See Prologue for disclaimers and copyrights

******

One : "I'm no longer frightened to be living."(1)

Sonny Palmer (he had inherited the new nickname 'Chilli' in the month he had been back at work) and Rico Achres rested their backsides against the harbour wall and awaited their boat. Both were smiling, both relaxed; a bag each at their feet. It wasn't quite the vacation either had planned two months ago - for a start it wasn't permanent. But it would be a good break, and with any luck, a useful one.

Jaygon Twist and Elliott Ryce owned the 'Gay Priscilla', a luxury yacht with all the comforts of home. The two queens of the porn world were having an art exhibition; two days cruising, talking, collecting names. Vacation, easy work. Castillo knew it, Sonny and Rico knew it. But it was their first continuous undercover since their return to work and with their new names. It was a test of their covers. Nothing fatal, just connections.

Rico pushed his hands further into his pockets. He felt good - Ricardo Tubbs-good. He had not felt this alive for years, or this in control. He and Sonny had had sleep, and plenty of it, they'd had enough heart-to-hearts to iron out every crease in their friendship and their partnership, pressed in by eight years of playing the good guys in a bad world. Beside Rico, Sonny looked even better than his partner felt. Sonny looked fantastic. Simply making the break - however short - had changed his attitude beyond anything Tubbs could have imagined.

When Crockett had stepped aboard the 'St. Vitus Dance' after visiting the Mall for seven hours, and greeted his partner who had been camping out on the sloop for a week, Rico was sure Sonny had been abducted by aliens and replaced with a not-so-convincing clone. The messy blond mane had been cut back to something resembling 'manageable'. It made him look younger, less cynical. And to highlight the change, he had swapped the Ray Bans for a pair of oval 'John Lennons'.

Rico's eyes scanned his partner from head to foot. Today he wore a thin white cotton shirt tucked almost presentably into a dark pair of loose pants. At least his feet were still only clad in shoes. If he had started to pull on socks in a morning, Rico would have been forced to check for a zipper. It felt good to have Sonny standing there. It had always felt good. And safe. Since the very beginning they had been able to co-exist almost as one. As backup for one another they were perfect, knowing each other's moves, verbally and physically, anticipating. Eight years they had worked side by side. It was difficult for either of them to express how that felt, how much it meant. How they would have hurt without one another.

Sonny glanced at his partner and caught him staring. "What? My fly undone?"
Rico laughed despite himself; despite the ancient banter. "No, man. Just musin'. At the airport...." Sonny heard the serious catch in his partner's voice and frowned, Tubbs saw his expression and stopped.
Touched, Crockett relented. "Rico... I meant what I said, that I would miss you. It's been a very long time, and you and I've practically lived together. I'm so used to turning around and seeing you there, practically standing on my heels. Drinks after hours, fishing, dinners.... When I get to the brink, you pull me back. You're the only one who's ever stayed with me, stuck with me no matter what, followed me through hell. I've yelled at you, and you've still come back. I've shot...."
Rico pushed away from the wall and stepped in front of his partner, blocking the sun and shutting him up. When Crockett lifted his head he recognized the sparkle in Tubbs' eyes. "We've sorted it, Partner. I believe the Burnett nightmare was dealt with that night in the Keys, with the beers and the barbecue. The night Elvis Junior. tried to eat your empties."
Sonny laughed. "Yeah. Sorry, you just... the airport...." He shrugged. More had happened at the airport than a few shed tears and a shared bullet. "Who'd have known there'd be a bullet out there with both our names on it?"
Rico smiled, nodded with a deep understanding he and Sonny had always shared, and went back to leaning on the wall.

Five minutes later the 'Gay Priscilla' was moored out beyond the harbour and a speed boat was on its way in to dock and pick up Sonny, Rico and four more party guests. Sonny wasn't familiar with any of the four - two very well-off couples. The ladies eyed both he and Rico, maybe considering them for a small orgy later in the cruise. Part of Sonny was almost excited at the idea, what was wrong with a little pleasure, a little fun? He glanced at Rico as his partner stepped into the expensive speed boat. Catching himself and his own thoughts, he giggled quietly, he could not remember the last time he had been quite this relaxed.

*

Sonny threw himself down onto the large double bed in his cabin. The hot sun streamed in through the two large portholes in the hull above the white silk sheets. In the corner of the executive cabin a small bar was fully stocked. An en-suite bathroom was fitted with a sunken jacuzzi and a shower big enough for at least five. A quiet knock on his door roused Sonny from the bed. "It's open." The door was pushed inwards and the face of one of their hosts appeared around it. Sonny stood, shaking the offered hand. "Mr Twist, this is ... some yacht."
The slim, brightly dressed man smiled, "Jaygon, please."
They had been welcomed aboard by Elliott, a smiling, friendly, good-looking young man who was dwarfed by his long white jacket, loose lime-green shirt and baggy white pants. His bare feet were tanned and Sonny doubted the man ever wore a pair of shoes. Jaygon was just as friendly, his smile just as sincere. "Sonny Palmer. Your reputation precedes you. Good to have you aboard."
Sonny could not help but smile. "Honoured to be here."
"Your friend, Ricardo Achres, he is also a name in this business. You're both very welcome." Jaygon turned to the door as Rico stepped inside. "Ricardo! I was just welcoming your friend here aboard. There's an exhibition on deck after sunset, but make yourselves at home and the 'Priscilla' is open for you to look around, there are various examples of our ... merchandise everywhere. The champagne's flowing, gentlemen."

Rico watched Jaygon sweep his eyes once more over Sonny before leaving them and swinging off down the corridor. By the movement of the boat, he guessed they had raised the anchor and were under way. Sonny closed the door and collapsed back on the bed as Rico slipped in behind the bar. "So what's it gonna be, Partner?"
Sonny crossed his arm under his head and settled his gaze on Rico. He could almost see his partner bristling. "What's up, Rico?"
Tubbs gave Sonny his best 'I dunno what you're talking about' look, but even the subtlest of lies could not pass between them unnoticed. Rico leaned on the bar. "He was eyein' you, Sonny."
Crockett grinned. "So? I'm a good-lookin' guy." He thought he was teasing Rico, but his partner seemed more agitated. "Rico, ease up, Buddy. Jaygon and Elliott are infamous, devoted. They're lovers, Partner. They're married. Besides, it takes two to tango, and you won't find me dancing to his tune."
Rico held Sonny's gaze for a moment, and then smiled his usual open smile and started hunting for some cocktail ingredients. "So we're cruising with the nice guys of porn?"
Crockett sat up, leaning back against the hull. "They're almost legit 'cept for a few minor financial gliches in their accounts. Nothing under age, nothing harmful. Jaygon and Elliott have never hurt anyone without their consent - as far as we know. They're into the usual stuff - B&D, S&M, videos, stills, toys - no kids, everything consensual."
"The angels of porn." Rico was pouring large measures of spirits into the shaker.
"Yeah, something like that."
Tubbs paused in his concocting. "Tell me your feelings on the porn industry."
Sonny laughed. "You sound like DeLelo. 'Tell me about your mother.'" Rico threw a piece of melon at him. Sonny shielded himself behind his hand, catching the fruit in his fingers and putting it into his mouth. "I've got nothing against it as long as it ain't kids and ain't rape. Hey, show me a man without a porn collection."
Rico stood tall. "Who needs one, man?" He laughed, and Sonny was soon looking around for something to throw back. Rico shook his mix and found two glasses to pour. He came out from behind the bar with tall pink drinks, handing one to his partner. Rico sank back into one of the large wicker chairs.
Sonny looked suspiciously at the mix in his glass. "Some of us hard-working cops need filmed companionship, Stud." Rico grinned. "Only on those very rare occasions of course."
"Of course."

Sonny took a long drink of Rico's special and his eyes bulged. "Jeez, Rico!" The dark man grinned again. Crockett took another mouthful and put it down on the floor by his feet. Standing, he stripped off his shirt and pants. Rico watched with just a little more interest than usual; Sonny had a whole new wardrobe most of which Rico had not seen yet. He was fascinated by this change of style. He watched his partner as he opened his case and lifted out a white silk shirt and white silk pants, pulling the trousers on first and letting the shirt hang free. Rico tried not to stare.

*

There was a party in full swing on deck when Sonny and Rico put in their first appearance. Rico had also changed his clothes, dumping the suit for a pair of smart light trousers and a deep green cotton shirt. They accepted glasses of champagne as they stepped out from below deck and started to mingle with the twenty or so people who were around. The sun was starting to set when Jaygon and Elliott lit a barbecue and started to provide their guests with a wonderful selection of flame-grilled sea food.

Champagne flowed, and for the first time ever Sonny and Rico felt relaxed enough undercover to relax. It was late when the art exhibition began; their hosts had brought aboard a line of beautiful young blonds - male and female - to parade the drawings, paintings and sketches of some strange and mystifying sexual acts.

Sonny and Rico were sunk into a large, under-stuffed beanbag-type seat. Their legs stretched out, their shoulders rested together. They had always touched, Sonny had been musing as the exhibition had unfurled before them. He had always stayed close to his partner, bumping shoulders, elbows, arms, knees, whatever - just a slight physical contact that meant when one moved, the other felt it and moved in sync.

Now though, it was just right. Both watched the parade and now and again Rico would point one out to Sonny like they were choosing decor. As the exhibition ended and the pompous chatting began, Jaygon crouched down in front of the two men. He held a canvas in his fingers. "Sonny, Rico." Jaygon seemed quieter than Elliott, the shy one of the couple. But his smile was warm, and his whole demeanour put anyone around him at ease. "You'd think it was Monet instead of porn, wouldn't you? The way they're talking." He swept his arm to indicate the small crowd.
Sonny laughed. "You don't think this is a case of the thin line between art and pornography?"
Jaygon tilted his head and looked at him comically. "Now you're the one letting the champagne go to his head." He brought the canvas up to hold it in both hands, facing him. Gazing down at whatever was drawn there, he seemed to the two undercover detectives to be embarrassed. "I... er... I have something for you." Hesitating, he finally seemed to come to a decision and turned the canvas, handing it to Sonny. The two men stared in amazement at the picture. It was a pencil sketch of the two of them, just sitting talking. The drawing was softly done, no harsh lines of bitter additions, just Sonny and Rico as another had seen them. "I hope you don't mind, but you inspire me."
Sonny shook his head. "It's ... it's beautiful." He was truly amazed at the subtle sketch. No one had ever drawn him before.
Jaygon shrugged. "I draw a little now and again, just a hobby, nothing professional."
Rico smiled. "It's perfect."
Their joint reaction seemed to please Jaygon, and as Sonny tried to hand back the canvas, their host raised his hand. "Please, keep it. Maybe - if you don't mind - I could do a few more sketches while you're aboard."
Sonny shook his head, meeting Jaygon's intense brown gaze. "We'd be honoured."
Jaygon nodded, smiling. "Thank you." He pushed himself to his feet and left them staring at the canvas.

*

Sonny lay atop the white sheets of his king-size bed. Moonlight streamed through the two large portholes above him, lighting the canvas that he had leaned against the bar. Lying on his front, head rested on his crossed arms, Sonny's eyes settled on the drawing. It was as if he was seeing himself and his partner for the first time. Jaygon had seemingly captured the trust and peace between them, frozen them for eternity with Sonny smiling at Rico as he laughed at his own, terrible joke.

Sonny closed his eyes, for some reason remembering a time - one morning out of thousands - when Rico had stepped aboard the 'St Vitus', immaculately dressed, a spring in his step, beaming like a summers day. Sonny would be still drying out from his shower, hair a mess, shirt unbuttoned, shouting to Elvis about the most recent part of his record collection to become 'gator food. Rico more often than not had coffee, doughnuts, hot Danishes. Easy banter, as it always had been between them.

He took another look at the drawing and thought about their hosts. Jaygon and Elliott were renown in the industry, two guys who had worked together for years in sales, made a fortune and disappeared off together for Hawaii to marry. Their return had been well advertised, but the nature of the merchandise had always meant that they remained at the bottom of the hit list for Miami Vice. Their infrequent parties were useful for contacts, but usually they were private people, preferring the company of family and friends to others in the industry.

Another memory floated unbidden into his mind. Waking in the hospital, machines and noises all around him, and his partner watching him, sitting peacefully in the chaos simply holding his hand. Partners. Always. Whatever they needed, whether above or beyond the call of duty. He focused on the drawing again. He could remember a million times shared with Rico, experiences that patterned his life. Women had come and gone for both of them, had made impacts big and small. On several occasions Rico had dropped over to the boat after leaving a woman in her bed, sated beyond her wildest dreams. Sonny had often been by Rico's small beach house at the end of a date; he hated to wake up next to a woman in the morning, it just made him depressed he would say.

Sonny's eyes slipped closed, but before he could fall asleep a knock at the door roused him. "Sonny, it's me."
"It's open, Rico." The dark man stepped in through the door. "Trouble sleepin', Partner?" Rico closed the door and leaned back against it. He looked dishevelled, his shirt hanging over his trousers, top few buttons undone. And he was laughing, giggling like a teenager. Sonny sat up, pulling the sheets over him. "Well?" Rico's laugh was infectious, and Sonny could not keep the smile from touching his lips.
"I had a ... a run in with the two ladies we came aboard with."
Sonny eyed him suspiciously. "Both of them, Stud?" He watched his partner's eyes widen.
"Oh no, I'm not into that. Not with them anyway." Rico took a deep breath. "Not to say they didn't try to persuade me."
Sonny shook his head in disbelief and patted the bed. Rico pushed away from the door and flopped down onto the end of sheets, kicking off his shoes. "So what were you doing to encourage them, umm? Or was it just your innocent charm."
"I was just after another glass of champagne." Tubbs' attempts at innocence had never cut any weight with Crockett.

Rico turned onto his hip, resting his chin on his hand, supporting himself on his elbow. He curled his legs up onto the bed. Sonny relaxed back against the hull, watching Rico as his deep eyes looked over the drawing Jaygon had given them. After a short time he looked back at his partner. Their eyes met, and held. There was so much that could pass between them at moments like these. Neither had ever tried to translate any of the silent messages communicated. It was how they worked so closely together in the most dangerous of situations without getting themselves killed.

"So what stopped you tonight?" Rico frowned in query. "With the ladies?"
"Not my type."
Sonny smiled and nodded; so his partner did not want to say. That was fine. "I must be losing my touch, didn't get a single offer."
"Apart from Jaygon."
Sonny's eyebrows leapt, making Rico smile. "You're insane." Sonny's soft southern lilt caressed Rico's champagne-clouded mind.

A companionable silence settled over them. It was well into the early hours of the morning, and although neither were drunk, both had consumed enough alcohol to make them merry, to relax them. Rico let his arm fall out from under his head as his eyes closed in sleep. Sonny watched him for a while, not needing to question Rico's motives for being in his room, not in a large bed with two gorgeous women. Rico did a lot of things for motives best known to himself. Slowly, Crockett's own brain gave into exhaustion, and he too settled down to sleep, twisted up in the same silk sheets on which his devoted partner lay.

*

Sonny stepped on deck only an hour of two after sunrise. Jaygon was already awake, and handed his guest a cold glass of cold orange juice. "You're up early." Sonny leaned over the deck rails, gazing into the still ocean below. They had dropped anchor off a small alcove of shoreline, sand and rocks late the previous evening. Jaygon leaned next to him. "I love it when it's quiet," his soft voice hardly touched the embracing calm. "Elliott's more of a land-lover."
Sonny nodded. "I love the ocean. I live on a boat moored at the marina. I like the movement of the water, like you say, especially when it's quiet."
Jaygon sipped his drink. "You must apologize to your friend for me, I hear Celia and Marie came on a little strong last night. They can be like that. They've tried to seduce El and I on several occasions."
Sonny smiled. "I'll tell him, although I think he saw the funny side." He turned, resting back against the railing and taking a long drink of juice. "That sketch, that you gave us yesterday, it's... excellent. I wanted to...."
But Jaygon waved his hand in the air. "All I ask is that you let me paint the two of you sometime today." Sonny smiled almost embarrassed. "You look... fantastic together. The feelings between you are almost visible, in your movements towards one another."
Sonny frowned, unsure how to react, and his expression must have given away his uncertainty. Jaygon's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend."
"You haven't...." He moved away from the railing and settled himself onto a nearby recliner. Jaygon watched him with a amused expression, but he said nothing, and left Sonny to his early tanning.

*

Rico woke to the sunlight streaming in through the windows. His partner was gone, but Rico figured that Crockett had just risen early and was on deck enjoying the sea air. He showered quickly, pulled on some loose black pants and a grey shirt and went in search. He paused as he came up on deck. Sonny was lying back on a recliner, cool glass of orange juice in one hand rested on deck. His thin white shirt was again hanging out over white pants, his bare feet jigging to a rhythm all his own.

He lifted his head, and lowered his glasses, his open smile warming Rico. "Morning sleepyhead."
"I figured you were up." Rico stepped on deck as Elliott appeared behind him. Their other host was dressed in only a skimpy pair of trunks, and he greeted his guests before climbing up onto the rails and diving into the clear water. Rico blinked once, and looked at his partner. Walking almost seductively to Sonny, he unbuttoned his shirt slowly, and dropped it over Sonny's legs, laughing as he dropped his trousers to reveal black bikinis. With a little wave, he followed Elliott's example. Shaking his head, Sonny unceremoniously kicked his partner's clothes to the deck and lay back, closing his eyes against the bright sun.

It seemed only a moment later that Sonny was being dripped on. Elliott threw Rico a towel and the dark man dried himself. He pulled his clothes on again and held a cool glass of freshly-squeezed orange over his sunbathing partner. The heat had already produced condensation on the outside of the glass, and patiently Rico waited while it dripped onto Sonny's shirt, soaking straight through to his hot chest. Sonny yelped and sat up, glaring at his laughing partner. "You lie there any longer and you'll roast."
"You drip any more cold water on me and you'll be going back in there with your clothes on, Sport."
Rico wiggled his eyebrows and drank down his orange.

*

Later that morning, some of the crew went out to the sheltered beach to set up for a lunch-time barbecue. A couple of dinghies were ferrying guests to the island, but a few were swimming out. Sonny and Rico threw their clothes into one of the dinghies and dove into the warm water.

The flamed grilled fish was cooked to perfection, and the long drinks of champagne and fruit juice cocktails went down just fine.
"This is one tough assignment, Tubbs," Sonny mused as they sat side by side on a high ledge in the rocks.
"I thought we'd be pushing paperwork for a year after taking down Borbone and resigning. Stan and Sammy must have been pissed that we got this."
Sonny shook his head. "No, man. Castillo's protecting us. He'll only send us out in the real world once he's convinced we'll be relatively safe."
Rico shrugged. "Well, I sure feel safe out here. I think if they found out we're cops they'd slap our wrists and send us home."
Sonny nodded. "It'd make a change from ditching us in the river." Rico sipped at his ice-cold drink.
"Sonny?"
"Ummm?"
"Would it help if I changed my name?" Sonny looked at his partner like he had grown another head. Rico shrugged, trying to keep the humour from his voice. "Well, we got Sweitie, Sonny and Sammy. I don't want you gettin' confused and taxing your brain too hard, so I was thinkin'... Stubbsy?" Rico erupted into laughter at his own wit, while Crockett just continued to stare at him for a short while.
"Has your sense of humour always been this bad and I've been too wrapped up in myself to notice?" Rico simply laughed some more. Sonny shook his head and looked away, down to the shore below. Sitting on the sand, draped in white raw silk and holding a sketch pad, Jaygon was drawing. Sonny wondered if he and Rico were the subjects. "You wanna take a walk?"
Finally calming, Rico nodded. "Sure."

They found a wide sandy path snaking around the rocks at the back of the alcove. Although the party on the beach, and others who had broken away from the crowd, were always within sight, it felt private. No one was forcing anyone to be sociable. Jaygon and Elliott seemed to be quite happy for their guests to go their own way. Sonny suspected that the evenings were more intimate if the daylight could bring separation.

Sonny's half-empty glass swung loosely from his fingers as he picked his way over the pebbles. Close by his side, Rico was walking with his face to the warm breeze. Crockett had decided that he had never seen his partner so mellow. It was almost a different, new side to Rico, something he had not reckoned on seeing after eight years of working so closely.
"I've been thinking," Sonny began quietly, "we've been given a second chance. We shot down a Federal witness under government protection and still we're walking the wild - well, the not-so-wild - side with the criminals once again." Rico nodded, in complete agreement with his partner. "I don't want to lose myself this time around. Just stepping away from it for a moment has made the world of difference. I'm not gonna give these feelin's up again."

They continued slowly in a gentle silence, Rico listening to his friend's muses, considering but not yet feeling the need for words. "I owe it to Catie to keep the man she fell in love with afloat, not to drown in the guilt even though I deserve to."
Time out. "Sonny, there's no guilt. Everythin' you've done, we've done, there's always been a good reason, Partner."
Still watching the ground, Sonny shook his head in thought more than denial. "You're foolin' yourself, Rico. You may have reasons; your conscience, it's clean, man. But mine... I got a lot of memories eatin' away at me. Burnett may be dead and buried but his legacy will stay with me until the end."
Rico looked sideways at Crockett. He was used to this self-recrimination mood that his partner fell into so easily, but there was something different here, something almost like closure. "What's the one thing Burnett did that sums the rest of him up?" Rico asked, moving his arms in a wide circle expressively.
Sonny did not even have to think. "He shot you."
Rico was taken aback for a moment. He would have guessed at Catie, or Hackman. But then, it was Crockett who freed Hackman - even if it was Burnett who killed him - and Sonny would live with that for the rest of his life, with no release. "I'm still here, Sonny."
Sonny nodded, suddenly finding himself blinking back tears. He stopped walking, and Rico half turned to face him. Without hesitation, Sonny reached out and touched his friend's dark hand with the back of his own, prolonging the contact just for a little while. "I can't tell you how much you mean to me." He looked up, meeting Tubbs' eyes for the first time during the entire conversation. "I just... wanted you to know, 'cause I usually don't do this very well."
Rico smiled, turning his hand to briefly squeeze Sonny's fingers. "You're doin' just fine, Sonny."

A moment passed, and Rico fell back into step as Crockett started to walk again. A glance back to the shore confirmed that Jaygon's artistic attention was indeed firmly fixed on them. Rico felt a sudden surge of possessiveness. He almost laughed at himself, feeling that after what Sonny had just said to him; his partner baring his soul was rare event.

"You don't mind all this interest our host is paying us?"
Sonny also glanced down at the beach, smiling back at Rico. "No. I always fancied myself as a model, y'know." He winked, and Rico shook his head. "Besides, it's been a while since I've been anyone's inspiration."
Sonny carried on walking, not noticing his partner's slight hesitation. Rico's eyes drifted over his friend's blond hair blowing in the slight breeze, the easy, relaxed features. "You're my inspiration, Sonny." Crockett turned back, looking, questioning with his eyes. He had not heard. Rico smiled and caught up with his partner in one long stride.

*

They left the paradise island just before sunset, with dinner to be served on board later on, after a second art exhibition. Sonny changed into something smarter, throwing on a deep blue silk shirt over soft black slacks. He even shaved, patting on some cologne before stepping out into the corridor and knocking on Rico's door. "Hey, Partner, you finished admiring yourself?"
The was a muffled giggle, then a, "Come in, Sonny."
Crockett pushed open the door and stood almost speechless. Rico stood in the centre of the room, emerald green shirt tucked into black trousers, topped with a patterned deep green and black waistcoat. "This is... is definitely a new look for you, isn't it?"
Rico grinned, "You're not the only one to get a new wardrobe to go along with his new name." He stepped up to the door, sniffing the air as he passed by his partner. "You shaved!"
"And?" Crockett pulled the door closed behind them. "Anyone would think we were hookin' here!"

*

That evening's art exhibits were definitely the more kinky side of the market. Along with a couple of Maybblethorp prints, Sonny spotted Jaygon's signature at the base of a couple of the canvas'. Rico excused himself from a strange conversation with a young woman dressed entirely in black to go in search of his partner. He found Sonny sipping champagne with Jaygon over a mounted colour photograph. As Rico closed in, he could see the picture over Crockett's shoulder, and he could hardly believe what he saw. A tanned nude young man was in a press-up pose against a pink background. Standing over him, another naked man held a long wet slice of what looked to be a long watermelon, curving from his fingers around in a gentle, natural arc to the other end, pushed up between the other man's buttocks.

Rico put his hand flat on Sonny's back. Sonny turned smoothly, as if he had known Rico had been standing there. His smile of greeting was stunning, and Rico caught his breath, surprising himself. He indicated the photograph. "Interesting." Jaygon nodded, stepping back. "I'm not making a sale though." He laughed. "I do have a present for you both. Wait here." He disappeared into the party. Rico gazed at the photo for a moment longer before turning to stand beside Sonny.
"Not what I'd have picked for your eclectic tastes."
Sonny smiled. "It's... fascinating."
"Now you're freaking me out." Sonny glanced down.
"Sorry. We are supposed to be interested art dealers here, and before you start gettin' worried, I also showed great admiration for the 'naked woman and three long snakes' masterpiece next to the bar."
Rico smiled and nodded. "I saw that, I almost put in a bid."
That set Sonny off, and he had to hide his amusement when Jaygon reappeared. Without a word, their artist host turned the large canvas in his hands. Sonny and Rico were suddenly lost for words. The painting portrayed them standing on the rocky path they had walked above the beach. They were stopped, facing one another, Rico looking at Sonny with open affection, Sonny's attention fixed shyly on their hands, which were touching, the back of Sonny's against the back of Rico's. One moment in time, so desperately important to them, captured in the most beautiful painting Sonny had ever laid eyes on.

Jaygon handed it to them, smiling at their obvious joy. "I'd... I'd like to do another, but maybe I could talk to you both about that later tonight. After dinner." Sonny nodded absently, still transfixed. But Rico actually met Jaygon's eyes.
"We'd like that." Jaygon looked touched. Sonny said that he would put the canvas in his room, to keep it safe, and padded off still gazing at the portrait. Jaygon watched him go.
"I'm not trying to get between you two," Jaygon murmured. "Not that I think anyone could." Rico's eyes shone with a sudden anger, but Jaygon's smile soon dispersed it. "I know you've been suspicious of me since you stepped aboard. I know you don't like me, or you didn't. But now you've seen that I know what's between you two, and I wouldn't want to threaten that, Ricardo, because I know you'd protect him, with your life."
Rico sighed softly. "Sorry. The painting... it's excellent. Really."
Jaygon shook his head. "It's not my best. I specialise... in nudes." Rico's reaction wasn't what Jaygon had been expecting, he merely chuckled. "I'll see you later, Ricardo."
He stepped away, but Rico put his hand out, touching Jaygon's arm. The host turned his head. "Sonny's very special to me."
Jaygon merely nodded. He looked down at his drink for a moment, before meeting Rico's painfully intense gaze. "Sometimes, Ricardo, pushing a little opens doors into places we didn't ever know existed."

*

Dinner was fine; large salmon steaks and expensive wines. Sonny and Rico mingled a little, picking up the last few names they did not already have before retiring up on deck to relax in the double seat and star-gaze. Rico knew all the constellations, pointing them out to his partner while ignoring Crockett's questions regarding the actual patterns of the stars and the names they seem to have inherited.

Jaygon strayed towards them only to refill their glasses. Sonny noticed the change in his partner's attitude toward their host but he had wisely chosen not to say a word. They had relaxed enough into this undercover assignment to let the alcohol douse their minds in liquid fire. There was a surprisingly small number of party guests who were actually partaking in the illegal substances, most seemed happy on the never-ending supply of champagne and expensive wine.

As the evening wore on, a few guests dived naked into the warm water, skinny dipping under the stars. Sonny and Rico stayed put, too mellow to even contemplate moving, and admired the view. When the only sound was the splashing of water below, and the quiet background music around them, Sonny shifted and dropped his head back onto Rico's shoulder. Rico leaned his own head against the back of the seat, murmuring softly. "Nice...."

Sonny was not sure that was what he had heard, but the single word sent shivers of heat down his spine, curling in his belly. He had a 'now or never' feeling. It was something he had not thought about in a long time, something he had wanted years ago but that life and circumstance had conspired to keep from him. Now, though....

Sonny was still thinking about his move when Rico's smooth voice nudged his clouded judgement. "Jay... wants to do another painting."
Sonny shrugged. "Okay." His mind still occupied, he was not sure he heard the next part.
"He does nudes, Sonny."
Rico was not sure what to expect. He would not have mentioned it, but something he was sensing from his partner made him think that maybe Jaygon would get his portrait. As he watched, Sonny turned, leaning over Tubbs, propping himself up with his elbow into the back of the seat. Rico took a breath and held it, seeing the light shining in Sonny's deep green eyes. Sonny's lips were parted like he had something to say that could not be put into words. They both sat absolutely still, frozen in time as they had been by Jaygon's painting. It took long minutes for Sonny to move, but he did, touching his lips to Rico's and looking hesitant even as he did.

As much as Rico wanted to move, for the initial moments, he could not. When the bubble burst, he wrapped his arms around Sonny's neck and pressed into the kiss with the ardour of several years of wanting. He parted his lips as Sonny did, tasting his partner for the first time as the other man's tongue licked teasingly across his own. Rico groaned deep in his throat, trying to move, to bring them closer together as if this would be his only and last chance. Sonny broke the kiss, smiling, touching his palm to Rico's lightly stubbled cheek. "Easy, there."
"Sonny," Rico shook his head once. "Oh, man...." The deep green eyes were dancing, relief flooding through them both as the flood gates were finally breached.
"I think... we should let Jay do his painting."
Rico stroked his hand down Sonny's arm, watching his own fingers as he crossed them from the silk-clad limb to the front, tracing Sonny's chest through the thin material. He seemed to be making a decision, because finally he simply said, "no." Their eyes met. "He can wait. I've had to."
Again, Sonny wanted to say something, but although his lips moved, no sound came out. Rico smiled, his eyes dropping to his partner's lips as he pushed his fingers into Sonny's hair and drew those sumptuous lips down to his own again. Sonny tasted exquisite. His tongue teased Rico's, flicking across the full lips, tracing the line of his gums. Rico groaned again, wanting more contact.
When Sonny pulled back, he moved off the seat, watching Rico follow him. They stepped down off the deck under the smiling eyes of Jaygon and Elliott. Elliott turned to his lover, raising his champagne flute to his lips. "Thank God for that."
Jaygon laughed, nodding. "I know, the tension was killing me."

Sonny closed the door of his cabin behind them, leaning back on the expensive wood. He knew they were both drunk enough, both relaxed enough, for this to happen. Whether that meant it should happen was a different matter. Gazes met and locked. They met one another in the centre of the room, and all sense left Sonny's brain as Rico's mouth found his.

Rico's slim fingers hooked around the back of Crockett's neck, playing in the soft blond hair. He kissed Sonny like this was his only chance, like Sonny would bolt the moment he released him. But the response was the opposite. In Sonny's alcohol-fogged brain, this was a small slice of paradise; he was pressing back, groin to groin, rubbing himself against Rico as his fingers played down the back of the thin waistcoat.

They moved together, breaking the kiss, wrapping their fingers in one another's' shirts, nimbly slipping buttons through holes. There was no time to think. They did not want to think. Sonny ran a single finger down Rico's sweat-filmed chest, bringing that finger to his lips, sucking it while Rico's eyes followed his every movement. "Sonny...." Shyly, Sonny slipped Rico's shirt and waistcoat off the dark shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. He traced the muscles in Rico's arms with his fingertips, over his chest, teasing his nipples with his thumb-pads until they hardened.

Rico's hands slipped around Sonny's slim waist, his thumbs marking the flesh just above his trousers. 'Whatever works', echoed in Rico's mind, and he listened to his partner's moans as he was touched. Making out with another man was new, but pleasuring someone, making them feel good, was his life's work. And this was Sonny; not just another man but his partner, the one person he knew better than anyone, the one man closest to him in all the world.

"Come on, Sonny," Rico murmured low in his throat. He hooked his fingers into his partner's waistband and started to walk backwards slowly, pulling Sonny with him until the back of his knees hit the bed and he sat down. His fingers made light work of Sonny's fly and a second later he was sliding the dark pants down over his partner's hips. He giggled, breathing hotly on Sonny's bare genitals.

Crockett looked down onto the tight curls of his partner's head. Gently, like his hands were being worked by someone else, Sonny combed his fingers into Rico's hair. Tubbs ran his finger up the base of Sonny's rigid cock. He had never done this before, never imagined doing this before. But now... now it was all he wanted to do. Very carefully, licking his lips as he leaned forward, Rico slipped the thick glans into his mouth, tonguing it lightly, tasting the salty liquid. It was what he had tasted in the mouths of ladies who had done this for him. He smiled around the thick cock, pulling Sonny forward, taking as much of the engorged organ as he could.

Sonny could do nothing but stare at his partner's head as it bounced gently at his groin. "Rico...." Tubbs moved his teeth lightly across the cock, having to hold Sonny still as he bucked, moaning softly. "Rico...." The dark man increased the pressure, sucking now in earnest, enjoying Sonny's small incoherent cries and his involuntary thrusts. He wanted to bring Sonny all the way, wanted to hear him scream, wanted for this first time in his life to feel another man's orgasm hit the back of his own throat.

Sonny's head was spinning. The alcohol in his blood stream was keeping his orgasm at bay and he wanted more than just to stand and enjoy his partner's ministrations. "Rico...." With all his will power, he pulled Rico away from his cock, dropping into a crouch and opening Rico's mouth with his tongue, kissing him deeply. "Move back," he whispered. Rico hesitated before levering himself back onto the bed. Sonny reached forward and unbuttoned his partner's trousers, pulling them down off his legs, following them with his briefs.

Sitting up, Rico touched his fingers to Sonny's silk-clad shoulder, then withdrew it, leaving his open shirt in place. Fingering the lie of the material against the hot chest, Rico smiled lop-sidedly. "I like this." Sonny raised his eyebrows. He knelt up next to Rico, trying to keep his balance on the mattress but failing when dark arms wrapped up around his neck and drew Sonny's mouth down to his own. Crockett fell against the hard body below. The skin to skin contact was electric, wiping thought from their mind as they pressed up along each other. Cocks rubbed against one another, dark and light, begging for attention.

Desperately, Sonny pushed closer, trying to climb down his partner's throat while his hands played across the hot, dark skin. With no grace at all, Tubbs shifted, manoeuvring himself away from Sonny, hearing the soft cries of protest. "Come here." Sonny shifted up the bed, finding Rico's mouth once again and plundering it. His own needs were making themselves very clear, blinding him to everything else. Rico was driving him crazy, teasing his straining cock with his fingers before reaching around to his ass and pulling him close.

"Please... dammit Rico, please..." Hearing Sonny beg heated Rico's blood, and he shivered. He started to kiss his way over Sonny's jawbone, down his throat to his shoulder. Sonny's mouth was on his neck, licking and kissing a path up from his collarbone to his ear, driving him wild. Turning, Rico managed to manoeuvre himself so that he was facing Sonny's groin. He kissed Crockett's taut muscles, drawing his tongue up the inside of the muscled thigh as Sonny instinctively lifted his leg to allow Rico access. Neither of them were strangers to receiving this.

Following Rico's lead, Sonny laid down a path of kisses over the dark skin, brushing his tongue over the tip of his partner's cock. Once he had started, Sonny found it was easier than he thought it would be. He took Rico in all the way, until the heavy cock was bouncing up against the back of his throat. He glanced down and moaned at the sight of his partner's head between his thighs. He swallowed hard, and Rico's strangled cry reverberated around his erection. He did it again, and Rico's thigh went stiff under his head. He felt Rico suddenly try to pull out of his mouth and reached up to hold his hips in place. At the same time, he sucked hard, using his strong throat muscles to grip the large cock. Rico opened his mouth and yelled hard, coming into Crockett's throat in one sudden, shaking orgasm. Sonny swallowed it all, the strange sensation and taste softening his own erection slightly, until Rico's mouth reaffirmed itself around him and used the same tactic to bring Sonny to a screaming orgasm.

Rico licked the softening cock, his drunken mind already closing down for the night. He felt Sonny move against him, and a moment later a semen-tasting kiss was placed on his lips. Rico returned the gesture, smiling gently. Then he turned, settled back into Sonny's arms, and fell asleep.

*

Rico woke and stretched, feeling his muscles pull taut. He felt the sunshine on his bare skin, a delightful inner peace settled over him. Then he realized he was alone, and for the first time in a long time he knew he had not gone to sleep alone. He was still lying diagonally across Sonny's bed, but his partner was no where.

Rico rolled on to his back, remembering with no small dread, what they had done the previous night. He rubbed his eyes. The champagne had been flowing all day, they had felt comfortable enough on the boat to get a little tipsey. Understatement. A certain tension had been sparking between them since the day they met. Last night they had devoured one another like hungry teenagers.

He groaned aloud. He could imagine Sonny waking up to find himself breathing in the aroma of sweaty sex, and panicking as Sonny had a habit of doing in less life-threatening situations. Because this situation threatened more then their lives. Their partnership, their friendship, the truth of their very existence....

Rico was up, showered and dressed in two and half minutes.

*

Sonny rested against the railings, watching the water slew out behind the yacht. They were moving to moor at a small town in the keys. The initial plan had been to return to Miami for that evening, but as Sonny had wondered up to the deck at sunrise, Jay had asked him what he thought to their extending the cruise by a couple hours, taking them into Miami for lunch the next day. In most undercover situations, Sonny would have assumed the worst at this change of plan. But the shining light dancing in Jaygon's eyes had told him a different story. He wanted a chance to do his painting.

Sonny sipped at his cold juice, talking quietly to his host. The sun was already warm on his skin. His white cotton shirt was open, his tanned chest exposed. Even Elliott's eyebrows had risen at the subtle change in Sonny's demeanour. "Don't you ever sleep?" he asked Jaygon as Elliott started breakfast.
Jay simply smiled. "El and I... we have our own daily routine." There was a warm hum in his voice that Sonny found himself envying, just a little.

Rico stepped out on deck and stopped in his tracks. Sonny was leaning over the rails, his shirt flapping gently behind him, his hair being blown by the soft breeze. Something melted inside Rico's stomach. How many times had he seen Sonny early in the morning? How many times had he watched his partner standing in the ocean breeze with the wind playing his ragout of blond hair? More times than he could possibly remember. But the night before any of those times, he had not made love to his partner, had not given and received the most incredible blow-job he had ever experienced.

But what they had done could have destroyed everything. Jaygon passed him with a drink in one hand and a whole salmon in the other. "Good morning, Ricardo." Sonny heard it and turned. Rico's pulse rate leapt. But the only expression on Sonny's face was a gorgeous smile.
"Morning, Rico."

Tubbs stepped around the deck, nervously approaching the man he had practically been living with for the last eight years. "Sonny." He leaned out next to his partner. "Last night...."
Sonny's hand on his arm stopped him from saying anything else. "Listen, Rico.... You remember a couple of months back, the first case after I was allowed back to work after..." Rico nodded. After Burnett. After the three month nightmare. After Crockett spent weeks receiving psychiatric counselling that did no good. After Tubbs spent night after night waking from dreams that always ended in the white flash of a gun fired by his partner and the streak of agony as the bullet pierced his skull.

Sonny's first case after being allowed back to work was an undercover, a lone case. Rico had been assigned a separate case, also an undercover bust. Two days into each case their covers had been blown by one photograph in one newspaper. Some reporter had decided to belatedly report that an undercover vice cop had been responsible for twenty-five deaths in Lauderdale. A photo of Rico and Sonny outside a court room had been page five news.

Castillo had pulled Rico out so fast it had left the dealer's head spinning. Before the South Miami drug baron had been able to pull his gun on the detective enjoying coffee opposite him, ten police officers had arrived and arrested everyone. Rico had been back in the office before lunch. He had expected to see Sonny sitting at their desks, but there was no Crockett. He was still under.

Hours of waiting had ensued, until around four in the afternoon they had a call from the Bahamas local cops. At five, Rico had met a speed boat back from the islands. Sonny stepped up onto the marina in one safe piece and all at once they were embracing, hugging one another so tight like they never wanted to let go. Each had worried about the other. Each had believed the other would wind up dead. Tears dropped silently from Sonny's eyes to Rico's neck as they stood together. Too much, too fast. Rico had promised then that the past was history, that Burnett, the shooting, everything was behind them. Despite it all they were still partners, and that meant more to both of them than they could easily put into words. It was the last time they had worked separate cases.

"We swore, that afternoon, that nothing would touch us again. That whatever happened between us, we'd always be partners. After last night... if I feel anything... I feel to closer to you." Sonny took a deep breath and smiled. Rico was just staring at him, grinning in heart-felt relief.
"I'm real glad to hear that, Sonny." Rico turned, leaning close to his partner. He was happy to stand and watch the water.

*

Kates was so small it was a single, unnamed dot on the map, but as soon as they moored at the rickety post at what passed for a marina, Sonny could see why Jaygon and Elliott knew it so well. Each house along the one and only street was immaculate and unique. A small cafe advertised coffee and shakes. A general store obviously provided everything the locals needed, and a small jazz bar that end of the street looked to be the entertainment.

Elliott stepped down off the yacht with a highly expensive and complicated camera in his hands. Crockett watched as he lovingly checked it and wondered into the town with Jaygon in tow, sketch pad in hand. Next to him, Rico was shaking his head. "I couldn't take these two down if my career depended on it," he murmured softly.
"They're not doing anything wrong. I even kinda like some of the art they have in their exhibitions." A moment's pause, and Rico felt Sonny's fingers touch the back of his hand in a gesture that was starting to become familiar. He looked up, meeting his partner's stunning eyes. "Walk?"
"Drink, then walk?"
"Deal."

The locals were about, and seemed to know Jaygon and Elliott well. They spoke in the native languages as Jaygon took photos. Sonny and Rico walked slightly away from the rest of the party toward the bar. As they walked, an electricity seemed to flow between them.
"Like the rest of the world doesn't exist." Rico's strong New York accent, now interlaced with a gentle southern lilt, flowed over Sonny like a cleansing balm. He had never listened before, never heard the tones and inflections of a voice more familiar to him than his own. He glanced over at Rico. His partner was almost more real now, a physical presence that his own body refused to ignore. He mentally shook himself.
"I used to sail down to the Keys often, get away from the city and the job." He smiled to himself. "There's a jazz club in Key West that's seen some wild nights."
Rico raised a hand to his mouth to hide his giggle. "I bet."
Sonny pulled a face, nudging his partner toward the bar. "On me, anything but champagne."
"I never thought I'd be complaining about swimming in expensive champagne."

In contrast to the stifling heat outside, the bar was cool behind the slatted windows. The large dark barman gave them both a wide smile. "Coffee?" Sonny asked hopefully as they slid onto the bar stools.
Another toothy smile. "Ah, you must be with Jay and Elliott's party." He turned to the percolator and found a filter.
"They're well-known around here, I take it?"
The barman nodded without turning. "They spend a lot of time down here, Jay calls it welcome relief after a week in the city."
Sonny nodded. "It doesn't... bother people?"
The barman started the coffee and came to lean on the bar between them. "Jay and Elliott never done anything too bad. They're in love. That's cool around here." He grinned again. "This is a lovin' kinda town."

*

When the rest of the 'Gay Priscilla' party found the bar, Sonny and Rico vacated. They walked the length of the street, turning off and heading back toward the ocean. Sonny had meant what he had said to Rico that morning; he did feel closer to him now. They had both been drunk last night, part of him had always been surprised that it had not happened earlier. For years he and Rico had been getting rat-assed together, falling asleep with one another, generally living together if they really thought about it. Yet last night on the boat something had been there between them that had been impossible to ignore, impossible not to act upon.

Rico felt Sonny's fingers touch the back of his hand once again, and smiling to himself, he finally turned his own palm and took his partner's fingers in his own, holding them lightly. They walked like that, in silence, along the shore. The yacht was visible in the distance, a couple of guests still on board, soaking up the rays on deck.
"I'm going to miss this small slice of heaven. It's as close as I've got in a very long time." Sonny nodded his agreement, curling his fingers up around Rico's.
"I gotta tell you, Rico...." Sonny shook his head. "Once upon a time, you asked me how far I would go for you, how far I would fall to protect you, if anything ever went bad. I never gave you an answer. But I've never stopped thinkin' about it either. I'd go all the way for you, Partner. I'd fall as far as I could."
Rico felt choked. Sonny was not known for his divulging of inner feelings, his confessional moments were rare and Rico could still remember each and every time they had shared a moment like this. "Sonny, Partner... you're my life. No one's ever been closer to me than you, no one's ever touched me like you have. And... I mean that in the spiritual sense...." Sonny smiled, then laughed. Their hand-hold tightened.
"You know every time you've been under and I haven't been there I've been through hell worryin' about you. I never used to worry about my partners."
"Hey, man, I may have only been Robbery, but I can look after myself."
Sonny nodded in agreement. "Usually. Only once or twice I had to save your ass."
"A small percentage of the times I saved yours."

They got closer to the yacht. Sonny stopped, using their joined hands to turn his partner to face him. "Tomorrow, we're going to go back to real life. What happened between us," he squeezed his partner's hand, "what is happening, is something that I don't want to forget."
Rico heard more in Sonny's tone, than the actual spoken words. He took up Sonny's other hand, holding them both tight. "This won't go away, Sonny. You're forgetting that real life for us isn't what it used to be." He leaned his forehead against his partner's. "We took down a foreign dictator and ended up with new names, new wardrobes and a couple of neat promotions. So us two senior detectives don't have to worry about having to give up our private lives for anyone."
Sonny nodded, staying put for a few more seconds. Then he pulled back. "We best be getting back to the party. Wouldn't want to be late for lunch."

*

By the evening, they had upped anchor and started back for the mainland. A cocktail party was the plan for that evening. Rico knocked on Sonny's door and pushed it open when he heard the word. "You know," he told the bathroom door, "as fun as this is, I am running out of shirts." He heard Sonny laugh, and the bathroom door opened.
"Then you should learn how to pack!" Sonny finished drying off his hair and threw his towel to the floor. Opening the wardrobe door he took out a fresh white shirt and threw it on. Rico couldn't help but stare. There was something about Sonny in white that turned him on unbearably. The soft black trousers that Sonny was already wearing looked like they were begging to be stroked. Rico briefly considered trying for a kiss, but he banished the thought for the moment.
"Jay's already out with his pallet."
Sonny buttoned his shirt. "Well, we best not keep the artist waiting."

*

Jaygon watched from the bar on the upper deck as Sonny and Rico stepped out from below. Elliott smiled, pinching his lover's bottom. "They look stunning together."
Jaygon nodded, sighing. "God, yes." He smiled. "They're incredible. Dark and light. I just wish they'd give into it."
"They are, slowly, but they are. Give them time." He hooked his arm around Jaygon's waist. "In their profession it can't be easy."
"No." He turned to Elliott, kissing him. "Thanks for letting them come aboard. I know it was a risk...."
"Anything for you."

Rico took two glasses from the bar and handed one to Sonny. Jaygon was sitting on one of the tables with his sketch pad. The barbecue was smelling wonderful and Sonny's mouth was watering. They collected steak baguettes and found a quiet spot against the bow rails to watch the sun go down. "Strange to say, but I'm gonna miss this."
Rico shook his head. "You'd get bored after a week."
Sonny shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. But seeing this makes it a little easier to understand why people cross the line."
"Hey, Partner, you're not thinking...."
Sonny frowned. "Rico, please. What more do I need? I've got the sloop, the scarab, the Ferrari..." he frowned like he'd just thought of something. "I miss the Ferrari."
Rico laughed, miming a violin. "Aww... he misses his car."
"Yeah, well. I probably have a starving young alligator too."
"I doubt that, Sonny, Elvis Junior probably takes after his Dad. It's more likely that you don't have a record collection any more." Sonny sighed, knowing his partner was probably right."

The golden light played on the water as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Rico returned from the bar with a surprise for Sonny, a long cold beer. "You are a miracle worker."
"Your favourite host apparently picked you up a barrel while we were in town." Sonny titled his head, giving Rico a look that almost made him wince. "I know, I know."
As Rico leant against the rail, Sonny turned, pressing his back against his partner's chest. Rico breathed in his partner, wrapping his arm around Sonny's waist, pulling him close. Shorter than Rico by just an inch or two, Sonny could lean his head back against Rico's collarbone and comfortably still watch the view. "You have to know that it's only you."
Tubbs nodded; he knew. "I've... waited a long time."
Sonny turned his head to gaze up at his partner. "You said that last night, what do you mean?"
"You know I love you, Sonny. You know that, don't you?"
"Sure. I love you too, Rico. I told you that...."
Yeah, he had. That long night after Sonny had returned from Lauderdale. They had talked a lot that first night. Sonny didn't remember much, only images he thought were from dreams. Rico had told him what he knew to be truth, as hard as it was for Sonny to hear. And Sonny had apologized time after time for shooting at him. For trying to murder him.

Rico put his drink down behind him and wrapped his other arm around Sonny, kissing his neck gently. "Sonny, don't question this, okay?"
Sonny scrunched his eyes in confusion, but wisely decided to accept what his partner was saying. He took a deep, relaxing breath, leaning in to Rico's warmth. Half the glass of beer settled whatever nerves might have been playing in his stomach and he started to gently stroke Rico's arm with his fingers. He pushed the cuff of Rico's silk shirt slightly up his arm, teasing the dark hairs with his nails. "I can't believe how I feel about you at this moment," he whispered.

Rico stifled a moan. Last night there had only been a drunken desire for each other. Now, Rico's senses were overloading his mind. Still, he wanted to let Sonny make all the first moves. He was sure of what he wanted, but not of his partner. He and Sonny had never been afraid of touching. If last night had not happened, if the hand-in-hand walk on the shore this morning had not happened, Rico would just have put this down to just feeling close. But it had happened, and now he had his gorgeous partner in his arms, and there was more to tonight than the need for trustworthy companionship.
"This has always been here, Sonny."

Jaygon leaned back on the railings to the side of Sonny and Rico. The two smiled at their erstwhile host. "Gentlemen," he held up his pencil. "May I?"
Grinning, Sonny titled his head so that he could look up at Rico, questioning. He did not have to ask, he could read his partner's expression. "Okay."
As the sun set, the constellations became clear, unobstructed by any city lighting as it too often was on the mainland. Rico pointed out a couple more, laughing when Jaygon berated him for moving his arm and head. In the end Rico just settled for holding Sonny close and making faces when their artist looked up.

"You two may the most inspirational models I've found, but you're also the most annoying." Sonny grinned at that. "Try to stand still, please?"
Sonny lifted his beer to his lips, and teasingly pressed back slightly with his ass into Rico's groin. Rico moaned, burying his face in Sonny's neck. Jaygon sighed, shaking his head. "That was on purpose." He poked his pencil and the two. A few minutes later he thanked them. "You can play now. I can finish this without you." There was a twinkle in his eye that Sonny was starting to really like.

They watched him wonder off the to the upper deck, humming to himself in time with the faint background music. Sonny felt Rico's lips on the back of his neck. He turned in Rico's arms, hugging back. Rico swept a hand over his partner's hair. "Do you think... some day... we could have this?"
Sonny smiled softly. He touched an index finger to Rico's lips, following the full curve of his mouth first with his finger, then leaning in, with his tongue. "I want you," he murmured. "Now."
Rico submitted more than willingly, accepting Sonny's tongue in his mouth, sucking gently. Sonny's fingers dug into his back, needing him closer.

Elliott stood as his lover poured himself a drink behind the bar. He picked up the sketch-pad Jaygon had thrown down. He glanced at the pad, and then down onto the lower deck. "Don't look now...."
Jaygon followed his gaze and saw the tight embrace his two favourite guests were clinched in. "Oh, boy." He let his gaze linger on them for just a little longer.
Elliott had to laugh. "You're acting like a teenager, Jay!" Jaygon nodded and smiled.
"You know you're the only one for me, El." He sighed. "But for a little on the side...."

Sonny stroked his hands down Rico's back to his ass. Their deep kiss lengthened, their bodies pressed together inch to inch. Rico fought down the urge to jump Sonny then and there. He broke the kiss, tearing his eyes from his partner's swollen lips. "You wanna take this somewhere else?"
"Yes, yes I do." Their hands clasped, Rico lead Sonny down though the yacht to his room. Neither wanted a replay of the previous night.

"I want to feel you," Sonny's rough murmur alone drove Rico wild. "Last night... was too fast. I want you, nice and slow."
Rico's fingers played down Sonny's shirt, undoing the buttons, revealing the beautifully tanned skin. "Every time," he started, "you touch someone else," he watched Sonny open his own shirt, "shake a guy's hand, pat his shoulder," his hand went to the waistband of Sonny's trousers, "squeeze a woman's waist, kiss her cheek," he loosened the belt there, "you drive me crazy." Sonny let Rico push his pants down. "You're so physical with people." Rico stepped back as Sonny went to work on his own slacks. "You have the most beautiful hands," he stepped out of his trousers as they pooled to the floor, "the most beautiful hair," Sonny lead him back towards the bed, "the most beautiful eyes, I have ever seen."

As they got to the bed, both men stopped. Sonny stepped back, his eyes roaming over his partner's body. "You're the most beautiful, sensual person I have ever laid eyes on." He reached out, running his fingers along the underside of the dark cock aimed at him. "You're also the biggest thing I've ever laid eyes on."
Rico grinned. "Stroking me and my ego." He closed in on Sonny, pressing their erections together, purposely rubbing them against one another. The dark man touched his lips to the other's, his tongue demanding entry into the lucious mouth. Crockett moaned deep, hands playing almost tentatively on Rico's smooth skin. They moved together like they'd been doing this for years, like making love to another man was second nature.

Being together was second nature, feeling each other mentally was what kept them alive, kept them side by side. This was just another step, another experience to be shared. Rico combed his fingers into Sonny's hair, pulling out of the kiss and trailing his lips down the warm neck. "I love you, Sonny." He nipped the skin with his teeth, biting a path over his shoulder - nothing permanent - just a gesture of possession.

Sonny felt his partner's teeth, his lips, his hands, his fingers, his whole body against him. All that and yet he wanted - he needed more. "Rico, please...."
Tubbs sat down on the bed, still unmade from the last time they had been together. Taking Sonny's hand he pulled him down. As Rico sat up against the hull, Sonny straddled his thighs, Rico wrapped his legs around his lover so that they sat facing one another. "This is nice." Sonny found he had his hands free, his thighs were holding Rico close as he was being held. He stroked Rico's shoulders, down his arms. "I... I couldn't stand to lose you, Rico."
"You're not gonna lose me, Sonny."

Pressing forward, Rico pushed his cock up the length of Sonny's, forcing groans from them both. They kissed, devouring one another as they rubbed together, dark and light. Sonny ran his hand over Rico's chest, down over his taut stomach to the dark hairs below. Moving his fingers up, hooking them around his and Rico's cocks, sliding his hand up them both, moving them together.
"Yes, please, yes." Slowly, moving to their own rhythm, Rico's hand joined Sonny's. Their fingers linked around their cocks, they brought themselves together to a slow, languorous orgasm, so slow, it was almost like the act and its climax was incidental. All that mattered was that it was them.

The cool night air drifted into the cabin through the open portholes. Sonny leaned back on his partner, wrapped protectively in Rico's arms. "Not too sure what Castillo would have to say about this one," Sonny mused quietly.
"Think he'll know?"
Sonny shrugged. "It's hard to tell with him. Sometimes it feels like he can read minds."
"Think he'll care?"
"Maybe." Sonny looked up at his partner. "You bothered?"
Rico shook his head, tightening his arms around his lover. His lover... that sounded good. He ran his fingers up through Sonny's hair. "The only thing that would make me regret these two days would be if our partnership and our friendship suffered."
"That's not gonna happen, Rico. You know that." He turned against his partner's hot body. "You do know that, don't you?"
Rico nodded. "Absolutely."
"Good." He dropped a chaste kiss onto his lover's shoulder and turned again, settling back against the firm body behind him.

Rico trailed a light fingertip over Sonny's flat stomach. "I think... we needed this vacation."
Sonny glanced up at the serious tone of his partner's voice. "You think ... this was a long time comin', don't you?" Rico hesitated, but nodded. "Why didn't you say something?"
Tubbs laughed softly. "Like? I can just see it, 'hey, Sonny, you up for a drink tonight? Dinner? maybe a little lovin'?' There was never a time when it seemed right."
Sonny took Rico's hand from his thigh, placing their palms together and entwining their fingers. "I know that feelin'." He leaned his head back for Rico to kiss him, joining their mouths and playing their tongues. As they broke the kiss and looked at one another, both started to laugh. "You'd have thought that after eight years we'd be able to read each other sexually as well as phsyically."
"Those skills need honing."
Crockett moaned quietly, reaching up to curl his fingers in Rico's hair and pull hose dark lips down to his own. "Oh yeah."

*

Sonny threw their bags down into the speed launch and turned to Jaygon. Next to him, Rico was standing close.
"It's been inspiring, thank you." Jaygon handed them the canvas he had been holding. "I would have liked longer to finish it, but...." It was the painting he had done the night before, of them standing together, Sonny's back to Rico's front. The sketch had been painted over in water colours, beautifully highlighting the sunset around them.
"It's amazing, Jay. Thanks, man." Rico stepped down into the boat, taking the painting as Sonny handed it to him.
"Sonny." He turned back, hand on the railing. "I know that, in your professions it would be difficult, but if you two feel like sitting for that other painting any time...." He handed him a card with an address and phone number on it. Sonny accepted the card, looking at him suspiciously. Jaygon simply smiled. "I do understand that cops - especially undercover vice cops - have to be careful about who they chose as friends, but it would be good to see you again."
Sonny stared. "You knew."
"From before we invited you. Take care, Sonny, of yourself, and of the two of you."

*****

Chapter Two
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