Author: Steven
Last saved by: User
Company: Hewlett-Packard

2006
Nick

1

	What’s going on? Why can’t I move? For a couple of seconds my back was on fire, but now it seems to be growing numb. I’m growing cold. Jon, where are you? I want you by my side. I’m scared. Wh.. what’s this? How can I see everything from above? No, it can’t be. I can’t be dead. It’s not my time. There’s still so much for me to do. I see Ramone holding Linda, and Retna trying hard not to cry. It’s the first time I’ve seen the hyena so emotional. I wish it didn’t have to end like this. What’s going on? Everything around me is moving fast. It’s all too much. I feel warm. I.. I’m not dead? I can open my eyes, but everything around me is a blur. I can barely make out Jon.. No, it isn’t Jon. It’s Charlie. Charlie, I wish you could tell everybody I’m all right.

Australia

	For close to two weeks Nick stayed at a hospital in Seattle. Once his vital signs approved and he was strong enough to survive the trip, they moved him to Australia. So far Charlie is the only one to know he’s alive outside of the hospital. Despite losing space at a cemetery, a funeral home agreed to hold a service. If it weren’t for the German Shepherd, Nick would never have known what went on. The one thing he can’t believe is his parents walking in as if they done nothing. At least Jon did the right thing by kicking them out. If he had known they changed their ways, he would’ve tried and got in contact with them years ago.
	During his first month at Australia, he can’t help but to compare his room to the one he had at the treatment center. The main difference is the fact his friends and family were able to visit him. Where he’s at now, if it weren’t for the occasional doctor or nurse, he’d have nobody to talk too. He doesn’t even have anything pretty to look at. Over the last couple of weeks he’s been talking to himself. Twice a nurse walked in on him while he was deep in a conversation, and whey they asked him what he’s doing, he told them it’s stopping himself from going crazy.
	At least once a day he hears doctors argue about his chances of walking. Some think he’ll never be able to walk, but there’s one who insists he has a chance considering his spine isn’t badly damaged. Whenever he’s awake, Nick tries to wriggle his toes. A month later he succeeds. When the doctor tells him he will be able to walk, the young man wanted to tell somebody the good news. Of course it’ll be close to a year before he’ll be walking like before, but he’s ready for the hard work. He has a goal to be out of a wheelchair within a year.
	Two months after arriving to Australia, and it’s okay for him to go to Preston’s house. He finally has something to look at other than a bunch of machines. The downside is the memory of Matthew. It’s been close to a year since the dingo died trying to save him, and everyday he thinks about him. Nick always wonders what would’ve been if Matthew survived. Would he have gone back to Seattle, or would he stay in Australia and form a stronger relationship with the canine? The fact they had a lot in common made things harder to cope with. Ever since they returned to the States, Nick couldn’t look at Jurassic the same. By then what they had was all but gone. His relationship with the fox was over before he had the affair with Charlie. Talking to Preston should help him deal with the loss of Matthew.
	His first month of therapy since leaving the hospital went better than he had thought. All they had him do was strengthen his legs, and each time he was able to move them a little more. His doctor told him he should be running by Christmas at the rate he’s going. The only person who knows about his progress outside of Australia is Charlie. Once he talked to the German Shepherd, and it sounds like Jon is managing. What the young man wouldn’t do to huge his former boyfriend, and tell him everything is all right. If it wasn’t for helping Preston solve cases, Nick would be going crazy with boredom.
	The first week into his second month, and the doctor told him they’ll see if his legs are strong enough to support him. While he’s in the waiting room, he looks up and smiles when a Siberian Husky sits next to him. The dog returns the smile, but doesn’t say anything. From the looks of it, he has a cast on his left arm. Nick wants to talk to him, but bites his tongue instead. There’s a chance today will be the only time he’ll see him. He does his best to ignore the Siberian Husky until he sees him read. The young man studies the cover to see if he recognizes it.
	“Is there anything I can do for you, mate?” the dog asks, looking over the top of his book.
	“Huh, what? Oh, no. I’m just studying the cover. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Kim Stanley Robinson.”
	“He’s a good read. I suggest checking him if you’re into that Science Fiction thing.”
	“I’m more into Thriller, but I like trying new things.”
	“Thriller, eh? Who’s your favorite author, mate?”
	“James Patterson, among others.”
	“Ah. He is a good writer. A bit overrated, but good nonetheless,” the dog said. “My name’s Chance.”
	“It’s Nick Keller.”
	“Don’t say? Think I’ve heard of you.”
	“I’m sure there’s a couple who’d say that.”
	“I’m sure, mate.”
	“What happened to your arm?” Nick asks.
	“Motorcycle accident. Happened a month ago. Today’s my first day for therapy,” Chance said. “You?”
	“Gunshot to the back,” Nick said, covering his mouth.
	“Why’d you do that, mate?” the dog chuckles.
	“I’d rather not say.”
	“Understandable. Gunshot, eh? Makes my injury seem pleasant.”
	The patients look up as a door opens.
	“Mr. Clensy? Your physical therapy will see you now,” a nurse said.
	“Right. Will myself and the human be in the same room?”
	“Uh, yes. I was about to wheel him in.”
	“I got him, if it’s all right?”
	“Sure, if you’d like.”
	Chance nods and pushes Nick through the door. The young man smiles greatly. He hopes to God they’ll see each other more often.
	The day couldn’t have gone any better. Not only did he get to know Chance, he was also able to stand. He did try to take a step, but his legs aren’t strong enough just yet. An hour or so later Preston brings him home. Before leaving, the dingo asks him what he would like. Nick though about it and asked if he can buy him some acrylic paint, a set of brushes, and a notebook. Nick figures now would be a good time to do something else than make sketches.

2

	Relearning how to paint didn’t take him long. His art teacher from high school taught him all of the techniques he knows. He just wishes he kept at it throughout the years. The pictures he’s making are turning out better than he thought, and wonders how good he’d be if he didn’t quit after graduating. Once he got the hang of everything, including mixing colors, Nick made a picture of Matthew. At first he thought about keeping it for himself, but ended up giving it to Preston as away to thank him for all he’s done. As far as he can tell, the dingo isn’t being paid to take care of him. In the future Nick plans on giving Preston a more detailed picture of his brother, and perhaps it’ll be done with oil paints.
	Throughout the months Nick got to know Chance. It turns out the Siberian Husky is a couple of years older, and stands around six feet seven inches. The dog’s chest up to his face, and the bottom half of his tail is a sandy white, and the rest of his fur is a silver grey. Chance is all muscle weighing at around two hundred fifty pounds. Nick notices he has a tendency to stare at the Siberian Husky’s face, mainly his eyes. He has never seen a dog with such blue eyes. For a while he thought he was creeping his friend out, but apparently he’s use to it. The human did catch a couple of nurses doing the same thing. When Chance finished his physical therapy, Nick though he would never see him again, but to his surprise the dog got permission to be there as support.
	After six months of therapy and hard work, Nick is finally able to walk but he’s to limit his movement. The young man plans on doing most of his walking at Preston’s house. It’ll be another two to three months before he’ll be allowed to get rid of his wheelchair. Once he’s able to walk and run like before he’ll be sure to celebrate, even if it means he can only invite Preston and Chance. His therapist and doctor insist he won’t need his wheelchair past Christmas.
	It’s his birthday, and Chance plans on taking him to a place called Mixed Drinks and Grill. All the Siberian Husky told him it’s one of few places that won’t card him as long as he doesn’t order anything alcoholic. Nick won’t be able to get any form of ID until he becomes a citizen, and he doesn’t see that happening anything time soon. The young man does plan on going back to Seattle, but hasn’t decided on when. As of now, Chance is the only reason why he’ll stay. He hasn’t told the dog his sexuality, but he hinted at it from time to time and so far Chance doesn’t seem bothered by it. It’s been a long time since somebody loved him like Jon did, and it would be nice if he could form a relationship with the Siberian Husky. That is if he’s gay.
	Chance picks him up at around six in the evening, and takes him to the bar and grill. The trip itself was fun. Soon he should be able to ride behind the dog, and not in a sidecar. In little over thirty minutes they arrive. The Siberian Husky helps him into his wheelchair, and pushes him to their table once they get one. The night couldn’t have started any better.
	“How long have you been riding motorcycles?” Nick asks, drinking some water.
	“Since my teens. Motorcycles are my passion, mate.”
	“I noticed that, and it sounds like you’re a mechanic?”
	“Yep, and one of the best. If I’m not working at the garage, I do my own thing at home. I’ve got a hobby of buying old junkers, fixing them, giving them a new paint job and the likes, and sell it. It’s how this dog makes extra cash,” Chance said.
	“Sounds like what I do with computers.”
	“That so, mate? Tell me, how much you know?”
	“I’d say about as much as you know about motorcycles.”
	“Hm. Care to come to my place and look at mine?”
	“Sure, if you don’t mind picking me up,” Nick said, noticing a couple of male dogs nosing each other.
	“It’s a plan, mate,” the Siberian Husky said. “Why are you here?”
	“I’d rather not say. Not now.”
	“Understandable.”
	The pair looks up as a fox wearing a rather skimpy outfit walks up to their table.
	“Hi. Name’s Jasper, and I’d be waiting on you.”
	“Hey there, mate. Been a while.”
	“Chance. Thought I’d recognized ya,” the fox said, hugging the dog. “Heard about yer accident. What happened?”
	“An idiot driver wasn’t paying attention when they were backing out. I swerved to avoid it, came close of hitting another car, and when I swerved to avoid it, lost control of my bike. Luckily I only broke my left arm.”
	“God to hear yer doing fine, mate,” Jasper said, looking at the human. “And who this be?”
	“This here is Nick. We met at therapy of all places, and he’s relearning how to walk,” Chance said. “It’s also the mate’s birthday.”
	“Mm. Birthday, eh? Be sure to give ya a treat,” Jasper smiles as he shakes Nick’s hand. “How much longer you got until you can walk?”
	“They figure by Christmas I can go without my wheelchair, and I can’t wait.”
	“Mm. I’ll be sure ta get ya an extra treat, and good luck to ya, mate,” the waiter said, pulling out a notepad. “You lot ready?”
	“Give us five, okay mate?”
	“Right. Be back then.”
	“Let me guess, this is some sort of gay bar, isn’t it?” Nick asks.
	“You got it, mate, and one of the more family friendly ones. Of course it’s split in different sections.”
	“Does this mean you’re?”
	“Gay? That I am, and you may consider this our first date,” Chance smiles. “And I already know you’re gay.”
	“Does this mean I’ll get a birthday kiss?”
	“Yep, and you’re getting it now.”
	Nick locks lips with Chance for a couple of seconds, and smiles warmly as the dog pulls away. He can’t wait until they’re in a private place so they can do more. The young man chuckles when a couple of costumers cheer. Who knew a kiss could mean so much. Five minutes later Jasper returns, and this time they’re ready. During dinner, Chance tells Nick all of the attractions and beaches he’ll take him to once he’s out of his wheelchair.
	Chance drives Nick around town for an hour after dinner before bringing him back to Preston’s home. The night went great, and they already made plans for a second date. The Siberian Husky pushes the human into the house, and carries him to his room. He stays while Nick prepares himself for bed.
	“Please stay,” Nick asks while crawling into bed.
	“I can’t, mate. It’s not your house.”
	“I’m sure Preston won’t mind.”
	“I don’t know.”
	“Please?”
	“Oh I guess I can stay for an hour.”
	Nick smiles as Chance lies beside him. He wraps his arms around the dog’s body, and rubs his face against his chest. It’s been too damn long since he last done that. The Siberian Husky smiles as his new lover falls asleep. He can tell the human misses cuddling with somebody, among other things. As he promised, Chance leaves after an hour. He’ll wait to get permission from the dingo before staying for the night.

3

Nick and Chance grew closer every month they were together. The young man did spend Christmas Eve with Preston, but on Christmas he was with the Siberian Husky. Despite having no money, he gave his boyfriend several framed pictures and a portrait made with oil paint. To his surprise, Chance got him a good selection of art supplies. They spent the rest of the night making out, and although they didn’t make love, Nick did jack off his boyfriend. Feeling the warm cum over his hand and inhaling the musky scent brought back memories of his time with Jon.
	One of his favorite moments was when Chance took him to the beach the day after the doctor told him he no longer needs his wheelchair, and he did understand why he didn’t want to just wear his swimming trunks. Nick wanted to avoid answering questions from people he didn’t know. However, it didn’t stop Chance from wearing only a leather loin cloth. The young man had a hard time not to laugh whenever somebody looked at his boyfriend’s bulge, and a few times Nick wanted to tell them they should see him when he’s pitching a tent. Throughout the day they went swimming, walked on the beach, and lounged around a couple of lawn chairs. Every once in a while they’d hold hands and/or kiss on the lips.
	On New Year’s Eve, Preston told them he’ll be staying at a hotel so they can do their thing. The dingo has had no problem with Chance being over as long as they didn’t do anything sexual. Of course it didn’t stop Nick from giving his boyfriend oral a couple of times. Ten minutes after Preston left, they went into the young man’s room and made love several times. During the night they made their New Year’s resolution. Nick will show Chance a thing or two in Excel, and in return the dog will do the same to him regarding tools and motorcycles. By March the young man began to work for his boyfriend unofficially. One of the first things he did was make everything in easier to read, which Chance appreciates. From then on he asks the Siberian Husky for all of the information regarding whatever bike he’s working on. Every once in a while he’ll try his hand at tightening a bolt or seeing if the motorcycle will turn on, but he prefers to spend most of his time on the computer or on the phone.
	What the doctor told him came true: he didn’t need his wheelchair after Christmas, but his movement was still slow. Throughout the months he slowly got back to his normal walking speed. The week he finished physical therapy, Preston allowed him to stay at Chance’s place for the weekend. The first night they made love, and the following they cuddled. Despite the evening being warm, Nick enjoyed the warmth coming off of the Siberian Husky’s body.
	Towards the end of two thousand seven, Nick was more than ready to go back to Seattle. The only problem: Chance. He isn’t sure if his boyfriend will be able to obtain a visa, and/or become a citizen. Of course he hasn’t told the dog the truth, and it grew more difficult to hide it the closer they became. Ever since his birthday, the young man wanted to tell his lover the truth, but can never bring himself into doing so. What’s worse he had no problem telling Preston what he’ll be doing at the beginning of the New Year.
	Black Friday or what it’s called back in the United States. Once again Nick will be spending the weekend with his boyfriend. They’ve only been lovers for a little over a year, but it feels like they’ve known each other for an entire lifetime. The young man swore today will be the day he tells Chance everything. If not today, tomorrow. He begins to wonder when will be a good time to tell Chance, until the dog requests him to clip his toe claws. While he grabs all of the things he’ll need, Nick figures now will be the best time to say something.
	“Chance, there’s something I have to tell you,” Nick said while sticking his boyfriend’s feet in a tub.
	“What’s it, mate?”
	“I’ve been hiding a lot of stuff from you. I’m from Seattle, Washington, and for the most part I’m in hiding, or suppose to be.”
	“Kind of figure that. You wouldn’t say anything whenever I asked about your past,” Chance said. “Who were you hiding from?”
	“A psycho known as Carface. I know he’s dead, but they still felt it was best if we stayed with our plan.”
	“There’s more, isn’t there mate?”
	“There is. I also work for the Voreaphile Task Force,” Nick said, pulling the dog’s feet out of the tub and dries them.
	“Interesting line of work, but a good one. Too many of those sickos out and about,” the Siberian Husky said, stretching his toes as the human begins to massage his feet. “If you’re suppose to be in hiding, why aren’t you?”
	“My third month here I talked things over with Preston, and he agreed I can’t hid forever. They’ll know I’m alive sooner or later, and what I mean by them, I mean whoever owns that voreaphile website.”
	“I see. Why are you telling all this to me now?”
	“I’m ready to go back to Seattle. If things go according to plan, I’ll be leaving in January.”
	“And where does this leave me, mate?” Chance asks slightly upset.
	“I want you come with me. You’re the reason why I don’t want to go back,” Nick said as he begins to file his boyfriend’s claws.
	“So why do you?”
	“It sounds like they need my help. You remember hearing this thing called Engrowther?”
	“I think I’ve heard of it, but can’t remember. It involved a dingo, didn’t it?”
	“Yes. That would be Matthew, Preston’s brother, who died while saving me from Dr. Pitts.”
	“That’s.. Wow,” Chance said.
	“I know. There’s more to it, but in the end they were able to create something that’ll make you grow three to four times your height, which they called Engrowther. Before you say anything, Matthew was about to change his ways, but before he could do anything, Dr. Pitts had already shipped five hundred bottles and the instructions on how to create it to several places.”
	“I understand, mate,” Chance said. “And it made its way to the States?”
	“Yes, and there’s a good chance it has been altered to do something else. My partner back home isn’t quite sure on what though, but they think it might involve making your manhood bigger.”
	“I see now why you’re needed, but I don’t know if I want to go?”
	“Please? You did a lot for me down here. Plus it’ll give me a chance to show you around America like you’ve shown me around Australia.”
	“I don’t know. This is my home, and if you leave, I’ll be looking.”
	“I’m sure you can find somebody else, but will they be able to trim your claws and massage your feet like I do?”
	“I’m sure I can.”
	“True, but will they be willing to do more?”
	Chance shakes his head and chuckles. “All right, mate. You convinced me. I’ll go to Seattle with you, but I’ll have to sell and/or get rid of everything before I do. Plus I have to apply.”
	“I’ll help you the best-“
	“No, I can managed. You get back to Seattle a.s.a.p. Let them know what’s going on,” the dog said, “but what if things don’t work out?”
	“If you can’t come to America and/or become a citizen, I’ll come back. I don’t want to be away from you.”
	“You promise?”
	“I double pinky swear.
	Chance nods as they hook pinkies. Nick must be serious if they’d doing a double pinky. The Siberian Husky leans back in his arm chair as Nick finishes trimming his toe claws. Tomorrow he’ll start going through his things, and see what he’ll keep and what he’ll get rid of. Chance smiles weakly. Nick is right about one thing. He’ll never be able to find another boyfriend who’s good at giving massages, trimming claws, making love, and enjoys swallowing. If they do anything sexual tonight, it won’t be to prove how much they love each other. If they do make love, it’s because they enjoy it. Plus the Siberian Husky enjoys having the human do what he can to get him aroused. The more he thinks about it, the more he wants to go to Seattle with Nick. They both enjoy experimenting. Chance tells Nick to let them know he’ll be coming back when he can.

2009

Nick

	He didn’t have a cigarette in the past three years, and today he’s about to start back up. He thought about bumming one from Jon, but remembered Camel isn’t quite his thing. Marlboro was his cigarette of choice. If he didn’t get permission to be out on his own, he wouldn’t be at Seven Eleven. At least Charlie knows he needs some time to himself with the amount of stress he’s dealing with. For the past six months Nick has worked eighteen plus hour days, seven days a week. When he’s in the computer lab he’s looking up addresses, and at home he’s browsing through the vore site. So far it seems he’ll be going to Rockford, Colorado on his own. From there, he isn’t sure. It all depends on what he finds.
	Like many times before, Nick has his I.D. out before asking for a pack of Marlboro Menthol. He can’t believe how much the price has risen. The young man accepts a free book of matches and heads outside. He stands by the door as he opens his pack. Nick sticks a cigarette into his mouth, lights it, and comes close of throwing up. His stomach settles down by his fifth drag. Nick puts everything into his pocket, and heads across the parking lot.
	He barely steps over the curb when a hand covers his face and pulls him back. Nick tries to fight back, but the figure manages to restrain him with little effort. The young man yells as he’s thrown into a trunk. Why isn’t anybody coming to his aid? Nick manages to catch a glimpse of the person, but it wasn’t enough for him to figure out who, or what, it is. The car begins to move. Every once in a while his head hits the door. Sometime later the young man cries when the figure pulls him out, and drags him into a shabby looking motel room. The person tosses him onto the floor, and locks the door. Nick freezes when he sees the figure. It’s been close to ten years since he last saw him, and he can’t believe he has the gall to come back. God knows what Jasper has in store for him now.