"Coffee?" Zac asked as Daph walked into the kitchen.

"No, not a big coffee fan," she yawned.

"So."

"So," she smiled.

"You still haven't said anything," he smiled.

"I like it," she grinned.

"I wasn't sure at first," he replied.

"Well, I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Your hair is just a small part of you," Daph smiled as she trailed her hand across his face.

"Heh, yeah," he chuckled.

"I'd love you if you were fat and bald," Daph grinned.

"That's a nice mental image," Tay laughed as he walked into the kitchen, Will close behind him.

"How did you two sleep?" Daph asked.

"Crashed out totally, closed my eyes, didn't open them till this morning," Tay yawned.

"Comfy bed?"

"Yeah, I swear Daph, where do you find them?" Will asked as he rested his chin on Taylor's shoulder.

"My secret," Daph laughed.

"Well anyways," Tay exclaimed as the sound of the coffee brewing caught his attention.

"Hello," he smiled as he walked over to the pot.

Everyone smirked briefly.

"You and the java," Daph smiled.

"I've got to go by the Calvin Klein offices today," Will exclaimed as he sat down at the counter.

"Oh," Tay replied glancing back at him.

"Did you want to go?" Will asked.

Tay glanced down at the counter and his coffee mug and stared at it. Almost as if he expected his answer to be swirling around in the dark liquid.

"Yeah," he replied finally.

"You don't have too," Will began.

"No," Tay stopped him as he walked over. "I want to go, I'd kind of like to see how it all looks and stuff, meet your people."

"Ok," Will grinned as he wrapped his arms around Tay.

"So anyways, I've gotta meet up with my uncle and get all the details squared away with the venue. He should have some more information for me today," Daph exclaimed as she began to walk out of the kitchen.

"Hey, do you mind," Zac started as he followed her out. "If I tag along with you, those two love nerds?" his voice silenced as the bedroom door shut.

"Love nerds huh," Will smiled as he looked up at Taylor.

"Tweet, tweet," Tay squeaked causing Will to crack up.

"I love you," Will laughed hugging him tightly around the waist.

"Love you too," Taylor smiled.

"I need to get dressed, I've gotta be there by ten thirty," he yawned again as he stood up.

*          *          *          *          *

"No ball cap and sunglasses today Mr. Incognito?" Will exclaimed as he walked out of the shower.

"Why not?" Tay asked.

"Because, I want you to look your best, now go shower, shave and wash your hair," Will commanded like a mother.

"Yes mam," Taylor laughed.

Half an hour later the two of them stepped off the curb. Will clad in a pair of black suede lace up pants with a soft loose white linen shirt that laced up as well, he grasped Taylor's hand tightly. Glancing over at him he smiled. Taylor more stunning than he remembered. His freshly washed and styled hair gleamed in the sunlight. His face lightly tanned, cheeks touched with a tinge of crimson from his natural tendency to blush. Wearing a pair of brown suede pants and a black button up shirt, sporting his numerous chokers and necklaces he looked truly amazing.

Will smirked as his eyes trailed down to Taylor's more than usually exposed chest. After nearly fifteen minutes of arguing and fighting over it, Tay had given in and let his shirt hang unbuttoned almost more than half way open. The idea was silly to him, however Will knew he and the rest of the world would find his chest spell binding.

"Stop staring," Tay muttered with a faint smile without looking at Will.

"I can't help it," Will smiled widely.

"You're making me blush," Tay sighed.

"Tay, someone could say vagina and you'd blush," Will chuckled as he watched Taylor's cheeks flush with an even darker shade of red.

"See," Will smiled poking him in the side.

"Shush," Tay laughed.

"We're walking because," Tay asked quietly as they crossed a street.

"Because a cab ride is less than five minutes, and I want to spend the morning with you," Will replied giving Taylor's hand a squeeze.

"Oh, ok," Tay smiled at him.

"We've already gotten stares if that's what your worried about," Will commented as he nodded his head towards a woman standing at a hot dog stand.

"I'm not really that worried. All that matters is that I'm with you," Tay exclaimed as he leaned his head over and kissed Will on the cheek.

Will felt himself almost jump in shock as Taylor did something that he had almost never done before. Public display of affection on Taylor's behalf was out of the ordinary.

"You ok babe?" Will asked as they turned the corner.

"I'm fine, why," he replied quietly.

"I don't know you just seem," he searched for the right word.

"I don't know, more bold, you know, open?" Will asked.

"Hum,' Taylor exclaimed.

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked.

"No, I mean it's not bad at all, shit it's pretty fucking great," Will grinned.

Taylor stared off into the distance ahead of them, his thoughts drifted back to Anthea, home and his parents. The idea of what was waiting for him, no matter how long it would be before he returned, they would be there. The idea of going back to that world, that reality sent a shiver up his spine. Here, with Will everything felt right. Holding his hand, kissing his cheek, in public, in front of people, it didn't matter.

"Babe?" Will asked.

"Huh," Tay replied snapping back to reality.

"We're here," he smiled.

"Oh, heh, yeah."

The two of them entered the lobby, Taylor coming to a stop dead in his tracks. There in the center of the high lobby wall was another massive poster of Will in the same briefs that Calvin Klein had on the market. Only this add was a tad bit more provocative. Instead of the generic pose; Will standing in the briefs, from the knees up head tilted to the side with an all white background. This image featured him stretched out on his side on a bed clad in black sheets. It was apparent to Taylor that Will was semi aroused. Whether or not anyone else knew was his guess.

"Someone was getting frisky," Taylor smirked.

"Hush," Will laughed quietly as they walked towards the elevators, all eyes staring.

"Hush nothing, I know when you're boy is gettin' there," Tay smiled almost wickedly.

"Yeah well thank God the rest of the world doesn't," Will laughed as the doors rolled shut.

*          *          *          *          *

"You do get everything you want don't you?" Zac asked as they walked towards the station.

"Meaning?" Daphne laughed.

"Madison Square Garden," Zac replied.

"Oh believe me, I've been pushing and pulling for this for, well it seems like forever," she replied as they stood on the platform.

"Well it's shocking," Zac exclaimed shaking his head.

"Hey, you know it wouldn't have worked if my uncle hadn't been connected."

"Anyways, so it's gonna be two weeks from now?" Zac asked as they boarded the train.

"Yup, I have so much to do before then," she groaned as she flopped down in a seat.

"I'll have to go back home before then," Zac whispered as he nuzzled his nose against Daphne's ear.

"Well, you know you can come back," she smirked turning her head to face him.

"Is she staring at us?" Zac muttered so quietly even Daphne had a hard time hearing him.

She tilted her head slightly and glanced over to see a woman sitting two seats down and a row over watching them. As she made eye contact the woman looked away.

"Yeah," she chuckled, "I think she is."

"Why do people stare?" Zac frowned quietly.

"It's not like we're Mr. and Ms. Everyday America you know," she grinned.

"Still, I mean mom and dad taught me not to stare when I was younger," Zac explained.

"Yeah, well you must have forgotten that the day you saw me, I think your eyes were glued to my body the entire time," she giggled.

"Hey, you were staring too," he defended with a smile.

"Ok, we were both staring," he laughed.

Daphne coughed briefly signaling to Zac that they were being watched again. Glancing over he noticed that now about four more people were staring at them.

"Come on, let's move down to the next car," he whispered as he glanced over his shoulder seeing that the car behind them was nearly empty.

"I don't think we're supposed to change cars while the train is moving," she whispered.

"Mr. and Ms. Everyday American aren't allowed to," he started as he stood up.

"But we are," he smiled.

"If we get in trouble," she started.

"Then we get in it together," he finished pulling her towards the end of the car.

*          *          *          *          *

"Isn't that?" Taylor whispered as they walked down the hallway.

"Yeah, Travis," Will mumbled as he situated a stack of folders in his arms.

"The Calvin Klein model," Tay muttered.

"Exactly."

"So, is he," Tay asked as they walked into an office and sat down.

"Bi, I think, he's never really given me the time of day, then again, why would he? I took his spot in the ads," Will smirked.

"I guess that'd make me feel a little uncomfortable around you too."

"Not so much uncomfortable, just ... bitchy," Will laughed.

"Will," Maddie exclaimed as they walked into her office.

"Hey you," he grinned as her eyes grew wide when she saw Taylor.

"This is my," Will paused glancing at Taylor.

"I'm his boyfriend, Taylor," he grinned shaking her hand.

"Well," she chuckled.

"That's great," she smiled sitting down.

"So, what's the good word," Will asked.

"It seems our campaign has gone very well. They'd like to use you for at least one more season."

"Just a season?" Tay asked quietly glancing over at Will.

"That's a big step," Will exclaimed looking at him.

"A season's work is equivalent to a year's pay, for most upper class Americans."

"Plus, I'll be in more ads and my face will really get seen," Will smiled.

"Oh, also, they are extending it to the international market," Maddie exclaimed as she looked over some paperwork.

Taylor looked over at Will with wide eyes.

"Yeah," Will chuckled.

"Wow," Tay muttered quietly.

"Judging by the demographic studies, it looks like you're dating one of the nation's most desirable men," Maddie smirked as she glanced up at Taylor.

"Oh Maddie come on," Will groaned dropping his head back.

"I'd agree," Tay whispered rubbing Will's leg.

*          *          *          *          *

"He what?" Anthea barked.

"Sweetie, he said you already had things planned for this weekend," Diana exclaimed with a confused face.

"That's such bullshit, I've been planning all week on us going out to dinner and," Anthea began sobbing.

"Alright, it's alright, sweetie why are you crying?" Diana asked.

"Because, everything felt so right, like it was going so well," she sobbed in a way that anyone with real brains could have known was fake.

"I'll take care of it, you just calm down. Go have a soda or something," Diana exclaimed as she walked out of the room.

As she passed the front hall she spotted the latest tabloid which Shiye was notorious for leaving around. Featured on the side bar was a photograph of Taylor and Will together. Diana's eyes narrowed.

*          *          *          *          *

"Yeah?" Ike asked as his mom almost growled his name.

"What do you know about this?" she finished as Ike stood there looking shocked.

"Uh, I had no idea," he exclaimed as he stared at the photo on the cover.

"That and he ditched Anthea," she snapped.

"Mom, he's allowed to have alone time," Ike exclaimed.

"Not with him," she snapped thumping the photo with her finger storming off.

"Oh god," Ike groaned as he reached for his cell phone as he walked out the front door.

*          *          *          *          *

"They're staring at us," Tay whispered laughing.

"No, actually they're staring at me," Will laughed.

"Oh yeah," Tay blushed remembering his boyfriend was now a male super model.

"I can't believe you've never been to the Statue of Liberty," Tay exclaimed as he looked out across the water at her.

"Oh, I've been there, to the monument, I've just never been up inside her," Will paused smirking.

"That does sound kind of wrong," Tay laughed.

"Hi," a girl's voice cut into their conversation.

"Hello," Will smiled.

"Um, I don't mean to bother you but, could I get your autograph, it's for my brother he has your poster on his wall," she smiled.

Tay's eyes grew wide as he looked over at Will.

"My underwear poster," Will asked smirking.

"Yeah," she blushed.

"He's," she started.

"No need to explain, what's his name?" Will asked.

"Mike, just make it out to Mike," she smiled as she handed him a sharpie and a post card print of the poster.

"Shit you have post cards too?" Tay asked taking it from his hand for a moment.

"Do you want one? I have an extra," she smiled.

"Uh, no that's ok," Tay smiled turning away.

"Whoa, you're," she exclaimed suddenly.

"Yeah," Will smiled as he signed the postcard.

"I saw the pics in the Enquirer, but," she paused.

"Wow," she muttered.

"I didn't think it was," she paused.

"It's true," Taylor said turning back to face her.

"Well, that's cool," she smiled.

"Thanks," Tay exclaimed smiling back.

"Later guys," she exclaimed as she trotted off out of sight.

"Wow," Will smirked hugging Taylor.

"Yeah, nice change," he whispered resting his head on Will's shoulder.

As they walked towards the monument Taylor's cell phone rang.

"Hey," he exclaimed picking it up.

"It's Ike," Tay whispered as he took a few steps away.

The sun beamed down, it was more than warm out there, it was hot plain and simple. Will fanned himself, and walked over to a refreshment stand and bought him and Taylor two bottles of water.

"Hey," Tay exclaimed walking up suddenly.

"Hey," Will almost yelped at Taylor's sudden rush towards him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, but um, why don't we do this another day, the other boat is leaving, the lines are long as hell, I didn't call ahead so they can't let us past everyone … lets just go get some food, ok," Taylor rattled off all at once.

"Um yeah, uh ok sure," Will replied totally disoriented as Taylor pulled him towards the boat.

Taylor calmed down and took a few swigs of water as the boat pulled away from the large groups of people milling about. He wanted to get secluded, away from the public. He wanted to talk to Will, he had to explain things. He racked his brain and then punched in a number on his cell.

"Yeah, reservations for two, yes, in three hours, name is Quest," Taylor hung up.

"Where we eating?" Will asked.

"Surprise, my treat," Tay winked nudging him with his arm.

"Oh, ok," Will exclaimed still looking a bit taken off guard.

*          *          *          *          *

"Nothing ever changes does it?" she gasped out of breath as they fell into a cab and pulled away from Grand Central Station.

"Huh?" Zac gasped sitting up.

"The mobbing, you still get it?!"

"You were there too, it's not like I was the only celebrity," Zac groaned turning his head from side to side trying to loosen a stiffening muscle.

"Here," Daph exclaimed as she reached behind him and began to rub his neck.

"That's the spot," Zac almost yelped.

"It was fun though," she whispered.

"Yeah," Zac grew quiet as he turned towards her.

"It was even better, because I was with you," he whispered looking down at the seat, as if he was almost embarrassed to admit it.

"Baby," she whispered lifting his chin.

"Hmm?"

"Likewise," she smiled quietly as she pressed her mouth to his.

The two of them kissed softly, the cab bumping and swaying down the road.

"Where to again?" the cabbie called out.

"I know a nice restaurant at the Trump Towers," Zac muttered through the kiss.

"Trump Towers," Daph slurred as her tongue was attacked by Zac's.

"Good grief," the cabbie laughed as he shook his head and made a left turn.

*          *          *          *          *

"This place is nice," Will muttered in awe as they sat in a secluded booth.

"It's one of the nicest here in the city," Tay smiled.

"I'd heard of it before but, I never knew it was this posh," Will smiled.

"Yeah well Tavern on the Green didn't get a reputation like this for nothing, how about some wine or champagne," Tay asked.

"Wine, I'm not in the mood for bubbly," Will whispered.

After a moment or two of staring at one another Taylor's mind drifted back to the task at hand. Explaining to Will about Anthea. He knew a part of Will would be hurt, but he also knew that Will deserved to hear it from him, instead of through the grape vine.

"You know I love you," Tay started.

"Oh boy," Will quietly cut in.

"What?" Tay asked glancing up from his salad.

"When anyone starts out with, 'you know I love you,' you have to expect it to be something brutal," Will laughed nervously.

Taylor didn't reply. He continued to stare down at his salad.

"You know I love you right?" Taylor asked again.

"Yes, Taylor I know," Will replied quietly.

"While you and I were, apart," he paused thinking back to that time where he only saw Will in magazine ads, and his days were spent dreaming of him, instead of being with him.

"Yes," Will whispered.

"This is so difficult," Taylor sighed.

"You were with someone," Will exclaimed quietly staring into his wine glass.

Taylor looked up, almost shocked that Will said it before he could.

"I, how?" Tay stuttered quietly.

"I was too Taylor," Will exclaimed still not making eye contact.

"I heard about," Taylor started.

"Ashton Kutcher, yeah, but it was never anything like you and I," Will almost breathed in a whisper.

Taylor felt a sting inside. Having heard the rumors, seeing the blurry photos in tabloids, all of that was nothing compared to Will confirming it to him.

"He is not you," Will exclaimed looking up at him.

"He never was and, he never could be, Taylor yeah, I'll admit it, we did get a bit close at times, but we never," Will paused.

"Made love," Tay asked, his voice cracking as the foggy images of finding himself naked in Anthea's bed drifted across his mind.

"Never," Will almost spoke out loud, his head lifting quickly dropping a fork.

"Taylor, I could never bring myself to do that, every time the thought even crossed my mind I saw you, heard you, felt you," Will whispered looking down again.

"I," Taylor felt the knot in his throat swelling.

Knowing he had failed where Will had succeeded Taylor found that telling Will what he thought had happened, what he knew had happened with Anthea was too difficult. It made his head throb, his heart palpitate, his eyes water. His hands trembled, the silverware on the table tinkling softly against the plates.

"Taylor," Will whispered as he placed his hand on Tay's.

"I'm so sorry," Taylor almost started to sob.

Swallowing hard, he wiped his eyes with his fists and sat up and leaned back against the soft cushioning of the booth. It was then that he noticed a few people staring at him. Staring with the 'knowing' look he had seen too many times before.

"Fuck we can't even have privacy here," Taylor growled redirecting his pain into anger at the fact that they were being watched.

"Huh?" Will blurted in shock turning his head from side to side.

"As if their sudden discovery was a sign to move in, three girls walked over to them.

"Hi," One of them started.

"You know, we'd like to have our dinner first," Taylor snapped looking up.

"You know, for someone who wants to be accepted and treated nicely you sure as hell have a shitty attitude," one girl hissed at Taylor.

"Yeah well fuck you," Tay yelled standing up, storming past them.

"I'm sorry, girls, really," Will exclaimed turning to face them.

"Oh my god," they all squeaked.

"It's, it's," they stuttered.

"Time for me to go, sorry," Will pushed through them.

Catching up with Taylor at the front entrance he pulled him to the side to face him.

"Babe oh babe, what's the matter?" he tried to calm Taylor, who visibly had tears streaming down his face.

"I can't talk about it, not here," Tay turned away from him.

"Sir we have a car waiting to take you where ever you need to go," the host whispered.

"Thank you," Will exclaimed walking Taylor out to the car.

After getting in and directing the driver to Daph's condo Will sat back and wrapped his arms around Taylor.

"We'll get back to Daph's and get some rest, then when you feel better we can talk," Will cooed quietly running his fingers through Taylor's hair.

"Ok," Taylor's voice replied so quietly and softly Will's skin sprinkled with goose bumps. He thought he hadn't heard that young tender voice in so many years, not since the earthquake.

The car moved along, bumping here and turning there. Will stared out the window, the night sky sparkling from the tall sky scrapers. Taylor curled up against him, his arms around him, Will knew something was up. He wasn't sure what it was, but a dark shadow seemed to linger around behind them, causing him to fear that this sweet reunion would prove to be short lived.


On to Chapter Eighteen

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A Love Incognito is Copyright © 2000 by Taylor W. Quest.
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All applicable copyright laws apply. All individuals depicted are fictional with any resemblance to real persons being purely coincidental.

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