Title: Just the Once

Author: Olivia Sutton

"Snapshots Universe"

PART 3 of 4

Late that evening, Jeff and Marty lay in bed together. Marty rolled on his side, moving closer to Jeff, and reaching out with his hand. Jeff pulled away, turning onto his side, facing away from Marty.

Marty put a hand to Jeff's silk-clad shoulder and said, "Hey, hey, What's wrong?"

Jeff turned back, faced Marty, and said, "I just can't believe it, Marty. You slept with him and you never told me!"

Marty flipped on the light, looked at Jeff and sat up, "I thought you understood. And, I thought you forgave me, Jeff!"

Jeff sat up in bed, then said, "I... I do, but... Marty, it still hurts, all right? I've only been with you, Marty. You and no one else, and..." tears slipped down Jeff 's face, "What happened to you when you were fourteen was criminal, Marty...not your fault. But..."

Marty looked at Jeff, and raised a hand to wipe Jeff's tears away. Jeff pulled away, then leaned into Marty's touch.

Jeff took a deep breath, then said, "Did Michael force you?"

Marty shook his head, "No, I met up with him, like I told you. At his flat, I asked him... Jeff, he was older, and he had experience. I knew that, he let it slip in group that he had been with a man, willingly. So, I kissed him, and I asked him to show me how two men could make love. But it wasn't love with Michael, it was just sex." Marty gently reached for Jeff, stroking his hair and the side of his face, "Jeff, I was the one that asked him for sex that night, which I'm now feeling guilty about."

Jeff nodded.

"Jeff - I needed to know, all right? I'd been having such strong feelings, for you. And I had talked to Beth about being attracted to men, and to you in particular..." Marty pet Jeff's hair and face, "Michael opened up a new world for me... but you're the one I love. Jeff, you are the one I've been with for fourteen years. Jeff, YOU are the one I committed myself to, four years ago." Marty showed Jeff his ring, touching it lightly, then he reached for Jeff's hand and touched his ring, "Jeff, please don't hold one night, fifteen years ago, against me."

Jeff rolled over on top of Marty, kissed him, then smiled as Marty returned and deepened the kiss. He held Marty tight, then pulled back enough to see Marty's face, "It's all right, Marty. I love you as well. I do. And I forgive you. It's just..."

Marty touched Jeff's face, "It's just... I was all of fifteen?"

Jeff nodded. "And you'd been r... assaulted, the year before. And when was it we started, our relationship?"

"A few months later. After I had celebrated my sixteenth birthday and you had celebrated yours. It was a wonderful, warm summer's night."

Jeff nodded, "I remember."

Marty touched Jeff's face, lightly petting the side of his face, "And I was gentle with you... let you know what I was doing... told you I would stop, if you wanted."

Jeff nodded, "I remember that as well. But I didn't want you to stop."

Marty continued touching Jeff, petting his hair and the side of his face, "I tried to give you the best first time I could, Jeff."

"You did do that, Marty." Jeff moved forward, kissing Marty again, "But you were young. WE were young," Jeff sighed, "But that was how it was..." he left off, "No wonder me mum thought we were too young when she caught us. And that was a year later."

Marty turned pink, "I remember that as well."

Jeff lay his head on Marty's chest. "Marty, I'm sorry I was upset. I don't blame you. I told you in the office that at some level I knew, I knew you had been with someone, and... I'll be all right, Marty. I'm not going to hold it against you, especially as you... in a way, you were preparing to make my first time special for me." Jeff hugged Marty, kissed him, then said, "I love you. Make love to me?"

Marty returned the kiss, then answered, "Yah, Jeff," Marty pulled Jeff close, petting his hair and the side of his face. He rolled with Jeff, until they were both on their sides, kissing him, thrusting his tongue into Jeff's mouth. Jeff returned the kiss, pulling Marty tight, running his hands along Marty's silk-clad back. Marty unbuttoned Jeff's pyjama top, pushing it to the side of Jeff's chest and then off his arms.

"I don't know why you even bother with the silk pyjamas, Jeff, we seldom get through a night without my taking them off you."

Jeff smiled randily, "And I enjoy you taking them off," he raised his hands, pulling Marty on top of himself, then added, "Besides it gets a bit nippy at night."

Marty smiled, then removed Jeff's pyjama bottoms, "Well, I'll have to heat you up then." Then Marty removed his own silk pyjamas. He kissed Jeff's chest, then Jeff rolled over onto his stomach. Marty kissed Jeff's shoulders, and reached for the bottle of scented oil on the bedside table. He blazed a trail of kisses down Jeff's back, oiled his hands, and then oiled Jeff's arse. His own penis reacted as Marty kissed Jeff's back, running his hands along it. Marty kissed the top of Jeff's shoulder, then poured more oil into his own hand and coated himself. Rubbing the last of oil in his hands on Jeff's arse, Marty straddled Jeff, and entered him.

Jeff gasped, then said, "Yes, Marty!"

Marty nodded, taking Jeff with gentle, loving strokes. Marty flooded Jeff with emotions, feelings of love and desire, and continued, until, finally, exhausted, he came, collapsing onto Jeff, and then rolled off to lie besides him.

Marty lay next to Jeff, quietly. Jeff turned, and touched Marty's shoulder. Marty turned, faced Jeff, and reached out, touching the side of Jeff's face, stroking his face, lightly.

Jeff leant into the touch, "Marty, I do love you. It was fantastic, Marty."

Marty smiled, moved closer to Jeff, and kissed him. Then he pulled back, and whispered, "Hurt me, Jeff."

"What?" asked Jeff, as he looked at Marty lying next to him.

"Hurt me. I want you to hurt me. Please. I deserve... pain."

"Oh, no. Marty, it's been years. It has been years since you asked me that."

Marty nodded, "I know, I know, but, it's what I want, tonight. I want you to be rough, I want you to hurt me, and I need to have you hit me, Jeff."

Jeff looked at him, mumbled, 'oh god', then said, "What do you want me to do?"

Marty looked deep into Jeff's eyes and saw a willingness there, "There's a riding crop. It's in the bottom drawer, with the... other things we've tried."

Jeff nodded, "I know about The Drawer... Marty, I..."

"Can you do what I'm going to ask you to do, Jeff?"

Jeff nodded, "Yes. I love you. I... I remember our counselling, Marty. I... understand what you need. Well, as best I can, I understand. I'll do exactly what you want. I love you, Marty. I will do, exactly, what you want."

Marty nodded. Jeff slid off the bed, went to the dresser, and pulled open the bottom drawer, that stuck. He opened the drawer, looking at the various bits of leather, the rubber bar, and other instruments of pain. Jeff shivered, it really had been years since he and Marty had used any of it. He looked through the drawer with a bit of disgust, "I don't see..." Then he spotted a black carrier bag, and opened it. "I found it, Marty," Jeff called out, then he returned to the bed, the riding crop in his hand.

Marty lay naked in the bed. He smiled, darkly, as Jeff returned to the bed and lay next to him, the crop lightly in Jeff's hand at his side. "Jeff, I'm sorry. I know you hate it, but I need it. I do. I want you to punish me for what I did."

"I forgave what you did, Marty. I don't need to punish you."

Marty took Jeff's hand in his own, and answered, "I need you to." He let go of Jeff's hand, then said, "You remember the rules?"

Jeff nodded, "Yes. Let you control it. Hit when you say hit. Stop when you say 'enough'. And no arguments, once we start. I remember, Marty."

Marty nodded, then lay on his back, "That's good, Jeff. And you are doing this out of love, because I want it, I need it."

Jeff nodded. "I know. It is because I love you, Marty. And it does bring you passion. I remember that as well."

Marty nodded, then said, "Slap my face."

Jeff slapped Marty, wincing at the sound.

"Again, Jeff."

Jeff took his hand, and slapped Marty's face, hard.

Marty groaned, then said, "Once more."

Jeff nodded, and hit his partner, slapping his face.

"That's good, Jeff. It is," Marty rolled over, laying on the stomach. "Straddle me, Jeff."

Jeff manoeuvred himself over Marty, raising the crop in his right hand.

"Hit me!" said Marty, "Take the crop, and hit my shoulder, Jeff."

Jeff grimaced, raised the crop and brought it down on Marty's shoulder.

Marty gasped in pain as he was hit, then said, "Hit me, and try to hit the same place."

Jeff did, bringing down the crop again.

Marty called out in pain, then moaned as pleasure began to flood into him, "Yes-- that's it. Again, Jeff, the same place, mind."

Jeff raised the crop, bringing in down in the same place. Blood welled up from where the small leather whip hit. Jeff gasped as he saw the blood.

Marty groaned again, "Okay, now move to another place on my back, and do it again, Jeff. Hit the same place, 'til it bleeds."

Jeff took a deep breath, then did as he was told, moving further down Marty's back, and hitting him with the riding crop.

Marty moaned, passion flooding into him, and murmured, "Again."

Jeff complied.

"More, Jeff," said Marty.

Jeff hit again, drawing blood for the second time.

"Now the other shoulder, Jeff," said Marty, reflecting his burning passion to Jeff.

Marty asked Jeff to hit him, and Jeff did, until for the third time, Jeff drew blood.

"Enough, enough, Jeff, enough," Marty finally called out. "Enter me, and be rough."

Jeff dropped the crop from his hand, found the oil on the nearby table, and poured it into his hands. He coated Marty's arse, and himself. Then Jeff thrust into Marty, slamming into him, as Marty groaned, and moaned. Jeff continued, slamming into Marty, over and over, until he finally came, slid out of Marty, and collapsed next to him on the bed. Jeff crawled to Marty, taking him into his arms. Marty sighed, allowing Jeff to cuddle him.

Jeff cried, his thoughts haunted by what he had just done to Marty. Then he reached over and touched his lover's hair. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah."

"You sure?" asked Jeff. "God, you were bleeding, Marty."

Marty nodded, "Um-hum. I... I needed it tonight. You did give me passion, Jeff. You did. And the pain was... I deserved the pain, Jeff."

Jeff stroked Marty's hair, "No, you don't. You don't deserve it, Marty. You might want it, but you don't deserve that."

Marty looked up at Jeff, "Thank you. I love you, Jeff, and only you."

Jeff nodded, petting Marty's hair, then moved in to kiss him, lightly. After the kiss he asked, "Marty? Was it Michael? Did Michael... was he rough?"

Marty nodded, "Yah, he was. I mean, it was only the once, but he... he slammed into me with force and... it was painful, but then it was pleasurable, Jeff."

Jeff continued to stroke Marty's hair, "Did he hit you?"

Marty shook his head, "No."

Jeff nodded, then said, "Did Ed?"

Marty began to cry, "Yah. He did. When he started it was... He hit me. Then he'd touch me. I... I remember, he'd...run his hands...across my penis, my balls, my arse. It was...so horrible, Jeff," Marty left off, tears running down his face.

Tears came to Jeff's eyes, "Oh, Marty... I'm sorry, Marty, I am so sorry."

Marty took Jeff's hands in his own, "I survived it. Because of you, Jeff, I survived."

Jeff looked at Marty, searching Marty's eyes, then whispered, "Be rough with me, Marty."

Marty started at Jeff, in shock, "What?"

"I want to know what it's like. I want you to... Take me. Enter me, and be rough, Marty. I don't want you to hit me, but... I want to try it rough. I want to experience it rough."

Marty looked into Jeff's deep brown eyes, and answered, "Are you sure? Jeff, it does hurt. It is painful. And, and the first time, it might hurt for days after. You need to be prepared for that, if I do it."

Jeff nodded, touching Marty's face with his hand, "But it's also pleasurable, isn't it?"

"Yah, it is," answered Marty.

"Do it, Marty. Just this once. Please."

Marty searched Jeff's eyes, then reached out and touched his face, If it gets to be too much, tell me to stop, Jeff. If you change your mind, ask me to stop. And if... if I start to really hurt you, for god's sake, Jeff, STOP ME.

Jeff, his hand still on Marty's face, sent a feeling of agreement, I will. Marty - it's something I need to know, all right? I need to know why it excites you. And I need... I need to experience it. Please, enter me, and do it rough, Marty.

Marty sent his own feeling of agreement, then he straddled Jeff, who already lay on his stomach. Marty reached for the oil, and coated himself, then coated Jeff's arse. I'm starting, Jeff. Marty warned his lover, then he slammed into him. Jeff groaned, and gasped in pain. Marty continued, forcing himself into Jeff, riding him hard. Jeff moaned, then gasped in pleasure, flooding Marty with his feelings. Excited by Jeff's response, Marty continued, slamming into his mate, hurting him, until he finally came, and he slid out.

Jeff lay panting on the bed, then realised that his arse ached with pain, and he gasped in shock, then groaned. He turned on his side, looking for Marty.

Marty went to Jeff then, laying next to him, facing him. "Jeff?"

Jeff faced Marty, "I'm all right."

Marty looked over at Jeff, then said, "Did you..."

"Enjoy it? There was a moment when I experienced incredible pleasure, Marty. But overall, no, I didn't. The pain wasn't worth that one moment."

Marty nodded, "I'm sorry I gave you that pain, Jeff. I am."

Jeff reached out, grasped Marty's hands, and answered, "I asked you to do it. It's all right that you listened to me and did as I asked. But..." Jeff let go of Marty's hands, moved a hand to his head and stroked Marty's hair, then said, "Never do it again. I prefer it gentle, Marty. I love having you in me when you're gentle. That felt like... it was too painful, Marty, for me, so never again. But I still love you. And you can take me, if you're gentle, whenever you want."

Marty nodded, "I didn't mean to hurt you, Jeff. But it's sort of the point."

Jeff nodded again, scooted closer to Marty and kissed him lightly. "I realise that. But don't do it again."

Marty nodded, kissed the tip of Jeff's nose, then said, "I'll always be gentle with you," then he moved to Jeff's lips, and kissed him. Jeff returned the kiss, and deepened it. Then he threw his arms around Marty. Marty embraced Jeff and they drifted off, asleep, in each others arms.

The next morning, Jeff strode into The Harlequin, his eyes blazing, and walked up to Michael Forbes, he grabbed Michael's shoulder and roughly pushed him into the red brick wall, to the side of the bar, "You bastard!" he shouted.

Michael looked at Jeff in shock, "What the hell are you ON about?"

Jeff angrily shoved Michael again, "You bloody bastard! He was FIFTEEN! Fifteen, when you took him, What were you thinking?"

Michael looked at Jeff, then said, "Who are you talking about? WHAT fifteen-year-old?"

"Marty." Answered Jeff, "You slept with Marty when he was only fifteen! FIFTEEN!" Jeff yelled, letting go and starting to pace.

Michael slid down the wall, in shock, and said, "He told me he was seventeen!"

Jeff, surprised by that, looked at Michael, "You asked?"

Michael stood. "Of course I asked! What do you take me for? I wouldn't..." he left off, then looked at Jeff, "He seemed young but..."

Jeff calmed down, walked to Michael, looked him right in the eye, and said, "Tell me one thing, Michael. One thing. Did you use force? Did you force him to have sex with you?"

Michael looked at Jeff, and shouted back, angrily, "No! I would NEVER force anyone, Jeff. I know what that's like, or didn't he tell you that?" Not waiting for an answer, he glared at Jeff and added, "And I don't know WHAT your husband told you, but HE was the one who came to ME and asked for it. He wanted me to, 'take him', as you put it!"

Jeff calmed slightly, nodding at what Michael had said, then said, "He told me he went to you and asked you to show him..." tears came to Jeff's eyes, then he looked at Michael in disgust, "He was only fifteen! You were older, he said you were eighteen at the time, you could have said no. You should have said no! He was too young for what you did to him, even if he asked!"

Michael looked away, closing his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Then he opened his eyes, looked at Jeff, and asked, "Jeff, how did you know? When did you know, Jeff?"

Jeff looked at him in confusion, "Marty and I discussed it last night. And in the office. I've forgiven him for sleeping with you, by the way, because I love him. But I'm..."

Michael cut Jeff off, "That's not what I meant, Jeff." Michael took a deep breath then asked, "When did you first know that you were gay?"

Jeff whistled, "Not that it's any of your business, but I sussed it the first time I slept with Marty."

Michael raised at eyebrow at that, "WHEN you slept with him?"

Jeff flushed, "Well, I'd had feelings for him, before, before we slept together that first time, but I... Michael, I didn't really know until I slept with him. Not for sure. All I knew was that I cared more for Marty than... well, more than a friend would."

Michael nodded in understanding, "How old were you?"

"Sixteen. I was sixteen, all right? But that's different."

Michael nodded again, "So you were never with anyone else, and you've never strayed, have you Jeff? You and Marty are exclusive, isn't that right?"

Jeff nodded, "Yes. I've only been with Marty. We love each other, Michael. I don't think you can understand that."

Michael looked at Jeff, "It was different for me. It was probably was for Marty, as well, or would have been if things had been a bit different. Jeff, let's sit down, I think we need to talk about a few things."

Jeff nodded, and walked over to one of the tables near the dance floor. He took a upside down chair off the top of the table, reversed it, and sat down. Michael did the same, then sat down, he leaned forward, his hands on his knees and said, "Jeff, you know what happened to Marty when he was fourteen, don't you?"

Jeff nodded, "Yah. I... I found him, after he... the night he was... Michael, I found him at school with a gun in his hand. And he had every intention of using it, of turning it on himself, because of what that monster did to him." Jeff shuddered.

Michael nodded, not altogether unsympathetically, then said, "So, you know how we met?"

"Yah, But I don't see... I don't see why it matters. You damaged him, Michael. Maybe as much as his rapist. We..." Jeff left off, "It took years for Marty to not demand... nevermind."

Michael looked at Jeff, then said, "Jeff, I was IN that group because..."

"Let me guess, you were assaulted? Michael, if you were, and I believe you about that, didn't it occur to you that you should have told him, no?" Jeff's eyes flashed with repressed anger at Michael.

Michael took a deep breath, "Jeff. Listen, all right? It started when I was thirteen. I was abused by... a relative."

"Relative?"

Michael nodded, "A relative. Let's leave it at that, Jeff."

Jeff nodded again, listening to Michael.

"When I was fifteen, he raped me. And I... I dealt with it by sleeping with anything in trousers for the next three years." Michael looked away, then said, "I was in a lot of damaging relationships, Jeff."

"What does that have to do with Marty?"

"I finally decided to get some help, and saw a therapist at the same clinic as Marty. He pointed me to group therapy as well, and I met Marty there. Marty, AND Brian."

Jeff looked at Michael in surprise, "Marty mentioned there was another boy that was gay in the group. Brian?"

Michael nodded, "Brian. I... Marty and I only did it once, Jeff. After he rejected me, I was... angry, and hurt. But Brian and I... He's the only one I might have had a long-term relationship with. The only one. Everyone else, it's only been a fun time and ships that pass in the night, Jeff."

Jeff took a deep breath, then asked, "What happened?"

"He died."

"How?"

"He was, attacked and raped, a second time. And he... he took an overdose of heroin, Jeff. I didn't even know he'd been assaulted until I insisted the police let me read the coroner's report."

Jeff paled, "Oh, my god. I'm sorry. I really am sorry."

Michael sighed, "Jeff, listen to me, all right? I... I learned to take what I could, and not get emotionally involved. I wanted it that way, even though it gets lonely. And I have The Harlequin - that is my pride and joy, it's where I spend my energy, Jeff."

Jeff looked at Michael, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Marty would have been the same if he hadn't had you, Jeff. If you hadn't bonded with him... he would have been the same. Enjoying the sex and never forming any real connections."

"You don't know that. Marty's been completely faithful to me. He has. I know it."

"If he didn't have you, yes, Jeff. After what that child-rapist-bastard did to him... Even after what I, introduced him to." Michael leaned forward, and touched Jeff's shoulder, "He would have been the same, because that's what I taught him. Sleep around, don't get involved, and take pleasure where you find it."

Jeff shook his head, "Pleasure and pain, Michael. You were rough with him."

"It was all I knew at the time. Brian was... he was the first that was gentle, with me. The first and only. Before that... rough was all I knew, and it was what I... gave Marty. I knew pleasure in pain, and I gave him pleasure with pain. It was... that was how it works, Jeff."

Jeff nodded, "God. Oh, god." He looked up at Michael, "Are we really that rare? Is, what we have together, that rare? I love him, we've been together for fourteen years, and mates longer than that. I can't imagine my life without Marty."

Michael stood up, "It's that rare, Jeff. I've known other committed gay couples, but none than have lasted as long as you and he have lasted. I'm... I'll admit, I'm a bit jealous..."

Jeff looked at him, "Jealous? Of Marty?"

"Of what you HAVE, Jeff. I look at you and Marty, and I see something. Something I might have had, once, if things had been different. If I hadn't lost Brian."

Jeff stood, "So WHY did you do it? Nothing you've said, explains to me, WHY you took Marty when he was so young! Nothing. He was fifteen, not seventeen, fifteen! Even though he asked, even though he wanted it, he was fifteen and you introduced him to rough, gay, sex! For god's sake, Michael!"

"I did what he wanted; and I... I was attracted to him. And... and it didn't seem like he was too young. I had started at fifteen, Jeff. I started, finding experiences, at fifteen, and I never stopped."

Jeff looked at Michael in shock, then nodded, "I didn't realise..."

"No, no you didn't, Jeff. Because you don't know how lucky you are. How truly lucky you, you and Marty are."

Jeff nodded, thought for a moment, then said, "Thank you, Michael. Thanks for explaining. I... I really didn't know... I wasn't one for picking up someone at a club, Michael. Even without... even if I hadn't had Marty, I don't think I could do that. Even if... even if, god forbid, I lost Marty... I still don't think I could do that."

Michael smiled, "I know. Because, you are still innocent, Jeff. In ways that Marty and I aren't... you are still innocent." Michael moved forward, lightly touched the side of Jeff's head with his hand, and said, "Don't lose that."

Jeff pushed Michael away. He stood, turned on his heel, and walked out of The Harlequin, wondering where he might find Marty.

Michael sat down watching Jeff leave the club, then laid his head on the table, remembering.

FLASHBACK

Michael rushed out of the group therapy session, embarrassed by what he had said. It was only his second time attending group, and he had gone in with the intention of listening only but not speaking, the same as he had during his first session, where he hadn't said a word after introducing himself. But somehow it had slipped out and he spoken of his biggest fear - that somehow he was responsible for being hurt, rather than the relative who had hurt him. He stood in the hall, trying to catch his breath.

Suddenly an attractive-looking, stocky, dark-haired boy was standing in front of him.

"Michael, I... I identified with what you said in group today," the boy said, looking nervous and embarrassed.

"What? What do you mean?" asked Michael, suspiciously, afraid that the boy would say something mean, rude, or cruel.

The boy looked up, his eyes were bright, bright blue, Michael noticed, "About thinking about other boys. About, about wanting to be with other boys. I've felt... I've felt that way too. And when me mum's boyfriend starting hurting me, I thought, well, I thought it was me own fault." The boy looked down, shyly, kicking his trainer-clad foot along the hall floor.

Michael looked at the boy in shock, then reached out and touched the boy's chin, lightly forcing it up, until their eyes met. Michael could see desire in the boy's eyes, Michael moved forward, unable to resist the need to kiss the attractive young boy. The boy responded, hungrily, but with the clumsiness of the inexperienced kisser. Michael attempted to deepen the kiss, but the boy pulled away.

Michael smiled as he remembered that first sloppy, clumsy kiss. He and Marty had talked a few more minutes and arranged to meet at a local pub.

Michael had seen to it that Marty had had a few drinks at the pub. He had sussed the young boy to be a virgin and knew the alcohol would lower his inhibitions and make him an easier lay. And, Michael had remembered, it was easier if during your first time you were drunk. After the pub, he had taken Marty to his flat.

Michael remembered that night. Young Marty, sitting on the sofa, obviously scared but trying to be adult and very sure in what he wanted. He remembered Marty's long, soft curly eyelashes, because he had kept closing his eyes as they had kissed. He remembered asking Marty his age, and his birth year. When Marty had answered 1960, Michael had been sure that he was telling the truth about his age, even though he looked a bit younger. "Oh, Marty," Michael said to himself, as he remembered, "What did you go through to lie so well?"

Michael grinned, allowing himself to remember the rest of that night. Marty had been nervous, but he'd also been a good lay. Michael knew that, Marty had simply been... Michael's thoughts broke off as he remembered Marty getting up out of the bed, and putting on his shirt. Michael had been shocked - he had expected to dump Marty the next day, and when Marty had walked out, it had hurt. Michael knew it. Marty's rejection had hurt.

The next week at the group therapy session, Michael had sat next to Marty, but Marty had deliberately got up and moved. After the session, he'd chased after Marty, who'd hurried past him. He'd finally grabbed Marty's arm in the hall, stopping him.

"Let go!" Marty shouted, angrily, pulling his arm out of Michael's grip, "Let me go or I'll yell!"

Michael let go, "I just want to talk to you, Marty, that's all."

Marty shook his head, "You said, 'no attachments', Michael. That's what you said. I don't want to ever see you again!"

Michael reached forward to touch Marty's silky black hair, "Marty, come on. Wasn't it good for you?"

Marty looked at Michael, his eyes wide, then pulled away, starting to walk quickly down the hall.

Michael watched Marty leave in shock. "What-- Chasing girls, then, Marty?" He shouted, before turning away, ignoring Marty, as Marty ran down the hall, tears in his eyes.

END FLASHBACK

Michael came to himself and looked around the club. Marty, he thought, Marty, were you thinking of Jeff, even then? You mentioned a mate, a friend that you lived with, I think you even told me his name, was it Jeff? God, DID you use me, Marty? Did you? So young, and yet you used me, didn't you, Marty? Michael shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
"Two G&Ts, a vodka and orange, and a club soda, coming right up," said Jeff as he made a quick note on his pad, then turned and walked towards the bar.

Marty saw Jeff, dressed in a black waiter's uniform, complete with bow tie and short jacket, and smiled at him as he approached.

Jeff reached the bar, and leaned in, giving Marty, who was similarly dressed in a black bartender's uniform, the drinks order.

Marty began mixing the drinks, then turned with a completed G&T and handed it to Jeff, "How's it going out there?" he asked as he placed the drink on a tray on the bar.

"Nothing so far, Marty," Jeff answered quietly, "I'm beginning to think this whole plan..." he left off.

Marty nodded, "Well, give it more time, something will break soon," he answered, whilst continually mixing drinks and placing them on Jeff's tray.

Jeff nodded, "I know," picking up the tray with the drinks and heading back to the customers in the bar.

A few minutes after Jeff left, Marty, stood behind the bar of The Harlequin, watching as even more clubbers entered the club, filling it with people. Then he grimaced as Michael walked over. Michael walked behind the bar, then stood in front of Marty.

Marty paused in the action of wiping a glass, "Yah, Michael, what is it?"

"Have you seen anything yet?" Michael asked, as he closed the distance between himself and Marty.

"No, nothing suspicious." Marty backed away, slightly.

"All right, come in the back storeroom with me, I want to go over a few things with you."

Marty looked at Michael, suspiciously, "You can tell me here."

Michael shook his head, leaned in, and whispered in Marty's ear, "If you are going to play at being a new bartender, you need to know where we keep the stock, now come on."

Marty stepped back, then said aloud, "You showed me that yesterday, Michael."

Michael looked at Marty, frustrated, then said, "I need to see you, in private, now come on!"

Marty nodded, put the glass down, then followed Michael into the stockroom.

Michael led Marty into the stockroom, then led him over to the wall, "So how long have you been with Jeff, Marty?"

Marty looked up at Michael, surprised, "Why do you want to know?"

Michael looked to the side, and moved closer to Marty, "I want to know, that's all."

Marty, thrown off guard, answered, "We have been committed partners for four years. We've been together for fourteen years, since we were sixteen, and," Marty smiled as memories hit full force, "We've been mates since we met when we were eleven. Michael, he's been there for me my entire life. And I do love him, more than you know, more than you can understand."

Michael looked at Marty, then said, "And you've never wanted to be with anyone else, come on, Marty."

Marty shook his head, "No! I haven't. I won't cheat on him, Michael. I think I need to get back out to the bar."

Michael shook his head, grabbed Marty by the waist, and pushed him into the red brick wall of the building. Michael, slightly bigger than Marty, held him against the wall with his body, then grabbed Marty's arms, and forced them above his head. Quickly, Michael stepped in front of Marty, holding his wrists with one hand, and blocking any movement with his body.

"What do you think you're doing!" protested Marty.

"Oh come on, Marty, you know what your dark looks do to me. And you know what I'm doing." Michael closed the distance, then kissed Marty.

Marty struggled against the kiss, then he began to respond.

"Yes!" said Michael truimphantly, then he let go of Marty's wrists, put his hands on Marty's shoulders, and pushed Marty further into the wall, deepening the kiss in passion.

Marty tilted his head away, and said, "NO! Michael, no. Don't."

"Forget that twerp, and come on, Marty," said Michael, then he moved in for another kiss, and lowered his hand to Marty's crotch.

Marty groaned as he felt the pressure on his groin. Then he moved his arms up, and pushed Michael away. "Forget it! I'm not going to throw away fourteen years with the man I love for one night with you, Michael! I'm not! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

TO BE CONTINUED