One Door Closes

Kyle walked to stand beside Billy and asked, "Can you come over here tomorrow morning about ten o'clock?"

"Um, yeah, I guess. Why?" Billy asked in confusion.

"Because Cory and Sean and Teri are going to come over to help you get legal custody of Deacon. They have everything worked out but they need to sit down and talk to you so you can make some decisions." Kyle said with a level of seriousness that was a little freaky coming from an eight year old.

"Sure, I'll be here. Um, was Allen being like for real about the telepathy thing?" Billy asked hesitantly.

Kyle smiled and said, "Yeah, kewl huh?"

Billy smiled in return and said, "It's freaky as hell to tell you the truth."

Kyle crooked his finger to Billy to draw him down so he could whisper.

"Tell him. It's okay, he thinks you're cute too."

Billy stood up quickly and flashed a worried glance at Allen who had his full attention on the boys surrounding him.

Kenny walked up to Billy and hopefully asked, "Do you want to see the shelf me and my Uncle Brady built today?"

Billy smiled and said, "Sure, lead the way little dude."

Kenny happily led Billy and the rest of the group across the hall to show off his new display shelf.

"Whoa, that's awesome! You guys built this yourselves?" Billy asked as he looked over the construction of the shelf.

"Uh huh, me and Uncle Brady decided how we wanted it to be last night, Kevin drew it and we built it this morning." Kenny said proudly.

"That's totally cool. The only thing I ever made out of wood was a birdhouse in shop class, I got a 'D' and threw it away on the way home." Billy said frankly.

"Well, I never built anything before today, but Uncle Brady showed me what to do and I put most of it together by myself." Kenny said joyfully.

Billy looked at Allen and saw the love and pride on his face. The feeling it stirred within him was unexpected and he turned away, trying to focus on something else.

"What's all this?" Billy asked curiously as he looked at all the paper shapes and the strange collection of hand drawn images on one wall of the room.

"That's my pictures." Kevin said quietly.

"You're really good dude. Whoa, that one gives me a creepy feeling right up my spine." Billy said as he looked at the dark image of a house in the country.

Kevin looked at the indicated picture and asked, "Kenny, would you see what's wrong with Chok?"

In a second Kenny was standing before the picture with his hand on it.

"He's feeling lonely. He's alone in his room on the computer... his instant messenger doesn't have any names." Kenny said in a trance like voice.

"It will by the end of the night. Jacob wants his IM... never mind, he got it." Kyle said seriously.

Billy and Deacon watched the scene carefully, in awe at the strange powers their new friends possessed.

Kenny smiled and said, "He just got the invitation. I think Jacob freaked him out by calling him by name."

"He meant to. This way he's more likely to answer." Kyle said in thought.

"Yeah, he did." Kenny said with a smile.

"Jacob and Jamie are going to talk to him for a while, then they're going to start introducing him around the Clan so he can get to know everyone. Where is he anyway?" Kyle asked curiously.

"Germany, about forty five miles northeast of Berlin." Kenny said in thought.

"Wow, how come he speaks English?" Kyle asked curiously.

"He's not from there. He's there with his family, his mom has a job there. They live out in the country and he doesn't speak German and doesn't leave the house. He's been lurking in chat rooms, but has been too shy to really talk to anyone. The only guy he talked to was a real sicko freak and scared him pretty bad." Kenny said as he focused on the picture.

"Well, he's not alone now. We'll see that by the end of the week every Clan member has Chok's IM and has been introduced." Kyle said firmly.

"Pop, we need to get cable modem or something in here so I can get on the net. All we have right now is the terminal in the family room." Kenny said seriously as he looked at Allen.

"The phone will be turned on tomorrow, then I'll go ahead and get cable and things set up. I'll try to have it going by the end of the week." Allen said gently.

"Thanks Pop." Kenny said happily as he took his hand away from the picture.

"Whoa, that's so cool. The picture was like, all dark and gloomy before, now it's like the sun is shining." Billy said as he looked at Chok's picture.

"It hasn't changed." Harley said as he looked at the picture.

"I think Billy sees it like I do." Kevin said as he looked at the picture closely.

"Really?" Kyle asked with surprise, then got a distant look.

"There's one way to know for sure." Kenny said as he looked at Kevin with an apprehensive expression.

"Janice." Kevin said in a whisper as he walked to his dresser and pulled the worn pillowcase holding the rest of his pictures.

"Why do  you have those in there?" Harley asked curiously.

"Some of them hurt to look at and some of them are of you guys. I'd feel like I was spying on you if I could see how you're feeling all the time." Kevin said as he looked through the pictures.

"Oh Fuck!" Billy said and turned away from Janice's picture.

"I think that means he can see the pictures like you do Kev." JJ said with a look of concern directed at Billy who was turned away and wiping his eyes.

"Are you okay Billy?" Deacon asked with concern.

"Yeah, it's just... that was just wrong! Warn me next time you're going to show me something horrible." Billy said as he tried to regain control.

"I'm sorry Billy, but people who don't see like we do, don't feel anything when they see that picture." Kevin said quietly.

"It was just a picture of a fuzzy bunny doll." Deacon said hesitantly.

"I think we'd better go downstairs for a few minutes. Billy's had enough shocks for one day." Allen said with a gentle smile.

Billy looked at Allen and felt warmth at Allen's concern for him and smiled in return.

Kyle quickly said, "If you don't mind, I'd like to look at Kenny's new model."

"That's fine, we'll be downstairs in the living room when you're done." Allen said gently.

---

As Allen and Billy walked downstairs, Allen noticed movement in the kitchen.

"Juana, what are you doing?" Allen asked curiously.

"I was just peeling some potatoes for breakfast in the morning." Juana said as she focused on her work.

"You don't need to do that, I can cook for the boys when I'm home." Allen said seriously.

"I don't mind. It makes me feel good to be able to help." Juana said peacefully.

Allen smiled and said, "Well then, I'd be happy to let you cook breakfast for us. Please just remember that I don't expect you to cook all our meals."

"I remember. It feels good to care for the family." Juana said as she remained focused on her potato peeling.

"Billy, would you and Deacon like to come over for breakfast in the morning, I mean, you'll be coming over in the morning anyway." Allen asked with a smile.

"I guess so. I mean, as long as it isn't any trouble. I don't really have any food in the house except for canned and frozen stuff." Billy said honestly.

"There will be plenty for everyone." Juana said quietly.

"So it's no trouble at all." Allen said as he led the way back into the living room.

---

"Did you really want to see my new model again?" Kenny asked curiously.

"Well, I wouldn't mind, it's really kewl. But the main reason I said that was to give Allen and Billy some time to talk. I think that if they get the chance, they could be really good friends." Kyle said seriously.

"You mean like boyfriends?" JJ asked with a smile.

"Maybe. They both like each other so far. We just have to give them some time to get to know each other." Kyle said in thought.

"Really? Billy and Allen?" Deacon asked with wide eyes.

"That's okay isn't it?" JJ asked Deacon with concern.

"Oh, um, yeah. I just never thought of Billy, you know... with a guy." Deacon said shyly.

"Is Billy straight?" JJ asked Deacon, then glanced to Kyle.

"Billy is just Billy. He doesn't have any hang-ups either way. If someone attracts him, he's open to what happens." Kyle said in thought.

"Wow... I hope I can be that way when I'm ready to start dating." Deacon said as he considered the statement.

"Me too. I mean, I guess I never really thought about it. I grew up with Dad and Pop and they told me about gay stuff and straight stuff, but I never really thought about it having anything to do with me." Kenny said as he sat on the edge of Kevin's bed.

"I'm gay." Kevin said seriously.

"Really?" Kenny asked in surprise.

"Yeah. I mean, I've never done anything about it, but I know I am." Kevin said simply.

"Well, since I've got a boyfriend, I am too." JJ said seriously.

"Me too." Kyle said frankly.

"Really? All you guys are gay?" Deacon said with surprise.

"Yeah. But if you think about it, except when we're doing boyfriend stuff, it doesn't make us any different from anyone else." JJ said as he also sat on Kevin's bed.

Deacon nodded at the statement and looked at Kenny to see a matching look of thought.

"I don't think I'm anything yet." Reuben said speculatively.

"That's okay Reuben. Some guys know as soon as they find out what it means to be gay and some don't know until they're grown up." JJ said seriously.

"It's good to know that if I find out I like guys that no one will be freaked out by it." Deacon said in thought.

"Yeah. I think we're all happy about that." JJ said with a smile.

---

"I don't know why you're being so nice to me and Deacon, but I really appreciate it." Billy said as he took a seat.

"It started with Deacon. When I saw how he was hurting about how your parents treated him, I had to try and help. Since I've had the chance to talk with him, and now you, I feel like you two are an extension of my family and... honestly, I enjoy your company." Allen finished shyly.

Billy smiled and said, "It's been a really long time since I felt like someone wanted me around... well, except for, you know, sex and stuff."

"Well you and Deacon will always be welcomed here. We're just starting this family and I'd like for you to both be considered as part of it." Allen said with a smile.

"What do you mean you're just starting?" Billy asked curiously.

"When my lover Carl died, I thought I was completely alone. His son Kenny was sent to Chicago to live with his mother. A lot of things happened and I ended up with four sons that I officially adopted on Saturday and I bought this house for our family yesterday, well, officially I bought it today." Allen finished with a peaceful smile.

"Oh, I thought, I mean, I guess I just assumed that Kevin, Kenny and Jake were really your kids, I mean, like you were their father... you know what I mean don't you?" Billy finished with frustration.

"Yes. You thought I was their biological father. I'm not, but I'm trying to be the best father that I can be to all the boys." Allen said seriously.

"Do you think you'll still have time to do stuff, you know, like dating and stuff?" Billy asked nervously.

Allen considered for a moment and said, "You know, I haven't really thought about it, but with Jake and Xain being as responsible as they are and Juana being here, I don't think there would be any problem with me dating... well, except that I don't like clubs and bars where I might meet someone."

"How about me?" Billy asked in a whisper.

"Really?" Allen asked in surprise.

Billy nodded and waited anxiously.

"I mean, yes. Of course. But I have to warn you that it hasn't been very long since I lost Carl. I'm really going to need to go slow." Allen said cautiously.

Billy got a look of relief and said, "That's totally cool Allen. I'm not trying to drag you into bed. I just think I like you and I'd like to take the time to get to really know you."

"Thanks Billy. That's what I want too." Allen said gently.

---

"We can go downstairs now." Kyle said suddenly.

"Why?" JJ asked curiously.

"They've said everything they need to. We don't have to hide out anymore." Kyle said as he stood.

"Are they going to be boyfriends?" Kevin asked with a smile.

"They've both said they like each other and want to get to know each other. When they've talked for a while, then maybe." Kyle said seriously as he led the way out of the room.

---

Dan walked out of the family room followed by Jake and Xain.

"How is everything?" Allen asked with immediate concern.

Dan looked at Jake with question.

"Really good. Dan says that I'm going to be okay." Jake said quietly.

"I'm glad to hear it. You scared me half to death last night." Allen said with a relieved smile.

"I think we've got that covered now." Jake said as he looked around the room.

"Does anyone else need to talk about anything while I'm here?" Dan asked as he looked around and noticed Billy.

"Excuse me Dan, Billy Pierce, this is Dan Richardson. He's a child psychologist. He's just talking with the boys to help them adjust to being in a new place. Dan, this is Billy, he's Deacon's brother." Allen said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you Billy. The offer is open to you and Deacon too if you feel like talking about anything." Dan said seriously.

"Um, I don't know. Do you feel like talking Deke?" Billy asked as he looked at his brother.

Deacon looked at Dan and hesitantly nodded.

"Come into the family room and we'll talk for a minute." Dan said as he gestured to the double doors.

"Can Billy come with me?" Deacon asked unsteadily.

"If you want him to." Dan said with a gentle smile.

Deacon nodded as he looked at his brother.

Billy got up with a look of apprehension and followed Deacon and Dan into the family room.

---

"Did Mamacita go home already?" Jake asked into the silence that followed.

"No, she's peeling potatoes in the kitchen." Allen said as Ricardo crawled up into his lap.

Xain shared a meaningful look with Jake, then walked out of the room.

"How are you doing Ricardo?" Allen asked quietly.

"I'm getting sleepy." Ricardo said as he laid his head on Allen's chest.

"I'm sure your mother is going to be taking you up to bed soon. It is about your bedtime." Allen said gently.

Juana came into the living room pushing the stroller with Edovina. A moment later Xain walked in and stood just inside the door.

"I just wanted to let you know something." Jake said seriously to the assembled group.

Allen looked at Jake with concern.

"After talking things over with Dan and Xain I figured out some things. I want to be Edovina's father no matter what the test results say. If they come back saying that I'm not really her father, then I want to adopt her like Allen did for me and my brothers." Jake said firmly.

"Are you sure?" Allen asked carefully.

"Yeah Dad. Dan talked to me and I figured out that I really love Vina. The test won't change the fact that I'm already her father in my heart." Jake said seriously.

Allen smiled and said, "I'm proud of you son."

"Thanks Dad." Jake said with a smile, then looked at Xain.

"The child of my bond-mate will also be my child. When Jake has the legalities of his custody in place, I will file the necessary reports to have Edovina officially recognized as Edovina Vasquez Thompson, daughter of Xain Thompson of the house of Suvak." Xain said seriously.

"I'm going to be a grandfather!" Allen said with a great smile.

"Yes Father." Xain said seriously.

"Mona is going to go ballistic when she finds out she's a great grandmother." Allen said as he cuddled Ricardo who was now asleep on his chest.

"So does that make me Edovina's uncle?" Kenny asked curiously.

"That's right, you and Kev will be Vina's uncles. I guess all the guys in the Clan will be Vina's uncles if you think about it." Jake said happily.

"No one had better ever mess with Vina." JJ said seriously.

Jake walked to the stroller and looked at Juana with question.

She gave a small nod and a smile in response.

Jake carefully lifted Edovina to cradle her in his arms with Xain standing at his side.

"I'd like you all to meet our daughter." Jake said quietly to the room full of people.

JJ, Kenny, Kyle and Harley walked over to share in the moment as Kevin and Reuben shared a smile with each other.

---

"What's going on?" Billy asked as he walked out of the family room with Deacon at his side.

"I'd like you to meet my daughter." Jake said as he walked to stand before Billy and Deacon.

"Whoa, we weren't in there *that* long." Billy said in astonishment.

Laughter spread around the room at the statement as Billy and Deacon took turns looking at Edovina.

"Xain and I are going to be Vina's parents. Mamacita, Allen and Solak are going to be her grandparents." Jake said happily.

Billy looked from Jake to Xain in confusion for a second then asked, "You two?..."

Xain gave a serene nod as Jake smiled.

"Whoa!" Billy said with wide eyes, then looked at Allen who was still holding Ricardo.

"Get used to it Billy. Things like this seem to happen in my family." Allen said peacefully.

"Yeah. Just think about how much your life has changed since you knocked on the front door." Kyle said with a knowing smile at Billy.

After a moment of thought, Billy said, "The little dude's right. This place is totally freaky, but like, in a good way."

"Thank you Billy. That's the best description I've heard of our home so far." Allen said with a smile.

"Well guys, it's getting late and we need to be going. You guys have school tomorrow." Dan said with a smile.

JJ, Kyle and Harley got up to join Dan. Everyone else got up to walk Dan out.

"I'll look foreword to seeing you all on Thursday. Juana and Billy, I hope you'll come too. I'd like the chance for the adults to just sit and talk while the kids play." Dan said sincerely.

"Um, yeah... that sounds great." Billy said slowly, then beamed a full smile.

"Yes. It will be  a pleasure." Juana said warmly.

"Well then, good night everyone." Dan said as he led his boys to the front door.

"Good night Dan. Thanks for everything." Allen said as he followed with Ricardo sleeping in his arms.

"Yeah, that goes double for me." Jake said quietly as he followed, still holding Edovina.

---

"We should be going too. Thanks for the good food and watching out for Deke and, well, just everything." Billy said quietly.

"We'll see you in the morning Billy. Breakfast will be about eight o'clock, will that be okay?" Allen asked with a smile as he noticed Ricardo shifting in his arms.

"Oh yeah, we'll be here." Billy said with a smile.

"It was nice to meet you Deacon. I'm glad Brady spotted you sitting over there this morning." Allen said gently.

"Me too. I'll see you tomorrow." Deacon said happily.

Allen smiled from the doorway as Deacon and Billy walked up the driveway.

"It is past time for Ricardo to be sleeping." Juana said with a tender smile at her son.

"I'll carry him up." Allen said quietly.

Juana looked as if she were going to argue, but finally just nodded and led the way out of the house followed by Allen carrying Ricardo, Jake carrying Edovina, and Reuben bringing up the rear.

---

As Allen walked into the front door of the house he said, "Jake, get your brothers together and let them know that we're going to the store."

"What?" Jake asked in surprise.

"I'll explain on the way. It's getting late and we have some serious shopping to do." Allen said as he walked to the family room.

By the time he had returned to the entry hall, all the boys were standing and waiting.

---

"What do we need to go shopping for?" Kenny asked as Allen pulled out of the driveway.

"It was Deacon's birthday a few days ago and he didn't get any presents. I want us to fix that. Kevin, I want you to pick something from you and Reuben. Kenny can get something from him and Ricardo. Jake and Xain can pick something out together from them and Edovina. I'll pick something out from Juana and I." Allen said as he drove to the nearest shopping center.

"How much can we spend?" Jake asked cautiously.

"Try to keep it reasonable. We want to get him something he will enjoy, but we don't want him to feel strange about it. I mean, it's going to be strange enough to have a breakfast birthday party." Allen finished with a smile.

"You're such a cool Dad. I hope I can be as good a dad to Vina." Jake said with appreciation.

"I'm sure you will be Jake, but if you ever need me, I'll be right there to help you." Allen said seriously.

"Thanks Dad." Jake said happily.

Xain looked at Jake curiously for a moment, then said, "I do not understand the custom of celebrating the occurrence of one's birth. Would you explain?"

"Sure. It's like setting aside a day to show your appreciation for someone and to tell them that you're glad that they are a part of your life." Allen said seriously.

Xain nodded and said, "She who.... My mother would celebrate our birthdays, but I did not understand the significance."

"Well, to be honest, I think a lot of people think of it as an obligation or tradition to be observed and don't treat it as a celebration of the person." Allen said as he pulled into the parking lot of the department store.

"Such is often the case with ritual and ceremony." Xain said in thought as he got out of the car.

"We can split up to make this go quickly. Xain can go with Kenny and Kevin and Jake can come with me. That way Xain and Jake can communicate telepathically to coordinate things. It would be terrible if we all got Deacon the same thing." Allen said with a smile.

As the group entered the store, Allen led Jake toward the cards and wrapping paper as Kenny led his group to the toys.

---

"I think Deacon would like this one, but it's kind of small." Kenny said as he inspected  a model car carefully.

"Perhaps you should ask Father if you could purchase two of the lower priced items, one from you and one from Ricardo." Xain said reasonably.

Kenny nodded and began to look at the model ships.

"That guy is watching us." Kevin said quietly to Kenny and Xain as they looked at the models.

"Do you think he works here?" Kenny asked after a glance.

"No. I've seen guys look like that before. He's waiting for one of us to be alone." Kevin said seriously.

"Really?" Kenny asked in wonder as he looked at the man who was pretending to look at a board game. As soon as the man saw Kenny watching him, he reached down and suggestively rubbed his crotch.

Kenny quickly turned his back to the man as he felt panic rush through him.

"Jake and Father are on their way. We are to stay together." Xain said without expression.

Kenny looked at Xain with a trace of fear in his eyes, trying to ignore the man farther down the aisle.

"Hi guys. How are you doing?" Allen asked as he walked onto the aisle.

The man at the other end of the aisle quickly put down the box he was pretending to look at and walked away.

"Better now. Thanks Pop." Kenny said with a small smile.

"Shouldn't we do something about him?" Kevin asked Allen seriously.

"I don't know what. The only way he can be arrested is if he does something. Acting strange isn't a crime." Allen said with a shrug.

"I'm glad you sent Xain with us. I feel better knowing I can call you if I need help." Kevin said honestly.

"And I feel better knowing that you can recognize someone who might be dangerous. All three of you behaved perfectly." Allen said happily.

"Did you pick out your presents?" Kenny asked curiously.

"Yes. Jake helped me pick out this hand-held video game. It isn't expensive, but it's nice enough that he should enjoy it. Jake says this one is fun to play." Allen said as he held it out for everyone to see.

"That's great. We were just thinking that instead of getting one of the bigger models, we could get him two of the smaller ones, one from me and one from Ricardo." Kenny said as he held out a small ship and car.

"That sounds good to me. Have you found anything Kevin?" Allen asked with a smile.

"I thought Deacon might like a game that we could play together." Kevin said and pointed to the row of board games.

"That's perfect Kevin. Not only will he have a new game, but it will be something else you guys can do together." Allen said as he gave Kevin a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.

"Did you pick anything out Jake?" Kenny asked curiously.

"Well, I was thinking that Deacon might like something kind of grown-up. I mean, he's officially a 'teen-ager' now. So I thought we could get him a really cool jacket or something. I'll need Xain to help me pick it out, he's got a much better eye for style than me." Jake finished with a smile at Xain.

"Well, go ahead and pick out a game and I'll meet you in the clothing section. Remember to stick together." Allen said before walking toward the front of the store.

---

"Come on guys, we're leaving." Allen said darkly.

"What?" Kenny asked in confusion as he looked at Allen.

"Just leave your cart and lets go. We'll shop somewhere else." Allen said firmly.

"What happened?" Jake asked as he hurried to Allen's side.

"I went to tell the store manager that we had spotted a sexual predator following children around the store. He basically called me a liar and insinuated that he would call the police if I harassed his customers." Allen said as he led the group toward the front of the store.

"What about Deacon's birthday present?" Kenny asked with concern.

Allen spotted the store manager standing by a nearby cash register with a line of customers waiting to be checked out.

In a loud voice Allen replied, "We'll go to another store where the management will take warnings about sexual predators stalking little boys in the aisles seriously."

Kenny saw the shocked expressions of the people in the checkout line and realized what Allen was doing.

"All he did was play with himself when I looked at him." Kenny said, more for the benefit of the customers than Allen.

"He's not going to get the chance to do more... well, not with you." Allen said firmly and led the group of boys out the front door.

As Allen was pulling out of his parking place, he noticed a string of customers leaving the store with the store manager calling after them.

Allen smiled as he said, "There's a nice store about a half-mile from here. I bet we'll find everything we need there."

---

At the sound of the chiming tone Allen walked to the family room to accept the incoming transmission with Jake and Xain right behind him.

"Brady? I'm surprised to be hearing from you. I was expecting Solak." Allen said with a smile of surprise.

"He's here too. I talked with Solak on the way here and we agreed that it would be logical for me to be present while he ran the DNA test." Brady said, trying to maintain a serious tone.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense. What did the test say?" Allen asked anxiously.

"I don't know. Solak asked me to initiate the transmission while he got the final results." Brady said simply.

Solak walked into view of the terminal and asked, "Are Jake and Xain present?"

"Yes, they're right here." Allen said as he adjusted the view to take in the whole room.

"The result of the test is as follows. In the matter of Edovina Juanita Vasquez, Jacques Allen Thompson is the biological father." Solak said seriously.

"Yes!" Jake said happily, then gave Xain a firm kiss and hug in celebration.

"Thank you Solak. That's wonderful news." Allen said happily.

"I will make the necessary notations and reports. The official documents recognizing the changes in status will be sent to your Clan headquarters as is customary in these situations." Solak said seriously.

"Thank you Solak,  you too Brady. You just gave us the perfect ending to a very interesting day." Allen said with a smile.

"You're going to be getting a message in a few minutes from me. It's for Ricardo when he wakes up in the morning. Will you make sure he gets it?" Brady asked hopefully.

"No problem. Have a good night, both of you. Thank you again... Live long and prosper." Allen finished with a smile.

"Live long and prosper." Solak said in return before terminating the transmission.

"I'm really a father." Jake said in wide eyed wonder.

"We are fathers." Xain said seriously.

"Let's get to bed now, it's really late and we still have a birthday party to set up in the morning." Allen said as he hugged his sons.

"Yeah, make sure to wake us up in time to help you." Jake said with a smile.

"You bet. There's going to be plenty for all of us to do." Allen said as he walked with his sons to the stairs.

"I know he's going to love the presents." Jake said happily.

"I believe he will be most pleased to know that someone thought enough of him to give presents." Xain said seriously.

"I think you're both right. Have a good night guys. I love you." Allen said as they reached the top of the stairs.

After a hug from each of his sons, Allen went to his room to get some much needed sleep.

---

"Jake, you kissed me." Xain said seriously as soon as they were in their bedroom.

"I did?" Jake asked in thought, then said, "Oh, yeah. I guess I did. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I just got caught up in the news."

"The action caused a cascade of emotional reactions, all of them quite powerful... and a physical response." Xain said carefully.

"Oh, well, I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble. Is there anything I can do?" Jake asked with concern.

"Kiss me again." Xain said simply.

Jake looked at Xain and saw no emotion displayed on his face so he reached out through their bond and sought contact.

A flood of emotions washed over Jake as he looked into Xain's eyes.

Slowly Jake bent down to gently kiss Xain's lips.

'I will never hurt you.' Jake whispered in his mind.

'I will always protect you.' Xain responded, just as quietly.

The kiss became more passionate as Jake held Xain more tightly.

'I love you Xain.' Jake said in his mind.

Jake felt something like fingers sifting through his mind, through his soul, before Xain finally responded, 'I love you as well Jake.'

After another long minute of kissing, Jake pulled back to look into Xain's eyes.

"I wish to sleep in your arms tonight." Xain said quietly.

Jake smiled and said, "I think that's a great idea. Come on."

Xain began to remove his clothes and noticed Jake watching him.

"Are you going to disrobe before sleeping?" Xain asked curiously.

"Yeah. I just want to see... I mean, are you going to wear pajamas like last night or what." Jake asked curiously.

"I do not wish to be encumbered by clothing." Xain said quietly.

"Me either." Jake said as he started to undress.

"I am... inexperienced regarding matters of human sexuality. I will require instruction." Xain said carefully.

"I have enough experience for both of us. But tonight, I just want to fall asleep holding you. We can do more when we're ready." Jake said quietly as he finally pulled down his underwear to reveal himself to Xain.

"You are more developed than I would have guessed." Xain said as he focused on Jake's semi-erect penis.

"You're pretty well hung too." Jake said with a long look.

Xain looked into Jake's eyes and reestablished their telepathic link.

Jake felt Xain's emotions wash over him like eddies and currents within his battered soul.

"Come on. Let's get some sleep." Jake said peacefully as he climbed into his bed.

Xain crawled into the bed next to Jake and cuddled into his side.

"I love you Xain." Jake whispered as he sent his love through their bond.

"I love you too Jake." Xain said quietly and returned Jake's love along with generous portions of contentment and joy.

To Be Continued...