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Last Swim	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 8134 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people written about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Surfacing

August 21, 2005

Posted on Ian Thorpe’s website under latest news:

Ian moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan earlier this month to train with Bob Bowman, head coach at the University of Michigan under the aegis of his coach Tracy Menzies. While the United States, Ian will be living with his partner, Michael Phelps, the eight-time Olympic medalist who is currently enrolled he Uhe University of Michigan.

Posted on Michael Phelps’s website under biography:

Michael is currently enrolled at the University of Michigan and lives with his partner, Ian Thorpe, the nine-time Olympic medalist from Australia.

&&&&

Ann Arbor, MI

After a quiet Sunday filled with errands, housework and various phone calls, both Michael and Ian were glad to get back to the pool.

They drove in together but as usual, had their own routines. The normalcy of their schedule helped push any remaining nervousness out of their minds.

Michael walked out of the changing room and out to the bleachers. Ian had mentioned he’d be talking to Bob after his own training, making notes to discuss with Tracy so Michael took a seat and relaxed.

“Hey Michael.”

Michael looked up and shaded eyes against the glare. “Oh, hi Laura. How’s it going?”

“Pretty good. How was your weekend?” Laura sat down beside him.

“It was good. Did the laundry, did some stuff around the house.”

“Sounds like fun. No parties, no dates?” Laura hinted delicately.

“Um, Ian and I aren’t really the party types.”

“Well, of course not, you’re in training. But surely you can still date, right? I heard you don’t have a girlfriend, maybe we could-”

“Um. Laura? I don’t have a girlfriend because I’m living with Ian.” Michael looked at her, watching the clue dawn.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Wow. Gee, all the good ones are either gay or taken.” Laura laughed a little.

“Or both, in my case.” Michael grinned, relieved.

“That’s true. Well, you guys make a really cute couple.”

“Thanks. And I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression the other day.”

“No, it’s okay. I wouldn’t have made a move if I’d known you were involved. Are you guys telling people? Should I keep this a secret?”

“No, it’s not a secret. We just kept it quiet in the beginning.”

“You did a good job, I had no idea. I just thought you were really shy or really clueless.”

Michael laughed. “Ian would vote for the clueless part.”

“So, did you guys still want to go to the Ren Faire next weekend?”

“You mean, you still want to?”

“Sure.” Laura shrugged.

“Okay, I’ll have to check with Ian but I’d like to go. I never got a chance to go to the one in Maryland.”

“Go to what in Maryland?” Ian said as he walked up.

“Oh, hey babe.” Michael stood up and gave Ian a quick peck on the cheek.

Laura giggled and stood up. “Hey Ian. You guys are so cute! Michael, I’ll catch you later about next weekend, okay?” She waved and walked away.

“Okay, bye Laura.”

Ian watched her walk away before turning to Michael with an inquiring look. “What in Maryland?”

“The Renaissance Festival.”

“I thought that was here?”

“They have them all over. I’ve never been to the one in Maryland; you want to go with Laura to the one here next week?”

“With Laura?”

“Yeah, she thinks we make a cute couple.”

“Ah. Did she ask you out?”

“It looked like she was going to.”

“So you headed her off at the pass?”

“Like the Lone Ranger.”

“Ah. I suppose you expect me to feed you now?”

“Is it not a king’s responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of his kingdom?”

&&&

Michael sat back and picked up his glass to take the last swallow of orange juice when his cell phone rang. He glanced over at Ian and then checked the display.

“Hey Tim. Fine and you? Uh huh. That was fast. Uh huh. Well. I’ll have to talk to Ian about it. Okay. Yeah, we’ll call you guys tomorrow.”

Michael hung up the phone and sat back. “That was Tim. He and David have both gotten calls.”

“You’re right, that was fast.”

“Well, apparently someone read it on your website and posted something to a message board.”

“So it’s started.”

“Yeah. Some Japanese magazine offered a half million dollars for an exclusive.”

Ian almost spit out his coffee. “A half million? US or Australian?”

“US I think. You know, I’m half tempted to take the money.”

“You are?”

“Yeah. We let them bid for it, take the highest and donate it all to charity. Half to your foundation, half to something I pick out.”

Ian sat back and took a deep breath. “Well that’s a relief!”

Michael laughed. “You should have seen your face! You really thought I’d gone greedy?”

“No, it just sounded so unlike you.”

“Hey, we don’t need the money, do we?”

“No. It’s a good idea actually.”

“We’re supposed to conference call Tim and Dave tomorrow, around five in the evening.”

“All right. Sounds like they’re getting along.”

“We should do something nice for them when things calm down.”

“What, like getting new managers?”

“They might appreciate that but no.”

“Do you want a refill on the coffee?” Ian and Michael both looked up at the waitress.

“No, ma’am. May we have the bill?”

The waitress left the bill and took many of the plates with her. Michael grabbed the bill and took out his wallet.

“I thought I was paying?”

“You ate half as much as I did. You want to get the tip?”

“Sure. Will a ten do?”

Michael looked at the bill, “Better make it fifteen. ^^^ ^^^^
Ian walked out of the restaurant and put his shades on, waiting on Michael who was making a pit stop in the restroom.

Ian wondered away from the door a little to keep the entrance clear. He paused in front of the jewelry store next door, admiring the elaborate iron work in the window and door when his attention was caught by the ring display.

“What are you looking at?” Michael said over his shoulder.

“Oh, hello.” Ian smiled at his lover then turned back to the window. “They do beautiful work here. See that one on the left?”

“That’s nice. It would look good on you.”

“I was thinking it would look good on you.”

“You want to buy me a ring?”

“They’re promise rings. We could wear them on our right hands.”

“Um.”

“Am I being pushy?”

“What? No.” Michael took Ian’s hand and bumped their shoulders together. “I’ve just never worn a ring before. They are nice. I like that Celtic one, with the braiding.”

“The silver with the gold inlay? You know, we do have an anniversary coming up.”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go in and look.”

$$

Later that night, Ian spooned up behind Michael and inched his knee in between Michael’s legs. They’d already cleaned up after a vigorous round of lovemaking and were ready to sleep.

“Thank you, love.”

“For what?”

“For agreeing to the rings this morning.”

“You weren’t being pushy. It was something I thought we’d get around to."

“But not just yet.”

“No. But Its good, Ian.”

After a few moments of silence that seemed to grow heavy in the room, Michael sighed and moved away from Ian to switch on the light and roll over to face his gloomy lover.

“Ian, did you deliberately stand in front of that window and look for a ring for me?”

“No, I just saw them and…”

“And a thought occurred to you and you said what was on your mind. How can I be upset about that?”

“But you seemed a little dubious.”

“I was about ten percent dubious. Because I don’t wear rings and I don’t know how I’d swim with one and if I took it off to swim, I’d be worried about it. The other ninety percent was really happy that you suggested it.”

“Re?” I?” Ian said hopefully.

“Really.” Michael’s voice and face were filled with conviction.

“Oh. Okay. Turn off the light and come back here.”

Michael smiled and obeyed, snuggling back up into Ian’s body.

“Ian?”

“Yes, love?”

“I might lie tu abu about things that don’t matter but never about the things that are important.”

“What have you lied about?”

“I hate marmite and vegemite and I get the creepies that you have that jar of whatever it is down in the kitchen even though I told you I was fine with it.”

“And what else?”

“I have a secret stash of chocolate up in my study that I was never going to tell you about.”

Ian hid a grin in Michael’s nape. “Is that all?”

“You know when I told you that yellow shirt looked okay on you?”

“Yes.”

“I lied, it really isn’t your color but I was hungry and I wanted to go eat.”

“Basically all your lies involved food?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“So if I bought some chocolate and some of it was missing and I asked you if you ate it…”

“I’d lie like a rug.”

“And if I asked you to never again eat grits because they’re disgusting and you promised you never ever would?”

“Yeah, I’d be lying.”

“Michael, you are certainly unique.”

“I am what I am.”

“And I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

A few minutes later after they exchanged several kisses, Michael asked, “Do you really think they’ll be ready in time for our anniversary?”

“They said they would be. What do you want to do that night?”

“You made our half anniversary so special; I’m having a hard time coming up with something. And we’re both in training now so we can’t really go anywhere and it’s a Monday.”

“It is? We can do something the Saturday before, we don’t have training on Sunday.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let me think on it some more, okay?”

"Okay. Night love."

"Night Ian."

Neap Tide

August 27, 2005 Ann Arbor, MI

“Ian, are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Michael, didn’t I already say I didn’t?”

“But-”

Ian put his finger against Michael’s lips. “It will be fun, now shouldn’t we be picking up the ladies?”

“Yesh.”

Ian removed his finger. “Was that a yes?”

“Yes.”

“All right. Drive on.”

Michael started the car and pulled out, checking traffic and making a left turn at light and driving down the block to Laura’s apartment building. A small group of people were milling about on the sidewalk and Laura ste out out of the group to wave them into a convenient parking space.

“Hey guys! You have room for three, right? She said after Ian rolled down the window.

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’m going with you because I know where we’re going. Hang on.”

Laura stepped back over to the crowd, which was only eight or nine people and pulled out Renee and Diane. They all came over and Ian got out to open the door for them.

After greetings were exchanged and everyone buckled in, Laura told Michael to pull out.

“We’re not waiting for everyone?”

“No, Kyle drives like an old woman and Valerie drives like she’s in the last lap at Indy.”

Renee laughed and exclaimed, “I’m still trying to recover from driving with her last month.”

Everyone settled down and Laura gave the first part of the directions.

“I put the directions in the GPS. Are they correct?” Michael asked.

Laura leaned forward and squinted. “Yes, they look good. That’s a neat system. And you do have TVs back here.”

“Yeah, I went a little overboard, I guess. Shut up, Ian.”

“I didn’t say anything.” Ian said innocently.

“I can still get the spinners for the Deville.”

“Threatening me with auto accessories is not the way to win my heart.”

“I already have your heart, I want the bank account.”

Ian’s rejoinder was cut off by the laughter from back seat.

“You guys are so cute!” Renee said.

Michael exchanged a look with Ian which Laura picked up on.

“You guys don’t mind that I told them, do you? Michael, you said it wasn’t a secret,” she said a little nervously.

Ian twisted around a little. “Laura, it’s all right. We don’t mind.”

Laura sat back, relieved.

“Besides, it’s not like it hasn’t been on ESPN this week. How have you guys been?” Renee asked.

“It’s been okay so far, not much fall out yet.” Ian answered, letting Michael concentrate on driving.

“Good, you know the LGBTA on campus is a really good organization. Karen says they’ve got a really good support system.” Diane put in.

“Is Karen gay?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, her girlfriend, Natalie, is on the softball team, she’s in the car with Val, poor thing.”

“Natalie’s a great girl. Hey, did you guys see ‘Joey’ the other night? Was that not a blatant attempt at ratings or what?”

The rest of the trip to Holly was filled with talk of recent television shows, debates over what new movie sucked the most and Ian and Diane bonding over ‘Buffy’ much to the amusement of the rest of the car’s occupants.

Both Ian and Michael were relieved that these women weren’t really treating them any differently. It has been a long week filled with ups and downs as the news spread.

Their families, friends and sponsors had remained very supportive; a few hate groups had spewed their normal vomit. Surprisingly, many of the sports media outlets in both of their countries had treated it as a simple news story, not really making an issue out of it yet.

After their telephone conference with Dave and Tim on Tuesday, they’d postponed doing any interviews for the time being. Not to hike up the bid war but because they wanted time to let things settle.

Around the pool, nothing had really changed. A few people were friendlier, a few more distant but nothing they couldn’t handle. They were both still holding their breath, not believing that they’d seen the worst just yet.

^^^^
“Ian, didn’t you bring a hat?” Diane asked as they got their stuff together in the grassy parking area.

“No, I wasn’t expecting it to be so sunny.”

“Hang on.” Michael went to the back of the SUV, opened the tailgate and rummaged around in a box. A moment later, he pulled a black baseball cap. “Ah-ha!”

Michael dusted off the cap and presented it to Ian.

Ian turned it around and read the logo. “Michael! Where did you find this?” Ian immediately put it on and adjusted it.

“Oh awesome!” Diane exclaimed. “A ‘Dingoes Ate My Baby’ hat! Where did you find it? I’ve been looking for one for ages.”

“I picked it up in LA I think, during the tour last fall. I meant to mail it to you, Ian but things got busy and I kind of forgot about it.”

“I’m glad you remembered it now. I love it.” Ian leaned over and gave Michael a quick buss on the lips.

“Hey you guys, get a room!” Valerie said as she walked up. “We’ve been waiting forever at the gate.”

“God, Karen take a pill. We’ll get there.” A cute blonde who was standing behind her said. “Hi, I’m Natalie. This is Scott and Michelle.”

She stepped forward and offered Ian her hand.

“Hi, I’m Ian and this is Michael.” They all shook hands before Valerie couldn’t take it anymore.

“Can we at least get in line? We’re going to miss the opening stuff.”

They all finally followed Valerie over to the line where Christine was waiting with the rest of the group.

“Hey guys! Michael, Ian, this is Kyle, Jenny, Megan and Matt. Oh, they’ve started.”

They all waved quickly before turning to watch the show before the doors were opened.

&&&

“Just go, Ian.”

“Really, it’s not very dignified.”

“We’ve already paid. Go on.”

Ian gingerly stepped forward and took the ratty potato sack from the attendant, looking dubiously down the long faux wood slide.

Michael stood next to him at the other slide run and sat down on his sack. “Come on, Ian. You’re just afraid I’ll beat you down!”

Ian quickly sat down and placed his hands on the edges. “You wish!”

“Ready, Set, Go!” And they were off, sliding down to the bottom of the hill to land in the sawdust.

Hours later, they were happy but exhausted as they walked towards the exit laughing about the various shows and other entertainment. They stood in the parking area for a half hour before deciding to finally find their various vehicles and leave.

After Ian and Michael dropped off their passengers and turned the car back to their home, Ian waited until they’d stopped at a traffic light to lean over and kiss Michael on the cheek.

“What was that for?”

“I had a good time, thank you for suggesting this.”

“You were a little unsure, weren’t you?”

“Yes, I was but it was fun. They’re fun people too.”

“It was nice, having people to hang out with.”

“Are you getting bored with me?” Ian asked with a grin.

“No, but don’t you think it’s a good thing that we’re not isolated here?”

“Yes, it is a good thing. I do miss Grant and Klimmie and the rest of my mates back in Sydney.”

“I miss my friends too although Dan will be back when the semester starts.”

“Is he the one that went on the tour with you?”

“Yeah, we had a great time but he’s working in Chicago for the summer with his girlfriend.”

“Speaking of friends; Pieter is heading back home and wondered if it would be okay to drop in on his way for a few days. Do you mind?”

“You don’t have to ask me. I like Pieter.” Michael pulled into the drive way and Ian hit the garage remote.

“Just wanted to be sure. He’ll be here in a couple of weeks.”

“Okay. I’m going to go down to check the mail.” Michael hopped out of the SUV and closed the door.

“I’ll see if there’s anything on the answering machine.”

Michael trotted down the drive and approached the brick column holding the mailbox when he noticed something odd. There was a red string of some kind sticking out from the edge of the door. When he got closer the string looked more like a wire.

Very calmly, Michael started walking backwards. Not wanting to panic but also not wanting to draw any attention to himself.

He made it back to the edge of the garage before whipping out his cell phone and dialing the phone number for Roger Wilkins down the street.

“Hello.”

“Uh, hi Joanne. This is Michael. Is Roger home?”

“Sure, Michael. I’ll get him. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I just need to speak to him.”

He heard Joanne yell for Roger to pick up the phone and then Roger’s voice in his ear.

“Hey Michael, what’s up.”

“Roger, I’m really sorry to bother but I was going down to get the mail and there’s something funny down there.” Michael took a deep breath, suddenly aware that he was shaking.

“Okay, funny how?” Roger was calm and professional.

“I think there’s a wire sticking out of it.”

“Did you touch it?”

“No! I thought it was a string until I got closer.”

“Where are you? Are you still at the mailbox?”

“No, I’m up at the garage.”

“Okay kid. You’ve done good. Is Ian with you?”

“No, he’s in the house.”

“I want you to go inside and keep him there. Lock the house up tight, turn the security system on and close all the drapes. Stay off the house phone for a bit, okay? I’ll call this in and get the troops here and we’ll call you on that phone.”

“Okay. You’re not going down there to look at it are you?”

“No, I’ll leave that to the experts. Now, go on. Get inside.” Roger hung up abruptly and Michael hurried into the house, shutting the garage door and locking the house door and turning on the alarm.

Ian was standing at the breakfast bar, writing down a message when he glanced up at Michael’s entrance.

“What’s wrong? You’re white as a sheet.”

“Ian. There’s.” Michael rushed over to Ian and fell into his arms, grasping him frantically.

“Hey. What? What’s wrong?” Ian said, now as frantic as Michael.

“Ian, I think there’s a bomb in the mailbox.”
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