Chapter
17 starts now
<8:00 AM>
I get up and head to the restroom to take
of business, then get dressed, and head over to the kitchen
for breakfast. ‘Guess I don’t have to get you up.’ “C” says
before I walk out the door. ‘No for some reason I got up early.’
<Dining area>
While I’m eating. Jeff stops by and tells
me that the combination masker and mic. pack are ready for final
testing. I get #1 to meet us at the maint. Area, then go with
Jeff to get one to test.
<Maint.>
We walk toward #1, I have the mic. pack
hanging around my neck. It is turned on. ‘Hi #1.’ He turns his
head and looks down at us, ‘You must be testing another masker.
I can only detect Jeff’s powers, but not yours Bob.’ ‘YES.’
Jeff says with a smile, ‘Thank goodness it works.’ ‘Thanks for
your help #1, testing complete.’ I turn the masker off, just
to recheck. ‘Do I read normal now? Shut up Jeff.’ I say as he
starts to smile. ‘Powers confirmed.’ ‘Thanks #1.please go back
to what you were doing.’ ‘Never knew you were normal .’ Jeff
says laughing. ‘Your digging a deeeeep hole there Jeff.’ he
continues to laugh as he heads out. ‘By the way…thanks for the
help testing the masker…and for the laugh.’ ‘Yeah…right .’ I
say before I teleport to my room.
<My room>
I check my E and voice mail. The only 2 emails
worth reading are from Justin and Howie. Justin’s is a quick
note saying that their concerts are going well. Howie’s is a
saying how much he loves and misses me. I relax for a while,
then it’s time to head out.
<R&R conference room>
I grab a cup of coffee and sit down. It takes
about 15 min. before everyone gets there. I do as before, have
the singers sit on one side of the table and have the trainers
sit on the other. I have the trainers get a training program
set up, as the protection teams start to get organized. I let
them know that I’ll be in my room till around noon if they need
anything, then head out.
<My room>
I sit down at the desk and go over the construction
reports and think I might help out for a while this afternoon.
I send Howie a quick note telling him that I love him, and that
I’d talk to him tonight.
<Complex>
I go over and grab lunch before heading over
to D. R. #2
I find out that all the equipment is installed
and they are double checking everything before they start to
test it out.
Next I stop by the auditorium and help out
for a few hours.
Then I go and help with the “star hotel”
I go back to my room and shower before I
go for dinner.
After I eat I go back and check both voice
and email again. I have 2 voice mails, one from lance and the
other from Howie, both invite me to come to their concerts if
I’m not to tired. I flip a coin and it’s BSB tonight and N sync
tomorrow.
While I get ready, I decide I haven’t used
or tried any tracking for awhile so that’s how I’ll get there.
I pull out my cell phone and call Howie.
<Ring ring ring>
‘Howie here.’ ‘Hi guy, please don’t say my
name.’ ‘What can I do for you?’ ‘Are you close to the others?’
‘Yeah, why?’ ‘Need you to move a ways away from them as you
keep talking.’ ‘Sounds good to me.’ while I’m talking to him
I expand my mind and “see” a blip, like on a radar screen, moving
away from the other guys and the protection teams. ‘Ok that’s
good. Stay there, I’m on the way.’ I say as I hang up and teleport
to their location.
<Venue>
I ‘pop’ beside Howie, give him a hug and
kiss. <gasp> ‘How’d you do that?’ A.J. asks. I raise my
hand and move my tracking ring, ‘That’s what these are for.
If anything happens to you, either an accident, kidnapping,
a missed teleport or portal, some one can always find you.’
“Well it works.’ Kevin says. ‘Sure did. But I thought something
was going on, Howie had a smirk on his face.’ Nick adds. ‘Yeah
he needs to work on his poker face.’ is Brian’s reply. Vern
walks over, ‘Next time please let us know your going to do that.
You almost got fried.’ ‘But that takes all the fun out of it.’
I say with a big smile. ‘Jerk.’ is every ones reply, except
for Howie, who just smiles and gives me a tight hug. ‘How long
till the show?’ ‘About an hour.’ Kevin says as he checks the
clock. We sit and catch up on how everything’s been going. Howie
sits on my lap and we snuggle till it’s time to go out front
to watch the show.
After the show I go back stage and pick on
the guys about all the goofs they did. They are about to kill
me when it’s time for them to load up. They all give me a hug
good bye. Except for Howie, he gives me a bear hug and a kiss
that takes my breath away. When they board the busses I tell
Tim to look after them. When the busses pull out I teleport
back to my room.
<My room>
I relax for a while, then I go crash.
<The next couple of days>
I help out where I can, and work on the star
trek models. The first night I do the same thing to N sync I
did to BSB. The next day I take the afternoon off. I go to Aaron’s
concert first, them to 98 degrees. While I’m at both of their
concerts I come up with a way to tighten their security. Both
Phil, with Aaron, and Tom, with 98 degrees both agree with me.
After 98’s concert I head back to my room for the night. Howie
gives me a call every night, but I get a funny feeling from
the last call. I can’t describe it, I just think some things
going on.
<8:00 AM>
I get up and get ready for the day. I check
my voice and email, nothing much, except BSB and N sync telling
me that they‘d see me tonight. So I head over breakfast.
<Complex>
After I eat, I head over to D.R.#2. I meet
Pat out side and we go in together. We watch as they try out
some of the new weapons. When they’re taking a break, ‘Why does
Shawn get all the new toys, and I get stuck with all the old
stuff?’ Pat asks with a frown. ‘You’ll get new stuff when it
is all tested. Some of this, Dr. McCoy just got built, and we’re
helping with the testing. Since it uses Shi’ar technology it
may work differently with our systems than with the equipment
at x-men head quarters. But if it does work, then you will get
your room upgraded. But I need yours running till then, and
don’t do like you did last time…’ ‘ Oh ok.’ ‘It won’t work this
time.’ I say with a smile. He flips me off with a grin. I help
out for a while then I help over at the Auditorium till lunch.
After lunch I head over to the apartments
and help get the exterior walls of the second floor. Then I
help on the inside till I decide to head over to my workroom.
I work on the models for a while then go
to my room to shower before I go to supper.
<My room>
I walk in and start to go to the bedroom
to get ready to shower, but for some reason I look in my living
room and see some one on a couch. I quietly go in and see who’s
there. It’s Corbin and Howie, asleep, holding hands, Howie’s
head is on Corbin’s shoulder, and Corbin’s head is on Howie’s.
I watch them for a min, then my sight starts to blur as tears
start to fall., ‘Well…that’s one more relationship down the
tubes.’ I think as I go to the wall across from them, get
my fire brand power going, get the tip of my finger white hot
and write,
“Corbin and Howie
Have a good life together.”
I go back over to them and remove the link
between Howie and myself. As I go to the bathroom I take my
tracking ring off and put it on my desk and grab my masker,
then go and wash my face with cold water and try to calm down.
I go to my bedroom and sit down and breath deep. ‘ “C” Rogers
Voicemail please.’ ‘He’s in his office.’ ‘No “C” I want his
voice mail.’ ‘Ok…ready.’ ‘Roger…the only reason I’m talking
to you is that you’ll know when I switch power. I’m going to
my house, I need to be alone and think for a while. Get Corbin
trained and he can take my place, in more ways than one,
I’ll talk to you later. Bye.’ I close my eyes and sniff, ‘ “C”
BBMak’s “The Ghost Of You And Me.” please.’ ‘Playing.’
‘What am I supposed to do
With all these blues
Haunting me everywhere
No matter what I do
Watching the candle flicker out
In the evening glow
I can't let go
When will the night be over
I didn't mean to fall in love with you
And baby there's a name
For what you put me through
It isn't love, it's robbery
I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me
Seen a lot of broken hearts
Go sailing by
Phantom ships lost at sea
And one of them is mine’
As I listen to the song I start to get an
evil grin of my face.
‘Raising my glass
I sing a toast to the midnight sky
I wonder why
The stars don't seem to guide me
I didn't mean to fall in love with you
And baby there's a name
For what you put me through
It isn't love, it's robbery
I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me
The ghost of you and me
When will it set me free
I hear the voices call
Following footsteps down the hall
Trying to save what's left
Of my heart and soul
Watching the candle flicker out
In the evening glow
I can't let go
When will the night be over
I didn't mean to fall in love with you
And baby there's a name
For what you put me through
It isn't love, it's robbery
I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me’
‘Ah…perfect, “C” on constant reply till
either noon, or an hour after they wake up. Which ever is longer.’
‘Yes Bob.’ ‘Good bye “C”, I’ll see you in the funny papers.’
‘Good bye Bob.’ I get up and teleport to my house.
<My house>
I ‘pop’ in to my living room, go down to
the basement and switch power from A & A to normal external.
‘Computer…this is Bob, Authorization B52D. Security systems
on full, shields on full, sensors on full, masker on full, lasers
on stand-by. I want to know if anyone sets foot on the sidewalk,
or if a vehicle pulls in the drive way.’ ‘Confirmed.’ I go back
up stairs and look in the kitchen, all the food is out dated
so I throw what little there is out and get ready to go shopping.
Call my mechanic and have him get my car out of storage and
ready to use, when it’s ready I head out.
<Complex - my room>
Corbin wakes up and looks around trying to
remember where he is, sees the message on the wall and screams
‘Nooooooo.’ Howie wakes up with a start and looks at Corbin,
he just points at the wall and starts to cry, Howie looks and
says ‘Oh…shit.’ and his tears start to fall. In a couple of
min. N sync and the rest of BSB come in to see what’s going
on. When they look and see the wall, ‘ “C” get a hold of Roger
and tell him Bob’s gone.’ Lance says. J.C. holds up his hand,
‘Please, hold it down for a min. and listen.’ when they here
the song, ‘Oh…hell.’ Kevin says. Howie looks up with a pained
expression ‘I can’t feel him, he’s destroyed our link.’ and
he starts to cry harder. The guys try to calm Corbin and Howie
down so they can find out what happened. Roger walks in, looks
around, ‘Lets go to the conference room and figure this out.
“C” have Brent, Randy, Ed, Pat, and Paul R. meet us there.’
he listens to the song and shakes his head, ‘ “C” would you
please turn that off.’ ‘Sorry Roger, Bob ordered me to leave
it on till noon.’ ‘Can you turn the volume down?’ ‘No, sorry’
‘Ok.’ Roger says as he leaves to go to the conference room.
<My house>
When I get back, ‘Bob you have 15 messages.’
I put the food and other stuff I bought away, then I go and
check you the messages were from. The first ones are from Roger,
Brent, Paul R., J.C., Chris, Joey, Justin, Lance, Bill, Kevin,
A.J., Nick, and Brian, wanting to know what happened, the last
two are from Corbin and Howie, apologize for what I saw, and
that they’d just fallen asleep waiting for me, ‘Yeah…right.’
every one asks that I call them back ASAP, ‘Sure…when hell
freezes over.’ I call Jeff and order a masker charger, have
him take the payment out of my account, and ask for Roger to
send it to me. I go to the kitchen and start to fix something
to eat.
<R & R conference room>
The 15 that called me, plus Randy, Pat, and
Ed are sitting around the table. Roger looks around the table,
‘Ok what happened to make Bob leave? Howie, Corbin, who’s first?’
‘Well…’ Howie starts, ‘I was waiting for him to get back so
we could eat together, then Corbin showed up to talk to Bob,
he was afraid that he wasn’t doing good enuff to stay here.
I held his hand to help calm him down and reassure him that
he could stay. Then I guess I fell asleep.’ ‘Yeah you did.’
Corbin said ‘In a few min. your head had slumped on my shoulder.
I tried to stay awake but I must have fell asleep also. Then
I woke up and tried to figure out where I was and saw the wall…’
‘And you screamed and woke me up.’ Howie concludes. ‘Damn…Ed
your thoughts.’ ‘Well Roger, after the third break up with John,
he was kinnda down, then he was close to normal, then the coma,
but I thought he was fine, but now I’m not sure. Physically
he’s 100%, and his powers are stronger than ever.’ ‘No shit…sorry
Ed.’ Pat says ‘Hold that thought Pat, Go on Ed.’ ‘To recap…physically
he’s back to normal, or better, emotionally I can’t guess, but
I’d say not good.’ ‘Ok Pat what were you saying about his powers?’
‘Well…he did level 10 solo.’ <GASP> ‘I was in the control
room, but he did level 10 with out any help, I’d say his powers
are at least 50% stronger if not double what they were.’ Brent
looks at the table and says ‘At my birthday party, I kindda
ignored him, and I guess I made him feel like he wasn’t welcome
there, he just bought a drink and left.’ ‘Your turn Randy.’
‘I’ve only seen him a couple of times after he used the blackbird…but
he seamed fine.’ Just then Jeff walks in with a box, ‘Roger,
Bob just called and asked that you send this to him.’ ‘What
is it?’ ‘A personal masker charging unit.’ ‘Shit…I’d hoped he’d
come back for one. Give it here Jeff and I’ll get it to him.
“C” can you confirm that Bob’s at his house?’ ‘Sorry Roger…his
tracking ring is on his desk.’ ‘Hell..’ ‘What’s wrong now?’
A.J. asks. ‘With out his tracking ring, I have no way to keep
track of him. I’d better set up surveillance on his house, that
place is a fortress.’ ‘But isn’t it only a house.’ J.C. says,
‘Yeah…and Bob’s only a mutant. It has a masker, shields, sensors,
and a few lasers thrown in for good measure,…plus an energy
absorber.’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘Well Justin, the best way to describe
it is that it’s a battery charger, with Bob doing the charging,
if he gets to mad and me needs drain off power in a nondestructive
way, he stands in it and channels his power into it to charge
up the battery’s, but if he does it very fast, it’s basically
a bomb.’ ‘Oh…fuck.’ ‘Good choice of words A.J.. If we push him,
we could have trouble.’ An uneasy silence settles over the room
as they look at each other.
<My house>
I finish eating, then do dishes, and put
on some music ( a strange combination of America, Kiss, Alice
Cooper, Blondie, Toto, Joan Jet, And Kansas.) I go to the bedroom
and put on new bedding. when I finish, “Heart Of Glass” starts.
I start to listen, then fall on the bed, curl up into a ball
and start to cry.
<R & R conference room>
Lance looks at Roger, ‘May I take it to Bob?’
Roger shakes his head, ‘I don’t know if that’s a good idea.’
‘Chris can teleport us and with only the two of us we should
be ok.’ ‘<Sigh> Chris…’ ‘Hell yes…he’s family, when should
we do it?’ ‘Tomorrow afternoon, let him get some sleep, he needs
it. If he comes back …I’ll make sure he gets some time off,
he was finally going to take a vacation before all this started.
I think he’s getting burned out, along with everything else.’
Roger looks at the guys, ‘Every one but Lance and Chris…go get
some sleep! And I mean it, if you can’t get to sleep, talk to
the medics. They’ll put you out.’ When everyone else has left,
‘Follow me.’ Roger says, he picks up the box and heads for my
rooms. ‘ “C” let me in please.’ ‘Yes Roger.’ They walk in and
Roger goes over to my desk, picks up my ring, puts it in an
envelope and tapes it to the box. Then writes on it “Please
put this back on and come home. We ( he scratches out “We”)
I need you .” ‘Ok sit down and I’ll show you where to go.’
he goes over, puts his hands on their foreheads melds with them,
shows them where to go, then unmelds. Chris looks up, ‘What
time zone?’ ‘Central’ ‘Ok, we’ll leave after lunch.’ ‘Now you
two off to bed.’ ‘Yes Roger.’ they say in unison. Roger goes
back in to the living room, looks at the wall, and shakes his
head, ‘ “C” please have someone fix this up tomorrow afternoon.’
‘Yes Roger.’ ‘I’ll stay here in my rooms here for a while. Lock
up when I leave, please.’ ‘Will do.’ ‘Oh, one more thing. Did
Bob say anything before he left?’ ‘Yes…he said “good bye”…that’s
the first time he ever said that.’ When Roger leaves “C” locks
the door.
<Noon-my house>
I wake up and look around for a second trying
to figure out where I am. Then I remember that I’m at my house
and why. I get up, shower, dress, and make something to eat
and some tea for a change. When I’m done I wash everything up.
I go in to the living room, turn on the TV, sit down and relax.
In about 15 min., ‘Bob…two people approaching the front door.’
‘Monitor on.’ The picture by the TV start to fade out to be
replaced by Lance and Chris heading for the door. ‘Well Roger
gives good directions. Those two are braver than I thought.’
‘Computer…intercom on.’ ‘Confirmed.’ ‘So what do I owe
the honor of your presents?’ ‘We have the charging unit for
you.’ Lance says. ‘Put it on the steps and go away.’ ‘Can we
come in? Please.’ Chris asks. ‘I’ve already let you in, into
my life, mind, heart, and past. Why should I let you into my
future?’
‘Cause we love ya.’ ‘Yeah…right.’ ‘Damn it
Bob…you can be so hard headed.’ That’s one of the few times
I’ve heard Lance swear. ‘Computer…Times 2 mag. on there faces.’
as I look I can see that their starting to tear up. ‘Fuck…do
I let them in or not? Why should I ? Do I care? Yes I do…I do
love them.’ I get up and let them in. ‘Would you like some
hot tea?’ ‘That’d be great.’ they reply. Lance puts the charger
on the table as we walk by. I lead them into the kitchen, get
them their cups, and let them fix their tea the way they like.
I go back into the living room and sit on one of the couches,
this way they can sit where ever they feel safe. They come in
and I can tell they want to sit beside me, but are afraid to
in-crotch on my space, so they take the other couch. An uneasy
silence settles on the room as I just stare at them. (Yes I
can be a royal prick at times.) Lance clears his throat, wets
his lips, opens his mouth to say something, then closes it ,
and shakes his head. In a min. he tries it again with the same
results. ‘Bob…quit being an ass.’ Chris says. ‘Thanks for the
complement. I didn’t you felt that way about me.’ ‘Ok…’ Lance
starts ‘Your wrong about what you saw.’ ‘Oh…I didn’t see them
holding hands, asleep on my couch, in my room. That’s nice to
know. What were they doing, checking their eyelids for cracks
and got scared of the dark?’ ‘Bob…they’re totally distraught,
they cried all night. Howie’s room is across from mine, and
Corbin’s is above mine, I heard them. What happened is that
Howie was comforting Corbin, he was afraid that he’d have to
leave the complex, and they just fell asleep waiting for you.
That’s all.’ ‘Yeah…right.’ ‘Nothing’s going on between them.’
Chris puts in. ‘I know that Corbin has a thing for Howie.’ ‘He
may have, but he’d never do anything to break you up.’ ‘What
ever.’ I think for a few, and figure that I would think better
on a drive. I look at Lance and Chris, ‘You guys bring you personal
maskers?’ ‘Of course. Why?’ Lance asks. ‘Want to go for a ride?’
<grin> ‘Do you drive like you fly?’ Chris asks. ‘Yeah.’
<GRIN> ‘What the hell…only live once.’ He says, ’Yeah,
lets do it.’ Lance seconds. We go out to my car, get in and
hit the road.
<The drive>
I get up to speed, set the cruise control,
and concentrate on the road. In about 10 - 15 min. I start to
think about what Lance had told me, and try to figure out how
to handle it, and what I have to do. <heavy sigh> ‘Ok,
guys…this is how it’s going down. Tomorrow, or whenever you
can do it, someone can bring Gary here first, with Lance and
Howie. When I’m done with him, he’ll go back to the complex,
then Chris, you’ll bring Corbin. Then you’ll all leave.’ ‘What
do you mean “Or whenever you can do it?’ Lance asks. ‘I’m not
going to have you cancel a concert.’ ‘Bob your more important
than a concert.’ ‘No Chris…“The needs of the many ought weigh
the needs of the few…or the one.”, your fans are more important
than I am.’ ‘Bull…’ ‘Lance…please don’t. I’ve calmed down some,
but not all the way. Remember what I can do to a sentinel? Do
you want that to happen to you?’ ‘No…but.’ he crosses his arms
and sticks out his bottom lip. ‘Did any one ever tell you your
cute when you pout?’ Chris howls with laughter, and Lance starts
to smile. I look at him, cock my head , and arch my eyebrow,
and he starts to laugh. I drive around for a couple of hours
then start back towards the house. On the way back I stop at
a restaurant in a small town where I’m sure they won’t be recognized.
We have a nice meal then head back. It’s late when we get back,
I grab a cup of coffee, and we talk for a little while. ‘’Guys,
you’d better get back to the complex, it’s getting late and
I don’t want you to be late for your concert.’ ‘Can’t we stay
here?’ Lance asks. ‘Don’t you have a concert tomorrow?’ ‘No,
we have a couple of weeks of, remember. BSB have the same off.’
Chris says. ‘That’s right. Guess my mind left me for a while.
Ok then…I’ll contact “C” and let him know your ok. Where do
you want to sleep?, I can make up the guest rooms.’ ‘No, we’ll
sleep here, the couches are comfy. I can see why you forgot
about us having time of, I would have also.’ ‘You sure?’ ‘Yes.’
‘Oh…ok, I’ll get you some bedding.’ I get them some pillows
and blankets. and get them settled. I go in to my bedroom, strip
down, and go to bed. ‘ “C”, this is the situation…’ ‘Confirmed
Bob. Night.’ ‘You too “C”.’ I drift off into a semi-peaceful
sleep.
<11:30am>
I wake up and I feel something warm and cuddly
against me on both sides. I carefully look, and I see Lance
and Chris wrapped in their blankets, on top of my covers, snuggling
close to me. I smile and check on them. They’re both sound asleep,
so I teleport to the bathroom and get ready for the day. I go
back into the bedroom quietly and get a change of clothes. Their
now snuggling each other in their sleep. I start a pot of coffee
and tea, then start to cook breakfast, and check my email. I
have over 100 letters with the same subject, “please come home”.
I get a cup of coffee and finish cooking. I set the table and
as I start to fill my plate I hear Chris ‘Lance, get up. I smell
food and coffee.’ they stumble into the dinning room still wrapped
in their blankets. ‘Computer, raise temp. to 80 degrees.’ ‘Confirmed.’
‘Put your blankets on a couch, and get some food.’ They start
to turn red, I look into the living room and see they’re clothes
on the floor, ‘Guys…I’ve seen naked men before so you don‘t
have anything that that I haven’t seen.’ They turn even redder,
then they put on their clothes, go into the kitchen, fill there
plates and get some thing to drink. We talk for a few while
we’re eating. Then I send them back to the complex with a reminder
of what to do. As they get ready to leave they give me a big
hug, ‘Please come back to us, whatever happens big Bro.’ they
say.
I get the blankets and pillow cases started
washing, and get the dishes cleaned up. ‘Bob…Gary, Lee, Lance,
and Howie are ready.’ ‘Thank you “C”. Computer shields down.’
when they portal in, ‘Shields up. Hi guys, grab a cup of coffee
or tea, and I’ll make more.’ I get the drinks started after
the guys get their cups filled, then I go through the kitchen
into my bedroom, sit down on the bed, put my elbows on my knees,
head in my hands, and start to shake it. Howie looks like he
hadn’t slept in days, He’s pale, sad, and afraid, ‘Bob…’
‘Yeah Lance.’ ‘Can I come in?’ ‘Yeah.’ he comes in and sits
beside me. ‘He looks worse than yesterday. I’m so sorry.’ <heavy
sigh> ‘I’ll be in in a few.’ he gives me a hug before he
leaves. I go in and wash my face, put myself into “command”
mode, and go into the living room I look at Howie and almost
break…but I’ve been a supervisor too long. ‘Quick and easy.’
I think. As I walk in, Howie looks up and starts to sob.
‘Guys…please calm him down. Let me know when your ready. If
I probe him now, I could hurt him.’ I go back to the kitchen
and retrieve my cup, get some more coffee, and put my mental
barriers up to full. Lance comes in in 5 min. ‘We’ve got Howie
ready, I had to “calm” him.’ ‘Thinks Lance, wish me luck.’ ‘Luck.’
he says as I go into the living room. I reach down and put my
hands on his temples, ‘Here I come Howie.’ he nods and I enter
his mind, I try to ignore everything but what happened that
night. I see exactly what happened from his point of view, it’s
what Lance had told me. As I start to back out I sense that
he does have feelings for Corbin, they’re not as strong as for
me, but close. ‘I’m sorry Dear, but I had to be sure. I’ve been
hurt too many times.’ I say as I give him a hug. ‘I love you.’
he replies. ‘I know you do. I love ya too. Ok people take Howie
back to the complex so he can get some sleep.’ I say as I look
at Lance who nods that he understands, ‘Shields down.’ when
they portal out, ‘Shields up.’ I get some more coffee and wait
for the second round. In about half an hour, ‘Bob…they’re ready.’
‘Thanks “C”, shields down.’ when they walk in, ‘Shields up.
refresh your drinks and have a seat.’ I lead the way , point
to the fridge and pots, then I go into my bedroom. If I thought
Howie looked bad, Corbin looks worse, he’s white as a sheet,
has bags under his eyes, and I don’t think he’s slept since
that night, he also looks like he’s kind of out of it. Lance
comes in and gives me a hug, ‘You ready?’ ‘In a few. Did you
sedate him?’ ‘No Ed did, Corbin saw Howie and lost it. Poor
kid.’ ‘Ok…lets do this.’ Lance gives me another hug, ‘It’ll
be ok.’ he says as we go to the living room, ‘You ready Corbin?’
he looks up and nods. I let my mind expand and enter his, I
see what happened through his eyes and it’s the same as Howie’s
and lance’s. as I back out I sense that he’s got it bad for
both Howie and…ME? When I’m out, ‘Oh great, how do I handle
this?’ I think as I look at Corbin for a second, ‘Sorry
Corbin, I just had to be sure.’ ‘I know you did. I love you.’
I look up and everyone is looking at me. ‘Uh…I…don’t know what
to say…thanks Corbin. Ok guys take him back and see to it he
gets some sleep. Chris would you bring Kev back here, I need
to talk to you two.’ ‘Will do. Anyone else?’ <heavy sigh>
‘Gary, Lee, stay at the complex with your family’s, and you,
Chris can bring any of BSB and N sync that want to come back.
But if all of you want to come back, have Nick copy Lee’s power,
I don’t want you to bring everyone back and over tax your powers.’
‘Got ya.’ ‘Now go away, I need to think. Please give me an hour
before you return.’ They get up and get ready to leave, ‘Shields
down.’ when Lee portals out, ‘Shields up.’ I go into the kitchen
and look around to see what’s left to eat. If I’m going to cook
for all of us I decide to go to the store. Before I leave I
put the bedding in the dryer.
When I get back I get the food put away,
make new coffee and tea. I get the stuff in the dryer put away,
then sit down to think. ‘Ok…now what do I do? Both of them
love me, and each other. Do I have feelings for Corbin?’ after
a couple of min. ‘I guess I do have feelings for him also.
Now what do I do? How do I handle this? Should I try to have
a three-way relationship, should I just stay with Howie and
hurt Corbin, or should I just bow out?’ I sit and ponder
this for a while and decide that I’ll just bow out and let them
be happy together.
‘Bob…they’re ready.’ ‘Thanks “C”, shields
down.’ A mist appears and starts to swirl as the guys walk out.
‘Shields up. Nice effects Nick. Thanks for coming Bill, I’d
like your input also. Get something to drink and have a seat.’
when they’re seated. ‘Anyone hungry?’ I get a rousing ‘YES’,
we talk about what to do and they decide to order in. I get
out some menus to go over. After some good natured bickering,
we figure out what to order. After I get the order called in
I sit down. <heavy sigh> ‘Ok guys, you know what’s going
on?’ They all nod, ‘Well some thing came up when I mind melded
with Howie and Corbin, I found out that they both have feelings
for me, and each other. After some soul searching…I’ve found
out that I like Corbin also.’ ‘So what’s the problem?’ Brian
asks. ‘I’ve never had to handle a situation like this before
and …I don’t know what to do. And I’m afraid…’ ‘Like Frick said
“What’s the problem.”.’ Nick asks. ‘I’m afraid I’ll hurt them.’
‘Not you …you’d never do that.’ ‘Not on purpose Kev but what
if one of them thinks I’m paying more attention to the other?’
‘Well there are going to be times when one will need more, then
the next day, the other one will need more. It’s only natural.’
Chris says. ‘I think it’ll be better if I’ll just bow out and
let them be together.’ the room goes totally quiet. I look around
and find that everyone is in shock. ‘Your joking right?’ Lance
asks. ‘No, I’m not.’ ‘Bob you can be such a selfish ass some
times.’ Joey says. ‘Wrong Joe, I’m trying not to be selfish.
I’m trying to make them happy.’ ‘You’ll just make them feel
abandoned and hurt.’ A.J. says. ‘And what about you?’ J.C. asks.
‘I’ll just be alone again. Been that way most of my life. Hell
guys just look at me, I’m 44, turning gray, and overweight.
Who could love me?’ I look down and start to tear up. Justin
comes over and sits on my lap, gives me a hug and a peck on
the cheek. He lifts up on my chin and turns my head so I have
to look at him as he wipes a tear off with his thumb. ‘NOW I
want you to look into my eyes so you can see I’m telling the
truth. If I wasn’t with Josh, I’d jump at the chance to be with
you. You have a heart of gold, your funny, smart, caring, and
loving, who could ask for more. The rest is superficial and
doesn’t mean a thing.’ I look around the room and they all nod
and smile. ‘Bob, you owe it to all three of you to at least
try.’ ‘Thanks Bill, I’ll think about it.’ Nick comes over and
gives me a hug and a kiss, ‘What Juju said goes for me too.’
‘Ok.’ Lance says, ‘Lets quit the somber mood, the foods on the
way, I don’t want to get indigestion.’ I smile and the rest
break up laughing. ‘Ok Curly…would you get your bony butt up?
I have to go to the restroom.’ ‘WELL!!!’ he says as he pretends
to pout. ‘I said bony, I didn’t say it wasn’t cute.’ he starts
to turn red as we start to laugh again. I go take care of business.
As I come back in to the dining room, ‘Bob, someone is pulling
in. It should be your food.’ ‘Thanks computer. Bill would you
help me? I don’t think the guys want to take the chance that
they’ll be recognized?’ We get the food, give the delivery guy
a nice tip for prompt service, then take it to the dining room.
The rest of the guys join us in the dining room as Joey yells
‘Pizza.’ and tries to push to the front. ‘Hold on Joe, there’s
enuff for all of us.’ When we’re finished eating we adjourn
back to the living room. We sit down, relax, and talk. In a
while we decide to watch a couple of movies. After a few hours
I start to yawn, I look up and it’s 11:00. ‘Guys I’m going to
bed. Are you going to go back to the Complex, or do I need to
get the guest rooms ready?’ ‘What do you need to do?’ ‘Just
change the bedding Kev, it’s been awhile since I’ve been here,
and had guests. And make up the couches.’ ‘So it’s just a little
musty? We’ve all slept in worse.’ Joey says. ‘Just show us where
the bedding is for the couches and we’ll do it ourselves.’ J.C.
replies. ‘Follow me and I’ll show you where the bedding is.
The guest rooms are upstairs, and there’s a rest room up there
also.’ I show J.C. and Joey where the stuff is and then they
send me to bed saying that they’ll do it themselves.
<My bedroom>
I strip down, lay down, and listen to the
guys giving each other a hard time while making up the couches.
In about 15min. I’m out.
<9:00 AM>
I Get up, start the coffee and tea, shower
and shave, get dressed, and look around for what I can make
for breakfast. I decide what to cook and get started. When I’m
about ready to get the guys up I hear, ‘Guys I smell food, Bob
must have cooked breakfast. Get up.’ Joey says. Then I hear
J.C. mentally, ‘Get up sleepyheads, it’s time to eat.’
In a couple of min. It sounds like a herd of elephants coming
downstairs. ‘Grab a plate and help yourselves.’ When we sit
down and start to eat, ‘This is good Bob, where’d you get the
recipe?’ ‘Up here Joe.’ I say as I point to my head. Lance looks
up with a strange expression on his face, ‘Huh?’ ‘I made it
up.’ ‘Your joking man, when?’ ‘Today, A.J., I just looked at
what I had and went from there.’ ‘Wish I could do that.’ J.C.
says. ‘So I’ve heard josh, so I’ve heard.’ J.C. turns red as
I smile as the rest start to laugh. When we’re thru eating,
‘Just stack the dishes in the sink, I’ll do them when you leave.’
‘No way. You cooked we’ll clean up.’ Lance says. ‘What else
do we to do before WE leave?’ Kevin asks. ‘What do you mean
“WE” Boo, you got a mouse in your pocket? Who said I was leaving?’
‘But…we need you back.’ Brian says as he looks at me with sad
puppy dog eyes. I look around and get the same look from all
of them. ‘OH…OK. We need to do the dishes, wash the bedding,
and clean up a bit, then remake the beds.’ ‘YAY.’ they cheer.
‘Let me swap power first, then we’ll do it.’ I say as I head
downstairs. ‘Computer down for 30 seconds, then back up.’ ‘Confirmed.’
I swap power back to A & A. ‘Back up.’ ‘Computer, maskers
on, shields up, sensors on full, and all security systems on.’
‘Confirmed.’ I go back upstairs. ‘Ok guys let’s go.’ Chris says.
They split up as I get things organized. Lance and Brian start
the dishes as Nick brings in the first load of bedding. I try
to help, but I get told to sit down and stay out of the way,
I grab a cup of coffee and sit down.
<4:00 PM>
The beds are made, and everything is cleaned
up. I take a last tour thru the house and make sure it’s ready
to go. After I make sure the doors are locked, <heavy sigh>
‘ “C” M-113 top secret .’ ‘Confirmed.’ ‘Beacon on, we’re coming
home. Don’t let anyone know yet, I still need some peace and
quiet.’ ‘Beacon on.’ ‘Computer shut down all systems in two
min.s’ ‘Confirmed.’ ‘Later.’ I open the portal and we walk thru.
I check the call sign and open a portal to the transport room.
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