Special thanks to the Puff for beta-ing. After helping me conquer the 'was' monster, she's moved on to bigger, better things, like the dreaded POV dragon!

***

Justin had been up most of the night waiting for his lover to return from the errand he had to run for the Councilor. Evers estimated it would only take a few hours.

The first time his eyelids grew heavy, he took an ice-cold shower to wake up. That kept him going for another hour, supplementing its effect by drinking cup after cup of coffee, until he was jittery with caffeine. Finally, even that could not keep him awake.

~~~

Several hours later, Choate opened the door to his room to find his young lover fast asleep, wrapped in the Chief Aide's covers, his pillow clutched tightly against his body.

The long black hair was drawn back tightly in a braided ponytail, the rope it made twisted around his neck. One hand tightly clutched the covers. Choate gently moved the fist resting against Justin's cheek. Smoothing strains of hair from his lover's face. The little imp looked like an angel.

Quickly, Choate stripped off his clothing and slid beneath the covers. Kissing Justin lightly on the lips, he received an answering kiss followed by a groan as he pulled away, but, for the most part, his lover remained locked in slumber. Next, Choate tried sharp nip on his neck. That brought a sudden intake of breath, but the eyes stayed closed. Closing his mouth over a nipple rewarded the Marine with a hum that rose in volume as he trailed kissed down the chest. Stopping a moment to pay homage to the deep dimple of his lover's navel, he continued down to the fine, soft hair that covered Justin's groin. The strumming continued as his sleeping mate began tiny movements of his hips. Finally, taking the tip of Justin's swelling member in his mouth, he suckled gently. Curling his tongue around the swollen gland, Choate vibrated it rapidly causing it to flutter.

Pulling his head back as Justin's hips began to buck harder, Choate kept the engorged head of his lover's cock covered with his hot, moist mouth as he tormented the swollen flesh with his tongue.

Justin thrust harder as Choate pulled with his mouth trying to force more of his cock into the center of the cavern. Choate pulled back, smiling slightly around the erection he tormented, as he heard the frustrated groan. This went on and on, until, finally, Justin whimpered, "Oh!" then bucked his hips up from the bed as he came. "Paddy?"

Choate surged from under the covers to place a kiss on his confused, startled, still half-asleep love. "You sound surprised, dulce." He frowned fiercely. "Who else would have your cock in their mouth?"

"I thought I was dreaming." Justin smiled, using a finger to smooth away the wrinkles between Choate's brows.

"You can't tell the difference?"

"My dreams of you are just as vivid and as wonderful as the real thing. But I must admit, the real thing is better."

Choate flipped them over until Justin lay atop him, the abrupt movement causing Justin to squeal until he landed on the hard chest.

The Marine kissed him hard. "Good answer, imp."

"It was good, wasn't it?" Justin said as he smiled smugly.

"Sounds like someone's getting a little cocky."

Justin smiled impishly as he pressed their groins together. "No little cock here."

Choate looked startled for a second. "That's it!" He said when he recovered. Sitting up, the big man unceremoniously pulled Justin across his lap.

Justin struggled, trying to turn to look back at his lover's face. "Paddy?" his voice imploring.

"You've had this coming for at least a year now, brat." He said, settling Justin's now flagging erection into the well at the juncture of his thighs. Choate ran his hand across the smooth expanse of skin covering Justin's ass.

"Paddy," young Evers whined, tensing his butt to make it a smaller target.

Choate gently rubbed the palm of his hand back and forth across the center of those golden mounds, secretly enjoying the teasing. "Let me see, how does it go? One for each year and one to grow on?"

Justin shifted again just as Choate tickled along the dark valley of his rear end with his finger. The young man's face the picture of confusion.

A rosy flush spread across Justin's bottom as it grew warm from the friction created by his lover's hand.

"That's a lot of years, amante. This might take a while."

"Ohhh," Justin moaned as Choate's hand started an upward stroke, the longest finger of that hand dipping deep within the hidden opening in young Evers' valley, before moving on.

"That's two," the Chief Aide said, a wicked smile on his face and the hand began the stroke again.

~~~~~~

Justin lay face down upon the bed. His bottom glowed soft pink from the manipulation of Choate's hand, his anus buzzed and throbbed from the same consideration. He'd lost count how often his lover'd made him come before releasing him. Now the younger man lay in a puddle of flesh, unable to move.

He felt the bed dip as the Marine sat down next to him. "Contentos cumpleaños, amantito," Choate said as he leaned down and kissed a sweaty temple. "¿Te gustas su regalo?"

"Mmmm," Justin moaned as Choate stroked a hand down his back not even caring what he had been asked.

"I'll take that as a yes." Choate laughed. "Ready for more?"

Justin shivered at the finger tracing down his spine and shook his head slightly. "You took it all, Paddy," he whispered.

"I doubt that! Where's my greedy imp?" At Justin's groan, Choate reached down, snagging him beneath both arms, and lifted him until their lips were level with each other.

"The sated, relaxed look your face is priceless, imp," Choate said as he kissed him and drew him into his lap like a precious bundle. "All right, I'll have pity on you, since you're a year older. But. . ." Justin felt Choate shift and looked down at the two envelopes he brought from behind his back. "This won't wait."


Justin opened heavy-lidded eyes to look at what was in his lover's hands. "What is it?"

"A weekend getaway."

Justin snuggled back against the solid warmth of Choate's chest. "Where?"

"A little resort I know. I worked there when I was younger. The drinks are cold, the weather's hot and clothing's optional." Justin knew his lover expected a response, but the warmth of the flesh against his back, coupled with the vigorous workout he'd received over the past hour, wrapped him in a heavy blanket of comfort that would not be denied.

"Dulce?" That magnificent voice reached to him from out the fog surrounding his mind, but Justin was too far gone to respond. He felt Choate shift again

"Amantito," he heard him whisper laughingly as the big Marine pressed a light kiss to the center of his forehead before laying him back gently on the bed and tucking him under the covers.

~~~~~~

Justin opened his eyes and rolled over. As soon as his bottom contacted the mattress, it sent a jolt of electrical current through him.

"Ummmm, Paddy. Ahhh!" And a flash of pleasure washed over him in a wave that left him breathless. And he blushed, remembering. . .the only thing that could make it more perfect would be his lover here at his fingertips. Naughty things began to form in his mind.

And then phone rang, startling him.

"Hello?" he answered, a little shaky.

"Thinking about me?"

The previous blush deepened with the feeling of being caught. "If you're the guy I woke up with this morning, yes."

Justin felt Choate's rich and warm laughter all through him.

"Feliz cumpleaños, corazón de mio."

"Muchas gracias, amante." He hesitated. "Te amo."

"Ah, muy bien. Le amo, también. Le gustas su presente?"

"You asked me that before," Justin said as he settled on his stomach, the phone cradled against his shoulder. "Like my. . .what, Paddy?"

"Present," the Marine supplied, softly.

Memories of his 'present' made Justin giggle happily.

"There's more."

"Ooo, again, " Justin purred, "tonight? The real thing this time?"

He heard amusement in the older man's. "It wasn't real, this morning?"

The teasing exasperated young Evers. "You know what I mean, Patrick Choate!"

"I know pleasing you could kill a man."

"But not my man," he said happily. "He's up for the challenge."

"We'll see tonight," Choate promised solemnly.

And the challenge came as, "Yes, we'll see."

He had just hung up the phone when he heard a soft knock on his door.

"Yes?" the young man called out, sitting upon the bed, snagging the corner of the comforter to cover his nakedness.

Vincent stuck his head around the edge of the door. "Good morning, Mr. Justin."

"Vincent! What brings you to my lair? Breakfast in bed, I hope."

"No, sir. You have a visitor."

"Who?"

"He asks that I don't tell. He's waiting in the rec room."

"Do I know him?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do I like him?"

"Yes, Mr. Justin."

Justin smiled as he teased, "You're extremely talkative this morning, Vincent." He waited a beat, not really expecting a response. "Do I have time for a shower?"

"I'll make him comfortable."

"Thank you, Vincent."

"And, Mr. Justin?"

"Yes?"

"Happy Birthday."

Justin beamed. "Thank you, Vincent."

~~~

Fifteen minutes later, Justin came downstairs, his damp hair in a braid down his back, dressed in his favorite pair of black jeans and a T-shirt that said, 'Secret agents do it better in the dark.'

Vincent met him at the landing. "Breakfast, sir?"

"I'd love some, Vincent, but it's almost noon. Yuan surely has the morning things cleared away."

The older man shook his head. "He's been waiting for you."

Justin smiled again as he made for the rec room. "Really, Vincent, coffee's fine."

"He has those sausages you like and the makings for french toast all lined up, waiting."

Justin skidded to a halt. "French toast?" he asked, looking back over his shoulder.

Young Evers glanced up in time to see the knowing smile. "From Hawaiian bread." Indicating the sweet pineapple bread Justin favored for french toast.

"With powdered sugar?"

The older man nodded. "And your choice of marmalade or raspberry syrup."

Justin worried his lower lip with his teeth. "Well, since he has everything already laid out. . ."

"I'll tell him, sir," Vincent said as he headed for the kitchen.

~~~

Justin opened the door. His guest stood looking out a large picture window at the grounds. "Hi, sorry to keep you waiting so long."

The man turned around at the sound of his voice.

"Nathan Upchurch!"

The dark haired young man smirked his greeting. "So you remember me."

"Vaguely," Justin said in mock seriousness, then smiled. "It's been a long time, Nat."

He returned the smile as he approached his friend. "Too long."

They hugged warmly.

"Have you had breakfast?"

Nathan laughed. "Only you could ask about breakfast at lunchtime."

"It's my birthday," Justin said, leading them to the dining room. "The truth is, I slept a little late this morning," he said sheepishly, settling into a chair.

Nathan sat opposite him at the table. "Heavy partying last nigh, huh? Some things never change."

Justin's face warmed. "I was up late, but the party didn't start 'til this morning."

Justin could tell his statement had peaked his company's interest from the way he said. "Oh?"

Justin reached for the pitcher of juice between them trying to give his hot face time to cool.

"Justin!" Nathan grabbed his left hand and held it up to examine it. "This is a wedding ring!"

"Well, more like a commitment ring."

"Then, you're not married."

"Only because I can't." Justin took back his hand and resumed the task of picking up the pitcher, pouring the juice.

Upchurch sat back in his chair. "You've lost me, man."

"His name is Patrick."

Placing both elbows on the table, he leaned closer and frowned. "His name?"

Justin took a big gulp of juice. He had a lot of fluids to replace.

After swallowing, he gave Nathan a goofy smile. "Yeah."

"Patrick is a man?"

"Very much so," Justin said, taking another large swallow from the glass in his hand.

Justin watched as Upchurch's frown deepened. "I never thought you'd have a serious relationship with a man."

"Very much so."

"In college you were always on the make, fluttering from one person to the next." He paused. "Except for me," he added sadly.

Justin was saved from further comment by the appearance of
Vincent in the doorway carrying a heavily laden tray in his hands.

The very hungry birthday boy plucked the platter from the servant's hand. "Vincent, thank you!"

Vincent arranged the syrup carousel in front of young Evers. "You're welcome, sir."

"Nat, you sure you don't want any?"

Upchurch shook his head, eying Justin's plate in horror. "You're not going to eat all that, are you?"

"Yep," Justin chirped as he poured syrup on his toast. "Vincent, is there more?"

"Yuan made a great deal, sir."

"Will you bring Nathan a plate. If he doesn't eat it, I will."

"Very good, sir."

Nathan looked at his friend as if he'd grown another head. "Justin, do you feel okay?"

Justin had just shoved a good-sized piece of toast into his mouth, so he could only nod as he chewed.

Dumbfounded, Nathan sputtered, "You were. . .nice to servants."

Justin nodded and smiled.

"Why?"

Justin's smile turned loopy again before he took a large gulp of juice to wash the toast down. "Paddy."

"Paddy?"

Justin picked up a sausage with his right hand, taking a bite, while wiggling the fingers of his left hand in the air.

"You did it because your SO told you to?"

Justin nodded.

"Since when?"

Vincent brought in another platter of food that he placed on a warmer in the center of the table between the two young men.

He put a plate, glass and silverware before Nathan.

"Thank you, Vincent," Justin mumbled around the mouthful of toast.

"I don't believe what I'm seeing, Justin."

"What?"

"You're whipped, man!"

Justin nearly hooted with laughter. "No, just spanked occasionally."

"What?"

Suddenly, the host ducked his head, completely interested in the contents of his plate. "Never mind," he muttered.

"This 'Paddy' says jump and you don't even ask how high!"

Evers looked up at his company. "It's not like that, Nat."

"And you believe that?"

"It's the truth," he said, adamantly.

Upchurch snorted derisively. "Look, I didn't come here to argue with you about your love life, Justin."

"Good. How have you been, Nat? It's been a while."

"I didn't come here to talk about me, either." He fished out a pouch and tossed it to Justin who caught it in his right hand. "Happy Birthday, man. Thought I forgot, didn't you?"

The look on Justin's face said he had.

"Back in school, we promised we'd spend our 30th birthdays together."

"Oh, Nat. I forgot yours."

Upchurch waved his hand to dismiss the apology. "No matter. I was with someone then, so much in love I didn't know if the sun was shining."

"That's great, Nat! I'm happy for you!"

"Why? It didn't last. When I turned 30, he dropped me like a hot rock."

"Oh, Nat. This isn't the guy you met your first year of law school, was it?"

"Third year, and yes."

"Oh, Nat--" Justin began, only to be cut off by an angry Nathan.

"Keep your pity, Evers. How long do you think before your 'Daddy' drops you for something younger."

His friend's condescending attitude was beginning to annoy him. "It's Paddy, Upchurch," he corrected harshly.

"And, if you keep eating like that, something younger and thinner."

At this, Justin slammed his fork down on the table and said, angrily, "For your information, my Paddy isn't like that! This is for keeps."

Upchurch snorted again as he leaned back and hooked his arm around the back of the chair.

Justin punctuated his speech by stabbing a finger at his friend. "And Paddy keeps me plenty active enough to burn off what I'm eating and more! In fact, one reason I'm eating like the fourth fleet is that he left my ass in the dust this morning. Drained me dry! And he does it regularly."

"That'll change," Nathan said, smugly.

"Fuck you, Upchurch," Justin hissed as he started opening the pouch.

"Not lately, but I can't say the same to you, can I?"

Justin pointedly ignored the barb as he glanced inside the small bag in his hand.

"I'm opening the lake house for a kind of 'I'm free' bash and I wanted it to double as a birthday party for the both of us. . ."

"Shit! Damn! Hell!" Justin wildly flung the pouch back at Nathan.

Now he knew how Blair felt that night of the gala when he had offered him. . ."This is the Councilor's residence, Nat! My home!"

"So? It never mattered before."

Justin closed his eyes, silently praying for strength. "It matters now."

"Come on, J.C. We'll go up to your room, then. It'll be like old times."

Turning hurt-filled eyes to his friend, he said, "Aww, dammit, Nat! Put it away."

"This is primo stuff."

"Put it away, or I'm gonna have to ask you to leave," Justin informed his forcefully.

Nathan looked at him with a wide-eyed look of disbelief. "You're kidding, right?" When Justin frowned and shook his head, he said, "You're serious."

"As a heart attack. Stop shitting around, Nat."

Upchurch scowled at his friend a moment, then tucked the small pouch back into his pocket. "There. Satisfied?"

Justin settled back down in his seat. "I'd be happier if you didn't have it at all. But it'll do."

The rest of the visit went pleasantly enough. Justin's previous enthusiasm hampered by his knowledge of what Upchurch had in his pocket, and his old friend's resentment at his change.

But he and Nat had been good friends once and Justin was free for an afternoon. He invited Upchurch to play a few sets of tennis on the residence's court.

Afterward, Justin went back to his room to shower. Nat, who had borrowed some of the Councilor's clothes to play, used the bath in Justin's room to shower first.

While Justin finished, Nat changed in his room.

~~~

Justin stood under the stinging spray, letting the water sheet down his face and hair as he wondered at the real reason for Nathan's unexpected visited after all this time.

Nat had said nothing else after the cryptic statement about dating everyone but him. Technically, that had been true. But, then, Nathan never had the appeal for Justin. And, despite the popular belief on campus, he didn't fuck anything that moved.

Just as he turned off the water, someone knocked on his bedroom door.

"Nat," he called out, cracking the door open an inch. "See who that is, I'm dripping wet!"

Evers could see Upchurch had just finished buttoning his slacks. He closed the bathroom door tightly as Nat padded barefoot to the bedroom door.

Opening it, Vincent stood there holding a beautiful vase filled with thirty one white rose buds.

"These are for Mr. Justin."

Like they'd be for me, Nat thought sourly. "He's in the shower. I'll take them." And he plucked the vase from Vincent's hands and shut the door in his face.

~~~

When Justin came out, the first thing he saw was the flowers. Letting out a squeal of pure joy, he fished through the bouquet for the card. Reading it, his face fell a little.

"What is it?"

"Paddy's been called away. We can't make our date for this weekend."

"That's too bad, Justin."

"But he moved it to the weekend after." Justin folded the note and put it back in the envelop, putting both in the pocket of the jeans he chose to wear.

"Well, since it seems you're free for this weekend, why not come to the lake with me?"

"I don't know, Nat."

"Look, what if I promise to hold the mob down to just a few close friends of ours, and we limit any illicit substance usage to one room."

Justin looked at his old friend. He really didn't want to spend his birthday alone. . .maybe it might be fun. Maybe they could recapture past good times. Lessen the disappointment his change had made. Take some of the bitterness away. Male bonding. "All right, Nathan."

~~~~~~

During their two-hour drive to the lake house, their tensions eased enough for both of them to be comfortable with the other's company.

Justin had made Nathan wait while he packed his bags for the trip. At the last moment, Evers decided to leave them in his room, only packing a small overnight bag with toiletries and essentials, opting not even to take a change of clothes.

Nathan promised to have him home at least by tomorrow, noon.

Once at the lake, Justin began to see the error of his decision. A few close friends turned into a small riot. People seemed to start coming the moment they arrived and were still coming long after dark.

The limiting illicit substances didn't work from the start, and once the DJ set up, Justin was ready to go home.

He confronted Nathan in the kitchen.

"Home? The party's just starting."

"I know, Nathan. I'm sorry."

"Who are you?" he asked, finally losing patience. "I don't know you anymore."

"I'm the same Justin."

"Bullshit!" Nathan barked angrily. "It's this 'Paddy' character, isn't it?"

"That's part of it."

"You'd rather sit at home, alone, and wait for him," he said in disgust. "Did he work some kind of brainwash on you? Some spell? Does he have a dick of gold?"

"No, Nathan. He just loves me."

"They all say that, at first."

"But he means it."

"It's always hearts and flowers at first."

"But, that's just it. It wasn't. You remember how I was. How I still am sometimes. And he still loves me."

"I tell you, it's the novelty of a sweet young thing, Justin."

"Come on, Nat. We both know I'm far from sweet, and even I don't allude to being all that young."

"First chance he gets, he'll dump you for a babe."

"No. Paddy and I said always. We said forever."

"Yeah, me and Alfie said forever, too."

"Nathan, I just want to go home."

"All right, Justin. Give me a minute here, I can't just leave!"

~~~~~~

Paddy picked up the phone and dialled the long distance number. After three rings, Vincent answered.

"Mr. Patrick."

"Hello, Vincent. Is Justin there?"

"No, sir. He and Mr. Upchurch left yesterday afternoon."

"Going. . ."

"I heard Mr. Upchurch say something about one of their old haunts."

"You have any idea where that could be, Vincent?"

"Mr. Justin and Mr. Nathan used to 'hang out' at his family's lake house during the summer. If I remember correctly, he and Mr. Justin used to cause no small amount of havoc with the parties they threw."

The Marine took a deep breath to cool his rising temper. "Do you have an address?"

"I maybe can find it. Let me look, sir."

~~~~~~

Seeking refuge on the patio, the noise level of the music, and voices and smoke worked together to give Justin a splitting headache. He had accepted the fact that Nathan wouldn't be taking his home until the party was over, despite what he'd said in the kitchen. Justin had asked several people for a ride, everyone had promised right before they seemed to settle in for the night.

What was the matter with him? Two years ago he'd have been in the center of the sea of undulating bodies writhing on the dance floor, or in one of the bedrooms if he'd gotten that far. Now all he could think of was Paddy's broad chest or strong arms or warm flesh, or. . .

~~~

Choate stood at the front door, three members of his team behind him recruited on the 'C.D.' hunt, and angrily scanned the pulsing mass of bodies below him. They bobbed in time to the driving, pounding beat of the music blasting from the speakers on either side of the DJ's platform.

The Chief Aide turned, stormed up the stairs and snatched the plug from the socket. Before the man could voice a protest, he found himself tossed into Hook's waiting arms.

"Get rid of that for me," Choate called back over his shoulder.

Hook nodded as he dragged the startled man away.

Now, the angry Marine grabbed the microphone from its stand. "Gentlemen and ladies," his voice boomed across the now still mass of people, "that concludes this evening's debauchery. There are men posted at each exit who will help you leave quickly and in an orderly fashion," he said, indicating the three members of his team. "Hook, I want these people out of here!"

A red faced young man raced up the stairs to the platform. "Who do you think you are?" he demanded, halfway up the stairs. "This is my party!"

Choate looked down at him. "And you are?"

"Nathan Upchurch!" he sneered haughtily. "This is my house!"

"It's your parent's house. But you're the man I want to see." Choate caught him by the front of his shirt and 'helped' him the remaining distance up the platform. "Where's Justin?"

"What makes you think he's here?" Nathan asked, swallowing hard, as he drew his face back from the angry man's glare.

"Don't make me hurt you," Choate growled, shaking him a little.

Hoss came up behind Upchurch. "No, Viper. Give him here. I'll make him talk."

The Marine shook his head. "No, last time I gave you a new toy, you broke it," he gently admonished.

Hoss smiled at the teasing. "I'll be careful," he promised.

"Careful? You great ape, you don't know the meaning of the word," Stealth called up from the floor beneath them.

Hoss looked down over the rail. "And I suppose you do, you lunatic!" he yelled down. "Last time he left you in charge of someone, you threw the poor man off the hotel's balcony."

He prodded a slow-moving couple out the door with a little force. "There was a pool."

"Four floors down."

"And the point?" he sniffed indignantly.

"Suppose you'd missed?"

"People. . ." Choate said sternly, intending to nip their bickering in the bud, when his attention was diverted by a wild screech.

"Paddy!"

All turned as Justin raced up the stairs, launching himself at Choate, who released Nathan and caught his lover as he immediately attached himself to the Marine's body with arms and legs wrapped in a vise and closed his lips in a passionate kiss.

"Paddy! I was just thinking about you! I missed you!" In his excitement all the sentences sounded as if it consisted of one word. "Did you miss me?" He kissed Choate, not waiting for the answer before continuing. "Is that why you're early? You didn't do anything reckless to hurry the mission along, did you? I could've waited. I mean, I'm glad you did, but. . .owww! What was that for?" Justin said, pouting as he slid to his feet, rubbing the round fleshy part of his rear where Choate had pinched him.

Storm clouds seemed to form over the Marine's head. "What are you doing here?" he said in his softest, angry voice.

"What's wrong with here?" Justin asked in confusion.

"You were supposed to meet me at the La Palma."

"I know, Paddy. Day after tomorrow. My bags're packed and I have my ticket. I would've been there. Nathan promised to take me home tomorrow. I didn't plan on staying here long. See, I didn't even bring a change of clothes."

He raised an eyebrow. "Day after tomorrow? My note said the 13th."

Justin shook his head slowly. "No. It said the 18th," he said as he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the note in question.

Choate took a minute to scan the missive. "Dulce, I don't know what to say, but this was a three, see," he pointed. "Someone closed it off. Made it look like an eight."

"But no one touched it but --" Justin turned, his expression changing from confusion to anger. "Nathan. You were in my room when Vincent brought the flowers up. I was in the shower. You changed Paddy's note?"

Nathan took a step back, holding one hand to his chest as he extended the other in a 'ward off' gesture. "Hey, J.C. I don't know what he's talking about. Who're you going to believe, man? I'm your friend."

Narrowing his eyes, Justin accused, "My jealous friend. What? You were trying to get me into trouble with Paddy?" He absently rubbed his injured cheek. "Keep us apart?"

Choate watched the expressions that flitted across Nathan's face. Anyone could see he considered denying the entire incident, but one glance at the look on Choate's face and the younger man began confessing the truth, "I just wanted to spend some time with you, J.C. I had a crush on you in college. I'd hoped. . ." His voice trailed off into silence at the dark look on the big Marine's face.

Justin touched gentling fingers to Choate's arm as he said. "I told you we could spend time together, Nathan, later. I had other plans now. And I told you how I felt about Paddy. You knew this weekend was important to me."

"He'll dump you," Upchurch said stubbornly.

Justin held up his left hand. "I'm wearing his ring, Nat. It's for keeps."

Nathan raised his shirt to reveal a gold ring piercing the fold of flesh above his navel. "And I'm wearing Alfie's ring, too, but he still dumped me."

Justin's anger melted compassion. "But Paddy didn't make me hide mine, man. Don't you see the difference?"

Choate had heard enough. "Come on, dulce. We have a plane to catch," he said, taking the smaller man by the arm, leading him towards the stairs.

Justin resisted slightly. "What about Nathan?"

Pinning the nervous young man with a steely glare Choate said, "The guys'll take care of him."

Justin glanced at the smiles of Hoss, Hook and Stealth. He did not seem comforted. "Take care of him, how?"

Choate shrugged as he reached for young Evers again.

Justin danced back a step, he had to know. "Guys?" he said, imploring the three men for an answer with his eyes.

"We won't hurt him, C.D." Hook said, a devilish smile on his face. "Honest."

"That's right," Hoss said. "You just go and have a good time."

Justin turned back to the big Marine. "Paddy --" His plea interrupted by a hard kiss. When he was released, he found himself turned in the direction of the door and sent on his way with a swat that left a hand-shaped tingle on his bottom.

That was all the prompting he needed. Nathan was on his own.

Before they reached the door, Justin heard Hook say. "It's my turn."

Stealth say, "We'll flip him for it."

Nathan say, "Justin!"

And Hoss laugh.