The Elixir

Alexander Cannon had a mission. Having struggled and succeeded against the odds, which were stacked against him from an impoverished childhood in the Australian Outback, he had been educated to the very highest standard in both biochemistry and genetics. Big, lucrative jobs in America came his way in rapid sequence. By age 34, he had amassed a tidy fortune through careful but inspired investments. He owned his own big house, freelanced when he felt like it, did as he pleased. He met Belle Armstrong and had fallen deeply and madly in love. By age 35, the two were married. By age 36, a terrible accident on the Pacific Coast Highway cost Belle her life and him his right eye.

That was over twenty years ago.

Cannon never remarried. His research and experimentation into human physiology because his obsession. Grief, sorrow and overwhelming loneliness were his constant companions and served to prematurely age the once-handsome man into a wizened and bent-over shadow of his former self. He wore a black leather patch over his lost eye. His clothes were nondescript and hung on his frame.

The results of his long research now sat on the table. Staring at him. Taunting him.

The elixir was the color of blood and gave off a slight eldritch glow in the flask. Animal testing had proven to be hit-and-miss; more than a third of the experimental subjects died, but those that did not - age reversal, tumor shrinkage and remission, disease resistance, and other incredible benefits accrued.

Go ahead ... Drink me. The flask whispered to him. Maybe you'll finally see your wife again.

He held the liquid up to the light. The elixir glimmered and shone with a ruby fire as he waggled the flask. He glanced a final time at the wedding picture on his desk. He thought of the first time he and Belle met. The salmon risotto they shared in that little coastal inn. The first time they made love. The day she told him she was expecting. Preparing the nursery. The blare of horns and tortured scream of metal on the highway. Blackness. With a sob, he put the flask to his lips and swallowed.

The elixir burned. Within seconds, he could feel his heart pound and breathing become labored. A wave of dizziness passed over him. He held onto a nearby table for support, but all of a sudden, his legs gave way beneath him. He sunk to his knees and then fell to the floor, unconscious.

Strange dreams and images flitted through Cannon's mind - for how long, he had no idea. Consciousness to him returned like a reluctant lover. He levered himself up off the floor and sat for a moment, catching his breath and collecting his thoughts.

"At least I'm not dead." he mused. He grasped the side of the table and pulled himself to his feet. He felt as well as heard the seams of his shirt tear. He looked into the mirror in shock.

The face that looked back at him was not his own, save for the black leather eyepatch. Thick, black hair framed this new visage which included high cheekbones and a strong jaw. A sea-green eye stared back at him under full, black lashes. He estimated he looked like a man in his mid-twenties. He shrugged out of his lab code to find the he had put on at least twenty pounds of solid muscle. His pants had slid down his now slimmer waist and rested on his hips. He gently touched his face, amazed at the transformation. He smiled. Alexander took a swab and rubbed the inside of his cheek. He dropped the swap into the gene sequencer and headed to his bedroom for a change of clothes. He needed to see what alterations the elixir had wrought upon him.
* * *
The doctor entered his bedroom and stripped off the torn shirt and baggy pants, noticing for the first time he had also grown about 4 inches in height. He marveled at the chiseled and muscular physique that presented itself in the mirror. Again, he grinned and for the first time in many, many years, he laughed. He felt alive. His survivor's guilt about Belle's death seemed to recede a bit, and as he stroked across his hard pecs and six-pack abs he noticed the growing bulge in his now-tight boxers with amusement and desire.

None of his old clothes could fit onto his new frame. The same for his shoes. He ran a hand through his thick, black mane of hair. "While the sequencer is doing it's work, I'd better go out and get some new clothes for the new body ... and a haircut."

He ran down the stairs and into the mud room his gardener used. He pulled on a t-shirt that clung to his body like a second skin and rummaged around and found a pair of thrashed jeans that didn't look too short. He grabbed a pair of worn work boots and pulled them on. He then proceeded to the garage.

* * *
Alex walked into the upscale salon and was greeted by a striking young receptionist with titian-colored hair. She gave him an appraising look starting at his boots and working her way up to his sable hair and eyepatch. He felt her undressing him with her eyes. The feeling was unexpectedly arousing.

"Welcome to Christopher Hair Studios. I'm Cerise. Do you have an appointment?"

" 'Fraid not. It's been a while since I got a cut." He pulled out his black American Express Centurion card and laid it on the desk. Her eyes widened. He further noticed the deep flush developing in her cheeks that spread down her throat as her eyes traveled to his bulging crotch.

"Oooh! You're Australian?"

"Last time I looked, yes." He smiled back at her.

"Let me see ... " she flipped through the appointment calendar. "I believe Michael is available. Wash and a cut?"

"Fine with me. Thank you."

She picked up a phone. "David, I have a customer for Michael. Could you please come up front?"

In a few moments, a young man came to the front desk. Alex stared, slackjawed. The man had sun-streaked blonde hair cut short, a bronze surfer's tan and deep blue-purple eyes. His ripped physique was wrapped in a pale yellow string tank and snug, concrete-grey jeans. The doctor felt his manhood grow further and form a large, hard and painfully pleasant bulge in his jeans.

His reaction was not lost on the young man either. He gave the doctor a 100-watt smile. "Come this way ... Mr ...?"

Alex shook himself out of his distraction. "Cannon. Alex Cannon."

The young man waved to the receptionist. "Thanks, Cerise."

The two young men went deeper into the salon. David brought him to the wash area.

"Okay Mr. Cannon, have a seat, lean back and let me wash that hair of yours."

Alex sat in the chair and removed his eyepatch. David gave an involuntary gasp.

"Geez, Alex, what happened to your eye?"

"Car accident. It was a long time ago."

"Hey, I'm sorry. You have such beautiful eyes. Eye. Shit, I better shut my mouth before I put my foot in it again."

Alex leaned back and closed his eye as David wet his hair and began to shampoo it. "Forget it, David. It's been so long I don't even think about it any more."

The assistant's strong fingers kneaded and massaged his scalp. Combined with the warm water and gentle scent of the shampoo, Alex drifted off into a half-sleep. He woke with a start as cooler water sluiced through his hair and David was helping him up into a sitting position.

"Um, Alex, can I make a suggestion?"

He looked at the handsome young man. "Sure, mate. What is it?"

"You're kinda pale. With that dark hair, you look a little like a ghost. After you get your hair cut, would you like to get some color?"

Cannon thought about that. He had been living a half-life these past twenty years. It's not often that one gets a second chance and he intended to take full advantage of it.

"I think I'd like that. Are we talking about some tanning bed?"

David laughed. "Nah. I was thinking of something faster. We've got a great spray tanning area with a super artist. Me."

He looked at the washer. "That's a spray tan?"

He nodded. "Beats getting skin cancer. Is that a yes?"

"I have to go shopping for some clothes. Does it take long?"

"About an hour. I like to take my time." He paused. "But you have to wear baggy clothes to let the stuff work it's way into your skin and not leave lines or streaks. You won't be able to try on anything if you do that after your cut."

He looked thoughtful. "Unless ..."

The doctor cocked his head, "Unless what?"

"Well, I'm due for my break. We could go out together and I could help you shop. Then you can come back here and I could give you the tan."

Alex warmed immediately to the idea. He had been out of circulation for a long time and this young stud was a perfect way to be introduced to his new life.

"You've got yourself a deal, mate. Let's get me shorn and then let's head out."

* * *
The stylist was a powerfully built man with deep brown hair and a short, carefully trimmed beard and moustache. He wore a tight white tank top and a pair of cut off jean shorts with a 2" inseam that highlighted his muscular legs. Michael had a pair of white slouch socks and a similar pair of work boots as the doctor. He sat Alex down in his chair and looked thoughtfully at the now-young man as they both faced the large mirror. The stylist ran his hands through Alex's hair. The doctor shivered in pleasure. It was incredible how such an innocent touch was inflaming his passions to the near-boiling point.

"What do you want done?"

"I really don't know. Whatever you think looks best."

"Hmmmm. You're giving me an awful lot of latitude here ... anyone or anything you don't like?"

Cannon thought for a moment. "Rod Stewart."

Michael laughed. "Good enough!"

* * *
After what seemed to be an eternity, Michael finished. "Well, how do you like it?"

Alex stared at the man in the mirror. It was still a bit of an adjustment to realize it was him that was staring back.

"You've done a wonderful job, Michael. I couldn't have asked for better!"


Alex's raven hair was now artfully trimmed into a short style, parted just off center of the middle. Both sides swept back past his forehead and his verdant eye lit up as he turned his head from side to side to look at the haircut. He fished his eyepatch out of his pocket and quickly placed it back over his ruined socket.

"You're a damn handsome man, Alex. You know that?" Michael sighed. "In fact, that eyepatch makes you so damn attractive and ... so mysterious too!"

Alex got up from the chair and faced the stylist. Without conscious volition, he ran a hand slowly down Michael's arm and gave him a bold stare. "Thanks for the cut. I really appreciate you squeezing me in." Alex felt the heat radiating off the other man and wanted nothing more than to run his fingers through the Michael's hair and kiss his full sexy lips.

The doctor stopped himself. What the hell is going on with me?

He opened his wallet and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill. He handed to the stylist who promptly pulled him into a close embrace and then gave him a deep kiss. Michael's moustache and beard tickled the doctor, but he did nothing to pull away. In fact, he found himself responding in kind and growing hot and hard. Again.

"I'll see you in four weeks, sweetheart!"

Alex navigated his way back to the front desk, where he found David chatting with Cerise. He paid for the cut and explained that he would be back in a little while for a session with David.

Cerise stared at him. "Michael did a super job, Mr. Cannon. You really look so sexy."

She added quickly, "Not that you didn't look sexy when you came in, I mean. You had that rough and tumble look before. You look more honed, now, if you get my drift."

David put his arm around Alex's shoulder. "We're going out for a little while, Cerrie. See you in a bit."

As the two left the salon, David gave Alex's shoulder a squeeze. "You okay? You look a little off kilter."

The doctor shook his head and gave his friend a grin. "I'm fine. I just need to check on some things when I get home."

He paused. "David, I need to buy everything. Shirts. Pants. Jackets. Shoes. Underwear. Where should we start?"

* * *

David was good as his word. He and Alex hit every upscale store in the area - A&F, American Eagle Outfitters, Express and even Zegna and Armani. The tanner was taken aback by the sheer volume of items that Alex purchased in each store, and was quietly amazed at the obsequious response his Centurion card engendered in the sales associates. He received assurances that all of his purchases would be delivered to his home by 5pm that evening. The two returned to the salon after a few hours and entered a small room. In the corner was a glass stall with blowers and heat lamps.

"OK, Xander, strip down and let me see that beautiful body of yours. Time to get some color! You have your loose clothes and flipflops?"

"Right here." he held up a plastic bag. "Xander?"

"You're too fucking handsome to be an 'Alex' - sounds like an old man's name. 'Xander' fits you better ... what are you laughing at?"

"Oh, nothing."

Alex grinned and pulled the worn t-shirt over his head. He sat down on a bench against the wall and began to untie his work boots. He pulled off his socks and stood up to unfasten his jeans. He took off his eyepatch and placed it into one of the pockets and slid them down past his butt and stepped out of them. He pulled down his boxers and tossed them onto the pile. David gathered up the clothes and placed them into another plastic bag.

David gave a low whistle.

"Mmmmmm. You're fucking incredible, you know that?" He ran his hands down Xander's arms, across his muscled abs and stroked his chest. He ran his lips across the doctor's strong jaw. The young doctor trembled beneath the gentle onslaught.

"Don't stop."

"What?"

"Don't stop, David. Please. Don't stop." Xander stroked the side of David's face. He kissed the tanning artist gently on the lips. He put his hands on David's shoulders and traced soft designs down his arms. The surfer was taken aback by the raw need in the other's voice. Alex pulled him gently into an embrace and David felt the other's engorged tool press hotly into his crotch. He nibbled the young doctor's ear.

"Ahhh, there'll be plenty more of that later." David kissed Xander on the nose. "The sooner we start, the sooner we can START." He winked. He began to strip off his own clothes and tucked them into the plastic bag. When he was done, he stood in front of the doctor in nothing but a thin, yellow latex jockstrap. "No sense getting my duds all misted up, is there? Let's start!"

* * *
The process was relatively straightforward. David mixed about of gallon of material and proceeded to place it into a pressurized container. He attached a spraygun and began to slowly cover Xander's body with the dye. "The bronzer I'm using is part of the solution. It let's me make sure I'm covering everything properly. You rinse this off after 8 hours and the DHA in the solution starts the self-tanning process." During the session, David switched sprayguns multiple times and finally started working on David's face with the smallest gun.

"It tickles."

"Shhhh. Stop twitching or you're gonna get up your nose." David applied the finishing touches to Xander's hairline and ears. He stopped to admire his work.

"Damn, you look great! Take a look."

The doctor turned around and looked at himself in the full-length mirror. He sported a slightly lighter tan than David and he had to admit, he looked incredibly handsome with the muscular, bronzed skin.

"Okay, next step is the drying booth." He opened the glass booth and ushered him inside. "Just stand still and relax. Keep your arms out a little or above your head. In twenty minutes, you'll be all done."

As Alex was in the booth, David took the time to dress himself again. The time passed quickly and David opened the door of the booth and lightly ran a hand down Xander's chest. He looked at his palm, and seeing no residue, smiled. He pulled out the new clothing from the plastic bag. "OK, stud - time to get dressed." He looked at his watch. "It's about 4:10 -- you'd better get home to make sure all those packages arrive."

Xander pulled on a pair of loose boxers before pulling up the pair of equally loose black gauze pants. He pulled the white gauze shirt over his head as it settled lightly onto his broad shoulders. He slipped his feet into the flipflops and gave the tannist another gentle embrace.

"Would you like to come over tonight, David?"

"Sure, stud. I'd love to. I've got a couple of errands to run, though ... let's say around 9:30?"

"Great! That'll give me some time to settle some things and put the packages away." He sauntered over to the table in the corner of the room and wrote down his address. David licked his lips and grew hard as he watched the young doctor's muscles bunch and move beneath the thin material. Xander tore the sheet off the pad and gave it to the other young man.

"12220 West Sunset Boulevard? Nice area!" David snaked his hand around Xander's neck and brought their mouths together for a deep kiss. The two broke apart only when they ran out of breath. Again, the doctor looked a bit uncertain and definitely shaken, but gave David a bright smile and his crotch a firm squeeze before he left the room.

* * *

Xander (funny how he no longer thought of himself as Alex) pulled into his garage and bounded up the front steps. As he was fitting the key into the lock, he turned to see several vans pull into the driveway. The doors of the first van opened up, and two men got out. The driver held a clipboard.

"Mr. Cannon?"

"In the flesh. Those my deliveries?"

"Yes sir. Sorry if we're a little late. We figured that you'd like all your shirts and pants pressed and hangered." The men pulled out a wheeled clothing rack and started to place the purchased items on it.

Xander ushered the delivery men into the living room. "You can leave them in here." He was a bit appalled at the sheer volume of his purchases. "Well, you're making up for two decades of lost time." he said to himself.

After multiple trips, the delivery men finished unloading their vans. One of the men handed Xander a receipt and a card. "Just call us when you want us to pick up the racks."

"Thanks guys, I appreciate it." Xander closed the door and navigated among the piles of clothes and other items and headed down to his lab.

* * *
The sequencer had finished its work and the results were available on the computer screen. Xander's 20-year experimentation had yielded a incredible insight and understanding of the human genome; in fact, examining sequences and base pairs was as simple to him as following directions to the corner grocery. Nobody knew yet quite how remarkable his research and experimentation into human physiology had been. Nobel territory? Could be. No point rushing, though.

He sat down at the computer and began to review the changes. The program he had developed had mapped out all changes from his original DNA, with calculated changes in green and unanticipated changes in red. The doctor sat down and began reviewing the 3D representations of each chromosome and the base pair configurations.

Many of the calculated changes for instance, complete cancer resistance - segments on opposite ends of chromosomes 2 and 8 appeared. Some of the unanticipated changes were trivial. Physiognomy - spread along chromosomes 2, 11, 15 and 22 - as well as some defined regions on the Y chromosome - accounted for the changes in his looks and body structure. What was intriguing, however was some complete inversions along chromosome 6 - 6q14.1 through 6q14.3 and and another inversion along the X chromosome at Xq26.2 through Xq26.6. Further, the telomeres on all the chromosomes had lengthened and those on 6 and X appeared to be more active than usual.

The inversions themselves seemed to be inconsequential - those segments did not appear to be even active - but he brought up the experimental rat profiles as a reference.

The same inversions appeared in the rat samples - he had thought nothing about them since they had appeared to have had no discernible change. However, his recent reactions to both Michael and David had started some very interesting suspicions turning in his head.

Xander got up from the computer and went into the specimen area of the lab. He took down the three rats that had come through the elixir tests with flying colors - Tom, Dick and Harriet. He also took out a large empty cage. He moved over to the refrigerator and removed a small bottle of recombinant pheromones. Taking out a swab, he opened the bottle and moistened the swap. The doctor then took Harriet out of her cage and gently swabbed her underside. The pheromones - under normal circumstances - would drive any male rat insane with desire. He put her in the large cage.

Next, he took out the two male rats. Besides the obvious changes, Xander had noticed the male subjects had appeared to become more affectionate and frisky after surviving the elixir. He placed the other two in the cage with Harriet.


His suspicions were quickly confirmed. Tom and Dick began to engage each other sexually, while Harriet wandered forlornly about the cage.

"Well, that whole 'nature vs. nuture' debate can go out the window now. The 'gay' gene really does exist!" he chuckled to himself. Xander looked at the clock on the wall - 9:22pm. "Damn, I've been at this for over four hours!" He was thirsty. He stretched and padded into the kitchen to get something to drink.

* * *
At 9:35, the doorbell rang and Xander opened the door to find a grinning David. He was holding a bottle of wine in one hand and a bakery box in the other. The doctor ushered him out of the foyer and into the living room. The stylist put the items down on a table and turned to embrace the other man. His lips brushed gently across the doctor's lantern jaw.

"Thanks for inviting me over, bud! Nice place!" He walked around the room, noticing the expensive furniture, paintings and decorations and tripped over one of the piles of boxes. Xander grabbed him before he fell. His arm slid across David's shoulder. Chills slid along behind the touch. The heady cologne of coconut oil and tanning lotion surrounded them. When his own arm wrapped around that lean waist and David leaned against him, a wild burning flared in his hips. It took every ounce of will the doctor had to keep from throwing David over his shoulder and running for the bedroom.

"Whoa! I think you went a little overboard, handsome -- you bought a lot of stuff, didn't you?"

"Well, I haven't bought anything for myself in a while. It's just been my work for a long time. You know the old saying - 'All work and no play ...' "

"What exactly do you do, dude? You're not a drug dealer, are you?"

Xander laughed. "No - nothing so grand. Just a geneticist with a good head for business."

David picked up the wine bottle. "Then let's get down to business!"

* * *

Because of the late hour, the two decided to order in. Within 20 minutes, a large Chinese spread was delivered to Xander's home. The wine was potent, and despite the full meal, both doctor and stylist were slightly drunk by the time they ate their fortune cookies. Xander gave David a tour of his lab and explained a little of what he had been working on. He deliberately neglected to mention the elixir as well as the score of years in its development.

Alex pulled a clean swap out of the container and told David to open his mouth. He swabbed the inside of his cheek and placed the specimen in the sequencer.

"What's that for?"

"I'll show you a picture of your DNA later."

The two strolled back to the main area of the large house.

"Cool! Hey, sweetheart - where's the bathroom? I need to take a bio-break."

"Upstairs, second door to the left. Right next to the master bedroom."

"Thanks! See you in a few!"

Xander went into the dining room and began clearing up the takeout meal. After he threw out the containers and began washing the dishes, he noticed that the inebriation he felt only a few moments ago had faded to a very slight buzz.

I should do some liver tests tomorrow ... I'm probably metabolizing alcohol a lot faster than a normal human being now, too. His thoughts turned to David. It had been a while since the young man had gone upstairs. Xander wondered if anything was amiss.

The doctor climbed the stairs. "David? Everything all right?"

David's voice echoed from the master bedroom. "Everything's just fine, stud. C'mon in here."

Xander entered the bedroom. David was standing by the large window, looking out over the grounds. He turned and smiled. Languid, easy, David slithered out of his jeans. He moved like slow, running water. When he caught Xander staring at him, he laughed. Whatever wasn't already throbbing in Xander's body started.

The doctor continued to stare hungrily at the other man as he stretched himself half-naked on the large bed. Good God, David looked gorgeous in nothing but his low-rise trunks and open shirt. He spread his legs and the position pushed everything up front and center. Xander was going to burst out of his sweats if David so much as smiled. Desire roared through him as he deliberately and slowly pulled the thin top off his torso. He crawled up beside his half-naked surfer and leaned in.

David's lips were wonderful to kiss. Soft but strong, they tasted just like the lemon chicken they had shared. Xander shivered. This was the kind of kiss he loved. Hard, passionate, driven by need, but just a kiss. His hand snaked back behind David's neck, pulling him in deeper. David's weight fell onto his arm as the stylist slipped his palm into Xander's sweats. With his free hand, the doctor crushed David's fingers between the gauzy material and his rock-hard cock. "God fucking damn," Xander moaned as he ground himself into a grip honed from manipulating heavy sprayguns. David could crush him with that grasp.

Thrusting against the surfer's palm, Xander broke the kiss and dropped his head on the the other man's chest. It had been ages since he'd been this aroused by anyone. Not even Belle. His hips were bucking like mad. From just this he was going to cum. The doctor could feel it building in his midsection. Withdrawing his hand from beneath David's neck, he searched for the hard cock he knew was there waiting and wanting.

"Uh-uh handsome," David seized his wrist, "come for me. You need to last long to give me a good ride 'cause I don't do any two-minute shit."

That did it. "Bloody Christ!" Legs and back trembling, Xander exploded inside his sweats. Rich laughter bubbled up and caressed him. Aftershocks rushed up his spine as that wonderful grip released him and withdrew. Fingers dripping with cum, David's touch danced across Xander's lips. The doctor's tongue snaked out to catch his own flavor. Musky and warm and flavored with David, God it was so fucking sexy tasting himself this way. Shakily, he pushed himself so that he was leaning over David. "I want to taste you." His voice was as unsteady as the rest of him.

He drove his mouth onto the other man's. Those lips were just as wonderful the second time around. Somehow Xander knew he'd never get tired of them.

When the two surfaced for air, David stared at the other man. "Jesus Christ Almighty! Xander, where have you been all my life?" He gently stroked the doctors face and trailed his fingers lightly around his lips.

Xander found himself growing hard again. David could feel that massive tool swell and harden as their bodies drew closer together. The blonde whispered into the doctor's ear.

"I want you inside me."

In the state he was in, Xander did not need much encouragement. He literally tore the cut-off sweats off himself and - wet with his own seed - thrust himself into the tanner. David moaned in pleasure as the doctor pushed deep inside him and nearly pulled out - leaving his head just inside of the other's pucker - only to repeat that erotic tango over again and again. With a final shudder, David felt Xander explode within him and felt the other man's release warm his insides.

Xander gently held the other man, his still-hard tool deep inside him. David felt a drop of moisture hit the side of his neck and turned to see another tear glimmering in Xander's eye.

"Thank you David. Thank you for everything. You can't begin to understand what being with you tonight has meant to me. I've been so alone - for so long ..." Xander drew a ragged breath and buried himself deeper into the other man. He nuzzled his neck.

David was at a loss for words. He positioned himself to become more comfortable with the doctor's massive tool up his chute. He stroked the other's muscled shoulders. "Xander, I should be the one doing the thanking. I've never been with someone that's been as incredible as you. Have you ever thought of going into films? I know some people that would be really interested in meeting you!"

Xander laughed. "Me? A porn star?" David nodded vigorously.

"I'll have to sleep on that one." He put a muscled arm around the tanner and within minutes, the two had fallen asleep.

* * *

Bright, morning light streamed through the bedroom window and highlighted the two sleeping figures. David woke first and snuggled deeper into Xander's embrace. It was funny, he thought, how some things just fall into place. Xander just appeared at the salon yesterday, and here he was today, in the arms of one of the sexiest, most considerate and most accomplished lover he had ever had.

He gently disengaged himself from the sleeping doctor and padded into the huge bathroom. He bent over the basin to wash his face and when he straightened up, he saw Xander coming in. His hair was tousled from sleep and the activities of the night before and a light stubble darkened his upper lip and jawline. Damn, I just got out of bed with him and I want him again already. It took David a full minute to realize that Xander was not wearing his eyepatch.

The young doctor came up behind him and kissed the back of his neck. " 'Morning, handsome."

David turned around and put his arms around the doctor's neck. "And a very good morning to you too!" He kissed him softly on the lips. Xander held him about the waist. The two felt themselves growing hard again.

Xander laughed. "If we keep this up, we'll never leave the bedroom!"

"And what's wrong with that?" David loved the feel of the other man against him, but realized the truth of that statement. He let the doctor move to the sink and held him loosely as he closed his eyes and rested his face against Xander's muscular back.

"What the hell? ..." David opened his eyes to see Xander dripping-wet face looking at the bronze-tinged water going down the drain.

"That's nothing, sweetheart. Some of the bronzer rinses off after 8 hours. You still have a nice, dark tan." He reached up and pinched a nipple. Xander yelped. He looked playfully over the other's shoulder.

"Why don't we take a shower together and I'll make sure all the residue is off?"

* * *

"OK, OK. I'll do it, but I want some extra time off tomorrow!" David snapped the cell phone shut and muttered to himself. "Of all the damn days for Cerrie to lose her keys! I have to open up the salon while she goes off and looks for them!"

Xander and David had been having breakfast when his cellphone rang and the frantic call came through.

"Things happen, David." Xander took a sip of his coffee. He looked incredibly sexy in a semi-sheer white sweater and dark indigo jeans. The deep golden tan made the leather eyepatch seem less harsh, and he smiled over the rim of his cup. David admired the equanimity the doctor displayed. He seemed so much more mature than his twenty-odd years. "Are you busy tonight?"
"I was going to ask if you wanted to come to a party with me." David grinned shyly at him. "It's at Oro - have you ever been there?"

Xander shook his head.

"It's a great place. One of the most exclusive clubs in the city. You'll get to meet a lot of nice guys there."

Xander raised an eyebrow. He reached over and stroked David's arm. "I've already met a nice guy." David blushed beneath his tan. Damn, he always knows the exactly the right thing to say. He leaned over the table and gave Xander a kiss. "I'll see you tonight at 5:30?"

The two got up from the kitchen table and walked towards the front door. "Sure thing. I've got plenty to do around here." He waved at the boxes and racks in the living room. "All of that stuff has to be put away."

David scowled. "And I won't be here to help you. Damn!"
"I can manage, love." A brief shadow of sadness flitted across Xander's face. "I always have." He brightened. "What's the dress code? This?" He gestured to what he was wearing.

"A little more dressy. Not a lot. You want to be casual and comfortable, but turn heads at the same time." David grinned. "You want to be a phone number waiting to happen."
"I think I can manage that." He gave David a deep kiss. "I'll see you tonight."

The tanner left and Xander closed the door behind him. He looked at the job ahead of him in the living room and sighed. "I think I'll check on the sequencer results first."

* * *
Xander entered the lab and began checking the sequencer results of David's DNA sample. As he scanned the results for chromosomes 6 and X, he let out a whoop of triumph. Without the elixir, David exhibited the same inversions and telomere activity. The exultation was short-lived, however. At this point in time, he could not release his work without revealing the existence of the elixir, it's high mortality rate and ... himself. He would have to see how his situation played out. Meanwhile ... he thought of the clothing upstairs in the house and the task ahead of him.

* * *
The doctor sat down on the patio and took rested the can of cold soda on his forehead. It had taken all morning and a good part of the afternoon, but all of his old clothes had been bagged and picked up by Goodwill and all of the new items had been put in their place. He popped the tab and slaked his thirst with the soda. Belle's clothes - untouched for years - had been lovingly packed away and put into the attic. That activity had taken a considerable emotional toll on the newly rejuvenated doctor. At one point, he sat down as wracking sobs convulsed him. He didn't know what upset him more - packing her things away, or the fact that he could not exactly remember her face without looking at a picture. Those, too, had been wrapped in tissue and placed into boxes. Somehow, he realized - he finally knew - that Belle would have wanted him to be happy, and to have stopped mourning her many, many years ago.

Xander looked at his watch - a new Tag Heuer chronograph - and decided to begin to get ready for the night's festivities. He hadn't quite decided what outfit was "a phone number waiting to happen" but he had a fairly good idea.

* * *


The doctor took another shower to rinse off the sweat and dust of cleaning out twenty years of closet space and now stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. A towel was wrapped around his trim waist and he decided to give himself another shave. "Damn," he muttered, "I'm becoming such a vain bastard, aren't I?" Well, you've got every reason to be, he told himself. After the shave, he patted some Angel Pure Coffee onto his jaw, neck and down his chest - he loved the scent when he came across it whilst shopping with David. He padded into the bedroom when he took off the towel. He grinned again at the young man staring back at him. "I wonder ... becoming a porn star would completely throw anyone off my trail ..." He pulled on a pair of Clever trunks that made his package jut out obscenely even when he was semi-hard. That thought kept running through his head as he got dressed for David and the party tonight.

Xander was eating some of the leftover chinese food when the door rang at 4:45pm. He opened it to find David with a look of disbelief and shock on his handsome face.

"Is something wrong? Should I change?"

David gulped and shook his head. "I'm ... I don't know what to say, Xander. You look fucking incredible! I want ... I want you to ... oh, hell!" The other man stepped into his arms and into a deep, hard kiss. Xander swept him into an embrace that had them both gasping for air.

The tanner stroked the other's face. "God, you smell so good!" He buried his face in the crook of Xander's neck. The doctor gave a low-throated chuckle that sounded more like a purr.

Xander had put on a white shirt of the softest, laundered cotton and his muscular torso and legs were accentuated by a pair of pale grey acid washed jeans. Black soccer shoes and a wide black belt with a large buckle drew attention to his package, and his chest and shoulders were framed by a pale ivory vest with grey and beige stripes. Several buttons of the shirt were undone, giving a glimpse of his pecs, and the fabric was thin enough to hint at the muscular six-pack beneath it.

David was equally as stunning, at least in Xander's opinion. Dark indigo jeans rode low and tight over his torso and a pair of worn brown cowboy boots made his long legs seem even longer. A soft white tuxedo shirt - untucked over the jeans - was only half buttoned and a blazer of the softest black leather covered his broad and muscular shoulders. The doctor ran his hand gently down the tanner's chest. David shivered at the touch. "You look good enough to eat!", he said with an evil grin on his face. The other man stroked Xander's chest and arms. He looked sidelong at him, an equally mischievous smile plastered across his handsome mien.

"We've got some time, sweetheart ... and we don't want to be the first to arrive."

He looked mock-seriously at him. "Don't tempt me."

David grabbed his hand and started pulling him up the stairs towards the bedroom. "That's my job!"

* * *
Xander stroked the hair off David's face as they lay together in bed. "Do you think we're going to be fashionably late?"

The other man laughed and gave him a soft kiss. "Probably. But you're going to be a knockout. I know it." He got up and started getting dressed. "Y'know, that offer's still on the table - you'd make a fucking sensation as an adult film star."

Xander propped himself up on his elbows. He brushed some hair back from his forehead. "I've been thinking about that. Are these people you talked about going to be at the party tonight?"

David sat down to put on his boots. "I think so." Goddamnit, he's so fucking sexy and he's not even trying.

Xander swung out of the bed and padded over to start dressing himself. "Tonight should be quite interesting, then."

* * *
David took a circuitous route up the hills surrounding the city and spiraled up a narrow road. As the tanner made the final turn onto the club's grounds, Xander gasped. Three stories high, Oro looked like a cross between a Florentine villa and a Baroque mansion. "This is the club?"

David smiled. "Uh-huh. I said it was exclusive."

The two young men pulled up to the entrance, exited the car and a valet trotted over to park it. Xander handed him the keys; he and David joined the queue waiting for entry. The line was long, but moved quickly. A stunningly handsome Latino was at the door, allowing people in or turning them away. He had a no-nonsense attitude and his grim visage brooked no arguments. Soon, they reached the front of the line.

The bouncer or major-domo or whatever he was - gave David a huge smile and a big hug. His entire attitude changed when he saw the tanner.

"Hey, how's my favorite little chulo?"

"Hey, Javier - how's it going? What's with the ...." he pointed to the other man's smooth head.

"Ahh ... Dash wanted me to look a little more menacing." he gave a rich, deep-throated laugh. "Grandma hates it though. I'm gonna let it grow back in. I'll just have to work on my menacing look ... is this stud with you?"

He gave Xander a once over and the same sweet smile spread across his face. It was amazing the difference that smile made in his mien.

David put an arm around Xander's trim waist. "Yeppers. Javi, this is Xander. Xander, Javier. You ever need a good massage, no one can beat him. He's got magic hands. Among other things." He snickered.

Javier laughed along with the tanner and waved the two through.

"Nice to meet you, Xander. Welcome to Oro! Hope we'll be seeing more of each other!"

The inside was as beautiful as the exterior of the club. A pair of wrought iron staircases swept across the foyer, and while the club was filling up rapidly, the interior space retained a light and airy feeling. Xander could hear a beat of music in the background, but it was quiet and muffled. Great soundproofing he said to himself. Several of the staff - tall, handsome men, all - greeted David with a wave and smile as they hurried by.

David took his hand. "C'mon ... the party's upstairs in the White Room." The two began to climb.

"David, this is incredible. I didn't even know a place like this existed. You seem to be a regular here. Everybody seems to know you."

The tanner gave him an enigmatic smile.

The men proceeded down a long hallway and stopped outside a set of double doors. The music was a bit louder, but still muted. A California Highway Patrolman - tanned golden with short brown hair - was outside of the door and was acting as another security check. His tight, pale brown shirt was partially undone, exposing slabs of pectoral muscle; his breeches fit him like a second skin and his black boots gleamed in the subdued lighting. Xander found his pulse quickening just looking at the man.

"Ted! Haven't seen you in a while! This is Xander. He's with me. How's your mom?"

"David!" The officer gave him a huge smile and a crushing hug. He gave Xander an equally big smile and a firm handshake. "Mom's doing fine, thanks. Go right in."

The tanner tucked his hand into Xander's back pocket and the two went through the doors. Ted felt himself growing hard as turned to watch Xander enter the party. He licked his lips. Later. he thought.

* * *

"You are full of surprises, you know that?" Xander stopped and pulled David closer to him. He nuzzled his neck.

"I try, handsome. I try..."

Someone cleared their throat behind the two lovers. "Now I know why you're late, little brother..."

David turned to face a mock-serious Joshua Bateman and his partner Perry Yamato. "Well, this saves me the time finding you two!" He pulled Xander even closer to him. "Josh, Perry - this is Xander Cannon. Josh and Perry are lieutenants in the CHP."

"I can see the family resemblance." Xander grinned at the officer. They were both tall, blonde, muscled and handsome as hell. Same sparkling dark blue eyes. Perry was equally as striking - sleek coal-black hair and a faint oriental cast to his features made the other lieutenant a stunning sight.

Perry snaked his arm around Xander's shoulder. "You've got to be pretty special to be David's guest ... he always comes to these parties stag ... how about a drink?" He began to steer the doctor towards the large bar running across one side of the room. Cannon looked back at David, who gave him a smile and two thumbs up.

Joshua guided his brother deeper into the room and found a secluded area across from the far end of the bar. He looked at his younger sibling.

"You look at him the same way I look at Perry. It's serious, this time, isn't it?"

David gave a delighted laugh and hugged his brother. "I've never felt this way before, Josh. Never. I feel like a part of me has been missing all these years and suddenly, it fell into place. I love him, Josh. Damnit, I love him with all my heart."

"He's not bad looking ... if you like pirates. Sounds like one, too..." Joshua drawled.

"OW!!"

David punched him in the arm. "He's a fucking stud, and you know it! Ted gave him one look and he was ready to burst out of his breeches."

"I'm only kidding, baby brother." Joshua soothed. "I've just never expected you to fall this hard in love for someone. How long have you known him?"

"Two days ... but ..."

"TWO DAYS??" Joshua's face hardened and took on a flinty look. A cop look. "I want Giaan to check him out. Now. C'mon." The tone of his voice brooked no argument.

The two brothers left the room via a back door and proceeded up to the third floor of the club. Joshua came to a solid wooden door and placed his palm against a dark sheet of glass on the wall to its right. A scanning light traveled down his hand and he heard the heavy bolts retract into the frame. Joshua turned the knob and entered the office.

"I'm way ahead of you, Josh ... the results are coming in right now." Giaan spun around in his chair and faced the two brothers - his back towards the wall of monitors showing different views of inside the club, as well as data streaming in from the internet. The handsome desi smiled. "Hiya, David."

"You shouldn't be spying on my lover ..." Bateman grumbled.

"We're not spying, David. Josh - all of us - don't want to see you hurt. Isn't it better you know anything untoward sooner rather than later?"

"Plus, if he is going to be joining the family, I want to make sure he can be trusted." Lucio Giambi came out of another room and gently stroked the younger Bateman's cheek. He gave him a soft kiss on the forehead.

Giaan's quaestor had become even more powerful with the financial and computational resources available through Lucio's organization. Data was streaming in across four monitors. The young indian's eyes unfocused slightly as he took in all four screens at once. His request had been a comprehensive background check on the doctor. One monitor took in a surveillance shot of Xander and Perry at the bar. The two seemed to have hit it off well and Perry was holding onto the bar, shaking with laughter.

Lucio sat down on the couch and stretched out. "OK, Giaan, let's hear it. What does your Frankenvirus have to tell us about David's lover?"

Giaan cleared his throat. "Dr. Alexander Cannon. Geneticist. Multiple degrees. CalTech. Harvard. University of Adelaide. Founded and sold several genetic engineering companies. Retired young. Excellent credit ... 844... I see you two spent a lot of dough yesterday..." he glanced quickly at David. "Assets - over 580 million dollars ... several government consulting jobs .... top security clearances .... married for a year .... and widowed. No foul play involved ... car accident. Lost his eye in the automobile crash."

He looked over his shoulder at the mob boss and two brothers. "Seemed you picked a winner, David." He continued tapping the keyboard before he shut down the quaestor.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it? I'm happy, Josh is happy. Looks like Perry likes him, too. Your lover passed with flying colors."

David had not been aware that he had been holding his breath. He let it out with a whoosh. He grinned. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to the party. I don't want any of Josh's CHP studs trying to muscle in." He turned and headed towards the door. He paused when his hand was on the knob.

"Lucio?"

The mob boss turned to him.

"Remember you said you were looking for an exclusive star for your adult film business?"

Giambi nodded.

"Well I found him."

"Who?"

David pointed to the monitor showing Xander and Perry at the bar. "He's interested. Very interested. Why don't you come down and talk to him?" He opened the door and slipped out.

Lucio stared at the flickering image on the screen. A tingling rush ran through him. In a world of cookie-cutter, hyper-developed, sex machines that couldn't act their way out of a paper bag, Xander definitely had potential. And the attitude. And the look. That eyepatch was arresting, to say the very least. There was something exotic and mysterious about him that just oozed sexuality. Of course, he would be taking a chance on the young doctor. But he didn't get where he was by not making some bold moves. He got up from the couch and grabbed his jacket. He motioned Josh to follow him.

"C'mon handsome - let's go meet your future brother-in-law."
* * *

After the more action-packed yarns I've been writing, I wanted to do a kinder, gentler story. Plus, I've always wanted to do an "ensemble" piece with a number of my AE's in the same story. As I mentioned in my "Jackal Soldier" piece, the next story would involve two masks ... I did that - and more!

The "before" mask is a Greyland "VB." I didn't cut the eyes out of this one since my previous two surgeries - Filemon as "Giaan" and Brend as "Joshua" didn't quite achieve the level of reality as my Felix mask did. Not to say they didn't turn out well - just that they definitely need a light pair of glasses to achieve the level of reality I demand. I'm going to get another VB and play around with the surgery. My last old man mask - a Greyland Rudy Veber - really creeps me out. I'm going to sell it. Any takers?

The "after" mask is a Greyland "Artist" - for some reason, the eyepatch idea took hold of me and I could not shake it. I always think of Basil St. John from the old Brenda Starr comics. I knew what I wanted as the "before" and the "after" - the major sticking point was the "how" - and that's where the scientist angle came in. I really love the way the entire "Derl" series fits me. I have almost the entire line - Recidivist, Artist (2), Viktor, Gomer - and I am in the process of getting a Greymas and a Vamp - do I have stories planned for those!

As I've said in previous posts, my good friend Michael has mentioned that my AE's definitely reflect different facets of my personality. David's admission to Joshua about Xander is exactly how I feel about my bf. Up until now, I have been extremely reticent (dare I say gun-shy?) about relationships. With him, Cupid's arrow did hit me squarely in the sternum and I fell for him (and him for me) HARD.
I also want to thank each and every one of you who reads these backstories on the blog and leaves comments. I appreciate the kudos, listen to the complaints, and always try to do better the next time.

Patrick