Andy walked into the room and found himself pleasantly surprised. Colby was still deathly pale, but his eyes were open and his breathing seemed steady.

“Hey, Granger,” he said softly, and Colby’s eyes snapped to his.

“Hey, Callahan,” his ex-boyfriend replied.

They just looked at each other, neither knowing how to break the silence, before Andy spoke. “You never changed your emergency contact.”

Colby shrugged. “Never saw a reason to,” he said.

“What about- her?” Andy asked. “That girl you left me for?”

Colby blushed, heat creeping over his jaw and up his cheeks. “She… doesn’t exist.”

Andy’s jaw dropped. “You told me you found someone else!”

Colby shook his head. “There is no one else, Andy. There never was.”

Andy felt anger rise within him, hot and quick. “Then what the hell was that Dear John letter about?” he demanded.

Colby looked away. “It was to protect you,” he said. “I didn’t want you mixed in with that crap. Same reason I didn’t talk about you or any of the others to my team. I didn’t want to bring any of you down with me. And what you didn’t know, you couldn’t lie about.”

It made sense, in a weird Colby-esque way. Still, that didn’t mean that Andy was going to let him get away with it. “Colby, you damned idiot. You dumped me to keep me safe?”

Colby shrugged. “Better alive and hating me than dead because of me.”

“Don’t you think that should have been my choice, Granger?” Andy asked.

Colby looked at his hands. “Dwayne came to me because his previous contact had been murdered by the Chinese. They killed his entire family, even his two-year old son. I couldn’t take that risk, Andy.”

Andy nodded. He couldn’t fault Colby when he would have done the same thing If their circumstances were reversed, but there was still that voice inside his head, the seductive call of the darkness that always lurked inside him, a voice that had grown louder in Colby’s absence. “Colby… you don’t know what that letter did to me, don’t know... Jesus, Granger, there were days I was this close to eating my fucking rifle.”

“There wasn’t a damn day I didn’t regret doing that, didn’t want to call you up and tell you everything.” Green eyes looked up at him, bright with tears and begging forgiveness. “I never wanted this assignment, Andy. NSA threatened to out you- out us both- if I didn’t co-operate.”

“Shit,” Andy said.

Colby continued, “I know that I hurt you and that I fucked up any ghost of a chance that we might have had, but I’d like to try and make it up to you. Please.”

Andy leaned down, then hesitated, knowing the drugs would have put Colby’s senses out of whack and not wanting to hurt him. Colby made an impatient sound in the back of his throat, curling a hand around Andy’s neck and pulling him down so their lips met.

Andy kissed him, gentle at first, then more heated as Colby responded. It felt like no time had passed since their last kiss, Andy falling into that familiar heat, his hands cupping Colby’s face, Colby’s fingers running through his shorn hair.

When they finally broke apart, Andy said, “I have one condition, though.”

“Name it,” Colby replied.

“Next time something like this comes up, you tell me. None of this bullshit about dumping me for my own safety. Whatever happens, we face it together.”

“Yes sir,” Colby said, salute sharp despite his exhaustion, and then his features softened. “I promise, Andy.”

“Good,” Andy said. “Because you ever do a damn fool thing like this again, pretty boy, and I just might have to kill you myself.”

********

“Hey, Granger,” Andy said, sticking his head into Colby’s room a week later. “Got a surprise for you.”

Colby’s eyes lit up at that. “You’re here to get me out of this place?”

“Not quite yet, not until the paperwork fairies are done with you.” Andy laughed at Colby’s not-quite-a-pout. “But I do have something I think you’ll enjoy.”

He tossed a paper bag at Colby, who caught it easily. “Stopped by your place and got you some civvies. Didn’t think you’d want to give the good people of LA a show…”

Colby’s smile could have put the sun to shame.

He rose, still not moving as easily as Andy would like, and disappeared behind the screen to change.

Andy considered asking if he needed help, but then decided that Colby’s pride had taken enough of a beating for now. He’d save the mother henning for when they got to Colby’s apartment.

Colby walked out a few minutes later, and even with the weight loss and the haggard look in his eyes, he looked absolutely edible in the tan slacks and navy button-down shirt Andy had chosen for him. So much so that Andy couldn’t resist leaning in and giving him a quick kiss that quickly turned heated.

Which, of course, had to be the moment Don Eppes walked into the room.

He and Colby sprang apart, but too late- Eppes would most definitely have seen them mid-liplock.

“Wha- oh, sorry, didn’t realize- um, I’ll be right back,” he stammered, and Andy had to admit, it was kind of cute to see the imposing FBI agent of the past few days so thoroughly at a loss.

“It’s fine, Don,” Colby said, but Andy could see past the easy smile to the strained look in his eyes. For all intents and purposes, Andy realized, this was another secret that he must have kept from his team.

Eppes nodded, looking sort of relieved. “So- you two?” he asked, gesturing between Colby and Andy.

Colby shrugged an affirmative. “It’s a long story and kinda complicated, but yeah. I would have told you guys, Don, except- not just my secret to tell, you know?”

He tensed, as if waiting for anger, disapproval, something, and Andy resisted the urge to take his hand.

Eppes smiled. “So… I take it that this means I can tell Dad not to bother setting a place for you at dinner tonight, Andy? Of course, considering the way Granger cooks, you might be better off at the Craftsman anyway…”

Colby and Andy laughed, Eppes joining them, the tension of the moment dissipating.

“Thanks, Don, but I’ll take my chances.” Andy bumped shoulders with Colby. “Someone has to keep this guy from killing himself…”

“So the scaring-the-crap-out-of-my-people-with-crazy-stunts routine isn’t a new thing then?” Eppes asked, over Colby’s indignant protests.

Andy grinned. “No, sir,” he said. “When he left, I don’t know if Colonel Moore- our CO- was more annoyed about losing him or grateful about not getting any more grey hairs.”

Eppes chuckled, but then his face turned serious. “I know you two will want to keep things under the radar,” he said, “so don’t worry about it, the team’s not going to hear anything from me. Oh, and Colby, I also stopped by to give you these.” Don held out a badge and ID folder to a stunned-looking Colby. “Your gun’s waiting for you at work- and don’t you dare try coming back in less than two weeks- but Wright wanted me to hand these over now.”

“I- thanks, Don,” Colby said, taking the offered items. “Are you sure-”

“Colby.” Eppes’ voice was firm. “Don’t make any decisions now, OK? Get some rest, have fun with your partner, relax. You’ve earned it. The job… things will take care of themselves.”

Colby nodded. “Thanks, Don. Just… thanks.”

Eppes smiled, and Andy got the feeling he knew that Colby wasn’t just thanking him for the reassurance. “You’re welcome, Colb. Anyway, I should get going, guys. Got a court appearance and Robin’ll skin me alive if I don’t show after all the trouble she went through to get that warrant.”

“Good luck, Don,” Andy said. “And thank you, as well.”

Eppes waved a hand in acknowledgement as he walked out of the room, leaving Colby and Andy alone with each other once again.

“Well, that was a close one,” Colby finally said, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. Soon, he was laughing full-out as some of the tension he’d been carrying finally found release.

Andy waited until his partner’s mirth had faded before asking, “Ready to get out of here, Granger?”

“You have no idea,” Colby replied. “I spend another day in this place I might just shoot myself to put me out of my misery… no offence, Nurse Johnson,” he added hastily to the pretty nurse who’d just walked in. Ariel Johnson had landed the task of keeping Colby in line over the past few days, and based on previous experience, Andy didn’t envy her one bit.

“None taken, Agent Granger,” she replied, smiling as she handed him a bunch of papers. “Just sign these while your friend gets you a wheelchair, and then you can be on your merry way.”

“A wheelchair?” Colby squawked. “I’m not an invalid.”

“Sorry, Agent Granger, that’s standard procedure.” At Colby’s mutinous look, she said, “Help me out here, Master Sergeant!”

“Well, Colby,” Andy drawled, a wicked grin on his face. “Seems to me like you have two options. Either you can come in the wheelchair like a good little boy, or I can toss you over my shoulder and carry you through the hallways caveman style.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll take the damn chair,” Colby grumbled. You are so going on the couch for that, his expression warned Andy, who laughed and went to fetch the wheelchair.

By the time he got back, Colby was done with a good chunk of the papers. “You know, I’m sure I didn’t have quite this many forms to fill when I was in the Army…” he groused.

“Nope, you had more, and I know because you’d con me into helping,” Andy told him.

Once Colby was done signing the papers, he handed the stack to Nurse Johnson. “Here you go.”

She flicked through them. “Well, everything seems to be in order,” she said. “You’re free to leave, Agent Granger, and despite the number of nurses who’ve been clamouring for ICU duty this week, I don’t want to see you here anytime soon, got it?”

Colby blushed, but he grinned at her and saluted anyway. “Yes, ma’am!”

“Oh, be off with you,” Nurse Johnson said, but her voice was fond.

Andy made sure that Colby was well settled in the chair before making the five-minute walk to where Colby’s Charger was waiting- Agent Eppes had given him the keys the previous evening. Even that much seemed to exhaust Colby, and he dozed off during the drive.

Andy pulled into Colby’s parking space before reaching over to shake his lover awake, suddenly reminded of another vacation an eternity ago. “Hey, sleeping beauty, wake up. We’re here.”

Colby’s eyes snapped open and he blinked. “This is my apartment,” he said, although he didn’t sound too sure of that. “Um, Andy, hate to break it to you, but it’s probably still a crime scene.”

Andy chuckled. “Not quite, pretty boy.” He helped Colby out of the car and to the elevator, ignoring his boyfriend’s protests that he was fine.

Colby peppered him with questions all the way up to his floor and down the corridor, but Andy only smiled. Slipping the key into the lock, he threw the door open, wishing he had a camera to capture Colby’s face when he finally got a good look at his apartment.

Instead of yellow crime scene tapes and fingerprint powder everywhere, Colby’s place was pristine, as neat as it always was. There were his DVDs, arranged in the weird colour-coded sequence that he loved and that drove Andy crazy, his high school and college sports trophies in the glass display case by the window, the throw his Gram had made for him draped over the back of his sofa.

Colby walked around, a look of wonder on his face. “You did all this?” he asked.

Andy nodded. “I wasn’t the only one, though. Don, Charlie, Amita, and Megan all showed up to help. Mr. Eppes even sent across some casseroles so we wouldn’t have to cook for a couple days.”

“Wow. I- thanks doesn’t seem like enough.”

“It was no trouble, Colby. Hell, I needed something to do while you got your butt back in gear else I’d have gone crazy,” Andy said.

“Still, thanks.”

“Any time, pretty boy. Now how about you get yourself comfortable and we order in something that isn’t soylent green pudding?” Andy asked, leading Colby over to the couch.

Colby sat, then pulled Andy down next to him. “Later,” he said. “First, I wanna do something I’ve been wanting to do all day.”

He pulled Andy into a kiss, one arm around his waist, the other curling around his neck. It was dark and hungry and desperate, Colby devouring his mouth while his hands slipped under his shirt.

“God, Andy, want you so much,” Colby gasped.

Andy stiffened, even as his cock perked up at the idea. “The doctors…”

“Didn’t say no. Andy, please.”

“Why do I feel like we’ve had this conversation before?” Andy asked.

“Because we have, and it’s as true now as it was then. I need you, Andy. Please, love.”

“OK,” Andy said finally. “But only if you promise not to strain yourself.”

“Promise, Andy,” Colby said, pulling him up and off the couch and toward the bedroom, stopping along the way for more probing kisses, clothes tossed haphazardly on the floor as they went. By the time he pulled Andy down on to the bed, they were both naked.

Andy propped himself up on one elbow, taking his lover in. There were a few more scars, a few more laugh lines, but Colby was as gorgeous ever, broad shoulders tapering down to defined abs, slim hips, and the nicest pair of legs Andy had ever seen. Not to mention his other assets…

Andy leaned in and kissed Colby, a hand tangling in his hair, enjoying the feel of the silky strands beneath his fingers. Colby bucked up into his touch, evidently eager to move things along.

“Easy, pretty boy,” Andy murmured. “Let me take care of you.”

Colby held Andy’s eyes for a long moment before nodding, his body going soft and pliant, handing himself over to Andy’s care.

Andy smiled, knowing how much it took for Colby to let down his guard, what a gift it was to be with him like this.

He started slow, pulling Colby into a soft, lazy kiss, just exploring his mouth, relearning old contours and mapping out new ones. He followed it up with feather-light kisses to the line of Colby’s jaw before moving down to nip and suck at his throat.

He kissed his way down Colby’s chest, pausing to quickly flick and twist his nipples to hard nubs before moving lower, dipping his tongue into his navel, smiling at the soft gasp that escaped his lover’s lips.

Colby had haunted his dreams, fuelled his fantasies, for over three years, but there was nothing that could be compared to the real thing.

“God, Colby, missed you so much,” Andy whispered. “Dreamed about this, about you, all the time, drove myself crazy remembering what it felt like to touch you, kiss you.” He raised a finger to Colby’s lips, stopping the apology he knew was coming. “It’s all in the past, darlin’. We’re together now.”

“Together,” Colby agreed, canting his hips upwards as Andy’s hand cupped his balls before teasing at the cleft of his ass.

“Lube?” he asked, and Colby gestured to the bedside drawer.

Andy pulled it open, oddly gratified to find lube and sex toys but no condoms. Colby had quite the selection of the former, and Andy filed the information away for a time when his boyfriend hadn’t just come home from the hospital. For the moment, he just snagged a bottle of plain lube and slicked his fingers generously.

He pushed Colby’s leg up to his shoulder, getting him in position, before teasing at his opening, carefully inserting a finger inside, testing how much Colby could take. He groaned at how tight Colby felt as his muscles clenched around his finger, his green eyes wide as he struggled to relax, to give Andy access.

“Easy, love, just relax,” Andy murmured, kissing Colby’s thigh and the side of his knee, “I got you, pretty boy, gonna make you feel so good…” He made sure three fingers were in and moving smoothly before positioning himself and slowly pushing in.

Andy bit his lip to keep from coming right then. God, Colby felt fucking amazing, hot and tight and even better than Andy remembered, his head thrown back and his fists clenching in the sheets.

Andy reached under Colby and pulled him up so he was straddling Andy, their chests bumping against each other, their lips touching. Andy held Colby in place while he rocked into him, deep long strokes but nothing too hard; there would be time for roughness later, for now he simply wanted to give his lover pleasure.

They moved like that, slow and easy, trading soft open-mouthed kisses while they rocked against each other. Eventually, Colby’s thrusts got a little erratic, his grip on Andy’s shoulders a little tighter, and Andy knew his lover was close.

He eased Colby back onto the pillows, careful not to hurt him, before thrusting again, a little harder, a little deeper. Colby evidently liked the new angle, because he rose up to meet Andy’s hips, calling Andy’s name in a voice harsh with desire.

Andy couldn’t believe how good this felt, this simple connection, this spark between their bodies that had only grown stronger after three years apart. Beneath him, Colby moaned, wet warmth splashing between them, and it wasn’t long before Andy came too, a smile in his eyes and his pretty boy’s name on his lips.

********

“Hey, Andy, Italian OK?” Colby asked, pulling Andy closer to him on the couch. They’d managed to get their legs working again and stumble to the bathroom, where they’d shared a shower before collapsing back onto the bed for a nap. Now it was nearly six p.m, and Colby was rifling through take-out menus while Andy looked through his DVD rack.

“Babe, after two months of MREs, I’ll eat anything. Even your cooking.”

Colby stuck his tongue out at Andy before dialing.

“Hello, Giovanni’s? Colby Granger here. Yeah, I’ll take the usual, plus an extra order of garlic bread. Half an hour? Thanks, you’re the best.”

When the food arrived, Colby dug in, but Andy only picked at it.

Colby frowned and set down his fork. “What’s wrong, love?”

Andy shrugged. “Nothing.”

Colby snorted. “Yeah, which is why you’re eating like a hummingbird on a diet. Spill it, man.”

Andy pushed his pasta around his plate for a little while before asking, “Do you usually order for two people?”

Colby shrugged. “David and I end up ordering from Gio’s practically every week, so I guess I’m used to it. Plus their spaghetti carbonara is out of this world.”

“David, huh?” Andy couldn’t help the edge in his voice. He knew too well the look in the other man’s eyes when he thought no-one could see him; it was how Andy thought he must look at Colby.

Colby frowned in confusion before the realization him him. “What, no, that’s crazy,” he said. “David is my best friend here, but that’s it. And God knows if he’s even that after this whole mess.”

“He cares about you, why the hell do you think he flipped like that? Not to mention that he’s cute and single,” Andy pointed out. “And... you wouldn’t have to hide, with him.”

Colby looked at him for a second before bursting into laughter. “Andy, David is as straight as they come. And even if he wasn’t, I’m already in love with someone else.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes really,” Colby said, setting down his fork and pulling his lover into a fierce kiss. “He’s a bit of a clueless possessive jackass, but he’s brave and funny and sexy and I’m crazy about him. ”

“Lucky guy,” Andy said.

“Not half as lucky as I am,” Colby said, pulling him into another kiss, and then another, and another.

The pasta was cold by the time they got back to it, but neither of them cared.

*****

Andy blinked, wondering what had woken him. He rolled over, intending to go back to sleep, but he froze when he caught sight of Colby. His boyfriend was curled in on himself, soft whimpers escaping his lips, his face twisted in fear and pain.

Shit. He must be having flashbacks.

Andy scooted closer to Colby, thankful that the Army had taught him to move silently.

“Hey, Colby, it’s OK, babe, you’re fine, darlin’, I got you,” he murmured into Colby’s ear. “Shhh, love, it’s all right, pretty boy, it’s just a dream, I got you, you’re safe, it’s just a dream, darlin’, shh...”

Colby stirred again, and this time Andy could make out words in between the whimpers and strangled sobs. “Andy... no, no... please, Andy.... m’sorry... don’t leave me...”

Fuck. “Hey, no, no, darlin’, I’m right here, promise, I’m not going anywhere, Colby, I’m right here, babe.”

It seemed to work, since Colby uncurled himself slightly, enough for Andy to pull him into his arms, pillowing Colby’s head on his chest. He ran his hands through Colby’s hair, murmuring soothing nonsense until his lover slipped back into tranquility.

Andy pressed a kiss to Colby’s temple, his heart quietly breaking. All this while, he’d been calling Colby five kinds of a bastard for leaving him, when in actuality Colby had only been trying to keep him safe while he risked everything for their country. Over two years, completely alone, no-one he could trust. No one to touch and kiss and joke with, no one to shake him awake from nightmares and just hold him after.

“I’ll never leave you, pretty boy,” Andy swore softly, punctuating the oath with a kiss to Colby’s temple. As if Colby had heard him, he quieted further, burrowing deeper into Andy’s arms.

Andy smiled and followed his lover into sleep.

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

Andy kissed Colby again, knowing that he really should get his ass in gear, but not wanting to leave all the same. The taxi would be here in less than five minutes, and with LA traffic being what it was, he didn’t want to take chances on how long the ride to the airport would take.

“Wish you could stay, babe,” Colby murmured.

“I know,” Andy sighed. “But Moore’s already been generous about the amount of leave time. I’d rather not get on his bad side, you know?”

“Moore’s a good guy,” Colby agreed. “Give him my regards, will you?”

“You sure you don’t want to come back, pretty boy?” Andy asked. “Delta would be glad to have you.”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Colby said. “I know we also talked about me taking the DC job, but I want to stay here, try to make things right with my team.”

“Whatever you want,” Andy replied. “You know I got your back.”

“I know,” Colby said, kissing him again.

Andy glanced at the clock. “I should leave,” he said. “If I stay here much longer I’ll never go.”

“Wait, before you do…” Colby said, disentangling himself from their embrace. “I got you something.”

“Aww, Granger, you shouldn’t have,” Andy said.

Colby walked over to his desk and pulled out a small gift-wrapped box, which he handed to Andy. “I know we can’t be obvious, but I wanted you to have something from me.”

“Can I open it here, or do you want me to wait?” Andy asked.

“Here.”

Andy ripped open the packaging. Inside was a gorgeous men’s watch, solid steel with a black face and Roman numerals around the edge. “Wow,” he said. “It’s amazing. Thank you, Colby.”

“It’s got two dials, the smaller one is set to LA time.” Colby smiled at him a little nervously. “Turn it around.”

Andy did. “Doubt thou the stars are fire,” he read off the back. “Isn’t that Shakespeare?”

Colby nodded. “Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2. Hamlet says to Ophelia, ‘Doubt thou the stars are fire, doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar, but never doubt I love.’” His hands closed around Andy’s. “I never want you to doubt, not even for a single second, that I love you.”

Andy blinked, a sudden wetness in his eyes. “Colby, I… thank you. I love you too, babe. So much.” He hesitated a second, then said. “Put it on for me?”

Colby undid his battered old watch and slipped the new one on with hands that shook just a little, and if the scene reminded Andy of a man slipping an engagement ring on his girl he didn’t acknowledge it. “Thank you,” he said once Colby was done.

They kissed again, hard and hungry, trying to imprint the press of lips, the taste of skin, on memory, a talisman against months of loneliness.

“God, I don’t know if I can do this,” Andy said.

“You know,” Colby said, “My Mom and Dad only met for like the second time after they got engaged. Their entire romance was through letters. Maybe there’s something we can learn from that.”

“There are some things you can’t say in letters, pretty boy,” Andy said.

“I know, but I really want to try, Andy.”

Andy raised their joined hands to his lips. “So do I. Now I better run before I decide to say fuck it and just stay here with you.”

Colby chuckled, but his voice was rough. “See ya, Callahan. Try not to get shot out there, will you?”

Andy kissed him one final time. “Back at you, Granger.”

Then he shouldered his bags and walked out of the apartment without looking back.

**********

Andy hit ‘Send’ on his latest email to Colby before leaning back and stretching, a little exhausted from the effort of putting a week’s worth of thoughts down.

He and Colby had been writing and emailing each other regularly for over two years now. At first, the messages had been short, just quick snippets from their busy lives, but eventually they’d become longer, deeper, as Colby and Andy had rediscovered each other through pen and ink and pixels.

Those later missives had probably saved their relationship.

Andy’s pretty soldier boy had changed when he wasn’t looking. Three years as a civilian and a spy had worn some of the rough edges off Colby even as they’d deepened the cracks in his psyche. He was still the same brave, honourable, kind man he’d always been; it was just that now there was a weariness to him, his world coloured in shades of grey rather than black and white.

In his letters, Colby told Andy about growing up the older of two children on a farm in Idaho, about long days working the land and lazy weekends on the end of a fishing pole. He told him about being the good son, the popular kid, the high school football star, always surrounded by people but feeling terribly alone. He told him about the shock of losing his father, about the lingering pain of not knowing whether James Granger had taken his own life.

He told him about Dwayne Carter, about the cornfed kid who’d attached himself to Colby the first day of Ranger school, the same kid who’d held him up and pushed him through some of the worst days of his life. He told Andy about the Humvee, about knowing that death was coming; of waking up in a hospital to his mother’s and sister’s joyous tears, of the debt that had begun years of treachery and lies. He told Andy about having to lie to everyone he cared about, of shattering the trust he’d worked so hard to build, and then working to mend the wounds he’d inflicted, on himself and others. He told him about the glances that still lingered, the rumours that still abounded, the demons that never quite stopped whispering their sweet poison into his ear, the same demons Andy battled every day.

For his part, Andy told Colby about spending the better part of his childhood in foster care, about never really finding anyone who was in his corner until Mike Lewis, a Vietnam vet who’d taught Andy history and much else besides, and his wife CC, Andy’s art teacher, had seen something more in the lost, angry young man he’d been. He told him about working two jobs after school so he could afford to volunteer in a soup kitchen over the Christmas holidays, finding more comfort and strength in the simple display of human kindness than he ever did in church or Sunday school. He told him about the pride in Mike’s and CC’s eyes when Andy graduated with honours, the warm hugs they’d given him when Andy showed up at his old school in Army green.

Eventually, he also told him about the toll six years of fighting a war he didn’t truly believe in was taking on him, of the heartbreak of seeing friends, brothers, fall, whether in battle or against the demons that haunted every man and woman who put on a uniform and took up a gun, the fear that he, too, would go down in flames, dishonouring himself and everything he believed in.

It wasn’t perfect. They still missed things, still held them back, still never quite managed to fill the gaping void left by the other’s absence.

But, Andy mused as he cleared away his things and prepared to go to bed, at least they were trying.

And that was what mattered.

********

His phone rang as Andy and the rest of Delta Three made their way out of the mess hall, the Travis Tritt ringtone announcing that the call was from Colby.

Andy flipped it open. “Callahan.”

“Hey, Andy,” Colby said. “Got a minute?”

“For you? Always.” Andy replied, smiling. God, it felt good to hear his boyfriend’s voice.

“Good. Where are you?” Colby asked.

“On my way out of the chow hall, why?” Andy asked.

“Go to the rec room and turn on CNN. There’s something you ought to see.”

“Yeah? What?” Andy asked, turning into the corridor where the main rec room was located, waving to his teammates to follow him.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Andy could practically hear the smile in Colby’s voice.

“Bastard.”

“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”

Any response Andy might have had was cut off as he finally caught sight of one of the TV screens in the rec hall.

“This morning, President Obama signed into law the Military Readiness Act, which allows gay, bisexual and lesbian individuals to serve openly in all branches of the US armed forces. This Act, which comes into force immediately, represents a turning point…”

The announcer droned on, but Andy didn’t hear her. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to process what he was hearing.

DADT was gone.

It was over.

He and Colby didn’t have to hide any more.

“Andy?” Colby sounded worried, and Andy realized that his lover had been calling his name for some time now.

“Sorry,” he said, moving to a corner of the room so they could have a bit of privacy. “It’s a lot to take in.”

“I know,” Colby said, sounding as stunned as Andy felt. “I never thought… they said he’d do it, but I never thought he’d have the balls.”

Andy chuckled. “This is one time I’m glad you’re on the losing end of a bet, Green Eyes.”

“You and me both,” Colby replied. “Andy… how out do you want to be, babe? It’s one thing to be open in L.A., but you’re on base in the middle of a war zone…”

“Hey,” Andy said sharply. “The only reason I kept it under wraps was that damn rule. The only thing that matters is you and me, Granger. Anyway, you know that at least our guys have my back if it comes down to it. Moore, too, in his way.”

“Yeah, I know,” Colby replied. “But a guy’s allowed to be worried about the man he loves, doesn’t he?”

“Absolutely,” Andy said. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Lucas waving him over. “Hey, Colby, I hate to cut this short, but the guys need me for something.”

“No problem,” Colby replied. “Hey- keep tonight free, will you? I think we deserve some quality time together after this. Be sure to warn Gibran, I’d rather not get another lecture…”

“You got it,” Andy said, laughing. “See you around, Granger.”

“See you around, Callahan.” Then, softer, “Love you.”

Andy closed his eyes, luxuriating in the words he’d waited so long to hear openly. “Love you back, pretty boy,” he said, feeling Colby’s smile over the connection before he hung up.

He walked over to his team, who were standing together watching the announcement along with a bunch of other Delta guys. They’d switched from the talking heads of earlier with a more panel-type discussion, with people from all over the place.

Khaled, who’d taken a detour to the snack bar, intercepted Andy en route. “Congratulations,” he said softly.

“Thanks,” Andy whispered back. “Still not sure it’s all a dream, though…”

“Oh, it’s real, Trip,” Khaled said, smiling. “Listen- the guys just wanted me to tell you that whatever you decide, we’ve got your back. Don’t sweat the bigots, they’ll get theirs eventually.”

Andy smiled, once again wondering what he’d done to rate men like these as team-mates, as brothers. “Thanks, man. I think… I think we’ll go easy for now. Those who matter all know, anyway. Oh, by the way, Colby says hi and that you might want to stop by the PX and pick up some earmuffs if you don’t want to be mortally embarrassed tonight.”

********

Andy fired up his laptop, knowing Colby was likely already waiting on the other side.

“Hey, pretty boy,” he said, once the connection went through. It wasn’t good enough for video, but even Colby’s voice was more than he had most days, so Andy wasn’t complaining.

“Hey yourself,” Colby said. “Any trouble with the guys?”

Andy shook his head before realizing that Colby couldn’t see him. “Nah. The team’s cool, haven’t really told anyone else. Stewart tried to start some general shit about the gay thing but he got shut down by Brooks, of all people.” It was common knowledge that neither Andy nor Colin Brooks could stand each other.

“Wow,” Colby said. “Just when you think you know someone, huh?”

“Yeah,” Andy said. “But I’m guessing you didn’t call to ask after the relative open-mindedness of my teammates.”

“You guessed right,” Colby replied. “You alone in the room, Callahan?”

“Yeah,” Andy said.

“Good,” Colby said. “Lock the door, and come back to the bed. Shirt off.”

Andy bit back a moan at Colby’s tone. It was his command voice with a little bit of a bedroom purr to it- rich, low, and utterly fucking sexy.

Slipping the Bluetooth headset into his ear, he padded to the door and double-checked the lock before walking back, pulling his BDU shirt over his head as he did so.

“Done,” he said once he was back on the bed. “What next, pretty boy?”

“I wish I could be there with you,” Colby said. “I’d pin you to the bed, hands against the headboard, kiss that spot on your throat that drives you absolutely crazy,” Andy moaned, imagining Colby’s lips ghosting against his neck, “and then I’d bite down, hard enough to bruise, leave my mark on you, and then do it again. I’d mark you so thoroughly that come tomorrow there ain’t gonna be a soul in Delta that doesn’t know you’re mine.”

Andy gasped, hips bucking up at the thought of bruises livid against his throat, of visible reminders of him and Colby, on display for all the world to see.

“And then what would you do?” he asked shakily.

“I’d move a little lower. Kiss your nipples, see if they’re as sensitive as I remember.” Colby chuckled. “Getting you all hot and bothered, aren’t I, Callahan? Touch yourself for me, baby.”

Andy’s hands moved to his nipples, flicking and twisting the sensitive nubs as he did so, his soft moans echoing through the connection. “I wonder if I could get you to come just from playing with your nipples. We’ll have to try that next time you’re here,” Colby mused. “For now, though, I’d tongue them until you’re begging me for more, begging me to just hurry up and fuck you.”

“Oh, God,” Andy moaned. “Not…fucking helping, Granger.”

“Take off your pants, Andy. Briefs, too. I want you naked for me, babe.”

Andy pulled down his pants and briefs with shaking hands, tossing them to a corner of the room. He’d deal with them later.

“You hard for me, Callahan?” Colby asked.

“God, yes,” Andy said.

“Got lube on you?” Colby asked, and Andy rooted around in his bedside drawer. Luckily, he’d made a stop by the PX just last night.

“Got it,” he said, fishing out the small tube.

“Good boy,” Colby said. “Slick yourself up, babe, and stretch that pretty ass of yours. Nice and slow, I want to hear you moan for me.”

Andy made a vague noise of assent, spilling a little lube on the bed in his haste. Once he was done slicking his fingers, he traced them around his opening before pushing one in.

He generally didn’t bother with ass play when he was getting himself off, usually too exhausted for anything but a quick handjob. Now, though, he took his time, slowly easing his finger in, small moans and choked-off curses leaving his throat, putting on a show for Colby.

“How many fingers, Andy?” Colby asked, and Andy was pleased to hear the roughness in his voice.

“One,” Andy responded.

“Make it two,” Colby responded. “I want you to fuck yourself on your fingers, imagine that’s me next to you, me driving you crazy with my hands.”

Andy complied, inserting a second finger and getting himself comfortable on it before he started to thrust in earnest, stars dancing before his eyes when he brushed against his prostrate.

“Nnngh,” he gasped. “Not gonna last, pretty boy. Wanna come so bad.”

“Not until I say so, Master Sergeant.” And there it was again, that hint of power coiled in Colby’s voice that nearly sent Andy over the edge right there. He grit his teeth against the orgasm rising from deep within. He would follow orders, dammit. “Yes, sir.”

“Another finger, Callahan,” Colby said, and Andy moaned. He could easily take three, but with the additional stimulation the need to come would be much more pressing. He added some more lube to the slick on his fingers and pressed a third in, a ragged “Colby,” escaping his lips.

“Yeah, that’s it, babe, take it,” Colby said. “Fuck, Andy, look at you, fucking yourself on your fingers, little slut. I bet you could take another, take my cock as well, couldn’t you? I’m gonna try that one day, babe, fuck you with my fingers while I’m balls deep inside you.”

Andy moaned. “Colby…”

“You forgot the magic word, Andy.”

“God, Colby…”

“Wrong word, Master Sergeant.”

And that did it, because Andy started babbling. “Fuck, sir, please, sir.”

“Please what, Callahan?”

“Please let me come, sir.” Andy gasped out.

“Good boy,” Colby said. “Come for me, Andy.”

Andy couldn’t have disobeyed the order if he tried. He came with a cry, barely remembering to muffle it with his fist before he was falling, falling, the universe going white-hot around him, his world spinning out of control and slamming back onto its axis all at once.

When he came back to, it was to a feeling of tired bliss.

“You all right, babe?” Colby asked, all gentle words and soft tones now the moment had passed.

“Never better,” Andy returned, smiling. “Love you, Granger.”

“Love you back, Callahan.”

The words sent a sharp spike of happiness through Andy, one that lasted through his goodbyes to Colby and up until he dropped off to sleep, enveloped in a cocoon of warmth and love.

That night, his dreams were good ones.

********