After a quick shower, Jago padded into his bedroom, a too-large towel wrapped around his waist. Though he usually wore a T-shirt and boxers to bed, he unwound the towel and let it fall to the floor. Giving his damp hair a cursory rub, Jago jumped into bed with a resounding thump. He lay on his back, his arms folded behind his head, the sheets puddled at his groin.

It didn't take long for him to realize that sleep was elusive. He was too excited to sleep. He slid one hand down to cup his balls, feeling them tighten as if he were on the verge of coming. Jeez, he was hot.

Idly thinking that he should have taken care of this in the shower, he sighed. If his mother saw his sheets, she would definitely know what he was doing. Not that jerking off was a crime or anything. But he felt so *exposed*. Like he had no privacy at all.

He picked up the phone and dialed Midnight's number. A sleepy voice answered, "Yeah? Jago, that you? Shit, it better be. Waking me up at the-"

Jago let his lover's voice flow over him like a hot, sweet stream of melted caramel. He stroked his dick very, very slowly. He didn't want to come right away.

"Yeah, it's me," he said huskily.

"You sound…funky. What are you doing?"

Jago blushed. He knew that Midnight couldn't see him, but he couldn't help his reaction. "Ummm."

"You animal! You're getting off on the sound of my voice? Oh, mannn.." Now both teenagers were unbearably aroused. One because he felt totally vulnerable in ways he couldn't even understand. One because he felt utterly powerful in ways he couldn't begin to express.

Jago could hear Midnight moving around in bed. Then Midnight whispered, "I want you to rub your fingertip over the head of your cock. Get it all wet for me."

"Unhhh," Jago groaned, helplessly doing his lover's bidding.

"Now taste it. Stick your finger in your mouth and suck it."

Jago's dark eyes fluttered shut as he did what he was told.

"Pretend it's me, J. Pretend it's my dick in your mouth. Suck me. Make me come."

Jago didn't have the control that Midnight had. He came hard, spurting hot, bitter fluid through his fingers and all over his chest and abdomen.

Midnight could tell by Jago's sudden gasp that he came. He stroked his own dick a couple of times and he was more than ready to join him. He smeared sticky fingers over his mouth, murmuring Jago's name as he came.

"Mmm…good night, babe," Midnight said, hanging up the phone with shaky hands.

Jago lay there for a moment, his chest heaving. He grabbed an edge of the sheet and wiped away the evidence. His mother would undoubtedly yell when she saw that he'd ruined yet another sheet. But he refused to think about that now. Rolling over onto his side, he was asleep before he finished his thought.

When he pulled into the parking lot at school the following morning, he was immediately struck by the huge crowd gathered there. He parked quickly and dismounted, grabbing his backpack as an afterthought. Grabbing a nearby lowerclassman, he inquired, "What's up? Somebody get hurt or something?"

"Yeah, man. Some kid got hit by a car. Ambulance is on its way."

Jago nodded, hearing the siren somewhere behind him. He kept walking toward the crowd, a feeling of dread growing in his heart. He told himself there was no logical reason for it to be Midnight. None. None at all.

But his heart wasn't convinced.

Neither were his feet, which were somehow trying to drag him backwards, away from the scene.

'Hey, you look pale. You okay?" someone asked him.

His nerveless fingers dropped the backpack. He could see the victim now. Lying crumpled on the ground. His leg bent back at an impossible angle. Blood. God, there was so much blood. It was everywhere.

Jago swayed on his feet.

The ambulance was coming. He could hear its tires screeching to a halt on the asphalt. Someone pushed him out of the way and he fell to his knees.

The crowd was shoved back and gradually began to disperse as the morning bell rang, summoning everyone to class. Jago never moved. He was frozen to the spot. Midnight, oh, Midnight.

"Hey, kid. You know this guy?"

It took a moment for Jago to realize that the paramedic was addressing him. "Um, yeah. Yeah, I know him. We're…friends." And so much more. Jago's heart ached.

"What's his name?"

"Midnight."

The paramedic never changed his facial expression, but he did repeat the question. "His real name?"

"Midnight. Really."

"Does he have a last name?"

"Umm…I think it's Larsen." God, he couldn't even remember Midnight's last name. How was he going to be any help?

"You seem upset, kid. You and this guy more than just friends?" the paramedic asked in a low voice that held nothing but compassion.

Jago nodded and bit his lip. He wasn't going to cry. Midnight was going to be all right. He had to be.

"Is-Is he going to be okay?"

"We're going to do everything we can, kid."

"Can I-can I go with him to the hospital?"

The paramedic seemed on the verge of saying "No", but a quick glance at his co-worker, who was working feverishly to stabilize the teenager, decided him. "Okay, kid. But don't tell anybody how you got there."

"Thanks," Jago said, relief evident in his face.

Of course, he would have to cut school. Of course, he would have to explain to someone at some point why he could not be moved from Midnight's side.

Of course, one of those people would be his father.

Jago held Midnight's hand all the way to the hospital. The paramedics studiously ignored him except for an initial assurance that Midnight was unlikely to die. That was, of course, good news, but Jago refused to allow himself to think beyond the moment.

"Hang on, 'Night," Jago murmured under his breath.

When the ambulance reached the hospital, its doors flung open suddenly, startling Jago into awareness of where he was and why. Staff from the ER pulled the stretcher out of the bay, inadvertently taking Jago along with it. "Hey, I'm with him!" he yelled.

A young doctor in scrubs looked him up and down and said dismissively, "You don't look injured."

"I'm not. But—"

"Stand over there, kid."

"I'm telling you I'm—"

"Get out of the way!"

Jago winced at the loud angry tone, his first reaction to step back and let go of Midnight. Then fear and a very real anxiety crept up his spine, stiffening it with new resolve. "If you want to work on him, you're going to have to go through me!"

"Just who the hell do you think you are, kid?"

Jago's black eyes darted back and forth. If Midnight survived this, he wouldn't appreciate being outed to the entire ER staff. But all things considered, Jago decided that he would rather have Midnight alive and angry and if this was what it took…

He brought his chin up to say proudly, "His lover", but another voice rang out, far louder than his, drawing everyone's attention.

"He's my son," Davenport called, his expression grim but otherwise unreadable.

To the young doctor's credit, he drew himself up to his full height and said, "Look, I've got a teenager with moderate concussion, compound fracture of the left leg, and probable internal bleeding. I need to work on *this* patient *now*, so unless you're *his* father or Jesus fucking Christ, I need you to move."

Davenport nodded imperceptibly. The stretcher flew down the corridor and into a cubicle, seemingly on its own. Jago tried to follow, but his father's long, muscular arm held him back.

"You okay?"

Jago stared at his father, suddenly uncertain about what was going to happen. "How did you—?"

"Jago, it's not a hard question. Are you okay?"

"I—yes. Yes, I'm okay. I wasn't involved in the accident, Dad."

"Thank God." Davenport's eyes closed for a moment. "When I heard, I thought it was *you*."

"No. Wasn't me. Just…Midnight."

"Your friend."

Jago dropped his gaze to the floor which was littered with paper and other debris. "More than a friend."

"More than a—? What does that mean? Jago?" Davenport reached for Jago's arm, but the teenager eluded his grasp, taking off for the cubicle at a sprint.

Clutching nothing but air, Davenport's fingers closed on themselves. "Aw, Jago…"

"Is he going to be okay?" Jago whispered to the nurse who was blocking the doorway to the cubicle that contained his lover.

"He's hanging in there."

The doctor strode impatiently over to Jago and snapped, "I thought I told you to get out."

"I need to be with him."

"You can see him when he's back at school. In about *three* months."

Jago's eyes filled with unshed tears at being denied the right to sit with Midnight. "You know, you might be one hell of a doctor, but you sure as hell don't know *people*."

"Go find yourself a new playmate, kid. Your little friend won't be up to his usual fun and games for quite a while."

"You stupid fuck," Jago swore, angry tears now streaming down his cheeks. But just as he started to swing at the doctor, he found his arms bound behind him. By someone much stronger than he was.

"Dad! Let me go!"

"I'm not going to let you make a fool out of yourself, Jago."

The young doctor grinned, sure that he had found an unexpected ally in Jago's father.

He was wrong.

Davenport's fist connected with the doctor's jaw seconds later. "That's my privilege," Davenport said.

He gave Jago a sharp push in the center of his back, propelling him forward, towards the bed where Midnight lay. "Go on, son. Let him know you're here."

Before Jago could utter a word, Davenport was bending over to help the doctor to his feet. "I trust there won't be any more trouble with allowing my son to visit."

The doctor shook his head vehemently, which turned out to be a dreadful mistake, for it made his jaw throb. It was all Davenport could do not to laugh. Sometimes being a brute was a good thing.

He followed the doctor out, leaving Jago alone with Midnight.

Midnight was surrounded by tubes and bags and machines, all of which were undoubtedly designed to keep him safe, but simply made Jago feel even more afraid. He held Midnight's uninjured hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. His skin felt cool to the touch.

Jago sighed and closed his eyes. "What if they're not telling me everything? What if they think, sure, I'm just a kid, what the hell do I need to know for?" He sniffled and swiped at his nose.

"Why do I need to know? I'm just the one who fucking loves you, that's all." Jago put his head down on the bed, clasping Midnight's hand to his heart, and cried.

It was some time later that Jago felt the twitching start. The hand he was holding literally jumped to life and grazed his cheek.

Jago opened his eyes, reluctant to see what new nightmare might be unfolding. But there was Midnight. Smiling faintly.

"Hey, you," he said softly. "Can I have my hand back? I might need it later to hold my head together."

"'Night! How do you feel? Are you okay? What happ—"

Midnight stroked Jago's lips with his fingertip. "Ssh. I'm going to be okay."

"Looks like it's going to be a while before you can come back to school."

"That's okay. I'm prolly going to need lots of help…catching up."

"I'll help you. I'll bring your books home. Hell, I'll even do your homework. Just—get better, okay?"

Midnight struggled to get comfortable, but it was obvious that he was in pain.

"I'll get the doctor. Maybe he can give you something." But when Jago leaped to his feet, Midnight grabbed his hand and pulled him back down to bed level.

"Only one thing I need, J. You. Stay with me?"

"Sure."

Jago watched Midnight's features gradually relax as he fell into a natural sleep. "I love you," he whispered.

He could have sworn he felt Midnight's hand tighten around his in response.

"I'm o-kay, J."

"No, you're not. You're supposed to be using crutches. Not hobbling around, trying to fall over."

"You're such a mother hen." But there was no animosity in Midnight's tone. He felt safe when Jago was there and he *loved* being taken care of by his lover.

"You are such a dick, man."

"Speaking of which…" Midnight reached for Jago and overbalanced, nearly toppling both of them to the (luckily for them) carpeted floor. "Damn! I just want to hold you!" he cried out in frustration as Jago caught him.

"I know," said Jago, seizing an excuse to wrap his arms around Midnight. His mouth hovered over Midnight's for a few seconds before claiming it tentatively. But Midnight felt no such compunction about taking what he wanted. He opened his mouth and gave Jago free access to the warm, moist depths that lay inside.

They kissed as if they had been separated for years instead of minutes. "I love you, 'Night."

He plunged his tongue inside Midnight's mouth at the same time that his hands thrust into his lover's long fine hair. "I want you so bad."

"Then take me," Midnight whispered against his mouth.

"I can't." Jago hung his head. "My Dad's been great about all of this, but this is his house. I can't diss him like that. It wouldn't be right."

"Awww, J, take pity on me, man. I love you, I *need* you. It's been so long since we—"

Jago rubbed his cheek against Midnight's, his eyes squeezed shut as he imagined making love to him. A soft groan escaped him and he opened his eyes abruptly, the distance between the two of them suddenly inexcusably wide.

"Sit down."

Midnight obeyed, his vivid blue eyes never leaving his lover's. Jago knelt between his legs, his knees cushioned by the wall-to-wall carpeting. He unsnapped Midnight's jeans, his face so somber as he applied himself to this task that Midnight felt compelled to maintain the silence.

He lifted Midnight's dick out of his jeans and watched it swell in his hands. Resting his head on Midnight's inner thigh, Jago took his lover's now-throbbing dick gently into his mouth. Midnight moaned as Jago sucked him. Jago's relative inexperience often led to him doing unexpectedly erotic things and this time was no exception.

Midnight's hands crept into Jago's short, thick red hair and kneaded his scalp in unconscious imitation of the rhythm set below. He lay back in the overstuffed chair, his legs spread wide, and listened to the tiny noises that Jago made as he loved him. "Oh, God, J…you feel so good…"

Jago's head bobbed up and down as he licked and sucked his lover's increasingly rigid length. Reluctantly breaking away, Jago wet his finger and entered Midnight's tautly drawn opening. Midnight arched his back and convulsed, spilling his seed all over his groin and Jago's cheek. Jago wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, then grinned as he licked his lover's come.

"How'd I do, 'Night?"

"Mmm, come up here and kiss me."

Midnight leaned forward, his jeans gaping wide, his flaccid cock dribbling come down the fly. Jago met him more than halfway, his lips still smeared with his lover's essence, and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around Midnight's neck and pulled his head down to deepen the kiss, resurfacing only when he needed to breathe.

Jago nibbled on Midnight's lips playfully until Midnight fell over onto his side, laughing. A moment later, he yelped when his leg protested the sharp movement. "Ow, that hurt."

"You need a pain pill?"

"Nah, I'll be fine. As long as you're here."

Jago pulled Midnight's palm to his mouth and kissed it. "I'll always be here, 'Night. I love you."

Midnight watched his lover through suddenly blurry vision. "I love you, too, J."

"Come on," Jago said softly. "I'll wash you up in the bathroom and then you can take a nap."

"Sleep with me?"

"'Night…"

"Please?"

"Just sleep?"

Midnight nodded.

"Okay."

Midnight breathed a sigh of relief. He felt absolutely panicstricken at the thought of ever giving up Jago. He hoped he never found out what living without him might be like.

Jago helped Midnight to his feet and the taller teenager leaned carefully on him. By the time they finished washing up and cleaning up their clothing, Midnight was feeling well and truly tired out. His recent injury was definitely taking its toll.

Jago helped his lover into bed and pulled the covers over him. Midnight reached out and tugged on his wrist. "Don't go. You promised. Remember?"

Jago smiled. "I didn't forget," he said softly. He lay down on top of the covers next to Midnight, the bedclothes acting as a sort of unofficial barrier between them becoming any more intimate.

He rolled onto his side, facing Midnight, and stroked his hair from the top of his head to his shoulders. "Rest now."

"Kiss me," Midnight murmured sleepily.

Jago snuggled closer and kissed him.

They fell asleep with their hands entwined and their bodies barely touching. When Davenport came up to check on them a few minutes later, he couldn't help but admire the picture they made. No matter what he thought about the hard road they had ahead of them, he could see they were a testament to love.

*Please note: Just so there's no confusion between this and the characters in LT: TNG, *this* Jago and Midnight are 17, almost 18.

'Night's dark eyes crinkled at the corners as he started to laugh. "You said learning to walk with crutches was going to be easy!"

"Umm…did I use those words exactly?" Jago asked. "Didn't I say you could lean on me?"

"Are you comparing yourself to this handsomely crafted piece of wood?" 'Night countered merrily.

"Umm…no. When you touch me, the last thing I feel like is a stick of wood."

'Night's hand slid off one crutch to cup his lover's balls gently. "Oh, yeah?" he whispered, leaning forward to lick the side of his neck.

"Stop that. My Dad might come in."

'Night chuckled as he released him. "I think your Dad likes me."

"Really? What was your first clue?"

"That he didn't kill either one of us when he found out we were sleeping together?"

Jago playfully swatted his lover on the back, only to sigh as 'Night skillfully maneuvered his hands into a wayward caress of his buttocks. "You are *so* bad."

"And you are *so* determined never to have fun again, J. I thought I cured you of that once and for all."

"I can be outrageous if I want to," Jago said, raising his chin defiantly.

"Yeah, right," 'Night laughed.

"I can."

"I dare you to prove it."

"Okay. Tell me to do something and I swear I'll do it."

"No matter what?"

"No matter what."

"You might be sorry you said that."

Jago shook his head. "Nope. I won't chicken out."

"O-kay…" 'Night replied in a considering tone. The lanky teenager propped his crutches on either side of him against the wall. They were standing in the hallway outside Jago's bedroom. Given the usual amount of traffic, anyone could come by at any time without warning.

'Night leaned back and spread his faded jeans-clad legs, wincing as he gingerly moved the casted leg. Jago's eyes widened as he realized what 'Night wanted him to do.

"On your knees," 'Night commanded softly.

"I-I c—"

"Are you saying you can't?"

The darkness of Jago's eyes deepened, if that were possible. Without another word, as if he were a knight enduring a test of faith, he knelt down in front of his lover.

'Night rubbed his fingers over the zipper of his jeans, lightly stroking himself to erection. "Take it out," he whispered.

Jago did as he was told. Jumping when the sound of the zipper seemed unnaturally loud, he drew out 'Night's now painfully-aroused cock.

"Put it in your mouth, baby."

Jago swallowed the length of 'Night's dick without hesitation. 'Night's head fell back with an audible thump. He closed his eyes and groaned. It had been too long since they made love. He wasn't going to be able to hold back.

Resisting the urge to thrust deep into his lover's throat, 'Night willed himself under better control. But Jago's loving hands pulled his jeans down and stealthily crept along his bare skin to finger his hole. With a low moan, 'Night came, spilling his seed into Jago's warm, moist mouth.

When it overflowed the corners of his mouth, Jago's tongue flicked out and licked the excess come, the expression on his face almost dreamy. "Mmm…"

Still panting, 'Night pulled Jago to his feet and kissed him, unconsciously aligning their bodies as closely as possible. "Eww," Jago chuckled, "you got come all over me."

'Night hugged him harder and pressed a wet kiss to Jago's ear. "I love you. You know that?"

"Yeah, I think I really do."

'Night rubbed his thumb over Jago's lower lip and Jago slowly smiled before he kissed it. They gazed helplessly into each other's eyes for several seconds before registering that someone else was approaching.

Before 'Night could pull up his jeans to cover himself, Kiarra said, "Well. They say a picture's worth a thousand words. I'd say this one is worth *way* more than that."

Jago blurted out, "I was just helping 'Night into the bathroom."

"And he couldn't quite make it? Now *there's* a charming thought." Kiarra crossed her arms in front of her and showed no sign of moving anytime soon.

'Night sighed. "I don't suppose you're like most sisters and take bribes?"

Kiarra grinned. "As a matter of fact…"

</p>"What? I mean, yes, I *am*. Working on it. It's just-"

"I'm *not* making excuses. I-"

"-broke my leg."

"Uh huh. It was an *accident*, I swear."

"Am I making progress? With my leg, sir?" Night deliberately repeated the question in an attempt to gain more time to think. But rational thought eluded him. He hadn't been able to do more than *react* ever since he received the call on his cell phone.

Night began to sweat, moisture streaming down his back in thin cool rivulets. This was *awful*. No, it was *worse*.

"I-"

Suddenly Night looked up to find Jago gazing at him raptly. Don't look, he told himself, but his conscious mind wasn't taking orders from his unconscious any longer. He stared back, a half-smile already forming on his lips at the sight of his lover.

"Who's on the phone?" Jago asked, playing with a long strand of Night's artfully-colored hair.

"Ummm…my uncle." Night winced at the unaccustomed twinge of conscience that the lie produced. His head ached. Badly.

"Oh, yeah? What's he want?"

*You*.

Night swallowed, but the lump in his throat refused to go away. If anything, it grew bigger, threatening to take over his entire being. "He wants me to…visit…" he finally managed to say hoarsely.

"Cool. Can I come?" Jago's black eyes danced with excitement, and Night's heart sank.

"Yeah," he said numbly, wishing he didn't have to feel anything. Ever again.

"So when can we go?"

Did he have to sound so eager? Jago had no idea what he was getting involved in, and if Night had the power to do anything about it, he never would.

But Night didn't have the power. A fact that made every nerve in his body throb.

"Maybe we should wait till my leg is better," Night offered, forgetting that he was still holding the cell phone in his hand. A loud squawk from the receiver startled him. Oh, that was just great. With someone like Night protecting him, Jago wouldn't last a week where they were going.

"Okay," Jago shrugged. "He's *your* uncle," he continued, a mischievous glint lighting up his dark eyes.

No, he's not, Night thought frantically. He's nobody's uncle. Least of all mine. "Sir?"

Jago chuckled. "You call your uncle *sir*? How weird is that?" the red-haired adolescent whispered.

Night closed his eyes and turned his back on his lover. For a moment, just for a moment, Night reminded himself. I have to think. I *have* to.

"I'm bringing…someone…with me."

Guilt was crushing Night. Jago trusted him.

Jago didn't trust anyone. But he trusted *him*.

He believed in Night. He assumed that Night would never knowingly lead him into danger.

He *loved* him.

But he shouldn't, Night mused, giving his pillow a brutal twist. If anything happened to Jago…Night would never forgive himself.

What was he saying? He didn't forgive himself *now*.

And they weren't even there yet.

But they would be.

Jago thought they were going away for a weekend. It would make a nice change from sitting around the Davenport house, listening to the dogs bark, listening to the endless arguments in his head. He wasn't hearing voices. There really *were* voices in his head sometimes.

Only he could never explain that away. Not in a million years.

Okay, he didn't have that much experience at this. How could he? He was a fucking kid, the same age as Jago. He didn't have to pretend to be confused by the ambivalence of his feelings. He *was*.

You knew how it was going to be, Night. You were briefed. You read the profile. Night's heart protested, Yeah, but…I didn't know I was going to like him. I didn't know I was going to…

…fall in love.

And I *do* love him, Night silently told his pillow with considerable agitation.

God help me.

God help us both.

To Be Continued