December 1992

It was at the Luthercorp Company Christmas party in Metropolis that Gabe saw him. He hadn't wanted to be there considering that the holidays was gloomy enough without having to fake being cheerful but it was pretty much mandatory to attend, dressed in one's best. That was one of the down sides of being part of the management of the shipping and processing center in the heavy industrial area of the city. It had been six months since Cindy had left him and while the pain in his heart was no longer sharp, a dull ache still remained that left him functional but kept him distracted and moody. His mother had come over to help get all his Christmas shopping and card writing done and was babysitting Chloe for tonight. He was grateful but wished that she wouldn't keep asking him what had happened and why Cindy had left . . . because he couldn't really answer her.

It was fairly early on in the party that he noticed the man who skulked in the shadow of the man whose presence overpowered the room. Dominic Senatori, he thought. He had never met the man but had heard of him and seen the occasional corporate picture of him. He remembered what his coworkers had told him, that this man was more than Lionel Luthor's lackey, that he did other things as well. He couldn't recall anybody saying a good thing about the man.

He found himself looking at the man. Dominic did not have the sheer presence or the style that Lionel Luthor oozed, but he was not a bad looking man though the beard and mustache were a little sparse. Dominic seemed to notice he was being looked at and their eyes met for a second before Gabe turned away and walked towards the open bar. I wonder how Chloe's doing, he thought. Perhaps I should call mom. He shook his head at the thought, imagining his mom pestering him with questions like whether or not he had drunk too much to go home safely or if he had met anybody "nice" at the party. He sat down and ordered a "screwdriver." He was about to drink when someone sat next to him. He turned to see who it was.

"Hello, I'm Dominic Senatori," said the man, offering his hand.

He blinked and shook the hand automatically, trying to kick start his brain into working. No matter what others said about him, he knew that he didn't want to offend this man. Dominic was in a position to cause him major damage. "Gabe Sullivan. You're Mr. Luthor's assistant."

"Yes, I am," said Dominic. He turned to the bartender and said, "I'll have what he's having."

As the bartender put the drink in front of the man, Dominic said, "Enjoying the party?"

"Well, I . . ."

"I find it boring as well."

Gabe found himself a little disconcerted by that statement. "Actually, the food and the booze is fine. It's just that I have a little girl at home."

"Someone is looking after her."

"Yes, my mother." Gabe mentally frowned at the amount of attention Dominic was paying him. I hope he's not here about my work performance, he thought. He was fairly popular at the office, knowing how not to ruffle feathers while getting the job done. "I'm just wondering if there's something about my job that you want to talk to me about."

Dominic took a sip of his drink. "Don't worry, this is just a personal conversation. I'm not playing hatchet man if that's what you're worried about. Lionel is busy talking with some of the plant managers and you seemed interesting to talk to."

Gabe relaxed but only slightly. "So, what is it like being Lionel Luthor's personal assistant?"

Dominic threw a look in the direction of Lionel then turned back to Gabe. "What do you think it must be like?"

"It must be hard."

"It's bloody hard. Lionel's an exacting man but he recognizes potential and ability," said the man, slightly gloating. He took another sip of his drink, and leaned slightly forward as if he was about to say something confidential.

Gabe raised an eyebrow at the extremely familiar way that the man called the head of the company by his first name but decided not to say anything about that.

A man came up to Dominic and said, "Mr. Senatori, Mr. Luthor wants you."

Dominic sighed in exasperation, looked at Gabe and said, "Excuse me. I think it would have been nice talking to you." With that, he polished off his drink and walked away.

So, here he was in a downtown movie theater in the seedier side of town the day after Christmas, watching two men kissing each other on the movie screen. It was a useless attempt at taking his mind off things before going home and having dinner with Chloe and his mom who was once again babysitting. He felt shitty about how things were. I should be at home instead of here, he thought. Especially here. However, even if I'm home, I'm not any use to her. Then he got angry. It's all my fault, OK! I couldn't be the husband you needed but it's no excuse for not visiting your own daughter! Why couldn't you just see her on Christmas? Why?

"Mr. Sullivan?"said a low male voice.

Gabe gasped and whipped his head around to see Dominic sitting in the row behind him, four seats to his right. "Oh, my God."

Dominic pursed his lips and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, this isn't a bust. Not like I could bust you. I'm here as well."

Gabe sighed, most of the tension leaving his body.

"How about we go back to my apartment?"

Gabe looked at him for a second. "Well, uh . . ."

"Just a suggestion. The movie's not working for me and from what I can see it's not working for you."

Gabe remembered the rumors he had heard at work. "Is there anybody in your life that would mind?"

Dominic paused before he said, "I see you've heard rumors about me and Lionel."

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right. Let's just say he doesn't care enough to be interested in my personal life just as long as I do my job."

Gabe saw by the light coming off the movie screen the bitter smile on Dominic's face. "Damn, I shouldn't have . . ."

Dominic stood up. "Coming or not?"

"Yeah, sure."

Ah, damn, thought Gabe as he tried not to push Dominic's head but grip the edge of the bed instead. The way Dominic was using his tongue and sucking him . . . the wet sounds as the man's lips slid up and down his cock and the feel of strong hands on his thighs . . . I haven't done this in years, not since college. I've missed this so much, he thought. Thoughts were obliterated as the man started to hum him into orgasm. He groaned as he came and fell back unto the bed and closed his eyes.

After catching his breath, Gabe said, "I've been meaning to ask you but why me?"

"You're not a bad looking man, Gabe. Don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

Gabe let out a short laugh as he sat back up and pulled up his pants and zipped up. "After what we did? Go ahead." Noticing the tenting in Dominic's pants, Gabe said, "I'm so out of practice but . . ."

"I can take care of it myself. Maybe next time. I remember you told me that you had a little girl at home and I can see it's getting late."

Gabe felt disappointed. "Yeah, you're right." He stood up and was about to go when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and found Dominic's mouth on his. It was warm, a little moist and even a bit ticklish because of his mustache and beard. It tasted of his own come and the scotch on ice Dominic had drunk before going to the bedroom and it smelled of male sweat and expensive cologne. God, he had missed this. The kiss threatened to knock him down to his knees and sweep every bit of the self-restraint and control he had out of the corners of his soul.

Stepping back, Dominic said, "I want you to understand something. There could be a next time if you want."

As an answer, Gabe kissed him again. This wasn't love but it was warm and real and it would do for now.

The End