Vetting

by elfin

 

 

Harry stared at the form in his hands.  He read and re-read the name printed in the second box down.  Finally he looked up over the white A4 sheet at the nonchalant man sitting on the couch in front of him.

<>"Are you out of your mind?" 

Adam shrugged like this wasn't a big deal.  "What?  He's already got top-level security clearance."

<>Shock made it difficult to string together the right words.  "There are at least two things making that statement very scary." 

Rolling his eyes, Adam asked, "Because he's a guy."

<>"No.  Well... yes." 

"This isn't the army, Harry."

<>"Being gay..." 

"I'm not gay."

<>"...having homosexual relationships..." 

"...leaves me more open to blackmail?  It's bullshit and you know it.  I haven't cracked under interrogation yet, and I won't in the future.  Who I sleep with has no bearing on my work."

<>"The vetting form will come back with a lot of red on it, Adam.  You can't do this." 

"Too late."

<>"Why?"  Harry caught on.  "You're already seeing him!" 

"Yes."

<>"For how long?" 

"A year and a half."

<>Quick mental calculation.  "But that's before....  Why don't we know about this?"  He caught Adam's obvious expression.  "Sorry.  Rhetorical question." 

"Oh, come on, Harry.  Like I said, he's already got full security clearance."

<>"Had full security clearance." 

"We don't discuss work.  He's not even interested any more."

<>"Now that I find difficult to believe." 

"Seriously."

<>"Even when you go home... damaged?" 

Adam's humoured expression hardened.  "Even then."

<>"You're lying." 

"If you can tell that I must be losing my touch."

<>Harry took a deep breath and released it slowly.  "How serious is it?" 

"Didn't I just say 'a year and a half'?"

<>"He's a security risk, Adam." 

"He wouldn't do or say anything that might put me or any of you at risk, Harry.  He loves you guys."

<>The corner of Harry's mouth quirked up.  "And you?" 

Adam glanced into the corner of the room.  "I hate you all."

<>"You do not."  The tension in the room dropped a couple of notches. 

He smiled.  "He's crazy about me."  He stretched out his arms.  "Who can blame him?  And I'm a little crazy about him.  I'm not asking your permission here, yours or 5's.  I'm making it official so that if anything happens to me he's informed."

<>"What a fun conversation that would be."  Harry sighed. 

Taking that as 'permission granted', Adam got to his feet, grinning.  "Thanks."

<>"Adam....  Say 'hello' to Tom for me." 

"I'll give him a big kiss from you, Harry."

 

 

fin
elfin

Instant Feedback!  (No Flames Please!)