I hesitantly walked into the open door of Mr. Summers' office and knocked on the door.
Mr. Summers and Alan looked up simultaneously.
"Um, Mr. Summers, you said that if I had a problem I could come talk to you... do you have a few minutes?" I asked nervously.
"Clark, we're both Mr. Summers. Did you want to speak to Scott privately?" Alan asked gently.
"Yes please." I said in nearly a whisper.
"I'm just here to grab these files anyway." Alan said and picked up a stack of folders.
"Thank you." I said, feeling that I was chasing him out of the room.
"No problem Clark." Alan said with a reassuring smile as he left.
"This job would be twice as hard without him." Scott said with a fond smile directed at the door.
I just stood there, not knowing what to do next.
"Come over here and have a seat. Tell me what's got you worried enough to come visit me." He said with a gentle smile.
"I... um... I think I've got a problem, and I'm not sure what to do." I said in a disjointed tone.
"Does this have anything to do with you and John sleeping together last night?" He asked, and somehow he managed to make it sound like an honest question instead of an accusation.
"Not exactly. I was telling the truth, all we did in my bed was sleep." [and he doesn't need to know what we did in John's bed.]
"Then what's bothering you?" He asked as he shifted in his chair to be more comfortable.
"I like John, I mean a whole lot. I even thought about us, maybe becoming, like, a couple... but then I started talking to Trey... and he's such a great guy... I don't want to hurt either of them and I don't want to choose between them." I said in anguish.
"Clark, I regard John somewhere between a son and a brother. I care about all the kids here, but John has found a special place in my heart. Trey is my nephew and I love and respect him. I'm telling you this so you'll know the motivations that are driving my advice." Mr. Summers said seriously.
I nodded carefully.
"You said you don't want to choose. Tell me about the choice you don't want to make." Mr. Summers said with a look of concern.
"It looks like I'm going to have to choose between Trey and John. I like them both and don't want to hurt either of them or lose either of them." I said, looking at the floor.
"Clark, you need to step back and look at your situation. You have a lot more options than you're seeing." Mr. Summers said seriously.
"Like what?" I asked in surprise.
"You can be friends with both. Just ignore the sex stuff and save the boyfriend thing for later." Mr. Summers said plainly.
"John and I are a little past that. We're not boyfriends yet. But trying to step back and be nothing but friends now would be... difficult." I said uneasily.
"Clark, as a teacher and administrator at the school, I can't support any type of physical relationship between people under the age of consent." Scott said firmly, then he dropped the professional persona and said in a voice of honest concern, "As a friend, I want you to be careful. I don't know if you realize how fragile all three of you are. I don't know what more I can say but to offer whatever help I can to make this easier for you."
"Um, can you help me see my options? I'm meeting with the guys in a few minutes and I'd really like some help." I said in thought.
"Sure, Let's look at this logically... You can choose neither, one, the other, or both." Mr. Summers said in prelude.
"Both?" I asked hesitantly.
"Well, it's not common for threesomes to work out because the relationship dynamic usually ends up being a couple and an extra. But it is a possibility. There is one other option." He said without enthusiasm.
"What's that?" I asked carefully.
"Choosing not to decide is also a valid choice." Mr. Summers said weakly.
"Why would I do that?" I asked in confusion.
"I'm just trying to give you all the options I can think of." Mr. Summers said with a shrug.
"Thanks Mr. Summers. You've really helped me." I said as I stood.
"Clark, you can call me Scott when we're not taking care of school business." Mr. Summers, Scott, said with a gentle smile.
"Thank you Scott. I'll do my best to see that no one gets hurt." I said seriously.
"Just be sure to include yourself in that Clark. Don't make your decision just because it will make the others happy... I've fallen into that trap myself. I was so focused on making everyone else happy that I didn't consider my own happiness. I ended up forgetting how to be happy." Scott said sadly.
"How did you get past it." I asked cautiously.
"I didn't, not completely. I still have times when I forget about my own needs and it takes Alan or Alex to remind me that I'm a person who has needs, just like anyone else." Scott said honestly.
"I'll keep that in mind. But if it comes down to their happiness or mine, theirs will come first." I said with certainty.
"I understand, all I'm asking is before you commit to that choice, be sure that you're aware of all the options." He said and rose to walk me to the door.
"Thanks again Scott. I'm glad you were here to help me." I said as we reached the door.
"If you need me anytime, day or night, please just ask. All three of you are important to me and I'll do whatever I can to help you out." Scott said warmly.
"I promise, if I need you, I'll let you know." I said seriously.
"Oh, and Clark, we're going shopping for clothes tonight. I'm going to leave from the boathouse about 7:30 or so. Would you tell John?" Scott asked casually.
"Sure, he's up in our room. Is it okay if I go along with you? I need to get some things too." I asked hopefully.
"Yes, I had planned on you going, even if you didn't buy anything." Scott said with a small smile.
I nodded and said, "Thanks again Scott, for everything." And left the office.
* * * * *
I walked into the room to find John talking on the phone.
"Yeah. Tomorrow at five-thirty, I'll meet you there." John said with a look of concentration.
"No. I've got a ride. I'll meet you there and we'll see what happens." John said firmly.
There was a long minute of silence, then John said more quietly, "I'll be there, that's all I'm promising. I'll see you tomorrow Dad."
John hung up the phone and looked at me with pain in his eyes.
I immediately walked to him and pulled him into a hug of comfort.
"Thanks Clark. If it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't be able to do this." John said in a whisper.
"Do what?" I asked quietly.
"See my dad. It's been a year..." John said into my shoulder.
I just held on to him, not having any words to offer since I didn't understand his situation.
There was a knock on the door and I said in a voice that was too quiet for a normal human to hear at that distance, "Come in Trey."
Trey shyly walked in, as if unsure of his welcome.
"Is there a problem?" Trey asked with immediate concern.
John pulled out of our hug and said, "No, not really a problem. I was just feeling unsteady and Clark was supporting me."
Trey gave a look of inquiry at both of us and I turned my own look of inquiry to John.
"Sit down guys. I'm going to give you the short version of the story." John said and took a seat on my bed.
Trey and I followed John's example and sat on either side of him.
"Me and my dad don't get along. We never really did. If the two of us get into a room, we fight. He's started going to counseling and decided that he wants to try and make things better between us..." John trailed off.
"How do you feel about that?" Trey asked hesitantly.
"I'm not sure. I mean, I've been away from him for over a year... I'm used to not having that tension inside me all the time. I don't know if I'm ready for that again." John said quietly.
"John, when I was living on Voyager, I asked my Father if I could live independently. He arranged for that to happen and treated me as an adult. Our relationship had been good before, but this added a dimension of... equality... between us. We were both adults, we were coworkers. We respected each others feelings and opinions. Perhaps something like that could work for you. Later I chose to be adopted and resumed my role as the child, but Father has continued to treat me with respect." Trey said seriously.
John looked off into the distance, apparently thinking about what Trey had said.
"My dad has always been my friend." I said quietly.
John turned his attention to me, so I continued, "He likes me. I don't know how else to put it. He enjoys spending time with me the same way I enjoy spending time with him. I don't know how other kids get along with their fathers, but mine is like a father, a big brother and a friend all rolled into one. We can sit out in the back yard behind the house and stare up at the sky and talk about nothing for hours. You're a really great person John, I bet your dad would like to have a friend as good as you." I said and looked into his eyes.
"Maybe." John mumbled.
"You're going to meet him tomorrow?" I asked to be sure.
"Yeah, after school. Scott already said he'd take me there. I just need to let him know when." John said with distraction.
"Can I go?" I asked in nearly a whisper.
"Why?" John asked with genuine puzzlement.
"For support, to be your cheering section, whatever I'm needed for, maybe run interference if things don't go well." I finished with a shrug.
"I would like to go as well." Trey said quietly.
John looked at Trey with question.
"If Clark is going to be your shield, I will be your sword." Trey said firmly.
John got a big smile and put his arms around us both.
"With you guys to support me, the old man won't stand a chance." John said happily as he hugged us.
"That's the plan." I said, enjoying the hug to the depths of my soul.
"Now, let's get this homework started so we can have our talk, then buy some clothes." John said and abruptly got up from the bed.
"Scott said he'll be leaving from the boathouse at around seven thirty." I said quickly as I went to the table to start my homework.
"Good, you both coming with me?" John asked and looked at us both.
We both nodded and went to work.
* * * * *
"Trey, would you look over my program? I think I wrote it right but everything has to be perfect for the thing to work." I asked hopefully.
"Of course." Trey said and looked over my program.
I waited as he looked it over, then he got an apologetic look.
"What did I miss?" I asked in a pained voice.
"The closing quotation mark on the literal phrase. Without it, the operating system will believe everything that follows is part of your quotation." Trey said hesitantly.
"Oh, that's not so bad. Is that all?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes. The program will produce the desired result once the quotation mark is added." Trey said with certainty.
"Thanks Trey." I said and made the correction.
"Would you look at my writing for Uncle Spike? I am not as expressive as my siblings and am unsure if I convey my meaning adequately." Trey said apprehensively.
"Sure." I said and accepted the paper from him.
"Wow. John, you gotta read this. It's great." I said in stunned disbelief.
"Really?" Trey asked hopefully.
"Really Trey. It's... I don't know what to say. It made me feel... so much. Where did you come up with it?" I asked with excitement.
"I will show you the vid sometime. It is a true story." Trey said shyly.
"Really? Wow... you use the term 'mainstream' instead of a more identifying term... who were the mainstream?" I asked curiously.
"The Lowelltie clan of the Bruhnalli people... Icheb's people." Trey said quietly.
"Oh... so you didn't name them so Icheb wouldn't know you were talking about his people?" I asked unsurely.
"No. Icheb will recognize the story, but I do not want others to associate the people who killed the Marisch-ka with Icheb." Trey said firmly.
"Good thinking." I said, then looked over to John who was consumed in his work.
"What are you working on John?" I asked curiously.
"The program. I'm having trouble remembering all the commands Andrew told us in class." He said with frustration.
"I can help if you would like." Trey offered.
"Well, when I finish, I'd appreciate it if you'd look it over like you did for Clark. But I really need to do this part for myself." John said as he kept his gaze fixed on his paper.
"As you like. Would you like the listing of the commands from the chapter summary of the textbook?" Trey asked hopefully.
"Yeah, that'd be a big help. Thanks Trey." John said with a smile.
I went back to work on my own writing. After reading Trey's, I felt like I needed to take mine to the next level. Make it more... real.
* * * * *
"This program will function properly." Trey said after looking over John's program.
"Great. Thanks Trey, that means I'm done." John said happily.
"Me too." I said and looked at Trey expectantly.
Trey nodded and looked at me with apprehension in his eyes.
"Well, we all know what we're here to talk about... anyone want to start?" John asked hopefully.
I nodded and began, "I've been thinking about my feelings toward both of you. I want you both."
John looked at me with a tender smile as Trey gaped with surprise.
"John, how do you feel?" I asked hopefully.
"Bout the same as you. I tried imagining what I want my future to be like and it includes you both." John said frankly.
"Trey?" I asked hesitantly at his shocked expression.
"I... I had not considered this possibility. I had assumed that I would have to choose between you. May I have a moment to consider?" Trey asked hopefully.
"Yeah, be sure of what you want. We're not going to pressure you or rush you into anything." John said assuringly.
"Thank you." Trey whispered, then got a distant look.
"What are you doing?" I asked curiously.
"I am attempting to do what John just said. I am creating a scenario where I am in a relationship with either of you, then both of you." Trey said in thought.
"How's it going?" John asked hopefully.
"I believe I have come to the same conclusion as both of you. I anticipate maximum happiness and fulfillment with both of you." Trey said with a smile.
"Good. I still want us to go slow. It would be real easy for one of us to get hurt if we rush into anything." I said with caution.
"How do we begin?" Trey asked nervously.
"Tell me what you'd like to do." I said gently.
"I am... embarrassed." Trey said shyly.
"You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine." I said teasingly.
John laughed at that and pulled me over for a quick kiss.
"I would like to touch you... both of you." Trey said with a scarlet blush.
"I have absolutely no problem with that." I said and looked at John who was nodding with wholehearted agreement.
"I'd like for you to kiss me again like you did in the clearing. It was great." I said, looking Trey in the eyes.
"Hey, I want one too!" John said quickly.
"Yeah, you'd better give John one first, since I already had one." I said in a considering tone.
"Anything else before we start?" I asked and looked at both my friends... lovers?
"Naked. Now." John said firmly.
"Trey, are you okay with that?" I asked to be sure.
Trey blushed and nodded uncertainly.
"Why don't we work up to complete nudity..."I said as I walked to the door and locked it.
"How so?" Trey asked hesitantly.
"Would you like to take off my shirt?" I asked with a smile.
"Yes, very much." Trey said and walked to begin to undress me.
"What about me?" John asked in mock frustration.
"Enjoy the show. And when Trey is done taking off my shirt, I'm going to take off yours... then, if you want, you could take off Trey's." I said as Trey began to slowly and reverently undo each of my buttons.
"Okay. You talked me into it." John said with a grand smile and relaxed back in his chair to watch Trey slowly remove my shirt.
* * * * *
As John finally tossed Trey's shirt to the side, I stood and walked to my two lovers-to-be.
"Are you ready for a kiss?" Trey asked John hopefully.
"Fuck yeah." John said and draped his arms loosely around Trey.
Trey pulled John into a deep, passionate kiss as I watched. It was hot, it was awesome.
I watched as the kiss became deeper and John's hands began to roam up and down Trey's bare back. When he touched a metallic device at the base of Trey's spine, he stopped and felt it curiously.
Trey broke the kiss and whispered, "It is called a spinal clamp. Does it bother you?"
"I don't know." John said with uncertainty in his voice.
Something occurred to me and I said, "Maybe I can help."
John and Trey both looked at me curiously.
"Trey, would you mind if I touched your spinal clamp?" I asked quietly.
Trey shook his head and I went to my knees behind him.
John pulled away from Trey a little to watch me trace the skin around his implant with my tongue.
"Clark..." Trey gasped in pleasure.
"Good call Clark." John said as he watched the look of pleasure on Trey's face.
"If you think so, he has another one on his neck." I said before licking some more.
"The device on my neck is an occipital implant." Trey said in a breathy whisper.
John guided Trey to bend forward slightly and began to tongue the skin around his neck implant.
After a few minutes of exploring Trey's implant with my tongue, I asked, "Do you feel weird about Trey's implants now?"
"No, I feel a lot better about them now." John said with a smile.
"Good, could someone give me a kiss now?" I asked plaintively.
"Don't worry Trey, I got this one." John said happily and moved in to give me a deep kiss.
I felt John's tongue work it's way into my mouth and began to suck on it.
The action seemed to surprise John, then he thrust his pelvis against me to let me feel his rampant erection.
After a long minute of kissing, John broke away and asked, "Fuck, how are we going to do this Clark? It seems like someone is being left out."
"How about this? Trey, would you come here and hold me?" I asked in thought.
Trey moved in front of me and hugged me gently.
"Okay John, now you get behind Trey and hug him from behind." I said as I enjoyed Trey's hug.
John did so and began to nuzzle Trey's neck.
I kissed Trey as John licked Trey's ear.
A moment later I broke the kiss with Trey and moved to kiss John.
While I was kissing John, I let my hands drift down to Trey's firm butt.
John was pressed against Trey's butt, so I moved my hand slightly and groped his erection.
John jerked a little at that and I pulled out of the kiss to laugh.
John grinned at me, then nuzzled Trey's neck.
Trey tilted his head back and turned his head so he could kiss John.
A large expanse of Trey's neck was exposed and I just couldn't resist.
I began to suck and nibble Trey's neck, working my way down to his collarbone.
"Guys, I don't know about you two, but I'm ready to lose the pants." John said between deep breaths.
"But we haven't even explored all the skin that's already been exposed." I said in a playful, whiny tone.
"Oh, well then I guess we'd better do that now." John said with a smile and took gentle hold of one of Trey's nipples.
I kissed down Trey's neck and began to trace around the device embedded in his chest.
"I... I feel I should... reciprocate." Trey said brokenly.
"Go ahead." I said and pulled away.
Trey bent down slightly and began to lick John's left nipple.
"Ooof." John said in surprise.
I laughed and stretched over Trey to give John a gentle kiss.
There was a knock on the door and we all stopped.
"John?" Ronny asked through the door.
"Ronny's cool, invite him in." I said and took hold of Trey.
John ran to the door and let Ronny in, then locked the door behind him.
"What are you guys up to?" Ronny asked hesitantly, noticing that we were all shirtless.
"Second base." John said frankly.
I laughed as Trey looked confused.
"Oh... Sorry I interrupted. I just wanted to know if you were going to the boathouse tonight." Ronny said shyly.
"Um, yeah. We'll be leaving to go shopping from there around seven thirty." John said with distraction.
"Oh, okay. I wanted to invite you down to visit with Logan for a while." Ronny said nervously, obviously not knowing where to look.
"I guess I should. Guys, would you mind if I leave for a while?" John asked carefully.
"It just won't be the same without you. Why don't we all go and visit, then we can get back to this later?" I asked and watched Trey carefully.
Trey nodded in acceptance.
"Is Bobby going with us?" I asked as I pulled on my shirt.
"No. He's doing some stuff with Peter." Ronny said, trying not to look at us.
"You going down now?" John asked as he pulled on his shirt.
"Yeah." Ronny said a little too quickly.
"Then we'll go down there with you." John said as he buttoned his shirt.
"Just a second." I said and looked at Ronny.
"Ronny, are you okay with the three of us... being a couple?" I asked, not knowing how else to put it.
"Um, yeah. It's cool. I just... It seems a little fast guys." Ronny said carefully.
"How long did Bobby court Robert?" John asked seriously.
"About four hours." Ronny said with a smile.
"And they're okay. Are we ready to go?" John said as he straightened his shirt.
Trey nodded and I couldn't resist. I pulled Trey into a kiss and really put all my feeling into it. I probed deep into his mouth and pulled him tight against me so I could grind my erection against him.
That went on for about a minute, then I let loose of Trey and took a deep breath.
"Now I'm ready." I said and straightened.
"Wow!" Ronny said with wide eyes.
"Yeah, and yesterday he couldn't say the word gay without choking on it." John said with a laugh.
I shrugged and began walking with the group out the door.