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Wolves 1:

Just Like A Fairy Tale

By WhiteClaw

Mike stood outside Tracy's door, dripping wet. The coat had offered little protection from the storm

outside, and even now a pool of water was forming at his feet.

"My God, Mike, what happened to you?" Tracy said, opening the door all the way now and ushering him

in. She took off his coat and walked over to the bathroom where she hung it on the shower rod to dry. She

then pulled several towels out of the drawers and handed a few to Mike while she placed the others on the

floor where Mike's wet footprints had soaked the carpet.

"Sorry," Mike said, kicking his shoes off.

Tracy picked them both up and put them in the bathroom with the coat. She grabbed a few more towels

and spread them over a chair. "Here," she said. "Sit down, and tell me why you're soaking wet."

Mike shuffled over to the chair, one of the towels wrapped around his neck to catch water from his still

dripping hair. Tracy settled down on the edge of the bed and waited.

"It's sort of a long story," Mike said, using the towel to dry his ears and face.

"Well you must have really wanted to tell me or you wouldn't have come by this late," she said with a

smirk.

"Not really," he said, now using the towel to dry his hair. "I--I just didn't want to go back to my room."

Tracy frowned. "Why not?" she asked, but Mike just stared at his feet and said nothing. "Did you have

Jeffery have a fight ?" she asked.

Mike flinched. "Something like that," he mumbled.

"Odd time to have a fight. In the middle of the night, I mean."

"Actually it only happened about half an hour ago. That's how long it took me to get here in the rain."

Tracy glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was almost ten-thirty. "But half an hour ago we were all

up at the mall."

"Yeah, I know," Mike said. "It was right after you guys left." He took a deep breath and started to say

something else when he suddenly looked up and glanced around the room. "Where's Connie?" he asked.

"She had a last minute thing come up and now she's spending the night with a friend of hers that lives in

town."

"Ah," Mike said, biting his lip and once again staring at his feet.

"Did you want to talk to her?" Tracy asked.

"No," Mike said a bit too suddenly. "No, that's alright. I just...I just didn't want, um--"

"You didn't want her to overhear," Tracy finished for him.

"Yeah," he said

"Well she's not here, so you can tell me whatever you want."

Mike still seemed a bit unsure. "If I tell you--"

Tracy cut him off again. "Please, Mike. I live with the biggest gossip on campus. I don't need to be told

that I shouldn't let her in on this."

Mike gave a weak smile at that. The silence settled over them again, but this time it was expectant and

Mike knew he would eventually have to say something.

"After you left...after both of you left," Mike started, "Jeffery showed up at the mall."

Tracy frowned, again. "But I thought the mall closed at ten."

"It does. He wanted to see me about something."

"Okay." Mike had suddenly clammed up again and Tracy felt the need to prod him so he would continue.

"Well, what did he want to see you about?"

Mike folded his arms together and rubbed his elbows with his hands as if he were suddenly cold. "Well,

earlier, we had had a sort of accident. I mean...I accidentally took his coat instead of mine. So he came by

and gave me back my coat." He lifted his head to glance at Tracy's face before returning his gaze to the

floor and adding, "While I was in the bathroom."

Now Tracy was really confused. "Um, okay."

"I was in the bathroom," Mike repeated, this time with a bit more emphasis.

"Um, okay, so you were..." Tracy trailed off, not sure what Mike wanted her to say here.

"I was washing my hands," he supplied.

"Oh," she said. "So, what, he came in and gave you back your coat while you were washing your hands?"

"It was...yeah, something like that," Mike mumbled.

Tracy slowly slid off the bed and sat on her knees next to the chair Mike was sitting in. Calmly she reached

over and grabbed both his hands. "Mike, look I know there's something else you want to tell me here, but

you keep hovering around it like you're afraid to say it. But if you're going to tell me, don't you think you

should just do it and get it over with," she pleaded. She smiled warmly. "That way we can talk about

what's really bothering you."

Mike sighed then took a deep breath. "When we were in the bathroom," he started, "I took off his coat and

laid it on the sink counter," he said. Tracy nodded, encouraging him to keep going. "He came up behind

me. I guess he was going to hand me back my coat, but when I turned around he dropped it."

"Okay," Tracy said, nodding for him to continue.

Mike's face grew pained, like he didn't want to go past this point. "He was right behind me," he repeated.

"Really close. And when I turned around, he was...he was right there...and he dropped it." Mike's voice

was getting softer now, like he was running out of steam. "And instead he grabbed my arm and...and

pulled me closer...to him." There were tears streaming down his face now.

"Mike?" Tracy said, concerned.

"He kissed me," Mike said.. "Jeffery kissed me. And he...he..."

Tracy was shocked, not by just the news, but by the fact that Mike was actually shaking. "Mike, are you

sure? Maybe he just bumped into you."

Mike shook his head. "No he kissed me. He used his--" Mike's voice shook too hard for him to finish the

sentence. "He put his arms around me and he...he..." Mike was sobbing now. His entire body was

convulsing as he tried to say more but the words came out as choked off gasps.

"Mike," Tracy said, her voice shaking too now. "Did he do something else? Did he hurt you?"

Mike began to settle down and stared at her confused for a moment. "No," he said at last. "But..." Mike

sniffed and tried to wipe the tears from his face. "I think...I pushed him off me after that. He...he said he

was sorry. That he hadn't meant to do it. Or something like that. But I..."

Mike looked up at Tracy and beneath the tears streaks on his face, she could see him go red with shame.

"But I didn't listen to him. I just yelled at him instead."

"Oh, Mike," she said, putting her hand to her mouth. "You didn't...?"

"I don't know. I don't really remember what I said," he replied bitterly. "Just that I hurt him that he was

crying when he left."

Tracy scooted back on the floor and leaned against the side of the bed. "Mike?" she said curiously.

"Why'd you yell at him? I mean, was it really all that bad?"

Mike stared at her like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're kidding, right?"

"Mike, I've known you for a while," Tracy said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "And you've always

seemed like an open-minded guy to me. I mean, you've lived with Jeffery now for most of the semester

and you've never once complained about it. And then there was the guy today at the McDonalds. He was

an otter and you were fine with that, too."

"Tracy, that's not the same thing," Mike said reasonably. "I don't have a problem with people who aren't

human. That's not even what we're talking about."

"Yes, I know," she said, getting up. She walked over to Mike and leaned down next to him so she was

level with his face. "Let me let you in on something though, Mike," she whispered, her voice just as quiet

as it had been back at the mall.

Mike leaned forward, expecting her to tell him something, when she suddenly leaned in even closer and

kissed him on the cheek. Mike started and pulled back in shock. "What the hell are you doing?" he said.

"Proving a point," she said with a smile, walking back over to the bed and sitting down. "Now, how do

you feel?"

"Like I've got a sign on me that says, 'Kiss Me And Screw With My Mind,'" he said bitterly.

Tracy laughed. "No silly, I mean about the kiss. Did it bother you?"

Mike frowned. "Well I mean, a little. It was kinda weird. I mean, you've never acted like you liked me

before so I'm sorta surprised by it."

"Hmm, okay well then here's a better question. Compare how you feel now to how you felt when Jeffery

kissed you. Did it feel the same."

"Well no, of course not. Jeffery's a guy."

"So you're not bothered that he kissed you just because he's your friend?"

"Well no. I mean, yeah, a little I guess. I suppose I feel a little...I don't know."

"But I'm your friend and you're not yelling and screaming at me."

Some of Mike's usual flair came back and he gave her a crooked grin. "Just wait," he said. "Besides, that

was on the cheek. Jeffery kissed me on the lips." Tracy wiggled her eyebrows and puckered up her lips.

"That's not funny," Mike said.

Tracy let out another laugh. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do it again. But what I'm trying to get at is

what's the difference between what I just did and what Jeffery did? Or rather, what's the difference in

terms of how it made you feel?"

Mike shrugged. "I don't know. I'm kinda lost here."

"You reacted much stronger to when Jeffery kissed you, though."

"Well yeah, but like I said, he's a guy."

"What's the difference. A kiss is a kiss, isn't it."

"No, of course not. It feels different."

"So you're saying that a kiss from a guy feels different? But why? Is it because you don't feel anything

towards him? Because you're not attracted to him?"

"Well yeah I guess."

"But at the same time, you're not attracted to me are you?" Mike started to stumble out an answer but

Tracy cut him off. "Mike, this isn't about my ego," she said rolling her eyes. "I'm a big girl. You can tell

me the truth. Just answer honestly. Did you feel anything when I kissed you?"

"Well no," he said, "but Tracy, you're my friend," he added hastily. "It'd...It'd just be wrong."

"Hmm," Tracy said and nodded to herself. She spent the next several minutes in thought before she finally

spoke again. "Well Mike, if you want my opinion," she said, pausing to make sure that Mike was giving

her his full attention, "I think the reason you had a bigger problem with Jeffery kissing you than with me, is

because you like him."

Mike huffed defensively. "Tracy, that doesn't make sense!"

"Sure it does," she said reasonably. "Oh, c'mon, Mike. Look, when was your last girlfriend? Like maybe

back in high school? I don't know how things were back then, but I know how things are now, and you

haven't acted the least bit interested in finding a girlfriend since I've known you."

"Look, I don't have time," Mike said seriously. "I've got--"

Tracy finished the sentence for him. "Studies, work, hobbies, blah, blah, blah. Look, I've heard it all

before. But you could have made time for someone. I know you could. And you can say you're just

waiting for the right person to come along, and that much I believe is true. But quite frankly, I think the

right person for you is a guy, not a girl."

"You think I'm in love with Jeffery?" Mike said appalled.

"Hey, you tell me," Tracy said with a shrug. "You two have always been pretty close, though you may not

realize it. You've lived with him for a while now. You both like a lot of the same stuff, even though you

have your individual tastes. But hey, they say opposites attract. You've got all the right reasons to like

him." She waited for Mike to say something but he just stared blankly at her.

"Look I'm not saying I know for sure, but answer me this: Did you like it when he kissed you? Even if it

was just for a moment, did you like it?" Mike didn't answer. "Well?"

Mike still didn't answer. Instead he said in a sullen voice, "So you want me and Jeffery to go out? Is that

what you're saying?"

"Hey look it's your choice. I'm just letting you know that if you do, I wouldn't care. I think you two

would look kind of cute together, actually," she said with a grin. She quickly sobered again. "But

seriously, Mike, I've always been an open-minded person. So if you decide you do feel that way about

Jeffery, whatever it's worth, you have my support."

Mike lowered his head. "I guess I should probably find him and at least apologize."

A huge grin spread across Tracy's face. "You should probably give him back his coat, too," she said with a

laugh.

"What?" Mike asked perplexed.

Tracy laughed again. "That isn't your coat in there," she said, chuckling to herself. "It's Jeffery's."

"Ah shit!" Mike said. "You're kidding!"

"Nope," Tracy said still laughing.

"Great. Now I really do have to find him."

Tracy glanced at the clock. "I doubt your stuff is dry yet. But I guess it won't matter if you're going back

out into the rain."

"I can probably get back to my dorm without getting wet, he said. But I don't know what I'll do if he's not

there. Even if he is a giant white wolf, I'd never find him in this weather and I don't know where he'd go."

"Hurry up and get going then," she said going into the bathroom and coming back out with his shoes in one

hand and Jeffery's coat in the other. "There still damp, but they're not going to get any drier," she said.

"Thanks," Mike said as he slipped his feet into his shoes and pulled on Jeffery's coat. For the first time, he

noticed how much the coat smelled like Jeffery. He'd never really thought much about Jeffery's scent, but

he didn't remember it having ever bothered him. Really, it was a nice smell, deep and earthy, like the way

the dirt and grass smelled just after it had rained.

He started for the door but stopped and turned to look back at Tracy. "Tracy," he said, "did you mean what

you said earlier. I mean, if you're right and Jeffery and I..."

Tracy walked over and put her arms around Mike in a hug. "I might have to get a new roommate, since

Connie would probably talk my head off, but I'd still be your friend. And Jeffery's," she added with a

smile.

Mike took a deep breath. "Connie will probably be really pissed."

"Y'know what?" she said. "I don't really care. I've never really liked her."

Mike looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "All this time I thought it was just me," he

said relieved.

Tracy patted him on the back and laughed. "Now go find that wolf and talk to him this time."

"Thanks," Mike said and hurried out the door.

Tracy closed the door after him and locked it again. She glanced back at the mystery novel she'd been

reading but didn't feel much like picking it back up. Instead she busied herself picking up the wet towels.

Her life was turning into a regular soap opera. Connie was going to be a real problem if she ever found out,

but hopefully they wouldn't have to deal with that problem right away. The others might have a hard time

adjusting too, but she really thought Mike and Jeffery would be able to work things out, no matter what

they decided.

So why did she have this nagging feeling that something was wrong?

* * *

Mike had to go the long way around, but he'd finally made it back to his dorm. Slowly he climbed his way

up the stairs. He'd spent half the evening running around town and the strain was finally starting to get to

him. He reasoned that if he didn't find Jeffery back at their room he was going to collapse into his bed and

look for Jeffery first thing in the morning.

Well, first thing when he woke up, anyway.

As Mike mounted the last step, he pushed open the door to his hall...just in time to see Jeffery, a small

suitcase strapped to his shoulder, and keys in hand, locking the door.

The suitcase couldn't have held more than a few sets of clothes, but Jeffery had too much stuff to just

gather it all together in the middle of the night and move out. Most likely he'd just packed a change of

clothes and a few other essentials.

The thoughts chased each other through Mike's head before they finally registered. Jeffery was leaving.

He was leaving the room. He was leaving him.

Mike walked slowly down the hall. For once, neither Jeffery's sensitive hearing nor sense of smell had

managed to detect him.

Jeffery let out a small sigh and gently touched the doorframe. He was already starting to turn down the

other end of the hall when Mike spoke.

"Jeffery," he said. His voice had come out much more rough and scratchy than he'd intended it to, and he

might have stopped to worry that he was catching a cold if he wasn't so busy trying to think of what he was

going to say next.

Jeffery's head whirled around in obvious shock. He flinched when he saw who it was and Mike could feel

the shame of what his words had done.

But what happened next caught Mike completely off guard. Jeffery suddenly turned and ran down to the

other end of the hall, slamming into the exit door as fast as could.

Mike stood there stunned before he did the first thing that came to mind: he ran after him. Jeffery might be

a wolf, but Mike knew he was faster. He made it to the other end of the hall before the door had even

closed.

Jeffery had a head start though. He'd already made it to the second floor and Mike would probably lose

him if he made it outside. Mike jumped over the first set of stairs and down onto the landing, barely

pausing to wince. He charged halfway down the second set of stairs and jumped again, this time over the

railing. He somehow managed to land on the last step of the next set of stairs without breaking his ankle,

but he couldn't keep this up.

The stairwell design put him on the second floor; Jeffery was half way to the first. Mike was close enough

the he could have reached out and grabbed Jeffery's shoulder, but he didn't have any leverage on the stairs

and there was no way he could stop him just by grabbing his shoulder.

Mike had a moment of panic. Forget grabbing him by the shoulders, Mike probably wouldn't be able to

stop him even if he tackled him. Hell, he's built like a linebacker.

The memory of the words echoed in his mind bringing with them a realization. He couldn't stop Jeffery.

Even if he was faster or found a way to corner him, Jeffery was just too strong. And Mike would never be

able to take him down with force alone.

"Jeffery!" Mike tried to yell. It was hard to speak and run at the same time, but he had to find a way to stop

him. Had to find a way to get through to him.

Mike gave up on jumping the stairs and focused on just trying to keep pace with Jeffery. "Jeffery," Mike

repeated, "please, just stop for a second." But Jeffery wasn't listening.

They had finally made it to the first floor. Jeffery ran towards the emergency exit door, while Mike did his

best to keep up, but his ankles were already sore from the hard landings he taken trying to jump the stairs.

At best he was half running, half limping.

Outside it was still raining and now Jeffery was gaining ground. Mike wasn't about to give up, though.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Mike ran flat out after him. If he lost sight of Jeffery in all this rain, he'd

never find him again.

"Jeffery," he yelled into the night. "Jeffery, please just..."

The streetlights cast a blurry haze over everything, and the cold rain stung Mike's face. Jeffery jumped the

curb and ran across the main road in front of the college. Mike was lagging behind again, unable to see

anything in the rain. He started to jump the curb, but the strain on his ankles was just too much and they

finally gave out. He tripped instead and fell out into the street.

There was a sudden flash as a blinding pair of lights materialized out of the gloom. He heard a car horn

and a horrible screech, accompanied by a spray of water.

The agony in his ankles was drowned out by fear as Mike struggled to understand what was happening.

Then he felt something slam into him.

For a moment he thought he was flying. He could feel the air rushing over his body and he was spinning so

fast he felt dizzy. The streetlamps seemed to be dancing all around him, until he couldn't tell which was up

and which was down. The rain seemed to be coming at him from all sides.

And then just as suddenly, the sensation faded, and the streetlamps were gone.

And everything went black.

* * *

Jeffery turned at the sound of the car horn.

When he'd first made it back to the room, he'd wasted several minutes on his bed crying. It was only after

his eyes had run dry and his throat was too raw to continue sobbing, that he'd realized he couldn't stay

there.

He'd packed what he could into a small suitcase and started to lock up. He'd paused a moment at the door

to mourn his loss and wonder if he'd have the strength to come back for the rest of his things.

Then Mike had suddenly appeared, looking like some haggard form of death. Even worse his voice had

come out in a rough growl and called out Jeffery's name like a death sentence. Jeffery wasn't sure if Mike

was going to attack him or just strike him down with a bolt a lightning. He hadn't waited to find out which.

He'd been running in a blind panic ever since. He didn't stop until he heard the car.

He'd been halfway across the street when he noticed it for the first time. Masked by the rain, it had

sounded low and far away, but Jeffery knew what it was. He'd slowed and finally stopped when he

reached the other side of the street, but by then it was too late.

He turned and watched as Mike tripped over the curb, outlined in the car's headlights as he fell. Heard the

blast of noise as the driver slammed down on the car horn. Saw the car try to stop but skid on the water,

the back of it fishtailing, and a mighty spray of water rising up, hiding both the car and Mike.

Then suddenly Mike flew up above the spray, his entire body pirouetting in the air as if this were all some

kind of strange dance. For a moment, Jeffery thought he would turn and land on his feet, but as the water

from the spray came down, he saw Mike's arms flail out and the spin died. Mike landed hard on the

ground with a small splash. And didn't move again.

A moment passed.

Then another.

Jeffery felt his breath catch in his throat as he waited, but Mike still didn't move. Jeffery was suddenly

down on his knees next to him. He didn't remember how he got there. All he knew was the he had to get

Mike to wake up. Had to make him live again.

Someone was yelling at him. Telling him something. A man? A woman? They were flashing lights

everywhere now, but he couldn't remember what they meant or why they were there.

There was a siren now. Someone was talking to him. It was a calm voice, but he wasn't listening. Mike

was gone. They'd taken him away, but to where?

He was standing again and he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. Someone was in front of him. A face

finally swam into view. Someone he knew.

"Tracy?" He stared down at her. Then snapped his head left and right, his eyes desperately searching.

"Mike? Where is he? Where did they take him?" Tracy didn't speak. She just stared at him, tears and

rain mixing into one another as they slid down her face. Jeffery slowly sank back down to his knees, his

paws reaching out to clench Tracy's jacket. "Where is he?" he pleaded. "Please tell me, where is he?"

Tracy shook her head. "He's gone," she said.

* * *

The woman behind the counter wore a fake mask of sympathy. "I'm very sorry about your loss, sir," she

said. "What kind of flowers would you like?"

Jeffery ignored her and stared down at the smooth wooden counter, instead.

"We have several different arrangements already made that we could send over. What time is the funeral?"

The wood was so smooth Jeffery wondered if anyone ever used the counter for anything besides holding

flowerpots.

"I see, well if you'd like to take a look around the store...."

Jeffery had never been inside a flower shop before in his life and now he saw why. It had to be the dullest

place on earth.

The woman behind the counter finally put down the phone and turned to Jeffery. "Can I help you..." she

faltered as most people did when they addressed him, "sir?" The small inflection at the end made it sound

like she was more interested in asking how she should address him than how she could help.

"I'm here to pick up an order of roses under the name Jeffery," he said dully. "I believe they've already

been paid for ."

"Ah, yes," she said, relief obvious in her voice as she disappeared behind the counter.

Maybe I should have just asked her how to get to Grandmother's house, instead, he thought sardonically.

The woman returned a moment later with a vase full of bright red roses. "Here you are," she said.

"Thanks," Jeffery said, suppressing the urge to give her a toothy grin as he left.

Outside, Tracy sat waiting in her car. Jeffery ducked in, mindful of the roses, and sat with them firmly

tucked in his lap.

Tracy raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think those are a bit much?"

"Nah," Jeffery said.

Tracy smiled and decided it was best not to ask how much he'd spent.

Traffic was hectic during that time of day and by the time they made it to the hospital, Jeffery was a

nervous wreck.

They both made it to Mike's room just as a nurse was leaving. "Is it alright if we go in and see him," Tracy

asked. The nurse nodded and waved them in, raising an eyebrow at Jeffery and his vase full of roses, but

saying nothing.

Mike's room was already filled with assorted get well cards, along with a suitcase of his clothes that Jeffery

had packed for him.

Mike himself was covered in bandages and wearing a hospital gown, but the for most part doing fairly well.

Fortunately most of the damage had been on the surface, and the water had helped cushion his fall. He had

had several nasty gashes on his forehead and arms though, not mention his side where he'd been hit by the

car and the other where he'd landed.

Amazingly, nothing had broken, but he'd lost a lot of blood and had twenty-nine stitches. He'd tried to

make a break for it twice already and kept telling the doctors that he felt fine, but they were insisting on

keeping him in the hospital for a few more days.

He looked over when he saw them both enter and there was a click as he turned off the television. "Hey,"

he said, his voice still a bit weak.

Tracy walked over immediately and gave him a hug, careful not to squeeze too tight. "Brought you some

stuff," she said, with a smile, producing a plush doll of a panther. "Thought it would be a nice change from

all that chocolate and candy." She glanced at Jeffery. "Not to mention flowers."

Jeffery blushed and hid his face behind the roses.

"Thanks," Mike said, setting the panther down next to him in bed. "He can keep me company at night."

He turned to look at Jeffery. "And who's your walking plant friend?" he asked.

Jeffery set the vase of roses on a small table next to Mike's bed. "I thought you might like some flowers,"

he mumbled.

Tracy laughed and patted Jeffery on the back. "You know, I have a couple errands I need to run while

we're in town, so if you don't mind, I'll come back and pick you up later." She walked over to the door,

checked left and right to make sure no one looking, turned to give Jeffery a wink, and then shut the door

behind her.

Jeffery was even more nervous now that he was alone in the room with Mike. He'd visited a couple times

before to bring Mike his clothes and check up on him, but Mike had always been asleep. Unsure of what to

do now that Mike was actually awake, Jeffery stared at the ground and shuffled his feet.

"I like the flowers," Mike said after a moment.

Jeffery blushed again. "Thanks," he said.

"You can sit down you know," he said, gesturing to a wooden chair with green cushions on the other side

of the bed.

Jeffery made his way around the bed, briefly wondering when it was that the room had become so large,

and sat down heavily in the chair. "How are you feeling?" he asked at last.

Mike gave him a weak smile. "Better. I'm still tired a lot. But I'm okay." He paused for a moment.

"How about you?" he asked.

Jeffery stared down at the floor. "I'm okay," he said quietly.

Finally he decided it was better if he just launched into it. "Mike...about what happened...that night--"

Mike cut him off. "None of that was your fault," he said, sighing heavily. "I said a some things I shouldn't

have."

Jeffery shook his head. "But you wouldn't have had to if I hadn't...in the bathroom."

Mike sighed again. "I'm not mad any more. And I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I'm sorry I ran," Jeffery said. There was no need to say the rest. Once again the silence settled over them

but it was a bit more comfortable this time. "So what do we do now?" Jeffery finally asked.

"Well," Mike paused to scratch at the bandage on his forehead, "I've been thinking...about things. About

you and me actually. About us."

Jeffery stared at him confused. "What do you mean?"

"Um, well I guess what I mean is, I've been trying to figure out just what's been going on between us. I

mean, I pretty much figured out what's been going on with you."

Jeffery sank down lower in his seat. "I'm so sorry," he said, tears starting fill his eyes.

"Jeffery," Mike said, reaching out to pull him closer and hug him. "It's okay. It really is."

Jeffery hugged Mike back, but his heart wasn't in it. "No it's not. I ruined everything." Tears were sliding

down the side of his face now. "I just wanted to tell you...but I screwed it all up."

Mike gave Jeffery another squeeze before he pulled back far enough so there faces were only inches apart.

"There's something else, though. I think I finally figured out what's been going on with me, too."

Jeffery stared at him confused. "I don't understand," he said.

Mike closed the distance between them by pressing close and giving Jeffery a gentle kiss. Jeffery stopped

crying and tried to gasp, but only succeeded in pulling Mike into a deeper kiss. When they finally broke

apart, Jeffery tried to speak, but couldn't find his voice.

When he finally did it came out as only a whisper. "Does this mean I don't have to move out?" he asked.

Mike smiled and gave Jeffery another hug. "I think you're stuck with me for a bit longer."

Epilogue

Three Months Later

Mike sat at his computer, the glow from the screen the only light in the room as he tried to finish a story he

was writing for his English class. It was almost midnight, but the story had to be turned in by tomorrow

morning.

"Mike?" a sleepy voice from behind him said. "It's late," it said with a yawn. "Come to bed."

"Just a sec," Mike said distracted. "I still need an ending here."

Jeffery came up behind him, putting both his paws on Mike's shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze.

Mike leaned back into Jeffery's touch, feeling the pain in his shoulders fade. It had been three months

since the car accident, and only a week less that he'd been released from the hospital. But the cuts and

scrapes on his shoulders had left scars that ached from time to time.

"You're gonna make me fall asleep," Mike said.

"Good," Jeffery replied. "You've been running around all day. You need some rest."

Mike grinned despite his exhaustion. "Somehow I don't think rest is what you have in mind."

Jeffery leaned down and licked his ear. "Hmm, maybe," he said, wickedly.

"But I still need an ending for this blasted story," Mike said.

"Hmm, well what about, 'And they lived happily ever after,'" Jeffery said, leaning down to wrap his arms

around Mike's neck.

"Well, that could work...if I was five years old," he said. Mike sighed. "It's supposed to be an original

story that relates to real life and I doubt my professor is going to accept 'happily ever after' as an

appropriate ending."

"Well then...why give it an ending at all?" Jeffery said.

"Huh?"

"If it's supposed to relate to real life, then why give it an ending. After all, in real life everything doesn't

end just because the adventure is over. So don't give it an ending."

Mike yawned. "I must be tired 'cause you're starting to make sense. I guess you have a point, though,"

Mike said, hitting the save button and turning off the computer. In the ensuing darkness, Jeffery led him

out of the chair and over to the bed, where they both slipped under the covers and cuddled.

They laid together for a few moments before Mike finally spoke. "But life does end, eventually doesn't it?

I mean, no one lives forever."

Jeffery nuzzled Mike's neck. "Maybe," he said, sleepily. "But that's a long time from now. There's still a

lot more that has to happen between now and then."

"So do you think we'll always be happy together like that, like in a fairy tale?" Mike asked.

"No, maybe not," Jeffery admitted. "But I don't think I'll ever really stop loving you." He gave Mike an

extra squeeze and laid his head against Mike's shoulder. "And I don't think I've ever been as happy as I

am with you."

Mike reached out in the darkness and stroked the side of Jeffery's face. "Me either," Mike said.