Standard disclaimer. I don't own any of the FAKE characters. The only original characters I have so far are Walter Carrington, Derrick Williams, and Mr. Watson. I also use Ms. Matoh's spelling of JJ's full name - Jemy Addams. I think it's neat making him part of the Addams Family. He definitely would fit!

When I originally wrote "A Time of Epiphanies" I hadn't written much of anything for years. I couldn't come up with a follow-up story for parts 2 and 3. I tried but nothing surfaced so finally I posted it. Within three days I was suddenly inundated with the events that follow here. Everything seemed so simple. How could I have not seen it – it was there staring me in the face. Within 4 days the 6 additional chapters were written. I've added the original 2 chapters here to start the story. I wanted to have the whole story together in one spot. I apologize for the duplication. You can skip the first part here [the original two chapters] if you've read "A Time of Epiphanies" and go straight to what follows chapter 2, "Rocks".

Beta'd in part by my two favorite people, Brit_Columbia and Daxamon.

Now, for your reading pleasure: ROCKS AND HARD PLACES

Square One

JJ was bored. Dee wasn't returning any of his advances, as usual, and he really wanted to party. Most of his other CI buddies were on second shift but he and Drake weren't due for second shift until tomorrow. Guess it was a good night for cruising the clubs. Drake looked at him like he was crazy when he asked him to go along. One of these days, Drakey, I'll get you in one, and you'll like it.

This was one of his favorite clubs, a little over the top and very expensive, but that didn't matter. Tonight there seemed to be a cream crop of new faces on pretty bodies. He was going to have fun tonight, he just knew it.

He'd worn his new suit, a charcoal grey tweed with a white silk shirt, top button open. Instead of a tie he wore a long, thin, black knit scarf around his neck that trailed seductively down his back. His silver hair had a blue rinse tonight, setting off the blue of his eyes quite nicely. He was looking good, and so were a few of the patrons. Now to find the right one for him.

He settled at the bar, seating himself with open seats on both sides. Just in case. He had just gotten his first drink served when he felt a tug on his scarf. Readying himself, he turned to face whomever it was that desired his attention.

He found himself looking into a pair of green eyes, not as bright as Dee's but just as enticing. Bringing his focus back he found those eyes were set in a very attractive face surrounded by dark auburn hair.

"Hi, may I sit here?" the stranger asked. His eyes traveled the length and breadth of JJ, the slight smile showing he was pleased by what he saw.

"Certainly, I'd be pleased to have you here. You're new here? I haven't seen you here before. Name's Jemy, but everybody calls me JJ. "He extended his hand to the newcomer.

Taking his hand with a slight squeeze he responded, "Pleasure too, name's Walter. I'm new around here. Just took a modeling job here in the city and trying to find the best spots to party. In my hometown we're lucky to find even one place that will have us, but here in the city, wow!"

JJ had seen Walter when he first entered the club, and had hoped to get the opportunity to talk with him. He carried himself well; his modeling training just enhanced his graceful demeanor. His clothes were straight from GQ and he had a tanned physique to die for. This guy could be competition for his god Dee. Well, almost.

"How about we move to a booth? It would be more comfortable there, and we could talk a bit more privately?" Smiling coyly JJ slid from the barstool and started to move toward a booth. Walter followed silently, watching JJ through guarded eyes.

They spent the next three hours talking, interspersed with a bit of flirting, before they decided to call it a night. Each had exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet again Tuesday night, JJ's next available evening off.

On their next meeting things took off a bit more quickly. Walter invited JJ up to his apartment for drinks, which turned into a more relaxed atmosphere, which ended in the bedroom.

JJ woke the next morning to a sore behind and a note from Walter stating he had an early shoot that day and would call him later. After a quick shower JJ left to go home and ready himself for work.

JJ's thoughts were on Walter all through his shift that night, so much so that he missed a perfectly good glomp opportunity on Dee. Both Dee and Drake were surprised that an attack hadn't occurred. Dee walked up to his desk and felt JJ's forehead.

JJ raised his head and looked at Dee. "Huh?"

"I said, are you alright? You didn't pounce me. You always pounce me. What's wrong?" Dee looked adequately concerned.

"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking of some, er something. It's nothing important." Just then his cell phone rang. Muttering something like "gotta take this", he jumped up and ran out toward the break room.

Dee looked after him, stunned. "I think our dear little JJ has somebody new lined up. Maybe I'll get a break now, other than in my back."

Drake laughed, "Yeah, you could use a break – oops, sorry dude, didn't mean it that way. Let all those bruises heal. You gotta be black and blue most of the time with the way he pounces you into the furniture and walls around here. I'll see if I can get him to talk later on. Let you know if I find out anything, OK?"

"Sounds like a plan to me. Hopefully my JJ backache is going to be a thing of the past."

Rumblings

JJ and Walter quickly became lovers, meeting every chance they got. Most of the time they met at Walter's place, but occasionally they met at JJ's. It was really beginning to look serious for JJ. Other than Dee, he had never spent so much time thinking of anyone.

Walter had money. His job as a model brought in good bucks and his physical looks guaranteed a continuation of the money flow. He had a swanky high-rise apartment in the high rent district of Manhattan. His taste in décor was cutting edge. Each room exhibited the best of what was offered. He was upper class all the way, and JJ enjoyed every bit of it.

Sexually Walter tended to be a bit rougher than JJ was accustomed. But he couldn't complain – the sex was good and often. But he also had little 'quirks' that he insisted on. The most recent was taking JJ pressed up against the picture window in the living room of his high-rise and forcing JJ to release on the glass. Granted they were fairly high up, but JJ still felt uneasy about it.

Normally their workdays clashed but today JJ had the day off. He decided to watch Walter on the set of his latest shoot – a fashionable summer casual clothing layout being filmed in Central Park. Afterwards they intended to go to dinner and a movie before spending the night at Walter's place.

He watched Walter move through the shoot. Walter's body was solid, taut muscles moving beneath the muscle shirts and cargo pants. Rippling muscles showed through the sheer gauze beach shirts. The swim suits really pushed the limits of JJ's control. By the time the shoot was over JJ's body was reacting to any move Walter's body made. He ready to throw him into the bushes and thoroughly molest every inch of his gorgeously tanned body. Maybe even twice. Perhaps it hadn't been such a good idea to watch the shoot.

JJ had finally reined in his emotions by the time Walter strode over to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Ready to go to dinner? I made reservations for us at our favorite Italian restaurant." Walter smiled at JJ, tugging him to his feet and pointing him toward the limousine waiting for them at the curb.

#=#=#=#=#

JJ was in a total funk. Things just couldn't get worse. He was trying to keep his emotions hidden, but wasn't sure if he could keep hold much longer.

Drake watched as his partner suffered in silence. Just the fact JJ didn't even notice that Dee had come and gone from the room was enough to say something was seriously wrong. He hated to see JJ this way. Whatever it was had to do with the drug bust earlier this morning.

Both he and JJ had been called in early to help the overnight shift with a drug bust. It was a routine bust, standard setup, and actually looked to snag a few new dealers in this time. They were separated during the raid, each leading officers into different areas of the club. It had been a very successful raid, netting about 20 dealers, some further up the chain than they normally got.

JJ was silent in the car on the ride back, too silent. By the time they had returned to the station JJ looked to be near tears. Drake had asked what was wrong but JJ only shook his head, giving the impression that he didn't want to talk. Knowing his partner Drake respected the silent request, hoping to get to the bottom of the matter some time during the day, maybe at lunch. If not, dinner was definitely in order.

JJ didn't want to go to lunch, but when the shift ended Drake grabbed him by the arm and kept him from leaving the office. This had to be settled. JJ hadn't said one word since the raid.

Drake turned JJ to face him, extreme concern on his face. "JJ, I know something is wrong. You're coming home with me tonight. We'll sort this out, OK? You've helped me many times, let me help you this once. Please."

JJ opened his mouth to say something but the tears started to flow before a word was spoken. Drake quickly closed and locked the office door, then moved JJ to the small sofa on the far wall.

"Dear god JJ, what's wrong? I've never seen you this upset." Not knowing what to do next, he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to JJ. He settled himself beside JJ and put a comforting arm around him.

JJ fell forward with the handkerchief held to his eyes, burying his face in Drake's shoulder. It took a long while for JJ to finally stop shaking and sobbing. After taking several deep breaths and a quick swipe of the handkerchief he moved back and lifted his eyes to look at Drake.

"Can you keep a secret? Just between us? No one else? I mean this, nobody else. I need to trust you."

"JJ, you've let me cry on your shoulder – how many times now? – and never said a word. I promise I can and will do the same for you. Do you really need to ask?" Drake wondered what was so wrong that needed such a promise?

JJ sighed. "I guess I should start at the beginning. You've probably figured out that I found somebody, and we've been going out for several months now, right?"

"Yeah, but I didn't want to pry. I knew you would tell me about him when you were ready. Did something happen between you two?"

JJ offered a heartless laugh. "Yup, I'd say so." A few more tears managed to escape his now closed eyes. "Why can't I find the right guy?"

"Aw JJ, you will. What happened this time?" He really didn't like seeing his partner this upset. His blue eyes were rimmed red and bloodshot, his hair disheveled, his usually impeccable clothes wrinkled and wet with tears.

Those bloodshot eyes locked onto his. "You know those dealers we pulled in today?" A deep sadness controlled JJ's features. "He was one of them. I never had a clue. All I knew was that he was a model. We met in a club I frequent. He was so like what I wanted in a man …" His gaze dropped to his lap, followed by a few tears.

"I'm such a fool. He even called me that when I cuffed him at the raid. Along with a lot of other crass things. He admitted that he intended to see how low he could drag me. Oh Drake, I'm a cop, a detective! I shouldn't have gotten ensnared in a one-sided love affair with a drug dealer. I feel so used, so stupid …"

JJ's voice trailed off and a new wave of tears started. Drake looked at him with compassion, then wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. Drake's heart was as close to breaking as JJ's was. He couldn't bear to see his friend in this condition.

"Oh JJ, don't say that. You didn't know. He kept it from you. It's not your fault. You'll survive this. I'll be here to help you forget that bastard. He's not worth your tears." Drake firmed his hold on JJ. "Just let it all out; I'm here and I won't let go."

JJ cried for a bit more before fatigue finally took over. The tensions of the day had finally taken its toll on him. Drake roused him and guided him to the car. When they got to Drake's parking garage he had to waken JJ, who had no choice but to grudgingly go with Drake up to his apartment.

Drake found some pjs that would fit JJ and chased him into the shower. "Honest, you'll feel better once you've had a shower. Soap and shampoo are in the holder in the shower stall, washcloths and towels are on the back of the door. Holler if you need anything. I'll make us some coffee, OK?"

JJ muttered a reply but Drake had already gone to the kitchen.

When JJ exited the bathroom in the borrowed pjs Drake was sitting at the kitchen table, two cups of coffee and a box of donuts waiting with him.

"Feel better?"

"Yes, much. Thanks Drake, you're a real friend. I appreciate it, really. Thank you." JJ smiled then turned to give Drake a hug and kiss. He started to giggle after pulling back to look at Drake's face. "I thought only Ryo could blush that bright!"