"Jim, I'm at the ER. Can you come get me?"

I was there in fifteen minutes, after a drive that should have takentwenty five. By the time I was shown into the cubicle where he waswaiting for me, my heart felt as if it was twisted within me.

I stepped inside and over to the bed where he sat, legs over theside, head down, arms wrapped protectively around his chest.

Lifting his chin with my hand, I gasped at the sight of my guide'sface - one eye blackened and swollen almost shut, the blackspidering of stitches on his cheek and his full lower lip. I reacheddown and pulled the hospital gown down, folding it over his crossedarms, wincing with empathy at the peppering of bruises mottling his
chest and back.

He just watched me then before I could ask why he didn't just leave,go call for help he spoke softly and calmly.

"I couldn't just leave, Jim. They were had Joe on the ground,kicking him and punching him."

A tear dripped slowly down his bruised cheek and I mopped it up withmy thumb, trying desperately to stem the hurt behind the tears.

"I told them to leave him alone but then they turned on me too.Called me a fag, said I must be if I was with him."

"Why?" I whispered the word, knowing I still wouldn't understandeven if he told me the reason.

He shook his head and I realized he didn't understand why either.Then he dropped his head forward against my chest andwhispers, "Joe's gay. He came out at the Uni a few weeks ago. Theysaw us having dinner together. Put two and two together and came upwith five. They wanted to hurt him. When I tried to stop them theyattacked me too."

oOo

I'm holding him within the safety of my arms now, cocooned againstmy body, my hand tracing gentle circles over his back.

He winces and I whisper "sorry" into his ear then my arms tightenaround him and I pull him back more securely against me, wantingnothing but to protect him with my savage love.

He stirs within my guardian arms, and I loosen them enough so he canturn within them. Looking up as he rests against me once more, hesmiles drowsily at me then leans forward and presses a tender, sweetkiss over my heart.

Then I bend my head forward so I can smell the sweetness of him andfeel his living heartbeat against my skin. My tears dampen his hairas I tell him over and over how much I love him.

My Blair. My gentle friend. My soulmate. My guide. My lover. Mylife. My reason for living.

The End