Involved in separate accidents. Russel and Finn end up sharing a cubicle in the ER on a busy night. As the hours pass, separately and together, they face issues of life and death, human nature, addiction, perceived shortcomings, love, romance, and sexual arousal.<br><br>Both men are feeling flirty and friendly at first, until they end up in a heated argument about what feature in a man is more important, his face or his body. After some time alone to think, Russel is eager to apologize for losing his temper and to explain where he was coming from. Unfortunately, Finn never returns from surgery, leaving Russel both sorry and worried.<br><br>Is Russel’s chance to make amends really gone? What will happen if the two ever do come face to face again? Can Russel win Finn over or will the need to prove his point screw everything up again?

An Arm and a Leg

“You don’t look too banged up…not from this angle.”


Head trauma, someone had mentioned. I couldn’t really see up there.


“Your brain is okay,” I said. “It is. You’re not gonna die, Finneus Shea!” With the proper amount of both dramatic TV medical show overacting and quietness to stave off being embarrassed in real life I declared it. “You’re not gonna die. Not on my watch.”


Finn’s breathing was even, his lower abdomen rising and relaxing at what seemed a normal rate. Still, he didn’t stir.


“When I was little,” willing myself to concentrate on less hairy and intimate places, I also continued to keep my voice low, “my mom would tickle my feet to get me to wake up when I didn’t want to.”


Chapter 6