email: goglow@mailcity.com

Standard Disclaimer: These Houston Knights belong to Jay Bernstein and Michael Butler and Columbia Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended. This is fan fiction and I make nothing from this story. Any original characters in these stories are mine.

The Anniversary Waltz
By Glo

It was their one-year anniversary as partners and Levon suggested Gilley's. Joe had looked at him funny but agreed. Their partnership had been one long stony road so far, but somehow they were still together, even had moments of real oneness on the trails of killers, rapists, muggers, and other ilk. Just two Houston cops, doing their jobs.

Joe dressed carefully. He knew Houston better now, knew what Gilley's meant to the night crowds. The ex-Chicago cop had not been ready for Gilley's last year - he'd not been ready for Houston or Lundy, for that matter. While he was not prepared to dude up now as a cowboy, he choose a pair of special cut jeans - Lundy called them his 'designer jeans,' Joe smiled. He still didn't have a pair of cowboy boots to his name, but he did have some hiking boots that would fit in better at the bar. Shirt? Well, Joe just could not resist - he'd wear his turquoise sweater with the patterns of color on the shoulders and back. He'd caught Lundy eyeing it with approval on more than one occasion. This is for you, buddy, Joe thought as he tugged it down over his head. Licked his lips. Combed his hair back with a rough raking of fingers.

Levon contemplated his dresser top. No, no bolo tie tonight. He might sport one if the date wuz with a girl, but this wuz with his partner, LaFiamma. Man would likely jest joke about it all evenin'. Levon grinned to himself. Nope, best stick to regular western, he thought, pulling on a bright plaid shirt, reds and white. His jeans were not his tightest pair, but snug enough to feel normal to him. He decided to wear a pair of work boots, not his good'uns. Too much chance of a beer spill at Mickey Gilley's place if things got lively, and they usually did. 'Course it wouldn't be like last year, when LaFiamma was brand new in town and they'd bumped heads like a couple of bulls. Now they could share a drink almost peaceably. Almost. Lundy smiled again, shaking his head as he pulled on a light weight vest. He didn't bother with his gun rig, none allowed in Gilley's and this was a social evenin' enyway. Well, just his peashooter, then, he thought as he slipped it down in his boot. The tiny gun wouldn't do much damage, but he never felt good unarmed.

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

The music, the good-natured, loud crowd, the long bar, it was all the way Joe remembered it. He hadn't been back since he and Levon fought it out, ending up in the mud behind the building. He stole a glance over at Lundy who was belly-up to the bar, hat beside him, turned upside down. For a short moment, he was tempted to drop some peanut shells inside, then caught Lundy's sideways stare. Just waiting for him to do it, Joe thought grinning to himself. He shook his head and emptied his handful of shells on the littered floor.

Levon snorted and sipped hiz beer. Boy wuz learnin'. He drank in the atmosphere of the friendly bar and dancehall, turning to hook elbows on the bar surface, face the crowds, beer in one fist.

LaFiamma watched all this in silent approval. The cowboy looked good tonight. That long, thin drink of water was his friend and his partner. He'd made Houston make sense for the lonely northerner. Joe sipped his own beer, then turned, emulating Lundy.

A lovely, red-headed cowgirl, with lots of fringe, strolled by in front of the two men, then stopped by Lundy. "I'm 'daisy-mae-ing it,' pardner. Wanna dance?"

Levon grinned widely at her. He turned slightly to put the beer on the countertop and nod to Joe. "'Scuse me, LaFiamma, but duty calls." Then he wuz pushin' off and followin' the red-head on to the dance floor.

Joe had raised eyebrows at the exchange, then watched wistfully as his partner, his best friend, went off with the girl, leaving Joe behind. Taking another swallow of beer, Joe turned to the bartender who happened to be polishing glasses nearby behind the counter. "Hey, what's 'daisy-mae-ing it' mean?"

The man looked up at LaFiamma and smiled pleasantly. "New here, huh? Means the girl's doing the askin'."

"Oh." That much I figured out all by myself, he thought, guess you have to know to know. Shrugging, LaFiamma swung around to face the dance floor again. Accidentally, his beer mug knocked into the shoulder of another patron. Spilled all over the man's new looking outfit.

"Oh, shit, man, I'm sorry!" Joe couldn't help laughing at the expression of disgust and shock on the other's face, even as he felt remorseful for the damage done to the man's finery. He grabbed a couple of napkins off the bar and tried to start mopping but was shoved off violently.

"You piss-poor excuse for a turd-eatin' sissy-girl!" The man's hiss was vicious with anger.

"Hey, it was an accident!" Joe's protest was ignored. The man shot him another hate filled look and stalked off toward the men's room.

"Watch out, mister," the bartender's voice carried to Joe, "Toole Hogan is a spiteful man."

Joe shrugged, putting the now empty mug on the bar. "Sorry about that. Couldn't be helped." He surveyed the glittering rows of bottles and signs behind the bar. "I don't suppose you run to any wine?"

"Nope."

"Okay," Joe sighed, "give me another beer, then."

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

Levon seemed to be doing very well with his dancing red-head, Joe decided sometime later. LaFiamma was more than half-way through his second beer which was more beer than he liked to drink. Time for a breath of fresh air. Might not know much, but I do know the way to the back door. He smiled as he remembered being tossed through it and ending up in a punch out with Lundy, knee to knee in the muddy yard out back. This time, I'll just take the air for a few minutes, clear my head.

Out of the corner of hiz eye, Lundy saw hiz pardner leave the bar and head for the back door. Somethin' wrong? He suddenly felt guilty for deserting LaFiamma in favor of this fun-loving gal. She wuz fun, but seemed a bit flighty. Mebbe it was time to make excuses, head back to hiz pardner, after all, he'd done the invitin' fur tonight. He turned hiz attention to the young woman in question, deciding to let the music fur this dance finish before he went to find Joe.

LaFiamma pushed the crash bar and the door swung open. Velvety darkness filled the doorway, night had arrived and the only light was the light flooding out from the open door. It changed shape as he stood there and that was his only warning. A hard shove between his shoulder blades had him falling forward, out into the darkness. Before he could catch himself or even turn, two sets of hands had come out of nowhere and grabbed onto his arms, yanking them up and back behind him.

Joe cried out in pain, then tried to twist and butt himself free, but the men, whoever they were, were both bigger and held on tight, forcing him on out into the yard, then swinging him around to face the open door. There stood Toole Hogan, the prick he'd spilled beer on. Don't tell me this is about that!

Hogan stepped out into the night as well, letting the door close behind him. It wasn't completely dark outside after all, there was a glowing effect from the parking lot lights out front that set up a grayish tinge to the night. Hogan kept coming, stopping directly in front of LaFiamma.

"Hey, it was an accident! I said I was sorry!" LaFiamma couldn't believe this was happening. This is ridiculous!

The other two men remained silent, but cranked up the Italian's arms higher, forcing him to bend forward slightly at the bad angle and the pain. Hogan spoke finally, "This wuz my favorite suit, shithead."

Then he hit LaFiamma. Hard. In the unprotected stomach with a fist. Joe's eyes popped wide, damn, that's more'n just a fist! I know brass knuckles when I feel'em! He coughed.

After that, it got kinda blurry. Hogan hit him again and again and when he sagged, the other two men pulled him back up. He'd been hit repeatedly in the stomach, it felt like a fire was blazing down there. He'd been hit in the chest, both sides. HEARD one rib, maybe two snap. Hit in the groin - that had gotten another cry from him, despite the fact that LaFiamma had tried to keep from giving the bastards any satisfaction. The three men were joking over the brunette's head, and Hogan had just given LaFiamma a back and forth open-hand slap that had his head ringing, when the door re-opened.

Lundy stood there, a small smile on his face, which froze for an instant as he took in the unexpected sight of his pardner in the clutches of three men. LaFiamma looked like a half-butchered calf.

The men had stopped at the sudden flood of light returning. The two holding the Italian dropped him without comment and faded into the night. The third, who'd had his back to the door, who'd obviously been doing the beating, came around to face Lundy. Took a look at the cowboy who was starting forward with a look of total outrage on his face, and dodged to the side.

Joe toppled to the ground silently. Dropping first to his knees, then pitching face forward into the damp mash of earth.

Levon was torn, he wanted a piece of this creep who'd been beatin' on hiz pardner, but Joey was in trouble and was face down in the mud, could suffocate if left there like that. The said creep barked a laugh and danced further away, then turned and fled into the night after his two friends.

"Joe!" Lundy sank to his knees beside the Italian, pulled back his shoulders to bring his face out of the muck. LaFiamma was barely conscious, eyes mere slits.

"Lundy? That you?" Joe's mouth didn't seem to be working all that well. He kinda choked and fresh blood leaked from the corners of his mouth, some bordering his lips.

"Yeah, Joe. Take it easy, boy. I'm gonna turn you over so's yore face ain't in the mud no more. Then Ah gotta go get some help for you."

"Lundy! Don't leave me... please... don't leave." The look of fear in LaFiamma's eyes was so alien to the man that Lundy stared for a moment in shock. Boy's really hurt bad, don't blame him fur being scared.

"Easy, boy, easy. You'll do jest fine. Ah'm only going as fur as the door - kin call fur help from there." He wiped the mud from Joe's face with one hand and knelt there a moment longer before gripping one of Joe's hands, releasing it and standing.

LaFiamma remained silent, closing his eyes. He lay there, as he'd been left by Levon's hands in turning him. The stillness in the figure had Lundy checking for the rise and fall of LaFiamma's chest, make shore he's still breathin,' before striding back to the door, slamming it open and hollerin' for help.

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

Mickey Gilley himself came out back to stay with Levon while they watched over the hunched form on the ground, waiting for the paramedics to arrive. Lundy found himself shaking with anger that he tried to conceal. Wouldn't do for LaFiamma to sense that right now. His pardner was in bad shape from what he could see.

Gilley had sent for some tablecloths. Together they'd eased the Italian over on to the cleaner surface.

Levon knelt beside him. He'd cleaned his face and hands with a damp bar rag that Mickey had handed over. HPD had been called to find and apprehend Hogan and his confederates, but Gilley's bouncers confirmed that the trio had left in a weathered looking pickup immediately after fleeing the back lot.

The bartender who had served Joe and Levon remembered the beer spilling incident and had described it to Gilley who relayed it to Lundy as he held hiz pardner.

Levon had settled down onto the ground from his knees and carefully pulled Joe's upper body onto his lap, holding the man against his chest for warmth and comfort. Not sure who's gettin' the most comfort here - me er him, Lundy thought, hugging Joe lightly. He could hear the sawing breath of his partner, figgered it meant lungs, mebbe ribs.

The sirens announcing the arriving paramedics came within minutes. It had seemed an eternity. Levon sat there thinking of a year's worth of changes, in hiz life and hiz pardner's. Thinking about their anniversary celebration tonight.

Nametags identified Tim Gannon and Hugh Bates as the medic team, when they swung out of their ambulance at the rear entrance to Gilley's. It wasn't the first time they'd been called out to the dancehall and saloon, but they quickly realized it was the worst they'd ever seen here. It took a bit of work to pry the lean cowboy free from his friend so they could work on the victim, but Gilley stepped in and put a hand on the cowboy's shoulder, said, "Levon, let'm go so's these boys kin do their job."

Lundy had stood up slowly but remained close, hovering over his friend. The medics gently laid LaFiamma back out on the ground and felt up and down his body for an initial check on injuries, Gannon commenting, "I feel at least two broken ribs, one's poking inward, may have touched a lung."

Bates took out scissors to cut open the sweater when Levon spoke. "Kin you jest push thet up? It's one o'his favorites." No one commented on the insanity of that request, but Bates and Gannon did push the loose sweater upward, opening the jeans as well and pushing them downward. Gannon hissed as he took in the sight of the multiple gashes on the torso.

It was Bates who identified the damage. "Brass knuckles!" He began to curse in a steady stream as the two carefully examined the battered body lying in front of them. Large splotches of purply-yellow bruise were already discoloring all over the torso, from shoulders down to pelvis region. The tip of one hip bone was showing through cut muscle tissue at the groin, the testicles were dark reddish-black with bruising. Each mark was accented with torn skin, some of the gashes quite long, one deep under a nipple. Applying icepacks, the medics got on the radio to the ER doctors to discuss treatment and how to move the victim.

Levon suddenly bolted, turning away to lose his dinner by the back wall. He leaned there, resting on one hand, the other braced on his back when Gilley came over and offered another damp bar cloth. "Thanks, Mickey."

"I've seen some pretty ugly bar fights, Levon, but this - well, Hogan went wild. He's been having some trouble with his wife, lost his job, been drinking too much. None o'that's an excuse fur this, though. And brass knuckles?" Gilley shook his head. "Your friend is gonna be awhile coming back from this."

"Yeah." Levon straightened up and wiped his mouth with the cloth then dropped it on the ground. Serious brown eyes looked into Gilley's, "It was the first anniversary of our partnership, Mickey. I asked him out to here since we had our first night together here a year ago."

"Yeah," Gilley smiled briefly, "I remember that one. You two made a rare pair, fixing to pitch a fit or two, jest lookin' at each other. Come a ways since then, I see."

Lundy nodded. "He's a good man, Mickey, he doan deserve nothing like this. And fur what? We risk our lives ever' day on the job, then come out here and get the shit beat outta him fur spilling a drink by accident?"

Mickey shook his head. "No sense to it, is there?" He rubbed his arms, staring down at where the paramedics still crouched over LaFiamma's still form. "You tell him, from me, that when he's on his feet again, you and he come back here for a special dinner - on the house."

Lundy's eyes suddenly felt wet. He blinked them clear and said, "Thanks, Mickey, we'll do that." He didn't even want to think about any other possibilities.

At this point, Gannon looked up and over at them. "Mr. Lundy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thought you'd like to know, while it looks real bad, and your friend is gonna feel real bad for quite a spell, it doesn't appear to be anything too serious, except for two broken ribs. They'll do x-rays at the emergency room, but he wasn't hit in the head at all, 'cept for a few bruises to the face, so there's no brain damage. With those knuckles, if they'd used'em on his head, it woulda been all over."

Levon's stomach clenched. Oh, god, that close? Oh, god. It was hard to feel relief when he wuz so deeply spooked by the whole thing.

"We're getting ready to move him now," added Bates. "You want to come along?"

"Yeah... but my -"

"Give me yore keys, Levon, I'll see that your vehicle is waiting for you at the hospital." Gilley held out a hand. Lundy didn't question him, simply dropped the keys to the Jimmy in Mickey's hand and nodded his thanks.

The medics carefully lifted LaFiamma, still on the tablecloths, directly onto the stretcher. From there they raised and wheeled the portable gurney to the back of the ambulance and on in. Lundy climbed in behind them, Gannon closing the doors and going to the front to drive.

As the ambulance eased back on to the main road from the bumpy unfinished parking lot, Joe roused briefly, wild-eyed, fighting off Bates. Levon leaned over into Joe's line of sight, reached out and put a gentle hand on one shoulder. "Settle back, Joe, it's alright, we're heading for the hospital. This is jest one of the medics, Hugh Bates."

The pale blue eyes were dazed and unfocused but Joe seemed to understand as he sank back down on the pallet. Eyes closing, he appeared to drift back into unconsciousness almost immediately. It had almost been as if he was just checking on the whereabouts of his partner, Levon thought, bemusedly.

Joe didn't try to speak as he lay there in the ambulance, it felt like his whole body was one large incredibly painful cramp. His muscles were seized up and totally out of his control. Breathing was painful because it pushed against bruised or broken ribs. He was just grateful that Levon had stayed with him. Knowing the cowboy was there was somehow important. Some anniversary. He wanted to share the gentle jibe with Lundy but nothing was working it seemed, not even his mouth at this point, so he simply lay there and hurt. It was all he could do.

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

The harsh lights of the Emergency Room made Levon squint. Joe's eyes were still closed and Lundy wasn't sure whether his partner was unconscious or not. The paramedics had made it plain that LaFiamma had endured a truly horrific beating. Levon felt a wave of guilt wash over him as he walked into the ER beside the gurney carrying Joe. If only he'd stayed beside him at the bar, not gone off dancin' with that little redhead. Weren't as if it had meant enythin'. Just a casual flirtation. He recalled the feeling of unease he'd had when he spotted Joe headin' away from the bar, headin' fur the back door. Wonder why he wuz going out back enyway.

Lundy's thoughts came to an abrupt halt as the gurney continued through swinging doors into the examination rooms and his path was barred by a nurse. "Sir, you can wait out here for news of your friend's condition," she said politely.

Holding his Stetson in both hands, practically wringing the brim, Lundy rocked back on his heels and stared at the little woman for a moment. Manners clicking in, he nodded, "Yes, ma'am."

It suddenly occurred to him that he should probably report this to his unit, MCU, back at Reisner. Lieutenant Joann Beaumont, their boss of the Major Crimes Unit, would not be on duty this late, but he could leave word. LaFiamma wouldn't be reporting in for work in the morning and he had no intentions of leaving the hospital until he had a better idea of what wuz happenin' with hiz pardner.

It didn't take long to leave word with the night-desk man, Fulton. Lundy hung up the pay phone and looked blankly around the waiting room. An edgy group of assorted persons sat or walked or stood around him. All, like him, waiting for word on a loved one. Loved one. Loved one? Wuz that what he wuz doin'? He realized that even considering the question was unusual for him. He wuz here 'cause his pardner wuz hurt. Right? Right. 'Cept, he wuz here also because someone very important to him wuz hurt. Joe wuz hurt. Joe. Lundy contemplated this for a while.

He found himself sitting back in one of the uncomfortable row of chairs, watching the other waiters, still thinking about Joe. A doctor appeared and waved to an anxious young couple, who hurried over to his side. He murmured something to them and the woman staggered backwards, a wail starting from somewhere deep inside. The man caught her in his arms and held on tight, turning them both to face the doctor who waited, hunched over slightly. The wail faded and the woman was sobbing softly as the two followed the doctor back through the doors of the ER into the hidden area beyond.

Levon had felt a kind of suspension of breath all around him during the small drama. Felt hiz own breath caught in his chest and let it out on a sigh, again like others around him. Ain't gonna be like that fur Joe, he's gonna be alright, Levon reassured himself. This time. The thought came unbidden, tightening his insides, clenching his hands. Trouble wuz, in their line o'work, it wuz all too likely that one er't'other of them might end up here or in some other ER. And not be alright.

Joe. Lundy looked the thought over. He tried to examine hiz feelings abstractly but a combination of warmth, exasperation, and worry muffled them. What's goin' on? Why am Ah havin' these feelings? Lundy let his mind rove back over the year he had shared with LaFiamma. A man totally opposite to hiz nature, hiz experiences, even hiz background. The brunette had come storming out of the far north, Chicago of all places, resenting everything western, everything Houston, everything 'Lundy.' At least, at first. Then he'd been there for Levon - on their very first case t'gether, holdin' him when Rose Ellen Hale had died in that car explosion. So like hiz own Caroline's. He could still feel that strong, muscular arm across his chest, holdin' him back from the flames, subduing him with compassion, muttering words of understanding in his ear as he was gentled. Like some horse whisperer would fer a restless mustang.

Levon was rubbing at his chest, which felt warm where Joe had held him almost a year ago, when a different doctor came out of the back and called, "Anyone here for Mr. LaFiamma?"

"Yes, sir." Lundy stood. Yeah, Ah'm here for him. Jest like he's always there fur me. Levon walked quickly over to where the man stood, in green scrubs, looking tired.

When he got close enough, the doctor began to speak in a low voice. "He's going to be okay. We have him on muscle relaxants and pain meds right now, the bruised muscle tissue was seizing up in several locations, causing painful cramping." The doctor paused to see if Lundy understood.

Levon nodded.

The medic continued, "Two ribs are cracked, one punctured his left lung. The damage was minor and we've taken care of it and strapped his ribs."

"Kin Ah see him?"

"Yes, come on back." Leading the way, the doctor said, "Name's Harley, sorry."

"Thanks, Doc, fur takin' care of him."

"No problem. He's going to have to stay overnight anyway, to monitor his breathing and make certain the cramping eases. Should be able to release him sometime tomorrow afternoon."

Lundy nodded his thanks again. They had arrived at one of the open bays that served as examination cubicles for the emergency patients. Walking in, Lundy discovered he wuz holdin' hiz breath agin. Breathe, dammit. Yore actin' like a lovesick calf.

Lovesick.

Shying from the thought, Lundy came to a stop next to the apparatus that passed for an examination table/bed. Joe was lying there with his eyes closed. His dark hair hung down over his forehead, making him look like a child, a beautiful child. Levon squelched the thought. Joe had an oxygen line run under his nose, several tubes affixed to one arm with bottles feeding down into them. A simple sheet was draped over him for modesty. Lundy could see the clothes Joe had been wearing - they were in a pile on a nearby chair. Joe looked very small in the clutches of the hospital machines and bed. Levon took a deep breath.

Putting a hand down carefully on his friend's, Lundy squeezed lightly not really expecting a response. But, two blue eyes opened sleepily to gaze up at him. Levon nearly drowned in them. What was happenin'?

"How ya doin', pardner?" Not what Ah want to say.

"Lundy? Think I liked bein' beat up by you better." The voice was soft, hoarse.

"Ah, Joe, cain't take mah eyes offen you. You were shore born fur trouble, boy."

LaFiamma's lips quirked up in a small smile, "Guess so. They tell you anything?"

"Said you'd be alright. Said you wuz gonna stay tonight 'cause of yore lung and some muscle crampin'."

"Yeah. Started to feel like a giant hand squeezing me like a tube of toothpaste. Like my whole body was one big charlie-horse." He sighed. Winced.

Levon moved hiz hand carefully on to one arm, pressing just a bit. "You rest, boy, and Ah'll be in tomorrow to git you, take you home."

"You're leaving?" Joe sounded suddenly like a little boy, scared. Levon gave in to temptation and gently brushed the errant wing of dark hair back up away from Joe's face.

Lundy studied the Italian. "Not if you want me ta stay?"

LaFiamma turned his head away for a few moments. He was tired, he hurt, and he was scared to be alone right now. He'd felt so helpless during the beating. Didn't want that feeling to return. Knew that with Levon there, he wouldn't feel that way. Whenever Lundy was with him, Joe knew a feeling of completeness he'd never experienced before. He'd decided not to question it or look at it too closely, but he did enjoy it. Right now, he needed it. He turned his head back toward his partner. "Please. Stay?"

"Ah'll stay, LaFiamma, whole dang night iffn you want." Levon had a sudden urge to lean over and gather the man up in hiz arms, cuddle him. Restrained himself with an effort. Just then another nurse walked in.

"We're going to move Mr. LaFiamma upstairs to a room now. You can meet us there if you like," she said, telling him the room number, directions to find it.

Lundy stood back as she began to bustle about, arranging things for transport. A second nurse came in to assist and the cowboy realized he was in the way. "Joe, Ah'll see you up in yore room in a few minutes."

Blue eyes blinked at him, but one of the nurses was putting something in the brunette's mouth so he couldn't answer or even nod. Just blink. Lundy took that as acknowledgement and left.

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

Levon found the room easily, arriving at the same time as the nurses with the gurney carrying Joe.

They efficiently lifted and moved him from gurney to bed with no difficulty.

Joe gave a tiny grunt as he was lowered. Clearly it hurt.

The nurses ignored this, one turning and leaving, steering the gurney back out. The second, with the name Nellie Parsons on her name tag, stayed behind, arranging the IV bottles on a special tall pole stand, fixing a pillow behind Joe's head.

He kept his eyes fastened on Levon during all this, like a lifeline.

"You two are friends?" she asked as she tucked in the blanket, clearly directing her question to Lundy.

"Yes, ma'am, we're pardners, police - HPD."

Eyes rounding, she stood up, "Oh! So that's how Mr. LaFiamma got so..."

Levon nodded shortly, she didn't need to hear how this happened and he didn't really feel like gossip and the woman wasn't paying no attention to her patient. Made him uncomfortable.

When she didn't get a more formal response, Nurse Parsons took another look at LaFiamma, noting his eyes on Lundy, then looked back at Lundy herself. She seemed to reach some kind of conclusion. "Guess I'll leave you two boys alone now." She hesitated, then added, "I'll tell the night nurse to try to keep the second bed free so's you can have some privacy." She ducked out past the half-drawn curtain separator and quickly left, closing the door firmly behind her.

Levon was startled. While a private room would be nice, it was unlooked for, cops couldn't afford such things. Wonder why she thinks we need privacy? He turned to Joe and saw the boy was still staring up at him, looking pale and a bit sleepy. Levon drew up a chair beside the bed and settled in. "Ah'll be right'chere, Joe, you jest get some sleep."

Joe had followed Levon's movements, almost afraid that the cowboy would leave with the nurse, relieved when the blonde settled down in the chair beside him. [God, Levon, I need... I need you... I need you to touch me.] Joe's hand slid sideways, out and towards his friend.

Lundy saw the movement of LaFiamma's hand. He reached out without thinking, putting his own on top, holding it gently. The brunette's eyes closed almost immediately with the touch, a look of peace coming over the handsome face. [Handsome? Yep. Beautiful, more like.] Levon sat, holding LaFiamma's hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, studying the beautiful face of his friend, grateful that they were alone.

His mind went back over other times, other cases, him and his pardner had had.

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

Joe lay there savoring the feel of his hand held by his partner. The pains he'd felt were subdued now by drugs, just a continuing presence hovering in the background. He felt so safe now, with Lundy here. No worries. The cowboy would protect him, just like he had that first time, when the mob assassin had arrived, trailing him from Chicago to Houston. The man had pulled up beside the parked jeep where Joe sat, aimed his gun, and in that moment, LaFiamma had known he was a dead man. The sound of four heavy shots, so close together that they resembled one long sound, and the hit man fell forward, his own gun unfired. And Joe was alive. Lundy's marksmanship was never in question after that, as far as LaFiamma was concerned. He'd even won a few bets on it, unbeknownst to his partner. Joe-Bill and Carol were both the poorer for not respecting the blonde's abilities the way Joe did.

So many times, Levon had saved him, Joe thought, protected him, even against his own stubbornness. LaFiamma realized that he'd grown to depend upon the cowboy, like an extra extension of himself. But it was more than just that. Joe's hand twitched at an errant needle of pain in his lung, instantly Lundy's hand was gripping more tightly, fingers making soothing stroking motions on the pulse at Joe's wrist. Yeah. More'n just feeling safe, feeling part of a team. He felt something like he felt for his family. Love. Joe had no brothers. Plenty of cousins, though. Yeah, like he loved his cousins. Levon Lundy. Maybe Levon was really more of a brother? More of a... at this point Joe shifted restlessly, disturbed by the direction of his thoughts.

"Easy, Joe." The soft words, Levon's voice so close. LaFiamma stopped moving, it wasn't helping anything, hurt worse really. Only his head was so full of fear just now. It wasn't fear of the world exactly or anyone in it, just fear. What was he afraid to face? A second warm dry hand came to rest on him, this one on the side of his face. Sliding up and brushing through his hair, fingers sliding through so affectionately, so intimately. [Intimately. Intimate.] Joe blanked out for a few moments, simply existing, letting Levon's wandering hand do what it would. He felt the love there. [Yes, love. No, not for a brother.] Joseph Anthony LaFiamma confronted his demons and angels, eyes closed to the world around him, wrapped in his partner's loving touch. Would it be so bad? Would it be so good? Good. Definitely good. The world shifted at that moment for Joe LaFiamma, memories surfaced with new sight, new significance. And he knew that he loved his partner in ways that were deeper, more intense, than he'd ever felt for anyone, female or male, before.

It was enough. He sank down into layers of darkness, willing to let sleep come now as the drugs flooding his system finally overpowered his hyperactive thoughts. His last waking thought was of Levon, blonde hair shining brightly as he removed his Stetson and grinned at his partner as they stood in the bright sunshine on a lovely early spring day not so very long ago. It was a warm, happy thought that left a small smile on his sleeping face.

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

[Wonder what the boy's thinkin' about?] Levon thought, spotting the turned up corners of his friend's mouth. [Glad he's calmed down some, anyway.] Regretfully, Levon pulled his hand back from the dark silky hair he'd been playing with so slowly. Levon could remember back to his own childhood, how the touch of his mother's hand in his hair, when he wuz feverish, would calm him, comfort him. He'd done it fur Joe fur the same reasons, well, atleast that's what made him think to do it. But once hiz hand wuz touching that mass of dark, soft hair, it developed a mind of its own, toying with it, slipping fingers in and out, massaging gently at the scalp, thumb wiping at the high forehead. It took an act of will to pull his hand away once he saw that Joe seemed well and truly asleep.

Hiz mind flipped about in the past, winking from moment to moment. He saw agin the look of horror on LaFiamma's face as the two o'them stood by Joe's bed, staring down at the stranger's clothing laid out on the bed, like what wuz left after a body'd been dissolved. In a way, it had been. The serial killer had fixated on LaFiamma to the point of trying to become Joe. It had been a bad time for hiz pardner. Fur both o'them, though he'd not told Joe how he felt. How do you tell yore pardner you feel jealous of a killer?

Shades of the past kept rising like unfriendly ghosts. That girl, that Callie, she'd been a nasty piece o'business and she'd gone fur Joe like he wuz a piece of cake to eat. Pore boy never stood a chance, then got a heap of blame and misery on hiz head afterwards. Levon remembered the look of shame in Joe's eyes, asking for a forgiveness that no one gave him, 'ceptin' Levon. Couldn't stay mad at the boy even then.

Even when thing's had been at their worst fur Levon, Joe had been there. [Like when mah Colt wuz taken, used in that killin' rampage. Shit, iffn it weren't fur Joe, Ah'd ha gone over the edge, gone rogue completely. He covered fur me, helped me, waited out mah pain.] Lundy looked down at the pale face of hiz pardner. [Joe? When did you become mah pardner in more'n words? When did you become more than eny pardner I ever heard tell about? When did Ah start to love you, boy? I love you.]

Saying the words, even jest inside hiz head, was like opening a jail cell door. He felt like he'd jest freed hizself. Free! [I love you, Joe, Ah do!] Levon found himself smiling down at the man on the bed. One year together. [Now we gotta get ourselves past this and talk, see what the road ahead could be like fur us. If you love me, too. Ah do believe you must, Joe, now's Ah think on it.] Levon could suddenly see actions, words from hiz pardner in a new light. Tender, caring, concerned, respectful, attentive, THERE fur Lundy, always there fur him. [Yep, Ah do believe you love me, too, Joey. Git yoreself better, sweet boy, we need to talk.]

**********

Joe slept through the night. Barely stirring, even when nurses came in to feed more medication in through the IV lines. Levon had moved over to the empty bed, carefully removing his boots before lying back down on hiz side, facing hiz pardner on the other bed. A deep exhaustion settled over him, the crisis wuz past, Joe wuz gonna be alright. Jest need time to heal. Levon slept.

Nurses came and went all night, one pausing to drape a thin hospital blanket over the sleeping blonde on the vacant bed beside their patient. Out at the nurses' station, a quiet conspiracy kept that room free of a second patient that night, there were enough rooms, even though hospital policy said fill rooms before opening a new one.

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

Lundy stood anxiously in the background as the doctor-on-call examined LaFiamma. He'd pulled back the sheet, the nurse had lifted free the simple hospital gown exposing hiz pardner's body. It was lookin' even more painful in the light of day. The bruises, huge patches of them, were rainbow colored, each with a series of small black stitches closing off the cuts from the brass knuckles, cuts that had gaped open in the center of each bruise. Joe's entire torso from shoulders to pelvis, and on down to almost mid-thigh, was covered with the multi-colored areas, each as large as a hand print. His chest was bound tightly where the ribs had been cracked. The doctor poked around, listened with his stethoscope. "Try to make a fist, Mr. LaFiamma." The doctor studied the reaction of muscles in the corded arm. "Good. Now," he paused to look up significantly at the nurse across from him, "I want you to tighten your stomach muscles."

LaFiamma had been passive, obedient until now. At this instruction, the dark blue eyes took on a look of alarm and quickly sought out his partner. Meeting Lundy's eyes, he calmed again and returned his attention to the physician standing over him. Tried to tense his abdominal muscles. The result was painful, to say the least. Joe gasped, almost choking in surprise and pain. Levon was at his side in a single large stride, squatting down and holding onto the nearest hand while looking up at the doctor with a savage intensity that had the man stepping back a pace in reaction.

"Yes, well," the doctor, nametag said Carras, spoke hurriedly. "Your muscles are still reacting to the abuse they received. You'll need to stay on relaxants for at least another two days. That will prevent them from tightening painfully on you. Like a Charley Horse. Do you understand?"

Joe nodded solemnly, flexing his hand within Lundy's grip, seeking and immediately receiving reassurance from the return pressure. "Okay, doc. So, when can I get out of here?"

Doctor Carras looked thoughtful. "Ordinarily, not for at least another three days. You won't be able to do much for yourself, even though you have no major damage. The lung has sealed and the ribs are knitting. At this point, it is simple trauma to the gross motor muscles through most of your trunk that is the problem."

LaFiamma's eyes had sharpened as he listened. "You said ordinarily?" He found himself holding his breath, let it out carefully, no pain. Doc was right, his lung seemed mended.

The doctor looked to the nurse for silent confirmation, raising his eyebrows in question. When she nodded firmly, he answered. "I've been told that Mr. Lundy here will look after you and that with the type of care that he will provide, you needn't stay here."

Levon's eyes widened in surprise. Nothin' had been discussed with him, then he caught the eye of the attending nurse. She looked dewy-eyed at him and Joe. Suddenly Lundy realized that hiz secret knowledge, hugged closely to his heart all night and this morning, wuzn't such a secret after all, at least not from the nursing staff. He smiled his thanks at her and she lowered her head just slightly in acknowledgement.

LaFiamma was twisting around in the bed to try to look at Lundy full-face. "That right? You gonna take care of me?"

The world suddenly stood still for Levon Lundy. The question, simple enough, took on a meaning of otherworldly proportions. He didn't answer right away. Instead he leaned in close to the brunette, right over him, and looked deeply into the blue sapphire pools. Knew hiz love was there in hiz own brown eyes fur Joe to see. "Yep." A pause, then, "always, Joey."

Lost in each other's eyes, they forgot about their audience. Levon leaned closer, so that he could feel the soft susurration of Joe's breath on hiz cheek. Joe's free hand came up to touch the blonde's wavy hair.

"Gentlemen?" The doctor cleared his throat imperiously. They could hear the nurse suppress a giggle in the background. "I'm going to sign Mr. LaFiamma's release forms, prescribe some medications and let you go home."

Lundy straightened away from Joe, stood back up without releasing LaFiamma's hand. "Thanks, doc."

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

Over the next two days, word came down that Hogan and his cronies had been apprehended. Charged with assault and battery, they were already out on bail. After being told that the hearing date was set for a week hence, Joe told Levon that he didn't want to press charges. By then he'd heard all about Hogan's recent troubles and was feeling guilty for even accidentally giving him further grief. Lundy, still angry at his memory of seeing Joe, hanging like a ripped up side o'beef between those two men, torn up by Hogan's vicious attack, argued with LaFiamma unsuccessfully. In the end, Beaumont got the city to press charges for use of illegal weapons within the city limits and Mickey Gilley added charges for using them on his property and endangering his clients. Those brass knuckles would send Hogan away for a while. Since Joe wouldn't change his mind, Levon settled for that and was pleased to hear that Beaumont had talked to the DA and it was very likely the man would be incarcerated for at least six months before parole.

During those same two days, Levon had Joe back at his ranch where time passed with amazing speed. Without either of them speaking of it, they both recognized that their relationship had changed, opened in new ways, as if both had simply been waiting for something. Somehow, while Joe was still recovering, neither felt the need for any deep conversations about the change. They each just did whatever felt right, secure in the instinctive knowledge that the other would understand, respond.

They slept together in one bed with no questions, no hesitations. No sex, just warm, close bodies, skin against warm skin. Joe was held in Levon's arms, wrapped in love. Levon felt the heartbeat of his friend against hiz own chest. When either spoke, it was of mundane, everyday things that had nothing to do with what was going on between them. Almost as if afraid to speak of the change, they ignored the moment and lived it at the same time.

In the daytime, Levon did chores, took care of Fooler, mended a fence post. Joe sat in the shade on an old rocking chair on the front porch. Levon had tucked a quilt around him, fussing unmercifully until hiz pardner captured his face in both hands and hauled him close for a kiss. It wasn't their first since that night at Gilley's. Levon had smiled into the laughing blue eyes and kissed back.

On the third day, they went back to the hospital outpatient clinic for a follow-up visit for Joe. Make certain he wuz really recovering, remove any stitches that weren't needed and there were plenty of stitches to choose from. They were there nearly three hours, but when they emerged, Joe was free of stitches and the large bandage around his ribs was gone. He'd had to promise that he wouldn't do any lifting, any work, any straining.

Standing beside Levon, Joe felt so happy, he thought he'd burst. It felt so good to be able to stretch without pain, without the constriction of the band of wraps on his ribs. He nudged Lundy's shoulder with his. "Hey, Lundy, let's go home."

Levon stood beside Joe, smiling at the world, glad to be out of the clinic, away from the antiseptic smell, with his pardner healthy and whole agin. Felt Joe nudge him. Home? Yeah, home. "Shore, Joe." He had a thought. "Ah, would you mind iffn we stopped off on the way? Ah need to pick up somethin' at the mall."

LaFiamma shrugged and laid an arm across the blonde's shoulders. "Whatever you want, cowboy. We're still on sick leave. Leastways, I am."

Lundy turned bright brown eyes on his partner, smiling. "You think Joann wuz gonna let me loose on the streets without you, son? No. She put me on 'family leave.'"

Joe grinned and stepped around to face his blonde, disregarding their position in the middle of the clinic's parking lot. "FAMILY LEAVE?"

"Yep," a smug look crossed Lundy's face. "What else? She knows pardners er like family."

Joe shook his head, smiling still, then hooked his arm through his partner's and steered them toward the waiting Jimmy.

***********

That night, Levon grilled steaks on the back porch, brought out a bottle of red Cabernet that he handed to Joe, once it was uncorked. "You want to decant that?"

LaFiamma had stared at the cowboy. "Decant? You know from 'decant?'"

Lundy raised hiz eyebrows in mock anger. "What's a matter, boy, you think we never heard 'bout wine down here in Texas?"

Joe shook his head, laughed softly, and went off with the bottle to search for a container.

Dinner was a success, Lundy made certain of it. He wuz up and down so many times from the table that Joe finally caught his hand as he surged up once more, in search of some missing spice. "Levon. Sit. It's not that important. Stay with me, please?" In the pause, both suddenly remembered the last time Joe had asked that, at the hospital the night he'd been admitted after the beating. Joe flushed and looked down, releasing Lundy's hand.

Levon stood and rounded the corner where both place settings were, and came to a stop beside the Italian. "Joe?" softly, inquiringly.

LaFiamma looked up shyly, almost confused. "Yeah?"

"Like I tole you that night, Ah ain't ever leavin' you." Lundy reached down and grasped both of Joe's hands. "Come here."

Joe willingly came to his feet and up against his partner's chest, felt how they fit together. Felt a flash of heat for the first time. Felt Levon's own arousal growing to match his own as they stood close together. "It can wait a bit," Levon whispered, "come with me."

The tall brunette allowed himself to be pulled into the front room where Levon had a small CD player set up on the hearth of the fireplace. "Now jest wait a second." Lundy bent down to fuss with the machine.

Joe stood still in the middle of the room, breathing in the new life he was beginning. He recognized the signs, though he'd never seen them before. He loved this man with a surety, a deepness that went beyond their immediate passion. That would flame no doubt, probably tonight, he decided, now that he was well enough for it. He wasn't afraid, though he'd never been with a man before. This was different. This was his cowboy, this was Levon. And he was Joe, Levon's now. Nothing else mattered. This - this was forever, he decided contentedly.

Lundy stood up, still staring at the small disc player as if daring it to misbehave. After a beat, music started. Not what Joe had expected. It was a waltz, of all things. Levon turned to face him and opened his arms. Without hesitation, LaFiamma walked into them.

Together, arms wrapped around each other, they sought out lips for a deep kiss as their bodies swayed to the lilting cadence of the waltz. Then they were dancing, slowly. The kiss ended and they snugged cheeks together. Joe recognized the orchestral piece, he knew he'd heard it before. Think it was Zia Lara's and Zio Tonio's 50^th wedding anniversary. First time they went out on the floor to dance, before everyone else joined in. This was the music that was playing as they did a circle around the floor, while family watched and applauded. "Levon, thank you." Joe's murmur was against the Texan's ear, soft and warm. "I love you, cowboy."

Lundy pulled Joe even tighter into his embrace. Smiling up into those incredibly speaking blue eyes, Lundy answered, "I love you, too, Joe. Happy end to our first year together, love."

They kissed once more, almost chastely. Then both settled in close, chins resting on shoulders as they slowly circled the floor. "Levon? What's this music called?"

Levon nuzzled Joe under the jaw, then whispered, "The Anniversary Waltz."

---Finis---