You know me, You know what I can do

It seems like it has been that long since i logged onto Buzznet.

I am SUPER busy with the business but that doesnt mean I'm gone.

Check for me on myspace  myspace.com/klm30

or check for me on yahoo messenger sky beumont
or on AIM SakiaWarner

I am around and you guys can chat me up there!!

I am just too busy right now to do much writing...

Hope all of you are well and have GREAT HOLIDAYS!!!

OK so it wasn't a total stand alone. I got the idea for a second part.. Peters POV and that is found below.

If you want to listen to the song that this came from .. you can find the video and the link here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNJK5BLon7w

Enjoy

I watched her walk out the door. It was the same thing, every time, I’d let her get so close, and then I pushed her away. Stupid, so freaking stupid! I slammed my flat palm into the wall, feeling it crack under the contact. I was mentally cursing myself for what I was doing,. Why couldn’t I just accept her? Why couldn’t I let her in?

            Because I didn’t want her to die. I didn’t want to hold her in my arms, watching the life drain from her. I couldn’t do it, wouldn’t do it. My forehead rested against the wall as I tried to block the images that haunted me every time I saw her. I hated this, the helplessness of knowing what was to come and unable to stop it. If I kept her away, I could save her, it wouldn’t be me holding her when she died.

            That thought shook me, my head jerking up from where it was. What if it wasn’t me holding her? What if she died alone, what if a stranger was the one who held her as she took her last breath? I grabbed the sides of my head, screaming wordless in frustration. I couldn’t keep doing this!  Why can’t I just stop these thoughts, these images? No, keeping my distance was how I needed to handle this. I felt it, I knew it was right.

            But why does it hurt so bad? Why do I feel an ache when she leaves the room, like someone was tearing the very breath from me, taking my heart from my chest?

I ripped the jacket off, throwing it on the floor, feeling as if it was suffocating me as I paced in the apartment. Caged, like an animal, that was how I felt. My inner thoughts warred with each other, one wanting to run to her, the other wanting her as far away from me as possible. I’d almost gotten myself killed again, earlier, trying to be a hero again.

Why did I have this need to make things right? Claire tells me I’m just a good person, maybe I’m trying too hard? Maybe I should concentrate on those close to me?

I slid my hands into my hair, grasping it as I closed my eyes trying to just put her out of my mind.

I can’t do this.

I can’t leave her alone, and I can’t keep hurting myself, her, this way.

She was another part of my life that I kept screwing up, hurting her over and over by trying to save her. I couldn’t tell her what I saw, couldn’t tell her every time I got close I had to block those images, the fear welled deep inside me. It made it hard to breathe, hard to swallow. Fear that overwhelming. I felt it when I was with her. I couldn’t bear the thought of holding her as she died.

But I can’t save the world can I? Event after event has happened, pulling us this way and that and always I find myself at her door, wanting only to have her wrap her arms around me and tell me everything will be fine. I’d lost Simone, could I lose her too?

Could I live through the pain of knowing if I’d kept my distance she might be alive? Could I live without her? Did I want to?

The other side of my brain worked against me, making me doubt. What if my leaving her alone is what brings her death? What if by staying away, I bring about everything I fear?

Life is what you make of it. I’d heard those words. Destiny is in our own hands, our own choices, nothing is written in stone. Nothing.

I’d had other visions, and they didn’t happen, we’d changed things.

I could change it.

There was no thought other than her. I could only think about her brown eyes, her smile, the way her hair fell around her face as I ran down that hall yelling her name.

I saw her there on the stairs, stopping as I yelled her name once more. She looked up at me, her eyes bright with tears and she was the most beautiful thing I think I’d ever seen. Seeing her there, on those stairs, my heart swelled and I didn’t care what might happen, only the here and now. I’d risk my life for her. I’d die to protect her. Nothing mattered to me but being with her.

Only her.

           

I love the tv show Heroes and esp.. the hotness that is Peter Petrelli. I wrote this as an idea to maybe expand on and thought I would share it here!

His black hair was tucked back behind his right ear, the rest of it fell to frame his face. His brown eyes held the smallest amount of unshed tears, the water held there above dark lashes seemed to make his eyes sparkle more than they already did. Dark brows furrowed over those sienna depths, filled with confusion, pain, but most of all, need. I could hear it in his mind, over and over. “Don’t push me away, please” He was still wearing the suit he had worn earlier in the night, but now the shoes and tie were gone, the dress shirt unbuttoned from his neck. The stark white of the shirt was littered with deep maroon streaks, his blood. The sight made my breath catch in my throat, eyes searching him for signs of injury and finding none. But the blood was real. He was real.

            He lifted his eyes to me again, searching my eyes for acceptance. He held his hand out to me, a gesture to me. Each step I took felt like a mile, as if I the space between us equaled the space we wished we could put between us, but it wouldn’t happen. I stretched out my arm, laying my hand in his pal . My breath caught in my throat as his fingers slid around my wrist. He pulled me against him quickly, his head resting against mine as we stood there. His arms wrapped around me tightly. I could hear his thoughts, just as he could hear mine. “Thank you” He spoke without saying a word, I felt him, heard him and held him even tighter then.

            The world around us seemed to be falling apart, he.. he was something more, something beyond human as was I. We’d been thrust into a place we’d never asked for, given powers we were still learning, unsure of. That was how I’d met  him.           

            He’d saved me, pulling me from where I stood on that bridge, ready to die for a power I couldn’t control, couldn’t get a handle on. I’d never met him before that moment, but he was instantly there, pulling me down and held me, soothing fears I didn’t understand, promising me that he’d be there. He thought I was beautiful, knew I wanted to end things, my ability to hear the thoughts and feel what others felt. I didn’t know how to stop it, how to control it. Three months we’d spent, talking on the phone, spending hours sitting on a rooftop, watching the city trying to make sense of what was happening and why.

            His hands smoothed my hair down as he held me, rocking our bodies back and forth slowly, gently. I couldn’t do anything more than cling to him at that moment, wanting to say so much but there was no need. He could hear my thoughts, feel me the same way. He copied my powers, and those of others like us. He’d been my knight in shining armor, he’d been the answer to my prayers.

            “Sometimes it’s nice to hear it from your lips, out loud” he whispered, tilting my chin up to look at him.

            I couldn’t help but smile, finding his ability to read my thoughts at times as unnerving as I thought my own were. “Yeah, I guess it is huh?”

            He smiled and gave a little nod. “I like the sound of your voice,” his finger slid down my cheek in a soft gesture. It comforted as well as excited. I couldn’t stop myself with the words that came out.

            “Probably as much as I like yours”

            “You like mine huh?” he asked with a crooked grin, head tilting as he gazed down at me. I nodded with a smile. It was hard to stop the thoughts, hard to stop thinking how I wanted him to kiss me, how I wanted to feel his chest bare under my fingers. I licked my lips as I thought again about kissing him.

“Don’t Kellan, don’t think things like that, because I can’t block you out, I can’t keep you out of my mind” he whispered.

            “Who said I wanted to be kept out?” I asked, laying my hand on the side of his face. “I can’t hide, not from you and you’ve thought it before too, we think it all the time.” I could feel him, could see the images in his mind, his thoughts forming images of us, together, naked on his bed, sheets tangled around us as he pushed himself deep inside me. It drew a gasp from me, the image making me warm all over.

            He shoved me backward, breaking the contact, shaking his head. “God I can’t…. we shouldn’t….” his words were staggered, fighting his own thoughts, his own desires and needs. I reached for him again.

            “We can Peter. We have the right to be happy”

            “And if I hurt you? What then?” he snapped, turning to face me, brows drawn together. He wasn’t angry at me, he was angry at himself, for his lack of control.

            “You won’t hurt me,” I whispered, I knew his power, knew his potential. I knew my own.

            “How can you be sure.. what if… I can’t control it?”

            “You’re afraid you can’t hold onto me” I replied softly. It was his fear, that he’d lose me, that I would leave him, or he’d lose me by some strange twist of fate.

            “Stop it Kel, just stop, get out of my head!” he yelled. I stared at him, suddenly feeling cold. I closed my eyes and closed him off, shut him out of my mind as best I could leaving a coldness deep inside me that burned. I turned and began to walk away from him, leaving him standing in that empty room, feeling much the same way. It always ended the same way, him pushing me away and me leaving, until we would run into each other once more, the attraction, the chemistry begging to be explored and always left unfulfilled and I had a feeling that would never change. He'd shatter my heart into a million pieces and I let him, because he was the only one who could put it back together.

            I loved Peter Petrelli, but it would never be more than a dream.

           

Girls and folks out there who write fanfics.

I am posting this because I think I need to set the record straight.... and I am tired of people getting hurt feelings and being drama-ish over things.

I LOVE to help anyone writing a fan fic... I will tell you what you can improve on, what could be better, what needs a lot of work. I will tell you straight up if I think something is good or if it's not. I wont yank your chain.

But PLEASE PLEASE.... don't IM me over and over telling me how much you suck, how bad the fan fic sucks and how you're a horrible writer. I don't have time to play counselor to you. Maybe that is rude but I am a mother of 5 kids. I run my own business and I talk with clients all the time, as well as spending hours on the computer editing photos. If I give you advice.. and you have questions... fine.. holler at me, ask me again... don't just IM me and tell me you suck. If you really sucked, I wouldn't deal with you.

There are a lot of people out there that may think this is out of line or rude.. well that's your opinion and you are entitled to it.

I have no issues helping people make their writing better. I am no expert.. I learn things from you guys as much as you learn from me.

But I am not here to boost your ego and tell you what a great writer you are, I am not here to write the scene for you and I am not here to listen to your whining about what a bad writer you are.
I'm not your psychiatrist, teacher or counselor.

I am a fellow fan fic writer who likes to write.

If you don't want to talk to me now.. that is fine...

If you understand where I am coming from.. then thank you.. :)

It took awhile but here it is. Chapter 11.. wow.
I was going to post a warning but why bother. There's sex.. read and enjoy.

I heard the hotel room door and rolled to my side, groggy eyes tried to focus on the man that walked back toward the bed. I’d already slammed my hand on the snooze button of the alarm clock twice before. He’d disappeared and I assumed he’d went to get coffee.
He had a smile on his face and when he realized I was awake, it broadened even more. I stretched out my arm, the sheets sliding down off of my partially naked form, leaving me uncovered from the waist up. Since moving in with Shannon I had gone from always wearing a t-shirt and shorts to bed to wearing little more than panties. I liked the feel of my flesh against his, so did he.
His knee found the bed, and the springs groaned softly against the weight of him. His hand reached out, pushing soft tendrils of hair from my face, smoothing it back.
“Did I wake you babe?” he asked quietly. My head shook just slightly.
“Alarm. I have to get up and start getting ready soon,” I told him, not pleased with the idea of what was going to happen today. He gave me a sad smile.
“I’ll be with you, you’ll be ok.” I lifted my hand and laid it against his arm, letting it slide down his muscled arm, lightly sliding over the brightly colored tattoo on his left arm. He shivered under my touch and I saw the goose flesh rise on his tanned skin.
His gaze was like a weight against my chest, it took my breath. There was so much written in that gaze.
“Where were you?” I asked softly voice just audible enough for him to hear me. I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
“I was talking to Jare, had a couple things on my mind and I didn’t want to bother you,” he explained.
He leaned on his right arm, placing it over me, weight resting there so that he was angled slightly over me. I fit in the triangle of his body and arm, his eyes intent on mine. His left hand came to slide between my breasts, a finger tracing an invisible line downward until he reached the sheets. That one touch made me draw in a shaking breath, filling my lungs with much needed air.
I gazed at him leaning over me, my hand touching him wherever I wanted, where I could. His chest was bare, the tiny smattering of hair drawing my attention over the expanse. I slid my fingers up into that soft patch, drawing my nails down his chest, over his navel to the top of the cotton shorts he wore. I smiled as he inhaled deeply, eyes closing. My hand revisited the same path, working it’s way back up his chest, stopping only when my hand reached as far as it could.
He leaned down, brushing his full lips over mine, our eyes meeting, gazes locked.
“I love you,” he whispered, left hand coming up to cradle my face, “I look at you and it still amazes me that you’d even give me the time of day. And then you look at me, like you are right now.” He took a ragged breath. “I can see how much you love me. You make me want things I never wanted before. You make me better. I’m so lucky, so fucking lucky” he murmured against my lips, the soft touching of our mouths as he spoke made things inside me tighten, a rush of heat that struck straight down to my core. It was hard to breathe, hard to think past the words he’d just spoken. I wanted to cry, no one had ever said anything so beautiful to me.
He pulled the covers down, tossing them off of me as he shifted on the bed, moving a leg on either side of my own legs, hovering over me.
A hand went to each side of my head and he lowered himself down on his forearms leaving his hands free to embrace the sides of my face, pushing my hair back from my face, holding it there. My own hands went to his sides, resting on his ribs, feeling each deep breath he took. I let my hands move then, sliding up his chest, through the soft hair that covered him, over the muscles of his chest, then up to his neck and down his shoulders. He drew in a shaking breath, his eyes closing briefly as my hands touched him. His weight on top of me felt welcome, constant and steady. I turned his face slightly so we could look at each other.
His gaze was powerful, holding me captive, unable to look away. But the truth was I had no desire to look away, I was a willing hostage to the passion in his eyes.
Lifting my head from the pillow, I pressed my lips to his softly, wanting to taste him. I wanted to feel his lips on mine, feel his tongue teasing my lips until I couldn’t breathe. The course hair of his mustache tickled my lips, the stubble along his chin scraped my own, my body trembling at that sensation.
He slid a hand under my head, supporting me as our mouths fused. I licked and nipped at his lips, ate at them. Teeth, tongue, and lips all used to fuel the fire the already burned inside me.
He growled low and hungry against my lips, his hand tightening in my hair as he rolled us to our sides, giving his other hand the freedom to travel the length of my body. He brought chills to my skin, making me quiver under his touch.
The cotton panties I wore were being pushed down over my hips and I rose up to help him, twisting my body so that he could remove them with one hand. Our lips never parted as he stripped me of that final barrier of cloth, leaving my skin naked for him.
One of his hands skimmed my body, down my side and over my hip. His touch was feather light, making me shiver at the smallest touch from the pad of his fingers. My eyes closed from that touch, so soft, so full of promise.
He rolled me over to my back, that one hand still in my hair, the other slid down my body, cupping a breast. His hand felt warm, and my nipple hardened even more under his palm as he slid it so slowly over me. My back arched, my body responding to him whether I really wanted to or not. He made me breathless, aching with need for him. It was always this way, he made me feel so much. He never stopped kissing me, his head tilting to kiss me deeper.
His legs were between mine and I spread them farther, letting him settle against me, that hard, thick part of him resting against me. My hands went to his hair, sliding into the short tresses.
His lips broke from mine and he looked down at me. His hazel eyes burned with need and his mouth parted, breath escaping from him as he pushed inside me.
“God I love you,” he said as his body filled me, joining us in the most intimate way. He didn’t move, he held himself there, letting me feel him, us, together. I stared back at him, my hands caressing his cheeks, his face.
“I love you too Shan,” I whispered back my thumb sliding over his lip as my palm rested against his stubble covered cheek.
His movements were slow, deliberate as we made love. Our bodies took and gave, our mouths only parting for small gasps and moans here and there. He moved deeper and faster, the sweat building along his back and chest, my hands sliding through it as I clung to him, nails finding purchase wherever I could on his skin. I felt the muscles of his back, stretch, relax and contract as our bodies moved faster, more desperate.
I looked up, watching his face as he moved faster, deeper inside me, to the point that it hurt, the kind of hurt that brought so much pleasure. We’d never been like this; so frantic, so reckless. Our moans and gasps filled the room, the sound of flesh on flesh filling those times when our voices didn’t. His eyes met mine and I felt such a rush then. It was all male, all Shannon. He loved me and I saw it in his eyes. I felt it in his body and heard it with his words. Every action screamed it and my soul responded. I was so close and then he spoke, softly, his hands coming up to hold my face between his hands.
“You’re my world," he said softly.
I cried out, my neck and back arching as my body seemed to crumble around him, shuddering in release. It felt so good, so right and those words had brought it all to the surface. My body felt liquid, tightening around him, holding him tight inside me as the rest of me rolled in the bliss I found in his body and in his arms.
He wasn’t far behind me, the sound of his own orgasm so masculine, his head thrown back, arms held straight, back bowed above me. He looked so sexy, so perfect then. He stayed that way just a few moments before his arms relaxed and he collapsed on top of me with an “oof”.
I laughed, wrapping arms and legs around him more. His head raised and he smirked, then laughed with me, pressing his lips to mine hard, both of us grinning.
It was pure joy. He brought me that and more. It was like the words he’d spoken earlier. I made him better, and he made me better. We made each other more just by our love. You don’t find that often, some people never find it. I was going to hold onto it, keep it. I wouldn’t let him go, I’d fight heaven and hell to keep this man in my life.
His head lifted slightly and he kissed me once more before he spoke.
“Let’s get in the shower and go see your family.”
The funeral didn’t seem so harsh now, it didn’t seem so upsetting because I had him with me, I had him in my life and I knew he’d be there, no matter what.
I nodded, grabbing the back of his neck and kissing him hard once more. He laughed and rolled off of me.
“Come on,” he said as he grabbed my arm and tugged me from the bed.
I went.

Thanks for Shannon's middle name
Much appreciation from me

Thanks

This is another chapter which Heroin and Imagination will actually share. Much thanks and props are given to Readyrunaway for her help with this chapter.

Enjoy folks!!!




Shannon dialed his brother and paced outside the hotel. He'd left K sleeping inside. His trip to Niagara Falls with her had taken a turn he'd not expected and he had to change things. Quick.

"grrnnn" The irritating ringing on the bedside table forced Jared's head deeper into the pillow, trying to ignore the loud-as-all-fuck noise blasting from his tiny blackberry. Finding no possible escape, he pulled his shaggy haired head from the pillow, grumbling as he snatched the phone, hitting "talk" as he brought it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Jare..it's Shan. We gotta talk dude.. I messed up.. I mean I didn't mess up but I kinda messed up. Fuck.. dude... " he rambled, running a hand through his dark hair. "You gotta come here"

"You realize you're over 3 hours ahead, right? And its still early morning here, right?" He grumbled, attempting to run his fingers through his messy hair, propping up on his elbow, blinking in his drowsy state. "Why...what happened?" He doubted his brother could have done anything of TERRIBLE damage, and, he was known to over-react . He wasn't too concerned.

"I... K took me to Niagara Falls.. I mean I've seen it before but she was there and we were taking pictures and I ... shit.. I sorta told her I wanted to spend my life with her. I didn't ask her but.... now I gotta do it.... and we said we'd do it together" he ran his hand through his hair once more, pacing on bare feet on the sidewalk. "It was so fucking perfect Jare"

Instantly he snapped to attention, looking lightly over the side of his bed, as if to make sure that the safe box was still under it. His eyes wide he turned his head away from the sleeping girl beside him. "Jesus! You're kidding me Shan!" He whispered harshly, unable to contain the immediate flare in his temper. He became scared, feeling a pit in his stomach.

"No.. would I be calling you at 6 am.. would I be up at 9 am if this wasn't serious?" he exclaimed. "Things... are different. I can't explain it but I gotta do this. We could do it in Canada, at the falls, take the girls to dinner at the Minolta and then go to the falls."

"Fuck..." He seethed, unable to compose much more. He felt like he was jerked awake, abruptly sent into a frightening, uncertain world. Where it was a now or never decision. "Alright, alright..." he repeated, taking deep breaths. "When do you think I could get us a flight up there? I guess we have to do this..." He bit his lip, scooting up on the bed.

"Flights are pretty easy to get late. K and I flew out here on a red-eye. The bathroom was great" he teased, thinking back to that night.

"Then, I guess, i'll be getting us a flight as soon as we can, tonight even." His voice was still quiet, intensifying each word. "Jesus Shan...did You bring your ring, or do you need me to pick it up?"

"I have it.. it's in my suitcase. For some reason I threw it in there, I wasn't planning it but I felt like I should take it for some reason." he paused a minute, looking up at one of the trees. "Is it right to love someone this much. I really didn't think .... I mean.. you know what I mean don't ya?" he asked.

"Yeah...I know what you mean..." He smiled lightly. "Although, I have to say, I'm fucking scared...You've pushed this...lightning fast." He shook his head. "Thank you..." He smiled.

"Have you ever had this moment, that you just said what you felt, what you really felt and it changed everyrthing in the blink of an eye? That was how it happened, we're standing at the falls, and she looked up at me with this smile and I told her I wanted her with me the rest of my life. I didn't think before the words came out." he told his brother. "I still havent even talked to Ma"

 "You better call her, if you go and get engaged without her knowing...well..." He laughed lightly, thinking of the fiery spirit of Their mother. "and...yeah...i think i know what you mean..." He grew distant, thinking of the day Meg caught him singing in the middle of the night. "Its...humbling..." He sighed. "grounding..."
 
"Yes! Exactly!" he said nodding his head even though his brother couldn't see it. "That is how it felt. Humbling. Here I was at this amazing place, with a woman that makes my world and it really made me feel small, and very lucky"

He grinned, pleased he wasn't in love and alone. He had someone he could bounce against, someone he could confide with. "Luck...Your girl says luck ain't got nothing to do with it." He laughed lightly. "What do you have to say about, soul mates?" He vividly remembered the conversation, thinking back.

"She does huh?" he smirked and thought over the question. "I think I found mine. Have you ever known any girl who ever complimented me like she does? Of all my girlfriends, have you ever really liked one as much as you like K?"

"Shan, all your other girlfriends were obnoxious..." he said in a seasonable tone, shaking his head. "and, in some cases, distracting...and you know they were...K is perfect for you, without a doubt." He smiled broadly, undeniably feeling his bother's excitement, as if it were seeping through the phone.

"Yeah.. she is. "He laughed. "Holy shit.. I'm getting married" he yelled and then looked around quickly. "God I'm a mess" he laughed. "So I need to call mom... shit.. K has to meet mom when we get back. I'm doing this all backward"

"We, Shan, WE'RE getting married..." He said, suddenly realizing he was still beside Meg. His eyebrows jumped as she shuffled a bit, forcing him to slowly get up, and nearly dash from the room, lest she wake up and hear everything. It was still early, so he doubted she had awoken, and anything she heard, would translate to dreams. "And..." He started, closing the door lightly behind him.

  "And.... we're getting old" he teased back.

"you're getting old..." Jared countered, narrowing his eyes as if staring down his brother. "I'm still fine off...look at the age group you're attracting!" He grinned. "At least i'm still getting the young ones"

"Did you just call my soon to be wife old" he laughed. "Well look... Meg might be young in years but in her head.. and heart she is perfect for you. I should go.. K will be up soon. The funeral is at noon today"

"Yeah she is..." He nodded, smiling. Yet, found himself turn grave at the mention of the impending funeral on the other side of the line. He shuffled nervously, biting again at his lip. "Noon? Its..." He looked at a clock, doing the math in his head. "what...9:30 there? Yeah...the time you need for that is extensive...Meeting her family, and...the funeral...part..."

"Already met the family at the viewing last night. They're wonderful, never even gave me a wayward glance. Her mom says I'm cute too.. not too bad eh?"

"...Like i said..look at the age group you're attracting" He laughed smartly, entering the kitchen and starting a pot of coffee. "No, but, they like you, points for that."

"You haven't seen her mom." he laughed. "She looks young. Anyway.. I'm gonna go. Today might be a little rough so I want to be there. Call me when you know the flight time." he said as he walked back into the hotel

"Will do, Good luck" He nodded, leaving the coffee to brew, in quest for the laptop, the phone still pressed to his ear. Hope of returning to sleep was completely gone from his system. So began another early morning

"Same to you.. talk to ya soon' He cut the phone before he slipped back into the hotel room.
 

Shannon stepped out of the rental car and turned to look at me as I slipped out of the other door. We’d spent most of the morning at the viewing for my Aunt Rose and now we were taking a little time for us.
My family had instantly loved Shannon, pulling me aside to tell me over and over how he was such a great guy and to tell me how I glowed when I was with him. It was such a relief for me, to know they accepted him. No one even asked him for an autograph even though they knew who he was. My younger brother and Shannon had talked about music for awhile while I was greeting family I hadn’t seen in over a year. Seeing them together made me get that full feeling in my heart once more. I smiled at him as he came around the SUV and reached for my hand. Both of us had our cameras around our necks, hanging there as we walked toward the entrance.
“Don’t you love how you can hear the falls from here in the parking lot?” he asked. I nodded.
“It was the first thing I ever noticed coming here, that and how it got so much cooler the closer you got the falls. I never appreciated it until I was older and really understood how amazing it really is here” I told him as he reached for my hand. Our fingers laced together as we walked down the path. He’d worn a cap pulled low over his eyes and black hoodie over his jeans. This was one of the few times we hoped no one recognized him. We wanted time alone, time to just be ourselves.
He squeezed my hand as he looked over at me, a smile on his face as he nodded his head toward the falls. The water could barely be seen through the trees but the sound and the cooler temperature left little doubt it was there.
We almost ran down the hill, stopping at the rail next to the American Falls. He let go of my hands, pulling me in front of him as we gazed out at it. His chin rested on my shoulder, his hands locked at my abdomen. I lifted the camera, taking a few shots of the water, making sure to catch the sunlight as it bounced off the water.
“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” he asked.
“Yeah, it is, to think nature did this… amazing” I spoke over the sound of water. I felt his lips against my cheek and I smiled, turning to catch the edge of his lips with mine. He chuckled and hugged me tighter. I covered his hands with my own as we stood there, watching the water, listening to the sound of it. It made you feel small in comparison, the force and power of that water falling hundreds of feet to the rocks below. The mist that rose from the river below blew back in our face, the tiniest drops of water against our faces. He buried his face into my neck and I closed my eyes as he did. There was some comfort in being there with him. The world seemed not so harsh; the sadness of Aunt Rose not being with us anymore, not so hard to accept.
“Thank you again for coming with me” I told him softly. He lifted his head, pressing soft lips to my temple.
“There is no where else in this world I’d wanna be.” He pulled from me and took the camera, raising it and I furrowed my brows.
“You don’t need more pictures of me Shan,” I complained. He growled.
“Shut up and smile. I want pictures of my girlfriend at Niagara Falls, now smile bitch.” He teased me and I burst into laughter before I heard the shutter on his camera click off several shots. I shook my head and reached for his hand, tugging him away from the rail. “Come on.. we’re going to the island” I told him as we began our trip over to Goat Island.
For those of you who have never been to Niagara Falls; the American and Horseshoe Falls are separated by a small splotch of land called Goat Island. Goat Island is very green, lots of trees and small paths that take you literally down to the rivers edge where you can stand near the rapids before they go over the falls. From Goat Island you can go over to Terrapin Point, which is the best place in America to see the Horseshoe Falls. Words would fail to even describe it so I won’t try but know that it was awe inspiring, to say the least.
Shannon let me lead him, and we stopped to take photos of the water, the trees, whatever caught our fancy. It wasn’t until we reached Terrapin Point that we really spoke again. He stopped and leaned over the rail, looking out over the Horseshoe falls.
“Boy, if you ever need something to make you feel insignificant in the world, standing here can sure do it” he said quietly.
“Try going on the Maid of the Mist” I said pointing to the small boat of people that were in the river, near the base of the falls. “That really makes you feel small.”
He looked like a kid on Christmas. “We have to go do that!” he exclaimed. I laughed.
“Maybe we can get to it tomorrow before we leave. That is probably the last trip of the day.”
“Yeah… I have to do that” he said with a nod. I turned and took a photo of a rainbow that spread over the falls. There were only certain times of the day that the sun hit the water perfectly. It was then that I saw Shannon watching me and I turned to look at him, a bright smile on my face. He smiled back and held a hand out to me. I took it and moved close to him.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Nothing, just looking at the woman I’m gonna spend my life with.” He said with a tenderness in his voice that I don’t think I’d ever heard before. His words created such a feeling inside me. It made my stomach turn, made me warm instantly from head to toe and it made me almost dizzy at the same time. I stared at him, wondering what in the hell I did to deserve this? What karmic thing had I done to bring such a wonderful man into my life?
I let the camera hang to my side and touched his cheek.
“I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life with you Shan, and I plan on doing it”
He grinned, that silly, totally happy grin that made my heart melt and I laughed as he picked me up, swinging me around. People watched us and smiled, a few people even took photos but none of it mattered, we could have cared less. My arms were around his neck and we kissed, both of us still smiling. It wasn’t something we could contain and I didn’t want to.
When he sat me down I gazed at him, thanking my stars, God, and whoever else I could for the chance to be with such a wonderful guy. I once told Jared that luck wasn’t really what brought us together, that it was fate. I believed it even more now, looking at the man in front of me, seeing his smile, hearing the love in his voice, his words.
“Come on… “ I said pulling him over to the grassy area, pulling him down to the ground with me. He laid back on the ground, gazing at the sky, then to me.
“Does life get any better than this?”
“When you’re behind the drums on stage?” I asked and he nodded.
“Yep, I think that might be it” he said as he reached up, tugging one of my dark curls with his fingers. “But it’s different, being on stage and with you”

“Well of course,” I answered frankly. “How can you compare the two? You can’t live without being on stage, without playing”
“And I won’t live without you. I refuse,” he said quickly.
“And I’d never ask you to.” I retorted right back. He gave a solid nod of his head.
“Good, I’d hate to have to take you prisoner or something.”
“I might like that,” I said wiggling my brows at him. He grabbed me, quicker than I expected and I was on my back, looking up at him.
“Behave yourself woman, or that airplane bathroom is gonna be child’s play.” I laughed, looking into his eyes.
“Well I guess I’ll be as bad as I want then.” He looked down, trying to look menacing but we both began to laugh, rolling on the ground, wrapped in each others arms. We were like children, enjoying the world, enjoying life for those few moments of freedom from everything else.
Times like this, this was what it was all about. I once read a quote that I think of when I’m with Shannon more than anyone else.
“Life isn’t about the breaths you take, it’s about the moments that take your breath away”
This was one of those moments, every moment with Shannon, stole my breath and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.



    
 

Ok kiddies.. here is a little warning.

This chapter has some pretty graphic sex, so if you shouldn't be reading this, or it makes you uncomfortable, skip it. It's done with taste but it's still kinda intense.

Now that said.... Read and enjoy!!

I smoothed Shannon’s t-shirt down his chest for the fourth time in a few moments. We stood near his car at the airport curbside check in. He grabbed my upper arms, staring into my eyes.
“K, I can go with you, if you want me to” he told me and I shook my head.
“No… you guys are getting ready to leave soon and you’re working on the sets and the recording.”
“And Jared said it was ok if I left for a couple days. You don’t have to go do this alone” he reminded me, and part of me wanted to tell him to come with me, to beg him to. He’d still not met my family and I wanted them to meet him but now? At a funeral? It was only my great aunt but I’d loved her and I wanted to be there for my family. Would bringing Shannon be in poor taste?
I sighed, resting my head against his chest, my hands gripping his muscular arms.
“God Shannon… I don’t wanna do this at all.” I whispered. He stroked my hair.
“You don’t have to do this alone baby… I can go, it’s ok.”
I lifted teary eyes to him and nodded. “Please?” I asked and he pressed his lips to mine, hard and then pulled away.
“I already had a ticket bought” he whispered. “I wasn’t going to let you get on that plane alone, what kind of boyfriend would I be?” he asked as he grabbed his own bag from the trunk, handing it to the baggage handler.
I broke down then, clinging to him like a small child. He loved me, and I had no doubts, no fears, nothing. I’d never felt so sure, never so complete as I did right then, at that moment.
“Come on babe, let’s get inside and get past security. Jared wants us to call when we get in Buffalo”
I let him lead me along the way, letting him take care of me. It was the first time I felt so drained, so numb and I wanted him to handle it all. He was my rock and I could lean on him.
Once through security, we walked over to a group of chairs and sat down. I’d brought my iPod and purse and Shannon had a laptop in his case and his iPod as well. I knew we had a long flight ahead of us, but all I could think about was the sadness I was going to endure back home.
My great aunt was my grandmothers sister but I’d always called her Auntie Rose. I would miss her, but she’d lead a full life. The sadness was met with a kind of acceptance of life. Life was a cycle and I had to expect that at some point, that cycle has to come to an end.
I rested my head on Shannon’s shoulder and he kissed my forehead.
“I love you K,” he whispered, wrapping a strong arm around my shoulders. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, stopping the tears that threatened to spill out.
“I know you do Shannon. I love you too,” I said opening my eyes to gaze into his, tears sliding down my cheeks.
He turned, pushing my bangs from my face, then wiped away my tears with his fingers. “You know, when I saw you that day I was so angry, that you were taking photos of Meg and Jare, but then, I saw your eyes when you looked at the photograph. I heard it in your voice, you love what you do, it wasn’t for money. I knew that, I knew it in my heart but I wanted a reason to see you again. I was so scared you’d tell me to go take a hike. Every morning I wake up and smile when I see you next to me.”
I wanted to laugh at him.
“I was scared to death that you were going to try and sue me or something,” I admitted to him, grinning. “I thought I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. And then when you showed up at the house, when we looked at the photos together, I kept thinking how I’d love to see you more.”
He chuckled, hugging me close to him. “One moment changes your entire life.” He looked at me, a soft smile on his lips. “And I’m so glad for that moment”
“You and me both” I replied before we looked over, the lady calling out our flight over the speaker. He’d lifted my spirits with his confession, sharing those thoughts with me.
I should have known he’d get first class and that was exactly what he’d done. His took my hand as we walked down the boarding ramp and onto the plane.  I was shocked to find we were all alone in first class. Of course it was midnight and most business folk were done traveling for the day. We’d taken the late flight so we could sleep for most of it. We’re lazy, sue us.
The flight attendant greeted us with smiles and took us to our seats. I sat down, looking at him as he arranged the case under his seat.
My life was so much fuller because of him. I felt like I had more to do in my life than just work, and take photographs. I had someone to take care of, I had a real purpose.
We hooked our seatbelts and it took maybe 45 minutes before we were in the air. The flight to Buffalo was around 8 hours so we had plenty of time to talk and to just sit there together.
Now and again I would look up to catch him watching me with a smile on his face. I rubbed his hand, whispering to him how much I loved him. He would always lean over and kiss me and tell me he loved me too. He was doing a good job of keeping my mind off of what I was on  my way home to do.

I’d fallen asleep because I woke up, my head propped against the wall with a pillow and Shannon was talking to the flight attendant. I saw her laughing and he was as well.
Blinking the sleep away from my eyes I smiled as he walked back over to me.
“How long did I sleep?” I asked.
“Oh, an hour or so I guess, we still have over five hours.” He told me. I sighed and laid my head back against the seat. He looked at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he held out his hand.
“Come with me”
I took his hand and stood as we walked to the bathroom. He grinned, wiggling his brows at me and I stared, wide eyed and open mouthed.
“NO… oh no” I said with a laugh. He smiled, big and bright, eyes twinkling.
“Come on… I paid the flight attendant to give us 30 minutes alone.. don’t make me have wasted good money.”
“My God you really did” I said totally shocked. He nodded and opened the door.
“After you beautiful” he said almost shoving me inside.
I laughed as he stepped in behind me, tugging the door closed.
I watched those hazel eyes and couldn’t look away. He did the funniest things, the most memorable things. I reached up and sank my fingers into his hair, pulling him to me for a kiss. I heard him groan in response, his hands gripping my waist hard, holding me to him.
Our tongues teased and tasted each other until we were breathless and I pulled back. He said nothing as he unbuttoned my jeans, pushing them and my underwear down my legs and off of me. I stepped out of them and left them on the floor. His eyes were so intense as he took my hands, putting them on his jeans. We never spoke as I undressed him, feeling him spring free, hard and thick as his pants were left on the floor as well. He captured my lips with his once more, biting at them, nibbling at my bottom lip as he pressed his body against mine. He stole my breath from me, stole all my inhibitions. He wanted me and I wanted him just as much. My hands slid down his hips then to his ass, gripping him, pulling him tighter still against me.
His mouth moved from mine, down my chin and then along the line of my jaw to my ear.
“You want me don’t you?” he asked huskily. I replied with a breathless yes before his voice was in my ear again. ”It’s exciting isn’t it, the risk, knowing someone might hear us, or someone might come to the door.” The sound of his voice made me want to scream but I knew we’d be heard. He grabbed the back of my head, his fingers tangling themselves in my hair, his other hand lifted me to the edge of the small stainless steel sink. He stared into my eyes as he spoke in a whisper. “Wrap your legs around me.”
I did exactly what he told me to and I could feel him hard and thick against me. He leaned in then and kissed me. It was slow, like he had all the time in the world. His tongue slid along my lips, then he used teeth once more, nipping playfully as his hands pushed my t-shirt up, pushing the bra up as well, exposing my breasts.
I’d never seen Shannon like this, so dominant, so sure of himself and God it turned me on. His hands slid up my body then, over my breasts, cupping them gently. I let my head fall back, a sigh escaping my lips as I reached down to grip the edge of the sink. He looked at my hands and smiled.
“Don’t move your hands.” he told me with a crooked grin. I couldn’t believe we were doing this. We were on a plane in the bathroom. I opened my eyes to look at him again.
He gave me a hint of a smile as his hands ran over my breasts once more. Now that I was holding the sink, it left his hands free to touch me and he took that opportunity.
I couldn’t pull my eyes from him as he leaned down and kissed the center of my chest, his hands sliding up and down my thighs, giving me chills.  Just the touch of his lips, and knowing that he could touch me wherever he wanted was such a turn on.
He lifted his eyes, watching me as he bit gently at the side of my breast. I giggled, a low happy sound as he repeated the action on the opposite breast. I loved this man, trusted him with my heart and my life, and we were having sex on a plane. Could it get any better?
His eyes lifted briefly then he took my breast in his mouth, his tongue tasting me, teasing my nipples into hard peaks and taking my breath from me.
He straightened up then, gazing into my eyes as he looked down between our bodies and slowly, slid inside me. Once he was sheathed inside me, he looked into my eyes again and it was my undoing.
I let my head fall back and groaned quietly. I wasn’t sure where this came from, why he was doing this but it was so good, I didn’t question it. He took the chance to kiss me as his hips moved slowly, not wanting to rush anything. I wanted to touch him but when I raised my hand, he pushed it back down, holding it on the sink with his own.
I caught my bottom lip with my teeth, wanting to moan, to yell at him, to do something with the excitement and the rush I felt through my body.
His hips began a slow rhythm, and I whimpered. He smiled, rather pleased with himself and that slow pace grew faster. He knew me, knew my body, knew what I liked and what I didn’t and now he was using it all to drive me crazy with need.
Our bodies moved together in an ancient dance, my hips pushing against his, our breathing coming faster and more frantic. I wanted to touch him so badly, wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and hold onto him as he made love to me. It might have been in a plane lavatory but there was no doubt he loved me. He must have read my mind because he let go of my hands and I wrapped them around his neck, pressing lips hard to his, gasping for air as I felt him pushing into me deeper, and harder than before.
It tore a soft cry from my throat as his lips found my ear and he whispered to me. “I love you so much…. so much.” My lips were so dry and I licked them before pressing them to his cheek. “I love you too Shan.”
His arms wrapped tight around my waist and he picked me up, moving me from the sink to press my back against the wall there. We barely had room to move, but he found a way and as he pushed me hard against the wall, I felt him at a deeper, sharper angle.
I whimpered then and he moved faster. He made a soft sound as his lips latched onto my neck, sucking gently, teeth biting as he slid in and out of me. His breath washed hot over my ear as he spoke.
“Bet you didn’t think you’d be doing this did ya?” he asked. I wanted to ask him if he really wanted to talk then but words weren’t coming. Small contented moans and whimpers slipped from my lips as he pushed me toward release. So many things went through my mind then as I tightened my hold around his neck, pressing my lips hard against his so I wouldn’t get too loud. His hands slid down to my thighs, holding me against the wall as we kissed. His pace increased, his own soft sounds of pleasure were lost against my mouth as we kept kissing.
I licked, nipped and ate at his mouth as if I drew my very breath and existence from him. I opened my mouth against his, drawing in a harsh gasp as he pushed hard into me.
His eyes watched me, fingers digging into my thighs harder.
“Don’t hold back, no one is here but us.” he said against my mouth and it sent chills down my body. This was a side of Shan I knew was there but it’d never had the chance to surface.
I moved my hips against his, letting him know with body that I wanted, needed more. My arms wrapped tight around his head, hands in his hair as I kissed him, feeling the climax build. His eyes were so intense as he watched me. He drew in a sharp breath as he pushed inside me hard, holding himself there.
“Do you have any idea how sexy you are? Any idea?” he groaned. No words could come close to what I felt, how he made me feel. He growled against my neck, whispering soft words of love in my ear as he moved more franticly inside me and that was when the dam broke.
My body tightened around him and I threw my head back, hitting it on the wall harder than I thought as wave after wave of pleasure rolled over me, relieving the tension that had built. I felt him, moving faster and then he grew very still, his head buried into my neck and I knew he’d been right after me.
It took only seconds before he lifted his head, breathless, eyes full of laughter. I met his gaze and then blurted out. “Oww!”
“Your head ok?” he asked, chuckling as he kissed my chin. I broke into a fit of giggles and he followed until we were both laughing.
He let me down and we took a minute to clean up, get back into our clothing and then he was kissing me again. His smile was so pure, so happy and I threw my arms around him again, laughing in pure joy at the moment, at his love.
“I love you. Thanks for this” I told him with a smile.
“Oh it was my pleasure, trust me” he teased, grabbing my butt as he pulled me tight against him. I looked around the tiny room then back at him. There was that moment when you don’t need to speak, your eyes, your touch says what words can’t. I felt it and he did too, I could see it. We kissed, soft, tender, taking our time to enjoy it.
“Wanna get outta here?” I asked in a whisper, breaking the silence.
“That sounds good, why don’t we try and get some sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day.” he replied, opening the door.  Both of us stuck our heads out, looking for the attendant then we found each others gaze and began to giggle like school kids as we rushed back to our seats.
Once we were settled I leaned my head on his shoulder, our hands clasping on the arm of the seat. He lifted our hands, looking at them.
“Promise me you’ll always be there?” he asked softly, turning to look at me. I met his eyes and nodded softly.
“I promise Shan, I will always be there for you.” I whispered and I’d never meant words like I meant those. He leaned over and kissed me, softly and smiled.
“And I’m always gonna be there for you, even when you try and be strong and do it without me.”
My chest swelled with love then and I felt the tears sliding into my eyes again.
“I know and thank you for that. Thank you for everything,” I said as I lifted his hand to my lips, kissing his knuckles. He squeezed my hand and then brought mine to his lips, repeating my action.
“You never have to thank me for loving you, or taking care of you babe,” he said and there was such a fierce look in his eyes, like he’d fight the devil himself for me if he had to. It left me with a feeling of security I’d never had before, never felt and I rested my head against his shoulder, closing my eyes, our hands still locked together. I had nothing to say back to that. Words seemed inadequate to tell him how much he meant, how much I had fallen in love with him. So I said the only thing I could think.
“I love you too Shannon”

“What do you mean you aren’t planning on going?” Shannon asked, his eyes narrowed as he stared at me.
“Just what I said Shan, I have a job. I can’t run off and be on tour” I replied as I turned to look at him.
“Well what the hell are we supposed to do? Spend 9 months or more apart?”
“I don’t know what you expected from me Shan, I have a job, I own a business” I told him as he shook his head.
“I make enough money for both of us”
“I have a career… this isn’t just what I do Shannon. This is what I am, this is my job.”
“So you’re just going to leave me to go on tour, alone and you’ll stay here to take photos of weddings?”
“Shannon, people book me sometimes over a year in advance, what exactly did you think I was going to do, tell them I can’t be there. “Sorry I can’t photograph your wedding because my boyfriend is on tour. Here’s your money back hope you find someone?” I snapped at him. I was beginning to get annoyed with him now, this conversation was insane. How could he think I would just give up my job?
“Hire someone else, it’s not like it has to be that hard. I could shoot a wedding…” I glared at him and he closed his mouth, quickly.
“Why don’t you just find someone else to fucking play drums for Mars and you stay here… I mean it can’t be that hard to find another drummer” I spat back at him before I turned to walk to the bedroom.
“Fuck Karen, it isn’t like this is a weekend jaunt, this is months of our lives and we’re going to be apart and you seem to not give a shit.” I turned to stare at him.
“How the hell can you say that?” I asked, almost yelling. “I love you Shannon, you think I am looking forward to being alone? Well I’m not but I have a business to run and I can’t risk losing that business to run off on tour with you”
“Why do you have to do this?” he asked, almost whining. He really didn’t understand it.
“Because I love it, and it’s what I do.”
He frowned and I swear to God he stuck his bottom lip out as he stood there.
“I’m not fucking happy” he complained.
“Well I am sorry, I’m not changing my mind. We can figure something out to see each other while you’re gone but I can’t go with you, not full time” Shannon looked at her and threw his hands up in exasperation as he walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
I sat down on the couch a moment, trying to figure out what had just happened. Shan and I had argued and he'd walked out. I felt such guilt over it but I couldn't give up what I had worked so hard to get, just to go on tour. There was a knock at the door and I looked up, surprised to see Jared there.
He turned to take a quick glance back in the direction Shannon had walked. Shannon and Jared were such a special pair and I think it threw Jared off that Shannon didn’t speak to him or pay him any attention at all. It was unlike him. Jared looked back at me then as if he’d disturbed me.
“The door was unlocked.” he said as he moved to sit across from me in one of the chairs.
“It’s ok. Shannon and I just had a big go around,” I told him, running a trembling hand through my hair. I couldn’t believe we were arguing over this. I wanted to be with him but it wasn’t possible, not like he wanted.
"Oh..." He said, his eyebrows rising and falling in his understanding. He settled back in the chair watching me mess with my fingers, (as I did when nervous) gnawing on his lip as silence fought with the shouts of words yet to be spoken. "What happened...exactly"
"He thought that I was going to go on tour with you guys after the album was done and I told him I can’t” I said looking over at him. "I have a job Jared, I have a business and I can't risk that. Shannon thinks it's all about money but its not, it's so much more than that. This..... my job.... it's who I am, and what I love." My tongue snaked out to wet dry lips. "Not to mention what if we split up? I have nothing if I blow off my business and that isn't something I intend to do"
He listened intently, nodding every once in a while, to physically move everything in his mind foreword, to a cluttered pile that made sense. He leaned on the arm rest, his hand framing his face as he listened to every word, reacting in subtle nature, as to not interrupt. "...Shan's intense..." He said simply, "He jumps to conclusions, he lives in a world, where if things aren't directed, they work out in a perfect fantasy. He lives in an awesome world, but it converges with others." He paused, waiting for his thoughts to filter. "Being in a band, does that."
"I know, that’s one of the things I love about Shan. He makes everything seem so much more alive, more meaningful. But this..... this isn't something like leaving the toilet seat up. This is our life. I know he thinks he should take care of me but this isn't about that. I have clients who I promised and gave my word to. I can't risk losing my reputation." I looked to Jared then. I felt the tears build, unfallen tears that clung to dark lashes. "I feel so guilty"
"I didn't say you weren't right...you are, you've made a commitment...in which case, it makes sense to follow than ignore." He paused a beat, before shocking himself as the words shot quick from his mouth, harsh and untamed, wild, and ragged. "Why the fuck would you be guilty?"
I blinked at how harsh it sounded. Jared could be like that, quiet and calm then from nowhere a harshness to him.
"Because I promised him I'd be with him" I said wringing my hands together again. "I love him Jared, I love him so much it scares me and I can't get past the fact that I think he's gonna leave. That one day I'm going to be alone and all I'm going to have will be my work" I swiped at the offending tears with the back of my hand. "I want to be with him but I'm too scared to just give in and be with him."
"You promised you'd be with him in life? You aren't breaking anything..." He said, confusion seeping into his voice. "Being gone for 9 months...is nothing compared to a lifetime." He switched between preaching and thinking aloud, it seemed. "Being alone isn't truly alone, unless, there is no relationship..." I looked across the room at him then.
"No but if you love someone you should be there for them. They shouldn't have to make an appointment to see you" I said quietly as I stood. "I could do it, I have people that work for me.. but .... I love my job, I don't want to leave it"
"Love requires compromise...does it not?" He asked, watching me get up "Even more so in a world that you've entered. Your mentality works, when you aren't touring, but I've had relationships, that, Only worked around my schedule. Its a bittersweet life, you gotta decide what means more, mutual happiness, even if you aren't getting everything you want...or suffering." He said, biting his lip.
"I can deal with it. I know I can fly out and see him during the week, I know I can travel a couple weeks in the summer with him when I am not busy. But is he going to accept it? He walked out on me,” I sighed. “Not to mention I think he’s very used to having things his way, not really having to compromise. I mean honestly, you guys usually have women falling all over themselves for you, I’m not that kinda girl”
“Shan's intense..." He shrugged. "He's gonna get heated and walk out, he's probably throwing rocks at the ocean. But, knowing him, he'll probably come back soaked, because he accidentally threw a baby turtle and then, ran out to save it." He laughed softly, trying a hand at humor to ease the situation. "He's a brat, but he isn't heartless."
We spoke for maybe 20 more minutes until Jared looked up, the sound of the door heard through the house.
Jared looked at the door, then to me as Shannon appeared. He looked like a kid who’d been scolded. His eyes were down, shoulders slumped slightly. He looked between me and his brother, sliding a hand through his hair.
I walked over to him and slipped my arms around him, kissing his cheek.
“I’m sorry” he said quietly, burying his face into the crook of my neck.
“Already forgiven” I told him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
Jared smiled, I could see him from over Shannon’s shoulder and I smiled. I think I loved Jared too, for his compassion, for the way he made me feel. He made me realize that Shannon and I were special. I found something that people search a lifetime for and Shannon realized it too. We had something amazing, and that was what scared us both so much. We didn't want to lose it, didn't want to mess it up. It was scary, and yet it felt so good, so right.
I hugged Shannon tighter to me and placed my lips against his ear.
“I love you Shannon, I love you so much”
“I know K. I know and that’s what I hate. I don’t wanna miss you. I want you with me, but you’re right….you have a job.” He lifted his head and looked at me.
“We’ll work it out… I promise”
I heard the door close and saw that Jared had slipped out, unnoticed. I smiled as I pressed my lips to Shannon’s.
“Come on. Let’s go sit out back and snuggle” I told him. He grinned and nodded.
“Let’s”

I wanted all of you folks out there to know that Imagination might not have a chapter for a while. I'm not sure how many of you are aware that I am a mom of 5 kids, married to a wonderful hubby and also run my own photography business. I also work for a sports photography company as a private contractor.
Well during March I wil be away almost every weekend as well as from March 26-April 3.

So I will apologize now. If I manage to get some time to write I promise I will but I can't swear that I will update as much as you would like. I wont stop writing but it might take a lot longer.

Sorry for the bad news but I thought I would warn you all ahead of time!
Thanks for reading... I love writing and hope to get a new chapter up before all this insanity begins.
Take Care
A Revolution Has Begun

K~~

I stood outside of Shannon’s house, staring at the back yard area. The thing was, it wasn’t just Shannon’s house anymore, it was mine too. I lived there now. He’d asked me to move in and I had. Our relationship had started so fast, and had been so furious that sometimes I found it all too much to take in. I thought maybe that I was mistaking love for lust but I knew I loved him. You can’t feel something so filling, so real and not know it is love. Love is one thing that you just know, it can’t be described or explained. You feel it and it simply –IS-

I look at him while he sleeps and my heart feels like it could burst out of my chest. I watch him practice and I get breathless, my heart races and my palms sweat.I find myself enjoying it when he pouts, I love his bad moods once I take a step back and realize that I’m the one he comes to, to make it better. I don’t know how I got so lucky, how whatever powers that be brought us together but I am so grateful for it.

I watched soft white clouds drift through the sky, my mind wandering once more as I let the house support me. I wasn’t sure where my life was going, I just knew that I wanted Shannon in it and I would do whatever I had to to keep him.

I slipped my ear-buds into my ears and clicked at the wheel of my iPod. I scrolled to 30 Seconds to Mars and then to R-evolve; There was something about the song that just touched me. I think because it reminded me so much of Shannon. I had lied to myself before he came to me, I’d thought I was happy, I’d told myself that I didn’t need to share my life with a man. It was a lie, all of it. I needed him and I could see he needed me too.

That first day that he came to my house to return my flash card, my life changed. It was like I was truly alive for the first time in my life. Id been in love before, and I’d been hurt, badly but this, was something totally new, totally enveloping. The spark of excitement in his hazel-green eyes made me feel alive. The touch of his breath along my skin was like fire, warming me to the core.

I turned the volume up and closed my eyes, letting Jared’s voice carry me someplace that I could lose myself. I let myself picture Shannon playing the drums, let myself fall into a world of visions and dreams. I’d only seen the band at practice, I’d never seen them on stage, live, so I could only imagine what it was like. I try and picture it in my head, what I will feel, how it will be to see him up there, watching people scream and react to him on stage.
The music rang out in the headphones and I sang softly, enjoying have this time alone to myself.

I felt his hand on my cheek and my eyes slowly opened to see him standing there. It was only fitting as the words Jared sang caressed my ears and I continued to sing as Shannon gazed at me.

-Does it feel like we’ve never been alive-
-Does it seem like it’s only just begun-

 Shannon reached out then, hands sliding along my cheeks into my hair and then he was kissing me. I felt his tongue slide over my lips and I opened my mouth to him, tilting my head. We kissed deeper then, one hand sank into my hair, his fingers gripping it while the other moved down to my waist, pulling me away from the wall where I rested. I could hear the song still playing as he kissed me. It felt surreal, that I could be listening to a song he helped create while he kissed me. I felt him pull me tighter against him, and I pulled away just slightly. I tugged the ear buds from my ears then, looking up at him as he ran the back of his hand over my cheek.

“You have a pretty voice, why didn’t you tell me that you could sing?” I felt my cheeks flush and I shrugged, not wanting to embarrass myself.

“I guess we just never had reason to talk about it Shan, I don’t sing all that great, I can carry a tune.”  His head shook a little.

“No you have a beautiful voice. Sing something else for me?” he asked. I licked my lips before placing one of the small speakers back in my ear and forcing the song forward to A Modern Myth. I had no idea why I was doing this for him, but it had been such a genuine request that I felt he deserved it. I knew I could sing decently, I’d spent 8 years singing in choir at school. This was so open and so intimate, I felt nervous, like I could never be good enough for him.

The words to the song slipped from my lips quietly as I looked at him. I couldn’t look away from him, I don’t know why, but it seemed so much more intimate this way.

-Save yourself, save yourself
The secret is out, the secret is out-

He blinked and then his mouth was on mine as his hands tugged the iPod phones from my ears all but dropping the device on the ground. I didn’t realize that something as simple as singing a few words would make him react with such passion but it did.
His beard scraped the soft skin of my chin and my cheek as he slid his face along mine to whisper in my ear.
“God, how did I get so lucky?” he asked as his lips captured my ear lobe. I wanted to answer him but he was kissing me again, stealing my words as well as my breath.

My arms wrapped around his neck and the next thing I knew I was in his arms, scooped up like a small child as he pulled away from the kiss. He never spoke a word but he didn’t need to. His eyes said it all. He wanted me, and there was nothing that was going to keep him from it, and I had no intention of stopping him.

His weight on me felt like a comfort as he laid me back on the bed. I barely remember the walk into the room, or anything else for that matter. His lips on mine, his hands, tearing at the t-shirt I wore, that was what filled my mind. I felt my jeans slide off of me, followed by the underwear. I watched him undress, admiring his body, The hard muscles of his chest, the lines of his abs, the jutting of his hip bones, all of it drove me crazy. His mouth traveled over my body, exploring, teasing until I was begging him for release.

He gave it to me in the sweet thrusts of his hips and the soft kisses. He whispered to me over and over how he’d die without me, and how I gave his life so much meaning. I returned those words to him, he was my life right now, and he was all that mattered. This wasn't sex, it was so much more.

Our gentle and passionate lovemaking lasted most of the morning until I fell asleep sated in his arms. He wrapped himself around me and kissed my shoulder gently, his beard scratching the skin there. He told me again, how much he loved me, and how lucky he was that he found me.
He touched me in ways I never thought possible and I felt such a sense of belonging. I loved this man, with all my heart and he returned that love. I felt it, I saw it and he told me every day.

I wondered how it could ever get better.

Here is my entry into the crossover to correct our writers block.
To Meg and everyone else... a quiet moment with Jared and Megs.
Enjoy!!


Jared took Meg’s hand and pulled her down the boardwalk, despite her confusion. She arched a dark brow at him as he tugged.
“Come on, I thought we’d go sit, and do nothing” he told her as he stopped, catching her look of concern.
“Where? Why?”
He pointed to the spot she’d taken him under the boardwalk. “Down there. Because we should.”
A nod was given before she slipped down there, careful of where she stepped. He was right behind her and then they were perched on the small spot that they called their own. It was mid afternoon and he’d decided that he needed to talk to her, to just sit and talk about anything and nothing.
“You looked like you didn’t trust me” he said as he slipped next to her, snuggling her against him.
“I wasn’t sure what the reason was” she explained. “Why are we here really?”
He looked at her, his deep blue eyes locking with hers.
“I just wanted to talk, to spend time with you, just us, no band, no anything” he told her quietly.
Her distrust quickly faded as she leaned into the protection of his arms. She could smell the soft faded scent of soap, and even a hint of the syrup he’d used on the pancakes in the morning. “Ok.. let’s talk” she whispered, not really wanting to ruin what seemed so perfect.
It took him a few minutes before he spoke, the arm around her traced soft lines up and down the material of her shirt, drawing his own comfort from the act as much as she drew from his touch.
“What do you see in the future?” he asked.
“College I guess, film school” she replied quietly. Blue eyes searched her face as he watched her.
“Got any room for a musician in there?”
“Oh, I don’t know, is he good looking?”
“Stunning actually.”
“I’m intrigued, tell me more,” she teased.
“Talented musician, and not a bad actor too. He has issues at times, gets kinda out of his head.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” She said leaning over to press her lips to his in a soft kiss. He sank his hands into her hair, holding her head there as he kissed her. He pulled away, grinning.
“So tell me, besides film school.. what else do ya see?”
“I dunno, I never really think about it. Seems the more I think about it, I get a little freaked out. I need to live in the here and now,” her hand drew small circles on the rock, dirt being redirected with her fingers.
“I hope maybe you have room for me in there” he said as he pushed her hair back from her face.
“I’m sure it’s possible” she replied, her eyes lifting to gaze into his.
His eyes held so much emotion in them, if eyes were truly windows into the soul then she had a perfect view. She smiled, looking back out at the water once more.
“Tell me what you see in your future Jared.”
“I see more albums, maybe a few more Mtv awards, couple more tours” he laughed, stating the obvious. Meg rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, you think there’s room for me in your life?” she asked in a whisper. Jared turned her face to his, staring into her eyes.
“I see you. I see you smiling at me from behind the camera, I see you smiling while you stand on the side of the stage, and I see you there, smiling at me every morning when I wake up.”
Meg felt her heart beat faster at his words, her breath caught in her throat. It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. She felt as if her chest couldn’t contain her heart as it swelled. The look on his face as he spoke those words made her want to cry. She’d never felt such love from one person, the words meaning so much to her.
“Really?” she managed to squeak out.
“Really Meg, I see you in my life, as a part of it for a long time… a very long time. I want you to follow your dreams, I just hope they include me.”
She nodded, unable to speak at his words. Her dreams did include him but how could she tell him without him seeing just how much it scared her, how badly she wanted it. She didn’t want to be clingy or needy, she wanted him.
“My dreams do include you, I guess that is what scares me,” she explained. He nodded wrapping an arm around her.
“To be honest, it scares me too. There’s a lot of things that I didn’t count on, things I still don’t know how to handle. I just know that I need you to be there, I need you to be in my life and I need to know you want me in yours.”
She looked at him and leaned her head against his chest, looking out at the water.
“I do want you in my life, I want you there.” She told him with a small voice. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, resting his chin on her head.
This moment, he’d waited for, to know she wanted him, that he wasn’t guessing anymore, that he wasn’t reading the signs wrong. She did want him in her life and he had no intention of disappointing her, ever.
“Good… great” he whispered, smiling, even if she couldn’t see it.

Authors note:
I feel the need to put this disclaimer up. This is a work of fiction, nothing more or less. It's a way for this girl to escape and to put images and romance into words. Please don't think I really believe this is gonna happen. Now enjoy!!

The month seemed to have flown by and we were both getting ready to go watch fireworks. We’d spent most of the day on the lounge chair outside the house, grilling outside,  kissing, and enjoying each others company. We’d spent some time out shooting various people at the park celebrating with picnics and family get togethers. We were now getting ready and I was searching for one of my shirts. I growled as I dug through my bag, unable to find it.
“Shannon?” I called.
“What baby?” he asked as he walked to the edge of the bedroom door.
“Did you see my red t-shirt, the one I washed the other night at my place?” I asked, still digging through the clothes.
“You mean that one that makes me wanna do bad things to you?” he joked.
“Yeah” I really wasn’t in the mood for joking, but he made it hard not to smile.
“No… are you sure you washed it at your place or here?”
“I think my place, I could have sworn I did it there” I frowned, getting more frustrated. “Dammit” I muttered.
“Hon, you have to keep better track….” he said coming over to stand near me.
“Well it’s kinda hard when you’re carrying bags back and forth all the time” I snapped at him.
“Well I told you before to go ahead and leave some of those things here. It’s not like we can’t do laundry together.” He sounded agitated.
“I just don’t want all my stuff getting mixed in with yours and then having to separate it….” I stopped, knowing he’d be offended if I said when we break up. Nothing had ever given me that vibe from him, in all honesty, he was the best friend I ever had. I loved him, but hadn’t quite found the way to say it to him yet.
“We are not splitting up.” He announced, seeming annoyed.
“I didn’t mean it like that and you know that,” I said as I stood.
“Do I? You insist we do laundry apart, even though we spend most of our waking, and sleeping hours together. You won’t really come out and tell me how you feel. You tell me you’re happy, you tell me how adorable I am and how crazy you are about me but it’s never really serious.” I looked up at him as he moved closer to me. His lips were pursed and he reached out to touch my cheek. “I’m not leaving you.”
I sighed and nodded. “I know that Shan, I don’t doubt it at all. I just get so… worried that I am going to mess up your life, that I am going to step into places you don’t want me in or I’m going to intrude. You have such a following, fans, reporters, all those things and I don’t want to interfere in your life.”
“K, dear God woman, how many times do I have to tell you that you are a part of my life, you’re my girlfriend, you have every right to interfere and intrude in my life.” He said as he grabbed the sides of my face. “When are you going to get that through this thick head of yours. I want you here.” His eyes were so intense, the green seemed to shine around the brown. His lips were parted slightly and he leaned down then, kissing me forcefully. His mouth opened, tongue sliding along my lips. My hand came up to clutch the back of his head while he kissed me. I tugged at his full bottom lip with my teeth as we pulled away, smiling at him.
“My shirt is still missing.” I said smirking. He growled and bit into the side of my neck playfully.
“I want you to move in here, everything, get rid of the apartment. We’re wasting money paying for two places”
I pulled away to look at him with wide eyes.
“Seriously…. move in… here.. with you?”
“I just said it didn’t I? We’re spending all this money when you are here 90 percent of the time anyway, why not go ahead and live here? We can use that money for other things, and we won’t have to worry about you losing clothes and having to walk around the house naked. Not that I mind you naked, at all, but you seem to think you’re not sexy and…” he rambled before I kissed him hard, leaving him laughing.
“It’s a big step” I said as I nibbled at his bottom lip. I had this thing for his lips, I loved kissing him and I liked to bite at his lips just as much.
“Yeah it is but it’s a good one. Now lets get ready to go watch all the pretty colors. We need to go if we’re gonna get a good spot” he said and I had to agree. I went to the closet, grabbing out a pink tank top, giving up the idea of the red t-shirt.
He left the room then and I quickly changed into a pair of white capri pants, the pink tank and a pair of white flip flops. It was a little more feminine than what I wore but it was a warm day and I wanted to be comfortable. I looked at my hair in the mirror, fluffing it up a little for good measure. I had very little make up on, just a hint of eyeliner and some mascara. It made my brown eyes seem bigger and I liked the effect I got from it.
 Making my entrance back into the living room area, I stopped and smiled at the man standing across from me. He had on the usual black jeans and black t-shirt. His hair was a little more tame than usual, but it was his eyes that caught me. He had added eyeliner and it seemed that his eyes became even more bright than they were.
He stared as I walked over to him.
“You’re beautiful.” He said as he pulled me into his arms. I smiled, winding my own around his neck.
“And you’re sexy.” I told him. He kissed me quickly then grabbed his keys from the table next to the door.
“Lets go watch things blow up” he said as he pulled the door open.

The sky had finally darkened as the first firework exploded above us. People oohed and aahed, as did we. We were at almost the exact same spot where he’d kissed me on our first date. We hadn’t planned to watch from there but it seemed to have the best view. I had my camera with me, shooting photographs with a low light lens. Shannon stood behind me, his arms around my waist, his head resting against mine when I wasn’t shooting. Every now and then he would kiss me and I couldn’t stop smiling.  
I couldn’t wait any longer and I turned to face him. I let the camera hang down at my side, holding it in my left hand.
“Shannon… I need to tell you something.” I said as his eyes met mine. His brow arched, and he had the funniest look on his face.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked. I laughed, shaking my head, hair falling down into my face.
“Gods no, I am not pregnant.” His face quickly changed and he was smiling again.
“Good, not sure if we’re ready for that yet.” I wanted to laugh, he was kinda ruining the mood I was going for but it was Shannon, I should be used to it.
I caught my bottom lip with my teeth as my right hand cupped his cheek, my thumb slid across his bottom lip. My heart felt full then, as I looked into his eyes. I was in love with him. I had no doubt in my mind, he’d stolen my heart that first day when he defended his brother, when he admitted the picture wasn’t really out of focus, each time he kissed me he stole more of it. His head tilted slightly as he gazed back at me just as seriously.
“What is it hon?” he asked softly. I was so scared as I swallowed, the words slipping out over the sound of the fireworks that spread over our heads.
“I love you Shannon,” I said as our eyes stayed locked. “I’m in love with you.” His eyes narrowed just slightly and then he smiled, his eyes brightening as he grabbed the back of my head, pressing lips to mine, hard, passionately. He pulled away, both of his hands coming up to rest on the sides of my face.
“I love you too K, love ya so fuckin much” he said as his eyes seemed to travel over my face.
I can’t describe what it was like hearing him say those words, like a thousand bombs going off in my body at once. I trembled all over, my hands were shaking and I clutched at the camera strap tighter, feeling like I might drop it. We both smiled and he tugged me into him, wrapping his arms around me, his chin resting against the side of my head. My hands hung down at my sides, hands at his hips. My eyes closed and I heard him whisper near my ear.
“It’s good, it’s all good” and for the first time in a long time I believed him. This was good, and it could only get better.

Authors note:
so yeah, ready's story is chugging right along and I am right behind her. Hope ya all enjoy

Sunlight slammed through a small slit in the mini-blinds right into my eyes. I groaned, trying to turn from the offending beam but strong arms held me in place. My head rolled slightly and I was looking at the sleeping face of Shannon. I smiled, our naked bodies were tangled within the sheets and each other. I shifted slightly which drew a grumble from him as I woke him.
“What time is it?” he asked, his voice groggy sounding. The greenish glow of the alarm clock numerals read 4:35.
“Oh shit” I said with a laugh, “It’s 4:30.” I told him He mumbled something incoherent then buried his face against my neck. “Go back to sleep.”
I wanted to laugh, but I was still tired too and I rested one of my hands at the back of his head, stroking his hair.
I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t stop thinking about what we’d done. It had been a long time since I’d been that intimate with someone but… there was something special about it with him. He was so attentive, the look in his eyes so intense, it felt like he looked right into my soul. I felt vulnerable with Shannon, like he could read everything about me in my eyes or understand my actions without asking, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asked quietly, not moving as I continued to stroke his hair.
“Can’t, brain is running a mile a minute” I explained. I felt his breath change just slightly, a little faster.
“Over thinking it is gonna mess it up,” he said as his head tilted that small bit so that he could look up at me.
I got caught up in his eyes once more. I guess some people would call them hazel but to me they couldn’t be called something so plain. His eyes were brown rimmed in deep green. Sometimes they seemed to change colors from all brown to all green. They were mesmerizing, intense when he talked, playful when he joked. I felt like I could really see his soul in his eyes.
“Tell me what you’re thinking right now, this very second” he whispered, his eyes serious as if he was trying to read me.
“I was thinking how beautiful your eyes are and how… I get so lost in them” I admitted to him. His lips spread in a smile then as he raised up, propping himself on his elbow.
“Good… if you get lost that means I get to come find you.”
“God are you always so freaking romantic?”
“Romantic? I was planning on raping you once I find you?” he said as he sat up. I rolled my eyes and then laughed.
“Maybe I want that?”
“Maybe I want to do it.” his dark brows wiggled and I fell into a fit of laughter. He laughed too and crawled up, almost diving on top of me. He kept himself propped up on his hands looking down at me.
I laid my hands on his chest, eyes following the path of my hands as I slid them up to his shoulders and then back down his arms.
“I could get used to this,” I said as I looked up to meet his gaze. He let out the breath he’d been holding and gave a soft smile.
“Me too, I hope you’re not opposed to dating musicians.”
“I hate them, can’t stand them at all. I only date photographers,” I joked. He smiled even more.
“Well darlin, I just so happen to be a photographer too, you’re in luck!” he said in a salesman type voice that had me giggling as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Well then it looks like we are all set huh?”
“It does” I answered him as I sank my hands into his short dark hair. Fingers toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck while we stared into each others eyes.
It was so serious, the laughter fading to both of us lost in our own thoughts. He leaned down pressing soft lips against mine and he stole my breath. He did that often. He got close to me and my breath left me, it was so crazy what I felt for him. I should have been scared, but I wasn’t I was embracing it with every ounce of my being. I’d lost someone who had fit me in so many ways and I swore I’d never be afraid to take a chance again. This was my chance and I couldn’t lose it. My head lifted from the pillow to put more into the kiss, to show him what he did to me, how much he excited me. My hands slid down his back, to his waist. The feel of his skin under my fingertips made me smile. He had such an amazing body and to feel it naked and warm on top of me it drove me crazy.
“If you plan on getting out of this bed today, we need to do that now, or it might be me taking advantage of you” That drew a smile from him and a soft laugh.
“Promise?” he asked as he pressed his hips against mine harder. I could feel his arousal against my stomach and it made me giggle.
“Get off of me.” I said shoving him over to the side. He rolled off of me and onto his back where he watched me with sleepy eyes. I scooted to the edge of the bed and leaned over, grabbing my underwear and slipping them on. I felt a strong arm wrap around my shoulders and I was down on the bed once more, looking up at Shannon.
“I changed my mind, we’re staying in bed today.” He said as he rolled me over and wrapped the blankets around us both so that we were cocooned in.
“I thought you were supposed to have practice at 6-ish?” I asked him. He groaned and then bit my neck playfully growling.
“Dammit woman you’re ruining my plans… making me be responsible... shit” he grumbled as he rolled us out of the blankets.
I couldn’t help but smile as I stood grabbing his t-shirt from where it laid on the dresser. “Borrowing your shirt” I said as I slipped it over my head.
He rolled to his stomach, watching me as I headed for the master bath.
“You know, you’re really sexy in my shirt and those black panties.” he told me. I felt my face flush, my cheeks reddening. I couldn’t think straight when he looked at me like that and complimented me. I actually believed him. I wasn’t the thin model type but rather the more athletic type. I used to play hockey in leagues as a little kid and it gave me big legs. I didn’t mind but it seemed most guys wanted the tiny waist-ed girls. I found it kinda cute that he thought I was sexy.
I came out after a few moments and he was gathering his clothes to get into the shower. He smiled as he walked over to me. “You feel like helping save the Earth, conserving water?” he asked as he backed me toward the bathroom door again.
“Do I get a choice?” I asked slipping my arms around his neck. He winked and shook his head no as he closed the door behind us.
I didn’t think I’d be doing a lot of washing right away, and to tell the truth, I didn’t mind.

His hand slid around my waist as we turned to gaze at the sunrise once more. The kiss had left both of us silent, reflecting on the moment. I’d never met a man like Shannon, with so many interests like my own as well. It was like finding a long lost friend. I didn’t have to put up fronts for him, I wasn’t afraid that what I would say to him would upset him. I felt totally at ease and at home with him.
I thought back to when he came over to me just a few days ago and nearly bit my head off with accusations of being paparazzi and now we were enjoying a sunrise together.
I felt his lips against my temple.
“We should get back and try and get some sleep.” He said as his arm gripped me tighter to him. I had no hesitation in asking him to my place.
“Wanna crash at my place for a few hours?”A dark brow rose as he looked at me.
“You going to molest me? Tie me up and keep me as your sex slave?” he asked seriously. I smirked, putting a finger to my lips as if I had to think about it.
“I guess not, I mean you are a pretty popular guy, I might get thrown in prison.”
“Dammit!” he yelled, appearing very upset. It made me laugh, and I shook my head at him as I pushed away from the railing.
“Come on you freak,” I said as I held my hand out for him to take. He did so without hesitation, pulling it to his lips where he kissed my knuckles. We began our walk back to the club where we’d started our evening.
It was strange how we’d both look over at each other at almost the same time, that same stupid grin on our faces. I think we both realized what we’d found, it was more than physical attraction, we had a genuine connection. That was something special, rare and I was already thinking to myself the things I was going to do to not screw this one up.
Our fingers entwined, we swung our arms playfully, acting like kids more so than adults.
“Umm.. are we gonna drive separate or what?” I asked as we reached his vehicle, which was a good distance from mine.
“I can drive you back here later after we get some sleep,” he offered. I thought about it for merely a second before I agreed.
“We can do that, if I have to I can walk back here today for the car. It’s going to be beautiful today, give me a reason to be out with the camera.”
“Speaking of that, I want us to go shoot tomorrow, if you’re free” he said smiling. I nodded as he opened the door for me and I slid into the SUV. Going out with our cameras seemed much more fun to me than it would to normal people. Photography was my gift, it was where I knew I was in my element, I knew I was good, I knew that my talent was comparable to anything anyone else could do. I’m sure he felt comfortable behind the drum kit, that was his element. But photography was where we would be equals and I liked that.
When he climbed in he looked over at me and leaned across the space separating the seats and kissed me. “Ready to go?” he asked as the engine came to life.
“Yeah” I gave him directions to my place and we were on our way. We talked about the sights on the way to my house. I pointed out different things that I’d taken photos of, places I still wanted to go and places I thought would make great places for photos. We talked about things we’d done, made fun of ourselves a little and before I knew it we were at my place.
He slid out first and I met him at the front of his vehicle. His eyes roamed over the length of the house, then to me.
“No too bad out here. Let’s see what ya got going on inside”
“Well I’m sure there is an orgy or two going on as well as some serious S&M activity.” I said as seriously as possible while pulling the keys from my pocket.
“Sweet ass!” he exclaimed as he slid up behind me. Hands gripped my waist and he pulled me tight against him. I could feel the hardness of his body in a line against the back of mine and it made me catch my breath. One hand lifted and he was pushing my hair from my neck. His lips slid along that skin there, giving me chills. He was so unpredictable, one moment making jokes and then doing something sexy.
“How sleepy are you?” he asked softly as the remaining hand on my hip moved to my stomach, under my shirt.
“I’m awake now.” My voice trembled slightly. God he knew how to get a girl going. I fumbled with the keys for a few seconds while he kissed in a small line up to my ear.
“Good, I’m not tired at all” he whispered and I thought my knees might just fail to hold me anymore. I pushed the door open then, turning to face him and he kissed me quickly as he pushed me back through the door, forcing me to walk backward.
“Impatient” I breathed out as he kicked the door closed.
“Very much” he replied before he kissed me again.
I doubted I would be getting much sleep then… and that suited me just fine.

PART 3
Authors Note: Again, make sure to check out Heroin!

Another look was given to the mirror, checking my appearance for the millionth time. I leaned in, applying just a bit more eyeliner. I had debated between dark makeup or the barely there look. I compromised with barely there, but black eyeliner, bringing out the deep chocolate of my eyes. A tad extra mascara, another fluff of the hair to bring out the natural curl a little more, spritz of hair spray and I was on my way out the door.
I wore black skinny jeans, a deep red baby-doll shirt with “They’re real, the shirt is fake” scrawled in white across the front. I’d always thought it was amusing and people usually smiled when they saw it. I was going to a bar after all, why not have some fun?
I grabbed ID, keys, purse and money and was on my way to the bar.
Visions is a cool club, lots of chrome and blue lights. I loved the place and always enjoyed going there. They played great music, always had good drink specials and the guys were always hot. Tonight, if he showed up, there would be a totally hot guy for me to watch.
When I arrived, I walked in and looked around, standing on tip toe to see if I could spot the man I was supposed to meet there. I finally spotted him at about the same time he spotted me. A smile slipped across his lips as he made his way toward me. A black leather jacket, black t-shirt and black jeans graced his form. His hair was in its usual disarray and he had almost a full beard and mustache. I wondered how long he’d been letting it grow.
He gave me the once over, looking me up and down.  “Good thing you were on time, I would have hated to have to hunt you down.” He almost had to yell over the sound of the music.
“Well I thought I should do my best to impress you at first, later I can piss you off.” I replied. He gave me a frown that slid into an eye-catching smile as he held out his hand, ushering me in front of him.
“Your table awaits,” he said as we weaved through the crowd of people over to a somewhat hidden corner.
I expected to see the rest of the group and maybe Meg, but it was just us and I turned looking at him.
“They didn’t come?”
“Were they supposed to?”
“I thought….”
“Nope, just me, disappointed?” His brow arched.
“Well ya know I was hoping to see your brother, he is the cute one,” I teased, looking right at him. He rolled his eyes.
“Oh you brat, sit down.” Ha. Score one for me. I slid into the booth, with him following me. It was one of those large round booths meant for a group, and it was just us.
He rested his elbows on the table and looked over at me. I did the same, interlocking my fingers together.
“So…” I said as I looked at him. His eyes were a hazel color, brown with green rimming the edges, they were beautiful really, not as intense as his brothers cerulean blues, but still gorgeous. He had nice bowed lips too, the bottom lip slightly fuller than the top. I found myself staring at them, wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Diverting my gaze back at him, I felt my cheeks flush red and he grinned then, seemingly proud of himself without doing anything at all.
“I need a beer.” I blurted out. He waved a waitress over and ordered us both a beer. I took a quick glance around the bar before I looked at him again.
“So you’re going to school me in the art of photography?” I asked, turning slightly in the booth to face him. It was just a little quieter here so we didn’t have to yell… as much.
“I thought we’d get to know each other a little better before I humiliate you”
“Oh well thank you so much”
“So Karen right?”
“Yeah, most of my friends call me K, they’re too lazy to say my entire name.”
“Maybe you need new friends, but, I think K fits you better.” He commented as our beers were dropped off to us. I took mine and placed it against my lips, taking a long pull from it.
“Well thank you,” I grinned, gripping the bottle between my hands. “Can I call you Shanny?” He groaned.
“Not if you expect me to answer.” We both laughed and I could tell we were going to get along fine.
We spent most of the night talking about his career, my career, music, art and life in general. We had a lot in common, from our interest in photography down to favorite cartoons as kids. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of ribbing, insults thrown back and forth as well as sarcasm. We were having a good time and no one paid us any attention.
At 4 a.m. we finally left the bar and headed for a small diner he said had great breakfast. We walked, both of us tucking our hands in our pockets and talked the entire time. While we ate pancakes and had coffee, he told me about the paparazzi and how it bothered him that Jared, and sometimes the rest of them, could barely have a quiet night alone. I agreed with him. I photograph weddings; people hire me to catch intimate moments of their life for that one day. I didn’t try and sneak into people’s lives. I couldn’t imagine how it must be to live his life, the constant traveling, girls, people demanding your time. I asked him about touring, he asked me about growing up in Buffalo, I asked him about Louisiana. It was constant back and forth, sometimes we’d both get so excited that we’d burst into laughter.
As the sky began to lighten with sunrise, he looked at me with a smile.
“Well how about we go catch the sunrise on boardwalk and I’ll cuss you out?” he asked with a grin. I nodded, throwing down a couple dollars for the tip while he paid for breakfast.
“Always up for a good cussing.”
Darkness was fading away with light blues, the clouds spreading out along the horizon, streaking it with their marks. Shades of orange, pink, lighter reds and even faded violet filled the sky. I think it might have been even more breathtaking than the sunset two days earlier.
We walked down the boardwalk to almost the same place where he’d given me three kinds of hell and stopped. I leaned against the railing, hands resting on the cool metal bars.
“Amazing isn’t it, that the day begins as beautiful as it ended.” I commented. I felt him slip up behind me and he placed a hand on each side of me, grasping the railing. His chin was placed on my shoulder as he spoke.
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” he said quietly. His breath tickled my ear, much like it had at my place. I tilted my head just slightly, resting it against the side of his.
“A little cliché but true. Now the question is, how are you going to use it?” I countered, using another cliché but it seemed appropriate. We stood that way for awhile and then his hands moved from the railing to my waist, arms locking around me as his lips touched my cheek.
“I think we’ll start here,” he whispered. I felt a chill that went from head to toe, like someone had flipped a switch and I was alive. Every part of my body that he touched felt energized. It was like taking a breath for the first time. Every scent, every sound, the feel of my heart in my chest, the blood rushing in my ears, every single detail was crystal clear. He pulled me tighter against him then with his left hand as his right lifted, turning my face just slightly as he leaned in and kissed me. I held my breath, not sure what exactly to expect. It was soft, a brush of lips against mine. The rough stubble of his mustache slid along my upper lip and gave me chills once more.
I shifted my body enough that I could lay my hand on the side of his face, the rough stubble of his cheek scratching my palm. The kiss continued, tongues teasing, each of us taking turns to nibble at the others lips, and finally to pull apart slowly.
Our eyes were locked then, my dark brown with his hazel-green. The hand that had turned my chin was now on the side of my face, much the same way I touched him.
“Tired yet?” he asked, his voice soft. I felt the smile slide onto my face.
“Are you?”
“I asked you first.”
“True but I think you should answer first.”
“Woman… you’re testing my patience,” his voice held a playful growl that made my knees weak.
“No I’m not tired, and if I was, you’d hold me up.” I stated.
“Damn right,” he said as he kissed me again. It was deeper than his first kiss and I knew right then, that Shannon was going to change everything I’d thought I wanted and everything I thought I knew.

Authors Note- Make sure you are reading Heroin. That story directly ties in with this one.
Enjoy the show



I’d sat for a long time thinking about giving away my memory card to a bunch of rock musicians. I mean those things aren’t cheap but it was the only way that I could prove to them that I was serious. So I lost a hundred bucks, it was ok.
My coffee mug was held tight between my hands as I stared out over the California morning. My hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and I wore my Buffalo Sabres jersey and a pair of black shorts, bare feet tapped out a rhythm on the floor to the music I heard in my head. It was going to be a gorgeous day, the sky was already showing brilliant blue, with white cotton clouds.
Growing up in the gray of Buffalo New York made me appreciate the color of California. Of course we had pretty days during the summer but so much darkness in the winter just made days like this even more memorable for me.
My attention was drawn to my door then as a knock sounded, loud and insistent. I sat the mug on the table on my way to the door.
I tugged the door open and felt my mouth fall open just slightly then.
Shannon Leto stood at my door, dressed in black jeans and a simple black t-shirt. His lips pursed together as he looked me up and down, not trying to hide it much at all.
“Can I help you?” I asked politely. He met my gaze and smiled.
“I came to bring back your memory card” he said holding it in his hand. “After you admit the picture is out of focus.” I stared at him, and even with what he said I had a hard time not smiling. He was positively awful. Did I mention he smelled amazing too?
“I think you are mistaken Mr. Leto, that photo was exactly fine as it was.”
“Oh come on Ms. Taylor… it was out of focus” I reached out, plucking the memory card from him and headed toward the Mac on my desk. He followed me, closing the door behind him. Good boy.
“Did they delete the photos from it?” I asked before sliding it into the card reader.
“No, they kept copies for themselves but they are all on there. Meg insisted.”
“Well tell her I said thank you, these pictures were pretty amazing.”
“If they weren’t out of focus,” he added. I turned, flipping him a middle finger as I hit the keyboard to bring the computer back to life. He clasped a hand to his heart then.
“You wound me, such rudeness”
A few mouse clicks and the photos were on the screen. I felt him move up behind me, his chest all but pressing into my back. He placed one hand on the desk, leaning down as we studied the photo. I could feel his breath on the side of my neck and my cheek. It was distracting.
I had to admit the focus was just a little soft, but nothing out of focus as he was claiming.
“It’s a little soft,” I admitted. I heard a small sigh from behind me. We both stared at the photo for a long time. It was just stunning, words really didn’t cover it. It gave me chills.
“But it’s not that out of focus. It’s a beautiful shot” he complimented, voice soft. I turned to look over my shoulder at him and found him a lot closer than I had expected. We looked at each other a couple seconds longer than we should have before he stepped back.
“OK, well, your card is back in your little hands so I am going to head out.” He moved for the door and then turned once he reached it. “So I was thinking, I could show you how to use that camera. Be at Visions around 7 tonight. Don’t be late, I’d hate to have to give you detention on your first day.”
I laughed, pulling the door open for him to step outside. “Detention huh? Well I would hate to get punished my first day of school” I played along with him. “We’ll see who teaches who.” I commented.
He rolled his eyes at me and started for his vehicle.
“7 tonight. Don’t make me come looking for you.” He warned.
“I’ll be there with bells on.” I commented, smirking as I watched him drive away.
I think I just got asked out on a date, and even if it wasn’t a date, I was going to see him again tonight.
That had my heart beating and a smile on my face.
Who would’ve thought?

Authors Note:
This story is being written sort of in conjuction with ready runaway's story Heroin. Its the same time frame, same story and the characters will be interacting. Just something nifty we decided to try.
Hope ya'll enjoy
Now on with the show.....


The sun was setting on the boardwalk. The sky was an array of oranges, reds and yellows with soft clouds covering the sun at times. It was picture perfect and I was out snapping  those pictures to remember it by. People were out and about, holding hands, laughing, walking and enjoying themselves. I lived through the viewfinder of my camera and I took those moments in time to save.
There was one group in particular that I focused on, four men and a girl. She and one of the guys walked arm in arm, and the looks that they exchanged made me smile. There are certain couples that you see and you instantly know they are in love. The way they gazed at each other, the soft smiles on their faces and the subtle touches they gave as they stopped to look out over the water. These two were long gone for each other. The other three guys that were with them spread out around them and they all seemed to be taking the sunset in as if it were their first one.
I focused in on them and began to snap photos. It was a pure moment, friends spending time together, sharing one moment in their lives. I wanted to capture it.
The couple turned to look at each other and I focused in on them, using the sun as my focal point, leaving them as silhouettes as they kissed. I felt my heart speed up at that. It was going to be a stunning photo. Any good photographer will tell you that there is a rush when you get that one photo that you know people are going to talk about. This was one of those. But there was more to it than the photo. It was the way they were. They kissd in such a tender manner and part of me felt jealous. Some girls were so lucky that they found a guy who could do the simplest of things and make it mean so much more. I felt like a voyeur for a moment, intruding on a special moment.
I rested the camera on the railing as I watched them. I can admit jealousy, especially when you see people so in love. I drew in a deep breath and began to shoot more photos of them, talking, laughing and enjoying life.
I never saw one of the guys break away from the group and head toward me. I was too wrapped up in the photos I was getting. These would make a great addition to my portfolio. I had a big interview coming up and I was hoping to have a few more eye catching pieces to add.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Can’t you people get a life and leave others alone?” came an angry voice from behind me. I turned to see one of the group standing there, glaring at me, very very pissed off.
“I was taking photos, I didn’t think I was bothering anyone” I stammered, looking around. His face seemed so familiar and it took me a moment to place it. MTV… oh shit. I knew that face. I knew all of those faces now that I took the time to look. I met his gaze then and tried to smile. It wasn’t working, I wanted to run away. He was pissed.
“Look, I’m not here for that. I have a job interview and I….” Oh crap that was even worse. “No..I didn’t mean… shit…..” I was digging my grave deeper and he was content to let me.
“Sure, how much do you get paid to peek into people’s personal life? How can you sleep at night? I always wondered why someone decides to spend their life trying to catch someone else in theirs” he snapped out at me. I took a step away from him, my back hitting the railing.
“I wasn’t taking photos of you for that. I don’t do that kind of work. I am a wedding photographer;
“And I’m Prince Charles” he shot back. His attitude was starting to piss me off. Who was he to treat me like a criminal. I did nothing wrong. My brows knitted as I looked at him and retorted.
“Prince Charles is a dog and you aren’t so try again!” Wait.. that came out all wrong too! What the hell was happening with me?
“Oh really?” he glared at me and then he looked confused. “Wait… what did you say?”
I shook my head and sighed. “Listen, I didn’t mean to intrude. I wasn’t here to take pictures of you or your brother. I just needed to add some photos to my portfolio and came here” By this time the group had made their way over to me and I was mortified.
Now that I could see them, I realized my mistake. Why couldn’t I see it before?
I licked nervous lips and lifted a hand in greeting. “Hi”
“She was taking pictures of us, of you and Megs, probably to sell to some rumor rag.” he accused. I turned to glare at him.
“I told you already that I was not taking pictures of you guys for that. God do you listen?” I demanded looking at him.
“Well you obviously know who we are so why were you taking pictures of us?” he demanded. I stared at him, then turned to Jared and the girl he had his arm around.
“I am really sorry. I came to take pics of the sunset. I saw you guys silhouetted against the sunset and I snapped a few shots.”
Jared looked at me with wary eyes. I can imagine they must get tired of the paparazzi trying to weasel their way into every aspect of their private lives, but that wasn’t my intention.
The girl stood with an arm around Jared, watching me with that same untrusting expression. Her long brown hair hung loose but a combat hat sat on her head so I couldn’t really see her face. She had a smirk on her face, as if the whole thing seemed amusing to her. Tomo and Matt were both giving me that same look that Jared and Shannon gave; not trusting. I sighed and held the camera up. I flipped the screen on and showed them the picture.
“See? You can’t even see faces or features for that matter. Look if it makes you feel better, I will give you the memory card and you can mail it back to me after you delete the photos.” I said defeated. I had never had so many people looking at me in such a way. Hell I felt like I had disappointed someone and all I’d done was took a couple pictures. I looked back at Shannon then.
“I said I was sorry....”
“It’s a nice picture,” Matt said, finally breaking the silent treatment they all seemed to be content to give me. Shannon let his eyes glance at the photo a moment before they locked with mine once more.
“It’s out of focus.” He said with a frown.
“No it isn’t.” I replied
“Looks like it to me.” He looked at me seriously.
“And what the heck would you know about photography?”
“Well enough to know that picture is out of focus”
“Oh blow me” I blurted out, pulling one of my business cards from my pocket. I held it out for Jared while I took the flash card from the camera. “Here is my business card, and the memory card. Take the pictures and mail the card back to me. I really am sorry if I ruined your afternoon.”
Jared took them both and smiled.
“Thank you, we appreciate this.” His voice was soft and I nodded before I turned to walk away.
I’d just taken some of the best photos of my life and had given them, along with my memory card, to a celebrity to prove I wasn’t trying to make a buck off of them.
Someone get me a drink, I seriously have self worth issues, at least they can all sleep better tonight.
Yay for them.