AUTHOR'S POV          

It's been a few days since Laurent has been home from rehab. He's currently filling the fridge up with groceries since it was pretty empty considering no one has lived there in months. Most of what he's eaten since he's been home is take-out or delivery because grocery shopping is something he and Larry always did together. Larry is always the practical one when it came to shopping because if Laurent had his way he would buy a lot of snacks or processed junk versus real food. He finally sucked up the courage to go because he knew he had to. As he's putting things away he starts to reflect on the day he left rehab. Saying goodbye to those he met who were still fighting to get well. Saying goodbye to Rob was also bittersweet because Rob was the first person he actually divulged his addiction to and they had developed a pretty good relationship. Of course he will see him again on Friday for his speech but nonetheless, he's glad to finally be home. When he first arrived he was hesitant to go inside because he knew his love wasn't there. There was nothing he wanted more than to walk in and see the love of his life welcome him back with the smile that could stop a thousand hearts and it practically ripped his heart out that he wasn't. Just the thought of it made him want to go over to Stephanie's and bring him home where he belongs but as bad as he wanted to he decided against it. He's certain that Larry has received his letter by now and he's hoping he will hear from him soon. If he doesn't he just hopes that Larry accepts his invitation for Friday night and they can go from there. He also recalls the painful silence filling the house his first day back before going to the bedroom. He placed his bags on the bed and slowly began to unpack but every where he turned, whether it was to put something in one of the drawers or to hang something up, there was something there to remind him of his love. He then looked at the bed again and when he realized that his first night back would consist of him sleeping in it alone, he plopped down on it, dropped his face in his hands and sobbed loudly. That hit him hard. He started to beat himself up as he reminded himself that it was his fault. Then he thought about therapy and how Dr. Hall wouldn't approve of him doing that so he dried his tears and silently told himself that although it may be his fault he will do everything in his power to make sure it never happens again. He shakes his head slightly to rid himself of the flashbacks and continues to put the groceries away when the doorbell rings. He looked through the peephole and seeing a familiar face he quickly opens the door...

Laurent: *smile* "Hey bro".  

Chris: *smile* "Hey Laurent. When you called me and told me you were home I wanted to come and see you so here I am".

Laurent: *smile* "I appreciate that. Come in. I'm just putting food away".

Chris: *smile* "Cool".

He follows Laurent to the kitchen and takes a seat at the bar...

Laurent: "You look different. Like you put on some weight".

Chris: *smile* "Yeah well, I took my cue from you and got off the junk".

Laurent instantly spins around when he heard that...

Laurent: "Really? That's great bro. I'm proud of you".

Chris: "Thank you".

They give each other a pound and as Laurent goes back to the groceries it becomes quiet. That's because Chris has something on his mind...he's just reluctant to say it...  

Chris: "So I can tell you're here alone". *pause* "You still haven't talked to Larry"?

Laurent is putting some dry foods in the cupboard when he hears that question. He slowly turns around and walks over to the counter that's directly in front of the bar. He places his hands on it as he bends over slightly...instantly filled with despair...

Laurent: "Not yet. I wrote him a letter and I'm sure he got it but he hasn't called me. Maybe he's not ready yet". *pause* "I understand that. I put him through so much".

*brief pause*

Chris: "Hey Laurent. I'm sorry man. I feel like this is all my fault".

Laurent: "How"?

Chris: "Well I turned you on to that shit and...."

Laurent: "Chris, it's not your fault. My problems started long before that stuff. I mean it didn't help but I didn't say no so don't blame yourself".

Chris: "I can't help it. The night I gave it to you, you said you had some stuff on your mind that was bothering you and if I were a true friend I would have talked to you about them instead of introducing you to something that even I knew was a temporary fix. And for that I'm really sorry".

Laurent smiles then extends his fist for another pound...  

Laurent: "I appreciate that man but don't beat yourself up. I'm better now".

Chris: *smile* "Cool". *pause* "Well I gotta go. I have a date with Kayla and she hates when I'm late".

Laurent: "Oki. Well tell her I said hi and I'll see you soon".

After Chris leaves and he finishes putting everything away he's faced with silence again but instead of getting consumed by it he decides to do something he hasn't done in months...dance. This is also something he's put off doing since coming home. With all of the working out he did in rehab he's sure his stamina will hold up so he isn't worried about that. His concern is more about how his heart will hold up because he's missing his other half...but he knows he has to get moving. Larry will always be the love of his life but dance is also a huge part of him and he's ready to get back into it. So pushing past Larry not being there he heads for their dance studio downstairs. Within minutes he's turning on the music and allowing his body to move to it...

~meanwhile~

Larry is standing in the same spot still in disbelief at the words he just read. It touches his heart that Laurent watched him from afar and was so taken by him. After all, the last time Laurent watched him it had nothing to do with how beautiful his smile was or how beautiful he looked in the sunlight. He was following his every move around the mall as if he was just waiting for an opportunity to hurt him for something. Now he's so happy to know that Laurent finally received help and he can't wait to tell him just that so he reaches in his pocket for his phone to call him...excited to hear his voice after all this time. Unfortunately, that excitement is short-lived because it goes straight to his voicemail... 

"Laurent, it's me baby. I just got you letter and I...I'm so happy for you. We've been a part for so long and there's so much I want to say to you but not over the phone. I want to see you right away. Please call me when you get this message and we can decide where to meet. Bye".

Larry releases the call as he stands in the middle of the kitchen smiling as hard as he's ever smiled in his life. He almost forgot that he's making lunch so he turns around to finish with a smile still on his face...  

*****

*knock on door*

Stephanie: "Come in Larry".

Larry: "Hey. Lunch is ready".

Stephanie: "Great. I was getting hungrier just from the smell of it".

Larry: "Well I made a lot so you can have as much as you want".

She notices his smile and of course that makes her smile. They go to the kitchen and Larry insists on making her plate so he requests that she has a seat. Within minutes he has the table covered with everything and after the food is blessed they dig right in. Stephanie can't help but notice that Larry still has a huge smile spread across his lips and she can't resist asking...  

Stephanie: *smile* "I see you're still smiling. I always love to see you smile but what is it"?

Larry: *smile* "The mail you gave me. It's from Laurent".

Stephanie: "Wow. Laurent hasn't made you smile like this in a while".

Larry: "He got help Stephanie. He finally got help. I didn't think it ever happen. I called him but it went to his voicemail so I left a message".

Then the smile he has on his face slowly starts to fade as he thinks about something... 

Stephanie: "What's wrong"?

Larry: "He wants me to come and hear his speech this Friday night at 7 but...."

Stephanie: "But what? You're not going"?

Larry: "I just wonder for something. He said in the letter that he didn't tell me sooner because he wanted to be all better but I begged him so many times to get help and I would have been happy that he was at least trying so he would have had my support. He didn't have to be all better. I went so long and didn't know anything. I mean, I know I could have called him but I didn't think I was wrong to want him to show me that he was serious".

He then starts to question himself which in turn causes him to direct that question to Stephanie as well...

Larry: "Was I wrong"?

Stephanie starts to tense up because she knows she's been harboring a secret. Although it wasn't a bad secret, she will certainly understand if he's upset about it. These past couple of months have been very tough for Larry and she's witnessed it all. The crying, the blaming of himself, the worry that ensued on a daily basis when it came to Laurent. Each day that went by with Larry wondering when or if he would hear from him. Not wanting to delay answering his question any longer she casually replies and hopes that he won't pick up on her nervousness...  

Stephanie: "No. You weren't wrong".

She tried to sound as normal as possible but inside she's a nervous wreck. She just drops her head and puts her focus back on her meal. She's sure she didn't give anything away...but just as she always reminds Larry of how well she knows him she forgets that he knows her just as well so he says something that will practically make it impossible to keep it hidden...

Larry: "Stephanie? You know something I don't"?

Stephanie: "Why would you ask that", she asks timidly.

Larry: "Because I see it in your face. It's that "I know something but I don't know if I should say anything face".

Stephanie: "I...I don't know what you're referring to Larry. I'm just hungry and...."

Larry: "Don't lie to me". 

At this point she can't hide it anymore. She carefully places her fork on her plate and slowly exhales...

Stephanie: "Ok. I wasn't going to say anything but...I knew".

Larry: "What? Laurent getting help"?

She just nods because she simply can't look into his eyes. It's one thing to keep it from him all this time...but to try to lie about it now just makes her feel even more ashamed...

Larry: "How did you know before me"?

Stephanie: *clears throat* "A couple of months ago he came by and told me he was in rehab and he...."

Larry: "A couple of months ago and you didn't tell me"?

Stephanie: "Larry, sweetie please don't get upset".

Larry: "Not get upset? How can I not get upset Stephanie? All this time you knew and you said nothing? You see what I went through. I didn't know what was going on for so long and I kept waiting for him to call me. You saw me go through all of that and you knew"?!

She slowly inhales and exhales again trying desperately to keep herself from crying as she can tell her best friend is past upset...he's hurting...

Stephanie: "Larry, it wasn't my intention to deceive you, ok? I was caught off guard myself when he showed up at my door. I'm still trying to figure out how he even knew you weren't here at that time".

Larry remembers what he read about Laurent watching him from across the street and he figured it must have been that day but he's too upset for it to matter...

Larry: "I don't understand how you think that even matters Stephanie! You're supposed to be my best friend"!

Stephanie: "I am your best friend Larry. You know that. Laurent just asked me to not say anything because he wanted to tell you himself".

Larry: "That still doesn't explain why he told you first! I'm supposed to be the first person to know! He hurt me, remember"?!

Stephanie: "I realize that sweetie but please try to calm down. I don't like seeing you so upset".

Larry: "Well I am upset! Why did he tell you first"?!

She just sits there completely stoic for she knows the answer to his question will only upset him more... 

Larry: "I'm waiting Stephanie! Why"?!

Stephanie: "He wanted to apologize to me for...."

Larry: "Apologize to you"?! 

Stephanie: "Yes, but Larry...."

Larry: "Apologize to you"?!!

His voice is raising by each second signaling that his anger is even more intense. Tears are filling her eyes at the sight of him in such a fragile condition...

Stephanie: "Larry please just listen to me. He..."

Larry: "I don't need to listen! How can he think for saying sorry to you first when he put me through so much"?!

Tears start to fall from Larry's eyes and as soon as Stephanie sees them she can no longer hold her tears back... 

Stephanie: "I understand how you feel but Larry please just believe what he said in the letter. He really did want to be better before reaching out to you. He didn't keep it from you to hurt you".

Larry: "I am hurt!! So he wanted to be better, fine! But I still should have been the first to know! I don't understand how he could think that with everything that happened telling you first was oki then apologize to you before me?! I'm the one he hurt! I'm the one that got beat for every little thing! I was the one depressed and crying! That was me! Not you"!  

Stephanie: *sniff* "Larry I'm really sorry. I just need you to understand that I was put in a difficult position. I had no idea he would show up but he was sincere and I was just trying to respect his wishes. He really did want to tell you himself".

Larry: "I can't believe this! This is my life Stephanie"!  

He just stands there trembling because he's so upset. Tears are still streaming down his face one right after the other.... 

Stephanie: "I understand Larry and...."

Larry: "You don't understand but you should! You went through the same thing I did! How would you feel if the guy who hurt you apologized to someone else before he apologized to you when he hurt you so much"?!

That question hits her hard and if she thought she felt his pain before she really feels it now because he has a point. She's realizing that it wasn't about what Laurent said in the letter even though she's sure he meant every word. Larry has been through a lot with Laurent and all he wanted was the respect of being told first. The fact that he wasn't and the fact that it was kept from him for so long understandably upsets and hurts him...

Larry: "Answer me Stephanie! How would you feel"?!

Stephanie: "I...I would feel the same as you".

Larry: "Exactly"!

Stephanie: "Sweetie, I really don't know what else to say other than I'm...."

Larry: "I don't want to hear it Stephanie! It seems like all I have around me is people trying to hurt me"!

Stephanie: "Larry you know that's not true. I didn't keep this from you to hurt you. You know I would never intentionally do that".

Larry: "I don't know anything anymore Stephanie"!

It suddenly becomes quiet for a few moments as she continues to sob. She looks at Larry with desperation and sadness in her eyes...not really knowing what else to say until...

Larry: "I have to get out of here".

He searches for his things and when he sees them on the kitchen bar he walks towards them...

Stephanie: "Larry please don't do this. Please don't leave".

He then whips around stopping her dead in her tracks...  

Larry: "Two months Stephanie! Two months I was so worried! You saw all of it and you stick up for him?! Where is the Stephanie that was mad at him when you found out what he was doing to me?! Oh that's right! He apologized to you so that doesn't matter anymore! I get it"!

He continues his walk to the bar to grab his keys, phone and wallet then proceeds to walk towards the front door when Stephanie jumps in front of him...

Stephanie: "Larry please"! 

Larry: "Move Stephanie"!

Stephanie: "No! I don't want you to leave! You're too upset"!

He isn't moved by Stephanie's tears whatsoever. He just wants to get out of there...

Larry: "Don't worry for me"!

Stephanie: "Larry please". 

Larry: "I said move"!

She jumps slightly and her eyes widen as she's never seen him so angry. She reluctantly steps to the side so he walks out and slams the door causing her to jump again. She then walks over to the couch and allows herself more tears...

~hours later~

It's evening and Stephanie still hasn't heard from Larry. He left around lunch time and here it is almost 9 pm and she has no idea where he is and what's worse...he's not answering his phone. A few hours after he left she tried calling him to see if he had calmed down so she could convince him to come back and talk this out but he didn't answer then. Now here it is several hours later and after four additional calls she still isn't getting an answer. Her worry has become panic at this point as she's beginning to get an eerie feeling. She knows Larry well so she knows he wouldn't go this long without answering his phone...

*Laurent*

After spending several hours in the studio Laurent finished dancing and he's proud of himself because he hadn't missed a beat. He made himself some dinner and got a little emotional as he prepared it because of the memories he has of Larry being in the kitchen. Whether he was slicing vegetables or the way he would wipe his hands on his apron as he cooked. The way he would concentrate as he tested new recipes because of his time spent as a chef. When he took a bite of the stir fry he made he also couldn't help but recall how much better Larry's would taste. He just missed everything about him and for the past several hours he's had to fight the temptation to call him. Dancing was a good distraction for that but he couldn't dance all night. His heart aches for his love and he simply can't take it anymore. He grabs his phone and notices that it's off. His face scrunches in confusion as to why but that isn't important. When he turns it back on he notices he has a voicemail. Thinking nothing of it he presses the button to get into his mailbox and oh when he hears that voice his eyes immediately fill with tears... 

 "Laurent, it's me baby. I just got you letter and I...I'm so happy for you. We've been a part for so long and there's so much I want say to you but not over the phone. I want to see you right away. Please call me when you get this message and we can decide where to meet. Bye". 

The tears fell from his eyes at the word baby because whenever Larry called him that it was always the softest, sweetest sound and him saying it in that message was no different. He immediately starts to call him back only for the call to be interrupted by an incoming one. He starts to ignore it but something tells him he shouldn't...

"Hello"?

"Hey Laurent. It's Stephanie".

Laurent: "Hey Stephanie. What's going on? Wait, is my bebe oki"?

Stephanie: "That's why I'm calling Laurent. He's not ok".

Laurent: "What you mean"?!

Stephanie: "He, um...." *starts to cry* "He...."

Laurent: "Stephanie, just breathe and tell me what happened".

Stephanie: "Laurent, he got your letter and he was happy that you finally got help but then....."

Laurent: "Then what Stephanie?! Talk to me"!

Stephanie: "He found out that you talked to me first and that we resolved everything between us. It really upset him because he thought he would be the first one you talked to and he wasn't and...." *cries harder* "He was just so upset Laurent! He was so upset that he left! I figured he would only be gone for a few hours to cool off but now it's been too long".

Laurent: "How long Stephanie"?

Stephanie: "Since lunch time".

Laurent: "And you're just now calling me"?!

Stephanie: "I know I should have called you as soon as he left and I'm sorry. I just...."

Her crying is relentless now...

Laurent: "It's oki. Just relax". *pause* "And I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell".

Stephanie: "It's fine. I know you're upset. I'm just worried. He wouldn't go this long without answering his phone Laurent. I mean I know he's upset but it's just not like him".

Laurent: "I know. I have to go and find him".

Stephanie: "Laurent if you come and get me I'll go with you".

Laurent: "No, coming to get you will just take up more time. I'm going into town to check all of us hangouts and some other places. You just stay there".

Stephanie: "Fine but please call me when you know something".

Laurent: "I will".

He releases the phone and hurriedly goes to put on his shoes and jacket. He quickly set the alarm and leaves. He's shaking so badly he can barely lock the door but he manages. He jumps in his car and takes off. It isn't terribly late so when he drives into town he isn't surprised to see many people out. He parks then gets out to immediately begin searching. People are giving him strange looks because he's in such a frenzy. He could care less because Stephanie is right. Even though Larry is extremely upset he would never go this long without either calling or answering his calls. Just the thought of something being wrong with his love makes his stomach tighten up but he can't allow himself to become weak as the situation is dire. He continues to frantically search through the crowd of people. He then sees someone from behind with a bushy afro and appears to be the same height and weight as Larry so he bolts through the crowd causing people to become upset and yell as he runs into a few of them. He completely ignores them as he finally reaches the guy that resembles Larry. He grabs his shoulders then turns him around yelling, "Larry"! He's instantly disappointed when it turns out to be someone else...   

"Hey! What's your problem"?! 

Laurent: "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else". *pause* "I'm really sorry".

*face softens* "Don't worry about it".

Laurent nods softly at him then continues his search. Since he doesn't find him there he gets back in his car and starts driving around the entire city... 

*****

It's now approaching midnight so it's been hours since Laurent has been out looking for him. Naturally Stephanie is beside herself with worry and panic. She's sitting on her couch rocking back and forth when her phone rings... 

"Larry"? 

"No it's Laurent".

Stephanie: "Did you find him"?!

Laurent: "No and I looked in so many places. I don't know where else to look".

Stephanie: *sigh* "This can't be happening! Where could he be"?!

Laurent: "I don't know Stephanie but I'm going to check a few more places and if I still can't find him I'll come over there and we will figure something out together, oki"?

Stephanie: "Yeah that's fine".

Her voice is extremely shaky and Laurent can tell she's crying...  

Laurent: "We will find him Stephanie. I'll get my bebe back and you will get your best friend back".

Stephanie: "Ok, just please call me if...hold on Laurent".    

She's cut off by the doorbell ringing. She stands up and practically runs to it and swings it open without so much as looking through the peephole. When she does her mouth parts as her eyes widen...

------------------------- 

A/N: Alright everyone discussion time. So what do you think? Did Larry go too far or does he have good reason to be so upset? Also, who's at the door? Now I know this chapter went a little left field but like I always ask, just please trust me. Love you guys. :)