As they sped down the interstate, Sean's gaze kept wandering to the young man seated next to him--flopping like a lifeless rag doll, like a toy for him to play with...

But maybe I shouldn't.

He was amazed that the thought even entered his head, after all the times he'd fantasized about having Jeff as his pet. But being so close to him made Sean realize that maybe he felt a little something more than just a physical attraction to Jeff.

Jeff was attractive, no doubt about it. And Sean wanted him. But what if he could have him for more than just this one night?

Not if he took advantage of him now, he wouldn't. Jeff would wake up and feel violated, even if he couldn't (or wouldn't) say so, and Sean would be left with nothing but the empty satisfaction that he'd finally had that man in his bed. And, dammit, that just wasn't enough!

But what if he was wrong, and Jeff really didn't feel anything for him? Up until now Sean had convinced himself that Jeff was only in denial, that very soon he'd have to admit his feelings. But perhaps Sean had been too presumptuous, and Jeff wasn't the slightest bit interested.

The young actor turned the radio on softly to help calm his nerves, yet he fretted with indecision, biting his nails all the way back to his penthouse while trying to keep it under sixty.

Jeff wasn't exactly a heavyweight champion, but he still weighed a bit more than Sean, even if he was shorter. By the time Sean had parked his car he realized that Jeff was completely unconscious and wouldn't be any help getting inside. Sean had to part carry and part drag him to the steps, and then lifted him into his arms and staggered up them to the door. He unlocked it with a little more struggling, then flicked on the light switch before pulling Jeff into the room.

Sean tried standing Jeff up against the door as he tried to get him out of his jacket. Jeff groaned in protest and didn't make any attempt to stand on his own.

"Come on, now, sweetheart," Sean said through gritted teeth. "Don't be difficult with me."

At last Jeff's jacket slipped down his arms and he collapsed onto Sean with no further objection. Sean bent his knees and took a deep breath, hoisting Jeff into his arms with a firm grip on his behind. Jeff's head lolled onto Sean's shoulder and his arms flopped against his back. Sean held him close to his chest as he stumbled into the bedroom.

Sean never left home--or hotel--with all of the lights off. It was a rule he'd established in childhood and he never failed to follow it. The lamp that had been left on cast a soft, romantic sort of glow from the bedside table, and as he crawled onto the bed with Jeff beneath him, it seemed like Sean's most cherished fantasy was coming true. Only it wasn't. Jeff's eyes were closed and he looked almost as though he was in pain, a slight crease on his brow. His head was turned to the side, away from Sean, and his mouth was open partway, his breath tainted by alcohol.

Sean didn't dare let himself relax on top of Jeff's body. Instead he knelt over him, one hand gently caressing the other man's cheek. It was softer than he'd imagined it would be. And his mouth... No matter the situation, nothing could make those lips seem any less inviting.

"So seductive, even when you're shitfaced," Sean murmured, a hint of sadness in his voice, and more than a little shining in his eyes. He leaned forward, his eyes on Jeff's mouth, then paused. He pulled slightly away and paused again, leaning forward just a little more, then biting his lip and telling himself--forcing himself to back off.

He crawled backwards off of the bed, then turned his back on Jeff as he searched a dresser drawer for a clean T-shirt. He turned back only once, to turn off the lamp before he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. After quickly changing clothes, he then stretched out on the couch for a long night of lonely, restless sleep.


"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Jerrica said through a yawn. She'd been awakened just a moment before by light, insistent tapping at her door. She gave her short blonde hair a run-through with her fingertips, glancing at the clock. Confused, she opened the door.

"Kimber! Where have you been? It's half past two!"

The redhead gently pushed her older sister aside and stumbled into the room, then released the bitter tears she'd been fighting back.

"Kimber!" Jerrica rushed to her, throwing her arms around her and pulling her to the bed to sit down. She clung to her, frowning with worry. "Kimber, what in the world is going on? Where have you been all night? Did something happen?"

"Sean!" Kimber cried. "Sean Harrison happened!"

Jerrica's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in anger. "Did he--?"

Kimber shook her head hard, wiping at her eyes furiously. "He's such a stupid jerk! I should have known. If I never see him again, it will be too soon!" She erupted into tears all over again, letting Jerrica hold her close as she cried.

"Oh, honey... I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding." Jerrica smoothed her younger sister's hair. "You're exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep? Tomorrow you two can talk things through and--"

Kimber pulled away suddenly, turning on Jerrica. "You're taking up for him! You don't even know what awful things he said and did tonight, and you're on his side!"

Jerrica threw her arms up defensively. "Kimber, I didn't--"

"He's got everyone fooled, even you!" She climbed off of the bed, backing away from her sister angrily. "Well, I'm not letting him pull the wool over my eyes! I know what kind of person he really is, and I'm through with Sean Harrison for good!"

She flung herself into the hall, slamming the door behind her and leaving Jerrica as bewildered as she'd been when Kimber had first entered the room.

Aja watched from around the corner as Kimber stormed into her own room, closing the door none too gently. After only a moment's hesitation she slowly approached Kimber's door, knocking softly and turning the knob without waiting for a response.

"Go away," Kimber growled, her voice muffled due to the fact that her face was buried in her pillow.

"Not until I make sure you're okay," Aja said gently, closing the door softly behind her.

"Oh!" Kimber turned on the bed, startled. "I-I didn't know it was you." She sat up, quickly brushing away tears.

"There's no need to put on a happy face for me," Aja said, going to Kimber's side. "I didn't hear everything, but I did hear you shout something about not wanting to ever seen Sean again. He tried something, didn't he?"

"You sound as though you've already made up your mind."

Aja sat down on the bed next to her. "I didn't say that. But he's never had my vote, for what it's worth."

"Oh, Aja!" Kimber threw her arms around her friend's shoulders, and suddenly she was telling her the whole story, from how she'd turned Jeff down for a date to the way Sean had gloated and laughed about their coincidental meeting at the club, from which Kimber had walked home. "Only now," she sniffled, "I'm not so sure it was a coincidence."

"I don't know," Aja said thoughtfully. "It might have been."

Kimber's eyes flashed angrily. "Don't tell me you--"

"I didn't say anything," Aja said earnestly. "I've never thought he was better for you than Jeff is."

"Oh, poor Jeff! He's so kind, so thoughtful, so good..."

"Not to mention, he saved your life."

"Yes, he did," Kimber sighed, remembering the way he had jumped to the rescue when a terrible accident on the set of the Jem and the Holograms movie had almost turned to tragedy. "And look at the way we've treated him." She sobbed miserably while Aja held her hand.

"It may not be too late," Aja said, giving Kimber's hand a squeeze. "Just tell him what you told me--that you feel terrible, and you know what a horrible mistake you've made."

"Thanks a lot."

Aja smiled. "It takes a good friend to tell you your faults," she said softly. "And don't be too harsh with Jerrica. She loves you so much."

"I know," Kimber said. "And I forgive her. I'm just hurt."

"So is Jeff," Aja said, "but I'm sure you'll get things put back together. Then both you and Jeff can put Sean Harrison out of your minds for good."

And, she wanted to add, I hope Jeff gives Sean something to remember him by.