Everything on this page is fiction. Any resemblance or reference to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This chapter ended up being a bit longer than I expected. Sort of caught me by surprise if you want to know the truth. I split it up with the idea that it would be easier to post. Hopefully, despite its length, it will still be a good read. Enjoy.

Story summary: Members of Joe's family come to visit, and Joe struggles with whether or not to come out to them. Of course, it is never quite that simple for the guys as other things tend to interfere.

Partners, Friends, and Lovers
Chapter 10 Part 1.
By Katherine Lehman

Annie Hartung looked up from her computer when she heard the door open, more than ready to welcome some kind of interruption. She was convinced that the machine in front of her was possessed. It seemed to take a certain malicious pleasure in making her life difficult.

Annie smiled warmly when she immediately recognized her visitor. Joe LaFiamma was one of her favorite detectives. His partner, Levon Lundy, was another of her favorites. They were good friends, and she always enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with either of them. With a gentle push, she backed her wheel chair away from her desk, and moved to greet him. She held out a hand to Joe. He immediately took it, and bent down to place a kiss on her cheek.

"Hello, Joe. To what do I owe this pleasure?

"I can't just come by and visit my favorite lady because I want to?" He gave her a sly look.

Annie laughed. "Oh, I'm sure you can. You just never show up for no reason." She cocked her head to the side, and studied him. His smile was only half-hearted, and he seemed a bit uneasy. [Hmmm...definitely didn't come to see me about work. Has that look he gets when he's got a personal problem. Like he wants to talk but he doesn't know where to start.]

"Have you got a minute, Annie?" Joe cleared his throat. "I... ah... need to... well, I need some advice."

Annie pushed her chair back, and waved a hand to the chair in front of her desk. "Sit. Tell me what brings you here."

Annie wasn't too surprised when instead of sitting, Joe wondered aimlessly about her office. She waited patiently, knowing he would only start talking when he was ready. She always felt rather motherly whenever Joe came to talk to her. It was flattering to have him come to her for advice. [Not that he always follows it, but it is still nice to know he values my opinion.]

She watched him pace back and forth for several minutes, before finally giving in and commenting. [One of us has got to get this ball rolling. And it looks like its going to have to be me.] "Was there something you wanted to talk to me about, or were you just looking for a place to get a little exercise?"

Joe winced at that, his expression rueful. "You know that some of my family are coming to visit at the end of this week, right?"

Annie raised an eyebrow. "I think the whole building knows that." The impending arrival of Joe's sister, Maria, her husband, Carlo, and Joe's Aunt Rosa, were all he could talk about for the past two weeks.

Since he'd been in Houston, at least one member of Joe's family made a point to visit him. The first year it was his Uncle Mikey. Annie suspected that his visit had more to do with "business" than strictly out of familial love or obligation. The second year it was his aunt, Teresa. Annie had no doubts that her visit had been out of love. Last year, two of his cousins that were close to his age, Thomas and Rafael, had come down. Annie thought they were his brothers when she'd met them.

Annie suspected Joe had been so very excited this time because it was his younger sister. Maria had gotten married eighteen months ago, and Joe had been unable to attend the wedding. Annie knew from previous conversations with Joe that his little sister was his favorite, and he'd been decidedly unhappy about missing out on what he called "the biggest day of her life". He was looking forward to her visit to make that up to her.

Annie also knew that his aunt, Rosa, was very special to him. She had evidently exercised a lot of influence on him as a teenager. His aunt, Teresa, had been the major maternal presence in his life after his mother died, but Rosa had been the person he went to for advice, his friend and confidant.

"Have they changed their minds?" She could understand Joe being upset if they had. Annie knew that Joe loved his family a great deal, and missed them tremendously.

Joe sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "No, they are still planning to come."

"So.... what's the problem?"

Joe took a deep breath. "They don't know about me and Levon."

"Ah." Annie knew they had been a couple for just under a year. In fact they would be celebrating their first anniversary in another three weeks.

"Is Levon upset that you want to keep your relationship a secret?" Knowing how private the blond Texan could be, Annie figured that was a long shot, but asked just to be sure.

"No. He doesn't have a problem." Joe snorted. "I'm the one that has a problem with it."

Annie frowned. "I don't understand."

Joe threw himself into the nearest chair. "My family is Catholic." Joe grimaced. "Staunch Catholics. They wouldn't understand my being with Levon."

"Which is why you don't want them to know, right?" [Any minute now I'm going to be able to follow this. Just hang in there, Annie.]

Joe took a deep breath. He leaned forward in the chair to rest his elbows on his knees. "Before Levon... well, I was never with a man long enough to make it worth bringing it up to my family that I was... bisexual. Never seemed worth it to go through all the possible agony for something that wasn't going to last. And with them in Chicago and me here in Houston, it didn't seem like I would ever have to explain it."

Joe dropped his head into his hands, and rubbed his forehead tiredly. He raised his head to look at Annie, blue eyes intense. "But what Levon and I have... I love him, and he loves me. This is the longest, most committed relationship I've ever been in. And the more committed I am to him, to us, the more I want to share that with my family, not hide it from them."

Joe sighed, his gaze still on the floor. "I want them to be happy for me. The same way they are for Maria. I want them to stop asking me if I'm dating, or worry that I'm alone. Stop hinting that its time I settled down and got married."

Annie nodded. "I can understand that." She waited a moment, reminding herself to tread lightly. "So... what's the problem exactly?"

Joe shrugged. He raised troubled blue eyes to meet hers. "I don't want for them to..." Joe waved a hand in frustration clearly not quite sure how to articulate just what was bothering him.

"You don't want their religious beliefs to cause them to reject either you or Levon. And especially not the two of you as a couple."

Joe smiled warmly. "Got it in one."

"What does Levon say? I'm assuming you two have talked since you said he didn't have a problem with them not knowing."

Joe got up from the chair and resumed pacing. "He asked me this morning if I wanted him to make himself scarce for the next week. Offered to take the week off and spend it out of town while they were here."

Annie raised her eyebrows. "Why?" She'd always assumed that Levon had gotten along well with the other members of Joe's family. [Well everyone except Joe's uncle, Mikey. But it would have been unrealistic to expect him to get along with a mob boss.]

"He said he didn't want to make it difficult for me. Said he realized how hard it would be to balance our relationship and my family at the same time. That he understood my not wanting to tell them, and risk being rejected. He wants me to enjoy their visit and figures I'll be more comfortable if he isn't around while they were here."

Annie pursed her lips in thought. [Now that sounds like Levon. Identify the problem and look for a simple, straight forward solution.] "And you said what to his offer?"

Joe shook his head slightly. "I didn't know what to say. Told him I'd have to think about it." He ran his hands through his hair and began gesturing wildly as he paced.

"I mean, on one hand, I can see where he's right. If he wasn't around, I wouldn't have to worry about either of us slipping up, and saying or doing something that would give us away. I wouldn't have to actually lie to my aunt. Something I've never been able to do with any degree of success." Joe sighed heavily. "I could just pretend that there was nothing different going on in my life than there was a year ago."

"But?" Annie made a go on motion with her hand knowing there was more to this.

"I don't want him to leave!" Joe all but snarled, blue eyes snapping fire at her. "I hate it when we're not together!" He took a deep breath, and hung his head for a moment. "Sorry."

"S'alright." Annie smiled at him, and waved a hand in dismissal. She was used to him raising his voice a bit when he was upset. "You're just venting. I won't take it personally."

"Thanks."

"No problem." She waited a moment, giving him a chance to regain more of his composure. "You want to tell me the rest?"

Joe sat down again. "I don't want to pretend that the best thing in my life isn't happening. I don't want to hide from my family any more. I don't want to lie, even by omission, to my Aunt Rosa."

"Quite the dilemma." Annie could sympathize with his position.

"It is that." Joe leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. "So, do you have any advice?"

Annie sighed and her mouth quirked in a wry smile. "I don't have a lot of experience in this kind of thing, Joey."

Joe raised his head, and glared at her. "Oh, and I do?"

Annie ignored his glare with the ease of long practice. She knew him well enough to know that he wasn't angry with her. He was just frustrated by the whole situation.

"I know you're..." Annie hesitated for a second. She had been going to say scared, but thought better of it. "Worried that your family won't understand or accept your relationship with Levon, but everything you've told me about them, leads me to believe that they wouldn't abandon you over it. Or condemn you."

She offered the best argument she could think of. "I mean, they have made a huge effort to keep you in the loop, and to come visit. Despite the physical distance between you and them, and the fact that you can't go back to Chicago, you're just as much a part of their lives as if you still lived next door. And I would think that your uncle, Mikey's... ah... profession, would pose as many religious quandaries as who you happen to be sleeping with. He is still a well respected, much loved member of your family." [Murder, drugs, gambling and prostitution certainly bother me a whole lot more than a same sex relationship. And they sure as hell seem like bigger sins.]

Joe considered what she said. "Family has always been more important than anything else. Always." Joe rubbed a hand over his face. "But that doesn't mean they would accept Levon or my relationship with him."

"True enough." Annie had a friend who'd come out to her family about being a lesbian three years ago. Her family had basically agreed to disagree. They didn't ostracize her, but they refused to include her lover as part of the family, and adamantly refused to discuss her relationship. The whole situation put undo stress on the couple. She couldn't blame Joe for not wanting to deal with that.

"At least if you told them, even if they didn't accept Levon with open arms, you would no longer be hiding. No more lies. That's gotta be worth something."

Joe sighed. "I know."

"The other members of your family... the ones that have come to visit... did they like Levon when they met him?"

"Rafael liked Levon a lot. They actually had more in common than I thought they would." Joe smiled fondly. "Rafe loves to ride. Has ever since he took his first lesson when he was ten. Anything to do with horses and he's hooked. Spent most of the week he was here at the ranch. I know Levon liked him too. I'm pretty sure the two of them still talk on the phone every now and again."

Joe paused for a moment. "Thomas didn't think much of Texas in general. Not sure how he felt about Levon. They seemed to get along okay, but I don't think they'd ever be best friends. I know he respects Levon's ability with a gun."

Annie knew that some sort of shooting competition had gone on between Thomas and Levon. Apparently Joe had bragged about how good a shot Levon was and Thomas had demanded proof. Levon had told her later that he had only agreed to the competition because he wanted to back up his partner. He smiled though when he told her he had bested every shot Thomas made for no other reason than to put the man in his place. His exact words were, "The little shit needed ta come down a peg or two." Thinking about the mischief in his eyes when he told her that still made her smile.

"Levon was on his way to Colorado on a fishing trip when Aunt Teresa was here. The four of us had dinner together before he left. I know she liked him." Joe smiled. "She said he was a true gentleman."

Annie smiled at that. She knew Levon had an ingrained respect for women, as did Joe. That respect and subtle deference were readily apparent. Levon would have been on his best behavior meeting with Teresa, using all the manners and social graces his grandmother had worked so hard to teach him. It didn't surprise Annie that Joe's aunt would describe him as a gentleman. She thought of him that way herself.

"Uncle Mikey... well, he and Levon have never actually met. He was just pleased to know that I had a competent partner. Someone I could trust and count on."

"So, everyone who's met him either likes him, or at least respects him. Would the fact that the two of you are a couple change that?"

"I don't know. You wouldn't think so, but", Joe shrugged, looking miserable, "it is the sort of thing that does tends to change people's opinions. I honestly can't say for sure just how they'd react."

Seeing just how much it bothered Joe to have no idea what his family might think or just how they might react, Annie offered a suggestion. "I know you don't like the idea of lying, and while I applaud that sentiment, I also realize just what a difficult situation this is. Maybe, you could... well, feel it out a bit more. Find out what they think about same sex relationships. Talk to your sister or your aunt in general terms and see how receptive they might be before totally taking the plunge. Think of it as doing a little reconnaissance. If you've never given them any indication that you were interested in a long-term relationship with another man, they are bound to be shocked. That alone would make their acceptance far more difficult."

Joe sat back and looked thoughtful. "You think I should test the waters?"

Annie shrugged. "Would give you an idea of whether or not you need to be concerned, and how prepared you will need to be when you do finally tell them. They haven't known for almost a year. There is no reason why you should rush into this right away. This would be a good situation to actually look before you leap. My advice...Take it slow."

[Caution isn't exactly part of his usual MO. Impulsive is more his style. But this is definitely a situation you want to be careful with. Rushing could do irreparable damage.]

Joe smiled and relaxed. He took a deep breath. She could tell he'd made a decision. He stood up and leaned forward to kiss her cheek again. "Now I have to go find my partner."

"You two argued about this?" It hadn't sounded like that based on what Joe had said, but then he might not have told her everything. Still it was unusual for Joe not to know where Levon was. They always made a point of keeping each other informed of where they were. [Except for when they'd pissed each other off.]

"We didn't argue, exactly. More like we put things on hold until I had a chance to think." Joe shrugged one shoulder, before ducking his head a bit and looking sheepish. "Was Levon's idea for me to come talk to you."

Annie smiled. [Figures he'd send Joe to me. Probably knew he needed to talk to someone, and he obviously couldn't talk to Levon. Only other person who knows they are a couple is Joanne, and I simply can't picture Joe having this conversation with her.] "Was he angry?"

"No. Just said that he might need to do some thinking of his own while I figured out what I wanted to do."

"Try the roof."

"The roof?" Joe raised an eyebrow.

"When he doesn't feel like he can leave the building, but needs some space, he heads for the roof. Or at least he used to. I'm not sure if he still does that."

Joe nodded. "I'll check there first. Thanks again."

Annie smiled. "Any time, Joe. Any time. Good luck."


Joe left Annie's office and headed for the roof. [Never knew he came up here.] It would certainly explain those times he'd been unable to locate his partner, but knew he had to be around since is truck was still in the garage. [Don't imagine anyone thinks to come up here very often.]

Joe stepped out on to the roof, and winced as the bright light and heat assaulted his senses. [Don't see how he can stand this heat. Makes me wilt just thinking about it.] Joe glanced around, looking for his lover. He spotted him sitting casually atop the far corner of the building, his feet dangling precariously over the edge.

[Christ. Doesn't he know were thirty stories up!!] Not wanting to startle Levon, Joe approached slowly. He called Levon's name, trying to let his voice carry without actually yelling. "Lundy."

Levon turned his head. He smiled at Joe before gracefully swinging his legs around and standing up. He moved toward Joe, meeting him halfway.

Joe reached out and slapped him on the shoulder, hard. "Jesus. Have you no sense at all? Scared me half to death seeing you sitting on the edge like that. You could fall if you're not careful."

Levon rubbed his shoulder and glared at Joe. "I sit there all the time. Sides it ain't that far ta fall."

"Not that far? It's THIRTY STORIES!" Joe grabbed Levon's arm, and shook him roughly. "What the hell is wrong with you? A fall like that could kill you."

Levon snorted. He shrugged out of Joe's grip, and walked over to the edge. He pulled Joe with him. "C'mere." He pointed down. "Look."

Joe looked over the edge and was stunned to see a ledge jutting out from the building just three feet below them. The ledge was easily four feet wide. He'd never noticed it before. [But then I don't usually look up here either.]

Levon crossed his arms over his chest. "See? No big deal."

Joe sighed. "Okay so I over reacted a little."

Levon rubbed his shoulder again. "A little?"

"Okay. More than a little."

Levon shot him a sly smile. "You could make it up to me?"

"Oh? And how would I do that?"

Levon leaned close until he was just a hair's breath away. He smiled softly, holding that position, just waiting. His brown eyes were bright with humor. Joe knew if he didn't do something, Levon would simply hold his position and tease him indefinitely. So, Joe reached out to pull him closer, and kissed him.

It was a soft, gentle kiss. The kind of kiss that was a promise of more to come. Joe stepped away before things got out of hand. [Even if we are on the roof, doesn't mean someone won't think to come looking for us. Besides, we do much more of this and kissing won't be all that we're doing.]

Levon made a faint sound of disappointment, but he didn't move to close the distance Joe had put between them. His brown eyes clearly showed his longing, regret, and also his understanding. The 'no hanky-panky at work' rule was one they had established early on, and had every intention of sticking to.

Joe cleared his throat. "I talked to Annie."

Levon looked away, his eyes focusing on a point just past Joe's shoulder. He took a deep breath. Joe could almost see the nervous tension radiating off him. "You get somethin' worked out?" The question was hesitant, almost like Levon wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer.

Joe shrugged one shoulder. "Not exactly, but I do have a better idea of how I want to handle this."

Levon waited silently. Sometimes Joe really hated it when his lover did that. If it were him he'd be demanding to know what had been said, what had been decided, and just how would it affect him. He knew how to deal with someone ranting and raving, but quiet acceptance just seemed to throw him off his stride. He wasn't used to it, and never knew quite how to proceed.

[If he would just ask me something then I'd have a starting point. I guess I'll just start at the beginning.] Joe mentally snorted derisively at that. [Like I know where the beginning is.]

"First of all, You. Are. Not. Leaving." On that point Joe wanted to be very clear. The bright smile on Levon's face and suddenly relaxed posture made him very glad that he'd established that first.

"Okay." Levon's cheerful, immediate acceptance of that let Joe know just how much Levon hadn't really wanted to leave. Some of the internal disquiet Joe had been carrying around since Levon had first suggested spending the week away eased. He had harbored some doubts that Levon would leave no matter what, and was relieved to hear his lover so quickly agree to stay.

[I know he made the offer because it was what he thought I might need, not because it was something he wanted. Well, at least I know that now. Wasn't totally sure there for a minute when he first offered this morning. One of these days we are going to have a long talk about these self-sacrificing tendencies. Not that it will do any good since I seem to be prone to them as well.]

"Second, I'm not going to come out to my family. At least not yet."

Levon frowned slightly. "You gonna be okay with that? Know you weren't keen on lyin' to 'em."

"I'm not going to lie... well, not directly. More like by omission."

Levon raised an eyebrow at that. "Don't really see the difference there, Joe."

Joe sighed. "Yeah. Neither do I really, but I think it's for the best." He ran a hand through his hair. "While Annie and I were talking she pointed out that if my family never knew about me being interested in men, then the shock of finding out about us, would be that much harder to deal with. It would sort of abruptly and irreversibly change what they thought they knew about me."

Levon nodded. "Fair enough." He hesitated for a second. "So... what are ya gonna do?"

"Annie suggested I test the waters a bit. Find out how they feel about same sex couples in general. Maybe hint that I'm not quite as straight as they thought."

"How you plan on bringing this up? Ain't exactly every day conversation, Joe."

Joe smiled. "Well, I thought maybe we could have dinner at Andre's."

"Ah."

Andre's was an up scale restaurant run by a gay couple. Andre and Mike had been together for over ten years and in business almost as long. The restaurant was a popular gay hangout. Over half the regular clientele were involved in a same sex relationship of one kind or another.

"Plan on inviting Andre an' Mike to the table to talk, are ya?" Levon smirked a bit.

Joe snorted. "I won't have to invite them. They'll show up anyway."

The first time Joe had gone to Andre's, he had followed his usual habit of grilling the maitre'd about the chef and food preparation. His questions had gotten him invited to the kitchen to meet with Andre, and later Andre's lover, Mike. The couple seemed to like him. Andre in particular had taken a real shine to Joe.

Andre was originally from California, and he loved having someone to commiserate with about the general dearth of the good things in life to be found in Houston. Not to mention the inherent difficulties involved in having a lover from Texas. Both Joe and Andre enjoyed having someone they could discuss the finer points of quality food preparation with.

Joe had taken Levon to Andre's several times, and every time Mike and Andre had joined them at their table. They weren't aggressive or pushy about it, and never stayed long. They just more or less invited themselves to spend a few minutes conversing with Joe and Levon about anything and everything.

Levon considered the idea of taking Joe's family to Andre's. His soft drawl was rich with humor as he pointed out, "Andre is so obviously gay, he's all but on fire. I can see that startin' a discussion."

Joe nodded. [Sterotypes have to come from somewhere, and Andre certainly lives up to it. ] "He is definitely the extreme end of the spectrum."

"You sure that's what you want 'em ta see?"

Joe frowned not sure if Levon was putting Andre down or not. Levon enjoyed Mike's company far more than he did Andre's. But he had never seemed uncomfortable in Andre's presence, and had always been polite, treating Andre with respect.

"What do you mean?"

Levon shrugged. "If they think all gay men are like Andre..." Levon made a sweeping hand gesture that encompassed Joe from head to toe. "You aren't like that. If the image they have is that gay men are all like Andre, they aren't gonna believe for a second you're interested in a serious relationship with a man. Me either for that matter."

Joe had to agree that Levon had a point. In coming to terms with his attraction to men, Joe had to face his own internal prejudices. It had taken a while for him to accept that his attraction didn't fundamentally change who he was. He didn't have to become limp wristed, develop a lisp, take up interior decorating, or act effeminate. It had been such a huge relief to know that he could still be himself and be attracted to someone of the same sex. And a major eye opener to find that not all gay and bisexual men were like the typical stereotype.

Joe wondered if Levon had ever had that problem. [Had to have been worse. Can't imagine he had any better examples than I did. And I seriously doubt that his friends were any more tolerant or accepting than mine. Texans, and the whole cowboy culture, have got to be one of the most image conscious groups of people I've ever met. You don't usually see the Marlborough man and wonder if he's a top or bottom. It just isn't part of the tough guy persona.]

Shaking off those thoughts, Joe focused on what Levon had said. "I think Mike will be able to broaden their perceptions a bit. He comes across as being as straight as an arrow." Joe held up his hands as though balancing two different weights. "Opposite ends of the spectrum, that's for sure. Yet, he and Andre have been together longer than most straight couples. And there are always other couples there. I'm hoping that the whole range of possibilities will be represented."

"Ya could stack the deck if ya wanna."

"How?"

"Just call Andre and let him know what ya got in mind. He could check the reservations and see what would be a good night. Know he'd be willin' to help out. An' he has to know enough people he could call ta make sure that when we show up for dinner the whole rainbow is there."

Joe chuckled. "Rainbow?"

"Hey, I pay attention. PC and all that."

Joe smiled. "So you are more than just a pretty face."

Levon laughed lightly. "You jus' figurin' that out now, are ya?" Levon's brown eyes roamed freely over Joe for a moment. "One of us has ta be the smart one, an' since you're the pretty one, guess that leaves me."

Joe shook his head. "There a reason we can't both be pretty?"

"Not how it works." Levon said that as if it should have been obvious.

Joe snorted at that answer. [One of these days, Cowboy, I'll convince you of just how beautiful you are.] Deciding to leave that battle for another day, Joe casually threw his arm over Levon's shoulder, and began walking toward the stairwell door. "Well, I think we better take our beautiful, intelligent selves back down stairs and get some work done before someone sends out a search party."

"I reckon." Levon leaned into Joe briefly, before stepping away. He cast a teasing look over his shoulder. "Race ya?" Levon asked before sprinting away. "Last one there does all the paperwork."

"Why you little..." Joe ran after him. He loved it when his partner got playful. It was a mood that didn't usually last long, but Joe intended to enjoy it while it did. They raced down the stairs laughing like children the whole way.


The night before his family was due to arrive, Joe found himself unable to sleep. He'd be picking up his sister, her husband, and his aunt, at the airport shortly before noon. Glancing over at the digital alarm clock, Joe noted that they would be arriving in about ten hours.

He sighed and tried again to relax. Every time he closed his eyes, his imagination ran wild, supplying a steady series of increasingly worse encounters. Everything from his family rejecting him, to Levon walking away rather than deal with his hostile family, ran through his mind in a parade of escalating nightmares. He thought he had managed to deal with all his anxiety, and fear, but evidently, they had only been lying in wait to sandbag him.

Joe didn't want to disrupt Levon's sleep, so he tried to keep himself from tossing and turning. That was proving more and more difficult as the night progressed. With a heavy, frustrated sigh, he flung back the covers. [Fuck it.] Joe sat up and swung his legs over the side, ready to just get up and pace for the rest of the night. His move to stand was aborted when Levon's hand closed around his wrist holding him in place.

"Joe?" Levon's voice was barely loud enough to be heard, but Joe froze just the same. "You okay?"

"No."

"What's the matter?" Levon's hand went from encircling his wrist to caressing his forearm. It was a rhythmic, soothing touch. Joe closed his eyes, loosing himself in that relaxing contact. He didn't know why something so simple could seem to make everything better, but it did.

Joe sighed, and laid down. He rolled over and snuggled in close. Levon wrapped his arms around Joe and began rocking ever so slightly. It was comforting.

"Tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm scared. Keep thinking about everything that will go wrong."

"Nothin' is gonna go wrong, Joe."

"You don't know that." Joe contradicted.

"Sure I do."

Joe snorted. "An' how do you know that?"

"These people love you. Same way I do. " Levon kissed his shoulder softly. "Ain't no way anyone who loves you could ever reject you. Argue with you... yeah. Wanna kill ya sometimes, sure. But--"

"Hey!" Joe nipped Levon's neck letting him know he should tread lightly. "You're supposed to be making me feel better."

Levon laughed teasingly, and hugged Joe closer to him. "Don't mean I can't be honest. Yer one of the most aggravating people I know."

"You need to meet more people." Joe declared with certainty.

Levon laughed. "Know lots o' people Joe. Don't worry 'bout it. Jus' part of yer charm."

Joe nuzzled at the spot where Levon's shoulder and neck joined. "Part of my charm, eh?"

Levon tilted his head back to give Joe greater access. "Yeah. Like yer killer smile."

"You think I have a killer smile?" Joe pulled back slightly so he could see Levon's face. The dim light made it impossible to clearly see his face, but Joe could tell his lover was smiling.

"Oh yeah." Levon raised his hands to frame Joe's face. "And you've got gorgeous eyes. Can't get enough of looking at them. They change color all the time." His fingers ghosted over Joe's forehead, and across his check bones. "So beautiful. Inside and out." His voice was little more than a reverent whisper. His lips followed the path of his fingers, butterfly kisses landed on Joe's forehead, eyelids, the tip of his nose, before coming to rest on his lips.

"Everything about you is just plain breath takin'." Levon's voice was a husky whisper that seemed to caress Joe's skin the same way his lips had just a moment ago. Levon rolled over so Joe was on his back, and he stretched out full length on top. He released Joe's mouth, and dipped his head just enough to nuzzle the spot under Joe's ear that made him go weak in the knees. Joe sighed and let his hands roam aimlessly over the smooth skin of Levon's back and shoulders.

Joe moaned when his lover slid down his chest kissing and licking as he went. Levon's lips and tongue left a trail of fire in their wake. Joe hissed in pleasure when Levon sucked hard just above his heart, and then applied his teeth. There was something reassuring about knowing he'd be wearing Levon's mark tomorrow, even if it was where no one could see it.

"Got the body of a Greek statue." Levon's whispered words raised goose bumps on Joe's skin. Levon licked, kissed and nibbled his way down over Joe's abdomen. "Saw one once. Think it was supposed ta be Hermes. Was the most perfect thing I ever saw. Until, I saw you that is. Yer so much better. Warm, alive... an' I kin touch you. They had the statue behind glass."

Joe smiled at that. He found himself turned on by Levon's voice, as much as by his actions. His lover wasn't normally the talkative type when they made love. Vocal, yes, but it was usually more sighs, and moans than complete sentences. Joe wasn't sure what prompted this dialog, but he wasn't going to complain.

Levon sat up so he straddled Joe's hips. His hands came up to run through Joe's hair, and slowly work their way down his chest, making Joe's skin tingle from the light touch. He arched his back trying to encourage further contact.

"Love the way you feel." Levon's hands came up again to run through his hair. Joe could just make out Levon's soft smile in the low light. "Hair reminds me of a raven's feathers." Levon's hands ghosted over his chest again. "Skin like silk."

Levon leaned forward to kiss Joe. His nibbled gently on Joe's lower lip, seeking permission to enter. Joe opened up to greedily suck on Levon's tongue. [He tastes so good. God! You'd think I'd be used to that by now.]

Joe moaned when Levon pulled away. "No... please... stay." He was surprised by the rough, breathless sound of his own voice.

Levon chuckled. "Not goin' anywhere."

"Good." Joe stated with satisfaction.

"Ever tell you I love yer voice? Could listen ta you talk fer days. 'Specially when ya speak Italian." Levon's hands were busy again, and Joe was so distracted by those caresses, he couldn't verbalize a response to his lover's revelation.

Levon slid down so that his hands could reach Joe's now hard and leaking cock. Joe's hips bucked nearly unseating Levon. Levon chuckled, a deep, raspy laugh that made Joe shiver to hear it.

"Easy, big boy. I gotcha." Joe could hear the smile in Levon's voice even if he couldn't see it clearly.

Joe wanted to touch Levon. He raised his hands to do just that, but Levon grabbed his wrists and stopped him. "No."

"No?"

"This is just for you." Joe would have protested that, but Levon let go of one wrist to place a finger against his mouth. "Just for you. Let me do this?"

Joe took a deep breath, thinking about what Levon had offered. He sucked Levon's finger into his mouth, smiling widely when he heard him gasp. Joe released the finger. "Come inside me then." He didn't want this to be just about his pleasure, he wanted it to be for both of them.

Levon leaned in and kissed Joe thoroughly and completely. It left him feeling dizzy, and very glad he was already lying down. If he'd been standing when Levon kissed him that way, he knew he would have ended up on the floor.

With a single-minded determination that Joe found admirable, Levon set to work hitting every single erogenous spot Joe's body. Several he'd known about, like the spot under his ear, but others came as a complete surprise, like the inside of his elbow. It was heady to be focused on so exclusively. He felt like his whole body was vibrating under his lover's onslaught.

Levon leaned to the side, and grabbed the bottle of lube that they had left on the nightstand. Joe sighed when Levon slipped one lubed finger into him. He was torn between thrusting into Levon's stroking hand on his rock hard cock, and trying to fuck himself on Levon's finger. He rocked his hips trying to increase the contact, and speed up Levon's strokes. He whimpered when Levon refused to be hurried.

"Please.... God, Cowboy. I need... please... I need you inside."

"Don't want ta... hurt ya." Levon's breathing was far from steady. Joe liked knowing that he was having an affect on his lover even if he hadn't actually done anything.

"Won't hurt... me. Need it.... Now."

Levon nodded, and then lubed his cock. He positioned himself to enter Joe. Joe raised his hips eager to meet him. He took a shuddering breath as he felt his lover's hard length fill him. Joe wrapped his legs around Levon's narrow waist, and pulled him in closer.

Levon held himself still for a moment. "You okay?"

"Fine.... oh, God, that feels... so good, Cowboy. So good."

It felt even better when Levon began to move. Long, sensuous strokes that gradually built in speed and intensity. Joe never felt anything so good.

"Touch yerself." Levon whispered. Levon's hands held his hips caressing while at the same time using that gentle touch to steady both of them.

Joe stroked himself with his right hand, while letting his left tease Levon's nipples. He smiled when Levon let out one of those long purring sighs that Joe loved to hear. He did one of his own as Levon's cock began to repeatedly brush against his prostate gland.

Joe felt his orgasm building and increased his strokes on his cock. He felt Levon move to match his speed and rhythm. "I'm... close, Cowboy. God!! So close.... Feels so good, Levon... so good.... Oh.... Levon." Joe's came with a cry, spurting cum, splattering both his own chest and Levon's. He felt Levon's orgasm a few moments later.

Levon fell forward, supporting his weight against on his elbows. His breath came in harsh pants. He rested his forehead against Joe's.

"That was... God... that was... excellent." Joe managed to get out between gasps.

Levon smiled. "My pleasure." He sat up slowly, and reached for a towel they had taken to keeping near by. He cleaned off both of them, and tossed the towel on the floor. He laid down on Joe's chest, and snuggled in close.

Joe wrapped his arms around Levon and hugged him. He felt boneless and totally relaxed. He loved that all is right with the world feeling.

Joe sighed, enjoying the after glow. [Couldn't stay awake now if you paid me.] He was only mildly surprised when Levon began to hum softly. It wasn't the humming that surprised him, but the tune. It was the same lullaby that his mother and grandmother had sung to him as a child. He'd sung it for Levon a time or two, but he never realized that Levon was paying so much attention.

He would have sung the words, but Levon placed his fingertips lightly against Joe's lips. "Shhh... just be quiet. It will all be okay. Jus' close yer eyes, and sleep."

Joe smiled, and placed a kiss against Levon's fingers. He closed his eyes, and willingly let the muted, familiar tune carry him to sleep.


Joe woke feeling more rested than he should for having only had a few hours of sleep. He rolled over, and confirmed his suspicion that he was alone. Whenever he woke up curled around a pillow instead of his partner, it was a safe bet he was alone. It was a normal occurrence since his lover was a morning person and rarely slept in. Levon didn't have to be into the office until after noon, but the man just didn't know how to just lay around and do nothing.

Joe stretched leisurely, and got out of bed. He grabbed his robe and went looking for Levon. He could smell bacon before he was even half way down the spiral stairs. He grinned. [Trust him to be up at his usual time no matter what. Bet he didn't get any more sleep than I did.]

Joe walked into the kitchen. Levon was sitting at the counter, leafing through the paper, eating his breakfast. He was wearing the yellow silk robe that Joe had bought for him. Levon's slightly damp curls were evidence of a shower he must have had not too long ago.

Levon reached for his coffee, and Joe's breath caught watching the silk lovingly follow the curve of his arm and shoulder. It made his fingers itch to touch. With his eyes closed he wondered if he could tell where the silk stopped and skin began. Joe swallowed hard and tried to get himself back under control. [God, but he looks good.]

Joe cleared his throat, announcing his presence. He knew better than to surprise his lover. He'd only done that once, and he'd gotten a black eye for his trouble.

Joe had snuck up on his lover early one morning, and grabbed him in a fierce hug from behind. The violence of Levon's reaction had caught Joe totally off guard. Startled, Levon had instinctively lashed out, trying to free himself. He had snapped his head back, catching Joe in the right eye. Joe counted his blessings that Levon hadn't connected with his nose, he'd have broken it for sure.

Any anger he might have felt at Levon quickly evaporated when upon releasing him, Levon leaped away, spun around, and put his back against the wall, eyes feral and wary, hands up to defend himself. He had looked so much like a cornered, wild animal that Joe had immediately held up his own hands, palm out to show he meant no harm, and stepped back to give Levon even more space. It was several moments before Levon relaxed even marginally and let down his guard.

"S-S-Sorry, Joe. D-d-didn't mean ta hurt you. Honest. S-s-sorry."

Hearing Levon stutter, something he'd never done before, and seeing the faint tremors that racked his lanky frame, Joe had immediately tried to smooth things over, and put him at ease. "My fault. Shouldn't have grabbed you like that."

Levon shook his head. "Not yer fault. Never told ya."

"Told me what?" Joe asked softly.

Levon sighed and hung his head, eyes focused on the floor. Levon's posture was enough of a clue that Joe knew he wasn't going to like the answer. He almost regretted asking.

"My old man used to grab me from behind once I started getting big enough ta hold my own. Liked ta catch me by surprise. Used ta hold me so tight I couldn't breathe. Blacked out once or twice. Made it easier for him ta...." Levon's face took on that shuttered, blank expression he'd had worn the last time he'd talked about being abused by his father and he left the sentence unfinished.

Hearing that made Joe wished he'd killed the bastard when he had the chance. It wasn't the first time he'd regretted not taking greater advantage of that opportunity, and he suspected it wouldn't be the last. Joe knew it was wrong to pray for someone else to be suffering as much as humanly possible, but he did it anyway. He really, really hoped prison life was not agreeing with Levon Lundy Senior.

Joe stepped forward wanting to offer comfort, but Levon sidestepped, keeping some distance between them. Joe knew better than to push. In this state Levon would simply continue to shy away. He didn't know what to do to fix this other than to give his partner the space he seemed to need. Repeated apologies from both of them just would only serve to aggravate the situation, and Joe gave that up as a lost cause.

It bothered Joe that his lover stayed at least an arm's length from him for the rest of the day. It wasn't until later that he realized Levon had wanted the space, not because he was afraid of Joe, but because he was afraid he'd somehow hurt him again. It wasn't until Joe's black eye had begun to fade, nearly three days later, that things were back to normal between the two of them.

Joe came back to the present, with a start realizing Levon had called his name, probably more than once. Joe blinked, and looked at Levon. "Yeah?"

"You okay?"

Joe smiled wanly. "Yeah."

"Still worried about meetin' yer family?"

Joe nodded. [Easier to let him think that than to try and explain where my mind just wandered to. And it isn't exactly a lie.] He stepped further into the kitchen and into Levon's open arms. Levon hugged him.

"It will be okay. Trust me."

Joe soaked up the warmth and comfort offered. "Always." He whispered with conviction. He did trust Levon, with his life, and with his heart, with his very soul.

"Promise me something?"

"Sure."

Joe pulled back so he could make eye contact. "You don't want to know what I'm going to ask first?"

Levon shrugged. "You can't ask me for anythin' I wouldn't give you."

Joe's eyes widened at that. The sureness in that statement just rocked his world. [Man never ceases to amaze me.] "No matter how this works out, promise me you won't leave me."

Levon smiled. It warmed Joe all the way to his toes. "Not leavin'. Promise. Two of us can handle anythin'. Remember?"

"I'll remember."

"Good." Levon nodded, apparently satisfied. "You better get cleaned up. Don't think yer family would be too impressed iffen ya showed up wearin' a robe."

Joe laughed. He glanced at the clock and realized he had well over two hours before he had to pick up his family. He leered at his lover, letting his fingers wander up and down Levon's back, enjoying the feel of warm silk and smooth muscle. "Wanna join me?"

"I already had a shower."

"So?"

Levon laughed, a deep, throaty laugh that made Joe shiver in anticipation. "They say cleanliness is next ta godliness, don't they? Guess a body can't be too clean or too close ta god."


Rosa Scarpacci sighed quietly relieved the plane was back on the ground. She wasn't nervous about flying. She just didn't like the cramped quarters, the uncomfortable seats, or the falsely cheerful stewards and stewardess. If it had been up to her they would have driven to Houston. Seen a bit of the country and traveled at a more relaxed pace and avoided the whole 'hurry up and wait' atmosphere of the airport.

Hurry up and wait certainly described their flight, Rosa thought with disgust. It had taken off nearly an hour late from O'Hare, and had spent thirty minutes circling Houston before landing. The couple sitting next to her hadn't seemed to notice. Maria and Carlo Concetta. Married less than two years, they were still technically newlyweds.

Rosa smiled slightly. They were so wrapped up in one another that she doubted they really knew she was there. [Ah, young love.] The cynical part of her nature made her wonder how long they would last. Her opinion hadn't been requested, and she had learned a long time ago to keep her own counsel. Especially when her opinion wasn't likely to be warmly received. Maria was sufficiently headstrong that voicing objections to a decision she'd already made was like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon, an exercise in frustration and futility. She always was a child who had to learn on her own, and she seemed to learn best the hard way.

Knowing this, Rosa had never told her that she thought Carlo was the wrong man for her. Oh, he was charming, always well dressed, and classically handsome with his dark hair and eyes. He looked every bit the part of a successful Italian. He had treated Maria well so far, showering her with love and attention. But, to Rosa's mind, he seemed to be narrow-minded, and opinionated. To her, he came across as arrogant and pompous, having an attitude that she did not believe he had earned the right to. [Too full of himself by far. He's young, so maybe he'll grow out of that. One can only hope so.]

Her brother, Michael, liked Carlo a great deal. So did her sister, Teresa. And it was their opinions that Maria valued. [And why wouldn't Michael like Carlo? He is a rising star in Michael's organization. Probably reminds Michael of himself at that age. And Teresa was always a sucker for a handsome face. Never one to look deeper until forced to. But then I suppose that blind eye is necessary when married to a mobster.]

Rosa grimaced. She had never liked her family's involvement with the mob. Even as a child she found the fact that her father was involved in such sordid business disturbing. She had grown to actively detest the whole organization when her family ties had gotten her husband, Daniel, killed.

Daniel Scarpacci had been a gentle, loving man, far more interested in art and architecture than in criminal activities. Leaving a restaurant one night, after a family get together, he'd been killed in a drive by shooting perpetrated by a rival mob family. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was killed simply because he had been standing with her family. She and Daniel had been married just three short years. Rosa had chosen to remain a widow, not wanting to involve another life in the violent world that surrounded her family.

It became something of a life mission for her to make certain that any of the LaFiamma brood who wanted something else were allowed to pursue those dreams. Rosa had been delighted with Joe's choice to become a police officer. And while she had been sad to see him leave Chicago, she had also been relieved that he was away from the intrigue and shadowy deals the family was a part of.

Rosa undid her seatbelt as the plane came to a complete stop. She thanked Carlo when he retrieved her bag from the overhead compartment. The best thing about traveling first class was that they were the first to get off the plane. Rosa couldn't wait to get moving. Sitting still for long periods left her feeling every one of her fifty-nine years.

With a grace that belied her age, Rosa made her way off the plane and up the connecting corridor to the exit. Carlo and Maria were right behind her, just as eager to disembark. She spotted her nephew immediately. [My god, but he looks so much like his father. Such a handsome man he has become. Tony and Sofia would be so proud of him.]

"Aunt Rosa!" Joe stepped forward and drew her into a warm, gentle hug. Just like Tony used to do. Even after all these years, she still missed her big brother. She returned her nephew's hug. He had always been one of her favorites.

Joe kissed both cheeks when he finally pulled away. She saw how bright his eyes were and knew she had made the right decision to come visit. She regretted having waited so long. Rosa found herself already thinking she should make plans to visit again.

He looked over her shoulder and caught sight of Maria. Rosa watched as Joe positively glowed with happiness. He swept his sister into a bear hug, lifting her off the floor and spinning around.

"Joey, put me down. You big oaf." Maria was laughing as she said that and hugging him just as hard as he was hugging her.

Joe kissed her soundly on the forehead, before he put her down and held her at arm's length. He looked her over from head to toe. "Being married must agree with you, Sprite. You look fantastic."

Rosa smiled warmly at the two of them. Same dark hair and the same incredible blue eyes. The hair was from their father, but those expressive, mesmerizing eyes, definitely came from their mother, Sofia. Maria looked as much like her mother as Joe did his father. She had her mother's dainty build and refined features.

Maria tugged on Joe's hand, pulling him toward her husband. She smiled, eyes bright with love and happiness. "Joey, I want you to meet the love of my life, my husband, Carlo Concetta. Carlo, meet my big brother, Joey."

Rosa watched as Joe studied Carlo for just a moment. She could tell he was sizing him up, trying to decide if this man was good enough for his little sister. Dark eyes met blue as Carlo returned the gesture, sizing up his exiled brother-in-law.

Carlo might like to portray the image of a dangerous man, but Rosa knew her nephew was more than just the image. He was a lot more substantial than the smoke and mirrors illusion of Carlo. He might be on the opposite side of the law from most of the family, but Joe was, without a doubt, a man who knew what he was capable of and had been party to his share of violence.

To Rosa it was like watching a seasoned soldier sizing up a new recruit. She couldn't quite read the brief expression that passed over Joe's face, but she suspected that her nephew had come to the same conclusions about Carlo as she had. He was not the right man for Maria. And like her, he knew it would do no good to voice an opinion his sister would not listen to. So, Joe smiled and held out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Carlo. I was very sorry to have missed your wedding."

[Oh Tony, you would be so proud of your son. He will make peace if for no other reason than to make Maria happy. She says she loves this man, and for her he will make nice. Such a good boy.]

Carlo shook his hand. "Nice to finally met the brother I've heard so much about."

Joe raised an eyebrow at his sister. "All good things I'm sure."

Maria giggled. "Oh sure. Just the good stuff, Joey? I wouldn't have much to say then, would I?"

Joe rolled his eyes before turning to Rosa. "How was the flight?"

She reached up to pat his cheek. "The way they usually are, Joseph. Long, stuffy, and uncomfortable. Be a dear and help an old woman get her bags."

Joe made a show of looking around. "But I don't see an old woman." He bowed and brought her hand to his lips for a kiss. "Just the beauty before me. May I help her instead?" Joe offered his arm.

Rosa laughed, and placed a hand inside his elbow. "Such a sweet boy."

Together all four of them headed off to claim the baggage. Maria walked on Joe's left. She and Carlo held hands as they walked. Maria started to fill Joe in on all the comings and goings of the LaFiamma family. It would take days to tell him everything, but all the important details, big and small, would be passed on before they left.

Rosa enjoyed listening to the two of them banter back and forth. She'd forgotten how well the two of them got along. It was like Joe had never left.

[Except he did leave. And he has changed.] Rosa liked the changes she saw. He seemed calmer, more sure of himself, and she detected a certain strength of character that she had always known was there, but hadn't been readily apparent four years ago. She nodded to herself. [Coming here... he's found himself. Found out he could stand on his own, and with only himself to rely on, he's found out just what he was made of.] She wondered if he'd realized just how good leaving Chicago had been for him. [Probably not. He won't realize that until he gets to come back.] Rosa was saddened to realize that it might be a long, long time before he had that opportunity.

"Hey, pretty lady... why the long face?" Joe looked at her, a touch of concern in his voice and expression.

Rosa smiled ruefully, and searched her mind for a likely excuse, not wanting to drag him or Maria down with her thoughts. "I am sure that the airline has managed to lose my bag. Once it is out of my sight, I feel like I should have kissed it goodbye forever."

Joe chuckled. "I'm sure everything made it just fine. Not to worry."

Rosa gave an unlady-like snort. "We'll see."

Maria giggled. "Oh, Aunt Rosa. They don't always lose your bag. That's just a myth. If you traveled more you'd know that." Maria gave her a 'told you so' look when her bag was the second one to appear on the baggage belt.

"Do not look at me like that child." Rosa scolded gently. "It is better to be prepared for the worst, and be pleasantly surprised, rather than expect the best and be disappointed."

She caught the thoughtful look on her nephew's face when she said that. [He has really changed if he is paying that much attention to what I say. I'll have to make sure we get some time alone so we can talk.]

Joe stopped them just inside the doors leading out of the airport. "You might want to wait here until I bring the Jimmy around. The heat this time of day is pretty intense."

"Jimmy?" Maria's eyebrows went up. "What happened to the Cobra? You didn't wreck it did you, Joey?"

Joe grimaced. "No. I didn't wreck it. It just isn't well suited to picking up the three of you, and your luggage." Joe cast a sly look at his sister. "Although, I could have stuffed you in the trunk."

"Hey! That's not funny." She slapped his arm.

Joe laughed. "Your opinion, Sprite." He shrugged one shoulder. "I borrowed my partner's truck. The Jimmy has more than enough room."

Rosa smiled slightly. "That would be Levon Lundy? The one Rafael speaks so highly of?"

"One and the same."

"He does not mind letting you use his vehicle?" Rosa raised an eyebrow. She had been given to understand that it was nearly impossible to get around in Houston without a vehicle. Unlike Chicago, Houston was notorious for having little public transportation.

"No. Lundy doesn't mind. Said I could use it all week while you're here. Besides, I let him use the Cobra so it isn't as if he's stranded."

Maria openly stared at him, shocked. "You let him take YOUR car?" She pouted. "You never let me take your car."

Joe shook his head. "Yeah, well, Lundy isn't going to go drag racing. He knows what it means to me. Unlike you, little sister, he is responsible with other people's things."

Maria stuck out her tongue at him. Joe laughed. "Wait here. I'll be back in five minutes." Joe then jogged off.

He pulled up a few minutes later in a red GMC club cab truck. Rosa tipped her head in approval. It did indeed have ample room for all of them and their luggage. Although, a truck wasn't her usual means of transportation, she was willing to give it a go. She smiled, liking the idea of trying something new. [Besides, I'll get to sit up front anyway. One of the privileges of age is getting to choose your seat.]

Their luggage was quickly loaded. Rosa found the running boards to be of invaluable assistance to getting into the truck, making it easy for her to simply step up and slide into the passenger seat. She said as much to Joe. Being even shorter than Rosa, Maria seconded that observation.

Joe cocked his head to one side. "Never really thought about it. But then, I'm tall enough I don't really need to use them."

Rosa shrugged one shoulder. "Perhaps your partner has found them useful."

Joe chuckled. "He isn't much shorter than I am, Aunt Rosa. And I've never seen him use the running boards as a step."

Rosa noticed a faint glow about him when he spoke of his partner. [Curious.] Wanting to see if it might simply be her imagination, Rosa decided to direct the conversation toward the man she'd heard so much about, but had yet to meet. "Will we be meeting Mr. Lundy?"

"Yeah. Not today though. He has to work this afternoon, and help out with a stakeout this evening." A faint frown line appeared when Joe said that. It was a look Rosa recognized from when he was still a little boy. He only got that look when he was worried.

"Joseph, is that a problem?"

"Is what a problem?" Joe sent a confused glance her way.

"Your partner working." Rosa raised her eyebrows. "You looked worried."

Joe tipped his head, and shrugged a shoulder. He gave her a half-hearted smile. "He was supposed to be finishing up some case work. Riding a desk while I'm off this week. But our boss is short handed right now. McDermit's wife went into labor this morning, three weeks early, and he'll be off for the next couple of days. So, Beaumont asked Lundy to help out McDermit's partner on the case they were working on."

Not sure why that should worry him, Rosa continued to study him, and waited. She knew if she waited long enough he would give her more details. He always did. Joe grimaced and then sighed. "I just don't like him working on the streets without me. He is way too reckless when he's on his own."

Maria laughed lightly from behind them. "You calling someone else reckless, Joey? Hello, pot let me introduce you to kettle."

"I'm not reckless." Was Joe's indignant response, his eyes meeting his sister's in the rearview mirror.

"If I remember correctly, that's what Aunt Teresa called you when you tried to jump out the second floor window using her best sheets for a parachute."

"I was ten. And that's only one incident."

"Well, what about the time you blew up the neighbor's pool with cherry bomb depth charges."

Rosa turned in her seat to look at her niece. "Depth charges?"

"It was Joey and Rafe and Thomas, and the neighbor boy... what was his name?" Maria snapped her fingers. "Oh yes, David. They were trying to recreate a naval battle of some kind. Had toy boats all afloat in the pool, and Joey said they needed depth charges for the submarines."

"Submarines?" Rosa looked at Joe.

Joe's mouth quirked in a half smile, looking faintly embarrassed. "We were striving for accuracy."

"Hmmm." Rosa raised an eyebrow. "I'd always wondered why the Ferrelli's filled in their pool and turned it into a flower garden." Deciding Maria had tormented her brother enough for the moment, Rosa asked, "So what is the plan for us today? I hope our late arrival did not ruin the day you had planned."

Joe smiled warmly at her. "Knowing how often flights get delayed, I didn't really plan much of anything for today. I thought I'd let you get settled at the hotel. Freshen up if you want to. Then maybe I'd show you around the city a bit. And we can have dinner at my place."

"Are you going to cook?" Maria asked, a hopeful note in her voice.

"Naturally."

"Carlo, you are in for such a treat. Joey can really cook. He should have become a chef."

Carlo tipped his head toward Maria, smiling broadly. "You mean he doesn't burn water the same way you do?"

She slapped him playfully on the arm. "I never burned water."

"Doesn't mean you haven't burned other things." Joe commented. Rosa could easily read the mischief in his eyes. "Like say... the Christmas ham."

Maria frowned, and shook her finger at Joe. "Joseph LaFiamma, you know very well it wasn't my fault that the ham burned. The heating element in Aunt Teresa's stove was acting up."

"Whatever you say, Sprite." Joe's tone made it perfectly clear he didn't believe her excuse even for a moment. It was something of a family joke that the ability to cook ran out when it finally got to the youngest.

Rosa shook her head. "Children." Her voice carried a warning note that she'd used on them when they were little. It never failed to restore some level of order, or at the very least keep the arguments from getting totally out of hand.

The conversation moved on to safer topics as Joe casually pointed out sites of interested as they drove. Rosa tried not to notice the other drivers. Rosa was very glad that Joe had offered to pick them up and drive them around. She wasn't sure she could have handled the traffic. She was very relieved when they made it to the hotel in one piece.

"Joseph, I don't know how you can handle driving in this city. The people... they are all crazy."

Joe just chuckled, pulling their luggage from the truck. "You get used to it, Aunt Rosa."

"I don't think I could ever get used to that." She stated with conviction, shuddering more for effect than out of any real fear.

Joe moved to stand next to her and put one arm over her shoulder, drawing her into a loose hug. "That's why I said I'd pick you up at the airport. And that's why, fair damsel, I am at your disposal for the entire week. I will chauffeur you any where you wish to go."

Maria reached over to poke him in the side. "What about me?"

"You too, Sprite." Joe winked at Carlo. "But I think you brought your own knight in shining armor with you."

Maria grinned, hugging her husband. "Yes. Yes, I did."

It didn't take long to get them settled into their rooms. Maria and Carlo were in room 321 and Rosa had a room across the hall. Maria had originally wanted Rosa to have an adjoining room, but Rosa had told her no.

With a suggestive look that should have been out of place on an older woman's face, but wasn't, Rosa tilted her head and studied her niece. "I would not want the two of you to curtail your... shall we say, marital activities, because I am sharing the adjacent room." Seeing the shocked and embarrassed look on Maria's face, Rosa smiled softly, and said, "I was newly married once. I remember what that was like."

Joe took them to his apartment via the long way. Showing them more of the sites of Houston. Having never really had the opportunity to travel much, Rosa was delighted with Joe's tour of city. It was so different from Chicago. She had always assumed one city was pretty much like another. It was fascinating to learn first hand just how different one could be from another.

Joe brought them to an apartment building, and ushered them up to his place. Rosa was not surprised to see that Joe's apartment was very modern. The place he had rented in Chicago had been the same way. For someone who so respected other cultures and traditions, it was an interesting paradox that his living space generally reflected no ties to anything other than the present.

There was something different about this apartment though. Rosa couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she would swear that there was the feel of another presence. She wasn't sure what made her think that. A faint scent that lingered in the air perhaps, or the slightly more welcoming, lived in feel to the place than his last apartment had. It was almost as if someone other than Joe spent a lot of time here, or rather that Joe no longer spent much time here alone.

Her suspicions were confirmed when she noted the centerpiece on the dining room table. It was a beautiful lead crystal vase, filled with a dozen red and white roses. She saw the smile on Joe's face when he spotted it. There was that faint glow about him she had noticed before, and he was clearly both pleased and surprised by the flowers. It would have been like him, to decorate the table for dinner as it was something of a common practice in their family. But watching Joe's face, Rosa knew he wasn't the one responsible for the flowers.

Rosa studied the roses with a practiced eye. Who ever had put the arrangement together had a sense of color and space, creating a beautiful presentation, but it was definitely not a formal arrangement. [Hmmm.... no card. Means Joseph has to know who put them there. And whoever it was, definitely had access to his apartment since the door was locked when we arrived. Now who would be giving my Joseph flowers?]

She raised an eyebrow, when Joe reached out to gently caress one of the flowers. He bent down to sniff them, closing his eyes as he did so. Joe glanced over at her and blushed slightly realizing he was being watched.

Rosa just smiled. She would not embarrass him by asking in front of the others. She knew from past experience just how private he could be when it came to his affairs of the heart. Unlike his siblings, Joe rarely brought anyone home to meet the family. He always waited until he was 'serious' before he introduced anyone to them.

[Serious being something of a relative term when it comes to my Joseph.] She knew that a good looking man like her nephew had probably had many, many relationships. But the family had only met three young ladies he'd been involved with.

"We'll talk later." She said quietly enough so as not to be heard by Maria and Carlo who had gone immediately to the windows to take in the view. She patted his hand before moving to join the couple in the living room.

"You have a lovely view, Joey."

"I like it, Sprite." Joe smiled. "Would you like something to drink while I work on putting dinner together?"

"Yes. A glass of wine would be great." Carlo answered for both of them. Rosa nodded her head in agreement.

It wasn't long before they were all in the kitchen. For Italians, family life revolved around the kitchen. All of them were used to working together to prepare a meal, and talking about anything and everything while they did it. Rosa and Maria washed and cut up the vegetables for the salad, while Joe put together the sauce for chicken cacciatore. Due to the limited space, Carlo stayed just outside, leaning on the counter, not wanting to interrupt, while Rosa, Maria, and Joe actually worked on dinner.

Maria tossed a look over her shoulder at her husband. "Make yourself useful, Cara, and set the table."

He smiled. "Your wish is my command, my sweet." He winked, and then bowed deeply, causing Maria to laugh lightly.

Joe pointed to a low, black lacquered sideboard with an oriental look that was positioned next to the wall opposite the dining room table. "You can find the plates in there. Silverware is in the drawer."

Carlo moved to set the table. He paused to look at the flowers. "Did you want to leave these?"

Joe sized up the table. "No, I guess not. Isn't really enough room on the table for them, the food and us."

"They are lovely, Joey. Reminds me of the flowers Aunt Teresa used to put on the table." Maria complemented him. "You always did have such wonderful taste when it came to such things."

Rosa cast her nephew a sly glance. He ducked his head, and shrugged. He left the kitchen and carefully picked up the vase. He placed it safely out of harm's way on the sideboard. Rosa did not miss the way he made certain that the roses were not displaced or disturbed. [Whoever left them must mean a great deal to Joseph. Wonder if I will get to meet her?]

They had just sat down to eat when the phone rang. Joe shook his head. "Thing always rings at the worst times. Go ahead and start. I'll just be a minute."

Carlo and Maria began eating with obvious enjoyment. Maria had not lied when she said Joe could have been a chef. The man could most definitely cook. Still, Rosa found her eyes following her nephew, rather than focusing on the food in front of her.

She couldn't hear him, but his face and body language were enough to let her know that the caller was not unwelcome. In fact, if his smile was anything to go by, the caller was very welcome. Rosa was intrigued. She'd always loved a good mystery. [This vacation could prove to be more interesting than I expected.]


Levon Lundy sighed heavily, glad to be home. He didn't mind working with Sandy Jones, Carl McDermit's partner. Not really. She just wasn't Joe. That alone made sitting for six hours on stakeout duty a lot harder than it would have been other wise. Spending time with Joe, even when they were focused on a case and not on each other, was always a pleasure.

Levon got out of Joe's car, and stretched his hands high over his head. He could hear several vertebrae announce their presence and immediately felt more limber. He grinned thinking that if Joe had been near by he would have winced. [Boy, can't seem ta understand that it's jus' natural for my joints ta make noise.]

Levon shook his head thinking about Joe. It had taken a lot of talking on his part to convince Joe that he shouldn't change his plans when Beaumont called that morning asking Levon if he would work the stake out with Jones. He could have turned her down. But he had told her that his being with Joe would not alter their job performance, and he had every intention of following through with that statement.

Levon chuckled, remembering Joe's reaction to his saying yes. [He acts like I ain't never taken care of myself before. Knew that nothin' was gonna happen tonight. Jus' had to convince him I wouldn't do anythin' foolish. 'Sides, it wasn't like I wouldn't have back up. Jones might not be as good as Joe, but she is still a good cop. An' I know he wanted time to be with his family. Didn't need me there tonight. They'll be here all week. Plenty of time for them ta meet me.]

Joe had finally left for the airport after admonishing Levon to be careful for at least a hundred times. After he left, Levon had given his apartment a quick once over to be sure that there was nothing left lying around that shouldn't have been there. Joe's cleaning lady was due by around 12:30, but Levon figured it wouldn't hurt to be extra careful.

Seeing the dining room table completely bare had reminded him of Joe's stories about numerous family diners. He talked about holiday meals and the lengths his Aunt Teresa had gone to just to set the table. From the way Joe described it, even every day meals were a lot more formal than anything Levon was used to. [Joe said they never sat down to a table that wasn't set properly.]

Without even really thinking about what he was doing, Levon found the large crystal vase he knew Joe had, and then had made a quick trip to one of the local flower vendors. He picked out the red and white roses to decorate the table. Years ago, when he was little helping Mother Minnie in her flower garden, she had told him that red was for passion, and that white was for regard. He didn't know if Joe would recognize the symbolism, but he wanted to express not just his lust, but also his love. And the color contrast between the two made for an outstanding arrangement.

He'd called before heading out with Jones, just to touch base with his partner. Levon had promised Joe he would. [Didn't mean ta catch 'em eating dinner, but Joe didn't seem ta mind.]

He knew the conversation wouldn't be normal. He was calling from his desk, and Joe was only a few feet from his family, so both of them needed to watch what they said just in case they were overheard. Despite the somewhat stilted nature of their conversation, he knew Joe was very pleased with the flowers, and that he was enjoying his family immensely. Levon got another reminder to be careful before he hung up. [Mother hen.]

Levon frowned when he finally noticed that his Jimmy was parked in its usual spot in the driveway. He hadn't really paid much attention before in part because he was used to it being there, and in part because he was tired.

He headed for the door, eager to see his lover, and curious as to why he was there. He wasn't expecting to see him until tomorrow when he was supposed to meet Joe and his family for lunch. He had thought that he'd be sleeping alone tonight. That thought was just another reason for accepting the stakeout assignment. If he was going to be awake and restless for most of the night he might as well be useful.

Levon grinned when he tried the door and discovered it wasn't locked. [Boy gives me hell for not locking the door, and here he goes and leaves it unlocked.] Levon chuckled, wondering if he should give Joe hell about that little detail or not.

He stepped inside and hung his hat and the car keys on the rack near the door. He'd just slipped off his boots when he happened to glance down. There were red and white petals scattered on the floor. They trailed down the hall toward the bedroom, an open invitation.

Levon smiled. [Guess he figured out what the flowers meant.] He quietly made his way toward the bedroom. The faint flicker of light confused him for just a moment, until he realized it was candlelight. There were several candles scattered around the room, casting warm, shifting light over everything.

He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and folded his arms over his chest. Levon studied his partner. Joe was reclining on the bed, entirely naked except for a scattering of rose petals artfully arranged to conceal most of his groin. The flickering light from the candles seemed to deliberately tantalize him with shifting light and shadow. The vista before him was as stunning an invitation as Levon had ever been offered.

"Now you didn't go an' ruin all the pretty flowers I left, did ya?" Levon asked softly, eyes bright with a combination of love, affection and amusement.

Joe smiled, blue eyes reflecting the same emotions. "No. Those flowers are safe and sound. Just the way you left them." He waved one hand in a graceful gesture that encompassed the flowers scattered across himself and the bed. "I bought these for you."

Levon stepped into the room. "Ah." He smiled as he started to unbutton his shirt, keeping his eyes on Joe the whole time. "You couldn't find a vase to put them in?"

Joe dropped his eyes, and then looked up at him through his lashes. "You don't like the way I've arranged them?"

Levon let his eyes roam freely over Joe. He took a deep breath, smelling the faint fragrance from the roses, a little smoke from the candles, and the pleasant musky scent of his lover's arousal. "Oh... I like. I like it a lot." The husky sound of his own voice surprised him. He had been so caught up in the sight before him, he'd been unaware of the effect Joe was having on him. He quickly stripped out of his remaining clothes.

Levon moved to stand at the foot of the bed. He motioned for Joe to stay put before he sat down at his feet. Levon picked up one foot and began a gentle massage. He leaned forward to kiss the arch and nuzzle the instep. He smiled when he heard Joe moan, knowing he'd just found another personal erogenous zone. [He has more hot spots than the sun.]

"You been here long?" [Hope not. Hate ta think he'd been waitin' on me. I'd a been home sooner if I'd a known he was gonna be here.]

Joe sighed quietly before answering. "A few hours. Came here after I took Aunt Rosa, Maria and Carlo back to their hotel."

Levon raised an eyebrow. "You been waitin' like this for me the whole time?"

Joe grinned. "No. Called the office to find out when you'd finish your shift so I knew what time you'd get home."

Levon just shook his head slightly at that. [Bet he called ta check on me. Boy, is worse than a mother hen.] He decided he'd ask Joe later why he didn't stay at his place. He was more interested in enjoying his lover at the moment.

Levon moved on to the other foot and then worked his way up to Joe's calves. He alternated between feather light touches and deeper relaxing ones. He placed random kisses as he went. He by-passed Joe's groin, careful not to displace any of the petals just yet, and moved on to his abdomen. Levon straddled his lover, holding himself off Joe, resting his weight on his hands and knees, while he traced the well-contoured muscles he found with his tongue.

He looked up from where he was tongue fucking Joe's navel. "You miss me?" Levon asked because he wanted to tease than because he wanted any real answer.

"Yes... Hell, yes." Joe reached out to cup his face and pull him up for a kiss. Levon sucked on Joe's tongue. Pulling it in and out in a highly suggestive rhythm. Joe moaned softly. Joe ran his fingers through Levon's hair, and Levon lost the ability to think clearly. He suddenly found himself lying under Joe, letting his lover ravish his mouth to his heart's content. He was gasping for air when Joe finally pulled away and began to nuzzle his neck.

He gasped in surprise when he felt something incredibly soft caress his right nipple. It felt so good, but it wasn't Joe's hands or tongue. Levon opened his eyes to see Joe gently rubbing a red rose across his chest. He hadn't even noticed the intact flower earlier. Levon closed his eyes to better enjoy the sensation as Joe moved the flower toward his left nipple. He arched his back trying to get more of that delicious contact. He could hear himself all but purring in response to Joe's delicate use of the rose.

"Thought you might like that." Joe's soft comment was slightly smug. He was obviously pleased with finding a way to add to his partner's pleasure.

"That mean I'll get more?" Levon asked, not caring if it sounded like he was begging.

"Of course." Joe's tongue followed the path he traced with the rose. Everywhere it was that velvet soft flower and a warm, wet tongue. When Joe caressed the head of Levon's cock with the rose, he was so hard it was almost painful. His hips were moving in time to the faint touch of the flower.

"God... Joe. So good. Feels.... so good." Levon panted. He reached out to snag Joe's wrist and stop him from sliding down and continuing to follow the rose with his mouth.

"Something wrong, Cowboy?"

"No. Jus'... I'll cum if ya do that."

Joe smiled wickedly. "That was the idea."

Levon shuddered, and tried to control himself. The faint full body tremors that usually preceded his climax were just beginning. He couldn't believe he had gotten so close to the edge so quickly. [Have ta remember that flower thing.]

Levon took a deep breath, and let go of Joe's wrist so he could caress his cheek. "Wanna come with you inside me. Please?"

Joe nodded. He quickly snagged the lube from the bedside table, and gently prepared Levon's entrance. Levon shivered, and lazily fucked himself on Joe's fingers. He raised his arms above his head, and arched his back, totally unaware of the captivatingly sensuous picture he presented.

"You. Are. So. Beautiful." Joe whispered as he slid his cock home in his lover's welcoming heat. Joe sucked gently at the spot where his shoulder and neck joined.

Levon smiled. He wrapped his legs around Joe and encouraged him to set a rough, almost bruising pace. He could feel his own climax building quickly. Faint tremors giving way to full body shudders. "So close... Joe... God. Harder. Please. Harder."

Joe pulled away slightly and used the rose he still held to tease Levon's nipples. Levon moaned. He was never going to be able to look flowers again the same way. [Who knew they could feel so... damn... so damn good.]

"Yes... Yes... So good... So... Oh... Yes. JOE!!" Levon came with a shout, body clenching tightly and all but vibrating from the intensity.

Once he recovered a bit he knew Joe hadn't quite gotten there with him this time. "C'mon, Joe. C'mon." He chanted breathlessly, encouraging his lover to reach his own climax. Even having just come the feeling of his lover inside him, striking his prostate repeatedly, was just so damn good. He wasn't going to come again that quickly, but it was enough to make him feel like he almost could.

Joe started thrusting harder, his hips snapping roughly, losing his rhythm. "God... Cowboy... you feel so... Oh... God. When you came... never felt anything so... good."

He ran his fingers through Levon's hair and clenched his hands into fists. It was tight, almost painful. He dropped his mouth to Levon's shoulder, and bit him nearly hard enough to draw blood. Joe held on, making his shout of yes as he came sound more like a hiss. Joe's body went completely rigid, spurting cum into Levon's tight, welcoming channel.

Joe collapsed on Levon, faint tremors still running up and down his body. Levon thought of them as after shocks. Joe only got them after a particularly intense orgasm and they lingered for several minutes.

Levon sighed and rubbed his cheek against Joe's hair. He was content knowing they'd be staying just the way they were until Joe recovered. He raised a hand to stroke up and down Joe's back. He liked touching Joe at moments like these, and knew Joe liked to be touched. Levon assumed it was just part of his cuddling nature.

Joe shifted several minutes later. Levon moaned softly when Joe pulled out of him. His lover raised his head, immediately concerned.

"You okay?"

"Feel like I been rode hard and put away wet."

Joe frowned. "Is that a yes or a no?"

Levon chuckled. "In this case... that would be a yes."

"You sure? I didn't mean to be so rough." Joe raised a hand to gently caress the mouth-sized bruise forming on Levon's shoulder. Even in the limited unsteady light provided by the candles, Levon could see Joe was blushing.

"S'okay. I liked it." Levon smiled, and kissed the tip of Joe's nose. "Wanna tell me why yer here? Ain't complaining mind you. Jus' didn't expect to see you until tomorrow."

Joe shrugged one shoulder, and looked vaguely embarrassed. "I hate sleeping alone."

"Yeah. Me too." He pulled Joe in close and hugged him. He knew his lover didn't sleep well on his own. Neither did he. He had expected to spend much of the night restless. [This is definitely much better.]

Levon yawned, the long day and little sleep the night before catching up to him. He was more than ready to just fall asleep right where he was. Joe shifted, moving to pull out of his arms. Levon reached to stop him not wanting him to leave.

"Shh...it's okay. I'm just going to blow out the candles."

While Joe extinguished the candles, Levon pulled the covers back on the bed. He yawned again and rubbed one hand over his face. Levon shivered, feeling faintly chilled without having Joe right next to him providing additional warmth. [Boy puts out heat like nobody's business.]

Levon got under the light quilt quickly, and got comfortable on his left side, leaving room for Joe to slip in behind him. He smiled when he felt Joe snuggle in to him. He let out a satisfied sigh, enjoying the added warmth and being next to his lover again. Joe's right arm reached around his chest and pulled him in closer. Levon smiled when Joe entwined their fingers.

"Joe?" Levon whispered.

"Yeah?" Joe's voice was little more than a breath of air near his ear.

"What time ya gotta leave tomorrow?"

"Supposed to meet them at the hotel for breakfast about eight. Aunt Rosa wants ta go to the art museum in the morning."

[Won't need the alarm then. Jus' wake him up 'fore I leave for work.] Levon shifted a bit, stretching and getting more comfortable. He felt nearly boneless. Levon struggled to stay awake. He had to be sure that if tonight's plans had changed that tomorrow's were still okay. "Still meetin' me for lunch?"

"Yes."

"Same place?" Joe had picked out an upscale restaurant for them to eat at. It was a place Levon liked. Not so fancy he'd have to dress up, but more than up to Joe's standards.

"Same place." Joe confirmed and placed a soft kiss on his shoulder.

"Good."

Part 2

Everything on this page is fiction. Any resemblance or reference to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.