Just To Be With You (1/9)
Title: Just To Be With You
Word Count: 3,858
Summary: Babe makes a big mistake that sends the one he loves into the arms of another. Now he has to chase him across the globe to tell him how he feels before it's too late. Seriously AU. Various pairings.
Disclaimer: I’m not making any money off of writing this story. It’s entirely fictional and based on the performances given in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and not the actual soldiers. I don’t own anything….so please don’t sue me. I wrote it for your enjoyment so…enjoy!
It was going to be a really, really awesome day. Babe could feel it. He had just finished acing his English Lit. final- his last exam for the semester- and he was ready to just kick back and relax with his buddies for the summer.
In fact he was so excited about today that he nearly broke the door to his apartment down as he rushed in.
“Guys today is THE day! I’m serious this time!” he called out excitedly.
His roommates didn’t really seem to share his enthusiasm however, probably because they were still studying for their finals….losers. In fact Babe’s best friend Bill Guarnere looked about ready to punch him in the face.
Only they’d been best friends since Babe was 2 and Bill was 4 and Babe could safely say that he’d been getting that look since…well probably since he was 2. The point was that he had amazingly survived to be 19 so he wasn’t too worried.
“Shut yer fucking yapper Babe,” Bill growled at him as he turned back to his notes, “plane ain’t even left the goddamn ground yet.”
A laugh came from the floor of the living room where Babe’s other roommate George Luz was sitting. He smirked at Babe, “Yeah and the last time I checked you were way too pussy to actually say anything. “
Babe glared at both of them, “Y’know what? Fuck you guys. A little support would be real fucking swell if you think you could manage it.” He kicked Luz’s book shut as he crossed the living room to flop onto their crummy couch.
The reason that today was going to be a miraculous day had a lot to do with an airplane. Because on this airplane was one of the greatest obstacles in the road to Babe’s happiness. This obstacle was a girl. This girl’s name was Renee. Yet none of that was going to matter because in a few hours the aircraft harboring Renee would be taking her back to France…or Belgium or wherever the hell it was that she lived. Only then would everything fall into place.
You see about a year and a half ago, when Babe had first started college, he had met someone.
Eugene Roe was a pre med major about a year older than Babe and they had met through Bill’s strange group of friends at a party. A year and a half later and Babe could easily say that Gene was his favorite person in the whole world.
They had gotten close fast and spent the better part of that first year dancing around one another waiting for the other to make a move. It seriously irritated their friends. The only problem was…neither of them ever took the first step. Babe had waited too long. That was where Renee came in.
Now Babe didn’t actually have anything against Renee. She was nice and charming and as a person, Babe liked her. However she was also beautiful…and French. Eugene had met her on a blind date that one of his pre-med buddies set him up on. They’d been together ever since. Now that he thought about it Babe supposed that he could hold the whole ‘dating the object of his affection’ thing against her. Just a little bit. But now she was going back to France, or Belgium, or…somewhere in Europe and they were breaking up.
Luz snapped his book shut and stood up, “Well fellas I’m gonna go take my last exam. Wish me luck. Oh and don’t worry Babe we’ll get Doc so fucking tanked tonight that he might not reject you!” Babe responded by throwing an empty coke can at his head. Finally their mess was becoming useful.
“Yeah thanks a lot you prick,” He snapped at his retreating friend, “I hope you fucking fail!”
Bill just smirked and shook his head, “I’m going to scram too.” He started to leave but paused to look at Babe seriously, “Hey Babe…are you sure you wanna do this tonight? I mean…she just left.”
Babe looked at the ground for a moment. He had thought about that- he really had. Eugene really liked Renee. It was just that Babe was afraid that if he didn’t speak up about his feelings soon, he’d lose his nerve. He nodded and smiled at Bill, “We’ll see how it goes.”
When it came to parties, it was universally agreed that Lewis Nixon’s were the best for two very important reasons. First being that he always had a lot of booze….like a lot of booze. Secondly his apartment was fucking huge which meant there was usually an extra room that could be used for ….stuff. Nixon had parents that he generally despised and he never really felt bad about wasting their money.
Babe was starting to feel a little anxious. He had been here for about 45 minutes and Gene still wasn’t there. He knew he was coming because just a few hours ago he had called Babe to make sure that Babe was going to be there. But Gene still wasn’t there. Babe looked at his empty beer can.
If he was going to do this then he might as well drink up some courage….maybe something a little stronger than beer.
So 2 hours, half a bottle of Absolute vodka, a soda, a bag of Doritos and four bathroom breaks later he was having troubling remembering his Babe….wait….his name…what was it? He needed to sit. The floor looked nice.
Suddenly someone grabbed his arm and steered him towards the couch and away from his equally sloshed friends. Wait who…oh it was Dick.
Dick Winters was one of Bill’s good friends that Babe liked but didn’t really have a lot in common with. Also, aside from Carwood Lipton, Dick Winters was Gene’s best friend.
“Babe what are you doing? You’re only 19 you shouldn’t be drinking.” Dick’s voice was gentle but it was obvious that he was disappointed-probably more in Bill than in Babe. Slowly he helped Babe sit on the couch next to their only slightly inebriated host. Who’d probably been drinking since finals got out.
Nixon looked up at his boyfriend as Babe was plopped down next to him. “What are you giving me that look for?” He asked Dick who just shook his head.
“He’s drunk Lew.” He stated simply. Nixon just nodded slowly.
“Yeah I’m not surprised he’s been hitting it pretty hard all night. What’s the problem-it’s a party Dick people drink.” He said only to smile as Dick gave him another look. “I mean normal people who aren’t you. You should sit next to me and let somebody else babysit him. Okay?”
Dick just shook his head, “That’s not the problem remember? What Eugene said?”
From the look on Nixon’s face it was obvious that he didn’t remember, nor did he care. Suddenly Dick crouched down in front of Babe and snapped his fingers softly to get his attention. Babe looked at him. He was saying something about…something….important…Gene…..what?
Babe didn’t pay ‘attention’ too much longer because right behind Dick’s head was Eugene himself and really-looking at Eugene was much better than talking about him.
He looked good, but he always looked good. He was wearing that brown leather jacket Renee had gotten him for Christmas…one of the things Babe had approved of her giving him.
Dick looked over his shoulder to see what Babe was looking at and sighed. “Don’t forget what I told you,” He said but Babe still wasn’t listening. Gene was coming right towards them. He was looking right at Babe.
By the time Gene actually made his way over to the couch, Babe had already snagged and downed two open beers that were in arms reach. He couldn’t do this….
“Heya Babe,” Gene’s soft Cajun accent greeted him. He looked down at Babe with a smile, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Babe just nodded but didn’t move. Gene reached a hand out to him, Babe took it and allowed himself to be pulled slowly off the couch as Gene proceeded to weave them through their various friends and fellow party goers to that ever present room a little further away from the party.
Unfortunately Luz was already inside with some of his poker buddies. He looked up when they entered and gave Babe a curious look but made no move to leave. Gene sighed, rolled his eyes and dug into his pocket.
“Twenty bucks into the pot if you guys take it elsewhere.” Gene was paying to get them out. Was he psychic? Wait….was Babe…ASLEEP? And y’know….dreaming?
“Sure you bet.” Luz mumbled hopping up off the floor and snatching the $20 out of Gene’s hands, his friends on his heels. As he passed Babe he smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
The door shut behind them with a thud and all of a sudden the noise that had been so loud and pulsing in Babe’s head seemed to cease all at once. He stumbled forward a little and tripped onto the bed that he figured was in the guest room because no way would Nixon let anyone into his room. Gene moved to his side quickly to help him sit up.
“Easy there Babe, are you okay?” Gene asked him softly and although Babe didn’t look up at him he knew he was being stared at intensely. He just nodded in response to Gene’s question. He was doing a lot of nodding tonight.
“Are you sure?” Gene pressed on, looking concerned, “You seem awfully quiet. I mean usually I’m the quiet one remember?” That made Babe smile because it was true. Normally Babe talked a mile a minute. Gene only talked to say important things. He cleared his throat.
“Nah I’m…okay,” Babe replied. Now that was just lame…he had to be wasted. “I mean, how - how are you? I mean with Renee…y’know.”
‘Oh way to go slick….bring up the last person you want him thinking about.’ Babe grumbled in his head.
Gene pursed his lips and slid over so that he was sitting side by side with Babe. Heaving another sigh he covered his eyes with his hands and fell back onto the bed.
“I’m not sure…” he started slowly, “I was..I am…really in love with Renee. Watching her get on that plane was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a really long time. That’s why I wanted to talk to you Babe. I think…I think I might ask her to marry me.”
Oh. OH. Babe didn’t want to hear this. This was why he wanted to talk to him? He started to shake his head. He couldn’t do this. Not now. Not ever.
“But not if you tell me I shouldn’t.” Gene had sat up and was now looking at Babe with an expression that Babe knew all too well. Because Gene looked scared.
“Huh?” Babe was…confused…again. And really not racking up any intelligence points with his ever so stupid responses.
Gene slid off the bed and onto the floor, not taking his eyes off Babe for one second. Babe’s stomach was not feeling very happy right now. It was kinda freaking out. Along with the rest of him.
Gene took Babe’s hands into his and stared at them for a moment. Babe couldn’t breathe...or think.
“You are one of the most amazing people I know Babe. You’re all these things that I’m not. You’re funny, free spirited and honest. When I’m around you I feel like I could be those things too. We’ve been such good friends for such a long time. We make great friends-but I think,” Gene paused for a moment and looked up at Babe through dark lashes, “I think that we could do…better. Than just friends.”
Gene stopped again and it was obvious that he was really nervous. There were so many things that Babe wanted to say….but he couldn’t. Why couldn’t he? Holy crap his stomach was SO pissed at him right now…how much had he drank? Wait...not important…Eugene was talking…oh crap..
“What I’m trying to say is…while I love Renee more than anyone I’ve ever been with, while I’m ready to take a huge step with her. All I’ve ever really wanted was a chance with you. There’s just been so many things keeping me from asking for it until now. If you give me that then…then I won’t have a reason to marry Renee. I just want to have one chance.”
Gene seemed to notice that Babe wasn’t reacting much. Suddenly Gene looked a little more than nervous. Holy crap- Babe needed to say something. Why couldn’t he talk? He couldn’t even think…
“Babe…say something.” Gene looked so scared.
Babe tried to say something. ‘ I love you- please don’t marry her- I feel the same-I have for so long’.
Oh god his stomach. He clutched a hand to his mouth. “I’m going to be sick.”
He couldn’t throw up, not in front of Gene. He staggered to his feet and fled to the closest bathroom, leaving Gene behind staring blankly at the spot on the bed where he had been.
Babe had been vomiting for what felt like forever. One thing about drunken puking was that it tended to make you forget who you were, where you were and what you were doing there…and where you were.
He didn’t even know what he was puking into much less who was talking to him. One thing he DID know was that whoever it was must really hate him because the knocking and the yelling only made him feel worse.
“Babe!? Are you okay?”
No…he wasn’t...he wanted to die….so that he would stop puking. Who was Babe?
“That’s it I’m going in there.”
“Damn Bill-be more of a mother hen- seriously go ahead. The kid’s fine…just a little wasted. It happens.”
“I don’t know Luz, he’s been in there for a long time man.”
“Tab shut up! I’m trying to stop Bill’s-“
“OH GOD! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!” Babe hollered hoarsely at the voices. Before promptly passing out.
“Babe? You awake yet buddy?”
Oh man…he felt…very bad.
As he struggled to open his eyes, Babe tried to figure out who was talking to him.
“Bill?” Babe pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around. Well...he was back at his apartment and his head hurt a lot. So…hangover much?
Slowly he turned his head towards Bill, who had pulled a chair up next to Babe’s bed.
“What happened man?” He asked as he accepted the glass of water Bill was handing to him.
“The usual,” His friend seemed a little too concerned for it to be the usual, “you drank too much, made a fool of yourself, retched and passed out.”
“What do you mean I made a fool of myself?” Babe didn’t like where this was going. Bill looked at him for a moment and sighed.
“Well,” Bill started slowly, “from what I heard from Luz, you were with Gene in Nix’s guest room. Luz musta been listening to you guys cause he says Gene was practically pouring out his undying love…for you.”
Oh shit…Babe knew what happened. He had to talk to Gene.
Bill kept going, “Next thing he sees is you running to the bathroom and Gene running out on the party. I should be asking you what happened really.”
“I messed up big time Bill,” he said. Seeing Bill’s face he explained, “he told me he wanted something more than friendship…and I told him I was going to be sick.”
Bill stared at him for a minute before slapping both of his hands to his face. “You have to talk to him man. Seriously you need to get your shit together, you’re stressing me out with all your problems.”
“I know, I know! I’ll talk to him as soon as…” Babe trailed off as he looked at his shirt where there looked to be what he could only assume was regurgitated Doritos. Yuck. “As soon as I take a shower and change….man I reek.”
“No argument there!” A voice shouted from the living room. Babe glared.
“Fuck off Luz-invite yourself into the conversation instead of eaves dropping! Damn!” That said he rolled out of bed and looked at Bill. “A shower, and then I fix this. Man I’m such an idiot!”
Babe had just finished getting dressed and was going over everything he was going to say to Gene when someone started banging on the door. He ran to get out of his room hoping that maybe it was Gene. All he really succeeded in doing was tripping over his untied shoelaces.
When he got out of his room Bill had already answered the door and the person behind it wasn’t Gene at all but instead it revealed a ruffled and irritated Lewis Nixon.
“Geez Nix,” Bill said as he moved to let Nixon inside, “what the hell are you even doing up? It’s only 2 pm.” Nixon just glared at him.
“Can it Guarnere. Has Dick called you today?” He asked looking hopeful. However when Bill shook his head he didn’t look too surprised. “Of course not. This is just great. Is Babe up? I think I have something to say that he’ll want to hear. “
Babe rushed into view and tossed on his jacket, “I’m right here Nix. What is it?”
Nixon sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Last night Dick and Lipton left the party early to go check on Eugene. He was upset for some reason.” Although from the look he shot Babe, Nixon knew exactly why. He kept going, “This morning I find a very apologetic message on my phone from Dick, letting me know that Gene has lost his mind.”
They all just kind of stared at him. Nixon rolled his eyes. “Gene’s flight took off this morning. He’s going to find Renee and ask her to marry him.”
“WHAT!?” Babe hollered loud enough to make Nixon wobble backwards on his heels.
“Oh I think you heard me Casanova. Thanks to your little run and puke number last night, Gene dug up the dough for three tickets to Europe and a fancy ring. You blew it big time.”
“Wait three tickets?” Luz asked obviously not understanding why Nixon was so pissed.
“Yeah three, Lip and Dick went with him.” Nixon said in his most dry tone, he turned towards Babe looking none too pleased. “Which is why you need to fix this! My boyfriend just flew over the Atlantic to God knows what country when he should be here spending his summer with yours truly!”
Babe didn’t know how much worse this could possibly get. But he knew one thing there was no way in hell he was going to sit back and let Eugene get married, not thinking that Babe didn’t care about him. He wasn’t going to let him make the biggest mistake of his life.
“Well what am I supposed to do?” He asked looking at his assembled friends-well friends and Nixon-desperately.
Nixon looked like he couldn’t believe his ears, “What? Are you kidding me? Go after him or something!”
“With what money? I work part time at a deli-what do you think they pay me man!”He shouted. He couldn’t deal with Nixon’s bullshit right now.
Bill held his hand up, “I’ll chip in man but you’re not going by yourself. We’ll go with you.” He gestured between himself and Luz who nodded quickly. “Your ma would kill me If I let anything happen to you. I’m sure we can get enough for the tickets.”
“Oh Bill you don’t even know where you’re going!” Nixon retorted as he crossed his arms. Bill shot him a glare. Nixon quickly uncrossed his arms.
“Listen Lew either you contribute or shut your mouth okay this ain’t about you.” He snarled at the huffy young man.
“Um well Dick’s involved so it kinda is.” Nixon snapped and then sighed, “I can help. But even I can’t cover all the expenses. Crap, what a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into Babe.”
Babe couldn’t believe how crappy he felt. They were trying so hard to help him rectify his own stupid mistake. He’d had everything he wanted right there, and he fucked up. All he had to do was nod, he’d been so good at that. Why couldn’t he have just nodded to Gene one more time? He thought he’d felt bad last night. He felt cold now.
He’d blown his chance at the one thing he’d wanted for so long. Maybe he didn’t deserve Gene. Looking over at the bickering people in front of him he knew he definitely didn’t deserve his friends.
All of a sudden Luz, whom had been uncharacteristically quiet, spoke up. “Nix you think that if we all chip in that we’ll have enough for anything other than plane fare?”
Nixon looked at him for a moment, “Well there’s no way to know for sure really. We don’t actually know where they are. My guess would be yes though. But we have to consider the fact that we’ll have to travel by more than plane. Why?”
Luz just smirked, “I think I know someone who can get us a ride for free.”
Bill looked at him with disbelief, “Oh you can’t be seriously thinking about who I think you’re thinking about.”
“It’s bulletproof man-he owes me.” Luz seemed to be pretty sure. Unfortunately neither Babe nor Nixon seemed to know who they were talking about.
“It’s freaking suicidal is what it is. He’s not going to do any favors for you.” Bill said to him obviously more than a little against this plan. Whatever it was.
“Not for ME, but I think he can be persuaded.” Luz was smiling to himself. That was never a good thing.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Bill snapped. Babe didn’t have time for this.
“LOOK,” He shouted, interrupting their bickering, “WHOEVER he is, let’s just ask him okay? It can’t hurt any. They already have a head start on us and I HAVE to get to him before he asks her! Okay!? I don’t care who this mystery guy is damn it! I can’t afford to let Gene get away!”
The three men just looked at him speechless. It was the most he had talked so far. Maybe his quiet spell was finally wearing off. God he hoped so. It certainly hadn’t been doing him any good.
Nixon nodded looking more pleased than he had in a while. “That’s the right attitude. Let’s go.”
“Yeah let’s go.” Babe echoed. He really hoped he didn’t screw this up. ‘Just go after him-find him-tell him.’ That should be simple enough. He hoped.
One more thing he was sure of. He was NEVER eating Doritos again. Seriously.
Word Count: 3,858
Summary: Babe makes a big mistake that sends the one he loves into the arms of another. Now he has to chase him across the globe to tell him how he feels before it's too late. Seriously AU. Various pairings.
Disclaimer: I’m not making any money off of writing this story. It’s entirely fictional and based on the performances given in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and not the actual soldiers. I don’t own anything….so please don’t sue me. I wrote it for your enjoyment so…enjoy!
It was going to be a really, really awesome day. Babe could feel it. He had just finished acing his English Lit. final- his last exam for the semester- and he was ready to just kick back and relax with his buddies for the summer.
In fact he was so excited about today that he nearly broke the door to his apartment down as he rushed in.
“Guys today is THE day! I’m serious this time!” he called out excitedly.
His roommates didn’t really seem to share his enthusiasm however, probably because they were still studying for their finals….losers. In fact Babe’s best friend Bill Guarnere looked about ready to punch him in the face.
Only they’d been best friends since Babe was 2 and Bill was 4 and Babe could safely say that he’d been getting that look since…well probably since he was 2. The point was that he had amazingly survived to be 19 so he wasn’t too worried.
“Shut yer fucking yapper Babe,” Bill growled at him as he turned back to his notes, “plane ain’t even left the goddamn ground yet.”
A laugh came from the floor of the living room where Babe’s other roommate George Luz was sitting. He smirked at Babe, “Yeah and the last time I checked you were way too pussy to actually say anything. “
Babe glared at both of them, “Y’know what? Fuck you guys. A little support would be real fucking swell if you think you could manage it.” He kicked Luz’s book shut as he crossed the living room to flop onto their crummy couch.
The reason that today was going to be a miraculous day had a lot to do with an airplane. Because on this airplane was one of the greatest obstacles in the road to Babe’s happiness. This obstacle was a girl. This girl’s name was Renee. Yet none of that was going to matter because in a few hours the aircraft harboring Renee would be taking her back to France…or Belgium or wherever the hell it was that she lived. Only then would everything fall into place.
You see about a year and a half ago, when Babe had first started college, he had met someone.
Eugene Roe was a pre med major about a year older than Babe and they had met through Bill’s strange group of friends at a party. A year and a half later and Babe could easily say that Gene was his favorite person in the whole world.
They had gotten close fast and spent the better part of that first year dancing around one another waiting for the other to make a move. It seriously irritated their friends. The only problem was…neither of them ever took the first step. Babe had waited too long. That was where Renee came in.
Now Babe didn’t actually have anything against Renee. She was nice and charming and as a person, Babe liked her. However she was also beautiful…and French. Eugene had met her on a blind date that one of his pre-med buddies set him up on. They’d been together ever since. Now that he thought about it Babe supposed that he could hold the whole ‘dating the object of his affection’ thing against her. Just a little bit. But now she was going back to France, or Belgium, or…somewhere in Europe and they were breaking up.
Luz snapped his book shut and stood up, “Well fellas I’m gonna go take my last exam. Wish me luck. Oh and don’t worry Babe we’ll get Doc so fucking tanked tonight that he might not reject you!” Babe responded by throwing an empty coke can at his head. Finally their mess was becoming useful.
“Yeah thanks a lot you prick,” He snapped at his retreating friend, “I hope you fucking fail!”
Bill just smirked and shook his head, “I’m going to scram too.” He started to leave but paused to look at Babe seriously, “Hey Babe…are you sure you wanna do this tonight? I mean…she just left.”
Babe looked at the ground for a moment. He had thought about that- he really had. Eugene really liked Renee. It was just that Babe was afraid that if he didn’t speak up about his feelings soon, he’d lose his nerve. He nodded and smiled at Bill, “We’ll see how it goes.”
When it came to parties, it was universally agreed that Lewis Nixon’s were the best for two very important reasons. First being that he always had a lot of booze….like a lot of booze. Secondly his apartment was fucking huge which meant there was usually an extra room that could be used for ….stuff. Nixon had parents that he generally despised and he never really felt bad about wasting their money.
Babe was starting to feel a little anxious. He had been here for about 45 minutes and Gene still wasn’t there. He knew he was coming because just a few hours ago he had called Babe to make sure that Babe was going to be there. But Gene still wasn’t there. Babe looked at his empty beer can.
If he was going to do this then he might as well drink up some courage….maybe something a little stronger than beer.
So 2 hours, half a bottle of Absolute vodka, a soda, a bag of Doritos and four bathroom breaks later he was having troubling remembering his Babe….wait….his name…what was it? He needed to sit. The floor looked nice.
Suddenly someone grabbed his arm and steered him towards the couch and away from his equally sloshed friends. Wait who…oh it was Dick.
Dick Winters was one of Bill’s good friends that Babe liked but didn’t really have a lot in common with. Also, aside from Carwood Lipton, Dick Winters was Gene’s best friend.
“Babe what are you doing? You’re only 19 you shouldn’t be drinking.” Dick’s voice was gentle but it was obvious that he was disappointed-probably more in Bill than in Babe. Slowly he helped Babe sit on the couch next to their only slightly inebriated host. Who’d probably been drinking since finals got out.
Nixon looked up at his boyfriend as Babe was plopped down next to him. “What are you giving me that look for?” He asked Dick who just shook his head.
“He’s drunk Lew.” He stated simply. Nixon just nodded slowly.
“Yeah I’m not surprised he’s been hitting it pretty hard all night. What’s the problem-it’s a party Dick people drink.” He said only to smile as Dick gave him another look. “I mean normal people who aren’t you. You should sit next to me and let somebody else babysit him. Okay?”
Dick just shook his head, “That’s not the problem remember? What Eugene said?”
From the look on Nixon’s face it was obvious that he didn’t remember, nor did he care. Suddenly Dick crouched down in front of Babe and snapped his fingers softly to get his attention. Babe looked at him. He was saying something about…something….important…Gene…..what?
Babe didn’t pay ‘attention’ too much longer because right behind Dick’s head was Eugene himself and really-looking at Eugene was much better than talking about him.
He looked good, but he always looked good. He was wearing that brown leather jacket Renee had gotten him for Christmas…one of the things Babe had approved of her giving him.
Dick looked over his shoulder to see what Babe was looking at and sighed. “Don’t forget what I told you,” He said but Babe still wasn’t listening. Gene was coming right towards them. He was looking right at Babe.
By the time Gene actually made his way over to the couch, Babe had already snagged and downed two open beers that were in arms reach. He couldn’t do this….
“Heya Babe,” Gene’s soft Cajun accent greeted him. He looked down at Babe with a smile, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Babe just nodded but didn’t move. Gene reached a hand out to him, Babe took it and allowed himself to be pulled slowly off the couch as Gene proceeded to weave them through their various friends and fellow party goers to that ever present room a little further away from the party.
Unfortunately Luz was already inside with some of his poker buddies. He looked up when they entered and gave Babe a curious look but made no move to leave. Gene sighed, rolled his eyes and dug into his pocket.
“Twenty bucks into the pot if you guys take it elsewhere.” Gene was paying to get them out. Was he psychic? Wait….was Babe…ASLEEP? And y’know….dreaming?
“Sure you bet.” Luz mumbled hopping up off the floor and snatching the $20 out of Gene’s hands, his friends on his heels. As he passed Babe he smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
The door shut behind them with a thud and all of a sudden the noise that had been so loud and pulsing in Babe’s head seemed to cease all at once. He stumbled forward a little and tripped onto the bed that he figured was in the guest room because no way would Nixon let anyone into his room. Gene moved to his side quickly to help him sit up.
“Easy there Babe, are you okay?” Gene asked him softly and although Babe didn’t look up at him he knew he was being stared at intensely. He just nodded in response to Gene’s question. He was doing a lot of nodding tonight.
“Are you sure?” Gene pressed on, looking concerned, “You seem awfully quiet. I mean usually I’m the quiet one remember?” That made Babe smile because it was true. Normally Babe talked a mile a minute. Gene only talked to say important things. He cleared his throat.
“Nah I’m…okay,” Babe replied. Now that was just lame…he had to be wasted. “I mean, how - how are you? I mean with Renee…y’know.”
‘Oh way to go slick….bring up the last person you want him thinking about.’ Babe grumbled in his head.
Gene pursed his lips and slid over so that he was sitting side by side with Babe. Heaving another sigh he covered his eyes with his hands and fell back onto the bed.
“I’m not sure…” he started slowly, “I was..I am…really in love with Renee. Watching her get on that plane was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a really long time. That’s why I wanted to talk to you Babe. I think…I think I might ask her to marry me.”
Oh. OH. Babe didn’t want to hear this. This was why he wanted to talk to him? He started to shake his head. He couldn’t do this. Not now. Not ever.
“But not if you tell me I shouldn’t.” Gene had sat up and was now looking at Babe with an expression that Babe knew all too well. Because Gene looked scared.
“Huh?” Babe was…confused…again. And really not racking up any intelligence points with his ever so stupid responses.
Gene slid off the bed and onto the floor, not taking his eyes off Babe for one second. Babe’s stomach was not feeling very happy right now. It was kinda freaking out. Along with the rest of him.
Gene took Babe’s hands into his and stared at them for a moment. Babe couldn’t breathe...or think.
“You are one of the most amazing people I know Babe. You’re all these things that I’m not. You’re funny, free spirited and honest. When I’m around you I feel like I could be those things too. We’ve been such good friends for such a long time. We make great friends-but I think,” Gene paused for a moment and looked up at Babe through dark lashes, “I think that we could do…better. Than just friends.”
Gene stopped again and it was obvious that he was really nervous. There were so many things that Babe wanted to say….but he couldn’t. Why couldn’t he? Holy crap his stomach was SO pissed at him right now…how much had he drank? Wait...not important…Eugene was talking…oh crap..
“What I’m trying to say is…while I love Renee more than anyone I’ve ever been with, while I’m ready to take a huge step with her. All I’ve ever really wanted was a chance with you. There’s just been so many things keeping me from asking for it until now. If you give me that then…then I won’t have a reason to marry Renee. I just want to have one chance.”
Gene seemed to notice that Babe wasn’t reacting much. Suddenly Gene looked a little more than nervous. Holy crap- Babe needed to say something. Why couldn’t he talk? He couldn’t even think…
“Babe…say something.” Gene looked so scared.
Babe tried to say something. ‘ I love you- please don’t marry her- I feel the same-I have for so long’.
Oh god his stomach. He clutched a hand to his mouth. “I’m going to be sick.”
He couldn’t throw up, not in front of Gene. He staggered to his feet and fled to the closest bathroom, leaving Gene behind staring blankly at the spot on the bed where he had been.
Babe had been vomiting for what felt like forever. One thing about drunken puking was that it tended to make you forget who you were, where you were and what you were doing there…and where you were.
He didn’t even know what he was puking into much less who was talking to him. One thing he DID know was that whoever it was must really hate him because the knocking and the yelling only made him feel worse.
“Babe!? Are you okay?”
No…he wasn’t...he wanted to die….so that he would stop puking. Who was Babe?
“That’s it I’m going in there.”
“Damn Bill-be more of a mother hen- seriously go ahead. The kid’s fine…just a little wasted. It happens.”
“I don’t know Luz, he’s been in there for a long time man.”
“Tab shut up! I’m trying to stop Bill’s-“
“OH GOD! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!” Babe hollered hoarsely at the voices. Before promptly passing out.
“Babe? You awake yet buddy?”
Oh man…he felt…very bad.
As he struggled to open his eyes, Babe tried to figure out who was talking to him.
“Bill?” Babe pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around. Well...he was back at his apartment and his head hurt a lot. So…hangover much?
Slowly he turned his head towards Bill, who had pulled a chair up next to Babe’s bed.
“What happened man?” He asked as he accepted the glass of water Bill was handing to him.
“The usual,” His friend seemed a little too concerned for it to be the usual, “you drank too much, made a fool of yourself, retched and passed out.”
“What do you mean I made a fool of myself?” Babe didn’t like where this was going. Bill looked at him for a moment and sighed.
“Well,” Bill started slowly, “from what I heard from Luz, you were with Gene in Nix’s guest room. Luz musta been listening to you guys cause he says Gene was practically pouring out his undying love…for you.”
Oh shit…Babe knew what happened. He had to talk to Gene.
Bill kept going, “Next thing he sees is you running to the bathroom and Gene running out on the party. I should be asking you what happened really.”
“I messed up big time Bill,” he said. Seeing Bill’s face he explained, “he told me he wanted something more than friendship…and I told him I was going to be sick.”
Bill stared at him for a minute before slapping both of his hands to his face. “You have to talk to him man. Seriously you need to get your shit together, you’re stressing me out with all your problems.”
“I know, I know! I’ll talk to him as soon as…” Babe trailed off as he looked at his shirt where there looked to be what he could only assume was regurgitated Doritos. Yuck. “As soon as I take a shower and change….man I reek.”
“No argument there!” A voice shouted from the living room. Babe glared.
“Fuck off Luz-invite yourself into the conversation instead of eaves dropping! Damn!” That said he rolled out of bed and looked at Bill. “A shower, and then I fix this. Man I’m such an idiot!”
Babe had just finished getting dressed and was going over everything he was going to say to Gene when someone started banging on the door. He ran to get out of his room hoping that maybe it was Gene. All he really succeeded in doing was tripping over his untied shoelaces.
When he got out of his room Bill had already answered the door and the person behind it wasn’t Gene at all but instead it revealed a ruffled and irritated Lewis Nixon.
“Geez Nix,” Bill said as he moved to let Nixon inside, “what the hell are you even doing up? It’s only 2 pm.” Nixon just glared at him.
“Can it Guarnere. Has Dick called you today?” He asked looking hopeful. However when Bill shook his head he didn’t look too surprised. “Of course not. This is just great. Is Babe up? I think I have something to say that he’ll want to hear. “
Babe rushed into view and tossed on his jacket, “I’m right here Nix. What is it?”
Nixon sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Last night Dick and Lipton left the party early to go check on Eugene. He was upset for some reason.” Although from the look he shot Babe, Nixon knew exactly why. He kept going, “This morning I find a very apologetic message on my phone from Dick, letting me know that Gene has lost his mind.”
They all just kind of stared at him. Nixon rolled his eyes. “Gene’s flight took off this morning. He’s going to find Renee and ask her to marry him.”
“WHAT!?” Babe hollered loud enough to make Nixon wobble backwards on his heels.
“Oh I think you heard me Casanova. Thanks to your little run and puke number last night, Gene dug up the dough for three tickets to Europe and a fancy ring. You blew it big time.”
“Wait three tickets?” Luz asked obviously not understanding why Nixon was so pissed.
“Yeah three, Lip and Dick went with him.” Nixon said in his most dry tone, he turned towards Babe looking none too pleased. “Which is why you need to fix this! My boyfriend just flew over the Atlantic to God knows what country when he should be here spending his summer with yours truly!”
Babe didn’t know how much worse this could possibly get. But he knew one thing there was no way in hell he was going to sit back and let Eugene get married, not thinking that Babe didn’t care about him. He wasn’t going to let him make the biggest mistake of his life.
“Well what am I supposed to do?” He asked looking at his assembled friends-well friends and Nixon-desperately.
Nixon looked like he couldn’t believe his ears, “What? Are you kidding me? Go after him or something!”
“With what money? I work part time at a deli-what do you think they pay me man!”He shouted. He couldn’t deal with Nixon’s bullshit right now.
Bill held his hand up, “I’ll chip in man but you’re not going by yourself. We’ll go with you.” He gestured between himself and Luz who nodded quickly. “Your ma would kill me If I let anything happen to you. I’m sure we can get enough for the tickets.”
“Oh Bill you don’t even know where you’re going!” Nixon retorted as he crossed his arms. Bill shot him a glare. Nixon quickly uncrossed his arms.
“Listen Lew either you contribute or shut your mouth okay this ain’t about you.” He snarled at the huffy young man.
“Um well Dick’s involved so it kinda is.” Nixon snapped and then sighed, “I can help. But even I can’t cover all the expenses. Crap, what a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into Babe.”
Babe couldn’t believe how crappy he felt. They were trying so hard to help him rectify his own stupid mistake. He’d had everything he wanted right there, and he fucked up. All he had to do was nod, he’d been so good at that. Why couldn’t he have just nodded to Gene one more time? He thought he’d felt bad last night. He felt cold now.
He’d blown his chance at the one thing he’d wanted for so long. Maybe he didn’t deserve Gene. Looking over at the bickering people in front of him he knew he definitely didn’t deserve his friends.
All of a sudden Luz, whom had been uncharacteristically quiet, spoke up. “Nix you think that if we all chip in that we’ll have enough for anything other than plane fare?”
Nixon looked at him for a moment, “Well there’s no way to know for sure really. We don’t actually know where they are. My guess would be yes though. But we have to consider the fact that we’ll have to travel by more than plane. Why?”
Luz just smirked, “I think I know someone who can get us a ride for free.”
Bill looked at him with disbelief, “Oh you can’t be seriously thinking about who I think you’re thinking about.”
“It’s bulletproof man-he owes me.” Luz seemed to be pretty sure. Unfortunately neither Babe nor Nixon seemed to know who they were talking about.
“It’s freaking suicidal is what it is. He’s not going to do any favors for you.” Bill said to him obviously more than a little against this plan. Whatever it was.
“Not for ME, but I think he can be persuaded.” Luz was smiling to himself. That was never a good thing.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Bill snapped. Babe didn’t have time for this.
“LOOK,” He shouted, interrupting their bickering, “WHOEVER he is, let’s just ask him okay? It can’t hurt any. They already have a head start on us and I HAVE to get to him before he asks her! Okay!? I don’t care who this mystery guy is damn it! I can’t afford to let Gene get away!”
The three men just looked at him speechless. It was the most he had talked so far. Maybe his quiet spell was finally wearing off. God he hoped so. It certainly hadn’t been doing him any good.
Nixon nodded looking more pleased than he had in a while. “That’s the right attitude. Let’s go.”
“Yeah let’s go.” Babe echoed. He really hoped he didn’t screw this up. ‘Just go after him-find him-tell him.’ That should be simple enough. He hoped.
One more thing he was sure of. He was NEVER eating Doritos again. Seriously.