Again Andy's first reaction was to tense. He wasn't used to being the one coddled or held onto. He didn't dislike it, but it was unusual. Especially unusual coming from Starr. It was a kindness, though, and one he could definitely use though he felt like he was, in a way, turning his back on Cory. He didn't spend a lot of time at Andy's house, though, and less often spent the night. He'd been thinking about asking Cory to stay by more often, and had been wrestling with the idea for a while.

After a while of fighting himself, and closing his eyes to the almost surreal sound of Starr's singing voice, Andy's mind began to calm and quiet. He didn't mind being the one on the receiving end of kindness from time to time, after all. Maybe he was overloading Starr with his protective nature. Starr was probably independent under the water, but on land he needed someone to lead him until he figured it all out. Andy was just glad to have someone to help.

Starr smiled to himself once he felt the other man relax. He gentled his voice, until he too was silent. Instead of falling into sleep immediately, the merman spent a while running his fingers through Andy's hair. He was certain that awake, Andy would have walked away from such signs of affection. Under the sea, he couldn't feel how soft hair could be. Starr had never felt something so smooth, and so good, under his fingers.

His own sleep was hard to come by. The sea was so close. Salty ocean smells wafted through the windows, carried by the breeze. That called up a bitter ache in his heart, and it took a while for that to pass by. Having Andy in his arms helped. That warmth was what ultimately lulled the former merman to sleep.

The breeze carried the scent of the ocean and seemed to carry him to his little wooden rowboat. His dreams were plain, Andy's life drifting between shore and open water, tethered to the dock and bobbing gently, catching on the knotted rope and pulling back when the boat tried to drift into deeper water. He loved being just inches from the waves, the water, beautiful and dangerous. Then when he wanted the steadiness of earth, he pulled himself back to the dock. When he opened his eyes, Andy found he hadn't moved from where he'd fallen asleep, Starr curled around him. Slowly, Andy slid away, carefully standing and stretching and glancing at the clock. Barely seven. Creeping out of the room, he glanced down the hall and saw the last door open. He hadn't heard a car leave, so Dean was probably downstairs.

Halfway down, he heard someone clattering around the kitchen, and smiled. That was a familiar noise. Coming into the doorway, he watched Dean slide a skillet to the back of the stove and turn, then gasp. He was dressed in some of the clothes he kept with Andy, a black pinstripe button-down shirt tucked into a pair of solid black slacks and a studded silver and red belt, ended with shiny black leather loafers. A few chains hung from the belt and in his ears a few studs and silver loops hung at seemingly random points throughout. He held a couple plates, which he set on the table nearby while Andy laughed. "Well you look like you're ready for a... an interview?"

Dean laughed. "You could say that." His grin widened and he stuck his tongue out. "I bet you'd love what I'm doing today. Just a few preliminary shots today, then we'll get into poses and lighting arrangements later. Then the good stuff comes out." He rubbed his arms but looked to be enjoying what he was thinking about. "Anyway, how'd you and Starr sleep?"

"Pretty well... I mean, I slept better than I thought I would, Starr's singing voice is... ridiculous." Andy shrugged. "But I have a few jobs to do today, so I'll have to leave him here... alone... I'll have to keep track of him somehow."

Dean nodded, then gestured at the table. "Sit, I didn't make breakfast for nothing!" Andy smiled and looked down at the table. Scrambled eggs and bacon, and toast topped with cream and halved strawberries. At least Dean was simplistic in his food.

Kane's morning was uneventful, save for the fact that he was extremely nervous. It was hard to say what had pushed him to call in sick to work, pretending he had a cold. Sure those kids really needed his help, and he really wanted to help them at that. But sometimes, sometimes he just needed a complete and utter distraction. That happened to be visiting a certain interesting new acquaintance. Would there be many people there? Kane's forest green car swerved through the streets. It was a four door, sleek, and not quite a sports car. It was more practical then that.

It slid easily into an empty parking spot near the warehouse Dean had described. He was a bit early, like a half-hour early. Kane took the extra time to fuss with his hair, and tug at his unassuming plaid dress shirt. His jeans were a little beat up, because it had been a while since he'd gone to the effort of shopping. His sneakers were even more beat up then that. Kane scuffed them against the ground when he clambered out of his car, and walked right up to the metal doors of the warehouse.

He left early, saying goodbye to Andy and Starr when he woke, getting back to his car with an armful of his sleeping clothes. Running out to Andy's house in the middle of the night wasn't his usual way, but when he'd ended the call regarding Starr so frantically, Dean had jumped up and effectively sped to the guy's house. He was glad to have the right things there to dress well for his arrival. A box of some of his favorite piercings stowed away in one of the drawers helped matters, especially for this particular shoot. Arriving at the warehouse far too early, Dean smiled and passed by the two in front of the door, who recognized him immediately. The main floor was done up well, separated into several sections. The section he entered into was a lounge-like area, with leather seats and tables that were easy to haul away when they were done. Another door led to the restrooms and dressing rooms, and to the right was a set of double doors. These he stepped through, and paused.

Everything seemed set up. Lighting, the scene, which was a white background for a default set of shots. If he had many ideas about cameras Dean was sure they were calibrating the cameras themselves, testing lenses, lighting and situations. He was no idiot, though it was evident he was a bit of an airhead. If he had an idea regarding the lighting or position of a camera he'd tell the photographers. Smiling, he glanced back and saw something odd. One of the men at the door had stopped someone who looked very familiar. Running back, he grasped the big arm of one of the men. "Hey, easy, I invited the guy!" He approached Kane, eyes alight. "Kane! I didn't think you'd be here! And so early." He laughed, waving the guys away and back to the door.

He hadn't expected to be stopped by the door. Though, considering the constant threat of paparazzi it made a whole lot of sense. These men were strong, and burly looking. They were the stereotypical bodyguards, the very image of people hired for brawn and not necessarily brains. "Dean! Hey ..." As he was dragged inside, Kane found his eyes widening at the sight of so many cameras and people. They were like ever busy ants, always having to do something, to keep their hands occupied.

"I didn't think I was going to come, to be honest. But admittedly, curiosity drove me to it." And now he wondered why he'd been so eager to see what the other man did. It seemed so ... interesting a kind of work.

Dean could barely contain himself, feeling as if he were about to jitter out of his body from the excitement of seeing Kane actually come here, of his own accord. "Oh, babe, I'm so glad you're curious!" Probably in more ways than one. Dean's mind added silently. He grasped Kane's arm, leading him forward, dodging photographers and lighting guys and girls, runners heading this way and that. He settled the lawyer on one of the chairs and sat across from him. "I've got a meeting with the editor in the back office, she's gonna oversee things, do the usual stuff she does, I dunno the process or anything. Anyway, I'll be gone for a few minutes and while I am I'll get you a visitor pass. That way you can go where you like, just stay out of the photographers' way, 'kay?" He jumped up, rearranging his belt and stepping away. "I'll be right back!"

He nearly ran to the office, bursting in and closing the door carefully. He'd already scared the woman by nearly breaking the door down, but Dean's energy level was off the chart. "Millie! How's it going?"

Millie shut her laptop and put a hand to her heart. "God, Dean, you have to do that?" She shook her head, straightening her glasses. "You have what you need for today's preliminary shots, right? We're testing lighting, positions and location, shadow and contrast."

"Yep, I know. Your guys will listen to me, right? I'm not gonna be in a crap shoot because you have some camera guys that are too far wedged inside themselves that they won't listen to opinions."

"Of course, Dean." Millie rolled her eyes. "We're pretty aware of your intensity when it comes to negative shots and poor camera angles."

He nodded and smiled. "Now, can I get a visitor pass for a friend of mine? He won't be any trouble---I think he'll run out before he gets in someone's way, actually..." He laughed, and Millie just smiled, shook her head, and signed off on a small sticker, then said "have him write his name and he'll be free to go where he likes, just not in the dressing or changing rooms." He nodded and darted out of the room.

Babe? Kane was too dumbfounded to make any kind of response. So he just lounged in the chair, trying to eal with the after effects of being caught up in Dean's whirlwind presence. If someone could bottle that energy and sell it, they'd be rich beyond imagining. But that kind of thing was impossible. So all that could be done was to watch, and try not to be left behind in the dust.

It was actually pretty interesting to see how the whole thing was being set up for Dean. Lights were tilted just so, props were set down carefully. Artful as could be, some of the leather and metal things gleamed. Kane had no idea what half the things were used for. Cameras were outfitted with lenses that probably worked well indoors, while a group of people were discussing poses that made Kane blush just to hear about them.

The moment Dean was in sight again, Kane scrambled to his side with relief. Even if the guy was a complete airhead, and a bundle of excitable energy, he was the only person in the whole building Kane knew. "That didn't take long."

Dean laughed, bringing out the pass and peeling off the paper back. "Here ya go!" He patted the pass onto Kane's chest and smoothed it down. "There, a day's visitor pass. You can't use it after today so if you wanna come back you can, just ask and I'll get Millie for another pass." He looked around, finding a cameraman fiddling with his camera and catching his eye. Dean smiled, then looked back at Kane. "So you overhear anything interesting?" He asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. If one wasn't used to being among the people Dean spent most of his time, the rather intimate conversations would seem really very odd or embarrassing.

"Gonna come into the shooting room with me?" Dean asked brightly, smiling toward Kane. "You'll be able to see all kinds of poses and angles and stuff. Not a lot of people see the behind the scenes 'cause they're way more interested in the final product, obviously. But some people are really fascinated." He did hope Kane would come along now and not later. Now, he would walk with Dean. Later he would have people watching him oddly, no doubt.

He laughed. "I have work of my own to do too, Dean." Not that finding out more about the other man's work didn't have it's own enticement. But ... that could lead to so much trouble. It sent his heart racing, and Kane had no idea why. And then Kane blushed. "Interesting? Well .. .Too many things really. I mean ... that kind of thing is .. " He shook his head hard and clamped his mouth shut. There were eyes following the pair. Kane could feel them hovering over him with curiosity. Being in the spotlight was so horrible!

"Well if you think it would be alright, sure ..." Kane was out of his element. It was the only reason he let himself follow along so easily. There was no doubt that under other circumstances he would already have bolted for the door. And yet that smile on Dean's face kept holding him back, and there was no reason for that.

Dean was feeling as if another wall had broken down. The fact that Kane was actually sticking around was a huge step forward. He put an arm around his shoulder and led him on. "Hon, calm down. You're fine here, no one's gonna think you're some weirdo. Haha, if they don't think I'm weird what's a guy like you got to worry about?" He laughed, and was intercepted by a young woman with large black glasses.

"Dean. You gotta get in there, they're waiting for a filler."

"Filler? Hell, where's he at?" Dean took his arm off Kane and crossed them over his chest. "Lost?"

"Dunno. We've got a stand-in. The filler's not important right now."

"Damn right." Dean glanced sideways. "When we get in there it'll be dark. You can stick near the walls so no one runs into you or tries to get you to fetch something." He laughed, pushing open the door. "Don't worry, Kane, you won't see much skin. We're focused on posing, lighting and detailing the right lenses for each situation. I think you'll find the technicalities pretty interesting." He smiled warmly, reeling himself in. Posing required steadiness, and if he were vibrating with unshed energy things wouldn't work out well.

A filler? What was that? It sounded like someone who was background for Dean. Just a prop for the main attraction. The other man had become strangely calmer now that the technicalities were going to be figured out. So, it appeared Dean could control that boundless energy of his when there was a need to.

The lawyer followed his friend into the room and wandered to stand by the wall. He leaned back against the smooth surface and tilted his head. There were more lights in that single room then most houses seemed to have. It was crowded too, with cables and wires stuck to the floor with tape. It was a wonder none of the hurrying specialists and technicians tripped on the things.

In the half dark room Dean felt as if he stepped from one reality into another. Cameras both stood on tripods and in the hands of photographers, reflectors and the backdrop that would later hold various pictures, painted scenes or blown-up landscapes or rooms. Dean glanced back to find Kane and smiled his way. He was watching the light setup and varied conversations about camera angles with what looked like a mixture of confusion and fascination. Dean was met by a couple women, who pulled him forward and into the current light setting. One was a makeup artist, who wasn't to waste her time with more than notes jotted down on a notepad, and the other busied herself with overlooking Dean and noting current lighting positions.

He felt in his element, both told what to do and doing what he wanted. Directing the directors, barking at the lighting staff as they fiddled with the wrong lamp, scolding someone for focusing a light too intently on the direction he was facing because the light would reflect in his eyes and look shoddy, and the resulting Photoshop job would take time and money they could save by shifting five degrees to the left. His pushiness seemed to be a shock people that never worked with him before.

Dean was an entirely different person under the lights. He was single minded and self assured. Confidence radiated from him like lights from the light bulbs. He told everyone what to do. It was kind of a funny turn around from the airheaded man Kane had gotten somewhat used to. But now he was all business and ... alluring because of it. He thought of every little detail, every angle and how it would affect the way the photo came out.

Kane had a hard time not admiring the other man. Each shot was rather provocative, but then a sudden commotion had him hastily pressing himself hard into the wall.

"You know the guy that didn't show up? Well he just called in saying he quit. What are we going to do?" The woman from earlier who'd been panicking about a filler not showing up looked even worse then before. Her hair stuck out at odd angles, as if she'd been pulling at it.

Silently, Kane prayed no one would notice him. The room was dark, eyes would pass over him easily, unless someone brought attention to him. He had a sinking feeling about the whole situation.

Dean was so glad to get some beginning test shots done that he nearly took over for the director entirely. He didn't mean to do a complete turnaround from his laid-back, calm, free-flying self to domineering and overbearing and, from time to time, frightening to the runners. When the woman with glasses---he knew her as Cassie now---ran in like a whirlwind and looking as if she'd just come out of one, he rested his hands on his hips and furrowed his brow. Dean wasn't fully aware of how this team functioned but it looked like the loss of a single filler put the breaks on literally everything. He glanced up, toward where he knew Kane was, and bit his lip. He looked almost terrified.

"Hey, hey! Calm down, Cass." He stepped forward and pulled the girl away from the runner she was harassing. "We have plenty of others---how about one of the other three models?"

Cassie laughed humorlessly. "They're assholes. Haven't you met them yet? They're way too obsessed with themselves to stoop to filler. If they're not in the full scene it's below them."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Fine... Fine... Here, you go... do some digging around and I'll... think about something to help, eh?" When she nodded and darted off, Dean sidled toward Kane and pressed against the wall beside him. "Soooo... You might've heard what happened..." He was harboring the slightest bit of hope, but wouldn't pressure Kane into anything. He was a visitor after all, and had his own life and job and probably wouldn't jeopardize it. Even if only a foot or hand appeared in a starter set of photos that would never make the final cuts.

Kane swallowed hard and nodded. "You're going to ask me to join in, aren't you?" He was terrified! He hated getting pictures taken. Still that woman had been so worried. That harried look of hers made it seem like her job was on the line. Even if that wasn't true, there was still the fact that his friend's work had been messed up because of some jerk who decided not to show up. The lawyer sighed and shook his head. "I can't believe I'm going to say this ..."

He lifted his head to glance at Dean nervously. "I'll help out." And hopefully no one ever realized that he'd even set foot on a skin photoshoot, well preshoot, but that was close enough. It wasn't like he would be getting naked in front of a whole bunch of strangers. And if worse came to worse, he would just focus on the fact that he was helping a friend out. Kane would do near anything for a friend in need, for anyone in need really.

At first Dean bit his lip, and opened his mouth to tell Kane not to worry about it---they could get one of the guards off rotation to handle the filler job if anything else, no real talent, knowledge, or ability was necessary to hold something or put meat on the bones of the picture being taken. But instead he almost squealed, and caught himself before he could. "Oh, Kane, thank you so much you have no idea how much this means! I mean it's 'just a filler' but the filler's really important, if we didn't get a guy in we'd have to push the official shoot back until we could find one! Now we can get Cass to start searching and get these preshoot images done first."

He bounded away, pulling Cass back from the same runner she seemed to be targeting. Thankful, the young runner hurried off to deliver a packet to someone nearby. "Cass, Kane's gonna take care of this."

"Who's Kane?" Cass wrinkled her nose, then followed Dean's finger as he pointed. "Oooh, oooooooh... He's not bad looking---"

"Back off." Dean narrowed his eyes. "Mine!"

Cass laughed. "Okay, okay! Goodness, Dean is possessive." She snickered, then straightened her hair and glasses. "Okay, go prep him. You know what to say, right?"

"Not much TO say, but yeah, I got it." He smiled, stepping away.

Kane couldn't really say anything else, before Dean had bounded away to pass along the news. He had to smile. It seemed like stepping up really had helped not only his friend, but the whole crew as well. Everyone had been scrambling around like chickens with their heads cut off. The moment Dean had told Cassie about the unexpected volunteer, things calmed down to a more reasonable pace. People went about their business without hurrying more then they had to. Cameras were back to being adjusted, and lighting shifted by minute amounts.

Now all Kane needed to figure out was what he needed to do. Hesitantly, he walked over to join his friend. "So what now?"

When he approached, Dean smiled brightly and pulled Kane aside and to a table. "Okay, so what you do is... well, here." He pushed Kane's plaid shirt sleeves up and over his elbows. "Gotta get that out of the way. Plaid, really?" Dean sighed, but said nothing else. He hated plaid in any color. Then he went around the table and opened a silver box. It slid off a bottom platform to sit side by side, giving them three chambers to inspect. With one of the lights nearby, he let the glow fall over what could be seen inside the black-lined box.

"Sooo, here's some simple stuff." He said, turning the box so Kane could see. "Just some wrist cuffs, bracelets, rings and slave bracelets---don't worry, slave bracelets just go over the wrist to the fingers if you don't know what those are. Ooh, and here..." He pulled something long out of the left side. "Leash and collar. I'll have this on in a few shots, and it was the filler's job to manipulate it. Y'know, hold it tight, mess my hair, grab one of these things..." He opened another, which looked like a thin but large briefcase. "Floggers, horsewhips. Stuff like that. Nothing actually hits the skin because they're all photographs. Anything that looks real's just put in with makeup." He studied Kane's face carefully. Most people squirmed away from this stuff but Dean didn't mind. He liked to go to those clubs sometimes, in fact, but wouldn't fall into the lifestyle for good. It seemed like too much hassle.

He paled. That was simple? It looked far from that. And then he would be the one holding the leash? And messing around with Dean a bit? From near white to bright red, his skin was looking very strange. He couldn't decide whether to be embarrassed or terrified. Still, he had already said he would help, and it wasn't like this would become a regular thing. It was just because a friend and those he worked with were in need, that was all.

Hesitantly, the lawyer reached out to pick up the leash. It was supple, and soft. The collar too, was like that. "So ... am I going to have to wear .. well, something ..." Really revealing and utterly embarrassing in front of near complete strangers. "Alright, so I help with this, and those things." Kane glanced at the whips. "I think I can do that, if I get over how much I hate getting pictures taken, and the fact that everyone's going to be staring at me, and I have no idea what the heck I'm doing .." Oh the things he did for friends!

Dean smiled, biting back a laugh. "Sweetie, you'll be fine. The most anyone's gonna get of you is up to your elbow and they're just interested in the final result. Here, see, I'll be centered and you'll be to the side, just a manipulator, but you're important in giving the scene a little extra life. The fact that no one can see your face gives the magazine's buyer the impression that they're the ones in your shoes. so you're kind of like... a blank canvas they can make to look like whatever they want. And you'll be wearing something on your arms to give you a fitting appearance."

He went around the table again to stand in front of Kane. "You're gonna be fine, I promise. Everything's cleaned very carefully before each use. You'll be wearing these." He moved around, pulling a few chained cuffs from the box and lifting Kane's arm. Then he buckled the cuff around Kane's wrist and brought the smaller ones around his thumb and index finger. He followed that with a silver ring, and on the other hand he secured a scorpion cuff that was jeweled with rubies, and connected his fingers with chained cuffs like on the other hand. "There we go." Dean smiled at Kane. "Bet you never thought you'd wear something like this, eh?" He laughed, catching Cassie's attention when she looked their way.

Kane stared at his own hands dubiously. They didn't look like they were his anymore. From the forearms down, he was looking at a stranger. The lawyer wriggled his hands, and winced when he heard chains jangling against each other. "This is the last thing I thought I'd be wearing. I've thought of myself wearing a clown costume, but never this." At least no one would actually see him, except for everyone else in the room. But they were comfortable with that kind of thing. They were the ones who orchestrated the whole photoshoot. The crew, they were all participants already.

"Alright, I think I'll be okay. Just bear with me if I mess up." He was sure to mess up. Probably pull too hard, or muss up Dean's hair so much that it was anything but attractive. He laughed a bit. Actually, that would be funny.

Dean smiled, holding onto Kane's hands for a moment. "I think you'll do well. Everyone's got a first time." He leaned forward. "I'm only gonna say this once, but he first shoot I ever did I got so lightheaded I passed out and then after I came to, threw up. Don't ever tell anyone what you heard or else." He poked Kane's chest, but there was a playfulness to it. "You're fine, Kane. You're wearing what the actual filler will be wearing so it's important to keep it as final as possible for reference." Cass finally approached and he turned to her.

"Our temp filler's all ready. Just lead him into what he's gotta do and I'll fill in the spots, eh?" Dean smiled at Kane and Cass nodded. He stepped away, heading back toward the white backdrop with a few items of his own. The collar and leash was probably his favorite. Standing on the white mat, he unbuttoned several of his shirt buttons so the item would be seen easily, and buckled it on, focusing on one of the lighting riggers and eyeing him. He was manipulating another standing light that was supposed to be above his head. "Hey! There's a break at the back, it'll hold it in place! Fold it down, you dolt!" The inexperienced light riggers were the worst---it seemed anything more complex than a flashlight was impossible to understand. But they learned, and eventually gained his respect.

The words made it just a bit easier. It was hard not to laugh at the thought of Dean falling in a faint, and then rushing to throw up somewhere. "Come on then, you'll be standing over here. Now the important thing is your hands." Cass tugged Kane into place, and shoved the leash into his bejeweled hands. He fumbled with it, twisted it around a bit. He forgot Dean was at the other end, and tugged a bit too hard on it. With a blush, he relaxed his hold and shifted his hands into what he thought was camera view.

Light hit the silver chains. Kane shifted his hands so he could see them flash, and the red jewels sparkle. The soft leather flexed in his one hand. He heard someone tell him to grab Dean's hair, to play with it and muss it up.Biting his lower lip, Kane let his fingers tease through the other man's locks. "Is that right?"

Dean was glad to see Kane had at least shed some of his apprehension. Maybe it was his logical mind that let him fall into a single pattern of behavior and when he was pulled into something, even something incredibly odd to him, it became business. At least, somewhat. When Kane had finally fallen into an acceptable hold of the leash, coached by Cass, Dean assumed his position. A submissive position for now, on his knees, he'd trade out tomorrow. His facial expression didn't matter for now, so he let himself smile freely up at Kane while Cass moved around outside the way of the lighting setup and camera angles.

He grinned a little more and tilted his head slightly into Kane's hand, as directed. "Perfect." He purred, half-closing his eyes and looking up through his lashes at Kane. "Sooo perfect. You could be a natural if I didn't know any better." He smiled calmly, finding the clicks and snaps of the cameras soothing. Even Cass calling out "Kane, grip a little harder, make it look painful but don't go overboard!" didn't do anything to bring him out of the lull he found himself in.