"Sure," nodded Joey. "What's up with you and Lance anyways? Chris told me that you and him are getting pretty hot and heavy lately."
"Chris need to keep his mouth shut or we need thicker walls," grumbled JC but he had a smile on his face. He never been happier in his life than he had been in the past few weeks.
"Go with thicker walls since shutting Chris up is impossible," laughed Joey.
"I'll suggest that to Lance," chuckled JC.
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something," began Joey unsure of how he should bring up the subject.
"What?"
"Who are you anyways? I've never seen you around before and now you're living with Lance."
"Joey," sighed JC. He had hoped that the Shepherd had recognized him over the three weeks but apparently that wasn't the case. "Don't you recognize me? Haven't you wondered why that slave you and Chris bought Lance hasn't been around?"
"Hey you're right!" cried Joey. "In three weeks, I haven't seen him! What happened to him anyways? Lance got rid of him?"
"I'm him!" sighed JC. "I'm the Lamb you bought for Lance!"
"Really?" asked Joey surprised. "But you're friends with Chris! Chris hates Lambs!"
"We came to an understanding," shrugged JC. "He knows who I am but he doesn't care anymore. What do you think?"
"I don't know," admitted Joey. "I mean I never knew a Lamb before. Well, of course I have my own Lambs but I never really talked to them before."
"And what do you think about me?"
"I guess it's okay," shrugged Joey. "I've never really hated Lambs the way Chris does, but I'm not like Lance either. I just never thought about it before. But I have no reasons not to like you."
"Are you just saying that so I'll keep helping you?" asked JC, mindlessly taping at the keyboard keys.
"I don't use people!" replied Joey, hurt that JC would think that.
"But you do!" pointed out JC. "You use your slaves all the time without thinking about their well being."
"Actually I don't do that," admitted Joey. "I'm not like other Shepherds. I come from a loving family. My lambs are well looked after, unlike many households."
"Oh," replied JC, . "I'm sorry. I never knew that there were nice Shepherds owners besides Lance."
"That's okay," shrugged Joey, already forgetting about it. "You didn't know."
"But it was wrong of me!"
"I would of probably reacted the same way," replied Joey with a friendly smile. "Don't worry about it."
"Yeah, but-"
"No buts!" protested Joey. "Have I been friends with a Lamb before? No. Have I ever seen someone, Lamb or Shepherd become friends with both Chris and Lance so quickly? No as well. You're special JC!"
"So you don't care that I'm a Lamb?"
"Not really," admitted Joey. "I became friends with you before I knew you were a Lamb and I'm not just going to change my opinions because I now know the truth."
"Thanks Joey," smiled JC giving the other man a hug.
"Good, now let's get back to work," suggested Joey with a smile.
*~*~*
"Good day?" asked Lance, kissing the top of JC's head. "I know Joey was over for awhile again."
"Yeah, we got a lot of work done."
"That's nice," smiled Lance playing with the helm of JC's shirt before slipping his hand lower down JC's body.
"Lance, I get the feeling you don't want to talk about what happened today," giggled JC leaning into Lance's touch.
"Really?" asked Lance, faking a surprise look. "How did you notice?"
"I love you," whispered JC, kissing Lance passionately.
"I love you too," replied Lance however in the back of his mind he couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt forming.
*~*~*
"Where's JC?" asked Chris a few days later as he and Lance ate their breakfast together. "By the way, I though you updated Geek's cooking skills yesterday?"
"I did," replied Lance grimly taking a bite of his pancakes. "And JC is still sleeping."
"Why?" What's wrong?" asked Chris, alarmed.
"Nothing," lied Lance.
"Lance, I've been staying here for over a month and not once before today did you get up without JC. Talk to me Lance. I know something is wrong."
"It's not fair for him," sighed Lance. "He's been living here for almost two months and in those two months he's never left the house."
"Why not?"
"I work all day," sighed Lance. "By the time I get home, it's only a few hours before the Lamb curfew starts."
"Take a day off once and awhile," suggested Chris.
"I can't!" replied Lance. I have people who count on me to come into work everyday!"
"You do have another option," replied Chris thoughtfully.
"Which is?"
"Marry him."
"Marry him?" asked Lance, confused and surprised. "Is that even allowed?"
"Yep," nodded Chris. "There is no law against a Shepherd marrying a Lamb. Granted it hasn't happened in live eighty years but when it does happen, the Lamb takes on all the rights of a Shepherd. In the eyes of the government, the Lamb is now a Shepherd."
"Marriage?" asked Lance. "Is that right? We've only known each other for two months!"
"Do you love him?" asked Chris.
"Yes!"
"Does he love you?"
"Yes!"
"Then what's your problem?!"
"Who has a problem?" asked a tired voice as arms wrapped around Lance's waist.
"Nobody, babe," lied Lance as JC placed a kiss on the back of his neck. "It's nothing you have to worry about."
"You sure?"
"Yeah Josh," replied Lance softly.
"Well, I'm outta here," laughed Chris at the lovebirds. "Think about what I mentioned Lance."
"What did Chris talk to you about?" questioned JC.
"Nothing!" smiled Lance turning his head so he could kiss JC's lips. "I love you."
"I love you too," replied JC with a gentle smile, before something dawned on his face. "You're going to be late for work!"
"Right," sighed Lance pulling reluctantly out of JC's embrace. "I'll see you later."
"Bye," whispered JC before placing another light kiss on Lance's lips.
*~*~*
"Lance have I told you I love you lately?"
"Paying for lunch makes you love me Joey? asked Lance amused. It was later that day and himself, Joey and Chris were having lunch together in a cafe. Joey had already been filled in on that's mornings conversation and they were getting his input on the matter.
"I spread my love easily," chuckled Joey.
"Unlike someone around here," added Chris.
"Chris . . . "
"Chris is right Lance," interrupted Joey. "I don't see a problem. You two love each other!"
"Yeah, but-"
"But nothing!" sighed Chris. "You're in love, there's no time limit on love. JC is a great guy!"
"What's wrong Lance?" asked Joey gently. "I know you too well. There's something else bothering you."
"I wonder how much he truly loves me," admitted Lance sadly. "Before he came here he was going to be married, yet now only a few months later he's in love with me. How is that possible?"
"Love happens in weird ways," sighed Joey as the trio dug into their meal.