Take my hand, show no fear
Look in my eyes it's perfectly clear
I'll love you, and cover you
Ask me to tell you what I wanna do
I'll hide you away from danger
Danger
Danger
Hide you, hide you.

Kosheen – Hide U

As Eric and I stepped into the diner, I was surprised how many customers were there at that late hour.

I noted with disappointment Tanya wasn't working, but seeing the other waiter, I knew immediately why Tanya spoke highly of her. Tanya was weird, which meant she liked weird.

Belinda was a tranny, talking a mile per minute and telling everyone who was listening about why she chose that particular name. I made the mistake to tell her Belinda was a nice name, which launched her into a mind-blowing explanation about her crush on Chris Norman. Apparently, he had a song by that name, and she was in love with him, thus choosing the name.

I nodded and smiled politely, then when she was off to bring our order, I turned to Eric. "Who the hell is Chris Norman?"

He gaped at me, and I felt like a total shit. Especially when he started laughing. Eventually, he explained who Chris Norman was, which made me feel even worse. I liked Smokie, but I had never searched about the members of the band.

"I know them. Well, a few songs, but yeah…"

"It's okay." He waved a hand around. "It's strange, you know? I've never sat down and chatted with someone so young. I'm impressed you know and like the kind of music you do, 'cause no offence, but you kids these days…" Eric shuddered.

I rolled my eyes. "I do play violin and piano—that should say something. Speaking of, Alistair called me a couple more times to play. You were never there."

He smiled, staring at me in a way that made me realize he was probably seeing me as a man for the first time. He wanted me, and it made me feel good. Besides Jasper, I'd been approached in the past by other guys, but I always thought of only Jasper and others didn't interest me. Maybe it was time to take a page out of his book.

"I got an opportunity at the beginning of September, and now I'm playing in Philly."

"Whoa! That's huge!" My eyes widened at the news. I'd always dreamed of playing for Philadelphia Orchestra.

"Actually, I'm back to find someone to play in a concert. It's a delicate job to find someone skilled."

"I'm sure you can find the one."

"I already did." He grinned.

"Amazing! Is it the older guy at the opera? Uh, Thomas…something? Or maybe—"

"You," Eric whispered, reaching across the table for my hand.

"Me?" I squeaked. My ears were deceiving me.

He nodded seriously, confirming I still had 20/20 hearing.

"But…what…I can't! I'm not that good."

"Of course you are, Edward!"

"What do you want me to play?" Maybe it was something easy.

"Just a little Paganini." He said it as if we were discussing my favorite food.

That was huge. Paganini was difficult. "Are you sure you want me? I bet they want someone more…experienced, more mature."

"They love new talents."

"Still…really? Me? Wow." He kept nodding. "When would this be?"

"Next week. We can go to my place right now and practice."

"Okay," I agreed, feeling like in a dream. It was too good to be true.

After finishing our warm drinks, we walked out of the diner. Eric explained he'd kept his place and it was close, near Rainbow, actually. We took the route back to the club, talking about Philly and what to expect from this new experience.

As we passed the mouth of the alley that led to Rainbow, a hand grabbed me by the jacket. Before I could scream, I came face to face with an angry Jasper.

"Where the fuck did you disappear to?" he spat.

It made me just as angry. He had no right to shout at me. I couldn't even read a trace of worry on his face, only pure anger.

"I ran into Eric—from the opera," I snapped, pointing to my companion. "We were on our way to his place. He wants me to go with him to Philadelphia, and play for the opera. Solo!"

Jasper turned his thundering dark eyes on Eric. "Fuck off!"

"No. You fuck off!" I told him, trying to free my arm from his grasp. "I hoped you'd be happy for me!"

"Edward, how stupid are you?" He drawled out the words. "If he told you the moon was green, you'd believe him?"

"Of course not! But I know Eric, and he plays for Philadelphia Orchestra. They want a fresh, young face. And he thought of ME!"

"He wants your ass!" Jasper hissed. "Get lost before I call the cops!" He yelled at Eric, taking a few menacing steps toward him.

Eric didn't even look my way as he took off, scared.

I was about to run after him and apologize for Jasper's behavior, when the man in question grabbed me by jacket collar and dragged me inside the club. He didn't stop until we were deep into the Backroom.

Once away from an audience, he shoved me up against a wall, wrapping his large hand around my throat. His knee spread my legs and pushed into my groin. I wasn't sure whether to be scared or turned on. Jasper kissed me so hard I knew our lips would be bruised.

Suddenly, he turned me around, pressing my face into the wall.

"Do you like this?" he breathed into my ear, pushing his denim clad erection into my ass.

My whole body trembled. "Not really."

His fingers deftly unbuttoned my jeans, pushing inside and grabbing my dick. "What about this?" I could hear vileness in his voice.

"No. Stop it," I begged, truly scared.

He kept jerking me and pushing into me, then suddenly stopped. I thought it was over, but Jasper only pulled my pants down, along with my boxers. He pushed one finger into my ass, and I clenched around the intrusion. I'd never been scared of him—not even the first time we met.

His zipper moving down was awfully loud. His hard dick pushed between my cheeks, not penetrating, just enough to make me freeze and wonder if it was wise to scream for help. He'd never touched me there with his uncovered dick.

"Jasper, stop! What are you doing?" I wailed, trying to escape his grasp.

His forehead pressed against my shoulder, and his arms wrapped around my waist. Seconds later, he started sobbing.

I couldn't keep up with him. So I simply stood there frozen—my jacket askew, my pants around my ankles, and Jasper washing my back in his tears.

As if in slow motion, he turned me around and rearranged our clothes, before hugging me tightly, his nose burrowed into my hair.

"Don't," he rasped. "Don't you ever scare me like that again."

"Me, scare you? Here I thought it was the other way round," I managed.

"If something happened to you, too… I couldn't take it."

I realized he was talking about Eric. "Nothing was going to happen! But that doesn't matter. What got into you?"

Jasper pulled away enough to show me how serious he was. "You're so fucking naïve, Pretty Boy. That piece of shit was going to…take advantage of you. If he was honest about Philly, he'd have stood his ground and not fled like a coward."

My heart jumped in my throat. I'd been such an idiot.

"Jasper!" I cried, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I'm so sorry."

I understood his previous actions. He'd tried to show me what could have happened.

He kissed my temple. "You're okay. You're safe. Now, let's go home. I can't take any more drama for today."

"Wait. You said…if something happened to me, too. What does that mean? Did something happen to someone you know?"

Jasper stiffened, wiping snot with the back of his hand. He stared at me unblinking with an unreadable expression. When he finally spoke, his voice was lifeless. "Garrett called earlier. That's why I was late to pick you up. I met with him. When he started dating Riley, he dropped his case. Now, Rile's doc asked him to advise him on what to do about a patient not responding to the meds. Garrett's a smart guy, and he figured his fellow doc was talking about Riley." He sobbed, and it broke my heart. I'd never seen Jasper so vulnerable. "He told me because he has no idea how to tell Rile. I advised him not say anything until the doctor calls."

"What does that mean?"

"It means the fucking virus became resistant to the current treatment. He's been through so many already…"

"He'll be okay." I stroked his face. "Riley's strong."

"It will break him—such news. He'll think he's a burden to us and stop taking the meds…like the other times."

"Jasper…" I had no idea what to say. This situation was so serious, and it overwhelmed me. "Let Garrett handle this."

He winced as if I hurt him physically. "I can't. What is he to Rile? Pete and I have known him for years. We've been there though his breakdowns, his good times, his successes, his loses…"

"Jasper, Garrett is his boyfriend. Wouldn't you want to be there for me if I were in Riley's place? Or would you step back and allow Bella and Alec to stay with me?"

"Me!" he said in a raspy voice.

"See? Allow Garrett to do it. He'll ask for help if he needs it."

"When did you become so smart?"

"I've always been smart. You never noticed." I winked.

"It's hard to believe for someone so smart how stupid you were tonight. Jesus, Pretty Boy! If I wasn't out there looking for you… God forbid what that shit would have done!"

"My hero!" I tried to lighten the mood.

"Hardly a hero. Let's go."

We left the club wrapped around one another. I couldn't comprehend what had happened.

Jasper saved my life. He was scared for me. He was scared for Riley.

Sometimes, I wondered how he was still sane with all the worrying he did.

For the moment, I bathed in the care, and dare I think love, he showed me.

Was Eric a surprise? Some of you thought he wasn't good news, but I'm sure this was a surprise for most of you.

As for Jasper...all I can say is Rome wasn't built in one day. He's showing Edward how much he cares for him through his every gesture and word.