David

Young Dragon

Part 3

Firefighter

Chapters 13-17

Chapter 13

"That's a great idea," I said as we strolled towards my place.

"My mother thought so too. She works for my father and so does Richard. Dad is bringing him into the business because of his computer skills," Kerry said.

"Do you want to be a part of the business?" I asked.

Kerry nodded. "I do. I am a very skilled keyboards player and I have a synthesizer that I can create almost all kinds of sound effects on."

I smiled. "That's cool. I am a musician. I taught myself how to play guitars, drums, keyboards, and bass. I'm in the process of recording a CD, and it's nearly done."

"I'd like to check it out sometime," Kerry smiled.

My heart did flips. I was so hot for him it took everything I had to keep myself under control.

"Would you like to come up?" I asked him as we passed by my building. "I'm on the second floor here."

Kerry checked his watch. "I'd like to but I need to meet my Dad at the movie theatre in a few minutes. I don't like to keep him waiting."

The only movie house in this town belonged to the Williams family. It was built about the time the town got started when movies first came on the scene. It had been built in the nineteen twenties style and it had never changed. It did get a serious upgrade to more modern facilities, wiring, and other things but the décor had remained the same. It was called the Majestic, and with good reason. It looked majestic.

"I'll walk you there," I said.

Kerry beamed and we headed over there talking as we went. We got there just as a car pulled up in front. Kerry smiled as a man got out of his car and I recognized Harrison.

"Hi Mr. Andersen," I greeted.

We shook hands and he smiled. "I see you met my son Kerry."

"We ran into each other in the restroom at the teen center Dad," Kerry told him.

"Ah," he said.

"We went to a small sidewalk café for drinks and talked," Kerry went on. "David is a very cool dude, Dad."

"I know son," Harrison said as he put his arm around Kerry's shoulder. "I met him on the set of the fireman movie. Sure impressed all of us with the way he handled the training scenarios we threw at him. I hope he makes it to the fire academy."

"I'll know soon," I said. "I took the fire science exam and if I pass that, I get my degree and an opportunity to go to the fire academy."

"I do hope you make it. You deserve the chance," Harrison said.

I smiled. "So do I. I want the chance very badly and I've worked hard for it."

"That's the main thing. If you want something badly you work hard for it. Chances are someone will see that and you will get that chance," Harrison said.

"That's what people keep telling me," I said.

Harrison nodded. "Good. We need to get going, son. Your mother will worry."

Kerry sighed. "I wish she wouldn't do that."

"Kerry, it's in a mother's job description to do that," I grinned.

Kerry extended his hand to me and we shook hands. "It was really nice to meet you. I hope we can get together again."

"I liked meeting you, Kerry. You have my number, so call me anytime you want," I told him. "We can go do lunch or something."

"I would like that," he said.

He got into the car with his father and they drove off. I headed back to my apartment and sat in my recliner for a time just thinking about things. I felt like I was at a crossroads of some kind. I spent a sleepless night tossing and turning. I finally gave up trying to sleep and went out for a run. I was in front of the gym when it opened up and put in a hard workout. I felt after having done it. Since it was Sunday I went back up and kicked back for most of the day. I couldn't get Kerry off my mind. I'd close my eyes and his face would be right there. There was something there deep in his eyes, I could see it and it was something warm and reassuring. Something I wanted and needed. I stumbled through Monday, not sure where I was going or what I was doing. Hardy cornered me and led me to his office. He sat me down and turned to his desk. He handed me a glass half full of what I recognized as Jack Daniels.

"So, tell me about this new boy?" Hardy smiled at me.

I blinked and Hardy chuckled. "Yes, I kind of figured it out after hearing from a number of people this morning."

I drained the glass and instantly regretted it as it burned its way down my throat. Hardy leaned back in his chair and waited. I recovered and set the empty glass on a corner of his desk. I stared out the window at a tree and then in a soft voice began to tell him all about Kerry. Hardy listened to me and nodded, not saying anything until I was done.

"You and I were about having fun and enjoying what made us feel good. So were you and other people. But now you have a golden opportunity to settle down with somebody, and I think you should do it before somebody else gets him. You do not need to do anything to impress him, just be yourself. Know that you can come to me if you need advice," Hardy said.

I stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you sir."

"Good luck David," he said.

Hardy was one of a very few people I could talk to and get good advice when I needed it. I listened to him because he was older and wiser than I was and he was one of the very few adults who really understood us teens and that made him a favorite teacher and one of the many reasons why he stayed year after year. Kind of hard to find somebody like that.

When I got home I found a message on my phone machine. I went to get a cup of tea and sat down in my office chair to listen to it. It was Kerry calling me and I had to smile.

"David, I told my family about you, and yes, I am out to my family, and they still love me and support me, how cool is that? Anyway, I am supposed to invite you to Sunday Dinner at three, our house. Can you come?" Kerry asked.

I picked up the phone and called him to confirm the time, date, and address. Yeah, just as I thought. They were in the old part of Lake Wells where the grand stately old houses were, and there were grand old houses. They were considered historical landmarks because of their age. I'd give anything to have one I liked them so much. That had been Thursday evening. I walked around school on Friday with a big smile on my face and people thought I had gotten 'it'. I wish. I hadn't done anything in a while with anybody and that was fine with me. At fourteen I was still hot and horny for it, but I was a bit more mature now and I knew exactly what I wanted, and that was to be in a serious relationship with a boyfriend. I had a real strong feeling that Kerry was to be that boyfriend. Now came the problem. Could I balance Kerry, being a firefighter, and school at the same time? I knew I could.

"I don't see school being a problem. You go," Miller said as he sipped his tea. "You know you will see Kerry there every day as he will be joining you for your freshman year high school. The problem I see is being a firefighter and being involved with Kerry at the same time. The job is very unpredictable. You could be called out in a moment's notice. The both of you could be having an intimate moment when the call comes. Could you pull yourself away from him and be able to do the job?"

I really had to think about that one. I came to the conclusion that I could do it if I had to. If Kerry was supportive of me he would understand. That was an issue I had to discuss with him.

"Yes," Kerry replied when I put the question to him in a phone call that Friday evening. "When you told me of your life goal, I knew what it meant right away. It means you getting there when called out to save lives and every second counts in an emergency. Dad told me of some of the training scenarios they put you through and how you knocked them down. It's that important you drop what it is you are doing at the moment and fucking get there right fucking now. It's that important to you. I… I love you, and because I love you I know I have to sometimes step aside so that David the firefighter can go save lives. That's the thing that I love about you. A desire to go and save lives to keep families together. I can and will wait for you to come back. That means I can take care of you."

Hearing that decided it for me too. I would spend as much time as I could with him and when the moment was right, I would ask him to be my steady.

"Love you Kerry," I said.

I felt warm feelings race up and down my spine when I said that. And I meant it.

"Love you David, see you at Sunday Dinner," Kerry said.

My dreams were filled of Kerry that night.

I did what I normally did on Sunday mornings. Run, workout (I had a key and the alarm code to the gym), shower, and then take the Sunday paper back to bed with a cup of tea and read it front page to the last page, comics included. I did some stretches in the bedroom prior to getting dressed. I got into brown slacks, a light tan long sleeved dress shirt, brown cord vest, and my brown cowboy boots. I headed out the door right at two in the afternoon. I stopped at Herb's Spirits and he slipped a bottle of the absolute best champagne he had in the store into my backpack. I had saved his wife from a nasty burglar a few weeks ago when the creep thought he could go and steal their hard earned money. I took his gun away from him and slapped him silly. When Wilson showed up I had him hogtied and on top of the counter. Herb told me to stop by to get a little something to take with me to the dinner. I really liked him. He was very Italian and some of the stories he told me of Italy as he remembered it in the days of his youth were exciting. I headed off on my bike after thanking him for the gift. It was a peaceful ride until I got to the Old Town. I paused for a moment to drink a bit of water and then just as I pushed off from the curb I heard an explosion. I looked up the moment I heard it and saw the back windows of a house go flying from the shock wave to be followed by fire. I didn't think, I went charging over there. I parked my bike against a tree across the street and hung my pack off the front handlebars. I raced to the front of the house and used Rasengan to go through the front door. I could hear screaming from the second floor and went racing up the stairs. I reached out with Getsumi no Michi and found two life signs ahead of me. I used Dragon's Breath to blow a path through the fire to reach them. I got down the hall and into the room where the two life signs were and slammed the door behind me. Bunk beds in the corner. I yanked the bottom bed out and nothing there. I opened the closet door and found a pair of very scared little boys. I recognized them as the Jameson Twins. A pair of total brats who were known to be real terrors to anyone who crossed them in a bad way as they had a penchant for causing their victim acute distress when they promised retribution against them. Well if they come after me, I'll apply a liberal helping of serious butt spank on them. I grabbed both and dragged them out of the closet and to the window. I yanked it open and dragged them out onto the roof and to the edge as I felt the house begin to tremble. Below us was the swimming pool, the deep end closest to the house. I pushed chakra into my legs and jumped, taking them with me. We hit the water just as the second floor started sliding in our direction. I grabbed the canoe that was floating in the pool and flipped it over to protect us. The twins clung to me as the house came down, parts of his battering the bottom of the canoe. I didn't question why it was there, I was glad it had been there. It saved our collective bacon.

We stayed there for nearly an hour. When I was sure it was safe, I began pushing the canoe towards the shallow end. It was a lot of work because of the debris in the pool but I managed to make it to the shallow end of the pool. I pushed it up and out of the way and managed to climb out of the now very dirty pool. I must have looked a sight covered head to foot in black soot, dirt, and sundry bits and pieces of the now demolished house. I carried the twins round what was left of the house as they had no shoes on. Dirty pool water seeped out of my cowboy boots and I felt the sludge squelch between my toes. Not how I wanted to meet my prospective boyfriend's parents. People shouted and pointed to us when we appeared. Mother and father ran up to us and took the twins from me. They had to rip my shirt to pry the scared twins off me. I went to the fire trucks and did my fade away trick. I glanced at my watch and there simply was no time to go home and clean up. I hoped to God they would understand and Kerry would forgive me.

"What the hell happened to you?" Kerry asked the moment he saw me.

I smiled. "The Jameson twins just burned down their house while playing with matches in their big brother's bedroom. I found them quaking in their pj's in the farthest corner of their closet. Took them out their window and jumped in the pool just as the house dropped on our heads. I used a canoe for cover and had to swim though a lot of muck to get out of the pool."

I reached into my pack and presented Harrison with the bottle of champagne. "Brought a little something for the dinner."

Kerry's mother appeared. "Follow me."

I came to learn that when she says that, one better follow or else. Nothing seemed to rock her. I followed her round the back of the house where she had me strip off and step into the laundry room shower. It felt good to get clean. Kerry brought me some of his clothes and the slacks and shirt fit me very well. I am so used to wearing fundoshi that pulling on a pair of briefs felt strange. Now that I was feeling very human again, Kerry led me out to the living room and introduced me to his family. I sat down and gave them a better rundown of what happened and the evening went from there. Cissy, Michelle, Benjamin, and Richard thought I was cool for wanting to get into the fire department. That made for a great discussion for most of the dinner and afterwards. Kerry did get me alone up in his room. I liked it. It felt comfortable and warm. It was a twenty by twenty and he had everything well spaced out. Kerry showed me his keyboards and I did 'True Colors' on them and he liked that. He did 'Lean on Me' and it sounded good. He showed me his poster collection of various landscapes and things. Yes, we did kiss a few times and that made the evening really nice. It cemented my desire to have Kerry as my boyfriend even more. What was even better was that the family seemed to accept me and I considered myself to be very fortunate. So meeting the family was a success.

Kerry joined me in the lunchroom on Tuesday as he was there for testing to see where he should go when Jim Wilson, Hardy, Miller, and the town's postmaster, old man Gunderson walked in. I was puzzled at first but when I saw the envelope in his hands, I knew why. People went quiet and turned to watch. I took the envelope from him and signed for it. I stared at it for a few minutes, afraid to open it and find a rejection letter. I finally picked it up and tore open the envelope and pulled the letter out of it and read it.

"The State of Oregon is pleased to inform you that you passed the exam for your fire science degree and wishes to invite you to the summer session of the fire academy starting the last week of May. Congratulations for being the first young person to accomplish this feat," I read out loud and then got a silly smile on my face when I realized what it said.

The place broke out in cheers and applause as I sat there beaming. I was going to the fire academy. I was going to get the chance to prove I had the right stuff. Naturally the word got around town. Everywhere I went people shook my hand and told me that they knew I would make it. Even my biggest critics Reverend Palmer and CPS boss Chalmers had to admit they were wrong about me. In a private meeting both of them apologized to me and I knew they would never bother me again. In fact, Reverend Palmer invited me to a Sunday service in a rented hall and laid hands on me and asked God to give me the strength and wisdom needed to pass the fire academy because 'I was doing the Lord's work by saving lives'. That moved me more than I could ever say. I sat for my end of year exams a week early and managed to pass them all. I took the entire weekend to pack what I knew I would need for the fire academy, including the fire jacket and the custom build helmet I had gotten from the movie people. I had planned on getting a cab to the train station Sunday evening but got something else entirely. Elwood Dobbs, an avid classic car collector showed up in a mint condition Cadillac convertible and had me sit on the back of the back seat, drove me through town as people waved to me. Quite a send off. I had a few minutes before my train showed and I got to spend them with Kerry and Miller. We sat down at a table with bottles of water.

Miller grasped my hand. "I knew you would make it, kid. You got what it takes."

Kerry hugged me. "Good luck."

"I'll call you when I get there," I said.

Kerry smiled. "I'll be waiting." He kissed me. "For luck."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around him. "Thanks love."

Kerry sighed and I could tell by the smile on his face he was happy. We held on to each other as the train came puffing into the station. We finally let go of each other and I retrieved my carry on. I checked in with the conductor and went up to the observation deck on the second floor of the car I had gotten into. The train was pulling out as I was taking my place. I spent the entire four hour ride looking out the windows at the magnificent view. I was ready for this. This was my big chance, and I was not going to blow it.

The train pulled into the station fifteen minutes late. Not too bad. I grabbed my carry on, wishing I had checked it with my duffels. I claimed my bags and went inside the station. I looked for the man I was to meet and found him at the coffee shop. He looked me over.

"So you're the Young Dragon kid," he said.

I nodded. "That I am sir."

He stood up and stretched. "Well, if it was up to me, and you're lucky it isn't, I'd kick your baby ass back on the train and send you home to yer Mama."

I felt myself go cold with anger but didn't let it show.

"But the boss says we gonna give you a chance, so grab your shit and follow me," he said and walked off.

I followed him out to the van and got in. He said no more as he took me to the fire academy and dropped me off in front of administration. I went in and the night duty officer got me checked in. I went to my assigned room and got settled in. The fun got started in the morning.

I was getting out of the shower as the first of many cadets on my floor stumbled into the shower room. He stopped and blinked at me as I went past him, bare ass naked. Not a man said anything as I went past them to my room. I got dressed in my cadet uniform and headed out to breakfast at the mess, what they called the dining hall. There were a few people there and I could feel eyes on me as I collected what I wanted for breakfast. I flipped through the cadet handbook I had been issued when I checked in. There was a lot of great information, not so helpful information, and a lot of rules and regulations. I am not big on rules and regulations, but if I wanted to get out of here with a firefighter's badge on my shirt I would follow them to the letter. I finished breakfast and went to the class room I was supposed to report to. The others gradually filed in, and the summer session got started. I called Kerry at the lunch break and he had his cell with him.

"Hey," he answered."

"Hi Kerry. Called to say I'm here, and had my first class session this morning. It was more of an orientation to inform me of what's going to happen. Two weeks of class room work, and then we go into the practicals. Going to be fun," I said.

Kerry laughed. "Well I know you will make it."

"I know I will, and I appreciate the vote of confidence," I said.

"Kick their ass," Kerry said. "I gotta go. English class."

I smiled. "Have fun."

Kerry laughed as he signed off. I hung up and went back to class.

I went walkabout that afternoon after classes were done for the day. This place had all kinds of buildings and houses for working rescue scenarios in. It had a small manmade lake nearby for diving. I wandered down by the garages and noted a number of burned out trucks and other vehicles. I stood there and looked over what looked like the remains of a 1.5 ton truck, and an idea popped up in my head. I considered it for a bit and by the time I got back to my dorm I was rebuilding it in my head. I created a few rough draft sketches, and that's how the Monster Fire Rescue Truck was born. I went to the office during the morning break and asked about my being able to buy one of the trucks and rebuilding it. I didn't know shit about rebuilding a truck but I was sure I would have a good working knowledge of it by the time I was done. I met the academy commander, a Roland Matthews, retired. He was an old man and I liked him the moment I saw him. He was a bit bent over and needed a cane to get around but there was plenty of life in his eyes. I knew beyond a doubt that if he ever got the chance to ride a truck once more he'd do it in a heartbeat. I learned from him that you can take the man out of the fire department but you can never get it out of his blood. Once there it can never be taken away. He was a bit soft spoken, tilted his head to the right when talking to you, and gave the impression that nothing ever got to him. By the time I left there I had a lot of respect for him. The truck? I got it on the condition that if I passed the academy, it was mine.

We were stuck in the class room for nearly three weeks because of some idiot who spent his time joking around. All of us cadets were getting annoyed with the guy and one morning he was gone. Just like that. That drove home a point that this was serious business and not fun and games. I was determined to make it, no matter what. As a lot of it had been in my online classes, so it was all refresher to me. I still paid attention and worked hard on the paper they threw at me. When I wasn't in the classroom, I was down at the barn as they called the garages, stripping apart the truck. As I disassembled the truck I learned a few things about it. One, the fire damage was mostly cosmetic. Second, the damage had been limited to the engine compartment and the interior of the cab. There had been bottles of oxygen in the back of the truck and that accounted for a lot of the damage. I was going to be doing a lot of body work to the cab. Once I got it disassembled, I began to plan how I was going to put it all back together once all of the body work was done. Once I developed a plan, I began to plan for the extras that would be going into the truck. The head mechanic, a guy named Dilbert, looked over my shoulder every now and then and would approve some of my plans, point out the things I hadn't seen, and flat out told me no way on other things. Being inexperienced in rebuilding trucks, I listened to him and followed his advice. There would be times I was glad I did. He became a valuable ally in my efforts to build a monster truck.

In the middle of the third week after that guy was dismissed, we got to start field work. We reported to the blacktop where our 'station' was and waited for our instructor to show. What we got wasn't expected. Four of them showed up. One of them was an older guy and from the way he held himself I knew he had to have been a former Marine drill instructor. He got into my face and loudly declared me to be his special project. If he was anything like Mick and Mort I knew I was in for a hard time. I had no problem hearing him. In fact, I was sure he was heard clear down to administration. Then he started in on me. He ran me into the ground the first day with a lot of wind sprints in full gear and carrying a huge roll of hose. That's where I brought out my war face and gave it all I had. He stood over me at the end of the day and simply walked away from me without looking back. I knew for sure that he would be giving me lots of hell in the time I was here, and not physical either. Former Master Sergeant Dawson didn't stop just there, he gave me grief no matter where I went. He would follow me to the garage and make all kinds of cutting remarks about the truck I was trying to rebuild. He'd meet me in the weight room every morning and goad me into a red rage as I worked out on the weights. He'd chase me on the track sitting in a golf cart and whacking me on the back of my legs with a switch while loudly telling me how fucking slow I was. I was sorely tempted to direct chakra into my legs and show him what speed really was. He pushed my temper to the breaking point time and time again. Then he added a new element to his harassment. He began make comments about my being gay and would constantly bring out his cock and show it off to me, teasing me with it, trying to get me to suck him off one time. I refused, and just kept on going. Eventually it got to the point where I was ready to kill him.

"Ignore him love," Kerry pleaded when I called him one night after I gave Dawson the slip. "He's not worth it. I think he's testing you, pushing you to go off on him."

"Didn't think of that," I said.

"From what you've told me, that's what he's doing in an effort to get rid of you. Don't let him win," Kerry said.

I smiled, feeling a lot stronger. "I won't. I'll be the one to get the last laugh."

"Cool. Remember the Jameson Twins?"

How could I forget? Both brats had clawed me up good while I was trying to save their lives, not to mention giving me a nice set of bruises from trying to kick the shit out of me.

"I'd rather not. Both brats need to be collared and taken under control," I said.

Kerry chuckled. "Funny you should say that. That's what the family did after moving into another house. Anytime they are seen in public they are in leather restraints and on leashes."

"Seriously?" I asked.

Kerry grinned. "I'll send you pictures. Even Chalmers approved."

"Sure she would. Prior to the bomb in her office she wanted to do the same to me," I snorted. "We made the peace since then."

"The down side to this is that all of us kids are nervous that the adults would do the same to us. In a town hall meeting we were reassured that it would never happen. It was either put the twins in restraints or lock them up in a juvenile institution. All of us kids are relieved and a number of them said so while other stated they had every intention of following your footsteps into a good career. I don't know if you are aware of it David, but there are a number of us kids who do look up to you," Kerry said.

That thought sobered me considerably and cooled my rage a lot. I now had even more of a reason not to fail in my mission to get what I wanted, and that was to be a firefighter.

"Pass the word, Kerry, that I'm not giving up my goals and neither should they," I said.

"I will. Gotta go. Love you," he said.

I sat there for a time holding the phone in my hand. Never thought I had influenced all the kids there. In telling them not to give up I had built up my confidence in myself once more. I was going to win, and Dawson wasn't going to stop me.

Up to now all I had done was to sandblast the metal parts of the truck right down to bare metal over and over again. I had worked the metal to the point where all of the dents, dings, and rough spots had been smoothed out by every method possible. Dilbert had inspected my work and now he told me I was ready to paint. The chassis went in first. I laid down a primer on it first and then moved on to the other pieces. The chassis got a coat of black, two coats, and a sealer. While that dried, I went over the other pieces in fire engine red. Each piece got three coats and the sealer. That process took at least two weeks. During that time I went and ordered the things I would need. Dilbert tossed me an unexpected surprise. I came in one Saturday morning to discover a crate with my name on it. He sat there with a silly smile on his face as I took apart the crate. I stood there as I stared at the high performance truck engine. Power!

"Can't have a monster truck without a monster engine in it to give it life," he said.

I later learned it had been meant for another project but the deal had fallen through. Dilbert had a friend at the company who built the engine and asked him if he could use it and he immediately told them about me. They made it a present to me. I couldn't wait to mount that bad boy and light it up. I did go and check the motor mounts on the chassis and discovered the motor would fit perfectly. Oh hell yeah! That was another morale booster and it kept me going for the weekend as I worked on the truck. Commander Matthews would come round every now and then to look but he never said a thing and he would amble off on his golf cart.

I got an unexpected break the Fourth of July holiday. The fire academy was given a week long break and I saw it as opportunity to put in a lot of time on my truck. But the real surprise was Kerry showing up. I was really happy to see him as he was happy to see me. I showed him what I was doing and he seemed to be very impressed by the truck. I took him on a tour of the grounds and showed him everything. I put him up in my room and we shared my bed. It was nice to have someone in my bed once more and I enjoyed holding him close to me. No, we didn't do anything for the simple reason that we wanted to get to know each other first. His spending the week with me was a good way to find out what kind of person he truly was. We weren't completely alone as we had a few people at the academy. Dilbert decided to stay as he had some projects to finish up. A few of the instructors wanted to get together to plan some more scenarios, Dawson joining them. He did see us together at breakfast the next morning and made some cutting remarks about fags shacking up together.

"It's been my experience," Kerry loudly said as he turned back to his coffee, "that those who speak out loudest are so deep in the closet that they hate themselves for not having the balls to come out of it."

Dawson turned so red with anger I thought he would stroke right there. I knew I'd pay for it later but I didn't care. Kerry had cut him down better than I could.

Kerry spent the week with me. As I had planned I worked on the truck. Kerry helped by reading the Chilton manuals and helping me get the work done. All of the paint was dry by now so I was able to move forward. I put the chassis on a lift and got the rear axle installed. As I had the money I was buying heavy duty truck parts because I wanted the truck to withstand serious punishment, and to be able to go off road if needed, and around Lake Wells it was a need. The Fourth was on a Wednesday and we planned on going to a fireworks show that Dilbert invited us to go to. We had the best time ever, enjoying the fireworks. But the absolute best part for us was to hold hands with each other. That in my mind was a great evening.

"So what are we doing today?" Kerry asked at breakfast the next morning.

I smiled. "Thought we would spend the day out on the lake and do a bit of fishing."

"There's fish in there?" Kerry asked.

Dilbert was passing by. "Not in the smaller lake here on the grounds, but in the bigger lake a few miles away. We do have a few boats there. I can call the marina and get you a boat."

"Thanks Dilbert, that would be awesome. How do we get there?" I asked.

"Take that cart over there. There is a path that goes there through the academy grounds so you won't have to worry about going out on the highway. It is a very pleasant drive too," Dilbert grinned.

"Thank you," Kerry said.

We got into it and went down to the mess hall to collect some sandwiches and things. Then we headed off to the marina after finding the path Dilbert told us about. I felt Kerry's left hand take hold of my right one as he snuggled up close to me. My heart was singing, my spirit and soul had taken flight, and I was feeling really good. We went around a bend leaving the academy behind and I had to stop. Both of us were in awe in what we saw. There were trees bending over the path creating a green leafy tunnel.

"Wow. That's beautiful," Kerry said.

"So that's what he was referring to. I like it," I said.

I stepped on the pedal and we were off once more. The path stretched out for a good distance and then we came over a rise and there it was. I smiled as I saw all the boats lined up in their slips. I kept going until I found a parking slot for golf carts. I checked the battery gage before shutting down and it was in the three quarter full range. We left it there and went inside the marina. They were expecting us and we got the key to the boat. We were surprised when we found the boat we had been assigned to. It looked like a floating platform. It had an awning overhead, seats going round the perimeter, the driver's position, and a pair of loungers. I had an idea for those loungers. This was definitely a slow cruising boat. There were fishing rods in a compartment under one of the seats. We went back to the little shack and got some bait, cold soda, a bag of ice for the ice chest we found on the boat, and a bottle of water proof sun block. We cast off, and decided to do a slow cruise up one side of the lake. As we headed out we stripped down to our Speedos. Kerry had seen me once before when he had gotten me clothes from his closet, but this was the first time I've seen him. Kerry had a great looking body and it was obvious he was very active. Kerry played sports. Soccer, the swim team, and he went golfing with his dad on the weekends. He was lean and solid. His nipples were the size of dimes. He had great definition.

"Like what you see?" Kerry asked, striking a pose.

I grinned. "I sure do. You're beautiful, Kerry."

Kerry kissed me and I liked that. He took the bottle of the Bullfrog sun block and began to rub it into my back and I sighed. His fingers felt good on my back. We went down a stretch of lake, doing slow turns around bushes and trees coming out of the water until we came across a small cove that had tree branches hanging over the water. It looked so nice. We tied up right there and I figured out how to fold half of the shade back so we could get a bit of sun. We lay out in the sun holding hands after stripping our Speedos off and talked about anything and everything that crossed our minds. I glanced over at him as we lay there and looked at his genitals. Kerry was a bit bigger than average and he had his foreskin intact. I could see the piss slit peeking out and I thought that was hot. His brown pubic hair was short and looked very neat and I wondered if he trimmed them himself or somebody else did it for him. I'd ask later. We relaxed and talked for about an hour and then decided to go swim. We spent time in the water having fun and cooling off. Eventually we got tired of it and I helped him back up on the dive platform on the back of the boat. Kerry pressed himself and kissed me. I returned the kiss and moved backwards as we kissed. I moved down on Kerry after he stretched out on the towel on the floor of the boat. I began to kiss, lick, touch and caress his wet body. Kerry shuddered and moaned as I pleasured him. I licked and sucked on his nipples making him moan out in pleasure and I felt my cock get hard hearing his pleasure filled moans. I took my time in exploring his body. I took his hard cock in my hand and felt the soft skin of his foreskin. I gently stroked it a few times as I licked and kissed my way down to his cock. I gently peeled the foreskin back to reveal the head of his cock. It was leaking precum and I licked it up making him cry out in pleasure. I felt his fingers take hold of my aroused nipples and pinch them, pull on them, and twist them. That made me feel so damn good.

I sucked his cock into my mouth. I felt Kerry's hands on my hips urging me to move over him so I did. As I took the head of his cock into my throat I felt him sucking on my cock. We spent a few minutes sucking on each other's cocks and enjoying the pleasure. Kerry must have been saving it up because he came first and shot a lot into my mouth. Kerry's cream wasn't sweet nor was it bitter. It was kind of in between and I liked it. I sucked on his cock a bit harder and got even more Kerry cream. I felt myself go as I reached my breaking point. We kept on sucking on each other until we had nothing left to give. I settled down next to him and we kissed for a bit. I hugged him into me.

"Love you Kerry," I sighed. "You taste so nice."

"Love you David," Kerry kissed me. "Your cum was sweet and I loved the taste of it."

I held him close to me. "Don't know why that is. I've been told I am one of the few rare boys that are capable of producing sweet tasting cum."

"I think that's awesome. I'm willing to go this far with you for now. I don't feel ready to have you inside of me. I want to have you deep inside of me, but only when the time is right and I know we are going to be boyfriends. I hope you don't mind?" Kerry asked.

I smiled as I kissed him. "I don't mind waiting. Are you doing anything to prepare yourself for when you decide you want me to do that to you?"

Kerry nodded. "I am. I have a few butt plugs that I'm currently using. I use them like once or twice a week to give myself a chance to get used to having something inside of me."

"Good. I am willing to wait for when you are ready. I do want to become a part of you and we both want it to be an experience you will remember fondly for the rest of your life. My first time was extremely painful. But I have found others who proved to me it can be a pleasing experience, and it was. I've done it to others and have done what I could to make it an enjoyable and pleasing experience for them and they did enjoy it. There's more to it than just slipping my cock into you, there's me preparing you for it and if I do that right it will give you pleasure too. Sex is supposed to be a great experience for both partners," I stated.

"I have a book on my shelf that my father gave me called 'The Joy of Gay Sex' and it taught me everything I needed to know, from A to Z. The part on anal intercourse was very interesting and it did talk about getting your partner ready for it. I have a dildo that I use with condoms to practice with and I am working my way up to the average size one so I know what getting fucked is like but I know it will be very different when you put your cock into me. I want to be sure of our relationship before we go and do that. The more time we spend together the more I get to know you, and I truly love what I know about you so far. You are a good man and I love the fact that you are trying to break into the fire department because of your desire to help people and that says a lot about you," Kerry returned the kiss.

I knew then that Kerry was sincere in what he was saying and I decided to honor that. I reached for the Bullfrog and spent a few minutes giving him a massage that both of us enjoyed. We had lunch and then tossed out our fishing lines and relaxed on the loungers for a bit longer holding hands. It was a day to remember and I'm glad we did it.

Chapter 14

"Think we could go and get brunch or something?" Kerry asked as he sat up on his side of the bed and stretched.

I thought for a moment. "I did hear of a place to go in town, something called Paddy's. I need to find out about it so let's get dressed and go down to the administration building and ask."

We had a bit of fun in the shower jacking each other off and splashing around. Kerry watched as I tied fundoshi on myself and handed me my uniform pants. I tucked my shirt in after pulling it on and stepped into my pants as Kerry stepped into his shorts. We walked over to the administration building holding hands. The officer of the day was there.

"Paddy's? Yeah they got great food and it's not too far from here. You can grab the bus at the main gate, it will drop you there. Make sure you get a bit of the beef brisket, they make a great one," he said.

"Thank you sir," I said.

Kerry and I went down to the bus stop at the main gate and didn't have to wait very long. We got on and took a seat halfway down. There were a few people on this time of morning and we paid no attention to them. Kerry took my hand once more and I turned my attention to him.

"Dave, I'm glad I came out here to see you. I had a great time," Kerry said.

"I'm glad you came, Kerry. Made my week," I said.

Kerry nodded. "Good. My folks suggested that I come out here and spend time with you. They seem to really like you and that's a good thing. Obviously you made a great impression at the first Sunday Dinner despite the way you looked when you got there."

I smiled at the memory. "I was sure they were wondering what you were getting into when they got their first look at me."

"Well, they did have a few things to say while you were in the shower. I convinced them to give you a chance and I'm glad they did," Kerry stated.

The bus stopped at the bus stop and we got off. I saw Paddy's on the other side of the parking lot and we started off.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking about us, David. You are the only guy I've met who is serious about his future and being with me. The other boys I've been with never showed the maturity you do. It's the thing that drew you to me," Kerry said.

"Some boys are more mature than others, Kerry. I discovered that fact in a study I read while I was searching for answers. Sometimes it comes after having been through an extraordinary experience, where the aftermath sometimes teaches us things," I said.

Kerry nodded to that. "Very true. Sometimes it's because we have great parents and relatives who are willing to spend time with us and end up teaching us things."

"And that too," I said as we walked up to the door.

We were greeted and shown to a table in the corner. We looked to see what was in the buffet as we passed it. The meat board smelled good and I couldn't wait to get a plate of that good meat. We informed the lady we would be doing the buffet and she waved her hand at it. My first plate was a slice of ham, turkey, beef, and barbecue ribs. There was an all you can drink beverage bar so I went for the iced tea. Kerry got a bit of everything and got a coke. We talked about various things as we ate, enjoying the food and having a good time. I didn't mind being in the back corner because it gave us a chance to be alone and talk about things that we wouldn't be able to talk about in public. I knocked down five plates and Kerry did four plates. The chocolate cake was fantastic. We sat there for a bit and then decided it was time to leave. I took care of the bill and left a few dollars as a tip. Kerry saw a computer store by the drug store so we went over to check it out. There wasn't much in there and the guy in the place didn't seem to be the friendly type so we left.

"I like the computer store back home. They seem to have the better selection," Kerry said. "Dad gets most of his stuff from the super online store."

I knew which one Kerry was talking about. I got nearly everything from there.

"I know which one you speak of. I get nearly everything from there. I like them because they never seem to be out of anything and they are fairly quick with your order. My last order from there I had it in nearly two days," I said as we sat down on the bus bench on the other side of the street.

Kerry got quiet all of a sudden and I had the feeling there was something bothering him.

"David," he said looking up at me, "I really want to be with you. I feel as if we are holding back from each other since we both know we are destined to be together. I want to move forward, but everyone tells me I should hold back and let things move us forward in the right time. Are we really doing the right thing by holding back?"

I moved closer to him and put my arm around him. "We are. Being together in bed this morning seemed to be so right and so natural that I asked myself the same thing. If we do jump too far ahead, we could end up hurting each other and it's the last thing I want to do with you. I love you that much to not want to rush things and to hurt you by doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. Like you, I want to know what love is. I know I'll learn what it is from you when the time is right, and it should be more than just a feeling."

Kerry looked up at me. "We can show each other what it really is and means."

I smiled. "Yes we can, and it will be a great adventure finding out."

I would have kissed Kerry right then but the bus showed and we got on.

I decided the truck could wait for tomorrow. Kerry was far more important at the moment and he needed me to reassure himself that everything was going to be just fine. I checked back in at administration and decided we should go for a walk to the nearby gardens, which was a memorial to the fallen firefighters in the state. We held hands as we walked there.

"To be young and in love can be difficult for some kids, but even harder for gay kids like us because not only do we have to deal with our feelings but we have the added burden of finding a gay boy like us. Meeting you was the best day of my life. I felt that there was hope for me again. I had been in a relationship once before and it went nowhere. I used to play around but got tired of that. I wanted to meet someone I could be in love with and commit to, and hopefully spend the rest of my life with. I really want to be with you Kerry," I said.

The smile on his face made him look so handsome that I fell for him once more. I leaned forward and we kissed. I think that was the moment that our lives turned a corner and things changed for us. It was the moment that we became boyfriends, and I hoped somewhere down the road, to being partners for life. Kerry turned to face me and we pulled each other close and spent the next few minutes kissing. We spent most of the day in the gardens discussing our lives and which directions we were going to go in and how we would handle certain problems. Fortunately Lake Wells seemed to be tolerant of gay people, especially after I showed up and showed them a much different face, and in doing so, changed a lot of people's minds about gay people. I hoped that it would be a good start towards acceptance.

Kerry and I went back to my dorm and decided to snuggle up on the couch to watch some TV. Well, that had been the plan but we sort of changed that plan as we got intimate. No we didn't get naked and do the funky chicken, but we did a lot of petting, groping, and kissing, trying to please the other. It wasn't until we went to my room and closed and locked the door that we did get a bit more intimate. Kerry undressed me as we kissed. I undressed him as we kissed. We spent the next hour in foreplay. Sometimes foreplay is better than the act of intercourse, and for the moment, it was awesome. Touching, caressing, kissing, licking, jacking each other off, and slipping fingers inside each other's anus is pleasure beyond. We really weren't in the mood to go the final step with each other preferring to wait for another day for that. We did one thing we hadn't done yet and that was to suck each other off. Kerry's reaction to tasting my sweet cum for the first time was a memory I will never forget. Just to watch his face light up after I ejaculated in his mouth was something.

"Your cum is sweet," he breathed as he came in my mouth.

I continued to suck his cum out of his cock until he couldn't give me any more. I turned round and drew him into my arms after pulling the top sheet over us.

"From what a doctor friend of mine tells me I am one of a very few boys who is capable of making sweet tasting semen. Why that is I don't know. It just happens," I said.

Kerry snuggled down in my arms. "Well I love it."

"You can have as much as you want of it love," I told him.

"Thank you sweetie," he kissed me.

We drifted off to sleep after a few minutes feeling very satisfied with our loving.

I saw Kerry off the next morning. We stood out in front of the administration building waiting for the taxi to arrive. Dawson was there and he was putting on a scene of lovers parting and of course we ignored him. He was acting like a first class asshole and the watchers knew it. The cab arrived and Kerry got in as the duffel went into the trunk. He waved to me as the taxi drove off. I headed to my dorm and climbed into my coveralls to go down to the barn and get back to work on the truck. I looked at the list I had tacked up and marked off the line regarding installing the axles and the front end. Now I could install the motor. I went to the crate and looked for the hooks on the engine I could use to hooks chains to. I looked for the hoist and found it in the far corner of the place. I rolled it over to the engine just as Dilbert showed up. He inspected my work on the chassis.

"Good job. Everything is where it's supposed to be and they are well bolted in place. Let me check out the motor mounts," Dilbert announced.

That was good news. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do everything all over again. He directed me in getting the motor out of the crate and get it mounted on the chassis. I got bolted down tight and Dilbert inspected it.

"Well done. Now you can start building the truck around it," Dilbert said.

I had plans for the cab area before it went in. I was going to fabricate and install a roll cage to protect me in the event I rolled the truck. I also had plans to fabricate roll bar bumpers up front of the truck for the event I had to push a car out of the way or crash a gate. Dilbert liked those ideas and gave me a few more. I pulled scratch paper out of my desk drawer later that night back in my room and began designing the equipment boxes that would go on the truck. I was going to go all out and spend some of my money to properly equip my truck and do it well. I was planning on designing those boxes around the gear I had planned on buying. I took my sketches down to the barn the next evening after dinner and put them up on the wall next to the bay I was using. As I got to work doing measurements in the cab for the roll bar cage Dilbert looked them over and liked what he saw.

"Did you see the scrap metal pile out back?" he asked me.

I nodded. "I did and I plan on making good use of it. I can cut the smaller pieces to use as dividers in the compartments, the bigger and stronger pieces for other things. No sense in cutting up new stock when I can use the scrap pile. Save you guys some money."

Dilbert nodded. "I do that too. Now all you need to do is come up with measurements for everything and go from there."

Easier said than done. I did a mock up with cardboard and that was a lot of fun. Took me all of Saturday to do it. Before I could get that going, I had to install the transmission, gas tank, brakes, and the drive shaft. I was going to lay down a sheet of two inch [5 cm] thick diamond plate over the top of the chassis once all of that got put in. I guessed at least a week to get all of that done. I came very close, getting those items done in a week and a half. What made the job faster was the welding machine that Dilbert was asked to test for a welding company nearby. When the representative saw the diamond plate sheet I had to put down he declared it the perfect test. We got it set up and let it fly. The idea behind the machine was to allow it to weld in a straight line down each side of the diamond plate in one continuous line with no stopping. We started it up early one Saturday morning setting it up in a separate booth so the flash wouldn't bother the rest of the shop. The guy looked at the cardboard mockup I had and liked the way it looked. He made a couple of suggestions that I liked and I incorporated them into the mock up. Two hours later we heard the bell go off on the welding machine and heard it shut down. We went in to inspect the job and it had done a fantastic job. A perfect weld all around the diamond plate. That machine had saved me countless welding time.

There were cute guys there. I saw a few of them I would have loved to hop in bed with, but I had Kerry now and I wanted to be true to him. Dawson knew that and he kept on making all kinds of comments to me about the cute guys there. I kept on ignoring him as I usually did unless he was 'discussing' a scenario with me. He went out of his way to make each one harder than the last and loaded them with all kinds of surprises. I got in the habit of using Getsumi no Michi to guide me and to warn me of any potential traps when I ran through the 'fire house' on a training mission. Dawson always looked at me with anger every time I bested his newest course or assignment he gave me. But he never eased up on me and in some small way I owe him for doing that because it was because of him I got out of the fire academy as a fully licensed fire fighter. I still wish I had a camera for the expression on his face when he heard the news I had passed. I would have framed it and stuck it up on my wall.

As July turned into August, the truck was taking shape as I worked on fabricating the compartments I needed. One compartment was to be a slide out job, the racks that were to slide out would hold my oxygen rig and my scuba divers rig. A smaller compartment would hold an air compressor in the event I needed to recharge my bottles. One of the things I did was to take the scuba divers certification test and pass it. I added that certificate to my binder and kept them in a fire proofed box that would go in my closet at home. I had a wallet sized card and that went into the badge case I knew I'd need to carry my fire badge along with my state ID's and photo ID. I knew what kind of rig I was going to get after having talked to a group of divers at the diver's shop in town. I went and got everything right then and there and got them back to the barn with the help of a cab. The smaller air compressor was perfect for one compartment as I had fabricated that compartment perfectly.

I kept right on going. I was getting used to the physical aspect of the training and my endurance was getting so much better and a lot of that was due to my early morning runs and monster workouts in the academy gym. You would know if I had been there by the mess I left behind me. But I always cleaned it up and had everything back where it belonged by the time the first instructor showed up. They didn't have to worry about me as I proved I could do what I did without any help. I had clearance from the head instructor to be in there after he cleared me. Dawson started showing up when he heard I went in there to work out after the second week of the academy and he would ride my ass hard as I worked to lift. He sure was a help there, too. I improved my lifting a lot thanks to him. By now I had put him in a compartment of his own as I had placed the academy in a separate compartment, and put the truck building in another compartment I had built in my mind. I was able to deal with everything just fine after doing that and it kept me from going nuts. Talking to Kerry helped me a lot too. Hearing his voice on the phone when I called him on Friday nights was the highlight of my week. He would tell me what was going on and I would tell him of my week. Kerry did a lot to keep me on the right track with his words of encouragement.

The first week of August I got the cab in place on the frame and bolted it down along with the roll bar cage inside of it to the frame and that worked out very well. I worked on that and the interior of the cab as the compartments were drying in the paint shop. Where Dilbert found the pair of racing bucket seats I don't know, but they looked damned good in the cab. What was even better was the four point harness for the seats. I could use the standard seatbelt for the seat but when I went on a call I could reach up to either side and pull down the additional belts and hook them to the seatbelt therefore strapping me in the seat very well. Something I know Captain Miller really appreciated time after time, especially when I did some crazy driving to get to where we had to go. I was working on wiring up everything and was following the wiring book very carefully. I had gone through several catalogs in trying to find instrumentation that would look good and be functional in the truck. A lot of people gave me advice to this set or that set and so on. I finally settled on an array that looked good. White background with neon blue numbers and needles, and boy did they stand out when the lights were turned on. I arranged them in the order I wanted, the oil gage first, the water gage next to it, the speedometer in the middle, the battery gage to the right of it, and finally the RPM gage as the truck was to be a five speed. I had spent some extra money for a heavy duty racing transmission knowing I would be putting some serious stress on the transmission, something that everybody said was an excellent idea. In the middle of all this I started driving classes. Oh Dawson loved that one. The hell with sitting in the classroom, he tossed me in the front seat of a small five speed pickup truck the first moment he announced he was to teach me how to drive. How I survived that morning I'll never know, but I did, and in the process got the hang of driving a five speed. It was just a matter of getting the feet to work with each other. I would sit in a chair every evening and practice the movements until I got it right. I got some small measure of revenge against the bastard while he taught me how to drive. I definitely gave him a bunch of gray hairs, especially after I went hydroplaning with a fully loaded pumper, sliding nearly twenty feet through a mock traffic signal. The volunteers riding the truck loved it but not Dawson. He had to go change his boxers while all of us hooted. Commander Matthews smiled at that one. I wondered if he was the one who set Dawson on me in the first place and then decided he was just too nice to do that to somebody. My mistake in assuming.

I passed the driving course with flying colors. I celebrated that victory that night as people congratulated me. I was feeling very good about my chances of getting out of the academy now were very good but I didn't slow down. I kept right on going full speed ahead. My day would start at six hundred hours with a six mile run, an animal workout in the gym, breakfast, and then Dawson until four in the afternoon. Down to the barn until ten at night, working on the truck. I left a big container of salad in the refrigerator in the kitchen and would break around six for a plate of salad and then back to work. The truck was coming together nicely now. The last items were now going into place and Dilbert gifted me once more, this time with a power winch to go on the back of the truck. I was pleased with it and it was just perfect. At the last moment I decided to install one of those roll up door jobs on top of the truck to lock down when not out on a call to protect gear I was going to keep back there. I noted the finals schedule posted on the bulletin board in the commons room back at the dorm and even got my testing schedule in my mailbox. They were scheduled for next week. Then I would have a few days off between my testing and then notifying me. Good, I would use that to my advantage and finish off the truck. I cracked my knuckles and hoped for the best.

I went into the written with a clear mind. I wasn't scared, although I should have been, and was well prepared as I had taken a few nights off from the barn to cram. The cram sessions paid off and I walked out of there feeling like I had done well and kept saying so. The physical testing was the next day and knowing Dawson as well as I did I was sure he would be throwing everything possible at me, and he did, with the help of a few instructors I had managed to piss off by not quitting, including the former Navy SEAL who certified me for my scuba diving certificates. When I saw them there the next morning in the staging area along with a group of the cadets who wanted to watch what people were calling the test of the century, my inner voice challenged me and I smiled at their growling faces. Naturally Dawson was the first to get into my face and didn't stop screaming at me for a full five minutes. Then I was pointed to the entry door and told to move my ass, and move my ass I did. I went through that place as fast as I could, avoiding every trap they had laid for me. I found the 'victim' and got him out of the building by another route as the way in had been blocked off. I even rappelled down elevator cable to the third floor from the fifth with a screaming 'victim' on my left shoulder, ran through fire, smashed down a pair of doors, slid down the banisters at the stairs from the third to the second to avoid an oil spill, went jumping from desk to desk to the middle of a cubicle farm on the second as the desks were piled up in front of the door at the stairs, plowed through another door to another flight of stairs to the first, jumped down through the hole in the floor from the first to the ground floor, and used a sheet of cardboard to go through a plate glass window. I stopped the clock after turning over the 'victim' to the paramedics that were waiting. I had set a new school record. The old one was six minutes. I shattered it with five minutes. Dawson was beside himself and I walked off as he ranted and raved. Oh waa, you poor baby.

Dilbert was rolling on the floor when I told him all about it. He loved it and he had wished he had been there to have seen it.

"Man, you certainly put them back in their places," he gasped, a smile on his face. "Heh, you certainly kicked ass."

"It was fun," I said. "I told myself it was simply another training exercise."

Dilbert nodded. "There you go, and from what you told me it worked."

"I did my best," I said, turning to the truck, "and I know I made it."

Dilbert patted me on the shoulder. "You're a good man, kid. To hell with those who say you can't do anything, because you can, and I'll be witness to that."

Really nice to know you have friends who don't give up on you.

For the rest of the week I worked on the truck taking care of the final details. The decals would be the very last thing to go on, depending on if I passed or not. If I passed, I would get the truck, my driver's license, my firefighter's badges, and be assigned to thirty five. If not, nice try, come back next summer and I would be paid for the truck I built. As I went through the week I was very calm inside and out. Somehow deep inside of me I knew I had passed. I had that much faith in myself, I believed that I would pass, and did not let a negative thought get in my head. I was that confident. I checked my student mailbox every morning, and then on Friday morning, I found the envelope. The envelope that would tell me if I passed or not. I drew it out of my box and held it for a moment. The hall grew quiet as people saw what I was holding. One of the cadets offered me his folding knife so I could open it. It had been crafted by Smith and Wesson, and that surprised me as I knew they made guns. I cut open the envelope and handed the folding knife back.

"Dear Mr. George, it gives us great pleasure to inform you that you have passed the summer session of the academy, number five in your class. Graduation will be Wednesday next week," I read out loud.

As people started yelling and cheering and slapping me on the back, it slowly sank in that I had made it. I walked out of there with a stupid smile on my face and headed to the administration building. I was met in the foyer by Commander Matthews and Dawson. Both of them looked at the letter and led me into the commander's office.

"Congratulations, Mr. George. You did something that nobody had ever expected, even us. You have become a firefighter," Matthews smiled.

Dawson shocked the hell out of me by offering up his hand. I took it after a moment.

"No hard feelings?" he asked.

"So all of that was an act," I said. "I had my suspicions that Commander Matthews set you on me and I see I was right. No, no hard feelings whatsoever, because of what you did made me work that much harder to prove to the world that I had the right stuff."

Both of them smiled and I knew I was right. We shook hands once more and I headed out to find a phone and make some calls.

"You made it," was Kerry's greeting.

I laughed. "I sure did, number five in the class. I am now a genuine firefighter. Graduation is this Wednesday."

"I knew you could make it. I knew you would. David, I'm very happy for you and you have proved the argument that kids can do if given the chance," Kerry said.

"I hope so," I said. "I can't wait to get home and get to work. I'll come see you first."

"I'll see if I can come down for the show," he said.

I grinned. "That would be awesome."

"I love you," he breathed into the phone.

I felt a very warm cozy feeling come up from deep inside. "When you say that to me I get this very warm feeling from deep inside of me. I love you," I said.

"I hoped that would happen," Kerry said. "I hate to cut this short but I have to go."

"Okay. I'll see you when I get home," I said, "unless you get here."

"Love you," he said, and was gone.

My next call was to Captain Miller. "Station thirty Five, Captain Miller speaking."

"Firefighter George reporting for duty, sir!" I exclaimed.

Total silence on the other end. I wondered if I had overdone the greeting.

"Oh my God you made it," his voice came back a moment later.

I grinned. "I did, ranked number five in the class of one hundred people, and the ceremony is Wednesday morning."

"I will be there," he said.

"Good. Then you can ride with me in the monster fire rescue rig I built," I grinned, waiting for the shock to hit.

"You built a truck?" he asked in shock a moment later.

I laughed. "Sure did, and got a bit of help from Dilbert, the head mechanic here."

"Is there anything you can't do?" Miller asked.

"Can't vote, can't drink, can't get married," I shot back.

Miller laughed at that one. "Good response. I will see you Tuesday evening."

We hung up and I headed to the garage to show Dilbert my letter and found him with an extremely cold bottle of champagne waiting. We toasted to my good fortune. As I said the last items to go on were the decals. Then it was time to fire it up and I did. It sounded mean and nasty, the air dam sticking up on the top of the hood. I ran the engine for a few minutes and then shut it down. Dilbert walked over to the driver's side with something in his hands.

"I tried to get permission to put a dragon decal on the hood but they said no. But they did suggest a smaller one to go on the back window here," Dilbert told me, tapping the small square behind the driver's door. He showed it to me and it was a replica of the one on my back. But this one had a fire helmet on its head, a hose in the left claw, and an axe in the right claw. I laughed at the sight of it. I loved it. Dilbert directed me as I applied it to the glass and then put a second decal on the glass below it. David 'Young Dragon' George was what it said in green fancy script. I liked the looks of it. It stood out nicely. Now I needed to get my gear.

I had created my shopping list way in advance. Dilbert went over it with me and liked what I had on it and he added a few more things. I got my driver's license the next morning and I drove the truck to the firefighter's store and started buying gear. For mountain climbing stuff I went to the sports store in town and bought everything I thought I would need. There were people checking out my rig when Dilbert and I came out. They seemed to be very impressed with it and the little kids thought it was awesome. I hit a few more places on my list and took it all back to the barn and started putting things away in certain compartments. My new fire jacket and helmet was waiting for me and I put them in the first compartment. That took us most of the day to do and Dilbert had some good ideas for where things should go. Captain Miller showed up Tuesday evening as he said he would and he shook his head when he got his first look at the beast.

"This is a monster, George. Better keep it on a leash," was his comment.

He did get in and liked the seats and the restraint system. When it came to electronics, I had the best of the best in there, including a small onboard computer system for me to use in finding the place I was supposed to go. It was a new system and Portland based stations were reporting great success with it. Miller pecked away at it for a few minutes and he really liked it.

"Make getting to calls a lot easier," he nodded.

I nodded. "Why I got it. Thought you would like it. I have a set up for the other trucks and the ambulance. Hope they will like it."

Miller laughed at that. "Oh I know they will. By the way, I have a message from your boyfriend Kerry. He asked me to give it to you."

I took it from Miller and read it. Kerry wasn't able to come because of relatives visiting but he would be looking for me. I nodded as I folded the note.

"I'll call him later," I said.

I did and we talked for nearly an hour. I even got to meet the grandparents on the phone.

Graduation went very well. Naturally the press was there to cover the event and they wanted to interview me afterwards. I got a lot of applause when I was introduced to the audience. I went across the stage to get my packet and shook hands with the people on the stage. But before I could get off the stage Commander Matthews stopped me.

"I do believe the Governor wishes to say something to you," the old man grinned.

Oh God, they were going to stick medals on my chest. Exactly what the man did. They were for the bravery I had shown when committing all those rescues since I came to Lake Wells. I was asked if I wanted to say a few words, and I knew I had to.

I thought for a moment and then stepped forward. "I am not a hero. I am somebody who did what had to be done to save lives, to ensure that they would go home to their families, to make sure that families remain together. Nobody should ever go through the pain of losing a loved one like I had. It is one of the reasons why I became a firefighter. I wanted to help people. I want to thank a long list of people for helping me realize my goal. I wish to thank the people of Oregon for asking me to come and serve them as a firefighter. It is a noble calling, a great calling, and I am happy to have the chance to serve and protect the people of Oregon. Thank you all for your support."

I got a nice round of applause as I left the stage. I got a lot of congratulations after the ceremony and during the reception. While I didn't mind mingling with the crowd, I really wanted to get back home and get to work. The celebration lasted late and I had called it a night round nine thirty and went back to my dorm room. I packed everything I needed to and left my shorts and shirt out for my morning workout. Miller was using the bed in the far corner as the roommate I had washed out in July. I wished him well when he left. Miller walked in round eleven and I was sitting up in bed with a book.

"Ready to go in the morning?" he asked.

I closed my book and marked my spot. "Yup. Only thing to do is work out like normal, shower, dress in uniform, take my duffel down, and get breakfast before we leave at your convenience."

Miller nodded. "Good. I have a meeting in the morning so I will see you at breakfast."

We rolled out of there at ten in the morning. The dragon, as Miller dubbed the truck, was sounding good and I had run an inspection on it before we left. I was in a good mood and so was Miller. We had a clear road in front of us, clear blue sky above us, and a good wind at our back. We did have a conversation on the way back about the meet in the commander's office with state officials. They had presented me with a contract that I felt was more than fair. I would get forty thousand a year, medical insurance, a 401k (I signed up for that before leaving), one week vacation after a year, the standard stuff. But there were conditions. I had to stay in school and graduate with a diploma. No drugs, no alcohol, I would submit to testing unannounced, stay out of trouble with the cops, I was not to have passengers in my truck except for Miller or any member of thirty five, and if I was caught in a situation, to call for backup immediately. That was not a problem. I showed them a small personal radio that I would use in any situation that I would wear all the time that I had gotten from a communications outfit that Terrible Tommy knew of. They even offered to outfit all of thirty five but Miller wanted to see how mine would work first. I was okay with that and we tested it around the campus and during some of my scenarios and it worked better than I thought it would. One of the subjects we did touch on was my relationship with Kerry.

"How are you going to carry on with your relationship with him?" Miller asked.

He had a right to ask me that as my new boss.

"Kerry and I talked about that a few times and while he was with me at the academy during the Fourth of July week long break. First off he's happy that he's my boyfriend, and not because I'm the Young Dragon and that I'm a kid who's going to be famous for being a firefighter. He loves me, period. No discussion on that point. He knows that I've chosen a career because of my desire to help people and save lives. He knows and understands that sometimes I'll be called to action at any time, no matter what we are doing. He knows it's important for me to respond and has told me I will respond right away or he will kick my ass," I said as I waved to a family in a VW buss passing me.

"Even if the both of you are… being intimate?" Miller asked.

I knew why he was asking that. Would I interrupt my having sex with him to respond?

"Yes, even then. I knew what I was getting into when I first got started down this path. I'm in this for life," I told him.

"Good. I was hoping you would say that. I believe you," Miller said. "I did get you a concession in the no passenger rule. You will be allowed to have Kerry with you as long as it is not an emergency run. They understand that you are dating him. They were worried, however, about the image you present by wearing that collar."

I reached up and touched it. I had forgotten it was on me I had worn it for so long.

"Perhaps it is time for a change," I said. "I was hoping you would be my master."

Miller shook his head. "I cannot be your master. I am your boss. Kerry is your boyfriend, and I am hoping he will be your significant other in time. Kerry is a different kind of person, and I believe he does not fit that role."

Miller was right as I thought about it for the next mile or two. I reached up and unbuckled it and pulled it off my neck. It was time to put that part of my past behind me. I put it in the console between us and Miller nodded. I felt as if something had changed for me, that I had turned some kind of corner and that things would be a lot different for me now. I hoped so.

We continued to converse on the way back to Lake Wells. I would be allowed to have Kerry over anytime I wanted. He would be allowed to stay with me in my cubicle upstairs in the living area provided I kept my door closed during sex. I had seen the cubicles and they were a fairly good size. I would have no trouble getting things I knew I would keep after giving up the apartment. The cubicles went up to the ceiling and they had glass doors. I would stick up a poster on the inside of my door so guests to the fire station wouldn't see anything if Kerry and I were having sex. There was a small intercom box that was in the cubicle and it would wake me up or alert me to a call out. There were a lot of plusses I would get and I was happy about that.

We arrived at Lake Wells slightly past two. It was good to be home. I grinned as I reached for the radio. Miller nodded his approval.

"Oregon fire dispatch, this is Young Dragon," I keyed the mike.

"Oregon Central go," the voice snapped back.

I grinned. "Oregon central, please show rescue thirty five now in service at fourteen twelve hours this date."

"Oregon central shows you now active at fourteen twelve hours this date," the voice said. "Oregon central congratulates you and welcomes you on board."

Miller reached over and shook my hand as the warning tones went off.

"All Oregon fire units be advised that the Young Dragon in rescue thirty five is now active as of fourteen twelve hours this date," the voice announced.

I had made it. I had done what nobody thought I would ever do. I was a firefighter.

Kerry must have had a scanner going because he was waiting out in his front yard for me as I rolled up. He hugged me and we kissed. I was introduced to the relatives there, the grandparents, the uncles, aunts, and cousins.

"Family reunion," he explained. "Today couldn't be any better. Having a loving family and being with my firefighter boyfriend. Life is good."

Naturally Cissy had to go for her camera and got a few pictures of us together. I even let his little brother Benjamin try on my helmet. That got a laugh or two. We talked for a few minutes before Miller whistled.

"We have a call to the Laundromat, George!" Miller called.

I kissed Kerry before leaving. "I'll call you later!"

I hit the rotators leaving the driveway and I could see Benjamin get excited. Miller reached for the mike and informed central that we were rolling on the call. When we got there the ambulance was there and so was thirty five. Black smoke was coming out of the broken windows and I saw the tail end of a car poking out from the window. I pulled on my jacket and helmet and went to work.

When we got back to the station, we found the media there waiting for us. Miller smiled as I groaned.

"Part of the job, George. You gotta deal with them sooner or later," he said as we want in the back gate and parked inside the bay.

I went to meet the media and talked with them for a bit. The reception in my honor was nice and people eventually faded away around eight in the evening. I was told not to worry about cleanup and was sent to bed.

"Yes daddy," I said to Marvin and got a huge laugh out of that one.

I headed upstairs to my room and found the glass door covered over on the inside. I was puzzled until I walked in and found Kerry in bed. He patted the bed next to him.

"I've been waiting on you lover," he smiled.

I smiled and closed the door. I stripped off and slid into bed with him. He snuggled into me.

"Grandma said I should be here with my man and Mom and Dad agreed. So here I am sweetheart," he whispered.

"Does Marvin know you're here?" I asked, stroking his back with my fingertips.

He smiled. "Yes he does."

We kissed. Oh man did his lips feel good against mine! His body felt good being in my arms. We began exploring each other, hands, fingers mouths, and tongues exploring each other's bodies. Kerry sighed as his erection entered my mouth. I began to slowly suck his cock as he moved into a sixty nine, starting in on my cock. We took our time sucking on each other until I felt the tingle deep in my balls and knew I was about to have my orgasm. Kerry must have been really close because we both ejaculated at the same time. Kerry's cum tasted good to me. I spent a bit of time enjoying the taste. Kerry drained me dry and then moved back up next to me. We kissed, trading what cum we had left in our mouths with each other. Then he snuggled down into me and sighed contentedly. He put his head on my left shoulder and put his left arm around me. I put my right arm around him and we kissed good night.

Chapter 15

"Going into the shower?" he asked.

I knew what he wanted. I took his hand and led him to the shower. We took a showerhead in the corner and had fun washing each other clean. I even masturbated him there and he loved that and returned the favor. As we left the shower, Marco stumbled into the bathroom bare ass naked. He had a nice looking Italian sausage stuck to him. Kerry and I grinned at each other and went back to my cube to get dressed for the day. We went down to the kitchen and I found the coffee pot done as I had started one before going up for my shower. Kerry and I sat at the table drinking coffee and talking.

"Marvin and I had a conversation yesterday," Kerry began. "He laid down a few rules on me and I agreed to them."

"We had a conversation on the way back on a few things too. He gave me a few rules to live by and I thought they were very fair," I said.

"I think we should abide by them as he is giving us a chance to be together," Kerry said.

I took a sip and nodded. "And we will. I hope the other guys will be cool about us."

"We will kid," Marcos said as he joined us. "I was asked by the other guys to talk to you young men and I will. It goes like this. What happens upstairs stays up there. We do like to relax up there if you catch my drift. I'm bisexual. Two others are gay and their boyfriends live nearby. The others are straight. We like to go naked up there and do it quite often. Most of us like to play. Keith Daniel's boy queens like to entertain us from time to time. Some of us expressed an interest in playing around with David but we won't because the both of you are serious about each other and it doesn't take much to see that. We started a betting pool as to when the two of you will get married. I know, Oregon doesn't allow gay marriage, so call it a lifetime commitment. All of us do think that you guys will do that. Don't be in a hurry to get there. Take your time and grow together first. Then if you think its right for you, then do it."

I felt relieved that the guys didn't think it was a big deal that Kerry was my boyfriend and by the look on Kerry's face he was relieved by that too.

"So, what are you two lovebirds going to do today?" Marcos asked.

I hadn't even thought about what to do today. Up to now I had directed all my energies into getting into the fire department. Now that I made it, I needed to channel my efforts in another direction. Well I knew one direction they would be going in. I'd be working to maintain my relationship with Kerry. Everything else would fall into place at the right time.

"Are you going to pack up your apartment?" Marco asked.

Now there was something I hadn't thought of. "Yeah. I am going to move some things over here and let Mrs. Deware have anything left. Maybe she can rent it as a furnished. I do want to bring over my electronics, books, CD's and DVD's. I'm going to need boxes."

Marco was looking at me funny. "You're not wearing your collar."

I nodded. "No I'm not. I've decided that a change was in order. Time to let go of my past and move on. I've got new and better things to do, new friends to hang out with, and somebody to love who loves me."

Kerry smiled and leaned over the table and we kissed.

"Oh, you two are definitely in love with each other. I have a brother who is a professional psychiatrist and he specializes in adolescent mental health. I know for a fact that he is counseling a few gay teens, I can't tell you who they are, but he is working with them. I can and will introduce him to the both of you so that you can talk to him anytime you need advice. Of course the both of you should talk to Kerry's parents as they know a thing or two about relationships, and you guys can talk to me if you need to. Anything you tell me will be kept between both of you, me, and God. That's a promise."

Marvin walked in right at that moment and that stopped the conversation. Marco and I teamed up on breakfast and we talked about yesterday's mission at the Laundromat. Kerry listened to the talk going on round the table as he had breakfast with us. Frank and Dave took care of cleaning up the kitchen. Marvin drew a cup of coffee and sat down at the table.

"Gentlemen, now that David has joined our merry little band things will get easier here. We need to get him into the chores chart. David, there is a chores chart that we made up long ago. There are a large number of things that need to be done round here on a daily basis. To make things fair, we broke them down to a reasonable number each day. Each man had a few chores that need to be done. We switch off at the end of the week so nobody complains about anything. We'll get you settled into that by the end of the day. Do you need help moving your things over here?" Marvin asked.

I nodded. "I will. I need boxes as I have a number of things to pack."

"Right. Jack will drive the flatbed Ford over to your former place. What are you planning on bringing back?" he asked.

"Books, CD's, DVD's, my computer, entertainment center, bookcases, swords, and my guitars. Everything else can stay with the apartment," I said. "I do need to talk to my former landlord abut that part. I think she would love having a furnished apartment to rent."

Marvin nodded. "Okay. Jack drives the flatbed, Marco drives the engine, and David drives his truck over there to his old place. I don't anticipate anything going wrong, but you never know. We can park in the fire lane over there."

Jack immediately went out the door as Marco turned to me. "We have an informal meeting in the morning right after breakfast for things that are daily. The more important things are discussed whenever they come up and we have to use the conference room for. Your moving in here is important and will probably take up most of the morning."

"Anything you do not need on a daily basis can go out in the storage rooms by the garage. This would be your big chance to see what it is you want to keep and what you want to toss," Marvin said.

I smiled at that one. "Well I definitely want to keep Kerry as he makes me happy."

There was a round of laughter at that one as Kerry beamed at me.

"Anything else that needs to be mentioned?" Marvin asked.

Frank waved a bit of paper. "Shopping. We need to restock the refrigerator."

Marvin nodded. "Okay. Can that be done later?"

"It can. I needed to mention that in the event people wanted to add to the list," Frank said. "I've got the usual stuff on here."

"And that reminds me," Marvin turned to me. "You are allowed to have a small refrigerator in your cube to keep your preferred drinks cold if you wish."

"Thanks. I do drink a lot of water and I like to keep them cold," I said.

"Go see Pops Appliances. He's got a couple of nice ones," Marco stated.

Marvin nodded. "Good. Okay let's start the day."

We headed out to the truck bay and the roll up went up as I got into my rig with Kerry in the passenger seat. I showed him how to work the four points restraints in the event I needed to go code if he was riding with me. As I drove through the streets, people would honk and wave at me. I'd wave back. People using the crosswalks in front of me would wave, and so would the people on the sidewalks. We got to my building and parked in the fire lane. Jack was there and he had a load of boxes in the back and he was talking to someone on the sidewalk.

"Hey boss," he called out to Marvin, "do you know if the city is going to have another one of those dumping household weekends again soon?"

"Thanks for reminding me. I need to call Mayor Withers about it," Marvin said.

I sent Kerry up with a key to my front door with a group of the guys and went to see Mrs. Deware with Marvin behind me. The first thing she did was to hug me.

"I knew you would make it David!" she exclaimed. "Oh look at you! You look so handsome in that uniform!"

Mrs. Deware had been a big supporter of me from the moment she heard of my life goal. We sat down and took care of business. She was pleased to have a furnished apartment to rent. I would drop the keys in her rents box at the end of the day. We went up to my place to find the guys had made short work of the bookcases in the living room and the boxes were ready to go down. They were breaking down the bookcases. Kerry had taken apart my computer and it had been packed carefully. The corner desk had been pulled away from the wall and it was being examined to see how it broke down. Pat O'Toole approached me.

"It's not going to fit in your cube, David. Much too big. But it would be perfect for the Captain's office," he informed me.

I turned to look at Marvin and he nodded as he looked at it. "It will be, David. I could organize everything much better and give me more room to move around in."

"Okay, it's yours. I can get a smaller desk for my cube," I said.

Pat nodded. "I have a smaller one in my compartment that would be perfect for you if you want it. I'll get it out later for you to look at it."

"Thanks man," I said as Marco joined us.

"We got it figured out," he said. "Kerry is in your room."

I went to my bedroom and found Kerry packing my very personal stuff. He ran a strip of tape round that box and nodded to me. "That's done."

"All of it?" I asked.

Kerry nodded. "Don't know how we can play with it all there. I suppose we can keep it at my house in my bedroom. Plenty of opportunity there."

I liked that idea. Since I didn't have very many clothes they got packed away in two boxes and the stuff in my dressers were left in there as the dresser was carried out. We didn't spend very long there as I really didn't have a whole lot to move. We did clean out the refrigerator and took the food I had in there back to the station. It was Dave who directed me in where everything should go and it worked out very well. I was able to get just the things I would need on a daily basis. Everything else went out into the storage compartment we had there at the fire station. When I saw how big my compartment was I immediately laid plans to fix it up nice. Standing at the door to my cube and starting from the right, I had Pat's old desk in the corner with my computer on it. Snug in the corner with the computer tower on it was the two drawer filing cabinet that kept my important papers. My dresser took up the space between the desk and my bed. At the foot of my bed was my entertainment center with my TV and stereo system there. In the corner next to the entertainment center was a DVD rack with my DVD's in it. To the left of the entertainment center was another rack with all of my CD's on it.

"You know you can put all of your books in the bookcases in the library we have downstairs," Pat said.

I had forgotten about that. I went down to the library and checked it out. It was a fifteen by fifteen room with bookcases lining the walls. There was a large throw rug on the floor and a couple of easy chairs in there with lamps hanging over them. There were two empty bookcases and I smiled. This was perfect.

"I was going to set up my books in the storage compartment. Now I won't have to do that," I said. "Everybody is welcome to read my books."

I left my books in there and would put them out later. I did want to move certain books up to my cube as I didn't really want them out in public. I went back up to find Kerry pushing a box underneath my bed. I knew instantly what it was. Kerry nodded to me and he helped me make up the bed and get my cube set up with everything. After lunch he went into the library with me and helped me get my books out.

"Certain books are in your box up in your cube underneath your bed. I didn't think you wanted them out in public," Kerry whispered to me. "I managed to get to them first."

I felt relieved. "Thanks. I appreciate that. Makes this easier."

Kerry grinned and we turned back to the job at hand. Pat did come in to check out what I had and he liked my books. He took one and sat down with it and started reading it. Kerry and I continued to do the job until it was done and the books were arranged in the way I wanted them to be. We broke down the boxes and took them over to the storage compartments and put them back where Jack had gotten them from. Just as we walked back into the truck bay the warning tones went off. Kerry grabbed me and kissed me.

"Good luck love," he said.

I smiled and headed off to my truck as the voice on the speaker gave us the details. Miller was in the cab as I got into the driver's seat. I strapped in and fired up the rig. I hit the rotators as we hit the edge of the driveway.

"The Coopers on Green Tree Drive," Miller said in his professional voice.

I downshifted to give the rig a bit of power and the engine growled like it was supposed to and we were off. Traffic got out of our way as we rushed to the emergency. Jim Wilson joined the line from the side street he had come from. I was leading the pack and so I got my first look at the situation. Something had happened here and there was debris all over the place proving that something indeed had happened. I slid to a stop just slightly past where the house once stood. I was out of my rig and hit the second compartment for the bottle of oxygen and got it strapped on me. I approached the remains of the house and went in, Getsumi no Michi active. I found a pair of life signs that seemed to come from underneath me. A basement. I started tossing stuff aside looking for a way down there and found it. I went down what was left of the stairs and into the basement. I worked through all the debris that was in my way until I reached the life signs. I got to what looked like a door and managed to pry it open. Inside the compartment were a man and a little boy. Both were in extreme shock.

"George to Miller, two survivors, one an adult male, the second a juvenile male. Both appear to be in extreme shock. I'm in the basement area, need medics down here," I reported.

Miller's very calm voice came back. "Roger that. Do what you can. We have a back hoe coming from the construction site down the street to assist. How are you fixed for air?"

I knew what he was asking. Could I get inside and close the door if needed? I checked the gage and since I hadn't opened it yet I knew I had at least an hour.

"I'm good for an hour," I replied.

"Good. Stand by," he said.

I turned to the two people and went to work in making sure there weren't any other injuries. Other than a bunch of scrapes and bruises they seemed to be fine. I remained down there as the backhoe went to work. Thankfully we were in a position that I didn't have to close the door and crack open the bottle. We got them out and sent them off to the hospital. Pat checked me over as he had some paramedic training.

"You're going to be fine kid," he said. "Nice job."

I nodded. "Thanks Pat."

I headed back to my rig and put everything back in the proper compartments. Miller was off talking to Wilson and two other people so I knew it would be awhile.

"George, clear and go home. Wilson will bring me back later," Miller said over the radio.

I nodded in his direction and got in the rig. I headed back to the station and pulled into the truck bay. Kerry wasn't there but he left a note for me taped to the refrigerator. I smiled when I saw it. I went to the phone and called him.

"You're okay," he said when he picked up.

"Yes I am. There were two survivors and they are going to be fine. Don't know what happened though. Most of the house was scattered all over the place," I said.

"Not good," Kerry said.

I sighed. "I know. I saw your note and had to call you and let you know I'm okay, love."

"Thanks baby," Kerry sighed in relief.

I heard the engine arrive. "Gotta go love. Clean up detail."

"Love you," Kerry said.

I smiled and felt a warm feeling come over me. "Love you."

I hung up as Marco entered the kitchen. "Everything okay?"

I nodded, the smile still on my face. "Yeah. Every time Kerry tells me he loves me I get this really nice warm feeling go through me. I like that feeling."

"Ah, but that is love, my young friend. That is what happens between two people who really love each other," Marco grinned.

I smiled even more and followed him out of the kitchen and out into the back.

Marco went over the clean up detail with me as we actually did them. I broke a sweat so I pulled off my shirt. It was going into the wash once I got back upstairs. We got everything done by the time Marvin got back. He went into his office and I went up to my cube. I stripped down for a shower and went in, joining the other guys. They wolf whistled at me as I walked in. Just for fun I did a few poses that got a few comments. I stepped in a shower in between Marco and Pat. Pat gave me a light smack on the butt.

"Great job back there kid," he said.

"Thanks. You guys were cool," I said.

Pat put his left hand on my left shoulder and washed my back for me. I returned the favor and got rinsed off. I felt nice and clean once more. I went back to my cube after getting dried off. I sat in front of my computer and opened MSWord and wrote out a report to hand over to Miller after I got dressed. Miller read it after I handed it to him. He nodded.

"Good job there. As far as we were able to determine, Mr. Cooper was working on some kind of experiment and it blew up. Because of you finding him and his young son in that protective box suggests that he had advance warning of the impending disaster and was able to get himself and his son in that safe room and the door closed before everything blew up," he said. "The investigation is ongoing."

I nodded. "I could smell strange things down there."

"You noted that in your report. I'll forward that to the investigators. Having you with us is going to be a good thing, George. I do want you to be careful and I'm sure Kerry would say the same thing. He really loves you. I can tell from the way he looks at you," Miller said.

I smiled. "Oh I know he does. I know it from the way he tells me he loves me. Every time he tells me he does I get this very warm feeling go through me."

Miller nodded. "Don't let him get away."

"I sure won't," I said as Miller dismissed me.

The end of August was coming up and I had to think about getting back into school. I was headed into the ninth grade to start my high school career as a freshman. I went to the school Monday morning and found Hardy in his office. He looked me over and smiled.

"So how does it feel to be a firefighter?" he asked.

I took my seat and relaxed. "Feels great. I made it. I realized my goal and I'm feeling really good about it. Now that I have what I want I intend to work very hard at keeping it. One of the conditions in my contract is that I stay in school. That's one of the reasons why I'm here."

Hardy changed gears and turned to his desk. "Well let's get you set up here."

By the end of the hour I was setup in my freshman schedule and I liked what I was taking. I would be doing a full year in the freshman requirements. Hardy understood that there would be times when I would have to leave class for an emergency run. To that end I would be issued a pager that would vibrate and give me my alerts in a text message. My teachers would be advised of my status and I would be allowed to leave. I was tasked with the responsibility to make up what I missed. I would get a special parking slot in front of the school so I could get to my rig and take off. That I liked. I would treat that privilege carefully.

"Can you fix up a first responder bag and put it inside a locker for the event you have to respond to a medical emergency here?" Hardy asked.

"I can," I said, knowing why he was asking that.

There were a few students and two teachers with medical conditions that would be here this year and Hardy wanted to make sure they would be taken care of just in case something happened to them. I relayed the request to Miller and he agreed instantly. I was introduced to the new school nurse and all I could think was oh my God she was absolutely stunning. Miss Nevins would definitely be getting a lot of attention this year. I left the school squared away for my freshman year. My next stop was the post office to get my mail transferred to the fire station. Old man Grant took care of my change of address.

Now that I had the rest of my day free I went out to Kerry's house. Benjamin answered the door and grinned up at me.

"Kerry's upstairs in his room," he informed me.

I ruffled up his hair. "Thanks little brother."

I went up to his room and knocked on his door. Kerry smiled when he saw me there.

"Hey," he said, drawing me into a hug.

His kisses made me feel so good. He closed the door behind me and we went to the small couch in his room.

"I got setup in school this morning," I said. "Hardy was glad to see me."

"Cool. All of us went there last week. Hardy gave us the tour and I really liked the place. Benjamin likes his classroom and Michelle seemed to be okay with it. I got set up with a full load of classes," Kerry said.

"I did too. The usual stuff. Music is my elective," I said. "My CD is now done and I am going to find an agent to help me get it out there."

"Dad could help you. He knows lots of people," Kerry said.

"Oh cool. I'll go talk to him then," I said.

Kerry snuggled in close to me and I sighed as I put my arm around him. I liked this feeling of being in love with someone. Definitely the best feeling ever.

"Can you stay for lunch?" Kerry asked.

"Sure. I'd like to," I said.

We talked about the upcoming school year and what we hoped to accomplish.

"I'd settle for getting through the school year in relatively one piece," I said.

Kerry grinned at that. "I'm sure you will. I just hope to get better grades this year. My last school wasn't a nice place to be."

I looked surprised at that. "Really. I thought these upscale private schools were the greatest places to go from what I've heard."

Kerry sighed. "Not all of them. I had a very hard time because I got outted."

I shook my head. "That sucks."

"Tell me about it. But I'm here now. This town has to be a better place to be because of the way people have accepted you," Kerry said.

"They have because I flat out told people that I had no intention of causing trouble or pushing for gay rights. I was going to be myself and not act weird or dress weird. People slowly accepted me after watching me for a time and I am sure I've changed a lot of minds in the process. So we will just see how this school year goes. Just relax and be yourself and people will like you," I said.

Kerry kissed me. "Thanks for alleviating my fears. I know I'm going to be okay now."

Kerry had his stereo playing softly in his room and the Bee Gees came on right there. Kerry stood up and I joined him there in the middle of his room and we slow danced to the love song. I kissed him on the forehead as the song ended. I felt him press closer to me.

"I feel so good when we are together. I get the feeling that we were meant to be," Kerry whispered in my ear.

Kerry had confirmed something I had been feeling for some time. "I feel the same way."

We stood there for some time just enjoying the feeling of being together. Benjamin's knocking on the door broke the mood.

"Mom sent me to call you guys down," Benjamin called through the door.

Kerry sighed. "What a mood killer."

I grinned. "Don't worry love. There will be many more close moments for us."

Kerry kissed me and opened the door to find a grinning Benjamin standing.

"You guys were kissing," he said in a sing song voice and dashed off laughing.

I shook my head with a smile as Kerry sighed.

Lunch was just Kerry, Cissy, Benjamin, and me. Salad and sandwiches was on the menu and I liked that. We listened to Benjamin chattering away about a friend he met on the street. Suddenly there was a pounding from the front door and Cissy went to get it. She came back with a young boy behind her.

"This is Henry. He says that he found his grandma on the floor in the kitchen and won't wake up," Cissy said.

I grabbed my radio and went across the street with my first responder bag. "Rescue thirty five to station thirty five, requesting paramedics and ambulance to 45 Shady Tree Lane. Medical emergency involving an elderly lady."

Miller came back fast. "Station thirty five to rescue thirty five we are responding."

I went into the house and found the old lady on the kitchen floor. I checked her vitals and they were weak. I checked for response and wasn't getting any. I saw a medical alert tag on her wrist. I checked it and it declared her to be a heart patient.

"Rescue thirty five to responding units, be advised the victim is wearing a medical alert tag declaring her to be a heart patient," I called into the radio as I heard footsteps behind me.

I glanced behind me to see Henry and Cissy there. I heard sirens in the distance.

"Rescue thirty five we copy," Miller replied. "We're here."

They came in with their cardiac boxes and went right to work as I backed off. Nick, Tom, and Fred did their thing and they must have rehearsed possible scenarios because they worked together perfectly. In moments they got her stabilized and in the ambulance off to the hospital. Sheriff Jim Wilson walked in a moment later. I took my bag back to my truck and Kerry walked back with me.

"Is she going to make it?" Kerry asked.

I paused for a moment. "I don't know, Kerry. Heart trouble is a tricky thing to treat, especially in an elderly person. I really hope she makes it."

Kerry looked at me. "I know she will because you were right there to help."

We turned as Henry came up to us with Cissy and Wilson behind him. Kerry went over to him and put his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Your grandma will make it because David was right there to help her. You have nothing to worry about," Kerry said as he hugged the younger boy.

I saw a smile on Cissy's face and I knew it had been the right thing for Kerry to say. Benjamin came out of the house and Cissy turned to him.

"Please take him up to your room, Henry is going to stay with us for a bit," she told her younger son.

"Okay Mom," he said.

Kerry let go of Henry and Benjamin led him into the house. I turned to Kerry.

"That was a good thing to say, Kerry. Thanks," I smiled.

"I'll make sure CPS know where Henry is," Wilson said, and I could tell by the look on his face that he really didn't want to and I knew why.

"Good luck with that," I said knowing of the long running feud between Chalmers and Wilson having gotten nasty at times.

He saluted and left. Miller went with him. I turned back to Kerry after securing my first responder bag. We headed back into the kitchen to finish lunch.

I sat in my office chair in my cube after finishing the report on today's actions. There wasn't much to write about other than I went into the house to check the old lady and called for backup to the scene. In medical situations like that I really couldn't do much except try to keep the victim calm and do what I could to keep them stable. I had the CPR training and first aid training so I can deal with bleeders, broken bones, and cardiac cases, but I didn't know how to deal with an after cardiac situation where a person lived through a heart attack situation as what I felt had happened with the old lady. I deposited the report in the in basket on Miller's desk and wandered out to the music room where I had my guitars in. I picked up one and turned it up and just started to play. I rambled for a bit until I heard a bass kick in. I looked up and it was Marco. I slid into 'Orion', a Metallica instrumental. Pat sat down behind the drums and jumped in at the right moment. Kirk Travers came up on my right with his Fender and we played the entire song. We finished that one and I started in on 'Fade To Black', something I could identify with. We did that one and Marco nodded to me.

"You got talent," he said.

I smiled. "Thanks. I should give you guys copies of my CD to check out."

"You cut a CD?" Pat asked.

"I did," I said. "Kerry's Dad is talking to some people about getting it out there."

The three guys nodded to each other and then Marco looked back at me. "Cool. We can check it out. Um, the three of us have a band and we call ourselves Backdraft. We lost a guitar player just before you showed up here in Lake Wells. We want to know if you would like to join us."

I smiled. "Yes I would. Thanks for asking me."

Being in a band was going to be fun.

School started on Monday. But this time it was going to be different. I'd be in uniform and driving my rig. I was actually looking forward to it. I shifted my daily routine to school time and was up by six to go run. I did my five miles as usual and got back to work out in the weight room. I went all out as I usually did and discovered that I had improved a lot over the summer thanks to Dawson. I'd have to send him a thank you note. I started the coffee pot before running upstairs to shower. I got dressed in my cube and headed back down. I found Miller at the kitchen table with another man who had the nerdy look about him.

"David, your pager just arrived. This is Neely from the state office. He is going to show you how it works," Miller said as I sat down with a plate of breakfast.

I paid attention as he went over it. I took it in hand and worked the controls perfectly and the man nodded his satisfaction. I slid it into the case after setting it to vibrate and clipped it in my right shirt pocket. I shook his hand.

"Thank you for helping us solve a problem for us," I said.

Neely beamed and I knew I had said the right thing. "You're welcome Mr. George."

I headed out to my rig after cleaning off my plate and putting it into the dishwasher. I got in after putting my backpack in the third compartment that was reserved for my school pack and drove off. It was going to be a nice day and I was feeling good. I got to the school without any trouble and backed into my assigned parking slot. A lot of kids greeted me as I walked into the school. Hardy was there and we shook hands. Kerry walked up to me and I put my arm around him. There was no need for us to hide our relationship because nearly everybody in town knew about us. Both of us had decided to be careful. We would kiss and hold hands and that was as far as we would go. Kerry's parents thought that was wise.

"Welcome back Mr. George," Hardy said. "Hope you enjoy your freshman year."

"I know I will," I said. "Thanks for being our principal."

Kerry and I headed into the school and talked to a few more people and then I saw the boy who had formerly been known as Two Ton Tony came into view. He had changed. He looked better than he had when I first met him. Kerry and I went up to him.

"Tony! How are you?" I asked him.

He turned and saw me there. "I'm great! I went to a special camp this summer and lost a lot of weight there. The diet they put me on worked wonders."

He leaned forward. "I even met a girl."

A girl walked up to him at that moment. "Hey baby."

She was a looker. I knew she was going to be good for him.

"David, this is Tabitha," he introduced her.

"Hi Tabitha. This is my boyfriend Kerry. He moved here over the summer and we met before I went to the fire academy," I said.

"That's cool," Tony said, shaking Kerry's hand.

The first bell went and we split up and headed off to first class. The school year was now under way and I hoped it would be a good one. As I moved round the school people were telling me congratulations and it was a neat feeling to be recognized for having done something great. I knew that in time that all of this would fade into the background and seeing me in my uniform would become common sight. The attention to me did fade away after the first week as some new drama got started. I was kind of relieved as I was getting tired of the attention.

My next call out happened during freshman English. I felt the pager vibrate and I stood up as I pulled it out of my shirt pocket. Mr. Dickson nodded to me and kept right on going as I went out the door. I jogged down to my truck and slid into the driver's seat and started it up. I reached for the mike as I rolled out of the parking lot with my rotators going. In the rear view mirror I could see the little kids in their little play yard getting excited. I had to smile.

"Rescue thirty five to station thirty five I am rolling on the call," I said into the mike as I reached the street.

"Roget that," Miller's voice came back at me as I hit the siren switch.

I actually beat them there. I rolled up to the garage to find heavy thick black smoke rolling out of the open bay door. I parked slightly past the garage and got into my fire jacket and helmet, got my oxygen bottle strapped on me, activated my personal radio, and went in there. I let my senses go and found a life sign in the far corner. I weaved round things and found the guy in the corner where it had been obvious the initial explosion had thrown him. I didn't care about what had caused it in the first place, I needed to get him out of there right now. I checked him over for any major injuries and didn't find any. I carefully hoisted him up on my back and got him out the back door. I tripped my mike at my throat.

"Rescue thirty five to responding units, I have recovered one survivor. He is suffering from burns, a concussion, and shock. I got out the back door in the east corner. Be advised there are unknown chemicals inside the building," I advised.

The ambulance appeared at the corner as I appeared into the street. I headed to the other side of the street and they pulled up right to me. Fred was the first to me and he helped me get him down on the ground after Nick laid down a sterile sheet. We began working on him and the burns were a lot worse that appeared to be. This guy was in serious trouble. I did what I could to assist and once he was stabilized and ready to go we got him into the ambulance. I jogged over to the engine to report in and see what I could do. Miller nodded to me.

"Your information about the unknown chemicals was accurate. He was cooking crystal meth and it blew up on him," Miller said.

I shook my head and sighed. When will people ever learn that drugs are not the answer to people's problems? Probably never. I shook my head and turned to help the crew fight the fire. It took us nearly an hour to knock it down.

Kerry stayed with me that night. I had gotten back to the school in time for lunch, having missed freshman English. Mr. Dickson gave me the assignment I missed and it wasn't too bad. I got the assignment done after dinner in my cube and Miller looked it over and approved it. I put it into my school pack and put it into the compartment before going up to my cube where Kerry was waiting for me. I closed my door and locked it. Kerry approached me and we kissed. We undressed each other and then got into bed together. Kerry moved on top of me and we began to be intimate. His touches were making me feel so good. I returned his touches, feeling his soft skin underneath my fingertips. I could feel his fingers take hold of my nipples and gently pull on them. I moaned in pleasure as his mouth covered mine, his kisses making me feel good. I found his nipples with my fingers and gently pulled on them and Kerry moaned passionately. I could feel his hard cock press against my abs and I wished he could slide it deep inside of me. I wanted to feel his love inside of me.

Kerry moved down from my mouth to the top of my chest and I shivered from the pleasure. I used my fingertips to stroke the skin on his back and watched him shiver. I felt his mouth on my right nipple, his teeth nipping at it and I shuddered from the pleasure. It felt so hot to me. I moved my heels to the back of his legs and moved them up and down his legs as he got hold of my right nipple in his teeth and pulled on it. Oh that felt good to me! Kerry let go of it and licked it a few times and then went over to the left one and repeated the same treatment as I played with his nipples. I couldn't wait to nibble on his. Kerry let go of my left one and I managed to roll him over on his back and went to his nipples. They were standing out hard and I knew he was anticipating the pleasure he knew was coming. I took my time in teasing them and making them feel good before nibbling on them. Kerry really liked that as I felt his hand on my hard cock. My left hand found his hard cock and I spent a few minutes fondling him. Kerry let go of me after a few minutes of jacking me off and I felt him turning round and I knew what he wanted. He settled down with his head in my crotch. I found his cock in my face and took it in my hand. I started licking the head after peeling his foreskin back to reveal the wet head. I could feel my cock going into his mouth and I shuddered. We began sucking on each other and the pleasure got intense. We sucked on each other for a time before starting in on each other's balls. Kerry ran his tongue round my balls and up between them as I did the same to him. I slipped a finger into his anus and wiggled it around in there. Kerry whimpered softly and then did the same thing to me. We finger fucked each other for a bit and then went back to sucking each other off. This time it would be all the way to climax. Kerry got mine first before I got his. The orgasm into his mouth was very intense and I loved it. I kept on sucking his cock until he couldn't give me anymore. I gave him plenty of my sweet cum.

"That was so awesome," Kerry breathed once he recovered.

I pulled him close to me and kissed him. "I'm glad you liked it, love. I loved what you did to me. Made me feel really good."

Kerry snuggled into me and sighed. "I love you so much."

I kissed him and he responded to it eagerly.

"I love you Kerry. You complete me," I whispered into his ear.

Kerry put his right arm around me and kissed me. I would never get tired of loving this wonderful boy named Kerry.

Chapter 16

"Hi, I'm a fireman. Are any of you hurt?" I asked.

The little girl piped up. "Danny hurt his hand!"

I turned to Danny. "Can I see?"

Second degree burns. I took a bottle of burn juice from my pocket and poured it over his hand and wrapped it with gauze, and then soaked the gauze with the juice and wrapped it again. I got them out of the closet and headed to the door. I checked the door before going out and it was hot. I went to the window and there was no way out of there. I needed to plan this right. I yanked open the door and watched the fire retreat down the hall. The four of us moved fast into a room on the other side of the hall and slammed that door in the nick of time. I felt the heat against my back as the fireball roared down the hall. The wall cooled off and I stuck my nose out. The fireball had scorched the walls but left the floor relatively intact. I looked up and there was a thin layer of fire up on the ceiling. I got the kids together and headed out. We made it to the staircase when a heavy beam fell across the back of my left leg and trapped me. I yelled at the kids to go and they ran down the stairs and out the front door. I turned to my immediate problem. My leg was getting burned and I needed to get out from under that beam right now. I fired up a Rasengan and used it to break the beam up. I turned to see Marco staring at me. Fuck, I had been caught. I managed to get to my feet and hobbled out with Marco assisting me. I tried to shake him off but he wouldn't let go of me.

"I'm okay, let go of me," I said.

He refused and I got turned over to the ambulance guys. They cut open my pants leg and found second degree burns. It was spread out over the calf and it didn't look that bad. I knew a healing jutsu would take care of that. But Marco had interfered and now I was going to have to deal with this somehow. I wasn't happy about this.

"Slap some juice on it and wrap it, I gotta get back!" I yelled.

Frank looked at me and shook his head. "No. You're going to the hospital."

Marvin popped out of nowhere and glared at me. I gave in and hoped I could deal with this carefully. I got lucky and drew Steadman.

"It's not that bad," he announced after looking at it.

Marvin and Marco popped up and heard the announcement.

"Never mind me," I said. "How about the kid?"

Steadman sighed. "I can find out for you."

He wrapped it back up and left. I lay back and raised my hand to my face and discovered I was trembling. It then occurred to me why I was trembling. I had come close to getting cooked in there. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. I tuned everything out and thought about what happened. It had been one of those rare odds that something could fall on me in there and those odds had caught up to me finally. I realized that it was life's way of telling me I wasn't invincible like I thought I was. Sure I was ninja and can do most anything, but a ninja can be hurt no matter what kind of power he has. Today I had learned that lesson. I wasn't going to be so cocky anymore.

Steadman came back and entered the cubicle. "Kid is in for a hard time. The burns went down to the bone. Fortunately it was just the right hand. You're getting the juice on it and wrapping it may have done it some good."

I sighed in relief. Thank God it wasn't any worse.

"I am going to be in charge of your case since the damage is limited to one spot. All I need to do for now is to scrape away the dead skin to see how deep it went. I'm betting it stayed at the surface and didn't go any further than that," Steadman said.

That didn't sound so bad. I decided to allow it, and the scars I would have there would be a good reminder to me in the event I started getting cocky again.

"Will I be able to leave once it's done?" I asked.

Steadman paused for a moment. "Let's see what happens first."

I accepted that answer. I was prepped for the procedure and taken into the operating room. I was awake for the whole thing. They did give me something to deaden my nerves and I backed that with a pain blocking jutsu. I managed to use the healing jutsu to lessen the damage from the inside. All he had to do was scrape off the burned section. That didn't take very long.

"David, it doesn't seem as bad as it did when I first looked at it. I can put a salve on it and wrap it, and let you go. But you are going to be off work for a bit while it heals," Steadman said. "I'd say two months healing time."

"Will there be any scars?" I asked.

"Hard to say. We'll see if that happens," he said.

He rubbed the salve into the leg and then wrapped it up. I was wheeled out after Steadman talked to Marvin. I headed home in the Suburban. Kerry was there when I got out of the truck.

"Are you okay?" he asked after he hugged me.

I smiled and hugged him back. "I will be now. Can you stay for a bit?"

Kerry looked relieved. "Yes I can."

We went into the kitchen and the other guys were glad to see me. I went for a cup of coffee and turned back to face the guys.

"When I came up the stairs, you were lying face down on the stairs with that big beam on your leg. I saw a red round glowing ball in your hand growing bigger until you slammed it down on the beam and smashed it to splinters. How did you do that?" Marco demanded.

I nodded and got a sip of coffee. I went outside for a bit of wood and came back with it. I set it on a chair I pulled out from the table. I started the hand signs for Rasengan.

"Ninja art: Rasengan!" I called out as it grew big in the palm of my right hand.

I slammed it down on the chunk of wood and the splinters flew everywhere. There was total silence in the room as I went back for my coffee.

"I am a for real ninja. After I left Arizona I was wandering in the desert and came across a very old Japanese man in front of a roadside gas station. He led me into another time and place and in the two, three years I spent there I learned how to be ninja. I also learned a lot of things called jutsus that I can use in a fight," I said, pausing long enough to plug up the sink and fill it up with water.

"I decided I wanted to use those skills to save lives," I said as I leaned against the counter. "Every incident I've been in I have used those abilities to save lives."

I turned off the water and stepped back, making hand signs for a water jutsu. "Water Style: Water Dragon Water Ball!"

Jaws dropped as a dragon made of water rose out of the sink and fired a water ball at Marco and got him wet. The dragon faded back into the sink as I released the water down the drain.

"I did not use any of the jutsus at the academy as I wanted to pass it under my own power. I'm not a cheater. But I will use them if I think they will give me the advantage in making a successful rescue, be it civilian or any of you guys. Buildings and houses can be replaced. People can't. Yes, losing my family was a factor in my decision in joining the fire department. People rescued me from that hell in Arizona. That also was a factor in my decision in joining the Fire department. I will use my ninja skills to help people who are in need of help. It's my nindo, my ninja way," I said.

I meant every word of it. The room fell silent as I went to the couch and sat down. I had said what I wanted to, now it was up to them to accept me.

Kerry was the first to react. He came over to me and sat down on the coffee table and looked at me. I hoped he wasn't going to reject me.

"I knew that there was something special about you," Kerry said. "To want to use those skills to help people is so very cool. Never stop helping people, David."

He leaned forward and kissed me. I smiled as the guys whistled and clapped.

"That goes for all of us," Fred spoke up. "Glad you're on our side."

"Can you heal yourself?" Nick asked.

I nodded. "I could if I wanted to. But in this case I decided not to heal the burn completely. It will remain there as a lesson to me to not be so cocky and arrogant in thinking my skills will protect me from harm. It was a simple case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time that I got hurt. I need to remember that I can get hurt on this job like you guys can. So it will teach me to go a bit slower and to use a lot more caution when going into a situation."

Marvin nodded. "Something all of us have learned at some point in our careers."

Nick spoke up. "You're right about that boss. That's why we should take a page out of David's book and train together."

That was a great idea. Marvin smiled as he headed for his office. Kerry sat down next to me and took my hand into his. Toby went to the refrigerator to see what was there. The other guys went out for clean up detail. I was feeling tired so Kerry helped me up the stairs to my cube. He got me undressed and into a pair of shorts. I got on the bed and Kerry laid down with me. I put my left arm around him and pulled him in close. We talked about various things until I dozed off. I had a nice dream of Kerry and I on a picnic stretched out on a blanket next to the lake on a nice spring day. The chimes from the intercom box went off and I sat up.

"Just the call to dinner," Kerry said as he slid off the bed. "You had a smile on your face. Must have been a great dream."

I pulled a fire department t-shirt on over my head and Kerry settled it in place.

"It was," I smiled. "We were having a picnic by the lake."

Kerry pulled me into his arms. "Sounds romantic."

"I thought it was. Something for us to do when it gets warmer," I said.

"I'll be looking forward to that," Kerry smiled as we left the cube.

We went down the stairs and into the kitchen. I was limping just a little bit because of the pain I was feeling otherwise I was feeling fine. Toby had outdone himself. The man was a culinary genius in the kitchen. Anything he cooked always turned out well. I was planning on doing something Japanese if and when I got my chance in the kitchen. Marvin was the last to show up and he took his place at the head of the table. We didn't say much as we started eating. I took my time savoring every bite of the Clams Linguini, and boy was it good.

"Hey Toby, you really outdid yourself. This is the absolute best," I said.

The others agreed. Marvin nodded his assent and then leaned back when he was done.

"Okay, a few things to tell you guys. I called the city manager and said there were a few houses scattered round the community he thought should be burned down. He is willing to burn them to give us a chance to run training missions," Marvin said.

"Cool," Fred said.

"The kid has to go through some major reconstruction surgery. Since he was the one who started the fire people thought that the pain he is suffering is punishment enough. I don't buy into that one bit. I've recommended going to a class to learn about fire. The fire as all of you know with the exception of George was kept in that wing of the mansion. CSI is still investigating. The old lady is screaming lawsuit against us for having arson charges brought up against the kid when he isn't being charged. Her other reasons was because we allegedly scraped up the tile in the entryway and left deep gouges behind. This is one of those situations where you get slammed even for having done something right. The department's lawyers are working on that one," Marvin informed us.

I sighed as I rubbed my face. "Not cool."

Dave Brancati patted me on the left shoulder. "Just the way it goes, kid."

"I still don't like it," I complained.

"Neither do we. It will blow over in a few days," Frank said.

Marvin turned to me. "Since you are on the injured list you won't be allowed to drive the rig. There is a smaller and older staff car in the back you can use."

"Okay, who's driving my rig?" I asked.

"Toby will," Marvin said.

I turned to Toby. "If you are not doing anything I need to show you the rig."

"Marco and Nick have kitchen detail so I'm not involved with anything right now," he said. "Be a good idea if you walk me through your truck in the event you get hurt again."

I spent the next hour showing him the truck. He liked what I had done to it. After that I retreated back to my cube and got back into bed. Kerry spent the night with me and I liked that because he made sure I was comfortable.

The word must have gotten round the community because when I showed up on Monday I got a lot of handshakes for rescuing the kids. I saw Coach Daniels in the locker room. He nodded to me and I followed him into his office.

"I wanted to thank you for saving our lives that day," he said as I took a seat.

I nodded. "So what is going on now?"

"The parents got very upset and decided enough was enough. All of them are in therapy now and who knows where that will lead them. As for me I'm living in a trailer on the north side of town. I have plans on rebuilding the house once the insurance comes through. I'm not going to let this stop me," Daniels said.

"Good for you," I said. "Might be a good idea to be a bit more discrete this time round."

Daniels nodded his head. "I plan on it. If the group is to continue."

I nodded. "Good luck with that."

"Thanks. Hope you are going to be okay." Daniels said.

"Minor form of second degree burn," I said. "I got lucky."

Daniels nodded. "Let's get to class, George."

I followed him out the door to the weight room. I was on a reduced exercise program. I could do everything except the ones where I had to stretch my leg. I was supposed to go see Steadman at the end of the week. Hopefully he would clear me then. Nothing happened that week and I was pleased by that and so was Marvin. Kerry spent Wednesday night with me and I liked that. We didn't do anything intimate but we did talk a bit about various things and it was nice to just relax. Kerry did like snuggling up to me in my bed and I enjoyed holding him in my arms. I was feeling more and more comfortable with Kerry in my life.

Marvin and I did go see Steadman on Saturday. He unwrapped everything and inspected it carefully. Marvin was looking over his shoulder the entire time.

"He's looking really good. One of the fastest healed up cases I've ever had. I'm going to release him back to work. The kid David rescued is having a hard time. He's been severely depressed and his grandmother has been riding his ass really good of late. I'm beginning to think there's something going on here so I put Chalmers on the case," Steadman said.

I shook my head. "I sincerely hope not."

Steadman sighed. "I hope not either. We will have to wait and see what happens next."

"Good luck on the situation," I said as we left.

Marvin and I dropped by Jimmy Stewart's room as I found out he was called. Fortunately his grandmother wasn't there and we were able to go in and visit for a bit. He was lying on his right side facing the door and it was obvious that he was sleeping. His right hand was all bandaged up. I placed the teddy bear that was dressed up as a fireman in the crook of his arm and then pulled the covers up and over him so he would stay warm. Marvin nodded and the both of us left. I was sure we would hear from Chalmers soon enough.

October got colder and people were talking about the possibility of snow any day now. There had been a number of slip and slide accidents and the only injuries were bruises. I went over to the tire company we used and had them put snow tires on my truck. I made a run to the Goodwill store and bought up a bunch of blankets for cold weather rescues, something I knew we would need, especially if we went to a fire. On the thirteenth I got surprised by a surprise birthday party, organized by Kerry. I had been running around for most of the day as I was lucky the thirteenth had fallen on a Saturday. I had done a few welfare checks and the last one, and Mrs. West was happy to see somebody on her doorstep. Since I had a few minutes free I accepted a cup of hot tea and sat down in an easy chair and listened to one of her tales. I wondered why people didn't come to visit her. I thought about that as I went to city hall on an unrelated matter. I stopped in at the elderly affairs office and sprung on them my adopt a grandparent idea. They loved the idea and as I left they were working out the details. I hoped the idea would fly. My pager went and I looked at the screen. I was to go over to the Elks lodge and meet Marvin there. Boy was I really surprised when I walked in there and found a lot of people there! It turned into a great evening and I had a lot of fun. It was in my mind one of the best evenings ever as it gave me a chance to celebrate the good things in my life.

Kerry came home with me and we had fun putting all of my gifts away. He spent the night with me and we got intimate as we had been doing. I took my time in undressing him and kissing him as I did. Kerry returned the favor and I stepped back to admire him. Kerry was a really good looking guy. He had started to work out under his Dad's supervision and he was doing very well at it.

"You're beautiful," I said as I took him into my arms.

Kerry wrapped his arms around me and laid his head on my right shoulder. "Love you."

We kissed for a bit and then got into bed. We spent a few minutes touching and kissing each other. Kerry was acting like he wasn't in a big hurry to do anything and that was fine with me. We started a bit of foreplay and that made us feel good. Kerry moved me on my back and took my cock in his right hand and began to stroke me off. I shuddered as the pleasure grew from deep inside of me. Kerry knew just how to do it right, he had a talent for it. He kept on stroking me while kissing and licking on my nipples. I held back the best I could but eventually I reached my breaking point and let go. I came, shooting my cum and it landed on my chin, and then from there it landed on my chest, middle of my torso, my tummy, and then in my pubic hair to finally dribble across his knuckles. I shuddered as Kerry licked my clean of my cum. I sighed and relaxed once he was done. I smiled and drew him closer to me.

"That felt really good, love. Thanks," I kissed him. "Now it's my turn."

Kerry smiled and I knew I was going to enjoy this. I took my time in giving him pleasure. I think it's just as much fun to give pleasure, and I was certainly enjoying myself. I know I made him feel so good as I took my time kissing, licking, sucking, and touching him all over his body. I eventually moved behind him and took his cock in my right hand and took my time jacking him off. His sighs and moans was sweet music to my ears. I felt him shiver in my arms and looked down in time to see him cum all over himself. I spent a few minutes licking him clean of his cum and enjoyed doing it. Feeling a bit worn out, I snuggled into him and we went to sleep.

The warning tones went off at three thirty in the morning. I groaned as I rolled over and stepped into briefs, pants, socks, and boots in one go. I buttoned up my shirt as I hit the pole and slid down it. I rolled into my heavy jacket and got into the driver's seat. Marvin was in the passenger seat and I growled at him. How he beats me to my truck I'll never know. We hit the street running and headed for the old decrepit motel on the eastern side of the town that was down by the railroad tracks. No matter how many times the city boards up the place or Jim and his troops go through there, one can always find a few transients in there. Many people had complained about the place and the possibility of someone starting a fire in there and the city didn't want to spend the money tearing it down. The fire was now doing that job for them.

"I think we should let it burn," Marvin decided on the drive to it. "We can use it as a training exercise. Your chance to cut loose and see what you're capable of."

I smiled as I had wanted the chance to see what I could do. We rolled up and it was obvious where the fire was. The flames and smoke was coming out of the fourth floor window. Marvin turned to me as I slid into Getsumi no Michi.

"Two life signs on the fifth floor. The rest of the building is clear," I said.

"Go," Marvin ordered.

I bounded out of the truck and got my oxygen bottle on and strapped into place. I ported from the truck up to the fifth floor and began following my senses. I charged up a pair of Rasengan and used them to enter the room the life signs were in. I began searching the room. The place was completely dark and I was using a bright halogen flashlight strapped to my helmet but I didn't need it as Getsumi no Michi was telling me where to find the people in the room. I finally found them huddling in the closet, two little boys. I got them out of the closet and headed to the window facing the street. Engine thirty five was setting up and nobody else was there yet. To be on the safe side, I ported down into the lobby of the hotel in one of the side rooms. I hustled to the doors and out. I jogged over to the ambulance with the two little boys and climbed in with them. I sat them down on the gurney and both of them grabbed each other and huddled up. I turned off the light on my helmet.

"Hi. My name is David, and you guys are safe now. You're not in any trouble. We just want to know who you are and how old you guys are," I said softly, not wanting to scare them.

"My name is Mikey, and this is my brother Ricky. We are six years old. Our mommy left us in that room upstairs because she didn't want Greg to find us and hurt us," Mikey said.

I nodded. "Okay, I'm going to go look for them, okay?"

I left the ambulance and used a shadow to port back to the room I had found them in. I found a big duffel in the corner and did a quick search and found very important papers in there including birth certificates and the like. I zipped the bag up tight and threw it down to the ambulance and scored a direct hit on the roof. Frank popped out the back and retrieved it. I went down into the fire area and began searching the rooms one by one. I did find fading tracks in the hall by one room and went in to find a body. Damn. I photographed the body and the room with a disposable camera I had. I got the body and it was a female. That would explain the fire. I turned when I saw Marco. He made a face when he saw the body.

"We gotta get out of here!" he yelled.

I grabbed the body and we escaped through the stairs three doors down. I saw footprints going down the stairs and I knew it was the killer. I turned over the body to Nick and he shook his head. I handed over the camera and then pulled off my oxygen bottle and fire jacket.

"I'm going hunting, Marco. Let the boss know on the sly if you have to," I said.

I wasn't letting this guy get away. He deprived two little boys of their mother. I was going to catch his ass and see he got his due. I went back to where Marco and I had come out of and started tracking the guy. It didn't take me long to find him either. He tried to shoot me. Not a good idea. I kept moving until he ran dry. Then I charged him. He must have been trained in the military because he knew hand to hand very well. But I had a clear advantage over him and that was my ninja skills. Since I was in my fire fighter's uniform I couldn't go all out on him so I used my basic skills. Just took me a bit longer to kick the crap out of him. I carried him back to the scene and turned him over to Jim Wilson. The ambulance with the two boys had left. The coroner's wagon was there and they were taking possession of the body. They had the camera I had used to take pictures of the crime scene. Prior to doing that, I had written a letter to the state's attorney asking if I took pictures of a crime scene before a fire wiped it out, would they be admissible as evidence? The answer came back yes. I had carried a disposable camera since then. I went to the pumper down the block for my assignment and was told to use the basket in the hook and ladder to shoot water on the blaze. I got into it and up I went. The water cannon on the basket was easy to maneuver and I went to work shooting the water where it was needed. It took us about four hours to get the fire under control. We gained valuable experience from the fire and we spent most of the morning in conference around the kitchen table about it. The one bit of good news was that Mikey and Ricky were going to be fine.

Chalmers was deluged by requests from people all over town to adopt those two little boys. They ended up going to a family on a farm just inside the city limits. The family there was one of a dozen farmers in the area who raised chickens and dairy cows. They were responsible for a lot of the eggs and milk that was sold in the local market. I liked the fact that Downey's bought local farmer raised produce, milk, and eggs. Made the local economy strong. I could picture in my mind the little boys exploring the farm and discovering lots of things that would broaden their horizons and make their lives better. The Colberts were good people and they were one of the few church going people that I respected as they tried to live their lives by the Bible, and not what some rabid hellfire and brimstone screaming preacher preached. I had heard the Reverend Palmer and his family had left town so quietly that nobody knew they had left until people started asking what about the church? The house was found empty. Wilson had made inquiries and found out they moved to another city up north. He decided that they were best left alone. The church still stood, a burned out shell. I got tired of seeing it like that so I decided to do something about it. I took a video camera over there and shot pictures of the church, inside and out, and then filmed myself telling the camera what happened and then sent the video to a TV show called 'Home Makeover'. I hoped they could do something about it.

One of the things I had wanted to do was to learn how to snow ski. Kerry and his family were snow ski enthusiasts. They were going into the nearby mountains to ski nearly every weekend and enjoying it. Kerry was more into snowboarding and every day during lunch he would be out in the snow with his board. He began teaching me how to snowboard and I slowly got the hang of it. I got the idea that having snow skis and a snowboard on my rig would help me get to victims out in the snow faster. Kerry agreed and so did Marvin. He sent me with the Andersen family one weekend with orders to learn how to snow ski. I went the next weekend and it was a lot of fun. I got to relax and had a good time learning how to snow ski. Kerry was a very good teacher and I got the hang of it fairly quickly. My favorite part was the time we spent being intimate in front of a fire in our room. Very romantic if you have never tried it. It was there that Kerry wanted to join with me. I knew he was more than ready for it because we had talked about doing it for the last week or so. Now we were about to do it.

I was experienced in it already, having been fucked a few times. I decided to have Kerry do it to me first. I decided on using a lubricant called Astroglide because it was formulated for anal sex. I had brought along my book, 'The Joy of Gay Sex' and we read the chapter on anal intercourse and talked about it for a bit during dinner. It was after we had cleared away everything that we turned out all of the lights in the room with just the fire in the fireplace that we started getting intimate. We spent a little time undressing each other and doing a bit of foreplay. I was on my back in the middle of the fluffy soft rug in front of the fireplace and Kerry on top of me as we kissed and caressed each other. Kerry backed off after a moment and sat straddling my hips. His cock was up and hard. I reached for the Astroglide and put a couple of drops on the head of his exposed cock head and began to stroke it slowly, rubbing the lubricant into it as Kerry used his fingers to prepare me for entry. Kerry moaned and wriggled around on top of me until he felt he was ready. He got off me and onto his knees between my legs. He moved up into position as I pulled my legs back presenting my anus to his quivering young teenage cock. Kerry let out a breath and then began pushing into me. The lubricant worked really well. Kerry's cockhead popped right into me and he shivered.

"OH MY GOD!" Kerry cried out as he was overcome with the pleasure of having his cock inside somebody for the first time.

"It gets better, love. Push into me, Kerry. You'll know what to do," I encouraged him.

Kerry did push his cock into me, going balls deep. He pulled halfway out and then pushed back in. Instinct took over and Kerry started fucking me. I teased his nipples while he fucked me and by the look on his face he was enjoying it a lot. A boy's first fuck is the absolute best. Something he never forgets, and I knew Kerry would be remembering this night for the rest of his life. Kerry was getting into it now, fucking me hard and whispering all kinds of sweet things. I ran my fingertips up and down his sweating torso and his sides trying to make the feelings even better. I could see emotion in his eyes and knew he was so close to his orgasm.

"I'm… I'm going… to cum… to give you… my love," he squeaked, and then his body shuddered as he came deep inside of me.

I felt the ripples race through his cock and into me. He was becoming one with me now. I held onto Kerry as he ejaculated deep inside of me and then his emotions got the best of him. I held him until his cock went soft and popped out of me. I held onto him until he regained control of himself. Kerry closed his eyes and dozed off.

Kerry had snuggled down into me after his first time making love to me. I covered the both of us with a sheet and pulled a pillow off the couch and laid back on it. When he was ready for me to join with him he'll wake up and ask for it. I wasn't going to push him into it. When he's ready he'll ask me to join with him and I will take great pleasure in doing so and in doing so, consummate our relationship. I relaxed and reached into myself and I could feel him deep inside of me. It was a really nice feeling to feel him there. I sighed and relaxed. Kerry slept for about an hour. When he woke up he saw me smiling at him.

"Hey," he said, kissing me.

I kissed him back. "I can feel you deep inside of me."

"You can?" Kerry asked.

I nodded. "And it is the best feeling in the world."

Kerry played with my right nipple for a moment. Then he raised his head and looked at me.

"David, will you join with me?" Kerry asked.

I smiled as I touched his face tenderly. "Yes my love, I will become one with you."

Kerry shifted his position so I could reach his butt easy. I took the Astroglide and put a bit of it on my fingers and got to work getting him ready. Kerry lay on his left side as I fingered him and he moaned as I got him stretched and lubed. Kerry reached for the lube after a moment and squeezed out a couple of drops and spread it out over my penis getting it ready for him. I managed to get three fingers inside of him and he shivered at that. He got up and straddled my hips once more as I stretched out on my back. We were following the book's advice for a first timer, something I agreed with. Kerry moved down until my cockhead moved in between his butt cheeks to his anus. Kerry took a few breaths and then started pushing down on my cock as I held it in place. I could feel the head of my cock start to open him up and slip inside of him. Suddenly it popped right into him and Kerry hissed. I had taken his virgin cherry.

I reached up and tweaked his left nipple in an effort to make him feel good and it worked. He shuddered and moaned. A few minutes later Kerry continued to sit down on my cock, driving it deep inside of him. Oh man his anus was tight! Kerry eventually settled down on me and smiled.

"You feel so good deep inside of me love," Kerry whispered as he began to move up and down on me.

I sighed as I felt my cock moving deep inside of Kerry. He put his hands on my chest as he rose and fell on my cock. He got a nice rhythm going but it wasn't fast enough. Eventually he grew tired and looked at me. He didn't have to ask me. I could see the question in his eyes. He moved off me and I folded up a pillow and placed it underneath his ass to prop him up a bit. I positioned the head of my penis at his anus and gently pushed in. Kerry moaned in pleasure and grabbed my forearms as he arched his back and shuddered.

"Please," he whispered as he moved his legs round my waist.

I leaned forward and kissed him as I continued to push into him. Then I began making love to him. As I made love to Kerry, I realized that this wasn't just another fuck. This was love, something I had been craving and wanting for so long. I started to get emotional as I continued to make love to Kerry. He saw my tears and he began to cry too, the both of us becoming emotional. I kept going, my need to cum deep into Kerry growing by the second. I felt the tingles deep in my balls and knew. I was going to cum. I was going to have my orgasm deep inside of my lover.

"I'm going now," I whispered, and then suddenly I was.

I felt the ripples moving through my cock, carrying my love out of me and deep into Kerry. I shivered, shook, and cried through the very awesome orgasm I was having deep inside my boyfriend and lover. We held each other and cried once my orgasm was over. That night our lives had been changed for the better. We would never be the same again. I hugged him close to me as we kissed there in front of the fireplace. I wasn't sure where our lives were headed to now but as long as we were together we would be happy. That's all that mattered.

People knew that something happened between us last night as we came out of our room late morning. Both of us were positively glowing. The waiter discretely slipped the both of us glasses of champagne and we toasted to our future together. We spent the day out on the slopes having a good time. Coming home we cuddled up on the couch in the back of the RV his parents owned. The guys at the station knew something had happened when I walked in. Nothing was asked because the details weren't important, just the fact that people knew that we had drawn closer together. I felt stronger and a lot more secure than I ever had and it was because of his love for me that made all of the difference. It's been said that love can make a difference and it does. So now I had something to live for now that Kerry has made a difference in my life. I knew good things would come out of our relationship. We were heading in a new direction and I was excited about where we were heading to.

Kerry helped me get snow skis and a snowboard for the rig. I got them mounted inside the back inside the roll up door. I put together a winter survival pack in the event I had to go out looking for somebody in the nearby forest. I hoped to never get that call, but you just never know. Our next big event was Halloween and according to Marvin usually nothing ever happens and that was a good thing. Since the fire station was right on the corner of a residential area, we could expect trick or treaters. On a shopping expedition Toby and I bought a few dozen big bags of candy to pass out. I am not a big candy eater as I am trying to keep in shape and wanted to eat right and all of that. If I am in the mood to snack on something, I reach for carrots, trail mix, or something healthy. Getting a protein snack from Kerry is high on my list, and Kerry always provides it providing I give him some protein right back. Lots of fun. I'm really not big on wearing costumes and running around for treats but Kerry and I had been invited to a party and we were planning on going. As we were on alert I had to stay in uniform and take my truck. That was fine by me and Kerry knew there was no use arguing the point. We went to the party and were having lots of fun trying to guess who was underneath the costumes. At one point we decided to try and do Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' so we got out on the floor and went for it. We actually pulled it off and had a great time doing it. What was even better was that there had been no call outs.

November got started with a bang. Some idiot cut off a tanker on the nearby highway and he flipped over. Several cars got involved and something sparked someplace and the fully loaded tanker went up. How everybody survived I'll never know, but they did. I spent an hour or two crawling through the flames and wreckage rescuing people including several little kids. There were a lot of minor injuries and no serious or life threatening injuries. When we went looking for the tanker driver, we found shredded cab all over the place. We did find him a quarter mile away from the truck still strapped into his seat in a pile of snow. He was out of it and incoherent. No he wasn't under the influence of anything, just shell shocked. He spent a few days in the hospital getting over his brush with death. The reckless driver? Sheriff Jim Wilson caught up to him a few days later and busted him. Idiot kid tried to sue Wilson claiming Wilson was trying to frame him but a group of witnesses put a stop to that one.

The closer we got to Thanksgiving the more I began to get in a pensive mood, my thoughts going back over the last few years of my life, wondering if I was really doing the right thing. Marvin put a stop to that real quick, both of us having a long discussion. Kerry got in on the act, the both of us having our own discussion. In the end both of them convinced me that I was going in the right direction and that I had much to be thankful for. I sat down at my desk in my cube and drew up a list of things I had to be thankful for and the length of the list really surprised me. I really did have a lot to be thankful for and that made me feel a lot better about myself. Kerry was the biggest thing I had to be thankful for as he was the central figure in my life now. He was the one who kept me stable and well grounded. We were spending a lot of time together and we were sleeping with each other nearly every night, be it at his house or in my cube. I encouraged Kerry to spend time with his family especially with Benjamin as I knew the little boy looked up to Kerry a lot. Benjamin liked me too and we included him in our dates every now and then, taking him to ice skating rink, out for pizza, to the movies, and other things that we did. Benjamin loved to hang out at the fire station with us. He could always be found climbing all over the pumper or the engine. He knew that if the alert went off he had to get off the trucks immediately as we needed to fly out of there. I saw him as the little brother I wished Robbie should have been. I hadn't thought about the family in ages so that Thanksgiving Day I paused for a moment to say a prayer for them even though I didn't believe anymore.

Before I knew it Christmas 1979 was just around the corner. Wow, where the hell had time gone to? I had been busy with school, work, and being Kerry's BF to really keep track of time. I needed to do some serious shopping to get presents for everybody. There were just too many people on the list so I decided to go with gift cards and it was the easiest way to go. For the guys in the station gift cards to the fire department store. Kerry's family I did Visa gift cards except for Benjamin. He got a fifty dollar gift card to the toy store, something I was sure would send him over the moon. Everybody else got Christmas cards. The Christmas program at the school was fun as the freshman class did a set of Christmas songs reggae style. I got to go all out on the bass and had a blast doing it. Naturally the younger kids got the best applause for their efforts. I spent most of the Christmas holiday with Kerry and we had fun in the snow when I wasn't running off to calls. I spent Christmas Eve with him. Up to now our lovemaking had been relaxed, going in whatever direction our feelings and emotions were taking us. Our love for each other kept growing stronger and that was a good thing. What happened Christmas Morning was totally unexpected and set us on another path.

Kerry was lying in my arms after a bit of lovemaking and I was feeling good about giving him my love. Kerry kissed me as he reached underneath his pillow.

"Sweetheart, I need to tell you something," Kerry began.

I smiled. "What's up love?"

"You know I love you a lot. You have made a difference in my life and made it better. Being a part of you makes me happy knowing that every time I make love to you I leave a bit more of myself deep inside of you. I can't imagine going a day without telling you how much I love you. David, you have become a big part of my life," Kerry said, bringing out a small grey box and flipping it open. "Will you marry me?"

This would change everything.

Chapter 17

"Oh Kerry baby, this is… I don't know just how to describe this, it's… wow. This is awesome… It's beautiful," I said, trying to get my brain in gear.

Kerry smiled, and looking into his eyes I had a vision of us growing old together. I made up my mind in that moment and decided to go for it.

"Kerry, I would be honored to be your life mate. Yes, I will marry you," I said softly.

The smile on Kerry's face could have lit up the town for a year. He removed the ring from the box and slid it onto my ring finger. We kissed for a few minutes and then leaned back to admire it. I knew there would be problems to deal with but I was very confident that we could overcome them. We needed to get Kerry's parents involved in this. Benjamin's timing was perfect as usual as he came flying into Kerry's room and caught us kissing.

"I caught ya!" he sang out. "I caught ya kissing!"

Kerry and I looked at the little boy jumping up and down on the bed and then nodded to each other. We knocked his feet out from underneath him and tickle attacked. Cissy appeared in the doorway in her pink fluffy robe and sighed.

"Is he bothering you boys?" she asked.

Kerry and I looked at each other and shook our heads. "Nah. We'll tickle him some more and then drag him into the shower with us Mom. Be down in a bit."

Cissy smiled and closed the door to Kerry's room. We held him down and stripped him naked and tickled him a bit more. We carried him into Kerry's private bath and peeled the very wet diaper off Benjamin. I wondered if big cocks ran in the family after getting a look at Benjamin's penis. He had to be at least three inches [7½ cm] soft and five [12½ cm] hard. Benjamin still had his foreskin intact and that was good. I think it should be the boy's decision if he wants to be cut or not.

Kerry got the water started and I took the right side of Benjamin while Kerry did his left side. We had fun splashing around and washing each other clean. We got dried off and I pulled on a pair of shorts and carried the little cheeky monkey back to his room. I left him in there to get dressed as Benjamin was capable of that feat and went back to Kerry.

"Is he getting dressed?" Kerry asked me.

I smiled. "He is, the cheeky little monkey."

Kerry grinned at that as he sat down on the bed next to me. He looked into my eyes and leaned forward to kiss me. "Love you."

I hugged him close to me. "Love you Kerry."

I reached for my fundoshi strip and tied it on me as Kerry stepped into a pair of boxers with little fire trucks all over them. We got dressed in long sleeve shirts and slacks and stepped into slippers. We kissed before leaving the bedroom. We found Benjamin doing his 'I'm excited ' dance in the living room before the Christmas tree. I smelled coffee brewing so I headed into the kitchen for a cup. Kerry trailed me in and we got coffee to drink. Kerry gave Benjamin a glass of orange juice. Cissy, Harrison, Michelle, and Richard walked in a few minutes later and got coffee. Benjamin stood there with that pleading puppy dog look on his face. Harrison sighed and nodded.

"Okay, let's go see what Santa brought you," he said to Benjamin.

We settled on the couch and Benjamin turned to the tree and went to work passing out the presents. For the next hour we unwrapped presents and had fun doing it. Benjamin loved the fire trucks I had gotten for him and knew he'd be having a blast with them. I liked everything I had gotten from everybody. Kerry loved the gold bracelet I gave him as it had our names engraved on it. I helped Kerry clear away all of the wrapping paper and organize things once more. Then we went back to sit down on the couch. Harrison turned to us and I could see that he wanted to ask us something.

"Is there something you boys want to tell us?" he asked.

Cissy, Richard, and Michelle turned to look at us with puzzled looks on their face. Okay, this was it. I looked at Kerry and he looked very nervous. I put my hand on his and he relaxed.

"I asked David to marry me this morning and he said yes," Kerry said.

There was total silence in the living room. The only thing that could be heard was Benjamin running the fire trucks around the kitchen floor.

"Are the both of you sure about this?" Harrison asked a moment later.

I was surprised to hear myself answer. "Yes sir. I really and truly love Kerry a lot to want to live the rest of my life with him."

"Dad, I gave this a lot of thought before asking David. I know we will have some problems to work out as Oregon won't recognize gay marriage and our ages might work against us. I turn sixteen in March and according to the state laws I can get married at sixteen provided you and Mom agree. As I said Oregon won't recognize gay marriage so we will be in what people will call a 'lifetime commitment' and we can register as domestic partners. I even looked into the issue with the fire department and they do recognize gay partnerships so they can't give us any grief there because David is emancipated. Yes, I plan on finishing school. I want to follow Dad into the business," Kerry said.

Harrison leaned back in his recliner as Benjamin turned on the siren on his truck and crashed it into the cupboards in the kitchen.

"We do need to discuss this a lot further and I think we need to get Marvin and Uncle Owen involved as well," Harrison said.

"Definitely get Marvin involved in this," I spoke up. "I am sure he will have things to say about us doing this as it will affect me."

That had gone well, better than I had expected. Telling Captain Miller and the guys at thirty five was next and I hoped that would go well. We decided to wait until after the holidays.

Marvin leaned back in his office chair after we told him and I showed him the engagement ring. He tapped his thumbs together as he held his hands on his chest. I could tell he was thinking about what we had just said. Finally he looked up at us.

"How does your parents feel about this, Kerry?" he asked.

"They want to sit down with us, you, and my Uncle Owen. He is an experienced child psychiatrist," Kerry replied. "We aren't supposed to tell anyone else until after the discussion."

Marvin nodded as the warning tones went off. Marvin and I went running for my rig and off we went to the rescue. A trash truck created a drive through for the small mini mart on the corner, narrowly missing the gas pumps. He got lucky there wasn't anyone in there at the moment. Kerry had gotten pots of tea and coffee going for us when we got back. Marvin went and called Harrison after doing the after action reports. He spent some time talking to Harrison and I hoped it would work out. Marvin then had to call command in Portland and get them involved. We did have our big meet about two weeks later after the New Year and a lot of things got said, both of us were asked a lot of questions separately, and we got counseling from the fire department shrinks, questions from OCPS (Oregon Child Protection. No way were they letting Chalmers get involved in this one), and school psychiatrists. All of them wanted to make damned sure that we knew what we were getting into. Kerry and I started dealing with the various problems we knew we were going to encounter while waiting for Harrison to make his decision and the first one was where we would live. That to us was simple. We would continue to do what we were doing now, dividing our time between both places. I had moved some of my off duty clothes and uniforms to Kerry's closet so that wouldn't be a problem. I had been at Kerry's house numerous times when I've gotten calls and never had a problem responding to them. Then there would be reactions from people and the community. Kerry and I had discussed that a number of times before we announced we were boyfriends, so why should it be different now? One of the things we did was to sit down and write out a list of things to deal with and worked out a plan on paper. That got passed around to the people we had been talking to and they said that we were smart for doing this. They would base their decision on what Harrison decided. I hoped he would say yes. What surprised me the most was his wanting to talk to me, just the both of us. We spent a few hours talking about the situation, the potential problems we faced, what Kerry meant to him and that he wanted only the best for him, and so on. I walked away convinced that his decision would be in our favor.

By the end of January a lot of the talk died down and the world turned to other things. Harrison hadn't said anything yet and it was starting to cause a little friction between us.

"Just because we had an argument doesn't mean it's over, love. I look at it as a growing pain in our relationship. We are going to argue over things. That's guaranteed. One thing I don't want is for us to go to bed angry at each other because of words spoken in the heat of the moment. We need to learn how to move past that, to look past that, and keep moving forward. We can and will settle things between us. Maybe not right away, but we will find a solution that best solves the situation. We have your parents to go to for help. We have your Uncle Owen to go to for help. I do love you. All of this will fade away once your Dad says yes. I'm sure of it," I told him as I held him in my arms one evening.

Kerry sighed and turned himself around and returned the hug. "I hope so."

What we didn't know was that Harrison had seen and heard everything and it was the push needed to make his decision. He knocked on Kerry's door later that evening.

"Hi Dad," Kerry said as he opened the door. "What's up?"

Harrison didn't beat around the bush. He came right out and said it.

"I've made my decision. David, I would be very happy to welcome you to the family as my son in law. Both of you have my blessing to marry," Harrison said.

Boy were we very happy to hear that! Now we could move ahead with our plans. Harrison closed the door behind him as we hugged each other and celebrated. We told our closest friends, I told Captain Miller and the guys, and before long the word had gotten out. The gay community began trumpeting their desire to start gay marriage and held us up as an example. I moved to stomp that down fast. I gave a statement to the press that the gay community did not have the right to use us as a way and means to get what they wanted and that I would sue if they made any attempt to use us in any kind of court action or in an election to get it passed. Suddenly we became villains overnight. People did support our desire to be lifelong partners. As the talk got started up once more, Kerry and I turned our attention to the commitment ceremony the media stated we were to have. Deep in our hearts we knew that it our wedding we were planning. We set the date for the first of April. There was a lot of decisions to be made and the both of us agreed on a simple ceremony with friends and family present to witness. We wrote our own vows. We did find a minister to do the deed for us and he sat us down for counseling. We continued doing what we normally did in our daily routine.

Things settled down once more and life went on as it usually does. Kerry and I continued to date around school and my job. Gotta tell you getting a call out in the middle of nookie does ruin the mood, especially if one is about to cum inside his partner. But I kept my complaints to myself and was thankful that Kerry understood. His back rubs helped me to relax after getting back from the calls were awesome and I did my best to give him a few when he needed them. We grew a lot closer as a couple now knowing that we could get married. Going into February we were challenged a few times by other gay boys wanting to get their cocks in our ass but they failed and Kerry and I passed the challenges. Eventually people left us alone after seeing that we were for real. There was no way anyone was breaking us up. I did get the strange feeling that the guys were planning something as I would catch them snooping round my cube. I could never get a straight answer to what they were planning and just left it alone. I hoped whatever it was wouldn't be a problem.

Kerry and I had settled on a simple ceremony as I had mentioned before. We decided to do it in the gardens by the lake, just family and friends. A quiet ceremony, a quiet reception at the Andersen house, and a weekend honeymoon on a houseboat going up the lake. We got all of the arrangements made and settled in a week's time. Now all we had to do was to wait for our wedding day to come round. We had our respective responsibilities to keep us busy and occupied. Kerry went to work for his dad after school creating sound effects on his computers and keyboards. I had my job and school, and that was going very well at the moment.

"Hi Kerry," I greeted him as we sat down at a table for lunch. "How was the test in English? I know you studied hard for it."

Kerry chuckled. "It was anything but easy. Roberts put us through the grinder on that one."

I didn't like the sound of that as I had him next. "Anything I need to know?"

"Avoid his class," Kerry replied as people around us laughed.

"Whenever I can," I shot back.

More laughter. Kerry and I shook our heads and turned back to lunch as others drifted off. I felt his hand cover mine and I looked up at him.

"Can't wait," he said softly.

I nodded. "Neither can I. I know I will remember it for the rest of our lives together."

"We will be together for the rest of our lives. I really like that idea," Kerry said.

I sighed. "I like the idea too."

Before anything else could be said, my pager went off. I sighed as I reached for it. Kerry leaned over the table and kissed me.

"Good luck love," he whispered to me.

I kissed him back and then ran for my rig. I drove off the school grounds and met up with the other trucks. I led the charge to another abandoned building in the west side of town. As I approached I noted the gates were closed. That meant I was going to have to open them up and I did, going right through the wood gates and reducing them to kindling. I slid to a stop in the safety zone and went to work. I started going through the building and as I did I was sucking air from the oxygen bottle on my back. I used my senses to look for survivors. I didn't find any and I beat a hasty retreat going in a different direction. I slid to a stop in front of the main fire sprinkler valve and discovered the water had been shut off. I cracked open the vale and suddenly it started to rain inside the building. By doing that I had averted a disaster and didn't know it. I jogged out into one of the main rooms and discovered skylights. Good, a chance to practice my water jutsus. I created several water dragons and had then knock holes in the skylights to vent the place. Smart move as the rush of oxygen knocked down the fires. The water sprinkler finished off the fires in the main area. That gave us the chance to go after the fires in the smaller rooms and offices. I triggered my radio and gave a report.

"Good going. Report to base," Marvin's voice in my ear ordered.

I went out a window and jogged round the building until I got back to my truck. Marvin nodded as I walked up to my truck.

"Go back Marco and Nick," Marvin said.

I turned and ran off to find them. Now that we were a three man cell we entered the building and got to work. I used all of my water jutsus to cover everybody and to try and end the fire fast. Sometimes fast doesn't work so I slowed down a little and made sure my water jutsus covered everything. We got the situation well contained in two hours time.

Kerry was there when we got back to the station. He had coffee and tea ready along with a big pot of steaming chili. We appreciated that and we dissected the situation as we sat and ate after the clean up detail.

"Your finding the main water valve was great, David. Thanks," Marco opened the discussion. "Your use of your water jutsus was really good and you handled them really well."

"You need to slow down though and make sure that the fire is out before moving on, Dave piped up and the others agreed.

"What we need to do is to send legal to the city and find blueprints to all of those buildings. Even better is us spreading out through the warehouse area and scout out the buildings. The more we know the better," Nick said.

All of us agreed on that. Marvin was taking notes on what we discussed and we really picked apart the situation. Kerry and I headed up to my cube once the after action conference was done. He helped me to strip down and he joined me in the shower and washed me off good. We settled into our bed and Kerry started to massage my shoulders and back. I lay on my tummy and moaned in pleasure. Kerry knew a thing or two about massage having learned the art from a distant cousin. I suddenly wondered how the rest of the Andersen family would react to us getting married.

"Funny you should ask that love," Kerry sighed as he settled into my arms. "My grandma loves you and she hasn't met you yet."

That sounded good to me. "Well, that's a positive sign."

"One of my idiot cousins wanted to know if I was having sex with you and his Dad kicked his butt for that one. Served him right," Kerry snorted.

Good. I liked the other uncle already.

"My grandfather wanted to know if you were into outdoor sports. I told him you liked to hunt, hike, fish, and barbecue. He definitely wants to meet you," Kerry grinned.

"Sounds like I am going to fit in just fine," I kissed him.

Kerry sighed. "I know and that makes me happy. I'm really happy about all of this."

"You're not the only one. This is something I have wanted for a long time and just really didn't know it until now. I'm glad you asked me, Kerry. I am going to enjoy being married to you," I kissed him.

Kerry stuck his tongue into my mouth and we started to French kiss. That led to a sixty nine and we gave each other something good to drink. We settled down for the night.

The next incident really scared the hell out of the town and woke us up. It also spelled the end of Chalmers. I was in the middle of giving a report in freshman science when my pager went off. Mrs. Middleton dismissed me the moment I pulled my pager for the details.

"I gotta go," I said.

"Where?" someone called out.

I paused for a moment and rechecked the pager. "Thirteen thirteen Foxhill."

The girl who asked turned pale. "The orphanage."

I was gone in seconds.

Wilson got me when I flashed past him on Main Street. I power slid round the corner of Cypress and Foxhill. I saw thick black smoke in the air and I had a chill deep in my bones that this one was going to be bad. I slid to a stop slightly past the house and went to work. I ran into the house through the front door. Slipping into Getsumi no Michi I located six life signs scattered round on the third floor of the tall stately house. It may have looked nice on the outside but what I saw in there wasn't pleasant. I pulled my camera and began getting pictures of what I saw. The first room I found a little four year old locked into a crib. She was going nuts trying to break out of there. One swipe of Tetsusaiga solved that problem. In another room I found a ten year old boy strapped down to a bed with a ball gag in his mouth and he was buck naked. I used a knife to cut him loose. A girl chained to the wall. A teenage boy locked in a cage and wearing a chastity belt. I had one similar to it and Kerry and I had used it on each other for fun but this wasn't fun for him. In the last room a boy and a girl strapped together naked. I got them loose and got them to the window on the east side of the house where Toby was in the process of removing the bars from. He got them removed with the help of a cutting torch in all four corners and it dropped away. I handed the kids out to him along with the camera.

"Timmy!" one girl turned to me. "Timmy is in the basement!"

This was not happening. This wasn't real. I turned and headed for the basement searching for life signs from there. I pulled a second camera and photographed the rooms in the basement as I searched every one of them. Then I found him. I checked him and found a very faint pulse.

"Young Dragon to Sawbones, victim in the basement, barely alive. I'm bringing him out now," I called into the radio.

I wrapped him up in a sheet and lifted him up carefully. I bounded up the stairs and ran out the front door. The gurney was ready and I laid him down on it very carefully. Frank ran for the driver's seat as Tom and Nick jumped in the back. I got the gurney hooked and hoisted it in. I closed the back doors and slapped the left side. It took off down the road. I stood there for a few minutes and then a hostile thought made contact with Getsumi no Michi. I turned and scanned the crowd as I dropped my helmet on the ground. Then I saw him. A dark haired man with burning eyes. I started to move as I hit the quick release on the oxygen bottle waist belt. The bottle slid off my shoulders and I pushed into the crowd. I handed off the bottle to a surprised spectator. The man started to run as I shed the fire jacket, handing it off to a little boy. I got clear of the crowd and started chasing him. I caught up to him and knocked him down. He bounced right back up and assumed the standard defense position. I wasn't going to play with him, I wasn't in the mood to. He attacked and I allowed him three free shots so I could say I acted in defense. Then I went to town on him, using a deadly combination of fists and feet. I set a pace and kept to it. He did his best to defend and attack but I knew every move he was going to make before he did it so I was able to counter everything he did. I slowly beat him down until Terrible Tommy Taylor came out of nowhere and got in front of me. Wilson was behind him and so were a few more black suits.

"David, easy now, you got him, he's done for, he's going away for a very long time," Tommy said, holding up his hands.

I stood down and stepped out of Getsumi no Michi. I felt wiped out. I turned and collected my gear and headed to the fire and went to work to get it put out. I sat on the back bumper for a long time and watched the CSI teams go in and collect evidence. I wandered over to see what they had and I flipped open one book and froze as I saw a picture of Chalmers whipping a little girl. I closed the book after taking the picture and headed for the first car I could find to go get her. I left my shirt on the door of my rig. I found Tommy's car and took it. I swung into the first parking spot I could find in front of the CPS office. Chalmers came out of her office the moment I stepped inside the door. She blinked as she saw me there. I flipped the picture in her direction and watched her face change.

"The orphanage you were running with your friends nearly burned down this morning with a bunch of kids inside of it. I took down your enforcer. All of the kids were saved. All of the evidence not burned was saved," I said softly.

She backed up and I moved in. Just as she passed a desk she reached for a drawer and quick as a snake I darted forward and slapped the gun out of her hand. She went for another one and I grabbed that one and twisted her hand before she could fire it. I popped the clip out of it and caught it in mid air. I used my right thumb to pop all of the bullets out of it and tossed it aside. She let go of the gun and I dropped it on the floor just as the doorbell jangled behind me. I knew who it was.

"Miss Chalmers, my good friend Terrible Tommy Taylor of the FBI, currently TAD'd (Temporary Additional Duty) to the Terrosa Task Force. Tommy, this is Miss Chalmers. I do believe she has very interesting things to say," I said.

"The child was going to kill me!" she suddenly shrieked.

Tommy laughed, his booming bass rattling the windows. "If he was, you'd be dead already."

I went out the back door to find a Suburban parked behind the place. I opened the back and found a little five year old boy in a cage, all tied up and gagged. He looked at me with fear on his face. I reached into the back and pulled the cage out on the tailgate. I cut the lock off with one of my kunai knives and reached in for the boy. I spoke softly and did my best to soothe him as Marvin appeared behind me. I got all the leather straps off him and wrapped him in a blanket and carried him through the place and to Tommy's car. Tommy and Wilson were in the process of stuffing Chalmers into the back seat of the police car as Marvin got into the driver's seat as I got into the back seat with the little boy. I carried him into the hospital and stayed with him while he got checked out. Then he was settled into a bed and given something to help him relax. Once he went to sleep I left the hospital. I took Tommy's car out to the warehouse district and found a place as far from town as I could and then vented my rage inside the building using every jutsu I could think of. Kerry found me sitting on the floor and he took me into his arms and held me as I got extremely emotional. I told him my story and by the time I was done he was emotional too. I thought I had put it all behind me but a bit of it remained. It was the thorn planted deep in my side that needed to be pulled out and instead of dealing with it as I should have I left it there to fester and build up. Uncle Owen had his work cut out for him in helping me deal with it.

March became a rebuilding month for us. Kerry and Uncle Owen worked hard to help me recover and I did slowly recover. I threw myself into everything thinking that if I kept busy I'd recover that much faster. That did work to an extent but I still needed down time and I got it every weekend as Kerry and I would go back to his house Friday nights after school and then back to work Monday mornings. We did start to become intimate once more, and our lovemaking slowly got back to where it was prior to the incident. One weekend we went to stay at Uncle Owen's place that he had by the lake. He had lots of privacy that we liked as that meant we could go naked it we wanted to and we did. Kerry and I discovered that Uncle Owen had a kinky side to him and he used it as therapy to help me get past what had happened to me in Arizona. Once more I had to deal with all of those feelings of being helpless and not in control of myself. Kerry demonstrated that being in somebody else's control didn't always equate painful sex. Kerry dominated me that weekend and showed me how much pleasure it could give me. When he finally released me Monday morning I had finally properly dealt with those demons. Our lovemaking that morning before school was one of total and complete bliss. Kerry took me to places and levels never before experienced. Even though it had been fun, I decided to put it away. It belonged in my past and would stay there.

Things began to pick up in the last week of March. The guys wanted to give me a bachelor party to celebrate my last day as a single guy. I liked that idea, but as we all know, fate had other ideas and we spent most of that evening fighting a fire in the woods by the lake and it took us all night long with the help of countless volunteers to get under control and out. Somewhere along the line we managed to get in a bit of a party. Kerry's part was a bit more subdued as he had gone into the next city and took in a concert by his favorite band, one I really didn't like. Kerry had a good time and was there to help me to bed. I slept nearly twenty four hours. Yes they got me to the church on time. Yes I was coherent enough to do my vows and say I do. As we headed up the lake on our two day honeymoon and two days of nonstop sex I knew that my life was headed for great things. I was standing firm feeling a lot stronger than I ever had before. Kerry came up behind me and we kissed. I felt his warm body behind me and I knew I would survive anything life could and probably throw at me. I often wondered where I would be if I hadn't been so persistent about being a firefighter. I decided to leave that thought alone as I turned the boat into the setting sun. I had a new life to live.

The End