"First of all, I want to thank Kit for throwing this amazing amazing party for all of us cyclists. But, what you all don’t know is that this is sort of a double party. See, a good friend of ours just came back from the east coast- " Siobhan paused for a round of good natured boos "- In anycase, this is a bit of a welcome home party to my best friend, former roommate and partner in cycling crime Jake Delatorra. So Jake, in honor of your homecoming, we’ve arranged for a special treat for you. Everyone please put your hands together for Lily Allen!"

I screeched with joy. I looked at Lara who had the biggest of smiles on her face. My brain ceased functioning because I threw my arms around Lara and pulled her into a hug. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t ended it with a kiss on the lips. Now mind you, it was one of those purely excited kisses that, had my grandfather been sitting next to me- well, you get the idea. I pulled away and stood, cheering with the crowd as Lily took the stage. Lara grasped my hand then, and I turned to see a look on her face that I couldn’t pin. She stood and started to walk with my hand, I had no choice but to follow.

She led me to the bathroom, pushing me into the empty stall and locking it behind her. I said nothing as she stared at me, a look I hadn’t seen in a very long time. One that I was sure I was matching. She smiled and crossed hre arms over her chest.

"So you really thought I’d hate you for being a good friend?"

"I figured…"

"Shut up for a minute. I was pissed off, but I got over it. When Siobhan came back…I thought you would have been on the plane with her. When you didn’t come back I thought you’d found someone back there."

All I could do was shake my head no. There had never been anyone that gave me what Lara had given me. I’d had sex, and lots of it. But it was never more than a one or two week thing. No one was Lara, and I would never find anyone that could even hold a candle to her.

"No one could ever be you Lara. I was scared. I was stupid. I was everything I shouldn’t have been."

"You’re damn right you were."

And with that she leaned forward and kissed me hungrily. My body felt like it was going to explode in that instant. I felt her hands run along my sides and I melted into her. It was like the world stopped spinning and she was the only thing keeping me grounded. I didn’t realize it, but I must have been crying because Lara stopped and looked at me with intent eyes, shushing me as she pulled me into a tight hug. I clung to her.

Our reunion was short lived becuase Siobhan picked that moment to knock on the stall. I opened the door and she beamed at the two of us.

"Sorry." she grinned.

"I bet you are." I gave her a look as I wiped the last few tears away.

"Come on. You guys can have your happy reunion sex therapy later. Lily Allen’s here for you, I went through a lot of trouble to get her. And by god the two of you are going to listen to her."

Siobhan yanked the both of us out of the bathroom and back onto the dancefloor, where Lara and I became joined at the hip once more. She stood behind me, arms wrapped around me as we watched my favorite singer grace us with song. I couldn’t have asked for a better homecoming. I couldn’t have asked for a better anything. Still, there was the lingering feeling that things were never going to be the same. Then again…were they ever? We were a big happy gay family once again, and while I was apprehentious that maybe Lara was temporarily out of her mind…I knew that things were going to be okay. The filmmaker in me wanted to believe that, so the rest of me finally acquiesced.

"We still have to talk later." Lara whispered in my ear.

I nodded and squeezed her hand. Yes, we’d talk later…but for that moment I was damned content on enjoying myself.