Author's Note: Apologies for all the fluff in this chapter. Review and let me know what you liked and didn't like! I welcome all constructive criticism :)

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"Come on, Jim! Five more, you've got this," Alec shouts at the man in front of him who is struggling with his lunges. The front of his grey t-shirt is soaked through and the entire top of his head, devoid of hair, glistens with beads of sweat. Jim's abdomen heaves as he finishes the exercise.

"Is that me done now?" pants Jim. He looks so hopeful that Alec almost agrees.

"Sorry, mate. You know you've still got crunches with the medicine ball," Alec admonishes teasingly. "I won't let you wimp out now."

Alec sets his stopwatch for one minute. Jim is motionless after thirty seconds. "Come on, you've already lost fifteen pounds. Remember your goal," says Alec bracingly, tossing the ball to Jim when he finally comes back up.

He feels guilty, sure that his own lack of energy and concentration has transferred on Jim, who is usually so determined. His focus has been off since meeting Nadim and the edginess has now reached its apex. He hasn't even been sleeping soundly. Every night is interrupted with powerfully pornographic dreams involving Nadim writhing beneath him. The colors and sounds, even scents, are astoundingly vivid. Stone walls flickering in soft torch light, luxuriously rich drapery, distant raucous laughter, Nadim's black hair loose and splayed around his head like a halo, breathy moans emanating from swollen pink lips… Each dream leaves him deliriously sweaty and achingly hard. Sexual frustration does not even begin to cover it.

Jim looks at him enquiringly as he puts his glasses back on and gulps down some water. He tentatively takes a seat on the bench next to Alec. He seems nervous, but Jim is simply the nervous type of guy. Alec has been Jim's personal trainer for about a month now. As a rule, they don't converse very much during their sessions. All Alec knows is that Jim has a crush on another accountant at his firm, but refuses to even talk to her until he's dropped some weight.

"Are you alright? No offense, but you seem off today. I almost hit you in the face with that ball like three times," says Jim with an awkward laugh.

"Sorry. I guess my head is somewhere else," says Alec, shrugging.

"Girl problems? Can't imagine a guy like you would have trouble with the ladies, though," chuckles Jim. "If I was built like you, I'd have asked Carol out the first time I saw her. I suppose she's very pretty, this girl you're thinking about."

"We've already been on a date. Sort of," says Alec hesitantly. He's usually not overly personal with clients, but Jim is a nice guy. He certainly couldn't discuss his love life with some of the meatheads around his gym. Alec decides to take a chance on Jim. "Actually, it's 'he,' not 'she.' And yes, he's gorgeous.

"Oh!" says Jim, evidently discomfited. "Sorry for just assuming…" He stops when Alec waves a dismissive hand at him.

"Don't worry about it, happens a lot," says Alec. "Anyway, it's been nine days. He hasn't called me and I haven't the balls to call him. It was sort of an intense connection. I mean, we didn't have sex or anything, but it just felt like he was… I dunno… special? I thought he felt something for me, too. Guess I was wrong about that. Whatever, I've already gone and cocked it up."

"Hey, don't say that," says Jim, giving him a hearty thump on the back. "Did you ever think that maybe he's just as afraid to call you as you are to call him?"

"No, actually," says Alec. He now feels highly stupid for not considering the possibility. "I don't even have his number."

"Do you know where he works?" asks Jim. Alec nods. "Then you have his number." After a beat, Jim adds, "It's sort of embarrassing to admit, but I believe in soul mates. If he's special to you, you can't risk losing something like that."

Alec smiles, realizing how good it can feel to confide in someone objective. "You're a wise man, Jim," he says. They stand and Jim collects his things. Just then, Alec's sister Kelly comes over with the phone in her hand.

"Just a minute, he's finishing up with a client," says Kelly. Cupping a hand over the phone, she whispers scandalously, "Someone for you, says his name is Nadim. He sounds cute!"

Alec is struck like a deer caught in headlights. Jim makes to leave, giving him the thumbs up. "Wait, Jim," says Alec. "I think you should also take the advice you gave me. Life's too short not to go after what you want."

Jim considers for a moment and then nods at him. Alec shoots him a grateful smile as he takes the phone. "Hello?" His heart is pounding against his ribs.

"Hi, Alec. It's Nadim. I'm so sorry I didn't call sooner. I don't know what was holding me back, I feel like an idiot. I haven't cocked it up, have I?" he asks in his calmly hopeful voice.

"Not at all. I've been thinking about you."

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Nadim has asked Alec to meet him at Neptune's Nectar, the cocktail lounge his brother works at. Alec does not usually frequent such upscale bars, as he generally follows the guys to one cheap beer joint or another. He finds himself rather looking forward to going out somewhere nice for once. Kelly had earlier volunteered to put together his outfit, but she has still not arrived at his apartment. Alec is finally becoming anxious when he hears Kelly's key in the lock.

"Where the bloody hell have you been? I've got to be there in half an hour and I'm so not about to pick out my own clothes!" he shouts, shaking an accusing finger in her direction.

"Shut up and sit your arse down before you give yourself a fuckin' aneurism, you hyped up little shit," she orders without any real malice. Sometimes Alec forgets his sister is even more foul-mouthed than he is. "So, don't be mad big brother, but I went out and bought you a little something. And don't even think of paying me back, it's a gift."

She waves about an expensive looking shopping bag from some pretentiously named designer Alec has never heard of. He warily pulls out the contents. As he fingers the fine fabrics, he is aware of his jaw opening and closing like a goldfish escaped from its bowl.

"I know this is a really big date for you, and I wanted you to have something smart. You'll look so handsome, he won't know what hit him."

Alec pulls his sister into a crushing hug of the sort they rarely engage in. He thinks the occasion is important enough to cash in on one.