"It could have been worse."

"How?" Birkoff struggled to keep up with Declan’s longer strides.

"He could have been named Cha-Cha-Cha," Declan said with a surprisingly straight face. Birkoff burst out laughing and nearly dropped the bags he was carrying.

Declan winked at his lover and helped him re-arrange the baggage he was burdened with. Birkoff peered over the tops of the suitcases at Declan, his dark eyes dancing. "I still think his real name must be Fred. I mean, how come he won’t tell us what it is?"

"Maybe it’s worse than Fred?" Declan laughed.

Birkoff sighed. "Seymour is worse than Fred." Declan’s eyes darkened. "I wasn’t talking about you, love." There was a short pause, as if Declan were thinking. "But you’re right. It is."

Birkoff would have punched Declan, but his arms were full. Instead, he stuck out his tongue at him. Declan glanced both ways before putting his bags down between his feet. The airport gave him the heebie-jeebies as far as security went. Leaning against Birkoff, he whispered into his ear, "That’s why I gave you your new name, Kieran. Don’t forget, baby." His soft lips caressed Birkoff’s earlobe, where a shiny new emerald stud was secured.

Birkoff smiled at his lover. "Y’know, the emerald doesn’t clash with your hair, the way you thought it would, Declan."

Declan fingered his earlobe, where the mate to Sey’s stud was fastened. "It wouldn’t dare. It knows how much I love it cause you picked them out, Sey."

"Well, if I waited for you to make up your mind, we wouldn’t be here now."

"Where’s James?" Declan asked impatiently.

Birkoff gave his lover a considering look, which was about all he could master, given the combined weight of the bags. "Where do you think?"

"I laid down the ground rules with him, Sey."

"You did?" Declan’s earnest tone took Sey by surprise. He was dead serious.

"Aye. I told him, we’ve got our kids with us, I won’t stand for any nonsense between him and this...kid."

Birkoff raised an eyebrow. "He’s only a few years younger than us, Dec."

Declan gave Sey a cryptic look. "Age is the least of it. I told him he should wait till he knows more about this...dancer...before he sleeps with him, but you know that fell upon deaf ears."

Birkoff shrugged carelessly, almost dislodging his bags again. "He’s in love."

"In lust, you mean."

Sey’s chocolate-brown eyes traveled all over Declan’s body and back up again to his face. "Just because you kept your hands off me for an impossibly long time doesn’t mean everyone has your...control."

"This has nothing to do with us, Sey, and everything to do with James."

Sey looked mildly startled for a moment, as if he’d only just realized something. "You really like him, don’t you?"

"Well, of course, I like him, Sey, we’re bringing him to the islands with us, for Christ’s sake."

"I mean, you’re protecting him, Dec. Like he was family," Sey clarified.

"Well, he is. Isn’t he?" Declan glanced at his watch, both relieved and grateful to see the kids approaching at last.

Declan looked at the growing size of their entourage and blinked. "Bloody hell, we look like the freaking Von Trapp Family. I swear, if you start singing ‘The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music’, I’m going to stay home."

"Emmy didn’t want to leave Chris behind, Dec," Sey offered by way of explanation.

"And Sasha didn’t want to leave Skye, Sey," Declan snapped. "Y’know, we should have left them all home, and we could have had a nice, long, romantic adventure. Just the two of us."

"Aw...where would be the fun in that, Dec?" Birkoff flashed Declan a winning smile, hoping to lure him out of his apparent funk.

"I’m surprised Michael let us take Skye and Chris," said Declan, as the subjects of their discussion drew near.

"I’m not. He trusts us. Well, you, anyway. I couldn’t protect my way out of a paper bag," Sey snorted self-deprecatingly.

"You protected me, Sey," Declan said, his expression sober. "I wouldn’t be here if you’d just stood there and let that man kill me. We both know that."

"Yeah, well..." It was still an uncomfortable subject for Sey, but he was beginning to process it, with Declan’s help.

Sasha grinned at his fathers. "Hey, Da! Hi, Dad!"

"Aren’t you the cheerful one now, kiddo?" Declan commented. "I’m depending on you to keep a sharp eye out for Skye. Can you do that?’

"Sure, Da," Sasha agreed, his dark hair bouncing off his shoulders. He grasped Skye’s hand in his and instructed her, quite seriously, "Now don’t let go, no matter what, Skye. Okay?" Skye, her blue eyes wider than he’d ever seen before, nodded. She had never been in an airport before. There was so much going on, so much to look at. All at once.

Declan picked up his daughter and held her. "Emmy, are you excited, sweetie?" he asked softly.

She giggled nervously and looked at Chris. Chris gave Emmy an imperceptible nod, and Emmy smiled, turning to answer her father. "Yes, Da. I was a little scared, but...I feel better now that Chris is coming with us."

He could see that. It did make a definite difference in the little girl’s demeanor. Of course, it worried him to think how much worse her reaction might be in the fall. When Chris went to school. But they would cross that bridge when they came to it.

James made his way wearily across the expansive passenger lounge. He was dragging an oversized bag, while his newfound friend, Smoke, slung a carryall over his shoulder. When Smoke stopped directly in front of Declan, Declan almost blurted out the first words that came to mind. But he had the presence of mind not to. Unfortunately, Sey demonstrated once more that he didn’t share Declan’s control.

"Shit! You must be the freaking King of Fringe!" Sey blurted out.

The erstwhile dancer slouched against James, the fringe of his brown suede jacket dangling provocatively over James’ arm. "Allo, ev’ryone," he said softly, managing to ignore Sey.

Sey put his bags down and knelt on the floor, ostensibly to re-adjust something. Declan’s face came into his field of vision with a low, barely audible whisper. "I told Sasha to stay away from him, Sey. Just in case."

Sey smiled and pretended to re-tie his athletic shoes. "Thanks."

"Are we ready?" Declan smiled brightly at the group.

Sey clenched his teeth. "As ready as we’re going to get."

Declan sidled up to James, somehow extricating him from his companion’s grip. "Listen," Declan said, "what you do is your own business. But where you do it is mine. If you want to raise holy hell on this trip, just do me a favor. Keep it away from the kids...and don’t do anything outside your room that you wouldn’t want Michael to see."

Declan thought he knew James. He was a good man, but he was young. He had a feeling James was letting his feelings lead him again, but that wasn’t for him to say. But he knew that no matter what, that last admonition would be heeded. Cause James was more afraid of inspiring Michael’s wrath than anyone else’s.

After Declan moved away, Smoke walked over to James, his light eyes curiously sad. "’e doesn’t like me."

A touching smile curved James’ mouth. "He doesn’t know you."

"Will we be together soon, Jamie?" he asked huskily.

"Soon," James nodded.

Smoke’s eyes warmed themselves on James’ handsome face. "I’d like the chance to make you ‘appy, Jamie. You ‘aven’t been ‘appy much, I think."

James sighed. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who likes you as much as I do. You need a little taking care of, I think. I can do that."

James saw the others beginning to move towards the gate and glanced quickly in Declan’s direction. Did kisses count? He touched Smoke’s cheek, and Smoke leaned against his hand, closing his eyes slowly. Casting caution aside, James kissed him.

It was the tiniest of caresses. But it made them both aware of how things were changing between them. Things were not always what they seemed. James had taken that lesson to heart, straight from Declan’s lips to his ear.

Declan turned and saw the soft smile on James’ face. He looked at his companion and saw the same smile there. For the first time, Declan started to relax slightly.

Things were *not* always what they seemed.

Declan fell asleep on the plane. Almost immediately. It was a long flight, and he’d been working non-stop to get his work done so he would be free over the lengthy holiday break. Sey made sure that the kids, all four of them, were securely fastened in their seats before snuggling close to Declan.

The kids were too excited to sleep. This was their first plane trip. It was their first time away from home. Sasha looked out the window and saw nothing but fluffy white clouds and blue skies for miles. "Wow."

"It’s beautiful," Skye said in her low, melodious voice.

"I’ve never seen anything like this ever before," Sasha continued, awestruck. He pressed his nose to the window and stared out at the passing clouds. "This is what the sky really looks like from this high up?"

Skye nodded. "It’s a little scary, Beast." Sasha heard the pleading note in her voice and remembered how he’d promised her father to guard her with his life. "You’ll be okay, Ange," he said softly, lingering over the French pronunciation of her nickname. "You’re with me."

She smiled tenderly at the older boy. Sasha had vowed to protect her. Always. She knew he would keep his word, just as she knew that the sun would come up tomorrow morning. Murmuring to him in French, Skye rubbed her cheek against his upper arm, her eyelashes fluttering against his skin. He felt a quivery sensation in the pit of his stomach. Was that love?

"Ange..." he whispered to the little girl, but she was already fast asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. Brave little angel.

***

Chris regarded Emmy with all-too-solemn eyes. "You still upset, Soleil? The plane’s in the air now."

"It won’t fall down?" she asked tearfully, her lower lip quivering like Sey’s.

He shook his head. "No, Em. It won’t fall down," he promised, hoping he was right. He had never been on a plane ever before, but he knew a great deal about flying. Science fascinated him.

"Viens ici, princesse," he beckoned, and the little girl obeyed without question. He held out his arm, and she cuddled closer, sheltering under his arm, which he then wrapped around her. She sighed, as if being close to Chris was all she needed to make things right again. Maybe it was. Emmy was not a difficult child to please. She always saw the best in everyone, and her reward, justly deserved, was to bask in their love and affection.

He pressed a kiss to her hair, and Emmy shifted closer, wrapping her slender arms around him, as best she could. "You take good care of me, Tosh," she said sleepily.

Startled by the intense wave of emotion that passed over him, Chris answered her, the only way he could. "I have to. I love you, Soleil."

***

By the time the plane landed, and the group cleared Customs, it was close to dusk. A tedious taxi ride from the airport to their admittedly luxurious hotel accommodations completed the long day’s journey into night. Declan strode to the front desk, slinging his travel bag over his shoulder and looking surprisingly none the worse for wear.

"May I help you?" the desk clerk asked in perfect English. That figures, Declan thought to himself. You could travel halfway around the world and manage quite well, even without knowing a second language.

"You have a reservation for McLaren."

James heard Declan speak to the clerk and flushed bright red. "Actually, Declan, the reservation is under my name. Sorry."

"Your name? Why’s it under your name?" Declan frowned. He hated finding out about things he couldn’t completely control at the last minute.

"I--There’s no other way to say this, I guess. When you invited us along, I knew there wouldn’t be enough room, so I upgraded your reservation," he said sheepishly, hoping Declan wouldn’t be angry.

"We have better rooms?"

"We have a suite of rooms."

Declan glowered. "You did this all without asking me? You’re a cheeky little bastard, aren’t you, James?"

Smoke, to everyone’s surprise, intervened. "That’s not the way to get this straightened out, y’know."

"Who asked you?" Declan growled.

"I’m paying for the difference in the accommodations, Declan," James hurriedly mentioned. "It’s only money."

"And you’ve got plenty of it."

"Yeah, I do," James said defiantly, his cobalt blue eyes making a striking contrast against his light brown hair. "Is that a problem?"

Everyone turned as one to Declan. They were tired and hungry and fast becoming irritable. Soon they would be snapping each other’s heads off.

"Well, hey, if you want to throw your money away, go right ahead. Far be it for me to say otherwise." Declan reiterated that they had a reservation, casting a simmering look at James as he mentioned James’ last name.

They piled into the elevator in the lobby, leaving their baggage for the staff to bring upstairs. A tall, statuesque woman, clad only in an overpowering hat, a barely-there triangle of material and high heels, walked into the elevator. The kids’ eyes were round as saucers, but they didn’t say a word. There was dead silence until the woman got off at the third floor.

Within moments, Sasha was exclaiming, "Did you see that?" Emmy asked, in a confused voice, "How come the lady had no top on, Da?" Smoke started to chuckle, a noise that turned out to be curiously attractive, and even Declan began to smile, though he had no clue what to say to Emmy’s question.

Birkoff started to stammer, "Well, maybe she just forgot, Em. Maybe she did the laundry today and she had no clean shirts. Maybe--"

Sasha howled with laughter. "Dad! We may be kids, but we’re not dumb!"

Declan didn’t know which was funnier, the woman being half-naked in an elevator full of gay men or Sey trying to come up with a plausible explanation for the woman’s state of undress.

"I bet they got a nude beach here! Wow! When do we get to go there, Da?" Sasha shouted gleefully.

"Never!" Declan shot back.

"Never? As in not ever?" Sasha couldn’t resist asking.

"As in not in your lifetime!" Birkoff added.

Declan raised an eyebrow at his lover and laughed. "Let’s not get too carried away, Sey!"

***

They arrived at the suite, and Declan inserted the key card. The door then opened upon the most beautiful set of adjoining rooms he had ever seen. There was a bedroom for Declan and Birkoff, another for James and Smoke, but wonder of wonders, not only was there a living room, bathroom, and a small kitchen area, there were two smaller bedrooms as well, perfect for the boys in one, and the girls in the other.

The group gradually entered the living room, almost en masse, seemingly mesmerized by the suite’s beauty. Declan pointed to a bedroom and directed Sasha, "Take Chris and practice bouncing on the bed in that one there. But don’t break anything."

He pointed to the other small bedroom and instructed Emmy, "You and Skye can sleep in that one. Why don’t you go see if there are enough towels in the bathroom?"

Declan sighed wearily. He felt like a traffic cop. Go there. Stay here. "We should feed the kids as soon as possible and get them to bed, Sey. What’s easiest?"

"We could get room service."

"Too expensive. Takes too long," quipped James, who seemed to be the resident expert on hotels.

"You have a better suggestion?" Declan asked.

"Let’s go downstairs to the hotel restaurant. We don’t have the time or the inclination to go exploring at this hour," James said helpfully.

"Sounds like a good idea," agreed Sey. Smoke nodded.

***

"Wow." Smoke’s softly uttered exclamation drew James’ attention.

James wasn’t sure if Smoke was referring to the room they were going to share or something else. "What?"

"This room...it’s amazing."

James shrugged. Accustomed to wealth and luxurious surroundings, he didn’t really register a hotel room anymore. Unless it was grossly substandard.

"It takes a lot to impress you, huh?" Smoke asked, brushing his hair from his eyes.

"That depends." James’ mouth went dry as Smoke took off his long-fringed suede jacket, revealing a torso-hugging T-shirt.

"On what?"

"On who’s doing the impressing." James’ voice sounded husky, even to his own ear, and he was afraid that his infatuation was showing.

Smoke smiled, his curiously light eyes bright against the darkness of his hair. "We’re going to go down to dinner soon."

"Yes."

"No sense starting to unpack then."

"No," James echoed. He was vaguely aware of never having wanted anyone quite like this. But he’d made certain promises, not just to other people, but to himself.

They slowly drifted closer to each other, as if magnetized by their attraction. James touched Smoke’s face with his fingertips and Smoke’s eyes flashed with something. Need? Couldn’t be love. Not yet.

James swallowed suddenly. "We’re not going to sleep together tonight," he announced.

Smoke nodded.

"Just thought I’d get that upfront. So there’s no...misunderstanding."

"’kay," Smoke agreed.

James knew certain things about Smoke, things that undoubtedly would go a long way to allay Declan’s fears about him being with James. He was an oddity in the world he inhabited. In more ways than one. He didn’t drink, smoke, or use drugs. He wasn’t promiscuous. He’d had a serious relationship with someone in Montreal, but there had been no one since he came to France. He had been too devastated by the break-up of that relationship to even contemplate being with someone else. Until James.

James stood absolutely still. Smoke moved slowly around James’ body, his hand first on James’ right shoulder, then his left. James closed his eyes on a wave of longing so intense, he gritted his teeth. "Please."

Smoke hesitated, resting his hand on James’ neck. He pressed a kiss to James’ nape, and a tiny groan escaped James. He grasped the fringe on Smoke’s jacket and played with the material. almost shredding it between his fingers. "Don’t."

Smoke purred in James’ ear. "I’m not doing anything, Jamie."

"I..."

"I need to touch you. But I won’t make love to you if you don’t want."

"Oh, God...It’s not that I don’t want you. But I’ve made a lot of mistakes...and I don’t want to make ‘em again."

"You think sleeping with me would be a mistake?" Smoke’s expressive eyes darkened, this time with genuine hurt.

"I don’t know." That was an honest admission, and the best James could do under the circumstances.

"You think you’ll get hurt?"

"I just think...we should go slow. I don’t want a fling, I want a relationship. And if we jump into bed right away, we might mess up something good."

Smoke acknowledged the wisdom of thinking that way, but his eyes reflected his disappointment. "I know you’re right." Smoke shook his head, almost as if to clear it. "But I wish things could be diff’rent."

James sighed. "I’ll understand if you don’t want to stay, Smoke."

Smoke took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Pierre."

James blinked. "What?"

"My real name is Pierre. Dull, huh?"

James looked incredulous. "It’s not dull. Not at all. But why did you finally decide to tell me?"

"Cause I got the same feelin’ you do ‘bout us. You’re gonna be someone, Jamie. I think...I’d like you to be my someone." Smoke looked directly into James’ eyes, and it was hard to tell for a moment whether or not James would accept the challenge.

The glove had been thrown down. Would James accept?

James reached up and clasped his hands lightly around Smoke’s neck. With a little effort, he pulled Smoke forward until his forehead met James’. Their lips nearly touching, so close they could feel each other’s breath, James said, "You’re on, Pete."

"I’m telling," Emmy taunted Sasha. Her brother was determined to find the location of the nude beach, despite the warnings issued by both parents. He shrugged. "Go ahead, Em. I’ll just tell Da about Chris kissing you."

"Sasha!" Emmy would have shouted, but it would have been totally out of character for the little girl.

"Maybe he won’t let you see Chris anymore," Sasha said, pressing his advantage.

Emmy burst into tears. Unfortunately for Sasha, Emmy’s tears had the same effect on him as they did on Chris. "Aww...don’t cry, Emmy. I didn’t mean it," he pleaded.

"You’re a mean brother, and...and...I hate you! I wish you never came to live with us!" Emmy sat down on the sand with a thump. Sasha looked stricken. It was his own personal nightmare, that someday everyone would see him for the impostor that he was, that they would send him back to Section, where a feral creature like him belonged.

He thought he had redeemed himself. He was a good boy now. Most of the time. He had family. Friends. People who loved him. But he’d assumed too much. He’d gone too far. What he should have realized was that he could not even joke about his sister’s attachment to Chris.

Like Sasha, Emmy didn’t mean what she said. But no sooner were the words out of her mouth than Sasha cast heartbroken eyes in her direction and fled. "Sasha!" she called out. But he never looked back.

Almost beside herself with grief, Emmy screamed for help. Chris came running on the double, followed by Skye. "What’s wrong?" Chris turned pale when he saw how upset Emmy was. Emmy couldn’t even speak. She pointed in the direction that Sasha had gone, her hand trembling.

A moment later, the kids were joined by the grown-ups. When Emmy finally found the words to tell her fathers what happened, Sasha had literally vanished. A six-year old boy lost in a strange country. At the mercy of who knows what. Or who.

Sey couldn’t find it in his heart to blame Emmy. Kids fought all the time. Especially brothers and sisters. Or so he imagined. He didn’t grow up in that kind of family himself. But his heart ached for Sasha. Alone and upset. Probably thinking no one cared.

Declan shook his head sadly at his daughter. "Emmy, we’ll talk about what you did later. Right now we have to find Sasha." Before someone else does, Declan’s mind automatically finished, though he was careful not to speak such thoughts aloud.

To his surprise, Smoke suggested that they split up, to cover more territory quickly. Declan agreed. Time was of the essence. For a brief moment, Declan wondered if the reason Smoke was so concerned was because he knew what could happen to a kid alone on the streets. From personal experience.

They paired off, carefully guarding the remaining children before moving off into different directions. If they had only known... Sasha did not go as far as they thought. He was too hurt. Tears blinding him, he dove for the first dark alcove he could find. Perhaps the darkness reminded him of Section’s sub-basements, perhaps not. But it was a very well-concealed area, and as such, the perfect place to hide.

But he hadn’t reckoned on another child of the streets, so to speak, discovering his hiding place. Smoke scooted into the snug area on his hands and knees. Once inside, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness before addressing Sasha. Sasha looked up, trembling. "Are you going to take me back?"

Answering a question with another question wasn’t just a trait confined to Section, apparently. "Don’t you want to go back?"

Sasha tried not to cry, but his emotions were too close to the surface. Just the thought of returning to Section overwhelmed him. Thinking Smoke referred to Section One, he replied, "No, I don’t ever want to go back there."

Sasha’s vehemence took Smoke by surprise. "You don’t? And ‘ere was I, thinking you were so ‘appy there."

Sasha’s eyes widened improbably. "Are you kidding? They kill people there!"

Smoke gasped. "They do? ‘ow did I miss that?"

Belatedly realizing that he and Smoke were talking at cross-purposes, Sasha said, "Not my Da or my Dad, Smoke. The bad people. Back where I came from."

"Ohh...bad people." Smoke gave a Gallic shrug. "Let me tell you this about that, mon ami. I am the world’s expert on bad people."

"You are?" Sasha asked incredulously.

"Oui. You might not know it to look at me, but people often mistake me for a bad person."

Knowing what his fathers thought about Smoke at first, Sasha had to agree. He chuckled. Appearances could be deceiving. "I bet they do."

Smoke smiled, his light eyes crinkling at the corners. "People look at me and they think...ah, that Smoke, he likes to wear leather, he must be a bad guy. Or they say, that Smoke, he’s a dancer." Smoke’s mouth curved downward into a pout. "Must be a piece o’ crap."

"But you’re not. You seem pretty cool to me," Sasha said. "But then, what do I know? I’m just a kid."

Smoke nodded. "An’ me, I’m just a dancer. But I’m not a bad guy." Smoke paused for a moment, reflecting back on his life for a moment. "Mind you, I could ‘ave been. But I know better."

Sasha’s face cleared and he gave Smoke a knowing smile. "So do I."

Smoke cocked his head at the young boy, silently approving. "Y’know, what other people say isn’t as important as what you tell yourself."

Sasha recalled what Emmy said and flushed. "Emmy hates me," he said in a barely audible voice.

Raising a well-shaped eyebrow, Smoke looked skeptical. "She doesn’t ‘ate you. She’s..." Smoke thought for a moment. "Like you."

"How do you mean?"

"She cares ‘bout what you think. So when you say something mean to ‘er, she gets so upset, she says something mean back." Smoke shook his head. "Emmy," Smoke pronounced Emmy’s name as if it were Aimee, which meant ‘beloved’ in French. "She’s not cut out to be mean. An’ I’ve met my share of mean people."

Sasha wrapped his arms around his knees and pulled them to his chest. Laying his head on the top of his knees, he studied Smoke. "You think they’ll let me stay?" he asked, almost tearful again.

"I would," Smoke averred.

Sasha sniffled, then wiped his nose with the back of his hand. Smoke produced a colorful bright blue silk handkerchief and offered it to Sasha. "Thanks."

After another moment, Sasha asked, "Why are you being so nice to me, Smoke? You don’t even know me. I’m just a kid. Why do you care?"

Smoke’s eyes darkened, perhaps with remembered pain. "Maybe I remember ‘ow it was for me." He looked down at his hands. So much time had passed, and yet it didn’t seem so long ago.

"Maybe you’re just trying to make yourself look good in front of my parents and James," Sasha replied, his tone cutting Smoke like a well-honed blade.

Smoke visibly winced. He had let his defenses down, and this was what happened. Well, he was a big boy now, he could stand it, if it meant saving this kid from himself.

Softly exhaling, Smoke let his eyes meet Sasha’s again. This time, he let Sasha see how much his accusation stung. "You don’t know ‘ow good you got it, kid. If I’d ‘ad ‘alf your chances, maybe I wouldn’t be what I am now." He stopped, to let that sink in, then continued.

"But I’ll tell you something that I learned. You want to be loved? You got to take the risk and love someone. Maybe they won’t love you back." Smoke thought about what he’d just said, realizing abruptly he had answered his own heart’s question about James.

Suddenly more hopeful than before, Smoke smiled almost shyly. "But maybe they don’t think you’re so bad, after all, an’ maybe they’ll take a chance on you...an’ maybe it’ll all work out."

Sasha eyed the older man carefully. "That’s a helluva lotta maybes in there, Smoke."

Smoke shrugged. "I know one thing that’s not a maybe. Your folks love you and they want you to come back. Why make ‘em worry any more?"

Sasha’s dark eyes clouded over again. He whispered, "I love them, too. First people I ever felt that way about. For real."

"Then it sounds to me..." Sasha’s head shot up, his dark eyes wet and shiny. "...like you got a good thing ‘ere. You don’t want to lose that. You don’t look like no stupid boy to me."

Sasha stood up unsteadily. Smoke watched, careful not to touch the boy unless he asked for help. Sasha wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands before remembering the bright handkerchief. "Sorry." He offered it to Smoke, who declined. "You keep it."

"Are you going to marry James?" Sasha looked almost hopeful, and Smoke hugged that thought to his heart.

"I don’t know," Smoke answered honestly.

Sasha once more demonstrated just how perceptive he could be. "Does he know you’re in love with him?"

Smoke blinked in surprise. Very few people could read him like that. He didn’t think even James knew. He shook his head gently. "I don’t think so."

Sasha smiled kindly. "You should tell him. Take your own advice. Take a chance. You got nothin’ to lose."

Smoke didn’t answer. One by one, they made their way out of the small darkened alcove. When they got to the street, Smoke clasped Sasha’s hand. "You’re a good kid."

Sasha smiled gratefully. "Thanks." He saw the others approaching. Fast. He beckoned Smoke closer, and Smoke knelt down on Sasha’s level. Cupping his hands over Smoke’s ear, he whispered, "So are you."

That made Smoke laugh softly. As he stood up, James flew to his side. "You found him! That’s great!"

Smoke gave James a crooked half-smile, glancing at Sasha once before fixing his gaze on James again. "We sorta found each other."

Declan’s features were tense, almost tightened to the point of pain, but once he saw Sasha, he grabbed the boy and hugged him. "Sasha! Please don’t do this again. I don’t think my heart could stand it."

Burying his face against Declan’s chest, Sasha felt fresh tears roll down his cheeks. "I’m sorry, Da. I didn’t mean to make you and Daddy worry."

"I know."

If Sey was surprised that Declan was the more emotional of the two of them, he didn’t show it. He wasn’t jealous of Declan’s bond with his son, any more than Declan was jealous of his bond with Declan’s daughter. He was secure in Declan’s love now, and nothing or no one could ever threaten that bond again.

Declan stood up, glanced at Sey tearfully, and pushed Sasha gently in Sey’s direction. Sasha held out his arms to his father, and Sey said, "You’re getting a little big to be picked up, aren’t you?" with a hint of a grin.

Sasha continued to hold out his arms, knowing his father would break down any moment and hold him. He did. Once Sasha was settled comfortably against him, Sey slid his cheek against his son’s, whispering, "I love you, Sasha."

Thinking for a second of what he and Smoke discussed, Sasha smiled. Throwing his arms around his father’s neck, he kissed him whole-heartedly. "I love you, Daddy."

Declan tapped Smoke on the shoulder, immediately getting his attention. "Hey. Thanks." For a man usually so good with words, Declan was curiously at a loss.

"Glad I could ‘elp."

"I know it’s sorta like a busman’s holiday, but we were thinking of going out tonight and finding a place where there’s dancing," Declan offered by way of thanks.

Smoke nodded. "That would be nice." He turned to James, who suddenly seemed preoccupied. "Wouldn’t that be nice, Jamie?"

"What?"

"We could go dancing." I could wrap my arms around you. I could hold you. The thought made Smoke positively breathless, but he hid his feelings as usual.

James’ ear picked up the change in Smoke’s tone of voice, and he wondered about it. "Yeah, we could." I could get into dangerous territory, real quick.

"Don’t you want to dance wit’ me, Jamie?" Smoke whispered.

"Sure." I dream about it, Pete.

Sasha tugged on the fringe of Smoke’s jacket. When Smoke turned around, Sasha gave him a thumbs up and whispered, "Go for it."

To his amazement, Smoke blushed. Smoke slowly led James away from the others, where they could talk more privately. At a loss, Smoke struggled to find the courage he had so bravely spoken of to Sasha. "Jamie? I--"

"Pete? If I say something stupid in the next few minutes, please don’t laugh."

"Why would I laugh, Jamie? I’m--"

"I’m in love with you."

Smoke didn’t laugh. But he was afraid he would do something he hadn’t done in years. Cry.

"Jamie..."

James looked visibly uncomfortable. "I know it’s too much too soon, and I--" James betrayed his inner agitation by playing with the fringe of Smoke’s jacket. He could do anything, it seemed, but keep his hands off him.

Smoke covered James’ mouth with his, effectively silencing him. When they both re-surfaced, Smoke stared wistfully into James’ deep blue eyes. "You don’t ‘ave to go there by yourself, Jamie. I’m in love wit’ you, too."

"I’m breaking my own damn rules."

"I don’t think love cares ‘bout rules, Jamie."

James pulled Smoke into a tight embrace. "I think you’re right."

"Da, I’m old enough to watch the others while you and Daddy go out. I swear." Sasha didn’t really think he had a hope in hell of convincing his father of that, but he figured it was worth a try.

As if he’d read Sasha’s mind, Declan smiled politely and said, "Nice try, Sasha, but I’ve got someone coming up here to watch all of you. Best behavior, everyone. I mean it." Declan gave all the kids the once-over, but his gaze lingered meaningfully on his son.

Left to their own devices, they probably wouldn’t get up to too much trouble, but add Sasha to the mix, and something was bound to happen. Even if it was only by accident. Ergo, they could not be left alone. He was certain that the hotel-provided babysitter would be more than adequate. Sasha wasn’t a bad kid. Just creative as all get-out.

After leaving instructions with the babysitter, Declan waited by the elevator for Sey. A moment later, Sey strolled down the corridor, his thick dark hair bright and shiny. "You look great, Sey."

Sey shrugged as if he couldn’t care less, but his dark brown eyes sparkled like fine champagne. "Where’s James and Smoke?"

"They’re coming."

"So what do you think is going to happen with those two?" Sey asked almost gleefully.

Declan rolled his eyes. "Sey, you’re a hopeless romantic."

"You wouldn’t want me any other way, Declan, and you know it," Sey said with a fair degree of certainty.

"Aye, I love you just the way you are, baby." Declan leaned forward and touched his lips to Sey’s earlobe, where the emerald stud remained, tangible proof of their anniversary as well as their love.

Sey smiled rakishly. "You’re not just saying that to have your wicked way with me, are you, Dec?"

"Heaven forbid," Declan said in mock seriousness, his lips tracing a path down Sey’s cheek to his mouth. He leaned back against the wall, next to the elevator, and Sey settled within his embrace.

When James and Smoke approached, this time sans fringe, Declan straightened, gently moving Sey to his side. His arm slung around Sey’s waist, Declan said, "The concierge was only too happy to recommend a club for dancing. No rap, no alternative. Just plain old-fashioned jazz."

"Are people like us welcome there?" James asked tentatively, unsure how to voice his innermost anxiety.

Declan regarded James affectionately. "I wouldn’t take us somewhere we weren’t welcome."

James relaxed slightly. "It’s just that you’re really good at defending yourself, Declan. Unlike me. I need other people to fight my battles for me."

Smoke made a moue of disagreement. "I don’t think so, James. You just never had a cause worth fighting for."

James stared at Smoke, unable to believe that he hadn’t just dismissed what James said as self-pity. "Do I have one now?" he asked, willing Smoke to read between the lines.

Smoke’s eyelashes fluttered down, covering his beautiful blue-grey eyes for a second. A moment later, he peered at James through that splendid veil. "If you want it, Jamie."

Sey found the interplay of unspoken emotion between the two almost hypnotic. It was hard to take his eyes off them. But it was time to go. He could tell because Declan gave him a nudge in the direction of the elevator.

Once they were in the elevator, all conversation came to a halt. Especially when they were joined, once more, by the ever elusive but consistently statuesque woman from the third floor. Clad in her usual scanty attire, she gave pause to all four men. At a loss as to where to look, they focused intently on one another. That in turn perturbed the nearly-nude woman no end. Wondering if she were losing her touch, she glanced down at her splendid body, all but revealed in its entirety. Were they blind?

Glancing at the woman’s ill-concealed pout, Declan stifled a chuckle. Unable to prevent himself from laughing, he eventually buried his face in the space between Sey’s neck and shoulder. Convinced that she was indeed less desirable than she thought, the woman never spared a thought for the sexual orientation of her supposed audience.

Declan would have enlightened her somehow, but the woman flounced out of the elevator, breasts jiggling, before he could speak. Oh, well, Declan thought, it’s not as though we owe her an explanation.

***

A short cab ride later, the foursome found themselves at the stylish club recommended by the concierge. "At the risk of repeating myself...wow," said Smoke as they paused at the entrance.

James chuckled. He liked seeing things through Smoke’s eyes. It made everything fresh again. Seizing the opportunity to caress the back of Smoke’s neck, James wondered how long he could keep himself from acting on his feelings for Smoke. This wasn’t going to go away.

Once they were seated, and thanks to a sympathetic concierge, their table was excellent, there was a mild buzz of activity as a new group took the stage. As soon as he could, Declan jumped at the chance to dance with Sey. Pressing a kiss to Sey’s ear, Declan murmured, "Happy anniversary, sweetie. Better late than never."

"You take me to the nicest places, Dec," Sey said in a husky whisper.

The music was nice. Muted, vaguely exotic, and above all else, slow. It was like drifting along on a cloud made of seafoam. Just an excuse for romantic couples to sway back and forth, lost in each other’s arms.

Sey wrapped his arms around Declan’s neck, effectively pulling their bodies together. Burying his face against his lover’s shoulder, he nudged Declan’s shirt aside, touching his mouth to the bare skin he’d revealed. Declan stroked Sey’s long dark hair with his fingers for several moments before pressing a tender kiss to the silken strands he held.

"Happy, baby?" he whispered.

"Always, with you," Sey replied.

Lost in each other, the older couple never noticed Smoke beckon James onto the dance floor. Smoke held out his hand, and James didn’t hesitate this time. He gravitated to Smoke’s arms like a flower seeking the sun. There was a considerable distance between James and his would-be lover’s body. Purposely.

But this time, it wasn’t James setting limits that created the gap, but Smoke. "Did you mean what you said to me earlier?" Smoke asked, his heart shining clearly in his splendid blue-gray eyes.

"About what?" James asked ingenuously.

Smoke smiled, his entire demeanor changed. He was no longer the strong, brooding young man who grew up on the streets, but an intensely focused yet strangely gentle lover. "’bout being in love with me. What did you think?"

Oh, how dreadfully personal. And right out here on the dance floor. Where he could do nothing but think about what they’d said to each other earlier that day.

James colored, but there was no one there to see. No one who cared enough to take his or her eyes off their own lovers, much less pay attention to someone else’s. Still, James stood by what he’d said. He didn’t want to play games. He wanted someone to hold him close and breathe sweet nothings into his ear. But as ardent as his feelings for Smoke were, he realized that he didn’t want to ruin things by sleeping with him way too soon.

"Yes, I meant it," he said as firmly as he could muster. "Did you?"

Smoke’s light eyes flickered back and forth, their suddenly intensely blue depths trained upon James’ face. He could have teased James, but he didn’t. He knew just how he felt. "Yes. What do you want to do ‘bout it?"

James’s gaze dropped to Smoke’s mouth. He couldn’t look away from it, but he couldn’t move toward it, either. Smoke followed the movement of James’ eyes and kissed him, his full, sensual lips strangely chaste in their caress.

"I-"

"Let me tell you what I think, Jamie. I think we should wait ‘til we get back home to sleep together." That so closely paralleled what James was thinking, he gasped aloud.

"Pete," he whispered, edging closer to that mouth. "Can I kiss you?"

"That depends. Are you agreeing wit’ me or not?" Smoke asked with a curious grin.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I think we should wait. And yes, dammit, I want to kiss you." More than I want to breathe.

He wanted to wait until they returned home to make love with Smoke. But he didn’t want to forego the chance to taste that mouth or the kisses that were undeniably his to claim.

Just as James moved to kiss him, however, Smoke backed up, just enough to stay out of range. "If I let you kiss me, can I trust you not to take it any further?"

James smiled. "About as much as I can trust you."

Smoke frowned. "That might not be far enough, Jamie. We bot’ ‘ave to stay in control for this to work."

James nuzzled Smoke’s neck, his lips soft and warm against Smoke’s skin. "I’ll try, Pete. I promise. But I think you switched sides when I wasn’t looking."

Smoke shook his head, his black hair glinting darkly under the low lights of the club. "No, I just realized ‘ow much I really want from you. You can sleep wit’ me tonight, but I’ll be gone before you know it. Or we can wait...and take our chances on it lasting a lot longer."

James moved to kiss Smoke again, but he darted out of the way, leaving James to comment in utter frustration, "Christ, Pete, what are you trying to do to me?"

"You decide, Jamie. Do you want me in your bed...or in your life?"

James groaned and buried his face against Smoke’s shoulder. "I love you, Pete, and I want you to love me back."

"For now or for a while?"

James looked up, startled, as if a third option had just occurred to him. "What happened to forever?"

"You think there is such a thing?"

"I think if you don’t think so...I can’t kiss you ever again. Cause I want it all." James stared at Smoke in utter silence, the anticipation driving him crazy.

"Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it." Smoke’s tone might be cryptic, but his expression was completely open and guileless.

***

When they finally got back to the hotel, it was very late. Declan dismissed the babysitter, checked on the kids, and bade goodnight to James and Smoke.

After Declan and his lover disappeared inside their room, James stood in the doorway of the room he shared with Smoke. "Can I sleep in your bed, Pete?"

"That’s not a very good idea, Jamie." Smoke’s eyes looked sad, as if he were disappointed.

Suddenly realizing that Smoke thought he was reneging on their agreement, James hastened to add, "Just to sleep, Pete. I just want to hold you. I swear." James closed his eyes, certain he sounded just like Sasha pleading to be with Skye.

"You’re testing me?"

James shook his head. "No, I just can’t bear to be on the other side of the room from you anymore."

Smoke slowly walked to his bed and started to disrobe. James stood there, watching him for the longest time. He ached to hold him, but he refused to let himself move until Smoke gave the word. Clad in a T-shirt and shorts, Smoke gave James an almost imperceptible nod.

Without removing any of his clothing, James leaned against Smoke, his mouth pushing aside Smoke’s dark hair to caress the side of his face. Smoke sighed, this time apparently granting James free access.

Smoke slowly moved away, long enough to get into bed. He lay on his back, looking almost like a man awaiting torture. James wondered at his expression until he spoke. "You’ve decided...now we bot’ ‘ave to live wit’ your decision."

James started to laugh. He leaned over Smoke, his cobalt blue eyes warm, not hot, his own expression affectionate, not passionate. "Oh, Pete, you look just like a lamb being led to the slaughter. What do you think I’m going to do to you?"

"You don’t want to make love to me?"

"More than anything."

James settled into bed next to Smoke, wrapping his arms around him. Smoke looked confused. "I don’t get it, Jamie. Did I do something wrong?"

James kissed him lightly, resisting the urge to deepen the kiss and tempt them both beyond the point of no return. "No, you did something very right. We both did."

James snuggled closer, laying his head upon Smoke’s chest. Smoke looked startled at first, then he relaxed enough to stroke James’ short-cropped hair. "My heart and I both agree...you’re a keeper, Pete."

Smoke’s mouth dropped open. He had expected something entirely different. Certainly not this almost unconditional acceptance.

"Jamie?" Smoke whispered.

"Yeah?" James murmured sleepily.

"I love you."

James smiled against his chest. "I know, Pete."

"Declan, this is stupid. You’re going to burn to a crisp."

"I’ve got sunblock, Sey."

"The sunblock you need? You couldn’t count that high," Sey quipped, hooking a long strand of dark hair behind one ear.

Declan leaned closer and kissed Sey, his silver-grey eyes fluttering shut of their own accord. "I found the nude beach," he whispered, nuzzling the side of Sey’s mouth.

"No way," Sey gasped softly, his dark eyes widening.

Declan said, "Aye, I did," and continued to kiss Sey. Soft, tender, romantic kisses that threatened to turn Sey inside out with longing. Framing his lover’s face lightly with his hands, Declan playfully rubbed his lips against Sey’s nose. "I want to make love to you there," he whispered.

"No way," Sey said one more time.

Declan broke into a heartfelt grin. "You’re repeating yourself, acushla."

"I don’t--we can’t--I mean, how?" Sey stammered out, excitement warring with nervousness. Excitement won.

"I’m not suggesting we perform a striptease on a public beach, love. There are...places...where no one else is around," he intoned huskily into Sey’s ear.

"And we can find one?" Sey’s lips parted involuntarily.

"If I have to hunt all day," Declan vowed. "I want to see you out under the sun...the wind in your hair..." Declan raked his hands through Sey’s long hair, giving him a preview of what he wanted to do to him there.

"Mmm...is this before or after breakfast, Dec?" Sey raised both eyebrows together in a flirtatious gesture that wasn’t lost on his partner.

"Couldn’t you miss a meal, just this once, baby?" Declan begged.

A wave of elation surged throughout Sey’s body, eventually pooling in his groin. "Oh, yeah..."

***

Clad in T-shirts and jeans, the couple walked the length of the boardwalk until it ended abruptly in a crumble of old splintered wood and sand. "Where do we go from here?"

"Right through there," Declan answered, pointing to a spot further up the beach. Declan wore a wide-brimmed hat, which he was convinced made him look perfectly ridiculous, but Sey insisted that sunblock alone was not going to keep him from turning into toast.

Once they were safely on the sand, Declan bent to remove his boots and his socks. Sey followed suit, but he glanced nervously around them. "What if someone else comes, Dec?"

"God forbid someone should see me barefoot, Sey," Declan chortled.

Sey flushed. "You know what I mean, Dec."

"You’re afraid someone’ll see your cute little butt, love?" Declan pretended to swoon, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead. "They’ll be so overcome at the sight, they’ll prolly faint dead away."

Sey’s melted-chocolate eyes became positively huge in his face. "Or call the police. I could end up in a jail in a foreign country. Oh, my God."

"After being in Section, that would bother you?" Declan commented dryly. Declan wrapped an arm around his lover’s waist, guiding him over the bits of broken coral strewn amongst the finer sand.

"Declan, don’t even joke about something like that. Do you know how long someone like me would last in prison?" Sey’s horrified expression said it all.

"Baby, this is a nude beach. No one gets arrested for being naked here." When he saw Sey continuing to frown anxiously, he leaned over and kissed him. "I love you, baby. I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you."

Sey’s lower lip quivered tellingly. Declan sighed and pulled him into his arms. "I’m sorry, love," he whispered against his ear. He felt Sey relax, and he drew back, an apologetic look in his silvery eyes. "I wouldn’t hurt you for the world, Sey."

"I know," Sey replied, banishing the anxious thoughts from his mind. "You’re the only man I’d miss breakfast for, y’know."

***

They finally found it. A totally deserted spot. Where they could be alone. Yet outside. It was a powerful fantasy, for both of them, and their need to act it out grew intense.

Declan spread out the oversized beach towel on the sand. Quickly stripping off his jeans, he made light work of the T-shirt moments later. His silver Claddagh ring glinting in the sun, Declan pulled off the loathsome hat, flinging it across the sand.

He helped Sey undress. His hands were shaking too much even to unzip his jeans. Kissing him in between removing various articles of clothing, Declan tried to keep Sey’s overactive imagination from working overtime. Commanding Sey to lie down on his stomach on the beach towel, Declan poured coconut oil into his hands.

"You’re so pale, Sey," Declan commented before he began to massage his lover’s shoulders.

Sey glanced over his shoulder at Declan. He was beginning to feel sleepy despite the brightness of the sun. Must be all that rubbing. And stroking. "Comes from working in Section all my life," Sey said drowsily.

Now it was Declan’s turn to frown. "When you got out, you didn’t head for the first warm place you could find and soak up the sun?"

Sey closed his eyes, remembering their escape from Section One. All those years ago. "No." A curious half-smile curved his full, sensual mouth. "It never occurred to me. Or any of us."

Declan poured more oil into his cupped hands before beginning to knead Sey’s upper back. Sey’s skin felt so smooth and supple beneath Declan’s hands, the coconut oil so aromatic, both were subtly arousing him.

"Guess you were just glad to be safe," Declan surmised.

"Yeah." When Declan’s hands touched Sey’s buttocks, Sey shivered and rolled over onto his back. "Hey, I’m not done yet," Declan protested.

Sey crooked his index finger. Declan leaned on his lover, his own arousal now unmistakably pushing against his groin. Threading his fingers through Declan’s long red hair, Sey brushed his mouth with his, once, twice, before lingering. His slender fingers splayed across Declan’s left cheek, he murmured, his dark eyes heavy-lidded, "I love you, Declan."

"Oh, honey, give me your mouth," Declan whispered, his breath a sibilant hiss moving across his lover’s lips.

***

They didn’t sleep. They made love twice, but they didn’t dare sleep. Both for fear of discovery and for fear of sun poisoning. Given Declan’s history with the sun, that was a wise idea. If Sey was pale, Declan’s skin was virtually translucent. He had that ashen skin tone so commonly associated with natural red hair. Luckily, neither one of them developed more than a mild sunburn.

They walked barefoot, hand in hand, back to where the boardwalk began. Avoiding the splintery wood, Declan shook out his socks and his boots before putting them back on. He invited Sey to lean on him while he was putting on his own shoes and socks, and afterwards, he kissed him soundly on the mouth.

"What was that for?" Sey asked, bemused by Declan’s open affection in public.

"For doing something you weren’t that keen on, just because I asked you to." Declan looked at Sey, his storm-grey eyes lighter and brighter than Sey had ever seen them before.

Sey shook his head, a slight smile still on his lips. "I love making love with you, Declan."

"Even in public?"

Sey blushed bright red. "It was hardly in public."

"Your body thought so. You didn’t want to be aroused, but you couldn’t resist my special coconut oil technique." Declan winked at Sey, causing him to color even deeper.

"I...um...loved...your special...um...technique," Sey barely managed to whisper.

Declan pulled Sey close and licked his earlobe, right where his emerald stud was fastened. "Want me to show you again later?"

Sey giggled and threw his arms around Declan’s neck. "You can do anything you want to me, as long as it lasts more than a minute."

Declan blinked in surprise. Sey burst out laughing. "Old saying of Walter’s."

Declan smiled slowly, an incredibly sensual smile that temporarily unbalanced Sey’s equilibrium. "Mmm..."

Declan ran his hand down the front of Sey’s jeans, gently caressing his arousal. Sey groaned low in his throat, unable to understand how his well-sated body could respond so ardently after their day of lovemaking. "Uh...I’m giving you twenty minutes to cut that out."

This time Declan burst out laughing. "Another one of Walter’s old sayings?"

"No...Michael."

"No shit," Declan gasped for breath, he was laughing so hard.

Sey grinned. "One of the benefits of monitoring Michael’s missions."

"During a mission?" Declan broke into a similar grin. "Who do I have to sleep with to hear some of these?"

Sey rolled his eyes. "I didn’t bring any tapes out with me, Dec."

Declan pouted for a moment. "Too bad. I’d give anything to hear just one."

Sey reached up and kissed Declan, his tongue teasing his lover’s lips apart. "Well.......maybe I could find just one...."