Jake looked out the heavily tinted window of the limousine and then turned back to his companions. Orlando smiled fondly at the deer in the headlights look that Jake always got when they had to attend a premiere, or awards ceremony. Deftly, straightening the tie of Jake's traditional black tuxedo, Orlando kissed him on the cheek.

"It'll be fine. It always is. Once you're inside, you'll be your normal breezy self."

"I know," Jake sighed. "You'd think I'd be able to skip this part by now."

"Everybody has nerves," Orlando said. "I still can't quite believe we're both nominated in the same category."

"Yeah, that sucks that it splits the vote," Jake said. "But I don't expect to win anyway."

"Me either. I'm just looking forward to an evening out with you."

"I wish Sean had come."

"No you don't," Orlando giggled. "He can't keep his hands off you. I mean can you imagine what he'd be doing to you under the table? He's worse than I am with Viggo."

"Not possible," Jake cracked. "I believe you'd have sex with Viggo eighteen hours a day."

"Not twenty-four?"

"Well you have to eat and catch a nap now and then."

"Have I ever told you that I adore you, Jakey?"

"All the time … and I love it."

"Looks like it's our turn," Orlando said as the limo coasted to a stop. "Ready to tread the red carpet?"

Jake pursed his lips and blew out a big breath. "You still want to do this?"

"Of course."

"And you're absolutely sure you're ready for the fallout?"

"Yes. We've discussed it dozens of times. Viggo and Sean are in complete agreement. We're all ready to take the heat if it comes to it."

"Okay. I know we've been together for over a year now, but I'm still learning."

"Aren't we all?" Orlando said. "Come on. Let's go."

The door opened and Jake stepped out. Turning around, he offered his hand to Orlando and pulled the Brit from the big car. They didn't bother to try and count the number of lenses trained on them, but behaved as though they were in their driveway. Orlando put his arm around Jake's waist, Jake put his around Orlando's shoulders and they moved off.

For the next half hour, as Orlando and Jake made their way down the carpet to the entrance, they smiled and waved and stopped to talk with interviewers and fans. They gave one young lady the thrill of her life by kissing her on either cheek while Kevin Spacey took their picture with her camera. Then they nearly thrilled her and the rest of the crowd to death when she moved and Jake and Orlando's lips met.

The other celebrities making their way down the aisle felt the sudden chill as all cameras and microphones were turned on the two young actors that couldn't seem to break their lip lock. The kiss deepened as Jake's arms went around Orlando's waist and pulled him close. Orlando cupped Jake's face between his hands and took control from him. Jake took it back and about a zillion pairs of underwear went up in flames all across the country.

Breaking the kiss, Orlando laughed merrily, a sound as free as wild bird song, giddy with the rush of being completely open in public. Jake seemed hypnotized by Orlando's shining eyes and they stood entranced for several long moments while hundreds, nay, thousands of images were digitally captured. They knew by morning this would be the only topic of conversation in Hollywood and a large part of the rest of the world.

And they didn't care. After all, they'd been planning it for months, ever since Elijah had made a flippant comment at Sean's birthday party. Elijah had been joking, but Viggo pointed out that it would be the perfect opportunity, and Orlando became determined to pull it off. Deciding it was best left to the junior partners, Viggo and Sean happily stayed home to watch the Awards on TV, and enjoy the uproar from a safe distance.

Because Orlando and Jake's affectionate demeanor didn't end at the door of the auditorium. They hugged in the foyer out of sheer high spirits, and nuzzled their way over to a velvet rope cordoning off one of the corridors. Their famous faces were the only I. D. they needed and they were quickly passed through to a private gathering for nominees.

"Damn, you smell good," Jake said as he lifted his face from Orlando's hair. "I never tell you that, but you always smell fantastic."

Orlando smiled fondly and kissed Jake's stubbled chin. "And now everybody else knows too."

Jake gave the onlookers his sheepish grin and buried his charmingly pink face in Orlando's fragrant neck. "Cat's outta the bag now for sure," he agreed.

"No point in being shy then," Orlando replied, kissing Jake's inviting lips.

The two happy, shiny young men made the rounds, congratulating the other nominees and graciously receiving the good wishes of their peers. Orlando excused himself to the men's room, leaving his more than capable date to represent them both. Jake went to the hospitality table for a bottle of water and heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Heath," Jake said as he turned.

Heath Ledger smiled and held out his hand.

"Bullshit," Jake said, putting down the water. "You don't get to shake my hand. Come here."

Heath met Jake halfway as they threw their arms around one another in a wholehearted hug that wiped away a year of separation. Once again, Jake was astounded by the way they fit, how right Heath's body felt pressed to his, as they instinctively molded their lengths together. Unmindful of where they stood, they embraced passionately, becoming one.

Jake drew back first, a heretofore unprecedented act where Heath was concerned. "You look amazing. Michelle must be feeding you good."

Heath's proud smile lit his face. "She's wonderful," he said. "I'm here to accept for her, in case. She stayed home with Matilda tonight. Still a lot smarter than me."

Unable to stop himself, Jake raised a hand to Heath's cheek. "God, I'd almost forgotten what it was like."

Heath raised his eyebrows, and Jake laughed softly.

"Okay, I'm lying. I've never forgotten … but not because I've been pining for you. That's not why I haven't seen you and my goddaughter as much as I'd like. I've been seriously busy."

"You don't have to explain," Heath said. "Don't I call and tell you how bloody good you are at least once a week?"

Jake ducked his head. "And I mean to return each and every one of them, but …"

"No worries. I'm home all day with Mattie, and access to a phone and the Internet while she's napping. I just like to stay in touch. Doesn't mean you have to."

Jake leaned until his forehead touched Heath's. "Thank you," he said. "I don't deserve friends like you."

"You get the friends you deserve, Jakey," Heath said. "You don't have a conceited or pretentious bone in your body. I know; I've looked. The fact that you don't expect everyone to love you, makes us love you even more."

"Shut. Up," Jake said, pleased beyond words.

Heath drew Jake back into a warm embrace, cradling him close, rocking just a little to the music that was always playing somewhere in his head. "Sometimes it seems like it was a dream," Heath said in Jake's ear.

"I know exactly what you mean. Guess Brokeback got us pretty good too, huh?"

"Any regrets?" Heath could feel Jake's smile against his cheek.

"Nope. I'm glad now that we didn't sleep together, even though I wanted it so bad at the time. You were right. It was Jack wanting Ennis, not me wanting you, although …"

Heath pushed Jake away with a grin. "You're still a ratbag, Gyllenhaal; God love you."

"Everyone else certainly seems to," Orlando said as he stopped beside Jake and Heath.

"I was just telling him that," Heath said. "Hello, Orlando."

"Heath," Orlando nodded in the manner of royalty recognizing an equal. "Are you macking on my home slice?"

Heath laughed. "Can you blame me?"

"Good point," Orlando conceded, looking back and forth between the two men. He'd watched for a while before coming over, but everything seemed fine. Lucky Heath. If Jake had looked the least bit upset, Mr. Ledger would have felt the sharp side of Orlando's tongue.

"I loved your movie," Heath said. "Both of you deserve the Oscar."

"Jakey deserves it more," Orlando said. "I was playing an Englishman; he had to do the German accent."

"Austrian," Jake corrected automatically.

Orlando rolled his eyes discreetly. "I'm sure. The point is you had a harder job to do."

"You were both amazing. I believed every minute of it," Heath said. "It looked like you were really flying those planes."

"Thanks, but I played a Nazi," Jake said. "Doubt they'll give me the Oscar for that."

"Ah, but a Nazi that helps a wounded British pilot get safely to Allied territory through war-torn France gaining a soul in the process," Orlando chimed in.

"Are you reading off a TelePrompTer?" Jake asked drolly.

"Yeah, yours," Orlando said, grabbing playfully in the area of Jake's crotch.

"So it's not an act," Heath said, watching them together.

Jake sobered immediately. "Did you think it was a publicity stunt? That I was making it up when I told you about the relationship?"

"Well, yeah, a little, I mean, come on, Jake. You really expect me to believe that you're not only having an affair with a man, but with three at once? It's just not in you, mate."

"Not at the moment," Orlando said. "But it certainly has been."

"Orlando," Jake said quietly, and the Brit subsided. "Heath, I love you like a brother; I mean that sincerely, but I am definitely over my infatuation. I have a … boyfriend, though that word doesn't really suit Sean. I love him. He makes me whole, the way Ennis made Jack complete. I also love Viggo and Orlando, and I don't believe that anything we do together out of love could ever be unnatural."

"Fair enough," Heath said. "It's just hard for me to believe. I thought I knew you, at least a little bit."

"You did," Jake said. "I've changed. I'm not different, really, just more … myself."

"Good," Heath said. "It's good to see you happy. So how do we get to see more of you? Do we have to make another movie together?"

"I'd love that," Jake said.

"Meanwhile," Orlando said. "Why don't you bring the family over for a barbecue?"

Jake and Heath both turned to look at him.

"What?" Orlando asked. "Surely it's all right to invite Heath and his family."

"It's a wonderful idea," Jake said. "We're just stunned we didn't think of it."

Orlando gave Heath the private number so he could coordinate with Viggo and then it was time to find their seats. Michelle Williams won Best Actress that year and Heath bravely got up and mangled another speech. Neither Jake, nor Orlando, took Best Actor; that honor went to Keven Spacey that year and deservedly so for his portrayal of Harris Milstead in the movie "Trash Cinema".

Jake and Orlando's movie, "Cross of Iron", won Best Picture, however, and they got up to accept on behalf of the rest of the cast and crew. They made their way to the end of their row of seats and then all but danced to the podium in a merry waltz of euphoric giggles that they couldn't suppress no matter how many eyes and cameras were trained on them. Their surprise and delight at the tribute were obvious and infectious.

A glow filled the venerable auditorium that had nothing to do with the incandescent lights as the best movie of the year was applauded by Hollywood's elite. Carried away, Jake grabbed Orlando and kissed him exuberantly. Orlando returned the sentiment whole-heartedly, and as the clapping died down, a voice rose above the thunder.

"Get a room, cowboy!"

Jake relinquished Orlando's intoxicating mouth and gazed out over the crowd. He couldn't see Heath, but the voice was unmistakable. With the easy grace and boyish charm that had become his hallmark, Jake gave the crowd a wide grin and an aw-shucks shrug.

'Can you blame me?' Jake's posture clearly said, and the resounding answer was 'no' as the audience laughed affectionately and gave the two young actors another accolade of applause. After thanking everyone, Jake and Orlando let the slumming game show hostess escort them off the stage to area where the drooling press waited.