Steve watched the men in the dojo with rapt attention. Tim was sparring with a short Asian guy and the man was giving him a hard time. Size did not equal power, how many times had he heard that? The Asian man was light on his feet and could jump high enough to tag Tim's shoulder with his foot. Their match ended and they bowed to one another, then they walked over.

"Steve, this is Jan," Tim said.

Jan was all of two inches taller than Steve and he felt the guy's warm dark eyes sizing him up.

"Are you learning combat?" Jan asked. His accent was thick and yet cultured. A university student Steve guessed.

"I'm learning some basics. You have an incredibly high kick," Steve said.

Jan smiled. "I am not so tall so I must reach for the stars."

"Jan is a doctoral student from Hong Kong, I know his father," Tim explained.

"Thank you for the time, Tim. I must go and meet Patrick. Have a good weekend, the both of you," Jan said. He shook hands with them and headed for the locker room.

"His father was one of China's most experienced martial artists, Jan is going to be just like his father in that regard, but he's studying to be a surgeon. One discipline feeds the other," Tim said. "So, you ready to go?"

"Aren't you going to change?" Steve asked.

"I'd rather shower at home with my sweet loving back scrubber," Tim grinned.

"Okay, now you're talkin."

It was Friday evening, Tim had only come to the dojo for his appointed workout with Jan, and then Steve was his for the weekend. Once Jean had seen her son working out she understood what Tim could do for the boy, any form of discipline at that age was welcome.

Steve seemed calmer, less irritable these days, and Jean credited it to his responsibility to the show, and Tim. Taking the boy to a tournament and sailing on Saturday and Sunday had seemed like a great way to reward Steve for his good behavior. It gave her two nights alone with Frank and the little project they were working on in the bedroom.

Steve slid into the Ferrari and buckled up. "I have you all to myself," He said.

Tim smiled. "Yes, you do ... I love you, baby." He had a candlelight dinner planned, just the two of them. They drove up into the hills and pulled into the driveway around six-thirty. The sky was gray with smog, and it lay like a blanket across the city. Not a good time to sit outside in the warm night air.

Dinner was already prepared, it just needed to be heated, but they had to shower first. Work had kept them apart for most of the week, and so Steve was a horn dog even before the clothes started coming off. Just contemplating Tim's body as it was slowly revealed was almost enough to being him off, but Steve knew there were better moments ahead.

To hold back the feelings Steve focused on washing and jabbered about the tourney they would see in the morning. Regional events were a good spectator sport, but Tim wouldn't compete. The art of fighting was best left to the younger crowd on the way up in the rankings. Tim had seen his days of competition and he didn't have anything to prove at this point.

Being clean and naked was all too much for Steve, once dry he went and leapt on the bed sprawling out on his back. Tim stood at the foot of the bed and gazed down at the seductive gift the boy's body presented. Nature had been so kind, and this vision of loveliness was all his for the taking.

Gone was any fear that he might have had about being Steve's lover. They were twenty some years apart in age, but what they shared was emotionally equal. It wasn't just any boy that held his heart, it was this boy. His eyes betrayed those innermost feelings and Steve looked up at him with concern.

"Are you okay?"

Tim smiled. "Yes baby, more than okay. I feel like Adam, come to Earth and discovering something so real and wonderful ... discovering you."

Steve smiled as Tim crawled into bed and hovered over him. His arms sought Tim's neck and the man leaned down until their lips met. Then he felt the pressure of Tim's body against his skin and Steve felt that familiar dizziness sweep through his mind. Being the object of such loving attention, and knowing that desire would soon carry them away was always overwhelming.

Tim felt the hunger as he kissed those sweet lips, Steve was starved for attention and every nerve in his body was straining to wring a measure of passion from their embrace. It was easier for him to resist. He had years of experience that the boy could not possibly understand. But it was the inexperience of youth, the very essence of that unbounded passion that made this all so desirable.

Tim kissed the smooth skin of Steve's slender neck and then across his chest to a sweet budding nipple. He heard the boy suck in a breath as he nibbled, feeling the nipple swell and become hard. Tim allowed his fingers to roam, grasping, rubbing, all to entice that smooth flesh to engage at his touch. And as Steve's body trembled he sunk his head further.

"We're going to do it, you know. This weekend, we're going all the way," Steve said.

Tim lifted his head. "And when did we decide this?"

"I think it's time and ... and I've been practicing."

"What have you been doing?"

"Kenji gave me a gift, a wonderful gift. I showed you the scroll ... well it's more than that."

The image on the silk scroll was of a Japanese garden and a tea house. Tim had seen such things before, except he had never seen them on such thick dowels.

"The two wooden ends are actually secret containers. They have caps that screw off and inside ... " Steve smiled. "It holds a dildo."

"Oh ... so Kenji gave you a toy?"

"Yes, and we talked. He said a boy should know how to please his man ... and now I do."

"I thought what we've been doing was just fine," Tim said.

"It is, but now I know there is something else. Can we try it?"

"Perhaps ... let me think about it."

Now the boy would want his due, but this would change everything. Was Steve really ready? Dinner first, they had all night for love.

"Okay, dinner, baby," Tim said as he sat up.

Steve bounced his body on the bed and slid into Tim's arms for a kiss, and then he was ready to eat. He had known Tim would be shocked, but he had hoped he would also be secretly pleased. At least he didn't say no. Perhaps they just needed to set the mood, and Steve had that covered.

Tim preheated the oven and then slid the two containers in to warm up. He loved to cook, but he was surrounded by talent far surpassing his own. Luigi had prepared these meals and dropped them in the fridge earlier that afternoon.

Steve dug in his overnight bag and produced a plastic case. "What's that?" Tim asked.

Steve smiled. "A surprise, something I'm sure you'll want to see. Can we eat on the couch in front of the television?"

So much for candlelight, but he could never deny the boy ... and he loved surprises. "Sure, that's fine," Tim said.

Tim served dinner on the broad coffee table as Steve pulled out the disk and placed it in the DVD player. Tim had no idea what he was about to see. The broad screen television started off dark as the disk began to play, and then he heard familiar music.

"I was eleven when this was recorded," Steve said. "Probably one of the best roles I ever played. The producer had it professionally filmed, and I would do this show again in a heartbeat. You know what is, right?"

Tim smiled. "Oliver ... starring my sweet baby boy."

Steve grinned and turned back to watch the screen. Tim had seen the movie, but never a live performance. They ate quietly as the overture finished and the story began to unfold. By the time Mr. Bumble was dragging Oliver across the stage in an attempt to sell his service, they were both sitting back on the couch.

Tim had known Steve sang, but he was enthralled by the little boy before him on the screen. The kid could act, even at such a young age. No wonder Alan had snatched him up for the show. The sweet young voice was light and innocent as he spoke, and the recording was truly of professional quality.

Steve snuggled up close as Oliver was locked in the workroom of the undertaker's house. His big song was coming up. That precious face he knew so well was softer, the hair a bit shorter, but Tim watched as Steve sold the emotions in that one plaintive song.

"Where is love ... ?" Oliver sang and Tim found himself immersed in the emotion of the moment. The camera held a close up of the boy's face and Tim could see the tears that slowly rolled down little Steve's face. God, the boy was so into his part. And as if to remind him the real Steve was beside him, the boy slid a hand across Tim's chest and hugged him tight.

The image on the screen blurred a bit, and Tim realized he was crying along with the little boy on the screen. He felt such empathy for the child on that stage, he was drawn in. But the real emotions were for the boy he loved now, the Steve clinging to him so tightly ... the one who was making new demands. Tim paused the disk as he looked down into Steve's smiling face.

"Love is here, isn't it? I didn't know what love meant before I found you," Steve whispered, reaching up to wipe away Tim's tears.

"Oh God yes, baby. You were feeling it even back then, weren't you?" Tim asked.

Steve nodded. "I was in love with the boy who played Dodger ... it was a really severe crush. But all through rehearsal he never gave me the time of day even though I knew he was gay. It hurt so bad ... I thought of him every time I sang this song so the tears would be real."

Tim pulled the boy into his lap and kissed his face. "You don't have to cry anymore, we have all the love you'll ever need."

Steve seemed to melt into him as Tim lay over on the couch and cuddled the boy in his arms. Steve reached for the remote and set the disk running. They hardly moved a muscle in the next hour and a half of the show. But Tim watched the scenes Steve had with the Dodger, and he could see the admiration in the boy's eyes whenever there was a close up shot.

It was good Steve had this record of his accomplishment. It showed his talent at such a young age, he was an excellent singer. But it was also a reminder of his youthful folly with the Dodger. Steve had used those moments of frustration and pain to add credibility to his part in the show as only a true performer could.

It left Tim with a warm feeling inside. For if Steve was to achieve greatness in his career that meant he would draw on his feelings about their love for inspiration. It was a responsibility Tim had never faced. Giving Steve all he needed to rise to the top in his profession was what they shared now, these moments of love. And with that thought he caressed the boy's long blond locks with great feeling.

Steve rolled over and pressed his body tightly against Tim. The emotions were there, and so was the urgent hardness between his legs. "So ... can we?" He asked.

Tim smiled and leaned down to kiss Steve's nose. "Come on, baby ... let's go to bed for a little of that love you need so much."

It was hard to walk with Steve clinging to him so tightly. Tim killed the entertainment system with the touch of a button and scooped the boy up in his arms. Tonight he would put to rest the question Oliver had so pleadingly asked. He would show Steve the source of his love and hope the boy never needed to ask that question again.

The next hours were filled with proof of that love. The image of that forlorn little boy crying in the darkness made Tim gentle until Steve urged him on faster and faster. But if Tim considered that little Steve in his thoughts as he sought to fulfill their passion, this Steve had no doubt that he was being loved by a man and not some silly egotistical fifteen year old Dodger from the past.

About as Tim expected, one orgasm was not enough to quell Steve's desires. The boy was expert enough now to allow Tim to climax before he allowed his own seed to flow. But Steve never wilted after his orgasm, the advantages of youth. Steve knew his need had been well and truly serviced. He lay panting in Tim's arms and secretly smiled, there was always tomorrow night.

The Saturday tournament was fascinating to watch. Steve saw boys from eight on up to hunky twenty-something guys who looked sincerely dangerous as they fought. The younger crowd reminded Steve of Kenji and he longed to see his little Japanese friend once again. Maybe in the fall when the show went on hiatus. They would be done by the end of September or mid-October, Steve wasn't sure of the schedule.

Tim took him out to lunch and then drove south towards Long Beach.

"Where we going?" Steve asked.

Tim smiled. "My turn for a little surprise, baby."

They parked at the docks and Steve could see the tall mast of Real Deal, the large boat Tim had taken them on a few weeks before. He followed Tim down the dock until he stopped beside another boat, this one only about twenty-four feet long.

"What's this?" Steve asked.

"Hmm, maybe we better go look," Tim said. He led Steve to the back of the boat so they could view the transom, and there in gold lettering Steve got his surprise. Steve's Deal it said, and he looked at Tim with astonishment.

"This is your boat. It only needs a crew of two so we can have some private fun. Shall we climb aboard, Captain?"

Steve was dumbfounded as they crawled over the side. The rich brass fittings and well configured cockpit confused him a little. He didn't know that much about boats, but knowing Tim, he was about to learn. Tim opened the companionway door and they slid below into the cabin.

He could see it was outfitted for two. A small galley, two built in chairs and a table, and forward there was a single bedroom, at least the bed was a double. Steve turned and gave Tim a hug, and then he held him off at arm's length. The question in his eyes became a word.

"Why?" Steve asked.

Tim nodded. "Because I want you to have a place to escape. Sailing will be a new discipline for you to learn. You won't be able to sail her alone for a few years, but there's room for four if we wanted to take Brian and Mark out for a run. And I wanted to give you something ... something rich and yet practical, and something that won't raise your parents suspicions.

"This isn't a new boat, but she's special and has received loving attention, just like I hope you've felt from me. Vince and Terry will be here any minute and show you the ropes so we can take a short cruse out beyond the breakwater."

"Wow ... .woweee," Steve said, and threw his arms around Tim's waist. "You are so good to me," He said.

"That's the idea," Tim replied.

"So are we going to sail on this tomorrow?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I thought we might take a little sail around Catalina, have some lunch and get you home before dark, does that sound good?"

Steve smiled. "Yeah, all but the going home part."

"Soon, baby ... it won't be long before we can live together. The boat just gives us another excuse to spend time together, time your parents won't object to. What your mom knows about you might lead her to suspect what we share, and it's too soon for that to happen ... much too soon."

"So when can we live together?"

"Maybe soon, your parents would have to agree, but at eighteen you could decide," Tim said.

"Oh, then I'll have to make sure they agree, I can't wait that long."

Vince and Terry arrived, and after a half hour of show and tell they set sail, but first they motored out to the buoy. The little craft heeled over smartly in the strong off-shore breeze, affecting a steep rake as they ran before the wind. Tim gloried in the vision of Steve leaning into the stiff breeze. The boy was really in his element out here.

Sailing always brought out the best in a boy, Tim remembered his own youth. They would have thrills sailing the coast, and moments of quiet calm where peace would reign in their lives. The slap of sails in the breeze always evoked romantic visions, man against the sea, and nature at its finest.

They docked at four and Steve gave both Vince and Terry a hug. Vince dug in his backpack and pulled out a yachtsman's cap, setting it squarely on Steve's head. "Now you look ready to be captain, have fun," He said.

Tim led Steve back to the car and they rode back north to the house. "Where would you like to eat tonight?" Tim asked on the ride.

Steve laughed. "This might sound really strange, but I have a craving for sushi."

"Really? That's great. I'd love to eat sushi with you."

"Do we have to get all dressed up?"

"Oh hell no, shorts and sandals will be just fine ... I know just the place too," Tim said.

Arigato was a casual place in a tiny storefront off Hollywood Boulevard, but once inside the feeling of ancient Japan took hold. They were greeted at the door by a smiling man who greeted Tim by name.

"Mr. Real, it has been so long since you have come to see us," He said.

"Life does not always allow us the pleasures we desire, Mr. Yamato ... so today it does. This is my friend Steve. We spent several weeks in the presence of the sacred mountain earlier this year. I think we both need another good dose of Japanese hospitality."

"Ahh, Fuji-san brings you to me, how wonderful ... right this way," Yamato said.

They followed him past booths in a general dining area that held a few people and through a garden room with a tinkling waterfall. They pushed through a beautifully decorated Noren curtain and into the privacy of the sushi bar.

"Do you wish a table or would you like to watch?" Yamato asked.

"I think Steve would like to watch it being made," Tim said.

Yamato gestured to the bar and they sat down on two high chairs. "Dozo, konichi-wah," one of the three sushi chefs said. "You have been here before?"

"Not in some time," Tim said. "Is Tutsi-san still working here?"

"Ah, you know Tutsi? He has returned to the homeland for retirement," The man said with a grin. "I am his student, my name is Gengi."

"Well Genji-san, I look forward to seeing more of you," Tim said.

They picked up the menu card and ordered several different kinds of sushi. Steve sat fascinated as knives flashed, and sure fingers formed the little rolls of rice around the contents of their meal. Genji carefully placed the results on a decorated plate and presented them. He smiled at Steve.

"You know wasabi?"

"Hot ... very hot," Steve said. "I tried it in Tokyo."

"Oh, you have been to Japan?" Genji asked.

"Yes, a beautiful country, it was my first visit," Steve said.

"And what did you see?" Genji asked.

"I saw the sun rise over Fuji-san, which was probably the most impressive thing I've ever seen."

Genji turned to his fellow chefs and rattled something off in Japanese. They all stopped and looked at Steve, before bowing to him and then resuming their tasks.

"What did you say?" Steve asked.

Genji put down his knife and smiled. "If I was to ask a Japanese boy of your age what he saw in America on his first visit he would say Disneyland or Hollywood. I ask you this question and you reply that you observed the rising sun over our most sacred mountain.

"You may not understand, but I am Zen Buddhist, and I have not been home for many years. The image you gave me was most welcome, a sight I saw many times for myself. Now you reach into my heart and place that longing there once again, I must go home and see this vision again. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Steve said.

The three of them chatted away throughout the meal and shared thoughts about both countries. Genji kept feeding them delicacies. The man behind a sushi bar was no different than a bartender, he was there to talk and listen to the customers as he worked. Steve finally held up a hand.

"I am full, no more," He laughed. They had a cup of hot green tea to settle the meal and then it was time to leave. All three chefs came out from behind the bar and bowed, Tim and Steve returned the compliment.

"Come to see us again soon," Genji said, and they promised they would.

"That was fun," Steve said as they walked to the car.

Tim nodded. "Yes, and I think Genji likes you a lot. Not many boys could impress that man like you did."

"He was cool, and I'm stuffed."

The breeze throughout the day had lifted the chemical fog that had hung over the city all week, and tonight the air was clear. Soon the Santa Anna winds would blow in from the desert and the hills around Los Angles would become dry. That was still some months away, but tonight they could view the city as they swam.

The skyline was bright with colored lights as Steve and Tim lay down on an air mattress and gazed up at the stars. "This is so beautiful," Steve said.

"Yes you are," Tim replied.

Steve giggled. "I mean being here with you, this place, what I see. It relaxes me. I get all tense during the week."

"I just don't want you to work so hard that you forget how to be a kid."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about me forgetting anything. This just allows me to push all that away even though I know what's coming."

"We hardly talk about your work," Tim said. "If you have problems you know I'll listen."

Steve sighed. "We do the school dance next week, well part of it. There are so many kids involved that Alan thinks it will take days to work out. But I have to dance with Beverly and try to kiss her. I'm not looking forward to that."

"The kissing? Hell, you're an expert on that," Tim said.

"Yeah ... but she's not. I mean I don't want it to look too real, it's supposed to be awkward."

"I didn't know she was going to kiss you."

Steve nodded. "Yeah, it's all a part of her trying to make Adam jealous."

Tim chuckled. "This is all starting to sound like a teen soap opera, why is Mark taking it this way?"

"Oh, he's right. This is all to set up Adam finding out the Vice Principal is an alien too."

Tim started laughing. "You guys are really going out on a limb this season."

Steve smiled. "Yeah, and she won't be the last one either, Adam's dad is due to show up at the end of the season."

Tim stopped laughing. "Actually, that's a good move, it makes sense."

"Yeah, Mark is way into the whole story for this show. He says that we have to think way down the road on this one."

"And what about you, Steve ... what's way down your road?" Tim asked.

"Um ... I want to be in a movie."

"Just any old movie? What kind of part?"

"At my age, I'd probably be someone's kid ... not like I could get a romantic lead or anything," Steve said.

"The way you kiss? Baby, you can be my romantic lead any day," Tim said.

They made love under the stars, not the first time but this time there were definitely some new tricks. Tim had been watching the stress level go up in both boys, he was sure Mark felt it too. Vacations aside, he wondered if the boys knew it was only going to get worse. It was the side effect of their careers, and at least they had understanding lovers. Like Brian he would not let the Hollywood scene get through the barriers and touch his boy.

Steve's Deal was a tight little craft and it felt like the boat had wings as they flew towards Catalina. Tim was careful to explain all the ups and downs to Steve. Any sailor that wasn't cautious could easily lose control. He allowed the boy to pilot the craft into the harbor and they eventually tied up at the dock.

Sunday was a busy day here in Avalon, a heavy load of tourists meant lots of fans and Steve was immediately recognized. It was unfortunate that he became self conscious as the gaggle of girls followed them up the street. No matter where they stopped the girls were right behind. They finally ducked into a little bistro and the girls waited outside.

"Don't they have a life? Where are the fucking parents?" Steve groaned.

"Chill, kiddo ... they aren't hurting you in any way," Tim said.

"It gets so meaningless. I don't like them, why do they bother?"

"Because you've created a personality, a star they identify with that feeds their fantasy. Believe me, if they all disappeared tomorrow you'd miss them," Tim said.

"I guess, they love the show and that's what this is really all about. Mom said she saw a car sitting across the street the other night with three girls in it, you think they tracked me down already?"

"Yeah, Miguel told them to get lost, I know about that stuff," Tim said. "Maybe I should tell your mother that you guys have to move to a more secure location."

"See, that stuff gets to me ... fans are an inconvenience," Steve said.

All the way back to the boat Steve tried to ignore the girls, but finally he turned and signed autographs, hoping that would send them away. But the girls were persistent and followed along asking questions until Tim said they had to leave. They managed to sail away without encountering any further disruption.

There was a police car sitting in front of Steve's house when they arrived later that afternoon. Vince was there talking to the uniforms when Tim pulled up. If it had been an emergency they would have called him, but Vince had the office duty today, he knew Tim was out sailing.

"What's up?" Tim asked, admonishing Steve to remain in the car as he got out.

"The Mrs. called in. Someone rang the bell and left a package on the doorstep before they vanished. She did the right thing, I called in the uniforms," Vince said.

"And the box?"

"Had a legit return address, turned out to be a stuffed toy and some fan literature. Seems this group of girls has formed a club and wants Steve's attention. Mrs. Biddle is a little embarrassed by it all."

Tim nodded. "I need to get them out of here, this is all too public and unsecured ... maybe I'll be able to persuade her now. What do the cops say?"

Vince smiled. "They'd agree with you, just doing their paperwork now. How was the sailing?"

"Sweet, great little boat. You can take off, I'll deal with this," Tim said.

Vince gave Steve a wave and walked back to his car. Tim led Steve inside where Jean gave them the whole story.

"So fans caused this, maybe we ought to move," Steve said.

"Move where?" His father asked.

"Someplace private, Dad ... it's going to get worse."

"What do you say, Tim?" Jean asked.

"Mark is secure in his new home. With a little effort we could do the same for you."

"Those places are expensive," Frank said.

"Shut up, Frank," Jean said.

"Dad ... Mom, I can afford it ... this is all because of me, let's spend my money," Steve said.

"I don't know if we're allowed to Steve," Jean said.

"You are," Tim said. "A house is an investment, that's allowed. You would just hold it in trust for Steve, just like Rosie has done for Mark. I really think it's about time you got Steve an agent to advise you."

"You know the answers, can you be his agent?" Jean asked.

"Me? No, I don't know that part of the business. Trainer and coach, that I can handle," Tim said. "I'll have Constance call you, she set Mark up and knows the housing market really well."

The school cafeteria looked grand. Tina and a bunch of the kids had worked with the prop department to turn it into quite a showplace for the school dance scenes. Mark and Alan had decided to forgo the guest star and the band. It didn't really work with the final script. Instead they had trolled the talent agencies looking for a good DJ to play the music these kids probably didn't know.

Tina had been the one who suggested the dance ought to have a theme, and then she went on to reveal the hidden talents of some of her kid extras. JJ Bennett and Mario Talbot were both dancers, as were several of the girls. Alan had been intrigued, and Mark thought it was a brilliant call. They would turn the cafeteria into a disco.

Vice-Principal Jones was going to play a big part in the dance scenes, and so they brought in a dance coach to work with Brenda, JJ and Mario. The extras had little knowledge of that era, but they were coached as well.

Mark and Steve got into the dance routines since Beverly and most of the girls were having great fun with the idea. This wasn't going to be another version of High School Musical, just a bunch of adolescent kids having fun on a Friday night. And they needed to be just kids, fumbling their way through the unfamiliar dances, just as their attempts to woo the opposite sex would be awkward.

But Brenda and her two cohorts practiced hard and when the production team sat down to watch the results they were astounded. It looked like an outtake from Saturday Night Fever and the television audience would just love it. Mark and Steve grinned, this was going to be one of the best things they had ever done.

Gina came up with a ton of period clothing, allowing Mark and Steve to pick through it first. Brian laughed at some of the outfits they tried on, although he did like the tight pants with the flared bottoms. Yeah, they would have to hand out a lot of dance belts for this scene.

Unfortunately Gina begged Brian to give that little speech to the boys in the cast, it would be a lot less embarrassing for the kids. Twenty-three boys gathered in the Men's locker room, Mark and Steve were noticeably absent. Brian smiled and held up a dance belt.

"Do you guys know what this is?" He asked.

"A jock," Came one reply.

"A dance belt," Another answered.

"Correct, a dance belt." Brian smiled. "So how many of you have ever been kicked in the balls?" Some blushing and then a few hands went up. "No fun, is it?" He laughed.

"Okay, the dance scene requires you to wear tight fitting pants so each of you will get one of these to wear under it. This will hold your precious equipment close to your body and prevent any damage to said parts. You might feel it a bit confining, but that's the idea, you have to wear it.

"I know some of you find this embarrassing to think about, but if you pop a boner during a scene and the camera catches it there will be a whole lot more embarrassing issues. The dance belt just assures that none of you will have any unexpected bulges during the scenes. Any questions?"

A hand went up. "Do they come in extra large?"

"Yes ... but you'll have to prove to Gina that you need one," Brian grinned, the little wiseass.

"If we have to use the bathroom does it come off easy?"

"Yeah, it's just like tight underwear, that's all. Look, I wear one in Tae-kwan-do competition, it gives you a sense of security, and you won't be flopping around. But the added pressure on your equipment might be stimulating at first, many of you will get erections until you get used to the feelings. That's fine, just keeps the girls guessing, huh?"

The boys laughed, Brian already saw a few boners just because of the conversation. Yeah, boys were such sexual creatures once puberty hit. Dance belts would be assigned by waist size, and Gina handed them out once the little lecture was over. The boys were told to go put them on for the day and get used to them, they would get the costume pants tomorrow when the shooting began.

Brian left the boys alone, not wishing to perv the locker room scene while the boys put the belts on. But he wasn't at all surprised when two boys approached him in the hall and said the darn things wouldn't fit.

"You want to tell Gina?" Brian asked.

"No way ... we were kinda hoping you would deal with it," Neil said.

"Evan, you feel the same way?" Brian asked.

"Yeah ... it's embarrassing."

They waited until the locker room cleared out and Brian led the boys inside. "Neil, what's your waist size?"

"A thirty, but that isn't the problem."

"Twenty-eight for me, same problem," Evan said.

Both boys were fifteen, Brian knew what was wrong, but he would have to tell Gina something in greater detail. "Okay, try them on for me and I'll see how much more room you need ... lucky bastards."

Both boys grinned and dropped their pants. Once the boxers came off Brian understood, nature had been generous to both boys ... very generous. Neil's cock hung a good seven inches over a huge set of balls. His cock probably didn't get much larger when it became erect and the confines of the dance belt would probably squeeze his balls pretty hard, he needed more room.

Evan was bright red by the time Brian glanced his way, but his hands were hardly adequate to hide the erection he now had. "It's okay, it's probably just the cool air," Brian said. Neil didn't snicker at his friend's embarrassment and Evan slowly removed his hands.

The boy had nothing to be ashamed of, but at his age Brian was sure he felt that way. The boy had at least a nine inch stiffie and the balls to support that cannon. Brian smiled and nodded.

"You're going to make some young ladies very happy some day, but I'm sure you feel embarrased, sorry."

Evan smiled. "Yeah, it's sorta the family curse."

"That's no curse, where do I sign up?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, really," Neil added.

"I imagine you both get a lot of looks in the locker room here and at school, don't let it bother you ... the other boys must be jealous. You're both skinny and that makes the equipment look even bigger. My advice is to eat better and start working out, make your body fill out and become worthy of the nice parts you have.

"Get dressed, and I'll explain to Gina what needs to happen. She can take a larger belt and adjust the waist. If that doesn't work for you come tell me."

"Thanks, Brian," Evan said. Then he looked down at his stiff cock. "Down boy ... down," He laughed.

Neil laughed too. "You might have to take care of that."

Brian turned away and left the boys alone, he didn't need to know. Lord, but he'd like to be a fly on the wall when that thing went off, it would probably be spectacular. He went back to find Gina and explain the problem, she said they could make the alterations.

Brian sat in the production office and had a coffee. Neither of the two boys had returned to hand in their belts, Brian wondered what was going on in the locker room. Didn't mean either boy was gay, but maybe Neil had decided to give Evan a hand with his problem.

Both showed up fifteen minutes later and Gina took the belts. Brian noticed there was no sign of the earlier problem. Seems they had taken care of business. And just as a matter of course he mentioned it to Mark and Steve during the lunch break.

Both smiled. "Yeah, I think they have something going on," Steve said. "They hang out a lot together."

"Actors, it happens," Mark said. "I'm not coming out to anyone, and they won't either if they're smart."

The afternoon was filled with details and the kids were all keyed up for the shoot tomorrow, the show was about to go disco. The only person that wasn't going to be in a polyester haze of disco fever was Butch, who would come to the dance for only one reason. He had his sights on getting even with Adam.

Beverly had invited Adam who in turn had invited Steve. That didn't sit well with her, but her mother was to drive all three to the school. They had shot the scene in the car, Beverly and Adam in back, Steve riding shotgun. Most of the scene was innane conversation except that Adam kept placing his hand on Beverly's leg and she would slap it until the hand was removed.

Adam still had no idea what girls liked, and for some reason he was kept from influencing Beverly with his mind control ability. He'd expressed to Steve in an earlier conversation that he didn't understand how girls thought, they only confused him. Now she is dressed in a short skirt and seems to be all legs which attracted his attention.

The throbbing beat of KC and the Sunshine Band's song Get Down Tonight greets them as the three friends enter the cafeteria. There were four camera's working the setup, each trying to stay out of the other's shots as the three kids stand inside the door and look around with amazement. Beverly is already in the groove, moving her feet and swinging her hips around.

Flashing lights, mirror balls and tons of crape paper surround them as the DJ spins out the great disco hits of the seventies and early eighties. They walk around the room, watching the other students all dressed up for the event. Adam in the tight polyester pants and wide collared paisley shirt seems to fit in perfectly.

Gina had outdone herself. Almost all the kids were wearing period stuff. The whole center of the cafeteria had been cleared of tables and chairs to make a large square dance floor where a dozen couples gyrate to the beat. The rest hug the walls, girls on one side, and boys on the other.

Alan had plotted out a bunch of quick snapshots, the stars and the extras. This would allow the flavor of the scene to soak in, all to that throbbing beat in the background. Beverly takes Adam's hand and drags him out on the dance floor. Her moves are sophisticated, while Adam does little more than gyrate and bounce up and down. But Beverly is smiling ... she finally has Adam's attention.

KC and the Sunshine Band fades and Donna Summer takes over. Beverly grins as On the Radio begins to play. The slow rhythm of the opening allows her to move close to Adam and place her hands on his shoulders. The dance is slow and sensual until the beat picks up and Adam goes back to jumping around.

In the background JJ and Mario are putting on a show with their ladies as the song tracks into Hard for the Money, and the kids went wild. Steve slid up beside Beverly with Denise in tow. But by the end of the dance there were only three, Adam has disappeared.

There was a scene with Beverly and Denise dancing as Steve stands by watching. Beverly is mad at Adam, and here the shot would cut away to Butch standing by the back door to the maintenance area. He opens a door and looks into the boiler room before backing out. The door has two slide bolts top and bottom and he tested them to make sure they secured the door. He grins at the camera and walks away.

Just as the girls finish dancing, Adam walks back up and Beverly seems to calm down, he'd only gone to the Men's room. Kids move around the room and some sit down. And then a shot of Butch sticking his head in the door looking for Adam.

Alan had been trying to keep the flow going without stopping, but they were reaching the cut point and when the song finished he yelled, "Cut."

"Break time, people," Tina yelled. "Thirty minutes, please."

The stagehands began to slide in the sections of the fancy dance floor for the fantasy sequence, Steve's big moment. Mark stood in the corner with Brian and watched the work.

"The boy has some good moves," Brian said.

Mark smiled. "Steve is nervous as a cat. I keep telling him if he makes a mistake we can just shoot it over again, but he is such a little perfectionist."

"Like you aren't?"

"Yeah, well ... it'll be fine," Mark said. "Did he tell you about the boat?"

"Yup, I think Tim has lost his mind, but I get it."

"God, have you seen Brenda in her dance costume?" Mark asked.

"No, but I caught the rehearsal ... pretty hot, huh?"

Mark laughed. "I think we may have a whole new fan base after this episode airs."

"It's your fault, you seem to be giving everyone else the good stuff," Brian said.

"Yeah ... share the wealth, that's me," Mark said.

The scene resumes and Adam is nowhere in sight. Beverly grabs Steve's hand and pulls him out on the dance floor. Unfortunately for Steve it's a slow romantic tune by the Bee Gees and that means he has to come in full contact with the girl.

Camera shots show the discomfort on his face as Beverly clutches him, and then close-ups as Beverly looks around the room for Adam. But as the dance progresses Steve seems to relax and his hands slide lower on her back. The camera catches a look of awe on Steve's face and then switches to a shot of Ms. Jones in her not so vice-principal dance costume standing across the dance floor.

It would leave the audience with no doubt that Steve was focused on her as he dances with Beverly. And then the fantasy sequence begins as Steve slides his hands down below Beverly's waist. She pulls back to look at Steve and he smiles. Beverly leans in, her eyes close and she kisses him. Not some innocent peck on the cheek, but a full fledged smack on the lips.

But then her eyes fly open as Steve pulls their bodies together. His hands are grasping her butt and she pushes him away.

"Steve ... .stop that," Beverly hisses.

"Oh ... sexy momma," Steve says, his eyes focused on the vice-principal.

The slap is real, and Steve only smiles. He had told Beverly to hit him a good shot, it had to look real. And then he stands there with a hand to his cheek as she stomps off the dance floor. Now it's Jones, JJ and Mario facing Steve across the length of the dance floor as the other kids pull back. The lighting changes and so does the music, introducing the thumping beat of Stayin' Alive, which is probably the best known disco dance song of all time.

The camera behind Steve rises on the boom until the boy is below it and the shot takes in Ms. Jones and her partners. The dance floor is all lit up from below, the lights above twirling and spinning as the floor becomes covered in fog. The three dancers are going through their steps flawlessly, and there in the middle is the object of Steve's fantasy. This is Vice-Principal Jones straight out of a magazine centerfold.

The tight gold miniskirt accentuates her fishnet stockings, and the matching top leaves a lot of skin exposed. Brian stood back behind the cameras with Alan and Tina, all of them with silly grins on their faces. It was a good thing that Steve was gay and all the other boys were wearing dance belts. Brian thought she looked hot as hell.

Ms. Jones twirls and stretches as JJ and Mario follow her moves. The boys and girls are crowded around the perimeter clapping as first JJ and then Mario go to the floor and spin around. The song reaches a peak and then Jones steps forward and the camera lowers to show Steve's back as she reaches out to him.

Steve joins the dance and Brian had to admit the boy sure knew what he was doing out there. He felt a tug on his arm and saw Mark standing there nodding in time to the music and awaiting his cue. But this shot was all about Jones with Steve, and the flawless duet they dance together. The music slips into the final bars of the song and Jones leans over backwards in Steve's arms for the big finale ... and the songs ends.

Ms. Jones pulls Steve in for a hug and kisses his cheek. Adam steps forward and catches the boy as he faints. But then Adam looks up at Jones and sees her smile. They both blink and stare at one another ... and that's when a voice inside Adam's head begins to speak.

"So now you know, we will have time to speak of these things."

"You're not from this planet," Adam's mind throws back.

"No ... but we've been here a lot longer than you. See you in school next week." And with that Jones walks off and Adam lowers Steve's limp body to the dance floor.

"Cut," Alan yelled. "I think that was right on the money."

The cast stood around as Alan reviewed the playback nodding the whole time. "Great ... .great," He finally yelled. "Let's shoot the final."

"Places for Scene Eighteen," Tina yelled.

The harsh overhead fluorescent lighting came on in the cafeteria and the kids wandered to their places. The dance was over, everyone was leaving. Adam stands beside Steve who is still in a daze. Kids flow around them in coats as Vice-Principal Jones walks by dressed in her normal conservative clothing.

Steve stares at her. "Did I just imagine all that? I thought ... I thought I danced with her and she kissed me."

Adam smiles. "You have wonderful dreams, Steve."

"So you saw all that ... in your mind?"

"Yes, it was quite a performance," Adam says. "But I saw something else too ... she's like me."

"Like you ... you mean she's not human?" Steve says.

"Yes ... I don't know where she's from, but it isn't Earth. That explains a lot, she must know who I am."

"Are you going to find out? Oh Jeez, is she messing with my mind?" Steve asks.

Adam smiles. "No, I think you're doing all that by yourself. I just need to figure out why she's here, at least she isn't Regalian."

"I'm confused," Steve says. "I have the hots for an alien?"

Beverly walks by all in a huff. "Are you coming or do you want to walk home?" And she starts towards the door.

"What's her problem?" Adam asks.

"Um ... that's sorta my fault," Steve says. "But we have something else in common ... she's got the hots for an alien too."

"Cut," Alan said, and rubbed his hands together. He smiled at Brian. "God, I love this job."

"When everything works," Brian said.

Alan looked up at the ceiling. "Don't jinx me now, God ... we got a good thing goin here."


On to Chapter Sixteen

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"Adam Conquers Earth" Copyright © 2011 Chris James. All rights reserved.
    This work may not be duplicated in any form (physical, electronic, audio, or otherwise) without the author's written permission. All applicable copyright laws apply. All individuals depicted are fictional with any resemblance to real persons being purely coincidental.

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