He yawned, rubbing a hand over his face as he tried to shake off the malaise brought on by long hours and too much alcohol. His mouth was hot and dry, his eyes dry and gritty. His ears rang softly, the result of listening to loud music for too long. His hand slid from his face to his neck and over his thick, well-muscled chest. He scratched idly while he tried to remember the night before.

It suddenly came to his attention that while one arm was free, the other was buried beneath a weight that was unfamiliar in his bed. The warmth and feel of that weight told him it belonged to another body. That revelation brought a frown to his heavy brow. It had been many years since he had shared his bed with anyone.

Blinking open red-rimmed eyes, he studied the ceiling. It was his ceiling -- as familiar to him as his face in a mirror. So he was definitely in his own bed, in his own home. His frown deepened as vague memories came to him, memories that brought with them a familiar stirring beneath the sheets.

Turning his faintly aching head slowly, he regarded the person beside him. His early morning gaze widened as he recognized exactly who it was that he had welcomed into his bed. Shifting slightly, he reached out his unfettered hand and stroked thick fingers through a cascade of full, black hair. The pale face beneath was lax in sleep; a soft sigh escaping slightly parted lips at his touch.

Lying back, he stared up at that familiar ceiling as, with sudden clarity, the night before came rushing to the forefront of his consciousness.

~o~

Josiah sighed then yawned, as he sat staring at his computer screen. It was Friday evening, the normal end of the work week several hours past. The rest of his teammates, even their supervisor, had left to celebrate the beginning of the weekend. He had stayed behind, wanting to complete a particularly complicated report so that he could put it behind him.

He thought for a moment that he heard something in the shadows, but decided that it was only his imagination. The rest of Team Seven’s suite was in darkness, the only light coming from the lamp sitting beside him on the desk.

Pinching the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger, Sanchez squeezed his brilliant blue eyes closed. He was nearly done, needing only to check the spelling before he saved it. Clicking that option on the word processing program, he waited for the program to bring up any misspelled or unrecognized words. As the program finished, he clicked “OK”.

And suddenly felt a pair of hands on his shoulders.

Josiah tensed, preparing to react to whatever threat was currently at his back. Then he heard a soft, very familiar, voice.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to freak you out.”

“JD? I thought you went with Chris and the others to the Saloon.”

“Did. They decided to call it a night about half an hour ago. I wasn’t ready to go home, so I went for a drive. Thought I’d see if you were still here… see if you were done with that report… see if you wanted to go relax for a while.” The young man paused, his hands rubbing across the other man’s broad shoulders. “You feel like you could use it.”

Sanchez allowed himself to relax beneath the other man’s touch. “Son, I’d like nothing better than to go relax for a while. But at this point I’d pass out after a drink… it wouldn’t be safe for me to get behind the wheel.”

“Then don’t,” Dunne continued, his voice growing softer. “I’ll drive you. We can come back for your car tomorrow.”

“I don’t know…” Josiah faltered.

His voice teasing now, JD said, “Come on… you know you want to.”

Checking the time the older man said, “The Saloon’s bound to be crowded by now.”

“I know a place. We can get something to eat, have a few drinks, and listen to some good music. It’s a little out of the way, so it’s not crowded. It’s even near your place, so I can take you home whenever you’re ready.” His massage continued, sure hands working at the knotted muscles. “Sound good?”

“Mm… sounds as good as this feels,” the gray-haired agent admitted.

Dunne leaned over, his breath warm against his friend’s cheek, as he whispered, “Okay then, let’s go.”

~o~

Josiah followed the younger agent into the little bar a short time later. It was unmarked, the exterior looking like a storefront. He wondered how they kept in business without anything to call attention to their existence.

They walked toward a corner booth, JD waving and greeting a few of the other patrons as they did. The big room was cozy, populated by enough people to make the room seem alive, while not seeming crowded. Sanchez noticed a few of them watching him, as if assessing his right to enter their domain. Or perhaps they were wondering if the other man had brought his father along for a night on the town.

They settled into the booth, the smaller man sliding toward the back. The deep cushioned, black leather bench was arranged in a half circle with a small round table placed in the middle. A fat, scented candle sat inside a wooden holder atop the table. As the two men got comfortable, the brunet waved a waiter over.

The tall man that approached was immaculately dressed in gray slacks and a lavender shirt and tie combination. He smiled, the expression at least appearing genuine, as he pulled a lighter from his pocket and ignited the candle’s wick. “How are you gentlemen this evening?”

“Hungry, tired and ready to enjoy the weekend,” JD replied with a smile.

“Well you certainly came to the right place. Would you like to see a menu?” When the two men nodded, he stepped over to the end of the rich, mahogany bar, and returned with two, black, leather bound menus. Handing one to each man he said, “May I get you a drink while you decide?”

They each ordered a drink and looked over the restaurant’s offerings. Josiah was impressed by both the elegance and the variety of food the establishment offered. Once again he was amazed that he had never heard of the place. Glancing at the outside of the menu, he noted the name embossed in red foil script, “The Gathering Place”. The name didn’t ring a bell, either.

Ordering dinner, the two men enjoyed another drink and chatted about the week while they waited to be served. Their conversation continued through dinner, the two men enjoying the camaraderie that had developed over the last two years. Finishing their meal, JD insisted on paying, smiling as he told Josiah that he could buy the next couple of rounds if he wanted.

With only a little persuasion, Sanchez accompanied the smaller man to the other side of the bar. It was there, Dunne promised, that ‘the action is’. They went through a closed set of double doors. The silver haired agent was shocked at the change in atmosphere.

The lighting was vibrant, colors and shapes flying around the otherwise dimly lit room, thrown from spinning mirrored balls hanging from the ceiling. Music filled the air, deep base keeping beat for the dancers on the broad dance floor. Josiah watched the people gyrate and cavort with joyous abandon.

And it was then that he realized something.

He hadn’t seen a woman since they had entered, almost two hours earlier.

Frowning, he leaned down toward his friend. “JD? Just what sort of bar is this?”

With a broad grin, the younger man gave him a wink and said, “What sort of bar do you think it is?”

~o~

Sanchez let a smile take over his face as he remembered the evening. JD had coaxed him onto the dance floor, where he had surprised himself with his ability to move without making a fool of himself. They had shared several dances, only coming off the dance floor when the music slowed.

He also surprised himself with just how comfortable he felt. The big man had long considered himself a student of human nature and firmly believed that human rights included the right to find happiness. And, if that included a same-sex relationship, so be it. He wasn’t exactly a virgin to same sex affairs, having found himself physically attracted to a man or two in his life. However, he had never found himself so attracted that he wanted to develop a lasting relationship.

And he had certainly never looked at JD Dunne in that light before.

He found that changing though, as the night wore on.

~o~

Josiah felt the young man beside him shift slightly. Turning to watch for signs of waking, he found himself a little disappointed when JD’s eyes remained closed. The brunet settled back into a deeper sleep, leaving Josiah to contemplate the rest of the night before.

He remembered growing a little light-headed after a few drinks and several turns on the dance floor. Nearly crashing into the wall, he surrendered to the fact that he was far too tired to continue. Conveying that fact to Dunne, he offered to call a cab if the younger man wanted to stay at the bar. He had been surprised to see a look of disappointment flash across the fair features, but JD simply said that he was ready to leave as well.

The ride to his place was a quiet one. They shared a comment or two about the evening, but much of the time they simply listened to the stereo. When they arrived at his little home, the young brunet surprised him again by asking to come in. He used the excuse that he needed to use the restroom, but even as tired and inebriated as he was; Josiah could tell that Dunne had something else in mind.

~o~

“Thanks, Josiah,” JD said as he came out of the bathroom. “Don’t think I could have made it all the way home.”

“No problem, Kid,” Sanchez replied with a smile. He was leaning against the wall, studying the younger man. Coming to a decision, he said, “JD, can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Dunne smiled up at him, absently brushing the thick, black bangs out of his face.

“Since when do you go to places like that?”

Adopting a hurt expression, the brunet said, “I’m… sorry. I thought you’d like it. You seemed to enjoy the music and the food.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.” He frowned as he saw a blush creep across the other man’s face. Suddenly JD wouldn’t look at him. “What were you hoping would happen?”

Setting aside his embarrassment as he moved closer to the bigger man, Dunne leaned up until their faces were mere centimeters apart. In a breathless whisper, he said, “this.”

Sanchez’s bright blue eyes widened as the younger man kissed him. He found himself leaning into that kiss, enjoying the feel of those full, warm lips against his. Then, that thought startling him; he straightened up so quickly that he banged his head against the wall.

Backing away, the smaller man said, “I’m… look, Josiah, I’m sorry. It’s just that… I’ve been having these… dreams and, well… you seemed to be having fun tonight and… Ah hell! Shit! Damn! Hell! Maybe I’ve just had too much to drink.”

The silver-haired agent struggled to process what had just occurred. “JD, I’m flattered,

I – “

Holding up a hand, Dunne shook his head. “Don’t, okay. I made a really stupid mistake to think that you might even remotely want this. I let my thoughts… my fantasies… get away from me. God, I’m a fool. I’ll… look, maybe I should think about transferring to another team. I’m sorry, Josiah. I’ll go, I’ll – “

The bigger man pressed the smaller back against the wall, and leaned down to reclaim those amazing lips. When he finally broke off the kiss, he said, “You don’t have to go anywhere, John Dunne.”

JD’s face shone with a silly grin and all he could think of to say was, “okay,” as he allowed himself to be led toward the bedroom. By the time they crossed the threshold, he had regained most of his composure. He tugged his hand loose, stopping in the middle of the room.

With only a moment’s hesitation, Josiah moved on toward the bed. He flipped on the bedside lamp, the soft, yellow glow preferable to the brighter overhead light. He turned and sat down on the edge of his big bed and started to motion Dunne to join him. Then he stopped, his jaw dropping with shock as he regarded the younger man.

The brunet stood in the middle of the room very slowly and seductively taking off his clothes.

JD was undoing the buttons of his dress shirt, pausing between each one to pull the shirt open a little farther. As he reached the button nearest the waistband of his pants, he looked up and smiled at his audience of one.

Sanchez returned that smile then leaned back against the wrought iron headboard of the bed. Toeing off his shoes, he stretched out on the mattress, waiting for the show to continue.

Dunne obliged, seductively removing each article of clothing until he was completely nude. He seemed to glide across the room until he was standing right beside the bed where the bigger man lay. Reaching out, he tugged playfully at the other man’s shirt buttons. “Seems to me one of us is just a little over dressed here.”

Finding it hard to breathe, let alone speak, the silver haired man managed to rasp out, “Seems to me, you’re right.”

Taking his time, JD began to undress the prone man. By the time Josiah lay nude on the bed, both men were breathless and aroused. The brunet climbed onto the bed, kneeling astride the other man. He ran his hand lightly over the pale flesh of the well muscled body, leaving goose bumps in his wake. They were both breathing in labored gasps, neither of them having the will or stamina to resist that final release much longer.

Reaching out, Sanchez coaxed the young man toward him. They met in a warm embrace, lips melding together as their passion escalated. As Dunne leaned against him, Josiah could feel the man’s erection pressing against him. Sliding his hands over the satiny flesh, he curved his fingers over the tight ass that tightened reflexively at his touch. He felt a soundless moan vibrate against his mouth, and parted his lips.

JD’s tongue slid into that opening, exploring the inside of the other man’s mouth. He pressed himself tighter against the bigger man’s body, feeling both erections trapped between them. He began rocking slightly, both cocks growing even harder as he did.

Josiah took a firmer grip on Dunne’s ass, squeezing it as he pulled the younger man even tighter against him. At the same time he canted his own hips, thrusting his cock harder against the other man’s belly. As their actions grew more fervent, Sanchez shifted, rolling them both until JD was trapped between him and the bed. He slid his hands up the younger man’s back, wrapping them around his broad shoulders.

The brunet moaned, arching against the body covering his. He reached up blindly, hands grabbing hold of the bars of the headboard. He could feel his cock twitch and jerk as he neared orgasm. Above him, Josiah was close as well, his thick shaft pressed tight between their two bodies. Their movements quickened; friction nearly setting them on fire as they thrust against one another. Cries of ecstasy filled the air, the bed rocking from the force of their sexual release as their actions grew more and more frantic. Then, with an almost explosive burst, they came as one.

Movements slowed, voices stilled as the two men rode out their mutual orgasm. Sanchez lay atop Dunne for a few moments before gathering the energy to shift his weight to the side. Dropping to the mattress, he sighed contentedly. Hearing an answering sigh, he turned his gaze toward the smaller man. He smiled, pulling JD closer. Reaching down, he pulled the quilt up from the foot of the bed, covering them both. The brunet curled into his embrace as they both drifted into a blissful sleep.

~o~

A yawn brought Josiah back from his thoughts and he turned to find the younger man regarding him through sleepy eyes. “Good morning.”

With a slightly shy smile, JD said, “Morning.”

“Did you sleep okay?”

“Very okay,” the answer was delivered with a chuckle.

“Good… then you’re rested up?”

“Yeah.” Dunne stared at him with a curious gaze. “What do you have in mind?”

Grinning, the older man slid a hand beneath the quilt, stopping to rest on the brunet’s cock. His grin grew wider as he felt it respond to his touch. As he leaned forward, preparing to once more latch onto those full lips, he said, “Well, I thought we might just… see what pops up.”

JD groaned at the other man’s choice of words, but then moaned as he was stroked toward full arousal. Reaching up, he wrapped his arms around big man, drawing him close as he considered his luck.

Sometimes dreams did come true.

The End