The loud clap of thunder penetrated Joey's self inflicted stupor,
jarring him from his trance-like state. The detective had been in that position,
staring out his windshield since Justin had left the parking lot, staring for
what seemed like an eternity, but in reality was only fifteen minutes. The
brunette detective gripped the searing wheel tighter until he felt a tinge of
pain radiating from his fingers. Then without regards to his own well-being he
slammed his already aching head down onto the unmoving object.
"Arghhh," he screamed, "I'm so fucking stupid. I can't believe I
lost control like that. I fucking can't believe it. It's been so long since the
last time. I... I don't understand, why now." Tears began bubbling toward
the surface of Joey's bloodshot auburn eyes. "Stop it," he scolded his
self. "Just stop it." His phone rang.
"Yeah," he answered annoyed by the intrusion.
"Joey. Justinjustcalled in, andhe saidthat therewas a bodyatthe bottom..."
Joey closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "Britney, calm down. I can't
understand a word your saying."
He heard the blond breath deeply as well and waited patiently for her to gather
herself and giver her response. "Okay," she started. "Justin just
called. He said that he found a body ten minutes from his house and that there
was an old church and a room in the back. He wants you to check it out."
"The church near Hamilton?"
"Yeah, he mentioned Hamilton Street. Detective Timberlake figured you knew
where. I told him he would need to give better directions."
"No. I know where he is talking about, I drive by that church nearly
everyday." He paused. "How long ago did he call?"
"About five minutes ago. He sounded as if he was in a hurry."
"Did he ask you to call me?" Joey asked hoping that if Justin asked
for him personally than it would be certain forgiveness.
"Yes, he said to give you a call."
"He asked specifically for me?" Joey's breath hitched and a hint of
joy haloed his heart.
"Why wouldn't he, Joey? Christ, you two are working together on this case,
right?"
"Yeah," Joey was smiling. "We are." He ran his free hand
over the steering wheel, "I better get going."
"He said if you needed anything else to call him."
"He did," the brunette detective couldn't hold in his gasp of
disbelieve. Justin had forgiven him, and he would make sure to make amends to
JC.
"Yes..." Britney paused for a minute, trying to judge Joey's reactions
toward her statements. Something's not right here, she thought. Well, I'm
not gonna sit here and ponder the matter I'm just gonna ask. "Joey
what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
The dispatcher heard Joey turn the ignition on and could tell by the small
grunts coming from Joey that he was driving with one arm. "You know what I
mean." She paused waiting for Joey to answer her. When he didn't,
"Joey, I'm not stupid. I can tell by your reactions and your voice
inflections that something isn't right."
"Nothing that concerns you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Look, Britney. I really don't have time for small talk." He heard her
gasp on the other end.
"Well, I've....
"No time," he cut here off before she could protest even further.
"I've gotta get to the church. I need you to notify Chris and tell him to
get his ass out there ASAP."
"He's on his way."
"You called him first?" Joey questioned.
"No, stupid. I'm not the only one who works here."
"Fine whatever." Joey turned out of the parking lot, in time to see
the big black bodyguard running out of the building, chasing. "What the
hell..." he paused, recognizing the person who was the prey for the body
guard. The detective watched as the two ran across the street and into an ally.
"Oh hell no..." he muttered.
"Joey, what is it?"
"Gotta go." He hung up the phone as he cautiously drove near the front
of the building debating his next course of action. "Shit." The young
detective closed his eyes as he pulled away from the scene. "I've gotta job
to do." He looked in his rearview mirror. "Damn it." Making his
decision, he pressed the brake and put the car in reverse, parking the car just
in front of the ally and grabbing his holstered gun. Joey drew the police issued
45, discarding the leather holster into the back and scrambled out. "Well,
say good bye to your perfect record, Fatone," he said aloud and quickly
followed the other two men.
When he reached the opening of the ally he threw himself against the brick wall
at the mouth of the dark tunnel. The thrill of the moment building his
adrenaline levels to their maximum, heightening his senses. A small trickle of
sweat tumbled down his temple, dripping unceremoniously from his chin and onto
his hand. His breathing was becoming more rapid and he slowly closed his eyes
gathering his wits, harnessing the adrenaline rush. Counting to ten, Joey
finally peered around the corner, desperately searching the shadowed area to see
what was happening and then quickly back. "Damn it, I can't see a fucking
thing in there." Joey slid down the wall and crouched. He held his gun near
his face, grasping it securely with both hands. Hearing voices, he waited
patiently for the two individuals to exit the dark ally.
"...hold still... you're only making it worse for yourself. Now knock it
off." Joey heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh and he had to control his
emotions and was successful in blocking out the noise.
He was poised to strike.
The two men moved out from the dark ally. The black man never noticed Joey and
continued pulling the semi-struggling blond toward the club entrance. When the
blond wrenched his body in an attempt to get away from the larger man's grasp,
he saw Joey standing up, pointing his gun at the body guard. He looked up toward
the crying sky and silently thanked God.
"Freeze," Joey hated yelling the cliché remark, but it always worked.
Well, sometimes, he thought as he watched the two advancing further away from
him. "I said freeze. Hold it right there," Joey cocked the hammer
back. The man dragging the unwilling victim stopped dead in his tracks upon
hearing the sound. The brunette detective smiled "I figured that would get
your attention. Now if you would kindly let go of the young fellow there, I'd
gladly take him away from you so that he won't cause you anymore trouble."
The large man stated wheeling around, wanting to face his challenger. "Don't
move, dip shit. I'll shoot. I swear to god I'll shoot."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me you son of a bitch. See if I'm bluffing. I fucking dare you."
The body guard growled. "You're making a big mistake, mister."
"Really? How so?"
"I don't know who you are, but I can find out. You won't be safe. You won't
always have your gun handy."
Joey laughed. "Right. You wouldn't even be able to find your way out of a
paper sack, let a lone figure out who an unidentified man is." He paused
and moved closer toward the two men. "Now... if you don't mind... you
should really let go of him. I've been known to have a hair trigger, if you know
what I mean." The detective gave the young man a fleeting glance and
observed the bruises marring his face; he processed closer.
"I don't think so," the black man said. "All I've gotta do is
yell out and someone will come charging out of that building and take you
down."
Joey was now merely inches away and he raised his gun higher, bracing it against
the larger man's head. "I'm gonna tell you this one more time. Let... Him...
Go." Stressing his point, the young detective pushed the barrel of the gun
into the bodyguard's head, sliding forward toward the temple. "Now."
The black man released his grip and his captive quickly and without a word
shifted behind Joey.
"Are you all right Lance?" Joey asked.
"I am now," he whispered into the brunette's ear, "thanks
J..."
"Shhhh, later. Get to the car," the older man instructed and pointed
toward it with a short movement from his head. "The keys are in the
ignition." Lance hesitated. "Get out of here."
Lance nodded his head and ran toward the parked car in front of the building.
When Lance reached Joey's car, the detective exhaled. "You're never gonna
get away with this."
"Wait a minute." Joey half chuckled, "You're not supposed to say
that line. Only the good guys get to say that."
"What? What the hell are you talking about."
Both men where startled from their conversation when a deep voice boomed,
"Hey, Sunny what's taking your so long. Is that kid giving you that much
trouble," Lonnie laughed. The larger black man stopped dead in his tracks
upon seeing Joey pointing his gun at Sunny's temple.
**
JC continued running his fingers through his lover's hair, comforting the
younger man. The brunette closed his eyes and savored the feeling, the touch
until a brisk wind assailed the room causing the barley clad male to shiver.
"Justin," his voice hushed. "Justin, sweetie. We need to move."
"I thought I lost you... (sniff). I thought I lost you... I thought I lost
you..."
"Justin, calm down honey." JC ran his hand down the tense muscles
between the blonde's shoulder blades and the up his tight neck, smoothing over
his jaw line. "Relax."
Justin stared up at JC, disbelieving that he was actually in his arms, that it
wasn't some sort of cruel vision. "Is... is it really you?"
"Baby," JC whimpered and slid down unto his knees wincing slightly. He
cupped the back of Justin's head, forcing their eyes to meet. "It's me. I
promise it's really me." The brunette leaned in and brushed his swollen
lips against Justin's and gently wiped at the fresh tears falling from his young
lover's eyes.
"Thank God," the blond moaned. "I thought... I thought you were...
you were..."
"What? What Justin? What did you think?" JC asked in a soft soothing
voice running his slender hands up and down Justin's quivering sides.
"I... I had a vision... the... the man said you were... you were next. And
when... when I ... I couldn't...."
"When you couldn't find me, you thought the vision was true," JC
finished.
Justin nodded his head, looking away shamefully. "I don't know what I'd do
with... without you."
JC felt his emotions returning to the surface upon hearing Justin's declaration.
"Shhh, don't think about that okay. I'm right here. I haven't left you."
The blond gazed up, "I... I'm sss...sorry."
"For what," JC's voice was weak as he shut out the pain radiating from
his side. "Wait, don't answer that yet." The brunette gently encircled
Justin's arms and slowly guided him to his feet. "We need to move," he
shivered again. "I'm cold."
The detective nodded his understanding and allowed his partner the necessary
assistance in helping them move into the living room. The two men slowly walked
toward the couch, each supporting the other. When they reached the long sofa,
they gingerly sat down. Instantly, Justin crawled into JC's lap, crawled up the
lanky form, forcing the brunette onto his back. The blond maneuvered his leg
over JC's body, straddling the willowy frame and nestled himself against his
brunette lover.
"Justin," he whimpered.
"JC," the blond ghosted back. One of Justin's hands ran through the
brunette's hair, taking comfort in the simple action.
JC wasn't sure if he should bring up what happened tonight, about what Lou had
repeatedly mentioned about his past. "I..." his bruised lips were
delicately and tenderly covered by soft comforting ones before he could even
begin his confession. Justin's kiss was not urgent or demanding. It was not one
of lust or passion. The kiss was one that was soothing, caring, loving. The kiss
wasn't a pretense to making love but of love itself, and each rejoiced in it.
When Justin pulled away from his lover's sore lips, he whispered against them.
"I'll never leave you again." He closed his eyes remembering the
night's events and his body trembled.
"Jus..."
"Please," he pleaded. "Let me finish."
JC nodded staring into Justin's pain-filled orbs.
Justin pulled back further, still worrying a small lock of golden hair between
his thumb and forefinger. "I... All those times when you came home from
work and you wouldn't let me see you, touch you. It was because of Lou, wasn't
it. He hurt you those times and you didn't tell me, you kept it to yourself. You
kept to yourself because you wanted to handle it yourself to prove you didn't
need your police detective boyfriend protecting you. You wanted to do it
yourself. You wanted to stand up to Lou but you couldn't." Justin's azure
eyes were searching JC's, looking for an answer. "Am I right, baby."
JC nodded his head again, this time turning his gaze away from Justin's.
"No, baby. Look at me." Justin's eyes were so demanding, yet
compassionate. "It's okay to ask for help." A single tear escaped the
blonde's entrancing eyes. He closed them as he gathered his strength and courage
for what he was about to say next. Justin sighed, "Forgive me. Forgive me
for leaving you when you asked me to stay." He shook his head, more tears
escaping. "Forgive me for allowing this," he ran a soft caress down
JC's bare side, "to happen when I could've stopped it." His wet lashes
fluttered open, eyes intense and focused. "I hate myself for allowing it.
For standing there watching it happen and not doing a damn thing about it."
He stopped and then murmured again, "I hate myself."
"Justin," JC's breath cascaded over Justin's wet damp skin causing
goose bumps to form. "Don't hate yourself. It wasn't your fault. I..."
"Yes, it was," Justin screamed. "How could you say it wasn't my
fault? I stood there and then when... when you asked me to stay..." The
blond turned away, unable to look his lover in the eyes. He felt JC's hands
skirting over his damp back desperately trying to soothe Justin's emotions, his
soul. "When you asked me to stay... I left. I fucking left." Justin
ran an agitated hand through his blond curls. "I'll never forgive myself
for leaving you, never. I would've never left you had I known Joey was going to
fail me." Justin's fists tightened beside the brunette's head, "I know
I shouldn't use him as an excuse and I'm not. I only left you because I knew
Joey was there. I.. I thought he would help you if things got out of hand. I
didn't think he would let it happen. I didn't know..." He closed his eyes
again. Unable to control his emotions anymore, Justin began sobbing. "I'll
never forgive myself but I...," he inhaled deeply, "I'd do anything
for your forgiveness." The young lover rubbed his cheek against JC's
whispering in the older man's ear, "anything. Just... Please... forgive me
and help me try to forgive myself."
**
"Now what are you going to do? Huh, stranger," Sunny chuckled half
turning. "Lonnie, help me here."
"Where's the kid?"
"Shut up. Don't say a fucking word," Joey hissed his eyes darting in
the direction of the vehicle.
"What are you gonna do, shoot me? He's in the car Lonnie," Joey could
tell the man was smirking just by the tone of his voice. Sunny addressed Joey,
"Now if you'd kindly get that thing away from my head..."
"I don't think so."
"Still grasping onto the slight chance you're gonna make it out of here,"
Sunny huffed. "Think again. There's two of us now. What are you going to do
about it?"
Joey smiled, "Get rid of one." Once the words had left his mouth, Joey
removed his gun from his captive's temple and brought the heel of it down
forcefully, knocking the body guard out. "Hmmm... that was easy enough. Now
it's your turn. Step away from the vehicle." He leveled the gun at Lonnie.
The black man raised his arms into the air, moving away from the parked car.
"I'm not gonna stop you."
"That's a wise decision," Joey said aiming the gun at Lonnie's chest.
"I suggest you get out of here, big guy. I may change my mind about letting
you go."
"Look, I don't want any trouble...."
"Whatever, now just get out of my way." Lonnie moved. Joey took his
chance, making his way toward his car. The brunette slowly walked keeping his
gun leveled at Lonnie until he was by the larger man. Upon reaching the car, the
detective maneuvered around it, motioning with his head for the blond to move to
the passenger seat.
"Wait," he heard Lonnie's voice boom. "I need you to do me a
favor."
Joey was near the driver side door when he looked up at the black man.
"You're kidding me right? You want me to do you a favor. I don't think
so."
"You've gotta make it look good. You can't just leave me here, in one
piece. They'll know I helped."
"You should've thought about the risk before helping," Joey said.
"Besides, what could I possible do for you." Joey watched Lonnie's
dark eyes as the black man focused on the gun fixed at his stomach.
"What?" Joey's eyebrows rose when Lonnie's request penetrated the
thick fog of adrenaline clouding his mind. "You want me to shoot you."
"Yes," the black man simply stated.
Joey heard Lance gasp inside the car. "Joey you can't do that," Lance
pleaded.
The brunette detective glanced at Lance's worried filled eyes and shook his
head. "I can't."
"Why not?"
Joey shrugged his shoulders, "It's against the law. I'd get in some deep
shit."
"I'll keep it quite, but without me going down, Lou's gonna start to
wonder." Lonnie's eyes pleaded with Joey. "If you're worried about he
police getting involved, I won't tell them."
"I am the police." Joey looked away as if he was actually
contemplating Lonnie's request. He slowly turned his head back toward the black
man, shaking it. "I'm sorry." With that he dipped his head, climbing
inside the vehicle. He threw the transmission into drive and sped away from the
scene leaving Lonnie alone to deal with Sunny and Lou.
Little did either men know that Sunny was awake during the entire conversation
and would be sure to inform Lou of Lonnie's traitorous behavior.
**
JC grabbed fistfuls of Justin curls and forced Justin's head up.
"Listen," he said forcefully. "Don't go blaming yourself for
everything. I'm just as much to blame as you are." Justin's hands engulfed
JC's wrists, rubbing his thumbs gently over them. JC sighed at the intimate
caress and used the touch for inspiration. "If I hadn't been so
stupid..."
"No, you're not stupid. Stop calling yourself stupid." Again Justin
kissed his lover, stealing the ache from JC's soul.
When the two finally broke apart, JC smiled up at Justin. He ran his slender
fingers through Justin's hair and then drew one index finger down his jaw.
"Please, sugah. Let me finish... I let you."
Justin silently scolded his self for his selfish act. "I'm sorry, baby. Go
ahead."
"Thank you." JC blinked slowly as he stared into the azure eyes above
him, mesmerized by their sheer beauty, their power. "I should've told you a
long time ago. Shit," he whispered, "I should've never let it start,
but all my life I've put up with it. It was nothing new for me, Justin. I, a
long time ago, gave up on being an equal. Lou gave me a chance a chance no one
else was willing to give me. I figured the abuse was a small price to pay for
some dignity." JC's vision was becoming blurry as he entrusted his deepest
secrets, his deepest feelings to his lover. He sniffed, holding back his sobs,
"I thought he was kind for giving me a job, but I'd never known what
kindness nor love, for that matter, was until you stumbled into my life."
JC swiped his long delicate finger over Justin's tears, "By then it was too
late. The pattern was set and I didn't know how to stop it. I wanted to...
honestly. I wanted to so bad, but I wanted to dance, I wanted to earn money, I
wanted to have some dignity, I just wanted to belong somewhere."
"You do belong somewhere, Josh. You..."
"I belong with you." He smiled tenderly, "I know that now."
Justin climbed off the brunette and wrapped his strong arms around JC, lifting
the lighter man, pressing him against his chest. The brunette's slender arms
reciprocated Justin's actions, pulling his lover impossible closer, nestling his
head under the blonde's chin. Justin kissed the top of JC's head while the two
embraced. "Come on, baby. Let's go upstairs and go to bed. I don't know
about you but I'm exhausted. What do you say?"
JC didn't move but spoke into the blonde's chest. "Justin?"
"Yeah," Justin sighed.
"I love you."
Tears threatened to fall once more from Justin's eyes, "I love you,
too." He petted the golden tresses until he felt JC shiver. "We need
to get upstairs. We'll get some sleep and I'll take the day off tomorrow to take
you to the hospital and get your ribs looked at. Okay."
"No... I will go to the doctor and you'll go to work. I won't have you
missing work just because of me. I can ta..."
"...Take care of yourself, yes I know that." Justin sniffed.
"However, I still think I should be there, not because you can't do it
yourself, but because I want to be there for you."
"Fine, but don't take the entire day just a half day or something. Besides,
I need to go to work in the morning, so..."
"What?" Justin yelled.
JC pulled away from Justin's comforting embrace. "I need to get my things.
I'm quitting."
Justin couldn't help but smile. "That's the best thing I've heard all
year."
Detective Fatone slowed the vehicle down as he approached the location Britney
had given him over the dispatch. He was fidgety and a little nervous about the
reactions from his fellow officers and coworkers since he was nearly forty-five
minutes late. The other detectives knew he was the first one called and should
have been the primary on scene. His late arrival would assuredly warrant an
explanation. How am I going to explain why I'm forty-five minutes late without
giving up Justin and JC's problems, Joey mused. Better yet, quickly stealing a
sideways glance at the other occupant of the car, how am I going to explain to
them why this cute little blond is riding with me. Joey knew exactly what the
crowd of men would think when the two of them arrived together. The brunette,
however, didn't want his buddies getting the wrong idea about Lance and thinking
he was a one night stand or worse yet, a prostitute. The blond man didn't
represent either and now Joey found himself looking for an explanation, a reason
for the other's presence, as well as, the bruises that marred the young man's
face.
As the area became more familiar to the brunette's senses he realized Hamilton
Street would be his next left. He cautiously turned down the rural unlit street
and had not been surprised by the commotion that entered his line of sight. Upon
completing the turn, his tired auburn eyes were assailed with a multitude of red
and blue hypnotically flashing lights. Slight shadowy figures were illuminated
by a large bank of spot lights affixed upon several SUVs, as they were
canvassing the area for other potential clues. The detective observed Justin's
car sitting on the side of the road; the front quater panel heavily dented. He
saw the infamous Nick Carter standing beside the battered car. He had his little
note pad flipped open jotting down information as a short rather over weight man
chatted away. The pudgy man's arms were obnoxiously flying everywhere while
telling his story. Joey continued his silent surveillance of the surrounding
area probing for any sign of Justin. When he determined Justin was nowhere
around, he sought out a place to park. As he searched, Joey nervously ran
trembling fingers through his hair and sighed. He looked down at the console and
checked out the time. It was nearly three o'clock and his night was just
beginning. He sighed again.
"Hey," a tender deep voice interrupted his silence, "what's going
on out there?" Lance's gaze lingered on Joey's sullen face as he asked his
question and then turned his attention back toward the sight in front of him.
"What's up with all the police here?"
The detective, seemingly ignoring Lance's questions, carefully maneuvered the
car behind one of the blinding police vehicles and put the car in park. The
exhausted brunette sat quietly with his eyes closed and hands still tightly
grasping the wheel. He was trying desperately to figure out what exactly he was
going to say to or do with his new blond friend.
When the detective didn't answer Lance, the younger man looked back at the
brunette hesitantly, "Joey?"
Joey opened his eyes and stared sadly into Lance's deep emerald pools. The
brunette quickly averted his gaze away knowing that if he stared any longer he
would drown in those dangerous and tempting emerald pools. "Don't worry
about it, Lance," the detective said without making eye contact. "It's
just some police business." Joey reached for the door knob, snaking a hand
around it while the other unbuckled his seat belt. "Nothing you need to
worry about. Look, just stay in the car would you. I don't want you getting into
any more trouble tonight."
"Was somebody murdered?" Lance questioned anxiously.
"I don't know, yet." The brunette lied curtly as he unlatched his door
and heavy-handedly climbed out of the stationary vehicle. "Just stay in the
car, all right."
"Come on Joey," the blond pleaded. "Let me come with you. I won't
get in the way." His once heavy lidded green eyes were wide open with hope,
"I promise." He slowly blinked and his mouth opened wide with a yawn,
which the blond quickly covered up with a free hand.
"Damn it Lance. This isn't game. Just say in the fucking car all
right." Joey leaned down into the open car door, "Besides you look a
bit tired. Why don't you try to get some rest? I honestly don't know how long
I'm gonna be."
"I'm not tired," the blond proclaimed before again stifling a yawn.
Lance, staring into unrelenting auburn eyes, realized his attempts were futile
and slumped back into his seat sighing, "Fine." He leaned his head
against the window and stared at the scene. The blond feathered his eyes shut
and then forced them open again, intent on saying awake, but he was tired.
Joey soundlessly closed the door not wanting to disturb its occupant. When he
looked up from the car, Joey discerned a smaller figure progressing toward him.
The brunette proceeded in the direction of the smaller man hoping that the other
hadn't observed his younger companion in the passenger seat. He was too late.
"So, who's that in the car?" the man questioned.
"Just a friend of mine," Joey blushed.
"Just a friend, huh. Then why did you practically race up to meet me and
why is your face flushed," the smaller man stated as he eyed Joey
carefully. He looked back at the car, "Don't you think you should introduce
me to your 'friend' detective."
"No, I don't think I should introduce you to him," Joey mocked. The
younger detective's eyes were piercing as he narrowed them unto the other man,
"Like I said he's just a friend." The shorter police detective ignored
Joey as he moved around him and sauntered toward the car. "Chris, I'm
warning you."
The shorter man spun on his heels and faced Joey, "Warning me about
what." He turned back around and marched in the direction of the younger
brunette's vehicle. The flashes of color cascaded across the sleeping man's face
as Chris tilted his head. The older man instantly noticed the bruise
encompassing the blonde's left check and the slight swelling around the eye.
Chris's own eye twitched with sympathy as he tried to keep his anger in check.
He heard Joey approaching him and he quickly turned around to meet the larger
man. "So, I see you're up to your old tricks again."
Joey was startled by the abrupt comment, "What are you talking about? What
do you mean?" the younger brunette nearly yelled, fist clenched tightly.
Chris pointed a trembling finger toward Lance, "That." The older man
visibly shuddered. "I thought you were done with that, I thought you were
getting help." The shorter man's gaze looked away from Joey, "You
said..."
"Chris, I am. It's not what you think."
"Really, Joey," the older detective sneered. "What am I thinking,
hmm?"
Joey flinched and closed his eyes for a brief moment gathering his will. His
thick lashes slowly opened and he closed the distance between him and Chris.
"You think I did that to him."
"Did what?" Chris stuttered and now felt uncomfortable with Joey's
proximity to him.
Joey reached out and gently grasped Chris's chin, "I didn't hit him."
Chris vehemently knocked the younger man's hand from his face. "Right,
Joey," his soft brown eyes penetrated angrily into Joey's auburn orbs,
"after what we went through. You expect me to believe that." Chris's
voice was escalating and the older man observed others staring at them. He
continued through gritted teeth. "What gives you the right?"
"Chris, I'm serious. I didn't hit him." The younger detective's voice
nearly cracked as he thought about the individual he had hit earlier that night.
Someone just as innocent as Lance, someone whom he considered a friend. "I
know it's hard for you to believe but you gotta." Joey's eyes pleaded with
Chris. "Please believe me."
"I'm supposed to just take your word for it."
"He didn't do it," a small voice answered. Both men quickly turned
their heads in the direction of the voice. Joey smiled, Lance.
**
Justin gently pressed JC away from him and carefully untangled their entwined
limbs. The blond held back his cry of jubilation upon hearing JC's words of
quitting the club. Justin smiled as he brushed a stray hair from JC's forehead
and replaced it with his soft lips. The blond inhaled deeply, closing his eyes
and savoring the smell, the love they shared. His breath rushed out and
enveloped the older man's skin with warmth. Justin was content. He felt a slight
tremor from his brunette lover and he tenderly reacted. Placing one hand on the
side of JC's face, he rubbed his thumb underneath a battered eye. He stared
unbrokenly at JC's blemished face as his hand slowly slid down the side; fingers
brushing sensitive skin, tracing the angled jaw line. The blond whispered,
"Are you still cold?" JC just nodded, staring affectionately,
unwilling to allow his gaze to falter. "You need to go upstairs where it's
warm."
"Are you coming?" the brunette whispered, grasping Justin's forearm.
Justin tilted his head and skimmed the calloused and dirty thumb over amorously
inviting lips; he smiled adoringly, "Wait for me upstairs, baby. I'll be
right there. I need to lock up." Justin softheartedly pulled JC forward and
teasingly brushed his lips against the brunette's.
"Okay," JC breathed, his eyes fluttered. "Justin?" the older
man then smirked, "How are you gonna lock up when you broke the door
down?"
Justin's lips curled into a small smile. "Don't worry. I'll figure
something out." Justin rose from the couch he had been sharing with JC and
slowly made his way toward the broken door. He peered over his shoulder briefly,
"go upstairs. I'll take care of it."
JC nodded shapely as he lifted his tired and exhausted frame from the couch and
painstakingly made his way toward the stairs. He stifled a moan as he reached
for the banister and absorbed the pain while taking each step one at a time.
Justin heard JC's small squeak. The younger man apprehensively turned his head
and observed his lover's struggle up the stairs. He winced at the painful sight.
Justin wanted to help JC right away, but he knew that he first needed to
Jerry-rig the front door in order to obtain a hint of security. The blond
quickly realigned the battered door with its frame, but knew it would never
latch. He stared uselessly at the structure and shrugged. Satisfied with the
door's awkward arrangement and its small semblance of security it afforded them,
he turned to leave. At least it isn't wide open, he thought.
Once the door was situated, Justin hurriedly ran up the stairs and wrapped a
delicate embrace around JC's slender waist. The blond noticed a surprised look
stumble upon JC's face but ignored it; he swore to himself that he would never
allow JC to suffer without him. So together, all be it small, they conquered the
stairs.
Upon reaching the top of the stairway, Justin led his soul mate toward their
bedroom. The blond opened the semi-closed door and escorted the brunette into
the darkened room. His finally act as a guide was to steer JC in the direction
of the king size bed they shared and eventually helped his lover onto it. The
action forced a small mewl from the brunette's lips as Justin gently lifted his
legs onto the soft surface. Once Justin was satisfied with JC's position he
crawled over the top of him, legs straddling hips, hands braced beside the mass
of curly brown hair. He gazed down at his boyfriend and was instantly drawn to
the bruised swollen lips that jutted out. The younger lover leaned down and
deftly placed a soft loving kiss on those offered lips.
"Everything all right, baby? Are you comfortable?" the blond breathed
into an exposed ear while nuzzling the soft skin just below it. Justin felt JC's
head nod in agreement. "Good. Now lets get you ready for bed." The
younger man pushed himself up and away from the warmth of JC's body. He gently
caressed his hands down the older man's punished frame until they encountered
the waist band of JC's only garment. Justin allowed his hands the privilege of
moving back up the cool bared skin, watching as the soft curls of JC's chest
hair provocatively wrapped around his dirt caked fingers. His bloodshot eyes
followed the trail his hands created, distracted by each new bruise, by each new
color. The azure orbs filled with tears as he witnessed the large dark menacing
contusion that entrapped JC's movements, causing the man he loved excruciating
pain. A tear meandered down his dusty cheek, leaving a muddy trail in its wake.
Justin heard a small whisper ghost through the air and allowed his eyes to find
the source. His guilt laden eyes met JC's and more tears fell like rain down his
face.
"Baby, it's not your fault," the brunette softly spoke. He moved his
hand, slowed by the shooting pain running up his torso, and cupped the side of
Justin's face. The brunette pulled Justin closer to him and watched the
haphazard patterns the tears created on Justin's cheeks. Mesmerized by their
intricate paths, JC traced them with his thumb, erasing, smearing their
patterns. His steel eyes searched his young lover's, "Don't cry, baby.
Please, don't."
Justin squeezed his eyes tightly, suppressing the flow of the salty substance
and grasped desperately with both hands onto the source of the caressing touch.
"I... I'm s.. sorry," the blond whimpered. "So... so...
sorry."
"I know," JC replied tenderly as the pain from his comforting efforts
became too great, and he allowed his hand to fall. "Stop worrying,
sugah."
Justin nodded his head, eyes still clenched, "okay," he whispered. The
blond opened his distressed eyes and peered into JC's face, looking for signs of
hatred, but found only love. He afforded himself a small smile, "Do you
want me to take these off for you?" Justin ran a finger underneath the
waistband of JC's black work pants.
"Please," the brunette breathed.
Justin slid further down his lover's body and gently gripped the top of the
offending pants allowing his fingers to caress the soft skin found just
underneath it. The younger man heard JC's delicate gasp of contentment as he
continued administering his touch on the sensitive area. After a few moments,
Justin finally folded his fingers under the band and tightly grasped the
material. He slowly and carefully pulled the garment down, struggling slightly.
The blond lover wiggled the slippery material down revealing the willowy hips of
his enraptured boyfriend. Justin leaned down and nuzzled the soft black hair
that was exposed and inhaled deeply the abstruse masculine scent. The intimate
gesture caused JC to whimper while placing a strained hand on Justin's shoulder,
fingernails biting into tender skin. While continuing his quest of ridding JC of
his pants, Justin laid dainty kisses on the brunette's hips and tugged abruptly
allowing his lover's semi erect phallus to be displayed. JC hissed slightly and
his fingers flexed into Justin's shoulder. As Justin trailed his lips down his
boyfriends bruised covered pelvis, his chin brushed the extremely sensitive head
of JC's cock.
The brunette arched his back and raised his hips in response, which elicited an
agonizing moan from him. He tried blocking out the mind numbing pain that
radiated from his ribs but was unsuccessful. Pain ripped through his body,
forcing a near scream from his lips and his lashes fluttered shut becoming wet
with exertion, with strain.
"Oh... Oh my god. I'm sorry. I'm sorry baby."
"Jus... Justin. We... We can't."
"I know... I know, I'm just so... So stupid." Justin reconvened taking
JC's pants off, while sliding down the rest of the older man's body.
"You're hurt. How... how stupid of me."
"Justin..." JC whined. "You're not stupid." The brunette
settled his body back down; relieved his constricting pants were no longer
encasing his lower body.
"Yes, I... I am." He ran a hand through his tousled and grimy hair.
"I wa... wanted you and I... I was gonna take you even after what happened
tonight."
"Justin. It's not because I'm hurt." JC's slowly blinked his eyes and
turned his gaze away from Justin's. "It's be... because... I'm... I'm
dirty."
"No... no baby," Justin said as he leaned over JC's prone body and
slid his arms under the brunette's shoulders. "You're not. You're not
dirty."
"Please, don't make love to me like this," the brunette whispered
still not making eye contact with his boyfriend.
"JC, look at me." JC slowly rolled his face toward Justin and met a
stern serious look in his lover's eyes, "you are not dirty."
"I..."
"No," Justin yelled. "Stop it. Stop saying it." Justin
rubbed the back of one of his hands on JC's face, and the brunette leaned into
it. "Baby, it doesn't matter to me." He shook his head, "It just
doesn't matter."
JC's red rimmed eyes held Justin's and regarded the sincerity, the honesty
radiating from them. "Okay," he mumbled.
The blond stared at his lover contemplating his next move, his next statement.
He sighed, "If... If you want we could take baths or showers first. I mean,
I'm literally caked in mud and grime." Justin smiled.
"Yeah, okay," the brunette whispered.
"Which would you prefer, baby?"
JC smiled and reached a shaking hand up toward Justin's face, capturing the side
of it. "A bath. I don't know if standing in a shower would be easy for
me."
"I'll let you go first, all right." JC started to get up, "You
stay here, I'll go run the water." Justin removed himself from the bed and
stared down at his beautiful lover.
"Um... Before you leave," the brunette's face turned red, "could
you cover me up. Not that I mind you gawking at my body but it's a little cold
here."
Justin laughed, "yeah," he reached for the comforter that was folded
on the foot of the bed and sprawled it across his naked lover's form. "That
better."
"Mmm...hmmmm...." JC sighed.
The younger man again gazed at his boyfriend and whispered, "I'm
sorry." He quickly left the bedroom and into the bathroom before JC could
respond. The brunette sighed and a small coy smile filtered across his face as
he heard the water running.
**
"He didn't hit me," the blond repeated, leaning his weary body against
the car.
"Well, you're one lucky man," Chris sneered.
Joey rushed over toward Lance's side, "Lance, get back in the car. You
shouldn't be out here. It's raining." When he reached the younger man, the
younger detective wrapped a clumsy but supportive arm around him. "Here,
let me help you back inside the car."
Lance smiled at the tender gesture but wouldn't budge. He didn't want this other
person to think Joey was the cause of his injuries. The blond turned his gaze
and met Joey's, "I'm all right, Joey. I think I've already come to terms
with me being wet and miserable." Lance smiled as he wiped a wet tendril
from his face. The bartender moved his emerald eyes back at Chris and tilted his
head, "Joey would never hit me."
Chris murmured in disbelieve and waved an arm at the bewildered blond.
"Joey, what street did you find him fagging on?" He regarded the
younger man more pointedly and then fixed his attention back on Joey. The older
man's dark eyes narrowed, "Well, where did you find him, and please tell me
he was a better fuck than he looks."
"Chris?" Joey exclaimed in disbelieve. "What the hell?"
Lance was use to these accusations and knew how to handle people like Chris.
"Look, sir. I'm not a prostitute if that's what your thinking. I'm a
bartender at a club downtown."
The older detective dismissed Lance without answering and turned to walk away.
He peered over his shoulder and maneuvered his body sideways, "Joey, your
taste in men sure has gone down since your little stint with me. But I guess if
you're desperate, it doesn't matter what they do or whom they've already
fucked."
"That's enough," Joey yelled when he felt Lance's body tighten at
Chris's cruel words. "Lance isn't a prostitute so just get that thought out
of your head. He's a friend who needed some help, so I stopped to help him.
That's why I'm late." He opened the door of the car and settled the blond
inside. He turned his attention back toward Chris, "Now if you don't mind,
I'd like to stop this psycho drama and do some police work. I'm already behind
and I have a lot of catching up to do.
Once Joey finished his rant, he stormed by the startled detective and promenaded
away toward Detective Carter. Before following his friend, Chris stared
menacingly back at the car, meeting a pair of shy emerald eyes. Chris's lip
curled at the sight of his replacement and the occupant of the vehicle turned
away and gazed out the window concentrating on some fabricated image while
biting his nail. The older detective smirked.
**
"Shit," Justin's voice rang from the bathroom. "I can't fucking
believe this." The blond emerged from the other room and sulked over to JC.
"I can't get the plug to work, baby." His gaze held the brunette's,
"Do you think you can take a shower?"
"I can try."
"I put out clean towels for you and arranged the shampoo and conditioner
closer so that you won't have to reach for them."
JC smiled. "Thanks. Um... You mind helping me off the bed and to the
bathroom." JC carefully flung the comforter from his frame.
"Not at all." Justin bent down and maneuvered one arm underneath JC's
knees and the other just under his shoulders. He lifted the smaller man up,
grunting in the process. The younger man swiftly carried JC into the bathroom
and set him gently down onto the toilet seat. "There."
"Thanks, sugah."
"I'll be right outside if you need anything."
"Okay," JC huffed as he tried standing on his own.
Justin stared at the struggling man in front of him while standing in the door
frame. He exhaled softly and tilted his head contemplating again what he should
do. The blond quickly made up his mind when he observed his lover's balance
waver upon standing up. The brunette, unaware of Justin's presence, reached for
the small vanity in front of him before nearly collapsing.
"Justin," he called meekly.
"I'm right here baby." He reached his arms around the slender man's
waist and pulled him close to his chest. "You need help?"
"Please."
"Sit back down for a second and let me get things ready." Justin
reached behind the beige polynetheryne curtain and wrenched the shower lever up.
He tentatively put his hand under the stream of water checking its temperature.
When the young man determined the water met his standards he quickly undressed.
JC gasped.
"What? What's wrong?" Justin questioned hysterically. He looked JC
over and didn't observe anything wrong. "What is it, baby?"
"You... You're all... all bruised... What happened?"
Justin looked down his muscular frame and for the first time noticed the damage
of his own body.
"I fell down an embankment."
"What?" JC yelled. "You didn't tell me that before."
"It never crossed my mind. I... I was so worried about you."
"It never crossed your mind?"
"It's not like I've broken anything. They're just bruises." The blond
smiled down at his boyfriend and took comfort in the concern written over the
older man's face. "Thank you for worrying though."
JC just stared in bewilderment at his lover. Astonished by Justin's resilience
to pain and wishing he could do the same thing, ignore it.
Justin stepped into the bathtub and offered JC his hand. "Come on baby.
Let's get you cleaned up."
JC reached for Justin's offered hand and allowed his soul mate to pull him into
the tub. The brunette watched the younger man as the hot streaming water
cascaded down his libidinous body. The older man grinned at the boyish
appearance the water gave Justin; hair smashed to the side of his head, water
dripping provocatively from his chin. JC unconsciously licked his lips. Okay
maybe not so boyish, he thought.
Chris spotted Joey wondering around in front of the old dilapidated church. His
eyes focusing hard on the ground, hand cupping the back of his neck, as he
slowly paced out the area. The older brunette smiled softly at the sight. There
was nothing better than watching Joey in detective mode. The younger man took
his work seriously and would stop at nothing in order to solve a case, and this
case was giving him fits. The forensics detective picked up his working file
from the hood of one of the police vehicles and made his way carefully toward
the younger man. As he approached the seemingly preoccupied investigator, Chris
stole a glance toward the parked police issued vehicle. Situated behind the
police car was Joey's vehicle and the young blond occupant. He stopped for a
brief second angling his head and squinting his eyes focusing on the blond.
Chris observed a small patch of fog on the passenger side window and concluded
the young man had fallen asleep. He shook his head and continued his path in the
direction of Detective Fatone.
"The preliminary forensics report turned up some interesting
information."
Joey, startled by the voice behind him, placed a hand on his chest. "Yeah,
what'd it say."
Chris smiled, "Just as we suspected Joey. It seems this is another victim
in our serially rapist case."
"Well, duh Chris. I thought you said the report brought up some interesting
information." Joey rubbed his chin as his eyes resumed scouring the area.
"I just wanted to get your undivided attention," Chris grinned and
shrugged his shoulders.
"Cute. Anyway, I gathered it was our man, although nothing about this scene
even hints to our rapist. A church, Chris. I just don't get it. It's not like
any other location the man has dumped his victims."
"What do you mean?"
The younger detective rubbed the back of his neck as he tried sorting things out
in his mind. "Well, all the other victims were transported away from where
the murder and rape actually took place. Each of the victims were found in a
rather public location where any number of people would've spotted them. Why
would the rapist be so careless with this one, why did he leave it near the
church?" Joey's arm spread wide as he motioned toward the elder building.
"I just don't get it."
Chris flipped through the file of hand written reports, "Yeah, that is an
interesting fact to ponder, but according to the guys in our portable lab all
the preliminary evidence points to this victim being one of the firsts."
Joey snorted. "I think maybe the rapist got smarter after this first one.
He may have determined that in order to get away with what he was doing he
needed to be more careful."
"Yeah, maybe," Joey replied deep in thought. "Or maybe he figured
no one would ever look here. It's actually a perfect place to commit a murder.
No one would ever think to check out an old abandoned church for a rape victim.
Except, our rapists didn't anticipate Justin driving by nor his abilities."
"Speaking of Justin. Where is he? He should be here." Chris closed the
file as he spoke, "Isn't he the one who called this in and specifically
asked Britney to have us on scene?"
"I don't know where he is," Joey lied. The young detective determined
earlier that his partner in the case must have returned home, checking on his
battered lover. "We don't need him here right now anyway."
"Okay," the veteran detective realized the pensive look on Joey's face
and determined he needed to change the subject, "I took it upon myself to
search the area for any other clues prior to the mini lab's arrival."
"What'd you find?"
"Surprisingly enough a lot more than usual."
"Chris spill it. I'm not really in the mood for you casting your hook. Just
tell me for crying out loud."
The older brunette chuckled and opened the file again, finding the page he
wanted. "I found, inside," Chris pointed toward the church with the
manila folder, "evidence of the possibility that our rapist is using some
sort of drug in order to subdue his victims. I went ahead and bagged a small
vile and a syringe, and then sent the items on their marry way to the forensic
labs. I've a feeling what it is but it's really too early to speculate."
"How long were you on the scene prior to back up?"
"Gosh, not very long. I mean I haven't even gone down to check the body
over yet."
"Well, then ladies first."
**
Upon feeling the older man's soft skin and delicate fingers reach his own,
Justin gently closed his calloused hand around it. The blond shut his eyes for a
brief moment as the electricity from their connection rippled and raced
throughout his entire body. He visibly shook and his heart pounded as he worried
his thumb, caressing the delicate tawny skin of JC's hand before drawing him
near. Justin opened his concerned laced blue eyes, and guided his partner into
the water's comfort, holding him close. His lover instantaneously leaned against
him attacking his neck fervently with a lavish tongue. Justin returned the
favor, leaning his head down and securing his lips onto a fragile shoulder
eliciting a moan from the hungry brunette. The blond ghosted the pads of his
finger tips over the small of JC's back and down to the firm round buttocks; he
pulled JC closer.
JC instantly laid his head upon the younger man's strong shoulder, arms at his
side, closing his eyes and inhaling Justin's unique scent. Unable to restrain
his sexual urges this close to Justin, JC placed his hands on wide hips and
darted the rough pad of his tongue out, tasting the bared skin that lay before
him. He nipped the tender flesh daintily and closed his mouth over the reddened
area, sucking gently, yet unyielding. The brunette released the skin of his
boyfriend's neck when Justin bent his head down and nibbled on his shoulder. JC
shut his half hooded eyes and moaned. Determined not to be distracted, JC
started drawing patterns on the side of the younger man's neck with his skillful
tongue until he felt Justin pull him closer. He was forced onto his tip toes
against Justin's body, grunting slightly at the effort. While pressed close to
his soul mate, JC affectionately rubbed his nose and cheek against Justin's taut
skin just under the jaw line as the surge of the water pelted his backside.
Justin snaked one hand up the slender man's back, cradling the nape of JC's neck
and ensnaring his fingers into the shower dampened tresses. He gently tugged the
hair forcing JC off his toes and to stand flat footed with his head pulled back
brandishing his delicious neck. Justin licked his lips as he stared longingly,
beguiled by the beauty before him. JC's eyes shut, water drenching golden hair,
running in continuous streams down the side of his picturesque face and
continuing down the edible column of skin was simply gorgeous. He watched JC's
throat move as the older man swallowed, waiting in anticipation of what his
younger lover would do next. It was all Justin could do to ignore the exposed
tantalizing neck, but he had a job to do and the idea of sex would not detour
him.
Justin carefully guided JC back into the spray of water, releasing his hold on
the brunette's hair. JC slowly tipped his head forward and partially opened his
lustful steel blue eyes, focusing only on the man in front of him. He placed one
hand on Justin's chest and rubbed soothingly over each pectoral, barely brushing
against sensitive buds. Tilting his head to the side, the brunette followed the
path of his hand with his enormous eyes. Both hand and eyes traveling together
avoiding more sensitive areas, until they reached Justin's hip. JC coyly peered
up through wet lashes at his stunned lover before whispering wantonly,
"Don't you want me, sugah?" The older man slowly blinked accentuating
the desired filled meaning in his words and rolled his hips provocatively into
Justin.
Justin regarded with vigilant azure eyes the beads of water that created
intricate configurations upon the tawny canvas of JC's flesh. He followed the
paths of water droplets starting from his lover's angular collarbone and traced
them down bared skin. The blond watched, transfixed as the drops skirted an
erect brownish nipple and zigzagged down a tight muscular stomach until they
finally disappeared in a soft patch of blackish hair and gone from sight. Justin
shook his head disgusted by how easily distracted and aroused he could get with
one impassioned look from JC. He pressed his eyes closed and mentally
reprimanded himself as he cupped the side of JC's face, pulling him forward and
resting their foreheads together. Justin slowly revealed his orbs, breathing his
response upon JC's dampened cheek, "Yes." JC shivered, opening his
mouth to respond, but Justin quickly covered his lips with his own in a
passionate, yet adoring kiss.
JC opened his mouth wider, inviting Justin to deepen it, and was surprised when
his boyfriend did not. The blond slowly broke apart from JC, still encompassing
the side of his face and feeling the brunette lean into his touch, mouthing his
palm.
The young man, trying not to concentrate on the tongue lapping his hand, reached
behind JC and grabbed a large bottle of shampoo. Justin moved his hand away from
the brunette's mouth and flipped the top of the purple plastic bottle open,
ignoring the gasp from JC.
"Wha...?" JC asked, dumbfounded that Justin would move his hand from
him. "You... You d... Don't want me?" He said wrapping his arms around
his torso and looked away. "I... I...
understand."
Justin
smiled adoringly down at the smaller man, his hand instantly forcing JC to look
at him. "Of course I do, baby," he blond answered while absentmindedly
tracing the emotionally scared brunette's jaw line. "But... I said I'd help
you shower, sweetie. Not take advantage of you."
"Bu...."
"Shh..." Justin whispered, placing a long finger over JC's bruised
lips, "Let me take care of you."
The young man squeezed the pinkish hued shampoo into one of his large hands,
flipped the top back down and replaced the bottle. Justin pulled JC slightly
forward and out of the direct range of the shower head. He rubbed his hands
together smearing the silky substance between his palms, extending forward and
upward reaching the brunette and running his soap covered hands into JC's
water-laden hair.
JC timidly closed his eyes upon feeling Justin's gentle touch and unconsciously
moved his head with Justin ministrations. He worried his lower lip sensually at
the array of erotic feelings Justin was stirring in his body. The brunette felt
a large drop of sudsy lather careen off his shoulder and run down his bicep. He
felt another drop travel down the nape of his neck, between his shoulders and
down the middle of his back. JC arched forward causing a twinge of pain to
course through his body and his breath caught.
"Easy there, baby."
Justin again maneuvered JC into the steady stream of water and rinsed the suds
from his partner's mane. He carefully ran his fingers through the freshly clean
tresses and massaged the scalp as the water worked through it. The blond made
the mistake of looking at JC while rinsing the remaining soap from his hair. The
older man's head was again tipped back in offering and this time Justin couldn't
resist. He leaned down and brushed his lips against the stretched skin before
him, nipping at it, licking it. Justin's long tongue licked from the hallow
formed by the collarbone, up the bumpy curve provided by the larynx until he
reached the tip of the chin.
"Jus... tin," JC mumbled against Justin's lips.
"Sorry, baby. I...," he inhaled deeply and lapped at JC's chin again,
"couldn't... couldn't resist." JC smiled at Justin as the younger man
allowed the brunette to tip his head forward and step out of the water. The
older man felt a wave of dizziness crash over him and slightly rocked.
"Hey... hey, baby just a bit... A bit more and then we... can go to bed.
Can you make it?" JC nodded his head.
Justin pulled JC a little closer to his body and deftly moved around the
exhausted form, grabbing the large coarse bathing sponge and peach shower gel
from the wire basket around the shower faucet. The younger man squeezed the
orange hued gel into the sponge and rubbed it causing a lather to form. He
placed the gel back into the bracket and whispered into the brunette's ear.
"Hey, baby. Put your arms around my waist and lean into me."
JC did as he was told, encircling his arms around Justin's lithe waist and
laying his cheek against the younger man's chest. He inhaled deeply when he felt
the soft lathery sponge slide across his bruised and aching back.
Justin caressed the sponge soothingly over JC's skin and between the slender
shoulder blades, careful not to press too hard. He traced the path of the sponge
with his free hand, enjoying the intimate contact, the feel between them. The
young man felt the brunette's body sway a little and moved his thigh between
JC's legs, helping support the older man's weight, brushing against tightening
sacs. In response to the suggestive contact, JC's body surged forward chafing
against Justin causing the younger man to pause, close his eyes and take a deep
breath. When he finally was able to control his body he continued washing and
caring for his lover.
Justin placed one hand in the middle of JC's back and drifted the sponge
downward. He lightly skirted over soft supple cheeks, cleaning his own knee as
he brushed the suds from one side to the other. The blond dipped the sponge
further down and applied a little more force on the back of JC's thighs. When he
brought the sudsy sponge back up the lithe frame, he ghosted it in between the
mounds and up to the cleft. Justin hissed when he felt JC bite his flesh and
then appease the terrain with his tongue. JC persisted in mouthing the blonde's
skin and grazing his fingertips up and down tanned skin while Justin placed the
sponge back into the rack. He skimmed his cheek next to JC's temple rubbing in
circular patterns, enjoying the feel of the tightened skin on his chest where a
love bite was developing.
The hand once supporting JC's back moved up and into the mass of wet curls at
the nape of the brunette's neck. His other soap covered hand remained resting at
the small of the older man's back. Justin lowered his stilled hand and licked
the outer shell of JC's ear, nipping the lobe, and thrusting into it. JC shifted
against him and the blond strengthened his grip in the auburn mane, composing
his body once more. "Trust me..." Justin breathed.
"Yesss."
Justin prowled the sudsy hand further down the brunette's body inhering one
finger in the cleft of his ass. "One baby. That's all." JC nodded.
"One," he whispered again. The slick finger traced circles at the top
of the crack for several seconds before sliding into it. As Justin's finger
crept down the crack toward JC's wanton aperture, the brunette's hips hitched
with anticipation. He pushed hard against the blond when he felt the offending
finger run over the top of his anus, again drawing circles around the puckered
entrance. Justin felt his soul mate tense and whispered, "Relax," then
dipped the finger inside.
JC tipped his head back and groaned when he felt the finger enter his body,
tenderly. He worried his lips and began undulating his pelvis into Justin,
boring down on the strong muscular thigh between his legs. His slender hands
slid down Justin's back and rested on the round ass so easily accessible as he
continued his slow movements. "Ooooo.... mmmm.... So good," the
brunette moaned. "More... Please...."
Justin watched his impassioned lover move against him, mesmerized by the sight
and the sounds. The younger man's intention, to clean his boyfriend of the
"dirt" within him, quickly subsided to the need within them both. He
continued moving the digit in and out of JC's body, watching. The blond was
about to give in and add a second finger until he heard JC hiss in pain and felt
his lover's head crash into his shoulder, he withdrew. "Sorry. Sorry
baby," Justin murmured and nuzzled his face into JC's.
"It's o... okay really," the brunette breathed heavily onto Justin
cheek. "I... I just moved wrong. S'okay." JC pulled slightly back from
his boyfriend and their eyes met. "Jus.. stin."
"I know, baby." Justin slid his hands downward and cupped JC's ass
bring him closer and capturing the offered lips tenderly. When the two men broke
apart, Justin slowly turned JC around. He returned his leg between strong
thighs, placing hands on either side of the brunette's swollen phallus and
kissing a shoulder. The younger man reached forward and grabbed the bottle of
sweet smelling shower gel, opening it and dripping its contents onto the once
forgotten sponge. Justin dropped the plastic bottle and grasped the soap laden
object. He held it under the spray of water briefly and rubbed the soap in
before placing the water-warmed item onto JC's yearning body. The younger man
continued nibbling the brunette's shoulder as he watched the sudsy trail being
left on the smooth skin of his lover's stomach, dipping his index finger into an
exposed navel. JC arched his licentious body and moaned softly; his erection
bumping Justin's wrist. The blond satisfied with his actions manipulated the
cleaning object up JC's writhing frame. As the rough surface scrapped JC's
nipple, the brunette hitched and thrust his hips forward.
"Unnnn... god...," he licked his lips and settled his head upon
Justin's shoulder.
Justin moved his other hand onto his heated lover's stomach pressing him back
flush against him. His erection, fitting nicely in the small of JC's back,
caused a moan to fall from the blonde's lips. When the brunette felt the
strained organ he turned his head and nipped and licked at Justin's neck. The
blond swiped the offending object again over hardened nubs before tracing the
elaborate collarbone and then up the side of JC's neck. JC nuzzled closer
slanting his head and arching his neck, offering Justin more of his flesh. The
young lover caressed JC's skin near his ear and then back down, placing soft
kisses on closed eyelids before forcing JC's head in the other direction,
tending to the other side.
As Justin moved away from the older man's neck, JC rolled his head back in its
pervious position, panting hotly on Justin's skin. The sponge traveled down the
side of the long torso and onto the fervent man's thigh. Justin turned his face
and placed his lips onto JC's as he ran the coarse material under the brunette's
erect phallus.
"Mmmm...," JC mewled into the kiss and rolled his hips until he was
standing on his tip toes. He gasped as an explosion of pain reminded him of his
current condition.
"Relax, baby," Justin said again as he continued caressing his lover's
perineum.
The brunette felt Justin press his stomach encouraging the older man to relax.
He did; returning to his original position, JC whimpered. He nearly jumped when
Justin rubbed the sponge against his erection and bit down on the exposed cord
of muscle in Justin's neck. His breathing became heavier and heavier with each
movement of the sponge. JC wanted to roll his hips with the rhythm, but Justin's
hands stayed him.
"Don't move, C." Justin long ago figured out he did not want to leave
JC in any wanton state. He would take care of his boyfriend's need before
allowing him to exit the shower. With that in mind Justin dropped the sponge and
continued stroking JC's throbbing member. The blond wanted nothing more than to
spin JC around and take the aching phallus into his mouth. However, he knew if
he did one thing would lead to another and he would eventually have the older
man pinned against the shower tile, thrusting hard inside him. They couldn't do
that right now at least not in the condition they were in; that fantasy would
have to wait. Right now it was about showing JC how much he loved him, how much
he lived for him. Justin wanted to cleanse JC of the dirt he carried on his soul
and the one way he could help accomplish that was to give him love without
expectations.
Justin refocused his attention on the man in front of him and slid his other
hand up the soap slick body, resting on a taut sensitive nipple, teasing it.
JC stopped nibbling on Justin's neck when the sensations running through his
body became too great. His head lolled back, eyes closed; he allowed Justin's
love to fill him. It was all the brunette could do to not thrust into the
blonde's hand, but he had been told not to move; he wasn't going to. The older
man rolled his head from side to side as he felt his body tighten. Justin's hand
pulling and stroking, stroking and rubbing, rubbing and pulling was causing JC's
breathing to become rapid, chest heaving. JC's hands menacingly gripped Justin's
buttocks to force his hips still, nails digging in deep. Feeling the young
lover's tongue dip in and out, in and out of his ear, whispering words of
endearment, adding to the building euphoria. Justin's hand moving faster and
faster, harder and harder, acknowledging teeth biting, pulling, toes curling. He
pushed back harder into Justin's shoulder, mouth open, neck straining. His body
taut as a bowstring.
"Uhhhhhnnnnnnnnn.... ah... ah... ah... unnnnnnn."
Then three words spoken in a heated breath, full of passion, "I love
you."
"Uhhhhhhhhh..." JC screamed feeling his lover's essence spill onto his
back. The culmination of Justin's efforts was yearning to be released causing JC
to climax with unguarded rapture. The words resounding inside his head,
reverberating throughout his body and cleansing the filth that hankered his
soul. Tears filled his eyes as he continued breathing erratically, body sedated.
"Uh...uh...uh," JC whimpered in a slightly higher tone. He licked his
lips, eyes still closed as his lungs continued heaving.
**
Joey was hunched over the decaying body, lifting the fingers with a blue Bic
pen. He tilted his head while examining the bloodied fingernails. He sighed,
running a scenario through his head trying to figure out the answer to the
question, why. The detective replaced the hand and shuffled closer to the prone
corpse. He regarded the ring of bruises on each wrist and followed the arm up to
the shoulders, examining every inch. The brunette was deep in thought when Chris
came up behind him.
"So...," Joey jumped and Chris smirked. "What do you think Justin
is doing that is so important that he can't even come and look at the crime
scene?"
"I'm sure whatever it is it has something to do with his boyfriend and a
warm bed."
"And I'm sure whatever it is... it's bound to be better then hovering over
a dead body."
"You ain't kidding."
**
Justin manipulated the fatigued man and himself into the steady stream of water.
Using only his hands he wiped away the lingering soap suds as well as proof of
their love making. The blond felt JC's tired body slump against him and his
breathing slow. Justin grasped the lean waist firmly while reaching for the
shower knob. He turned the water off and opened the curtain. Stepping out of the
tub first, he turned the nearly sleeping form and lifted him out, leaning him up
against his chest.
"Justin."
"Shhh... Baby... I just need to dry you and then we can go to bed. All
right?" The curly haired man grabbed a towel and smoothed it down JC's
frame, corralling all the water droplets from his skin. He unhooked JC's house
robe from the back of the door and wrapped it around his now shivering
shoulders. Justin bent down slightly and gently lifted JC into his arms,
carrying him into the bedroom and setting him on the bed. He covered the
brunette's body with the warm comforter, before turning back to the bathroom.
Gathering a towel for himself, he dried his battered body.
After finishing his nightly routine, Justin silently reentered the bedroom and
situated himself comfortably on the bed and under the blankets. No sooner had he
cuddled under the comforter and warm body was pressed against him, arm wrapping
around his waist and carefully pulling him closer. Justin then felt a welcoming
breath caress his temple followed by words nearly unheard that warmed his heart.
"Thank you."
Joey stared up the embankment with a bewildered glare. He just could not figure
out why the usually careful killer would dump the body so close to the old run
down church. The whole scene did not correspond with the working profile he and
Justin were developing for the case. The scene should be one in which the body
would be displayed in public where people would easily see it, not hidden, not
discarded where the murder and rape took place. The detective huffed as he
stared at the unmoving form on the ground, disappearing slowly from his
scrutiny. The detective lifted his hands toward his face and rubbed his eyes
with the heels of them, hoping that when he pulled them away a new clue would
reveal itself. His plan failed. It only caused the pounding in his head to
continue at a renewed pace. If only he could concentrate more on the case and
not on other things.
Joey's psyche was befuddled with the events of the night and could not clearly
digest the crime scene. His mind raced with images of Justin and JC, Lonnie and
Lou, and the beautiful blond bartender that now rested in his car. The detective
couldn't shake them from his memory or shake free from the guilt that hung
heavily over his soul. He scratched the back of his neck lightly, shutting his
eyes and rubbed his strong hand over his bicep in a soothing motion.
Concentrate, he had to concentrate, but the pieces of the puzzle weren't fitting
together.
Joey's anxiety level rose as he became increasingly agitated making the chore of
concentrating even more difficult for him. He leaned heavily against an old oak
tree and stared thoughtfully at the body that was now being sealed in a black
body bag, which startled the detective. Some time during his pondering the
paramedics had carefully navigated a gurney down the embankment and were
currently guiding the decaying corpse onto it. Joey watched, contemplating the
various possible scenarios that the clues afforded. As the body was hoisted up
the cliff, Joey roughly pushed himself away from the supportive tree, rubbing
his chin with a slightly nerve wracked hand. The brunette sighed, closing his
eyes and running disquieted fingers over his wet gel-caked hair.
"What cha' thinking?" A strong voice interrupted.
Alarmed, Joey whirled around spying Chris approximately ten feet in front of
him. "The same."
"Don't beat yourself up over it," the older man replied matter of
fact.
Joey scowled.
Chris chuckled, "Sorry, bad choice of words." He closed the remaining
distance between them and placed a reassuring arm awkwardly around Joey's
shoulder. "What's up? What are you thinking?" He peered into the
stormy brown orbs. "I know you won't get any sleep tonight if you don't a
least share your thoughts."
Joey turned his gaze to the patch of grass that had slightly yellowed and
contemplated his answer. "There's got to be a connection between this scene
and the others." The younger detective kicked at a pile of decaying oak
leaves. "I just can't figure out what it is."
Chris squeezed Joey's shoulders. "Isn't that why we brought Justin in on
this one. He's the one who should be pondering this point, not you but he's
nowhere around." Chris's arm gently fell from Joey's shrugging shoulders,
disappointment clearly written over his face at the absence of the young blond.
The sleep deprived brunette shook his head tiredly, "No, he was all ready
here, remember. He's seen the area, he knows if there is a connection. He just
hasn't told me if he's figured it out yet."
"Joey, that doesn't make any sense. If Justin had any idea, don't you think
he would've at least called by now. Besides, he wasn't here that long from what
Britney told me. She said he sounded panicked."
Joey visibly shuddered, remembering his actions, remembering the trust he
betrayed. "Yeah," he finally answered, "I know. I've had a bit to
drink tonight and my heads a little foggy for it. I guess I'm not thinking
straight."
"It is getting late and by the looks of your attire one can guess you were
out. Why don't you head home and get some sleep. I'll call you if anything else
comes up." Chris turned to leave but was stopped by a rough grasp. The
older brunette cringed inwardly at the harsh contact.
"Chris? This may be a little late in asking, but did you find any of the
victim's personal possessions in the church."
"You mean like articles of clothing or a wallet or something."
"Yeah."
"No, unfortunately the place was clean. We didn't find any types of
cumbersome tell all articles. The only things we found, which is amazing enough,
were semen and hair samples." He paused, tapping a finger against his nose,
"But we're not even sure if the samples were from the victim or the
rapist."
"But you still found some, right?"
"That's what I said, isn't it. Or are you hearing things too?" the
smaller brunette chuckled.
"Yes, that's what you said, and no I'm not hearing things." Joey
paused briefly, "Did you find any of those things on the body."
"No?"
Joey looked up into confused auburn eyes. He tilted his head to the side and
increased his grip on the older man's arm. Shaking his head, "Don't you
think that strange?"
"What strange?"
"That the our killer would leave traces of DNA at the scene but not on the
body."
"No. I mean the guy isn't stupid but there's no way he could've cleaned up
everything, every little trace."
"Even so, you don't think it's strange that the killer would dump the body
so carelessly like he didn't care or it didn't matter. After, mind you, making
sure there wasn't any evidence. At the same time, the killer makes certain there
isn't any 'cumbersome' evidence or large amounts of other physical evidence in
the church. Thus, not allowing us the information to determine who the victim
was." Joey scratched his head, "It just doesn't add up."
"Maybe," Chris offered, "he took the cloths or the wallet as a
trophy and disposed of the rest. " Chris pulled his arm from Joey's tight
hold. "You did mention that maybe the killer didn't think anyone would look
here. Maybe that's why. Maybe you're right about that assumption."
Joey looked pained, "That's a lot of maybes. I just don't get the fact that
he cleaned up the room and made sure no other physical evidence could be found
in the building."
"Yeah, your right. Dumping the body in close proximity to the murder site
doesn't fit with our other cases." The older brunette shrugged. "I
guess will just have to wait till morning or until we hear from the lab."
Chris turned away from Joey and began making his way up toward the cave opening.
He glanced over his shoulder and noticed Joey still staring at the spot where
the body once laid. The older detective slowly shook his head. "Come
on," he reached his hand toward Joey, "we need to get going. There's
nothing else here."
"I know, but..."
"..but you think your missing something. I'll send Ron down here and have
him take additional pictures of the scene. The film might catch something that
we can't see for ourselves."
"Okay, yeah.." Joey answered distractedly. "More pictures would
be good." The younger detective rubbed his face boyishly and sighed.
"Chris, I think you may be right." His eyes made contact once more
with Chris's, "About the trophy thing." He stopped, "I... I think
the killer needs... to..." Joey couldn't finish.
Chris reached forward, "Come on," he whispered. "You need to go
home and get some rest."
"Right..." Joey accepted the offered hand and allowed Chris to guide
him in the direction of the church.
**
Justin laid peacefully underneath the pleasant weight of his boyfriend, secured
in the brunette's forgiving embrace. The younger man watched the slow hypnotic
rise and fall of JC's back and could feel his lover's teasingly warm breath
caress his bare neck, while his golden locks tickled his chin. As he listened
dreamily to the sweet purring of JC breath, he tenderly rubbed his hand over the
small of the brunette's back, absentmindedly drawing their names. The blond
relished the soft silky feel of his lover's skin beneath his rough fingertips.
Justin closed his azure red-rimmed eyes absorbing all of the palliating
sensation he could.
The young detective intended on leaving the bed once he was positive that JC was
sound asleep. While laying on the soft mattress he realized he had forgotten
about developing his pictures from the crime scene early yesterday morning. His
wondering hand conquered the crevices and bumps on its way up the small delicate
expanse of JC's back into brunette tresses. He peered down at the sleeping man
and waited a few more moments before deliberating his route of escape. Once he
determined exactly how he would manipulated JC's body from him, Justin gently
maneuvered his body away from the solacing heat of the brunette and slipped out
from under the comforter. He watched JC's face for any indication that the
brunette had been wakened. Justin recited a silent prayer when it registered in
his brain that his lover still slept.
The detective quickly put on a pair of pajama bottoms and quietly exited their
bedroom. Justin rushed down the stairs, wincing only slightly at the effort, and
approached his make shift door. He smiled, scratching his head. The blond walked
into the kitchen and found the Noika on the counter where he placed it upon
coming home from work. He gently lifted it and carried it with him toward his
darkroom, which was located in the basement. Justin maneuvered his way down the
narrow stairwell and reached absentmindedly for the doorknob, splashing the once
darken area with a blanket of light. He flicked a light switch immediately to
his left flooding the room with a red hue, shut the door and opened the
compartment that housed the film. The blond carefully disengaged the roll of
film and closed the camera setting it on a shelve. Justin poured his solutions
into their large containers and fixed a pan of distilled water and began the
tedious chore of generating his pictures.
**
The two brunette detectives made their way back toward the police vehicles. As
they walked across the yard Joey noticed Nick and Kevin conversing near his car.
He walked faster.
"Hey, wait up Joey. What's your hurry?" Chris's eyes focused on the
back of Joey's head, did not see the other two detectives. When the younger
brunette did not respond he moved his gaze further in front of him, catching
Nick and Kevin in his sight. "What do they want?"
"I don't know," Joey growled from in front of him, slowing only a bit.
"I really don't want to have to deal with Carter right now. Do you think
you could run some interference for me?"
Chris shrugged and then smiled wickedly, "I could, but its gonna cost
you."
Joey laughed, "Add it to my tab."
Nick and Kevin turned the heads in the direction of the other detectives and
quieted their own conversation. "Who's the kid in Joey's car?" Kevin
questioned.
Nick looked at him angrily, "Like I fucking give a rat's ass about some
piece of shit in Joey's car, Kevin. I thought you knew me better than
that." Nick replied tersely. He took a step closer toward Kevin leaning in,
"Joey's probably a fag, just like his partner."
"Nick," Kevin paused, "Shut up." He gently pushed his
partner away from him and laughed. "You've got a one track mind, I
swear."
Nick boyishly rubbed the back of his neck and smiled, "I can't help
it."
"Whatever, but shut it for now. Here they come." Kevin closed the gap
between himself and the approaching men, "Hey Chris. Joey." The tall
green eyed brunette reached his hand out grasping the offered hand of Chris's.
"What have you found?"
"Nothing really," Chris said, "except for some hair samples and
semen."
"You call that nothing," Nick yelled. "Shit we could solve this
case with that stuff."
"Yes, we could," Chris answered calmly, "except we're not sure
who it belongs to. My guess is its the victims. Our guy is a little too smart to
be leaving clues like that around."
"True...true," Kevin answered.
"Did you get anything from the driver?" Joey asked.
"No," Nick paused, "he was sent to help Detective Timberlake but
Timberlake stole his truck. He had been instructed to stay here and tell us what
was going on."
"That doesn't sound like something Detective Timberlake would do,"
Kevin commented, staring at the two men hoping to gather more information about
what occurred. "Where is he anyway?"
Joey smirked, "Detective Timberlake was the first on scene and called it
in, after that I'm not sure." Nick opened his mouth to speak but was cut
off. "I need to get going," he turned toward Chris, "would you
fill them in on what we discussed?"
"Sure thing Joey. Guys if you'd walk this way. My file is in the portable
crime lab." The three men moved away from Joey and continued toward the
large white van.
Once they were far enough away, Joey raced the final distance to his car. The
detective quickly removed his gloves and discarded them onto the ground before
opening the door. He quietly lifted the latch, creaking the heavy door open and
crawled timidly inside. The brunette glanced over his shoulder to the blond
resting in his car. He did not want to wake him, but he needed information on
where he lived. Joey gently nudged the sleeping man. "Hey," he
whispered. "Wake up. I'm back." Lance stirred. "Hey, Lance. Come
on you need to wake up so I can get you home."
Slowly bold emerald eyes peeked from under delicate lashes. "Hmmm...
wha.... what?" He groggily answered.
"Home..." Joey ran his finger over Lance's forearm. "I need to
take you home so you can sleep in a nice warm bed."
"Home," Lance mumbled sleepily.
The brunette smiled at the cute confused expression that was residing on the
young blonde's face. "I need to know where."
The blond defiantly pushed Joey's hand away and painfully whispered,
"Please... not now mamma... sleepy."
Joey's eyes snapped wide and he grabbed Lance's forearm once more, shaking the
sleeping man roughly. "Lance, wake up. Now," his voice raised in
frantic excitement. "I need to get you home."
Lance sat up right, shocked awake. He turned his head abruptly toward Joey,
breathing heavily. Once their eyes met, the young bartender relaxed noticeably.
"I'm sorry, I must of dozed while you were gone." He smiled, "You
said it wasn't gonna take long."
Joey let out a small laugh, "I said no such thing." He sat back in his
seat, rubbing his hands over the steering wheel. "So? Where to?"
"I don't know how to get to my place from here." His eyes shyly
flashed at the brunette driver. "Could you maybe go back to the club? I
know I could tell you from there."
"Lance, if we did that we'd take a chance at running into the rather large
black guy I rescued you from." He bit his lip, "No, I don't want to
take that chance. I'll call the station and have them give me directions."
"O... Okay." Lance meekly sat back in his seat, eyes glancing
occasional at Joey. "Um, I... What about my car?"
"Can't you pick it up tomorrow or something. You do have to work in the
morning don't you?"
"Yeah," Lance picked at his shirt. "Would you...um...would you go
with me?"
Joey sighed, "I've gotta work too." He looked over at the younger man
and noticed the slouching shoulders and the defeated expression on Lance's face.
"Will see." Lance sat up. Joey started the car and pulled off the
street. The brunette picked up his cell phone and dialed dispatch retrieving
directions to Lance's apartment. "It's gonna take about a half hour to get
you home. Why don't you take another nap?"
"You sure you can find it?" Lance asked not wanting to go to sleep
again.
Joey smiled, "Yeah, I'm sure."
"I could keep you awake, keep you company while you're driving. You must be
tired yourself."
"You can say that again."
"Okay, then its decided. I'll keep you company."
"Whatever you say, Lance."
Fifteen minutes later and half way back to Lance's the car was draped in
silence. Lance unwillingly submitted to the compelling drag of sleep, head
propped against Joey's shoulder, breath even. The brunette occasional looked
down at the sleeping man, reaffirming that this nightmare was indeed occurring
and he was trapped within it. He drove for several more minutes until he reached
Twenty-fifth street. Joey slowly turned the corner and continued down the
darkened street for a block. That's when he saw it. A red Lincoln parked across
the street from Lance's apartment building. The detective sent a hasty glare at
the top of Lance's head and slowed his vehicle down. As he approached the car he
swiftly unbuckled Lance's seat belt and maneuvered the blonde's head into his
lap. When the bartenders head brushed against him, his breath caught and he
quickly readjusted his self. He used his free hand to hold the blond in place,
just encase Lance woke up while he was driving by the suspicious car.
Joey drove passed the parked Lincoln and stole a glance inside. It was empty.
"They must be waiting for him," the brunette said out loud. "I
can't leave him here." He looked down once again at the sleeping blond in
his lap and sighed. The detective rubbed his hand over the nape of Lance's neck
while determining his best course of action. It only took a matter of seconds
before Joey determined what he would do. "I guess that means your coming
home with me."
**
Chris gathered up the evidence bags and placed them in plastic bins, labeling
each one. Then he snatched together the printouts for the preliminary forensics
findings, sliding them into pre-labeled manila envelops and stacked them neatly
on a table. He causally looked over his shoulder and observed Nick and Kevin
still hanging around the crime scene. Curiosity getting the better of him he
inched inconspicuously closer to the conversing partners.
"I just don't get it," Nick remarked.
"What?"
"Frankly, just about everything that's gone on the last couple of
days."
"You can sure say that again," Kevin replied giving Nick a knowing
look.
"I'm talking about the case, here," the blond said, voice rising.
"I'm not."
Nick scratched the back of his neck and sighed, piercing Kevin with his
sparkling blue eyes. "Not now, okay. I just don't... I don't know what's
going on either. I..."
"Look," Kevin placed a gently hand on the younger man's shoulder,
"when ever you're ready to talk about it, I'm all ears."
Nick's eyes turned sad, "I wish I could Kevin. I wish I could tell you
everything that's goin on in my head but I can't. Please understand that."
"Nick," Kevin stepped closer, "Whatever it is, I'll help
you."
The blond detective shrugged his shoulder from Kevin's grasp and looked him dead
in the eye, "No you can't." Nick turned away and strode toward their
car ignoring the gasp that fell from his partner's lips.
Chris silently watched the young detective sauntered unsteadily toward the brown
Seville he shared with Kevin. He followed him. "Penny for your
thoughts."
"I'm afraid you'll need more than a penny," Nick answered while
turning around. "Oh, its you. What do you want, Kirkpatrick."
"Nothing really. I just saw you walking all sad like toward your car and
thought maybe you had something on your mind. I thought maybe you could tell me
and get it off your chest."
Nick huffed. "Why would I tell you?"
"Because, I'm safe. I'm not your partner and I'm not someone who goes
around spilling their guts and... And..." Chris held up a finger to stop
Nick's protest, "I've got a psychology degree and I may be able to help you
on a professional level."
The blond ran his fingers through his wet tresses and stared at the soggy
ground. "I... Look... Ummmm... I...."
"Hey what's going on over here?" Kevin interrupted. "Nick?"
"Na... Nothing... I was just telling Kirkpatrick here to get lost." He
turned and faced the shorter man, "Get lost."
"Yeah, whatever man." Chris turned around and walked away, flipping
Kevin off.
"What the hell was that all about?" Kevin stared after the older
detective.
Nick shrugged and opened the passenger side door, "I don't know."
Kevin growled, "The hell you don't. You were gonna tell him weren't you?
God damn it Nick. I'm your partner, not him."
"Kevin... I... I wasn't gonna tell him. He's been listening to us... I was
gonna tell him something about the case."
Kevin opened his door and climbed inside the car. "Get in, Nick," he
hissed. The green eyes brunette calmed, "I'll take you home."
"My car is at the station."
"I know, I'll pick you up. It's on my way anyhow."
Nick sat down and fiddled with his coat. "Okay," he looked at Kevin,
"Are you mad?"
"I'm not a child, Nick. I'm not gonna get mad because you won't tell me
something. I may be disappointed but I'm not mad." Kevin reached across and
rested his hand on Nick's tense thigh. "When you're ready... I want you to
come to me... Not Chris. Will you promise me that?" Nick nodded his head.
"No. I want you to say it. I want you to say you'll promise me."
"I promise," Nick said as he turned his gaze toward the passenger
window. "I'll tell you when I'm ready."
"Thanks. I know I can help you. I swear I will."