Chrissy dipped one of her few remaining fries in her ketchup cup. "So that's been my life,” she said. “A series of relationships that never even made it to the airport, let alone took off; scattered jobs that I've woked until the video is once again discovered; and several attempts to start over." Chrissy stuck the fry in her mouth. "Damn, those fries are good. So I've told you what's happened to me. What's happened to you?" she asked.

"Well, prison for one thing." Michael replied. "Five years and I was released due to good behaviour and overcrowding. During that time I was raped and beaten far too many times. My swimmer's physique and small stature marked me as a pretty boy and a target. Nobody said as much, but that was the distinct impression I got. The first year was hell, but I bulked up and broke enough bones to make people think twice about having their way with me. The tattoos helped too."

Once people started leaving me alone I left them alone," Michael continued. "I was able to finish school and get my diploma. Like I said earlier though, nobody wants a rapist on the books."

Kevin was able to get out before I did, somehow. His family spent a lot of money on a lawer to review his case. He was back in after a few months though. He'd played nice for the prison board, but when he got out he quickly became a serial rapist. Fifteen women in three months. Fifteen women and one girl." Michael grimaced.

"When word of the girl got around there was no mercy for him. Even inmates don't like sexual assult of a minor; the thing is they're already in prison and a good deal of them are in for violent crime. Any restraint a normal person would have is gone. Last I saw, he had no teeth and was wearing a halo while in traction."

Chrissy got a grim smile. Kevin had shown no remorse about what had happened. Michael had at least apologized and taken reponsibilty for what he had done, and Chrssy could repect that. Kevin had shown no remorse and railed against Chrissy and women in general in a most misogynistic way after scentancing. Chrissy felt Kevin thoroughly deserved everyting he got.

"When I got out there was nobody," Micheal continued. "That video had ruined my life. All my friends disappeared. My family disowned me. I came out with nothing to my name save the clothes on my back and the stuff in my pockets." Micheal put the last bit of his burger in his mouth and took a pull from his drink. "I've been pretty transient ever since. When the video comes up I don't even try anymore. I just pack up and move on. Right now I'm driving a cab and provide protection for working ladies."

"You guard prostitutes?" Chrissy asked.

Michael nodded. "I was leaving a client when I ran into you."

"They- they don't mind what you did in the video?" Chrissy tentatively asked.

Michael shook his head. "It wasn't easy getting them to trust me, but I did." He sighed. "Truth be told, I'm just not interested."

"Prison turned you gay?" Chrissy asked.

"I'm not gay," Michael said. "Definitely not gay."

"So, what? You don't like women or men?" Chrissy paused. "You're asexual now?"

"You're partially right," Michael said while Chrissy took a sip of her drink. "I don't like men, or women. I like just one woman; and I didn't know it until about an hour ago."

Chrissy coughed and nearly did a spit take. "What? Me?"

Michael nodded. "I know it's fucked up. I barely know you. I mean, we went out a few times almost a decade ago; there was the incident that brought us to here; and now there's just us. I have nothing I care about in my life right now. But after seeing you here, I don't want to ever not see you again."

Chrissy was stunned. She was silent for a bit before carefully replying."I don't know if I can recioricate your feelings."

"That's fine, I'll wait," Micheal replied, "like I said, not interested in anyone else. It's not pity or a creepy obsession with the target of my crime. After our first attempt at dating nobody else clicked. Maybe that why it was easy for Kevin to manipulate me into diving into you like that. "

Chrissy thought about that. She hadn't really clicked with anyone either since then. Chrissy thought back that near decade to why they split. She didn't like being taller than him; that was it. In every other way they had been a good match. It seemed such a puerile reason, but with other taller boys practically tripping over themselves to get to know her then it had been enough. Now, after so many failed attempts it seemed a very insignificant issue. But she was still angry at him for violating her in such a profound and public manner.

"Look, you've just arrived, and have nowhere to stay. How about you stay at my place. It's not the best part of town, but it's better than the cheap motels. I can sleep on the couch." Michael suggested, "Or if you'd rather, I could use the money I just got to pay for a motel room for you for a couple of weeks to let you get your bearings around town."

Chrissy thought about that. The offer was was very tempting. She didn't relish walking into a porn studio the day she arrived and getting to work, but she had no other options that she could see. A chance to rest would be great; and strangely, she found that she didn't fear Michael, not like she had imagined she would. His sincerity appeared genuine.

After hearing that his life had gone off the rails as much as hers had was some comfort to her. Seeing him, a previous champion, reduced so low was quite gratifying. On top of that, she had passed some of the motels she would have been able to afford for any length of time on the way to the studio, and could see syringes in the gutter just out front. The thought of staying there for any length of time made her shudder. Micheal's admission of the effect she'd had on him was reassuring. She actually felt she could trust him.

With no other real option open to her, she agreed.