body. He kissed her deeply and she dug her fingers into his back, slowly lowering them to his ass. Her soft moans encouraged him to continue, and he did.

As they made love, Derek became more aggressive. He kissed her passionately, trying to force back thoughts of Cole.

Across town, Emmett and Keith were getting ready for bed. Emmett finished up in the bathroom while Keith discreetly re-examined the ring that he planned to propose to Emmett with.

"I sure hope Logan will be okay," Emmett said from the bathroom.

"Uh," Keith replied quickly closing the ring box and hiding it in his wardrobe. "I'm sure he will be. Max takes good care of him."

"He shouldn't have to," Emmett stated as he turned off the bathroom light and re-entered the bedroom naked. "Logan needs to take responsibility for himself."

"Agreed," Keith said. He looked at the framed photograph standing on their night stand. It was the same childhood photo of the three Mancini boys that Derek kept in his bedroom.

"Why do you keep this photo here? You haven't spoken to your brother Justin in forever."

"Because I like it," Emmett declared. "We were happy then."

Keith turned to face his boyfriend. "You're pretty damn sexy, you know?"

Emmett smiled. He walked over to Keith and gave him a quick kiss.

Responding playfully, Keith grabbed Emmett's arms and pushed him backwards, pinning him down on the bed. He climbed on top of Emmett's young, smooth body and kissed him deeply. Emmett struggled playfully for a moment, pushing up against Keith's chest and kicking his legs in a futile attempt to get the best of Keith. Then, as always, he gave in.

When Keith and Emmett first met, Emmett's sex life was relatively "vanilla," but Keith changed that quickly. He taught Emmett to be his perfect sex partner: passionate, loving, playful, and responsive. They made love and after, without a word, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Like Emmett and Keith, Max was also ready to get some rest, but his mind was racing. Having carefully tucked Logan into bed, Max changed out of his clothes into a comfortable pair of gym shorts. He grabbed a protein bar from the kitchen and returned to the bedroom, taking a seat in the chair next to the bed. From that short distance, he watched Logan sleep. His arm was bruising as the doctor had predicted, and Max finished his protein bar wondering what the next day would bring. He was not looking forward to yet another conversation about Logan's drinking.

He must have fallen asleep for at least a few hours but when he awoke, his mind went right back to thoughts of how to help Logan. He would take him to a specialist on Monday, as the emergency room doctor had recommended, and then seek out the name of some substance abuse counselors who could offer Logan some support.

Later that same morning, Derek rolled over in bed and kissed Joyelle. The sunlight coming through the bedroom window cast a yellow hue over the entire room, and Joyelle stretched out her arms and rolled over to face her husband.

"Good morning, handsome," Joyelle said with a smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Mancini." Derek kissed her again. He ran his fingers over her arm, and Joyelle grabbed and kissed his hand. Then she stopped and looked down at it.

"Where's your wedding ring? Derek?"

He pulled his hand away from her. "I lost it," Derek sighed. "But I'll call the insurance company first thing tomorrow."

"You lost it? What do you mean you lost it? How?"

"Joy, I don't know. It must have fallen off my finger in Boston."

"Fell off your finger?" Joyelle sat up in bed and stared directly into his eyes. "How is that possible?"

"I don't know. I only noticed it was missing when I went through security in the Boston airport." Derek tried to kiss Joyelle again, but she backed away. "It's insured. It'll be okay."

"You can't just replace your wedding ring," Joyelle said as she looked at her own ring.

"I'm sorry, Joy. Believe me, I'm as upset as you are. But it'll be okay."

"You lost your ring on our wedding anniversary?" Joyelle asked in disbelief. She looked at the clock on the night table and hopped out of bed. "Ugh, I have to get to work."

"Joy, it'll be okay," Derek tried to reassure her. Joyelle disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door. "Dammit..." Derek ran his fingers through his hair and threw a pillow onto the floor.

Meanwhile on Notre Dame's campus, Jesse and Cole wrapped up a Sunday afternoon two-on-two game of hoops with their friends. As usual, Jesse and Cole kicked their friends' butts, racing them around the court in a futile attempt to compete with the powerful pair.

"See you guys at dinner," Jesse yelled to their friends as Cole and he headed back toward their dorm. He took his shirt off and used it to wipe some of the sweat off his face and chest. Cole did the same. Clouds blocked the sunlight, and a cool breeze kicked some leaves up from the ground.

As they walked side by side, their athletic bodies shining with sweat, they got glances from guys and girls alike. They were similar in shape and stature, both with hard bodies and athletic talent, their only difference being their races.

Once Cole had removed his shirt, Jesse noticed something around Cole's neck. "What's with the ring on the chain?"

"It's just a reminder. Of a friend," Cole mumbled.

"Oh, no. Not the Boston guy!" Jesse laughed. "Come on, Cole."

"What?" Cole smiled innocently. "It's a cool ring so I decided to keep it."

"And that's all? Dude, you're never going to see that guy again. You need to get over him."

Cole laughed. "Jesse, I am over him. Totally. I know it was just a few days of hooking up. Don't worry about me. Concentrate on your interview tomorrow."

"Okay, okay," Jesse said. "You still gonna ride into Chicago with me tomorrow?"

"Yup," Cole stated.

While Jesse was at his interview, Cole had an appointment of his own.

Early the next morning, Jesse and Cole left Notre Dame in Jesse's car in order to arrive in Chicago well before Jesse's interview. A soft rain was falling.

"Thanks again for taking the ride with me, bro," Jesse said. "I know getting up early isn't your thing."

Cole smiled. "It was either that or sitting through Peterson's class."

Jesse laughed. "Great, you find me more entertaining than Professor Peterson. Big compliment, bro. Thanks. So what are you going to do today? My interviews may last most of the day."

"It's Chicago, Jesse. I'll keep myself occupied," Cole replied.

"I'm sure you will," Jesse said. "Just try to stay out of the bath houses, okay?" he joked, knowing that Cole would never be caught dead in one.

Cole rolled his eyes.

Jesse pointed to the map on the car's GPS screen. "I think we turn on this block." Jesse turned the corner and continued on toward his interview, passing Boystown Blend, the coffee shop where Emmett was meeting Max at lunch time.

Emmett entered Boystown Blend a few minutes late and found Max already seated at a small table near the window. He closed his umbrella, hugged Max, and sat down in the chair opposite him.

"Sorry I'm late."

"No problem I appreciate you meeting me here. Especially with this rain. I got a latte for you," Max said, nodding toward the cup in front of Emmett.

"Thanks," Emmett replied, removing the lid. "So how did this morning go? You sounded upset on the phone."

Max sipped his coffee. "I was. I am."

"Did the doctor say something else is wrong?"

"No, no. The specialist confirmed what the ER doc said. Logan's arm is broken. They can't cast it, so they gave him a sling to hold it in place. The bone is aligned well, so it should heal nicely. His arm is turning purple from bruising, as the doctor said it would. And he has a slight concussion."

"Will he have to do rehab?"

"Yes. The specialist wants to see him again in two weeks for more x-rays to monitor how he's healing. Then he will eventually do rehab to regain mobility, which could be up to six months. He got some pain medications, too."

"Well, at least that's no worse news than you heard the night it happened. I assume he's home asleep?"

"He should be, but he isn't," Max admitted.

"What do you mean? Where is he?"

"He went to work. He has to oversee some interviews at work today and said no one else could do it. The doctor said it was okay, as long as he didn't drive himself, so he took a cab."

"I see..."

"We had a fight before he left for work. I gave him the names of some substance abuse counselors, and he hit the roof. He went off on me. Said falling down the stairs was just an accident. That he's in control of his drinking."

"What? He hasn't been in control in a long time."

"I know, I know. I told him I'd go with him if he wanted me to. Or he could go alone. Whatever he wanted. I just want him to get some support. He said no way. And then he hopped in a cab to the office."

"Oh, Max. I'm sorry." Emmett sipped his coffee. "Do you want me to talk to him?"

"I don't know, Emmett. I don't want to put you in the middle, and I'm not sure it'd work anyway. He thinks he's fine."

"He's hardly 'fine.'"

"I know, I know." Max reached across the table and grabbed Emmett's hand. "I just appreciate you being here and letting me vent. I'm so frustrated."

Emmett squeezed Max's hand. "That's what friends are for. I'm always here for you."

"Thanks, Emmett. That means a lot to me," Max smiled.

As Emmett and Max spoke more about Logan, Logan was completing some paperwork in his office. With his arm in a sling and still painful, he was having some difficulty maneuvering, but he was doing his best. A knock came to his office door.

"Come on in," he said.

Jesse stuck his head into Logan's office. "Mr. Pryce?"

"Jesse, come on in," Logan repeated, slowly getting out of his chair.

"You said to come back after my interviews were done." Jesse walked toward Logan's desk, closing the office door behind him.

"Yes. Please sit down. So how did everything go?"

"I think things went well," Jesse said, smiling nervously. "Everyone was really nice."

"Good, good," Logan replied, carefully putting his arm onto the desk.

"Pretty painful, eh?" Jesse asked.

"Yes, sorry. Just getting use to this sling."

"Can I help you with anything?"

"No. But thank you." Logan paused. "So you think everything went well, huh?"

"I do."

"I hoped it would. After I interviewed you over the phone last week, I was confident the rest of my staff would want to meet you." Logan smiled. "I've been debriefing with people after each of your conversations today. Everyone is very impressed."

"Wow," Jesse said, letting out a sigh. "That's great."

Logan smiled. "It's better than great, Jesse. We are prepared to make you an offer."

"Oh, my gosh. Today? I never imagined..."

"Well, we would like you to start as soon as you graduate, if you accept our offer." Logan looked at his watch. "Are you just in town for the day?"

"Yes, Mr. Pryce. I drove in this morning."

"I have to talk to H.R. and get a few things settled. Are you free for dinner?"

"Sure. I can do that."

"Perfect. Let me get the details of our offer together and then we can discuss it over dinner. Is five-thirty okay?"

"Sounds great."

"Great. We can have dinner downstairs at the restaurant in the lobby. You probably passed it on the way in."

"Yes, I remember."

"They have great food. I will see you there at five-thirty." Logan slowly stood up and Jesse followed, shaking Logan's hand.

"Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing you tonight."

"Great. See you then." Logan sat back down and Jesse turned and left Logan's office.

Jesse took the elevator down to the street level and walked out onto the sidewalk. The rain had stopped, and the pavement looked slippery. It was already getting dark, as it did so early at that time of year. He took out his phone and called Cole.

Cole was walking through the Boystown neighborhood, passing the shops and hair salons along Broadway as he headed north. He had pulled up the photo he had taken of Derek's driver's license and was using the maps app on his phone to locate the condo. He turned right on Roscoe and headed east toward Lake Shore Drive. Then his phone buzzed.

"Hey. What's up?" Cole asked.

"I got the job!"

"What? Already? That's awesome," Cole yelled into the phone.

"Well, they are going to make me an offer at dinner tonight. I have to meet my new boss at five-thirty to hear what their offer will be."

"Jesse, that's awesome. Congrats." Cole continued down Roscoe looking at the address numbers on the front of the buildings. He paused under a street light.

"Thanks, man. Hopefully, the offer will be good. You okay to stay in the city a bit more until my dinner is done?"

"Sure thing. I'm fine."

"What are you doing anyway?"

"Just shopping and shit. I'll grab some food, too."

"Okay cool. By the way, my new boss, Mr. Pryce, is totally hot. Blonde and cute."

"Just like me," Cole teased.

Jesse laughed. "Exactly like you...only older, sexier, more mature, and with a job."

"Well, don't go sleeping with him until after you accept the job offer."

"Very funny," Jesse said. "Talk to you later."

"Okay." Cole hung up, continued walking east, and stopped in front of another building. He looked at the address, then down at the photo of Derek's license on his phone, then back at the building. "This is the place..."

Before he could take another step, he was knocked down. He hit the hard sidewalk face first. Someone ripped the phone out of his hand, hit him in the back of his head, and he passed out. Drops of his blood stained the wet sidewalk. Now that the rain had finally stopped, it was the perfect night for a walk.
Episode #3

Chicago's rush hour had begun. Like herds of cattle, people left their downtown offices and headed for their cars, trains, and buses. The roads were packed, the trains were packed, and the buses were packed. One bus route in particular took riders from downtown, up Chicago's Magnificent Mile, onto Lake Shore Drive, and north toward the Boystown neighborhood.

When that bus reached Lake Shore Drive and Roscoe, it stopped to let several passengers off. The people exited the bus and waited for the traffic signal to change so they could cross Lake Shore Drive and head to their homes north of, south of, and even on Roscoe Street.

Because the weather was relatively warm for that time of year, Joyelle Mancini decided to walk home from work. After all, St. Joseph Hospital was only a few blocks from her Roscoe Street condo. As she headed north toward Roscoe, she saw the people getting off the bus. Several of them headed in different directions, but a few headed west on her street. They momentarily disappeared from her view.

As she made the left turn on her final stretch toward home, she noticed two or three of the bus riders huddled under the streetlight in front of her condo. With the feeling that something was terribly wrong, she quickened her pace in their direction. Her trot turned into a jog and she soon reached the crowd, who parted to allow her to see the body of Cole O'Brien on the sidewalk.

"I'm a nurse," she announced as she got down on her knees to focus on the body before her. She was in crisis mode. She turned to a man next to her. "Call 911. Now." The man pulled out his cell phone and did as Joyelle had instructed. "Everyone else, please stand back a bit." They followed her orders.

Joyelle carefully examined the body before her. He was unconscious, face down on the pavement, his blonde hair stained with blood that appeared to be coming from his temple. She looked back at the man on the phone. "Tell them it's the five hundred block of Roscoe. It's a head injury. Hurry!"

Joyelle checked Cole's pulse, first on his neck, then his wrist. She removed her scarf, quickly folded it, and applied it to the side of Cole's head to stop the bleeding. Cole moaned and moved slightly as he awakened.

"Shh, don't move too quickly," Joyelle said. "It's going to be okay."

"They're on their way," the man said, putting his cell phone into his pocket.

"Great." Joyelle turned to the others. "Did any of you see what happened?"

They shook their heads and a woman added, "He was like this when we found him."

"Looks like he was hit on the side of the head," Joyelle observed. "The paramedics will be here soon."

Cole moaned again and slowly rotated onto his side.

"You're going to be okay. The ambulance is on the way."

Cole looked up at Joyelle as blood ran down his face.

People could hear the distant ambulance siren getting louder and louder as it neared them. It finally arrived, its flashing lights reflecting off the nearby buildings. Two paramedics jumped out.

"Over here," Joyelle called. "Head injury. Looks like he was hit from behind."

"Thanks," one of the paramedics said as he knelt down next to Cole and Joyelle.

"I'm a nurse at St. Joe's. Can you take him there? It's close, and I'll follow up."

The paramedic nodded as he continued to examine Cole.

As Derek rounded the corner from Lake Shore Drive in his car, he immediately saw the flashing lights of the ambulance. He slowed down as he approached and was able to turn into his driveway and get out of the street. He rolled down the car window and yelled over to his wife. "Joyelle, are you okay?"

She turned back toward the car. "I'm fine. Just helping out."

"I'll be right there," Derek said as he continued up the driveway to park his car.

As he hopped out of the car and jogged back down the driveway, the paramedics closed the ambulance doors.

"What happened?" Derek asked as he quickly kissed his wife.

The others who were standing by slowly walked away.

"I don't know. It looks like he got mugged. Someone hit him from behind. He's sort of out of it," Joyelle sighed.

"Right here in front of our condo?"

"I guess," Joyelle said. "No one saw it happen." Joyelle watched as the ambulance pulled away. Derek put his arm around his wife.

"Good thing you were nearby."

"They're taking him to my hospital. I'll check in and see how he's doing after we have dinner." Joyelle and Derek walked toward their front door.

Derek smiled. "Never a dull moment in this neighborhood."

"Poor kid," Joyelle mumbled.

Derek changed the subject. "I spoke with the jeweler today. He's working on my new ring." Joyelle smiled at Derek.

As Joyelle and Derek headed into their home, Logan Pryce and Jesse Morgan wrapped up their dinner meeting at the restaurant in Logan's office building lobby. Their waiter took away their dinner plates and asked if they wanted to see a dessert menu.

"I'm good," Logan said, then he pointed to his empty wine glass. "But I'll have another one of these."

"Okay, sir," the waiter replied. "How about you, sir?" he asked Jesse.

"I'm good, thanks," Jesse stated.

The waiter nodded and walked away.

"I hope you're excited," Logan said. "Offers usually don't happen this quickly."

"Oh, I am, Mr. Pryce. It's a great offer, and I'm really excited to start."

"Okay, one thing you need to learn right now. It's Logan. Enough of this 'Mr. Pryce' business," Logan declared. "You're part of the team now."

Jesse laughed. "Okay. Logan, it is."

The waiter returned with Logan's glass of wine.

"So...how'd that happen?" Jesse asked, pointing toward Logan's arm brace. "I've wanted to ask you that all day."

Logan smiled. "Oh, this? It's stupid, really. I tripped down the stairs of my back deck. It was so slippery from all the rain we've been having. I just slid right down."

"Ouch," Jesse said, taking a sip from his water glass. "Sounds pretty painful."

"It was. It's getting better each day, though. It's all good. I have to go back to the doctor in two weeks to make sure it's healing okay. Because of where it broke, they couldn't cast it." Logan looked at his watch. "It's getting late. You sure you're okay on time?"

"We're fine. No problem. My buddy's keeping himself occupied. I'm enjoying getting to know you."

"That's great. People at the office are really excited to bring you on board. You'll be a valuable asset to the company. Your parents must be really proud."

"Thanks. My mom will be for sure. Once I tell her."

"And your dad? Is he around?"

"Nope. Never knew him. He and Mom apparently didn't get along, and she raised me on her own. He wanted nothing to do with me, I guess."

"Aw. That's his loss," Logan said. "You're a great guy. Soon to be a Notre Dame grad. And with a new job. All very impressive."

"Thank you." Jesse paused. "Ya, Dad is a subject not discussed in my house. Although I think it'd be cool to know him one day. Who knows?"

Logan took another swig of his wine. "You never know. So, what do you like to do socially? You'll be a Chicagoan now, lots of great stuff to do here. Got a girlfriend? Boyfriend?"

"Me?" Jesse laughed. "Not me. Single here. All the way." Jesse paused and shifted in his chair. "But I'm excited to move here. It's a great city. Lots of cool people to meet. And hopefully my roommate will be getting a job here, too. We'll be able to get a place together."

"That would be nice. If not, I'll help you find a place. We have lots of contacts."

The waiter approached the table with the check. As he placed it on the table, Logan grabbed it.

"On me, Jesse. Congrats on your new job."

"Thanks, Mr. -- Logan. I really appreciate it. The dinner and the job."

"My pleasure," Logan replied, putting his credit card in the check holder and finishing off his wine.

"Excuse me. I'm going to run to the men's room," Jesse said, standing up.

As Jesse turned to walk away, Logan couldn't help but notice his physique. His hard body filled his shirt and pants very well, his clothes accentuating every curve of his muscles.

While Jesse disappeared from view, the waiter grabbed the check and credit card from the table.

"I'll be right back with this," the waiter said.

As he left the bathroom to head back to the table, Jesse called Cole, but got his voicemail. "Dude, I got the job. The offer was fantastic, so I accepted it on the spot. Wrapping up dinner now, so we can head back any time you're ready. Call me."

Jesse approached the table as Logan was signing the credit card slip and closing the check holder. Jesse sat down and the waiter took the paperwork, saying, "Thank you, gentlemen. Have a great rest of your evening."

"Thanks," Jesse replied as the waiter walked away.

"So, no significant other, eh?" Logan smiled. "Once you move here, they will be throwing themselves at you."

"We'll see. Not sure I'm in the mood to catch any of them," Jesse said.

Logan laughed. "Okay, well let's head out." Logan carefully got up from the table, making sure not to knock his arm on anything.

"Got it?" Jesse asked, rising from his seat.

"I'm good, thanks. Getting used to it now." Logan followed Jesse out of the restaurant. "I hope you and your buddy have a safe trip back to Notre Dame tonight. We'll talk soon."

"Thanks again," Jesse said, putting out his hand to shake Logan's.

Instead, Logan pulled him close and gave him a one-armed hug. Jesse embraced Logan tightly and let the hug linger until Logan finally pulled back.

"Welcome to the company," Logan said with a smile. Then he hailed a cab.

Jesse checked his phone. No calls from Cole. He texted him and headed toward the garage where he had parked the car.

At the same time, Emmett Mancini and Keith Colgan were leaving their gym and heading home for the evening.

"Did I tell you that my brother lost his wedding ring?" Emmett asked Keith as they walked down the stairs from the gym doors to the sidewalk.

"Yes, what a moron." Keith rolled his eyes. "How did that happen?"

"I don't know. Maybe he took it off and left it on the counter in the hotel room or something? I don't know. But Joyelle is pretty upset about it."

"Rightfully so. They had those things custom made." Keith paused to let someone on the sidewalk pass by. "If I ever give you a ring, it better not come off your hand."

"Haha, it won't," Emmett said with a smile. "Of course, that's a big 'if.'"

"One day. When you've earned it."

Emmett nudged Keith, who let out a laugh. "So are we going to host Thanksgiving again this year?"

"I think people are just assuming we are," Keith said. "Unless you don't want to."

"No, that's fine. It's always fun. I can send out an evite."

"You think Max and Logan will still be together then?" Keith asked. "I'm not sure how all this drama with Logan's drinking is going to play out."

"I's not drama, Keith. It's real. And serious. I had coffee with Max earlier today. He's really upset."

"You didn't tell me you were meeting him. I could have joined you guys."

"It was a last minute thing. He called and sounded upset so I met him." Emmett paused. "Logan went to work today."

"What? That's crazy," Keith said as they turned the corner toward their apartment.

"I know. Max said Logan blew up at him when Max suggested that he see a counselor, and then he went to work."

"Max certainly has his hands full," Keith added as they entered the lobby of their building. "How many more trips to the emergency room is it gonna take for Logan to get it together?"

Emmett shook his head.

As Keith and Emmett entered the elevator of their apartment building, Joyelle stepped out of the elevator at the hospital. She had walked over after dinner to check on the boy she had rescued on the sidewalk.

Entering Cole's hospital room still wearing her coat and gloves, Joyelle found Cole sitting up in bed with his head bandaged. Officer Michael Martinez was completing some questions and another nurse was pouring Cole some water.

"Is there anything else you can remember or tell us, Mr. O'Brien?" Officer Martinez asked Cole. "Anything at all?"

"I'm sorry," Cole shook his head. "It just happened so fast. The last thing I remember is talking on the phone and then I woke up here."

Joyelle stepped farther into the room.

"And the only thing they took is your phone?"

"I think so," Cole sighed.

"Unfortunately, there's been a lot of that in the neighborhood lately. Okay. Thank you," the officer said. "We'll see if we can trace your phone. That may help. In the meantime, hang in there." The officer left the room.

"Oh, man. I gotta call Jesse," Cole stated. "He's probably looking all over for me. Can I use that phone?" he asked the nurse.

She nodded and brought the phone closer to Cole.

Joyelle approached Cole's bed. "Hello there. I'm Joyelle. I'm the nurse who found you on the sidewalk."

Cole's face lit up and he grabbed Joyelle's gloved hand. "You! Oh, I'm glad you came. Thank you so much. I don't remember, but people told me that you found me and took care of me. Thanks so much."

"Not a problem. I'm just glad you're going to be okay."

"Yes, thanks to you. Just a mild concussion and a few scrapes. It could have been a lot worse, the doctor said. But they are keeping me overnight for observation." Cole paused. "Welcome to Chicago."

"Oh, are you not from here?"

"Nope. My friend and I were visiting for the day. He had a job interview." Cole picked up the phone. "I need to call and tell him what's happened."

"Well, is there anything I can get you while I'm here?" Joyelle asked.

"Thanks, but I think I'm good. You've done more than enough already." Cole began to dial the phone. "Now if I can just remember his number..."

"Well, I'll let you call your friend. I'm working in the morning so I'll stop by before they discharge you."

"Thanks so much," Cole said as Joyelle smiled and left the room. Cole hesitated a moment and dialed Jesse's number.

While Cole was informing Jesse about what happened, Logan arrived at his condo and Max jumped up to greet him.

"You're home!" Max said. "I've been worried about you."

"Worried, why?" Logan asked as he put some papers down on the kitchen counter. "I'm fine." Logan looked around the kitchen, then grabbed a glass and filled it with water.

"The doctor said you should be taking it easy. You need to rest."

"I had things to get done at the office, okay? Get off my back," Logan sneered. "You're always on my case."

Max looked at him for a moment as Logan fumbled with the water glass. "You've been drinking, haven't you?"

"One glass of wine with dinner, that's all."

"Logan, you are on heavy pain meds, remember? The doctor doesn't want you driving, let alone drinking."

"It was one glass!" Logan barked as he stumbled out of the kitchen toward the bedroom.

Max followed him. "Let me help you get undressed," Max offered.

"I said I'm fine," Logan mumbled. "Don't worry about it."

"I'm not worried about it. I'm worried about you," Max clarified. "Really worried."

"People break their arms all the time. It's not a big deal," Logan said, trying to get his hooded sweatshirt on.

"You really don't get it, do you?"

"Get what, Max?" Logan asked. "I'm tired, and I need to rest. Isn't that what you said? So I'm going to lie down now, okay?" Max clenched his fist, bit his tongue, and left the bedroom.

Meanwhile, Derek was getting ready for bed. He stripped down and headed to the bathroom to clean up. Facing himself in the mirror, his mind again filled with thoughts of Cole. As he recalled their weekend of sex in Boston, his dick got hard. He thought of Cole's cute smile, his athletic body, his warm kisses. Frustrated and angry with himself, Derek splashed his face with water and headed to bed.

As he pulled the covers up over his body, Joyelle slipped into bed as well.

"How's that kid?" Derek asked.

"He's going to be okay. Slight concussion but that's all. They will discharge him in the morning."

"It's sweet that you went over to check on him," Derek said.

Joyelle ran her hand over Derek's big arm and kissed his neck from behind, but he rolled over away from her. She kissed his back.

Derek pulled away and pulled the covers up. "Not tonight, babe."

Puzzled and disappointed, Joyelle turned over on her side. It was unlike Derek to be so distant and he rarely refused sex unless he was really not feeling well. Joyelle stared toward the window for a while until her heavy eyelids closed, and she drifted off to sleep.

Max turned off all the lights in the condo and quietly crept into their bedroom, trying not to wake Logan who had long since passed out. Max walked over to his side of the bed, pulled back the sheets, and lay down next to Logan. As he fell asleep, Max felt Logan turn, his hand falling onto Max's arm. Max gently removed Logan's hand from his arm, shifted one final time, and drifted off.

Max's alarm clock startled him early the next morning. He jumped out of bed and found that Logan was already gone. Max walked through the condo, finding Logan eating some yogurt in the kitchen. Still naked, Max stood quietly in the kitchen doorway admiring the man he once fell in love with.

Logan became aware of his presence and looked up at Max.

"You're up early," Max said.

"Didn't sleep well," Logan explained, finishing his yogurt. "Besides, everything takes longer with my arm like this, so I thought an earlier start was a good idea."

Max opened the refrigerator. "You're dressed and everything."

"I really don't like this brand of yogurt," Logan said, tossing the empty yogurt container into the garbage. "It's too 'gritty' or something. Just not my favorite."

"Logan. we need to talk."

"Not now. I can't take another 'talk' from you." He grabbed some papers from the counter and headed toward the door. "I'll see you tonight." Logan disappeared toward the living room and eventually Max heard him leave the house through the front door.

Max slammed the fridge door shut and headed back toward the bathroom.

As Max got ready for work, Derek finished his morning workout at the gym. He had lifted quite aggressively that morning, again trying to force feelings for Cole out of his consciousness. Then he headed back to the locker room to shower and get dressed for work.

As he passed the health club's sauna on the way to the showers, he caught a glimpse of a young man through the glass window of the door. He paused and looked inside. He recognized the guy as a regular at the gym and, without hesitation, entered the sauna and sat down across from him.

"What's up?" the other guy asked, acknowledging Derek. Wrapped in a towel from the waist down, Derek leaned against the back wall, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes and stared across at the other man.

He was a young guy, probably about twenty-five years old, with short brown hair and a slightly hairy chest. He had a nice build and was also wearing a towel.

They exchanged glances for a few moments, then Derek put his head back and closed his eyes.

Suddenly, he felt the boy's hands on his ankles. They slid up his calves, over his knees, and up under the towel over his thighs.

Feeling his dick getting erect, Derek kept his eyes closed. He was back in the Boston hotel room with Cole, feeling Cole's body wrapped around his, and kissing Cole over and over again. He wrapped his arms around Cole to hold him tight and then finally moaned Cole's name out loud, startling the boy who was currently sucking his dick.

Derek didn't open his eyes and the boy returned to work between Derek's legs. Without warning, Derek groaned and shot his load all over the boy's chest.

The boy smiled and pulled away from Derek. He looked up and quickly kissed him.

Derek was surprised by the boy's kiss. He wiped his mouth with his towel and stood up. Derek towered above the boy, who was still on his knees. He smiled at him and went to the showers. As he stood under the spray, Derek realized his psychological scheme had backfired. Rather than removing Cole from his mind forever, this encounter with the boy left Derek wanting Cole even more.

As Derek continued his shower, Emmett arrived at his office long before any of his co-workers. While he filled the coffee pot with water and turned it on, his cell phone rang. He started the coffee maker and fumbled his phone out of his pocket. "Hello?"

"Emmett, it's Max," Max said in a serious tone.

"Hey, Max. You're up early. Everything okay?"

"Can you come meet me, please? I need you."

While Emmett prepared to respond to Max, Keith was also receiving a phone call at his office. He wondered if it would be a wrong number because it was unusual to receive a call on his office phone so early in the morning. He closed a drawer in his file cabinet and walked over to his desk to take the call.

"This is Keith," he said into the phone.

The voice on the other end of the line spoke, and Keith recognized it immediately. His face grew pale and his tone stern. "How did you get this number? I told you never to contact me again!" Keith slammed the phone down and tried to catch his breath. Then he spun around and threw the stack of books on his desk onto the floor. "Fuck!"

At the same time, Cole was being released from the hospital a bit earlier than expected. Jesse had spent the entire night at the hospital, partly to keep an eye on Cole and partly because he had no place else to stay. He had thought about calling Logan to see if he could spend the night on his couch or in a guest room, but decided that idea probably wouldn't be the best in the long run. A night shift nurse had changed Cole's bandage late the previous evening, so it just covered the small cut on his right temple. Cole felt much better and was eager to get out of the hospital.

Jesse helped Cole get dressed as the nurse filled out a few forms. "You should probably call your mother and let her know what's going on," Jesse suggested.

"And worry her for no reason? It's not like she can do anything. I'm fine."

The nurse handed Cole a small vial of pills. "You can take one of these every six hours if you continue to have any pain," the nurse instructed. "And remember that you need to get lots of rest." She turned to Jesse. "Make sure he rests, okay?"

"I will," Jesse assured her. "Thanks for all your help."

"You bet," the nurse said. Jesse helped Cole into his jacket.

"Thanks again," Cole told the nurse.

She smiled and Jesse and Cole headed toward the elevator. As they got into the elevator to head down to the lobby, Joyelle came around the corner from a different direction and headed toward Cole's room.

When she arrived, she found the other nurse there.

"Oh no," Joyelle said. "Did he go home already? I wanted to check on him."

"You just missed him, Joyelle. He literally just left. You may still be able to catch him if you hurry."

"Oh, okay," Joyelle replied, returning to the doorway.

"Oh, wait." The nurse picked up an envelope from the counter. "He forgot this. It's got his watch and necklace in it. We removed them from him yesterday before his scan."

"I'll take it to him," Joyelle stated as the nurse handed over the envelope. "I'll catch them in the lobby." Joyelle raced for the stairwell, hoping to beat Jesse and Cole to the lobby.

When the doors to the lobby elevator opened, Jesse and Cole headed toward the doors to the outside. The sun was shining and the lobby was busy with nurses and medical staff rushing in every direction. Just beyond the doors, traffic on Lake Shore Drive seemed to be getting heavier. Chicago's rush hour had begun.

Episode #4

There's nothing like the holiday season in Chicago. Skyscrapers topped with red and green lights, thousands of white lights twinkling in the trees and windows along Chicago's Magnificent Mile and State Street, the Christmas tree in the famous Walnut Room, and the Art Institute's lions adorned with wreaths. The season officially kicks off on the weekend before Thanksgiving with a spectacular light parade as well as the lighting of the city's Christmas tree in Daley Plaza. Tourists and residents alike come together to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

With the kickoff weekend only a few days away, holiday-lovers were filled with anticipation as they prepared for their favorite time of year. Cole O'Brien was one of those people. He was eager for the holiday season to arrive, eager to learn if his recent interview would yield a job, and eager to graduate from Notre Dame in a few weeks. More immediately, he was eager for his head to heal after his recent mugging and eager to get out of the hospital and return home to campus.

As Jesse Morgan escorted Cole out of St. Joseph Hospital toward his illegally-parked car in the hospital driveway, they were unaware of Joyelle Mancini rushing toward the hospital lobby to return an envelope to him."We should be back on campus in time for class this afternoon," Cole said as he walked around the car to the passenger side.

"You're supposed to rest, remember?" Jesse asked opening the driver side door. "That's what you promised the nurse."

"I will," Cole said as he got into the car.

"Wait!" Joyelle yelled from the hospital door. She got Jesse's attention and jogged over to the car. "I'm glad I caught you." Joyelle stopped next to Jesse, who greeted her with a puzzled look. "He forgot this."

"Oh, hi!" Cole yelled to Joyelle from inside the car.

"I wanted to check on you and return this envelope to you," Joyelle explained.

"Thanks," Cole said. "Jesse, this is Joyelle, the nurse who rescued me off the sidewalk. This is my friend Jesse."

"Nice to meet you." Joyelle extended her hand with the envelope in it.

"Same here. Thanks so much for helping him," Jesse stated, shaking Joyelle's hand.

In the process, Joyelle dropped the envelope onto the ground.

"I'm sorry." Joyelle laughed, kneeling down to pick it up. "I can be clumsy sometimes."

"No, it's my fault." Jesse responded, kneeling down beside Joyelle. He picked up the envelope then helped Joyelle.

"What is it?" Cole asked from inside the car.

"Your watch, I guess. They took it off you when they did the scan yesterday."

"Oh, right. Thank you," Cole said with a smile. "That would have sucked to have forgotten it."

"You take it easy," Joyelle instructed Cole. "Nice meeting you, Jesse -- make sure he gets some rest. Bye, bye."

"Thanks again," Cole said. "For everything."

As Jesse let go of her hand and got into the car, he noticed the wedding ring on her finger.

She smiled at Cole, then at Jesse, and returned to the hospital lobby.

Jesse got into the car and closed the door. He handed the envelope over to Cole, who tore it open immediately.

"I can't believe I almost left this." He quickly put his watch onto his left wrist, then pulled the necklace out of the envelope.

"Let me see that," Jesse demanded, grabbing the ring while Cole still held the ends of the chain in his hand. He looked at the ring for a moment and looked back toward Joyelle.

"What is it?" Cole asked, taking it back and putting the necklace on.

"That ring," Jesse said, pulling out of the driveway. "That nurse was wearing the same one."

Cole laughed. "What? That's impossible."

"I'm telling you it's the same one. I saw it on her hand when I was saying goodbye."

"Maybe it just looks similar? There are a lot of details on this one," Cole said looking down at the ring.

"That's why I noticed it. I thought I recognized a lot of the details from somewhere. Just took me a second to put two and two together."

"What are you saying?" Cole already knew the answer to the question he was asking.

"You know what I'm saying, Cole. I'm saying that the woman who rescued you on the sidewalk may very well be the wife of your beloved man from Boston."

As the traffic signal turned red, Jesse stopped the car and looked directly at Cole.

"It was just a hook up, Jesse. That's all," Cole lied.

"Which is why you're still wearing his ring," Jesse stated. "Doubt it."

"I wear it because it's cool," Cole said, turning away from Jesse and looking out the window. Then he let out a sigh. "Shit."

As they headed toward Notre Dame, Emmett Mancini made his way over to Max Taylor's condo after receiving a distressing phone call from him.

When Max opened to the door to let Emmett in, Emmett quickly realized that Max wasn't himself.

"Thanks for coming over," Max said to Emmett, juggling a glass in his hand. Emmett could smell bourbon on his breath.

"Aw, Max, what is going on?" Emmett hugged Max, who closed the door. "Why are you drinking at this hour of the day?" Emmett tried to pry the glass from Max's hand, but Max's grip was too strong. "Max, what's wrong?"

"You want one?" Max asked, holding up his glass.

"Um...no," Emmett mumbled. "Come on. Sit down with me." Emmett put his arm around Max and escorted him to the living room. "Come on."

Max sat down on the couch and Emmett sat next to him.

"Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Fuck work," Max slurred. "I'm busy." Max gulped his drink again.

"Max, please tell me what's wrong. Why are you drinking?"

"He does. Why shouldn't I?" Max finished his drink and attempted to get up to pour another one, but Emmett pulled him back down onto the sofa.

"Is that what this is about? Logan? What happened?" Emmett put his hands on Max's shoulders. "Talk to me."

"Why couldn't he be more like you? You're so cute." Max put his hand on Emmett's cheek.

"Max, what happened?"

"You..." Max leaned in slowly and kissed Emmett. Emmett didn't respond at first, yet Max continued. He pulled Emmett closer to him, kissed him more deeply, passionately. Emmett massaged Max's shoulders and soon Max wrapped his massive arms around him, pulling the two men tightly together. Max pushed Emmett on his back and positioned himself powerfully on top.

Emmett quickly pushed back against him, breaking their kiss and putting Max off balance. "Max, stop. Come on." With little resistance, Emmett pushed him all the way off until he was lying on his back on the couch. "You need to sleep this off."

As Max was passing out, he mumbled, "Why couldn't he be you..." And then he was asleep.

Emmett repositioned Max's body more comfortably on the couch. He searched the living room and found a blanket draped over a chair. He used it to cover Max and stood for a moment staring down at his dear friend.

"It's gonna be okay," Emmett whispered to Max as he kissed his friend on the forehead and left the condo to return to his office.

Back in South Bend, Indiana, Jesse was at the home of his friend, Ben Donovan, a guy Jesse had known for about one year. African-American like Jesse, Ben was slightly older and shorter, with a good, hairy build. Ben was a member of Notre Dame's landscaping crew, and they met during one of Jesse's many visits to the campus grotto. Originally just friends, their attraction to one another had grown over time. Jesse was quite fond of Ben, but had made it clear all along that they would be nothing more than friends in the long term.

"Jesse," Ben moaned as they wrestled naked in Ben's bed. Ben wrapped his tattooed arms tightly around Jesse's smooth body as he dug his toes into the back of Jesse's calves.

Jesse extended his tongue into Ben's mouth as Ben slid his hands down Jesse's sweaty back to his firm, smooth ass.

Ben was excited to finally show Jesse how much he really loved him. He leaned forward and kissed him passionately. "I love you, Jesse. Open up, baby."

Instead, Jesse pushed Ben off him and onto his back. Jesse ignored Ben's request and topped him as he had in all their previous encounters.

After they both finished, Jesse kissed Ben one final time before leaping out of bed to grab a towel from Ben's bathroom.

Ben ran his hands over his head and looked up at the ceiling for a moment until Jesse returned with a damp towel and crawled back into bed.

He wiped Ben's neck, chest and stomach. Then he tossed the towel on the floor and lay down next to Ben.

Ben rolled over and put his head on Jesse's chest, and Jesse wrapped his arm around Ben.

"I love you, Jesse," Ben whispered. "Don't you love me, baby?"

There was a moment of silence, then Jesse sighed.

"Ben, I got the job in Chicago," Jesse mumbled.

Ben sat up. "Oh? Wow." Ben paused a moment. "So where does that leave us?"

"Us?" Jesse asked. "Come on, Ben. We talked about this. There is no 'us.' We're just friends."

"Just friends?" Ben sat up in bed. "Do you fuck all your friends? Or just fuck them over?"

"Ben..."

"I love you, Jesse. Don't you get it?" Ben looked directly at Jesse. "And I know you love me, too."

Jesse sat up in bed. "Ben, I'm sorry. We talked about this. This was just supposed to be casual, nothing more."

"Casual?" Tears formed in Ben's eyes. "Clothes are casual. This is not casual. I love you."

"We agreed from the start that this wasn't going to be a relationship, remember?" Jesse leaned over and picked his pants up off the floor. "We talked about this."

"That was months ago, Jesse. Things have changed. My feelings have changed."

"I'm sorry. You knew I was graduating in December. Now I'm moving to Chicago. What did you think was going to happen?" Jesse stood up, pulled on his pants and scanned the room for his shirt.

Ben tried to hold back his tears. "So you're leaving me? Just like that?"

"Ben, you're not being fair. We talked about this," Jesse said as he picked up his shirt.

"And that's it? I don't matter at all?" Ben got out of bed, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Fuck you, Jesse! Fuck you!"

"Come on, dude. You're getting all upset."

"Dude?" Ben walked over and stood in front of Jesse. "Dude? Really? Don't you understand? I have feelings for you. Real feelings."

"I hear you. I care about you, too."

"But not enough to stay. Not enough to make you think about me."

"What do you want me to say, Ben?" Jesse adjusted his shirt and stepped into his shoes.

"That you love me, too. That you want me to go with you."

"Your life is here. Mine's in Chicago now. It's that simple."

"Oh, because I'm just the fucking gardener? And you're a big time Chicago man now?" Ben's tears returned, and he was growing angry.

"I didn't say that. I have to go."

"The high and mighty college graduate who was willing to 'slum it' with the hired help for a good time until something better came along." Ben's voice became louder and louder.

"That's not true," Jesse said. "Calm down, would you?"

"I was okay to fuck on the down low, but that's about it, right? And who cares if Ben has feelings because he doesn't have a fancy job or degree so he doesn't matter, right?"

"I have to go," Jesse said, checking his pockets to make sure he had his wallet, keys, and phone.

Tears streamed down Ben's face. "Go on. Go to Chicago. Go live your important life. Go hang out with your snooty white friends in the big city." Jesse turned toward the door. "Fuck you, Jesse. You know what? You can have your degree and your fucking job and your fucking friends. None of that is ever gonna make you white!"

Jesse punched Ben across the face, knocking him backwards onto the floor, stunned. "Don't you ever say that to me again. Ever." Jesse left the apartment and slammed the door behind him.

"Fuck you!" Ben yelled and then curled up on the floor in pain and tears.

Jesse raced home from Ben's apartment to find Cole sitting shirtless in front of the computer on his desk. He slammed the door behind him, startling Cole and rattling several pictures on the wall.

"Whoa," Cole said spinning around. "Nice to see you, too."

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Jesse asked angrily.

"I was. I am," Cole replied. "What's wrong with you?"

"Never mind. I don't want to talk about it." Jesse sat down on his bed. "I can't wait to get the hell out of this place."

"Easy, bro. It'll be sooner than you think."

"Still wearing that ring around your neck, I see," Jesse said. "You have to let go of that guy."

"Don't worry about me," Cole replied, pulling his desk chair closer to Jesse. "Guess what? When I finally was able to check my voicemail, there was a message for me. I got the job in Chicago."

"The Boston-based company? Awesome."

"Yep, I'll be in the Chicago office. How cool is that?"

Jesse high-fived Cole, and Cole pointed to his computer screen. "I've been apartment hunting for us."

"You don't waste any time, do you?"

"Well, that's what I was sort of doing when I got mugged. Of course, then I was only hoping I'd get the job. Now that I know I have it, we can search more seriously."

"You're in charge, Cole. You're the planner." Jesse smiled. "As long as we have our own bedrooms and bathrooms, I'm happy."

"Don't worry. I've got us covered. I found some great places available January first right on Roscoe. Perfect location, the heart of Boystown," Cole said with a smile.

While Cole and Jesse shopped online for the perfect apartment to begin their lives in Chicago, Emmett entered the hospital cafeteria looking for his sister-in-law Joyelle. After a quick scan of the room, he located her and walked over to her table.

"Sorry I'm late," Emmett said, kissing Joyelle on the cheek. "Crazy day."

"No problem," Joyelle replied. "I just got here. Only on a quick break. But I appreciate you stopping by."

Emmett laughed. "I should charge by the hour."

"Oh? Been doing a lot of counseling today, have you? Well, I promise not to keep you."

"It's all good," Emmett said. "What's up?"

"Well, getting to the point, has Derek been acting strange to you lately? Or said anything strange?"

"Is this about him losing his wedding ring? I thought he got a new one."

"He did. But it's not just that. He seems quiet...distant lately. He doesn't really want to talk to me."

"I don't know, Joyelle. He and I don't really talk about that kind of stuff; you know that."

"So he hasn't said anything?"

"No, he hasn't. I can ask him if you want me to."

"No, no, that's okay. Maybe it's just me." Joyelle paused. "I just don't want to lose him."

"Lose him?" Emmett grabbed Joyelle's hand. "That's not going to happen. He loves you."

"I know. Maybe I'm reading too much into things," Joyelle said. "Thanks for coming by. I need to get back to work, and I'm sure you want to get home. It sounds like it's been a long day for you."

"Yes," Emmett agreed. "Come on, I'll walk you to the elevators."

They both got up from the table and headed out of the cafeteria toward the elevators.

"Don't worry, Joyelle. I'm sure everything will be okay." Emmett kissed Joyelle goodbye and got into the elevator going down to the hospital lobby.

Meanwhile, Max was at home nursing his hangover from drinking earlier in the day. Fixing some dinner in the kitchen, he picked up his cell phone and called Logan, as he had been doing regularly for the past hour. Once again, he got Logan's voicemail. "Hey. It's me again. Just wondering if you're okay and when you'll be home. I love you..." Max put down the phone and continued to prepare his food, wondering where Logan could be.

At the same time, Emmett was finally arriving home. Keith was seated at the counter in their kitchen having a beer when Emmett snuck up behind him and put his hands on Keith's shoulders, startling him.

"I'm home."

"Oh, good," Keith said, turning around to kiss Emmett.

"What's wrong? You're trembling." Emmett hugged Keith tightly. "Are you okay?"

"Long day, that's all," Keith replied, taking another swig of his beer.

"Tell me about it. I barely got any time in the office today running around to help Joyelle and Max."

"Max?" Keith looked at Emmett. "What did Max need?"

"Just to talk," Emmett explained, grabbing a beer out of the refrigerator.

Keith's tone grew stern. "You met with him today? Again?"

"He wanted to talk."

"You just met with him yesterday."

"I know. But he's going through a lot and wanted to talk more..."

"Without me."

"What are you talking about?" Emmett asked.

"What the hell is going on between you two?" Keith raised his voice again.

"What --?"

"Never mind, never mind." Keith grabbed his beer from the counter and left the kitchen.

Moments later, the bedroom door slammed. Emmett sighed and took another sip of his beer.

Later, in her own condo, Joyelle was getting ready for bed, washing her face in her bathroom and talking to Derek who had already gotten into bed.

"That boy was released early this morning, and he's going to be fine. So that's good news. Really the only good news of my day, unfortunately." Joyelle wiped her face dry with a towel. "Derek?"

She stuck her head out into the bedroom to ensure that Derek was paying attention to her, only to discover that he was sound asleep. She paused for a moment to look at Derek as he slept. He looked so peaceful and youthful, like he had on the first night that they met. His masculine, hard body still turned her on, as did his confidence and intelligence. She loved him so much.

She returned to the bathroom and opened the cabinet above the sink. She removed her birth control pills, dumped them into the toilet, and flushed them away.

Back at Notre Dame, Cole and Jesse decided to head out for a drink to celebrate both of their job offers. Cole had convinced Jesse to have just one drink, then return to the dorm to rest, so Jesse agreed.

Dressed for the club, Cole and Jesse headed out the back entrance of the dorm. It was a chilly night with a full moon casting shadows on the dorm and the sidewalk. As they headed down the path, they were unaware of Ben watching them as he hid in the shadows behind them.

In Chicago, Emmett sat on his living room couch finishing a beer. Keith was still locked in their bedroom. He was lying on their bed. His mind was spinning with thoughts of Emmett and Max and of the strange phone call he had received at the office early that morning.

Outside, a car was double-parked in front of their condo. The man in the front seat was facing their apartment taking photos of the front of the building. He snapped several pictures with his sophisticated camera, then put the camera down and drove away, stirring up a few leaves that were lying in the street. The moonlight cast an eerie glow from on high. There's nothing like the holiday season in Chicago.

Episode #5

There was much to be thankful for this holiday season. Thanksgiving brought a gorgeous fall day. Bright sunlight reflected off the orange, red, and gold tree leaves, which danced occasionally in the cool breeze. It was the perfect day for family and friends to celebrate and count their blessings.

As the sunlight peered into their bedroom window, Emmett Mancini and Keith Colgan were waking up. Emmett rolled over and wrapped his arm around Keith's body. He kissed him playfully on the back of the neck. Keith turned over and greeted his boyfriend with a kiss.

He rolled on top of Emmett and kissed him forcefully. "You're mine, Emmett," Keith declared. "Always."

"Well, duh. I wouldn't have it any other way." Emmett threw his feet over the side of the bed onto the hardwood floor. "We need to get up. We have a ton of guests coming today." Emmett jogged to the bathroom.

"I love you," Keith yelled to Emmett in the bathroom. Then more quietly, "And I need you, too." Keith slowly got out of bed and headed toward the bathroom.

At the same time, Cole O'Brien stood at the grotto on Notre Dame's campus, as he had early on the previous Thanksgiving mornings of this college career. It was his tradition to wake up early on Thanksgiving Day and walk to the grotto in the quiet of the holiday morning. Campus was still. Most students were away for the holiday, and those remaining on campus were still sound asleep.

On the previous three Thanksgivings, Cole had lit a single candle at the grotto as a prayer for his mother's health. This year, he once again carefully lit a candle for his mother. Then he paused and lit a second one, clasping the ring hanging around his neck. With both candles sparkling, Cole walked to the side of the grotto and sat down on a nearby bench. He closed his eyes for a moment and savored the silence.

He was startled out of his quiet by a hand on his shoulder. He jumped up from the bench and turned around to see who was behind him.

"Ben!" Cole gasped.

"Oh, man, I'm sorry," Ben said. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay." Cole caught his breath. "What's up?"

"Happy Thanksgiving," Ben replied, nervously rubbing his hands together.

"Same to you, Ben," Cole stated, still puzzled by Ben's appearance at the grotto.

"I'm sure Jesse told you what happened," Ben said. Cole stared at Ben. "He didn't?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Ben."

"Oh, wow," Ben ran his hand across his forehead. "He must really hate me."

"I don't think he hates you. Why would he spend time with you if he hated you?"

"You don't know what happened, Cole. He hasn't spoken to me since then."

Cole looked at his watch. "Look, Ben, I have to run. Jesse and I are leaving for Chicago in a bit."

"Chicago?" Ben paused. "Okay, okay." Ben teared up a bit as Cole turned to walk away. "Hey, Cole?" Cole stopped and turned back toward Ben. "Can you please tell Jesse that I love him?"

"Sure, Ben." Cole paused a moment. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"You too, man," Ben said, waving.

Cole disappeared down the path away from the grotto. Ben put his hat on and headed in the other direction.

As Cole and Jesse prepared to travel to Chicago, Logan Pryce stood in his kitchen preparing an appetizer to bring to Keith and Emmett's Thanksgiving party. His arm had been healing extremely well and quickly. The swelling was down, the discoloration was gone, range of motion was returning to normal, and the most recent x-rays revealed a well-healing bone. Nonetheless, Logan experienced some discomfort when he tried to overdo it.

Despite the early hour, Logan was having a glass of white wine as he prepared the ingredients. He was chopping some vegetables when he dropped the knife on the floor. "Damn."

Still naked, Logan's partner, Max Taylor, entered the kitchen as the knife hit the ground. "I'll get it," Max said as he knelt down to pick up the knife. Still on his knees, he reached up and put the knife on the counter. Then he looked at Logan, who was just wearing a pair of running shorts. "Mmm. I like the view down here," Max teased.

"Get up," Logan replied, only Max wasn't in the mood to listen. Instead, he put his hands on Logan's hips and put his face in the crotch of Logan's shorts. "I said, get up," Logan repeated, but Max continued to caress Logan's dick through his shorts. He pushed Logan against the counter and pulled them down.

"Come on, Max," Logan said. "I don't have time for this."

Max took Logan's limp dick into his mouth, determined to get Logan to respond. He grabbed Logan's ass and pulled it toward him, while his own erect cock slid up and down the inside of Logan's calf.

Slowly, Max licked up Logan's stomach to his hairy chest. He nibbled on each of Logan's nipples, traveling next to his neck and then his mouth. Standing in front of Logan, Max held him tight and kissed him deeply. He paused for a moment, looked into Logan's eyes, and said, "I need you."

With that comment, Logan pushed Max away from him.

"Please, Logan," Max pleaded.

"I've got things to do," Logan said, stepping away from Max and refocusing himself on preparing appetizers.

Max watched in disbelief as Logan began to slice more vegetables. Defeated and disappointed, Max quietly left the kitchen.

In their own condo, Derek Mancini and his wife Joyelle prepared for the holiday as well. Wearing only his boxers, Derek was seated at the breakfast counter finishing his coffee and staring at his laptop. Joyelle stood on the other side of the kitchen removing two pumpkin pies from the oven.

"I think they're done," Joyelle said with excitement.

"They smell amazing, Joy," Derek said without looking up from his computer. Joyelle placed each pie on a nearby cooling rack. "What time did Keith say we should be there?"

"Three o'clock. He was very clear about that. I wonder if he's planning something special."

Derek laughed. "Aren't they always?"

"No, I mean really, really special. I just got that impression from his tone about making sure we aren't late. He doesn't want us to miss anything."

"Well, we'll be there. We have plenty of time to stop by your mom's and have a drink before we head to Emmett's."

"Mom'll be glad to see you. You haven't been over there in a while."

"You know I have been busy."

"You must be really busy if you're doing work on Thanksgiving morning," Joyelle said as she washed some of the bowls she used to mix the pie crust ingredients.

"I am," Derek replied, refocusing on his laptop screen. He was looking at an internet search engine. He typed in the words "Cole" and "Notre Dame," in a desperate attempt to track down Cole. If only he had asked Cole what his last name was or knew some other information that would help locate him. "Damn."

"Everything okay?" Joyelle asked as she stood over the sink.

"Huh?" Derek kept his focus on the computer. "Yeah. Just work stuff." Derek tried a few other online social networks, but all of them provided way too many results, and Derek had no way to narrow his search. He feared he would never be able to find Cole again.

As Derek searched for Cole, Cole arrived back to his dorm room. His roommate, Jesse Morgan, was packing some clothes for their trip to Chicago while wrapping up a cell phone conversation.

"Sure, Mr. Pryce," Jesse said into the phone. "I mean Logan. See you then." Jesse ended the phone call as Cole entered. "Oh," Jesse said as Cole closed the door behind him. "Glad you're back. We need to get going so we'll be on time to meet Mom."

"Who was that?"

"Mr. Pryce. He wants to meet me for breakfast tomorrow since I'll be in town. To go over some work stuff."

"Work stuff, eh?"

"Yes. Now let's get moving."

"I ran into someone at the grotto just now," Cole said, pulling a duffle bag from under his bed. "Ben."

"Ben?" Jesse repeated as he zipped his bag. "What did he want?"

"Did something happen between you two?" Cole began putting some clothes into his bag.

"We had a fight," Jesse admitted.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Cole paused. "Wait, was it the day after I got mugged? When you were so pissed off and wanted to get out of here?"

"Yes. It's not a big deal."

"It sounds like it was to him. He got really upset while talking to me today."

"He wants a relationship...and I don't. It's that simple. C'mon, we need to get on the road."

"He said to tell you that he loves you," Cole said. "He seems sincere."

"Look, he's a nice guy..."

"\--and hot, too..."

"\--and hot, too. Very hot. But his life is here and I'm leaving for Chicago. I told him from the start that there would be no long-term relationship or anything for us."

Cole zipped up his bag. "Does this have anything to do with your new boss?"

Jesse laughed. "Gimme a break, Cole. I told Ben we were just friends long before I even knew who Logan was. Now let's go."

"Jesse, he's going to be your boss. You need to be careful about that," Cole counseled while grabbing a jacket.

"Oh, you're going to lecture me, Mister I'm-In-Love-With-A-Married Man?"

"I'm not in love with him. How many times do I have to tell you it was just a hookup?"

"As many times as it takes for it to actually be true," Jesse said. "Because we both know it isn't." Jesse grabbed his coat and bag.

"You should talk to Ben. He's a good guy. And for reasons still incomprehensible to me, he loves you." Cole joked. "You could do a lot worse."

"Thanks, Dr. Phil. Now can we go? I don't want to be late. You know how my mother gets."

"Okay, okay. Let's go," Cole said, turning off the lights in the room. He followed Jesse out the door and they headed for the parking lot.

As the boys drove to Chicago, Emmett and Keith were finishing their preparations before their guests arrived. Emmett placed a few more plates on the ornately-decorated table, while Keith checked on the turkey in the oven.

"Smells amazing," Emmett said as he patted Keith on the butt.

"Thanks. I think we are in good shape."

"Your ass sure is," Emmett joked. "Let's see how late everyone is. My brother and Joyelle will probably be first. They're the only ones not operating on 'gay time.'"

"I told all those bitches to be on time. They better be," Keith stated as he stirred the gravy on the stove.

"Well, we are ready for them, whenever they show up," Emmett replied as the door buzzer rang. "Speak of the devil." Emmett walked into the hallway and pressed the door entry button.

"It's probably your brother," Keith yelled from the kitchen.

After a moment, Emmett heard a gentle knock on the door, and he opened it to greet Logan and Max. "Hey girls," Emmett said, embracing both Logan and Max as they entered.

"Happy Thanksgiving," Max stated.

"Sorry we're a bit early, but we have the appetizers," Logan explained, holding up a huge, wrapped serving plate.

"Here, let me take that," Emmett offered.

"No, I'll bring it to the kitchen," Logan said walking through the dining room.

"How's it going?" Emmett asked Max quietly so the others wouldn't hear.

"Status quo," Max said, kissing Emmett on the cheek.

"Well, hello," Keith stated, emerging from the kitchen carrying Logan's coat. He hugged Max and then turned to Emmett. "Can you help Logan with the appetizers? I'll put the coats in the bedroom."

"Sure," Emmett replied, heading off toward the kitchen.

"Come with me," Keith said to Max, leading him away toward to the bedroom. Max followed Keith into the guest bedroom where Keith tossed Logan's coat onto the bed. Max was taking his off when Keith faced him directly. "What's the deal, Max?"

"What do you mean?" Max asked, removing his coat and tossing it on top of Logan's.

"Back off, would you? Emmett's mine."

"Whoa," Max said, surprised. "What are you talking about?"

"All those secret daytime meetings to 'talk'? They need to stop."

"Keith, I just needed to talk, that's all. Don't forget that Emmett and I have been friends for a very long time."

"I know. But he's with me. So give it a rest," Keith said as Emmett stuck his head into the room. "Just because your relationship is a wreck doesn't mean you get to ruin mine."

"Everything okay?" Emmett asked.

"Of course," Keith replied, smiling. "We were just clarifying something."

"Well, your stove timer is going off," Emmett said.

"Oh, great! Thanks," Keith said, rushing out of the room.

"What was that all about?" Emmett asked Max.

"Nothing. Your boyfriend has a bit of a jealous streak." Max smiled and winked at Emmett as the door buzzer sounded again.

"I got it!" Emmett yelled as he headed for the front door again. Max followed him.

"Hey, brother!" Derek said as Emmett opened the door to welcome him. He gave Emmett a high-five as Joyelle entered carrying one of her pumpkin pies.

"Happy Thanksgiving," Joyelle stated, kissing Emmett. Then she whispered, "Your brother had a few drinks at my mom's house."

"Apparently," Emmett replied. "Is this one of your famous pies?"

"It is."

"Max! How are you, bud?" Derek asked, shaking Max's hand.

"Good to see you," Max replied.

"How's Logan?" Joyelle asked, kissing Max on the cheek. "I haven't seen you guys since that night in the ER."

"He's better, thanks. His arm is healing well." Max paused. "He's in the kitchen with Keith."

"Wow," Joyelle said looking at the dining room table. "Everything looks great."

"You gays sure know how to decorate," Derek said.

Emmett laughed. "Don't be a hater. Come on. Let's get you guys some drinks." Max and Derek headed into the kitchen and Emmett held Joyelle back for a moment. "How are things with him?"

"About the same. He's a little cocktailed today.

"Well, keep me posted. I think things will turn out fine."

"I do, too," Joyelle said with a smile.

The afternoon proceeded and soon people were sitting down for dinner. Cole and Jesse began their dinner with Jesse's mother, Jacqueline Morgan, at the upscale Chicago restaurant she had selected. She was a lovely, elegant woman, slightly darker than her son Jesse, and as pretty as he was handsome.

"I'm so lucky to be celebrating Thanksgiving with two handsome men," Jacqueline kidded as the waiter arrived with their cocktails.

"We're the lucky ones," Cole said. "It's great to see you." The waiter distributed the drinks and walked away from the table.

"Let's have a toast," Jacqueline suggested. "To my two favorite men. Thank you for celebrating the holiday with me. And congratulations to both of you on your new jobs."

"Thank you," Cole said.

"Thanks, Mom." Jesse sipped his drink.

"Cole, how's your mother?"

"She's good, thank you. Still in remission. I talked to her this morning. She's celebrating with friends today."

"Oh, that's great. Maggie's such a wonderful woman."

"Thank you. Hopefully, you guys will see each other soon."

"I'd like that." Jacqueline drank her champagne. "So, are we on for a Black Friday lunch tomorrow?"

"Aw, Mom," Jesse moaned.

"Now, now. You don't have to do the shopping part. I can handle that on my own, and I know you hate it anyway. But you will both meet me at the Walnut Room for lunch, okay?"

"That should work out great, Mrs. Morgan," Cole said. "I have to go by our new apartment in the morning and drop off the signed lease, and Jesse has to meet with his new boss. But we should both be done in time to meet you for lunch."

"Perfect. Now tell me more about your new boss, Jesse."

Cole looked at Jesse and smiled.

At the same time, Keith asked his guests to be seated around the table in his dining room. Emmett and Keith sat at the heads of their table with Derek and Joyelle on one side and Logan and Max on the other. Logan's eyelids were beginning to droop with drunkenness, and Max patted him on the lap to try to refocus him on the impending dinner.

"Does anyone need a drink refill before I sit down?" Emmett asked.

"I think we're good," Max said. "Sit down. You guys have worked too hard."

Derek raised his wine glass. "Let's have a toast to our hosts, Emmett and Keith. Thanks for having us all for this holiday dinner."

"Yes. Cheers," Joyelle said, raising her glass.

"Actually," Keith began, "I would like to make a toast, too."

"Uh oh." Emmett laughed, receiving a look from Keith.

Keith stood up and raised his glass. "Today is Thanksgiving, so what better day to celebrate all of you, my dear friends? Actually, we are more than friends. We are family. We love each other, we care about each other, we occasionally fight with each other..." People around the table smiled. "...but most of all, we are there for each other, no matter what. So today, we celebrate each other, our family."

"Here, here," Derek said.

Max laughed. "I don't think he's finished."

"I'm not, but if you lushes can't wait until I'm finished to take a drink, go ahead now." People around the table snickered and a few sipped their drinks. Keith put his glass down on the table and slowly walked toward Emmett.

"There is one person here, though, who I am particularly thankful for. From the moment I met him, he has been the light in my life. He always knows what to say and when to say it. He puts others before himself and is one of the most selfless, caring people I have ever known. Not to mention the sexiest. I love him very much, and I cannot imagine my life without him in it." Emmett's eyes watered as Keith spoke.

"And so," Keith continued, "on this special day surrounded by our special family, I'm wondering just one thing." Keith got down on one knee in front of Emmett's chair. Emmett watched with anticipation, and Joyelle wiped tears from her eyes. Keith reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. He opened it, revealing a beautiful wedding ring. "Emmett Mancini, will you marry me?"

Emmett stood up from his chair, grabbed Keith's hand, and helped him up off his knee. "Yes, Keith. Of course I will." Emmett smiled through his tears and kissed Keith.

"Aww," Joyelle said as the others around the table clapped. Keith and Emmett continued to kiss.

"Give him the ring," Derek said, laughing.

Keith took Emmett's left hand and placed the ring on his third finger. Emmett looked down at this hand, grinning. "It's perfect."

"You're perfect," Keith stated, kissing Emmett one more time.

"Congratulations, you two," Max said, standing up to hug them.

Logan finished his wine. "Yes, congrats," Logan added.

Emmett and Keith smiled at their friends.

Joyelle got up from the table and kissed Emmett, then Keith.

"It's awesome," Derek said, hugging Emmett first and then Keith.

"I wonder what your brother Justin would think," Joyelle added.

"Why are you bringing him up?" Derek asked. "This is supposed to be a happy occasion."

The door buzzed again. "Are we expecting someone?"

"Hmmm," Keith mumbled, walking to the buzzer. After a moment, Keith opened the door to greet a delivery man holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers in the colors of autumn.

"Delivery for Keith Colgan," the man announced.

"That's me," Keith said.

The man handed the flowers to Keith. "Happy Thanksgiving." In a moment, he was gone.

"Wow, you thought of everything," Max stated to Keith. "Even flowers."

"Um, no," Keith said, setting the large bouquet on the dining room buffet. They were beautiful, and he fumbled to open the little envelope sticking out of the flowers. He removed the small card and read it silently to himself: "I'm thankful for freedom. And you." His face turned white, and his body tensed up.

"Who are they from, Keith?" Emmett asked, startling Keith out of his moment of shock.

"Um," Keith paused, shoving the card into his pocket. "They're from...my sister."

"Your sister?" Emmett asked. "Wow, when's the last time you talked to her?"

"They're beautiful," Joyelle said. "She has good taste."

"Let's go," Logan whispered to Max.

"Go? We haven't even eaten yet."

"Oh," Logan slurred. Then he poured himself another glass of wine.

"That's really generous of her," Emmett said, admiring the flowers. "And perfect timing, too. Like an engagement present."

"Yes," Keith agreed. "Well, come on. Let's eat."

Outside the front of the condo building, the delivery man reached the sidewalk where a darkly dressed person was waiting for him. He handed the delivery man some money and said, "Good work."

The delivery man took the money, replied "Happy Thanksgiving," and walked away.

The other man paused for a moment and stared up at Keith's window. "It sure is." After a moment, the man smiled and disappeared into the shadows of the evening. There was much to be thankful for this holiday season.

Episode #6

Black Friday is always full of surprises. Some people wake up at the crack of dawn on the morning after Thanksgiving to get to the stores and take advantage of sale prices and surprise markdowns. Others never go to sleep at all and head right from their Thanksgiving festivities to the mall to enjoy the "early bird" specials. And still others avoid the stores altogether, surprised that people would willingly place themselves in the midst of the hellish shopping frenzy that is Black Friday.

One person who didn't have to make any decisions regarding Black Friday was Joyelle Mancini. She had to work at St. Joseph Hospital on that day. The last thing on Joyelle's mind as she and Derek left the Thanksgiving party they had attended at the home of Emmett Mancini and Keith Colgan was shopping. Her focus was on her husband, Derek.

When Joyelle and Derek arrived home late on Thanksgiving night, they were tired and Derek was a bit intoxicated. They headed right to their bedroom and began getting ready for bed.

"I can't believe my baby brother is engaged," Derek said as he pulled his shirt off and dropped it on the floor.

"I know. It's so exciting," Joyelle replied from inside the master bathroom.

"What kind of wedding ceremony do gays have anyway? Like a normal one?"

Joyelle laughed. "Oh, Derek, you're always so PC. Whatever type of wedding they choose, I'm sure it'll be beautiful. Just like ours was."

Joyelle turned the light off in the bathroom and re-entered the bedroom just in time to watch Derek crawl into bed naked. "Mmm, you look so good tonight."

"Just tonight?" Derek asked.

Joyelle crawled into bed next to him. She put her hands on his chest and kissed him gently.

"No, every night," Joyelle said as she kissed him more passionately. "You get hotter and hotter all the time." Joyelle wrapped her leg around Derek and kissed his neck.

Derek grinned. "Happy Thanksgiving."

Joyelle straddled Derek's hips and massaged his chest. She ran her tongue along his jaw line then down his neck. As she licked toward his nipples, Derek put his hands on both sides of her face and pulled her back up so he could kiss her more.

He darted his tongue in and out of her mouth as he slid his hands down her back. Then he pulled her against him and hugged her tightly, signaling that he was falling asleep. He kissed her one more time and smiled at her as he closed his eyes. "Good night, Joy."

Joyelle, however, was not quite ready to sleep. Instead, she rolled him over onto his back and climbed on top of him again. She kissed him and pinned him down.

"I'm tired," Derek moaned.

"I'm not," Joyelle replied as she buried her face in her husband's chest. She ran her tongue over his nipples, caressing and biting them. She knew that would get a reaction out of Derek, and it did.

Derek placed his hands on the back of Joyelle's head, pushing her down on his already-erect penis. She continued to suck, getting him as hard as she could before she climbed onto him.

"Are we okay?" Derek asked softly, determining whether or not to pull on a condom.

"Yes," Joyelle lied. "I love you, baby." Joyelle bit Derek's lower lip and braced for his orgasm.

It came moments later. With a loud groan, Derek filled her.

Joyelle kissed Derek again and rolled off him. She placed her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She would never allow anyone to take him away from her.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame's campus was very quiet that evening. The Thanksgiving moonlight reflected off the buildings, giving the entire campus a warm glow. Most students were off campus for the holiday weekend; those who remained on campus were with friends enjoying the end of the holiday.

Outside of Dillon Hall, Ben Donovan quietly snuck through the bushes until he stopped in front of the window of Jesse Morgan and Cole O'Brien's dorm room. He quietly took a tool out of his coat pocket and used it to pry the screen off the window. He placed the screen on the ground nearby and then pushed up, opening the dorm window. With one careful movement, he pulled himself up through the window, landing inside the dark room.

Once inside, Ben pulled out a small flashlight and used it to navigate the room. Two desks were right near the window and it didn't take Ben long to figure out which one was Jesse's; the photos of Jesse and his mother Jacqueline gave it away. Using the flashlight, Ben examined the photos. He had heard Jesse talk about his mother but had never seen photos of her until now. She was as pretty as Jesse had described.

Ben found Jesse's laptop sitting on the desk. He pulled a small drive out of his pocket and inserted it into the side of the computer. Then he opened the laptop and turned it on. While he waited for the computer to boot up, Ben looked at the papers lying on Jesse's desk. After a moment, he came across a printout of Jacqueline's weekend itinerary that Jesse had printed from an email. It contained her name, home address, airline flights, and Chicago hotel. Ben perused the information until the computer finished booting.

With the computer on, Ben worked quickly. He opened some files on the drive he had inserted. Then he watched as they loaded onto Jesse's computer. In a minute or two, the screen looked normal again. Ben grinned, returned the drive to his pocket, and shut down the computer. He turned toward the window to leave, but paused for a moment. He looked back down at Jacqueline's itinerary. He picked it up, folded it in half, and put it into the same pocket that held the drive. Then he put away his flashlight and crept through the window and out of the room. Finally, he closed the window, replaced the screen, and disappeared into the evening.

The darkness of the nighttime soon gave way to the morning of Black Friday. In Chicago, the shopping craze was in full swing. Many people, including Emmett Mancini, had the day off from work. Nonetheless, he was up relatively early; it was the day he decorated his condo for Christmas each year; no one loved Christmas more than Emmett.

Emmett rolled over in bed to give his fiancé Keith Colgan a kiss, but found that Keith wasn't in bed. Emmett sat up and looked around the room, still no sign of Keith. Emmett looked down at the gorgeous ring on his finger, the one Keith had proposed with the night before. He smiled and hopped out of bed to find Keith, who was probably putting away dishes from the Thanksgiving party the night before.

As Emmett walked through the condo, he noticed that everything from the night before had been cleaned up and put away. He checked his phone and saw a text from Keith: "Went to the office for a bit. Happy decorating. See you later. Xo" Emmett texted back, "Great. Don't work too hard. Xo" He put the phone down on the counter, looked at the beautiful flowers that had been delivered the night before, and walked to the coffee maker.

While Emmett poured himself a cup of coffee, his brother Derek was just waking up. He, too, was alone in his bed. He opened his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair. "Cole..." he mumbled. He tossed his legs over the side of the bed, stepped into his flip flops, stood up, and headed to the kitchen where Joyelle was making coffee.

"Good morning," Joyelle said, smiling. "Want some coffee?"

Derek walked up behind Joyelle and wrapped his arms around her. He pressed his naked body up against her and moved her hair to the side so he could kiss the back of her neck. He continued to kiss her, pulling off the sweatshirt she was wearing.

Derek sent chills through her body as he took her right there in the kitchen. Pressed up against the counter, Joyelle wrapped herself around her husband, eagerly accepting what he had to give. It happened quickly, with an intensity they both enjoyed.

"Good morning," she repeated, pulling her clothes back on.

He winked at her. "How about that coffee?"

Joyelle walked over to the coffee machine.

Derek checked his phone, which was lying on the counter. "Hmmm."

"What is it?" Joyelle asked.

"A text from my future brother-in-law."

"Keith?"

"Yup. He wants to meet me this morning."

"What about?" Joyelle asked, handing Derek his coffee.

"Not sure. He wants to meet at my office in an hour." Derek sipped his coffee, then laughed out loud. "Engagement jitters already?"

"Were you going to go into the office today?" Joyelle asked.

"Yes, but not for the whole day. It's fine. I'll meet Keith and get some other stuff done then head home."

"I got a call to come in earlier than I was scheduled for, which is better. Gets me home earlier," Joyelle informed Derek.

"Cool. Well, I'm going to hop into the shower..." Derek disappeared from the kitchen with his coffee cup in hand. Joyelle sipped her coffee and followed Derek out of the kitchen.

At the same time, Logan Pryce and Jesse Morgan were having breakfast at a downtown restaurant. They had already discussed some details regarding Jesse's new job and had moved on to other topics.

"So where is your mom from?" Logan asked Jesse as he sipped his Bloody Mary.

"St. Louis. But she gets to Chicago often," Jesse replied. "My roommate Cole and I had Thanksgiving dinner with her yesterday, and we're meeting her for lunch later on. She's pretty self-sufficient. She's probably fighting the crowds shopping already this morning."

"Crazy. Today is the last day I'd be shopping. The crowds are too much for me."

Jesse laughed. "Me, too."

"My partner is off today, too. He doesn't like the crowds, either."

"Oh, you have a partner?" Jesse asked. "How long have you two been together?"

"Long time, although things are a little dicey right now," Logan explained as he waved the waiter over.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Jesse lied.

"Another one of these, please," Logan told the waiter as he pointed to his drink.

"Yes, sir," the waiter replied, walking away.

Logan smiled. "Don't worry about me, Jesse. I'll be fine."

"Logan, I want to ask you about something. Cole's mom has been battling cancer on and off for a long time, and I was thinking about surprising him by putting together a charity event. Not for her specifically, but for cancer research in general. Nothing too large. I don't think I could do that on my own. But something to show him I care and maybe help some people in the process."

"That sounds fantastic," Logan said as the waiter returned to the table with another drink. "I think it's a great idea. And I'd love to help you organize it, if you'll let me."

"Sure. That'd be great. You probably have a lot more contacts and resources than I do. I'd love any help you could offer."

"Done," Logan stated. Then he laughed. "We are quite a pair already, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are," Jesse replied.

Logan raised his glass and toasted. "To us."

Jesse smiled. "To us."

As Jesse and Logan finished their breakfast meeting, Derek worked on some paperwork in his downtown office. After a while, Keith stuck his head through Derek's door.

"Knock, knock," Keith said, jokingly.

Derek looked up from this work. "Keith, come on in." Keith entered the office and walked toward Derek's desk as Derek got up and opened his arms to hug Keith. "My future brother-in-law!"

Keith laughed as he embraced Derek.

"Congrats, man. That's really cool. You did a nice job yesterday on dinner and the proposal."

"Thanks, Derek. I appreciate that." Then he added, "I'm a lucky guy."

"So is my brother," Derek said as he sat back down at his desk. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about? I don't think you've ever been here in my office, have you?"

"Nope," Keith replied, sitting across from Derek and looking around. "It's nice."

"Thanks. Want some water or coffee?"

"No, I'm good. This won't take long." Keith paused. "I have a friend who may need some legal advice, and he doesn't know any attorneys, so I was hoping you and I could help him."

"Okay," Derek said. "Sure. What's his issue?"

"Well, he may need to get a restraining order."

"Oh. Is someone bothering him?"

"I think so. Is that hard to do?"

"A restraining order? Not at all. We just need evidence that your friend is being harassed."

"I'm not sure he wants to do this for sure, but he's considering it."

"Well, there are a few people here at the firm that we can work with if your friend wants to go forward. Do you want me to call them?"

"No, no. I'm just gathering some information for him at this point." Keith paused. "So you think you can help?"

"Yes," Derek replied. He paused, then continued. "Keith, are you in some kind of trouble?"

"Me? No, no. Just trying to help a friend. That's all."

"Okay, well find out what he wants to do and let me know."

"I will," Keith said, standing up to leave the office. "Thanks, Derek."

"Any time." Derek shook hands with Keith. "Hey, Keith? I'm here if you need anything. You can talk to me. We're family now."

"Thanks, bro," Keith replied and left Derek's office.

"What aren't you telling me?" Derek mumbled to himself as he sat back down at his desk to return to his work.

Meanwhile, Emmett and Max Taylor were grabbing coffee at Boystown Blend. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice the man with a small camera sitting in the corner.

"I'm so sorry for what Keith said to you yesterday," Emmett told Max. "I overheard what he said."

"No worries," Max said, drinking his coffee. "He was just anxious about the proposal."

"That doesn't make it right. He needs to watch what he says sometimes."

"It's okay," Max said. "Now let me get a closer look at that ring." Max grabbed Emmett's hand and pulled it toward him.

The man in the corner discreetly snapped a couple of photos of them holding hands.

"You were so surprised," Max continued. "You should have seen the look on your face."

Emmett laughed. "I was pretty overwhelmed. It's all a blur in my mind."

"I have to give Keith credit. He did a great job."

"That's why I love him. But what about you guys? What are you going to do about Logan?"

"I don't know. For the first time in my life, I feel powerless, like it's something I can't fix."

"Don't say that, Max. You two love each other," Emmett said, playing with his coffee cup.

"We did...once."

"You still do." Emmett paused. "You aren't going to just give up on him, are you?"

"I don't know," Max sighed. "I'm not quite sure how to handle this anymore."

"I'll tell you how -- you're going to fight. Fight for Logan and for your relationship."

"We'll see. I'm not sure how much fight I have left in me. Or if he will even meet me halfway...on anything."

"You need to make him talk and make him work with you," Emmett encouraged Max.

"I've been thinking, Emmett."

Emmett laughed. "Uh oh."

"I know, right?" Max smiled. "Remember when you and I used to talk about opening a restaurant?"

"Geez, that was so long ago," Emmett replied. "What made you think of that now?"

"I've just been thinking that I need a change. Something new and exciting. So why not try it now?"

"Max, we've discussed all this before, a long time ago. Running a restaurant is a shitload of work. It's risky and it's hard."

"I know. Of course, it is. But does that mean we shouldn't try it? You were the one just talking about fighting for things we believe in. You and I used to talk about a restaurant all the time."

"That was a long time ago, Max. Before Logan and before Keith."

"So what? That doesn't mean we shouldn't go for it, if we still want to."

Emmett paused for a moment and scanned the coffee shop. Then he looked back at Max. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"I am," Max replied. He grabbed Emmett's hand again. The man snapped another photo. "At least think about it, okay? We can do this."

"It does sound exciting. But I can't promise anything. Especially without talking to Keith first."

"I know. It's not something we can decide right this minute. It'll take some serious thought and discussion. But think about it, okay?"

"Wow. I didn't see this coming at all. But, yes, I will. Let's get through the holidays and then talk about it more, okay?"

Max smiled. "Sounds good." He looked at his watch. "Okay, we better get going. You have a condo to decorate. And believe it or not, I need to head downtown into the shopping mayhem to pick up a gift I ordered for my secretary for her birthday."

"And you have a partner to talk to as well." Emmett winked at Max.

Both Emmett and Max got up and walked out of the coffee house together. They exchanged hugs and headed in opposite directions.

As Emmett walked home, Cole O'Brien stepped out of his future apartment on Roscoe Street. He had just dropped off the signed lease to his new landlord and was headed toward Lake Shore Drive and then downtown to meet Jesse and his mother for lunch at the Walnut Room.

As Cole walked through the gate of the apartment building and onto the sidewalk, he saw Joyelle across the street. Joyelle waved and yelled to Cole, "Oh, my gosh! How are you?"

Cole crossed the street to her. "Wow! What a surprise."

"Returning to the scene of the crime?" Joyelle joked, referring to Cole's mugging on that very street.

Cole laughed. "You could say that. Actually, my friend and I just signed a lease for an apartment in that building across the street. We both just got jobs here in Chicago."

"Congratulations. That's great." Joyelle put her hand out to shake with Cole. "You know, we never really got properly introduced. I'm Joyelle Mancini." Cole immediately recognized the last name.

"Cole O'Brien," he replied, shaking Joyelle's hand.

"Small world. We're going to be neighbors. My husband and I live right here." Joyelle gestured toward the building behind her.

Cole acted surprised. "Right here? Wow. Cool." He added, "It'll be good living so close to my guardian angel." Joyelle smiled and put her hands over her face bashfully. Cole noticed her wedding ring. It was the match to the one hanging around his neck under his shirt. "Cool ring. Really unusual."

"Oh, thanks. My husband and I had them made for our wedding. Of course, the goof recently lost his and had to have it replaced."

"No way," Cole replied.

"He's a good guy. You'll meet him. Now that we're neighbors, we'll have to have you and your roommate over for dinner once you move in. When do you move?"

"Well, officially January first, but since the apartment is empty now, we can get in earlier if we need to."

"Great," Joyelle replied. "Well, it was good to bump into you. I need to get the bus to work."

"I'm headed downtown for lunch. I need to grab a cab."

"Well, come on. I'm headed that way. Walk with me."

Joyelle led the way and Cole followed her toward Lake Shore Drive.

While Joyelle headed to work and Cole made his way downtown, Emmett prepared the house for his Christmas decorations. Part of his process was to clean the house thoroughly first, knowing full well that he'd have to clean it again after all the decorations were in place and their empty containers were returned to the storage locker in the basement of the building. But he didn't mind all the work. This was his favorite time of year.

The decorators at Macy's department store had long finished their decorating. For weeks and weeks before Thanksgiving, they had filled every nook and cranny of the famous State Street store with sparkling, festive decorations to put their customers in the holiday shopping mood. Macy's had continued the long-standing tradition established by Marshall Field's of erecting the famous Christmas tree in the Walnut Room of the store. Thousands of tourists and native Chicagoans flocked to the Walnut Room each year to enjoy a meal around the two-story Christmas tree.

Beneath the tree's lowest branches, Cole and Jesse were enjoying lunch with Jesse's mother Jacqueline. She had been shopping all morning and had several shopping bags as evidence of her spree.

"Everything went well with the landlord this morning?" Jesse asked as he finished his lunch.

"Yep," Cole said. "I dropped off the lease, spoke to the landlord. We are all set. And we can move in early if we want. The unit is currently empty."

"Oh, that's nice," Jacqueline added. "Then you don't have to do everything all at once. And if the weather gets bad, you have some flexibility."

"We planned it that way," Cole joked, taking one last bite of his lunch.

"I'm excited for you boys," Jacqueline said, pulling her credit card out to pay the bill.

"No, no, Mom. Lunch is on us."

"Yes, please," Cole added. "We'd like to treat you."

"Oh, no. I insist. It's my pleasure."

"It's the least we can do, after this wonderful holiday weekend you planned for us," Cole pleaded.

Jacqueline smiled. "Your mother would do the same if she were here. I want to do this."

She handed the bill and credit card to the waiter as he approached the table.

"Are you sure that card's going to work after everything you bought this morning?" Jesse asked, jokingly.

She laughed. "I'm only half done. I'm going to drop these bags back at the hotel, then head north to Michigan Avenue. Shop 'til I drop."

"Why don't we take the bags back to the hotel for you?" Cole suggested. "Then you can head straight north."

"Well, what are you boys doing the rest of the day?"

"I was hoping to chill in the room a bit before we hit the clubs tonight," Jesse said.

"I'm in," Cole added.

"You sure you're okay being on your own tonight, Mom?"

"Of course. I'll be so tired when I'm done shopping that I'll have a drink at the bar and get to bed early. Besides, I got that suite for us so you can do your thing and I can do mine. You can come and go as you please. I know you don't want to spend your entire time in Chicago with your Mom."

The waiter returned with the check holder and handed it to Jacqueline.

"Thank you," he said. "Enjoy the rest of your day. Happy holidays." He walked to another table.

"Okay. Then we'll take the bags back to the room for you."

"Thank you. But no peeking inside. Some of those gifts are for you," Jacqueline said and signed the credit card slip.

Jesse laughed. "Don't worry."

"Okay," Jacqueline said. "Are we ready to go?"

"Thanks again, Ms. Morgan."

"My pleasure," she said.

They all got up from the table. Cole and Jesse grabbed the bags from the floor near Jacqueline.

"Thanks, Mom," Jesse said, kissing his mother on the cheek. Cole did the same.

"You're welcome. Have fun tonight. I'm sure I won't see you until tomorrow morning. Or afternoon," Jacqueline laughed.

"Ugh," Jesse said, rolling his eyes.

Cole laughed and the two boys left the restaurant with Jacqueline and headed toward the elevators. When they reached the ground floor of the store, they headed through the State Street doors into the bustling crowd outside.

"Do you want us to get you a cab?" Cole asked.

"No, thanks. Since you're taking the bags, I think I want to walk down the street and look at the holiday windows. I can get my own cab."

"Okay, Mom. We'll see you later."

"Bye boys," Jacqueline said as the boys disappeared into the crowd of shoppers.

Jacqueline casually walked a few feet and looked at the holiday windows. Ever since she was a kid, the moving figurines and enchanted stories had always fascinated her. She slowly made her way from window to window, until she was surprised by someone calling her name.

"Jacqueline?" Max asked. "Jacqueline Morgan?"

Jacqueline turned around and found herself face to face with Max Taylor. For a moment, they stared at each other without saying a word. Then Jacqueline smiled and hugged Max.

"I can't believe it's you," Max said. "What are you doing here in Chicago?"

"It's been a long time," Jacqueline remarked.

"Too long. You look amazing."

"Thank you," Jacqueline replied. "And you're as handsome as ever."

"What are you in town for?"

"Just some holiday shopping. I try to come once every year during the holidays," Jacqueline said, adjusting her scarf.

Max laughed. "Well, you picked the busiest day. About ten thousand other people had the same idea."

"I never was very original," Jacqueline stated. "Well, it was nice running into you."

"Wait a minute. Are you in town alone?"

"Yes. Yes, I am," Jacqueline lied.

"Well, are you free for dinner? Or a drink later? It would be fun to catch up."

"I don't know," Jacqueline replied.

Max handed Jacqueline a business card. "Here. My cell phone is on the bottom. Call me. We can meet up later. It'd be fun."

"Fun?" Jacqueline asked. "I'm not so sure, but I'll think about it. I really need to go."

"Good to see you," Max said. "Call me." Jacqueline just smiled and walked away. Max watched Jacqueline walk away and then headed inside Macy's.

While Max was picking up the gift he had ordered for his secretary, Emmett opened container after container of holiday decorations. The decorating process was an all-day event, and Keith had learned long ago to stay clear. Emmett had his system, and it was just better for everyone if no one interfered.

Emmett's phone rang and, when Emmett saw that Keith was the one calling, he answered the call.

"How's my holiday elf?" Keith asked.

"Coming along. Got a little bit of a late start, but I'm doing well. You don't have to stay away, you know. You can come home."

"In the middle of Holiday Hurricane Emmett? No, thanks," Keith joked. "I learned that lesson the hard way."

"Okay," Emmett replied, laughing.

"I'll grab a drink or something to kill some time. I'll see you later."

"And the winter wonderland will welcome you home. See you soon. I love you."

"Love you, too."

Emmett put the phone down and walked over to the laundry room at the back of their condo. He opened the hamper and emptied the clothes into the washing machine, checking the pockets of each garment. In one pair of pants, he found two dollars and some quarters in another pair.

He checked the pants that Keith had worn the night before at their dinner party. He found a card inside one of the pockets and soon realized it was the card that was attached to the flowers that were delivered. He turned the card over and read the message: "I'm thankful for freedom. And you." Emmett paused and then reread the message. "Why would his sister be thankful for freedom?" Emmett wondered. Then he put the card on the counter along with the money he found and tossed the pants into the washing machine.

Later that evening, after her shopping spree, Jacqueline sat at the bar in the first floor lounge of her hotel. She was having a martini and talking occasionally to the bartender. Mostly, she was just taking in the scene and relaxing after her hectic day.

"This martini is good," she told the bartender.

"Like it better than the first one?" he asked. "I thought you might."

"Yes, but they are strong," she replied.

"Well, you get your money's worth from me," he joked.

The bartender stepped away for a moment and Jacqueline pulled Max's business card out of her pocket. She stared at it for a while and finally took out her phone. She dialed Max's cell number, but hesitated before pressing the "call" button. The bartender walked back over.

"Not sure if you should call the guy, huh?"

Jacqueline laughed. "How did you know?"

"Happens often at the bar this time of night." The bartender smiled. "My advice? If you're not completely sure, don't do it."

Jacqueline nodded and then put her phone and Max's business card into her purse. "You're probably right. Thanks."

"That's what bartenders are for." He winked and stepped away to greet a man who was sitting down at the bar, several seats away from Jacqueline.

It was Ben Donovan, dressed handsomely in a suit and tie. He took his seat and ordered a Cosmopolitan from the bartender. As the bartender prepared the cocktail, Ben made eye contact with Jacqueline. She smiled and looked away.

"Thanks," Ben told the bartender, handing him a credit card. "I'll start a tab."

The bartender took the card and walked back to his cash register. Then he went over to Jacqueline.

"So you're in town for a few days?" the bartender asked.

"Yes," Jacqueline replied. "Long weekend with my son. He's out with a friend tonight. I figured I'd call it an early night. Especially after these martinis you've made me."

Ben got up and walked over to Jacqueline. "Not too early, I hope." Jacqueline grinned. "Mind if I sit down?"

"Go right ahead," Jacqueline said, intrigued by the sexy stranger.

"I'm Shawn," Ben lied, as he extended his hand to Jacqueline.

"Hello, Shawn. I'm Jacqueline. It's nice to meet you." Jacqueline turned her stool toward Ben, who sat down and faced her.

"Pleasure's mine," Ben said. "Are you visiting from out of town? I overheard you talking to the bartender."

"Yes," Jacqueline replied. "I'm in town for the weekend. With my son."

"Excellent. Great time of year to visit Chicago." Jacqueline finished her drink and Ben signaled to the bartender. "Let me get another for my friend here."

"Oh, no. I shouldn't," Jacqueline said.

"Aw, come on. Have a drink with me. I'm enjoying talking to you." Ben indicated to the bartender to bring Jacqueline another drink.

"Well, okay. But just one more," Jacqueline said.

"Whatever you say," Ben replied.

The bartender put Jacqueline's fresh drink on the bar in front of her. Then they clinked their glasses together.

As Ben and Jacqueline were enjoying their drinks, Logan was at Rebound bar in the Boystown neighborhood having a drink with his friend Bob who was bartending. Logan was watching the music video on the monitors above the bar and occasionally looking around at the parade of men passing through the bar.

He had signaled to the bartender to give him another drink, when he noticed Jesse and Cole walking in his direction. He leaned back on his stool and reached out to grab Jesse as he passed by.

"Twice in one day?" Logan asked as he grabbed Jesse, whose face lit up.

"Oh, my God! Logan!"

Before Jesse could say another word, Logan hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. Jesse kissed him back.

"Great to see you, Jesse. Is this your boyfriend?" Logan asked, nodding toward Cole.

"My boyfriend? Haha. This is my roommate," Jesse explained.

"Oh. Cole. Great to meet you," Logan said, extending his hand to Cole. "Jesse has told me all about you. I'm Logan Pryce."

"Good to meet you," Cole replied, shaking Logan's hand. "Jesse is very excited to be working with you."

"Sit down and have a drink with me, you two. Bob, get my two friends a drink, would you?"

"What would you like?" the bartender asked Cole and Jesse.

"Grey Goose and soda, please," Jesse said, taking the seat next to Logan.

"I'll have the same," Cole added.

Logan put his hand on Jesse's thigh. "What a great surprise. What are you two up to this evening?"

"Just a night out," Cole said. "No definite plans."

"Seeing where the night takes you, eh?" Logan laughed as the bartender brought Cole and Jesse their drinks.

"I'm glad you're here." Jesse winked at Logan. "And glad you are getting to meet Cole."

"Well, hello!" Keith yelled as he rounded the corner of the bar and saw Logan. "Funny seeing you here."

"Oh, hey," Logan said as Keith hugged him. "What are you doing here?"

Keith laughed. "Avoiding Christmas decoration hell at home." He turned to the bartender. "Hey, Bob. Can I get a vodka-cranberry?"

"Sure," Bob replied. "Good to see you, Keith."

"Keith, these are my friends Jesse and Cole," Logan said.

"Nice to meet you both," Keith stated.

"Same," Jesse said.

Cole smiled. "Good to meet you, too."

"Jesse is my newest hire," Logan explained.

Keith laughed. "Well, you always do hire the sexy ones. Where's Max?"

"I don't know," Logan said, quickly changing the subject. "Keith here just got engaged last night. To a great guy."

"Hey, congrats," Jesse stated, raising his glass to Keith as Keith received his drink from the bartender.

"Yes," Cole added as the four men touched their glasses together in a toast.

"Thanks guys. Good to meet you both," Keith said. "And congrats on your new job, Jesse."

"And Cole," Jesse added. "He just accepted a job here in Chicago, too."

Logan laughed. "Congrats all the way around."

The bartender approached Keith. "Hey Keith, that guy over there said to give this to you." Bob handed Keith an envelope.

"What guy?" Keith asked, taking the envelope from the bartender.

"That one right over -- hmmm, he was just standing over there. Don't know where he went now," the bartender said.

"Ah, secret admirer," Logan joked. Keith gently hit Logan on the shoulder with the envelope, then carefully opened it.

As Keith opened the envelope, his face grew stern. He discreetly removed from the envelope a photo that was taken at the coffee shop earlier that day of Emmett and Max holding hands. Attached to the photo was a note which said: "Engaged? Or FREE?" Keith examined the photo a second time and shoved it back into the envelope.

"What is it?" Logan asked. Keith didn't respond. "Are you okay?"

Keith was shaking. "Sorry, guys, I have to go."

"Are you okay?" Logan repeated.

"I'm fine. Sorry guys -- good to meet you both," Keith said. Then he kissed Logan on the cheek and rushed out of the bar. Cole and Jesse gave Logan a puzzled look, and Logan just shrugged his shoulders.

At the same time, Derek was sitting in bed checking email on his tablet. Joyelle crawled into bed next to him and kissed him on the shoulder.

"So guess who I saw today?"

"No idea," Derek mumbled, concentrating on his tablet.

"That boy who got mugged out on the sidewalk a while back."

"Oh, yeah? Was he getting a check-up at the hospital or something?"

Joyelle laughed. "No. He's moving in across the street. Isn't that something? He and his friend rented an apartment right across the street because they both just got new jobs here in Chicago."

"Good for them," Derek replied, still checking his email.

"Small world, huh? He seems like a really nice guy. I told him we'd have them over for dinner sometime." Joyelle adjusted her pillow and got comfortable in the bed. "His name is Cole."

As Joyelle drifted off to sleep and Derek reacted to the news he just learned, Ben wrapped his naked body around Jacqueline in her hotel bed. He kissed her deeply, letting his goatee tickle her chin and neck. She ran her hands over the tattoos on his big arms. Then he ran his tongue down her neck to her large breasts.

"Oh, Shawn," Jacqueline moaned, enjoying his touch. She had not been with a man in a long time and was enjoying his power and strength. She surrendered to him as he worked his thick, black dick inside her.

"Let me in," he whispered as he had once whispered to her son. He kissed her and thrust himself roughly inside of her. She squirmed in pain and pleasure as she dug her fingers into his lower back.

"Oh, baby," Ben groaned as he lost control and filled her.

"You're amazing," Jacqueline said, putting her head on Ben's big chest. Ben reached over to the nightstand, grabbed a champagne glass, and handed it to Jacqueline. Then he grabbed the bottle they had opened earlier and filled their glasses.

"Here's to the start of something special," she said.

"Something special indeed," he added, taking a sip of his champagne. She finished her champagne and kissed Ben. Afterwards, she tucked her head onto his chest and closed her eyes as he grinned widely. Black Friday is always full of surprises.

Episode #7

The holiday season has a way of bringing the past and the present together. Emmett Mancini had always thrown the best Christmas parties, and this year's would be no different, except that it wasn't going to occur at his own home. Rather, it would take place at his brother Derek's condo, where Emmett had been living for about two weeks since his break-up with Keith Colgan.

The argument that caused their break-up was an epic one, instigated by the photo of Emmett and Max Taylor holding hands, which had been delivered to Keith by an unknown man at Rebound bar. Keith raced home with the photo to confront Emmett who explained that, in the photo, he was only showing Max his engagement ring from Keith.

Keith refused to listen to Emmett, as was often the case, and accused him of having an affair with their friend Max. Keith's accusations hurt Emmett deeply, but what hurt him even more was Keith's lack of faith and trust in Emmett and in their relationship. By the time the argument was over, with no discussion of who may have taken the photo, Emmett removed his engagement ring, placed it on the kitchen counter in front of Keith, and declared that he was moving out of their condo.

Derek and his wife Joyelle were doing their best to make Emmett feel at home in their place. They had given him one of the guest rooms, and Joyelle had invited Emmett to decorate their home for the holidays in any way he wanted. Emmett jumped at the chance and quickly turned their condo into a festive, vibrant home for the holiday season.

Crawling out of bed in his guest room, Emmett stepped into his flip flops and headed into the living room. He loved to start each morning gazing at the Christmas tree in silence. It was a great time to reflect...on holidays past and present, and on life. As he stared at the tree, he stepped forward and adjusted a few of the ornaments. He didn't hear Joyelle walk into the room.

Joyelle smiled. "Something out of place?"

"Oh," Emmett said, turning around.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"No worries." Emmett adjusted another ornament. "It's your house, after all."

Joyelle put her hand on his shoulder. "It's your home, too, Emmett. For as long as you want it to be."

"Thank you, Joyelle. I appreciate that more than you know." Emmett returned to the tree.

"Come on, Emmett," Joyelle said, taking Emmett's hand. "Sit down with me for a minute."

Emmett resisted.

"Please?"

Emmett sighed, then sat down next to Joyelle on the living room couch.

"We need to talk. You've been living here nearly two weeks now, and you haven't really said a word about Keith -- your fight, your engagement, nothing."

"I don't want to talk about it," Emmett replied.

"I know you don't want to, sweetie, but you need to. You need to share your feelings so you can deal with them." Joyelle paused. "You know I'm more than your sister-in-law. I'm your friend. Please, let me help you."

"There's nothing you can do," Emmett said with tears in his eyes. "There's nothing anyone can do. It's over. I can't marry someone who doesn't trust me."

"I understand that, I do. Have you tried to talk to Keith? You two need to talk this through."

"We said all we had to say the night we fought. He didn't listen to me. He never does. And he refuses to believe that Max and I are just friends."

"Are you?" Joyelle asked. "Are you just friends?"

"Yes," Emmett declared loudly. "Don't tell me that you don't believe me, either. You know Max. He's with Logan."

"Of course, I believe you, sweetie. You know that. I just wonder if maybe Max hopes you could be more than friends."

"Joyelle, Max and I have been friends for forever. Long before Keith -- hell, long before Derek and you were even together. He's the best friend I've got. We share a lot. That doesn't mean there's anything more than friendship. And Keith should understand that instead of being jealous of it and making it into something it's not."

"Okay, okay," Joyelle said, putting her hand on Emmett's.

"Now I need to get to work."

"I do, too." Joyelle stood up from the couch, wavered a bit, and sat back down, putting her hand to her head.

"Are you okay?" Emmett asked.

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine. I just stood up too quickly. It happens sometimes."

"You sure?" Emmett said, helping Joyelle up from the couch.

"Of course," Joyelle replied. "By the way, the place looks amazing. We've never had decorations like this."

"You just needed the gay touch." Emmett laughed. "And you're sure that you're okay with me hosting my Christmas party here this year?"

"Of course. We always love your party, so having it here will be great. In fact, I may invite our new neighbors from across the street if they've moved in by then."

"Cool," Emmett said.

"Are you going to invite Keith?" Joyelle asked quietly.

"I already have. If he wants to come, he's welcome. After all, it's Christmas."

"Come on, there's coffee in the kitchen," Joyelle said.

As Joyelle and Emmett enjoyed some coffee while getting ready for work, Logan Pryce and Keith Colgan were meeting in Keith's office. Keith had invited Logan to meet with him first thing in the morning.

"That doesn't upset you at all?" Keith asked Logan as he studied the photo of Max and Emmett holding hands.

"Keith, I told you this the first time you showed me this photo. They're just friends. It looks like Emmett is showing Max his engagement ring. That's all."

"They are holding hands," Keith persisted. "And they spend a ton of time alone together, too."

"They have been friends for a very long time. Of course, they spend time together." Logan shifted in his chair. "You're reading way too much into this."

"And you're not worried or upset at all?"

"Worried or upset about what? They are friends. Frankly, if I were you, I'd be more concerned about who took this stupid photo and sent it to you. Clearly, they intended to upset you and you played right into their hands."

"That's a different issue and I think I have an idea who sent it."

"Who?" Logan asked.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that our boyfriends are cheating on us right under our noses."

"No," Logan stated sternly. "What matters is that you don't trust the man you asked to marry you. Look, Keith. God knows I have my own relationship issues to deal with, so I'm not going to lecture you about yours. But let me say this. Max is a great guy. I know him better than anyone, except maybe Emmett, and I know he's not a cheater. We may have our issues, but that much I know. He is an honest, good man...and so is Emmett."

"But--"

"If you can't see that about Emmett, then you have no business marrying him." Logan paused. "Or rather, he has no business marrying you. So why don't you swallow your pride, admit you were wrong, and try to get him back?"

"Because I'm not wrong," Keith said.

Logan laughed. "Of course not. You never are." Logan got up to leave. "You know what, Keith? You're throwing away your happiness with both hands because you're stubborn and foolish. I know that no one ever says stuff like this to you, but maybe it's time someone did. Wake up, before you lose Emmett forever...if you haven't already."

Logan left the office.

At the same time on Notre Dame's snow-covered campus, Cole O'Brien and Jesse Morgan trekked across campus to visit the grotto for the last time as students. A light snowfall the night before had coated the campus in a thin blanket of white which the soft sunlight caused to glisten and sparkle as the boys continued their walk.

"So things are going well with your mom's new man?" Cole asked.

"Apparently. She's been spending a lot of time with him and really seems to be excited," Jesse said. "It's a little weird, honestly. Because she's never really dated anyone that I can remember."

"Well, this is a good thing, right? I mean, with you graduating and starting a new life in Chicago, maybe it's cool that she's starting her own new life, too?"

"I guess," Jesse said. "I still haven't met him. All I know is that his name is Shawn, and he's a bit younger than her."

"And that he makes her happy. That's the main thing."

"Of course." Jesse laughed. "But he still has to pass my inspection."

"Well, you always wanted to know who your father is. Maybe now you'll have a step father..."

"It's hardly the same thing. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. They've only been together a couple of weeks."

The two continued to make their way toward the grotto.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you since Thanksgiving," Cole told Jesse.

"Oh, God," Jesse groaned. "What?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing bad." Cole paused for a moment. "You were right about that nurse Joyelle and her wedding ring."

"You're just realizing that?" Jesse laughed. "Boy, you sure can be thick sometimes. What convinced you?"

"I ran into her on the morning I dropped off our signed apartment lease. She actually lives across the street."

Jesse stopped walking and quickly turned to face Cole. "Oh, fuck. What did you do?"

Cole just smiled.

"You picked that apartment because they live across the street. Shit, I knew I shouldn't have left that up to you."

"It's not a big deal, Jesse. I just wanted you to know."

"Are you nuts? We live right across the street from your wanna-be lover and his wife?"

"It won't make any difference to you, Jesse, so what do you care?"

"I'm your best friend. Of course, I care. You are setting yourself up for disappointment, Cole. Do you think he's going to leave his wife for you so you two can live happily ever after in your little gay dreamland? It doesn't work like that."

"Oh, you should talk," Cole retorted. "Do you think your boss Logan is going to leave his partner for you? That's delusional, too."

"I didn't stalk Logan and rent an apartment right across the street from him."

"It doesn't concern you," Cole insisted.

"And you kept saying it was just a Boston hookup. You're so full of shit."

"Well, then you can sit back and enjoy the fireworks," Cole sighed.

"Fireworks at Christmastime. Who would have thought?"

Cole laughed and then mumbled, "Stranger things have happened."

The two reached the grotto and stopped their conversation. In the silence of the grotto, they each lit a candle and knelt down along the grotto railing to peacefully reflect. Occasional snow flurries danced in the air around them, and the glow of the candles inside the grotto caused the snow on its walls to sparkle.

After a while, Cole and Jesse stood up and embraced each other with a tight hug.

"Congratulations, bro," Cole said.

"You too, Cole," Jesse replied. "We did it. We are officially graduates of this place." Then they high-fived each other.

As they turned to head back to the dorm and depart from campus, Ben quietly approached them. Ben had installed a GPS homing bug on Jesse's computer, so that when Jesse connected his phone to his laptop to update its software, the app loaded onto Jesse's phone. Ever since, Ben had been using his own phone to monitor Jesse's whereabouts. "Hey guys."

"Ben," Jesse said calmly.

"Hey, Ben," Cole said. "We haven't seen you around lately."

"I've been busy," Ben explained. "So you two are done here, I guess."

Cole smiled. "Finals are finished, and we are officially graduates."

"Think you'll return to campus in the spring to participate in the graduation ceremonies?" Ben asked. "They are pretty amazing."

"We haven't decided yet," Jesse said. "We'll see."

The three men stood quietly in the snow for a moment. Then Ben finally spoke. "Jesse, you think we could talk for a second?"

"You know what? I'll head back to the dorm," Cole said. "Jesse, you can catch up with me in a bit." Cole extended his hand to Ben. "Ben, hope our paths will cross again one day. Take care."

Ben shook Cole's hand and smiled. "I hope so, too."

Cole turned and walked back to the dorm as Ben addressed Jesse.

"Thanks for staying to talk to me, Jesse."

"No problem, Ben," Jesse said. "I have nothing against you, man. Let's end this on a positive note."

"Jesse, this is hard for me. You know how much I love you. I'm going to miss you a lot." Ben paused to hold back his tears. "I'm so sorry about what happened the last time we were together."

"I am, too," Jesse stated. "We both said a lot of shit we shouldn't have. No worries."

"I'm a better man because of you, Jesse. You have pushed me to achieve more than I thought I could." Ben paused again. "The reason you guys haven't seen me around lately is because I quit my job here."

"You did? Why?" Jesse asked.

"Because I want to be more than a landscaper here. I want to be someone you could be proud of, someone worthy of being your partner."

"Aww, Ben. I never wanted you to quit. You're a great guy. We're just not meant to be." Jesse continued, "You have to choose the path best for you, not what you think I want you to do."

"I did pick the best path for me. I'm starting a new job in a new place just like you are, and it'll be great," Ben replied. "Great pay, too. And who knows what will happen? No one knows the future. Maybe we will end up meeting again?"

"Maybe," Jesse agreed. "I wish you the very best; you know that."

"I know you do," Ben said as his cell phone began to ring. He quickly checked the screen; the call was coming from Jacqueline. Ben pressed "ignore" on his phone and returned it to his pocket. "And I want the best for you, too."

"Thanks, man. I need to get going."

"Can I have a hug?" Ben asked. Jesse opened his arms wide for Ben. As they hugged, Ben whispered, "I love you, Jesse."

"Take care," Jesse said as he left.

Ben watched as Jesse disappeared down the path toward his dorm. He then pulled out his phone and called Jacqueline. "Hey, baby. What's up?"

As Ben and Jacqueline talked, Logan was having a glass of wine in the kitchen and waiting for Max to come back from the gym.

"Hey," Logan said as Max entered the kitchen and put down his backpack.

"Hi." Max planted a kiss on Logan's cheek. "Everything okay?"

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay," Max said, sitting down on a bar stool at the counter across from Logan.

"I spoke with Keith again today. He's still pretty upset and angry."

"That's what Emmett said."

"But I wanted to tell you exactly what I told him." Logan paused to drink his wine. "I want you to know that I don't believe there is anything between Emmett and you besides friendship."

"Thank you."

"And I told Keith that. I know you better than anyone. I know what you are, and I know what you're not. You're not a liar, and you're not a cheater." Max smiled. "Whatever is going on between you and me, please know that I don't believe a word that Keith is saying."

"I appreciate that. More than you know." Max paused. "Logan, what is going on between us? Can we talk about us?"

"Sometimes...people just grow apart," Logan said, drinking more wine. "It's no one's fault."

"Do you think that applies to us? We've just drifted apart?"

Logan didn't reply.

"Don't you want to fix that? To fight for us?"

"Max, I'm too tired to fight. And too tired to discuss this right now."

"But we have to discuss it," Max pleaded.

"Not tonight," Logan said as he stood up and left the kitchen with his glass of wine.

"And not any other night, either," Max mumbled, disappointed. He got up and poured himself a glass of wine.

At the same time in St. Louis, Ben was visiting Jacqueline. It was not his first visit to St. Louis, and Jacqueline had actually encouraged him to leave some clothes and personal items at her house to get him to visit more.

Jacqueline was in her nightshirt, sitting at the counter drinking coffee while a shirtless Ben cooked brunch. As he checked on the eggs, Jacqueline was playing with Max's business card in her hand.

"What is that, Jacqueline?" Ben asked, pouring Jacqueline more coffee.

"This?" Jacqueline sighed. "Funny story, actually. On the day you and I met in Chicago, I bumped into a very dear old friend that I hadn't seen in forever."

"Oh," Ben replied.

"Yes. I hadn't seen him in years. He gave me his business card so I could call him and meet up for a drink that night," Jacqueline said, sipping her coffee. "If I had called him, I would never have met you. So I'm glad I didn't call." Ben leaned toward her and kissed her.

"Thanks, baby. So who is this guy? An old neighbor?"

"Actually, an old boyfriend," Jacqueline admitted.

"Oh?" Ben asked, checking on the breakfast.

"We dated a long time ago, when I was very young," Jacqueline recalled. "In the end, he turned out to be gay."

"Gay?" Ben laughed. "You're kidding."

"No, so you have nothing to worry about," Jacqueline joked.

Ben walked around to Jacqueline's side of the counter and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm not worried, baby. No one's gonna take you away from me." Ben kissed Jacqueline again.

Jacqueline kissed Ben's chest and ran her hands up his back. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Hungry?" Ben asked.

"In more ways than one," Jacqueline teased.

Ben kissed her again. "Mmm. Food first."

He returned to the stove and prepared Jacqueline's plate.

While Jacqueline and Ben shared brunch in Jacqueline's kitchen, Max and Emmett stood in Joyelle's kitchen baking Christmas cookies and chatting.

"Well, it's nice that Logan trusts and believes you," Emmett said. "Too bad Keith couldn't believe me."

"I'm sorry about that. I know how badly he hurt you." Max stirred the cookie batter in the bowl in front of him.

"Let's not talk about that," Emmett said. "I'm enjoying spending this time with you. It reminds me of all the years that I used to make Christmas cookies with my grandmother."

Max laughed. "Oh, great. I remind you of your grandmother?"

Emmett smiled. "That's not what I meant." Emmett removed a tray of cookies from the oven and set it on the top of the stove. "My grandmother and I were like a Christmas cookie factory every year. It was a special thing that we did together. It was always so fun. She was my best friend." Emmett paused. "And now I'm baking today with my best friend, too."

"Thanks," Max said. "Ya, I don't imagine your brother Derek did much baking as a kid."

"Haha, nope. In fact, we tried to keep him out of the kitchen so he didn't hurt himself." After a pause, he asked, "Is this what it would be like?"

"What do you mean?" Max asked.

"Is this what it would be like if we opened a restaurant together?" Emmett moved some cookies to the cooling racks.

"Well, part of it. But you know there would be a lot more to it. It's hardly a glamorous lifestyle." Max paused. "Have you been thinking more about it?"

"Since Keith and I broke up, I've been thinking about it a lot, actually. Maybe it's the change that you and I both need in our lives."

"Maybe," Max said as he shaped the dough into crescents on the nearby cookie sheet.

"Of course, I'd be the one closing every night since it would be way past your bedtime, old man," Emmett joked with a smile.

"Oh, really?" Max flicked some flour at Emmett. Emmett responded by hitting Max in the butt with a wooden spoon. Max laughed and dug his hands deep into the dough in front of him.

Emmett laughed. "Oh, no. Don't you dare."

Max put down the dough. He wrapped his arms around Emmett's waist and pulled Emmett close to him. Emmett ran his hands up the front of Max's shirt to his shoulders.

With their noses touching, Emmett and Max stared into each other's eyes for a moment. Their hearts raced and their breathing quickened as they moved their lips slowly toward each other. Then Max kissed Emmett passionately and, unlike the last time Max tried to kiss Emmett in his living room weeks before, Emmett did not resist. Rather, he returned the kiss enthusiastically and ran his arms up Max's back.

They had known each other for years and had never shared any intimacy, though both would have had to honestly admit their attraction to each other. Now, nothing would stop them.

As Max kissed Emmett's neck, Emmett ripped open Max's shirt, revealing his hard chest and nipples. He massaged them and gradually slid his hands down to Max's belt.

Max quickly unbuttoned Emmett's shirt and let it fall to the ground, revealing Emmett's hot, smooth chest. He kissed Emmett's nipples and bit on them gently as Emmett ran his hands over Max's head.

Emmett kicked off his shoes and grabbed Max's shoulders as Max kissed Emmett's stomach.

Max paused for a moment, stood up, put his hands on both side of Emmett's face, and looked into his eyes.

"Don't stop," Emmett whispered, kissing Max deeply. Max pulled Emmett closer and opened Emmett's belt. Emmett continued to kiss Max as his pants fell to the floor.

Max pushed Emmett against the wall and pressed his body tightly against Emmett. He put one of his arms behind Emmett's knees and lifted him off the ground. Cradling him in his arms, Max carried Emmett into his room, kissing him the entire time.

Once in the bedroom, Max put Emmett gently down on the bed and then stood looking down at Emmett, who was breathing hard. Max took off his pants and crawled onto the bed.

Emmett's hands caressed Max's back and shoulders as he leaned forward to kiss Max's chest. He spread his legs and wrapped them around Max's powerful hips.

Max paused just for a moment to admire the man he loved, then thrust into Emmett, who appeared to be savoring every moment of the experience.

Emmett's hands reached down Max's strong back to his firm ass. Emmett massaged Max, who fucked him harder. He wiped the sweat from Max's forehead and kissed him deeply.

Max whispered, "I want you so much, Emmett."

"I want you, too," Emmett replied.

Max's breathing became quick and short. He gritted his teeth and let out a loud grunt. He thrust one more time, releasing into Emmett, who moaned loudly and came between their bodies. As Max collapsed down on Emmett, he kissed him deeply. Eventually, Max rolled over onto his back.

Emmett laid his head on Max's chest and Max put his arm around Emmett, kissing him at the same time. They lay wrapped up together in silence, loving the moment yet not knowing what to say next.

"You are amazing," Emmett finally whispered.

"You know I love you," Max replied. "Always have."

Emmett grinned. "I love you, too." He snuggled up against Max's chest as Max held him lovingly.

At the same time, Ben passionately made love to Jacqueline. "That's it, baby," Ben encouraged her. He turned Jacqueline on her side as he massaged her large breasts in his hands.

Her hands clutched the bed sheets as he kissed the back of her neck and ears.

"You're mine," Ben declared as he thrust one last time.

She shifted her position to cuddle up next to him, running her fingers over his heaving chest. "I'm falling in love with you, Shawn," Jacqueline whispered.

Ben kissed her. "I am, too." He adjusted himself so he could wrap both arms around Jacqueline. "Tell me something. What does your son think of us being together?"

"He's been very supportive," she replied. "He's looking forward to meeting you soon. And he knows how happy you make me."

"That's great. I look forward to meeting him soon, too. I know we'll get along well," Ben said. "And what about Jesse's father? When do I get to meet him? I'm assuming he'll want to meet me since I'm becoming a part of your life and his son's."

"Jesse's father?" Jacqueline asked. "I told you. He's not a part of our lives."

"When's the last time you were in touch with him?"

"Never. He has never known Jesse. Jesse doesn't know who he is, and that's how it will stay. He was never a part of Jesse's life and doesn't even know about Jesse. And he never will."

"Don't you think he has a right to know? And Jesse, too?"

"Shawn, believe me. It's better this way. It's been twenty-one years."

"Okay, baby, okay." Ben kissed Jacqueline. "You know I'm here for you, and you can trust me."

"I know, Shawn." Jacqueline kissed Ben. "I love you."

"Oh, baby," Ben whispered as he rolled over on top of Jacqueline. He kissed Jacqueline and she wrapped herself around him.

As Jacqueline fell deeper and deeper into Ben's trap, Jesse and Cole were moving into their new apartment directly across the street from Derek and Joyelle. They spent most of the morning and afternoon running back and forth from the truck up to their new apartment, and were now preparing to return the vehicle to the rental company. Joyelle was walking to the bus to head to work when she noticed the moving truck and crossed the street to say hello.

From his sunroom at the front of the condo, Derek was discreetly watching the encounter from above. His heart raced as he caught his first glimpse of Cole since Boston, and he opened one of the sunroom windows to try to hear their conversation.

"Must be moving day," Joyelle said.

"Yup, it sure is. But we're pretty much done, though. Do you remember my friend Jesse? You met him the day I was released from the hospital."

"Oh, yes. Good to see you, Jesse."

"Same. Thanks again for all you did to help Cole that day," Jesse said.

"My pleasure," Joyelle replied. "Listen, I have to get to work, but I wanted to invite you to our Christmas party tomorrow night. My brother-in-law Emmett is hosting it at our house. It's always a great party. So why don't you come on by? You can meet my husband and some of our friends."

"Wow, great. Sounds good," Cole replied.

"Thank you," Jesse said. "We'll be there."

"Okay, guys. Welcome to the neighborhood. See you tomorrow at eight." Joyelle smiled and headed toward the bus stop.

Jesse laughed. "Wow, nice to have the wife's support and permission, isn't it?"

"Stop," Cole replied.

"Sorry, couldn't resist," Jesse stated. "Why don't I return the truck? You can continue unpacking. Doesn't make any sense for us both to waste time returning it."

"Oh, okay. That's cool."

"Good," Jesse said, getting into the truck. "Be back in about half an hour. Have the entire place cleaned up when I return," Jesse said jokingly.

"Ya, right." Cole laughed, heading back into the apartment building. Jesse started the truck and pulled away.

With both Jesse and Joyelle out of sight, Derek grabbed his house keys and ran out of his condo building across the street.

Inside the apartment, Cole heard the buzzer ring. Thinking Jesse must have forgotten something, Cole hit the button on the intercom and continued to unpack a box of kitchen items. He heard the apartment door and someone enter.

"What did you forget, Jess?" Cole asked. He heard no verbal response. Instead, Cole felt someone grab his arm, turn him around, push him up against the wall, and start kissing him. It was Derek, the condom he grabbed before leaving his condo tight in the grip of his left hand.

Pinning Cole against the wall, Derek kissed his neck, his ears, his jaw line. He looked directly into Cole's eyes and kissed him passionately.

Rather than resisting, Cole immediately gave in to Derek. He ran his hands through Derek's hair and down his back. Their tongues intertwined and their bodies followed.

"Derek," Cole moaned as Derek shrugged out of his shirt.

Derek tore Cole's shirt off, revealing the wedding ring hanging around his neck. He took the ring into his hand, then looked into Cole's eyes and winked, letting the ring fall back into place against Cole's hard chest. When they were both completely naked, Derek pushed Cole backwards onto the sofa.

Cole wrapped his hand around the back of Derek's neck and pulled his face toward him. He looked into Derek's eyes and said, "You never forgot me."

"Never," Derek whispered as he kissed Cole and increased his pace.

"Make me yours," Cole begged as Derek entered him.

"You are mine already," Derek declared, leaning forward and putting his tongue into Cole's mouth. The wedding ring on the chain sparkled against Cole's sweaty chest. Derek adjusted his position one last time, thrusting powerfully. He let out a moan. "Fuck!"

Cole pulled Derek tightly to him, hugging him and holding him close. As Derek stepped back and started dressing, Cole stood up from the couch, showing off his hot, naked body.

"I knew we'd be together again," Cole said.

"You having that ring around your neck caused me a lot of trouble, you know," Derek said.

"I found it on the hotel room floor in Boston. I had no way of reaching you to return it, so I decided to wear it as a reminder of you." Cole paused. "I knew we'd meet again."

"That's an understatement. You're living across the street now." Derek pulled his shirt on. "I understand you know my wife, too."

"Yes..."

"Well, you can keep the ring. I have a new one now and wearing the old one would only cause suspicion. Just make sure Joyelle never sees it, okay?"

"Deal," Cole agreed.

"I need to go," Derek said, heading for the door.

"Wait. When will I see you again?"

"Look, Cole. There can't be anything between us. I'm straight and I'm married." Derek paused. "I don't want to upset you, but you can't have any expectations for us." Derek opened the door to leave. "I'll be in touch." Derek left and closed the door behind him.

Cole mumbled to himself, "See you tomorrow night at your party..."

At the same time, Keith sat at the desk in his office. He opened the drawer to his left and pulled out a photo of Emmett and him. He stared at it for a moment, then pulled out his cell phone. He dialed a number and waited for someone on the other end to answer. Instead, he got voicemail and left a message: "It's me. I know you sent the flowers and I know you sent me that photo. I think it's time for us to talk."

Keith hung up and put his phone on his desk. He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh. The holiday season has a way of bringing the past and the present together.

Episode #8

Emmett Mancini had planned a Christmas party that no one would forget. He had turned his brother's condo into a holiday haven and, with only one day before the party, was busy finalizing every last detail. In spite of his recent break-up with his fiancé Keith Colgan, Emmett had included Keith on the guest list.

As Emmett was preparing yet another batch of cookies for his party, Keith was cautiously making his way through the darkness of Lincoln Park to the rendezvous point he had been given.

When he reached the Hans Christian Andersen statue in the park, Keith paused to look around. The night was quiet and cold, and he crossed his arms to keep warm. He kept rotating his head, anticipating the arrival of someone from any direction. Though it seemed much longer to Keith, only a few minutes passed before he heard movement coming from above.

A tall, dark figure stepped from behind the statue. Startled, Keith jumped and looked up at the person. "Good to see you," a familiar voice said as the figure jumped down from the statue to face him directly.

"You bastard," Keith said.

"I've missed you, too," declared Nick Carson, a man Keith had dated before he met Emmett. Nick was a tall, ruggedly attractive man with dark, chiseled features and a small scar beneath his lip. His powerful personality and physique had attracted Keith as much as his confidence and strength, but Keith quickly learned that those traits could be used in less than noble ways.

Nick grabbed Keith's jaw firmly and tightly with one gloved hand, drawing Keith's face closer to his. "Lose the attitude, Keith. You're at my mercy now."

"I'll never be at the mercy of an asshole like you."

Nick released Keith's face and laughed. "Then why are you here? You want to get back together and date me again?"

"Hell would freeze over first," Keith stated. "I just want you to leave me alone."

"Leave you alone?" Nick repeated as he circled around Keith. "The way you left me alone when I was arrested? The way you left me alone at my trial? The way you left me alone in jail? For five miserable years?"

"Is that what this is all about, Nick? You created that situation for yourself. I had nothing to do with it."

"That's where you're wrong, Keith." Nick stopped circling and stared directly at him. "You were the one who wanted a better lifestyle. You were the one who wanted to go on expensive trips and cruises. You were the one who insisted I make a better income."

Keith laughed. "Well, a legal one would have been nice. I never asked you to start dealing drugs. In fact, I told you to stop when I found out what you were up to."

"Bullshit. You loved the cash and the lifestyle it gave you almost as much as you loved me fucking you. But then the Feds caught on to me." Nick paused. "And you wanted nothing to do with me. You claimed you didn't even know me. You left me in jail pending my trial, and you let them bring me down."

"No!" Keith said loudly. Then he lowered his voice. "You did all that to yourself. I told you to stop. I begged you stop. But you got consumed by it. I didn't care about the lifestyle. I cared about you."

Nick laughed. "Always the martyr. Give me a fucking break. You cared so much about me that you didn't help with my bail. You didn't visit. Nothing. You abandoned me. I meant nothing to you."

"No, you meant nothing to yourself. You had no self-respect. You never did and you never will." Keith paused a moment. "What do you want from me now that you're out?"

"I did my time, and now I'm a free man."

"Yes, to start over. A new life. Don't waste it."

"My time may be over, but yours is just beginning." Nick smiled. "You see, I promised myself that the minute I got out, I'd make you pay for what you did to me. And payment will be painful."

"What do you plan to do to me? Kill me? I'm standing right here in the dark. No one knows where I am. So go ahead. Kill me right now," Keith dared Nick.

"Kill you? I love you. You just don't know how much."

"You're crazy. You don't love me. You never did. You don't know how to love."

"Crazy? Haha, only crazy about you, boy. And if I can't have you, no one can. Not even your dear boyfriend Emmett."

"Leave him out of this," Keith begged.

"Too late. He became involved the minute he said 'yes' to your ridiculous wedding proposal." Nick paused. "Oh, didn't think I knew about that? I know everything. You have no secrets from me. You didn't then and you certainly don't now. Not even that box you have hidden in the back of your dresser. I know everything."

"He's not my fiancé. He's not even my boyfriend. That little photo that you sent me caused quite a fight and breakup. Just like you planned, I'm sure."

"Did you like that? Think of that photo as an engagement present from me to you. I just didn't have time to pick out a fancy frame."

"That was the goal, right? To break my engagement?"

"Oh, your engagement isn't broken. It's just to a different person now....me," Nick replied.

"You are insane. I'm not your fiancé, and I'm never going to be," Keith declared. "And you have yourself and your drug business to blame for that. No one else."

Nick lowered his voice. "I already told you, I promised when I went off to prison that I'd either get you back or destroy you. So the choice is really yours."

"You're fucking crazy. How could I ever have loved anyone like you?"

"Unless you want something to happen to your ex-fiancé, you'll do exactly as I tell you." Nick paused. "Now that you're single again, that shouldn't be too hard."

"I'll get a restraining order against you," Keith threatened.

"For what?" Nick grinned. "Sending you flowers? And you asked for this meeting tonight, I didn't. Maybe I should get a restraining order against you."

"Go to hell."

"That's exactly where Emmett will be going if you don't follow my orders," Nick said. "Karma's a bitch."

"This isn't Karma. This is your sick bullshit."

"Call it what you want," Nick replied. "Nonetheless, you know what you have to do. You did love me once, Keith. You will love me again." Infuriated, Keith turned to leave. "Keith?" Keith stopped for a moment, but didn't face Nick. "Think very carefully about your next move. It could have serious consequences for you. And your ex." Nick laughed as Keith walked away.

At the same time, Cole O'Brien and Jesse Morgan celebrated their first night in their new apartment by popping open a bottle of champagne.

"To us and an amazing future here in Chicago," Jesse said, raising his glass and touching it to Cole's.

"Agreed," Cole smiled, taking a sip of his champagne. "We finally made it."

"It's gonna be a great new year," Jesse said.

Cole beamed. "The best."

"Okay, wait a minute. You have been off the wall giddy ever since I got back from returning the truck. What is going on with you?"

Cole blushed and drank more of his champagne. "I had a visitor while you were gone."

Jesse was puzzled for just a moment and then figured out what Cole was saying. "Oh, no. What did you do?"

"Nothing, I swear." Cole paused. "After you left with the truck, someone buzzed the intercom. I thought that you had forgotten something, so I pressed the button and continued unpacking. The next thing I knew, Derek was behind me, kissing me and..."

"And?" Jesse gasped.

Cole pointed to the couch.

Jesse jumped up. "Right here?" Jesse paused. "Did you sterilize it afterwards?"

Cole laughed.

"Shit, Cole. You don't waste any time. We have been living here, what, five minutes?"

"It wasn't my fault. It was all him."

"And you loved every minute of it."

"Damn right," Cole said, raising his glass and toasting with Jesse again.

"Did he say anything?"

"Not much. But he didn't need to. Obviously, he's been thinking as much about me as I have about him. That's a good thing, right?"

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Jesse said.

"I know. You say that all the time. But I'm not going to get hurt. I think he really wants me."

"Cole..."

"I do. I could tell by the way he was with me today. He wants me."

"There is the little matter of Joyelle. Remember her?"

"I know, I know," Cole replied, sipping his champagne. "I didn't say it was going to be easy."

Jesse laughed. "Well, there's an understatement. Look, you know I love you, Cole. You're like my brother. Please be careful."

"I will. I'm not going to rush anything."

"Good," Jesse added. "So...was it hot?"

"Totally hot. Hotter than in Boston."

"I see," Jesse replied. "Well, please don't fuck him on the dining room table tomorrow night at the party. Joyelle may not approve." Jesse laughed as Cole whipped a couch pillow at him.

As Jesse and Cole finished their bottle of champagne, Logan Pryce enjoyed a glass of wine in his living room, watching TV and casually reviewing some work documents. After a moment, Max Taylor quietly entered the room and sat down in the chair next to Logan.

"Logan, we need to talk," Max said as he picked up the TV remote and muted the program Logan was viewing.

"Sounds ominous," Logan replied, not looking up from his papers.

"The other day you said that sometimes people just drift apart."

"I did."

"Is that what happened to us? Did we drift apart?" Max wanted Logan to look at him directly, but he kept his face in his paperwork.

"I said I didn't want to talk about it, remember?" Logan sipped his wine.

"You don't ever want to talk about it. And I always do. If that's a sign of drifting, then I guess we have drifted apart."

Logan looked up from his papers.

"We can't go on like this."

"No," Logan agreed. "We can't."

"I think we need a separation, some time apart to figure out what we both really want and need."

"Finally," Logan said. "It's finally happening."

"Don't you think it's best?"

"I knew this day would come. I've known it would come since the day we first met. I'm just not in your league."

"Are you serious? What is this, high school? Not in my league?"

Logan looked away from Max.

"This isn't a baseball game. It's a relationship. And I have tried everything I know to get the alcohol out of your hand so we can talk and work on things."

"So it's my fault? Is that what you mean?" Logan grew angry. "You're the controlling one. I can never do anything right. So I don't even try anymore."

"Look, I don't want this to be a fight. Clearly, we don't communicate or connect anymore. We haven't in...forever."

"Fine."

"Let's try this separation and talk in a few days."

Logan didn't respond.

After a moment, Max got up and walked to the front door. "I'll be back in a bit. You can have some time to yourself."

Max left the condominium, at which point Logan hurled his wine glass at the door.

Later that night, Max visited Emmett at Derek's condo where Emmett was living. In Emmett's bedroom, Max slowly unbuttoned Emmett's shirt. Emmett ran his hands over Max's amazing chest and shoulders, unbuttoned the last button on his shirt and pulled it off of him. Max looked into Emmett's eyes and said, "I'm yours now, Emmett."

Emmett smiled and kissed Max deeply. "I'm yours now, too."

Max sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled Emmett to him. He kissed Emmett's hard, smooth chest while he pulled off Emmett's belt and helped him step out of his pants. He ran his hand over the bulge in Emmett's underwear and Emmett kissed Max while running his fingers over his head.

Emmett playfully pushed Max down on the bed and climbed up on top of him. He licked his way up Max from the waistband on his boxer briefs to his neck. He pressed his chest down on Max's and kissed him.

"I want to be one with you, Emmett," Max whispered as he slowly worked himself into Emmett. "Forever."

Emmett put his hands on both sides of Max's face and kissed him deeply.

Max let out a loud moan as he erupted, sending chills through Emmett's entire body.

Emmett fell on Max and wrapped his arms around him. "I love you, mister."

Max smiled. "I love you, too."

After a pause, Emmett continued, "It's funny, isn't it?"

"What's that?" Max asked.

"When people were accusing us of being together, we weren't. Now look at us." Emmett kissed Max.

"Haha, that's right. It was meant to be, I guess."

"I feel so safe with you."

"You are, Emmett. You know I'll take good care of you."

"You always have," Emmett said.

Max kissed him.

"You still need to settle things with Logan, though."

"I know. Our talk about separation was the start."

"You should probably check on him. I think we're both worried about how he's going to respond to all this."

"One step at a time, one step at a time," Max said. "Let's hop in the shower."

Emmett followed Max into the bathroom. They cleaned up and returned to bed where they fell asleep in each other's arms...and they woke up in each other's arms as well.

When Derek and Joyelle Mancini woke up the next morning, Joyelle rolled over in bed and kissed her husband. She ran her hands over his hairy chest and then down toward his penis.

He shifted in bed and put his arm around her. He kissed her on the forehead. "Good morning." Joyelle smiled and rolled over on him.

She kissed his chest and he ran his hands down her back.

"We should get up. Big party today."

"Emmett's got it under control, Derek," Joyelle said, taking Derek's hand.

Derek rolled out of bed and stood up. "I'll make some coffee," he said, stepping into his flip flops and pulling on a t-shirt.

Derek left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen, and Joyelle soon followed.

As the coffee was brewing, Derek checked emails on his tablet and Joyelle was working on a party centerpiece for the dining room table. Both were very focused on what they were doing as Emmett led Max by hand into the kitchen.

"Morning, Emmett," Derek said looking up for a moment, returning to his tablet, and then looking up again in surprise. "Oh...well hello, Max."

"Hey, guys," Emmett said sheepishly.

Joyelle looked up from her project and smiled widely. Then she composed herself and asked, "You guys want some coffee?"

"Sure, thanks," Max said, sitting down next to Derek at the counter.

"Did you guys have a good night?" Joyelle asked as she poured Max some coffee.

Derek laughed. "Of course, they did. Look at them. I'm surprised we didn't hear them all the way in our room."

Emmett patted his brother on the shoulder. "Derek, you're all class."

"It's none of our business," Joyelle said, handing Max a cup. "Emmett, can I get you some?"

"I got it," Emmett said, walking to the coffee pot. He adjusted a flower in Joyelle's centerpiece as he passed it.

"Logan and I are separated," Max explained.

"It's not our business," Joyelle repeated.

"The hell it isn't," Derek interjected. "He's my brother. He just broke off his engagement. And, Max, you're with Logan. So forgive me for being concerned."

"Look, Derek--" Emmett started.

"No," Max interrupted. "Derek is right. I'm sure this seems like a surprise to you two. Hell, it was a bit of a surprise to us as well. We have been great friends for so many years that we didn't realize what feelings were developing just beneath the surface." Max paused to drink his coffee. "If things hadn't happened recently as they did, we would never have explored or acted upon those feelings of love. But things happen for a reason sometimes, and maybe things have happened as they did to finally bring us together."

"I love him," Emmett added. "I always have." Then Emmett addressed Derek directly, "You never liked Keith anyway."

"My opinion of Keith doesn't matter," Derek said. "You said he made you happy."

"He doesn't trust me," Emmett said. "He accused me of--"

"Let's not go there," Max interrupted. "The past is the past."

"That's right," Joyelle added. "And we have a party here tonight so we should get moving."

"I need to get home anyway," Max said. "Thanks for the coffee." Max kissed Emmett. "See you later tonight, babe." Max turned to leave.

"Max?" Joyelle called. "You are always welcome here." She looked at Derek.

"Yes, bro. Always welcome," Derek added. "Take care of my little brother. He seems to love you." Derek winked at Max. Max smiled, patted Emmett on the butt, and left.

"All right, you two," Emmett declared, "we have a party to set up. Great centerpiece, by the way."

As Emmett gave Derek and Joyelle some tasks to prepare for the party later that night, Cole and Jesse had just finished a morning workout at the Boystown Athletic Club. They jogged down the stairs from the weight room to the men's locker room, and the men already at their lockers discreetly checked out the two gym newbies. Paying little attention to anyone but each other, Jesse and Cole continued their conversation.

"Anyway, I think it will be fun," Cole said regarding Emmett's Christmas party.

Jesse laughed. "That's because you love having one foot in the danger zone. How do you expect Derek to respond when he comes face to face with you in his own home?"

"We'll introduce ourselves as if we've never met and be totally chill about it."

"Okay. You're a heck of a lot calmer than I'd be. I can't imagine what it would be like coming face to face with Logan's boyfriend...and Logan and I haven't even done anything."

"Yet," Cole added as he stripped down for the shower.

"One thing at a time," Jesse said. "As you have constantly reminded me, I cannot do anything that would risk my job. We have rent to pay."

"Remember that," Cole suggested as they both closed their lockers and headed toward the showers.

Jesse had no idea that while he was at the gym, his location was being monitored by Ben from his cell phone. Ben smiled as his phone found Jesse at the Boystown Athletic Club. He put it in his coat pocket, continued further along the downtown sidewalk a bit, and entered a jewelry store, after being buzzed in by an employee.

Ben glanced at the store display cases on either side of the store's entrance. As he peered into one of the cases, an employee approached him. "May I help you?"

"Yes," Ben said. "Thank you. I'm interested in purchasing an engagement ring."

"Perfect. Why don't you follow me over here and we'll find just the right one," the salesman said as he ushered Ben to another corner of the store.

As the engagement ring search progressed, Max arrived back home at his condo. He entered quickly and saw Logan seated at the kitchen counter with his back to Max. After pausing a moment, Max headed for the kitchen.

"Hi, Logan," Max said. He received no reply but saw Logan sit up on the stool more stiffly. "Logan?"

Logan slowly faced Max, revealing a cut on his forehead and blood running down his nose.

"Oh, my God, Logan. What happened?" Max rushed over to Logan.

"I'm fine," Logan said. "Don't worry about me."

"Did you fall?" Max asked, putting his hand under Logan's chin and turning his face toward him.

"So what?" Logan asked, jerking his head out of Max's hands.

Max grabbed a washcloth and ran warm water from the kitchen faucet. Wet washcloth in hand, he wiped off Logan's face. He then realized the blood was dried, and the cut was not fresh.

"Leave me alone."

"I did. I left you alone last night and this is what happened." Max finished wiping Logan's face.

"I'm not your problem anymore, remember? We are separated."

"You were never my problem. You were my husband. But clearly you can't even make it through one night alone."

"Leave me alone, Max. I don't need you or anyone else." Logan ripped the wash cloth from Max's hand. "I'm fine."

Max paused and gathered his thoughts. "Logan, just because we're not together anymore doesn't mean I don't love you. I always will."

"Leaving me is a funny way to show it."

"You left me a long time ago, Logan. Just not physically until yesterday."

"Were you fucking Emmett all night long?" Logan barked.

Max clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and left the kitchen, adding, "There are bandages in the bathroom if you want to cover that cut."

Logan sat staring out the kitchen window.

Later that day as people were heading toward Emmett's party, Ben entered Jacqueline's home. She was cooking dinner when Ben greeted her with a kiss and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Mmm, baby. That smells so good...and you do, too," Ben said.

"Thanks, Shawn. It's a new recipe I've been meaning to try. So you'll be the guinea pig."

Ben kissed Jacqueline's neck and massaged her back. "Any time."

"There's some wine open, if you want a glass," Jacqueline said, pointing to the bottle on the counter.

"Don't mind if I do." Ben laughed as he walked over to the bottle and poured himself a glass.

"Oh, baby, I almost forgot," Jacqueline said. "I have a surprise for you."

"Really?" Ben asked as he took a sip of wine. "Sounds exciting."

"It is. We are going to Chicago so you can meet my son." Ben didn't reply. "Isn't that cool, Shawn?"

"Aw, that will be great. I can't wait to meet him," Ben replied as he took another swig of wine. He slipped his hand into his pocket and felt the jewelry box containing the ring he had just purchased.

While Jacqueline and Ben shared their wine and dinner, Emmett's holiday party dazzled the large crowd filling the condo to capacity. Both bartenders, each situated at opposite ends of the place, were rushing to pour drinks, and Emmett situated himself near the door to greet guests as they arrived to the party. Partygoers were constantly in motion, moving from room to room to see all of the lovely decorations and to chat with friends. Drinks were being poured constantly and Emmett watched to make sure everyone was having a great time.

"The party is amazing, Emmett," Max said, planting a kiss on Emmett's lips. "You have outdone yourself."

"Thanks," Emmett replied.

"I'm so proud of you," Max continued. "And I love you."

Emmett smiled as a knock came to the door. He opened it and faced Keith.

"Hi," Keith said softly.

"Hey," Emmett said, quickly offering Keith a hug. "I'm glad you came."

"Thanks for inviting me." He watched as Max slipped his arm around Emmett's waist.

"Hi, Keith," Max said. "Good to see you."

Keith couldn't keep his eyes off Max's arm around Emmett. "I -- I better get a drink."

"Let me take your coat first," Emmett said, helping Keith out of his coat. "I'm glad you came."

"Thanks," Keith replied, heading off into the crowd to find a bar.

Emmett turned around to face Max. "I love when your arms are around me. But we should probably be sensitive to those around us, too."

"I'm sorry," Max said.

"No worries. Let's remember that at the end of the day, we have each other. We don't need to rub it in his face."

"You're right," Max replied. Emmett gave him a kiss and a smile, then Joyelle approached them.

"How are my favorite co-hosts doing?" Joyelle asked. "Looks like everyone's having a great time."

"Your house is perfect for a party like this," Emmett said.

"All we did was supply the place. You did everything else. And you did it beautifully."

"You look like you need a cocktail," Max said.

"No, thanks. I'm okay," Joyelle assured Max.

A knock came and Emmett opened the front door. Jesse and Cole entered, and Joyelle greeted them.

"Oh, my gosh! Cole, Jesse, it's great that you came!" Joyelle exclaimed.

"Wouldn't miss it," Cole said.

"Thanks for the invite," Jesse added.

"Cole, Jesse, this is my brother-in-law Emmett and his friend Max," Joyelle said. "Jesse and Cole just moved in across the street."

"Good to meet you," Emmett stated, hugging Cole and then Jesse.

"Pleasure," Max said, shaking hands with Cole and Jesse.

"The pleasure's ours." Cole quickly looked around. "Great place."

"Oh, thanks," Joyelle said.

"I can take your coats," Emmett offered, still holding Keith's coat.

"Thanks," Jesse replied, handing over his coat.

"Let me find my husband," Joyelle said. "He's dying to meet you." Joyelle walked away to look for Derek.

"Come on," Max said. "I'll show you where the bars are while Emmett puts your coats down."

"Good idea," Jesse agreed as Cole followed Max out of the room.

As they headed toward the bar at the back of the condo, Logan and Keith were talking near the bar at the front of the condo.

"Sure seems to me like they are together now," Keith said. "Max was all over Emmett when I walked in the door."

"Max and I are separated now. Who he sleeps with is his business, not mine anymore."

"So you're just giving up?"

"It's over. And I don't want to talk about it," Logan stated, drinking his wine.

"What did you do to your head anyway?" Keith asked, pointing to the bandage on Logan's forehead.

"I hit it against the cupboard last night by mistake."

"Ouch," Keith replied as their friend, Todd Smith, approached them.

"Hey guys," Todd said. "Happy holidays."

"Same to you," Keith stated.

"That isn't still from the fall at my housewarming party, is it?" Todd asked, pointing out the bandage on Logan's forehead. "I haven't seen you since then."

"Nope. My arm is healing just fine and all's well," Logan said. "This cut is from last night. Just a small accident."

"Well, good. Not sure how much more your body can take," Todd quipped. Then he turned to Keith. "Sorry about your engagement. I just heard about that. And from the looks of things, Emmett's gotten over you just fine."

"Thanks for your concern, Todd," Keith replied sarcastically. "And your sincerity, too. I know how much you really care."

"Cheers," Todd said, raising his glass before drinking from it.

"Has that new condo managed to get you any dates?" Keith taunted. "I didn't think so." Before Todd could reply, Keith walked away.

Todd laughed. "What crawled up his ass and died?"

"You always bring out the best in people, don't you?" Logan said as he left Todd and circulated through the party.

As Logan made his way from one room to another, he came face to face with Cole and Jesse. "Jesse! Cole! What are you doing here?"

"Derek and Joyelle invited us. We just moved in across the street," Jesse said.

"No shit," Logan gasped. "Wow, that's great."

"Nice to see you again, Logan," Cole added.

"Same," Logan replied. "What a great surprise. You both look great."

Jesse and Cole smiled.

"You must have met my partner -- well, my ex-partner."

"What do you mean?" Jesse asked.

"Max, over there by the door. I'm sure you saw him when you came in."

"We did," Jesse said. "But what do you mean ex-partner?"

Logan took a sip of his drink. "We ended things last night. I'm free and single for the holidays."

"I'm sorry," Jesse said. "Are you okay? I'm surprised you're here."

"I'm here to be with my friends -- and, coincidentally, you too."

"Well, I'm still sorry to hear the news. I'm sure it's not fun," Jesse added.

"He's moved on," Logan admitted, "and I intend to as well."

"Yes, he's moved on with my ex-fiancé," Keith added as he approached the three men. "How are you guys? I'm Keith. We met at Rebound, remember?"

"Yes," Cole said. "Great to see you again."

"You left pretty quickly that night," Jesse added. He continued, "So your ex is with his ex?" Jesse pointed to Logan, then Keith.

"Yes," Logan said. "It's all good."

"Take some time for yourself to sort it all out," Cole advised.

"Hey," Logan started, "this is a holiday party. Enough of that talk. Let's get another drink and celebrate."

"Absolutely," Keith said.

"Sounds good." Jesse smiled as Cole and he followed Logan and Keith to the bar.

As they were walking, Joyelle approached them with Derek holding her hand. Cole stopped dead in his tracks.

"Hey, guys," Joyelle said. "I want to introduce you to my husband Derek."

Both Derek and Cole stared at one another.

Jesse quickly broke the awkward silence by extending his hand to Derek. "Great to meet you, Derek," Jesse said. "I'm Jesse."

Derek shook Jesse's hand.

"And I'm Cole," Cole said quickly, also reaching for Derek's hand.

"Good -- good to meet you both," Derek stumbled, shaking Jesse's hand and then Cole's.

"These are the new neighbors I was telling you about," Joyelle said.

"Welcome to the neighborhood," Derek said.

"Did you guys know that Jesse is working for my company?" Logan said.

"Are you serious?" Joyelle asked. "Wow, small world."

"Yes," Jesse replied. "In fact, the day that Cole was mugged, we were in town for my interview with Logan."

"Your wife is an angel," Cole stated to Derek. "Saved my life."

"Hardly," Joyelle said, blushing. "All I did was call 911."

"Regardless, I appreciated your help," Cole said.

"Well, it's great to meet you both," Derek stated. "I need to check on something." Derek headed out of the room.

"Good to finally meet your husband," Jesse said.

"Thanks. He's a keeper," Joyelle joked. "I hope you guys are having a good time."

"We are," Cole replied. "Excuse me. I need to find the bathroom."

"Just down the hall." Joyelle pointed, and Cole walked away in that direction. "Excuse me," Joyelle said. "I need to check in with Emmett. See if he needs anything." Joyelle left Logan, Keith, and Jesse alone together.

"That was odd," Keith noted. "Are you sure you guys haven't met Derek before? Seems like he knew you two."

"Nope, not until just now," Jesse declared.

"I'm glad you're here," Logan told Jesse.

"It's fun to bump into you like this," Jesse said.

Logan put his arm around Jesse's shoulder. "It really is, isn't it?" Logan and Jesse exchanged glances for a moment, until Max approached them from behind.

"I don't mean to interrupt," Max said.

"You're not," Jesse said.

"Excuse me," Keith said, walking away from the others.

"Enjoying the party?" Max asked.

"We are," Logan said. "Max, this is Jesse, my newest employee."

"We met earlier. I didn't realize you knew each other. Congrats on the job."

"Thank you very much," Jesse replied.

"It's a great company to work for," Max stated. "Great benefits."

"I'm discovering that," Jesse said.

"Come on, Jesse. Let's get a drink," Logan suggested.

"Good to meet you again, Max."

Max watched Jesse and Logan walk away toward the bar.

At the same time, Cole found the bathroom but walked past it into the nearby bedroom where he saw that a light was on. He quietly entered the room and closed the door behind him. Derek was waiting inside the room.

"What are you doing here?" Derek asked. "Are you nuts?"

"Your wife invited us. What was I supposed to do?"

"How about saying you're busy? Or have other plans?"

Cole walked over to Derek, stopping dangerously close to him. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"That's not the point," Derek said.

"Then what is?" Cole asked, planting a kiss on Derek's lips.

"Not here. It's too dangerous."

Cole ran his hands up Derek's shirt to his shoulders, then he kissed Derek again. "You know you want me, Derek."

Derek pushed Cole away. "Are you out of your mind?" Before Cole could answer, Derek pulled Cole close to him and shoved his tongue down Cole's throat. He kissed him passionately, repeatedly. He massaged Cole's back and Cole felt a bulge in Derek's pants.

"I want you, Derek," Cole whispered as he kissed Derek's neck.

"I want you, too," Derek said, pushing Cole against the wall and pinning him up against it. He put his hands on either side of Cole's face and kissed him deeply once again. Cole started unbuttoning Derek's shirt, but Derek pulled away. "We can't. Not here." Derek stepped back from Cole.

Cole smiled. "I knew you had feelings for me."

"We can't talk about this now. There are too many people around." Derek redid the two buttons on his shirt that Cole had unfastened. "We'll talk later. Until then, please be more discreet." Derek left the room and Cole just stood there for a moment, smiling.

In the kitchen, Keith approached Emmett. He waited for two other guests to leave the room before speaking.

"Got a minute?" Keith asked Emmett.

"Sure," Emmett replied. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to apologize. For everything."

"It's a bit late for that, don't you think?" Emmett replied. "But I accept your apology. It's important for us to get along, for the sake of our friends, if nothing else."

"True," Keith said. Then, after an awkward pause, he added, "I know you're with Max now. Does he make you happy?"

"Keith, now's not the time. I have a ton of guests here. But, yes, I am happy."

"Good, I'm glad. You deserve to be."

"Thanks," Emmett said. "And Keith, I'm sorry if we made you uncomfortable when you first walked into the party. That wasn't our intent, and it won't happen again."

"Thank you," Keith replied. He paused a moment, then left the kitchen.

Emmett was heading back into the crowded dining room when he bumped into Logan.

"Oops. Sorry," Emmett said.

"No worries," Logan replied. "Hey, where are the coats? I'm gonna grab mine and head out."

"I can get it for you," Emmett offered.

"No, no. Just tell me. You have other guests who want to say goodbye to you."

"Okay. They're in the green bedroom."

"Great, thanks."

As Logan headed toward the bedroom to get his coat, Max found Emmett in the kitchen. He walked up behind him and wrapped his arm around Emmett's waist.

"Everyone's having a great time, Emmett," Max said. "Great party." He kissed Emmett from behind. "It's our first Christmas together, our first of many. I'm excited. Especially since no one loves Christmas like you do."

Emmett faced Max. "I'm excited, too." Emmett paused. "I think people are starting to head out."

"Well, it's getting late," Max acknowledged, kissing Emmett. "Besides, once everyone is gone, I get more alone time with you." Max smiled and Emmett kissed him.

"Mmm, sounds nice," Emmett replied. "I need to run these garbage bags outside real quick."

"That can wait," Joyelle said as she entered the kitchen. "I have something to tell everyone first."

"Oh, okay," Emmett said.

"Come on into the dining room with me," Joyelle told Max and Emmett. "We need to grab Derek, too. He's around here somewhere."

As Joyelle searched for Derek, Logan was rummaging through the coats on the bed in the green bedroom. After searching a bit, he found his coat and quickly pulled it on, nearly bumping into Jesse who was standing behind him.

"Leaving without saying goodbye?" Jesse asked with a big smile.

"Of course not. I would have found you."

"Good," Jesse said, taking a step toward Logan and opening his arms for a hug.

Logan stepped forward and accepted Jesse's embrace. They held each other tightly for a moment, then partially pulled apart. They stared at each other a moment, their hearts racing. Logan slowly leaned forward and pressed his lips against Jesse's.

Jesse returned the kiss. He slowly wrapped his arms tightly around Logan. They mingled tongues as their kiss became deeper and more passionate. Logan slid his tongue down to Jesse's neck, then along his jaw line as Jesse massaged the back of Logan's neck.

Jesse pushed Logan up against the wall and kissed his neck while running his hands up and down Logan's body.

After a moment, Logan pushed Jesse back a bit and caught his breath. "I need to go," Logan whispered.

"No," Jesse said. "Stay with me."

"Not tonight, Jesse," Logan replied. "But soon."

"Promise?" Jesse asked.

Logan just nodded, turned around, and left the bedroom.

Jesse smiled, reflecting on what just happened, and headed back into the party crowd.

He eventually found Cole in the dining room, where Joyelle had gathered Derek, Max, Keith, Emmett, and most of the remaining party guests. Jesse stood next to Cole, putting an arm over his shoulder. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure," Cole said, his eyes fixed on Derek.

"Well, you were right about one thing...Derek sure is hot." Cole didn't reply, just smiled widely. "Just be careful."

Cole turned to Jesse. "He wants to be with me. He told me."

"He said that?" Jesse asked, surprised.

Before Cole could respond, Joyelle spoke. "Everyone, I just wanted to have your attention for a moment."

Cole and Derek exchanged glances.

"I wanted to thank you all for coming and wish you a Merry Christmas. And I would specifically like to thank our host, Emmett, for throwing this fantastic party." Joyelle turned to Emmett. "Thank you so much."

"Here, here," Max added, raising his glass to toast Emmett. Others joined in. Emmett blushed a bit.

"The holidays are filled with joy and wonder," Joyelle continued. "And this year is particularly special for Derek and me."

Derek turned to Joyelle, puzzled.

Cole's eyes remained fixed on Derek.

"You may have noticed that I'm not drinking tonight. Surprising, right?" Joyelle joked. "It's not fun being the only sober one in this group."

Several guests laughed.

"Well, there is a reason I'm not drinking tonight....or for the next several months."

"Oh, my God," Emmett mumbled.

"Derek and I are going to have a baby!" Joyelle announced.

"What?" Derek asked, stunned.

Cole was equally in shock.

Joyelle kissed Derek as the crowed reacted to the news.

"How did this happen?" Derek asked.

"I think we all know how it happened," Keith said, as others laughed heartily.

"Congratulations," Max said.

Joyelle kissed Derek again.

He forced a smile and then hugged Joyelle.

"Surprised?" Joyelle asked him.

"That's an understatement," Derek replied. "My God."

Joyelle smiled. "You're going to be a daddy."

The guests gathered closely around Joyelle and Derek to offer their congratulations. Cole tried to keep Derek in sight, but eventually the crowd blocked his view.

"Are you okay?" Jesse asked Cole.

Cole didn't reply. He just silently left the room.

"The other day, when you got dizzy on the couch," Emmett said to Joyelle. "Did you know back then?"

"Yes," Joyelle replied. "But I didn't want to say anything because I wanted to surprise Derek."

"Well, that worked. I've never seen my brother speechless," Emmett said as he approached Derek. "Congrats, bro. I'm going to be an uncle." Emmett hugged Derek, who scanned the partygoers looking for Cole.

"Thanks," Derek replied to Emmett.

"I'll be right back," Emmett told Max, who was still congratulating Joyelle.

Emmett returned to the kitchen and grabbed the two full garbage bags he had left there earlier. He picked them up and exited the kitchen to the back deck.

He descended the back stairs to the garage area where the garbage cans were located. The evening was cold and dark, very quiet and lightly snowing. He jogged over to the garbage cans, opened the lid of one of them and tossed the two garbage bags inside. Then he closed the can lid and headed back to the stairs, leaving footprints in the snow.

He failed to see someone step out of the shadow behind the garbage cans. The figure raised a handgun high into the air and hit Emmett in the back of the head. Emmett fell to the ground unconscious, the blood from his wound staining the fresh, white snow beneath him. More snow morphed from white to red as Emmett's blood spread across the ground; the figure hovered over Emmett's motionless body. Emmett Mancini had planned a Christmas party that no one would forget.

Episode #9

The flashing blue lights on top of the police car reflected off the nearby buildings and cars. Two other police cars were already parked in front of the Mancini condominium building on Roscoe Street; the police car just arriving parked immediately behind those other two police cars and all three cars' lights illuminated the street with the undulating light of a dance club or circuit party.

The Christmas party inside the condo had long ended, and only the people closest to Emmett Mancini remained to speak with the police officers.

Max Taylor was the first to notice that Emmett was missing. As the Christmas party wound down, guests sought out Emmett to thank him for hosting such a memorable event. When they couldn't find him, they assumed he was elsewhere in the condo saying good night to other guests. Once the condo cleared out, Emmett wasn't anywhere to be found. That's when Max recalled Emmett telling him that he was going to run some bags out to the garbage cans behind the building.

When Max went outside and down the stairs of the back deck, he saw the blood stains on the cement. While most of the driveway had a light coating of snow, the middle had none, only a large, streaked blood stain. Max ran down the driveway, around the building, down the sidewalk, but he didn't see any sign of Emmett anywhere. That's when he ran back inside the condo and told Joyelle to call the police.

Officer Michael Martinez was seated at the head of the Mancini dining room table with two other officers standing behind him. Seated around the table were Derek and Joyelle Mancini, Keith Colgan, and Max. Other officers were outside taking photos of the bloody driveway and searching the area with flashlights and police dogs.

"The main thing is to try to remain calm, folks," Officer Martinez said with his dimple-accented smile.

"Remain calm? How do we know he's not dead?" Keith asked abruptly.

"Shut the hell up, Keith," Derek yelled as Joyelle cried.

"Why are you even here?" Max snapped. "This doesn't concern you anymore."

"Fuck you, Max," Keith sneered. "I will always be a part of Emmett's life."

"Guys, please," Michael interrupted. "This isn't helping."

"And neither are you," Keith added.

Max lunged across the table at Keith, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "Go home!"

"Max, please," Joyelle pleaded, reaching for Max's arm.

"Guys!" Michael yelled, rising from his seat. "Enough."

Max let go of Keith who fell back into his chair. Michael sat down.

"Where the hell is my brother?" Derek asked.

"We'll find him, Mr. Mancini." Michael tried to reassure Derek and everyone at the table. Another officer entered the room from the kitchen and whispered something to Michael. "Okay, thanks," Michael said as the other officer left the room again. "They're done outside. They have photographed and searched the entire area."

"Thank you," Joyelle said. "You'll let us know as soon as you hear something?"

"Of course," Michael replied. "Before I go, though, I do have to ask an awkward question. Do you have any idea who might have done this to Emmett? Someone who was after him for any reason? Maybe someone he was involved with?"

"You mean you think Emmett was targeted specifically?" Derek asked.

"Not too long ago, we had a mugging right in front of the building," Joyelle added.

"And there have been a series of crimes like that in the neighborhood lately," Max said.

"I know," Michael continued. "And it may be random like that. But I'm just wondering if you might know anyone who had a reason to deliberately harm him."

"Emmett is one of the kindest people I know," Max said. "I can't imagine anyone deliberately doing anything like this to him."

"And you, Mr. Colgan?" Michael asked Keith. "You said you used to date him. Are you aware of anyone? Or a situation that may have caused this?"

Keith paused for a moment. "No, Officer. Like Max said, everyone loves Emmett."

"I'm sure," Michael said. "Well, if any of you think of anything I should know, please call me right away." Michael passed some business cards out to everyone at the table. "My number is on here."

"Thank you," Joyelle said.

"Try not to worry," Michael added. "We'll find him."

"Hopefully alive," Keith mumbled.

"Why do you have to say shit like that?" Max asked.

"Excuse me," Michael said.

"I'll walk you out," Joyelle said, getting up from the table as well.

"I'll be in touch," Michael said, then left the room followed by Joyelle.

"What is the matter with you?" Max asked Keith once Michael and Joyelle left the room. "If you don't have something helpful to say, then shut up, would you?"

"Because Emmett is yours now, and it's not my business? Is that it?" Keith snapped.

"Exactly," Max said.

"We'll see about that. Once they find him, I'm going to get him back," Keith said.

Max sighed. "Jesus..."

"Look, you guys," Derek interrupted. "Chill, would you? All we need to focus on is my brother's safe return. Not any gay drama shit."

"There's not much else we can do tonight from here. I think I'll head home," Keith said.

"Me too," Max added, standing up from the table. "And congrats again on the baby, Derek."

"Thanks, man," Derek said. Derek hugged Max and then Keith.

Joyelle re-entered the room.

"They're leaving."

"Good night, guys," Joyelle said. "They'll find him, don't worry."

Max and Keith each hugged Joyelle separately, then left the condo.

They cleared the hallway in silence and left the building. Once outside, Max grabbed Keith's arm.

"Look, Keith. Emmett's made his choice. You need to accept it so we can all get along."

Keith pulled his arm from Max's grasp. "The only thing that needs to be accepted is that I'm going to get Emmett back. I screwed up, yes. But we love each other. You are merely a rebound."

"You're ridiculous," Max said as he walked away. He hailed a cab, hopped inside, and headed home.

Keith paused a moment. He took out his cell phone, dialed, and left a message. "We need to talk. Call me right away." Keith put his phone away and hailed a cab.

Back inside the condo, Derek held Joyelle in his arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry this is happening," Joyelle said softly.

"I know, Joy," Derek replied.

"We haven't even had a chance to talk about my news. You're going to be a father."

Derek pulled back from Joyelle. "I know. That was a surprise."

"A happy one, I hope. I was so excited to tell you."

"Of course. But I thought we had decided to wait. That we weren't ready."

"I know, but it just happened."

"I thought you were taking--"

"I am," Joyelle said, anticipating his question. "But there are always slim chances. Your little guys are good swimmers, I guess." Joyelle smiled at Derek. "Are you angry or disappointed?"

Derek laughed. "In shock is more like it. But it's all good. We'll figure it out."

"Good." Joyelle kissed Derek. "You're going to be a great dad."

"Hard to think about it with Emmett missing," Derek said.

"I know, Derek. I know. But they will find him."

Joyelle hugged Derek as his thoughts traveled from his child to his brother to Cole O'Brien, who was lying on one couch in his living room while his roommate Jesse Morgan was lying on the other.

"Crazy party," Jesse said.

"Tell me about it," Cole mumbled.

"Are you okay?"

"She's giving him something I can never give him," Cole said sadly, as he played with Derek's wedding ring on the chain around his neck. "A child."

"I'm sorry," Jesse said. "You knew this was going to be complicated."

"Is that your way of saying, 'I told you so'?"

"I'm not saying that. You're my best friend, and I don't like seeing you upset. But this is a difficult situation."

"That's for sure."

"What are you going to do?"

"I know what I'm not going to do...walk away," Cole stated. "I can't. I need him."

"You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Cole hesitated. "I think I am."

"Well, it's great to finally hear you say so out loud. I've known it was true the minute you returned from Boston."

Cole tossed a pillow at Jesse.

"Well, I did."

"I know," Cole mumbled. "He told me tonight that he wants me."

"Was that before or after the baby bombshell dropped?"

"Does it matter?"

"I don't know," Jesse said. "We'll have to wait and see."

As Cole and Jesse finished their conversation, Keith paced in a dark Lincoln Park at the base of the Hans Christian Andersen statue. He looked at his watch and paced some more.

"It's the fucking middle of the night. What's so damn important?" Nick asked as he arrived at the statue.

"What have you done with him?"

"Him? What the fuck are you talking about?"

Keith took a step toward Nick. "Look, I'll do whatever you want. I'll even date you again. Just, please, tell me Emmett is okay."

"Emmett?" Nick asked. "How the hell would I know how Emmett is?"

"Don't play games, Nick. I'm serious. I'll give you whatever you want."

Nick smiled. "I know you will. But I have no idea what you're talking about with Emmett."

"Cut the crap. He was attacked tonight. And I know you did it."

"Me? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You didn't attack him?"

"Of course not, Keith. You told me you're not dating him anymore. And my focus is all on you."

"I don't believe you," Keith insisted.

"That's your problem. Now I'm going back to bed. Don't bother me again. When I want to see you, you'll know."

"Nick, wait," Keith pleaded. "Please tell me the truth. I'm scared for Emmett."

Nick grabbed both of Keith's arms, pulled him forcefully toward him, and kissed him hard. Then he released him, turned, and walked away.

Keith watched Nick disappear into the night, then headed home as well.

As Nick and Keith headed back to their homes, Ben Donovan and Jacqueline Morgan were lying in bed after having made love.

"I love you, Shawn," she whispered. "I can't wait for you to meet Jesse. I know you two will get along."

"I know we will, too, baby," Ben said.

"Be right back," Jacqueline said as she hopped out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Ben waited for Jacqueline to close the bathroom door behind her before he reached over to grab his phone off the night stand. He pressed a few buttons and located Jesse on the device. He paused a moment, put his phone back on the nightstand, and ran his hands over his face. "What am I doing?"

The police continued their investigation into Emmett's disappearance, but no real progress had yet been made. While all of Emmett's friends and family members were trying to stay busy to keep their minds off his disappearance, he was always at the forefront of their thoughts.

Logan Pryce and Jesse were finishing dinner at a restaurant in the heart of Boystown.

"May I interest either of you gentlemen in dessert?" the waiter asked as he removed a few items from the table.

"Naw, I'm okay," Logan said.

"Oh, come on. Let's split something."

"Okay, you decide," Logan agreed.

"How about the tiramisu?" Jesse asked the waiter.

"Good choice," he replied. "I'll bring two forks."

"And another of these, please," Logan said, pointing to his wine glass.

"You bet," the waiter said as he walked away from the table.

"So there's no news about Emmett?" Jesse asked.

"I'm afraid not. Everyone's really worried."

"I'm sure. Max especially, I bet," Jesse said.

"Yes, it's rough for him," Logan explained as the waiter returned and placed a full glass of wine in front of him. "It's rough for all of us. Emmett's a good guy."

"Even if he did steal Max away from you," Jesse added.

"He didn't steal Max away. Max and I were done a long time ago," Logan said, sipping his wine.

"Are you upset about that?"

Logan smiled. "You didn't tell me you were a shrink."

"I'm sorry. We don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to," Jesse stated as the waiter placed the tiramisu in the middle of the table along with two forks.

"It's fine. It's over. We both know it and that's cool. Every relationship has to end, some sooner than others."

"I just want to know where I stand," Jesse said.

"Oh, you do, do you?" Logan winked at Jesse as he took another sip of wine. "One step at a time, okay?"

"Of course," Jesse replied quietly. "I'm sorry for pushing it."

"Don't be," Logan said, reaching across the table and grabbing Jesse's hand. "I'm glad you did. Just like I'm glad you didn't pull away when I kissed you at the Christmas party."

"Are you kidding? I loved that. Looking forward to another one."

"I'll drink to that," Logan said, raising his glass to his lips.

As Logan and Jesse finished their dessert, Cole opened his apartment door to welcome Derek. Cole's face lit up and he hugged Derek tightly.

"It's good to see you. I knew you'd come," Cole said.

"I needed to see you," Derek stated, stepping into the apartment and closing the door behind him.

"Is there any word about your brother?" Cole asked.

Derek just shook his head.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too. I owe you an apology."

"About what?"

"I'm sorry that you had to hear about the baby that way -- you know, at the Christmas party."

"Well, you looked even more surprised than I did," Cole said.

"I was," Derek admitted. "But I also saw you leave right away. I'm sorry."

"Want a beer?" Cole asked, stepping into the kitchen.

"Sure."

"Joyelle's at work, I take it," Cole said, grabbing two beer bottles from the fridge.

"Yup," Derek confirmed, sitting down on the couch. "We have some time."

"That's good," Cole stated as he sat next to Derek on the couch and handed him a beer.

They both tapped their beers together and then took a sip.

Cole leaned over and kissed Derek. "Sorry, couldn't resist."

"It's okay, Cole," Derek said, returning his kiss.

Cole put his beer down on the table in front of them and wrapped his arms around Derek. He ran his hands over Derek's chest and kissed him on the neck.

Derek turned toward Cole and kissed him. As he kissed Cole's neck and ears, Derek ripped open Cole's shirt, revealing the wedding ring hanging around his neck. Derek took it into his hands and smiled at Cole.

"Put it on my finger," Cole whispered, as he unbuttoned Derek's shirt.

Derek reached behind Cole's neck to unclasp the chain. He removed the ring from the chain and slowly slipped it onto Cole's wedding ring finger.

Cole then ran his hands over Derek's hairy, muscular chest and fully removed his shirt. "I love you, Derek."

Derek smiled and replied, "Show me."

Cole put his foot onto the coffee table in front of them and pushed it across the floor. He kissed Derek passionately, running his hands up and down Derek's strong back. He raised Derek's arms above his head and kissed and licked his armpits, later returning to his chest to lick and bite on Derek's hard nipples. Cole knelt in front of Derek, opened Derek's belt and pants, and went to work.

Derek placed his hands on top of Cole's head and forced it down on him. He stood up from the couch and stepped all the way out of his pants.

Cole looked up at Derek's powerful body as his own dick grew even harder at the sight of the man he loved.

Derek reached down to get a condom out of his pants lying on the floor, but Cole stopped him.

"We don't need that," Cole said. "I'm healthy and there's only you. I swear." Before Derek could reply, Cole continued. "I don't need or want anyone else. I'm yours. We can trust each other."

Derek looked into Cole's eyes as he positioned himself.

Knowing what was about to happen, Cole adjusted himself beneath Derek's heavy body. When it happened, it was as powerful and electrifying as ever. They were one again, and both men loved the feeling.

"Tell me you love me, Derek," Cole pleaded.

Derek kissed Cole deeply and let out a loud moan. As Cole kissed Derek's chest, neck, and mouth, Derek leaned in and placed his nose against Cole's. Looking into Cole's eyes, Derek said, "I love you, Cole."

Derek rolled over on his back and pulled Cole toward him. He wrapped his arm around Cole and held him tight.

Cole ran his hand over Derek's chest. "We are one, now," Cole said. "I don't ever want to take this ring off."

"You're going to have to, I'm afraid. We still need to be discreet."

"I know. I'll do it for you, for now," Cole said, kissing Derek's chest.

"I'm going to be a father."

"I know," Cole replied. "But I am not going to let you go. I want to be with you. I need to be with you."

"We need to be realistic, Cole."

"We know we love each other. We haven't been able to stop thinking about each other since Boston."

"My brother is missing. He may be dead."

"No," Cole said. "Don't say that. They will find Emmett."

Derek kissed Cole again. "That's kind. But I need to start being realistic. About a lot of things."

Cole hugged Derek tightly. "I'm not going to give up on us. We are meant to be together."

"You need to give me time, Cole. There is a lot to figure out."

"I know. Right now you need to concentrate on Emmett."

"Thank you for understanding," Derek said, kissing Cole deeply.

As Cole and Derek held each other in Cole's apartment, Keith cautiously entered the Lakeview area police station. He climbed the small staircase inside the main entrance and approached the front desk.

"Can I help you?" the policeman behind the desk asked.

"Yes. Actually, I'm here to see Officer Michael Martinez. He's expecting me."

"Sure thing. I'll page him."

"No need to," Michael said as he entered the lobby area. "I'm here." He shook Keith's hand. "Good to see you again, Mr. Colgan."

"Please, call me Keith."

Michael nodded and opened a door behind him.

"We can talk in the office," Michael said.

Keith walked through the door and into a small office.

Michael followed him. "Have a seat," Michael said, pointing to a chair. Michael sat behind the desk. "I was glad to hear from you. I'm eager to hear what you have to tell me. We could use a lead in this case."

"Well, I'm not sure what I have to tell you will help. But I need to tell you anyway."

"Okay."

"I probably should have told you this on the night Emmett disappeared, but I wanted to check things out myself."

"Check things out?" Michael questioned.

"It's a long story."

"I'm all ears. Do you want some coffee?" Michael looked at the coffee machine. "It's hardly Starbucks, but it does the job."

Keith smiled. "No, thank you."

Michael laughed. "I'd offer you a shot, but I'm on duty."

"I could use one," Keith smirked.

"So tell me, what's up."

"Well, I'll make a long story short."

"Don't leave out any details that could be helpful to me."

"A long time ago, I dated a guy named Nick Carson."

"Before you dated Emmett?"

Keith looked surprised.

"You mentioned that you two dated during the discussion in the dining room the other night. You and Mr. Taylor were sort of going at each other."

Keith rolled his eyes. "Yes, before I dated Emmett. Anyway, it ended badly. Nick went to jail for selling drugs."

"Wow, you know how to pick them," Michael joked.

Keith didn't respond.

"Sorry."

"He just got out a few weeks ago."

"And you've been in touch with him?"

"Well, he's sort of been harassing me."

"Sort of?" Michael asked.

"Some incriminating photos of Emmett were delivered to me."

Michael raised his eyebrows.

"And some flowers with a strange note. Almost like Nick's been watching me."

"I see..."

"Emmett and I broke up because of those photos. Anyway, I finally called Nick and met with him."

"And how did that go?"

"Not well. I asked him about the photos and the flowers."

"Did he admit to sending them?"

"Not explicitly. But he did have knowledge of a lot of personal stuff, including my engagement to Emmett and our subsequent breakup."

"You were engaged to Emmett?" Michael asked and Keith nodded. "Anything else?"

"I threatened Nick with a restraining order, and he made it clear that he hadn't done anything to warrant one. And then he told me that he wants me back."

"You didn't agree to that, did you?" Michael asked.

"No, of course not. But he made me feel like he'd be coming after me. Or Emmett."

"Did he actually say that?"

"No, he's far too shrewd. He watches what he says. But it got me thinking that maybe he had something to do with what happened to Emmett."

"Have you told anyone else about this?"

"Yes, him."

"What do you mean?"

"I called Nick after Emmett disappeared and met him in the park. I asked him flat out if he had anything to do with it. He denied it."

"Do you believe him?"

"I don't know. He sounded convincing, but then he always does."

"Well, with no other leads, we can at least check him out. See if he's telling the truth."

"You can arrest him on my hunch?"

Michael laughed. "No. But we can certainly ask him a few questions. I have my ways."

"I'm sure you do." Keith smiled in return.

"There. I finally got a smile out of you," Michael said. "Is there anything else that might be relevant? Anything at all?"

"Not that I can think of."

"And you have Nick's phone number?"

"Right here," Keith said, handing Michael a slip of paper. "His old address is on there, too. I don't know if he's actually living there now or someplace else."

"Great, thanks. I can check it out." Michael paused. "I'll let you know what I find out."

"Thanks a lot," Keith said.

"No, thank you for sharing this with me. It may be very helpful."

"I'm not sure if I want it to be or not. But it needs to be looked into."

"Well, like I said, we'll let you know what we discover."

"I appreciate it," Keith said.

"No problem. And Keith? You probably should tell Emmett's brother about this. I'm going to have to share whatever I discover with him."

"I know. I will," Keith said. "Just not tonight."

"I understand," Michael said, standing up behind the desk. "Time for that shot maybe?"

Keith laughed. "Exactly. Or two." Keith got up to leave. "Thanks so much for your help."

"No problem. I hope you'll keep in touch," Michael said.

Keith smiled back and then left the office.

Michael bit his lip, "Mmm, mmm, mmm."

As Keith headed home, Logan and Jesse reached the front door of Logan's condo after their short walk home from the restaurant. They paused near the front door, and Jesse took Logan's hand.

"Thanks for a wonderful night, Logan. I really enjoyed myself," Jesse said.

"I did, too," Logan said, as he leaned in to kiss Jesse, who wrapped his arms around Logan's waist and pulled Logan tightly toward him. Their kiss became deeper and more passionate as Jesse dug his fingers into Logan's back. Logan pulled slightly back to whisper, "Come upstairs?"

"Absolutely," Jesse replied, kissing Logan again.

Logan and Jesse made short work of entering Logan's dark condo. They didn't turn on any lights; rather, they ripped each other's clothes off while Logan led them into his bedroom.

Once inside the bedroom, Logan turned on a single lamp which cast a golden hue throughout the room. It reflected beautifully off Jesse's hard, young, black body, and Logan slowly explored every curve of Jesse's muscles with his probing hands.

At the same time, Jesse worked his way over Logan's hard, more mature physique.

Logan kissed Jesse deeply, folding his large arms around Jesse's tight waist.

Jesse's soft lips met Logan's and his tongue quickly worked its way deep into Logan's mouth. Finally, he pushed Logan back onto the bed.

Logan wrapped his thick legs around Jesse and reached forward to grab Jesse's hot ass.

Jesse kissed Logan's chest and neck, then raised Logan's hands above his head. He grinned widely as he kissed Logan and pressed his hard dick against him. As Logan twitched, Jesse reached over the side of his bed and pulled a condom and lube from his jeans lying on the floor. He quickly tore it open and pulled it on.

Logan smiled. "You came prepared."

"I want you," Jesse said, kissing Logan and simultaneously pushing in to him. "You okay, stud?"

"Oh ya," Logan replied, as Jesse continued to push.

"Oh, fuck," Logan gasped as he shot his load all over both of them.

"Nice." Jesse smiled widely. The pace of his thrusts intensified. "Oh, fuck!"

"You are so hot."

"You too, stud."

Logan folded his arms around Jesse and held him tightly. "Just lie here with me. We can clean up later."

Jesse relaxed in Logan's arms and closed his eyes momentarily. He heard Logan's breathing calm. Before he knew it, Logan was asleep.

After a moment of lying with Logan, Jesse decided to get up and use the bathroom. He got out of bed, pulled on his underwear, and left the bedroom in search of the bathroom.

As he entered the hallway, he walked right into Max, who was returning home and had just turned the hallway light on.

"Oh, excuse me," Jesse said, standing practically naked in front of Max.

"Who are -- oh wait, you're the new employee. We met at the party the other night," Max said. "Of course, you had more clothes on that night."

Jesse smiled. "Well, yes."

"Now we know how you got the job, don't we?"

"Um, no."

"Did you wear this ensemble to the interview or did you go for the thong look instead?" Max persisted. "You smell like a bath house."

"Hey, back off, old man!"

"Where is Logan? Passed out, no doubt."

"He's asleep," Jesse said. "I was just--"

"Asleep? That's what you call it? Well, if you intend to be more than a one-nighter, you should probably learn the proper terminology. It's called 'passing out.'"

"Look at my body, then look at yours. Is it any wonder he wanted an upgrade?" Jessie asked. "Now get out of my way, would you?"

"It's my house, you cocky son of bitch."

"It's Logan's, too. I'm here because of his invitation."

"Look at you. You're standing here naked, covered in cum after fucking my partner."

"He's your ex-partner, your past," Jesse sneered. "He's my future."

Max laughed. "Your future?"

"Look, Max. I know you're upset because of Emmett. I'm sorry about that. I hope you find him and he's okay. Honestly."

"Shut the fuck up. I don't need your pity. You may need it tomorrow when Logan doesn't even remember you."

"He'll remember."

Max laughed. "Why? You must've been pretty boring in the sack because you put him right to sleep."

"On the contrary, bottom boy!"

In an instant, Max punched Jesse in the face, sending him backwards onto the floor.

Jesse put his hand on his jaw and laughed. "You've lost Emmett. You've lost Logan. And now you've lost your dignity, too."

"Get out of my sight!" Max yelled as he left the condo, slamming the door behind him.

Still seated on the floor, Jesse laughed again and massaged his jaw. After a moment, he got up, found the bathroom, cleaned himself off, and returned to bed with Logan to spend the night.

He wrapped his big arms around Logan and whispered, "You're mine now."

Logan and Jesse woke up the next morning in each other's arms; however, when Derek woke up, Joyelle was already out of bed. He hopped out of bed, pulled on a shirt, and headed to the kitchen, where he found Joyelle.

"You okay, Joy? You were up early," Derek asked Joyelle as Max entered the kitchen.

"Sure. Just a little morning sickness." Joyelle smiled.

Derek took a seat at the kitchen counter as Joyelle poured him some coffee.

"It's perfectly normal."

"Good." Derek turned to Max, "Good morning."

"Thanks again for letting me stay here last night. I just feel closer to Emmett when I'm here," Max said, grabbing a coffee cup from the cabinet.

"No problem at all," Joyelle replied. "We don't mind. It's nice to have you around."

"You bet, bro," Derek added. "You're family."

Max smiled. "Thanks, Derek. I appreciate that."

"You were pretty upset when you got here last night," Derek said. "Did something happen?"

"Let's just say I had a run in with a hook-up of Logan's," Max stated, taking a seat at the table.

"A hook-up?"

"Well, he'd say it was a 'date', I'm sure. You met him at the party. That young kid that Logan just hired."

"Jesse from across the street?" Joyelle asked.

Max nodded.

Derek laughed. "Oh, wow. Sleeping with the boss? Talk about job security."

"He seems like a nice guy," Joyelle added.

"He's an arrogant little fucker," Max insisted. "Logan will lose interest very quickly."

"Sounds like Logan and you need to have a chat," Joyelle added. "To clarify your relationship -- or friendship -- or whatever you want to call it."

"I can't worry about that now. I need to focus on Emmett. But when that kid gave me that smug look last night, I just couldn't hold back."

"Felt good to release a little tension, I bet," Derek added, looking down at his phone.

Max just smiled.

Derek's phone lit up, indicating that Cole was calling. Derek touched the "ignore" button and sipped his coffee.

"Derek's brother Justin is coming to town today. He's going to stay with us a few days," Joyelle said. "He'll be in the second guest room so you can stay here, too, if you'd like."

"Justin? God, I haven't heard you talk about him in...forever."

"We don't talk," Derek said. "But I felt like I had to let him know about Emmett, now that it's been several days."

"He's hard to get along with, but he deserved to know," Joyelle explained, taking a seat at the table next to Max.

The door buzzer rang.

"That may be him now."

"I'll get it," Derek said, heading to the intercom. He hit the button and then waited for someone to climb the hallway stairs to the condo unit. When he opened the door, he greeted Keith, not Justin.

"Keith," Derek said. "What are you doing here?"

"Sorry to visit unannounced, but I wanted to talk with you for a bit."

"Come in," Derek said. "Is it something about Emmett?"

"Kind of," Keith said, stepping into the condo and seeing Joyelle and Max. "Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt. But it's actually good that you're here, too, Max."

"Hi Keith," Joyelle stated. "Would you like some coffee?"

"No, thanks," Keith replied, taking a seat at the table. Derek sat next to him. "I wanted to tell you guys something." Keith paused. "Actually, maybe some water would be good."

"Sure," Joyelle said, getting up from the table.

"Thanks. This isn't easy for me to talk about."

"Just tell us," Max demanded.

"Okay." Keith took a breath. "I'll make a long story short."

"Good," Derek said. His phone lit up and, upon seeing it was Cole calling again, Derek ignored it.

"Long ago, I used to date a guy named Nick Carson, who turned out to be a drug dealer. He went to jail for several years and just got out a few weeks ago."

"Wow," said Joyelle as she returned with Keith's water.

"Since his release, he's been following me and harassing me." Keith paused, then looked directly at Max. "I think he's the one who sent those photos of you and Emmett."

"I see," Max said suspiciously.

"Anyway, I met with him the other day to tell him to leave me alone. He told me that he intended to get revenge on me. He blames me for his going to prison, even though I had nothing to do with it."

"Of course, you didn't," Derek mumbled sarcastically.

"I didn't. Honestly. But he doesn't believe me. Anyway, when we met, he knew about my engagement to Emmett. He knew everything, like he's been watching my every move. He's unstable. So I went to the police station yesterday to tell Officer Martinez about this. I thought maybe Nick was responsible for Emmett's disappearance."

"And you sat on this information all this time?" Max asked.

"Not exactly. I called Nick after Emmett's attack. I met with him and asked him straight out if he had anything to do with it. He insisted that he didn't."

"And you believed him?" Derek asked.

"No, not entirely. That's why I went to see Officer Martinez. To ask him to check it out."

"You son of a bitch!" Derek jumped out of his chair and lunged toward Keith.

"Derek!" Joyelle yelled.

"You put Emmett in danger and didn't even say a word!" Derek choked Keith, knocking him off his chair onto the floor.

Max jumped on Derek in an effort to pull him off of Keith, who was gasping for breath.

"Derek, please!" Joyelle pleaded.

"Damn you!" Derek shouted.

Keith's face was turning red as Max struggled to get Derek to release him.

"Come on, man!" Max said, eventually pulling Derek away.

Keith remained on the ground, choking and struggling to breathe.

Joyelle helped Keith to his feet.

Derek broke free from Max's hold and punched Keith across the face, sending him back down onto the floor.

"My God! This is why you came to me that day in the office...about the restraining order!" Derek screamed in a rage. "My brother may be dead because of you!"

"What is going on in here?" Michael Martinez asked as he stepped into the room, startling everyone. "The door was open downstairs, so I let myself in." Michael leaned over to grab Keith's hand and help him up.

"Hello, officer," Joyelle said.

"Is there news about Emmett?" Max asked.

Michael made sure Keith was standing steadily. "You okay?"

Keith nodded.

"I'm glad you're here, Keith. I checked out your friend Nick."

"And?" Derek asked.

"Nothing. He was with his sister at the time of the attack. I spoke with her, too. And we searched his house. It's clean."

"Another dead end..." Max said.

"Not exactly," Michael clarified. "I have other news. And I'm afraid it's not good."

"Oh, no," Joyelle said, grasping Derek's hand.

"What is it, officer?" Max asked.

"We pulled a body out of the lake early this morning. We think it's Emmett. The body was pretty badly beaten. Mr. Mancini, I need you to come with me to the morgue to identify the body."

Joyelle hugged Derek more tightly.

"I'm going, too," Max said.

"Me too," Keith stated.

"No!" Max yelled. "You stay here with Joyelle." Max gave Keith a stern look.

"Okay," Keith said. "Okay."

"I'm going, too," a voice said from behind Michael. The tall, handsome man stood in the hallway, an intimidating figure with rugged, dark features.

Michael turned around to look at him.

"I'm Justin Mancini."

Officer Martinez led the others down the stairs.

Still running, his car was parked at the curb. One by one, the men got into the police car, Derek and Max in the back and Justin in the front with Michael. The flashing blue lights on top of the police car reflected off the nearby buildings and cars.

Episode #10

Being in the presence of death reminds one of his own mortality. The coroner opened the door to the morgue, and they entered in silence, fearful of what they might find inside. Officer Martinez followed them into the room, which was cold and sterile. In the center of the room stood a single gurney that held a body covered by a white sheet.

Derek and Justin Mancini walked around to the head of the gurney while Max Taylor and Michael Martinez remained at the foot. The coroner looked at Justin and Derek, who gave a nod that it was okay for the sheet to be removed from the body.

As the coroner slowly removed the sheet, the face of the victim was revealed, then the torso, and finally the legs. The body was pale white with bruises all over and a gunshot wound to the chest. The face seemed bloated and distorted, perhaps the result of a beating or the cold water of Lake Michigan.

"Oh, my God," Max said. Justin and Derek both closed their eyes at the sight of the corpse. "We know him."

"Then it's Emmett?" Michael asked.

"No, no, it's not," Derek said, his eye welling with tears.

"It's not our brother," Justin added.

"It's our friend. Todd Smith. My God, who could have done this to him?"

"We don't know," the coroner said quietly. "We just found the body in the lake. He had no identification on him. No phone, no nothing."

"Does he have family?" Michael asked.

"Not that I know of," Max started. "He never really spoke of anyone from his family. He recently bought a new condo. And he knows our group of friends."

"He was at our Christmas party the night Emmett disappeared," Derek said.

Max sighed. "This is horrible."

"We did find some traces of skin and blood under his fingernails," the coroner said.

"Like he was struggling with someone," Michael continued. He walked over to the counter and retrieved a small plastic bag. "We also found this piece of torn fabric in his pocket."

"Let me see that," Max demanded, grabbing the bag and looking closely at it. "That's Emmett's shirt."

"What?" Derek asked, taking the bag from Max and examining it.

"I know that shirt. The red stripes. He just bought it for the Christmas party."

"That's right," Derek said. "What does this mean?" Derek looked to Michael. "Did this guy attack my brother?"

Michael shrugged and took the evidence bag back from Derek. "We don't know. But what you just told us is very helpful. At least we now know who our 'John Doe' is, and we know he had some kind of connection to Emmett's disappearance."

"At least it's not Emmett," Justin said.

"That's the good news," Michael added.

"Then where the hell is Emmett?" Derek asked. "How are we ever going to find him?"

"We will find your brother," Michael stated.

"You don't know that, officer," Justin said. "And every day that passes, it's more likely that you won't."

"I prefer to be optimistic," Michael said.

"And I prefer to be realistic," Justin replied.

The men left the morgue and headed back the Mancini condo to bring the good news about Emmett back to Joyelle Mancini and Keith Colgan, who were waiting there.

At the same time, in a dark room, Emmett was lying in the dark on a steel-framed bed wearing nothing but his underwear. He slowly regained consciousness and opened his eyes. Dizzy and groggy, he slowly reached for his head, where he could feel a small lump on the back from being hit by his attacker.

He rolled over on the bed and slowly put his feet on the cold floor. Next to the bed was a small, metal table on which stood a few glasses of water and some other snacks. He picked up one of the glasses and slowly drank half of the water in it. Carefully, he attempted to stand up. He was nauseous and dizzy at first, but those feelings passed after a moment, and he cautiously gazed around the room.

It was dark and damp, like the basement of a warehouse or factory. A toilet and sink stood in one corner of the room, and Emmett could see what was left of the base of walls that at one time must have surrounded them to make a private bathroom area. He didn't see any windows and only a single door opposite where he was standing.

He made his way across the room to the door. When he attempted to open it, he realized that it was locked from the outside. He struggled to shake the door or pry it open in some way, but his attempts were futile and his strength quickly dissipated. Finally, he leaned up against the wall and slid down to the floor. He curled himself on the floor and cried, spending the entire night in that same position.

The next morning, Jesse Morgan arrived home as his roommate Cole O'Brien was about to get dressed. Wearing only sweatpants, Cole finished some oatmeal as Jesse entered the apartment.

Cole laughed. "Well, well. Welcome home, walk of shamer."

"I don't have any shame, believe me."

"I take it things went well last night?" Cole asked, bringing his empty bowl to the sink.

"Last night...and again this morning," Jesse replied.

"I see. That's quite a wide grin you're wearing."

"It was awesome," Jesse said as he grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. "Well, most of it."

"Uh oh," Cole said, putting his hands on Jesse's shoulders.

"I had a run in with the ex last night."

"Whose ex? Logan's?"

"Yup. That Max is a total asshole. He arrived home and got into it with me."

"About what? I thought those two were done." Cole walked over and turned off the television.

"They are done. He was getting in my face about it being his house and how I'm just a hookup for Logan."

"What a jerk. What did Logan say about all that?"

"He was asleep when it happened, and I didn't tell him about it this morning. I can fight my own battles."

"I know you can," Cole started, "but Logan should probably know. Better you tell him than Max."

"Max just needs to back off. He's out of Logan's life."

"Well, they do share a condo and a past. They will always be part of each other's lives."

"Not if I can help it," Jesse said.

"Now it's my turn to tell you to be careful," Cole said. "Remember, your job is involved, and you haven't even officially started work yet."

"It's all cool. Logan likes me, that's what counts." Jesse finished his water and tossed the bottle in the recycling bin. "Hey, are you going to join my mom and me tonight? That way you can meet her new boyfriend with me."

"Oh, wow. I forgot that's tonight," Cole said. "Sure, sounds fun."

"Have you heard from Derek at all?"

"Nothing. I tried calling a few times last night because I saw a police car across the street, but he didn't pick up."

"Maybe they found Emmett?"

"Maybe. I'm sure I'll hear from him at some point today." Cole paused. "Hey, want to hit the gym with me?"

"Sure. Let me get my stuff." Jesse left the room to grab his gym gear and Cole pulled on a t-shirt.

As Jesse and Cole were dressing for the gym, Jacqueline Morgan and Ben Donovan packed for their trip.

"And be sure to pack at least one really nice dress, baby," Ben said as he held up one of his suits to take a closer look at it.

Jacqueline smiled. "Oh? Are we going someplace special?"

"Well, Chicago is where we met, after all. It's a special place for us. So we'll make it a special occasion," Jacqueline walked over to him and gave him a kiss. "Mmm."

"I love you, Shawn."

"I love you, too."

As Jacqueline disappeared into the bathroom to pack her toiletries, Ben dug deep into his suitcase and pulled out the jewelry box containing the ring he had purchased for Jacqueline. He opened it to examine the ring, then returned it to the suitcase. Then he opened the side pocket of the case and pulled out two plane tickets. He checked the information on them and returned them to the side pocket of the case. "Chicago is special for us," he mumbled to himself. "But that's not where we're going."

Inside the bathroom, Jacqueline reached into the top drawer of her vanity and discreetly removed a home pregnancy test she had just purchased. She looked at the box and then toward the door to the bedroom. Then she returned the box to the drawer and closed it.

At the same time, Emmett woke up in the dark room in a different place than he had fallen asleep. He was back on the bed, completely naked. He opened his eyes but couldn't see anything, and it took him a moment to realize he was blindfolded. When he tried to remove the blindfold, he found his wrists were bound with rope and tied to opposite corners of the bed. He once again felt dizzy, like he was coping with a bad hangover, and he also realized that his ankles were bound with rope and tied to opposite corners of the bed. That's when he felt a hand touch his leg.

"Who's there?" he asked desperately. "Please help me." The only response was the hand moving further up his leg toward his dick. "Who are you?" Emmett felt the hand pass under his balls. The more Emmett struggled, the tighter the ropes around his wrists and ankles became. He tried to relax, but couldn't. "Where's Todd? What did you do to him?"

Emmett felt the man's mouth kissing its way up Emmett's calf and thigh. As he felt the man's mouth on his balls, Emmett squirmed. "Please don't," he pleaded, but the man continued. He took Emmett's cock into his mouth and sucked it. Emmett twisted in the bed, trying to resist the man's advances as he felt his dick growing harder.

Emmett struggled to get his hands free as the man kissed his stomach and his chest. He felt the man's muscled body heavily on top of him.

"Kiss me, boy," the man said to Emmett, who turned his head to the side. "I said kiss me," the man repeated as he shoved his tongue into Emmett's mouth. Emmett bit the man's tongue, and the man slapped him hard across the face. "Damn you!"

The man got noticeably more aggressive. He kissed Emmett's neck, biting it occasionally, then worked his way down to Emmett's hard chest. The man tried to force his cock into Emmett, who fought him off as best he could without the use of his arms and legs. "Open up for me, boy."

Emmett was able to hold him off by twisting his body and tightening up. Then Emmett felt the man struggling to reach for something. Finally, Emmett felt cold metal against his face. It was a switch blade and the man slowly moved it along Emmett's jaw line. "Please, no," Emmett begged.

"Don't want me to mess up that pretty face, boy?" the man asked as the blade moved down the center of Emmett's chest. "Then you won't resist me anymore." Emmett felt the man's lips against his own. "Understand?"

Then in one swift motion, the man used the knife to cut the rope around Emmett's left foot. He ran his tongue between Emmett's toes and along the bottom of his foot. He grabbed Emmett's ankle and powerfully pulled Emmett's leg to twist Emmett's body over onto his side.

Emmett breathed more rapidly as he felt the man thrust his hard dick inside of him; both Emmett and the man groaned. Emmett tried to kick his leg to break free of the man's grip, but it was no use. The man fucked Emmett harder and harder. "Keith was right, boy. You do have a hot ass," the man laughed.

"Please stop," Emmett moaned.

The man kissed Emmett from behind, his big chest pressed against Emmett's back. He continued to stroke Emmett's dick as he pumped Emmett hard.

Emmett could tell the man was going to cum soon. He made one more attempt to free his hands from the ropes.

The man pinned him down hard and groaned loudly. "Take it, boy," the man moaned as he exploded inside Emmett.

Emmett let out a gasp of his own as he shot his load all over the bed.

"Good boy," the man said.

Emmett continued to breathe rapidly and tried to free himself. Then he felt the man cover his mouth with a cloth. "Time to sleep, boy." Emmett struggled momentarily, then passed out from inhaling the chemicals on the cloth.

Later that day, Keith was in his office when Officer Martinez arrived at his doorway.

"Hello."

"Michael!" Keith said, standing up from his chair. "Did you find Emmett?"

Michael entered the office and approached Keith's desk. "Unfortunately, no."

Keith sighed. "Is there some other news?"

"Mind if I sit down?" Michael asked.

"No, please do," Keith said. After Michael took a seat, Keith sat back down as well.

Michael smiled. "I came to check on you."

"On me? Why?"

"Do I have to have a reason?"

"I guess not."

"You have been pretty upset these last few days and then the other day I walked in, and your friend had you by the throat. So I thought I'd stop by and check in on you."

"Well, thank you. But I'm fine." Keith pointed to the paperwork on his desk. "I'm just trying to keep busy with work. Although it's not easy."

"I'm sure you miss him."

"He was the love of my life, and I blew it," Keith admitted. "I was so dumb."

"And now he's with Max?"

"For now," Keith said. "We'll see."

"You haven't given up?" Michael asked.

"I'm not sure we should be having this conversation. I hardly know you."

"I'm sorry," Michael said. "Sometimes it's just nice to have someone to talk to."

"You're right. I didn't mean to be rude."

"Not at all. I understand what you're going through. And, believe me, my department is doing everything we can to find Emmett." Michael paused. "Well, I should get going. I just wanted to check on you."

"That was sweet of you. Thanks."

"Well, don't tell too many people about this. It'll ruin my 'tough guy' image," Michael said, winking.

Keith smiled and looked back down at the paperwork on his desk.

"And even though it's a bit unprofessional of me, if you ever want to grab some coffee or a drink, call me. My treat." Michael smiled and left Keith's office.

Keith looked up toward the door as Michael left. After a few moments passed, he stood up and, in a rage, pushed everything off his desk and onto the floor. "Fuck!"

Eventually, Keith began to clean up the mess he had made in his office, while Emmett found himself alone in the dark room wearing only his underwear. He was once again free to roam about the place. He found his way to the door and tried to push it open. Frustrated, he pounded on it. "Let me out of here!" As he grew tired of futilely attempting escape, he sat back down on the bed.

Emmett would never have imagined that, at the same time, his brother Justin was unpacking his suitcase in Derek's guest room.

"Making yourself at home, brother?" Derek asked as he looked in on him.

Justin spun around to face Derek. "Yes. Thanks again for letting me stay here."

"How long do you plan to stay?"

"Wow," Justin said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "So much for Mancini hospitality."

Derek didn't reply.

"I don't know. Until we find out about Emmett, I suppose."

"Okay..."  
"Is that a problem? Because I can always get a hotel room if my being here makes you uncomfortable."

"You being in Chicago makes me uncomfortable," Derek said. "I'm still not sure why you're even here."

Justin stood up and took a step toward Derek. "I'm here, brother boy, because my youngest brother Emmett is missing and maybe even dead. I'm here because you couldn't protect him, and now he's in trouble."

"Oh, bullshit," Derek said. "I couldn't protect him? He's a grown man, Justin. He doesn't need people looking after him. He can take care of himself."

Justin laughed. "Clearly. Which is why this happened to him."

"You haven't given a shit about Emmett or me since we left California."

"I thought it was better that way."

"No, it was easier for you that way," Derek said as he closed the closet door nearest to him.

"If that's what you believe, who am I to try to change your mind, Derek?"

"Why are you really here?"

"I'm here to put this family back together. I'm here because, left in your hands, the Mancini family has fallen apart."

"We have been doing just fine without you and Dad."

Justin smiled widely. "And I'm here so that little baby your wife is carrying will one day know his Uncle Justin."

Derek rolled his eyes and headed out. "I'm going to the office."

"Hey Derek," Justin said as Derek turned around to listen. "It's good to be here."

Derek ignored his brother and left the room.

As Justin continued to unpack, Ben and Jacqueline made their way to Chicago in Ben's car. Ben was driving and Jacqueline was watching the signs above the expressway as they drew closer and closer to the city.

"I just love Chicago at this time of year," Jacqueline said. "All the holiday hustle and bustle. I never get tired of it."

"It is exciting, a magical time of year," Ben added. "It makes you think that anything is possible, anything at all."

"Jesse always loved Christmas when he was a little boy. I hope he never loses that Christmas spirit."

"Must have been hard growing up without his father," Ben said.

"What makes you bring that up?"

"Nothing in particular. It's just that Christmas is about family, and I'm sure he always wished that he would get to know his dad."

"I told you, his dad was never really a part of our lives -- his or mine."

"I know, baby. I'm not trying to upset you. It's just that I'm sure he's been curious about his dad all of his life. I lost my mother when I was very young, and it was hard. I often wonder what kind of friends she and I would be today if she had lived longer."

"You never told me that, Shawn," Jacqueline said. "I'm sure the two of you would have been great friends. She'd be very proud of the man you are today."

"Do you think Jesse wonders that same thing about his father?"

"I don't know. It's not a topic we discuss." Jacqueline returned her attention to the street signs on the road.

"Baby, can I have your phone a second? I think my battery's dead."

"Sure," Jacqueline said, fishing her phone out of her purse and handing it over to Ben. "Don't text and drive, though."

Ben took the phone from her and cautiously punched some information into the phone. Jacqueline was focused on the Chicago skyline in the distance. After a few moments, Ben handed the phone back to Jacqueline. "There you go." Jacqueline took the phone and returned it to her purse.

"You want this exit here, Shawn," Jacqueline said, pointing at the road sign approaching on the right.

"I'm going to try a different route," Ben said. "It's a bit quicker."

"Toward the airport? That's way out of the way."

Ben smiled. "Maybe not."

"Shawn!" Jacqueline said. "Where are we going?"

"Just relax. It's a surprise."

"A surprise? But we have to meet Jesse. He's expecting us."

"Not anymore. That's who I just texted."

"You did? What are you up to?"

"It's Christmas, remember? It's coming a few days early for you."

Jacqueline smiled. "Did you call in a special favor from Santa Claus?"

"Ho, ho, ho," Ben laughed and continued on the expressway toward O'Hare Airport.

At the same time, Derek wrapped up a phone call at his office. Like everyone else, he thought work would distract him from Emmett's disappearance.

"That sounds perfect," Derek said to the caller. "I appreciate that. And if I can get there for the signing, I will. I don't want to travel while my brother is missing, but if I can go and return in a day, I'll see what I can do." Derek paused. "That's perfect. Thanks so much for understanding." Derek paused again. "I will. Thank you. Bye, bye." Derek put the phone down and then clapped his hands together. "Yes!"

"Good news?" Cole asked as he entered the office with a wide grin on his face and carrying two coffees.

"Cole! What are you doing here?"

"I thought you might want a break. And someone to talk to," Cole said as he set the coffees down on Derek's desk.

"I have a wife," Derek said, standing up and closing the office door.

"Don't remind me," Cole mumbled.

"I told you that we need to be discreet," Derek said.

"What, you don't have any male friends who visit you at the office?" Cole asked as he took off his coat and sat down in one of the chairs opposite Derek's desk.

"You're not just any male friend," Derek said.

"I know that, but no one else here does. Relax, would you? I just brought you some coffee." Cole handed the cup to Derek.

"I'm sorry. Thank you," Derek said, sitting in the chair next to Cole. "You know how stressful things are."

"I know, handsome. That's why I'm here. I saw the police outside your place last night and wondered if there was any news."

"I'm sorry I couldn't take your calls. They thought they had found Emmett's dead body."

"Oh, God," Cole sighed.

"But it wasn't his body. It was his friend Todd's."

"Todd?" Cole repeated. "I met a Todd at the Christmas party."

"That's the one. He's dead and somehow connected to Emmett's disappearance."

"That's too weird...and scary."

"But there are still no leads and nothing new to report."

"I'm sorry," Cole said.

"I thought I'd come here and get some work done. And I'm glad I did. Just closed a big deal."

"Congrats," Cole said, raising his coffee in Derek's honor.

"Thanks," Derek said. "I've been working on it for a long time."

Cole got out of his chair and kissed Derek. "That deserves a celebration." Cole walked over to the door and locked it.

"What are you doing?" Derek asked.

"Celebrating," Cole said, smiling widely as he walked over to Derek.

"Cole, this is my office," Derek stated.

Cole kissed Derek and lifted him up out of his chair. "I know." When Derek was fully standing, Cole folded his arms around him. "And very few people are around."

"Cole..."

"Shh," Cole whispered as he ran his hands over Derek's shoulders and down the front of his shirt. He unbuttoned the shirt and kissed Derek's neck. Derek threw his head back and embraced Cole. "You said you need distractions, remember?"

"I can't resist you," Derek said, taking control of the situation. He pushed Cole back a step and ripped open Cole's shirt. Then he removed his own. He pulled Cole close to him and kissed him deeply.

Cole dug his fingers into Derek's muscular back and pulled Derek's belt from his waist.

Derek pushed Cole against his desk and pushed everything on top of the desk to one side. As Cole leaned back onto the desk, he kicked off his shoes and Derek quickly pulled Cole's pants off. He leaned forward to kiss Cole again. He cradled Cole's head at first before working their way down Cole's neck, shoulders and chest.

Cole wrapped his long legs tightly around Derek who adjusted Cole's position on the desk beneath him.

"God, I love you," Derek whispered as he leaned in to kiss Cole. The words so hard for Derek to say before seemed to come more comfortably now.

Cole's breathing grew quick and loud and he squirmed on the desk.

Derek came quickly and then stepped back, looking down at Cole's athletic body lying on the desk. "You're fucking amazing."

"I love you," Cole said.

Derek smiled and pulled his clothes back on.

Cole hopped off the desk and picked his clothes up from the floor. Then he kissed Derek once more.

"What are you doing to me?" Derek asked.

"Building our future," Cole replied as he finished dressing. "And you're welcome...for the coffee."

As Derek and Cole concluded their encounter, Max and Logan were in the middle of a discussion in their kitchen.

"Well, I didn't appreciate seeing him prancing around our condo naked like this is a bath house," Max said.

"I'm sorry about that," Logan replied. "I thought you were staying at the Mancinis' condo."

"What difference would that have made? It was still inappropriate, even if I wasn't here."

"This is my condo, too, Max. If I want to have someone over, I can," Logan said, taking a drink of his wine. "It's no different than you fucking Emmett."

"That's really offensive, especially with him missing."

"The police will find him, and he'll be fine. And when they do, you'll go back to fucking him, right? We need to prepare for that."

"Prepare for that? What do you mean?"

"It's clear we are both moving on with other people. We should probably discuss living arrangements."

"Moving on? You can't seriously be thinking of that kid as anything other than a hookup."

"It's really none of your damn business. You lost your right to comment on my personal life when you decided that we were done."

"I decided? You're the one who would never talk to me, never discuss our relationship with me. You were too worried about your cocktails, like you are right now."

"That's offensive," Logan said, mocking Max. "There's no point in assigning blame. We're done. That's a fact."

Max paused a moment. "I guess it is."

"So what are we going to do? Because we can't go on living together like this, especially if you're going to critique my choice of men."

"He's an employee, for God's sake. You don't know anything about him. And he doesn't know shit about you, either," Max said, pounding his hand on the kitchen counter.

"Jealous, are you?" Logan paused to take a drink.

"You're making a mistake."

Logan ignored Max's comment. "I have to go to Vegas for a few days for business. When I get home, you should be out of here."

"It's my condo, too," Max said.

"I know. But I picked it out. I did all the work to find it. And I'm not the one who ended our relationship. We can discuss the financial issues after Christmas. But for now, it's best that you find your own place."

"So your little fuck buddy can come here whenever he wants?" Max caught himself. "Never mind. I shouldn't have said that." Max paused. "It's fine. I'll have my stuff out of here in the next couple of days," Max said, getting up from his stool.

"Good."

Max was almost out of the room before he turned back to Logan for a moment. "This wasn't how we were supposed to end." As Max headed through the hallway to the front door, it opened in front of him and Jesse entered the condo.

"Hi," Jesse said.

Max looked at Jesse, then at Logan. "Unbelievable."

"I don't mean to interrupt. I can come back."

"No," Logan said as he entered the hallway from the kitchen. "I need to talk to you about work."

"Work?" Max laughed and shook his head. Then he looked directly at Jesse and said, "He's all yours." Max stormed out of the condo, pushing Jesse out of the way as he passed him.

"What the hell?" Jesse said as Max slammed the front door behind him.

Logan stepped over to Jesse and hugged him.

"I'm sorry about that."

"I didn't mean to interrupt."

"We were finished," Logan said. "We are finished."

"Good."

"Come on in. I have some exciting news for you."

"What's that?" Jesse asked, planting a kiss on Logan's lips.

"Go home and pack your suitcase. We're headed to Las Vegas tomorrow. I have to close a deal, and the client wants to meet you since you'll probably be assigned to the account. I know you don't technically start until after January first, but they want to meet you."

"Wow," Jesse said. "That's awesome."

"I thought you'd be excited."

"Yes. My mom was supposed to be coming for a visit, but she just canceled so this will work out great. How long will we be gone?"

Logan smiled. "A day or two, that's all. We'll be back before Christmas Eve, no worries."

"This is awesome," Jesse said, kissing Logan again. "Our first trip together."

"Happy?" Logan asked.

"Very," Jesse replied. "Thank you so much."

"It's just the beginning. Now get out of here and get yourself packed. We leave first thing in the morning."

As Jesse headed back home to his apartment on Roscoe, Max was also headed in the same direction, to Derek's condominium.

Max entered the condo and quietly approached the sofa where Joyelle was lying on the couch resting after her doctor's appointment.

"Hey there," Max said softly. "You okay?"

"Oh, ya. Just relaxing," Joyelle replied.

"How'd the doctor's appointment go?" Max asked as he took a seat at the end of the couch.

"Good, thanks. She said everything looks good," Joyelle said.

"Great. Nice to have some good news around here," Max said.

"How'd things go with Logan?"

"They went," Max stated. "Not well. I told him I'm going to move out. We'll figure out the financial stuff a little at a time." Max paused. "He actually thinks he's going to build a life with that punk."

"Jesse?" Joyelle asked.

"Yes. I'm sorry, I know you like him. I think he's cocky."

"I don't like or not like him. I only know him because of Cole."

"He's got a lot to learn, especially about Logan."

"Is that your concern anymore?" Joyelle asked.

"I guess you're right," Max said. "It's something to keep my mind off Emmett."

"You miss him, don't you?"

"More than even I thought I would. I'm so scared," Max said, putting his head in his hands. "God knows what he's going through, if he's even still alive."

Joyelle sat up and put her arms around Max. "You have to have faith," she whispered. "We all do."

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost him," Max cried.

Joyelle continued to rub Max's back as Justin entered the room.

"I don't mean to interrupt," Justin said.

"You're not," Joyelle assured him. "We're just chatting."

"So you love my brother, eh?" Justin asked.

"More than ever," Max said. "I miss him."

"That's good -- that you love him, I mean," Justin said, sitting down on the chair across from the couch. "I'm glad I'm here, so I can get to know you better. See if you're worthy of my brother."

Max lifted his head from his hands and looked at Justin curiously.

Joyelle spoke up. "I assure you, Justin, that Max and Emmett are wonderful together."

"I look forward to seeing for myself."

"And what about you, Justin? You haven't said much about your life since you arrived in town. How are things?"

"Joyelle, my life couldn't be better. Especially now that I'm here with all of you," Justin smiled and stood up. "I'll catch you two later."

As Justin left, Max and Joyelle exchanged glances.

"Is he for real?" Max asked.

"He's up to something, Max. I just don't know what it is," Joyelle said. "I can't wait for him to go."

"Well, Derek should be home soon. I have to go meet with some of Todd's friends to plan his memorial service."

In the guest bedroom with the door tightly closed behind him, Justin reached under the bed and pulled out his suitcase. Inside was a black case, which he placed on top of the bed. He carefully opened the case and pulled out his handgun. He examined it for a moment, then returned it to the case, the case to the suitcase, and the suitcase to under the bed.

Justin walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain to look down on the street below. From high above the sidewalk, he saw his brother Derek walking with Cole from the bus stop. They stopped in front of Cole's apartment and continued to talk. Jesse walked up and greeted them from another direction. Of course, Justin didn't know Cole or Jesse, but he watched from the window as the three spoke. Then he watched Cole hug Derek immediately before Cole and Jesse went into their apartment and Derek crossed the street to enter his building. Justin let the curtain fall back into place.

The curtains hanging all over the club that Keith was attending later that night created little private conversation nooks all around the dance floor. Keith sat at his table alone sipping his martini and perusing the people clustered in groups throughout the club. Another martini stood on the table opposite Keith's.

"Sorry I'm late," Michael said walking up behind Keith, startling him a bit.

He had never seen Michael dressed in anything other than his police uniform, but there he was, standing in the club looking incredible. Keith couldn't help but notice Michael's chest and arms bulging beneath his tight-fitting shirt, which had the top three buttons undone, as well as his firm ass inside his tight jeans. Michael was grinning from ear to ear.

"No problem," Keith stated, standing up to give Michael a hug.

"I couldn't figure out what shirt to wear." Michael laughed as he took the seat opposite Keith.

"You look great," Keith said. "And your martini is waiting, just as you asked."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you for meeting me tonight. I needed someone to talk to."

"I'm glad you took me up on my offer." Michael took a sip of the martini in front of him. "But you have lots of people you can talk to."

"Not really, I'm afraid," Keith said.

"Aw, come on, Keith. I was there the night Emmett disappeared. You were surrounded by friends. Sure, they were upset that night, but they care about you."

"You also showed up the night that Derek tried to strangle me. I never really thanked you for showing up when you did."

Michael laughed. "Well, I'm a knight in shining armor. That's my job."

"Is that right?"

"Reach out to them, Keith. They're your friends. They will be there for you."

"I'll try, but enough about them. Let's talk about upbeat things for a change. At least tonight, okay?"

"Sounds great to me," Michael said, raising his glass. "How about a toast to us?"

"Cheers." Keith touched his martini to Michael's.

The night passed quickly and the sunrise in Las Vegas the next morning was beautiful. Ben and Jacqueline woke up in each other's arms in their palatial hotel suite.

"Shawn, this is all so amazing. This suite, dinner last night, the show. And, of course, you," Jacqueline said with a smile.

"I love you," Ben said. "But the real fun comes today. It's a very special day for us."

"What are you up to?" Jacqueline asked curiously. "More Christmas surprises?"

"Just taking great care of you," Ben said, kissing her. "And we need to get you up and out of bed because you have an appointment at the hotel spa in fifteen minutes."

"The spa? The surprises just keep on coming, don't they?"

"This will be a day we never forget," Ben stated. "Now come on, let's get you out of bed."

Jacqueline got out of bed, kissed Ben, and headed into the bathroom.

After Jacqueline closed the door behind her, Ben got out of bed and grabbed his cell phone. He pressed a few buttons to check Jesse's whereabouts. Ben spoke to himself, "Perfect. Nothing is going to stop your mother from marrying me today."

As Ben was checking Jesse's location on the phone, Logan and Jesse were settling down on their plane headed for Las Vegas.

"First class? Nice!" Jesse said as he sat in his seat and fastened his seatbelt.

"Of course." Logan sat down in the seat next to Jesse and patted him on the lap. "All the way."

"Once we're in the air, you'll need to prep me about these people I'm going to meet."

"First things first," Logan said. "Let's get a drink."

Jesse patted his pockets and his coat and looked around his seat.

"Is something wrong?"

"Damn, I forgot my cell phone. I must've left it on the kitchen counter charging."

"No worries," Logan said. "You can use mine. Now relax, would you?"

"Okay, okay. Let's get a drink. Vegas, here we come."

As Logan and Jesse's jet headed for Las Vegas, Keith was meeting with Max, Derek, and Justin at Derek's condo. They were seated around the dining room table.

"I do appreciate you letting me come and talk," Keith said.

"We all said some things that maybe we shouldn't have," Max stated. "What matters now is that we all band together to support each other and hopefully find Emmett."

"Agreed," Derek added.

"Todd's memorial is tomorrow, and I think it's important for you to come, Keith," Max suggested. "He didn't have any family, so it's important that as many friends as possible attend."

"It was nice of you to help them plan it. I'm sure Todd would have appreciated it," Keith said.

"I did it for Emmett, because I knew that's what he would've done if he were here," Max added.

"We still don't know how Todd is connected to my brother's disappearance," Justin said.

"And maybe we never will," Derek stated.

"I can't stand thinking of Emmett being locked up in some hotel room or warehouse or something," Max said. "But at least he'd be alive."

"Wait a minute," Keith said. "What did you just say? A warehouse?"

"Yes," Max replied, puzzled.

"Oh, my God," Keith said. "I can't believe I didn't think of this before."

"What?" Derek asked.

"I know where he is! I know where he is!"

"What are you talking about?" Justin asked.

"The warehouse," Keith continued.

"What warehouse?"

"Nick's family used to have a huge warehouse on the south side. It was their beef distribution center when the company was still operating."

"I thought the police checked Nick out," Max said.

"Do you know where it is?" Derek asked, ignoring Max.

"Yes, I was there once, years ago."

"Let's go!" Derek said, jumping up from the table with the others.

"My car's out front," Keith said.

"One second," Justin said, leaving the room and heading to his guest room.

"Shouldn't we call the police?" Max asked.

"Come on, we'll call Officer Martinez from the car," Keith said.

Justin returned, and the four men rushed out of the condo.

As they were jumping into Keith's SUV, Cole was leaving his apartment building. "Where are you all running off to?" he yelled across the street.

"We think we know where Emmett is," Derek said as the others got into the car.

"I'm going with you," Cole said, jogging across the street and hopping into the car before anyone could tell him not to.

As the five men headed toward the warehouse, Emmett awoke to find himself in his underwear, blindfolded, and bound to a chair near the bed. He was struggling to get free of the rope that bound his hands behind him. The man standing next to him was holding a gun and running the tip of it up and down Emmett's chest.

"What are you going to do to me?" Emmett asked, as he continued to try to untie the knotted rope around his hands.

"Nothing, as long as you cooperate," the man replied. The man leaned forward and kissed Emmett. "Good boy."

"How long do you plan to keep me here?"

"As long as I want to," the man replied.

"Can't you at least remove the blindfold so I can see you?"

"That isn't necessary," the man replied.

"If I could see who you are, things would be better. I promise," Emmett said.

"You don't get to call the shots, boy."

Suddenly, the door flew open with a loud noise, and Derek, Cole, Keith, Justin, and Max ran into the room. The man spun around as the five men stopped in their tracks.

"Emmett!" Max yelled.

"Max?" Emmett asked from his chair.

"Stand back," the kidnapper yelled as he pointed his gun toward the five intruders.

"Nick!" Keith said. "You bastard; you lied to me!"

Nick smiled. "You should have listened to me and minded your own business. As you can see, your ex-fiancé is perfectly fine. But now I'll have to kill him." Nick stepped in front of Emmett, facing the five men. Emmett continued to unravel the ropes tied around his wrists.

"We're not here for trouble," Derek said. "We just want to take Emmett home."

Nick laughed. "He is home. This is his new home. He's not leaving here. Not alive anyway."

Max walked toward Nick and Emmett. "We are here to take him home with us. You need to step aside."

"Stand back or I'll blow you away," Nick said, raising the gun slightly higher.

"Put the gun down," Justin said as he pulled his handgun from his jacket. "Or you're going down, too."

"Justin, no!" Keith said.

"Justin?" Emmett, still blindfolded, asked as all five men slowly stepped toward Nick.

"Not another step!" Nick yelled. "I'm warning you."

With his gun drawn, Michael ran in from behind the men. "Police! Don't anyone move!"

At that moment, Emmett got free of the ropes around his wrist. He pulled off his blindfold and lunged at Nick from behind. Michael ran toward Nick and Emmett. Nick fell forward and fired his gun.

As the others scrambled, two more gunshots were fired, echoing throughout the room. Blood splattered on the walls and floor as three bodies fell to the ground. Chaos was replaced by silence. Being in the presence of death reminds one of his own mortality.

