Part 38 (19-06-09) I had to do something big for the first kiss but of course I couldn't do the first kiss because well it's a bit late for that so I decided ages ago that this would be when the following happens, I hope you enjoy. Also I am playing with time a little so Jane and Ian got back the day before this.

"So how did they take it?" Syed asked his bottom lip caught between his teeth.

"I burnt down one of his businesses Sy, so not good." Christian moaned cleaning away after another one of the infamous Bushar's parties, a leaving do for someone or other. Christian had spent most of the time worrying about Ian and Jane. He felt a little better now that Syed was here with him. "How's things at yours? Tamwar still being weird with you?"

"Yeah, I don't understand it, as soon as I walk into the room he starts babbling like a moron and then leaves. If he is the great hope for the Masood family in terms of academia we are well and truly in trouble." He smirked.

"Don't worry, you exceed in other things." He put down the tray he was holding and garbed at Syed pulling him in close and pressing their bodies together.

"Oh yeah?" Syed asked flirtatiously. "And what things would these be?"

"Well for example you happen to be the sexiest creature on the entire planet." Syed made a little noise of disbelief. "It's true, I checked." He told him with mock seriousness.

"You're lucky you're so attractive, Christian, because your chat up lines are seriously bad."

"Hey." He pouted. "I got you didn't I?"

"Yeah." He agreed gently lifting himself up to press their lips together. "Yeah you did." Christian threaded his fingers through Syed's hair and deepened the kiss stealing Syed's air out of his body.

"What the hell." The broke apart at the sound of Jane's voice and took several steps away from each other. "What exactly is going on here?"

"We were just messing about." Syed rushed to a bad excuse and looked desperately at Christian for help.

"Oh this is so you, isn't it Christian." She spat at him. "Just typical! The second you two started being friends I should have seen this coming." Christian remained quiet and let her yell at him. "How long has this been going on for?" They looked at each other sheepishly trying to decide if they should lie or not.

"February." Christian muttered and Syed looked at the floor.

"For four months!" She lay her head against her hand in shock. "Who else knows?"

"Lucy." He muttered like caught child.

"You told Lucy!" She screamed and they both winced at the noise.

"She kind found out." He admitted.

"And I take it that Zainab doesn't know." She asked coldly and Syed shook his head. "But you're not gay!" She yelled at him and his shoulders slumped. "This is all you isn't it!" She turned to her brother. "You just can't help yourself, can you? You always want what you can't have. A little bit of pressure they always crack in the end don't they. Just like my first husband, who's next eh? Once you've destroyed everything and gotten bored, once you've had your fun…"

"It's not like that!" Syed butted in suddenly. "This isn't some seedy hook up. I love him!" Realising what he'd said Syed dropped his head to his hands jumping away from Christian as he felt his hand go on his shoulder. "Don't!" He warned. "I swear if you're smiling when I turn around…." He lifted a pair of angry brown eyes to Christian who had the softest smile on his face.

"Well I'm sorry, Syed, but you tell a guy you love him, I dunno, a million times when he finally says it back to you your allowed to be happy. And yeah I would have preferred if it hadn't been yelled angrily at my sister, but you said it, and I'll take it any way I can get it."

"Thirty two." Syed whispered gently his hand coming up and touching Christian's shoulder.

"What?"

"That's how many times you've said it. I counted." Christian smiled at him and ran his hand through his hair before turning to his sister.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, you have no idea how much I wanted to share this with you, but I couldn't risk it. I've…I've never been in love before. You have a million reasons to hate me, Jane, but please not for this."

"Have you two even thought about what's going to happen? Syed, your engaged!" She reminded him.

"I know." Was all he said. After a while Jane gave up and looked at Christian.

"I have no idea what to even say to you." She muttered shaking her head.

"Say you won't tell anyone." Syed asked quietly, brave eyes lifting up from under his long hair.

"I work with your parent's, Syed…"

"Please."

"Fine, but you two have to start being more careful, what if I'd been Zainab?" Christian felt Syed shiver at the thought. "I have to go, but this is not over, not by a long shot." She marched out of the room. Syed watched her go.

"I have the feeling you're in for right earful later." He said lightly a slightly dead tone to his voice but trying to be casual. Christian saw him putting up his veneer and reached out to stop him touching his face gently, the physical contact enough to stop him putting on a front.

"Nothing I can't handle. Now please, say it again. To me this time." He begged but Syed remained silent. "Please, I love you, Sy." He told him.

"I love you too." He whispered back and Christian couldn't help the smile spreading over his face at the words. Syed loved him.

"Say it again."

"I love you."

"Just once more, please." He begged his lips so close he could feel then move as he whispered it again.

"I love you." He lay their foreheads together resting against the man he loved. "This isn't good is it?" Syed asked in a quiet voice.

"What d'ya mean?"

"If I love you…I can't marry her."

I finally had him say it, and I know it wasn't quite the lovely moment that it should have been but I thought it fit, sorry if it was disappointing.

Kuroseed