They were alone at last. Victor fiddled with a tacky little snowglobe of Hong Kong that LiAnne had given Mac for his birthday. "Mac, I'm sorry," Vic said softly. "I'm sorry I let you believe that Corey was…"
"He is you, Vic," Mac cut in. "I love you, Vic. All of you. The thief who steals my kisses, the cop who watches my back, the killer who protects me, and the little boy who listens to my stories. They are you, Vic."
"I can't give you what Corey does, Mac."
"And I think you're lying to yourself. You gave me you heart the first time we partnered up."
"That's not what I'm talking about!" Vic snapped, blushing. Mac stood close to his back. They weren't touching, but Vic could feel the body heat radiating off the younger man.
"I didn't fall in love with sex, Victor. I fell in love with the melancholy cop with the wicked sense of humor, and open heart. The man who bleeds for those he loves. The man who gave me his heart when he should have kept it for himself."
"What else could I do? You already had it. I didn't want to pretend that you were a thief in love as well." Mac hesitantly brushed his fingers against Vic's hand, carefully setting down the snowglobe and twining their fingers together. A small shudder ran through the older man's form. "Mac…"
"Don't close me out, Victor."
"Don't push me then."
"By holding your hand? We're not in public. The Director already knows." Vic turned around, careful not to break contact. The room seemed overly bright. He blinked, not realizing that he was crying. Mac looked him straight in the eyes. "Who's to know?"
"I'll know."
"And that means?"
"I don't know anymore."
"Do you trust me, Victor?"
"With my life."
"Then let me show you that I care."
"I thought you said you didn’t fall in love with sex?" Vic said snidely.
"And I thought you trusted me."
"I do."
"Stay here." Vic nodded. Mac closed the blinds, blocking out the setting sun. He lit some candles and turned off the lights. He turned on his stereo. Vic laughed. It was tuned to his favorite station. A station that played nothing but blues. Mac grinned. "I missed you."
"And this is?"
"I think they call it blues. It reminded me of you. You were gone. The Director wouldn't tell us where you were. I… I was worried. And then, when you came back, you didn't check in. You always check in. I got scared. You wouldn't let me help. Wouldn't let me in. I think I finally understood what they were singing about. I always see your eyes when I hear the blues."
Mac slowly slid his hands around his lover's hips and began to sway in time with the music. He felt Vic's hesitant hand on his shoulder, but didn't look anywhere but the hazel eyes. "I didn't know you knew how to dance." Vic cocked his head to the side.
"I never wanted to just get close to you this badly before."
"I never pegged you for a cuddler."
"LiAnne never indulged me. You on the other hand."
"So I'm overindulgent?"
"Nope. Not nearly indulgent enough. Can I take your coat?"
"Just don't try for the guns," Vic murmured. Very slowly the ex-thief slid his hands up under the leather coat and slid it down unresisting arms. The cool plastic of the prosthetic felt unusual, but Mac didn't hesitate. It just wasn't important. He wasn't about to underestimate the man in front of him. He wasn't in love with Vic's looks either. Well, maybe a little bit, but it was his heart that held him captive, not his eyes. Vic closed his eyes when the younger man brushed against the straps that held his new arm on. He caught one of the deft hands in his real hand. "Unless you want to fuck Alex, I'd suggest you stay away from that."
"Maybe later," Mac said wistfully.
"Maybe." They moved gently to the music. Vic rested his forehead against his partner's getting used to his scent. He still imagined he could smell burning flesh. He consciously shunted the memories away and focused on the feel of Mac's pulse against his fingers. The younger man had closed his eyes as well and was finally relaxing into the belief that maybe, just maybe they'd survive this one together. "Is that your stomach grumbling?" Vic asked a timeless eon later.
"I think so, or else I swallowed a lion."
"With your choice in food I wouldn't be surprised."
"Okay, pizza it is."
"Thanks."
****
They curled up on the couch facing one another while they ate slice after slice of pizza and downed several bottles of Chinese beer. "To partners," Mac offered.
"To love," Vic answered. They touched bottles. "Oh, Mac, you are far too good to me."
"I think LiAnne was right."
"God forbid."
"You need to be built up. You are more than worth what I give you. In fact, I don't give you nearly enough." Victor blushed. "Oh, I have something for you. I was going to give it to you when you were in the clinic, but things got a little hectic and I didn't feel like answering questions. Stay."
"Woof. Woof."
"Good boy." Victor rolled his eyes. Mac dashed into his bedroom and returned with a small frame. He handed it over.
"Oh, my goodness."
"It's a Victory Bond. I thought of you when I saw it." Victor was stunned.
"Mac, I… thanks. I have just the place for it."
"That very empty spot next to Allegra's picture?" The one that used to have Li Ann's picture, they both added mentally. Vic nodded, fingers tracing over the minimal carving on the frame. His smile was happy, but not as much of a grin as Corey could get. This was pure Victor. The big brother that took care of his little sister and tried to cook for his friends. The man who would tease him over drinks, even when they were supposed to be on duty. Mac was surprised when Vic leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
"It's perfect. Do I want to know where you found it?" Mac grinned and settled back. He patted the seat cushion next to him and Vic scooted over to relax, tucked under his arm. "Story time?"
"Yes." Mac began to weave an almost unbelievable tale about a drug dealing dwarf who happened to be fond of WWII memorabilia. "Anyway, I didn't think he deserved it, so when I was getting the information on him, I took a couple of other things with me."
"I think I can guess at my Christmas presents for the next few years."
"Didn't you hear? I'm bad at keeping secrets. I get excited and have to give out the presents early." Victor laughed. He leaned his head on his partner's shoulder. His brown hair felt silky smooth against the Mac's cheek. He smelled faintly of the Director's perfume. Mac felt a surge of jealousy, then realized that he didn't care. He knew damn well that the Victor wasn't sleeping with the woman, even if Cory on occasion did. It was odd how easy it was to get used to the distinction. Mac couldn't help himself, he had to touch the straps again. "Does it still hurt?"
"It aches. It hurts more up here," Vic answered pointing to his head.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"No, I can't really remember. Ask Alex sometime. All I know is that they thought they were helping me. They thought they were saving my life. They didn't know that they were too late to prevent Them from experimenting on me." Vic had an indulgent little smile on his face. "Just ask Nathan." Mac couldn't stop the snicker from escaping.
"Can I?" Mac asked stroking along the strap. Victor looked up from under his lashes into steady brown eyes. He nodded slowly.
"I can't promise not to get scared," he whispered. "I won't hurt you, but…"
"I know. Trust me?"
"Always." Mac laid a gentle kiss on Vic's temple. The ex-cop was still tense. He decided a better kiss was in order. For the first time in months, Mac laid siege to his lover's mouth, reassuring, comfortable, and loving. Victor relaxed into the kiss. No threat. No pressure. No need for Cory to come out to play. He didn't even notice the loosening of the strap and the removal of the arm. Not until Mac let him breathe on his own. He looked up with wondering hazel eyes.
"That's wasn't so hard was it?" An indulgent smile crossed Vic's face.
"I was worried."
"You worry a lot."
"Part of my job description. 'Sides, I care."
"About me?"
"Most definitely. I wished you were there with me. I'm still not the best hand at picking locks and the brat I was with is pretty much useless except in the guts area. Oh, I think he's got a crush on Alex, but he could just truly hate him too. At night though, when I could see the sky, I thought of you."
"What were you doing? Where were you?"
"I was in a prison camp in Russia. I'm a little hazy on details. It happens sometimes."
"I know." Victor's occasional confusion was taken in stride. "As long as you remember who I am. I love you."
"You've been saying that a lot tonight" Victor was flushed. Mac brought a bottle of beer to his lips.
"Indulge me." Victor took a drink. Mac ran his fingers through his lover's hair, much like the Director when she was worried about him. Victor carefully and methodically hunted down every thought of the Director and killed them. He snuggled into the dip between Mac's chin and shoulder.
"I don't understand you, Mac. I thought you and Corey…"
"Corey is not the man who can make my sister feel like she's the center of your universe even when she isn't. That's you. Corey is not the man who teases me about my music and argues with me over food. It's the difference between a lover and a fuck-buddy. I'm smitten."
"You're sappy."
"Tell me you don't like it."
"I love you, Mac Ramsey." Mac didn't even feel the tear run down his cheek. Vic wiped it away with his thumb.
"That's the first time you've ever said that."
"My mistake." Mac kissed him again. Vic's fingers tangled into the younger man's hair holding him close for the kiss. There wasn't the urgency that Mac always felt with Corey. There wasn't the roughness he'd seen in Alex with the Director. In spite of that however, he felt completely possessed even though he was technically in a "superior maneuvering" position. Mac didn't remember melting into Vic's lap or letting go of his lover's throat, yet that's where he ended up. Brown eyes sparkled.
Gentle green met dilated brown and Vic laughed. "More," Mac demanded and sought another kiss. The next kiss was almost better than the first. Still a little tentative and Mac took more of an initiative. They ended up laying down on the couch.
"Uh, shouldn't you be on top?" Vic asked innocently as he peered down at his lover.
"Thought you hadn't done this before?"
"I haven't. I usually leave after the making out on the couch point."
"Shut up and kiss me again. We'll figure it out after that."
"You like kissing?"
"I like your kissing." Victor stared at him. He couldn't help but smile. He felt the erection pressing against his thigh. He heard Corey telling him to go to sleep, begging him to go to sleep. His face must have shown his conflict. Mac caressed his cheek. "Corey, shut up. I won't hurt him." It didn't seem to be working so Mac wrenched up the odds. "If Corey takes over, I'm not sleeping with him." Corey shut up and Victor relaxed. Another long kiss and Mac had had enough. "Bedroom?" he asked, looking into cat green eyes.
"Oh, yeah." Victor's voice had dropped into an Alex range purr. The sound seemed to vibrate right into Mac's cock.
"Now?"
"Sound's good. I'll check the front door."
"It's locked."
"I'm paranoid."
"I'm the thief. I know when things are locked. Now shut up and get into the bedroom before I drag you there."
"Pushy, pushy."
"Well, I don't want to wait."
"That's why I'm a cop and you aren't." Mac shut up, grabbed the front of Vic's tee-shirt and pulled him down for a kiss. The green eyes dilated. "Bedroom, now, good," the older man gasped and rolled off the couch and too his feet. He felt a moment of vertigo before Mac caught him around the waist and they stumbled towards the bedroom. They stood, hesitating at the foot of the bed. "Cameras?"
"I don't care." Vic nodded and carefully undid the buttons of his partner's shirt. Mac slid the gun holster off, after a moment of admiring how well it defined his lover's chest and shoulders. Vic's fingers trembled as he moved the silk back. The soft hair under his fingers was surprisingly curly. He trailed his fingers over the man's chest, admiring the mix of textures. Mac tugged on the tee-shirt and Vic allowed him to remove it. The ugly scarring on the stump didn't phase the ex-thief a bit. He stroked the area that had been reddened by wearing the false arm. He let the silk fall from his arms as he leaned forward to kiss and make it better. He choked back a moan as Victor's fingers ran over the bulge at the front of his pants.
He kissed a path up Vic's throat and nibbled on an ear as he ran his hands down his lover's sides. Vic arched his neck into the contact. Mac opened the reluctant black denim and pulled back a moment to see if his fingers were deceiving him. The ex-cop was wearing nothing beneath the pants. Vic gave him a small smile. "The Director brought me my things," he stated.
"Say no more. That woman is more frightening than Jackie."
"Oh, but she does have interesting ideas in bed from what I hear."
"I don't want to know." Vic was toying with the zipper of Mac's pants, driving the younger man crazy. If the eyes hadn't held their usual trace of sadness, Mac would have sworn it was Corey teasing him. Years, seconds later, the trousers were pooling down around his ankles. Mac slowly ran his hands down his lover's hips and peeled the denim down until Vic could step out of them. They both laughed as they discovered they had forgotten to take off their shoes during the course of the evening. The urgency left them both with the laughter and things proceeded much more slowly.
A slow exploration of bodies that were familiar and yet completely new in the dim light of the bedside lamp. Mac stroked Vic's chest, down to his hip. The gasp was unexpected. "I'm ticklish," Vic defended.
"Here?" Mac asked, running his fingers lightly over the area between Vic's hip and thigh. At the swallowed laughter, he followed the touch with his mouth, which got him a completely different type of gasp. Mac continued with the treatment, fingers first, then mouth, up and down his lover's chest. He circled around the nipples, then descended on one with his mouth, while his hand touched the other. Vic moaned. His fingers tangled in Mac's hair. He could feel his own pulse in his forehead.
"Jesus Christ…. Mac!" Mac moved up from where he was nipping at the older man's throat.
"That's the first time I've been accused of being a god."
"Shut up and kiss me," Vic gasped. Mac settled himself across his lover's hips, leaned down and kissed him. Vic arched up into him and Mac refused to move. He realized that Vic was letting him breath for both of them. There was no thought in the action. Vic trusted him with his life, with everything. It was a shock and Mac finally broke the contact. Vic's eyes were nearly black with need. His hand drifted up to touch his partner. "Love you, Idiot. Don't back off for my sake. That's the last thing I want or need. You think too much."
"Just making sure that you were you," Mac said softly. "Now where was I?"
"I forget." Vic's fingers and eyes were now very firmly interested in the throbbing erection that Mac was sporting. Vic ran his fingers over the younger man's cock curiously. The intent look reminded Mac of Victor working on a particularly difficult case. Mac smiled.
"Lucky for me I fell in love with a cop. We'll be able to look at the evidence and figure it out. Now, let's see. You're red here and here and here… that means I must have been here." Mac bit Vic's ear lightly, then played with the earring. Vic's fingers tightened and Mac couldn't help but moan. "Oh, God, more baby." Victor complied with the order. Mac could feel the hard cock resting against his thigh. He deliberately rubbed against it, making his lover arch into the touch. Mac slid down to encompass Vic's cock with his mouth. Victor nearly arched off of the bed. His eyes closed and his breathing grew harsher. "Like that?" Mac asked. Vic managed a nod.
"Please…" he gasped and Mac returned to his task. Vic's fingers tightened convulsively as he drew close to coming. Mac milked him as he arched up and came. Without a word Victor pulled the younger man up to kiss him. Mac groaned as Victor moved to his throat. Then, suddenly, the older agent toppled his partner moving quickly to position himself the way he wanted. Victor gently, carefully nibbled at the hard cock. Mac was too close for much more, Corey noted in an undertone. Victor ran his tongue down the shaft and took the very tip into his mouth. Mac bucked at the contact. Only a little more pressure and the younger man exploded.
****
Vic woke up curled around his partner. It wasn't the first time he'd awakened in that position, but it was the first time her remembered what had happened the night before. "No regrets," the younger man whispered into his hair.
"None," he confirmed. "Do we have to be anywhere today?"
"Three o-clock meeting."
"Plenty of time to sleep in then."
FINIS