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Diagnosis Murder Ch. 01

By: Pelaam



Entering his beach house home, Lieutenant Steve Sloan dropped his suitcase and stretched tiredly. He wasn't due back from the Conference until the next day, but the final speaker had cancelled and rather than stay away one more night, Steve had chosen to come home. He'd missed his young lover for the two days and nights he'd been away already and his drive home had become somewhat uncomfortable due to the thoughts of a naked Jesse Travis and making love chasing through his mind. He cocked his head, hearing a mixture of CD music and his love's off-key voice singing. Smiling, the big detective moved to the living room, then stood in the doorway. The sight before him made him gasp.

In the middle of the floor, diligently polishing their dining table was Jesse Travis. The young doctor had his back to Steve and so was blissfully unaware of the appreciative audience. Steve's appreciation however was not for the slender man's polishing or singing abilities. Jesse had decided to undertake the cleaning work in nothing but baby-blue bikini briefs. The young man rocked forwards and backwards as he polished, alternating with hip gyrations to the music. As he stretched over the table, Steve enjoyed the view of Jesse's pert bottom, the thin cotton emphasizing the perfect twin globes beneath the fabric.

Steve growled low in his throat. He was both protective and possessive of his younger lover. Added to that a very large button that found being dressed in the vicinity of a near-naked Jesse incredibly arousing and Steve found all tiredness suddenly evaporating in favour of making mad, passionate love with his beloved. An insistent ache between the big man's legs drew his attention to just how aroused he already was. Steve smiled ferally.

"Hi, Honey, I'm home" he rumbled.

Jesse turned round immediately. For a second there was fear in his eyes, before he registered clearly the words and the identity of the speaker. The polishing cloth forgotten, Jesse's face lit up with an incandescent grin and Steve found himself with two arms full of energetic, enthusiastic blond. Jesse wrapped his legs around Steve's hips and the bigger man cupped a firm buttock in each large palm. Jesse's face buried itself in Steve's neck with a contented sigh. Then the younger man pulled back and began peppering Steve's face with kisses. He moaned softly as Steve gently squeezed the young man's cheeks. Finally, their lips met and two tongues danced and swirled around each other. Breaking apart due to the necessity of breathing, Jesse gazed deeply into the eyes of his lover.

"Missed you, Steve" he murmured. "Love you so much."

"Love you too, Angel" Steve replied. "And I missed you."

Deciding he didn't want to waste a single moment of the time he could spend making love with this special young man, Steve carried a giggling Jesse to their bedroom, whilst explaining how he came to be home so early. He gently laid Jesse on their bed and removed Jesse's briefs. He leant back to appreciate the view of his young lover; naked, aroused and willing.

"Steve, please, Love, please" Jesse begged softly. "Love me. Show me I'm yours."

"Mine, Jess" Steve growled as he kicked off his shoes and knelt on their bed. He caught hold of Jesse's trim thighs and spread them back and apart. He shifted forward as he gazed predatorily at the now exposed tiny pucker. Meeting Jesse's eyes, he tried to convey how much he appreciated the submissive, vulnerable position Jesse lay in so quiescently. Steve always felt humbled by the trust Jesse gave so freely. Despite Steve's size, Jesse trusted the much bigger man not to abuse or hurt him.

"Yours, Steve" Jesse affirmed. "Only ever you."

"My beautiful virgin" Steve smiled. He had been both awed and proud to have been the man to take Jesse's virginity. He then moved swiftly and engulfed Jesse's straining erection. 

"Steve!" the young man screamed as Steve sucked hard and fast. He wanted Jesse to come quickly so that the next part of their love-making could be more leisurely. He began to gently rolled Jesse's testicles and then reached up to pinch an innocent nipple. Jesse's nipples were a highly erogenous zone for both men and the firm tug on the delicate flesh was enough to trigger Jesse's release. Steve swallowed greedily, savouring the salty taste of his lover's cream. He suckled until he felt Jesse's penis softening and slowly allowed the organ to slip from his lips. "Love you, Steve" Jesse panted. "Love you so much."

"Love you, Baby" Steve rumbled as he slowly stood. "Watch me, Jess" he commanded softly. "Gonna get naked for you, Angel. Gonna get skin to skin with you. Gonna cover your beautiful body with mine, lick you, suck you, reach inside you till you come again screaming my name. You want me inside you, Baby? I know you do. You want me inside you, owning you, possessing you." Steve had stripped as he spoke, inflaming Jesse's passion with both the visual display and his words of seduction and passion. Finally he stood nude before his prone lover. He reveled in the whimpers he could hear spilling from Jesse's lips as the slender young man opened his arms and legs wide in wanton invitation. Growling, Steve advanced crawling between Jesse's spread thighs as he accepted Jesse's invitation. 

Jesse wrapped his legs around Steve's waist as the bigger man blanketed his slighter form. Steve balanced his weight on his left forearm and began a trail of kisses down Jesse's jaw and neck. He increased pressure as he reached Jesse's collarbone and chest, leaving the occasional mark of possession in his wake. Steve's tongue danced down Jesse's smooth chest and then he began to suckle Jesse's right nipple as he squeezed the sensitive breast. Jesse moaned softly at the attention. Steve moved to Jesse's left breast and laved the same attention upon it, leaving both nipples achingly hard in his wake. Abandoning the solid nubs with reluctance, Steve then began a tender assault on the slender doctor's navel. He ran his tongue around the edge of the tiny indent, and then began a rhythmic thrusting inside. He ran his tongue down towards the heat of Jesse's groin then diverted down the crease of each inner thigh. Gently he took each testicle into his mouth and rolled them slowly, reveling in Jesse's mewls of pleasure and need. Steve released the small ovals and slid a large palm under each of Jesse's cheeks, simultaneously lifting and spreading them open. Using his thumbs, Steve exposed Jesse's tiny center fully and began to lick and probe until the rose flowered open and Steve's tongue began to thrust deeply and rhythmically. Continuing to thrust with his tongue, Steve blindly reached for their lube and coated his fingers. He replaced his tongue with a slick finger as he kissed Jesse, his tongue invading his lover's mouth with the same tempo as his finger pumped into Jesse's center. As Steve entered Jesse with two fingers, Steve began to suckle Jesse's sensitized nipples, relishing the way Jesse arched into his touch. Finally Steve had three fingers buried inside his lover and Jesse's erection arched hard against the lissome man's flat stomach.

"Please, Steve" Jesse panted. "Take me. Show me I'm yours. Come inside me."

"Gonna come inside you, Baby" Steve rumbled. "Gonna fill you. You're mine, Baby. Say it, Jess." As he spoke, Steve lifted Jesse's legs onto his shoulders and pressed his slicked length at the stretched opening to Jesse's body.

"Yours, Steve" Jesse moaned. "Always yours. Only ever you."

"Mine" Steve affirmed, pressing inside Jesse's welcoming body. "Ah, God, Jesse!" Steve groaned at the sensation of Jesse's channel clenching tightly around his hard length. He'd wanted to love Jesse slowly, but instead gave into his body's demands and began to pound hard and deep, hitting Jesse's sweet spot repeatedly. Steve kissed Jesse as his hips pistoned into the willing body. Sliding his hand between their bodies, Steve began to pump Jesse in counterpoint to his thrusts. Jesse responded by arching his back, his head thrashing from side to side, lost in their mutual passion. 

"Steve" Jesse cried out his lover's name as he felt his imminent climax.

"You're gonna come, Baby" Steve growled in Jesse's ear. "Gonna come with me deep in your body, Angel. Want you to milk me, Jess. Come for me, Baby."

With a wail, Jesse climaxed hard. The clenching of his channel and the look of ecstasy on Jesse's face as he came were enough to force Steve over. With a primal roar, Steve erupted in Jesse's body, his seed flowing deep inside his lover. As he came down from his orgasmic high, Steve retained enough presence of mind to roll sideways, taking Jesse with him. He tucked the smaller man's head beneath his chin after kissing the sweat-dampened temples. "Love you, Sunshine" he whispered.

"Love you, Babe" Jesse panted in reply, snuggling into the bigger man's comforting embrace and surrendering to post-orgasmic sleep.

"Sleep sweet, my love" Steve crooned. "We've got the rest of the night together." Smiling tenderly, Steve joined Jesse in sleep.

"Jesse. Jesse! Is everything OK?" a voice demanded, rousing Steve from his sleep. A sharp rap at their bedroom door accompanied the words. Steve couldn't help but smile as he became aware of his human blanket. Jesse was sprawled over Steve's chest and his right leg was between Steve's thighs. "Jesse?" the voice persisted. Steve realized the identity of the voice's owner, but before he could reply, the bedroom door opened.

"Hi, Dad" he smiled as Mark Sloan anxiously peered inside.

"Steve!" the older man exclaimed with surprise. "I wasn't expecting you home tonight"

"Steve?" Jesse's sleepy voice came from the vicinity of Steve's nipple. "Wazzit...?"

Holding onto the smaller man tightly, Steve murmured "it's just Dad, Sweetheart"

Jesse jerked, but couldn't move away. His head shot up to meet Steve's amused look. "Dad!" he exclaimed. "Dad's coming over to keep me company tonight. We gotta get ready."

"It's OK, Jess" Mark assured as he retreated from the room. "I'll just set three places. See you both in a few minutes." The older man smiled. Jesse usually called him Mark, which he was quite happy with, but occasionally the younger man called him Dad and that gave him a warm fuzzy feeling. He'd been like a surrogate father to the younger man since Jesse had come to Community General. Whilst he might have entertained other ideas of an ideal relationship for his son previously, he knew Steve and Jesse were made for each other. He recognized them for the Soul-mates they were.

Jesse groaned from Steve's armpit and Steve couldn't help but grin widely at the blush he could see on Jesse's body.

"Jess, you know Dad's happy with our relationship. He's caught us like this more than once."

"I'd never rub his face in it intentionally..." Jesse began.

"And he knows that" Steve concluded. "Look on it as more ammunition to tease us with. Now, out of bed and in the shower. I'm famished. Move it, Angel." Steve aimed a gentle swat at Jesse's bare backside and within minutes the two men had completed a rapid shower in the en-suite Steve had built in their bedroom.

Mark smiled at his two sons as they came into the living room. Steve had an arm slung proprietary around Jesse's waist. The younger man nuzzled into the loving embrace. Before either could speak, Mark strode over. Tilting downwards first Steve's then Jesse's heads, Mark dropped a kiss on each. 

"Welcome home, Steve" Mark smiled. "I'm sure Jesse won't mind sharing three ways now you're home. Jess" he looked into the wide guileless eyes. "Thank you for making my son so happy." Mark grinned widely at the vivid blush on Jesse's face, but the look from Steve was priceless as Steve's eyes shone with gratitude at his father.

The three men enjoyed the take-out food and then Jesse prepared two bowls of popcorn for them to nibble whilst watching the basketball game. Soon Jesse had slid onto cushions on the floor between Steve's spread legs. Not long after, Steve slid to the floor behind Jesse. The slender man now sat between Steve's legs, a strong arm wrapped around his waist as he leant back into his bigger lover's solid warmth. Steve enjoyed holding Jesse and used his free hand to attack the popcorn, remembering to feed some to his lover. By the time the game was three quarters through, Mark noticed Steve begin to move gently. Before he could speak, Steve motioned for him to keep quiet and indicated Jesse who was fast asleep. In an obviously well-practiced manoeuvre, Steve scooped up his tiny lover and sat back on the couch with Jesse nestled securely against his chest.

"You want me to go?" Mark whispered. Steve shook his head in response.

"No, Dad. We can watch the end of the game and you can sleep here tonight. Jess will probably sleep through now." Almost on cue, Jesse moved restlessly, but stilled immediately as Steve crooned softly into his ear. A soft sigh and Jesse sagged completely in Steve's embrace. 

As the game finished, Mark assured his son he would lock the house and Steve smiled his gratitude as he carried his precious bundle safely back to their bedroom. As Steve stripped the lithe body, he found himself hardening. He gave a muttered 'Down boy', undressing rapidly and sliding into bed to spoon up behind his sleeping lover. His semi-erect penis slid comfortably between the cheeks of Jesse's ass and the younger man unconsciously snuggled backwards. Steve bit back a groan and kissed Jesse's ear whispering "Goodnight, Angel" before slipping into sleep. 

Steve awoke slowly, with a pressure on his thighs and a warm wetness surrounding his left nipple. His eyes opened in time to see a pink tongue trail its way across the plains of his chest to his right nipple which received the same tongue bath as its twin. Steve couldn't suppress a moan of appreciation as Jesse gently tugged on the small nub with his teeth.

"Morning, Sunshine" Steve smiled.

"Morning, Lover" Jesse replied, leaning his body forward to be able to kiss Steve's lips.

"This is a nice wake-up call" Steve groaned as Jesse returned to licking and nipping the taut nipples.

"One part of you is very happy" Jesse said grinning as he shifted to display Steve's full erection. Smiling seductively, Jesse wriggled his way down Steve's body. When his face was level with the head of Steve's penis, Jesse licked it slowly. Steve groaned again, fighting the urge to push himself into Jesse's mouth. Jesse rewarded his self-control by gently sucking the head and then lapped his way down to the base. Pushing Steve's legs apart, Jesse followed the crease of each thigh with his tongue and then moved lower. He lapped delicately at each of Steve's heavy sacs before working lower again. Realizing Jesse's intent, Steve braced his feet on the bed and shifted his hips upwards. This gave Jesse the needed access to gently lap at Steve's dusky pucker. 

"Baby," Steve rumbled huskily. 

Jesse looked up to ensure Steve was alright. The sight of Jesse with his disheveled hair and flushed face, panting slightly from his attentions to Steve's body sent surges of love and lust through Steve in equal measure. "Wanna ride me, Baby?" he asked roughly. "I wanna see you ride me. Wanna see you impaled on me, pleasuring us both. Ride me, Jess"

"Oh yeah" Jesse breathed. "Get me ready?" he asked.

"C'mere" Steve husked. Steve propped himself into a more upright position and Jesse kissed him long and deep before pressing a tube of lube into Steve's hand, straddling his lover's legs and presenting his enticing buttocks to Steve's hungry gaze. Jesse shivered in anticipation as Steve's large hands stroked over each cheek, then kneaded them purposefully. Jesse gasped as a cold slick finger invaded his most private place. "Soon be warm, Baby" Steve murmured. "Love you, Angel"

"Love you, too, Babe" Jesse replied. The younger man was gently and thoroughly prepared by his bigger Mate. Steve never took chances in regards to preparing Jesse properly. Both were aware of the need for safe sexual practices. Steve was also well aware of how easily someone of his size, both physically and sexually, could hurt a more diminutive lover. Jesse's body was tiny in comparison to Steve and the big man wanted Jesse to enjoy their coupling, not be hurt by it. They didn't use condoms because both men knew they were clean as they were tested regularly in their jobs and neither man intended to have another lover. This was a union for life. Satisfied that Jesse was ready to accept his turgid sex, Steve assisted as Jesse turned to face him and lined his prepared entrance over Steve's straining erection. "Slowly, Sweetheart" Steve purred as tight slick heat began to envelop him. Both men moaned as Jesse finally came to rest flush against Steve's groin. Slowly Jesse undulated on the shaft that pierced him and Steve held his hips to assist in lifting up and down. Steve vocalized his appreciation of Jesse's movements, but Jesse was concentrating too hard to notice. Finally the lissome man needed more. He was rubbing Steve's cockhead against his prostrate but needed additional stimulation.

"Touch me, Steve" he begged softly. "Please, lover."

Steve moved one hand to start stroking Jesse's own need and as Jesse moved downwards, Steve began thrusting his hips upwards, hitting Jesse's sweet spot harder. Jesse threw his head back and cried out with pleasure. His head dropped back down towards his chest and Steve felt the tightening of Jesse's body that heralded the slender man's impending climax. Releasing Jesse's hip, Steve thrust up hard and pressed three fingers into Jesse's mouth. The young man's eyes widened.

"Mmm...mmm...mmm" Jesse's more vocal cries of completion effectively muffled, Steve bit down on his own roar of passion. The sight of Jesse orgasming, the clenching of Jesse's channel and the scent of Jesse's release tipped Steve over the edge and he felt his own release jettison inside Jesse's body. Steve caught Jesse's body and settled him against his chest as Jesse lay spent and trembling from the intensity of his climax.

"That was beautiful, Baby" Steve whispered. "You're beautiful. I love you, Jess"

"Love you, too" Jesse panted, snuggling into Steve's chest.

Steve gently petted Jesse's body, massaging the younger man's head and neck and then running up and down the sweat-dampened back. All too soon Steve knew they had to move if they were to see his Dad off to work.

"Dad spent the night here, Sweetheart" Steve told the sated young man. If we grab a quick shower we can have breakfast with him before he leaves. You still have today off?"

"Uh hmm. Wanted to welcome you home properly"

"Then how about a picnic later? Fresh air always sharpens my *appetite*" Steve licked Jesse's ear and nibbled gently on the lobe.

"I like the way you think" Jesse smiled softly.

Three hours later, the two men were enjoying a picnic of bread, cheese and fruit. They fed each other, enjoying the intimacy and allowing their lust to slowly build. Eventually each man was feeding more on the other's fingers than on what they contained. Steve slowly eased them down to lie on the blanket, his hands roaming over the slender doctor's body. He unsnapped Jesse's pants and eased the zipper down whilst kissing the younger man breathless. Dazed from the intensity of his Mate's kiss, Jesse barely registered Steve deftly removing his pants and briefs. Jesse moaned and arched into Steve's knowing touch as Steve stroked Jesse's hardness with just the right speed and pressure to increase arousal. Sucking on Jesse's neck, Steve undid Jesse's shirt and began to nurse at Jesse's nipples. He felt Jesse's slender hands working to undo his own clothes, but resisted the urge to help, concentrating instead at robbing Jesse of coherent thought. 

"You taste so good, Baby" Steve whispered as he released one achingly hard tiny bud to work on its neglected twin. Jesse groaned as Steve began his new assault, his hands twining in Steve's t-shirt.


Diagnosis Murder Ch. 01



Jesse had succeeded in freeing Steve's erection and had wrapped his hand around the thick shaft. Steve found himself unconsciously thrusting into Jesse's hand, enjoying the slow build up of sexual tension. 

"Roll over, Angel" Steve instructed and Jesse moved slowly to comply, reluctant to leave Steve's touches. As he lay down, Steve slid a cushion under Jesse's hips to elevate them and keep Jesse comfortable. Kissing the nape of Jesse's neck, Steve began to work his fingers inside Jesse to prepare him for penetration. Jesse was still loose and somewhat slick from their earlier love-making and the thought sent a jolt to Steve's already achingly hard rod. He lavished lube over the length and pressed inside his Mate's body.

"Oh, Steve! Love you, love you" Jesse cried as he felt Steve enter him fully. It didn't take long for both men to come hard. Jesse's wail of completion drowned out by the roar from Steve. Rolling to the side as his climax ended, Steve curled protectively around Jesse's sated body.

When his breathing had settled, Steve grudgingly acknowledged the need to clear things away and be heading home to avoid driving in the dark. He smiled lovingly at his sleeping lover. He knew Jesse had worked extra shifts at the Hospital to be able to have taken this day off and so wasn't surprised at his Mate's tiredness. His smiled turned feral as he slipped off Jesse's shirt, leaving the young man completely naked. He used the shirt to clean himself perfunctorily. He tossed Jesse's clothes into the basket with their finished picnic items. He put the basket into the back of the truck and pulled out a thick fleece blanket. Wrapping Jesse in the blanket on which he lay, Steve buckled him into the truck. The thought of Jesse next to him in the truck covered only by the blanket was causing the older man's cock to twitch. He hoped Jesse would take it in good stead. He tucked the thicker blanket within easy access and buckling himself in the truck began the drive home.

It took another half an hour before Jesse woke up and the younger man was shocked to find himself naked in the front passenger seat. However, seeing the look in Steve's eyes, Jesse decided it was worth feeling somewhat nervous to indulge the bigger man in something he clearly wanted. Smiling flirtatiously, Jesse angled his head towards Steve. Indicating the blanket with an eloquent hand he asked "So you want to explain this?"

"You are OK with this, Jess?" Steve asked anxiously. "I'll give you my t-shirt and get your chinos..."

"Steve it's OK. I feel naughty and debauched, but not uncomfortably so. I can see the fleece blanket, so I can cover up more if I want. Just...why?"

"Big time fantasy" Steve confessed, blushing faintly. "Having a naked, nubile young lover next to me as I drive along the open road is a fantasy I never thought I could have. I couldn't leave you uncovered though, Jess. I don't want anybody seeing your body except me and your doctor"

"Who just happens to be your Dad" Jesse giggled.

Steve smiled happily. He loved the musical sound of Jesse's giggles and if the young man was happy enough to giggle, then he couldn't be too uncomfortable. Glancing sideways at Steve, Jesse queried "So do you have other fantasies?"

"Yeah" Steve replied. "You?"

"Yeah. I'd like to be your love-slave for the night" Jesse whispered, blushing furiously.

Jess!" Steve exclaimed. "I think we need to have a long talk when we get home. Driving with you as good as naked beside me and talking fantasies like that one will have us crashing." He glanced over at Jesse, grinning widely and gave into the temptation to reach quickly inside Jesse's blanket cocoon to touch naked flesh. 

"Steve!" Jesse yelped. "Hands on wheel now, hands on Jesse later."

Steve waggled his eyebrows and both men laughed easily, comfortable in their intimacy.

They arrived home without incident. Both men giggled like teenagers as Steve tried to manoeuvre Jesse out of the truck and into his arms without the blanket falling open and displaying Jesse's nudity. Steve cradled his precious bundle to his chest as he began to walk towards their home. They were so engrossed in each other they failed to notice Mark who stood smiling at their antics. He quickly took in Jesse's bare feet and legs, which were displayed up to mid-thigh, and the bare arms and shoulders. Raising an eyebrow as the two men finally noticed him, he casually enquired

"Do I even want to know?"

"Jess and I were just...communing with nature, Dad" Steve improvised. He felt himself smiling broadly as Jesse buried his face in Steve's chest, the shaking body and muffled giggles showing the smaller man wasn't too embarrassed.

"I see," Mark said seriously, causing the two younger men to laugh out loud. "How about you two boys communing with the shower and coming to my place to have dinner with me. I'd like some company" Mark said laughing.

"Sure thing, Dad" Steve agreed.

"I'll even help empty the truck" Mark offered magnanimously. As Steve carried in his lover, Mark trailed behind carrying the basket. The three men were blissfully unaware of a malevolent gaze that watched their loving camaraderie. Nor could they hear the threat uttered in a cold, hard voice.

"Enjoy them for now, Sloan. Soon they'll be gone. Tomorrow sees the beginning of your retribution" 

At Community General it was another busy day in ER. Both Jesse and Mark were on duty and both men were on shift till the evening. Jesse was happy despite the activity. There hadn't been any fatalities to deal with. He had Steve to go home to and the memories of the previous day's love-making. In addition, Steve had been interested in Jesse's fantasy. Jesse's mind was working on how to best indulge his fantasy whenever it was quiet enough to think. The young doctor nibbled on a chocolate bar. He hadn't stopped to eat properly so far and his energy was waning. He glanced at his watch. He had a break coming up and would need to indulge in a caffeine fix. He knew Steve wouldn't be happy he hadn't eaten, but working out ways to have his fantasy had pre-occupied his mind when ER work hadn't. He smiled softly as he finished the chocolate, thoughts of his big, gentle lover running through his mind.

Mark Sloan had returned to his office after completing a ward round. His eyes immediately lighted on the plain white envelope on his desk. Picking it up, he saw the single printed word, 'Sloan'. He opened it and removed the single sheet of paper. Typed in the middle was the threat 'Today your retribution begins'. Mark frowned. Tucking the paper back into the envelope, he put the envelope into his inside pocket. He didn't feel it warranted calling Steve. He would, however, show it to his son that evening. From experience he knew he couldn't afford to ignore the threat. However, he had patients to see and determined that they came first.

At the time Mark was leaving his office, Jesse was heading into the doctors' lounge. He got himself a coffee, when there was a knock at the door. A nurse stuck her head round smiling and handed Jesse a Starbuck's coffee container. 

"Someone's a lucky boy" she smiled. There was a card with the cup. It simply said 'Jesse from Mark'. 

"Cool," Jesse enthused. "Starbuck's mocha. One of my favourites."

"What is?" asked Amanda as she joined Jesse. "Ooh, Starbuck's coffee. Nice"

"It's from Mark" Jesse said. "Not expected but really welcome."

"Jesse Travis" said Amanda sternly. "Do not tell me you've existed on coffee and chocolate again today"

"OK" Jesse smiled mischievously. "I won't."

The two relaxed together for a few minutes before an emergency had Jesse sighing and putting the unfinished coffee in the bin. Amanda found mocha too bitter and Jesse didn't relish the idea of warming it later. 

An hour later a frantic Mark and Amanda were trying to soothe Jesse as he repeatedly vomited uncontrollably. He lay in Mark's lap as Amanda tenderly smoothed his hair back from his sweat-damp face. 

"What have you eaten, Jess?" Mark asked anxiously. He'd arrived to see Jesse just as the young man had clutched at his abdomen and begun vomiting. Amanda had happened along at the same time and had bleeped for a gurney. Jesse simply shook his head, words too much effort.

"He had some chocolate and that Starbuck's mocha coffee you sent him that I know of" Amanda offered.

"What Starbuck's mocha?" Mark asked worriedly. "I didn't send him any coffee."

"It might still be in the lounge" Amanda said jumping to her feet. "I'll run a check on the contents"

"Call Steve" Mark instructed, holding Jesse tenderly as a bout of dry heaves had tears running down the distressed young doctor's face. "Get him here. I'll get Jesse's stomach pumped and have blood screening done." He rocked the younger man instinctively as Jesse whimpered with the pain. "It's going to alright, Jess" he promised. "Here!" he shouted as porters arrived with a gurney. "Get him into a cubicle; I'll be there in a minute." Mark delayed long enough to call for the equipment needed before racing after the young man he regarded as a second son.

"Dad? Jesse?" Steve's voice, laced with fear carried into the cubicle in which Jesse lay recovering from his stomach-pumping. Leaving Jesse with the nurse who had assisted him, Mark slowly walked out to his son. "Dad? What's happened to Jesse? What's going on?"

"I'm not sure, Son", Mark said carefully. "I need the results of Jesse's blood tests, but I think someone laced a drink with an emetic. I've pumped Jesse's stomach and he's getting an anti-convulsant to counter-act the urge to vomit. It hit him quite hard. He's completely drained. I want him here until the blood tests confirm my diagnosis. Once I know for sure that's the problem, I'll be happy to let him home. He'll rest better there and rest will do him the world of good."

"But why? I mean...is it a joke gone wrong? What?" Steve asked sensing there was something his father hadn't said.

With a sigh, Mark handed Steve the note. Steve read it, and then put it in a plastic evidence bag before putting it in his own pocket.

"I don't see how my suffering retribution could be linked to Jesse being hurt. But I think the emetic was put into a coffee that was purported to have come from me. Jesse wouldn't have drunk it otherwise. Why hurt Jesse?"

"I don't know, Dad" Steve replied. All his instincts as a cop told him this was no coincidence. "But I promise I'll find out" he said through clenched teeth.

"All done, Dr Sloan" a voice cut into their reveries. "Jesse's responding well. The vomiting urges have gone. What he needs now are rest and fluids." She smiled reassuringly at Steve.

"Can I sit with him, Dad?" Steve asked anxiously, looking more like a scared child than a self-possessed Police Lieutenant.

"Of course," Mark said smiling. "He will be woozy and probably sleepy. Don't expect too much of him. As soon as the toxicology reports are in I'll look at releasing him." 

Steve nodded and hurried into the cubicle. His stomach lurched at the sight of his normally bouncy and energetic young lover looking so pale and drained. The young man's pallor was in stark contrast to his normal healthy glow.

"Steve?" the young man's voice was a pained whisper and it galvanized his bigger Mate out of his shocked stillness. Steve was at Jesse's bedside instantly, catching hold of the flailing hand and pressing it to his lips before nuzzling it to his cheek.

"Don't speak, Love" Steve said solicitously. He smoothed Jesse's hair away from his forehead and gently stroked the revealed skin. "Just relax for me, Jess. Dad's got everything under control and I can take you home soon. He placed a finger to Jesse's lips as the fragile young man tried to speak again. He replaced the finger with his lips and felt Jesse relax. "Not yet, Jess. Shh. Sleep, Love." For a few minutes Steve whispered endearments and reassurances interspersed with chaste kisses until he felt Jesse relax fully and a sigh heralded the younger man's descent into sleep. "I'll find out who did this, Jess" Steve promised his sleeping lover. "They'll wish they'd never been born" he snarled quietly. Making himself as comfortable as possible, Steve settled to keep vigil over Jesse, holding tightly to the smaller man's hand.

The labs and Amanda worked rapidly to analyse the coffee and Jesse's blood sample. It was an obviously relieved Mark Sloan who confirmed to Steve that it had indeed been an emetic in the drink that had caused Jesse's vomiting. However, Mark was still concerned as Jesse had received a dose more in keeping with someone of Steve's large and bulky build, rather than Jesse' diminutive and slender form. 

"I don't know whether the large dose was deliberate or the result of ignorance" Mark sighed. The elder Sloan had taken up position sitting on the bed at Jesse's other side, across from his son. He reached out to Jesse's face and stroked the still-pale cheek. "The good news is he's responding well to treatment and now I know why his reaction was so violent, it's OK to take him home."

Steve had tried to put Jesse to bed when they got to Mark's beach house. But the older man was too wired to sleep himself and each time he'd tried to leave Jesse, the younger man had whimpered and held tighter. So for now Steve was stretched on his father's couch and Jesse lay wrapped mummy-like in a thick blanket between Steve's legs. Mark sat in a chair opposite and reassured his concerned son that Jesse was just reacting to the shock and drugs. Steve had no problems with Jesse using his chest as a literal body pillow. He was relieved to see some colour was returning to Jesse's face and that the earlier restlessness was giving way to a deeper, healing sleep. If the smaller man stirred, Steve simply petted and soothed and Jesse quickly settled.

"You could turn in, Dad", Steve offered. "I just want to stay awake a while, see if Jess wakes up and needs anything."

"In all honesty, Steve", the older Sloan confessed," although I know Jess needs sleep, I'd like him to wake up before I turn in. Add to that the things running through my mind and I doubt at this time I could sleep. I keep wondering if the letter and the attack on Jess were connected. I feel they were, but if I'm to suffer retribution, why hurt Jess?"

"My instincts say the same thing, Dad", Steve replied. "But I don't know why Jesse would be targeted. Possibly the idea is to isolate you from friends." As he spoke the big detective instinctively tucked Jesse closer protectively. His arms tightened around the precious bundle held close to his chest.

"Are you comfortable, Steve?" Mark asked.

"As long as Jesse is here and safe I'm fine" Steve replied.

"Steve?" a tiny voice queried.

"I'm here, Sweetheart" Steve replied.

"You 'k?"

"I'm fine, Hon" the bigger man swallowed past the lump in his throat.

"Mark 'k?"

"He's fine too, Babe. You were the one hurt, so how about 'how's Jess?'"

"Stomach doesn't feel too good. Tired" the young doctor confessed. "Was it an emetic? Do we know who or why?"

Mark brought a glass of water over and helped Steve rearranged Jesse to allow the young man to drink it slowly.

"You need rest, Jess" Mark stated. "Yes, it was an emetic and no we don't know who or why. However, I received a letter warning me of impending retribution. But that doesn't explain why you would be given tainted coffee."

Steve helped Jesse to his feet with Mark's assistance and then swept the younger man into his arms.

"Like Dad says, Jess" he said. "You need to rest. Tomorrow I'll start a full investigation." He smiled as he felt Jesse's full weight in his arms. The young man was already asleep.

"Take him to bed, Steve" Mark smiled. "I just want to make sure we're locked up secure." The older Sloan's smile faded as the two men disappeared. As relieved he was that Jesse was recovering, the concern that he'd been hurt at all weighed heavily on him.


The next couple of days passed without incident. Steve hadn't been able to determine anything about the coffee. It had been left at the Nurse's station with the card for Jesse. No-one had seen who left it. There were no more notes for Mark. Despite this, there was an air of unease. For an experienced detective like Steve Sloan it was extremely hard. His cop instinct warned him that things weren't over. He sighed heavily. He decided to head over to Community General. If nothing else, the sight of his now fully recovered lover would lift his spirits. As he parked his truck, Steve was unaware of the hostile gaze that noted his arrival or of the softly whispered threat of "Phase two, Sloan."

Jesse was back in his busy routine. He was aware that both Steve and Mark were still concerned about the note and the attack, but when busy and active, the young doctor effectively dismissed the incident from his mind. As he strode towards his designated ward round, he was approached by a young nurse.

"I have a call for you, Dr Travis" she said.

"Jesse Travis" the young man said into the receiver.

"Jesse, it's Steve. I'm hurt. Front car park. Hurry." The voice was broken and gravelly and Jesse wouldn't have recognized it as that of his lover. Under other circumstances, that might have made him think twice. But following him being attacked, Jesse immediately believed the assailant had now struck at Steve. Without thought for his own safety, the slender man ran for the lifts. As he entered the lift he saw Amanda.

"Amanda" he shouted frantically. "Tell Mark. Steve's in the front car park, hurt. I'm on my way to him now."

"Right," Amanda replied turning to race to Mark's office. As she reached the door, it opened and her eyes opened wide as Steve Sloan followed his father out. Both men stared at her with shock as she cried out "Oh dear God... Jesse."

Jesse ran into the car park and quickly located Steve's truck.

"Steve. Steve!" he called without answer. "Please don't be too hurt, please, please" the young man begged. "Steve, its Jess. I'm here, Big Guy." Jesse was on the verge of a panic attack as he called unsuccessfully for the man he loved. He was so focused on finding Steve, he was oblivious to the car that slowly emerged behind him and began to drive towards him like a predator stalking its prey.

Steve, Mark and Amanda ran out of the hospital in time to see a black sedan accelerate towards an unaware Jesse.

"Jesse!" Steve screamed his lover's name, but it was too late. The three of them watched in horror as the car shot forward, clipping Jesse's left side and spinning the young man to the floor. It continued without slowing and vanished from sight. Outside of the car park, the car was abandoned. The driver shedding layers of coat, scarf and hat as they made their way back to Community General to observe the results of their latest attack.

Amanda ran back inside to call for porters and gurney for Jesse as Steve and Mark ran to the stricken young man.

"Jesse. Jesse, can you hear me?" Mark asked as he ran his hands over Jesse's body trying to assess the level of damage. Jesse had a cut and bump on the right side of his head and was glancing dazedly around him. Mark was immediately concerned by potential concussion.

"Steve," Jesse murmured' "Steve's hurt. Gotta find Steve." Jesse tried to raise himself to continue his search. "C..can't find S..Steve." Jesse couldn't stop the moan of pain as he tried to move.

"No, Jess. No, Love", Steve groaned, trying to immobilize his young lover. He lined himself in front of Jesse to allow the hurt man to see him. "I'm here, Babe. I'm fine."

"Steve," Jesse whispered. He lifted his left hand to caress Steve's face. The tender, loving gesture caused Steve's vision to blur with tears as he caught the hand holding it to his cheek to both receive and give assurance. The caress was frighteningly weak from Jesse and the hand went limp as Jesse's eyes rolled back and he collapsed in Mark's arms.




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 01



"Jesse!" Steve shouted desperately.

"He's just fainted, Steve" Mark assured. "This wasn't intended to seriously hurt him."

"What...?" Steve muttered.

"Put your cop head on, Steve", Mark instructed softly. "There was no way that car should have missed hitting him full on. They intended to hit him, to hurt him, but no more."

"Retribution", Steve snarled. "By hurting Jesse, they're hurting you. Why doesn't the cowardly bastard come after me? Am I too big for him, that he attacks Jesse like this?"

Further discussion was halted as porters arrived and the unconscious Jesse was taken back into the hospital. Mark took no chances that Jesse could have suffered more serious head trauma than a simple bump and arranged CT scans along with x-rays for the young man's bruised body. It was soon established that Jesse had bruises and abrasions on his left side. He had a big bruise on his right shoulder where he impacted with the ground and a bigger one on his left hip where the car clipped him. Lastly, he needed a couple of stitches in the cut to his head and was suffering from a mild concussion. By the time Jesse's full prognosis was known, Steve had been informed the car was found. It had been stolen the day before and the big detective realized that the purpose of its theft was to use it as a weapon.

"I'm keeping Jesse in overnight," Mark advised Steve. Seeing the look of alarm, Mark immediately made calming gestures. "He's OK, Steve, really. But he's been hurt, shocked and has a mild concussion. He's had a heavy dose of painkillers and he's not going to be capable of looking after himself for a while. One part of me knows you and I could care for him at home. The other knows he's better left here. He'll be fine to go home in the morning."

"I want to stay with him, Dad. I don't want to leave him alone here. Both attacks have been here. Whoever did this knew where I was and where Jesse was. It has to be someone here. I've contacted the Department and in the morning we're going to start checking all new employees for the last six months."

"I'm going home to go through my notes on old cases of mine. I haven't lost a patient for a long time and I don't get the feeling this is related to medical practice anyway", Mark stated. "I warned the night staff that you would be staying. There's no problem. They won't bother you."

"Get me a list of names for cases you worked on and I'll run them through the computer. Maybe someone's been released that we don't know about", Steve mused.

"Hey there, Dr Sloan, Lieutenant Sloan. Bad business with Dr Travis. Heard he was in a car accident. He's a nice boy. He OK?"

Mark and Steve turned to see they were being addressed by a cleaner with his cart. The man had thin grey hair and flat grey eyes. Mark didn't recognize him, but was touched the man was concerned for Jesse.

"Yes, he was involved in an incident with a car", Mark hedged. He glanced unconsciously at the door of Jesse's room. "He's a bit banged about, but nothing serious. He'll be fine after a couple of days rest."

"Glad to hear it", the cleaner replied. "Looks like you two need some rest yourselves. Looking peaky to me. Be seeing you." The man pushed his cart away giving a careless wave over his shoulder. As he moved away, neither Sloan saw the cold smile on his face.

Following Mark's departure, Steve sat at Jesse's bedside. His hand shook as he reached to allow his fingers to trace where bruising was showing on Jesse's face below the bandaged cut. Holding Jesse's right hand in his left, Steve slid his right hand under the hospital blankets and the thin hospital gown Jesse wore. He lovingly stoked the warm skin of Jesse's abdomen. It was a relaxing gesture that his Mate appreciated, although Steve realized that in Jesse's current condition, the younger man would be unaware of the touch. However, it made the big detective feel better. Touching warm, living flesh reassured him Jesse was really fine. The ringing of the phone in the room had Steve realizing a couple of hours had lapsed already.

"Sloan", he barked into the receiver.

"Steve, it's me," Mark Sloan advised. I did some work in my office and have only just got home. I've had a visitor. There's another envelope here. I haven't touched anything."

"Give me twenty minutes," Steve replied through clenched teeth. "I'm not leaving Jesse unprotected. I'll get a team there and come over as well."

The uniformed officer settled himself in the chair outside Jesse's room. He nodded at Steve.

"No-one unless a doctor or nurse is allowed in. Check him when they leave. Accompany him if anyone wants to move him. That all?"

"Yeah ", Steve replied. "I don't think this assailant will attack again so soon. But I'm not taking chances. This attack has shown he's escalated what he's willing to do. I think I'm justified in believing Jesse's life is in danger. If this attack had gone wrong, Jesse could have been very seriously hurt."

"I'll watch out for him, Steve", the officer said reassuringly. "The faster you get out of here, the faster you can get back."

"Thanks, Dave", Steve smiled grimly.

At his father's house, Steve found Mark with a team of experts ready to examine the scene. They all watched as Steve pulled on thin gloves and carefully opened the large envelope. The envelope was simply marked with the single word 'Retribution'. As he revealed the contents, Mark heard his gasp of distress. The envelope contained three grainy photographs of Jesse from the vomiting incident.

"He was there watching", Mark breathed. "There were so many people moving around, checking if we needed anything. I couldn't possibly identify them all."

"But why?" Steve asked thrusting the offending items back in the envelope. With a wave he indicated that the team could begin dusting and checking the room.

"He's hurting us again. We'd moved on from this and he's brought it all back" Mark sighed. "Steve, go back to Jesse" the older man said gently, squeezing Steve's shoulder. "There's nothing you can do here. I'd feel better with you with him."

With a sigh, Steve nodded.

Officer Dave Simmons took in the appearance of the dark-haired doctor and the identity badge proclaiming 'John Smithson'. He nodded at the doctor who fixed him with a cold grey-eyed stare and gave him an insincere smile.

"Officer", the doctor muttered. "Just a quick check on our patient."

Inside the room the man's face contorted into a manic smile of satisfaction. He quickly took a picture of Jesse in the bed. Hurrying to the bedside he pulled down the covers. His smile went wider as he saw Jesse was just in a thin gown. Unfastening the ties, he uncovered Jesse's body. The pallor of Jesse's skin made the bruised and abraded areas stand out in stark contrast. He took another photograph of Jesse. His hand stroked the bruised flesh of Jesse's side, a look of cunning replacing the smile. He half-turned Jesse, displaying the young man's bruised hip and side as well as his nude body from the hips down. "I'm sure your big detective lover will like that one, boy", the phony doctor leered as he rapidly re-dressed the unconscious and helpless younger man. "Three's the charm, boy", he said as he walked to the door. He left the room, nodding curtly //Big dumb cop// he thought as he strolled away.

Dave looked in on Jesse. The young man was still sleeping soundly. There was evidence of the sheets being disturbed, but nothing else. He quietly shut the door to await the return of Steve Sloan.

"Ohhh!" the pained gasp had Steve Sloan awake and aware instantly.

"Jess, Love", he said trying to restrain the smaller man gently. "You were hit by a car. Take it easy, Sweetheart. Lie still for me."

Hurts," the younger man moaned softly. "Sorry, Steve", he said sadly.

"No need to be sorry, Jess," said Steve. "You were hurt trying to come to rescue me."

"Didn't think. Didn't see the car," Jesse's voice was barely above a whisper. "All I could think was that you were out there somewhere, hurt, needing me ..."

A kiss to Jesse's dry lips effectively silenced the agitated man before he could escalate into a full-blown panic attack.

"Shh, Love. It's OK. Dad's due to come and see you soon, then I can take you home."

"Just pack me some mega-painkillers and I'll be fine." The intuitive young man regarded his Mate carefully. "What aren't you telling me?" he asked bluntly. "Has something happened to Mark?"

"No, Babe," Steve replied quietly. He took a deep breath. "Whoever this sick bastard is, he managed to take photographs of you when he poisoned you. He left the pictures at Dad's beach house. Hey, Jess, don't cry, Sweetheart." A sob broke free from the hurting young man and despite the physical pain of moving he instinctively reached for the comfort of his lover's arms. Steve wrapped his arms around him gently, fighting back his own tears. Steve cradled Jesse, rocking the distressed man until the sobbing ceased. Jesse was a dead weight and Steve realized the smaller man had cried himself back to sleep. He lay Jesse back down, settling him comfortably. He roughly wiped at his own eyes. Their unknown assailant was effectively tearing his family apart. 

"You alright, Steve?" Mark asked gently as he entered. He'd seen Steve cradling his young lover and hadn't wanted to intrude.

"I told Jess about the pictures. He's just cried himself to sleep in my arms." Steve looked hard at his father. "You look like you were awake all night. I feel like I was. Whoever this guy is he's destroying us, Dad."

"It was better to let Jesse know straight away", Mark assured the big detective. "If he thought we were trying to hide things he'd be really upset. And I promise you this, Steve, I won't let anyone drive my family apart."

"I want to kill the son of a bitch, Dad. He's hurting Jesse, you, me and like the coward he is, he's safely hiding."

"I've got a list of names from cases I've helped you with. I also remember serving on a Jury a few years ago. I'd like that followed up, too," Mark said passing the list to Steve. He then moved past to check on Jesse. Finishing his checks, he smiled at Steve. "He'll need painkillers, but he's good to go home."

Jesse was warned he'd be off work for a couple of days until he regained full movement. Steve made a priority to check out all the names on the list provided by his father to check for any convicted felons that had been released. He also left instructions for his father's jury service to be checked out. At the end of the second day that Jesse had been released home, Steve was concerned to be met by his father and not his lover. Mark smiled assuring Steve that Jesse had not long retired, saying he felt a little tired. Mark waved his farewell to return home, leaving Steve to hunt Jesse out in their bedroom. He tapped on the door as he opened it, calling out Jesse's name. The smell of vanilla and ginger permeated the air.

"Come in, Lover", Jesse purred. 

"Wow, Jess", Steve gasped. The room was lit by candles alone and his young lover was lying naked on their bed, his arousal evident. Steve growled low in his throat, his own penis hardening. As he went to step closer, he stopped and hissed angrily at the sight of the bruises that still marred his lover's beautiful body.

"It's just bruising, Steve", Jess said sadly, misinterpreting Steve's reaction as one of disgust. "Please love me, Steve. It's been so long, I need you to love me", he begged softly. Jesse dropped his head, not wanting Steve to see the tears beginning to fill his eyes as the young man prepared for Steve to reject him.

"Jess, Sweetheart", Steve closed the gap between them, sweeping Jesse's naked body into his embrace. "I want you, too. It was just seeing the bruises and remembering how hurt you were. I'll love you, Jess. I wish I could take the pain away."

"Make me yours again, Steve," Jesse pleaded.

"You're always mine, Angel", Steve affirmed. He then kissed Jesse tenderly, pressing the slender man back down on the bed. He deepened the kiss before needing to break away for air. As Jesse lay panting softly, Steve ran his tongue down Jesse's cheek and jaw and nibbled gently down the column of Jesse's throat, Steve paused when he reached Jesse's nipples. Suckling and gently biting first one then the other, Steve sensually assaulted the tiny nubs until both were equally hard and aching and Jesse was writhing erotically beneath him. Realizing Jesse's attempts to touch him were thwarted by Steve's clothes, the big detective rapidly stripped. Spreading Jesse's thighs wide, Steve knelt between the smaller man's legs and swallowed Jesse's erection to the root in one swoop. Jesse screamed and bucked, but his bigger Mate's strong arm across his hips prevented Jesse moving too much. Jesse's climax hit hard and fast. As Steve finished swallowing Jesse's sexual surrender, he sat up smiling. "So beautiful, Angel", he said. Noting the oil on the warming pad, Steve coated his hands and began a leisurely massage of Jesse's body from neck to feet. Once he had covered Jesse's front, Steve rolled the younger man carefully and repeated the massage on Jesse's back. 

Finally, the insistent throb between his legs would no longer be ignored and Steve began to prepare Jesse to accept his solid shaft. He positioned a pillow under Jesse's hips and began to massage the luscious globes. He felt a further jolt to his already inflamed groin each time he displayed Jesse's tiny pucker. Finally he held Jesse open and stared hungrily at Jesse's most private place. The tiny opening to Jesse's body that only he had ever tasted, touched and possessed. It had been Steve's intention to rim Jesse, but he knew he wouldn't be able to last and he desperately wanted to come inside his Mate. He coated a finger was oil and pressed inside the relaxed body beneath him. Spurred on by Jesse's mewls of pleasure and need, Steve quickly added a second, then a third, rotating and scissoring them inside the smaller man. As he pumped three fingers in and out of Jesse's body, he felt the young man pushing back. With a mixture of reverence and desperation, Steve positioned the head of his engorged penis at the stretched opening to Jesse's body. "Gonna love you, Baby", he crooned. "Gonna love you so good. Gonna make you come with me deep inside you, Lover. Love you, Jess. Ah...Jesse!" Steve groaned as his shaft was enveloped in slick, tight heat. Jesse's channel clung to him as he tried to move, driving his arousal even higher.

"Love me, Steve", his Mate begged. "Fill me, come in me." 

"Gonna fill you up, Jess", Steve promised. "My seed, deep in your body. You're mine, Jesse, now and always." Steve's thrusts were slow and measured and a slight shift of his hips ensured Jesse's sweet spot began to be repeatedly rubbed. Jesse's whimpers of need became a continual keening as Steve drove into him repeatedly. Reaching under Jesse's hips, Steve was gratified to find Jesse's resurgent erection and began to stroke the hard flesh in counterpoint to his thrusts. Jesse tried to push back, but was virtually immobile with 200lbs of detective pressing him into the bed.

"Oh, Steve", Jesse cried out. "Gonna, gonna...oh, oh, STEVE!"

"MINE!" Steve bellowed as Jesse's climax triggered his. He pushed himself as deep inside his Mate as possible reveling in the way Jesse's clenching channel milked his orgasm from him. Wanting to prolong the intimate connection, but not crush his tiny Mate, Steve gently rolled them both sideways and spooned tightly around Jesse as the two men simply shared moments of total, undisturbed intimacy. Steve tightened his arms around Jesse as the younger man whimpered the loss of Steve's softened penis. He then took the opportunity to move, not wanting Jesse to try and put weight on his bruised left side. For long minutes, the two men simply lay together, whispering declarations of love and enjoying intimate loving caresses. Steve then began to croon softly in Jesse's ear whilst gently petting the young man. Within a couple of minutes, Jesse had given in to post-coital sleep. Steve smiled and then moved rapidly. 

Steve checked the beach house carefully; pleased to note that Jesse and his father had ensured the house was secure. He checked the locks on the front door and added the final bolts. Moving swiftly into the kitchen, Steve pulled out two thermos flasks. He made soup for one and hot chocolate for the other. He put a pizza in the microwave as he carried the flasks into the bedroom. He covered the pizza with foil and took that through. Finally he carried a bottle of orange juice and a packet of their most indulgent cookies. His last trip was to the lounge to collect a couple of their favourites DVDs. He switched on the small TV; there was now no need to leave their tiny sanctuary till the following morning. He turned to see a half-awake Jesse was searching for him. Moving swiftly to the bed, Steve nestled Jesse into his chest.

"I'm here, Love", he soothed. "Everything we need is in this room. We're gonna veg out here and enjoy being alone and intimate and undisturbed.

"I like your thinking", Jesse whispered and reached up to kiss his beloved Mate.

The next evening, Steve and Jesse were joining Mark and Amanda for dinner. As a precaution, Amanda had sent her two children away for a few days at Mark's insistence. Although Jesse had been the focus of the unknown assailant, the older doctor didn't want to take unnecessary chances. As the four entered Mark's house, their eyes immediately alighted on the large envelope. It was Steve who opened the envelope, after donning plastic gloves. There hadn't been prints on the previous messages, but he couldn't take any chances.

"Oh God", Steve gasped. The four of them stared at the photographs. The third had Steve uttering a cry of pain and distress, turning away from the others to stare out of the beach house patio window as he tried to control his fury. Mark and Amanda stared as the 'posed' picture of Jesse in the hospital bed. Jesse backed away from the pictures as if they were a living entity, capable of striking out at the young doctor if he stayed near them. Amanda glanced up, taking in the way the three men were all standing alone and separate from each other and for a moment she thought their adversary had finally succeeded in driving the Sloan family apart. Jesse's tremulous voice had all three turning their attention to the shaking, silently crying young man.

"I'm sorry, Steve, Mark. I'm s...sorry. P...please don't h...hate m...me. P...please d...don't..."

"Never, Jess', Steve cried out hoarsely as he ran to kneel at Jesse's feet. He enfolded the fragile young man into his arms. "Never. You're the victim here."

"H...he t...touched m...me", Jesse stuttered. His shaking increased as his shock set in and his sobbing increased. Steve suddenly found that both he and Jesse were being held tight by Mark.

"You were drugged and unconscious, Jess", Mark said quietly. "I love you, so does Amanda and you know Steve adores you. These photographs don't change that. This psycho thinks he can weaken us and drive us apart. He can't, Jess."

"Dad's right, Sweetheart", Steve assured as he leant Jesse back, feeling the sobs stopping. He gently brushed away the young man's tears. "I love you. Nothing will change that. Certainly not those photographs." He tilted Jesse's head up and claimed Jesse's lips.

Mark strode to the table and removed the third picture. Steve, Jesse and Amanda stared as Mark burned it.

"I'm quite sure you have enough evidence without that one, Steve", Mark said. "I see no reason why anyone outside of this room needs to see it."

"There's only one time those photographs could have been taken", Steve snapped as the stood up. "That's when Dave was with Jesse. He stayed outside Jesse's room, I was always inside. Dave has a photographic memory. He'll be able to provide us with a good description of the doctor who supposedly checked on Jesse." As he spoke, Steve was dialing a number. With a snort he replaced the receiver. "Dave's out. I'll speak to him first thing in the morning. I'll bring the composite to the hospital tomorrow. If I have to see every person who works there, I'll find them."




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 01



"I want to be there", Jesse said quietly but firmly. "I have to go back. To show I'm not afraid and it might flush this psycho out."

"I don't want you taking any chances, Jess", Steve admonished.

"He can stay with me", Amanda said brightly. "We can say he's not fully fit if anyone asks."

"Promise me you'll go nowhere alone, Jess", Steve said seriously, holding tightly to his smaller Mate's hand. "I couldn't bear it if I lost you", Steve husked.

"I promise", Jesse smiled and nuzzled into Steve's chest. He was somewhat frightened to return to Community General, but was determined to play his part in catching the psycho.

Where the intention had been to sow discord, fear and division, the photographs were now seen as the springboard to be able to identify then catch Mark's unknown Nemesis and Jesse's assailant.

Steve strode purposefully towards his father's office in Community General. Things were beginning to move. Dave Simmons had provided him with a good likeness of the phony doctor, the detective beside himself at realizing Jesse was being abused when he was supposed to have protected him. He had gone so far as to request being part of the uniformed protection for Mark and Jesse. There had also been a development with regards to Mark's list. No felons had been released, but the young man convicted at the trial in which Mark had been a juror had died. It was a year ago, but Steve was now following up on family of the convicted man and the other jurors. He saw his father at the end of the corridor, partially turned away from him. Without thinking, Steve hailed the older man.

"Dad! I have the photofit." Steve then silently cursed himself as the cleaner from the other day shuffled away from Mark and the elder Sloan shot Steve a pained glance.

"Let's get into my office", Mark strode ahead and Steve shut the door behind him. Steve passed the picture to his father.

"I doubt he's a doctor", he said.

Mark stared at the face. He knew this face. For a couple of minutes he tried to identify what was off-kilter about the face. Then his eyes opened wide in horror.

"Not a full head of dark hair", he said frantically. "But thin graying hair. The cleaner who showed such concern about Jesse." He picked up a phone, but got no response to his call. He was running almost before the receiver went down. "He was asking about Jesse again. Telling me how difficult it must be for me to have to treat someone I cared about who was hurt", Mark shouted as Steve followed his father blindly. "I even told him Jesse was here today with Amanda. She didn't reply to my call or bleep."

The cleaner had heard Steve's announcement about the photofit and was fuming as he rounded a corner. As soon as he did, he abandoned the cart, donning his wig and white coat and transforming himself into a doctor.

"Too soon", he snarled as he headed to his intended victim. "One more hurt and then you can die, boy. You and your big cop lover. Sloan will be all alone. Just like me."

Mark and Steve arrived at Amanda's lab to find a small crowd around her door.

"Police", Steve bellowed. "Please move aside."//Please be OK, Jess// he begged mentally.

"I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect him", Amanda sobbed. She knelt at Jesse's side, holding a bloodied dressing to the young man's side. Mark and Steve noted her bruised cheek and cut lip. "He just burst in saying it was nearly time for Jesse to die. He just slapped me away and stabbed Jesse."

"I'm OK, Steve", Jesse gasped. "Hurts, oh God it hurts", he whimpered as Steve and Mark crouched beside him. Mark gently removed the dressing, opening Jesse's shirt to examine the wound. Mark looked at Steve with relief. 

"It doesn't look too deep. It's meant to hurt, not kill."

"I'll nail this bastard. I swear I will", Steve vowed.

Further discussion was halted as Mark followed Jesse as orderlies came to take him to ER. 

A couple of hours later saw Amanda, Mark and Jesse back at Mark's house. Jesse had been cleaned up and stitched. He had been told how lucky he was, but everyone in the room knew his attacker hadn't meant to do more than hurt him again. Jesse had been laid down on the couch. From his prone position, Jesse could see Amanda, the bruising quite evident on her cheek. Glancing at Mark, Jesse could see that the normal affable man had lines of fatigue and pain around his eyes. He knew he must look completely wrung out, it was how he felt. However, the young doctor knew that this time he had to find some way of providing reassurance. The others in the room felt responsible for his hurt and felt they had let him down. Taking a deep breath, Jesse hoped he would find the right words.

"He's not going to win, Guys", he said huskily. "I'm not dead and I'm not going to die. 'M tougher than I look. Steve's going to get him first. We know who he is, where he was staying. Steve'll get him." Jesse's voice faded away and the young man couldn't stop the yawn as the medication sucked away his strength.

"No, he won't beat us, Jess", Mark agreed, coming to Jesse's side. He smoothed Jesse's hair away from his forehead and bent down to kiss the revealed skin. "Sleep now", he whispered gently, rhythmically stroking Jesse's forehead. Within seconds, the exhausted man had given in to sleep.

When Jesse next awoke, he saw Steve had joined them. From the tightly coiled stance and rhythmic clenching and unclenching of his fists, Jesse deduced Steve hadn't yet caught his attacker.

"Hey, Big Guy", Jesse husked, reaching for his lover.

"Jess, Love", Steve was Jesse's side instantly. He tucked Jesse's small, slender hand in his own large calloused paw and held tightly. "How do you feel? Do you need anything?"

"Just a bit sore and tired. Like I told Mark and Amanda, 'm tough. Did you find anything?"

"His real name is John Smithers. Dad was on the jury that sentenced his only son Johnnie for aggravated burglary three years ago. Johnnie liked to play the hard man and a year ago died in a prison brawl. It seems his father has been targeting the jurors, but his target is their family wherever possible. That's why there hadn't been a link till now. An elderly lady fell downstairs, she was victim two. Victim one was a young married woman. Her husband was mugged and killed in a car-jacking. But she was the juror and only the car-jacking was originally reported. He wasn't really badly hurt in the other instance. Victim three was the daughter of a juror. She was attacked in an attempted mugging. This time, he car-jacked second, pushing her into the road as he drove away. She died in a gas explosion. Dad was his next target and the first juror who, like Smithers, had an only son."

"Then why target, Jesse?" Mark asked confused. "Why wasn't he targeting you?"

"According to his journal, he knows Jess and I are lovers," he said gazing at Jesse. "Smithers believed that if he targeted Jesse and I knew it was for something to do with you, it would estrange us. I would put distance between us, blaming you for Jesse's hurt. You would then be subject to mental as well as physical pain, the pain of Jesse's hurt and our estrangement. He wanted you to feel twice the pain. The journal began to show he was rambling, making less sense about targeting victims after the second attack. He seemed to want to draw out the attacks as he progressed with his victims. I think Smithers is seriously mentally unbalanced. Unfortunately it hasn't affected his cunning or determination to achieve his aim of punishing all twelve jurors and the sentencing Judge." Steve stopped as Jesse began to sit up and the big detective molded the young man to his side. "We have an APB out on him and we're watching the airport, train and bus stations. Effectively he's now a serial killer. Amanda's leaving town for a few days, just in case he tries to target her. There'll be a black and white watching the house. It's safer if we stay with Dad. I'd be tempted to put you both in a safe house, but Dad believes the best chance we have to catch him is for Dad to be where Smithers can see him."

"I agree," Jesse said firmly. "He has unfinished business with me. If I disappear, so might he." Jesse couldn't stop another yawn and Steve smiled affectionately at him.

"I think it's time for all sore and tired young doctors to be tucked up in bed."

"Not alone?" Big guileless blue eyes gazed up at the big detective.

No. Love," he said standing and scooping Jesse into his arms. "Not alone. Dad, I've checked all the locks once..."

Mark stopped him with a gesture.

"I'll re-check them before I turn in" the older man confirmed.

The only incidents the next day were phone calls to Mark where the caller didn't speak. Mark listened to the harsh breathing before the receiver was replaced each time. The call was only a few seconds and so untraceable. The detectives monitoring Mark's calls were of the opinion the man was playing some form of psychological warfare with Mark. The doctor was just happy that Steve was surrounded by detectives and Jesse had his own protection. There was no saying what the maniac would do next. A call from Steve showed the detective's frustration. Smithers seemed to have vanished. Mark knew he couldn't concentrate enough on his work and decided to head home. He called Steve to advise him and was assured that the detective would come home soon.

It was dark when Steve got home. He glanced at the black and white parked in the shadows and sighed. He would be glad when all this was over. Going into the house, Mark told him Jesse was sleeping. Steve went to check. Jesse lay asleep on their bed. The recent lines of pain and fatigue disappeared while he slept; leaving the doctor looking so young and vulnerable that Steve felt love and protectiveness sweep through him for this special man. Jesse wore a baggy pair of sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt that Steve recognized as his. Bending over Jesse to kiss his cheek, Steve recognized the scent of his own aftershave and realized Jesse must have dabbed some of the t-shirt. Steve swallowed past the lump forming in his throat.//I swear I'll catch this madman, Jess// he mentally promised his sleeping lover. 

Back upstairs, the two Slogans found their discussion going back to the case. Neither man was inclined to eat, deciding instead they would wait for Jesse and let the younger man decide what he wanted and they would simply fall in line. An unexpected tap on the front door had Steve cautiously peering through the spy-hole. A uniformed officer stood in the doorway looking at a notebook. Steve opened the door, but wasn't expecting the strength or speed of his attack. The false cop hit Steve hard on the temple almost knocking the big man unconscious immediately and dropping him to his knees. A gag was shoved into his mouth as the dazed man heard his attacker say loudly.

"Sorry to disturb you, Lieutenant. Just wanted to check you were all OK here."

Steve was hauled to his feet and shoved against the wall, his own handcuffs used to restrain him. He was pushed into the living room, a gun covering both him and Mark, as he staggered towards his shocked father.

"Kneel by Dr Sloan and he can then remove the gag. Don't expect the officers in the black and white to help. They're sleeping soundly."

"You OK, Steve?" Mark asked as he removed his son's gag.

"Disgusted at being caught so easy," Steve muttered darkly. "What now, Smithers?" he snarled.

"Now I kill you and your beautiful boy, Lieutenant Sloan," Smithers said in a conversational tone. "I was tempted to kill the boy first. But I've seen how much he means to you. You really love him; very touching. You would welcome being killed to join him. So instead you die first and you die praying I let your boy die as quickly. But I'll leave you wondering. Will I kill him quickly, or will I shoot him in the gut and let him die slowly, or perhaps I'll pleasure myself with him first. After all, I have seen just how beautiful his body is. Touched him, too."

"You bastard," Steve bellowed. He hoped his voice would alert Jesse, but feared that the toll on the younger man over the past couple of weeks would leave him asleep and defenseless until Smithers moved to attack him.

"Please," Mark begged hoarsely. "Please don't kill them. They're innocents. They don't deserve to die."

"Thanks to you I lost my only boy, Dr Sloan. There's nothing left in this world for me except pain, loneliness and vengeance. There are still eight more jurors and the Judge who have to pay. I'll find a way to make them all pay for my loss, to suffer as I suffer. Prepare to watch your son die."

As the gun was raised, the men heard a pained shriek.

"Nooo!" Jesse launched himself at the man who threatened his Mate. The two men went crashing to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs. 

"Right pants pocket, Dad," Steve commanded jumping to his feet despite the stabbing pain in his head at the sudden movement. "Hurry!"

Jesse wrestled valiantly with his deranged attacker. He knew this was a fight he couldn't hope to win, but so long as it gave Steve a chance for survival, Jesse didn't care. He'd felt his stitches tear when he'd leapt at Smithers and he could feel the wetness as his stab wound bled freely. It was taking both his hands to hold the gun away from both him and those he sought to protect. He could see Smithers grinning maniacally above him. Then as Smithers shifted, the killer struck the young man beneath him a brutal back-handed blow. Jesse's vision greyed and he felt his strength giving out. Grimly he tried to hang on, but the second blow was purposely aimed at the stab wound so recently inflicted. Jesse couldn't stop the scream as agony radiated throughout his already weakened body. Smithers raised the gun and Jesse closed his eyes. 

A shot rang out, but Jesse realized he was still alive. Smithers' unwelcome weight across his lower body disappeared and Jesse risked opening his eyes. Steve's concerned face swam in and out of focus above him.

"Jess," Steve gasped. "Oh dear God, Jess." The bigger man's voice broke as he gently touched Jesse's face as though afraid the smaller man would break.

"Love...you...Steve," Jesse whispered. The young man went limp in Steve's protective embrace, the sound of Police sirens from the call he had made the last thing he heard. 

Jesse had been forced to spend a couple of days in Community General. The torn stitches had been repaired, but an infection had set in and the young man's temperature had spiked alarmingly. Fortunately, the medic had responded well to antibiotics and had been finally allowed home to the care of equally attentive and over-protective lover and surrogate father. Although still somewhat weak from all he had endured, Jesse's strength was returning and on the third day home, was taken for a short walk along the beach as late afternoon came round. Jesse and Steve were still staying at Mark's home. Each of the three men not wanting the other two far away in the aftermath of the Smithers nightmare. Jesse was beginning to feel more like his old self. He walked slowly alongside Mark, the older man's arm slung across Jesse's shoulders. Although it hadn't been Steve's intention to kill Smithers, when he'd seen Jesse helpless with Smithers aiming a gun at him, all Steve's training and innate marksmanship had come to the fore. Knowing there was no possibility of the maniac hurting any of them again was one of the biggest contributory factors to Jesse's recovery. All he had to do now was convince a very protective lover that he wasn't made of glass and he was ready to do more than simply kiss and cuddle, as much as he enjoyed the intimacy. He'd needed the gentle side of his lover when first out of hospital, but he had tried hinting the previous day that he was ready for some more strenuous loving which had apparently gone completely unnoticed by Steve.

"Hi there," Amanda waved as the two men returned to the beach house. "All ready, Mark?" she asked smiling. 

Jesse watched dumb-struck as Mark lifted an overnight bag.

"Absolutely," Mark replied. He smiled at Jesse's obvious confusion and took the opportunity to tip the younger man's head down to kiss the top before ruffling his hair affectionately. "Tonight, Jess, three's a crowd so I'm taking Amanda for dinner and a movie and staying over at her place."

"But Steve's working ..." Jesse began.

"Oh I'm working alright," Steve's voice carried through from the living room as he walked through to the patio. "I'm working at making tonight special. Thanks, Dad, Amanda. Jesse, say goodnight to the nice people."

"Night," Jesse murmured. His eyes locked on Steve as the bigger man took his hand and led him away. The younger man oblivious to the giggles as Mark and Amanda left.

Steve led Jesse to the bathroom. A steaming bath had already been run and Jesse could smell vanilla and rose. He smiled tenderly as he noticed the rose petals that floated in the bath. Steve slowly stripped the younger man and kissed each part of the body he exposed. He then helped his smaller Mate into the bath. Jesse couldn't help the moan of appreciation as he sank into the steaming water. He moaned with even more appreciation as Steve slowly undressed himself. Kneeling at the side of the bath, Steve soaped the wash cloth and carefully cleansed his lover's body. Abandoning the wash cloth, Steve soaped his hands, cleansing Jesse's back and genitals, keeping his touches light to keep from arousing Jesse too quickly. Satisfied that Jesse was now completely cleansed, Steve then reached for two brandy balloon glasses. He passed one to Jesse.

"To you, my Love," Steve toasted "My Sunshine, my life."

"To you," Jesse echoed. "My everything, forever." The two men drank. Jesse felt warmer from Steve's heartfelt declaration than either the bath or brandy.

Taking the empty glass from Jesse's hand, Steve assisted the young man to stand and get out of the bath. He wrapped a thick fluffy towel around the slender body and carefully dried his lover. He then scooped up his relaxed Mate and carried him into the bedroom. Jesse smiled at the vanilla and ginger candles from his romantic evening. Steve lay Jesse down on the bed and blanketed his tiny lover with his body. Steve claimed Jesse's lips gently. As Jesse's mouth opened to his, he deepened the kiss, allowing his tongue to map out all of the recesses. Their tongues danced and mated until the need for air forced them apart. Steve trailed his kisses down Jesse's chin, throat and chest until he reached a small pink nipple. Steve licked it slowly, drawing his tongue across it with deliberate pressure, enjoying the feeling of the tiny nub hardening under his attentions. Opening his mouth wide, Steve drew in as much of the sensitive breast as he could; gratified to feel Jesse arch in pleasure beneath him and pleased by the cries of need spilling from his Mate's lips. Leaving one solid nub, Steve repeated the process on its lonesome twin. Finally he drew back to gaze lovingly and possessively at the slender man. 

Jesse was flushed with arousal, his hair disheveled, and his eyes both dilated and darkened with desire. With a feral smile, Steve swallowed Jesse's straining erection. The taste of pre-come exploded on Steve's tongue and the bigger man knew he wanted more. He worked the innocent flesh mercilessly, using all his knowledge of his Mate's body ruthlessly to take the younger man to the brink of climax only to ease back and start over again. Finally he could stand his own teasing no longer, desirous of the bittersweet essence of his lover. He sucked and swallowed until with a scream Jesse's release flooded his welcoming mouth. He swallowed all the beautiful young man could offer and continued to suckle gently, even as Jesse softened, reluctant to release the flesh. He slowly allowed Jesse's penis to slip from his mouth and smiled at the sated young man.




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 01



"You are so beautiful," he murmured softly. "I love you so much."

"Love you, too, Steve," Jesse panted.

"Want to come inside you, Angel," Steve whispered seductively. "Want you to come with me when I do."

Jesse's eyes widened at Steve's words and he looked into Steve's face and could see the primal need in the big man's eyes.

"I'm yours, Steve," he affirmed. "My body is yours. I want to pleasure you."

The submissive words seemed to trigger Steve into action. With a growl, the older man laid assault once again to Jesse's already sensitized nipples and breasts. He licked down Jesse's body, tasting the smaller man's sweat as he did. Reaching Jesse's groin, Steve ignored the still lax penis; instead he sucked each testicle lovingly, rolling them in his mouth. He pressed Jesse's legs wider apart and licked and nipped sensitive inner thighs. He grinned savagely at Jesse's rhythmic thrusting as the younger man began to respond to the sensual assault. Steve could see Jesse was already half-hard and guided the younger man onto his stomach, pillows strategically placed to raise the delectable globes for Steve's pleasure. He licked each cheek, allowing his tongue to slowly move towards Jesse's most private place. Steve's large hands parted Jesse's cheeks, displaying the tiny pucker. Using his tongue, Steve began to jab and lick at the rosebud until it flowered. With a rumble of primeval need, Steve thrust his tongue as deep into Jesse's center as he could reach grunting with the effort, determined to taste all of his lover.

Jesse cried out with pleasure as Steve's tongue thrust ruthlessly inside his body again and again. He tried to push backwards to impale himself on the moist intruder, but Steve held him in place whilst he plundered Jesse's unresisting body. Jesse felt Steve's hand trace the length of his resurgent erection and he sobbed his need to his bigger lover.

"Now, Steve," he begged. "Take me now, need to feel you in me. Need you to come in me."

"Mine, Jess," Steve affirmed. He reached for the lube and pressed two fingers inside, knowing his tongue and saliva had already loosened and lubricated the tiny opening. He smiled triumphantly as the fingers slid in without resistance and withdrew them to return with three and rotate and scissor them to stretch Jesse adequately to receive the throbbing organ that pulsed between Steve's legs. "Can't hurt you, won't hurt you," Steve chanted as he readied the smaller man.

"Wanna see you, Steve," Jesse moaned as the flexing fingers brushed his sweet spot. "Wanna see you enter me, wanna see you come in me."

"Jess," Steve groaned. Quickly the older man withdrew his fingers and flipped his Mate onto his back. He groaned again as Jesse pulled his legs back and open to fully display himself to Steve's gaze; a gaze of love and lust in equal measures. Steve knew he couldn't wait any longer. Seeing Jesse open, vulnerable and so needy had the big man covering his rock-hard flesh with a ludicrous amount of gel and pressing the engorged head to Jesse's stretched opening.

"Fill me, Steve," Jesse pleaded softly. "Need you so much."

"Need you, Baby," Steve affirmed. "Love you, Jess," he moaned as he pressed inside Jesse's molten heat. The smaller man's channel clenched tightly around the welcome invader. "So tight, Sweetheart," he ground out as he held back his release. "So good, Jess." He began to move slowly, wanting release, but craving for the moment to last. However, his body's demands quickly became dominant. He covered the smaller body, nipping and kissing face, neck and shoulders as he pounded into the willing body. Cries of pleasure heralded the repeated striking of Jesse's prostate and balancing on his left arm, Steve began to pump Jesse with his gel-slicked right hand. He stroked the hot flesh in counterpoint to his thrusts. He felt the tightening of Jesse's body and the younger man hurtled towards a second climax.

"Together." The word was a plea and a command from Jesse and one Steve both wanted and had to obey. As Jesse's seed sprayed their bodies, Steve's seed pulsed deep into the waiting body below him. Steve pulsed long and hard as Jesse's channel clenched and milked him. Both men screamed the other's name as they climaxed hard. Steve forced himself to remain cognizant long enough to roll to the side, taking his limp lover with him, to avoid crushing the lithe form. For several minutes, Steve lay hovering on the edge of consciousness. He felt his lax penis slip from Jesse's body and mentally mourned their intimate connection. He smiled tenderly at the smaller body in his arms, still out cold from the intensity of their climax. Rolling Jesse onto his back, Steve scrupulously cleaned Jesse's body with his tongue. Cleaning himself more perfunctorily with a baby wipe, he turned back to Jesse to find the young man gazing at him with such an expression of open love and devotion, it almost took Steve's breath away.

He slid his arms under Jesse's unresisting body to drape the smaller body across his chest. His hands gently stroked down and across Jesse's now exposed back as he kissed the still passion-swollen lips.

"Love you, Babe," Jesse whispered. He snuggled his body against Steve, knowing he wasn't going to stay awake much longer. His body was demanding rest following two explosive orgasms.

"Love you, Sunshine," Steve replied, tucking Jesse's head at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. "Sleep now, Baby," he crooned softly. He smiled at the soft snore he got in return, before settling to join his Mate in sated slumber.



Diagnosis Murder Ch. 02



Diagnosis Murder - Rose Killer

Steve leaned down to recapture his lover's kiss-swollen lips. His tongue licked purposefully at the upper lip and was granted entry to the warm wet cavern. As his tongue explored at its leisure, his large right hand gently squeezed the small breast of the lissome body beneath him. Abandoning the luscious mouth, Steve slid down a little so he could now play with the delicate pink nipple in the center of the breast he held. Steve alternated gentle sucking with more aggressive grazing with his teeth, till the nub was achingly erect and his lover writhing continuously. He then turned his attention to its lonely twin and delighted in repeating the sensual assault. As he erotically plundered the sensitive flesh, he relished the cries of pleasure from his responsive younger lover.

"Mmmm, Love," Jesse murmured. "Oh yeah just *there*."

Steve would have smiled, but he was already engaged in worrying a delightful mouthful of flesh at the juncture of Jesse's neck and shoulder. He could feel the rhythmic thrusting of the younger man's hips as Jesse sought some form of friction for his solid erection. "Oh yeah," Jesse purred as Steve lapped at the mark of possession, then yelped as Steve moved swiftly and engulfed the head of Jesse's penis in his mouth sucking hard. Steve reveled in the knowledge that only he had ever tasted Jesse's sex and seed and only he had ever penetrated the young man's body. He was sure he would still think of Jesse as his virgin lover when they celebrated forty years together. Jesse had been the only virgin Steve had loved and nothing had prepared him for the unconscious eroticism of a virgin's hesitant touch. The memory caused a jolt to his already throbbing hardness and he engulfed more of Jesse's shaft and rolled the delicate sac with one large hand. "Oh, Steve," Jesse panted, his body stiffening with imminent climax. "Gonna, oh, oh...ohhh." Steve had recognized the signs of approaching orgasm and so was more than ready to swallow the sweet cream of Jesse's release. Steve swallowed until Jesse went boneless and the flesh in his mouth began to soften. He allowed the spent organ to slip gently from his mouth and stretched upwards to kiss his Mate. Straddling the tiny body, he tenderly brushed away the sweat-damp hair from Jesse's flushed face, his heart warmed by the incandescent smile on Jesse's face.

"God you're so beautiful, Jess" he rumbled softly. "Love you, Sunshine," he affirmed as he peppered Jesse's face with tiny kisses.

In return Jesse locked his hands behind Steve's neck, trying to pull the bigger man closer. Steve grinned and settled a little more of his weight on the diminutive form. Steve had discovered early in their relationship that Jesse loved the bigger man covering his body allowing his greater weight to settle on him. Jesse was adamant he felt loved and cherished when he could feel Steve all round him, although Steve was loath to allow too much of his weight to be on his Mate for too long.

"Love you, Steve," Jesse panted happily. "Love you so much." Jesse gazed up into Steve's eyes and gasped at the love and lust he could see in equal measure. Steve's smile suddenly turned feral and Jesse's eyes widened.

"Roll over, Baby," Steve commanded softly, moving from over Jesse's body. "Wanna taste all of you."

Whimpering quietly at the knowledge of what was to come, Jesse obeyed Steve with alacrity. Steve watched with hungry eyes as his lover settled comfortably on his stomach, spreading his legs invitingly and displaying the muscular globes of his perfect buttocks. Steve grabbed a pillow and ensured Jesse's hips were at such an angle as to cant Jesse's pert bottom at the perfect angle for his attentions. As the smaller man settled himself, he wriggled his rear enticingly.

"All yours, Big Guy," he smiled seductively as he looked over his shoulder at his bigger lover.

Steve growled low in his throat as his gaze raked possessively down Jesse's exposed and vulnerable form. Steve made no secret of his feelings of possessiveness and protectiveness towards his smaller Mate. Jesse repeatedly assured his older lover that this just made him feel even more loved and cherished; something that had been lacking in his early life. Jesse relished being taken by his bigger lover. Given Jesse's body was so small and Steve's sex large, the older man always took great care in thoroughly preparing the slender man. Steve's body ached with the need to bury itself deep in Jesse's molten heat.

Tempted as he was to go straight to the main course of Jesse's delectable globes, Steve opted to savour the hors d'oeuvres of other parts of Jesse's body. He mentally decided his lover would come with him when he finally found release inside Jesse's willing body. Positioning himself between Jesse's spread thighs; Steve leant forward and moved the hair from the nape of Jesse's neck. He began to lick and nibble at the newly exposed flesh. Moving downwards, Steve began to lick each shoulder blade, biting hard on the left to leave a mark of possession and earning a deep groan of appreciation from the pliant body below him. Spurred on by Jesse's evident approval, Steve licked his way down Jesse's spine and paused to lap the beads of sweat that had pooled at the base. Abandoning the proximity of the pale mounds of Jesse's pert rear, Steve shifted to grasp each foot and bite at ticklish instep and sensitive Achilles heel, smiling at the squeals from his ticklish Mate. Not wanting to detract from his seduction by tickling too much, Steve ran his tongue up each leg and mouthed at the testicles, lapping at them erotically.

Finally, Steve placed a large hand on each butt cheek. He kneaded the flesh, squeezing and allowing the cheeks to part then close again. The tantalizing glimpses of Jesse's center fired Steve's lust. Finally Steve pulled Jesse's cheeks fully apart, revealing the tiny rose of Jesse's center. Steve licked and nuzzled at the newly exposed flesh, finally settling his tongue over the puckered opening. He began to tongue gently at Jesse's most private place. The place only he had tasted and penetrated. He ran his tongue back and forth before finally beginning to probe at the opening. Holding Jesse wide to his ministrations, Steve began to press harder until Jesse flowered open to him and Steve thrust his tongue deep inside. Here was the essential taste of his young lover and it caused the big detective to moan appreciatively. The moan sent vibrations through Jesse's already sensitized body and Steve could feel the smaller man humping the pillow and hear his breath coming in shallow gasps. Steve thrust his tongue hard and fast into his Mate and Jesse cried out bucking, but was pleasurably unable to dislodge the erotic invader. Steve spent several long minutes rimming Jesse enjoying both the vocal and physical appreciation of the tender assault. Finally, Steve began a slow rhythmic thrusting into Jesse's loosened opening, his tongue imitating a larger, thicker part of Steve's anatomy that was screaming for its turn. Steve was reluctant to stop his actions and so reached blindly for the tube of lube put within easy reach for just this eventuality. Deftly opening the tube one-handed, Steve coated a single digit. He pulled his tongue from Jesse's body and inserted the finger. With a whimper, Jess tried to push back, showing the high level of the younger man's arousal. Grinning triumphantly, Steve coated a second finger, twisting and scissoring the digits to stretch Jesse. Finally three fingers crowded their way inside and Jesse's hips matched their movement in...out...in...out. Steve gently urged Jesse to his knees, maintaining the rhythmic pumping whilst spreading the smaller man's legs wider apart. 

Jesse pillowed his head on his arms, presenting himself submissively to his dominant Mate. The deep growl had Jesse breaking out in goosebumps and then he felt the head of Steve's penis pressing at his entrance. Penetrating the younger man, Steve elected to keep his initial thrusts slow and shallow till Jesse was fully comfortable. Keeping one hand on Jesse's slender hip, Steve reached under the undulating younger man to stroke the re-hardened flesh with a lube-slicked hand. Jesse's back arched, his head was thrown back and Jesse cried aloud, lost in the pleasures his older lover was providing. Steve shifted his angle and increased his tempo and was rewarded by a primal scream as he pounded Jesse's sweet spot brutally.

"Come for me, Jesse," Steve urged, working his Mate's erection roughly. "Come with me deep inside you. Come on, Baby. Wanna feel you milk me, Jess. That's it, Jess, let it go. Come now."

With a wail, Jesse spurted his second release over Steve's hand and their bed. The clenching of his channel triggered Steve's own climax. The big detective roared his release as he poured his seed into Jesse's body. As Jesse collapsed, unable to support his own weight any longer, Steve followed him down, thrusting continually until he was finally spent. Keeping some weight off Jesse, Steve pinned the smaller man to their bed whilst he recovered from the intense climax. Finally, Steve rolled to the side and his softened penis slid from the harbour of Jesse's body. The older man tenderly gathered Jesse to his chest as he heard the smaller man moan the loss of the intimate connection. He kissed Jesse lovingly, smiling at his precious bundle.

"Love you so much, Steve" Jesse gasped sleepily, settling his head on his lover's chest, in his favourite post-coital position.

"Love you, too, Angel," Steve whispered. He slid a large hand down to cup Jesse's lax genitals and gently massaged the spent organs. Jesse mewled softly and Steve's other hand stroked his head. "Sleep, Love," he urged. He smiled at the answering gentle snore. Keeping the one large paw possessively and protectively surrounding Jesse's genitals, Steve slid the other around the smaller man's waist, pulling him securely against his larger bulk. Within minutes, the big detective had joined his lover in sleep.

The next day, the two men kissed tenderly as they prepared to leave the haven of their beach house. Jesse had a long shift ahead of him and so they wouldn't see each other until late evening. To Jesse's relief, Steve wasn't working on any particularly dangerous cases and as they said their farewells, each man was already mentally seeing himself back in the arms of the other.

"Take care, Steve," Jesse murmured.

"You, too, Sunshine," Steve replied. "I'll try and call during the day."

Jesse smiled and Steve watched him drive away, wishing for the end of the day to come round quickly.

Jesse was kept busy and so the young doctor wasn't aware of the hours ticking by. Finally able to take a break, he found himself in the doctor's lounge with Steve's father, Mark.

"I was looking for you, "Mark smiled at his protégé and son's life-mate. "This arrived addressed to you. Sorry I got caught up in things and left it in my office." Mark looked at Jesse's wide-eyed look as the younger man accepted the long thin box. He watched as Jesse opened it to reveal a perfect red rose. "I thought it looked like a flower box," Mark observed. "Got a secret admirer, Jess?" he laughingly teased. "Do I need to warn my son he has a rival for your affections? Or has Steve finally discovered his romantic streak?"

"Mark!" Jesse exclaimed blushing. "Steve does buy me flowers," he admitted looking up shyly through his fringe. "But he usually has them delivered home or brings them to me himself"

Mark was touched at the open admission and pleased that for all his gruff exterior, his son was still a romantic at heart.

"Is there any special occasion?" Mark asked as Jesse removed an envelope.

"None I can think of," Jesse replied shaking his head. "The card just says 'You are mine'," Jesse smiled. He put it safely away in his locker, along with the flower in the box.

Mark had ended up working late and so he found himself leaving with Jesse at the end of the young medic's shift. He smiled as he saw the flower box in Jesse's hand and the tender smile on Jesse's face when he glanced at it. However, his smile faded quickly when he saw Jesse staring inside his car without moving. He raced to the young man's side. He followed Jesse's gaze and saw an identical flower box sitting on the front seat. Mark put his hand on Jesse's shoulder reassuringly and the young man jumped.

"It's just me, Jess," Mark soothed. 

"Steve wouldn't break into my car, Mark," Jesse said turning wide worried eyes at the older man.

"Maybe he would, Jess," Mark said. "Let's check out the box. Steve might be planning something".

Unconvinced, Jesse opened his car and removed the flower box. Opening it up, another perfect red rose was revealed. Mark was concerned at the anxious gasp from the young man as Jesse read the new card.

"It says 'I will take you'. These aren't from Steve."

"Let's give him a call," Mark replied.

Mark answered the phone and replaced the receiver. Moving round to face Jesse, he smiled reassuringly.

"Steve says he has some news and wants us down at the station," he told the younger man. 

There had been a flurry of activity regarding the roses sent to Jesse. Steve had immediately run a check on the computer system, but had been called to attend an arrest. He'd sent his father and lover home after arranging for their statements to be taken. He hadn't been able to get home, contenting himself with a couple of snatched hours sleep. Then things had gone from bad to worse as a reply came in regarding the roses, followed fairly quickly by a Federal Agent profiler. He'd hoped to intercept his father and Jesse to talk to them privately and grimaced with annoyance when he found out the Agent had moved in swiftly when the two men arrived. With a dissatisfied growl, Steve paced waiting for his father and lover to reappear.

Mark and Jesse had been surprised to have been met by a Federal Agent. The man was tall, somber and dark and Mark believed he could hire himself out as a professional mourner. 

"You must be Dr Travis," he'd stated dispassionately. His eyes had coldly raked over Jesse's slender form. "I'm Agent Lanning. Lieutenant Sloan has explained the situation to me and provided me with a few personal details. I just need to confirm a few things before we join him in his office." So saying he had ushered the men into an interview room, without their being able to see Steve first.

Now all the men were in Steve's office. Steve elected to perch on his desk. Mark and Jesse sat facing him, whilst Lanning stood to one side.

"The Rose Killer has struck twice here in L.A. and on two other occasions in two other cities," Lanning stated.

"Why target Jesse?" Mark asked. He was finding it difficult to relate to Lanning. The man seemed to be in the room with them and yet be totally removed from them. Despite Jesse being a potential victim, Lanning had exhibited no signs of sympathy or empathy for the obviously distressed man. He glanced at Jesse. He noted the minute tremors racking Jesse's frame. A covert glance at Steve showed the big detective clearly wanted to comfort the younger man.

"Dr Travis fits the physical profile for the killer's victims. He's smaller than average, but in proportion. From Lieutenant Sloan's comments, under normal circumstances, Dr Travis is happy, enthusiastic and energetic. He looks at the world in an almost child-like way. He exudes innocence and exuberance. The killer has killed two men and two women. Two were blond, two dark, but in all the other respects they were the same and had the same sunny disposition. I believe this, more then looks, dictates who he selects as a victim".

"How do you know it's a man?" Steve asked. 

"Because he destroys his victim's innocence through repeated physical and sexual assault," came the dispassionate response. Lanning seemed completely unaware and unconcerned at Jesse's increasing distress.

At the words so coldly and clinically spoken, Steve looked with open horror at his young lover. Lanning hadn't mentioned any details earlier, simply the roses were indicative of a serial killer they were trying to catch. He looked across at Jesse and found the young man was unable to stop shaking. His father had reached out and was rubbing Jesse's arm trying to bring some comfort to the frightened medic. It took less than a minute for Steve to make his decision. He wasn't 'out' at the station, but he had told his Captain of his relationship with Jesse. It had been accepted with equanimity. He had to offer Jesse some measure of comfort. He stood and opened his arms.

"Jess," he said hoarsely. "It'll be OK."

"Steve," Jesse sobbed. Flinging himself across the distance separating them; Jesse wrapped his arms around his bigger Mate. He buried his face in Steve's chest and inhaled the comforting scent of his lover. In response, Steve tightened his hold protectively around the trembling man. "Sorry, Steve." Jesse whispered.

"It's OK to be scared, Love," Steve soothed. "Being the object of a stalker is a frightening enough experience without being told so starkly he's also a psychopathic killer."

"Is there something I should be aware of here, gentlemen?" Lanning's voice sounded irritated. "I was under the impression Dr Travis was a single man."

"No, Agent Lanning," Mark responded as he went to stand by his two sons. "You asked Jesse if he had a special girlfriend or a wife. Jesse quite honestly said no. The relationship he has with my son is not fully open. There are those who are aware they are a couple, but Jesse would not say so here without Steve's approval. They are a loving, committed couple who intend to exchange vows in the near future. I am proud to have Jesse as part of my family." 

"If our relationship is going to cause you problems, Lanning..." Steve began, but was cut short by a gesture from the Agent.

"It's not a problem, Sloan," the Agent replied. "In fact, it may be an advantage. His other victims have all been single. No one special partner. They have been younger than Dr Travis, but he does have the appearance of being younger than he is. I believe that a part of the pleasure the killer derives from his victims is being intimidating and dominant. He has full control of what he does to them and when. I suspect in real life, he isn't able to realize these aspects of his personality. I also suspect he suffers relationship rejection. He's looking to make his victims pay for his rebuffs. Once he finds out that his current intended already has a dominant partner, it may throw him enough that this time he makes the slip up we need." 

For the first time, Lanning sounded passionate. Mark realized the Agent really did want to catch the killer. However, he still felt that he needed more empathy with Jesse and shot him a disapproving glance. 

At this stage, there was little that could be done. Phones would be tapped and there would be plain clothes officers watching Jesse's movements. However, Lanning explained that the killer always sent in total a dozen red roses before taking his victim. There wouldn't be one every day, but on some days there would be more than one. The killer liked to play a psychological cat and mouse game with his intended victim. There was nothing else Lanning could offer Jesse, except this was the first time they had been called in so early and that perhaps with that advantage and Jesse's relationship with Steve, this was the time the killer would be caught.

Seeing the look on Steve's face as the big detective walked out of the police department towards his car, Mark decided he would catch up with the two men later in the day. Steve barely registered his father's words as he bundled Jesse into the truck.

As Steve urged Jesse into the safety of their home, the older man was already stripping the slender doctor. For his part, Jesse offered no resistance as his shirt was ripped apart and yanked from his body. The dusky pink nipples were devoured in turn as large hands reached to unsnap then unzip Jesse's pants. Steve pushed the offending item down as far as he could before turning Jesse and holding him back to chest. Steve reached down, almost frantically, to delve inside Jesse's bikini briefs. He fondled the growing erection as the forgotten pants slowly puddled around Jesse's feet. Both men understood what had triggered Steve's almost primitive need to couple. A sexual predator was stalking Jesse. Steve was the only male lover Jesse had ever had and ever wanted. Both men overwhelmingly felt the need for Steve to demonstrate that Jesse was his and his alone. Jesse was frightened, instinctively seeking the strong physical and comforting presence that intimacy with Steve would provide. For Steve, the fear drove him to want to deposit his seed as deep inside Jesse's body as possible and mark the young man inside and out as his. Jesse was his lover, his Mate. No one touched Jesse in that way except Steve. He scooped the smaller man into his arms and almost ran to their bedroom. Laying his precious bundle in the center of the bed, he finally removed Jesse's briefs and socks. The young man lay nude and panting softly and reached towards his lover.




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 02



"Yours, Steve. Only ever you," he whispered hoarsely. "Show me, take me. Make me yours."

"Mine!" Steve snarled savagely. He took Jesse's erection into his mouth in one swift move and sucked ferociously. He wanted, needed, Jesse's seed in his mouth. He needed to taste his Mate's surrender. He massaged the delicate sacs as he flicked his tongue over the slit of Jesse's penis and was rewarded by the tightening of Jesse's body. Swallowing the erection to the root, Steve held Jesse's hips down, uncaring of the bruising force he used. As Steve's throat massaged his length Jesse came hard, screaming Steve's name. Steve swallowed all the young man could offer refusing to release the organ until Jesse went limp.

As Jesse lay boneless on their bed, Steve finally stripped himself. His gaze constantly raked over the diminutive form lying so vulnerably before him. Jesse's eyes opened and the young man gasped at the heat in Steve's gaze. Without a word, Jesse opened his arms and legs in wanton invitation to his Mate. As Steve moved forward to accept the invitation, Jesse angled his head to offer his throat to Steve. With a deep growl, Steve moved over the smaller man and his teeth fastened on the fragile flesh of Jesse's throat. Steve could feel the pulse of life beneath his mouth. Biting down, Steve left the first mark of his possession. Jesse cried out, but couldn't move as Steve's large frame held him down. Jesse whimpered as the flesh was released and Steve licked at the vivid purple mark.

"Take me," he begged the older man softly.

Steve moved his mouth down Jesse's body. Each nipple was fed upon, leaving them erect, aching, solid nubs. Steve bit down on the left breast, leaving another mark of possession. His tongue trailed down Jesse's almost boyish body to thrust inside Jesse's navel. As he reached the small, blond patch of pubic hair, Steve buried his nose into the small nest, licking and tasting Jesse's musky essence. He licked down each crease of thigh and groin and bit the sensitive inner thighs, marking Jesse further. He then suckled each delicate sac in turn, rolling them gently in his mouth. Jesse's hardening shaft twitched enticingly before his eyes, but Steve was delving deeper. Taking a slender thigh in each large hand, Steve pressed Jesse's legs out and back, exposing the younger man fully. He eyed the tiny rosebud hungrily and growled deep in his throat.

"So beautiful, Jess," he rumbled huskily. For a moment, Steve didn't move, drinking in the sight of Jesse lying so vulnerable and pliant in his hands. The younger man gazed up at him with a mixture of love, desire and trust. 

"Please, Steve," Jesse moaned. "Show me I'm yours. Please, inside me. I want you in me. Want you to come in me."

"Jess," Steve groaned. The words both submissive and seductive inflamed Steve's desire even further. He needed to be inside this special man. He needed to make them as one. He liberally coated a finger with lube, knowing he had to prepare Jesse carefully, as once inside him the coupling would be hard and fast. He inserted the slick digit whilst his tongue flicked over Jesse's re-awakened flesh. Steve quickly inserted a second finger, rolling Jesse's testicles as his fingers scissored and flexed inside his Mate. At last he had three stretching and lubricating the tight passage. He could feel Jesse pushing back, needing more than just Steve's fingers could provide. Steve positioned Jesse's legs over his shoulders and hesitated with his shaft just probing at Jesse's stretched opening.

"I love you, Jess," Steve moaned as he pressed deep inside in one long thrust. 

Hot, tight heat enveloped Steve's hardness and the big man felt he was being incinerated. He thrust hard and fast, balancing his weight on his left arm, whilst his right pumped Jesse hard. Jesse's hands wandered aimlessly over head, neck and shoulders, then began to clench rhythmically in Steve's hair as the older man ruthlessly pounded his prostrate. Jesse arched upwards and Steve bit hard at the shoulder and Jesse came with a wail, spraying both their bodies with his semen. The clenching of Jesse's channel and scent of his release pushed Steve over the edge. Pulse after pulse of his seed was forced deep inside Jesse's welcoming body. Steve kept thrusting until he was dry. Exhausted, he rolled onto his back, pulling an almost comatose Jesse with him to lay his tiny lover on top of him. Uncaring about cleaning them up, Steve dragged covers over them, held tightly to the smaller body and allowed sleep to claim them both.

Mark had wanted to ring the men the previous night, but Steve had decided that it needed to be just the two of them and Mark had respected that decision. However, Steve had agreed they would join Mark for breakfast. Reality dictated that their conversation had to include the Rose Killer.

"So to recap what Lanning told us, this psycho will send Jesse twelve roses before making any kind of move. He likes the psychological game of cat and mouse. However, although a day or two could go by without any flowers, he can also send more than one at any time. Jesse has received two and so we've got time to crack this," Mark said thoughtfully.

"I rang the Captain. I told him that I intend to be part of the investigation and Jesse's protection. There is no way I want to run the risk of Jesse's safety being compromised."

Mark looked at his son sharply, but Jesse didn't seem to be aware of the implication in Steve's words.

"I want to help catch him," Jesse said softly. "I'm scared, but I trust you to look after me, Steve."

"Jess," Steve said catching hold of the slender medic's hand and holding tightly. "I promise you that whoever he is, this guy will have to go through me to touch you."

"Lanning just wants us to get on with things as normal. There are going to be times when Jesse is working that not even you will be able to be too close, Steve," Mark observed. "Jess, promise us that you won't go anywhere on your own and that you'll let me or Steve or Amanda know where you are at all times."

"I promise," Jesse whispered.

The three men left to start work. As they drove into Community General and exited their cars, they were unaware of cold, hard eyes watching them. Nor did they hear the chilling words.

"You're mine, Pet. No big dumb cop will keep me away from you or stop me taking you."

A busy ER meant that Jesse had little time to devote to worry. His focus was on treating his patients. This was followed by a round on the Children's Wards and the young medic had almost forgotten the events of the last couple of days. His memory jogged only when he caught sight of an almost unobtrusive Steve Sloan. Jesse and Steve were passing a Nurses Station on the way back to ER, when a nurse called out to Jesse.

"Dr Travis," she said. "This was left for you at the Station. I don't know how long it's been here."

The nurse returned to her post oblivious to the consequences of her innocent gesture. A pale-face Jesse accepted the flower box and Steve growled deep in his throat as he watched Jesse's shaking hands open it. The gasp had the big detective snatching it away from his distressed lover. His own stomach clenched in fear as he regarded the three red roses. He glanced at the card and wanted to tear it to shreds. Balancing the box in one large hand, he opened his free arm to allow Jesse's shaking body to take the refuge in Steve's comforting embrace that was needed. This time the card had read, 'You will scream when I take you'.

Steve ushered Jesse into Mark's office. The elder Sloan not needing to see the box to know more flowers had arrived. He tried to comfort Jesse whilst Steve called Agent Lanning.

"Our man is still keeping to character," the Agent confirmed to the three men. "He never refers to his victim by name. That would give them their own identity. That's something I believe he takes from them," the tall, thin man paced as he spoke. Mark still believed his attitude was flawed, but the doctor could see that Lanning did want the psycho caught and was passionate about it. "Perfect red roses appear to represent perfect love and devotion. However, we can see his true intentions from the cards. His victims are anonymous, never mentioned by name. He intends to 'take' his victim. The victim is 'his' and will 'scream'. This has nothing to do with love. It's about possession and domination. His victims are just that - his. He wants ownership of them and obviously considers that once their innocence and exuberance has been beaten out of them, they are no longer a source of pleasure for him."

"So what you're saying, Agent Lanning," mused Mark sadly. "Is that this doesn't represent a change from his normal M.O. This last delivery and card are not in any way a reaction to Steve's presence?"

"No," came the reply. "Of course it's still possible he doesn't realize Lieutenant Sloan's position in Dr Travis' life. He may currently just regard you as part of Jesse's bodyguard team."

"You told us what his other victims were like as people," Mark observed. "Is there any link with hobbies or work?"

"One man and woman were students; one from here and one from another city. "One was a student nurse and one was newly employed as a lab technician for a big company. They all came from different universities, different backgrounds. The killings started three years ago. One outside L.A., then the two here last year, but the last victim, six months ago was outside L.A. again. They didn't know each other. They had nothing that obviously linked them, except appearance."

"And some sadistic psychopath who ended their lives prematurely and violently," Steve snarled. "Well that's not happening to Jesse. Jess, I think you should consider a safe house."

"If you do, Dr Travis, we lose our chance to stop him before he can kill again."

"I don't want you regarding Jesse as expendable bait, Lanning," Steve said aggressively. "Just because we have an alternative lifestyle..."

My partner is male," Lanning said moving to look out of Mark's window. "He's been subject to gay-bashing. Believe me, Lieutenant Sloan whilst the idea of your partner, or anyone else, being bait is reprehensive to me as a person, as a Government Agent trying to track and detain a recognized serial killer, I have to use everything at my disposal. I could have objected to you as part of this investigation, but I didn't." He turned to look at Jesse and for the first time, Mark could see the humanity behind the cold façade. "The choice is yours, Jesse. He has sent five roses and if at any time you want to disappear, then I won't try and stop you. But you are our best chance to date. You have helped Steve on his cases, so his Captain tells me, and proven yourself a competent assistant. I won't try and have Steve taken off the case and if you can try and keep yourself visible, I would appreciate it. You have my promise, that as soon as I think you are in real danger, I will arrange a safe house myself." For the first time since arriving at the Police department, Lanning gave a small smile. "I appreciate you have had quite a shock. If you want to go home, there's no reason from the investigation perspective that you need to remain."

"I haven't finished my shift..." Jesse began hesitantly.

"I'll sort out cover for that, Jess," said Mark gently. "You're not going to be at your best if you stay. I think you should go home. In fact, go to my house, boys," he said looking at Steve. "I'll bring some take out with me when I finish. If you're not doing anything, Agent Lanning, I'm sure the boys won't mind if you join us."

At Mark's house, Steve led Jesse into his old bedroom. The two men had spent the first part of their relationship in this room. As a consequence, there was a queen sized bed and as the two men often came and stayed with Mark, several changes of clothes. Mark laid out comfortable sweats for Jesse and jeans and t-shirt for himself. Jesse was still shaking slightly and Mark had an idea how to relax his Mate. From the bedroom, he led Jesse into the bathroom and gently stripped the young doctor. Hastily undressing himself, Steve got the shower on at a higher heat than normal and pulled Jesse under the hot spray. It was only Steve's intention to warm and wash his lover. The heat of the water and Steve's firm, rhythmic movements as he cleansed Jesse, relaxed the smaller man. Jesse began a reciprocal cleaning. However, his slender hands, looking almost child-like against the broad expanse of Steve's chest, began to tweak Steve's nipples and begin a caress of Steve's muscular torso. Without thinking, Jesse dropped to his knees to begin to suck on Steve's solid shaft and gazed up at his towering lover. Under normal circumstances, the sight of Jesse, kneeling submissively between his legs was a major turn-on for the big detective. However, these were not normal circumstances and the thought that Jesse's stalker would force the young man to be submissive had Steve pulling the confused medic to his feet.

"I wanna make you feel good, Jess," Steve said huskily. He didn't want Jesse to know the real reason for not wanting the young man on his knees. The psycho had no place in their moments of intimacy. "Hands on the wall and spread your legs, Baby." Using a squeeze of shower gel, Steve began to prepare Jesse's tiny channel. With an appreciative groan, Jesse pillowed his head on his arm and canted his delectable bottom out towards his older lover. Steve stroked Jesse firmly as he entered his younger lover. He held Jesse tightly around the chest, pumping his hips hard and fast as he matched his strokes to Jesse's length. Jesse howled as Steve hit his sweet spot. His come fountained over Steve's hand and the big man muffled his own roar of completion by biting down on Jesse's shoulder. Jesse's clenching channel milked the seed from Steve's body as the older man whispered "Mine," in Jesse's ear. As the shower washed away the evidence of their coupling, Steve turned Jesse to face him and tenderly kissed his lover.

When Mark came home with Lanning in tow, Steve was stretched out on the sofa. Jesse was fast asleep, wrapped in a fleece blanket and lay between Steve's splayed legs, using the bigger man's torso as a pillow. Mark indicated the table to Lanning. He tilted his head at Steve and raised an eloquent eyebrow. Receiving a nod in reply, the older man went to start laying out the take away with Lanning's assistance.

"Dad's home, Sweetheart," Steve whispered, stroking Jesse's back. "We need to eat and then you can have all the Sloan patented body pillow you want,"

"Mmmm," Jesse murmured. "I like the way you think."

Whilst the four men ate, the conversation was purposely directed away from discussing the Rose Killer. However, after the meal, when they were sitting drinking coffees or beers, Jesse knew he had to broach the subject. From his position half-reclined between Steve's spread thighs, he spoke up during a lull in the small talk.

"Steve," he said hesitantly. "I've promised to be careful regarding this psycho. I need you to promise you won't put yourself at risk," he pleaded.

Steve was aware that two pairs of eyes were now fixed on him, waiting for his reply.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean, Jess," he stalled. He refused to meet the eyes of the other two men as he continued, "I'm a cop, Jess. It's my job to protect people from dangerous men like this killer. I won't be rash ..."

"We know Arnie thinks that when he realizes you are my partner and you can challenge him dominantly, it could change how he behaves. I don't want you getting hurt. Please don't take chances." Jesse's referral to the Agent by his Christian name had the other man leaning forward.

"I don't want anyone taking chances," he added.

"I'm more than happy to promise not to take unnecessary risks," confirmed Steve. He was please to have found a way to reassure his worried Mate. //But I reserve the right to define both unnecessary and risk// he added mentally. A shuddering yawn from Jesse had Steve moving to scoop his slender lover into his arms. "See you in the morning, Dad," Steve said. "Arnie," he added nodding at he agent.

"Night, Guys," muttered Jesse from the comfort of Steve's broad chest.

After the two men had gone, Mark turned to the Agent who looked like he was about to get ready to leave.

"Arnie, before you go, I'd like to run some thoughts past you about this psycho," Mark said.

"Given your role as Police Consultant, Mark, I'd be pleased to take on board any thoughts and see if they help."

The two men settled and talked late into the night.

The next morning, Steve had to spend some time in his Department, but was reassured regarding Jesse as the young medic had a morning -long meeting that Mark was also part of. The meeting was with the local university's Career worker, Charles Kingsman. His role involved trying to place students for a work experience placement to see if they really liked the type of work they were intending to pursue. It had worked well at Community General, but Kingsman had only started the previous year and Mark couldn't take to the man. He was oily and self-satisfied. He was obviously well to do with expensive clothing and an ostentatious diamond ring on his left hand with the initials CK. He was probably as tall as Steve, but more corpulent and running to fat. His receding hair, staring eyes and his slightly over-sized nose all combined to give him a slightly menacing air. Mark had also noticed the way the man invaded personal space when standing next to someone. Mark was uncomfortable with the man and he knew the same went for Jesse, yet there was nothing he could identify fully that caused his feelings of unease.

"The placements last year were very impressed with Community General," Kingsman said in a nasally whine. "Especially with the ER, Dr Travis, "he added, staring at Jesse unblinkingly. "You scored top out of the Hospitals. I tried ringing you, but it seems your home number has changed."

"The university must have an outdated number for me," said Jesse, stalling.

"I would appreciate a direct contact number for you, Dr Travis, the big man pressed. "Not just for the university records, but for the students in case they need you."

"Um, sure," said Jesse.

"A mobile would be acceptable surely, Mr. Kingsland," Mark smiled easily. He noted the dark look that flashed across the other man's face, and then Kingsman was back with his pleasant veneer.

"Of course, Dr Sloan," he replied.

Relieved, Jesse ran off the number of his cellphone. He hadn't minded the university having his home number a couple of years ago, but now living with Steve, the number was only divulged by mutual consent "Thank you, Dr Travis," Kingsman said. "I take it your home address is still valid?"

Jesse blinked. 

"I moved a couple of years ago," he admitted. 

"But it would be preferable for the university to contact Jesse here in any event," Mark contributed evenly. "If Jesse was away for any reason, nothing would get responded to, you understand," he added smiling at Kingsman.

"Of course, Dr Sloan," Kingsman said again. Mark was certain he could hear tension building in the large man's voice. "Equally you must understand we need accurate records. I'll ensure the address is altered to record here as the contact."

"Do you travel much in this role, Mr. Kingsman?" Mark asked innocuously.

"I do go to other universities outside of L.A.," Kingsman replied guardedly. 

"If you don't find a local placement, would you look outside of L.A. or try to persuade the student to look at an alternative?"

"I may travel to a potential placement outside of L.A., why do you ask?"

"I think you must have a wonderful job," Mark said easily. "Mixing with all the young people, helping them find their role in society. It must be very rewarding."




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 02



"I can assure you, Dr Sloan," Kingsman replied. "It is not always as pleasant or idyllic as you might think. I'm sure it's the same with your job. I'll arrange the paperwork with the university. We have two possible nurses, a doctor and a scientist."

He stood and shook hands with both medics, the diamond ring flashing with the movement. The three men exited, Jesse leading, followed by Kingsman and Mark. As Mark joined Jesse, the two doctors' attention was caught by the rapidly approaching figure of Steve Sloan. They barely registered Kingsman's perfunctory farewell. Jesse sighed as he allowed himself the luxury of being enfolded in Steve's strong arms.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be here, Angel," Steve husked. "Is everything OK?"

"Yeah, "Jesse breathed. "But it's always better when you're here,"

The three men were oblivious to the eyes that blazed with fury at the sight of Jesse held in Steve's arms. Mark turned as the two men kissed, but couldn't see anything to account for the noise he thought he'd heard.

//He's mine, you Neanderthal.// the watcher thought menacingly.//You dare to touch what's mine. You will both be punished. My Pet needs to learn that only I touch him now//

The three men went for lunch. Mark was saddened to see the lines of fatigue under both of his son's eyes. The waiting game was having an effect on both men. The Rose Killer was seemingly content to play out his psychological game. However, the lunch had its intended effect. Some time together to relax had both men looking a little better as they returned to the hospital. As they approached its doors, Amanda came out, her face tight with anxiety.

"I'm sorry, Jess," she said. "There's another box in the doctors' lounge. Agent Lanning is here. He's waiting for you to come before it's opened in case this psycho has made any changes."

Steve put his arms around Jesse's shoulders protectively.

"Come on, Jess," he said. "Let's get this over." Steve guided his lover to the lounge and barely registered Lanning's presence as his attention focused on the box.

"It hasn't been touched, Jesse," Lanning said softly. "Please let me know if there's anything you notice that's different."

"I understand," Jesse whispered. 

Lanning opened the box with gloved hands. Jesse's moan of denial went straight to the hearts of his friends. Four roses lay there. However, a fifth lay there beheaded, leaving just the stalk.

"That's new," Steve barked.

"He's never done that before," Lanning confirmed. "There are also two cards."

He opened the card on the roses and Jesse wailed.

"He knows about Steve." The card read 'I will take you soon, Pet. The Neanderthal should not touch what belongs to me'.

On reading the contents of the second card, Jesse buried his face in Steve's chest. This one read, 'Stay with my Pet and you will die'

"It's OK, Jess," Steve tried to soothe his distraught Mate. "If he's thinking about me, he'll slip up. He'll make a mistake and we'll have him."

"I couldn't bear it if he hurt you. I love you. You can't stay with me."

"I'm not leaving Jess. He'll have to go through me to hurt you."

"Steve, stay at my place again," Mark murmured to his son. "I'd be happier knowing you were there."

"Come on, Sweetheart," he urged Jesse into moving. "Let's go to Dad's. He isn't going to take you, Jess."

"Arnie," Mark whispered catching the Agent's arm. "I haven't said anything to Steve or Jesse because I don't have anything concrete to go on. It's circumstantial and a doctor's gut feeling. However, it would make me feel better if I discussed it with you and perhaps some discreet enquiries could be made."

The next day a pale-face Jesse Travis accompanied Mark around Community General. Steve made sure his presence was visible and he was reassured by the knowledge that there were not only uniformed officers outside the hospital, but some plain clothed ones mingling with the normal crowds of people in a busy hospital. Mark glanced with concern at Jesse. Dark smudges were visible under the tired eyes. Jesse was now not just frightened for his own safety, but that of the man he loved. Marks' eyes flickered to his son. Steve didn't look as pale, but the evidence of the strain he was under was plain for his father's eyes to see. Mark hoped his hunch was correct. If so, perhaps he could prevent the last of the roses arriving. He prayed they had a breakthrough before then. The day passed uneventfully. Jesse had gained a little colour as the day had worn on, brightening when he was with the children.

"You OK, Love?" Steve asked, tenderly stroking Jesse's cheek.

"Fine," Jesse smiled, but the voice and smile lacked the conviction and the energy his lover was renowned for.

"Jess," Mark said softly. "Why not call it a day now. Go back to my place and I'll bring take out,"

"I'd like that," Jesse replied tiredly. "Thank, Mark."

Mark watched with affection as the two men left.

An hour later, Amanda met Mark as he was preparing to leave.

"Hey, Mark," she said brightly. "Did old creepy catch up with Jess with those student papers?"

"Who?" said Mark blankly.

"Sorry," Amanda giggled. "The guy from the university. He said there were some important papers Jesse had to sign for the students. He said he'd tried Jess here, but seemed to miss him and there was no answer from his beach house. I told him if he wasn't with you here, he'd probably catch up with Jesse at your house..." Amanda's voice trailed off at the look of fear on Mark's face. Snatching up the phone, he dialed, and then dropped the receiver.

"It's been cut off," he said worriedly. He picked up the phone again and dialed a second number. "Amanda, I think Kingsman is the killer," he explained. "Arnie, meet me at my house. I think the boys are in trouble."

"Mark," Amanda breathed fearfully. "What have I done?"

At Mark's house, Steve tried to flick on the light without success.

"Damn fuses," he growled, raising a smile from Jesse.

"We could have a candle-lit take out," Jesse suggested.

"You go get things ready for a bath. I'll deal with the fuses," Steve groused, swatting at Jesse's retreating backside. Steve didn't see the shadow detach itself as Jesse headed to the bathroom. He did feel the hard blow to his head that dropped him to the floor, where he lay semi-conscious and unmoving. From a dizzying angle, Steve saw the three roses dropped by his face. He dimly heard a voice.

"I've come for what's mine."

"Steve!" Jesse's voice screamed and Steve tried to react to the fear he could hear. However, each movement sent waves of dizziness and nausea through him. He could see Jesse trying to tackle the assailant, but the masked figure dwarfed Jesse's slight form. Jesse was lifted and slammed to the floor brutally and Steve's brain screamed at his body to obey him without success. He could see Jesse's face, bloodied and dazed and a gloved hand appeared. The glove disappeared and Steve could see CK on the finger. He watched, feeling more and more disconnected as the hand re-appeared holding a vial. A gloved hand forced Jesse's mouth open and the contents of the vial were tipped down Jesse's unresisting throat.

"Just a little chloral hydrate, Pet," Steve heard a voice as though from a long way off. "I need you pliant for now. I don't want you hurting yourself unnecessarily. But we'll begin the real fun when it wears off."

A tear tracked down Steve's face as the big detective realized he'd failed in his promise to protect his tiny lover. A vicious kick to his kidneys and he lost consciousness.

"Steve. Steve, can you hear me? Don't try to move. I think you have concussion."

Steve forced his eyes to open and saw the concerned eyes of his father.

"Jess?" the big detective asked. Another tear spilt as Mark shook his head.

"Gone," Mark replied. "Did you see who it was?"

"No," Steve said. "He was masked." In trying to get himself upright, he didn't see the slump of his father's and Lanning's shoulders. "But he did take off his gloves to drug Jesse. He had a ring, a big ring with the initials CK."

"We've got him," Arnie said.

"Wherever you're going," Steve ground out. "I'm going, too."

"We're both going, Arnie," Mark said gently, but firmly. "Jesse will need us."

The Agent didn't reply, nor did he try to stop the two men. His eyes met Mark's. The older doctor's face was a mask of professional detachment, much like Lanning's own. //Let us be in time// the Agent thought. //Don't let this bastard have hurt Jesse//

Jesse was being carried downstairs and he had a dizzying view of the legs of the man carrying him over his shoulder. He was dropped on a table and the young doctor closed his eyes against the glare of the lights overhead. The other part of the room was in darkness. The feeling of unfamiliar hands touching his body as his clothes were removed galvanized Jesse. Fueled by fear-born adrenaline, the young man kicked hard, but was rewarded by a solid blow to the face that temporarily robbed him of consciousness. When he came round again, he could feel tight metal bands around his wrists, he became aware he was naked and his attacker was about to fit more metal bands to his ankles. With a strength born of sheer desperation, Jesse aimed another kick and knocked the stranger to the floor. Jesse ran for the stairs, but the drug was still in his system and the room began to spin as his legs gave out.

"Very naughty, Pet," the nasal whine assaulted his ears. "You need to be punished. You need to understand who is Master here. You exist only to pleasure me, Pet. When you no longer pleasure me, you will have no further purpose. But I anticipate you will provide me with pleasure for a long time to come." As the man spoke, he was dragging Jesse back into the room by one ankle. Removing his mask, Kingsman smiled at Jesse's whimpers of fear. Dragging Jesse back up onto the table, Kingsman delivered another brutal blow to Jess. As the young man lay there semi-conscious, Kingsman finished preparing him. 

Matching metal bands were fitted to each slender ankle. Then a thick studded collar was fastened tightly around Jesse's throat.

"Very nice," Kingsman purred as he reviewed his handiwork. "Now you should be punished, Pet but I intend for the drug to be fully out of your system. I can think of better pleasures to take from your body when you are fully conscious, but you must learn who is Master here. You can consider this a taste of things to come." Kingsman fastened a chain between Jesse's wrist manacles and another to those on his ankles. He dragged the young man off the table, allowing him to sink to the floor. Kingsman smiled, he liked the look of this beautiful young man lying at his feet. Pulling on the chain between Jesse's wrists, Kingsman attached it to a hook attached to a chain hanging from the ceiling. He then attached Jesse's ankle chain to a hook secured to the floor. Moving to the wall, Kingsman activated a switch that raised the hook. When Jesse's body was stretched tight, Kingsman deactivated the machinery. He slowly removed the belt from his trousers, smiling sadistically at the growing fear in Jesse's eyes. //I will really enjoy this one// he thought cruelly. He slowly moved behind Jesse's taut body and without further warning stroked the leather over Jesse's unprotected back with his belt and laughed aloud at Jesse's frantic bucking. He stroked the belt between Jesse's thighs and around over his chest resting it finally over Jesse's mouth. The young man's shaking and soft whimpers of fear seemed to satisfy the sadistic need to punish the helpless young man. He moved to lift the young doctor's head to gaze coldly into his eyes. Tears of fear were falling freely. Kingsman moved forward and lapped at the moisture causing Jesse to shudder in revulsion. "We'll be much more intimate than this, Pet," Kinsgman assured the shaking man. "I'll know every inch of your body, as you will know mine." As he spoke, Kingsman ran his hands over Jesse's nipples, down his chest and caught hold of his genitals. Jesse lost consciousness as Kingsman squeezed them hard.

Jesse came round as Kingsman waved smelling salts under his nose. He was inside a box. His ankle restraints were secured to the bottom of the box, keeping Jesse's legs spread. His wrist chain had been connected to a hook fed through at the top and this had been tightened to fully stretch the imprisoned man. The resultant pain from Jesse's body stretched to its maximum was growing in intensity as the drug left his system. Kingsman had secured a ball-gag and held a leather blindfold for Jesse to see. Stroking Jesse's body once again, Kingsman let his hand pet Jesse's lax genitals. "I assure you, Pet," he said roughly tugging the limp flesh. "I will get you erect. You will come for me, even though you hate me and everything I will do to you. The next time you see me, it will be time for you to pleasure me more directly. I can imagine you are nice and tight. Just the way I like my boys," he attached the blindfold and closed the lid on the box. Alone and terrified, Jesse twisted his wrists and ankles, desperately hoping for some kind of escape before his would-be rapist returned. Realizing he was doing nothing more than tearing his skin, Jesse tried to scream for help. The gag effectively muted any sounds. With a sob of despair, Jesse let the drug drag him back into unconsciousness, oblivious to the trickles of blood from his abused wrists.

Kingsman, with a self-satisfied smile, poured himself a drink. He would enjoy this Pet; the ex-lover of a big dumb cop. His smile widened, he wouldn't rush this one. This was one to be savoured. He was assured of his anonymity. At the knock at the door, he ambled to open it and was barreled against the wall by a furious Steve Sloan.

"Where's Jesse, you sick bastard?" Steve thundered.

"I don't know what you mean," Kingsman started.

"I saw your ring," Steve said holding up Kingsman's hand. "You should have poured the drug with the other hand. Now where is Jesse?" Steve leant down to Kingsman's ear. "Do you know what cons do to child molesters, Kingsman? Mistakes can be made when preparing charge sheets and lots of incorrect information can be leaked to those you'll share a cell with."

"There's a trap-door in the garage floor. He's down there," Kingsman said. As with all bullies, he was cowed quickly when challenged by someone his equal.

"Read him his rights and charge him with murder, abduction and assault for now," said Lanning dispassionately, then charged after the two Sloans.

Steve almost fell down the stairs in his rush to reach Jesse. The first part of the room was still illuminated and the three men stopped and gazed with mounting horror and revulsion at the chains and restraints either hanging from the ceiling or attached to the floor. Lanning found the lights and the whole room was brightly illuminated.

"Dear God," Mark breathed in shock. The walls had floggers, crops, cock-rings of various shapes and sizes and dildos of all sizes, including one Mark was sure was as thick as Jesse's arm. There were assorted blindfolds, gags, collars and leashes. On part of the wall were some photographs. Moving to check them, Lanning made a choked sound and Mark saw a swift movement. Then the tall agent was at his side, pressing a photo into his hand and striding towards a plain box that was standing at the foot of a king-sized bed. Steve had stopped in shocked horror at the contents of the room and was currently staring at the chains and straps on the bed.

"Where's Jess?" he whispered brokenly.

"Here," snapped Lanning opening the box.

Mark glanced at the photo and swallowed down the bile. From this picture, he knew what the box would reveal and he wanted to be close to Steve when his son saw the reality.

"Jesse!" Steve cried desolately at the bruised and abused young man inside the box. Lanning found the mechanism to release the hook and Steve reached to remove the gag. He was unprepared for the muted screaming and futile thrashing from Jesse.

"Get the blindfold off," Lanning barked. "He thinks you're Kingsman."

"It's me, Jess," Steve said shakily as he removed the blindfold, trying to get Jesse to see him. "It's me Jess," he repeated, gently stoking Jesse's bruised face.

Jesse's struggles began to subside as Steve kept up the soothing litany and unfastened the gag. Lanning indicated to Mark for them to move back and allow Steve to ease Jesse out of his tiny prison. Steve cradled the small hurt body to his chest. "Jess," Steve whispered. "Look at me, Love."

"Dream?" the tiny pained whisper cut to Steve's heart.

"No dream, Baby. Open your eyes, please."

One eye opened, the other remained partially shut from his attacks. Tears began to stream as Jesse saw that it really was Steve.

"Steve," Jesse whimpered. "I was so scared. It hurts so much."

"It's OK, Jess," Steve crooned. "It's OK. You're safe now. Kingsman's in custody. He glanced up as Lanning held out his long coat.

"We need to get Jesse out of here," he said. "He can wear this."

Steve helped Jesse to stand to carefully wrap the fragile young man in the large coat.

"There's enough evidence on the walls to convict him. Mark will explain later," Lanning added at Steve's puzzled look.

"Take me home, Steve," Jesse whispered painfully.

"You're hurt," Steve protested weakly, his personal need to take Jesse home warring with his professional attitude.

"Mark can look after me," Jesse said determinedly.

"That's fine, Steve," Mark assured. "Arnie?"

"Just catalogue the pertinent injuries," the agent said. "I'll come and see you tomorrow." 

Steve finished wrapping Jesse in the big coat and the three men left silently

It took several days and a couple of sleep-disturbed nights before Jesse started to feel more like his old self. He'd particularly hated waking up caught in their bed's sheets and convinced he was back in Kingman's box awaiting the vile man's return. However, Steve had been patient and understanding, to the point of having a little night light until Jesse stopped his panic attacks. Jesse took a deep breath, all that was behind him. He'd been bruised and abused, but there was no permanent damage and the photographs of his earlier victims would ensure Kingsman would be put away for a long time. Now he had to convince a very protective lover that he needed more. It was time for a little Travis seduction.

Steve sat on their sofa watching the game. He knew Jesse wanted more physical intimacy, but he was so frightened of either hurting Jesse or causing him a flashback because of his physical similarity to Kingsman, that the big detective was at a loss as to how to proceed. 

"Hey, Steve," Jesse's sultry voice raised Steve from his reverie and at the sight of the younger man he gasped aloud. Jesse wore a sheer thigh length shirt and nothing else. Although the shirt was fastened, the transparency of the fabric clearly showed Jesse's nipples, his small nest of pubic hair and his semi hard penis. Steve watched fascinated as Jesse swayed towards him. The younger man edged his way between Steve's legs and slowly undid the shirt. He gazed hotly at his bigger lover. "I love you, Steve," he said as he gracefully sank to his knees. "I want you. I want to make love with you, feel you inside me, making us one again." Whilst speaking, Jesse had pushed Steve back and had unfastened the belt of the older man's pants and was now unsnapping and unzipping to delve further. "When we make love we share our bodies and it's my choice to be submissive - or not."

"Jess," Steve moaned as the young man's mouth descended on Steve's rock hard shaft. The big man looked down and felt a wave of love roll over him. Jesse's almost naked body rocked back and forth between Steve's muscular thighs. "Love you," Steve ground out as his hips began to thrust upwards. Reaching down, he caught hold of Jesse's hair and tugged sharply. Jesse slowly moved his mouth back from the jutting flesh and locked eyes with his older lover. Jesse's face was flushed, his lips wet and his hair mussed, he looked thoroughly debauched and entirely lovable. Steve pulled at the young man's hair until he had Jesse straddled across his thighs, their naked cocks rubbing together deliciously. With a feral smile, Steve removed the flimsy shirt and then used one meaty paw to hold the nape of Jesse's neck so the smaller man was at just the right angle for him to plunder Jesse's mouth; the other he closed around Jesse's engorged penis and began to pump steadily. Steve was quickly rewarded by Jesse moaning his release into Steve's mouth as his hips jerked with the force of his climax. Feeling the young man's seed on his own straining rod would have triggered Steve's own climax, except the big man had released Jesse to squeeze the base of his penis to stave off his orgasm. Jesse was slumped, his head on Steve's shoulder as he recovered his breath and tried to muster enough brain cells together to work out how he had lost control of the situation. //Not that I'm complaining in the least// he smiled to himself.




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 02



Steve slid his large hands under Jesse's bottom and wriggled himself forward till he could manoeuvre himself upright. Jesse kept his head on Steve's shoulder and wrapped his legs around Steve's solid waist. Steve carried Jesse effortlessly to their bed and deposited his precious bundle in the center. He let his eyes roam possessively over the diminutive, naked form and slowly peeled off his own clothes. He looked over at Jesse, gratified to see Jesse's eyes fully dilated, the younger man unconsciously licking his lips in appreciation at Steve's solid, muscular form. He stalked forward and as he knelt on the bed, he caught hold of Jesse's trim thighs and pushed them apart. He buried his face in Jesse's groin, licking Jesse's lax sex slowly and deliberately. His tongue went lower and he lapped gently at the spent orbs, erotically encouraging them to refill. Releasing Jesse's thighs, Steve moved up Jesse's body. Suckling on one tiny pink nipple, Steve rhythmically squeezed the small breast. Then he opened his mouth wide and sucked in as much of the sensitive flesh as possible. Jesse screamed his pleasure, arching his back off the bed. Growling, Steve repeated the process on the other breast, earning himself another scream of pleasure from Jesse.

The smaller man was flipped onto his stomach and Steve's growls increased in intensity as the bigger man's eyes devoured Jesse's tight buttocks. With one large hand on each cheek, Steve kneaded the flesh to groans of appreciation from his Mate. Each time Jesse's most private place was revealed Steve's thick shaft throbbed with need. Jesse yelled aloud as Steve held him wide open and thrust his tongue in hard and deep. Pressed into the mattress, Jesse could do nothing other than let Steve's tongue pleasure him. Steve's tongue was as large and well developed as the rest of the big man and Steve plunged in again and again reveling in Jesse's continual litany of cries and moans of pleasure. He forced a hand under his Mate and gave a self-satisfied smile feeling the resurgent erection. He urged Jesse onto his knees and blanketing Jesse's body with his, he licked and nipped at the nape of Jesse's neck as he inserted one well-lubed finger. He stroked Jesse's shaft and he inserted two fingers and scissored them to stretch the tiny channel. As Steve pressed three inside and began to pump in and out, he was gratified when the young man began pushing back on his fingers, panting and gasping.

"Do it, Steve," Jesse pleaded. "Inside me, please. Need to feel you in there. Want you to come in me."

"Mine, Jesse," Steve snarled as he flipped Jesse onto his back. He draped Jesse's legs over his shoulders and thrust his full length inside Jesse in one, strong measured movement. Jesse screamed as Steve hit his prostrate immediately. Leaning forward, pressing Jesse's legs further apart, Steve began to thrust hard and fast, hitting Jesse's sweet spot again and again. Jesse screamed and thrashed beneath Steve, his hands fisted tight in the sheets as he allowed Steve to pleasure him. "You're gonna come again, Jess. You're gonna come with me inside you. Want you to come, Jesse. Come for me. Want to see you cream, Baby."

"STEVE!!" Jesse cried out as the pounding of his prostate and Steve's words combined to bring the younger man to a second explosive orgasm.

"MINE!" Steve roared as the clenching of Jesse's hot, tight channel finally broke Steve's control and the big man poured his release in his Mate's welcoming body. As Jesse's body went boneless, Steve pushed himself deeper and pistoned his hips until he was dry humping. Collapsing enough to let some of his weight settle on the smaller man under him, Steve began to kiss his sated lover slowly and deeply. He pulled back to gaze into Jesse's eyes and if he had felt incinerated by the heat of Jesse's body whilst they were coupling, the look of love in Jesse's eyes was enough to sear his soul. 

"Love you, Steve. Love you always, heart and soul forever."

"Love you, Jess. My life, my sunshine, my everything." Steve replied.

Sliding down Jesse's body, Steve slowly licked the young man clean. Cleaning himself perfunctorily with a baby wipe, Steve then arranged them so that Jesse was draped over his chest, his head tucked under Steve's chin. He wrapped both arms around Jesse's slim waist as the smaller man draped his right arm across Steve's body. "Sleep now, my love," Steve crooned softly. Within minutes Jesse was sleep; a deep, healing and cleansing sleep. Steve forced himself to keep awake for a while just to enjoy the feel of the younger man safe, happy and secure in his arms. Giving thanks again for Jesse being relatively unscathed after his traumatic experience and vowing to protect his soul-mate, Steve slowly allowed himself to join his lover in sleep.



Diagnosis Murder Ch. 03



Diagnosis Murder 3 Behind the Façade

Pelaam: May 2007.

*

Two men moved as one as they strove to give and receive pleasure. The bigger man was buried deep in the slighter, writhing blond. His thrusts were hard and deep, ensuring his mate's sweet spot was constantly stimulated. He smiled as small hands caressed his face, across his shoulders to his chest where they teased and tweaked gently at his prominent nipples. His smiled widened at the mewl of pleasure as he took his lover's hard damp flesh in a large hand and began to pump, steadily increasing his movements as his thrusting became harder, faster and more erratic. The younger man's head pressed into the pillow as he wailed his mate's name and his climax fountained over the still pumping hand and between their bodies. With a bellow of his own, the older man came hard, pulses of his hot seed filling the slender, clenching channel. As his lover sagged bonelessly into the mattress, the bigger man allowed some of his weight to settle over the lissom form.

"Love you, Steve," the smaller man said as he caressed the ruggedly handsome face above him.

"Love you, too, Jess," Steve smiled as he nuzzled at the younger man before tenderly stroking sweat-damp hair from the angelic visage. He then leant down to capture kiss-swollen lips. As they parted with a sigh, Steve's tongue swept inside the warm, wet cavern beyond to leisurely entwine with Jesse's own slick muscle. 

"Everything quiet in work?" Jesse panted as they finally broke apart to breathe.

"All quiet, babe," Steve confirmed then gave a low growl as Jesse squeezed the half hard shaft still inside him with talented muscles.

"I wish you weren't still on lates, this is the first time we've been able to enjoy each other properly. You're usually so tired." Steve began a slow undulation in slick, velvet heat. As it had been the first time in several days they had been able to make love, the bigger man fully intended to enjoy every moment he could. The ebullient young blond he was privileged to call his husband having made time in a hectic schedule to be with him.

"Another couple of days and I'll be all yours...to play with," Jesse added, his voice dropping to a husky whisper and his internal muscles squeezing tightly and rhythmically. He grinned mischievously at Steve's groan.

"Imp," Steve growled with a mock-glare.

"Yeah, but I'm your imp," Jesse replied. "Oh yeah, just there," he panted as Steve once again began to rub erotically over his hidden jewel.

"Love you, Jess, love to make love with you," Steve said. He grinned savagely at the low moan as his fingers tweaked an innocent pink bud and then the moist heat of his mouth soothed the slight hurt. His hand slid between their bodies and encouraged the refilling rod to full hardness. Positioning himself so that Jesse's erection was sandwiched between their undulating bodies, Steve began to piston his hips and drove into his young lover with abandon to a wail of pleasure from the smaller man.

"Oh, yeah, do it, Steve. Make me come, make me yours, come in me."

"Mine, baby," Steve's voice was low, dark and possessive. "Only ever mine."

"Love you, want you, need you," Jesse panted.

"Come for me, baby," Steve encouraged. "Want you to cream when I'm buried inside you. Come, Jesse, come now."

Jesse screamed as he obeyed his dominant mate's command. He thrashed as an intense orgasm crashed through his body. 

His body's convulsions, the tight tunnel that clenched brutally around his own need and the sight of Jesse lost in the throes of passion fractured Steve's control. With a flurry of hard and fast thrusts, the bigger man finally froze, buried as deep as he could be and roared his completion. His seed erupted into the still spasming channel. Steve's hips pumped desultorily as the last of his semen emptied into his satiated lover. Rolling them to have the smaller body drape over him, both men gave into post-coital lassitude. Tender kisses became erratic and softer as both men began to drift into sleep.

****

Steve smiled at the photograph on his desk. It showed him, Jesse and his father, Mark Sloan. He stood behind Jesse, bending over out of sight of the camera, to lay his head on Jesse's right shoulder and his hand was on Jesse's left. Behind them Mark stood with one hand covering Steve's and the other on Steve's shoulder. They all wore matching tuxedos and the same joyous smiles. It could have been a picture of any formal occasion the three had attended; however it was in fact the post-ceremony picture of his marriage to Jesse. They had been married for almost eight months and the big detective had never been as happy in his life. His eyes moved at the knock on his door.

"Come in," he called.

One of the female detectives of his team ushered a woman inside.

"This lady asked to see you personally, Lieutenant," she explained. She backed out at Steve's nod. He indicated the seat in front of his desk. The lady in question was tall and broadset. She wore a long black skirt and an old, shapeless brown jumper. Her mousy-brown hair was pulled into a severe bun and her face, which seemed almost carved into an emotionless mask, was devoid of make-up. She gave a nervous smile and Steve knew he recognised her.

"Lieutenant Sloan," she said in a low, even voice. "It's Jenny Walters."

"Jenny," Steve said, the memory of their first meeting replayed in his mind. "Good to see you." He stood and reached over his desk to shake her hand before sitting again. He'd met her about six months earlier. He'd been convinced she was contemplating throwing herself off a bridge onto a road below. He'd chatted to her and listened to a sad tale of domestic abuse. He'd hoped he'd talked her into reconsidering her life. She had hailed from a small town outside of the city and Steve had wondered if she'd taken any of his advice.

"I came to look you up as I don't have a husband any more. He's gone now. I'm free."

"That's good to hear," said Steve encouragingly.

"I just wanted to see you, thank you," Jenny said hesitantly. "I have a couple of rooms here for a while. I wondered if I might cook you dinner or take you out?"

"That's very kind of you," Steve said, "but not necessary. I did my job, that's all." Another knock to his door had Steve striding from his desk to mutter quietly just outside. As such he didn't see Jenny study the photograph he'd looked at minutes before. Nor did he see the deep frown that transformed the placid features, before the mask of neutrality was back in place.

"I'm sorry, Jenny, but something's come up," Steve lied evenly. "If you're free of your old life I'm really pleased for you and I hope things work out for you."

"So do I," Jenny murmured. "Bye, Steve, see you around."

Steve frowned at the farewell and then promptly dismissed Jenny from his mind.

****

Steve was unaware of the car that trailed him to Community General or of the figure that followed him like a silent shadow. He made his way rapidly to his objective, barely noticing anything of his surroundings.

"Hey, big guy," the effervescent blond bounded over to him as Steve gave a wide smile of genuine pleasure. Glancing quickly around, Steve swung Jesse into his embrace, kissing him. Neither man was aware of the hate-filled eyes that watched the tableau.

"C'mon, babe," Steve enthused. "Let's see if dad has time to join us for lunch."

****

Jesse was mentally and physically exhausted as he arrived home. He smiled tiredly at the light still on in the home he shared with his husband. Steve may fall asleep in the big armchair, but he never went to bed until Jesse was back. His shift had overrun due to an emergency, but he hadn't lost a patient so he was tired but happy. Jesse reached to let himself in, ignorant of avid eyes that followed his every move. The watcher waited for several moments. A grunt of anger accompanied the lights in the beach-house switching off and the realisation that the young doctor was clearly staying the night

****

Steve frowned at the paperwork he had to complete. It was one of his least favourite parts of the job but he knew he had to keep it under control or it would overwhelm him. He picked up a sheet of paper dated two days before and his frown deepened as he noticed Jenny Walters standing outside his door. This time her skirt was shorter, showing stocky legs. Her top was low-cut at the front, displaying cleavage Steve would rather had remained covered. She had also applied make-up, but had selected a garish blue that made her eyes appear washed out, her blusher was far too dark and her lipstick a bright scarlet. Steve was surprised his jaw hadn't dropped to the floor.

"Hi, Steve," Jenny said smiling.

Steve groaned inwardly as he noticed the flacks of lipstick adorning the uneven teeth.

"What are you doing back here, Jenny?" he asked, shock temporarily robbing him of his normal tact and diplomacy.

"Yesterday... well about yesterday...." Jenny stuttered. "I don't think I quite explained..."

Steve had a sinking feeling in his gut. He had hoped the woman's feelings of gratitude weren't becoming anything more serious. However, this looked serious...very, very serious and had to be stopped here and now.

"Jenny, please. All I did was my job as any good cop would have done. I would have done it for anyone."

"But, Steve," Jenny stepped closer, beginning to lean over Steve's desk. "We had so much more. We spoke so easily."

The big man surged to his feet and moved swiftly to his door, hand on the handle, ready to pull it open.

"Jenny stop," he said sharply. 

"But I love you," she said her eyes wide, unshed tears beginning to pool.

"No you don't," Steve said adamantly. "You feel grateful for my stopping and talking to you and it's a common reaction. We don't know each other and we don't love each other."

"You don't have a wife or girlfriend," Jenny persisted. It was a statement and not a question.

"My private life is just that," Steve said decisively opening the door and standing outside, clearly indicating for the woman to leave. "I'm glad you're free of your husband, Jenny. Have a good life. Goodbye."

Tears sliding down her cheeks, Jenny slowly left. As she vanished from sight, Steve heaved a sigh of relief.

****

A hesitant tap to his door had Mark Sloan looking up as he called for his visitor to enter. He gazed, trying to disguise his surprise at the woman who came in wearing a skirt too short, a top too low and garish make-up. He racked his brain trying to think where he might know her from. He indicated a chair.

"Please sit," he said coming round his desk to sit next to her, hoping to put her more at ease. He could see she had been crying and he still couldn't place her.

"You don't know me, Dr Sloan," she said as if reading his thoughts. "It's your son that I know. My name is Jenny Walters."

"I'm always pleased to meet a friend of Steve's, Miss Walters" Mark said sincerely.

"Mrs," Jenny corrected him automatically. "Except I'm no longer married. Please call me 'Jenny.' I need your help and advice."

"If I can, Jenny," Mark said puzzled.

"Steve saved my life," Jenny said wistfully. "I knew the day I met him we were destined to be together. I just don't know how to make him see it."

Mark controlled his shock with practiced aplomb.

"Is this something you and Steve have already discussed?" he asked carefully wondering if he now knew the reason for the tear-tracks.

"I know he has no wife. I know he's good decent folk like us," Jenny said looking eagerly at Mark. "But he's a city man and I don't have experience with city men. I thought you could help me."

"Jenny," he said gently. "Steve is a grown man and makes his own decisions in life. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do for you."

"I love him," Jenny said, fresh tears beginning to fall. "I want to be his wife."

"Jenny," Mark said putting his arms around the shaking shoulders. "Steve isn't free to marry you."

At the sounds of muted sobbing, Mark realised he would need some tissues. Remembering he didn't have any, he left Jenny to seek some out. On his return to his office, it was empty. He frowned as he instantly knew something was wrong. His photograph was missing. He gasped as he found it smashed on the floor by his chair. It was the same photo as on Steve's desk. He carefully withdrew the actual picture; pleased to see it was undamaged and threw away the broken frame. Sitting back down, his face took on a thoughtful mien.

****

As a celebration of the end of the late shifts his young lover had been on, Steve decided to treat Jesse to a meal in their own restaurant, where they could sit and discreetly touch if they wanted. Steve tucked Jesse into their most secluded booth. Before the ribs, sticky with sauce arrived, Steve and Jesse enjoyed teasing each other with sly strokes and greedy gropes. Once the ribs were finished they each slowly sucked the sauce from the other's fingers. Finally they sat, sipping coffee, the touches tender and slowly adding to the simmering arousal between them. When Steve found himself palming the enticing bulge that tented Jesse's chinos, the older man knew it was time to move. They were halfway to Steve's truck when a call from the restaurant had Steve growling angrily.

"Take the keys, baby," he said. "This call better hadn't be anything to do with needing to go to work. There's only one place I want to be." As he spoke he squeezed the tight, pert buttocks to a squeak from his life-mate. With a feral grin Steve strode rapidly back to the restaurant where he took his call.

"Sloan," he barked into the receiver.

"Steve," came the disembodied voice. "It's Jenny. I thought I saw someone and that it might be my husband. Can you hold while I check my place is secure?"

"Jenny," Steve said gruffly, "if you think you're in danger you should call 911. But yes, I'll hold."

Jesse hummed softly as he went around the truck to get into the passenger seat. He was looking forward to the rest of the night with his big buff cop-husband. As he unlocked the door and began to open it, a heavily booted foot kicked brutally into his knee dropping the slender doctor instantly, lightening bolts of pain lancing through his injured leg. Another kick, this time to his side was followed by another and another. Jesse tried to curl into a ball to protect himself. Glancing upwards he took in the dizzying view of his attacker towering over him. He saw the big boots, heavy denim jeans and plaid shirt. He tried to see further, to his assailant's face, but it was hidden partly by the darkness and partly by a Stetson hat. The figure bent down, grasping roughly at the nape of Jesse's neck and slammed his face into the truck and then into unforgiving tarmac.

"Not so pretty now, boy" a sibilant voice hissed. "Stay away from Steve Sloan. We don't want your type corrupting decent folks."

With a final kick to Jesse's shaking body, the attacker strode away.

"Jenny, is everything ok?" Steve huffed impatiently into the phone."

"All done," Jenny's voice returned. "Thank you, Steve, I knew I could rely on you."

"If you're afraid of him, Jenny, then report him. Do it now."

"Thanks, Steve." The connection cut, Steve shook his head and replaced the receiver. He rushed from the restaurant, eager to be with his lover. An apology on his lips, Steve frowned when he saw the truck's cab was empty. Racing round the vehicle he gave a cry of pain and denial. Jesse lay still, curled into a ball on the ground. Steve pulled out his cellphone calling for an ambulance and back up. As he dropped to his knees he called his father, who was Jesse's personal doctor.

Recognising his husband's gentle touches, Jesse whimpered as he tried to burrow into the safety of warm, strong arms. Tears mixed with blood from his injured face and Steve groaned with grief at the beaten, battered and beloved visage.

"I'm sorry, baby. Sorry I wasn't here to protect you," Steve mourned as Jesse crawled into his lap for comfort.

"Hold me, Steve," Jesse whispered. Steve wrapped his arms around the hurting young man. For long minutes, Steve held Jesse, rocking him gently, trying to give as much comfort as he could. 

He only released Jesse at the insistence of the persistent paramedics the older man had barely registered had finally arrived. Steve refused to be parted from his lover, grasping tightly to a slender hand during the ride to Community General. As he barrelled inside, he was finally halted by Mark Sloan who indicated the seating.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll report back as soon as possible," the older man commanded. Visibly deflating, Steve moved to drop numbly into a small plastic chair and to anxiously await his father's diagnosis on Jesse's condition.

****

Mark wasn't gone as long as Steve feared and the more relaxed look on his father's face eased some of the blond's anxieties.

"How is he, dad?" Steve asked without preamble.

"Bruised, but not seriously hurt. He took a couple of nasty kicks to his kidneys so we need to keep an eye on him for that. I'm keeping him in overnight, but expect to be able to discharge him in the morning. He took a bad blow to his knee so he won't be very mobile. Other than that and some spectacular bruises he's ok."

"Was it a mugging, has he said anything?" Steve asked, wondering why his lover had been targeted.

"He's suffering from shock and the effects of painkillers, so he's a little confused. He said something about staying away from you."

"I want to spend the night here," Steve said decisively. "I'm not leaving him."

"I've already warned the staff you'd be staying," Mark smiled.

The two men walked together to Jesse's room. Steve winced at the pale, still body and then at the bruises and scrapes that marred the angelic face.

"Oh, baby," Steve said mournfully.

"He's going to be fine," Mark assured. "It looks worse than it is and Jesse's stronger than many give him credit for."

Nodding absently, Steve settled himself at his mate's side, clasping tightly once again to a small hand.

"Thanks, dad," Steve whispered, his eyes never leaving his lover's face.

"I'll be back early," Mark promised. I know Jesse won't want to stay in here."

****

When Mark next returned, Jesse was already awake and that had Steve looking better than when Mark had last seen him.

"Hey, Jess," Mark smiled as he kissed the young medic's forehead. "You're looking much better."

"'M fine," Jesse replied tiredly.

"Do you remember what happened?" Mark prompted.

"Warned to stay away from Steve," Jesse said his eyes seeking out his mate's for reassurance. Something about keeping away from nice people," Jesse added a small frown creasing his brow as he tried to remember the words his attacker had used and failing.

"What did they look like, Jess?" Steve asked.

"Bigger and broader than me. Wore jeans, plaid shirt and Stetson. Sorry, Steve, you're not going to catch them with a description like that."

"But they specifically named Steve," Marked mused thoughtfully.

"Then they know me," Steve said.

"Yeah, they definitely said 'Steve Sloan'," Jesse affirmed. "They didn't use my name at all."

"Sounds like they know about us," Steve said pensively. I don't broadcast it, but I don't hide it either," he said.

"They want to get Jesse to leave you."

"Makes no sense," Steve growled.

"I don't want you hurt," Jesse said worriedly.

"They didn't go after me, sweetheart," Steve cooed softly. "They went after you. Can I take Jesse home, dad?" Steve asked turning to his father, the big blond needing to reconnect with his lover in a more intimate setting.

"I'll get things sorted," Mark smiled.

Jesse sat in Steve's truck sandwiched between Mark and Steve, sleeping off a cocktail of painkillers and muscle relaxants. His head was on Mark's shoulder and the older man smiled gently at the soft snores.




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 03



"We're being followed, dad," Steve said quietly so as not alarm Mark or disturb Jesse.

Mark glanced in the wing mirrors to take in the dark coloured car that kept pace with them. He heard Steve call dispatch for back-up, but other than that Mark realised Steve wasn't going to do anything.

"What's your plan?" he asked, wrapping an arm tightly around the precious, sleeping bundle between them.

"Let's give them a little work to do," Steve said grimly. The big detective didn't try to shake off the tail, but after a few twists and turns, it was obvious the car was following, but not closing the gap. Steve began to head for the beach-houses where he and his father lived. He issued instructions to his colleagues and nodded with satisfaction at the cars waiting as they approached home.

"Stay in the truck with Jess, dad," Steve ordered before increasing his speed and then swinging the vehicle round in a one hundred and eighty degree turn. He was out and had his gun extended towards the threat to him and his family almost before the truck had stopped.

"Steve?" Jesse murmured softly as he jerked from the force of the sharp braking.

"Shh, it's ok, Jess. Nearly home, sleep a little more," Mark said kissing the young man's temple. He smiled at the exhaled sigh as Jesse slipped back into a deeper drowse and then focused his attention on what was happening outside. As he took in what was happening he gave a groan. Jenny Walters now stood outside her car looking petrified. Checking that Jesse had indeed gone back to sleep, Mark quickly jumped from the truck and hurried to his furious son.

"What in the hell do you think you're playing at, Jenny," Steve bellowed. "Do you realise how close you came to getting yourself killed?" Anger, fear and worry had destroyed any semblance of control Steve had and Mark could see it.

"I called into your office. They said you were in hospital. I panicked and they said it was a... a friend that was hurt, but that you were staying there and I thought I could bring you things and look after you." Jenny was almost babbling as she tried to explain herself and was indicating a basket in the back of her car. Mark glanced inside as she spoke and barely restrained another groan. Mark could appreciate the food, juice and water she had brought, but there were also three bottles of wine: red, white and champagne. He fairly pounced on Steve to keep his son from moving closer to the still frightened woman.

"And you thought what exactly?" Steve snarled. "That I'd leave a hurt friend to picnic with you? That I'd toast his stay in hospital?"

"Steve, I think you can send the back-up away and then you need to see to Jesse. Jess was starting to wake up and he's going to need you." Mark put himself in his son's line of vision as he spoke, effectively diverting the angry man's attention. "Let me speak to Jenny."

"Make her understand, dad," Steve said with an exasperated sigh as he turned to dismiss the extra police.

Mark watched Jenny stand and stare with tears in her eyes as the loud, angry and intimidating man Steve had been when speaking to her, changed in one who was gentle, considerate and loving. Tenderly Jesse was lifted from the truck and cradled to a powerful chest as Steve carried his drowsy husband into their home without so much as a glance back.

"He hates me," Jenny whispered.

"He doesn't hate you, Jenny," Mark said firmly. "But he doesn't love you either.

"He's a good, decent man," Jenny murmured.

"Yes he is," Mark agreed "and Jesse is a good, decent man and an excellent doctor that it's my pleasure and privilege to know. Steve was angry because Jesse has been hurt. When Jesse hurts, Steve does too."

"He does?" Jenny asked, tearing her gaze away from where Steve had vanished into the house to regard the older man before her.

"Yes, Jenny. That's what happens when people care deeply for one another. It's not going to be easy for you, Jenny, but you have to move on with your life and, if it would help, I know someone who specialises in dealing with victims of domestic violence." 

"Thanks, Mark," Jenny said turning away. "But I know what I have to do."

Mark frowned as she drove away. He had a niggling feeling. Shaking his head as though hoping the elusive though would be revealed, he headed into Steve and Jesse's home.

Mark smiled as he walked into their living room. Steve was sitting in one of the large armchairs with Jesse on his lap wrapped in a big, soft comforter. Although still a little heavy-eyed, Jesse was awake and smiled at the older man. Mark was please to see a little of the normally exuberant younger man begin to appear.

"Has she gone?" Steve asked as Mark took a seat on the sofa.

"She has," he confirmed thoughtfully.

"I feel sorry for her," Jesse said quietly. "Domestic violence is such an insidious crime. It can go on unnoticed and unreported in any family. I can understand how anyone can dream of a new life when unhappy in what they have."

"My concern is for you, angel," Steve rumbled as he nuzzled into the blond's soft hair and kissed him. "If I hadn't got that call from Jenny, you wouldn't have got hurt."

"I have to get back to work," Mark said. "I'll pop by later and see if you're both ok," he smiled.

"I have today off," Steve said. "I'll go back to work tomorrow when Jess is a bit stronger."

Mark placed a kiss to the top of each of his boys' heads and left. He took a cab back to the hospital, his mind sifting slowly through what had happened recently. However, as he got more involved in his clinical work, the still elusive thought kept evading every attempt to pin it down.

****

Jesse awoke sore and stiff but felt more like his own normal self. He smiled at the solid weight and possessive arm that surrounded him and snuggled back for a moment, relishing the warmth that came not just from the physical closeness but also the love of his mate. He knew he could have been so much more badly hurt. He began to wonder whether his attacker had purposely measured the blows; it had, after all, been intended as a warning. He wriggled a little until he could look at the big man that shared both his bed and his life. Steve looked younger and less care-worn when asleep and Jesse's heart melted with love for the older man. Then with a wicked smile, Jesse carefully urged Steve onto his back and drew back the covers.

Jesse licked his lips and gazed with a growing hunger at the body bared before him. Steve worked out regularly and his body had powerful muscles and was well-defined. Thick nipples sat atop satin-smooth, well-developed pectoral muscles. Dark blond fur was in abundance around the thick, dusky-rose flesh between hard-muscled legs. As though aware of Jesse's loving scrutiny the half-erect organ twitched, as if preening for the younger man and began to fill and harden fully. A gentle stroke to solid inner thighs had the long legs spreading and Jesse carefully positioned himself between them, mindful of his still sore knee.

Taking his weight on his arms, Jesse leant forward and kissed each dark pink nipple, treating it to the warm moistness of his mouth. He pressed open-mouthed kisses down the broad chest to tongue the delicious indent at Steve's navel before kissing his way along the treasure trail to the thick nest of pubic fur. Jesse nuzzled in the wiry curls before licking his way up the fully hard shaft and sucking at the engorged head to savour his mate's pre-come. As he swallowed he felt a large hand on his head and looked up to see Steve gazing at him with such a look of naked adoration, that the smaller man carefully crawled up the bigger body to mate their mouths. He moaned into their kiss as Steve's knowing hands each palmed one of his buttocks, alternately squeezing and parting the taut globes. As his mouth opened, Steve's tongue dived inside, mapping every nook and cranny to leave Jesse panting in the aftermath.

"Morning, sunshine," Steve husked.

"Morning, lover," Jesse replied, his own voice deeper with arousal.

Steve carefully rolled their bodies and took an alluring nub between his teeth as he trailed a hand between soft, smooth caramel thighs to stroke leisurely at Jesse's erection. He smiled as Jesse sighed softly and began to push upwards into Steve's knowing touch.

"Need to love you, baby," Steve said, his voice a sweep of dark silk in Jesse's ear. Steve's smiled widened at the wanton moan and shiver of anticipation.

"Take me," Jesse said hoarsely. "Love me."

"Always," Steve growled.

With tenderness and care, Steve repositioned Jesse onto his stomach, a pillow under his hips and spread the younger man's legs wide. Kneeling between them, Steve licked and nipped at the nape of Jesse's neck before trailing kisses and bites across the honeyed skin of Jesse's back. He mourned over and kissed each and every bruise and scrape he found. He bit gently at each golden globe before his tongue swiped desultorily over the tiny pink portal displayed to Steve's ravenous and possessive gaze.

"Oh, Steve, yeah, just *there*," Jesse mewled. It was almost more than Jesse thought he could bear, but Steve knew Jesse's body so well and played him with a masterful perfection. Jesse cried out torn between begging for more and pleading for Steve to stop and be inside him. His slender hips ground shamelessly into the pillow. 

Steve licked his lover mercilessly. He circled and swiped, occasionally furling his tongue to press insistently inside; wetting, stretching, preparing his lover as well as taking him to the brink of the abyss of ecstasy again and again. Steve wasn't certain whether Jesse could balance on his hands and knees for any length of time and so pressed his slick fingers inside as Jesse lay spread beneath him. He stroked satin skin with one hand as he watched his fingers slide between the perfect cheeks. A low guttural moan made him give a feral grin as his fingers teased Jesse's sweet spot.

"So beautiful, baby," Steve growled. "So mine."

He briefly pulled Jesse onto all fours as he lined his aching shaft with the pulsating and glistening entrance and pushed inside, both gently and insistently. He felt Jesse's body welcome him with searing heat and slick tightness. He gripped the slender hips as he began to move harder, faster and deeper.

Jesse moaned as the long thick flesh that seemed to fill him so perfectly brushed across his prostate with every movement of Steve hips; each thrust, each roll. Jesse shuddered with increasing arousal and cried aloud as Steve eased him to sit back on the bigger man's widespread thighs. The new position left Jesse impaled on Steve's steely rod and the older man clasped slender shoulders from underneath and began to lift and lower Jesse as his thrusts increased in their intensity. Jesse had no leverage of his own and felt wanton and voluptuous as Steve both took and gave what they needed.

"Steve," Jesse gasped as he was raised and lowered over and over, relishing his mate's strength and endurance. His throbbing erection bobbed gracefully, the cool air sweeping around its heat, teasing Jesse further. Finally one strong hand encircled him, slowly stroking the already sensitive flesh. Jesse felt his need reach its pinnacle, impaled on Steve, the bigger man's hand working him to completion and then Steve groaned low and deep in his ear.

"Do it, baby. I want to see you come."

Jesse could do nothing other than obey Steve's command. He cried out his husband's name and he climaxed. He could feel Steve still pounding inside him as his release covered Steve's hand and his own stomach and thighs. He heard his lover's long drawn out moan and then liquid heat filled his body as Steve came inside him, coating the still rippling channel with his seed. Their hearts racing, the two men remained in place as Steve pulsed again and again into Jesse's molten depths before finally easing them onto their sides.

Steve kissed Jesse's neck and shoulders before slowly pulling out. He rolled the boneless young medic onto his back and his tongue slid sinuously across hot, sweat-damp skin removing every precious drop of Jesse's seed. With a final laving between Jesse's wide-spread cheeks to taste himself in Jesse's most intimate entrance, Steve concluded his cleansing. He pulled Jesse into his arms and they kissed slowly and tenderly conveying the depths of their love in the aftermath of their intense orgasms.

****

At the door of their home, Steve said his goodbyes to Jesse with a final long, deep kiss. Enwrapped in each other, neither noticed the predatory eyes watching as Steve drove away.

In his office, Steve was surprised to receive an urgent call from Mark.

"Steve," the older man said urgently. "Exactly what did Jesse remember of what his attacker said?"

"He was told he wasn't so pretty, that he was corrupting me and he should stay away from decent people."

"Decent people... decent folk," Mark said. "Jenny has referred to you as a 'decent' man and 'decent' folk, Steve," Mark said worriedly.

"But how could Jenny attack Jesse?" Steve asked incredulously. "She was on the phone to me."

"Have you checked to see if the call was landline or cellphone?" Mark asked. "How did she know where to find you? Don't underestimate her, Steve." He heard Steve groan into the receiver. "Can you run a background check on her?" Mark persisted.

"I have a few details," Steve affirmed. "Can you get round to Jesse?"

"I'm on my way," Mark replied.

Steve quickly found the number of the sheriff's office in Jenny's hometown and rang through. A slow, deep voice came on the line.

"Sheriff West, how can I help you?"

Steve introduced himself and explained who he was and where he worked.

"I'm looking for information on Jenny Walters. I'm especially interested in anyone who can tell me about her domestic life. Having spoken to her, I'm given to understand she was a victim of domestic violence..." Steve stopped at the snort of derision from the other end of the line.

"There may very well have been domestic violence, Lieutenant, but we'll never know for sure. Billy Walters was forever turning up at work with new bruises saying how clumsy he was. He was a man and men don't get beat by their womenfolk."

"About six months ago I stopped Jenny from apparently contemplating suicide. She told me about the abuse in her life."

"It may have been in her life, Lieutenant, but as far as I'm concerned she was the one dishing it out. Six months ago Billy had to be hospitalised. Jenny said he'd fallen downstairs. For the first time I think she realised how badly he was hurt, but he still didn't say anything. She disappeared for a day or two, probably when you saw her and then returned and carried on as if nothing had happened whilst Billy fought for his life. Took a few months before he was allowed home, if only he'd taken up my offer to stay with me and my wife," the sheriff sighed. "He went home and less than two weeks later was dead from a ruptured spleen."

"Then she couldn't have seen him the other night," Steve said, his eyes widening in horror.

"If she saw Billy, Lieutenant, it was his ghost come back or her guilty conscience. I'm sure that woman got away with murder, but there's no proof."

"I have to go, sheriff," Steve said frantically gathering together what he needed and checking his gun. "Someone could be in great danger."

Steve flew to his truck, shouting for back-up on the way and as the vehicle tore away he called his father.

"Dad is Jesse ok?"

"I can't get an answer," Mark said.

"Jenny was the abuser not the victim," Steve said and heard his father's gasp. "I'm on my way with back-up."

"I'll call you back in a couple of minutes," Mark stated. "I'm almost there."

Jesse sighed sadly as he waved goodbye to Steve. He was well enough for his mate to return to work. He was stuck with the bruising, but could move relatively well and had a supply of painkillers if he needed them. He gave a rueful smile; if truth were told he was nervous on his own and missed Steve's loving and reassuring presence. He gave a shiver that had little to do with physical cold. He was dressed in soft baby-blue sweat shorts, part of a set that were a gift from Steve. However he'd teamed them with the t-shirt Steve had worn the previous evening and he held it to his face to inhale the unmistakeable scent of his lover. A sudden inspiration had him descending to their bedroom and when he moved back into the living room, he now also wore Steve's old, worn, thick terrycloth bathrobe. Jesse often teased Steve about it, but Steve wouldn't part with it. It had been a part of their lives from before they were lovers and although it swamped his smaller frame, the young man felt loved and safe in its embrace. Jesse stroked the belt and smiled dreamily, he had a lot of memories involving the well-worn belt. It had been a blindfold, handcuffs and gag and the thoughts made him moan softly. Their bondage games were all about Steve pleasuring his helpless lover and Jesse relished his mate's primal sexual dominance. Curling up on the settee, Jesse let the sweet, erotic dreams lull him to sleep.

An insistent banging on the door had Jesse stumbling tiredly to see who it was. It had been just over an hour since Steve had left and Jesse yawned widely before opening the door. He frowned at Jenny standing with her hands behind her back.

"Jenny, look Steve's not here..." the blond got no further as a solid, black-gloved fist slammed into his face. Jesse fell back stunned and bleeding and watched with a dazed detachment as Jenny moved methodically forward. She threw away the wire cutters that Jesse realised she must have used to cut the telephone lines and straddled his thighs. He tried to fight her off, but she was much stronger and seemed to know exactly what she was doing. Pinning Jesse's wrists in one large hand, she grabbed a fistful of his hair and slammed his head down hard before two brutal punches to his unprotected stomach drove the air from the young man's lungs. As a badly dazed Jesse tried to draw in enough oxygen, he was pulled unresistingly to his feet and propelled out of the door and to Jenny's car.

"Mark said when you hurt, Steve hurts. With you dead, Steve'll need a lot of looking after and I'll be there to provide all the care he needs.

Jesse whimpered helplessly before a hard blow to the back of his head sent him tumbling into a black abyss.

Mark gasped as he saw Jesse manhandled and then knocked unconscious before being bundled into Jenny's car. He was still too far away to help and instead carefully manoeuvred to be able to follow the car that sped away. He absently picked up his cellphone as it rang persistently.

"Mark Sloan," he barked.

"Dad, have you reached Jesse?" Steve's voice came through.

"Jenny has him," Mark said. "I'm following. I'll give you directions." Mark never let his eyes lose sight of the car that held one of the two precious young men in his life.

Jesse felt himself pulled to his feet and a stinging slap was followed by a sharp pinch to bring him to full awareness. He paled at the sight of the bridge where Steve had first encountered Jenny. He turned to look at the woman's face. The mask of neutrality she normally wore was gone. Behind the façade was a face that showed hatred and anger.

"Please, Jenny," Jesse begged softly. "Don't do this."

"No speaking," Jenny ordered. "Over the barrier."

Jesse staggered forward at the strong shove between his shoulder blades when he made no attempt to move. "If you give me a hard time, you little freak, I'll beat you bloody and throw you over myself," Jenny hissed malevolently.

Jesse prayed silently and fervently that somehow Steve knew what was happening and was on his way. The only weapon Jesse had was his brain. He wondered if he stood any chance of being able to talk his way out of this danger. Slowly he obeyed Jenny's orders and stood clinging to the rail around the bridge as he stood on its parapet. He heard the shrill squeal of car brakes and, even more reassuringly, police sirens that were getting closer.




Diagnosis Murder Ch. 03



"Jenny," Mark's voice, slow and even floated over. "Don't do this. Let Jesse come back."

"He's all that stands between me and Steve, Mark," Jenny replied. She waived her hand and pointed it at the shivering, slender blond. "Just think, Mark. I could give you grandchildren. Wouldn't you like that? I can be a real good wife. Steve will love me. You'll see."

Jesse recognised the danger he was in. Not even the presence of a witness was going to deter Jenny. The cold wind whipped around his shaking form, setting the robe to flutter madly. Jesse's eyes widened momentarily before he sought Mark's eye.

Mark caught the frantic look and instinctively knew he had to continue to divert Jenny's attention.

"Jenny, if you love Steve you wouldn't want him to be hurt."

"He won't hurt long, I'll be there to comfort him," Jenny avowed.

The police cars and Steve's truck coming to screaming halts caused Jenny's attention to waiver and Mark took a few hurried steps to get closer. He winced at the screech of rage and the fury in the burning eyes. Both he and Jesse gave a start of fear as Jenny pulled out a gun and pointed it at the shaking young man.

"Put the gun down, Jenny," Steve's voice ordered. Jenny could see him flanked by armed, uniformed police, but her hand remained steady and the gun still aimed at Jesse.

Steve's heart was in his throat at the sight of his young husband, so precariously balanced on the outside of the bridge, the look of anger and madness on Jenny's face and the gun that was directed at his diminutive, unprotected lover. "Please, Jenny," he continued. "This won't solve anything. Put the gun down."

"You'd rather love this than me," Jenny screeched, her look of loathing directed briefly at Steve. "If I can't have you then neither can he."

Mark was already sprinting towards the bridge before the echo of the gunshots had vanished. All Mark was aware of was the shot fired at Jesse and the brief cry of pain from the young man before he vanished from Mark's sight. He'd heard the other shots, but didn't waste a second on the crumpled form of Jenny Walters as he ran past it. As he leant over the bridge he breathed a silent prayer of thanks and then shouted over his shoulder.

"Steve, hurry."

Jesse had tied the belt of the bathrobe around his slender waist and then around a couple of the bridge's metal rails and hung limply just out of Mark's reach. The doctor could see a bloodstain growing on the robe's left arm and realised Jesse had been caught by the bullet. Terrified blue eyes looked up at Mark as Jesse hung suspended over the busy freeway. "Just another minute, Jess," he said reassuringly as Steve clambered over the rails, a uniformed officer at his side.

Between them, the two big men easily drew Jesse back up. The knot on the belt had tightened and had to be cut. The uniformed man passed the shaking blond to Steve as the detective climbed back onto solid ground.

Mark examined the wound to Jesse's shoulder as Steve held to the quietly sobbing young man.

"Bullet's gone straight through," he said sighing with relief that bone hadn't been shattered. He shucked off his jacket and draped it over the smaller man. He accepted Steve's t-shirt to begin to bandage the wounded arm. As he worked, he spared a quick glance in Jenny's direction. The blanket covering her body telling him all he needed to know.

"When we knew she was going to fire, we did too," Steve said. "She gave us no choice."

"Steve... hurts," Jesse moaned moving restlessly under Mark's ministrations.

"I know, sunshine," Steve crooned, "but it's all over now."

"Stay..." The request came on a puff of air as Jesse passed out.

"Not going anywhere, angel," Steve vowed.

****

Jesse moaned as his dream took on a decidedly erotic overtone. He wasn't surprised. It had been days since he and Steve had made love. His arm had picked up an infection and he'd run a fever that had finally broken to leave him sore and exhausted. He'd started feeling better, but Steve had been his usual protective self and insisted they wait a little longer. Jesse moaned again and his legs instinctively spread wider to allow his phantom lover better access.

A hot wet tongue was laving at his growing erection and then moved lower to bathe at his sac. Jesse writhed happily at the sensual sensation. He gave a whine of distress as the slick muscle abandoned his body only to give a groan of pure need as it flicked at his furled aperture. The tongue probed insistently and Jesse reached mindlessly between his legs to open himself further only to encounter the bobbing head of his lover. Jesse's eyes flew open to drink in the sight of the darker blond kneeling between his out-flung legs as Steve buried his tongue into the pulsating portal. Jesse mewled and buried his hands in Steve's hair as the bigger man began to tongue him hard and fast. The sight, as much as the sensations, was enough to push Jesse over the edge.

"Oh, God, yeah, STEVE." Jesse cried his lover's name as he came. 

Steve's tongue continued to plunder Jesse's depths as the smaller blond's seed pulsed over the toned abdomen. As Jesse finally lay sated, Steve laved his way to his husband's crème and devoured every trace. He then sat back on his heels, licking appreciatively at his lips and giving a satisfied grin at Jesse's soft moan. The big man smiled tenderly at his boneless mate. During Jesse's recovery, he had contacted the Sheriff to inform him of what had happened and Mark had made an offer to visit the local hospital which was accepted. Mark had taken a domestic violence counsellor with him to try and generally raise the awareness that abusive partners could be in either mixed or same sex relationships and be female just as easily as male. Steve had been very protective of Jesse when the smaller man had finally been allowed home, but now he seemed so much better, Steve needed them to reconnect intimately. He needed to love his angel.

He straddled Jesse, lowering himself carefully so that his long, hard thick flesh rubbed against Jesse's sated sex making it twitch dryly as it sought to refill. Steve sucked at Jesse's neck to leave a mark of his passion and possession and growled appreciatively as slender legs wrapped around his waist and Jesse began a slow, sensual undulation against his bigger mate. As Jesse ground their groins together, Steve captured a small pink nub in his teeth. He tugged and then suckled as Jesse mewled his pleasure. The copious amounts of pre-come from Steve's eager organ made the sliding of their bodies slick and sinuous and Steve purred as he reached between them to fondle at Jesse's growing erection as his lover clutched at his shoulders and pulled him down into a long deep kiss.

By the time they parted for air, Jesse was almost fully re-aroused. He moaned as a long, thick, slick finger slid between his parted thighs. He canted his hips in a silent but eloquent invitation and gave a low guttural groan as he felt his mate's finger slide inside him. As Steve's finger moved, Jesse ground himself onto the welcome invader, trying to get Steve to touch the special place that would have the smaller man seeing stars. He cried out in pleasure as a second finger eased inside and Steve granted the unspoken request, rubbing carefully at Jesse's hidden jewel. A third finger entered him and the young medic began to pant as he rode his mate's fingers.

The sight of Jesse's face as he worked his fingers into molten depths had Steve at the end of his endurance. With a growl he removed his fingers to a soft whine of distress that was quickly replaced by mewls of encouragement as the broad head of Steve's arousal was pushed up against Jesse's glistening and pulsating entrance. As Steve pushed inside he groaned as his organ was enveloped in tight, wet heat. Jesse's channel rippled around him, searing him, bringing him to the brink of the abyss before Steve clutched desperately at the base of his shaft to prevent coming too soon. Once certain he could move without losing control, Steve set up a hard, fast pace, pounding into the erotically writhing, willing body beneath him. He bit down at Jesse's neck to leave a trail of red marks as slender legs wrapped around his waist and each of his own thrusts were met in kind by his eager lover.

Jesse tightened his legs around Steve, pressing his heels into the alternately flexing and relaxing buttocks to impale himself deeper onto his husband's solid rod. He wailed as Steve's angle altered and his sweet spot was struck again and again. He clutched at Steve's shoulders and moaned as Steve's mouth crushed against his, the bigger man plundering his lover's mouth with the same impassioned ferocity as he did the smaller man's body.

"Oh, God, Steve, so good," Jesse moaned, "so good. Make me come, please make me come."

"Gonna make you come, baby," Steve husked. "Gonna make you feel real good, make you scream my name."

It was too much for Jesse as Steve's hand snaked between their sweat-slick bodies and enveloped his straining shaft and pumped hard. Jesse's eyes rolled back, his head thrashed and he screamed Steve's name as he came hard. His crème coated Steve's hand and their bodies as his climax wracked his slim frame. 

Steve felt the tight channel begin to contract around him with almost brutal intensity and his thrusts became feral and erratic as he sought his release. He threw back his head with and with a primal bellow of Jesse's name his seed flooded his husband's still spasming body.

Jesse gave a low, soft moan as he felt his husband's liquid passion fill him. As he went boneless, Steve's thrusts slowed and became desultory before the bigger man finally rolled them to let Jesse drape languorously over him. The kiss they shared this time was gentle, loving and sweet, an affirmation of their love in the wake of their sated desire. Steve stroked the soft hair of his relaxed mate and nuzzled at Jesse's temple.

"Love you, sunshine," he whispered.

"Love you, Steve," Jesse replied.

The two men lay, still intimately connected, basking in the love they shared. They had nothing to do that day except enjoy and love each other. The outside world could wait as the lovers rested in the satiated afterglow.