Phases

Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.

Well, I know many were a little upset with how the last chapter ended, but I want you to know that I love the character of Jesse and he will still be a very big part of the story. So I hope you continue to read and enjoy. Here's part 12 entitled, "Don't Say Goodbye"

"DON'T SAY GOODBYE"

It's been a month since the accident, a month since Jesse has been in a coma, and a month since Leo has smiled. Every day Leo went down to the hospital and stayed with Jesse until visiting hours were over. He stopped showing up to work, he never showed up for the second audition he got and he was no longer able to pay for his apartment. He got evicted and had to move in with Kurt and Ryan, which was okay since they had an extra room anyway since Ryan and Kurt shared a room together. Nick and Kurt were really worried about him, they didn't know how to help him or how to help him move on. They didn't want Leo to give up hope on Jesse waking up, because they themselves didn't want to give up hope on Jesse. However, at the same time they knew that what Leo was doing wasn't healthy for him.

It was another day, and another day for Leo at the hospital in Jesse's room. Today he brought in People magazine to read to Jesse to try and keep him up to date in what's going on in the media. As he read, he always hoped that Jesse would miraculously wake up and respond to what he read him, but it never happened. On this day, Nick went down to talk to Leo. When he entered, he was shocked to see how disheveled Leo looked, he was usually very clean cut and well kept, but his hair was matted, his face was unshaven, his clothes looked all wrinkled. Nick could see that Leo was getting worse and had to do something to help him.

"Leo," Nick said gently as he entered the room.

"Hey," Leo said, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see what you were up to," Nick said as he pulled up a chair next to Leo and sat down. "What are you doing?"

"Just reading to Jesse," Leo sighed, "Hoping that he can maybe hear me."

"Leo, you really need to get out of here every once in a while," Nick said, "It's not healthy with you coming here every day and staying all day long."

"I have to," Leo said, "What if he wakes up and I'm not here? He'll be all alone and wonder where I am. I am going to be here when he wakes up."

"You heard what the doctors said," Nick explained, "Jesse is probably not going to wake up."

"Doctors are always wrong," Leo said, "You don't know."

"Leo, what about work?" Nick asked.

"What about it?" Leo asked.

"You need to work," Nick replied, "You already got kicked out of your apartment. You're lucky that Kurt and Ryan had that room to spare. You can't live off of them forever."

"I know," Leo sighed, "But I can't leave Jesse by himself."

"Leo, it's been a month and there hasn't been any change," Nick said. "Don't you think it's time to-"

"Time to what?" Leo asked, "Move on? Get over him?"

"I'm not saying you need to get over him," Nick said, "But I am saying that you need to understand that there is that possibility that he'll never wake up."

"He will," Leo replied stubbornly, "I know he will."

Nick sighed, not knowing what else to say. He got up and headed for the door.

"Leo, I'm here for you," Nick said, "You've never once come to talk about any of this, if you ever feel like it, just know that I'm here."

"I know," Leo said, "Thank you."

Nick then left and Leo alone with Jesse. As Nick walked out of the hospital he got on his cell phone and called Kurt who was just coming out of a meeting from the magazine.

"Hey," Kurt said answering the phone, "What's up?"

"I just came from seeing Leo," Nick said.

"At the hospital?" Kurt asked.

"Where else?" Nick retorted.

"Any change?" Kurt asked.

"No," Nick replied, "I'm getting worried, he looked terrible."

"All he does when he gets to the apartment is go to his room and closes the door and Ryan and I don't see him again until he comes out the next morning to head down to the hospital," Kurt said, "I've been trying since he moved in for the past two weeks to talk to him, but he just doesn't respond. He's just really in denial."

"Yeah, but there has to be something we can do," Nick said.

"Yeah, but what?" Kurt asked.

"I think maybe we've been playing the nice guys for too long," Nick replied.

"What do you mean?" Kurt asked.

"I think we need to start playing bad cop to get through to him," Nick responded.

"I've never been good at being bad cop," Kurt said, "I'll be good cop."

"All right, just as long as we talk to him." Nick said.

"But do you think that's wise? He's really fragile right now."

Nick just sighed, "If he cries or shows any sort of emotion, at least it'll be better than the drone he's become for the past month."

"You're right," Kurt agreed, "I guess we really have no choice left. I just want us to be gentle though, I can't stand seeing him like this, but I don't want him to think we're trying to make him move on from Jesse."

"We're not making him move on," Nick corrected, "We're helping him see that he has a life to live."

"You're right."

"Tonight, why don't you bring him over and we'll talk to him," Nick said.

"Okay," Kurt said, "I'll call you later."

"All right," Nick replied as he hung up. Nick got into his car and was driving back to his apartment to work, on his way he passed by the Gay and Lesbian center and saw that boy, Joey, who he had met at the Holiday Event at the center during Christmas. Nick quickly pulled into the parking lot to talk to him since he had told Joey that he would be around if he ever needed anyone. He got out of the car and saw Joey just sitting outside of the center sitting on the grass lawn in front.

"Joey right?" Nick asked as he approached the boy. Joey quickly turned to face Nick and smiled when he saw him.

"It's you," Joey said, "I've been coming by here every week since Christmas hoping to see you again."

"I'm sorry," Nick apologized, "Things got so out of control lately that I never got the chance to try and volunteer here. How've you been?"

"I got kicked out of my house," Joey replied.

"What?" Nick asked, "Why?"

"I told my mom I was gay," Joey said.

"And she kicked you out?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Joey replied.

"That's horrible," Nick said, "Where have you been staying?"

"I've been staying with friends," Joey said.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked.

"I'm doing all right," Joey said.

"Have you gone inside the center here to talk to anyone?" Nick asked.

"No," Joey said, "I don't want to go in there."

"Why?" Nick asked.

"I don't need their help," Joey said.

"Then why are you hanging around here?" Nick asked.

"I've been hoping to run into you," Joey replied. "You said that you would be willing to help me."

"Well what do you want me to do?" Nick asked.

"I was hoping that I could stay with you," Joey replied.

Nick smiled, touched that he trusted him, "Joey, I'm not in a place to be able to take care of anyone."

"You don't have to," Joey said, "I can take care of myself. I'm sixteen years old. I just need a place to sleep."

"Joey, I'm going to help you," Nick said, "But it's not going to be by you living with me."

"Oh," Joey replied with disappointment.

"I'm going to go talk to your mom," Nick said, "Try and get her to understand you a bit more."

"No!" Joey shrieked, "She will never accept me."

"I know you're probably scared of her right now," Nick said, "But deep down you have to know that she still loves you and I'm sure she misses you. How long have you been away from home?"

"Almost three weeks now," Joey sighed.

"Let me go talk to her," Nick said, "I'm sure you miss her too."

Joey didn't reply, but the look on his face was answer enough. Nick had to help this kid out.

"Have you had anything to eat today?" Nick continued.

"Nope."

"Let's go grab something to eat," Nick said leading Joey towards his car. "You feel like a burger?"

"Yeah!" Joey replied, "I haven't eaten much since I left home."

"I could tell," Nick replied, "You look like a waif."

"Thank you," Joey said gratefully.

"Not a problem," Nick replied, "I told you I'd help you out."

The two got in the car and drove off to lunch.

Back at the hospital Leo was sitting quietly in the room and carefully adjusting the blankets on Jesse. He looked at his face and kept willing him to wake up, but of course, no change. He leaned back in his chair and just thought about Jesse and their history together. He remembered back when he was a big party goer and big on clubs and drinking, and even though Nick and Kurt always tried to calm him down, it was Jesse who got him out of that party stage in his life.

He remembered one time distinctly, it was the last time he ever partied real hard again. Nick, Kurt, Jesse and him were at a house party in Hollywood, well, the party wasn't at just a house, it was a Hollywood mansion. Through the magazine Kurt worked had he often got invites to some of these big parties and though it wasn't really his scene, he thought it might be fun if they all went to this party together. The mansion was huge, there was a room dedicated specifically designed to be a bar, there was another room with a DJ inside that was made up to be a dance room. It seemed all of gay Hollywood was there and Leo was having a great time.

"This party is insane!" Leo said with a huge grin clutching his margarita.

"It's okay," Nick shrugged.

"It's so loud in here," Kurt screamed out in order for the other guys to hear him.

"Leo, I can't stay long, remember I have to get to work early," Jesse reminded him.

"Yeah, I know, we don't have to stay late," Leo said, "But we have to at least mingle a bit. How often do we get to go to parties like this?"

"You always go to parties like this," Nick reminded.

"I mean together," Leo said, "We all haven't been to a good party or bar in a long time."

"You really like parties like this?" Jesse asked.

"Love them," Leo replied, "I used to go to them all the time with Nick and Kurt, but they got tired of it."

"He's a bit of a wild car," Kurt said to Jesse.

"I see that," Jesse replied.

"I'm going to go get another drink," Leo said downing his half filled glass of margarita. "I'll be right back."

"You want us to go with you?" Nick asked, "You might get lost."

"I'll be fine," Leo said taking off quickly.

Jesse looked at Nick and Kurt in shock.

"We've been going out for almost a month now and I've never seen this side of him," Jesse said.

"Yeah," Nick began, "He's a little crazy."

"He used to be a lot worse," Kurt said, "We used to have to always come pick him up from some party he was ate because he was too drunk or he was passed out."

"Really?" Jesse asked.

"But he's really a good guy," Nick defended, seeing Jesse was starting to get a little worried about the guy he just started seeing.

"You know I was in a relationship before with a guy who liked to party a lot," Jesse said, "And he ended up cheating on me at one of the parties when he was drunk."

"Oh, I'm sure he would never cheat on you," Kurt said quickly. "He's not like that."

"Yeah, he's not the type of person who would do that," Nick followed.

"I didn't think my ex was either, but people do some crazy things when they're in this scene," Jesse said.

"Jesse, Leo likes you so much," Nick said, "I'm sure he won't do anything to jeopardize your relationship."

"How often does he go out to parties like this?" Jesse asked.

Nick and Kurt both looked at each other, each not wanting to reveal that Leo goes out quite often.

"You know, I'm not too sure," Kurt lied.

"Come on guys," Jesse said not believing them, "Tell me."

"Well he hasn't gone much this past month because of you," Nick said.

Jesse still waited for a straight answer.

"Usually every week," Kurt admitted.

"Gotcha," Jesse nodded taking a sip of his beer. "I don't know if I can go through this again."

Nick and Kurt both exchanged worried looks, wondering how they would be able to do damage control here.

"Lets go find Leo," Kurt suggested as the three headed towards the bar area. When they entered the room all three of them dropped their jaws at the sight of Leo dancing on top of the bar in nothing but his boxers.

"Oh my," Nick began.

"God," Kurt finished.

They both looked over at Jesse who just had a look of sheer disappointment on his face. He set down his beer on a nearby counter.

"I think I'm going to take off," Jesse said turning to head out.

"Wait," Nick said, "Let Kurt get Leo and bring him over here."

Yeah, I'll be right back," Kurt said rushing through the mass of people to go grab Leo. When he finally got up to the bar Leo had collected twenty dollars worth of ones in his boxers when Kurt grabbed Leo by the leg.

"Get your naked ass down here now," Kurt scolded.

"Kurt!" Leo said in drunken glee as he hoped off the bar and into Kurt's arms and gave him a big hug. "What's up?"

"You're about to lose Jesse," Kurt said. "Put your clothes on!" He grabbed Leo's clothes off the bar and helped him put them on and then ushered him through back to where Nick and Jesse were.

"Hey baby," Leo smiled throwing himself on Jesse. Jesse took Leo's arms off of him and gave him a look that made Leo realize he was acting like an idiot.

"I'm going," Jesse said.

"What?" Leo asked panicking, "Why?"

"Why?" Jesse asked, "You're up dancing naked on top of bars. I've had enough of my share of party people in my life. I want someone to get serious with."

"But Jesse," Leo hesitated.

"I'm sorry," Jesse replied, "I have to go."

Nick and Kurt both kept silent, knowing it was up to Leo now to change Jesse's mind. Jesse turned to walk away, but Leo ran after him.

"Jesse!" Leo said, now almost fully sobered up from the shock of all this, "Please, I'm so sorry. You're right. Please don't leave."

"Leo, I can't do this party scene," Jesse said, "And if this is who you are then maybe you should be with someone who can handle all of this."

"I don't want to be with someone else," Leo said, "I want to be with you."

"Leo, this isn't my scene," Jesse said.

"I'll stop," Leo said.

Kurt and Nick both looked over at Leo in shock hearing that. They've been trying forever to get Leo out of this scene and in less than five minutes Jesse got Leo to give it up.

"I don't want you to be someone you're not just for me," Jesse said.

"No, you don't understand," Leo said, "The only time I really feel like myself is when I'm with you. Please don't give up on me."

Jesse sighed, not too sure what to do, but he looked into Leo's eyes and saw the sincerity on what he was saying.

"Are you sure?" Jesse asked.

"I'm sure, I'm done with this," Leo replied.

"Okay," Jesse agreed giving Leo a hug.

"Let's get out of here," Leo said.

The guys all then headed out and said goodbye to the party and goodbye to the party scene.

Leo sighed to himself as he looked at Jesse's unconscious body on the hospital bed. If Jesse could get him out of that party scene, then surely he felt that he could get Jesse out of his coma.

"Come on baby," Leo whispered.

Meanwhile, Kurt got back home and found Ryan sleeping on the couch holding onto the classified section of the newspaper. For the past month Ryan had started to feel completely useless, he couldn't think of what he wanted to do and as a result was starting to resort to just looking at job ads and just getting a job just to get one, no longer really caring if it was a job he'd be happy doing. Kurt set his work papers and laptop down and sat down on the couch next to Ryan and gave Ryan a kiss on the forehead. Ryan slowly opened his eyes.

"Hey you," Ryan said groggily.

"Hey," Kurt smiled, "How long have you been asleep?"

"I don't know," Ryan replied, "I've been looking over the classifieds here since you left for your meeting this morning and I guess I just dozed off."

"What did I tell you about this whole job situation?" Kurt reminded, "Don't do something unless it's what you want to do."

"I know, but I'm just getting so bored out of my mind just sitting here and doing nothing," Ryan replied.

"It's better to do nothing for a while and organize your thoughts and wants than be in a job you're not happy with," Kurt said.

Ryan's cell phone then rang, Ryan looked at the caller ID and saw Nick's name appear.

"It's Nick," Ryan said answering the phone, "Hey Nick, what's up?"

"Ryan, I need your help," Nick said.

"What's wrong?" Ryan asked.

"I'm with this kid who I met at that Holiday event at the center and he just got kicked out of his house for being gay," Nick replied, "I'm going to go talk to his mom and try and get him back home, but I'm not too sure how to go about this. Can you come meet us? We're having lunch at the restaurant Leo works at or worked at, not too sure on his job status here."

"Yeah, sure, I'll be right down," Ryan said hanging up the phone.

"What's up?" Kurt asked.

"Nick needs some help with talking to the parents of a kid who got kicked out of his house," Ryan explained, "You want to come?"

"No, I should finish up some work here," Kurt said, "Good luck."

"Thanks," Ryan said giving Kurt a kiss. Ryan quickly grabbed his keys and headed out. Kurt couldn't help but smile at how excited Ryan got by the idea of helping someone. Ryan was definitely a nurturer.

When Ryan got to the restaurant Nick and Joey were eating burgers together. Joey seemed very happy to be eating such a large meal and was savoring every bite.

"Hey guys," Ryan said sitting down.

"Hey Ryan," Nick gave Ryan a hug, "This is Joey."

"Nice to meet you," Ryan said shaking Joey's hand. "So what's going on?"

"We're going to help Joey get back home," Nick said. "But I need your help. You've dealt with talking to parents about this right?"

"Yeah," Ryan nodded, "It's tough and the reactions aren't always the same. Some people just don't change their views."

"Great," Joey sighed.

"But that doesn't mean we're just going to abandon you if it doesn't work out," Ryan assured Joey, "There are a lot of other options we can explore."

"But if we can get your mom to come around, it would really be the best thing," Nick said.

"Were you close with your mom?" Ryan asked Joey.

"Yeah," Joey replied, "It's just her and me. We were a team, I picked up jobs here and there, while she worked at a diner. We were really close."

"Well, Nick and I will do what we can to bring you home," Ryan confirmed.

"Joey," Nick began, "Stay here, Ryan and I are just going to talk things over for a bit."

"Okay," Joey replied.

Nick and Ryan got up and went outside of the restaurant to talk.

"How do I go about it?" Nick asked Ryan wanting to make sure he doesn't mess it up.

"You just have to be gentle and understanding that it's a lot for her as a parent to take," Ryan said.

"Maybe you should do it," Nick suggested starting to second guess himself.

"Nick, I have a feeling that you're here because you want to," Ryan said, "You want to help him and I think you should. This seems to be really important to you."

"It is," Nick sighed. "Especially now."

"How come?" Ryan asked.

"Because I was faced with this same thing when Leo told his parents he was gay," Nick replied.

"You were?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah," Nick replied, "Leo's parents didn't take it well and have stopped talking to him. He told them a year ago and they flipped out on him. He was so upset that I went to talk to his parents, but when I did, they just couldn't understand and I couldn't get through to them and I got so frustrated, I yelled at them and they just shut the door in my face and told Leo to never speak to them again."

"That's tough," Ryan sighed.

"That's why it's really important to me that Leo is taken care of," Nick said, "It's why I'm so protective of him. I feel like I lost him his parents."

"It's not your fault that Leo's parents don't understand," Ryan said. "It's just how some people are."

"I can't let this kid down," Nick said looking into the window at Joey. "I have to help him."

"Then we will," Ryan said, "I'll go over with you what I said to parents and you just find your own voice and your own way."

Nick nodded, knowing the challenge he had ahead and was determined to bring Joey and his mom together again.

Meanwhile, Kurt was busy re-writing an article he had to finish for the magazine when he got a call from a copy-editor he became friends with at the office. His name was Derek, flamboyant and as he liked to say 'fabulously gay.' Derek was a dreamer and always believed that the magazine him and Kurt worked at was more amazing than it really was. Sure it was a very popular magazine in the gay community, it was popular for having the up-to-date information on the most popular celebrities in the gay community such as Britney Spears, Cher, Brad Pitt, Ellen, etc., it was also getting quite noticed for it's spreads on fashion, and even Kurt's little articles were a 'must read,' in every issue. But truth be told, while it was big in the gay world, it was very small in the real world.

"Your outfit you wore to work today was to die for," Derek said, "You were working the True Religions."

"Thanks," Kurt said, half listening to Derek so he could continue to work on his article, "So what's up?"

"I just heard through the grapevine that there is a great party going on in We Ho next week," Derek said.

"Oh yeah?" Kurt asked clearly not interested. Derek was the one who always let the people at the magazine know when a good party was coming up and pestered everyone to go. "What's the celebration this time? New line of sex toys?"

"No, that was last weeks party," Derek dismissed, "The party is for Patrick Willis."

"Who's that?" Kurt asked.

"Are you kidding?" Derek asked almost insulted, "Patrick Willis is the hippest new designer. The party is in celebration of his new Spring collection."

"Derek, what makes you think I'm interested in going?" Kurt asked, "I haven't gone to one of these parties in forever."

"You know, I wasn't going to tell you about it, but then I saw you come in for the meeting today and saw that you still had some good fashion taste, so I figured you might be interested in going to a glamorous party," Derek said, "It's at the Market."

"It's at a market?" Kurt asked confused.

"Oh my God," Derek exclaimed, "First you don't know about the hippest new designer, now you don't know about the hippest new club? You really need to go out more."

"Thanks, but I'm not interested," Kurt said.

"Okay, but when you read all about this party in the next five issues of our magazine you're going to be sorry you didn't go," Derek said hanging up.

After Kurt put his phone down he looked on his desk where he was writing and saw picked up a framed picture of Nick, Leo and him. It was a photo taken last year when they went on a trip to San Diego together. They were at a beach and all happy, Kurt sighed to himself knowing how miserable Leo is and how much he kisses that smile Leo used to have before the accident. It was all Kurt could think about so he turned off his computer and got his car keys to head down to the hospital to see Leo. When he opened the door he found a vase full of two dozen red roses with a white envelope sticking out. Kurt picked up the vase and brought it inside and set the vase on the ground and took the envelope which had his name written on it.

'Always on my mind.' the card simply read unsigned. Kurt smiled, knowing the flowers could only be from one person. He took out his cell phone and called Ryan.

"Hey," Ryan answered.

"Thank you so much for the flowers," Kurt said, "They're beautiful."

"Flowers?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah, and the card was really sweet," Kurt replied.

"Kurt what are you talking about?" Ryan asked.

"The flowers you sent to me," Kurt replied.

"I'm sorry Kurt, I never sent you those flowers," Ryan said, "I wish I did though. Somebody is making me look bad."

"You really didn't send them?" Kurt asked.

"No," Ryan replied, "I'm sorry."

"Who else would send them to me?" Kurt asked.

"Anyone at work who likes you?" Ryan asked.

"Not that I can think of," Kurt replied.

"Well, looks like you have a secret admirer," Ryan said. "I'm getting jealous."

"Don't," Kurt laughed, "It's obviously some sort of mix up. How are things going?"

"Good, I'm helping Nick think of what he's going to say when he sees this kid's mom," Ryan said.

"Ryan, I was thinking," Kurt began, "Maybe you should think of doing something that involves helping people.

Look at you, you got so happy at the idea of helping this kid out. It's in your nature, you're perfect for it."

"I thought about that when I was driving to meet Nick," Ryan said, "Maybe."

"Definitely something to think about," Kurt said.

"Yeah," Ryan said. "Definitely."

"Well, good luck," Kurt said.

"Okay, talk to you later."

"Bye."

Kurt hung up the phone. He looked at the card again and then threw it away, dismissing it as obviously some big mix up and he headed out to go to the hospital.

An hour later Nick, Ryan and Joey arrived at Joey's house. It was in a less than pleasant part of LA, the house had a picket fence in front, but it looked as if it was infested with termites, the house itself looked worn, much in need of a paint job. The house looked as if it was intended to be white, but with the lack of upkeep the house has turned to a light brown color.

The garden however was very beautiful, lawn was well kept, and there were lots of flowers through out.

"My mom likes to garden," Joey noted as they walked up the drive way.

"Are you ready?" Ryan asked Nick.

"Yeah," Nick replied taking a deep breath, "You okay Joey?"

"I guess," Joey answered nervously.

"It's okay Joey," Ryan assured, "She may not understand you, but she's your mom and still loves you."

"Joey, maybe you and Ryan should go wait by the car while I talk to your mom," Nick said.

"Are you sure?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah," Nick replied, "thanks."

"Okay, come on Joey," Ryan said leading him off.

Nick then knocked on the door. They waited maybe thirty seconds before Joey's mom answered. His mom seemed to be around mid-thirties, her light brown hair was already graying from the stresses of being a single mom, she had her hair tied up in a bun and was wearing a waitress uniform that indicated she was either going to work or just getting back from work. Her eyes were a light shade a blue, Nick couldn't point it out, but there seemed to be a sadness in her eyes.

"May I help you?" she asked.

"Hi, are you Linda?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Linda replied, "Can I help you?"

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" Nick asked.

"No, just got home from work," Linda replied. "What can I help you with?"

"I came here to talk to you about your son, Joey," Nick said.

"Oh yeah?" Linda asked pulling a cigarette out of her pocket in her uniform and nervously lighting it. "He all right?"

"Well physically he's fine," Nick said, "But I think he's taken quite an emotional beating."

"What do you mean?" Linda asked defensively.

"He's hurt that you rejected him when he needed you most," Nick replied.

"You mean when he told me he was gay?" Linda asked.

"Yes," Nick replied.

"Look, I love my son, but I can not deal with that," Linda said, "I've had so much to deal with in my life already. His father was an alcoholic, I had to take Joey and leave because I couldn't take it with his father anymore, I've had to work night and day at a damn diner to make ends meat for Joey and me to live. I've had it rough, and for him to just lay that he's gay on top of it is more than I can handle. I don't have time to deal with the other problems that come with a gay son."

"Linda, you seem to be thinking more of yourself and not about Joey," Nick said. "He didn't tell you he was gay to hurt you or to had an extra burden on you. He told you he was gay because it's who he is and he wants his mom to know who he really is."

"I'm not saying I don't love my son anymore, because I do," Linda said, "But I just don't know how to deal with this."

"Well kicking him out of the house wasn't the best way to deal with it," Nick said, "I'm not saying it's an easy thing for you to accept because it does take time, but what if you learn to accept it and you find that you don't have your son anymore because you kicked him out."

"He just laid it on me that he's gay," Linda said, "No warning, no nothing, just came to me and said that he was gay. How was I supposed to react?"

"I understand that," Nick said, "But all I'm trying to say here is that you should have him here. Talk to him, try to understand him. He's a really good kid."

"He is a good kid," Linda said tearing up, "Never complained about the life we have here. Always made me proud. That's why it's so hard for me to accept that he's gay."

"Just because he's gay doesn't mean he's not a good kid anymore," Nick said, "He's not asking you to understand and be okay with it right away, but all he wants is your love."

Linda was now crying, feeling guilty over what she did to Joey.

"Do you want him back?" Nick asked.

Linda nodded wiping her tears.

"Ryan," Nick called out. After a few moments Ryan and Joey appeared in view, both wondering how things went.

"Joey," Linda said going up and giving him a big hug, "I'm so sorry sweetie."

"It's okay mom," Joey said tears coming down his face as well.

Nick and Ryan both smiled at the scene knowing that things just might be okay for the two of them.

"Thank you for bringing him back and for talking to me," Linda said to Nick gratefully.

"My pleasure," Nick said. "Here's my number." Nick handed her a paper with his phone number on it, "Just call me if you need anything. You too Joey."

"Thank you," Joey said giving Nick a hug.

Joey and Linda went inside the house and closed the door leaving a very satisfied Nick and Ryan outside as they headed to the car.

"Good job," Ryan said putting his arm around Nick's shoulder, "You saved a lost soul."

"Now it's time to go save another," Nick said referring to Leo.

Back at the hospital Leo had fallen asleep in his chair but in his sleep he heard someone calling his name.

"Leo."

"Leo."

"Leo."

The voice echoed faintly with each call. Next thing Leo knew he was in a white room with a white bench resting in the center. Leo went over and sat down. He was obviously dreaming, but at the same time something about it felt very real. He heard faint footsteps and out of no where he saw Jesse walk up to him. Jesse was no longer bruised and bandaged up, but looked as good as he ever did.

"Jesse!" Leo exclaimed running and hugging him tightly.

"Hey baby," Jesse said holding Leo in his arms.

"What's going on?" Leo asked, "Where are we?"

"Not too sure actually," Jesse said, "I've been here this whole month."

"You have?" Leo asked. "Is there a way out of here?"

"Yeah, there's a door right there," Jesse pointed to the wall facing them where a door appeared where there hadn't been before. "Want to see what's on the other side?"

"Yeah," Leo said.

Jesse took Leo's hand and the two walked to the door, when they opened it there was a beautiful garden with the brightest color flowers ever seen, and there was a beautiful river that made the most soothing sound. On the trees there were the reddest apples and the brightest oranges Leo's ever seen.

"Can I go out there?" Leo asked.

"I can, you can't," Jesse replied. "You need to stay in here."

"Why?" Leo asked.

"Because out there is a place for me to be while I'm in the state I'm in," Jesse said closing the door, "Come sit down with me and I'll explain."

Leo and Jesse went and sat down on the bench in the room together.

"What's going on?" Leo asked.

"Leo, I know you've been visiting me every day," Jesse replied, "I can feel you there with me."

"Of course," Leo said, "I'm not going to leave you alone in that hospital."

"You have to," Jesse said.

"What?" Leo asked, "No."

"Leo, did you go to that second audition you had?" Jesse asked.

"No," Leo replied sheepishly.

"Have you been going to work at the restaurant?" Jesse asked.

"No."

"Have you even been going to the center to volunteer anymore?"

"No."

"Why not?" Jesse asked, he knew very well, but wanted Leo to say it.

"I've been here with you," Leo replied. "I've been here in case you wake up."

"I'm not waking up," Jesse said.

"What?" Leo asked in horror.

"At least not now anyway," Jesse said. "Not anytime soon."

"Jesse," Leo started to cry, "You have to wake up."

"Leo, you know if I could, I would be with you in a second," Jesse said, "But some things are out of our control."

"We just got back together," Leo sighed.

"I know," Jesse said holding Leo in his arms, "I know it's not fair, but it's what we have to do for now."

"What are you saying?" Leo asked.

"I'm saying, you need to move on with your life," Jesse said, "You have to live your life. For the past month you haven't been living. Let the world see your smile again."

"I can't," Leo cried. "Not while you're here."

"Leo I don't want you to be there with me every day," Jesse said, "You're going to miss everything life has to offer. If you can't live for yourself, do it for me."

"For you?" Leo asked.

"Yeah," Jesse said, "Live for me. Being in a hospital room every day is not living. Can you do that for me baby?"

"I guess," Leo cried.

"I love you so much, don't you understand that?" Jesse asked. "I want you to go on with your life. Continue your acting, have fun with Kurt and Nick, date."

"Date?" Leo asked.

"Yes," Jesse said, "Date. I don't want you to hold on to hope of me waking up because I might not and if I don't then I want you to date and not be alone forever."

"No one will ever compare to you," Leo said.

"Don't compare them to me," Jesse said, "Each individual is their own person. No one is alike, so you can't compare them to me because they won't be anything like me. But you can kind happiness with someone like you did with me. I want you to find that happiness."

"I can't say goodbye to you," Leo said.

"Don't say goodbye," Jesse said, "I'm always here." Jesse put his hand over Leo's heart. "I love you."

"I love you too," Leo said kissing Jesse. They kissed very passionately, both knowing that it might be the last time they ever kiss one another.

"Leo."

A voice was calling out to him again. When Leo opened his eyes he found he was alone again in the white room. Jesse was gone. He noticed that the door to the garden he showed him was gone too.

"Leo."

Leo saw a door on the opposite wall from where the other door was. He got up and opened the door. When he stepped through he woke up and found himself sitting in the chair in Jesse's hospital room.

"Leo," Kurt said gently shaking him. "Wake up."

"Hey," Leo said looking around the room, confused by his surroundings for a moment.

"Hey visiting hours are over," Kurt said, "We have to go."

"How long have you been here?" Leo asked.

"Just a few minutes," Kurt replied. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Leo nodded. He got up and went over to Jesse and leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, "I love you."

Leo and Kurt then both left.

"Are you okay to drive?" Kurt asked, "Are you tired?"

"I'm okay," Leo said.

"All right," Kurt said, "Nick wants us to go over to his place for a bit, okay?"

"Okay," Leo replied getting into his car.

When they got to Nick's place the sun had gone down. Kurt and Leo were quiet as they walked to Nick's apartment door. When they arrived Nick opened the door for them and let them inside. Nick and Kurt directed Leo to the couch and they all sat down together.

"Leo," Nick began, "Kurt and I need to talk to you."

"I know," Leo replied. "But you don't need to."

"What do you mean?" Kurt asked.

"I know I haven't been myself," Leo said standing up.

"We're worried about you," Nick said.

"I know and I'm sorry about that," Leo said. "And Kurt I never thanked you for letting me move in with you and Ryan."

"It's no problem," Kurt said, "You know I don't mind."

"What I'm trying to say is that I know I haven't been living," Leo said, "But I realize that I need to."

"Yeah," Nick agreed, "Exactly. You need to go on."

"Even though it's really hard," Leo said tearing up, "I know I need to move on from Jesse. I need to live again, I need to do this for him."

"Yeah," Nick said, "That's what we've been trying to tell you."

"I know, and I'm sorry I never listen," Leo said.

"You're just stubborn," Kurt said giving them all a chance to smile.

"But I'm going to live again," Leo said.

"What brought about this change?" Nick asked.

"The only person who could get me to listen had a talk with me," Leo replied simply.

Nick and Kurt both exchanged a confused look, but then decided to let it go.

"So you're back?" Kurt asked.

"Well I'm not fully back yet, but I'm on my way," Leo replied.

Nick and Kurt both got up and gave Leo a hug, assuring him that no matter what, the two will be there for him.

To Be Continued...

With any comments, questions, or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com Thanks so much!