Well this is my Circles Fan Fiction (V1.1)
This is my First Real Rewrite
Not much has really changed from the first 'Drafts other than I am adding more to the stories. Mostly I am trying to Double the size of each Chapter and adding somethings that I have left out and changing some of the Dialog. Also trying to make sure where the scene breaks are...though with FanFiction I can't seem to find a format that lets me...
I am also working on trying to make sure each Book and Chapter has a Song to it. I am open to suggestions.
I am starting it in the Spring 2008
Not much has really changed with the Main Cast:
Taye and Marty are still together happily with Taye occasionally getting Motion Capture and Dialog rolls in some of the Games where Marty works now.
Ken and Michael still working on their relationship.
Arthur and John still above the bookstore, though there is now a wine and cheese shop next store that they both have shares in.
Jason and Becky are going to B.U. Jason looking into getting a Business Degree and taking the Culinary Department by storm.
Doug is still a CPA, though without any need to be ambitious he is still in his old office, but is happy and content to be be there.
My OCs (Original Characters):
PJ: My 'Avatar' within Circles is Phillip "PJ" Johnson. A Male Siberian Husky (with red fur) about 32 years old (at the start) from Seattle. A former Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Air Force Para-Jumper who now works as a Field Agent for the FBI. Along with Feebi, his adopted 4 year old daughter (Who is a red fox). He has just been reassigned to the Boston Branch of the FBI.
Most of the story will be PJ coming more comfortable with his sexuality and coming to terms with his PTSD and his Angst over his lost love ones.
He is based on a Character from an RPG I run.
Also you might notice his 'Colors', PJ is a little Color Blind.
Ye-up & Nope: Yes these are my 'Shout-Outs' to Big Macintosh.
Alcohol: PJ has little or no tolerance to Alcohol. More than one beer an hour gets him drunk, but he also loves to drink. He is a happy (and sometimes silly) drunk.
Belly Rubs: One of the 'Canine' things I added to him. (Though they work on me)
Over-The-Top-Show-Off: To miss-use a movie quote 'PJ has a particular set of skills'. To start off he thinks he needs to use all of them to get people to like him. As the story progresses he finds he does not need to use those skills to please those around him.
He knows people: He also has Taye's gift for knowing people (though most are Military or Former Military) that quickly gets on Doug's (and others) nerves.
Old for his age: Though it does not make much of an appearance in the First Series he has physically and mentally gone though a lot. Once he slows down his past will catch up with him at some point.
Feebi: Feebi is based of a character that became attached to PJ in an on-line RP. I thought she would add some dynamic plot devices and humor. I hope I am doing her player justice. She is a 4 year old Red Fox
The she is a feature in many stories her real story does not happen until the Last Chapter of the Last Book at the end of the series and one of the hardest ones and favorite chapters I have written. I originally wrote it to be the first story of the last book, but after writing it I just had to make it the ending of the first Series. My only spoiler is have a tissue handy.
She Loves Pancakes
She Loves to Draw
She Loves her Papa
Fredric "Fuzzy": Fuzzy is based on a real life event. We met on an On-Line RPG Hub and me as PJ and him as Fuzzy did some real intense and fun Role-Plays for a few months and then he dropped completely off the face of the earth. About a month later I got an E-Mail from a close friend of his that Fuzzy's player had died. He was a White Furred Wolf.
Adding him into the story is sort my way of remembering him and paying him a tribute.
Staff Sergeant Steve Johnson: Steve is PJ's younger brother who was killed in an ambush in Iraq in 2005 while serving as a Marine. He is a major catalyst for PJ's Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder or PTSD. PJ feels a little bit of 'Survivors Guilt' and still thinks 'Why Did The World Take My Baby Brother From Me!'. Like his brother he was a husky, but with gray fur.
Note on the Furry Lens: I love the concept though I have a tendency to write them as furs. Just personal taste, but I will not make an issue out of it most of the time. I will most of the time just describe what they are when they first show up and then not worry about it after that other than the occasional head tilt, tail twitch and such.
Other Notes:
Journal Entries: I will be using Douglas's Journal entries. For the most part they will bookend the Chapter. I love the concept so much I will be adding them to my Tale Spin Fan Fictions.
Couple Script Immunity: I also have no intentions of breaking anyone up of the main cast, though someone may move out at some point (at this point most likely Jason and Becky after they get married, but that won't happen till my second set of books), I don't know yet.
Life Script Immunity: I do plan on sending a Circles Character to the hospital, but not till the second set of books. I have no intentions of killing of any Circle's Original Cast off.
The Aging Process: I do plan on showing some aging going on. (Ms. Nussbaum sometimes uses a cane)
Series: I am sticking with the Book a Season Theme going. Most books should be 6 Pages long with each Chapter being 1 Page plus a Journal Entry Epilog and possibly some post epilog dialog. At this time I have finished Series 1, but most Chapters are going though some level of rewrite as I get readt to post them.
Chapter: Each Book I will be breaking into three Chapters, most being the length. After a few chapters I got to like the cadence of it. Someday I might try to really expand each Chapter, but don't hold your breath.
One Shots: I will also be doing 'One Shots'. These are just little stories that I could not figure out how to make longer and still wanted to tell or that just did not fit within the base stories. Some may be flashbacks or to cover other characters from Circles and of my own creation. I will post of the relevant ones at the end of each Book.
Music: I love the idea of tying in the story to Music. I might be throwing in some here and there, but if there was an overall 'Theme Music' for the 1st Series it could be 'Winds of Change'.
Halloween: One of my favorite stories is Taye and Marty's first date. So every Autumn I will be doing a Halloween Chapter.
Christmas: The same with Christmas
The 4th of July Block Party: I came up with this just to some fun character interaction and get some more of PJ's stories into the 1st Book. I had fun writing it so I am tossing it in each year.
Guns: I had to think about this a lot. Then I came up with Doug not liking them in the house, but they came with being involved with PJ. So rather than leave them in the car to be stolen he just got a strong box and gave them for Doug to control where they are kept.
War Stories: I have included some war stories. I have tried to make them fit, but most of them are based on real events I have been told about in one way or another.
Violence: Well there will be violence and even a death (off camera mostly)
Sex: That brings me to Sex. I love they way it was handled. You knew it was happening, but it never made it on screen. I have found I like that and I am going to keep it that way.
Becky: Well first of there was two little of her for me to make a complete judge of her. Though she does remind me of Cadence from MLP: FIM, confident, self assured and just a little snarky. So this how I have written her, to be the voice of reason in all of the chaos. I also saw here as an otter so she is an otter.
And of course Paulie: My favorite character of the whole story and I think part of the reason I am sort of obsessed the Circles right now. In many ways I can relate to him. As I am writing this I keep thinking Arthur was right and Paulie's ghost is hanging around to keep an eye on things until Doug joins him on the other side.
Circles Fan Fiction
Douglas and PJ
Series 01: The Winds of Change
Book 1: Expanding Family
Chapter One: A new Face [Spring 2008]
Music: Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ-Top)
Dear Jason,
It is hard to believe it has been over four years since Paulie has passed on. I still miss him every day and sometimes it is so hard to continue on without him.
Taye and Marty are still together happily with Taye occasionally getting Motion Capture and Dialog rolls in some of the Games where Marty works now.
Ken and Michael still working on their relationship. Ken's modeling carrier is doing well, especially with Micheal as one of his primary photographers.
Arthur and John still above the bookstore, though there is now a wine and cheese shop next store that they both have shares in.
Well am still a CPA, though without any need to be ambitiousIis still inmyold office, but I amhappy and content to be be there.
Things have been nice and quiet recently. I would almost say too quiet.
Right now you and Becky are working on next years classes at B.U. I just am wondering what your overall plan is right now. I really hope it is a good one.
I may be home early, Kathy says I only have one client scheduled for the day. A Mr. Johnson from New York who wants to transfer a trust fund, something about the holding company not having an office here.
When I asked her why me she told me I had experience with trust funds.
So it is my morning coffee and off to the rat race once more.
Love, Dad
Doug sat in his office waiting for Mr. Johnson looking over at all the pictures around his office sipping at his coffee. There were many of Paulie and himself. A few of John and Arthur including one that made him giggle a little, the one of Arthur playing Santa. There was sitting on top filing cabinet a picture Ken and Micheal taken during the annual party on top of Triangle Books on Paulie's Birthday/Wake last year.
The only one that sat prominently on the desk was besides Paulie was the one taken of Jason and Becky at their first 'Alliance Dance'. The picture of Paulie was the one taken by Michael a few days before Paulie went into the hospital the last time.
Doug found himself looking at one of the journals he kept in the office most of the time...the first one. He liked to reread that one because it was one of the more optimistic ones. He also liked reading about how Taye and Marty got started. That and how Arthur and himself finally started to get along. While it did make him sad, it also made him feel good inside.
He was thinking of getting another cup of coffee as he looked into the bottom of his empty cup. There was still about 30 minuets before the appointment with Mr. Johnson when Kathy called and ask if she waned to see him now, Mr. Johnson was early. Doug thought about it for a few moments and told her yes so he could get out of there early.
The Red Furred Husky walked in. He was in a nice dark blue business suit with a lavender shirt and black tie. As the man stepped into the office he pulled the Blue-Tooth out of his ear a pocked it after turning it off. He was clean cut and seemed to take in everything as he crossed the room giving Doug a light nervous smile.
"Greetings Mr. Johnson, I am Mr. Pope I will be taking care of you today." Doug said as he stood up and offered his hand. On his hand was a few rings, one was a high school ring, there was also an Air Force and a Coast Guard Ring on the same hand. Though there was no sign of a wedding ring.
"Greetings back Mr. Pope, sorry if me being early caused you any real inconvenience." Mr. Johnson said putting his hand in Doug's and giving a nice firm hand shake. Probably as strong as Gus's, but not as crushing.
"Well sit down and we can get started." Doug let go of the hand and sat down with a smile. He liked the feel of Mr. Johnson's hand shake for some reason. Opening up the folder and giving it another glance he looked up to notice that Mr. Johnson had one blue eye and one gray eye.
"Good, I still have a long day ahead of me." said Mr. Johnson fidgeting a little, like Ken when he had to much energy.
Doug nodded. "I says you work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that sounds exiting and you are a Field Investigator, what is that exactly?" Doug had a basic idea from all of the cop shows that Ms. Nussbaum likes to come over and watch with him, but wanted to make sure.
Mr. Johnson smirked with a nod. "I basically investigate crimes and we call any place outside the office the field." He paused for a moment as he looked around once more the more out of habit than anything. "And ye-up it has its moments of excitement."
Doug nodded. "So this Trust Fund is in your Daughter Feebi's name giving you $600 a month for her expenses until she turns 18 and then what ever is left goes to her."
"Ye-up, that about sums it up." Mr. Johnson said with a smile feeling good he did not have to worry about he being taking care of her financially.
Doug looked over the paperwork for a few moments making sure he had everything. It all seemed in order except for one blank section on the forms. "The only thing I see that is an issue is you have no mailing address listed."
Mr. Johnson let out a sigh as he rolled his eyes. "I only got into town earlier this week and I have not found a place. Everything is either taken or does not fit my needs. So I have been staying at a motel until I can find a place." He pulled out the card for the local FBI Office and handed it over. "If you need to send anything to me it should just be sent there, it will get to me...eventually."
Doug looked up with a light grimace at the though of living in a motel, a weekend is great, but not for an extended time. "Well this is a college town and nothing is really going to open up for another few months."
Mr. Johnson just nodded. "That is what I have been told."
Doug thought for a few moments. He let out a slight smile as he 'Channeled Paulie' as he called it. "Well if you want I could put you up for a few days or even possibly a week or more."
Mr. Johnson contemplated and then nodded." Sounds better than where I have been staying, I think you will have a guest for a short time."
"So everything else looks to be in order, buy the way while not formal we probably have dinner for the rest of the household, feel free to bring something if you want, there will be seven of us." Doug said. "You have any questions?"
"I have what might be an issue." Mr. Johnson scratched the back of his neck with one hand. "Bureau policy requires me to keep a firearm with me, is that going to be a problem?"
Doug had to think about it. There had only been one gun in the house before and it had ended badly. He knew Carter Allen had a few hunting rifles. After some consideration he made a decision. "If there is some way you can secure it so no one can get to it then it is ok."
Mr. Johnson nodded. "I think I can come up with something."
After asking about there a local Office Supply store was Mr. Johnson stopped and picked up a fire proof strong box. He then popped across the street to a liquor store and looked around for something to bring to dinner. Seeing in most of the photos were adults he figured beer or wine would be good.
Picking up a six-pack of the local Sam Addams he asked the clerk about a good wine for a meal that he was not sure what it was. It took a little bit, but he picked up one moderately price white and one moderately priced red.
Getting back into his rental he spent a few moments reading over the directions and pulled out a map from the glove compartment to plan his route before calling Feebi.
"Papa!" said the little girl on the other end. "When are you getting home?"
"Hopefully soon, still trying to find us a nice home up here honey." said Mr. Johnson as he looked at the map that was covered in little red X's.
"Ok..." Feebi said sadly.
Mr. Johnson thought for a moment. "Let me speak with Uncle Jessie real quick."
"Ok Papa." said the disappointed Feebi.
"So how is the house hunting going." asked Uncle Jessie.
"It sucks." holding up his phone and taking a picture with a silly expression. "My location is changing for a few days rather than that Motel 6 the Bureau set me up with. The address is 6 Kinsey Circle, a little place on the edge of town."
"That sounds...what is it?" Uncle Jessie asked not sure about the address.
"Well...the home of my new Accountant." Mr. Johnson said as he pressed send. "He offered to set me up for a few night and I get to have dinner with his family, no take out for me tonight." He could almost hear the shaking head of the Border Collie. "Hand Feebi the phone after accepting the picture."
"Ok..." Uncle Jessie tapped the phone and raised an eyebrow as he handed it over to the down feeling Feebi before hearing a giggle.
"You are silly Papa." said Feebi.
"Hey it made you happier, that is part of my job." said Mr. Johnson with a smile. "Now honey be good for Uncle Jessie."
"Yes Papa, I love you." Feebi said kissing the phone.
"Love you too honey, call you before I go to bed." Mr. Johnson said with a smile before Uncle Jessie took the phone back.
"Ok, Bye Bye, I love you!" Uncle Jessie said in a little girls voice before hanging up.
There was a few things that went over in his mind about Mr. Pope. One his office seemed well lived in, at least a decade or more. The pictures told him he had a diverse circle of friends and most of them seemed to be living at his house from the number of pictures and the number expected for dinner. The one teenager with the charming looking girl he figured was his son. That was the one thing he did not see any pictures of women other than the one from the prom photo.
Mr. Johnson smirked to himself as he drove to #6 Kinsey Circle, what was the odds of him finding a place where him being gay was not going to be an issue. One could hope, but if not he planned on not bringing it up. After all he was only going to to be there a few nights. It was not like this was going to be life changing or anything.
Pulling up Mr. Johnson parked in the street and sat there for a few moments looking at the neighborhood. It seemed to be a nice quiet one, almost like you would see in a TV sitcom. Down the street was an elderly squirrel who was watching what he assumed was her grandson and two young foxes playing in the yard.
In the driveway sat a bark blue 2004 BMW 3 series, the type an accountant would drive. From the stains or lack of stains on the driveway that seemed to be the only vehicle at this residence. However there was a bus stop at the corner so he figured most of them just used public transportation.
Just before getting out the way Mr. Johnson put his service weapon a SIG 226 in the strong box along with his K-Bar Marine Knife and picked it up along with his bag of drinks for tonight and headed to the front door.
Up close the place looked old, bet well kept up. There was even freshly planted garden on the other side of the shrub lined walkway. A smile came over his face as it reminded him of the house he grow up in Seattle, except this one was three stories tall with a half basement.
The doorbell rang at the 'front door'. After a few moments the front door opened. "Yeeeees!" Answered the smiling Taye who was in blue jeans and a white t-shirt, his eyes a little droopy from lack of sleep. He looked over Mr. Johnson who was still in his dark blue suit with the lavender shirt, had on his mirrored sunglasses. Under his left arm was strong box and in the right a large bag. Taye then stood up and looked back. "Teddy Bear have you been hacking the Pentagon in your spare time again?"
"No...why?" said Marty from deeper within the apartment.
Mr. Johnson's just raised an eyebrow.
"Well the Feds are here." said Taye looking Mr. Johnson over with a discerning eye. "Either that or the Fashion Police have finally caught up with Ken."
Mr. Johnson just raised the other eyebrow. "I am here to have dinner with Mr. Pope…?" Mr. Johnson pulled out his iphone. "This is 6 Kinsey Circle right?"
"Yes it is, well 6 Kinsey Circle Apartment A." said Taye as Marty walked up. "You want 6 Kinsey Circle Apartment C."
Marty looked over Mr. Johnson for a second. "Nice shirt, I take it you are Mr. Johnson?"
Taye let out a giggle in his sleep deprived state. "You said Johnson."
Marty playfully hit Taye with the wooden spoon he had in one hand. "Would you quit being silly."
"He said wood." Taye said to Mr. Johnson before straitened up and put on a little bit more serious face, though not much of one. "I do agree I do like your shirt it goes with your...eyes" Taye then started to straiten his hair in the mirrored shades.
Mr. Johnson smirked and pulled off his glasses showing one was blue and the other was gray. "Witch one do you think the shirt really goes with?"
Taye looked back at Marty and in his best 'Bugs Bunny'. "I like him, he's funny."
Marty rolled his eyes. "The line is I like him he is silly."
"But I don't know if he is silly yet, but he is funny." said Taye with a big smile and then looked back at Mr. Johnson. "So you are here for dinner Mr. Johnson?"
"Yes that is right and feel free to call me PJ." Mr. Johnson said.
"So what is your first name?" Taye asked.
"Phillip." PJ said with a smile.
"Phillip Johnson, that's not that funny of a name." Taye said have feeling the joking was over.
"You want a silly name try my father, Richard." PJ grinned as he spoke.
"Richard Johnson, Dick Johnson..." Taye just looked at PJ. "So your father name is...Dick Dick..." Taye just burst out in laughter.
"Hey my mother is Mary Johnson." PJ said with a strait face.
Taye looked up at PJ. "So your dad is Dick Dick and your mom is Mary J." and then hit the floor in a mixture of laughter and giggling.
"Now that he is taken care of for a few moments" PJ said with a smile as he looked down at the giggling kangaroo. "Yes I am here to have dinner with Mr. Pope and family."
Marty just looked at PJ. "You are good, and yes we will be joining you, Doug wanted the whole family here tonight. Oh by the way I am Marty and that is Taye."
"Well nice to meet you Marty." PJ said looking down at the still giggling Taye. "I take it that is sort normal for him?"
"As normal as he can be right now." said Marty as he also looked down at Taye. "He worked a double last night and then today and we did not much sleep last night so he is a little sleep deprived."
"I can also assume that Mr. Pope lives on the top floor." PJ said looking up.
Marty nodded. "Taye and me live here, Jason, Doug's son lives on the second and Doug lives in what was the attic long ago." As Marty spoke Ken and Micheal got back and approached the front door. "and here we have mister timing Ken and Micheal who lurk in the basement."
Ken looked at Taye then Marty and then looked over at PJ. "So what happened to laughing boy and who is the hunk in a suit?" said Ken giving PJ a once over only to have Micheal poke him.
"Well I did that to Taye and the name is Phillip Johnson, please just call me PJ." said PJ holding out a hand.
Ken took PJ's hand and give it a good squeeze as PJ squeezed back. "I well I like you already." looking down on the recovering Taye.
"Ken are you heading up now or later?" asked Marty.
"Later me and Micheal are going go...work out." said Ken with a smirk.
"Yes a work out." said Micheal with a smirk himself as he pulled Ken to the stairs heading down.
Taye finally got up tears in his eyes. "I got it Teddy Bear you look in on the veggies." Then looked over at PJ. "Walk this way." Taye then headed for the stairs walking like Igor. PJ just once more raised an eyebrow and followed to the stairs and up them. As they passed the second floor Taye pointed out Jason's apartment.
PJ had to stop for a moment as he sniffed the cooking pasta closing his eyes. "That smells so good."
Taye looked back with a smirk. "Well it should, he is the third best cook in the house, Marty being number one in my humble opinion."
PJ had to let out a smirk at that. he could already see Taye loved being the center of attention. "Do tell, if Jason is the third best, I am going love spending a few days here."
Taye let out a snicker, "Wait till you try the brownies, they are to die for and a favorite of the whole house if not this part of the city."
"Do tell" said PJ as he continued to follow up the stairs.
When PJ got upstairs he handed of the strong box over to Doug as he locked it in Paulie's old writing desk. Looking and seeing an open space on the counter before gesturing to the coat rack and Doug just nodded to his guest. Putting his jacket on the coat rack he pulled off his clip on tie and rolling it up and putting it in one of the jacket pocket just as Taye looked on and Marty came in with their part of dinner.
Dinner was a simple spaghetti with meatballs on the side, garlic bread that Jason boasted that he learned how to make it from Arthur. Marty added a mixed vegetables in a mushroom sauce. Doug had chosen Cabernet Sauvignon that PJ had brought.
"So why did you pick the Cabernet Sauvignon?" Doug asked as he looked at the other bottle of wine, a nice Chardonnay.
PJ just shrugged. "I am not a wine guy so I let the guy at the store help me, always let the expert do their job."
Doug just nodded as he put the other bottle off to one side. "A good way to do things...and the ale."
PJ shrugged again. "Well it is a Boston lager and I figured when in Rome."
Jason and Becky just walked in at the last part. Becky looked at PJ with cocked head. "What about Rome?"
PJ looked over at the two. "You must be Jason and Becky...a little older that the picture I saw."
Jason looked at PJ for a moment. "You must be Mr. Johnson?"
PJ just nodded. "Yes, but call me PJ, everyone really does and about Rome, I was just saying that I tend to try what is local like when I was in Afghanistan, for the experience if nothing else."
Everyone there nodded as the table was set. Doug had PJ sit next to the head of the table as he took what was normally Paulie's seat. The whole time Taye just watched PJ like he was trying to figure something out.
After more formal introductions the meal was started. PJ was happy to see it was not to formal, but there was a set of formality to it. Each one dished up a plate from what was in front of them and passed it to the right before doing the same for the plate that came next. The smile on his face got bigger as he watched the plates move around the table.
PJ took his first bite of the pasta and closed his eyes and seemed to be in deep transcendent thought.
"Is everything ok?" asked Jason worried that something was wrong with his dish.
After taking his time to finish his mouthful. "No! Everything is great, I almost forgot what real food tasted like, this is probably just my taste buds rejoicing, but that is best thing I have eaten in the longest time."
Doug, Jason and Marty looked at PJ wanting to know more.
"Sorry, but for the last...10 plus years I have lived off of nothing but Coast Guard, Air Force food and take out Taiwanese." said PJ
Marty playfully kicked Taye under the table "Then you should go to Holland."
"You have to admit it was good though Teddy Bear." and then gave Marty a peck one the cheek. Everyone then froze for a moment and looked at PJ. No one had said anything about the fact that everyone (but Jason) in the house was gay.
PJ looked up with a mouthful of spaghetti noodles and sucked them in. "What?"
Doug took a deep breath. "Well I should have told you that we are all gay here."
"Speak for yourself." Jason spoke up.
"He sure is not" added Becky.
"Well everyone here but my son." Doug stuck his tongue out at Jason. "I hope this is not a problem?"
PJ let out a smirk "Well I kind of figured that out. All of the pictures in your office, the way Ken looked at me, Taye and Marty playing footsie under the table. Jason was the only one I was not sure about, but that picture with him at the prom on your desk with such a lovely looking young lady told me he was not."
"So you are ok with it?" Asked Marty.
"Yes, I had a boyfriend once myself a while ago, but lets leave it at that." there was a sudden melancholy to his look.
"What about your daughter?" Doug asked not wanting to pry, but now out of curiosity and to change the subject.
"Well she is adopted." This seemed to perk him up. "Her father served with me when I was in Afghanistan a few years back, but her parents were killed in a house fire and she was left in my custody. Right now she is back in Jersey with her Uncle Jessie until I find a place here." said PJ
"OK! What's with the Clip On!" Taye finally burst out. "You are dressing so nice and then a-a-a Clip On!"
"Practicality...I think it would be best if I show you." PJ looked over at table and saw Doug, who was sitting next to him still had his tie on form work. "Do you mind Doug?" gesturing at his tie.
"Go ahead?" Doug questionably agreed.
PJ reached over and took the tie in his hand and felt in between his fingers before grabbing it and pulling Doug up close to him. "Now with a clip on it would just come off." Letting Doug loose and brushing out any wrinkles he had caused before settling down. "I have gotten into a few scrapes on the job and a tie is a liability then."
"I need to get you more ties" Micheal said to Ken who looked back with at Micheal with a 'Who Me?' expression.
"Sorry for the display, I did some instructing on close quarters fighting when I was in New York, some habits die hard." PJ apologized
"So what did you do in Afghanistan?" asked Jason.
"Air Sea Rescue, sort of like Helicopter riding Paramedics. If you have ever watched M.A.S.H., we are the guys in the choppers who take the wounded to the hospital." PJ said between bites. "Were were called Para-Jumpers or PJ's. Well when your name is Phillip Johnson you end up with the name PJ."
"Wow, you seem much action?" Jason asked having never really met anyone who had been there.
"To Much, part of the reason I am now with the FBI." PJ replied.
"What happened?" asked Marty.
"I got shot up bad and lost my Flight Certificate so I could not fly combat missions. By the time I recovered I was already out of the service and at the FBI training grounds. I sucks because I really miss doing that kind of thing." said PJ
"You miss the action?" Ken asked.
"I...well...it was not the action, it was my buddies, those are what I miss. They were my brothers, not just the other Para-Jumpers, but all of them including the ANA...the Afghan National Army. We also saved the lives of the civilians and even the bad guys from time to time. We did some crazy things over there to save lives, but we lived by a motto...'So Others May Live' and some of us died by that motto." Everyone could see his eyes tear up a little, but at the same time the was a pride deep within him.
"So you were heroes of sort?" asked Jason.
"Some say we are, but this might seem like something you see in movies, but we were just doing our job and the real heroes...came back draped in flags..." He looked strait forward for a moment not focusing on anything. "I need a drink."
"Are you ok?" asked Doug as Ken got PJ one of the Sam Addams.
"Well, yes and no." PJ quietly said "I do suffer from a light form PTSD, but nothing to bad. I am not going to freak out and hurt anyone, I just get a little distant from time to time."
"So you got any good stories you could tell us?" asked Taye.
PJ thought for a moment. "Well I got one that was told to me by my younger brother Steve while he was in Iraq as a Marine. You see when they would go on patrol him and his buddies would fill their pockets with things to hand out to the local children. Things like candy, toys, stuffed animals, you know anything they could stick in a pouch or pocket. He wrote that this small girl was given this bright blue stuffed pony."
"Well about a week later his patrol was heading down the same street and they came to a stop." PJ Continued "Now you never stop in the middle of the street it is just asking to ambushed, but the lead truck came to a stop. The chatter over the radio was telling everyone else that there was a little girl sitting in the middle of the road and refused to move."
"Well Steve asked for a better description. The lead radio guy said it was a little girl with a blue horse plush. And do you know what my stupid baby brother did. He did the second thing you never do, he got out of his truck and went up to her to pull her out of the street. When he got there he found she was sitting in front of a mine." PJ stopped again, but this time with a teary smile. "She was sitting in front of the mine so the soldier who gave her the pony would not run over it."
"Wow." was all Jason could let out.
"I do have a lot of those, but they take a lot out of me emotionally." PJ said taking a deep breath.
"Your brother sounded brave." said Marty.
"You could say that." PJ said slowly. "Steve did a lot of things that were both stupid and brave at the same time, but he was always like that even when we were growing up. As we put it to each other...Of course this is brave, bold, daring and of course incredibly stupid. Not that it ever stopped us from doing them."
"Like what?" asked Ken
PJ let out a chuckle. "Well there was the summer before I graduated that he talked a bunch of us to head up Mt. Rainier to track down Bigfoot. Now that was a trip. We did not find Bigfoot, but we got on the news as we got caught in a freak summer snow storm and had to be air lifted out." PJ mused. "I think that is where my fascination with helicopter rescue started."
Doug could see that PJ was working on keeping it together and decided it was time to end the Q&A. "Well I know we all want to hear more, but we should clean up the table and I know some folks have some homework to do."
"Ok" said Jason.
"And you still need to get Becky home, it is a week night." Doug said with a grin.
Once everything was cleaned up Doug showed PJ where the couch was. It was already made up to sleep on, but PJ saw the big chair and looked at Doug. "Do you mind, and this is a nice place."
Doug paused for a moment. "No go ahead it is real comfortable, we used to sit in all of the time."
PJ looked at the portrait on the wall. "So he was your..."
Doug looked at the portrait that Arthur had done of the two of them. "My husband in all, but the legality. He past away only months before it became legal here."
PJ looked at the bookshelf and just nodded. "And yourself..."
Doug noticed where he was looking. "No I did not get it."
"Sorry for your loss."PJ just nodded and quietly spoke. I am probably just pass out in this chair. There was never level ground in Afghanistan and all the time just sitting in the chopper I got used to sleeping while sitting up. Sometimes it is the only way I can sleep in a new place."
"Suit yourself." Doug said "Let me know if you need anything else." As he went to write in the journal as he looked at PJ half lay down in the chair. There was something about him that seemed different. For one he seemed to have secrets, but did not hide things. If he was asked a question he just told you what he thought, it was kind of refreshing.
Dear Jason,
Dinner was not what I expected with our guest. I expect we will be seeing a lot of him in the future, well at least for the couple of weeks or so. In an odd way I hope longer.
There was something about being close to him. I know Paulie would have taken him in a heartbeat as he does seem a little lost.
I think something happened to his brother, Steve, but I am not going to push it. He figured out part of what happened to Paulie and I think something similar happen to him.
Taye seems to be taken with him and it looked like he want to ask a million questions, not the same as you did, but Taye would have been to know his 'character' more, you know how actors can be. Marty seems to be unsure of him on an empathic level, but I think they will probably get along fine.
Ken seems to like him if only to look at his body. Micheal might have a problem, but that is because of the distraction his is causing.
Now Arthur and John I don't know about. I am sure Arthur will make friends with him quickly, but will be leery about him being the FBI with Arthur and John's recreational choice for smoking. John might also have problems with him being a cog in the establishment.
Right now PJ is sound asleep in the large comfy chair that Paulie and I like to curl up on even though the your old couch was set up to sleep on. Something about getting in the habit of sleeping while sitting up from his time in Afghanistan.
I am not sure what will happen next, but I told him he could stay as long as he needed...it is nice to not be all alone up here. I know Paulie would have taken him in. In a way there are a lot alike. They are both selfless individuals who care for all those around them. I am not sure how I feel about the guns in the house, but he seemed to sense that and assured me he would always keep them locked up.
I know you like him even if it was because of how he loved your cooking.
Love, Dad.
Later back with Taye and Marty.
"So Taye why were you so quiet" Marty asked as he undressed.
"I don't completely know. He was like a character study in contradiction. He seemed to be in complete control of himself, yet there were parts of him that he had no control over. And when he grabbed Doug and pulled him close...well I think something happened, but I am not completely sure yet." Taye said as he tossed his underwear at the hamper.
Marty raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"I am not sure, but I think he likes PJ." Taye wistfully spoke
"Well that would be different." Marty replied with a big smile and a light giggle. "They would make a cute couple."