by: Tyler Peel

© 2007 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent.

Chapter 45
Echo and Chaos

"Pssst! Danny? Wake up!" Tyler whispered.

"Wot...," Danny moaned as he pulled the comforter up over his head.

"Come for a run with me?" Tyler asked.

"Are you out of your fucking mind? It's winter and it's cold and there might be lions, and tigers, and bears out there," Danny said, rolling over to face Tyler. Tyler climbed up on the bunk bed and placed his hand on Danny's boxers. He massaged him slowly and gave him a kiss.

"Cody, could take lessons from you on how to wake me up!" Danny said opening his eyes.

"Good! Now that you are 'up' let's go for a run!" Tyler said hopping down off the bed.

"You fucktard!" Danny said sitting up and letting his legs dangle over the bunk bed.

"The end result justifies the means used!" Tyler said, laughing as he threw on his sweats.

"It's freezing in here," Danny said shivering.

"No it's not." Tyler said moving around a sleeping Derek to give Danny a hug. Danny rested his head on Tyler's shoulder.

"This moment reminds me of a long time ago," Danny said holding tightly on to Tyler.

"It's a good memory for me," Tyler said kissing the top of Danny's head.

"Did you call Dr. Reynolds yet?" Danny asked.

"No, but thanks for reminding me. I will call him this morning if he is back to work?" Tyler said, as he released Danny and rubbed his arms to help get Danny's blood flow moving.

"Why are you making me go for a run?" Danny asked as he pulled his jeans on.

"Because I need to talk to you about something and I thought I could bribe you with breakfast at McDonalds," Tyler said.

"I really don't need or want a lecture about how I acted last night," Danny said as he buttoned up his shirt.

"This isn't about last night though I am really proud of you for what you said to Cody. You really are becoming a better Danny than the one I first met. One that I like even more than the old one," Tyler said.

"I'll need to grab some sweats in my room," Danny said.

"I know," Tyler said grabbing his keys and stuffing some cash into his sock. "It's not very often I get to go to your room and watch your strip naked," he said winking.

"You know I would do that for you any time of the day!" Danny said lifting his winter boots up and carrying them.

Danny and Tyler ran for about 40 minutes until Danny threatened Tyler with a pending heart attack. They had to walk about a mile to the closest McDonald's.

"Can I help you guys?" A young, dark haired girl with multiple facial piercings asked.

"Could I have two egg McMuffins, three hash browns, two breakfast burritos with hot salsa, a gallon of ketchup, large Coke, and a cylinder of compressed oxygen, please?" Danny begged and the girl laughed.

"Ketchup is over by the straws and napkins!" She said smiling.

"How can you be so cheerful this early in the morning?" Danny moaned.

"I'm a morning person!" she said smiling.

"See, Daniel, I'm not the only one around here," Tyler said.

"I would give you the evil eye but it is still asleep like the rest of me should be!" Danny groaned.

"I would like three breakfast burritos, no sauce, and a large, black coffee, please," Tyler asked.

"Is this all on one bill?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am." Tyler said.

Danny and Tyler grabbed their trays and Danny made them sit in Kiddie Land.

"You seriously want to sit here?" Tyler asked. Danny simply smiled and sat down.

"I think I need an order of hotcakes with sausage!" Danny said ignoring Tyler's question.

"Why don't you eat what is before you and see if you are still hungry when you are finished?" Tyler asked.

"You sound like my mother," Danny said and Tyler ignored the comment.

"So you wanted to talk to me about something I've done wrong?" Danny asked as he devoured a sausage McMuffin in three quick bites.

Tyler was focused on his first breakfast burrito. Danny watched as he eyed it carefully. Tyler's lips slowly opened as the burrito entered. In Danny's mind he could hear the theme music from 2001 A Space Odyssey and he smiled. When he closed his teeth around the burrito, his eyes shut to savour the first taste of his breakfast.

"That is the most erotic thing I've ever seen involving food!" Danny said and Tyler opened his eyes.

"Wot?" Tyler said with his mouth full. Danny laughed.

"Okay so you're about to correct me on my many imperfections?" Danny asked.

"Right!" Tyler said stuffing his mouth with the last bite of his first burrito. "Yesterday Danny and I got into a fight about you," Tyler began.

"You mean Derek and you? I'm Danny remember?" Danny said with a big grin.

"Sorry... I'm in the burrito zone right now." Tyler said grinning. "We were talking about your change in personality."

"My trying to be more generous?" Danny asked with a mouth full of burrito.

"This is actually about me apologizing to you," Tyler said and Danny began coughing. Tyler handed him his Coke to drink.

"Are you okay?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah, yeah... go ahead." Danny said waving Tyler on and gasping to regain his breath.

"I said to Danny...," Tyler began.

"Derek! You said to Derek!" Danny repeated rolling his eyes and shaking his head.

"Right," Tyler said and pushed his second burrito away. "I think I'ill wait on this until I'm done talking. I said that I didn't really like the change in you because when you've done this in the past it was short-lived and you seem to come back twice as bad. Derek disagreed and even got mad at me about it. He said we should support and encourage you and obviously he is right but that isn't what I really want to apologize for," Tyler said Danny showed a confused look on his face.

"Danny, I love you as you. I don't care if you hoard cinnamon buns or eat an entire pie. I don't want to lose the guy sitting across from me right now. I want Danny to be Danny. We're all trying to improve ourselves and if you can make yourself and the world around you a little better I will be right there to support you. But if you don't, it won't change how much I love you and how important you are as my second brother; second only to David!" Tyler said.

"It would be a lot easier, Ty, if everyone didn't look at me like I just made the world stop spinning because I try to do something nice? Something occurred to me a couple of days ago. I always thought it was other people who were mean and selfish. I never realized I was as bad as everyone said? I thought it was more of a joke than anything. Who cares if I eat a bag of cinnamon buns?" Danny said holding his hands up in the air.

"Then I started to think of things to do that would make others happy. I learned that you don't have to search very far to find people in need. Once I did something nice for someone I didn't think much about it until this feeling came over me. It was new to me and I'd never felt it before and that's how I learned that I'm not the most generous person in the world. I am selfish and I'm not sure how much of that will change but the thing I am most selfish about is my need to experience that good feeling inside again," Danny said and Tyler grinned as he bit into his burrito.

"When I was smaller I would give Dad and Grandma presents that Mom picked out, wrapped, and even wrote my name on the card. They would say thank you and I barely heard them. I actually feel a little ashamed about it now, but I'm going to do better!" Danny said laughing at himself and Tyler smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, Danny, for the things I was thinking and what I said to Derek about you," Tyler said.

"I know you have the biggest guilty conscience in the world!" Danny said laughing as he squirted ketchup all over one of his hash browns and then put a second hash brown on top of it and added more ketchup. Tyler stared at him, getting queasy from watching.

When Danny topped his sandwich off with the third hash brown Tyler asked, "You're not really going to eat that all at once, are you?"

"Of course not? It will take at least three bites!" Danny said as he bit into his hash brown and ketchup sandwich. Tyler shook his head.

"Can you say trans fatty acids?" Tyler asked.

Danny glared at him and yelled "NO!"

Everyone in the restaurant looked over at Tyler and Danny.

"By the way I'm sorry about interrupting you guys yesterday," Danny added.

"It's alright, Danny." Tyler said unconvincingly.

"No, it isn't alright and we both know that it isn't! Just give me a little time to work on catching clues tossed at me! I am selfish for wanting all my brothers around me and it isn't because I need constant attention, rather it is because I love sharing in their lives and sharing mine with them," Danny said.

"You're preaching to the choir, Father Armitage," Tyler said smiling.

"Being an only child, this is all new to me and I now realize what I've missed out on over the years," Danny said.

"Having just become an orphaned, only child I know exactly what I am missing," Tyler said smiling so Danny could see he knew exactly what Danny meant.

Danny frowned upon hearing Tyler's words.

"Look, Danny, all I want to say here is that I am sorry for prejudging you and that whether you decide to make changes or not I will still love you regardless," Tyler said.

"I know you do. Sometimes I just like to get you wound up for the fun of it and I am sorry for doing that. I could barely keep a straight face when you were watching me while eating that piece of pie at the cottage! I wouldn't care if I never had another cinnamon bun again as long as you three are always in my life," Danny said, and then added. "And I'm not making a joke Ty!"

"I know, Danny. I pegged you the first day I met you and knew that we would be friends for a long, long time," Tyler said.

"You're not going to tell anyone what I said about giving up cinnamon buns, are you?" Danny asked very seriously.

"Not if you tell me not too," Tyler said.

"If you haven't figured it out already I know how to take a joke and teasing. Being the short one at school and in hockey you learn to have strong shoulders. Sometimes it's fun to set myself up and see if anyone takes advantage of it," Danny said, as he bit into a burrito.

"That's my burrito you're eating!" Tyler said staring at Danny.

"Wot?" Danny said grinning.

"I often wondered if you were serious or not?" Tyler asked.

"In most cases the secret clue is when I way 'wot' and tilt my head to one side trying to look like a moron!" Danny said laughing with his mouth full.

"Yeah, sure, whatever..., you do that all the time and you do it very well by the way!" Tyler said teasing him.

"No, really, it's true!" Danny said sitting up straight.

"I'm just teasing you, Daniel!" Tyler said and winked at him.

"Is there any chance of us sleeping together when we move into the new house?" Danny asked and Tyler raised one eyebrow. "I don't mean sex and stuff. I just missed the few times I got to sleep with you being held in your arms."

"If I recall correctly the last time we slept together you white-washed my back," Tyler said grinning.

"That was an accident... but as far as accidents go that is one of my favourites!" Danny said, giving Tyler an evil grin.

"I don't think that is going to happen unless all four of us get into one bed together and that isn't something I think is really wise to get started. Now if I was on the sofa lying down and you laid down on top of me...," Tyler began and winked at Danny.

"Gotcha and I should just keep this idea hidden for a month or so!" Danny said and Tyler smiled.

"So you forgive me?" Tyler asked looking at his watch.

"Did you have to look at your watch when you asked that?" Danny asked as he slurped on his Coke.

"We're moving out today, we get our test results back, and I need to do some more shopping for Derek's birthday now that I've got him his main present. I also need to talk to Dr. Reynolds, Dora, and the Ciccone's. Derek has an interview, I need to get my skates sharpened for practice tomorrow night and...," Tyler began.

"Hold up a second!" Danny said. "I've been racking my brains about what to get Derek. Doing a romantic evening for you and him is pretty easy but I would like to buy him something that he will have to keep. What are you getting him?" Danny asked.

"I can't say! It's a surprise for everyone." Tyler said laughing.

"Bull shit! Cough it up, Puckhead. Maybe I can get him something to go with it?" Danny asked and Tyler thought about it for a moment.

"Actually you can get something for him that will go with it!" Tyler said as he rubbed his unshaven chin.

"Wot?" Danny asked, tilted his head sideways and grinned.

"I'm not telling you! I will pick it up for you and you can give it to him this weekend," Tyler said grinning.

"C'mon... don't fuck with me unless you're naked!" Danny said, and Tyler laughed.

Tyler motioned with his index finger for Danny to come close to him across the table. Tyler whispered in his ear and Danny's eyes bulged out and a huge smile came across his face.

"YOU'RE FUCKING SHITTING ME RIGHT?" Danny said and they both looked around to see everyone in McDonald's pause and look at them again.

"Sorry, everyone!" Danny said, standing partially up from his seat. "My apologies!" he said and sat back down.

"That is the coolest gift ever! Oh my fucking God! I don't believe it! Do you need me to come with you to help bring it back?" Danny asked.

"Good idea but please don't tell anyone, not even Cody!" Tyler said.

"Does anyone else know?" Danny asked.

"Just Kyle so he can buy some accessories for Derek for his birthday. I want it to be a surprise when we pull into the Anderson's driveway on Friday or Saturday," Tyler said.

"How do you do it?" Danny asked.

"Do what?" Tyler asked.

"How do you always know to do the right thing?" Danny asked and Tyler shrugged his shoulders.

"We need to go order food for our boys and get back!" Tyler said standing up and removing the tray.

Danny and Tyler approached the front counter and Metallica girl appeared at the till they were standing in front of.

"We need to place an order to go, please," Tyler said.

"Sure! What would you like?" she asked.

"One egg McMuffin, one sausage McMuffin, four breakfast burritos and two hash browns, please," Tyler said.

"And one order of hotcakes and sausage with extra syrup!" Danny added and grinned at Tyler.

"Anything else, gentlemen?" she asked.

"That's everything, thanks," Tyler said, smiling at her.

"What about the guys in security?" Danny asked and Tyler looked at him and then smiled.

"Damn you are good! I completely forgot," Tyler said. "Could we add... what do you think we should get them, Danny?"

"Eight burritos with a mix of hot and mild salsa." Danny said and then added. "I'm paying for this!" as he pulled out a twenty-dollar bill from his sock.

Tyler leaned over and kissed the top of Danny's head. "That's really sweet of you."

The girl looked at what Tyler did and asked. "Are you guys a couple?" Danny and Tyler began laughing.

"No, we aren't!" Danny said. "We are best friends and we both have our own boyfriends," he added.

"That's so cool but what a waste! The hottest guys are always gay!" she said shaking her head as she punched their order into the cash register.

"We like to think so!" Tyler said and the three laughed.

She returned with their order and they left for home.

"Can't we catch the bus?" Danny asked.

"No! You need the exercise!" Tyler said.

"We'll be two hours before we get home!" Danny said and Tyler stopped walking.

"Fine... we'll take the bus. We can't run with this food anyway," Tyler said.

Danny and Tyler walked up to the guard post at the entrance to the campus and dropped off two burritos to the security guard there. When they reached the door of Boyd House two more security guards where standing there waiting.

"I'm really beginning to hate those walkie-talkies," Tyler said to the guards as he handed them a bag full of burritos and they laughed with him.

"Thanks for breakfast. Tyler!" One of the guards said.

"No problem! We're moving a lot of our stuff out today and we need you guys to have a full stomach in order to help us with the move," Tyler said, and then winked at them.

As they entered Tyler's dorm room the place was still in darkness.

"I guess they're still asleep," Tyler said.

"Every normal person in this time zone is still asleep, Ty!" Danny said. Danny jumped up on Derek's side of the bunkbed and began kissing Cody to wake him up.

Tyler dropped the bag on Derek's lap and that woke him up. Derek moaned and opened his sleepy eyes and looked up to see Tyler stripping naked.

"This is definitely an improvement on your cell phone alarm clock!" Derek said as he stretched and yawned.

"Morning Babe. You like seeing me naked first thing?" Tyler asked.

"Hell, no! I was referring to the McDonald's breakfast!" Derek said, and Danny started laughing.

Tyler leaned down and kissed him. "Ugh... morning breath!" Tyler moaned.

"Morning, and thank you for bringing breakfast," Derek said opening the bag. Tyler pressed the brew button on their coffee machine and then went searching for a bath towel and his shaving kit.

Cody rolled over on to his stomach, and Danny began giving him a back massage.

"What ungodly hour of the morning is this?" Derek asked rubbing his sore neck.

"It's almost 7 a.m.! You're going to have to be at class for 8 a.m. starting Monday so it is time all of you started getting up earlier," Tyler said.

"Yes, Mom!!" Derek, Cody, and Danny all said in unison and then laughed.

"I hate you all!" Tyler said laughing.

"Yes, Mom!!" Derek, Cody and Danny all said and then began laughing again.

"Your breakfast is ready Cody, and Danny, I think Derek is the one needing the massage since we slept in the loveseat last night.

All four boys sat together drinking coffee while Derek ate his breakfast and Danny devoured his hot cakes and sausage.

"You need to eat, Cody, even if it is McDonalds!" Tyler said.

"I just want to throw up," Cody said.

<Phone rings>

Everyone froze and stared at the phone.

"Answer the phone, Derek!" Tyler said and Derek looked at each one of them.

"Hello?" Derek said into the receiver.

"No, I'm sorry you've got the wrong number," Derek said hanging up and everyone sighed. "It's still too early for Dad to call anyway," he added.

"Do either of you guys have a telephone with a speaker attachment?" Derek asked of Danny and Cody.

"I do," Cody said.

"Do you want to go disconnect it and bring it in here and that way Dad can talk to all of us together?" Derek asked.

Cody didn't answer Derek but did get up and go back to his room to retrieve his phone.

Tyler and Derek began stacking boxes outside of their room to take down to the Van while Danny read a magazine and Cody paced the floor getting in Tyler and Derek's way.

"Cody?" Tyler called from behind as he held two boxes in his hand.

"Yeah?" Cody said turning around.

"If you don't get out of the way and settle down I will be forced to kill you... several times!" Tyler said seriously and then smiled.

"Sorry...," Cody said.

"Wearing out the carpet won't change anything, Cody, and I'll bet that even if Dad thinks something is wrong he is going to require you to have more tests so you won't likely learn too much today?" Tyler said, and the phone began ringing.

"Hello?" Derek said.

"Hi, Son," Larry said.

"Hi, Dad," Derek said, and looked around at his three brothers.

Danny clasped his hands together and began praying. "Oh merciful God..." He began and Tyler laughed. "You've suddenly found God?" Tyler asked and Danny snarled at him.

"We've got Cody's speaker phone so I am putting you on it so we can all hear everything together<" Derek said, pushing the hold button and hanging up the receiver. He then pushed the speaker button and turned up the volume. "Can you hear us okay, Dad?" he asked.

"Fine Derek. I really think I should talk to you boys individually?" Larry said.

"Oh God!" Danny said and began whimpering. Cody put his arm around Danny as they sat side-by-side on the loveseat.

"We've all agreed that we need to share and support each other, Dad, so just go ahead," Derek said.

"Okay, boys, this is going to be a bit complex but I will try to put it in laymen's terms for you," Larry began. "I requested tests for nine different things. The first five tests are as follows and then I will briefly explain each one! These are standard tests for gay men and sexually active adults," he said.

"The first test is for HIV antibodies. This is the standard test to see if someone is HIV positive. Everyone came up clean BUT, and this is a big but, it can take 3 to 6 months or more after infection for it to show up in this test. Cody, you came through fine but what I have to ask you is when did you first become sexually active with Dakota?" Larry asked.

"Just over a year ago. This is my fourth semester here at Drexel," Cody said.

"In this case we will look at this as a positive thing. You told me before that Dr. Reynolds insisted you and Ryan be tested when you began treatment so that subtracts two months. Odds are very good that you aren't HIV positive but we still need to test you again in six months so you all will be sure! This means absolutely no exchange of bodily fluids with anyone until we test you again in June and I actually want you in my office again in three months for a full check up. Is that clear?" Larry asked as Cody broke down and cried.

"Yes... yes... Sir," Cody said, trying to regain his composure.

"Cody, please listen to me carefully? At this moment things are in your favour but there are no guarantees in life. We really need to have six months of monitored blood work to confirm that you are HIV negative. At this moment you should think of yourself as one very, very lucky boy!" Larry said.

"Thank you, Sir," Cody said and began crying. Tyler moved to the other side of Cody to comfort him.

"Cody?" Larry said.

"Yes, Sir," Cody said looking over at the phone.

"You are one of our sons, Cody. You're not different or less than Derek, Kyle, Casey, Tyler or Danny! We will be with you, support you, and love you regardless of the test results," Larry said. Danny's tears began to flow at the surprise of having his name included.

"The second test is the HIV viral load! If you are HIV positive this result is very high for a month or two immediately after becoming infected and then becomes low and stays low for years until the immune system starts to become compromised. This test is useful for testing soon after an exposure of concern like Cody," Larry said and everyone stared at the phone in silence.

"Hello?" Larry said.

"Yeah, Dad, we're here. What did the viral load test say?" Derek asked.

"It never reads zero but if someone is infected it does read very high. This test doesn't confirm HIV infection but it does give us a pretty good indication and everyone's results, including Cody's, were low," Larry said. The room erupted in everyone congratulating each other followed by a group hug.

"Hello?" Larry said.

"Yeah, Dad, we are here and listening," Derek said and everyone sat back down.

"The next three tests were for RPR better known as Rapid Plasma Reagin; HSV better known as Herpes Simplex Virus types one and two antibodies; and the third test used your urine to check for Chlamydia and GC antigens. This is more commonly known as Gonorrhoea," Larry said, and everyone said "Eeeeewwww" and laughed.

"Don't laugh boys! This is the common burning when you pee syndrome but many don't even experience symptoms and share this with every partner they have! Now going back... the RPR test is the standard blood test for syphilis and the HSV test looks at oral and genital herpes. The end result is that all four of you are very, very lucky and at this moment clean! That isn't to say that any of you couldn't pick it up in the near future if you are not safe and monogamous!" Larry said and everyone smiled at each other.

"The next three tests were for Hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A is an acute viral infection that causes fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and jaundice. Though rarely fatal and most people make a full recovery they are still very miserable for 6 to 12 weeks," Larry said.

"Like Danny in Iowa without any cinnamon buns?" Derek asked, and everyone laughed except Danny. Cody kissed Danny's cheek and Danny smiled but didn't look up.

"Hepatitis B is transmitted by blood or sexual contact." Larry began and all of the boys looked at each other. "Hep B causes a chronic infection of the liver that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer years into the future. Fortunately you all came out negative but I want to immunize all of you just in case!" Larry said.

"Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood contact, needle sharing, and transfusions. There is no vaccine for this and like Hep B the end result is the same... you die!" Larry said. "Everyone came through clean and though it is very rare one could even contract it through sexual contact. The message is simple and clear boys! Use condoms at all times and don't share bodily fluids!" Larry said.

"Yes, Sir," They all said together.

"Cody?" Larry asked.

"Yes Sir." Cody said.

"At this moment you are definitely still at risk even though all signs are positive! If you have any unprotected sexual contact with anyone you will be up on charges and that is minor in comparison to the fact that you could potentially be sentencing another human being to death! I want to know if you clearly understand what I am saying," Larry asked.

"Can Danny and I still have protected sex?" Cody asked and Danny grabbed his hand.

"I strongly advise against it but I won't say no. In the simplest terms let me say this. You and Danny should wear condoms and clearly remove yourselves from each other before achieving orgasm. No condom is 100% effective and while six months might seem like an eternity from one another if you really love each other then it will be worth the wait," Larry said.

"What about Derek and me?" Tyler asked.

"Same thing goes! There is virtually no way you could have contracted HIV Tyler, but there is a slim chance of Derek having it. Therefore none of you can take the chance of spreading anything you might have until we know Cody has made it through six months. Now boys you all should realize that you are all very lucky at this moment? Cleanliness, good hygiene, and safe sex are of the utmost importance right now. Cody is very likely to be HIV negative but we have to wait to find out! Your entire lives are at stake here, boys!" Larry said, and everyone became silent.

"Boys?" Larry called.

"Yes, Dad. We're here," Derek said.

"There are too many people dying from HIV in this world because of ignorance and lack of education. Every one of you listening to me right now MUST understand the seriousness of what is at risk to yourselves and those you love. I know that at your age sex is a major thing... but I want you boys to consider what those bracelets you wear really mean? If you really love Luke, Casey, Kyle, Chris, and Jeff do you want to do anything that might take you guys out of their lives?" Larry began.

"No, Sir," Danny said.

"Ummm..., excuse me, Dad, but do you really think you're the one to be lecturing us on sex and condoms?" Tyler teased and Derek gave Tyler an evil look.

"You're a funny guy, Tyler!" Larry said laughing, "I'm actually glad you brought that up because I had a vasectomy and thought I was safe. Obviously I wasn't, and this only goes to further my point that one never knows! Boys, you need to use common sense here. You can have protected anal sex with your partner but pull it out before you achieve orgasm! It's more than just the HIV concern here. You can transmit any number of diseases or bacteria orally or anally. This isn't rocket science but simple common sense!"

"Mrs. Anderson is pregnant?" Cody asked with his mouth dropping open.

"Yes, Cody!" Larry said.

"Sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to be rude. I've sort had this running joke with Derek about teasing you about the use of condoms and I want to apologize," Tyler said.

"No need, Tyler. It's pretty damn funny when you think about it. We are about to have another baby and we will have to feed, clothe, and put him or her through school but that is much cheaper than paying the price of our own lives because we didn't have common sense and control. You guys are not 14 years old and waiting to get out of science class to go home and have a wank!" Larry said and Danny burst into laughter.

"That was Danny, wasn't it?" Larry asked and everyone laughed. "Speaking of Danny I need to talk to you about your test results. Would you please pick up the receiver so we can speak in private?" Larry asked and Danny grabbed hold of his stomach.

Danny picked up the phone and Tyler said to Derek. "Lets go take the boxes we have in the hall down to the Van," Derek nodded.

"Yes, Sir?" Danny said into the receiver.

"Sit down, Danny." Larry said. "The blood tests I have from you aren't 100% accurate. I took your blood before dinner but I really needed you to fast for eight to ten hours before I can come to any accurate conclusion."

"Come again Sir? I am confused," Danny asked.

"In short Danny from what I know right now is that you have the propensity to become a diabetic," Larry said and Danny 'gasped' aloud and squeezed his eyes shut.

Cody shook Danny's arm trying to get him to tell him what was wrong but Danny pushed him away and stood up.

"Listen carefully, Danny. I want to retake your blood again with you fasting for ten hours before I have any conclusive results but in the short term here is what you need to do! For starters you've just given up R.C. Cola. No refined carbs unless it is the day before a hockey game or an intensive work out and even then you are not going to stuff yourself with rice, pasta, white bread, or potatoes. No French fries or that McDonald's crap. You need to learn to start burning off sugar without the need for insulin," Larry said. "Are you understanding what I am saying so far?"

"Yes, Sir," Danny said barely holding back the tears.

"I want you to get regular daily exercise on the days you don't have hockey games or practices! I want you to think of your body this way. You get sugar from almost everything you eat. Your pancreas secretes insulin to help digest the sugar. People who don't get regular exercise have two basic problems. One, the sugar that isn't being used up gets stored as fat. The second problem is that because you're not using the sugar your pancreas has to work harder than normal every time you eat something high in refined sugars, carbs, or starches. You blood moves everything around in your body including those sugars. One day your blood will say to you. 'No more! All full! Thanks, but no thanks!' Basically you will have poisoned your body with insulin because of your eating habits! You then have to deal with monumental side effects like loss of vision, poor blood circulation, and heart disease," Larry said, and Danny began whimpering on the phone.

"Danny?" Larry called.

"Yes, Sir," Danny said with his voice breaking up.

"I know this won't be easy at first but if you really love Cody you will do this so you have a long, healthy life with him and your other brothers. For the short term I want you to follow a few basic rules. No colas! Very limited starches and only on the days of or before hockey! Now I know that this will be the hardest thing for you to do but no more than ONE cinnamon bun per day and I don't want you to eat anything from mid Friday afternoon on if you are coming here this weekend. Once you arrive and have ten hours under your belt I will quickly draw some blood and you are free to have a light snack before lunch or dinner. Is that all right, Danny?" Larry asked.

Danny burst into tears and dropped the phone. Cody grabbed the phone from the floor and said, "Sir, I think we will have to call you back later if that is okay."

"That's fine Cody. He will be fine in a bit. He needed to be told that he is border line diabetic," Larry said.

"I don't think that would come as a shock to any of us," Cody said holding a crying Danny in one arm and the telephone receiver in the other.

"It's going to take sacrifices on everyone's part to help him through this," Larry said.

"Yes, Sir," Cody said.

"Try to understand that Danny isn't in a life or death situation but if he doesn't start changing his eating habits today he will pay for his bad habits much sooner than he realizes. Get him into daily exercise and better eating habits and he can still have a full, heart-healthy life ahead with the love of his life," Larry said.

"Thank you, Dr. Anderson. We'll make it through this together," Cody said.

"I know you will, Cody. That's one of the great things about having a strong family connection for support. You and Danny have a lot of brothers and two extra parents here to help you up if you fall down and kick your butts when needed," Larry said.

"It's already noted and very much appreciated, Sir. I really need to attend to other things right now, Dr. Anderson," Cody said.

"Understood, Cody. I'm in surgery until about three o'clock but you guys can reach me after that if needed," Larry said.

"Thanks," Cody said

"And Cody?" Larry called, as Cody was about to hang the phone up.

"Yes, Sir?" Cody said.

"We all love you and Danny very much. Make sure you pass that on to him!" Larry said.

"I will," Cody said, hanging up the phone.

Derek and Tyler came through the door to hear Danny wailing in Cody's arms.

"Oh shit," Tyler said.

Danny opened his eyes and when he spotted them he left Cody's arms to go into Derek's arms.

"What happened?" Tyler asked Cody.

"Dr. Anderson said he is borderline diabetic," Cody said.

"Shit. I thought it was something serious," Tyler said.

Danny cried even louder upon hearing Tyler words. Derek glared at Tyler.

"What?" Tyler asked. "He eats enough sugar in one day to feed all of the children in a small country for a month! We put him on a special diet and exercise along with limiting his sweets. It's not exactly rocket science here."

"NO MORE CINNAMON BUNS!!!!!!!!" Danny wailed and switched to Derek's arms.

"I'm selling my stock in Brewed Awakenings!" Tyler joked and Cody and Derek glared at him.

Tyler lowered Danny into the loveseat and Cody sat down beside him. "Will the three of you grow up?" Tyler asked.

Danny looked at him with a big pouty face.

"Danny you really need to start eating better in fact we all do! We're putting some exercise equipment in the basement and that will help but you three all need to do some cardio for your heart. One day of weight training and cardio on the alternate day. We'll get a bicycle for the basement. Danny can begin running with me every morning," Tyler said and Danny glared at him.

"You don't have to give up cinnamon buns Danny but you can't eat a bag of them at once and we are now switching to diet R.C. Cola and some sort of sugar free sweetener for your coffees!" Tyler said. Danny and Derek looked at each other and groaned.

"Why do I have to give up sugar in my coffee?" Derek asked.

"You don't! Twelve hours ago you were arguing with me about being more supportive of Danny. We don't just like Danny we also love him and he is our brother so we will all work together to help him!" Tyler said and no one responded.

"Or not?" Tyler asked crossing his arms on his chest. "What's it going to be guys? Danny, do you want to be a diabetic?" Tyler asked.

"No...," Danny moaned as he wiped his tears.

"Do you want to have a long and healthy life with Cody?" Tyler asked Danny.

Danny nodded.

"What about you two? You're not bad eaters but we all could use some improvement and if you guys love Danny then we will all support him and help him," Tyler said and Derek and Cody nodded in agreement.

"I feel like I've just been given a life sentence," Danny moaned.

"You have Danny! Living life is all we have? You've only got one shot and whether you believe in God or not, we don't know if the next world is up, down, or simply six feet underground. You're damn lucky, Danny! Most don't find this out until it's too late. You have a second chance and it is your call as to what you want to do with it, so what do you want to do?" Tyler asked and Danny looked up at him. Cody and Derek stared at Danny from each side of him.

"Danny?" Tyler asked. "It's your call. I'm never buying you another full bag of cinnamon buns again but that doesn't mean you can't go and buy them yourself. If you don't care about yourself and your brothers enough to want to change your lifestyle then say so now and we won't bother you about it again."

"No more cinnamon buns," Danny said and sighed.

"You can still have a couple of slices of pizza but not a whole pizza. You can have some pasta but not three plates of it. A slice of cheesecake won't kill you but making a meal of cheesecake will. You can still eat a cinnamon bun but not two dozen at once!" Tyler said.

"It's all about moderation, Danny." Derek added. "Ty's right though I hate to agree with him. More exercise and less sweets and starches will make you feel better."

Danny looked over at Cody for sympathy.

"Don't look at me," Cody said. "You only have to worry about diabetes while I have to worry about AIDS!"

"I'm sorry, Cody." Danny said and laid his head down on Cody's shoulder.

"Think of it this way Danny you are doing all of us a favour! We are all going to start to live healthier lives. It doesn't mean we won't cheat once in a while but nothing to excess. I'll bet in two months time you will feel so much better and your blood sugar level will be back to normal," Tyler said.

"By the way, guys, I will need to know when we are all going to Baltimore because I can't have any food for ten hours before we get there so Dr. Anderson can take my blood. I think I will need some support during those ten hours...," Danny said staring at the floor.

Derek, Tyler, and Cody all moved in on Danny for a group hug.

"We love you Danny and we're not going to let anything happen to you," Derek said.

"We'll lock the fridge and freezer up and tie you to a chair!" Cody said laughing.

"Thanks guys. I'm sorry for being such an ass just now," Danny said.

"What about all those other times you were an ass?" Tyler asked laughing and Derek punched Tyler's arm while Danny smiled.

"Guys it is time to suck it up! We're moving today and we need to get the job done!" Tyler said and everyone nodded.

"Thanks guys, I'm going to start moving some boxes down to the Van." Danny said. He gave Cody a kiss and took Derek's keys and left the room.

"Ty, you really need to give Danny's parents a phone call and tell them what is happening," Cody said.

"Why me?" Tyler asked.

"Because you can tell a lie like the best them!" Cody said and Derek snorted.

"Since when am I a liar?" Tyler demanded to know.

"I don't mean it that way. I meant that you could tell them what his condition is and put a positive spin on it so they are not upset. The last thing we need is his mom sending another box of sweets to him," Cody said.

"What?" Derek asked.

"I'll second that what!" Tyler added.

"Are you telling us that he has been getting care packages and never shares them with us?" Derek asked.

"Pretty much..., but he doesn't even share them with me," Cody said.

"Whoa! Hold up for a second here! You want me to be the bad guy when Danny finds out that he isn't getting anymore care packages from Mommy?" Tyler asked.

"Well you don't have to sleep with him!" Cody said grinning and Derek laughed.

"You're the one that likes his mom and even gets along with her!" Tyler defended.

"Yeah... and I don't want to screw that up. Besides we can't let her know that there is a chance of me or anyone else here being HIV positive until it becomes absolutely necessary. I don't think she or Grandma could handle it," Cody said.

"He's got a point Ty!" Derek said, and Tyler slowly turned his head to stare at Derek.

"Unless YOU want to call her I would suggest you shut up about it." Tyler said.

"I think some one needs a sugar boost," Derek whispered to Cody loud enough for Tyler to hear and then they both burst out laughing.

Tyler's cell phone began ringing.

If this is Danny's Mom you are both so dead meat!" Tyler said answering the phone. "Hello?"

"May I speak to Tyler?" The voice asked.

"You have him. How can I help you?" Tyler asked.

"This is Susan. Katie phoned in and asked me to call you," she said.

"Right... right! How can I help you?" Tyler asked.

"Katie is on her way back from Pittsburgh with a full load and asked if you could make your pick up this afternoon? She'll be back by noon but probably tied up with paper work until three," Susan said.

"Ummm... ummm..." Tyler said and Derek and Cody stared at him. "I'm not really free to talk right now but ummm... hang on a minute please? Derek can I borrow your Van for an hour or so at about three this afternoon?" Tyler asked.

"Got a date?" Derek said grinning.

"Got a problem actually! Your birthday present is arriving today... so-to-speak!" Tyler said and Derek grinned from ear-to-ear.

"Sure you can borrow it. Want me to come along so I can drive my birthday present back?" Derek asked and Cody's mouth dropped open.

"No, that's okay. Sorry, Susan, I will be there after three o'clock if that is okay?" Tyler asked.

"That's fine. We really need the space. Something happened in Pitts yesterday and we are taking on 22 new arrivals," Susan said.

"I understand. It won't be a problem from my end. It's just more like having a new baby coming and it arrives a month early!" Tyler joked.

"I understand. See you at three then!" Susan said, hanging up the phone.

Tyler began dialing a number on his cell phone and then walked into his walk in closest. "Hey, it's me! The eagle is landing at three!" Tyler said.

"Huh?" Danny asked.

"I said we have to do a pick up at three p.m.!" Tyler said.

"Sorry... what the fuck are you talking about?" Danny asked.

"Present? Derek? Nuff said!" Tyler whispered to Danny.

"Oooooooooooooooh!" Danny said. "Now I know what you are talking about. Yeah, yeah, three is fine. Besides, what else am I doing?"

"Thanks, love you," Tyler said closing his cell phone immediately. He quickly turned around to find Derek standing behind him.

"Listening in on private phone conversations isn't very nice!" Tyler said.

"You should have closed your closet door if you wanted privacy!" Derek said walking away and grinning at Cody. "What do you think Cody? Will I look good driving a Red Corvette? I hope it's not silver or grey, those are so dangerous because they blend into the road." Derek said and Cody shook his head.

"He's going to be so disappointed tonight," Tyler said.

"What are you getting him for his birthday?" Cody asked.

"I can't say!" Tyler said.

"Just whisper it to me," Cody pleaded.

"No!" Tyler said.

"Please!!!!!" Cody whined. "I won't say a word to him."

"If I say one word to you will you never breathe a word to anyone and not ask me another question about it?" Tyler asked.

"Word!" Cody said holding one hand up in the air and the other over his heart.

Tyler leaned into Cody's ear and saw Derek watching them. He put his hand over his mouth so there would be no chance of Derek lip reading. "Echo." Tyler said.

"Really?" Cody said, turning around and looking at Derek. "They're such crappy cars even if Toyota makes them!"

"Will you shut the fuck up?" Tyler asked.

"Right!" Cody said smiling. "I know what your present is! I know what your present is...," Cody began taunting Derek.

"Unless I lied to you?" Tyler suggested, and Cody looked at him raising one eyebrow.

"You're not a liar!" Cody said.

"Right, so you call, Mrs. Armitage!" Tyler said sticking his cell phone in Cody's hand.

Derek broke out in laughter and said, "Tyler one, Cody zero!"

Tyler and Derek each grabbed two boxes and walked out of the room. Derek grinned at Cody as they left.

"Dammit! When will I learn to stop trying to play mind games with Tyler?" Cody asked staring at the cell phone.

The boys arrived with their first load of boxes just before noon. Tyler and Derek stood outside the Van in front of their new house and stared. They were joined shortly by Cody and Danny each holding boxes.

"Is someone going to open the door?" Danny asked.

"Go on and open it, Derek." Tyler said, smiling at him. Derek smiled back and pulled out his keys.

"You bought this, Ty. You should be the first one to go inside." Derek said.

Danny set down two boxes on the ground. "It's fucking cold out here. Give me the keys!" he said, grabbing them from Derek's hand. Tyler and Derek laughed as Danny headed up the stairs to unlock the door.

"He who hesitates is frozen!" Danny said as he opened the door.

Within twenty minutes the Van was empty and they were surprised to find much of their furnishings already inside the house.

"Our beds haven't arrived yet," Derek commented. "Maybe we should sleep at the dorm tonight."

"We can't!" Tyler said.

"Why not?" Derek asked.

"I can't say right now but we can't! We'll just use our sleeping bags," Tyler said.

"We only have two sleeping bags and there are four of us!" Derek said.

"I'm sure that you and I can share one sleeping bag," Tyler said, winking and Derek smiled.

By two o'clock they had finished moving most of their stuff. Tyler and Gus put Danny, Derek, and Cody's computers away in the storage room along with boxes of personal items they wanted securely stored until after the workmen had finished.

Tyler sent Cody and Derek off with a grocery list of healthy things to buy.

Tyler tapped on Danny's bedroom door.

"You don't need to knock, Ty, this is your house," Danny said, unpacking boxes.

"Can I bother you for a few minutes?" Tyler asked.

Danny gave him a suspicious look.

"I thought we covered everything this morning?" Danny asked.

"So did I until I talked with Cody," Tyler said.

"What did I do now?" Danny asked rolling his eyes.

"I want you to hand it over?" Tyler asked.

"Hand what over?" Danny asked.

"Your care packages from your Mom," Tyler said and Danny blinked. "Don't even deny it Danny. We know all about it. I can't help you if you're not honest with all of us. No one will touch your stuff but I am going to dole it out to you so you don't just pig out on the stuff all at once and then...," Tyler began.

"There's more?" Danny yelled in shock.

"Then either you or I are going to call your Mom and tell her about your blood test for diabetes and order her to stop sending care packages!" Tyler said, and Danny stared at him in disbelief.

Tyler called Danny to hand it over by opening the palm of his hand and rolling his fingers to himself. Danny got up and went inside the closet and handed Tyler an almost full box of homemade sugar cookies, brownies, butter tarts, gingerbread men, fudge, Christmas cake with marzipan icing, and two raspberry turnovers.

"Holy shit! This is the mother load of sugar!" Tyler said looking in the box. Danny went back to his closet and brought out another box that was half empty and handed it to Tyler.

"Anything else?" Tyler asked and Danny shook his head in silence. "I'm proud of you Danny. You didn't need to tell me about the second box and that shows what an honest person you really are," Tyler said smiling. Danny went back to the closet and pulled out another box that was sealed and handed it to Tyler. Tyler snorted.

"Anything more I need to know about?" Tyler asked.

"Nope! That's everything. I swear!" Danny said seriously.

Tyler reached into the box and opened up a Tupperware container filled with fudge. "Have a piece Danny! You've worked hard today," Tyler said holding the open container.

"No thanks, Ty, but you have one and tell me what you think?" Danny asked.

Tyler took a piece and bit into it. "Mmmmm... good!" Tyler said nodding up and down as the piece of fudge melted in his mouth. "Have a piece, Danny!" Tyler offered but Danny said no. "Daniel, you need to learn from your past mistakes. You'll go four or five days with no sugar and then walk by a candy shop and go insane. Have one piece and savour the flavour! A little bit in moderation won't hurt you and you need to learn how to eat properly."

Danny reached in took out one piece and as he was about to pop it inside his mouth Tyler stopped him. "Danny, eat it in four bites instead of all at once. It will make it last longer and you will be able to enjoy the taste longer." Danny did as Tyler suggested and smiled.

"Think of proper eating as a job and sugar as your wage! If you work so many hours at exercise and proper eating you get paid with a sweet!" Tyler said.

"What are you going to do with this stuff?" Danny asked.

"I'm going to lock it in the freezer so you can't get at it. When you've done enough exercise then you'll be rewarded and hopefully in time you'll learn to reward and control yourself. If at any time you want access to the whole damn thing you just say so but if you do then I am washing my hands of helping you avoid diabetes! You're not a little boy and this shouldn't be anyone else's task but yours. I just think you need a helping hand to start with but you make the final call!" Tyler said.

"Thanks, Ty. I really am going to need help and please excuse my anger when I get mad at you about it but you cannot let me have full access to it," Danny said.

"Put it in writing and you've got yourself a deal and Danny there are lots of great foods you can eat. In fact there is nothing you can't eat but you do need to do everything in moderation. Now let's phone your Mom before the guys get back and we have to go pick up Derek's birthday present," Tyler said.

"Hey, Mom?" Danny said into the phone.

"Daniel! Twice in one week! Something's wrong I just know it!" Janet said.

"Yeah there is something wrong Mom but it's not really a bad thing," Danny said smiling at Tyler.

"Oh my God, Daniel! Are you going to die?" Janet said grabbing several tissues from the box beside her.

"No I'm not, Mom, so please just listen? Derek's Dad, Dr. Anderson gave us all blood and urine tests for free and he said there is a chance that I could develop diabetes if I don't cut down on the sweet stuff," Danny said.

"Goodness, Daniel! I'm sorry. It's all my fault...," Janet said as she broke down.

"Mom? MOM??" Danny yelled. "Please listen??"

"Yes, honey, I'm here!" Janet said wiping her eyes.

"Please calm down Mom? There is nothing wrong with me at all! He simply said I have to start eating better so that I don't develop diabetes later in life. That means no more care packages," Danny moaned.

"You don't like my cooking?" Janet asked and began to cry again.

"MOM? Stop it! You're not listening to me! I love your cooking. I've handed over your two latest care packages to Tyler. He is going to lock them up and dispense them out to me as I earn them through exercise and proper eating," Danny said.

"Oh? That's really nice of Tyler," Janet said.

"It is Mom! He loves me almost as much as you and Cody do! This is his idea actually. He wants me to learn better self-control so he is going to teach when I can have a sweet treat and how much I am allowed to have so I can continue having all the great things you bake for me," Danny said rolling his eyes at Tyler. Tyler grinned.

"Did you thank him for doing this?" Janet asked and Danny dropped his face into his free hand.

"Yes Mom, I thanked him and I'm going to be fine. It's just going to take some time to adjust and I need your help by not sending me anything edible no matter how much I might beg! Unless you hear from Tyler on the phone that it is okay to send something I can't have anymore sweets until I've used up what I have here," Danny said.

"So I should wait another week then?" Janet asked, and Danny started laughing.

"No Mom. Maybe a couple of months?" Danny said shaking his head.

"Can I talk to your Mom?" Tyler asked and then sighed.

"Here's Tyler, Mom," Danny said handing the phone over to Tyler.

"Hi, Mrs. Armitage, it's Tyler," he said.

"Hi, Tyler. Thank you for helping Daniel out," Janet said.

"It's my pleasure, Ma'am. Danny's not just my best friend but he is the best friend I've ever had and I don't want to see anything happen to him so Derek, Cody, and I are going to police him for a while until he learns to handle it himself but we really need to make sure that he stays off white sugar, pasta, refined rice, and potatoes for a bit. Then we will ease him into them once we work out an exercise routine. Perhaps the next time we need to restock Danny with your delicious baking you might consider delivering it to him yourself?" Tyler asked and Danny's mouth dropped open.

"Well, that's an incredibly nice offer Tyler but I really don't know if we will ever make it out to Philadelphia with a farm to tend to," Janet said.

"Ma'am, we specifically selected brand new beds for the three of you to sleep on so you'll all be comfortable during your stay," Tyler said and Danny's mouth dropped open. Tyler winked at Danny and mouthed the word 'Cody' to him.

"Ma'am?" Tyler called.

"Yes, Tyler, I'm here. Cody mentioned that earlier and it is really sweet of you to do," Janet said.

"It's our pleasure and I am especially counting on you to come out and teach me some of your baking so I can get out of going to bingo with Cody and grandma?" Tyler asked and Danny and Janet began laughing.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight, Ma'am, until Grandma has had her fill of bingo in Philly!" Tyler said and Janet laughed even more.

"I hate bingo myself Tyler. I can easily get you out of it and we will work on some old family recipes together," Janet said.

"I'm looking forward to it, Mom!" Tyler said, swallowing hard to choke that out.

"Oh..." Janet said getting weepy. Tyler was about to stick his finger in his mouth but decided not to.

"I'll give you back to Danny now. I just wanted to say I just got to try your fudge and it is delicious! Tyler said and Danny glared at him.

"Just got to try my fudge?" Janet asked. "Are you telling me that Daniel hasn't been sharing everything I've been sending him?" Janet yelled.

Janet's yelling was so loud that Tyler held the phone away from his ear and Danny heard everything and brought his hands up to cover his face.

"Ah, no, Ma'am! He's been sharing the sugar cookies and gingerbread and everything else. I just hadn't gotten around to trying your fudge yet," Tyler said and Danny peaked out between his fingers and smiled. "Here's Danny back!" Tyler said handing Danny the phone. Tyler stood up and kissed the top of Danny's head and carried the boxes out of the room and then closed the door so they could talk in private.

"Hurry up, Case, or we'll be late for the bus!" Luke said, banging on the steel door of the cubicle in the washroom after zipping himself up.

"I can't hurry this up Luke?" Casey whined and Luke sighed.

"I'll be outside...," Luke moaned and walked out of the school washroom and stood outside the door resting against the block wall. As students passed by him in the hallway he spotted Megan Williamson coming down the hall. He removed his backpack and covered his crotch for fear of popping a boner.

'Oh God... she's spotted me...," Luke said to himself trying to look like he hadn't made eye contact with her.

"Hey, Lucas?" Megan said moving across the hallway towards Luke.

"Hey, Megan," Luke said looking down at his backpack and adjusting it slightly.

"Whatcha doin?" Megan asked.

Luke nodded over his right shoulder and said, "Waiting for Case."

"Ah... is he down in the dumps?" Megan asked winking at Luke and he laughed.

"The tank is full but the engine won't start," Luke said grinning.

"What's your shirt say?" Megan said staring at his chest. Luke looked down to realize that his red shirt was partially unbuttoned and some letters on his t-shirt could be read.

Luke looked up and down the hall both ways to make sure there were no teachers around and then dropped his backpack to the ground. He quickly undid his dress shirt and opened it wide to reveal the t-shirt underneath.

Megan began to read aloud, "JESUS LOVES YOU BUT EVERYONE ELSE STILL THINKS YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE." Megan laughed out loud and Luke quickly buttoned up his shirt and picked his backpack up and returned it to covering the front of his crotch.

Megan looked both ways up and down the hall and set her purse and backpack on the ground beside Luke. She lifted her ivory knitted sweater up about four inches revealing a cute belly button that didn't go unnoticed by Luke. She carefully tucked her pink t-shirt into her jeans and then raised her sweater up to her neck revealing a hidden message printed on her shirt and that she wasn't wearing a bra. Luke's backpack moved.

"I ONLY SHOW THESE PUPPIES FOR CASH!" Luke laughed as he read aloud and Megan immediately dropped her sweater looking both ways down the hall as she fixed herself back up.

Luke was still staring at her chest when Megan snapped her fingers and said, "I'm up here!" Luke looked up at Megan and she smiled and winked at him. Luke blushed and then grinned.

"Nice shirt!" Luke said smiling and then looked both ways to make sure that no one in the hallway was listening in on their conversation.

Casey came out of the washroom and almost walked into the two of them. Megan and Luke both stared at Casey for a moment and he realized he was interrupting them.

"Hi, Casey," Megan said.

"Hi, Megan. Luke we need to go if we're going to catch the bus," Casey said. Luke gave Casey the evil eye.

"I have to get going as well," Megan said. "Nice backpack by the way Lucas," she said winking at him and walked away.

Luke quickly said with a big grin, "Nice puppies!" and Megan turned around and said, "If you like my puppies...," Megan paused and looked around. "You should see my cat!" Megan winked, turned and left.

Luke froze while his eyes bulged out as he and Casey watched Megan walking away. Casey said, "I didn't know she had a dog or cat?"

Luke briefly looked at Casey and rolled his eyes as they turned and walked towards the bus-loading ramp.

Luke and Casey sat side-by-side on the bus waiting for it to leave when Chris and Kyle got on the bus.

"Wot up homies?" Chris asked and Luke looked at him and curled his lip. Kyle shook his head and smiled at Luke as he pushed Chris into the seat behind Luke and Casey.

"Did you guys miss me today?" Kyle asked trying to be funny.

"You would have to go away for a long, long time for me to miss you!" Luke said. "Why aren't we moving yet?"

"They've got the hood up on the short bus!" Chris said.

"Shit!" Luke said and Chris and Kyle looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders.

Ten minutes later they were on the road. As they approached one of their stops Luke spotted Megan walking home.

"Guys I need to get off here. See y'all at home later," Luke said getting up and crawling over Casey.

"Want me to come with you?" Casey asked and Luke stopped and yelled "NO!"

As the bus pulled away the three boys looked back to see Luke standing alone on the corner and some girl walking towards him.

"He's waiting for Megan!" Casey moaned.

"Who's Megan?" Chris asked.

"A girl in our class that Luke stares at all the time," Casey said and Chris and Kyle caught on to Casey's displeasure at what had just taken place.

"Is she the really smart one in his class he talks about?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah...," Casey moaned.

"I thought he hated her?" Kyle asked.

"Not as much as I do but now that she's got breasts it's all he talks about," Casey said.

Chris and Kyle looked at each other and smiled.

"Hey!" Luke said smiling, as he stood with left hand in his front pocket and the right hand holding the strap of his backpack firmly against his body.

"Are you playing pocket pool or are you just happy to see me?" Megan said as she approached.

"Yes!" Luke said and grinned. "I didn't know you lived near me?"

"Yeah... Dad thought it would be good for us to live in the white trash side of town," Megan said.

"I live near here," Luke said.

"That's the great thing about America just about anyone can move into any neighbourhood regardless of class or social standing," Megan said and sighed as she stopped in front of Luke. Megan winked and Luke grinned.

"Let's go. I'll walk you home," Luke said smiling.

"I can actually make it on my own Luke... I've been doing it for six years now," Megan said as walked beside Luke.

"Sexually active for six years and you know your way home? You really know how to turn me on!" Luke teased but wouldn't look at her.

"The question I want to know is if there is a way to turn you off?" Megan said and Luke looked at her and she grinned. "I'm just teasing you Luke. The truth is you're my only worthy competition in class."

"If you take Spanish out of the equation," Luke said.

"How come you were in Spanish on Tuesday? I thought you had a masterful plan to get out of it?" Megan asked.

"It backfired on me and I ended up getting an 'A' in my creative writing assignment," Luke said sighing.

"Sucks to be smart don't it?" Megan teased.

"Does it suck to be smart and beautiful?" Luke asked Megan. He looked over at her and then looked away when she caught his eye.

Megan stopped and Luke walked a few steps beyond her before he realized he was alone. He stopped and looked back at Megan.

"Are you coming?" Luke asked.

"Someday soon!" Megan said and then covered her mouth and laughed.

Luke extended his free hand to Megan as he walked back towards and said, "Come on! Give me your hand... I don't want you to get lost or anything." Luke took hold of Megan's right hand as they walked. His four fingers were held within her hand until he worked his fingers in between hers.

"You're smooth, Mr. Anderson!" Megan said.

"And you are soft... and very beautiful!" Luke said looking straight ahead.

"You really don't have to hold my hand!" Megan said.

"Well like you said... you never know who's in this neighbourhood and someone might drive up and try to grab you? This way you are much safer walking with me," Luke said with a grin still not looking at her.

"This is my street," Megan said as they stopped at the corner.

"I'll walk you home!" Luke insisted.

"I'm really okay!" Megan said smiling. "But it was nice of you to walk me home."

"If I don't walk you home how I can see where you live and how will I be able to climb the tree next to your window and peek in your room at night... to see your puppies?" Luke asked grinning and staring into her eyes.

"I don't have a tree next to my window," Megan said as they crossed the street together.

"I'll plant one!" Luke said.

"My Dad would cut it down because my room is over his vegetable garden." Megan said.

"I'll take him shopping for vegetables," Luke said and Megan smiled and looked away.

"You're actually not as much of an asshole as I always thought?" Megan said.

"I'll take that as a compliment since you rarely give them out," Luke said as he squeezed her hand lightly.

"Don't worry I only ever say nice things about you to my girlfriends!" Megan said.

"Like what?" Luke prodded.

"Not telling!" Megan said laughing.

"C'mon!!!!!!" Luke whined.

"Simpático paquete!" Megan said and burst into laughter.

"Fine... that's right! Say it in Spanish so I won't know what you said," Luke feigned being hurt.

"We're here!" Megan said stopping and Luke turned to look at a modest, yet run down two-story red brick house.

"Nice place... to raise your puppies!" Luke said and winked.

"Thank you for walking me home, Lucas!" Megan said as she turned to walk up her driveway.

"Ummm... hey Megan?" Luke called.

"Uh huh?" She said turning around.

"On Saturday night we are having a birthday party for my brother Derek. Would you like to come? You don't have to bring a present! I know that your presence will be the nicest gift there," Luke said.

"Lucas Anderson!" Megan said laughing. "You are smooth!"

"Well, I did shave this morning!" Luke said rubbing his chin.

"Which one?" Megan shot back and Luke burst out laughing.

"Okay, well if you would like to come over... you know... as my date and such... I would be really honoured! You can let me know later in the week." Luke said as he stared down at the ground moving a pebble on the sidewalk with his foot.

Megan grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled him down slightly and kissed his cheek. Luke turned fire engine red and Megan started laughing. Luke just grinned.

"So you're not going to tell me what that meant in English?" Luke yelled as he began walking away.

"Megan looked back over her shoulder and yelled, "NICE PACKAGE!" Luke turned around and his mouth dropped open as his backpack fell off of his arm.

Luke continued back up her street and when he turned the corner he punched his fist in the air three times and yelled, "YES! YES! YES!"

"This is your stop coming up. Want to come over for a bit?" Kyle whispered to Chris while nudging his thigh.

"I thought you would never ask!" Chris said quietly, as he stared out the window.

When they arrived at the corner of Kyle's street nine kids got off the bus including Casey, Kyle, and Chris. Casey headed off for home running before Kyle and Chris made it off of the bus.

"Where's he going in such a rush?" Chris asked.

"No idea... maybe he has to pee?" Kyle suggested and they both laughed. As they walked through the open gate Kyle punched the code in for it to close. They walked up to the windows in the garage door and peeked in before they went inside the house.

"Sweet!" Kyle said. "Mom, Dad, and Kathy are all away. Let's go!"

Once inside the house Kyle grabbed two R.C. Colas from the fridge while sending Chris on up to his room. As Kyle passed Luke's closed bedroom door he thought he heard a high-pitched squeal. Pausing for a second he then turned around and walked back to the Luke's bedroom door and knocked.

"I'm busy!" Casey yelled. Kyle could tell from his voice that he was crying.

"It's just Kyle, and I'm coming in," Kyle said before opening the door. When Kyle opened the door Casey buried his face in his pillow. Kyle closed the door part way and then sat down on the bed beside Casey. He slowly reached out and gently touched Casey's back. Casey flinched.

"It's just your brothe,." Kyle said as he began to rub his back. "I don't think Luke meant to dump you. He's just like that." Kyle said and Casey didn't speak or move.

"You are definitely Luke's best friend!" Kyle added.

"Luke likes Megan now!" Casey said into his pillow.

"That wouldn't surprise me but it still doesn't mean that you aren't Luke's best friend?" Kyle said. "Come up here?" Kyle said lifting Casey up and sitting him down sideways on his lap. Kyle put his arms around Casey and hugged him.

Chris came down the hall and stuck his head in the doorway. "Are you coming or not?" he asked Kyle.

"We're a little busy right now," Kyle said.

"Okay. No problem. I'll be on your computer okay?" Chris said, and Kyle nodded.

"Go ahead Kyle. I'm fine," Casey said.

"No you're not fine and you are my brother Casey. You're much more important than Chris!" Kyle said.

Casey looked up at him.

"I'm not making it up Casey! I can see Chris any time? He knows I love him. If you need me, day or night, I will be there for you." Kyle said and Casey hugged him tight.

"I promise you that Luke doesn't like you any less. You know how he is about girls?" Kyle said.

"Yeah..." Casey moaned and Kyle tilted his head slightly and looked down at Casey.

"Is there something else you want to tell me Casey?" Kyle asked.

"No." Casey said defensively.

"That's fine. You know where to find me if you need me right?" Kyle asked.

Casey stood up and put his arms around Kyle's neck and planted one long, slow, hot kiss on him.

"I love you Kyle. Thanks for being here." Casey said. Kyle just stared at him wide-eyed.

"Ummm... yeah," Kyle said, getting up and leaving the room.

Kyle returned to his bedroom with the two cans of cola and closed his bedroom door.

Chris looked out from behind the monitor and said, "Shit! You look like you've just seen a ghost?"

Kyle just sat down on the bed and stared off into the distance. Chris continued dumping spam mail into his MSN junk file. When he was finished he glanced over at Kyle and then got up and sat down beside him on the bed.

"What's wrong? Is Casey all right?" Chris asked.

"Yeah...," Kyle mumbled.

"Want to tell me what happened?" Chris asked.

"Ah... ummm... I'm not really sure," Kyle said thoughtfully.

"Just tell me what transpired?" Chris asked.

"Casey was upset about Luke dumping him to walk some girl home," Kyle began.

"That Megan girl that Casey mentioned on the bus?" Chris asked.

"Right... whatever, so I told Casey not to worry about it that he was still Luke's best friend and Casey said it didn't really matter because Luke is Luke and he's always been obsessed with girls. That's when Casey sighed as if that was the problem," Kyle said.

"Are you saying what I think you are about to say?" Chris asked.

"Hang on Chris. I told him I loved him and then he kissed me," Kyle said.

"So?" Chris asked.

"He kissed me Chris! Not the type of kiss you get from a grand parent or an aunt!" Kyle said turning to stare at Chris.

"Oh... one of those types of a kisses!" Chris said with a smile forming on his lips. "Should I be worried or are you just here to tell me that you are dumping me for an eleven year old?"

"Shut the fuck up! This isn't funny!" Kyle said.

"I guess you now know what Tyler felt like huh?" Chris asked laughing.

"Yeah... I guess...," Kyle said deep in thought.

"Bad Karma, bad!!!!" Chris joked and fell back on the bed laughing.

"It's not funny. What am I going to do?" Kyle asked.

"Nothing! At the most it might be a slight crush. It sounds like his affection is for Luke and not you anyway," Chris said.

"Maybe you're right? I don't really have anything to worry about." Kyle said feeling more stable about the situation now.

"Absolutely Kyle..., unless you wake up one morning and find a warm, wet mouth around your cock and tiny pink bubble butt in your face." Chris said howling with laughter. Kyle tossed the closed cans of cola on the ground and jumped up on a laughing Chris. In about ten seconds they were swapping spit and feeling each other up. They had both managed to just get their shirts off when the bedroom door came flying open!

"OH... MY... GOD... I am in so much trouble now!" Luke yelled as he paced back and forth ignoring the foreplay before him.

"What am I going to do?" He said as he continued to pace back and forth in front of Kyle's bed. "What will I wear? I don't own anything that nears last month's edition of GQ! Do I need a facial?" Luke asked pausing to stick his face in between Chris and Kyle on the bed.

All three had their faces within inches of each other. Luke looked right at Kyle and then left at Chris. Then Chris and Kyle looked at each other and started laughing.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Luke screamed as Kyle rolled off of Chris.

"Okay Luke, settle down. Where are you taking this girl?" Kyle asked.

"To the party on Saturday night!" Luke announced.

"What party?" Chris asked.

"Derek's birthday party!" Luke said, shaking his head.

"Who ever said we are having a party for Derek?" Kyle asked and Chris' eyes bulged out as a smile formed on his face.

"What do you mean?" Luke asked.

"There's no party planned for Derek. Mom and Dad aren't even sure if he's coming home this weekend because they are moving into their new house." Kyle said rolling his eyes at Chris. Chris began laughing.

"You mean I just invited Megan to a party that isn't happening? OH MY GOD!" Luke yelled holding his hands to his head and spinning around in circles.

Chris fell back on the bed again laughing.

"It's not funny, Chris!" Luke said glaring at him.

"Actually it is Luke...," Kyle said.

"We have to have a party for Derek! Balloons... and a cake and presents... you can even buy presents for Derek too!" Luke said rubbing his chin.

"Whom the hell else would we buy them for?" Chris asked.

"Me of course!" Luke said wondering why Chris was confused. "I wonder if there are any chefs in Baltimore that can make a good pâté de foie gras?" Luke asked tapping at his chin.

"Faux guaw?" Chris asked.

"Fattened goose liver! He only knows about it because Grandma and Grandpa tried it once on a cruise they took," Kyle said, "And I don't think any chef in the world will serve it with peanut butter sauté!" Chris laughed and Luke glared at Kyle.

"We really need to hire a party hostess to cater this!" Luke mused aloud.

"Lucas, come back to reality!" Kyle said snapping his fingers in the air. "There is no party planned! At best there might be a dinner of pizza or something and a cake but that is all," Kyle said shaking his head.

"I have nothing to wear! We need to go shopping! I need to shave!" Luke mumbled walking out of Kyle's room.

"Can this day get any stranger?" Kyle asked dropping his head down into Chris' chest.

"I think you need a nice blow job to relax you and I happen to know someone who gives great head for a very reasonable price?" Chris joked as he ran his fingers up and down the back of Kyle's neck.

"If you mention a certain eleven year old's name I will put you through a wall," Kyle warned looking up at him.

"Okay... scratch joke number one!" Chris said getting up and winking. "I'm just going to close the door for some privacy!" Chris added as he walked over to the door. He began unbuttoning his jeans with his left hand while he pushed the door shut with his right hand. The door came flying into his face as Casey pushed his way through carrying a pile of clothes.

"What's up, Casey?" Kyle asked as Chris checked his head for blood after hitting the wall.

"I can't live with that ego maniac! I'm moving in with you!" Casey stammered.

"What? Now?" Kyle asked and Chris began laughing.

"You did ask what else could possibly happen?" Chris said and Kyle threw a sock at him.

Casey crawled up on to the bed and snuggled into Kyle and then sighed. Chris grinned at Kyle.

"I should probably be getting home, Kyle," Chris said and Kyle glared at him from behind Casey.

"Now I understand the expression 'a Kodak moment'!" Chris said laughing as he walked over and kissed Casey and Kyle before leaving.

Chris walked down the hallway to the stairs and stopped when he saw clothes flying through the air and on to the floor from the Anderson's master bedroom. He quietly walked over to steal a peek at what was going on.

Luke was standing naked in front of a full-length mirror on the inside door of Larry's walk in closet. He was trying on Larry's ties. When he spotted Chris watching in the reflection he turned and asked, "Which tie should I wear for Saturday night?"

Chris started laughing and said, "Pick out your underwear first and then choose a tie to match it!"

"Good plan!" Luke said and ran past Chris to go back to his bedroom.

Chris got to the bottom of the stairs when Linda came around the corner from the hallway to the garage.

"Hi, Chris, how was your day?" Linda asked.

"Better than yours is going to be!" Chris joked.

"Jesus... what now?" Linda asked.

"I suggest you pour yourself a scotch and take a hot bath and lock the door." Chris teased.

"That bad?" Linda asked.

"Then pack a bag and run!" Chris added with a big grin.

"Trust me, Christopher, there is always a bag packed!" she said grinning at him. "Would you like to give me the heads up on what is going on?"

"Off the record?" Chris asked.

"Of course!" Linda said.

"You don't shoot the messenger do you?" Chris asked.

"No one's found a body yet! *Ahem* I mean of course not!" Linda said and then flashed a cheesy grin. Chris burst into laughter.

"Luke met some girl today named Megan and he invited her to Derek's birthday party on Saturday night," Chris began.

"Wait a second! What birthday party for Derek on Saturday night?" Linda asked.

"That's what Kyle said to him. Luke's worried about what to wear right now and hiring a chef who can make a good foie gras whatever that is..." Chris said laughing.

"That doesn't sound all that bad to fix up," Linda said hanging up her coat in the closet.

"I'm not finished yet," Chris said.

"Why did I know you were going to say that?" Linda asked rubbing her forehead.

"Casey feels he is being ignored and he has decided to move out of Luke's room and into Kyle's room."

"Hi Mom!" Luke yelled as he hopped by the two of them on his way to Linda's bedroom wearing three different pairs of underwear down both legs.

"Better be a girl...," Linda mumbled, climbing the stairs.

Linda took one step into her bedroom and yelled, "LUCAS ANDERSON!!!!!" Chris ducked out the front door and ran down the driveway laughing.

"Where have you guys been? It's after three!" Tyler yelled at Derek and Cody.

"He drove!" Cody said smiling as he pointed at Derek.

"Thanks for your support Cody! We don't normally do the shopping so it took a bit of time. Take the fucking Van!" Derek yelled back tossing him the keys.

Tyler pulled Cody aside and said, "I will call you on your cell phone and I want you to put Derek in his room with a blind fold on and keep him in there!" Cody nodded with a big grin.

"Danny? Let's go!" Tyler yelled putting his coat on.

When they arrived to pick up Derek's birthday present Katie was sitting at the front desk waiting for them.

"Hi, Tyler!" Katie said.

"Hi Katie. This is one of my roommates Danny. Danny lives on a farm in Iowa when not attending Drexel," Tyler said, introducing Katie to Danny.

"It is nice to meet you, Ma'am!" Danny said, shaking her hand.

"She's all ready Tyler. Should I go bring her out?" Katie asked.

"Do you mind if I go get her?" Tyler asked.

"Not at all Tyler. Here are the keys and before I forget, thank you for your donation. That was certainly very, very kind of you," Katie said.

"It was a drop in the bucket compared to what you do!" Tyler said taking the keys and walking in through the rear door.

Tyler walked down the hallway and opened another door. The noise in the room caught him off guard. He remembered where he had been and found the spot. He sat down on floor and looked in through the barred door. He peeked inside to see there were only two left. His had the pink ribbon on it.

He pulled the card out of the pocket on the door and read that there was only one left as he slowly turned the key to open the door. He looked inside to see two golden Labrador retriever puppies sleeping together.

"Good afternoon Echo?" Tyler said and she opened her eyes and tried to scamper up on her oversized paws. Tyler looked at the card and saw all the names with scratch marks through them.

"You must be Chaos?" Tyler asked grinning at the other puppy. Echo crawled out of her cage and climbed up on Tyler's lap. She licked at the back of his hand that was holding her while the other hand closed the door on the cage before Chaos got out.

"You are so beautiful!" Tyler said lifting her up and giving her a kiss. Echo's tail wagged back and forth with excitement from the attention. Chaos pawed at the door wanting out. Tyler set Echo down and then got up off the floor himself. She immediately went back to the cage door and began nuzzling with her brother. Tyler swooped her up in to his arms and kissed her.

Chaos began whining as he saw his sister leaving. Tyler looked down at Chaos and Chaos tilted his head to the left side and then dropped to the floor. His whimpering got stronger as Tyler held Echo. Echo began whimpering to get down.

"Shit!" Tyler said as he unlocked the cage and picked up Chaos. When he walked back into front office Danny's mouth dropped open and Katie began laughing.

"I had a feeling!!!!" Katie said laughing. "I knew you truly loved dogs!"

"Just do the damn paperwork!" Tyler said winking at her. "Danny I would like you to meet Echo and Chaos!"

Danny grinned from ear-to-ear when he took Chaos from Tyler's hand. "Oh my God, you're both so cute!!!!!" Danny said in baby talk. Chaos' tail went into high gear.

"You better take them both outside before they have an accident, Danny," Tyler said as he began signing some forms.

"Thank you for everything, Katie." Tyler said.

"No, thank you. I could see your eyes were wet when you walked back in here so I knew right away that they had both won your heart," Katie said smiling. She came around the counter and gave Tyler a hug.

"Thanks Katie! I've been missing my Tucker for over six months now. The time is right!" Tyler said.

"The time is never wrong!" Katie said. "Please stay in touch?"

"I will!" Tyler said leaving the office.

Echo and Chaos were discovering a snow bank for the first time.

"The both had to pee together, Ty! It was so cute!" Danny said giggling.

"Hope you feel that way at 3 a.m. when they both need to pee?" Tyler said.

Tyler drove while Danny held on to Echo and Chaos as they went over to a Pet-Valu store.

"Here's your chance to pick up chicks, Danny!" Tyler said.

"Huh?" Danny asked.

"Watch the girls go crazy over the dogs!" Tyler said smiling.

The dog's names actually attracted more attention than the dogs themselves. They left with dog food, toys, treats, edible pig's ears, a red and pink collar, leashes, the largest crate made, and two special presents for Danny to give Derek for his birthday.

"This is really going to complete our family and our home Ty!" Danny said.

"I think so too!" Tyler said opening up his cell phone and dialing Cody. "Hey fudge packer are you all ready?

"Fuck off! No we are not ready but we can be in about 5 minutes." Cody said laughing at him.

"I want him blind folded so he can't see a thing and lying down on his bed," Tyler said.

"We don't have beds yet, Ty!" Cody said.

"Open up a sleeping bag wide and get him lying down on it!" Tyler said.

"Why?" Cody asked. "He can't exactly drive it from the bedroom!" Cody whispered.

"Please, Cody? Just do as I ask okay!" Tyler said hanging up.

"Are they ready?" Danny asked.

"They will be! We'll park in the garage and come in quietly through the basement," Tyler said, and Chaos barked. "Or not so quietly?"

"Camera?" Danny asked.

"Shit! Good idea!" Tyler said and hit redial on his cell phone.

"Wot?" Cody asked.

"Are you ready?" Tyler asked.

"Almost! It would go much quicker if the phone would stop ringing," Cody said.

"Cody! Can you find your digital camera and quickly?" Tyler asked.

"Yup. It's in my backpack. I will get it out and ready," Cody said.

"Thanks, Cody," Tyler said closing his cell phone.

"Let's park out front, Ty. Your bedroom is in the back," Danny said.

"Good idea!" Tyler said rounding the corner on to their street.

"Okay kids we're home!" Danny said turning Echo and Chaos' faces up towards him. "How did you want to do this?" Danny asked.

"I had originally picked out Echo from the litter so I will take her in first to surprise him and then when I call for you to bring in Chaos. Just try to keep him quiet so Derek can't hear anything," Tyler said, giving Danny some treats to put in his pocket.

Tyler got out of the Van and walked up the front steps of the house with Echo held firmly against his chest. He quietly inserted his key, unlocked, and opened the door. Tyler pulled a few treats out of his coat pocket and put them in his hand for Echo to eat so she would stay amused and not bark.

"Everything ready?" Tyler called up the stairs.

"It's a go!" Cody yelled and Tyler moved slowly up the stairs.

"What the hell is going on?" Derek demanded to know.

"Beats the hell out of me, he wouldn't tell me," Cody said.

When Tyler reached the top of the stairs he peeked around the corner to see Cody standing at the entrance to Derek and Tyler's bedroom with his camera in hand.

"Ready?" Tyler asked as he looked into the bedroom and saw Derek's feet on the floor.

"I'm loaded and so is the camera!" Cody said and Tyler came around the corner and pulled Echo out from under his coat.

"Oh my God!!!!" Cody screamed in excitement.

"What! What?" Derek yelled.

"Shut up, Derek!" Cody said as he looked behind him to make sure Derek was still lying down on the sleeping bag on the floor with his eyes covered.

<Snap, snap> Cody took two pictures of Echo half way out of Tyler's coat.

"I can't believe what you've got!" Cody said, screaming like a little girl.

Cody backed into the bedroom and positioned himself into a corner so he could capture the event.

Tyler kneeled down beside Derek and fed Echo some treats to keep her quiet. "Hey, birthday boy?" Tyler called.

"Hey, Babe, can I take this stupid blind fold off now?" Derek asked.

"Not quite yet but soon. I want you to put one of your hands on the blindfold and get ready to remove it but not until I tell you to?" Tyler asked and Derek moved his hands to each side of his face.

"Are you ready?" Tyler asked and Cody giggled.

"Shut up, Cody! Yes, I'm ready," Derek said.

Tyler held out a key chain that said 'Derek' on it and attached to it were two dog bones. Tyler held the dog bones in his hand and carefully put the key chain in Derek's hand.

"What the..." Derek said trying to figure out what he was holding on too. Then Tyler carefully set Echo's four paws down on Derek's chest and said, "Take it off!" Tyler said and backed out of the way so Cody could snap some pictures.

Derek felt something on his chest. He then felt something on his chest move. He removed the blindfold and immediately looked down his chest to see a golden Labrador retriever puppy looking at him.

"Oh... oh... shit! Oh fuck!" Derek said grinning. Echo walked on his chest up to him and licked Derek's lips. "He or she is gorgeous!" Derek said putting his hands on each side of her.

"It's a girl and her name is Echo!" Tyler said and Cody's mouth dropped open. Tyler winked at him.

"Look at the size of her huge paws and tiny little body." Derek said kissing her.

"HEY DANNY! Get up here!" Tyler called.

Danny came running up the stairs to see Tyler holding his hand out for him to stop where he was.

"There's more to your birthday present, Derek," Tyler said pointing down to the floor where only Danny could see. Danny set Chaos down on the ground and he immediately ran to the bedroom door entrance. Neither Derek nor Cody noticed him because they figured Danny would be carrying something in. The moment that Chaos spotted his sister he ran and jumped up on Derek's chest to be beside her. They immediately became excited at being reunited.

"Oh crap!" Derek said grinning. "Twins?" He asked.

"More like brother and sister. This is Echo's older brother Chaos!" Tyler introduced and Derek and Cody broke into laughter. Both began licking Derek's face.

"This is the second most wonderful present I've ever been given," Derek said.

"Second?" Danny asked and Tyler said, "Remember Abbey?"

"Right!" Danny said and Derek smiled at the two of them.

"Get over here and kiss me!" Derek said.

"Who me?" Danny teased and Tyler elbowed him. As Tyler bent down to kiss Derek Chaos jumped off of Derek and headed out of the bedroom to go and explore this strange new place. He sniffed in the doorway of Danny and Cody's bedroom and became fixated on one thing. Danny looked down the hall to see where Chaos was.

"NO!!!!!!!!!!" Danny screamed and ran down the hall. Chaos had begun chewing on Danny's cow print pyjamas.

Everyone came to the bedroom door to see what Danny was yelling about and began laughing.

Derek, holding on to Echo, looked at Tyler and said, "He's a keeper!"

"Bad dog, no biscuit!" Danny said smiling at Chaos who tilted his head slightly and stared at Danny, thumping his tail against the floor.

"Don't blame Chaos because you left your pj's on the floor!" Derek said.

"Bad Danny! No sweets!" Tyler said and everyone laughed including Danny.

Derek set Echo down and she ran over to nuzzle with her brother. Tyler slid his arm around Derek and kissed him. "Happy birthday, Derek. I hope you like your gift?"

"They're wonderful Babe and exactly what we need to make our house a home." Derek said returning Tyler's kiss.

"Get outta there!" Danny yelled crawling over to an open box that Chaos was trying to get in to.

"Danny, do you want to watch the puppies while Cody and I go and get the stuff out of the Van?" Tyler asked.

"I'll help you, Ty!" Derek said.

"I'm sure as hell not leaving these two alone in my room. Why don't you guys chew on Cody's stuff?" Danny asked Echo and Chaos.

"Because they like me!" Cody said and everyone laughed.

"Let's go before the Van gets tagged," Tyler said. "Oh Danny, you'd better take them both outside to pee before they go on your sleeping bag... never mind... too late!" he said, laughing.

"Noooooooooo!" Danny yelled.

As Derek and Tyler headed downstairs to move the Van and get everything out Derek asked, "Tell me there are no more dogs in the Van?"

"No more dogs!" Tyler said grinning as he put his shoes back on.

Derek pulled the Van into the garage behind the townhouse. "This is so fucking cool having a garage!" Derek said, grinning.

"Are you happy here so far?" Tyler asked.

"As long as you are with me I am fine," Derek said leaning over to kiss Tyler.

Derek and Tyler set up the crate for the dogs next to the sliding glass door in the kitchen so they could go in there when their paws were wet from the snow outside. Tyler had purchased a large size mat and placed it not far from the front door. He set a large size water dish and two white ceramic bowls down. Everyone gathered around the kitchen as Derek opened up all of his presents except the two hidden from him that Danny and Cody would give him on his birthday.

"Okay guys, lets go over some basic rules?" Tyler began. "No table scraps at all! After playing with them or feeding them they need to go outside to pee and pooh! After a week or two they will know how to do this automatically. No treats fed from the hand or mouth so that when they get older they won't bite at people's hands thinking they have something for them," he said.

"Good idea... never thought of that?" Danny said.

"Echo and Chaos need to be called by their names so they learn them! We want them to learn basic commands so no baby talk, Danny!" Tyler said grinning. "Until they are six months old they will need to be fed every six hours so that means we all need to take turns. I might as well look after the 6 a.m. feeding since I am the first one up. You guys can work out the rest. Remember that they get ¼ cup of food and NO more! Labs have a tendency to gain a lot of weight. Obviously if you leave something out then you can assume that they will chew it so we are all forewarned! This is just a personal opinion but dogs need training but they are not in the circus! If you want to put food on their nose and make them beg I will beat the crap out of you on their behalf!" Tyler said and everyone laughed.

"When no one is home they should be in the crate or if you prefer to call it a cage," Tyler said.

"Isn't it cruel to do that?" Cody asked.

"Not at all. It becomes a safe place for them. We will have people working in the house over the next week and we don't want them getting hurt. In the case of my dog Tucker, he was terrified of thunder. He actually wanted to go in his crate because he knew he was safe there during a storm. After a few months we can begin leaving them alone for short periods of time and see how they behave. Whenever Tucker was left alone we always tossed a couple of treats down the hallway for him before we left. He quickly learned to know that we were leaving and didn't try to escape out the front door. Most importantly watch where you step!" Tyler said. "Anything you want to add Derek... since they are your dogs?"

"Thank for acknowledging that, Tyler," Derek said rolling his eyes.

"When Abbey was a puppy and did something wrong she got a light swat on the nose. It's supposed to be humiliating to her and she quickly learned that what she was doing was wrong. I agree with Tyler about the food thing. I've been at houses where the dogs start drooling when you sit down to dinner and they are begging for food. No human food and remember that the slightest bit of chocolate can kill a dog. If anyone fucks up get Echo and or Chaos to a Vet immediately! They can give them something to make them throw up and it will probably save their lives," Derek said.

"Can I hold her?" Cody asked. "I haven't held either one yet!"

Derek handed Echo over to Cody.

"Shit, look at those oversize paws! You're such a cutie!" Cody said. "I've never had a dog before so this is going to be so cool!"

"Just remember if you are playing with them they will get excited and need to be taken outside to pee when you are done," Tyler reminded them all. "Derek do you have a crate back in Baltimore?"

"I think so... it might be in the attic. I'll call Mom and Dad and tell them to dig it out. I wonder how Abbey is going to handle this," Derek mused.

"She's a female. She'll learn to love them," Tyler said.

"Guys, I just want to thank the three of you for everything and for helping me with Echo and Chaos! I want everyone to think of them as our dogs!" Derek said.

"He's just saying that so we have to clean up after them!" Danny said winking at Derek.

"We need to get a shovel for the back deck!" Cody said.

"Guys, we need consistency with Echo and Chaos. We all need to remember that we are responsible for two babies! If someone can't do what is needed then you need to find someone else to help out. The dogs now come first," Tyler said.

Danny set Chaos down on the kitchen counter.

"Danny! This is where food is prepared!" Tyler said and Danny lifted Chaos off of the kitchen counter.

"Don't worry Chaos. I love you unlike the mean Tyler!" Danny said kissing Chaos. Tyler shook his head.

"In one year's time these dogs will weigh about 80 lbs and will be able to get up on the counter by themselves so we don't want to encourage it, Danny. Boomer stays in the barn right?" Tyler asked.

"Yup," Danny said.

"So Boomer doesn't need to be house trained. I'm not trying to be mean; I'm trying to set consistent rules for all of us. Puppies are like kids. If they know their boundaries then they are much happier. They need to know right and wrong and be told they are loved 24 hours a day," Tyler said. "I need to start dinner and Derek you need to go trim your pubes for tonight!" Danny and Cody broke up laughing.

"What time are we leaving for The Cave?" Danny asked.

Tyler and Derek looked at each other. "Danny, I was hoping you would stay here and look after Echo and Chaos?" Tyler asked.

"I wanna go," Danny whined.

"That's fine. I'll stay here and look after them. We can have some get to know each other time," Cody said, kissing Echo. Tyler and Derek looked at each other.

"Cody, you're supposed to be going with us," Derek said.

"I'm not going there! I don't care how much money they offer me," Cody said.

"We could bring them along?" Derek suggested.

"Let's think about that one over dinner. Tonight we are having Chicken Caesar Salad with a bruchetta flatbread," Tyler said.

"What's a flatbread?" Danny asked.

"It's a Middle-Eastern bread without any yeast so it doesn't rise. Not unlike those thin pizza crusts only thinner and there is less starch. I'm covering it tomatoes, Feta cheese, fresh basil, black pepper, olive oil and some Parmesan cheese. Then I broil it," Tyler said. "Derek, go shower and maybe shave your ass too!" Danny and Cody roared with laughter and Derek glared at Tyler.

"Guys, I was only teasing him about shaving his ass! I wore all the fine hairs off already!" Tyler said and Cody and Danny looked at each other and wondered if Tyler was telling simply teasing or not?

Cody and Danny were playing with Echo and Chaos and Tyler had just finished putting the chicken Caesar salad together when Derek yelled, "TYLER ???"

"Go ahead and start eating while I see what Derek wants," Tyler said.

Cody and Danny had finished eating when Tyler appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Echo and Chaos ran over to see Tyler, which attracted Cody and Danny's attention.

"Gentlemen... and lady!" Tyler said looking down at Echo. "May I present Mr. Derek Anderson?" Tyler said, holding his right hand up towards the stairs. Derek came down the stairs dressed in a black suit with white shirt and a neon red tie. His hair was gelled and spiked.

"Whoa!" Cody said.

"The suit definitely makes the man!" Danny said. "Or is it the man makes the suit?" He pondered and Derek flipped him the bird!

"Got funeral?" Cody teased.

"Is that what you are wearing for your audition tonight?" Danny asked.

"Yeah... what do you think?" Derek asked.

"I'd do you right now!" Cody said smiling. "But then again I would do you anywhere any time!" he added.

"I thought you might look more the young construction worker type?" Danny said.

"His stage name could be 'front end loader'!" Cody said laughing and Tyler snorted.

"I think 'back hoe' would be more appropriate!" Tyler added and Derek punched his arm.

"OW!" Tyler said.

"Sissy!" Derek said biting his lower lip.

"Cody, could you grab your camera and take a couple of pictures of Derek with Echo and Chaos please," Tyler asked.

"So you have to dress up for this?" Danny asked.

"He has to do a three song set. The first song he is dressed and dancing on the stage. The second song of the set he will strip and the third song of the set he will do a floor show on a mat," Tyler said.

"Interesting...," Danny said going back to washing his and Cody's dishes.

"Time for dinner, Derek," Tyler said.

"No way. I couldn't eat. I feel like I'm going to throw up," Derek said.

Danny disappeared upstairs while Tyler and Derek practiced his routine. Cody sat on the sofa with Echo on one side of him and Chaos on the other side watching Derek perform a strip tease.

"I can't do this...," Derek moaned.

"Look, Babe, it's so easy and you are so sexy and beautiful I can almost guarantee you'll get hired!" Tyler said.

"I think you're crazy!" Derek said.

"Derek, he's right! You're so far above average there won't even be competition. You have those killer eyes that just make people fall in love for you," Cody said and Derek gave him a half smile in appreciation.

"If you just remember the beginning the rest will come naturally. Do a runway model walk around the stage, take the jacket off and throw it over your shoulder, and keep grabbing yourself," Tyler said breaking into a laugh.

"Yeah, Derek, definitely more crotch grabbing. You might not be the longest guy in the world but you do have one thick piece meat there!" Cody said.

"You've already got that V-shaped torso with the upper body strength. Not many people can extend themselves out horizontally on a brass pole," Tyler said.

"Not to mention he's referring to Tyler's pole!" Cody added and all three started laughing.

"Feel the music, Derek. Pretend you are alone in the bathroom singing and dancing. Become one with the music," Tyler said.

"And make sure your ass is clean!" Cody said.

"And make sure your ass is clean!" Tyler repeated and laughed.

Tyler looked at his watch and announced it was time to go. Cody got up and hugged Derek. "Best of luck Derek! You'll do great because you already are and even if you don't get the job just know I think you are one of the sexiest guys I've ever seen!" Cody said.

"Thanks, Cody, real words like that give me confidence. I just wish you were going to be there with me," Derek said.

"Danny???" Tyler yelled. "If you're coming, come now?"

Derek and Cody looked at Tyler.

"Maybe I should rephrase that?" Tyler asked laughing. Danny came running down the stairs with his backpack on.

"Why are you bringing a backpack with you?" Tyler asked.

"Because... I don't want Echo and Chaos getting at my stuff," Danny said.

"Closing your bedroom door just wasn't an option was it?" Tyler asked not waiting for a response.

Derek asked Tyler to drive since he was so nervous. "So, Ty, did you name the dogs?" Derek asked as they drove towards The Cave.

"Nope, they came that way. Chaos was born on October 31st just before midnight and Echo was the last puppy born just after midnight. They thought she was finished delivering her puppies and she kept making a whimpering noise over and over. That's how Echo got her name."

As they pulled up across the road from The Cave it was all in darkness.

"I think they're closed so let's go home," Derek said.

"They are closed or rather dark on Wednesday nights. Dave told me to push the buzzer on the side door and someone would let us in," Tyler said getting out of the Van.

They walked down a badly lit alleyway to a steel door that had an 'employees only' sign taped to the outside of the door. Danny pushed and held the buzzer in twice.

The door pushed outwards towards them and a guy in his thirties holding a clipboard in his hand said, "Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Tyler and we are here for auditions." Tyler said. The guy looked Tyler up and down and then Derek before pushing the door wide open for them. As Tyler and then Derek filed through the door the guy stopped Danny with his hand.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"I'm here to audition!" Danny said and Tyler and Derek spun around and stared at him.

"He's with us!" Derek said and the guy let Danny inside. They followed the man into an old reconditioned movie theatre with a balcony. The stage remained in its original design but a five foot wide runway had been added that came out from the centre of the stage over forty feet into the theatre. A small ledge with tiny lights edged the runway and along the front of the stage. Miniature bar stools lined the edge of 'pervert's row' as grandma would say. A Brass pole was inserted in the middle of the runway and two more poles were on the stage along with a couple of swing bars and a glass enclosed shower.

Four people sat around the end of the runway with clipboards and cups of coffee. The stage and runway were lit by overhead spots beaming directly from above. They were running in multiple patterns preset by a computer. Christmas lights still adorned the edge of the runway as did a "Happy New Year - 2006" sign at the right rear wall of the stage. The far back wall opposite the stage housed the bar and a roll-up, open-barred garage door protected it. Aside from the emergency exit lighting the rest of The Cave was in darkness.

"Gentlemen!" Dave said, standing up from his bar stool and extending his hand. "My name is Dave Tomach!"

"Hi, I'm Tyler Peel. This is Derek Anderson and Daniel Armitage," Tyler said introducing his brothers.

"Nice suit, Derek!" Dave said shaking his hand and Derek smiled.

"And you are Cody?" Dave asked.

"No Sir, I'm Daniel. Cody couldn't make it tonight," Danny said.

"And you want to audition?" Dave asked not doing a good job of holding back the humour he saw in the situation.

"Never judge a book by its cover, Sir," Danny said, smiling as he shook Dave's hand.

"You've already met Hal our stage, lighting, and music man," Dave said pointing to the guy that let them in. "Now have a seat for a moment guys and I will very quickly go over what is going to happen. First I want to introduce you to Sheila, our office manager, secretary, payroll, and talent scout!" Dave said and the boys all smiled and nodded.

"This is Louise, one of our regular customers and long time friend of The Cave. We always bring in one customer when we do these auditions to give us their point-of-view," Dave said and the boys all smiled.

"Last but not least is Doug, my business partner and one of the owners of The Cave!" Dave said and the boys nodded. "Now if you haven't filled out a personal info sheet then Sheila will give you one right now. Anyone trying out must show photo proof of age identification before we go any further," Dave said, and Danny and Derek provided their driver's licenses and birth certificates along with their school identification cards.

"Dave, would you mind if I took a look at the equipment on the stage?" Tyler asked.

"Go ahead, Tyler," Dave said.

"Do you always have mats out?" Tyler asked.

"Just on audition nights because you wouldn't believe the stupid things people try!" Dave said laughing. Tyler kicked off his shoes and climbed up on stage. He jumped and grasped the swing bar and swung back and forth a few times to build up the momentum to do a 360-degree rotation. Everyone stopped and watched Tyler's ease and mobility on the bar. He finished by doing a flip in the air and landing on his feet on top of the mat. Tyler froze with his hands out on the air as he saw everyone watching him.

"Did I do something wrong?" Tyler asked.

"Not at all!" Sheila said. "I've never seen anyone do that unless they were on TV." Tyler ran to one of the poles on stage and jumped turning sideways to grab the pole and swing around it two times before grabbing it tight with his full body. After he jumped down from the pole everyone was still watching in awe.

Tyler walked over to the pole in the middle of the runway and removed his socks so that he could climb up about five feet. He then slowly extended his body out sideways so that he was parallel with the stage below him. After five seconds he dropped to the floor and rubbed his arms.

"What?" Tyler asked grinning.

"I hate you!" Derek said, and everyone laughed.

"Okay guys. You need to go over to see Hal and tell him your three song choices and the order that you want them played. Remember we don't want to see any bodily fluids or have any broken bones. We already know you are nervous! We want smiles, raw sexuality, and lots of fun. This is fantasy entertainment for the customers," Dave said handing each of them a giant floor towel wrapped in plastic wrap and they nodded their understanding to him.

"Hal will show you guys to the green room and he will call you out when we are ready for you. When you are done you can come up to the edge of the stage where we will do a close body inspection and ask you some questions. We are very interested in your musical choices and how you interpret them on stage. If we are interested you will get a call back for a second interview within a week. That interview is exactly that and nothing more. You then will attend training school and learn the dos and don'ts of professional club dancing. Good dancing, gentlemen!" Dave said. "Tyler can we talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure. I'll be right back, guys!" Tyler said as Derek and Danny left the room with Hal.

"Is there a reason why you're not auditioning?" Dave asked.

"I have a job," Tyler said.

"You could make a lot of money!" Dave said.

"I already have a lot of money. My entire family was killed in a car accident last July. I have enough money to never work again if I invest it properly," Tyler said and the two women gave him a look of sorrow and pain over what he said.

"What would we have to do to get you to join? You could consider your audition completed!" Dave said grinning.

"Thank you, Sir. I'm just here to support Derek..., and I guess Danny as well. Derek is my boyfriend and he lacks confidence. He's not sure he wants the job but it would make a tremendous impact in his life and his future if you four people could tell him he is good! I think he would be good at it simply because he is one of the most open and honest people I know. If he smiles at you it will be sincere. If you can smile at him while he is doing his routine you will be able to observe his confidence growing right before you," Tyler asked.

"So you don't work?" Dave asked.

"No Sir, I have a job. I work at Ciccone's Trattoria as a server, I play hockey for the Drexel Dragons, and attend school full time. My life is full," Tyler said smiling politely and then giving a short bow and he exited to door where he watched Danny and Derek leave.

"Hey guys?" Tyler said, walking into the green room. Danny and Derek nodded and looked away. Tyler looked across the room to see two gorgeous twins sitting there. One staring at him and the other one was reading Sports Illustrated. Tyler walked over and introduced himself.

"Hi guys! I'm Tyler." He said extending to his hand to the twin on the right who had been watching him.

"Hi, I'm Justin and this is my brother Austin." He said. Austin flipped his magazine down and groaned. Tyler looked at Austin and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Something wrong?" Tyler asked still holding his hand out.

"You're obviously auditioning?" Austin asked still holding his magazine tightly.

"No, I am not. I'm just here to support my boyfriend Derek over there," Tyler said pulling his empty hand back and pointing Derek out.

Austin sat up in his chair and almost smiled as he said, "Good. We don't need competition like you." He then flipped his magazine back up and ignored everyone and began reading where he had left off.

"Nice to meet you... Justin!" Tyler said smiling and ignoring Austin as he turned around and walked back to Derek and Danny.

"I could have warned you in advance?" Derek said.

"Wish you had! Justin seems nice!" Tyler said.

"I don't think he's allowed to speak unless the other one gives him permission," Derek said, and all three of them lightly laughed. Austin and Justin were both quietly listening in on the conversation.

"They're both really hot. I'll bet if they do a show together they'll make a lot of tip money." Tyler said. "Maybe we should hire them for your birthday party a week from Saturday?"

"Yeah... Strippers at a birthday party would be totally raucous!" Danny said and they both looked at him.

"We're not having a birthday party for me!" Derek said.

"Yes, we are, Derek, but don't worry about it! All you have to do is show up! We're using it as the excuse for an open house party. You don't have to do any work and people might even bring you presents," Tyler said, and Derek glared at him. "It will be fun! There will be straight and gay people there, lots of food, music, and two puppies to worry about!"

Hal stuck his head in the door and called, "Billy the Kid?" When no one answered he looked around the room.

"The guy that was in here before us went out to the change room," Justin said.

"Okay, thanks, I will check there. He wouldn't be the first to run away so if he is gone you two are up next." Hal said closing the door behind as he left.

"So how are you feeling Derek? All ready for your first show?" Tyler asked.

"This thong is killing me!" Derek said and Danny, Tyler, and Justin laughed.

"Must be the Viagra kicking in that I slipped into your dinner!" Tyler said winking at Justin. Justin grinned.

"I didn't eat dinner," Derek said.

"Don't worry I will feed you later." Tyler said and Justin snorted. Austin looked over at Justin and gave him a short glare and returned to his Sport's Illustrated.

"So Justin... are you in school or working or what?" Tyler asked.

"I'm in my second semester at the Art Institute of Philadelphia and Austin is attending Chestnut Hill College studying... something," Justin said winking at them.

"I haven't decided my major now shut the fuck up!" Austin said frowning as he returned to his magazine.

"Are all you guys gay?" Justin asked.

"Yep," Danny said.

"Cool. I'm gay too! Austin is bi," Justin said.

"Shut the fuck up asshole! I'm straight and it isn't anyone's business." Austin said elbowing Justin in the side.

"Are you guys in school or working?" Justin asked.

"Both for me, and Danny and Derek are in school but looking for work," Tyler said.

"What do you do for work?" Justin asked.

"I'm a server at an Italian restaurant downtown," Tyler said and Austin snorted.

"Do you guys work out a lot? You look pretty buff!" Justin asked.

"I try to. I run almost every morning and Danny just started running with me. We have to keep in shape because we play hockey," Tyler said.

"Aren't you a little old for peewee?" Austin asked not expecting a response. Danny stood up getting angry and walked over to Austin.

"Can I see your copy of SI?" Danny asked.

"Why?" Austin asked.

"I want to show you something." Danny said and he pulled the copy of out Austin's hand before he knew it was gone. Danny flipped to the back of the magazine and opened it up to one particular page. He folded the magazine in half and handed it back to Austin.

"What?" Austin said staring at it.

"Look up the number one player in the American College Hockey Division." Danny said.

"Some guy named Tyler Peel," Austin said and looked up at Danny to see him pointing at Tyler.

"Wow!" Justin said with a big grin.

"Look at the goalies listing for the same division! Who is in number two in the entire division?" Danny asked.

"Daniel Armitage. I suppose that is you?" Austin asked sarcastically.

Danny just grinned. "Derek over there is the first string wide receiver for the Drexel Dragon's football team. Nuff said!" Danny said walking back to his chair. Tyler and Derek grinned at Danny.

"So you guys think you're tough?" Austin asked sitting up in his chair.

"No, we know we are tough!" Derek said. "And we don't waste time on ankle biters like you."

Austin wisely decided he had better shut up.

"What are you guys studying at school?" Justin asked.

"I'm studying agriculture." Danny said, "And Tyler is engineering, and Derek is in sports rehabilitation but he's going to become a doctor!"

"Cool!" Justin said.

"No I'm not and, Ty, will you guys stop telling people that!" Derek said glaring at him.

"Fine then... you can always go to Chestnut Hill and just think about what you want to be for awhile," Tyler said and Justin howled with laughter until he looked over at his brother.

"What are you guys going to do on stage?" Tyler asked.

"We're not really sure. Just dance a bit I guess," Justin said.

"Well you're both really hot looking. I'm sure you'll get a job here." Tyler said to Justin.

"Thanks. We really need the money," Justin said.

Hal opened the door and called for Derek. "Austin and Justin we're having a problem with one of your songs. I need one of you guys to pick something else for song number two. Derek, you're up. No point in keeping everyone waiting."

Tyler gave Derek a kiss and wished him well.

"I'll go pick us a new song," Austin said getting up.

When Austin had left Danny asked, "Is your brother always this much of an asshole?"

"Pretty much. He's okay when we are alone. If he starts his shit I just walk away so he's learned not to waste his anger on me," Justin said.

"A week from this Saturday we are having a house warming / Derek's 20th birthday party if you want to come?" Tyler asked. "You can even bring your brother or some friends. It will definitely be on the gay side but there will be straight people there too."

"Gee thanks, guys! That's really nice of you." Justin said.

"Maybe we could hire Justin to strip at the birthday party? Get a cake for him to come out of?" Danny asked Tyler.

"We'll get Austin to come out of the cake since it's going to be a large penis cake and he seems to be a dick anyway...," Tyler mused, and Danny and Justin laughed.

Derek's first song was Madonna's "Dress You Up In My Love". He came out holding his suit jacket in tight and grabbing his ass. He did the runway walk and then flipped his coat over his back. Spinning around the poles a couple of times made him dizzy and he decided to stay away from doing that again.

His second song was Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want". He kicked his shoes off to one side and undid his tie but left it hanging loosely around his neck. He remembered what Tyler had told him about pretending there is a full audience out there. He went to the far side of the stage and grabbed his crotch and stroked his member a few times. He then went to the pole on the runway and grabbed hold of it and leaned down and kissed an invisible patron.

He removed his shirt but kept the tie on around his neck. He grabbed and touched most of his body and then slowly removed his pants while facing the stage stopping only long enough to show off his butt. Once he was down to his thong he jumped up on the pole and climbed up six feet. He stretched himself out horizontally as Tyler did and then rotated down around the pole until his feet felt the ground below him. He humped the pole in the centre of the runway and then got down on his knees in front of the four judges and gave himself an invisible bath in front of them. Playing with his lips and looking deep into the eyes of the two ladies was definitely getting some attention.

When George Michael's song, "I Want Your Sex" came on he grabbed his mat in his mouth and walked on his hands and knees down the runway towards them. He stopped momentarily to slap his ass and wink at one of the invisible patrons. As he rotated around on the mat still wearing his thong he sang the words to each judge. He chose Sheila, figuring she had the most clout in these decisions, to give a kiss to. He called her forward with his finger and she grinned and stood up. Derek brought her hand in his and ran it up and down his chest and then he controlled her hand running over his crotch. She felt him grow to full mast. He tugged at her top lip with his lips and then winked as he released her.

Derek then called Louise forward and she giggled as she stood up he took her left hand in his right hand and kissed it, smiled, and winked. He then stood up and put his tie behind him and pulled it down through his thong on each side so it looked like a belt that wasn't done up. He put each end of the tie in Louise's hands and helped to get her started at pulling on the tie to remove his thong. Louise struggled at first and that simply made Derek harder. Derek took his tie back and rolled it up and stuck it inside his thong. He then removed it and put it around Louise's neck and kissed her on the lips.

Derek finally removed his thong facing the stage and spun around quickly to surprise them all. He dropped on to the mat and did a few one arm push ups and then turned and stuck his butt out to them. He leaned forward and began humping the mat. He finished by sitting down facing them and lifting his legs back while massaging his member. They all applauded and Louise stood and insisted on giving him a kiss when she returned his tie.

"I just wanted to say thank you to all of you and Hal for giving me this incredible opportunity," Derek said.

"Put your thong back on and have a seat on your mat, Derek," Dave said. "Do you have any questions, Derek?"

"Yes Sir. First I would like to know if you liked the show as much as I enjoyed doing it?" Derek asked. Everyone complimented him in general.

"I would also like to know how I could improve keeping in mind this is the first time I've ever done anything like this?" Derek asked.

"You need to be tanned, as in full body tan!" Sheila said.

"You're well toned Derek and nicely equipped but you really need to gain about 20 lbs of muscle especially in the legs," Dave said.

"I think you are a true romantic!" Louise said. "I bought it all even knowing you are gay!"

"Point noted, Louise," Doug said. "Derek, more than half of the dancers are gay and many don't come across as being sincere in wanting to fulfill the customer's fantasy. Too put it bluntly, most of these women are headed home to make love to their husband, boyfriend, or vibrator." Derek laughed and blushed.

"You did really good, Derek, but I fear you're going to be lost among the elite we have here. There is no question that for your age you are in the top 10% of sexy, ripped guys who are well equipped but we have guys here that are 100 lbs heavier and it is all muscle.

"It really was very believable, Derek, but nothing original or extreme to leave the audience talking about it at work the next day," Dave said. "Get a tan, add some serious muscle in the legs and please do come back!"

"He could always work the tables when he turns twenty-one!" Louise suggested and they all nodded in agreement.

"Thank you again everyone," Derek said standing up. "You've helped make a fantasy of mine come true. I'm not sure that I am all that comfortable up on stage but one-on-one is certainly attractive. However I want that to be with my boyfriend," Derek said, bowing and turned and walked away.

"Twins! Front and center," Hal yelled into the room as Derek passed by him to go change.

"Good luck Justin," Tyler said standing up and giving him a hug. He turned to Austin and extended his hand. "I hope it all goes well for you. You really are very sexy looking and will do well."

Austin gave a half smile and shook his hand. "Thanks, Tyler. Sorry about earlier," he said in a whisper.

"Remember! No accidents!" Tyler said winking at Austin.

"So you're really going to try to become a stripper?" Tyler asked Danny.

"Not really but I want to try it. C'mon Ty, I'm a farm boy from Iowa. Do you really think I'm going to get this opportunity again?" Danny asked and Tyler leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Can I at least come out and watch?" Tyler asked.

"Absolutely! I need my brothers for support!" Danny said.

Derek returned to the green room and Danny got up to go change.

"How did your interview go?" Tyler asked.

"I didn't get the job. They were really nice about it and I think Louise and I are getting married?" Derek said and then winked at Tyler.

"What did they say?" Tyler asked.

"I need a tan and 20 lbs of muscle in the legs," Derek said.

"I like your leg just fine!" Tyler said giving Derek a kiss.

"I think they meant the other two," Derek said.

"I know... Let's go get a front row seat!" Tyler said laughing.

"Word! This should be interesting," Derek said.

Derek and Tyler came out and stood over by Hal. They saw Austin and Justin sitting on the stage. Justin was crying a bit and Austin was simply angry.

"How did it go?" Derek asked as the three watch the events unfolding.

"Justin really has the personality but Austin brought them down with his attitude. Someone needs to kick the crap out of that kid!" Hal said shaking his head.

"I couldn't agree more after spending 20 minutes with them in the green room. Justin is really nice though," Derek said.

"Twins are in huge demand at male strip clubs but they have to be in sync. These two are more like fraternal twins even though they are identical," Hal said.

"Well at least I wasn't the only one to get the boot tonight," Derek moaned.

"They didn't give you the boot," Hal said. "Trust me, I've seen Sheila and Dave actually yell at idiots who were already in tears over being brought back down to earth. You're a class act Derek and if you get yourself tanned up I'm sure that they would hire you in a minute," Hal added.

"Thank Hal, no need to be nice. I know nothing about it and I don't think it's my calling. They were all very kind to me," Derek said.

Austin and Justin left the stage and Tyler excused himself from Derek and Hal's conversation.

"Derek, to be successful you have to have a love of people. You need to want to make others happy. Some are successful in this business because they are great actors, but you are genuine. I'll bet Louise is soaked right now from the attention you gave her. <Derek laughed> you would make a pile of dough doing table dances or even being a server when you turn 21," Hal said.

"Thanks, Hal, of everything that has happened tonight your words mean the most," Derek said and Hal smiled and winked at him.

Tyler walked into the green room as Austin and Justin where yelling at each other. They stopped when they saw Tyler come in.

"Hey guys. Sorry to hear that things didn't work out. Derek didn't get offered a job either.

"Whatever!" Austin said glaring at Tyler. Tyler walked over to Justin who was bent down pulling up his jeans. Tyler pulled him into a hug and Justin broke down crying again.

"It's okay Jus..., you're a really nice guy with a very sexy body," Tyler said and Justin squeezed Tyler. Austin gave Justin a cold stare.

"You guys are brothers and you have each other and that is all that matters!" Tyler said. Austin wouldn't look over at Tyler or Justin.

"Thanks, Tyler," Justin said wiping his eyes.

"Come to our house party a week from Saturday and you'll feel better. You might even meet someone special? At worst you'll make some new friends," Tyler said to Justin. "Austin, you're welcome to come as well and I would like you to be there."

"Thanks," Austin mumbled without looking at him. Tyler wrote his email address down and gave it to Justin.

"You guys should come out and watch Danny do his audition. Knowing Danny it will be something to remember. Why don't you go wash up, Justin?" Tyler said and Justin nodded and left the room.

"Before you say it's none of my fucking business... just remember he's your brother and he needs you right now. You're obviously the guy he looks up to and depends on so try to be there for him. My entire family died in a car accident last year so I have no one. You at least have a brother that loves you and you just never know when he might be gone!" Tyler said and walked out of the green room.

Tyler spotted Derek sitting down next to Doug so he came over and sat down beside him.

"How did it go with Austin and Justin?" Derek asked and everyone leaned forward a bit to listen in.

"Justin is still upset and Austin is still an asshole but I talked with the two of them and they both seemed to settle down a bit. I think Justin relies too much on his brother and Austin knows he is often in over his head so that frustrates him," Tyler said.

"Way to go, Tyler," Dave said smiling. "Dora was definitely right about you."

"I invited them to come out and watch Danny but I'm not sure if they will," Tyler said as the music began.

Hal began playing Guns 'n Roses 'Paradise City'. Tyler and Derek looked at each other.

"This doesn't exactly sound like Iowa farm boy music now does it?" Dave asked of everyone.

After the two minute intro of the song Danny came running across the stage wearing his cow print pyjamas with a zip on cow print head cover that had two fabric horns sewn in on the top.

Tyler and Derek looked at each other and their mouths dropped open. "I didn't know it had a head piece to go with it?" Derek said and Tyler shrugged his shoulders. The four judges, along with Hal started laughing.

Danny did two forward handstands in a row and then dropped to a full split with is arms in the air.

"Whoa!" Derek said and he and Tyler clapped while the four judges continued laughing at his costume.

Danny got up and began moonwalking.

"Look as his stomach!" Tyler said. "He's got something stuffed in there."

"He looks like he weighs 250 lbs!" Derek said laughing.

Danny jumped up on to the swing bar flipped upside down sliding his feet inside each rope so he could hang upside down. Touching the floor below him he started swing back and forth until he had enough momentum to release and flip himself on to his feet. He slipped and landed on his butt. Everyone laughed as he kicked his feet and hands up in the air. He then flopped down like he was dead. More laughter from the crew on pervert's row!

Danny jumped up and stood at the entrance to the runway with a big smile. He put his left hand on his hip and then began throwing his right hand out towards the ceiling like John Travolta in 'Saturday Night Fever'. Moving down the runway towards the judges he crossed his arms in front of himself and did a Cossack dance that had everyone laughing even harder. As the music stopped from the first song he glared at all of them, rubbed his big belly and 'mooed'!

The second song was Tim McGraw's "I Like It, I Love It". The moment the music started Danny ran back up to the main stage doing one complete flip. He then mocked line dancing while grabbing his crotch. He went to one corner of the stage and stuck his arms out like he was holding on to the person in front of him. He humped back and forth as he jumped forward with both feet.

Danny pushed back his horned cap so everyone could see his face and began unzipping the front of his pyjamas. He would turn around and shake his butt to the music. He ran skipping down the runway in pace to the music and stopped in front of Tyler and grabbed Tyler's head and pulled it into his crotch underneath his big belly. He turned Tyler's head back and forth against his crotch. Tyler thought it was funny but the four judges where hysterical with laughter.

He then turned around to face the stage and unzipped his pyjamas all the way to the crotch. He pulled out his floor mat and set it down in front of the judges. Removing his pyjamas fully revealed his cow print thong and the Louise was wiping her eyes from laughter. Danny took his pyjamas and wrapped them around Derek's neck as the song ended.

His third and final song, 'Lay Your Hands On Me', by Bon Jovi got everyone clapping in time to the opening of the song. Danny ran back to the stage and did a running jump up on to one of the poles. He climbed up high and twisted his legs around the pole and fell backwards. He then slowly slid down the pole to where his palms could touch the floor. He released his legs and did a walking handstand over to the pole on the opposite side of the stage where he wrapped his legs around the pole and lifted himself up to grab on to the pole and then slide down to the floor.

"That's definitely worthy of a few cinnamon buns!" Derek whispered into Tyler's ear and Tyler nodded.

Danny picked up his mat and ran back to the pole in the middle of the runway. From the pole he went running at the judges so fast that Sheila and Louise moved slightly for fear he would hit them. Danny took a flying dive with his mat underneath him and landed three feet from the group of them. He looked up and 'mooed' and they all laughed. Danny chose Tyler's right hand to milk him.

"Got Milk?" Tyler asked Danny and everyone laughed. Danny jumped down off of the stage and sat on Sheila's lap and humped her stomach. He moved over to Louise and sat on her lap facing the stage. He put her hands on his butt and helped start her massaging him. Danny 'mooed' again. He climbed back up on the stage and began his full strip tease, which included sticking one finger in his mouth and then placing the wet finger on his nipple. He placed his thong over Derek's head to more laughter.

Danny looked down at his member and talked to it in silence. He even shook his finger at it. Then he swayed his hips back and forth to make it appear that his member was disagreeing with whatever he said. Danny slapped his member a couple of times and it became fully erect and pointing straight up at him. Danny held out his hands in gesture of surrender to his member. Dropping to the mat on the floor he stretched the mat out tight with his hands and knees and began fucking the floor slowly. Danny watched as everyone contorted their necks to observe the slow fuck. Sitting up he pulled out the mat from under him and rolled it into two balls and placed it on the stage in front of him. He then began fucking it like it was a pair of breasts. He winked at the ladies directly in front of him.

As the song was just about to finish he dropped back on to the open mat and flipped his legs over his head so that his cock was within inches of his mouth. He stuck his tongue and wiggled it left and right. Then he twitched his member to move back and forth. Everyone clapped and he stood up and took a bow. Tyler and Derek heard clapping behind them and turned to see Austin and Justin clapping and smiling. Danny took his thong back from Derek and jumped off of the stage and ran over to the pub table that Austin and Justin where sitting at.

Danny pulled the thong over Justin's head, which made both of them burst into laughter. Then Danny planted a big kiss on Austin's lips. When they pulled apart Danny winked and smiled at Austin. To Austin's credit he took the teasing like a man. Danny walked back naked to the table as Justin called out, "You forgot something!"

Danny turned and said, "You can return it at the party!" Justin blushed.

"That was wonderful, Danny. Go ahead and get some clothes on and then please come back to the stage. As for the rest of you... SHOW'S OVER!" Dave yelled and the four boys laughed and then left the room.

Austin, Justin, Derek, and Tyler walked out the side door and down the alleyway. "Do you guys need a ride?" Tyler asked.

Austin and Justin looked at each other not knowing what to do.

"We're just going to go down to Brewed Awakenings and get coffee and some cinnamon buns for Danny. You're welcome to join us. I'm buying. If you want you can even come over and see the new house. We just moved in today," Tyler said.

"Shit, Ty, can I use your cell phone. I want to check on the puppies," Derek asked and Tyler handed him his cell phone.

"Derek's birthday is this Saturday but we'll all be at his parent's house in Baltimore for the weekend. I gave him two golden Labrador retriever puppies this afternoon for his birthday present," Tyler said.

"Sweet!" Austin said. "I love dogs!"

"Austin has had a collie for most of our lives. We had to put him down a few years ago. He was 15 years old," Justin said.

"I'm really sorry for you guys! I know when I lost my dog this summer how bad it is," Tyler said.

"So... does Danny have a boyfriend?" Austin asked and Justin rolled his eyes.

"Yeah he does. Cody is his name and he is at home looking after Echo and Chaos," Tyler said.

"Oh," Austin said.

"You would like, Cody," Tyler said. "He's the sensible mature one, a lot like you." Austin smiled.

"What do you want to do Jus?" Austin asked.

"Sounds better than just going home!" Justin said.

"I'm just going to run back in and let Danny know we are in the Van. When Derek gets off the phone would you tell him what's going on and where I am?" Tyler asked.

"No problem," Austin said.

Tyler opened the side door and walked down the hall towards the voices he was hearing.

"We really were impressed Danny. We want to hire you right now!" Dave said.

"Really? Wow. Ummm..., I don't know what to say?" Danny said, grinning.

"You already have good muscle tone and definition for someone your height," Dave said, putting his hand up in front of Danny's face. "I am not saying you are short!" Danny grinned.

"I am short and I didn't take any offence," Danny said.

"This is fresh, funny, and erotic!" Sheila said.

"What about Derek?" Danny asked.

"Derek needs to work out a little more. His routine was nice but nothing new. Maybe in a couple of years he will have physically matured enough," Dave said.

"Look I really appreciate your offer but my audition was more of a joke. It's Derek who really wanted to work here. I couldn't accept a job if Derek didn't get hired. Thank you very much for your consideration but my family comes first," Danny said, as he shook hands with each one of them.

"Thank you for the inspiration, Louise and Sheila. If I were straight I would be trying to go home with either one of you or both!" Danny said winking.

"Danny, we are serious here! You could make a lot of money," Doug said.

"Doug's right! We would highlight you as the midnight show. I know you could do cowboy, construction worker, even a nerdy library bookworm and make it humorous and erotic," Dave added.

"Thank you, but my brothers come first and I would happily take a bullet for them or even give them a limb or organ but I will never do anything that might make them feel like they are less than they are," Danny said giving a slight bow and walking away. As he approached the exit sign he saw Tyler.

"How did it go?" Tyler asked even though he knew what transpired.

"They didn't really like me. Too skinny... not enough muscle, not tanned... the usual," Danny said.

"Uh huh...," Tyler said winking.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Danny said as he pushed Tyler aside and walked past him down the hallway to the door.

Tyler caught up to him and said, "Austin and Justin are joining us. We're going to Brewed Awakenings for coffee and cinnamon buns."

"Okay," was all Danny said!

The boys stopped at Brewed Awakenings. Derek and Justin had large hot chocolates while Austin, Danny, and Tyler got coffee.

"Double double right?" she asked Danny.

"Single with sweetener." Danny groaned. Tyler winked at Derek and they both smiled.

"What about Cody?" Derek asked.

"Medium coffee with cream only, please," Danny asked.

Derek dropped everyone off at the front door and then drove around the block to park in the garage. He pushed the electric garage door button and giggled. "Sweet!"

As the key turned the lock on the door, the puppies began barking and running towards the front door. Danny opened the front door to be greeted by a pair of wagging tails. All four piled in the front entrance and kicked off their boots before climbing the three steps up to the living room.

"Shit!" Austin said looking around.

"Ditto!" Justin added.

"This is like one very long, thin mansion?" Austin said.

"Look at the cool club chairs?" Justin said beaming.

"Cody, this is Austin and Justin. One of them is cuter but we haven't figured out which one it is yet," Tyler said, grinning.

"Hi guys, nice to meet you," Cody said shaking hands with Justin. Cody had to bend down to the floor to shake with Austin because he was playing with Echo and Chaos.

"So I will assume when we can't tell the difference between them that Austin is the dog lover?" Cody asked.

"Hey Jus, lets see if the same thing works on Echo and Chaos as it did on Tanner?" Austin asked. Everyone looked at each other wondering what he meant.

Justin got down on the floor right beside Austin and they assumed the exact same position. Echo and Chaos sat right in front of them with tails wagging. Austin stuck his tongue out and both dogs looked at him. Then Justin stuck his tongue out and they looked over at him. They only did it three times to have both dog's heads going back and forth over and over again.

"Okay guys! If they throw up now you two are cleaning it up!" Derek said, walking into the room from the basement.

"I better take them outside for a moment," Cody said.

"I'll do it, Cody, you've been locked up with them for the last couple hours." Derek said as he called Echo and Chaos to come with him.

"Go pee are the words I've been using," Cody yelled. "So how did it go tonight?"

"No one got anything," Danny moaned.

"Danny was incredible!" Justin said.

"Danny wore his cow print pyjamas and matching thong. He really did steal the show," Tyler added.

"I did not. I sucked. They even said so!" Danny lied and Tyler stared at him emotionless. Danny walked away after catching Tyler's stare.

"Brought you a coffee, Cody," Danny said setting the tray down on the kitchen counter.

"Thanks," Cody said.

"Guys, why don't you take Austin and Justin for a tour of the house while I see if the fireplace is working in the basement!" Tyler said. Derek came in with the puppies.

"Oh, you guys were so good!!!" Derek said.

"Did they do numbers one and two?" Tyler asked.

"Did they! And how!" Derek said. "I thought Chaos was going to develop a hernia over it."

Five of the six boys relaxed on the leather sofas and club chairs in front of the fireplace while Austin sat on the floor and played with the dogs. Danny played hostess and served everyone a cinnamon bun with a napkin. When he was done he placed the tray on one of the end tables.

"Aren't you having one, Danny?" Tyler asked.

"Nope. No refined sugar until after my blood test this weekend," Danny said.

"Something wrong?" Justin asked. "Not meaning to be nosey."

"No that's okay Justin. I am being tested to see if I am borderline diabetic. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. DON'T ANYONE SAY A WORD!" Danny yelled pointing at his three brothers. Derek, Tyler, and Cody all giggled while Echo and Chaos ran over to Danny and barked at him for raising his voice.

"I'm sorry, guys!" Danny said picking them both up and setting them on his lap. Chaos jumped down and went right back to Austin. Austin grinned.

"I think Chaos has a favourite?" Tyler said.

"So will you guys attend Derek's almost surprise birthday party and house warming event?" Danny asked.

"Unless we're hired to strip somewhere I think we can fit it into our schedule," Austin said as he rubbed Chaos' tummy. "What do you think Jus?"

"Me?" Justin asked in shock at having his opinion sought. "Sure. I would really like to come," Tyler winked at Austin who just smiled.

"What's it like to have a twin brother?" Cody asked of both of them.

"It's different but I don't think it's much different than anyone who has an older or younger brother?" Justin said looking at Austin.

"At first you might think we don't get along because we are different personalities but the truth is we balance each other. My weaknesses are Justin's strengths and vice versa," Austin said and Justin smiled.

"Can you guys communicate telepathically?" Danny asked.

"No," Justin said.

"No, thank God!" Austin joked.

"Do people mix you up?" Cody asked.

"Only if they don't know us." Austin said. "Our voices are different and we have a few markings on our bodies that distinguish us," Austin added with a grin.

"Like what?" Derek asked laughing.

"If we told you then you would be able to tell us apart!" Austin said.

"Do you guys ever dress the same?" Danny asked.

"Never! We both hate that," Justin said.

"When you guys argue how do you solve it or does one of you always give in?" Cody asked.

"Oooooo... you're hitting close to close to home!" Austin said laughing.

"I usually give in to Austin," Justin said.

"That's because I'm an asshole and Justin is just about the sweetest guy God created!" Austin said. Justin's eyes began to water a little.

"Are you guys close?" Danny asked.

"I'll let my brother answer that one," Justin said.

"Yes and no. We have secrets and we have separate lives but when it is really serious stuff there is no one I trust or count on more than my brother," Austin said to Justin's surprise.

"You guys are now going to separate schools! How has that affected your lives and your relationship?" Derek asked.

"You guys don't hold any punches do you?" Austin asked, and they all laughed. "You go first, Justin."

"It's really given me a new sense of freedom. I'm making friends of my own and I'm becoming more comfortable with being me rather than being Austin's baby brother," Justin said.

"I'm a control freak so the truth is that while Justin needed to get away from me, it damn near killed me not to have him under my thumb," Austin said laughing. "The less we are together the better it is for Jus and the tougher it is for me but it's really the best thing for both of us," Austin added, and Justin didn't say a word.

"So what you are saying is that separation has been good for the both of you and you are now closer than you've ever been?" Tyler asked.

"Your words, not mine, but I like the way you phrased that!" Austin said. "Didn't we, Chaos?" he said picking him up and kissing him.

"So what about you guys?" Justin asked.

"I was just going to say that!" Austin said and everyone laughed.

"He just says that every so often to freak all the strangers out!" Justin said shaking his head.

"Well I'm from Iowa. I am an only child and live on a dairy and horse farm just outside of Des Moines," Danny said.

"He's also a damn good hockey goalie!" Tyler said.

"And a cinnamon bun addict!" Derek added.

"Cody?" Austin asked.

"I live with my Dad who is also the Coach of our hockey team." Cody began. "My sister and Mom were killed in a car accident when I was really small. Since then we've lived in a lot of places as Dad taught sports at several different schools."

"Dude, that's horrible. I'm really sorry." Justin said putting his hand on Cody's thigh.

"Thanks but it's life and I'm very happy for having all my brothers and Danny in my life," Cody said.

"Tyler?" Austin asked.

"I'm from Canuckistan!" he said, and Austin and Justin started laughing.

"We'll ask our questions slower in the future!" Austin and Justin said laughing.

"You're not going to tell them the igloo and killing a bear with your hands story again are you?" Derek teased.

"Not now...," Tyler said sniffing over the insult. "My brother, parents, and dog were killed in a car accident in Toronto last July. I play hockey, work in a restaurant, and like to draw, cook, and stare into my boyfriend's eyes! I love all my brothers, Echo and Chaos, and I start therapy next week for my mental problems!" Tyler added and Cody, Danny, and Derek howled with laughter. Austin and Justin didn't know if he was telling the truth or not.

"Really?" Justin asked squinting.

"You've got to say 'really' much slower for Tyler to understand!" Derek said and winked

"Really, really!" All four boys said slowly and laughed even more. Echo barked and the Chaos chimed in his two cents worth.

"What about the stripper?" Austin asked staring at Derek with a big smile.

"I'm a spoiled brat. My dad is a doctor and my mom is a retired nurse. I have two brothers at home. Kyle is 14, and Luke is 11, along with his best friend Casey who also lives there since his mom's boyfriend tried to kill her. I have a black lab named Abbey at home. I love football except when Tyler plays on the opposite team. I like snowball fights except when Tyler is on the opposite team <Snorts and giggles begin> I like to argue except when it is with Tyler because he always wins! I'm also the luckiest guy in the world because Tyler is my boyfriend!" Derek said.
"Now you know why I am going into therapy!" Tyler joked and Derek jumped up and ran over and tackled Tyler. Echo immediately came to Tyler's rescue or simply just to partake in the fun. Chaos took off for the sofa as well and simply barked because he couldn't get up to join in and everyone else simply laughed.

"We really should get going," Austin said and Justin looked at him.

"We don't want to overstay our visit and you guys are probably tired from moving today, not to mention the addition of two puppies," Austin said looking directly at Justin.

"I'll drive you guys home. Anyone else want to come for the ride?" Derek asked.

"I will since I've been stuck in the house," Cody said slugging back the last of his coffee.

"I need to find the coffee machine for morning," Tyler said.

Tyler gave Justin a light hug goodbye. When he turned to give Austin a hug goodbye he was surprised by Austin's tight hug.

"Thanks," Austin whispered in his ear. They separated and Tyler winked and smiled.

"See you at the party next weekend. Justin has my phone number and email address," Tyler said.

Danny hugged both goodbye and he was pretty sure that Austin had an erection when he hugged him. He just wasn't sure if it was because of him or Tyler. Tyler and Danny went back downstairs. Danny grabbed Echo and Chaos who were still not capable of climbing stairs while Tyler picked up all of the empty coffee containers and the bag of cinnamon buns.

"We might as well leave these for the workers who are here tomorrow?" Tyler asked.

"Sure," Danny said sitting on the sofa playing with the puppies.

"That was a pretty special thing you did tonight," Tyler said from the kitchen not looking at him. Danny didn't respond.

Tyler came out from the kitchen and sat down on the opposite end of the sofa from Danny. Chaos came over for some attention.

"Are you going to run with me in the morning?" Tyler asked.

"I'll see how I feel. I'm pretty tired from this morning's run," Danny said.

"No shit, not to mention tonight's workout. I didn't know you were that acrobatic," Tyler said looking over at Danny rubbing a contented Echo's tummy.

"I grew up on a farm. I climbed trees, jumped out of the loft in bales of hay, swung from ropes in the barn...," Danny began.

"You've been around is what you are saying?" Tyler asked and Danny grinned as he rubbed Echo's ears. "Why didn't you get into gymnastics as a kid?"

"We had a farm and the farm comes first. When Grandpa died the farm was left to Grandma but the estate taxes put her into bankruptcy if it hadn't been for Mom and Dad selling their home and moving in and paying it all off. At the end of it there was no money left and still a lot of bills to pay. Besides people who were into gymnastics or figure skating are all gay," Danny said.

"You don't really believe that do you?" Tyler asked.

"I did then," Danny said.

"I understand. Three years ago I wanted to become a chef but I thought they were all gay and besides it seemed like a waste of my brain considering I was pretty good in school," Tyler said.

"So why don't you become a chef now?" Danny asked looking him in the eye.

"I just might...," Tyler mused out loud.

"You don't really like what you are doing in school do you?" Danny asked.

"It's just numbers Danny. Anyone can do it and at the end of the day what does it really mean? What have I given back to the world?" Tyler asked and Danny didn't answer.

"You know that you raised the bar tonight!" Tyler said.

"Raised it? I doubt it. Climbed it, swung around it, and dry humped it maybe!" Danny said, laughing.

"You just set a new standard for the rest of us to reach!" Tyler said.

"Shut the fuck up, Ty. This conversation is over," Danny said getting up and carrying Echo upstairs with him.

Tyler picked up Chaos and went back downstairs to turn the gas fireplace off. He looked around the room still holding Chaos and said, "What do you think Chaos? We're home now and we are family," he said giving Chaos a kiss.

Tyler reached the top of the stairs at the main floor and set Chaos down. He went searching for his sister but to no avail. Chaos barked twice and Echo came to the top of the stairs on the second floor and barked back at him to let him know where she was. Tyler carried Chaos up with him and picked up Echo to take them both outside.

"Danny!!!" Tyler yelled as he heard the shower come on in the washroom. "I've got Echo!" he yelled.

"K..." Danny yelled back.

Cody and Derek came up the stairs from the basement.

"That is so cool having a garage!" Cody said. "Now if I just had a car," he added, laughing.

"I was just about to take the kids outside to pee. Would one of you do it so I can get started making pastry?" Tyler asked.

"You're making pastry at ten o'clock?" Cody asked shaking his head.

"I'm making an apple pie for dessert, for Sunday night, because your Dad is coming for dinner!" Tyler said glaring at him.

"Get to work, dammit!" Cody said grinning at him as he took Echo and Chaos outside on the rear patio.

"Anything I can do?" Derek asked.

"Never leave me?" Tyler asked.

"Promise!" Derek said hugging Tyler from behind.

"I take it that things aren't going so well with you and Luke?" Kyle asked as Casey walked into his bedroom.

"G2G, Chris, new roomy just arrived for bed."

"NP! Love you! Sweet dreams Kyle!"

"Night."

Kyle shut down his computer as Casey crawled into his bed with his Teddy bear. Kyle stripped down to his boxers and decided to leave them on with Casey sleeping with him.

"Isn't Luke going to notice you aren't in his room?" Kyle asked.

"No! Luke doesn't know I exist anymore," Casey moaned.

"I promise you, Casey, it's a short-term thing with Luke. One day he is running for President of the United States and the next day he is a tele-evangelist. He even wrote a letter to Saddam Hussein one day and started it off with 'Dear Butt-head!" Kyle said laughing.

"I don't care. He's not my friend anymore," Casey said.

Kyle got under the covers and turned out the light. He slid over to Casey and put his arm around him and said, "You don't really mean that, Casey. If you didn't care about him you wouldn't be angry."

Casey shrugged his shoulders.

Kyle kissed the back of his head.

"How do you know if you are straight or gay?" Casey asked.

"Huh?" Kyle said sitting up and looking down at Casey in the darkness.

"Never mind," Casey said.

"No, Casey. I didn't mean anything. I was just surprised that you would ask me that," Kyle said.

"Like I said forget it," Casey said rolling back over away from Kyle.

"No one chooses to be straight or gay, Casey. It's something you're born with. You have this feeling inside about someone. You think about them and dream about kissing them and being more than best friends. When I was in grade six all I ever thought about was girls. It seems like I had a boner through most of the class!" Kyle said and Casey giggled.

"Don't worry about whether you might be straight or gay. You can really love another guy and still not be gay. In the next couple of years your body is really going to change and you will have all sorts of strange feelings about different people. Don't let it scare you and if you ever need to talk to someone in private I'll be there for you," Kyle said.

"Thanks, Kyle. I just wondered is all," Casey said.

"If I know Luke by the time this weekend is over he'll be back to his old self, though I'm not sure if that is much different than right now. <Casey giggled> There isn't anything Luke wouldn't do to protect you and he always talks about you as his best friend so please be a little patient," Kyle asked.

"Whatever...," Casey moaned.

"Is Luke your best friend?" Kyle asked.

"Of course!" Casey said rolling over to look at Kyle.

"If he's your best friend then how come you aren't with him helping to get ready for his first date?" Kyle asked and Casey didn't answer.

Five minutes later Casey threw back the comforter and began to get out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Kyle asked.

"Back to Luke's room because I don't want to be a bad best friend," Casey said.

"Not tonight you're not. You're not just special to Luke, Cody, and Danny! Tonight I want my little brother to sleep here beside me," Kyle said.

"Really?" Casey asked grinning.

"I swear on Luke's balls!" Kyle said smiling and Casey started laughing. "But seriously Casey, I love you and tonight will be just for us if you want," Kyle asked.

"Cool!" Casey said.

"Have you ever heard of a story called 'The Great Brain' by J. D. Fitzgerald?" Kyle asked.

"Nope," Casey said and Kyle got up and went to his bookshelf to search for the book.

Kyle came back to bed and propped up his pillow and pulled his knees up to support the book while inserting his feet under the covers to stay warm.

"Chapter One! The magic water closet! MOST EVERYONE IN UTAH remembers 1896, as the year the territory became a state. But in Adenville it was celebrated by all the kids in town and by Papa and Mamma as the time of The Great Brain's reformation," Kyle read aloud, and Casey propped his pillow up, pulled his knees up to his chest and made sure his feet stayed under the covers. Kyle paused from reading to look over at Casey and smile.

"I was seven years old going on eight. Tom was ten, and my other brother, Sweyn, would soon be twelve. We were all raised in Adenville, which was a typical Utah town with big wide streets lined with trees that had been planted by the early Mormon pioneers...," Kyle read, and Casey nuzzled into Kyle's arm.

"Are you ready for bed?" Derek asked yawning as he came back into the kitchen.

"I can't go to bed before midnight," Tyler said.

"Why not?" Derek asked.

"Echo and Chaos need to be fed at midnight," Tyler said.

"Why do they have to be fed every six hours?" Derek asked.

"They don't HAVE to fed every six hours but they should be so that they get even nutrition and are less likely to chew on anything else. The first year of a dog's life will be a huge factor in their health for the rest of their lives. Feed them the best food you can during the puppy stage," Tyler said.

"Okay, well you go to bed and I will stay up and look after them because you're definitely going to have to take them out at 6 a.m.," Derek said.

"It's okay. I'm thinking of making the stuffing for the pork tenderloin right now to keep me awake. I can freeze it in the shape of a log and then just thaw it when we get back on Sunday," Tyler said.

"Screw it! We'll do it on Sunday. It won't kill Echo and Chaos to eat an hour earlier," Derek said going to the food bin and scooping out one cup of food to split between them. Derek put the measuring cup back in the food box and then put his arms around Tyler who was leaning on the counter watching the dogs eat.

"What are you thinking?" Derek asked.

"I'm glad I didn't leave Chaos alone when I picked up Echo!" Tyler said smiling.

"Me too, no one should be alone," Derek said. "C'mon guys! We're going outside to pee among other things!" Echo and Chaos followed Derek outside. Chaos was really happy to pee and pooh but Echo was more particular as she carefully checked out every inch of the patio. She squatted and looked up at Derek.

"Fine, I will turn around. Just hurry up because I'm freezing out here," Derek said. "You turn around too!" Derek said to Chaos. Chaos walked back to the sliding patio doors where Tyler let him into the crate. Derek heard Echo scratch and kick away at the ground when she was done. She ran into the open door of the crate and after sniffing the new mat that Tyler had put inside the crate she settled down beside her brother.

"Get in there!" Tyler said to Derek as he pointed to the open crate. Derek glared at him and walked by and sat himself down on the sofa in the living room. Tyler turned out all of the kitchen lights except the one on the stove. He took two large white candles and lit them. Carefully carrying them over to the coffee table he sat down beside Derek and kissed him once. Derek kissed him back.

Echo and Chaos watched closely from their crate. Chaos began whimpering and Echo pawed away at the steel cage to be let out. Derek and Tyler looked over at them and started laughing. Derek got up to let them out. Chaos immediately headed for Tyler who picked him up and set him down on his lap. Echo carefully stepped out of the crate and looked up at Derek with her tail wagging.

"You want to be picked up and carried don't you?" Derek asked and Echo's tail thumped faster.

"Lazy bitch!" Derek said picking her up.

"At least someone in this house has you trained," Tyler said, laughing as Derek sat down beside him with Echo in his arms.

"Where were we? I was either going to kiss you or punch you," Derek said as he closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss Tyler. Tyler held up Chaos whom licked Derek's lips.

"Oh, Ty, that is the best kiss yet!" Derek said opening his eyes and grinning at Chaos. "Let's go bed!" Derek said and Tyler blew out the candles.

Tyler laid his comforter on the open sleeping bed already on the floor. He then took Derek's comforter and laid it on top. Derek tossed two pillows on top of their homemade bed. Chaos climbed up on Derek's pillow and sniffed it before settling down and curling up into a ball.

"I don't think so!" Derek said to Chaos. Echo, not to be outdone climbed on to Derek's pillow as well and snuggled in tight beside her brother.

"No, no, no!" Derek said shaking his finger at the two of them. Tyler laughed and crawled in on his side of the bed.

"Oh geez, this pillow feels good right now... long day, eh?" Tyler teased Derek.

Derek got down on his hands and knees and stuck his face in at Echo. "Move!" He said. Echo thumped her tail and the motion woke Chaos. He got up and began to wander the second floor. Echo followed her brother out of the room.

"Finally, we are alone!" Derek said laying his head down on his pillow. Tyler and Derek rolled toward each other and shared a kiss. They both felt paws walking up the comforter between them. Parting from their kiss, Echo looked at each one of them from six inches away. She wagged her tail and licked Derek's mouth.

"Yuck," Derek said.

Chaos followed her up the comforter between the two of them. Echo began turning around in circles until she found the spot and plunked herself down to sleep. Chaos dropped down right behind her. Tyler looked at Derek and grinned.

"It's not funny Ty!" Derek said.

"We're a family of four now, Babe, so get used to it." Tyler teased. Tyler reached out and picked up Echo and set her down next to his pillow. Derek followed and set Chaos next to him. Together they both pulled the comforter up so it was just at the edge of the puppies.

"I thought the idea of being in our own room, in our own house, was to get some private time?" Derek asked.

"I promise you some quiet, private time this weekend..., since it's your birthday!" Tyler teased.

"Does that mean I have to wait another year for sex?" Derek asked semi-seriously.

"DEREK!!!" Tyler cried sitting up.

"Okay, okay... I was just joking. We had more sex when we weren't dating." Derek moaned.

"I love you, Derek," Tyler said.

"I love you too..., sorry," Derek said.

Tyler picked up Echo and set her over on the other side of Derek and then did the same with Chaos. Tyler silently rolled Derek over to his other side so he was facing both puppies. Tyler slid in close and slid his arm around Derek.

"Night Derek." Tyler smiled as he kissed the back of Derek's head.

"Night Ty." Derek said and then gave Echo and Chaos each a kiss.

Larry tapped on the door and opened it. Kyle stopped reading and both boys looked over at Larry.

"Ah... sorry, we didn't know where Casey was?" Larry asked.

"I'm reading him a bedtime story and he's sleeping here tonight," Kyle said.

"Ah... okay, night boys." Larry said giving each a kiss goodnight and then closing the door as he left. Kyle and Casey looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and smiled. Kyle continued reading.

"I found Casey. He's hiding out in Kyle's room to avoid Luke," Larry said closing their bedroom door.

"If I'd known that was the place to avoid Luke I would have gone there years ago," Linda said.

"So when are we having Derek's surprise party for Luke?" Larry asked.

"It will be Saturday night according to Luke!" Linda said laughing. "I think we'll just have some hors d'oeuvres and make it casual. Let's not invite anyone over and just keep it family," Linda suggested.

"So we have to get Derek's birthday present this week then!" Larry moaned.

"You should just be happy Larry that Tyler is kicking in a large portion of the cost!" Linda said.

"It's not that at all. We have more than enough money to buy it I just don't think he needs it. I never had one when I was his age." Larry said. "And besides we wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't Tyler's idea!"

"You sound like your father...," Linda said crawling into bed.

"The apple never really falls that far away from the tree!" Larry said as he flipped the page of the magazine he was reading and turned his pillow over.

"More like the walnut doesn't fall that far away!" Linda shot back as she snuggled up beside Larry.

"Hey, Casey, do you think a tuxedo is too formal for my big date on Saturday night?" Luke asked to an empty room. 'Must be asleep already' Luke thought to himself without looking away from his latest copy of Gentlemen's Quarterly.

<Two minutes later>

"I suppose that renting a couple of those giant search lights to sit on the front lawn would be a little much?" Luke pondered aloud. Luke set down his magazine and looked over at Casey only to find he wasn't there.

'Must be in the washroom..." Luke said as he rolled over and tucked Mango under his arm.

To be continued...
 

tylerpeel@tickiestories.us

Posted: 01/24/09