See Prologue for disclaimers and copyrights

**************

Two : "I'll play this like we have a date with destiny." (2)

There was a general chorus of cheers and wolf-whistles as Sonny strode into OCB headquarters the following morning. Trudy was one of the ones to whistle. "Look at you," she crooned from her desk. "Travel Twist and Ryce for that relaxing vacation."
Sonny pulled a face and stopped at his desk to take stock of the paperwork that had built up. Sweitek's name partner, Sammy Jekyll, leaned back in his chair, settling his feet up on his desk. "Pull any gorgeous blondes then, Chilli?"
Sonny was almost tempted to say, "no, but Rico did." Luckily, his partner's timely entrance made him hold his tongue. Rico was bubbly, his whole demeanour screaming, 'I got laid!'. Yet his stunning eyes met Sonny's own for a moment, and that shared look spoke more than the others could ever know. "Oh, yeah!" he announced to the rest of the office. "This is a tough life, girls."
Crockett smiled to hear his partner using his old term for the OCB collective.
"You are the luckiest...." Stan shook his head, smiling at Sammy conspiratorially. "I'm surprised you didn't OD on champagne."
Sammy nodded. "Rumour has it, Jaygon and Elliott got shares in Moet."
Gina threw another folder down on Crockett's desk. She smiled at the two partners making themselves back at home. They looked fresh, relaxed, like they really had been on vacation instead of undercover. "So this is the results of a couple of hard working days on board the 'Pris'?" She grinned over at Trudy. "Maybe you and I should make Jaygon and Elliott's acquaintances."
Sonny leaned back to look up at her. "You ain't his type, Sweetheart."
Gina leaned down. "And why not, darlin'?"
"Cause you ain't got a penis."
Gina stood straight, feigning shock. She pointed down to him, looking at the rest of the room. "He said the word pe..."

The door of Castillo's office opened and she stopped mid-word, blushing a deep crimson red. "Briefing, ten minutes." He looked around at his detectives, seeing Crockett and Tubbs back safe and sound, seeing Gina and Trudy calm and on the same wavelength, seeing Stan and Sammy sharing a joke. He should have re-partnered Stan a long time ago, that was obvious now. It had been a very long time since the office atmosphere had been so easy. That made for good, attentive detectives that could operate fast in dangerous situations. He actually smiled. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a ten dollar bill and stepped up to Sammy, handing it to him. "Get some doughnuts, and some good coffee."

The office went silent, apart from their newest detective who jumped from his chair grinning. "Yes, Sir."
He tapped Stan on the shoulder as he jogged out of the office. Castillo disappeared back behind the glass windows of his room, leaving his stunned officers to stare after him. "He smiled." Rico sounded amazed. "He actually smiled."
"Doughnuts?" Stan intoned. "Doughnuts and coffee? He's worked here, how long?"
"Eight years," Trudy was shaking her head. "Eight years and this is the first time...."

Ten minutes later, they followed the wonderful aromas of good, fresh coffee and freshly baked doughnuts into the briefing room. Sonny and Rico hung back slightly. Once the rest were well out of earshot, Rico leaned close. "You sleep last night?"
Sonny chuckled. "Oh, sure. Lay awake for five hours thinkin' of you; in the end I had to take matters into my own hand, if you get my meaning."
Rico smiled. "Don't say I don't leave an impression."
Sonny breathed out roughly. "You...."

They walked into the briefing room together, taking seats next to one another, accepting the polystyrene cups from Sammy. Sonny grabbed a doughnut, biting into it and wiping the inevitable dribble of jam from his chin. Rico hid a laugh behind his hand.
Castillo took a welcome mouthful of coffee and sat down. "Crockett, Tubbs, what did you get?"
Sonny stood up as if he had been planning this moment. Reaching into his pocket, he took out his little black notepad and opened it. Forty small pieces of paper, all taped together end to end, concertinered out, unfolding until they reached down passed the top of the table. There was a small round of applause. "Contacts representing every niche of the porn industry, useful names one and all."
He sat down again after taking a little bow. As he did, Rico ducked his head. "You really couldn't sleep last night."
"It's your fault."

"Good. Gina, Trudy? Where are you at with Parks?"

The meeting went on. Half an hour, and a long list of names ready to be snared by Miami Vice, later, the meeting broke up. Rico and Sonny just stayed put, knowing they would be asked to anyway.
Castillo closed the door behind the last person out. "Everything went as planned?" Sonny nodded, smiling. "Good work. Those contacts will be very helpful." He looked from one to the other. "You both ready to go back out on the streets?"
"Absolutely." Rico nodded his agreement.
"Good. Files on Rudi Toscara are on your desks. Work it as you feel's right. Keep me informed."
All three rose to their feet. Once Castillo was out of the office, Sonny turned to Rico, eyebrows raised. "Rudi Toscara, talk about easy life."
Rico frowned. "Tell me."
"Rudi's a puppy, you'll like him."

*

Rico opened his back door and ushered Crockett in with a flare. "And how did the Oscar nominee do?"
Sonny smiled proudly and held up two gold-embossed tickets. "Invitations to the most prestigious party on Miami Beach."
"Yes!" Rico's triumphant hiss was accompanied with a pat on the arm for his partner. "So what's the dress code?"
Sonny followed Rico through the kitchen to the lounge, glancing out at the beach beyond the patio doors. "Expensive. I thought... opulent white silk shirt, blue silk overcoat, black silk pants...." He smiled softly at the slightly glazed expression on Rico's face. "What do you think?"
Rico imagined running his hands over Sonny's firm, silk-clad body, the power in the barely covered muscles. "I think you're a tease."
Sonny stepped towards him, and Rico could read the hesitation in his moves. "Now we're back..." he murmured, unsure, "do you still..."
Rico took a stride forward and reached for his partner's hand. "Yes," he whispered, "I still long to touch you, to make love to you. Nothing's changed."
Sonny turned his hand in Rico's, squeezing back. "I can't stop thinkin' about you, man. It's driving me nuts."
Rico raised his fingers to Sonny's neck, pushing under his hair, combing his thumb into the soft, thick hair at the base of his skull. Very slowly, their eyes locked, Rico tipped Sonny's head, lowering his own lips to his partner's. As their mouths sealed over one another's, Sonny's hands were freed of their invisible bonds, and he moved. His free arm curled around Rico's waist, pulling his body close until he could feel the substantial bulge under the soft linen and met it with his own.

Rico broke the kiss, sliding his hand lazily down, slipping into Sonny's shirt, over his shoulder. Finally, he smiled. "Come on." He turned, leading Sonny by the hand, up the wrought-iron spiral staircase. Halfway up, Sonny stopped, hesitating once more. One step up, Rico turned around. "What's up?"
"Rico.... Is this.... Are we...."
Rico beckoned him, dropping his hand and silently carrying on up the stairs into the circular bedroom at the top. Sonny sighed softly, but continued up. Standing at the top of the stairs, Rico wrapped his arms solidly around Sonny's waist. "Why the nervousness now? On the boat you weren't bothered. If you didn't wanna do this I'd understand, but I know you do."
Sonny nodded. "It's just...." Sonny pushed his fingers between Rico's. "I love you, Rico. I can't lose you. Your partnership, your friendship mean everything to me."
"You know I feel the same. I won't let anything happen to us." Rico waited, wanting Sonny to make the next move. It took a few long seconds, but he did. Slowly, he kissed his partner. Tubbs deepened the contact, pressing between Crockett's lips with his tongue. This was what he had wanted every minute of last night, with each lonely hour that passed. His partner felt so good in his arms, so good pressed against his body. They fitted perfectly together. The kiss became harder, wilder, with Sonny plundering Rico's mouth, his hands coming around to unfasten the buttons of his shirt.

He broke away, panting softly through swollen lips. "I want to feel you." Rico could only nod, and start his own work on Sonny's shirt. Soon, slick white skin pressed against dark. Sonny dragged his nails lightly over Rico's nipples, pinching them until they stood hard. Rico gasped, wrapping his fingers around Sonny's wrist. He brought the trapped hand to his lips, sucking each one of the digits in turn, not taking his eyes from those boring deep into his soul.

Very slowly, Rico unzipped Sonny's fly, slipping his hand under the material, pushing his fingers down along the silky, straining erection, tickling the large testicles hanging tight below. Sonny thrust forward slowly, pressing into the welcoming palm while his own hands found Rico's fastenings and made quick work of them. He dipped into the waistband of his partner's black briefs, gripping as much of Rico as he could.

Kissing Sonny lightly, Rico extracted his own hand, and Sonny's. He pushed his own pants down, followed them by his underwear and stepped away, using Sonny's trousers to pull his partner with him. At the bed, he stopped, pushing the soft material down over Sonny's hips. He knelt on the sheets, shuffling back, pulling Crockett with him. Sonny went to him, kneeling with one tanned thigh between the two dark. Sonny put one hand flat against Rico's chest, his other stroking his shoulder. "...so beautiful...."

Rico let his partner follow the line of his muscles. He watched Sonny's face, attentive as always, the beautiful, intense gaze now focused on him, on his body, his pleasure. When he could not take any more, he reached down and rubbed his palm against his partner's leaking cock. "Tell me what you want, Sonny. Tell me." Sonny's erection bobbed in his hand. "Tell me." Sonny was shaking his head; whatever it was, he could not voice it. "Come on, Sonny, it's me, Rico. You can tell me." Sonny met his eyes, and for a moment, Tubbs thought he was going to speak. But he just shook his head again.

Moving slowly, Rico shifted, manoeuvring Sonny onto his back on the fresh white sheets. Straddling him, he started to rub his cock against Sonny's. Sonny reached down, his fingers going to the small of Rico's back, just above his ass. He moaned, thrusting up, increasing the friction between them. Rico pushed himself up on his arms, watching every nuance of Sonny's expression as he brought them both to a crescendoing orgasm.

Spent, Rico collapsed down onto Sonny's sticky body beneath him, feeling strong arms wrap around him. He felt, somewhere in the back of his mind, that he had just learnt something new - something important - about his partner. But he was too exhausted to think it out. Instead he slid off the slick body, cuddled up to his side, still held in his arms, and closed his eyes. Some time later - maybe seconds, maybe minutes, maybe even hours - he thought heard Sonny murmur something. In response, Rico murmured back that he loved Sonny. Then he slept.

*

Sonny stretched, not opening his eyes as he became aware of the warm male body next to him. He knew it was Rico there with him. The first time he had awoken on the boat with his partner by his side, he had wanted to get away, scared of what Rico's reaction would be. When he had woken on the 'St. Vitus' the previous morning, he had wanted Rico to be there. Now he was, and Sonny could only smile to himself and gently tighten his arms around Rico.

Finally Sonny did open his eyes. Rico was lying over him, head in the hollow of his shoulder, one arm flung across his chest, the other trapped somewhere between their sweaty bodies. He rolled his eyes back, towards the large windows behind them, trying to gauge the time of day. The sun was still up - just. At least they hadn't missed the party. Reluctantly, he nudged his partner, lifting his head to drop a light kiss into Rico's tight curls. Rico stirred, muttering at being disturbed, and tried to turn, finding Sonny's body in his way. He opened his eyes and looked up. "Hey, my pillow's supposed to stay put."
Sonny smiled. "Believe me, I wouldn't have moved, but we have to work...." The hint nudged Rico's memory, and he groaned.
"Toscara's little party."
"Uh huh, and after what I went through to get those invites, you and I are most definitely going."
Rico sighed, accepting the inevitable, and shifted himself into a sitting position, rubbing some blood into his arm as he surveyed the long, tanned, muscular body lying before him. "Does this feel weird to you?" he asked quietly, "us waking together, going undercover side by side after making love?"
Sonny thought for a moment, his own eyes gliding over the easy sight of Rico's naked form. He moved his head from one side to the other. "No. It feels... right, somehow."
Rico smiled at that and nodded. "Good." He paused a few beats before slipping back into work-mode. Sonny found himself feeling close to whatever persona Rico adopted. "I gotta shower."
"And I gotta change." Sonny forced himself to get up and dressed. "Come to the boat in an hour? I'll drive us from there."
"Sounds like a plan."

*

The sun was setting as Rico pulled the Caddy in next to Crockett's beloved snow-white Ferrari. The small lights around the deck of the 'St.Vitus' were lit, welcoming, and Rico found himself just watching the sloop from the marina boards. He had spent so much time abroad this boat over the years, it was almost a second home. Sonny had only moved out briefly to the house he had shared with Caitlin. After her death, this was where he had hidden from the world, this was where he had received the phone call about his unborn child.... Rico shook the bad memories from his head and replaced them with thoughts about the present. The image of his partner's naked body, standing aroused before him, floated into his mind, and he pushed that back too. He had to focus. One of them had to.

Rico stepped up onto the deck, and tapped on the top step going down into the galley. "Come on down, Rico." The disembodied voice came from the back of the boat - Sonny was preening in front of the mirror. Rico thought, as he stepped down into the galley and peered along the narrow corridor, that his partner looked gorgeous. As he had promised, he was in silk. His shirt was white, heavy and pure, hugging his body in a way that made Rico's own react in longing. The waistcoat was raw silk, a deep blue that seemed to set off the blond of his hair. The pants were black, soft, falling and moulding over Sonny's tight buttocks, dropping in a rounded mould over his crotch, giving only a hint of the treasures that rested there.

Rico groaned and leaned back against the work-top. "Oh, man. I can't be with you wearing that all night and behave myself."
Sonny dropped the comb unceremoniously into the sink and sauntered back towards his partner, grinning. "Well maybe if you're good, you can take it all off later."
Rico rolled his eyes, following his partner back up the steps, trying to keep his eyes from Sonny's butt.

*

They sat in traffic, making their way slowly over the overpass towards Miami Beach. Rico was enjoying watching Sonny drive; it was like he became one with the car when he was in it. However light his caresses, the Testarossa would react perfectly. Rico knew just how it felt. He had to shift track in his mind. "So how do you know this Toscara dude, anyway?"
Sonny tilted his head slightly. "I don't, at least not personally. But he saved my ass a few years back. Literally." Rico looked at him, inquiring silently. Sonny sighed, but nodded. "About six months before you appeared, I was held on a contempt of court charge - surprise, surprise - only this time I did the full 30 days. The final night, late, the door of my cell opens and this security guard tells me to follow him. He leads me down the corridor and opens the cell door of this big man." Sonny sighed, shaking his head. "The guard pushes me inside the cell, and this guy - Stonewall, they called him - throws me up against the wall. He was gonna rape me, Rico, I've no doubts. He's standing behind me, gruntin' like a pig, and I'm standing there, hands against the wall like I'm bein' arrested, shaking, terrified. I mean... I was really scared. And I could feel 'im, behind me, gettin' ready...." Sonny's fingers reflexly gripped the steering wheel. "Suddenly, I heard this voice, just a quiet, polite voice, say "Stop." That was all I heard, but this guy behind me jumped like he'd been electrocuted, and he was off me so fast.... I turned around, and the guard, he was speaking to this well dressed guy in the cell opposite. Next thing I knew, I'm out of Stonewall's cell and being lead into this other guy's cell. I didn't know who he was, but he was dressed in a silk robe, and he had a mattress and television. All the luxuries of prison for the wealthy." Sonny shook his head, amused. "I thought he was gonna do what Stonewall had planned on doin', but he just smiled at me, indicated the empty bottom bunk and told me to sleep there, that I was perfectly safe. I crawled onto the bunk, still shakin', but he didn't come near me. I watched him read his book - something intellectual - for an hour or so, then he switched out the reading lamp and climbed into the top bunk. Never laid a finger on me, and never said another word to me. Next day they released me. I got his name from the prison warden and ran it through the files. Rudi Toscara. The one and only."

Rico could not quite find the words to express what he was feeling. Instead, he popped for the easy question. "Was your cover blown?"
"Nah. You go in for contempt and they book you under your cover name, they might be stupid, but they don't want a blood bath."
"And that was the last time you saw him?"
"Yep. I'm known of investigations going on. Guys who've gone undercover always come out describing him as 'polite but deadly'. He's renown for parties and high-profile assassinations of anyone who dares to cross him."
Rico settled his gaze just out of the windshield. "Hopefully he doesn't mix business with pleasure."
Sonny glanced at his partner, worried. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Rico pulled in a deep breath and smiled. "Yeah. Sorry. Just old memories tryin' to resurface."
Sonny slowed the car a little as they approached the Blue Fountaine hotel - the venue for tonight's exclusive bash. He reached over and patted his partner's arm. "This'll be easy, Rico. We're party people, everyone knows that."

*

Rudi Toscara was definitely not what Rico had envisioned. From what Sonny had told him in the car, he had thought of a small man, well-presented and well-mannered. The truth was staggering. He was greeting his guests as they arrived. Sonny stepped in just behind Rico, gazing around the marble interior of the private banqueting hall as Toscara approached them; he recognized their host immediately. Rico hid his surprise. Rudi was a big man, tall, muscled, almost a body builder in stature. His voice, when he greeted them, was polite, but its low, deep tones spoke of politeness on the surface only. He looked to Rico like a man who would kill without thinking, and would do it with his bare hands.

Sonny smiled when he saw the surprised recognition in Rudi's eyes. A large hand was presented to be shaken. "Sonny Burnett.... It's good to see you. I had no idea you'd stayed in Miami."
"Mr Toscara, I haven't forgotten what ya did for me."
The big man brushed off Sonny's words, "It was nothing. Don't know what it is about prison that turns decent man into fucking cock-suckers."
Beside him, Sonny sensed Rico bristle. The words did seem out of place, coming from Rudi's mouth, and the meaning behind them disturbed Sonny a little.... It was business, nothing more. He smiled. "The name's Palmer now... you know how it can be with the local law enforcement." Rudi nodded understandingly. Sonny turned slightly, effectively bringing Rico into the conversation. "This is my associate, Ricardo Achres."
Rico shook the proffered hand. "Nice little party."
"Thank you, Mr Achres. Please, both of you enjoy yourselves. There's champagne and..." he indicated a long line of blonde babes by the large double doors at the end of the hall, "lots of company."

Both men managed what passed as convincing smiles of interest and gratitude. Neither had ever picked up hookers at parties and one glance shared told each that the last thing on each of their minds at the moment was girls. They left Rudi with some other new arrivals and mingled into the crowd. "Not exactly what I expected," Rico murmured into Sonny's ear.
"Not exactly what I remembered either."
A waiter patiently stopped in front of them, offering them champagne. Both declined and headed for the bar. "I wouldn't care if I never tasted bubbly again in my life." Rico declared quietly.
"I do apologize," a soft voice spoke from behind them. "We do tend to overdo the bubbly." Sonny and Rico turned to face a smiling Jaygon Twist.
"Jay!" A momentary worry flickered into Sonny's eyes; Jaygon knew them for what they were. But something in the other man's expression put him at ease. "Strange circle for you to be moving in."
"Au contraire. Mr Toscara adores his art." He looked from one to the other and stepped a little closer. "It's the only reason he bears to have us around."

The three started once again towards the bar. "If he asks, you know me because you also collect the paintings only I can find."
Rico glanced at Jaygon, he did not need to ask. At the bar, Sonny ordered their drinks. "Is Elliott here?"
"Somewhere." Jaygon sounded like a kid doing something he definitely should not be. "Rudi throws excellent parties, and there are more gays here than he realises." He sighed, "Still, a man with views such as his, in these times, should be shot at dawn." Sonny handed Rico his drink, and they stepped away from the bar as one. "Now, gentlemen, I believe I'm still awaiting a sitting....?"
Rico smiled behind his glass, and Sonny blushed. "We're a little... busy at the moment."
Jaygon nodded. "Yes, I can see." He spotted Elliott over Sonny's shoulder; his lover looked to be in need of a quick rescue. "I have to go. Please," his eyes lingered on Sonny's silk-clad form, "please, call."

Sonny and Rico mingled, recognising faces and being introduced to new names. Their host seemed to disappear in the midst of the proceedings, and Sonny was beginning to think this had been a waste of time. Then they were introduced to Fyire. A leggy brunette in a red, slit cocktail dress carrying one of the longest champagne flutes Sonny had ever seen. She was introduced by Frankie, one of Toscara's long-term business partners, as Rudi's 'favourite past-time.' Taking a chance, Sonny turned the conversation to recreation, and the acquisition of some good white powder. Fyire's eyes lit up.

*

Sonny tooled the car slowly out of the hotel parking lot around three am. Fyire had bought their cover stories hook, line & sinker. Now, they had to wait for her to sell it to Rudi and for him to phone. Rico leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the quiet city pass. This was about the only time - between three and four in the morning - when it was a slow, easy pace. Sonny drove them smoothly back to the marina. Before he killed the engine, he asked, "Want to stay?"

Rico nodded tiredly. Even if their relationship had not been in its current state, he would not have relished driving home. He just wanted to close his eyes and sleep. "I'm gettin' too old for this," he griped as Sonny set the alarm and they wondered along the boards to the 'St Vitus Dance'.
"That's nuts and you know it. We were brilliant tonight."
Rico looked over at Sonny, seeing the smile of triumph happily plastered across his face. "You have been unbelievably cheerful since we were reinstated. I'm not sure how long I can take this new Sonny Crockett for."
Sonny grinned, and threw his arm around his partner's shoulders. "Cheer up! In a couple of days time we'll take down that homophobic pig once and for all."

They stepped down into the boat, Sonny having patted his three-foot long young pet alligator good-night. Rico excused himself and headed for the bathroom. When he came out, Sonny was lying along one side of the bed, still fully clothed, flat on his back, snoring lightly. Rico stripped then knelt up on the bed, undoing the tiny buttons of Sonny's shirt, unzipping the flies of his trousers and pulling them off, waking his partner. Sonny muttered something incomprehensible and sat up, taking off his waistcoat and shirt, throwing them to the floor as he curled tiredly in the sheets.

Rico stretched out beside Crockett, not touching him, just watching as he shifted onto his side and slipped into a peaceful sleep. Their lives had been turned inside out, and neither of them had even questioned it. Sonny had accepted his own feelings without thought; not usual behaviour for the Southerner. Yet they had only been off the 'Gay Priscilla' two days, real life had hardly had a chance to touch them. They were not the most popular people with IAD at the moment, and Strohe was not likely to take a kind view of the matter. Rico wasn't even sure if this would go anywhere; were he and Sonny just fucking, or was this really going somewhere serious, somewhere permanent?

Rico lay his head on his arm and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of his sleeping partner. There had been a break in the tension between them, and from that break had come something else; something much deeper and much stronger. Whether they should be playing around with it was a question neither had asked.

*

Sonny was woken from a wonderfully dreamless sleep by the insistent bleeping of his phone. Leaning over, he found himself having to negotiate his partner's sleeping form to get to the floor. The phone was somewhere under the bed, and it took him a couple of goes to find it, by which time Rico had woken. Sonny pressed the 'online' button. "Yeah."
"Sonny," he looked at Rico and mouthed, 'Trudy'. "The Lieutenant wants you back at the Blue Fountaine. There's been a hit. Toscara's dead."
Sonny rolled his eyes. "Shit. Okay, I'll be over in half an hour," a sudden thought made him add, "don't bother calling Rico, I'll pick him up on my way."

Switching off the phone, Sonny threw it back to the floor and dropped back to the sheets. "Toscara's been whacked."
Rico's eyes widened. "Shit."
"We have to go to work. And before you start, I know we've only had three hours sleep." In an exertion of energy, Sonny sat up and crawled over Rico, dropping to his feet and landing on his clothes from their partying night.
"I'm glad that detail has entered your mind."

*

And so once again they took the Ferrari over to Miami Beach. Instead of limos the exclusive hotel was surrounded this morning by ambulances and coroner's wagons. Castillo was watching them as they parked the Ferrari in front of the hotel. He approached the car when his detectives climbed out looking only slightly like they had only had a couple of hours sleep. "What time did it happen?" Sonny was too tired for preamble.
"Just after five. The party was winding down. Someone wanted the host and not too many guests."
Rico joined his boss as they headed for the main lobby. "How many bodies?"
"Nine, including Toscara. They'll get a list to us asap."
The lobby was a mass of people - reports, staff, homicide cops, medics and coroners. Detective Henk Clifford spotted Crockett, Tubbs and Castillo from across the marble room and stormed over. Obviously Sonny and Rico were not the only ones to lose some sleep this morning. Henk's partner, Carl Matthews, was on the opposite side, and watched uneasily as the group met up.
"What's Vice doing here?" The distaste in his voice surprised Sonny, but a glance at the other two told him he was the only one to be taken aback; Rico and Castillo seemed to expect his tone.
"Toscara was an ongoing undercover," Castillo told the homicide cop in no uncertain terms.
Henk glared over at Sonny, who simply looked at him. "Keep him," he jabbed a finger at the detective, "away from me and this investigation."
Castillo stepped forward, coming up on Henk like this was some old score still to be settled. "Don't ever talk across one of my detectives again. They were getting ready to take down Toscara. They were at this party this morning, so they're involved in this investigation." His voice lowered. "I don't want to hear that they have had any trouble or abuse from you."
Sonny watched the exchange, glancing between Rico and their boss, and the stranger across the room who was evidently watching them. When Henk walked off, Sonny stepped in front of his colleagues. "Want to tell me what that was all about?"
Rico hesitated, and Martin regarded Sonny with a look that held sympathy and care. He glanced between the close partners. "Rico'll tell you later, it's not important. Stay out of his way unless your paths cross. Any trouble, tell me."

Away from their Lieutenant, Sonny was itching to know what had happened but he had higher priorities. They moved back outside, and Sonny dug out his wallet and cellular phone. Pulling out a card, he keyed in the number an waited under Rico's confused gaze. Sonny handed his partner the card. It was Jaygon and Elliott's number. Sonny waited, tapping his foot on the ground. "Come on, come... Jay!"
"...hello?"
"Jay, it's Sonny...." He realized what time it was. "Sorry about the hour...."
"Sonny, what's up?"
Rico smiled as he watched his partner, relieved that their new friends were home, try to explain the situation. "There was a... fire fight, at the Fountaine.... I just... wanted to check you and Elliott were home, and okay." Rico laughed quietly as Sonny blushed and spluttered his way through the explanation.
"Yeah," there was a smile in Jay's voice. "We left not too long after you two. Is everyone okay?"
"Er... I can't really say yet, we'll come round later this evening, if you're free."
"Sure, Sonny, we'd like that. Give us a ring an hour before, whatever time, we'll cook."
"Great. See you later, and sorry for... waking you."

Rico waited until Sonny disconnected the call. "Checking on our artist?"
"I'm..." Sonny shook his head, tilting his head to gaze over at his partner. "Sorry, I just...."
"It's okay, Partner. I know. I care about them too." He looked around. "We should get out of here, in case our covers are still needed."

*

The office was quiet, strangely so. Almost everyone seemed to be out undercover or at the Blue Fountaine. They grabbed coffees and dropped down at their respective desks. Instead of looking at their paperwork, their eyes settled on one another. These silences that spoke so much were not rare between them; but they were becoming more intense. There was so much waiting to be discussed, just biding its time until they could sit down and talk it all out.

Sonny smiled softly. "We should sort our lives out." Rico nodded carefully. "We've been invited to Jay's for dinner tonight. You up for it?"
"Yeah." It was Sonny's turn to nod, and Rico laughed gently. "Try to get your mind on the work."
Sonny hesitated. "You wanna tell me about Henk Clifford and what the hell I did to deserve his attitude?"
Rico held his gaze for a long moment before dropping his eyes. "Not really." He sighed, and got to his feet. Heading for the conference room, he motioned for Sonny to follow him. He pulled the blinds and closed the door, making Sonny very nervous as he sat down, his eyes never leaving his partner.
"This is bad, right?"
Rico took the seat across the table from Sonny, fighting the urge to take his partner's hands in his own, instead linking his fingers on the surface in front of him. "Clifford used to work as a homicide cop... in Lauderdale." He watched the slow change of Crockett's expression. "His partner was Jimmy Hagavich, he was bad cop."
"I killed him, didn't I?"
"No." Rico instinctively reached for Sonny's hands, stopping just short, palms up. "Burnett killed him, not you. He was dirty, Sonny. He was giving information to Manolo that was getting people killed. And we think he had been ordered to take you out as well."
Sonny took in a deep breath, pleading eyes locked onto Rico's. "I killed his partner...."
"Sonny...." Rico wrapped his fingers around his partner's shaking hands. "For a while, all we knew was that a dirty cop was dead. Henk couldn't cope. He transferred to Miami homicide. When you came in, Henk found out. He came down here, screaming for revenge. Castillo told him in no uncertain terms what Hagavich had been, and that if he went near you it would cost him his badge. That was the last time I saw him before this morning." The expression in Sonny's eyes was heartbreaking. "Partner, don't blame yourself."
Crockett nodded, blinking back the sudden tears. "I know.... It's just...." Rico's hand brushed his hair as he crossed his arms on the table and dropped his head down.
"It's okay, Sonny." Rico's gentle whisper was followed by the quiet click of the door as it opened. Tubbs turned, saw Castillo's concerned expression, and stood, squeezing Sonny's shoulder as he left the room. In the doorway, Rico murmured to his boss that he had told Sonny about Clifford, Castillo only nodded. A moment passed, and it became clear to Rico that their boss wanted some time alone with his senior detective. A wave of fierce possessiveness swept over Rico, pinning him to the spot so he had to fight to move.

Castillo watched the New Yorker walk slowly to his desk. He stepped into the conference room and closed the door, taking the seat Rico had vacated. "Sonny." The gentle authority in his Lieutenant's voice calmed Crockett a little, and he looked up through reddened eyes.
"I'm sorry," he choked. "I... I thought I was doin' better."
"You're doing fine, Sonny." Martin reached across and touched Crockett's arm, squeezing lightly. "I killed that guy's partner.... I know how I would feel if I ever had to face a cop who'd shot Rico, and was still working."
"You didn't kill him. It wasn't you."
Sonny shook his head. "I know, I know. It was Burnett. We're the same person, Marty." How many times had he tried to make that point? Like he was the only one who did not see two of him.
"No, you're not." Sonny glanced at his boss' hand on his arm, to the deep, intense gaze watching him. "Burnett was someone they created, someone they brought out of your mind. It could have been any of us. They only knew what you had told them when you were undercover, you only knew what they repeated back to you. None of it was your fault. We should have pulled you out the moment we realized. I should have had more faith in you." Castillo looked into the stormy green depths of Sonny's eyes. "I'm sorry."
Crockett stared at Martin. "How long... how long have you been waiting to say that to me?"
"Too long."
"Thank you, for saying it now."
Castillo smiled, a rare sight, a sight that lifted Sonny's spirits. Then he nodded. "Don't worry about Clifford, he's just looking for someone to blame for his partner's behaviour."

*

An hour later, staff started to repopulate the office. Around noon, the list of the dead from the shooting at the hotel was dropped onto Sonny's desk; Fyire's name was not on it. Sonny had just completed his paperwork pertaining to the party the previous night when Rico dropped two files onto his desk and sat on the edge, leaning in to make whatever this was just between the two of them. "That guard, the one that swapped your prison cells when you first met Toscara?" Crockett nodded, wondering where the hell his partner was going with this. "Three days after you were released, he was found floating down the river in a body bag." Sonny frowned, reaching for the report. "And the big guy. Jacob Stonewallis - Stonewall to his 'friends' - he left the jail ten days later, in two body bags."
Sonny blanched. "You think Toscara had them killed?" He shook his head. "I told you, he was strictly high-rolling. High-profile, in public, he liked to make statements."
"I think... he was making a quiet, personal statement of his own."
Sonny shrugged. "Doesn't matter now anyway. He's gone." Rico shifted on the desk, and Sonny instantly recognized the mood. "What?"
"I... I think we're missing a link here. Whoever took Toscara down - now they were making a high-profile, public statement."
Crockett's eyebrows furrowed. "You're saying... someone else was behind Toscara, maybe above him?"
"I'm saying that something doesn't fit with Toscara, and someone went to a lot of trouble to make a lot of noise this morning."
Sonny considered that, then grabbed his car keys. "Let's go visit some people."

*

There was something about Izzy that in recent years Sonny had not been able to figure. He had been around longer than Crockett could remember, and when he thought about it, he was not even sure where he had met the little weasel. But now and again, when the Cuban was not expecting them to show up, they would actually catch him doing something normal, or engaged in a conversation that sounded genuine. Before everything had gone to hell with Bourbone, Sonny had been starting to think that Izzy was more than met the eye - and anyone who had kept up his level of act for so long had to be good for a reason.

He told his partner all this as he drove them to Izzy's current address. Rico was more than skeptical. "Izzy's just Izzy, man. He's crazy."
"He knows everything. No, scrap that, he knows what we want him to know, when we want to know it." Rico gave Sonny his best condescending look, but Crockett did not notice. "It's just a feelin'." Well, that was okay. Sonny's feelings - his odd sixth sense - had saved their lives on many occasions. Although Rico hardly considered this a life or death situation, he trusted his partner's instincts and decided maybe Sonny's hunch was worth a little more thought.

Sonny drew the Ferrari up outside the pink-walled apartment building. They were in South Beach - not Sonny's favourite part of town. He always complained the people in South Beach were not real, that they were always trying to be something they weren't and nothing was ever good enough. They had seen people die trying to become good enough for South Beach. The building itself looked expensive and exclusive, like it was somewhere Izzy should not be.

Inside, they took the elevator to the forth floor. The place was spotless, garishly decorated but then that was art-deco in this town. Izzy's listed address, 444 Cavnas Court East, turned out to be an apartment at the end of a very smart corridor. "Where did Gina pull this address from?"
Rico looked as suspicious as Sonny felt. "He'd left it with them in case we needed to contact him."
"Um." Sonny drew his weapon, pointing it down at the ground as his partner followed suit. Carefully he knocked on the door. "Marino? Hey, you home?"
A few sounds came from the other side of the door, and then it opened. Izzy froze when he saw the guns pointing into his face. For a moment he thought his two friends in the local police department had gone nuts. His eyes bulged. "Err... hey, Sonny, man... whate'er it is, man, it wa'n't me I swear, I..."
Sonny holstered his gun about the same time Rico did, waving off Izzy's terrified ramblings, and stepping passed the Cuban into the apartment. The place was beautiful. Tasteful, scant decor, pastel shades for the walls, beige leather furniture. Expensive, exclusive. Not Izzy's style. "So what was it, Izz?" Sonny asked, taking in the view from the wall of glass over looking the ocean beyond. "Armed robbery? Blackmail? Definitely something we should be interested in."

Rico could not quite believe what he was seeing. Izzy merely smiled, and padded over to the open kitchen. "Can I fiz you gentleman a drink?"
Sonny turned, fixing his snitch with an unforgiving stare. "Tell me, Izz, before I arrest you for the hell of it."
Izzy smiled from one to the other. "It's lorve."
Sonny gave the Cuban one of his patented 'Crockett looks'; head tilted to one side, half-smile of disbelief on his face, eyes hard. "Please, I've known you too long...."
But Izzy was shaking his head. He indicated a small photo frame on the coffee table, and Rico reached down to collect it. At the expression on his face, Sonny moved to stand with him. He groaned. Fate was messing with them once again. The woman in the photo with Izzy was Fyire.

"We met a month ago."
The three of them were sitting on the leather suite, nursing drinks, listening to the tale of love. Rico could not help but remember what Sonny had said in the car. Izzy did seem like a regular guy sitting in his home talking to his friends. It was odd, disconcerting somehow.
"She was at an art show in a gallery on Miami Beach. I was performing my Human Art exhibit. She liked it, asked me how much to buy it." He looked up at the two cops. "How could I resist a catch line like that?"
If it had not have been for the all-too-familiar Cuban drawl, Sonny would have sworn that this was not their Izzy.
"We went out for dinner, then breakfast, then dinner.... She's the one for me, man, I'm tellin' you. She's tamed me."
Sonny sighed, looking out at the view while he decided how to play this. Next to him on the couch, Rico shifted, and he suddenly realized how aware he was of his partner's movements. He shook himself mentally, keeping his mind focused on the immediate problem. One thing was for sure, they couldn't use Izzy to get to Fyire, not yet at least. "Whose was the art show?"
"Jaygon Twist, he's a...."
Sonny nodded, standing and cutting Izzy off mid-sentence. "We know him." He put his glass down on the table, noting Rico following his every move. Strange how they worked it like that, one mimicking the other, the first one talking while the second one observed. It was neat, efficient, and perfectly in sync. It almost turned him on. "Thanks for the drinks, Izz. We will be back."

*

Sonny dropped the phone down onto the blanket and leaned back against the railings of the 'St. Vitus Dance'. Across from him, Rico was sitting on the stern of the boat, legs dangling over the side, arms stretched out behind him, supporting his weight. He was vaguely watching his partner, vaguely taking in the marina activity around them.
"I'm not sure lying blatantly to the Lieutenant is a good career move, Partner." He told Sonny quietly.
"I know, I know. It's just until we get another lead. I don't want to drag Jay and Elliott into this."
Rico nodded. They were due at Jay's house at eight. They had told Castillo that they were meeting a contact Izzy had given them. Their boss had seemed happy with that, he wanted them back in the office for a briefing on the morning shooting by a couple of guys from homicide. Rico knew that Sonny was worried it would be Clifford.

They got back to OCB half an hour later, and Sonny's fears were recognized. Henk Clifford and Captain Marc Glade had already assembled the vice squad in the conference room when Sonny and Rico pushed open the door and squeezed inside. Castillo glanced between the homicide cop and his own detective, his warning to Clifford clear. Rico wanted to put himself between Sonny and Henk, wanted to save his partner from this. He stayed close, his arm touching Sonny's.

The briefing was short and sweet. In reality, homicide knew as much vice did. The party had finished, the last of the guests leaving when three stretch limos drew up outside the hotel and the shooting started. That was all they knew. Toscara had been the prime target, his party was hit first and hardest.

Sonny left the room swiftly. Rico followed, seating himself at his desk and pretending to hunt for something in the paperwork swamping the surface while glancing furtively at his partner. Sonny was obviously unsettled by Henk's presence. But Burnett had been buried, and Crockett was a strong character. What Castillo had said to him earlier had made a great difference, and he was willing to defend himself if he had to.

Sonny looked up from the report that had actually captured his attention and saw Rico watching him. He smiled. "I'm fine. Really." Rico signed softly. "Really. I'm quite looking forward to tonight. It seems forever since we went out to see friends in an evening."
Rico could not argue with that. "We should get a cab tonight. You want to come round to my place, around seven?"
Sonny nodded. They both knew that no talking would get done this night. But that was okay. They were partners. Talking could wait. At least until they had some time.

The conference room door opened once again and Clifford, Glade and Castillo stepped out, the two chiefs deep in discussion. Clifford saw Sonny at his desk, and stepped out around the other two, heading for the detectives. Five feet away from Crockett, Castillo's voice stopped him dead. "I have warned you, Detective Clifford." Angrily, Henk turned and left the squad room.
Glade was impressed. "You really care about these people."
Castillo pressed his lips into a thin smile. "These people are my family."
At their desks, Sonny and Rico glanced up at each other, confirming what each of them thought they had heard. Sonny groaned quietly, he could see the gentle accusation in his partner's eyes. "Okay, okay." He grumbled softly and waited for the Lieutenant to pass back passed their desks. "Er... Lieutenant, could I have a word?"
Castillo nodded indicating his office.

Crockett closed the door and leaned back against it. "It's about our contact in the Toscara case."
"The woman?"
"Yeah. You know I said over the phone that Tubbs reckoned there's someone above Toscara, someone who set this morning up?" Castillo nodded patiently. "Well... we went to see Izzy, and turns out he's camping out at her place - at the contact's home." Castillo's eyebrows rose. "So... we asked some pertinent questions, not letting anything slip about his new companion, and he gave us a new contact... Jaygon Twist. Rico and I have a ... meeting with him, tonight."
Castillo sat still, waiting for more, but none came. "I'm missing something here, Sonny. You don't usually give me a rundown on your activities unless I ask for one."
"Well...." Sonny shifted. "I just... I thought you should know... what your detectives are doing."
A very knowing smile touched Castillo's lips. "Believe me, Sonny, I know exactly what my detectives are doing at all times."
Sonny tried not to, but he knew he had blushed. "Right."
Castillo waited a beat, letting Crockett stew, before sitting back. "I know this is... unusual.... What do you think... to a departmental barbeque at my home this weekend?"
Sonny stared at his boss, unsure whether he had heard correctly. "Your home?" Martin nodded. "A department thing?" He nodded again. "Sure. Sounds great."
"Good. Saturday, say... three? Could you put the word out?"
Sonny nodded quickly, and left the room. Today was being too weird. He went from desk to desk, telling and then retelling them about their Lieutenant's idea. Everyone was surprised, but everyone agreed to go, even if it was purely out of curiosity.

Rico watched Sonny sit back down. "A lot of weirdness today, Partner." Rico grinned.
"You love that stuff."

*

Rico dropped the towel to the thick carpet of his bedroom and pulled on his briefs and trousers. Draping a fresh, emerald green shirt over his arms and shoulders and taking a dry towel from the en-suite, he stepped out onto the balcony. The tide was coming in, the waves gently stroking more and more of the shoreline with each surge forward. His thoughts drifted to his partner as they had a habit of doing recently. As far as he was concerned, this new thing between them, this extension of their already close partnership, was something beautiful and fantastic and did not have to be questioned. Yet despite that he knew they would talk about, one night soon when the rest of the world was not intruding.

The heat of the evening sun warmed his skin. He thought of Sonny's body pressed close to his own, of the strange yet wonderful sensation of the hard, masculine body moving against him. His cock rose in reaction to the images and memories in his mind, and he ruefully stroked a light palm along its cloth-covered length. He groaned, trying to wipe his mind clean of the arousing thoughts. It would be a great start to the evening for Sonny to arrive to find his partner half-dressed with a raging hard-on. He smiled to himself, or maybe it *would* be a great start to the evening....

He heard the throaty roar of the Ferrari's engine as Sonny tooled the car into the driveway. He glanced furtively at his watch. Sonny was late. Typical. The cab he had already ordered would be here in ten minutes. He sighed, and then chuckled. He felt like a teenager again, trying to grab an awkward grope while no one was around. Only... it wasn't awkward. From the outset, from the moment Sonny had turned and kissed him on the boat, it had all felt natural. There was no shyness, only heat and desire. And love. The realisation settled over him. Everything that had happened had just... happened. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like it was always going to happen and it was just a matter of time. He loved Sonny. Sonny loved him.

Rico heard the kitchen door open, and heard Sonny's shout. "You here?"
"Upstairs." He buttoned his shirt, tucking it into his pants. At least his erection had eased. Sonny appeared halfway up the wrought iron spiral staircase.
"You called a cab?"
"Ten minutes."
Sonny nodded and came up the rest of the way. Under his black Versace jacket he wore a raw silk, deep blue shirt tucked into black Versace trousers. Undercover clothing from impounded wardrobes of bad guys. Rico had always wondered how long it would be before they stepped up to make a deal and heard the mark say, "Hey! That's my suit!"

Shrugging into his own jacket, Rico stood in front of the full length mirror to comb his hair and straighten his clothes. A moment later, Sonny moved to stand close behind him, placing tanned hands lightly on Rico's hips. Tubbs released the breath he did not realize he had been holding.
"I could stay here tonight... if you wanted...." Sonny's whisper against Rico's neck sent shivers down the black man's spine. If he wanted?!
"You have no idea how much I want that."
One of Crockett's large hands stroked forward, over his hip and across his belly, pressing lightly against the re-emerging bulge in Rico's trousers. "I can guess."
Rico drew in a sharp breath, pushing back against his partner's solid form. "You don't play fair." It was a warm murmur of affection that touched Sonny's heart. He moved his hand back to Rico's hip, resting his chin on the broad shoulder.

They stayed like that for several long minutes, simply watching themselves in the mirror. Like in the paintings Sonny had back at the 'St. Vitus', the image was a beautiful contrast of dark and light. Silence enveloped them as they stood together. No noise intruded, and for that short time they could believe that the rest of the world had left them in peace. Rico felt Sonny's lips on the side of his throat and hummed softly. "You're beautiful, man." The sound of his partner's rough whisper caressed his cock as surely as his fingers had done. The flared beep of a car horn surprised them both. For a long moment, they remained where they were. And then Sonny placed a second kiss on Rico's neck and moved away.

*

Jaygon and Elliott's place was also in South Beach, but further out of town, surrounded by its own land, backing onto the ocean. Yet despite its size, inside it felt snug and homely. Sonny and Rico were shown into a lounge decorated in white and beige, lit by a multitude of candles and a wonderfully large comfy suite. Elliott opened an expensive bottle of white wine (after asking Sonny whether he would prefer a beer, or maybe some champagne) and poured four glasses. With Sonny and Rico on the sofa, Jaygon and his lover made themselves comfortable on the two-seater.

They wanted to know all about the shooting at the hotel, not plugging for details but interested simply because they had only left the scene two hours before the blood-bath. Sonny told them all he could before Elliott left them to prepare the dinner. The three sat and talked like old friends for twenty minutes until they were called in to the small yet glorious dining room. After a starter of melon and port, a main course of lobster and a desert of light fruit mousse they retired back to the lounge with the fourth bottle of wine.

It was warm, comfortable, and the wine had gone down smoothly. When Rico settled into the corner seat of the two-seater, it seemed natural to Sonny to sit close to him, leaning against him and curling his bare feet under him. The two caught the smile on their hosts' faces as they took the sofa, and shyly smiled back. "There's something we have to ask you, much as I hate to talk business after such an... incredible meal."
"It's okay." Elliott indicated Crockett should just ask.
"A woman called Fyire. You know her?"
Jaygon laughed. "Fyire? Oh yes, we know her. She moves art, expensive, original paintings. She plays at art critic, but that's not where her money comes from."
"Just art?"
"Well... that I wouldn't know. She has a gallery on South Beach through. The Life Slice."
Sonny smiled. "Thanks, that's all we need. Sorry. Had to get the night off somehow."
Jaygon nodded. "It's okay, honestly. After this morning I'd have been surprised if there hadn't have been something you needed from us. And we did appreciate you phoning earlier, to check. It was sweet." Sonny blushed, making Rico laugh.

"We saw you two," Jaygon explained without warning, "about a year ago. You were in 'Liquid', obviously working but there was something about the two of you.... I was fascinated." Elliott nodded, backing him up. "The way you moved around one another, such stunning chemistry between you."
Rico tried to remember the case, but could not. He was not sure he could remember his own address. He was acutely aware of his partner sitting so close to him, and his arm where it could so easy hook around Sonny's waist. He shifted his palm to Sonny's hip, trying the feeling out for size, sensing Sonny's reaction. He was just fine.
"We watched you then, seeing you around, waiting while you got tireder, more disillusioned. Then about two months ago, you disappeared. We were planning this last trip when we heard the names 'Sonny Palmer' and 'Ricardo Achres' come up. We figured it might be you two. We hoped."
Sonny sipped his wine, Jaygon's soft voice flowing over him, Rico's hot presence beside him, surrounding him. Finally, he gathered his courage. "Do you... want your sitting?"
Jaygon's eyes widened, and his face lit up. "I thought you'd never ask! Are you sure?"
Sonny looked across at Rico, who was smiling. He nodded. "I'm sure."

Jaygon's studio was near the back of the house, a white room draped in soft, coloured fabrics. A camera, easel and small dark room were all set up. In the centre of the room was a low staging area with a low, deep couch covered by a white throw. "Make yourselves comfortable."
Sonny hovered, unsure now he was actually here. Jaygon stopped in his tracks and looked at them both. Rico seemed relaxed enough, but Sonny had obviously frozen at the thought. His stunning green eyes settled on Jaygon. "Nude?"
Jaygon shrugged. "No pressure... but I could do a masterpiece with you two." That stroked Sonny's ego just in the right place.

Jaygon started setting out his things. He could do just do the sketches tonight, maybe a base wash of water colours. The rest would stay in his photographic memory until tomorrow when he could finish it. He smiled to himself; tonight would stay in his memory well passed tomorrow....

Jaygon's deliberate distractions gave Sonny and Rico the time, privacy and slight detachment to allow them to strip and settle in each others' arms on the couch. The alcohol in their systems focused their attention on each other, on the heat and proximity of the bodies that were still so unfamiliar to them. Jaygon stepped up just in front of them, hands clasped over his groin, paintbrushes between his fingers. "You're going to be sitting in the same position for about an hour, so get comfy." He smiled. "And relax."

He moved around behind the fresh canvas set up on the easel. On the couch, his models were turned slightly to face one another, more out of a spark of desire than any artistic license. Jaygon was quietly impressed. "Sonny, hook your leg... no, the one you're not sitting on... hook it over Rico's thigh. That's it. Rico, hand on Sonny's leg and Sonny's hand on Rico's chest. Perfect." He played with his pencils, figuring where to start. "I want to paint you kissing, but I'll have you do that when I'm ready. Okay?"
Sonny's hand strayed up to Rico's shoulder as he murmured that it was okay. Jaygon sighed. "Now I remember. Sit still!"

Sonny dropped his hand back to his lover's chest, pinching his nipple on the way down. Rico's sharp gasp went straight to Jaygon's groin. He started to sketch. He had been right about these two. As incredible as they were together, standing on a shore, sitting on the boat, naked they were stunning beauties. The tan of Sonny's skin was a marvellous contrast to the dark of Ricardo's. Suddenly he wanted to know everything.
"How did you two meet? Were you just told to work together or did something bring you together?"
Sonny found himself drowning in Rico's eyes. He pulled back forcefully. "We were brought together. By everything from love and death to the need for sanity maintenance."
"A mutual enemy?"
Tubbs nodded. "Yeah. First time we met - in fact the first two times we met - we ended up punching each other in the face."
Jaygon laughed. "Good start. Makes you wonder how many other police partnerships end up like you two."
Sonny considered that. He thought about Gina and Trudy and suddenly blushed. Rico saw his friend heat up. "What?"
"Nothin'." Needing to, Sonny moved forward and captured his partner's mouth. They both heard Jaygon's exasperated sigh and ignored it. It seemed strange to be sitting in this well-lit den, naked, together, being studied by a man who they had only known just over a week. Sober, none of this would be happening. The alcohol was giving them the freedom to do this... or was it just giving them the excuse?

"Do your colleagues know?"
Rico chuckled. "I'm not really sure how they'd take it. Our boss isn't stupid, we think he may figure it out, but we're not exactly broadcasting it."
That amused Jaygon. "You don't think you are? Guys, I would say you were both screaming it from tree tops."
"We're very good when we want to be," Rico reassured him. "We are experienced undercover cops."
"I forgot."
"We've worked undercover together for eight years! And we're still alive! That has to say...." Sonny moved his hand to gently place it over his partner's mouth.
"He's winding you up."
Rico glanced at their painter, who was grinning back at him. "Oops."

Jaygon worked his way up their bodies, drawing very nuance, every curve and straight. When he got to their faces he paused. "How long can you two kiss for?"
Sonny shrugged. "You want us to find out?"
"If you wouldn't mind. But only move your heads. And I want...." He was going to say, 'I want passion', but he faded mid sentence. Sonny and Rico had met in a fierce kiss borne of sitting together for half an hour taking in the sight of the other's naked body and wanting more than just to watch. The position of their legs shielded their erections from Jaygon's artistic study, but they could see and feel them. Kissing one another was the first outlet for the pent-up desire.

Jaygon sketched the scene before him, casually rubbing his own aching cock, shifting it to take some of the pressure off. He had drawn lots of male models in the past, some loners, some pairs, some groups. It never failed to arouse him. But he felt, at that moment, like he was the voyeur here, not the painter.

Sonny could barely breath. Rico's tongue was tasting every nook in his mouth, the curve of his pallet, the hard silk of his gums, the rough paradise of his tongue. They danced a wet dance, bodies aching to get closer. The simple skin-to-skin contact of their legs, the sides of their bodies where they sat close, it alone was becoming enough; Sonny thought that if he moved, pressed his straining cock to that dark, drooling erection only half an inch away, he would come there and then. They kissed until they heard Jaygon tell them they could relax.

Then they crashed together, Sonny pushing Rico back onto the couch, straddling him before those strong arms came up around his back and pulled him down, chest to chest. Their cocks plunged against one another, Sonny starting up a rhythm, butt rising and falling as Jaygon's wide eyes watched them from behind the canvas.

"Rico... oh, God, Rico...." Sonny buried his face into the side of his partner's neck, kissing and nibbling his shoulder. Rico combed his fingers into Sonny's thick, soft hair, pulling gently. He loved his partner's hair. Each and every time he saw him he wanted to kiss and hold him so tight.... He shook his head, moaning softly; amazing what sex could do your natural thought patterns. "I love you," Sonny told him hotly. "I love everything about you. I love the sound of your name, the shape it makes on my lips. The sound of your voice, low and rough...."
Rico thrust up to meet Sonny's pounding of his groin. It was almost too much, almost.... "Everything you are turns me on," he whispered. "Everything you say, everything you do.... The way you speak, the way you dress, the way you drive...."

Sonny threw his head back pushing them together harder. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the sound of a closing door made itself known to his brain. He could not have cared less. His body was on fire, his soul was alight with the flames coursing between the two of them. "I worry about you every moment you're out of my sight. I can see you when you close my eyes."

Sonny's words drove hot spikes of desire down Rico's spine. He trailed his nails down his partner's sweat-sheened back. Sonny pushed up on his arms, gazing down at his lover, smiling, before Rico gripped his shoulders and pulled him back down, finding his mouth and devastating it. Sonny returned the kiss before pulling up and away, sitting back on Rico's thighs. He curled his fingers around their cocks, pressing them together, delighting in Rico's cry of surprise and pleasure. He started to massage them both, griping as he pulled down, letting up the pressure on the back stroke. Rico thrust up into Sonny's slick palm, his fingers digging into his lover's powerful thighs.

"Sonny, please...." Rico fixed his eyes on Sonny's, locking their gazes. A moment later they both exploded, coming together, their cries mingling in the quiet of the studio, their semen fountaining in thick platted strands. Sonny collapsed onto the slick body beneath him, still murmuring Rico's name between his jagged breaths. Rico wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tight.

"Jeez, Sonny.... Oh, man...." Sonny settled onto Rico. "You're incredible, Partner."
Sonny turned his face into Rico's neck, kissing him. "I think we scared Jay."
Rico's eyes widened, like he had just remembered what they were supposed to be doing here. "Where is he?"
"He left." Sonny groaned and sat up, looking around them and seeing a small bathroom just off the to left of the studio. Looking down at his lover, he placed a lingering kiss on the swollen lips that smiled at him. "We should get cleaned up."

They used the small bathroom, and pulled on their clothes, looking a little more dishevelled than when they arrived. Then they stepped out of the studio and wandered bashfully back into the lounge. Jaygon and Elliott were sitting together on the sofa, talking quietly. Sonny cleared his throat unnecessarily; he already had their undivided, amused attention. "Ummm... sorry... we, er, we...."
"You got unbelievably turned on by spending an hour sitting opposite your new, naked lover." Jaygon indicated the empty two-seater, and stood to pour them both more wine. "It's not the first time it's happened, believe me. I got as much of the sketching done as I needed to, I can finish the painting without you." He seemed pleased with whatever the result had been and handed them their drinks. "Really, it's all right."
"But...."
"Sonny!" Jaygon sat back down, Elliott's arms going around him. "If you're worried about there being any ... recording equipment in there, it's clean."
Rico shook his head, "it's not that. We're not... quite used to the... effect... we're having on one another."
Elliott tilted his head. "Could I ask you something... personal?"
Sonny laughed, and Jaygon hid his chuckle behind his hand. "Your partner here has just sketched us both nude, we've just... on your studio couch, and you're asking if you can ask me something personal? Go ahead."
"Have either of you ever been involved with another man?"

The question took them both a little by surprise. Sonny could feel Rico's body behind him, where he pressed against his partner. He replayed in his memory what they had just done. "Neither of us have," he replied softly. Jaygon and Elliott quieted. "It's not... not what we are. It's who we are. We've always been close, this just seemed... natural."
"That's the best way, Sonny." Jaygon sipped his wine. "Look, it's late. Why don't I call you two a cab? I'm sure you just want to be alone together at the moment."
Sonny seemed mortified. "I'm sorry...."
Jaygon waved it away. "Honestly, Sonny. The two of you.... You live under all the time, lying to those around you, lying to yourselves, relying on the only one near you who really knows who you are; each other." He held out his hands. "I love you two."

The cab hooted twice. At the door, Jaygon took down Rico's address, and an invitation to dinner on the Friday night on the promise that he would bring the finished painting. Jaygon made them promise that they would be careful.

*

Sonny and Rico climbed the spiral staircase to Rico's bedroom. They both stripped ungraciously, dropping their clothes to the floor and clambering over one another into the king-size bed. "I can't believe what we did," Sonny muttered as he felt his partner slide against him.
"S'kay, Sonny. Jay understood."
"I hope so... do y'know how long's been since I had friends outside o'work?"
Rico spooned up against his lover's back, one arm up under the pillow, the other draping over Sonny's chest. "I know, Partner."
"I don't wan' anything to happen to them, Rico."
Rico tightened his arm over Sonny, holding him. "I love the way you care, Sonny. Nothin's gonna happen to them."
Sonny found Rico's hand on his chest and squeezed it tightly. A few minutes later, he heard the light snores of his partner. "There's no one worth your life, Rico," he whispered, picking the words from nowhere. "I love you, Partner."
He fell asleep to the soft sounds of Ricardo Tubbs.

It was only a couple of hours later when they woke. Sonny shifted, turning in Rico's arms, and Rico in turn, rolled away from him. He hummed in appreciation when Sonny cuddled up to him, but it did not last for long.
"I gotta take a piss." Rico chuckled sleepily at Sonny's admission.
"You're such a romantic."
Sonny grouched at that as he got out of bed. He stood in the middle of the moonlit room. "Rico, where's your bathroom?"
Another chuckle. "Come around the bed and it's on your... left."

Rico lay awake, listening to the sounds of another man in his bathroom. He could not remember ever feeling this contented. Sonny wandered back into the bedroom, climbing back in between the sheets and stretching himself tip to toe against his partner. Two minutes later, Rico stirred. "You too, ay Partner?"
"All the wine." Rico pushed the covers back and practically fell out of bed. Sonny watched the dark form as it made its way to, and a minute later from the bathroom. Tubbs' sleek body looked beautiful in the silver moonlight. He climbed back into bed, facing Sonny instead of turning his back. Sonny watched him, waiting for him to say whatever it was he had to say. Nothing came.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Sonny punctuated his words with strokes of Rico's neck and shoulders.
"'bout you. The way you... you said to Jay that we'd been through hell. There's so much I want to say to you, I feel... like I want to go back and tell you every moment that's meant something, that's made me think of you and your past, and how much you've hurt."
Sonny's gaze softened. "Don't, Rico. All that's gone, it's in the past, it's built what you and I now have. Don't question it, isn't that what said? And don't regret it. Any of it. I don't." Rico sighed. "We have all the time in the world."
Tubbs knew that, and he knew that they had only their lives as they were, that every second they were under and working could be their very last. He pushed those old, stale thoughts from his mind and kissed his lover once before turning and settling back into the circle of Sonny's arms.

*

'Life Slice' was a more glamorous venture than its name suggested. Situated on the old marina next to the new harbour club, the gallery was a small, but highly profitable business. Sitting in the parked Caddy on the opposite side of the road, Sonny leafed through the paperwork he'd had Gina pull up for him. "Something doesn't figure here, Rico. This says that Toscara bought this place for Fyire Harley two years ago and put it in her name. There's no evidence to suggest he had anything to do with it after that. The books are as clean as I'd expect them to be."
"You think the gallery was a gift?" Rico was scanning the front of the building in which the 'Life Slice' was situated.
"I just can't make the connection between this and the hotel blood-bath." He closed the file and looked up as Rico turned to him. "You said that maybe someone was trying to make a public statement. So why wait until five in the morning? Why not hit the actual party when there would have been more people - more names - there?"
"So what do you think?"
"I don't know, it's like there's a piece missing." He sighed and threw the file into the back seat. "Let's go talk to Fyire, see if she can lead us anywhere."

Fyire was with a client when they pushed open the door, yet when she saw them, they knew she recognized them. They heard her excuse herself and watched the elegant walk as she sauntered over to them. "Gentlemen," she took each hand in turn. "Palmer and Achres, wasn't it? Sonny and... Rico." They nodded. "If this is about our little discussion at the party...?" Sonny confirmed it was. "Could I meet you at the marina club, in an hour? I'll buy brunch."
They pretended to consider it, and nodded again. "Sure, why not?"
"Good. Thank you."

On their way out of the gallery, they glanced up at the paintings on the walls. Modern artists, modern paintings. One caught Sonny's eye. Moving towards it, he smiled to himself, motioning Rico over. The print was another limited edition of the one Jay had on the boat; the two guys with the watermelon slice between them. The price tag on the wall next to it was almost double what it had been in the brochure on the 'Priscilla'. Rico leaned into Sonny's back. "You really like that one, don't you?"
Sonny shook his head. "I dunno. It fascinates me. I don't know what I feel."
Rico smiled; this was Sonny's patented response to anything homosexual, despite the fact that they were sleeping together more nights than not. "It really is about time you started to accept that you're not completely straight." Sonny looked at him sideways, then he looked back at the picture. "It excites you, doesn't it? Just a little."
"I don't know. That's the honest truth." Sonny stepped passed Rico, heading for the door. Tubbs' eyes lingered for a while. It didn't turn him on like it obviously did Sonny, but it wasn't bad. Just before he turned to follow Sonny, he saw Fyire out of his eye. she was watching them, smiling. Rico was pleased; maybe this thing between he and Sonny would help with their covers after all.

*

Sonny had always found that drug deals done over meals always ended with one party throwing down enough cash to cover the cost of the food, and walking away, no matter how well or badly the deal had gone. Fyire turned out to be different. She ordered a chicken salad and pressed the two men to have whatever they wanted from the exclusive menu. They asked her about the gallery and she was happy to relay the story of her hard work and the business's success. She spoke affectionately of Rudi Toscara; he was apparently an old friend whom she had met through her father when she was young and just starting out. The gallery had been a birthday gift from him. When they mentioned the deal, it turned out that she was only interested in recreational weight, a steady supply for the exhibition parties at the gallery. Nothing Castillo was going to grant manpower and cash to, that was for certain.

She charmed them both, putting them at ease, leaving them only when she realized they were not going to spend the afternoon in her apartment... not that the thought hadn't crossed both of their minds. Sonny watched her go.
"Think it was the champagne that kicked our libidos into overdrive?" Rico chuckled. "Nothing here is making any sense! All the bad guys suddenly seem to want to make friends."
"If she's not dealing, we've got no case here."
Sonny threw his napkin onto the table. "Something ain't right here. Let's get back to the office."

*

They spent half an hour in Castillo's office, explaining the connections they had made and the links they were missing. He considered what they had said, and then informed then that they could stay on the shooting or hand it to homicide and start something new. They said they'd think about it. As they strolled out of Castillo's office, Gina hurried past them and closed the door. Sonny sneaked a glance through the glass window and saw her pointing something out across two sheets of paper. Rico watched as his partner turned fully, back toward the office.
"Sonny...?" He joined his partner, sensing something had just slid into place in that suspicious mind of his. "What's up?"
"The party guests - we didn't check the party guests."

It took the promise of an expensive dinner to persuade Trudy to spend her afternoon digging up file after file, but as the evening fell and the office cleared out for the night, Sonny and Rico had all they needed to start linking the names on the guest list with known aliases.

Castillo left around eight, turning off the main lights and leaving Sonny and Rico with just their desk lamps. They checked each name, recognising some, delving deeper with others. Every once in a while one of them would get up, stretch, and make some coffee. On one such occasion, Sonny headed out to the men's room, leaving Rico, his feet up on his desk, to gaze after him. It was odd, Rico mused, how hardly anything had changed between them on the surface. Here, in the office, it was strictly professional; is was how it had always been. He wondered if their colleagues would even believe that the previous night they had posed naked for a painting then jumped each others' bones like they had not had sex for a month.

He turned his attention back to the reports. Sonny returned a few minutes later, and to Rico's surprise, as he passed the desk, he dropped a lingering touch to his partner's shoulder. "I can think of better ways of spending the evening."
Rico chuckled, feeling Sonny's fingers pressing firmly into his shoulder. He let his head fall back, pressing his skin to Crockett's fingers, moaning softly. "You're insatiable."
Sonny's eyes roamed Tubbs' sharp features. It was unbelievable, this heat that had developed between them, their unquenchable need for one another. What the hell were they doing? Were they just playing? Or could this actually be for real? Sonny pushed the questions out of his mind; he didn't want the answers. He released Rico's neck and moved around to his own desk.

It was close on two am when they finally sat back. They had two names unaccounted for; Hank Golding and Marcia White. Known alias reports had not got anything for them. Crockett finally went to the computer and spent a few minutes working out how to log on to the FBI's InfoNet. He ran the names through the checks, finally sending the results to the printer beside the monitor. He turned as Rico stepped up behind him. "This guy Golding has a rap sheet as long as Burnett's...." Rico caught on at the exact moment Sonny did. "It's a cover."
Rico perched on the desk as the printer spewed out paper. "Hank Golding and Marcia White. We can't pull the files without Castillo."
Sonny shook his head, pulling the print out and tearing it away. There were no clues.
"Let's call it a night, Partner," he finally suggested to Tubbs.
"Sounds like a great idea."
Sonny swiped his jacket from the back of his chair and flung it on. Half on, half off, he stopped. "You don't think... Hank Golding is Henk Clifford?"
Rico stared at Crockett. He eyes said everything. "We'll find out in the morning," he reassured his partner eventually. "Let's just go home."
They got out into the parking lot at the back of 'Gold Coast Shipping Inc.'. Their cars sat side by side against the back wall of the building. They looked at each other as they got closer. It was nearing three in the morning. "We have to get some sleep," Sonny murmured, his eyes meeting Rico's in a longing gaze.
"I know." They stood for a moment longer before Rico pocketed his keys and walked around to the passenger side door of Sonny's Ferrari. Crockett said nothing, he didn't have to; his smile was radiant.

*

They collapsed together naked on Sonny's bed, the rocking of the boat soon relaxing them. Precious little sleep the previous two nights meant that they were both out in minutes, Rico on his side, his arm thrown possessively over Sonny's chest where he lay on his back. Neither heard the quiet footsteps approaching the boat along the boardwalk, nor the muffled thump as the intruder stepped aboard the Scarab moored along side the 'St. Vitus Dance'.

*

Over the fifteen or so years he had worked as a cop, Sonny had gotten more than used to been woken by the infernal ringing of his telephone. The warmth he awoke to afforded him by his partner's body pressed close to his side was a new addition he hoped to also become familiar with. He reached over groggily and picked up the cordless receiver. "Yeah?"
It always seemed like the easiest response when he couldn't remember who he was supposed to be.
"Crockett?"
Sonny was awake immediately. "Lieutenant. Morning."
Castillo must have heard the change in his voice. "No panic, Sonny. Just wanted to stop you coming in. Stan and Sammy are on their way over to you, they need backup for a bust this morning."
"No problem. Could you run some cover names down for us? Hank Golding and Marcia White." Sonny heard some scribbling, then,
"Why?"
"They're the only two guests at Toscara's bash that we can't identify."
"All right, Sonny. Come in after the bust."

Crockett hung up and turned to find himself being admired by an already awake Ricardo. He recognized the expression and wiggled his finger. "Sweitie and Sammy are on their way over." Rico's face fell. "They need backup."
The dark man sighed. "I guess I'd better get the rest of me up." Sonny laughed, reaching down to stroke his partner's morning erection. Rico moaned, pushing into Sonny's hand. Then the heat left him and he opened his eyes to the marvellous sight of Sonny's firm butt leaving the cabin and heading for the shower.

By the time Stan and Sammy stepped aboard, Rico and Sonny were showered, dressed and on deck drinking fresh coffee. It was no big deal; partners often crashed at each others' digs, if they worked late or had to rise early. It was nothing new. Sammy dropped a bag of fresh Danishes on the top of the galley, looking up and down the deck appreciatively. "Nice set up."
Sonny thanked him from where he was fixing them coffee below deck. And then he heard the small scream.
"Shit! Is that... Jeez, Sonny, there's a reptile up here!"

Sonny bit into the warm Danish. "So what's going down this morning?" Stan dug a battered black and white photo from his shirt pocket and handed it to Crockett. Sonny recognized the guy immediately. "Kere Loranza. Excellent."
"Just a preliminary meet at his place on the beach, Lieutenant just wants us to be extra careful. According to homicide, this guys whacked several of his business associates recently."
Sonny frowned at that. "They must have the wrong guy. Loranza's clean when it comes to floating bodies. I couldn't name one murder we've even considered linking to him."
Stan shrugged. "Not our call. 'Sides, all you have to do is sit out in the bay and keep an eye on us. Shouldn't take more than two minutes anyway."

Rico could feel the uncertainty expressed so clearly on his partner's face. Sonny obviously wasn't happy about the situation, but Tubbs couldn't work out why. If homicide was wrong, and Loranza was safe, surely this was just a quiet morning in the sun?

Stan and Sammy took off half an hour later, and ten minutes after they had left, Sonny and Rico jumped down into the Scarab, untying the mooring lines. Sonny keyed the engine and Rico sat back to enjoy the surf. Sonny was as confident a sailor and speedboat pilot as he was a driver, yet Rico still found himself clinging to the side with white knuckles. After eight years in Miami he still couldn't get used to the speed to which Sonny cranked the Scarab. Before they'd left the boat, Rico had questioned Sonny about his suspicions, and Crockett had shrugged them off, agreeing with Tubbs that homicide had probably just made a mistake. Yet still the Southerner was on edge as they headed out to a spot some way from Loranza's back yard, within view of the surveillance equipment on board.

Right on time, Loranza stepped out onto his patio as Stan and Sammy were lead around the side of the house into the garden. They all shook hands, everything looking normal and usual. The henchmen were toting weapons and they looked far from nervous. It was all smiles. Everything was cool.

Out on the Scarab, in the quiet of the ocean, Sonny handed the binoculars to Rico. As their fingers touched on the cool plastic, they both heard a sound; a click, like the cocking of a pistol, or the triggering of a bomb. Sonny's eyes widened and he screamed, "JUMP!" in the same moment that the world around them shattered into a canvas of yellow and red. A fireball enveloped the Scarab, devouring it in a second.

******