After leaving the Eyrie, Paul and Johnny had gone back to the station to write up their reports before going home. Paul raised his head and studied his partner of three years, who sat at the desk butted up against his. Johnny was unaware of the scrutiny. Paul had known Johnny all his life. He'd long suspected that the reason he had a new woman on his arm all the time was because he wasn't really interested in them enough to keep just one. He suspected that at this point in Johnny's life that it was out of habit and loneliness that he was constantly out looking for someone new.

He considered Johnny's reaction to Dave kissing him. It hadn't been a one sided kiss. He had seen that Johnny was kissing Dave back, and he'd seen that it was Dave, not Johnny, that had pulled away from the kiss. He'd also seen the momentary desire on Johnny's face when Dave had pulled away, and he couldn't help but notice the physical effect that the kiss had on him. Paul had made a joke of having to arrest Dave to relieve the tension, and to cover for Johnny, by drawing the attention away from him. He wondered if Johnny realized that. Paul stood up and stretched. "I'm through," he said. "See ya tomorrow, Man. Thank God, we don't often have days like this one."

"Amen to that. Hold on, I'll walk out with you." Johnny grabbed his jacket and headed out with Paul.

"That was a nasty gash on Dave's cheek," Paul commented.

"It took nine stitches to close it."

"It's going to leave a scar."

"It's a damned shame to mar such a handsome face," Johnny said.

Paul stopped and looked at his partner, amazed at the passion in his voice. Johnny walked on until he noticed that Paul wasn't beside him and turned around. "What's the matter?"

"You say some of the damnedest things."

Johnny thought for a moment recalling what he'd just said. "You don't think Dave's one of the best looking men you've ever seen?"

"Yes, but I don't go saying it out loud, nor in that tone of voice."

Johnny tilted his head and cocked his eyebrows. He thought for a moment. "Oh." He turned and continued toward his car. His head was whirling in confusion. What was going on? He never had openly said something about another man's looks before. His mind turned to thoughts of how handsome he thought Tim was, and realized he'd had Tim on his mind all afternoon and evening. He felt bad about how he'd greeted Tim, especially after watching the welcoming grin slide off his face to be replaced by one of hurt. His stomach made a queasy lurch. Why would the kid show his feelings like that? What would make him think he'd be interested in him anyway? Then he wondered if Paul had noticed anything.

Paul watched Johnny turn and hesitantly walk toward his car. He slowly shook his head and after a moment headed to his own car. "See ya tomorrow, Buddy," he called out as he got into his car.

Johnny just waved.

Ten minutes later, Johnny sat in his car across the street from the Tower. He watched Tim's replacement take over the desk and Tim disappear through the garage door. Johnny waited for Tim's car to come out and then followed it at a discreet distance. He wondered for a moment at what he was doing and then refused to think about. His attraction to Tim was too primal. It was just something he had to do. Period.

When Tim parked on the street in front of an older apartment building, Johnny drove on by and parked around the corner. He already knew which apartment was Tim's; he had gotten that information while interrogating Tim about Dave's abduction. He sat in his car thinking about the sexy young man. He had a roaring hardon the likes of which he'd not had since highschool. It excited him that Tim was also very intelligent. There was something about seducing someone who had brains that really turned Johnny on. He'd always gone after the intelligent women. The dumb ones were of no interest. He'd always enjoyed women, they were ..... more acceptable. The problem was that he'd never met one that could hold his interest for very long.

Johnny's wall of inhibition had begun to crumble the day that Dave had wrapped his arms around him and kissed him thinking he was his brother. He'd been shocked that he was enjoying kissing him back, but he hadn't backed off. It had been Dave that did that. Johnny had just stood there totally embarrassed, bemused, and wondering at all the feelings that kiss had let loose.

All his life, he'd seen guys that he thought he'd like to make it with, but he had never followed up on any of them.

And then, today...... he'd met Tim.......

Even with all his fellow cops milling around him, Tim was the only one Johnny could concentrate on until Joe had shown up. Even while dealing with his brother, Tim had been in the forefront of his mind. Johnny didn't consider the fact that Tim was the first man he was actively pursuing. He didn't think at all, except about how much he wanted to be with him. He found himself outside Tim's door rehearsing what he was going to say. ~~~

Tim popped the top of a can of Coke and sprawled in the single club chair in his little studio apartment. It had been a really exciting day. Every other afternoon he was nearly bored to death sitting behind the lobby desk greeting the tenants and pushing buttons to open elevators for them. Well... he did enjoy visiting with the occupants of the building, especially Dave and Joe. The only good thing about the job was that he was allowed to study while on duty and it did pay good.

Tim was thankful that he had a photographic memory. He'd been quick on getting the police right onto the rat that abducted Dave. In the beginning he'd felt that he'd failed by letting the kidnapper get Dave; but the quick recovery of Dave by the police had made a big change in how Tim felt about himself; he really felt good.

He replayed the whole scene with the police. It was so cool. At first the officers had been a bit condescending, but their attitudes had changed as they talked to Tim. In three years he would graduate from college and would apply to the police academy. He wanted to be a detective just like that handsome Detective Paolini, Joe's brother, Johnny. Tim wondered if there was a chance he might be gay.

‘Nah,' he told himself, ‘the chance of two gays in one family were slim.' But still, every time that Tim had looked at him, Johnny had been looking back, with an expression that would change from an almost hungry look to a disapproving frown. And then he'd spent a lot of unnecessary time asking him questions that had nothing to do with what had happened to Dave. Yeah, he sure had been looking.

'And, damn, he is a looker,' Tim thought as he tipped back his head and guzzled his Coke, ' he's even more handsome than his older brother.'

Since he had an early class in the morning, he decided he'd better hit the sack. He stood up, stretched, and toed his shoes off as he unbuttoned his uniform shirt. He took it off and neatly hung it up so he could get another day's use out of it. He then shucked his t-shirt, tossing it into the hamper. He raked his fingers though the thick patch of dark auburn hair that covered his chest and hard belly enjoying the raspy feel. He unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned his pants, and let them drop and stepped out of them. Just as he picked them up there was a light knock on his door.

"Yes? Who's there?" he asked through the closed door.

"John Paolini."

"Just a moment," he replied as he slipped his pants back on and opened the door as he buttoned them.

"Come in, Detective."

"Hi Tim. I know it's late," he said as he glanced down at where Tim's fingers were working, "but I figured you would still be up." he pulled his eyes back up to Tim's face.

"Yeah, I just got home from work," Tim said, wondering why Johnny's face was red.

Johnny nervously combed his fingers through his short blonde hair. He couldn't keep his eyes off of Tim's muscular chest. "Exciting afternoon, wasn't it?" he asked, trying to sound casual. He never felt the least bit like this when picking up a chick.

"Yeah." Tim agreed as he watched the detective's eyes travel down his body. His blood surged. This handsome brute was actually looking him over, checking him out. "Yeah, it really was exciting."

Johnny snapped his eyes back up to Tim's. They studied each other for a moment. "I was really impressed with how you handled the situation," he said. "Most people would panic and forget to get the information you gave the police. The guy didn't have a chance with your description of him, the car and the license plate number. Dave Gates' really owes you, Man, as well as the police force does."

"I have a photographic memory. It wasn't anything special," he said with a shrug. A whole other message was being delivered as they stared into each others eyes while Johnny talked. Tim couldn't help feeling a rise in his pants. He didn't dare drop his eyes to check out the detective's.

"I think you may be very special," Johnny murmured.

Tim didn't know whether it was the vibration of Johnny's low husky voice or the touch of his fingers on his cheek that made him quiver. He couldn't think of a reply so he just stared back into Johnny's eyes.

"You are receptive to this, aren't you, Tim?" Johnny asked, his voice low, husky.

"Yes," Tim whispered.

"I had a feeling you would be. I also figured you would be a hairy bear cub with a six pack. You've got a hot body, Timmy." He ran the backs of his fingers down Tim's abdomen. Tim quivered again. He thought for a moment that he'd either pass out, or fill his shorts with sticky stuff.

"Just how much experience have you had, Timmy?"

Tim blushed. He could feel the blood flowing to the surface over his whole body. "None," he whispered

"As good looking as you are, that's hard to believe."

"I'm saving myself for the right man," Tim blurted out.

Johnny chuckled. He hadn't expected Tim to be so bluntly open. He asked, "Do you think I'm the right man for you, young Tim?"

"If you're l-looking for a r-r-relationship like Joe and Dave have, you c-could be."

"What if I just want to ravish your beautiful body, Tim? Would you let me?"

Tim stared into Johnny's eyes for several moments before he whispered, "Y-y-yes. But I w-want more than just that."

Johnny suddenly felt guilty for what he was attempting when he looked into Tim's eye's and saw tears. He dropped the hand with which he had been caressing Tim's muscular side. He looked around the room. Why was he feeling like this? He'd seduced female virgins and never gave it a second thought. He shoved his hands into his pockets and stepped around Tim. Tim turned with him. Johnny sat on the arm of the club chair, and studied this boy/man standing in front of him. God, how could such a big muscular guy look so innocent and vulnerable... like a little boy? It would be so easy to just have his way with him and leave. But there was something about Tim that he didn't think he could leave, nor forget. No, Tim would stick in his heart like a burr if he did that. He locked eyes with him. "I'm sorry Tim. I was teasing, playing with you. You don't deserve that."

Tim stood before him in a high state of excitement, trusting and eager, his eyes liquid. He did nothing to hide his rampant hardon. Johnny held out his hands to him. Tim hesitated, then stepped up and took them. Johnny stood and pulled Tim into a tight embrace. "Tim. I'm going to go home. If we both still feel like carrying this further after we've cooled down, we'll see what happens. Okay?"

He felt Tim hesitantly nod his agreement against his neck. Johnny pulled back and looked at him. He placed his hands on each side of his face and kissed him on the lips. Tim eagerly kissed him back.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Johnny huskily whispered, pulling away from him. He quickly left, closing the door behind him.

Tim didn't move for several seconds and then his hand slowly raised to touch his lips. He smiled to himself. "Yes," he whispered.~~~

Johnny sat in his car for a long time, forcing himself to think about what was going on in his life. He admitted that he had enjoyed kissing Dave, but it in no way compared to that kiss with Tim just a few minutes ago. It had taken all of his will power to 'walk away' after that kiss. Then he thought about all the women he'd kissed and fucked. He'd enjoyed everyone of them, but hadn't regretted, in the least, walking away from them when they tried to get more from him. But the kiss he'd shared with Tim..... what in the hell was he thinking? Getting emotionally involved just wasn't his M.O. He looked at his watch. Damn. It was three f---ing o'clock. He went home and crawled into bed.~~~

The next morning Paul was already at his desk when Johnny straggled in and plopped into his desk chair looking completely defeated. Paul grinned and asked, "Heavy date last night?"

"What are you talking about?" he mumbled.

"Man, you look like you didn't get any sleep last night."

"Yeah, so it was a tough night."

"Wanna tell me about it?" Paul asked.

"What's to tell. I went home, went to bed and tossed and turned until time to get up."

"So what's bothering you."

"Nothing," Johnny growled.

"Of course not," Paul said, waiting for Johnny to tell him. It soon became obvious that Johnny wasn't going to talk, so Paul just let him be.

Later that morning they were assigned to investigate a reported break-in at a downtown liquor store. Paul drove. Johnny kept looking at his watch.

"What's with the time keeping, Johnny?"

"What?"

"You've looked at your watch at least ten times since you got in the car. What gives?"

"Nothing."

"What's her name?"

"His name." Johnny corrected him without thinking. There was something about Tim that wouldn't let Johnny hide behind using the feminine in referring to him.

"His name?"

"Damn it, Paul. Forget I said that, and would you stop with the questions already?"

Paul shrugged. He kept glancing over at Johnny wondering what had happened between him and Tim last night. He had no doubt that it was Tim, not some dame. Johnny fidgeted. He looked resentful that Paul was inquisitive. "Johnny, it's okay with me. You know I love your brother as much now as before he came out."

Johnny exploded. "You think I'm a fag? Fuck you, Paul. I'm not gay. I'm--I'm-- I'm just confused."

Paul pulled over and parked. "Look, Johnny, you know I love you like a brother. It doesn't matter to me what you are, you'll still be my little bro and my best friend."

Johnny stared out the window. "You really consider me your best friend?"

"Of course, I do."

"What about Joe?"

"Johnny, Joe and I'll always be close friends, but you and I are closer now."

Johnny glanced at him and smiled before staring back out the side window. Paul watched him. Neither one spoke for several minutes. Finally Johnny broke the silence. "You don't know what I did last night. I almost seduced the kid. He's a virgin for Christ's sake." He closed his eyes and visibly shuddered, and then turned to look Paul in the eye. "God, that turned me on. I could have done anything with him. He would have done anything I told him. Almost, Paul..... I almost did it," he ended in a whisper.

"Tim McFadden?" Paul asked

Johnny blinked. "How did you know."

"I've got eyes. I saw how you looked at him. I also saw how he looked at you. You couldn't do better. That kid is a whiz. He's going to make a great cop."

"You've checked him out?"

"Of course, I did. I can't have my partner chasing just any guy, now can I?"

"So..... how long have you known about me?"

"Let's see. I watched you go through puberty. You hid it pretty good through high school. You always had one of the prettiest girls on your arm, but never the same one for long, and when you came back from college you were still carrying on the same pattern. Always a different beautiful woman. Never serious about one. I started to suspect. I observed. I discovered that a good looking dude will always turn your head. I was just waiting for you to figure it out yourself and act on it."

Johnny thought about what Paul had just said and could see that it was true. He found it wasn't as difficult to admit it to himself as he'd thought it would be. And while he was making admissions, he added one more aloud. "You know why I became a cop don't you?"

Paul grinned at him. "I have my suspicions, Johnny." Johnny studied Paul a moment. He could see the comradely love in his look.

"I've always idolized you, Paul. If you'd been gay I would have chased after you until I caught you."

Paul chuckled. He had an easy going way about him that always put Johnny at ease. "I think you did that anyway, Bud."

Johnny grinned. "Yeah, I guess I did."

"Well, I love you, Johnny. Just not that way."

"I know. And you know how I feel about you."

"So what are you going to do about young Tim?"

Johnny looked lost for a moment, then grinned. "Well....I'm not going to treat him like I've treated all the women I dated."