I just wanted to thank all reviewers and readers and anyone who reads any of my stories really, especially those who put it on alert or on their favorites.
THIS STORY CONTAINS SLASH DON'T LIKE? DON'T READ. Simple right?
Another Note-This is set pre season one if anyone was wondering, making everyone mid-twenties.
Blind Date
Joe went home from his more-interesting-than-usual Saturday morning at the gym. He checked his answering machine and found a message form his mother and one from his friend Will Truman. His mother had called to inform him of everything that had happened to her during the week. She called him every Saturday, but she usually called later than this and he vaguely wondering why she had called so early. He shrugged, then listened to the message from Will:
Hey Joe! It's Will...You don't like blind dates but I know a guy who really wants to meet you! Come over to my place tomorrow. Give me a call when you get this, okay? Bye.
Sighing, Joe picked up the phone. "Hello?" The voice made him cringe a little. "Hey Grace. Can I talk to Will, please?"
"Yeah, hold on." Will came to the phone almost immediately.
"Hi, Joe. You got my message?"
"Yeah I did..."
"Well, I was thinking around six maybe-"
"Will?" Joe said gently. "WILL! Listen! Look, I really appreciate you setting me up but, the uh thing is um." His voice sort of fizzled out. "Imetsomeone." He blurted out as he sensed Will about to say something.
"What?"
"I...met...someone." Joe said slowly. "We met at a club last night and we spoke at the gym earlier today. Its not a bona fide relationship but its SOMETHING." More action that you've had in a while he thought sourly.
"Well um I guess I uh um..." Will continued in that fashion for a few minutes. Joe sighed.
Great, he had hurt Will's feelings. Joe had never been able to stand hurting his friends or those he was close to. "Will, I um changed my mind, I'll be at your place later tonight." After he hung up he shook his head and wondered what he had gotten himself into.
Larry's answering machine was empty. "Hm," he murmured. That was interesting. Usually his machine was about to explode with messages. His phone rang. "That's more like it." He grinned.
"Larry? It's Will."
"Hey."
"What's up? Anyone special?"
"Nope" As he said this he felt a stab of unsettledness. "What about you?"
"Nah...can you come over here around six?"
"Sure. Should I bring anything?" He knew better than to ask any questions. Will would tell him what he wanted him to know.
"No, just you." He could hear Will grinning and a little uneasy. "OK then. See you later."
After getting off the phone with Will, Larry did his normal Saturday routine, shower laundry , cleaning. After that he flopped on the couch. Six o'clock came quickly and he dressed casually and left his apartment building. Meanwhile Joe was just leaving as well.
Will was started to panic now. "OK. Now officially six. Where are they? What if one of them doesn't show up or what if both don't show up?" Grace said, "Deep breath, Will. You know both of them trust you enough to turn up." She paused for a moment. "Wow you being reassuring?" He grew suspicious. "Did you do something you shouldn't have?" "I umm you know that special meal with that layer cake specially prepared for-" "GRACE! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU!" "YOU LEFT IT OUT IN THE OPEN!" Will looked like he might strangle her. The door opened. It was Larry. "Um I knocked, I think you guys were yelling." He said uncomfortably. Will and Grace exchanged awkward looks. "Ah um well that's all sorted out." Will said his voice forcibly cheery. There was a second (but the first audible) knock at the door. Will opened the door. It was Joe. "Larry?" he said his eyes widening. "Joe...what are you doing here?" Will and Grace looked on obliviously, until finally Will said "Do you two er know each other already?" Larry spoke up. "We've met." He looked amused. "We belong to the same gym." He smirked. Something jarred Will's memory, and he saw the chance to propel the would be couple. "So this is the guy you told me about, Joe." He said patting his friend's shoulder. Joe opened his mouth and then shut it apparently at a loss for what to say. Larry looked at him with a curious expression. "Very interesting," Grace heard him mumble. "I guess this isn't really a blind date." Grace said with a weak laugh. "How about some dinner, guys? Theres pasta, salads, and some deli stuff over there." Will said happily. "Sounds great." Larry said, giving Joe a sidelong glance. Everyone sat down, and took some food. "Lucky me, getting to talk to you three times in two days." Larry said quietly. Joe responded, "No well I mean um well I'M luckier." He went all red. Larry thought to himself He looks cute when he's nervous. "how long have you lived in New York?" Joe asked after a second. "I moved here after college. So, about five years" Larry replied, "You?" "Pretty much my whole life. My parents moved here when I was five." "So you probably know everything there is to know." Joe said hastily, "I'm no expert, really. I barely know my way back to my own apartment." he joked nervously. "So modest. I feel like I haven't seen much of New York. You'll have to take me around sometime." Joe was stunned. This guy seemed genuinely interested, why was he fighting it? "Oh of course yeah anytime." He surprised himself, and he thought the others, with his enthusiasm. "I'd love to come too, Joe. It would be so mu-" Grace began. She stopped abruptly. "Will THAT HURT." She looked up. "Just kidding guys, especially about that tour part. Gotta go. Love ya. Bye!" and left abruptly. No one seemed to notice or care. Joe pulled out a cell phone. "What's your number? I'll call you so we can arrange" He paused "Something." he finished with a sly grin. The rest of dinner passed easily. Too soon it was time to go. "I'll call you soon." Joe said. They hugged, and Larry left smiling. "You going to stick around then, Joe?" Will asked casually "A bit yeah. I haven't seen you in a while Will. What have you been up to?" Will smiled. "Not much. Just being boring plain old Will Truman." Joe nodded and helped Will with the dishes. After those were done he watched a few moments of television. "Sorry Will. I'm going to go. I promised my mother I'd call her. She lives in Connecticut now, you know." Will nodded. "Goodnight. Tell your mother I said hello." Joe agreed and left.
