There's Something About a Man in Uniform By Lynne and Loganlover NC-17 slash Disclaimer: We just borrowed them for the story, they are owned by Segal Productions. The following is a slash story so if you don't care for that kind of thing don't proceed. If you don't know what slash is don't proceed. For everyone else enjoy and we want feedback Lynneblue33@hotmail.com and Quicksilver_theagency@hotmail.com Thanks. Darien was frozen in place. He'd just knocked on, then opened Hobbes' office door without waiting for a 'come in' response from his partner. The sight before him was so amazing he was speechless damn near breathless, as a matter of fact. Bobby was standing in the middle of his office in a full dress Marine uniform. He looked magnificent. The cut of the deep blue jacket made his shoulders seem even broader than they usually appeared. The jacket was covered with military insignia and ribbons, and had a single line of brass buttons that gleamed along the front. The pants were an even darker shade of blue with a strong red stripe up the side that gave Bobby air of height and authority. All these elements combined to take Darien's breath away. Bobby had just placed the hat on his head when Darien barged into his office. "What do you want?" Bobby looked mad, which just added to the overall effect of masculine authority and made Darien want him even more. 'My God, Bobby looks hot,' Darien thought as he fought to maintain control of his body. He could feel the hot flush of arousal streaking through his body just from looking at his partner in that uniform. The heat settled into a warm glow in his briefs. "Fawkes! Get out." Bobby ordered. He'd wanted to try on his uniform in private and was irritated that he'd neglected to lock his office door. There was a dedication ceremony in a few days that he was hoping to attend and he had to make sure his old uniform fit. "Oh, yeah. Order me, Bobby." Darien's voice was husky, his eyes glazed over with desire. A couple months ago Darien had first begun to notice how good his partner looked in formal clothes. Seeing Bobby in a tux during their raid on Arnaud's casino had made him even more aware of just how sexy this man was. Since then, he'd been fantasizing about his partner, seducing him, or even better, being seduced by him. In those imaginings, Bobby was always wearing a tux at the beginning of them anyway. Although Darien knew Bobby had been a Marine, it had somehow never occurred to him what Bobby would look like in that uniform. And this reality was so much better than any lust-filled fantasy. He closed the door behind him, and leaned casually against it, as if to trap Bobby in the office, or at least prevent an easy escape. He wanted Bobby so much, he couldn't take it any longer. He had to attempt to find out if there was any chance they could get together. Bobby was watching his partner closely, as he waited for the sarcastic follow-up to the remark Darien had just made. Then he noticed the look in Fawkes' eyes. He hadn't seen that look directed at him in a long time. It was desire. Naked, lust-drenched desire. Darien wanted him. Bobby was stunned. He'd always though he had a great 'gaydar' sense, yet he'd never pegged Fawkes for liking men. Darien was trying to think of a smooth opening line, but his mind was stuck in drool-mode. 'Crap!' he thought, ' I'm going to lose this chance, just because I can't put two words together.' Failing at words, he was pleased to find his body could still move. He pushed himself off the door and took a step closer to Bobby. The movement helped to loosen his tongue too. "Bobby you look fantastic," he blurted out. "Fawkes..." Bobby warned, his voice stern, deep and tension-filled. Darien's eyes raked up and down his partner's frame, his gaze smoldering. Then his attention was caught by a glint of color, a ribbon he recognized. He took another step closer to Bobby and reached up, gesturing with his hand. "Is that a purple heart?" "Yeah, it is. Now leave. Go find the Keeper or something." As much as Bobby was dismissing Darien he was even more fervently trying to dismiss his own thoughts. To keep himself from responding to the desire he's seen in Darien's gaze. Responding by grabbing his lean partner and kissing him; mashing and bruising his lips in the hard, greedy gesture that was racing through his mind. He couldn't become involved with Darien, they had to work together. Mixing business and pleasure never worked out. 'Pleasure, yeah . Man, Darien's lips look pouty, kissable ' Bobby shook himself out of his thoughts. 'No, don't go there, Hobbes.' Darien took another step, closing the space that separated them. He reached out, putting his left hand behind Bobby's head and bent towards him. Both men were exquisitely aware there was a kiss coming. Bobby stood his ground, torn between wanting the kiss, and wanting to maintain his relationship with his partner just the way it was, the way it was 'supposed' to be. Their lips met. It was electric. Darien increased the pressure on his partner's neck and slipped his right arm around his partner's waist to hold him still, holding him closer. Bobby opened his mouth, and Darien pushed past Bobby's lips, stroking his tongue along the inside of Bobby's teeth. "Mmmm " Darien, moaned as he tasted Bobby. 'God, yes! He makes me so crazy for him.' Bobby's hands were fists at his side. He wanted this, but he knew it wasn't a good idea. Darien shifted slightly, using both hands to control Bobby. His tongue slipping along Bobby's tongue sucking, pushing, stroking. Bobby was responding, but only half-heartedly, Darien lifted his mouth from his partner's, "Do you want me to stop?" Bobby stared back into those dark desire-filled eyes, and couldn't tell him to stop. Why should he deny himself such pleasure when it was what they both wanted? All the good, solid reasons why slipped away from his memory. In that moment, Bobby could only think of kissing him back. Bobby pushed back his hat and grabbed Darien roughly, pulling him in for a kiss that was so hot the air around them seemed to smoke. "I guess you didn't," Darien smiled. "I want you so much Bobby." "So, what do you want?" Bobby removed his hat, and started to unbutton his jacket. He wasn't risking getting it messed up. Darien shook his head and shrugged. "Everything, anything...." Bobby turned away from him to hang up his jacket and to give himself time to think. Although Darien was open to being with guys, he'd just made that clear, Bobby had no idea how extensive Darien's experience might be. He needed to gauge what he was getting into here. Without turning around he asked, "You've done this before? Then you should know what you want." Bobby turned to face Darien. "I want it all Bobby." Darien lowered his head to kiss the older man. Bobby responded completely this time, embracing the long lean body of his partner, putting his arms around Darien's long slender waist and pulling their bodies close together. He shifted his hips forward and moaned into his partner's mouth as he ground his erection into Darien and Darien returned the gesture. Darien moaned again, then moved his mouth to Bobby's jaw, kissing and licking along his jaw and chin. He slid his hands up Bobby's strong back, tracing the swells and ripples of solid muscle now covered with only a thin cotton tee shirt. There was strength under his hands, Bobby's build was powerful . Darien wanted to see what he had only imagined up until now. Bobby's voice was breathless and raw. Now that he'd given in, the urgency of his desire was overpowering his control. "Your choices are kind of limited, unless you want to wait until we can get out of here?" Bobby thought he'd die if Darien wanted to wait. Darien lowered his hand, first cupping, then stroking the hot, hard swelling at the front of Bobby's pants. "Ahh...." Bobby groaned, his hips moving into Darien's touch, encouraging more. Darien smiled as he lifted Bobby's shirt up with one hand and continued to fondle him with the other. "We can start here and get to the other stuff later." "You want this off?" Bobby lifted his shirt over his head. "Oh, nice...very nice." Darien licked the hollow of Bobby's throat, then moved along the hard ridge of his collar bone, down to a flat nipple. He licked then sucked, teasing it into a stiff peak. Bobby was groaning deeply, feeling his shaky control slip away. He slipped his hand under Darien's shirt, hot flesh met his seeking fingers. He stroked along Darien's ribs, savoring the feel of the muscle, stroking the smooth, sleek skin. Darien shifted his position and began working on Bobby's other nipple, sucking and licking it into stiffness. Bobby slid his arms around his partner and grabbed a handful of ass. He pulled Darien closer and pumped his hips against him, Darien took the hint and lowered the zipper on the uniform pants, sliding his hands inside Bobby's boxers and pushing them down together with the pants in one smooth motion. Bobby leaned back, bracing himself on the edge of his desk. Darien moved to his knees to take Bobby's fully swollen erection into his seeking mouth. "Ah, Fawkes you don't have to...Ahhmm..." Bobby groaned as the liquid heat of Darien's mouth surrounded his cock. Darien, stroked his tongue over the hard shaft, and let his lips ride the length up and down. 'Oh man, this is good. High and tight, smooth and hard.' He caressed Bobby's nuts with his fingers, rolling them squeezing them a little, and pulling gently on the soft fuzz-covered skin until he heard Bobby groan his appreciation. He could sense the pressure building in Bobby's groin, and the matching reaction in his own. The touch of Bobby's soft skin over his hard shaft, the taste of Bobby, the musky smell of his body all fueled Darien's own heat. Every stroke he gave his partner just made him hotter and more enthusiastic. Darien took more of the throbbing cock, opening his throat and stroking harder. Bobby was amazed, blown away by the sensations that threatened to overload his mind and the sight of the beautiful man on his knees in front of him, taking him like he was the most delicious thing in the world. Bobby was about to climax and tried to warn Darien. "Fawkes, I'm going to... Oh, God Darien." Darien took it, tasted it, swallowed and continued to stroke gently with his lips until the last of the thick fluid was milked from his partner's pulsing cock. Bobby was having a hard time believing what just happened. He'd just had the greatest blow job of his life. And it was his fantastic, young stud of partner who had given it to him. Darien moved to the beaten up couch just behind him. He needed to recover a minute, he hoped Bobby would offer to help him out now. He was still aroused, excited and painfully hard. "You liked that Bobby?" Darien waggled his eyebrows and grinned at his partner. Bobby couldn't believe it. Darien was still looking at him like he was the main course. "Yeah," Bobby replied "You're good. Real good." "I love your build, Bobby. All those muscles and dark hair, that tight abdomen nice eight-pack." Darien grinned even wider, "nice package too." Darien was praising him, telling him the truth but also hoping for a return of the complement. Bobby fixed his pants, closing up. What he could see of Darien's body, he liked. What wasn't to like? His partner was all long, lean, corded muscle and he had a rippled, beautiful abdomen. "What do you want?" "Touch me Bobby, I want to feel your hands on me." Darien's passion-bright eyes, locked with his. Anxiety seemed to crawl up Bobby's spine as he moved toward the couch. He hadn't been with a guy before, but he didn't want Darien to know that. 'I can do this, he just did me. All he wants is a hand job. I've done myself enough how different can it be?' Bobby hesitated. Darien helped, unzipping and sliding his pants down his hips, allowing his cock to stretch out, resting along his flat abdomen. Bobby sat next to him and reached out to stroke his hand over Darien's erection. He grasped Darien gently. It was hard to gauge how much pressure to use with someone else and he didn't want to be too rough with his partner. He stroked and fondled Darien's cock and balls, fascinated by his responsiveness, the differences in color and shape between his partner and himself. Darien's cock felt like his, but not as thick and a little longer. Bobby rubbed his thumb over the ridge around Darien's cock-head and heard his partner groan appreciatively. "Oh, yeah that's nice." In all honesty, Darien would've liked it a little harder, a bit rougher, but he also figured it might last longer this way. His hips moved into rhythm with Bobby's stroking. He was watching Bobby. He loved seeing those strong hands on him. Bobby added a little twist to his grasp, speeding up the pace as he grew more confident. "Yeah, like that..." Darien closed his eyes and slid deeper into the couch. Bobby was getting into this now, wanting to give Fawkes as good as he had been given. Well...almost. He felt Darien shudder and saw his body arch upward. He continued to pump and hot come spurted over his hand. Darien groaned, his eyes closed as he climaxed, shooting ribbons of white from his cock, spattering his abdomen and Bobby's hand. Bobby pumped a few more times then gently released Darien. Darien opened his eyes and grinned at his partner. Bobby was already standing, looking for his shirt. "That was great Partner." No answer. Silence. Not good. Darien frowned as he reached for a few tissues from the box on the end table and cleaned things up. Bobby slipped his uniform trousers off and put on his regular slacks. He turned away from Darien and busied himself putting the uniform back on its hanger. Bobby was feeling lost and the anxiety he'd felt before was back, magnified. He didn't know how to behave now. 'Crap!' If he'd been with a woman he'd picked up, he'd get dressed and leave. But they were in his own office, and worse, Fawkes was his partner. How was he supposed to handle this? He gritted his teeth. 'Damn!' He could have kicked himself. 'No fishing off the company pier,' that had been his rule and especially with your own partner! What the hell had he been thinking? Darien's voice broke through Bobby's thoughts. "Come home with me tonight, Bobby?" Bobby looked at Darien, "I don't think that's a good idea Darien um, Fawkes." Darien frowned and grabbed his tee shirt off the couch as he stood and began dressing. "Don't do this Bobby, I care about you." "Hey, Fawkes, its no big deal." Bobby turned toward him, but wasn't looking him in the eye. "No sense making a big thing out of this." Bobby was moving away from Darien, putting on his shirt as he talked. "I want *you.* And if you'd stop and think for a second you would see this is perfect. You and I understand each other. We know things about each other." Darien was trying to think past his disappointment and shock at Bobby's reaction. Why did Bobby have to pull this attitude? They were great together. "I can't Fawkes, it won't work. Look we're two guys just looking to get off, there's no need to make a big deal out of this. Just lighten up okay?" Bobby grabbed his suit coat and practically ran from his office. ::::::::::::::::::: "Crap." Darien pulled his shirt on, and ran after his partner. "Talk to me Hobbes. You can't just pull this macho bullshit on me." "Drop it. Case closed." Bobby was angry and shot Darien a warning look to get him to back off. "Agents Hobbes and Fawkes, could you come with me please?" Eberts was standing at the end of the hall. A flash of panic raced through Bobby as he though that Eberts might know something. Could he have been in the hallway when he and Darien were ? No, Eberts' expression was to placid for that. If he'd overheard anything or suspected anything, Eberts would be a nervous wreck. He sighed in relief. "Yeah, Eberts sure." Bobby welcomed the interruption. It was the first time he could remember ever being glad to see Eberts. Darien fell into step next to his partner. He wasn't giving up that easy, but there was nothing he could do about it right now. "You did good work on the Stonehill case. But we already have a new assignment for you," the Official was explaining. Fawkes wasn't paying attention. His mind was whirling. What was Bobby up to? What was he thinking? Darien knew him too well to think this was all just a lark to him, just getting his jollies. Bobby wasn't that superficial. There was deep water in there, and he couldn't fathom what was going on in the depths. Or maybe Bobby was just making up excuses. Maybe he was really straight and determined to stay that way. Maybe he wasn't really interested in Darien, only in getting his rocks off today. The knots forming in Darien's stomach were turning into macram‚. "Agent Fawkes, do you understand?" Darien looked up at the Official. "Yeah, no problem, piece of cake." On their way back down the hall, Hobbes broke the silence between them. He still sounded angry. "You weren't listening to a word he said in there were you?" Darien shrugged. "No, but you can fill me in later." Hobbes shook his head, his voice betraying his irritation. "You are the laziest " Then Darien turned left, heading away from Bobby. "Wait, where are you going?" "I have to check in with the Keeper before we head out. It'd be a real long weekend if I skip out on the counteragent today." Darien called over his shoulder as he kept walking. "Besides, there's something I want to ask her." Bobby tailed after him. "Oh, like what? You're *not* going to mention what I think you're thinking about, pal." "Look you can't just tell me 'case closed' and expect me to drop it." Darien had turned toward Bobby and put his hand on his shoulder. "So tell me, what's up with you?" Bobby shrugged Fawkes' hand off his shoulder. "I don't have to explain." Darien turned and continued down the hall toward the lab. He was almost to the lab. "Yeah, well then I might have to ask Claire if she can figure you out. Catch up with me later, Bobby." Bobby quickened his pace and fell into step along side Darien just as the lab doors slid open. "You can't bring this up with her," he hissed quietly at Darien. "Yeah, well I'm not going to stop asking. You know I won't let it go, Hobbes." Darien got in front of his partner again, his head lowered, kind of sideways looking into Bobby's dark eyes. "Talk to me." "Not here, and not now." Bobby pushed past Darien and walked further into Claire's lab. "Hey, Keepy. You look nice today. Is that a new pair of shoes?" Bobby was flirting and doing his best to piss off Darien. He didn't want to explain, so he figured if he made Darien mad, he'd forget, or at least get distracted. Darien crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at Bobby. He wouldn't be bated, so he upped the ante. "Claire do you have a minute? You can settle an argument for us." Claire raised her eyebrows slightly, mildly interested, "Oh? What's the disagreement about?" "Fawkes." Bobby warned, glaring at his partner. Darien ignored him. "Well, it's about ." "Fawkes!" Bobby rounded on his partner. "Don't." Claire glanced from Darien to Bobby and back again. She heard the anger mixed with urgency in Bobby's voice, and although she was curious, she immediately sensed that this was something she did not want to be in the middle of. "I'm rather busy at the moment. Perhaps you two could settle it yourselves." She walked over to Darien. "Now, lets see that monitor." Darien offered his arm and sat in the exam chair. Bobby perched himself on the edge of the lab table behind Claire. This position gave him a clear view of Darien and Claire wouldn't be able to see him without turning completely around. Darien sat through her examination, answered all the usual questions about any symptoms he might be having and waited to get his counteragent shot, all the while exchanging glares with Bobby. When the exam was finished, Bobby hopped off the table and grabbed Darien by the elbow, guiding him out of the lab. "Thank you, Claire. Now, come on gland-boy, let's get you home." The drive to Darien's apartment was tense. Darien prompted Bobby repeatedly, but got stony glares in return. Maybe he was all wrong about the guy. Maybe there was no future in this? The more Darien thought about it, the more depressed he became. When the van pulled up to his building he hopped out and slammed the door. He took three steps toward the entrance then spun on his heels and headed back to the van. Leaning in the window he said, "Just tell me I haven't screwed us up permanently over this. Tell me I haven't messed us up." Bobby looked at his partner's pleading eyes, then turned off the ignition. "Come on," he sighed, getting out of the van, "lets talk." Bobby followed Darien up to his apartment, dreading what was coming. But he knew Darien wasn't going to stop pestering him. Darien was smiling as if he'd won. "Sit down." Bobby waved Fawkes towards the couch. Bobby took a seat by the kitchen bar, wanting as much distance between him and Darien as possible. "Since you won't let this go, I'll explain." Bobby held up his hand, "Just listen." He looked sad and his voice dropped to a deep whisper. "I was married before, you know that. Vivian you met her." Darien nodded. "She was is beautiful." Bobby paused, reacting to something he thought he saw in Darien's expression. "Yeah, I couldn't figure that out either. Her and her friends were out on the town the same night as me and a few of my friends from the reserves. She chose me. Out of all the guys there that night, she chose me. Talk about an ego boost." Bobby's lips twisted in a small half-smile that disappeared quickly. "Then when the paranoia kicked in, we'd been married for a few years. I'd call her ten or twelve times a day just to make sure she was safe. I'd go by her work to check on her." Bobby's eyes were looking past Darien, focusing on some distant point, remembering. Darien was watching him intently. He was very quiet now. Just listening. A lump was forming in his throat. "I drove her away. No matter how much I wanted to change, I couldn't. When she couldn't take one more day of my crazy behavior, she left. It almost killed me. They had to put me on such heavy doses of medication I was a zombie. But every time they would lower the dose I'd break down again. I couldn't handle losing her." He looked down, staring at the carpet. "I can't go through that again. I can't care about you and then have you decide it's over. I can't do it Fawkes. We're better off keeping this light and friendly, y'know?" Finally, Bobby looked at Darien. Bobby was startled to see his friend's eyes brimming with unshed tears. He looked at Darien for a second, then clenched his jaw and looked toward the floor again. He was determined to stand his ground about this. When Darien spoke, his voice was low and a little shaky. "I'm sorry about what you went through, Bobby. I'm sorry you went through all that. But in all the time you've spent nursing your wounds because you lost someone you care about, has it ever occurred to you that someone might already care about you?" Bobby's head snapped up at the sound of the anger and pain in his friend's voice. He shot a surprised look at Darien. "You're not the only one who's been through some shit, Bobby. I've lost everyone " He choked a bit. " Everyone I ever cared about. But I'm not ready to pack it in, give up and stop trying to be with people." Darien shrugged. "I care about you." Bobby felt his resolve melting. Darien looked straight into his eyes, "I need you." Bobby's shoulders sagged. "Look, Bobby, I'm not Vivian. And I've been dealing with your paranoia for almost a year. You worry about me now, it isn't getting any worse." Darien stood. He needed to move, and he paced back and forth across the carpet in front of Bobby. "Look, no one can promise they will live forever. Do you plan to never be with anyone ever again? You're too caring of a person for me to believe you can live that way." "I can, I have." Bobby stated his voice still deeper than usual. Darien shook his head. "No, you've been alone. But I know what it's like, and I wouldn't wish it on my enemies. Look, we're together all day, why not at night? What happened between us this afternoon could be just a beginning. I still want you Bobby if you'll trust me." Darien was standing beside Bobby's chair, his eyes glued to his partner's face, waiting hoping. Bobby looked up, Darien was right, he did care too much. If they ever figured out how to take the gland out of Darien's head, if Darien really did leave the agency after that .... Bobby's mind just froze in place. He couldn't think past that point, past the moment when Darien would leave the Agency. What would he do? What would his life be like? Darien wouldn't hang around just for him. No way. He'd be alone again. He'd be back to the high doses of meds again, too. Bobby's throat tightened and a twinge of pain shot across his shoulders from the tension he held in them. He knew he couldn't go through that. Couldn't stand that kind of loss again. He bolted from the room. Darien's jaw dropped. For long moments he stood stock-still, frozen in place, staring at the open doorway Bobby had just fled through, trying to understand what had just happened. The sound of the building's main door slamming shut, forced him into action. Darien raced after Bobby. By the time he reached the street, the van was pulling away from the curb. "Crap!" Darien leaned over and braced his hands against his thighs while trying to catch his breath. As he watched his partner drive off, the disappointment nearly overwhelming him. Bobby drove around for several hours. He didn't want to face his empty apartment just yet. Besides, Darien would try to call him and he wasn't ready to talk to him yet. He picked up some fast food and ate while he drove, he didn't want to stop to eat, but to keep driving for the distraction it offered. Sitting by himself would give him too much time to think. When driving wasn't proving distracting enough, he stopped by one of his favorite hang outs. The people there knew him as a salesman for a industrial fabric company. He pretended to have a good time, talking, joking. But he kept losing track of conversation. He kept thinking about what he and Darien could have been doing together. He knew it was all just a sham. The lovely ladies couldn't get his mind off Fawkes... Darien. yeah, calling him by his last name was just one of those tricks guys used to keep their distance. A way of pretending they didn't like each other, or know each other well enough to use first names. Then they'd give each other nick names. Gland Boy, Penelope, Chosen One.... When the blonde next to him had to call his name three times to get his attention back to her, he gave up on the whole sherade. Bobby was disgusted with himself. He went home. But as hard as he tried to put his partner out of his mind and sleep, he tossed and turned and managed only two hours of sleep just before dawn. ::::::::::::::: Darien spent the night drinking, trying to put Bobby Hobbes out of his mind. He was glad it was the weekend, he didn't want to see Hobbes any sooner than he had to. Darien had been with the Agency for just over a year. The cloak and dagger bit was kind of fun. He like being able to go invisible, he didn't like the side effects. He wanted control of the counteragent himself. Whoa, when had his desire to have the gland removed so he could return to being normal, shifted to wanting control of the counteragent? What did he want? He walked back into the kitchen and rummaged through the refrigerator for another beer, but came up empty. He'd just finished the six pack of Corona, and the slightly wilted lettuce and leftover Chinese take-out that occupied the fridge looked particularly unappetizing. There was nothing here he wanted. He closed the door an leaned his forehead against the cool surface. He wanted Bobby. He ached for Bobby. They had been so perfect together. Then Darien remembered the vodka he'd put in the freezer awhile back. He pulled out the bottle, staring at the silver and blue label. Yeah, maybe something stronger then beer would help. And if he couldn't drown his sorrows, at least he'd be able to take them for a little swim. As the sun came up, rays of early-morning light streaked through the apartment and across Darien's unconscious form lying on the couch. Darien hadn't really slept that night, what he finally had done was pass out. :::::::::::::::::: "Fawkes? Come on we have a case to get started on." Bobby let himself into Darien's apartment. He'd called from the van on his cell phone and all he got was the machine. He neatly dodged several beer bottles that were strew about the living room. " Fawkes, you almost ready?" Bobby knocked on the bedroom door and pushed it open. The bed was still neatly made, clearly no one had slept there. When he turned around and walked back into the living room, he saw Darien sprawled across the couch, fully dressed. He was snoring. "Great just, great. Now I'm his baby sitter on top of being his guardian. Come on Fawkes. Wake up we have work today." Bobby shook Darien by the shoulder. "Arhm?" Darien mumbled, "Obbes?" He opened one eye and glared blearily at Bobby for all of one second before closing it again. "What you doin' here? Go 'way." His head was pounding, every muscle in his body was aching and his mouth tasted like the bottom of the Los Angeles river at low-tide. "Come on get up, you have a job, let's go." Bobby snapped. "It's Saturday." Darien protested, without opening his eyes again. But Bobby was still poking him in the shoulder to keep him from going back to sleep. "Since when does that matter? You didn't hear a word of our meeting with the fat man yesterday did you?" "You were supposed to fill me in. Stop poking me." Darien jerked his body sideways away from Bobby's hand. Oh, bad idea, no sudden moves. Now that he'd moved, Darien noticed the room was doing this funny off-kilter slow-spin. Somewhere in the dark, funny mass that was his brain, a thought wormed its way to the surface, reminding him what that meant. He was about to be sick. He scrambled out of bed and made it to the bathroom just in time to be sick in the toilet. Bobby grimaced. He felt bad for him, but he still had to get his partner moving. Standing just inside the bathroom doorway, Bobby passed a damp washcloth to Darien. "Here... and take a cold shower, that should wake you up." "Do you want some help?" Bobby offered, not sure exactly how he could help, but wanting to make the offer. "Give me a minute." Darien waved Bobby away. The last thing he wanted was to have Bobby help him take a shower. Under other circumstances, maybe. Then he remembered, Bobby didn't want him. It took Darien an hour but he pulled himself together and sat gingerly in the van, waiting for the aspirin he'd taken to kick in and get rid of the headache pounding through his brain. "So, tell me what the case is about?" Bobby briefed him on the assignment Darien kept his eyes closed, head resting against the seat. Bobby managed to talk through the case background, their objective and the procedures they would be using. But every time he glances over towards his partner, his thoughts returned to what had happened between them. He was tempted to bring it up, try to get some resolution. "closure" his therapist had called it. But he stopped himself, He had no idea what to say or how he wanted things to be resolved, so he let it go. For his part Darien kept his mind off Bobby, by not looking at him . By the time they reached the Agency parking lot, Darien was feeling a little better. 'Closer to death-warmed over than actual decomposition.' he thought sarcastically. He headed for the lab as soon as they entered the building. "Bobby... um Hobbes," He looked awkwardly at his partner. " Before we head out I'm going to stop by and see if Claire can give me something for this headache." Darien turned and headed down the hallway. Claire was working at her computer when Darien walked into the lab. "Sorry to bother you, do you have something for a headache?" Claire swivelled her chair around and frowned at Darien. " You shouldn't be having headaches. You haven't been on assignment and you should be at least three days from the first stage of quicksilver madness." As she walked towards him, her expression changed to concern. "Darien, you don't look well." She reached to feel his forehead. " You're not warmer than ususal, what other symptoms are you experiencing?" She studied him, noticing his red rimmed eyes, and immediately took his wrist to check his tattoo. Darien sighed, and took a seat on the exam table. " It's just a hangover Claire, nothing that will harm the gland." "Hmm..." she murmured as she examined his eyes more closely. " Oh, I see. And you know all about the effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the gland, do you?" Darien shrugged listlessly. Claire noticed he looked depressed. She took a breath, realizing that lectures wouldn't help at this point. She wanted to find out what was at the bottom of his depression. "You're not going to make a habit of this I hope?" "No, I'm not. It's just.... never mind. It's nothing." "You know Darien you can tell me anything." Claire began. " I'm here to help you." When Darien didn't answer Claire thought back to yesterday's almost- confrontation between Bobby and Darien. "Is it that argument you were having with Hobbes yesterday?" Darien's eyes flashed with sudden alarm as he glanced up at her, then away, avoiding her eyes. That said volumes. "No, it's not.... well, yeah, a little. Bobby .... Hobbes and I will just have to work it out, y'know?" She nodded, realizing she wouldn't get any further. "Here take these and drink *all* of this water." Claire handed him several small pills and a bottle of spring water. "That should take the edge off your headache and relieve the dehydration. "Drink fluids and get a good night's rest. You should be fine by tomorrow." Darien nodded, hopping off the exam table and heading for the door. Claire watched him go, wondering what the argument had been about that had made Darien upset enough that he had gotten drunk. Then she picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Hobbes? Yes, this is Claire. Could you come down to the lab? I need to talk to you about your partner." ::::::::::::: "Is there something wrong with Fawkes?" Hobbes asked as he joined the Keeper in her lab. Claire looked up from her computer monitor and swiveled the chair around to face Bobby. "Yes, I'm afraid so, he seems depressed." She hesitated, chewing slightly on her lower lip before continuing. " I'm worried about him. I thought you might be able to tell me what's bothering him." Claire studied Bobby. She had a feeling he knew exactly what was troubling Darien. Bobby shrugged, trying to look casual and evade the question, without looking like he was evading the question. "If he didn't tell you, then I can't. We just had a disagreement, he'll get over it." Not satisfied with that answer, Claire decided to probe a bit more. She walked over to Bobby and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Well, he must have been very upset to have gotten so inebriated. It must have been pretty serious...perhaps if you gave me an idea of the problem?" Claire coaxed him. Bobby started to answer automatically, trying to duck the issue, "Nah, it was nothing that serious. I don't know why he'd take it so hard...." Bobby's stomach clenched as a new idea blossomed in his mind. Darien wouldn't be depressed, maybe a little disappointed, but not depressed unless.... Was is possible Darien really did care for him? Love him? He glanced at Claire and then at the lab door. Had he thrown away his chance? He had to get out of there and get to Darien. "Um, thanks Claire. I'll take care of it." Bobby headed for the door. "Thanks for your help." Claire stood where she was, surprised by Bobby's sudden retreat. "You're welcome," she called after him. "Wait! What did I do to help?" ::::::::::::::::::: For the next week neither man spoke about their encounter in Bobby's office. Bobby was treating Darien just like he always had, like a pain-in-the-ass rookie he was forced to put up with. For his part, Darien was just going through the motions, answering questions in short one-word answers. He didn't try to carry on small talk to pass the time. Bobby let him alone. If it wasn't about the case, they didn't talk much at all. But Bobby missed the banter they had shared. At night he had to concentrate on relaxation exercises to keep his mind from wondering to images of him and Darien together. Sleeping provided no relief since he had started dreaming about his partner. Hot, arousing dreams that woke him abruptly in the middle of the night. So, he found himself avoiding sleep. Pushing back his bedtime and deliberately setting his alarm earlier and earlier. Darien was sleeping, but he too was having a hard time keeping his mind from wandering. That one taste of what it could be like with Bobby was making him crazy. He'd been alone for so long. He picked up the phone twice that night to call Bobby, to beg him to give them a chance. But he never quite finished dialing. His nerves got to him and he'd think only of the rejection he would get…he had already gotten from Bobby and hang up. The next night, after dropping Darien off, Bobby stopped at the cleaners to pick up his uniform. He carried it up to his apartment and hung it on the coat tree in the living room. Dinner was especially difficult tonight. Although he'd picked up his favorite dish from the local Chinese restaurant, he just couldn't bring himself to do more than pick at it. His gaze kept returning to the uniform hanging in its dry cleaning bag. His thoughts wandered back to that day in his office. Darien had made him feel incredible. It wasn't just the sex, it was the desire he'd seen in his partner's eyes. Darien had said he loved his build, and proved it by the attention he'd shown to Bobby; kissing, licking, sucking all over his upper body and then.... Bobby shook himself, trying not to remember. His thoughts returned to their conversation the other night, when he'd stormed out of Darien's apartment. That had been a bad moment. What was worse was that Darien was right. Just because Bobby had been hurt in the past didn't mean he should avoid becoming involved with anyone again. Darien wasn't Viv. He understood Bobby's paranoia, and Bobby trusted him…at least as much as he trusted anyone. Bobby sighed and looked up again at the coat tree. Then a smile broke out on his face. He rose to his feet, crossed the room and reached for the dress uniform. ************ Darien was reading when his there was a knock at his door. He didn't get many visitors, but he'd seen two kids selling candy in the building on his way in it might be them. "Hey, what kind do you have?" Darien opened his door, while reaching in his hip pocket for his wallet. He was shocked to see Bobby standing there…in his uniform. "What kind of what do I have?" Bobby raised a wry eyebrow, the smile still stuck to his face. Darien stared a moment, stunned. Then he began smiling as his eyes shone. "Oh, man I hope this means what I think it means. Get in here." He grabbed Bobby's arm and pulled him inside. "Before you start getting ideas…." Bobby began, holding up his hands to stop Darien from grabbing him again. "Too late," Darien grinned, "I've already had several ideas." Bobby tried to glare at him, but couldn't quite manage to look as serious as he wanted. "Okay, but make it quick." Darien was reaching to touch the medals on Bobby chest. Bobby swatted his hand away, "I've been thinking, you were right. We are good together, and…and I do want you." Bobby paused taking a deep breath. "But if we get together, it's exclusive. I won't allow you to play the field." Darien's expression grew serious. "If we're together Bobby, I won't care about anyone else." Darien lowered his mouth to meet his partner's lips thinking, `So hot, so good. Kiss me back Bobby.' Bobby opened his mouth to Darien, allowing the younger man's tongue into his mouth. Strong arms wrapping around his lean body. God that felt good, tasted good. Time became irrelevant as they explored each other again. The kiss lasted until Bobby needed air and broke away. Darien looked into Bobby's dark eyes. "I want you Bobby. Let me show you how good it can be between us." "There's one more thing…"Bobby's voice broke with emotion. "One more thing you should know. I want this to last. I don't think I could take it if you decided to bail on me. I'd lose it." Darien heard the fear in Bobby's voice and responded instantly. "Bobby, I don't want to hurt you. I want to love you. I won't ask any more of you than you feel comfortable with, and I won't leave you." Darien reached his hand to touch the older man's face. "You sure?" Bobby. Darien smiled gently. "I'm sure. Now let me help you out of this magnificent uniform." He kissed Bobby quickly then turned his attention to unbuttoning the large brass buttons that ran down the front of the jacket. He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're naked under here! No shirt!" He smiled wickedly and waggled his eyebrows. "And I'll bet no anything else." Bobby smiled and ducked his head, feeling suddenly shy. "I thought it might speed things up." "Oh, no" Darien said, "I want to enjoy every moment of this." He slowly unbuttoned the jacket, pausing to remove the belt when he came to it, then laid the jacket neatly on the sofa back - he knew it was important to Bobby. Turning back to his partner, Darien lovingly surveyed Bobby's broad shoulders and heavy, muscular build. "God I love your body!" Darien slid his hands across Bobby's chest and around his shoulders to his back. He hugged him close, pressing his body against Bobby's. "Hmmm, you're hard for me too," he whispered in Bobby's ear while sliding their hips together seductively. "Hey, lets see some skin partner," Bobby protested. He wanted Darien to be as naked as he was. Darien slipped his shirt off over his head, then dropped his sweat pants. His fully aroused cock, stretching up in a hard arch as it was released from his clothes. Bobby's voice was deep, his eyes bright with desire. "You look good partner…real good." Darien moved forward, thrilled at Bobby's words. He always thought he was too skinny. Too much length and angle and not enough bulk. Darien and Bobby kissed, grinding their bodies together, rubbing their swollen cocks between them. "We should go to the bedroom, be comfortable." Darien suggested between sucking Bobby's tongue into his mouth and finding a second to breathe. They moved into the bedroom, Darien taking the bottom as they continued to move against each other. Bobby was close already, he could tell. Darien lifted his hips to meet Bobby's thrusting groin. "Yeah, that's it feels good... keep going." "I'm going to come...' Bobby gasped just as he did, his hot come spurting between them. His cock jerking several times as he panted over Darien. "God, you make me so hot." Darien waited for Bobby to catch his breath, then began to move under him. He wasn't there just yet. "What some help with that?" Bobby was feeling adventurous. He slid down his partner's body, kissing Darien's chest and abdomen as he lowered himself to Darien's hips. He hesitated just a moment, then took Darien's long, hard cock into his mouth. "Oh, yeah Bobby, suck me. Like that, ... that's so good." Darien struggled to resist the urge to thrust hard and fast into Bobby's mouth. `Damn!' he thought, `for his first time, he's learning fast.' Bobby tried to remember what Darien had done to him, he stroked with his tongue, pulled with his lips, fondled and stroked some more. The groans of pleasure coming from his partner reassured him he was getting it right. Darien warned him just before he came and Bobby released him from his mouth, continuing to stroke him with his fingers and holding Darien's spasming cock as it emptied onto the sheets. Bobby allowed several moments to pass in silence, listening to his partner as he caught his breath. Darien looked up at Bobby and smiled. "You learn fast. Come here.' Darien kissed his new lover, he was content. Bobby was amazed, he was feeling like he was home, like he'd always been missing something and had found it, here in Darien's embrace. No one, had ever made him feel like Darien did. "You know, it's probably going to kill me when you get your wish and leave the agency. But until then…" Bobby gave a small shrug and moved over Darien, kissing him slowly and deeply. When their lips parted, Bobby looked deep into Darien's eyes, a tiny smile on his lips. "Until then, Bobby Hobbes doesn't bail on his partner." end