| Where You Least Expect It |
| Chip Morton sipped his wine and studied the man seated across the table from him. The waitress had just taken their orders and it appeared that he was finally going to find out what was going on. �So things seem to be ok between you two?� Crane sighed. �For now at least �� There was a hint of sadness in his voice that troubled his friend. �Lee? What�s wrong?� Crane hid behind his wine glass for a moment before answering. �It�s the hormone compound, Chip. Hell, you�ve spent more time with women than I have, you know what surging hormones do � one minute he�s warm and loving and passionate, the next he�s afraid and angry � the day we docked, I really thought my career was over �� �I was worried, Lee. He seemed � cold, distant.� Lee nodded. �He said some really terrible things, Chip. I�ve been beat up a fair amount over the years, but I never imagined mere words could hurt so much �� �Why didn�t you call me?� Lee shook his head. �You�d been looking forward to this date with Lori for so long, I didn�t want to ruin your fun.� A scowl wrapped itself over the blond�s features. �Lee, it was just a date. I would have come in a heartbeat, you know that.� Lee sighed, smiling softly. �I know. And I appreciate it, Chip. But I think it was just as well, because I was there when he called to apologize.� That sent the Exec�s eyebrows into the stratosphere. �Nelson apologized?� �Yup. I told you, he�s not himself. I think I�ve got a severe case of emotional whiplash.� Chip studied his friend. �You love him, don�t you?� Lee glared at him. �What makes you say that?� Chip sighed. �Lee, I�ve known you for a long time. In all these years, you�ve never let ANYBODY into your heart. I�ve seen you two becoming closer and closer over the years. His dreams have become your dreams. And now this. Lee, you don�t have to say if you feel you�re violating a confidence, but � is he gay?� Crane sat quietly for a few moments, deciding what to say. �I�m not sure, Chip. He certainly never came to that conclusion himself. But something he said the other day � that he finally realized that he just hadn�t been interested in what was being offered. He�s been alone for so long, partly because he�s so devoted to his work, but maybe also because what he really wanted wasn�t readily available.� �Alone � and lonely?� �You know, I don�t think either of us would have said so before this week. We�ve both buried our personal lives for our careers. But being with him has made me feel things I�ve never felt before � Chip, I want so damned much for this to be real, to last once those hormones are out of his system. And I�m so afraid that it won�t!� Chip saw the pain in his friend�s eyes. For the moment he decided to play devil�s advocate. �What if it does, Lee? Have you thought about that? Lord knows, if anybody deserves a bit of happiness, it�s you, but have you thought about what you will have to do to make this work? On board Seaview? You can�t ever let the crew find out. They�d never accept it. You both have high level security clearances which would be at risk if the Navy ever found out. If you become lovers, can you imagine how he�ll feel every time you risk your neck on one of those twice-damned ONI missions? How you�ll feel when he risks everything to save the world � again? Maybe it�s better if this doesn�t happen.� Lee took a long drink from his wine as suddenly everything snapped into focus. �You know what, Chip? It�s already too late. Whether or not we � consummate � our relationship, you�re right. I�m in love with him now. All those problems you mentioned are going to exist whether or not he loves me.� Chip smiled softly. �I�m glad you recognize it, Lee. So embrace this opportunity. I know that he cares about you, and not just as the Captain of Seaview. If there�s a chance that both of you can finally find a bit of personal happiness, then you have to go for it. Yes, it�s a risk, but isn�t anything worthwhile?� Crane gazed into the blond�s soft blue eyes. �As usual, you�re right, Chip. How the hell did I ever rate a friend like you?� Morton chuckled softly. �Just dumb luck I guess. Whoever programmed the computer to assign roommates at Annapolis �!� In a rare moment of intimacy, Lee reached out and grasped Chip�s hand briefly, squeezing once then letting go. �You were wrong about one thing, Chip. Harry�s not the first person to get past my barriers �� �I know. But I�m just not wired that way, Lee; I could never give you what you need. But I gotta tell you, I figured I�d end up happily attached long before you, my friend! If you beat me, I�m gonna be more than a little miffed!� They laughed together, secure in their long and eventful friendship. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was about 10PM when Lee knocked at the door of Harry�s penthouse apartment. He was worried that he had been a little too long, leaving Harry at the mercy of another hormonal overload. It surprised him to hear a simple �Come on in, Lee� from inside. He pushed open the door, not sure what he expected to see. Whatever he expected, it wasn�t what he saw. The room was lit by candles and there was soft music on the stereo. Harry reclined on the sofa, wearing what looked like silk pajama pants and a matching robe of rich, royal blue. Lee simply stood there, taking it all in. Nelson got up carrying a glass of amber liquid, probably scotch, and handed it to him with a smile. �Join me, Lee?� The Captain shook himself, focusing his attention on the man in front of him. �Harry? What �?� Nelson gently guided him him back over to the sofa, where he retrieved his own drink from the end table. �I want you to hear something, Lee.� He reached over and hit the play button on his answering machine. Jamieson�s voice began speaking. �Admiral, it�s Jamie. I just got back the results from the blood work. You were right, the concentration of hormones in your blood is WAY down, in fact almost gone. And that was this morning. By now, I�d say you�re entirely free of them. I guess his dosage estimate wasn�t that far off after all, more a matter of intensity than duration.� Nelson hit the stop button and looked at his companion. �This afternoon in your office, Lee � it wasn�t hormones that distracted me from working, it was thinking about you next door. And if I had any remaining doubts, the past few hours have put them to rest. I�ve been thinking about you all evening, about what I want to do, want US to do �� Lee took a long swallow, grateful for the hard liquor to steady his nerves. // It�s really happening! // But suddenly all of Chip�s warnings seemed foremost in his mind; how would they make this work in the real world they lived in? It was as if, knowing his fondest desire was within his grasp, his subconscious was determined to sabotage it. He looked away from Nelson, his stomach clenched with fear. Harry watched him closely, wondering if he had somehow misread the situation. �Lee? Is something wrong?� Crane shook his head, burying it in his hands. �I don�t know, Harry. I just � oh, god, can this really work? It was different when it was just a fantasy � something I knew I�d never act on. But now � the price if we screw up is so high! We�ve both got so much to lose �� The hazel eyes were bright with all the emotions raging through the slender body. Nelson reached out and gently laid his hand on Lee�s back. �Lee, you took an enormous chance a few days ago back on Seaview. You obviously thought it was worth the risk then?� Lee took another gulp of the scotch. �I don�t think I was exactly thinking at the time, Harry. I just couldn�t stand to see you hurting like that when I could do something to help.� Nelson smiled softly, the arm around Lee�s shoulders becoming a hug. �And I�m glad you did.� Crane blushed but let Nelson draw him nearer. It felt so good to sit together, feeling Harry�s body next to his. The hand gently rubbing his back was soothing, relaxing. Finally, Nelson�s short, rough fingers reached up to caress his cheek, drawing his eyes toward the blue ones. �Lee? I know there are risks, but they are risks I�m prepared to take if you are. We�ve both been alone for so long. Isn�t it about time for both of us?� For an eternity, their eyes locked together. Lee realized that never once in all his life had he ever given his heart, and that was truly what he was afraid of. Then he remembered the conversation with Chip earlier. // I already am in love with him. // It was true. His nod was almost imperceptible, but Nelson caught it. Smiling softly, Harry slipped his hand around Lee�s neck and drew him down into a tender kiss. Lee opened his mouth to let in the questing tongue, and in that moment surrendered completely. He felt almost giddy in the realization that Harry was kissing him so passionately and of his free will. His hands slipped inside the soft fabric of Harry�s robe, sliding over the warm flesh and soft ginger hair. Harry sighed as he felt Lee�s hands on his chest, knowing that at last they had both made the conscious choice to continue. His hands slid down the long back, caressing, wanting more. He tried to tug the shirt out from Lee�s slacks, but his wrists weren�t up to the task. Feeling his reaction to the pain, Lee pulled away just long enough to peel off the shirt. Nelson�s smile was hungry as his eyes took in the golden skin and it�s dusting of dark hair. He reached out a hand to feel the soft skin, drawing Lee�s attention to his hand. �Harry? No bandages?� Nelson chuckled. �Jamie said to just wear them at night for a couple more days. I wanted to feel you �� Lee smiled. �I�ll make sure you�re properly re-wrapped when we�re done.� Nelson raised an eyebrow. �What makes you think we�re going to be done before sunrise?� That got a laugh. �Is that a challenge?� Harry�s smile remained, but became more serious. �Lee, I want to make love to you all night. I�ve waited a long time for someone to make me feel this way. Maybe there�s a little residual kick from the hormones in my system, or maybe it�s just the way you make me feel.� His words touched something deep in Lee�s soul. He pulled Harry close and held tight. Finally he let go and looked into the sapphire eyes. �I�ve never made love to anyone before, Harry.� Nelson nodded. �I don�t think I really have either, Lee.� They smiled almost shyly at one another until Harry initiated another kiss. Although both were intensely aroused, neither felt anything like urgency. Harry lost track of how long they sat there on the couch, kissing and caressing. Somewhere along the line his robe had fallen from his shoulders; probably when Lee had moved his lips to Harry�s neck. Harry�s fingers had found the remnants of the bruise he�d left on Lee that second morning; he had gently licked and kissed it before finally pushing Lee down to lay on the couch. Harry crawled on top of him, his fingers and lips tracing the many scars and old injuries across Lee�s chest before finally settling on one tight, brown nipple. He suckled there like a babe at its mother�s breast, reveling in the moans it brought from the man below him. Lee was content to let Harry lead the way; he was so happy he was afraid he�d died and gone to heaven. He groaned as a hand slid down over the bulge in his pants while lips and teeth continued tormenting his chest. Then his fly was open and a hand slipped inside his shorts, sending the sweetest pleasure coursing through his entire body. Throughout this entire situation, Harry�s need had been the driving factor for all of their encounters; this time, he wanted Lee to come first. He slid upward, claiming Lee�s mouth one last time before moving downward, following the trail of dark hair over chest and belly. His hands tugged cloth away as his mouth sought out its target. Seeing Lee, naked and hard for him, sent a jolt to his own cock; he could feel it throbbing with his heartbeat as he kissed the proud head. Almost of its own volition, his tongue darted out to lick away the drop of liquid oozing out, spreading it around, drawing a gasp of pleasure from Lee. He took his time, exploring with his hands, lips, and tongue. The scent of male desire intoxicated him. Lee was moaning, writhing beneath him as he teased and tasted, slowly sucking first one ball then the other into his mouth while his fingers lazily stroked the shaft above. Finally, he worked his way back up that long shaft and drew it into his mouth. �Oh, god, YES!� Lee�s cry was accompanied by the sensation of long fingers wrapping into his hair, pulling him closer. Harry eagerly complied, wanting to give his lover the ultimate pleasure. He still wasn�t an expert at this, but he hoped he would be a fast learner as he usually was. Lee�s hips began moving, thrusting toward him, unable to hold still within that hot mouth. Nelson realized he�d need to adjust his angle to be able to take the whole thing, which Lee seemed determined to do. He moved and tried to consciously relax his throat muscles, letting Lee push deeper and deeper into his throat until finally he heard a gasped �Coming, Harry!� This time he expected it when the hot, salty fluid rushed into his mouth, down his throat. He even managed to swallow most of it without choking too much. He let go and laid his head down on Lee�s stomach, feeling almost as exhausted and drained as the happy man beneath him. Lee�s fingers roamed through his hair, over his neck and face, caressing. When he could move again, Harry crawled up to kiss his lover. Long arms wrapped around him, holding him close. �Oh, Harry �� Lee�s voice was almost a sigh. Nelson�s fingers traced the angular jaw, his thumb gently caressing the high cheekbone. He felt something deep inside as he gazed down at Lee. // I never thought of a man as beautiful before �! // But there was no other word that applied. Sheer physical beauty combined with the glow of love and utter contentment that shone from those hazel eyes. �Beautiful �� The whispered word surprised Lee, reflecting his thoughts exactly as he gazed into sapphire eyes. He smiled, letting his fingers tangle in the thick auburn hair. �Yes �� The both laughed softly as they realized they were each referring to the other. And to something more; that moment in time when everything hung perfectly still. Finally, Harry sat up. �You know, I think the bedroom would be more comfortable �� Smiling, Lee followed him back to the master bedroom. The king-sized bed already had the covers drawn down. More candles flickered in the otherwise unlit room. Harry embraced him, pulling him down onto the big bed. Another eons-long kiss ensued as they lay together, side by side. Lee�s hands floated down Harry�s back, finally sliding over the silk-covered buttocks. He pulled his lover close, feeling Harry�s erection pressing against his abdomen. Lee couldn�t resist any longer; he rolled them over so Harry lay on his back and began trailing kisses down the length of his body as his fingers caressed the hardness beneath the silk. Harry moaned softly, lost in the joy of Lee�s touch. Finally, the hot mouth completed its journey as Lee tugged the silk away. A dancing tongue and soft, steady suction quickly brought Harry right to the edge, then surprised him by backing off. Only then did that mouth seek out the heavy sac below, licking and sucking there for a good long time. Lee thought about taking it a bit further, inserting a single finger, but he was afraid. Harry was so new to this, he may not have even thought about that yet. // What I want US to do � // Or maybe he had? Lee compromised, letting his fingers rub the soft skin between balls and ass. He was rewarded with a soft �Ohh!� as Harry felt the new sensation. Even so, Lee didn�t want to press too far, so he returned his attention to the now very hard cock. This time he went all out, taking Harry to the edge and pushing him over into a crashing climax, his body arching up off the bed as his seed poured into Lee�s hungry mouth. When Harry was finally still, Lee moved up beside him, pillowing his head on the nearest shoulder. One arm and leg wrapped over Harry�s body, claiming him, holding him close. Nelson chuckled softly, letting his fingers wrap into the tight, dark curls. �I�m not going anywhere, Lee.� The Captain just hugged him tighter for a moment. �I know, Harry. I just can�t believe it�s true �� Nelson turned his head to gently kiss the dark head. �Believe it, laddie. I�ve never been so happy in all my life.� �Not even the day Seaview launched?� Another chuckle. �All right, maybe then. But that wasn�t the same �� They lay together for a while, holding, stroking, caressing in the soft flickering candlelight. Lee�s desire had been reignited by his attentions to Harry; the Admiral could feel it pressing against his thigh. He knew what he wanted; he just wasn�t quite sure how to ask for it. Finally, he spoke. �Lee? I want to give you everything you�ve ever dreamed of. I want to make you so happy your feet will never touch the ground again. But I�m not sure how, my love. You � you�ve lived this life much more than I have. It�s your turn to be the teacher, Lee. Teach me how to love you.� Lee pulled Harry close to him again. �Are you sure, Harry? You don�t have to do this.� �I want to, Lee. I told you this afternoon, you�ve piqued my curiosity. I want to know what this feels like. But more than that, I want to share it with you. I want us to become as one.� A blue-white flame burned in the sapphire eyes. A vague memory from chemistry classes reminded him that blue was the hottest flame. He could believe it, seeing the desire, the NEED in Harry�s eyes. He wanted to lose himself in that flame. Reaching up, he took Harry�s face between his hands, pulling it down, kissing the red-hot lips. �I do too, Harry. How � do you have any preference?� Nelson shook his head. �What are you asking, Lee?� �Do you want to give or receive?� �I � I�m not sure. Does it hurt?� Nelson grimaced, embarrassed by his stupid question. For all his medical and scientific knowledge, he realized he didn�t know the first thing about this. And that was not a position he liked to be in. Lee caressed his face, seeing his embarrassment. �A little at first. Harry, it�s ok. That�s not a stupid question. This isn�t a subject you�ve ever encountered before.� Seeing Nelson�s reluctant nod, he continued. �It�s been a long time since I�ve done this. Usually I consider myself lucky to have time for a quick blow job. If you want to take me, you�re going to have to loosen me up first with your hands. Can you do that? Can you touch me like that?� Nelson hesitated; he was vaguely aware that there would be preliminaries, but he hadn�t allowed himself to dwell on them. �What if I hurt you?� Lee hugged him. �You won�t, Harry. But some people are more comfortable with giving after they�ve been on the other side a few times and know what it�s supposed to feel like. But I know that can be frightening, to give yourself like that, if you�re not ready for it. It�s up to you.� �Do you have a preference, Lee?� Realizing a stall when he heard it, Lee laughed. �Like I said, it�s been a long time since I�ve done this, Harry. Either way would be a delight, especially with you.� �You�re no help �� Nelson said with joking gruffness. �Nope. Not this time,� came the still laughing reply. Nelson�s hand found Lee�s hardness pressed between their bodies. �Seems like you�re readier right now. I � take me, Lee. I need to know what this feels like.� Lee sighed as Harry�s hand made contact. He leaned up on one elbow, looking down at the man beside him, red hair tousled from their passion. The Admiral, with all his genius and public presence, was gone; only Harry remained. Lee could see desire in those deep blue eyes, and love, and just a hint of fear. He bent down and lovingly kissed the full lips. �I�ll make it good for you, Harry, I promise.� �I know you will, Lee.� They spent a few more minutes kissing, then finally Lee sat up. �I�ll be right back, Harry.� He got up and disappeared into the bathroom. Poking around in the medicine cabinet he found a jar of Vaseline; that would do for lubricant. A towel and a warm washcloth completed his kit. Returning to the bedroom, he laid the towel across the bed. �Harry? I want you to roll over onto your stomach for now. It�ll be easier to loosen you up this way. All right?� Nelson nodded, letting Lee stuff a pillow under his hips, lifting his ass into the air. Once he was settled, Lee knelt beside him, running his hands over the exposed skin. Taking the warm washcloth, he gently bathed the area, wanting Harry to get used to being touched without any direct sexual connotation. He could feel the muscles begin to relax under his hands. �That�s good, Harry. Relax.� Nelson made a conscious effort to relax as Lee�s hands caressed him in ways he�d never been touched before. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted it this way. Out there, in the �real world,� he was the commander, the leader. Here, alone with Lee, he wanted to set aside that burden for a while and let his lover take care of him. The warm cloth and warmer hands caressed him, soothing him, exciting him. There was a tiny kernel of fear in his stomach, just enough to spice things up. He trusted Lee Crane with his life, and now with his body. He gasped as Lee�s lips pressed gently against his skin at the base of his spine. Soft, butterfly kisses covered his bottom. Those impossibly long fingers cupped his balls; he realized that soon he�d feel them inside him. The thought excited him, sending a twitch through his reawakening cock. Then the hand let go and came up to help its mate gently pull his cheeks apart. A warm tongue started at the back of his balls and began slowly working its way upwards. The firm, warm pressure on the perineum wrung a moan from his throat. Finally, the tongue brushed lightly over his opening, eliciting a soft gasp. Again, firmer this time. And again, now rimming the tight pucker. The sensations were amazing; Harry found himself squirming and writhing under Lee�s expert touch. His cock was rapidly working its way back to full size. He felt a slight pressure and realized the tip of that tongue had penetrated him. Just barely, but it was enough to send a thrill of joy through his entire body. �Oh, Lee!� he gasped. Taking the exclamation as encouragement, Lee reached for the Vaseline. Dipping one finger in, he rubbed it slowly over the opening. Keeping his voice soft, he warned Harry. �Just relax now, everything is going to be fine.� He pushed just enough to slip the tip inside. Harry moaned softly. �You ok, Harry?� �Oh, yes!� Lee chuckled softly. �I�m going to come in further now. There. How does that feel?� The long finger slipped deeper inside, angling for the spot Lee knew was there. He found the walnut-sized lump and rubbed against it. �Oh! Dear god, Lee! What � ?� �That�s your prostate. Feels good, doesn�t it?� �God, yes! Oh! OH!� Lee had begun thrusting gently, rubbing the sensitive spot again and again. With his other hand, he reached down and gently stroked Harry�s cock. Every nerve in Harry�s body was alive. �You ready for more?� The question seemed to come from a thousand miles away. All Harry could do was nod. The finger was removed and this time two slipped in, side by side. Lee could feel the tight ring of muscle fighting his entry. �Relax, Harry. You can tell me to stop at any time.� He felt the deep breath as Nelson tried to relax. His fingers again began their work, massaging, stretching. It wasn�t long before the tight muscles responded to him. He bent down and kissed each cheek. Harry moaned again as the long fingers worked him. It felt strange, exciting, a bit frightening. Overall, exhilarating. He just wished he could see Lee�s face, could touch him, show him how good he was making Harry feel. When Lee was satisfied Harry was relaxed enough, he gently withdrew his fingers and wiped them on the cooling washcloth. He smiled at the whimper that escaped Harry�s throat as the fingers were taken away. �OK, Harry, that was good. You�re nice and relaxed now. Roll over, I need to see your face for the main event.� Nelson obeyed, stretching as he looked up at Lee. Seeing his lover backlit by the flickering candlelight, knowing what was to come, was nearly overwhelming. He remembered the dream of a few days ago, that feeling of being loved, wanted, needed. It seemed pale compared to what he was feeling now. Hazel eyes met blue, and both felt a connection unlike anything either had ever felt before. Lee bent down, gathering Harry into his arms, kissing him passionately. Both were fully aroused, hungry, but that wasn�t all. It was as if their love came alive in that moment. As Lee released his lips, Harry whispered, �Do it now, Lee. I need us to be joined. Now!� Lee nodded, reaching for the gel to prepare himself. He knelt between Harry�s legs, again tucking a pillow under his hips. �Pull your legs up, Harry. OK, now I want you to take a deep breath, and exhale when I push. You ready?� A tingle of excitement rode through Nelson�s body. The slight undercurrent of fear was like a subtle seasoning in a well crafted meal, heightening the rest of his senses. He nodded, resting his legs against Lee�s shoulders. He took a deep breath as he felt the head of Lee�s cock press against him, let it out as the dark head nodded and pressed into him. He cried out once at the intrusion; for a moment all he felt was a stinging pain. Lee held still, waiting for him to adjust, and after a few moments the reality of what they had done sunk in. Lee was inside him; they were joined. The joy of it washed over him, taking away the stinging and leaving him with a feeling of well-being throughout his body as he gazed into his lover�s eyes. �Go on.� Lee didn�t have to be told twice. The heat and tightness of that channel felt good beyond anything he�d ever felt before. Watching carefully for any signs of pain, he slowly worked his way in. �God, Harry, you feel so good. I wish I could stay here forever �� Nelson laughed softly. �Lee, can you lean down? I want to hold you �� Lee�s extra height served them well, letting him cover Harry�s smaller body, gathering him into his arms. They kissed as Lee began slowly thrusting. Harry felt like Lee�s tongue and cock were trying to meet somewhere in the very center of his being, at his heart. Each thrust rubbed that sweet spot, sending currents of pleasure through him, filling him to completion. Since they had both already ridden out the initial rush of passion this night, they were free to linger. Together they found a rhythm that seemed to match their heartbeats, bringing them into complete synch. Faster, then slower again, both wanted the pleasure to last forever. But finally, Lee couldn�t hold back any longer. His movements became more urgent and intense, and soon both bodies were slicked with sweat. Harry�s cock, trapped between them, was throbbing with his own need for release. The increased friction sent him over the edge, crying out as his muscles clenched down on Lee, triggering an answering explosion. The feeling inside him was indescribable, electric, pleasure beyond anything he had ever imagined. Lee collapsed over his lover, his body almost a dead weight. His head pillowed on Harry�s chest, he could hear the rapid heartbeat below. After a while, Nelson�s arms wrapped around him, gently stroking his back. Very reluctantly, he finally broke their connection and slid off to lay beside Harry. Reaching for the washcloth, he carefully cleaned away their mess. As the last candle flickered out, he settled against his lover�s chest. Now that they were alone in the dark, things could be said that couldn�t yet withstand the harsh light of day. �Lee?� �Hmmm?� came the drowsy answer. �The hormones are gone. Do you believe me now when I say how much you mean to me? Do you believe that I � I love you?� The sleepy eyes opened, gazed deep into blue, reminding him of the ocean they both loved. �I love you too, Harry. I always have. Even without the sex, you�ve been the center of my world for years now.� Nelson sighed and snuggled close, falling asleep safe in the arms of the one he loved. Who loved him � not the genius, not the Admiral, just Harry. The one who had been there all along, right where he least expected it. finis. 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| Chapter 7 |
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