Thank you to all who reviewed. I apologize profusely for making you wait so long for an update. I could go into the hours I'm working right now but I don't think you'd believe me. So, I'll leave you with this thought. Tax deadline is April 15 and I am a tax consultant.

Chapter Ten

Las Vegas, Weddings, and Stupidity

Marco flew out to Vegas on his appointed Wednesday morning. He was extremely nervous about seeing Dylan again. Seeing as he hadn't seen him since going to bed that last night together at his house.

His entire flight was spent with his mind racing. First towards thoughts of his mother, who had woken up two days after she fell. She was home and doing extremely well but still he worried. Then his thoughts would drift towards Erik and Dylan. It was a constant war of his feelings between the two. He still loved Dylan but wasn't sure if he was in love with him anymore. And while he didn't think he was in love with Erik, he did care for him rather deeply.

Marco got off the plane and the first person he saw was Dylan, waiting for him. A beatific smile in place, golden curls displaced by shaking hands running through them. Dylan appeared as nervous as Marco felt.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" inquired Marco.

"Came to get you. I figured you'd rather see a friendly face the first time you step foot in Vegas." Dylan suggested.

"Not really, considering this really hot flight attendant was hitting on me the entire flight…and seeing you with me might hurt my chances." Marco teased.

Dylan put his arm around Marco's shoulders, "Then for Erik's sake I'll have to make the show really good so he knows you're taken."

Marco shrugged him off lightly, "So, where's the wife?"

"She won't be here until Friday morning. She had some things to do back in Los Angeles before we move to Toronto in three months."

"Wait, you're moving back to Toronto?"

"Yeah, Paige forgot to mention that, huh? I refused to sign the no guys clause and they shipped me to Toronto."

"Then why are you getting married if you aren't going to sign the clause?" inquired Marco as they headed for baggage.

Dylan shrugged, "I have my reasons."

Marco arched an eyebrow but chose not pursue this, yet.

Dylan and Marco waited patiently and in relative silence. Dylan rambled on about his latest hockey scores, Paige's irritation about the marriage, and Natalie.

Marco listened politely even though he knew about Dylan's hockey stats and Paige. Unfortunately, he couldn't care less about Natalie's greater virtues.

Finally, Marco's bag emerged and the two were off to the hotel.

Marco looked at the strip as they headed down it. It was an amazing sight, all the hotels, shops, people and attractions. When Dylan pulled into the Bellagio's under hanging, Marco turned and looked at him, "This is where I'm staying?"

"This is where we are staying. Natalie's staying at the Venetian with her friends."

"Oh, this is gorgeous."

"I figured with the heritage you'd like it."

"You put that much thought into this?"

"Yeah."

"Oh." Marco said, feeling awkward and rather confused.

They were showed to Marco's room, well, a suite. Marco looked around the spacious two bedroom suite in amazement. "You did this?"

Dylan sat on the couch and nodded, "Just for coming, you deserve even more than this but this is all they had."

"The roses, whiskey and chocolates…which are hey…my favorites…all you?"

Dylan nodded again. He was beginning to wonder if Marco had fallen recently because he kept asking the same questions. "I did all of it…for you…now are we past this question."

Marco sat down and looked at Dylan, "One more question, why? This is the setting for a romance or a seduction…wait a minute…don't even tell me that's why I'm here two days early."

Dylan shook his head, "No, I don't plan on seducing you. I've never planned it intentionally before and I don't plan on starting now. I just wanted to say thank you and make sure you have an excellent time."

Marco mulled it over for a few minutes. "Alright. What's first?"

Dylan looked around, "We're in Vegas…gambling?"

Marco nodded, "Let's go. This should be interesting."

Marco and Dylan casino hopped all day; Bellagio, Venetian, MGM Grand, New York New York, Excalibur, Circus Circus, Luxor, and many more hole in the wall places. By the time they returned to Marco's room about 9 hours later, Marco was almost three grand richer and Dylan had lost about five hundred.

Marco smiled sweetly as he let Dylan into the suite. "Just because you've been such a good sport, I'll buy dinner."

Dylan pushed his shoulder lightly, "Thanks." His voice dripping with sarcasm.

Marco tossed the room service menu at him, "Just pick something. I'd prefer a quiet meal than with fifty thousand screaming girls that followed you all day."

"So I've got a fan base on the west coast. There weren't fifty thousand, only about twenty." Dylan said coolly.

Marco rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Find something to eat so I can order."

Dylan looked over the menu and gave him the order. Marco called it in and hung up the phone.

Dinner arrived as Marco had just gotten out the shower, preparing for the evening out.

He tipped the waiter, wearing only a towel and turned to face Dylan as the waiter left. "I should probably get dressed."

Dylan quirked an eyebrow, "Don't bother on my account."

So, Marco sat down in only the towel and grinned at Dylan.

The two ate dinner and then Marco went to put some clothes on before Dylan's willpower snapped.

They went bar and strip club hopping. Dylan had gotten a list of gay bars in the area from a rather reliable source.

Wednesday night went smoothly and ended rather early at 3 am with Marco safely in his room and Dylan in his.

Thursday was spent much like Wednesday, two friends hanging out. Gambling, shopping, and a few tourist attractions.

That night consisted of more drinking, gay bars, strip clubs, and more drinking. One particular club was holding a beefcake contest. By then, Marco was sufficiently bombed out of his mind and decided to enter. One thing he forgot to mention was he entered Dylan.

Dylan, not being as drunk as Marco, didn't find this the least bit funny. However, he got a great laugh when he won five hundred dollars.

Dylan led Marco back to his suite before he could do anything else that might be considered stupid.

Once inside the room, Marco forced a kiss on Dylan that left him weak kneed.

Dylan staggered backward toward the windows as Marco continued to shove his tongue forcefully into his mouth. Dylan knew he could easily push the younger man off but somewhere in his mind, he didn't want to do it. He wanted Marco kissing him passionately, he wanted Marco undressing him, he just wanted Marco.

Marco hastened to undress Dylan as he continued the feverish kissing. Soon he had Dylan fully unclothed and was enjoying the feel of his skin.

Dylan was waiting for his conscience to kick it but even it had decided that this was a good idea. The angel was right there whispering in his ear, 'Dude, go for it. He's hot.' Dylan couldn't argue with that.

Dylan started to undress the Italian with as much enthusiasm as Marco had shown.

As soon as Marco's clothes had disappeared, the two explored familiar territory.

Kissing…touching…feeling…fondling…biting…soothing... nibbling…closer and closer…

Dylan sliding into Marco. Marco pressed up against the cool glass overlooking the strip.

Groans…moans…panting…gasping…kissing…

An earth shattering mutual climax.

Marco rested his head on Dylan's shoulder as he gasped for breath.

Dylan's breath was just as ragged as he carried Marco to the bed.

They were lying there and Marco flipped on the radio. By the time they zeroed in on what was playing, it happened to be the perfect song.

I'm not afraid to go backwards and fix what we broke

My gaze falls behind, you make desire seem so easy

I hold off sleep, it's so silent without you here

Don't give up now, it would all be for nothing

I believe in second chances

Let me fill the empty spaces

Better late than never

Stay forever

Let me fill this empty space

There's always room for one more mistake

Can you feel that I think we're moving in the right direction

I was someone else then

I'd take it back if you would let me

I believe in second chances

Let me fill the empty spaces

Better late than never

Stay forever

Let me fill this empty space

We were never this close when we were young

Every night I whisper your name at the top of my lungs.

I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid

I believe in second chances

Let me fill the empty spaces

Better late than never

Stay forever

Let me fill this empty space

Dylan leaned over and kissed Marco, "I guess there is always room for one more mistake."

Marco laughed, "Yeah, but at least it's an enjoyable one."

The two were still sufficiently blitzed and didn't mind continuing their activities as the morning progressed.

At noon Marco's phone rang. It was Paige calling to say she'd landed safely.

"It's Friday already? I feel like I just landed." Marco responded.

"Fine, my brother isn't in his room so if he's not with you, will you please track him down and meet me in the lobby in twenty minutes." Paige snapped at him.

"Okay, see you in twenty." Marco said before hanging up the phone.

He rolled over and poked the massive lump next to him in presumably the shoulder. It moved and groaned. Marco chuckled. "Time to get up."

The lump shifted again and mumbled something.

"Excuse me? Come again?"

Dylan uncovered his head, "No, not again. I need sleep."

Marco laughed lightly. "Wrong word. Repeat what you said…"

"I asked the time…"

"It's just after noon. We've got to meet Paige and Spin downstairs in twenty minutes. Get up and go back to your room. You need to shower and get dressed while I do the same here." Marco commanded.

Dylan sat up, "It's after noon? Shit, we've got to meet Paige and then Natalie in an hour."

Marco just looked at him like, isn't that what I just said.

Dylan jumped out of the bed and started searching for his clothes, hastily throwing them on as he found them.

Marco laughed hysterically at the whirlwind circling the suite.

Dylan stopped long enough to drop a kiss on Marco's forehead, "See you in 15 minutes, downstairs."

Marco got out of bed as he heard the door slam shut. He was standing in the shower when it hit him, he was meeting Natalie…Dylan's fiancée…in an hour. He'd been in bed with Dylan less than five minutes ago. 'Damn, I'm an idiot. And drunk.'

He emerged downstairs with two minutes to spare. He sat in one of the chairs surrounding the lobby of the hotel and waited only a second before Dylan showed up.

"Um, I think we need to talk." Dylan broached.

"And the word of the day boys and girls…is understatement." Marco responded dryly.

"Last night was wonderful but I can't help but feel it was a mistake. I'm getting married tomorrow." Dylan started.

Marco sighed, "Let's just drop this. It's over. It happened and let's just say a last fling before you get married. Some have bachelor parties and sleep with the stripper, you decided to sleep with an ex instead." Marco shrugged as he saw Paige and Spinner enter the lobby.

Dylan snapped his mouth shut before saying what he wanted, instead he announced, "This isn't over yet."

Paige ran up and hugged Dylan and Marco.

"When do I get to meet Natalie?"

"In half an hour. Let's get you checked in and then we'll go." Dylan explained.

Paige noticed the tension rippling in the air between her brother and Marco. She was determined to find out why.

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