Fallen Hero by Dayna

Brick leaned against the porch watching as his father greeted the man who was going to be staying with them for a few weeks. Taylor Brooks was a hero in his eyes. He was a man who knew what he wanted and went after it no matter the cost. But it was that attitude that had nearly gotten him killed.

His desire to strike out on his own, to do what he wanted and everyone else be damned had attracted Brick to the man from the first time he heard his father talk about him. But from everything he'd heard, the horror that he lived through on his last expedition had changed him. He had sacrificed himself to save his friend and it had been Taylor who got them out of it alive. The man who was known for only looking out for number one had been willing to give up his own life to save his friend.

But that wasn't the only change in him. Brick knew his father was concerned about the other man. He had turned down an opportunity to join another expedition, something right up his alley. Different mountain, different rush. And Taylor had said no.

Brick watched as the older man shook hands with his father then disappeared down towards the river. He waited till he saw his father head back into the office and then headed after Taylor. This might be his only chance to talk to the man in private. To talk about the one other time they'd seen each other.

As he neared the river, Brick leaned against the tree just watching as Taylor sat down on the bank staring out at the water. He was the first to admit that he knew next to nothing about Taylor the man, but he wanted to change that. "I know you're there."

Brick jumped slightly as he heard Taylor's voice. Moving slowly towards him, Brick crouched next to him. "Thought I'd make sure you were alright."

"I don't need a babysitter, kid."

"I never meant to imply that you did. Welcome, Taylor."

Brick stood up to turn and leave but Taylor's hand on his wrist stopped him. "I'm sorry, kid."

Under normal circumstances being called kid would really tick him off. But, he didn't mind it when Taylor called him that. In fact, the night they'd spent together, that was all Taylor had called him. And he hadn't heard it from him since. Hell, he hadn't seen or heard from Taylor at all since that night. Until today.

Brick sat down next to Taylor, who was still staring out at the water. "It's been a long time."

"Yeah. Why, Taylor? Why did you walk away without a word to me?"

"Because I had to. I may be a selfish bastard most of the time, but I do have my moments."

Brick saw the muscles in Taylor's shoulders tense and knew he was thinking about what had happened on the mountain. After hesitating only briefly, Brick reached out a hand to caress Taylor's back. "You aren't a bastard, Taylor."

Taylor smirked. "Notice you didn't say anything about the selfish part."

Brick smiled back. "You have your moments. Tell me why you left."

Taylor dropped his head forward. "You were too young, Brick, and I was too jaded. It would never have worked."

"How do you know? You never gave it a chance. I wanted to try."

Taylor turned to him before jumping to his feet. "You don't know what you wanted. It was nothing more for you then hero worship and you know it. Somewhere along the way you got it into your head that I was this role model for you. Someone you should look up to. That night was just about fulfilling some kind of fantasy."

Brick jumped to his feet. "The hell it was. Alright, maybe when I first came up to you. But I never would've slept with you if I hadn't have been interested in you. It wouldn't have mattered who the hell you were."

Taylor looked back at the water. "Just forget it and leave it in the past, kid. I'm not who you think I am. I'm no damn hero. Heroes don't let people die."

Brick heard the catch in Taylor's voice and moved towards him. "I've never been able to forget it, Taylor. And I don't think you have either."

Before Taylor could respond, Brick pulled the older man into his arms. Holding him tightly, Brick brought him into his kiss. His eyes closed as Taylor's arms wrapped around him. God, it had been too long. And as much as Taylor may want to deny it, there was still a spark between them. One that Brick intended to explore over the next few weeks. And he would do his best to help Taylor get past the demons that were haunting him.

THE END