| Two weeks later Tuesday morning, the alarm went off a bit earlier than usual. Starting today, both of them would need time to shower and dress for work, at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mike reluctantly disentangled himself from his lover and slid out from under the warm covers. Mornings weren�t quite as chilly as when he�d gotten here almost a month ago, but it still wasn�t what he was used to for summer, so he slipped into his new warm terrycloth robe then walked into the bathroom. Last Thursday had been Frank�s last day as bailiff; Mike had gone over to the courthouse with Ben and had spent some time with his predecessor, going over the basics. Bobbie Jo had given him his new uniform. Today would be his first day wearing it. The work was pretty simple compared to what he was used to, but still it felt good to be finally returning to doing something useful. He had needed these couple of weeks of pure relaxation and thinking, but now he was ready to get back to something productive. He came out of the shower, dried off, shaved, then wrapped the robe around him again. Ben had rolled over and was watching him through half-open eyes. Mike came over to the bed, sat down beside his lover, running his fingers through the soft, sandy brown hair. �OK, your turn,� he said as the pale blue eyes opened and looked up at him. He couldn�t resist leaning down for a soft kiss �good morning.� �Good morning to you too, Michael.� Ben�s smile twinkled with laughter. �Ready for your first day?� Mike grinned. �Yup. I don�t want to be late. I hear this judge is a stickler for punctuality.� �Well, then, I�d suggest you get a move on.� As Ben disappeared into the bathroom, Mike went to the closet and got out the uniform. It felt rather strange to be wearing one again, especially since the last time had been his demotion after the Crossley incident. But somehow this was completely different. This was his choice. For the formality of the courtroom, it was more of a dress uniform, jacket over white shirt. The usual navy blue with plenty of fru-fru to make it look official and important. No gun, though. That was one thing he was happy to leave behind. Although he had to admit that if he ever went back to New York he�d be a bit nervous without it � He was looking at his reflection in the mirror when Ben came out of the bathroom, and caught the look on his lover�s face. His answering grin was equally visible in the reflection. �You like?� Ben laughed. �You know, I�m sure Frank never looked like THAT �!� The jacket emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He had a feeling Bobbie Jo had tinkered with the standard requirements a bit; even though she knew he was both taken and gay, she still liked looking at him. �Yeah, well I don�t think Bobbie Jo cared what Frank looked like in it!� �Michael! Are you suggesting that she cares what you look like?� The look on Ben�s face caught him off guard. Mike turned and gently captured that face. �Babe, relax. Bobbie Jo and I have fun, flirting and teasing each other. But she knows I�m yours. End of story.� He emphasized the point with a kiss. Ben sighed as Mike let go. �I�m sorry, Michael. I guess I�m still basically rather insecure about relationships �� Mike gently touched his cheek. �Don�t worry, Ben. We�ve both still got boatloads of issues to work through � together. Now I need some coffee.� A last kiss, then he turned and headed downstairs. Where Max was waiting, eager for their morning run. �Oh, sorry pal, not today.� He rubbed the soft ears then turned into the kitchen. Max followed, still not quite realizing that their routine was being changed. By the time the coffee was ready, Ben had come down wearing his usual suit. Mike had gotten extras from Governor�s yesterday since he wouldn�t be able to get fresh this morning. They finished their quick breakfast then headed out, leaving a disappointed Max whining at the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It had been a pretty busy day, at least by Waterville standards. But by 4 o�clock, everything was done. Once Ben banged the gavel and pronounced the court adjourned, everybody started filtering out. Mike hung back, filling out some paperwork as Ben cleared off the bench. Ben had been watching him all day. Michael really did look wonderful in that uniform. He wondered if it was something about uniforms in general or if it was just his Michael turning him on by just being there. Several times today he�d had to force himself to pay attention to the matters before the court instead of the bailiff. He knew the novelty would pass, but for now it was rather nice to be so easily distracted. Now that court was recessed, he allowed himself to fully enjoy the view. He felt things stirring just from the sight of his handsome young lover. Some of Mike�s playfulness seemed to be rubbing off on him; he was suddenly struck with the idea of making out right here in the courtroom. It was turning him on something fierce, so he slipped his hands inside the judicial robes and began stroking himself. Mike heard a soft sound like a moan and looked up. Ben was leaning back in his chair, his lower lip caught between his teeth. Mike couldn�t see his hands, but he had an idea where they were hiding. The blue eyes were drinking him in. The trademark Logan grin slowly took over his face. �You ok up there, Your Honor?� �Huh? Oh, uh, yes, Michael �� Mike signed the last page of the paperwork then stood up. �You sure you couldn�t use a hand? Or maybe something else �.?� He licked his lips and raised his eyebrows suggestively. Ben couldn�t help grinning back at him. �Well, now that you mention it �� Mike came around the bench and leaned down for a kiss, one hand sliding down the front of Ben�s robe. Upon confirming the location of Ben�s hands, he dropped to his knees and pushed the robe aside. Beneath the robe, he found an open fly with a very hard cock sticking out. �Well, well, what have we here? I always wondered what judges kept under there �� He bent down and started licking it like a lollipop. Ben slipped his arms back into the sleeves, letting Mike take over. He was moaning with pleasure when suddenly the courtroom door burst open. �Hey guys, have a good day?� Bobbie Jo cheerfully sauntered in. Ben�s eyes flew open and his head spun toward her in panic. �Bobbie Jo? Wh � what are you doing here?� Judging from the seven shades of red coloring the judge�s face and the apparent absence of Mike, she quickly came to a conclusion. She fought back a giggle. �Just wanted to pick up Mike�s paperwork from today � you haven�t seen him, have you?� Her eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter. �Uh, no, I, uh think he went to the men�s room, Bobbie Jo. But I think he left the paperwork on the desk there �� Mike huddled on the floor behind the big desk, his head buried in Ben�s lap, trying very hard not to laugh. Bobbie Jo came over and picked up the papers, looking through them. �OK, looks like he finished it. Tell him I picked it up, ok?� �Uh, yes, I will, Bobbie Jo. Thank you �� When she got to the door, before opening it she turned around grinning. �Next time, just lock the doors, ok boys?� As he heard the door shut, Mike slid out from under Ben�s robe and lost it, laughing so hard tears were streaming down his face. For a moment Ben simply stared at him, his sense of dignity severely offended, until the humor of the situation finally overwhelmed him and he joined in Mike�s laughter. �Oh, shit!� Mike finally gasped out, leaning against Ben�s leg. Ben�s hand found its way into his hair. They sat like that for a couple of minutes until they could finally breathe again. �What say we take this home?� Ben took a deep breath. �I think you�re right, Michael. Well, we�ve certainly given them something to gossip about now �� ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finally home, they were greeted by a rather hyper Max; he�d gotten used to having Mike around most of the day. �Whoa, down boy! Easy there!� Mike laughed as Max demanded some long overdue attention. Ben laughed at them as he went upstairs to get out of his suit. Mike followed. As he hung up the uniform jacket, he felt Ben�s arms wrapping around him from behind. �Now where were we? Ah, yes, I�ve wanted to get you out of that all day �� Mike grinned as Ben�s hands loosened his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt, slipping inside to caress his skin. He sighed as Ben slowly undressed him, enjoying his lover�s touch. In their two weeks together, he had grown to love Ben�s gentleness. It was so different from the mad passion he had shared with Lennie. A moan escaped his throat as hands deftly undid his belt and stroked him through his shorts. Ben smiled at the small sound, knowing Mike was loving this. He pushed up against his lover, letting him feel the hardness inside his own pants. Ben felt Mike tense up momentarily and wondered what had happened. Mike had to fight back a moment of panic as Ben pressed his package against Mike�s ass. He forced himself to remain calm. Ben pressed close again as his hands caressed the oversized lump in Mike�s shorts. �Michael? I � I�d like very much to make love to you tonight. I know we haven�t really talked about it, but I think I�m ready �� Ben�s words were like a cold shower, shutting down everything. He caught Ben�s hands and moved them away from his wilting erection. �Babe �I�m sorry. I � I can�t �� Ben stepped back, the sudden rejection hitting him like a ton of bricks. �Michael?� His voice sounded plaintive, lost. All his insecurities came flooding back. Mike turned around at the sound of that sad voice. The look on his lover�s face nearly broke Mike�s heart. For once, his concern for his partner overrode his instinct to run away. �No, Ben, no, it�s not you, it�s me.� He reached out and pulled Ben into his arms, holding on tightly, trying to say without words all the love he felt. Ben felt Mike�s arms wrap around him and he was confused. He looked up into those green eyes and saw pain. �Michael? What is it?� Mike kissed his forehead and let go, pacing nervously around the room. �I � can�t, Ben. It all goes back to Father Joe. I get so scared, tense up, I just can�t take bottom. I�m sorry �� He sat down hard on the edge of the bed, wondering if his irrational fears had destroyed yet another relationship. He remembered his last night with Lennie, knew how badly he had hurt his lover, and knew that he had come really close to hurting Ben tonight. The lawyer�s fears of rejection were just starting to fade. Ben saw the fear in Mike�s eyes and his own worries vanished. All that mattered was comforting Michael. He sat down beside his lover, wrapping an arm around his waist. �Michael, relax. I think I understand. It�s all right.� Mike sighed and sagged against him. �Oh, god, Ben. I was so afraid I�d hurt you �� Ben just held him close. Finally he spoke softly. �Michael? What can I do to help?� Mike shook his head. �I don�t know, Ben. Dr. Simmons says I�ve got to deal with a lot of other stuff before we even try to tackle that one.� Ben nodded. At least he was talking to his therapist about it. �That�s fine, Michael. I � I can wait. However long it takes �� Mike bowed his head. �What if I never �� Ben held him close. �Then we never. It�s not like I�ve ever tried it myself, Michael. You can�t miss something you�ve never had.� They sat quietly for a while. Then a thought occurred to Ben. �Michael? You said you can�t take bottom � what about top?� Mike shrugged. �That�s fine. I � I just didn�t want to force you into something you�re not ready for.� Ben thought about it; he really hadn�t been thinking along those lines. And Mike was so big; he wondered if he�d be able to handle it. But something deep in his heart wanted to take this relationship to the next level, was ready now even if his body was a little apprehensive. He turned and captured Michael�s face between his hands, placing a soft kiss on the lips. �I�m ready, Michael. I love you. I want to make love to you. If that means you on top, then that�s how we do it. We don�t have to go into the courtroom tomorrow; we�ve got all night. Will you make love to me, Michael?� Mike looked into the soft blue eyes, saw the love there, along with desire and need. He realized Ben needed this to �cement� the relationship. He turned his face to kiss Ben�s palm. �Yes.� Ben�s hands slid up, brushing Mike�s hair back as he leaned in for a proper kiss. �I think perhaps we should relax a bit first? Nettie was supposed to leave us some dinner. Why don�t we go enjoy that and unwind a bit?� Mike smiled softly. �Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Uh, Ben, there is one other thing. Um, is there anyplace in this town where a guy can get a bottle of lube?� Ben chuckled. �I suppose you could find something at the drug store, but, uh, actually I did get a package in the mail yesterday �� Mike grinned. �Ben! I think I like this new naughty side to you!� ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nettie had indeed left them some more of her wonderful clam chowder. Mike warmed it up in the microwave while Ben did a quick check of his email. After a relaxing dinner, they curled up on the couch in the den with some of Ben�s excellent brandy. Mike sat in the corner with Ben leaning against him. They sat quietly for a while, sipping their brandy, Mike�s free hand sliding up under Ben�s t-shirt. He put his glass down and wrapped both arms around Ben. �Babe, you sure you want to do this tonight?� Ben gave a soft smile. �How did you know that�s what I was thinking about?� Mike shrugged. �Not hard to guess.� His eyes pointed at the noticeable tent in Ben�s sweatpants. Ben chuckled. �Ah. Well, there is that. As you can see, I�m not exactly turned off by the concept.� �OK. But why now all of a sudden?� Ben sighed. �Michael, today was special. Our first day working together. Last week you started therapy and your art class. It�s real, you are staying. And that makes me so happy. I�ve been alone for so long, Michael. I � I need to know that this isn�t a dream, that we have something special enough to build a future on. I need to know that you love me as much as I love you.� Ben turned around in Mike�s arms to look up at him. Mike looked down at him and saw in his eyes the same expression he�d seen when Jack looked at Lennie. He felt something deep inside, something so powerful that he couldn�t stop the tears from falling. �Oh, babe � I do. I never thought anybody could love me like that �� Ben twisted around and sat up, pulling Mike close, gently kissing away his tears. �Michael, ssh. It�s all right.� Mike moved his head just enough to capture Ben�s mouth, all that powerful emotion now channeled into his passion. The kiss was long, intense, and yet still slow and tender. Finally, Ben pulled away, somewhat dazed by their passion. Mike gently caressed his face. �I want you good and relaxed, babe. Why don�t you head upstairs and start the water running in the tub? I�ll take Max out and be up in a few minutes.� Ben smiled and kissed him, then got up. �Come on, Max. Let�s go, boy!� Ben watched the two of them head out the door with a feeling of completeness in his soul that he�d never dreamed he�d feel. He and Mike really were two damaged souls who somehow found comfort in each other. He wondered what had made Jack think of bringing them together? It was funny. He and McCoy had never been friends; more like rivals, actually, vying for Adam Schiff�s attention and affection. And yet now he owed the best thing that had ever happened to him to the man. He wondered if he�d ever get the chance to say �thanks.� Upstairs, Ben retrieved the two packages that had arrived yesterday. From the first he removed the large bottle of lube and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. The other he took into the bathroom. He turned on the water in the tub and tossed in the cinnamon-scented bath crystals from the box, then he began placing the remaining contents of the box around the tub area � vanilla and cinnamon scented candles. When the tub was half full, he shut off the water, knowing that their two bodies would easily take up the rest of the space, and lit all the candles. As he was tossing his clothes aside, he heard the front door shut again as Mike and Max came back. Mike�s voice drifted upstairs. �OK, Max, let�s get this clear. No noses where they don�t belong tonight, you hear me?� Ben had to chuckle at that. Max really didn�t like being ignored. He heard Mike�s footsteps coming up the stairs and down the hall, and suddenly a pair of long naked arms was wrapped around him from behind. �Wow, candles and everything. What is that � cinnamon?� Ben blushed. �It reminds me of you � that candy stick you tormented me with the first night �� Mike laughed and held him close. �Oh, yeah. That was fun!� Ben just shook his head as he turned around in Mike�s arms. �You have a very strange idea of fun at times, Michael.� But his eyes were laughing. �Should I keep some of those candies around?� �I wouldn�t object.� His smile implied he�d object if Mike didn�t. Mike bent to kiss him. Even without the cinnamon, it was a taste Ben was completely addicted to. He felt himself melting into Michael�s strong embrace. Mike forced himself to let go and get into the warm water. Ben followed, settling contentedly against the broad chest. Mike kissed his neck as his hands slid over Ben�s body, caressing every inch. Knowing what they were planning made him all the more aware of the hardness poking into his back. He was very nervous and yet equally excited, moaning as Mike�s hands found his cock already hard as well. After a little while, Mike hugged him. �OK, babe. I want you to sit up and lean over the side of the tub. Will you do that for me?� Ben looked up into Michael�s eyes and in that moment placed his trust completely in his lover. He sat up, turned for one last kiss, then moved into position. Mike slid around to sit beside him, running his hand down Ben�s back, coming to rest on his backside. �Spread your legs a bit. OK, that�s good.� He let his fingers finish their downward trip, sliding around to caress Ben�s balls from behind. That got a soft moan. He spread the cheeks and very carefully washed the area around the tight pucker, keeping his touch soft, gentle. Mike was getting powerfully turned on himself. He�d known about this, always been intrigued, but he and Lennie had always been in such a hurry to get to the main event that they hadn�t taken the time for a slow seduction. But Ben wasn�t experienced at all, and Mike wanted to make it good for him, so he decided to take it as slow as possible and enjoy every moment. He bent down, placing random kisses over the area as his hands slid under the water to caress cock and balls. He could hear Ben�s breathing becoming shallower. Finally he brought his hands back up to spread the cheeks again, this time taking his kisses right to the target. �Michael?� Ben�s voice was thick with desire and just a bit of fear. Mike dragged his tongue over that perfect rosebud, rubbing all around the edges, wringing a moan from Ben. �Shh �Feels good, doesn�t it?� �Yes �� It was almost a sigh. Mike worked with his tongue for a little longer, then sat up. �Ben? Where did you put the lube?� Ben had to think for a minute. �By the bed.� Mike looked around. �Ah. OK, that�s ok, babe, I�ll just use some soap right now. You ready, babe? I�m just gonna slip the tip of my finger in.� Ben shivered, with both anticipation and a little fear. �Go ahead.� Mike leaned over and kissed his cheek as he got his finger slippery with the liquid soap. He rubbed the finger around the opening a few times then pushed in, just enough to get the first joint. �There you go. See, nothing to be afraid of.� // so why the hell am I so afraid of it? // The unexpected thought startled him. He forced himself to pay attention to Ben, but filed the thought away for future analysis. Ben felt the small intrusion and nodded. �OK, Michael. Go ahead.� Mike gently pushed the rest of the finger in and held still for a moment, again letting Ben adjust. He bent down, again placing soft kisses all around as he began a slow thrusting motion, looking for the prostate. He was rewarded with a whimpered �Oh!� when he found it. He sat up, intentionally focusing now on that spot. �You like that, babe?� �Dear lord, yes!� Ben couldn�t believe what he was feeling. It felt like every nerve in the lower half of his body was firing at once. He let Mike turn him onto his side so that his lover could continue to finger-fuck him while kissing him. He felt another pressure and suddenly a second finger slipped in, causing him to moan into Mike�s mouth. �M � Michael!,� he gasped as his mouth was released. Mikc chuckled softly. Ben was very obviously enjoying this. Mike bent over his side to take the nearest nipple into his mouth, sucking and nibbling while his fingers continued their work. Ben was moaning nearly constantly now. �OK, babe, I�m gonna stretch you out some now. This might hurt a little.� But Ben was like limp putty in his arms, his to do with as he pleased. There was no tension at all left as he scissored his fingers, stretching the opening as wide as possible. �Aw, babe, you�re doing so good. You�re so relaxed. I love you, babe. I want to make love to you. You ready for that?� �Oh god, yes!� Ben moaned and rolled over into his arms as he let his fingers slide out. Mike kissed him then helped him out of the tub, drying him off and steering him toward the bed. He laid an extra towel over the blankets and Ben all but fell on top of it, face up. Mike suddenly realized he�d only ever done it from behind; he�d never seen Lennie�s face when they had sex. // well that was damned stupid � // Tonight he wanted to see Ben�s face, so he tucked a pillow under his hips then turned to find the lube. He greased himself up and got into position. �Ben? Babe, are you ready?� Ben sat up and kissed him. �I�ve never wanted anything more, Michael. I love you.� �I love you too, babe.� He laid Ben back down. �Pull up your legs, babe. OK that�s good. I know this has got to hurt a bit at first. I�ll go slow.� He saw Ben�s eyes widen as the tip popped in, heard a small cry of pain. He held very still, watching the beloved face. Ben was breathing very rapidly, his hands clenched into the comforter. But after a few moments, he calmed somewhat. �Go ahead, Michael.� �You sure, babe?� �Oh yes. Most definitely. You�re inside me, Michael. I want you �all of you!� Ben�s eyes were filled with love, and need, and desire. Mike caught his hand, brought it to his lips. �OK babe, you want me, you�ve got me.� He pushed again, beginning a slow rocking motion, each thrust going in a little farther. Ben moaned loudly as it passed his prostate. Mike was moaning as well. �Aw, babe, you�re so tight! So good, so hot. Oh, man!� Ben felt like he�d died and gone to heaven the moment he realized Mike was completely buried in him. It was a mixture of pleasure with just a bit of pain that had every nerve tingling. And then suddenly, Mike was bending over him, gathering him into those strong arms, kissing him while hammering into him, and he exploded in a rush of passion and love and joy. The next thing he knew, he was lying flat on the bed and Michael was beside him gently caressing his face. �Babe? You all right?� �Oh, yes, Michael. Never better.� �I was afraid you passed out there �� �No, not quite �I think.� Mike kissed him. �Can you get up for a minute? We�re gonna need these covers.� Ben smiled; his body felt like jello. �In a moment.� His mouth felt dry. �Michael? Could you get me some water?� �Sure, babe.� Mike kissed him and went into the bathroom to get the water. While he was there, he let the rest of the water out of the tub and blew out the candles. When he came back, Ben was sitting up on the side of the bed, somewhat gingerly. Mike gave him the water and a kiss, then went to the other side of the bed to turn down the blankets and shut out the light. They crawled underneath, Mike spooning behind Ben, his arm wrapped protectively over his love. �You sure you�re ok, babe?� Ben rolled over to face his lover. �Oh yes. Michael, that was amazing. I never imagined anything could feel so good.� He caressed Mike�s face, pulling it close for a kiss. Mike held him close. �I � I wish I could try it �� �Don�t worry about it, Michael. When and if the time comes you will, and I promise to be as gentle as you were tonight. But until then I�m happy with things as they are. Don�t feel you have to for me.� Ben rolled onto his back and drew Mike�s head down onto his shoulder. �I love you, Michael. I couldn�t ask for more.� Mike settled into Ben�s embrace and sighed. As he drifted off to sleep, Mike remembered the last verse of that song on Lennie�s CD he�d been listening to on the way up here. And maybe some misty day you�ll waken to find me gone, And far away you�ll hear me singing to the dawn. And you�ll wonder if I�m happy there. A whole lot more than I�ve been, And the answer will come back to you like laughter on the wind. Rivers belong where they can ramble Eagles belong where they can fly I�ve got to be where my spirit can run free Got to find my corner of the sky. He�d found it, now he was sure. Maybe tomorrow he�d drop Lennie a note to tell him all was well � Finis. Continue to Love is All Around Return to the Story Index Send me some feedback Disclaimer: These characters belong to Dick Wolf and NBC. I'm just borrowing them for fun, not profit. |
| Corner of the Sky |
| Chapter 7 |
| Beginning a new life together |