Joe LaFiamma sighed as he leaned against the wall carefully maintaining a clear line of sight out the window despite his desire to start pacing. He wanted to be doing something, anything but forced himself to remain still. God, he hated stakeouts some days. Even though he understood the necessity, intellectually knew they had merit, he still felt like they were a huge waste of time.

He glanced over at his partner. Levon Lundy looked as comfortable as if he were sitting in his own living room, brown eyes casually watching their target. He'd been the same position for more than an hour.

Joe shook his head, caught between amazement and annoyance. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" Levon asked without turning to look at him.

"Sit still for so damn long." Joe made a frustrated gesture.

Levon shrugged one shoulder, still not looking at him. "Ain't really hard, LaFiamma."

Joe snorted, blue eyes once more studying the building across the street. "Says you."

Levon chuckled. "Would think all that workin' out you do, you wouldn't have so much nervous energy."

"I. Am. Not. Nervous."

Levon gave him a sly look, eyes sparkling with mischief. "You think spirited works better?"

"What…like one of your horses?"

"My very own Italian Stallion."

In spite of himself, Joe laughed. "That's…terrible."

Levon laughed with him, giving Joe a quick wink. "Says you."

Joe smiled, shaking his head. He turned back to watching the street and the target building. He sighed again, bored. Nothing had happened since they got here and it was highly likely nothing would.

"Tell me again why we're here." He knew it would annoy Levon, which is why he said it. There was nothing better to do than tease his partner.

Levon hung his head for a moment, expression a blend of resignation and annoyance. "You know why."

Joe bit his lip to keep from smiling. "Tell me again."

Levon grimaced. "You are such a pain in the ass."

"But you love me anyway."

Levon sighed. "It is unfair of you to use that against me."

"It's unfair that I'm being punished right along with you when I didn't do anything wrong."

"This is not punishment, LaFiamma."

"Could have fooled me." Joe snorted. "We are working a double shift watching an empty house."

"Point." Levon sighed. The blond rubbed one hand over his face, pinching the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger. "How the hell was I supposed to know it was the Commissioner's kid I pulled over for drunk driving? Little bastard was weavin' all over the road, Joe. I couldn't just let it go. He could have killed someone."

"Understand that, Cowboy." Joe genuinely did. He wouldn't have let it slide either having seen more than his share of traffic fatalities. "But did you have to put him in the drunk tank and make sure he was there all night before anyone knew where he was?"

"Time in the drunk tank is S.O.P, Joe. And it wasn't like it was the first time the little bastard had been pulled over. This was the third time." Levon pointed out. "You think I shoulda gone easy on him?"

"No." Joe grinned. "I think you should have made sure it was someone else's name on the arrest report."

"Well I did add yours." Levon snickered. He pointed a finger at Joe. "And this isn't all my fault. It was you who impounded the kid's car. Hear tell it was mistakenly listed for demolition too. Sucker is nothing but a metal cube now."

Joe rearranged his features to reflect his most innocent expression, knowing full well Levon wouldn't buy it. Joe wouldn't have let the impound manager pay off the favor he owed if the Commissioner hadn't showed up at the office ranting and raving about how dare Levon arrest his son. It smacked of Nepotism, and Joe didn't care for seeing Levon verbally dressed down for doing his job. He figured it wouldn't hurt to balance things out a bit.

"Don't give me that innocent look." Levon rolled his eyes. "I saw the impound order. Can't prove you had the kid's car totaled but I KNOW you had it locked up on the lot."

Joe shrugged. "Kid was a brat. And his old man should know better than to bust his chops on you for doing your job. His time would have been better spent teaching the brat some manners."

"True." Levon sighed. "This might be a monumental waste o' time, but least this gig ain't really all that bad."

Joe nodded. As pointless as this assignment was it wasn't particularly painful. As far as pissing contests went, Joe still considered them the winners.

"We spending the night at my place?" Joe asked quietly.

"Closer than the ranch." Levon said, non-committal, tone clearly stating he didn't care where they went. He yawned widely and shook himself slightly. "Wouldn't mind a shorter drive."

"Grady can take care of the horses?" Usually the horses were the deciding factor when it came to where they spent the night.

"Can call him tomorrow mornin'." The Texan glanced at his watch and frowned. "Well…call him later this morning I guess would be more the case." Levon's neighbor was retired, but like the blond was a habitual early riser. He wouldn't be bothered by a phone call first thing in the morning.

Joe nodded. "My place it is then." He did a mental inventory of the refrigerator. There should be enough food there to make something for breakfast.

Lately they'd taken to spending more time at the ranch. Joe didn't really mind. The ranch was far more private than his apartment building. It certainly gave them more opportunity to be openly affectionate without having to worry about someone seeing them together.

Joe grinned thinking how nice it was not to have to worry about disturbing the neighbors. It certainly made for far more liberated rounds of love making. And definitely more vocal. Joe liked making noise, liked hearing Levon make noise.

Joe had been amazed by how much more comfortable he was finding his time at the ranch than at his apartment. He never thought he'd be the sort to enjoy life away from an urban setting. But he loved sitting on Levon's back porch, just letting the quiet wash over him. It wasn't hard to see why Levon loved the ranch as much as he did. It was rapidly becoming Joe's favorite place to be.

It wasn't all one-sided. Levon definitely had strong feelings for the sunken, whirlpool tub in Joe's apartment. Joe thought they should just invest in getting a hot tub for the ranch, but Levon didn't think it was a luxury he really needed to have. The man wasn't exactly tight-fisted, but he was definitely frugal.

Joe had to admit that since he had adopted some of Levon's conservative spending habits his own financial position was a lot stronger than it had been. Not that most of their coworkers would believe that. Joe's expensive taste in clothes and the vintage Cobra he drove seemed to be more than enough proof to nearly all of them he was living beyond his means.

Joe sighed and moved to sit down next to Levon. The whole place only had two chairs. Joe figured who ever set of the stakeout location must have been a cheapskate. It wasn't like there wasn't room for more than a couple of metal folding chairs.

He bumped Levon's shoulder with his. "How much longer before we can leave?"

"You forget your watch again?"

"I blame you for that." Truth was he rarely wore it. Levon always had his so, Joe didn't see the need. His lover had been very grateful when Joe had presented him with the fully repaired watch. Sam had managed to fix the damage done when Levon had been hit by a car three months ago. He even found replacement turquoise stones, at minimal cost, that were very close matches to the originals.

"Ya blame me?" Levon raised both eyebrows, giving Joe a disbelieving look. "And exactly how is it my fault?"

"You distracted me."

Levon frowned. "I didn't do anything."

"You bent over." Joe leaned in and whispered. "You know very well what the sight of your ass in those jeans does to me."

Joe was delighted to see the faint blush that rose to dust color across Levon's high cheekbones. He had seen it often enough he could tell the difference between when his lover was embarrassed but flattered and just embarrassed. Levon was definitely flattered.

Levon gave him a sly look, eyes glinting. "Maybe I ought ta get dressed in the bathroom from now on."

"Don't you dare." Joe shook his finger at his lover. "Would start my day off all wrong."

Levon smirked. "But ya'd probably remember yer watch."

Joe rolled his eyes. "Like watching you slide into those sinfully tight jeans a hell of a lot more than I need to know what time it is."

"Uh-hunh." Levon snickered. "That would explain why you jus' asked me what time it was."

"I didn't ask what time it was." Joe straightened up, affronted dignity to the fore ruined by the smile he couldn't suppress. "I asked how much longer until we could leave."

"Right." Levon chuckled. "Huge difference there."

"Monumental." Joe agreed with a grin. "And you didn't answer my question."

"Got another hour 'fore our relief shows up."

Joe grimaced. "Damn."

"Amen brother." Levon yawned again. "Maybe we'll get lucky and somethin' will happen."

"We never get that lucky."

Brown eyes raked over him with a nearly tangible touch, innuendo clear in his voice when he spoke. "I'll make sure ya get lucky later."

"Cowboy…don't do that." Joe shuddered and tried to immediately rein in his imagination. "That's just mean to do when you know I can't do anything about it."

"Yeah, I know." Levon sighed and shifted in his seat.

"No hanky-panky at work." They recited in unison.

"We're in the home stretch, LaFiamma." Levon patted his shoulder before shoving him slightly. "Now git yer ass back ta your post."

"Aye, aye, Sir." Joe threw his lover a sloppy salute, and moved to go back to his window. Even though this gig was likely a wild goose chase no one would be able to accuse either of them of being slackers. The commissioner might be an ass, but they had a reputation of being very good at their jobs, and that meant they'd see this through with the same degree of competence with which they undertook every job.

The assignment wasn't really a wild goose chase on paper. The house had been a known distribution center for drugs. Somehow drugs and prostitution always seemed to go hand in hand, so it wasn't exactly a huge surprise to find patrons of the location had been busted for both. Vice had made a raid six months ago but that didn't mean they'd managed to shut down the operation completely or permanently. Periodic stakeouts were required to ensure operations didn't resume.

Joe stared out at the street. The real need for them to be here was decidedly depressing if he let himself dwell on it. This assignment wasn't the sort of thing they would normally work on, and might well be a waste of time tonight, but Joe had a feeling somewhere down the road it would be necessary. Some days their job seemed like an exercise in futility. It was like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon.

"Stop thinkin' so hard."

"What?" Joe looked at Levon, startled by having his thoughts interrupted so abruptly.

"Yer gonna give yerself stress fractures in yer forehead you keep that up." Levon commented quietly, raising one hand to rub a spot between his eyes where Joe knew a line had to be forming between his own.

"Tell me again why we do this?"

"Because we're good at it." Levon answered without bragging. "We love doing it." The blond's lips quirked upward. "An' every once in awhile we put away a bad guy for good. Make the streets a little safer. Most people sleep sound at night knowin' we are doin' what we do."

Joe took a deep breath, nodding slightly, feeling better. "Thanks."

"My pleasure." Levon winked at him. "And jus' so you know, this job ain't the only thing I love."

Joe could feel a bit of color warming his own cheeks. He bit his lip and nodded once without looking at Levon. If he looked at him their no hanky-panky rule would not survive.

"Feel the same way, Cowboy."

"I know."

Joe loved hearing the confident agreement in Levon's tone. If he could just convince the other man to believe that he was beautiful he'd be set for life. Joe had tried telling him a number of times since they'd gotten together, but Levon always maintained that he wasn't beautiful. Or he just nodded and smiled humoring Joe rather than argue about it.

Joe hadn't given up the fight yet. He was just working on finding some other way to show his lover that he didn't just think him beautiful because he was besotted with him. Not that he wasn't besotted--oh he most definitely was madly, mindlessly and passionately in love with Levon--Joe just didn't think that made him biased.

Joe risked a glance over at Levon, just taking a moment to appreciate the long, lanky frame, the way his blond hair curled rebelliously out from under the ever present Seton. Joe's fingers itched to feel those silky curls, to touch the smooth skin, to see those incredible golden brown eyes lose focus, pupils dilate in response to Joe's touch. He took a deep breath, shuddering slightly forcing himself to look away.

With concerted effort Joe focused his attention back to the target building. He didn't want his mind to wander too far from the job at hand. Even though contemplating Levon was certainly a more appealing. He counted bricks in the wall and used that boring activity to center himself.

He was grateful when Levon initiated conversation that covered their other current cases, cases that had been put on hold while they were working this stakeout. It helped pass the time, and seemed a lot more productive than what they were doing. This was mercifully the last night they had work this shitty assignment. Joe was eager to get back to taking a more proactive approach to law enforcement.

A soft tap at the door brought Joe instantly alert. He had his hand on his gun and his back against the wall in one less than a second. Levon rose smoothly out of his chair to put his back against the other wall, moving with his usual easy grace, no sign of hesitation or stiffness from having been stationary for so long. The blond traded a look with Joe, and a quick nod signaling he was ready.

Another soft knock. "Lundy? LaFiamma? It's Henderson and Vega."

Brad Henderson and Carl Vega were from Vice and their scheduled relief. Joe raised an eyebrow. Levon glanced at his watch, expression curious and wary. "They're early."

"How early?"

"Twenty minutes."

Joe frowned. He didn't like surprises on the job. They usually didn't bode well. "What the hell are they doing here?"

"Maybe we ought ta ask them that." Levon's dry tone made Joe want to smack him.

"Wise ass." Joe snorted, drawing his guns. "For that you can be the one to open the door."

"What happened ta you bein' the one who always goes first?" Levon's grumbled protest wasn't even half hearted. He was already moving toward the door, steps nearly soundless despite his boots and the hardwood floor.

Levon stayed off to the side of the door, opening it without standing in front of it. The blond's position gave Joe a clear line of sight and kept him from being framed by the door and an easy target for whoever was on the other side. Seeing who it was, Levon relaxed to lean casually against the wall, faint smile curling his lips and he folded his arms across his chest.

"You boys have trouble tellin' time?"

"Nah." Vega grinned, white teeth bright in the dim lighting. "Figured you boys might want a chance to knock off early."

"Specially since you bein' on this gig is jus' the Commissioner's way o' assertin' his authority." Henderson added with a knowing grin.

Joe grimaced, holstering his weapons unobtrusively. Henderson's nasal twang grated on Joe's nerves. His voice reminded the Chicago native of rusty hinges. He couldn't figure out how Vega could stand it.

"And what did you do to be punished?" Joe asked.

"Periodic surveillance." Vega shrugged. "Everyone on Vice takes a turn at this from time to time."

"Although, it was a real nice break for us to have you guys takin' the lion's share this week." Henderson laughed, moving further into the room. "Might want to see if we can get you reassigned permanently."

"Henderson, be best you shut up now." Levon's eyes narrowed, clearly not amused. Joe almost regretted holstering his guns. He wouldn't have to kill Henderson, just maim him a little.

"I'm sure after awhile ya'd love it." Henderson continued, grinning. "Get used to all the monotony."

He opened his mouth to say something else, but Levon neatly cut him off. "Friday. February twenty-third. Seven years ago."

The comment was cryptic to Joe but the way Henderson's mouth snapped shut made it clear he got whatever Levon was referring to. Levon arched an eyebrow, giving Henderson a significant look. The other cop looked away.

"That's what I thought." Levon nodded, raising two fingers to the brim of his hat. "You boys have a good night now, ya hear?"

As they left the building, Joe shot his partner an inquisitive look. The time frame for Levon's comment to Henderson was before Joe had gotten transferred to Houston. Seven years ago he'd never thought he'd be anywhere but Chicago.

"What was the big deal about the date you said to Henderson?"

Levon smiled wickedly. "Two days 'fore he got married."

Joe frowned, not seeing any significance in that. "So?"

"Was also his official graduation from uniform ta Vice. Him and his buddies from college started celebratin' his promotion and upcomin' wedding." Levon chuckled, head shaking slightly. "One should never underestimate how damn dumb a bunch o' drunks can be. Or creative."

Levon kept laughing as he pulled out his keys for the Jimmmy. "Was lucky for him that they ended their bar hopping tour at Chicken's. An' he called me 'fore he called in the beat cops."

Joe laughed until he nearly cried as Levon began relaying the events of that evening as he drove them to Joe's apartment. The blond's description the group of drunks movements from each bar, citing their activities along the way, all done with a straight face and put upon tone just made it that much more amusing. Joe wiped at his eyes, shaking with silent laughter as Levon kept talking.

Levon shook his head, tone torn between amusement and amazement. "Still not quite sure where the hell they got the donkey. But I know the poor thing as glad to see me as Chicken was. And I never EVEN wanted to ask what they hell they were thinking o' doing with that goat."

Joe held his sides, biting his lip to contain howls of laughter. Dear god. Some how he wasn't surprised to find out a bachelor party in Houston managed to involve livestock.

"I finally got the stripper home about five in the morning with her virtue intact if not her costume."

Joe snickered. He wasn't at all surprised to find out the girl had cold cocked not one but two of the guys there. It sounded more like Levon had to rescue the guys from her rather than the other way around.

"Took the rest o' the mornin' but I got Henderson sobered up and cleaned up and to the church on time. Have no idea where his best man ended up, but he never did make the wedding."

Joe reined in his amusement enough to ask, "Does his wife know about any of this?"

"Given how quickly he shut his mouth, I'm betting he thinks she doesn't."

Joe raised both eyebrows. "But you know better?"

"Yep." Levon grinned. "One o' his buddies had a camera with him. I know she saw the photos, and she knows I was the one to get his sorry ass to the church." Levon chuckled. "She even thanked me later for makin' sure the whole situation didn't get any worse than it was."

"You mean you just intimidated him with an empty threat?" Joe started laughing again. "That's just…so unlike you. Sneaky and underhanded." Joe patted his partner's shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Cowboy. Didn't know you had it in you."

Levon shrugged. "Hey, iffen he was more of a man and came clean with his wife, I'd have nothing to hold over him."

"Point." Joe took a deep breath and then another, stifling the urge to giggle. He felt good, relaxed and at ease for what felt like far too long. "Man, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."

Levon dipped his head slightly as though bowing in acknowledgement. "Yer welcome."

Joe's apartment building was mostly dark when they arrived. At two in the morning, he hadn't really expected anything else. The parking lot was always lit as were the doorways and a few windows. Joe thought none of those lights were anywhere near as welcoming as the single porch light Levon often left lit for him.

Levon parked the Jimmy in the back lot. It wasn't exactly a hiding the vehicle, but it was certainly more discrete than if he parked out front. Only residents used the back lot so there was no through traffic, and fewer people were likely to notice his vehicle. Given the fact that they took Levon's Jimmy more than they did Joe's Cobra, often leaving the vintage sports car in the more secure police garage, Joe thought most of his neighbors likely believed it was Levon who lived there not him.

They headed for the back door. Joe frowned when he saw it had been propped open. It wasn't uncommon for some of the residents to prop the door for a delivery man. Joe hated it when they did that.

"Would it kill them to just meet the guy at the door? Or be in the lobby to meet him?" Joe bitched quietly, unable to stop himself even though Levon had heard this all many times before.

Levon just opened the door, bent down and picked up the rock being used to hold it open, took two steps and tossed it. The rock sailed easily to the edge of the parking lot. It wouldn't keep people from doing the same thing again, but they'd definitely have to find something else to do it with or be willing to go further a field to retrieve the rock.

Joe made sure the door shut firmly behind them, still grumbling about the stupidity of people. Levon ignored his complaints with a practiced ease. Joe couldn't decide if he was reassured or annoyed by that. He opted to table that for when he had a more serious complaint or round of venting going on.

Joe would ordinarily take the stairs to his apartment, but Levon preferred the more expedient elevator. At this time of the morning he sided with his partner. He didn't have the energy or inclination to tackle ten flights of stairs.

Levon yawned and shifted his weight slightly from where he leaned against the back wall of the elevator to rest against Joe. It was something he did often enough that Joe had already braced himself to accept the added weight, smoothly supporting his partner. He liked knowing Levon trusted him enough to just take his support for granted, to relax his need for space down to non-existent. It was something Joe had seen Levon do very rarely with anyone else.

The faint ding of the elevator announced their arrival on Joe's floor and Levon straightened, pulling away. The Italian cop already missed the feel of Levon's weight and warmth. He sighed silently and reminded himself they'd be in his apartment soon.

Despite Levon's earlier statement about him getting lucky, Joe was certain all they'd be doing was going to bed to sleep. They were both too tired to really do more than that. Still, in the grand scheme of things, Joe considered himself damn lucky to have even that much. And he was sure they'd make up for the rest tomorrow.

Joe opened the door to his apartment, and deactivated the alarm. He'd had the alarm added as an extra precaution when a suspect on a case began stalking him. The suspect managed to break into his place at one point, and Joe wanted to ensure that never happened again.

He'd tried to convince Levon to get a security system as well. The cowboy refused stating his place was far enough off the beaten path only those who knew were to look were going to find it. And if they knew where to look, a security alarm wasn't likely to deter them much.

"You want something to eat?" It wasn't uncommon for Levon to have a snack before bed when they worked a long or late shift. The blond's higher metabolism needed a bit more fuel more frequently than Joe's.

"Nah." Levon took off his hat, hanging it from the hook Joe had installed near the door for just that purpose, fingers running through his hair. "I'm good."

Joe nodded. Together they headed for the spiral stairs and bed. They took turns using the master bath, completing their usual nightly rituals swiftly.

Joe kept the air conditioning in the bedroom set at a temperature that made snuggling under the blankets something he was comfortable doing. Which mean it was just a bit cooler than Levon would prefer. The Texan never complained about it, but he definitely tended toward stealing the covers when they slept at Joe's place.

Joe pulled Levon in close when they slid under the comforter. Levon shivered, burrowing into Joe, seeking the warmth he freely offered. Joe naturally found himself playing with Levon's hair as he did every night, enjoying the silky feel of the curls running through his fingers. Levon sighed softly in response to Joe's actions, warm air ghosting over his bare skin. Eliciting that sigh was nearly as nice as the feel of Levon's hair sliding between his fingers.

Joe could almost feel Levon falling asleep. He unconsciously cataloged muscles twitching a bit randomly as they relaxed, breathing slowing and getting deeper, the increased heaviness. He loved being able to share this, found it nearly impossible to sleep without it.

Joe felt as though he'd just closed his eyes when a blaring alarm, shrill and piercing startled him. Levon was up and moving just as quickly as Joe, both of them reaching for guns left nearby-Levon's in the night stand and Joes hanging from the bedpost. It took Joe a second to realize the klaxon he was hearing was the fire alarm and not a danger they needed to be armed for.

"Shit." Levon cursed softly, turning on the bedside lamp, giving them enough light to see by. The Texan was out of bed and scrabbling for his jeans a second later. Joe was right behind grabbing a pair of slacks he'd uncharacteristically left lying on the floor, unconsciously maintaining his hold on his guns simply switching the shoulder holsters from one hand to another as needed.

Levon grabbed a shirt, starting to pull it on when he must have realized it wasn't his. He called Joe's name tossing it to him. For once Joe was glad he'd just left his clothes where he'd dropped them rather than hanging them up or putting them in the hamper. It certainly made it easier to handle this situation.

Levon didn't bother to button his shirt, as he moved toward the stairs, slipping his shoulder holder so that it was secure but not really buckled on. Joe hesitated for a moment. If the building was really on fire then there was definitely something he wasn't leaving behind. He stepped toward his dresser and grabbed the beautiful ornate, silver gilt frame that held the only picture he had of Levon as a child.

Not wanting the frame or photo to be damaged, Joe looked for something to wrap it in. The blaring alarm made it hard to think, its high-pitched tone designed to encourage movement not thoughtful consideration. Levon had stopped in the bedroom doorway, expression clearly asking Joe what the hold up was.

Joe held up the photo. "I need something to wrap it in." He didn't yell but he definitely had to raise his voice to be heard.

Levon nodded. If anyone would understand the importance of a picture it was Levon. The cowboy's photo wall at the ranch was proof of the value he placed on photo remembrances.

Levon grabbed the yellow silk robe Joe had gotten him from the nearby bathroom door. He tossed it to Joe. "Now let's get the hell out o' here."

Joe grinned, carefully wrapping up the photo as he followed Levon down the stairs. He knew his partner loved that robe. He could have grabbed anything.

Joe grimaced as he realized he could have grabbed anything too. He just didn't know what to use since he couldn't figure out what to leave behind. Joe tried not to think about all the things he was leaving behind. He knew better. No matter the sentimental or monetary value none of it was worth dying for. The only thing he ever considered worth dying for was already moving in front of him, pulling on boots over bare feet and reaching for his Stetson.

Joe slid into his loafers. He opened the door and bit back a curse. The sprinklers in the hall had kicked in. Levon just shook his head, a resigned expression on his face as he pulled his hat down firmly.

"We need ta make sure the buildin' is clear." Levon commented, leaning in slightly so Joe could hear him clearly.

Joe nodded. He tucked the silk wrapped bundle inside his shirt and headed for the stairs. They'd start at the top and work their way down. How anyone could sleep through the alarms and sprinklers and the sound of other people fleeing, Joe couldn't even begin to fathom, but he knew it could and did happen.

The sirens were in the hallways, so stepping into the stairwell muted them, a fact Joe was grateful for. His ears had been starting to ring. "You wanna split up floors?"

"Hell no." Levon answered firmly as they started to climb. "If this place really is on fire then I ain't lettin' you outta my sight."

Joe nodded. The last thing he wanted was to lose track of his partner in a burning building. The day had already been bad enough. No reason to turn it into one of his worst nightmares.

Getting to the top floor took them less than five minutes. Joe thought they might have set a record. He grinned at Levon.

"Not even breathing hard, Cowboy." He patted him on the shoulder. "Not too shabby."

"Shaddup." Levon smirked, brown eyes dancing. "Told ya I didn't need ta work out."

Joe chuckled, shaking his head. "You want the right side or the left?"

"Left." Levon moved out of the stairwell and started banging on doors. Joe took the right side of the hall, cursing the sprinklers for a second time.

Joe got a response from half the doors he hammered on. He brusquely ordered people out, making damn sure they didn't hang around and try and decide what they needed to take with them. Doors no one answered he simply kicked in. He knew Levon was doing the same. There'd be more than one tenant who'd need to have the door jamb repaired.

People were moving toward the stairs in a more or less orderly fashion. Clearing the top floor they followed the last of the tenants down and headed for the next floor. It was a repeat of the top floor. By the third floor down they encountered a lot fewer people. Joe was pleased to note that most of his neighbors seemed to be sensible sorts.

By the time they were back to Joe's floor he knew for certain the fire alarm had a valid reason for blaring. Smoke was starting to fill the stairwell. Levon grimaced, brown eyes narrowed in concern, coughing.

"Gonna have to leave this ta the experts soon."

Joe pursed his lips, reluctantly forced to agree. "One more floor."

"One more." Levon agreed.

Joe was damn glad he hadn't pushed for more when they were done. The smoke was so dense he couldn't see more than a foot or two in front of him. It wasn't the exertion that had him breathing hard. He kept a hand on Levon as they headed for the ground floor and outside not wanting to lose him in the increasingly dense smoke. If he had to guess he was betting the fire had begun on one of the lower floors.

Instinctively he worried that they might not be able to actually get out of the building. Joe clamped down hard on that fear and just kept moving. He kept one arm one Levon and the other hugged his chest making sure he still had the photo he'd grabbed before they'd left his apartment. He was relieved when they encountered firemen in full gear heading up.

"You two the last?"

The question was muffled coming through the fireman's mask but it was clear enough for Joe to understand. "Think so." He coughed. "Checked all the floors above nine."

"You checked?" One of the fireman gave Joe a look that he'd given to civilians once or twice when they'd done something particularly stupid that was best reserved for professionals.

"We're cops." Joe couldn't tell if Levon's gruff tone was due to annoyance or from inhaling smoke. The look in his eyes made Joe think it was the former more than the latter.

The firemen nodded, and pointed them toward the door. Joe didn't argue. Levon kept pace with him, both of them damn glad to finally be outside and breathing fresh air.

Joe coughed and turned his head to the side to spit the foul taste out of his mouth. He knew his partner was doing the same. Emergency personnel started leading them toward waiting ambulances. Not really feeling up to fighting, Joe figured it would be easier to go along for now. But if they tried to load him up in one, all bets were off.

He didn't shrug off the blanket they gave him. Running through the sprinklers had left him with decidedly damp clothing. He saw Levon shiver and wrap the blanket he'd been given more tightly around himself.

Joe sipped from the water bottle he'd been offered, letting the cool liquid ease the raw feeling in his throat. He moved to offer it to Levon before he realized his partner had been given his own bottle. Joe eyed all the people milling around. The crowd was composed of rescue and emergency personnel, tenants and the inevitable gawkers that seemed drawn to any disaster no matter what time or how big or small. He hated them.

Knowing how Levon felt about crowds, he bumped Levon's shoulder with his to get his attention. "Wanna wait in the Jimmy?"

"Yeah." Levon looked decidedly relieved.

They made their way to the Jimmy, working their way to the edge of the crowd and around rather than directly through them. It wasn't until they were at the door of the Jimmy that it occurred to Joe they hadn't grabbed the keys. He felt like thumping his head against the door.

Joe frowned at Levon when the blond bent down near the right front bumper clearly reaching for something. "Cowboy, what are you doing?"

"Gettin' the spare key."

"You keep a spare in the bumper?"

"Yep." Levon held up a small magnetic box clearly designed for just that purpose.

"Hunh." Joe sipped his water. "Never knew that was there." "Ya didn't ask." Levon gave him a small grin, eyes twinkling.

Joe gave him a half-hearted glare. He should have known better. He made a sweeping gesture toward the door, inviting Levon to unlock the truck. Levon's chuckle was broken off by a painful sounding cough that nearly doubled him over.

Joe was at his side immediately, reaching out to help. He hadn't thought either of them had breathed in that much smoke. Levon waved him off, breathing easily after a moment, brown eyes glancing significantly toward the mob of people only a few feet away.

"Don't think any of them even know we exist, Levon." Joe pointed out, moving closer, handing moving to rub down his lover's back, needing to touch, to connect. The Italian gave the crowd a disgusted glance. "Bunch of vultures the lot of them."

"Not all." Levon contradicted him quietly, brown eyes sympathetic. "Some o' them are like you…they're watchin' the possible loss o' everythin' they own."

Joe nodded, conceding the point. He continued to rub Levon's back. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Levon gave him a concerned look, glancing toward the building they'd recently vacated and back again. "You?"

Joe shrugged, blue eyes turning bleak. A ghost of a smile caused his lips to turn upward with a grim determination. "Hell, Levon, I have half my stuff at your house anyway."

"Lookin' for a silver linin'?" Levon raised an eyebrow.

Joe sighed deeply, not surprised his partner saw through him. "As best I can."

"We both got out alive." Levon pointed out helpfully. "Looks like everyone did."

Joe nodded. He was already decidedly grateful for that. He moved his hand to cup the back of Levon's neck, saying so physically before doing the same verbally.

He felt Levon shiver again. "Let's get in the damn truck, Levon. Turn the heater on."

"Good idea." Levon was quick to unlock the truck and fire it up. Joe untucked his securely wrapped picture, placing the silk bundle carefully on the back seat.

They watched as several black and whites pull in. "Looks like crowd control is here."

"Yep." Levon sighed, glancing at his watch. Joe only just realized now that his lover must have forgotten to take it off when they went to bed. Unlike his bracelet which he removed only to shower, Levon usually took his watch off at night. Joe patted his chest absently feeling for his pendant, relieved to find it securely around his neck right were it belonged.

"Likely be hours 'fore this mess is cleaned up." Levon pointed out tiredly, one hand rubbing at eyes that had to be irritated as Joe knew his own were. "You wanna just talk ta the uni's and come back after the sun rises?"

Some part of him wanted to stay. Wanted to observe the ongoing effort to ensure the building wasn't totally destroyed. But logically Joe knew there wasn't anything he could do, and the uniforms would be actively encouraging the residents to find other places to stay for the night or rather early morning. Biting his lip, Joe nodded.

Levon found his hand and squeezed it once in reassurance. "It'll be okay, Joe."

"I know." Joe tried to sound confident, forced himself to dwell on the positives. It hurt to think of the loss of his possessions. Sentimental items like the crystal glasses that had belonged to his mother, packed in double layers of bubble wrap to ensure they survived the trek from Chicago to Houston in one piece. The photo albums on his coffee table full of family photos. The furniture wasn't anything he was personally attached to, with the possible exception of the bed, but it would still be expensive to replace.

He cleared his throat and squeezed Levon's hand in return. "I know." Joe repeated with more force.

Levon nodded. He pulled the Jimmy around and maneuvered close to one of the patrol cars, whistling shrilly to get one of the uniformed officers' attention. Joe didn't really pay any attention to the conversation, eyes still focused on the building fire trucks were preparing to hose down. So far he hadn't seen any flames, just a lot of smoke. He didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

He focused on the Levon's conversation just in time to hear the uniformed officer promise to radio the station and report to their superior, Joanne Beaumont, that they were alright. Joe grimaced. He'd forgotten that she'd probably get a call once the fire came across the scanner. Standard procedure was to notify the superior officer of any cop involved in an 'incident'. Somehow he thought his home burning should qualify as more than that, but he honestly didn't want to label it a tragedy. Those always equaled fatality in his mind.

Levon thanked him and rolled up the window. He slowly wove the Jimmy around the various vehicles and people that had suddenly taken up residency in the parking lot. Joe counted the fire trucks, not sure if the fact there were only three was a positive sign or not.

He shrugged out of his blanket. With the heater on it was simply too warm for him to be comfortable. Levon reached to adjust the heat output but Joe stopped him.

"If you're still cold, I can deal with being too hot."

"Jus' gonna turn it down a bit, Joe." Levon smiled. "Wasn't plannin' to turn it off."

Joe smiled back. He forced himself to relax, taking deep breaths in and letting them out slowly. Levon drove silently, letting Joe do what he needed to do. It was one of the many things about his lover that made the man so endearing-he knew when Joe just needed time to center himself.

They drove to the ranch in silence. Joe sighed, lips curling slightly at the irony. They should have just headed for the ranch to begin with.

Once inside, Levon toed out of his boots, hung up his hat before heading for the bathroom. "Don't know about you but I want a shower."

Joe sniffed, pulling a face at the pungent smoke scent that lingered on their clothing. If they were going to get any sleep a shower was most definitely in order. He followed Levon to the bathroom, striping out of his still damp clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor next to Levon's. He carefully removed his pendant, hanging it on the small hook near the vanity that had been put there for just that purpose. Levon's bracelet and watch were in a small turned wooden bowl Joe had bought for him to use.

Stepping into the shower Joe sighed deeply. The warm water on his skin felt wonderful. Having Levon's hands on him felt even better. Showering together was always a pleasure even when they didn't do anything else.

Joe dropped his head as Levon lathered his back, strong fingers lightly massaging as they went, easing tension in his shoulders. The blond worked his way down the length of Joe's frame, missing nothing. He remained kneeling, tapping Joe's calf, a signal between them for him to turn, before he worked his way back up. It didn't matter that they'd done this countless times before, Joe was still amazed at how good such simple physical contact could make him feel.

Levon leaned in and kissed him, a gentle, reassuring touch of warm lips to his. "You feelin' better?"

"Much." Joe hugged Levon to him. "Think it's your turn, Cowboy."

Joe turned them easily so Levon was now fully under the spray. He liked to start by shampooing Levon's hair. The Texan relaxed quickly under his ministrations, a whisper soft moan escaping from him when Joe massaged his neck and shoulders.

Joe never got tired of how readily Levon responded to him. He would never admit it out loud that it was a serious ego boost to know he was the only person Levon let this close, the only one who saw him this way. It also was decidedly humbling. He never wanted to do anything that would betray that trust or that would deny him moments like these. Joe lathered his hands and continued to wash his lover, paying special attention to the usual sore spots, places where Levon habitually stored his tension. He enjoyed knowing that they could give and take equally. He'd never met anyone who balanced him even half as well as Levon did.

The water was beginning to cool by the time they were finished. Toweling off, Joe yawned. He was more than ready to lay down and sleep. He grimaced thinking about just how soon the sun would be coming up.

A feather light touch to his brow smoothed the lines he knew were there. Levon kissed the tip of his nose making him smile. "That's better."

The blond laid his cheek against Joe's. It was a simple gesture that in Joe's mind was almost more intimate than getting or giving a kiss. Joe marveled at how smooth Levon's skin still was, no rough stubble like he knew covered his own jaw. Not for the first time did he wonder if it was because Levon was blond or if the straight razor he used some how gave him a closer shave.

Joe wrapped his arms around Levon, hugging him tightly for a moment before letting go. "Let's go to bed, Cowboy."

Levon nodded and led the way to the bedroom. He slid in beneath the light quilt Rosa had sent them. Joe curled up behind him, cradling his lover to him, sighing in contentment. Everything might not be entirely right with his world, but at the moment it was still pretty damn good.

"Nothin' we can't handle together, Joe." Levon reminded him as he entwined their fingers.

Joe smiled, placing a kiss in Levon's still damn hair. "Damn straight." They'd get some sleep, regroup and be ready to take on the world. As long as they were together, Joe reiterated silently, there was nothing they couldn't handle.

Levon suppressed the desire to curse as he looked at the damage done to Joe's apartment. According to the firemen still on the scene the fire had been confined to the first five floors, well below Joe's place. But smoke and water had clearly wreaked havoc.

Levon shook his head. Water was still dripping from the ceiling and soot streaked the walls. The carpet was soaked, little squishing noises announcing his movements into the apartment.

The Texan looked at his partner still standing in the doorway. Joe seemed torn between being devastated and disgusted. He walked back and put a hand on Joe's shoulder, squeezing once.

"You could jus' let the insurance guys and inspectors do this, ya know?"

Joe shook his head. "If there's anything salvageable, I want it. And I want to be the one to decide what's worth saving and what isn't."

"Okay." Levon had already looked up the names and numbers of several companies that specialized in restoring and repairing things damaged by smoke and water. He'd give he list to Joe once they'd gone through the apartment.

He was already fairly certain the things Joe was going to be looking for were items of sentimental value. It is what he would be doing, what he'd need to do. The professionals could look at whatever Joe deemed important as well as the rest when the time was right.

Joe finally moved into the apartment, steps projecting a confident and unconcerned manner Levon knew was an act. The blond didn't call him on it, opting just to go with it. Sometimes the only way to get through something was to act as though it didn't touch you. It was how Levon handled nearly every homicide.

Joe headed into the kitchen, opening cupboards cautiously. Levon watched and waited. The slight relaxation in the set of Joe's shoulders told him his partner had found something important was still intact or at least repairable.

Joe reached into the cupboard and withdrew a delicate looking crystal wine glass. He smiled, one finger tracing the rim. The faint ring that corresponded to the action told Levon that the glass was not only of very good quality it was also wet. He knew the four glasses were of particular sentimental value to Joe. They were originally a set of twelve that had been a wedding present his grandmother had given to his mother. The set had been split up among Joe and his siblings when their parents died.

The Texan's brown eyes wandered upward wondering just how much water was going to keep seeping through from the upper floors. He was no expert but he was guessing it would be months before the place completely dried out, if ever. Insulation and dry wall would undoubtedly need replaced. He was betting the entire building would have to be gutted.

Levon glanced around the kitchen. He didn't figure smoke and fire would have done much damage to Joe's pots and pans or his cutlery. He cocked his head considering the appliances. They might be salvageable. Any food in the fridge was definitely a lost cause, of that Levon was sure. The fire company had turned the power off to prevent shorts.

Joe finished looking through the kitchen and headed for the living room. Levon trailed behind, hand brushing Joe's back lightly to let him know he was there. He winced as he took in the state of the living room. The formerly beautiful and in Levon's opinion decidedly uncomfortable couch sagged from the weight of water, the upholstery looked to be ruined.

He felt as well as saw Joe flinch and followed Joe's line of sight. The photo album lay in a puddle of water on the coffee table. Levon bit back a silent curse as Joe reached with shaking fingers to touch the leather bound book. He wanted to tell Joe to leave it alone, to not open it, but he knew better than to say anything. Joe needed this and no matter how much it hurt to watch, Levon was willing to let him do whatever he needed to.

He kept a hand on Joe's shoulder, feeling the tension there as Joe opened the album. The soft, pained sigh nearly undid him. His earlier resolve lost, Levon reached around and gently pulled Joe's hand away from the album and closed it carefully, almost reverently.

Overly bright blue eyes met his. He knew Joe was going to protest his action, and Levon shook his head. "Don't need to see the damage, Joe."

"Yes, I do."

"You already know they are lost." Levon argued softly.

"But-"

"But nothin'." Levon cupped Joe's face, leaning to place his forehead against Joe's. "You don't need ta hurt yourself any more here." His thumb lightly stroked Joe's cheek. "I'm sure yer family can send you copies o' most of these. You didn't lose 'em forever."

Joe sighed and moved to pull Levon into a hug. "Thank you."

"Yer welcome." Levon hugged him hard before pulling back. "You okay?"

"Better." Joe gave him a wry look. His eyes darkened in concern. "You?"

"I'm fine." Levon waved a hand in dismissal, and neatly avoided looking at Joe. He was supposed to be here to help Joe, not the other way around. "You wanna head upstairs?" Levon turned, stepping away from Joe to look up to the loft, trying to redirect the conversation.

"Levon-"

"It's okay, Joe." Levon gave his lover a reassuring glance over his shoulder, willing him to drop it.

Joe frowned, reaching out to catch Levon's arm, eyes holding the blond in place as surely as his grip. "You sure?"

Levon patted Joe's hand, fingers unable to not add the ghost of a caress over Joe's knuckles. Joe tipped his head letting Levon know he was willing to leave it alone for now, squeezing Levon's arm before letting to and pointing toward the stairs with his chin. "Upstairs it is."

Levon started up the steps cautiously. They seemed sound enough if a little slippery from the water. He stepped aside once at the top, making room for Joe to go first. Joe raised a hand to cup the back of Levon's neck, a faint reassuring caress before he moved past.

The bedroom appeared to be just more of the same. Levon figured the mattress and box springs were a lost cause but the bed frame, nightstands and dresser could be refinished or painted easily enough, once they had a chance to dry out. They were good, solid hardwood and it wouldn't take that much to save them assuming they dried without warping or cracking. He said as much to Joe.

Joe glanced over at him, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Cowboy, I don't know the first thing about refinishing furniture."

"S'okay." Levon shrugged. "I do."

"You do?" Joe raised both eyebrows.

"Refinished the bedroom set in the spare bedroom." Levon stated offhandedly.

Caroline had bought the set at a yard sale and brought it home one day about a year after they'd gotten married. She'd been convinced he could restore it to its former glory, never mind that at the time he didn't know a damn thing about furniture or wood working. But still newly married and wanting to make his wife happy, Levon had set to learning how. It had taken the better part of two years between the job and being a novice, but the end results had been worth it.

Beneath the ugly avocado green paint had been a beautifully smooth grain hard rock maple that he'd sanded and stained to a warm golden brown hue. Caroline thought she'd eventually be tucking a little girl or boy into that bed, putting away small clothes in dove-tailed drawers, but it was not to be. Given how progressively bad things had gotten between them by the time Caroline was killed, Levon couldn't bring himself to regret their never having children.

"You think you could do mine?" Joe asked softly bringing him back to the present.

"Don't see why not." Levon responded with a smile. "Got room in the barn." He bit his lower lip, brown eyes meeting blue. "You wouldn't rather have an expert do it for ya?"

"Want you to, Cowboy." Joe's tone was decisive, no doubt or hesitation.

"Long as yer sure." Levon hedged slightly, giving Joe another out just in case.

"Know you'll do a great job with it." Joe responded with a grin. "Wouldn't mind if you lightened it up a bit. Dark stain suited me when I bought it but I think something warmer is in order now."

Levon nodded, considering. He could find something lighter, something less dramatic than the suite's original stain. "Means yer gonna have to get a whole new décor, ya know?" Levon kept his voice light, teasing.

Joe snorted, eyes twinkling. "Like I didn't already know that."

"Point." Levon pursed his lips. "This is gonna take awhile."

"Not in any hurry, Cowboy." Joe looked around. "From the looks of things it's going to be awhile before I'll be moving back in."

It was definitely going to take awhile. If ever. Levon frowned, wondering if Joe really felt a need to hang on to the place. Hi possessions might be important, but other than it simply being a place to put those things, the apartment didn't seem to hold any special value to Joe.

They'd only ever touched briefly on moving in together. They hadn't found a way to really do that without raising eyebrows. Getting rid of both their places to moving in together somewhere new or one moving in with the other would simply raise too many questions. The fire might just have provided them with a golden opportunity.

Levon smiled slyly. "You know I got that spare room."

Joe frowned. "Yeah."

"Yer gonna need a place to stay." Levon pointed out reasonably, tone leading.

"I will at that." Joe smiled, catching on quickly to what Levon was implying.

"Suppose I should invite you nice and formal like?" Levon couldn't help grinning. "Jus' so everyone knows."

"Well," Joe rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "I wouldn't object to an engraved invitation. Maybe with the gilt lettering. Staring out with something like, you are cordially invited."

Levon snickered. "Don't go getting carried away there."

"Right, right." Joe chuckled. "No one would ever believe that anyway."

"Thank God." Levon shook his head. "Not exactly the image I want to cultivate."

"What?" Joe waggled his eyebrows. "You don't want to be thought of as refined and sophisticated?"

"Nah more like stuffy and pompous." Levon laughed lightly.

Joe sobered, giving him a frank look. "You going to just make an announcement in the bullpen then?"

"Was thinkin' o' making it a bit more casual than that." Levon shrugged. "Someone is bound ta ask if you need a place to stay or offer you something. Way rumors circulate in that place, I'm bettin' we'd only have to tell one or two people that I'm puttin' you up and everyone'll know in short order." Levon waved a hand in a meaningless, encompassing gesture. "Hell, more'n half of them will probably be expectin' me to. They know the house has room for it, I'm your partner, and we're friends. Would be natural for me ta offer ya a place ta stay."

Joe nodded. "True." He cocked his head studying Levon. "How long you thing we can play that…me staying because you are just a good friend and partner?"

"Hard ta say." Levon shrugged one shoulder. "Don't imagine anyone will even think to question it until this place is fit ta live in again."

"And after that?"

Levon raised his eyebrows and made an encouraging motion. "Meaning?"

Joe hesitated, biting his lower lip. "Move in with you, Cowboy, not sure I'm going to want to move out."

Levon blinked, staring at Joe in surprise unable to believe his lover even thought that would be a problem. Shaking off his disbelief, Levon was quick to counter the faint worry he read in Joe's voice and expression. "Pretty damn sure I'm not going to want you to."

Levon stepped closer to gently cup Joe's face with both hands, brown eyes searching blue. "Want you with me. Want to be with you. Any time, any place. We'll make it work." He lightly caressed Joe's cheek. "I love you."

Joe smiled, eyes warming. "Love you too."

"Good." Levon patted his face once firmly. "That's settled. The rest we'll deal with as it comes. Okay?"

"Okay."

Levon nodded decisively pleased to have that settled. "Anything else you wanna look at here?"

"Want to check the closet." Joe sighed. "Can probably just drop the bulk of it off with the dry cleaner and hope for the best."

Levon privately thought this was a golden opportunity for Joe to clean out his closet but refrained from saying anything. His lover was a clothes horse, it was something he'd come to terms with a long time ago. He knew anything that was ruined would be replaced in short order. Probably that and then some.

He watched as Joe did a quick inventory of his stuff, checking the closet and the dresser. Levon took whatever his lover handed him into the bathroom, wrung it out in the tub and then placed it in a heavy duty garbage bag he'd gotten from the kitchen. They'd drop everything off at the dry cleaners on their way to the office.

Levon was honestly surprised Joe didn't take more. He gave his lover an inquisitive look, waiting to see what Joe would say. His lover looked sheepish, shrugging. "Half my stuff is already at your house, Levon. And I have to leave something for the insurance guys."

Levon laughed and shook his head looking at the still mostly full closet. He was fairly certain the insurance guys wouldn't have a clue how much Joe had or didn't have. They might have an inventory of other items, but Levon seriously doubted Joe updated the list every time he bought something. He'd be updating all the time if that was the case.

"We ready to go then?"

"Just about." Joe hesitated for a second. "Want to take my mother's glasses with us but…"

"But what?"

"I don't have anything to wrap them in or to put them in for that matter." Joe frowned, looking decidedly disappointed.

"Not a problem, Joe." Levon smiled. "Got boxes and some newspaper in the Jimmy."

Joe stared at him. "I didn't see you put anything in the truck."

"Did that 'fore you got up." Levon shrugged. "Didn't figure the fire would do much damage ta yer kitchen stuff."

"If I didn't already love you," Joe grinned, "I sure would have good reason to now."

Levon felt his cheeks warm. "Yer welcome." He cleared his throat. "I'll…ah, take this stuff down," Levon held up the garbage back loaded with sodden clothing, "an' bring up a box and some paper."

Joe nodded silently, his grin broadening just a bit. Levon silently cursed being fair skinned. It made it so damn hard to hide blushing, something he still thought he should have grown out of by now.

He left Joe once more assessing his bedroom. Levon wished to hell he'd thought to bring the boxes and paper up with him so he wouldn't have to make the trip up and down the stairs twice.

"Let that be a lesson to you." Levon muttered to himself. He sighed. Joe would tell him this was good exercise. At least with Joe living at his place full time he wouldn't have climb these damn stair again any time soon.

He left the bag on the floor of the back seat of the Jimmy and grabbed one of the boxes and the two of the Sunday papers. Levon had a feeling Joe would want to wrap his mother's crystal in more than one sheet a piece. He tucked the box under his arm and took the stairs two at a time on the way up.

He grinned to himself when he got to Joe's floor still breathing easily. "Need ta work out my ass."

Joe met him in the kitchen, taking the box and the paper. Levon watched as Joe triple wrapped each glass and padded the space between each one with several crumbled sheets of newspaper. The care with which he handled each one made Levon very glad they'd survived unscathed. They were obviously irreplaceable.

Once the glasses were packed they headed for the Jimmy. Beaumont already knew they'd be late getting to work, but she fully expected them to put in an appearance. She called the ranch first thing in that morning checking on them and giving them an update on the status of the building. She'd even gotten them permission to be in Joe's apartment before anyone else would be allowed in the building. Levon didn't know what strings she'd pulled but he made a note to thank her.

He was fairly certain that their case load would probably have been shuffled slightly. Smaller, less important or not as pressing stuff reassigned to others in the department or their friends and coworkers likely volunteered to help out. Joe might have been something of an outsider when he first arrived but he was definitely one of their own now; they'd help out any way they could.

Levon looked over at Joe when he sighed softly as they got in the Jimmy. "Something wrong?" Levon winced at his own stupid question. "Aside from the obvious that is."

Joe's lips quirked upward in small smile. "Was just thinking last night, before we finished that stupid stake out, how good it would be to have things back to normal. But this sure isn't it."

"I'm not sure what does qualify as normal for us." Levon pointed out thoughtfully, keeping a wary eye on the other vehicles on the road as he pulled out of the parking lot and merged with traffic. Houston drivers tended to be a bit careless and very aggressive. "Ya ask Beaumont and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't rule out the Armageddon as bein' a daily occurrence for us."

Joe laughed, eyes dancing. "I think she's biased, Cowboy."

"Anyone who knows us is gonna be biased, Joe."

Joe shot him a dirty look. "That's not true."

"Five bucks says you can't find anyone ta say otherwise." Levon issued the challenge confidently.

Joe grimaced after a moment, clearly running through everyone they knew. He sighed heavily. "No bet." He shot Levon a dirty look. "Have I told you how much I hate it when you're right?"

"Once or twice." Levon admitted with a sly smile. "Haven't really been counting."

He didn't have to look at his partner to know he was rolling his eyes. Things might not be exactly normal for them just yet, but they were getting there. Levon figured by the end of the day they'd be even closer. At least he hoped so.

"You think Beaumont will be upset if I spend most of the day on the phone dealing with-" Joe made a frustrated, encompassing hand gesture.

"Nah." Levon grinned. "Sort o' got the impression she wanted us both in the bullpen where she could keep an eye on us and help out if need be."

Joe sighed. "This little incident is not helping to erase her belief that we are problem children is it?"

"Nope." Levon didn't think Joe would care to know that image was more or less set in concrete. There wasn't much they could do to change it now.

"I'm sorry, Levon."

"For what?" Levon looked at him in confusion. To the best of his knowledge Joe hadn't done anything he had to apologize for.

"Know you didn't plan on spending today riding a desk."

Levon snorted. It might not be his first choice but spending a day at the office as the least of his worries. "Can't tell me you planned for yer building to be on a fire and for yer apartment to be just this side of doubling as an aquarium."

"Good point."

"Best get yer came face on, boy." Levon grinned as they neared the office. "Gonna be people offerin' sympathy and saying stupid things in equal measure most o' the day."

Joe pursed his lips, annoyance and distaste readily apparent. "And let's not forget those long silences when they can't figure out what to say and don't know enough to just go the hell away."

"Yeah." Levon agreed with a quiet sigh. He remembered those clearly from when Caroline died. He knew they meant well, but it got old in a hurry. Levon wondered just how many miles of the road to hell were paved with platitudes and painful silences. More than he cared to think about.

"You want me to run interference for ya?" Levon offered. It wouldn't be hard to do. Levon was confident he could enlist some assistance from their friends if need be.

"Nah." Joe shook his head. "I can take it, Cowboy. Don't need you acting as guard dog for the day." Joe reached over to entwine their fingers. "But I wouldn't mind if you stayed close."

Levon squeezed Joe's hand. "Already planned to."

"Good."

Annie Hartung studied the report in front of her. It wasn't entirely surprising to see the fire marshal's preliminary report characterized the fire at Joe's apartment building as arson. She had trouble picturing his building bursting into flames accidentally. It was too new to have issues related to worn and faulty wiring or overloaded circuits, the usual accidental causes of fire.

The main accelerant was easy enough to pin down, good old fashioned gasoline. Annie shook her head. Whoever had set the fire must have planned to be fast or was very careless. Gasoline was so highly volatile that in an enclosed space if not lit immediately the fumes would more likely cause an explosion than just start a fire.

Traces of an accelerant had been found sprayed on the walls of the first floor, not far from the main lobby. The fire marshal had sent samples to her for further analysis and a second opinion. The fire lab was not as well equipped as hers.

The fire had evidently started at the base of the basement steps and spread upward to the first floor, following the trail of gasoline soaked carpet down the hall. The pictures of the stairwell showed a heavy metal door that bore scorch marks clearly indicative of something highly flammable being placed against it. According the fire marshal's notes the door had both a dead bolt and chain lock. Annie had no idea why the landlord thought both the deadbolt and chain were required but she made a note to ask Joe. The landlord might have had problems of some kind before.

A soft knock at the door brought her head up. Levon was standing in the door way. "I can come back if yer busy, Annie."

"Never too busy for you, Levon." Annie smiled. She held up the report she'd been reading. "Just looking over the fire marshal's report."

Levon blinked. "He's done already?"

"Preliminary report." Annie shrugged. "Three days is the usual turn around time for that, especially when they've determined it was arson." Once a suspected arson was confirmed the marshal put it to the top of the list.

"Arson?" Levon's jaw tightened, brown eyes hardening dangerously. "They sure?"

"Just seeking confirmation from me. And some technical help with the investigation."

"Damn." Levon cursed softly, hands flexing into tight fists and then relaxing only to curl again. "They got any leads yet?"

Annie recognized the tone. The question was so softly spoken, nearly gentle, and it marked Levon as his most furious. She hesitated for a moment knowing he wasn't going to like her answer, but also knowing she couldn't tell him anything else.

"They may have a few." Annie kept her voice level and calm. "But I can't really talk about that with you."

"Why?"

His eyes reminded her of smoky quartz, just as hard and unreadable. Annie sighed softly thinking today would have been a good day to have just stayed in bed. Reluctantly she answered him. "You are not, and cannot be involved in the investigation. I can't share information about an on-going investigation with you, particularly not one you are this close to personally."

He took a deep, shuddering breath, obviously struggling to retain control. "Annie-"

"You know better."

He closed his eyes and nodded slowly, expression shifting from angry to something she couldn't quite read. Annie hadn't been sure he'd let it go so easily. Although, based on his past history she had a sneaking suspicion that he'd simply go elsewhere for the information. It wouldn't be the first time. Levon had friends in a lot of places. And a lot of people owed him favors. She knew that for Joe he wouldn't hesitate to call in a marker if he had to, and she wasn't foolish enough to think she could stop him.

"You…ah…you might want to tell 'em to check the cameras that cover the back door. Joe and I found it propped open when we got his place that morning."

"They already sent me copies of the film from the cameras." Another tech was scheduled to take a look at those and see if there was anything useful to be had. "I'll make sure we focus on the back door."

Levon nodded again, eyes opening to met hers. "Do me a favor?"

"If I can."

"Let me know when we can help."

"That I can do." Annie smiled knowing full well that he'd likely already have information long before she did. "What was it that brought you down here?"

"It'll keep. Jus' lookin' for yer help on a case." Levon made an obvious effort to smile. "You got more important things to be doing."

Annie nodded and watched as Levon left. She sighed. It was going to be a shitty day, and it wasn't going to get any better. Se picked up the report and started another review. Annie owed it to Levon and Joe to find the answer. They were her friends.

She frowned as she began to study the photographs. Something with the walls wasn't quite right. The burn pattern wasn't exactly what it should be. This would bear further study.

She fingered the evidence bag, frown deepening. She was glad Levon hadn't noticed it when he was there. There was no way Annie could possibly avoid explaining just what had been used to actually light the fire.

Police flares were unique and identifiable. They never burned away completely. What she needed to know was not only who set the fire but how the hell the miserable bastard had gotten a police flare in the first place. Anne really didn't want to contemplate that it might have been a coworker, a fellow cop that set the fire, but she wasn't ruling out any possibilities. Not yet.

The flares were not exclusive to the police department, not quite. It was possible it had been someone else. Hopefully studying the tapes would give her that. If the tapes didn't catch something, the crowd shots the fire marshal's and uniform officers on the scene had taken could reveal something.

It was standard procedure to shoot pictures of the crowd fires inevitably attracted. Predicting arson beforehand was nearly impossible, but it was common knowledge that arsonists often hung around to watch. The pictures often helped pinpoint repeat visitors or those showing an abnormal interest in the proceedings.

Annie really hoped the photos showed her something. Something that would crack the case before Levon did. Poor bastard wouldn't stand a chance of Levon got to him first. Annie couldn't decide if that was a bad thing or not. She sighed. Not her problem at the moment. At the moment she needed to focus her attention on the matter at hand.

Levon quietly sipped his beer, watching as Joe worked in the kitchen. He liked watching Joe cook. His lover was definitely at home in it, movements usually graceful and sure, making it relaxing to watch.

Levon winced at the controlled fury he could read in Joe's movements now. He knew learning the fire had been arson would upset his partner, had expected it to. He just hadn't anticipated he'd stay angry for so long. Or that his fury would express itself in such a quiet fashion. Joe was usually more vocal, more physical when he expressed himself.

Levon sighed silently. His own anger had already been given a direction. He'd called a friend in the fire department and would have all the same evidence Annie had and more by tomorrow morning. Feelers had been put out among more than a few snitches for word on the street. A few more cases were shuffled and farmed out to other detectives to give them time to focus. Beaumont wouldn't be happy about that, but Levon figured as long as they found their arsonist before she knew what he'd done she'd get over it.

"You…ah…wanna talk about it?" Levon offered hesitantly, not quite flinching when Joe slammed the frying pan down on the counter.

"No."

"Ya sure?" Levon eyed his lover warily. "Might help."

"Talking will not fix anything." Joe all but snarled, blue eyes flashing.

"Didn't say it would fix it." Levon pointed out reasonably, leaning against the counter. "Jus' thought it might help."

Joe bit out a curse, pulling a knife from the wooden rack and set to dicing the vegetables he'd washed a few minutes ago with a speed and force that made Levon cringe internally. He was pretty sure the cutting board would never be the same. Levon didn't quite catch all of what Joe was saying as he ranted in an odd mix of English and Italian, but he let his lover run with it unwilling to interrupt and ask for clarification. At least he was talking, even if it was bordering on gibberish.

Levon kept a cautious eye on the blade Joe wielded as his lover began punctuating his running commentary with wild hand gestures. The Texan debated whether or not backing up might not be a wise course of action. He figured Joe was more likely to cut himself so he opted to stay where he was.

Levon sipped casually at his beer and waited for Joe to wind down. Eventually his lover would vent enough and they could genuinely talk. It was a waiting game Levon had grown increasingly familiar with. He knew Joe had mastered his own waiting game-figuring out how to get Levon to talk about things at all.

Levon hoped whatever his lover planned to make for dinner called for minced vegetables. He was pretty sure Joe wasn't even paying attention to just how small he was chopping things. As long as he didn't cut himself, Levon was fine with it. They could always feed raw stuff to the horses. Gabriel liked broccoli and Fooler was fond of carrots and celery.

Joe raised the knife pointing it at Levon, gesturing to make a particular point. Uneasy having the razor sharp blade suddenly so close the blond stepped back, eyes wide and wary. He didn't give his action a thought or how Joe might perceive it until his lover immediately stepped back, carefully placing the knife on the counter.

"Shit, God…Levon, I'm sorry." Joe's voice was soft, concerned, expression contrite. "I didn't mean to…I would never-"

"Whoa, Whoa, boy." Levon held up a hand, realizing what Joe must have thought. "S'all right. Ya didn't do anythin' wrong."

"I didn't mean to scare-"

"Ya didn't." Levon stepped forward, eliminating the space between them. He reached out to cup Joe's face, thumb lightly caressing his cheek. He smiled softly. "I know you weren't gonna hurt me. At least not intentionally. Jus' makin' sure I didn't get in yer way accidentally, Joe. Don't go readin' too much into it."

Seeing Joe relax, Levon's smile broadened pleased this little crisis was only momentary. "You done venting?"

"Yeah." Joe sighed and hung his head, a faint blush visible on his cheekbones. "Mostly."

"Yer entitled, ya know?" Levon chuckled. "Would have been a bit worried if ya didn't. Although, I think for the sake of the veggies I shoulda maybe stopped ya a bit sooner."

Joe laughed and pulled Levon into a warm, hard hug. "I tell you today how much I love you?"

Levon grinned, hands dropping to pat Joe's ass, pulling his hips closer. "Would rather ya showed me." He worked a leg between Joe's, rubbing suggestively. "Always preferred …ah…action ta words."

Joe's eyes darkened. He dipped his head to nuzzle Levon's neck, nibbling his way to Levon's earlobe. "Disarm myself and suddenly I'm being ravished."

"Seems…ta me," Levon struggled to speak, to not get lost in how good it felt to have Joe's wet tongue, warm breath against his skin, "yer the one doing the…ravishing."

"Well," Joe breathed into Levon's hear, making him shudder, "you're welcome to join me." Joe's hands began roving, making Levon's skin tingle with the need. He wanted skin to skin contact.

Joe pulled back slightly. "I'm open to a mutual ravishing."

"Good plan that." Levon sighed, feeling bereft no longer wrapped in Joe's arms. Moving back into the circle of Joe's arms would unfortunately leave them no room to strip, so he checked his immediate impulse. Skin to skin would be better, much better and worth waiting for.

"Let's get naked."

"Better plan." Joe grinned wickedly clearly willing. "Much better plan."

"Bedroom?" Levon's fingers seemed to suddenly find the fabric of Joe's silk shirt irresistible, lightly ghosting up and down Joe's chest.

"Could just…stay here." Joe's breathing was decidedly ragged, his pupils so large they made his eyes look black. Levon liked knowing his touch had a noticeable effect. "Not like…we haven't…done more than…cook in here before."

"Bed is more comfortable." Levon countered. He didn't mind a romp in the kitchen or anywhere else for that matter, but the floor was too damn hard. He resolutely ignored the little voice that accused him of getting old in favor of the one that suggested it was just good sense.

"Couch is closer."

Levon laughed. "Good point."

His laughter was cut off when Joe captured his mouth in a searing kiss. Levon moaned, hands clutching at Joe's shirt needing something to keep him upright, desperate for something softer and warmer than the silk he found. He let Joe walk him backward, trusting his lover could get them where they wanted to be.

His shoulder bumped against the doorway, and Levon used that contact to brace himself pulling Joe closer. Levon unconsciously raised his right leg to wrap around Joe, to bring their groins closer together. He shuddered when Joe pinned him against the wall, releasing his mouth to nibble along his jaw line, hands that seemed to be everywhere had him panting harshly.

"Christ." He tilted his head back to give Joe better access, thumping it dully against the wall. Levon was startled when his lover growled in frustration, hands burrowing under his shirt made him gasp surprised by the sudden feel of warm skin against his back.

"Joe." Levon cupped Joe's face, pulling him up so he could make eye contact.

"What?" Dazed blue eyes stared back at him.

"Couch."

"Oh." Joe grinned. "Right." He sighed, leaning forward to rest his forehead against Levon's. "Comfort."

"Don't forget naked."

Joe laughed. "Damn straight."

Levon reluctantly pushed Joe away. He backed away, making a 'come here' motion with one hand as he got closer to the couch. Joe grinned and followed, stalking forward with a sensual grace that made Levon's mouth go dry.

The blond started undoing the buttons on his shirt, eager to be rid of any barrier between them. Joe reached out to catch on of his hands. "Let me."

Levon took a deep breath and nodded. Joe always took his time, teasing and caressing with fingertips, lips and tongue each bit of flesh as it was revealed. It was an exquisite form of torture.

Levon moaned, widening his stance to maintain his balance as Joe lavished special attention on his nipples. He raised a hand to run fingers through Joe's dark hair, instinctively encouraging his lover to continue what he was doing. Joe had threatened once or twice to see if he could make Levon come without ever touching his cock. The Texan was never able to remain passive long enough to see if he could, and today was no different.

Levon cupped Joe's face, pulling his head up to kiss him deeply, sucking his tongue into his mouth. He clung to his lover, Joe's silk shirt rubbing against his sensitized nipples made him want to purr like a cat. He released Joe's mouth to slide down his lover's chest, rubbing against him sensuously.

Grinning up wickedly at Joe, Levon began to unbutton his shirt with his teeth, working his way down to end up on his knees. Joe sighed, eyes drifting closed, swaying slightly. "You never…ah…never did tell me…where you learned to do that."

"No, I never did." Levon agreed with a smile, fingers caressing the now bare skin revealed to him, reaching up to feather touches across the beautiful expanse of skin. He kept Joe from saying anything else by simply undoing his belt and pants, one hand rubbing Joe's hard cock while he nibbled at one of Joe's hotspots just above his hip.

Joe moaned, knees nearly buckling. It was one hell of an ego stroke for Levon know he could have that effect. That boost was always balanced by the knowledge Joe affected him just as quickly and easily.

He pulled back to let Joe recover enough to strip out of his pants and boxers. Joe didn't so much sit on the couch as collapse on to it. He was splayed out for before Levon's appreciative gaze like a banquet just waiting to be enjoyed.

Joe was so beautiful this way, skin flushed, eyes bright, his well muscled form both relaxed and eager, all but begging Levon to touch and taste. The blond quickly shrugged out of his shirt, hands deftly undoing his belt. He slithered out of his jeans with an innate sensuality never even considering how doing so had as much an impact on his lover as his earlier actions had.

"Christ, Cowboy."

"What?" Levon frowned at the whispered, nearly reverent curse.

"You are incredible."

Levon grinned, brown eyes glowing. "You ain't seen nothin' yet."

"Show me what you got big boy." Joe licked his lower lip, expression a mixture of tease, eagerness and challenge.

"Would love to." Levon let his voice dip an octave, rough and needy. He knew what it did to Joe when he did that.

He slid his hands up Joe's legs, letting the rest of his body follow naturally as easy as water flowing down hill. Levon ignored the hiss of pleasure his actions elicited, too focused on the feel of soft skin against his own. He kept his touch light, almost teasing, but more than heavy enough to arouse, just the way he knew Joe liked it.

He bypassed Joe's groin entirely, fingertips caressing the hotspots around Joe's hips while he lightly tongued Joe's navel. Levon loved the way Joe's abdominal muscles quivered and flexed in response to his touch. Levon sighed softly when Joe buried his hands in his hair, petting and caressing him. His lover knew just how much pressure to use, just where to touch. Levon learned to read Joe's touch, to know what was meant to encourage more and what was meant to stop.

He nibbled his way up the centerline of Joe's chest. Levon sucked hard enough to leave a mark over Joe's heart. He rarely marked Joe, not trusting himself to do it where others wouldn't see it. Joe cradled his head in response to Levon's action, chest arching, a soft guttural moan that was little more than a vibration Levon could feel rather than hear. Levon realized he might just have to mark Joe more often, what others might or might not see be damned. Emboldened he marked Joe again just below the hollow of his throat, applying teeth and then soothing that brief hurt with lips and tongue.

Joe pulled his head up, kissing him fiercely. Levon let Joe take control of the kiss, giving himself over to simply enjoy it. Joe was a great kisser.

The need to breathe finally broke them apart. Joe nibbled along his jaw, whispering in his ear. "You. Taste. Divine."

Levon shuddered when Joe sucked lightly on his earlobe, absent-mindedly grateful he was nearly prone lying on Joe. There was no way he'd be standing through the wave of pleasure that washed over him. He shivered again when Joe blew softly across his ear, whispering words of endearment and affection, pulling him closer.

"I wanna go for a ride, Joe." Levon managed to get out, surprised by the rough, needy quality of his own voice. "Please."

Joe bit his lip, eyes aglow. "Any time, Cowboy, any time."

Levon slithered upward, lithely maneuvering to straddle Joe's lap. He cupped Joe's face, bending to kiss him sweetly, almost chastely. "We need---"

"In drawer. End table." Joe breathed out with a smile, a gleam in his eyes. "Never took it back to the bedroom."

Levon chuckled, waggling his eyebrows. "Pays ta think ahead."

"That it does." Joe agreed.

Levon stretched, reaching for the end table. He struggled not to lose sight of the goal when he felt warm, wet heat and gentle suction on an already sensitized nipple. He moaned, his eyes closing in spite of his best efforts.

"Joe…ya gotta…Jesus." He whimpered. "Please."

Even though he'd asked, no begged, Levon still regretted having Joe stop. He tried to get his breathing under control and steady his shaking hands. Levon managed to get the drawer open and stifled a curse as he fumbled to find the lube. He huffed out a breath in triumph when he finally located what he was desperately searching for.

He offered the lube to Joe, looking up coyly from under his lashes. "You wanna do it?" He rocked his hips suggestively, rubbing their erections together, grinning in satisfaction at the way Joe reacted. "Or you want me ta do it?"

Joe growled and held out his hand. "Mine."

"Yours." Levon agreed easily, popping the top to squeeze a generous amount of lubricant on to Joe's waiting fingers. He arched his spine, head tipping back in pleasure at his lover's sure, gentle touch, cool lube a sharp contrast to his heated flesh. Levon rocked slightly, hips moving languidly to match Joe's penetrating fingers.

He moaned. Joe's other hand caressed his chest, teasing a nipple, fingertips flicking over one hard, sensitive nub with the same rhythm as those that rimmed and penetrated him. Levon hissed, torn between thrusting back to fuck himself on Joe's fingers and leaning forward to encourage Joe to lavish more attention on his chest.

"God…Joe." Levon gasped. "Yer…tryin' ta kill me."

Joe's raspy chuckle was almost a physical thing, raising goose bumps on Levon's skin. "You ready for more?"

"Hell yes." Levon sighed and curled forward to capture Joe's lips in a desperate kiss. He only pulled away when he started feeling dizzy. "I wanna ride." He whispered harshly against Joe's lips. "Now."

Joe swallowed hard, nodding eagerly. Levon shifted, using his quads to rise up to give his lover more room, holding himself easily while Joe stroked himself, slicking his cock. It was nice to know his lover was concerned for his comfort and pleasure, but when Joe seemed to be taking too long, teasing him, Levon slapped his hand away. "Enough."

Joe's hands moved to hold Levon's narrow waist, hips curling upward to meet the blond halfway. Levon huffed out a breath in satisfaction as Joe slid home inside him. His toes curled in pleasure, hands clenching as Joe rolled his hips, rocking his pelvis enough so that the tip of his cock brushed back and forth across Levon's prostate.

He shuddered and began his ride. He smiled down at his lover, hands moving to caress every bit of skin he could reach, enjoying the babbled words of encouragement and pleasure. Half the time he had no clear idea what Joe said, but he understood the intent easily enough.

Their position was perfect for Joe to brace his feet on the floor giving him enough leverage to push up meeting each down thrust Levon made. Levon found himself grinning. This was definitely one hell of a ride.

He reached to stroke himself, the impulse as natural as breathing. Joe halted his reach, a wicked smile flittering across is face. "Mine."

Levon nodded shakily, not trusting his voice at this point. He moaned when Joe began to stroke him, matching the pace and rhythm they'd already established. His lover's touch was sure, confident, knowing just how much pressure to apply, knowing how to heighten the ever rising spiral of pleasure.

Levon shuddered, small tremors wracking his frame as he got closer to the precipice. He was in no hurry to get there, reveling in the moment, but couldn't slow the steady advance either. Muscles worked smoothly, post trot motion coming so easily to him, quickening the pace.

"That's it, Cowboy." Joe encouraged. "Ride me, baby. So….good. So…damn…good."

Levon increased the pace. He could hear little whimpers of pleasure but couldn't tell if they were coming from him or Joe. The small tremors were getting bigger and Levon could almost feel his orgasm building at the base of his spine. He was gasping, almost chanting Joe's name, eyes closed somehow adding to the intensity of the feeling of his lover's touch.

Joe's free hand rose to caress his chest and Levon shuddered, losing his rhythm for a moment. He trembled when Joe flicked a finger over a hypersensitive nipple. Levon came with a shout, white light sparking behind his eyes as his whole body tightened in a muscle spasm that left him unable to breathe for several seconds.

He was only vaguely aware of Joe coming a few seconds later as his lover arched up off the couch, burying himself deeply in Levon. The blond curled forward clutching Joe, needing to ground himself, holding his lover tightly to him as he recovered. Joe's hold on him was just as tight, panting breaths cool against his sweaty skin.

Levon nuzzled Joe's neck. He sighed softly, feeling a sense of contentment he only ever found wrapped in his lover's arms. His eyes drifted closed as he listened to the steady beat of Joe's heart.

"Don't you fall asleep." Joe ordered, a smile readily apparent in his voice.

"Why not?" Levon mumbled.

"Because."

"Because?" Levon raised his head, snickering. "That's the best you can do?"

"At the moment, yeah." Joe laughed lightly, placing a quick kiss on Levon's nose. "Give me a few minutes and I'm sure I can come up with something better."

"Don't worry about it." Levon grinned, sitting up and raising himself up on his knees. He patted Joe's chest. "Been there, done that."

Joe nodded. "Damn glad we both have."

"Amen, brother." Levon sighed, regretting the loss of the intimate contact. "Should get cleaned up."

"Yeah." Joe sighed. "Should get dinner too."

Levon waved a hand in a dismissive motion. He wasn't all that worried about eating at the moment. He located his shirt and used that to clean them up a bit before moving to lounge next to Joe on the couch. He snuggled in, smiling when Joe automatically shifted so there was enough room for both of them on the couch. Levon sighed when Joe began playing with his hair, stretching a bit to get more comfortable, leaning into his lover's solid frame. He could get used to this. Hell, he was used to this.

"You'll have that information tomorrow?"

Joe's quiet question didn't surprise him. "Yeah."

"We're going to nail the son of a bitch to the wall."

"Yes, we are." Levon confirmed even though Joe hadn't really asked a question.

"Good." Joe shifted slightly. Levon felt him place a kiss in his hair. "I tell you thank you yet for letting me stay here?"

"Don't got to thank me." Levon caught the real gratitude and warmth in that statement, as well as the faint tease. He tilted his head back so he could look up at Joe with an easy smile. "Though, I wouldn't mind if ya made a point of doing that in the bullpen at some point."

Joe snickered before leaning forward to place a kiss on Levon's forehead. "Want them all to know how grateful I am, do you?"

"Nah." Levon shrugged. "Want them to know what a good guy I am."

"Oh you are good." Joe leered. "Very good."

Levon laughed slapping Joe's chest. He rose easily to his feet in one smooth motion. "C'mon, boy," Levon offered a hand to his lover, "Lets finish getting cleaned up and then see if we can salvage something out o' those veggies you mutilated."

"Mutilated?!" Joe snorted indignantly taking Levon's hand. "I didn't mutilate anything."

"Right." Levon nodded sagely, eyes twinkling.

Joe raised a warning finger making Levon laugh. The blond waggled his eyebrows, giving his lover a come hither look a second later. "I'll make it up to you."

"Oh?"

"Shower."

Joe grinned. "Yes."

Levon raised a hand and crooked his finger at Joe as he backed toward the master bathroom. "Yer turn ta show me what ya got big boy."

Joe took a deep breath, eyes aglow as he stalked after Levon. "Would love to."

Joe shook his head slightly wondering just how many people owed his lover favors. Not only had be been able to secure copies of all the evidence to be had regarding the arson investigation, he'd also managed to get them free use of a tech lab. He briefly considered asking just what sort of marker the blond had called in before deciding it didn't matter.

"Didn't have to call in any markers, Joe." Levon gave him a sly look.

"How did you-"

"Damn good thing you don't play poker." Levon snickered, lightly bumping Joe's shoulder with his. "Ya'd lose yer shirt."

"I would not." Joe scowled, arguing in spite of the fact that he'd thought similar things already knowing how easily Levon had read him in the past.

Levon shook his head. "You keep tellin' yerself that."

Joe snorted and opted to let it go for now. "So if it wasn't a marker…what did you use to get all this?"

Levon shrugged. "Man can never have too many friends."

Joe rolled his eyes, somehow not at all surprised by that non-answer. It was on par with a lot of the less than specific answers he got from Levon. Joe still wasn't sure how often his lover did it simply without thinking about it, some innate character trait, and how often it was a deliberate tease to rile Joe.

"Let's get started." Levon nodded toward the video equipment. "Only got this place for a couple hours."

Joe nodded. They knew that the propped rear door made the most likely access for the arsonist. Given the time constraints they had on using the video equipment, they had already agreed to start with the tapes that covered the back door, saving those that covered the front of the building for later review.

Joe popped in the tape from a week prior to the fire. They weren't sure how long the arsonist might have cased the building. It was possible that the crime had been one of one of opportunity but neither of them believed that.

"We ready?"

"Cue it up."

Joe took a seat next to Levon as they studied the grainy footage. Deftly running the controls Joe fast forwarded through spots with no activity, slowing down to nearly frame by frame as people came and went. Joe verbally identified residents that he knew, Levon recording them on a small note pad for elimination or questioning later. It was always possible someone living in the building has set the fire.

"Stop." Levon commanded. "Go back a few frames."

Joe did as directed not sure quite what his lover had seen. Levon pointed to the upper right hand corner of the screen. "There."

Joe frowned looking closer. He pursed his lips. Just barely in the visual range of the camera a figure stood, clearly watching the comings and goings of the residents of the building. Joe couldn't make out any more than a general build, the individual's face obscured by a hood.

"Think that might be our guy?"

"Could be." Levon squinted. "Time and date clock says it's three days 'fore the fire."

Joe slowly advanced the film. He growled in frustration unable to get a clear shot, the individual never stepped far enough into the field of view for easy identification. Whoever it was obviously knew just where to stand. He knew Levon was marking the frame numbers and location for one of the techs on the off chance that they might be able to enhance the picture.

Joe cursed quietly as he noted that the back door had been propped nearly every night that they'd reviewed so far. The resident propping the door was different each night which made Joe shake his head. People were idiots, no doubt about it.

"Counted four different people." Levon shook his head. "Think we could charge them with something?"

"Unfortunately it's not a crime to be stupid." Joe answered, his tone laced with disgust.

"Ought to be."

Joe nodded in agreement. Their actions had made it decidedly easy for anyone to gain access to the building. It was something their mystery man obviously had no trouble figuring out.

Joe advanced the video to the night of the fire. At 1:40 am their mystery man approached the door. He ducked his head as he approached the door, effectively hiding his face but there was no mistaking the gas can he carried with him.

"White. 'Bout six feet, maybe a little under I'd say." Levon observed quietly. "Slight build. Guessing about 160-170 pounds."

"With that windbreaker on hard to say that for sure." Joe countered rewinding the film and then halting it at the cleanest picture they'd gotten so far. "But I think you're probably right."

"Not a lot to go on."

"They get any prints off the door?"

"Too damn many." Levon shook his head. "Gonna take the lab awhile ta sort 'em all out."

Joe nodded. Given the number of people they'd already seen using the entrance just over the course of a few days he'd expected that. "Maybe we'll get lucky."

"Maybe." Levon's expression told him clearly his statement was one of wishful thinking. "Let's see if we can get a better shot of him leavin'."

Joe advanced the film again. After their arsonist the only people to enter the building were him and Levon. He was glad that they were both conscious of the presence of the cameras and made a practice of being very discrete at his place. There was nothing untoward for anyone else to see, just two good friends.

Twenty minutes after they'd entered the building their mystery man left. The man continued to keep his head down, but flipped his middle finger to the camera. "Little prick." Joe froze the frame glaring at the image.

"Joe…back that up a bit and then run it again."

Arching an eyebrow in askance, Joe did as Levon indicated. His partner watched the image intently, sharp brown eyes clearly seeking something, but Joe had no idea what. He let the film run until the man stepped completely out of view, disappearing across the parking lot into the predawn darkness.

"Again, please."

Joe complied. "What are you looking for?"

"He seems familiar."

"Familiar?" Joe blinked. "How the hell can he seem familiar, Levon, we can't even see his face?"

"Way he moves." Levon frowned, eyes still studying the video. "Can't quite put my finger on it, but we've met him before."

From anyone else Joe would have scoffed at that, but his partner had a proven uncanny ability to assess people and situations. If Levon thought they'd met the mystery man before then odds were good that they had. Joe cocked his head studying the freeze frame.

"From a case you think?" Joe glanced toward his partner. "Or just someone we've run into in passing?"

"Don't know." Levon shook his head.

"Okay." Joe accepted that, filing away the possibilities for future reference. "If we know him….you think he might know us?"

Levon considered his question clearly understanding where he was going with it. "Possible this was personal, LaFiamma." The blond rubbed his chin. "But I'm guessin' he don't know us all that well."

"Why?"

"Fire started in the basement." Levon shrugged one shoulder. "If the son of a bitch knew us well he'd likely have started it on your floor. Made damn sure we couldn't get out of the building."

"Assumes he meant to kill us, or at least me since he probably wouldn't have expected you to be spending the night." Joe said calmly, arguing the point. "Could just be he wanted to do a lot of damage."

"When we catch him, we'll ask. Real polite like." Levon's grin was more like a wolf baring its teeth.

Joe nodded. He was definitely looking forward to that interrogation. He took a deep breath and refocused. They had to catch the prick first.

"Want to see the rest?"

"Might as well." Levon nodded. "If the guy hung around afterward we might still get a better shot of him." "Probably better chance of that with the still shots." Joe pointed toward the file of photographs.

"Probably." Levon agreed. "But we don't want to miss something either."

"Right." As tedious as it might be, it was still necessary. Joe started the film again. He watched as various residents began streaming out of the building, most dressed in their night clothes. About half the building had left through the back door, the rest had used the front entrance. There was no sign of their arsonist.

Levon sighed. He looked more resigned than disappointed. "Let's take a look at the front door coverage."

Joe popped out the tape and replaced it. "Going to start before the fire again. If he was casing the place he might have started with the front."

"Makes sense." Levon agreed.

The coverage of the front was better than the back, the camera having a wider field of view, and the area was better lit. They watched people come and go but didn't spot anything unusual. There as no sign of their arsonist.

Joe kept the tape running through the night of the fire, focusing on the view of people leaving and the gathering crowd. Rescue and emergency personnel kept most people well back from the building and unfortunately out of clear sight of the camera. Joe hadn't really expected to see anything but it was worth reviewing.

He had a better sense of how many people were present and the arrangement of residents and gawkers within the crowd. It would make viewing the still shots a lot easier since he'd know who he could ignore and who he'd need to take a second look at. Joe shut off the tape and removed it. He handed it to Levon to return to the box of evidence.

Levon held up to sets of photos. One set Joe knew were crowd shots, the other were photos taken of the aftermath of the fire. "You wanna split 'em up or go through 'em together?"

"Split them up." Joe decided. It would be faster that way. If they needed a second review they could do that together the way they did the video.

"Which ones you want?"

Since it had been Levon who thought the arsonist was someone they knew, Joe opted to look over the shots of the aftermath. He might find something there. And he'd already committed to memory what areas of the crowd shots he thought the video indicated would be the most promising. He could look at them after Levon was finished with them.

Joe studied the fire shots objectively. He'd seen enough fires to understand the burn patterns and what they indicated. It was easy to trace the path of the fire from the basement up. Joe cocked his head as he studied photos that showcased the first floor walls. Something was definitely not right there. The burn pattern wasn't at all what he expected.

"Lundy?" Joe called naturally falling into the habit of addressing his partner by his surname when they were working.

"Yeah?"

"You get Annie's report on that other accelerant they thought was used on the first floor?"

Levon pursed his lips, clearly thinking. He nodded once and dug into an unopened file. He fingered through several sheets of paper before finding what Joe had asked for and handed it to him.

Joe scanned the report. The main accelerant had clearly been gasoline. No mistaking that. The secondary accelerant appeared to be lighter fuel, like one might use for a barbeque. He frowned. Why would their arsonist bring lighter fuel and gasoline?

Joe went back to studying the photographs. Suddenly he saw it clearly. The soot and water had obscured it to some degree, blurring the words but something had definitely been written on the wall. He could make out 'Fuck' easily enough so it wasn't hard to guess the next word was 'you'. The third was too corrupted by fire that had licked up the wall from the carpet burning hotter from the combined accelerants and the fact that the lighter fluid sprayed on a flat surface had likely begun to run.

Joe grimaced. It wasn't a clear indicator that this was personal but it certainly made a good case for it. He looked up wanting to show Levon what he'd found but the expression on his partner's face stopped him cold.

"Levon?"

The blond's jaw was clenched so tight Joe was honestly surprised that he couldn't hear his teeth grinding under the pressure. His eyes were centered on the photo he held in one hand, the other hand was clenched in a fist so tight the knuckles had bleached white. The steady controlled breathing worried Joe the most. Levon could sit still for hours but there was an intensity about him, a relaxed and ready attention that added a sense of vitality to him that was now conspicuously absent.

He reached out to lightly touch the tense shoulder nearest to him. "Levon…you okay?"

Bleak brown eyes rose to meet his. "Found our man."

If he hadn't been look right at Levon, Joe wouldn't have recognized his voice. "Who?"

Levon's lips twisted in a grim parody of a smile. He held up the photo he'd been looking at, offering it to Joe. "Third guy on the right, behind the redhead in her bathrobe."

Joe gingerly took the photo, pulling it closer to him for better scrutiny. He cursed quietly as he recognized the person Levon had pointed out. Joe had to forcibly stop himself from crumpling the photo in a tight fist.

"That little bastard."

"Yep." Levon took a deep breath and Joe could almost see him forcibly reining in the fury that radiated off him like heat from an open flame. "He's wearin' the same winbreaker as our arsonist, but I'm not sure that's enough for us to hang the Commissioner's kid. Gonna need a rock solid case for that."

Joe took a deep breath, following his lover's example. He wanted that little prick to go down and to do that it had to be done right. He wished now that they pushed to hold him more than one night. Drunk driving was bad enough but they'd had no indication the kid was a fire bug.

"So we need something more concrete to tie him to this." Joe agreed, his enforced calm adding a constrained note to his voice.

"Yeah, but at least we got a start." Levon commented. "Can point the fire investigators in the right direction and get a few more eyes lookin' at him. Bound to turn up somethin'."

Joe grimaced. "You plan to share then?"

Levon held up both hands as though weighing something. "Joanne is going to be pissed were involved to start with. And arson isn't in our usual purview. Makes sense to involve the experts."

"Point."

"And it won't hurt to involve a department not directly under the commissioner's chain of command."

"Better point." Joe conceded. As much as he didn't like the idea it would be foolish not to share the information they'd gotten. The commissioner had already managed to see to it his son's prior DUI's hadn't resulted in the loss of his license. It wasn't quite corruption, but Joe still hated the blatant nepotism of it.

He didn't like the idea they probably wouldn't be the ones to bring in the little prick either. Joe reminded himself that it didn't matter who caught him just so long as he was caught. "Okay…so we got a shot of the arsonist that he bears a striking resemblance to. We got the message he left on the wall."

"Message?" Levon arched an eyebrow.

Joe handed him the aftermath photo he'd been looking at. He traced the words he'd spotted with his index finger. "The 'fuck you' is pretty clear but the third word is anyone's guess."

"Lab boys might be able to get more out of it. Likely wouldn't hurt to send the inspectors back to take a second look."

Joe nodded. "What else we got?"

Levon held up another photo. Joe cocked his head as he studied it, recognizing the item taken in close up after a moment. "Police issue flare."

"Yep." Levon nodded. "Annie's report and the fire inspectors both list it as the likely ignition source." The blond gave another of those wolfish grins. "Partial serial number on it too."

"We can trace it?"

"Probably." Levon shrugged. "Won't know for sure until we do. Will get us a box lot at best but that should give us a distribution time frame. Not like we use that many o' the things. And each box lot is ear marked for a specific precinct."

"Damn but they should all be this easy." Joe shook his head. He wouldn't be too surprised if they found the kid's prints somewhere. Since he'd been sent to the drunk tank they had his prints already on file for easy comparison. "You know, I think I like it better when we deal with the hardened criminal types. More of a challenge."

Levon snorted. "He may be a dumb kid, but he still could have killed a lot of people."

Joe nodded. There was no way he could have forgotten that. The little bastard had hurt a lot of people, no one fatally, but he'd still done some serious damage. Joe was looking forward to seeing him punished.

"Anything else we need to do here?"

"Got a snitch or two we need ta talk to." Levon neatly collected the significant photos they'd selected before returning the rest to their respective folders. "Might be this wasn't the first time daddy's little boy was playin' with matches."

"Okay." Joe clipped the notes Levon had made regarding the frames on the video they wanted the techs to see about enhancing. "Let's go see if we can make a case the little weasel can't slither out from under."

Levon slipped downstairs intent on finding out some information. The desk sergeant always knew more than anyone else. It was something of a given, but getting him to share it took a bit of doing. Mike Anders wasn't really a gossip. It didn't hurt that he and Levon got along well.

"Hey, Mike." Levon greeted as he leaned against the counter.

"Hey, Lundy." The big man smiled as he nodded to Levon. Mike towered over him by a good six inches and was built like a linebacker but he was one of the mildest mannered men Levon had ever met. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle his feathers. Made him a damn good choice to meet and greet the public in Levon's opinion.

"I'm sneaking across the street ta get a cup o' the good coffee. You want one?"

"Only if you promise not ta drop it like ya did the last time." Mike waggled his eyebrows.

Levon snorted. "There were extenuating circumstances."

"Yeah, yeah." Mike wagged his finger at Levon. "Don't be getting it by any cars this time. Took a good ten years off my life pullin' that stunt."

"Didn't do a whole hell of a lot for me either." Levon rolled his eyes.

"So is it true that LaFiamma is stayin' with you 'till his place is livable again?"

"Not like I didn't have room." Levon shrugged casually. "Man's my partner and my friend. Couldn't exactly leave him out in the cold."

Mike nodded like he hadn't expected anything else. "You know some of the guy in Vice have a bettin' pool going."

"Do they?" Levon stifled a grin. He had overheard something to that effect but hadn't been able to confirm it until now. "What are they bettin' on?"

"How long it takes 'fore uniforms get called to your place for a domestic disturbance." Mike snickered. "Evidently they are laying odds of five to one you two try ta kill each other 'fore the month is out."

Levon ducked his head a bit to hide his smile. They had no idea just how damn domestic he and Joe really were. He sighed and shook his head, schooling his expression into one of amused annoyance when before looking up.

"You lay a bet?"

"Hell no." Mike chuckled. "You two have been workin' together for more than four years now…figure iffen you haven't come ta blows by now you ain't gonna."

"Always thought you were more than just a pretty face."

Mike lightly stroked his chin, grinning broadly. "Don't you forget it."

"I'll make a note." Levon laughed. "You want yer usual?"

"Yep." Mike reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet. He pulled out a five offering it to Levon. "Ought to cover it."

"Be back in a minute." Levon slipped the five into his pocket and headed across the street. He'd developed a real fondness for the coffee and the lady who served it up just the way he liked it. They'd never exchanged more than polite courtesies but she always smiled when he came in and knew what he wanted as soon as he walked in. Service like that was worth the trek across the street.

Levon unconsciously double checked both directions. Although he had deliberately darted into traffic to save a child he was still somewhat wary at this intersection. It was another reason he persisted in going to the coffee shop; he wanted to face this small fear and see it put to bed.

He shook his head calling himself a fool at feeling relieved to have crossed the street without incident. His sense of humor kicked in making him smile as he reminded himself that little victories counted too and getting across the street without injury ought to count as a victory. It was worth the reward he'd crossed the street to get in the first place.

He wasn't surprised to have to wait in line. The place was usually packed no matter what time he stopped in. Levon figured that was a good sign the place would last awhile. He hoped so. Joe raved about their coffee, was the only stuff he'd drink if he didn't make it himself.

Normally he would spend time watching the other patrons. People watching was a habit as much by nature as being a hazard of the job. But today, his thoughts were focused elsewhere.

Just as he'd predicted, the day after the fire, a number of people had offered Joe a place to stay. It hadn't taken long for word to get around he was staying at Levon's. So far no one had even questioned it. The betting pool that Vice had didn't surprise Levon at all. Given how volatile he and Joe's work relationship was, how frequently they at stood toe to toe arguing so vehemently it seemed words might give way to blows at any moment, it was actually logical to assume they wouldn't last sharing space away from the office.

No one seemed to have caught on that their disagreements at work stayed at work. They argued about cases not everyday stuff. But then none of their coworkers saw them outside of work that much, no reason for them to know just how well they got along. Despite their arguments there wasn't anyone who didn't think they were genuinely friends, a good team.

Annie naturally saw them as being good for one another long before she knew they were lovers. Levon considered that as just more proof that she was a damn sight smarter than most people. He didn't hold her shutting him out of the fire investigation against her. It was her job, he knew that. He made a mental note to tell her so later. Maybe he should send her some flowers, make sure she knew he and Joe weren't mad. He knew her favorites were red carnations. A dozen of those wouldn't cost much and it would make her day. Was good all the way around.

He sighed, jaw tightening as his thoughts flowed naturally towed the arson case. Fire Marshal, Mark Halberg, had planned to bring in the Commissioner's kid later today for questioning. It grated on him that he and Joe were not allowed to participate in the arrest or the interrogation. He understood the reason for it, but that didn't mean he had to like it. At least they were given permission to observe, probably because Beaumont recognized the futility of saying no.

Levon's expression soured knowing the Commissioner would be there as well. He disliked Andrew Carson intensely. Pompous windbag was more politician than cop. Politics had its place, but Levon didn't think it belonged in law enforcement.

Levon was pretty sure he'd have to ride herd on his lover. Joe had taken it personally when the fat bastard had spent half an hour dressing Levon down for doing his job arresting his son. He'd been bothered by it less than his partner.

Being pissed about the fire and making sure the little prick paid his dues certainly had kept Joe from dwelling excessively on what he'd lost. Levon had already been in touch with Rosa to ensure the photo albums and all the pictures within could be replaced. He had failed to realize that Joe hadn't told his family about the fire yet when he called but fortunately Rosa was a sensible sort. She made sure the rest of the family knew Joe was safe and spaced their calls to confirm that so they weren't overwhelming. Since they were calling the ranch now, Levon was definitely grateful Rosa could manage the LaFiamma clan. He added her name to his mental list of need to thank. He'd have to ask Joe what her favorite flowers were.

The insurance company had completed their assessment, although there was no word on when they were going to pay out, or if. Levon grimaced, not at all surprised by that. Once the fire had been labeled arson it was bound to slow things up.

That hadn't kept them from cleaning out Joe's stuff. Chicken had helped out. Levon was grateful for that. The big man certainly had the added muscle they'd needed to manhandle stuff out of Joe's place.

Getting solid oak furniture down a spiral staircase wasn't something Levon ever wanted to do again. He had been half tempted to tell Joe just to hire the stupid fools from the moving company that had moved him in to move him out. But he was pretty sure if they had any sense they'd have turned him down. Either that or made him pay through the nose. If he hadn't been in love with the man, he sure as hell wouldn't have agreed to it.

Joe's bedroom suite was taking up space in his barn drying out. So far it seemed to be drying evenly, no warping or cracking yet. Levon planned to strip it in another week or two. Although he really had no idea what Joe would do with it when he was done. He shook his head and reminded himself that he still had to finish it first. No point in getting the cart before the horse.

Finally he made it to the counter. He got his usual, Mike's and something for Joe while he was at it. He briefly considered making Joe's a decaf. His partner was already wound up tighter than an eight day clock, but knowing how much having his coffee the way he liked it meant to Joe Levon abandoned the idea even before it was fully formed.

He thanked the woman and headed back out, one cup in hand the other two neatly placed in a cardboard carrier. Levon once again double checked the street before crossing, feeling foolish for being so hypersensitive. But then Mother Minnie always said better safe than sorry. He hoped the mother of the little girl he'd braved getting hit by a car for taught her the same thing for future reference. If she'd waited and looked both ways she might not have ever been in danger in the first place.

Levon sighed when he got back into Reisner welcoming the cool blast of air conditioning. Born and raised in Texas he was far more used to the heat than Joe, and he often teased his partner about his lack of tolerance, but there were days when it got to him too. Not that he'd ever tell Joe that.

"Hey, Mike I got yer coffee." Levon nodded toward his partner leaning against the counter. Joe didn't look happy.

"Didn't tell me you were going across the street for coffee, Lundy."

"Got you a cup." Levon offered the cup not quite sure why Joe would be upset.

Joe gave him a dark look. "That's not the point."

"Does that mean you don't want it?" Levon smiled slightly.

Joe rolled his eyes. "Give me that." He held out his hand for the cup Levon offered.

"No need ta worry, LaFiamma." Mike commented quietly, sipping his own cup of gourmet coffee, a twinkle in his gray eyes. "I watched him ta make sure he looked both ways."

"I'm a big boy, ya know." Levon snorted. "Can take care of myself."

"Sure you can." Mike snickered, trading a knowing look with Joe. "Might just be a good thing you moved in with him LaFiamma. Wouldn't hurt ta have someone there to keep an eye on him when he's not on the clock."

Joe grinned. "Thanks, Mike."

"Yer gonna be getting your own damn coffee from now on." Levon stated firmly. He wasn't all that upset and he knew Mike knew it too.

"Don't worry, Mike, I'll get you a cup whenever I go." Joe offered, still grinning. "Can't stand the sludge in the break room."

"Always knew you were a good man, LaFiamma." Mike saluted Joe with his coffee cup.

Levon rolled his eyes. "Suck up."

"Damn straight." Mike grinned. "Cup o' java this good is worth makin' nice." He cast a questioning look toward Joe. "You doin' okay?"

"What?" Joe frowned.

"Heard they were bringing in the little bastard that torched yer building." Mike sipped his coffee. "Figured you'd be pissed that they didn't let you be the one ta bring him in."

"I am." Joe's lips curled in a sneer, before forming a teeth baring smile. "But I'm willing to sit back and let someone else collar the little prick if it means Carson can't get him off."

Mike shook his head. "Knew that kid was gonna end up behind bars eventually."

"You met him before?" Levon asked, moving to lean casually against the counter. Mike had been a desk sergeant for more than a decade, moving into the position after working as a uniformed street officer for almost as long. Odds were good if the Carson kid had been in trouble, more than Levon knew about, then Mike would know.

"Oh yeah." Mike snorted. "Think that kid's been in trouble since he was in short pants." The big man shook his head, expression disgusted. "Both mom and dad were more interested in other things…like climbin' the social ladder and the like, so the kid made do with nannies and private schools."

He sighed heavily. "Would have done better to jus' pay attention to what really matters in life and warm his ass once in awhile. Commissioner has spent a pretty penny bailin' that boy out o' trouble."

"Knew he had a few DUI's." Levon commented quietly.

"Countin' the one you brought him in for," Mike held up one hand fingers splayed.

"Five?" Joe blinked, glancing toward Levon. "Thought you said your arrest was the third time?"

"Thought it was." Levon shrugged one shoulder.

Mike pursed his lips. "Fraid not." His expression soured. "Second time he smashed up his car. Damn lucky he didn't kill someone."

"Sounds like he's an alcoholic." Joe observed. "You'd think they'd have checked into a detox center or something."

"And admit the kid has a problem?" Mike shook his head. "Fat chance."

"He ever torch anythin' before?" Levon asked. They hadn't been able to find anything like that in the kid's history, but the history they had was far from complete.

"Not that I know of." Mike shrugged. "Know he got himself kicked out of a few fancy schools though. S'why he's in Houston at all…ran out of places ta send him, I guess. Carson's always played that as a 'boys will be boys' thing, but rumor has it at least one expulsion was cause of a pipe bomb."

"Jesus." Joe hissed. Levon seconded that curse. A pipe bomb was far from simply being high spirited hi-jinxs.

"Is only a rumor." Mike's expression turned wry. "But given what he's being brought in for today, I'm guessing there might be more'n a little truth to it."

Levon grimaced. "Probably." He cocked his head to one side. "Should o' told Halberg to check inta the kid's school records."

Mike smirked. "Think a little bird might have already mentioned it."

Joe chuckled. "You sneaky son of a bitch."

Mike's expression turned innocent. "Don't know what you are talking about." He winked at Joe. "Ya might not be from 'round here, LaFiamma, but yer one of ours now. We take care o' our own."

Levon sipped his coffee to hide his smile. Sometimes Joe forgot that he wasn't an outsider anymore. Was nice to see him reminded now and again, especially when it came from someone other than Levon. The monster sized chip on his shoulder that Joe had come to Houston with had initially kept him from being welcomed with open arms, but he'd proven himself many times since then.

"We better head upstairs." Levon nodded toward the elevator. "Don't want to be late for the show."

Mike chuckled. "I wanna hear all about it."

Joe grimaced. "Pretty sure it'll be all of the building."

"Yeah, but I want to know the truth."

"Will do, Mike."

"Thanks for the coffee, Levon."

"Yer welcome."

He and Joe headed for the elevator. Levon was relieved it was empty. It would give them a minute to talk without worrying about having to censure themselves.

"Vice has a running bet on us."

"Mike knew for sure?"

"Yep."

"He bet?" Joe raised both eyebrows, blue eyes alive with curiosity.

"Nope." Levon mimicked Mike's expression and tone of voice as he reiterated the desk sergeant's earlier comment. "He said, and I quote, 'You two have been workin' together for more than four years now…figure iffen you haven't come ta blows by now you ain't gonna.'"

Joe snickered. "Guess he doesn't know about the first night we started working together."

"Only time we ever really came ta blows." Levon whispered, wincing in memory. He regretted that more as time went on. He never wanted to be like his old man.

"Hey." Joe reached out to cup his face, voice soft and warm. "It's okay. Not like I didn't fight back. And you can't say I didn't push all your buttons. Even I know I deserved it."

"Don't make it right."

Joe leaned in to place his forehead against Levon's. "You aren't anything like your father. Trust me."

"Don't ever want to be." Levon sighed, brown eyes focused intently on blue.

"You won't be." Joe's tone made it clear he was making a promise.

"Thanks."

"Any time, partner. Any time." Joe kissed him, merely a light press of soft lips against his before he stepped back.

As much as Levon would have loved for more, he knew better. The elevator was not the right place for being demonstrative.

Levon took a deep breath and then another. He refocused. "We ready to do this thing?"

"Yeah." Joe nodded. "Much as I wish to hell we were going to be doing more than watching, I'm sort of glad we aren't."

"I hear that." It would be too easy lose control. This case was way too personal. They didn't want to do anything wrong that might get it thrown out. Levon knew the kid was already a menace, no reason to give him a chance to make to more damage.

"Get your game face on."

Levon smiled at Joe's directive before adopting a bland expression. He was ready for this to be done. Maybe they'd be able to get things back to normal yet. Well, at least what was normal for them.

"Let's go do this thing."

He watched Joe release a breath slowly. "We stay calm, cool and collected."

"No fuss. No muss."

"And he goes to jail for a very long, long time."

"Agreed." They stated together.

The elevator dinged announcing their floor. They walked out together, in step as usual. Levon smiled. There wasn't anything they couldn't handle as long as they took it on together.

Staring at an interrogation room from the other side of the one way glass was a novel experience. Joe was far more comfortable being in the room than being an observer. He glanced over toward his partner. "Feel weird to you?"

"Very." Levon grimaced.

"This Halberg any good?" Joe hated the idea of relinquishing control of a suspect interview to an unknown commodity.

"Has a damn fine reputation. Been told he's a good fire marshal and one hell of an arson investigator." Levon shrugged one shoulder. "But I've never met him."

Joe blinked. "Don't tell me there is actually someone in this town you don't know?"

Levon chuckled. "City this size, LaFiamma, there is bound to be someone I don't know."

Joe snorted. This would be the first time that had ever happened. Sometimes he was convinced there wasn't anyone Levon didn't know in Houston. The cowboy had a phenomenal memory for names and faces.

"Would feel better if it was someone you knew."

"Me too." Levon gave him a rueful glance. "Would feel a hell of a lot better if it was us in there."

Joe nodded. "Yeah."

He glanced toward the door when it opened and forced himself to remain relaxed as Lt. Beaumont entered with the Police Commissioner hard on her heels. Joe didn't miss the slight stiffening of Levon's posture, but the blond's expression remained blandly neutral, giving away nothing. Not for the first time did Joe envy his partner's 'game face'.

He tipped his head in greeting to his boss, watching as Levon did the same. A quick understanding smile passed between Levon and Beaumont. Joe liked and respected the petite brunette. She was a good boss and a better friend.

The commissioner on the other hand…Joe shook his head. He simply didn't like him. If he'd never met the man or didn't know anything about him, it might have been easier to feel more neutral. On the surface there was nothing overly objectionable about Carson.

Salt and pepper hair was carefully styled, blue eyes sharp and clear as they viewed the world through designer wire framed glasses. The suits he wore were easily as good quality as those Joe favored and were obviously tailored to fit. A tan that could only be courtesy of a tanning bed gave him a nicely faux 'outdoor healthy' look. He smiled easily, too easily in Joe's opinion.

Carson looked relaxed, bored even. Joe knew the older man didn't expect his son to be here long. Their conversation with Mike earlier had confirmed the fact he'd been bailing his kid out of trouble for years. This time would be different. Joe was determined to make sure of that.

Joe's attention was redirected toward the interrogation room as Carson's son, Cory, was escorted in. Even if Joe hadn't known who he was, he'd have had no trouble figuring out Cory was related to Carson. Cory was definitely a younger version of his father.

It wasn't hard to guess that the man who entered with Cory was his lawyer. Having turned eighteen just a week ago, Cory was technically an adult which made legal counsel necessary rather than simply having a parent or guardian present. Joe figured that was probably a good thing. The lawyer's presence meant that so far everything was being done by the book.

Mike Halberg walked in carrying a file and closed the door behind him. He looked like every other good old boy Joe had encountered since moving to Houston. He wore a western style shirt, jeans and boots. Halberg appeared to be a laid back, easy going sort, reminding Joe of Levon. He had a feeling that like Levon, Halberg was nobody's fool and he took his job seriously.

The neat, almost military hair cut had Joe giving his partner a questioning glance. Levon's lips quirked upward in a small half smile. "Former Marine." The blond mouthed silently. He held up one hand fingers splayed, curled it into a fist and then did it again.

Joe gave a slight nod. Ten years as a Marine. That little bit of information definitely explained the hair cut and the posture. He didn't even question how it was Levon would know that bit about Halberg's past. Joe had long since come to take it for granted that Levon just seemed to know stuff like that.

"I'm Marshal Halberg." Halberg's voice as he introduced himself was a rich husky baritone that made Joe wonder if he smoked. "You were apprized of the charges against your client, were you not?"

"Of course." The attorney almost looked insulted. His client just lounged in his chair looking insolent.

Halberg laid the file open in front of him on the table. "I am assuming then that you've also received copies of everything we are about to discuss."

Cory rolled his eyes and sat forward. "Look, man, you know who my father is, right? He'll clear all this up. I don't need to be here."

Halberg's dark brown eyes regarded Cory steadily for several moments. The teenager was clearly uncomfortable with the intense, silent contemplation. "Son, I don't think you realize how serious the charges are." Brown eyes flickered toward the attorney. "Maybe I should leave you two alone for a few minutes to explain it to him."

"I've already tried." The attorney grimaced delicately. Joe almost felt sorry for the poor bastard. Almost. He was sure the guy was getting well paid for his trouble.

"Charges don't mean squat." Cory waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. "My dad will make all that disappear." The teenager looked smug. "He's good at that sort of thing."

"So I've heard." Halberg returned dryly. "But attempted murder takes a bit more than waving a wand."

"Murder?" Cory scoffed. "I didn't try to kill anyone."

"But you did set the fire."

"Can't prove that." The attorney laid a hand on Cory's shoulder and shook his head. The teenager shrugged it off with a snarl. "Don't be tryin' to tell me what to do mouthpiece."

Halberg raised an eyebrow, lips curling in the suggestion of a smile. "Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are ya boy." He shook his head. "I can prove you set the fire or you wouldn't be here. Course it don't hurt that you all but just admitted to it."

Cory leaned forward. "My old man will have your badge." He hissed, clearly confident of his ability to see that threat carried out.

"I don't work for your daddy, boy." Halberg returned calmly.

Joe just managed to stifle his grin at that response. He saw Levon's cheek twitch and knew he'd had a similar reaction. The sudden stiffening in Carson's posture made Joe wonder of the Commissioner was upset with Halberg or his son. Joe was betting he'd only just realized the club he might normally have wielded had no clout.

His son was definitely doing jail time. It remained to be seen for how long. Joe was pretty sure the attempted murder charge was a bit of a stretch but arson, reckless endangerment, and destruction of private property were a given.

Cory blinked, his stunned expression in reaction to Halberg's statement was priceless in Joe's opinion. He hoped the cameras were running and recording this. Maybe he could get a still frame of that expression.

"You set the fire." Halberg reiterated coolly. "Nearly 60 people lived in that building. And more than half of them were home when you set the fire. Could have killed a lot of them."

"I wasn't tryin' to kill any of them." Cory snapped.

"What were you trying to do then?"

Joe held his breath as the attorney again moved to interfere. He breathed easier when Cory again shrugged off the lawyer and shot him a dirty look. Kid was going hang himself at this rate. That didn't bother Joe much at all.

"Planning a little wennie roast were ya?" Halberg snorted. "Just playin' with matches like some grade-schooler?"

"No." Cory bit out, leaning forward in his chair. "Just wanted to put it to that fucking cop."

"You wanted to get at Sergeant LaFiamma?"

"No." Cory scowled.

"No? So you what…set fire to the wrong building?" Halberg gave him a hard look. "Ain't buying that. Not when I know you cased the building for several days beforehand."

"Not him." Cory shook his head, sneering. "That dumb cowboy partner o' his. The one like you."

Joe felt Levon stiffen beside him. He knew his partner well enough to know the insult wasn't the reason. The blond blew off stuff like that all the time.

"You had a problem with Lundy?"

"Hell yes I had a problem with him!" Cory shouted, planting both hands on the table as he stood up and leaned forward into Halberg's space. "The faggot had me kept in the drunk tank. ME! Like I was some fucking alcoholic. He had my car totaled. Totaled!"

Joe winced internally at the reference to the destroyed car. He never thought anyone would blame that on Levon. Or that the stupid kid would be looking to even the score.

"Sit down." Halberg ordered, unfazed by Cory's outburst. When Cory looked like he might refuse, Halberg gave him a look Joe recognized as being not too dissimilar to those he'd gotten from his Aunt Teresa as a child. "Sit down, now, before I make you."

"You can't touch me."

"Wanna bet?" Halberg gave the teenager a nasty smile, one that promised he could deliver on his threat and that the young man wouldn't like the results.

Cory abruptly sat. He crossed his arms over his chest giving Halberg a surly look reminding Joe of a pouting toddler. The attorney cast a wary eye between Cory and Halberg.

"Cory, I would advise you to exercise your right to be silent."

"That the best you can do?" Cory shot back. "That damn Lundy arrests me like some common criminal and throws me in the drunk tank for more than a day and no one does a thing. Can't let something like that just slide."

"Why would anyone do anything?" Halberg asked, tone dry, expression as goading as his tone. "You were drunk. It was your third arrest for a DUI. If yer daddy hadn't stepped in you'd have spent a lot more than one night in jail."

"My old man should have busted him down to working as a crossing guard." Cory glared at him. "Wasn't going to let that fucking dumb ass faggot ruin my ride and let him get away with it."

"I still fail to see how setting fire to LaFiamma's building was going to punish Lundy."

Joe wouldn't mind an answer to that himself. He could see the muscles in Levon's jaw flexing. He wasn't sure what his lover was thinking but he had a good idea of what some of it entailed. If he hadn't wanted to strangle Cory Carson before, Joe sure as hell wanted to now.

"I asked around." Cory smirked. "I know those two are close. Hurt one, hurt the other."

Joe clenched his hands into fists. Blue eyes raked over the senior Carson with a blend of anger and contempt. "Great kid you got yourself there, Commissioner."

The older man opened his mouth to reply but Beaumont raised a hand to lightly touch his arm and shook her head. "It would be best if you showed some of the restraint your son appears to lack." She gave Joe a warning look as well. Joe's attention was redirected back to the other room when Halberg asked another question.

"So the little message you sprayed on the walls was for Lundy?"

"Fuck you, Pigs." Cory smirked, clearly unrepentant and obviously pleased to be able to say that out loud.

"Given yer daddy is the head porker, ya think that little slur might be why he's gonna let you twist in the breeze?" Halberg gave the teenager a little wicked smile. "That maybe yer old man is choosing ta let you hang this time?"

"He wouldn't do that." Cory snapped back, but his expression belied the confident tone.

"You really think so?" Halberg lightly rubbed his chin. "Lettin' you get away with attempted murder of sixty people is a career killer. Can't see him doing that for the likes o' you."

"I wasn't trying to kill sixty people!" Cory shouted, leaning forward. "Wouldn't have shed any tears if that mobbed up LaFiamma had bought it, but you can't accuse me o' trying to kill everyone in that damn building."

Joe snorted at the 'mobbed up' characterization. It wasn't entirely inaccurate given the connections his family had, but he wasn't the dirty cop the teenager was trying to insinuate he was. He glanced toward Levon, not liking the way he could hear his partner's teeth grinding.

"You were trying to kill Sergeant LaFiamma then?" Halberg raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't it have made more sense to start the fire on his floor?" The question clearly implied he thought Cory was definitely an idiot.

"Didn't know which apartment was his." Cory snarled. "Only knew the building."

"So you figured you'd start the bottom and just let the fire work its way up?"

Cory opened his mouth to answer, but the attorney managed to interject before he could say anything. "Do not answer that."

Cory glared at him but remained silent. Halberg snickered. "Good thing you got someone to muzzle you, boy. Might have admitted to actually settin' that fire."

"Fuck you."

"Don't think you're man enough for the job." Halberg actually grinned. "Whiney ass daddy's boys aren't my type."

"You can't talk to me like that!"

"I just did." Halberg's grin shifted into something feral and intimidating. "Not a thing you can do about it."

Carson turned to Beaumont, expression frosty, posture stiff. "Are you going to allow him to talk to my son like that?"

The brunette regarded him calmly. "He's not my officer any more than he's yours." Her candid statement was said with out insult or sarcasm. "There's not a lot I can do about it."

"You could end this interview." He argued, blue eyes icy.

"No." Levon interjected. His voice was soft but Joe recognized the tone and set of his partner's features. They marked the man at his most dangerous.

"Excuse me?" Carson puffed up, reminding Joe of an insulted rooster.

"Kid's got legal representation. He's been read his rights. He's technically an adult." Levon's golden brown eyes met the Commissoner's, gaze remorseless and as unyielding as his tone of voice. "This plays out the way Halberg calls it."

"I don't think you understand, Sergeant-"

"No, I think you don't understand." Levon smoothly cut him off. "That little bastard tried to kill my partner."

"That's just teenage bravado." Carson waved a dismissive hand. "It means nothing."

"Nothing?" Levon growled, stepping forward toward the older man. Joe reached out to catch his arm, not liking the murderous look that suddenly appeared. Not that he didn't agree, but he couldn't see how beating the shit out of the Police Commissioner was going to help them.

Levon shrugged out of his hold still moving toward the older man. "I'll show you 'nothing' you sanctimonious, self-centered son of a bitch."

"Stand down, Lundy." Beaumont ordered, placing herself between Lundy and Carson.

Levon glared at her, and for just a second Joe was afraid the blond would lash out at her. He laid a hand on Levon's shoulder, squeezing once, not liking the way normally solid, yet pliable muscles felt rock hard and stiff. Levon took a deep breath, hands flexing into fists once and then relaxing. He gave the Commissioner a nasty smile. Joe couldn't suppress his satisfaction at seeing of fear on the older man's face.

"Maybe ya should have spent more and got yer boy a better attorney. Or warmed his ass a little more when he was younger instead o' wastin' yer money on expensive schools out o' state." Levon stepped back. "But this time he's gonna face the music, and he'll stay in that room until Halberg says different."

The intent stare between them was broken by further commentary from inside the interrogation room. Joe had almost forgotten the interview was still being conducted. He hadn't heard Halberg's question, but Cory's answer carried through clearly enough.

"Would have torched Lundy's place, all right! I would have hit him first but I didn't have any wheels and my fucking father wouldn't buy me a new car!" Cory was standing again, shouting at Halberg. "Goddamn cowboy lives outside of town and I didn't have any way to get there."

The teenager sneered. "That's when I figured out it would be better to torch LaFiamma's place." Cory almost gloated. "If I'd have managed to kill him it would have been even better than if I killed Lundy. Let the bastard suffer."

"Son of a bitch." Levon's curse was vicious for all its lack of volume. "I'm gonna skin the little prick and mount him on the wall."

Even with that verbal warning, Joe still nearly missed catching Levon in a restraining hold. He'd forgotten just how strong the lanky blond was. Holding him without hurting him was taking nearly everything Joe had.

"Levon…Levon…listen to me." Joe panted holding Levon tightly to him, trapping his arms and forcing him back against the wall. "Please. You know this isn't right. C'mon man."

"Right?!!" Levon hissed, struggling against him. "I don't give a rat's ass about right. I'm gonna kill that bastard. Slow and painful."

"Levon, stop it." Joe tried again. "You don't mean that."

"The hell I don't." Levon snarled.

"Levon." Joe pulled him in closer, leaning into whisper in his ear. "Don't you dare think of leaving me alone. You promised me forever and I am going to hold you to it."

Levon stilled so suddenly Joe was grateful for the wall they were up against. "Leave you?"

"You kill him and what do you think happens?" Joe continued to whisper, shifting his hold so it wasn't so much confining as comforting. "Carson will have a needle in your arm so fast it'll make your head spin." Premeditated murder warranted the death penalty in Texas.

Levon sighed softly and nodded his head against Joe's shoulder signaling his acquiescence. Joe breathed easier and slowly released him. "You okay?"

"No." Levon shook his head, a wan smile gracing his pale face.

"Maybe you two should go get some air." Beaumont didn't so much suggest as order.

Joe waited to see how Levon wanted to play it. He wouldn't mind staying to see how things played out in the other room, but what they'd seen so far Halberg had it well in hand. Levon traded a look with Beaumont that Joe couldn't hope to understand.

She smiled slightly, a dark gleam in her eyes Joe recognized readily enough having see it before. "I'll stay here." Beaumont stated calmly. It was definitely a promise. Carson wouldn't interfere, she'd see to it. They could leave this to her.

Levon nodded. "Let's get some air." He stepped away from Joe and out the door.

Joe followed, stopping for just a second to lean in to speak quietly to Carson, pitching his voice so that he wasn't overheard. "Just so you know...your kid tried to kill me. Levon isn't the only one who might want to even that score, he's just the only one I can convince to not do it."

"Are you threatening me and my son, Sergeant?" Carson frowned, speaking just as low as Joe had.

"You know my background and why I'm in Houston." Joe stated neutrally, not admitting to anything, letting his tone infer a great deal more.

He stepped away and turned to back to Beaumont. "Make sure we get copies of the tape? Want to see for myself how this plays out."

"Certainly."

Joe nodded and closed the door quietly behind him. He knew Levon had headed for the roof. It was his favorite place to go when things at the office got to be more than he could handle. Joe headed for the stairs and started up.

Only a few seconds behind his partner Joe expected to catch up to him in the stairwell. He wasn't worried when he didn't. When Levon worked up a head of steam he could really move. Joe just hoped sprinting up to the roof would take some of the edge off for him.

Joe hesitated at the door to the roof, taking a deep breath and then another, centering himself. For Levon to lose it so completely it would take him more than a few minutes to get himself back under control enough to talk. Joe berated himself for not paying enough attention to his partner. What happened in the interrogation room was not nearly as important as his lover.

He stepped out on to the roof. He winced as he saw Levon pacing. Pacing was something Joe did routinely, but Levon only did it when he was extremely agitated. The blond's arms were wrapped around himself as though he was physically holding himself together.

Joe moved forward, placing himself directly in front of Levon, halting his movement. Joe opened his arms in invitation, relieved and grateful when his lover didn't hesitate to take what he offered. He hugged Levon to him, giving physical comfort he knew his lover needed.

He ran a hand lightly up and down Levon's back concerned, but not surprised by the tremors he could feel. Joe was all too familiar with the affect of strong emotions. He waited patiently. He knew from past experience he wouldn't have to wait long.

"Thanks, Joe." Levon whispered, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Any time, partner." Joe pulled back slightly but didn't let go. "You want to talk about this?"

"Not really." Levon bit his lower lip. "But I owe you an explanation."

"Don't owe me anything, Cowboy."

"Yeah, I do." Levon smiled, one hand moving to caress Joe's cheek. "Owe everything ta you."

Joe felt the blush warm his cheeks and dropped his eyes. He kept thinking that at some point he'd get used to how his lover could say such profound things and make it seem so incredibly simple. He raised his eyes when Levon moved his hand to run a knuckle under his chin.

"Was the reason I got so pissed. You are everything and that stupid, vindictive brat could have easily taken it all." Golden brown eyes were earnest as they held dark blue. "Lost everything once….hurt like hell, Joe. Can't do that again."

Levon shuddered, eyes closing. "Shit was so bad between me and Caroline when she got killed…but it still hurt so much. Like I died inside. When I found out the damn bomb was meant for me…" Levon shook his head as he trailed off, the anguish on his face made it hard for Joe to breathe.

He pulled his lover to him. "Shhh…I get it. It's okay."

"Would kill me, Joe, if you died. Yer my heart and soul. Reason I get up every day." Levon's hold on him was painfully tight. "God…scares the hell out of me to even think of you not being there."

"I'm here." Joe assured his lover. "I'm okay."

Levon just clutched him tighter. "Sweet Jesus…if he'd been a bit smarter, I'd have lost you. All because I-"

"No!" Joe shook him, blue eyes fierce as he pushed Levon forcibly away so he could make eye contact. "You didn't do a damn thing wrong. You understand me! You. Didn't. Do. Anything. Wrong."

"Only reason he-"

"Bullshit." Joe cut him off. "You said it yourself…he was weaving all over the road. He could have killed someone." Joe shook his head. "He was more pissed over his car. And I was the one that did that."

"Was one sure fire way to keep him off the road." Levon smiled weakly.

"Yeah." Joe agreed softly, pleased to see some color returning to his lover's face. "But in hindsight, I shouldn't have done it." Joe shrugged. "It was mean and petty."

"Felt good though, didn't it?"

Joe snorted. "Doesn't make it right."

"Not like you could have predicted this."

"No more than you could." Joe raised his hand to cup Levon's face. "Not your fault, Cowboy."

Levon sighed, his expression apologetic. "Don't expect me to agree with you right away."

Joe smiled. "As long as you do agree with me at some point."

Levon chuckled. "I tell you lately that I love you?"

"Tell me?" Joe's smile widened into a warm grin. "Pretty damn sure you show me all the time, Cowboy, but I wouldn't object to hearing you say it."

"I love you." Levon whispered, leaning into place a gentle kiss on Joe's lips. "Need you like I need air to breathe."

It always made him feel an odd mixture of humility and pride when Levon said things like that. It was so truly awe inspiring to be loved by this man. He wasn't sure what he did to deserve Levon, but he was damn grateful.

"Same here, Cowboy." Joe rested his forehead against Levon's. "You know that, right?"

"Yeah." Levon tilted his head up to place a quick kiss on Joe's nose. "I know."

"You okay, now?" Joe asked cautiously. Levon certainly seemed calmer.

"Yeah, I'm good." The blond shrugged one shoulder, expression rueful. "Sorry about…well, about comin' unglued there for a bit."

"S'okay." Joe lightly patted Levon's shoulder, relieved to feel the absence of tension in the hard muscle. "Wasn't that far from kicking his ass myself."

Levon raised a hand to rub tiredly at his eyes. "You think anyone would notice if we just headed home a little early today?

"Only one who might notice would be Joanne."

Levon pursed his lips. "Can't see her pitchin' a fit."

"We got comp time on the books." Joe pointed out. He wouldn't mind leaving early either…once they knew for sure Cory Carson had been booked and was being processed through the system.

"Got us a plan then." Levon snickered, amusement making his eyes twinkle. "We make sure the little brat is tucked in all nice and warm into a three by five cell and we head for home."

Joe couldn't suppress the smile and warm feeling that arose from 'home', and how easily Levon knew what he was thinking without him having to say a word. "Sounds good to me, Cowboy."

"You are so easy." Levon gave him a sly look.

"Yeah." Joe agreed with a wink. "But I'm not cheap. Going to cost you more than dinner and a movie."

"How much more?" Levon gave him an appraising look.

"I'm sure you're good for it." Joe waggled his eyebrows. "And you know I'm worth it."

"Damn right you are." Levon laughed, giving Joe a quick peck on the cheek and a solid pat on the ass before stepping away. "Let's go do this thing. We got better things to do."

"Amen, brother." Joe nodded, more than happy to put this day behind them. "Amen."

Levon used a foam brush to spread the stain and finish remover liberally over all the drawers from Joe's dresser, nose wrinkling a bit at the smell. It was a good thing he had a nice ventilated place to do this. The stripper definitely wasn't a product to be used in an enclosed space. It worked like a charm though.

He'd already started on the nightstands, letting the stripper work for the better part of twenty minutes or so. It would be ready to remove once he finished coating the drawers. So far the stain and old varnish was lifting easily enough. He already planned to sand the whole bedroom suite to ensure the wood's tone would be even before he stained it a new, lighter shade. He wanted to make sure any rough edges had all been eliminated and that the color he chose would remain true when applied. When he was done the wood would have a muted warm red-brown hue and a finish as smooth as silk.

Levon smiled as he began working on the nightstands, pleased with how easily the old finish peeled away in long strips. He'd forgotten how much he enjoyed this sort of work. It was satisfying to see be able to see the different stages culminate in the end product. And it was relaxing to work with his hands.

Not that police work wasn't rewarding. It just wasn't the same. He wasn't always afforded the opportunity to see it through from start to finish. Cory Carson being a recent example of that.

He studied the wood beneath his hands, but brown eyes were more focused inward as he remembered the outcome of Cory Carson's arrest and sentencing. Levon would have preferred a trial but that wasn't the way it worked out. He shrugged. Having the kid take a plea wasn't all bad.

Levon had resigned himself years ago to the fact that a trial wasn't always the best outcome. Sometimes it was better to just make sure criminals were off the street than to trust a jury of twelve people to see justice was served. Criminals didn't get put away for as long, but Levon had learned to count any time served as a victory.

Cory's attorney had been smart enough to realize just how damning the evidence against his client had been. The teenager all but confessing to the attempted murder of a police officer certainly hadn't helped in his defense. It hadn't taken long for him to work out an agreement with the district attorney.

Levon grimaced. He never really understood the lawyer side of the law. It seemed far more malleable and subjective than the enforcement side of things. Joe seemed to get it far better than he did, but then the blond figured time spent in college studying it had probably helped.

Watching the two lawyers negotiate Cory's future reminded Levon of horse trading. He wondered if in the end it had been the attorney or the Commissioner who convinced the kid to take a plea when it was offered. The kid had seemed insolent and defiant when plea offers started being bandied about. The Commissioner, the attorney and Cory had left he room, had a private discussion and when they returned Cory looked like someone had sucked the wind out of his sails, like he suddenly realized he was going to jail and all they had to discuss was just how long he'd be viewing the world through bars.

Levon figured the older Carson was the main reason Cory stayed quiet for the rest of the meeting. He was willing to bet the Commissioner hadn't done it with Cory's interest in mind. It was far more likely he saw the publicity of a trail as more damaging to his reputation than his kid just quietly going to jail.

Levon snorted; damn glad his own father hadn't been a substantial part of his life since he was sixteen. He had no trouble imaging his rat bastard of a father selling him down the river to protect himself. Levon wondered who Cory was more pissed at now…him or his father. It didn't really matter to Levon. The kid kept his mouth shut during the rest of the plea bargain and let his lawyer speak for him.

Cory Carson had initially been charged with attempted murder, arson, destruction of property and 48 counts reckless endangerment. Texas law regarded anyone over the age of 15 charged with a capital crime as being old enough to be tried as an adult. The attempted murder charge alone guaranteed he'd treated as an adult even though Cory had only been 17 when the crime had been committed.

The district attorney agreed to remove the attempted murder charge in exchange for Cory serving the maximum sentence for the arson and reckless endangerment charges. That amounted to ten years of hard time. It wasn't quite the biblical punishment Levon would have liked to have meted out, but he'd take it.

He shook his head, disgusted with the statistic that had murderers nationwide only serving six years on average. At least they managed to do better than that on this case. It was small consolation, but it would have to do.

He used an old rag to wipe the remaining residue from the wood. He ran a hand over the surface, nodding to himself. It wouldn't take much to make it smoother than a baby's bottom. Levon was glad Joe had favored a clean style for his furnishings. The lack of intricate carving or appointments would make it a lot easier to sand.

"Hey."

He glanced up to see Joe leaning in the doorway, and nodded a greeting. Joe had been on the phone talking to someone from the insurance company when Levon had headed to the barn. "You get things settled with the insurance company?"

Joe made a face. "Not exactly."

"Okay." Levon frowned. "You want me to guess or you gonna give me the specifics?"

Joe sighed. "With the fire officially labeled arson…not to mention the fact that the arsonist was more or less targeting me personally, they tell me they are not obligated to pay the full amount."

"I don't-"

"Think of it as being akin to life insurance….accidental death vs. suicide." Joe held up his hands, palm up as though balancing a scale. "One pays double while the other pays the minimum."

Levon nodded. He made a 'go on' motion with one hand sensing there had to be more. Conversation wouldn't have taken as long as it had if there wasn't.

"They agreed to pay about half the face value."

Levon grimaced. "Generous of them."

Joe snorted. "Yeah. Very."

"That enough to replace anything?"

Joe shrugged. "Not even close to everything."

"Damn." Levon shook his head. "Sorry, Joe."

Joe smiled wanly. "Real glad half my stuff was here or I'd be in debt up to my eyeballs trying to replace the basics."

"You want me to add more silver ta that lining?" Levon offered.

Joe raised both eyebrows. "Do tell?"

"Them not paying out gives us an even better reason for you to stay here longer." Levon pointed out quietly. "Could play up your financial distress just a bit. Exaggerate enough to make it seem like you don't have an option but ta stay with me."

Joe snickered. "Don't think that would be too hard, Cowboy. Half the office thinks I was living above my means."

"No reason not to use that assumption in our favor."

"True." Joe sighed. "You want to hear the rest?"

"There's more?" Levon wiped his hands on a clean rag, stepping closer to the other nightstand and incidentally closer to his lover making it easier to hear him.

"Seems the owner's didn't have enough insurance to cover what it will cost to repair the building. They only had enough to cover the outstanding loan, so the bank will get paid out, but-"

"Repairs could take awhile." Levon finished.

"If ever." Joe nodded. "Guessing they will end up selling it to cut their losses." Joe ran a hand through his hair. "I expect they'll make some clause that gives former tenants first choice, but I'm thinking with all the new construction in the area that if someone does buy the building, it won't be just an apartment complex but more likely high-end condos."

A condo would require an actual buy in from the tenants akin to buying a house. Entire renovation or even new construction would likely put them well out of Joe's price range. Likely out of all the prior tenants' price range especially if they all got answers similar to Joe's with regard to an insurance pay out. Assuming they even had insurance. Levon was continually surprised by how many renters and leaseholders had none.

"Several of the tenants and the building owners want to sue the Commissioner and his kid for damages."

Levon was surprised by that, although he shouldn't have been. It only stood to reason that a lawsuit would be pending given the amount of damage that had been done. "They ask you to sign on?"

Joe nodded. "Not sure I want to."

"Why?" Levon cocked his head to one side. "You don't think you should hit the Commissioner where it would do the most damage?"

Joe sighed and waved his hands in a meaningless gesture. "Already did something mean and petty….and it came back to bite me in the ass."

"Ah." Levon nodded. He started working on the other nightstand. "You really think joinin' the suit is petty and mean?"

"No." Joe chuckled. "But I'm sure there are those who will."

Levon shrugged one shoulder. "People think what they want ta, Joe."

"True." Joe moved closer, making it easier for Levon to make eye contact and continue working. "No reason to give the bastards more fodder though."

"I reckon everyone in the building is gonna sign on to that lawsuit." Levon remarked casually as he worked, glancing up briefly. "Doubt anyone will even notice yours."

Joe cocked his head to one side. "You think?"

"Doesn't matter if they do." Levon shrugged, unconcerned. "Petty or not, I wouldn't mind sticking it to Carson." He grinned thinking about the Commissioner's reaction. "Hell, he can only assign us meaningless stakeouts for so long."

Joe snickered. "That's the silver lining?"

"Nah." Levon laughed. "The silver lining is that the lawsuit is gonna take a year, maybe more 'fore it's settled."

Joe gave him a quizzical look. "That's a good thing?"

"Yep." Levon nodded. "See we already got people thinkin' yer just stayin' here cause the insurance money didn't pay out enough, right?"

"Right…And?"

"Can tell them you are waitin' on the lawsuit settlement 'fore you can think about puttin' a down payment on one o' those fancy new condos." Levon eyed the wood he was working on, satisfied with its appearance. "So we figure it'll be a year 'fore you can really be expected ta leave. And we both know that damn lawsuit won't pay out enough for ya to get a place o' your own with it bein' split so many ways and all. An' all them fancy condos will be taken by then so you'll be stuck havin' ta look for a place ya can afford that measures up to yer standards."

"Damn." Joe stared at him as he took in everything Levon said, a slow smile spreading. "We're looking at two years of my living here without anyone even raising an eyebrow."

"Yep." Levon smirked. "By then, they'll have forgotten you ever lived anywhere else."

Joe stepped forward, hands reaching out to cup Levon's face before he dove in for a breath stealing, soul searing kiss. "You are a genius, Cowboy."

Levon blinked, trying to recover his breath. He smiled. "Told ya I was the smart one."

"Smart and beautiful." Joe stated, blue eyes bright and warm.

Levon rolled his eyes. "If you say so." Joe gave him a disappointed look that Levon didn't understand. He honestly couldn't figure out why it mattered so much to Joe that he didn't see himself as beautiful.

Levon sighed silently. He made a shooing motion with one hand. "I gotta finish up here."

Joe smiled and shook his head. There was a determination in his expression that made Levon wonder just what the hell his lover was committed to doing it. He opened his mouth to ask but Joe interrupted him before he could.

"How long you going to be out here?"

Levon glanced toward the drawers he'd coated with stripper. "Got another twenty minutes or so."

Joe nodded. He gave Levon a quick kiss. "I'll have dinner ready by then."

"Okay." Levon grinned. "I tell you yet how much I like havin' you here?"

Joe waggled his eyebrows, a sly smile curving his lips. "I think you might have mentioned it once or twice."

"Good." Levon nodded. He didn't want Joe to have any doubts on that score. Ever.

He watched Joe walked away. He knew the extra wiggle in the brunette's walk was there just because he knew Levon was watching. Levon shook himself and took a deep breath. "Ought to be a law."

Biting his lip, Levon went back to work. There would be time to play after he finished. "Work first, boy." Levon told himself. "You know that."

It didn't take long to finish with the dresser drawers. Levon chuckled to himself thinking any job was easier and faster with the right incentive. He cleaned up the area, making sure everything was back where it belonged.

He gave the whole bedroom suite a second look. It was nicer than the one he had. The one in the master bedroom he'd gotten not long after he and Caroline had gotten married. At the time they hadn't had a lot of money and they'd joked about replacing it but some how never got around to it.

Levon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Maybe it was time to get rid of it. Joe's king size bed certainly would have more room than the queen they slept on now. They could go pick out a mattress that suited them both…something with the right amount of firmness and give. It would be nice to blend their belongings, to truly have a merger of possessions and styles.

Levon smiled. It would be one more thing that implied permanence. He couldn't see that as a bad thing, and he was confident Joe wouldn't either.

Levon nodded to himself. He'd wait to suggest it until he'd completed refinishing the suite. No point in saying anything until then.

Satisfied that he was finished for the night, Levon flicked off the light and headed toward the house. He slipped in through the back door, toeing out of his boots. Whatever Joe was making smelled wonderful.

He padded into the kitchen, a grin surfacing as he caught sight of Joe in an apron. It wasn't a frilly, feminine thing, and the blond found something endearing about seeing Joe wearing something so uncharacteristically utilitarian. He leaned against the door, arms crossed against his chest as he watched his lover work.

"You are the only man I know who can make an apron look sexy, you know that?"

Joe looked up, a slight smile curling about the corners of his sensuous mouth. "What? In this old thing?"

Levon chuckled, brown eyes warm. "I gotta clean up 'fore dinner." He gave Joe an inviting look, running his tongue over his lower lip. "You think what yer doin' there can wait long enough for you to join me?"

Joe pursed his lips, expression thoughtful. "I don't know---"

"I'll make it worth your while." Levon deliberately dropped his voice an octave, letting it get rough knowing what that did to Joe. He lowered his eyes coyly, looking up from under his lashes.

Joe took a deep breath, eyes darkening. "Are you propositioning me?"

"You betcha big boy." Levon raised a hand to lightly rub the side of his neck where Joe had placed a small, barely visible love bite that morning. He could almost feel Joe's eyes following his movements.

"Well…when you put it that way," Joe cleared his throat, "how could I refuse."

Levon grinned slyly, turning slowly to saunter away, casting a look over his shoulder. "I'll just go make sure the water's warm"

He knew full well he wouldn't even make it half way down the hall. That wasn't a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all.

He gasped but didn't resist when Joe caught him, forcefully but gently pressing him face first into one wall. He shivered when Joe leaned in to nuzzle his neck, nibbling one his ear. "You are such a tease, Cowboy."

"Tease is someone who don't ever give you what is offered." Levon argued quietly, moving his hips to lightly rub his ass against Joe's groin. "I got no problem with the follow through."

"Good thing. A damn…good thing." Joe growled in his ear, hands moving to caresses his arms and sides making Levon shiver again. "You…follow through…very nicely."

Levon grinned. He knew the hitch in Joe's breathing was his doing. He rolled his hips again, delighted to feel his lover's erection through their combined clothing. "Thought we were gonna get wet."

"Oh we are." Joe stepped back, giving him enough room to turn around but not to really escape the circle of his arms. Not that Levon had any real intention of trying to escape.

Joe kissed him, his mouth warm, wet and demanding. Levon let him control the kiss, wrapping himself around his lover, frustrated by how little skin he could touch. He whimpered when Joe finally came up for air.

Joe's hands cupped Levon's face, thumbs stroking his cheekbones, blue eyes nearly black with passion. "God…What you do to me, Levon Lundy."

"S'good thing, right?" Levon smiled hesitantly.

"Damn good thing." Joe rested his forehead against his.

"I tell you lately I love you?"

"You tell me every day, Cowboy. Would rather you show me this time." Joe smiled wickedly. "Think it wasn't all that long ago you told me you prefer action to words."

Levon laughed lightly, pulling Joe into a fierce hug. He nuzzled Joe's neck. "What's say we take this somewhere comfortable?"

"Good plan." Joe chuckled. "Don't forget naked."

"Right." Levon kissed his cheek. "Better plan."

"We are a good team." Joe breathed out whisper soft, eyes bright with love and affection. He stepped back, holding out a hand to take one of Levon's.

"The best." Levon agreed, letting Joe pull him to the bathroom. If he had his way, they'd be a team for long time to come. Rest of his life should be about right.

Chapter 13

Partners, Friends & Lovers

Houston Knights