Thanks to all who have written with ideas on what to do with our new friend. I'm still working on some ideas, we'll see how it turns out =). Comments as always.
Jon backbayguy@Juno.com
Chapter One:
Jonathan stood quietly at the window overlooking Las Vegas. Thinking about what Kristian had said, he realized that it would be easier to help Ryan if he knew what was going on. He closed his eyes and concentrated. For a few minutes he stood there, eyes closed, his mind linked to the person sleeping downstairs. With a start, Jonathan returned his mind to his own body and shook his head. No wonder the kid is confused Jonathan thought. He debated with himself for a few minutes on the best approach.
Making a decision, he sent a small thought down to Ryan, slowly waking him up over the course of a few minutes. Next, he picked up the phone and ordered room service for the suite. As he walked across the penthouse, he scooped up Sebastian who, after giving him a typical cat like stare of disapproval, twisted out of his arms and took up his customary position around Jonathan's neck. Jonathan opened the door to find Danny and two others waiting patiently outside the door. With a nod, Jonathan continued walking on down the hallway, the others in tow; his mind obviously elsewhere. After going down four floors to Ryan's floor, they continued down the hallway.
"I've got room service sending up breakfast in about five minutes" said Jonathan. "Try not to harass them too badly"
"I do not harass the staff" said Danny patiently. "I just make sure that they are who they are supposed to be"
As they approached the suite, one of the agents unlocked the door. "He is up and moving around"
"OK thanks" said Jonathan.
Jonathan entered the suite and looked around. After a moment he sensed that Ryan was getting ready to come out of the bedroom part of the suite. He put Sebastian down on the floor and looked at him. "Go do your stuff kiddo"
"Kiddo?" came the reply in his head. "Kiddo? Be serious. I am a pure blood Norwegian Forest Cat. That would be Sir Kiddo to you"
"On your way" thought Jonathan.
Sebastian slid across the floor in catlike grace, tail held high and slipped in the crack of the bedroom door. He paused for a moment then went trotting across the room and hopped up on the bed.
Startled Ryan looked down the bed to see Sebastian to come walking up the bed looking at him. Ryan was amazed at the cat. The fur seemed to flow and shimmer in the light. The dark emerald green eyes held mirth and a depth that seemed endless. He watched as Sebastian completed his walk and sat down before him. Sebastian began an endless purr and cocked his head, almost asking to be scratched. Ryan held his hand out not sure what this monster sized cat would do. Sebastian sniffed the hand and then rubbed his head against it. Ryan began to scratch his ears, which caused Sebastian to squeeze his eyes half closed in pleasure and purr louder. Sebastian came closer to Ryan and rolled over on his side, gently pawing at him. Ryan began to scratch his stomach. The paws began to kneed Ryan's hand harder and faster. Ryan laughed out loud as the cat continued to play. After a few minutes, Sebastian hopped off the bed and headed towards the door, stopping to turn and look at him. He squeezed his eyes and walked out the door; once more the tail held high.
Ryan followed the cat out to find Jonathan out with a breakfast set up for two. Looking at the food, it looked like it was for 10 for all the food he had seen of recent time.
"Good morning, I guessed you were out here when the cat came into the room" said Ryan. "I can't believe how beautiful he is"
"He's a special cat that's for sure" said Jonathan. "He's a one of a kind cat"
Ryan came over to the table and sat down. "Are we expecting more people for breakfast?"
"Nope" said Jonathan pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I didn't know what you wanted for breakfast, so I ordered a bit of everything"
"Looks like everything on the menu is right" said Ryan. " Do you do this all this time?"
"Yeah unfortunately I do it more often then not" said Jonathan. "Here again I can afford it so I don't worry about it"
The two began to eat breakfast, and Jonathan noted that Ryan was hungrier then he had mentioned. Finally, as Ryan started to slow down his eating, Jonathan got up and went over to the window. He started in gently.
"So, you feel like talking about that night in Phoenix?" asked Jonathan.
Ryan paused in thought. "There's not a lot to tell." He said. "I had been hanging out on the corner up from where that alley way was and then all of a sudden I got picked up and was brought into that alley. The people were yelling and kicking and hitting me. I was just trying to protect myself and survive it and all of a sudden I heard three gunshots. At first I thought they had shot me. I was in so much pain, I couldn't tell. Through the haze I could hear voices then I saw those guys that jumped me hit the ground one by one. Next really clear thought I had was when I was in the hospital."
"The guys who took care of the gang bangers work for me" said Jonathan. They were 3 of the protection team that goes with me when I travel."
"Protection team?" asked Ryan.
"Yeah" said Jonathan sitting down on the couch and watching as Sebastian hopped up and came over to him. He paused to scratch the cats' ears and get a whisker twitch in return. "I have a large team of bodyguards that go wherever I go"
"Does that have anything to do with this hotel suite?" asked Ryan
"In a way" said Jonathan with a smile. I own the hotel and casino here"
"Damn"said Ryan.
"There are other reasons, but we don't need to get into that" said Jonathan. He mentally nudged Sebastian go over to Ryan. He was rewarded with a fresh volley of cat curses in his head but the cat got up and walked over to Ryan. Once more he twitched his whiskers and hopped up on Ryan's lap.
"I can't believe this cat man" said Ryan. "He is so huge, but gentle and soft"
"He is a very special breed of cat" said Jonathan. "He is a Norwegian Forest Cat. Very unique"
He paused for a moment for a sip of coffee. "Speaking of unique, you seem to be pretty unique yourself. I know about Virginia and what happened there, Ryan. Do you have any idea of why it happened?"
"How did you find about it" asked Ryan quietly.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you" said Jonathan. "The important part is that we deal with it; unless you want to go back to Phoenix and pick up where you left off. I only want to help you if I can"
"I know, I'm sorry" said Ryan, hanging his head. "I'm just so fucking confused."
"That's understandable" said Jonathan. "A lot has happened to you"
"How much of what happened at home do you know" he asked.
"Not a whole lot" Jonathan said, judging how much to say. "Just the basics"
"I came home from school one day about 4 weeks ago and saw that neither car was out front" he started. "I just figured that mom and dad were working late. I opened up the front door went in the house and just stopped. All of the furniture was gone; everything. The living room, dining room, the pictures on the walls, all of it. I didn't understand what was happening. I went upstairs and looked in all of the bedrooms and they were all stripped too, even my room. At first I thought maybe I got into the wrong house by mistake. We live in a brand new complex and I thought that I went into an empty house. Then I found my clothes hanging in my closet. Then I knew it was my house."
"You have no idea where your parents have gone?" asked Jonathan.
"No" said Ryan quietly. "Everything was cool that morning. We had breakfast together and then wham, nothing"
"I'm not gonna bullshit you and say everything is OK because it apparently isn't" started Jonathan. "I'm going to see what we can find out, but in the meantime you have a couple of options."
"What's that?" asked Ryan, still stroking Sebastian's fur. The cat, sensing the tension, continued to purr loudly keeping Ryan somewhat calm.
"Do you have any relatives we can contact for you?" asked Jonathan.
"No" said Ryan. "All of the grandparents are dead and both mom and dad were only kids"
"OK" said Jonathan. "You're welcome to stay with us for a while until we get things worked out one way or the other, or if you want I can make arrangements to get you where you want to go if you have a destination in mind"
"I have nowhere to go" said Ryan tears starting in his eyes. "I'm broke, those guys took what money I had"
"How have you been surviving on the street" asked Jonathan quietly, already knowing the answer
"Been selling myself" said Ryan. "Guess I'm good looking enough to get by"
"Are you gay?" asked Jonathan.
"No" said Ryan. "But when you haven't eaten in 3 days and someone offers you fifty bucks to let them suck your cock it really doesn't matter"
"That takes a lot" said Jonathan.
"You'd be surprised how easy it is when you haven't eaten" said Ryan with half a smile.
"I suppose so" said Jonathan. "Well, you won't have to worry about that for a while."
"I don't know what to say about all of this man" said Ryan. "I mean the clothes, this suite, that jet"
"Don't sweat it" said Jonathan getting up and getting ready to head out. "Everyone needs some help now and then. We're going to be leaving Vegas in an hour or so. I've got a meeting in Boston this afternoon and then we're headed home. One of the stewards will be in to pack up your stuff and the guys will get you out to the jet. I'll see you on board"
"How many people can the jet hold" asked Ryan, speaking of the Gulfstream.
"More then you think" said Jonathan somewhat cryptically.
About an hour later, Ryan found himself once again being sheparded along by the bodyguards towards a waiting limo out in front of the casino. He briefly saw Nick and Jonathan headed towards what looked like a pair of black Hummers surrounded by a lot of guys in suits. The limo followed the Hummers off the Casino grounds and out to the airport. As they drove, he noted two other cars and a van in the procession. After a brief stop outside the gates of McCarron International, the procession headed towards general aviation. As they rounded the last building, they came to a stop. Ryan looked around but didn't see the Gulfstream-V that he came in on. He saw lots of private jets, but nothing like the G-V.
Getting out he saw Nick walking over to him. "Hey, ever been to Boston?" he asked
"Nope" said Ryan looking around, a little nervous at all of the people that were obviously bodyguards. "What's with the company?"
"They go where we go." Said Nick starting to guide Ryan towards a large hanger. "The head bodyguard gets a little nervous in Vegas since Jon owns a casino so he goes a little heavy on the security when we are here. Nothing to worry about. It will be a lot less in Boston and even more so at home"
"OK" said Ryan. He watched Jonathan walk over and laughed at Sebastian walking in front of him; tail held high, the long fur flowing in the breeze.
"Yeah I know" said Jonathan. "There are days, I'm not sure who is really in charge, him or me"
They entered the large hanger and Ryan came to a dead stand still.
"What the hell is that?" he asked looking towards Renaissance.
"That would be the G-V's big brother" said Nick gently pushing Ryan towards the jet.
"That's a damn 747 man" he said.
"Yeah, that's what it is" said Nick. "Come on, I'll show you around"
"You fly in this thing" he asked going up the jet stairs.
"Yeah but I don't get frequent flyer miles" said Nick with a smile. He looked up and smiled at Jonathan who winked.
Chapter Two:
Renaissance floated out of the early evening sky towards the runway at Key West. As the tires thumped down, Jonathan put his coffee mug down on the desk, and put the paperwork away in his briefcase for Brandon to get tomorrow. He and Mark were taking one extra night in Las Vegas and were bringing the Gulfstream back to Key West in the morning. Having finished up the meeting in Boston earlier in the evening, Jonathan knew his schedule to be fairly open for the next few days. He got up and walked forward to find Nick and Ryan watching a movie. What was he getting himself into he wondered.
"OK guys" he said. "Home sweet home"
"Are you sure this is OK" asked Ryan getting up off the couch. He was still pretty confused having gone from Las Vegas to Boston to Key West all in the span of about 7 hours. Nick had taken him downtown to show him some of Boston while Jonathan had his meeting.
"We already discussed this and you know it is" said Jonathan. "Until we locate some relatives of yours, or make other arrangements, you're welcome to stay at the Grotto. We've got a couple of months until school starts again for you, so it's not like your missing anything"
"I just don't know what to say" said Ryan.
"How about thank you and just leave it at that" said Nick.
"Thanks" Ryan said quietly.
About that time there was a knock on the door and Danny came in.
"Hummers are being unlocked now" he started. "They should be out front in a couple of minutes. We'll be home in ten"
"OK thanks" said Jonathan. "Let me go call the house and tell them we have a houseguest"
Jonathan walked over to the bar and hit the speed dial for the house. After a moment, Anthony picked up the phone. It was a brief conversation.
"OK, all ready to go?" asked Jonathan
It was a quiet trip from the airport. In short fashion, they were passing through the gates of the Fern Grotto. As they came to a stop outside the front doors, Anthony and Karen came down the steps to meet them.
"Welcome back" they said in unison. "How was the trip?"
"Very good" said Jonathan getting out of the back of the Hummer. "Even Sebastian had a good time"
Karen glanced over at Hummer 2 as Ryan got out holding Sebastian.
"I know he's not with the security team" she said raising an eyebrow. "What's up with the cat? He doesn't like strangers."
"It's a long story" said Jonathan. "I'll tell you later"
"Indeed" said Anthony.
Chapter Three:
The next morning Ryan woke up from one of the best sleeps he had ever had. He didn't realize that sleeping on goose down would be so relaxing. He stretched his body and got out of bed, walking across the highly polished wood floor in just his boxers. He gazed out the window and was at first almost blinded by the early morning sun reflecting off the ocean. Then he looked down to see the black Olympic sized pool and connected Jacuzzi. He had only seen bits and pieces of the house and property when they had arrived last night. Instead of going out to dinner with Jonathan and Nick, he politely declined saying he was tired and his ribs were bothering him. After being shown to a room that was only slightly smaller then the suite he had been in at Las Vegas a steward had brought him dinner. He crashed shortly afterwards. He still wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew he had to get to coherent thoughts going.
Ryan noted that the clothes that had been waiting for him in Las Vegas were now all hung in the closets in this room. He went to the chest of drawers and found a pair of shorts. Perfect he thought. Some laps in the pool would help clear his brain.
About 20 minutes later, Nick walked out onto the balcony of their bedroom and looked down at the pool to see what the splashing was. Coming awake, he realized that he was naked and their guest could see if he looked up. Before he went back in, he watched Ryan swimming. Nick remembered his own varsity swimming days and was impressed. He went back inside to wake up Jonathan.
"Come on" he said pulling Jonathan half out of the bed while throwing a robe at him. "You've got to see this kid swim. I was fast but he is like lightening in the water"
"Hrm?" asked Jonathan half awake.
Nick was in one of his "I'm still a kid" modes this morning and was trying to get Jonathan into the robe and push him out towards the balcony all while throwing on a robe of his own. "Come on, come on, get a move on"
Finally getting to the balcony, Jonathan looked down at the pool. Together they watched as Ryan cleanly cut the water back and forth. Finally after seeing him do 20 laps he began to slow down.
"How many had he done before you got me?" asked Jonathan, going back in and starting to change.
"I saw him do 10 while I was watching him" said Nick, "I don't know how many before that"
"Wow" said Jonathan coming over and kissing Nick. "That's more then you do"
"Hrm" said Nick. "But I'm older"
"Yeah, I can see you're just about ready for Geritol and Viagra"
"So, what are we going to do with him" asked Nick as they headed downstairs.
"I've got Danny calling the offices in Virginia this morning." Said Jonathan as they came into the kitchen. Karen smiled a good morning and handed them each a mug of coffee. "They are going to try to track down his parents and find out what's what"
"Think they can?" asked Nick, savoring the coffee. Five years of the same blend of coffee and he was still amazed at how smooth and wonderful it was.
"If they can't no one can" said Jonathan.