Part 9...

Let's vamoose where guys keep usin'
Those silks and satins and linen that shows
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows

Dinner and the evening that followed at Thomas Dennis' apartment above The Leafery was quiet. Dennis respected the men's privacy and asked no questions. He entertained them with stories about the various shop owners and club owners along the strip. He seemed to know everyone and like everyone.

He described Charles Destiny, the owner of The Tamarind Bar, as a recluse with a wonderful sense of humor. According to Dennis, Destiny was the first 'settler' and 'pioneer' of the strip along Rawlings Street that had become the gay/lesbian heart of Houston.

When LaFiamma commented that he'd not seen much of the female section of this population segment, Dennis had grinned and explained that there was not a lot of mixing and the men greatly outnumbered the females. There were a few particular female haunts further toward center Houston, though. When neither Lundy nor LaFiamma made further inquiry, the topic was dropped.

Reverting to his tales of Charles Destiny, Thomas said that 'Chaz' was often the guest DJ at his own club, but seldom mingled with the customers. The Business Owners Association of Rawlings Street (Boars) had bimonthly meetings to socialize and deal with any problems. The brown shirts had been an agenda item for some time. Thomas' aside sent shivers up Levon's back as he saw the black look cross LaFiamma's face again before it cleared and Joe continued his attentive interest in the wandering conversation.

They had adjourned to the sitting room after dinner in the sit-in kitchen. It had been a cozy meal, nothing fancy, just a simple meatloaf with vegetables and salad. Carson had been served separately on the floor, picking at the food selectively. He was well-mannered and didn't bother the dinners. Back in the sitting room, Thomas Dennis started a small gas fire in the open hearth of a slate fireplace. The cheerful look of the fire was pleasant, and by closing a glass front to the blaze, the heat did not enter the room, venting out the chimney. Carson chose a place close by Joe's feet but did not jump up in his lap as Lundy had feared he'd do.

At a little after eleven that night, Thomas excused himself to bed, his bedroom on the same floor as the main apartment. He explained how to turn off the fire and left them sitting together on the short couch, rather like a loveseat, sipping fine old brandy and watching the fire leapt and flicker. Joe had his arm around Levon's shoulders and Levon had both hands cupping his snifter, rolling the amber liquid and taking occasional whiffs of the heady fumes.

Neither said anything. The cat, Levon noticed, had fallen asleep, a fluffy fur mound on the rug beside Joe's feet at the base of the sofa.

When they finally finished their drinks and stretched, Levon asked Joe how he was doing.

"I'm okay now, cowboy. Really. Nothing to be done about today except get through it. We have to get ourselves a bit organized tomorrow, pick up those files from Romeo's that Beaumont is leaving for us. Maybe begin questioning some of the other club and shop owners. After listening to Thomas, I begin to see we have barely made a dent in this district."

"Oh, I think we got us a rep now, Joe."

Joe shrugged. "Not the kind we need."

Levon nodded somberly in agreement. "Might be interesting to have a talk with Mr. Destiny over at the Tamarind. Mebbe Thomas or Conway kin set us up. After all, two of the killings happened there. We should find a way to meet the owner of the Double-M, too. Maybe Marion kin help us."

LaFiamma stood and stretched grandly, then turned and pulled Lundy up beside him. "Let's go to bed."

"Don't think it would be very good idea to do more'n sleep here, though, Joe."

LaFiamma smiled down into the sincere brown eyes of his partner. "Sleep it is. But, tomorrow night, I think we need to baptize that Jacuzzi." His smile widened at the interested gleam in Levon's eyes.

Together, they straightened the room, turned off the fire and took the glasses into the kitchen. As Joe rinsed them and Levon dried them, their new shadow sat and watched in the doorway. "What is it with that cat, enyway?" Levon asked, shaking his head.

Joe glanced down and around to see Carson grooming himself in the doorway, seemingly oblivious to them, yet right there. "I don't know. He's not being a bother or anything. Just seems to be always right in sight. Funny. I only met him this morning."

Levon watched as Joe stepped away from the sink and Carson rose liquidly to his feet. Ears cocked inquiringly. "It's like he's decided yore his or somethin'."

LaFiamma laughed quietly, "Don't worry, Lundy, I only belong to one 'critter' at a time, and you're the one that I belong to."

"Good." Levon gave him an easy kiss on the lips and led the way upstairs, holding Joe's hand.

*********************

Morning found them sprawled comfortably on the bed in their guest room, their guardian cat perched on top of the dresser next to the bed on Joe's side. Evidently there was simply not enough peaceful space on the bed to suit Carson.

Bidding Carson and Thomas Dennis goodbye at the door of The Leafery later that morning, Joe and Levon strolled down the street to find their truck. It had been left untouched in the maelstrom of activity on the streets the night before. Starting it now, Levon drove them out of the district and over to Romeo's which was just opening for morning customers. The smell of fresh brioches and coffee drew them in and they decided on breakfast there while they looked over the files that were handed to them in a brown envelope by the counterman.

Beaumont had included files on all four victims. The photographs all bore a remarkable similarity to each other... and to Joe LaFiamma. Even though Levon had seen the first three before, he agreed with Miss Kitty, Joe could pass as a brother of the fourth victim, Walter "Wally" Barstow. They had all disappeared from sight of friends, while dancing at clubs along the strip. Two at The Tamarind, one at The Blue Dahlia, and now one at The Masque Masculine, also known by the locals as the Double-M.

They made a list of people to start seeing. They'd already talked with Miss Babs, whose real name, according to the files, was Norman Towers. Her manager, Conway, was Conway Ellis. The owner of the Double-M was Darrin Macy, they'd heard of him briefly from Miss Kitty. He and his bartender, Barney Loomis, had delayed reporting finding the last victim's body until their clients had all had a chance to leave the club. Then there was the reclusive Charles 'Chaz' Destiny, owner of The Tamarind. It was going to be an interesting day.

While it was probably too soon to expect to lure out the killer again, since he'd just killed two nights ago, they decided that they had to put in an appearance at each club tonight. If only to start a routine for the locals to identify. Aside from their rather drastic subterranean reputations as the result of their second confrontation with the brown shirts, they were largely unknown quantities on the strip. All the victims were known locals, none were out-of-towners or new to the strip.

If they wanted to catch this guy, using Joe as bait, then they had to become part of the scenery themselves. Their early attempt at showing divisiveness as a couple had not lasted long. They'd had to rescue each other from trouble, seek out shelter together with help, were doing their 'private investigation' together, and were seen strolling the strip together. Both decided they'd have to try a different ploy for the future. More of a casual, long-time relationship thing where each could go off for a bit without raising concern. They'd test that out tonight.
By late morning, they'd finished second cups of coffee, and gone through all the files. Beaumont had made arrangements with the management at Romeo's to use the café's safe for the files and any other items either she or her detectives wanted stored privately. So, leaving the files with the manager to put in the safe, the detectives left to begin their day of investigations and interviews.

*********************

They started by returning to their own apartment for showers and changes of clothing. Levon still had the bag of bloody clothing from the Wonder laundry. The stolen flannel shirt and turtle-neck were consigned to a garbage bag for later disposal across town, then Levon added the buckskin shirt without hesitation. Joe's bloody madras jacket went in next. The thing was they could not be risked with discovery in any trash container, he'd have to hide them for now. Had to make certain Joe didn't see them, he had enough going on in his head without seeing those signs of the fight again.

Both shaved and clean, they put on simple clothing today, jeans and a casual open neck shirt for Levon, slacks and a polo shirt for Joe. Time to start blending into the neighborhood. On their way out, they stopped to say hello to Mitchell, their landlord. He had proved such a gossip the day before they hoped to hear the latest 'round' now. Voder didn't disappoint them. He was full of the news about the gang battle at the Oysters. "I know the woman who owns it, too, a delightful creature! She has this thing for fertility products and that's why she named her bar that - plus she has the place do a wicked oyster bar in the evenings. Has a lounge singer named Terri Harrigan who does a wonderful Greta Garbo impression. Likes to be left alone!" Mitchell had smiled at his own joke. He toyed with a handful of charcoal pencils, he'd been sketching out on the patio he explained. Then went on, "Hannah Garcia is just an angel and if she lets you in her private shop and club, Heat, you know you've been accepted. Sheila, the bartender at Oysters, is her significant other."

Levon and Joe had exchanged startled looks at this. The quiet, nondescript Sheila was the Oysters owner's lover? The network and inter-workings of the community were rich in personalities of all sorts, it seemed. They hadn't seen this shop or club, Heat, yet, and Levon asked for its whereabouts. Mitchell got a flirty look on his face and ducked the question. "It's like this, you don't find it, it finds you - you have to be invited. When Hannah decides to invite a couple to her place, they've made it in the social standings here." He paused for effect. "I've been a regular there for years." Mitchell let his lashes, which looked artificially thick today, flutter. "I could put in a good word for you."

Joe smiled seductively at Voder, who promptly dropped his handful of pencils. Joe said, "We'd like that very much, Mitch. I'd consider it a personal favor..." while the flustered man had scrambled around on the floor picking up the pencils he'd been using for his sketching before his tenants arrived at his doorstep.

******************

Mr. Destiny agreed to meet with them for lunch at Marion's Il Bello Bosco, Ristorante Italiane. Bosco's, as it was known, was just off the strip on another cross street, Durkins. Marion Flagg, owner, the small sign said at the bottom of the door when they got there. It was a very discreet entrance, just a single glass paned door, with stairs leading up away from the street beyond the door. Either side of the door was a store, one a boutique of men's clothing, the other a hairdresser's. The boutique, Fine Men's Clothing, looked like Oxford Street come to America. It noted the presence of an on-site tailor for fittings and special orders. The pinstripes in the window were very restrained and British looking. The hairdresser's was not much more flamboyant, called Raymond's, it was glass-fronted but the glass had been frosted and small photographs purporting to be satisfied clients or at least possible hair styles for men, were centered at eye level on the windows. 'By appointment only' read the sign in the doorway.

Bosco's door, aside from the name, said 'reservations required'. Joe was beginning to get interested in this part of Houston, it began reminding him a bit of some classier sections of Chicago. He had hopes for the restaurant, too. Anyone who named their restaurant 'the beautiful woods' was a step up from the usual pretty Italy (Bella Italia) name. The tailor shop, as Joe thought of it, was almost like one he favored back in his neighborhood in Chicago.

Levon was feeling a bit outclassed now as they climbed the stairs to the second floor restaurant. When they'd called Marion, he had gushed an invitation but hadn't said anything about a dress code. Now Levon was wondering if he'd pass muster in his jeans. Joe could go anywhere as he was dressed, but Levon was feeling distinctly like a yokel.

Almost as if he could read the blonde's mind, Joe put his arm through the cowboy's when they emerged at the top of the stairway. They found themselves in a small lobby and bar with stools and a few small booths, presumably for use while waiting for seats in the main dining rooms. Instantly, a man appeared from a curtained alcove. Dressed in a simple suit, but looking almost like a gentleman's gentleman, he bowed to them and asked, "Names please?"

Joe spoke easily. "Marion knows us as Joe and Levon. He's expecting us for lunch with Chaz Destiny."

If the name-dropping impressed the man, he gave no sign but nodded. "Please have a seat while I check on the dining arrangements for you." He vanished back the way he'd come.

Levon shifted beside Joe, craning his neck to look around. "Looks pretty classy." His doubtful tone seemed to confirm Joe's own special Levon-alert.

"You, love, are the classiest thing around here." Joe's whisper in the blonde's ear brought a bright blush to the cowboy's cheeks just as the solemn maitre de' returned.

"This way, gentlemen, Mr. Flagg and his party are waiting for you."

"Mr. Flagg?" LaFiamma questioned.

"Mr. Marion Flagg, the owner of Il Bello Bosco." The man was moving ahead of them now and led the way through a series of intimate rooms, clustered in maze-like fashion throughout the floor. Arriving at a cul-de-sac with a round table suitable for six, Joe and Levon found Marion and another man already seated. Marion was dressed much more conservatively today, in a simple business suit, his only concession to his whims was a bright yellow cravat instead of a tie.

It was the man with him that riveted both Levon and Joe. Levon recognized him instantly as the 'occupied' DJ from the Tamarind and their first night in the district. The man was not especially tall, though at least as big as Joe, he was thinner, obviously well-built and had soft greyish-blonde hair. He was the handsomest man Levon could ever remember seeing. He sat there with a quiet dignity, yet there was a certain spark in his green eyes that reminded Levon that Thomas Dennis had commented on the man's sense of humor. He was dressed in a very well tailored suit of shimmering silk, the color of a deep chestnut. Levon stole a quick look at his partner and nearly swallowed his tongue. Joe was staring at the man with a very hungry look. Suddenly Levon knew another green-eyed creature - jealousy.

"Boys, boys! I'm so happy that we can get together again so soon!" Marion sounded exactly the same as he had at Mitchell's high tea of the previous afternoon. "I want you to meet my good friend Charles Destiny."

"Call me Chaz." The voice was a melodious tenor.

"These delicious morsels are Levon, our blonde cowboy, and Joe, our dusky Italian." Marion sounded coy as he finished the introductions. Chaz looked both over easily, before settling his gaze firmly on LaFiamma who was now beginning to look mesmerized. Levon kicked him in the shin as they pulled out chairs to sit.

Joe winced and glared at Levon but said nothing.

The luncheon deteriorated after that as far as Levon was concerned. He found himself talking mostly with Marion who was keeping a weather eye on Chaz and Joe. The other two quickly hit it off, exchanging banter about ice hockey of all things. After Marion ordered for all, saying that he wanted to surprise them, the conversation turned more central. Joe carried on the questioning, explaining their interest in the murders and wish to bring the killer to justice. Levon had the uncomfortable feeling that Chaz doubted that the cowboy was much help in this activity.

The interminable meal finally ended. Destiny had seen nothing on either night when victims had been found outside his club. He knew nothing of the victims themselves. It seemed that his hobby was to act as DJ on the odd night, largely at whim, and then he'd send home the regular man with a bonus. But, since the music was mostly taped in advance for up to two hours play at a time, there was little to do in that glass box above the dance floor. What Destiny did was pick an interesting young man and invite him up to the box. Nothing more was said, but Levon had seen enough through the glass of that box the first night to know what followed. Raw sex with full exposure to the entire club below. Levon had been shocked at the time, more so now that he'd met the smooth owner. Smooth, that wuz the word for Mr. Charles Destiny, Levon decided with distaste.

Getting up to leave, Destiny came around to pull out LaFiamma's chair as Levon and Marion also rose. Joe was smiling as he stood. But when the diamond-clad pinky ring, along with the rest of Destiny's left hand slid along Joe's waist and down the front in a smooth, subtle sweep, Joe sat down again, hard. Levon was there instantly, hard and fierce, in Mr. Fucking Destiny's face. "Yore trespassing, son. Back away."

Everything went still. In the quiet, they could all hear a grandfather clock somewhere in another room start to boom out the half-hour.

Then Marion was there, laughing with a forced sound, smiling up into Charles Destiny's now stony face. "Chaz, darling, didn't I mention they were exclusive? No, oh, so sorry, sweets." Then with a flick, Marion was facing the two younger men. "Levon, Joe, do see yourselves out. Maybe I'll see you at Mitch's for drinks later tonight? He's having cocktails from 7 'til 9. It's an open house kind of thing, he may have forgotten to mention it. Do come, I'll see you there." Then Flagg was facing Destiny again, clearly having dismissed the younger couple. Charles was composed again and a wicked gleam of laughter now shone from his green eyes. He leaned close to Marion and kissed his cheeks goodbye as Levon trailed protectively after Joe.

They were silent leaving the restaurant and it wasn't until they were out on the street again that either spoke. It was Joe who looked sheepishly at Lundy and said, "Levon, I'm sorry. I really didn't expect that. Honest."

Lundy, who'd been furious at Destiny, realized that Joe thought he was mad at the brunette as well. "Joe, weren't yore fault. He's like some giant spider, weaves his spell and traps hiz fly."

"Well," Joe smiled with relief at the way Levon was taking the whole episode, "he did TRY to get my fly..."

Lundy stopped and stared at his friend. Shaking his head at the poor joke, he grinned and answered, "We still got more calls to make, partner, lez go." Together, they started back down the street.

*****************

The rest of the day passed like a parade before them. They talked with people everywhere. Never certain they weren't talking to the killer himself, they had to be very careful. Macy at the Double-M turned out to be a gentle man with a passion for milk. He was sipping a tall glass of the white stuff when they showed up at his door. He let them in and listened to their story. Then he described what he could of the evening that Barstow was killed and left behind his club. Little enough to tell, and it all jived with what Miss Kitty Mignon had told them. Neither Macy nor his bartender Barney had seen anything. Macy had questioned his 'band' of musicians - a quartet of drums and guitars with a sax. None of them had noticed anything either.

They decided to pass up the Blue Dahlia and simply walked up and down Rawlings the rest of the afternoon, watching the passers-by and checking out the shops and cafes and bars along the strip. There was one other club that they found fronting the strip. Called Riley's, it was a typical western motif dance hall, advertising line-dancing nightly. Only thing missing was any sign of a female in the décor, only a line of cowboys graced the ads, not a cowgirl in sight. There was a note that the mechanical bull had been repaired. This was pinned to a rather garish poster of a cowboy on one of those bucking robot steers. Levon studied the art, thinking that it looked jest like the ones in other parts of a straighter Houston. Guess even gay cowboys like to ride, he thought with an internal smile. Joe had made no comment on the ads at Riley's. Since the place was locked up, they'd have to come back in the evening to check it out.

There were several pharmacies and one storefront lawyer's defense fund office. In the next block, there was a public service medical facility for AIDS. It was a grim reminder that the gay world was not so very gay anymore. Joe had stepped a bit closer to Levon as they passed the open door and could see a rather gaunt looking young man within, sitting in a chair.

A music shop had briefly fascinated Joe who wanted to listen to several selections in one of the sound booths. Levon outright refused to go in with him. If there was one place they continued to part company, it was their choices in music. Guess it's a case of opposites attractin', Levon thought as he watched Joe's head dip to an unheard rhythm inside one of the booths.

As dusk began to wax, street lights came on and store fronts began to illuminate. The men had made no real progress and decided it was a good time to quit for the day. Go home, get some rest and get ready for their evening prowl. Trolling with live bait, Lundy thought.

******************

Waking from their nap later that evening, both spent time doing stretching exercises and taking turns giving each other simple massages. One thing led to another, and they were rather actively engaged in an exchange of fluids when there came a pounding on the apartment door.

"Damn it. Now who can that be?" Levon panted.

Joey sucked in a lungful of air. "It's gotta be Mitchell."

Reluctantly pulling free, Levon clambered off their bed and dragged a pair of jeans on. Not botherin' with a shirt, he stumbled down the hall in irritation. One look through the spy hole confirmed Joe's guess. Mitchell. Leaving the chain on the door, Lundy opened the door a crack and peered out belligerently at his landlord. "Yeah?"

"Levon?" Mitchell tried to see through the narrow opening. "Marion told me that he'd mentioned my cocktails for tonight, but since you boys haven't been down yet, I thought I'd come up and make sure you knew you were invited."

"Right, sorry," Levon shot his hands through his hair, "we wuz busy and lost track o'time. What time is it now enyway?"

"Oh, nearly eight in the evening."

Lundy's head bobbed like a puppet's. "Yeah, ok. We'll be done in about a half an hour. See ya." With that, he closed the door in the other's face. Duty calls.

Joe took the news rather well, simply nodding and rolling out of bed. They showered together, nearly getting seriously delayed again. The only thing that saved them was when the hot water started to run out.

Levon let Joe dress him for the party downstairs, tolerating the golden silk pajamas with a shrug. He enjoyed tightening the bolo under LaFiamma's chin, straightening the leather vest that covered the simple linen long-sleeved shirt that he'd put Joe into, along with a pair of wonderfully tight fitting Levi's. The pointy town boots were perfect. He looked down at his own feet, clad tonight in Mexican rope sandals. Joe insisted on brushing out Levon's blonde curls until they seemed to float like a halo around his face.

The look on Mitchell's face when they finally arrived at his doorstep was payment indeed. Joe stood tall behind Levon. Their height difference accentuated by Lundy's current flat, low footwear and Joe's high-heeled boots. Joe had his hands on Levon's silk clad shoulders, squeezing them slightly, just to have the pleasure of feeling the skin slide beneath the fine fabric.

Levon held a gardenia plant in his hands, their gift for the evening to their host. The heavy redolent smell of the flower filled the small entry way.

"Boys," Mitchell gulped, "you look ravishing! Come in. Marion is here already - he sent me to fetch you. You know Jeff and Louie...Darrin Macy? Yes? Good. This is Jack Riley, runs the western dance hall. Ah, I heard you met Chaz? And you know Kevin..."

Joe squeezed Levon's shoulders repeatedly as he walked around behind the cowboy, holding tightly to his friend. Between Kevin and Chaz, he didn't want Levon far from his side. Lundy showed no interest in Kevin tonight, but it was early times. Chaz seemed quite reserved, chatting quietly with Kevin, ignoring both young men.

In the end, Levon led them to seats next to Jeff who was expounding on the waste in design space in the Astrodome. Louie was arguing with him. Joe and Levon settled for listening. The men they didn't really know seemed pleasant enough. Macy had nodded a greeting from across the room, but was locked in a conversation with Marion who seemed intent on convincing Macy of something. Riley was already seated next to Louie and was listening quietly to the architects' debate.

It was not until they were getting ready to leave that anything happened. Careful to keep to the background, they'd each accepted a glass of white wine and nursed the glasses for over an hour. Now they stood together and bid farewell to Jeff and Louie, then Riley who merely tipped his head in acknowledgement. Even as they stood, Kevin and Chaz who were talking standing up moved with great precision and grace. One minute, Joe and Levon were side-by-side, the next instant, Levon found Kevin standing tall in front of him, and Joe was faced with Chaz, eye-ball to eye-ball.

Kevin glided in closely to the silk covered blonde, putting his large hands on the slender waist and gripping tightly. He pulled hard and had a breathless blonde against his chest. Lips descending, he'd captured Levon's mouth before the cowboy could figure out how he'd been maneuvered into this.

Chaz was like oil, smooth and silent. He flowed up against the western-dressed Italian, all musk and olive coloring. He wanted a taste and was determined to take what he wanted. His hands were grasping the edges of the leather vest and tugging as he leaned in, green eyes working to trap dark blue ones. The brunette in front of him froze at the initial gambit but was already moving as Destiny leaned close. Two square, strong hands pressed flat against the club owner's chest and pushed. Suddenly at arm's length and becoming frustrated, Destiny made still another mistake. He tried to repeat his maneuver.

Lundy's lips tightened, teeth gritted together as Kevin tried to find entry into that tempting mouth. Sharp, hard knuckles were suddenly boxing his ears and the Spaniard's sense of balance fled. He tried to hold on to his trophy, but the slender body in his grasp was squirming and slipping free with the sound of ripping silk.

There was a harsh chuff of air as Charles Destiny's lungs emptied as suddenly as his arms had a moment before. Fighting for a breath, Destiny's hands went up toward that angelic Raphael-like face in front of him. The face, though, was snarling something distressful, it sounded like "sonofa bitch!" Then a hard boot heel came down on his expensive Italian loafer and his interest in securing the brunette fled in favor of saving his foot.

Whirling away from the Spaniard, Lundy was reeling when he crashed into the hard frame of his partner who'd just backed away from the heavy-handed owner of the Tamarind. New hands caught Lundy but this time he knew those hands, and relaxed. Joe caught Levon reflexively as they collided, turning like a dancer to put himself between the others and Levon. Lundy looked up into worried, angry blue eyes and flinched. This earned him a look akin to horror as Joe realized that Levon was afraid of him. But already the cowboy was reaching out to pull Joe back into his arms, the momentary fear gone. Joe wanted to run and hide, but turned to face their aggressors instead.

Lundy was hanging onto his shoulders, head down against Joe's shoulder blade, half-hidden behind the taller man.

Joe's words were gritted. "Mitchell, we've had enough of your hospitality for tonight. We're going." He spun on his heel and gathered up his partner in one arm. Striding to the door, he had them out and halfway up the first flight of stairs before Levon could get his feet on the ground.

"Joe, damn it! Put me down!"

LaFiamma let go and stopped to make certain that the blonde was not going to topple back down the stairs. He eyed the torn silk pajama top and waited.

Levon, who was feeling more fragmented by the minute, jittered and grabbed unsuccessfully at the torn edges of his tunic. Blushing and frantic, he tried to calm himself realizing that right now, Joe was more important than anything that had happened with those two horny toads downstairs. LaFiamma stood in front of him, looking like a cornered bull-calf, ready to bolt or charge, and looking undecided.

Damn it. Lundy gathered his scattered wits and tried to breathe evenly. For Joe, he had to get himself together now. That panicked reaction downstairs, seeing the anger in Joe's eyes, the momentary flinch that had been all it took to scare off his partner. God, so what iffn he couldn't hep it, he hadn't meant to do that. Ony Joe had looked so much like the Joe of the other night jest then it was scary. Now Joe thought he wasn't trusted. Probably going through more guilt. Damn it.

LaFiamma saw the fear in Levon's eyes and knew the death of hope. Oh, god, Levon is scared of me! Ohmygod. Getting Lundy away from that snake Kevin was his first priority, then he let his partner go as Levon demanded release. Now, standing there trembling, Joe felt black guilt dragging at him. He'd killed four men last night in an uncontrollable rage. And, now he was scaring his lover when he'd only meant to help. He was no good, he was sinful he was a thing to be put down and put away. His skin crawled with his own anguish. A moan escaped from his tightening throat.

Levon saw the signs of panic and horror and despair chase each other across LaFiamma's expressive face. As the man cringed back away from Lundy, he moaned. That broke through whatever had held Lundy to the spot. He rushed forward now, arms outstretched to catch and hold the Italian to his breast. "Jesus, Joe, I'm so sorry!" Kissing that distraught face, licking at those drowning eyes, nibbling at that down-turned mouth, Lundy was practically devouring his lover right there on the stairs. Anything just to get through the curtain of grief that hung in front of LaFiamma's eyes. "Joe, forgive me! Please!"

LaFiamma heard the cries dimly, felt the kisses and touches, wondered why Levon was doing this. He wasn't worth it. He was worthless. Less than that.

Levon started to shake the Italian, hard, bone-rattling shakes. "Joey! Damn it, Chi, answer me!" Finally he slapped him, hard. The crack of sound penetrated and brought LaFiamma back like a time traveler returning from a grim future. Blue eyes, wet and sad, looked back clearly now, at last, into Levon's anxious brown ones. "Joey? Please say something?"

Hesitantly, LaFiamma spoke, "Levon, I'm sorry. I scared you. I never want to do that. Please. I love you so much." And then the Italian was hugging Lundy and crying wetly into Levon's neck.

"Come on, Joe, let's take this on upstairs," Levon coaxed, half-dragging his friend upward.

Together, the two emotionally spent men reached the sanctuary of their apartment several minutes later. Sinking to the carpeted floor of the entry hall, Levon wearily shoved their door shut with a foot, then huddled there with LaFiamma wrapped around him.

He'd known that the guilt that his partner was carrying was lurking but the extent and severity of the emotional storm they had just survived was mind numbing. Lundy wondered if he'd ever be completely confident that he could prevent himself from flinching if he had to face Joe's anger again. It was the flinch that had sent Joe into a tailspin, not the scene downstairs. They had a lot to deal with and no time to do it. Not while on this case, enyway. But, after, they'd have to go see a shrink or somethin' 'cause he'd be damned if he did that to his partner agin.

*****************

For close to half an hour, the two men simply existed together on the floor of their apartment's entry hall. Barely moving, Joey cried quietly on Levon's shoulder while the cowboy held him and murmured words of love. Finally, the brunette sat back away from Lundy, sat back on his knees and began wiping at his eyes like some little kid, using the heels of his hands. Levon relaxed into a cross-legged position and watched.

"Levon? Thanks. I didn't mean to blow up like that."

"Joe, it wuz me," Lundy spoke quietly. "I had a weird reaction, ony know that it wuzn't meanin' nuthin'. You gotta know I trust you with my life?"

LaFiamma dropped his hands into his lap and looked across the chasm of a meter at Lundy. "We still have a job to do tonight."

Lundy felt like he'd been hit between the eyes; the pain was so strong. Joe hadn't answered. Hadn't commented on his apology. He had a feeling that Joe was simply closing back up the box of his deeper emotions again and locking them away. There'd be trouble to pay for this. Getting' Joe to speak about what he really wuz feelin' had never been easy in all the years he'd known the ex-Chicago cop. Now it looked like he wuz up against that wall agin. And this time it could mean disaster for their partnership and their relationship. Helpless, Levon sat silent, unwilling to start life back up if they weren't gonna deal with their real problems.

But LaFiamma had had enough for now. He was cried out, emotionally empty, felt like a hollowed out shell. He could see that Levon wanted to keep working at this sore spot, this hole in Joe's heart, but the Italian knew he needed some time to rebuild his sense of self. It was clear that Lundy was not running away, whatever Joe might think of himself, his partner still was there for him. For a worthless piece of shit. Joe sighed. Time to move, no more talk, no more scenes. Time to get out and do something. Later for the rest of it.
By now, both were standing. Lundy walked up against LaFiamma's broad chest and slid his thinner arms under his lover's and around to hold Joe tightly. The brunette automatically hugged back, easily resting his chin on the blonde head. Like this forever, Joe wished to his guardian angel.

*********************

They showered again, taking turns this time without comment. Dressing for the evening out, Joe changed tactics and put on a dress evening suit, quite formal, down to the bow tie, white silk shirt, and cummerbund. The man looked every inch the mobster, Levon thought affectionately as he watched Joe shoot his cuffs and work at punching through the cuff links.

Lundy had decided to follow Joe's lead and was now finishing tying his own bow tie, his dress suit, a good match for the brunette's. Instead of a cummerbund, however, he wore his white pleat-fronted shirt buttoned into a white satin vest.

They stood together in front of the full-length dressing mirror and studied their reflections critically. Two handsome, well-dressed men stared back at them, both in evening dress, one blonde, one brunette. One in eveningwear boots, the other in fine leather slip-ons. Looking closer to one height now that Joe was no longer on heels and Levon was.

Joe met Levon's eyes in the mirror, blue lightning to brown pools. "Let's do it." Levon nodded.

*********************

Just as they had stirred interest in their earlier, blatant outfits, they left a wake of oglers once more as they walked side by side down the strip. First stop was at Bab's Blue Dahlia.

Taking a table near the back, they sat drinking mineral water spritzs and eyeing the crowd. It was too early for dancing, most were finishing meals and waiting for the show. When the lights went down, a spotlight appeared on stage and there was Barbra Streisand. She smoothed her hair and tossed it back, holding the mike intimately close in two hands. She sang People Who Need People, the final notes drifting off to be savored as the light dimmed and winked out. A new series of spots began along the front of the stage, lighting up a row of performers, it looked like a Vegas chorus line. A closer look revealed that the necks were a bit thick, an Adam's apple showing here or there where some lace slipped. Still, they were very believable and clearly enjoying themselves. Babs had disappeared during the lighting change. The chorus line went through a series of upbeat numbers, with lots of leg kicking and fanny waving, their voices full-throated and husky.

While the show continued, Levon looked up suddenly at some sixth sense and saw Babs standing beside their table, her face, still made up as Streisand, looking concerned - a look aimed clearly at Joe. Levon started to rise but she put a hand on his shoulder to hold him down and slid into an empty seat. "Hi, boys. I'm glad you dropped by."

Joe hadn't seen her until she was halfway seated and now said, "Miss Babs that was some performance you gave."

She smiled, at ease with her abilities. "Thanks, Joe. Conway told me backstage that the two of you were here. I heard all about last night from him. I'm so sorry it went down that way - for you two. Helps the rest of us, though. Just wanted to say, if you boys want, need anything, just ask Babs." She patted Joe's folded hands encouragingly and smiled at Levon.

Before either could answer, she was standing again and speaking, "I have to go change. I'm trying out a little Garland again tonight. A lot of my friends aren't too happy about it, but I say, follow your heart!" With that and a wink, she left them, disappearing behind a side curtain.

Levon looked over at LaFiamma. "You wanna see Judy Garland?"

Joe flashed a grin that was almost like old times. "Naw. I saw Wizard of Oz too many times as a kid, let's go."

**************

At Riley's, the mood was boisterous and rougher. There was essentially one crowd of folks that drifted among the different bars, cafes, and hangouts, but in each, they quickly took on the ambiance of the setting and the atmosphere. Here, loud talking, strutting men bellied up to the bar for beers before staggering out onto the dance floor and lining up with a bunch of others, to stumble and high step their way through Achy-Breaky Heart and the like. There was a crowd at the back, circling around the mechanical bull, now back in service as the little sign outside had earlier informed all.

Levon grinned good-naturedly at the crush. This was almost like being at eny other western dance club. Ony thing missing wuz women. Just then he spotted a pretty enough cowgirl waitress holding high a tray of beers on her way to one of the booths. With a blink, and another look at the size of her feet in dainty fringed cowgirl boots, he realized this was another man as well. Oh, well, diff'rent folks.

Joe stayed close by his partner, this western music definitely wasn't his thing, but they needed to be everywhere. He wouldn't be too convincing here on this dance floor, though, he decided, watching the line of men prancing back and forth with an intricate foot tapping movement.

Lundy realized this was not gonna be the best place to put Joe on display and signaled his partner. The look of relief on Joe's face at the idea of leaving wuz almost comical. They edged out through the crowd without even taking a single drink at the bar. Unlikely that the killer would chose here, based upon his modus operandi, Lundy decided.

Back outside, Joe suggested they head down to The Tamarind. Neither was quite ready to tackle the Double-M, even if those not in drag were welcome.

*******************

The heavy beat of the bass had Joe moving with the rhythm before they even reached the foot of the circular staircase. Levon was tempted to touch his partner, hold him back a bit 'til they at least had a table, but then decided to let it go. After all, Joe was bait tonight.

They took over a table being vacated near the front of the dance floor, almost directly under the glass-columned high booth of the regular DJ who was busy spinning disks or playing tapes or whatever he did up there.

They sat together on the semi-circular bench behind their table, shoulders rubbing. Watching the crowd, which was not very thick yet. It was early times, though, only eleven-thirty in the evening, they could expect to see more folks as the evening wore on. A waiter came by and took their orders for mineral water and white wine. Kin last a long time, drawin' offa them, Levon thought as he leaned back, feeling Joe's body keeping tempo with the bone-jarring rock beat.

Good music to fuck by, Lundy thought startling himself with the errant image and unusual, for him at any rate, language. He could see Joe, all naked muscle, writhing on their bed, hips rising and dropping to the beat as Levon knelt over him, playing with his own thick, full rod, stroking its head along the ridge of Joe's sternum before ruffling the thick dark pubic hairs that curled up to greet it. He felt a flush suffusing his collar and neck, creeping up toward his face.

He jumped at the soft touch of Joe's finger against his pulsing neck vein. The finger left. DAMN IT ALL! Swinging around and closer if possible, Levon put his face right into his partner's. Their lips were only millimeters apart as he hissed, "Damn it Joe, you surprised me, wuz all. Stop actin' like a spooked cow!" At the look of devastation in those speaking blue eyes, he closed his own for a moment, then spoke more softly, "Kiss me, baby. I wuz fantasizin' about you, now I want the real thing."

He waited breathless, then warm lips covered his and a hand crept around to pull him in closer still by the back of his neck. He went with the pressure and opened his mouth for the kiss that plundered. His own hands found their ways up and around Joe's neck, to meet and lock forearms behind Joe's head. Then one hand moved up and sifted through the dark, full waves of hair.

One of them groaned with pleasure and Levon really wasn't certain whether it wuz him or Joe. Either way, it wuz good. When they finally came up for air, Joe's other hand had somehow gotten under Lundy's buttocks and lifted, half-holding the blonde in the air, almost on Joe's lap. Only the edge of the close table prevented LaFiamma from dragging Lundy all the way over him.

LaFiamma was stunned at how much he suddenly lusted for the blonde, wanted to take him right there on that bench. Would have, if they hadn't both run out of air. Still riding a roller coaster of emotions, Joe was close to tears again even as his hard on jutted up demandingly inside his trousers. He let himself be petted and cuddled by Lundy, let the love he so craved flow over him, around him. Slowly his heartbeat eased back into normal range and the tears receded. Desperately, the ex-Chicago cop fought for control and managed to let his lover sit back down beside him. He released his hold on Levon and placed his hands, carefully folded, on the table in front of him.

Lundy sat back and studied Joe. Looked like he was okay now. My fault, I shouldn't ha let my mind wander like that. Then to jump when he touched me, damn it, I was jest surprised, wuz all, enyone woulda done the same. Joe wuz definitely gonna need some therapy after this wuz all over. Fleetingly he thought about calling Beaumont and telling her to take them off the case. But he knew Joe, the man would be mortally insulted, he'd lose him for sure iffn he tried that.

The drinks arrived and both took up glasses with relief, turning to watch the dancers, listen to the music. After a while, the crowd began to thicken on the floor. It was now impossible to see all the couples and groups at once. You could no longer see across the floor to the far wall. Levon checked the time, midnight. Miss Kitty's friend, Wally, had disappeared around two in the morning from the dance floor at the Double-M. The other three victims had all last been seen between midnight and two in the morning, on dance floors. Two of them on this dance floor.

Joe's chin came out and he turned to meet Levon's eyes. "I'm going out there."

Lundy nodded. This wuz what they'd come fur. "Try to stay in sight, over this side."

"Will do." LaFiamma stood and turned to make coaxing gestures toward Levon. Lundy leaned back and smiled, shook his head no, but waved Joe out toward the dance floor. Hope that wuz convincin', Lundy thought grimly as he continued to hold a small smile on his face, watching Joe begin to twist and sway to the music.

After one dance alone, Joe was back, removing his coat jacket, dropping the cuff links in Lundy's palm. He rolled up his sleeves, making joking comments about the heat on the dance floor, then, loosening his collar with an open button, he untied the bowtie to let the two ends dangle down his chest. Returning to the dance floor, Levon thought Joe looked 'hot' now - good enough to eat right now. He felt the green giant reawaken within and hastily suppressed the jealousy he felt. Not the time or place.

Over the next several songs, Joe had a number of partners. Men arrived, drifting up out of the dancing crowd. They would stand by Joe and move with him, one even placed a casual hand in Joe's for a few turns. All were flushed and moving among the crowd, none lingered. Levon had been anxious the first time one of these dancers joined Joe, but by the time a fourth had taken a turn, Levon was relaxed again getting a feel for the way the social dynamics of these folks worked. Even now, firmly partnered with Joe, Levon didn't feel like he really wuz part of this gay community. He liked many of the people he'd met, even respected some of them, but he didn't identify with them, mebbe he never would.

Joe seemed to find it much easier to blend in and become one with the social fabric of the strip, with the people, though, Levon recalled the protective Joe who'd literally carried Levon out of Mitch's cocktail party earlier this evening. Mebbe Joe wuzn't ready for quite that lifestyle neither.

Levon continued to sip his wine and water alternately, watching Joe dance. Wishing they were together somewhere else, but keeping his cop-eye on each new partner.

The music slowed and Joe turned toward Levon, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if Levon would like to come out for this slow dance. Lundy shook his head slightly, they were workin' couldn't afford to waste this opportunity, though in another way, wouldn't'a been a waste a'tall.

As Joe shrugged, a tall man who'd come up behind him, tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Joe turned back to face the new dance partner. Eyes widening, he recognized sandyman from his first night here at The Tamarind. What seemed a lifetime ago. The silent man smiled slightly and offered his hands. Joe nodded and moved into the loose embrace, looking up at the taller man who was holding him gently and swaying them together to the slow beat. "Hi."

Sandyman smiled down at Joe, "Hi yourself," he murmured easily, humor in the sharp hazel eyes. The face was so nondescript that it reminded Joe of pudding, but those eyes were talking. The arms were large and felt warm on his shoulders. This was really nice. He let himself be drawn in closer, rested his head on the high shoulder. He hadn't been with someone bigger than himself in a long time, not since Chicago. Sometimes it was nice to feel comfortably held by someone, made him feel like a kid again. Letting adult responsibilities drift away for the moment. He sighed. Wish I had Levon in my arms just now.

"Everything alright with your friend?" came the quiet voice, soft and non-threatening.

Joe found himself nodding into the shoulder. "Uh-huh. He just doesn't like to dance much. Likes to see me dance, though."

"Then we'll have to make sure he enjoys this too," the words were spoken directly into Joe's ear, the breath warm and hot inside.

Joe looked up confused. What? He looked around for Lundy, but somehow the sandyman had danced him into and through the crowd, so slowly he hadn't noticed, and now they were on the far side of the dance floor, near one of the exits. Joe started to push away. He felt a strange pricking sensation at the back of his neck and his legs were folding under him, the light dimming. The last thing he felt was strong arms holding him up, close to a large body, pressed against sandyman's chest, as he was dragged off the dance floor.

... end of part 9: "Let's vamoose..."

Part 10...

My bones denounce the buckboard bounce
And the cactus hurts my toes

Levon watched Joe turn away and look up at a taller, sandy haired man standing behind him hands out as if offering for the dance. As Joe nodded and reached back toward the man, Levon felt a tingle along his spine. Where had he seen that man afore? Too many faces, too many places since they'd got on this case. He craned his neck to keep Joe in sight as the couple seemed to sink back into the crowd.

Then he was face to face with Kevin. The man had appeared out of no where and stood directly in front of Levon, smiling charmingly. "I see you're unattached at the moment. I'd like to make up for any awkwardness earlier. May I have this dance?" He was handsome, dark, and trying to be sweet. For just a flash of time, Levon looked at him, really looked at him. Iffn I didn't have Joe... He started to shake his head when he shifted his gaze over Kevin's shoulder to see where Joe and his newest partner had got to. They were no where in sight. Probably no need to worry, one usually circulates the dance floor during a slow dance, but still.

"Okay." He stood quickly and came out from the table to slide into Kevin's embrace, taking over the lead before the other had time to adjust to this about face.

"Umm. I usually lead," Kevin murmured into a nearby ear.

But Lundy wasn't listening, he steered the two of them onto the floor and started plowing them deeper into the crowd. At this point, Kevin balked. Dragging them to a stop, he complained, "Levon, I don't know where you learned to dance, but-"

Lundy gave him a quick, distracted look and yanked him back hard into his arms. Turning them, he was moving them at double tempo through the dancers. No sign of the tall, sandy hair anywhere. No sign of Joe. By now they'd reached the far side of the dance floor and Lundy saw the exit door, ajar.

"Come on!" He grabbed Kevin by one arm and pulled. Better him than no back up at all. The Spaniard was past angry and had become curious. This was the strangest behavior he'd ever witnessed. But if Levon wanted him to go out the back with him, he was definitely interested. Giving no protest, he followed the blonde who was moving fast toward the exit.

Pushing open the heavy door, Lundy shot out into cold night air and a narrow stairwell leading up toward the ground level. Looking up the cement steps and iron rail, he saw stars in the patch of sky visible. The dark out here was complete.

The cowboy charged up the stairs, almost tripping over one of Joe's Italian shoes on the second to the top step. Panic squeezed at his heart, darkening his vision further as he stood gasping for breath, hanging over the metal pipe rail at the top of the fire exit stairs. Panting, he held Joe's shoe clutched against his chest and stared at the empty lot, surrounded by tall boarded up buildings.

"Ah, Levon?"

Kevin had proceeded more slowly up the stairs and stood now one step below the blonde. He hadn't seen the shoe yet, but the other man's behavior was now bordering on the bizarre.

Lundy took a deep breath and yelled, "LaFiamma!" The name bounced off the brick walls of the other buildings, echoing in the empty space. Levon pushed off the rail and ran along the walls, circling the entire lot, checking all the shadows. Nothing. A break in the pattern. Usually, the guy just did his victims behind the clubs and then left them there, dead. This time he'd taken Joe, taken him away.

Kevin stood and watched the blonde circle the lot, calling out the name of his partner. This was really strange. Jealousy aside, the man looked scared. Finally, as Lundy came back to where Kevin waited at the stairs, he asked again, "Levon? What's going on?"

In that moment something happened, Kevin was never able to adequately describe it afterwards, but the scared man in front of him transformed into someone else entirely. Straightening up, Lundy looked the Spaniard in the eye. "The name is Lundy, Detective Sergeant Levon Lundy of Houston Police Department. My partner's name is Sergeant Joseph LaFiamma. We're working undercover to try and trap the serial killer down here on the strip."

Kevin had taken a pace back, almost teetering in space as he realized he was still on the top step of the stairwell. As the world readjusted to this new development, he narrowed his eyes. "It was all an act?"

Lundy ignored the question. "Joe was bait and looks like he was taken, 'cept the killer never afore took his victims away from the scene. I gotta call in. Git help."

"Damn it, was it all an act?"

Lundy lunged at Kevin now, grabbing him by the collar and hauling him up to the angry brown eyes of the law. "Fuck you. It don't matter WHAT it was, Joe's in trouble. Now git outta mah way!"

Lundy thrust the man from him and started to dodge back down the stairs. "Wait! Sergeant! I can help, WE can help!" Kevin was no longer the lusting would-be lover, he had changed too. A bright man, a university professor, he ran down swiftly after Lundy. "Let me get Chaz! He can organize help!"

Lundy paused at the exit door at the bottom of the stairs. "Fine. You do that. I'm gettin' to a phone."

"Fastest one is at the kitchens and bar, back of the club." Kevin rapped out dropping down the final steps and pushing past Lundy, "Follow me!"

*********************

The rest of the night was a blur of activity. Beaumont had an all points bulletin out on both LaFiamma and the tall, sandy-haired man. Joe-Bill and Esteban showed up to help interview people and a crime scene crew set up flood lamps in the back lot, while they sought out clues. Teams of police began a search of the buildings surrounding the lot behind the Tamarind.

Lundy, after conferring with Joe-Bill and Esteban, had hovered over the crime scene team, waiting for any clues to be uncovered. Joe's one shoe was dusted for prints but only Levon's and Joe's were on it. The police closed down the club and customers were allowed to leave after showing proof of identity and addresses so they could be questioned later.

While all this went on, Kevin had melted into the background and sought out Destiny in his office, one floor up and away from the hubbub. After telling Destiny what he knew of events, the Tamarind owner started making calls to the other members of Boars. An unofficial meeting, at one-thirty AM was convened in Destiny's office and conference room. Even Babs arrived, still dressed as Marilyn Monroe from Some Like It Hot. It was Conway who was sent down as an emissary to find and bring back Detective Sergeant Levon Lundy.

********************

Joe's world gradually expanded again to sound and pain. Groggy, it took him a few minutes to realize he'd been hooded. Testing his body told him his hands were cuffed with riot police style plastic strip wrist restraints, holding his hands behind him. His ankles were bound the same way. He hurt everywhere but nothing seemed to be broken. Just deep aches, like he'd been banged around a lot. His head felt like it was full of cotton wool and his mouth was dry. Drugged, he'd been drugged. He was sitting on a cold cement floor, he could feel it through his buttocks and legs. He wasn't gagged, so yelling probably wouldn't help, but he gave it a try anyway. "Help! Hey, anyone! He-"

The swift kick to his stomach cut off his yell, turning it into a cough and grunt of pain.

He waited, expecting someone to say something. Silence, except for a slow dripping sound, probably a leaky water pipe somewhere.

"Hey," quieter now, he spoke carefully, "what do you want? What's your na-"

Another kick, this one just over his genitals, in his groin. The white heat of pain thrust him back into unconsciousness.

********************

Lundy was impatient when someone came up behind him and tapped his shoulder. Cops kept on bothering him with stupid questions. He turned to snap out and found himself facing Conway. He stopped for a moment, nonplused.

Conway could see the toll taken already on the cowboy. He was hurting badly and it was unlikely they'd ever see his partner again. Still. "Levon, the Boars have gathered upstairs and want to meet with you. Think we can help some."

"Boars?" Lundy shook his head as if this puzzle was just too much.

"Sorry, thought you knew. The Business Owners Association of Rawlings Street, the 'Boars.' Chaz Destiny called us in for an emergency meeting. We're all upstairs in his office."

Levon was desperate. It was already clear that neither the police search nor the crime team were finding any traces of Joe or his abductor. Levon refused to think of the man as Joe's murderer. Joe had to be alive. Had to be. Please god.

"I'll come." Lundy came away from the wall where he'd been sagging, watching hopelessly as the crime team members researched the lot.

Conway led him down into the club, through the kitchens to a private staircase that led up past ground level to at least the second floor of the building. Here they came out to a lobby-wide hallway with several doors leading off it. One stood open. They could hear voices talking within.

Conway went in first, Levon following. "He's here." The Blue Dahlia manager stepped to the side so the room's inhabitants could all see Lundy.

Still dressed in his evening suit, Levon looked frazzled but dignified as he came into the center of the room and nodded to the ones present that he knew. Babs, Riley, Thomas Dennis, Macy, Kevin, Destiny himself, Marion, and quite a few others he'd never met before. Sitting on his wheelchair, even Carousel was present, looking grim.

And it was Carousel who took charge.

*******************

Joe came to again, more slowly this time, more painfully. It felt like some more kicks had been added to the two he remembered. He had a gag in his mouth now. The hood was gone but it was so dark, where ever he was that he might as well have still had the hood on.

A bouncing light caught his eye, the circle of light thrown by a flashlight bobbed up and down against a wall some distance from where he lay. It was getting bigger, he could hear footsteps now.

*********************

"Levon, we're here to help you find Joe." The simple words went straight to Lundy's heart. If there wuz enyone he'd trust, it had become Carousel. The man had single-handedly orchestrated Joe's safe removal from the fight at the Oyster, he'd manufactured a convincing story to explain away four, dead bodies and kept the word out of official channels. Tyler Hogan, a.k.a. Carousel, knew he'd earned the trust he read in Lundy's eyes.

"Tyler..." Lundy spoke helplessly letting his hands drop to his sides. The utter despair and pain in the cowboy's voice was more convincing to those present who didn't know him than anything else he could have said. Even Kevin knew, in that moment, that whatever else Lundy and LaFiamma were, they were also mated partners. Lovers. No, it hadn't all been an act.

"Levon, just listen for a minute. We know what's being done. No point in us doing the same things, but among us, we can muster over a thousand people to help find Joe. People who can go places police don't even know about." Hogan paused. "We've been talking about this. Stop me if we're wrong, but we think this guy has broken his normal style this time. And, that might mean that Joe is still alive. Always before, the victim was murdered within minutes and left near where he disappeared. This time, he took his victim away."

Levon's mouth tightened and he wiped it with the back of his hand. "Yeah."

"Conway, get Levon a chair." Babs' voice was low, worried. Conway re-emerged from the crowd with an office desk chair that he positioned behind Levon. Putting a hand on the cowboy's shoulder, he eased him down on it.

Hogan waited for Conway to step back, then continued. "Do you think he knows that Joe is a cop?"

Lundy shook his head in frustration. "Ah jest doan know." His accent thickened by the minute, his heart was breaking.

Around the room the sound of scraping chairs came as the first ring of people edged their seats closer to the policeman, the first they'd ever allowed into their inner sanctum. It was a ring of supportive faces. No one was angry at the deceptions of the two undercover cops, too much had happened. The men had come on to the strip to find a killer who was murdering their customers. The detectives had actually suffered at the hands of the neighborhood bullies and then, in an about face, destroyed those same bullies, almost being destroyed themselves in the process. Enough had seen the love between the two to know that the undercover assignment fit them, they hadn't had to change to fit it. Those who had never met them saw the truth in the eyes and words of the remaining partner.

Hogan wheeled his chair forward until he was beside Lundy and facing him. "Levon. We are going to find Joe."

Mutters of agreement as others shifted to see better sounded around Lundy. The cowboy blinked back tears, even his own friends at HPD hadn't sounded so hopeful, so positive. Beaumont had already regretfully written Joe off as a casualty and had counseled Lundy to come in from the assignment, let others, less affected, work it now. With a police officer down, it would get lots of attention now. Lundy met Carousel's eyes. He swallowed hard. "What do I do?"

"Tell us all you know." That was Destiny talking now. "We need information in order to look intelligently."

As if police security rules had never even existed, Levon nodded his head. "Okay, this is what we know..."

*********************

"You remind me of Harry." The soft voice was next to Joe's ear. "Harry was beaten to death by cops, some of my fellow officers." The voice dripped with acid now, with hate. "You're a cop, too, aren't you, Joe?"

"Yeah." No point in lying. He wished he could see who was talking to him. It sounded like the voice of sandyman, must be him. He's a cop?

"Harry always used to say, he'd say..." there was a pause, then with a tiny catch in the voice, the words continued, "Harry'd say 'Emmett, don't ever tell anyone about us, police are just like the army, there's no truth in don't ask, don't tell.'" Silence, then, "Harry was right."

Joe cleared his dry and aching throat as best he could, "Emmett?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you kill all those men?"

"I had to, they looked too much like Harry. Harry is dead. There shouldn't be anyone alive who looks like him and isn't as good as him."

"Emmett, why am I still alive?"

"Joe... you're a cop. I know you are. I've seen you at Reisner. You and your partner, Lundy."

"I don't know any cop name of Emmett."

"No, no you don't."

"Emmett, what's going to happen now?"

There was a wail now, "I don't know! Harry hasn't told me yet!"

"Emmett, I thought you said Harry was dead?"

"He is. He's also gay, like me, like you. Like those others. No one cares about gays. That's why I could kill so many times and no one cared."

"Levon and I care, Emmett, that's why we were on the strip."

"No, you were there on assignment. Then YOU killed, too. I heard all about it. You killed four of them, those bastards deserved to die. You did good, Harry was proud of you."

"Emmett, I thought you said Harry was dead?"

Only silence answered Joe this time. The blow was so hard and fast to his head that he simply dropped unconscious back down on to the cement floor without ever knowing what had happened.

*******************

Someone was sent out to Romeo's, Destiny called the home number of the café owner who he knew, and the files in the safe arrived back at The Tamarind within half an hour. Passed around, the Boars members studied the information looking for clues that only they might see. Lundy, sick with worry about Joe, was unable to stay still, finally leaving them all there to return to the lot and watch the crime scene team packing up to leave. Nothing had been found.

Dawn was tinting the sky by now. Levon stood, bare-headed in the empty lot and looked up at the sky, talking to the angels that Joe would speak of once in a while. Time for them to help out, Levon decided. After a time, he closed his eyes and simply stood. Waiting. He wasn't certain what for, something. Hope.

He let all their experiences replay in his head. Thought about how big Joe was, even how much bigger that bastard who took him was. How hard it would have been to carry someone Joe's size out and away from here. The team assured him that no vehicle had been in that lot for at least a week. He wasn't sure how they knew, but they did. So Joe had been dragged or carried out or forced to walk out. By now, if he'd done any of those things on the street, the Boars would have heard about it and they hadn't. So he didn't leave in a vehicle and he didn't go out to the street.

Levon opened his eyes and looked at the boarded up buildings behind the Tamarind. Destiny had told him they were condemned mostly. Some had been tenements long ago, others part of a warehouse and factory area. Lundy knew that his fellow officers would have been very careful in their search, they were looking for a cop. But...

He went back upstairs to Destiny's office. Everyone was picking up things and starting to leave there. "Levon?" Carousel called from the far end of the room. "We're moving down to the Boar's Head, set up a command center there."

"Where's that?" The blonde was discouraged and suddenly exhausted.

"About three blocks from here, set back on a cross street from Rawlings." Carousel wheeled up close and peered up at Levon. "It's a kind of pub, but also has a back room that the association uses as a private club. We'll take all your files over there. Set up a relay of telephones with volunteers to follow-up any leads that come in. We're gonna find him, Levon."

Lundy nodded and asked, "Has anyone figgered eny ideas on how he wuz got outta that back lot yet?"

Kevin came over and stood by Carousel. "He wasn't taken out through the Tamarind and he didn't go out through the street. Thomas has gone over to his shop to look up some old archival material he thinks he still has on this part of Houston." He looked straight at Levon now. "I'm really sorry Levon, it's part my fault that Joe was taken and I know it."

Lundy shrugged. No point going there. It might not have mattered anyway.

Getting no answer, Kevin continued, "I'm calling in some of my graduate students to research that part of town, with old maps and architectural drawings. We already called up Louie and Jeff and they are going to the town hall in the morning, check there."

Levon began to see where all this was going. "Wait a minute. You think there's something, some place here that this guy found where he could stash Joe?"

Kevin nodded. Carousel added, "We're gonna try everything we can think of and then find some new people to think of new things."

Lundy smiled for the first time since Joe had disappeared. "Ah'm truly grateful."

********************

Joe wasn't certain how long he'd been out this time, but when he woke he found that he'd been hung by his wrists to a wall. Since his wrists were still tied together behind him with the plastic strip, he'd had little feeling in them. Now, he only knew that they were on fire. He was pulled up on to a hook, his arms bent and pulled back unnaturally, shoulders taking much of his weight at a bad angle. His feet didn't touch the floor and were still tied together as well.

Head hanging down, forced forward by the straining shoulders, he heard but did not see the return of his tormentor. "Awake yet, Joe?" A hand caught up his hair and dragged his head back and up, twisting it to the side so his eyes were visible. The movement caused excruciating pain to his back and arms, there was a popping sound and he felt one of his shoulders dislocate then and there. Blackness followed.

***********************

Lundy had called one more time to check in with Reisner. There was no news. An APB was out on Joe and on his abductor. HPD was on alert. There had been no contact by the kidnapper, if it was a kidnapper and not a murderer this time. Just silence.

Levon told the dispatcher that he was going off duty, would pick up messages at the answering machine number of his temporary apartment off Rawlings. Then he left The Tamarind for the Boar's Head.

Ramrod stiff, Lundy strode into the Boar's Head, tension radiating off the set of his shoulders and rigid neck muscles. He nodded to the bartender as he approached the bar, but before he could speak, one of the members of the Boars was waving to him from a doorway set further into the darkish common room.

Entering the newly designated command room, Lundy was impressed in spite of himself. The men inside were all as grim-faced as he was himself. Several were talking on telephones, both wired and cell phones. Jeff and Louie were there, working on some large sketch that showed The Tamarind, the nearby streets and buildings. They were checking and marking the areas to see that each place cleared by police or local searchers was recorded.

"Levon." Destiny gestured him over to a large table covered with police files from the Café Romeo. "So far we haven't seen anything."

Lundy came to a stop at the table and stared at the files, all spread out neatly. He shook his head. "Joe and me, we already checked'em pretty thorough. Didn't find nuthin'."

Kevin came up behind Chaz and looked Levon over. Wish he were free, the dark man thought wistfully now. Pretty clear I was out of luck from the start. His eyes are black with exhaustion, hollow. He'll fall down from the stress alone if we can't get him to rest. "Levon, why not sit down for a few minutes. Right now everything that can be done, is being done."

Lundy rubbed the back of his neck with a weary hand. Nodded. Looking around, took a wooden captain's chair and slumped down in it, continuing to stare at the architects busy with their sketches. He was too scared of what might be happening to Joe to even think straight just now.

*****************

Joe shocked awake as cold water drenched him to the skin. The thin white silk shirt was no protection. He blinked and tried to open his eyes, found them half stuck shut with gumminess. "Wha?"

"Easy, Joe." It was sandyman and he was sounding softer now, kind of like he had while they were dancing in The Tamarind. A large hand smoothed the dark, wet hair back from LaFiamma's face. "You are almost as beautiful as my Harry was."
By now Joe was fully awake again and regretting it. His dislocated shoulder was a scream of pain. The wrists that were bound and currently supporting most of his body weight felt as if they were being slowly severed from his arms. He could do nothing but hang there and pray that Levon would find him soon. Thoughts of Levon flooded his mind. That brought back the flinch that had revealed how his own partner feared him. Oh, god - Levon, I'd never hurt you. Please Levon -

"Joe?" Sandyman - Emmett - was in front of him now, though he could mostly only see feet and legs. Then the man was pulling his hair up again, forcing him back against the wall, against his aching shoulders and burning wrists. Forcing his head back so that they were face to face. "Joe?"

"Yeah, Emmett?" Even LaFiamma could hear the pain and surrender in his own voice. He just couldn't bring any energy to bear on saving himself. He wasn't worth it.

"Remember what I said before? While we were dancing?"

Squinting against the pain of his body, hair pulled taut as it held his head up, LaFiamma couldn't gesture, only speak. His voice was a thin thread as he answered. "I'm sorry, Emmett, I really... I really don't remember."

A hand grabbed at his face and pinched him painfully on the cheek. His cry was muffled by the slap that followed. "Yes. You do!" Emmett was shoving his face into LaFiamma's now. "I said that we'd have to make sure that your partner enjoys this too."

Snapping a piece of nylon line in his mouth, like a gag, the sandyman pulled back the ends and somehow fastened them together behind his head. Then with another hard tug, he was pulled back even more and something was done so that now the line held his head back, effectively gagging him and keeping him pinioned against his bound wrists and damaged shoulders, head nearly hitting the wall behind him.

In front of him now, the sandyman was backing away and then standing beside a video camera set up on a tripod. The camera had a lighting attachment, which was bright but not blinding in Joe's eyes. To his horror, he realized he was seeing a red blinking light above the round dark eye of the lens. Oh, no. Oh, god, no. He's taping. Joe immediately knew what Emmett had meant. He intended to let Levon see him like this. How, he didn't know, but he could imagine what it would do to his partner. He closed his eyes at the thought.

***************

The late night, early morning hours slowly gave way to full daylight. As mid-morning approached, Rawlings Street took on its bustling, boulevard-look. Café waiters began to set up tables, toss out tablecloths, and unstack chairs on the broad sidewalks.

At the Boar's Head, the clubroom was quiet and intense. The architects, Louie and Jeff had left some time ago for city hall records. Kevin's grad students had arrived and were surveying the materials that Thomas Dennis had brought back from his bookshop. Some of the archives he'd located among back shelves were dusty with age and disuse - and were the most promising, histories of old Houston.

Levon Lundy sat again in the wooden captain's chair that he'd taken during the night. He'd paced on and off for hours, now sat in a kind of numb grief. Fear giving way to visions of a grim future without Joe LaFiamma at his side.

The other men present were largely a second shift at this point. Carousel was back, having left for a few hours earlier to rest. He was on the telephone to contacts, sending out the word, shifting his network of eyes and ears about to new locations, to continue the non-stop search that had been in progress since minutes after LaFiamma's disappearance.

Beaumont had called, having tracked Levon down through his landlord. Nothing new from forensics or the detectives on the case. Levon was now officially on leave. He'd listened and made no comments, barely civil as he thanked Joanne for the update.

Marion, of all people, had stuck through it all. He'd stayed close by Lundy, not speaking, just a supportive presence. He'd made a few calls of his own. While he could be very artificial and waspy, during this crisis he was nearly silent, just there, doing whatever needed doing.

It was Marion who came and sat down now next to Levon, placing a hand gently over one of the cowboy's. "Levon? There's news."

Instantly Lundy was on his feet, looking about wildly. Nothing around him looked different, and Marion remained seated, looking up at him anxiously. Slowly, suspiciously, Lundy sank back down on to the chair. "What news?"

"Chaz just called. One of his cleaning crew discovered a package addressed to you on the floor in the men's room." Marion looked sympathetic. "It's a video tape. Chaz is bringing it over now."

"A tape?" Lundy sounded bewildered. Then he paled, hands clawing at the arms of the chair. "Oh, no."

"Chaz hasn't seen it. I'm getting a small TV/VCR unit brought in here." Marion stopped. Watching Lundy, he decided to go on. "We don't want you to watch it alone, Levon."

Lundy simply nodded, too far gone emotionally to care.

******************

Joe curled up, tucking his head down against his chest and lower shoulder. He didn't feel the cold floor anymore. Actually, he didn't feel much of anything. He was floating now, impervious to all his previous pain. He'd actually managed to disconnect. At this point, he had no intentions of reconnecting any time soon, either. With disinterest, he listened from a distance to Emmett grumble about his lack of reaction. Emmett had been in and out. Some time back, Joe had no idea how long ago, he'd been cut back down from the wall. Once the taping was over, he came down. The gag was removed, the restraints, Emmett had put a shackle on one ankle and fixed it to an exposed pipe that ran floor to ceiling by one wall of the dark room.
By now, his hands were dark, swollen things. The pins and needles of returning blood and the sensation of nerves on overload were a muted shriek in the background of his mind. The hands simply lay there inert near his face. He could see them but he made no attempt to move them. His shoulder, still separated, hung with a grating sound when the arm was moved. He knew because Emmett had moved it. He studied his hands with little interest.

LaFiamma thought about his captivity vaguely. He didn't really know if he'd ever be anywhere real again, his mind warping in and out, vision departing and returning. Emmett had stuck him with something again. This, whatever it was, didn't put him out again. It wasn't like the knockout potion that had ambushed him the first time. More like a heavy tranquilizer. It left him cocooned in a layer of fog. Pain raged in the distance.

*********************

It took Chaz and Kevin together to hold Levon down. He was screaming curses, tears running down his cheeks, struggling to fight free of their combined weights and grips. The room was almost empty. Just Chaz and Kevin, with Carousel and Marion looking on sadly. The monitor of the small entertainment unit was showing a gray-black snowstorm now, the videotape over. It hadn't been very long, only about five or six minutes.

As Lundy finally wound down, the men eased him back into his seat. Marion was there with a damp, clean bar cloth. He handed it to Lundy without comment. Levon leaned forward in his chair and wiped his face with the cold wet cloth. His ragged breathing was the only sound.

Carousel finally spoke. "Levon, we know he's alive. We can see from the wall behind him that he's in some kind of a room with brick walls and cement floor. It matches the construction of the area behind The Tamarind."

Levon looked up, wringing the cloth unconsciously. "I've got to find him soon. He didn't look good."

Chaz squatted down at Levon's side. "Listen to me, Levon. He's alive. That's all you need to think about. That tape was a - gift! The turd who has Joe must be really stupid. With those visual references, we'll be able to track him. We will!"

Lundy slowly straightened in the chair. "Damn it, I feel so helpless - and Joe is sufferin' so bad. I jest cain't -"

"Levon!" Kevin cut in now. Stooping beside the distraught cowboy, he went on, "Think, man. We all see how much you two mean to each other, but you can't let your emotions control here. We need your brain working! You're a detective - we'll find him but faster with your help. You have to block out Joe for now, think out the problem."

"Block out Joe?" Lundy's face was a picture of pained sorrow and fear. "I'll try. What do you want me to do?"

The others all breathed sighs of relief. The video had been a stark horror to watch, Marion was certain they'd lost the cowboy in his frantic hysterics afterwards. Seeing his mate that way, hung up like meat and poked and prodded by a savage hand, Levon had erupted. Now, he seemed to be getting back some control.

Kevin answered, "The guy said his own lover was a cop and had been killed by other cops for being gay. I got the feeling this guy might be one too. A cop, I mean. Levon, you're the only one who can check on that. And think, Levon, this tape cassette might have fingerprints on it."

"No, it's been wiped clean. I looked first thing." The blonde answered, then thought about the rest and nodded slowly. "Kin - kin we make a copy of the sound only? I kin send it over to Reisner, have the lab run it for voice identification. Have my boss listen and see if she kin get anyone who can ID the voice. Iffn he is a cop with HPD, we'll find the bastard." Lundy began to look better, he had a purpose again.

Chaz was right, too, Marion thought, the room where Joe was being held was not something that could be found just anywhere. People didn't build with brick like that anymore. Marion suggested that they get Jeff and Louie to see the tape. Levon's furious look was calmed slightly as Marion pointed out that the architects might glean some clues from the room in the tape.

It was agreed. The architects were reached by cell phone and told about the new clue. Jeff said that they'd just finished making copies of the most relevant documents and plans and were headed back anyway. They'd be there shortly.

*********************

Joe stared at the roughness of the cement so close in front of his eyes. The floor had never been finished properly, like it didn't matter here. He must be in some sort of basement or warehouse. His mind was clearer now. Not necessarily a good thing. The drug was wearing off and with it, the protective numbness. He clung to the last remnants of the fog, hiding from the pain that he could feel in his shoulder and hands. His head was aching from the repeated clouting, his ribcage was sore though he didn't think any ribs had been fractured.

Emmett had been gone for a long time now though Joe was no longer trusting his own judgment on time, he wasn't too clear on how long he'd been captive now. Where his hands had been dark, now they were red and throbbing, the wrists turning purple and black with the deep bruising where the restraints had held him. He'd been given neither food nor drink since he was taken. He hurt too much to be hungry but thirst was beginning to be a problem. The brunette swallowed painfully. He closed his eyes and tried to lose himself in sleep.

****************

Carousel had arranged for the audio copy of the tape and it was on its way to Reisner, in the custody of one of the detectives now on the case. Lundy had been on the telephone for close to twenty minutes with his boss. Beaumont was glad to hear the purpose in Levon's voice again, though concerned at the obvious strain in the tone. She agreed quickly to screening the audio tape and checking with others as well as sending it down to the labs. It was when she asked to see the video tape that Levon had dug in his heels. In the end, she'd given in for the moment. But, if LaFiamma wasn't found soon, that would be material evidence and she would regretfully confiscate it. For now, she'd respect her ex-partner's request for privacy.

In their clubroom, hanging from the back of one of the empty chairs was Joe LaFiamma's evening suit jacket. Chaz had brought it from the Tamarind. It had been found at the table where the partners had been sitting the night before. Levon had reacted badly at the sight of it, nearly breaking down again. But, when Destiny suggested taking it away again, Levon had grabbed it and held it tightly, bending his head to sniff deeply of Joe's lingering scents. In the end, it had been draped over a chair where Levon would periodically wander over and stroke it as if it was a talisman. He sat there now with one hand on Joe's jacket.

Everyone else left the cowboy alone. He looked up as Thomas Dennis entered the room with Carson on a leash. The big shaggy cat walked along with a regal dignity until he spotted Levon. With a squeaky "mreow," the tabby turned and ducked his head, backing quickly. In a moment, he'd freed himself from his collar and was bouncing over to the blonde. There, he skidded to a halt and sat, looking up with an inquiring expression into Lundy's face. Levon stared down at the cat in surprise. Carson, though, was distracted. His nose twitched and then his whiskers, his large ears seemed to move of their own volition. Then he was moving again, this time to leap into the wooden chair next to Lundy. The one with Joe's jacket draped on it. With a deep purr, Carson settled into the chair, head rubbing against one lapel of Joe's coat.

... end of part 10: "My bones denounce the buckboard bounce..."

Part 11...

But I'll love ya' longer, stronger where
Yer friends don't tote a gun ...(encore)

Behind Thomas, came Jeff and Louie, both looking excited. When Carson broke free of his leash, his owner watched with mild amusement as his cat made a beeline first for Levon, then for the jacket on the chair next to the cowboy. Thomas left the cat to his own devices and went over to the table where Jeff was spreading out plans of the buildings near the Tamarind.

Louie, still holding rolls of additional plans, some yellowed with age, joined his friend and fellow architect at the table. Chaz leaned over to see the blueprints, asking, "Where is The Tamarind?"

"Here," Jeff answered, pointing to the corner of another building partially seen at the edge of the schematic. "And this is the open lot behind your club, where the fire exit is and where Joe was taken out."

At the sound of his partner's name, Lundy stopped staring at the cat beside him and got up, coming over to the group around the table. "Enythin' showin'?"

"Well," Louie said, dropping the other rolls of paper on a chair and turning back to the exposed plan, "Here are indications of underground substructure. See those dotted lines? That usually indicates a tunnel. It might be sewage, maybe something else."

Thomas Dennis spoke up excitedly, "It's the old catacombs!"

"The what?" Jeff, Louie and Chaz all spoke at once. Levon simply narrowed his eyes, one lean finger already tracing the vague markings.

"Yes, that's what historians call them now. They were connecting passages underground between buildings. Back when some of these buildings were going up, there'd been a couple of really bad hurricane seasons, some big killer storms came in off the Gulf. One nearly leveled parts of Houston and drowned hundreds at Galveston." He paused, aware of his riveted audience. "City planners convinced builders to add connecting tunnels between buildings and under streets. Not too many actually did them. Then the next several summers ran dry and none of the storms hit the Texas coastline. The project was dropped."

"Looks like some might have been done here," Jeff commented, head lowered with eyes close to the old markings, faded with age. "If we can figure out where they were accessed..."

Levon stood there while hope blossomed in his heart, listening to the experts mutter together, conferring with Destiny and Dennis. Carousel rolled over and listened in, opening his cell phone and calling in some of his people who could help with a new search. This stirred Lundy. "Iffn enyone goes in, it's me, not some innocents, Tyler."

Carousel glanced at Lundy, then gave some final low voiced instructions to whoever was on the phone with him. Closing the interface, he pocketed it. "Levon, they'll just help find a way in. Then it's all yours."

Lundy nodded, stretching. "My gun!" He focused on Carousel. "You have someone who kin get into our apartment, git mah Colt? It's in a box, top shelf, bedroom closet."

"Will do." As Carousel started to wheel away, Levon stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Mah badge is in there, too. Ah'll have need of it."

"Done." Carousel went off to call from a quiet corner.

Lundy followed him with his eyes for a minute, then rejoined the men working on the old street and building plans. He saw they had another old blueprint out now, showing basements. Here, the dotted lines were more clearly defined.

Chaz Destiny let out a shout of surprise. "Why that one comes out in my storage rooms, near the restrooms! No wonder he could leave the cassette there and no one the wiser!"

Levon peered closely, spotting the marked passage egress, noting how it left there and went under another building, but first coming to a kind of junction where several passages seemed to join together, almost directly under the vacant lot.

"Too many exits, too many passages." Jeff was shaking his head. "I don't see how you can get to him, if he's down there, before he can get away - he's got too many choices." He looked up into Levon's eyes with regret. "I'm sorry."

"Jeff, stick to being an architect," Destiny said not unkindly. "Levon, we can have people at every identified exit - before you go in. Unless you want to get your HPD folks in on this?"

Levon hesitated. HPD was good, but they hadn't found this lead. "You got people who kin handle someone violent?"

Destiny exchanged looks with Carousel, then nodded. "Bouncers," he said succinctly, "among others."

*********************

Joe had been alone now for a long time. The drug or tranquilizer had worn off completely. His hands were looking almost normal again but he could barely make them move and couldn't move the individual fingers at all. They were like unresponsive blocks at the ends of his wrists. The wrists weren't working very well either, spectacularly colored now, they could barely lift the hands from the cement, dropping limply the minute he lost concentration.

Where ever he was it was cool, almost cold. The cement floor was icy. His clothing was still damp from the drenching he'd taken when Emmett doused him to bring him around for the videotaping. It clung to him, especially the white shirt. Shivering, Joe lay there. He decided he had to get up, at least sit up, away from the cement that was sending cold through the damp shirt into his body. A deep, wracking cough shook him. Using his elbows as props and knees for leverage, he managed to get himself up to a seated position, back against a brick wall. The brick was cold, too, but not as penetrating as the cement beneath him. He wrapped his arms and useless hands around himself, and shook.

****************

"Emmett Schiezer," Beaumont's voice sounded hollow on the small cell phone that Lundy held to his ear. "He was given an early retirement just three months ago. His partner had been found dead, beaten to death near the Southside Precinct Building. He claimed that fellow officers killed his partner, Harry Jamison. There was no evidence and the department psychiatrist's report indicated that Schiezer had heavy guilt feelings about Jamison's death. Apparently they were supposed to have been on a stakeout together and Schiezer called in sick."

Lundy looked at the floor, absorbing all this. "You're certain the voice is Schiezer's?"

"Three fellow detectives from the Southside all ID'd it independently. The lab confirmed it when they compared the recording with some evidence tapes that included Schiezer's voice."

Lundy was silent, then asked, "Eny truth that he and Jamison were a gay couple?"

"If they were, no one's talking." Beaumont waited. When there was no comment from Lundy, she added, "We've updated the all-points bulletin on the killer to include Schiezer's photo, fingerprints and description. It would be nice to confirm his identity with you. Do you have access to a FAX?"

"Hold on." Levon put his hand over the phone. "Tyler, there a FAX here I kin receive on?"

Carousel paused where he was engaged in still another phone call himself, then nodded. He spun his chair and called out, "Marion? Can you help Levon? He needs to receive a FAX."

Marion, who had overheard the original request, was already moving toward the room's door. "Let me get the number from the office here."

While Levon waited, he got back on the line with Joanne Beaumont. "Joanne, someone's gittin' a number now. Any other leads?"

"Sorry, Levon, no."

Marion walked back in rapidly and handed an index card to Levon, there was a telephone number written on it. "Joanne? Here's the FAX number. I'll git back to you after I see the picture." He closed the connection.

Minutes later, Lundy was staring at the sandy-haired man who'd been dancing with LaFiamma, the last time Levon saw Joe. The description - height, weight - all fit. It was Schiezer all right. His call to Beaumont was short and to the point. "It's him. Schiezer is the man I saw with Joe just before he disappeared."

"Alright Levon, that's witness confirmation. I'll get it out on the wires."

***********************

LaFiamma opened his eyes at the sound of Emmett re-entering the room. The sandyman came over and crouched down next to his prisoner. "Hello, Joe. Sleeping again, I see."

"'lo, Emmett." LaFiamma's words were slurred with exhaustion and pain. He sat, slumped back against his good shoulder on the brick wall behind him. His useless hands and wrists lay limply in his lap. The ankle iron clasped one ankle and led to the wall and pipe where it was chained.

He stiffened instinctively when Emmett placed a large hand on his shoulder and stroked down the arm. "Mmm. You are in good shape, Joe. Work out, huh? So does Harry. Maybe you two go to the same gym?"

LaFiamma was losing interest in the conversation. "Work out at home." The few words were enough to provoke another episode of coughing, the choking sound echoing in the dark, windowless room.

"You should take better care of yourself, Harry. You really should." Emmett let his fingers trail down the front of Joe's shirt, ripping buttons as his hand slid lower.

"I'm Joe, not Harry!" Joe tried to rouse himself, but he was sinking into a blur of apathy that was part of his increasing weakness. Pain, drugs, beatings, and injuries were taking their toll.

"Harry, we're going to be late for shift if you don't get dressed and get up!" Emmett was lost in another world now. Disassociating from his surroundings and the desperate man on the floor in front of him.

Standing, Emmett walked over to the pipe where LaFiamma's tether was anchored. He took out a key and unlocked the hookup. "We can't play right now, Harry. Time to go to work."

******************

Levon waited impatiently while Destiny instructed the men gathered in the clubroom. Some were members of the Boars, others employees and volunteers. All were big men, tough looking. Most were probably gay, but certainly didn't fit any stereotype that Lundy had ever heard of.

Between them, Jeff, Louie and Thomas had created a map of all the entrances to the passages that Thomas called the catacombs. Timing was going to be important. No one was going in alone. Cell phones were being issued in lieu of walk-talkies. All had the pub's back room phone number speed dialed in, and all had Lundy's new cell phone number speed dialed in as well.

Lundy was wearing his shoulder holster now, under the dark evening suit jacket that he still had from the night before. It had been nearly 24 hours now since LaFiamma was kidnapped. Lundy had not yet changed clothes. His badge now hung from his belt. He had "deputized" all the men. No one was certain how legal that was, but it made several of the men more comfortable and Levon figured it would leave everything on his own head if anything went wrong.

Destiny insisted on partnering Lundy, claiming that he felt responsible since LaFiamma had been in his club when taken. Marion and Carousel were going to sit in the command center to coordinate. They had multiple lines set up to a switchboard that had been rigged to the single telephone number. Thomas Dennis volunteered to run the switchboard.

Carson had been sitting in the chair with LaFiamma's coat since his arrival on the scene. Now he stood and stretched quickly, then leapt to the floor and walked purposefully over to Lundy. Without a sound, he sat and waited to one side. When the teams began to leave, Carson simply walked out behind Lundy and Destiny, unnoticed.

******************

Conway met them in the common room of the pub as Levon and Destiny came out of the club's back room. "Carousel called, said you might need some help. Mind if I tag along?"

"Suit yoreself," Lundy said as he led them out. Conway raised an eyebrow at the swift cat-shaped shadow trailing behind but said nothing.

Armed with flashlights and even more powerful torchlights, the teams spread out around the marked traces of the old catacombs. Each team had synchronized watches and orders to wait until midnight by which time all teams should be in place. Lundy and his two companions, with a small silent follower, were going to go in through the underground Tamerind's storage room entry. Chaz was still disbelieving, even as he pushed open the dark panel that had gone unnoticed for so many years.

The passageway beyond was like a long brick lined hallway. Empty and unwavering, it went off in a straight line into the darkness. If there had ever been any lighting, it had long since fallen into disuse or disrepair. Light beams crossing and flickering about, the three men walked cautiously down the hall. The sound of dripping water was an unpleasant reminder that Houston was nearly at sea level and the water table was high.

****************

LaFiamma swayed on his feet. The torn front of his shirt, where Emmett had ripped away the buttons, gave him a ragged look. He had his arms wrapped around himself for warmth and to give his painful hands some protection. He had them tucked under his armpits, enfolded as gently as he could. It had taken some doing to move his right arm, inert where it hung from his injured shoulder. He'd finally supported it clumsily with his left arm.

Emmett had hauled him to his feet by his collar, then set him back against the wall and dusted imaginary dandruff from his shoulders. "Harry, you have to do something about this." Fussing, Emmett seemed oblivious to the fact that he still held the end of the long chain attached to the iron on one at LaFiamma's ankles.

LaFiamma began to cough again, nearly doubling over. The sandyman ignored this, instead grabbing at the brunette's hair and pulling him upright again. "You're coming with me," the grim, no-nonsense voice was back, "now."

Joe wondered if he could walk at this point. His legs hadn't been damaged, but he'd been lying and sitting on the cold cement floor, for so long that they felt numb, as if they belonged to someone else. Little chance of trying any kick-boxing under the circumstances, he thought wryly, blinking to see through blurring vision.

The taller, heavier man came right up against the ex-Chicagoan now, pressing his body against the smaller man's, forcing Joe back against the brick wall. The crazed look, which had been switching on and off, was back. "Harry. I've missed you." One hand came out to grip Joe's neck in a painful grasp, the other yanking him close and up, disregarding the painful shoulder. Lips pressed aggressively against LaFiamma's, forcing his mouth open with teeth and tongue.

The brunette had never felt so helpless, not even when he'd come to in the middle of the gang-bang the brownshirters had enjoyed at his expense. Choking on the invader in his mouth, LaFiamma began to heave. The pain in his shoulder was excruciating with this new pressure and rough handling. He felt dizzy and nauseated. Then he was spewing up what little remained in his stomach, mostly acid at this point.

Emmett thrust the vomiting man from him in disgust, letting him crumple to the ground while he wiped his mouth and spat. "You'll pay for that!" he screamed, clearly no longer rational.

A swift kick hit LaFiamma in the hip, half-flipping him over toward the wall. Shuddering with the effort to bring his body under control, he didn't expect what happened next. The chain attached to his ankle iron tightened and he was being dragged. Emmett, still cursing, though low-voiced now, had turned and was simply hauling his victim along by the chain attached to one leg. With his hands and wrists still useless, and one painful shoulder, LaFiamma was dragged helplessly out of the room on the rough cement floor. Coming out into a dark hall-like passageway, Emmett just kept going. LaFiamma's body was yanked through the doorway and around the corner, one leg jamming momentarily against the doorframe, his head banging on the other edge of the frame. Unconsciousness was welcome.

******************

The men froze at the sounds of screaming. Not Joe, Levon decided, but said nothing, simply hurrying forward toward the noise. They reached the first junction as the sounds fell to voiced curses. Whoever was in here with them had no idea he was no longer alone. Following the sounds, they had no trouble with which passage to follow at the junction. Destiny paused there to mark the way with chalk on the floor, then strode on rapidly to catch up to Lundy and Conway.

At one point, they found several side doorways. Flashing the lights within showed them all to be empty. No one noticed when Carson lingered at one of the rooms before running swiftly on to rejoin the searching men.

The sounds faded now. Then vanished. The silence, except for the sound of dripping water, was now complete again. And at this point, they reached a new junction.

Standing in the large circular area formed by the juncture of six passageways, Destiny commented, "This is the spot we saw on the map - where the tunnels crisscross under the empty lot."

Conway, who hadn't seen the map, asked, "So which way now?"

His question was met by silence. Lundy was slowly turning on his heel, flashlight examining each opening with care, frustrated by the lack of clues. Joe was down here somewhere, he knew it. Those screams and curses had to do with Schiezer and Joe, Levon was certain. He silently prayed for more noise. The only answer was more dripping.

**********************

Emmett had finally noticed the unresponsive body at the other end of the chain he was pulling. "Harry!" He stopped his unsteady progress and ran back to kneel beside the unconscious man he'd been dragging. "Harry!" He shook the body which lay unmoving on the flooring. Looking about frantically, he saw another opening in this hall and tugged the man into the empty room-like space.

Hauling Joe into his lap, he hugged him and crooned softly, crying.

****************

Destiny was talking quietly into his cell phone, checking in with their base, the room back at the Boar's Head. There, Carousel informed him that all the other teams were in place and no one had reported seeing anyone nor any sign of forced entry at the doorways. Of course, they both knew that there was no way to know if there were more entries that the architects and Thomas had been unable to identify from the old plans. All they could do was hope.

Conway and Lundy had started taking short forays down two different passageways, examining the floors for signs of anyone moving through them. The hard cement floor was unyielding of tracks. It was Destiny, closing his cell phone and swinging his lamp in a casual arc who caught the twin eyes of Carson, where he sat at one of the entrances, waiting patiently.

It wasn't the entry they'd come in through, Destiny had marked that one with chalk the moment he saw where they'd reached in their search. The cat looked like it was waiting for something. "Levon?" Chaz spoke softly. "This cat's been following us since we left the Boar's Head. Any reason why?"

Lundy stepped back into the juncture center and looked over at Carson, still illuminated by Destiny's flashlight. "Carson! I didn't see him afore." Lundy went over to the cat and squatted in front of the shaggy feline. He studied the tabby marked face that stared back at him with such concentration. Then the cat stood and started down the passage behind it, pausing to look back. "Joe! He likes Joe and he wants us to folla' him! Let's go!"

Excited and hopeful, Lundy jumped to his feet and started after the cat that now darted ahead. The other two men came quickly after both with lights raised.

**************

Joe felt like his head was about to fall off, pain shot through in a shower of fireworks. He gradually wakened enough to realize he was being held, rocked. That explained the way his head was reacting, he thought vaguely, as he turned it and began to heave again. There was really nothing left to vomit up, but the action was enough to get him dumped on the cold cement floor again.

"Nooo." The hissed whisper spoke of insanity. It had to be Emmett, but Joe couldn't see clearly, the only light was a flashlight that had rolled away, against a wall. The resulting indirect light was faint at best. Two rough, big hands shoved LaFiamma, grinding his bad shoulder, bringing a grunt of pain.

"Where's Harry? What have you done with him?" Emmett's angry, harsh whisper was not a good sign. Joe hunched down and waited. No point in answering, the man was past any rational thought.

********************

Lundy stopped suddenly, watching as Carson slid to a stop and froze. Carson crouched low, belly on the ground in traditional hunting posture. Lundy could hear the growl from where he stood. He pulled out his gun and paced ahead now, toward the dark doorway on the right. A dim light shone from it, down low. Conway and Destiny followed, careful and ready.

As he got closer, he could hear both Carson's low growl and a hissing voice from within the room. His back to the wall, he braced there and breathed deeply, Colt now a comforting presence in his hand. Counting to three mentally, he swung out from the wall to stand clear in the doorway, gun held in both hands, pointing straight in.

At first he saw nothing except poorly lit brick walls. Then he looked down and saw a dark shape lying loosely on the floor, with the larger shape of a kneeling man behind it. The man was big, and he was cursing, calling out, "Harry!" It had to be Schiezer, which meant that that was Joe on the ground.

"Freeze, Houston Police." Lundy's bark was sharp. The man on the ground stiffened and rose on his knees, one hand digging into his loose jacket. Levon didn't wait. He fired, a single shot, hitting his target between the eyes. The man fell back, dead.

The loud, gunshot echoed down the passageways and several teams reported it to the Boar's Head command post at the same time.

Conway and Destiny stood up behind Lundy when there was no answering fire. They had been waiting low, to the sides, as Lundy had stepped in to the doorway. Both came into the room, shining their torches first on the dead man, then on Lundy who had rushed in and was now sitting on the floor next to his semi-conscious partner, tentatively touching his face.

"Joe?"

LaFiamma turned a bruised and pale face toward the wonderful sound of Levon's voice. Almost afraid he was hallucinating, he opened his eyes wide to take in the sight of his blonde cowboy, come to the rescue at last. "Levon, g-g-g-good to see you." The voice was a scratchy poor imitation of his usual deep bass. That alone was enough to tell Lundy that Joe was not doing well.

"Yore safe now, Joe. I got him, he ain't gonna hurt you or enybody else ever agin." Lundy bent low, close to his lover's face, gently pushing the dark hair back out of LaFiamma's eyes. "How bad are you hurt?"

The brunette grimaced. "C-c-can't use my hands, wrists. I th-th-think he dislocated my right shoulder, not sure, only know.... it hurts like hell. Aside from that-," he had to pause to catch his breath and that provoked yet another wracking cough. By the time he stopped, Lundy was holding him, one arm carefully supporting him without pressure on the right shoulder, the other hand comfortingly laid against his cheek.

"Easy, Chi, easy." Lundy twisted his neck to look around. Destiny was talking quietly on his phone, Conway was in the doorway, setting up one of their lamps so it shone up toward the ceiling, thus visible from both directions of the passageway. Coming back in, he removed his jacket and handed it down to Lundy who used it to cover Joe's chest for warmth.

Sitting just out of reach, Carson was crouched, down on all fours, belly on the ground, watching with unblinking eyes, a soft purr emanating from his throat. Lundy nodded to the cat. Carson blinked once and continued to purr.

Conway and Destiny were bending over the dead Schiezer now, searching him and finding that the man was unarmed. Both had been behind Lundy, low and to the sides, when he took his shot. Since they'd both seen Schiezer go for something in his jacket as Lundy drew bead and shot, they were surprised not to find a gun.

A brief consultation followed. Then Conway produced a gun from the back of his own waistband and handed it to Destiny who proceeded to wipe it carefully with a handkerchief. Satisfied, he placed it in the dead man's hand and pressed the fingers against it. Then, with a quick look over at Lundy who had eyes only for his partner, Destiny slid it partway down, into the front of the dead man's pants, while Conway held open the jacket. With a careful, artless bump of his handkerchief-covered hand, Destiny knocked at the gun now and let it slip to the floor beside the dead man, exactly where it would have fallen if partially drawn when the man died.

Conway and Destiny looked at each other for a moment and then both stood away from the corpse and went out into the corridor to await help. They had seen Lundy holding his precious bundle, cradled in arms that trembled with relief. They left him alone with his partner for a few minutes of privacy. Soon enough the other rescue teams would arrive. And, sooner or later, the police. These few minutes might be all the partners would have for a while.

... end of part 11: "...Yer friends don't tote a gun..."

Part 12...

Gimme eastern trimmin' where men are women
In high silk hose and peek-a-boo clothes
And French Perfume that rocks the room
And I'm all yours in buttons and bows

Lieutenant Joanne Beaumont was waiting in the emergency room by the time LaFiamma was brought in, Lundy at his side. She watched his arrival with a mixture of relief and dread. Glad he was found, worried at his condition. The man who called her, identifying himself as Tyler Hogan, had said that LaFiamma was not in good shape from all reports and would be found at the hospital emergency room shortly. Lundy would be with him.

She knew that it had taken a while for the paramedics to get to the Italian, deep in the catacombs. Hogan told her that in the end, Destiny had them use the Tamerind's freight elevator and then roll their gurney in through the catacomb entrance at the back of one of the Tamerind's storerooms. Once in the passageways, with Destiny's relays of helpers to show and light the way, the paramedics moved quickly.

Joe had been handled with care, loaded on to the stretcher and rolled back out through the halls. Levon paced beside him, holding tightly to one arm, the entire way. Behind them, HPD Homicide and MCU detectives sparred for space at the crime scene. They'd arrived nearly together, alerted by a 911 call from the Boar's Head, and privately to Beaumont, a call from Carousel who'd gotten her office number from Lundy before he left on the search for Schiezer and LaFiamma.

Both Destiny and Conway gave depositions to the detectives, they'd witnessed Lundy shoot down the man Schiezer. The gun found at the scene was confiscated as evidence. A second stretcher team arrived to remove the body of the dead man, to take him to the morgue. The crime scene team went through the place, recording everything found. The iron that had been manacled to LaFiamma's ankle and the chain and padlock were all put into evidence. The ankle iron was broken - Conway had forced it with the help of a crowbar that one of the Boars' teams brought in before the police arrived. Getting it off LaFiamma was their first priority, Conway had smoothly explained to the police later.

Monitoring the reports on her telephone, both official and private, Beaumont was braced for her badly used team by the time they arrived. When Lundy was not allowed to follow LaFiamma's gurney into the treatment area, the cowboy came over and sat beside Beaumont. He looked pale and tired, still tense.

"How's Joe?" Although she had a pretty good idea, Beaumont thought it wise to get Lundy talking.

"He'll do. Fur as I kin tell, he's not bad hurt, but he ain't gonna be back on duty eny time soon, neither."

She nodded. "You're still on leave, Levon, have been since I took you off duty when LaFiamma disappeared yesterday. We'll just keep your status like that for a now."

"I'd appreciate that, Joanne." Lundy looked down at his hands, seeming to notice for the first time that he was still wearing dress evening clothes. "I need to change clothes..."

"I'll send Joe-Bill out to your ranch, get you some clothes."

"And my hat."

"And your hat."

*********************

Putting the separated shoulder back was a painful, but short operation, the swelling going down already. LaFiamma's hands were declared to be fine, but in need of occupational therapy, massage and special exercises to return use of muscles that had been damaged by mistreatment. His wrists' nerve bundles, that had been pinched and were swollen, were being treated with a mild anti-inflammatory drug. The doctors were more worried about LaFiamma's cough and concussion. The numerous bumps on his head made them nervous, though he responded well to questions. Overnight stay at the hospital for observation was prescribed. The cough was symptomatic of the early stages of pneumonia, which the doctors attributed to his exposure, cold, dehydration and mistreatment. Deep bruises covered large parts of his body where Emmett had kicked him indiscriminately. Bed rest, lots of it, and recovery should be assured.

Lundy was allowed into LaFiamma's private room as soon as he was wheeled in from the treatment rooms and transferred to the bed. Beaumont followed him in, wondering at the room arrangement. It was clear, though, that the cowboy had no thoughts about cost just then.

Lundy dragged a chair over to the bedside and sat facing Joe. LaFiamma was settled in the bed now, the back raised slightly. His still useless hands lay on the covers. "Joe, how ya doing, boy?"

The Italian was groggy from the painkillers he'd been given for the shoulder. Blinking, he let his head roll on the pillow until he faced his partner. "Levon? 'm ok now. Better when we can go home."

Lundy grinned at him. "You bet. Doc says Ah kin git you outta here tomorra'."

"Good." LaFiamma was struggling to keep his eyes open and frowned, "Levon, are you alright?"

"Fine, son, jest fine, now's yore found and safe." Lundy covered the limp hands gently with his own. "You git some sleep. Ah'll be here."

Joe nodded slightly and closed his eyes. His breathing evened out almost immediately.

Lundy turned then to look up at Beaumont. "Eny thin' else, Joanne?"

Beaumont shook her head. "Looks like Joe will be fine, from what the doctors say, he just needs recovery time. I've gotten reports from the homicide detectives on the scene and from Esteban and Carol who went in. Everyone confirms it was a righteous shooting, Levon. He had a gun and was trying to draw it when you fired. Two witnesses, a Mr. Destiny and a Mr. Conway, both confirm it."

Lundy nodded. . He remembered seein' Destiny and Conway plant the gun but hadn't really thought about why they were doin' it then, been too busy with Joe. He wuz gonna kill that shit-faced rat enyway, but sounded like it had worked out so's there'd be no hearin' on it. Jest as well, he wanted to be here with Joe.

***********************

Flowers started arriving about an hour after Beaumont left. At first the desk nurse thought it was nice, but it was quickly becoming a serious problem. She finally set out to talk with Mr. Lundy, the patient's partner.

Levon was resting as best he could in the small chair beside Joe's bed. Every time he closed his eyes, though, another candy striper came in carrying more flowers. He'd read the first few notes - from Conway and Babs, from Kevin, from The BOARS, from Carousel, from Destiny, even one from Thomas Dennis with a scribbled note that Carson seemed to be pining for Joe and Levon, hadn't eaten anything since his return, via Chaz Destiny, from the catacombs.

Others that they knew slightly, some they'd barely met, after a while, Levon had simply nodded when a new bouquet came in, and didn't get up to read the message. It seemed like all of Rawlings Street wanted the tag team to know how grateful they were and how much they liked the two detectives.

When the head nurse came in and saw Joe sleeping, she quietly asked Mr. Lundy to step out in the hallway to speak with her. "There really isn't any room left in there for more flowers and there are four more bouquets waiting at my station now. Maybe more by the time I get back. Really, Mr. Lundy, we are all very impressed at how well-loved your partner is, but this is becoming a difficult situation."

"Ma'am?"

"The flowers, Mr. Lundy, the flowers."

Lundy just stared at the woman. Realizing that she wuz waitin' for a response, a solution to what she considered a problem, he had to hide an almost hysterical grin. After all that he and Joe'd been through in the last few days, this seemed like some sort of a joke. Obviously not to this matron, however.

"Why'n't you give the rest o'the flowers to other patients? Jest remove the cards. In fact, those young ladies that have bin bringing'em kin take most o'the ones here too. How's that?"

The woman's face creased into a smile. "That's very generous. If you're certain that Mr. LaFiamma won't mind?"

"I'm shore. He'll ony be here t'night."

"Very well, then, and thank you, Mr. Lundy, I know it will cheer many of our other patients."

"Yes, ma'am."

*********************

It was a long day. Joe slept restlessly. Levon fended off visitors. It seemed everyone wanted to come and see how they were. The folks from MCU dropped in whenever they could get away, folks from Rawlings Street started arriving in the late afternoon. When visiting hours ended officially at 8 that evening Levon refused to leave, claiming his right to protect his partner, a fellow officer who'd been injured in the line of duty. He managed to suggest that LaFiamma might still be in danger. Levon stayed.

Joe woke up, jerking up in the bed at about 2:30 in the morning. Shaking like a leaf, he cried out wordlessly, gasping when Levon first touched him. Lundy gentled him with his hands, soothing the fearful man with soft words. "Joe, easy. I'm here, baby, I'm here. It's Levon. I love you and I won't let enyone hurt you no more. Jest lay back and rest, baby." He kissed the sweat-covered forehead and held the hands that spasmed uselessly beneath his. With one hand, he stroked back fever damp hair, with his other hand he held down the thrashing arms so that Joe wouldn't hurt himself. Gradually the Italian calmed and woke completely.

"Le- Levon? Where are we?"

"We're in a hospital room, Joe, jest you relax. We'll go home later this morning." Lundy leaned forward and kissed the pouty lips that were so temptingly pursed.

Joe returned the kiss, trying to sit up. "Easy, boy. Jest you stay put. Plenty of time fur that later."

Collapsing back on the pillows, thoroughly awake now, Joe winced. Levon let his hand slide down the side of the dear face, "Joe? You in pain agin?" When LaFiamma reluctantly nodded, Lundy pressed the buzzer for the night nurse.

She came in quickly, took one look at LaFiamma's pale, pain-drawn face and picked up his chart. After a quick check at the instructions, she returned with some small pills that she helped him take with a cup of water. "It will take about half an hour for the medication to take effect, then you should be more comfortable, Mr. LaFamma."

"That's La-Fee-Ahma," Levon corrected her. Joe gave him a tiny smile as she repeated the correct pronunciation before departing.

Lundy leaned in for another kiss, then stood and moved close to Joe. "Move over a bit, Joe," he sat easily on the edge of the bed and scooted back against the headboard, pulling Joe into his arms and settling him easily against his thigh and part of his chest. Cuddled there, Joe felt protected, secure. Cowboy, you'll never know just how glad I was to see you in that tunnel. God, I thought I'd never see you again, never get to feel you against me, kiss you, hold you.

Warm and safe, surrounded by Levon's love, Joe fell back in to a deep, dreamless sleep for the remainder of the night. Levon held Joe in his arms, thinking. I'm never gonna complain about too much of you agin, baby. Yore my life, Joe. Fur you, I'll learn to be more agreeable. Even polecats kin learn somethings.

***************

It wasn't until Levon was signing the release papers for LaFiamma the next morning that he found out that all bills had been paid by Marion and the BOARS. That explained the private room. Joe, who was sitting patiently in a wheelchair, got teary-eyed when Levon bent over to show him the documents and explain what had been done. Weakened by his ordeal and the medications, he was not in emotional control.

Squatting beside his partner, Lundy took out a handkerchief and wiped the damp blue eyes. "Joe, it jest means they care, is all."

"I know, Levon, and it makes me feel all - oh, I don't know..." Their whispered exchange was overheard by the nearby nurses who smiled benignly at the two close friends.

"Ready, pardner?" Levon stood, smiling down at LaFiamma.

"Yep."

Grinning and shaking his head, Lundy led the way out to the entrance where the Jimmy was parked waiting. The nurse pushing the wheel chair stopped beside the passenger door and assisted LaFiamma as he stood carefully, favoring his right arm which now rested in a sling to save weight on that shoulder. Both wrists were in temporary, removable braces to ease the pressure on them.

LaFiamma was still on pain medications and a bit groggy from them. While he could feel his hands and even move his fingers now, he really couldn't do anything much with them yet. Certainly not open a truck door. Lundy stood on LaFiamma's other side to steady him and open the passenger door. As the nurse wheeled the chair away and back into the hospital, Levon got Joe up into the truck cab with a bit of pushing and bracing. He waited until the flustered man was calm again before strapping him in his seat belt, then carefully closed the door.

Getting behind the wheel, Lundy looked over at his pardner. Looks thin and pale, not real focused neither. Partly the meds, Levon decided. I'll have to make shore he takes it easy fur a while.

Joe leaned his head back on the passenger seat and savored the moment. Back with Levon again. Safe and free. He ignored the injuries in favor of optimism of recovery. Beaumont had stopped by earlier that morning and told Joe that Lundy would be on extended leave while Joe was on sick leave. That meant they'd be together while he recovered. Couldn't ask for better medicine than that.

It wasn't long, though, before Joe realized that they were not heading for the ranch. "Levon? Where are we going?"

Lundy threw him a smiling glance. "We got that apartment fur the whole month, Joe. I think yore body is gonna appreciate that Jacuzzi."

LaFiamma's eyes brightened. "Now that sounds nice, real nice, Levon."

***********************

There was a welcoming committee standing out in front of the old Victorian manse, waiting as the red Jimmy pulled up at the curb. Smiling widely, their landlord, Mitchell Voder opened the passenger door of the truck as Lundy swung down from the driver's side and came around the front.

"Joe! How are you feeling?" Mitchell was backed by the inquiring faces of Louie and Jeff the second floor tenants. It would be sometime later when Lundy found out that after some rather heated discussions, it had been decided that only those people actually living at 6 Curry Drive would greet the returning detectives.

The Italian smiled back, wanly. "Doin' okay, Mitchell, doin' okay." He waited as Levon stepped in close and unfastened the belts, stopping to give Joe a warm, welcoming kiss before moving back enough to help Joe swing his legs out and down. Catching Joe under his arms, Lundy supported him as he slid down to the ground, braced him as he tottered and finally stood within the circle of Levon's arms. They kissed again before breaking to turn and face their smiling audience.

"Ah, makes my heart warm to see young love," Mitchell grinned.

"Welcome back, Joe!" Louie said from behind Mitchell.

"We're glad it all worked out," Jeff added seriously, his hands resting on the shoulders of his partner, Louie.

LaFiamma nodded to the two architects. "Levon told me what you did for me, finding those tunnels and exits in old plans. You helped save my life. I'm grateful."

Both men blushed now and shrugged. Mitchell slung his arms around their shoulders and pulled them back to make room as Levon walked Joe away from the truck and shut the door. As they started up the sidewalk to the front porch, Mitchell called after them, "Boys, we filled your refrigerator and cleaned up a bit. Just holler if you need anything, we're all here and we'd be happy to help."

Lundy looked back over his shoulder at Mitchell Voder. "Mitch, you do know we intend to stay out the month, while Joe's recuperatin'?"

Mitchell, leading Jeff and Louie back up the front walk behind Levon and Joe, smiled again. "I should hope so! But, Levon, I'm hoping you two will stay on after that. It would be real nice to have some policemen right here in our district, men who know us and understand us - who are one of us so to speak."

Joe craned his head back now too. "Sorry, Mitch, but we got our own ranch outside o' Houston, and even if we wanted a town place, you're a bit too pricey for a policeman's pocket."

"I think that's negotiable, Joe," Mitch said seriously now, "but, for now - you need to get better and your partner here wants to get you indoors and upstairs." He paused and flashed a smile at them, "I don't expect to see you two out of that apartment for at least a day or two!"

Lundy caught Joe's eye, smiled and was answered by a lazy, suggestive look in return. He looked back at Mitchell, "You got that right, son."

Opening the front door, the two detectives disappeared within, leaving the other three men to return to their seats on the porch and their temporarily abandoned mint juleps.

**********************

Taking the stairs slowly, Levon helped Joe keep his balance as they made their way upstairs to their apartment. They found the door open, a 'welcome back - get well' sign on the wood panel of the door. Sitting on the sill was Carson, looking very satisfied with life. He blinked slowly and a small pinkish tongue came out to lick across his muzzle and nose.

Lundy stared at the cat. "Thomas, you in here?" he called as he and Joe passed the cat and entered the apartment. Joe spared a glance at the feline but didn't stop until Levon helped him sink onto the sofa. There was no answer to Levon's call.

The cat had followed them into the living room and now leapt easily on to a nearby, overstuffed chair where he proceeded to start cleaning himself, purring loudly. Lundy watched in puzzlement, until Joe asked him for a glass of water. Patting his friend on the shoulder, Levon went into the kitchen. There was a note standing on a fold of paper on the otherwise bare kitchen table.

Opening the note, Levon read that Thomas Dennis was letting Carson come to visit - or to stay depending on how he, Carson, and they, Levon and Joe, felt about each other. It was clear to Dennis that Carson was no longer content in the bookshop. Since they'd only been respectful friends to begin with, Dennis was not upset by this and was suggesting that Levon call him if the arrangement did not meet with approval. On the chance that it might, he'd left off Carson and several boxes of dry cat food, Carson's normal diet, in the kitchen. The phone number for the Leafery was included at the bottom of the note.

Taking the note and a glass of water back into the living room, Levon sat down on the arm of the sofa next to LaFiamma. He held the glass to Joe's mouth, letting him drink his fill, before showing him the note and then reading it aloud. "So, what'a'ya' think?"

LaFiamma looked over to where the cat had stretched out now, twisting around so that it lay belly up, thick soft fur fluffed out like an enormous furry pillow. The cat seemed to realize it was the topic of conversation because two greenish yellow eyes blinked slowly back at Joe from where the cat's head hung over the front edge of the chair seat upside-down.

"He's not doing any harm, Levon."

"Okay, he kin stay fer now. I cain't argue with enyone who helps save yore life, Joe." Levon put the glass down and let one arm circle his friend. Sliding off the arm of the sofa and down next to LaFiamma on the seat, Levon carefully pulled the Italian against him. Joe let his head come to rest on Levon's shoulder.

"Um, this is nice."

"Yup." Levon turned his head to plant a kiss on Joe's forehead, run his fingers through the dark, thick hair. Both men put their feet up on the coffee table and eased back into the soft padding of the sofa. Eyes closed, Joe was asleep again in minutes, safe in his lover's arms. Levon held him close and let his mind go blank, happy to be with Joe, not needing to think past that. Gradually his own eyelids became heavy and he, too, slid into sleep, still holding his brunette closely.

*****************

Sometime later, Levon woke slowly to feel the even rhythm of his friend's breath against his neck. Tucking his chin, he kissed the head presented. The sun streaming through the sitting room windows told him it was mid-afternoon. Joe might need lots of sleep, but he also needed his medication and nourishment.

While his hands are like that, Levon thought, I'll be doing the cookin' so I better git ready for some arguments. Joe don't like enyone in his kitchen 'ceptin' him. He smiled, anticipating the 'discussions.' Even the thought of an argument cheered the blonde just now.

His small movements were enough to pull Joe up through the last layers of sleep. Stirring against Levon's shoulder he looked up at his cowboy. "Mornin'?" he managed.

The silent laughter shook Lundy's chest enough to move LaFiamma who looked up accusingly. "Sorry, Joe. You jest look so drowsy is all." Lundy added a quick, soft kiss to the apology. It was returned with surprising strength. "Um, feelin' better? How 'bout I go get us some food, and you need to take yore meds."

LaFiamma made a face, then nodded. "Right. Let's do it." He tried to get up and found himself dropping back, nearly into Lundy's lap. The blonde caught him and pushed just in time to help him keep his feet under him. Joe looked over at Carson who was snoring lightly. "That cat is snoring."

Lundy raised an eyebrow and looked also. Shore enuf. "Huh. We shore we want him as a permanent fixture in our lives?"

Joe shrugged. "I don't think we have a choice here, partner. From what you told me, he helped you find me." Joe hesitated and looked back down at Lundy. "I never had a pet growing up. When I was growing up, we ate anything that moved. This'd be the first one I ever had."

"Yeah? Well, looks like he picked you."

Together they wandered out to the kitchen where Lundy scrambled some eggs. He had to hand feed Joe, whose hands weren't up to holding a fork yet. He'd tried and promptly dropped the fork, eggs and all, down his front.

"Damn!"

Levon had jumped up and wiped him clean with a paper towel. "It won't be fer long, Joe, you jest let me take care of you fer now." And Levon had slowly fed his lover, carefully and seriously wiping the tender lips and kissing, licking away the small bits of egg that didn't make it inside.

Both were ready for something more than simple kissing by the time they'd finished their meal. Levon made certain that Joe was finished before clearing away the dishes. He gave Joe his pills with a small glass of water, holding it to the brunette's mouth, keeping a guiding hand at the back of LaFiamma's head, then stroking down his back when done.

Joe looked awake now and fairly rested. He was still moving stiffly and had coughed softly several times when he thought Levon wouldn't notice. The blonde noticed, but made no comment. Lundy resolved to nurse his stubborn partner through this, get him well again. He thought of the hot water and massaging action of the Jacuzzi. This seemed the perfect time.

"Joe? What say we git in that tub now, work out some of the tightness in yore shoulder? Might help yore hands, too."

LaFiamma smiled. "Levon, just being naked with you is gonna help."

***********************

Helping Joe to undress was erotic play as Levon stroked the shirt slowly down the brunette's shoulders. The silk was scraping Joe's skin, leaving a tingle of nerves as it dropped to pool at his feet. LaFiamma was clumsy still with his fingers, but with determination, he managed to hook them under Levon's shirt and push up. Levon shrugged it off the rest of the way. Already, both were flushed and heated, breath coming faster.

Then Levon knelt and unzipped LaFiamma's trousers, letting them drop, dragging down the briefs and putting his lips to the softly pink genitals revealed. Nude, the Italian was magnificent as he leaned against his lover, inhaling Lundy's salty, talcum-powdered scent. Levon nuzzled the nest of dark, curling hair, letting his tongue feel its way in a slow lazy spiral up the thickening, growing shaft. With a long wet stroke, Levon went from the heavy, rising scrotum up the vein-pulsing pole to the flaring head, the mushroom shaped top-heavy shaft purpling now with engorgement. "Ahhhhhhhhhh-chghh," Joe's groan was half cough.

LaFiamma bent down and let his arms sit on Levon's long back and wide shoulders. With a staggering movement, he dropped to his knees and lapped at Levon's neck frantically. Levon shimmied out of his own jeans and under shorts, all the while keeping close to Joe. Then both were free of clothes and sliding up against each other, pushing themselves upright once more. Using the friction of skin to further heat their already painful erections.

Standing there, they both shivered in anticipation, the nubs of their nipples hardening, catching at the muscular definition on chests that rose and fell with the breathing that continued to deepen. Olive skin, pale freckled skin, the two were pressing together, their heavy sacks swinging now as they rubbed their growing shafts together. There were almost continuous small groans and cries now, emanating from both of them as they re-discovered each other with joy.

Levon moved back slightly and looked over his shoulder as he stepped back over the lip of the tub, helping LaFiamma follow him into the deepening water. He had turned on the Jacuzzi when they entered the bathroom and the steam rose now from the hot, swirling waters. The motor of the Jacuzzi hummed softly, stirring the currents in the water and forcing jets of water that rushed against their legs.

When both were standing in the water, Levon watched with fascination as Joe performed one of his graceful athletic twists that ended with him seated in the water, using legs alone. His raised arms invited Lundy. Levon sat quickly, letting the water swirl and push against him. He shifted until his back was against a wall of the tub and pulled LaFiamma around and into position in front of him, facing away. Joe kept trying to turn his head to reach Levon's lips with his own.

"Slow down, Joey, slow down. Let me make you feel good, son. Let's get you loosened up a bit afore we start playin'." Holding the brunette's heavy shoulders with flexed fingers, careful of the injured muscles, Lundy began to knead. Cautiously, he moved both hands to the tender right shoulder and pressed with fingertips, watching closely for reactions so that he'd not cause more pain. When the tension in the shoulder began to ease, he moved his fingers slightly, pressing and releasing, adding bath oil from a conveniently placed bottle so that the slippery water was aided by the oil in keeping friction to a minimum.

Joe had regained some equilibrium now. Levon's tender touches and calming voice, cooled his passion without extinguishing it. LaFiamma felt the warm water seep into his bones, relaxing him more, easing the pains of bruises and aches. He let his numb hands float out in front of him, flexing the fingers in the simple exercises he'd been taught at the hospital. He puddled back against Levon's body, felt the wonderful strength in his lover's slender, powerful hands, probing fingers that seemed to seek out and diminish the pain still lurking in his injured shoulder. He was so grateful to be alive. I'm here with Levon! In his arms...oh grazie, Santa Maria, grazie mille! He didn't allow himself to think beyond the moment.

Levon buried his nose in Joe's hair, wish we could stay here ferever. Entwined with Joe, in their own private bath, he felt the jets of forced water prodding and slipping by their bodies, like extra massaging fingers. Gawd, I love the feel of Joey's skin beneath mah fingers, love the way I kin feel the tension leavin' Joe's body. I kin do this fer Joe. Whatever else we hafta deal with, at this moment, this is enough.

Gently, Levon lifted Joe's hands within his own long fingered ones, letting them rest on his strength. He brought the square, capable hands up to shoulder height and leaned forward, letting his pectorals press against Joe's shoulders, careful of the sore one. One finger at a time, Levon kissed each tip, licked the back of each digit. Joe began to squirm and moan softly, again, trying to flex his fingers without much success yet.

The blonde moved on, letting his tongue trace the top edge of Joe's shoulder, ending with laps of the salty, musky skin at Joe's neck, letting the taste flood his senses. He returned Joe's hands to the water, freeing them to float again near the brunette's engorged shaft. Joe began to tremble.

Levon's hard cock was trying to bob up between him and Joe, so he wiggled back a bit so's his cock could slide up Joe's crack. He dipped an oil covered hand down to grip his own rock hard penis, to slick it with lubrication before releasing it back to its new home between Joe's flanks. Joe arched back, crying out, "Leeeeee-vawn!" at the same time that he clenched his ass cheeks, gripping Lundy's cock with them, his head going back until it was supported on Levon's shoulder.

"I gotcha, Joey!" Levon licked and kissed the presented neck. He let one hand snake around to Joe's tall pole. He ran a hand up through the dark, wetly soapy curling pubic hairs that wreathed Joe's thick hard shaft. He let his questing fingers play among the hairs, weaving the strands that floated like seaweed about the heated volcanic mount. With questing fingers, he stoked up the heat on the shaft and one finger found the tiny slit, toyed with it. "Ouuhh." Joe was gasping now, beginning to pant and wriggle, his own hands frustratingly incapable of gripping anything. His head tossed, turned on the angular shoulder, he finally buried his face in the spreading blonde curls that fell loosely at Levon's shoulders.

Joe's body floundered in the water. Lundy hugged him closer with an arm across his chest. He began to thrust up and down the track of Joe's ass crease, his oiled penis hard and long. His other hand was grasping Joe's shaft now, ringing it with his fingers, pushing the loose outer skin up and down on the pulsing shaft. His long slender thighs braced LaFiamma's body, gripping it tightly between them. He tilted slightly forward so that his own pucker of skin was exposed to the fast pumping water from the bath. He felt the water's invisible finger probe his anus, pushing him over the edge. He started to thrust now, all thought fleeing as he closed his eyes to better feel the racking rhythm that he echoed with his fist tight around Joe's penis, pumping it in time to his movements. The veins in his forearm stood out starkly in the wetness as it slid up and down Joe's belly, hand wrapped tightly around Joe's shaft. He felt the building heat, felt the intrusive water punching at his stretched ass, felt his own penis painfully hard rub against Joe's ass. The mounting pressure within was like a damn threatening to burst. And then...

"Ah, ah, ah...Jooooo-eeeeeee." Levon came in a pulsing scorching blast, his cum erupting between their tightly pressed bodies. Their bodies stretched and arched against each other, blindly seeking even closer contact as skin met skin.

Even as Levon came flying apart, he felt Joe cum in his fist, spurting repeatedly. Joe let out a cry of surprise and pleasure that finished in a ragged moan. Milking Joey, Levon dazedly felt his own dick subside, then Joe's as it too gave up the last of its whitish creamy stream of sperm.

They lay, half submerged in the bath, collapsed inward on each other, breathing shallowly, barely stirring now. Levon released Joey's rapidly shrinking erection, shifting his hand up Joe's belly to join the other hand encircling the brunette's chest, keeping him close, safe in his arms. The hot water continued to bubble and push, like a cradle rocking them into dreamy oblivion.

*********************

Levon mused on the way their lives had entwined and grown since Joe had arrived in Houston. This case had helped them become more aware of their needs for each other, shown up their weaknesses, their strengths, and even revealed more about what made them what they were. He had learned more about Joe's background, some of it almost scary. Well, come to tell the truth, downright scary.

His lover and mate was a trained killer. Had actually been an assassin. In these last few days, Joe had had a very rough ride. He'd been raped by a gang, he'd been beaten and then had killed four men in a killing rage. He'd been kidnapped and tormented, tortured. He been so badly hurt that for a while now, he'd been a helpless invalid. That last was changing now. Joe was recovering the full use of his hands, wrists. He no longer favored his right shoulder, the one that had been dislocated. His color was better and he wasn't on those mind-blurring painkillers now. The cough, that had worried the doctors and Levon, had subsided, dispensing with the need to watch for pneumonia.

But, it had all taken a toll on both of them, and Joe was spending more time sleeping than awake. Levon had finally called the doctor again, when Joe was once more deeply asleep at mid-afternoon, five days after leaving the hospital. The physician told him not to worry - LaFiamma's body was requiring the rest to repair itself, to wait and he should see more normal sleep patterns within the week.

Lundy sat on their bed, legs out in front of him, one arm holding LaFiamma close against him where the dark-haired man slept, face pressed into Lundy's stomach. Carson, Joe's shadow, was sleeping on a small upholstered chair near Joe's side of the bed. The cat never seemed to get in the way, 'cepting sometimes it would insinuate itself into their bed in the early morning hours, like it knew it wouldn't be gettin' in the way jest then. He had to admit, it weren't no real trouble, though he wasn't too fond of the litter box he'd had to clean. Thomas had brought one over and explained what to do. He'd scratched Carson's head fondly and shook his own. "Cats have minds of their own, Levon, and this one has always been especially persnickety. He came to me by way of the alleys and now he's moved on. I'll miss him but I can see he's where he wants to be."

Lundy sighed softly, let his fingers stroke through Joe's thick dark mass of hair. The brunette stirred slightly at the touch, snuggling deeper into his human headrest. The boy was plumb wore out. How had things gotten so strange on them? That gang of shits, them brownshirts, they'd stirred deep waters in Joe. Lundy knew they had unfinished business with that whole episode.

Then there was his fear, however fast it had passed, if it wuz gone. He didn't know how to deal with that himself. He loved Joe. He did. He'd never been given any cause to doubt him in their years together as partners, friends, and finally lovers. Even in the blind rage at Oysters, Joe had come to him like a lamb, surrendering all control to Lundy. But Levon hadn't been able to eradicate the memory of LaFiamma slicing through those four huge men, men who towered over the ex-Chicago cop, yet fell before his flashing hands and feet. He couldn't forget the look of wildness in LaFiamma's eyes as he stood there shaking, four dead men at his feet, blood dripping from one hand, blood from one of his victims. No, not victims.

He studied the images in his mind's memory, tried to pick them apart. Couldn't. He had to talk to someone about all this. Joe. He had to talk to Joe about it. When this whole case began, no before it began, he and Joe, they'd been having problems relating, mostly his own fault. 'Cause he didn't talk about what he was feelin'. Now, in the cold light of reason, or as close as he was likely to git right now, he knew that this was somethin' to hash out with Joe. NOT apart from him. It might hurt some, but, iffn they didn't, it'd ony fester and git worse.

*****************

LaFiamma enjoyed the way Lundy's long, strong fingers played with his hair. He loved lying here, face warmed by Levon's belly, listening to the sounds of his heart beat, his stomach churn quietly. Joe'd been awake for sometime but relaxed, resting where he was. He could sense that Levon was deep in thought and decided to give him what privacy he could, even as he pressed close against his body.

Joe let his mind wander. He'd not let himself do much thinking since his rescue from the insane Emmett Schiezer and the Houston catacombs. Instead, he'd buried himself in sensations, both good and bad. Pain had been a major factor for several days, and the medication to deal with it had kept his mind unfocused. Then Levon's presence, his love, had soothed and comforted. They'd made love several times, sometimes slow and easy, sometimes fast and almost rough, but Levon had been in charge each time. Joe had let it happen and enjoyed whatever Levon chose. But, this was not like him and he knew it. He was not, by nature, a passive person. He had a feeling that Levon was just waiting for something. Like he was himself. Wonder what we're waiting for?

***********************

Clearing off the dishes from their dinner, Levon and Joe were both silent. They'd talked about the strip and places they'd like to visit, people they needed to call on, to thank, now that Joe was feeling better. Tonight he'd cooked for the first time. It had felt great to be back in the kitchen again, he hadn't even minded when Levon had stayed close, watching to see how once clumsy fingers handled the chef's knife, dicing salad fixings and later cubing chicken for a pasta and cream sauce dish. He'd done just fine, felt in control. He saw how Lundy relaxed after surreptitiously observing for a while. He started the hot water running in the sink, he liked to actually hand wash dishes rather than use the dishwasher.

Levon reached over and turned off the spigot. LaFiamma turned in surprise, a questioning look on his face. The blonde said, "Joe, I kin see yore feelin' better. More rested, too. It's time we talked. The dishes kin wait."

"We've been talking, Levon."

"Not about what really matters, Joe. We need to talk out some things that happened to us, 'tween us."

LaFiamma suddenly looked nervous. "Levon -"

"Hear me out, Joe," Lundy came right up to LaFiamma, belly to belly, placing hands on the sides of his lover's face. "We got unfinished business with our lives."

The Italian closed his eyes and slowly nodded. He was not certain he was ready for this, but maybe he never would be. At least Levon wanted to talk about it, which was a far cry from the man who LaFiamma thought was driving him away only a couple of weeks ago. "Okay, Levon."

Lundy studied the face in front of him, Joe still had his eyes closed but his face was painted with despair and fear. Lundy groaned and pulled the dark head down to his, bringing their lips together for a loving kiss. Joe responded with relief and passion, his arms encircling the slender blonde cowboy who was life itself for LaFiamma now.

"Joey," Levon murmured against the soft lips on his, "we gotta take this somewhere's else or I'll jest be dragging you back to bed and ah know what'll happen then, and it ain't talkin'."

Joe smiled and pressed the kiss for a moment, before stepping back from Levon. "Whatever you say."

Levon's face became sadly serious, "Yeah, and thet's part o' the problem. Let's go." He took up one of Joe's hands and led the brunette out of the room.

**********************

They had dressed in record time because Lundy refused to let LaFiamma sidetrack him with further love play. Insisting that they needed to go somewhere quiet, Lundy had packed a single overnight bag with essentials for them both, then closed up the apartment and while Joe loaded the truck, dropped off the key to the flat with Mitchell asking him to look in on Carson.

"Everything alright with Joe?" Mitchell had asked with concern.

"Yeah, he's doin' real well, Mitch," Levon nodded. "We jest need to get away somewhere's and talk."

"Where are you heading?"

"Thought we'd try and look for a place to stop by the Gulf."

"Mmm. If you are interested, I can recommend a place that is friendly to 'strip' residents." It was Mitchell's way of saying there would be no gay bashing, Lundy understood.

"Oh?"

"Try the Trinity Retreat, it's a B&B out on Surfside Beach, near Freeport. Only has about 8 rooms, but they treat folks nicely there. In fact, I can call them if you like? See if they have a room."

Lundy thought on it. This was all so spontaneous, he didn't want to get locked into anythin', on the other hand, he had thought of heading down toward Freeport, ony about 50 or so miles south of Houston, and directly on the Gulf. "Okay, Mitch, thanks. We won't stay to hear, jest head down. Iffn we don't make it in there by say," Lundy looked at his watch, "about 10 tonight, why then, tell them not to hold it."

They had parted company and Levon went on down the stoop and out to the truck where Joe was patiently waiting for him.

********************

It was late enough that the roads were not too busy and Levon felt like they made good time, arriving in the Freeport area after about a hour drive. It was pitch black out by now, his head lights punching cones of visibility into the dark. LaFiamma was pouring over street and road maps with the cab's map light to aid him.

"There should be a turn-off for Surfside just ahead on the left."

"Here it is." Lundy swung the wheel over easily and kept alert. The tiny town appeared out of the darkness, signs of welcome from some small businesses. Here too, the streets were empty looking, it was nearly 9:30 in the evening and this was not a major tourist stop. He began to cruise the long street that angled back and northeast, inland one block from the coast. Tall, old Victorian mansions mingled with more modern seaside homes. Several of the places had signs out front - either as beach rentals or B&B's. Just when he was about to give up, he spotted the sign for Trinity Retreat.

Joe looked puzzled at his choice. "Are you sure about this one, Lundy? Looks kinda religious."

"Mitch gave me the name of it, said they didn't have no gay-phobia here."

LaFiamma took that in silently and opened the door as Levon shut down the engine, parked at the sandy verge by the 'lawn' of scraggy looking beach grasses. Together they walked up the path, lit with low spike-lights, Levon carrying the overnight bag.

*******************

Joe leaned on the windowsill of their small room. It was cozy and pleasant, the big windows faced the Gulf, the surf seemed to be lapping right beneath them. Actually the beach was public and stretched out quite far, but sound carried well. He breathed in the cool night air and relaxed. This had been a good idea. Getting away from Houston, a total change of scene.

Levon watched Joe from their bed. He'd tucked into their private bathroom the few things he'd packed that he figgered they'd need. The manager had been waitin' up fer them, greeted them with genuine pleasure, mentioned that he was a good friend of Mitchell's and pleased to offer hospitality to friends of his. He had showed them around and given them a key to the place so they could come and go as they wished.

"Joe?" Levon waited.

"Yeah?" LaFiamma turned to look at his partner.

"How 'bout we mosey on down to the beach, take a walk out there?"

The dark face cleared and lightened. A smile blossomed. "That would be great, Levon, let's do it!"

They took off socks and shoes and boots and rolled up pant legs on the boardwalk, then deposited all that on a kind of shelf under the walk's overhang. It was hard going on the sand until they reached the water's edge where moisture kept the footing firmer. Together they began to walk the beach, empty and cold at this hour, seeing the stars crowd over their heads, somewhere in the distance the occasional flash from a lighthouse or a freighter out at sea.

Joe's hand came out and captured Levon's. Hand and hand, they walked along the surf line, letting the occasionally more daring wavelet wash around their ankles.

"Okay, Levon. We left Houston, came all the way out here. Now, what did you want to talk about?"

Lundy took a deep breath and stared up at the cloudless night sky. "Us. You. Me. Us."

LaFiamma considered that. He felt like something was tightening in his chest, pressing around his heart painfully. Cautiously, he asked, "Alright, us it is, can you be more specific?"

Lundy nodded to the night sky. "Yep, I reckon I kin. Joey, we got to talk about what happened to you, when you were raped. When you killed all those men. We got to talk about me. About how I acted after you killed 'em. We gotta talk about you when you wuz kidnapped and hurt. About why yore actin' like ah'm in charge of 'us' all of a sudden." He took another breath, inflating his lungs and tasting salt on his tongue.

The brunette had dragged to a stop as Levon made the list. "Not much, huh?" The joke sounded flat.

"Joe, I been spendin' a lot of time thinkin' about what happened when you killed those men. I was scared - of you." He saw the Italian stiffen and he plowed on. "I picture it in my mind, and I git scared all over agin."

There was silence now except for the sound of the gentle surf.

Finally Joe sighed deeply. "I'm sorry Levon. How can I change that for you?"

Levon relaxed, Joey was gonna talk about it. "Don't know that you kin, directly. Think I jest needed to tell you that up front. When I flinched at you them times, after the killings, I know you were upset at my reaction. You got to know that I never meant to hurt you. I still love you, Joey, I do."

"I know it, Levon, and I know that I can be kinda scary when I'm in that mode - even without that uncontrolled rage. I wish I could promise it won't ever happen again, but I don't think I can keep the promise. I'd try."

"Joe, in all the time I've known you, you ain't ever been like that afore. And you been provoked more'n once, real bad. It ain't likely that you're ever gonna face enythin' like that agin."

Joe leaned in and scooped the cowboy close, held him pressed against his chest. Speaking into his ear, he said, "Levon, thank you. Thank you for being honest and for understanding. I - I haven't wanted to even think about it, about what happened. I've been trying to bury it, but it won't stay under. Guess that's why I've been letting you take charge, not arguing or anything. Didn't think you'd mind that!" His smile disappeared as he paused to gather thoughts. "I was scared too. When those men took me, raped me. I was humiliated, shamed, angry, scared, hurt. You were wonderful, but people kept talking about it, looking at me with pity. Then, when they came at us again and you went down. I guess I just went crazy. I was beyond scared and then you were in trouble and the fear turned to anger, to rage. I remember how everything suddenly looked red. I went nuts."

"No, not nuts. You went on the offense and saved us both the only way you could. The way you were trained. You know they do have a plea called temporary insanity for a reason, it ain't jest lawyer talk. And, I think it happened to you. What you need to do now is forgive yourself. Please, Joey?"

"Forgive myself." The words were a question and a statement.

"And me. Forgive me, too, Joey, please. I may have some instinctive reactions, but they are not my true feelings, they are jest nature's defense."

LaFiamma squeezed his cowboy closer still within his arms. Felt the salt-water lap against his feet. "I forgive you, Levon. You aren't to blame and I really wasn't upset with you. I was upset with me for causing you to act like that. I see now what you mean though. It's nature's way. We'll solve this somehow. Cause I love you, too."

Levon's arms were wrapped tight around Joe's waist. He pushed back now and his lover reluctantly released him. "Let's walk?" It was a question, Levon was giving Joe back some control, some power to decide for them. Joe recaptured Levon's hand and kissed the open palm, then held it loosely as they faced the beach ahead and began, once more, to walk.

Eventually Lundy spoke again. "How do you feel now, Joe?" He walked a few more paces. "How do you feel about what happened to you with Schiezer?"

"Him? That poor shit was a grieving man who went nuts his own way. You know, Emmett was calling me 'Harry' half the time. He didn't kill me 'cause I was a cop. He'd recognized us both. He said other cops killed Harry, his lover. I felt sorry for him mostly, even when he was hurting me. I know he killed those others, but what I saw was a pathetic ruin of a man."

"He killed but you're not angry at him? He hurt you bad, but you don't curse him?"

"He's dead, Levon. You killed him."

"Still-"

"Levon, I can't hate him, he didn't do it for the terrible, selfish, and cruel reasons those brownshirts used to do their thing. He was hurtin'. I really think it's easier to forgive him than -"

"Joe! Iffn you kin forgive him, then I hope you kin forgive me, too?"

"Oh, Levon..."

"I killed him, you know. A bullet right between the eyes. I was gonna kill him the minute I found him, did it, too. That gun they found? It wasn't his. Conway put his own gun there. He and Destiny set that up after I killed him. They don't think I saw them do it. I wuz with you, but I saw."

"Damn, Levon, guess we can both kill to protect our own."

"Yeah. Forgive me, Joe?"

"Nothin' to forgive, love," he kicked at a shell on the sand. "Guess we both needed to step back and see ourselves more clearly, huh?"

Lundy nodded. "Yeah. We live in violent times, Joe. We've been trained to deal with them, then told not to use our training 'ceptin' under special circumstances. Well, son, life don't work thet way, 'xactly. This time we both of us run up against life."

LaFiamma laughed softly. "You do have a way with words for someone who don't say a whole lot, you know. Yeah, you're right. We did what we had to do and what we needed to do. Kinda primitive, but then, scratch the surface, and we're all kind of primitive underneath."

"Oh, Joe, I love you more each day, baby." Levon swung around to stand facing his partner. "Thank you for talkin' this out with me."

"Well, we can't change what's happened but maybe we can learn to live with it and learn from it." LaFiamma caught up Levon's other hand and held both tightly. Levon squeezed the hands of his lover in return, then leaned in for a kiss. Pulling back, glowing brown eyes locked with deep sapphire blue ones.

"Mebbe we kin." Finis, and now, for the song....

Buttons and Bows