Usual disclaimer and statement of rights apply.
Author's note: OK, OK. The last chapter was crap. Many of you told me that and you were right. Sorry. I think this chapter is more like my normal writing. I hope you will agree. I am already working on the next chapter which I think will be a fun ride. In the mean time, I hope you enjoy and I thank you for reading Sojourn. As always, your emails are miracle workers so keep them coming. Pnskid61@cox.net
Thanks - Dan
Chapter 40
Sean left feeling exhilarated that his plan had received an approval. He had much work to do now to get this to the next stage. After studying ENW's holdings, Sean had found that there was much more than what Ethan had shared. In the Bahamas based shipping arm, Sean found that ENW still owned 6 cargo vessels. These were left over from when Ethan had converted Albert's shipping company into a cruise line. The cargo vessels had been on long-term charters which were due to expire shortly. The value of these 6 ships was about $800 million. They were all fairly new, had the latest in navigation and safety technology, were well maintained, and had impeccable delivery records.
What Compass Cruise Lines needed was new ships. The time frame for a new ship from inception to delivery was close to 3 years and this was especially so with the European shipyards having a significant workload. Cargo ships had been converted to passenger ships in the past with limited success and the size of the cargo ships didn't suit Compass needs. So that idea was ruled out.
What Sean found was that a family owned shipping company in Greece was looking to exit the passenger business. They had 3 relatively new vessels, slightly smaller than the current Compass fleet size, and each had been beautifully fitted. Just as Ethan had determined early on, running cargo ships and passenger ships are two different disciplines. The Greek family had a large fleet of cargo vessels which were extremely profitable but they had not been able to transfer that success to their cruise line operations. Bottom line - what they did want was more cargo vessels. What they didn't want was the passenger ships. ENW had a compatible agenda. Sean would make contact with them in the coming week to discuss an opportunity for a win-win business deal.
Sarah and Dan had a wonderful evening. If they had questioned their blossoming love before the weekend, they didn't now. They talked, laughed, and flirted like two love sick teenagers. They made love with an intensity that left both of them exhausted. When Sarah left on Sunday afternoon she finalized plans with Dan for the trip to England at the end of the week. She went back to the condo, took incredible shit from Ethan and Rick who were both obviously feeling much better, and then left for R-1 and the flight back to Ft Lauderdale.
Sean and Kevin attended the late morning service at the MCC church. Afterwards they went to lunch and bowling. The bowling alley was near Cordova Mall and the airport. Kevin would be flying Sarah down to Ft Lauderdale later that afternoon so the location worked out great. After some bowling, they went to the food court at the mall for some junk food and people watching.
Sean had gone quiet as the time neared for Kevin to fly out. He was thinking about how much he enjoyed being with Kevin and how much he would miss him while he was gone to Europe for Thanksgiving with Ethan, Rick and the gang. Kevin noticed the mood change.
"Sean, what's the matter buddy?"
"Aw, nothing. Don't worry. Was just thinking about how quiet it will be around here with all y'all gone for Thanksgiving. But I have plenty of work to do to keep me busy."
"Hey, I got an idea. Why don't you pop down to Ft Lauderdale with me this evening. We are taking off about 5pm which should put us down there before 8pm their time. We could go and grab a dinner on the beach. We will be flying back tonight and we should get home about 12:30am. Whatcha think? It would be fun. You can even ride jump seat on the way back if you want."
Sean quickly agreed and suddenly felt better. Kevin wasn't usually the one with ideas like that and Sean was heartened that maybe, just maybe, Kevin was starting to feel something.
R-1 took off from Pensacola at 5:15pm. Sarah was in an especially good mood. She got a funny smirk on her face when she noticed Sean. She and Sean exchanged a knowing glance. Sean would have to make sure Sarah didn't jump to conclusions. Sarah had a bunch of questions about Project Phoenix so the flight to Ft Lauderdale went quickly. As they neared Ft Lauderdale, Kevin asked them to buckle up. Heavy thunderstorms were in the area. The airport was opening and closing but it looked like they would slip in before it closed again.
Kevin and Sheila were watching conditions carefully. The aircraft in front had reported some dramatic shifts in winds about 2 miles out from the runway. R-1 was experiencing heavy turbulence. R-1 was on target on the glide slope but it was a rough ride. At the 2 mile out mark, gear down, R-1 was caught in a wind shear. Many major crashes have been caused by wind shears. The wind was pushing R-1 down rapidly. They were well below the glide slope. Both Kevin and Sheila had been trained for this. They applied thrust and pulled the nose up. The sensation on R-1 is like the floor fell out. A sudden drop that leaves your stomach in your throat followed by a sudden burst of power to push you back into your seat. An airborne roller-coaster. It all happens in a matter of seconds but it is one of the most terrifying things to experience on the plane.
Sarah and Sean were gripping their seats for all they were worth. They didn't have the advantage of knowing what was going on. They were tossed from side to side and then greeted by a sudden drop. Papers flew through the cabin and items in the galley went crashing. Then the plane suddenly jumped accompanied by the roar of the engines. R-1 rocked from side to side. Sarah and Sean looked at each other both sure it was going to be their last glance.
R-1 rapidly began climbing but was now well above the glide slope. This would mean they would overshoot the runway.
"FLL approach, this is Compass R-1. Windshear at 2 miles out. Requesting permission to go around," Kevin calmly relayed to Ft Lauderdale approach.
"Compass R-1, Ft Lauderdale tower, please climb to five thousand and proceed on current heading. Field has been closed following your report of wind shear. Please await further instructions."
R-1 was cleared to West Palm Beach and landed there without incident. The FBO (fixed based operator) there had arranged a car and for an overnight for R-1. The next day Compass Air mechanics would drive up to West Palm and do an inspection of the aircraft which was normal procedure for Compass aircraft following an incident like what they had just been through.
After Sean and Sarah greeted Kevin and Sheila like they were heroes, Sarah formulated the plan for the evening.
"Sheila, how about you stay at my place tonight. Kevin, you and Sean can stay at Ethan's apartment. I'll drop you off there and pick you both up in the morning. I can use Sean some in the morning while he is down here and then you can all fly back to Pensacola tomorrow when R-1 is ready."
They stopped at Publix so that Kevin and Sean could pick up some milk, cereal, and diet coke. Sarah dropped them off at Ethan's giving them the key from her key chain. Neither of them had ever been to Ethan's apartment and they were shocked when the opened the door. They both entered and looked around, not saying a word. They looked at each other and broke out laughing.
"So let me get this right. A billionaire lives here? Look at this place, it looks like something slightly better than a college dorm," Kevin said through his laughter.
They put the milk and diet coke in the fridge after fixing themselves a bowl of cereal. They sat on the couch and turned on the TV.
"You know, this place really does say a lot about Ethan. He really is a regular guy and isn't spoiled by his wealth. I kind of like this place." Sean said.
"Yeah, me too. He really is a good guy. There aren't many like him." Kevin said.
"I am so glad my best friend is with such a wonderful guy. They are so much in love and I am so happy for him. I wish everyone could have the kind of love that they have." Sean said and then immediately felt like he had said too much.
They sat in silence for a few minutes watching some reality show on the TV.
"Hey Kev, I really want to say thanks for tonight. You did an amazing job and I think you saved our lives. I can't thank you enough." Sean said.
"Aww, I was just doing my job. It wasn't really that bad. I actually rocked the plane back and forth a few times just to rile y'all up," Kevin said trying to minimize what had happened. The reality was they almost did buy the farm.
They got up and went into the kitchen, washed their cereal bowls and filled their glasses with Diet Coke. Sean turned to go back out to watch TV but Kevin blocked the way.
"Well, if you really want to thank me, I can think of one way."
Sean froze. Could this really be happening? Before he could say anything, Kevin approached him. Kevin stared into Sean's eyes and Sean was suddenly nervous.
"Kiss me." Kevin said in a whisper.
The kiss was tentative at first - like two kids not sure about what to do. Heads turning from side to side trying to get the right angle. But then, their lips touched. Sean felt Kevin's strong arms go around him, pulling them closer together. Their tongues exploring each other's mouth. Bodies pressed tightly. They could both feel each other's hardness. The kiss continued. Sean thought that if he were to die at that moment his life would be complete.
Suddenly Kevin pulled back. Sean was swaying a little, breathless from the kiss and the intimacy. He could see Kevin's face and the look of confusion. Sean knew that things had gone too far too fast.
Kevin looked at Sean and said, "That was more than I ever thought it would be. I have never kissed a guy before. I have kissed women and I never felt what I just felt. I want to ask you something and I will understand if you laugh or you say no."
"Kevin, I would never laugh at you. I hope you know that. Please, ask me anything"
"Let's go sit down and talk." Kevin said reaching out taking Sean's hand and leading them into the living room.
"Sean, you know that this has been a difficult time for me. You, more than anyone, knows the depths of depression and desperation I have reached. But you, more than anyone, helped me see my way out. To help me see that I am a good person. That I am who I am and that is a good person. You have also helped me find a way to understand my faith in the context of being gay. I can't ever put into words what you have done for me. And that leads me to my question."
Sean sat and almost couldn't breathe.
"Sean. I want you to be my guide, no, um, oh shit, I am going to fuck this up." Kevin was now stumbling for words and Sean noticed that Kevin was actually sweating.
"I want you to be my guide and my partner on my journey. I want it to be our journey. Oh shit, this doesn't sound anything like the speech I had all prepared. I am so fucking nervous."
"Kev, it is OK," Sean held Kevin's hand and looked into his eyes.
"Sean, I love you. I am in love with you. I want you to be my partner. I want to show you how much I love you, but I don't know what to do. Also, I am not sure you feel the same."
Sean was sure he actually felt the earth stop spinning. He couldn't believe what he had heard. He looked at Kevin, so strong, so gorgeous, so vulnerable and so scared. This was something he had only dreamed about. He did love Kevin, he had dreamed about them being together. And now, the opportunity was there.
"Shit, I said too much and now I have screwed everything up. Please forgive me Sean, I thought you felt something too. I hope we can still be friends." Kevin said as tears formed in his eyes.
Sean leaned over, took Kevin's face into his hands, leaned in and kissed him. He then took Kevin's hand and led him to the bedroom.
"Sean, I've never done this before. I don't know what to do."
"Shhh, don't worry. We will take this a step at a time. We have our whole lives ahead of us." Sean said as he held Kevin in his arms.
They undressed one another before getting into the bed. Kevin's hands were trembling as hid undid Sean's belt. Sean took his hands and held them. He looked into Kevin's eyes and Kevin saw love looking at him.
Sean had seen Kevin's body the day of the "big mistake". But in that environment, Sean did not notice how beautiful Kevin was. Blonde hair, a light dusting of hair on his chest and tummy. Cut abs that would be at home on Men's Health magazine. He had legs like a runner with large firm upper thighs. Kevin was breathtaking.
Kevin felt like such a fool for shaking. He was being such a klutz. But he was so nervous but excited at the same time. He had taken months to get to this point but he knew deep in his heart that this was right. Sean was a good man. He had been a good friend, a mentor, and he had been patient and understanding. But now, it wasn't about that. It was about physically showing love. Kevin looked at Sean's body and thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. No cut abs, no bulging muscles, not what many would say was a prime specimen. But to Kevin, Sean was heaven sent.
They allowed themselves to explore. Hands travelled and lips explored. Sean rolled on top of Kevin and was wrapped in Kevin's arms. They were kissing and moving when suddenly Kevin tensed and moaned into Sean's mouth. Sean felt Kevin's orgasm, the warmth filling between their stomachs.
"Oh Sean, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to be so fast. You just turn me on so much. I never knew that it could feel like this."
Sean rolled to the side and placed Kevin's head on his shoulder. He caressed Kevin's head as Kevin calmed down from his orgasm. Kevin they reached and took Sean's cock in his hand. He began stroking Sean's cock. His own cum providing lubricant. Kevin then began kissing Sean which was all Sean needed to push him over the edge. His whole body tensed and soon he was overtaken by his own orgasm. It was so intense even though it was just a hand job. It was because it was about love. As Sean regained his senses, he felt warmth on his leg.
"Again?" Sean asked Kevin.
Kevin blushed and smiled. "Yes, you are so beautiful. The thought that I was providing you with pleasure and kissing you was all it took for me. Sean, I love you."
"I love you too." Sean got a washcloth and cleaned them both and then they spooned together. Kevin on the outside, Sean on the inside. They fell asleep in each other's arms.
In the early hours of the morning, they both woke. Sean took Kevin in his mouth and Kevin thought he actually saw fireworks. He wanted Sean to feel the same feeling so they moved into a 69 position. Kevin was first to cum. Shortly after that, Sean filled Kevin's mouth with his cum. Kevin had wondered what that would be like. Would he gag? Would he be repulsed? Would he get sick? He no longer worried about going to hell. And after Sean came, he no longer worried about the other things either. He had shared his love with Sean and he now had a part of Sean in him that nobody else had. For the first time in his life, Kevin was fulfilled and bursting with love.
The trip to Devon would be in five days. Everything was all set. Quest was a warning shot. He didn't mean for so many people to die but so what. Shit happens. Once and for all, the faggot would know what it means to loss everything that matters. Ethan's day of reckoning was coming. He couldn't help but laugh.
Coming soon - the trip to Devon. Project Phoenix moves forward. And a day of reckoning awaits.