Harry Stone was working late in his judge's chambers when Christine Sullivan and Roz Russell walked in. Christine knocked softly as she opened the door.

"Harry? Roz and I are going out for drinks. We were wondering if you wanted to join us."

"Thanks, guys, but I have a ton of work to do. I got way behind when that mad gunmen held us hostage the other day."

"Yeah," said Roz, "having a submachine gun pointed at your temple will put a crimp in your paperwork."

Harry grinned at her then bent his head down and continued writing.

"Well, if you're sure you won't come with us….."

"I'm sure, Christine. Thanks anyway."

"If you change your mind we'll be across the street."

"Gotcha. Have a good time, ladies."

They left and he was alone again with the silence and his writs and subpoenas. He worked steadily for nearly an hour before he took a break. Setting his pen down he sat back in his high-backed chair, stretching mightily to get the kinks out of his neck and back.

Hearing footsteps in the hallway, he glanced up to see Dan Fielding wander by his open office door.

"Dan?" he called.

Reappearing in the doorway, Dan stopped there.

"Hello, Harry."

"I thought you had a date."

"I did. She had to cancel. Something about a family emergency."

"That's too bad."

"Come on, Harry. Family emergency is date code for 'I don't want to go out with you after all'. I've used it myself a few times."

"Now why wouldn't a woman want to go out with you?" Harry asked. "Did she hear about your love 'em and leave 'em style of dating?"

Dan shot him a dark look. "I'm not that bad a guy," he protested, then asked with less confidence, "am I?"

"No," Harry answered quietly. "You're not a bad guy. You just have excessive passion."

Chuckling, Dan said, "It almost sounds like a disease."

Harry smiled. "On you it works."

"Thanks, Harry." Drawing his spine straighter, Dan asked, "What are you up to tonight?"

"Oh, just trying to get caught up on paperwork. You know how it is."

"Actually, no I don't. I get my work done on time." He spoke with an exaggeratedly superior tone.

Harry didn't take him seriously. "Well, us less organized types sometimes get behind." He stood up. "I was just about to take a break. Care to sit for a while, maybe talk or somethin'?"

Dan wavered for a moment then simply said, "Sure."

Both men walked over to the old green leather couch and sat down side by side. Harry pretty much sprawled with one arm across the back of the couch and his long legs stuck out before him. Dan, however, sat on the edge with hunched shoulders and his hands clasped together between his knees.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked quietly.

Glancing at him in surprise, Fielding looked away just as quickly. "Can't fool you, huh?"

Shrugging, Harry replied, "Years on the bench helped me to become a pretty good observer of people. Besides, you've been kinda restless for weeks. So what's wrong?"

Shooting to his feet, Dan began to pace. He started with his hands jammed in his trouser pockets, but once he got going he pulled the right one free and gestured as he spoke.

"I'm losing it, Harry."

"It?"

"My touch. With the ladies."

"Everyone gets in a slump sometime."

"Not Dan Fielding, King of the Court! I do not slump."

Harry remained reasonable. "What do you think is the problem?"

"If I knew that I wouldn't be here with you. I'd be out with Elaine."

The expression on Harry's mobile face altered only minutely but it was enough for Dan to notice.

"Sorry. You know what I mean."

"Yeah. I know." Harry stood up and approached Dan, placing a friendly hand on the other man's shoulder. "Have you ever considered taking a break from pursuing women?"

Dan was taken aback at the idea. "A break? Whatever for?"

"You know, take a breather, a vacation of sorts. Just long enough to regroup, gather your forces, get your head straight….."

"Gain new perspective? God, Harry. Do you always talk in clichés and platitudes? What am I thinking? Of course you do."

They both smiled at that.

"So," Dan continued, "what am I supposed to do on my break?"

"Stop thinking about women. Go to a museum or a movie - alone or with friends. Do something that will keep your mind off the fair sex for a while."

Dan looked mildly interested. "I could do that. Only for a while, right?"

"Only for as long as you can stand it, Dan."

"There's only one problem. I, uh," he cleared his throat, "I don't have any friends that I hang out with. Most of my circle is made up of clients. Wine them, dine them, don't see them again until they need legal advice."

"You have us."

"Us?"

"Me, Bull, Christine, Roz, and Mac."

"I can't see myself going to a museum with Bull. They might decide to keep him as an exhibit."

"You're right. I think the Smithsonian tried that once." Harry squeezed Dan's shoulder. "Tell you what. If you like, I can go with you."

"You in a museum that doesn't display clown noses and rabbits getting pulled out of top hats?"

Smiling good-naturedly at the jibe, Harry declared, "I gots culture."

Dan rolled his eyes.

"Surely two red-blooded males can find something fun to do in this crazy town. In fact, I have an idea for where we can go right now."

"Now? What about your paperwork?"

"I'll get caught up tomorrow. Nearly done anyway. You up for it?"

Dan shrugged. "Sure. Why not? Better than moping around."

"That's the spirit! Let me get my coat and hat and we're off."

"One of us is," Dan muttered.

Harry came back sliding his arms into the sleeves of his leather bomber jacket. He carefully placed his beloved fedora on his head. "I heard that, Mister Prosecutor."

"My apologies, Your Honour," Dan said humbly.

Clapping him on the back, Harry herded him out the door.

Despite Dan's doubts about a pool hall called Sticks, he found himself having a good time. It had been years since he'd played pool. Not since college, he realized, but he'd been pretty good back then. After a few rusty shots, he got his groove back. Harry was an able opponent. He was too able, as it turned out. The judge obviously played often and played well. Dan, in his shirtsleeves, had to struggle to keep up.

He watched as Harry sank the last shot and pounded the table in victory.

"I win! Pay up." He held out his hand palm up.

Dan grumbled. "I've been hustled."

"You'll never hear me admit it. Pay up."

"I demand a rematch."

"Double or nothing?"

Dan slapped his hand into Harry's. "You got it!"

Their hands remained clasped together a fraction longer than necessary. Harry's hand was very warm. It made Dan's tingle slightly. Then they let go and he surreptitiously rubbed his fingertips against his palm.

"Come on, I break first this time."

"After you, Mister Prosecutor."

Dan played better than ever but eventually he missed a shot. He stepped back to allow Harry room to maneuver and watched the Judge go to work.

Bending over the table Harry stretched his lanky form out and became one with the cue. In no time at all he had the table nearly cleared. Dan stood to the side and watched and learned. Couldn't hurt to pay attention to obvious talent.

At some point, Dan became aware that instead of studying Harry's technique he was studying Harry. The Judge had shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. His long, lean body moved easily around the table. He was actually graceful. Harry. Graceful. Not a concept Dan would ever have applied to the gawky young Judge who walked like he wore braces on his legs. His jeans were pulled taut across his butt. He had a very nice butt, not at all skinny like Dan thought it would be.

Whoa!

Dan nearly choked on that thought. Since when had he started noticing another man's ass?

"Damn!" Harry exclaimed. "Missed it. Your turn, Dan." Harry stepped away from the table and picked up his beer bottle.

"What?"

"Your turn."

"Oh. Right."

Dan sighted down his cue and aimed. In his mind he saw Harry's backside on the eight ball, took the shot and missed wildly.

"That didn't take long," Harry commented. He took his place at the table again and quickly finished off the game.

Straightening, he said, "I sense you've lost interest in the sport."

"Um, sorry. I guess maybe I'm tired."

"We can go if you like." Harry's face expressed concern.

"No. That's okay." Dan dug into his wallet. "Here's the money you won."

Taking the cash from him, Harry asked, "Are you hungry? We can grab a bite. Just name the place cuz I'm buyin'."

"How about here?"

"They serve great food here. I thought you'd want to go somewhere classier."

"No. I like it here." Dan smiled as he realized he did like the atmosphere of Sticks. Not too rowdy, not much cigarette smoke in the air, and the smell of good food cooking in the kitchen was tantalizing to his nostrils. There might even be another reason why he liked it here. He wasn't quite ready to voice that thought even in the privacy of his own mind.

They found a booth in the back and scooted in across the leather seats.

After the waitress took their orders, a comfortable silence descended as they settled down to wait for their food to arrive.

"Harry."

"Mmm hmm?" Harry asked around the mouth of his beer bottle.

"Thank you."

"For?"

"For this. I'm having a good time."

Harry grinned hugely. "I'm having a good time, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Could we maybe do it again sometime?"

"Sure! How about tomorrow night after session?"

"Sounds good."

They clinked their bottles together in a toast.

"That's a wrap, people. Good night and good news." Harry banged his gavel and stood up. The usual oddball denizens of the courtroom began clearing out.

Mac Robinson gathered up the papers on the clerk's desk near the bench.

"Any plans for tonight, sir?" he asked.

"As a matter of fact I do have plans, my friend Mac."

"Going out with Dan again?"

"Yup."

"That makes five nights this week."

"Keeping score, Mac?"

The court clerk lifted his hands. "Oh no, sir. You have to admit, though, that it is a bit strange. You and Dan hanging out, becoming best buddies."

Harry's eyes widened exaggeratedly, his mouth opening slightly. "I know. Who'd a-thunk it?" He went through the door and across the hall to his chambers, shedding his robe as he went. Mac followed him.

"Dan's a swell guy once you get to know him. We've had a lot of fun together." He shrugged. "I like him."

"I like you, too, Harry."

The Judge and Mac both turned to face Dan Fielding standing in the doorway. He had his hand over his heart and an intensely sincere look on his face.

Mac spent one confused moment staring first at Fielding and then at Judge Stone, who gazed back at Dan in much the same manner as the prosecuting attorney's.

Then Harry guffawed and Dan laughed and Mac's confusion, for the most part, lifted.

"Ready, Mister Prosecutor?"

"As ever, Your Honour."

"Then let's skedaddle. 'Night, Mac."

"Have a good time, Harry. Dan."

The two men went out.

A moment later Christine, Roz and Bull entered the office.

"Are Harry and Dan going out again?" Christine wondered.

"Yes sirree," Mac told her.

"They're getting awfully chummy," she said.

"Harry said they have a good time together."

Roz said, "I don't see anything wrong with it. I mean, sure Dan is the scumbag of all time but he's Harry's scumbag."

Christine turned to her. "That's not fair, Roz. Dan can be scum, yes, but he has his good side too. He just hides it so well you can't find it."

"Uh huh," Roz said knowingly while Christine grimaced, realizing that, in this case, as a defense lawyer her defense needed work.

Bull spoke up. "Besides, I heard Candy Floss talking to the other regular ladies of the evening down in holding. She said that Dan doesn't hit on any of them any more. No jokes, no come-ons, no opening lines, no….."

"We get the idea, Bull. Besides, Dan has always been particular about the kind of women he goes out with." At everyone's incredulous looks, Christine said, "Well, he has. He sniffs around the hookers but he only goes out with the…..call…..girls. Okay. So that's not a good example. I'm thrown by Dan's new behaviour too. All right?" She folded her arms to contain her fluster.

Bull continued, "I also heard some of the secretaries in the building complaining that Dan doesn't even give them a second look anymore. One of them figured that he has a girlfriend 'cause the only time he doesn't notice them is when he's in a relationship."

"Well, that's just silly," Christine said. "The only one he's been going out with lately is….."

"Harry!" they all said in unison.

Dan closed the door to his apartment behind Harry who stood stock still in the living room gaping around him.

"You've changed the décor since I was here last. What happened to the shag carpeting and the swag lamps and the autographed pictures of the Playboy centerfolds?"

The room was tastefully decorated in subdued earth tones with the hardwood floor on display, gleaming from a recent waxing. The walls held a few prints of the Masters and more contemporary artists.

"Oh, just a few changes. I've been going at it slowly over the past year or so. Hmm. Guess it has been awhile since you were here."

"We weren't exactly best friends back then, Dan."

"Are we now? Forgive me for asking, but it's been a lot longer than a year since I had a good friend let alone a best friend. I'm not exactly sure of the rules. Sure, we've had some good times this week but….. just clue me in, will you?"

Harry clasped Dan's upper arm and gazed compassionately into the dark eyes. "There aren't any rules, Dan. It either is or it isn't. Simple."

"Yeah. Simple." Dan shook himself out of wherever his thoughts were leading him. "Listen, can I get you a drink or something?"

"Nah, thanks but the two beers I had at the game are my limit."

"Heavy drinker, eh? I noticed that about you. You don't exactly imbibe. You make your drink last."

"I've never been a drinker. I prefer to keep my head on straight. Would hate to miss something important."

"Sound thinking, although, I could sure use another drink right now."

"Why?" Harry got in Dan's face, suddenly very intense.

"Why what?"

"You either want a drink or you don't. Why would you need one? What's going on in your head that is leading you to think you need a drink?"

Dan stared at him. "I, uh….."

"Come on, Dan. You can tell me. We're friends."

Dan's expression mirrored his confusion but then it cleared as he reached a decision.

Taking a deep breath he said hurriedly, "I think I'm attracted to you, Harry. Physically. Maybe even sexually."

"It's about time!" Harry reached out and grabbed Dan by the back of the head with both hands and pulled him forward into a kiss.

Startled, Dan reacted to the suddenness of the move, trying to pull away. Then he realized that Harry was only kissing him and it didn't hurt. Tentatively, he kissed him back.

As Dan relaxed into the intimacy, Harry released the other man's head and slipped his arms around his waist and back, drawing him as close as he could. Dan put his arms around Harry's shoulders and neck. The kiss deepened, as they got more comfortable with each other.

Finally they broke apart for air but remained holding one another loosely.

Dan looked at Harry.

"Wow. I never thought you could kiss like that."

"I was inspired."

"But of course."

They both laughed, Dan a little nervously.

Harry tilted his head. "So, you're okay with this?"

"Kissing a man? Kissing my new best friend? It's different."

"How is it different, Dan?" Harry asked softly, watching Dan's eyes.

Licking his lips to give himself time to think, Dan answered, "It's nice. It's…..you're masculine. You kiss differently than women do. You're not sweet but you are soft and hard and strong and I think I liked it."

Moving his pelvis forward, Harry said, "I know you did."

Flushing with embarrassment, Dan left the circle of Harry's arms and moved to stand a few feet away. With his back turned he discreetly adjusted himself in the front then glanced over his shoulder.

"I've never been attracted to a man before. I'm not sure what to do next."

"If you're willing I could show you."

Dan turned to face him. "You've done this before. Obviously. Either that or you've got a hell of a lot more confidence than I do that we won't make fools of ourselves."

"How can we look foolish if we're the only ones here? And, about that other part, yes, I have done this before. A few times."

"I thought you liked women. Hell, I thought I liked women!"

"I do. I believe we both do. Right now, though, it's just you and me and you're the one I want to be with."

Dan swallowed hard. "All right. The bedroom is through there."

"This can't be new," Harry commented, looking at the nearly wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling mirrors in the bedroom. The bed itself was huge and round.

"Yes, well, I haven't finished redecorating yet."

"So these are…..?"

"Leftovers."

"Ah." Harry glanced around. "Don't you get dizzy?"

"It can take some getting used to. You could keep your eyes shut."

"I want to see you when I make love to you, Dan."

Coughing slightly, Dan said, "How about we turn out the lights?"

"Just some of them. Leave one on."

Dan switched on a table lamp across the room and flipped the wall switch to off. Harry began to undress. He put his coat and hat on a chair and began to unbutton his shirt. Dan stood and watched, still unsure of himself. Yet every bit of Harry that was revealed in the dim light made him more certain. He wanted this man.

He hurried to catch up by removing his shirt. Soon they were both down to their boxers and socks, trading amused looks. They might not look foolish but they did look silly standing around in their underwear.

"Come on, Dan." Harry held out his hand.

Forcing his feet to move, Dan went to him and grasped the warm fingers. Harry pushed gently and Dan sat on the bed then laid back. Following him down, the judge leaned over him and languidly drew circles on Dan's chest with his fingertips. Gathering his courage, the older man pushed his fingers into the mop of hair glad that Harry was wearing it longer these days. It suited him better than that short boyish cut he used to favour. Tugging slightly, he drew Harry down to him and they kissed again. Dan decided he did like kissing Harry. He wasn't about kissing men in general, but Harry was different.

Harry was energy and practical jokes and corny one-liners. He was devoted to the law and he was a good friend. And Dan just happened to be falling for him.

He pressed against the mouth that spouted inanities and sucked on the bottom lip. Harry's tongue prodded until Dan opened up then it dove inside and did a thorough exploration. Dan battled back stroking the underside of the violator then closing his lips over it.

Meanwhile, Harry's hands were busy. They got underneath the thin cotton of Dan's shorts and rubbed his belly, fingers winding through the coarser hair between his legs. He came so close to where Dan wanted him to put his hands but never touched him there. He shoved his hips up in an effort to make contact with the wandering hands. It didn't work. Harry used them to hold Dan's hips down.

Moaning in frustration, Dan wrenched his mouth away so he could speak.

"Dammit, Harry! Please!"

"Patience," was the soothing reply.

Dan wasn't accustomed to being the submissive one in a sexual situation, and he had very limited reserves of patience at the moment.

Lifting his head from where his lips and tongue worked on Dan's left side just under the arm, Harry asked, "Do you want this to be slow and easy or fast and furious?"

"I'm too keyed up to go slow, Harry. Please?"

Harry sat up. "Okay by me. We can take our time later."

Later. There was going to be a later. Dan found that very appealing. This was real. It wasn't just a one-time thing and that mattered very much.

Oh yeah. He wasn't just falling for this scrawny scarecrow of a man. He had already fallen hard.

They rid themselves of the last of their clothing, smiling sheepishly when they caught each other stealing curious glances.

Dan snaked his arms out and pulled Harry on top of him, rolling over so that the younger man was on his back. He looked down into those expressive eyes and saw desire. Letting instinct take over, Dan ground his hips into Harry's. Their erections rubbed against each other. Harry slipped his hand between their bodies and grasped the twin columns of flesh, stroking them together as he also began to rock back and forth.

Dan marveled at the foreignness of what they were doing. It was strange and invigorating for it's difference. An entirely new experience for him, he simply went with it and enjoyed himself.

Just when he felt his climax building, Harry clamped his thumb and forefinger around the base of Dan's arousal effectively stopping it.

"Wha…..?"

"Not yet, Dan. Not yet." Harry twisted his head to the side, his eyes on the nightstand. "Do you have any lube?"

"Yeah, in the drawer. Wait. What are you going to do?" His insides turned icy at the thought of being penetrated.

Squirming out from under him, Harry fished the K-Y and a condom out. "Not me. You."

He reached for Dan's softening erection and quickly stroked it back to life. Then he removed the prophylactic from it's packaging and placed it on the tip of the sensitive organ. He looked up into Dan's eyes as he rolled the sheath down. Placing the K-Y in Dan's hands, and a quick kiss on Dan's parted lips, he laid back down in the middle of the bed with a pillow under his hips. He was face down.

Dan understood immediately. He hesitated, though. Letting his gaze fall on the rounded backside exposed for his appreciation, he touched it hesitantly. That brought about a shiver from Harry who wriggled into the pillow. Dan cupped the smooth skin and ran his palm over both globes, then put his hands on either side.

"That's it, Dan. You're getting the idea now." Harry's voice was muffled as he spoke into the mattress.

Shifting around until he knelt between the legs spread out before him, Dan slipped his hands down to grasp the hips and brought Harry closer to where he wanted him.

"I'd be grateful if you used a lot of lubricant. Makes it easier on both of us."

"Right." Dan squeezed some of it into his palm and rubbed his hands together briefly. "Um….." He was suddenly unsure of what to do next. He thought he knew, it couldn't be that different, but he didn't want to hurt Harry. And there was still the matter that this was a man. He shook off that fear and the accompanying taboo. This was Harry. He could do this. He wanted to do this.

He put his hands between Harry's legs, feeling for one absurd moment like he was back in college on the football field waiting to receive the ball. He laughed giddily at that thought.

"I realize the view back there may be a little odd but I hardly think it's a laughing matter." Despite the words, Harry's tone was teasing.

"Sorry."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he smiled, "more than okay." Dan rubbed his hands together again, put more lube on his fingers and began to stroke the separation of the cheeks, starting at the bottom and working up. He did it over and over until Harry groaned into the bedspread and, at last, Dan let his finger slide inside the opening. He felt it give a little as Harry relaxed his inner muscles and wiggled his finger around inside the tight channel. He shoved another finger in beside the first and repeated the action. When the third finger went in without too much resistance he pulled them all out. Harry grunted his frustration.

"Soon. Very soon."

Dan grasped his shaft and flattened his other hand against Harry's ass to guide himself inside. He slid in slowly past the ring of muscle until he popped through and went in so quickly it surprised him. Harry immediately pushed back against him.

Dan thrust forward and Harry thrust back.

It wasn't the fast and furious he had wanted, not yet, but they were definitely building to it. It was still a weird sensation for Dan to be looking down on the back of a man while having sex, but he was quickly growing to like it.

Harry made a strange noise in his throat and braced himself up on his elbows. The motion changed their position slightly and Dan found himself sliding in even deeper. The tip of his cock brushed up against something inside and he knew that he had found Harry's prostate. The other man threw his head back and yelled.

Oh yeah. He'd found it all right.

Dan rode him hard. Every push was rewarded with a violent shove from underneath. The firm flesh of Harry's ass banged up against Dan's balls. The friction of the pistoning drove him crazy and, by the sound and feel of it, it was also making Harry wild. Just when Dan felt his swollen balls drawing up tight against his body, Harry reached between his legs and gripped his own cock, pumping it frantically. Dan was fascinated by the duality of their movements. Every push from him made Harry stroke harder. Then Dan knew he couldn't hold back any longer.

"Harry!" he gasped.

"Go Dan! I'm right with you!"

Hot seed gushed into the tip of the condom deep inside Harry's body, and right after that Harry shuddered fiercely then dropped back onto the mattress. Dan followed him down and lay draped across his heaving back for a moment, savouring the heat of Harry's shoulder blade under his cheek. Finally, he gathered the energy reserves to pull out and dispose of the condom in the wastebasket beside the bed.

He looked at his new lover who lay where he'd collapsed, sprawled on the bed with the pillow still underneath him. Dan sat next to him, running a cautious hand down the long flank. He wished more than anything to curl up beside him and have a long sleep. Harry stirred and turned his head so he could look at him through spiky blond eyelashes.

"Hi."

"Hi yourself."

"That was really great, Dan."

"Yeah, it was," Dan replied softly. "But now what?"

Harry considered the question. "Can we snuggle?"

Delighted that his mind had been read, Dan said, "Yes, we can."

"Wanna get the light?"

While Dan walked across the room to shut off the lamp, Harry pulled the covers down and got underneath them. Before Dan could turn around again, Harry said, "You have a nice ass, too."

Whirling around in surprise, Dan could only stare.

"I knew you were checking me out that first night at Sticks."

"How?"

"They have mirrors, too. I saw you."

Happily, Dan switched off the light and returned to the bed where he joined his lover under the covers. They settled in with their arms around each other and closed their eyes.

"Dan?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"I think maybe I feel more than friendship and attraction for you. Maybe…..I'm falling in love with you."

His voice catching in his throat, Dan replied, "I'm absolutely delighted to hear that."

"Good night, Dan."

"Good night, Harry."

~ end ~