"Are you serious?" Zayn said as he and Harry stood outside the building. "Do we really have to bring him along?"

"Boss's orders," Harry said as they sipped their take out coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Zayn had wanted to hang out with Harry on their day off when Harry broke the news about Kay's newest assignment: paint the town red with his bratty son.

"Come on, seriously?" Zayn said. "Can't you ditch him or something? He's a grown ass man, shit."

"After this," Harry said. "I'd better get a fucking raise."

"At least it's taking your mind off of Liam. You're not moping around for once, you gotta give him that."

Harry had to agree with him. Instead his waking moments were consumed with thoughts of that kid. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

They went up to Robbie's apartment. Loud rap music could be heard from the inside. They started knocking, then pounding on the door.

"Oh wait," Zayn said. "I heard something about this guy--" Robbie suddenly answered the door.

"Hey, guys," he said, leaning on the door frame. "Sorry I didn't hear you. I love this Wu Tang Clan. Hey, I really appreciate you including me in your outing."

"Don't mention it," Harry said. It was your daddy's orders, he thought. He noticed that Robbie only wore green pajama bottoms and a gold chain around his neck. "Are you ready?"

"Oh can you give me a few minutes?" Robbie led them into his place. "I just need to jump in the shower and get dressed. You don't mind waiting a bit, do you?"

Why wasn't Harry surprised. "No problem."

"Do you guys want anything? A drink, some pot?"

"No thanks."

"You sure? I got some primo stuff."

"Positive."

"Well then," Robbie disappeared in the next room. "Help yourselves to anything you see. Mi casa, whatever."

Harry and Zayn found themselves in a total dump. Clothes were scattered on the furniture and floor, the dining table had empty Starbucks cups, Cheetos bags and a box of Captain Crunch.

The living room was the worse. Ashtray filled with cigarette butts, coffee table littered with papers. There was also a prescription bottle. Harry picked it up. He saw Robbie's name on the side. So the kid was on medication. Harry tried to see what the pills were.

"Dude, look," Zayn whispered, holding up a DVD of some strange porn, and a half empty tube of warming gel. Harry shook his head. Could this kid be any more depraved? There had better not be a used sock or tissue anywhere.

"Your maid's day off?" he called to Robbie.

"She's on strike." Robbie called back.

Harry wandered around the deserted crap, finding shopping bags from Macy's, Nordstrom's and Neiman Marcus. Clearly Robbie had no trouble finding the department stores.

He passed by the bedroom door and saw that it was ajar. Out of curiosity he peeked in and saw Robbie with his back to him. He was naked.

Harry froze as he took in the sight. Robbie's skin was smooth and pink. He got a good look at Robbie's firm bottom before he pulled on a pair of black pants without underwear.  Harry could feel his throat tighten.  Very nice, he thought.  What was he thinking? Stop it, get it together.

Then something caught his eye.   There was a large scar on Robbie's side. It stood out against the otherwise flawless skin and it appeared to be a wound. He hadn't noticed it that day when he was getting that massage. When he turned around Harry moved away, returning to the living room.

Finally Robbie appeared wearing a dark blue shirt. "I'm ready," he said, grabbing his coat and phone. "Let's rock and roll."

With his car Harry took the guys first to the Willis Tower where they stood in the skybox and watched the entire city below them. Robbie was blown away. "Wow! Awesome view!"

Then they drove around Wacker Drive and onto Grand Avenue to Navy Pier, taking in the sights along the way.

Harry found that this assignment wasn't so bad. He was actually having a good time. Seeing the city through Robbie's eyes reminded him of when he and Zayn first came to this country and how they used to explore downtown in their spare time.

He was also enjoying Robbie's company, laughing at his jokes and funny observations. It had been a long time since he had laughed so much.

"You've been in Chicago for many years, right?" Robbie asked as they walked along the pier. "Do you like it here?"

"It's like a second home to me now," Harry said. "As soon as I got here I was hooked. It seemed like a good fit."

"Do you ever miss England?" Robbie asked. "Do you think you'll ever go back?"

"I go back to visit once in a while," Harry said. "whenever I get the time. How about you, how do you like Chicago so far?"

"I love it," Robbie waved his arms at the tall buildings across the way. "It's so exciting, you can get totally lost out here. There's so much to do, I could be here forever."

"Don't you want to go back to England?"

Robbie paused, looking grim for a brief moment. "Not for a long time."

Harry and Robbie talked about other things about the city and their favorite places. Harry found himself liking this side of Robbie. For once he wasn't coming on to him with his double meanings and flirting. Robbie seemed like a carefree child. Harry figured that under all of that attitude Robbie was just a rich lonely kid who wanted attention. He felt a little sorry for the guy.

They went to the Millenium Park so Robbie could see that "large silver bean". ("For the hundredth time, it's called Cloud Gate." Harry said.) Robbie couldn't stop laughing at their reflections in the large sculpture.

Then at Robbie's insistence they went to Buckingham Fountain.

"It's not on yet," Harry said. "It won't be on for another month."

"I still wanna see it." Robbie said.

They stood in front of Buckingham Fountain.

"It looks much better with the water," Zayn said. "and the light show they usually do. We should check that out next month."

Robbie was impressed anyway. He stared at the fountain as if it were a treasure. "Wow, I've been wanting to see this since I was little. I can't believe this, it's so cool."

Harry felt Robbie's hand slide into his and gave it a squeeze. Harry wasn't sure how to react but Robbie wasn't doing anything more than just holding his hand. This was okay, he thought. Nothing wrong with two mates holding hands. He was glad that he insisted on being just friends.

Then he thought about Robbie's fantasy of holding hands at the fountain with his lover.

When it started getting dark, Zayn suggested that they all go to a nightclub. "Show Robbie the Chicago nightlife."

Robbie jumped. "Cool!"

They went all the way to North Halsted to a nightclub where the music boomed and the lights flashed. People were jumping and dancing all over the place.

"Damn!" Zayn said. "Everyone's getting wild tonight!" He danced off with a group.

A guy approached Harry. "Do you wanna dance?"

"Sorry," Robbie grabbed Harry's hand. "I asked first." He pulled Harry onto the dance floor. "You don't mind, do you?" he asked. "Nothing wrong with a couple of mates dancing together."

Harry felt like blowing off some steam. "What the hell?"

"That's the spirit."

They danced to the fast pace of the beat. Harry noticed that Robbie had pretty good rhythm, excellent in fact. Harry did his best to keep up, trying to match him move for move.

Robbie moved closer and they were gyrating against each other. Harry found himself staring into his face. They were so close that he could feel Robbie's breath on his face. He began to weaken, reconsidering his just friends policy.

Just then the music stopped and Robbie walked away, leaving him on the dance floor. Was he getting played again?